The Kifers

A few little things.....

2009-07-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it has been a long time since I posted anything....sorry! It is summer and we have been so busy. But I do have a few really funny pics to share. We have a garden and Mable loves it.That is a cucumber! It was on the island in the kitchen and she helped herself. She also likes to pick the cantaloupes off the vine....she is nuts.

I guess crunching a cucumber during family movie night makes a girl tired! Now, check out these next pics.....

Hey there Super Mario!!A stick on moustache from a 50 cent machine....now why didn't i think of this? So funny....as you can see, we all had a ball! 50 cents well spent.

Happy Summer.....and everyone remember to visit Posh Princess!!!

Go....

2009-07-07T18:18:00.001-07:00

GO TO www.poshprincss.blogspot.com DO IT.....GO.....GO NOW!

Nothing like a little ghetto....

2009-06-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

We have a pool.....a ghetto pool as I lovingly refer to it! The kids got it for their big birthday gift last year from Brad's parents. I'm telling you there has never been a better gift. We didn't actually "winterize" it like we were suppose to last year, so there was a lot of clean up to do this year. Brad power washed and bleached it! But, we finally go it up and running 2 weeks ago. Brax and Layla were outside "helping" with the washing of the pool. They had on these super cool guitar glasses...Brax would not take his off! When Megan came to pick him up, she wanted him to leave them at our house...NO WAY....he wore them to the mall!

We didn't start filling it until early evening....but there was no keeping the little fish out. IT WAS FREEZING! Layla jumped right in, but it took Bradley a little longer to inch his way in. They swam for almost 2 hours. The next morning Layla got out of bed and into the pool.....This is her at 7:00 that night....she slept until 9:00 the next morning.

Happy Swimming!

SUMMER LOVIN'

2009-06-13T12:26:00.001-07:00

My grandparents(my moms parents) Bud and Margaret Sweeden.
Last weekend we went to Russelleville to a family reunion. My mom's parents grew up in Atkins and Russelleville and we have lots of family there. My Aunt Peggy (my mom's sister) and Uncle Gary and my cousins and their families all live there. Peggy is the reunion coordinator and always does a good job of getting everyone there. Layla and I rode down w/my cousin Jenny and her youngest daughter, Sydney. We had a nice lunch and visit at the reunion. Bingo was a big hit! I think EVERYONE won a prize....even my mom.....it took her 4-EVER! These are my mom's sisters....My Aunt Mary June(left) and Aunt Peggy(right)....

Jenny and Sydney.....she is 2.5 and she is a MESS!!!

This little cutie is Jett, he is 2. He is my cousin Brad, and wife Katie, little boy. Katie didn't make it this year b/c she had little Beau 3 weeks ago.....and he is tiny.....5lbs!!Most of the cousins.....we are missing a few. All those cuties, (except Layla!) are 2....talk about fun! Layla, Mary Margaret, Sydney, and Jett

Sydney "won" a pack of highbounce balls! They were zinging all over the place....Layla and Syd "won" some candy lipgloss....MMMMMMMgood!Check out my winning card....I got this cute little plate, it says "Harvest Time". I will put a pretty new ribbon on it and use it this fall.

After we had all the fun we could stand at the reunion, we went over to J.W. and Christa's house so the kids could play. They just finished a HUGE renovation on their house and it looks OH SO GOOD (sorry no pics, oops!) The kids had a ball......

J.W. had to put some hot water in the pool b/c the water was so cold!Rub-A-Dub-Dub how many cousins can you fit in a tub?! Layla had to wear a pair of swim trunks that used to be Bradley's (we handed them down to cousin Daniel, who handed them down to cousin Eli!!)This is Eli, he is J.W. and Christa's little boy. Talk about t-r-o-u-b-l-e! But he is cute, so we keep him!

Mary Margaret showing us how it's done.....right after I snapped this pic, she took a head dive over that bar....OH MY GOSH, all three of us dove for her....her mom grabbed her just in time to keep her from going head first off the deck(it's about 6feet off the ground)AHHHHH!

That was our fun time....hope everyone is enjoying the summer so far!

ShaLayLay

2009-06-06T19:39:00.001-07:00

Tonight we went over the the Carlisle house so the kiddo's could burn off some energy. Kent and Layla are nuts when they get together. Taylor decided to give Layla a little "make over"....This is what happened...."ShaLayLay". Kent had to get in on the action, so he put some gel in his hair...

How cute are they! Kent is a smooth operator....he is all about the ladies. Layla just thinks he is silly!I can't believe how big Tay Tay is getting. I remember when she was borne....ahhhh!

Check out Ruby shakin' her groove thang. She is so stinkin' cute. She didn't want anything to do with the makeover...she was telling those wild kids to get out of her way!
I took this pic of the moon when we got home....maybe this is why the kids (and the dogs for that matter) are acting so crazy!! Oh well....we had fun. And "ShaLayLay" still has the eyelashes on. Not sure how that is going to work out during the bath.....

Move over Martha.....

2009-05-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

Well, "Move over Martha" may be a little lofty.....I'm sure she would die before she went slumming in my back yard....maybe "I'm cheap" would be a better title. Anyhoo, I needed new patio chair cushions, and being the cheap-o that I am, couldn't bring myself to buy them. I need 6 of them and those suckers aren't cheap. I found some at TJMAXX a few months ago, for a good deal $14, and they only had 4 of them-AHHHH. So, this set my crafty little mind to motion. I wanted something that would withstand the kids, the dogs, the ice cream and pizza, the pool and the sun. And if they get messed up, big whoop. After a few days of thinking it over, I came up w/this.....

I spent a whopping $16. "How" you ask? I got four handy dandy out door tablecloths ($4 each) and went to work w/my trusty glue gun.

I even had enough left to make a pillow for my rocker and a little apron!

And I can't forget to mention the injury I sustained during the cushion making frenzy.

My trusty glue gun has become not so trusty in her old age. She drips and oozes a lot. Well, I was doing this project in the den floor and a drop of molten melted plastic glue got away from me and fell onto the nice, smooth, tender top of my foot-OUCH! I have lost many a fingerprint layer of skin over the years to the glue gun, but never the foot. It is nice and scabbed over and I am sure I will have a pretty little scar. Oh well, no pain no gain!

Long time, no post!

2009-05-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while since my last post. We have been so busy around here I don't even know where to start! Mother's Day seems to be a good jumping off point....On Saturday Tara (my mother-in-law), Kendra (sis-in law), and I headed to my moms in Conway for some R & R.We had lunch, did a little shopping, and had pedi's. Ok, so my mother-in law is the most "no fuss" girl I know! This was not her first pedi, but it was however the first time IN HER LIFE that she has had color on her toes......that's right first time. She usually goes for a shade of nude! We talked her into this pretty rose color and I thought we were going to have to hold her down she was so unsure about it. But once it was done, she really liked it-DUH!! Saturday night my super awesome step dad grilled steak for us. We were able to sit around and gossip, over a few bottles of wine, w/no children....soooooo nice! We decided this will be a new Mother's Day tradition. The next morning we got up and went to brunch at Market Place. Good Girl Time!Baseball is upon us.....Bradley has moved from Church League to Boys Club. I have to tell you, I am missing Church League. But we are having a good season so far. Bradley is pitching and he LOVE LOVE LOVES it. He isn't exactly "Speedy Gonzales", so the pitchers mound is good for him, plus he is good at it.

Saturday was Layla's BFF Erin's birthday party. I can't believe how big these girls are getting. Erin turned 7, and I'm telling you this girl is going to be TALL. And when these two get together, there is no telling what will happen. I think we are going to have our hands full in a few short years-ugh!

This is Layla getting her groove-thang-on! Singing "Go Erin, it's your birthday, Go Erin, it's your birthday"....cracked me up!Time for presents-whoooo! This one is from Layla.....swimsuit cover up and a new Junie B book. I think we have given her a new swim suit/cover up for the last 3 birthday's...ha ha ha! After Erin's party we headed to The Red Barn to celebrate my Grandpa Bud's 82 birthday. Layla and I had to stop on the way and get a cake, b/c you can not have a birthday w/out cake!

After dinner, Misty and Avery stopped by. I hadn't seen them in about a week. Miss Avery is growing like a weed. She is so sweet, and looks just like her momma and the rest of the Dressendorfer's.The best part......sweet sleeping baby. I love babies.....I could have a hundred of them if they would stay this small and sweet!

Last but not least, Megan and I met P.P., Stacey, Collin, and Brax for lunch Friday. Brax says he has to go potty......ha, yeah right, he tells us that all the time! So Collin takes him...they are gone forever....and then all of a sudden, Brax comes running back yelling "I did it, I potty!" and Collin is grinning like a fat cat. Sure enough, he did it. He was SO excited-it was so cute. He kept hugging Megan and yelling "I did it, I did it Momma, I go potty in big boy potty"!!

"Nat Nat, I did it, I go potty-yay!!"

The Beatles Concert

2009-04-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

Bet you didn't know The Beatles could still rock the house. Well, I tell ya they did....rock the school anyway. The Euper Lane 4 grade put on their music program Tuesday night....."Rock and Roll Forever". They took us rocking through the ages. Bradley (and his BFF, Matthew) were chosen to be in The Beatles. Bub was Paul McCartney and Matthew was John Lenon. (Two of their other class mates were also in the band) Well, it was up to the parents to get the costumes together. Where in the world were we going to find black suit jackets for 4 little boys? So, Kim came up w/an awesome idea....we paint white shirts to look like they were a jacket and tie. Only, do you know what a pain it would be to paint a white shirt, actually 4 white shirts! So, I decide starting w/a black shirt would be best......and if I do say so myself, they were super cute! I painted these in about an hour......

Cameron, John, Matthew, Bradley.....how cute are they!

The Most Amazing Woman

2009-04-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

If you don't know my grandma Josie, then you have missed out on knowing the most Amazing woman. She is truly one of the most influential people in my life. I can't even begin to tell you all of the things that make her so Amazing, but I think at least a post is in order.

She grew up in the Muldrow bottoms during the depression. She walked to school, wore home made clothes and hand me down shoes. She worked hard all her life. She met my grandfather, who grew up just down the road from her, in her childhood years and they married young. She got her first job as a switchboard operator at Holt Krock Clinic. She would get a ride to the bottom of the Arkansas Bridge (Garrison Ave.) and walk the rest of the way to the clinic from there.

My grandfather (oh the things I could say about him!) was a watchmaker/jeweler who was starting out with a small shop. She would help him at night and on the weekends.

She had problems conceiving a child. She had a daughter who died a few days after her berth. And finally, in 1959, along came my dad. Grandma never stopped working. In fact, my grandfather took care of my dad, taking him to work w/him.

She worked her way up at Holt Krock, even putting herself through school while taking care of her family. Things around the Decker house were NEVER easy (like I said, short post!), but they were always interesting. My grandma comes from a long line of strong women. When the going gets tough you deal w/it. She worked more hours at that clinic than any doctor ever dreamed of working. She served on more boards, volunteered for more committees, raised more funds and organized more events than a girl scout could ever dream of doing.

Over the years, she hired most of the doctors in this town. Became their friend, their advisor, and in many cases, their mentor. This is because she had worked her way from the switchboard operator to the Head Sr. Administrative Advisor of Sparks Medical Foundation. She worked for 50 years for Holt Krock/Sparks.

She became a vital member of society as well as the absolute cornerstone of my family. This past Wednesday I had the honor of attending the dedication ceremony of the new Donald W. Reynolds Crisis Center facility. My grandma served on their board of directors for many years.She was instrumental in starting and seeing many of their programs and projects through. She no longer serves on the board....but she was given an award Wednesday for her service to the foundation. This award was a surprise to her, and I am so thankful I was there. My 2nd cousin, her nephew, now serves on the board and he called me to let me know.
My grandma Josie is someone I look up to without question. She is the embodiment of grace, honesty, beauty, humility, compassion, and drive. I owe so much of who I am to this Amazing Lady. I only hope that in my life I can accomplish half of what she has set before me. She has taught me many lessons.....and I think one of the most important is to let those around you know how much you love them. I could go on for days about my grandma and all she has taught me, she truly is on of my best friends, but I will leave you w/this......"Never let someone tell you that you can't. You can. Life isn't fair, so deal w/it. Pray w/out ceasing, and love your family and friends. And dance when you can".

Flip Flop mania

2009-04-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

To know me is to know that I live for shoes. Especially in the summer....love me some flip flops and sandals....I hate to have my toes covered(even in the winter!). So, this weekend I was doing a little crafting, and decided to make some flip flops for Miss Layla. Well, they were soooooo stinking cute, that I just had to make a pair for my self! Check them out......

These are the ones I did for Layla And these are the ones I did for me! Super cute! You want some don't you!

I have the BEST friends....

2009-04-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

Seriously. I have the best friends......and after you read this post, you will not be able to argue that point. You see, my friend Rachel had a garage sale last week. She had pics on her blog of things she was willing to part with for this sale.....so, there was this pic of something that looked a lot like, well, a Va-JJ. So, I sent her a little comment asking her where she had this little treasure hung!

Well, when I got to the office this morning, there was something sitting outside the front door...???....When I pulled it in and turned it around so I could see it.....This is what I found!!!THE VA-JJ....AHHHHHHHHHH!!! Thanks for thinking of us!

Ever thought about Pilate's roll in the Easter story?

2009-04-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

Strange question? Maybe, maybe not. As a child, I always heard the Easter story and for some reason I always wondered about Pilate. So, today I started reading the Easter story in the gospel of John (chapter 18-19). I remembered that Pilate wasn't too keen on the idea of killing Jesus....but as I read I got a better idea of just how opposed he was to the idea. The Jews had no authority to kill Jesus, so they had to have Pilate give the go-ahead.....Pilate found no fault with Jesus and wanted to release Him. 3 times Pilate said he found no fault and would let Jesus go...but the Jews were insistent. Giving in to the "peer-pressure" (for lack of a better word) Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. I guess this is the part that always got me thinking....."If you find no fault and have no problem w/him, then why have him killed?" Turns out (besides the fact that that was the plan from the beginning!) that Pilate was just a big wussy. So, the lesson I can take away from Pilate is to stand up for what I believe and not give in to the pressure of the world. Sure it is hard, but it is do-able.
Even better is the Easter story as a whole. We have all heard it, and around this time every year, we all start to reflect on it. But, have you ever REALLY looked into it? Here, let me help.....
Pilate had Jesus flogged. Pretty nice for a guy who found no fault huh? Flogged-beaten, whipped, possibly w/something over your eyes/face...w/no covering on his body. They used whips and beat him to the bone....THE BONE...all while he wore a crown of thorns. This crown was made by the soldiers and it wasn't "placed" on his head. It was a thick, braided circle of spike like thorns that they dug into his scalp. I don't know about you, but I can not even trim my rose bush w/out gloves....but my Jesus wore a crown of spikes....for me...
After the near death beating that he endured he was forced to carry his own cross. And I don't mean he had to pick up a few 2x4's and carry them across the yard. I mean, open wounds, blood running,crown of spikes, and little to no clothes, Jesus drug a HUGE wooden cross over a mile.(From what I can find, the cross weighed around 150 lbs.) And I feel safe in saying that the sweet soldiers didn't sand that HUGE rough heavy wooden cross. He DRUG it, on his wounded, bloody, aching shoulders. Where do you think that cross ended up hitting him several times as he drug it? I would say it probably did a pretty good job of driving those spikes on his "crown" deeper and deeper into the temple of his head. As if this wasn't enough, the people on the streets spit on him, kicked him, threw rocks at him and called him names. He fell under the weight of the cross (and the harm his body had endured I'm sure)...HE WAS HUMAN....
Here is a little info....did you know this was the worst criminal death in that day...and only the worst of the worst got nails in their hands AND feet. Jesus got both. They nailed him to the cross. Did you get that? THEY NAILED HIM TO THE CROSS. No, not w/picture hanging nails, but w/something we would assimilate to a railroad spike. They were driven into his pulse. This broke the tendon extending to his shoulder, forcing him to use ALL the muscles of his back to hold himself just to take a breath. The spike used for his feet was bigger b/c the feet were done together. He was forced to put weight on his feet to lift up to get a breath, all the while, his feet were tearing. He was nailed to a cross, bleeding from the HOLES in his body, wearing a crown of spikes. Jesus did this for 3 hours. At the point that he asked for a drink, they gave him vinegar on a sponge. They mocked him. He eventually stopped pouring blood and his wounds poured water. (The adult body is made up of about 3.5 liters of blood) The soldiers wanted to make sure of his death, they shoved a spear into his side. Keeping track? That is a spike wound to each pulse, one to the feet, spear to the side, and countless other "crown" and whip injuries.
Mothers....can you imagine your child beaten so badly that you do not even recognize him? Can you imagine your child hanging on a cross? I can't.....But He did......and He did it for ME. And for YOU.
So this year when you think of the Easter story, don't think of a little crown of thorns. Remember the Cross. And remember the most awesome part of the Easter story.....Jesus rose from the dead. He didn't do it b/c he wanted to, He did it b/c I need Him. He did it so that I may spend my life serving Him and that one day I will sit with Him in Heaven.
I hope all of you have the most beautiful Easter and spend time with family and friends to celebrate the true meaning of the season.

Kids, Husbands, and Dogs...OH MY!

2009-04-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

Layla loves to take pics...so when she got a hold of my camera the other day, this is what I found......

Channeling her inner Elvis....

What is that yellow crap on her face? I was painting the playhouse that day, so I am sure it is probably cheetos or something equally as nutritious that Brad fixed her for lunch. (Daddy isn't as good w/the high cholesterol diet guidelines as Momma!) Oh well, a cheeto or two never killed anyone!

I finally got some pics of Bradley.....granted, they are SILLY, but he is smiling!! See, I have to act like I am going to kiss, or hug, or love on him. This gets him all silly trying to keep me off of him.
"Hello, I'm MR. DORK!"

**** Now, lets think about this.....This morning, I overslept by 20 minutes-AHHH. I got up, got my coffee(gotta have my coffee), got the dogs fed and outside,got Bradley up, fed him, got Layla up, fed her, got them off to school....came home and jumped in the shower. I walk out of the bathroom to this.................
The biggest lump is Brad....sleeping w/the dogs. Man, life is hard.
So, I jet off to the office and leave these 3 morons to them self....wish I was a husband or a dog. Gotta love the fam!

Tooth Fairy, Birthday Celebrations, and Stuff.....

2009-03-31T09:15:00.001-07:00

Layla's top tooth finally came out-yay! Last Friday Megan picked her up and it was just hanging....so Megan told her she had to pull it before she would drive off b/c she didn't want it to fall out while she was driving(huh?!), but it worked......after messing w/that tooth for 3 weeks, she finally let May May pull it. That night she put it under her pillow....well, it was pretty nasty out Friday night and the Tooth Fairy wasn't able to make all her rounds, so she came Saturday and left an extra $1 for the delay! Doesn't she look cute w/her "snaggle" smile! And look at Brax doing his "cheese" grin for Nat Nat- Gotta love it!
LOOK......I ACTUALLY GOT A PIC OF BRADLEY SMILING.....
We gave him his gifts Saturday night so he could play and enjoy them....
Layla got him a new beach towel and swim trunks...ok, so he couldn't really enjoy THOSE this weekend, but he did like them. Brad and I got him Mario Kart for Wii.....so fun! He also wants us to build him a new fort....ugh!
My mom gave him all her gifts before the party.....lots of new clothes and shoes. Nothing EXCITING for a 10 yr. old boy, but he liked it. I swear, his foot is so big I can wear his shoes.

Layla got her clothes and shoes from MeeMaw Jan a few weeks ago on her b-day.....but MeeMaw brought her a purse full of nail polish this weekend. THANKS A-LOT MOM! You see, Layla is of the mind that she has to do her own nails, and let me tell you, they look NICE by the time she is finished!

Other Stuff.....

This is John....he wasn't able to come to the b-day party, so he brought Layla her gift Sat. morning. He lives down the street and is in Layla's class. These two crack me up....I am telling y'all....they are IN LOVE! And I mean LOVE. Even their teacher is in on it. Isn't he a cutie?

Sunday afternoon after church, Erin came over to play. These two are going to be T-R-O-U-B-L-E in a few years.... I made them sit outside to play "nail salon"-fingers and toes, oh my! I was going to do my own toes last night, but thanks to these two adorable little faces, I had no remover left. No open toe shoes for me this week!

BFF=TROUBLE! We went to Chuck E. Cheese last night for Bradley's birthday.....I got a pic of these two cheese balls, but of course Bub wouldn't let me get near him w/the camera.

Mable....enjoying the sun. Must be a ruff life-ha ha!

Last but NOT LEAST........

Pics of pics of my sweet LITTLE boy....now that he is 10 he is not "little" any more. He is still sweet (sometimes!). Just look at those HUGE brown eyes......

It has been a fun month of birthday celebration....sad to see it end. However, we need a new month to recover from all the $$$$$$ it takes to have 2 kid birthday's w/in 2 weeks of each other-UGH!

Happy Birthday Bradley Scott!

2009-03-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow my little boy will turn 10....snif snif. It seems like just yesterday he was just a little guy running around in his Superman cape. He was such a little baby....7 lbs...doesn't seem little, but man he was scrawny. I had to get him preemie clothes and he wore them for over a month! He started kindergarten in a pair of 24 month shorts and a 3T polo. I remember thinking he would never grow.....HA! He sprouted last year....now he has little boy chub....so cute! But now that he is 10, I guess I can't call him "cute" anymore. This is a pic of him at the birthday party....NO I didn't put pink candles on his cake! He and Layla both wanted to have the "same kind" of party this year, so we did it on the same day....he had blue candles on his side.

This is him on the slide before the party started. We had a blast. The Adventure Zone is the best place ever! I have a few baby pics of Bub I wanted to post, but my cord is at the office....I'll get them on in a day or two. So, happy birthday to my 10 year old! You are the best boy and I am so glad you are mine. I thank God for you....Love you!

More party pics....

Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate Bradley and Layla's birthday. We had so much fun. And thank you to Megan for all the awesome pics!!!

Dealing with crack and other messy issues...

2009-03-26T14:24:00.001-07:00

This is Layla.....you see, my sweet little girl is helping her daddy build her playhouse(pics to come when project is complete), but the problem is that she is wearing jeans. Jeans are not exactly your first wardrobe choice when you are, shall I say, chubby.....

She has no idea I took these. Actually, I may not show her this post(I know, bad parenting).

But on a more serious note, I have to put every ones mind at ease.....no, I do not go around calling my precious child "chubby"(well, ok, I used to), that is until we found out 2 yrs. ago that she has extreme high cholesterol. For reasons none other than genetics....we go to Children's every 6 months and monitor her diet. She actually has dropped points in the last year and is doing very well. So, simmer down out there in blog land.....I say "chubby" in only the most loving way!

Now-on to the Messy issue.......Bradley Scott's bedroom (can't you hear the DUM DUM DUM music?!).....I am a neat freak and his room had become soooooo nasty, that I literally wouldn't go in. So 2 weeks ago-on MY day off mind you-I braved the mess. I cleaned, and cleaned, and cleaned. Well, 2 bags of trash and some "accidentally" thrown away homework later-CLEAN! AHHHHHHHHH! Here is the little sign I posted for him when he came home from school that day......

So far so good.....Things are looking good and the "little boy funk smell" has yet to return!

Spring Break

2009-03-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

WHOOO-Spring Break....started with a bang! Both kids had awesome grades, well Layla's aren't really "grades", but she is doing soooo well! I didn't make the kids go to school Friday b/c the teachers said they were going to watch movies and play games. So Friday, Megan had Layla, Braxton and Riley-the kids had a blast, but MayMay was wiped out. I think they gave her a run for her money!! Friday afternoon Brad,Bradley,and Matt went to the lake for the weekend.(It's a boy thing they do every year during the basket ball tournament.) Friday night Layla and I headed over to Chris' house for a sleep over w/my youth girls. Man, the junk food was flowing like water, and I ate every bit! We had fun...singing to American Idol on Wii....Chris and a few of the girls even fought the CRAZY crowds at midnight to go buy Twilight....and then we had to stay up and watch it...AGAIN! Let me tell ya, I love me some Twilight, but that movie is no cinematic marvel that will win any awards for filming or acting! So, after a loooong night of getting our PAR-TAY on....Layla got up Saturday morning and went to my moms for the weekend. She went w/my Aunt Mary June, cousin Jenny and her girls. They had so much fun shopping and going to the zoo. And the best part.....I HAD THE WEEKEND TO MYSELF-OH YEAH! I cleaned like a mad woman. Actually, Megan had a Sat. appt. at the office, so Brax came over to stay w/me for a little bit. When May came to get him, he was helping me clean....so she picks up some Pledge and a rag and dusted the ENTIRE house. Now I ask you, is that like the best friend ever or what! I was able to get the house sooooo shiny and clean. Cleanliness is next to Godliness in my book! While I was cleaning it hit me-in 10+ years of marriage and 9+ years of motherhood, I have never been COMPLETELY alone. WOW! Now, I know some people would be sad at this realization and lament about "missing" their family.....NOT ME baby-sorry, but I TOTALLY enjoyed it. I was happy to see my fam, yes, but man was my clean quiet house nice for 2 days.

Sunday afternoon, May, Brax and I went to Wal-Mart for some spring break supplies. Brax needed some bubble bath, so we took him to pick some out.....check out this pic.....CRACKED ME UP!

He had the choice of Sponge Bob, Thomas the Train, Cars, and Princess (inside joke)...he finally decided on Thomas the Train. On to the Smoot Nack isle(fruit snack for those of you have never heard my children ask for Smoot Nacks-that comes from Bradley's baby years when he started calling them that, and it stuck...everyone in our family calls them Smoot Nacks!) where we had more choices to make....AHHHH to be 2 again!

Monday Riley and Braxton came over to play. Things were going fine, until it got really quiet and I couldn't find the girls......so I notice the door to the kids bathroom is closed. I go in and there they are, in all their dress up glory, smearing on the High School Musical glitter makeup (thanks for that b-day gift MAY-MAY!) while clomping around in my high heels! They were so cute.....shoes and boas on the floor, make up form one end of the bathroom to the other and a stroller full of babies.....

The boys on the other hand.....

Braxton loves to play basketball on the PS2 w/Bubba. At least he thinks he is getting to play...notice his Wii controller to Bub's PS2 controller. Makes him happy so I'm not complaining! Now this next pic is from Tuesday morning....Layla and I were the only ones up when he got here today. While Layla was having her Frosted Flakes, Brax went and found himself something to do......

How cute is that! However I missed a few pics in the progression of this "baby event"....he pushed her into the den in a stroller. When he parked the stroller behind the sofa, he walked to the front of it, bent down, unbuckled the doll, and said "You wanna get out baby?"...he got her out, and that is when I snapped this. I'm telling all you little ladies out there, watch out, he is going to be one sweet, well rounded man one of these days.
So, I leave you w/this.....these 2 crazy, silly, loud, drama girls playing vet. So far spring break has been a lot of fun

A few posts rolled into one!

2009-03-17T08:34:00.001-07:00

Chuck E. Cheese!

We went to Chuck E. Cheese last Monday for Layla's birthday. We had a ball, lots of pizza, punch and cake! And the best part, we used 100 tokens and came home w/a Jolly Rancher and some clay-oh yeah!

Have you ever seen such cutie-pies! As I am sure you can tell, Bradley Scott just loooooves to have his pic taken-such a boy!!

Layla and Brax-The wheels on the bus!!!

The Big Hair Cut!

Layla has wanted a "hair cut" for about a year now. She had the most beautiful long curls, and right before school started we got about 5 inches cut off (this put her hair about the middle of her back). But Saturday morning, out of the blue, she asked if we could go get her hair cut. We had plans to go shopping w/my mom Saturday, so I told her that if she was good, I would take her to the salon and let her get it cut. Well, I thought she would change her mind.....NOPE. We went! She told them exactly what she wanted. So, as I stood in the corner going "Are you sure? You really want it cut? Oh, I can't watch!!", she did it. And I have to say, it is so super cute, and she LOVES IT. She was so proud of herself, she was flipping her head around, jumping and swinging it from side to side. I am slowly getting over the fact that my little girl has this new do-snif snif-it helps that she is so darn cute!
Just for fun! Ya'll know how much I love the Easter stuff!!!

Layla is 6 today!

2009-03-09T13:32:00.001-07:00

SNIF SNIF :( TOOTIE FRUIT TURNS 6 TODAY....OH HOW TIME DOES FLY! SEEMS LIKE SHE WENT FROM 2 TO 6 IN NO TIME. I KNOW I TALK ALL THE TIME ABOUT WHAT A DRAMA QUEEN SHE IS, AND THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE, BUT SHE IS SUCH A SWEET GIRL. SHE IS TOTALLY HER OWN PERSON. SHE IS HEADSTRONG, LOUD, FUNNY AND TENDER HEARTED. SHE HAS TRULY BEEN A BLESSING. WE LET HER OPEN HER PRESENTS YESTERDAY SO SHE COULD PLAY WITH THEM. BUB GOT HER THE HORSE AND DADDY AND I GOT HER THE NEW DOLL (B/C HER OTHER ONE NEEDED A FRIEND). WE ARE ALSO BUILDING HER A PLAYHOUSE-SOOOO MUCH FUN! TONIGHT WE ARE GOING TO CHUCK E. CHEESE W/MEEMAW TARA, PAPA KEN, MEGAN AND BRAXTON.

HERE SHE IS IN HER NEW BIRTHDAY P.J.'S-HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL OF COURSE!

WHEN I WOKE HER THIS MORNING, SHE JUMPED RIGHT UP B/C I TOLD HER THERE WAS ONE MORE GIFT TO OPEN.....
THE BIRTHDAY OUTFIT! LOOK HOW CUTE SHE IS. SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY I WAS BRINGING HOME A LITTLE PINK BABY GIRL TO A PRETTY PINK NURSERY, SNIF SNIF!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET TOOTIE FRUIT!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Love me some Easter!

2009-03-08T18:10:00.001-07:00

This weekend I started my Easter decorating-I.LOVE.EASTER! Not just for the sweet things I love to decorate with, the real meaning of Easter is the true love.....but, how can you not love some bunnies! I have always been a bunny fan, so at Easter I just can't help but go a little nuts! Check out these metal garden bunnies, aren't they cute. I scored these about 2 months ago at "OOPS"-the best place ever-for $3.75 each! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT-I was soooo excited.

And this precious Bunnie Family is something I cherish. My sweet Grandpa Decker made them for me in 1994. I get excited every year when I get them out! Layla loves them, so I know they will always have a happy home.

My Grandpa also made Mrs. Bunnie for me. She came along in 1997. My sweet Grandpa passed away in 1998-so she was the last one. I love her.

And last, but not least.....my mantle.

That bunny is one my mom gave me a few years ago. Doesn't he look at home up there? I could post a hundred pics of my Easter stuff, but I don't want to bore everyone to death!
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and got out to enjoy the beautiful weather. We started on Layla's playhouse...pics to come!

Good Stuff....

2009-03-04T13:16:00.000-08:00

Some say she looks like me. I personally don't see it. I think she looks like Brad and Kendra and my aunt Mary June. And where she gets the DRAMA, I have no clue. Anyway, she can be sooooo sweet! This is one day before Bradley's basketball game, we were goofing off. She loves to take pics! I haven't posted in a week or so and I have some random things I thought I would share!

Oh, and for the 3 people out there who read my blog, Mable is doing fine. She is soooo sweet, sleeps w/us every night!

This is what happens when you give Braxton a tube of Blue Razz Jolly Rancher chap stick! He looooves chap stick, so as soon as he got into the car and saw Layla's purse, he dove right in. I like a man who isn't scared to admit he needs lip products! Needless to say, he took ownership of the Blue Raz chap stick. "Wook NatNat, I did it."

Check out these two CUTIEPIES! Nothing like a little cookie cake with your BFF, and to have matching shirts and it still be COOL....well, what could be better? That is Molly Austin. She is 6 months older than Layla and they are BIG buds. I have pics of these two together from birth to now. Won't it be fun for them to look back on them when they are older. There is nothing better than a good friend. And let me tell you, when these two DRAMA QUEENS get going, watch out! They are a MESS.

And Now....Some Crafting for you viewing pleasure.....

I made this one for my friend Chris for her birthday. They are a big ''gaming" family and I thought this was cute. (It says "The family that plays together, stays together") Super easy and fun to make.

I made these for Megan, well, for Braxton to give his teachers on Valentine's Day.

The pic of this one didn't come out so well. I made it for baby Avery. It looks so cute in her sweet nursery.

One for Bradley's teacher Mrs. Keifer and one for Layla's teacher Mrs. Redwine. We love both these sweet teachers.

Miss Mable

2009-02-24T09:03:00.000-08:00

When I got home from the office yesterday, this is what I see...

The man to whom I am legally obligated brought home a puppy. I was NOT happy...but it didn't take long to fall in love with this sweet little fur ball. Brad rescued her from Rogers Ave. yesterday afternoon. Our dog Hasting seems to like her, and Layla LOVES her. She is a sweet dog. I had to make a trip to the Dollar General-only the best for us-to get more flea/tick shampoo, a flea collar, and more treats. We struggled over a name all night....we finally nailed it....Mable. When I woke Layla this morning and told her we settled on Mable, this is what she tells me, "Oh mom, dad said if we name her, we have to keep her-SO WE HAVE TO KEEP HER NOW!!"...I think this was a well thought out plan devised by my "legal obligation". Whoooo, another mouth to feed, another person to clean up after, another butt to spank, another day in my world!
This is Hasting, our 4 year old half lab half cocker! Can you see the utter excitement in his eyes!
So, having a puppy is like having a baby. What in the world do I do w/her while I go to work? I couldn't leave her outside, she is all clean, I couldn't leave her inside w/Hasting. He is house broken, she isn't. I wasn't about to lock her up in the kitchen and have to clean up that mess when I got home.....so, she is at the office w/us today. You can tell she is working hard. I gave her a blanket, and you can see where she is sleeping...my purse!
Yeah, life is rough! We think she is half lab half golden retriever. Maybe one of these days we will have a whole something!!

My random thought process

2009-02-17T13:45:00.000-08:00

So, I am often told that I "jump" from subject to subject while in a conversation. This doesn't bother my friends who a.) have known me forever and b.) who also have the same thought process. I think it happens when you become a mother. I was always able to multi task, but now that I have children, I am like some sort of multi tasking super hero. Don't get me wrong, my mind comes and goes, but I never lose the ability to multi task. My friends also tell me I tend to ramble-Ha to you. Brad told me yesterday, while I was working on one of HIS problems, that he "lets" me handle these things b/c I am so good at it....truth or load of crap so he doesn't have to do it?-you decide!
We went to the lake Friday night to have some "adult time" for Valentine's Day. Friday, we decided to go to Hot Springs to eat at Cajun Boilers and do a little shopping. On the way into town, I saw a sign for scuba and archery lessons at the "Indoor Scuba and Archery Center", well, this struck me as funny. I don't know why I had never noticed the sign before. Anyway, who puts those two things together? Who says, "Oh, I need a new hobby. Scuba or archery...decisions decisions, oh well, lets go to the Center and do BOTH!" Well, as we were laughing about this, I see another sign..."The Pancake and Steak House Restaurant"...SERIOUSLY? Even better! Who says "Man, I'm in the mood for some pancakes", "Oh, yeah, not me, I want steak","Ah, no problem, we will just go to the Pancake and Steak House". Really, we laughed 4-ever!
It was nice to have some alone time. We stayed at the lake Friday night, and were able to sleep kid free-whoo! We watched the Hog game, w/out Bradley a.k.a The Jr. Voice of the Razorbacks, doing a play by play for us. Then we headed home. We had a nice steak and shrimp (no pancakes) dinner at home. So, that was our big Valentine's weekend!
Monday the kids were out of school so Braxton came over to hang out w/us. He is so cute. Funny how my kids LOVE him, but can't stand eachother. They ended up having to spend an hour in their rooms b/c of their drama. Layla is SUCH a drama queen....it drives me nuts. We usually end up rolling on the floor in tears b/c of her little tantrums, this really makes her mad, so the drama escalates....it is a never ending cycle. The best most recient drama moment was last week. For some reason, she HATES the idea of bathtime. Like it is some new thing we are trying out. So, as she was throwing her nightly fit in the bathroom, I was telling her to zip her lip and get in the tub.....so this is what I get from her-"YOU ARE MAKING ME SO MAD. I DO NOT WANT TO BE A KID ANYMORE...IT IS SO HARD....I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING AROUND HERE AND I HATE TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO. AND MOM, YOU ARE NOT BEING A CHRISTIAN B/C I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A BATH AND YOU ARE YELLING AT ME, AND DON'T YOU KNOW THE GOLDEN RULE, B/C I DO NOT WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE THIS, IF I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A BATH, YOU SHOULDN'T TELL ME TO TAKE A BATH..." Seriously folks, she is 5. And as for the "I do everything around here" thing- HAHAHA! If having to clean her room every night, pick up her toys in the playroom, help set the table, feed the dog, and take a bath is "doing everything", then I will take that job and she can have mine!
Bradley is a bit more mellow. His biggest problem right now is understanding why he can't wear the SAME sweat shirt and football jersey everyday. Boys!

Another easy recipe....

2009-02-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

I was told by a few friends ( I won't name drop!) to keep the recipes coming....so here is a SUPER easy one for you guys to try. It is not even close to being "figure friendly" or "low fat" but man is it good! My kids LOVE it. And it is home made, none of that crap from a jar-WOOHOO!! So here we go....
Fettuccini Alfredo
One 8oz block of cream cheese
One stick of butter-yes I said a STICK!
3/4 cup of milk
3/4 cup of parm cheese
and a splash of white wine if you want
Melt all and whisk to get rid of lumps...pour over pasta and presto...YUMMM
Now the fun part....you can add chicken, mushrooms, green peas, shrimp...whatever you like. Or add nothing at all b/c it is just that good.
I hope you all enjoy this super easy, full fat meal soon!! Love yall!
*P.S. I once used low fat everything to make this and it was SUPER NASTY! However, I do use 2% milk, so that should make you feel better-HA HA HA! Happy Eating!

Avery Lynn Payne

2009-02-08T17:12:00.001-08:00

Sweet baby Avery...

My Kind of Weekend!

2009-02-08T15:49:00.000-08:00

Ah, Friday...the weekend...they all start with such grand plans of house cleaning, family time, cooking, maybe some exercise....This weekend I was going to do some serious house cleaning and I thought we might start on Layla's birthday present....a play house. But Brad hurt his back Monday, and didn't do much of anything last week, so working on the play house was out. So the house cleaning it was.... Bradley was spending the night with a friend so I was planning on the detox of his room first. However, my plans quickly took a turn for the better. Megan had Riley Friday night, so I invited them over to play. She suggested we do some kind of craft with the kids......well, that's all it took! Craft Queen on the loose! We took the kids and let them pick out their crafting medium. Layla picked out a small hat box, small canvas, and picture frame. Riley got a picture frame, hat box and a little purse. Braxton got a picture frame! So we cleared the table, and got to work! We had so much fun, and the kids enjoyed it too-ha ha ha!

Now here is where the problem starts! I had several project that I have been wanting to do for the past few months...so now is my chance. I worked on one Friday night, but it didn't really count b/c I was making them for Megan to give to Braxton's teachers. So Saturday I got up ready to dig into the house work, only to hear the crafts calling to me. I sat down, just for a few minutes to start on one.....and a few minutes turned into ALL day. Really, I mean ALL day. You see, I love to do stuff like this, so once I get started I am a goner! But I did some really cute stuff. I got Bradley and Layla's teacher gifts made for Valentines Day, I got a gift made for Misty for Avery's room, and a few things for myself.

Now is where the weekend starts to get even better....Misty came over for a little visit Saturday night. I hadn't seen her in about a week and her little belly had gotten bigger! She had dropped, so she looked bigger anyway. She had been scheduled to go in this Wed. the 11th at midnight to be induced to have Avery. I was going to take her little gift I had made to the hospital on Thursday, but I was so excited about it, that I gave it to her Saturday when she was here. Well, at 8:30 this morning (that is Sunday!) her mom called me....her water broke and they were at the hospital....OH MY GOSH.....YEAH!! So, I skipped church and went to the hospital.

Little Avery Lynn Payne is now here! She weighs 6lbs7oz and is 20in long. She is BEAUTIFUL, her complexion is absolutely perfect, like a little pink rose, and she was very alert. I am so excited to be an "aunt"! And Misty did an awesome job.

So, I didn't really get any house work done this weekend. Did go to the park, did do LOTS of crafting, did welcome a beautiful little girl into the world....so that is my kind of weekend! Oh, and Layla and I did do mani/pedi's last night-OH YEAH!

A little cooking....

2009-02-02T13:01:00.000-08:00

Most of you know that I LOVE to cook.....but it seems I have a bit of a picky family.....so sometimes cooking is a bit, shall we say, "deceptive" at my house! I have a weekly menu that we go by. It makes shopping sooooo quick and easy, and the kids think it is really neat. We are so busy these days with sports, dance, meetings, blah blah blah......that a menu keeps me in check. Anyway, Saturday I made a new "dish" for my fam and it turned out to be really good. It was Cheesy "oat" burgers....that's right, oat burgers. Now I know you are all thinking..."Nasty!"....but they were really good and the kids liked them. The point of my post, yes I have a point, is that tonight we are going to have a family fav, and I thought I would post the recipe for anyone who would like to try it :) It is so super easy, and soooo delicious.
Crock Pot Pork Roast
I use a pork tenderloin b/c that is what we like....
Place the pork loin in the crock pot along with potatoes, carrots, onion, celery
Wisk together: 1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup A-1
Pour the mixture over the meat and veggies and let stew in the crock pot for 4-6 hours...YUM YUM. Enjoy!!

The Poor Razorback!

2009-01-30T14:19:00.000-08:00

Wrestling the razorback....little do they know this is what Brad and I feel like most of the time....Ha Ha. Bradley is all boy so he and Brad are two peas in a pod, and Layla has DADDY wrapped around her little finger....and I am just the mom...you know, the one who says "no" the most, and makes them brush their teeth. But I have to say, they both have us right where they want us, much like this poor razorback!

Silly Layla....

2009-01-30T14:11:00.000-08:00

It is a good thing God gave me a boy first! Bradley Scott never got into drawing on walls, or himself, or even paper...but Layla! This is what happens when a 5 year old wonders what she would look like with a moustache...the best part-this was done with a SHARPIE. Yes, that's right, a Sharpie, and on a Saturday night no less. Guess who had a faint Sharpie moustache at church Sunday morning?!

Blog Talk....

2009-01-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

Ok, so many of my friends have a blog and I love to check them out daily....and even those of people I don't know....so I decided to do one myself. I know, I know, just what you have been waiting for, please, try to keep your excitement in check! I used to scrap book weekly, but with the birth of a second child (5.5 yrs ago!), lets just say I fell a little behind. So, I thought this would be a fun thing to do. I love some of the tips I get off other blogs.....so maybe I can be of service to someone out there in blog-land! So....here we go!!!