Worker Bee?

After work, Lauren & I bought pumpkins. I carved one, and she... well, she made hers pretty with pearls and glitter. I think they all turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. The men weren't too interested in pumpkin carving (you know it is hunting season, after all). Lauren & I gave out candy tonight and really enjoyed all of the little ones in their costumes. I couldn't resist putting mine back on too. We do not have a cat, by the way. I have never seen this cat before but it decided to keep us company while we were out on the porch tonight. : )

My Co-workers (Dr. Patterson's little girl Anna, Dr. Patterson, Susan, Faith, Angela & me)

Sometimes...

Being a parent is rewarding, but hard. I question myself all the time. Am I being too easy on them, too hard? I really just try to be fair. I try not to be too overprotective, although it's very difficult not to be. Am I building character? Have I taught them a good work ethic? Are they good people with good morals? I butt heads with them from time to time. I guess as a parent with teenagers that comes with the territory. Most of the answers to my questions will come in time. For now, I'm very pleased that both of them got their report cards today and are both on the honor roll. I'm very proud of both of them. Sometimes, I don't question my abilities as a parent quite as much as other times. Good job guys! : )

Up on the roof.....

What do your kids do when you aren't home? Dangerous things that would scare you! Erik shared some pictures with me that made me cringe. He and his friends got out onto the roof by climbing through Sarah's (the redhead) bedroom window. Yes, I scolded him. I'm just glad they were just sitting there and not jumping off trying to do wrestling moves.

Ben, Erik, Caleb & Sarah

Don't blink

I'm not a huge country music fan. I like some, don't get me wrong, but all in all I find it all a little too twangy and a little too depressing. I like older country music, but not too much of the new stuff. Sometimes a country song will sneak its way into my head and I can't get it out. While Kenny Chesney isn't one of the country music guys I can tolerate too much of, there have been a couple of his songs that I do like. The latest, "Don't Blink" makes a lasting impression. It came to mind again tonight as I was scanning pictures for Lauren's senior page in her yearbook this year. It feels like only yesterday Lauren and Erik were just little guys, and I blinked and they're almost grown. Here are the lyrics to the song and some cute pictures of the kids I found while searching through photo albums and scrapbooks tonight.


Don't Blink

I turned on the evening news
Saw an old man being interviewed
Turning a hundred and two today
Asked him what's the secret to life
He looked up from his old pipe
Laughed and said "All I can say is I dont blink."

Don't Blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "Your better half"
Of fifty years is there and then
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
don't blink

I was glued to my tv when it looked like he looked at me and said
"Best start putting first things first."
Cause when your hour glass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again
Take every breathe God gives you for what it's worth

Don't Blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
don't blink

So I've been tryin' ta slow it down
I've been tryin' ta take it in
In this here today, gone tomorrow world we're livin' in

Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
so Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster then you think
Don't blink

No, don't blink
dont blink
life goes faster than you think!
so dont blink
life goes faster than you think!
dont blink
dont blink
Life Goes Faster Than You Think !

Cruise

Lee and I took a cruise for his 40th birthday on Oct. 20th. We went with some friends and had a great time! We took the kids on the cruise we went on in March but they didn't go with us on this one. A very close family friend (Evey) stayed with them to make sure they were ok and didn't have any wild parties. :) Thanks Evey! She always spoils them and takes them everywhere and out to eat every night. We just love her!!

Anyway, the cruise went to Key West and Nassau, Bahamas. It was absolutely beautiful. Now, I'm on a serious diet! The food was amazing on the boat and now my cooking is going to pale in comparison.


Here's Lee with his birthday cake that Louis arranged for him to get at dinner. Thanks Louis!

These are the little towel animals that our cabin stuard made for us each night while we were at dinner. I'm really going to miss those little guys!

Ok, these are pictures of one of the midnight buffets. Amazing artwork! I was especially impressed with the little penguins made out of eggs. I am so doing the next time we have people over and I make deviled eggs. Too cute! Anyway, this is why I am now on a diet!


Penguin eggs! Aren't they just so cute?

This is us at Senor Frogs in Nassau. Too much fun! They even got Darren on stage and had him doing Kareoke. Not that they had to twist his arm too much, Darren and Lee live for Kareoke!

This was taken at the Atlantis resort. Just beautiful.

The group before dinner one night. From left to right, Lee, me, Louis, Denise and Darren.




Mile marker 0, Key West!



Louis and Lee hanging out on deck the first day.


Lee, Louis, and Darren singing in the piano bar.

One of our favorite places to hang out on the ship was the piano bar. Here's Gregg, (from Canada) doing what he does best. He was wonderful and could play & sing anything anyone requested. Amazing talent!

When he really gets into the groove, he plays the piano with his feet!



Denise & I!

Denise and I hanging out on deck the first day!

The group again before dinner. Don't we clean up well?

My boss

If anyone is interested, my boss and his wife had a portrait session done by a local photographer. I'd love to get Hannah and Savannah down here and get them on the beach for a session! Here's the link to the video of their session. They have a sweet little girl named Anna and another little girl on the way. Wonderful people.

http://www.cmsmithportraits.com/blog/

Lauren's first speeding ticket.....

My little girl is 17 now. She has her own busy little life now. She's practically all grown up and just got her first speeding ticket. I love the little woman she has become but I'm nostalgic for the days when she was 6. When she insisted on dressing herself and always talked a mile a minute and had a zillion questions and thought I had all the answers. The little girl in this commercial reminds me of my Lauren when she was little. You gotta love her outfit.



Volvo Commercial

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TN visit

Lauren & I made a weekend trip up to TN. We had a great time visiting with everyone. Thanks for everyone's hospitality! We went to JCPenney with Mary and Jennifer to get Hannah & Savannah's pictures taken. The twins were so cute in thier little kitty cat costumes. The dresses that Aunt Jenny embroidered were just precious. Here are a few pictures from our visit.