This is the tree out behind our pool area - it is now laying on flat on the ground...

This is the picture out of our bedroom window - hanging off the roof! My favorite!

Praise the Lord we were only out of electricity for about 26 hours - my parents are still without it. It's really an eye opener when you stop & realize just how much our life revolves around flipping on a light switch, pressing the remote control button! We were in bed almost as soon as it got dark - our house is all electric and it got cold quickly. Several times I heard the girls saying "This is just like Little House on the Prairie" We went to Dollar General & stocked up on canned foods [V. Weenies, Potted Meat, Canned Ham etc] bought a b.b.q grilled and cooked supper on the porch in weather in the teens... It was crazy and fun... I think my favorite part was being out of school - I love my job of 19 years but to just be home - not having to worry about going somewhere, no routines and schedules was a much needed relief - & like I told the kids in 6 months from now we'll be hanging out in our back yard -- I CAN'T WAIT...

CRAFTS...CRAFTS...EVERYWHERE!!!

"D" for Destiny -- this is a little wall plaque to hang on her nursery wall!

TuTu w/ Onsie Baby Carrier Wipes

Footstool & Closeup of Footstool

Here are some crafts I made for 'lil Miss Destiny Nicole Brannan's babyshower!!! I have so much fun doing them!!!

Something is always....

in the oven at our house!!! Momma called Wednesday & said she was craving some homemade Chicken Corn Don Blue.... So, I [yes, I said I....] put on my Betty Crocker apron and just whipped it right up! I think pounding the chicken was equivalent to a full hour gym workout! WHEW...

Jeff always talks about the "Sunday Afternoon PotRoast" his Grandma Spearman use to make so I [yes, Note AGAIN I said I] stopped at Harp's got the biggest roast I could find - cut up 3 pounds of potatoes, added some carrots, celery, onions and beef boult. cubes and stuck this monster in the oven. It smelt so good when we walked in from church...

I also made some "Lemon Sugar Cookies" with royal icing but couldn't get the photo to down-load... Yes, I know I am turning into quite the Little Miss Suzie Homemaker!!! :) Whoot..Whoot!!!

Look Who Is....

wrapped around her little finger.......

I love the precious relationship between Kapriel & her "pap-paw"

Where you see Jeff - you will see Kapriel. She follows him thru the house all day long -

& I bet we must hear "pap-paw" 100 times a day! It is so sweet.

It blesses me to know that this little girls "pap-paw" will teach her Godly ways!

Look what is for ....

breakfast at our house each weekend....

Jeff loves to cook & Saturday morning breakfasts are always a treat at our house. This past weekend he made us homemade waffles with chocolate chip ice-cream, 2 scoops of cool whip - chocolate drizzles & a cherry on top! Can you say GOOD!!! :)

Kapriel waiting to dig in-!!! Notice the extra cherries - yes, her pap-paw spoils her!!!

This is HARPER

This is Harper -- isn't she just gorgeous in her little dress!! Such a sweetie!!!

More Arts/Crafts....

These were some of the projects I made this weekend.... I didn't take photos of all of them - these were just a few of my favs... The first 2 are notepads...the last is a "Doggie Poop Bag" [you put doogie poo bags in it & can take it w/ you when you take your dogs for walk at the park etc...] I had a blast making all of them. If you are interested in ordering in for yourself or as gifts for friends etc... Let me know!!! I think Jeff is ready for spring to get here so I can put some of this energy outside working in the flower beds.... He said if it stays cooler much longer he is going to go broke... haha

Who I...

am blessed to begin & end my day with..

Soon I will be married to this precious man [2/6] for 23 years & every day he continues to amaze me :

By his love - it is never ending & still gives me the warm fuzzies...

His patience - With 8 kids, 1 grand-daughter, 2 dogs & 2 turtles it is abundant...

His understanding - trust me I can do alot of "crazy things"...

His gentle nature - the most comfortable feeling..

His strength - he is my solid rock

His Faith - his devotion & love for our Heavenly Father is an example for our whole family

Alot of people ask me "how we can work together & be around each other 24/7" which we have done for the past 4 years and I can honestly tell you - it just blesses my soul to be with him. I can't imagine anyone I would rather be with than the man of my dreams. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love being his wife and the mother of his children. With him I have so many priceless memories and I don't want a day to ever go by without him knowing how much I really do love him. Where all this is coming from - I don't know but today God has just laid it on my heart to really stop and realize what he is blessed me with & Lord, I do & I thank you!

Wing Eating Contest

All day Sunday "the boys" kept hinting around that they wanted me to cook them some "Hot Wings" I went down to Harps and bought 3 huge packages of Wings & made them "hot", "super hot" and "hotter than heck" Here is Jeff getting started... You see I made them each take 1 out of the different bowls and try them - but I wouldn't tell them which was which...

Here what "the boys" sat down to... 3 different types of wings w/ 3 different types of dipping sauce.

Jeff deciding which one to try first...

Enjoy boyz...

WHEW... Think their mouths are on fire!

Jeff 's plate is on the left - Chance's on the right ... You choose the winner.... :)

What I've been working on!

When the weather turns cool - the crafting bug hits BIG TIME at my house! I seriously think I could craft 24/7... I've started making tutu's and personalized onsies as gifts, sold a few, for babyshowers etc... I love doing them! Made more headbands, got out the paints and made Chuy and Sam a sign for their kennel door, personalized an album for Addie who is due in February and painted a canvas for her nursery as well! Let me know what you think!

????

Who is reading my blog from Sheridan Arkansas? I think I know WHO YOU ARE.... Post a comment - if I don't hear from you I am going to go to a "Private Blog" and only those that are invited will be able to view!!!

"Poop Happens"

Poor Rhyver Faith - She was outside playing w/ her brothers and sisters & all of a sudden they all come running in laughing their heads off - with Rhyver being the last one in... Look very close at her forehead & her nose.... YEP, You guessed right - a bird was flying over and POOPED on her face. I tried very hard to be sympathetic & tried to use my "Mommy 101 Skills" but it was just to much!! I cracked up laughing as well... Luckily she joined in - I'm not sure just WHAT the odds would be for this to happen - but it was definately worth the photo opt!!!

Meet My Grandson[s]

I know that someday Kyla will bless me with some awesome grandchildren but for now these 2 are her babies ... a.k.a as "my grandsons" . They are good boys and fun when they come to visit! Although I will admit I don't care much for their kisses for now these "grandsons" will have to do!

FIRE!!!!

Jeff sent Chance out this morning to "burn the trash" - about 30 minutes later I went to the postoffice to pick up our Netflick movies... when I got back everyone was running out to the back yard yelling "FIRE...FIRE"... Chance didn't get all the ashes smothered out & well you know what happens when that occurs...

Thankfully we were able to contain it to one area without calling the Fire Department or burning everything in sight down... Let me tell you we were on our knees praising God after we realized things were going to be okay!

Jeff & Chance pouring water from trash barrels onto the fire!

Trying to keep it contained to just one area. Once it was all said & done - we were all exhausted, smelled like smoke and ready for the shower! Thank you Father - for keeping our home safe, our family safe and for always knowing what we need! We give you the praise, the honor and the glory.

New Year's Survey - What's Yours?

1. What did you do in 2008 that you had never done before? I opened a consignment clothing store but had to close it in November due to back problems!
2. Did you keep your previous New Year's resolutions, and will you make new ones for next year? I kept some of them and my new resolution is to just get fit & be healthy.
3. Did anyone you know give birth? Yes& 6 more due this year!
4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes-My precious grandmother
5. What countries did you visit? None
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? To be more spiritual
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 1 - my grandmother went to be w/the Lord
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Not going insane from having 6 kids, 2 dogs, 2 turtles & a husband in the house... JUST KIDDING!!!
9. Did you suffer from illness or injury? Yes - Broken bone in my back
   What was the best thing you bought? Any of the arts/crafts in my already overstuffed/crowded craft room!
10. Did your behavior change over the year? Yes, and I think for the better
11. Where did most of your money go? House & Car
12. What did you get really excited about? Going on vacation w/ my husband,son & grand-daughter
13. Compared to this time last year, are you Richer or poorer? Think I am about the same
14. Did you fall in love? I've been in love w/ the man of my dreams since high school!
15. What was your favorite TV program? House
16. What was the best book you read? The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd
17. What was your favorite film of the year? Step-Brothers
18. Thinner or fatter? 20 pounds thinner but 30 more to go
19. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 47 - Jeff made birthday dinner for me & we celebrated w/ my family
20. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Just the love of my family & friends
21. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? COMFORTABLE
22. What kept you sane? My husband's love
23. What political issue stirred you the most? Sorry - none
24. What was the best new person you met? Rhonda L.
25. What is a valuable lesson you learned in 2008? To truly forgive you must also forget

Would love to hear everyone elses!!

This little face..

Is what I have been blessed to wake up to for the past 14 days... She is so much fun! She woke me up this morning at 5a with a temp. and complaining of a sore throat. We went to the peds clinic this afternoon and she has "strep throat" ... Bless her heart!! Please keep her in your prayers that she will be up and about going her usual 100 miles a hour! She & I are both counting down the days until summer so she can spend the entire summer with us again. We already have BIG plans!!!

Rollin' in the New Years at the In-Laws

Jeff's parents called us yesterday morning and invited us to come spend New Years Eve with them. They bought all the stuff for Jeff to make homemade pizzas - which he did --- 10 of them!!! I'm so aggrivated at myself for not taking photos of them as they came out of the oven but the delicious armoa made me forget all about taking photos! There was 17 of us there total and we stuffed ourselves silly and watch t.v as we rolled in the New Year! Happy 2009 everyone - may it be full of many blessings!!!