What is all that about?

Quick and random summary of the photos below.... I wanted to show that Grant made it on the football field for the first time on September 22, 2011. He was 6 years old. We waited until there was 1 minute left in the game. And, let me tell you people.... that was the longest 1 minute of my life. I was scared he was going to run on the field and tackle someone. I told him to go to Mr. Braxton Bell and NOT MOVE. He did, so we may go for 1 min 30 seconds this week. He eventually wants to run the ball out to the referee. I put some of his test scores on the blog. You can see the gray bar- that indicates "benchmark" or "meeting the set goal". Look closely, Grant's has arrows pointing up. He is off the chart! So proud of him.
Ms. Slaughter came home from Colorado. She brought Grant and Reagan both the neatest thing. It was a post card.... MADE OF CHOCOLATE! They loved it! Thanks Ms. Slaughter.
I took Grant and Reagan bowling. They are sooo sweet to eachother. Grant would bowl and Reagan would say "You did it!" I am so glad they are starting to be able to play together and enjoy eachother's company. I love how they hugged after EVERY bowl.
I realized who my twin brother's real twin was. It is the guy from "Knocked Up". I think that is the movie. I don't get to watch TV. Joel said this isn't photoshopped, he said they saw him in Vegas.....You can't tell if he is telling the truth though! I love him.
More pictures of Scott coaching are posted and a senior picture of my beautiful neice Alyssa..... I think that is it! I love a post with a bunch of pictures! I hope you all do as well. By the way, Grant gets his intelligence from his daddy. He is a coach, but he also taught high school chemistry! GENIUS!

Daily Life Lessons

Life is so tough! I know that everyone feels this way from time to time. I struggle daily with not having Scott around all the time. He spends countless hours at football practice and watching film. I sometimes wish that he could just have a regular 8-5 job like many of my friends' husbands do. BUT THEN COMES FRIDAY NIGHT!!!
I have to remind myself Monday-Thursday how I feel when I see him out there on the field coaching. I love my husband!!!! I know that sometimes I don't say it or show it.....(sorry)But I really do LOVE MY HUSBAND! He works hours and hours and is rewarded with parent complaints about their children's playing time OR lack of playing time.....complaints about this or that....but, he just keeps on going. He gives his team 150%. Then, he comes home, helps me do laundry, pack lunches, and iron clothes. So much goes on behind the scenes of daily life. And- that goes for everyone I'm sure!

Happy Birthday Mother

Tomorrow September 26th, my mom will have her 65th birthday. She doesn't read this blog, so she will never know that I posted her age! She looks great though, so she should be proud. Mr. Billy Rich made her birthday cake, and all of the kids bought her a new garage door opener. Jeff thought this would be a great gift with the cold weather right around the corner. We all went to Jay and Marcia's house Saturday night to celebrate. Mom just thought that we were going to watch the Auburn game. She is pretty easy to "pull one over on". We enjoyed swimming, food, and family. It was great to get everyone together. The party crew included..... Jeff and Alyssa, Jay,Marcia, Leah, JayAustin, and Jessi, Jody, Pam, Will, MaryLynn, Grandmother and Granddaddy, Scott, Janice, Grant, and Reagan, Jackie, Mark, Jake and Presley, Mrs.Carol, and Dr. Kinney. Joel, Alli, and Madeline couldn't make it because they were all sick. They actually spent Friday in the doctors office with awful sinus infections. We missed yall, and hope you all get to feeling better soon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!! I LOVE YOU SOOOOOO MUCH! Thanks for being the best mom, grandmother, and BEST FRIEND a girl could ever be blessed with! I don't know what I would do without you!

Family and Football

BIG win against Houston Academy

Skipperville has not won a game against Houston Academy since 2004! This was a BIG win. I told Scott to make sure that they won this one. I work with a teacher who coaches at Houston Academy. I guess I felt the pressure since I had been running my mouth all week! I told him that I did NOT want to do the "walk of shame" Monday morning. Thanks guys!!!! Final Score: 26-19 In overtime!!!!!!

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!

We are on a winning streak! Okay, I have to admit it~ I can be a little annoying at football games. I get OUT OF CONTROL! I know this about myself, so I make appropriate choices. These choices include....
1. Adequate supervision for my children- I always bring back-up because I know that I will not keep an eye on them as I should.
2. Proper Seating- well, there is no need for seating. I am on my feet the entire game. I yell, scream, and pace. I strategically pick my spot. Some requirements are that no one else is near me, I need space, and I do not want to be on camera- ANYWHERE! I know I would be ashamed of my behavior.
3. Proper Warning Signals/Signs to fellow fans. I warn anyone who comes near me that I may jump on them, scream, and possibly scare their young children. This past week, I did all of the above. I broke a friends sunglasses (Sorry T), and I hugged a stranger. His wife was cool though~ she has seen me at all the games and she knew it meant NOTHING! I am so proud of The GW Long Rebels!!!! The players have put their hearts into preparing for this football season. They are disciplined, prepared, and play smart! I guess the coach may deserve a little credit! These boys are tough! The small school means that they must play Defense and Offense. Good Job Boys! And, I am so excited that Scott works with such GREAT fellow coaches. He is blessed to have Coach Tisdale, Coach Long, Coach Kiger, and several others that assist him. They are great guys! And, thanks to their wives as well. They sacrifice right along with me to have a winning team. This means long hours away from their families. THANKS!

New Habits, Hobbies, and Hair-Do's

New Habits: Reagan is adament about wearing socks. She likes to style it up! When Scott goes out the door, for any reason, Reagan will say "Wait.....Don't leab me!" Then, she hurries over to the sock drawer, gets two socks, and makes a run for it. It is soooooo funny.
Hobbies: Grant is really in to riding his bike, jumping on the trampoline, playing his PS2(playstation), and FOOTBALL!!!! He loves football, and the cheerleaders that go along with it! Reagan is into her babies. She shows extreme favortism to her "CHEE CHEE". I don't know why she calls her monkey that, but, oddly enough, it is the same thing that Madeline calls the baby in her mommy's tummy..... Strange!
Hair-Do's: Well.....The picture says it all. That is one big mess in the morning! I'm glad that my "do" doesn't require much effort because it looks like Reagan's hair is going to be a little time consuming in the mornings. But, once we get it "tamed" she sure is a cutie pie!

Pizza Party

Nen-nee came to visit after we BEGGED her! I could tell when I talked to her on the phone that she was a little depressed. So, we arranged a "spur of the moment" pizza party. I think it really did her good. The kids love her so much. They colored, ate pizza, and then....... GRANT and REAGAN DANCED!!!! That got her sooooo tickled! They can cut a rug people. There is NO shame in their GAME!

Picture Details

So, below are a couple of pictures. Grant and Scott dressed alike for their first day of school together. And , boy do they look excited! I had to make them smile-and Scott was tickling Grant. The girl in the middle is Grant's teacher. She is so sweet. Her name is Jennifer Johnson. She was also Colby's teacher. We are excited to have her. She is a mother- which means she has patience and IT IS A BOY TOO! Big plus in our book!

First Day of First Grade and my HOT teacher

What is going through their little minds?

Today,I took Reagan to school and tried to think of a way to distract her while I rushed out. I can't stand to see her cry. So, I gave her the little monkey that Jeff and Alyssa gave her for her birthday and she took a little bottle, and I told her that her baby had to go to school.
Well, when we got there, I was so excited because Reagan was walking, opposed to the usual "VELCRO" that we usually experience. But, I couldn't help but laugh out loud when this happened....
Reagan walked to the door, threw the monkey in the class, and said "Don't CI" (long "I" sound). I thought well.... that must be how she feels. Need less to say, we ended up the same old way- Both of us crying. I did get a little laugh in though! I love my babies.
Grant has been very good! He loves his teacher. She is "HOT"- by his standards. She really is cute. But, there was one day this month that he got a sad face for not sitting in his seat quietly. He had gone 3 whole days with a "happy face". I told him it would be okay, because Mrs. Johnson told Scott that he cried ALL afternoon. So, we thought he was really sorry. Then, he said "So, momma, that means that I can get a sad face every 3 days".
WHAT GOES THROUGH THEIR LITTLE MINDS?

Sunshine on a "Cloudy" Day

Well~ Joel, Allison, and Madeline came to the funeral for Mrs. Horne and brought some "SUNSHINE" on a "CLOUDY" Day. What could it be? A new NIECE for me to love. I am so excited to have a little bundle of joy to hold and spoil. Thanks to Joel, Allison, Alyssa, and Jeff for making the long drive to Dothan for the funeral services. We love you all!

August 5th, 2011

Today we mourn the loss of Sandra Elaine Bolden Horne. She was so young- passing away at only 62 years old. Daughter, Wife, Mother, Mother-in-law, Nanna, and Friend. Mrs. Horne passed peacefully Monday morning at 1010am. Scott and I had spent all night and the early morning hours trying to get her fever down. Poppa was right by her side. Her fever spiked to 104.9 degrees. Even being a nurse, I WAS SCARED! At about 3:00am, we left her in Poppa's care with a "stable" temperature of 100. It give our entire family such a feeling of peace to care for Nanna in the last few days of her life. Scott, Alisa, myself, Poppa, and Granny cared for her night and day. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers, food and phone calls. Words cannot express the love and appreciation we feel towards each and every one of you.

Mrs. Horne Health Update on a Difficult Day

Today marks the 3rd year since Todd was tragically killed in a car accident. It is very ironic that Scott's mothers health is deteriorating so rapidly at this time of year. To give you a mental image of what is going on........ Of coarse Hospice remains in the picture. She is unable to eat anything, and has been unable to eat for about 2 weeks. She is very weak and isn't able to speak very well. Her days are pretty much centered around her sleeping because of the pain medication we are administering her. We are just trying to keep her as "pain free" as possible.
Please keep everyone in your prayers. Thanks to everyone for the calls, food, PRAYERS, and support.

OH..... Carolyn Horne(Scott's Aunt) asked what individuals could do to help. We are pretty good on food so........
We would love anyone who could to make a donation to "Pilots for Christ". They flew us to Houston free of charge. This trip would not have been possible without their help. Our pilot was Mr. Tommy Lee. We have a peace knowing that we did everything we could to get the BEST medical care available for Mrs. Horne- Thanks to Pilots for Christ.

Lollipop/Candy Shop

So, after much discussion, and careful planning, Reagan picked a "party theme". Now, I'm not much on character theme parties etc. so when Reagan told me "no Mommie" to Dora, Blue, WonderPets, I was somewhat excited. We did do a "candy shop" party. It turned out cute. But, the day of the party, Reagan insisted on a "puttle" cake. FYI "puttle" has two meanings in the "world of Reagan". It can be used to describe a turtle or a frog. So, I showed her several pictures and concluded that it was a TURTLE cake that she wanted. Talk about last minute. I made it myself with what I had at home. Not so bad! I'm sure she will make fun of it when she gets older. I can deal with it though!