New Pictures

Last Friday night we got our pictures taken. We only do it once a year, due to the huge ordeal that it turns into. This year however, I do believe it was a little easier!!! My kids must be growing up. The bad part was shopping to find new matching clothes for everyone. I like to go shopping when I need nothing, then if I don't find anything....no big loss. But this time I needed six matching outfits and only one evening to find them. It was stressful to say the least...but all in all I do believe it was worth the effort. Heather Jones took the pictures at her mom's. I think she did a great job!! The kids all smiled and she made us look good. I will only post a few of them....I have like 60 to choose from....hard choice!!

Garden Delight~~

Well....my little garden is finally giving us some produce. We got it in kind of late, so we are just now getting cucumbers, zucchini and hot peppers. The beans are growing fast and I will probably have a mess next week. I have never seen such big misshapen cucumbers. We have probably 50 or more butternut squash!!! We planted supposed cantaloupe and they came up squash and even more came up volunteer from last year. They are taking over!!!!! I always say my garden is my therapy session. After a crazy day at work I usually find a little peace and quiet among the vines and squash!!!!
In other Gardner news.....Jordan has been helping Dave a couple days a week. Dave has taught him to touch up cars and buff them. He is so excited about the work and more importantly ....the PAY!!! He is saving for a laptop. He came home today so excited because he got to touch a Ferrari. Guess I don't care much if I ever touch one....must be a guy thing!! Jenny has been asking for the other kids to come for the day now and then, so they too have been having fun while I am at work. It makes my day go a little better knowing they are having a good day too. Tonight Kyler is spending the night with Austin, he really likes him and they have fun together even though there is a big age difference. Libby has been baking allot lately. She made an angel food cake for Church last night, and not one bite came home!!! She said that must mean she is a good 'baker lady'. My job is going good. I am learning so much in a big hurry. It gets frustrating sometimes because everything has a mnemonic. IHHA, IHI, CMMS, QNet, HCAHPS, JACHO then dashboards and scorecards and core measures all over....the list goes on and on.....I wish they would just call things what they are. That would make my life soooooooo much easier if they would. :*)
Well, enough rambling...thought I would just let you know what we have been up to.

First day back to work.

Well.....my first day on my new job and I survived!!!!! I actually had a really good day and expect that I will really enjoy it. I got my feet wet by attending my first meeting today....one of many for the month. It was fun to see everyone again and catch up!!! The CEO actually came to my office and welcomed me back!!!! My new office is large and even has a view!! I will have to discreetly get a picture without Lacey thinking I have lost my marbles!!! Lacey is the gal who took my auditing job, she has the office right next door. We have been friends since we worked on the floor together.
The kids were real excited to have me home this evening, as I usually work on Monday nights!!! We finally can feel like a real family again.
Well, I just read through this and realized I am making my job sound all rosy... it really isn't, it is just that it is new and different. Remind me of this post in a few months when the newness has worn off and I am stressed to the MAXX!!!!

I am home.....and still alive!!!

Well.....I made it home in one piece from PA!!! It was a very tiring but profitable trip. My sister and I left on Thursday evening for Columbus OH for the CHEO (Christian Home Educators Ohio) Convention. I guess it finally hit home...... after I unloaded a little ton of money.... that we are doing what we said we would never do.....HOME SCHOOL!!!!! I bought all the needed materials and learned a lot of tips from the convention. It was a huge encouragement to me, and I found out that homeschoolers do not necessarily look like my mind pictured them to look!!!!! NORMAL people home school...all for various reasons. We won't actually be teaching....because we will be using a CD curriculum....but it is still a HUGE responsibility!!!! However, we know it is the right thing to do for this year, and we will let time tell for the future. Some...actually many.... have set us up to fail, but when we know God is leading we know it will not.

Dave stayed with Dad and Nancy with the kids.....he helped dad cut some trees and do a little yard work. He has his own "war" stories to tell!!!!! Old people are just too funny!!!!! Teresa and I came home on Saturday, then we left for home on Sunday night!!!!! The pictures are of us at dads having fun together.
Needless to say we are tired, but wanting to give the kids a time of vacation. We went to the zoo again on Monday then plan to camp and go to Holiday World the rest of this week. I start my new job on Monday!!!! WOW, lots to do in a small amount of time!!!

Life Expectancy Decreased

Well.......believe it or not I am actually on my way to PA, and my broadband card is actually working!!!!!! I have just been fired from the drivers set.....my husband declares that I just took several years off his life. I was attempting to pass a semi on the right rather then the left, and got stuck between two. He told me I could fit between the two. I said I didn't think I could, but then decided to try.........to make long story short I almost got smashed. The semi driver I am sure shouted some choice words because he slammed on his brakes and laid on the horn. I put the pedal to the metal and lived to tell the story!!!!!! Thus......the firing!!!! I usually am not "permitted" to drive.....however, I am POSITIVE my driving days are over now!!! So.....now I am happily blogging....oblivious to all.....

Leaving for a much needed vacation!!!!

I am going to PA for about a week to see my family. I will probably not be able to access my computer. So..........ta ta for now!!

The Perfect Cookie!!!

I am not really a cookie fan....however I do love to bake and on occasion like to eat a good cookie. I have for many years wished I had my moms' recipe for her Cowboy Cookies. I have made many a recipe with high hopes, only to once again be disappointed with the taste. But today I think I have found it. I was looking on line and found a recipe, did a little "tweaking" and the result is superb!!!! I only wished that I had some raisins because hers always did, and that would have made these perfect!!!!!! But even san raisins these taste really good. We are going to Dad's tomorrow.....I will tote some along and let him do the taste test!!!!!