Mrs. Dillon's class

Jax's first grade class. He is wearing an ivory shirt and is standing in front of Mrs. Dillon.

I AM SO BLESSED!!!

Chris got home today. He has been hunting in Iowa for 4 days with his friend Grant. He didn't kill anything and is disappointed but had a lot of fun. There is a blizzard hitting there right now. Chris got the last flight out of there this morning at 6:00 AM! I feel very blessed because he wasn't supposed to fly out until tomorrow!!! I don't think I could take another day as a single parent.

This very second, Lea (Grant's wife) sent me a text saying that she and Grant were snuggled up by the fireplace riding out the blizzard. So glad Chris is home with me and not snuggled up with them.

Donuts with Dad

Cute little picture from "donuts with Dad" at Brooks' preschool. Brooks ate his donut and his daddy's. Just a little special moment to share with you all!!!

Let's catch up!

My last post was mostly about packing up to go to Arkansas for Thanksgiving. We had a little change of plans. My Grandmother, my Mom's mom, passed away late the night before we left. So we drove to Arkansas stayed a day and a half and then drove to Illinois. We got there about the same time my Mom, Dad, Jeff, Jami, Luke and Lane got there from Florida. All 10 of us in a small house with one bathroom! It went remarkably well. Anyway, my Grandmother had had a pretty rough 3 months. Toe amputated, broken hip, and then leg amputated and even at 89 she was in rehab and was determined to go home. Something changed and she just gave up. She was tired but is now no longer in pain. We all consider that a blessing. It is also a blessing everyone was able to be there. I am so thankful Chris didn't have anything going and we could just up and leave. It is tough losing a loved one and I am so proud of my Mom, she is awesome!!!!!! My Grandmother was a wonderful woman that will be missed. It still hasn't sunk in that she is gone.

So we are home and back in the swing of things. For some reason it seemed to take awhile to get back in the groove. We are good now and looking forward to the weekend!

Today I took Brooks and we worked at Jax's school all day. It was a good day. Jax had a grin from ear to ear every time he saw us. I really tried to stay away from his classroom because I felt like I was disrupting the class. Jax and Ivy couldn't focus. Anyway, while we were there we ate lunch with Jax. The cafeteria has one whole wall of windows to the outside and it was SNOWING!!! Yes, SNOWING!!! The kids were out of control. During Jax's lunch there are also 4th and 5th graders eating. They couldn't get them to settle down and eat. It was so funny. Not to mention how a lot of people around here are freaking out. The office was full of people checking out their kids early. Seriously, it was very little snow and none of it stuck. We may be getting more but I doubt it will be very much. This is two years in a row for snow around here!

Packing up!

Well, today I packed up most of the things for our journey to Arkansas. I think I have most everything together. My brain is pretty much mush! My kids have put me through the ringer this weekend. Chris is gone hunting and the kids have been wild, to put it mildly. Constantly fighting! I don't know what the deal is lately but I am on my last nerve. Yesterday Jax got a bloody fat lip and Brooks got a swollen bloody nose!! I am not kidding! Today I didn't even ask "who" or "what" I just put them in time out, like 6 times, and one time for an hour. Brooks ended up falling asleep and then Jax went to play with Ivy. They are so good when I am all in the middle of everything playing with them but I can only do that for so long. Good thing Chris is coming home tomorrow and he is in a good mood. He killed 3 does and 2 good bucks.

On a positive note, Brooks tried an apple and liked it!! He was so proud of himself. He wants to like fruit he just insists that they taste bad. Give me a break! Grapes, yummy!! Anyway, maybe he will start eating apples for a snack! We can sure hope! Jax is such a great fruit eater and I never had to try to get him to eat it. He asks for it all of the time.

One more thing, the boys and I were playing Lego's and we were trying to figure out how to put one part together. Brooks figured it out and was all proud and said "see I am a smart elliott!" Funny, and he meant smart alack (sp) even though that was totally the wrong word too!!!

He was right??

Well, it all checked out. Yep, Brooks got the huge chocolate bar because he was so good. To add to that, I have to say, the boys played for a few hours at the neighbors after school. Pam, my neighbor/friend, called me during that time to tell me what good manners Brooks and Jax had. Seriously, I am not kidding, she said Brooks was so sweet. Huh, glad to hear it. You just never know how your kids act when they are away and believe me, I wonder! They have been about 50/50 at home lately. That is fighting half the time and being angels the other half.

It is 9:00 PM and my sweet hubby just boarded his last flight of his journey home. He should be home in about 5 hours. After his 15 hour flight from China to New York his last flight was delayed. Buy hey, it could have been cancelled like a lot of them were. Apparently, there is bad weather there. Anyway, it has been quite an experience for him. He is very thankful that he lives in the USA. He said you just can't imagine how they live. I can't wait to hear all about it and just have him home. Who knows how tomorrow will go, we are on 2 different schedules! He is hungry and wants some good food. His request.......taco soup and strawberry shortcake. Easy!

Wednesday!!

Today Brooks came home from school with a huge chocolate bar in his backpack. He said he was the only one in his class that got one. He said he got it because he was so good. I wonder what the real story is? I will have to check on that tomorrow! I will get back with you! Jax had a Veteran's Day Parade at school today and my sweet neighbor Pam took his picture and sent it to me. I didn't go because I have been cleaning non-stop!!!!

I am exhausted!! When Chris is gone I get into project mode. I guess that is the way I pass the time. I started deep cleaning and didn't know where to stop. I am so glad that he will be home tomorrow! This trip has really bothered me. Usually he is gone and I just count down the days until he comes home but something about him being like 6000 miles away is just getting to me. I will be just fine if he never goes to China again, and I think he will be too!!

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

A little glimpse into Halloween night! We had fun! Loaded up some of the neighbors and did a little trick or treating. The kids always love sitting in the back of the truck, with the Dads of coarse. Brooks was a cowboy. He had to have a little face paint just like his brother. He said that cowboys have dirty faces! Yes they do! Jax was an army guy wearing crocs. I was a little upset that he wouldn't wear his camo boots but whatever!

Brooks stocked the freezer!

WHAT A WEEKEND!!!!!! It all started with a "spur of the moment" decision to go hunt and hang out in the country for the weekend!! Really, what else would you expect from us.....we don't plan trips for days or weeks! Actually, Chris' friend called us and invited the family to his ranch for the weekend. He owns one of the companies that Chris reps for and we have been to his house, to hang out, before. During that time, the boys just hit it off. They have a 7 year old named Ty and an almost 4 year old named Lane. Just as you can imagine, the big boys have a lot in common and are a lot alike. And......the two little ones are A LOT alike too!! Pure entertainment. They are a great family and we thoroughly enjoy all of their company! Billy is a great guy and his wife Amy is PRECIOUS. I wish I had a picture of her too, she is just beautiful! I get so mad at myself for not getting in some of the pictures. I didn't get a picture of Amy and the only picture of me is a blurry one that Jax took of me driving!!! I didn't even know he took it, but it is the proof that I was there, other than my voice in all of the videos! I kind of like the picture he took though, kind of soft focus right???




So here are some of the pictures I took!! Brooks was the first shooter!! He was looking for a hog, a doe, or a management buck. He was pumped!! Here is a video of the first morning (Saturday) and a picture of what we saw. We were really just scouting Saturday morning.

Goofing around the Ranch during the day Saturday..........................

So Saturday evening was "go time" for Brooks. We loaded up and headed to our blind. Here he is sticking his head out the window!!




Here is his hunt!! I didn't really intend to video it but I had my camera and I can do a little video so "why not?" So glad I did, it is priceless. He wanted his daddy to aim and him to pull the trigger!!

Here he is all excited!!




Still waiting on the right one.....





The shot!!!!






Here is part of the search. It took about 5 minutes to find her. I had to put the camera up and follow the blood trail because Chris was going the wrong way. True story!!





We found her!!



My favorite video! Brooks is doing his happy dance, saying "I love this day!"

Brooks helping Daddy drag her to the ATV

Jax driving us back!!!

Well, we had a complete blast. I cannot believe that I got to sit and witness both of my boys first kills. That is just priceless. I gotta say that while we were messing around on Saturday we went over to visit the people at the neighboring farm. The lady had just shot her first deer ever, a doe, with her new bow. I have been asking Chris to get me a bow but he hasn't because we really can't shoot at our house. So, anyway, she insisted that I shoot her new bow. I have NEVER shot a bow and I was worried that I would mess it up! It only cost her $1550.00. PRESSURE!!! Chris was all over it and gave me a few instructions and I shot 3 arrows. Wish I had a picture of me shooting because I think I might just be a bow hunter. I have never killed anything, but I want to shoot a deer with a bow, not a gun. Chris is so happy and I think he will be getting me a bow real soon!!! So, my turn next!!!

I made it!!!

Well, Chris has been gone for pretty much the past 3 weeks but is home now!!!! I was on my last nerve, Seriously! He got home last night and has stepped in and taken care of the kids for me!! Brooks was already in trouble when he got home, imagine that. I had had it and grounded him from Wii, tv and his friends for the whole day today! He didn't like it, but took it well and I think he was reminded about his bad behavior all day today. Hopefully he will think twice from now on, hopefully!!

So, I have the menu planned and groceries bought and am looking forward to cooking this week, relaxing a little and enjoying my husbands company. Don't worry, I do have a to do list though!!!

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As you can see, I am still trying to find a layout I like???

New Look

As you can see, I was bored with my old layout and am trying to change it. It is complicated. For me anyway! Still a work in progress!

Preschool

Here are pics from yesterday, which was his first day of Preschool. He likes it and so do I. It is only 3 hours so I don't get much accomplished other than a workout and a shower but it is so great! I have been really struggling with this child lately. When he is sweet, he is so sweet, but when he is bad, he is so bad!!!!! I am using every bit of patience I have to try and teach him and to not scream at him. The sad thing, the way he acts reminds me of how my brother and I acted! Scary!!!!

Good Stuff!!

I really, really, really like this turkey burger. I cut the recipe in half and eat on it for days. It is so good for you and so good that I just thought I should pass it along!!!! FYI, I didn't find the Major Grey's chutney so I just bought mango chutney (in a jar) from Walmart. Let me know if you try it and like it!

Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger
Recipe courtesy of Jeff O'Neill

Oprah found a new favorite food when she tried this turkey burger at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's private club in Palm Beach. "I believe [it] may be the best turkey burger in the entire world," she says. The Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger will be permanently available at the Trump Bar and Grille in Trump Tower in New York City, open to the public for lunch and dinner. It will also be served during lunch in Chicago at Sixteen, the Trump International Hotel restaurant.
Ingredients:Serves 6

1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
3 Granny Smith apples , peeled and diced
1/8 cup canola oil
4 pounds ground turkey breast
2 Tbsp. salt
2 Tbsp. black pepper
2 tsp. Tabasco® chipotle pepper sauce
1 lemon , juiced and grated zest
1/2 bunch parsley , finely chopped
1/4 cup Major Grey's Chutney , pureed

Sauté the scallions, celery and apples in the canola oil until tender. Let cool.Place the ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add sautéed items and the remaining ingredients. Shape into eight 8-ounce burgers. Refrigerate for 2 hours.Season the turkey burgers with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated, lightly oiled grill. Grill each side for 7 minutes until meat is thoroughly cooked. Let sit for 5 minutes.

The boys annual "Daddy's shirt" photo shoot!

Here are the best pictures from this year. Sorry I am a little behind posting them. They are just okay and I am tempted to try again tomorrow.



This is what it took to get those two decent pics.

I AM SO EXCITED!

Tonight we had a parents only meeting and the High School where Brooks is about to start Preschool. For those that don't know, Brooks will start going to Preschool T,W,TH 8:30-11:45. He will be taught by high school students who are wanting a career in Early Childhood Education. It is an incredible program with an AWESOME director. She is a friend of my friend Donna. She has a long career with Preschool and had to "accept" the students/teachers into this program. Tonight as we signed in, all of the students hovered around and squealed when they found the parent of their "bonding buddy." Apparently, each student/teacher is paired with 2 kids for the entire year as kind of their best friend. We all turned in pictures of our child with out paperwork so they already know all of the kids names. They have all been through CPR and first aid. It is a real licensed preschool. Brooks is excited and Jax is ticked that he will be getting to go to the High School. He doesn't think that is fair. I am excited because it is right by the elementary school, it is short (I don't want him to have to go too long), and rain or shine, husband or no husband, I get 9 hours a week to do whatever I need/want to!!!!

Meet the teacher is Thursday and school starts the following Tuesday.

The party is over........

Well, we are home from a VERY fun couple of days. Nashville is such a neat place. Watching Miranda sing at the Ryman was unbelievable! Of course she was great but the architecture and intimacy of the Ryman was unexplainable. Miranda sang a Patsy Cline song without the microphone just as Patsy would have and you could have heard a pin drop.

It was just so much fun!!! The people we were with made us laugh until we cried. What a neat group. We have a photo bucket account and everyone is supposed to put their pics in it. I hope to have some pics to put on here soon. I didn't take any pictures because I was too busy having fun!!!!

My baby is 5 today!

Man, where does time go. I cannot believe my baby is 5 years old! He is such a big boy.

He had a good day! We made it to Greenwood last night, so he got to have his birthday lunch and Grandma Ann's and Papa Don's today. He chose steak, french fries and white cake.

He got a motorcycle (that he got on Jax's birthday) and a psp. He got some cash too that is burning a hole in his pocket. I am going to do my best to try to talk him into saving some of it.

He fell asleep watching tv tonight at 7:20 so I guess the day wore him out!

Happy Grandparent's Day!

I just heard on the radio that today is Grandparent's Day. I didn't see this one coming! It is not on my calendar. So happy day to all the Grandparent's, we love you!!!

Finally Saturday!!!

Well, it is the weekend and I hope to have a relaxing day. But first I will tell you what we have been up to! I have not been chasing a dog around 24/7 because we took him back. I know, how horrible! It was a family decision that everyone agreed upon! We talked to the boys and they said it was okay. Then, the next day Jax cried and cried. Who would of thought! Brooks never mentioned it again but Jax asked for 3 days if we could go get him back. It broke our hearts but we couldn't go get him back, I just couldn't do it. I could give you a hundred reasons why but I will respect your time and just say I am not an inside dog kind of girl (and neither is Chris). So it has been a few days and we are over the hump and no one is asking or talking about the dog.

Jax has been loving riding the school bus but doesn't like sitting all day in school. I understand but I think it is okay and he really likes his teacher.

I have been cleaning constantly. We have had several showings in the last couple of weeks. Actually had a couple who wanted to know if we would lease to own.......well NO!!!! Just praying that this house will sell and we can move and get settled somewhere else!

I did some neighbors hair this week too!! Kind of fun for me!! I miss my job (a little)!

There have been some major changes with Chris' company so that has kept him busy and on the phone a lot!! The changes are good but just causing some extra work for now.

I have started trying to teach Brooks the things he needs to know for Kindergarten next year. Geesh, I have my work cut out for me. He is so smart just not really interested. I am working on it though, praising him is helping! By the way, don't know if I wrote about it but he wants to go to Kindergarten now. He asked Jax to ask Mrs. Thompson if he can come right now. Uh, no, I get one more year with him. Guess he will be ready when the time comes next year. I won't be ready, I will cry all week. Oh well, you can't stop time.

So we are going to just hang out and play today and hang out with neighbors tonight for the fireworks show. Our neighborhood had to postpone the 4th of July show because of a fire down the street. So looking forward to that.

Happy Birthday Big Dad!!!!!

Today is my sweet Daddy's birthday!!! I wish we could all be together to celebrate but instead he will have to settle for a video of the boys singing!! We love you Dad and hope you have a great day!!!!!

Brooks and Camo

Brooks wants to take Camo everywhere!! Cute picture of him asleep!

Back to School

There are pictures from Monday which was Jax's first day back. He loves riding the bus even though he was a little nerves getting on the first time. He likes his teacher and Ivy is in his class this year.