Birthday Cakes

These were trial runs for the cakes for Kyson's party. The ones I done for the party were actually better. I don't know where the pictures are from the party. I can't find them on my computer. I know they are on here because Kyson and his presents are my screen saver.

Kyson's First Birthday

Saturday my youngest grandson turned 1! Oh my. I'm sure time is going by faster than it did when I was younger. I remember looking at the clock in 4Th grade thinking 3:00 would never come that last 15 minutes killed me. Then in middle school, when I went through several change of schools, I new time was standing still and I would be in 7Th grade forever. High School came and I couldn't wait to grow up and be on my own. Even when my babies were born, enduring the first years, learning to be a mom, getting up in the middle of the night, those days and nights seem to drag on forever. I kept thinking if I can just make it until they are 18. Well when I blinked one day they were all grown. 6 now in the category of adult. Well almost, Destinee will turn 18 tomorrow. Now if I can just get the three seniors through high school. I am so afraid once they turn 18 that they will think they are grown and no one can tell me what to do. Doreese has a terrific college/trade school lined up. Destinee has applied but not really like I think she should. I'm not sure what DJ's plans are. He was going to attend Gainesville for early childhood education. I'm not sure if that's still the plan since he is living so far away with his birth family. He won't be 18 until early March.



One day I'll look up and Kyson will be 5 and starting school, then 10 playing basketball, then 17 and dating, then graduating. It will all have happened in what seems like days. I hope I can enjoy his baby years. They slip by so fast. He did have a wonderful birthday party with lots of happy memories. Lots of friends to wish him many more happy years. Jennifer was home, which is always a treat. Brian was here, along with Amy and a cute little guest. Some good friends who has a precious little one, that we weren't sure would make it, due to being born with a heart defect. You would never know anything was wrong. At 8 months he is so cute. I got a treat as I held a newborn a good long while. His mom needed the break as she has a 1 year old and a 5 week old. It's always good to see Josh's side of the family. Both of his parents are dead and his grandparents adore him and Kyson. Kyson got more toys than he could ever play with. It is so fun to watch him be loved, nurtured, and spoiled. Nana sure does love Kyson.

Late Homecoming Pictures

It's been a couple of weeks since the homecoming football game and dance. Last year both girls were on homecoming court. Krishawanda won. This year neither was on the court. Krishawanda was ineligible this year.

Krishawanda, Destinee, Daivon and Anthony looked amazing as usual.

Jennifer is coming home this weekend! YEA! Can't wait!

more corn maze

We are missing Amey and Cora in the family picture. They had went to the bathroom and decided to check out a couple of other attractions before coming back. One of the workers was taking the picture and couldn't wait any longer.

Josh made this big goofy face while I was taking the pictures, so I thought I would share with everyone what he thought was funny for me so everyone would have a good laugh! The black tunnel the kids are in was crazy! It made you feel like you were walking on a bridge that was moving. Austin cried and wouldn't go in. He was so obsessed with it. He would go to the door and stand and cry and say he was afraid. OK son don't go in, but I want to, OK then go in, no! I'm scared. Do you want me to go with you? Yes he said OK let's go. NO he cried I'm afraid. After 20 minutes of this I finally just picked him up and took him in screaming. After he got through he LOVED IT! He went back by himself about 10 more times. He just wouldn't trust me that nothing was scary about it. I tried and tired to make him understand I wouldn't put him in anything scary. Oh well. Maybe he will believe me next time.

Hay Rides, Pumpkin Patch, and Corn Maze

This was just some of the fun things we did on Saturday. Everyone at home visited Washington Farms. It is a big farm with a petting zoo, play ground, fun kiddie rides, Hay ride, and corn maze. The kids had so much fun. 75 years ago this would have been a community event and would have been FREE. Unfortunately it was not free... but it was a good price for everything the kids got to do. We had a picnic while we were there too. Austin liked the tractor most of all. (The driver was too bad either LOL) Everyone was well behaved and I know we made good memories. More pictures to come.

stuffing a scarecrow

A week or so ago we had a hot dog and marshmallow roast. We let all the kids stuff a scarecrow. They all had a blast! I did too. I really enjoy seeing the kids happy doing simple things. We made apple cider and smores. We all just sat around a big fire and enjoyed each others company. The kids loved cooking something for themselves. There were no mess and no clean up which was a plus all the way around. These are good memories I want to give my kids. Some of the teenagers think they are to old for this kind of stuff and choose to spend time elsewhere, but the ones who were here had a really good time. Having some of my grown kids and grand kids living close is such a blessing too. The grand kids get to participate and are learning valuable lessons some of the others haven't had the opportunity to learn at such an early age.

Society makes our children think that you have to have a lot of money to be happy. No one teaches family values anymore. Years ago you had to depend on each other just to survive. In today's society it's every man, woman, and child for himself. No one shares, or serves, or gives in. It's all- I had it first, it's mine, and you can't make me. This is even more true with children who have been traumatized. They hoard food, and are always thinking about what they can get. It's really not their fault. It is a survival technique they had to have in order to survive. One of my four year olds came with two siblings. They would not even eat until the baby had something first, and this child wanted to feed her sibling. At four and a half years old this child had not only taken on itself but their sibling too. It's hard after having them so many years and teaching, and loving, and explaining, to remember that these behaviors were from when no one else cared and will always be part of them. I don't think they ever get over it. I think they learn to cope but always remember the feeling of being alone in this world. Then all these feeling lead to behaviors. Then we as a family have to deal with the behaviors.

I've really enjoyed the fall weather. We have done several outing with the family that I'll post picutes of soon. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Standing Corrected

Oops! I forgot Tabitha's birthday is also in October. October 30th to be exact. She is my oldest and will be 31. (She won't like that I told her age) It sure doesn't seem like it has been 31 years ago that Keith drove me to that little hospital. It took only TWO hours, yes 2 hours for her to be born. That's total labor. She weighed 7lbs and 1 ounce. She was 20 and a half inches long. We couldn't agree on her name until she was born. Tabitha Brianna ! Just because I forgot to mention your birthday Tabitha doesn't mean I would forget that day. I love you just as much today as I did the day they laid you in my arms!