Misc.

Randall is the pastor at the church we have been visiting. I spoke with him this afternoon. He was asking what our story was and so went through the whole bit of we've been married almost 10 years and so on and so forth. Anyway, he asked what our religous backgrounds were and I told him I grew up in a Pentecostal Holiness Church and all of Quentin's family was Baptist. As he was laughing he said, "How did you guys ever hook up?" I laughed and said, "We often ask that same thing." Anyway, he was so nice and asked if Quentin and I would like to go to dinner or lunch with him and his wife. (Which by the way I would love to go.) So when Quentin got home, I told him that I talked to Randall and that he wanted to go to dinner or lunch with us. Quentin said that would be okay (YEAH!!!!!) However he also jokingly said that he was going to ask "Preach" what he was doing calling his wife. HA HA HA. I think he might actually go through with the lunch/dinner thing.

Tyler had his first football practice last night and oh my goodness he is so sore today. He was nervous about going back today, but in the same breath he couldn't wait to go. Boys!!!!! Gotta love them.

Brayden went to VBS at church and had a wonderful time. He couldn't wait to sing every song to us and tell us word for word what happened. I'm sure you all were sad to not be here to listen to all of that!! J/K.

I have had a few busy days at work. Both of my guys have been out of the office and I have been swamped. It never fails that when they are out, everything happens. One of them will back tomorrow, and I'm so glad. Work has been a major stress factor in my life lately. I'm learning to deal with it, but I'm ready for a little break. I do know that I'm so lucky to have my job and I couldn't work with better people.

Time to cook dinner, so I've got to run!!!!

Great Weekend

What a great weekend we've had!!!!!!

Friday - Friday night I played Bunko at Keri's house. I had such a great time learning how to play and meeting some awesome women from church. I can't wait until next month to play again. Keri's house is so beautiful and great for entertaining. I think Gracelyn and I made a connection and I can't wait to see her again also. What a beautiful little girl and with so much attitude!!!! I can't imagine where that came from (Aunt Renay)!!! Just kidding. Both of the boys were so cute and the baby was just a bundle of joy. Thanks Renay, Keri, and Kathy. I had a wonderful time. I'm so glad you are part of our lives. Quentin played softball Friday night and the team he plays on won both games. I'm so glad he is doing something that he truely enjoys.

Saturday - Saturday morning we got up and went to sign Tyler up for WTYFL football. I can't believe it's time for football again. Tyler loves to play and we love to watch him. He will start practices on Monday at 6:00 and so that means we will be a practice nearly every night for the next 3 1/2 months. I know it will be a challenge, but we love it. Candy's color guard had their car wash on Saturday, so of course we had to go get our car washed. Candy puts so much time into making Caprock's color guard good. They just don't know how lucky they are to have her there. I talked to Tricia Saturday and she will be coming hom next Friday. I can't wait. We miss her so much and I know that she's where God wants her, but we pray that someday she will come back and be able to do His work here. Quentin and Eric went to the Harley Party to try to bring mamma a motorcycle home. Well, they had a great time, but no motorcycle. I guess we'll try again next year. After the Harley Party, they went to the races and had a wonderful time. I think the highlight was Eric and Quentin talking to Biscuit. Quentin introduced Eric to Biscuit, and told Biscuit that Eric attends the same church. Quentin said that Biscuit told them that there was a driver that really made him upset and anyone who knows Biscuit knows what a temper he's always had, however instead of going and starting a fight, Biscuit said he just went to his truck and prayed. Wow!!!! What a powerful thing to say to both Quentin and Eric. Especially since I know God has been working on Quentin. For another man to say this to him was just another way that God was talking to him.

Sunday - Quentin, Tyler, Brayden, Sean, and I all went to church. I can't tell you how many times I had tears in my eyes during church today. I know that God is reaching out to me and to Quentin. What a blessing it is just to get Quentin to church. I know that it's been a long time since I have really reached out to God and I know that he is pulling me back to him. I felt God's love around me today in such a powerful way. Tyler and Brayden loved the church. They can't wait to go again. Sean didn't have such a great time, but I think he'll get use to it. We went to eat afterwards with the Giles family and then Tyler Giles came home with us to play with the boys for a little while. They had fun.

I guess it's time for me to do some more laundry and to go to the grocery store. Love to all!!!!

Shingles.........Again?????

Well, I guess this isn't going to be my month. Yes, I've had another break out of shingles. This time it's not on my head which is good. I'm so frustrated with this. I just don't know what else to do to get rid of it. I'm now taking another round of antivirals. This is a different medication than the one before. I hope they go away fairly quickly. The doctor said that if I have another break out or they don't heal in the next 10 days, that I have to go back in to see him. I don't know what the next step will be. I just pray that this will be the last break out.

I guess that is all for today!!!

Sunday

Quentin and I went to church with Renay and Eric today. Since the day that Renay told me they were changing churches and how much she really liked the new church, I have wanted to go and check the church out. I really feel that this was Gods way of getting me and Quentin to church. It's strange how things work this way. I guess not strange but God working in our lives. We really liked the church and liked the pastor. Even Quentin who has been so against going to church was saying that he could see us going back. There was a family that was leaving the church today. It was a husband, wife, and 3 boys. Quentin said that it would be kind of funny if we started going there now since we also have 3 boys. I just think that God works in ways like this. I have prayed for a long time to find a church home that Quentin would feel comfortable at. He's not into dressing up and this church was so relaxed that he felt somewhat "overdressed." Which we laughed at. What an exciting thing it is for me that he is even considering going back. Thank you Renay for your excited about going to this church. If it wasn't for you we wouldn't have gone. Thanks to Eric for telling Quentin that it was laid back and a good place to go. I know that God put you guys in our lives for a reason and maybe this was it. I've wanted Quentin to go to church for so long and it made me so happy today that he went.

We also had our family birthday lunch today. We had lots of good food and it was good to see everyone. We did miss a few people, but maybe we'll see them soon. I wish they would have been there. We haven't seen them in a while. Tyler, Brayden, and Sean love to play ball with the older guys and I'm glad they older guys will play with them.

Weekend Plans

Well, Quentin started softball again on Friday nights. His team won this week. Quentin struggled with hitting, but otherwise did really well. It's always fun to watch him play along with all the other family that is playing.

Saturday was a busy day for us. We had to feed Mom's animals again today. We can't wait for them to get back in town. We had to pick them up at the airport this evening and they were so excited to see the boys. I'm so glad that they have such a great relationship with my boys. There's not a day that goes by that they don't call to check on the boys. We thankful for all of the support. Today we also celebrated Reagann's birthday. We had hotdogs, cake and icecream at Chad & Heather's house. There were lots of people and I think Reagann got lots of gifts. We did miss some of the family, but maybe we'll see them tomorrow at the July birthday lunch. We will have the birthday lunch at Beverly's house. Quentin and the boys went with Eric and Tyler to the races tonight. They have enjoyed hanging out with Eric and Tyler and I have enjoyed the quiet time with Sean. It's nice to be somewhat alone at home when you normally have 4 other people in the house. It never fails that someone always wants something or the boys are fighting or all of the "boys" are wrestling. Man, it's nice to not listen to all of that.

We ended our week at work with some good news. Our new firm has decided to give all of the support staff a bonus payable after the 1st of January. It's not anything to do cartwheels over, but at least it is something. I'm very thankful that I work for a wonderful boss who is going to give me a portion of his bonus. It will be nice to have "extra" money. I have been really fortunate to work where I do and work with the people that I do. It can be such a stressful job, but I have always been fairly compensated which makes dealing with the stress a little easier.

Well, it's almost 10:00 and everyone knows that at 10:00 I turn into a pumpkin, so I guess Sean and I will go to bed. Until next time.........

Tuesday Update

We went to see Baby Shealee last night and let me just tell you how cute she is. What a beauty!!! Aubrie was so proud of her and informed us that we couldn't take her sister home with us. Tamra looks great and Chris looks tired. There is nothing like the feeling you get when you hold a newborn baby. Even though I was totally exhausted last night, I wouldn't have spent my night any other way!!

This was my second full time day back at work. It went well, however I still don't have a lot of strength. It sure is hard to go back and miss all those naps I took when I was off. I'm feeling better day by day.

Today is Stephanie's birthday. Happy Birthday Steph!!! We miss you! I haven't seen you in a while.

Just when I thought things were going to really settle down, Quentin starts playing softball again this Friday. I think he plays for 5 or 6 weeks, but thank goodness it's only on Fridays. I love to watch him play.

I think it's time for me to rest so I'll update later in the week!!!!

Aunt Debra

As most of you know, Debra has been babysitting Sean for about a month now. Debra is truely a blessing to our family. I can't say enough about what a special person Debra is. Sean has gone from being sick on a weekly basis to not being sick at all. He talks more and is so well behaved now. I begged Debra to watch Sean even before he was born. Debra has raised 2 wonderfull girls and I knew given the chance she would do a wonderful job with Sean. Debra is so patient with Sean. I know that Debra prayed a lot about what to do, and I'm so thankful it turned out this way. Debra we love you so much and I'm so thankful you are a big part of our family.

New Niece

Tamra and Chris had a baby girl on Friday July 13th. She was half grown weighing in at 9 pounds and 1 ounce. I don't how Tamra carried her. I can't wait to hold her and give her lots of love. Hopefully I'll get to see her sometime this week. I am being cautious about going around them until I'm completely over the shingles. We are so proud to add her to our family. Tamra, I'm so proud of you for being such a great mommy.

Shingles

Who would have thought that I would have come down with shingles? This has been the hardest 2 weeks I've had since giving birth to Sean. Most people get shingles in places that can be hidden by clothes, but not me. See I seem to be part of the small percentage of people that get it on their face and head. It all started with a spot the size of a quarter in the middle of my forehead. From there it exploded to the entire upper left side of my face. It caused my lymph nodes to swell in both my neck and in front of my ears. Let me just say that it wasn't pretty, in fact it was outright ugly. I went to the doctor on a Friday with the swollen lymph nodes and the spot in the middle of my forehead. He wasn't sure what it was, but guessed that it might be shingles. When I woke up on Saturday, my left eye was swollen shut, and I had numerous blisters over my left eye and in my hair. I went back to the doctor on Monday and he confirmed that it was shingles. I have been on so much medicine since then. Thank God for pain meds. The doctor told me to relax and rest. Are you kidding me???? I have a husband, 3 kids and a full time job. Who has time to rest??? My family has been awesome and I don't think I could have made it without them. Debra is definately a blessing from God. She made dinner for us and it lasted 2 nights. Mom helped us with the kids. Thanks to all for the prayers and thoughts. I think I'm finally on the road to recovery.

Tagged by Renay

First memory: Playing pinball at a bar in Oklahoma, while my Grandparents played shuffle board. I remember I was some kind of pinball player.

First real kiss: 1st grade (yeah I started early), his name was Andrew. Wait a minute, my son's middle name is Andrew. No, no connection there.

First concert: I really can't remember.

First thing you think in the morning: I've got to hurry. I have 500 hundred things that have to be done in an hour and a half.

First book you remember loving: Nancy Drew books. I always wanted to be Nancy Drew. Those were great books. Maybe I should introduce my boys to the Hardy Boys.

First question you'll ask in Heaven: Where are my papas? Can I finally meet my big brother?

First thing you think of when you hear the word 'vacation': Grab the fishing poles!!!!

First best friend: Nikki Harris. We even got caught cheating in the 4th grade. I wonder where she is now?

Last time you dressed up: Every work day. Not my favorite thing to do.

Last thing you ate: Ritz crackers

Last CD you bought: Kenny Chesney Live

Last (good) book you read: The innocent man by John Grisham.

Last time you cried: It's been a while. I'm just not that emotional.

Last time you told someone you loved them: Just a minute ago, when Sean said Love you more. He's so cute!!!

Last really funny thing you did: Didn't recognize my husband. Boy is that embarrassing.

Last thing you watched on TV: Nascar Race

Last Halloween costume: Lady Bug

Last concert attended: Don't remember.