Where Have I Been?

I realized today that I haven't written on here since November! Well then, I guess it goes without saying that I have been extremely busy and going non-stop (like the rest of the world!). We have been getting ready for Christmas with plays, recitals, slumber parties, school parties, lights and fireworks in Natchitoches. You name it, we've done it. And now it is almost Christmas Day! I am very thankful for the many blessings Chad and I have and want to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. Take the time to be with family and actually ENJOY your time together. So often we get together, thinking where do we have to go next? Sit back, relax, take in the sights and smells. You will not have another Christmas 2008!

FUN and NOT SO FUN

Well, had a great weekend. We were supposed to have family pictures made on Friday. Left work early, checked kids out of school, lady called and cancelled pictures (for the second time). Don't think I am going to try her again. Anyway, we all decided to go bowling. Fun, fun, fun!!! We had the best time and Chad and I even got a little competitive (he beat me!). Now, who could have told me that I wouldn't be able to WALK the next day? Obviously out of shape AND a spastic bowler (as I have heard from my husband and my kids). Anyway, we went to Lafayette on Sat. to the mall and that is the NOT SO FUN part. I love to shop, don't get me wrong, but not when all of America is at this one little mall. You could not have been able to tell that our economy is suffering if you were at the mall in Lafayette on Saturday! And how about those TIGERS!!! Came from behind in the 4th quarter to beat Troy. We are really great at rallying at the end. On Sunday, KK had to sing in the choir at church and then we came home and baked chocolate pie (yum), pecan pie for hubby (yuck), sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies. I think we were having a sweet fit. Or maybe cold weather and Thanksgiving put me in the mood to bake!!! The moral of this whole story is that I forgot my camera on my desk on Friday, soooo have no pictures of the way too FUN weekend! Maybe next time.

Relaxing Weekend

Well, on Tuesday, also Veteran's Day, I had the day off, the girls were out of school and Chad actually had the day off!!! Yeah!!!! It was also 100% chance of rain (which it did ALL DAY). This is what we are left with. We did this over the weekend since Mom was here on Saturday, we bought some new threads for the Webkinz. Three Webkinz dressed for Christmas and I guess the tux and top hat are to go with the wedding gown we got for Fudgie (in case you didn't know, she is dressed as the elf!) My kids love this stuff. They did this for hours, they changed their clothes, they talked to each other, it's crazy. But I love it. I love the fact that my kids have an imagination and use it on a daily basis. They have very yound minds and are not ahead of their years. In today's world, it's all video games (which they do have) and cell phones (which they don't). We live on 2 acres of land and they love to go out and just play, run around, scream and be free. I am a city girl. I have had to come to appreciate this; which, now when I am in town, it's actually noisy! And we only live 6 minutes from town so its not like we are in the "boonies", but it is quite where we live. Around dusk, when the sun is going down, we love to be outside and just hear nothing. Never thought I'd say it, but it's quite peaceful. Another perk of marrying the Chadsford!

Die Hard!

Okay, I know LSU lost to Alabama (barely) but we had fun screaming at that TV. We had to leave and go to church because KK was alter serving, but we still had 3 hours of game when we got back! You know I love LSU and that's all there is to it. And I have a small problem with Nick Saban, that's another post completely. Anyway, what it is about football that brings everyone together and you just have a great time (even if you lose!) We have great food, great company and act like we are not grown adults! My kids put on all of their LSU stuff and think the outcome of the game depends on what they are wearing! I love it. . . and will forever bleed purple and gold. . .GO TIGERS!!!

My Girls!

I have been thinking a lot about my girls today. I miss them so much during the day while they are at school. God has really blessed us with these two beautiful girls and now more than ever, I am realizing that we have to teach them so much now because they are getting bigger by the day! They are not my little babies anymore who need help with everything. (Although I know that seems like a wish for parents with very small kids, it almost makes me a little sad). Anyway, reflecting is always good for me, because it makes me appreciate my family so much more! I have an awesome husband and two great kids, what more could I ask for?!

Happy Halloween 2008

We had great fun Halloween night. We were so excited that it was on a Friday night and we could hang out as long as we wanted! Here are the girls, their costumes changed quite a few times before they decided to be half black cat/half white cat and I don't know (something to do with a rain suit!) That is Emily's dance recital costume from last year and she was lovin it. They are quite cute. Of course Katelyn got "are you a skunk?", "are you a bunny?". She didn't care, she was havin fun in her black cat suit!!!

Just Another Wednesday

Well, now that all is said and done, we have a new President. Which I knew we would, just didn't know who. I couldn't stay up and watch the election results because my eyes were too heavy. Chad was working last night, and called me around 10pm to let me know we had elected a new President. Not so excited, but will have to deal with what is to be. I told my dad this morning that we have done what we can and now we have to make the most of it (unless we want to move to another country). I have reflected on how my family responded to the election and just the overall process. I talked to most of my family yesterday, discussing what they thought would happen and how it would affect us all. Today, we have all talked, but not said much! Anyway, enough of all that-I will post Halloween pictures as soon as I can get myself together!

Catching my breath!

Well, I have been just a little busy lately. Between Halloween and life, it has been crazy around here. Today I am reflecting on what happen to our nation tomorrow when we have a new President. No matter who it may be. I am very concerned for my children and their children. I was 2 weeks away from delivering Emily when September 11, 2001 we were attacked by terrorists. I have to say that for the first time, I wondered what kind of world we were bringing our child into?! It was very scary and I contemplated it a long time over those two weeks. Of course, that time came and went, and time and the everyday business of life have put concerns like that in the back corner of my mind. But, today, they are back. My children are old enough to understand that something is happening; they just aren't sure what. I tried this morning to let them know that whatever happened, we would all be okay. . . although, I am still trying to convince myself! I pray that we as a country will be okay and that God continues to be with all of us and guide us and our leaders in a safe direction. Fortunately I left my kids this morning with not so heavy thoughts (heavy thoughts to them!); they are having a mock election for President today and plan on voting for Spongebob Squarepants over Jimmy Neutron! Oh if it were so easy.

Friday Night Fun!

Well, the long awaited cocktail party pictures. Here I am with my handsome date Stephen (my younger brother) and might I say we had a blast! We were on the terrace of some building I have no idea where in downtown Baton Rouge. It was a great night and fun was had by all. Took me a few days to recover, but I can do that every now and then! Great food, great music and great company. Chad was working back in Alexandria and is very grateful to my "little" brother for chaperoning me! Thanks, Stephen!

Rocky

Okay, so I know everyone is looking for great pictures of a great cocktail party. . . my battery is dead on my camera. It will come alive again! Anyway, in the meantime, I thought I would give you a peek at one of our other "animals". Rocky is my husband's greatest friend of all time. He loves him, and Rocky loves Chad. They are two guys with the same ambition-love to be loved and eat as much as you can! KK picked him out at the pound on October 30, 2003 and he was precious. He still is our little guard dog. Even though he likes to chase squirrels and lays around with the cats, he's got a pretty good life! We love him and he loves everyone around him-even Daisy-although I think he stares her down as she gets to go back into the house every evening. We lovingly call him "Boy" because he is the son Chad will never have-even though Chad says when we got him fixed that ruined that! It is always a great comfort to look out the back window underneath the big pecan tree and see Boy just waiting for someone to pet him, play with him and FEED him!

Recovering

I guess it is safe to say that we are all recovering from the cocktail party last night. I will post pictures when I get home and back to my computer. It was a blast. We partied until 11:00pm (WAY past my bedtime) and then went to a place downtown called the Wine Loft until almost 2am. Yes, me, my brother Lester, his wife Kelly, my brothers Michael and Stephen, Michael's friend Erin, Mom and Dad. Fun, fun, fun. Until I had to get up at 7am. Anyway, went tailgaiting at LSU this afternoon and now watching LSU play Georgia on TV. We better win! Go Tigers! I cannot believe that High School Musical 3 opened last night and we haven't been. I haven't mentioned that we are DIE HARD HSM fans! Will write tomorrow. Gotta go cheer on them TIGERS!!!!

Going for the weekend!

We are very happy to say that we are going to Baton Rouge this weekend to visit my brothers, sister-in-law, and niece and nephew. We are soooo excited. Chad has to work so he will be home with Daisy and Rocky (our other dog I will introduce soon!). Anyway, we are going to a cocktail party for my older brother's work and I will have many a picture when I get back! The girls are EXTRA excited b/c they get checked out of school early today. Have a great weekend!

Is that dog overweight?

Yes, it is the question I get often about my poor Daisy. We love her. She is only 15 months old, and part miniature dachshund and something else. Unfortunately for her, she got the weiner dog head and legs and a BIG body. She is the sweetest dog ever and very smart. The bad news is that she is getting bigger by the HOUR. My brother lives in Baton Rouge and came to visit a couple of weeks ago. When he saw her he was like, "Is that Daisy? If she could talk, she would say, 'I know I haven't seen you in a while Uncle Let, but I have put on a few pounds!'" Pretty funny and pretty true. But we still love her. How can you not?

FUDGIE!!!!!

I thought since I just started posting, that I would explain the whole "Fudgie" thing. This is Fudgie and he/she is a part of our family. (We call Fudgie him and her b/c we can't decide what gender the monkey is. Well KK knows but she changes her mind too!) Anyway, Fudgie is a Webinz stuffed animal that KK acquired at the beginning of last year some time. Now, both my girls have a ton of Webkinz, but something about this monkey is special to KK and now all of us. He is a little crooked in the face, a little flat in the belly, and his arms and legs are especially long! But we love him and basically can't be without him. He goes everywhere we go, mall, church, grocery store, sometimes school, often to work with me in my car, you name it, he is a part of this family. Amazingly enough, my little shy Em has become the voice of Fudgie, and when she is Fudgie, she is out of control! We all get roped in, we laugh, we talk to him, it is really insane. Anwyay, you will see Fudgie here often because he is now a big part of our family and our kids! And you know, after a while, he looks kind of cute . . . . and you can get kind of attached. (Don't tell anyone!)

President WHO?

With all of the election **** going on now, who would have thought that it would really matter if President Bush came to Alexandria, LA. Don't get me wrong, I like him and all, but not when he messes with MOST of my day!!!! KK is singing in a Red Mass Friday morning (a mass to honor police, firefighters, etc.). Anyway, she had practice from 9 am to 12 pm downtown. Well, who would know it, President Bush is here SOMEWHERE in the vicinity, sooooo we have to block EVERY street in the town. It took me one hour to get to her and get home. Craziness. On the 5:00 news tonight you will see some lunatic who is crazed to get to the cathedral downtown to get to her "baby". (That would be me and Em, trying to get to KK!) Sounds way more dramatic than it actually was, but I was definitely irritated. I know all of you who know me are not surprised!!!!! Hello President Bush and GOODBYE!

KK's big day

October 19, 2008

The birthday girl with Dad, Em and me (and of course Fudgie)! I guess you can tell Em didn't want to have her picture made!

Well, today was KK's 11th birthday and wow, it is very hard for us to believe that she is already 11 years old!!! She has grown into such a sweet little girl (although she is not really a little girl anymore). Fitting that today would be my first day to blog and it is my first born's birthday. Anwyay, we had a great day, went to Natchitoches to see Gran and Papa, ate really well, had chocolate pie, ate really well AGAIN and came home and had ice cream. (Okay, by the end of the day we were all really wondering WHY we had eaten all that junk all day long!) That's what birthdays are all about isn't it? I love you Lu!