A Time to Reflect

Several days before graduation Computer Geek express his wishes to go to the graveyard to visit my parent's grave. With a major thing happening in his life (graduation)he was missing them greatly. Computer Geek was VERY close to my parents, especially my mom. We went today after church this morning. It might not seem to be a big deal, but to me it was a HUGE deal. See since my Mom as passed away, I haven't been able to visit her grave. I have tried a couple of times, but when I would drive into the lot, I would get so sick to my stomach I would drive away. But because this was so important to Computer Geek, I told him I would do my best to stay. The things we will do for our kids! Computer Geek wanted to honor my parents with placing something on their grave that represented something they shared. So he bought a Payday candy bar and a lottery ticket. This may sound very strange to you, but to Computer Geek it meant a world of memories. The Payday candy bar was for my Mom. She and Computer Geek shared many special times sitting around talking and sharing Payday candy bars. The lottery ticket was for my Dad. When Computer Geek was about 4, my Dad bought lottery tickets and let Computer Geek scratch them for him. Computer Geek being only 4 started calling them "Scratch 'ems". This was a special time between Computer Geek and my Dad. Not long after they started this little game, my Dad died. Even tho, I had my reservations it ended up being a great day and a wonderful time to reflect.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

International Teen Talent Competition

Several months ago I blogged about Football Star entering a photo (the photo above)in the Tennessee State Teen Talent Competition. Yesterday, we got a call that he had scored high enough on his photo to be entered into the International Teen Talent Competition in August. The International Teen Talent Competition is held this year in Nashville, Tennessee at the General Assembly. Also we found out last night that the other teen from our church scored high enough on her Interpretive Dance to go to the International Teen Talent Competition too!


**Congratulations to Football Star and Lacy! We are so proud of you for representing our church at the International Teen Talent Competition!**

Until next time.....

God Bless~

D.J. Qualls at Graduation

This morning I remembered I forgot to post another exciting thing that happened over the graduation weekend. We had a celebrity attend graduation! D.J. Qualls is best known for a role he played in "Roadtrip" in 2000. He has also been in these movies: The New Guy(2001), Chasing Holden(2001), Lone Star State of Mind(2002), Comic Book Villians (2002), Big Trouble(2002), The Core(2003), Hustle & Flow(2005). Now if you live in Los Angeles or New York, that might not be a big deal, but to live in a small rural area in Tennessee, it is a HUGE deal! D.J. is a half brother to one of Computer Geek's best friends! Not only is D.J. related to one of Computer Geeks friends, he also attend Coffee County High School and was a member of the Red Raider Marching Band (like Computer Geek)! Right before the procession of graduates, Computer Geek met D.J. Then Saturday evening, Computer Geek and Football Star went to a LAN party at Computer Geek's friends house (the one related to D.J. Qualls). So Computer Geek and Football Star got to meet D.J. He showed them a $21,000 watch that Ludacris gave him after they made the movie "Hustle & Flow". I think that having celebrity at your graduation is kind of a big deal!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Proud Moment!

Well he did it! Computer Geek graduated Friday! I was extremely proud of him. After graduation, we had a little "Graduation Celebration". Computer Geek received tons of cards. Big D and I surprised Computer Geek with a laptop. He had put one in lay-away in hopes to receive enough graduation money to pay for it. But of course, we got it out of lay-away! I believe he was in shock! Then after the Graduation Celebration, we went to the High School for the Project Graduation party. They had all kinds of fun things for the kids to do and enough food to feed an army or two. Football Star ended up with a bloody nose and a black eye. He was playing in the blow-up boxing ring with one of Computer Geeks buddies and they bumped heads. Ouch! But it didn't bleed long and it wasn't broken. PTL! From 1am to about 3am, I didn't think I was going to be able to make it all night. But I pressed on. Then about 4am, they had all the kids line up and they received their envelope with money ($60) and 2006 t-shirt. Then we all went into the Auditorium for the prize drawings. Now let me tell you that was so fun. They had 3 doors. When they called your name you had to chose what door you wanted. It was so fun to hear the kids yell, "door 1, no door 3" etc.
Computer Geek won a microwave (which he needed badly!) and he won one of the grand prizes a laptop. Yep, I said a laptop! Ugh! If we had NOT bought him one for graduation, he probably would have never won one! LOL! But one of his friends, is going to buy it.

Sunday we went shopping with some of his money. He bought a printer, ink, printer paper, wireless mouse, and a laptop lap table. So he is on his way to getting ready for college.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Busy Week

THE NEVER ENDING TO-DO LIST!
This week has been and will continue to be extremely busy. So I have not had a lot of time to blog. We are trying to get last minute things done before graduation on Friday. Tho I am not expecting a house full of family, I like to be prepared in case a few might show up at the last moment. So that means getting the house ready, so far I have cleaned carpets, did some rearranging of furniture, and did a little deep cleaning. I hope to get it all done, but I am running out of time. With Computer Geek working a full time job and Big D working a lot of overtime lately, I have came to depend on Football Star for help. I am so thankful for his help! After graduation, we are having a little Graduation Celebration at the Community Center for the family and friends. Kind of like a Graduation Open House. Here in Tennessee they don't call it "Graduation Open House". That has been the hardest thing for me to get used to because being raised in Indiana and graduating in Indiana, EVERYONE had an "Open House" after graduation. So I instead of calling it an "Open House" for those here in Tennessee, I just started calling it a "Graduation Celebration". So I have been busy getting things ready for that. Then after the "Graduation Celebration", the school has a "Project Graduation" party. For those of you that have not heard of "Project Graduation", it is sponsored by local business, parents, and several fund raisers throughout the year, it is an all NIGHT Lock in for the graduates. Everyone that attends receives a t-shirt, an envelope of money($50-$100), 1 small prize ($25 worth), and 1 large prize ($75-$100 worth). Then they also draw names for laptops and desktop computers. This was started by parents trying to keep kids in a safe DRUG and ALCOHOL free night after graduation. Such a great thing. Full of fun, free food and prizes!! Big D and I have been very involved in it. Helping raise the money with fund raisers and helping run booths. We are chaperoning that night too!! So if I don't post until Monday, you will know why!!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Goodbye High School

This is what I looked like this morning as I said goodbye to Computer Geek as he left for school. Today is Computer Geek's last day of High School. Of course, he was already up and dressed sitting in the den talking to his dad (which is a rarity because Big D is always gone before we get up). Well, I went to wake up Football Star and flipped on his light and said, "Waaaake uuuup! Its the last day of school for the year!" Then as reality hit me before I made it to the den the tears began to flow and I looked at Computer Geek and said, "Good Morning! Today is your last day of High School!" He and Big D exchanged looks and smiled. Then I heard them say as I turned to fix breakfast, "I knew she would start crying." As I fixed his breakfast for the last time, my mind went back to his first day of kindergarten when I fixed his breakfast the first time. I had so many fears and worries that day. Worries that he would feel confused and scared and I wouldn't be right there to help him. And as he starts this new chapter in his life, funny how those same worries are still the ones I had when he was in kindergarten! I am thankful even tho I worry that I have a Heavenly Father that eases those burdens when they become too much to bear. God has always kept His hand on him and I know He will continue to keep him throughout the rest of his journey.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is the last thing you had to have repaired?

My computer! I thought it had finally died yesterday, but I fixed it!

Soup
If someone gave you $2,000 with the stipulation that you had to spend half of it on yourself and give the rest to charity, where would you spend the $1,000 and which charity would receive your remaining $1,000?

I would spend the $1,000 on a trip to see lighthouses. (yeah, I know I just went, but there are sooo many lighthouses to see and so little time! LOL!)
I would give the other $1,000 to my church to help get the parking lot paved!

Salad
What is one of your favorite songs from the 1980s?

"Footloose" or "Girls just wanna have fun"

Main Course
You enter a pet store. Which section do you go to first?

Well if Lacey is with me (and most the time she is when we go to the pet store), she takes me straight to the bones isle! LOL! They have them low to the floor and she knows it! LOL! If not, the birds and hamsters are right in front as you walk in, so I always take a peek at them first.

Dessert
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how athletic are you?

Sad to say probably a 2. I wished I was more athletic, but I'm not. I should probably say 0, but because of all the walking I do when I visit lighthouses, I said 2. =)

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Summer Job

Sometimes we don't understand why things happen, but if we will obey the Lord, He always works things out. I am saying this because back in October after Big D's family sold the family store. The new owners treated Computer Geek dirty. I won't go into the long details, but in the end they let him go. Knowing it was no fault of his own it still effected Computer Geek greatly. Well several days after this happen, the mother hen in me wanted to go confront these people and let them know how dirty they treated him. "No one messes with MY BOY" was the horrible attitude I had. They also have 2 little boys and I wanted to make them understand how things could come around to their little ones one day. But God told me "NO!" Every time I thought of what I would say or things I wanted to do, He would say, "Revenge is mine. I have everything under control." Even as difficult it was at times, I am so glad I obeyed. Computer Geek was just hired at our local "Kangaroo" Gas Station for the summer. He is making $2 more an hour than he was before. We are so proud of him. It was a very stressful time for him because he is very independent when it comes to his financial situation. He applied everywhere and was really getting concerned he wouldn't find a summer job. But God came thru 2 weeks before graduation. ~~He's an on time God! OH YES He is!~~ It's is great to see the stress lifted and see him so excited when he came home from work today!

**Thank you Heavenly Father for caring about even the little things!**

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish all the mothers a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! My prayer for you is that you have a wonderful relaxing day with those you love! Even tho, my mom has been gone now almost 7 years, I can't help but think of her on this day and want to honor her for being a wonderful mom! Here is a poem I found and read it this morning at church in honor of my mom:

CLICK HERE!

I was very blessed to have a mom that loved the Lord with all her heart and raised me to love Him too! If you are blessed to still have your mother today, let her know how much you love and appreciate her because one day she will be gone and you will wish you had 1 more opportunity to tell her!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Lighthouse Trip

Here are a few pictures of our Lighthouse trip:


CURRITUCK LIGHTHOUSE











BODIE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE








CAPE HATTERAS LIGHTHOUSE











I have tons more pictures that I will post later. We want to get on the road so that we can get home at a decent hour.

Until next time....

God Bless~

Hi, From Kitty Hawk NC

Finally, we get to relax at the hotel after a busy day. I didn't get to post anything about our trip yesterday because we didnt get to the hotel until after 1am. It was a stressful day yesterday. I didn't think we would get to come on our trip. We got the van packed and then it wouldnt start. So after we had it towed and looked at it caused us to have a 4 hour delay. But I am thankful that we are here now. Today, when we left the hotel in Moorseville, NC Big D had a few stops planned. One was to see Dale Jarrett's Motor Complex. Some of you may not know that I am a huge Dale Jarrett fan. I have been for over 6 years. Here are a couple pictures:



Pit crew working on one of D.J.'s cars




Just me ;-)

Then it was off to Jimmie Johnson's Motor Complex. He is Big D's favorite Nascar driver. Here are a couple of pictures:

Big D by Jimmie's car



Big D on the winner's circle.






Then we drove 6 hours to get here at Kitty Hawk NC. Our room has an ocean view. So awesome. Big D and I took a walk along the beach. Let me tell you nothing sounds as wonderful as the ocean! I took off my flip flops and let the water hit my feet. I got so involved in picking up seashells before I knew it I heard this roar and I knew I was in trouble. LOL! I got soaked! But I loved it! Here are some pictures:









Tomorrow is the big day. The day to visit the lighthouses!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

We're Outta Here!

We are leaving in a few minutes for our wonderful 20th Anniversary trip down the Outerbanks of NC to visit the lighthouses! I am so excited! Keep us in your prayers that God will give us traveling mercies. Also keep the boys in your prayers that they will be safe and secure while we are gone! I will try to update with pictures if I can!

**Big D, Thanks for always treating me like a Queen and doing everything you can to make my dreams come true! I love you and I can't wait to spend the week alone with you on the coast! xoxoxo**

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Senior Awards Ceremony

Today was Computer Geek's Senior Awards Ceremony. We are so proud of him! We knew of 3 scholarships that Computer Geek was getting today. But we got a very special surprise. He received the PTO Scholarship Award of his Elementary school. That scholarship means a lot to us because it was voted on by the Elementary Teachers where he attended. Here is the summary of scholarships he was awarded:

TTU Academic Scholarship ~ $12,000 ($3,000 reneweable each year)
Tennessee Hope Scholarship ~ $17,200 ($4,300 renewable each year)
M-tek Inc. Scholarship ~ $4,000 ($1,000 renewable each year)
Hillsboro Elementary PTO Scholarship $500 (1 time cash award)

Now you see why we are so excited and so very proud of Computer Geek!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Computer Geek,

We are so proud of you and your high school accomplishments! You are a great example for your little brother! Good luck at TTU! We love you!

Mom, Dad, Football Star, and Lacey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
From which country(s) are some (or all) your ancestors?

Wow this list could be long! My ancestors is what my Grandma used to call "Heinz 57".
But here is a few:
England
USA (American Indian)
Ireland
Germany (Pennsylvania Dutch)

Soup
How would you describe your sneeze?

Strange. It starts out LOUD and ends up a high pitch soft squeal.

Salad
What is the last thing you cleaned?

Started a load of Laundry.

Main Course
Who made the strongest first impression on you?

First person to come to mind would be my Mom. She made a lasting impression on me. I am sure it was my STRONGEST first impression.

Dessert
Name one thing you want to accomplish in your lifetime.

I wanted to find someone to love me the way I am. (Did it!)
I wanted to have healthy wonderful kids. (Did it!)
I am satified with the things I have accomplished already in my life that I really don't have one specific thing. Everything else is just blessings from Heaven!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Announcements and Envelopes and Stamps, oh MY!

I forgot how much time it takes to fill out Graduation Announcements! Computer Geek and I spent over 2 hours last night working on his graduation announcements. It takes so much time putting in the name card, stuffing the inner envelope, putting in a picture and party info inside announcements, putting on the gold initial seal on the inner envelope, personalizing the inner envelope, stuffing the inner envelope into the outer envelope, sticking the address label on the outer envelope, addressing the outer envelope, putting on the gold 2006 seal, and sticking on the stamp! After 2 hours, we had the inner envelopes finished, but we still have to stuff the inner envelopes into the outer envelopes, address them and stamp them!

Computer Geek has ONLY 3 weeks left! He graduates May 26th! I graduated on the same date 21 years ago! 21 years ago?? WOW! All this graduation preparation is making me feel OLD!!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

One Week from Today!

I woke up this morning so excited when I realized that one week from today we will be leaving for the shores of North Carolina. For those of you that might not know, Big D gave me, for our 20th Anniversary, a trip down the Outerbanks of North Carolina to visit 5 lighthouses! In the middle of these 5 lighthouses is my favorite lighthouse of all, Cape Hatteras! We hope to leave about 2pm on Tuesday. Driving as far as we can. Wednesday we will be traveling the rest of the way. It is a 16 hour trip to the coast of North Carolina. Since Wednesday will be a lot of traveling there won't be much time to start the lighthouse tours, so we decided to take a little detour to Dale Jarrett's (my favorite Nascar driver) and Jimmie Johnson's (Big D's favorite Nascar driver)Motor Complexes.

Thursday, we will begin our journey down the Outerbanks. Our first lighthouse to visit will be

Currituck

Then we drive about 1 hour and half to the next lighthouse which is:

Bodie Island

Then we drive about 1 hour and half again to:

Cape Hatteras (My Favorite!)

Big D reserved us a hotel just a mile from Cape Hatteras. So when I wake up Friday morning, it will be the first thing I see. Isn't that wonderful??? Now the rest of our trip is rather tricky. We have to take ferries and boats. So timing is critical. There is a possibility we may not get the last 2 lighthouses in, but Big D assured me he would do the best he could! That I don't doubt. He always does everything he can to please me! One of the many reasons why I love him so!

Friday we hope to travel to the ferry on time and see:

Ocracoke

If time allows, we will go see:

Cape Lookout

After visiting Cape Lookout, we will travel home. We will drive as far as we can. So we don't have such a long drive home on Saturday. Now you have read my itinerary! I can't wait to go. I have dreamed of visiting Cape Hatteras for years! I am so excited about going that I will probably start my packing today!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Senior Prom Pics

As I promised, here are the prom pictures. Matthew and Lacy had a good time. They were disappointed in the music choices not many songs to dance with. They said it was either bad rap music or booty grinding music. They both HATE that kind of music, but they still had a good time just hanging out with friends. And now the pictures!

Don't they look great?? He looks so handsome in his tux and she is goregous in that dress!

He took such care taking the corsage out of the box and putting it on her wrist! He kept saying, "I'm afraid I will mess it up."

Since she wore a pink dress, he refused to wear a pink tie or vest, but he gave in to the pink rose boutiner.

What a gentleman!

This picture really represents them. His little smirky smile and that attitude in her eyes.

Looks like they can't wait to go!

And there OFF!

(Matthew told me that the only way I was allowed to blog about Prom was if I posted this picture of his "baby". He loves his car and is VERY proud of it.)

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Happy Birthday Big D!!!

Today is Big D's birthday. He is 41 today! Last year since it was his 40th, we gave him a HUGE party! This year it was just a nice quiet birthday with his parents and a couple of friends. After church, we went to O'Charley's for his birthday dinner. Of course, we had them sing to him. Which he HATES! But he was a good sport! Big D is a wonderful husband and father. He has been working so hard the past 2 months. So much we don't see much of him. It was good to see him relax on his day off!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Birthday Big D! We love and appreciate you! Thank you for all you do!

Love always,

Me, Computer Geek, Football Star, and Lacey

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Because this being Big D's birthday, prom pictures will be posted tomorrow instead of today)

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Senior Prom Night

Ahhh...Tonight is Computer Geek's Senior Prom! We have been busy today! This morning we went and had his car washed, waxed, and detailed. Computer Geek didn't want a limo and I know his date felt the same way. Then we had to go pick up the corsage. He is going with a special girl. They are going just as friends. Which is nice! Not alot of drama to deal with for the moms! Prom is held at the Air Force Base's Officers Club. Which I am sure will be very nice! Will post pictures tomorrow!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how polite are you?

Since I am not perfect, I would have to say an 8 or 9. My mom taught me to be very polite. I try, but I am sure there are times I haven't been.

Soup
What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

Football Star and his dancing! He is our comedian! Always makes us laugh even when we don't feel like laughing. There are times I am not sure what I would do without him!

Salad
Who is your favorite cartoon character?

Garfield will forever be my favorite cartoon character!

Main Course
Tell about the funniest teacher you ever had.

Mr. Maple, he was not only the funniest teacher, but I had a HUGE crush on him. No teenage girl in her right mind would choose to take Entomology (the study of bugs) for any other reason except a cute teacher! LOL!

Dessert
Complete this sentence: I strongly believe that Jesus is the Son of God!

Until next time.....

God Bless~