"HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!" from the Heavenly Angel and Garden Fairy

My little Artist

Just wanted to show you this. Delaney has been taking a drawing and painting class for a couple weeks. She has always been into arts and crafts and I enrolled her because I was running out of things to do with/teach her. I have a very limited artistic ability;) With this project, the teacher handed them a blank piece of paper and said to use one light, one bright, and one dark pastel to create whatever they wanted. This is what she came up with. She even shaded! The teacher, who I LOVE, said she has natural talent. Okay, so we already knew she was a genius, but I was SO impressed! HAHA! The scanner didn't get the entire picture, but you get the idea...
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Typical

Ryan left early this morning so, as usual, some new illness had to present itself. Delaney broke into a NASTY rash all over her legs, arms, and face last night. She and Madelyn both had strep throat last week (fun), so I immediately thought it was an allergic reaction to the Amoxicillin she has been taking. I took her to wonderful, wonderful Dr. Carter (yes, Trish, I totally see why you miss her) this afternoon who said it could be a reaction to the drug or Fifth Disease. Huh? Never heard of it. Why oh Why oh Why, I cry! So, she has me testing Delaney on the Amoxicillin giving her a half tsp. every half hour, increasing the levels in her system to see if her rash gets worse. Kinda scary. If not, that gets ruled out and it must be 5th disease. Joyous. Ryan, come back.

Hangin' with Pumpkin Man - Madelyn, Austin, PM, Delaney, and Nicholas

Playing in the box mansion Ryan built

Maddy got her hair cut, too!

TickleMania

Girls Nite Out! It looks as though we're missing our Prom dates;)

Lazy Sunday

Days like today are my favorite. We all slept until 10am;) and just have nothing pressing to do except hang out with eachother and do small projects around the house. Ryan is putting together shelves for Madelyn's room. The girls are in imaginary fantasy la-la land. Right now they're being pet store workers/shoppers in a big fort Ryan made them last weekend out of 4 huge boxes. They're so fun to watch! I'm cleaning up a bit b/c Keri and the boys are on their way over. Yea! We haven't seen them in a couple weeks.

There's a little cloud hanging over today because Ryan leaves in the morning for a month:( Bummer! I think I was about 3 days from "taking him for granted". No, never. We've gotten so used to him being around. Maddy even cries for HIM instead of me now. And of course, Delaney is like his little shadow. They've been playing a lot of football lately. He was very patient in teaching her and she can throw a football really well. Hard to imagine, I know, but it's true;) We're really going to miss him! Last night he kept the kids so I could have a "Girls Nite Out". 10 ladies from the neighborhood in a limo for 6 hours to celebrate 3 birthdays. We try to do it every-other month, but it's been hard lately waiting for everyone to get back. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful neighbors. We joke that we live in a protective bubble because Katrina somehow skipped over our neighborhood (for the most part) and we all get along well. That's pretty rare.

Yesterday we put up even MORE Halloween decorations. A HUMONGOUS spider web and spider across the front of our house and a flying bat, too. They made a big stuffed pumpkin man while I was out last night to put on the park bench on the side of the house. He's cute! The kids picked out their costumes - Delaney is going to be an Angel (after changing her mind 20x) and Madelyn is going to be a fairy (after being dissapointed she couldn't be an "ah-gator", that just so happened to be a thick, fleece T-Rex costume I knew she would sweat to death in and never keep the hood on;) Halloween is so cool! Our playgroup (where I work) Fall Party is on Wednesday. Games, food, costumes, etc. Next weekend we're going to "Boo at the Zoo" in Baton Rouge with the cousins. They get to walk around the zoo in their costumes and get goodies at different enclosures. FUN! Monday is Delaney's class party I volunteered to help for. And, We're having a big "cul de sac" party with hay rides, apple bobbing, yummy food, and space walk that night. Can't wait! I want to dress up as a pregnant Prom Queen, but I'm not real sure what message that will send to the children;) I'll probably just be a witch!

I've gotten a lot of Christmas shopping done, but have more to do. With the craziness in the stores lately, I'll probably do the rest online! The kids still love gymnastics. They want to go every day. Madelyn and I joined a new Moms Club playgroup on Mondays that my friend, Jennifer, runs. I really like it. And now Delaney is taking Art (Drawing and Painting) classes on Wednesdays. She LOVES it! And, BTW, she loves school again. Whew! So, at least we'll be busy while Ryan's gone with all that + what we usually do each week. It's the weekends we have to fill, which shouldn't be too hard with family close by.

That's about it. Pray that Ryan has a safe, fast trip and gets back here ASAP!!! I can't believe Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. Take care.

FINALLY TIME...

to cut this mop and give it to Locks of Love - Before (and a freebie shot of the belly)

The new me

After - Front
It's supposed to look like this;)

Left side

Right side

Bye-Bye Hair!

Holy Moly! They cut off 12 inches!

Wear your pink ribbons!

Boobie Month

I can't believe this month is more than half over and I haven't even mentioned the fact that it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Break out your pink ribbons and spread the word that monthly self exams and mammograms save lives. GO GET ONE, ladies!!! I've had 3 and I swear they're not that bad!! Also, if you feel it in your heart, give to research. Check out the "Links" section on the right side of my Mom's Memorial Blog for some good ones.

Also, I'm trying to get together a team of women who will walk in honor of my Mom in one of next year's Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer 3-day Events. I promise it will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life!!! Keri and I still talk about how much it changed our lives. So, I'm thinking San Diego or Chicago (so my family from up there can join in). If you don't want to walk, there are many other support positions you could volunteer for. Check out this link and let me know if you're interested.
www.the3day.org/site/pp.asp?c=ciKTLcPRLvF&b=297924

Music to my ears

Yes, I soooo totally ROCK!! After having this blog for over a year, I FINALLY figured out how to add music! Check it out all the way at the bottom. (Check out Ryan's, too). I could kick myself because it was so stinkin' easy. Instead, I'll go pat myself on the back some more...

Artist/Band: Martina McBride
Lyrics for Song: Blessed
Lyrics for Album: Greatest Hits

I get kissed by the sun each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughing
Down the hall through the bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my front porch swing
Just soaking up the day
I think to myself, I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place

I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Across a crowded room
I know you know what I'm thinking
By the way I look at you
And when we're lying in the quiet
And no words have to be said
I think to myself, I think to myself
This love is a beautiful gift

I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

When I'm singing my kids to sleep
When I feel you holding me
I know

I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Louisiana Proud

I guess that after a year and 3 months of living back here (after being gone 8 years), I can definitely say I have re-embraced my love of south Louisiana. I've been called a "yankee-cajun-surfer-redneck" - meaning I've lived or stayed extensively in the north, east, west, and south (and a couple other countries)...but I have come to the realization that there's NO WHERE like the deep south! The warm hospitality, the amazing food, the rich culture, the lush land, even the weather (I prefer the pool over shoveling snow for months on end anyday;)... to me, it is the best in the world. Most of all, I'm thankful to be surrounded by these amazing, diverse people. To the manner in which the (majority of) folks in this area have handled themselves, in the midst of chaos and destruction, makes me so incredibly proud. Although it seems like an unending battle, they are determined. They are fighters who haven't just rolled over, but will rebuild from scratch if they have to, just to live where they love. Sure, I have run across a few negative people (who I call "whiners") - those who still complain about every minor inconvenience, despite having free help, food, items and money thrown at them from all directions. Being too caught up in their own losses (and usually they are the ones who have lost the least), it is unfortunate that they have yet to fully grasp that they have survived the single most catastrophic disaster EVER to hit this country. That is a huge concept. I just want to scream at them to get over themselves. They are alive. They are not alone in this. It could be worse. But I guess that would be rude;)

I found this today, and I love it. It's so true!

Dear America,

I suppose we should introduce ourselves: We're South Louisiana.
We have arrived on your doorstep on short notice and we apologize for that, but we never were much for waiting around for invitations. We're not much on formalities like that.
And we might be staying around your town for a while, enrolling in your schools and looking for jobs, so we wanted to tell you a few things about us. We know you didn't ask for this and neither did we, so we're just going to have to make the best of it.
First of all, we thank you. For your money, your water, your food, your prayers, your boats and buses and the men and women of your National Guards, fire departments, hospitals and everyone else who has come to our rescue.
We're a fiercely proud and independent people, and we don't cotton much to outside interference, but we're not ashamed to accept help when we need it.
And right now, we need it.
Just don't get carried away. For instance, once we get around to fishing again, don't try to tell us what kind of lures work best in your waters.
We're not going to listen. We're stubborn that way.
You probably already know that we talk funny and listen to strange music and eat things you'd probably hire an exterminator to get out of your yard.
We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we're suspicious of those who don't.
We put Tabasco or Tony's on stuff without tasting it first.
But we'll try not to judge you while we're in your town.
Everybody loves their home, we know that. But we love South Louisiana with a ferocity that borders on the pathological. Sometimes we bury our dead in LSU sweatshirts.
Often we don't make sense. You may wonder why, for instance - if we could only carry one small bag of belongings with us on our journey to your state - why in God's name did we bring a pair of shrimp boots?
We can't really explain that. It is what it is.
You've probably heard that many of us stayed behind. As bad as it is, many of us cannot fathom a life outside of our border, out in that place we call Elsewhere.
The only way you could understand that is if you have been there, and so many of you have. So you realize that when you strip away all the craziness and bars and parades and music and architecture and art and culture and all that hooey, really, the best thing about where we come from is us.
We are what made this place a national treasure. We're good people. And don't be afraid to ask us how to pronounce our names. It happens all the time.
When you meet us now and you look into our eyes, you will see the saddest story ever told. Our hearts are broken into a thousand pieces.
But don't pity us. We're gonna make it. We're resilient. After all, we've been rooting for the Saints for 35 years. That's gotta count for something.
OK, maybe something else you should know is that we make jokes at inappropriate times.
But what the heck.
And one more thing: In our part of the country, we're used to having visitors. It's our way of life.
So when all this is over and we move back home, we will repay to you the hospitality and generosity of spirit you offer to us in this season of our despair.
That is our promise. That is our faith.

Gratefully Yours,
The People Of South Louisiana

G-E-A-U-X....GEAUX TIGERS!!!

It's FALL!

The weather is awesome today! It's cool and windy. We've been outside all morning in jackets. It's finally feeling like fall - and earlier than last year. I put up the Halloween decorations a couple days ago, too. Ryan has a 4-day weekend. What shall we do with ourselves;)

I'm officially 1/2 way done with this pregnancy...another thing to celebrate. I still haven't felt "noname" move which is a bit strange. Ryan has been more worried that something is wrong than me. He's constantly putting his hand on my belly and telling me to be still to see if he can feel her move. I was awakened Tuesday morning to him strapping a jogger's heartrate monitor to my belly. When he wasn't satisfied he persuaded me (by asking 100x) to go to labor and delivery while at work to confirm a heartbeat. It was there...in the 140s. But she doesn't like the monitor much and kept moving away - not that I could feel it. It makes me feel good to know he loves this baby so much already. We've decided that she's just a laid-back, lazy-bumski couch potato. Here's hoping! Maybe she'll balance out the energy level in this house;)

The kids started gymnastics yesterday. VERY FUN! They both loved their classes. They go at the same time so Ryan and I can each keep an eye on one. Madelyn's class is a Parent-child class, so I got a work-out, too. Next time it's his turn to go with her! Oh, funny story - a little girl name Emily obviously isn't very fond of Maddy, probably because Maddy's cuter(ha!), so she decided to push Maddy off the balance beam. Maddy got up, turned around and yelled at the top of her lungs "NO PUSH MADAWYN" with her finger in her face. It was funny. Trying not to bust out laughing, I told her to say "Please don't push me, Emily." But to be totally honest, she got her point across better! And her parents didn't even discipline her. That always pisses me off! Her dad was actually laughing...good thing Ryan went with Delaney.

Well, we're off to Best Buy. Ryan wants to go look at T.V.s. Whoopie. I think he wants the L.S.U. game tomorrow on a HiDef flatscreen. We'll see... I bought the girls little L.S.U. cheerleading uniforms to surprise him and make the game more "lifelike" (really just jump, scream, get in front of the T.V. and drive him crazy;). Delaney bought him a Tiger uniform koozie for his "drink". I'll take pics. Y'all take care...

Have I mentioned how lucky we are?

Our house post-Katrina. Other than the chimney and fence, it faired beautifully. Yes, we have since mowed the grass and taken the tape off the window;)

Our back fence

David and Dean cleaning up some down limbs

Right next door...

Tarzan the Monkey-Man (a.k.a. Ryan) - tying a rope around a big broken limb. What you did't see after is 5 grown, intelligent men tying it to the bumper of a pick-up and tring to pull it down. "You know you're a redneck if...";)

Finally, pics of our month in Ruston

Adoring Baby Deagan

Helping D-Daddy drive the boat! That serious look on Maddy's face is because she's concentrating hard on pushing her poop out...and it doesn't stay contained within the bathing suit;) Really.

Fun fishing with Nemo and Barbie poles

Delaney, Olivia, and Madelyn playing on their "balance beam" in the window at Nana's

Simple Things

Call Me! Email Me!
Call Me! Email Me!
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I HAVE PHONE AND INTERNET!!! YIPPEE!!!

Hi from Blue Tarpland

Is it really October already? We've been home two weeks and things are slowly returning to "normal". Delaney goes back to a newly gutted and disenfected school on Monday. She finally admitted to me that she does like her new school, she just doesn't want to ride the bus anymore. It's too hot and the kids are too loud and she's scared they'll forget to drop her off again. If that keeps her from crying every night and morning, I'll take her until she's a senior!!! Madelyn begins her Mother's Day Out program on Tuesday when I go back to work. Hopefully, she won't give them too hard of a time. Open house was Friday. I really like her teacher and know that once she gets through the separation anxiety, she's really going to like it! Her little friend Grayson is in her class, too, so that should help. I go back to working on Tuesdays - Thank Goodness, this working everyday thing is the pits;) I would have had a much harder time if I didn't have the girls with me. The playgroups we attend begin again this week. I'm ready to see everyone, but we'll be sad "Leela" won't be there to play with us. The girls really miss her and "Ms. Shisha".

We're still battling back and forth on first names for the little munchkin on her way. Ryan is now stuck on Makenna Grace. I like it, too. It's really the only one we're both agreeing on right now. Tomorrow it may change though. Grace will definately be her middle name. My favorites are Ava and Sophia. Ryan likes Reagan and Kamryn. Any votes/suggestions? It's kinda cool we're carrying on a family tradition of all girls. My Mom's Mom had 5 girls and my Aunt Beverly had 4. Also, with 3 girls, it puts us among the ranks of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Not bad;) Haha! I'm ready to know what kind of personality she will have. Will she be more bubbly and enthusiastic like Laney or more loving and stubborn like Maddy...or totally different altogether? So far, she seems incredibly laid back. I haven't even felt her move yet!!! By this time in my other pregancies, Laney was whooshing around and Maddy was trying to bust out! Other than worrying me a tad, it's a good sign. I thought for sure I'd be huge by now (with Maddy I already was), but I'm still barely showing - and she's the biggest baby yet. It's amazing how all my pregnancies have been so completely different!!!

We're helping my brother and his family move this weekend. I love when the cousins get together to play. They have so much fun and wear themselves out! We'll be heading home tonight so we can work on the chimney tomorrow and get ready for school on Monday. Gotta get back to packing lunches, washing uniforms, and doing homework. I'm so glad normalcy is finally being re-established! Take care. Love to all. I'll post pics as soon as I can.