The boy LOVES SANTA ! ! !

Darius has always loved Christmas- he proves it this year by putting on a Santa suit-he then came over to our couch and said it was a sleigh on the way to pick up baby Jesus. He is loving the whole lights-and everything associated with it. He helped put up the tree and all the nativity figures.
We are so excited that he is getting so smart.

What I am thankful for. ... .

Their faces are as familiar as my own, their personalities as varied as the patterns of a snowflake. They came into my life as babies some of them now grown, but all remain my babies. Yes, I am speaking of my children all seven of them and one whom we acquired through marriage, my precious Joy. After the last three days, all the endless nights spent feeding and changing and the trips to the doctor for all those childhood illnesses seem to disappear into memories of what once was a long long time ago.
The faces of my children remind me of the promise I made to myself, to be the best mother I could be and love them all unconditionally. I am so proud of my son Kevin and his beautiful wife Joy. They are remarkable people in their own rite and have made me proud to be their parent. My daughter, Katie, who gets more beautiful every time I see her, is a caring and patient sole, she posses all the makings of a great mother. I am thrilled she has found happiness. And as for my babies still at home I am proud to be their mother and am having a marvelous time watching them all grow into wonderful teens and young adults.
I am also thankful to my wonderful husband Greg who gives unselfishly to allow all of them to come and share Thanksgiving with us. I am so thankful to be Blessed so many times over.

Just a week away... and a few days

WOW. I can not believe that I would be excited that time is going fast. I am so excited that Kevin, Joy and Katie will be here on Wednesday next week. We spent two days last week completeing some home improvement projects, and planning the week when our oldest children will be here and of course our lovely daighter in law Joy.
We will be celebrating Thanksgiving as well as Christmas while they are here.
In family news, Darcie is preparing her application for Central Academy- a magnet high school for technology and the arts. You also can complete college credit courses equalling two years of formal courses upon your graduation. We are so proud of her for wanting to study hard. Jeremy has completed the winning football season and is setting his sights on the golf team. Quentin is making great strides in his reading and is growing taller every day. Darius has a new obsession a 7 foot inflatable penguin he named Opus (with Daddy's help). And of course Princess Shaylee is proud of her birthday and mommy gets to fashion lots of washcloths into diapers for her Baby Alive. Mommy is doing well in school and trying to fit it all in. Hope to finish up mid spring and do my internship before school gets out. And then apply my knowledge in the fall with a part time position. Daddy is off to Texas again this week for more training and will of course be missed by everyone here in North Carolina.

The Princess Turns 6

The Princess turns 6 today. What a wonderful and quick 6 years it has been, it seems as though we were just holding a baby with huge eyes. Shaylee has been a sweet little girl and I can't wait to witness the woman she will become. She has a love for reading and a photographic memory, often being called upon to remind us who belongs to what clothing item and she always has the answer. She is strong headed and loveable, both qualities we hope will serve her well in her future. The festivites include dinner at her favorite restaurant La Starda then home to open her presents. Which include a big wheel and a Baby Alive Doll. And from Grandma Trina a Barbie Laptop computer.
Happy Birthday Princess Shaylee

Well, it was all fun and treats at our house this Halloween.

Our little punkins had a great time in their heros costumes.

Now, we start the countdown to the family visit....

26 days. Of course we have a few birthdays to celebrate in the meantime.

Quentin turns 7 on Monday and Shaylee turns 6 on the 11th.

Today is the divisional playoff football game and Jeremy is ready to go. Darcie is practicing her recital performance. Mom has been busy painting and organizing the main living area. We have learned that winter clothes are fluffy and take up alot of space.

Dad is off getting our treadmill that mommy found on craigslist.

Tonight is a big night for UT football a big game against their rivals Texas Tech.

Go HORNS ! ! !

What weather !

Well, I can certainly say this is a bit of a change for us TEXANS. The weather here is not like we are used to at all. This week I spent a few days buying winter coats that block the wind and keep you warm. We actually had frost on the cars on Monday as we went to the bus.

In other news, Shaylee has now lost both front teeth, Darcie is signed up for the 8th grade trip in the Spring to a town in the mountains. Darius went to the AwShucks pumpkin patch and his class got lost in the corn maze. ( he thought it quite funnt) Quentin had a great time at field day on Wednesday. And Jeremy rushed for a school record setting 106 yards in Saturdays playoff victory over Holy Trinity. Greg was busy at work and also did a bit of work around the house on Sunday and of course watched the first game of the world series. Mommy spent time shopping and cleaning and also picked a few good books to read.

We enjoyed a great movie on friday night movie night, Baby Mama...

We have the championship game on Saturday and hope for a good outcome.

31 days til Kevin, Joy and Katie come to our house !!!!!!

the photo above is of Darcie and Chakezie taken at the American Idol tour here in Charlotte. She also met Syesha, Brooke White, and David Archuletta. I just secured our spot at the front of the line....

the week in review

Well, I am trying to keep things up to date. So, let's visit the last week. Greg spent Monday thru Friday in Houston, much to the envy of the rest of us. Mommy was VERY busy shuttling everyone around and dealing with the burst water pipe and the aftermath. Yep, we had a leak in the wall between the garage and the basement bath. What fun. But, all has been repaired and we just have to repaint.

Shaylee is looking quite adorable with her missing front tooth, Quentin was given high marks by the first grade teachers for his wonderful citizenship. Darius reminded us all he is the family clown. Darcie was thrilled to find out Chris Brown has his own dance game coming out in November which I am certain will find its way under out tree at Christmas. Jeremy scored two touchdowns and caught a 22 yard pass on Monday night to help out the Wildcats, and on Saturday he ran in for one touchdown and made several nice gains for yardage to help the Wildcats win their homecoming game. And finally, after Dad returned home on Friday night mommy got to get in her eight hours of defensive driving on Sunday to clear up that ticket from February and her unwelcome welcome to North Carolina.

Now, we are looking forward to the fall festivals and when Kevin, Joy and Katie come to visit at Thanksgiving.

what a difference a year makes

well, things certainly have changed for our family. We now reside in Matthews, North Carolina.
A new promotion for Daddy and a quick move later here we are. Everyone seems to be adjusting well. Darcie is in eighth grade and is taking hip hop dance at a local studio. Jeremy, is a running back on the 7th grade football team, while Darius who is now in fifth grade can not wait for spring baseball to start. Quentin our used to be homebody is now the resident snail and lizard catcher of the block. Shaylee who started kindergarten this year is the smartest in her class (we knew that ) and just lost her first tooth.
Our summer was filled with fun settling into our new house, a trip to the Smoky Mountains- we already have a return trip booked, and working on our unfinished 1500 sq ft basement.
We desperately miss our family in Texas and wish the two states were a bit closer.
Daddy is doing great in his new position and mommy is busy painting and decorating and organizing the house now that summer is over and everyone is in school.