Trusting God...one surprise at a time

* Trusting God... one surprise at a time.

2012-02-12T17:26:00.001-08:00

One of our many Easter Dinners....
Natalie, Sophie and Nicole... I think this was the last Easter before we moved..

I tried to delete this one but couldn't... they look like Ghost...
The front door, on the steps was always our spot for pictures....
Many "Ann Varnum" shows were taped in this kitchen..

Went to 102 today to make a walk through not sure of what we would find after not being inside for 17 months. When I left the house it was with the intention of not moving back but moving on to better things. Little did I know what was in the making and what would play out some 17 months later. Lots of stories have come to us but if I have learned anything in my last 20 years is not to judge and always know their is always 2 sides...

As we arrive we were very shocked as to what was taking place, not knowing how we would be welcomed we enter "our" home. I almost ran to the Sun Room to see my 6th baby(my Gran-Piano) that I had not seen nor played in 17 months..it was there!!!!!!!! I would have loved to sat and played but the atmosphere screamed your not wanted here!!!!

It was very sad, this was to be their home and now they were having to say goodbye and I am facing the fact I have to move back(this week end) not knowing for how long because it is still for sale... Oh well, I will do what I have to do but there is alot of work to be done..I did not realize when I moved out 17 months that I would ever miss that huge house..It is a lot of work to keep it cleaned and with two boys going in two different direction we are never home, so the day I left I felt like a huge load had been lifted from me. And the fact in 1 year Kyle will be off to college and what do we need that big of a home with just the three of us...

Well to say all of that... after I saw my Piano and walking through the house this crazy feeling began stirring in me and I can't explain it.. I began to almost cry, a sadness stirred inside me, as I looked around at the memories. I looked at the bay window and I could see my daddy and Matthew on 10-10-00 up in the tree building Kyle and his little Brother that I was inside giving birth to a double Decker Tree House, the swing that daddy climb up even higher in the tree to hang.At times the tree house would have 10 to 12 little boys in it playing Robin Hood. The woods that Matthew and myself cleared with just a axe and push mower.Lot's of sweat and blood had been put into those woods..I remember the weekend we moved into the house and everything was put up, Mother and the kids packed up and with back to Winfield, leaving me(great with child) and little Kyle all alone in that castle. Kirk was writing his 1st book and had a trip to Atlanta so me and Kyle were all alone. We with out to the huge screened in back porch to sit and watch the many squirrels and we couldn't even see the road for the woods, so as soon as I had Kamren and could walk we started on those woods. I saw all the Easter Egg Hunts we had had each year with our friends. The fire pit in the woods that Kyle and his buddies loved sitting around at night. The batting cage daddy had made for the boys.
Back in the house the memories were bouncing at me like crazy... I did not go in the garage for the memory of falling through the Attic, I live with that pain everyday so I did not need to see that. Lot's of reflecting in such a short visit.. I went in with a nervous/heavy heart and came out broken to pieces.. Broken for them and broken at what I had left behind without even looking back. If you remember they knocked on our door on a Sunday afternoon and we were out on Friday.. I did not have time to think about anything. I have not looked back or allowed myself to say I wished I had never left or I wished for it back, we just got out and I think I had blocked it from any hurt and really any memories...
God has his hand in everything and I don't have the answers but he knows our plans... I must wait to be shown and I can't see past today...After being inside today I think in my heart that God is allowing me to go back for a reason and I must be willing to find it and accept it.
Kyle is glowing in delight that he gets to spend (he hopes) his last year of High School in the Big House, he has not had the room in the rental to have the guys over for their "grilling and chilling", so he can't wait. Kamren was always afraid of the house because it was sooo big and his room was on the 2nd floor close to the attic, so I just told him today that we were moving back so I guess I will have a new bed buddy.
I must say I have missed my HUGE KITCHEN!!!!! and the short time we were there today I felt like I was Home!!! Don't know for how long but will love it for whatever time we are granted. As my Blog reads... Trusting God..One surprise at a time...

* Moving Back???

2012-02-11T18:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I really don't know where to start.... But... looks like we are moving back!!!!!!

September 2010, two weeks before Kamren was born we moved to 102 Sterling Ridge. We left a 2600 sq. ft home with a pool ( i think about a 27 yr old home). Kyle and myself were devastated to leave our beloved pool and his best friend since birth Chance. This was the home were I gave birth ti Kyle on the backporch in the Hot Tub. Lot's of memories!!!!
With the help of maw maw, Matt, MeLeah and Chris we moved out and was all unpacked in 2 days. Wow!!! me and little Kyle was lost in this big thing and thought we would never call it home. Two weeks later Kamren was born here in the downstairs bedroom. We lived here until September 2010 exactly 10 years to the date.

We moved out 17 months ago with the intent that the leasers would be buying it after a year. Well the luck of the Eriksen's is... things did not work out and looks like we will move back until it sells... I do not look forward to packing and moving, but I think Kyle will love having the upstairs for his friends to enjoy his last year at home.
17 months ago a couple knocked on our door made a offer and ask us to be out in 5 days!!!!! Should I say that we had lived here 10 years, Kamren was born here and sooooo many memories and some 18 years of stuff. I found a rental home on Wednesday and we were moved out by Friday. We left alot of stuff,( which was in the agreement that we would get when they purchased the house) my beloved Gran-Piano which I have not seen since the day we walked out. I hope and pray everything is still there and that the house is in good condition..
It's a bitter sweet journey back, but when life gives us Lemons we will try to make Lemonade.

I will say this little home has been cozy and quick to clean and very nice to call the Landlord when something is broken..but...I just don't know how I should feel at the moment...I guess we will take it a day at a time.

102 Was a beautiful home with lots of space for fun and each of us have our own space, It will be nice not to hear the person in the other room breathe and have a place to park three cars.

With Spring just around the corner..I guess this is just another season for me... God has a plan and we just have to go along for the ride..

Moving Time!!!!!!!!!!!

* William Jackson Overton

2012-01-23T17:58:00.000-08:00

The Home Place of William Jackson Overton as we found it on 12-9-11.. Double Springs, AL

PawPaw digging for gold...
I had just told Kamren he was about to slip and fall...and he did!!!!

Kyle laughing at Kamren when he fell...

The Waterfall....
Paw Paw and Kamren....

Kyle, Luke, Paw Paw and Kamren.....
On 12-9-11 Daddy ask me to ride with him up the road to take pictures of his Great Grand daddy's old home place. So off we went, which was about a hour drive. When we got there we drove past it a couple time because it was grown up we didn't see it. We wading through the brush to get to the house but could not get a good picture.
12-24-11 I was back home for Christmas and once again daddy wanted to go back with proper tools to cut the brush away to get a picture. My brother Wayne said he would take us back and help with the clearing. So off we go, Wayne, Luke, Daddy, Kyle, Kamren and my self. It took about an hour but this is the finally result. Everyone worked hard as I finished up with pictures.

Legend has it that William Jackson Overton rode beside Andrew Jackson in the War and that he had lots of Gold hidden somewhere around the old homeplace. My grand daddy (Ralph Overton) said that anytime someone went to visit William to borrow money he would go out back, down the hill and come back in about an hour with the money. So while the boys were clearing I walked down the hill to see what I could see.

Much to my surprise I saw many bluffs and what looked like a huge cave, and I heard water!!!! I went back to the house and told daddy and Wayne and they both said they didn't think there was anything down there. When they finished the clearing and we took many pictures, my boys being city boys wanted to check out what I saw so we all took to the woods.

This is where you realize your out of shape!!!!!
Going down was fine but once we got there it was bluff after bluff, up and down and over and beyond. It had been many years since I had been with my dad in the woods exploring.( when we were young every weekend after we did Bus visitation dad would take our family and a group of girls to near by Caverns) I think we were all very shocked and in Awe of what we found. Look was walking around with his dads old IPhone taking pictures of everything. My boys were all over the bluffs climbing and looking for the gold. The Waterfall was beautiful, to think he had this right in his back yard and for all these years we had to drive and pay to see caves and bluffs that were not as beautiful as these. The boys were all over the rocks climbing in and out of the holes. Kamren was walking on the ledge that went under the Waterfall and I had just said (Kamren your about to) when he fell to the ground with a huge axe in his hand, never letting it go, it was about a 12 ft fall.. Thank Goodness the ground was very soft and wet. My dad is in very good shape, not once did I hear him pat for breathe and he was always out in front of us all. I was the mother of the bunch worrying about my two city boys getting hurt and Luke didn't have a clue if we were there or if he was alone. The scary thing about these bluffs were you could be walking and out of nowhere your walking on the edge about to fall to your death, so I was in constant fear for these boys.

Well we explored for quite sometime down in the bottoms and now the tough part was getting back to the top. Me and my boys did not go to Winfield prepared for this type of outing. I did have on boots, Kyle and Kamren had on Crocs... Can you imagine those two in the woods, clearing brush from around the house and now down in the caves and bluffs in crocs??? Kyle was like he was Ice Skating, he could not stand up for slipping and sliding and that is why Kamren slipped and fell. We finally made it back to the top where we found the pile you see daddy in the picture at the top digging in. It appeared to be some kind of old truck or car.

We left with no gold but lots of memories with PawPaw....

* Happy 11th Birthday Kamren

2011-10-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Kamren!!!!

Eleven years ago I was in a race with my dad to see who could finish 1st, me having a baby or him finishing a double decker tree house. My Midwife arrived at our home at 8:00 amand got things started, my labor was not going well so she gave me something to snort ( if I had been in a hospital this will have been in my veins) but because I have never use any drugs or nose drops I never caught on to the whole snort the meds so my labor was very long. I spent most of the day walking, jumping, rocking anything that I thought would get this over. We had just moved into our new home and I was in a lot of hip pain from lifting and bending and I had pushed Kamren down on a nerve that had crippled me, so my Midwife thought it was time for me to have the baby. Mom, Dad, Matt, MeLeah, Cris and Kyle were all present for the Grand day. needless to say my dad beat me in the race and the Tree House was finished but no baby.
I had threw in the towel and given up when all you know what hit the scene. Oh, and did I say Kamren like Kyle was born at home not in a hospital???? Yes I did it again this time I was at the very young age of 39 giving birth at home just like on all the Old West Movies( where most of the women in the movies died). By midnight Kirk and Mrs.Gretchen decided they were tired and I had to get busy so they could go to bed..lol... I had given up and was ready to meet my maker, I had gotten to far in the birthing process to be moved to the hospital ( all of 2miles away) so they say, so it was deliver or DIE and I was in for the latter. I begged my mom to call 911, told my children goodbye and really thought I was going to die. Kirk being the Kirk he is finally got in my face and made me fight. I had developed a problem that ever time I pushed the baby down he would just go right back up.I really don't know what took place down there only that had I been in a hospital I would have a c-section.Finally at 5am on 10-10-00 Kamren Lee Eriksen decided to come on out and meet his family. I had always thought that I would be in my 50's and still be having babies but he broke the mold and he became the caboose some 21 years from his Big sister Melanie. All my babies are different but he and MeLeah have a lot in common. They are always on the go, always talking and never a dull moment. MeLeah was the one who had her own sign on the door at the ER and Dr. office and Kamren is right there with her. When he was little he always had a stick...lots of sticks!!! Everywhere we went he had a stick even went to bed with his sticks. He was the actor and had the costume to go with what ever he was for the day.
Kamren has always been full of life. I have joked with him many times that by the time he gets married I will be in a nursing home and not know my name or that he will have to take care of me, but God has his plan with everything in life and Kamren would be just that. He cares about everyone and is always worried about everyone. In less than 9 months Kamren will be the Man of the house with Kyle off at college. It's hard to think about him being the only baby left. my how times flies!!!!
Love you Little Man and Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Happy 17th Kyle.....

2011-07-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

" I'm Back"

2011-06-20T21:33:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go?

Well I think the last post I made was that we were moving and that's were I left off. Kyle has finished the 10th grade and Kamren the 4th. Mom & Dad celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary, well just let me give you a list:
MeLeah, Drew, Priss and Bubba now lives in Michigan.
Melanie, Joel, Possum and Squirrel are still in KY.
Matt, Crystal, Bailey, Avery and Lydia are still in Winfield.
Kamren just finished up his Baseball season and Kyle ended his school year in Soccer as Goalie.(his 1st year to play soccer)
The boys are out of school for the summer, Kyle spends each morning at Basketball/Football camp and most weekends at out of town camps. Kamren sleeps till noon then complains if he has to go anywhere.lol.. Kirk grumbles about June being a boring month because of no sports to watch. As for me...everyday is a new day with new challenges and adventures. Little Possum will turn 6 tomorrow and I will be a big 49, my last year in the 40's... Oh Well! they say it's just a number. Well I do hope to do better at posting and I wish everyone a safe summer!!!

* New Address......

2010-10-09T07:11:00.000-07:00

126 Sundance, Midland City, AL 36350

* Relay for Life...

2010-05-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

Our Zumba Team..........

Silk and Aunt Lynda...........We walked in Memory of Uncle David and Grandma South.

* Zumba with Cynthia Blog....

2010-03-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

Check out my http://www.zumbawithcynthia.blogspot.com

* Zumbatomic.....

2010-03-11T13:22:00.000-08:00

Kamren dressed like "BETO" the founder of Zumba...He said to me going "mom, this wont be any fun because you can't dance....1st song he was beat...after 1hr he said " mom, I'm sorry you really have learned alot since you started"....lol....He said I don't think I can go every night:)

I started my "Kids Zumba" this week and all I can say is WOW!!!!!

I thought I was getting a workout with Christina but until your up there in front leading that's were the workout begins. The kids are fun and it's great hour of fun and exercise, something to get them up and going....Zumba love to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Master class with Nathan Blake...Jasper, AL

2010-03-06T21:26:00.000-08:00

The Dothan Zumba Gals......and Nathan Blake....

Nathan, me and Jennifer Mac......

Me & Silk............

Me & Melanie............

Me & Christina...............

Christina, Silk, Melanie and myself drove to Jasper, Al today for a Master Zumba class with Nathan Blake. After a 2hr wait for Nathan to arrive we started our class with a bang that did'nt stop fot over 2hrs. Matt, Crystal & Avery drove over and met me for lunch and we had a great time, Avery is so sweet and quite. We had not seen each other since Christmas. After they left I went back in to finish the class which ended with a photo shoot and then off to Pertio's for Dinner with the Jasper gals and Nathan... We all said good-bye and then Silk and I drove back to Dothan a little 4 hr drive.....Back to the "Real World"..................

* Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2010-02-14T19:52:00.001-08:00

Kyle & Caroline's 2nd Valentine's together.....

Kamren's Ed Hardy loot....

* 2010 Snow Day....

2010-02-12T20:06:00.000-08:00

* Happy 1 year.....Kyle & Caroline....

2010-02-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

July Cruise to the Bahamas/Key West....09

Kyle's 15th Birthday on the cruise.................7-13-09

Key West.....7-09

Christmas 09............

Troy Ballgame.............

Kyle's 1st Gator game.....

Easter..................

Spring Break their 1st trip together......09

Spring Break PCB........

2-5-09

I fell through the attic and was laid up for quiet a while. Melanie and the kids came from KY. to take care of me and the boys. Valentine weekend came and Kyle comes to me to ask if he could go out to eat with the Clarks... I ask who are the Clark's and why did they ask you to go and eat on Valentines Day. Little did I know he had met Caroline when he went to a Troy game with Jordah Tharpe and they were now Boy friend/Girl Friend. Before I let him go Melanie took him to walmart to buy a card and something for Caroline a girl I had never met. Yes, I got to meet her family Flat on my back looking like Death warmed over...

And this is how it all began....

She became a patient of ours...We went to the beach the next month...Then to the farm...Baseball season began and we saw more of the Clark's...another trip to the beach... Easter....a cruise to the Bahamas/Key West......Beach again... Clark's get a in ground Swimming Pool...Caroline went through Foot surgery that put her off her feet for the rest of the summer....back to school.... They both turned 15!!!! ..They both get their Driver's permit....Football...Cheerleading.. College football games....Basketball....Halloween...Thanksgiving...Christmas... a NEW YEAR and Mono!!!!yikes!!!!

They have had a very fun filled 1st year( and a few bumps:( and who knows how long it will last but for now we are all having a blast and the Clark's have become a very big part of our lives. Kyle is on a break from sports until Football Season, this is a first in many, many years and don't know what we will do with such a long break( he is going to work out with Ladell Hill and get stronger for Football) Caroline has just gotten the the "OKAY" to tumble again since her surgery, so she will be busy getting back to the groove of the gym and then Cheerleader tryouts. I'm sure I lefted out some much more that they would remember but just a few things I remembered.....

What's next??? Stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 1st year!!!!!!! Love you both!

MOM:)

* Winfield Christmas 2009

2009-12-26T18:01:00.000-08:00

My Kids..Kam, Drew, Madison, Makenzie, MeLeah (2) row: Bailey, Kyle, Crystal, Matt, Avery
(3)row: me, Melanie, MaKayla, Jonathan, Joel

My Babies: Kam, Kyle, Melaine, MeLeah & Matt

The Strains: Maddie, Drew, MeLeah & Makenzie
Evansville, IN

The Franks: Melanie, Makayla, Jonathan & Joel...Glasgow, KY

The Overton's..Bille, Leatrice, Cynthia, Lisa & Wayne..Winfield, AL

The Lawler's; Crystal, Avery, Matt & Bailey...Winfield, AL

The Grandkids: Kimberly, Bill III, Kyle (Lisa's kids) ...Melanie, MeLeah, Matt, Kyle, Kamren (My Kids)....Luke Overton (Wayne's son)

Lisa's Family...Kimberly, Olivia & Jerry..Kyle & Leah..Bill III, Natasha, Jake, Hunter & Braden

* Zumba Instructor Training 2009

2009-12-12T21:19:00.000-08:00

Jani West-Roberts...Master Zumba Instructor

This woman has an amazing story to tell, check it out...http://www.janiwestroberts.com

Janis Roberts/Master Zumba Instructor...

Kamren & John (Janis Husband,another great Master of Zumba)

Melanie & Christina........

Silk & Christina........

Today was a very long, hard but fun day with the "Master" Janis Roberts..

We began at 8:00 (7:00 am Al time) and stopped at 6pm. Lots of sweat and pain. We had a very fun day, as you can see at the end of the day Kamren got in on the fun..

My Instructor: Christina Kirkland, Me, Melanie (she was a student of Christina's when she lived in B'ham) and Silk.

* A month of Birthday's...

2009-12-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

MawMaw's Birthday is Dec.9

Caroline turns 15.....12/3

Avery turns 2....12-6

Madison Turns 3....12/3

Happy Birthday everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Kamren & Mason ....

2009-11-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

Today was the day!!!!!

Kamren finally got to go to a college game and take a friend. Kamren and Mason had a blast and FSU pulled it off in the end...GO NOLES!!!!!!

* Player of the week.....

2009-11-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

Kyle was named "Player of the Week"...

Check out the Dothan Eagle tommorrow and the 5:oopm News...

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Halloween 2009....

2009-11-01T14:09:00.000-08:00

* Kyle on the Run...

2009-11-01T14:02:00.000-08:00

As the Dothan Eagle stated: Freshman Kyle Eriksen was the star of the show, running 21 times for 167 yars, three touchdowns and a 2 point conversion.
Eriksen's 56-yard touchdown run early in the 3rd quarter gave the Eagles a 24-14 lead. He ran for touchdowns of 14 and 6 yards in the 2nd quarter.

* Happy Birthday Squirrel !!!!

2009-10-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

Squirrel is 3 today.......

Semms like yesterday we were bringing home from the hospital...She got her name by the way she cried and also because "Big Brother" name is Possum... Happy Birthday, Nai Nai loves you!!!

* PCS vs Ariton...27-19

2009-10-10T19:32:00.000-07:00

Kyle warming up before the storm...

Last night we traveled to Ariton to play ball. This game if we got a win would put us into the play offs. This is also the team that has the 230 lb, 6'4 Craig Sanders (BTW...Kyle said Craig was a very nice guy on the field)on it that just committed to Alabama. We already knew that Kyle a mere 145 lb at his heaviest would have to go up against him. Kyle took some very hard hits from him but was looking like he was taking it okay. We were only minutes from half time when Kyle went up for a pass and there he was and took Kyle down by his helmet. Kyle laid there lifeless and the first thing that goes through a mothers mind is GET UP!!!! Knowing my son the way I know him he always jumps up quickly, but this time he was down ( a very sick feeling runs through my body, it was a JP moment all over). He does get up and it was his neck. During half time Kirk checked him out and gave the okay to play. He tells us after the game he thought his neck was being ripped off his body, a very scary feeling he said. Kyle is a very tough kid to be so frail looking(we are working on this through Ladell Hill).

Kyle comes back in after the half, I'm always recording so I don't always see things as they are happening but Alex threw a pass Kyle caught the ball and was gone like lighting for a 58 yard Touchdown giving the Providence Eagles the winning Touchdown and sealing their win to the State.

He has spent most of the day today sleeping, eating, sleeping, eating, moving very slowly and watching Kam play football and now college football.

Kyle is one tough kid that will let nothing stop him. He has until Tuesday to recover, so he will be eating and sleeping alot.

In the end I thank the Lord for putting his arms and Angels around him and protecting my little KyKy... He has a very whiplashed neck, cut to the eye and lots of sore muscles.

* Happy Birthday Kamren !!!!

2009-10-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

Kamren had a game today..Wicksburg vs Dale Co....We Won!!! Kam is the 2nd from #90...

IceCream Cake from Coldstone.....Kam, Caroline & Kyle...

Lunch at LaPrillia.....

Kamren's 9th Birthday Party at Adventure Land....

MeLeah, Kyle & Kamren......

Yes he had Red Hair....

Kamren has always loved his "big brother"...

Elvis Presley....

My baby of Five is (9) today.....my how time flys.

Kamren Lei Eriksen was born at home, 102 Sterling Ridge Ct.. Dothan, Al at 5am on 10/10/00.

I thought I would never live to see my baby and had already told my other children "good-bye" but he did finally get here and has been a very live-wire since.

Kamren has always loved to draw and dress up, he tells everything and everybody what ever he thinks. He loves sports and is a very loving little boy.

He is my cuddle bug and I love you very much....Happy Birthday and I Love You!!!!

* Kamren's 9th Birthday Party...

2009-10-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

Kamren had his party at Adventure Land, he wanted a Miami Hurricanes cake.

Wet from the Bumper Boats....

The two special MaMa's in his life...( they gave him his party). Mama & Aunt Lynda...

Kamren & Savannah........His special Friend....

* Ladell Hill

2009-10-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

Ladell Hill;

Founder of Taste of Earth, Celebrity Wellness /Fitness consultant.

The boys finally got to meet him yesterday. He came down to do a Health Class at CHI, speak to the JV/Varsity Football teams at PCS, Tapping's about his products with Ann Varnum and then to get Kyle on a daily regiment off body workouts/ Eating habits. It's a very tough regiment but Kyle can do it. Kyle hit the floor this morning with a 100 push ups, 8 eggs for breakfast, two bags of chicken and fruit to be eaten during school. He is also taking Ladell's Greens, Men's Pills and a host of other products that he has with Healthy Promise. We had a very nice visit(a very packed day) with lots of information given.

Of course there were autographs and lots of questions from Kamren, like how do you get your veins to pop out of your arms and the list goes on.

He will be coming back monthly to do camps with the football team and private workout sessions.

Thanks!!! Ladell for taking time out of your busy life to share with all of us in Dothan, AL

* T is for Tea Party...

2009-09-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

Sophie's dance partner...

Today was Sophie's Tea Party at Preschool...

We were treated to a dance and then they had finger foods just like a grown up Tea Party.

* Dale Co. vs Chipley...

2009-09-12T18:33:00.000-07:00

Today was Kamren's 1st try at football...

He did really well and ready for the second game....we won! 28-6

* Pcs vs Kinston and Justin Peak...

2009-09-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

Last night was our 1st home game and our 1st game in our new Bleachers. Everything was going well the PCS Eagle were looking great, Kyle had just made his 1st Touch Down playing on the Varsity team and Justin made the 2 pts. In the second half Justin had just gotten the ball when he took a hit from the front and then an Elbow to the back of his neck. He went down and for 2o minutes never moved, Watching from the stands and sitting right next to his Mother( my friend, sister and all the above)I had my Camcorder going and Zoomed in and could see it was not good and then the Ambulance was called and we knew it was not good. He was taken to the ER were we spent hours waiting for news of any kind. At 3:00am this morning we walked out with Justin and he will be okay. There are alot of things to be check out and second opinions to get but in the end He could walk, talk and was our unbreakable "JP".

Talking to Kyle about what he was thinking on the field he said he was really freaked out when Justin didn't move for some 20 minutes. Kyle was very worried about his friend and knew it could have very well been him. Sometimes we wonder why and we don't always get the answers we want and having a son that is very much like Justin that lives for sports, Football being at the top, but God knows best and we learn and make the adjustments to get through the changes.

Pray for the Peak family and Justin as he heals and pray that God's will be done in his life. My sweet Kyle said to me as we were leaving this morning I can't imagine playing any kind of ball without Justin on my team. We pray for his speedy recovery and that he is up and back doing what he loves "playing football." We love you Justin !!!

Go to www.dothaneagle.com for pictures of Justin & Kyle's game last night.

* A Squirrel and her Dog...

2009-09-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

WORDLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Happy Birthday Matthew !!!!

2009-09-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

Today my sweet little "Mapu" is 28....

From the moment he was born Melo called him Mapu and he is been a sweetheart to everyone. Matt has a heart of gold and he loved by everyone. He is the brother, son, boyfriend, husband & Dad every girl dreams of. I knew long before Crystal ever came into the picture it had to be a very special girl to get Matt, not just anyone could have him. He is the son that makes any mom proud. I'm so happy he has found his happiness in his family and is a wonderful Dad & Husband. It says alot when the wife brags about the way she does...

I love you Matt and Happy Birthday!!!!!

* Happy Birthday Cricket !!!!!

2009-09-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

My baby is 26 today!!!
My how the years fly. When MeLeah was a toddler she was into some much we wondered if she would ever reach adulthood much less be a Mom. Now she has two angels and the smallest angel is just like her. The ole saying pay back is coming and you reap what you sow is so true. I think Buuba Love is her "Little Cricket"
Love you and Happy Birthday!!!!

* Gottca Day !!!!

2009-09-01T11:33:00.000-07:00

One year ago today this sweet little China girl came into all our lives. At first we thought she would never love us or even let us touch her, but what a difference a year can make. Many baby steps to get to where we are now but Miss Sophie has come a long way and has stolen our hearts. We love you Sophie !!!!!

* Memory Bears...

2009-08-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

MeLeah's Bear......2009

My Bear......1989, made from my Gran mothers quilt.. my mom said she had dresses made from most of the fabrics in the quilt....she said they were flour sacks....I sold these bears back then for $20....and I used my Gran mothers old singer machine.

Some 20 years ago I would never dream one of my little girls ( at that time) would take up one of her Mother's hobbies.This all started after my Gran mother passed away leaving these old stain/torn quilts. We didn't want to throw them away so I decided to make crafts from them. I don't know that I ever had a lesson in any hobbies I have but I loved making these bears, rabbits and dolls. I cannot began to tell you how many I sold or gave as gifts over the years. They were a hot item back then and now some 2o years later they are back.

A couple weeks ago Meleah called wanting the pattern so she could try her luck at it. MeLeah like myself had never had a lesson in sewing but "the ole apple doesn't fall far from the tree" she quickly caught on and here is her Bear.
I am very proud of her accomplishment and now she has something to pass down to her children . As my Gran mother told me many years ago " Cynthia, you can do anything you set your mind to" and that has followed me through life.

I am proud of both Melanie and MeLeah.... They both are so much like me when it comes to their talents. They both love the Arts and they make a mother proud!!!!!

I thank and love both my Gran mother and my Mom for instilling in me the love of Homemaking. I have sooooo many memories of our times spent crafting and baking ad now I get to see the payoff in my girls..

I love you girls and Mom!!!!!!

* Back to School...

2009-08-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

* PCS Eagles 2009-2010 ....

2009-08-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

Football season is here and today was our team picture day.

This will be a different year because Kyle will be playing Varsity and Kamren will be playing Mites at Midland City.....Wish us luck!!!!!

* Sophie's 1st Adjustment...

2009-08-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

What a difference a year makes!!!!!!!!!

Sophie finally allowed Dr. Kirk to get her X-Rayed and Adjusted this week. We were not sure what she would allow or how long she would be still but she was a trooper. She has come so very far her 1st year with all of us..

* Priss & Bubba Love

2009-08-01T12:49:00.002-07:00

* Our Road Trip to the Girls....

2009-07-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

Kamren & Aubrey Mae...Indy....

Madison, Kam, Kyle, Bubba & Mae...

Michael & Madison after church.....

Squirrel & Kam.....KY.....

Possum & MawMaw...

The view from Melo's porch....

* Happy Birthday Sophie....

2009-07-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

* Bubba Love is 1 !!!!!

2009-07-12T22:31:00.000-07:00

Mekenzie is one today.....Happy Birthday!!!!! I wish I could have been with you today.
Love and miss you!!!!

* Happy 15th Birthday Kyle !!!!!

2009-07-12T22:04:00.000-07:00

My sweet Kyle is 15 today and off to get his permit !!!!!!!!!!

* Crusie 2009

2009-07-12T21:51:00.000-07:00

Kamren buying a Conch Shell in the Bahamas........

Logan Branch, Alex, Gaberial & Kyle......

Tereasa Fabarini & Anna Beth Goodson....

Anna Kelly &

Dr. & Mrs. Allen Kelly...

Caroline, Anna Beth, Anna Kelley & Therasa Fabrinni...

The Mahone's....

Chaz...Kamren's friend he met at Camp Carnival.... Bad Boy's...

The Odom's....From Huntsville...The Kelley's friends...

Caroline & Carrie Clark...

Kyle & Caroline...

The Eriksen's....

The Crew: 5) Eriksen's... 4)Goodson's...3) Riley's...6) Fabrinni's...2) Clark's...6) Mahone's...

6) Crockett's...4) Branch's...4) Dempsey's...Justin Peak, Alex Plahgen, Garbriel Granger, Sterling Gatlin, David Darty...

Lana & Kamren... Bahamas

Kyle, Caroline & Carrie waiting on boat to take them to Atlantis...

Kamren in Bahamas at Senor Frogs/ Straw Market...

Kamren in front of our boat, docked in Bahamas...

* Happy 4th of July....

2009-07-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

We spent our day at Azalea today with the Peaks.

Kamren and myself went with them last night to Ft. Rucker to see the Fireworks and they were awesome.

I am thankful for my freedom and for the ones who have fought to give it to us.

To name a few: Ricky Peak, Lance Peak, John Carmichael, Tim Atkinson, Paul Ehiwzuerel, Paul Meadows, John Dowd, Todd O'Donnell and the list goes on.

Happy 4th to all !!!!!!!!

* Friendship.....

2009-07-02T16:18:00.000-07:00

This picture is worth a thousand words....
I think Lucy & Ethel summed it up...Friendship, Friendship that's perfect friendship!!!
Thank the Lord we have our friends to get us thru the hardtimes and the goodtimes..

* Week in review...

2009-06-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

Derrick & Charlene McNair Wedding...June 20, 2009

My Helpers....Caroline & Kyle

Visit with Matt, Crystal, Bailey & Avery.....Crystal is expecting baby #3 in February.

Sanford University... Birmingham, AL... June 24, 2009

Kyle & his team from PCS played 5 games here.....

Yes, I celebrated my 47th birthday in Winfield with my family..

Well the Curry/McNair Wedding has come and gone. I have worked for months on it for the final week to bring so much heat. The last two day before the wedding were the tow hottest days of the summer. Everything was beautiful.
I left on Sunday to go get Kamren in Winfield making unforgettable stops along the way. Ispent 47th birthday with my family and then made two trips to B'ham to watch Kyle play Basketball in Samford. On Thursday we headed back to Dothan to get ready for our cruise on the 6th.
Dr. Bo will be here tonight to help Kirk get their book finished up for the editor.

* Angels Among Us...

2009-06-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

I blogged many months ago about Dr.Hassan's book. Her book is out and she is now doing book tours and speaks at many events. She now has a blog and here is the link: http://www.angelsamonguseveninirag.blogspot.com

*Beach 09

2009-06-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

* Wreck at the Beach...

2009-06-01T22:09:00.001-07:00

We were on the way to the store when this happened.

We had just went through the light when we heard a loud crash annd then we were rammed and we all were pushed forward. The black BMW hit the grey car and they were pushed into us. The good ole Volvo was like a tank, we just got a tiny scartch in the bumper and some sore necks. The other two cars were not as lucky.

Thank the Lord we are all safe and sound in the bed.

* Summer Time Fun...2009

2009-06-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, we drove down to PCB to spend a few days in the sun before Kyle starts his busy summer of Ball Camps. The water is just beautiful and the sun is HOT!

Stay tuned for more updates.

* Ocala / Rainbow Springs...

2009-05-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

Day 2: Rainbow Springs... with the Miller's...

Just as we get in the boat and out in water, the bottom fell out of the sky. It felt like rocks hitting us. Stuart drove to a friends dock and we sat there until someone picked us up and took us home.

Sarah, Kamren, Kyle, Caroline & Bridgette....

Stuart, Kirk & Bridgette....

Day 1: The Farm....

Kyle, Caroline & Bert gathering eggs for breakfast.....

Kirk's home that his dad built back in 1965...

Bert and his new "Hair Du"...

This is the tree that Kyle & Kamren love to climb and hide in... This is also the tree Kirk would run hide in when he was in trouble.

The barn that has not changed....

Kyle & Caroline looking out of the Pigeon loft....

Kamren and Sock's kittens.....

*Kamren's Speech...

2009-05-25T20:53:00.000-07:00

Thursday Kamren was asked to give a speech on what he learned and liked about Speech class. He began speech when he was at Northside (3p) and continued thru K5 at Kelly Springs when Mrs. VanDoorn caught on to his games that he was trying to stay in the class on purpose not because he needed it. Kamren sees her in the office(CHI) often and begs her to let him come back. A couple of weeks ago she was in the office and he began begging her again and she said " I'll tell you what we can do, we are getting ready for our graduation from Speech class and how would you like to come and give a speech on what you learned and how speech has helped you". Much to our surprise, we get an invite to the party/Graduation to hear his speech. I went and video the speech and he really did a great job and he thought he "THE MAN".

* M,M & M Beach trip...

2009-05-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Joel, Squirrel & Possum....

Possum, Melanie, Joel & Squirrel....

The clan getting ready for pictures....

Possum....

Avery....

Matthew & Avery....

Micheal, Makenzie, MeLeah & Madison....

Possum, Joel & Melanie.....

Bailey, Crystal, Avery & Matthew....

Melanie, Matthew & MeLeah spent last week at the beach with their dad. I think this is the 3rd year they have done this. As you can see it was a house full, but looks like they had fun.

Leslie, Jason, Mason & Jaxson( Denisa's Daughter) was there also along with MawMaw Barb.(their dad's mom)

* A visit from Cricket...

2009-05-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

M,M&M are at the beach this week with their dad. Cricket, Drew, Priss & Bubba stopped by and spent the weekend with us on their way down. We had not seen them since Christmas and my how bubba had grown, he was walking everywhere.

Time does fly by and all those little milestones are just memories. I loved the time we had together, trying to cram every little second in to a short time, but I loved it all.

It does make me sad when they leave thinking about how long and when will I see them again.

Love you and I hope they have a great time at the beach!

* Happy Mother's Day....

2009-05-10T07:13:00.000-07:00

I have NO pictures of my Mother by her self, she has always been surrounded by babies. As long I can remember "le I" has loved and been loved by all children. Today she still teaches Sunday School, and between 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 11 great-gran children there is always children around. She is know for putting out large tables of food, were many visitors walk in the door and are sitting quickly to taste her ware's.

I thank the Lord daily for my mother and the few short years I lived at her. She is responsible for all the talents that I have. She taught me to cook, clean, sew, love, and all the love and passion I have for crafts.

My only regret today is that we live so far apart, but we try to talk many times a week. If we as teenagers could look in a crystal ball and see the future we would soak up every minute of our Mother's time. Oh, if I had only gotten that recipe or why did I not to make a button hole while learning to sew. I will say I learned at a very young age when we lost my grandmother to cancer, that time was short and there were so many thing I wish now that I had learn from her. I think I have gotten many of my mother's treasures, I still need to learn how to make coco gravy, one of Kyle and my favorite things when we go to Winfield.

Thank you Mother for all the things you have given me in life, but most of all... Thank you for being a great christian example...I love you!

* Sophie's 1st Preschool Play...

2009-05-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

This morning I went to Sophie's Preschool Play, let me just say this is not the scared little girl that came to us 8 months ago. We had already been told not to wave at them so I was little concerned that she would sit on stage and not cry, but to surprise us all she acted as if she had done this many times before.
She sang and did the motions to all the songs and when it was her time to come up front for her part she got right up and was a very big girl.

We are all ver proud of "Miss Sophie".

* Day 2 & 3 Washington Trip...

2009-05-06T06:14:00.000-07:00

Baltimore Orioles vs Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park....5-7-09...and then back to Dothan, AL

Mt. Vernon....5/6/09

This is what I woke up to this morning... Kyle letting us know he is eating...

Brooke, Tanner & Kyle.... Don't worry Caroline, they are just friends. Your still #1.

8:00am...

WW II Memorial

10:00am...

United States Capitol tour

12:30pm...

Lunch at Hard Rock Cafe
Iwo Jima Marine Corps. Memorial

2:20pm...

Arlington National Cemetery

7:05pm...

Baltimore Orioles vs. Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park

Dinner at park

* Day 1 in Washington D.C.

2009-05-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

Thank's Emily for taking these pictures... 2nd update:

Hunter Phares, Zac Sanders & Kyle...

2009 PCS 8th grade Class....

Tanner & Kyle...They have been Best Friends Forever.... She is like a sister to Kyle. I don't know what we would do without Tanner always helping Kyle at PCS.

Brooke Sigler, Brooke Lincoln, Zac Sanders, Jordan Anderson, Kyle, Tanner Stewart....

Breakfast.....Don't they all look exhausted!

1st Update:

A Black Squirrel.....LOL..Kyle thought this was so cool.........The picture below was sent by Donda Goodson...This is the Washington National Cathedral, the las purely Gothic building to be constructed, is an Episcopal Cathedral welcoming visitors of all faith.

I ask Kyle to send me pictures of the trip and this is what I got..... Maybe tomorrow will bring better pictures and stories. He did say they got their picture made with President Obama. After getting to Washington some 4 hrs late, arriving at 3am this morning the kids were to be up and had breakfast and depart the hotel to meet guides at 8:00am. I know they were a tired group of kids and parents after that long trip. Some here is the Itinerary for today: 5-5-09

Today they toured the Old Post Office Pavilion, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Washington National Cathedral, Lunch at ESPN Zone, Group picture on the steps of the Capitol w/ Obama, Tour of Ford's Theatre, National Archives and Records Administration, Dinner at Union Station and Tour of Memorials Monuments.

* 8th Grade Washington Trip...

2009-05-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

Kyle's class is off to D.C for their class trip.

They were to be on the bus and leaving this morning by 5:00 am but the Lead Bus broke down in Troy before reaching Dothan...LOL.

The buses got on the road at 9:00am and they are off hopefully without any more trouble. Pray for this group of kids their Chaperone's, Teachers and the bus drivers that they will have a safe trip.

Kyle's class is one of the sweetest group of kids you will ever find. They have personality!!!!

Be safe and have fun!!!!!!!!!! Take lot's of pictures!!!!

* Kyle's day of Salvation...Rick Gage...

2009-05-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a busy one... May 2, 2009
Kirk & I made a over night trip to Atlanta for business/test. Kamren stayed with Chips & Lynda and Kyle stayed with Papa John & MawMaw Judy. On Saturday Carrie & Caroline drove to Graceville to get Kyle so he could go with them to a Youth Rally at their church. We got home early, but it was very late when Kyle came home so it was not until we got to church this morning that I had a chance to ask Kyle about the rally.

I was very shocked/happy when he told me that he had gotten Saved!!!!!!!!!!
I was taken back by that reply. I have been in church all my life and I know how many times young children can go to the alter and "get Saved" so my 1st thought to this was ok this time it's for real and he knew what he was doing this time.

Many years ago when Kyle was younger and not into sports he would spend the summers with his sister Melanie, and he had gotten saved and Baptized then.
About three summers ago he went through Confirmation at CUMC and was Sprinkled. And the sad part of all of these we were not present at any of these.

We questioned Kyle about this at lunch today and asked him what was different this time and what happened for him to make this life altering confession. His reply was: Dad I was young then and I thought all I had to do was say I was sorry every time I did something bad or wrong, now I know you must change and live different. It's not about saying I'm sorry for each bad thing, God forgives us for everything, it's that God is with me all the time and I must live Godly 24/7.

Now, anyone that knows Kyle, will say that Kyle is not a bad/evil kid, Kyle is a very good kid with a bid heart. Now what he tells us next is what broke my heart.

He had been at this rally with Rick Gage be the guest speaker. I think he was a football/coach, he now runs the Go Tell Youth Camps. I guess at the end of the service much like most rally's they end in a Alter call.(1) Kyle said the preacher said to raise your hand if you needed prayer or if you wanted to live for Jesus.(2) Kyle lifted his hand. the next step was for the leaders to look for raised hands and go tap someone on the back. Kyle said his head was bowed and he felt the tap and all the time he was hoping it would not be Caroline's dad but he didn't know who it was.(3)The next step was for the leader to go get the person they tapped and take them to a room and pray with them. Kyle said when the leader came to him his knees buckled because he knew the voice(the voice of an Angel). (4) Kyle come with me!!!!!! It was John....Caroline's dad.
(5) Kyle & John with into the room and John began to talk to Kyle and this is were my heart began to break. Kyle said I know what I did was right and for real because I cried and my heart felt good and I didn't care that it was my girlfriend's dad, it was just me and God and I had never felt that before.
Just to let you know how the works: Carrie told me today that they did not see Kyle go up but he was siiting with Caroline and she knew he went up but she also thought that he was already saved and she just thought he was going for prayer and she kept trying to find her dad to pray with him but could never get hid attention. She said she just kept thinking why are you not getting to Kyle. John said he was just standing up front looking for someone to help, when Pastor Rick looked at him and pointed to Kyle. John said he had no clue that when he laid his hand on Kyle's back that it was Kyle until the pastor said: Take the one you have your hand on in a room and pray with then and help them with whatever they came to the alter for. John said it was only at that point that he realized it was Kyle. He said this is when you know that this is God working. He said that Kyle was broken and Kyle told him he had been saved and baptized but this time it was different. He realized that you just don't say your sorry for your sins but you must live a different life. John said he knew that Kyle had really made a change in his heart and life.
Thank you so much John, Carrie, Caroline and Catherine for coming into Kyle's life and having him in church at the right time. Thank you John for being the one to take him down the road to salvation. You will always have a special place in his and my heart. Sometimes this is something parents cannot do. But thank the Lord the Clark's were there at the right time. Thank you for being a great Christian influence on Kyle.
Only time will tell where Kyle & Caroline will be in 5,7 or 10 years or who they will spent the rest of their lives with as Husband and Wife, but one thing I do know is this family will always have a special place in Kyle and my heart's.

* Tuesday Tumbles...

2009-04-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

Kyle: Tummy Cramps..........7:45 am Jonathan: Stiff Neck.....8:00 am

Madison: Cut open Toe...ER trip/stitches...12:04 pm

What started off to be a normal day all changed in a matter of seconds, and as the day progressed along it kept getting worse.

Kyle woke up to stomach cramps but got dressed for school. On the way to take Kamren to school he quickly grew worse and begged for home. I took him home were he spent the day.

On the way home with Kyle around 7:41 am Melo called to say Possum woke up with a catch in his neck and was very much in pain.

After getting lunch and heading to CHI, Cricket call to say they were in the ER with Priss who had sliced her toes into with some kind of dog brush. End results: 5 stitches.

A very busy day, but as I type all is well........

Pray for the All the babies to heal so they can make their yearly beach trip with Nana Bama & Poppa.

* Sleep-Over at Nai's....

2009-04-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Sherri & Ricky went to Auburn for Lance's ROTC Dining out Ceremony(Air Force I think) and Miss Sophie had a sleep-over with us. We had quite a busy day! Sophie is a very busy little girl, always on the run. We played in the sprinklers, tree house,Basketball, movies, more sprinklers, Waffle house at 10:30 pm and then to Walmart for Oreo's and milk, were we saw a real princess (it was prom night in Dothan and there were Princess everywhere)

While we were eating at Waffle House she suddenly became sleepy and said she would sleep with Kam until her Mommy got through "Dancing"..LOL.. She knew her mommy & daddy were on a date and she had asked me earlier in the day if they were dancing and I just said yes, so she didn't forget.

When we got home she said "Nai, mommy forget Sophie's PJ's, I will have to wear Nai's PJ's...LOL. So in my room we went to look for PJ's to fit Miss Sophie. We quickly dressed her and up she went to Kam's bed. When I got there she was on the bottom bunk and Kam on the top bunk and she told me to sleep with "Misser Kirk". I waited for her to fall alseep and then Kam and myself put his mattress next to her and we all were fast alseep. This was to easy and I could not believe when I woke this morning she had slept ALL night without crying for her mommy. " A very BIG GIRL!

I heard her wiggling around about 7am and I peeked to see what she was doing and when she saw my eyes the 1st thing out of her mouth was " Clara's park Nai"....Pic a nic Nai?(she had been to Clara's birthday party here)

So up we got, went to get our picnic food(McDonald's pancakes) and off to the Highlands. When we got home she and Kam were hot so they got the pool and slip and slide out and swam until I got lunch ready. After lunch Nai was EXHAUSTED and we watched a movie and took a nap until mommy and daddy woke us up. What a fun 24 hrs, but I told Sherri she deserves a nap everyday when Shophie takes her nap. Sophie makes very sure that she makes every American minute count. She is on a mission from the time her feet hits the floor.

It has been a long time since I have had to be hands on 24/7 and it made me think of M, M & M and their little ones. They all have 2 little "Sophie's" and I just had one... Yes I know, I am getting old and that's why you have babies young.

Love you all and miss all my babies. I wish you all could be closer and have sleep-overs with you.

Nai Nai,

* PCS 2009 Antebellum Dance...

2009-04-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Kyle signing her Dance Book.....

Connor & Kyle....

Kyle's 2009 Antebellum Dance.

This is a part of Kyle's Latin/Greek grade. All is required to attend. The students are taught the proper way to court a girl, eat and dance. No one has a date and you cannot dance with the same girl twice. The boy must go to the father of the girl, tell his name and ask if he may dance with his daughter, and then sign her dance book. They then do a dance and after the dance the boy takes the girl back to her dad and thanks and shakes his hand.

All the girls are lined up around the gym with their dads standing behind them. All dances are done as a whole group. They did the Hat Dance, the Waltz, Patty Cake Polka, Virgina Real and the list goes on. They took two breaks over the 7 til 10 dance. Refreshment were served during breaks. Punch and cookies.

This was my 1st dance to attend and it was lots of fun.

Zac Carothers....

Brad & Connor...

A Hanky ????????????

The Hat Dance: The girl sits in the middle holding a hat and the guys tell her nice things, the guy who talks the sweetest gets the girl and the other guy is left with the hat.

Kyle was left with the hat... so now two girls come and the one who tells Kyle the nicest things gets Kyle and of they go to dance...

Kyle picked the girl on his left....

Kyle & Ozzie....

Kyle & Mrs. Shannon....

Kyle told me at 4:45 yesterday is was going to this dance. We had to be at Kamren's ballgame at 5:30 so that gave me about 20 min. to get his clothes together. We had NOTHING!!!!

I ran out the door at 4:50 going to Kohls,praying all the way that I would find what I needed in 10 min. I ran in the door grabbed black pants, bow tie, hat, white shirt (all for $46.98) and suspenders. I was back home by 5:10 praying that it all fit. We left Kyle at home to get dressed and off to the game we went. Whan I got to the dance at 8:00pm this is what I found. He is wearing his Dad's shoes (way too big) and white gym socks...LOL..

Kyle, Will & Tanner...

Kyle & Mary Beth Thomas.......

Kyle, Jordan & Nathan......

Nathan Turner....

Connor Vowell.....

Brad Lolley....

Mrs. Chancey the Latin Teacher in charge of this dance....

Mr. Mrs. Ireland..... Logic Teacher

Kyle signing the dance book and asking the Dad if he can dance with his daughter...

8th class minus Kyle.... who knows were he was.....

* A Day at the Park...

2009-04-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day!!!!

Sophie and I went to the park today to get some Sunshine and meet some friends.

* Lord of the Dance....

2009-04-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

For our 18th Anniversary Kirk got tickets to Micheal Flatley's "Lord of the Dance". We went last night to the Dothan Civic Center to see the show not expecting much, but was blown away by the show. It was a great show. We need more of this in Dothan, AL.

Sorry about the pictures.

* CHI...2009

2009-04-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

This weekend Kamren has had a friend to sleep over. Teddy is #9 of 10 children and he has been a delight. His dad is a Colonel and has been in Afghanistan for the past year and he was sent to Washington this week for meetings and his Mom flew there to be with him for the week. CHI played Tuesday, Thursday & today. We won today 10/9. Kamren was pitcher and had 7 hits to him and he snag the ball and threw to 1st base to make the outs. He also made 1 Home run today. We left the Baseball park and then on to the gym for Kyle's 2 Basketball games and they won both of those games. It has been a very busy weekend. As you can see in the pictures, Teddy was nailed between the eyes with the ball leaving the seam of the ball in his skin.

* 2009 Easter Sunday...

2009-04-12T15:59:00.000-07:00

Spinach & Strawberry Salad...

Easter Dinner............

Cooper, Kamren, Josh, Justin, Connor, Kyle, Nathan, Nicole, Natalie and Sophie...

Bubble time........

Kyle eating grass...

Sophie eating grass...
Easter this year started with Church in our new building and then lunch at our house with friends. Easter Guest; The Peaks, The Vowells, The Turners and The Carmicheals. After Lunch the littles ones hid Eggs. It has been a long day and now I really miss not seeing and spending Easter with my Winfield family. Love to everyone and Happy Easter!

* Kyle & Caroline's Easter...

2009-04-10T22:38:00.000-07:00

* Easter in KY.... 2009

2009-04-10T20:33:00.000-07:00

Last week Cricket, Priss & Bubba went to visit Shae, Possum & Squirrel. While they were there they had a little pre-Easter fun because they would not be together on Easter. MaMaw & Bridgett drove up to get in on the fun also. I wish I could have been there. The babies are growing so fast and Bubba Love looks like he is walking everywhere. Love and miss you!

* Getting ready for Easter...

2009-04-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

Sherrie & Sophie invited me to a girls morning out today at Fancy Nails. It has been a long day and we ended it with dying eggs. Sophie is so full of questions. Her big thing these days are "why". She went with me to Wal-Mart Yesterday and everything was "why"or "what's that and she would always reply with Sophie did that in China. She is trying hard to be a big girl and wear big girl panties. She said the Easter Bunny was bringing her a watch for Easter becan (because) she was going to the potty now. I hope Mommy knows that. LOL

Each Tuesday & Thursday when I have her she will ask where Squirrel & Possum are and I have to tell her they will be back soon. Love you all and Happy Easter!!!!!

* Sophie's 1st Easter in America...

2009-04-10T20:06:00.000-07:00

Tonight we let the kids dye and decorate eggs for Easter. What we thought would take a while went very fast. We had 48 eggs and Sophie was putting 2 and 3 eggs in together. They had fun and then Sophie had to eat a few. And as you can see Miss Sophie did not like the dipper so she just used her fingers. We are ready for the egg hunt.

* CHI...2009 Season Begins...

2009-04-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

Baseball begins for Kamren.... CHI vs Flowers Insurance 18-13......

CHI's 1st game was Saturday and we played again tonight and boy was it COLD.

Kamren had 2 Homeruns and won the gameball. We played Flowers Insurance with a win!!!

Team: Matt Snell, Jackson Griffin, Kamren Eriksen, Conner Lipscomb, Clay Suddarth, Alan Matheny, Teddy Dowd, Harrison Holland, Ian Price, Reid Swann, Danny Anderson, Adam Humphery, Coaches: Kirk Eriksen, Brad Lipscomb, Brent Snell, Ronnie Anderson, Rodney Holland

* Happy Anniversary !

2009-03-31T20:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary to MawMaw & PawPaw...48 years.

Yes, they were married on April 1, 1961

Winfield Free Will Baptist Church, Winfield AL

Rev. William E. Atkinson

Thanks for setting the greatest Christian example of what marriages should be.

We love you and hope you have many more.

* Desperate times calls for Desperate measures....

2009-03-31T20:36:00.000-07:00

The Biggest Looser Contest.....

Kirk and a few of his "Big" Buddies have been in the Biggest Looser contest since the 1st of January. Kirk has been very faithful to walk, run and diet for the last 3 months. Tomorrow is the weigh in day to see who will win the $900.00. As you can see, some people will do anything to win.

This is our homemade "Sauna".................

* The Tale of Two Desperate Women...

2009-03-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

The Flood of 2009....Dothan, AL

It's hard to believe that just 2 days ago we were at the beach basking in the beautiful sun and now we need a boat to get around. My friend new I had had a very bad last 2 days and called me to go to a movie today. Neither one of us had looked at the news so off we go to the movies. I was on my way to pick her up and had the radio on and all the news could talk about was to stay off the roads because of flooding. As I turned to get her I was faced with water covering the road, Lot's of water, so much water it was very dangerous to go through. The roads were like rivers. As I get her (30 min) early so we can get our favorite seats before the crowds get there and beat the traffic, we realize that just maybe we should have stayed at home where it was safe and dry. We get to the movies and just look at each other, there were no cars in the parking lot, not a good sign in Dothan on a rainy day, that is our only entertainment. I let her out at the door to find out the movie we were going to watch was cancelled due to the theater being flooded out. So we buy tickets to the next movie and leave for Dakota's. As we get to Flowers Hospital the road is completely under water, we turn onto Westgate only to be detoured back due to the bridge being under water. Water, Water everywhere!!!!!!!!!! We do make it back to the movies and there were 4 of us in the theater. Madea was a much needed laugh and we enjoyed our time there. When out of the movies(Sun shining now), Cricket calls to check on us and I thought (what is she talking about)? and I say we are fine, she had heard Dothan was under water..LOL...

I pick up Kyle and he tells us how he and his friends had been surfing down his back yard in all the water flowing down the hill (it still doesn't click). I take my friend home because she had to take her dog to the Vet and she calls me back to tell me the whole shopping strip had been flooded, under water, water up to the car doors, Sam's flooded, cars swept of the roads and we two desperate females just had to get out. How crazy were we, so crazy that we just had to get out in the middle of the flood of the year. The 1st flood I can remember since we moved to Dothan in 1991. Oh Well, we made it back home and the waters have gone down and our homes are dry, but as you can see others were not that fortunate. Thank you Lord for the rain and our safety....