Not Fun To Post..... But definitely Noteworthy.

Okay, so my friends and family, wise advisers, and EVERYONE I consulted, have all informed me that this is ONLY A STAGE!  I am super paranoid about it though.  Grant is telling "little white lies".  Now, as normal of a "stage" as this may be, the approach to deterring this behavior at the Horne home is anything BUT!  So, many of you know that Grant really isn't bothered by spanking, taking away toys or games, or any of the traditional disciplinary measures.  So, when a friend of mine shared a technique that her friend used with her "strong willed boys", I had to implement it with Grant.  So, Grant has started having great behavior in class because he knew that if he "pulled a ticket" that he had to wear "church clothes" to school.  I told him if he looked nice, maybe he would "act" nice.  This has worked...... I thought......or maybe he just got good at making me THINK he was being good.....AKA "little white lies".  So, we WILL NOT DO THIS.... mainly because we won't have to.  But, don't tell Grant please. It has been a great tool in making him tell the WHOLE TRUTH!  Every time he tells a lie, we are going to cut a little of his hair (so he thinks).  This picture is enough of a reminder for him to make him think twice about lying to Scott and I.  Please don't judge unless you have had a "strong willed child" to raise and nurture and grow to be a successful, happy, Christian man.  That is our goal! We are giving it our best effort.  If he turns out ANYTHING but this, it IS NOT because Scott and I didn't try our hardest!

Moving on to "Little Miss Reagan".  She is super vocal about any and all that goes on in her presence.  When a little boy in her class walked in on Tuesday crying..... she stated "come ober here Cannon...sit by me."  The little boy looked up at his mother and said.... "I don't want to sit next to Raisin Corn."  The mother, teacher, and I started laughing so hard.  It is so funny to listen to them translate our world in their personal point of view.  Reagan said "HEY... that's not my name.... my name Way-gan."  We laughed more!  Off to work for me.... I wonder what I miss when I am at work.  I love these little monkeys!

Oh So Many Blessings!

Week-end review……. Again already!  So, as always, it was an exciting, fun-filled week-end.  We had several dance party sessions, a dress-up party, and lots of fun with family and friends.  The dress-up party included Little Bo Peep looking for her sheep, a Viking, and a dancing diva mermaid. Moving on to Sunday…. Wardrobe change, then to church… I made Scott take a picture of me with my babies.  I just want them to know I really was a part of the daily events because I AM NEVER IN A PICTURE! I really, really don’t like having my picture taken. 

Home from church, and we hit “GO MODE”.  We have to rush and get ready for lunch at my mom’s house.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME.  ALL in-laws, friends, anyone… we have a great time.  Reagan dressed herself to go to my mom’s.  She felt like a good wool jacket and panties were the perfect option.  I let her wear it (because of being in a rush) but did an additional wardrobe change once we arrived.

I put numerous pictures of everyone eating and having fun.  The kids rode the go-cart and dirt bike.  Reagan loved the swing (note the food on her face), and I love the look Grant gets (with his long growing  out hair) after riding the go-cart. 

Then there is a couple of family pictures with-out Jackie and Joel- Jackie was at the beach for a little bit for Jacob’s soccer tournament, and Joel was in Birmingham. 

Then we have the traditional baseball game…… and……. The dreaded SUPER SAD GOOD-BYES!  They are NEVER FUN!  Reagan cried as she told Uncle Jeff, Alyssa, and the dog- Alex good-bye.

I put a random picture of Colby on his tractor in to note that I am going to TRY to raise a son that can drive a tractor, change a tire, and fix things that may break or tear up.  Colby is an “old soul”.  He is just like the “good-ole boys”.  He can fix anything, and he will make a GREAT husband for a lucky girl one day.  I want Grant’s wife to feel safe in his care.  I think this is something that computers and technology is taking away from us these days.  I like a MAN who can fix things and who is confident. 

The last picture is of Reagan’s school nap mat.  She loves her nap mat.  If it is in her sight, it has to be either on her back (it is made like a back-pack that rolls out) or it is spread out on the floor with her little prissy tale on it.  In the kitchen, in the den, in the hallway…. Where ever she may need it to be.  She loves her ladybug nap mat.

I hope everyone had a wonderful week-end.  Happy Mother’s Day!

We went to Mother's house today to get some yard work done in preparation for everyone coming over to celebrate Mother's Day.  Most pictures are of the kids playing. Reagan is loving Uncle Jeff's dog "Alex"- I love how in photo 2 with the dog she is making her look at the camera.  Then you have Grant and MaryLynn riding the go-cart, Addison Mims (friend of ours) riding the lawnmower, and Will and Reagan riding the dirt bike.  They have so much fun at "Honey's House"!  In the first picture, I thought it was so funny that Reagan rushed to my bed before I got out of the shower, covered up with her necessities- her "juicie" and a green "loofa" from the bathtub.  Such a mess.  

I love MY LIFE!  As much as I wish I could press the "slow motion" button on everyday life, I love where life has lead me at this very moment.  Every age my children go through, I find myself  thinking, and sometimes saying..... " THIS is my favorite age." Mother's Day is such a special time.  I have THE BEST MOM EVER!  I have many goals in life such as:  I want to be a good wife, a good nurse, a good friend, a good sister, a good sister-in-law, a good aunt, a good friend, BUT MOST OF ALL..... I want to be a good MOTHER!  My ultimate goal is to have my children love me the way ALL 6 of my mother's children LOVE HER!  My mother has a heart of GOLD!  She is the most SELF-LESS person I have EVER met.  I remember her cooking and cleaning, being at our school ALL THE TIME, helping me with homework at the kitchen table, and ALWAYS feeling loved!  So, in closing........ I want to be JUST LIKE MY MOTHER WHEN I GROW UP!

Above you see the cute butterfly art that Reagan made for me.  Then, Grant made me a book and had a bag of blueberry muffins for "breakfast in bed".  Now, let me translate the personalized message from Grant above......

Dear Mom, 

You are the greatest mom ever.  You help me get my clothes on.  You read me bedtime stories.  You take me swimming. 

               Love, 

          Grant H. 

 ( there is another Grant in his class.  I love the huge period BETWEEN the "t" and "H" instead of behind the "H".)  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHER'S OUT THERE!

The Tooth Fairy "Pays" us a Visit

When the Tooth Fairy heard you lost a tooth
do you know what she did?
She made a map to visit you
'cause you're a special kid

First she got your home address
and checked her fairy map
Then she flew to your place
where she saw your brand new "gap"

Of course she took your worn out tooth
just like she's always done
but she's left you something nice instead
to help you have some fun

Author unknown

Yep! That's right everyone.  Grant received $5 from the tooth fairy.  Now off to the book fair at school to spend this money!

Dear Reagan.......

               Daughters are angels sent from above to fill our heart with unending love. – Unknown

There's this BOY........

There's this BOY...... Who stole my HEART......  He calls me MOM!

Two Channel TV

Grant wasn't too excited about the TV he got in his "new" room.  He got an older model.... that is huge.... but he was expecting a FLAT SCREEN.  Wow... Dream  BIG BOY!  But, when Scott came home from work, he asked Grant why he didn't stay in his room and watch TV today.  Grant quickly informed Scott that he had a " two channel TV".  He said that he wanted to watch channel 109 and it kept just doing channel 19.  We laughed so hard!!!!  These are the things that they will make fun of us for some day.  But, children get so much these days, we think they need to EARN items so they will appreciate them more.  It was a totally different story when we told Grant that he could use his money from his birthday to buy a TV.  He said that the one he had was fine because he could use his Wii to get Netflix.  That kind of changed things.  FUNNY!

Have a GOOD LONG CRY......WHY?

 I ran across this saying after having a rough week.  I feel super sentimental and somewhat sad this week.  I think with the combination of my oldest niece Alyssa graduating from Hoover High School on May 24th, Colby getting a new truck ( a symbol of him getting older and gradually slipping away.... a little bit), Mother's Day coming up on Sunday ( and we don't have Mrs. Horne here for the first time), and watching my babies grow like weeds right before my very eyes......... it has been a little rough lately.  I can't make anyone understand what I am about to write, but, it is difficult watching my husband be SO STRONG all the time.  I wish sometimes he would just break down and cry.  He holds it together so well for everyone else.  I know that this Mother's Day will be a difficult one for Scott.  Please make sure all of your loved ones know how you feel about them.  After losing Todd and Mrs. Horne, I NEVER hang up the phone with my family without telling them that  I love them.

And, another thing I want my children to know is that AFTER THEY GET MARRIED... and have children..... the ONLY EMOTION THEY WILL EVER FEEL MORE THAN LOVE (for their babies) IS GUILT!!!!  I fought that "guilty feeling" all day long today because I wasn't able to stay home with my sick babies.  I had 2 nurses out today and I knew that it wasn't an option for me to be off of work.  But...... I hope that I can be there for my babies if THEIR babies need me...... Like my mom was there for me today.  There is NOTHING LIKE THE LOVE OF A MOTHER!

A day with Honey.....

Well, I received a phone call Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 that Reagan wasn't feeling well. I got there to find  one pitiful little girl crying for her Mommy.  She still managed to smile at me when I got to her room.  She is my sunshine.  I sing that song to her at night to get her to sleep.  She was limp, running fever, and had tummy issues, but still managed to sing " You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.." I love that little voice.  With all that said.... my mom stayed home with Reagan (and Grant) today.  Grant just needed a little break.  He did complain with his stomach, so I decided to play it safe.  My mom is such an ANGEL!  My children love their "Honey".  I arrived home and brought a few UNnecessary items..... Reagan went to town opening everything she could get her hands on.  Grant showed me his loose tooth, THEN.... literally 5 minutes later, he was excited about the TOOTH FAIRY making a visit!  He is hilarious.  With the first tooth he lost, and with this one, he wants to brush them to make sure he gets as much money as possible from the tooth fairy.  I never even thought about that.  Pretty smart. Little does he know.......well, we will just leave it at that.  Grant is becoming quite the little reader now-a-days.