This morning while at work, I was running around like crazy doing end of the week activities, when I noticed I had a missed call on my cell phone. I didn't recognize the number as it was from Steph's, kid's line. So I called the number back and when I heard he voice I was like oh Steph, how are you? She said oh I'm fine, sounded tired but didn't sound excited, then all of a sudden she said, "I had the baby at 3:30 this morning!" Oh my gosh, I was so happy for her, she was really getting worried and was afraid she would have to go to the hospital to deliver. She didn't get to do the bath delivery because as soon as her body went into the water, her contractions stopped. Poor girl, so four intense hours after she woke with labor pains, Lilyanna Lynn made her entrance into her parents loving arms. Lilyanna is 20 1/2" long, and 9 lbs. 3 oz. And for Steph that is just a really big baby. I asked her if the baby was crawling yet, she just laughed. Steph said that the kids slept through the birth and that her throat is really sore from screaming, I guess this one was really painful, but baby and mom are doing wonderful. I can't wait to see Lilyanna and hug my friend Steph. Welcome Lilyanna!!!

Tim is doing so much better this year in school, he is working hard at keeping his grades up. After such a rocky year last year with his illnesses and surgeries, he really has to buckle down. He is also putting a lot of effort into his AF JROTC class, he has advanced one rank above his big sister, he brought five ribbons home last night (activiities, longevity, and I can't remember the other three, I need to write them all down). He has joined the saber team this year and wow does he look sharp in the uniform. He has decided that he wants to be a paratrooper in the Army after high school. This does scare me with what is going on in Iraq, all I can do is pray that it gets solved soon, he wont be out of school for another two years, then he has his training to go through before he could be sent out. Please pray God will keep in safe what ever path he takes.

Allie is a Junior in High School, oh my gosh she has just one more year and she will graduate and off to University she goes. This year was sort of rocky for her at first, she has had some gall bladder issues like her brother, but has not had surgery yet. The doctors want to wait and see how it progresses, ok so she is a guinea pig, nice. Anyway, Allie is really doing good about keeping her grades up, she is wanting to earn scholarships so she can go to school, she wants to be an OB/GYN!!! She knows it is going to take a lot of really hard work and that she needs to take some pre-req classes in high school. She is taking Chemestry right now and is really enjoying the class. She is doing great in AF JROTC, and is due to receive ribbons for acheivments, as well as is challenging her self to reach that rank above her younger brother. There is alot of competition there, and is fun for me to watch. Allie is in still volunteering at the hospital and hopes that will help her earn scholarships for college as medical school is really going to be expensive.

Justin is doing really good away at Job Corps, it was difficult at first to let me oldest fly the nest, but wow what a great young man he is becomming. It is so nice to carry on adult conversations with him, he is truly an amazing young man, and so smart. He is doing cable installation and once he is finished with that he wants to stay another year and do fiber optics. He was pretty homesick at first but knowing that we will always be here for him and he can always come home when he wants really helps him get through it. We don't talk much on the phone, someone stole his cell phone and pawned it, so we mostly email each other. Justin's counselor really praises him and says that he is a leader, he has so many girls that just love to hang around him. They like the fact that he is their friend and doesn't try to put the moves on them. I love to read his myspace and see how well liked he is.

So as you can see I am just really in a happy place with my kids right now, they are all just doing so wonderful. I sent money to school with Allie and Tim, it is picture day for AF JROTC, so I will post new pictures as soon as I get them back. I am just really loving my children right now, and am so proud of them. I know there are still chances of bumps in the road, but we will get over them like we always do. God Bless!!!!

My oldest son came home for his two week break, not nearly enough time to much but we managed. We took a trip to Elitche's in Denver, that was a blast. I really must say I had so much fun riding the roller coasters with my now adult son. He is a lot of fun to be around, so calm and mature for 18. He surprises me all the time, and the kid is just so smart.

My three other kids went camping for a week with church, so there were no kids home, talk about wow, so quiet, almost too quiet for me. They had a blast, the boys were on one side of the lake and girls on the other. The boys went rock climbing propelling, mountain biking and took canoes out on the lake. The girls did hikes, swiming, and also took canoes out, and told ghost stories around the fire. Both camps did church devotionals that left my kids with an awesome spiritual feeling that they said they will neer forget.

About two weeks before summer ended, we moved to a bigger house, it was supposed to be sooner, but was delayed as the old tenants had really left a mess. This house is awesome, we have really done a lot with it since we moved in. It has four bedrooms, an office, living room, family room, three bathrooms, two car garage, is four levels, and the yards are just awesome. The kids are supposed to be in different schools but were able to do permits to stay in their old schools. Brittany wanted to finish her middle school years with all her friends, and the Tim and Allie wanted to stay at Mitchell High as they have AF JROTC and their home school doesn't have that available. So I drop the kids off at school in the morning, it is on my way to work. On the days I work late the girls take the city bus home and Tim does weight lifting so I just pick him up. He is getting ready for the wresting season, and trying to drop 40 pounds, I want him to drop no more than 20-20 pounds.

This past weekend, I was saddened when my dad contacted me and told me that Dixie, the horse I used when I was a teenager for 4H horse shows, had a stroke and would need to be put to sleep. This really made me sad, yet I understood that it was best for her, she was now blind in her right eye and could not walk straight, she had even fallen a couple times. My brother made the arrangements for his vet to take a trip out to my parents. The vet said that she would not make it through the winter, he was shocked to find out that she was 38 years old. He thought she was younger, she looked pretty good for an old horse. Dixie had another stroke while the vet was getting the injection ready to put her to sleep, this really made everyone understand it was time to let go. Dixie didn't go easy, she wasn't ready to give up, she fought the injection, she never fought like that before. Finally when the injection started to work, her body started to fall one way and then she jerked and went the other way. My dad was holding onto her halter so he could ease her head down, and was not ready when she shifted directions. His hand was caught in the halter and lost a good portion of skin on the back of his hand. It was physically and emotionally painful for everyone. Once she went down, it was all just so peaceful and she was just relaxed and went off to eternal sleep. Dixie, I miss you and I love you, go ride those clouds and wait for us, tell Tonya hi for me. If you would like to visit the memorial I have created for Dixie, you can visit:  http://www.critters.com/main.php?action=view&mem_id=5048&logoff=true.

Until next time....

My husband talked to his son's Chris and John this past week. They mom is so cold blooded and mean, she has been fighting with these two for several weeks and this past week she actually went too far. In one of the screaming matches, she actually told John that my husband is not his dad. The dad he has known all his life is supposedly not his father at all. How could one person be so hateful and mean? She actually tore his heart out and stomped on it. She told him his entire life has been nothing but a lie. My husband has suspected that John wasn't his, but he has always raised him as if he is his son. So I told my husband all he can do is continue to be there for John and let me know that no matter what he is dad. I also suggested that once John calms down he talk to him and let him know that if he has questions, they can do a DNA test, and that no matter what the results he will always be his dad. If John has any questions at all, he needs to have them answered, he needs to know too that his dad will always continue to be there for him. That woman, just makes me so angry, she plays with everyone's hearts, and minds, she is just evil. How could you do that to your own child? How could anyone be that dang mean? Grrrrrrr I am just steaming now!!!!

John has to know that no matter what he is still loved by his dad, and no matter if they are blood or not, he is dad because he has always been there. And yet my husband has to know that if John is not his, and if he wants to find his real dad, he is going to have to step back and allow him that space. This is worse than a soap opera, because it is really affecting someone I love, several people I love. My kids are even tore up over this, they can't understand how she could do this to her own son. I just don't get some people.

He is still wanting to join the Mountain Bike club, but now we have to buy a new bike, and they are run any where from $500-$1200. Ouch, but the coach said he may be able to build one with a couple bikes he has at his house.  Tim was still able to get up on his own this morning and was the first one of the house to finish his finals, they will officially be out of school for the summer around lunch time.

What a blessing to have my kids start their summer break on my birthday!!! It sort of over shadows the day because I am attending Brittany's award ceremony and taking Allie to get her state picture ID so she can work the concessions at the Air Force Graduation. Pres. Bush will be speaking so everyone there must have a picture ID and be searched before being admitted to the stadium. She is very excited as this will be the first time to work concessions at the Air Force Academy, and you all know how hot those cadets look in uniform. LOL

Once I am done running the kids around, I am going to take the rest of my birthday money and go shopping at the mall, there are some really good sales going on. Yay.

Have a great day!!!!

I am also trying to get him to find out how much his pictures are going to cost as well as his class ring. Lots of money going out and I can't be there. LOL He understands at least, I might not, but he does. 

Have a wonderful day!!!

So no matter what happens, I will not cry and I will not worry as I will have time with my children.

My daughters helped out with a garage sale all day Saturday to help raise money for their all girls church camp coming up next month. They to do wonderful and between the two days they had the garage sale, they raised $743 for the camp. For the bigger part of Saturday, it was just my husband and me, and quiet around the house. NO fighting...well until they were all home together again. This is really what I needed, some quite time at home.

My husband gave me cash for my birthday, so now I just need to decide what I really want to buy flowers for the garden, or clothes, or maybe I will go get that massage. Hmmmmm

Well off to work, hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday!!!!

I am trying really hard to control my emotions when the kids are raging at each other and for the most part I have done pretty well this week. However anytime I get onto my daughter she starts to cry and yell and says that I shouldn't yell at her...Duh, I wasn't yelling, I was talking, I was just using my stern voice. So I am having to teach my self to use another tone of voice as to not create a vocal battle. I keep reminding my self that one day they will wake up and be my angels again.

My son met a man from out church last night, he has four boys the oldest is 8. They are going on a father/son overnighter in the mountains tonight, and he invited Tim to go since his dad is not home. My son talked to him for a while and found out this guy is really cool, so he agreed to go, he will help keep track of the four boys in exchange for a fun time. This guy told Tim that once his shoulder is better he will take him rock climbing and mountain biking, things his boys can't do yet. This will be a good outlet for Tim and he is really excited about it. Maybe the kid just needs a mentor to help keep him busy when his dad isn't around, and to get him out of the house away from all the estrogen. LOL Maybe things will start to look up!!!! I hope.

Do you remember what it was like to be 15 and 16? Remember how hard it was and the feeling that no none understands you or even cares? Well that is what I am going through with Tim and Allie right now. Allie wants a knife so she can kill herself when she gets in trouble, and Tim took glass and cut both arms a couple weeks ago. They are constantly calling each other names and yelling and screaming matches are daily events. I told them both last night that they are going to have to find summer jobs because I can't have them home all summer fighting with each other and Brittany. And they all think that the next kid gets more attention than they do. I am just waiting for the hormone over load to end so they can get back to normal, or at least semi normal. Tim was stomping around and having a tantrum like a two year old last night. Allie screamed for an hour straight in her room a couple days ago and the result is her throat is sore and her voice is much weaker, yea for me. They are driving me out of mind, I told someone the other day that I would rather have twenty toddlers right now than three teenagers, at least with toddlers you can send them to bed for naps. If I send the teenagers to their room the just sit in there and scream at me, or they keep coming out of their rooms screaming at me. Sometimes I wonder if they are coming down from a drug high, but I know Tim isn't because he was drug tested at the hospital when he cute him self. The doctors all think it is high levels of hormones and swear it will settle down soon, but not soon enough for me.

I do have to give them credit for trying as the pressure to do well is so heavy on their shoulders.

After watching a couple groups perform the kids all changed into street clothes and we caravanned over for lunch at a couple different restaurants. Then we were all on our way to Six Flags Elitches, were the kids would be able to ride on all the rides for a few hours before the awards ceremony in Batman's Arena. My daughter was so excited about the rides, she was finally tall enough to ride the big rides. My son tried to talk her into going on the Mind Eraser, you are harnessed into a seat with your feet dangling, and it takes you at high rate of speeds up side down, and twists you around, she didn't want to do. But after about an hour a friend of hers talked her and her sister Allie into joying her on the ride. It is amazing, conquering that one ride gave Brittany the courage to ride all the roller coasters that were open, and not just once each, several times each. She had so much fun, Allie really liked it too and wished the Tower of Doom was open as she wanted to know what it felt like to drop at a high rate of speed. Kids.... Tim had fun on the Mind Eraser, until his foot brushed a tree top because his legs are so long, that scared him. He wasn't able to ride many rides as he gets motion sickness real easy, poor kid, but he had funny as it was. At 5:00 PM sharp, we all reported to Batmans Arena for the awards ceremony. The kids were all excited when the saw how many trophies were sitting on the table, there was a school from out of state to compete with also. When it came to the awards for the middle school orchestra, my daughters group, Irving/Mann Chamber orchestra, won Superior Class A Middle School (top placing for middle school orchestra), and it didn't stop there, they won Superior Overall Middle and High School orchestra (they placed above all the orchestra groups who showed up). This is amazing, let the school cut the music program now, this is the second year in a row that these kids have placed with such high honors. I can't wait to hear what the school board, and principal think about these honors. We headed home when the park closed at 6:00 PM for our hour and half drive home, the park was closer to home than the school the competition was held at.

Sunday was not a day to sleep in either, we had to get up at 7:00 AM so we could eat breakfast and get dressed, the weather was warmer this time, and head out the door for the only mountain zoo in the US. My daughter Brittany had Girl Scout day at the zoo, and so this meant lots of walking up and down hills to see all the sights, and participate in different activities for the scout troops. We have lots of awesome pictures from all the exhibits, they have renovated so many of them. Our favorite has always been the giraffes as we are able to purchase crackers and hand feed them. They had about six babies this spring, and we were actually able to pet them. I will have to post pictures when I get home tonight. I have a picture of Brittany from when we got home, she sat on the couch up stairs and sort of fell over asleep, it was so funny. The kids were all wore out and let me tell you, wow, my legs are sore. Elitches is on 72 acres of land, we walked all of it several times, and the Zoo well not sure how much land there is, but the hills are killer. Great exercise program, maybe I should try and get a job at the zoo, lol, no I don't think so.

All in all this weekend was exhausting, but well worth the pain in my legs. Have a wonderful day everyone.

It is so hard trying to rebuild my son's faith in God, and to let him know there are reason's unknown to us as to why God does what he does. I pray that Tim will be comforted by the knowledge that Nina is still with him and will always be with him in his heart.

I just needed to share this, for the past several months, I didn't really know how much my son was hurting by the death of a beautiful young girl. I now know, and I now need to do something about it, to help him.

Peace to all. This is the beautiful girl that my son fell so hard for, when they were together this past summer, you could see the electricity between them.

Last night the kids were checking on their myspace accounts and found out that their brother Justin had been on. My youngest daughter was so funny because she found out that she was near the bottom of his friends list. So Brittany decided she needed to write a note to her big brother and tell him "shame on you," So she said, "don't you think I should be near the top of your friends list? I am your 'lil sis and will always be your friend." I thought it was so cute how she handled it, she was laughing about it the whole time.

We have decided that it is time to add to our family, no not another child, that was taken care of a few years ago. My oldest daughter was watching TV in the family room, when something furry ran over the top of her foot, it was a darn field mouse. My two dogs don't even try to kill them when they come in the house any more, so we are going to get a cat. Now I just have to watch and make sure my squirrel chasing dog doesn't chase the cat. And that the cat doesn't take after my birds, I think that Jewel my blue fronted amazon will be able to take care of her self, she holds up to the dogs, but my cockatiels would be no match for a cat. I thought we killed this mouse a couple months ago, but I guess I was wrong. We put poison out for the bugger, and I found out that if you have dogs, the mice eat the dog food which will prevent them from being poisoned, it neutralizes the poison. Dang it, I have been double feeding that bugger. I even tried to trap the bugger and it avoids the traps. So time for a cat!!!

Well I better get back to work before I get into some trouble. Take care!

The weekend was pretty quiet, except for two boys that came over to hang out with my son Tim, they were both flirting with my daughter Allie, and she does really like one of the brothers, but the older one is kind of strange sometimes. So she was giggly and flirty all weekend. I think next weekend is going to be a family weekend, no sleep overs and no game buddies. Sometimes we just need time to reconnect as a family.

Time for homework, then out the door to pick up Ms. Brattany and get her off camping. Take care everyone.