In case you were wondering.....

here is a look at how the pants turned out. The first pair took a few hours because I had a hard time remembering how to work my machine. This is the first time I have ever made an item of clothing since home economics in 11th grade and that was an apron. The second pair I made tonight in about an hour, so, I am getting a little faster. It has been really fun picking out the fabric and watching it evolve into something. Next I am going to be working on shirts to match the new pants. Click here to see how to make your own appliques. This is what I am going to do to some long sleeved t's using the same fabric as the pants. Here are a few pictures of just how cute P looked in them.

Gone Fishing!

The town we live in is directly on the Tennessee River. We actually live on Shoals Creek, a branch off of the Tennessee River. Folks come from miles away to fish here, it's a big bass fishing community. My husband is one of those big fishermen. He loves to bass fish, he fishes tournaments and is a member of a local bass club, he fishes every weekend. Up until now, it had been about 3 years since I had been out on the boat. We finally decided to venture on the water with two toddlers. Wow!! Quiet a different experience from our single days of fishing and riding all day with a few friends. The kids had a blast! Piers was scared to death at first of the loud boat motor, and it took him a while to get used to the boat rocking. Poppy on the other hand, LOVED it! Shaun was teaching her to fish and she was a natural, she even wanted to touch a CRICKET! (I have a major phobia of crickets! Its a long story and stems from childhood) I had a really good time, sitting back and watching my baby girl enjoy something as much as her Daddy. She is still talking about going out on the boat and catching a CAT fish, even though it has been a couple of weeks since we went. Here are a few cute pictures of the big day.

Rare photo of Piers without his pacifier

"Put it back Daddy!"

Okay, yall fish, I'll drive..

Guess where we went Friday night??????????

That's right, it's that time of year again, time for the state fair, here are a few pictures!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow Also, here are a couple of neat site on how to make better than "fair" caramel apples...

http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf97fall/famf97fall2.html
http://www.anoccasionalchocolate.com/gourmet-homemade-caramel-apple.html

Just call me "Martha" (Stewart that is)

Okay people, I am feeling really crafty and am about to try something that I have never done before. I am really tired of not being able to find "cute" boy clothes. You know, something different besides jeans, that are cute and trendy and boutique like. So here goes, http://handyprojects.blogspot.com/2005/04/how-to-make-easy-kids-pants.html with the help of this link, I am going to make Bubby some pants. I found the cutest material at our local Hobby Lobby with cowboy's on it and a shirt that I will sew patches on to match. Wish me luck!! I will post later on whether it was a success or a disaster!!

WOW!! Pretty amazing...

that someone(if it really was him) who has their own SHOW ( a very selfless show I might add), would take time out of their busy lives to leave little ole me a comment as nice as that on my website! If you haven't checked out the comment left on my last post, do so. I'm going to put a permanent link to my side bar to his website, because I think its an awesome show and he's an amazing guy for doing what he does, also, I would like to say that he doesn't do it alone, his mother, Katie Dunn and a great crew, help do all the work involved to reunite families.

"THE LOCATOR"

O MY....If you haven't seen it, please, tune in, set your Tivo, DVR whatever, to catch the next episode. Troy Dunn is "The Locator". Twenty years ago his mother asked him to find her biological parents and since them he has reunited thousands. This is an amazing show, and of course it strikes a nerve with me being an adoptive mother. Yes, on Saturday night for the past two weeks, I have went to bed with my eyes swelled from watching him reunite mothers with the children they gave up, sisters with brothers they have never met, and so on. "You cant find peace until you find all the pieces", that's what he says in the opening of the show. What a blessing it must be for all the families that are reunited, I think long and hard about this because I'm not sure it will ever be an option for us. I think of Sissy's birth mom very often. I cannot even fathom what she went through. I cant imagine what my Pop will go through when she's old enough to realize she is adopted. I just pray for her peace of mind and to never doubt how much she is truly, madly and deeply love by both us and her BP.

http://www.wetv.com/the-locator/ Saturday nights!

Thinking ahead

I have always been a 'fly by the seat of my pants" type person. I do everything on the spur of the moment, no real planning needed for me...until now. When it comes to my children, I plan everything.....WAY ahead of time. I have learned to be a little more organized with them. I plan birthdays at least 6 months in advance. I plan a week ahead what we will do the next week. What I am getting at is, SCHOOL, I have been researching schools for at least 6 mths. There are 2 elementary elementary schools I am looking at in our area, with the highest rated state report cards. I put Poppy on the list of one, the day after she turned 3 (they have to be at least 3 to be on the list), and the other doesn't require a waiting list. (dang) Oh, and then there is homeschooling, I have been tossing that around as well. Our church offers a home school program. I am seriously considering this. I don't buy the whole non socialization that children who are home schooled miss. I have done my research and have determined that children that are home schooled excel. They usually finish their curriculum by noon, so that leaves plenty of time for extra curricular activities and socialization. Also, I know how school was when I went, at least then God's name was allowed. The bullies and peer pressure were extreme then, I cant even imagine what its like now, it really scares me.

Any who, I have alot to think about when it comes to what I will finally decide to do. Just pray and hope for the best, right? There is just so much responsibility that comes with being a parent. I want my children to grow up to be GOD loving and educated. That is two of the most important things in life in my opinion, and I have to do what is necessary to make sure that happens!

If home school has crossed your mind here are some ciriculum publishers that you can call for a free catalog.

BOB JONES UNIVERSITY 1-800-845-5731

A BEKA 1-800-874-3592

ALPHA OMEGA 1-800-622-3070

ACE * SCHOOL OF TOMORROW 1-800-925-7777

Mmmmm..Love my babies!

More pics from party week!!

A couple of weeks ago, Shaun's family were in town for Poppy's birthday. Here are a few pictures from then. The first ones were taken when we went out to eat after the party and Poppy and I decided to sneak out early, take a walk and this was the result!

(By the way, this is the outfit she insisted on wearing, her new shirt and tutu, I guess you have to pick your battles, right?)

Here she is, lining up her pennies to throw in the fountain.

Super cute pictures of Kaylee

The NEW piano man!!

They just loved playing under the table!!

Playing the piano

trouble with a capital "T"