Christmas Time..

Well Christmas just around the corner. I am always amazed how fast the month of December goes by and how BUSY we are. Seems every year it gets BUSIER! I made a comment to my husband as we were walking out the door for the second Christmas dinner we were headed to in 2 days. I looked at him and said "I see how people become scrooge during the Christmas season". I have never been a scrooge during Christmas, never understood how people could be. I love Christmas and always have. But with my children getting older, there are more things going on.

The weekend after Thanksgiving, we started putting out our decorations. We do this every year. Its what I did when I was a child and was the same for Deon. I don't understand how people can put up their trees and lights before Thanksgiving! Its like they do not care about Thanksgiving. I've always told myself I will not put my Christmas stuff up before Thanksgiving. I mean I know how people love Christmas lights and trees but can't you just wait till after Thanksgiving. Even the stores don't do Thanksgiving. The minute Halloween is over, they start putting out Christmas stuff. Deon used to work at Homestead during his high school years, and always complained about them putting the Christmas shop together in October!

It seems after we got our Christmas decorations out, it all began. Deon's work Christmas party was the first Sat in December. Oh this day was CRAZY! Started out Savannah had to go to a piano recital practice @ 8:30 in the morning, after that we had the church's women's brunch @ 10 am, we left there and spent about a hour and half at home, then had to leave for the piano recital @ 3pm. We got home in time for me to change for the Christmas party for Deon's work which was @ 6pm, we stayed there for a hour and half and had to leave to go pick up the youth of our church from a youth retreat, which was a hour away. Forgot to mention went showed up at the Christmas party in the church bus! Now that is riding in style, LOL. Needless to say I was worn out by time we got home.

Then the following day, Sunday, was a our Christmas program that night. So after church I began baking things for the meal following the program. The program was great, everyone in it do a wonderful job, and put me in the Christmas mood. The food was great. Then we came home and had to get ready for the next day which was a school day. The kids were exhausted and so was I, so getting up at 5 am was not fun. I hit the snooze button that morning, which I never do, and slept about 15 more mins till it went off again, and I realized what I did, I jumped out of bed.

Then Tuesday I had the school's Christmas dinner (for staff) to be at 6pm. Which Deon had to get off early from work, and rush home to jump in the shower and get ready. I had to rush the kids to get their homework done, and eat supper, before their aunt Casey came to pick them up. Then we run out the door to go to the dinner. Which the food was good.

Now today is the Women's Christmas party, which I know will be fun, it always is. This a great group of women that I happily call my "sisters". I learn so much from them, and I know if I ever have a problem, I can turn to them. I proudly call them my family. But again I'll be busy in the kitchen baking and wrapping gifts. We play dirty Santa, is always fun, hope no one gets hurt. LOL.

I don't know I ever have time to keep the house picked up , laundry done, homework finished, and supper cooked, but some how it all comes together. And I still have my hair! LOL I have not turned into a scrooge, but again I see how people do. I just keep reminding myself what Christmas is all about. : )

Hope with the running around that everyone does remember what Christmas is about. Also, I am wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Thankful

Well with Thanksgiving tomorrow, I thought I would blog about what I am thankful. I have so many things to be thankful for this year.

I am Thankful to God for blessing me with a wonderful family. He blessed me 15 years ago, when placed Deon into my life. I was a troubled teenager, which probably started around the time I turned 13. He also gave me a mother and father who through all the things I got in trouble for stilled loved me and never gave up on me. When I look back I pray my children do not follow into my foot steps as a teenager, if they do I'll be bald by the time they are 18. (haha) I surprised that my mom still has her hair. Our of the 4 children, me being the youngest, I believe I'm the one who kept her up late at night worrying where I was and if I was safe. When I think back I cannot believe what a handful I was. The boys I dated, the friends I hung around with etc. I was so in a different place in my teenage years, that I know God placed Deon into my life at the right time. He need there was a guy out there for me, but was not ready for us to meet till that night on the K Mart parking lot (Now Big Lots) in October 1995. Deon was the answer to my parents prayers. I'm being serious here. I was such a stupid teenager! The funny part of Deon and I meeting is that I was not suppose to be in town on a parking lot. I was actually grounded for the weekend, for something stupid of course that I did. I had been out celebrating my grandmother's birthday that night at the lake. I left the restaurant before some of the family had, and I was to go strait home. Driving through town, I saw some of my friends on the parking lot hanging out. This is what most of us did when I was in high school, not a lot to do in a small town. The police usually ran us off, and we would cruise, and then head back to the same parking lot or find another one. Anyways back to the point; I saw the friends so I thought to myself, I'll stop by real quick and say "Hi", I knew my parent's wouldn't be home till a couple of hours. (I know I was not obeying my parents, I told ya I was a bad teenager lol ) So, I stopped and spoke to some friends. I was still in my dressy clothes for the dinner, which meant I was wearing a skirt, and I went home and changed into jeans, and came back to the parking lot. I cannot remember why I knew it would be a while till my parents would be home, but I knew I had time to change and head back to my friends. But before I left to go change, there was a young man on that parking lot in another group of people that I had noticed, but according to him he had noticed me. So when I did get back from changing clothes, one of the first things I noticed was the this black Chevy truck pulling up onto the parking lot, and it was LOUD. This guy got out of the truck wearing a cowboy hat, and looked over at me. At this point I was talking to a couple of friends, and I asked them if they knew who he was? Two of them said "Yes we do, I went to school with him, that is Deon Barnes. " Another person said " I believe he is dating someone, but let me go ask" Before I could even say no, the guy was walking toward Deon. I was SO embarrassed. I of course turned around and pretended to be talking to the group of friends while they of course were staring over there. My face felt like it was redder than a tomato. lol. The guy comes back with this big grin on his face, and says "He is not dating anyone, and is interested in talking to you." I could had fainted right then. I thought to myself no way this good looking boy wants to talk to me. That type of guy doesn't usually have any interest in me.

Let me explain what I mean by "that type of guy". The guys in past that I usually attract are the bad boys you could call them. The boys you do not want your daughter to meet. This is why parents were always worried because I was dating the wrong boys. They usually were older than me, and were not someone you brought home to me dad. Back to the parking lot, after this friend of mine was telling me that Deon was in interested in me, I turned around to look at him, and noticed him staring at me. I turn back around and when I go to turn back around toward him, Deon starts walking toward me. I could have fainted, I'm telling you my knees got week and I got really Nervous! He asks "Would like to go riding around?" I thought I wasn't going to be able to speak, I got so nervous I said "I'll be back in a minute" and walked off, thinking to myself what am I doing? I ended up getting in a truck with some other friends and drove off to go to the gas station across the street. I get back to the parking lot and Deon was GONE! I was so mad at myself. I thought to myself I blew it!

This is why I thank God every day for placing Deon in my life. Because though I thought I blew it, God was stilling watching over me. All that week, I could only think of Deon. I went to a friends house who was on that parking lot and introduced us and asked her ALL about him, and who he was etc. She told him where he worked etc. I found his truck at his work one day and left him a note asking him to meet me back uptown. The following weekend I was back at the parking lot with a friend, and I saw one of his friends. Asked him where his friend was (meaning Deon)? Deon friend then said I know where he is I'll go find him and get him back up here. I again was so nervous. A few minutes later I hear his truck, this truck was Loud you could not miss it, and said to my friend "there he is" She looked at me and said "I know him! He is a good guy." Deon pulled up and we started chatting. Like we known each other forever. He ended up getting my truck and going riding around with me and some of my friends. We came back to the parking lot, and a little bit before it was time for me to go home, we were talking about the concert that was coming to Martin, it was Tim McGraw. We found out that both of us had tickets to this concert, and decided that we would meet next weekend to go to the concert together! I was so excited all that week, thought that night could not get there fast enough. A group of us had already planned on going to this concert, so we met Deon at McDonald's in Martin to head over to the concert that was the college. My friends sat in there seats which was where I would had been sitting too, but I went with Deon to sit with him. That was our first date, and I thought I was floating on air!

We've been together off and on ever since. You ask, off and on? Yes we broke up a couple of times in those 15 years. But God kept putting us back together. See why I thank God every day. We have been married for 12 1/2 years, don't get me wrong it hasn't always been a fairy tale. Those first years marriage was rough. We got married when I was 20 and he was 21. But I now know if it wasn't God's plan than, I would not be married to Deon. God knows everything and He knew that Deon and I belong together, no matter how many times I did not think it was meant to be, God helped me understand that yes it was meant to be. God helped us get through those rough times. It was stressful to be married only 3 months and find out you were pregnant at the age of 21. Don't get me wrong, we were thrilled to be having a baby. She is our baby girl and we love her very much. Then right before our baby girl's first birthday we found out we were pregnant again. Again we were thrilled. Through all the good times and bad we had God by our side.

So thankful 15 years together, that God placed Deon into my life, he is my husband, father of my children and my best friend.

This has turned into a blog of how I met Deon, lol.

I am also Thankful for my entire family: My parents, they are some great parents. For any two people that can love me no matter how many times I missed up, they never gave up on me. You never know how great your parents are till you are married and with children of your own. Me and my mom bumped heads through the teens, I stilled loved her of course even though she made me mad. But it was when I had children of my own did I realize what great mom she was then and still is today. I am thankful for my siblings: My oldest sister, Angela, who is 11 years older than me, we have always gotten along through it all, people would be surprised how we did get along so well being such a age difference. I am also thankful for my other sister and brother even though we do not speak now. We had our differences in the past and still do but no matter what they are my sister and brother and I love them. I am thankful for my in laws: Dorothy and Randy. I know they are here for us and love us. I think of them as my second parents than just in laws. I am blessed to have great in laws since a lot of stories I hear from others that they do not get along with their in laws. I mean I live right next door to mine, and people are shocked by that. lol They are great people and have raised wonderful 3 children. I am thankful for two great sister in laws: Elly and Casey, they are more like sisters to me than just in laws. I am Thankful for my brother in laws: Joel, Doug and Nathan, they great men for my sister and sister in laws, I am so glad God had placed them into Angela, Elly and Casey's lives. I am Thankful for my nieces and nephews: I have alot between my two families, and I love all of them very much.

I am thankful for my church family: We are so blessed to be part of a loving church family. I have learned and still learning so much from everyone. I'm blessed to know that I can talked to them and they are there to listen.

See why I'm so thankful, that God placed all these people into my life. People He knows that I need. I've had my ups and downs and through it all I have had God by my side. I've grown so much in 15 years, and I give all the glory to God.

Burnt supper..

First of all I apologize for not writing in the past months. Since school started its been crazy around here.
Back to the title of my blog. In the 12 years I've been married I've never burnt supper that I recall. I might have cooked till it was too done, but not actually Burnt the supper. I was cooking potato soup, my daughter's favorite soup. She is not a soup eater much but the one she truly loves is potato. I planned on making but then came found out I didn't have these canned potatoes that you add to this soup. Deon found this recipe for Easy Potato Soup a couple years ago, He usually is the one who makes it, but I was going to give it a try this would be my 2nd time making it. I told her that I would walk down to Nana's (Deon's mom, who lives 5 seconds from my house) and see if she has any. When I got there she did not, but said hey I've got real potatoes you can use. Never done it this way but hey I'll give it a try. I get home peel the potatoes and put them in the pot to cook. After they are done, I start making the so called Easy Potato soup. You use hash browns with all other kinds of stuff (I'll have to add the recipe later time) but the one thing I forgot is your are suppose to stir this soup while its cooking or it will stick to your pan and burn.
Well you guessed it....I didn't stir the soup, Totally forgot to STIR!! It did not think of it till it was done, and saw that it was stuck to the bottom. Thought it would be ok if I didn't scrape it and so I wouldn't get the dark brown potatoes in the soup. I went to start serving and started smelling the burnt food smell. We sat down anyway and started to it, my poor daughter was so excited to eat the soup. I took a bite and said "Oh wow this is burnt" Husband agreed but kept on eating, Savannah and Dalton both said same thing but kept on eating. They did not want to hurt my feelings because they could see I was mad at myself for burning a perfectly good meal. I personally could not eat it, and got up and dumped it. A few mins later the kids did the same thing when I told them we could find them something else to eat. They would had sat there and ate it, just so they wouldn't hurt my feelings. Savannah kept telling me it wasn't that bad, but I believe she was just being nice. Deon said the same thing and actually ate the soup. I couldn't believe it but he did. Now that is a husband to sit there and eat burnt soup. You couldn't tell it was burnt but man could you taste it. (Yuck)
Next time I make potato soup (or I'll just let Deon do it lol) I'll remember to STIR!

Summer came to a end....and school year has began..

The end of summer came to quick. With school starting at the first of August, it made summer break end way to soon. I so wish they would start school after Labor Day. I would even take that they would start after the Obion County Fair would end. The month of July flew by. I'm not quiet sure what all we did, but seems like we did not stop. Lol.
But this month (August) is about over, and it has flown by even faster. Started out going back to work and the kids going back to school. They are loving school, even though they have homework every night. The roughest week had to be when the Obion County Fair was going on. This year Savannah showed a pig at the Junior Livestock Show. This was her very first year and she did great! Lots of people who have been doing this for Years, came up to me and said she looked like she had been doing this for years. Her pig won 3rd place in their class, mind you he was 306 lb pig! She won 2nd place in the Showman ship for her age group. : ) Then we had to go back that night for the auction. She got 3.75 a lb for her pig, he sold for 275 lbs though (that was the weight limit) She had fun doing it, and said she wanted to do it again. Dalton is even thinking about doing it too next year. After the auction we decided to let them ride some rides since we got done about 8 o'clock. The lines of course were very Long, so there was very long waits. So after riding what they wanted to ride, we did leave there till about 10 o'clock. Getting home, taking showers etc.. we were all in bed by 11:30. Lets just say we were all very tired the next morning, getting up to go to school. Then of course that Wednesday, they were already still tired, had to get their homework done before church. We don't usually get home till after 8:30 on Wed nights. I think Savannah even had homework to finish so she didn't probably get to bed till after 9 o'clock.
Well I told the kids they get All of their homework done Thursday, that I would take them back to the fair. I thought we would get their early, and then wouldn't be too late getting home. Deon had work to get done so he did not go with us. We had fun going, they kids rode the rides they wanted to ride again, and chat with friends etc. I figured we would leave about 9. Well that didn't happen. The kids had seen the end of the Fair Show @ the fair, and wanted to see it the whole thing. So I told them we would see, the 2nd show didn't start till 9. So I look at the clock and it was almost 9 and the kids were done riding rides, so I asked "Do you still want to go see the show?" Of course they said "Yes" So I thought ok we'll go. Walked over and sat down to watch the show. WOW was that a great show. I'm so glad we stayed to see it. Those kids did great! By the time it was over it was almost 10, so it was after 10 till we got home. But the kids wasn't has tired the next morning, I think they were starting to get used to going to bed late and waking up early. But man their Mom wasn't used to it.
Then this past week Dalton started his football practice, we had church and this past Thursday we went to the dinner the Junior Livestock puts on for the buyers from the auction. Plus the kids get their checks from the show and auction. Savannah racked up. lol Between all that Savannah and Dalton had homework to get done. That seems like all we have done this past couple of weeks is going here and going there, and throwing homework in between. Been very tiring for everyone in this household. Having a 6th grader and 4th grader is rough. They are both rough grades to be in, with homework etc. I'm so thankful for having such a smart husband. Because Savannah would not be able to get her math homework if it wasn't for him. lol But I know we'll be fine and things will slow down. I hope. LOL

Summer is coming to a end..

Summer is coming to a end... :( Believe it or not school is starting back up. I think we should go back to the days when we did not start school till after Labor Day. This Monday, August 2nd, a new school year will begin. Which means I have to go back to work. Booo! I do like my job though, with having kids in school it helps a lot working in the cafeteria. Which means I'm off when the kids are out of school, which means I do not have to wonder what to do with them when they are out of school. I've mostly been with them allll summer. Which hasn't been that bad, even though I act like it (in a joking away). We have tried to keep our selves busy this summer.
Mostly in June, we went to the pool (at my mother in law's house, which is just next door) Love that she got that pool 5 years ago. I'm not sure what we would do if she did not have it, I imagine find something to do but it is so nice just to walk, the kids usually rode their bikes, down to her house, and lay by the pool for a couple of hours. Plus it got the kids out of the house and not sit in front of the TV all day. We also would go bike riding when it wasn't too hot, but this summer there hasn't been a lot of days that it wasn't in the mid 90's and the heat index was 105. Wow, its been a hot summer!
July was a busy month for us, it has flown by! First week of July, the kids and I went to FL to visit my parents (hadn't seen them since Christmas) . We had a blast down there, we just wish Deon could had gone too. Going to the beach (no we didn't see any oil on the beach or in the water) and then the kids would go to the pool too, which was just a few steps away from my parent's townhouse. We of course went shopping (how can u not go on vacation and not shop specially in FL lol ) , we out to eat a couple of times and went to the movies one night. It was just great to be able to see my parents. Then after returning from FL we had a week at home trying to catch back up on laundry etc.. Then we headed to church camp. Which this year wasn't far from home. We had a great time there. (Read previous post to find out what what we did at camp) After returning back from camp, I had to go to in service at school. Then Wednesday I had to return to work to get the kitchen ready for Monday and we waited for the food delivery. Which the driver was 2 hours behind so we waited for awhile. But it was good catching up with the ladies that I have not see or talked to all summer.
Last night we went to open house at the school, so the kids could see who that got for homeroom and see who was in their homeroom. There were tons of people there, I have not see the halls so full in a long time. The kids are excited about school, mostly so they can their friends they haven't seen through the summer. Savannah is a little nervous year being in the 6th grade with a schedule. But she'll be fine when she gets used to it, its just all new to her right now of course. She is excited over band. She is wanting to learn to play the flute. We'll see how that goes. She'll also being taking piano lessons again this year, which starts in a few weeks. She enjoys doing that.
Now its Friday, and its my last week day till we start back up with working, homework, studying etc. Last year wasn't to bad, I'm praying this year will go smoothly too. I cannot believe my children are 6th and 4th graders this year, I still remember the day they started kindergarten. They are growing up way too fast!
Well I hope everyone has had a great Summer break.

What a blessing..

This week we went to church camp. This is the 2nd year that our church, Grace Community Church, and 1st Pres Church in Dyersburg held the church camp. We did it at the Reelfoot Youth Camp in Hornbeak. Which was a blessing to be able to do the camp close to home this year. It was about 10 miles from my house. So Deon was able to go home and sleep, then come back to teach his class in the mornings. Other adults also would go home at night to sleep and then come back the next day. I worked the kitchen with Tammy and Julie so we stayed at the camp. But we got to have our own room in the girls cabin. That was great! Because of us getting up earlier than everyone else we loved having our room, we then didn't have to worry about waking up the kids and other adults, or being kept up at night by the kids. I loved working in the kitchen, it is hard work but its a blessing to see the look on the children's faces when they get excited about something we've cooked. Then coming in afterwards and telling us "thank you for the meal" or "thank you for working so hard on our meal"

Sunday, we got all our stuff put up onto the shelves and refrigerators. We had 3 regular refrigerators, and then 3 big refrigerators, gas stove, gas oven and fryer. Tons of counter space and also a food bar that we could sit the food out on to make it easier to serve the people. The first night we had people from church bring casseroles and desserts, so that was easier on us than trying to cook a meal on the first night and we could get things all settled in. It went over very well, and blessed that so many people helped us out that night. We went to worship @ 8pm which was a blessing. We got stuff ready for breakfast in the morning, and then headed to the girls cabin. That first night was a rough one. We did not sleep well at all, the beds were hard as a rock.

Monday, I woke up 4 times that morning, finally @ 4:30am I just decided to stay awake, and Tammy was next to me did the same, so we layed there and talked till 5:00am. Got up and headed up to the kitchen to get the coffee going. Thanks goodness for Mr Bill (Tammy's dad) who also helped us in the kitchen. He did stay at the camp either, he just lived down the road so we would go home @ night, but in the mornings he would get there by 5 am and get the coffee started. So we would have our coffee and wake up before we started cooking. We cooked pancakes, bacon, sausage, and would have cereal, poptarts and fruit for the ones who didn't want pancakes. After breakfast we of course would clean up our mess, and a few minutes later would start on lunch, which was sandwiches (ham/cheese, turkey/cheese, pimiento cheese and PB&J) chips, fruit and cookies. Then we usually had a few hours till we had to start supper, so we would sit around and chat, or go lay down for a little bit. That night for supper we had spaghetti, salad, and garlic toast. We would have worship every night @ 8pm. We went to cabin that night and I thought I wasn't ever go to sleep finally around 11:30 I did!

Tuesday, morning we all slept well that night, I got up once but went back to sleep and woke up to my alarm. I felt refreshed, and my feet felt better, b/c by the end of the nights they Hurt!
Same routine, cooked pancakes and everything the same, and same for lunch. You could tell we slept better this day b/c we were happier and chiper. Oh the stories that were told LOL. I walked around after lunch and watched the kids swim and play games also took a few pictures. Man was it hot! For supper that night we had grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans and french fries and Flippen's fried pies (peach and chocolate) those of course was a hit! Thanks to Mr Bill and Bro Billy for grilling the hamburgers and hot dogs, they were delicious! Then it was to worship and then to bed. Me and Tammy got our second wind after our showers, so we sat on the front porch for a bit talking with others.

Wednesday, morning we slept pretty good again. Got up to start our day. Cooked breakfast (same thing), next year we decided to change up the breakfasts. I was having a blast but getting worn out, my legs and feet were killing me but I kept going! Lunch we had left over hamburgers and hot dogs, which everyone enjoyed and had sandwiches. Supper we had ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, and mac and cheese, yest rolls and dessert was all the left over desserts we had left. Thanks for Bro Billy having the idea to cook the hams on the grill the night before, they were Great! All we had to do was warm them back up which helped alot. We called this meal our "Going out with a bang". Everyone loved it, and some even said it felt like a thanksgiving meal. It all turned out great! Tonight we got our camp shirts and they turned out so great! Love them! We did our group shot tonight. Slept pretty good that night too.

Thursday, today we are going home. We fixed cinnamon toast, toast (for anyone who wanted to put jelly on it) and cheese toast for breakfast, along w/ cereal, poptart and fruit. We always call this day our clean out day, we let them about have everything. Even cokes that were left over from canteen. The kids enjoyed that! After breakfast we got to watch the slide show of pictures that were taken through out the week. They were so fun to watch. We ended the morning by cleaning up, and packing up to head home.

The week was great, and we made notes on what to change in the kitchen. Some things we bought too much stuff and not enough in other things. I'm so glad the week went so smoothly, and I feel so blessed meeting new people. Loved being able to worship with such great people. Made lots of memories I will not forget.

Thanks to all who helped out! I hope to see you all next year! :)

Summer Vacation...........

Well July 5th, the kids and I left for Destin FL to visit my parents. It had been a couple years since I drove that far with just the kids. But I don't think it is that bad of a trip even though it usually takes us about 10 hrs. We left right on time, which is unusual for me. Lol.

Since the kids have gotten older taking trips are becoming easier. They don't have to stop as much to use the rest room. We did stop after the first hour of traveling to go ahead and pick up breakfast to go, and I made them go to the rest room so we wouldn't stop again for awhile. They did good, our next stop was about 4 1/2 hours later for lunch. Which was of course Cracker Barrel!!! My favorite place to go, and Always have to stop at when we head to FL or anywhere. We got to Destin about 4:30. Which I believe was good timing.

The first night there the kids played with sparklers that mom had bought them, and dad grilled hamburgers for supper. I was super tired from traveling but was happy to be there. The next morning, we went out to the beach. No oil at this beach we were at thank goodness. It was alittle windy, ok Alot windy but it was still nice and the kids enjoyed it. By the time we got back to the house (townhouse) the kids went swimming at the pool. Then the clouds started rolling in and rain dropped. The kids kept swimming till we saw lightening, and then of course went in. It stopped raining later that afternoon. We went out to at a restaurant called Popano Joe's. Great food, crowded but the food was good.

Wednesday morning, we went back to the beach. Beautiful day, and I burnt my feet and ankle, yes I said ankle, b/c the way I was sitting the sun was just hitting one part of my left side, so it got my ankle. Not to painful but awkward. Lol. Again the kids enjoyed the beach, specially the ocean, beautiful blue water. They went swimming in the pool for a bit when we got back. Then we went and did a little shopping at Alvin's Island, which is a shop down the road where they lived and everywhere in the Destin and Ft Walton Beach area. It has all the souvenir tee shirts, souvenirs etc. All that stuff you buy that looks like you have been on vacation. Lol. Then we went to Target, and the kids bought some stuff with some money they had. Dalton finally got to buy him a skate board, and of course bought a helmet and pads. He's been wanting one for so long! Savannah bought some CD's. Dad grilled us some fish for supper that night. Yummy!

Thursday was the same morning routine, and afternoon routine. But I did take the kids to the movies later that evening to see Eclipse. GREAT movie! Glad we got to go and see it. Love going to the movies down there, it is HUGE. Comfy chairs too : ). The kids thought I was the greatest mom that night. Lol.

Friday we were lazy. Dad had to go to work, which he did every day, and mom had a meeting to go to that day. So the kids and I went and did a little shopping for me. They got ice cream and picked up Burger King for lunch (because they had the Twilight:Eclipse toys). I found a few things I wanted. Then we hung out at the pool for alittle that afternoon. Went out to Cheeseburger in Paradise for supper. Not as good as I thought it was going to be, but it was ok. Then of course we had to pack when we got back b/c Sat we were headed back to TN.

Saturday, we left a little after 6 am and got on the road to head home. Same routine heading home. Only this time we stopped at McDonald's for lunch instead of Cracker Barrel. Didn't want to have a long stop. I was soooo ready to be home, was already getting tired from driving. Thank goodness for coffee. lol We made home around 4:30, we did great timing again. Deon was happy to see us and we were happy to see him! I was extremely tired when I got home. All day Sunday I was still dragging. Now next week, we'll be gone to church camp. But that is probably only 10 mins away so not a lot of traveling. Cannot wait it is going to be a blast! : )

Home Improvements

Well this week our home improvements started. I had been thinking for months to repaint my bathroom a different color. It got painted yellow when we moved in, not sure why I wanted a YELLOW bathroom when the paneling in the bathroom has green in it. I guess I thought yellow and green would look good. Wrong! Lol. My husband has hated that color of the bathroom since it happened. So finally I got motivated enough to start painting it. I started Monday, and am painting the walls country white (which looks more just a normal white lol) I painted the cabinets the same color, then I bought a pale green (actual name calm green) and am going to painted the trim around the cabinets that color. If it doesn't look right I'll just paint over it Lol. In my mind it is going to look good, but you never know till you do it, right? Well I ran out of the country white paint, so yesterday the kids and I went to Wal-Mart, and got some more and the little bit green paint I needed. Of course that was a big deal, because there was no one is the paint section. I don't think I've Ever seen anyone in the paint section at Wal-Mart, unless someone is getting paint mixed but I bet they had to run someone down to find them. Which is what I had to do. No one was there so the kids and I went on the other side of Wal-Mart to get other stuff we needed, went back and of course no one was there. Finally, I saw a employee walking down the aisle. He was a customer service manager, so I asked him if anyone was working the paint, he said he would go get them. So we waited and he came back and decided he would do it. Apparently he couldn't find anyone, Shocker! So he begins to attempt to mix my paint, he told me from the beginning it had been awhile since he had done this. So on his radio he is asking people who to do certain things. I couldn't complain really about him since he didn't have to do this, he was being nice. So he gets all mixed after probably 10 mins or more of waiting and the color didn't seem right, he noticed it first. Finally a lady walks up and I'm guessing it was her job, so she fixes it and it took her less than 5 minutes to do it. I was thinking to myself, where were u 15 mins ago. They also had a line at the fabric section which apparently the girl who was suppose to be there had to go because of her mother being put into the hospital. It was a crazy day at Wal-Mart, but when is it not? Lol. So I got my paint and I'm going to start finishing it this morning.

Another home improvement going on this week, is we are getting a new roof put on. The men started yesterday, and they are good. They are having to rip off the old shingles, which is probably about 4 or more layers, I cannot remember. Then of course will put on the new shingles. They already have the two sides riped off, just need to do the front and back which aren't very big. There are 4 of them, and they are good workers. They came at 7 am and left at 5pm yesterday. They were here this morning at 7 am. Savannah isn't liking this, because she is my sleep in child. lol She usually gets up around 8:30 or 9. She of course has gotten up at 7am since they've been here. Dalton is my early riser, so he doesn't mind, besides the noise and it does sound like they are going to come through my roof. My dog, Jack, doesn't like it at all at first he'll bark and growl, and then I guess he gets used to them. My cat, well he hides in my closet. Lol.

After the roof is done, I will be hopefully be getting new windows! This I cannot wait for because these windows are very old and hard to open and clean. So I'm excited over getting new windows, sad I know. Lol. We also are getting gutters, no this house doesn't have gutters, it is a old house. It was Deon's grandfather's house. Our biggest home improvement we needed more than any of the others is the roof, b/c it had been leaking (every time is rains big) since we've moved in about 5 years ago, not too bad just in the kitchen and slow leak usually, but over the years it has gotten more little leaks in the kitchen.

Time for me to start painting. : )

Love all kinds of animals.....

My 11 year old daughter LOVES animals. I mean pretty much all kinds of animals. She's grown up with having dogs around. Visiting her Nana's house she was around cats and dogs, she seemed to love cats more than anything when she was littler. We started having cats. We had one in the house when we lived in town. When we moved out to the country we got more cats to have outside. We now have about 5 adult cats and 3 kittens and 1 dog outside. 1 dog inside and 1 cat inside. The kids have had fish and they have had mice. Yes I said mice! I told ya this girl loves all kinds of animals. I really do think she should become a Vet or at least be one of those assistants. She has away with animals. Nana and Papaw(Deon's mom and dad) always have had cats and dogs outside too. They have had bunnies, which Savannah would love to play with. Then a couple of years ago they got a pony. Man Savannah loved that! She rode him a couple of times. Then they gave him to some people who had more land he could run on. My brother in law raises cows and sells them. Nana and Papaw now have been taking on cows. They have made the spot where the pony stayed bigger, and now take care of calfs that are too small to stay with the cows or their mama's died or wasn't taking care of them. So since all this we've call Nana and Papaw's "Old McBarnes'" lol. They do really great care for all the animals at their house. Oh forgot to mention she also has chickens. Which she has them for a while and recently bought some more. Which is great, b/c I dont know the last time I had to buy eggs.

Well I'm not sure why I wrote all that this wasn't going to be a long post. I just was going to post the recent animals Savannah has came in contact with. They are pigs! No I mean really they are pigs lol. She is going to show a pig this year at our county fair. These pics are from us the other day visiting the little piggies. Well they aren't so little anymore.

These are the pigs.

#1 pic; the front on lying down is Pinky

#2 pic; close up of Pinky

#3 pic; Spots

<<--This one is Spots.

Hanging out by the pool

So far this summer as I stated in previous post that this summer so far we've mostly been swimming. Here are a few pics from the other day.. We've had some excellent weather. : )

This is me relaxing by the pool while the kids swam

It had started raining for a few minutes, so Dalton thought he should cover..silly boy

Savannah is like a fish in the water. Loves to go swimming

Dalton and myself

Summer is here......

Summer is here.....well not officially yet, but its been summer to me since school was out! I work for the Obion County school system (Lake Road Elementary) in the cafeteria, along with my mother in law who is the cafeteria manager. I started when Savannah entered the first grade! She is now going into the 6th grade and Dalton will be entering the 4th grade. Wow! My kids are growing up fast! Way toooo fast : ( But the weather has been so great since we've been out. Its rained some but we need the rain b/c I know by July and August it probably won't rain enough it will be so dry and HOT. We are very blessed that my mother in law, who also leaves next door to us bought a pool about 5 years ago. I'm not sure what we would do during the summer if it wasn't for that pool. Well I imagine we would find something to do. We also like going to the park, library and riding bikes too. There are plenty of projects that need to be done around this house too, but I just haven't motivated myself yet. I wanting to repaint the bath room. I hope I get motivated before summer break comes to a end. I'm wanting to go to Florida this summer to visit my parents and of course hang out on the beach. I'm hoping the oil spill won't spoil that. If we do go we will probably still go either way, so I can see my parents, that I haven't seen since Christmas. We also have church camp that we will go to in July. That is always fun. Our church did a church camp last year and I worked in the kitchen, and it was a blast. I'm going to be doing that again this year, and my kids are excited about going again.
So far this summer break we've been swimming and hanging out relaxing and I'm LOVING it. Our Summer break last only 2 months, so I've got a lot to do before its back to the grind. I know it will go by fast on me, so I think I need to get myself motivated quickly. LOL. We also have a guy that is suppose to start putting on a new roof and new windows! I'm excited about the new windows, b/c these here are old are very hard to raise up and clean. Oh and we will be getting new gutters too. See the little things excite me lol.
Well so far that is what is going on this summer, I'll of course we will be blogging about all these up coming events. So stay tuned. : ) I hope everyone has a wonderful Summer!

Back in the day

I was sitting here wondering what to blog about. Then Savannah's recent birthday and new phase she is in made me think back when I was her age but might have been a little older. Her new phase is that she LOVES everything Justin Bieber. If you don't know who Justin Bieber is then you do not have a daughter or she is not into Justin Bieber. He is the newest teen bobber. She recently got JB's new cd for her birthday and one of the posters she wanted. Its all about JB at the moment until a new phase comes into her life. She has listened to that CD since she got it. A couple days ago we went to Walmart for her spend some of her birthday money, and one of the things she bought was the other Justin Bieber cd! I just crack up because it makes me think back in the days of my pre teen and teenager days. I loved Kids on the Block (uggh I don't know why now that I think about it lol) but back then they were the cool ones, all the girls just LOVED! I remember my friends saying who they were going to marry etc.. Silly when you think about it now, but we didn't care back then. We had no worries in the world just worried about where the KOTB would be. If they were on TV, then we were in front of the TV. I even had their music videos that I had gotten for birthdays and Christmas. I had the tee shirts, posters, cd's, videos, magazines etc. Savannah has a couple of those teen magazines too and has pulled out that little posters of Justin B and other famous people she likes. I just smile b/c I see myself in her when I was that age. It amazes me that nothing really has changed since my child hood to my children. They even watch the same TV shows that I watched. Like Full House, Gilmore girls (which I was older when that show came out) The Cosby Show (My all time favorite show) they watch some cartoons from time to time that I watched growing up also. They just look at me funny if I say I watched that when I was a kid. Nothing really has changed from me being a kid to my kids now, but the clothes, hair styles, and people use the computers and cell phones more than they did. I remember my first cell phone at 16, it was one of those bag phones that has to stay in the car. Cheesy thing! Now you can text, call, watch videos, has maps etc. Its amazing that the technology that has changed. I so wish I had DVR when I was a kid. That is my favorite technology that is out. You'll never be able to watch TV with out it, if you watch a lot of TV. That makes me think of when I watched TV. You couldn't watch as many cartoons as you can now. I would watch cartoons on Saturday, because that is when they came on. During the week was usually The Brady Bunch, A Team, The Cosby Show and Full House, The Incredible Hulk; are the shows I remember watching. Now you have over 400 channels and usually there is NOTHING on. Crazy right?
Anyways I've enjoyed going down memory lane. I cannot wait to remind Savannah how crazy she was over Justin Bieber when she gets older. Because I know she'll think "Why was I so crazy about him?" That is what I think now about Kids on the Block. LOL

My baby girl..isn't a baby anymore

May 30, 1999 @ 9:02 am, Deon and I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. That was 11 years ago. Yes, a 11 YEARS! I cannot believe my first born is 11. It seriously just seems like she was just born. I can remember mostly every detail of her birth. Deon and I were married June 20, 1998, three months later..SURPRISE I was pregnant! Didn't plan on it being pregnant that early but God did. We were really excited, and of course my family and Deon's family was too. Nine months later, we were at a friends house hanging out, boys had done some skeet shooting. We were headed home, and I kept having this funny feeling in my stomach. Being first time mom, I didn't know what the contractions were going to feel like. We got home, and Deon went on to bed, I didn't mention of this to him b/c didn't want him to worry if it wasn't anything. So I called my mom explained the feelings and she said "yea I believe you need to go on to the hospital." I hung up with her and called my mother in law to let her know, then woke up Deon. We get dressed and head to the hospital, at this time it was about 1 something in the morning, cannot remember exact time.

We get to the hospital, and they do all their checking to see if I was having contractions. In deed I was, I was about 3 cm. So of course all you can do at this point is wait on baby. Hours passed and the contractions were getting stronger, they gave me some demerol it started to make me sick to my stomach. Then a couple hours passed and it was time for the epidural...YIPPEE! After getting that, everything got feeling LOTS better. Another couple hours passes and Dr Lawrence comes to check in and I was around 8 cm at around 7 am. Again another hour or two goes by and the nurse checks and I'm 10 cm, so she has me start pushing some before Dr comes back, at this they had paged him. At one point her head was crowning and there was No Doctor! He had gotten called to do something, and didn't expect me to go into labor so fast. By time he came in, got his scrubs on, sat down, and said Push, I only had to push a couple of times, and poof here comes baby girl! He made the joke by saying " If you have another baby and I deliver, I'm going to have to stand up against the wall to catch the baby". She was here and beautiful! The first time I got to see her, I know immediately she looked like her daddy. Even the nurses said it. 11 years later, she still looking more like her daddy, she is a daddy's girl!

Of course they family was there to greet Savannah Rose Barnes that morning. She was blessing the moment we found out I was pregnant, and she is still a blessing in our lives and always will be. I thank God every day for my children and husband. : )

So yesterday, we celebrated Savannah's 11th birthday @ Nana's pool (Deon's mom and dad's house) We all had a blast. It started raining right before time for the party, and this made me nervous, but it quit raining right in time for the party. We ate hot dogs, chips, beans, Nana's potato salad (yummy). Then everyone jumped in the pool ! Even Michael (our 1 year nephew) This was his first time in a swimming pool. He looked like he enjoyed it. After some swimming, we had cake and opened gifts. Savannah had a great time at her party with her family and best friend.......My baby girl is growing up way to fast.

When u feel blah..

Last week, was such a blur to me. I felt so blah. It seemed I would snap at everyone that I came into contact with. I'm not quiet sure why either. I do not like it when I'm that way. Of course the ones who the blow of it is my family. I feel so bad afterwards and will apologize to them when I realize that I've blown up on them, and they didn't do anything.
Saturday, was our church's monthly Women's Brunch. Where we meet at someones house, have Wonderful food, and got over our chapter for our study. This topic was Kindness. I was so glad to hear that I wasn't the only one who was having a bad week. I always feel better leaving the study because being able to talk about what has been going on with this great group of women. I did feel better after this study, when I left there it was like a brick was lifted off my shoulders : ). I didn't go into detail of my week, just told them I was having a bad week again I then found out that I wasn't the only one, which then reminds me that there isn't anything wrong with me. : ) I love these group of women and love knowing if I ever have anything I need to talk about that they are there to listen and to give advice. : ) I'm glad I finally found a group of women like these. : )
I have been in such a better mood since that study, and had a great day today. I'm so glad my blah mood is over with. : )

Music to my ears..

I love music..mostly all kinds music...80's; Country and Christian...some Pop. I've always Loved music, and can usually remember the words to the songs and who sings them. Mom used to always say she wished the teachers would sing to the lessons. Because I could remember lyrics to songs better than my school lessons. LOL. Well Sunday we sang a new hymn and I love it..love the words to this hymn. Not that I don't love all the words to all the hymns, but these words have been stuck in my my mind. If I could put the music on here I would, because was beautiful also. Here are the words.

In Christ Alone

In Christ along, my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
First through the fiercest drought and storm,
What heights of love, what depths of peace;
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease;
My comforter, my all in all;
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh;
Fullness of God in helplessness babe.
This gift of love, and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save;
Yet on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For every sing on him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground, his body lay;
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as he stands in victory
Sins curse has lost it grip on me;
For I am his and he is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ!

No guilt in life, no fear of death;
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry, to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from his hand;
Til he returns, or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
(Keith Getty & Stuart Townend)

I just wanted to share these words from this hymn to you. Have a great evening. : )

On a mission..

Wow, its been awhile since I've blogged. Ever since coming back from Spring Break it seems there was something always going on.

This year on Spring Break; Deon, Savannah and myself went on a mission trip with our church, Grace Community Church. Deon drove the church bus, and three more adults (Gaye, Bro Billy and Julie) and the youth. (Which I cannot remember how many total, I believe 16 or 19 counting adults) We left on a Saturday afternoon, and drove to Chattanooga TN. We arrived that evening to this place called Inner City for Hope. While driving to the place we could tell by the surroundings that it was a rough neighborhood. The place we stayed at was surrounded by barb wire, and the gates were locked at night. We arrived to meet Robert who was going to be telling us what we were going to be doing the 4 days we were there. After having a short talk with him, we went to our room. The guys on one side and the girls on the other. Their was a gym so the kids usually went and played basketball, or we sat in our rooms and chatted. We also found this first night there, that there was NO HOT water, that's right we were going to have to take COLD showers!!

Sunday, we got up and ate breakfast and then had training sessions before we went to church. We had to be TRAINED before going and doing the mission. There were things we couldn't wear and couldn't say. We also learned what Inner City did for the people in the neighborhood. We then went to church, and came back to have lunch. After lunch we had a few more training sessions we did. Then we had free time till supper.

Monday, we ate breakfast, would do a devotion and we would then have a praise and worship. Then we went to help clean a church building that was being sold. The man who opened church had passed away and the wife was selling the building. We made our sandwiches for lunch before we left so we ate lunch at the church. After that we came back, and free time before our next meeting with Robert. After meeting with Robert he then took us into the neighborhood, where we walked through a very rough neighborhood that people like to call it "the hood". We were walking to pick some children from the Boys and Girls Club, to bring them back to the Inner City building to do a bible club, where our youth taught the kids about the bible, they did some dances and did a skit for the children, and after that the kids got cookies and juice. These kids were wild and ran all over the place, and were hard to keep still for short time, but over all they did very well. We then had to walk the kids back to the Boys and Girls Club to drop them off. It was a very interesting experience for all. We got back and had to meet with Robert, and the youth talked to him about how they thought it all went. We then had free time before supper.

Tuesday, same routine for the morning, this time our mission was to clean up the outside of the Inner City lawn. The youth raked grass, weeded, trimmed bushes. Deon found out their was a van they had that had been sitting in the parking lot for a year. He figured out it needed a water pump, so he fixed that for them. We ate lunch and went back outside (which the weather was absolutely beautiful while we were there) and we finished up the outside. We had started at the front of the building which is right by the road, most of the kids had moved to the side and started raking etc. Gaye and myself and couple of the girls were sitting on the front step resting and talking. We all the sudden heard these LOUD nosies, which sounded like fire crackers at first, but then its like it us all at once, that NO that wasn't fire crackers. Gaye looked at me while jumping up from the step and said "That aint good" and took off running to the side and tucked in and followed along with the girls. We then knew that there had been a SHOOTING! We all stood around and talked about what we experienced. Everyone very shocked! Robert comes out later to check on our progress and we tell him what had happened. He at that point knew nothing about it, went in to find out the details. Later on during the day, he finds out there was a shooting and it was a half a block away from us!!! He then decides of course it isn't safe for us to walk in the neighborhood that day. So the kids are getting stir crazy and want to get out and go into Chattanooga but we then agree that we would go get a movie and some popcorn. They all liked that. So Deon, Gaye and myself go find a K Mart and buy a movie, popcorn and drinks. They all piled up in one of the rooms where were doing our meetings which had a TV, and watched a movie.

Wednesday, same routine in the morning, this was our last day taking COLD showers at Inner City because this was the day we were leaving. We met with Robert one last time, and he spoke with the youth about what all happened during the week. The adults met with a man (cannot remember his name) about youth activities that we could be doing. We then left Inner City and went to Covenant College which in on top of Look Out Mountain. Gorgeous school! We got a tour of the school, and ate lunch at the school. Everyone had good time there. After leaving there we were headed home. We made home safely and was so happy to be back home so we could take a HOT shower!! This was my first mission trip and I'll never forget it. : )

Easter

Easter weekend was a blessed days. It started out on Good Friday with Savannah having a friend spend the night. Savannah, Dalton and I went to pick up her friend, Mendi (they have been best friends since kindergarten) and headed to the movies. We saw The Diary of the Wimpy Kid. Savannah loves the books and has most of them. The movie was cute and funny. I thought it might be a little bit funnier with the commericals they showed but I believe they showed all the funny parts on the commericals ( I do not like it when they do that). When then came home and the kids played at the house, dolls, Wii etc..
Saturday, I got up early because I couldn't sleep very well. I got up got my coffee made and started breakfast. I don't usually cook breakfast on Saturdays but I decided I would this Saturday since we had a guest. I cooked pancakes, bacon and cinnamon rolls. It all turned out great and the kids enjoyed it. They played some more Wii, and then we got ready to go to the skating rink. We met Mendi's mom, Deanna, her aunt, Mandy; her cousins and her step sister and friend. We had a great time skating. I even put on some skates. Figured I would be sore the next day but I wasn't thank goodness. Lol. After all the fun that morning, we came home and relaxed a little bit and cleaned up the house.
Saturday night, we started dying the Easter eggs. Even though I've learned that both my children do not believe in the Easter bunny any more (I knew Savannah didn't but I learned this year that Dalton doesn't either) they still wanted to color eggs. We colored lots of eggs and I believe we got more dye on us than on the eggs. lol
Easter morning, I got up early again, started my coffee and started cooking some sausage. My family LOVES sausage. They also ate some of their colored Easter eggs. We then got ready for church. Great worship service at church as always : ) After church we went to Nana's (my mother in law) and ate Easter dinner; ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls. For desert was home made cupcakes. The weather was wonderful, we all went to the pond and did some fishing with Dorothy, Randy, Casey and Nathan. I did not catch any but the kids caught some little fish and so did some others, and Papaw (my father in law) caught a good looking bass. But he put him back afterwards b/c that was the only good size fish caught.
All and all the weekend and Easter day was a blessed day. I thank God every day for the family he blesses me with. : )
I hope everyone had a blessed Easter.

Computer issues..

Well I haven't been on here in awhile. We've been having computer issues. About a week or more ago, our computer started acting funny and wasn't opening up things. We took it to a computer place in town, and found out that we had a virus on our computer. They kept it for about a week. They called it the Norton killer. I was confused since we had Norton ( software to protect the computer from viruses) but this is when they told us it could kill the Norton. They called on a Friday afternoon, and said they fixed it. I go and pick it up, come home hook it up and Boom, it still wasn't working right. Doing something a little different but still wasn't working correctly. I call AT&T to make sure it isn't our internet. After being on the phone with them over a hour, they figured out that our Firewall was set up to high. So Deon took it back to the computer place Monday, and stayed this time to make sure it was truly fixed. Come to find out the type of Norton software we had was a cheaper version and it had caught the virus but did not know what to do with it and then held the virus so it wouldn't get out and shut everything else down. It also set our Firewall up way high.
They did fix it this time and got a new antivirus (the newer Norton version) and so far so good. The computer is way faster, and seems to be working smoothly.

On Hold..

I know that you are all thinking what is up with this title? Well it is regarding our move to St. Louis, that I've been blogging about for about month. Well we are not going to be moving to St.Louis. We believe that God has been letting us know that this is not His plan. The cost of living in St. Louis is so much higher than here of course, and we sort of knew that. But then we started looking at the schools for the kids. The apartment that we were planing on living in, well their school district isn't the greatest in the St. Louis area. The great school district is where the campus is located. We didn't want to live on campus b/c they are so much smaller and a lot more than the other apartment. This apartment we were looking at allowed animals. We have a 1 year old Yorkie, and did not want to leave him behind. But the bump in the road again was the school district. Then we came across that we could find another apartment to live at or house to rent. But they were still around $800 to 1,000 a MONTH! With Deon going to school he could only work about 20 hours a week. That would leave me working 30 hours or more to cover on to live. Then when what would we do with the kids? That would leave me working All day and Deon working after school. So the kids would be left out by them selves. They aren't old enough to be left at home by themselves for that long of a period.

So we slowed down and thought real hard. So we thought with some great friends of ours (which is our pastor and his wife) that why don't we look into the online course you can take at RTS (another seminary school). Which Deon did think about at the beginning but he felt that being hands on would be better. So we did not put another thought into it. Now here are again thinking about it. Another thing that was brought up was that Deon has even talked to any of the committees (that can give advice on these situations etc..) We looked at each other and said "We are doing this all backwards." We were trying to do this all by our selves when there are people who could be helping and we weren't asking. I truly believe that this was not God's plan for Deon to go to this seminary. I believe the online course would benefit everyone a lot better, and not be such a stressful house hold. (Oh the stress in this house!) I know in my heart that it is God's plan for Deon to become a ordained preacher, but I believe he has another plan for Deon to accomplish it. There are other options out there, and we were ignoring them.

So at the moment, we are on hold with going to a seminary. There are committees that Deon need to talk to, before we take the next step. I will keep you all up to date.

Visiting St. Louis

Well I did promise that I would write about our adventure to St. Louis to go visit the seminary school that Deon will be attending and just show the kids around St. Louis some.

Deon and I woke up @ 4:30 Friday morning. I woke up the kids about 15 mins later. We needed to leave the drive-way about 5:30. We were to be at the school at 9:30am. (It is a 3 1/2 hour drive) We got out the door in good timing. Since usually it seems we are always rushing. The kids were not thrilled about getting up so early but neither was Deon and I. It started raining on us around the the time we crossed MO state line, and rained mostly the whole drive up there. But we had fun, the kids loved going over two big bridges which one went over Ohio River and then the second one was the Mississippi River.

We arrived at the school (Covenant Theological Seminary..aka CTS) at 9:30am (might have been like 9:33, but it was pretty close) We were greeted by a staff member (very friendly) and took to the chapel. They have chapel at the school twice a week. This day though it was not a service it was more like a lecture from a special guest (Deon or myself had not heard of him, I cannot remember his name at the moment) He was a great speaker and Savannah said she even liked it. The kids behaved very well during chapel. We met one of the many students at chapel that the school assigned for us to sit with, so we could ask him any questions we had. Deon asked most of the questions. (I do remember his name was Jeff, and his two children was with him that morning) After chapel, we waited for the next student that Deon was going to go to class with, then the young lady who greeted us when we got there showed me and the kids the playground area because the kids did not want to sit a hour in a class. (Even though they said it was fine for them to come and many kids do come) I thought it would be better if the kids were able to play instead of sit still so long. So after finally the student showing up we went our separate ways. The kids played on the playground area for while, still the dark clouds rolled in and started raining, the rain we drove in was finally catching up with us. So we walked back to Founders Hall (the building where majority of the classes are held) and sat in these chairs we found, and the kids went to the car and got their books and coloring books to entertain themselves till it was lunch time. Deon came out of his class, and we were then greeted by Melynda (another staff member) which took us to meet the next student, James, and his family for lunch. There was this little conference room next to the offices where they bought our lunch (Honey Baked was the name of the restaurant) sandwiches, chips,drinks. We sat in there visited with James and his wife (sorry cannot remember her name) and their two boys which were 4 and 2. It was great getting to meet this new people and hear their opinions on different things. They asked us questions and we asked them questions etc. They were from around Nashville. So, after lunch is of course is 1:00pm and time for Deon to go to class with James, we were staying at the seminary in one of their guest rooms, and we were informed the guest room was ready if me and the kids wanted to go. So we went and checked that out. It was neat because it was in this old house on the campus that they used for other things like meetings etc, and upstairs was their guest rooms, which when you went into them they were like a hotel room w/out a TV. The kids never really said anything but I could see it on their faces, No TV? (haha)
They did really good, because by afternoon I was getting a little bored. It was still drizzling and not a whole to do on campus that we hadn't already done. The old house were in they called Edwards Hall and was attached to what they called The Community Center. It had coffee ( that was ok) and snack foods (which they kids LOVED) We hung out in there for a little bit and then went back to the room. Deon got done with his class @ 2:00 and we then met him and another student/staff member to discuss things, see if we had any questions etc. Then he took us on a tour, even though we had seen most of the school. He did show us a on campus apartment (which was his apartment) It was a 3 bedroom apartment and man it was tiny. Our last schedule thing was at 6:30pm to go to the apartments that we are wanting to live in which was their off campus apartments (20 mins from the school). So after the tour we went back to the guest room to show Deon. We then went to check out the bookstore which was connected to the Community Center. Deon was so happy when he went in there. He bought some books of course, we both got tee shirts, and I got a new coffee mug. Seems like everywhere I go I have to buy a tee shirt, and my new thing is buying a coffee mug.

That night we headed out to go to meet another student and his family at the Gulf Drive apartments. This family, The Perry's, were soooo nice. Not that the other students weren't nice because they were, but this time we were in their home. They made us feel like we knew them forever. They tried their best to answer our questions regarding living etc. Loved the apartment, very beautiful. It is just a 2 bedroom, but had a full basement, and very spacious. These apartments are beside each other, reminds me of a duplex. They are the only apartments owned by the seminary that allow animals, which is one of the reasons we picked it because of our dog Jack (at this moment I'm not sure if we are going to be able to bring Cotton our cat, because I thought I read something about one animal, I'm going to get Deon to look into that.)

Saturday, we took the kids the St. Louis Zoo, which I kept hearing was a must to do in St. Louis. It was a very cool zoo. The kids loved it, and we actually didn't see everything b/c of it still being cool some animals were not out. They still enjoyed it and they love St. Louis. I hope so since that is going to be our new home for next 3 1/2 years. But they still haven't seen all of St. Louis.

Our next thing to do now is: figure out which school the kids will go to and for us to find jobs. I'll you updated.

Here are some pics from the trip...

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This is the kids @ the Zoo, with the giraffs.

This is the cool peguins we got to see..felt like

I was in the middle of the movie Happy Feet!

Another first..

So I wrote a few weeks ago about the new adventure this family is taking. Moving from a town we have lived in our whole life to a new city, that I have only visited on vacations. We are still excited and sad all at the same time around the Barnes' house. More and more people are learning about this move. They are not happy that we are moving but are excited about Deon taking the next step in being a ordained minister.
So we had another first for us. We have put our house on the market to sell. I pray that this goes quick and it sells before we leave. Which we are looking at the end of June or first of July. I know Deon will want to get a job before school starts. Which school starts for him toward the end of August, and I need to find out when the schools for the kids start for the fall. But back to selling the house. It made everything clear for us when that sign when up in the yard. It makes it all real and not something we just are talking about.
Next weekend we are going to go up to St. Louis and visit the school, which they requested we do, and of course want to do ourselves, since all we've seen is picture thanks to the Internet. : )
I will diffidently write about that adventure, since my kids haven't ever been to St. Louis. We are planning on taking them to the zoo, which I keep hearing is the greatest zoo.
Time for me to get ready for church. I know this is short when I have more to talk about I will.

Father/Daughter

I was sitting here reading other bloggers that I follow, and thought that I have blogged in a while, and didn't have anything interesting to blog about. But then I recalled this past Saturday.
There was a dance at the school for dad's and their daughters. (Father/Daughter dance) and Savannah so wanted to go, and was excited that this year she would be able to. Last year she did not because her dad was out of town with the youth of our church. So this year she got to take her dad. She had been thinking about it weeks before the dance. Deon and her would joke around and make up dances they were going to do at the dance. The day comes and they get ready and they head out the door. Which left me and Dalton, we played board games while they were at the dance. They come home about 10 mins till 10:00pm. Laughing and talking, and of course Savannah runs to me and the first thing out of her mouth is " Dad won 2nd place in Hula Hooping!!!" I about feel out into the floor. I said "Your dad hula hooped???" I continued saying" I didn't know you knew how to hula hoop Deon?" He laughed and said "I don't". Apparently that is how bad the other dads were at hula hooping. She won this cheap little trophy and some little girl make up. (lip glosses etc) I was so glad they had a good time. Them two always have a good time where ever they go together. They are so much alike its scary at times. She is Deon made over only of course she is a girl.

Brings me back to when she was born......May 30, 1999. The night before we were at some friends house hanging out, the guys had done some skeet shooting, and grilling out. I was to be induced on May 31st if she didn't come sooner. Later that night before we left I knew I had this funny feeling..a feeling I hadn't had before. With this being my first pregnancy I wasn't sure if I was having contractions or not. So I didn't say anything to anyone, and didn't want to worry Deon. We got home around 11:00pm and went on to bed. Deon feel asleep and I couldn't sleep because of this feeling I kept having that I was timing and was having every 20mins or so. Around a little after midnight I called my mom, and told her the whole situation and what I was feeling. After talking to her for about 30mins or so, she suggested that we go to the hospital because she believes I was having contractions. I then call my mother in law and tell her whats going on, and then I wake up Deon. He wakes up and I inform him that I believe I'm having contractions, at this point I'm about 10 mins apart. We pack our stuff, and head to the hospital. Which by the time I get there, they are closer together, and I would have to stop walking for a min. I get to the room, and about the time they check me I was almost 3 cm. A few hours later they gave me my epidural. (LOVE IT) and then it all came quick. I had Savannah 9:15 that morning.
The minute she came out the nurse looked at me and said "Wow she looks like her daddy". I looked at her and immediately knew she looked like Deon. There was going to be no way he could not say she was his. LOL I remember watching video of the family out in the hallway and Deon went out there to say hi, while they moved me to a room and Savannah was in the nursery. They could see her in the window, and they were all telling Deon how much Savannah looked like him. There aren't not a lot of babies I have seen that I could tell if they looked like their mom or dad that early, but with Savannah you could. Ever since that little girl was born she has her little finger wrapped around her daddy. He loves her very much and she loves him very much. (Not saying he doesn't love his son or Dalton doesn't love his dad) But there is something about a father/daughter bond. I'm blessed to have such a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. :)