New Year's Revolution

My New Year's Revolution:

1. I am going to be a better mother to my children. I will do my best to spend more time with them.
2. I am going to be a better wife to my husband. I will do my best to be more supportive of him.
3. I am going to be a better friend. I will do my best to be there and support the people who mean so much to me.
4. I am going to have a good year and be postive about the year ahead of me and make the most of what is handed to me.

Vacation Time

I just wanted to say that I am excited because for the next 4 days I am a free mother. LOL. I have the most wonderful in-laws that anyone can ask for. They wanted the kids for the night, so Clifton and I could go and do something for the New Year. Well I am some what down with the flu or something so they still took them. When they came to pick them up they told them to pack enough clothes to get them by until Sunday.

You read right I have 4 days without kids. What to do? Well for starters I need to get to feeling better and then hopefully it is on to some good house cleaning. I need to go through the dressers and get ride of some clothes.

I also found out tonight that Clifton has the rest of the week off and he is going to spend most of his time cleaning up the mess at my grandpa's house. The insurance has settled and they are going to pay Clifton to clean up the mess that the fire left behind. So I will truly be on a mini vacation........Yeah for me.

I am going to need it b/c the 8th of January I will be starting at BVU. I am so excited about starting. I will have a lot to post when I start up there.

To everyone that is traveling the roads tonight be safe and have lots of fun. My prayers are with everyone for a HAPPY NEW YEAR.......

Christmas Time 2008

Well I am back to report on my Christmas, it was a good one this year. The kids got more than what they should have but what the heck it only happens once a year. I feel like Allison has gotten so much with her birthday only being 11 before Christmas. We should have planned her a little better.....LOL We still have one more Christmas to go to this weekend and then we are done until next year. I have picked out some pictures to share with everyone, hope you enjoy them.

Lane got a set of dart guns

Lane's new overalls.....He was proud of these.

Allison got Pixso's and loves them, they are neat

Santa brought them both the anticipated Nintendo DS's........Boy were they surprised and excited

Even Pooty got a new toy from Santa

Now it is on to a new year. I hope it is a better one than the last. From my family to yours have a safe and Happy New Year.......... :)

What a Relief

I am a nervous wreck right now. I have just come home from a fire at my grandpa's house. He is fine, but he lost his machine shed and everything inside of it. When I heard the page over the scanner it just said a structure fire at the Don Falkiner's resident. Can you image I scared I was. I had the kids here with me and they heard the page too. Allison started crying and saying "I don't want me Grandpa to die." I had to reassure her that he was not. Thank God that it was not his house. Also thank God for wonderful friends and in-laws. Everyone was so willing to take my kids for me, but the in-laws came up and sat with them in the vehicle. I am so impressed with everyone that helped in saving the house. The Queen City and Greentop Fire Departments are wonderful.

We made arrangements for him to go spend the night in Kirksville. We have a bad storm heading in tomorrow, so I am hoping that we get him back home before it hits. I guess he might have to stay done there if they don't get his electricity hooked back up. I want to say again how thankful I am to God for looking out for my Grandpa. He was very lucky tonight. The fire did melt all the siding on the house garage and part of the roof on the garage, but again it could have been much worse.

I will post more later.

Finals Week

Well here it is the end of the beginning of a new chapter in my life. This is the last week of the semester. After this week I will have my Associate in Arts. I have worked so hard to get to this point in my life and let me tell you it FEELS GREAT.

In January I will be starting at Buena Vista in Ottumwa which on one hand it is very exciting and the other hand I am scared. Going to start a new chapter in my life could be the most fun for me. My kids are excited for me which makes me feel good about what I am doing. I am planning on tiring to start doing some substituting at Schuyler, just not for sure what I am doing yet. I have also thought about spending some days in with some of the "seasoned" teachers to get a feel of what it is going to be like. I need to ask some of them for their advice, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it.

As for now I am just praying that I make it through my Human Anatomy, Western Civilization, and History to 1865 Finals without any problems....... (pray for me)

I also want to say how happy and relieved I am to hear that Mike and Jenn had a healthy baby girl......Hope to see picture soon of the newest edition to the family. CONGRATS TO THE BEELER FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking up

Well things are starting to look up these days. I have all my Christmas shopping done and I just need to wrap them. I had a good Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Although Black Friday was a little amusing. I was standing in line for a Nintendo DS at 4 o'clock in the morning.There was 3 people in front of me so I knew that I was going to get one for sure. The first lady in line got one and paid for it, and then she asked for another for someone else and the guy refused to sell her another, b/c you could only buy per customer. I about wilted, I needed to buy 2 myself, but I thought oh well I will at least buy 1 now and figure something else out later. What is so funny about this story is that the first lady wanted a manager and while she was waiting in line the guy behind the counter asked who was next. The next lady steeped up, keeping in mind she heard the conversation between the first lady and the guy, and clearly asked for 3 DS's........OMG. What are people thinking. The poor guy just looked at this woman and said I can only sell you 1. She starts to throw a fit about only getting one. I just wanted to slap both of them in the head. Needless to say when it was my turn I asked for one and paid for it and went on.

On a brighter note though, I did get another one bought for Allison on Monday. I had seen one of the store managers and was telling him about the story and he told me that they still had some left. So when I got off of work I went straight to, you got it Wal-Mart. I bought the last one that they had there. Yes....Christmas shopping is done. Now anyone want to wrap gifts for me? I also have Allison's Birthday presents to wrap too.

Well I am going to get to work now. Hope everyone has a great week!

Santa Dog

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I am going to try this again

I know it has been a very long time since I last posted, but here I am again. I have been busy with school and work and school and family, oh and did I mention homework.....LOL This semester has been the worst one yet, I have know idea how I have made it this far. I have a lot more respect for the ones that have made it through already.

The kids are doing great in school and are ready for a break, but so am I. I have been working at MACC also, as their work study. I love it. I am getting closer to having my Christmas shopping done. (YES) I am going to get up Friday morning and stand in line with everyone else for the Black Friday shopping to finish up. This year the kids seem to be easier to buy for. Allison was crafty stuff, which is great. She is so into the coloring, cutting, and pasting things. Santa brought her a desk last year and that is the best thing he could have done for her......LOL Lane on the other hand wants a Nintendo DS and that is all. I am having a little trouble with his gift ideas. Santa is going to have to get creative with his gifts.

Something that I am going to do for the kids is put together a scrapbook of our summer vacation. They have looked at the pictures and want me to make their own copies. So I came up with that idea, although I am not a big scrapbooker. So any ideas or good places to look at to help me out would be appreciated.

Well I will try to do better with getting on here at least once or twice a week. I do read every one's and I am kinda jealous, because you are very dedicated and good writers.

P.S. Andrea I am glad you have got moved into your new house. It was a pleasure keeping up with you on the progress of it. Can't wait to see pictures of it.

P.S. Bree your stories have been a joy to read to. I love the shopping story, it looks like you all had a great time.

P.S. Jenn I have enjoyed keeping up on the progress of Baby Beeler. Can wait to hear he/she has joined us in the world. I am so excited for you.

It's Been Awhile

Well it has been awhile since I have been here. Not a lot going on here, just spending the last days with the kids before they head off to school again. The funny thing is the kids start the same day I do. So I thought I would not get a break from them, but I just found out the other night that Grandma and Grandpa are heading off for a camping trip, and they want the kids to go with them. Yeah for me. They are leaving the 8th and not coming home until the 17th. I will have a peaceful week before school starts.

I am also getting to go to see all my relatives in Iowa this weekend. They are having a surprise birthday party for one of my great aunt's, which they are turning it into a family reunion. It is going to be great to see everyone. I have not seen anyone from up there since my grandma passed away almost 5 years ago.

Well on another note, I am going to take the kids to the pool in Kirksville tomorrow. They have been asking to go and we have not had the time, but I figured with the summer almost over and they are going to be leaving Friday, I better take them. This will be interesting, they have been fighting like cats and dogs lately. Go figure....... :) They have spent the whole summer together and they have been on my last nerve.

Well if I don't get back on here before the weekend I hope everyone has a great weekend and a safe one too.

The Queen City Fair

Well it is that time again for the fair in Queen City. Oh Boy right. This is the first year that I am not running it. I have been the President for the last 4 years and what a relief not to be involved in it this year. I might be able to go up and enjoy with my family for once. Allison has decided to be in the talent show this year. She wants to jump rope, which I know is not a big talent, but for her to get up in front of a crowd and do this is going to be a big accomplishment. She does not do well in front of a crowd. I am hoping for the best. Also she has decided to get in the Ms. Pioneer contests. She won it last year, but well see how she does this year. Also both of the kids want to show in the Pee Wee Show, they did this last year and had a blast doing it. I will have a lot of pictures of them doing everything they instead to do. Also if you have any ideas how I can dress Allison for the contest please let me know. This year's theme is "The Good Old Days" Do We Really Want To Go Back? How in the world do you dress them to that? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Allison's New Haircut

Well I must say that my daughter has a new look. I sent her to her grandma's last weekend and when she brought her back on Sunday, she told me that Allison wanted her hair cut off. She has been telling me that for awhile now and I had been ignoring her, but the day finally came. Her grandma said she was going to be off on Wednesday and she would pick her up on Tuesday night and take her home with her and get her haircut. I said that would be fine. I also said that I did not have the heart to take her myself, because she wanted it up to her ears. When she brought her home on Wednesday night I almost cried. It was so short. Don't get me wrong it looks cute, but OMG is it short. Her grandma sent her home with styling moose and a new comb to fix it. She spikes the front up a little and the back just lays flat. It is differently over the ears. The way that I look at it is: it is her hair and she loves it and can fix it herself, so that is what matters I guess.

This is Allison's new haircut. Plus her playing in a water hole.

On another note: I let my kids place outside today after a hard rain last night. Let me tell you I owe that one to Andrea. She suggested that I put them in old clothes and boots and send them out. Well that is what I did. They had a blast. At first they thought I was crazy for letting them go outside and do that. Lane wanted to know if I was serious and I said yes Andrea gave me that idea. Allison wanted me to thank Andrea for that GREAT idea. Here are some pictures for you Andrea. Allison also wanted me to type HI and she misses you. She can't wait for school to start so she can see you again. Hope everyone enjoys the pictures as much as I did.

Lane jumping in the water hole. He was soaked.

Allison jumping the water hole

Kansas City Vacation

Well we have made it back from our vacation and let me tell you we had a blast. We left home around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning and arrive at Cabala's in Kansas City at 5:30. I was surprised that the kids did not sleep, but maybe 1 1/2 down. We found out that Cabala's did not open until 9:00, so we asked the kids if they were hungry and they of course said yes. They wanted to eat at a McDonald's and I said no. I had to explain to them that we are on vacation and we were going to eat at places that we don't get to eat at here at home. So we found an I Hop and it was so good, but for us to eat there it cost us $35.35. OMG right.

We got to Cabala's around 9 and did not leave there until 12. That was a neat store to spend the morning in. The kids had a blast looking at all the animals in the building. I must say that I had the time of my life looking too. We left there and went and got us lunch then it was off to find a motel. When we arrived at the motel we got settled in and all of us took a nap before the game. The game started at 7:10 and we wanted to be there by 6:30 to see all what goes on before and get settled in our seats. Needless to say our sits were not the best but we had a blast. The game was a good one, it was the Royals vs. the White Sox. They played 13 innings and the Royal lost but it was fun to watch. We arrived back at the motel around 11:30 or so and let me tell you we were all tired and ready for the bed.

The next morning we got up and headed for the zoo. We arrived at the zoo at 10:00 and walked every inch of the zoo. The kids were so amazed at all the animals and wanted to go back and see more. I think some of the animals we seen more the once. The got to watch the elephant show and a seal show. They were full of questions and I could not believe but they did ask questions themselves. If you know my kids they are not the bravest when it comes to asking strangers questions. So I was proud of them.

The trip home I figured that they would sleep all the way after the walk around the zoo, but NO. I think Lane slept a half hour and Allison never did sleep. They talked about the whole trip all the way home. We arrived back in Kirksville at 7 and decided to eat supper in Kirksville. So by the time we got home we were all ready for a shower and bed. All in all I would have to say that it was a great trip and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

This was something that we as a family needed to do after all that has happened to us. We are looking already for next years vacation. I have posted all of the pictures on facebook if you are interested in looking at our trip. Well most of them anyways. Have a great week and weekend.

Kansas City Here We Come

I wanted to post a blog before I leave to Kansas City. We are taking a family vacation. Lane had won 2 tickets to see the Kansas City Royals game. He got perfect attendance in school. Way to go Lane. So we purchased 2 more tickets and are going to make a family vacation out of it. We are leaving at 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning and heading to Cabala's to spend the morning. After that we are heading to the hotel for a nap and to freshen up little before the game. The game starts at 7:00 so it will be a long night. The next morning we are going to get up and head out for the zoo. The kids are excited about going to the zoo. Lane keeps telling Allison that we are going to see her relatives, I wonder where he gets that from? HA HA. We will be returning home that night. We would like to stay longer, but Clifton does not have vacation time yet, which sucks. He will get his vacation time in August, yeah that bites the big one, but this is the only time we could go because of the ball tickets. Oh well it should be fun, I hope. I will have lots of pictures that I will post on facebook and some here. I will get on here as soon as I get back and get rested up.........lol

2 New Horses

Well we have bought two new horses. That was 1 more then what we were going to get, but you know how hard it is to say no. We had bought one last Saturday night. We tried to buy a horse that Clifton could ride right now but ended up bring home a yearling. He is a beautiful animal, I will have some pictures soon of him. Since we bought him at a sale barn we have put in in a lot by himself so if he was sick he would not past it on to my horse. Every time I go over there to feed him and check on him I forget my camera. (Go figure, a mind the size of a pea.)

The second horse we bought on Tuesday night, off of a private individual. He is a unique horse as far as color. The guy said he was a gray, but when we got there to see him I was surprised at what color he was. I do have pictures of him already. He is kind of gray, but his hips are a red roan. He has red freckles all over his face and his body is gray. Here is some pictures of him.

I have made it

I know that it has been awhile since I have blogged, but I have some problems in my life. We are making the best of it, and finally things have settled down. HOPEFULLY. We had to move out of our house on the 16th of June. On the 17th of June I went to the courthouse to watch them sell our house. That was the hardest day of my life. On a postive note though we got to keep 42 acres. They only took 8 acres and the house. I have to thank Bree for her support on the 17th, she was so supportive. I have to admit she let me vent and cry on her shoulder. You really know who your friends are in a situation like this one.

I have to thank another special friend, he has moved us into his house until we can find another house. Like I said early you really know who your friends are. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers and support.

On another note I am sad that ball season is coming to an end. I have enjoyed watching the kids play this year. Lane has came so far this season. He is finally getting down in the dirt and playing so hard. He does not want the season to end. Allison on the other end is ready for it to be over. I think her problem is that grandma and grandpa want her to go camping and that is all she can think of now. Lane want to go to but he would rather play ball instead.

Well I should end this blog for now. I will be trying to post more often now that things are starting to settle down. Hope everyone has a great rest of the week.

Today is the Day

Today is the day we will find out about our house. I have never been so scared or stressed out than I am today. Although the bank said there is nothing to worry about, but still until I know for sure I am going to be worried.

On a better note. I read Bree's last blog and she made me laugh, not b/c of the damage, but b/c she was just like me. The kids and I were scared and they were crying. I had taken them to the basement and Clifton was making fun of me. I told him he could just stay up there. We were not done there very long though. Oh yes I also took my dog with me. I took some beautiful pictures after the storms were over I will post them at the end.

We were suppose to have a ball game last night and it was called off, but I guess we are heading to Memphis for an all day tournament. Lane is excited about it. He will be playing at 1200 and 130. Oh boy back to back. I hope it will be a good weekend for the games. I am waiting to see if Allison plays tonight or not. Only time will tell.

It's been long enough

Well I finally made it back to blog. This blog is for Andrea and Bree (who ave given me crap about not blogging)...... :) There has been so much going on in my life it is not even funny. We have been having troubles with the bank and our house loan. Well I guess the bank says enough is enough and is going to sell our house on the courthouse steps. Well need less to say we are doing everything in our power to save it. I think we are on the right track now. We will know more on Tuesday. I will let you know how it went.

I have been o busy with the kids too. Between running to ball games and summer school, I am about to go insane. I would not trade a single minute with them though. I went with Allison on her field trip to the pool in Kirksville and that was a blast to watch all the kids. I had so much fun. After we left the pool I hurried home and had to get ready for back to back games that night. Allison played first than Lane. I had to work in the cook shack that night and I was nervous about it, but Bree was there to open it and reassured me I would do fine. It was a busy night in there, we had a total of 6 games and it was hopping. I have a little more respect for the people in charge of that and the people that work in there. The baseball/softball association is great to work with. They do a wonderful job of keeping everything going.

I have also been busy with my grandpa. He had back surgery on the 27th of May. He is now in the nursing home for physical therapy, with is gong good but he does not like it in there and wants to come home. I can't say that I blame him. I have been going down to see him and taking his dog so he can see her. That dog is his life, and it seems to be cheering hm up when I take her down there.

Well I think I have catch everyone up on what is going o in my life, and it felt good to get some of it out. I will try to write on here more. I am going to add some picture on the end of this blog of the kids at the pool. I hope you enjoy looking at them. Until next time I hope everyone has a good week at work.

The biggest kid, having the most fun at the pool.

Allison and Teirney getting ready for some pool fun.

Allison in the pool.

Track and Field Day

Well yesterday was the track and field day for Lane and Allison. Lane did really good, he placed in all events. Allison on the other hand won the three-legged race with Tierney. She was fine with that until Lane show her all his ribbons. She got upset and mad, she is very competitive. Andrea had to remind her about some kids are better readers and some are better runners. I have to say that I got my workout too. It seem that the two of them were on opposite sides of the field so I was trying to get to each one of the events to see them. I missed Lane's long jump. Here are some of the pictures from the day:

Allison and Tierney

Lane doing the High Jump

Allison doing the Long Jump

Last Day

I am sitting down here at MACC with my friends waiting to sell back my books. I am so sad that it is over and everyone is graduating. I am going to miss my friends, but I wish them the best of luck in all they do.

Mother's Day

Well today was Mother's Day and it started out great. My kids (with the help of Clifton) made me breakfast and they came in and told me to get up and eat. It was the cutest thing. Plus on the table was two homemade cards that they had made for me. Friday when Allison came home from school she had brought me a flower that was barely sticking up out of the cup and now today it is as tall as the cup that it is in. She is so amazed with it. She had also made me a hand print on a piece of tile. It is the nicest thing when your kids make you stuff at school or at home. Homemade thing or things from the heart are the best things that a mother can get.

Yesterday we started building fence for the kid's goat they have and finally got it finished late in the afternoon. The kids went up to get her out of the dog pen that we had her in and put her in the new pen. They stayed for awhile and watched her then they came to the house. A little later we looked out on her and she was not in the lot. We had found her, she had went through the gate into the horse lot. The horses were having fun with her. She then went though the barb wire fence and headed right back to her first home. We laughed so hard. So today Clifton went out and put cattle panel on the gates so she could not get out.

You know it was Mother's Day but I think I worked harder today than I have for a long time. I spent the day going through the kid's room and mine. We had a cleaning party and it feels good to sit down now, b/c I just put the kids to bed and did not have to step over toys and other things on the floor. Hopefully they will help keep them clean from now on......HaHa They were not happy with me when it was all over b/c I throw out broken toys and toys that they don't play with anymore.

Well I am going to close this blog for now. I have to study for a Statistic final in the morning. Yeah last final, then I have the summer off. Wish me luck on this one.

Here they are coming down the hill and Lane is having problems.

And Lane came tumbling down the hill.

Allison made it all the way down on her feet.

This is Lane and Allison on a hill. They were so excited that we let them go up it.

So Happy

I was just sitting here taking a break from my homework and was reading everyone's blogs and I got the surprise of my life. My daughter commented on one of my own blogs. By now you have read that I talk about my kids and Andrea her teacher must have let her read one. She thanked my for talking about her. She is such a wonderful child, my son is a great kid too. I just wanted to say "thank you Allison for taking the time to read my blogs and thank you Andrea for letting her read it too."

Allison has one of the best teachers she could have in school. There are many good teachers in the school, but there are some that are just there and there is others that are there for the kids.

I also want to say that I have taken my final in Chemistry last night and feel like I did good. I am in hopes to at least keep my A in that class. Also I read my book that I put together for Children's Literature and I am done with that class. Well I have to turn in 10 lesson plans but I have until next Friday for that. So guess what that is what I am going to work on this weekend. I hope that it is nice because I want to practice ball with the kids. Oh well I better get back to my homework before the kids get home.

Thanks again Andrea and Allison for the wonderful comment. I love you too Allison.

First Ball Practice

Well Allison had her first ball practice and she had a blast. I had to miss it because of classes, but she told me all about it this morning. She is so excited about playing and she said that she was sad because two of her coaches could not be there last night, but really like having Bree and Jared there.



Lane said he got to help some too. Helped field the balls for the kids. I think he is almost as excited for Allison as she is. He was telling me about how the kids were batting and that Allison hit the ball way out in the outfield. He said that he was proud of his sister and that she was going to have a great year at baseball.



They both have practice again on Thursday and again I will have to miss that one due to classes. I have a Chemistry Final that evening and then I am done with night classes. Yeah!!!!! I am so excited about classes ending so I can see the kids play ball. I hope every team has a great season. I think they will as long as they have fun it will be a wonderful year for them.



Well better be going for now, I have to get to Stats class to start reviewing for our final in that class. I am in hopes to leave that class with an "A", as that is what I have now but this final is going to be a hard final to get through. Wish me luck.

Cold Weather

This weather is something else. My daughter Allison has ball practice tonight and it is going to be cold or cool anyways. I will not be able to make it to the practice, because I have a Chemistry test tonight, but I will make it to plenty more. I am so excited for her.

My leg is killing me. I got kicked by a horse this weekend and I must say we might be one short a horse next month. I am so sick of her. She is a nag to catch, but once you get her caught she is fine. I hate a horse that you cannot catch.

Well I am going to go study for my test. I will continue this later.

Being Bored

Well here I am again. I am still at school waiting for my 6 o'clock class, so I thought I would write some more. My daughter, Allison has her first baseball practice tomarrow night. She is very excited, exceptally since she knows her coach. Her coach has coached Lane's Ball team before, she is a wonderful coach. I am so excited for her and Lane too. Well I am going to go for now and play around with this thing some more. Be back later.

New to the Game

I have seen that a couple of me friends have started this bogging thing, so I thought that I might try it. I think this would be a good way to get some stuff off of your chest if you needed to. Also I like to talk about my children so what could be better then this. I have two wonderful children their names are Lane who is 8 and Allison who is 6. They mean the world to me. I am also married so you may hear me talking about my husband a lot. Well I am at school right now, so I better get to studying for now. When I get home I may see about adding some pictures.