One of Santa’s newest way to keep a check on kid’s behavior. Ours is hanging in the playroom. I wonder how often Santa checks it?
Santa Spy Camera
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Category Archives: Amanda
Wordless Wednesday -Family Photo
We had my whole family pictures made last Sunday. We decided after a couple of attempts at a studio in the past to try something new. A photographer came to their house and then we moved to my brothers for some. I am ending up posting 12 different shots this week with more next week. Leave a comment with your favorite!
Granny and Pawpaw
Married 43 years
Survived 2 teenagers/kids and enjoying 7 grandkids
Hanging Around
The Gang is all here!
Same trouble different view. Amazing that we got several good group shots!
A good family pictures YAY! YAY! YAY!
Could not resist that stair steps
Amanda 21, Haley 17, Lily 6, Kendall 4 and Zach3
I liked the look and feel of this in black and white. My own edit!
Zach and Pawpaw who is having more fun?
- This is so a typically Zach… he didn’t want his picture made for about half of the time!
I just like this picture!
Amanda’s Birth Story
Today is 10-11-12…otherwise know as Amanda’s 21 birthday!!! I keep telling her that I plan it this way but that is really far from the truth. Amanda arrived right in the middle of the fall semester of my second year of college. According to my doctor and my best laid plans she was to arrive around Thanksgiving. This would have worked wonderfully with my school schedule as I was told that if I missed more than 2 weeks of class, I would need to repeat the semester again, one year later. But as you can imagine from the beginning, she has had a mind of her own!
I remember vaguely thinking early that morning, Destry needs to wear a better shirt to work today, instead I rolled over and tried to get another hour of sleep. As was normal for my entire pregnancy, I was able to keep down a dry piece of toast and cup of hot chocolate. Sandy, BFF current and then, arrived around 7:30 so we could go on an observation day at the Greensboro Hand Center. She was so excited, because of the field work site that she said I was crazy for not feeling well and we headed on our way. By 9 am, I was staying in the restroom walking around, just not feeling good, contraction were not bad, 10 minutes or so apart. Sandy checked on me several times but was not willing to leave the observation because there was no way I was in labor. So at 11:45 we headed home. I had just got a “new” car 1990 black Nissan. I was determined to drive back through Greensboro because I did not trust Sandy. I made it back to I-85 were I proceed to stand on the passenger seat backward for the rest of the trip.
After arriving home, Sandy helped me back a bag for the hospital. She called and found out that the doctor’s office was closed, so we headed to the hospital. I did call Destry at work so he would meet us there. We arrived at the hospital, Destry and Sandy stood around talking for about 10 minutes while I was fussing. I arrived at the hospital at 2pm and Amanda’s official birth time is 2:20pm!
I had received no pain meds at the hospital because I was dehydrated and needed at least one bag of fluid before they could administer anything. The doctor checked me initially and decided he had enough time to go down the street to purchase a horse lead. They attempted to page him several times but he left the pager in the car. I remember being told not to push because the doctor was not there but that was not happening either.
One other thing stands out in my memory, I did not even have a baby bottle at home when Amanda arrived. She arrived 4 weeks early, I had a huge lay away at Walmart with all the necessary items! My mother washed all the girl baby clothes she had been hiding and purchased several bottles. Amanda and I claimed the layaway when she was 5 days old. Maybe that is why she like Walmart so much!
Wordless Wednesday-Almost 8/15
I posted all pictures on Facebook but want to post a couple of my favorites here!
Thanks Jeph Coppley for taking all the pictures!
Summer Renovations
Big things are happening around here, renovations being one of them, along with the series that is associated with them. Be sure to follow along with us to see real life numbers and some pictures as well. Amanda has decided to venture out to life on her own, we are excited and praying for her as she starts new things. For the rest of us it means we are moving rooms, which means lots of work and changes.
Our goal for this project is to get everyone in their new spaces completely prior to school starting. A second goal is that we finish this entire project for under $1000. Matt and I have decided that we are only spending $1000, if this means that certain furniture can’t be purchased then it will be put on hold. In regards to blogging about this renovation, I will provided at least a weekly update with numbers and pictures.
Breakdown of projects:
- Haley’s new room- Haley will be moving across the hall to the largest bedroom with a half bath attached. a) Scrap popcorn ceiling- completed, b) repaint celing-completed c) Remove wallpaper boarder-completed d) repaint walls e)Replace window- has been order. f)Complete floor in closet g) move window treatments. As you can see we are half way finshed with this room. Hopefuly Haley can move over the weekend. Furniture needed: 2 new dresser for clothing.
- Lily and Kendall move into bigger room- a) Scrap popcorn ceiling, b) repaint celing c) Remove wallpaper boarder d) repair walls and door e) Paint walls f) Purchase and hang new window treatments. g) Matt is planning to make a new twin bed frame for Lily to use. h) change light fixture for new fan already purchased. Furniture needed: New closet divider, bins.
- Zach gets his own room and closet- a) Scrap popcorn ceiling, b) repaint celing c) adapt currently color (yellow) to boys room probably pin-stripping and maybe stickers. Furniture needed: NONE
- Matt’s office- Matt will need furniture only for this including -desk, chair and shelves
We have already purchased and installed a ceiling fan in the playroom which has made a real difference in the temperature in this room.
Budget information:$1000
Spent $300 @ Lowes for new window and ceiling fans
Spent $120 @ Lowes on paint.
Total spent $420 with $680 remaining!
Highlights
We managed to add to the calender this week to the point where Matt and I actually did not see each other, for longer than 5 minutes on 3 of the 5 nights. Matt is currently serving on the church governing board and the pool board, this month both of the meeting occurred during the same week. I have also been picking up extra hours at work, Lily continues to have 3 nights of cheerleading a week and Haley’s birthday was Friday.
Things that I remember from this week:
1. Today (Saturday), church pictures and Haley’s birthday lunch. The pictures were really dark and I looked HUGE in them so I was not tempted to purchase any! We ate at Texas Roadhouse for lunch and managed to finish the leftovers for dinner. The meal was really good and Zach had the only meltdown which occured at the end of the meal, while we were waiting for a check. All 7 of us enjoyed several hours together with no major drama!
2. Zach asked to wear underwear today. He managed to stay dry ALL day long even with us being gone alot! I actually caught him in the act so he even pooped on the potty as well!!! I am so excited. He did not want to wear a diaper tonight so I am hoping this is the beginning of something big!
3. We have finally gone through all the clothes for the little kids. I am very hopefully that everyone has enough to make it though the spring and summer. Lily will most likely need new clothes for school next year but I am planning to buy those at the end of the season so they should be less expensive. We have been so blessed in this area with Kendall, not only have I saved alot of Lily’s clothes but we have been given bags and bags of clothes. I was able to totally change out her clothes to the next size today without purchasing anything. On Thursday, we spent some time shopping for Zach, he needed shorts. I did not realize he needed these, because several pair from last year are still way to big. I ended up spending around $80 but was able to purchase 4 complete outfits and 2 extra pair of shorts for him.
3. I actually only saw Haley the morning of her birthday! I had to work late, she and Matt have been waiting to see Hunger Games, since last August. They were able to get ticket to the 7:25 show. My parents watched the little kids till I got home from work and I was in bed before they arrived home from the movie.
4. Matt made Haley’s birthday cake. I got pictures on my phone and on the camera, if I can get the other computer to work I will try and upload for Wednesday this week. It is actually one of the best cakes he has made and it is almost all gone today.
5. I have gone WAY over budget for groceries for this month. Harris Teeter had a triple coupon event and we have made 2 trips. In addition, we most likely will be purchasing chicken breast from Zaycon this week as well. My plan is to replace this overage in the month of April. I also plan only to purchase necessities we run out of and things on stock up. I would like to spend including the pay back less than 400 in April. This would place us in an excellent position for the summer.
6. Ruger has settled in some, he is still peeing in the house but it is down to once a day.
7. I transplanted broccoli outside and it appears that 5 of 6 may survive. I am not so sure of my chills, because of hail, we got today I am afraid it may have killed several of the plants. I am planning to plant both cucumbers and squash this week.
8. Finally I am excited about the weather. We have been have alot of unseasonably warm days. In fact, the temperature has been above 80 on several days. Matt and I have really worked at reducing our electric bill so we have yet to turn on the air conditioning. However, tonight it is cooler, suppose to be in the 50s and rainy so I will be sleeping well!
Productive Free Weekend
We once again had a weekend with no major things to accomplish or events to attend. Haley left on Friday for Winter Retreat with her youth group, Amanda was at school and work and Lily did have a skating party on Saturday afternoon. Lily loved trying to skate and actually got around the rink a couple of times.
On Saturday, I was able to get FREE toilet bowl cleaners at Walmart. I had read about this deal on several website, and decided to try it. I asked to “price match” a sale at Family Dollar for $4 and then had a $4 off coupon. We actually got 2 of these and they are really working great. I was disappointed to find that they were out of the 3 other free items on my list. Also on Saturday,I cooked the 10lbs of chicken I purchased earlier in the week. I was able to freeze 10 cups of shredded chicken as well as 22 bags of chicken broth.
Sunday in North Carolina was rainy and COLD. The temperature was around 35 all day. So to get things warm, I decided to start planning for my “Square Foot Garden.” We have been debating on how big or small to make it this year. I also wanted to stick to items I know we will use. I had purchased several packs of seeds 2 years ago and want to try to start from starch again this year. The good news is that I actually got myself organized enough that this should be possible and if not then I can always purchased at the right time for growing. I did order broccoli seeds to start right away as well as some green chili seeds to try my hand at. I will also be raising some tomatoes this year as well. Otherwise, I hope to purchase enough corn to freeze as well as we will be participating in the Food Coop again. I am excited that I actually am ahead of the game this year instead of waiting to the last minute to start. I also hope this means it works and produces enough for freezing.
Finally on Sunday, Matt and I got all the tax papers together. I am currently waiting on 1 more W-2 then I can spend 3-4 hours filing online.
Sounds relaxing right?
Family Pictures
The Highlights so to speak!
Disney On ICE WORDLESS WEDNESDAY
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| With Birthday Cotton Candy Crown |
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| Done with the pictures already! |
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| Watching Tiana |
Lily’s Birthday Celebrated
Birthday’s are a big deal around here even if we get to celebrate one at least every other month! This year instead of a big or small party we decided to take Lily, the whole family and her best friend to see Disney on Ice. Our biggest tradition is that the celebrator gets to pick the dinner restaurant. So Lily chose Olive Garden. We were meet at the restaurant by our friends the Pierces. Then of course the plans changed and Nancy, the mom, went to Disney on Ice with us while Haley went home with Andrea and of course to youth group. The pictures above are from the restaurant and I will post more from Disney on Ice Just for the record, I was able to get awesome seats at a discounted rate simply by ordering in a group of 8!