Twilight

Fact or Fiction? The book Twilight was given to me by one of my fabulous friends and at first I was a little unsure of how into this book I would get. First off- it is written for teenagers and secondly it was a love story about vampires. I actually took two books with me on vacation because I was so sure I would not enjoy Twilight but I was going to give it the benefit of the doubt. I sat down and began to read this novel and two weeks and 3 book later I have finished the series and I am patiently waiting on the release of the 4th and final book on August 1st. I am picky reader and if a novel does not make me thirst for more then it collects dust somewhere in my house, usually under my bed or in a closet. This series is the most mesmerizing work of art I have ever picked up. There were people of all ages reading it in Ohio. Every time I went to the pool someone else was oblivious to the world around them because they were so lost in the world of Bella and the Cullens. If you need a quick summer read then you HAVE to go get this book. Yes- I have reserved my copy of the 4th book and I will be at the midnight release with all of the millions of teenagers at Barnes and Noble! I am actually looking forward to completing this final novel so I can get back to reality full time. Matthew did make the comment that this book is starting to affect our marriage so he too will be happy when this all over. Also- Blake said I am NEVER allowed to talk about this book again after I have completed the series. My sweet family still loves me even though they are wearing dirty clothes because the book takes up all my laundry time. KIDDING - maybe. Oh by the way- if you have read the book you will understand this- I am for Team Edward.

Run for Barbara

It is marathon time again in Tennessee. My beautiful grandmother, Barbara Smith, died of cancer in 2004. My heart misses her everyday but I know she is in a better place and she is now holding and loving on the little boy that she lost so long ago. It gives me comfort knowing that it is his turn to have his mommy with him.
Cancer is such a horrible, ugly disease and I am hoping to get as many people together as possible to run and to raise money for St. Jude. We have about 15 people that are running so far and the numbers keep growing. We are running the race on December 6th and I am excited but I am dreading the training. Who wants to spend their Saturdays running 12 to 26 miles at a time? Well- it will be over in December and Marathon training is quite obsessive. I may complain but I truly love it! And for those of you who are reading this and shaking your heads, yes this is my last full marathon. I promise!
Here is a pic of Rachel and I at the Music City Marathon.
I began my training yesterday and running three miles in Tennessee humidity was insanely hot! I stopped and played in sprinklers throughout my route.

Yes- My son stuck his head in the urinal at Target!

Well- as we were walking in Target Luke is being sour and not wanting to walk. I refused to get a cart because I only had to pick up three things. He finally got over the fact that he was going to have to walk and then he started dancing around. I recognized the pee pee dance and Matthew and I asked his brother to take him to the bathroom. 15 minutes later Blake is laughing at his soaked brother and in front of all of the ladies at the check out lane he informed us all that Luke was flushing the urinal and putting his head in it! Can I get some antibacterial wipes please is the only thing that I could think of to say!

Fun in Ohio

We had a blast in Ohio. Blake and Luke had a great time swimming and playing with their cousins. I loved getting to hangout with the Wagemann clan. Matthew's mother was not able to attend because she had a major back surgery so please keep her in your prayers. She is doing good and we hope that she is able to go home to finish recovering tomorrow. She is a trooper. She has been so brave throughout this entire experience.
We visited Kings Island one day and we were able to meet all of the Nickelodeon characters. Luke was not so sure about them at first but he was quick to warm up. Blake loved all of the rides but the roller coasters. After the first two he was finished. He did not like the jerking and the headache that followed. I don't think he ate a thing after riding the first two rides. Luke had to have his face painted and after it was all said and done he walked around in character the rest of the time until he forgot about the paint. He also refused to call anyone by their names half of the time. He made up his own names and he could not be persuaded otherwise. He decided to call his cousin Erin by the name Harley and Aunt Cathy was Aunt Coffee. He is still calling them by his version versus their own.
We had a great time but we are glad to be home in our own beds with cell reception. Also- I do not think I will go on a long car ride again anytime soon. Luke gets very bored and he aggravated Blake a majority of the way and when he was not doing that he was looking out of the window saying, "tree, tree, sign, tree, tree, tree, sign, sign, tree, tree, sign, etc............................... OH MY goodness!

New House Pictures

Well- I new from the beginning that building a house was going to be stressful and we have only just begun. There are your regular anxiety ridden moments and then there is the thrill of getting to pick out things and watching the kiddos run and play and ooh and awe at the new additions to the house. I have just learned that we have a storm room. I am so excited. Thanks to my mother and sister I hate storms. My mom always made my brother, sister and I share one chair in the living room until the storm passed. Well- now my kiddos get to hangout and play in the bath-tub with books and other fun toys. I am not quite as bad as I used to be unless there is a tornado warning. I do not like the idea of visiting OZ! We went to the lot and here are the latest developments. They have poured and framed the basement. In one pic Blake and Luke are sitting in what will soon be the living area window of the basement. The picture of the small room is my storm room. We are slowly watching with anticipation and amazement. By the way- if anyone would like to move this way we still have our wonderful home for sale in Spring Hill!

Off to Ohio

We are going to Ohio this week to stay in a cabin for a week and to go to Kings Island to meet Sponge Bob. Matthews family gets together for a week every year and we all have a great time just hanging out and watching the kids play. I picked the boys up today and I was so excited to get to see them and to bring them home. Five days was too long. I get excited about having a week to clean and to get things done but then when they are gone I am bored and lonely. Blake and Luke had a blast but Luke called me this morning crying. He was ready to come home and mom was ready to go and get him. Lets hope that the 6 hour trip goes by faster than I am expecting. Luke is NOT a good traveler. He does not zone into the DVD player like his brother. He would rather ask about 10000000 questions. I am sure I will have some funny stories to tell when we return. Blake will yell at Luke the whole way asking him repeatedly to hush and to quit talking to him and Luke will keep asking questions to drive Blake insane. Quite comical at times. but I am not so sure about 6 hours of it! :-) Pray that we have a safe and fun trip! More pics coming soon I promise.
Oh yeah- a quick story about a man I met in a homeless shelter that will make you appreciate life and what you have. As I have mentioned before, I LOVE spending the night at the homeless shelter at my church. We usually have all men and on a rare occasion we will have women. Well- as we are building this house and trying to get things done I feel so overwhelmed at times. As I sat there this winter and had a not so great cup of coffee but a great conversation with this man that just wanted someone to talk to I was struck with how materialistic this world has become. This man had such a sweet soul and we went over some mistakes that he had made in the past, mostly gambling and we spoke about his daughter and his ex-wife. He in the end lost everything. The churches only host these shelters in the winter and I asked him what his plans were for the spring and the summer. Well- here we are always wanting more and always wanting something that is bigger and better and here is this amazing man that has made some bad choices in life and now he is paying dearly and at the top of his to-do list is to save up enough money to buy a tent to live in by the river. He was not sad about living in a tent. He was absolutely excited about having a place to call his own. Most of the men that come and stay at the church are mentally ill and it is heartbreaking to see how little they are taken care of by our country. They have to sleep with their medicine under their paper thin pillows so it is not stolen. Schizophrenia is such a horrible disease and these guys need better health care. OK- I guess I got a little long winded. My point is- it is amazing to take a day out of the year to go and sit with these guys or girls and to learn a few life lessons. I am grateful for the things I have been taught by each and everyone of them.

House Building 101

We have started the building process and the boys and I were able to go and meet the new neighbors while Matthew worked for hours on , well, I don't know what he was doing exactly. We swam in our new neighborhood pool and the boys had a great time. I was shy at first which is really out of character for me. Everyone I introduced myself too were incredibly nice so I had to throw my preconceived notions out of the pool gate. I was intimidated at first but they were so warm and welcoming. I began to ask one lady about the neighborhood and she referred me to Fountain Brooks HOA Message board online and she said she was the moderator. Well- I checked out the site and apparently these guys are a lot more organized than frazzled Mrs. Scrivener. I hope they don't ask me to organize anything.

Luke is swimming like a fish from one end of the pool to the other, which is amazing for a three year old. The new neighbors thought he was drowning half of the time but I had to inform them that he has his own style. Blake is my shy one and it will take him a while to warm up. He wants kids to ask him to play. But- he will adapt well and he will have tons new friends before long and they will love his sweet personality. Here are pics of our lot before it was cleared. The basement walls have been set and they are pouring the foundation Thursday. I will take pictures and publish them Friday. I miss my boys and they have only been gone for less than 24 hours.

Today I dropped my little ones off at a half way point between here and Dyersburg. My grandparents were having serious withdrawls because we are not able to come there as often as we used too! I miss them already but it will be good to get things accomplished tomorrow without so many little helpers! :-) Luke likes to destroy all of my accomplishments. He changes clothes at least 10 times a day and he has a new thing for what he calls his "bobby joe" socks. OK - I will let my 3 year old go any where he chooses with his batman costume on but I draw the line when it comes to Luke going out in public with black knee high socks on and black shoes with a white stripe. First and foremost- I have no idea where the shoes came from and the socks are from Uncle Chads wedding. We had a huge meltdown over this recently and it took him an hour to quit crying for his bobby joe socks. Typing about him makes me miss them even more. A quick note about Blake- his hair is getting so long and blonde this summer. Long hair in the "in" thing now but if he does not keep it brushed mommy is going to make it the "out" thing. He is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo handsome.