Top row: Kenneth, Lindsay, Blake, Ryan, Shiloh, Brandi, Mark, Brooke, Livi, Matthew
Bottom row: Darrell, Mullin, Christian, Aiden, Lincoln, Jacob, Teela
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Arizona Family Picture
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Top row: Kenneth, Lindsay, Blake, Ryan, Shiloh, Brandi, Mark, Brooke, Livi, Matthew
Bottom row: Darrell, Mullin, Christian, Aiden, Lincoln, Jacob, Teela
Top row: Kenneth, Lindsay, Blake, Ryan, Shiloh, Brandi, Mark, Brooke, Livi, Matthew
Bottom row: Darrell, Mullin, Christian, Aiden, Lincoln, Jacob, Teela
Mullins' Christmas Breakfast
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Mullin and Lincoln were jazzed about spending the day with their cousins!! Breakfast was delicious. My first attempt at Monkey Bread was okay, but it just wasn't Grandma T's!!
I loved holding the twins--they are smiling now. So sweet!!
The passing of the presents! It was a house full, but all in all everyone behaved so well.
The cousins all played Pin The Nose on Rudolph.
Though we had a great time we missed our Tender Tennessee Christmas! Thank you so much to all of you who sent us Christmas cards. We really enjoyed looking at all of your pictures!
I loved holding the twins--they are smiling now. So sweet!!
The passing of the presents! It was a house full, but all in all everyone behaved so well.
The cousins all played Pin The Nose on Rudolph.
Though we had a great time we missed our Tender Tennessee Christmas! Thank you so much to all of you who sent us Christmas cards. We really enjoyed looking at all of your pictures!
Our First Desert Christmas
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Mullin and Lincoln were very excited about all of their Star Wars gifts!
Shiloh went nuts over her new Care Bear, Heartsong. She also seemed to like her new books. I had such fun picking them out. I think her favorite was the baby stroller, though. She pushes it all around the house and even gives her babies turns.
Mark is trying to give a Napoleon pose since he got Napoleon chapstick.
I will have to pose with my new stuff later. I was not going to pose without makeup
Mullin and Lincoln were very excited about all of their Star Wars gifts!
Shiloh went nuts over her new Care Bear, Heartsong. She also seemed to like her new books. I had such fun picking them out. I think her favorite was the baby stroller, though. She pushes it all around the house and even gives her babies turns.
Mark is trying to give a Napoleon pose since he got Napoleon chapstick.
I will have to pose with my new stuff later. I was not going to pose without makeup
Monday, December 18, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Mullin's First Hunt
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Grandpa D. took Mullin dove hunting this week. Of course Mullin wasn't able to shoot, but he had a blast retrieving the birds and picking up shells.
Looking at the dead birds in the front yard was pretty gross. I don't think I could be a hunter myself, but I sure have enjoyed eating Darrell's Elk meat that is stocked in the freezer. I love to cook it--there is hardly any fat, no hormones or antibiotics, and it just tastes so good! When we move out, I guess it will be back to good ole' ground beef. :(
Grandpa D. took Mullin dove hunting this week. Of course Mullin wasn't able to shoot, but he had a blast retrieving the birds and picking up shells.
Looking at the dead birds in the front yard was pretty gross. I don't think I could be a hunter myself, but I sure have enjoyed eating Darrell's Elk meat that is stocked in the freezer. I love to cook it--there is hardly any fat, no hormones or antibiotics, and it just tastes so good! When we move out, I guess it will be back to good ole' ground beef. :(
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Our Trip to Flagstaff
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We went on our very first family vacation over Thanksgiving weekend. Here we are, all packed and ready to go!
Most people think of Arizona as one big, hot, dry, barren desert, and where we live that is true. What some may not know is that there are lots of green places, too, even areas where it gets really cold! Flagstaff is one of those places, and it's way up in the mountains where pine trees and evergreens abound.
We took the 31/2 hour scenic route on the way up, and it was just breathtaking.
Friday evening after dinner (it was nice not having to cook, but taking 3 kids out to eat all weekend was a lot of work!) we went to the Lowell Observatory. That's the place where Pluto was discovered. We all got to gaze at an exploding star many light years away through an amazingly powerful telescope. It was really neat and worth the long wait in line where we had to stand outside in the freezing cold. What a great field trip for the boys since we are already studying astronomy this year. I think it is so sad that places like this don't give God all the glory.
The earth and the heavens are amazing to study, and I am so glad that I can just sit back and marvel at God's creation instead of wondering where it all came from or how it all began. I get teary sometimes just reading my child's science book. Probably weird but true.
This is a lookout on the way to the Observatory. It was so neat looking down at the town below.
The same lookout during the day
Saturday morning we took the kids to a museum. They enjoyed it for about 10 minutes. After looking at real dinosaur bones, viewing sloth poop, and touching meteorites they were pretty much done. Fortunately there was a nature trail right outside. Of course, the boys loved it!!
Mullin climbed every rock he could find.
Pretending to find some shelter for the night.
Poor Shiloh couldn't wear shoes due to her blistered heel. We had to carry that heavy little princess everywhere we went!
Linclon cracks me up-- he loved striking all sorts of hiking poses!
Daddy, Mommy and Shiloh
Our last night there, we went to a charming little restaurant in an old hotel. With a cozy fire in the background the atmosphere was so perfect, and the food delicious.
All in all we had a fun time, but it was a lot of work. Sleeping in the same room with the kids wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but I had my sleeping pills, my fan, and earplugs to help me cope. The very loud train whistles would wake the kids up all throughout the night, too.
I am glad, though, that we went. Good memories made!!
Most people think of Arizona as one big, hot, dry, barren desert, and where we live that is true. What some may not know is that there are lots of green places, too, even areas where it gets really cold! Flagstaff is one of those places, and it's way up in the mountains where pine trees and evergreens abound.
We took the 31/2 hour scenic route on the way up, and it was just breathtaking.
Friday evening after dinner (it was nice not having to cook, but taking 3 kids out to eat all weekend was a lot of work!) we went to the Lowell Observatory. That's the place where Pluto was discovered. We all got to gaze at an exploding star many light years away through an amazingly powerful telescope. It was really neat and worth the long wait in line where we had to stand outside in the freezing cold. What a great field trip for the boys since we are already studying astronomy this year. I think it is so sad that places like this don't give God all the glory.
The earth and the heavens are amazing to study, and I am so glad that I can just sit back and marvel at God's creation instead of wondering where it all came from or how it all began. I get teary sometimes just reading my child's science book. Probably weird but true.
This is a lookout on the way to the Observatory. It was so neat looking down at the town below.
The same lookout during the day
Saturday morning we took the kids to a museum. They enjoyed it for about 10 minutes. After looking at real dinosaur bones, viewing sloth poop, and touching meteorites they were pretty much done. Fortunately there was a nature trail right outside. Of course, the boys loved it!!
Mullin climbed every rock he could find.
Pretending to find some shelter for the night.
Poor Shiloh couldn't wear shoes due to her blistered heel. We had to carry that heavy little princess everywhere we went!
Linclon cracks me up-- he loved striking all sorts of hiking poses!
Daddy, Mommy and Shiloh
Our last night there, we went to a charming little restaurant in an old hotel. With a cozy fire in the background the atmosphere was so perfect, and the food delicious.All in all we had a fun time, but it was a lot of work. Sleeping in the same room with the kids wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but I had my sleeping pills, my fan, and earplugs to help me cope. The very loud train whistles would wake the kids up all throughout the night, too.
I am glad, though, that we went. Good memories made!!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Finally a new post...
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My brother's twins are doing great!! Still not as big as Shiloh was when she was born, though! Kenneth is the orange and Ryan is blue. Shiloh kept wanting to hug the babies on Thanksgiving and give them their passys.
Mullin and Lincoln were so glad to finally see their cousins! Between my sister's kids being sick and my kids being sick we haven't really seen much of each other. Shiloh was completely outnumbered but didn't really care. She was right in the middle of their battles!
My little movie star here all decked out in her cool new boots. I thought she was adorable, but sadly those cute little boots gave her the most terrible blister on the back of her heel. She couldn't even wear shoes for about a week.
**I have been trying to post pictures from Flagstaff for the past 2 nights on Mark's laptop, but weird stuff keeps happening. Last night when I retrieved my draft, it had somehow been translated into perfect Spanish. Anyway, stay tuned for the Flagstaff pics...
My brother's twins are doing great!! Still not as big as Shiloh was when she was born, though! Kenneth is the orange and Ryan is blue. Shiloh kept wanting to hug the babies on Thanksgiving and give them their passys.
Mullin and Lincoln were so glad to finally see their cousins! Between my sister's kids being sick and my kids being sick we haven't really seen much of each other. Shiloh was completely outnumbered but didn't really care. She was right in the middle of their battles!
My little movie star here all decked out in her cool new boots. I thought she was adorable, but sadly those cute little boots gave her the most terrible blister on the back of her heel. She couldn't even wear shoes for about a week.
**I have been trying to post pictures from Flagstaff for the past 2 nights on Mark's laptop, but weird stuff keeps happening. Last night when I retrieved my draft, it had somehow been translated into perfect Spanish. Anyway, stay tuned for the Flagstaff pics...
Thursday, November 09, 2006
AZ News
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Well, it's been a long week. Poor Lincoln has been isolated from the rest of the family for 5 whole days due to fever. I am guessing he had the flu, but with lots of TLC (Tesreau Loving Care), Sambucol, Lympha Rub, Lavender baths and water he is finally feeling better today. I am hoping Mullin and Shiloh won't get it!
Shiloh's been cutting teeth now for too long. Lots of drool and crankiness.
Mullin has been trucking along in his studies, and we finally started cursive this week.
Here is an updated photo of the twins. Such cute little pumpkins!! I can't wait to see them again on Thanksgiving day.
The day after Thanksgiving we will be leaving for Flagstaff. I hope there is snow but not too much snow. And yes this is actually a photo of snow covered evergreens in AZ!! I am ready to feel a chill in the air. It just isn't feeling Christmasy with this 90 degree heat!! Supposedly it is a bit warm for this time of year here??
Good news-- we are planning to sign a contract on a house this Friday. I believe it is a spec home. I haven't actually seen it yet, but here is the rendering of it. Looks cute. I don't have a clue what the color scheme is on the inside either! It is going to be ready sometime in January. More later when I find out more details...
Guess that is all for now. Miss everyone back home.
Shiloh's been cutting teeth now for too long. Lots of drool and crankiness.
Mullin has been trucking along in his studies, and we finally started cursive this week.
Here is an updated photo of the twins. Such cute little pumpkins!! I can't wait to see them again on Thanksgiving day.
The day after Thanksgiving we will be leaving for Flagstaff. I hope there is snow but not too much snow. And yes this is actually a photo of snow covered evergreens in AZ!! I am ready to feel a chill in the air. It just isn't feeling Christmasy with this 90 degree heat!! Supposedly it is a bit warm for this time of year here??
Good news-- we are planning to sign a contract on a house this Friday. I believe it is a spec home. I haven't actually seen it yet, but here is the rendering of it. Looks cute. I don't have a clue what the color scheme is on the inside either! It is going to be ready sometime in January. More later when I find out more details...Guess that is all for now. Miss everyone back home.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Twin Nephews are Here!!
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My beautiful nephews arrived Oct. 17, 2006 by C-section. They were born about a month early, but are doing great.
Ryan Adam arrived first weighing 5lbs. 15oz.
Next came Kenneth Aaron who weighed 6lbs. 10z.
They were both 19in. long and are identical!
Proud daddy (my brother) and me a very proud aunt!
My beautiful nephews arrived Oct. 17, 2006 by C-section. They were born about a month early, but are doing great.
Ryan Adam arrived first weighing 5lbs. 15oz.
Next came Kenneth Aaron who weighed 6lbs. 10z.
They were both 19in. long and are identical!
Proud daddy (my brother) and me a very proud aunt!
Do you smell somethin'?
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Benjamin Franklin once said, "Fish and visitors smell after three days."
Hope we're not gettin' too stinky!!
I guess technically we're not really visitors, though. More like temporary residents. Is that the same thing?
Hope we're not gettin' too stinky!!
I guess technically we're not really visitors, though. More like temporary residents. Is that the same thing?
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Rainy Day
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We planned on taking the kids to the park on Saturday morning, but by the time we figured out how to get there, it started raining (believe it or not). You should have seen the long faces. It is kinda nice that it doesn't get all humid here when it rains.
Instead of playing ball, we decided to make good on a promise that we made to the boys at the end of the summer for their over-the-top participation in the summer reading book club thing at the library. Our promise- a trip to Chuck E. Cheese. Now you may be thinking, Chuck E. Cheese on a Saturday, No way! Well, in Memphis we wouldn't have dared, but the joint's a bit different here. The workers, well they work, and they are friendly. My ears didn't hurt and there was space to move around. I wasn't watching the windows at all times in fear of a gunman walking in and holding up the place. Of course that could happen anywhere, but the Chuck E. Cheese that is considered the "safe" one in Memphis has been robbed at gunpoint, with kids inside, at least twice. Scary.
Saturday was also a big day for me because I got out for the very first time all by myself. That is a huge thing for me since I suffer from being directionally challenged. I went to Fry's (same thing as Kroger).
When we are meeting new people, we have to "small talk", which I am really not very fond of because I am not good at it. Mark is like the small talk King, so I just let him do most of it. Anyway, the weather is ALWAYS brought up, and everyone is talking about how amazing the fall weather is and such and such. I try to furrow my brow in my mind and just nod my head with a smile, but all the while thinking to myself, I am still wearing shorts and tank tops for goodness sakes. I will admit the mornings and evenings are nice, but by mid day it is just plain HOT!
I will be glad as we get to know our surroundings better. I don't like not knowing where the good and bad parts are. And here it's a bit weird because on one side of the road will be shack attack and on the other mansion mania. Interesting.
I miss the color GREEN but the mountains are pretty.
Mostly I miss familiarity and all our people that we know!!!!!
Instead of playing ball, we decided to make good on a promise that we made to the boys at the end of the summer for their over-the-top participation in the summer reading book club thing at the library. Our promise- a trip to Chuck E. Cheese. Now you may be thinking, Chuck E. Cheese on a Saturday, No way! Well, in Memphis we wouldn't have dared, but the joint's a bit different here. The workers, well they work, and they are friendly. My ears didn't hurt and there was space to move around. I wasn't watching the windows at all times in fear of a gunman walking in and holding up the place. Of course that could happen anywhere, but the Chuck E. Cheese that is considered the "safe" one in Memphis has been robbed at gunpoint, with kids inside, at least twice. Scary.
Saturday was also a big day for me because I got out for the very first time all by myself. That is a huge thing for me since I suffer from being directionally challenged. I went to Fry's (same thing as Kroger).
When we are meeting new people, we have to "small talk", which I am really not very fond of because I am not good at it. Mark is like the small talk King, so I just let him do most of it. Anyway, the weather is ALWAYS brought up, and everyone is talking about how amazing the fall weather is and such and such. I try to furrow my brow in my mind and just nod my head with a smile, but all the while thinking to myself, I am still wearing shorts and tank tops for goodness sakes. I will admit the mornings and evenings are nice, but by mid day it is just plain HOT!
I will be glad as we get to know our surroundings better. I don't like not knowing where the good and bad parts are. And here it's a bit weird because on one side of the road will be shack attack and on the other mansion mania. Interesting.
I miss the color GREEN but the mountains are pretty.
Mostly I miss familiarity and all our people that we know!!!!!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Some Sense of Normalcy
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First day back to school after 2 long and crazy weeks! I would be able to say it was a great day if Shiloh hadn't cried and hung on me so much. It makes teaching much less enjoyable than I would like for it to be. Took a walk in the neighborhood with my kids--pleasant weather, but still too hot for October. The skies have been beautiful, and it has actually rained here a couple of times since we have been here.
I hope Mark is having a good first day at a new job.
Went house hunting this past weekend. It is hard for me to be excited when I still can't seem to catch my breath over the cost of homes out here! In my opinion it is just ridiculous! Looks like we will have to look into the foreclosures so we can benefit from someone else's misfortune. Sad but true.
Watched The Exorcism of Emily Rose last night. Mistake. Nightmares all night long. I was thankful that my clock read 3:08 instead of 3:00 when I awoke from one of my nightmares this morning.
I am ready to be able to post pictures. Blogs are boring without them!!!!!
I hope Mark is having a good first day at a new job.
Went house hunting this past weekend. It is hard for me to be excited when I still can't seem to catch my breath over the cost of homes out here! In my opinion it is just ridiculous! Looks like we will have to look into the foreclosures so we can benefit from someone else's misfortune. Sad but true.
Watched The Exorcism of Emily Rose last night. Mistake. Nightmares all night long. I was thankful that my clock read 3:08 instead of 3:00 when I awoke from one of my nightmares this morning.
I am ready to be able to post pictures. Blogs are boring without them!!!!!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Sprouts
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Found a health food store today, so that was nice. It's called Sprouts. It compares to Wild Oats back home except much cleaner. Felt at home there. Mark kept trying to get me to bring a 6 pack of Pumpkin Ale home, but I decided that after a huge "celebration" lunch at Jack in the Box, it would be better to refuse.
I think it is against the law here to not have a Lantana bush in your front yard.
I think it is against the law here to not have a Lantana bush in your front yard.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Home
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Very strange to call this place home. Feels different than when I used to just visit. EVERYTHING is different, and I feel like everybody knows that I am a hick from the South. Not that I have spoken to anyone or anything. I spent the last month totally excited and adrenaline pumping non stop! That has all come to a halt. I am not having second thoughts, but it's just that I have entered the unfun stage--trying to unpack, getting the kids used to all the new stuff, etc...
I actually got teary yesterday as I walked out the front door. I miss my neighbors already. I miss the kids playing with their friends, and maybe even the guy who asked me every single day where I was moving. I am terribly missing the familiarity. :(
I wish I could post pictures but our computer is still packed.
I miss everyone!!
I actually got teary yesterday as I walked out the front door. I miss my neighbors already. I miss the kids playing with their friends, and maybe even the guy who asked me every single day where I was moving. I am terribly missing the familiarity. :(
I wish I could post pictures but our computer is still packed.
I miss everyone!!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
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Things I will miss about living here:
*Familiarity
*The Collierville Town Square---lots of memories made there!
*Being out and about and seeing people that I know
*Dogwoods and Azaleas---I will miss driving by the house by the old Cordova Library in the spring.
*My husband's family---especially Christmas Day and the BBQ's at Pa's house
*My close friends that I have known for what seems like forever
*Seeing all of the trees fade to amazing hues in autumn
*Bellevue---lots of great memories made there! I met my husband there and so many wonderful friends. It has been my place of worship for 12 years now.
*Lots and lots of green grass
*The architecture
*Hanging out with our friendly neighbors in the evenings
*All of those crazy college kids
*My dad and his wife---the kids love spending time with them!
Things that I will not miss about living here:
*Rain
*Frizzy hair
*Soggy backyards from fall to spring
*Big, fat, juicy Wolf Spiders---guess I'd rather have the spiders over scorpions, though
*The racial tension that plagues this town
*Wet snow
*Freezing rain
I am sure I could think of 100 more, but I am tired and my brain is getting fuzzy.
*Familiarity
*The Collierville Town Square---lots of memories made there!
*Being out and about and seeing people that I know
*Dogwoods and Azaleas---I will miss driving by the house by the old Cordova Library in the spring.
*My husband's family---especially Christmas Day and the BBQ's at Pa's house
*My close friends that I have known for what seems like forever
*Seeing all of the trees fade to amazing hues in autumn
*Bellevue---lots of great memories made there! I met my husband there and so many wonderful friends. It has been my place of worship for 12 years now.
*Lots and lots of green grass
*The architecture
*Hanging out with our friendly neighbors in the evenings
*All of those crazy college kids
*My dad and his wife---the kids love spending time with them!
Things that I will not miss about living here:
*Rain
*Frizzy hair
*Soggy backyards from fall to spring
*Big, fat, juicy Wolf Spiders---guess I'd rather have the spiders over scorpions, though
*The racial tension that plagues this town
*Wet snow
*Freezing rain
I am sure I could think of 100 more, but I am tired and my brain is getting fuzzy.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
12 Days Left in Tennessee
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Seems like yesterday that my family and I arrived here. It was December of '85, and I was a very shy little 4th grader. I was devastated about leaving the only home I had ever known and loved. To make matters worse, on the first day in my new classroom I was greeted by a very tall and rather large African American woman who was not pleased at having a new student and didn't mind one bit making it known. Everyone said I talked funny. (Imagine that, bumpkins telling me that I talked weird!) I was friendless and miserable. I cried every night for at least a month. Things did get better for me, though, once the teacher realized that I was a quiet, obedient, honor student. By the end of the year she loved me and I loved her. Well, the rest is history, and now after 21 years I am moving back to the the very place I was born. (And I have a feeling people are going to tell me that I talk funny.)
I think I am too busy to be overly sad right now. Doesn't seem possible to tie up all the loose ends in just 12 days. I am tired, no, exhausted.
I think I am too busy to be overly sad right now. Doesn't seem possible to tie up all the loose ends in just 12 days. I am tired, no, exhausted.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
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