T is for....

I'm baaaack! I'm so bad about missing letters and weeks around here, so thanks for your patience if I'm not doing every assignment!

Let's see....

For this week's assignment, what does t remind me of??

First thing that comes to mind is that T is for THANKFUL! I am representing this by this lovely thankful tree I found through flikr!


Photo Courtesy Jenosale

I have SO many things to be thankful for, I could be here all day telling you!! :)

The next thing that comes to mind is my favorite college team, Tennessee!! GO BIG ORANGE!



Photo courtesy View From Rocky Top

I love me some Volunteer football!

Another T that comes to mind is how much I love my TWO sisters!! I don't have a picture of them right now...maybe I'll come back and add one later, but they are two of my very best friends. God made us sisters, but I'm thrilled to also call them my friends. I know I can count on them NO MATTER WHAT!

Something else I'm very thankful for it TIME to spend with my loved ones. As I said earlier, I'm so very blessed! I'm glad that I have a job that allows me to spend evenings, weekends, and summers off with my little family. I'm so blessed that my husband and I are both so close to our families, and that they live in the area for the most part. We don't spend nearly as much TIME with them as we'd like, but we're grateful for every opportunity to spend TIME with them!! I love them all!!



Photo courtesy ToniVC

Last but certainly not least, I'm so thankful that I have the ability and the desire to THINK for myself. I have come to realize that I LIKE to learn! If someone had told me that 25 years ago, I would have laughed them out of the room. But now that I am older, I realize what a gift it is to learn new things. I am thankful that we live in a country where free THOUGHT is welcomed and encouraged. I've been very blessed to be able to further my education over the past few years. It hasn't been without its struggles, but it is definitely a reward in itself!



Photo courtesy karola riegler photography


THANKS for reading!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Alphabe-Thursday: R is for Robbie!

Today's is a no-brainer! Pics of my favorite baby boy-child! :) He's growing so quickly! He's got a little cold/ear infection right now, so I was trying to rock him to sleep. Part of me was hoping that I could get a little nap in as well, but I stopped myself and remembered that it wouldn't be much longer that he would tolerate me rocking him, and that I need to cherish every second!



Here he is in 'baby jail', as his Daddy calls it! He's in the hallway between the living room and the kitchen, and we're in the kitchen. He loves to pull himself up on the baby gate and then sit back down, over and over! He's doing really well at pulling up, is a crawling champ, and likes to walk holding fingers, too!



Here he is in his precious little Smokey outfit! Hey, we raise 'em up right here in Tennesseee country (even though we actually live across the border in Virginia!)



This was taken at Dollywood back in the fall...I know I'm a little biased, but don't I have three handsome sons??



And last, I know I've shared this picture before but I LOVE this shot of him! So angelic he is here...til he wakes up!

I'm very blessed at the opportunity that God has given me to parent all three of my sons, but I feel especially blessed to be mommy to Robbie, since he was our surprise baby!

Have a GREAT Thursday!

Review: Power Rangers Samurai

They're baaacck...the Power Rangers, that is! I've been following Power Rangers for many many years now, back since they first started and my nephews were obsessed with the Mighty Morphin variety back in the mid-90s. Isaac, my oldest, went through a Power Rangers phase, and now my 7 year old, Adam, is having his turn.

The latest incarnation of the Power Rangers is Power Rangers Samurai, and they have also changed to a new channel: the shows used to shown on Disney stations, but now they are being shown on Nickelodeon. Either way, this show gets my thumbs up for several reasons!

One: since my boys are very active in a Tae Kwon Do school, I like having them watch a show related to martial arts. Contrary to what some people thought years ago when the series started, watching this show doesn't promote general violence. The only time that the Power Rangers start fighting is against the bad guys in order to 'save' the planet! Who can argue against fighting evil??! Not me!

Two: This show promotes healthy living. By healthy living, I don't just mean exercise and eating nutritional foods. This show does not have bad language, the characters are not disrespectful to their elders, and it promotes friendship and teamwork. I find these to be values that I want my children to embody, and not all the shows they like to watch encourage these. Power Rangers Samurai is one that I know that will continue to show them ways to act that I would support.

As a parent, I am concerned about my children getting enough exercise, and I'll be the first to admit that they probably see me sitting on the couch too much. I like showing them others getting exercise, and am hopeful that this is something they will continue to want to do throughout their lives. To be honest, THEY inspire ME to get more active!!

If your child hasn't checked out Power Rangers Samurai yet, encourage it!!

Natural disasters

Hi, ya'll! Yeah, yeah....I fell off the planet there for a while again! I'm sorry about that! I guess maybe if I felt like anyone actually noticed that I didn't write, I would be less likely to neglect ye olde blog, but sometimes I feel like no one does. But then I get to thinking: who do I really write this for anyway? And deep down, I know it is for my own personal satisfaction that I write.

So here I am! I found a neat site that has a blog prompt each day, so I thought I'd put that to use today. Today's question was this:

Have you ever experienced an earthquake, flood, or other natural disaster?

And yes, I actually have experienced some small floods here in the area. Thankfully our own house has only flooded with minor damage twice: once when I was pregnant with Adam, and one other time when Isaac and Adam were little.

We've had some flooding in the area: a big flood in '77 that actually wiped a small town off the map here in the county, and another similar flood in '02, I believe. Neither were here in town, but the one in '02 got close enough for me! One side of the closest bridge to us over the Holston River was closed, and that made me nervous, especially as the mama of a small child at the time!

So there you go: writer's slump cleared! :)

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Picture

Give Back this Christmas season!

You can easily, by starting your foundation with giveback.org!


Now you're going,"Say what?!"

Yes! You can give money directly to the organizations YOU wish to support! How cool is that?1

And it gets even better!

You can give money to the organizations you wish to support by doing something you may already do on a regular basis, by shopping online!

Something else I really appreciate is that 100% of your donation goes to support the charities you have chosen! There is none taken out for such mysterious things as administrative costs.

Here is a page that tells you all about how it works, including a video you can watch about it!

It is definitely a 'win-win' situation!

You know, we are all so blessed. As I sit here and write this post, I'm sitting in my warm, dry house, fully clothed and warm, well-fed, and am surrounded by all the THINGS I could ever need, most of which have been paid for by me and my family by working at our jobs we were well-educated enough to obtain. I am holding one of my three healthy children, while my husband has taken my other two children to participate in an extra-curricular activity we can afford to take part in. He arrived there in our reliable car.

How many people in the world can say those same things?? So it is the least I can do to spend some of my time and energy to devote this Christmas to give back to those who are not as wealthy and able as I am. That is what Jesus would have me to do!

Won't you do the same?

Visit giveback.org right now! You'll be glad you did!

H is for Happy!

I'm loving participating in Alphabe-Thursday with Jenny Matlock! I'm all about looking for things that I enjoy cause there have been multiple mini-sicknesses....colds, ear infections, such....in our household this fall, and I'm all about looking for the good and making things HAPPY! So here are some things that make me happy!!

Thing #1: Isaac, my eldest...my sensitive child....so very proud of him, and all that he is! He is smart, self-motivated, kind, sweet...he's awesome!

This picture is not recent, of course....he's 9 now, but look what an adorable lil fella he was!!



Thing #2: Adam, my middle child. Love his heart, he was the baby of the family for over 6 years, and it hasn't been easy on him to transition to the middle position. He is also the most like me, so he drives me crrrrrrazzzzzy at times!

Again, not a recent pic...but he looks a lot like Robbie here, I think, so I chose this one to share! :)



Thing #3: my sweet baby Robbie! The child that God knew we needed to make our life complete! He is SUCH a good baby and we are so blessed to have him in our life!

This is my favorite picture of him because it reminds me of a print from a magazine from years past!



Thing #4, or Thing #1 since I "had" him first...my darling husband! What a blessing he is to me. I am so honored to be his wife and partner in this marriage. I cannot imagine life without him!

This picture was taken on our anniversary when we were expecting Adam....back when we were only a family of 3!



I could go on and on and on about my fantastic family members and show you my sisters, my parents, my nieces and nephews, but I will focus on some other things.....

I love me some Jersey Shore! When I was alone quite a bit this summer (well...alone with a nonverbal infant!) I got totally hooked on Jersey Shore and Real Housewives of New Jersey. They are just so different from anything I've ever experienced, I got hooked in!



C'mon, admit it....you wanna yell out "It's T-shirt TIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!" just one time!!

This is a local restaurant chain called Pal's, and it is superb, ya'll! If you find yourself in Southwestern Virginia or Northeastern Tennessee, look 'em up cause you won't be disappointed! Local folks who have moved away make a point of eating there when they go home!



OK, again, I could go on and on with this, but I think I will stop there. Needless to say, I can find many things that make me happy. I'm very blessed! I hope that you, too, find happiness today, and please stop by again!

Friday Fill-in

1. Sometimes, _____.
Sometimes, I want to run away..but I know I'd come right back if I did!

2. _____ about the whole thing.
I'm just keeping quiet about the whole thing!

3. Small _____.
Small in stature, big in heart! That's me!

4. _____ is very enlightening.
Becoming a parent is very enlightening.

5. I keep meaning to _____
I keep meaning to do sooooo many things!


6. _____ ...yet.
But I haven't done them....yet.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to my eldest son's championship football game, tomorrow my plans include seeing my niece who is home for the weekend from Pittsburgh, and Sunday, I want to take a big 'ol nap!

Join in the fun here!

G is for....

I'm back! I keep missing out on letters but I am back for today's Alphabe-Thursday! I'm trying to get a blog post in each day this month and am actually working a day or two ahead so far! Woo hoo for me!

So what is G for in my life? I couldn't think of anything right off, so I'll come up with a hodgepodge as I go, I suppose! The first thing that I thought of that I use daily is gmail! Here is my latest gmail theme, I love it! What do you think?!



It brings my mom to mind, because she lived in Japan for two years when she was a child!

G is also for girly! As a mommy who lives in a testosterone zone, I gotta keep my estrogen flowing, hence my pink blog and other girly things I like, like polka dots!

photo courtesy rachel_titiriga

I would totally love to wear these shoes!

G is also for goofy! That's one thing I love to be! My dear husband can be a goofball too, as is evidenced in this picture of him with Blue's ears on his head at our oldest son's 2nd birthday party!



We do love to have fun together!
G is also for grin! An old friend told me once that my smile took up half my face, and I like that! I like to think that I smile alot...so if you read this and disagree, either don't tell me or tell me I need to smile even more and I'll get the message! Here's a pic of me grinning at Blissdom '09...I was a little 'extra' happy that night! ;)



The most important g in my life is definitely God. Without him, I am nothing! When I keep my life centered on him like I should, everything goes much more smoothly! Now, this doesn't mean I think I'm better than anyone else or that I don't make mistakes, cause I do. it is by another g word that I am saved, by His grace! There's nothing I can do to make me worthy of His saving me and His love. I'm just a sinner who is trying to be better all the time.

So there ya go: my G post!

Wordless Wednesday: Sleepy Baby

Post-It Note Tuesday: November 2

NaBloPoMo: Can I Do It?

Can I honestly post each and every day of November?? Or in my world the question is better put: can I remember to?! I can tell ya one thing, I'm much less likely to do so if I DON'T try and commit myself to this! I'm having a hard time getting one post in a week, but this might get me back in the swing of things. I LOVE writing and love blogging, and it is one outlet that I think is important that I do. Here's one way I look at it: my children do see my love of reading and see me reading each and every day in some way, even if it is only reading emails or Facebook. But I haven't been as diligent in showing them my love of WRITING! I know that they both have the potential to become great writers, but I they haven't developed that love yet. What better way for me to show them how I value and love writing than doing it myself?! So in their honor, I'm going for it! Look out November and National Blog Posting Month, here I come!!

I'm here, I'm here!!

I'm just sooo super busy! October has turned out to be as busy as December and May! I haven't forgotten about you, those of you who keep up with my blog. I promise I'll be back!

I will let you know that I'm feeling so much better thanks to the Lexapro. We have had some upsetting circumstances over the past month, including the death of my brother-in-law's sister, who was very much a part of my family, too. Without this medication I think I would have crawled in a hole by now! But God knew when to urge me to see the doctor, and I'm so glad I did!

We've had sickness left and right around here, too..not major illnesses, but still, they wear on ya! AND we ran straight from football to basketball seasons with Isaac, so that has been hectic....added to 2 'short' cycles in Tae Kwon Do makes for lots of running! Very thankful for an easygoing baby with the running we're doing!

So just a note to say I'm here, I'm doing well, and I'll be back! :)

Happy fall, ya'll!!

C is for Christi

I've missed out on A and B posts, mainly because I've been incredibly busy and overwhelmed with life in general. Thankfully I came to realize last week that I have been suffering from post-partum depression, and have started making steps to come back from this. I wish I could say that this was a new experience, but I've suffered with all three boys, and actually fight depression and anxiety ALL the time. I know that it isn't fatal, and that I can improve once again, but it is soo stinkin' tiring!

SO! All that to say that this week I am going to make my "C" post about ME--about the ME I am and was before I was wife and mommy. I had the pleasure of attending my 15 year reunion at my alma mater Emory & Henry College this past weekend. It was good to see friends that I hadn't seen for years, and to remember that yes, I do have an identity that isn't attached to the words mom, wife, or teacher. I love all three of those parts of my identity, but they aren't ALL of who I am! I am ME all by myself too!!

So without further ado, here are some pics of CHRISTI pre-marriage and kids!



My lifelong friend Carla and me, sporting lovely 70s fall attire



Carla and me again, this time at a wedding



Me and...guess who?...Carla! This time showing what smarties we were at such a young age!



The day my oldest sister moved in at EHC as a freshman. Interesting to note that all 4 ladies graduated from the institution and now all 4 teach in the same school system! This is our friend Lesa, my sister Brenda, me, and my sister Suzy.



Last day of 7th grade with my 3 BFFs! Can you say awkward stage?!



Singing for our Senior class night! We were rockin' the big hair...the 'haters' didn't refer to girls from our school as hairspray 'hos for nothing! LOL



Bid turn in the day I pledged k Phi with these lovely ladies! Note that one of them was also in the 7th grade pic!



Another college shot with the sisters of K Phi A

When I was looking for pics to include in this, I realized I have so many more that surround my children and my nieces and nephews. When I get down and frustrated, I need to remember that I am important in their lives, as well in the lives of the rest of my family and in that of my students. God is so good to me, and I really do love my life...I don't mean to sound as though I don't! I just think it is also important to remember that I have an identity all my own that is not dependent on others. Thanks for indulging me today, ya'll! Have a great weekend!

Tickled pink!

I LOVE pink, almost as much as I love orange! So today my Rainbow Mystery post will be all about pink things!

Look at this lovely ice cream cone! Doesn't it make your mouth water? All that yummy goodness!!



What about this precious lil girl in her pink coat??



Check out this beeeeeautiful Easter egg! LOVE it!



...and ain't this the truth?!



I adore these dancers....



EVERY mommy is a working mommy!



another good one....



and last but CERTAINLY not least....

Friday, September 10--Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to post on Suicide Prevention Day. I had a suicide attempt when I was 16, and it landed me in treatment for depression for a month. Though I am extremely thankful that I was not successful in my attempt to take my own life, I AM thankful that I got help when I did. I learned then that I have a chemical imbalance, and also started recognizing my own signs of depression. Fighting this monster is never easy, but the burden has been lessened by learning what I did at such a young age.

If you know someone who you think is a danger to his/her own life, please do all you can to help! Even if they say they don't want you to tell anyone, they do. It is worth it to have them mad at you to save their life. The friends of mine that I have lost to suicide--I'll always wonder if there had been something I could have done. Maybe not, but never knowing for certain is so hard!

If you are contemplating taking your own life....please don't! Talk to someone, anyone who might be able to help. There are places to go and things you can do to lessen the pain. I don't deny that you are miserable; I've been there more than once. But please take a minute to think about all those who would be hurt by you leaving, and then multiply the number by at least 2. You don't know how many people you are affecting, and God did create you for a purpose! If you have no one else to turn to, email me. With God's help, we can get through anything!

Wouldn't it be great if we could eradicate suicide??

Now is the time to start trying!

Rainbow Summer School: Violet!

Hi, ya'll! I got bogged down last week and didn't get in on the indigo post. Didja miss me?! LOL

So on to violet....

Here's my niece dancing in the Nutcracker. This is really more of a blue in real life, but the picture shows it more purple, so we'll go with it!



Here's a pretty siggy that someone made me! I'd give 'em credit if I remembered who...*blush*



Is there a 12-step group for this?!



I love this....



Here's a pic of me from a couple of years ago. It was at a reunion with 3 of my besties from middle school for the first time since high school!



And I weigh less now, just in case you wondered...wish I knew where that shirt is...its in the box of pre-pregnancy clothes that is AWOL in the basement!

So we'll end it there! Hope ya'll are having a good week!