Remember Wanting to Dance With This Guy?

If you don't, you've never seen Urban Cowboy.

I was 13 and my mom and her baby sister were about to pop
it into the VCR and I BEGGED to watch it.

I remember watching them dance around Gilley's. FUN! FUN!

I wanted to learn to dance like that, so I did.

Only problem was teenage boys DID NOT know how to
dance like that.

Bummer!

Fast forward 25 years................



My 14 year old son walks into the kitchen,


"Hey, Mama", he said,"Did you know that there
is a Cowboy Prom at the State Rodeo Finals?"

"Yes. Why?" says I.

"Well,Uhh, I don't know how to dance." he says.

"And?" I said.

"Could you teach me?"

" Sure", I said,"What do you want to learn to do?"

"All of it."

So that's what we are doing this weekend!

Breaking out the George Strait, Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, and the
Jason Aldean.

We are moving the table out of the kitchen and turning it
into a dance floor.

I've even got a disco light!

Caleb, Eden, Kyle, Hannah and Whoever happens to drop by will
be learning to Two-Step, Shuffle, Freeze, and Cotton -Eye Joe.

Maybe I can get Stacy to put on a black cowboy hat and lean against
our bar with a long neck in his hand.

I'd even let him call me"Sissy".

Peace.

WEIGH IN!

23 to go!

Peace!

5 Kids! You Must Homeschool?......

Well yes, As a matter of fact , I do.
Like its in the"Parenting Rule Book" or something.

I get this ALL the time.

Then I get :

"Have they ever been to a REAL school?" Yes. One. Caleb- for 1 year.

"What about socialization?" This way I choose who my kids"socialize"with.
Next Question.

"Don't they miss having friends?" They have more friends now than
they would if they were in a traditional school setting. Homeschoolers
don't do "jocks,nerds,brains,heads and invisibles". Everyone is your friend-
no mater how old they are or what their interests are.

"You must be religious?" Yes, and I pray you are too.

"Don't you want your boys to play football?" We are not raising professional
athletes. They are perfectly happy attending SEC and NFL games with
their father. So the answer is NO.

"Don't you want your girls to be cheerleaders?' I was a cheerleader for 6 years.
I don't want my daughters smooching on football players after the game(Ignore that, Dad)
and feeling sorry for the girls who aren't cheerleaders.
Also, I have never seen "Were you a cheerleader?" on a job application.
So the answer is NO.

"Do you REALLY think that you are qualified to teach your children?"
NO, but then again I have never thought I was REALLY qualified to
do ANYTHING God has called me to do.
Thankfully HE knows things about me that I do not.

"You must be REALLY strict to be able to do this?' I am not strict, I just
have the respect of my children and the support of their father.

"Have your children ever asked to go to REAL school? " Well let's see..
My children go to Disney World in November when everyone else is in
REAL school. Uhhhh......No.

"Do you ever want to put your children in school?" All the time.
Then I have a cup of coffee and I'm over it.

"You must be a Saint?" This is where I smile and Stacy is behind me
shaking his head,"NO!"

"I could never do that...I mean I have to have a life". I do have a life.
It's just my life..Not yours. Probably the reason you don't want it.

And my favorite...."I just think that homeschooling is harmful to children"
No , actually the angsty teenager that brings the 9mm to school is harmful
to children.

I say all of this on the heels of a post by Cassie. She is a homeschool mom of 4
that had a person leave several hateful comments on her blog.
Basically, bashing Cassie and her family for educating her children at home.

Home Education is hard.

You are different. Your family is different. The way you live is different.
That's O.K.

God has different paths for us all.

He leads each of us to do things differently for a reason.

We should never feel threatened or inadequate because of the way someone
else chooses to live or raise their families.

I have tons of friends who have their children in a traditional school setting.

They are just as supportive of my children's accomplishments as I am of
their children.

My brothers' children are in wonderful public schools in our hometown.
These kids get a great education and they are brilliant. Not just because
they are my nieces and nephews...they have been tested...They
are actually brilliant! We support them , their parents, and the schools.

They love and support my family and our lives, just like we love and support
them.

Every Mom and Dad has to prayerfully consider what is best for their family.

This is what is best for OUR family.

All of these kids are the future.

It will take ALL of us doing the best we can, so that they can do the best
they can...In whatever God calls them to do.

So Cassie... If you read this....
I know what you are going through. We all get to answer those
questions.

I am for you, Sister.

And for anyone who reads this, that does not homeschool....

I am for you,too!


Peace.

Wordless Wednesday!

DID I SHAVE MY LEGS FOR THIS ?!

Woke up at 3:50 this morning!
Got dressed, wondering the whole time WHY
women shower,shave,and do their hair to go
work-out.
It makes NO sense, still we do it.

Get there and Brandon is waiting for me with
a few NEW things to try.
Pull-ups
Sprints
Push-ups
Dips
Curls
Free press
and the
Elliptical

3 sets of 10 each.
I hate Brandon........I really do.

Then he tells me that he will not be there on Thursday,
so he gives me homework!
No, that was not a typo- I actually said"Homework".

50 Push-ups
100 crunches
50 dips
50 bicep curls (10pd dumbbells)
100 squats
100 bicycles

Then he looks at me and says,"this is going to be tough", and then
he smiled.

Have I mentioned that I hate Brandon?

So I am going to do it, because I know he thinks I can't.

He's all "Mister Trainer" , so I'm sure he knows what he is
doing , but I will say this............

If I do not look like the picture at the top of the screen in 12 weeks-
Brandon's going down!

**My Daddy just e-mailed me and said that I CANNOT wear the costume!
Sorry Stacy!

Peace.

Pictures by QB!

My BFF, Queen Bee, came to the house and
took a few pictures of the kids.

I have to be sure and do this.
We have about 10,000 pictures of Caleb-kid #1,
5,000 of Hannah- kid #2, about 1,000 of Ben- kid #3...
Do you see where I am going with this?



So I am trying to play catch up!

I don't want my kids sitting around telling some
therapist that "Mom had more pictures of *?*, because
she loved him more!"


I love these pictures of Mary.

Every time I take a picture of her I check to see if she "looks sad".

Mary Beth Chapman said(in an interview) that"these little girls always
look like they have this unexplained sadness."

I read that while we were in the process of adopting Mary. I thought
about it all the time. It is just one of those things that you hear and you
can't shake. I find myself looking at her sometimes.....trying to figure out
if she is sad and doesn't know why.

I don't see it. I've never seen it.

She is wild, crazy,and joyful, all of the time.

And my friend has caught that in these pictures.

What a gift.

Peace.

The Many Faces of Ben!

Ben is a lot like his daddy.

He is quiet. He is a "watcher". Doesn't really have
a whole lot to do with people-unless he likes them.

But he is a funny little guy.
He has always had this really zany mature sense of
humor.

His favorite cartoon character is "Patrick Star" from
SpongeBob. He loves to quote him!

He makes us laugh all the time!



Can you tell that I am raising a house full of
"Tree Huggers"?

This one is my favorite of the bunch!



This is what he looks like when he is up to something!
He is trying to flip the hammock over!

As you can guess, He never gets into REAL trouble!

He's just so darned cute, its hard to get onto him!

A good photographer knows that your children are all different
and they try to capture that on film for you.

QB always does that for me.

We love her for loving our kids the way she does and
for taking the time to do this for us.

Peace.

Way more information than anyone needs!

I was Tagged, again!
This time by Sweet Rebecca
http://blessingsfromchina.blogspot.com/
I love her, so I will let her live!
Here it goes!

3 Boring and Useless Random Facts about Myself:


1. When I was a little girl, we would go on vacations in a Winnebago.
I would sit in the back of the thing and look out the window and
pretend that I was a rock star on my tour bus!
When Stacy and I are are on long flights....I still do it.


2. I grew up on a farm in a rural area. By the time I was 10, I could drive
a truck , a tractor, throw a knife, shoot a gun with authority, and spit tobacco
farther than either of my brothers.


3. I cannot read fiction! The only fictional stories that I have been able to
read were the ones written by Edgar Allen Poe. I think it was just
because I understand his "evil Genius". It is hard for me to become interested
in the characters because I know they aren't real. I have tried and tried!
I almost drove my Senior Literature teacher crazy debating the fact that
I should not be forced to read stories about people and places that did not exist!
What good could come of it? She was REALLY glad to see me graduate!

Who am I going to tag next? Hmmmmm................AH! GOT IT!

Susan http://funnyfarmjournal.blogspot.com/ Cause she is family and
can't tell me NO!

Queen Bee http://frogsandbees.blogspot.com/ Cause she is family and
can't tell me NO!

Chelley http://chelleyau.blogspot.com/ Cause she's my
"Sista from Down Unda."

Janelle http://wisetales.blogspot.com/ Cause I can't wait to see how she
scrapz her "Tagged" post.

Sam http://cowboysandcrosses.blogspot.com/ Cause she just had neck surgery
and I know she's not doing anything else.

The only reason Yvonne is getting out of this, is that she is having wrist problems.
I'll get her, next time. :)

Sorry Girls! Ya Know the Hippy loves ya!

PEACE.

I've Been Tagged !!!!!!

An in-law of an in-law Tagged me.

McCain's Corner
http://barrymccain.blogspot.com/

Not really sure how to do this....But here it goes:

What were you doing 10 years ago?

I was trying to be the "perfect wife and mother"
to my husband Stacy ,our 5 year old-Caleb, and our brand new
baby girl-Hannah.
Just for the record,I still haven't figured it out!

5 Things on your to-do list for today:

1. Give my son his antibiotic.
2. Feed the farm animals before 8 A.M.
3. Make sure Eden loads her saddle in the trailer.
4. Read the new Mo Willems book with Ben.
5. 25 minutes of cardio.

5 Things that you would do if you were a Billionaire:

1. Ask my husband to retire.
2. Set up a trust fund for each of my children, nieces and nephews.
3. Build a 50 acre Farming Village in Africa, complete with
hospitals, schools, a church,markets, and wells with fresh water.
4. Develop a non-profit housing development for Chinese girls ,
who have aged out of the SWI system, until they receive
a college education.
5. Give out $100,000.00 a year in Adoption grants.

Name 3 of your bad habits:

1. I talk too much.
2. I don't listen enough.
3. I like sugar.

List 5 jobs that you have had:

1. Babysitter
2. Cashier and stockboy in my Daddy's little country store.
3. Respiratory Therapist
4. Substitute Pre-School Teacher
5. Domestic Engineer


List 5 books that you have recently read:

1. Journey to Family
2. Attachment in International Adoption
3. The Clean-Eating Diet
4. Answering the 8 Cries of the Spirited Child
5. Mercy Watson Fights Crime

List 5 people you are going to tag:

1. Wendy http://theelliewoodclubhouse.blogspot.com/
2. Sharon http://andbailimakes3.blogspot.com/
3. Sarah W. http://journeytohannahclaire.blogspot.com/
4. Sara/Sofa http://preciouswondersandlittlemonkeys.blogspot.com/
5. Lynn http://bloomwhereyouare.blogspot.com/

Love Without Boundries Live Auction!!

The LWB Born In My Heart AUCTION
is going on now and will be live for 2 more days!

Wait til you see what they are offering this year.

I saw about 50 things I wanted to bid on!

Beautiful pictures and several "100 Wishes Quilts".

Here is the link:http://stores.ebay.com/Love-Without-Boundaries-Store

Dig Deep.

Peace.

PRAYER REQUEST !

One of our Bloggy Friends Needs our prayers.

Her husband's brother was recently injured in Afghanistan and
the injuries are severe.

He is in Germany now.

They are asking for prayer for him, his family, and his doctors.

Please stop by and give your support.

Here is her site:

The Adventure Continues
http://ibetts.blogspot.com/


Peace.

New Video from PHF!

I love the Philip Hayden Foundation and we love the children that
we sponsor.
We have 12 little boys that we sponsor and I get so
tickled when we get updates on these children.

Just yesterday, we were told that one of the boys we have supported
for 3 years has a family!!

Ain't God Good?

This is the new video from the site.

I'm sure you all recognize the SCC song!

http://www.youtube.com/chinaorphans

Peace.

First Day Of Training!

THIS is who I am........




THIS is who my trainer OBVIOUSLY thinks I am!



And THIS is my trainer, Brandon.
Just to give you a better idea of how freakishly HUGE
this guy is- I am almost 5'8 and weigh 178 pds!

He makes me look like a Pixie!

I have nicknamed him "Binky", because it makes me laugh!

Do I love him?

YES!

He is perky in the morning- just like me.

He loves to talk about family, God, and country-Just
like me.

And if I whine like a baby....Well, he just sticks his bottom
lip out and says, " Its O.K. It will get better, I promise."

Awwwwww! He does know that I am a Princess..........

I think that this is gonna work juuuusssttt fine.

PEACE.

Yeah! That's it............

So we are at week 2 on the diet and I have lost 2
pounds.

O.K. A pound a week is not going to get it.

Why only 2 pounds. Well lets' see....

I hate to exercise and I can sniff out sugar like a bloodhound
after a prison break!

Hmmm.....

A few months ago , while at my annual check up, my
OB( who is a friend of ours) said that I might want to
check into a personal trainer.

Uhhhhh What? Someone bossing me around and checking my
BMI every week?! I think Not!

But after the "2 pds in 2 weeks"thing, I'm thinking-
maybe not such a bad idea.

This town has a GREAT health & Fitness center at one
of its hospitals, so I start to ask around.


"Oh! You HAVE to get Brandon", "You NEED Brandon",
"The only one I would get If I were YOU is Brandon".
Just a few of the suggestions.

So of course, I jump through hoops(meaning I have to be there at
5:30 A.M.)to get this guy.

Meet him on Tuesday.

O.K.! Now I get it!

Brandon is 6'4-maybe 6'5 , weighs about 210, and is REALLY serious about fitness!
I find out AFTER I sign on the dotted line that he is affectionately
referred to as "The Terminator".

Lovely.

I also find out, later, that the rest of the trainers are all women.

So I put 2 and 2 together, and figure out that this is the only trainer that my
FRIENDS thought that I would not be able to "run over like a freight train".

Have I mentioned that I'm mean as a snake......Maybe not.....Anyway,
I start in the morning!

Brandon and I have already butted heads. He said that he really likes to
do alot of running, and I said" I don't run".

He looked at me kinda funny and said,"You get bored REALLY easy, don't you?"
Like I had it tattooed on my forehead or something.

Like 0% body fat makes you a psychic, all the sudden!

So we will see how this works out.

Either way, I'm sure that it will make for some really
entertaining 'Blog Fodder'.

Wish me luck! Oh! And if you could mail me some chocolate
in an unmarked paper wrapper...That would be cool ,too!


Peace.

I would feel more optimistic about a bright future

for man if he spent less time proving that he can

outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness

and respecting her seniority.

- E. B. White

PEACE.

Prepare to be...........

DISTURBED!!

A book has been published to help children understand what
Mommy goes through during the process of cosmetic surgery.

It tells the children that "Mommy won't be different
just prettier".

Click on link to see the Page Gallery:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/132536


Lovely...........

Peace.

CAN YOU HEAR IT ?

That Very Very Loud Ticking Sound ?!?!?!

That would be the sound of my Biological "Adoption" Clock.

I have everything ready to send to the Consulate BUT my
homestudy!

Why?

15 thousand different reasons why!

None of them are mine, mind you.

Still I have no homestudy.

I hope to have it by the first of the week so that I can
get this dossier sent off for translation.

A LID sometime in this millennium would be nice!

UGGGHHHH! Where is that chocolate!?

Oh, Wait! The horse diet!

Where is that sugar-free Jello gelatin and one crappy piece of fruit?!

On a happy note: My husband and I went to dinner with a M.D.(and his wife)
the guys are thinking about hiring into their group.

He is Chinese and he is originally from the town just
south of Kunming,Yunnan Province.
The home of our very own Mary Elizabeth.
His entire family still lives there and he visits often.

Oh, Yeah! He is SOOOOO hired!

I am really pumped.

What a Blessing it would be for Mary..All of us, really.

Cool,huh?

Peace.

Mary Elizabeth Counts For PawPaw!

Mary Elizabeth wanted PawPaw to hear her count.

Funny child...She will not count in Mandarin,

But she will do this all day long!

I'm not sure what her deal is.

Peace.

The Pack Mentality

"Suzanne streaks her hair. Why can't I ?"

"But Mickey got a pair of those sneakers..."

"Everybody has pierced ears. I want mine pierced ,too."

Kids of all ages can be envious of others, wishing they had
what others have-clothes,friends,grades,a car,curly hair,
straight hair,etc. They think that if they have the same things,
they will become like the friends they admire.
"With the right clothes, I will be popular like Samantha",
or "When I get new high-tops, I'll play basketball as well as Jason does."

It's easy for kids to confuse skills and possessions with well-being.
They think that they need to have certain things to become
popular or athletic, and believe that this is the way to feel good
about themselves.

Unfortunately, this approach to life only sets the stage for disappointment,
as most of us have learned the hard way.

During the pre-teen and teenage years, when kids are more focused on
their peers than their parents, they may become obsessed with
having the right possessions.
This is also the time when kids are learning to think abstractly and
philosophically, and are beginning to define their place in the world.
Since this process is so daunting, kids may find refuge from the
confusion in "the group". Fitting in can become paramount.

We need to help our children recognize that individual differences
are wonderful, and in fact are to be desired.
We want our children to develop enough confidence in themselves
that they do not feel the need to resort to copying other kids or
hankering for certain possessions in an effort to belong.
We are all unique and wonderfully made.
A child or teenager with a strong self- image will have less of a
need to emulate others.


from the book: Children Learn What They Live- Parenting to Inspire Values

**************

We have a teenager and a tweeny.
They have been independent thinkers for as long
as I can remember.
They have never really been"into " being cool,
or one of the group.

Ben, our 7 year old , is the same way.

Rachel is different.
She likes to "run with the pack".
She likes to do what the big kids are doing-good or bad-
and will try to sneak around and do it-even if she knows
that she will get into trouble when she gets caught........And
bless her heart, she always gets caught!

I never ceases to amaze my that you can take a house full of children,
all raised by the same parents, all given the same rules, all given the
same amount of attention, blah, blah, blah.......
And you are always gonna have a couple that are gonna buck the system.

She's not hateful , no blatant disobedience, not even disrespectful-
She just throws caution to wind if it means that she can be apart
of the group.

If Carson has a Baby Alive, she has to have a Baby Alive. If Julia has new Littlest
Pet Shoppe toys, she has to have Littlest Pet Shoppe toys.
Barbies, Toy Makeup, Paper Dolls,Press On Nails, you name it....She thinks she
"NEEDS" it.

Every time there is a commercial on NOGGIN, she sees the new toy and
begs for it!

And don't let her see a McDonald's Happy Meal commercial! You will hear
about that until she gets one...And then its not the one that she wanted!

On and On and On and On......

Rachel is 4, now. 4 1/2 ,actually, and we really have to start addressing
these issues with her and it is tough.

She is so darned cute, that you just hate to get on to her..but I know where
she will be 10 years from now if I don't.

COOL is a really big deal to her.

She already cares more that the 5 and 6 years olds think she's cool,
than she does about her father and I being unhappy with her behavior.

Can you imagine THAT with a car and a pocketful of money!
Not willing to go there!

I guess that's why I felt blessed by this particular chapter.

What did I gleen from it?

Well that maybe I should spend a little more time helping Rachel to
see that she is Cool even if she doesn't have a certain doll, or Happy Meal.

She is Cool, even if the big kids don't want to play with her.

She is Cool just the way God made her.

And that she should love herself because God loves her
just the way she is.


It's funny, I read through this book all the time and I don't
remember this part.

Guess you find it when you need it....

Crazy!

Peace.

What I Am Reading.......

Spirited Child Inventory

*** When energy was given out, your child got an extra portion.

*** The word No is considered a challenge, not an answer.

*** Whatever your child is doing, he/she is very intense.

*** Your child does not understand what it means to ADAPT.

*** Your child is a natural-born debater.

*** What ever is the norm for most children, your child is more.

*** Your child resists schedules-bedtime, mealtime, and routines.

*** Your child gives a new meaning to the word persistence.

*** Your child is sensitive to sounds,sights,textures,foods, and so on.

*** Your child often loses his/her temper.

*** Your child seems to try to deliberately annoy people.

*** Your child often refuses to comply with your rules or requests.

Now take the survey and scale your child on a scale from 1 to 10.

1 being "Not My Child" and 10 being " Oh, yeah! That's my kid!"

If your child's score is under 50, you probably have a very cooperative child.

If your child's score is between 70 and 80, You probably recognize your little

angel in the title of the book. You should purchase it. You will love it.

If your child's score is above 80, well the book suggests that you read the book

AND find other parents with spirited children and form a support group.....

Your going to need it!

Rachel Kate's score ...70!

Not that this is surprising to me.

I actually read this book for the first time,

when she was 2 1/2.

Now that Mary Elizabeth has started to follow Rachel

around and mimic her every move, I thought I'd read it again...

Just to be safe.

If anyone else thinks it might be a good idea to read it,too..

You can click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.com/Answering-Cries-Spirited-Child-Confident/dp/1582292841/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

If you have a Spirited Child, You'll be glad you did!

Peace.

The Hippy On Her High-Horse!

This country's obsession with beauty is
having a devastating effect on generations of
young people.

These kids are told by the media that unless they
look like a supermodel or a rock star, they are not good
enough to love.

Who is profiting?

This candid documentary provides astounding answers!

-Mothering Magazine


Click Here to Watch the Trailer:
http://www.americathebeautifuldoc.com/



Like we 30-somethings didn't know this already!

I hope it shows in every theatre in the country.......
But it probably won't.


Peace.

Wordless Wednesday!

Prayer Request Update!

Sam had her surgery.

She did great!

She's feeling good.

Doctor said if things go well she may only stay 1 day.

The kids had a great day.

About as un-eventful as anyone could hope for.

Thanks for Praying!

Peace.

My Little Friend Is Having Surgery...Prayer Request!

When I say little, I mean "not big as a minute"
and "mean as a snake"..But we love her anyway!

Anyone that hits this blog has read Sam's name,
or seen her picture, or feel like they know her.

She is having neck surgery this morning(4/15) and she is scared.
Anyone that signs a surgical release is scared- I don't care what they say.

So if you have a few minutes please take those few minutes and say a prayer for Sam.

1. Ask God to ease her anxiety.
2. Ask God to guide the hands of her surgeon.
3. Ask that her nurses be patient. I told you she was mean! :)
4. Ask that she have a short recovery period.
5. And finally- ask that her children have faith that God's will WILL
be done.

I will be grateful to you.

She and her family will be Blessed by you.

Peace.

Speech Eval Today!

Hannah 2008


Ben 2008

Hannah and Ben had a 12 month speech evaluation ,today.

Hannah has had a sweet little lisp since she could talk
and we have been working on that for a few years.

Ben was a late talker. We had him eval'd for the
1st time at 5 years old.
He was making 3 and 4 word sentences and was
having articulation problems. 2 to 2 1/2 years behind.

About 6 months into therapy the hospital closed its
Speech Services Program.

The therapist evaluated the children and gave us exercises
to do and we have done them for 12 months.

Today she came here to test them and see if they had progressed
using the methods that she had suggested to us.

Ben has jumped the scale by 2 1/2 years and is at age level in all areas
except articulation.
He is still about 1 1/2 years behind in blends, so we are going see a
therapist for 12 weeks.
They feel like he will be at age level by the fall!

I am thrilled.

And my sweet Hannah... She has everything down but a few blends(sh,and scr)
Her lisp is almost completely gone. It was suggested that she go for one day
a week during the summer , so that she can do some different exercises
with the therapist to build her awareness when it comes to her trouble spots.

I am so proud of these kids.

They have worked really hard for the past year.
Never complained.
Never whined.

It makes me want to cry when I think about it.

The therapist said that she could not believe what she was hearing.
They did not sound like the same children.

I never thought I would be so happy to hear that one child" was
a year and a half behind", and another had a "tiny lisp".

I feel Blessed by it.

Happy about it.

I love my life.

Peace.

1 Down......29 To Go!

So you are probably looking at these pictures and thinking
"What the heck is this all about?!"

Well, I'll tell you.

This picture sits on my desk in my office.

I look over at it and smile, and type away at the computer.

Beautiful Day! Good Lookin' Husband! All Smiles!

Happy! Happy! Happy!

On Friday, I looked at it and noticed that I had NO boobs!
Then I looked a little more and noticed that I had no belly, flabby arms,
side planks on my butt, OR a double chin.

THEN I remembered that my dress was a size 4.... that had to be
taken up because it was too darn big!

Then I looked at my sweet husband.

I weigh 50 pounds more than I did that day, and he has
NEVER said a word about it. Not one.

I mean he got WAY more than he bargained for in this deal,
and acts like he doesn't notice!

So I decide that it is time to loose some weight.
Seriously....I really mean it this time.......

I get out the diet books, and the exercise books, and the diet cookbooks...
I have concluded 2 things.
#1 Diets Suck!
#2 Exercise Sucks!


It suddenly became painfully clear to me that I was
in need of some motivation.

Enter Stacy....

My husband has said that when I hit the 30 pound mark, he will
purchase the cutting horse of my choice!

That is enough to motivate me!

The kicker is that in order to start showing this horse next fall,
I have to loose it in 16 weeks.

Hmmmm....I think I can do this.




This is not the horse I want...

Well actually IT IS the horse I want, but Stacy would
have to sell both of his kidneys to buy him....so
since he needs his kidneys, I'm thinking ...Not Gonna Happen!




But one very much like him will do just fine!

I think it is funny ,because most women go on these HUGE-O
diets and they stick little pictures of a bikini on the fridge- Or a
picture of them in college, or something like that.

Me? I break out with a picture of a horse!

So messed up, but hey! If it works, it works.

Stacy has decided that he is going to do it with me.
His waist was a 331/2 when we married. It is 35 , now.

He said that was his goal - from 35 waist to 33 1/2 waist.
I'm sure he will reach it in about........Oh, 2 weeks.
But that's O.K.

Woke up this morning and hit the scales. 1 pound gone!

29 more to go!

Oh to be 14 again!

Peace.

Rodeo Video....Wait for Music to Stop Before Pushing Play

Caleb & Drew 'girl fighting'

A high schooler that calf ropes REALLY fast.

Hannah lobbying for a barrel horse.

I tried to get Caleb's ride to download. It would not.

It's just too long.

Next time I will video in shorter clips.

Eblogger is messing with my creative mojo.

Peace.

Rodeo Video

Eden & Dakota

Caleb thinks he is posing for a picture. Funny kid!

Peace.

Rodeo pics...

Columbia Rodeo!
Caleb & Eden placed 3rd in their classes.
Pretty good.
The weather was great, and everyone had a great time.



Caleb



Waiting to Rope.


Larry ,Curly, and Mo



Hannah and MaMa



Drew & Hugo



The boys are getting a feeding lesson from Drew's dad,Tim.



Eden and one of her horses, Dakota.


2 weeks off and then we are traveling to Wiggins.

The kids are looking forward to the little break.

Peace.

Rodeo pics 2...

Caleb, Eden and Drew


Drew flirting with Eden!


Rodeo Gangstas!


Hannah warming up Aunt Genia's horse, Bean Belly


Uncle Rick & Aunt Genia






I just thought this was cool!


Peace.

For Chelley!

Christmas Card O6'.

Heather is supposed to take some of us this week.

Hard to get everyone to smile at same time.:)

We'll see how they turn out.

Peace.

Rodeo Tomorrow!

Rodeo in Columbia, MS!

Get to wake up at 3 a.m., AGAIN!
It's actually getting easier- believe it or not.

Caleb's horse is back in full form.
He is excited.

I hope to get some good pictures.

Only 2 more until the State Finals.


Stacy and I had a GREAT time.

I slept a lot. It was nice.

The kids had fun. Sam said that being a "mother of
7" was crazy! But she had a great time.
We really appreciate her, Lisa and Heather for taking care
of everyone so that we could sneak away.

We will have to pay you back soon!

I can't wait to catch up on everyone.

Hopefully, I can do it on Sunday......Oh, AFTER
I do some ALP continuing education.
Our Hague advisor says we are 4.5 hours short!
Lovely.....Just one more bump in the road.

Peace.