Carrkaylary

IT'S GONE!!

2007-10-05T09:15:00.000-05:00

Mom said this would happen if I didn't brush my teeth!!

Actually we have been waiting for weeks for this stubborn wiggly tooth to fall out and it finally did while she was eating breakfast and then she swallowed it!

G said not to worry, in a couple of days we would get it back........GROSS!! Some things I'll leave for him to do... : - )

Anyway, the tooth fairy came last night and she was very excited......the price of a first tooth has sure gone up!

Keep smiling everyone!!

In remembrance.......

2007-09-11T07:47:00.000-05:00

WW - Back to school.....

2007-08-22T04:17:00.000-05:00

Kindergarten here I come!

First day.....maybe for the week?

2007-08-21T04:31:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was D1's first day of school which started with such excitment, I think more so for her parents then for her. Afterall, when she was watching the morning news with me she said....why are they making such a big deal about all the school buses it's only school.

We did the traditional picture taking and off we went with her Grandma waving goodbye. We get to school and it is as crazy as we thought it would be with parents and children going in every which way. As I'm trying to explain to D1 to remember how to get to her classroom because after this week I'll be dropping her off at the circular drive area, she looks at me and says ...MOM PLEASE! in a tone that I had just embarassed her in front of all these people.......the first of many I'm sure.......when we got to her classroom she went right to her desk sat down and started to do her work that was waiting for her like no big deal and said see ya later mom and dad! Now, as much as I am proud of her I WAS expecting some sort of emotional goodbye but instead we got the brush off....the start of being independent I guess.

DH picked her up after school and when she came home she said she was sooo tired she layed on the couch and off to sleep she went. About an hour later she wakes up and says.....mommy I don't feel well, my throat and stomach hurts. Sure enough she had a fever of 103 so now I'm going to the DR's after hours office and they do that lovely swabbing of the throat test. Yes, it is confirmed she has strep throat!! Now she will be out of school for a couple of days......

At least she made the first day....

Pondering thoughts......

2007-08-15T06:59:00.000-05:00

As a new School year approaches, I am so excited for D1 as she enters Kindergarten and all the doors that will open for her. She is growing up so fast and it makes me wonder.......have I been a good parent and role model for her? She goes into this stage of her life and takes with her the teachings we have taught her thus far......will she be respectful, will she be kind to others, will she be.....
As I know she is only 5 years old and it may sound a bit melodramatic, I do believe these are the years where our teaching's are most preserved and will be carried thru life, which brings me back to my question.....have I been a good parent and role model? I wonder........

On another note.....DH is back full swing coaching football. I LOVE to see him doing something he truly enjoys with such passion. I only wish this could be a career for him as I know he would be excellent at it but I support him either way. I will be the cheerleading section for him.....GO GAITHER COWBOYS!

D2 will be continuing Tap and Ballet class as well as Gymnastics for the rest of the year. DS will be joining the Gym arena this Fall as well. I do believe he could teach the class to the other 1 & 2 year olds with all the energy and enthusiasm he displays every day!

All of my children are a true blessing and such a joy to be with every moment. My dream of becoming a mom has come true and I only hope I can bless them with as much love and joy as they have given me......

Embrace life and all it has to offer.... don't let the craziness, stress, hustle and bustle over ride what is truly important in our lives..

Proud American

2007-07-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

As this week gets rolling I wanted to take the time to thank some of the people that make this the absolute best place in the world to live. I think you have to start with the fine men and women that have fought and currently are fighting to keep America safe and free. Thank you to our troops past and present and to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to give me the right to write these words.

Next I would have to thank the find folks that make up our education system here, the teachers and mentors that help shape young minds and guide us as we grow and learn. This "clique" of society is often over looked and under appreciated. Since starting coaching I have grown to respect even more the task they have of trying to "cater" to 1000's of different personalties, ego's and so on. Thank you for the hard work you provide and to all my teacher's past, sorry for being a opain in the butt!!!!!

Finally I'd like to thank the fine men and women of our police and fire departments. They walk out the door everyday to jobs that put their lives on the lines to protect and serve this great country of ours. Thank you.

There are many many more people of our society that help make this country the greatest on earth and I'm certainly not looking over those folks, but I felt these are three of the main "ingredients" that help make this grand old home of ours what it is. Take time out of your day to thank these people and let them know how appreciated they are. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

WW - Splish splash I love taking a bath!

2007-06-13T07:06:00.000-05:00

Lazy days of summer......

2007-06-12T07:03:00.000-05:00

The lazy days of summer are not so lazy at our homestead. We have a full plate but a fun plate at that. D2 has said she wanted to take dance lessons so I looked into it and found the perfect place, it's called The Little Gym. I was able to get her a free one time "test" class to see if she liked it before I signed her up, the first half hour was dance and tap lessons and the second half was gymnastics. It was all she could talk about and couldn't wait for the big day to come. The day finally arrived and as I watched her go into this class full of strangers all by herself it was like watching a flower bloom in front of your eyes. She blossomed and beamed from ear to ear, opening her shy self for all to see and followed the teachers instructions the whole time. Needless to say she loved every second of that hour we were there. That night when her daddy came home she was full of excitement to tell him all about it, so we sat her down and talked to her about it and decided it was worth the money for her to be so full of joy. She now has a ballet dress, slippers to match and tap shoes.......the cutest ballarina and tap dancer I have ever seen.

D1 has signed back up for soccer, a sport which she LOVES playing but not as much as football I think. If there was a football league she could sign up for she would be on it for sure! My little tomboy......I love the fact she loves sports so much. She also is signed up for gymnastics at the Little Gym but in a different class then D2, which is a good thing as I think they need to do seperate things from each other. Both are enrooled in another gymnastics class just not as advanced as the Little Gym is and will also be starting swimming lessons too. Lots of running around for me but can't think of anything else I would rather do. Having children has truly been a blessing to me, something I will never take for granted and every moment with them whatever mood they may be in is a treasure. And our DS? What can I say, he is an amazing, ball of fire full of life, awesome beam of light that has blessed us and made our unit complete.

G will be starting up coaching football in full throttle again, something he enjoys to the fullest. I love to see him so enthusiastic and doing what he loves to do. I am extremely proud of him how he handles being a provider, father, husband and teacher of sorts and does it all with no complaints. He is the love of my life and the song in my soul.

Other then the usual birthday parties and get together with friends and an occasional mini vacation, this is our summer in a nut shell.
Hope you can put on your toes in the sand or put on your flip flops and enjoy your summer as well........

WW - C and friends on girls day out....

2007-05-30T04:57:00.000-05:00

WW....Our Pre-K Graduate.....

2007-05-22T20:36:00.000-05:00

My, my, my....

2007-05-17T08:17:00.000-05:00

UPDATE!

Sea World Trip

2007-04-15T17:57:00.000-05:00

Our eldest daughter's 5th birthday is coming up here shortly, so we decided to take her to Sea World. There were quite a few of us that went for the day and I think we had a pretty good time. Some were smart enough to get a room for Friday night so they didn't have to fight the traffic Saturday, my crew wasn't the "smart" one! Getting started a little late plus an accident put us over there around 11 instead of the intended 9:30. Once there it was time to roll and it was non-stop from the start. We started off with the Stingray pool then worked our way around the dolphins, manatees and then on to our first show. After the show we finally gave into the kids and headed to "kiddie land" so they could

play in the water. And play they did!!!! Next it was off to the wonderful Believe show featuring Shamu.

It was a day full of fun and ended with the kids on the trampoline/bungee cord "thing". To our surprize C & M did fine with this. We ended the day around 7:30 and headed home! This was a fun return as Z decided to start "spewing" everywhere. We made it home safe and sound and the adults are flat wore out. the kids, well that's a different story!

WW - What color does your life display?

2007-04-12T07:39:00.000-05:00

WW - The love of a father and son......

2007-04-04T09:17:00.000-05:00

I wish I had the time...

2007-04-02T18:21:00.000-05:00

How often in our lives do we use this simple little phrase? Well here are some for me.

I wish I had the time to:

...enjoy the outdoors more

...learn wood working skills

...go back to college and pursue my dream

...relax

...watch TV

...go fishing

...play golf

...travel/go RVing!

...workout

...just be!

Generic Thursday Thirteen!!!!

2007-03-29T16:35:00.000-05:00

Because I'm to lazy to go get that fancy header!!!

Thirteen Song In My iPod I wouldn't let my buddies know are there!!!!

1. 4 Celine Dion songs ( Power of Love, My Heart Will Go On, It's All Coming Back To Me Now, Because You Loved Me )

2. 8 Elton John songs...

3. 4 John Denver songs

4. Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch

5. Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson]

6. Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond

7. A Groovy Kind of Love - Phil Colins

8. Waterfalls - TLC

9. Go Rest High On That Mountain - Vince Gill

10. We Built This City - Starship

11. Sussido - Phil Collins

12. River In The Rain - Big River Soundtrack

13. Miami Vice Theme Song

The TICKET!

2007-03-28T10:51:00.000-05:00

SO last Friday on my way to work at 3:30 in the morning, I found myself with some pretty little blue lights tailing me! Now I'm not going to complain to much because I was in the wrong by doing 76 in a 55, really not as bad as it sounds if you knew the area it happened. At any rate, just minutes before this a guy blew by me doing well over 85 mph, but does he get busted NOOOOOO!!! So to top it off I am very polite with the officer, everything ending in SIR ( like my momma taught me ), thinking maybe he'll have a little sympathy for me. Huh, I fully expected the ticket, but the kicker was after being nice, al he had to do was lower it 2 mph and it would have saved me about $35. Thanks for nothing, pal! So C is telling D2 the story and D2 thinks I'm in jail and starts crying and calling for me. At any rate, the girls think it's a big joke now and everytime we go somewhere I get "it sure feels like we're going fast". I know a lot of people don't get tickets in a lifetime, but one every ten years ain't so bad. And if dad should happen to be reading this, no I didn't figure out how much time it saved me by going that fast!!!!

If I knew how to "tag" I would do so to my sister so she can share her, Atlanta pulled over story!

Until next time, be safe, slow down and don't worry about being nice if you get pulled over!

The "talk"......

2007-03-24T06:24:00.000-05:00

The other night I was in our playroom with our girls coloring, which is a nightly ritual we do just to talk together while G puts Z to sleep. Anyway, C out of the blue says...mom I really need to talk to you, I said ok what's on your mind? She says, how do you make a kid? Totally took me off guard and the world seemed to stop spinning for a minute. I thought to myself how do I explain this so a five year old could understand? I proceeded to explain a relationship between a man and a woman and they make a commitment to each other before God then they decide to have a child together. She stops me suddenly and says...mom! I know all that already I want to know HOW a kid is made! You know that already?! What are they teaching you in Pre-K I wondered??!! Now what do I say.......so I went into a further explanation naming the "private parts" of the male to which D2 chimes in and says...I know what that is Daddy, Z and Uncle D has that! Uncle D?? How did he get into ths conversation?? I know he would be happy that D2 thought about him but not like that!! Oh lord, heaven help me with this. I kept myself together and said yes, that's right K and tried to move forward with this as soon as possible. I got to the female explanation and thought I was doing pretty good when I noticed C had lost all interest because Dragon Tales came on TV and K was humming some song by Tim Mcgraw.
SO, back to coloring I went and was saved by Dragon Tales and Tim........until next tme.....

Sharing my "monster"....

2007-03-22T05:39:00.000-05:00

After reading my SIL's blog I realized just how my life has been impacted by the word cancer. As I was growing up I had a best friend named Susan, we did everything together, went on family vacations, sleeping at each others house, going to each other's churches just inseparable, her family was my family and visa versa. Her mother was so loving and I remember how she was friends with everyone and was always smiling and laughing, not a person you would think would be dealt a bad hand but she was. I'll never forget the day I was told she had cancer, I was about 14 years old. I had heard the word before but never really paid attention to it until then. In that year I watched this woman I considered my second mom go through the painful treatments of chemo and radiation, losing her hair, her skin burning, throwing up constantly and her body blowing up like a balloon and through it all she still had a smile for everyone. In less than a year cancer had taken her life, I was never the same after that experience and neither was my beloved friend....they moved away. Years later I visited her at Ithaca College and it was just like old times, sister of sorts...she graduated with high honors. That thread of cancer will always tie us together...

The next was my wonderful Grandmother, we were very close and I loved her more then I could ever express. She decided she did not want to go through the chemo treatments and died a painful death. It was excruciating to watch but was so relieved when she passed because I knew she was in a better place and free of pain. I miss her to this day.....

Years later it would be me that was diagnosed with the big "C"...knowing what I knew about cancer, my first reaction was that I was going to die. I went through a lot of depression and a lot of mental emotion that took me to some dark places. I eventually overcame and won the battle but it has taken years to do so and had to really focus on "life".

Through my working years I have seen cancer take the lives of good people, friends diagnosed and there loved ones lost. Cancer does not pick and choose it's victims, it's a mystery and unfortunately has no meaning. It is something on some level to which we can all relate to and maybe someday we can find what causes this monster to attack.
For the sake of our children and the lives of there children, may we demolish all forms of cancer....

We get the hint!

2007-03-20T20:41:00.000-05:00

Ok,so it's been a while AND Dan has psoted a couple times since we did. So the going's on at Lancer have been many an I'm sure I'llforget some, but here's my best synop, ah hellthe best I can remember!

We made it through another soccer season. This was D2's first season and onceshe got the hang of it she really enjoyed it! Her age group didn't play any official games although they did scrimmage the last couple of weeks. Al she was concerned with was getting a trophy! And here's the big moment

D1 enjoyed her 2nd season and really started to get the hang of the game. Her skills picked up dramatically and she scored 4 or times this season. She absolutely loves soccer, cometo think of it I think it's sports in general she loves.

Z is well, Z! As C says "he's a full time job"! I never thought a kid could be so active. There isn't a chair, couch, ottaman, slide, couch or table he hasn't climbed on! He's the happiest little boy and greets me everyday I walk in the door with the "Z Happy Dance" and then insist I chase him around the house for the next ten minutes. I have a feeling in a couple of years I'm gonna have a "shadow" every where I go, but I look forward to it.

As for me and mommy, we're chugging along! I've started a project of refinishing our front door and it has turned out to be more of a chore than we first thought, but it will look a heck of a lot better when complete. We're excited at the news that D is going to be moving back to Florida and going after his dream of working in real estate. We wish him all the luck in the worl and have no doubt he will be successful in his endeavor. like I said I'm sure I left some things out and am sure my dear mother ( no she really is awesome ) will point them out to me!! Love ya MA!!! Ok I'll end it here, no promises when I'll be back, but hopefully sooner than later. Have a good one and ya'll come back now ya hear....

The love of a purple Dinosaur......

2007-03-07T06:17:00.000-05:00

Barney rocks!!!........Literally.

WW - We LOVE our Uncle "D" !

2007-02-21T08:51:00.000-05:00

Fun at the State Fair!

2007-02-14T04:53:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday "G"...

2007-01-29T10:11:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my DH Birthday and I had planned a nice day with some family and friends at a place called Splitsville which is a bowling alley surrounded by restaurants, billiard tables and a few bars in the heart of Downtown Tampa called Channelside. There was about 15 of us and we all had a really good time enjoying good company.
I think what I really enjoyed the most was watching my DH just relaxing, laughing and having fun with friends he doesn't get to spend time with like he used to but have all managed to stay close and be there for each other no matter what.
I don't think I tell him nearly enough how much I adore him. He truly is the light of my life and completes this puzzle called "me". He's extremely loyal, a dedicated father and a wonderful husband and partner. I could not ask for a better person to bless my soul......so with that said, "G" I love you with all my heart and I hope you had a very Happy Birthday.......

Funny how things work out....

2007-01-25T05:41:00.000-05:00

The other day when I took C to school I was approached by the Director, she wanted to talk to me for a moment. Now the thought that was running through my head was not good, thinking what in the world has my child done that the Director wants to speak with me. Little did I know it had nothing to do with her at all but about me. She said she had noticed my interaction with not only my children but with the other chldren in C's class and wondered if I would like the opportunity to assist the afterschoolers on a part time basis. I have to say I was a little shocked and taken back but my interest was peaked, so we set up a meeting to discuss the details.
I met with her on Tuesday and the hours would be from 2 -6 Monday - Friday, paid of course, and I would have to get 40 hours of certified training. All three of our children would go to the age appropriate classes at this time as well for half price. Needless to say my take home pay after that and taxes will be about how much it would cost to put gas in the car once, but for my children to be exposed to a social learning environment especially our two youngest, makes it all worth while.
I did accept the offer and my start date is February 1st, so wish me luck and we'll see how it works out....

WW - Our little trampoline jumper...

2007-01-24T09:14:00.000-05:00

IT'S A GIRL!!

2007-01-21T09:43:00.000-05:00

Here is our new bundle of joy....Jaz. She was a stray that took to the girls...ok, me too and G found a little place in hs heart as well. She comes inside for a while to play, a bite to eat and then a little "cat" nap and she's off back into the wild world called our backyard. She really is sweat, so I guess as long as she likes us then she can stay and hang around this crazy bunch....

Sorry to disappoint anyone if you thought another baby shower was in store but that department has gone out of business. So unless you want to buy some cat nip, this is as close as it gets!!

NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY!!!!

2007-01-18T20:06:00.000-05:00

We have a new addition coming to the family and thought since blogging is the craze what better way to announce it on here!!! Stay tuned for details ( waiting on conformation ).

Our Little Monkey!!!!

2007-01-16T19:33:00.000-05:00

Ok in case there was ANY dooubt Z is 100% little boy! Not that there was, but its amazing after two girls how different little boys are. He's started doing the usual things bringing rocks inside, playing in the dirt and so on, but at the ripe old age of one he's picked up the habit of climbing! We're sitting here the other day and look over and he's managed to climb up on the computer chair and stand up, then he learned he could get on top of the toy box, then Christie caught him climbing out of his high chair and across the table. While these are feats in themselves the feat from this past weekend takes the cake!

Let me start off by trying to explain the "lay out". The girls have a trampoline ( full size with net around it ) and it probably sits 3-4 feet off the ground, so we put a deck chair out there for them to climb on to get up in the trampoline. Well this weekend they're out there with Z playing and I had to go to the shed, well when I did D1 comes running telling me Z got on the trampoline by himself. I'm thinking there's absolutely NO WAY he got up there himself, so I tell D1 to quit pulling my leg and insisted that she "assisted" in him getting up there. She proceeds to insist she didn't help, so I decided to do a Z climbing experiment. I place him on the ground and sit in amazement as he first climbs on the chair, then stands on the arm of the chair, grabs the netting and pulls himself up into the trampoline!!!! Now this would be like me climbing Everest!!!! Needless to say we've had to move the chair and keep an eye on ANYTHING that "Evil Kanevil" might be able to climb up on.

11 DAYS and counting!!!!

2007-01-11T19:23:00.000-05:00

Ok, I know it's not setting the world on fire and formost people New Years Resolution tend to bring on a negative conotation, but it's been since Midnight on the first that I've had a cigarette. The first week I did thepatch and have done anything since. It's actually been easier than I thought and the cravings haven't been all that bad. There are times I "miss it", but the overwhelming majority of the time I certainly don't. Once this is tackled it's on to the weight!!!! I'll keep you updated as to how quitting is going, until then here's to not smelling like an ash tray!!!!

WW - I can skate!!

2007-01-10T10:34:00.000-05:00

2327=649=826=XROQDF>2323647:8528;ot1lsi">

C loves this picture so much she wanted a copy of it for her room.

M - you are truly adored by our daughter....

O - H - I - O !!

2007-01-08T07:01:00.000-05:00

GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

WW - Found Boo Boo taking a walk in the yard...

2007-01-03T05:19:00.000-05:00

2323=694=<9:=3232694;:968;nu0mrj">

My New Years Prayer for you all......

2007-01-01T04:52:00.000-05:00

Give us the kindness to hear with compassion, to offer support, loving comfort, and care.
Give us the courage to do what is needed, the wisdom to choose what is right and fair.
Give us the vision to see what is possible.
Give us the faith that will help pave the way for a present that is hopeful, a future that is peaceful—
Give us a heart to bring joy to each day.

May we all have a very blessed New Year........

Happy 2007 everybody!

On with the weekend...

2006-12-20T15:40:00.000-05:00

So after playing in the water we go under the water!!! We weren't sure how D2 would handle this, but she was amazed at the size of the sharks. From there we head to the penguins, as the kids have taken a liking to these, guess it's the Happy Feet movie. After spending some time watching these crazy little creatures it's off for firestone pizza!!!!

After lunch it was back to "Shamu Land" so the girls could run wild and have fun. Amazingly a slide kept them entertained for the better part of an hour.

Mommy took D1 on the coaster and daddy took them both on the "tea cups". Again another "small" place my fat behind probably shouldn't have been in, but it was fun none the less!!!

We ended the wonderful trip with a Christmas ligh/fountain show set to music that was great and then it snowed!!! Carrsyn absolutely had a ball wth this. She was truly like a kid in a candy store!2327=649=826=XROQDF>232364668<78:ot1lsi">

Santa, here is our Christmas list........ !

2006-12-20T06:24:00.000-05:00

2327=649=826=XROQDF>232364668<77;ot1lsi">

Busy weekend!

2006-12-19T15:48:00.000-05:00

Saturday was D2's third birthday, so we headed to Sea World with her and D1. Grandma watched Z for us. We got over there a little before 11 and headed in! Upon arriving we decided we do the Shamu show Believe first. This turned out to be an excellent show with a great story about a little boy that wants to be a Shamu trainer. They begin the show by acknowledging all current and former members of the military and have them stand for a round of applause. Then it's on to the show! Here are some photo's:

After the show we headed to Shamu Land ( not the real name ) where they had stuff for the kids, oh the adults to try and do!!! So they have this "climbing system" with rope ladders and tubes:

Well unknown to me was the fact that once you enter this little area there's NO turning back!!! So my big mehind has to crawl through all these tubes to the end. Well at the end it's like a 4 foot drop, which if you're going feet first no problem, but you don't crawl through a tunnel feet first! So I have to figure out how to get my fet in front of me with about a 1/8 inch of space between me and the tube!!! While trying to gt this accomplished there's little kids behind me going " sir can you please go!" So we finally make it out of that and the girls decide they want to play in the water, under normal circumstances I would object ( wasn't exactly hot ), but what the heck lett'em be kids. So they end up soaked with no towel and no changes of clothes. Well that means we gotta buy some!!! After filling out the loan papers we're all set!

Ok, so that gets us through the first part of the day.....

Tis the reason for the season......

2006-12-13T04:29:00.000-05:00

Hussle and Bussle and somewhere in between....

2006-12-10T17:25:00.000-05:00

As you may know our clan andG'Ma went to the River House forthe weekend. Homosassa had there boat parade Saturday night and it was more then what we expected, being the Reds as they are. Some of the boats were gorgeous and the displays extremely colorful but it was led by a singing Elvis.......can't take the redneck out of Homosassa. Anyway, we had a great time and it gives us a chance to go to the River House again before she's gone forever. For those that don't know the house is up for sale : -( Our kids as well as us love it there and will miss it dearly.

This week is turning out to be a busy one. I'm going to D1 school to decorate cookies and crafts with her class, then Thursday night will be her first Christmas program at church and Friday her last day of school, she has a secret Santa party. Saturday is D2 Birthday and we'll take her to Sea World and have a party for her on Sunday afternoon and on Monday we're off to Orlando to an ICE exhibit which is suppose to be awesome. Still have to finish up Christmas shopping as well and find time to wrap it all! But through all the craziness I have to say I love it all for this is my life and a great one it is........

For all the madness in your lives may you find the time to enjoy every bit of it..

Getting in the spirit!

2006-12-09T09:28:00.000-05:00

Clark got all the lights on the house!!!!

Not with out some difficulty though...

The tree is up an decorated as well.

The kids have visited Santa, this was Zach's first trip and he loved it.

Today we are venturing to Homossassa for the annual boat parade.

We are also planning a trip to the ICE exhibit in Orlando!!!

Hope everyone has a joyous holiday season!

WW - Daddy should be here any minute..

2006-12-06T02:58:00.000-05:00

WW - Two of our smiling children......

2006-11-29T04:57:00.000-05:00

Here is C's A - Z of Me Meme...........

2006-11-28T06:14:00.000-05:00

The A-Z Meme

A - Available/Single? Married to a beautiful man inside and out

B - Best Friend? Greg and Michelle

C - cake or pie? Cake

D - drink of choice? Root Beer

E - essential item you use every day? cell phone

F - favorite color? All shades of green

G - gummyy bears or worms? Neither....YUCK!

H - Hometown? Kinnelon New Jersey

I - indulgence? A trip to the ice cream shop

J - January or February? February....

K - Kids? 3.....2 girls 1 boy

L - Life is imcomplete without? My husband and children

M - Marriage date? Nov. 16, 2002

N - Number of siblings? 2 great brothers

O - Oranges or Apples? Apples

P - Phobias/Fears? Anybody that knows me would know it's CLOWNS and SPIDERS!

Q - Favorite Quote? Hmmmmm.......

R - Reason to smile? Way too many to type...

S - Season? Fall

T - Tag Three People - I would have to say Cammy, Tami and Mom if she would set up a blog!

U - Unknown fact about me? I have a certificate of Interior Design from USF.

V - Veggie you don't like? spinach

W - Worst habit? My patience level

X - Xrays you've had? I have broken so many bones in my childhood....tomboy all the way!

Y - Your favorite food? Italian

Z - Zodiac sign? Pisces

It's been a while......and I've beentagged!!!!

2006-11-27T15:52:00.000-05:00

Well where to begin? It's been a while for a few reason, but the biggest being that our computer crashed for a few weeks. Things are pretty much the same so I won't go to in depth as my sister and mother seem to be the only ones that read this and they know the going's on!!! but I was tagged so I'll go ahead and play a long...

The A-Z Meme

A - Available/Single? No, married 4 years to a beautiful woman!

B - Best Friend? Justin

C - cake or pie? steak

D - drink of choice? diet dew

E - essential item you use every day? cell phone

F - favorite color? navy blue

G - gummyy bears or worms? bears

H - Hometown? born and raised in Tampa, Fl

I - indulgence? sports

J - January or February? Jan my bday

K - Kids? 3.....2 girls 1 boy

L - Life is imcomplete without? family

M - Marriage date? oh boy...which one? Nov. 16, 2002

N - Number of siblings? 2 bro and sis

O - Oranges or Apples? Apples

P - Phobias/Fears? tight spaces!

Q - Favorite Quote? "Keep your Eye On The Ball"

R - Reason to smile? Life

S - Season? Football

T - Tag Three People - ummmmmm

U - Unknown fact about me? In my younger years I was a Chippendale...

V - Veggie you don't like? carrots

W - Worst habit? smoking

X - Xrays you've had? growing up playing sports there's been plenty!

Y - Your favorite food? Pizza

Z - Zodiac sign? Aquarius, whatever that means

The Big One Pt. 2!!!

2006-10-20T12:24:00.000-05:00

Well last week was big for the Cowboys, but this week is even bigger. We're playing for the district championship and a spot in the playoffs. We get our QB back this wek which should be a huge boost to our offense. The team we are playing is fairly good and capable of scoring at anytime. They have a good QB and two stud WR. We have this game at home and the school has touted this has a "white out", meaning they want everyone at the game to wear white. If the good majority of the fans participate this should look pretty cool. I'm thankful that my lovely wife and wonderful mom will be in attendance to root the Cowboys to victory. I'll blog after the game and let you all know how we faired.

P.S. If you stop by and read leave a comment!!!

Zach after he fell face first in the dirt and LOVED it!

2006-10-19T06:16:00.000-05:00

Ok I've been tagged...

2006-10-16T19:41:00.000-05:00

...not sure what I'm supposed to do, but I'll give it a whirl...

1. Favorite Memory of Your Mother? Wow there's so many. I think first and foremost is her lovingness and never judging people. She's the most forgiving person I've ever known and that has played a HUGE roll in who I am today. I can always count on her there to be there no matter what the situation. We joke about the "redneck" stuff, but it really has molded me into the person I am today. I can count on her to call me every Friday with a "good luck tonight" just like I could when I was playing football. As you can probably tell my mind is racing a million miles a minute trying to think of everything, but I guess to sum things up she is the best mother in the world!

2. Favorite Memory of Your Father? Boy this is causing my tired mind to race to much! It could be the budweiser hat or playing the air sax to The Oak Ridge Boys or the suit joke!!! He taught me that no matter how much I did wrong I was always his son and that he loved me no matter what was happening. He also taught my rear end a few things, but then he also taught me that it was out of love that he punished me and this was evident when he'd come sit down and put his arm around me afterwards and talk to me. Though you may not want to hear it at the time he's always going to tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear.

3. What one skill would you like to wake up tomorrow and be able to do (though you'd never learned it?)? Oh boy! I'm sure there's a whole list of things that I could come up with, but I think something that I've always admird about my brother and sister is their musical talents. As they ( and many others ) can attest to I didn't get this gene! So learning to sing and play the guitar would be cool.

4. Which one of your dreams has come true? I can only pick one??? Ok I'm picking two!!! First and foremost would have to be my wife and kids. I couldn't have asked for anything better in life. I'm truly blessed with a beautiful wife and three lovely children. The second would have to be the opportunity I've been given to not only coach high school football, but to do it at my alma mater.

Ok I hope I did this correctly! Mom stop crying!!!!!

The Big One!

2006-10-15T13:04:00.000-05:00

As I have stated before I am coaching at my alma mater, which is like a dream come true for me. The team has probably had 5-7 winning season in 22 years and none the three years I was there. Well Friday night was our BIG district rival matchup with Wharton High School. WHS was undefeated and the defending district champs. It was their homecoming and most other teams had played their game on thursday due to there being no school Friday. Needless to say this was a big game and there were a lot of people in attendance. We lost our starting QB the week before and the kid we had to replace him with had never taken a varsity snap at QB, so we were hurting a little bit offensively. It was a defensive battle through out, but we were able to prevail 17-7. This puts us in a great position to make the playoffs and win our district, we'll be playing for those to feats this week against Land O Lakes.

Want to say thank you to my wonderful wife and mom for being in attendance for such a big game. Love you both.

All I got to say is..... HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!!!

KICKED OUT OF THE FAMILY!!!!

2006-10-05T13:33:00.000-05:00

I am officially kicking C out of the family. She had the NERVE, THE NERVE to say Johnny Cash couldn't sing! I always believed the yankee always comes out at some point and well it dang sure did!!!! I'll bet she wouldn't say such things at a Shiver Family Reunion!!!!

At any rate, the girls are doing wonderful. D1 played her last game this past Saturday, after the game the received trophies. She had a great time and is excited to start things back up after the first of the year. Her and D2 are doing gymnastics every Thursday and absolutely loving it. Zachy is such a character these days. He's gone from crawling to walking to running in the span of about three weeks. Football is chugging along. We are currently 4-1, but the tough part of our schedule is still ahead. We have a pretty good team and the next 5 weeks will let us know just how good. C makes the lineman something to eat before the game. One week it was brownies and the other was cookies, needless to say the kids absolutely love them. (but unfortunately after the Johnny Cash comments they'll no longer be receiving them!)

I have plenty of "subjects" to blog about, just not enough time. I'll get to them don't worry. Until next time, HAPPY BLOGGING....

P.S. if you see C with her thumb out please be kind and keep on truckin' :-)

LOVE YA DARLING!!!!

Gooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll !!!!!!!!!

2006-09-24T15:38:00.000-05:00

As you all may know D1 has been playing soccer and enjoying it greatly. At first she was a little timid, but has become more and more aggressive as the season has carried on. Welllllll yesterday she finally broke through and scored a goal and narrowly missed scoring two more. The play was a thing of beauty as you will read. She starts off deep in the mighty Blue team's area ( she's on the Blue team), she gets it on the right side of the field and heads up field all alone. Dribbling much like Pele or Henry she "jukes" one defender, blows by another and then heads for the goal. Upon approaching the goal she sets up and gives it a good boot. Bending it like Beckham into the upper left hand corner of the goal just over the finger tips of the diving goalie. Mayhem ensues she runs to midfield and rips off her shirt much like Chastain.

Ok, ok there is no goalie, no juking of defenders or ripping off of shirt, but she did score and I'm very proud of her and she is really enjoying playing. Great job D1!!!!!

Peek-A-Boo-Boo!

2006-09-20T03:01:00.000-05:00

C's WW picture.....Remember 3D images?? Try to focus on the image and see if you can see the picture in the middle...

2006-09-13T04:17:00.000-05:00

C's MEMORY.....

2006-09-11T04:11:00.000-05:00

As I sit here reflecting back to where I was 5 years ago I'm flooded with memories...I was at work drinking my morning cup of coffee watching Good Morning America, when breaking news broke through the usual chatter. A plane had just flown into one of the twin Towers...watching the smoke pour out of this building I remember thinking how could a plane crash into the twin tower? How does an "accident" like that happen? Just then I saw the second plane fly right into the other tower and realized with the rest of America, this was no accident. I sat frozen in my chair and what seemed like everything went into slow motion as the reporters aired that America was under attack. Then they announced a third plane had flown into the Pentagon....I felt sick to my stomach and fearing the safety of all America. I remember putting my hand on my stomach somehow trying to protect the child that was growing inside of me wondering what the future holds in store for this innocent baby. I wanted to gather my family around me but couldn't so the telephone was the next best thing to closeness....
I will never forget that day nor the feelings that went through my body like shock waves. Don't take your family for granted, cherish the times you spend together and love each other.
Pray for the families who lost there loved ones and for all the ones fighting to keep our country safe.
Let us NEVER forget......

Where were you?

2006-09-10T21:27:00.000-05:00

I'm sure it is a question that will get asked a lot the next couple of days as we remember the tragic events that unfolded 5 years ago. So I'll start with answering my own question.

Myself and C where living in Andover Apartments in New Tampa. She had gone to work already and I woke and turned the TV on. Well at that time our cable company had it set to when you turned the TV on it came on Bay News 9. As the TV came on I was greeted to breaking news that a small plane had crashed into one of the towers. No big deal. So I sat on the balcony having my "morning coffee", when the second plain hit. Of course we all know the story from here. I called in "sick" to work and stayed glued to the TV for the entire day.

9/11/2006 should be a day when we can put aside political affiliation, war stances, races, religions or creeds and stand together as AMERICANS and honor those that lost their lives on that faitful day 5 years ago. Be proud to be an American.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Now I know what I miss...

2006-09-07T16:57:00.000-05:00

So today was a rare day that I was actually able to be home before 5 o'clock, which is good because I enjoy the time with my wife and kids, but I now know what I miss. As I'm sitting having a conversation with C a voice rings out from the back of the house, "Mommy can you come wipe my butt because I pooped"!!!! Are these the type things they talk about missing when they grow up???

On another note, Z took four steps today!!!

Until next time, happy blogging

D2 Enjoying the summer days....

2006-09-06T10:43:00.000-05:00

No rest for the weary...

2006-09-03T19:09:00.000-05:00

So now not only is my mother on me about blogging, my wife is joined in!! SO I figured I better get something up! As I've stated before things are very busy and there's been a lot going on. D1 is doing great in school, she's really catching on to the writing and coloring. The have chapel on Tuesday's which she really enjoys. She has already memorized the Pledge of Allegiance. There is a gymnastics teacher that offers her services once a week for a small fee so we signed D1 one up and her first "lesson" was last week. She seemed to really enjoy that as well. Soccer is going good and she's starting to get more and more into it. She really kicks the ball well when it's just me and her, but seems a little timid when she gets on the field. D2 is doing good, going through a little rough patch here where everything upsets her, but I'm sure it's just a stage. She really enjoys music and singing and often is heard singing herself to sleep at night. S1 is really growing and talking. You can really start to see his motor skills starting to develop. He can now get up and stand on his own without any "crutch". I'm sure it won't be long before he takes that first step. Football is going. We've had 2 games and are 1-1. We lost to my brother and sisters alma mater this past Friday night which isn't good because they had lost 18 straight games. We have a bye week this week, so hopefully we can fix all the mistakes. This probably sounds a lot like my last entry, but that's what's going on, things don't change a whole bunch around here. Hope everyone is doing good. Until next time, happy blogging...

Where did we go??

2006-08-25T14:34:00.000-05:00

Well, after a week of DSL and phone problems we are finally back up and running. Sorry to have not blogged in a while but we will be bloggers again!!

Missed reading everyones blogs and now we have a lot of catching up to do. Please check back as a lot can happen in a weeks time to get you all up to date with our little clan...

She used my full name!!!!

2006-08-16T20:09:00.000-05:00

So my mommy emailed me today and got on me about not blogging and she used my whole name so I knew I was in trouble!!!! It's not that I don't like blogging or have forgotten about our little space here on the WWW, but with 3 kids, 2 jobs and a coaching position it's been a little busy as of late.

Things here are going great. D1 has gotten through adjust period with her new school and is doing great. They have Chapel once a week and she seems to enjoy that. Their second week they were givn homework!!! She has already learned the Pledge of Allegiance. Needless to say I am EXTREMELY proud of her. Tomorrow is her first soccer practice so she is very excited about that. Saturday will be the first game.

D2 is really starting to grow and change. Her vocabulary is expanding and she is starting to talk a WHOLE lot more. She was never a big "lover", but has started giving more hugs and kisses and saying I love you. She's daddy's Beaner and will always be!

Little Man as you can imagine is growing like a weed. He now has two teeth n and is really scooting around the house. I don't think it will be long before he starts walking and then we'll really be on our toes!!!

C is doing great, she's happy because we got some new furniture this week. I can't stress again how thankful I am to have her. With football I have been away quite a bit and she has been wonderful in understanding. I don't tell her thank you enough. So thank you baby.

As for me I'm chugging a long and enjoying the ride the entire way. I never could have imagined being as proud as I am of my family and everything they are. This is an exciting week for the reasons stated above, but also because it's our first game week of the season. We'll be playing Plant Friday night at "Death Valley"!!!! I want to sen a huge thank you to my nephew and his gf for coming up to watch the kids so C can come watch the game ( I assume they still are!!!! :-) ). I'm very excited about her being there. Other than that things are "normal" on Lancer.

So in closing I apologise mom for not blogging and I will make better attempts at doing so, but you've caused me to break the blogging world rules by using words on wordless wednesday!!!

That's all for now. Good night and happy blogging!

CC's WW - Bridge of hope by Thomas Kinkade

2006-08-09T03:14:00.000-05:00

General Happenings

2006-08-08T11:43:00.000-05:00

Not to mention "majopr news" to blog on, so I'll just cover the past few days in the life on Lancer. School for D1 is going well, although the past couple of mornings have been rough when C dropped her off. I think it's just an adjustment period for her and I'm pretty sure she'll grow to like it much like she did when she went to the babysitter. I asked her to remember some of her new classmates names and of couorse she comes home with the names of two boys!!! D2 is, well D2. She's doing good with the potty training and let's the entire neighborhood know when she's used the potty. I have a feeling she's going to be the "handful" child, but she's daddy's Beaner and nothing will change that!! Z is all over the place and starting to jabber more and more, as a matter of fact he's is explaining things to mommy as I type. Some how over the past few days our bedroom has become Camp Kids! It seems to make sleeping better for D2 at least now I can just roll over and hand her a milk cup and she's back off to sleep! Football is moving along. It's hot, I don't remember it being this hot when I played. Other than that not much happening, Life on Lancer is kind of quiet this week. Until next time, HAPPY BLOGGING...

C's BIG DAY!!!

2006-08-03T19:43:00.000-05:00

So today was C's big first day in the VPK program. So mommy and daddy and her siblings all went ot drop her off expecting it to be a little rough. We get there and get her signed in and proceed to the classroom thinking the whole time, oh boy here comes the rough part. Get to the classroom and I make sure I give her a kiss before she heads in. Her in mommy are the first ones through the doors and C takes off her back pack and is gone. Hardly a bye or anything. I think it's safe to say that mommy and daddy were a little more anxious than she was. So we pick her up from school around 11 expecting there to be wonderful stories to be told. So C how was your day? C: Good. What did you do? Colored and played. Did you make some friends? Yes. What were there names? I don't know, hey K let's go play!!!! So I guess there's nothing to this "school stuff"!!

Since I had the day off for this BIG DAY, I went a head and got her paperwork turned in for soccer as well, oh and the $70 check ( for a 4 year old soccer???? ). So wehn she got home we let her know she was all signed up and that all we had to get was her cleats, shin guards and socks. Well, of course, she had to have all those today! Which it was fun because I took her to buy her first pair of cleats and shin guards and she got to pick them both out on her own ( may have been a little of a mistake as I took a hit to the wallet ). So she has everything and is ready to go. She starts August 19th I do believe. Wonder if I'll be more anxious than her on the day as well????

Making Gwama proud!!!

2006-07-31T19:26:00.000-05:00

So I threw out the question previously ( if I knew how to do that cool little link thing I would ) about whether we are rednecks or not. Wellllll, I think we may have further proof, imagine that. So I taped the CMA special that was on last week and decided to watch it this weekend. So, not only can my kids pick out Bud and Miller trucks on the road and sing "Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy", they have now added a few more songs to their repertoire ( had to look that one up ). Let's see they now know "Summertime" and "Livin' In Fast Forward" by Kenny Chesney and "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" by Trace Adkins. This is were grandma will be SO proud. So here are some of the words to the song:

Got it goin' on
Like Donkey Kong
And whoo-wee
Shut my mouth, slap your grandma
There outta be a law
Get the Sheriff on the phone

So ofcourse the part they like running around and singing the most is "...shut my mout, slap your grandma..." Gwama it's not ALL my fault, you raised me in Homossasa...

I do enjoy them liking music thought as I love it myself. Unfortunately I didn't get ANY musical genes what so ever. I have always said that I think I would have loved to live before TV when you sat around and listened to the radio on Saturday night's, that just sounds so neat to me. Well that's it for now. Happy Blogging!

Yesterday's Answers...

2006-07-28T12:11:00.000-05:00

1. Terry Bollea

2. George Herman Ruth

3. Troyal Garth Brooks

4. Carlos Norris

5. Virginia Hensley

6. Virginia Wynette Pugh

7. Paul Rubenfeld

8. Yvonne Vaughan

9. Loretta Webb

10. Barry Pincus

11. Reginald Kenneth Dwight

12. Johnny Lee

13. Harold Ray Ragsdale

My TT...not a copy cat

2006-07-27T12:14:00.000-05:00

Ok, so it's the opposite of Dan's, name their real names

1. Hulk Hogan ( you knew that was #1 )

2. Babe Ruth

3. Garth Brooks

4. Chuck Norris

5. Patsy Cline

6. Tammy Wynette

7. PeeWee Herman

8. Donna Fargo

9. Loretta Lynn

10. Barry Manilow ( for C )

11. Elton John

12. Johnny Bench

13. Ray Stevens

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Kids say the darnest things!!

2006-07-24T14:15:00.000-05:00

So we're sitting here and C says the girls want to sleep on our floor tonight and I said as long as they sleep I don't care if it's on the toilet. Well D1 got a kick out of this so I went down the list of places they could SLEEP. I said the laundry room, but she said it was to dirty, next up was the shed, yep you guessed it the shed is to sheddy, although it didn't come out as clear as that. So C and I start rolling laughing and I make the statement that I have to blog after that comment, D1 procceeds to ask if I have to pee-pee or poo-poo. Which of course just sends us back rolling laughing. I often wonder what is going on in these little minds...

Weekend Review...

2006-07-23T17:36:00.000-05:00

Not much excitement from the homefront. Friday afternoon consisted of daddy mowing the lawn as well as the neighbors lawn. Our neighbor is an "elderly" lady that goes to North Carolina from May to October and me being the great neighbor I am I offered to mow her lawn for her while she was gone so she didn't have to worry about a lawn crew doing it. It's no big deal, it takes me less than an hour to mow them both. After mowing we took the girls swimming. D1 is swimming about 3/4 of the pool on her own and D2 continues make make small strides towards not being scared of the water. After swimming we came home and daddy was back doing yard work. This time it was trimming the palm trees in our front yard.

Saturday began where Friday left off. This time I had to finish putting rock borders around the beds outside our front door so the mulch would quit washing away! It was HOT! After I got the borders down I then decided I'd pressure wash the front walk area, ,so off to Home Depot to buy a replacement nozle for the pressure washer. I tend to start these "little" projects and they turn to big ones. This led to washing the screens on our back porch. Finally through ( physically ) with chores it was off to swim again, but the weather got us and we didn't get to go.

Z had a horrible night Saturday as I was up with him until about midnight and C was up the rest of the night with him. He's cutting teeth so he's cranky and uncomfortable. So this morning I sent C to mom and dad's to sleep and have a day of peace ( they're out of town ). I stayed with the kids and watched the British Open ( great job Tiger! ). Z has stood on his own on several occasions this week, so I have a feeling it won't be long before he takes his first steps. Well the wonderful smell of lasagna is calling me to the table. Hope you all had a great weekend!

Christie's TT

2006-07-20T04:19:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Signs We Might Be Getting Older...

1. When you wake up looking like your driver's license picture.

2. It takes two tries to get up from the couch.

3. When your idea of a night out is sitting on the patio.

4. When happy hour is a nap.

5. When you say something to your kids that your mother said to you, and you always hated it.

6. Getting "lucky" means you found your car in the parking lot.

7. You have more patience, but it is actually that you just don't care anymore

8. Your idea of weight lifting is standing up.

9. Your memory is shorter and your complaining lasts longer.

10. You give up all your bad habits and still don't feel good.

11. It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired.

12. You finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart.

13. When you step off a curb and look down one more time to make sure the street is still there.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

G's WW - CHEERS!

2006-07-19T13:22:00.000-05:00

Christie's WW - Embrace the lighter side of life...

2006-07-19T05:15:00.000-05:00

What's The Purpose?

2006-07-18T11:59:00.000-05:00

Let me first start off by letting all the educator's out there know that I have the utmost respect for you and don't know how you guys deal with some of the things you have to deal with on a day to day basis when it comes to kids and seeing the home lives ( or lack of ) some of them come from. So to all of you I say THANK YOU.

I hope I can relay this experience in writing, it may be long so bare with me. As I have stated before on here I am a football coach at a local high school here in Tampa. I take this very serious and not just a tool to fill an "egotistical need". We have a particular player, I'll call him Joe, that during Spring Practice was really a slacker and didn't give much effort during practice. Now this kid is to be one of my starters. Because of his lack of caring and drive to be better I stayed on him pretty good. Towards the end he semi started responding and then in the game although he didn't play outstanding he did show us more than we thought we would see. So Spring practice is over and we're heading into summer workouts. Now this is the kid that we figured would miss half the workouts and never put in the time he should put in. To this date the kid is yet to miss a workout and has lost fifteen pounds over the summer. So you're thinking Greg what's the story here. Well within the last week I've found out that this kid is pretty much left to fend for himself. He works at McDonald's to try and pay for the things he needs. His parents are not around and he lives with the friend of an uncle. From his minimum wage job he's left to pay insurance, gas, food, school, clothes, supplies etc. I know he has a car, but myself and another coach have sumised that it's simply a convience thing so that no one has to be responsible for getting him from point a to point b. It just sadens(sp?) me that here is a kid that is going into his senior year of high school, which should be the absolutely best time of his life and he has absolutely nothing to look forward to. No senior pictures, class ring, homecoming, yearbook etc. And all that aside the kid has to be worried about living day to day AND trying to get a quality education. I know this happens with millions of kids across this country everyday, but I guess this situation has touched me more since I'm so close to it and because I haven't had to really deal with a situation like this previously. He couldn't even pay $20 for a physical so he could play football and I worry about having money to go on vacation for a week. We are working with him to get him the things he needs just to live day to day. I will be cleaning out my closet and have plenty for him. I can only sumise that the reason educators ( most ) are in this profession is to make a difference in kids lives and I feel that is my priority in coaching. Hope this story transfered to here and that I didn't rammble and swerve all over the place, but for some odd reason I feel there is a purpose that this kid and this situation was put into my life and I look forward to the day I can reflect back and say now I know. I'll keep you posted on Joe as the year progresses.

Team Building Weekend

2006-07-15T20:53:00.000-05:00

So yesterday and today was the Gaither Cowboys football team, Team Building Weekend. This was an event that I was "assisnged" to cooridinate. being the first time I've done such a thing I was a little nervous at first, then went through a worrying stage, but I can sit here tonight and say the two days were a complete sucess. As part of "rebuilding" the team we want to start instilling in these young men a sense of team work and family. These two items are not only vital in football, but in life as well. We as a staff truly feel that we are preparing these young men for life as well as football games. So yesterday we had a team bowling day. We had roughly forty players show up and they all had a great time. Today was the big day as we were volunteering at a horse farm that provides theraputic riding for the handicapped. We found this particular place through the United Way. Being that yes these are young men and should know how to handle themselves in public I was a little nervous because the programs name is on the line and I also felt my name was on the line as I was the one that set the event up. Anyways, what we had to do was "re-bed" the stalls the horses stay in. While it doesn't sound all that tough let me tell you it was tough and there's about forty young men and a few grown men that will sleep well tonight. We gave them eight hours of work and they were very appreciative of what we were able to accomplish. As I said the weekend was a sucess and hopefully it leads to these young men being better grown men down the line and hopefully we've instilled a family atmosphere in the program. Sorry if this is one big rambling run on paragraph, but it's late (for me) and I'm a whupped puppy. We took a bunch of pictures so hopefully I'll be able to post some in the coming days. GREAT JOB COWBOYS!

A Prayer for the beginning of the day......

2006-07-15T06:34:00.000-05:00

O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. And you, yourself, pray in me. Amen.

Enjoy the day everyone.....

C~

My Thursday 13...

2006-07-13T07:21:00.000-05:00

Thirteen of Christie's memorable places

1. Statue of Liberty
2. Ellis Island
3. Times Square
4. Twinn Towers
5. Washington DC
6. Chicago
7. Mt. Rushmore
8. Kennebunk Port Maine
9. Our Family Farm in Wisconsin
10. The River House with our kids and Family
11. Vegas
12. Killington Vermont
13. St. Patricks Cathedral

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

G's WW for Sus...

2006-07-12T19:30:00.000-05:00

Christie's WW - A beautiful sunset here in Florida is one of God's gifts to us...

2006-07-12T02:45:00.000-05:00

My Front Porch Looking In

2006-07-11T08:16:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure if others do this, but often times when I hear a song it causes me to reflect on my life and how it relates to my life. Evrytime this song comes on I can't help but think about how fortunate I am to have the wife and kids that I do. Recently I have come to realize that while it hasn't turned out exactly has I dreamed it back in high school, my visions of what I wanted to do have started happening. It all started happening about 5 years or so ago when I met my lovely wife and has let to a wonderful time in my life, that has produced the three most beautiful children in the world ( no debating, please :-) ) and a person in my wife that I didn't think existed and the wonderful home that we have built together and one that I can look at and being extremely proud of ( although Papa's racing trophy is the best decoration in the place ).

Yet another part of my vision is the fact that I have recently started coaching football at my alma mater Gaither with my best friend from my high school years. Coaching takes a lot of time and there is no pay, YET! I can't tell you how important CC has played in supporting my dream to return to football as a coach. It's very important to have a spouse that supports your thoughts, dreams and ideas and I have that in her. I'm sure she's tired of hearing how a guard should pull on the trap play or the endless phone conversation I have with Coach E, but her support is very much appreciated. Football has always been a part of my life and this chance to be involved with it and to help make a difference in young mens lives, as many coaches did for me, is an opportunity that I cherish deeply. I will keep you up to date on the season of the Cowboys through out the year.

For the time being I'll be on my front porch enjoying the view looking in.

Blogger's block!!!

2006-07-10T13:59:00.000-05:00

So I've sat down two or three times and tried to post something, but my ADD ( family joke, though I know the problem is not a joke ) kicks in and I can't complete a full post. Other than the evryday happening's not much is going on. Between working, kids and football I do stay busy, but nothing to exciting. Only thing of eventful status is that our 4 year old swam across the pool by herself this weekend. It's more of a doggie paddle, but she's really getting the hang of which is a feat in itself especially since she's never taken swimming lessons. Little man is really scooting himself around these days, we often have to find him since he's discovered his new found freedom. We've started the "potty battle" with D2 so wish us luck. Well I'm off to play witht he girls before I head to football practice. Ya'll take care and come back now ya hear...

Some vacation Pics...

2006-07-08T13:30:00.000-05:00

D2 does a little "cleaning"...

S1 wakes up his cousin...

D1 doing a little fishin'...

D1 doing sparklers...

Back In The Saddle...

2006-07-07T15:10:00.000-05:00

So we're back from vacation and shaking off the vacation hangover, wishing we were still sitting on the river. We had a wonderful time as my mom and dad, sister, her 3 boys and one of their girlfriends were there. Other than it being a holiday weekend it also happens to be the opening of scallop season. Well evidently the scallops haven't been reading up on when this begins as there weren't any there. In two days we collected about 25 of them when you'll usually get around 1000 for two days! Things started of "rocky" on our first attempted trip out. The boat started overheating and we had to be towed back in, so that pretty much shot that day. Before I go any further let me say a huge thank you to my uncle and cousin for coming to our rescue and allowing us to use there boat for the weekend. Our girls absolutely had a ball swimming in the river, fishing and generally horsing around with their cousins. Zach found himself a girlfriend in my sister second oldest girlfriend. She was absolutely fabolous with the kids. Now she probably thinks I'm a little off my rocker after her, my nephew and my wife went to Crazy Dave's Fireworks, but it was all in good fun. As dad likes to say "we're making memories" and we sure did that. Hopefully we'll have some pictures to throw up soon, MOM?????

On Vacation...

2006-06-30T10:28:00.000-05:00

We're off to the beloved Homosassa. Ya'll keep the blogging world running while we're gone. M&D are on their way as I type, now that gwampa' nail appointment is over. No, no don't get the wrong impression, D2 was talking to gwama this morning and asked if she was golfing and then told her that gwampa was at his nail appointment!!! Everyone have a happy and safe 4th of July.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Greg's TT...

2006-06-29T18:36:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Great American Songs

1. The Star-Spangled Banner

2. God Bless The U.S.A - Lee Greenwood

3. America The Beautiful

4. Born In The U.S.A - The Boss

5. Ragged old Flag - Johnny Cash

6. Courtesy Of The Red, White & Blue - Toby Keith

7. In America - Charlie Daniels

8. America ( My Country 'tis of Thee )

9. Dixie

10. Only In America - Brooks & Dunn

11. American Soldier - Toby Keith

12. God Bless America

13. Yankee Doodle Dandy

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Christie's TT - 13 fond memories growing up...

2006-06-29T04:48:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Things about YOUR NAME

1. Great conversations with my dad as we went on long walks together..

2. Playing endless rounds of cards with my mom and grandma..

3. Going sleigh riding and ice skating into the late hours of night..

4. Watching the Carol Burnett show Saturday nights with my girlfriends..

5. Catching the train into NYC and walking around "the big apple". Nothing like it at Christmas
time....

6. Our Firemans BBQ's in our backyard....oh where they fun!

7. Going to the beach every day in Summer with my best friend Susan..

8. Playing football with my brother..

9. Going to Maine for Summer Vacation with my friends..

10. Going on weekend boating trips with my friend Susan and her family..

11. Putting on plays on a make shift stage in our basement for my mom and dad..

12. Trick - or - Treating well into the night with friends and a pillow case full of candy......how
times have changed..

13. Mom and Dad's party's they would throw at our house.....some of them were doozies!

Greg's WW

2006-06-28T10:34:00.000-05:00

Christie's WW - A view from my bedroom window all through my childhood..

2006-06-28T06:06:00.000-05:00

Days gone by...

2006-06-27T21:21:00.000-05:00

As the 4th of July approaches every year I start to get that excited feeling I always got as a kid when we were getting ready to go on a trip of some sort. This weekend in particulary is one that brings back great memories from over the years as it is the start of scalloping season in Homosassa. You see Homosassa has played a huge part of who I am as an adult. It started back when I was a youngin' with us taking a pop up camper up there and camping. I can almost go back to that time as a kid. It would start with a trip that seemed like it took three days, but in all actuality it was probably a little over an hour. We'd arrive and all the kids would jump on their bikes and ride the campground, which seemed like it covered three states, but again in actuality is pretty small. There were the ever famous owl lights, egg toss, greased watermelon and pancake breakfast at the "hall". We kids would "con" our Uncle Chris ( family classic story about him ) into taking us to the GIANT game room ( about the size of a great room in your house ) and take his beer money to play games. The "Uncle Chris Sory". Let me first start off by stating that Uncle Chris was a severe alcholic, though we as kids had no idea. When he'd passed out we were always told he was just having a "fit". One time we all went camping, well Uncle Chris had a pop-up as well and anyone that knows pop-ups knows you have to put the jacks down in order for it to function properly. Well Uncle Chris in his drunken state over looked this little detail. He was a big man and that night when he decided to go to sleep the tongue of that pop-up shot straight up in the air. How he didn't roll out of the end of it I'll never know. God rest his sole.

Back to the experience and how it helped shape me into who I am. This is were I learned about the great outdoors, for which I love so much to this day. I learned to build a camp fire, bait a hook, catch a shiner in a live well, bait a trot line, drive a boat, dock a boat and to appreciate nature in it's purest form. Homosassa trips have always been about family and fun and it's these two ideals that I hold so dear. As my wife can attest I am the kind that when I do something such as go on vacation I like as many people to go as possible and have a good time ( i.e. my honeymoon! ). I love sitting around a camp fire and recalling the old days. At some point I want my kids to experience all of these things that I experienced and to learn about life the way I did. I know it's not the only way, but it's a way that I fully believe and a way that I have my family to thank for. So as I prepare for this trip I am excited to be with my family and to know that we will make memories for my kids and nephews to cherish and refelct back on twenty or so years from now.

On a side note a very close friend of ours has found out that they are pregnant, but they have a long road to hoe for this dream to come about. So I would like to ask that you keep them in your prayer

Until next time, happy blogging.

Growing Older...

2006-06-26T12:48:00.000-05:00

Before I get into my main message let me say to all the non-registered bloggers that I have now set it so that you can blog anonymously.

So as I was reading my brother's blog and more importantly dad's response to his frustration, I started to reflect on how much our parents change as THEY grow older. I can hear the comments from dad in that same situation 20 years or so ago and can PROMISE you they wouldn't have been so laid back as he responded with. I can't tell you how many times growing up I buried my head in my hands and walked out of a place of business as dad went on one of his famous customer services speeches. At one point I can remember almost owning Sears and of course the story of him straightening a fast food resturaunt managers tie. Those stories are virtualy endless, but the part that gets me about your parents growing older is when you have kids yourself. How at times you're being to hard ont he kids because you get on them about drinking half a coke or leaving doors open or kicking a ball in the house or wearing socks outside. There was a full fledged soccer game in mom and dad's living room yesterday and the "older" adults among us just sat back and watched, now had I even THOUGHT about such a thing I can PROMISE there would have been a "price" to pay mainly by my backside. Gwampa can be sound a sleep in his chair and the kids can run and literally jump on him and it's "hi sweetheart how are you", again MUCH different than when we were kids. I guess it comes with the territory, but it simply amazes me how much more laid back and calm they have become in their retirement years.

I'll wrap this up as I have a 2 yr old and 4 yr old pulling at each arm to take them bike riding. Until next time, happy blogging.

Horsing Around Saturday!!!

2006-06-25T06:47:00.000-05:00

Started off with the usual Saturday chores, I mowed my neighbors yard and my yard. Yes I know not much horsing around there, but then it began. You see we are trying to do team building with the football team and to get them involved in things outside of athletics. So, I've taken on the role of getting this set up. Well one of the events is that we are going to do some volunteer work for a farm that does horse back riding for the disabled. Yesterday myself, D2 and Coach E went to the farm to look and see what they had for us and get the details ironed out. The lady proceeds to tell us how well trained the horses have to be and how MILD MANORED they are. Kayla being the kid she is wants to see the horsies, no problem just go and feed them a carrot, pet them and be on our way after all they are MILD MANORED. WRONG ANSWER, sort of. See we did feed them a carrot and Kayla did pet one, well as I was holding her the horse reaches around and bites the ever living *&^@ out of me on the shoulder and about knock me over. Thank goodness I was holding D2 in the opposite arm. Me being the tough guy I am shake off the bite and proceed to get out of there. Get home to "lick my wounds" and discover a nice tennis ball size bump along with teeth marks adorning my shoulder. So I tell this story to people and I get the same reaction, laughter!!! Tha pretty much ends that part of the day....

The second part of the day goes on to answer my question from the title of yesterday's entry. Myself, D1 and D2 went out to a party at my cousin's house. Complete with a make shift beach, some sand and a blow up pool, slip and slides, corn hole and lots of bud light and country music, hunting dogs and four wheel drives o'plenty. Now you think what fun for the kids, well water activities weren't intended 100% for the kids!!! My girls forgot their suits at gwama's house so they slipped and slided in shorts and NO SHIRTS!!! Since D2 got both sets of clothes wet she closed out the party with just a pull up and a shirt that read "I'm Allergic To My Sister". All in all it was a fun time and we're keeping our fingers crossed for a very good friend of mine and his wife as they might be pregnant. Peace and love.

Are we rednecks???

2006-06-23T19:23:00.000-05:00

SO I'm wondering is it a good thing that my 2 year old and 4 year old can identify a Bud truck from a Miller truck? Or that the 4 year old can sing ALL the words to Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy by Big & Rich? Lines like "...gettin' buzzed on some suds...". I guess it's no different than me singing "She got runned over by a damned old train" at that age or The Ya'll Come Back Saloon. We have to play "The Cowboy Song" as they call it a minimum of twice everytime we get in the car even if it's to go to Publix which is about two minutes away. None the less I think it's extremely cute when they sing the song and have tried to get them on video doing so, but they clam up if I even think about getting the camera. Song time around here is a blast as they get their guitar, tamboreen(sp?), microphones with speakers and drums out and "play" along to the songs. Hope they get their musical talent from someone because as some can attest mine is lacking greatly!!! At any rate I'm off to watch some of the tube and the hitting the hay. Thanks for stopping by and until next time stay safe. Peace and Love.

Chritie's TT...

2006-06-22T21:10:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Things My Children Said Today.... 1. You’re going to miss me when I get bigger and move into my house and get a job.

2. Why do some boys have boobies?

3. I love you more than the sand in my bucket.

4. We can’t take a bath tonight we’ll get the bathtub dirty..

5. Don’t change my pullup I haven’t pooped yet!

6. Papa’s showing God how to drive a train..

7. Where’s Uncle Dan? Is he missing or something?

8. Gwampa hurt his back playing golf and now he can’t carry me to the car.

9. My favorite part of the river house is going on the boat and fishing with daddy.

10. Daddy said there was gold at the end of the rainbow…..gold what?

11. I’m Daddy’s Beaner, Gwampa’s Girl and Mommy’s Angel…

12. Mommy when I fly you can sit on my wings.

13. we’re tired now it’s time to say goodbye for now…

Links to other Thursday
Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

My First Time...

2006-06-22T12:58:00.000-05:00

Thirteen People I'd Like To Meet Or To Have Met...YOUR NAME

1. The President

2. Christie's Dad ( he passed away about a year before we met )

3. Donald Trump

4. Tiger Woods

5. Woody Hayes (thanks Lynn, I told ya'll I'd butcher somethings and that was a pretty bad one!!!! )

6. Bear Bryant

7. George Washington

8. Robert E. Lee

9. Hank WIliams Jr.

10. Wyatt Earp

11. Babe Ruth

12. Davie Crockett

13. Nolan Ryan

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

WW: Name This Place...

2006-06-21T13:36:00.000-05:00

Ah crap....

2006-06-19T20:06:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I had this nice post about a couple of quotes I heard in a speech today and I tried to spell check the post before publishing and the darn thing literally disappeared. None the less here are the quotes:

If it is to be, it is up to me.

There are two kinds of pain. The pain of sacrifice and the pain of regret.

Settling In

2006-06-17T19:35:00.000-05:00

So we're settling into or little piece of the pie. This whole concept is new to me, so forgive me if it's redundant or boring or both or whatever. It's good to see at least two people have visited us and we thank you the two of you. As for the rest of you were ya'll at? My sister will absolutely love my abuse of the English language and butchering of quite a few words!!! If you know me, well that's just me and ain't nothing I can do about it!

Today was a good day, it was step 6 in the twelve step program. Wait, sorry wrong place for that, let's start over. Today started off like most waking around five. I was kicked to the couch about three by MC. She seems to have gotten into the habit of coming in mommy and daddy's room about this time every night and wanting in bed. So you say well just put her back in her bed, no big deal. Well unless we want all three of them up at that time (due to crying) you let her get in bed and either go to her bed or the couch. CC and ZC have no problems sleeping through the night, thank goodness. So once everyone is awake awound 6 we do the normal morning routine. MC tells me she wants Miss Patty-Cakes to cut her hair. Now this is a shocker because the girl won't even let you touch hair, let alone get it cut. So CC calls Ms. Patty-Cakes and the sets a time for MC to get a hair cut, 1:15. About 9:30 CMC, MC and myself load up in the truck and are off to get mulch and rocks, work for daddy. These two for some reason are amazed with how they load the mulch in the truck with a front end loader, so going with me is a big deal. So we get the mulch and head home for daddy to get to work. The girls are all excited because they're going to "help". Well help is god for the first two minutes, then turns into pushing bugs around daddy as he works and when that is finally boring (usually about 5-10 minuted later) the bikes come out. So I get the mulch in the beds, they look great. Now we're off to gwama's house so CC and MC can drop myself, CMC and ZC off to go to the cemetary while they go to Ms. Patty-Cakes. Gwama, myself, CMC and ZC are off to the cemetary to put flowers on Papa's grave ( CMC requested to go ). This is very tough for me as I was very close to Papa and I know how much he loved the girls and I only wish they would have been able to know him like I did, but I'm thankful that they have the memories they do. Every time we hear a train whistle they'll say "Pap's saying hi". So we do that while CC and MC are at Ms. Patty-Cakes. We head home to see how the "ordeal" was and much to my delight MC absolutely enjoyed it and was no problem. Now it's SWIM time!!!! Yea!!! Myself, CMC, MC and grandpa get in the pool for an afternoon of swimming. CMC is doing great, she's all over the pool with her "floaties" on. Today was the first day she took her "floaties" off and she did awesome, ended up swimming from the steps to the far side of the pool. MC is still a little hesitant with the swimming thing, but is coming around and actually stuck her head in the waterfall. GRam showed up while we were in the pool and the girls were very excited. After swimming we cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Played for a while in the living room, while ZC held court with his jabbering and the fact that he can sit up on his own now. The girls fell asleep on the way home and didn't budge when I picked them up to carry them in. Well this concludes our first real blog. I know it's one run on paragraph, but this ain't no contest!!!! Take care I'm off to watch the Rays and then off to bed. Catch ya'l later.

What cuties...

2006-06-17T19:26:00.000-05:00

Hello, Part Duex

2006-06-17T05:16:00.000-05:00

OK, ok so we're new to this whole blogging thing and not sure how it works. Well let's start over, what do you say...

Welcom to Carrkaylary the blog spot of Greg, Christie, Carrsyn, Makayla and Zachary. As time rolls on I'm sure we will gain knowledge as to what to do here with our little spot on the wonderful world wide web. For the time being we're just happy to be here for you our fans. Stay tuned for more intriguing blogs on our blog spot here on blogger. Happy blogging.

Hello...

2006-06-16T17:54:00.000-05:00

Testing 1....2.....3.....

Is this thing on???