Our 4th of July...

Our plans for the 4th were very low key. We kind of wanted to invite some friends over, but then kind of wanted to just be alone, ya know? My mom had to work and one of my sisters just got back from a month long vacation....so we decided not to do anything together this year.

We allowed the girls to invite friends over. Unfortunately, Jae's little friend (who ended up spending the night last night) got sick at 6:30 this morning with a bad stomach ache and had to go home. Jae was a bit bummed about that.....so she quietly invited her way in with Morgan and Morgan's friend.

It's been a great weekend so far. I took the day off on Thursday, so I've actually had a long weekend. I worked in my flower garden both Thursday and Friday morning. I was out very early both mornings and I am telling you, I thought the heat was going to take me completely out. Oh my goodness! I didn't get completely finished, but it's looking good.

I hope that you have all enjoyed your holiday weekend. Now you know before I sign off and start visiting everyone, I HAVE to leave you with some pictures.

The pictures that we took outside today didn't turn out so good. No matter which way we tried to take them, the sun was wayyyyyyyyyy too bright!

Oh one last thing, I HAVE to share this......
For the last two days I have not even worn makeup. So today, I at least wanted to dress up just a little bit. So, I just put light makeup on and then a dress that I had purchased while on our trip to Jamaica. Ready for this??? When the teenager (Morgan) saw me in it this morning, she said, "Mom, you look really good! I think I will put on my dress too." Two things here... I hardly ever get compliments on my attire from the teenager anymore. She thinks that my style is not only boring, but too much the same all the time. lol! Second, I could not believe that she actually wanted to wear her dress on the same day as me because it's just not cool looking like her mom, especially in front of a friend. lol! She's a real trip!!!

Our menu was also very low key....

We had ribs, smoked sausage, mac and cheese, and a salad. For dessert, we had a good ole' piece of SWEET watermelon. I usually don't buy them because I can never find one that is really, really sweet. Hubby picked this one up this morning while he was out and let me tell ya....it was DELICIOUSLY sweet!!!!

Okay, I'm finally done rambling.....

Happy 4th to all of you!





YES, we like eggs in our salad!!! You couldn't tell that already, huh?

Morgan and her best friend, Tya.
Jae and her best friend, Olivia (taken last night before she got sick)




We normally don't feed Gooch table food often....but we had to let him in on some of the fun today!!! lol!

Have a great week ahead! Be blessed!

Memories of Our Weekend Getaway...

Hey friends,

It's been a bit of a strange, sad and depressing week to say the least. The passing of two major stars in one day has really gotten me down a bit.

I did want to share pictures of our weekend getaway with our extended family members, though. We had an absolutely great time. Our only complaint was that it went by REALLY fast. The cabin that we stayed in was very nice....clean and FAR AWAY from the city to say the least. It was really relaxing, though. We were surrounded by a lot of trees with a beautiful 300 acre, private lake to swim in. We really enjoyed taking walks on several different paths and just being away from the busyness of every day life.

I know that I have gotten carried away with posting so many pictures, but it was HARD to just pick out a handful, okay? The girls that you will see in the pictures are Morgan and Jae's cousins. You will also see several pictures of Dirk's dad and stepmom....my great inlaws!

I hope that you all have a relaxing weekend ahead. God bless!

Weekend Getaway...

I know it's been awhile since my last post. I have missed you all very much and plan on visiting you sometime tonight.

I have been contemplating how to continue handling my time on the computer. I really enjoy blogging, but I have found that I am missing out on so many other hobbies that I enjoy as well. Simply stating....there are just not enough hours in the day here lately. I will definitely continue visiting all of you each week; it just won't be as often as before. For the most part, I will be able to visit occasionally during the week, but mostly on the weekend. I really appreciate the emails that some of you have sent checking in on me. So, with all that being said, know that I miss you all during the week when I am not online, but it's just where I am in this season of my life.

Now that we've gotten that cleared away.......

We are heading out of town in the morning to a weekend getaway with extended family members. My in-laws rented a nice big cabin about three hours away from where we live and were kind enough to invite our family out.

I am sure that we will take plenty of pictures for me to post later.

I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer. We sure are!!

I can't wait to see what you all have been up to this week!

Have a fabulous weekend!!!

PARIS, ROME......GARAGE SALE!!!!!

A while back, Morgan came home from school and informed us that her Humanities class was taking a trip. She was just as thrilled as she could be! Guess where this class plans on journeying to?!?!?!?!?! They are going to Europe with stops in Paris and Rome! Now, let me just say right away, Dirk and I were not overjoyed with this news at all! In fact, I was a bit upset that the school would even consider talking about a trip to anywhere like this with the economy the way it is.

Anyhow, we let Morgan know real quick that she had our blessings to go on this trip, BUT....she would have to raise every penny of the money in order to go. That way we would see if she was really committed to going. And friends, we're not talking a few hundred dollars, either. We're talking over four THOUSAND dollars to go on this trip!

The parent information meeting was quite humorous. Don't worry! I would never embarrass my child by venting my frustrations about this trip in front of a group. Some parents, though, didn't seem to mind. To be truthful, it was nice to know that I was not the only parent who was upset that the timing is all wrong for such a trip.

The teacher assured all the parents that there would be lots of fundraisers in order to help the students raise their money. In fact, they needed a volunteer who would be in charge of the fundraiser. Guess who was nominated???? Yep, poor ole me!~ lol!

Since I've been nominated as the fundraiser mom, I have to do it right, right???

Sooooooooooooooooooooo, I had this grand idea that we should have our first fundraiser before school ended in order to encourage the students (and the parents as well). So, I sent out a blast e-mail to all the parents and students, letting them know that our first fundraiser would be a garage sale. Many students were excited and wanted to participate. Others were saying that their parents didn't think that they would make much money at a garage sale. Regardless of how many students were participating, we were definitely having a garage sale!!!!

So, on May 29th & May 30th, WE HAD A GARAGE SALE!!! Morgan and one other student participated.

One thing that Dirk and I did agree to do was to donate things to Morgan's garage sale and she was allowed to keep all the money towards her trip.

Ready for this?

Morgan raked in $1300 towards her trip! The other student made $500!

Friends, talk about inspiration!!!!! The other students (who did not participate) were asking Morgan if I'd be willing to let them have another garage sale in the fall! lol!

Until school starts back up, we're only able to do individual fundraisers over the summer. I've already gotten Morgan started on her second one. I'll let you know how it goes!

Several of you have asked how Morgan's job is going. It is going very well. Her manager has promised her more hours this summer. Yippy! Since Morgan clearly understands that she will have to pay for her trip, she's saving even more money from each paycheck!

I know......we're such mean parents. lol!


I hope that everyone is having a great week so far!

It's All Over Now........

Today was the girls' last day of school. We're all ready to PARTY around here.!!!!!

For the next three months, there will be:


1. No schedule at all
2. No bedtime routine
3. No discussing homework
4. No e-mailing teachers
5. No rushing to get out the door so early in the mornings
6. Defintely late sleepers around here
7. More work hours for the teenager at her new found job
8. Long weekend visits to Grandma's house
9. Less IRONING to do

Last but not least, there will be more relaxed parents around here because life just won't be so chaotic. lol!!! This comment may not be funny to some, but seriously, it's just stressful trying to keep everyone on a daily routine and a schedule intact.

ANYWHO......

Here's a couple of pictures of the girls that I took before they left for school this morning. I was able to get a picture with Jae, but the teenager thought one taken of her and Jae together was enough. So, I couldn't get her to take a picture with her momma!





I hope that you all have a fabulous weekend!

PROM 2009!!!!

Finally, I have found time to post prom pictures. I had actually intended on posting them last night. HOWEVER, when I went in to edit one of the pictures, I hit the wrong button and TOTALLY DELETED the entire post! After spending so much of my precious time on downloading all the pictures and then accidently deleting them, I was fit to be tied! To say the least, I was extremely upset. So upset that I had to go to bed so I wouldn't think about all my wasted time. I know....I know...get over it already, right?!!?!?!?

Anyhow, I WARNED you that there were a lot of pictures that we had to choose from. Sorry to bore you, but I have posted quite a few of them below. I guess I am a proud momma, huh?

This is when Todd first got to our house to see Morgan all dolled up.

Morgan's group included 24 students total. A couple of the girls were late for pictures. And no, this is not my backyard. Morgan and Todd actually had pictures taken at our house and at another location that included the whole group.

Morgan and Todd trying to dance a bit for the camera~!

We're still missing two couples for picture on the stairway. I guess it worked out well since we almost ran out of room on this beautiful stairway...which was also not my staircase. lol!

Morgan really did have a great time at the prom. She and another girl were the only sophmores invited this year. Morgan has already mentioned that she would like for their group to be a whole lot smaller next year. I quickly agreed as it took wayyyyyyy too long to get everyone's pictures done.

Last thing, other than shopping and stressing out with Morgan all the way leading up to the prom....guess what other part I played a part of?!?!?!? I was also the stylist for Morgan's hair. I actually had someone (a professional stylist) lined up to come to our house to do Morgan's hair. She called me a week before to tell me she'd mischeduled and had a party scheduled in Morgan's spot. With that being said, who do you think she quickly booted?!?!? I think I did a pretty good job with her hair....don't you???

Now that I FINALLY got these posted, I am calling it a night. I will visit you all sometime tomorrow!