Score!

Asher just said: "I got a touchdown, MOM!"  Awesome I say!  Only he is playing Wii Bowling!  These are the cute things I am surrounded with!  Lovin' it!

Love This Story

’So happy I had a brother’: Boys meet as friends, discover they are siblings

OMG.

I just about crapped my pants when I saw this!  I want one.  I want a rainbow owl. 

More Good Information

Here is Some Good Info

Recently we have started drinking a little concoction we call "the good stuff"  because the blog we heard about it on called it the good stuff and the name stuck, lol.  Anyway, it is
1 T. honey
2 T. water
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Observations

I've notice from reading facebook just how often people are sick or their children are sick with the cold/flu/virus/infection/etc.  And that is just the times that they care to share about it on facebook....that isn't counting the times they don't share it on facebook.  What's interesting is that these are the people that are full vaccinated as well as their children.  It begs one to ask the question: what exactly are these vaccinations doing for these people?  I remember back when Tristan and Cedric were little and I was brainwashed into believing the vaccination mumbo-jumbo.  I literally bought 2-3 different cold medicines or antibiotics every single time I went to the store!  All of us were sick all the time.  I remember telling Jeremy at the time that we were the sickliest people ever.  I wondered if we had mold in the walls or what the heck was going on that we were sick all.the.time.  Is it that hard to believe that Big Money Pharmeceutical companies would scare us into buying a "vaccine"  that will prevent us from whatever nonsense it says it will prevent, then it will actually cause it, which in turn causes us to go buy the "cure" (medicine) from the Big Money Pharmecuetical companies?!?!?!?  Since we have stopped vaccinating and flu shotting it up, we have noticed a remarkable difference in the amount of sickness in our home and family.  Think about it, we are not often sick.  If we are it is usually a stomach problem from something we ate or something like that.  The few times I have went to the medicine cabinet in the last years since ceasing to vaccinate, I have always found my medicine expired.  We used to run out on a regular basis and it would never have time to expire. 
At the height of my vaccination obsession (which was right after Liam was born), everyone was on time with shots.  We were at Dr. Smith's office more than I care to remember.  And it was always awful dragging sick. screaming kids to the doctor office.  That was also the time after I had Liam when the hospital said that they had to update my vaccinations after I had Liam for one or two things.  They scared me into thinking it HAD to be done or me or the baby could get sick and DIE of all things!  So I did it...and guess what happened?!?!  I got pneumonia and wound up the hospital in Carthage for four days then transferred by ambulance to Peoria for another four days!!  It was awful.  I seriously thought I was going to die.  And I couldn't be with or feed my 8 week old baby back at home. :(  I didn't immediately stop vaccinations after Liam....they were slowly weaned out over the next few years.  Anyway, I like the our health results SO much better without vaccinations that I will never go back.  Ugh.

Our Thanksgiving

Last night we had our own family Thanksgiving....well a mini version, lol.  We had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, noodles, corn, and egg nog of course!  Oh and stuffing~!  I really want to start doing my own family things on the day of holidays instead of going somewhere.  The kids really seem to enjoy it too!  I love my little family!! We all have been hooked on the video game, Plants Vs. Zombies.  We have had more fun helping each other and playing than we know what to do with!!  Jeremy also got me the Walking Dead Playstation game....started playing just a little yesterday and boy is it nerve wracking!! LOL! 

Baking Bonanza

 Some of us gathered at my mom's house on Friday to do some baking.  Vicki came and made a bunch of cut out cookies for the kids to decorate.   This is Tristan, Eleni, and Bella busy decorating their cookies....

 Libby was the cutest thing ever decorating the cookies!  Oh my goodness, her tiny little voice was so cute and she says the sweetest things! She loved decorating cookies for people.

 Tristan and Grandma deeply entranced in their marathon cookie decorating session!

 We each made one or two kinds of cookies to share as we didn't start until two o'clock.  Susan couldn't make it due to her "condition", lol.  We missed having her there though.  Or at least I did! haha!

 This is the cookie that Libby made for me!

Bella was pretty talented at decorating too!  I told her that I loved her hair!! It is so straight and shiny and perfect....oh, and loooong!  It's very luxurious! 

Thanksgiving 2012

 Cullen was obsessed with Dax's little Lightening McQueen car the whole night long.  It was battery operated and scooted around the house pretty dang good.  Might have to get one of those.....

 Some of our delicious feast....I brought Green Bean Casserol (turned out fine), biscuits (the super yummy 7UP biscuits because I didn't leave enough time for rolls the day before), and custard pie (ruined....but tasted good.....I decided to use a new custard pie recipe off of pinterest thinking it sounded quicker but, it was awful.  Just awful.  More like a german pancake, which would have been fine, if that is what I was going for but, I wasn't...I was going for fricking yummy and delicious custard pie and this recipe ruined my thanksgiving pie experience. ugh).   But, everything else was super!! The turkey was superb!!

 Jeremy and Cedric (obviously)

 Okay, this is hilarious!!  This picture captures the emotions of it all perfectly!! LMAO!!  So, we had all just found out that Sue was preggers again and we walked into the kitchen to set the food out to eat.  Karina is smiling at the new baby news, Susan is scowling, and I am behind the camera laughing!!  So funny!  We were talking about how she had gotten rid of all her brand new stuff she got when she had Dax three years ago.  And about how old she would be when the kids were all gone......ah, you had to be there but it was so stinking funny! 
 

 Taylor, Reagan, Eleni, Tristan

Eden, Zack, Dax

I caught little miss Eden McFroo stealing my soda!!  Oh, she is sneaky alright!

Okay, so I will have to post some video of this event in order for the pics to make any sense.  When we first got there Taylor and Nick were doing this cup game/beat thing.  I remembered doing something similar when I was a teenager and loving it!  So, we sat down and I taught them my version.  WE had SO MUCH FUN!  I was full on sweating when we were done! haha!

Us actually playing the cup game...we didn't really follow the rules per se' but...whatever, rules schmools.

This was not blurry when I took it, I swear.

We ate, played games, talked, watched football, played outside too (the weather was pleasant) and made new memories!  On the way home, we introduced the kids to our new Elf on a Shelf.  More about that in later posts.

We had a great time again this year!! I love Thanksgiving!! We have much to be Thankful for this year. We have been receiving blessing all through out the year and this year has really turned out to be "Our Year".  It is a welcome gift to have prayers answered in the way God sees fit.

Cedric Is Honored

 We received a letter in the mail from the school and of course I had to tease Cedric with it!!  I told him it said that his feet stink and other goofy nonsense before telling him that he was being honored at the school board meeting for getting THREE exceeds scores on his ISAT tests!!!  He said he was the only one to get three awards for Reading, Math, and Science!!  Weare very proud of our Cedric and how hard he works at school.  He is diligent and on time with his work and always ready to go!!  He was really excited to go and waited patiently for his dad to get home. 

 It looks as though a Cedric's a few of Cedric's friends were honored as well! 

 Jeremy to him and I sent the camera with him, lol! 

 Carthage takes their ISATS very seriously. 

 Which is good. 

 The whole week of testing they have snacks provided, drinks,

 fun stuff for them to do, etc. etc.  

Great job, Cedric!!! Keep up the good work!

Yep.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

One of the best things about Thanksgiving was watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with my Dad.  Every single year since I can remember we have watched the parade on t.v. as the feast was being prepared.  We still turn it on here for the boys to watch every year and we always will.  It is just another small way to keep the memory of my Dad alive and fresh in my mind. 

Mind Blown

So, we are at Susan and Todd's house for Thanksgiving.  I was watching Dax play with a toy and commented that we had that toy once too.  Todd said "Yeah, I'm gonna have to save that one for the next kid."  I sat there for a minute.  Wait.  What the what!?!?  So, I say: "What?!?!"  and he just sat there and stared at me.  Susan was in the kitchen by the way.  I'm like: "What next kid?!!?"  And he said: "Aren't you having one?"  I say: "Haha! Fat chance!"  "What the crap are you talking about!!!"  then Susan walks in and just shakes her head.  I could not be more shocked.  I really couldn't.  They are both pretty annoyed at there good fortune but, I AM FLIPPING EXCITED!!!!  I kept telling them that Dax needed someone to grow up with.  Again I'm talking with the over five year gap....it bugs me.  But, Dax is three.  Still cutting it close in my opinion but, YEAH!!!  congrats guys!!!!  Hope your poor old body makes it, hehe, just kidding.  I love them!!!.....Why did I think Dax was five?

What Thanksgiving Is About

Here's President George Washington's reminder about what Thanksgiving is all about:

We have so much for which to be grateful!
Hope you enjoy this significant family holiday!
=========================

General Thanksgiving
By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington

Look It's Happening...

    Gotta watch this!  Tristan just went to the dentist and was recommended to get a fluoride treatment! HA!  Fat chance!  

Kelley Girl Annual Shopping Trip

My pic turned out kinda blurry.  Oh well.  We used to do Black Friday shopping before it got stupid and annoying.  Now, we pick a day that everyone can go and enjoy our time together.  We went last weekend.  I woke up at 3:00am and got ready, then I had to drive to Nauvoo.  Once there we met at Debbie's and left around 5:00ish.  We drove to Iowa City and went directly to Village Inn for breakfast.  It was early and not crowded ....awesome!  We did a TON of shopping and had a ton of fun!  I love that we do this every year.  We get to chat and catch up, get and give advice, joke and laugh, cry and get sentimental.  We are four completely different women that do things our own way but still get along great.   I ended up getting home about 10:30ish in the night.  I showed everything to Jeremy and hung out with him for a bit, then hit the hay!  So tired but so worth it!  I wish we had shopping trips more than once a year. 

My Lady

Look at this sweet little lady!  Trisha took this picture and put it on my facebook profile.  She looks so dang pretty!!  Everyone always comments on how much she looks like me.  I couldn't see it at first but, I'm starting to see it more the older she gets.  Also sometimes I see her making faces that I make, I think.  It does make me happy that she may look like me.  I had always wished for a little girl (as everyone know, lol).  And now that I have ONE, I am pleased that she at least looks like mine!  I thinks he may end up being taller than me but, that is not a bad thing.  Oh, last night she fell down the steps after trying to walk down them in my freaking heels!!  Crazy girl!!  Luckily, she didn't fall too far....she made it down part way before stumbling.....good job!  I don't know what I would do without her.  She is hands down, the best girl EVER!!

Bows and Such

I have been making hair bows.  A lot of them.  And selling them.  When I get my sewing machine fixed...or a new one (Jeremy?) I will finish my aprons I started last January.  And other projects.  We decided to hire someone to finish our house projects for us.  We are sick and tired of it and the whole "learning" thing has lost its appeal and is costing us extra money.  Not that anyone cares.  I may post some on here too...the projects I mean.  Some of the bows are crazy to make.  Good news, T. Furrows!!! LMAO!!!

Today

Early out at school today.  Tristan got out at 12:45....the others at 12:05.  Eden kept us up last night again. We put her in our bed and she dumped a full cup all over the bed.  (I had just washed all the bedding yesterday too)  And peed all over us.  Then sat on my head half the night.  Slammed her head into Jeremy's face.  It was amazing.  Got the kids off to school this morning.  Stumbled around and finally got me and the babies dressed and out the door to go to the grocery store....since we are low on the necesseties....got to Keokuk and guess who is passed out in the back seat!?!?! GAH!!!  I went back home and thought I would snooze in the car in the driveway with them but NOOOOOPPEE, they woke up just as I was pulling in the driveway and wouldn't go back to sleep.  Nice.  No groceries. No sleep.  Whatever.  Then I drove to Nauvoo to pick up Tristan.  Came back home.  The house is destroyed now.  Like really destroyed.  And you know what!?!?!?  I'm LEAVING it that way.  I don't care anymore.  Nope. Go ahead and judge me.

Cute People

 Everything goes directly on her head, which I love....a girl after my own heart!  She also tries to copy everything I do.  I think she might want to be like her mom which just about blows my mind!!

 She likes to steal my glasses all the time too....I want to get her a pair of her own, fake of course.....

 These two are pretty good buddies.  They do everything together.  They both had their heads propped in their hands looking comfy and cute until I got the camera out. 

I have not been feeling like very much of a good parent lately.  Jeremy says to stop feeling that way and just be proud of what I do get done and don't dwell on what I don't get done.  Sounds good.  But, still can't stop my brain from thinking I am not good enough.  I want the kids to actually like me and think their mom is awesome.  I don't know how to brainwash them into thinking that though....hmmmm?

Liam's 8th Birthday

 For Liam's birthday Jeremy and I took just Liam to Burlington for the day.  In the morning I got up extra early and made a big breakfast for all of us.  I thought he would really love it (even if I am just now realizing that I totally forgot the birthday cupcake with his morning surprise in it...guh, I suck) but, he didn't.  He was mad that we made him come downstairs to eat.  We then got everyone ready,loaded the car up and took the kids to the Grandmas houses' so we could focus on just Liam.  I wanted to squeeze as much as possible into the day since we had taken Asher and Tristan on some pretty cool birthday trips.  We started out at Fun City.  We played a crap ton of games.  We did the go-carts and Liam and Dad beat me of course! lol!

 Liam really like the gun games until he realized that he didn't get ticket for playing those ones. 

 They played  a few games of this before we realized that there were full sized air hockey tables on the other side of the game room. 

 We had lunch at the Boogaloo Cafe there at Fun City.  Liam was mad about that as well although I think he liked it by then end.  He got his very own pizza to eat. 

 This is the only picture I could get of Liam as he walked like a loon through the whole place.  It was flipping hilarious!

 Then we went shopping at Target.  We let him pretty much pick out whatever he wanted and also got some good Christmas ideas for him.  He ended up picking out a huge Lego Star Wars Tie-Fighter, Lego ninjago set, Lego mini figures, and new coat and a hat.  Then we went back to Fun city and bowled at the Bowling Alley, played Laser Tag (so much fun!), more games, virtual simulators (roller coaster), and snacks.  On the way home we stopped at Pizza Hut in Ft. Madison and picked up pizzas, etc. We went back to Jeremy's parents' house to have pizza, cake, ice cream, and presents.

 He looks pretty awesome huh!!!!  We love this kids with every single ounce of being in our souls.  I wish there was a better way to convey to our children just how very much they mean to us.  I would never want my life without my Liam pie in it.  He is stinking cute, stunningly smart, and perfect in every way!  We LOVE you so much Liam!!! Happy 8th Birthday to you, you super boy, you!!!!