Sen"10"r pictures

Wow it is so hard to believe that Brian will graduate this year and head off to college. Stephen and I were talking about it driving home last week after a day of Christmas shopping and I started crying...already! I really want him to go to the college of his choice, get a great education, and stay close to home. I know I need to let go, but it is hard to let your children go especially for the first time. Stephen told me you better get use to it because when that little boy goes off you are really going to have a hard time with it. My reply was "well I have quite a few years to prepare for that, besides I have 3 more children to experience this with and by the time that Hunter leaves...well I will be an expert.
My sister in law Ashley took Brian's senior pictures and did a great job must I say. So if you would like her number to have her take some pictures of your family, just let me know. (Ashley you do not owe me for your advertising :) ) I could not believe how some of these pictures I felt like I was looking at Stephen because Brian is a spitting image of his Daddy.

Magical Christmas 2009...

I love Christmas. The magic, family, food, and the light in my children's eyes on Christmas morning. Hunter was really fun this year. His Christmas list was very short and very expensive. A John Deere tractor, a bow, and a shotgun. Stephen and I tried to tell him that Santa told us he was not getting his tractor because he has enough riding toys, but he was not having it. Santa brought him a spiderman bike instead, a bow, and several shotguns. The most special gift of all this year was from his Paw Paw and it was Ithaca single barrel 410 shotgun. It was passed down to him from Paw Paw because it was the first gun that his Paw Paw bought for his Daddy when he was 5. Of all the gifts that Hunter received nothing compared to that shotgun.
Brittaney got her I Pod and clothes. Austin got clothes, shoes, and Xbox live (which he thought Daddy and Heather were dumb because we tried to buy it at Wal-Mart...and really he was the dumb one). We really had him going thinking that we knew nothing about Xbox live because we wanted to surprise him and it worked. Brian got a predator call and a new car. The whole family got a Wii. Santa was really good to us this year, we must have been really good.
Christmas Eve night we made Santa's favorite cookies, chocolate covered peanut butter ritz crackers, read Twas the night before Christmas, and sprinkled our reindeer food. After all of the excitement it was time for bed. We had to explain to Hunter that he had to sleep in his bed because Santa will only deliver if everyone is in their own bed's. He made sure that the two older boys knew to sleep in their bed's and told them to go to sleep because he wanted Santa to hurry up and come. Stephen and I were whispering to each other about how blessed we truly are and Hunter quickly told us to be quiet and go to sleep. Austin knew that he could come and wake us up once he got up. Little did I know that he would be waking up at 5 a.m. He told me that he laid in bed until 6 a.m. and finally went back to sleep until Hunter woke him up at 7 a.m. Hunter came into the living room, peaked around the corner and saw the presents then started going through the house waking up everyone saying "get up, get up Santa Claus came". It was magical...I love Christmas, my children, and my sweet husband.

Finals....

Tomorrow I have two finals and I am totally stressed out!!! Stephen said earlier tonight that I have been in a bad mood and asked what is wrong with me. I just replied "finals honey". Could it be that I have been trying to get over bronchitis, have a sick baby, or my house is a disaster because of everything going on right now?Calgon could not even help me right now, seriously, if I were a drinker I would guzzle down some of the strongest drinks ever right now. Wait, maybe school is driving me to drink.
I am really living inside Reba's song "Is there life out there". I am so frustrated because it seems the harder that I try, the more I get knocked back. So you ask why am I blogging when I should be studying? Well, the truth is I can not look at another sociology word right now. I need a break. It is waaay past my bedtime, the house is quiet, even the dog is snoring, and I am sitting at the dining room table (where I have been all day long) trying to muster up the energy to overlook my humanities notes because after all that is my first exam in the morning.
Okay enough moaning and groaning. I simply ask for a little prayer from you to help me get through finals. Then I have over three weeks off and I am not picking up the first book, ok I will finish reading Edward. I am going to enjoy this break true enough.

The dog did it!

Hunter has been testing my patience a lot here lately, maybe it is because I have been sick for over a week. He and I both have been coughing our heads off for over a week now. On Wednesday as I tried to take a nap with Stephen, he kicked me out of bed and said that I have to do something about my cough. I sounded like a cat meowing as I would breath. I admitted it was time for a trip to the doctor. Brittaney accompanied me and after 2 1/2 hours of waiting, x-rays, and tests they found that I had bronchitis. This is the first time I have ever had it and I have been miserable. Not feeling bad except for my chest feeling tight and my head feeling as though it is about to bust every time that I cough. Thank God Hunter just has a dry cough.
The other night I had to take a bath because I was so chilled down to the bone. I had just gotten on to Hunter for playing with his kickity kick ball (thanks, Wubbzy!) and told him not to bounce it in this house again for the what seemed like 100Th time. So I leave him with Stephen and I went to take a bath. After I had been in the tub for what seemed like hours (because Edward and Bella were occupying me) I emerged from the bathroom to hear Stephen telling Hunter that Mama was going to get him because he had did something bad. I came to the living room to find him bringing me, in 5 different pieces, my soldier boy that I had sitting on the fireplace. My cousin made this for my Mom who passed it down to me about 20 years ago. It was the neatest Christmas decoration made from clay pots and painted as a soldier, to cute. So Hunter and I have a conversation that goes like this...
Hunter: "Mama I did not do it"
Me: "Well who did"
Hunter:"Dooie(the dog) did it with the ball"
Me: "How did Dooie do this? Hunter you know Santa Claus is watching you so I will just ask him and he will tell me."
Hunter: "OK I did it, but it was a accident"
Me: " I knew that Dooie did not do this, but you need to quit telling stories because remember Santa is watching you"

Where do kids come up with these ideas. I wanted to laugh hysterically, but I had to be stern because he needed to know right from wrong. Stephen on the other hand was laughing because Daddy is the cool guy, while Mommy is the disciplinary one.

11 years of marital bliss...

Today Stephen and I are celebrating our anniversary. 11 years of pure marital bliss. We were married in the small town of Helen, GA with just our immediate family. We had a wonderful time and I love to go back to Helen and reminisce about that beautiful, chilly night when I rode in a horse and buggy for the first time. Stephen made me feel like Cinderella and that beats a limousine any day. So, to celebrate our occasion I just wanted to list 11 things that I love about my husband.

1) his companionship
2) he is always there for me... he is my best friend
3) the way he father's our children
4) his kind heart
5) his little nicknames for me
6) he compliments me all of the time
7) his hard work and dedication to his family
8) his humor
9) he tolerates all of the projects that I start
10) his encouragement
11) the way he loves me unconditionally


Our marriage has definitely endured some bumps along the way, but for the most part things have been great. We have become so much stronger and more in love. I have enjoyed the ride beside you honey and I look forward to a lifetime of love with you. Happy Anniversary, I love you to the moon and back!

A few of my favorite things...

I enjoy looking at other's favorite things especially this time of year because you get an idea of what your loved one's enjoy. So a few of my favorites are:

My two all time favorite movies...The Wizard of Oz and Dirty Dancing



I enjoy a nice bubble bath every once in a while and lathering up with lotion afterwards especially Bath and Body Works Winter Candy Apple.



followed by a good night's sleep with the help of lavender and vanilla sprayed in my room.


I also like snuggling up with Hunter (my son) with a blanket and some hot chocolate. I always have to wear my slippers around the house.



And lastly I love a clean house and for it to smell good so I enjoy the smell of pine-sol.

A simple prayer

Tonight Hunter was in the bathtub and he was talking about his recent visit to his Uncle Lyde and Aunt Ash's church and all of the fun that he had. I asked him if he knew what a prayer request was? He looked at me crazy and said "noooo". I knew that was the answer because Ashley told me that the teacher asked him if he had any prayer request and he came off with some story (I wish I knew what he was saying) rather than a prayer request.

I explained to Hunter what a prayer request was and he immediately without hesitation bowed his head, folded his hands and started talking to Jesus. The only thing that I heard was "please bring my kitty back to me, my mommy, my daddy, my bubba, and bubbie. I love you and I miss you." He opened his eyes and I just wanted to cry. How sweet is my baby boy?

Then his yuckiness comes out...

Once he got dressed he wanted a snack before bedtime therefore we came into the kitchen and then I had to go to the laundry room for a quick duty and it was off to bed. While I was in the laundry room Hunter of course has to follow me everywhere so he found a bug in the laundry room and he got his shoe and mushed it. He said what do I do with it? I told him to throw it(the bug) in the trash and he said "I like these shoes, I want to keep them" because the bug was still smashed into the bottom of the shoe. I laughed and told him to throw the bug in the trash and keep his shoe and then he replies "but I want to keep this bug" how gross! only boys, so I insisted that he throw the bug into the trash and explained that we do not keep bugs because that is gross.

As we came back into the living room there was a small bug crawling on the floor and he said "Oh Mama I got it" and smash went the bug into my floor. So he runs to the kitchen grabs a paper cup and says in pure delight "Ooh my creature, now I can show my teacher and my class". I tried to explain to him AGAIN that we do not keep dead bugs, but he assured me that other students in his class bring the all of the time. So I left it alone thinking once he goes to bed then I will just throw the bug away and he will forget about it. Not so fast! He took the time out to browse through my scrapbook items, find some tape, and carefully cut a piece of paper to cover the top of the cup (as if this dead bug was going to crawl out!). When he realized that was not going to work he went to the kitchen and got a dish rag and placed over the top of it and came to me and said in the sweetest voice "Mommy I need a rubber band to cover my creature so I can take it on the bus." I told him that he could not take this bug to school until he asked his teacher and he replied "OK, do you have her number?" I could not help but laugh hysterically and he looked at me as though he did not understand what was going on. I told him that we would leave the bug at home and tomorrow he could ask his teacher if he could bring his "creature". This kid amazes me all of the time...I love his sensitive side so much and the way he makes me laugh.

More Milestones

Friday we reached more milestones in our family. It was Hunter's first time riding the school bus and It was Brian's last football game that he will play of the regular season in his high school career. He had his entire family there Daddy, me, Austin, Hunter, Jessie and her Mom, Paw Paw, Grandmama, Randy, Granny, Trevor, his Aunt Cricket, Uncle Brian and Maw Maw. He is truly loved by everyone who attended because they braced the cold weather all night to watch Brian on his senior night and to take second place by defeating Manchester. This win places the Trojans in the playoffs and they will play North Oconee High School next week at home.
I was overwhelmed with emotions all day. I kept telling myself to be strong for my youngest and oldest baby and whatever you do...do not cry! Yeah right! I saw the school bus coming down the road and I lost it. Then when I saw my little baby get off the school bus like a big boy, well you can imagine the river that flowed. Hunter and I talked the whole way home about the bus ride. He told me "Mama I had so much fun." I was really glad to hear that because I had worried all day about his safety and was he going to have someone on the bus to talk to? Would he know how to get on the bus and off at the correct stop? Was the bus driver going to be nice to him? And on, and on, and on. When we got home he was snickering and told his Daddy "Daddy, Mama cried like a baby." (thanks Hunter that was suppose to be our secret)








Then Friday night I had several hours to give myself the pep talk of how I can do this without crying in front of hundreds of people and embarrassing Brian. Well guess what? I made it. Yes, I hid my tears very well. I did not say that I did not cry, but I did not let Brian know. He even asked me "Heather, are you crying?" I quickly replied "nooo not me". My big baby has grown up so fast. It is hard to believe that I came into his life at 7 years old and have been able to watch him grow into this handsome, intelligent, loving, young man. Stephen and I are very proud of him, but know that we still have six months left of his senior year. Gosh I love this kid, we have become so close over the past few years and I'm really not looking forward to him flying the coop. I tease him and tell him that I will be visiting quite often when he goes off to college. It is such an accomplishment to raise good kids and Stephen and I have.

320 Sycamore is hosting a favorite things party on November 19th. Like Oprah's show of her favorite things, just much cheaper. This may give some of you ideas for the holidays. So, what are your favorite things? Join her on November 19th to share. I will see you there.

Today I had to pick Hunter up from school early for a dentist appointment. When I got to the school he was in the lunch room so I had to get him from there. When I went in his teacher told me that Hunter had some really great news in his Tuesday folder to be sure to check it out. As Hunter and I walked down the hallway I asked him what the good news was and he told me that he did not know. As we got into the room I opened up his folder and there was an announcement telling us that he made student of the month. I was overwhelmed with emotion and started hugging him.
Emotion not just because he was student of the month, but I could not believe that my baby was actually old enough to make student of the month.
He is such a good boy and we are so proud of him.

 

Our Halloween tradition every year is to carve a pumpkin with all of the kids. This year Austin did not have any interest in participating.Brian is always our master carver, and Britt and Hunter clean out the guts. We always tend to have a pumpkin fight even when I tell the kids no. Britt and Hunter started it this year by rubbing pumpkin goo on each other. Brittaney roasts the pumpkin seeds while everyone else patiently awaits the yearly treat. I think that our pumpkin turned out great this year, Brian did a wonderful job creating the face.

Last week the radiator in Stephen's truck went out and he had to replace it. Hunter was excited to give Daddy a helping hand with this project. He loves doing anything that involves getting dirty and standing alongside of his Daddy.

Halloween 2009

 

This year's halloween was really fun. Hunter dressed up as a black dog and I was going to dress up as a black mama dog, but he told me that he wanted to be the only one dressed up as a black dog. I called on my neighbor Michelle who had the most hilarious costume...a tacky tourist. This costume was a hit for the night. Many people came up to me telling me what a great costume that I had and even little kids were wanting to touch me and just laughing. I'm glad that I could make people laugh, Thanks Michelle. We had a fun night and Hunter was a little sad that trick or treating was over with as we were heading home at 9:00 p.m.

A suite night of magic!

Wednesday night I had the opportunity to take Hunter to see Disney on Ice presents Celebrations, Thank you Jason. I had mentioned to Stephen last week that I wanted to take Hunter to see that, but it was not going to happen financially. On Tuesday my step dad called me and asked me if I would like to take Hunter to see it and I said "I would love to, but we just do not have the money right now". He said "What if I have 3 tickets and a parking pass, would you take my grandson?", "Of course, I would love to." Since we were not sure if they were going to operate on Stephen's dad Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, Stephen felt that he should stay home just in case. So I called my neighbor Michelle to see if she and Toby would like to join Hunter and I since we were able to get 4 tickets.

 We got V.I.P. treatment all the way. The night started with v.i.p. parking in a parking deck that was literally right across the street from Philips Arena, so we did not even have to get wet although it was raining. We were greeted my several employees who guided us to our suite. Yes, I said suite and I'm here to tell you it was swweeeet! We really felt like the elite. The suite had 3 flat screen televisions, a freezer full of ice cream, and a refrigerator stocked with drinks. We did not have to buy anything, well except a souvenir for the boys. Everyone was extremely nice and we were so grateful for the tickets, they told us that they would keep us in mind for the next event. I love to make memories for Hunter that he will be able to look back on and cherish.

Stephen has been off of work quite a lot the past two weeks because of the rain and I'm here to tell you it has been nice. Last week he was off Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and although his check will be very short the time that we have been able to spend together has been really fun. Yesterday he was off due to the floods and we spent the entire day together. Hunter loves when Daddy does not have to work because he picks him up from school and they spend time together and he is able to tuck him into bed at night.
 Tonight, it was back to the old routine. Stephen had to go back to work and he missed Hunter's soccer game. Hunter played another great game...He scored again! He is quite the soccer player and I am very proud of him. Soccer actually keeps his attention the entire game unlike t-ball.
 Although Stephen is back on night shift and he likes the change I think that I would rather have him here at night. Tomorrow Austin has a football game and Thursday Brittaney will be in a homecomeing parade and of course the homecoming game will be Friday evening. I will have a lot of pictures next week from all of the events from this week, so stay tuned!

Today we celebrated Justin's birthday and we had a very special guest there. Stephen's grandmother joined us. We have not seen her in a while and when Hunter found out that Nona was going to be at Maw's house for lunch, he was excited. He loves to go to Maw's house and I would love to say that he really enjoys spending time with his grandparents, but the truth is he loves to play the video game with his Uncle Lyde. Although, I'm sure that he really does enjoy spending time with his Maw and Paw Paw.
 When we arrived he jumped up in the chair with Nona and snuggled right up with her and watched t.v. As we sat down to eat hamburgers (steak to Hunter because everything is steak) Hunter had just a few bites and he was finished. He cozied up to Uncle Lyde and convinced him to go upstairs and play the video game.
 I love spending time with our families and especially the cherished time that we have with everyone we love!

......GOAL......

Today was Hunter's first soccer game and he was awesome! Stephen and I were quite surprised by how well he played and that he was interested in the entire game. During tee ball season Hunter played well, but it did not keep his attention for the entire time. He would get upset when he could not get the baseball and he was always running after the ball. Soccer gives him the opportunity to chase after the ball and to work really hard. He could keep the ball between his feet and the only problem that he had was turning the ball around to go down the field. When the game first started he fell a couple of times fighting for the ball and he would take his time getting up. At half time Stephen and I told him he had to jump right back up and go after the ball. He was so cute everytime that he would get the ball and kick it down the field he would always look to make sure that his Daddy and I were watching him and we would give him a thumbs up or praise him and he would reply "kank you" or simply "kanks".

 He was playing against one of his classmates and everytime Tristen had the ball Hunter would run behind him and not try to get the ball back from him. When Hunter had the ball Tristen would run beside him and neither one would take the ball from each other. Finally Hunter had taken the ball from one of the opponents players and he ran it down the field and scored a goal. We were so proud of him! He really played a good game and had fun the entire game.