Working in the yard!

Parker and Maddie!
Parker!

Luke!

My flower planting buddy!

Maddie Claire!


It has been so beautiful outside we decided to start cleaning our yard and getting it ready for Spring. We went to Lowe's and bought all our supplies and Maddie Claire got to pick out all the flowers she wanted. She had been begging to plant flowers for about a month and we let her pick whatever she wanted. She loves to dig in the dirt and we had a blast getting the beds ready then planting the flowers. The boys took on the backyard. We want to extend the patio and get some sod back there. We were able to get a 1/4 of the patio done and really cleaned up all the vines and creepers that had taken over our back yard. It is going to be a long summer getting our backyard ready but hope to have everything done by next spring. I can't wait to get a picnic table out there to eat dinners and just spend time outside. The kids have had a blast playing in all the dirt. Digging tunnels, trying to dig to Hawaii(it is only 300 miles away I learned!), playing Zombie tag. I am so glad to see them use their imagination and not stuck in front of the tv or Wii. I am almost thinking it is time to give up tv again. I will post some more pics of the yard later and keep a running diary of the progress. I can't wait to see it next spring!

Spring Break and St. Patty's Day!

Last week was spring break. We had Luke, Parker and Maddie Claire the whole week. Caleb got to spend the week with his Mimi from California. We had a pretty low key week just spent alot of time outside playing and cleaning up the yard. On St. Patty's Day we donned our green shirts and had a day out on the town. The boys each got a much needed haircut. Parker wanted to look like Justin Beiber and Luke didn't care so we had his just cut short and thinned out because he has a ton of it. We ate lunch at Nothing But Noodles then headed over to Yogurt Mountain for some green Shamrock Yogurt. Scott is thinking about getting a motorcycle in the future so we headed to the Harley store to look at some bikes. The kids loved looking at all the different bikes and each picked out their favorite ones.

Then it was back to the house for a short nap and playing outside until the sun went down. The kids rode their bikes and scooters for hours and Scott and I enjoyed watching them laugh and play. It was a fun day!

Monkey in the middle!

Brothers!

Wow, how time flies!

Okay, so it has been over a year since I blogged last. I guess working full time took up all my blogging time. Thankfully I am a stay at home mom again and much happier! Scott and I took a look at our finances and decided I was working to pay for a second car payment and after much prayer we decided to trade the Suburban and the Civiv in for a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. While it can be a little inconvenient at times it is so worth to not have to work. We both love the van. Something else new with me is I am going back to school again. I am at Jeff State getting my prerequisites out of the way to join their Nursing School in Fall of 2012. I am in my 2nd quarter and am really enjoying going to school and feeling like I am accomplishing something. The kids have grown like crazy and are getting so big it is not even funny. I will post some pictures. Maddie Claire turned 4 in January. I can not believe she is 4 years old. Where has the time gone? Caleb turns 8 at the end of this month. He is already acting like is 14. Luke is 8 and a half and Parker is 6. Scott and i will celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary next month. It has been a full and crazy 5 years. Our house is never dull or boring. I am at a place in my life where God is teaching me contentment. Even though I still struggle some days with it; I can say for the most part I am dealing with it just fine. I am looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in the next 5 years. We will then have 3 teenage boys and a 9 year old girl. I am hoping to keep this ole blog up and going but I am not making any promises!

Road Trip to Indianapolis!

Caleb and Maddie Claire at the Indianapolis State Fair!

Talking to the farmer about the baby cow!

Caleb loved the tractors! They were huge!

Caleb got to climb all over the equipment!

Maddie Claire playing putt-putt!

Old McCaleb had a cow E-I-E-I-O!

Maddie Claire and Caleb riding a kiddie ride at the fair! They had a blast!

Mom, Robyn and Caleb posing in Broad Ripple in Indianapolis!

Aunt Robyn with her niece and nephew!

Me and Robyn out on the town celebrating my birthday!

Nana, Caleb and Maddie Claire in front of DinoWorld in Kentucky!

In front of the dinosaur!


He's gonna eat me!

Before school started we knew we had to have one more adventure. We went to see my sister in Indianapolis. Nana had to work until 8pm so we decided to leave after she got off work and drive all night. It was a long night and long drive and my kids are really night owls I have realized! We pulled into the driveway at 6 am and headed to bed. After sleeping the morning away we headed to Steak and Shake for some burgers and milkshakes and then onto the Indiana State Fair! It had opened that day. The sun was shining and their was a slight breeze and it was a perfect day for a fair! The kids loved seeing all the animals and Caleb got to milk a cow! We were able to putt-putt and watch some ladies making rugs and thread! We had to get some lemonade and roasted corn to tide us over til dinner! We then headed to the rides. Maddie wanted to ride the ferris wheel and Caleb wanted to ride the huge slide. Maddie had so much fun looking out over all of Indianapolis at the top of the ferris wheel. Caleb and I rode a ride together and had so much fun. Robyn and I could not leave without riding a grown up ride and found the biggest one there. It went round and round and upside down and was the best ride I have ever been on. It felt like we were kids again at the Peanut Festival! We watched some of the rodeo then decided we had enough fun for the day. We headed to get some chinese food then to bed early! The next day we took it easy and stayed inside and listened to music and watched movies. That night Mom watched the kids so Robyn and I could go out and partay! We had so much fun just being us with no kids around. I got to meet her friends she had been talking about for the last 3 years. We had so much visiting with her and it was time to head home way too soon. After a scrumptious lunch at Maggiano's we said our goodbyes and started our journey back home. We stopped in Kentucky at DinoWorld to let the kids see all the dinosaurs and to stretch our legs. The rest of the trip home went smooth because the kids fell asleep and didn;t wake up until we were almost home. We had the best time visiting with Robyn. Our visits don't happen often enough so we make the most of our time together. Next year we get to go to Chicago because Robyn just moved there. Can't wait to tour the windy city!

Summer Fun!

Maddie Claire at the petting zoo! She loves animals!

Caleb at the lake with his friend Hannah!

Maddie Claire's first trip to the beach! Such a beach baby!

My fish out of water! This boy could live in the water!

Surfin' USA

My funny face!

Kids acting crazy while waiting for fireworks on 4th of July!Parker and Luke waiting for the fireworks!

This summer went by way too fast. It seemed like just when we got into a routine it was time to start back to school. We fit alot of fun into our days. We went to the petting zoo at Oak Mountain State Park quite a few times. The kids love to see the animals then having a picnic while the peacocks are walking around us. The lake area is a fun place to play in the sand and cool off during the hot summer heat. Caleb, Maddie and I went with my mom to see my grandparents for a long weekend. They live 3 blocks from the beach so of course we had to go play for a little while! Maddie had never been to the beach before and loved it as soon as she put her feet in the sand. Caleb practically grew up on the beach and loves everything about it. He is my beach boy! For the 4th of July Scott smoked a beef brisquet and we had an awesome barbeque dinner! We then went to our spot to wait for the fireworks. The kids had a fun time making funny faces at the camera! We all had a great time watching the fireworks then headed to Sonic for some ice cream. By the time we got home they were all ready to get in the bed. We had a great day! The summer needs to be about 6 weeks longer. I love having my kids home with me.

Hello...Is anybody still out there?!

Wow has time flown by! You get busy with everyday life and 5 months can slip by in a blink of an eye. We had a great summer. We went on our first family vacation. All 6 of us went to Gulf Shores with some very special friends of ours. I got a job working at a local Italian restaraunt. I have always enjoyed serving and it seemed like a perfect fit. Caleb, Maddie, mom and I went to Indianapolis to visit Robyn. We went to the Indiana state fair and had a blast. School started before we knew it and it was back to business. Luke and Parker are going to a public school this year and love it. Caleb started first grade and rides the bus to school. He loves riding the bus. Maddie Claire is going through the terrible two's! She is having an independent rebellious streak right now but is still the sweetest girl in the world. Having a daughter is so much fun! I'll post pics and posts about some of these things when it isn't Halloween weekend. I have much to prepare for our Hinkle Horror Fright Night! Pics will follow!

Mother's Day!

This Mother's Day was the best one ever. It started with breakfast in bed. My sweet hubbie toasted me a bagel and topped it with cream cheese. I also had some coffee... 'cause my day is not worth anything until I wake up! Then my sweet family brought me my cards and gifts. Caleb picked out a blue wooden angel. It was so sweet. The angel was reading a book and he picked it because he knows I love to read. He is a very thoughtful son. I also got a dress and shirt from Luke and Parker and Maddie! I didn't want a big present this year. I just aked Scott to take us to The Melting Pot. It was delicious. A long nap, lunch and dinner with friends being with my amazing hubbie and adorable kids was all this momma needed. Like I said it was the best Mother's Day ever!

Easter 2009!

Maddie has a Hello Kitty easter basket!

Maddie loves Hello Kitty!

I love to color!

This is what you are used to seeing! All sweet and innocent!

This is what they hide from you. My little punks!

The best family group shot we had. We'll take what we can get!

Easter this year was pretty subdued. I was still recovering from surgery and still not feeling well. The kids had a blast. Especially Maddie Claire! She duped all her brothers into hiding all the eggs at least 892 times! They all had fun. We had a quiet lunch at home and had a restful afternoon. We colored eggs and ate lots of chocolate bunnies! It was very nice and low key. I would say it was the best Easter we have had in a long time.

Caleb is 6!

Caleb the Birthday King at school!

Caleb with Mrs. Connor!

Can I open my presents now?

My birthday brownie!

My baby boy turned 6 on March 31st! I can't believe it has been 6 years. Where has the time gone? This past year was a big one! He started Kindergarten! Started playing soccer! Learned how to ride a motorized dirt bike! Learned to read!

He is such a sweet and tender boy. He is very compassionate and really gets upset if others are hurt. He is learning to be a gentleman and really sticks up for the girls that are picked on. He is learning the true meaning of friendship. He is finding the power of prayer. His love for God and Jesus makes my momma's heart happy. I love seeing him grow in the Lord.

He is also 100% boy. He can be rough and tumble with his brothers. He loves GI Joe and all things that blow up and makes lots of noise. He loves to play with his Nerf guns. He and Scott will play hide and seek with the guns. They have so much fun. He loves all sports and loves to play football with Scott. He finally learned to keep his eye on the ball after being hit in the face a couple hundred times!

I love the fact he still loves to cuddle with his mommy. I also cherish every time he calls me mommy. I know the day is close when he will stop calling me mommy. I love the way he will pick "flowers" for me because he knows it makes me happy. I love the way he will tell me he loves me just because. I love the way he wants to take care of me because he is a "man" and that is what men do.

Caleb, you are the best son a mommy could have. I am so proud of the young man you are becoming. I see the way the Lord works in your heart. Even at such a young age I can see you letting the Holy Spirit guide you. Keep up the good work. I love you more than all the stars in the sky. You are my heart!

Love,

Mommy

Will start again...I promise.

Okay, so I have been out of the bloggy loop for a while now. I need to just start doing it again. Some recent events. I got a job... I lost a job. Caleb turned 6! I sewed my first real dress. I started making bows for Maddie. So much cheaper! Scott is looking for a new job. I had surgery.

I have may posts and pics to share. I will get to it starting tomorrow. Til then.

Joe's Italian - The best Italian ever!

My husband and I found Joe's about 3 weeks after it opened and immediately fell in love with the food and atmosphere. The food is authentic and delicious. After having too many experiences with plain, boring, bland italian food at chain restaraunts, it was like a breath of fresh air to eat food that was fresh, delicious and not mass produced. Each meal is made to order and piping hot when delivered to your table.
Your dining experience starts with fresh, hot bread, made by Mama, and a special olive oil and herb dipping sauce. This is not your typical breadstick but a dense, chewy bread that soaks up the special dipping sauce and melts in your mouth with a burst of flavor. With your meal you are given the choice of soup or salad. You can not go wrong with either choice. The house dressing is amazing and goes great with the chilled lettuce and vegetables. The soup is homemade everyday and really hits the spot on a chilly winter day. The minestrone soup is filled with fresh vegetables and the tomato basil soup is chunky and filling. When the main course comes to your table the aroma prepares you for what you are about to enjoy. I have had every dish on the menu and it is all scrumptious. My favorite dish is either the lobster ravioli or the gourmet veggie pizza. You really can't go wrong with anything you order. The desserts are in another world of their own. They are homemade by Mama and devine. Tiramisu is one of my all time favorite desserts and the tiramisu Joe makes is the best I have ever had. Mama makes a strawberry cake that leaves you speechless.
With the quality and quantity of food you get the price is perfect. I recommend Joe's Italian to everyone I meet. It is a great family atmoshere and can be perfect for a romantic meal away from the kids. You can't go wrong with Joe's Italian. It is like visiting a caffe in Italy while staying in Birmingham. Check it out!

Maddie's 2nd Birthday!

MADDIE IS 2 !

Maddie turned 2 on January 5, 2009. She is such a joy. She enjoys Wonder Pets, playing dolls, Barney, Hello Kitty, playing with her brothers, shoes and purses. She completely radiates joy. Our family would not be the same without her. She knows how to keep us entertained. She is so cute. We love you baby girl. You are my heart and joy and I love you more than the stars in the sky!

Maddie with her brothers!

Maddie and mommy!

The huge red velvet cake daddy bought me. I have him wrapped around my finger!

Me blowing out the candles. Mommy got me trick candles and I got to blow them out a bunch!
Family photo!
The Hello Kitty ( Maddie calls it Hi Tittie) doll my brothers got me!
I love Hello Kitty!

Cheese!