Soccer

My Nathan...this is his first sport. I can not believe it! He did really good. I can't wait until his next game. He struck the pose above all by himself. I didn't tell him what to do. He had been at my office on Friday and seen a picture of Andrew when he played Upward Soccer. I guess he just thought this was the pose you had to do. I laughed so hard! Here is the picture of Andrew ...that picture is on my desk.

He was so happy that he was the one that got to kick in the first ball! Little did we all know...he had mistaken this for a full contact sport...lol He did clothesline a child, tripped and pushed some down. I do apologize to those children's parents.

Let me just tell you...all of the little bitty kids were so cute! This whole experience will help him when he starts baseball next Spring...please pray that it does.

Critters in my bed...

I LOVE my bed...I really love it on the weekends when I get to sleep past 6 am. My children love their beds too, most of them do anyway. There is one that does disturb my sleep from time to time. That is him...pictured below:


This was Saturday morning...he crawled in the bed and got behind me. I was trapped. I couldn't move. Soon after Josh rolled over on top of me and I couldn't breathe and thought I was going to pee in my panties. I jumped up from the middle of the bed...went to the bathroom and came back to see him sound asleep...in my spot. Needless to say I just stayed up. I couldn't bare to wake him up.

Then Monday(Labor Day Holiday) rolled around...this is what I found in my bed:

Reagan spent the night with us...her and Nathan were up at 7...yep...7. They were playing Kalan's keyboard as loud as it would go. So much for sleep. Nathan is pretending to be dead. Not real sure as to why...but he is. Reagan was "loven on her Untel Josh".

I wonder if Rid spray will get rid of these critters in my bed...

No Place Like Home

I can not believe that I forgot to update my blog when my Dad came home from the hospital. It must have just slipped my mind. With a mind like mine...it's not hard.

Dad got home after 7pm Saturday July 10th. He is doing much better...you know that there is no Place like home. He makes small strides everyday. Continue to pray for his full recovery.

After I posted about Charlaine Harris...I remembered that the week before I got to meet someone from a show on TLC. While up at the hospital Josh, Andrew, Mama, Gaytha and I went to eat lunch at a Wendy's. While I was eating my burger, I stopped, mid bite...There she was;

Officer Joy Jefferson from the show "Police Women of Memphis". I have met 2 famous people. If she is considered famous...TLC is a big network.

It was Andrew that went up and asked her while she was eating her salad. She was very nice and spoke to all of us and we told her to be safe. I hope all is well with Officer Jefferson.

God is so Good!

I first would like to say a great big THANK YOU, to all of those that took the time to pray for my Dad during his surgery. His doctors are calling him "The Miracle Man". The reason he got that nickname is because of the wonderful works of GOD! My dad suffered a massive Heart Attack, a.k.a "the widow maker", during his surgery on Thursday. He also had 2 more MIs. The Cardiologist was going to put in a balloon pump Thursday night because his heart just wasn't pumping. Once they went in with the pressure cath Dr. Whittle, Cardiologist, said that only God could have opened up his artery. When I hear a doctor say things like that, I know that he is humble. I am so thankful to all of the staff at Methodist University Hospital. They have done such a wonderful job and has made us feel right at home and kept us up-to-date.

My Dad still has to have the artery fixed, but they feel that it is best to wait until the area were the tumor was removed has more time to heal and stop bleeding. I trust in God's plan...I know that he knows the right path. God is so GOOD!

Thanks again...please continue to pray.

Prayer Request

My blog today is going to be short...well, short for me anyways.

I believe that my title sums it up...I need all of you to pray for my Dad. He will have surgery tomorrow at Methodist University Hospital. Dr. Eason will be removing 70% of his liver. All surgeries have risks...this one has so many. Dr. Eason said this was his only option...so he is going for it.

So I ask you again to please pray that all goes well tomorrow...that it be God's will for it to all work out.

Also...please pray for Amanda Wilson too...she is having baby Wilson #3 tomorrow. Good Luck Amanda and John...I say girl...just because I am optimistic.

I know...I know...I'm lacking

LONG EXHALE......okay. Sorry for my lack of posts here lately. Life has yet again found a way to get in the way. It seems like there is not enough time in the day to do what I want or need to do. We have had quite a few things happen here lately that I would love to share with you. I am going to try and play a little catch up again.

As you all know, Andrew broke his arm and we have been going to the doctor weekly since. We now have a yellow cast that I have decorated with LSU Tigers. I will post a pic later. He is scheduled to get the cast off on June 24. He is counting down the days...he is so ready to go swimming that he doesn't know what to do with himself.

****side note**** There will be no pictures with this post. Sorry I don't have any uploaded at this time...remember...life has been in my way.

Josh and I worked all weekend Memorial Day Weekend to build a new shed. That project is complete.....hallelujah!

That project led to another project...cleaning the garage and storeroom and painting them both. Thank goodness that was finished the past weekend. Thanks to hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, and a swimming pool. People love a bribe.

Of course we can't forget about Kalan's softball team. This is our first and more than likely last year coaching. It is not due to the girls or their parents...it's due to lack of organization. It has been horrible, just horrible. That is blog in and of itself all together. We do see a light at the end of the tunnel...next week it will be over with, for us anyway. The last day of the tournament is June 18th. AMEN people AMEN!

My dad has been having some health problems and they found a mass/spot on his lungs. He goes for the CT tomorrow, Friday 6/11. He is scheduled to get the results next Wednesday. Say some prayers. He has smoke the "cowboy killers" for 43 years now. So...yeah...we need a lot of prayers.

I have lost 14lbs as of today since April 15th. I hope that 14lbs in 57days isn't bad. I have 17 more pounds to go to get to my goal weight. Which I am hoping that life will slow down just a bit so Josh and I can increase our walking from 1-2 times a week to 5 times a week. When I walk I feel so much better. We are starting back our yoga. I love yoga. If you have never tried it before please start now! I am being serious. At first Josh didn't want to do it. He thought it was only for women. I was also reluctant. I didn't think that it did that much. I thought that in order for an exercise routine to get you in shape you had to pour sweat and I just knew that downward dog and warrior one wasn't going to make me sweat. WRONG PEOPLE! I am always sore in new areas each time we do it and trust me you sweat. You will be amazed at the muscle groups you are working. It works!!!! Core workouts are the hardest and yoga is the master. Josh likes it because it helps with his lower back, core and flexibility. TRY it...you won't be sorry.

I know...I know...I'm lacking, but I am going to make an effort!

My How Time Flys By!

Thursday May 20, 2010 makes 10 years that Josh and I have been married! It is so hard to believe it! It really doesn't seem like it has been that long to me. I am sure he has his own opinion...lol
Like every marriage, we have had our ups and downs, but without the downs the ups wouldn't look so good!

Here is to another 80 years with you baby, I love you!

8 is Great!

I can hardly believe that it has really been 8 years since my baby girl was born. Her entry into this world was a sign of what was yet to come...lol She is my more headstrong child. She definitely has her own opinions and is very intent on seeing them out. What can I say...she takes after her mother, bless her heart. Bless my heart, nope bless Josh's heart!

Case in point...her cake. They don't make iCarly cakes around here. She was dead set on it, so I gave it to her. Yes, I did it myself. I looked at the picture online and drew out my stencil and made it from that.

She wanted strawberry cake. So it was strawberry cake with chocolate cream cheese filling and of course butter cream icing! It was very good!

What's that? You want to know what happened to her hair. That's another blog in and of itself. She is soooo beautiful, but I am jaded! The candles are neat they are spiral. She had a bit of trouble blowing them out too. We had to throw this party together because of so many schedule conflicts. At least this year she didn't have stitches in her chin. She was a little upset at first when she couldn't invite her whole ball team!!!! I know, I would have had to take a nerve pill for sure...lol!

Here she is with all of her loot! She racked up! She loves clothes and shoes and make-up and pretty things. She got plenty of those things. All of them had a great time! They did stay up and watch Flicka 2 twice. I believe they went to sleep well after 2 am.

I woke the poor little things up at 8 the next morning for pancakes! We went to Church and then to Carly's birthday party. I know that when I blink again she will be 16...gasp! I shan't think of such horrible things! For now 8 is GREAT!

The Toothfairy Does Make Mistakes!

You heard me people. She does...really and truly. I don't quiet know what was up with her a couple of weeks ago. My Kalan lost her other front tooth. We went through all the normal Toothfairy motions. We tucked her in and she placed her front tooth, which she pulled all by herself I might add, under her pillow.
The next morning as I was getting ready Kalan came into the room with tears in her eyes and a dollar in her hand. I asked what was wrong and she could barely speak through the tears. she opened the other hand and to my horror it was her TOOTH! All I could do was hug her. She said, "The Toothfairy left my tooth...she left it Mama...why did she leave it?"
At that moment I couldn't answer that question. I told her I would call her after I dropped her off at school and get to the bottom of it. My heart broke and I kicked myself!
The Toothfairy said it was an honest mistake. She said that she searched high and low under Kalan's pillow for the tooth. Just when she was going to give up, she stepped on what she thought was her tooth in the floor. She said to place Kalan's tooth in the window seal and she would leave her the rock and take her tooth.
Kalan did as she said and the next morning all was right with the world.

All I've got to say is the other Toothfairy...the male one...better oil all of his joints to keep them from "popping" cause this fairy is hanging up her wings the next time!

Where in the U.S. is the Meredith Family?

We started our journey at 6 that morning. No, we are not crazy only different. Can you see the excitement in their faces? If you know where we were going you could see it...really. Andrew, please sit up and be in the picture. No luck there, still too early in the morning for him. We stopped and picked up Savanna and head to my In-laws. We had a little back and forth discussion as to who was riding where and then we were off. We stopped at Wal-Mart in the big town of Holly Springs and then ate breakfast at Sonic, America's Drive-In. I know that all of you are just dying to know where we went. First clue: we (the Meredith Clan) go here every year around this time.


Still not sure...I will give you another hint. Soon so stop being so pushy. Andrew put together a short devotional for us at the picnic area. He did a wonderful job on the "Golden Rule". He makes me so proud *tear*. We finished our devotional, took the Lord's Supper and then had lunch. Second clue: We went North to a national park.


Since we were in a National Park, I agreed to let my children ride in the back of my Father-In-Laws truck. I am a jumpy parent. I don't like to watch my kids in situations that can be detrimental to their health...lol Josh is always telling me to let them be kids. I try, I do. I close my eyes and pray that they make good choices. Anyways, I put this picture up because of Kalan's facial expression, it's priceless. Josh was driving and trying to take this picture at the same time. Clint was holding the wheel. A camera has the same effect as side view mirrors, you know, objects are closer than they appear. Josh hit the gas a little to hard and sent us flying up behind them. Kalan was shocked. Third clue: The Hornet's Nest is located here.


After all of our site seeing in the park we came upon a river. Now, if I told you which one you just might guess where we are a little to quickly. My husband and his brother are bigger kids than our children are. This is where I was saying things like; "oooh Josh...don't let...get him away from the edge...I can't watch. I'm going back to the car." Josh and Clint where trying to out throw the kids and each other. Josh was trying to hit a coke bottle with a rock. All the kids threw rocks. I think this was the most fun they had...the little things. Fourth and Final Clue: A famous baby has it's name.


The best part of the whole trip, aside from family time and rocking out to my iPod there and back, was the sight of the "Symbol of Freedom". That's right, we got to see a bald eagle flying free. We even got to see it in it's nest. I have to say, I know this is a large bird, but I never would have imagined it's nest being so huge! It makes you proud to be an American. If you look close at the picture you can see it looking out of it's nest.


And finally......the answer to the questions is........Shiloh National Military Park.

Laura turned 30 and I made cake

I really enjoy making cakes. I didn't think that I would, but I do. I started out just making them for my children. My children have very weird requests as far as birthday cakes go, so that's when I started my adventure. Anyway, back on point. I made Laura a cake on Saturday for her 30th birthday. I started with one of my favorite boxed cake mixes: Betty Crocker Super Moist French Vanilla. I love this flavor of mix. I spice it up with a little almond extract and let me tell you, it is the perfect combination. It also goes well with the butter cream icing. For this cake I used 3 boxes of cake mix. Two boxes in my 12 inch circular cake pan and one box in a 9x13 standard cake pan. I know it's not perfect...I never claimed to be a pro. I divided the round cake and filled it with the butter cream icing. Clint didn't want anything fancy.


For the number 30 I started off by drawing the design on paper and cutting out the template. I used that to carve out the 30 on the 9x13 cake. Let me just tell you that Betty Crocker didn't lie when she said super moist. The 30 was the hardest thing I have ever had to dirty ice before. It kept falling apart. I had to count to 10 several times, just to keep from crying or throwing the 30 up against the wall. Finally I decided to stick it in the freezer after the first attempt and that did the trick. I have learned a valuable lesson...freeze a cake after carving and never dirty ice it immediately. This should keep me from whaling or cursing under my breath the next time.


I know that I skipped ahead, a little...sorry, I was pressed for time people. After dirty icing both the round cake and the 30 I tinted my icing. I used a hot pink for the base cake (12" round), Lavender for border on the 30 and the top border on the base cake, Leaf Green for the stars on the 30 and the bottom border on the base cake, Yellow for the lettering and loop pattern on the side of the base cake.


The cake turned out really good, or so everyone told me. I hope that Laura enjoyed all the blood sweat and tears that I put into making this cake on her milestone birthday. It is unfortunate that all she got from us was the cake and really really funny card from us. I know, what a bad sister-in-law I am, but I did show her what her birthday present money went to...a new tire for my van. Just another one of those unforeseen expenses in life. I know that she would much rather we be able to ride safely in the mini-van.

Easter Slide Show

Strike Zone

Sorry my loyal blogger fans, I know it has been a few days. It's been crazy. Josh's grandmother passed away on Friday and Nathan, Andrew, and Josh have had the stomach virus.
Back on point. We took the kids bowling on Wednesday. We picked Wednesday because it was dollar days at the bowling alley. One dollar per person per game. It was St. Patrick's day and poor Andrew was the only one not wearing green. OUCH!! Nathan has had several firsts this week. Bowling at a bowling alley was one of them. He loved it and was a good sport. He didn't care that he didn't win. This is him, he was totally into it. After every bowl he would strike a pose...lol He cracked us up. In the picture above he was trying to get a spare, as you can see, not happening. He's so funny.

Kalan, Mrs. Drama Queen, we expected no less. Not even bowling. She did have the bumpers up, but she beat all of us the second game. Most of the time she never would watch the ball go down the lane. Josh and I still don't know how she beat us...how? She doesn't know, but she was so happy. Not to beat us of course, beating Andrew is what made her day.

I just had to throw this pose in for you. I know you will get a kick out of it. I wasn't feeding you any bull. Hands on the hips, the stance. He only crossed the foul line once...like watching a deer on ice.

Here's Andrew. Bless his heart. He had a ruff day. Not only did he get pinched, but got beat by his sister and baby brother. He is not a graceful loser...not at all. He did bowl a strike, that made him happy for a brief moment. His next turn he bowled a double gutter ball. Bless his heart. We all had fun that day. I had forgotten how sore bowling makes my thumb. We made some memories and had some laughs. I love my babies!

Cinnamon Rolls...yummy

Trust me people, the pictures does not do these yummy cinnamon rolls justice! They are soooo good! I got the recipe from one of the blogs that I read, The Pioneer Women. Not only are the cinnamon rolls delicious, but the icing is to die for.

Just look at it in every single crack and crevice...my mouth is watering just thinking about them again. They were very easy to make. My house still smells like cinnamon and maple syrup.

We ate some for brunch that day and and breakfast the next morning. I had to give my dad the other pan. I was scared I would not be able to resist the temptation. He was grateful. Below is what happens when I am tempted by yummy cinnamon rolls.

I survived...

Yes, yes I did. I survived the depths of parenting hell, a little place called Chuck E. Cheese. I love my children and would do anything for them...anything. Even if that means going to the unnameable place. It's like in the Harry Potter books and movies; no one says "The Dark Lords" name. It makes me shiver, makes my blood run cold. So, you ask yourself why I would do this to myself. As stated above I love my children. They can melt my heart. That little Nathan, looked at me with those big brown eyes and said, "Mommy, I want to go to the Chucky Cheeses. Do you know dat I never been dare before, uh do ya mama?" How could I say no to that? I couldn't I tell ya, I just couldn't.
This is Spring Break and we are trying to do some fun things with kids around here. We went to St. Louis in September and I really didn't want to go on another trip right now. We took a poll with the kids to see where/what they wanted to do. Of course those cursed people that market the unnameable place run a thousand commericals an hour in order to brain wash poor children, like mine, to want to go where a kid can be a kid. I know this because when I asked Nathan how he knew about that place he said, "on the TB Mama, day show him on dare. I need to go dare where a kid can be a kid and get some of dat Chucky Cheeses muney!"
Definition: muney= money
As a parent you get to see pure joy through the eyes of your children. That is what happened on Monday. We were on Goodman Road heading west and he spotted it from there. His face just lit up. By the time we were in the parking lot he was dancing in the van. He was so high on the thought of some "Chucky Cheeses Muney" you couldn't tell him anything. Once we walked in the first set of doors there is a picture of the Mouse, he lost it. "Mommy, Mommy, look! Dare he is! I'm here Chucky!" Let's just say the excitement didn't stop there. The "chucky Muney" comes out of this coin return thing by the cash register and he literately jumped up and down as it counted it out.
It was a crazy madhouse in there! I am trying to block the visions from my mind, but the kids had a blast. Nathan won the most tickets, with the help of Andrew, and everyone got several of the $.50 toys. As we walked out of the doors, we came up to the picture of the mouse again. Nathan stopped and said "bye bye Chucky Cheeses, see ya lader!" And he gave him a big thumbs up and wink. I hope that I do not have to grace the doors for another four plus years...lol Doubt it. I have to say the joy on Nathan's face was priceless and I would endure it again in a minute.

He Tickles me

Okay, this child marches to his own drum! To say the least. I guess he has seen me on the elliptical machine listening to my iPod. Of course I am singing along, off key because I have the volume up too loud and only think I whispering. But all of that is beside the point. As you can see in the picture above, the headphone aren't even plugged in. He is singing "Dangerous" by Akon. His version is a little different. His goes something like this; that girl so danger us.....that girl so danger us...that girl a bad girl....um um um um I seen her before....

Once he realizes that I am listening to him singing, to a song that is not playing, he becomes a little embarrassed. He goes to run away, but........

when Kalan said she wanted to go now he then returned to his seat and continues with his singing. He tickles me...lol

Unlike me...

If you have been reading my blog lately, I told you that I would be doing a "Catch Up" of 09. Well, I went back through all of my pictures and I did not take any pictures of kids at Halloween 09. Why you ask...I don't know. I can't remember why I didn't take any. That is so unlike me. I am usually that mom you see just trying to get that perfect shot, even when the kids have clearly had a meltdown or are in no mood to be photogenic. I am the one who has a camera for every event, both great and small. I guess I had a mental lapse. I have tried to remember why I wouldn't have taken my camera with me. Josh said I told him that Mia and Mindy would be taking pictures and I wasn't worried about it. Yet, again, that does not sound like me. I like to feel as though I am cataloging my children's life in photos. I have my photos in my photo library in chronological order and even sub grouped by events. I sat down at my computer at home last night and went through every folder! Couldn't find any pictures from Halloween 09. I then got out my camera, and thought, maybe I had forgotten to get them off my memory card. Not the case. I will admit defeat. I guess that Josh was right...maybe I did say I would just steal their pictures. Anyway, it's a mystery to me. I am going to steal some pics form Mindy and put them up of Halloween 09. After my Halloween post I will put up my Ka-Ka's most important moment form 09 and that should conclude my 09 rewind. I feel I have touched on all of the memorable moments from 09.

Basket Case

My children never cease to amaze me with the things that they do. Sunday night Josh and I had folded clothes in our bedroom and were taking each pile to their rightful owner; we came back to this. Nathan in one of the empty baskets. He was watching TV while chilaxing. As you can see (in the bottom pic, sorry out of order again), he's way too big for the basket. I cannot see how he thought of this as comfortable. Josh put the other basket over him and kicked it off, see above pic. I know that most of these are blurry, but he will not stay still long enough for me to get one good one.

He thought it was the funniest thing when Josh picked him up, suggesting to throw him out. I just love how he has his arms behind his head...he really makes me smile :)

The basket gave him static!

My little Basket Case!

Kalan's 7th Birthday Bash!

Kalan had all of her little friends at the house for a sleepover. She had just recently busted open her chin. Side bar: she tripped over Nathan in the hall which required 4 stitches in her chin.

This is her cake I made. This is before I started making my own icing. I still think it turned out really cute. The only reason I stated making my kids cake was due to their crazy requests. I refuse to pay $80 for someone to make a cake that will be devoured, and I only paid $150 for my wedding cake. Okay, I'm off my soap box, for now.
Kalan wanted a round cake with black and pink poka-dots. I used four cakes to get it this high...lol It was tall. I used jar icing and before we could cut the cake, icing was oozing out from each layer.
I didn't have any icing to write on the cake, other than white so I improvised and wrote on each dot on the top. I even hand made her "Happy Birthday" banner. She wanted zebra print. Like I said crazy requests. She had a great time with all her little friends and everyone stayed up way past their bedtime.
Sorry these two pics are out of order.

Pictures in the Park

We all got together and had our picture made for my Mom's Christmas present. We gave her a canvas back when Kalan was almost 2. In that picture we were missing Nathan, Janet and Taylor. So we decided to do a new one for her. The picture of my family below was sooo cute, but it wouldn't fit on our Christmas card. The kids did great, but Trey on the other hand...was just Trey.

My Mom has the most beautiful grandchildren, if I do say so myself. I love Andrew's smile in this picture.

My baby's are sooo adorable!

I took all the pictures I was not in. I love pretty pictures.