From our house to yours...

Wishing everyone a very Happy Halloween!!

Still alive...still painting...almost done with Austin's room...hopefully by the weekend (cause I just want to be done with it!) Kitchen is still gutted...new electric for kitchen goes in Friday. Hopefully new countertop next week (really hoping). Still sick though feeling much better other than an irritating cough that won't go away. Boys went trick or treating tonight...Austin was a Jedi (of course), Brennan ended up being a cross between a vampire and a pirate...we called it a Vampirate....and Colton has for months said he was going to be the black spiderman...tonight he changed his mind and for the third year in a row...he went as the regular Spiderman...guess when you've got a good thing going you stick with it...he's wearing Brennan's old Spiderman outfit now...luckily there is always Austin's Spiderman outfit when outgrows Brennan's...who knows how long this Spiderman thing will last ;-) Will post pictures of the boys once I get them downloaded...right now I'm going to go take some cough medicine, hack up a lung and hit the hay. Happy Fall everyone!

Not feeling well...

Not feeling well...just tired and sniffling and got the cough too...so it begins I guess ;-(

Anyway wanted to share this video to keep you occupied....very very powerful...please check it out:

It's cold and it's raining...

So far not a very productive day....it's cold...it's raining...I'm tired. Just not interested in doing a whole lot...not good when I have a week where my plate seems full. Need to finish Austin's room this week. Got the border taped off to paint last night, but though I love painting...I'm tired of painting right now ;-) Maybe later. His carpet comes in sometime next week...so I really need to get done. Still need to paint the border area...apply the border and paint the trim. YIKES!

Hubby spent part of the afternoon tearing out my kitchen...stove is gone...cooktop is gone...need to find a place for all my stuff in my cupboards....I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed...I don't mind a little mess in my house, but a huge mess is a totally different story...though I know it will be wonderful once it is done, it's the process of getting there that bugs me. I just wish we could have waited until after the holidays, but beggars can't be choosers.

Well I need to go fix some dinner and have to go to church tonight. My prayers go out to those in CA that are battling those fires...wish I could send my rain your way!

I've been tagged!

I was tagged by Karma...co creator extraordinaire of FaithSisters.com...So I guess I better get to it...For those I tag, this is what you need to do...

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

My 7 facts:
1. I am a huge music fan...I love just about everything...except twangy country.
2. I used to help my dad in his electronics business when I was little...it was fun!
3. I'm not scared to use power tools. I'm a pretty good handy woman.
4. I would love to take a photography class.
5. I was already 2 weeks pregnant with my son when I went ot the doctor to find out why I couldn't get pregnant.
6. I worked in the produce dept. of our local grocery store for 14 years before becoming a SAHM.
7. I went to college and have an AA in Accounting, though I love to go back to school and study art and graphic design.

Now I tag:

Jada's Gigi
Stephanie Ackerman
Amber Nichole
My Sis Jackie
'Chelle
L/E
Esther

Bye Bye Nursery...

It's official...the days of baby are no longer at the McClain household...this is how I spent 10 hours of my day today:






The walls are painted...need one more coat I think, then I'll take "after" pictures, except I forgot to paint the closet!!! So that may have to wait until tomorrow...I'm just too tired and sore now. It looks nice, but seems odd to me...it's been baby blue for 10 years. No more Precious Moments angels border. Austin is really liking it though..which I guess is what matters. I think it's going to be so cozy! Maybe one day mommy and daddy will finally get their room done ;-) One thing at a time. Hoping to have Austin's room done by next week that way he can get out of the living room and back into his own room.


Had to share this photo for my dad...look what I fixed for dinner the other night....Chicken Paprikash....YUM!! This stuff is like the ultimate comfort food...and I was having a not so good day when I made this, but afterwards, Ifelt much better ;-) I wish I could have saved some dad, but it was just too good...maybe the next time you're home I'll make a special batch ;-) Also dad...check out what I just got from Amazon. Maybe I'll make something new for the holidays!


Well I'm tired and sore and hubby bless his heart drew me a bath with my last (and favorite) Basin bath bomb in it...what a sweetie!


Later all~

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets Trailer

Check this out!!! I don't usually get super excited about a movie coming out, let alone a sequel. Can't wait until this comes out. Super excited!

Amazing

Had a chance to talk to these sweet ladies tonight...They are the owners of the Faith Sisters site. Also got to talk with a few others that make up the Faith Sisters creative team...they just sound so amazing and I am so super excited to be working along side of them. So many ideas they have...not sure I can share so I won't, but their site is wonderful...if you are a scrapper (and even if you are not) please, go check the site out! This website is such an answer to prayer for me...I've been looking for such a place as this and God is so good! I feel like God is opening doors for me right now...I'm so amazed and can't wait to see what He has in store.

Onto other things....I just got the CD for this group today...now I don't usually like country music, but this group is what I would consider pop country so I give it the OK ;-) If you like Rascall Flatts...you'll love these guys...they are like Rascall Flatts with Jesus ;-) Very good and right now on their website they are selling their CDs 2 for $ 15.00....great deal for some good music!

As far as the homefront...well I'm starting to remodel Austin's room...tried taking the border off on his room...not fun or pretty...it's pretty much stuck fast since it was more or less double glued on there, so I think we are just going to paint over it and put the new border over the old...at least that is what we are thinking at this moment. Austin is VERY excited and very persistent in wanting his new room so hoping to get that done in the next few weeks. Counter top should be in soon. We are going tomorrow to talk to a guy about refinishing our cupboard doors. I will (unfortunately) have to strip the outer part of the cupboards myself...can we all say YUK!!! Not looking forward to that...why can't I just blink and it all be finished {grin}.

Oh, did I tell you I ended up getting second place for my scrapbooks at the fair??? I was so excited and surprised....God is good!

Well I'm kinda getting a headache and I haven't been to bed before midnight for days so I think I may just try and go to bed at a somewhat decent time tonight.

Hope you are having a good week!

Week of Fair = Mr. Morning Challenge

Check out this site. Mr. Morning Challenge has left the Edwards household and came to stay at mine this morning....Let's just say that I'm so glad for the fair to be over...though I like the fair and enjoy the sites and some of the food (which this year for some reason I couldn't handle so well)...let's just say that a week of fair = a case of the grumpies...not so much me, but for the boys! Wowzers...they didn't want to get up and moving this morning...I got grumpy attitude from the middle one and the youngest just drug his feet and grumped. Of course we stayed out a little later than we should of watching the Rough Truck contest...Brennan especially and I get such a kick out of it. I was wanting to watch my old boss race...which he when I left was in third place and 1st in the long jump, but we really were out a bit late, so I took the grumpies in stride and just went with it.

Today was catch up day...Needed to go grocery shopping, get fingerprinted so I can volunteer at th boys school, sort or straighten up the house. I have some things I could probably work on for the Faith Sisters site. I just finished this layout and uplaoded it to the Faith Sisters site of my BFF Michelle...totally makes me laugh.

I may be going here tomorrow with my neighbor friends...I've always wanted to go...hopefully will get a chance if I can get my house in some sort of order so my father in law won't think I brought the pig pen from the fair to my house :-) !!!



Right now the boys are watching Davey & Goliath....remember that show (for those who remember the 60's and 70's). Found it on Netflix and ordered them for the boys to watch...I always loved watching Davey & Goliath as a kid on Sunday mornings. Such fun!

Well I think for now I'm going to try to get some stuff done and enjoy some Davey and Goliath with the boys.

Later~

So excited!!!

Just got the news today....I'm so excited....check out this site to find out my good news!

Here lies someone who is...

Totally whipped...drained...with her head still spinning on her shoulders. I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz after the tornado...what just happened and where did September go?!!? And my house does look like a tornado hit it...amazing how your house can look like a tornado hit it after neglecting it for three weeks!

Yikes...as many of you know September usually is a busy month for me getting ready for the fair and all, but I literally feel like I've been run over by a Mac...Hubby was off on vacation for two weeks...he kept me very busy cleaning cars and starting to remodel our house...YIPPEE!! If we make it through this remodeling thing unscathed I will be so thrilled!! Right now we are currently in the process of remodeling our kitchen, finally replacing the carpet in our dining room (I have refused to do it until the boys quit throwing food on the floor...of course Brennan spilled a whole glass of lemonade yesterday...maybe I should reconsider {g}...) We are also beginning the process of redecorating Austin's room since we have no babies anymore the Precious Moments baby theme in his room has to go (per Austin). I already have paint, we've already picked out carpet and the border is on it's way. That will be an easy fix. The kitchen scares me...we are stripping the cupboards, putting on new hardware, new floor, new counter, new cooktop and oven, pretty much everything but painting the walls and lighting which have been done for a while. I'm just glad to have something in the works. Oh and we are also eventually replacing our back door and putting in a new glass door window in our dining room..I'll have to explain that one later.
So you may be asking..."What about that house you was looking at???" Well...don't get me wrong, I still love the house. After we found out that the gas budget (Yes budget) was over $ 200 a month we kind of stepped back a bit. It needs new windows, it isn't insulated and really needs a paintjob. Still like the house though...I still say God has to make that one happen. And of course now that I'm fixing up my house I may not want to leave it anyway ;-)

So anyway sorry for that long story...I have been so busy with Kevin's honey-do list that I had to litterally CRAM to get my fair projects done...poor planning on my part, but I did get them done, but now I'm exhausted. But I did win 3 second places and 1 third place on my photos and one first place and one third place on my afghans. I made a bad judgement on a couple of my afghans and apparently put them in the wrong categories...will have to try again next year on those and put them in different categories. Still not sure about my scrapbooks, but I'm OK with that...I made enough on my premiums to pay for my fair ticket and that is all that matters to me. Praise Jesus! I got to sit through the judging this year which is something I've never been able to do before because I always had the boys...it was interesting...and boy was that judge tough and picky...of course she has to be. It was interesting to watch.

Well I have to watch the girls tomorrow (they don't have school) and I think I'm actually going to retire early for a change this week ;-)

Hope all has been well with you all....it's nice to be back...in body anyway ;-)

I'm Still Here...

Just a very quick note to say that I am still here.....just EXTREMELY busy (hubby is on vacation....need I say more). We are currently working on MANY projects, plus I'm trying to get things ready for the fair next week...in short it has been chaos here.

So needless to say I will return once things slow down a bit. Until then God bless!

18 Years

Eighteen years...with this man...

Happy Anniversary Honey!

Hi...my name is Tammy...nice to meet you...

I know...I know...I really need to update more often, but with the holiday weekend and still TRYING to get into some sort of routine with the boys in school (ha...not sure if that is ever going to happen, but so far that is really OK...I've kind of enjoyed the unpredicatbility). So wow...so much to share...I don't want to write a book, so in case that I do...I apologize...just so much to share.

Colton is doing a little better in school...Miss Cores said he did good today. Phew...maybe we are on our way ;-)

Had a FANTABULOUS weekend camping with my little sister, her fiance and her little boy Treyce. We were trying to get a camping site at Lake Park but of course they were booked, then my awesome hubby remembered that the church he attended as a kid had a shelter and people used to camp up there...so here we were Labor Day weekend, we with a borrowed camper (hubby will NOT tent camp...a camper is as roughin' it as he will get) and my sis with a tent at Brown's Farm on top of a hill in good ole' Coshocton County ALONE...it was AWESOME!! Great weather, great fun, awesome bonfire, kids had a blast....overall a pretty perfect weekend. God was truly smiling on us! My Sis was truly the marshmallow roasting queen...she made them just the perfect way, just right amount of toasty-ness...unlike my boys who pretty much charred theirs (too funny). We will DEFINITELY be doing this again soon...we're even talking about getting our own camper of some sort...what a blast! Here are a few pics from the weekend:






We are also currently PRAYING about moving. We have found a house that hubby and I both like...it's actually about a block away from my parents...we really like it, and they keep dropping the price on it. Kids however are NOT for it. They have always been in THIS house and they in no uncertain circumstances (per Austin anyway) want to move. This is something God will definitely have to make happen because it would definitely depend if we could sell our house...and being that our area is pretty economically depressed at the moment, it could be hard to sell it. Anyway it's in God's hands and I'm not getting my hopes up, but waiting for Him to move...or shall I say move us. You can see a pic of the house here.

Here is a pic of a scrapbooking layout I did for the latest Dares challenge...I had to make a page using non-scrapping supplies...fun! Hubby gave me the idea to use Postal supplies...I thought it was appropriate ;-)

Have another scrapbook album I made, but I'm just too tired to upload the pics here so maybe later this week...maybe ;-)

Started to finally Spring clean my house...I know...I'm a little late...I think of it as being really really early for next year. ;-)

Hubby and I had our first breakfast out together in YEARS without kids...so weird still not having children underfoot during the day...it is kind of nice though.

Hope you are having an awesome week...blessings to you!

Has it almost been a week already?!!?!?

Sorry about being gone...nothing like trying to get back into a routine to throw you for a loop. Needless to say we've been doing pretty well getting back into the swing of school. Here are a few Austin & Brennan first day pics...


Today was Colton's first day of school...he was so ready to go...he was ready way before his brothers were and couldn't seem to wait to be a "big boy" and go to school like his big brothers do. He did so well pretty much telling me and his daddy "see ya later" and have a good day, but I'm ready to move on with my life now...kind of thing. And no I didn't cry or blubber like a baby. ( I did get a little teary eyed when I pulled up to the light leaving the school, but that's all.) Honestly I was just so proud of him and how well he did and how well I know he's going to do. Just very very proud. Here are some pics from his first day:

He started with this outfit....but then wanted something like Austin was wearing today so he had to switch to his new Power Rangers outfit...which I initially was going to put him in in the first place...guess he knows best. Colton showing his attitude with his spikey hair!
Miss Cores asked Colton to find his seat and start kneading the clay into a ball for her. He had a nice brick of blue clay...of course in true Colton fashion..."I want the yellow one." To which Miss Cores replies "I need you to use the blue today please." To which he of course replied..."I like the yellow one better." Of course Miss Cores told him maybe another day he could have the yellow, but today he was to have the blue. Oh my little determined independent one. I hope Miss Cores knows what she's in for. Here is a pic of him leaving school today...he said he enjoyed kindergarten and liked school a lot.
Though (to no surprise to me) I guess I need to work on him not talking when someone else is talking because I guess he did get in a little trouble for speaking while Miss Cores was speaking. After school he of course in true Colton fashion tells me..."No, she was talking while I was talking." Oh my...I guess I need to go over a few of the "good manners" rules again.

Overall it was a good day. My neighbor took me out to lunch with her daughter Alaina who was home from school to our favorite restaurant The Yucatan. Very tasty! Chips and salsa!

Then hubby brought his mom's Endeavor over for me to clean and detail this afternoon...guess he didn't want me to be bored or depressed...as he said "I didn't want you being all depressed today so I thought I'd keep your mind busy." I thought the honey do list was supposed to work the other way around ;-) It really wasn't all that bad and yes it did keep my mind busy.

Well needless to say I'm tired...these getting up early in the mornings mean I can't seem to stay up as long, which I guess is a good thing.

Oh, BTW...looks like I'm going camping with my little sister and nephew this weekend....can't wait. My boys have never been "camping" before. Should be a cool trip!

It was a good day!

I was going to wait until I downloaded "first day pictures"...maybe I'll add them later, but just had to share....God is faithful...today was a good day. Despite the fact that I was up at 5 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep, I at least got a nap and the day was good. Boys got up with no problems, Brennan was still reluctant about going, but I could tell by his smile when he walked up to the van this afternoon that his day was good...he even said so. No homework for either of them which of course made them happy. Brennan got to play at recess with his big brother and cousin which he hasn't been able to do, which made him VERY happy cause he has such a hard time making friends. Overall the day was an A+. Colton even was good today despite having no brothers to play with...Friday is his testing and first day for him is Tuesday.

Just had to share that as I know many want to know....like I said I'll add pictures as soon as I download them. Off to make some dinner!

Tomorrow's the day...

Going to try and keep this short...and going to try and be a good girl and go to bed at a decent time since tomorrow is (dun dun duu...) the first day of school...for Austin and Brennan at least. Colton doesn't officially start until next Tuesday. Gives me a week to enjoy him before he goes...phew...we had open house "meet your teacher" night at the school. Brennan got the teacher I hoped for...I think he'll fair much better with a male homeroom teacher. Honestly he's not the least bit excited about school, but I hope that changes this year. Austin I think is ready too. Between his books and notebook, there isn't much more he could fit in that desk of his. Yikes! Colton got to see his classroom, see some of his fellow students, and see his teacher. He immediately went to the play area and then just explored the whole room. He's so excited. I'm glad. He's my independent one and I know he'll do fine...probably better than mommy will.

Well going to finish a few things on the computer, read my Bible and call it a night hopefully. Have a great week!

Birthday, Rain and School oh my...

Well Colton's birthday party went well considering hubby was supposed to help, and of course got stuck at work, but other than that overall it went very well thanks to help from the neighbors and of course lots of prayer. The boy made out like a bandit...receiving a skateboard, scooter and a new bike plus a plethera of other wonderful toys and gifts...it was like Christmas for the poor kid. He loved his party and all seemed to have a great time.

Lots of rain here...It has rained...no...downpoured off and on for the last two days. Hoping that the first day of school (Wednesday) is nice...I hope!

Speaking of school, getting ready. Backpacks are packed...clothes are washed and ready...two oldest boys are partaking in a last sleepover with Papa and Gamma tonight...I think we are officially ready. Austin (though he says he's not) is ready, Colton is more than ready and can't wait to get started...Brennan...well Brennan I worry about. He as some of you know and may remember had such a hard year last year...mainly due to his teacher...I'm just worried about how this year is going to go for him of course. This year he switches classes so he'll have 4 teachers instead of one. He'll be responsible for keeping track of his own homework and making sure he writes down all his assignments and all. Just worried about all the changes and since he had such a hard year last year I know just from talking to him that he's worried and not looking forward to this year. Been doing lots of praying.

Oh speaking of Brennan, he gave his heart to the Lord yesterday at church...so proud of him!

So not much else to top that so going to call it a night. Happy Monday all!

Reality is starting to set in...

(Picture of Colton and Brennan, first day of school 2006)

How quickly a year passes...I knew this time was coming...been thinking about it heavily over the last year...but I still can't believe the moment is almost here...just had a home visit with Colton's teacher Miss Cores (who taught my other two boys as well...we love her! She's a great teacher.) He did very well and I think he's going to do great...at this point probably better than Mommy will ;-( He has testing next week and we have orientation and open house next week as well. He doesn't have his first day of school until the 28th...but it will be here before I know it...I can't believe that it's time for him to go...I know I've mentioned this plenty of times, but I think it's finally hitting me. Hard to believe because when Austin started kindergarten Colton was literally just days old. I thought it would take forever to get to this place and now boom, it's here...wow...I'm just in disbelief.

So if you are a mom and you have any stories to share with me about your babies kindergarten experience and how you handled it, especially when your last baby left, please share.

Sketches Layout and other things...

First of all...I have been visiting the "Sketches" website for a while and have never been able to participate in one of their challenges...tonight I MADE time...just because I loved the sketch and knew exactly what photos I wanted to use when I saw it and also because it's been a while since I've done a traditional scrapbooking layout. Lately it's been cards, mini books and the like...this is a full fledged layout....oh, and also just because I needed a sane creative moment...so here it is:

Picture is of Austin...we have one of those message boards and Saturday he wrote the message you see pictured "Went to explore for anything - Austin" ...later that day I caught him "exploring"...just had to take pictures of course...so there ya go.

Well got things to go do...have a great day.

Happy Birthday shout outs...

Happy birthday Colton and Dad!!

We love you both!

Hard to believe my baby is 5 today...where has the time gone?!?!?...I won't mention how old you are Dad ;-) Hope your birthday is great!