2009~~Frost Family Year in Review

2009 in Review!
2009 came and went so fast, that honestly I think I blinked!! I must have missed most of it, if not all of it.

So I am going to review the year and what has went on in the Frost home.

January

January came in with a bang. There was nothing much happening this month, just looking forward to the next year and that Aleeyah was going to be in Kindergarten this year.

February

In Feb, Sam turned 30. I tried to devise something that was going to be really mean, but then remembered that later this year I was going to turn the same and retaliation stinks. I kept it on the down low just making him cake, buying him some gifts and that be that. I did not want to be mad on my birthday when he got revenge!! HA!

March

My dad and Jamie both have a birthday this month. So mom, Jana and myself decided to throw them a birthday party. We played the WII, and had cake and gifts. I ran and got all the decorations for them. Dad turned 50 and my little brother turned 28. We had the best time that night and it was good to have all the family together. On the 29th of March, is Bethanie Nichole's birthday. Hard to believe that she would be 10 this year. I took her a birthday balloon like I always do.

April
In April the tornado hit Mena. Sam seen the tornado out the front windows, as me and the girls hid in the closet. I was terrified that I was about to loose my family, my home!! Three people lost their lives that night, and many more lost their homes, their cars and more. I ventured out to check on some friends of mine and took some shots, which were featured on CNN that week.

May

Nothing really happened this month. That is very unusual

for the Frost home. We usually always have something going. We were getting our garden ready, and was beginning to plant some corn. We got some goats, one of which will be having babies in Nov/Dec of 09. We decided to take a mini-vacation and went to Lake Catherine in Hot Springs for a week. That was such a great week besides the fact we came home with the basset hound now known as Daisy Dukes!
June
By June, I was 57 pounds lighter and was so happy. For the first time in 12 years I was able to fit in a size 5-6 and that was an amazing feeling. Going from a 14-16 to that 5-6 was heaven, and I know that I will NOT go back to that old size ever again.

July

July was my mom's birthday. She was 49 this year and swears that is where she will stay. If she finds a way to stay there I will be upset, since 30 was coming in the later part of the year. We had a birthday party at mom's and dad's, and Jamie and I got mom a new patio set for her birthday. July, is always a hard month around the Frost home. Bethanie passed away on the 21st of the month. I knew what that day would bring, but this year, due to some really great friends, it was different. The Moore/Chesley family sent me flowers and truly made my day!!!

August
In August, we were busy! The first part of August was our anniversary. 12 years ago I married my best friend and I fall in love more and more everyday. The second week of August, my parents and us went to Branson, Missouri for vacation. We stayed a week in a cabin which was supposed to be by the lake. The only thing we were close to that had water in it was the ditch!! That WILL not happen again!! We had a great time, spending two days at Silver Dollar city and one day in Springfield, MO. I got to see Alicia and the girls, and can't wait to go back!!

September

My little girl turned 3. We were a month into home school, and Aleeyah is doing so well. I was gearing up to do Tiffany's wedding, and was busy trying to organize her pictures. Chilly weather was coming in so we got the house ready for winter, spending time cleaning out the stove pipe, and cutting firewood. Winter would be upon us soon

October

This was an interesting month, since it was the month that I turned 30! I dreaded this month for the last, let's see, thirty years!! I did not want to turn that old, just wanted to stay a teen-twenty something person forever. Sam and the girls gave me pots and pans, new cell phone, shopping spree, new jacket and so much more. They had a surprise party for me and I had such a good time! Also you could tell fall was outside, as the leaves had began to change.

November

I decided to re-paint my living room, dining room, hallway and kitchen. Sam despises painting. So when I told him that I was going to paint the house he frowned and quickly told me he was NOT going to help. Oh well, who needed him anyways? Thanksgiving was wonderful, spending time with both our families. The usual tradition of having thanksgiving at mom's and then at Sam's parents. While we were at mom's we tried to get some family pictures (didn't happen to well).

December

December is a month just like any other for us. We do not celebrate Christmas so there are no festivities going on this month. Yes, we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and believe that he was born. We just believe that the Book of Jeremiah explains to us that we are not to put up trees. Our girls are allowed to give gifts to others and receive gifts at the end of December not on the 25th. No, we are NOT Jehovah Witness either. We are Old Church of Christ. Yes, I celebrated Christmas when I was a child. Sam's family never did, and his two sisters do not celebrate to this day. It is hard to explain to those who don't understand our beliefs, but trust me, we do believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal savior!!

The next year shows to be just as busy and exciting with:

A 6 day camping trip to Branson

An addition to the garage and a new double car garage

Two more birthdays for my little angels

Aleeyah graduates from Kindergarten

Averrie begins preschool

I turn 31 (heaven help me)

We will be married 13 years!! I think it is time for a renewal of vows don't you?

Hopefully my photography will continue to grow and prosper.....

What a cute wallet~~

Lauren Nichole Gifts is having a give away!!!! Please go check her out and enter to win this wonderful wallet.....

Thanksgiving and more

It has been a while since I posted. Things have just been a little crazy around here. With Aleeyah's homeschool, that takes up so much of my time. The week before thanksgiving my dad was sick and diagnosed with Pleurisy. An infection around the lining of the lung. I was terrified, and worried to the point that I made myself sick. I have always been bothered by the fact that one day I will loose my parents, and can't stand to think about it. So enough about that haha.

Shortly after that I was hired to do many photo jobs. I was unsure if I could keep up with the demand, but made it work. My calendar was totally full, from the Marine ball, to a set of identical twin and Christmas pictures.

The twins that I did. They were gorgeous!!

The Marine ball was a hit just like last year and I just love those bunch of "young" men ha. I have already began booking into December and looks like I will be about as full!! Of course I can't ever get any good family photos of us, being so busy!!

HAHA....He was getting down! This is at the Marine Ball on November the 7th.

The girls before we headed to mom's for thanksgiving.

Then came thanksgiving! My favorite time of the year. We all gathered at my parent's house this year. I remember when I was a kid and all seven of my aunts and uncles on my mom's side would show up at Nanny Brook's, and we would all play outside and have loads of food. She would always draw names at the end of the day on which one of us would have to help clean up in the afternoon. I think the older girls was sneaking their names out of the box, since I was always the one to get the chore. This year, I helped cleaned up just like I always did then. I did get some good pictures of the girls and all the grand babies. They are all growing up and I just wish that time would slow down a little. Aleeyah and Averrie had their new pillow case dresses on and I LOVE them!!!! The price was awesome and they are adorable!

Today is a sad day around the Frost house. I have saved all of Bethanie's clothes and have always been unsure what I wanted to do with them. Well, I decided this wk and I will be making them into a quilt. I have a friend who has spoke up and told me she can do it for me. So today I have spent the day going through her things, and trying to wash everything. To see her clothes makes things all come back. It is hard cause you see things and a picture of her pops into your head with that outfit on. Even Sam wouldn't look at them. He wanted to remember, but just couldn't let his mind go to that area! I looked forward to having her quilt hanging at the end of my bed on the rack. To see her clothes daily. I haven't been able to do that in 9 1/2 years and it was time. To make a memento that I could keep close to me!! If I can just get through this day I will be doing good!

Prayers prayers prayers........

Okay you guys...I have a prayer request. My sister n law has a friend who is 25 wks pregnant. She went to find out what the baby was and Dr. R told her that he thought he seen something wrong with the baby boy named "C". She has not told her family, and has not told her husband or parents. For that reason I will only use her initials when I explain the urgent need for prayers. V- went today and the doctor preformed the special ultrasound, and broke the bad news to her and my sister in law. The baby "C" has Edwards Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 18. The prognosis for the baby will be 95% chance of death in utero, and if born the chances of survival through the first week of life is less than 50% chance. She is really upset and needs all the prayers in the world. Can you imagine what she is feeling right now, knowing that her child will not live in this world very long?

Did I come from a monkey?

I think NOT! Charles Darwin would love to argue with me on this subject, since in his own words I am also the lesser of the sexes! Men were worth much more, life wise to him! So what is this all about you may be asking. I wanted to re-evaluate the Darwin theory. I have NEVER believed it, but it is one reason I choose to home school my girls. Yes, you can teach the kids at home that it is NOT the truth, but that is a moral battle they should not have to face. I cannot save them from college, but choose to try to teach them correctly before then. I don't want my children to believe that we evolved from an ape, or a bowl of soupy mixture. Or worse that there is "no" creator, but that nothing created everything. Those teachings are the basis of atheism, which is not what I want for my girls. I chose in school to ignore the teachings of Darwin, and pray that my children do to. I would love to share some of Darwin's theories, in case you have not read the book he wrote "Origins of species".

Charles Darwin

Origin of Species

The eyes of moles and of some burrowing rodents are rudimentary in size, and in some cases are quite covered up by skin and fur. This state of the eyes is probably due to gradual reduction from disuse, but aided perhaps by natural selection. In south America, a burrowing rodent, the tuco-tuco, or Ctenomys, is even more subterranean in its habits than the mole; and I was assured by a Spaniard, who had often caught them, that they were frequently blind; one which I kept alive was certainly in this condition, the cause, as appeared on dissection, having been inflammation of the nictitating membrane. As frequent inflammation of the eyes must be injurious to any animal, and as eyes are certainly not indispensable to animals with subterranean habits, a reduction in their size with the adhesion of the eyelids and growth of fur over them, might in such case be an advantage; and if so, natural selection would constantly aid the effects of disuse.

Wow, so God didn't make them blind, they are blind because they didn't use their eyes enough? Natural selection changed their eyes for them!

Darwin goes on to say about women...

"The chief distinction in the intellectual powers of the two sexes is shown by man's attaining to a higher eminence, in whatever he takes up, than can woman-whether requiring deep thought, reason, or imagination, or merely the use of the senses, and hands.....men are capable of a decided pre-eminence over women in many subjects, the average of mental power in man must be above that of a woman." Darwin- Origin of Species

I am lost on what to say to this! They are teaching this to our children. As science!!! You guys it is time to take a stand and teach of a creator!! To teach them that they were "designed" by a loving GOD!! One who created them in his own image, and breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils. Then he allowed the man to name each animal, and put the man to sleep so that he could make him a hand meet. Some one to help him in loving and taking care of the animals in the garden. Satan got Eve to sin by using the serpent. He is also teaching false doctrines through a man by the name of Charles Darwin, and by the name of Evolution!!

I just wonder why, if we, evolved from monkeys...then why aren't we still evolving? I don't see men who start as monkeys and work their way's up the ladder to human. Where are the fossils? Where is the evidence? I mean show me something!! The Archaeoraptor was the first to come out. A man in china, said he found a bird that had "evolved" and was part dinosaur and bird. It was later found that the man glued many fossils together!

Then there was the Pakicetus, which was drawn by Phil Gingerich (all in introduction to Origin of Species). He drew a creature that had evolved from land mammals to whales. WOW, all that from two pieces of skull!!!

As Ray Comfort states in intro:

"Besides, many of God's creatures have similar hearing. The eyes of many of God's creatures are very similar. Pigs have skin that is incredibly close to human skin-- closer than primates. We both have noses, ears, eyes, liver, kidneys, lungs, brains, teeth, and lungs. Did man evolve from the pig, rather than the primate? it would seem so if we are going to be consistent with the evolutionist's logic. The pig and man have many features in common."

So I am going to continue to read this RUBBISH!!! I am sure I will come and rant soon about the things that I have found with in this book of Satan's handy work!!!! Please check out Ray Comfort

as he continues to work for the Lord our God!!

Give me.. Give me.. Give me..

Here is a giveaway that Lauren Gifts is having!!! I loooovvvveeee Vera Bradley

My tutu!!

I tried my hand at a tutu! I needed one for some first b-day pictures and this is how it turned out!! Now to work on the onesie, and it will be done!!!

Little white duck...

Aleeyah is learning a new song in class. It is adorable for those of you who are teachers and have not heard it.

There is a little white duck swimming in the water
A little white duck doing what he 'otter
He took a bite of a lily pad
Then he said I am mighty glad
That I'm a little white duck
Swimming in the water
Quack, Quack, Quack

There's a little green frog
Floating in the water
A little green frog doing what he 'otter
He jumped off the lily pad
that the duck had bit
And he said I'm glad
That I'm a little green frog
Floating in the water
Croak, Croak, croak

There's a little black bug
Floating on the water
A little black bug
Doing what he 'otter
He tickled the frog on the lily pad
That the duck had bit
And he said I'm glad
That I'm a little black bug
floating on the water
Chirp, chirp, chirp

There's a little red snake
Swimming in the water
A little red snake
Doing what he 'otter
He scared the frog and the duck so bad
Ate the bug
And said I'm glad
That I'm a little red snake swimming in the water
Hiss, Hiss, Hiss

There's no one left, in the water
No one left, doing what he 'otter
There's no one left on the lily pad
The bug got ate and it's so sad
There's no one left in the water
Boo-hoo-hoo

Isn't that adorable? I love to hear her singing it around the house!!

Three years ago today...

Three years ago today I woke suddenly to realize that I had miss my alarm. I was laying in bed, with Aleeyah in between Sam and myself, when I looked at the clock. It was 7:00 am and I was LATE!!!! Oh no, what was I going to do? I was late and I knew the party could not start with out me!!

I awake Sam and yell "WE ARE LATE". He jumps up as I get the anti-bacterial soap and run to the shower. Now I am very particular when it comes to being on time, so I was mad and upset at the same time. Of course I was late for an event that could not go on without me, nor could I call and cancel. I was late for childbirth!!!!

That is right, we were supposed to be at the hospital at 6 AM for a scheduled c-section. Averrie Samarah was to be born that morning and her mother and father of all things were late!!!! I call TM at the hospital and explain that we were on our way.

We get to the hospital, and with much embarrassment, check in. They prep me and then explain that the night before the maintenance crew had decided to paint the operating room. Since it was not dry, they were down to using one room and it was full at the moment. OH MAN, I had been bumped my position, and now was going to have to wait to deliver. This was funny as could be, even though now, I was going to have to wait for 2 hours to get in.

Finally, we get into the operating room. I am prepped and they bring Sam in. Of course Dr. R is doing his usual teasing with me, and we begin the surgery. Averrie Samarah Frost was born at 9:45 am, weighing 8lbs 4oz, and was 20 1/2 inches long.

The first year went by so fast. Averrie learnt to walk, talk and was the apple of all of our eyes. She reminds me of Bethanie everyday and for that I am thankful. She looks so much like her daddy that it is unbelievable.

Second Birthday

Averrie is turning three today. Hard to believe that time has flew by that fast. Happy birthday angel baby!!!

Why?

I was setting here reading blogs when Aleeyah calmly walks over to start a conversation.

Aleeyah: "mom, look at me! Look how soft I am" as she is poking at her belly, butt, chest and cheeks

Me: "Yes, you are a softy"

Aleeyah: "hmmmmm, I guess God should have made me into a stuffed animal"

OH AHAHAHAHAHHHHHHAAAAAAA

The things that kids come up with, you have to love them!!!!

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I needed something to cheer me up today. I guess all this cold weather and rain has just got me blue. It could have been that someone LIED, I repeat LIED about the school's mileage increase. Telling me that it would raise my taxes "only $50.00 to $100.00" more a year. Hello, someone needs math lessons. I paid them this morning and they rose almost $200.00. I own my home and still don't own it. UNREAL!!!!

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I guess that is another reason I am down and out. The gloomy weather, the money that don't grow on trees, and the slow times at Motors, just make me blue.

I think that I will take my dear friend up on the offer to go and get facials and spa treatments in Hot Springs. I think I may need a day away from the reality of the world. WAIT, I will have to come back won't I???? Man!!!!

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Not to mention that the test that I took on Facebook told me that I have a brain the size of a cat. Well, if it is anything like my cats brain I am in serious trouble!!! Max is as dumb as a box of rocks and I really don't want to spend the rest of my life "thinking" as he does!! Thankfully, those test are about as dumb as the results they offer!!

Hormones? I think so!

Okay, so I vented the other night about how I just wanted to have another baby. Thankfully I am through that little "period" for the time being. I got to thinking, at the current time, we have everything paid for and we could afford to take care of the two children we have. If I have a third, not only would I get medical bills but I might not be able to afford things if Motors continues to be slow. I would love to have a baby, but $6500.00 to have the tubes untied (if they could), $2000.00 to $4000.00 to have the baby (including their costs), and clothes if it was a boy, and Aleeyah's home school would be put on hold while I was down. I guess the oxygen got to circulating back to my brain and made me realize I just don't need that. So when you guys have babies, I have a "can I hold them" request lol. Just to get that little fix I need!!!!!!!

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Recently, things have been slow at Motors and you guys could help me out by sending some prayers this way. Just that Sam is able to keep his job. If they were to shut down, Sam would head to Texas to college. Yes, to Texas!! That is the one place that has a college to be a medic-helicopter pilot. Sam seems to still be on this "helicopter" bit, and who am I to discourage him? I guess we all want something in life, at least he knows what it is he wants. As for me, I am always unsure and nervous about everything. I wish I could be more social and let things wash under the bridge better! I am terrified of all sorts of things and I don't feel comfortable around allot of people. Call me weird!! Just the thought of getting out of the house anymore is terrifying. Thanks to the media and the ever so famous H1N1 flu virus.

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Speaking of H1N1, a dear friend called from Ft. Smith today and she was diagnosed today with it. She is going to be fine, but she has a 4 month old and 3 year old I worry about. That littlest baby K, is a fragile little thing. Pray that the kids don't catch it and that if K catches it she will be okay.

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I am nuts!

I guess I have something seriously wrong with me. Since Aleeyah has turned 5 and Averrie will be 3 in a week, I have been having these feelings for another baby!!! I have wanted that smell of a newborn, that feel of the feet and fingers. Then I wonder what on EARTH am I doing!! My tubes are tied, cut, and burnt, there is NO way that I could have a baby. I then wonder why on earth I did that, why did I get fixed? I knew that I would want another baby, I knew it would happen. That strong feeling of wanting to be a mother AGAIN!

Sam says that I am nuts and that I am just loosing it!! It is just my kids are growing up and there is NOTHING that I can do about it! NOTHING! I love to see them grow, learn and change, but I want to hold another baby, name another baby, love another baby. I have thought of adoption, but who wants to have the chance of some mother coming back to take the baby? I don't, I have lost before and I know that hurt. Of course I am not rich so any method that they use for infertility is OFF. Am I selfish? Am I wrong for having these feelings? I mean, I have two healthy, beautiful children, am I wrong to want to have another. There are so many mothers out there that can't have children. They would just be happy with one, and here I am wanting a 4th. I did this to myself, I agreed to the tubal, Dr R tried to talk me out of it. I just kept saying NO more!! Now here I am wanting MORE!!!

HA HA I am crazy aren't I? I know that this will pass. I mean could I seriously want the up all nights? My kiddos sleep through the night and I am loving that. I think I need to find someone with a baby and love on it a while lol. Get me over this feeling!! LOL!!! You guys help me, make me remember the all nighter's, the feedings, oh the poopydiapers (both mine are potty trained now). Come on guys help me out lol!!!!!
Thanks for letting me vent!!!

One nation under hypocrisy!!

I have been following a story of a principal and coach in Florida who, at a private event, led some people attending in prayer. They are currently being tried before a federal court by the ACLU, for mixing religion with school. ARE YOU SERIOUS? The last time that I checked, the pilgrims came to the new land so that they were able to serve God the way they wanted to. The United States of America was founded on christian principals, who is to tell us other wise? I don't understand how a simple prayer could land two men into federal court, looking at federal prison time? These men have done nothing wrong other than serving a just, loving God! We have became a nation of hypocrites, not a nation of God fearing servants. Shame on us all! Has satan truly got that much control over people? This is the reason that I home school Aleeyah. I know that in this little town that we live in, the likely hood of something happening like this is small, but do you hear prayers and praises being taught in school?

Read for yourselves.
This is borrowed from the newspaper out of Pensacola Florida!

"On Constitution Day, Sept. 17, two school administrators face jail time for lunch prayer
Congressional Prayer Caucus writes letter supporting administrators
By JONI B. HANNIGANManaging Editor
Published September 16, 2009

PENSACOLA (FBW)-On the anniversary of the day 39 men signed the United States Constitution, Sept. 17, two Santa Rosa County School District administrators will face criminal contempt charges in court for a prayer offered at a booster lunch.
Principal Frank Lay and athletic director Robert Freeman of Pace High School may face jail time if a federal judge rules they violated a court order issued Jan. 9 that forbid employees from "promoting, advancing, aiding, facilitating, endorsing, or causing religious prayers or devotionals during school sponsored events."
Charges were filed against Lay and Freeman after Lay, who is in his 20th year as the school's principal, asked Freeman to offer a prayer before the meal at a Jan. 29 luncheon in the school's field house honoring boosters and other adults. Lay is a member of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.
"I did it primarily out of habit. It's just something we've always done," Lay said. "I have been painted here as somewhat of a rebel. I don't consider myself that, nor do I want to be. I am a Christian. I am not ashamed of my faith."
Orlando-based Liberty Counsel is representing both men. Mathew D. Staver, the organization's founder, told the Florida Baptist Witness that last year the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the school district claiming some teachers and administrators "endorsed" religion.
The school district, Staver said, complied with the ACLU's recommendations and consented to the entry of an order by the court which, among other things, essentially bans employees from engaging in prayer or religious activities before, during or after school hours.
U.S. District Judge Case Rodgers initiated criminal contempt proceedings and has referred the men to the United States attorney's office for prosecution. The case is scheduled for trial in U.S. District Court in Pensacola Sept. 17.
U.S. Representative Jeff Miller, a Pensacola lawmaker and a group of other federal lawmakers representing a 54-member Congressional Prayer Caucus, have signed a letter in support of Lay and Freeman, Staver told the Witness Sept. 16.
Miller, along with U.S. Reps. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., and Mike McIntyre, D.N.C., wrote the letter on behalf of lawmakers, many of whom made speeches on the House floor Sept. 15 while pointing out the "irony" of the men being tried in federal court on the the 222nd anniversary of the signing of our Constitution.
"Please know that we are standing with you in prayer and support as you face your trial on Thursday because of offering a prayer," the lawmakers wrote.
"The tradition of offering prayer in America has become so interwoven into our nation's spiritual heritage, that to charge someone criminally for engaging in such an innocent practice would astonish the men who founded this country on religious freedom," the letter concluded.Staver said it's clear in celebrating Constitution Day, Americans should remember Liberty comes at a price."While we celebrate our enduring Constitution, we are reminded that liberty is always a generation away from extinction. Liberty is not inherited and is not transmitted in our DNA. Liberty must be secured by each generation," Staver said. "What a sad state of affairs, when on the day we celebrate the oldest and most enduring Constitution in the world, that honorable public servants are tried as criminals for praying over a meal.
"This may be the America the ACLU seeks, but it is not the America Liberty Counsel knows, nor is it the America the Founders envisioned," Staver said.
Meanwhile, Judge Rodgers did rule in favor of Michelle Winkler, a clerical assistant for the school, Aug. 21, whom the ACLU had complained violated the consent order when she asked her husband to pray at a privately funded event at a nearby naval base.
After more than seven hours, Judge Rodgers ruled against the ACLU, concluding Winkler's husband's prayer did not violate the court's order.
Liberty Counsel is also seeking to intervene in the original case and Sep. 3 argued to represent Christian Educator Association International (CEAI) according to Liberty Counsel's senior litigation counsel, Horatio Mihet.
Mihet told the Witness both the school board and the ACLU argued against their motion to intervene, citing time and money involved--and whether they have standing in the case.
The court has ordered additional hearings Sept. 22 and Dec. 2. The Dec. 2 hearing is scheduled to last more than two days.
"We are talking about the constitutional rights of teachers and staff," Mihet said. "It's clear from this court order, the court is interested in what we have to say."
Mihet said he believes the signal from the court is positive, and the issue needs to be resolved, otherwise these contempt hearings will happen "over and over."
Staver told the Witness there is a need to continue to fight for the "fundamental liberties" Americans have. Walking away is not the answer, he said.
"What's not the Christian thing to do is just to walk away whenever the Gospel is at stake -- to think it's just irrelevant. These are fundamental liberties that we have: the free exercise of religion and free speech. Those are liberties we cannot take for granted," Staver said. "These liberties are inalienable rights that come from our God."

Something borrowed, something blue.

The bride and me

Well, I finally have the wedding over. Man, I have photographed alot of events and people but nothing compared to a wedding where the chairs were full and the guest were standing. I was nervous and the fact that I had a double booking (not my fault), did not help the matter. Shauna was so kind to help me out with the other client and she did so good.

The beautiful bridesmaid Savannah.

The bride and her party.

Telissa the cutest flower girl.

Kaylea the other flower girl.

Tiffany and Brandon got married at the new Mountain Bed and Breakfast on 71 north. It is gorgeous and the owner/operator are the nicest people I have ever met. Her colors were pink/white and silver and she looked amazing. I was nervous to death even though this was family and I was not getting any money for the job. My gift to the family and yes I turned down another PAYING job for it lol. Family is family and they come first. I had a blast shooting, but since have decided that outside shots and individual photos ONLY. No more weddings they are to much, and to time consuming. I now have to edited 716 photos and burn 10 disk ugg, this is after 2 days of shooting and 13 hours of standing yesterday.

A friend in need.

I need to ask you all to pray for a husband and wife from here in Mena. JMc and JMc buried their daughter Ava not to many months ago. A little while after that they found out that JMc was pregnant again, this time with a little boy. Her amniotic fluid had leaked as the result of a puncture, suffocating Ava, from what I was told. This time she has been watched closely I am sure. For some reason, beyond what I know, the baby boy was born at 25 weeks. This little man is only 1.5 pounds and has a brain hemorrhage.

The bleeding has stopped, but they have been told that it will cause some problems later in life. What problems? They are unsure just yet. They are weaning him off the oxygen and he has began to try to breath on his own. He is so tiny, and is certainly one of God's little miracles. Please pray that this little miracle continues to do well, and that his mother and father have the strength they need in the upcoming months and years. They are asking for donations, and the place that I know of is Dukes Junction here in town, they are needing financial help to go and stay with him.

I have been tagged by Shauna! You have been tagged by me!

I have been tagged by Shauna for a photo tag. What you do is go into your pictures, where ever you store them. Go to the oldest folder and open the first picture. Download it and explain what that picture is!! Easy, breezy and fun!!!

So here is my photo. Aleeyah was around 2 at the time and decided that since I told her NOT to get into the box she would try to fit into the coffee maker box. Well, since that kid could do anything with her body she got in that box, and closed the lid. This is the result ha ha.

Bet she couldn't do that now at 49lbs ha. Since it says to tag three, I am with Shauna, I like to see pictures so I am tagging you all.

My how time flies, when your having fun!

Aleeyah was born on August the 31st weighing 8lbs and 8oz. She was a chunk but look at that hair! They brought her to me in piggy tails! Her daddy never left her side, and she has not left our sides in 5 years!

When Aleeyah was 18 months old, Averrie came into our lives. Aleeyah just loves Averrie and I am please NOW to have them so close together. Was not good when they were little though!

Aleeyah is three in this picture. This was a request of hers because she wanted curly hair. It did work for a while, but fell out after a couple of hours.

Here is my little 5 year old today. She is the most loving kid you could ask for. You know what her wish was tonight as she blew out her candle? She wished that the Lord Jesus would take care of us all!! She worries about those that mean the most to her. She worries for their safety and health. She talked so early at only 9 months old, and walked before a year. Even at 5 she is the most intelligent little girl. Happy birthday Aleeyah Faithe, God truly has given me an angel!!!

Why do I do it?

Why do I read blogs? Why do I do it? I read The Ramer Families blog today as she explained the day that her two twins drowned. It has been a long time since the thoughts of that terrible day of Bethanie's passing flooded so swiftly through me. Well, today they did. She explained all the same things that I remember about that day that we lost Bethanie. Performing CPR on her and her lifeless eyes open and glassy. I could tell there was no life there, but I had to keep trying. I couldn't let her go without a fight. This girls mother tried so hard to save those twins. She fought so hard to do CPR on both of them. She couldn't stop trying. That feeling the mother had when she was following the ambulances to the ER, the feeling that this wasn't happening. Hating who ever was playing that horrible trick on you. Then to hear that one of her twins had a pulse. That false hope that there was life there. I remember Dr. D, coming out and telling me and Sam that Bethanie had a pretty good pulse, but her eyes were still glassy and fixed. Me telling her PLEASE, don't leave me here..you have to fight baby. This mother, she had the same emotions. The flight to LR to wait 12 hours praying every hour that she wouldn't leave. Going outside for fresh air, and the clergy coming out and telling me I had to find my husband and get to NICU, where they were fighting to save my child's life. I remember seeing the nurse at the end of the bed crying, when I asked her "she is not going to make it is she?", and she tells me that they were trying. I could tell by the smeared mascara and rolling tears she knew better than that. I watched as the took a needle and injected adrenaline into her heart to get it pumping. Being told that we needed to have the family meet in the board room, the doc needed to speak with us. When he came in he was crying and stated the fact that we all knew was coming. No brain function, and she was dieing. He told me that he could continue to work on her, but it might be prolonging the inevitable outcome. I made the call! STOP!! It is and was time for her to go!! I wanted her anyway that God would give her to me, vegetable anything! He made the decision...she wasn't to stay here. I BEG you guys with everything I have, pray for the Ramer family. I know RIGHT where they are at this terrible time and the best we can all do is PRAY!!!!!!

Prayers please..

I need to ask you guys for some prayers for a family that I just learnt about at Kelly's Korner. This hits close to home so I felt the need to forward it to you guys. The Ramer's have two year old twins, a boy and girl. They lost both of their children in a drowning. To loose one child is devastating, but both of your children at once is unbearable. I can't imagine what they are feeling at this time. I remember all the feelings that I had during that time, and many many years after that. I ask you to remember them as they have to bury their children, return to "life", and for Mrs. Ramer who is pregnant with another little girl!! God tells us that not one dove falls that he does not know about, and I know that these children are with the heavenly father. Those left behind are the ones that endure the unspeakable pain that no one could explain or imagine!! Please just add them to your list of prayers and thank you guys so much!!

Momma needs a new bag!!!!

Lauren's is having yet another giveaway!! You guys need to follow her and check out her things. These would make wonderful gifts...or pamper yourself with them.

I did it momma!!

Yea for Aleeyah, who officially wrote her first cursive "i" this morning. She was so excited when the teacher told her that it was time to write her letters. Of course I was a little nervous as to why the teacher wants them to learn cursive first. That was a little crazy to me and still is. I am just going with the flow though. I mean she is only 5! Aleeyah knows how to write all her ABC's in lower and upper case in print, so I am not to worried about it. Should I be? I am so new at this and I know that four of you are teachers. Does public school start cursive this early? Maybe you could give me some advice? Telissa (my niece), didn't start cursive till the end of third grade in public school. It was crazy to see the flash cards and they were all cursive. I wrote to the principal and she states that since I enrolled her into the K5 program she should already know how to write her name and letters in print. Thankfully she does, but still what I am concerned about is the reading? I am so confused, any help will be appreciated!!! Thanks you guys!!

On a lighter note we are getting to take tomorrow off from the home schooling. We did two lessons on Monday, so that means she is ahead. I love the fact that she only goes till 12pm and then has the rest of the day to play or do what ever. I can then get the next day's lesson plans together and grade her papers. Aleeyah is enjoying herself and she pounces out of bed and says "let's do it!!"

I am currently looking for a play group for her in the afternoon to calm the families fears of socializing. I want to make sure she has the playing that she needs with other children. Hopefully, when Jaren starts daycare next week, things will slow down for me. I won't be keeping him anymore, and really hate to see him go.

I wanted to update you guys on my little friend MG. I told you in a earlier blog, that they had thought she had Lupus. She is only 7, and it would be rare, but the test was pointing that direction. After praying for this child and her parents, they got the test back and praise the Lord it is not Lupus. They are not sure what is going on but she got a clean bill of health. Praise the heavenly father!!!
"If ye ask shall ask anything in my name, I shall do it" John 14:14

Our "first" day of school!

Aleeyah's first day of school!!

So as many of you might or might not know, I home school Aleeyah. I chose this method when I was pregnant with her. I told Sam when I found out that I was pregnant that I wanted to home school our child. I knew that Sam was okay with that since most of our friends home school their children. I knew from the beginning that this was going to be hard on me with Averrie, but that was a decision that I had made. I have not had allot of support from family or my friends.
I had a family member who told me that I was creating a "anti-social" child. My child is shy, I have to admit that, but she is far from "anti-social". She loves to learn and is excited to start her "school".

So today is Aleeyah's third day of school. She didn't sleep to much last night, and since she finished two lessons on Monday. I told her that she could take the day off.

"NO mom" she said "I want to do my schooling."

I love to see her so eager to learn. She loves the teacher that she has, who's name is Mrs. Bere.

Yes, I said teacher. I chose to go through the A Beka-K5 program. It did cost me a little more than what I would have liked, but it is known for it's excellence. A Beka sends you DVD's in which the child interacts with and you monitor them. At the end of each session there is homework that Aleeyah has to finish. She has already began to learn how to write her letter Ii in cursive.

I have a classroom set up with all that she should ever need. The board, the bulletin boards, the filing cabinets and even school desks for both her and Averrie. Homeschooling isn't for everyone, just as public school is not for everyone. This is not for the weak hearted and patience is an important part of the process.
Aleeyah is finished by 12-1pm and has to rest of the day to do what she likes. This also gives me time to finish the things that I need to do.

So I will now be writing mostly about what Aleeyah's does and making this mostly (hopefully), a scrapbook of her school years!!

Congrats Aleeyah on your first day of school baby girl!!

Oh you have to (because I said)

Please go check out this AMAZING giveaway that Lauren is having. These items are the best and there is so many things to look at... Check her out!!

Giveaway time...

Kristen is having a giveaway. This is for a necklace and it is adorable. Go check her out and enter her drawing.

Oh my!! Oh my!! Oh my!!!

We got back from Branson yesterday afternoon. UGGGG, I am really tired, and guess what...I need another vacation!! I have so many things going through my head today.

1. Aleeyah's birthday party is next Saturday, I am trying to get that together.
2. When I came home yesterday I found out that a teacher I had in school, that I just love has breast cancer. They caught it fast enough that she will be fine, but it is still scary.
3. Aleeyah starts home schooling on Monday morning. This is exciting for her and her father, but scares me to death. There are so many subjects that I am horrible at, but figure that Kindergarten won't be to bad!! Since I can't afford Christian School, she will be attending Abeka Academy at home. They are wonderful and well worth the money.
4. This is the thing that is giving me the most nightmares!! My husband has decided that since Motors was not doing so well, and he hit the 30 mark, he should maybe have a career change. I was thinking going to college to work on cars, boats or something like that. I never imagined what came out of his mouth!! He wants to go to college to be a helicopter pilot. Oh my goodness, I fell over. I just don't know if I can support him in this. I know I need to, but I just can't do it! What if he wrecked and it killed him? What if he couldn't do it and had no job? What if I had to relocate to his work? What if, what if, and what if? I just don't know what to think or do. I am praying that this is a "phase" he is going through.

Branson was the best. We are currently making plans to go back in November. They are playing Peter Pan on stage at the Mansion Theatre, and I have to take the girls to see it. They love Peter Pan. We went to Silver Dollar City this time, since mom and dad was with us, and it was great. Sam and myself were able to ride all the rides while mom and dad watched the girls for us. The American Plunge (log ride), was the worse!! They took pictures of Sam and me riding it and I look terrified. I have my eyes closed and I am leaned back, you can tell that I am screaming loudly! I must WARN you all, that if you go on vacation in Branson and see a location that states "Discount show tickets", DON'T DO IT!!! We decided that it was going to cost $150.00 per family to get into SDC, so we needed to try to look for a bargain. We found a place in DT Branson that said "discount show tickets". We decide to try it and we go in. This man tells us that all he needed us to do was go and watch a 5 min movie on a local retreat called Stormy Point Resort. He then explains that the movie and the tour of the homes will total around 49-60 mins, and then we would get our tickets, which saved us a $100.00 per family. Okay, we told him that we would do it and on we went. We get to the location at 11:00 am, our meeting was at 12:00 that day. We meet the man who will be explaining (selling) this vacation home to us. To make a long story short, after 3 1/2 hours and a tour, we were ready to KILL!! The home was gorgeous, and we were going to do it till he broke the news that he wanted $5900.00 right then, and $697.00 a month for 6 years and at the first of every year he wanted $500.00 for a maintenance fee! Uhhhhh, needless to say we walked out. They save the bomb for last, they get your hopes up and BOOMMMMM they blow you up!! So as a fair warning please don't waste your time. Yes, you get a discount but you waste your whole day doing it.

Giveaway!

Shauna is having her 100th post giveaway!! You guys go and check it out!!!

Birthday Preparations begin.

Yes, there is over a month left before Aleeyah's birthday party. I have to have everything done before that day. I can't stand to wait till the last minute to do anything for her birthday. Since her birthday falls on a Monday this year, that means the week after we get back from Branson we will have her party. That really doesn't give me alot of time to prepare. Aleeyah picked her theme this year and the winner was Pink Poodles in Paris. So, here are her hair bows and her adorable dress.

Thanks to JE*Designs, Aleeyah has this cute dress/bloomers to wear the day of her party. I am making her party invites!! I will post them at a later time. I got her party supplies all bought and they are being shipped to me this wkend. Of course after Aleeyah's party we have around 3 weeks before we are forced to prepare for Averrie's party. UGGGG!!!! Aleeyah's birthday list is huge this year. I mean a Nintendo DS and all the games! A carrying case! WOW, what happened to a doll? I know that this means she is just growing up.

I have Jaren (my nephew) three days a week, and his momma asked me to take some pictures of him yesterday. This is the finished product. Jaren would not take the hat off, and would cry when I tried to take it. He looks so much like his daddy it just blows me away. Jana (his mom), wanted a shot in just a diaper with a tie, I told her the hat was a prop I had not intended on!!

Last but not least, I have a prayer request to pass along. A friend of mine has a daughter who is 7 years old. She does not want her name out so I will just leave her daughters initials which are MG. She has been having a rash on her body for some time with a lot of swelling. They took her to a specialist today and they think she has Lupus. Lupus is a disease in which the body builds antibodies that fight the body. Hard to explain, but serious. Please keep MG in your prayers as well as her parents. Pray that they have wrongly diagnosed this baby girl, if not the years ahead will be extremely hard for her.

And the winner is............

The winner is.......

These are cell phone images, so excuse them. My camera was not charged (I know bad photographer), and I don't have a little point and shoot camera to grab shots.

So as bad as it looks this is Aleeyah digging in the bowl.

The winner is Shauna Bell Wagner!!!!! Aleeyah is happy to pose with the ticket, since she is in need of a serious cut on those bangs!!! I have to cut her bangs every two-three weeks, if not they look like this! It says Shauna I swear lol.

So Mrs. Shauna if you will send me a comment on here letting me know how you want me to get these things to you, that would be great! Congratulations girl on both winning and the potty training going with little one!!!

Just days away.

So Sam and myself are just days away from our 12th wedding anniversary. I set and wonder what to get him, and he sets and tells me what NOT to get him. After your married for this long you think you know the person really well. WRONG!! They continue to change, their interest change, and once they have everything you get a little stumped. On the stories that I have been posting we are past Aleeyah and Averrie's birth. One thing I forgot to mention in there was the fact that in between Bethanie's death and having Aleeyah, both Sam and myself asked the Lord for forgiveness and became Christians. We began studying the bible, and praising God through all our tribulations. He continues to bless us today.

So in the years after Aleeyah and Averrie was born, things have been rather un-eventful. Besides raising to wild girls, praising God daily, building on to the house, Sam working ALOT there has been nothing. We took our first family vacation this last year to Branson, and loved it. We continue to go back again and again. We leave in 2 wks for another week on Table Rock Lake. I can't wait.

We have had our ups and downs in our marriage, but then again who don't? Who doesn't have those fights when one sleeps on the couch? Who doesn't say things that they don't mean, only to take them back quickly? Who doesn't, at the end of the day, wish things had gone differently? Then realize that God put you in this place for a reason? That is what love is all about, to live and learn, to love and smile. I look at my children and I thank God daily that he sent Sam my way. I know that he had a hand in us finally finding each other.

I will post pictures (if I get anything), of my gift and what I finally decide to get him. Prayerfully I have another 12 years to love this husband of mine, and if the Lord sees fit to take me I will go with a smile upon my face. Knowing that to love a person as much as I do my husband is to live a life of joy and peace!!!!

Okay my peeps!!! Giveaway TIME!!

It is time to give something away! I have 100 posts on my blog, as boring as they may be, I got to a 100. So I have decided to give somethings away.

First, if your like me I am ALWAYS making notes every where. So this is a magnetic note pad that will hang on the fridge. I have one and I LOVE IT, makes it easy to jot down what I need right then.

Then there is this adorable ceramic plaque. It is around a 3x5 and can hang or set on a table. I just love these little things and have them all over the house.

Last, but not least, there is a frame. This frame has 3- 3x5 openings. As you can see it says "Live, Laugh, Love" on it and is black. Just adorable!!!

I don't have alot of followers so you guys don't have to do anything. No comments (unless you want to :0), no links on your blog (once again unless you want to), nothing. I am going to put everyone that is a follower of my blog into a basket and let Aleeyah pull a name out. That lucky person will be the winner of these three prizes.

Just a way to say thanks to you guys for following and hopefully reading my blog!!

Time passed, prayers answered

8 1/2 months

As the years passed, we had been married 7 years when I decided that I wanted another baby. After many months of trying I decided to go to the doctor. Sure enough there was a problem and I was put on Clomid the beginning of the next month. I hated the clomid and decided that it would be God's will if I got pregnant. So I quit the pills and decided that I would just go at it alone. Sometime later I went back to the doctor wanting to try it again. I had taken the Clomid for so long the last time and was unhappy with the way it made me feel but I had to try it again. I wanted a baby so bad, and knew that was the only way it would happen. I took the Clomid one month and was pregnant. I was excited yet so scared to have another a child.
Aleeyah Faithe was born via c-section on August the 31st 2004. She weighed 8lbs 8oz. When they brought her to me she was in piggy tails, and was the chunkiest baby I had ever seen. Her daddy was so proud of her, as was I, but it was hard to think I had another girl. I didn't want to "replace" my memories of Bethanie.

9 months

18 months later Aleeyah was getting ready for her first baby pageant. I was so excited, but knew that I had not been feeling real well. I just couldn't figure it out, but knew that pregnancy was not the reason. I had to take fertility with Aleeyah so there was NO way that I could get pregnant that easy. On the morning of the pageant it was icing outside and I told Sam the night before to bring home a test just in case. I took it that morning and it was instantly positive.
On September 26th, 2006 Averrie Samarah came into this world. She weighed 8lbs and 4 oz. She had no hair lol. Not like the other two girls. As you can see above, she looked just like Aleeyah did when she was a baby. After my c-section with Averrie, I opted to have my tubes tied. I was done having children, for 10 years we had been trying to have a family. Now it was time to raise our family.

I will be having my first giveaway this week, hard to believe I have posted 100 times. You guys be looking for it.