A new round of pj's for all...just for dad

To start this story...I am not one for tank tops or very short shorts (Capri's..the greatest invention ever) so that is what my kids are use to. So last week after I did a little shopping Madi noticed my new spaghetti strap nightgown laying on my bed. She was like what's this for. I told her it was my new nightgown so I will look beautiful when dad gets home. Well she new this was not my normal style and wanted me to try it on. So i did...it's silky and long...she said I looked pretty and it made me look skinny. After staring at me for a minute she jerked and blurted "What am I going to wear"? At first I was shocked, but said we could go shopping again so both her and Ben could get some nice new pj's for when our dad gets home. So we finished our shopping today and don't they look cute in their pj's...okay now we are ready, he can get home any day now!

Santa 'chex' his list twice

I am trying to get as much done as I can before Steve comes home...only like 3-4 days!!! I have been busy subbing a little this week and working on these treats for my kids to hand out to their classmates at Christmas. They are small bags of Chex mix with a tag that reads " Santa Chex his list twice to see who's naughty or nice".

Family and Friends

For the last 8 weekends we have either had family or friends to come visit us. This has been so nice for us...when Steve is deployed, weekends can drag on and on. Thank you to all of you. This weekend we went to Macon for Haley's birthday party at the skating rink.

Steve's mom got out and showed her stuff on some skates. There she is wearing her souvenir from the Foreigner concert she went to.

Ben and his big cousin Hunter.

Teresa came to stay with us too. She helped get our backyard cleaned up and the kids really enjoyed burning the leaves. Teresa also helped me learn how to crochet. I did crochet as a kid but had forgotten...Thank you Teresa!!!

Airman Kiehl to Mom

Before I was a mom I spent 7 years in the Air Force. Those were my glory days! That's how I met Steve. Now whenever people hear I use to be in the Air Force they seem stunned...I like to think it's because of my artsy tendencies or my talent of baking yummy homemade cookies and not my ever-expanding backside.

On Monday goldencorral.com/military/ lets all Vets eat for free. This the only reason I have ever needed my DD Form 214 (separation papers)...they don't really check but I take mine just in case. This will be our third year going. It's so fun. The place is PACKED, the line weaves through the parking lot. All the Vets come dressed with their hats and medals and suits and flag scarfs...it's a sight. So tell everyone you know.

Okay so I am happy! I just had my hair cut.It gets shorter and shorter every time...last time Steve saw me it was halfway down my back. I am trying to get ready for Steve to come home. The other day I went shopping and found some pretty new pj's (wink wink) and a few new winter clothes. We have done so good...it's been 6 months with only 7 phone calls. I am almost nervous to see him. Plus, all of a sudden the time is slowing down. Ahhhh

Plymouth or Jamestown?

As sad as I was to put my Halloween decorations away, I sure am enjoying my Pilgrims and Indians.

Crosstitching use to be my love and daily habit. But ever since having kids I have not done any until now. It took me forever to do this harvest pattern last month...but think it's so pretty I have already started a new Christmas one.

There is Ben...author of the title of this post.

Legend of the Indian Corn

Just finished making 'Legend of the Indian Corn' treats to hand out for Thanksgiving. I have spent the last month substitute teaching in Kindergarten. Last week we made placemats for their Thanksgiving Feast coming up. This is the poem we used on them...I thought I could use it in a scrapbooking way and it worked.

Some Favorites!

This past weekend we had some of our favorite friends from Germany come to see us. The Friesen Family...Susy from the everyday gourmet, who is now stationed at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. We had such a fun time together. We always do. This is the third time we have gotten together since February. There are the girls playing rock-n-roll with Steve's old guitars. The boys were on the side jamin' on the piano and beating on the drums.

Susy was so sweet to treat me to two cases of my favorite soda pop...Vernors. They do not sell it here in Georgia. The stash I brought home with me from Ohio last summer is just about gone. Also in the photo is my FAVORITE book. I am not a big reader but this book captured me from the beginning. It only took me a few days to read it it was SO good.

Gobble Gobble

Madi wore her new turkey shirt to school yesterday. She of course helped me make it. She picked out the fall fabrics and traced her hand.













This picture of Ben and Madi was quickly snapped this morning before heading out for school. Madi was dressed up in her new Georgia skirt with lots of polka-dots all the way down to her toes and Ben in the same colors but showing spirit for our Atlanta Falcons. Steve sure is missing out on these two, they are so fun. But not too much longer....only a few more weeks!!! My kids have been so wonderful this whole time Steve has been gone. I am lucky to have such good Air Force kids.

Our Thankful For Tree

Ben and Madi were out of school today. So this morning we took these cool tags and the kids wrote some things down they were thankful for. I stapled them into circles and hung them on my silver tree strung with brown ribbon. I LOVE it and love their sweet handwriting....I will love it even more as the years go by.

Halloween with a visitor

We just had a really fun weekend. My dad came to spend the spooky weekend with us. My dad flew in from the Washington DC area. We were laughing because the time it took him to try to fly here he could have driven. He woke up at 0330 to catch an early flight to Atlanta, but he went to the wrong airport...there are 3 in DC. So, he didn't get here until 2:30 pm but just in time for some fun. We had a fabulous Fall Festival Friday night. Madi and her bestest friend Haley had their faces painted.

On Saturday afternoon my dad treated us to a very entertaining and delicious lunch. When this thing lite up the kids flew back in their seats...that's some flame! But boy can that guy cook.

After lunch the kids and papa burned off ALL that food at the skating rink...I think my dad might like that place more than my kids.

On Halloween night we got to spend it with the fair Tinkerbell and the coolest transformer... Bumblebee.

Caramels 2009 style

I love trying new things...crafts, decorating ideas, recipes, but sometimes it's all about traditions. My grandma always made these caramels. For the last 12 Halloween's I have. The only thing about them that changes is in the way we give them out. This year I made drawstring treat bags to stuff them in.

I

I put my-most-prized-recipe here on my blog last fall. It makes a 9x13 pan full of caramels.

This cute little enamelware pot is filled with caramels for the ladies who work in the office at my kids school...I can't forget them.

Baby Deedee

This past weekend my sister-in-law and 2 of her kids came for a visit again. This time our goal was to make Deedee 13, a Halloween costume...she wanted to be a baby. She is going to wear a t-shirt underneath this but 5 yards of white fabric later it turned out PERFECT!!! She looks so cute.

Kids, kids, kids

My weeks are flying by!! Most of last week was spent subbing in Kindergarten and every day of this was too. There is just something about Kindergarten...I LOVE being in there. And after two weeks of the same kids you really fall in love with them. But now I am pooped...a classroom of active kids ALL day and then coming home with my own two and Steve still deployed...phew!

The other 3 teachers I worked side by side with were so kind and helpful. Last night I baked the yummiest Iced-Pumpkin-Cookies to share as a thank you with these ladies. Ben and Madi also LOVED these. After school I told them I was making pumpkin cookies, but they were so confused because they don't have pumpkin faces, but they woofed them down anyways.

Southern Belle Farm

This past weekend we had a house full of visitors. My mother-in-law, sister-in-law and kids, Steve's cousin Matt and my mother-in-laws sister...Steve's Aunt Ramona all came to visit us. It was a party at our house! On Saturday we went to the great Southern Belle Farm for some fall fun. It was cloudy and 50 degrees....we froze! But this week it is back to sunny skies and 70's thank goodness.

We saw pig races.

The kids playing games at the water pumps.

Ben's favorite...the corn maze. There were 3 different ones. Hard ones...I got lost.

Tunnels to crawl through.

Ben shot corn cobs.

Madi played and made corn angels in the corn pit.

And out of the whole pumpkin patch my kids found and liked a green one?

What are you wearing?

I have been substitute teaching a lot lately! It's fun and when I grow up I think I want to be a teacher. The other day I wore my new homemade broach on a brown shirt. When I walked out of my room dressed and ready to go my kids looked at me and said mom what's that? I asked them what. They said that thing on your shirt. So I told them my new broach and they cracked up asking again it's a what? Anyways you just cut circles, sew an X in the middle and attach a button...I liked it.

Crow and pumpkin pillow

This holiday season issue of Create & Decorate is stuffed with some fun creative ideas. Last Friday night we had some friends

over for a pizza and craft party. As I was cutting out the pieces for my pillow Ben sat at the table with us and drew his own version of the crow and pumpkin pillow.

Here is my finished project. I like this felt/wool stuff.

Pumpkins everywhere

I am not sure why or what my mother did to make love Halloween and this time of year so much but I sure do love it! This is my favorite Holiday and season to decorate for.

See the pretty table runner under my silver tree in the living room...yep I made it out of leftover scraps from a project last fall. I just love that turquoise mixed in with those colors.

My 4ft. black tree is one of my favorites. Even though Steve is deployed to Iraq the kids and I are still trying our best to enjoy this fun time of year and for me decorating makes it LOTS of fun.

Today was my first...

MAMMOGRAM! Today's appointment has been on my calendar for 3 agonizing months. When I walked in the lady said forget everything you have heard about mammograms...she knew it was my first. She was right! It was a little uncomfortable but nothing to whine about at all! My Dr. said by the age of 35 you need to get a baseline mammogram done. If all is well with this first one then you can go on with you business until age 40.

Mr. Bones

Target had the girls t-shirts on sale for $2.98 so I bought a bunch to play with! Madi has a pair of vintage looking jeans that I think this little homemade t-shirt may look cute with. Another jackpot sale I found was at Michael's...all the pirate birthday stuff was 80% off or more. A bag of 36 skull suckers was only 59 cents and we turned them into a pile of Mr. Bones for Halloween treats for Ben's class and Fall Festival.

Happy October!

I am so excited that October is here. We can finally say Steve should be home next month...of course it will be the very end of November but it's still next month. Today the kids started the month off with Halloween spirit. Madi picked out the fabric for this white pumpkin t-shirt and she even ironed it on with heat and bond with my help. Ben wore a glow in the dark spider shirt from Target so no picture...but tonight is our school skate night, so he will look cool when the lights go out and they skate.

Cousins & Crafts

This past weekend my sister-in-law and the girls came for a visit. A few weekends ago we did meet in the middle of our two towns at a Burger King so the kids could be together and stayed for 3 hours. When it was time to leave the kids cried. Every week my kids BEG to get together with their cousins. So this was such a treat for all the kids to be able to play and Alicia and I had a great time making some beautiful crafts. We made the younger girls matching/opposite dresses/shirts. Bows to match and some for Halloween too.

A few weeks ago I found these Camp Rock nightgowns on sale. I bought two so Madi and Haley could have matching ones when they were together...just makes it extra fun.

ahead of my Halloween game

Today was my craft day with Michelle. I started and finished Halloween treats for Madi's class. We had done this before but Madi asked for these again so I had to. They are decked out caramel apple suckers. Now Ben on the other hand wants something totally different. I am just glad these are done and it's not even October 1st yet...I will be busy enough closer to Halloween with parties.

homemade thank you's

Tonight I made these yummy oatmeal scotchies...the recipe was on the back of the bag of butterscotch bits. They are for the kids teachers and the ladies who work in the office at Ben and Madi's school. I owe the ladies in the office so much. With Madi having Type 1 Diabetes she is up at the office a few times a day. She has to have her blood sugar checked before and after PE, before lunch and anytime she feels she has low blood sugar. Madi is such a quiet little girl but these ladies know how to lovingly handle her. At home Steve calls Madi loudmouth but anywhere else she barley makes a peep. Last year on her birthday my dad was here visiting and we went to Logan's for Madi's birthday dinner. Well to surprise Madi, my dad told the waitress it was Madi's birthday. So all the people came over with cake and singing....Madi cried, buried herself in my dad, almost threw up and we have never been back to Logan's.

Both Ben and Madi are being awarded Student Of The Month for September. So they do get recognized at school and eat free pizza up on the stage with their parents. I can't believe they both ended up getting it the same month but their lunches overlap so I will be a proud mama up on the stage tomorrow with one on each side of me.

Fun Friday

Yesterday my friend Michelle came over for a fun craft day...and the kids got to play. This beautiful fabric candy corn was what we were making. But then Michelle also made me a white pumpkin after I oohed and awwed over hers. The candy corn smells like fall and would you look at that button stem on that pumpkin...I had so much fun...can't wait until next week for another craft day.

Last night the kids and I had planned a date to go see the new movie Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs. So for dinner...what else but meatballs before heading out to the theater. The kids really enjoyed their movie but the funniest part was looking over at Madi smiling with no front teeth and those huge 3D glasses on.

Ben and Madi have been on Fall Break all this week. One day we went to some craft stores and all left with some sort of craft goody. Here is Ben with his sand art.

Madi picked out a paint your own Hello Kitty piggy bank.

Since I had been working on Halloween cards the kids and their friends wanted to make some too.

Art Happens Here

In my room.

We have this seating area in our bedroom and it's my craft area.

Everything in here is old. My desk...a deal from Cindy at The Plum Tree...I think I ended up paying $38. It's old with an enamel top and boy do I love it.

This brown dresser was free...my junking days in Germany. My friend Amber made me the "art happens here" decoration for my craft area.

Here are the fun filled shelves in my old white hutch.

This is my new red basket I just picked up at Hobby Lobby...all baskets were 50% off. It's more than filled up with some beautiful fabrics.

Now this is just a picture of family pictures that hang over my bed. I had seen this in magazines and pottery barn and thought hey I can do that with some white $1 ribbon.

This old Toms chip clip was given to me by Cindy at The Plum Tree. For now it's peppered with my favorite family photos and sits at the top of my craft table.

Come on Fall!

Steve and I share the same favorite season...Fall. I can't wait for him to come home. His favorite Holiday is Thanksgiving too. Ben and Madi are out of school this week for their Fall Break. I have already busted out the pumpkins and witches and all things fall. Here is a fun stick tree on my dinning room table. Many many years ago my friend Leslie (aka decorating queen) gave me the idea of using sticks and now I do for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines and Easter to make all kinds of festive trees.

Yesterday was cloudy and cooler...I loved it. So late afternoon we hit a local park. This is the coolest park with lots and lots of toys to play on. There are also these little roads and little street signs weaving in and out of the park so kids can ride around on their bikes like it's a real road....so cute. Madi looks like Forrest Gump...if she was going somewhere she was running.

My brown-eyed girl.

Ben and Madi LOVE to swing...and high.

Some very special Sweethearts

Last week while shopping at the Commissary on Ft. Gillem, I picked up these patriotic Sweetheart candies. I made tags with a very memorable quote from President Bush on that day I remember. Today while at my kids school doing Madi's insulin shot, I snuck these treats of remembrance in the teachers mailboxes. After school Madi's teacher called and asked where I had gotten these cute treats...she wanted to go buy some for all the kids in the class for tomorrow. Knowing that she could not get on Ft. Gillem, the kids and I packed up in a hurry and went straight there. Now we have enough of these yummy red, white and blue treats for all the kids in both of their classes. I think it's very important to teach my kids in the simplest way of what happened 8 years ago and to always remember.

Dawg skirt and more

Yesterday morning I walked the kids into their school. One of the teachers stopped me and was raving over the Georgia outfit Madi had worn to school last Friday. She asked if I could make something for her little girl. They are big UGA fans too and her husband was a football player there back in his college days. So last night after dinner and homework Madi helped me piece this skirt together. Mrs. Parker was so happy when Madi and I hand delivered the skirt this morning. Now Madi wants one...she said she would like to wear one when we pick our dad up at the airport in a few months.

Last month I made a handful of Halloween skirts. One for Madi and two for two of my little nieces...the two big ones will have to let me come up with something special I can make them later. Usually I am not a big reader. It takes me a long time to finish a book. Well yesterday while sitting in the car rider line waiting to get Ben and Madi I finished a book. So finally last night I snuggled in bed at 9 to start on These Is My Words...The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 Arizona Territories. Heather from {Unwrapped} listed this as her favorite book. I was hooked on page two and couldn't put it down last night.

Brains and quilts

This weekend Ben had to make a brain for a school project. It is so gross and real looking. All we have left to do is stick the the little toothpick flags we made in it that will identify each part of the brain.

We are all enjoying our day off today. It's cool, we have the french doors in the dinning room open. Ben is sitting out here giggling while playing with a fuzzy caterpillar. Madi is still in her Camp Rock nightgown, playing with her Polly Pocket and watching Camp Rock. I am enjoying myself by working on this quilt this morning. We so needed this easy Monday.

1/2 & 1/2

A house divided? No we love them both...Ohio State and Georgia...really. Tomorrow is D Day for college football. Although we tuned in to a little last night. Today Madi went to school sporting her Georgia spirit and Ben showed some of his new found love for The Ohio State University. I know Steve is ready to come home and relax in his g-crib. For the last few weeks every time we get in the car the kids ask me to turn on the Ohio State music. I love that they love the sport and the music...as you know it's in our blood and has been for generations!

Here are some fun yummies for gameday ohio-state-buckeyes.

Here is something neat my cousin Natalie emailed me the other day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3Z52GKONPc

Atlanta is host to ESPN's College Gameday tomorrow. I want to take the kids down to Centennial Park but there is a marathon, Braves vs. Reds, Nascar race, Virginia Tech vs. Alabama and all the Gameday stuff so that means thousands and thousands of extra people all trying to find their way in downtown. I sure wish Steve was here he is good at getting around in those types of masses.

Have a super fun football weekend. We are so excited to get the party started!

using up my scraps

All you need is a cheap floursack towel and a scrap of fabric. I used a piece of the cute tree fabric left from Madi's shirt and then stitched 'fall'. Here I thought I had an original idea but then peeked at the Moda Bake Shop and they were making towels too....so check them out for other ideas.

Years ago I stitched these cute blocks for each month. But mine was really primitive so I redid September and used scraps again from Madi's shirt and my purse I made last week to make a more modern September. Stitching is fun for all but especially easy for moms of little ones....I stitch while sitting on the toilet watching my kids play in the tub, I sit in their rooms and watch them play and stitch, if you can find a McDonald's with a park...that's at least an hour jackpot, sitting in the car waiting to pick up kids, gymnastics....I never just sit at home and stitch unless it's late at night and I am watching TV. So look for all that stitching time....it's there.

trees, trees and trees

Another free pattern...just google pillowcase dress and find one you like. This is suppose to be a pillowcase shirt to be worn with a brown t-shirt underneath and jeans on Madi. I loved and bought this tree fabric last spring...before Steve left, and I have been waiting for September to arrive to enjoy making this for Madi....but with our cloudy day and rain I couldn't wait any longer.

4 Things about me:

1. Hot Tamales are my favorite candy

2. I have watched General Hospital everyday for over 13 years.

3. I love old music...from the 50's and 60's....country and rock from those good old days. Here in Atlanta they have a radio station named The Legend and I love it.

4. When I was younger I wanted to be a Park Ranger in Yellowstone or Grand Canyon.

after school bag

This is my new purse. It was SO easy to make...no pattern needed. At this link thequiltingdiaries.blogspot.com/2009/04/32-minute-messenger-bag-tutorial.html is where you can find the directions...it's just 2 cuts of 1/2 yard of your favorite fabrics. I made this on my dinning room table one day after school last week while Ben and Madi sat with me doing their homework. They were actually impressed seeing this bag come together.

Back in my skinny days

The other day my Aunt Bonnie emailed me some of my pics to make sure I had copies. Most of them I have hard copies but these already scanned ones are great. I have the most wonderful Aunts...and quite a few of them too. My Aunt Bonnie is my dad's sister. In my dad's family my Aunt Linda was born first in the month of December. The very next December my Grandma gave birth to twins...Brenda and Bonnie...can you imagine! Then came my dad and two more. I posted about my Grandma here my-love-of-lemon. I wish the kids and I could go to Ohio again this weekend...everyone is gathering to celebrate my Grandma's 82nd birthday. Okay so now onto my cute and skinny pictures. And my goodness...how many Olan Mills pictures can a girl have of herself?

Me at age 3

Me turning 2.

Me turning 3. I have this dress too.

My Aunt Bonnie set up this photo shoot. We got the peppers out of my Grandpa's garden. This is me and my 3rd red headed cousin Michelle I mentioned in a previous post.

Me, Michelle and our Aunt Bonnie.

Halfway done and stuff

Yesterday morning I asked the kids what they might like for dinner. In half a second Madi spoke up and requested Cheese Chicken. So last night when she smelled it baking she was happy. When I first got out of the Air Force I used my medical skills and got a job working at Spokane Orthopedic and Fracture Clinic...this is when we were stationed up in Washington state. I worked with the sweetest lady named Nancy and this is who shared this favorite family recipe with me.


Cheese Chicken

4 chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 TBSP butter
2c. grated cheddar

mix soup and cheese in baking dish
lay chicken in mixture
top with sliced butter

Bake 350 for 1 1/2 hours
Serve over rice

I have been doing so much sewing lately my paper crafts had been forgotten. So last week I had my paper fix and made some cards. The cool stamp I used is from Studio Calico. For the last few months I have ordered Studio Calico's kit of the month and LOVE them.

Well we have made it halfway through Steve's deployment to Iraq. He has done 1 tour in Afghanistan and is now on his 3rd tour in Iraq but this is the worst one as far as getting to talk to my guy. He has a satellite phone in his office but that is a hunk of junk! No DSN phone near him so we have to pay for phone cards...okay but the stupid PX over there is out of them...can you believe that. So I need to go buy some phone cards to mail him but right now it doesn't make me feel better because it's going to take at least 10 days for him to get them. We have only talked 4 times since he has left. But I am doing okay. I can't believe we are halfway done! My lifesaver has been my crafts. I have totally immersed myself in my favorite crafts and have accomplished so much these last few months. So thanks to all those wonderful crafty blogs out there for sharing so many wonderful ideas and motivating me!!!

It's a HAPPY Friday

I am so relieved right now. Yesterday I went to the dreaded dentist. No cavities!!! But today I had to go to the Periodontist because I had an issue with part of one of my gums. I was so scared of what it might be. Well....when I was younger I wore braces and they made my tooth move right through the bone. So the area that bothers me is where my root is not in bone and only protected by thin gum tissue. NO PROBLEM. The guy I saw today was so nice and said I had good teeth and nothing was wrong but I can go back for a gum graph to thicken that area that bothers me...no thanks. I was so happy I went straight to my quilt store to shop. I got this sweet fabric to make Madi something to wear for Christmas. I love this sewing stuff. Even though it's expensive Moda fabric I can make Madi an adorable skirt for $7 or less.






Last month while in Ohio I fell in love with this ABC fabric and brought some home with me. I made this little back to school quilt and let the kids right on it too. I LOVE it.

Here are some birthday gifts we gave away. I wanted to share my monogram idea and the Army looking one. All the kids friends know there dad is in Iraq so I thought these cards looked so cute on the camouflage wrapped gift. TGIF!

All about teeth day

Ben got his braces on this morning.

Here is Hillbilly Madi. Her tooth was hanging by a thread this morning but she couldn't get it out before school. While dropping Ben off at school after he got his braces on, Madi's teacher walked through the office and told me her tooth came out. I am about to see her....I go up to the school to give her her insulin shot everyday at lunch. It's the first tooth she lost on the top. She is going to look so cute.

Here we go again

It's hard to believe it's Sunday night again and we are ready for our 2nd week of school. This weekend we had a super fun getaway! Nana and Great Grandma drove from Savannah to Macon and we also went to Macon to have a fun-filled weekend full of family and those beloved cousins. Aunt Alicia's house has a pool and so tonight we are all a little pink and very tired. Here is a picture of B&M last Monday on the first day of school. I used an iron...well I printed from the computer 'second grade' and ironed it on for Madi.

My tradition has always been that at the end of the first week of school the kids give their teachers an apple with a homemade card. These are what the kids took in last Friday. Click here to see last years cards....easy-saturday.

My love of lemon

I love lemon and I know where I got it from. My Grandma Erwin. As a kid I LOVED being with my grandma...and still do I just don't get to see her very often. When at her house, after dinner and bath we would sit on the couch under the big window and watch TV while sucking on quartered lemons.

While living at Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany my friend Susy introduced me to one her friends...sweet sweet Alyssa. She made the best Lemonade cookies. She got the recipe from allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lemonade-Cookies/Detail.aspx. But every time I make them they are Alyssa's Lemonade cookies. These are such a yummy summer cookie.

Here is my beautiful Grandma Erwin...my kids Great Grandma Erwin. There are Ben and Madi with their Papa (my dad)too. My grandma is so smart and filled with stories. She too was a military wife...my Grandpa retired from the Navy...he was on the U.S.S. West Virginia on Battleship Row when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. As a young boy my dad lived on Hawaii before it was even a state due to my Grandpa's military assignment there. My Uncle Ronnie was born at Tripler Army Medical Center...that huge pink hospital on the side of the mountain that overlooks Pearl Harbor, Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. I love to hear about all the places and stories.

Growing up I was always with these 2 red heads...my cousins Christina and Kelly. We share on the same side of the family another red headed cousin Michelle who is in Indiana and couldn't be there. This was so fun seeing them. I have lots of cousins, 26 to be exact(I needed more time because there are a few I didn't get to see). Ben and Madi can't believe that when we went to this restaurant that the whole section was our family.

On our last day in Ohio we ate out breakfast with some relatives and then went to Gantz park to play basketball. Papa and Uncle Ronnie got their game on with Ben and Madi..they played horse.

Ben looking handsome with his new Ohio State jersey he bought at the campus while there.

The hoop was really high so Uncle Ronnie tried to help Madi get a shot in.

Ben won the game of horse. Papa held up Ben's hand and was loudly chanting his name...it was so funny.

I had to get a picture of Aunt Linda the picture taker over there.

While the kids played ball at the park Grandma Erwin and Aunt Viv visited while watching the action. I love my Grandma so much...she was my first and last stop on my visit there.

The Boys

Yesterday was Ben's much anticipated Fantasy Football Draft with his dad. It is just amazing how things work today. Steve is all the way in Iraq and Ben sat at our dinning room table and together they had such an enjoyable afternoon. Steve got a league set up with his friends who are all over...Shaw AFB, several in Iraq, Cleveland, Fairchild AFB, Germany and a few other places and of course Ben. Ben is really good at using a computer. Yesterday for over 2 hours, he had his Yahoo Football page open, with his dad close by in a small window on google talk so they could chat while waiting for their turn to pick.

Getting ready for another school year

Ben and Madi start school on Monday! Boy did summer vacation fly by! Our school schedule is 2 months off for summer vacation and then during the school year, every 6 weeks we get 1 week off and boy do we like and need those weeks during the year.

Okay so I took a quarter yard of these 4 different Michael Miller fabrics...cut strips, sewed them together and added elastic...so easy, didn't even need a pattern. Plus there was enough fabric leftover to make a matching hair ribbon and another project...so, cheap and easy. Madi looks so cute in this new little skirt for school.

Columbus Zoo

On the first day of our family reunion we all met at the Columbus Zoo. From my cousins and aunts even to my Grandma Erwin...they are very proud to have their zoo be America's #1 rated zoo this year. Growing up we went to the Columbus Zoo every summer and it was always good...it's Jack Hanna's zoo. Can you believe Jack Hanna was there the same time we were and my sister and her family got pictures with him. He asked Cary and Brian where they were from and they said Salt Lake City and Jack Hanna said he was just there the day before. Ewww...the kids touched the snake.

Claudia and Madi sitting in the shade trying to catch a break from the heat.

There were so many of us at the zoo...it was so fun. After the zoo everyone went to Aunt Laurie's house for a pool party and dinner was catered by China Bell...mmmmm.

Since we don't ever have everyone together at Christmas, Aunt Onalee thought we should celebrate it in July. She had HUGE OVER FLOWING bags of gifts for each of the kids. In the picture above you can see she even had some for all of us adults. What a fun memory of having Christmas in July at a family reunion and pool party.

Ben and Madi with their huge bag of Christmas in July presents.

There is Cary and Caty sitting with Madi.

Some of the girls...Rachel, Claudia, Madi and Lora.

Everyone enjoyed the pool party and being together!

For just 50 cents

This week I have been busy making lots of gifts for people. Last night I finished some of them and wanted to get them in the mail today. We have to drive right by my favorite quilt store to get to the post office so we made a not so quick stop....the kids were so good for me in there so I could look. At the end while paying, in the scrap bin Madi found herself fabric she just couldn't live without. We came home, ate lunch and then got busy making this cute little bag....for just 50 cents. It's just big enough to carry her wii remote in when she walks to the neighbors to play with her friends. It's fun to be a mom on days like this!

TBDBITL...

(tabittle) is what we use to refer to The Ohio State Marching Band. It stands for The Best Damn Band In The Land.



This past week has been the best medicine for a lonely girl...we went to Ohio for a family reunion. We could hardly miss Steve when we were getting hugged and kissed by at least 75 or more family members we haven't seen in a long time.



In 1946 my Grandpa Moseley was the Drum Major for The Ohio State University. This past weekend we got the royal treatment....because of my grandpa's wishes to take us on a tour of the university's bandroom they opend up the gates for just us. It was so cool being there with my grandpa and for my kids to be there too.

We even got to go into the stadium! There is Ethan, Claudia, Ben, Madi and Caty.

Look at the sweetest little Buckeye ever...there is Aunt Laurie holding baby Eva.

Update: the baby buckeye is Eva Onalee...I was asked by ummm... you know who(Aunt Onalee)...to correct my blog. :-)

We got to go down the hall in the stadium that shows pictures of each of the Drum Majors from the beginning to present day. And Uncle Richard being funny taking my picure while I was doing theirs.

In the trophy case they have an old picture of my Grandpa (Bev Moseley) doing his thing over 60 years ago. My Grandpa is still one of the judges when it comes to Drum Major tryouts...he is 82 and still loves loves being a part of action.

Me, Ben, Madi and Grandpa Moseley in front of the trophy case in the hall.

Oh there is Ethan...Eva's big brother....looks like a future Buckeye to me.

This was definitely one of my favorite stops during the reunion...Steve wants to come back for a football game when he gets home from Iraq.

a mistake

Today is garbage pick-up in our neighborhood. So last night I was gathering up all I could find to set out at the curb. From underneath the kitchen sink I pulled out our sharps container/milk jug. When I saw all the syringes from the past few weeks it took my breath away. Can you believe how many shots Madi gets.





Madi gets two types of insulin. One night last week I gave her Novolog at 10:30 at night instead of Lantus. I give Madi her Lantus at night while she is sleeping and she doesn't even wake up. After giving her her shot I went back to the kitchen to document the shot and put the insulin away. I went to put the vial up in the cupboard and there it was sitting on the shelf...my heart stopped as I looked down and saw a very similar vial in my hand but it was the Novolog...the fast acting stuff. I had to call the Dr. We have the best children's healthcare here...we even have the phone numbers to the Peds Endocrinologist to call at any time we need 24 hours a day. I have only had to actually call the Dr. twice but every time they are so kind, helpful and even want you to call them back to let them know how things went getting through whatever situation you were dealing with. Well that night I had to wake Madi up to eat over 100 carbs and was up until after 2 am. She ate a Snickers ice cream cone, an oreo cookie, 2 juice boxes. 12 sugar pills, smarties....poor thing wasn't even hungry and was crying trying to eat her ice cream. I felt so bad/mad that I had made such a mistake. So now we have put a red band around the Lantus and every night the kids and I double check which medicine I set out on the counter to give each night.
Of course I had to email Steve about what happened and he was so nice and just replied that it was bound to happen. When Madi was first diagnosed with diabetes in March I was so scared to take care of her. Then when I found out Steve was deploying to Iraq I was really upset and scared to be alone with Madi. I thought I should either have to deal with Madi's new life style or with my husbands deployment not both at the same time. But here we are...still kicking, enjoying our summer...mistakes and all.

We are at the end of another fun week of swim lessons.

Both Ben and Madi are becoming quite the swimmers...I love watching them play in the water. And look at those nice sharp arms she has...they have learned some new strokes this summer.

Camera strap

I had been seeing pretty camera straps everywhere and even thought about buying one. Sure glad I didn't...I made this one for a dollar or two. I padded it and it's much softer on my neck now.

By printing USAF (for US Air Force) onto and iron on and placing it on a piece of white fabric I made a fun patriotic decoration.

Here are my fun patriotic kids on the 4th of July.

Red and white

My goal this summer with Steve gone was to make sure I got to the gym most days, give the kids a fun summer and learn to make some fun crafts. I have never been much into sewing. So this summer I told myself my sewing machine was going to live in my dining room. That way I could really play around with it while being with the kids. My kids have always like to be right next to me. So while I watch them play wii, with friends and even watching some fun tv I have been sewing. One of my favorite kinds of quilts are the ones with the triangles so I thought I would try a small project and it was so fun! I would love to one day make a quilt this style for Madi's bed.

This red apple fabric is my favorite this summer. I used some in my quilted project above and made Madi some cute capri pants with a matching ribbon for her hair.

fabric necklace

We have been swimming everyday this week. Ben and Madi have done so good at their lessons. They are in level 3 and 4 now...American Red Cross. This morning they have been begging to go again today. I said we could this afternoon if they were good this morning so I could clean house and make a fabric necklace. I LOVE it. You can use any colors and make them any length you want....I know I will be trying a few more of these. Rachael over at p.s. i quilt had this fabric-necklace-tutorial on her blog the other day.



It's just 3 strips of fabric.

summer mornings

I love summer. Getting to stay up later then normal. Sleeping in. Being together. My kids are so fun. They enjoy some of the simplest things in life. This morning they each enjoyed a bowl of grits...Madi in Georgia red and Ben Carolina blue.

Last week in the mail I got a $10 coupon for JCPenny. So one night after gymnastics we went shopping and Ben and Madi got matching wii pj pants.

Black bird and Father's Day

I loved this crazy fabric with the black bird on it. So I made Madi a simple dress...it looks cute with a black tee and her green crocs. And get this, I had a coupon so this dress only cost me $1.29...makes me love it even that much more.

We are thinking of Steve since it's Father's Day. He did email us today. He said work was busy and someone was sick so he is covering an extra half of a shift so he can't call. But the kids and I are enjoying the day. We just finished dinner...pancakes! As soon as it cools off just a little we are going to go to the same park we did with Steve last Father's Day. Also just like last Father's Day I started on my Christmas cards this afternoon....I guess that's my new tradition.

Lots and lots of Americana

I love these cards I made to send out for the 4th of July...they have one of my favorite pictures of Ben and Madi on them. The kids were were 2 and 4 and dressed in their pilot uniforms...I have this picture displayed in my living room too.

Here is last years 4th of July card...it's my little blog symbol whenever I leave comments on other blogs.

This in one of the tables in my living all dressed up in Red, White and Blue.

See a few little stitchery pillows I made in years past...I love making little things to decorate my house.

Look at these beautiful little piggies. Last Wednesday was Madi's birthday. She wanted to go to the movies to see Night At The Museum 2 and she wanted to go get her toes done...it was such a fun day.

A Hero's Salute

Last week in Afghanistan 3 Army Soldiers from Georgia were killed. One of them from Henry County. This is the first person to give the ultimate sacrifice from Henry County. Sgt. Beale was flown back to Georgia last night. His family picked him up in Fayette County and from there drove through Clayton County and then home here in Henry County. There was a helicopter escort along with lots of motorcycles and police cars. Along the 20 mile route from the airfield where he landed to the funeral home about 2 miles from our house the streets were lined with grateful Americans to welcome him home.

People started lining up more that an hour before Sgt. Beale's hurst drove by. One of the neighbors, Kameryn came with us. At first I didn't know if I should tell Ben and Madi about someone getting killed in action with their own dad serving in Iraq right now. I did and I am glad they wanted to go support this other family that has lost so much.

I am amazed at this picture.

Sand storms in Iraq

My husband is a Weather Forecaster in the Air Force and is serving in Iraq right now. Weather is a major factor over there. Steve has been super busy with storms the past 2 days. He shared a link with me of what sand storms are...I could never have imagined this! I guess they last for days and it's just dark. Just click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjBfiw_ntH4 Steve did not tape this, someone else did...it was on youtube but this is at his base in Iraq.

still 6 but almost 7

On Wednesday June 10th Madi will be 7 but we celebrated with a party this past Saturday. Nana drove to Atlanta from Savannah again and Aunt Alicia came with the cousins. Madi was so happy.

To no surprise, Madi wanted a soccer party. I found the cutest soccer plates and napkins and they said Go Girl on them...just perfect! Her cake was a bunch of cupcakes that looked like a soccer ball (thanks to Walmart).

Madi got a Dance Dance Revolution Disney style for the wii. It's a hoot watching everyone do this!

Look at the cute little bracelet that came in the mail today. Madi only had one medical alert bracelet that was not holding up to well. So the other night I spent $100 and ordered a few different ones to try. Some of them are $40 each. But this little stylish rubber one was only $3 so I ordered a few...I have a feeling that white lettering will wear off easy. Madi likes it and I can't believe how small and cute they make this stuff. They need to for these little sweeties.

On the go

We are at the end of our first week of summer. So much for resting...we get up every morning and go to the gym. In the afternoons both kids have swim lessons that they LOVE. We are going to Miss Jennifer's, the same wonderful place we attended lessons last year. Ben has become a pro and Madi is working on it...almost there. Madi is also enjoying a free month of karate lessons she got from school and those are every Tue. and Thur. evenings...who would have thought she would love karate?

During down time the kids are usually doing some kind of arts and crafts. We did go see the new Disney movie UP the other day and it was really good. So see, we have been on the go.

End of the school year fun

It's a bit fuzzy....it's a fuzzy caterpillar....made out of Oreo cookies and eaten by Madi's class on the last day of school. Some gummy worms were slithering around too.

Ben and Madi made these yummy posters to give their teachers on the last day of school.

There they are early in the morning getting ready to head out for one last day of school.

Our neighborhood pool opened up last week. One day after school we headed down there and had the whole pool to ourselves for a bit. The pool is only 6 houses down from ours and it's one of our favorite things about living here!

It's been about a week

Steve left last Tuesday so we have made it through our first week....I think the first few days are always the hardest...and the kids and I agree we have done good.

I had fun working on some crafts this weekend. Last week I bought the cutest paper with rainboots on it. Fitting given our weather this past week...and I am even married to a weather forecaster. I love the saying on these 'Rainbows apologize for angry skies'.

Now I am really excited about this!!! I have been craving to quilt something with bright colors. And I did it! I did all of it. I did the quilting and my very own binding...it's not nearly as hard as I thought.

I put a bright color on the back too.

He's gone

Steve got shipped out to Iraq yesterday. We are praying for his safe return by Thanksgiving.

So on Monday night...Steve's last night here....we hit the ballpark.

Turner Field is very family oriented...on the upper deck there is a fun place for the kids to play. They have bases set up so the kids can run what the distance is between home plate and first base. See Madi flying by. At the front of the ballpark they have a huge Cartoon Network play house.

Ben took a break from running the bases to watch the game.

You have to get some boiled peanuts! This is Atlanta, Georgia.

What a fun last night

we had with our dad! I can't wait until Steve gets home around Thanksgiving...it will still be football season then.

A rainy but fun filled weekend

Since Steve is leaving this week(trying-to-keep-calm) for his deployment to Iraq, we are trying to fit in as much fun as we can. This weekend we thought we would sneak in another visit to Six Flags, but as you can see it was a little wet so we didn't stay very long. Steve is going to miss Madi's birthday next month and she really wanted a real soccer jersey, so Steve drove us to the Soccer store. And there it was....a real Mia Hamm jersery. With Ben's birthday just passing he is loaded so he bought himself a David Beckham one. After all that Madi's blood sugar was getting low and the rest of us just wanted some good food so we hit Dave and Buster's. I even got the chance to run into the scrapbook store and picked up the cutest new paper with rainboots on it....perfect to use to document this rainy fun filled weekend.

There are the boys!

There they are in their new threads....guess what they want to wear to school tomorrow.

Bacon Breadsticks and more crafts

Last week at ben's birthday party I made these yummy treats. Now I don't usually measure so here is an estimate:


1 can Pillsbury breadsticks
12 slices bacon
1 cup brown sugar
1TBSP chili powder

Mix brown sugar and chili powder together on a plate. Wrap bacon around breadsticks. Roll in sugar mixture. Bake at 400 degrees until browned...YUMMO!

Okay since monogramming is the thing, I thought the name of your city and state would be too. I made these for the plumtree... this weekend is the Geranium Festival.

My friend amber always gets my creative juices flowing...the other day she shared a card with circles on it and it gave me an idea.

New Georgia clothes and Six Flags

I bought this Georgia fabric a while ago and finally the other night I sat down and made Madi her outfit she wanted...some new Georgia clothes. I also sewed some ribbon around a $3 Walmart tee and made her a ribbon for her hair to complete the look. This is what she wore the other night downtown to the Atlanta Hawks game....her dad carried her on his shoulders with pride.

My family gave us season tickets to Six Flags for Christmas and we are loving them! Above Madi is starring at the Scream Machine trying to decide if she wants to go on it...and at age 6 she did it...see it in the picture below.

Ben and Madi are in awe of their dad because he actually went on the Georgia Scorcher and the Goliath...not me that's for sure.

NBA Playoffs and SAGE

Here we are downtown on the CNN deck heading into the game. Remember that tornado that ripped through downtown Atlanta last spring...look at those windows in the Westin still waiting to get fixed correctly.

While Steve was at the ticket window I took this shot of the kids in front of the CNN sign out front.

It was such a good game. The Hawks lost but at least they gave the Cavs a run for their money. The Arena was pumped and full of energy which is so fun. Anytime LeBron James had the ball he would shoot for 3 pts. and make it...and everyone chanted MVP....he is this years NBA MVP. Even though we were rooting for the Hawks we couldn't help being amazed and enjoyed seeing him in action.

This morning while in the car rider line dropping the kids off at school, one of the ladies from the office was waving me down with an envelope. Inside the envelope was this paper and some confetti...Ben got into SAGE...Special Activities in Gifted Education. Plus his teacher called me today to let me know...I am so proud of him.

Todays teacher gift and my new $8 umbrella!!!

Today the kids took baskets of homemade cookies into their teachers adorned with a vintage postcard. Tomorrow they are taking in this cute little plant with the "Thank you for helping me grow" tag.

Today I went to The Plum Tree to drop off some cards I had made and to check out what Cindy had gotten on her shopping trip. I was stunned at all these old umbrellas she had hanging from the ceiling...I had to have one and hung mine here at home. It's definitely my new favorite thing and only $8!!!

I am off to watch the wedding on Grey's Anatomy and then to bed...I am subbing in Kindergarten tomorrow.

Teacher gifts

Since this week is Teacher Appreciation Week I thought I would share what I am sending in with my kids each day. Monday they took in dressed-up morning coffee.

Here is what they took yesterday.

The top 10 lists were hits last year so I thought we should do them again today...another hit.

Ben's #2 thing he wanted for his birthday was an Atlanta Hawks jersey. His #1 wish was a LeBron James jersey and thanks to his Nana who searched high and low in cyberspace and spent a small fortune, he got one. All just in time for the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs who are those 2 teams. And to top that, Steve got us tickets to Game 3 in the NBA playoffs...Saturday, Hawks against the Cavs so look for us on TV...should be fun...since it's already into round 2 Atlanta and the fans are pumped up.

Here is Ben this morning strutting his LeBron James jersey and his new LeBron James shoes.

Ben is 9!

I can't believe my Ben is nine! We had a family party with the beloved cousins, aunts and uncles and Steve's mom came yet again from Savannah. Ben didn't want a regular cake so I made a Rice Krispie one.

Here are the kids playing school in Madi's room. Ms. Deedee is the teacher. Ms. Deedee had to send Ben to the Principles office...at least they were all having fun.

There was a slumber party too! Everyone tried to read to settle down. It was a fun fun celebration for Ben.

Tennessee rocking chairs

One night last week while we were in Nashville, Tennessee for my 1/2 marathon, we stopped in the Cracker Barrel right next to our hotel to get a treat. Then we went out front to sit in the rocking chairs and enjoy the evening for a few minutes. Ben and Madi stopped in their tracks when they saw that they had obnoxious Tennessee orange chairs to sit in. I assured them that it was fine to sit in them as long as we farted in them... Go Georgia Bulldogs!

Birthday stuff

One of the guys Steve works with has a little one who just turned 3, here is the card I made for him.

It's almost Ben's birthday so I made these for him to hand out to the kids in his class. Now I need to think up something for Madi because hers will be here before I know it.

1/2 Marathon

Well I did it! It was so FUN and so HARD! In the above picture this was about a quarter mile or so before the end. Ben ran out in the road and grabbed me yelling MOM! So I stopped to turn around to see Madi and Steve. You can see part of Ben's head next to my shoulder. Ben stayed with me (illegally) and ran the last bit to the finish line. Steve said he didn't even see me at first he just saw Ben running out there and then me. I was so excited to see the kids out there and for them to see me running. When I finally met up to Steve he was just smiling and gave me a high five.

After crossing the finish line Ben and I walked around trying to find Madi and Steve. When Steve saw us he snapped a picture. I just wanted a fresh water, to walk slow and to stretch my legs! Phew!

It was packed full pretty much the whole race. I thought it was amazing to see how many people want to do this. It was nicely organized at the start. There were 30 something corals and every 2 minutes a coral took off running so it went very smooth.

I may want to try another one of these things some day...but NEVER again in Nashville that's for sure. The hills were unreal! Rumor has it, it's one of the most hilliest marathons out there. The expected temps were 56 at the start and 65 at the finish. Yesterday at my finish it was 87 degrees! Plus there was some wind. Between my friend Susy and Jill who did the full marathon they agree about those hills and heat. And then while eating breakfast at our hotel this morning the dinning room full of runners and everyone was talking about how rough this race was. So if I ever do it again it will be somewhere flat...but I am still thrilled over my experience yesterday, great memories and stories.

It's time!!!!

Tomorrow morning we are off to Nashville, TN! I can't believe it's time! Today has been hard...I didn't need to run, just needed to clean the house and pack for the trip but it's like I was in a daze...I just want it to be race day! We are expecting great weather and along the whole course of the race there are suppose to be bands playing music and I am really hoping my family will be able to get to a place to see me. I guess somewhere during the last mile they can even come join you in crossing the finish line.

I can't believe I am doing this. I can't wait!

Fun and colorful

Last night for dinner we had one of our favorite pasta salads.

Your favorite pasta cooked
broccoli
tomatoes
carrots
cucumbers
green peppers
olives
mushrooms
pepper jack cheese
Italian dressing
Mix everything together and viola!

I also served some yummy cheddar-garlic biscuits.

A while ago I had seen this pot holder idea over at the modabakeshop. and have been wanting to make them. Well last week my friend Michelle called and said her husband had found a new Hancock Fabric store and would like to go with her to check it out. Of course I took her up the invitation. While there I found some Insul-bright...it's like a warm and natural that is insulated and used to make things just like those pot holders that I had wanted to try.

All you need to make them is a few 10 inch squares of fabric, and 9 inch squares of Insul-bright, 9 inch squares of warm and natural and that is it.

Some shopping

Only one more week until my half marathon in Nashville and I was still in need of a shirt made of the good stuff. After dinner Steve suggested I go out and go look for one. I never just go shopping and buy myself a regular priced shirt but I did tonight. So next Saturday I will be wearing this fun sunny yellow shirt with black bottoms. I am hoping it may be easy for my family to spot me among 25,000 other runners.

Today while talking to my friend susy she told me about some comfy new flip flops she had gotten. When she started to describe them to me I knew exactly which ones she was talking about. I had seen them last week when I was up at Dick's Sporting Goods but thought I couldn't afford $30 flip flops for myself...so instead I bought Ben some nearly $50 tennis shoes. On my little shopping spree tonight I walked right by these sleek things and saw they were only $19.99 this week so I grabbed the last pair in my size. I LOVE them and I have them on right now.

Here is Madi yesterday in her outfit I made her.

New clothes

I think it's fun with each new season to change up the wardrobe with new clothes. Today Ben and Madi wore some new shorts and tees. Here they are bright and early this morning ready to head out the door to school.

Tomorrow Madi is going to wear some new Capri's that I MADE HER! They were pretty easy except for the crotch. I had to have Steve's help thinking in 3D to get it right but I did it. Now I can't wait until morning to get them ready for school.

Last week I was trying to do something new in front of my fireplace...this is what I came up with. Do you decorate in front of your fireplace?

Today's happiness...

...comes from my April stitchery in my kitchen. Last fall my friend Amber over at the mcillecespot suggested these cute chicken patterns. I have so enjoyed making them. But I had gotten behind...and I felt crappy having my March chicken up when it was April. So now I am happy that I just finished it. I have already started May so that doesn't happen again.

My smiles today are also coming from this video of Madi singing (I am the cutie, that has the power to be?) in the tub. Just click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpDmdwv6__Q

Easter fun

On Friday we got together with my friend michelle and all the kids colored Easter Eggs. The kids had a ball and were so fun to watch.

Even the big girls got in egg dyeing spirit.

I took the kids to see the movie Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D. It was a cute movie but cutest part were Ben and Madi in those huge black BCG glasses! And my BIG accomplishment this weekend was doing a 10 mile run. My head is HUGE right now...but my knee hurts. Only 12 more days before my big run in Nashville.

Trying to Keep Calm

The first time I ever saw this was last year over on aliedwards. Then a few weeks ago I saw it again on Shannon's blog bless our nest, it was right after getting home from the hospital with Madi and knew I "needed" one to look at everyday. It came just in the nick of time this week! Because this week we found out Steve will be leaving for a deployment to Iraq next month. He has not even been home a year from his last deployment so it was a little unexpected. I should be use to this...Madi is only 6 years old and this is Steve's 4th deployment in her short life. I am good at handling things but you never just get use to missing your hubby. I am a little more nervous right now because we are not even but 3 weeks into living with Madi's new found diabetes but Steve keeps reminding me we still have another month to learn together. So this Keep Calm and Carry On is my new motto...Simplify was my 'word' for 2009 but I think the new motto is more appropriate! Madi is blowing me away with how well she is doing. She is a very responsible 6 year old...she knows she can eat anything but at certain times of the day and is fine with it. When there is something she knows she is hungry for we plan all day to eat it with lunch or dinner. She has a new love for sugar free pudding...look at the pictures below taken after lunch today.

Homemade Easter and the girls

These eggs were fun to make. I stitched them and then sewed them to resemble eggs and placed them in my Polish Pottery.
This one is for me!

And these went to the Plum Tree.

Last Friday I got my hair cut and Madi loved it. So since this week is Spring Break I made her an apt. with Melody too and now we look almost the same.

Take me out to the ballgame....

Today is my birthday :-) My dad came for a long weekend so we have been celebrating for the last few days! Saturday we got out and enjoyed the weather and a baseball game....Georgia Tech/NC. There is Steve, Ben, Madi and Papa.

Boy was it HOT and sunny!

When we couldn't take the heat any longer we went up top to hang out in some shade.

It was the perfect day and lots of fun.

BUT the fun didn't end there...we headed over to the CNN Center for dinner.

We had to stroll through the gift shop and Ben and Madi had to get a souvenir too.

Here are Ben, Madi and Papa in front of the Cartoon Network area. I guess CNN and Cartoon Network are both owned by the Turner Broadcasting.

Papa and the kids flattened a penny into something with a cartoon on it. We always have the best time with my dad!

Believe in Spring!

Last night I finished up some "Believe in Spring" cards...it was so fun...it had been a while.

Now I just have to boast a little!

Today I ran 8 miles!!! I was suppose to do 8 miles last week but with Madi it just didn't happen. I did get a couple 3 mile runs in last week and on Saturday I tried to do 8 but it was a flop. So this week on Monday I did 3, on Tuesday I did 4.5, took yesterday off and then Ta-Da today I did it.

Last night after dinner the kids were outside riding their bikes with all the neighbors. When they came in they told me about a new kid...he is from Korea and has a really strange Mexican name something like Ching Yang?...that's what Ben said.

My first completed quilt!!!

Last week, right before all that stuff happened with Madi...I had such a fun night with a bunch of ladies. We all brought our machines and made shaggy raggy quilts. They are so easy and so cute!

Here is mine. Now it has a home on the end of Madi's bed and I love having my very own homemade quilt to look at every time I walk by...plus Madi is impressed I made it...she watched me cut all the fabric for it.

Speaking of Madi...she is doing great. Her numbers are really getting in the area that they should be and you can tell she has more energy. She is such a sweet thing and is still not complaining at all...she likes that fact that Nick Jonas from the Jonas Brothers also has Type 1 Diabetes and we have read his story that is a lot like hers. Now she wants their CD.

I am on the lookout for a website or some program, so that for a meal I make I can type in the ingredients and it will tell me the nutrition facts...on night I may make chili or say a Tuna Casserole.

Madi + Diabetes

Things are finally settling down after a crazy weekend and week. Madi has been diagnosed with Diabetes but she reminds us or Ben that she is not sick. She is doing well and is back at school with the help of a wonderful school staff.

God works in mysterious ways! In my last post I told you about Michelle from thesweetgardenia. I just met her last Friday and then the next Friday she practically saved my child's life. We had gotten together on Friday morning, and I was tired and yawning and she asked why I was so tired. I said Madi gets up 4 times during the night to drink water and go to the bathroom. Well Michelle stopped by my house just minutes after school on Friday and while all the kids were playing Madi's drinking and peeing came up again. Michelle mentioned that is a sign of diabetes. Michelle is a Diabetic herself and suggested checking Madi's blood sugar. So while Michelle went to get her meter I was nervous, my intuition really had been making me think something was wrong and I called Steve who was down at the Braves Spring Training in Orlando. He said if I wasn't up for it to wait and when he got home we could take Madi to her pediatrician. Michelle said she wouldn't leave unless I checked Madi's glucose. So we made it fun and checked all the kids. Everyone was in the low 100's but Madi's read High Glucose over 600. Michelle said "Jeni you have to take her in right now". We are not from here but I had heard through the grapevine of a satellite clinic of the Atlanta's Healthcare for Children in Morrow and thought that would be a better place to go than our local ER. Michelle went with us and I owe her so much for helping me and willing to do anything for us we needed at that time. Madi was seen instantly and they said we need to be transported in an ambulance to the Children's Hospital downtown. Under the circumstances, everything was wonderful. The most kind people helped us in the clinic, we had four more on our ambulance ride and doctors waiting for us when we arrived at the hospital.

In the picture above...Madi insisted on wearing her jeans with her hospital gown on too...whatever.

Madi has done so well...I could not ask for a better kid! She likes to have her finger poked to check her blood. I think she likes knowing her number...it lets her know all is well I guess. She doesn't like her 4 shots she needs throughout the day but dealing with it amazingly, never fights getting them....doesn't even cry just a tear on a few of them.

Here is a picture of Madi when we were getting ready to leave the hospital. She insisted on wearing her knew t-shirt on her first day back to school too.

For all you moms out there...we were able to catch this early before any permanent damage was done.... she didn't even have any ketones in her urine when we got to the hospital. Signs just started showing up. We had gone on our cruise at the beginning of February and also had the vacation with Steve's family at the cabin and Madi never got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Looking back we also noticed at Madi 's last two basketball games she was not as much of the beast she usually was but didn't ever really think anything of it but in hindsight we do see things. Madi has always eaten lots of food and is still a little bitty thing but did loose 8-10 lbs. the last month. So we know it wasn't until after the middle of February when this started. You just have to watch and know their routines and I am so glad I did.

Steve's family came instantly to take care of Ben...THANK YOU Alicia! Teresa my mother-in-law came Saturday from Savannah and stayed with us until last night. She said the ladies in her office check into my blog time to time so THANK YOU for supporting Teresa so she could stay and help us too. Ben loved hanging our with his cousins in Macon and then having Nana totally spoil him here at home while Steve and I stayed with Madi at the hospital.