Our quick getaway

On May 14Th Brittaney turned 15 and we were able to spend the whole day with her, plus a few extra days. Stephen was able to take his only daughter to pass her learner's exam. About 3 p.m. we were talking about taking a day trip and going to Savannah to the beach. Then we started talking about going a little bit further and just going to Hilton Head, SC. By the time that we checked into the cost of rooms it was cheaper for us to spend three days in Panama City, FL than anywhere. So we quickly made reservations, packed every one's clothes, ran by Britt's Grannies so that they could quickly give her some birthday love (Thank you April), and we were on our way about 8 p.m.

We arrived at our destination around 1 a.m. We got a little bit of sleep and were ready to start the day. The weather was beautiful and the water was even more beautiful. I think this was God's way of saying you deserve this, or at least that makes me feel better considering we spent my student loan money. It was worth every penny! Brittaney had never been to Panama City and we really needed some time together as a family, we missed Austin not being able to share it with us though.

Friday Britt, Hunter, and I stayed out at the beach practically all day (and we were feeling it come Friday night) playing in the water. I'm terrified to swim in anything that I can not see my feet, but the water was gorgeous. I could see my feet even in chest deep water, I was loving it. Hunter had so much fun hanging on to me and sissy while we jumped the waves. Brian and Stephen decided to join us after they relaxed for a couple of hours. Friday evening we ventured out to Stephen's favorite restaurant Angelo's, known for their open pit steaks. Brittaney had never ate there and she was amazed at how delicious the steaks were. After dinner we went to the go cart track next door to Angelo's for a little fun. We drag raced each other, the boys went first and then the girls. I'm still the drag racing champion. Last year I raced Lyde and I was so concerned about winning that I forgot to hit the brake and hit the wall, it was hilarious. Stephen, Brian, and Britt rode the fast go carts while I drove Hunter on the slower track, we had a blast. We went by the boat dock to check out the ships afterwards and took some pictures at sunset, then it was time to head back to the hotel for some rest.

Saturday we were at the beach again. Britt and Brian were able to ride the jet ski's and of course they loved it. Stephen, Hunter, Britt, and I were swimming later in the afternoon and a quarter size jellyfish stung Britt on her wrist, so she was finished. The boys and I continued splashing in the waves when Stephen noticed a school of sting rays swimming in front of us. That was it! I grabbed Hunter and Stephen was right behind us. We were quickly trying to get out of the water. Stephen said that I was saying bad words that I do not even remember saying (imagine that). My focus was getting the three of us out of the water before we were bait. You can only imagine how hard it was for this fat girl to carry Hunter, fight the water, and worry if Stephen was coming. It was chaotic, but we made it. We finished the afternoon with shopping at a couple of the local shops. There was this one store called The Monkey Shack, and they had a live monkey. I'm not sure what kind of monkey, but it was the smaller one with a white face. She was 12 weeks old and was so cute, Hunter was fascinated with her. I thought that I wanted one of these monkey's when my children are grown and out of the house until I told the lady that I wanted this monkey and she told me for $12,000 I could have her. I quickly changed my mind once I knew how much they cost and besides the fact they can be so nasty. Saturday evening Britt wanted to go cruise the strip ( I felt so young again) so we set out for our venture. We drove down to Pier Park which is this new shopping complex they have built and it was really neat. We were a little upset that we did not have the money to shop, but it sure was fun checking things out and hanging out with each other. I thought it was so funny when this truck load of younger boys drove by us and said "Hey", I politely waved back. They must have been looking at Britt, or else they did not know how old I was. Thanks Britt for making me feel young. We surprised the boys and took milkshakes back to the hotel, but they were asleep (party poopers!)

Sunday morning we stopped for breakfast before getting on the road. We had to get back home so that I could make dinner for my mother in law. Sunday was her birthday and I wanted to make dinner and have our family over for the celebration. We had a great time and we were all asking "When are we going again?". Those unexpected quick trips are the absolute best!

My baby is a big boy now

Last night was Hunter's first night spending the night away from home. There have been a few times that this was attempted and he never went through with it. Twice was at my mom's house and once was with my neighbor Michelle. Saturday night my parents were over and when they were ready to leave Austin was going to spend the night with them. Hunter was having a fit because his bubbie was leaving him. Some how bubbie convinced him to go with him and spend the night at Noni's with him and they could sleep together. Before I knew it Hunter was asking me to get his clothes so that he could go with bubbie. Stephen and I both were trying to talk him out of this one because it was already 9:30 and we just knew that we were going to have to pick him up in a couple of hours.
Stephen and I got into the bed and I grabbed the phone waiting on that phone call. The house was quiet besides the television which was on a low volume because Stephen went to sleep. As I laid there waiting on the phone to ring I began to wonder, Was he really going to do it this time, spend the night away from me? I had no one to snuggle up with me and play with my hair as he does. Stephen was snuggled up to me, but it was not my baby. Then...the phone rang. I knew that my baby was not going to spend the night away from me because he is a mama's boy and when it comes to bedtime he needs Mommy and Daddy. I was quickly singing my victory song and answering the phone, getting ready to hear my little man say "come and get me". I was wrong! He was calling to tell me that I did not pack his spider man house shoes and he needed them. I apologized and told him that I would pack them the next time, I asked him could I talk to bubbie, gave him love over the phone and told him bye. I asked bubbie was Hunter ok, do you think that I need to come and get him? He laughed at me and said "no, he is excited about sleeping with me."
As I laid there again waiting on the phone to ring so many thoughts were going through my head. I soon fell asleep without my Hunter. I woke up Sunday morning with just my husband who cooked me breakfast. I was very surprised because I'm usually the one to cook. I think that he enjoyed it actually, but he said that he did not enjoy the bacon grease hitting him in his belly.
So it is official, my baby is quickly turning into a big boy. I still can not believe that he spent the night away from Stephen and I. My mom was the only one who had confidence that he was going to stay through the night. Regardless of him becoming a big boy, he will always need his Mommy. At least that makes me feel better to think that way.

Hunter graduated Pre School

Yesterday Hunter had his graduation ceremony from Pre School and the children performed songs which showed the parents everything that they learned this year. They did a great job and were so cute. It is so hard to believe that my little baby is going to "big boy school" next year and will be in school all day long. I keep preparing him for this big change, but he is so excited that he continues to ask me on a daily basis "Do I have big boy school tomorrow?" and when I reply no, I get "Aww I thought I was going to my new big boy school." I try to explain to him about when he will start, but he does not understand about the whole time thing yet so I will just listen to him complain.

After graduation we were invited to a pool party at his classmate Katie's house. The weather was a little cool, but that did not stop the children from going swimming. We ate a hot dog lunch and the children played. It was nice to sit around and talk with the other parents while we heard the kid's laughing in the background.

Brittaney is 15!

Brittaney turned 15 on May 14Th and it is so hard to believe that she is driving now. I have been in her life for 12 years now and can remember the first time that I met her. She hid behind her Daddy's leg fearing this crazy looking woman who was trying to talk to her. She was so cute with curly brown hair and those big brown O'Pry eyes. I have seen Brittaney go through many changes from being a bratty little girl and now growing into a beautiful young lady. She is very intelligent and has such a sweet spirit about her.

Stephen was able to take off work on Thursday so that he could spend the day with his little girl, as he puts it. We met Brittaney and her Mom for breakfast and then Brittaney was able to come with me, Stephen, and Hunter. As we patiently waited for the DMV to open up we came back to the house and watched a little television while Brittaney's butterflies continued to flutter in her stomach. As 9 a.m. neared we quickly made our way to the DMV for Britt to take her test for her learner's license. I continued to take pictures with my phone and sent them to Britt's mom to keep her informed and her and I kept praying that Britt would pass. I'm not sure as to why we were praying because we know that she is very intelligent, but we both really wanted her to pass on the first time. The lady called her name and her Daddy stood beside her the entire time until he had to let her go behind the line to take the test. He was eyeing her the whole time. I sure would love to know what was going through that man's head as he watched his only baby girl taking her test.

She finally completed and we could see victory all over her face. She was smiling from ear to ear. She looks at us and whispers "I passed...I only missed three". She is so proud of her driver's license and now she can cash a check without the bank giving her any problems. She has told me the story 3 times of how she went to the bank last week to cash a check and the teller gave her a hard time because she did not have any i.d, so now she should not have any problems. Brittaney has wanted to drive everywhere and she actually does a great job driving. Keep up the good work Britt we are all very proud of you!

Happy Mother's Day!

With mother's day upon us tomorrow, I want to take the time to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. My Mom, Mother in law, and our Grandmother's especially. I'm forever grateful to have you ladies in my life and I'm very lucky to have role models like you to teach me how to raise my children. Thank you for everything that you have done for Stephen and I both, because we both had such a wonderful childhood and it is with your love and support that we have became the parents that we are today.

I love to reflect on Mother's Day and how lucky that I am to be a Mommy. I was told at the age of 20,after some surgery, that I probably could not conceive and that if I do conceive it will be very hard. It was 7 months later that I met Stephen and began to fall in love. Later, I found out that he had 3 children. Wow, what a shock! My mom told me that maybe this was God's way of giving me children that I have always yearned to have. I was a little hesitant at first. I began to agree and 15 months later we were married.

I was a Mom at the young age of 22 and had never given birth, now that was something to brag about. Stephen and I were married for 6 years when we decided to try and have a baby. Six short months later I was pregnant with Hunter. He came to us 7 weeks early and had to stay in the NICU for a week after being born, but now he is healthy and thriving. I feel like I am the luckiest woman in the world to have 4 healthy and beautiful children who I love more than anything in the world. I love being a mommy to Hunter, a step mommy to my older boys, and Britt's heder! Being a mom is the hardest job anyone could ever have. My children know how to make me so happy, and they know how to make me so mad I could spit fire!

To Brian, Britt and Austin thank you for loving me and accepting me as your daddy's wife. I'm so glad that you came into my life and I love you more than you will ever know. I will always be here for you no matter what. I'm very glad to be your step-mommy. To Hunter you are the light of my life and you know how to make me smile. You are so loved by your brothers and sissy. Thank you for being a sweet and loving little boy; do not ever change that. I'm so glad to be your mommy. For all of my kids... always follow your dreams and never let anyone stop you from achieving your goals. I love you! Finally, to my heavenly Father, thank you for my greatest blessings...Brian, Britt, Austin, and Hunter.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Random 25

My sister-in-law Ashley has tagged me once again. This time is 25 things to know about me. I do not think that I'm that interesting, but we will see.


1. I was never suppose to have children (Hunter is my miracle in more ways than one)


2. I hate to have dirty feet (or for my kids to), I'm always sweeping


3. I like to have a clean and orderly house


4. I hate to dust


5. I played softball all throughout school and was actually pretty good at it.


6. My children are my greatest joy


7. My husband really is my best friend


8. I want to go before anyone I love does


9. In the same breath I want to raise my kids not someone else


10. I have a passion for children of all color, I wish I could take in all children in gov't agencies


11. I love to see a child smile


12. I really want to be a R.N. to comfort those who need it


13. Making others happy, makes me happy


14. I regret not going to college right out of high school


15. I have been skydiving before with my partner in crime...my husband


16. I want to go on an Alaskan cruise and to Turks and Caicos


17. I miss my family being close


18. I admire my Grandma Guild and she is a great role model, I miss being so far from her


19. I want my family to be happy more than anything


20. I want all of my children's dreams to come true and will do whatever I can to see that happens


21. I had a wonderful childhood with great parents


22. I really want to lose weight


23. I do not meet a stranger


24. I feel that everyone should love one another and not have so much hate


25. I love my life as a full time mommy and wife!



Now I tag Michelle and Deidra...

Great tip for Toddlers!

When your toddlers or children want to paint, use a medicine cup for the water. Such a great tip for children. Therefore, if the kids spill the water there is not a big mess to clean up.

Friends helping Friends

This past Saturday Stephen and Andrew were out in the yard working on the ditch that separates our two houses. Our builder, who is such a smart man (HA HA), did not have a clue when he built our houses. When the water runs through the ditch it overflows into Andrew and Michelle's yard which washes away the underground fence for their dogs. So one night last week Andrew was shoveling dirt and Stephen told him to wait and let him bring the tractor home and they would finish (without the back breaking work). It is so nice to have such great neighbors that we can actually trust and help each other out in situations such as these.

While the men were diligently working to beat the rain clouds that were quickly approaching, Hunter and Toby were enjoying a little water shower themselves. Michelle was watering the flowers (that are still alive!) on her porch, the boys looked a little warm in this Georgia heat and Michelle gave them a good cool down. It was so much fun watching the boys run, laugh, and get cooled off as well. Must I mention, it was also fun to see our husbands working and breaking a sweat...they are so handsome! Michelle and I mention all of the time how lucky we are to have such good looking husbands, but most of all who love their families and work so hard so that we can stay home and take care of our children.

I love to see the boys playing together and most of all to hear the sound of laughter. There is nothing better than to hear the sound of children laughing!

My 8, tagged by Ashley

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Taking a family vacation to Disney World
2. My last week of school next week
3. Having people over at the pool this summer
4. Watching my kids play sports
5. Seeing the joy and sparkle in my children's eyes
6. Graduating and becoming a R.N.
7. Having a niece that I can spend time with
8. Living happily ever after with my husband

8 Things I did yesterday

1. Went to school
2. Gave a small speech in front of my class
3. Washed clothes
4. Took a nap
5. Ate strawberries with Hunter and laughed at who got the last one
6. Played cards with my parents
7. Tried to teach Michelle how to play cards
8. Snuggled in bed with my boys

8 Things I wish I could do

1. Make everyone happy
2. Win the lottery
3. Make better grades in school
4. Know that my kids will always be healthy and happy
5. Bring world peace
6. Swim with the dolphins
7. Find my husband a job that he enjoys
8. Bring my family closer together...both sides

8 Shows I watch

1. Dancing with the Stars
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. House Hunter's
4. The news
5. Trauma life in the E.R.
6. The bachelor/bachelorette
7. Anything on HGTV
8. ?

And I tag Michelle