I must be FAMOUS!!!

How else would you explain it! We go to Chikfila on Friday's before I do my errands. Of course I have my armed body guard meet us there. And I'm so famous they give us a 50% off discount everytime! And of course EVERYONE wants to talk to my armed guard - they must be asking how famous I am. It's cool to see all the kids mouths drop open and hear complete silence when I walk into anyplace with my armed guard. People are always more helpful in the grocery stores. People thank my armed guard for doing a great job. Sigh.... such is the life of the famous! It's nice having my guard there to keep me safe. Afterall.... It's all about me.....I am famous right?

Signed....

Erin - A Deputy's Wife

Busy, Busy, and Sick!

Been really busy - we finished up moving the kids into seperate rooms finally and then got my sewing desk out of Paul's room and rearranged the living room. We went to chuck e cheese with Grandma the other day and now the kids and I are sick. It never fails! I also raised the prices on my website as I've been rather busy lately with that!

Oh and we got a new PUPPY! Wanna see? He's VERY cute!

Our new little puppy is so cute!

And look! The puppy can stand all by himself too! What a Big Boy!

Well, gonna hop into the shower really quick while Paul's napping and Gracie's working on her letters.

My Dad and other thoughts

Wow.... it's been 11 years today since my dad died of a heart attack. I was 12 at the time. It really doesn't seem that long. I remember it like it was yesterday seeing him dead, the ambulances, chaos, etc. Wow. 11 years. I know that everything happens for a reason. There would not have been a chance that I would have gotten together with Chris! Chris was I think 20 and I was 16 when we started dating. My dad would have probably scared Chris away! hehehe. Although I think mmy dad and Chris would have gotten along great. I actually see a lot of my dad's personalities in Chris, or what I remember at least. By the way, Chris and I have been together 7 years ago as of a few days ago! We started "going out" on August 22, 2000. You better bet though, that if my dad were alive, my kids would be absolutely ROTTEN! I know he looks down from heaven and just loves his grandkids. My 2 and my nephew, Bo. They would all be the apple of his eye. Just like myself and my brother were. It's really shocking to me how some people can turn their back on their kids and grandkids and have nothing to do with them. Such a shame, an absolute shame. I strongly believe in family. No matter what, I would never turn my back on my kids. And I can't wait to be a grandma! Get to spoil the kids and give them back! haha. That's what my mom does! Gracie is hanging with Grandma today. I am getting emails each and every day with new orders and I can't seem to catch up. So Grandma came and took Gracie out. I've gotten a fair amount accomplished. Grandma is taking her to Gracie's favorite stores - Hobby Lobby, JoAnne's, and Walmart! LOL! They usually go get a milkshake too.

I'm watching Grease while I crochet, but taking a short break to blog. I just saw it a couple nights ago for the first time ever. It's a cute movie! I know everyone else in the world has seen it but I never did!

Well, Paul is up! So much for more crocheting! Oh well - I needed a break anyways! Have a great weekend!

Swim Little Fishies!

Yesterday Paul turned 10 months old! What a little charmer he has become too! We went swimming yesterday at a friend's pool. The chorine was bothering our eyes a little, so excuse the red eye pics.

Gracie was doing GREAT as well. First time we really let her swim without floaties - she did GREAT! She would jump far out into the deeper areas and swim by herself to the laddar! Way to go Gracie! We were so impressed! I think she's ready to be floatie-free, but obviously not supervision-free. Here she is swimming all by herself like a big girl!

We also modeled some boutique shoes recently - here's some quick pics. These shoes are just too sweet! They are really shimmery! Gracie just ADORED them immediately. Everyday she wants to wear them! You can find the seller HERE

Finally an update!

Okay - been a busy past few days. Less computer time, more crocheting, and more time with the kiddos. Friday I was supposed to *finally* get a mom's night out but Chris ended up getting thrown on overtime. Hes going to be working every day until NEXT Monday. But you know, it will be fine. We have forever to spend time together. I'm trying to be positive. It's hard because usually I'm rather negative. Just have to change my mindset. Gracie's having a great week, too. We have taken the doctor's recommendations and she seems to be doing a LOT better.

Saturday, Chris took a little bit of a nap and then we headed for the river again. It's so fun there! I got to practice pics which was fun. None of paul - he was in my lap!

GO ME!!!

Look at what my OWL HAT did!

CLICK HERE

Update

Well for starters, here are the pics from her birthday party- JUST CLICK HERE

We went to the doctor today for Gracie's 4 year old checkup. She is 33 lbs and is 99 cm tall. She's just under 50 percentile for weight and is 25th percentile for height.

On to the topic of her tics. Her doctor is leaning toward Tourette's syndrome. Right now we are going to keep everything stress free as possible for Gracie and see if that helps any. If nothing changes, we will be seeing a neurologist. If the tics aren't so promenent, we will re-evaluate and possibly still see a neurologist. Tourette's syndrome would explain the tics and also some of her OCD tendencies and "picking". If she has the tiniest scab or imperfection on her skin, including a nail that doesn't look right or dry skin, she will pick at it. She will sometimes bite her fingers if there is a little piece of loose skin until they bleed.

You know, it really makes me feel like a failure to know that something may be wrong with my baby. I know I shouldn't feel that way, but I just can't help it. Just keep our whole family in your prayers please. And pray that Chris can get on with a different county where he's not working almost every day.

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Well Gracie had a great birthday! Starting off the fun was a UPS package from Rachel! Rachel just spoils us! I left my camera in the car and not really motivated to go get it, but I'll share pics tomorrow. Rachel sent Gracie a big package from thepopcornfactory.com. In it was chips, salsa, popcorns, and CANDY!!! Gracie was in heaven! And of course some noisemakers(gee... thanks Rach! LOL!). Paul loves the twirly ones. Gracie was in great spirits all day, although the excitement made her tic even more often. I can't wait till we can get it discussed with the doctor.

We headed off to athens for her birthday dinner at La Parilla. We had a blast with a couple of Gracie's little friends and some members of my family. Gracie got some lovely gifts. She got some dress up clothes, a Littlest Pet Shop Set, a leapster game, and some garfield things from mommy and daddy. Now I'm sure you are saying "LETS SEE THAT CAKE"..... ummm.... No.. maybe tomorrow I will post a pic..... let me tell you a little story....

Garfield did NOT want to cooperate.... we fought hard...... I eventually conquered him but he got the best of me too. Grrr... For starters, he decided to FALL APART instead of standing up. Then I layed him down and he fell apart more. So using icing as glue, I kinda put humpty dumpty together again. Then came trying to make the yellowish orange. Well.. we'll just let him be orange.... lol. Then OMG I'm the worst drawer - I can only draw stick figures. I just chuckle because the box says "Even Jon could do it"...... well... aparently jon is better than me! lol - I'm not even sure if I should take it! Gracie was excited and told me I did a good job, so that's all that matters! Garfield is definately one tempramental cat! So as I'm proud and boastful that I defeated Garfield, I finish getting ready to go. We grab the cake. Chris says "Uhhhh... Honey...."... that's never a good way to start a conversation - I rush over, Garfield is a pile of collapsed cake- all broken into pieces..... It's a disaster. Quick call to my mom and crisis is avoided by a detour to kroger.

Anyways.... tomorrow, I will be washing garfield up for his debut BACK on ebay..... I want this MEAN old cat out of my house. I put so much effort into that cake for it to be ruined. Plus the ordeal in getting the garfield....... Oh well....

Anyways, Gracie had a nice day. We had a nice day. We had to stop at publix on the way home. We're getting ready to leave when we bumped into OUR OLD PASTOR from WINDER! He had gotten called to a church in augusta so we kinda left around that time. He was in town because his dad was in the hospital. It was so nice to see him. We may try to drive out to Augusta some time to visit him in his new church.

Random Thoughts...

Well tomorrow, my "baby" turns 4. This is going to be a long night - finishing up 4 cupcake purses - really they are done, just have to do the drawstring parts. And then make a garfield cake. My cake pan arrived, but I'm not really feeling adventurous today! Wish me luck with it. It's also like 100 jillion degrees outside - sooooooo hot. I'm worried about the cake melting on the way there! Yikes.... I can just see us arriving at the restaurant and poor Garfield is a sea of goo.

I think G's set for clothes now - just gotta find Paul some, but that'll be simple - I plan on hitting up the local consignment shop once they get their fall stuff out. Maybe Friday I'll stop in there and see.

Well, I better get rolling finishing up the cupcake purses and a sassy skirt set order. I'll also be previewing a movie tonight to make sure it's good for the kids - it's called Firehouse Dog.

Wanna see Chris and Paul? Click the pic to purchase from NikkiKnits!

And here is some of the little man in a shirt we bought a long time ago from Little*Precious

I've been blessed!!!

I've been blessed by a very dear internet friend of mine. She is going to send me some of her daughter's outgrown clothing for Gracie. Thank you sooo much Rach. You know I love you!

You know - I pray almost nightly that I'll be able to find another mom my age that lives closeby that I would get along great with. Most of the moms here are older and I just don't feel like I fit in with them. I really am lonely a lot with Chris' schedule. I just would love a "real life" friend to hang out with at times. Of course I have "friends" and "acquaintences", but I'd love someone that I could tell everything to and really be able to rely on. But God has surely blessed me with internet friends. I can't even begin to describe how He has blessed me through them. Always someone to chat with, vent to, cry with, and share happy moments. All of my internet friends, know that I appreciate you and treasure our friendships!

Anyways, I am starting a new book and study today. It's called Created to Be His Help Meet. I had flipped through the book before, but I bought the study journal and now hope to get more indepth. Anyone care to join the journey with me?

I finally got a bunch of Paul's outgrown clothes listed on ebay. Hopeful that when they sell I can get him some new ones for this fall. So sad to see my favorite sets go off in the mail, but hey - it's just clothes, right?

That's all for now - off to do my study while the kiddos are sleeping and then to crochet some!

Nice weekend!

Hello all! Horse Camp week was a success! Gracie had a TON of fun!

Friday I babysat for a lady in the athens Homeschool group's 3 kiddos all day. They were so sweet and played great with my 2. My mom was babysitting my nephew the same day so they came over late afternoon so Bo would have some friends to play with. Then my brother and Sara got off work and came over to pickup Bo from my mom. We really had a blast!

Chris got in that class so he was gone all Thursday and Friday way done in Forsyth Georgia to his Islamic Militant Terrorism Class. He enjoyed it and really made him see things in a different light. I missed him while he was gone since he had to stay down there but we survived!

Saturday I boxed up my high key studio set - I am selling it. I'm really kinda sad about it, but we're serious about getting out of debt except the house this year. Gotta make some sacrifices. This has been the hardest week on me in that department. It is tax free weekend here in Georgia and we had been planning on buying (charging) a laptop for me. I've had to bite my lip about that all weekend. Plus we were originally supposed to be going to the beach, but cant since we're not charging anything. I know it's the best for the longrun, but it's so hard to get out of that mindset of just charging things. It's also going to be hard because we've always been blessed from freecycle and been able to get pretty much all of the kids clothing handed down to us for free. WEll, I looked through the closet - we have NOTHING, ABSOLUETeLY NOTHING for Gracie for fall/winter size 4. She has no hand me down boxes left and I've asked for some on freecycle with no responses :-( To make matters worse, the size that Paul is going into, 12-18, there is NO fall/winter for him either. All summery stuff. So this is going to be the first time ever that we have to buy the kids a complete wardrobe. I'm still hopeful for freecycle, and will hopefully hit the athens consignment sale at the end of the month. Gotta think positive.

Today we took the kids and the dogs to Watson Mill State Park. It was sos nice and beautiful. The kids and dogs both had a blast in the water. Goldie kept rolling around in the water. We will definately be going back - it helped make up for the canceled beach trip.

Well, enough of my complaining! It's really just changing your mindset/attitude and it's hard to get out of the norm. On to the pics!

Watson Mill State Park has one of the oldest wooden bridges left. It is gorgeous. There is also a dam in the river and you can play below the dam on the rocks. It was so fun!

Oh and i forgot to show my new owl hat! It will most likely get listed on Tuesday for The Oasis Hayride Boutique Launch.

Have a great week!

Horse Camp!

Well pony camp is going GREAT! I think it's been one of the best things for Gracie. She comes home exhausted and dirty, but always smiling! The girl that's putting it on, she's 13 and is the oldest of 8 kids! wow! They also own the 2 local pizza shops here. Gracie's favorite horse's name is Baytoven. He's black. Gracie says that he likes to walk against the fence so she has to kick him to get him away from the fence.

After they do horse riding, the kids all swim and jump on the trampoline. They have the CUTEST backyard with a big tube waterslide that goes into the pool. Gracie says that she likes going down the slide but only if someone else is with her.

Well, Chris got into the class at the last minute.
Cant think of anything else right now, except a few words of wisdom - NEVER LET ANYONE BORROW SOMETHING SPECIAL TO YOU UNLESS YOU NEVER WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN. Grrr...