1 week until I'm 32....

I can't believe I'm almost 32. I'm getting old. We're all getting old. It's so very sad. Time goes by so fast. You don't realize it until you get older. I have been a little slack on my blog here lately. I was reprimanded yesterday by a dedicated reader so sorry to everyone I have let down.

So much has been going on this summer that I have gotten a little side tracked and almost even forgot my login and password to this thing! I do enjoy it though so I will try to do better :)

SO, the remodel is almost done. Thru my eyes anyway, I am sure there are many things that need to be done that only my contractor husband can see but I am assuring myself we are almost done. The furniture comes today! Madison's room was completed on Sunday morning (except for window treatments). She and Emma-Leigh had gone to the lake with mom and dad for the weekend and when they got home and walked in the bedroom, they both absolutely loved it. Then, Emma-Leigh walked in her room to see what had been done there - big mistake! Her room was exactly the same. We still haven't even fully decided on a bed for her. She was heart broken - but only for a little bit. It was her birthday party day and she quickly got over it and focused on her pool party and presents! We had beautiful weather on Sunday. Her party was from 2 - 4 and it was blue sky and burning up hot. It did however rain around 5 or so but we were long gone and thankful for the great weather! We had cake, brownies, chips and fruit. A very nice time for all! After the party, we had to go clean FPS and then we had dinner with mom, dad and Shawn at Bay Breeze!

Cheerleading camp started last night for both the girls. Madison was very excited to get back into it. Emma-Leigh on the other hand cried her eyes out. I don't know what her problem was, she was scared,nervous - I don't know. I quickly got her to where she needed to be with another mom/coach comforting her and took off! When I came to pick them up, I had to beg her to come. I think today she will go with no problem.

Madison spent the night with Cameron last night after practice. She said she did not want to sleep on the floor last night and was staying with Cameron instead. (We were taking turns sleeping on the bunk bed mattress in her floor until our bed got here - for some reason, I had 2 turns and Damion had 0.) Hopefully today will be a good day, all our furniture will get here in one piece and tonight we can sleep in our own bed and get things cleaned up. Maybe by the weekend we will be ready for company! Although now that I think about it, we have no sheets for our bed....uh-oh.

it's a rainy day

The rain is pouring down. Mom and dad are at the lake with Jaidyn and Ayla. Madison and Emma-Leigh are at summer camp. Hopefully all of them are staying dry! We had an awesome 4th of July! We went down to the lake friday afternoon to meet up with mom,dad,tiff,todd,jaidyn,ayla,brett,sarah and riley. Damion stayed behind and worked. We went over to mom and dad's camper and had dinner with them. They made steaks, baked potatoes and salad. It was very good! They took us back to Donald & Vickie's after dinner by car because it was so late and dark. Too dangerous to travel by boat. The next morning, we were up and out on the water. It was such a gorgeous day! Our usual spot (Jamaica) was taken but we ended up finding a nice little beach for the kids to play and swim. They had a blast. Emma-Leigh got burnt pretty bad but she was in the water for just about the entire day! Brandon, Alejandra, Kaleb, Kevin, Jennifer and Kaly came about 2 o'clock or so and they continud to play for a few more hours. When we finally went in, we started dinner. We had hamburgers and hotdogs, potato salad and a greek salad. We had showers before we ate and just as we were sitting down to eat guess who pulled up? It was Damion! I was thrilled! The next day, we were up kinda late and out on the water by 11. It started out rainy and cloudy but turned out to be an excellent day! All the kids played together and had a blast! Vickie's birthday was the following day so after we all had our showers, we took her and Donald out for her birthday to Fatz Cafe in Seneca. After that, we went back to their house, got all packed up and then went to visit mom and dad at their camper. Damion hadn't seen it yet so it was nice to just hang out for a little bit. We got home really late though. About 9pm and we were all wore out. We had a ton of fun though! Lots of memories made :)

Can I just start out by saying that I am so sick and tired of people asking me what is wrong with my arms?! I HAVE VITILIGO!!!

ok, glad we got that out of the way.

So this weekend was lots of fun. Friday Damion and Shawn got a contract on their spec house. Totally awesome! We are thrilled. Closing date for that is July 31st. Hopefully all will go as planned between now and then. Saturday we were up and out early! Off to the Bone-a-Fide Bakery in Black Mountain to pick up the birthday cake we had ordered for Princess. After that, we ventured to Target for stuff for the house and for the party on Sunday. Also on Saturday, Gabriel's 2 youngest daughters were being baptized and his middle daughter was turning 3. He had a huge party for them. We were there from about 2 until 7:30. They had clowns, face painting, balloons, live band, food, a dj, about 12 cakes. It was crazy! After that, Madison went to Emily's house to spend the night and Emma-Leigh went to mom and dad's to stay the night. Damion and I did absolutely nothing. Oh, we watched a movie, that was it. Sunday, he slept in and then we went to FPS to clean. After that, we ate lunch at Jersey Mikes then it was time to gather all the stuff for the dog birthday party! I went home, got all the stuff, got Maggie and Muffin, took them to mom's and then left out again to go pick Madison and Emily up. While I was gone, something happened to Muffin. He hurt his right arm somehow. He will not put any pressure on it. Hasn't gone to the bathroom since before the party. He did not sleep at all last night. He just cried and cried. I feel so bad for him! Vickie is taking him to the vet in about an hour. I hope he does okay! The party was a lot of fun though. We had 9 dogs there all together. Madison had a blast! We are going to the lake on Friday for the 4th of July holiday. Hopefully Damion will make it down there either Saturday or Sunday...

Changes...

Lots of changes going on in our house this week. Monday was the start of lots of remodeling! First, tile is being laid in the kitchen and small bathroom. Ceiling fans were also changed out in the living room and our bedroom and ceiling fans were added in both the girls rooms! After the tile is completed, we will get all new stainless steel appliances! We will repaint everything, maybe even change a few colors. Brandon will take the bunk beds for his new house and Madison will get mine and Damion's bedroom set, Emma-Leigh will get new furniture and Damion and I will get new furniture! We will also get a new kitchen table and new couches! Eventually the tub in my bathroom will be taken out and Damion will put in a walk-in shower. Also, door knobs will be changed throughout the house. I could not be any more excited! Our house has stayed the same except for paint colors for the past 10 years! It is a process but it will be over soon enough. Right now, the washing machine, dryer, dishwasher are all in the living room. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. :) okay, I feel better now! Pictures to come!

School's out for summer!!!

Wow!! The school year is over!! I now have a middle-schooler! holy cow! Emma-Leigh will be a 2nd grader in the fall and I am getting very old. I wish we could stop time...for just a bit. We will never get these days back and they are the best times of our lives! Our summer schedule is just getting started and this week has been crazy! I have missed lots of work this week because of awards ceremonies, talent show, doctor and orthodontist appointments, and a hair appointment for myself (can't reschedule that one). This past weekend we spent most of our time at the pool! Riley's 1st birthday was on Sunday and we had a great time helping her celebrate! Yesterday, Madison completed Phase 1 of her braces! She got her braces and lip bumper off and received a permanent retainer to wear on the back side of her top front teeth. She was fitted for a clear plastic retainer for top and bottom that she will pick up today. Dr. Roberts also pulled 2 of her very loose molars yesterday. She was so brave and said she didn't feel a thing. Unfortunately, the tooth fairy forgot about this and did not come to visit last night. oops! Phase 2 will begin...after all her permanent teeth arrive. This week, the girls are with Sarah & Riley and will be with them until the first week in July. After that, they will spend their days at Fletcher Summer Day Camp. They are really excited about being out of school. Today, Sarah took them to Fun Depot! They have lots of fun days in store for them this summer! This weekend, we may go to the lake. I still haven't decided. Whatever we do, the weather is supposed to be nice so we will definitely be outside!

It's a beautiful sun-shiny day!

It's Tuesday...and beautiful outside! It's days like this when I wish I were a stay at home mom. I'm getting cabin fever!! So the weekend was just gorgeous! We couldn't have asked for better weather! Friday night we met Shawn, April and Abigail at Outback for dinner. Saturday the girls and I got up early and went to Target & Old Navy and then met Cindy, Bayley and Brody at the pool at 11. Mom went with us too! It was beautiful and lots of fun. The only bad thing was that the hot water heater at the pool is broken so the water is freezing! Didn't stop the girls from swimming though. We stayed there until time to take Emma-Leigh to a birthday party at the movie theater. Took mom home and had showers at her house then we were off to see Up! in 3-D. It was very good. They had a great time. After that, Emma-Leigh's group went to Brixx Pizza for dinner so Madison and I went home to let the dogs out, unpacked our pool stuff and went back to pick Emma-Leigh up. After that we went to Brett and Sarah's house. They were having a grand opening for their new business and it was also Brett's birthday! The girls were going to spend the night with mom and dad so Damion and I went home, I had a snack, we started a movie and the phone rang. It was Emma-Leigh. I had to go pick her up! So while I was there, Madison decided to come home too. haha. Fine with me! :) So we all went home and on Sunday, we got up and went to the pool again! Damion did Open House at the spec until 4. After that, we went to clean at FPS and then went to eat at Papas & Beer! Last night, Summer came over for dinner and watched Madison and Bayley practice their routine for the talent show. Tryouts are today. I hope they make it! Tonight is the gym and after that Cindy and I (and all the kids) will go to Bath and Body Works to stock up on some soap and wallflowers. They are having their 75% off sale! I love sunshine!!

We're almost thru the week! Did I mention Emma-Leigh had pink eye last week? It is back aGaIn!! She looks so pitiful. So we went to the lake for Memorial Day weekend. Damion stayed behind and worked. We stayed with Vickie and Donald. Brandon and Alejandra came down on Sunday with Kevin and Kaly. Jennifer had gone to Carrowinds and Kaleb was with his mom. Mom and dad were down there too. We met up with them each day. The girls and I went to see their camper, it is very cute! Judy and Steve came down on Sunday to hang out with them so that was nice for them. It rained off and on all weekend. Monday was beautiful - just in time to come home :) When we got home Monday evening, we all went to the grocery store (even damion!) it was fabulous! When Damion goes, we ALWAYS get 2 buggies (and he always pays, haha). Tuesday was Emma-Leigh's awards ceremony and "concert". I got there super early and was able to sit in the front row! Damion surprised her and was able to make it. Vickie was there, too and mom, of course although she had to take a seat in the middle because I didn't have an extra one saved. Anyway, Emma-Leigh was also in the front. She was all smiles and then all of a sudden, she starts crying! Out of nowhere! She said she was scared. I was so disappointed that she didn't sing any of her songs. She was looking forward to it so much and had practiced singing in the car for days. She is a really good singer. Oh well. There's always next year, I guess. Although she did the exact same thing last year... nothing else exciting going on this week. The girls were supposed to have field day at school but it got rained out and they have postponed it to next week. Tomorrow night is parent's night out but before that we are closing on the spec house at Waightstill Mountain. Hopefully all will go as planned. Saturday I think I will take the girls to the pool! It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend!