Friday

This is how our dogs sleep on the reclining lawn chair, I just think it is so funny, how Little Ann thinks she is so small, sleeping on her back like that, she now weighs close to 50 pounds...


Well, this has been a whirlwind of a week. Just seems much crazier than usual, which says a lot. It seems like we are just running from place to place constantly and just trying to make it.. Anyway, I made a vow to myself today that I would stay home and rest. No kids, no distractions, just me naps and the laundry. Well, so far no nap, no laundry, just emails and phone calls... We woke up late, the kids were almost late for school, which just drives Emma in the wrong direction, not to mention it was pouring down rain. I get back home, to start my relaxing and a neighbor I've never met decides to knock on my door, to tell me my dog is in heat and invite me to church.... Wow what a combo! Honestly I think she was more concerned about my dog rather than if we were in church. However, it got me thinking... Here we have neighbors, we've never met who know nothing about us and we know nothing about them. How many people around my home have I invited to church? Well, not many. The hustle and bustle of life just kind of gets us off track and we are just trying to get where we are supposed to be on time. This is not the way I want it to be, I want us to have the time to meet our neighbors build relationships with people and stay close with our family. So, to those of you of my friends who have felt ignored or hustled by from our family, I am sorry. We are going to try very hard to make better, useful, quality time for the people we love. This hopefully can take place after football season is over.... This sport is relentless.... In other news, Isaiah's team has made it to the playoffs and they will play Monday at 6:00, this is a big honor.

It's time...

It's time to get back in the swing of things, I guess... The kids went back to school on Tuesday and I still feel like I have been trying to avoid things. Keeping myself busy had been a real help I guess. Yesterday, was especially hard because we would always go in between dance to see Nanny, and Tessa was ready to go. She still keeps forgetting... So instead, we went to the Honey Moon Bakery and got a cupcake then walked around downtown while we were waiting for Ella and Gracie to get out. We went and looked at the dolls in Gingers which Tessa and I have never done together before. Nanny used to always take me there and I would always come out with a sweet baby doll. Tessa was amazed, "This is just wonderful" she said. She touched everything and couldn't believe all the pretty things. Unlike me, she was more interested in the crowns, and costumes, and lip gloss as to all I ever wanted was the baby dolls that looked like real babies. We really did have a sweet time together. Anyway, I wouldn't say things are getting any easier just more real. I more than ever want to make good memories with my children like my Nanny made sure she made with me.
In other news, Gracie thinks our dog may have a boyfriend... His Name is Grady and he is not very handsome at all. He has gray hair and a beard, he's really odd looking. She said I think Skittles and Grady are dating, and I asked her why she thought that and she says they always hang out together. Hmmm.... Craig is not going to be very happy if we have puppies....

We are back

I woke up yesterday morning after a very restless sleep. I don't know I just worried all night long. As soon as I got up I called Craig's mom to see how Nanny was, she was taking care of her yesterday morning. She said she is still asleep quit worrying, enjoy your vacation. I said please just call me when she gets up. Within, 30 minutes she had called me back wanting to know what to do, and I knew she was gone. Just the night before, I had called my Aunt Joyce to see how she did for supper and she had said she didn't eat, she just wanted to go to bed at 6:00. She was very happy though. She just walked down the hall praying, she said I'm not sure what she was praying but I could tell she was praying. She tucked her into bed, and Nanny said Thank you so much. That was Nanny, always so thankful. Always, glad to see you no matter who you were or even if she knew you. We would walk in and she would always "oh there are my babies". "Aren't they beautiful"? "Are they always this good"? and "don't go, just stay". Oh how I wish I could hear any of those words today.
As I thumbed through her bible yesterday, she had written on almost every page, many times, many different times. Her bible is full of wisdom and love and she had even wrote a little about Elvis in it. My Nanny was a good lady, we shared many good times over homeade biscuits, trips, babies, sad times, she has just always been here, full of wisdom and unconditional love. I am going to miss her so much. She lived a good, holy life at 90 years old she really was a pillar of strength and wisdom. She always said, I want to stay in my own house and she did, and for that I am thankful.
I will leave you with this sweet picture taken last week, Tessa and I walked in, Tessa was asleep and Nanny held her hands out saying "Oooh give me my baby" and that's how they sat for more than an hour...

We are Here!

We are here! We got here around 2 and couldn't check in so we caught the trolley and went downtown to Gatlinburg. It seemed like a good idea to get on the trolley but once half of us had to stand up and it it took forever, I'm not sure we will do that again. Anyway, we ate corndogs, candy apples, homemade candy, it was great! We walked all the way down the strip, with only one child who was non compliant...I'll leave you to guess who that was. Actually, the kids have been great. When we first got into town we went to the Bass Pro shop, they thought it was a museum, and best of all it was free and we really enjoyed looking at all of the dead stuffed animals. Our ride down was quiet eventful, we had already stopped 3 times before we made it to Dalton, one gas, one potty break, and one eating break. Then when we got back on the road another potty break. These kids really do have to potty a lot. Gracie has had a great Birthday so far! I'll leave you with some pictures of our day...

On the way

We are on the way to Gatlinburg! We have made as far as Dalton on only 3 stops so far.... We are now at Cracker Barrell.
Today is Gracie's Birthday! 8 years old today, as I walked in with all 5 of them I just can't believe they are all mine! Wow! About 7:30 p.m 8 years ago I gave birth to this tiny, beautiful, brown haired girl. So sweet, she barely even cried. Wow, we have really been through a lot together. I can't wait to see what happens next.
So far, today has been good....