Pickin' Daisies......

    was one of my Grandmother Cleo's favorite phrases.  She used this when you were doing something fun with someone you loved or just something nice all by yourself.  Well, this past Sunday I was able to pick daisies all by myself, which around here is a very rare treat.  Daniel stayed home with the kids Sunday afternoon so that I could go shopping, and not just any shopping, fun and for me shopping mostly.  I have been wanting to get to the fabric store since after Christmas and also to Super Target.  Neither of these places are very close, so I had to do a little driving.  I got to the fabric store at 2:00pm and didn't leave until 4:00pm, I was in heaven.  I walked slowly around the entire store at least twice and found everything I was looking for.  I'm going to try my hand at a few new sewing projects and start to get to know my new toy, the Cricut, so I needed a few supplies.  After that I went to the Super Target, I've only been one other time and that was for a specific thing, so I just got in and out, but not this time, I was there for about 1 1/2 hours.  I didn't need a whole lot, but I took my time going down each isle just to see what all they had.  It was a great relaxing afternoon and I really enjoyed myself.
     Today, Daniel and I are going to pick a few daisies together, but first he has to go have some minor cutting done on his chin.  When he had his bike accident this summer he cut his chin badly enough that it required stitches.  Well, since then he continues to get this spot under the scar that festers up with stuff and will eventually begin to leak(I know, too much information).  It's really gross!  Over Christmas he was showing it to my cousin who is a doctor and he said that the next time it happened to give him a call, so this week it happened and after Dr. Michael looked at it on Monday, he decided it need to be reopened and cleaned out.  I hope he feels ok, because after that we are going to Harris Teeter for Super Doubles, out to eat, and possibly to a movie.  I can't wait to see how Daniel handles the coupons, he typically doesn't do the grocery shopping unless it's just for a few things, so it is sure to be interesting.  It's so nice to be able to spend quality time together whatever we are doing!

Happy Weekend!!!

Successful Bazaar and a little Celebrating this Weekend

     Well, our church's first annual craft bazaar was a hit.  We raised over $6,500.00; the Lord is good.  He was upfront and center throughout the whole planning process.  When you put God first, all things are possible.  My Annie Mac Creations booth also did very well, I have a lot of orders to fill and have already had 2 contacts today with orders. If you're interested in ordering anything, I'm taking Christmas order through December 1!  A friend of mine through adoption was also at the bazaar selling her fabulous homemade soaps, all the profits go toward her family's adoption, they are currently waiting through Christian Adoption Services.  You can visit her Blog, Joy for the Seasons to find out about her journey and to get a link to her etsy shop where she sells her soaps.
     Of course we celebrated our church's success, but on Sunday we celebrated my 35th birthday and the 1 year anniversary of John Mac's Adoption Finalization.  Read all about the Adoption Finalization Day in 2009 HERE.  We went to church on Sunday and then to Daniel's parent's house for my birthday party.  Daniel's family always celebrates birthdays, so I got to choose what we had for lunch and dessert.  I chose Spaghetti and Chocolate Eclair'.  My mom-in-law really knows how to cook!  It was a great weekend!

My Booth at the Bazaar

Adoption Finalization Day November 21, 2009

Birthday Party

My Goodness, Time Does Fly

     I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted anything and even before then I was getting longer and longer between posts.  The last 2 months have been a little extra busy and crazy for us.  We have had a lot of things going on and several of them are Blog worthy adventures.  I'm going to try and get caught up over the next several days so you guys can get a glimpse of what we've been up to.  I hope everyone is doing great and having a wonderful Fall.  I love this time of year, it's my favorite!

First Day of School 2010

   


      Well Wednesday was the first day of school for Edi and Amelia.  Edi started 4th grade and Amelia started her 2nd year of Preschool(4 year old Class).  They were both very excited and I have to admit that I was too.  They both love their teachers and I know it's going to be a great year of growing and learning for them.  With a new school year comes a new schedule for me, my schedule changes about 5 times a year.  It changes in August when school starts, it changes in January when Tax Season starts, it changes in April when Tax Season ends, and it changes again in June when school gets out.  It's a good thing because it keeps me on my toes, but it always takes me a few weeks to get my ducks in a row and get used to it.  This year Amelia goes to school 5 days a week from 8:30am-12:00pm.  Her preschool is about 17 minutes away from our house and Edi's bus does not pick her up until 8:28am and if I took her through carpool they can't unload and go into the school until 8:25am.  I either have to take Edi to a friend's house down the road from us in the mornings to catch the bus, so I can get Amelia to school on time or take Amelia to school first and then take Edi to school(which makes for a lot of driving).  I'm trying to work 1 day a week right now, mornings at the museum where I keep the books and do payroll and the afternoon at the tax office.  I had to find new childcare for John Mac since Leslie is now in college.  Leslie kept John Mac at our house this year during tax season and then continued to help me through the summer.  We love her!  This past tax season Amelia started going to Mrs. Jennifer's In-Home Daycare after preschool when I worked, so I called Mrs. Jennifer and she had room for John Mac and Amelia, so Friday was his first day and her first day starting back there since May.  They both did great, but John Mac didn't take a nap at all and he's still taking 2 naps a day most days.  I was worried about him because he is such a clingy little boy, he cried in the nursery at church for a solid hour last Sunday, it was heart breaking. I hope when he goes back this coming Thursday he will do just as good, but hopefully with a nap.

Anniversary Trip to the Beach

     Last weekend we went to the beach just the 2 of us for our 11th anniversary. We had a great time and it was nice to be together just the two of us. We missed the kids, but they had a lot of fun going between the grandparents' houses. My grandparents bought a house at Emerald Isle back in 1982-83 and now it belongs to my mom and her twin sister. We get to go pretty often and love it there. We left for the beach Friday morning around 8:30am and finally got there around 1:30pm after making stops along the way. I took an afternoon nap while Daniel went for a bike ride. Friday night we ate at the local Oyster Bar inside Jordan's Restaurant since it was the last weekend for fresh steamed oysters, they were so good. Then we visited the Dairy Queen for dessert and went home and watched a movie we rented. Saturday I was really lazy, I watched TV, played on the computer, read, painted my toenails, and took a nap. Daniel took a nap too after his bike ride. Saturday night we went to Portafino's a local italian restaurant, then went to the movies to see Date Night, and then another trip to Dairy Queen. Sunday we got up rather early and went to Frost Restaurant for a big breakfast, then to Fort Macon to look around. We then headed home to see our babies!!!  It was a great weekend!

This pictures shows were a cannon ball was fired at the Fort and then rolled down the stairs making cuts as it went.

Our 11th Anniversary

Today is our 11th Anniversary.  11 years ago today we got married outside at my parent's house, the house I grew up in.  The weather was not good.  It was 50 degrees, windy, and rainy.  I didn't care.  Our love has grown stronger everyday and through all the good times and bad, we've stayed true to one another, never forgetting that our love for each other, God, and family is always the most important thing.  This weekend we have entrusted our family to care for the kids while we spend some quiet alone time at the beach.  We miss our babies, but we know that it is so important for us to nurture our relationship just as we nurture our children and other aspects of our lives.   

Happy Anniversary to Us!

My Little Issue with the 2010 Census

     OK, so I received our 2010 Census in the mail yesterday.  I opened it up today to fill it out so I wouldn't forget.  It's really easy and very general and only took a few minutes.  My issue is with the question, "How is this person related to Person 1?"  Since I filled it out I put myself as Person 1, Daniel I put as Person 2 and listed him as my Husband.  Now on to the children living in my house, because that is all they want to know about.  Amber is living on her own now and will fill out her own Census, or she better!  Anyway, I then started to list the kids, when I went to choose their relationship to me there is a choice "Biological son or daughter" and "Adopted son or daughter".  I'm sorry, but I don't understand why that matters.  All of my children are equal in my eyes and they are all my children.  My name is on 3 of their birth certificates, or will be when we receive John Mac's in the mail soon.  Anyway, I felt weird answering biological for the girls and then adopted for John Mac.  Yes my children came to me in different ways, but they are all mine no matter what.  If Amber was still living with us and I still listed myself as Person 1 then I would have had to list her as "Stepson or Stepdaughter", although if Daniel was listed as Person 1 she would be under "Biological son or daughter".  I know it's not that big of a deal and we know he's ours just as much as the others, but for some reason when I read it, it just hit me wrong.  I love adoption and I love talking about adoption, so I guess I should be grateful that I get to list him at all.  Because without adoption he would not be in our lives and my life would not be complete.

Bunco Night!

    Well it's Bunco night tonight and my turn to host.  I started playing with a group last January.  We have a really good time. If you don't know what it is, Bunco is a mindless dice game that you play in groups of 4, we have 4 groups of 4 in our group.  Yes, it's gambling, but we also take up extra money every month and in December we will be adopting a family to buy presents for.  I have been straightening the house today and cooking things for us to eat.  Amelia has been a big help in the kitchen and keeping John Mac occupied so I could sweep and mop.  Daniel will have all the kids tonight, he plans on taking them out to eat and then they will hang out in our upstairs bonus room until everyone has left.  We get pretty loud, so it will be a late bedtime for all tonight. We usually get done around 9:30pm or so.

My Little Helper
(she's helping wash and dry the tomatoes and celery)

Busy Day

Well today has been really busy, but productive.  I cleaned the house, which is usually a Wednesday thing for me.  While cleaning I went to start a load of clothes and the washer wouldn't work.  We have no idea what is wrong with it, so tomorrow I have to call the guy we bought it from 3 years ago.  Anyway, I had to take 2 loads over to my parent's house to wash.  I had to get pictures printed of Amelia for her to take to school.  She will be the Star Student next week and they do a bulletin board.  I had to use the hairdryer on Edi's agenda book because her apple juice leaked in her book bag yesterday and soaked everything.  Baths for the 2 younger kids this afternoon.  Cook dinner.  Pick up the babysitter, Daniel and Edi had Karate and I had my monthly Bunco night.  Home to sew Amelia's Halloween costume where she tore it and then iron it.  Her school party is tomorrow and she gets to wear it.  When I walked in the door at 9:45pm, the kitchen had not been cleaned up, I was not happy.  Then Daniel had no lunch or tomorrow, so I made him a sandwich.  Now I am done, so I'm off to bed.  Sleep Well!