This is exactly what I've been thinking!!

THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A SOLDIER IN IRAQ.

Okay, I need to rant.
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson . As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to manypeople. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America . Where is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thankGod for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan . They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE,those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hitsongs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have. Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to pass this along if you want.

Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military; "So that others may live..."-- Isaac

Only two people have ever effectively given their lives for you.Jesus Christ and The American G.I.One died for your sins, the other died to give you freedom.

memorial weekend

We've been parking our fifth wheel out at our friends house in Granstville and since doing so it has become our little get away. It has made us feel like we take little vacations...well state- cations any way. So for Memorial weekend we loaded up the four wheelers and headed out for the weekend. The kids can ride on the acre of property he has.
The man going down what appears to be a water slide had to of been in his late 50's and he was running and jumping to shoot the tube. It was hilarious. My friend Darlene and her Nephew and Niece went down it and froze to death practically. Good Times!!
We loaded the babies in the pick up truck and Zach's two boys rode their own bikes and my kids and Dustin's kids rode in the little 4-wheeler trailer that we have and we took off toward the man made reservoir and let the kids play in the water. Before we knew it a dark cloud was starting to come our way and even though we rode back as quickly and as safely as possible we ended up soaked. It rained on us so hard. It was awful trying to ride the 4-wheeler's when the rain was stinging when it hit you. The one picture below was of the kids all drenched by the rain and muddy from the mud flipping up from the trailer tires. They were crying but I was laughing! I couldn't stop!!We had Lot's of laughs. It made for a fun, easy, and cheap weekend. I love being with friends and family!!

Little Jack

We truly are thrilled for Jeremy and Larkyn. What a special gift this little man is. He is such a sweet little Baby...Well at least all of the times I have gotten to hold him! I know they will make excellent parents. We can't wait to see him grow up. Welcome to South Family little Jack.

Lost again

Don't mind the disaster!!! I could barely even recognize him in this mess. He blended in so well. We all looked and looked and then out the corner of my eye there he was. My kids have always gone and fallen asleep in the weirdest places and in the weirdest or most uncomfortable positions. I go looking when it gets really quiet!!

Mother's Day

Okay...so don't tell but we have been treating ourselves to dinner ( out to eat ) for the past couple of years on Mother's Day....do you really think that any of us ladies want to cook or that the guys would for that matter? This year we went to Texas road house. It was yummeeee!!
I know, I know..We really don't look that happy in this picture but the sun was so bright and Maddie was taking forever to take the picture!

This is a little bit better, although I look like I am being a camera hog. I was a hog at dinner too!

This is my Grahms, she is my Momma's Mom. My kids just love her as so do I. I have always looked up to her. Like every old lady she is really good at sewing, quilting, knitting, baking, Genealogy, rocking babies and spoiling. When I was growing up she we would often have me over for the whole weekend all by myself and I would help with dusting and farm stuff. Us kids have some of the best memories at Grahms house.

This is my Momma and boy does she drive me crazy but you know what I wouldn't trade her for any other Mother. I have such admiration for this Woman, she has molded me in to being such a great Mother ( well I think any way ) and Wife. She is the one that keeps us together business and family wise. She is such a compassionate, sweet caring Woman. She is stressed 90% of the time but always seems to have hugs and kisses for my kids. She will go out of her way to help any one. She really is one of my closest and dearest friends and I can go to her for anything. I love you Momma!

My children spoiled me as usual. I got a necklace from Tyler, a ring from Bubba and some earrings from Maddie. They know that I can't get enough jewelry. I was offered breakfast in bed but declined it ( before it was made ) because that meant that I had to get up even earlier. ( Church is at 9:00 AM ) I loved the kids singing at church..I mostly love seeing Bubba pick his nose the whole time while attempting to sing. Oh, and Maddie waves to me...or maybe she waves at her Dad. I had a wonderful Mother's Day and I hope the rest of you did as well.

I love being a Mom..That is the BEST gift!

race for the cure

Million's of people ( okay maybe not millions...more like thousands ) came out for the annual Race for the Cure. We had quite a big group come together to support my Aunt Karen ( A.K.A. Grandma KaKa ). She has been a breast cancer survivor for 12 years now. I am so proud of her and enjoy this annual event, I am glad that I can support her and all the others that have passed on or are fighting or cured. Go cure go cure go!!! ( my Aunt Karen in the pink next to me )

mini reunion....

Rob, Cristina, Adam, Mindy,Shane, KayDee & Jeff
So grateful for Face Book. I know some of you may be rolling your eyes just at the word Face Book but I truly have been grateful for it. I have found some long lost friends. It has been so nice getting reacquainted with them and seeing how every one has grown up.
This small group I have know for such a long time. Shane I have known since 4th grade and the others since Jr. High. We were able to coordinate thru Face Book to get together for dinner. I had so much fun and every one looked great. I haven't laughed like that for a long time. It was as if time never passed. I can't wait to get together again.
I miss then already.
I recommend joining :)

Growing up way too fast!!

I get into everything these days! I am trying way too hard to be big like my older Sister and Brother and it is only fair that I do all the same things they can...I am not asking for their bikes just yet but I do want to climb, slide, run, and jump on the trampoline like them. I just look up to them so much.

I am enjoying all the chocolate and soda that I can get my hands on, I think my Mommy needs to cut back because I know that if it wasn't in my face I wouldn't want it nor would I miss it. ( well, maybe? ) I also enjoy lots of fruits and veggies. I want to grow up big and strong like my Daddy but on occassion I slip some of the food I am not in the mood for to the puppy.

Have I mentioned how clever I am? I have a wide range of vocabulary..some of my favorite words are Mommy of course but also ranges to Daddy, Jace..Jace, Mad, Myee ( Mylee my, puppy ), SSSss for snake and woo woo for a dog barking ( I will even woo woo when I see a picture of a doggy or one on t.v. ). I also say ah-do for thank you. I honk honk while I touch my nose, slap my head while doing doh like Homer and say tick tick when I am trying to tickle my Mommy. I also say owee, bye, wee, eww or peeuuu ( mostly when Daddy farts or burps real loud! ),hi, hello, no and uh-oh.

I think I am my funniest when I climb up on the coffee table or dinner table and I have just recently learned how to climb up on my Mommy's office chair and sit in her lap. I also clap after I turn the lights on and off and the computers off ...that is clearly my favorite especially when Mommy is right in the middle of something.

I do stick out my tongue but give plenty of love and affection to those around me. I blow kisses and give hugs and I always make sure to leave a little behind with my kisses..clearly the reaction I get makes me think they love my slobbery kisses? Even though it takes me some time to warm up to some people I do enjoy making new friends.

The things that I am working on is to not play with myself so much, my Mommy keeps threatening that she will keep my in a onesie the rest of my toddler days if I don't keep my hands out of my pants. I am also trying not to squeal at the top of my lungs when the puppy steals my food. I am working on my manners daily and try to vocalize my feelings with words instead of screaming.

I am also not quite ready for potty training but boy do I love to splash in the toilet, I know that there are alot of little kids learning early on but I love tormenting my Mommy with rolling over or running away and playing with myself when she changes my bum, I am always up to giving her a challenge! ( she can't get enough of it!! )

I am so glad that I chose this wonderful family and greatful for so many neat friends. They always show me daily how much I am loved.

(Tyler is 16 months old)