The Bright Eyed Brunette

My three sweeties!   I'm not a very good outdoors picture taker because I always squint! Carl says it's because I always wear sunglasses, which does make sense, I guess :) We spent Thanksgiving lunch at my grandparents in Casscoe.  My kids had a blast hanging out with the Simpson kids and making and playing in leaf piles!  It was such a beautiful day to be outside. This was crazy, but we were on our way to my Papaw's in DeWitt when Carl saw this owl.  So (ya'll know how much I love owls) we turned around and snapped this picture before it flew away!  I thought it was soo pretty.      

Today we had our annual Thanksgiving Banquet at school, only I didn't get to go because T was up all night with the stomach virus and my stomach wasn't feeling it's best :(  I haven't ever missed anything of the kids but at least Carl, Nanny, Grammy, and Papa got to be there.  My dad was in Texas on a work trip. Carl took pictures and a video for me which means that the pictures are not the best and there aren't many of them.  But I know he did his best :)  Makena's class said a Thanksgiving Day poem. Carlie was in the choir this year.  She got moved to the second row, so it was a struggle getting any pictures of her, much less a good one!  They sang three songs: "10,000 Reasons,"Come Unto Me", and "Jesus Is My Firm Foundation" and they did a great job on all of them.    Terrible, blurry, picture!  Bless her heart, I didn't know it, but evidently she was getting sick too!  After the Banquet, my mom took the girls ...

Carl would probably hate that top picture, but that was the day Carlie was born and he was so proud of her.  He wasn't afraid to hold her or feed her, even though she weighed in at a mere 4lbs.12oz.  In fact he was the one who changed her first diaper!  I absolutely LOVE the one on the bottom left.  She was about two and had just gotten out of the bathtub and had to put on her Barbie gown to match the one on her Barbie :)  I see the baby stroller in the background and think of how simple life was then.  The baby strollers and Barbie dolls have been replaced with name brand clothes and iphones!  I love you so much Carlie and you make me more proud to be your mom everyday :) This morning she opened the Vera Bradley cross-body purse she's been wanting :) Jamie and the kids came in tonight:)  Happy Birthday, Carlie ! The two birthday girls Carlie with Miss Ellie Kate   Happy Birthday to Carlie and Mom!  It's so s...

Today I am thankful for my sister, Jamie.  Jamie and I used to be super close.  I mean, you don't move around as much as we did when we were younger and not be close!  When we didn't have anyone else, we always had each other.  Over the years, life happened.  We both got married, had kids and lives of our own.  She moved....and move....and moved (seriously I could go on and on) and now we don't get to see each other that much.  I am thankful for all the good times that we've had and I'm also thankful that she gave me two nephews and a niece. I guess while I'm at it, I should say that I'm thankful for Cody too!  Ya'll are awesome and I love you all!  This morning Carlie got up and went shopping with my mom for her birthday!  Monday is the day, but since it is a school day they did their celebrating today.  They shopped and ate out and Carlie came home the happiest girl in the world! Today was also opening day of gun sea...

Today I am thankful for my grandparents.  All of them.  I feel very blessed to be able to have known all of my grandparents as well as two great-grandmothers.  I'm also thankful that my kids have my grandparents around.  They are very active in their lives and always eager to help out.  We love you Grammy, Papa, and Papaw Garrett! Now for my funny.  The other night I overheard Trey telling Carl that he learned about funyuns at school.  Carl had no idea what he was talking about then I heard Trey say, "You know, when you have a whole pie and then take half of it away and then you have half of a pie!".  He was talking about fractions!!  Funyuns, fractions, what's the difference?!  Keep Smilin', Beth

Today I am thankful that I have a day off!  I know I only work three days a week, but you know how some weeks are better than others?  This is one of those weeks that I have LIVED for Tuesdays and Thursdays!  Tonight was our first home basketball game against Capital City.  This was also Carlie's first game with the Varsity Girls team.  And although she didn't get to play tonight (the 6th graders don't get to play in all the games because they get to play pee-wee ball too), she still had fun being part of the "big kids" team :) Practicing before the game Listening to the Coach.... Go Mustangs! Hannah, Haley, Mica, Carlie, and Bonnie Mustang Sally talking to Whit and Trey   Beth  

Today I am thankful for my parents.  You know, you never know how hard parenting can be until you become a parent.  And even after you become a parent you sometimes have a mental list of things you do not want to do with your kids that your parents did to/with you.  We are not perfect, but I think we all want whats best for our kids and try to give them the best we can.  My parents are definitly guilty of this...maybe even to a fault.  They still spoil me and my kids.  I am thankful that God gave me parents who love the Lord and brought me up in church.   I try to never take anything they do for me and my family for granted.  My mom with her unselfishness, my Dad with his MANY wise words.....I love them both and hope that I am as good of a parent as they have been to me. Beth

Today I am thankful that we live in a free country.  This is a very important day for our country...Election Day.  Now, GO VOTE! Short, sweet, and to the point.  I'm fighting a cold and don't feel like blogging much, but I am very thankful for all the people who have given their lives that we may have this right to vote.  Don't let it be in vain :)

Today I am thankful our school and for Bro. Bormann.  Six years ago when Carlie was getting ready to start school I had every intention of homeschooling her.  We had made a school room and then about 4 weeks before school was set to start I got cold feet.  I just didn't know how in the world I could do it with a 4 year old and a 12 month old.  I know now, that people do it all the time and all it takes is a little organization, but then I didn't know nearly as much about it.  Anyway, we knew that we didn't want to send her to public school, but weren't sure what we were going to do.  I called Bro. Bormann who is the principal at our school and we met with him and knew immediately that we should send her there.  In the beginning we weren't really sure how the financial end of it would work, but God ultimately provided a way.  They have worked with us and allowed me to help out and have become like family.  Now, that's not to say th...

I've been seeing the Thankful posts on Facebook and I thought maybe I would start my own Thankful post on Blogger.  I feel a little more comfortable writing things on here that I might not put on FB, maybe Twitter, but not FB.  And, for those of you who follow me on Twitter, I do apologize for being so negative last week.  I feel much better about things now!  So here are the things I'm thankful for so far: Day #1:    My Salvation.   I am thankful everyday that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and for all of man kinds sins so that if we believe, we will not have to spend an eternity in hell.   Day #2:     I am thankful for Carl.   You know, we don't always do everything right.  We don't always  agree or get along, but I always know that  no matter what happens, he is there for me.  He loves me for who I am.  He's seen the good, bad, and ugly, and he is still here :)  He is a good Daddy...

This weekend was the first Youth Hunt of the season!  Like I said in my previous post, it seemed that Carl was in a predicament regarding how he was going to take 3 kids hunting in one day!  Well, we compromised and I broke my rule of no Sunday hunting so he could take Trey :)  Give a little, take a little.  Isn't that what it's all about?! So all three kids got to go and I didn't have to go!  As we know, Carl isn't a photographer and phone cameras are surely not actual cameras, but here are a few pictures he took.  And yes, I am just surprised he remembered to take pictures! This is the one he took of Carlie. Carlie isn't really into letting us take pictures of her lately.  She went with Carl on Saturday morning and they saw a 6pt. but never could get a shot at it.    He took Makena hunting in the ground blind.  They had a good time and saw a spike that she could have killed, only she couldn't see it in the scope, just...

As the kids get older Halloween becomes less of a big deal.  For example, it used to be all about the cutest costume, however now it's about getting the most candy.  Needless to say, this will be Carlie's last year to trick-or-treat.  If it were up to me she wouldn't have done it this year, but Carl (yes, Carl) thought she should do it one more year!!  So, here we are; half sick (all three kids on antibiotics) and thrown together costumes: Two witches and Jase from Duck Dynasty Trey the Duck Man At Aunt Becky and Uncle Deano's Every time I see a picture of him I want to start singing the theme music: Sharp Dressed Man :)   I am well aware that I might not have been "fair" with my picture taking.  Yes, I did take more of T, but get over it.  He's the only one that's technically the right age for this ridiculous holiday!    On a totally different note, Carlie is finally on the mend.  After taking her to the doc...