Dickson Family

Last letter

2012-02-01T10:39:00.004-05:00

Alex-

I love you.

I loved your laugh. Everything about it was infectious. I don’t think there was a time in your life when you laughed alone. You got invited to any and every party because the party always arrived with you. I loved your sense of humor. You were hilarious. You were bluntly honest at times, and I can remember several occasions when I found that my jaw was still open after hearing some of that honesty. I loved that a day with you was never dull. I loved the understanding that I felt when I was with you. We were inseparable as children, so you knew my past better than anyone because you were there. That created a lifelong bond that I will greatly miss.

I’m so sad that your life was over at 29. I’m so sad that you died so young. I’m heartbroken to think that your son will not know you personally. It literally brings me pain to think of your son’s future without you. Throughout his life you will be missed Alex. When your son needs manly advise, when he leaves his Mom and goes to college, when he falls in love, he will be wishing you were there, and so will I.

I’m heartbroken to think that we won’t laugh together anymore. We used to get together, share memories and laugh until we fell over. I’m just so sad that those memories are all that’s left now, and to be honest I am having a hard time wrapping my head around that. I hate that I need to accept the fact that you are no longer with us, and I hope I will see you again when my time comes.

I will never stop missing you. I will never stop loving you.

Casey

Alex

2012-01-21T11:47:00.001-05:00

Alex Edwin Lee Nutter June 3rd 1982 - January 19th 2012

Alex

Music it seems has lost its tune

The skies fail to be a beautiful blue

I no longer hear the birds sing a sweet song

The luster of this world appears to be gone.

The song in my heart is faded and dreary

I often find myself breathless and weary.

All the earth’s flowers have lost their hue

The world, like me, is mournful without you.

The clouds have hidden the suns warm rays

Leaving a bitter cold that encircles me in a haze.

There is a smoldering pain that will not cease

But I have comfort in knowing you are at peace.

-Written for my Brother on 1/21/2012 -Casey Dickson

Alex with his wife Angelica and their son David, October 2011

Please consider helping my Brothers Wife and Son in this very difficult time. In lieu of flowers you can make a donation that will directly go to Angelica and David. Click the 'donate now' button at the top right hand corner of this blog, or go to www.paypal.com and send any amount to babydavidnutter@gmail.com

Kayla's new look

2011-11-19T17:03:00.001-05:00

I have always waited to pierce my daughters ears because I wanted them to want to get it done. I wanted it to be something they choose to do.

Kayla decided it was time she got some earrings.

Even though she was nervous - she decided it was worth it.

My baby girl has pierced ears!

Taylor Swift

2011-11-16T23:22:00.001-05:00

Taylor Swift stopped in Charlotte, NC on her Speak Now world tour, and my Mom and I took my girls to see her. Taylor Swift is a daily voice in our home, so to see her perform live seemed only right. It was the first concert for my girls... and me!

My girls walking in Charlotte to the arena. Isn't it so cute downtown?

My Mom all dressed up and ready for a night on the town

We were 3 generations of Taylor Swift fans :)

Waiting for Taylor to take the stage...

Here she comes...

The look on their faces.... Priceless!

I love hanging out with my girls

Singing their hearts out to 'Mine'

Our view of 'Last Kiss'

It was a magical night :)

Turning 10

2011-11-08T08:35:00.002-05:00

My girl is turning 10 years old in a few days, and I can't seem to wrap my head around that at all. When people say that kids grow up too fast, I immediately understand what they are saying. I feel like I am still hoping she will stop growing up and wait a while so I can figure this parenting thing out. Didn't everyone else get instructions?

At 6 months - our tub had broken

I also feel like the world is missing out, because no one knows her the way I do. No one knows how involved she is with her brother and sister. Did you know that every Saturday and Sunday morning she gets up with her little brother? She prefers it. She takes him downstairs gets him a drink and makes him breakfast. Mackenzie also helps her younger Sister with her homework every day, even if Kayla doesn't want her too. :)

Mackenzie at 3

Here are some other things you may not have know about my exceptional little girl:

Mackenzie loves music. She teaches herself songs on the piano all the time. That piano is her safe place. If JR and I are ever in an argument you can bet that the piano will suddenly start to play music.

She has no idea how beautiful she is.

At her 7th birthday party

Mackenzie is extremely thoughtful. She is always doing something special for a member in our family. Just today she found a bag of skittles in her Halloween candy that said it had crazy colors so she saved it for her Dad. She then made a card telling him that the bag of crazy colors reminded her of him, and his craziness. She hung it on his closet door for him to find. I don't think we can go a week without her coloring, making, or showing her love for someone in our family.

She has the biggest feet of any other kid her age.

She is painfully shy. In fact I have a hard time finding pictures of her alone because she usually runs from the camera, even if it's just her and I in the room.

She is very smart and extremely observant. It's hard to keep things from her at home because even though she may not look like she is paying attention, she is, and she can usually figure out what is going on.

She is my right hand. She is my main helper in the kitchen, and she is usually willing to help pick up the house.

She loves to have fun. She often wrestles with her Dad, and is always sad when it ends.

Mackenzie - summer 2011

Mackenzie loves family night. She will feel cheated if family night doesn't happen, and she will give up playing with friends and any TV show to do family snuggles.

She is loyal to a fault.

She is hilarious. She teases me with the best of them. She has a great wit about her, and her little side jokes or funny comments often send me rolling.

Mackenzie is a Daddies girl.

Part of me is sad that she is turning 10, that means she is more than half way grown. The other part of me loves to watch her grow because I am excited to see who she will be.

Happy birthday Mackenzie - you are so loved.

Why I have a bucket list

2011-10-27T19:54:00.001-04:00

Most people that have read my bucket list have called me cheesy. (My bucket list) Who has a bucket list in their 30's right? Well... I do. When my Dad passed away suddenly it gave me the biggest ah-ha moment of my life.

Life is too short, and nothing is guaranteed.

It's been two years since I have originally made my bucket list, and I have been able to cross off 2 things already, and I have another 2 in the works. Unlike the movie with Morgan Freeman, I don't have millions to be able to cross these things off within a year, nor do I have a rich friend willing to pay for my travel, so I have a bucket list at 30 years old and God willing, I plan on crossing off each item one at a time with the people I love most.

You never know what tomorrow brings, so I don't plan on waiting until tomorrow.

What is on your bucket list?

Fort D

2011-10-09T20:03:00.000-04:00

I don't think there is a person alive who didn't make some kind of fort when they were a kid. It could have been built out of boxes, couch cushions, or wood, but we have all made one.

As you saw in a previous post, (see it here) there is a ton of free wood to be had in my neighborhood. All we need to do is go and collect it. Over the past few weeks we have collected enough wood to build a fort right from our children's imaginations.

We found the perfect spot behind our house. It's far enough away to feel like it's isolated, but close enough for me to keep an eye out.

Since this fort is for our Lil's, they help with it. They helped to clear the area in the woods where the fort was going to be built, they helped to gather all the wood, and they are there every time we build on it.

My husband being the over achiever that he is couldn't build a fort that was under par. He went and built four walls as if he was framing a small house. When it's finished it will stand 7 feet tall, 5 feet wide, and 8 feet long.

Even Lil'man got in on the action. He couldn't help himself - there were tools involved.

The fort has been appropriately named Fort D. :)

It's still under construction... more to come.

Happenings

2011-10-08T10:46:00.001-04:00

I came downstairs one day ready to go and found my Kayla sitting at our kitchen table. She gave me a look over and then said “Mommy, I noticed that you don’thave any good shoes.”

Me: “Oh yea? What’swrong with my shoes?”

Kayla: “Well, at least none of your shoes are as good asmine.”

Me “Why is that? Ihave a lot of shoes you know.”

Kayla: “I know, I went and looked at every single shoe andnot a single one lights up.”

*****

Over the summer our family was headed to the pool but assoon as we pulled into the parking lot we noticed that the pool was beingemptied out. JR rolled down his windowand confirmed that the pool had a ‘code brown’. Without even getting out of the car we pulled out of the parking lot andEthan said “Sorry.”

JR looked back “Whyare you sorry bud?”

“I pooped in it.”

Clearly he hadn’t, but it was hilarious that he wanted toclaim it. That started a phase where he would claim to poopon or in things just about daily. He sawdirt on JR’s leg from mowing the lawn and told his Dad “I pooped on you.”

I think the best experience with this phase was when he andI were at our Lowes home improvement store. We passed an end cap with bags of fertilizer and one bag had ripped andthe dirt had spilled out onto the floor. As we were walking past this, Ethan just stopped threw his hands downhis sides and said “Awww man! I poopedagain! Mom, I pooped big.”

The guy cleaning up the mess loved it, but I ended the shoppingtrip telling my son that he was never allowed to say the word poop again.

Insanity

2011-09-27T10:26:00.002-04:00

I don't like what gravity is doing to my body... so JR and I are starting this workout video tonight. I shouldn't be able to walk for about 5 weeks if I stick to it.

I'll be posting before and after pictures throughout this process. I figure that my blogging this for the world to see will keep me motivated, because it's easier to quit and feel like a looser as long as other people don't know. Well... now you all know...

I'm looking forward to this. :)

A page from my journal

2011-09-18T18:58:00.004-04:00

September 18^th 2011

Dear Journal,

I couldn’t but think these past few weeks that I am livingthe best years of my life – right now. This is a time where I will look back and feel a tug on my heart stringsand wish things were as it is now. Myhusband and I are young, and so in love with each other. He is so good to me that I know no one elsecould ever measure up to him. Mychildren are still small, and I am their best friend, and confidant. I love them all so much, and I love how muchthey love me. I am so blessed to havesuch a great life that I don’t want anything to change from this moment. I wish it could last forever…

-Casey

Part 3 - Out takes!

2011-08-18T07:54:00.012-04:00

Since we knew this was a vacation we wouldn't do again for a while we wanted to get tons of pictures while we could. This means that we have a lot of out takes!

My dinosaur.

My Mom and I wanted a picture of her and I, so the last night of the cruise we went onto my stateroom balcony and had ourselves a photo shoot. After a few minutes.... I got bored.

...............................What?

Then JR showed her the photos.... haha.

From trash to treasure

2011-08-15T13:43:00.019-04:00

There are a lot of pros and cons that come from living in a brand new house. For example, we were the first house built on our street so we got the best lot, but since we were the first house built on our street there is construction going on all around us. The noise can get annoying, but having a dump pile at every site has it's rewards.

If there is anything that won't fit into our trash cans, we can just walk it over to one of the piles, but yesterday we got the best perk ever from the new construction.

See that pile of trash? Well JR and I saw opportunity. We couldn't believe they were throwing away all that wood!

We picked through the pile and found 6 nearly perfect 2x4's. They had been used to support different things in the home next to us and since the home is almost complete, they were discarding them. They were perfect for the project we had in mind.

The project: build a shelf that will hold and organize all of our children's outside toys. (Not all are pictured here. Most of the time the outside toys are just scattered in our garage.)

After washing the boards we had to take all the nails out of them.

After hearing me struggle JR took over de-nailing the boards. It's not my fault that I was born with twigs for arms.

After I changed back into my PJ's (Woodworking is messy!) We cut down the MDF board.

JR then fixed my cuts.

He is a pro at this. I think he might have been a carpenter / wood worker in a past life. He loves working with wood, and he is really good at it.

Our workshop.

It's starting to come together. (Yes, I did more than just take pictures!)

When I was a little girl I remember my Father having to take me with him on his job sites because he was a single parent. My Father laid carpet for a living, and it was grueling work. I can remember him slamming his knee into a tool to make the carpet straight, and I remember his long hours. I would get frustrated because his work took forever, but he would tell me that no job is worth doing if it's not done well. I admired that, and I admired any man who could work with his hands and fix things. One of the qualities I wanted in a husband was for him to be handy, and I lucked out because JR can make and fix anything.

Behold! Our shelf / bike rack.

It is made out of 100% recycled wood that otherwise would have been tossed, and all it cost was a half a day to make it. I'm not ashamed to admit that JR and I were high-fiving each other after this project.

my cup splillith over

2011-08-12T18:58:00.009-04:00

Yesterday we had a break from the southern heat with the temperature reaching only 85 degrees. I decided we would celebrate (and take a break from the pool) and go to the park. I piled all 3 of my kids plus a neighborhood girl Mackenzie's age into the car with their scooters and we headed to the biggest park in our area. On the way there I stopped by Chick-fil-a and got myself an extra large lemonade. I was excited to spend the afternoon playing with my kids, but I knew I would need a large drink even if it was cooler than it had been all week.

Once we get there the kids take off on their scooters and I set up our food and made myself a good watch point. We weren't there an hour before Kayla fell and scraped herself in a few places. She needed a bandage, and I didn't have any in my car. Unfortunately this meant that we needed to pack up early and head home. As we are packing up I start to hear what everyone woman in her life has heard, and it's something we all hate. A man sitting a few yards away on a bench is whistling and making crude comments about me - It made the hairs on my back stand up.

It's one thing to whistle at a woman, but it's a whole different story when you are crude to her for 10 to 15 minutes (but it felt like an eternity) in front of her children. (Men please take note: women do not like this! It will never get us to look at you with anything more than disgust!)

Well, we had to walk past this bench in order to get to our car. I was already stressed because I had a daughter screaming like she was dying, I was trying to clean up our food and not ruin it, and then my oldest daughter started to ask why that man was yelling those things at me. As we walked past him I made sure I was the last in line as we past the bench. I simply took the lid off my lemonade, which was very full, and as I past him I emptied it right onto his lap.

He gasped and jumped and I think he started to say some things, but I chose not to listen. He deserved it. I saw him write down my license plate, so I might get a visit from a cop, but honesty I still don't regret it. I hope he thinks twice before ever doing that again.

Maybe I'll change my mind about regretting it if I end up spending a day and a half in court, but until then I'm happy I cooled him off. Every once in a while I'm proud of my Irish temper.

(I called my Mother in law and she immediately referenced my egg story. Apparently food is my weapon of choice. Read about the eggs here.)

Nassau, Bahamas (part 2)

2011-08-11T10:27:00.027-04:00

Nassau was my favorite part of the cruise. We were at the beach literally all day, and I didn't want to leave. Even after 5 and a half hours....

When we first got there we posed for some pictures... just look at our back drop!

This was mostly how my lil'man got around in the water, and the expressions were not posed.

I'm so lucky that these kids are mine.

Love this kid - this is what he does when you tell him to smile. He says 'cheese!' and makes this face.

The beach was divided by these concrete walls - which made a perfect jumping point. The coolest thing was that the water was clear, and the fish were colorful.

My long limbed girl.

My Mom rocks.

These next pictures of JR and I are extra sweet because we didn't know my Mom was taking them.

Time for some more posed pictures...

This turned out to be my favorite picture taken of JR and I. Doesn't it look like an ad?

Ethan crashed our photo shoot - but it was a welcomed distraction

Our family picture - 2011

Our cruise (Part 1)

2011-08-09T09:45:00.032-04:00

I have so many pictures that I want to share from this vacation that I'm breaking it up into 3 post. That way anyone reading my blog isn't overwhelmed with a novel of a post, and I'm not overwhelmed by posting a novel.

Our cruise was a 7 day cruise that left from Charleston, SC for Nassau Bahamas, Key West Florida, and Freeport Bahamas.

We had no schedule and we had no cell phone service.

These next pictures were taken right from our stateroom balcony - can you believe that was our view for a whole week?!

Our first stop was at Freeport Bahamas, and once we stopped and got off the ship I was able to cross another thing off my bucket list. (View it here.)

All of us

One of the first things we did was get both of my girls hair braided. Kayla especially has very thick hair, and getting their hair done was a treat not just for them, but for me as well. It made it easy to brush, and swim.

While they were getting their hair braided we shopped at the local shops (don't ever pay full price!) and we kept the boys cool.

After shopping, eating and getting our fill of the culture, we headed to the beach. The water was warm and clear and the weather was perfect.

My Mom and her new man, Norm. He a great guy, and I am so glad he is a part of our family.

The best part...? We had nothing to do.

.

All we did was play.

More to come...

Not a snob

2011-08-07T17:07:00.008-04:00

I've been going back and forth in my mind exactly how to post pictures from our ah-mazing vacation and my new home without feeling like I was rubbing it in. I'm not the gloating type, I think it's completely rude. It always puts an image in my mind of a fat little girl with chocolate all over her face with the last one in her hand going 'nah-na-nah-nana!'

I was talking to my cousin on the phone last week and I was telling her that this was why I hadn't posted any pictures of my completed house, and her reply was '....but you're not a snob. Let us be happy for you and just put the pictures up!' So I think I'm going to follow her advise.

Anyone who knows me knows that I come from poverty. (Who else knows the joys of a welfare Christmas?) You know that my husband and I literally sat on our living room floor and ate off the carpet when we were first married because we have had to work for everything we have. (Anything worth having is worth working for right?) Like most people, I like nice things. There have been several times in our 10 year marriage that I worked to help save for something we had our eyes on. (Like when I worked at PBK. The employee discount and my small paychecks over a year and a half got us our bedroom set!) All I'm trying to say is that we are not privileged, we just work hard and I feel like our hard work has finally paid off, and we have got something to show for it.

We have had our share of trials and pain - nothing has come easy for us. We lost our first home to the recession in 2008. (That sucked) However, just when you think it's bad, it can always get worse. I buried my Step-Dad of 17 years and my biological Father within a year of each other in 2010. In that same year I not only watched my Mom loose everything, but I helped her sell it, and I lost relationships with people I still love.

Today however, I am more in love with my husband than I have ever been. We have this perfect little family that I couldn't have even dreamed up. We are able to raise our children the way we have always wanted to (only after we moved outta California) My Mom and I have a better relationship than we have ever had. She (next to my stud) is my best friend. With all of our hard work and sacrifice it's simply our turn for some happiness.

So....no. We are not snobs. We are just very happy at this point in our lives. (and right now, this is our song)

3 years old

2011-08-03T15:06:00.007-04:00

Last month my little man turned 3 years old.

As I've sat here writing this blog post I have tried to finish this sentence:

"Ethan brings....... to our family."

I thought about saying that he brings joy to our family, but that is a gross understatement. Then I thought I'd say that he completed us, but it just didn't sound right. (even if it's how I feel)

"Ethan brings flavor to our family......" But it's so much more than that.

"Ethan brings chaos to our family......." He really does, but I didn't like the way this sounded.

"Ethan brings ........................."

I have sat down and walked away from the computer several times because I wanted to capture the right words to describe what this boy means to us. I wanted to capture in a single phrase one of the best things that has happened to me. (I have 4 of them)

I wanted to capture what it's like to wake up to the sound of a roaring monster truck. I wanted to capture what it's like to hear the sound of squeals from my girls because he has brought in a bug from the back yard and is chasing them with it. I wanted to capture the feeling in my chest when I hold him. I wanted to capture the moments that Ethan follows his Dad around the house because he wants to be just like him. I wanted to capture the laughter, the fits, the messes, and how he can pick up any toy (even a princess barbie) and it immediately becomes ugly and scary.

I wanted to capture what it's like to have the sheer privilege of being his Mom.

Ethan brings so much life to our family.

Sneak peek and catching up

2011-08-01T15:59:00.000-04:00

July has been one of the most eventful months in years for us, but it was also when we had to go without Internet or cable! Since we live in new construction we had to call several companies to come out before we found one that would service our house. (I just want to express how much I love having a smart phone - I would have died without it!)

My blog just wouldn't be right without these main events from July up on it. There will be more in depth post about these events shortly.

My little guy turned 3! Don't you just love how he holds up three fingers? Every little thing this dude does makes me smile.

We went on the most amazing vacation....this was our view for 7 days!! I couldn't get over the color of the water.

We moved into our house... and somewhere in our home these tiny feet are up on a wall. I bet you'll never guess where... :)

Stay tuned for more details...

Making time to play

2011-06-23T11:47:00.001-04:00

DH and I have taken to doing a family fun night once a week. On this night we turn off our phones, and spend time with just our family. We've done things from playing hide and seek at home to chuck-e-cheese.

This particular night we grabbed dinner and headed to the park.

It seems like there is just not enough time for kids to just play and be kids these days. I have so many other things I'd rather be doing than playing dolls or monster trucks, but I make time for it, because I know my time with them like this is short lived.

They are growing up so fast...

In a blink of an eye my children will have families of their own, and I will miss this time with them.

I am not the best housekeeper, my car ALWAYS needs to be washed, and the laundry is never done. I do however, make a darn good monkey.

Amost ready...

2011-06-05T14:11:00.001-04:00

Our house is in it's final stages, and I'm about to combust with joy over this house.

My kitchen before and after ...

They have almost finished ptting on all the trim outside.

Our move is set for July 1st!

More details to folow...

Buddy

2011-05-30T15:04:00.000-04:00

If you have met my son, then you have met his 'buddy'. It's not his best friend, or the family dog, but his blanket.

It has been with him since birth and it has gone on some crazy adventures.

It has flown across the country...

And it has been a part of every road trip.

It has helped to break fevers...

....and it has seen the inside of hospitals.

The buddy is a part of every snuggle and all the Saturday morning cartoons.

The story of why Ethan calls his blanket 'Buddy' is one of my favoriate stories to tell. Every night when hs Dad would lay him down he would lean into the crib and put his blanket on him while saying 'Goodnight buddy' so my son thought that 'Buddy' was the blankets name.

Now when you hear of us talking about Buddy, you'll know what we're talking about. (...because honestly, we would never leave our dog in the car for 3 days!)

Still building

2011-05-16T18:26:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I have posted pics on our house, and it has made some serious progress! Our move in is set for early July, and since the roof is on there shouldn't be any setbacks.

The back of our house

The progress of our formal living room. These pictures were taken about a week apart. You can see the pile of drywall on the ground, which means that the drywall is going in tomorrow!

The front view of our house. They are currently putting on the red brick
that I picked out. I can't wait to see what it will look like when it's completed!

What else did I pick out?

I hope I'm not a complete snob by doing this, but I am so excited that I can hardly contain it. I can't wait for my kitchen! I chose antique white cabinets for most of my kitchen. These cabinets will frame the walls of my kitchen in a castle effect. My island will be done in a deep brown cabinet, not in the antique white. I hope it turns out well!

I did oil rubbed bronze fixtures throughout my whole house. All my faucets, door knobs and hinges are going to look like this. Maybe now I'll be able to go a week without seeing any gnarly hand prints!

This is what my counter tops will look like. I've gone back and forth in my mind if it's the right choice, but with 4 colors in it, how can I go wrong?

More details to follow soon...

Back to Cali

2011-05-14T22:14:00.000-04:00

DH and I have never had a vacation alone without our children, so when an opportunity for a trip for the two of us for a week came up we couldn't pass it up. The best part was that it took us back to our old stomping grounds. We got to stay with DH's parents and see our old friends.

One of the many people I wanted to see was Christine. We have been friends since we were freshmen in High School, and a day with her is bound to be fun.

Christine and her boyfriend have a weekend home where they camp, ride dirt bikes, shoot guns, and have a great time away from everything else. DH and I joined them here for some adventure, and a lot of laughs!

The day started off with a hiccup, I fell off the dirt bike and skidded for several feet before stopping.

2 knee caps!

Christine gave me some new clothes, and a makeshift bandage, and all was well.

My man looks like a pro shooting clay pigeons

I took my turn, and although I didn't look like a pro, I wasn't as bad as I thought!

He was also a pro at the dirk bike, he never even came close to falling.

I wanted to get back on the bikes and have some fun, but I started off slow by riding the quad.

...and then I mastered the bike.

It was a fun filled day!

***

I have long admired these boys (my nephews) from afar because most of their lives they lived with their parents across the country. It just so happened that a few months before DH and I moved to the East coast, they moved from the East coast back to OC, about 15 minutes from us. Just as we were getting to know them, we moved. Unfair.

Everyone came over on Sunday to DH's parents house, and I had an in with the boys. I had wounds from the dirt bike - and they were excited to see them. I managed to convince them that I was cool for about an hour, (I'm sure my coolness didn't last) and I showed them the benefit of shiny wood floors.

With DH's socks we were sliding with ease!

Even I got in on the action, and no one got hurt. (I actually didn't fall!)

***

These lovely ladies are my circle of friends that I love so much. We met each year at Christmas to do an exchange, we had play dates, dinner groups, and lots of laughs. With busy schedules (they were not on vacation...) We were only able to all meet for an hour or so for lunch, but it was great. I miss you ladies!

***

Finally DH and I got some time all.by.ourselves.

We went to the beach where he surfed, and I sat on the beach and read my latest Dean Koontz book. It has been such a long time that we have gone to the beach and not had a wagon of toys, snacks, and gear. It was sooo nice!

***

Remember the 3 boys? Well DH's Sister (Their Mom) was pregnant with her 4th child and luck would have it that she gave birth the night before we got on the plane to head home. Her 4th is a GIRL! Meeting the newest addition was a great way to end a perfect trip.

She earned it

2011-04-27T14:39:00.000-04:00

For the most part I feel like I am a fair parent when it comes to chores and an allowance. My girls have a color chart and as long as they do their chores they get their money. They don't have many chores, lil'miss has to empty the dishwasher and lil'bit needs to set the table, and they both need to clean the room they share every week. The chart I have is set up so if they do their chores they stay on green and they are paid their $2 on pay day (Saturday), but if they don't do their chores that day, they get moved down a color. This goes on all week, and if they are not on green by pay day then they don't get their $2 that week, and if you'll notice they could end up owing me money.

I know it seems I am a slave driver (who pays their child $2 a week these days?!) but I believe that anything they want above what we provide for them can be earned and saved for. Recently I decided that they could earn extra money if they really wanted something by doing more rigorous chores around the house. For example, they could earn $3 by washing all my windows inside up stairs and down or they could do more smelly less pleasant chores for $5.

My lil'bit wanted a Lalaloopsy Doll badly. She just had to have it. We looked it up and saw that it cost $20, and she had $7 saved from her allowance. That meant that she needed to do some extra chores to earn more money for the doll, but she didn't want to wait long so she decided to do the stinky chores and earn her money faster.

She ended up detailing my car (minus the vacuuming) and cleaning my master bathroom from top to bottom for a total of $10. After that I felt she had earned her right to go to the store and get her doll.

At first we were worried the store was out of them, but she found it, and the look on her face was worth it. She earned this.

Our Easter

2011-04-25T17:49:00.001-04:00

Easter this year marked a milestone for us. It was the first real Holiday we spent in the Carolinas, and it was bitter-sweet. Bitter because we are normally surrounded by tons of family on Easter, but sweet because it was such a great day. It was a relaxing and a refreshing new outlook on the rest of our lives.

We colored our eggs a very traditional way this year - 5 colors of dye with lots of eggs and newspaper.

..anxious to start the hunt on Easter morning...

Since our gathering was smaller, the meaning of Easter was talked about as we ate around the table for the first time. It brought a since of marvel at what we were truly celebrating, and it made me so grateful for the family I had around me.

I am truly starting to appricate the smaller and less appricated things in life.

35

2011-04-24T12:17:00.001-04:00

Last Friday my DH (Dear Husband) turned 35. He had expressed that he felt 35, not because he felt old but because he felt that he was finally making his own way in life. As he said "I have a wife of 10 years, I have 3 wonderful kids, I have a growing career, and I have earned the respect of my peers, how can I not feel 35?" I had to agree. At times, age is appropriate, because it shows what you've worked so hard for.

Ever since DH and I were dating I can remember him expressing a desire to see The Blue Man Group live. We always told ourselves that one day we would make the 5 hour drive from SoCal to Vegas for the weekend to see them - but our jobs, our kids, and extended family was always a priority so we never did make the short drive to have a weekend getaway by ourselves. After we moved across the country we didn't think that we would ever get to Vegas to see them - but alas! They are touring now, and it just so happened that they came and visited the Carolinas and I was able to get 2 tickets to see them live on DH's birthday. :) How perfect!

I have 5 big reasons why I love my DH - and it only seems fitting that for his birthday - I share those with all of you.

5. He is a hard worker. I have seen him be up all night with one of our lil's just to watch him go to work and put in a full day at the office.

4. He has integrity that I have found to be rare in a man these days.

3. He always sees the best in people.

2. He puts up with ALL my crap in a way that I don't think anyone else could. He spoils me.

1. He is dedicated to his family. His kids are always first, and he lights up everytime they walk into the room. Everytime.

Of course, no birthday is complete without a favoriate cake and yes - I was able to get all 35 candles on it. Lil'man helped me make it, and he could hardly wait to bite into it.

-Happy birthday DH - I look forward to growing old with you.

The week of spring break

2011-04-23T11:15:00.000-04:00

Here is an update on our last week...

It was spring break for my kids, so my Mom and I decided to take my kids to Rock Hill, SC to a children's museum. After we drove all the way there, we found out that they were closed on Mondays. After all the getting ready-don't make me pull this car over - and please just give it to him so he stops screaming... we couldn't just go back home. We decided to walk around the new found area. We ended up stumbling upon the exact spot where the civil rights protest began. 9 College students did a sit in at a diner right there in Rock Hill, SC.

After seeing that we decided to keep walking to see what we could find...

We came across an old courthouse that was being refinished. Most of it was still original. This courthouse was built in the 1920's, and was used for about 50 years. We stumbled upon it because of my poor working bladder and our search for restrooms. No one said we couldn't go in... so we explored while we were in the building. It was a neat find.

***

We bought a slip-n-slide and put it to good use with the weather getting to 85 degrees during the week...

Lil'man wasn't too keen on the idea

***

This week our new house got walls! DH and I went to check up on it and it went from a slab to almost framed. They still have a lot to frame up, but it's amazing how fast it is being built.

These are pictures of the front and the back of the house. If you look closely you can see DH standing on our future porch in the back of the house.

This will be my dream kitchen, and the other picture is the view from one of the windows my lil'bits future room.

Leaving our mark

2011-04-19T11:34:00.000-04:00

They poured the foundation for our home last week, and we left left our mark in the fresh cement on the corner of what will be our screened in porch.

From L-R you can see the hand prints of lil'man, lil'bit, lil'miss, myself, and DH. If you'll notice, my lil'misses hand is almost as big as mine and she is only 9 years old.

More details to follow soon....

Growing up

2011-04-18T17:37:00.000-04:00

I don't have any pictures of my DH as a child, but I recently found all sorts of pictures of me as a child. In some pictures I can clearly see where my children get some of their looks, in others I wonder if they look like me at all. What do you think?

(Gotta love 80's hair...and the fro is priceless.)

Before and After

2011-04-16T17:23:00.000-04:00

I had an opportunity to clean my home without kids yesterday for about an hour, so right before all 3 kidos came in the door I took a picture of what my house looked like before they got home.

....and this was literally 20 minutes after they got home.

*sigh*

It has begun!

2011-04-14T11:55:00.000-04:00

Our house is started! This is the frame work for the foundation which will be poured today. I'm standing on what will be the sidewalk in front of our house. In this picture you can see the frame for the driveway to the left, and directly in front of me will be our porch and front door.

This angle is taken from the very back corner of our back yard looking at the back of the house. I can't wait for the frame work to go up! That little square off the back end is going to be my screened in porch, and I'm sure it will be one of my favoriate places to be within my home.

More details to follow soon...

Lunch date

2011-04-13T16:01:00.000-04:00

Today, the weather was a perfect 73 degrees so lil'man and I decided to go to my DH's (short for Dear Husbands) work to have a lunch date with Dad. This little park is right outside his office - there was no editing done to these pictures - it really is that beautiful here! lil'man is on the bridge, you can just see his blond hair along the railing.

I'm glad I got this picture, it shows a few important things in my life right now. My DH is always so involved with our kids, he is the Dad every kid wants to have. My son - who is the keeper of my time at the moment. Little boys are so much fun. Last but not least, the monster truck. I don't go anywhere without one. I don't even leave the house without checking my purse for a few hot wheels and at least one monster truck. The bigger, louder, and scarier the better.

My lil'man looks so much like his Dad here, and he almost looks like a man with how he is looking at me. I love the shirt he is wearing - I try to get him to wear it anytime it is clean. It's hard to get him to agree to wear it because it has a heart on it - but I'm sly. :)

lil'man was thinking about crossing alone.... but then he saw his Dad...

...and they crossed together.

Here I am

2011-04-11T20:52:00.000-04:00

I am a controversial person; a lot of what I do a lot of people I know don’t agree with or understand. My simple explanation is that I am who I am, for myself. I make my decisions based on what feels right for me, and what feels right inside. More of less I just follow my gut. This blog is a look into me, and what I feel. It’s not meant to offend or hurt anyone in any way. I completely understand that what I do isn’t what others do, and I can respect and accept anyone for who they are and all I ask for in return is the same for me. This blog is becoming an outlet for me – and at the same time I’m allowing anyone who reads it a glimpse inside my heart. It’s not worth keeping this blog if I can’t share my true thoughts…. So here I am.

My little Linus

2011-04-10T10:29:00.000-04:00

Buggy

2011-04-08T15:27:00.000-04:00

My (not such a) baby girl

2011-04-03T20:15:00.001-04:00

This weekend as I took these pictures of my lil'bit I saw her as the young woman she was becoming, and for the first time, I didn't see her as the baby she once was. My heart hurt, and was full of joy at the same time. I love to watch her grow, but I wish she wouldn't grow so fast.

Nothing about lil'bit is guarded, so you always know that she is 100% genuine in her behavior, and with her words. She loves easily, and she always loves with her whole heart. She is outgoing and spunky, but tender. Her imagination is something I marvel, and her tender heart makes me want to be better. I very much look forward to who she will be when she gets older, because she is a rare gem.

How lucky I am that she is mine.

New digs

2011-03-30T12:44:00.000-04:00

This plot of land is where my husband and I are building our new home. Our backyard will back up to a tree preserve, and we are less than a mile from the lake. I don't think it's possible for me to be more excited about this house.

Stay tuned for more details...

I workout my issues

2011-03-28T23:01:00.000-04:00

Life is crazy. Some days I wonder if I can handle it, and those are the days that I go to the gym. I go there quite a bit, and while I'm running, lifting or squatting I think of the daily crap. Everyone has it right? It might be a neighbor that you don't get along with or a speeding demon who cuts you off and almost nicks your car. It might be heart break - or just daily stress, but I always feel better when I can release it at the gym. My issues, whatever they might be at the time are what drive me to work out like I do.

To anyone who has ever hurt me, been rude to me, or has just been down right mean... This squat is for you.

She's got Talent!

2011-03-26T12:19:00.000-04:00

My oldest tried out for and got to perform in her school talent show! There are several reasons why this is exciting. First, she hasn't had a piano lesson since we moved and she taught herself the song she played. (My Country Tis of Thee). Second, they only picked 6 acts from each grade level to participate and there are about 1,200 kids in her school. Just getting to perform was a privilege!

The biggest reason of all was that lil'miss overcame her fears and performed in front of an audience! She is so shy - so this was huge for her!

Although the talent show was pretty good, Lil'man was less than thrilled with of some of the acts...

Love

2011-03-22T15:41:00.000-04:00

My Mom is engaged. She met a great guy after we moved from California, and I honestly think they are blessed to have found each other. It has made me realize two things:

1. You are never too old to start over.
2. Love conquers all

I have a favorite song by The Beatles 'All you need is love', and I don't think it has ever rang as true in my life as it has in the last few years. As corny as it sounds, love is one powerful emotion. It has started wars, it causes serious stupidity, people die for it, and it heals everything.

I am grateful for all the love in my life, past and present. I'm going to go ahead and cross one off my bucket list. I was able to watch two people fall in love. Congratulations to my Mom and Norm.

Family snuggles

2011-03-17T17:25:00.000-04:00

I am a big believer in touch. I try to hug and snuggle with my kids daily. Every Saturday or Sunday morning the kids jump into bed with us and we have family snuggles. (which usually turns into a wrestling match....and then it's my cue to get up...) I think that grabbing my daughter when I've offended her and hugging her is so much more powerful than talking to her and trying to get her to understand me. I feel like family snuggles speaks louder of my and my husbands feelings for our family more than any thing else could.

My Mom took this the other night while we were all watching a movie. It's one of those rare photos where we are not dressed up, we are not posing for the camera, it's just us doing what we do.

My Mom

2011-03-16T16:47:00.000-04:00

On October 19th 2009 my Step Dad of 17 years died suddenly of a heart attack. It just so happened that when my Mom called me to tell me of his passing I was getting a cast on my foot from rupturing a tendon and tearing a ligament in my ankle, so I didn’t answer my phone. (She called within seconds of this picture being taken) I figured I would just call her when I got home, since we spoke daily anyway.

On the drive home my brother called me 4 times in a row. I literally answered the phone with ‘Dude! Why are you calling me like this?! Did someone die?!!’ His three words sent me into an out of body experience. “Yes, Dad’s dead!” He had to say it to me 5 more times before I believed him. I will never forget that.

Within 24 hours I was at my Mother’s side in northern California planning my Dad’s funeral at 28 years old. In the next week I became aware of what lay ahead for my Mother. Without his life insurance and without him to do the plumbing for their plumbing business, she was broke. It was the biggest blessing in disguise.

Over the weeks after my Dad’s death we sold everything in her house that wasn’t nailed down. The dining set that we gathered around as a family – sold. The bedroom set that they we so proud to own – sold. His tools, his clothes, and their dishes all sold. Everything that wasn’t of great sentimental value was sold. It put so much in perspective. The last night we were in the house with my Mom we sat on the floor eating off paper plates but so grateful to be there with each other. At the end of the day – that’s all that mattered.

The computer was hardly turned on. Our friends took a back seat. The DVR was filled with unwatched shows. We cut out the noise. There was far too much of it in our lives.

My Mom ended up packing what was left of her belongings and putting them in a 5'x7’ storage unit. She lost her house, her car, and most of the furniture she and my Dad had acquired throughout their marriage. She then moved in with me. I didn’t have much to offer her - my husband and I lived in a 3 bedroom 1500 sqft condo with our 3 children. I had no available bedrooms, but I was more than willing to share with her what I had, because she didn’t realize that I needed her just as much as she needed me.

When my Mom moved in with me, my husband and I had just separated for 7 weeks. I felt like I was grasping at straws to cling onto something for my family. My Mom tenderly put herself in the middle of that storm and helped my Husband and I get through it without judgments. It was the most difficult time of my life, and she was there every step of the way. We supported her financially, but she supported us emotionally.

For the next year my Mom slept on my sofa. If you took the pillows off it was as big as a twin bed, so it was better than most sofas for that reason. We bought her a wardrobe and put it in the garage so she had closet space to hang her clothes, and we put a dresser for her in my girls’ room. She helped to watch our three children every week for 9 months so we could attend marriage counseling, she was there when I had my ankle sugary, and when I needed grueling physical therapy. She helped clean my house every time we had people over, she always did the dishes when I made dinner, and she became my best friend. I will forever be thankful that I was given a rare opportunity to have her in my home. I honestly believe that my family and I are better for it.

So, I’ll say some simple yet meaningful words:

Thank you, Mom

The party

2011-03-12T19:54:00.000-05:00

No birthday is complete without a party to celebrate. It was a yellow and pink extravaganza with a magical theme.

The cake and presents table. (Yes, I made the cake myself.)

We had a castle jump house, and I highly recommend it! The kids were completely entertained while the adults hung out and talked.

We broke a pinata....
...opened presents...

...and then we sang happy birthday and blew out the candles.

It was a great day!

6 years old!

2011-03-11T07:25:00.000-05:00

My lil'bit is 6 years old today! It really does seem like yesterday that she was only a few months old. Let's take a look at her over the years.

Today before she left from school she opened her present from her older Sister.

On her 5th birthday blowing out the candles on her cake

She's 4!

On her 3rd birthday with a friend

2 years old

A year old - I wanted to show a picture of how I remember her as a baby, and this is it. She was always getting into something, and she was always smiling.

3 months old...so much chub!

She is a week old here. Isn't she a beauty?

Never too old...

2011-03-10T16:47:00.000-05:00

I love playing with my kids. There is something about getting out and interacting with them on their level that brings me so much joy. They laugh, they smile, and it's care-free fun. My only problem is that half of the time we are playing with their razor scooters, and I don't have one. On top of that, when I do ride on one of theirs, it's a tad too small for me.

I just found this today:

Oh yea. That's an adult sized razor scooter. Let the races begin! My kids are going down...

I am a shoe addict.

2011-03-09T21:33:00.000-05:00

I am not a materialistic person, but I have a weakness for shoes. They are the one piece of clothing that I will never grow out of, and that I can wear several days in a row without getting weird looks from neighbors and friends.

A few months ago, I came across these beauties.

I have been dancing around the subject of purchasing them and yesterday my husband finally asked why I needed to have them so badly. I simply replied "Because I have a sheer inability to continue life without them." He laughed and said he just couldn't argue with that.

Every woman with my addiction completely understands. :)

Bucket List

2011-03-08T18:25:00.000-05:00

Here are the things I'd like to do before I kick the bucket.

I want to travel to:

Italy

Hawaii

Fuji

Africa

Bahamas

Spain

Australia

Tokyo

Egypt

Paris

Dublin

Cabo

Jerusalem

I want to ride an elephant, pet a tiger, and have a family dog. I want to go snowboarding and not fall on my butt when I'm flying down hill. I want to have the courage to be bald. I want to swim in all 5 oceans and I want to go fly fishing, and catch a fish. I want to be able to run a marathon and not finish last. I want to write a book (whether it's published or not) and I'd like to see how I'd look blonde. I want to make an ordinary woman feel beautiful and I want to watch someone fall in love. I want to get my nursing degree. I want to build a poor family a house, and I'd like to be on TV. I want to smell the Sistine chapel and see an original Monet and Picasso. I want to learn how to play the guitar. I want have a surprise party - and really be surprised. I want to be so happy that I can't stop crying, and some day I want to hear the words "I'm so glad you are my Mom."

I might have a problem...

2011-03-07T22:26:00.000-05:00

I ate a whole box of these in a single day, and surprisingly I'm not ashamed by that.

Luckily they are only sold once a year.

Our big move

2011-03-02T15:20:00.000-05:00

So we moved a few months ago. My husbands company came and packed our little house in OC, California and moved us across the country to the Carolina's. He got a great opportunity, and it was too good to pass up so we took a chance and re located. To be honest I was worried. I was worried that I was moving to a hodunk town that I wouldn't fit into. I was worried about leaving the only place I had known, and the only place my husband and children had known. I was worried about the weather, and I was worried about the affect that moving across the country would have on my family.

It's been awesome.

The weather is perfect. The Carolina's has the perfect amount of snow - as soon as you're tired of it, the snow is gone. The most it snowed here was 3 inches, and we grabbed our boogie boards and went California sledding. That's right.

It's nice to have seasons. Spring arrived last week, and with it comes some breathtaking scenery. I never knew the south was so beautiful, and better yet it's full of rich history. I just learned that I live about 3 hours from Fort Moultrie, and there are plantations and museums within 30 minutes which would give us a real look into our Nations history.

I live in a very new area on the NC/SC border, and it's just as nice as the part of OC that I lived in. A big bonus is that what people consider traffic here is not even close to the traffic in OC. Not even close.

People are nicer here.

Really.

It's refreshing.

The school system is better than the school system we came from, by a long shot. The cost of living is literally a fraction of what is was in Cali, so we went from being house poor to being petty stable. That brings some serious peace of mind. Where I live is literally the best kept secret in the nation.

Sometimes...change is a great thing.

Adele

2011-02-28T14:15:00.000-05:00

I recently discovered this song and it has quickly become my favorite song to play on my ipod. The best line in the whole song is: 'Don't underestimate the things that I would do.'

I could listen to this song over and over.

Never say never...

2011-02-15T17:51:00.000-05:00

I miss blogging.

Expect to see some post on here soon.

That's all folks!

2010-03-24T11:20:00.001-04:00

I've been a struggling blogger for some time and I think it's time for the struggle to end. Facebook has replaced blogging for me, and I don't see the point in doing both. (not to mention I don't think anyone ever reads my blog anymore) I have a lot of friends and family who are connected to me on facebook so although it's been a fun ride, I will not be posting to my blog anymore. Facebook is easier for me to post on, and I know there are a lot more people connected to it. If you want to see what the Dickson family is up to - just look at my facebook page.

Creative

2010-03-23T16:37:00.000-04:00

Lately I've had a creative bug in me. I made my family a book from blurb.com (my form of scrapbooking. Every year I put pictures from the year before into a picture book and have it printed and sent to me. It's really cool because I can reprint the books without all the work if kids happen to ruin a book, and It cost so much less than actual scrapbooking. Yay!)

I made this blanket:

Next week I start physical therapy so we'll see what I do while I'm in the middle of that. I'm thinking something with spray paint... :)

I can do this...

2010-03-19T16:31:00.000-04:00

I love these...

I love the look of these signs, I love the message, I hate the price.

I'm going to make them myself.

JR and Casey through the years

2010-02-21T19:44:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox free slideshow design

8 years...

2009-11-11T11:03:00.001-05:00

8 years

7 years

6 years

5 years

4 years

3 years

2 years
1 year

Brand New

Yay

2009-11-10T10:53:00.001-05:00

My best friend

2009-11-05T12:27:00.000-05:00

Last night Mackenzie and I are making invitations for her birthday party next Friday. My little girl is turning 8! As we are sitting there, she grabs my iphone and puts on some music. We both start singing the songs that come on, and we are talking about our days, and what we want to do. We talked about life, and love and we laughed. She got us some snacks and drinks, and I worked hard to make the invitation she wanted, with her helping at every turn. (there is glitter on there, I'm not sure if you can see it) Last night it dawned on me. She isn't just my daughter, she is my best friend. How lucky am I?

More silly string

2009-11-02T11:48:00.000-05:00

2009-11-02T11:17:00.000-05:00

Kaylaism

2009-09-28T20:50:00.000-04:00

"Ethan hurts my ears!"

Future hunk.

2009-09-24T12:14:00.000-04:00

You cant egg people

2009-09-15T14:02:00.000-04:00

This might be long, but it's funny in a way, and it's a true story. I was not going to share it because I wanted to keep my repuation for not being confrontational. Apparently...I already had that repuation.

In July of this year I went to the store for 3 things. Milk, eggs and bread. 3 basic needs that we were out of. I did my shopping at my local Vons store. Vons has a habit of hiring people who are disabled either mentally or physically. I think this is great, and have always been supportive. With that said, picture me leaving the store with my 3 items. Upon entering the parking lot, I see a man who is about 45 and clearly mentally disable trying to round up the shopping carts. Two teenage kids are picking on him. they are taking his hat, riping the shopping carts out of his hand, and just being real jerks. When I saw this, I yelled at them...'Hey Stop!!' They turned and saw me, and simply said some things that I wont repeat on my blog.

Well....I had some eggs in my shopping bag, so I threw one at them, and I missed. They saw this and turned to me. I think they started to yell, so I threw another egg at them. This time I hit one right in the chest. the third egg I threw hit the second guy on his pants, but a good part of it hit his shirt. Before I could get the 4th on off, I was stopped by the store manager and pulled inside.

I was MAD that they had their disabled employee out and defenless. I was yelling at the manager that it was his responsibility to ensure that his workers had a safe enviorment to work in. (i think he was saying something about the fact that I couldnt egg people...)

I ended up having to call JR and tell him. He started laughing so hard he couldnt talk. In the end, they took my name and phone number and gave me a new carton of eggs.

I still shop there...

Park fun

2009-09-12T12:57:00.000-04:00

Kaylaism

2009-09-01T21:56:00.001-04:00

"I dont need to learn nothing."

He walks!

2009-08-31T17:08:00.000-04:00

My brothers wedding

2009-08-16T12:26:00.000-04:00

I'm not dead...I've just been planning a wedding. (Yes, I planned it. (I helped pick out invitations, stuffed them, and mailed them. I made the momentos, I picked the spot for the wedding, and designed the hall. I must REALLY love my little brother)

It was a beautiful wedding, and it was a ton of fun. Perfect. :)

The Bride and Groom

Flower girls

The most handsome man in the wedding...

Groomsmen

The bridal party minus one flower girl.

Bridesmaids

Me and my honey

Our family

They were done

Mackenzie's splash

2009-07-28T12:37:00.000-04:00

She just cant help it.

2009-07-21T18:53:00.001-04:00

It's not her fault that she got the creative gene.

P.S. Kayla is crying like that because I gasped....I didnt even get a chance to yell.

What a year.

2009-07-19T13:23:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday on the 11th my son turned a year old. (Yes, it has taken me a week to post this) I cannot believe it has been a year already!

Last year at this time, this was my son. This picture was taken right after his first hair cut. I could already tell he was going to have lighter hair than his Sisters.

A year later, he wasted no time getting into his cake.

Cheese!

He was in cake heaven

Love that face!

Happy Birthday Ethan. You have added so much joy to our family, and so much love to our home.

Kayla's dance

2009-07-09T02:01:00.000-04:00

This is how you're supposed to dance...

Now dance with me Mommy!

...and this is just for your viewing pleasure. :)

I love this girl.

2009-07-06T12:39:00.000-04:00

Dear Orange County Shoppers,

2009-07-02T21:29:00.000-04:00

I do not consider it polite when my children and I are crossing the street to get to a store for you to speed up to avoid waiting for us. The lives of my children are worth your wait. I refuse to apologize for their presence, or my asking at the top of my lungs for you to look and stop.

If I am pushing my stroller slower than you want to walk I have no problem with you going around me. I only have a problem when you cut in front of me and then give me a dirty look when I knick your heel because I couldn’t stop fast enough.

I do not think the noise of my daughter playing with my son is bad. It’s a happy noise, and it’s not all that loud. In the future if you wish to 'hush' my daughter, you'll know that I don’t approve. I do not appreciate anyone approaching my children, least of all cranky, ill mannered, and rude old women. My children have just as much a right to be in a toy store no less as you do. I will not apologize for interrupting you while you were being rude to them. I feel I had every right to do so, and every right for making you feel 'stressed' as you called it.

I'm just a Mom doing what needs to be done for her family. My family isn’t a burden on anyone, least of all you. Try to be pleasant.

Sincerely,

Casey

San Francisco!

2009-06-29T14:19:00.000-04:00

Our summer vacation this year was up to see my Mom in San Francisco! We took so many pictures that I broke them up into diffrent post. These pictures were taken by my Mom the day we left. Its a rare thing...me with my curly hair.

Golden Gate Bridge

2009-06-29T14:01:00.000-04:00

Standing in the San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate in the backround

Driving across.

Yea, I might be a dork for taking this, but I thought it was rad!

Kenzie as we were driving across. You can see the bridge in the back window.

Just on the other side.

I know we are a little blurry, but its the only one I have of the 3 of us in front of the bridge.

Painted ladies.

2009-06-29T13:40:00.000-04:00

Do any of you remember that show 'Full House' Well in the opening credits, there is a scene of the family having a picnic here, at this park in front of the painted ladies. (Thats what they call the houses behind me.) Well, I found that park. Watch the opening credits here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_Tv5f3agDw

There was a beautiful fountian in this park

This is why I love this man so much.... he loves our kids.

Alactraz

2009-06-29T13:15:00.000-04:00

We went to Alactraz!

On the ferry over to the island. No I'm not posing...I'm holding my hair back.

In front of one of the many jail cells

inside solitary confinement. It was CREEPY in there.

I know my eyes are closed but this is the only picture I have with us looking through the bars.

Just outside the jail is the great view of the city. Again....holding my hair

JR and his girl.

Sitting in a jail cell. They were so small. 5 ft by 7ft.

You really get a feel for how small it is in there with JR inside.

on the toilet. lol

The view from the island.

Slip-n-slide

2009-06-28T12:50:00.000-04:00

Someone left their snack within reach...

2009-06-22T02:28:00.001-04:00

let the fun begin...

2009-06-19T21:32:00.000-04:00

I <3 summer. I love the smells of sunblock, sea water, and bonfires. I love the relaxing time I get to spend playing with my kids. I no that we dont have a schedule. Here is our first trip to the beach for our celebration of summer.

My Sister in law Ashley with her youngest. I used to call Ethan a toe-head....and then I saw Chase.

Those blue eyes...

Our favoriate treat.

We had a ton of fun! Who wants to do it again with us??

Kaylaism

2009-06-16T23:10:00.000-04:00

"Happy Fathers Day Mommy!"

Playhouse

2009-06-09T17:00:00.001-04:00

It came in pieces like this, and no bigger than this. There was so many, many pieces.
This is what JR and I did for about 2 whole days.
....and of course we had helpers.
The end result.
Complete with a model.

I honestly cant wait...

2009-06-01T15:28:00.000-04:00

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD

Dear Mackenzie,

2009-05-27T20:02:00.001-04:00

I hope you have a child just like you.

I mean that in every way possible. I want you to experience what I get to experience when I can watch you, teach you, talk with you, play with you, and admire you. I want you to have a little girl who is equally as talented, beautiful and stubborn as you are. I want you to stare in awe when you look at her. I want you to bite your tongue when she does her own hair for the first time. I want you to sit on your hands when she is determined to 'do it herself.'

I want to watch you struggle for the right words when she argues, demands, and disobeys.

I want you to feel the need to protect her, at any cost. I want you to know what guilt feels like. I want you to stay up at night and worry, and worry, and worry.

I want you to know what it feels like to be just as disappointed as she is when you see her try so hard, only to try again. I want you to know what it means to be the loudest cheerleader, and the biggest fan. I want you to know pure joy at her smile, and I want you to know heartbreak at her sorrow. I want you to know love.

I want you to have a child just like you, to know what it feels like when someone in your life hangs the moon.

Kayla's song

2009-05-22T20:16:00.001-04:00

Kayla came and shared her special song that she came up with all by herself.

'I wont get in trouble,
Cause I wont make a mess!
Mommy and Daddy be happy
cause Kayla is the best.'

She is 4 people....

Kaylaism

2009-05-22T14:56:00.000-04:00

"We should all be like big round balls. Then no one's feet would hurt, cause we could roll everywhere."

I can be Thankful

2009-05-07T17:51:00.000-04:00

I feel like I've been complaining too much lately. It's really bummed me out. Here are five small reasons why I'm thankful.

-I'm thankful for dish-washing Father inlaws. (Alan came over when he heard I cut myself to doctor me up. It happened to be the week we were all sick with the swine flu. I cannot comfirm or deny if it is in fact the swine flu yet...but either way we were all sick, and the school won't let the girls back.)

-I'm thankful for my hands. (You never know how much you need and use your hands and fingers until you hurt them)

-I'm thankful for Motrin. (For me and my children this week)

-I'm thankful for the internet. (It kept me from going crazy!)

-I'm thankful for concerned home teachers. The Snyders rock.

Happy Birthday JR

2009-04-23T00:42:00.000-04:00

This year JR and I decided we would celebrate our birthdays as a family, instead of with just each other. For my birthday we went out for breakfast at Ihop and then went to Jumpin-Jammin. This year to celebrate JR's 33rd birthday we took our girls to Disneyland.

My dear Mother in law was nice enough to keep Ethan for us (ALL DAY I might add) and we headed off. Nothing seems to beat Space Mountian with only a 5 minute wait...we had a blast. (I wish I could have gotten a picture of Kayla on Space Mountian, but it was too dark. She loved it!)

Our girls

In line

Kayla and I on the Matterhorn

In toon town

Tea cups

I know its blurry, but I stood in line for 45 minutes so Kayla could her her favoriate icon...

Mackenzie in the Minnie Mouse house

JR and Kayla on Roger Rabbit

On the way home Mackenzie was too pumped full of sugar to fall asleep.

It didnt matter how much sugar Kayla had.

Easter

2009-04-14T15:24:00.001-04:00

It's been too long since my last post. I promise I won't do that again. The last few months have been crazy, but I don't think there is a time in my life where I'm not crazy. We had a great Easter, and I can't believe that another school year is almost over. Here are the pictures I took, I know that my sister and my Father in law took even better ones, so I hope to post those soon.

Easter Morning, right before the hunt.
You all remember that baby I had 9 months ago right? This is him.

Look at that smirk.

My girls with their cousions.

My 3 beauties.

I'm an expert

2009-02-09T11:07:00.000-05:00

I was having a conversation with a woman in my neighorhood last week, and she just couldn't understand how I could be a stay at home Mom. Of course I got the comments 'What do you do all day?' and 'Aren't you just bored?' Normally I just ignore these, and make an excuse to leave. However, she then asked me something I've never been asked before. She said 'I thought you had dreams and goals. Didn't you want a career? Become an expert in something?' That made me think.

Now here is a warning. I'm normally a nice person. I really am....but....there are a few times where I just need to say something not so nice...this may have been one of those times. I said 'I am an expert. I'm an expert Mother. I'm an expert diaper changer, tear wiper, face cleaner, boo-boo kisser, and hug giver. I can enrich the lives of those I love (yes I really said that...!!) and when you are old and retired from your great carreer, you will be alone. While I will be surronded with my expert skills.' (can't say I didn't warn you)

So all of you other Mom's out there need to consider yourselves experts.

I made this.

2009-01-28T13:28:00.001-05:00

Mom's don't count

2009-01-27T15:08:00.001-05:00

I went out to my garage the other day to find Mackenzie and two of her friends from the neighborhood there debating. (As most of you know there is a play room in my garage and it draws most of the neighborhood to it.)

With her hands on her hips Mackenzie is saying 'Oh yea well I'm starving because I haven't eaten since lunch time!'

Friend number 1: 'Oh yea well I'm starving because I haven't eaten since breakfast!' (I'm sure this is untrue)

I cleared my throat and they stopped and looked at me. I smiled and said 'Well I haven't eaten since yesterday.' This was true, not that I wanted to go without food, it is just that I really didn't think about it.

They all sat there staring at me. Astonished that someone could go that long without eating. Before long friend number 2 crossed her arms and said 'Well Mom's don't count!' and they went back to their debating.

*sigh*

Birthday

2009-01-20T22:38:00.000-05:00

I honestly have the worlds BEST friends. They threw me a black and white birthday party! (These are only a few of them, I hope to have the rest of the pictures up here soon so you can all see them!) I got to hang out and play games ( my favoriate activity!) and eat food (another favotiate!) They also made me a homemade funfetti cake. Homemade as in SCRATCH! It was the best tasteing cake I have ever eaten. (My butt is proof of that....)

Me and my favoriate girls.

Our true personalities.

I cant wait for this cake...

Who dosent like birthday cake?

All of this....just for me. You guys ROCK.

I saw this...

2009-01-15T19:12:00.000-05:00

and it just helped me today. I love poems.

The Master’s Loom

Man’s life is laid in the loom of time to a pattern he does not see,

while the weavers work and the shuttles fly till the dawn of eternity.

Some shuttles are filled with silver threads and some with threads of gold,

while often but the darker hues are all that they may hold.

But the weaver watches with skillful eye each shuttle fly to and fro,

and sees the pattern so deftly wrought as the loom moves sure and slow.

God surely planned the pattern; each thread, the dark and fair,

is chosen by His master skill and placed in the web with care.

He only knows its beauty, and guides the shuttles which hold

the threads so unattractive, as well as the threads of gold.

Not till each loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly,

shall God reveal the pattern and explain the reason why.

The dark threads were as needful in the weaver’s skillful hand

as the threads of gold and silver for the pattern which He planned.

Unknown

I love....

2009-01-06T11:35:00.000-05:00

His chub. His blonde hair.
I love that he is a thumb sucker.

I love his smile.
Now if only you could hear his sweet laugh and smell his sweet smell.

Louisiana

2008-12-16T02:38:00.000-05:00

Soooo...I got to go to Louisiana ALL BY MYSELF! I have a really good friend that I have known for years out there...but I have NEVER been there. With a willing husband a pleading friend, I hopped a plane for a short weekend filled with fun!

We went mud riding on her 4 wheelers!

We are dirty from head to toe, but we had a blast!

My first time on a horse.

Riding bareback gave me a workout! Isnt this horse a beauty?

I have the most amazing husband in the world! He used 2 personal days from work and gave them to me so I could take a trip! He stayed home with ALL 3 KIDS! I'm telling you...NO ONE has it better than I do, J.R. is the best.

A new tradition

2008-12-10T10:44:00.000-05:00

Last year I had an ornament exchange with my friends, and had the BEST time. This year was no diffrent. It was at my home this year, and everyone outdid them selves on gifts. All we did was laugh, and I had a BLAST with them.

We are wearing aprons that Kristell made for us. She MADE them....*sigh*. I need some crafty talent.

So fun

2008-12-01T16:34:00.000-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

My other children

2008-11-26T12:08:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I've realized that most of my post lately were about Mackenzie. Just so you remember, I do have two other children who keep me very busy. I came across these pictures of when I had taken Kayla and Ethan to the park. JR got off work early, and Mackenzie was still in school. Ethan was only 8 weeks old, and it was the best day.

I just love this girl.

My little man. Can you get over those cheeks?

Swinging high. This is my favoriate thing to do with my kids at the park.

If only I would take time everyday in my life to appricate them like this. They really do grow up too fast.

Before and After

2008-11-24T15:41:00.001-05:00

Before

After