A Race to Be Won!

Every Year, Lexi's school has a race right before Thanksgiving. They train for this race for over a month- and rumor has it, it totals over a mile. Well, she BEGGED me to run, so i agreed. ( NOT knowing it was this long) Seriously, i thought my lungs were on fire, my side hurt for 3 days and i thought i literally might just be dying. But as we ran together, i kept pushing her as she wanted to give up.. She was racing against ALL 1st graders which had to be well over 40 PLUS- As of the week before the race she was coming in at 8th place.. which is still i think pretty cool- She started giving up, but my lil precious kept on truckin and came in at SIXTH place for girls- woot woot, sista you rocked it at the run!
Here's the best part- they had an awards ceremony directly after the race- The PE teacher would call each childs name and then they would come up. Now keep in mind, each child knew what place they got right as they finished the race. So.. the PE teacher says, and i quote : " AND in 6th place we have"... Not any sooner has he said that, Lex has already stood up, walked to the front and grabbed her certificate.. i was DYIN- - - NO * LACK * OF * CONFIDENCE, and i just LOVE that about her!

Lex's teacher getting her school camera fired up.. bet cha didnt know i got THIS pic, did ya? Now.. pay me back and send me the pic you took of me lookin like an IDIOT running BEHIND my child -




Cheers to my sweet girl that overcame her thoughts of wanting to quit at the end..!!

And What a Day it has been!

Rumor has it, all you little school peeps out in Oregon dont have school ALL week?! FOR REAL?! i remember when i was in school we had maybe 2 days off.. ok, ok MAJOR exaggeration, but come on.. with less and less days of school, the kids are only gettin DUMBER ya'll!
What to do today? Well, Lex's class made things today pertaining to Thanksgiving, and i was going to help, but my girl didnt holla at me of what time to come in ( sooo wrote that to make you feel bad, really it was ok, i just showered, put on my cutest outfit ever, and even put on my face with 110% effort- it was like standing by the phone waiting for your boyfriend to call and he doesnt) That post was all a huge guilt trip- really, it felt so nice to not have a set schedule today. So, i was in my finest of clothes, super cute hair and perfect make up. And you know what i did with all of this super cute stuff? I sat my booty on the couch while my little muffin was napping, and ate a nice bowl of rocky road ice cream while watching some old episodes of Real Housewives of Orange County-- KAT, how could you watch that garbage?! Well.. CAUSE I LOVE IT!! ITs real- - the ladies are all a bunch of hotties with crazy lives. Yes, they have insane amounts of money, but you tell me that they all have it together more than you or i do?! NOT ONE! they all suffer from emotional pain just as much as you or i do. Do i wish i lived like they do? No- Why, you ask? Because i feel as though when you live a lifestyle like that, you forget the SIMPLE things in life. Now, i may be wrong but this is my speculation. Having said that, The real housewives of Atlanta season finale is on tonight, and i cant WAIT to watch that.. girlfriends out here in the south will get in your face girl and they wont hide ANYTHING.. i love it.. i love it.. and then after that ,the ALL NEW season of the OC housewives starts again. Woot woot to that!
As my mini me comes home, i start into mommy mode again and get the afternoon snack, then another snack, oh wait, can that count as your dinner- you wanna make cookies? oh sure.. eat 4 or 6.. i'm not really counting, i'm just thinking now begins the Thanksgiving holiday.
I start on some christmas stuff.. get some more snacks for the kids, take the dog potty, give the dog medicine, sit on the couch.. ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. now the lil muffin has a fever, get the muffin some medicine, answer the phone, give a bottle, put her to sleep and PRAY that lil fever goes away- -
And now i sit "watching " some movie.. what movie? i dunno.. oh, but my kid does.. mom, its called :"Zoom." oh.. sure.. ya.. did you ever know this movie existed? Me either,,, cause i was too busy watching Housewives of Orange county and atlanta to know some horribly made kids movie was ever out...
.. pictures and posts to come..

Its the time of year to -

Give Thanks for the special things we have in life and the little things that we take for granted!! Here are some pictures of things i'm extrememly greatful for! The cutest dog on the planet- even though she has issues, she's my precious little Jewel! She has taught this family so much about patience and love. ( you know you have to love this little thing enough to shell out thousands of dollars in only 4 years. )

I could not have asked for a better first born. Reminds me SO much of me- God has blessed her with many talents. She's so smart and is proud to tell people about Jesus- her kindness, and her manners. Just yesterday 3 times i had people walk up to me and commend Lex on her manners and behavior. FINALLY , all my insane mommy moments have paid off ;) The BEST big sister every mother could ever hope for! She's a little mom and is so careful about her little sissy-

My handsome husband who becomes a better husband every day- ( not that he was ever a bad one ;) Who works hard, ruthless, endless hours to make sure we have everything we need and supports me with all i do.

Oh, my little Muffin- I thought my world was complete until she came into it!! she makes this family whole. She is a mini Luke - and is too smart for her own wits! See the picture?! it says it all- Her hair and her sweet cheeks brighten everyones day! But dont let it all fool you- she will use this little face to her advantage as she's unloading your cupboards, or emptying your wallet!

* I thank Jesus not only during this Season but every day for my parents and the guidance they have given me over the years!

*I'm thankful that i have a home to live in with heat, when others are struggling to stay warm at night and to find food.

* I'm thankful that my husband has a job- in this economy that's a HUGE praise!!

* I'm thankful for the wonderful friends ive made since moving to Ga and that we've settled in so well.

THe list could go on and on.. but one thing i'm really really thankful about, ESPECIALLY since just a few months ago luke was waking up at 2 am to fill up gas at almost 5 bucks a tank.. PEEPS ITS ONLY 1.79 a gallon here!

What are you Thankful for and do you take the "little things" for granted that aren't actually little?! Take a moment to thank your creator for the things he has blessed you with -

Out with the Old, in with the New..

Well, Sort of...
Yesterday i turned my lease in. My Pilot has been my FAVORITE car yet. It has the same amount of room as my land cruiser did, but is WAY more gas efficient, and can seat 8!! Luke and i decided we wanted to buy a used car ( per the financial advisor) and pay it off so we would have NO car payments. So, i sucked up my pride and just figured i would end up driving an accord. I love accords but when you're used to having room to put your groceries, and have a seat easily go down in the back , the thought of a campact car isnt that great. We found this car 2 hours away, so this morning right after lex went to school, we BOOKED there, picked it up and booked back. ( Did i mention we found it for 7 GRAND less than the dealership wanted me to pay to buyout mine?!!!!)
I pray this was the right decision and that it will remain Ol' Faithful like our old one. I had NO complaints about our other one! The one thing that will be missed about our old one is that Lexi inscribed Lexi with a heart dotting the "I" on the passenger door using a rusty nail and then blamed QUINCEY! ! ! one of those things that you want to scream at but then look back at and just DIE laughing!! So.. goodbye to my Silver Bullet and Hello to my Beaut of a White car- help me think of a new name for her.. Little side note.. i wonder if she'll make me look Fat- after all she is WHITE and white makes you look BIGGER!!!

When the weather's Achin, Do some Bakin!

Today started out with crazier weather than yesterday - thunder and lightning today, causing 4 structure fires. I quick dressed for workout so i wouldnt have an excuse to Slack!! Got to the gym and did my hour treadmill walk, and then darted to the weights class.. OK, i have a HUGE confession. I started getting hungry half way thru class and felt like i deserved to LEAVE- yes, i freakin packed up my weights and left class half way thru!!! Rude, you say- well.. maybe so, love the unstructor, but man i needed some eats!!

With the yucky weather, i figured i needed to light some more candles and bake to my hearts content- You see, the last month or so i've taken a huge likeness to baking. I guess you could say i'm becoming more domestic. So, my two favorite websites to go to are :Kraftfoods.com and then i google the Duggar family recipes ( yes, they are that sweet family of 17, soon to be 18 kids. ) They have the BEST recipes on their webpage and SUPER DUPER easy! No, i didnt say lo - cal.. but this is comfort food weather. So, do what i do, make something, then give half away to your neighbors so you dont eat it all. Are you wondering what i made? Why, SWEETS of course. That is my main food group- From the Duggar Family:

CHOC. MOCHA HEATH CLOUD BROWNIES

"Prepare one box of Brownies made using ‘cake’ brownie recipe on box usually with extra egg.

4 t. instant coffee (dissolve in T. hot water)

1 1/3 c. milk

1 sm. pkg. instant vanilla pudding

1 sm. pkg. instant chocolate pudding

2 c. cool whip™mix together & then crumble up:2 heath bars on top.Makes one 9”x13" Pan!(One of Mommy’s favorite desserts!) "

The recipe turned out super yummy with a coffee taste and zip to it- Quin and Luke loved them, and i even shared some with my neighbor Matt who is here from England in training for the military. His wife is back there, so i help him out once in awhile and give him some home cooked treats. (Yes, she knows i bring him food.. and she Loves it)

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROBERT!*

Happy *21st* Birthday to Robert- someone that's been apart of our family for years now-

There are many happy memories we have of our time shared with you! Lex misses you terribly and i'm sure deep down inside you miss her always interrupting you and Amy, sitting in between you two on the couch and even coming out to the hammock to hang out with you!!

Cheers to another great year- DANGIT.. i just only *WISH* i could have bought you a drink.

Happy Birthday to a GREAT guy, and true Gentleman!

Love, US! ( the OBNOXIOUS part of Amy's Family )