The Adventures of Priss & Bubba Love

Friends, Sleepovers, Movies & Fun

2011-06-03T22:33:00.000-05:00

Oh what fun these three have when they are together. We were out running errands this morning one of which was in Cori and Vanessa's neighborhood. We honked when we saw what looked to be that the garage had exploded onto the driveway. Cori was organizing the garage so after me offering, Vanessa getting excited, Cori saying no then dragging Vanessa to the house kicking and screaming then me going and taking her from Cori, Vanessa came home with us. Lets face it a fun afternoon with Bubba Love, Miss Priss and me is way cooler than organizing a garage!!!!! The kids played together perfectly all afternoon so I decided to ask cori if Vanessa could just spend the night. Cori was of course reluctant but ok with it. Vanessa and Madi were beside themselves with joy and poor Bubba Love was very excited too. I decided to take the kids to see Kung Fu Panda 2 since Mike was working so late and it was soooo good. The kids were so funny, they had to have blankets too take with them of course. They giggles all the way talking about the movie and the popcorn and candy. I stopped and got them a quick dinner on the way just so they wouldn't have nothing but popcorn. They were passing a drink between the three of them and I hear Nessa say "Bubba Love you be sure to swallow all your food and make sure your mouth is empty before you get a drink. That would be grose!" Ok if you knew Cori you would be thinking "man she is just like her mom haha". We got there kid packs and headed in. Within 10 minutes both of my kids had dropped most of their popcorn. They loved the movie!!!!! We came home and they helped me use the robot machine (shopvac) to clean off the balcony. The kids practiced their Kung Fu moves on each other and had a blast going into the bathroom and turning off the lights and screaming it was tooo cute!!!!! After I gave them baths I put them straight to bed and oh Miss Nessa was cracking me up!!!! She starts by telling me that Madis doll manequin (one thats just meant to fix hair) scares her and it needs to sleep downstairs. OK. Then she says she is afraid of zombies and does the most adorable zombie impression I have ever seen. TOOO funny. I assured zombies were just in movies and if her brothers had let her see those movies that was naughty and she giggled. They climbed in bed with around 20 dolls and animals and decided they needed a snack. Of course cheeseballs! they got there cheeseballs then within minutes they were both sound asleep. I love that Vanessa is comfortable enough with us that she will stay with no issues and is so happy here. Who knows what tomorrow holds, but stay tuned!!!

Best Friends

2011-05-20T20:48:00.000-05:00

I find it hard to believe that Miss Priss is even old enough to have a best friend or even to comprehend the concept of a best friend, but I guess I have to face the fact that my baby is growing up. About 3 months ago Beth(who is one of my "best" friends) decided that she had found the perfect match for Miss Priss and I and she was going to set us up on a blind "play" date. Cori and Vanessa, she said were perfect for Priss and myself. After many cancelled dates due to our kids getting sick we finally got together and like Beth said "we WERE in fact perfect for each other!

The girls had a blast together and can just play all day with only minor conflicts (are there any children who can play with NO conflicts). They are just adorable together and to say that Cori and I have became close wold be a huge understatement! Poor Vanessa had to have her tonsils out a couple Mondays ago and on Friday she was finally able to get out and have some fun. I was having a garage sale that weekend so they came over that morning to hang out with us then after I closed the sale they came in to let me get dressed. In typical Cori fashion she folded my 5 loads of laundry for me that was on my dining room table. I couldn't believe it! I think I may have proposed!!!! Anyway, we went to get our nails done. Flip Flop season was officially here and I knew the girls would love it. The girls definitely did (so did my Bubba LOve). They had the best time giggling together and talking and ooing and ahhing over how pretty there toes were and how the water felt. These two little girls have the best time together. Today I was on my way to get my hair cut when a frantic Cori calls wanting to know where I was. She was having a garage sale this weekend and had gotten a call from her 11 yr old sons school that he had hurt his finger and it was possibly broken and she could not get to him. I luckily was only 2 minutes away so the kids and I rushed over to get him. My heart broke when he came running when he saw me and was sobbing he was in so much pain. The kids and I quickly got him home to Cori and took Vanessa with us so Cori could concentrate on Brandon. Miss Priss and Nessa were so excited!!! We went and got my hair cut then I took them for the ice cream I promised. Then did some shopping (I am getting ready for a big Creations by Cricket show). We came home and the girls had the best time playing. Bubba Love wants to play with them and most of the time they are very good about including him, especially when they need a patient to play Dr with. They watched The Little Mermaid and after they decided to be the characters. Priss was Ariel and Nessa was Prince Eric (this was the characters they each mutually preferred to be). They got way too quiet and when I found them they had been in my closet finding dress up clothes. Nessa was wearing one of Mike's Steelers jerseys and Priss was wearing a pink sweater. These two girls played and played all day and no until 8 o'clock tonight did we take Nessa home. After we dropped her off the kids in the back seat Mom Vanessa is our best friend!!!!

Golf on Mother's Day

2011-05-18T22:30:00.001-05:00

Of course Mike had to work Mother's Day so after we went to church the kids and I went out to the course to golf with Mike for a while. The kids of course loved it. I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Thick as Thieves

2011-05-18T22:15:00.001-05:00

"Thick as Thieves" this is a statement I use to refer to my children quite regularly. They either fight from the moment they see each other in the morning or you can not sperate them. We have had some beautiful weather and the kids have decided they like to hang out on the balcony and take all of their pillows and blankets out there with them. They eat there meals out there, they listen to the birds, watch for dogs and talk. It is so precious!

A few Pics from Alabama

2011-04-26T21:37:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures from our recent trip to Alabama.

A few pictures for Papa

2011-04-02T18:00:00.005-05:00

Bubba Love's Sweet Heart

2011-04-02T17:07:00.003-05:00

As a mother sometimes it is hard to accept that your children can't be perfect in any aspect, but to accept that your baby boy is not physically perfect is heart breaking. We had Bubba Love's annual heart checkup on Wednesday and it was a very mentally, physically and heart breaking day.

I am a huge believer that you must follow your instincts in life and trust that God will guide down the correct path. I never felt comfortable with the first cardiac facility we were out so I asked our pediatrician if we could transfer to Mott's Cardiology department and Uof M. We had Madison's surgery there and loved it. They are amazing in every aspect possible. You can tell that "little people" are all they deal with. I was very randomly given one of the highest ranked Drs in the department. Unfortunately due to work Mike couldn't go with me and thanks to my dear friend Beth who kept Madison all day for me it was just me and my little man.

The day was a whirlwind: Up by 6, in the car by 7, at the facility by 8 and in the EKG lab by 8:15. Bubba Love as you can imagine was not thrilled by any of it. I could not believe that even got a successful EKG of him. The NP and Dr spent almost an hour with me talking to me examining him and answering my thousands of questions. Normally they would do and echocardiagram of new patients but Bubba Love was never going to lay still for it and I had given him milk that morning so they could not give him anything to relax him. The Dr was going to send us home without one and just do one at his next "yearly" visit. He said that based on all the information that he had and what he could hear that he had a very general VSD (heart murmur) it was not serious and within a few years we would no longer need to even monitor it. Great news, right? I get that some parents would have been like ok if the Dr says its ok and what is best then I will trust him and not put my child through anything else. Well anyone who truly knows me knows that I am not one of "those" parents. I said NO I feel like it is best if YOU echo him so that you can see his heart for yourself. That was always the plan to do one and I "feel" like it needs to be done. I will not feel comfortable unless you do it. Crazy, insane, stubborn, pig headed, and many more names is I am sure what he was thinking about me and I was ok with that. Luckily they could fit us in in 2 hours as long as I did not give him anything to eat or drink before we came back. Fine no problem. So then Bubba Love and I began our walk around the massive facility, finding places to play, watch a little movie and then more playing. Well 3 hours later they finally call us back to give him the medicine to relax him. Once the nurse finally came in she accidentally knocked over his medicine and had to go back for more. The echo went well he was such a trooper.

My first moment of concern: the nurse made a strange concerning sound while doing the echo.

My second moment of concern: nurse says "I am going to let the Dr. look at these to ensure that I have everything she needs (Bubba's Dr is a man).

My third moment of concern: The head of radiology (Dr. Amy) comes in and spends 15 more minutes taking images of his heart.

My fourth moment of concern: major wait between echo and Dr Adam coming in to see me.

My fifth moment of concern: the look on Dr. Adam's face when he walks in the room.

It all explodes in my face:

He begins by saying, "MeLeah I am so sorry I have no clue how this happened, but the original Dr. (at the first clinic) mis diagnosed your son. He does not have a general VSD, he has a much more serious sub-pulmonary VSD that puts his aortic valve at risk.

I don't know how to describe the feelings that I experienced in those moments: Anger ( I am going to harm his first Dr. rash I know but valid???), Sadness, Shock, Thankfulness that I had trusted my heart and God that he needed the new echo and many more feelings.

What a long 30 minutes it was hearing him explain the "new" VSD to me and answering all my questions, explaining all the risks and possible complications and the possible surgery that he would have to have if one particular complication were to arise.

SURGERY!!!!!!!!!! Wow, 4 hours ago he said "he will never need surgery for this vsd" now we are talking about surgery on my baby boy.

I felt like someone had ran over me with a truck at the beginning of this talk then he just backed up and ran over me again. My poor baby boy how do you ever treat him the same, look at him the same. More importantly how do you trust the medical system, how do you trust one physician over another, how do I trust that they finally have the diagnosis correct.

We go back in 5 months to have all the testing done again. We will go to echo first then to EKG then the Dr.. They will look to see if the VSD is closing at all because this would not be good. My understanding is that the valves (pulmonary and aortic) have 3 sub-valves within them and the membrane that separates these valves actually start to fill in the hole causing a breakdown of the inner valves which is a major problem. If this were to begin to occur we would have to do surgery to correct it. I do not truly understand what the Dr. is talking about but I did my best to follow him and understand the diagram that he sketched for me.

In the end Bubba Love needs your prayers more than anything else in the world. My tears and time spent worrying are wasteful. He needs prayers. I thank God that he gave me the wisdom and stubbornness to insist that the echo be done. I could have left that facility not knowing what was truly wrong with my son and who knows where we will be a year from now. You know us!!!

Thanks for listening and thanks in advance for all of your love, concern and prayers.

Madi Has Surgery

2011-01-25T20:43:00.007-06:00

Madi waiting to go back to pre-op. She still has no clue what is coming.

She came very prepared!

Madi taking pictures to pass the time.

The pre-op play area! Thank goodness for this, we would have been in trouble without it.

Getting ready to take her wagon ride to the operating room.

The anastesiologist resident who came to get her

In recovery after we had gotten her all dressed and calmed down.

She was not in the mood to have pictures taken.

What an intense, crazy 48 hour period! My darling little Priss was born with an umbilical hernia that we have always known would have to be repaired, so at her 4 yr check up her Dr. told me that I really needed to get her to the surgeon to have it looked at. I decided that at this time in our life we are fortunate enough to live right down the road from a major teaching medical facility Uof M, so why would we not go there. To say that I love the Pediatric surgery dept of U of M would be a major understatement. The entire facility and staff are amazing. We went Monday for our first apt. with Dr. Jarboe and loved him but also discovered that she had two separate hernias that needed to be repaired. When we went to schedule the surgery I was told that they had an opening the next morning or it would be several months. GASP!!!! Wow not what I was expecting but I still took the apt.. Luckily our dear friend Beth volunteered to keep Bubba Love so we came home to get everything ready for the next day. Madi woke up the morning of her surgery with the biggest smile on her face and in the best mood. Everything was going fine until we arrived at the hospital and she started freaking out! She did well with everything, meeting all of the surgical team and staff until her surgery was delayed almost two hours. At 11 she started asking for food and began naming everything that she sounded good to her poor girl. Finally the resident came with his wagon to take her for "her ride". She willingly went with him and we began our long wait. After around 2 hours Dr. Jarboe came down and told us that the surgery had went very well and he was able to repair both hernias with only one incision. Unfortunately that one incision is above her belly button not in it (she will surely hate me for that in her teenage years). The repairs had been fairly easy to complete and all was well. Then we began the longest wait...RECOVERY!!! Arghhhhh!!! We waited for what seemed like forever before they took us back up to be with her. She was still asleep when we go there and woke up right after the nurse had updated us on her status. She was not a happy camper, but two rounds of morphine and a room and 2 nurse changes later she was much better, just very un-agreeable. After a very long day we finally got to take Miss Priss home around 5pm. It was a long evening but she slept thru the night. She has been very needy but after a fun visit from Erin and Bailey this morning she is now walking on her own and seems to be progressing thru the recovery process quickly. She is not taking any prescription meds anymore and is getting better every hour. She has a few weeks to go before she is completely healed and back to

normal but we are off to a great start.

Thank to everyone for all of your prayers and support.

Miss Priss' 4th Birthday

2010-12-04T20:15:00.008-06:00

Madison's 4th Birthday Party

How is it possible that 4 short years ago we were just kids living in Arizona and had this beautiful baby girl? Time goes by way too fast with kids. One day they are tiny, precious, new little beings and the next time you blink they are people with feelings and opinions and attitudes and little versions of you. It amazes me every day how you can have so many feelings in a day towards someone. How someone who makes you want to pull your hair out one moment can melt your heart the next. Miss Priss is the embodiment of all these things. I find her to be one of the most frustrating people I have ever met and at times the sweetest. I love this girl more than life itself and can not wait for what the future holds for us.

Turkey T-Shirts

2010-11-07T06:55:00.003-06:00

My sister Leslie texted me a few days ago wanting to know if I would make these shirts for her kids. I hesitated at first since I have so much going on and we are leaving in 48 hrs for MO, but I have lost all ability to say no at this point to a new project. I always try to make one for the kids first just to test out the design. I love them!!! Now to make 5 more today plus finish one birthday present and start on one from scratch. Wish me luck!

The Legend Of Sleepy Howell

2010-10-24T21:55:00.003-05:00

The kids with their best friend Sydney.

The City that we live in Howell has a Halloween festival called the Legend of Sleepy Howell that it does every year. The kids were very excited and it turned out to be quite a big production. All of the downtown stores and local businesses set up booths and hand out candy to the kids. There is a live band, costume contest, hay rides, inflatables and so much more. My camera ran out of memory space so I did not get to take as many pictures as I wanted but I guess there is always next year.

The Apple Orchard

2010-10-18T15:28:00.014-05:00

Erwin's Apple Orchard and Cider Mill 2010

This is the ghost that he was so scared of. Mike said that every muscle in his body tensed up
when he got close and he dug his fingers into his face.

In one area there were only apples on the ground and in very typical Bubba Love style he thought it would be a great opportunity to work on his swing. Luckily, he just wanted to throw them at the trees and not his sister.

The kids loved it when we found trees with apples low enough to reach themselves.

Mike found this beautiful apple with the twigs still on it and he was trying to show the kids how he wanted them to pose for the picture.

We made a couple attempts at propping up the camera for a family pick. Our bag of apples was assisting us in this try.

The kids had a race to the top of the orchard.

This was hillarious! Most of you know of Mike's thinning hair situation and Bubba would take a bite out of his apple then proceed to drool over Mike's thin spot. I tried to make him see the upside: his head would smell apple fresh the rest of the day! He didn't get my humor.

They had a neat three-wheeler track set up.

Miss Priss was so proud when she finally got to the top of the hay pile.

They had the most amazing pumpkin doughnuts you will ever put in your mouth. I do ont eat pumpkin but that things was unbelievable. The apple cider and cider slush was also great.

Oh my floppy haired little man...he has finally started "cheese-ing" for the camera.

Miss Priss checking out the beehive.

So I guess in Michigan you don't go to pumpkin patches in the fall you go to apple orchards/cider mills. Who knew???? Mike actually had a day off and didn't have anything taht had to be done so we took of for Erwins Cider Mill with the kids this morning. We had the most amazing time and other than a small fight over an apple slush the kids were amazing!!!! The place had several things for the kids to play, apple picking, a small pumpkin patch, a corn maze and a haunted barn. We did everything but the haunted barn since we have the two biggest chickens for children. There was a huge ghost and Bubba about took Mikes head off when he got close to it. The kids liked to pick the apples best and Miss Priss made me promise to make an apple pie with her when we got home. We came home with the biggest bag of the most beautiful apples ever. I am actually excited about making my first Michigan apple pie. The corn maze was a blast we had to take a video (see below) of the kids for y'all to see. They were precious discussing which path to take and looking for the pictures. They gave you cards with pictures on it and you had to find the pictures in the maze and circle the 6 images that were located in the maze. Miss Priss of course loved finding the pictures and matching them to the card. Bubba would chime in with his directional thoughts and make us go the way he wanted to occasionally. Bubba Love had some trouble in the maze with his short little legs. We kept on having to pick him up. This was actually the first time we have had a cold pumpkin patch day. When we would go with Shae and the kids we would sweat to death. We had so much fun! This is my favorite time of year and we have a lot going on so hopefully I will have lots of post for everyone in the next few weeks.

Stay tuned!!!!

Bubba Love turns 2

2010-07-22T14:12:00.002-05:00

Bubba Love turns 2 can you believe it?

This is the day this sweet little man came home from the hospital.

His first Birthday

The difference is unreal. He is a little man.

I always say to myself wow the kids are growing up too fast even being home with them I can see daily how much they change. What a blessing he is to our lives.

Priss plays T-ball

2010-06-28T12:51:00.004-05:00

Miss Priss participated in a T-ball clinic the month of June. She started of very shy and timid about the whole"group sports" thing and still ended up a little shy

but I thought she did very well.

Coach Jordyn even let Bubba Love participate.

The group huddle at the end of the game.

they got participation medals on the last day.

Detroit Zoo

2010-06-28T12:31:00.006-05:00

Mike took off work to take the kids to the Detroit Zoo and they were so excited! We were very surprised at how nice and big the zoo was. The kids had a great time and I think we will definitely be back.

Bubba Love has decided that he is a hat man!

Priss kept on telling us that she needed to check the map to see which way we needed to go.

She could actually tell us which way and what animal was next from the map.

The Farmers Market

2010-06-28T11:57:00.004-05:00

Now that Spring/Summer is here it means the farmers market every weekend! They also have live music and for the kids that was instant fun. Bubba Love was convinced that he needed to play with this lady and Priss just wanted to dance. Luckily, the lady thought it was awesome that he wanted to play with her.

Madi Learns to Ride a Bike

2010-06-28T11:53:00.003-05:00

So, after our spring trip to Mimi and Papa's it was apparent that we were going to have to get Priss a bike. Bubba Love and I picked it up while she was at school one morning and when dad got home that night we gave it to her. She was so excited!!! She did awesome and it was the beginning of daily bike rides.

We actually had to make her slow down! We couldn't keep up with her!!

Good News for Bubba Love

2010-05-12T20:20:00.004-05:00

This post is all about my Bubba Love. It amazes me each day how much my heart grows to love this little man more and more. When we made the decision to move to Michigan we thought is was a great opportunity for Mike and our family, little did we know (and in my personal opinion) that we moved here so that Bubba Love could have amazing doctors to care for him. Within a month of our move Bubba was diagnosed with a heart murmur and within 3 1/2 months of moving here we had him tested and know what the present holds for him and his amazing little heart. There are some children in this world that have this ability to look at you and melt the world away and many people have told me that Bubba is one of those children. He lights up the room with his smile and his eyes, I feel so blessed to call him my son.

I am so thankful that God chose to bless my life with this little boy.

When we went to Nixa a few weeks ago Katie Day (the most amazing photographer) took these pictures. I asked her to make some special ones of Bubba Love. I wanted to remember this time in our lives, and while it pales in comparison to what many families go through, it brought us closer as a family and made us appreciate so much more what God has blessed us with.

We officially got the call today from Bubba Love's cardiologist that we do not go back for a whole year!!!!!! At that time we will repeat the Echo cardiogram and EKG then see him to devise a new game plan. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers.

I truly feel blessed to have so many people who love and care for my son. Thank you.

Bubba Love's ECG

2010-05-10T20:50:00.004-05:00

I hope they didn't want that info book after we left.

This was him set up for the ECG, when the tech came in to do his EKG she put around 12 more of the electrodes on him including his arms and legs.

Last Wednesday we had to travel to Flint, MI (about an hour away) for Bubba to have his ECG and EKG done. Thanks to Beth for keeping Priss overnight for us, we decided to go over the night before and spend the night so we wouldn't have to get him up so early. We found the hospital then took Bubba to eat Chinese (he couldn't eat or drink after midnight :-( ) then we headed to the hotel since there is not much to do in Flint. At ten we turned of the lights and tried to get him to go to sleep but he had other plans, you can see him getting into trouble. He finally went to sleep but woke up around 3:30 and when I couldn't give him more milk he refused to go back to sleep so we all stayed up for the rest of the night.

He did well with his procedure, they sedated him and then he was out for the rest of the morning. He was pitiful laying on that table. I have never seen him so limp when we moved him. The ECG took about an hour then they came upstairs to him to do the EKG. He slept the whole way home then most of the day after. We had to watch him carefully since he couldn't walk straight from the sedation. Now it is just a waiting game to hear from the Cardiologist. Please keep him in your prayers.

The Hexagon Quilt

2010-04-19T13:22:00.004-05:00

On the first night we arrived in Winfield at 10:30 pm, after driving for 12 1/2 hrs straight the kids and I were exhausted. I got Bubba to bed and was working on getting Priss settled into my old bedroom when I realized there were no sheets on our bed. I ask Mawmaw where to find some and she came upstairs to help me make the bed and I ask her for a quilt for the bed so we wouldn't have to use the comforter (Priss and I are very warm blooded). She brought me this very simple red and white quilt to use. You could tell that it was very old but in almost perfect condition. You never know when something in your life will touch you for whatever reason, but for some reason I fell in love with this quilt. Everyone knows this one thing about me, that if I want something I ask for it and don't offer unless you mean it because I will take it. As I was loading to come home my last load included the quilt and simply ask to borrow the quilt because I wanted to reproduce it, in my own manner of course. Mawmaw then told me the story of the quilt: my Pawpaw's (that I lived with) grandmother had pieced the quilt front together by hand the year they had gotten married for them and then she had her aunt hand quilt it for her. This would mean that this quilt is almost 50 years old! It made me fall even more in love with this quilt. I am not a sentimental person and I don't keep anything. My grandmother has always said that she is afraid to give me things like this, afraid that in my next move it wouldn't make it. After I assured her I would never get rid of the quilt she told me I could just have it. To say this quilt is now one of my most precious and valued possessions would be an understatement. I love things that have meaning and a story to tell. I just hope that 50 years from now my great, great, grandchildren will have these possessions and stories to tell about me and our family. To think that someone I will probably never meet could have this connection with me would be such a great honor.

Ok, so to end the sappy stuff, I started to work on it almost immediately after getting home ( no surprise there). My interpretation of her quilt is very different but it is how I saw it and what I thought my Miss Priss would love. I tried to maintain some of her integrity in it and hand quilted it together so it has that same appearance about it. Her hexagons are smaller but she didn't have a Bubba Love and Miss Priss running around her while she sewed and most likely she had mountains more patience than I do. Priss loved to watch me work on it, she would get Bubbalicious (her pink pillow that looks like the pack of gum) and lay on my sewing table and watch me sew and tell me how beautiful the hexagons were. It was fun, even though she drove me insane most of the time stepping on it and telling me it was touching bubbalicious to move it, I still enjoyed her being with me and expressing her love for it. When I finished it and had it hanging up she put her hands up on her face and very excitedly said "oh mommy its sooooo beautiful". That is what made all the work with it.

Thank you mawmaw for sharing part of your life with me. I love you with all my heart. You have always been and will always be the world to me. Thank you for giving this little girl all that you gave her and continue to on a daily basis. I would not be who I am without you.

Silly Boy

2010-04-01T06:57:00.005-05:00

Priss trying out the new waffle maker MIMI sent us.

Thanks again mimi we loved it.

Bubba has not been wanting to take his naps and this is how I found him yesterday after a 2 hr struggle to get him to go to sleep.

Yes he did this all on his own.

So to say that it has been a crazy few weeks would be an understatement. Mike had worked like 8 days straight until sometimes 9 and 10 o'clock at night then he had a meeting on his first day of then found out that he was going to Hilton Head for a Pro-Am 2 days later. Priss had woke up that Sunday morning with yucky eyes and was still under the weather. So, Mike left on Wednesday and was not returning until Sunday night. I am at home where in the end I and both of the kids end up with the crud!!! On top of it all I have a ton of sewing to do (that is good news) and then more orders came in. I think I did nothing but wipe noses, clean eyes and sew for 5 days straight. On Sunday, I was trying to sew as fast as possible to finish up one set of projects so I could start on my new projects when I got distracted by the kids and I heard this real loud popping sound. I looked down and when my needle on my machine came up I thought "dang it my needle broke" so i went to change it when a saw a little spot of blood on my finger so I went upstairs to get a band aide and when I touched my finger something felt strange and my stomach turned a little. Upon further inspection I could see a white line on my finger, yes you guessed it. I had sewed over my finger and the needle broke of into it. YIKES! When I realized what I had done I immediately called Beth to see what she thought I should do, I am still home alone with the kids, You could not see any of the needle it was completely embedded in my finger. her daughter came over and kept the kids and then I took myself to the ER where, they numbed it x-rayed it, numbed it again, removed it, x-rayed it then wrapped it and sent me home. Oh what fun I manage to find. So, then someone else picked up Mike for me from the airport he is home within 48 hrs we managed to give him our crud now this morning the kids and I are heading south for Easter in Winfield. I have to say I am so excited. I remember what a huge deal Easter was growing up and I have not been home for one in more years than I can remember. I love sharing these memories with the kids and hope that one day they will have the same. So everyone keep us in your prayers as we travel its 11-12 hrs. And happy Easter to everyone.

Squirrel's Dress

2010-03-10T20:38:00.003-06:00

I told my sister that I would make Squirrel a dress like Priss's and I finished it today. It is completely different yet the same. I love the new fabrics and am definitely going to have to use those on something for Priss. I talked Priss into being my model. Squirrel is much taller than Priss so that is why it is so much longer than hers I am going to work on some pants to go with it tomorrow.

Painter Boy

2010-03-07T21:24:00.002-06:00

So hopefully no one gets offended by this picture it was too cute to keep to myself. This is what Bubba Love looked like last week when Mimi and I were painting. Imagine what his clothes looked like if this is what his booty looks like. My silly little man.

Miss Priss's New Dress

2010-03-07T15:24:00.002-06:00

This is her "mommy seriously you told me I could go outside if I wore this for you and smiled" look
Look at me I'm hot stuff

She should be picking flowers in this picture not making a snowball to hit me with and yes she did hit me with one.

Priss is always asking me the same question when I hand her something or she picks something up: "mommy you make this for me?" So, I saw this pattern and loved it! Mimi and Mike can tell you that I searched the Internet for hours looking for the exact fabrics from the pattern until I found them. After I finished the dress I made her the jeans to go with it and all in all I think it turned out great!!!!! Obviously it is very springy and the irony of her in that dress with snow in the background I get, but getting her to stand still inside is impossible.

This Past Week

2010-02-15T10:28:00.006-06:00

This week has been so crazy! We started of the week by looking at pre-schools and then placing Priss in one. Then on Wednesday I had to get ready for pre-school on Thursday and her Valentine's party, but before I could do any of that I took the kids to the doctor only to find out that they both had infections in both ears and the doctor told me that she believes that Bubba has a heart murmur which we are going to recheck the first week of March. If she still hears it we will have to see a pediatric cardiologist. Woo.....I know, right? Then Thursday morning we dropped Priss of at school then ran home to get our snacks ready to take back to the party at 10:00. Bubba and I got to go to the party which was awesome to see her with her new "friends", who luckily she actually asked me this morning if she was going to go to school today. The party was crazy for someone like me who had never been around that many 3 year olds strung out on sugar in my life. Definitely something to get used to. Thursday night we went up to Oak Pointe (Mike's new club) for a Valentine's Day cookie decorating party for the kids. Priss loved it and Bubba loved the food. They had a great time, though it was 11:30 before we could get her to sleep she had eaten so much "sugar icing"! Friday we spent the day running errands and stopped to have lunch at Olive Garden, yummy, the kids love their food! Saturday I spent the day tearing all the wood off the walls in the guest/office room. The kids thought it was funny to see me being so "destructive". Saturday night daddy took us all to eat Mexican then he gave the kids their Valentine's Day surprise a new fish tank. Priss loves it!!!!! Funny side story about the fish: Mike came to bed last night saying that the turtle (one attached to an air pump so its mouth opens and bubbles come out of it when it is plugged up, priss likes to turn it off when she leaves the room so it can sleep) had one of the fish (tiny feeder fish gold fish we bought to satisfy priss and test the water) stuck in its mouth and we were going to have to get it out. Well, we thought Priss was in bed when she came running into our room saying that "the fish was stuck in that turtles mouth and can't swim and we got to set it free". So we all head downstairs, she is very concerned for the fish, to free the fish. Mike tries his best to get it out but can't. Finally, he takes the turtle completely out of the tank and takes it to the kitchen. I had asked Priss to hold the air pump for me and she looks at me and says "here mommy you hold this for me for a minute so I can help daddy free that fish." Luckily she does not see the part where Mike frees the fish for it to fall dead down the drain and when he puts it back in tank she declares "oh see the fish swimming, daddy saved the fish, oh good work daddy!" It was super cute! OK, Sunday we had some friends come over from Ohio and spend some time with us, and last night we hung out and watched movies in bed. This week is another busy week for us, but I'm thinking that with Priss in school that all the weeks are going to be busy. We have our big "Meet the Pro" dinner at the club Friday night so that will be exciting, hopefully we can find a baby sitter! Then next week Mimi will be here for the week to help me do some painting. Oh yes, this morning I finally took the kids outside to play in the snow for the first time. Crazy huh, we've had 8+ inches for a week and we haven't got out in it. Well, here are the pics of the week ENJOY! Priss with her cards and Valentine's box.

Priss and her "friends" making play-dough

Her card she made Mike and myself

they got to dig in the snow to find those candy hearts to eat

In circle time reading a story.

Bubba having some fun with the big boys

At dinner Saturday night, thinking wow do those two look alike!

Priss loves the mermaids and at dinner she decided to comb her hair like Ariel does!

Fun in the snow at the house!

Miss Priss Starts Pre-School

2010-02-09T21:47:00.003-06:00

Priss and I in her classroom.

All the other little "friends" wanted in the pictures!

Priss showing me her cubby with her picture in it.

To start I am sorry the pictures are so terrible, but Priss refused to take any pictures.

Ok, so Priss started preschool today! It has been a hard few months with her and the last few weeks have sealed the deal. I tried to get her in preschool in Evansville back in September but with things being so uncertain I didn't get around to it soon enough and they had no availability. Luckily, there is a church right down the road from us that had an opening in their 3 yr old class so we went and checked it out. It is called Giggle Gang and I love the ladies who work there and it just seems perfect! She was very excited and didn't even tell me bye :-( Bubba and I had a nice relaxing morning and it amazed me what I got accomplished in such a short time period with only one child. I think we all enjoyed the "space". When I picked her up she was very happy and wanted to show me her cubby with her picture in it. I kept on asking her what she did and if she had fun, but she kept saying that she thought she needed to stay home with me next time. It was very sweet and sad that she thinks I need her and she needs to stay for me. My precious baby girl. I ran to Osh Kosh to see if I could find her a second pair of snow bibs (we have to keep one pair at school) and as we were leaving Bubba had wondered off and she called him "bubby come here and hold my hand we are leaving" I think my heart fluttered it was such a precious moment. I do not have a baby any more I have a big little girl. I can't wait to see what all she is going to learn. She has a big Valentine's Day party on Thursday so stay tuned for more pics.

Hello From Michigan

2010-01-28T21:52:00.005-06:00

Their last night in the house!
We moved out of our house in Evansville on Mimi's b'day so we had her a cake that night. Thanks for sharing your birthday with us.

Bubba's first mess in the new house. He decided that Aubrey Mae needed a snack as well. The big problem was that she got full way before the mess was gone so I had to clean it up.

My laundry room, which has been full since we moved in. Four days without doing any laundry puts this family way behind.

My eat in kitchen. The first time I have ever had a separate dining room. I love it. we eat every meal here and the kids eat so much better when they can not see a tv.

My kitchen

The other side of the kitchen with a view into the living room

The back patio runs the length of the house. We can't wait for summer b-b-q's.

bubba trying to decide if he should jump head first down the stairs or crawl. We had a gate up the first couple of days but he just crawled over them so we gave up. he is doing really well.

He loves to climb across this banister at the top of the stairs. I think a piece of me dies every time I catch him doing it.

Well, we made it and are moved in and are almost settled in. I will post pictures as I think the rooms are ready to be viewed! We were all unloaded on Saturday afternoon and then by 7am Clint and Brenda left us. It was a long day and Mike's b'day on Sunday, but we accomplished a lot. Mike's new boss and his family came by and had cake with us. I can not believe that I did not take a picture. I am sure my camera was lost in the haze somewhere. The kids have been great so far and by Monday morning Miss Priss was in bed with us and she looked at us and said "I just love my new home". It was a special moment. We have been so worried about the kids with this move, Bubba I am afraid has had the hardest time. He pretty much gave up his naps completely, would not go to sleep, then would not stay asleep and he had to sleep with me every night. He would not eat half what he normally does, it was so sad to watch. The night before we left Joe and Judi ever so graciously let us stay with them (Judi had watched the kids all day) and we went out to eat. On the way home Priss said "I want to go home" this was followed by crying and when we pulled into their house she started screaming that it was not her home and she

wanted to go home. When we got inside I tried to explain to her why we weren't in our home and that we were going to Michigan in the morning. She was not pleased and went into the living room by herself to snub and think about what I had told her. I thought my heart would literally break to pieces when I realized how much pain this was causing her, both of them actually. As parents you try to do what is best for your kids and sometimes the right thing is not the easiest, but it is still so hard. Luckily, she is a very resilient child and snapped out of it quickly. The kids were amazing on the ride to Michigan and I could not have ask for them to be better. Well, I am pleased to report that all the boxes are unpacked and now we are just trying to put our style on everything and settle in. This has been an interesting task since we are also getting ready to go to a week long trip to Keystone, CO for some relaxing and skiing. The kids are doing great and Bubba is back to his old self, sleeping and eating like a bear. Priss loves her new house and especially the huge basement filled with all their toys. She likes it when Bubba is asleep and we can leave the door open and she can go up and down as she wants. Well that is all I have to report for now. I will try to keep everyone posted we just got our internet hooked up tonight. Thank you to everyone for all of your love, support and prayers these past few weeks.

Goodbye Evansville

2010-01-20T21:19:00.002-06:00

One last trip to Gatti town with Trista and Daniel. I can't believe those are my babies standing there playing games together. When did my children get so big?

Well, I guess this will be my last post from Evansville, IN. We are packing the truck tomorrow then driving on Friday. 48 hours from now we will be residents of Howell, Michigan. What can I say? Evansville has been a roller coaster of emotions from happiness to sadness and everything in between. We are so thankful that God has given us this opportunity and we only hope that we can do with what we are suppose to. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our lives these past few years we will love you and cherish the memories that we have shared. Today was a day of goodbyes for me and the kids. Tonight is the last night we will sleep in this place we have called home, tomorrow the kids will leave with Judi in the morning and will never come back. Putting Bubba to bed tonight was sad thinking that he would never sleep in his one and only room again. I am trying so hard to look at the positive and to the future at what life holds for us. So I guess all that is left to say is farewell Evansville. Thank you for all the memories.

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes

2010-01-14T22:06:00.003-06:00

Ok here is a side story for you: on our way Saturday night from Brighton we stopped in Meijers (its like a super target) to stretch our legs and maybe find the kids a new movie. Well, Priss found something else: a Watermelon! She sat with that watermelon in her seat the whole way home and it was so small that she would forget it was next to her and start crying that she had lost it. Second story: I had put a scooby doo movie in for her and she started saying "not tha dragon mommy, not tha dragon!) I responded this isn't the one with the dragon trying to reassure her that it was not the movie that she thought it was. Well, even moms are wrong sometimes apparently. It was the dragon! She screamed and cried: she was scared! So I tried to calm her and quickly skip the episode. Once she had calmed down this is what she had to say to me:"don't tell me that not the dragon mommy, I know that the dragon!" Now I know you may be thinking what a sassy little girl and yes I agree, but I thin you had to be there for the moment and see the look in her face when she pointed out that I was wrong and she was right and basically that I was not to question her again. Oh Miss Priss we are going to have some years ahead of us.

As you all know packing is in full force at the Strain home. My little mountain goat Bubba Love, has been having a blast climbing on all the boxes. Every time I turn around he is at the top and she is calling "Bubby I come get you down" then she proceeds to try to pull him down by the arm. I think the more boxes stack up the more he will climb, he thinks he is so big climbing from side to side. Oh to find the joy in the little things like kids do.

A New Home in Michigan

2010-01-13T13:02:00.004-06:00

So we are officially moving! After months of looking, interviewing and praying, praying, praying, Mike has a new job. We are moving (pending a few details) a week from Friday to Brighton, MI. We went up last weekend for a final interview and the kids were able to participate in a face painting/pizza party at the club. Bubba wasn't interested, but Priss amazingly loved it.

The club is Oak Pointe Country Club and we are so excited and thankful for this new opportunity. When I get all of our new info together I will get it out to you all. Thank you for all the love, prayer and support this past year. We will miss everyone we are leaving behind and look foward to visits in the future. Thank you all for the memories and we wish you the best.

www.brightoncity.org

Hello

2010-01-05T09:38:00.005-06:00

I wanted her to model the dress I made her and she was less than willing

Bubba hanging out with Uncle Kyle

HI everyone, yes I am still alive. We have been sick ever since we got home from our Christmas travels, then Mike and I had to almost immediately get back in the car and take another trip. WOO...its been crazy! Then, we spent all weekend starting my website http://www.creationsbycricket.net/ check it out and spread the word.
I will post some new pictures soon. I have several projects I am working on right now. Happy New Year!

Oh yes and new news we are now a paci free house!

Bubba's Theme Song

2009-12-20T19:23:00.004-06:00

We were in the family room playing and Bubba started "his" dance and this song came to mind and made me think of him. So, I am claiming it as Bubba's Theme Song!

The Perfect Baby Gift

2009-12-15T14:46:00.002-06:00

So, I have made a few of these projects before, but I believe that today I created the perfect new baby gift. I love the way that everything turned out. My sister in law's good friend after three boys just had a little girl. So, me being the AMAZING sister in law that I am (snicker, snicker), offered to make her something special. I hope that she enjoys it and her new little girl.

Gingerbread House 2009

2009-12-14T21:39:00.002-06:00

We were suppose to both act like we were eating it, she left me hanging

Making a gingerbread house has been a tradition for more years than I can remember. I remember making them with my "little" brother Kyle and how much fun we had together. My first year that Mike and I were married my wonderful mother in law actually got me one and she and I did it together. I think every year except for the Christmas right after I had Miss Priss I have made one with someone. Last year Shae and I made them with the kids. Well, this year it was just Priss and I and it was awesome. For obvious reasons Bubba Love was not invited and we waited until he had gone to bed. I put it together and iced it and Priss did 85% of the decorating. I have to say that when I iced the first side of the roof then turned it to her to decorate while I iced the other side, I was shocked with what she had done. It amazes me how much she has grown and how big she is when her brother is not around. He tries so hard to be big and she tries so hard to be little. She was amazing tonight! We laughed and talked and she told me what she needed me to do and she was just wonderful to be with. She kept on telling me that she needed more icing sugars to put her candy on. I'm not sure where she got the term from. I cracked up when she told Mike to go sit down that she was doing this with mommy. Well, the tradition continues and hopefully next year we will be able to let Bubba Love or maybe we will have a competition between the boys and the girls. Enjoy the pictures and the video and in case I haven't said it. Happy Holidays! It has been great so far, I'm so excited about the holidays! Just remember that all that matters is being with the people that you love and that make you happy.

My first quilt

2009-12-13T21:21:00.003-06:00

Here are the individual squares laid out before I started sewing them together.
Together with the first border!

Second border and binding before the wash!

All Finished

A peek at the back! Nothing fancy, just something simple.

Me with my baby, I have to say I am very proud of it. This better stay in the family for forever!

I found this quilt pattern when we were in Michigan back in October and have been trying to decide who I was going to make it for. After I decided who was getting it for Christmas the next part which seemed impossible was finding the fabrics. They are all flannel! I fell in love with the pattern because I could do the whole thing myself: you quilt each square as you go. It was such a long, hard project but with a lot of help with the kids from Mike I finally finished it this afternoon. I'm not going to say who it is for (they don't look at computers, so I'm fairly safe) but I can't wait until Christmas to give it to them. I have to say it will be very hard to part with.

No more baby bed

2009-12-06T21:26:00.004-06:00

This is how I found him this morning. He doesn't like covers so I guess this was his only way of escaping them.
Miss Priss getting in on everything.

His new curtains. Poor Mike I thought he would go nuts before he got

all three curtain rods hung.

My happy Bubba Love

Miss Priss's new curtains I made her.

To think that for the first time in over 3 1/2 years I do not have a baby bed in my house is unbelievable. I am not even sure what to think about no more washing bumper pads or moving that think out from the wall to make it or just the fact that I will never put a child in a baby bed is a hard pill to swallow. Now I know what some of you are thinking, " what are you whining about you were so sure you never wanted more children." Yes you are right and I do still feel that way but the fact that the two that I have are done with it is so hard. My babies are growing up way too fast. Last night we were at a Christmas party and the baby sitter called me and said that Bubba Love would not go to sleep and that he was knocking his bed against the wall he was shaking it so hard. I told her just to let him stay up that we would be home soon. When we got home I gave him more milk and then put him in the twin bed and within a few minutes he was sound asleep. It was a sign! Not even a sign as it was that my baby was telling me that he no longer wanted to sleep in the confining crib, but he wanted to be big and free. I truly believe that our children in one way or another tell us everything that we need to know it is simply up to us to listen to what they are telling us. So after church today I started redoing his room, short one baby bed. He loved it, he even got his toy box in his room. The kids stayed back there most of the afternoon playing and then sure enough at nap time for the first time in forever he laid right down and went to sleep. So the rest of the day was spent working on hanging him curtains to keep some of the light out and then I had to make Priss new ones since I took her old ones.

Miss Priss is 3

2009-12-03T20:19:00.008-06:00

Her is the b'day girl getting ready for her night out in the dress I made her this afternoon. She loved it and kept on trying to blow out the candles.

Miss Priss opening her presents from mommy and daddy this morning she even managed to sneak in one Christmas present when I wasn't looking. Silly Priss

Her favorite spot: her daddy's stolders!

bubba showing off his moves

Loving some cheese dip and chips her favorite

With daddy's help the candles weren't so scary

It's hard to believe that three short years ago we were living across the US in Arizona and were still in awe of the new blessing we had received. Now we are in Indiana and still have days of awe over Miss Priss and the blessings she brings to our lives daily. She is incredibly stubborn, she will amaze you with how smart she is and the ways her mind works, she is the biggest sweetheart when she chooses to be. She fills your heart with so much love. Today I got out her baby book and was showing her the pictures from the hospital and I could not convince her that it was not Bubba. I tried to spend most of my day just hanging with her. I was in the recliner holding her and she said "mommy rock me to sleep", I thought my heart would melt thinking that I may never hear those words again. She gets so much bigger and more independent every day. We had a great day and this evening we took her and Bubba downtown to the children's museum and they had a blast. At Priss's request we had Mexican for dinner and then finally we made it home to have cupcakes and blow out the candles. She has been asking for them all day. I think she had a great 3rd b'day. We love you Miss Priss you have been such an unexpected blessing to our lives. We can't wait for next 100 yrs with you.

My baby is gone

2009-11-23T19:25:00.001-06:00

I want to cry Bubba Love went to sleep all by himself in his twin "big boy" bed. We will see if he stays in it all night.

Priss's Scotty Dog

2009-11-22T12:44:00.002-06:00

I had made a small one of these for something else and Priss fell in love and insisted that it was hers and that if it wasn't that she wanted to know where hers was. So, being the "wonderful" mother that I am I immediately made her one and put it away for Christmas. I can't wait to see her face when she opens up the box to find her "larger" puppy. I must admit this is one of the perks to sewing: when you want something instead of running around town or searching the web for hours you simply make it yourself and most every time it turns out to be exactly what you wanted. I love it and hope that she does to!!!!!!!

Pudding

2009-11-20T19:53:00.004-06:00

Yummmmmmm...........................

Bubba got pudding for the first time tonight and LOVED it!!!!

Found Them

2009-11-19T22:24:00.005-06:00

Bubba loves him some cake, he pitched the biggest fit I have ever seen when

I took it away from him.

Miss Priss posing with Papa and his cake.

She just had to get a finger in it

I love Bubba Love in this hat!!!

I have been having trouble with my picture downloader in that it hides my pictures from me when it takes them of my camera. I found these pics tonight and realized that I had not posted them. These are from the first weekend in Nov. when we went to Nixa for Clint's surprise b'day party. We had bonfires in the backyard and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows every night the kids loved it! I don't have many pictures but a few. I keep on waiting to get the pictures from Katie Day from our shoot. I think the pics are going to be awesome. Well, I hope everyone is well.

New Couch?

2009-11-14T20:20:00.002-06:00

This is the only picture I could find of the couch before. I think you get the idea.
This is how it turned out. I LOVE IT!!!!!

Mike and I had been talking about doing something different with our living room furniture but since it is fairly new we did not want to replace it, just change the look of it. JoAnns had all their upholstery fabrics 50% off so I took the opportunity to get the fabric we had picked out and spent the afternoon sewing the new covers. We love how it turned out, it looks so different! Priss kept on trying to get in the pictures silly girl! For $80 we may have new cushions every 6 months or so haha! It is nice to know that if the kids do something crazy to them I can fix them!

Priss's New "Do"

2009-11-12T14:58:00.002-06:00

Future model!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I finally decided to give Priss bangs, just a few, but the effect is great. I love them and her hair hasn't been in her eyes since. Good-bye sheep dog!!!!!!

Hallie Kates Blanket

2009-11-11T19:57:00.004-06:00

My friend Betsy ask if I would make blankets for her children for gifts. She found HK's

fabric first so I made it today. When I pulled it out of the dryer Mike actually

immediately said "that's beautiful" which means a lot from him. Most of the time I get

something along the lines of "that's nice". I think he really liked it. I was pleased with it

myself...now if only Betsy will be we will be ok.

Strain Family Pics Pt. 1

2009-11-09T18:10:00.003-06:00

Here is a preview of the Strain family pics by Katie Day. She sent me a few so we could have one framed for Clint for his 60th SURPRISE b'day party.

Creations By Cricket

2009-11-04T08:14:00.003-06:00

This is actually the reverse of the purse. I left the pockets out of the inside so it could be reversible it you wanted.

This large cosmetic bag is what I call the baby bag. It's perfect for 5 or so diapers and a pack of wipes. Then when there are no kids going along you just pull out this bag and you are ready. No more changing from one bag to another.

This bag is perfect for all the baby Tylenol and creams.

The smaller one is great for your lip sticks and glosses.

Here is my latest creation! I have made several now and each one seems to be my favorite I love how each person can pick there own fabrics to reflect there style. Then I customize the little bags however I feel inspired.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T20:37:00.003-05:00

I love the heart on her booty!

After waiting for Mike to get home very late and making a few visits the kids finally got to trick-or-treat our neighborhood. We had kids stopping by our house since 3:30 and after we made our stops while waiting for Mike the kids were very anxious. They actually ran out a few times when I was giving out candy. Priss was Bedtime Bear (Care Bears) and Bubba was a pack of Smarties. At first Priss was very quiet, her new thing when we are around strangers is that she stares from me to the person and continually says "mommy, mommy, mommy" you get the idea. So as you will see in the video by the end of the night she had gotten the hang of it and new exactly what to say. We even had her looking at people when she said Thank you. Her lines were "trick-or-treat, I need one for my bubby, please, thank you and happy Halloween then thank you again." all in that order. Then she would say "we gotta keep moving". She would get in get the candy then get out. I told her we could only go to houses with lights on so then she started telling me, "look for the lights mommy, come on we gotta find those lights, keep moving". She was very focused and made sure we all stayed focus. It was adorable the way she never forgot to ask for Bubba Love one and when she didn't think he was getting one she would just share hers with him first. Bubba Love was able to sit back and enjoy all the candy his big sister was getting for him. He didn't get out until our last few houses. Its moments like those that let you that you are doing something right and make all the bad moments worth it all. It amazes me how much my babies have grown and makes me sad to think how big they will be next Halloween. Well, we had a wonderful time and now that the kids are asleep Mike and I can dig in the candy for the stuff we like. Happy Halloween.

Pumpkin Fun

2009-10-31T09:43:00.007-05:00

WOW, how can you even compare the two pictures!

Fall 2008, what a difference a year makes! They were such babies.

I am way too cool for this

I believe Priss was saying something like" my knife won't do that mommy"

It was so dark that they couldn't see me just a flash of light so

neither one of them were very still.

We finally let the kids carve their pumpkins on Thursday night. Priss really enjoyed it and thought it was pretty cool that I actually gave her a knife (butter, of course). Bubba would come and go and finally decided that his favorite spot was on top of the table watching everyone else work. Both of the kids kept on eating the raw pumpkin. We finally got them all finished and they turned out nice. I'm excited to see the kids trick-or-treating tonight. Its amazing what a difference a year makes in their lives. Priss is so shy right now I am not sure what she will do and Bubba doesn't meet a stranger. Happy Halloween to all who celebrate this fun night for kids.

Trip to Alabama

2009-10-27T16:25:00.009-05:00

Weekend Away

2009-10-13T20:46:00.003-05:00

Thanks to the help of Mimi keeping the kids, Mike and I had a few days away this past weekend and traveled to Michigan. The Steelers played the Detroit Lions so Mike and I went to the game. Mike was like a little kid, sooooo excited and beaming. We scalped the tickets once we got there and actually got a really good price for our seats, I still can't believe we paid $30 for parking. I about told him I would drive around and he could go by himself. The smile on his face was worth every penny. I was expecting him to be much more loud at the game but he kept on saying that he was taking it all in. Poor guy he was stuck with me, this was the first football game in my life that I have ever watched from start to finish. Needless to say, I was not much company. It was interesting to see all the fans and how they interact with each other. We had a wonderful time away and it was not to do something for ourselves and with each other for a change. We went and say Couples Retreat one night and it was tooo funny any young married couple needs to see it or any married couple in general needs to its hysterical. Now we are home and so happy to be back with the kids. They haven't let me out of their sight since I came home, Mike had a meeting and couldn't come in with me. It may be a long couple of days for me. It was all worth it. Thanks again to Mimi for keeping the kids. Thanks Friend for loving me and still wanting to spend time with me I love you!

Big Kids

2009-10-04T11:32:00.006-05:00

I have been asking Mike quite a bit lately, "who are these people and what have they done with our children?". I would truly like to know when these imposters took Miss Priss and Bubba Love's places. Maybe my title should have been "Missing two children:Reward if found". It is hard to believe that they are so big! Bubba does everything that Priss does and seems to get bigger everyday. Which according to Mike, who BTW is now the expert on the kids, it's because he eats like a horse. I do beleive that Mike is now worried about how we will afford to feed him for the next 18+ years. The kids overall are doing great, growing, laughing, crying and giving me daily headaches. Just what they should be doing on a daily basis.

Girls Weekend In The City

2009-09-29T11:16:00.012-05:00

This Past weekend the guys kept the kids and Brenda(my mother in law), Jen (my sister in law) and myself flew out to Chicago for the weekend. I met Brenda in St. Louis Friday evening and we flew out early Saturday morning and Jen met us there. We had a wonderful weekend of shopping, sight seeing, eating and more shopping. There was no rest involved in this trip just fun. Everyday we would get up and leave the room early and not go back until time to go to bed or just to drop of bags when we had shopped too much to carry. We were three girls in the City with nothing to do but have fun. We didn't get a car and we walked or took a taxi every where we went. We ate a lot (Papa & Nana Bama will like that) and shopped a lot. It was very nice just to be able to go where the wind takes you and not worry about naps or bedtimes. the first day we went to a couple of fabric stores and got some beautiful fabrics for my next few projects. Did some shopping then went down to Navy Pier in the evening. We were exhausted by the time we got back to the room around 11:30ish. The second day we had breakfast at The West Egg an amazing little breakfast spot then headed off to catch the double decker trolley tour. The tour was amazing, we could hop on and hop off whenever we wanted so we got to see a lot more and cover much more area than we ever could have walking. We had real Chicago pizza for lunch, then went up in the John Hancock building at dusk which is a must if you ever make it to Chicago. It gives you a 360 degree view of the city and we got to see it in the day light and at night with all the lights on. Then we went to the grand Lux Cafe for dinner and that was wonderful. The third day we shopped all day until time to head back to the airport. We had such a wonderful time and were already planning our next girls weekend. Every where we wanted to go we kept on thinking that the guys would want to go on those. We are thinking Massachusetts next year! We had the best time. I haven't laughed that much and just thoroughly enjoyed myself that much in a long time it was exactly what I needed. Although, I need a day to recuperate from the trip I am so tired today. Mike and the kids did very well without me but I believe they were glad to have me back. Here are the pictures from the trip and most of them are of the sights, but everything was beautiful I couldn't resist. I am not the greatest at remembering names so just enjoy the sights. Here we go off to Chicago.................................. This is an actual man, every time you put money in his bucket he moves. He had some kind of whistle in his mouth so that when he moved it sounded like a robot. He was awesome!!!
We had to stop in for Cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory.

This is the Water Tower in the middle of Michigan Avenue. It is one of the only structures that survived the great Chicago Fire. It is still the working pump for Chicago's water source.

Our view of the city from the Ferris Wheel.

Here are a few shots from our ride in the Ferris Wheel. It is a massive piece of machinery. But oh so beautiful. I have been to Navy Pier in Chicago when I was much younger, but it was much more beautiful than I remember.

Brenda and I taking in the view of the city.

Jen and myself. Every time we would move to take pictures I thought I would pass out. I am terrified of heights or at least the fear of falling from them.

A view up at the Ferris Wheel

This puts in perspective how small we are and this isn't near as tall as some of the buildings..

The Chicago Tribune building.

The oldest Cathedral.

The John Hancock building was my favorite of all of them.

This is the actual statue from the movie "Ferris Buellers Day Off"

Isn't the curve amazing? It was that way on both sides.

They called them the corn cob towers. They are residential complexes.

The "bean" is one of the many pieces of art on display in Millennium Park. When you go underneath it you can find yourself reflected like 5 times.

The Chicago Trump Tower. You can own the top floor for a bargain price of I believe only 32 million. I'm thinking of making it my summer home. HAHAHAHAHA

I don't know if you can tell but the building in the middle has like five different angles in the middle of it. It was really neat.

The USA's largest fountain modeled after one in France I believe.

This is one of the many cathedrals that we saw in Chicago. I may not be Catholic but this is definitely beautiful.

On Sunday night we went to the 96th floor of the John Hancock building to take in the view of the city. It was absolutely beautiful. The windows went from floor to ceiling so it looked like you could walk of the edge of the building. It was unbelievable and terrifying all at the same time.

we stopped in the Bubba Gump Seafood restaurant looking for Bubba Love a shirt; we didn't find one for him but Jen and Brenda insisted that I get this one for myself. In case you can't read it it says I (heart) Bubba. So the next day we went to the Hershey's store and I insisted that Jen get this shirt for herself since her sons name is Reese. It's a Reese's Peanut butter shirt. She kept on insisting that she looked like a pumpkin that loved candy. We got a few good laughs out of it!

One of the many views from the top of the John Hancock building.

A guy in Millennium Park was giving these "thought bubbles" away for people to write their thoughts on to have in their pictures. It was not the most convenient thing to carry around but it was a neat idea. I can't wait til the kids get older then I can let them right their wacky thoughts on them. This is actually the only time I used it. I do love the idea though.

Thank you to Mike for keeping the kids and so eagerly letting this trip happen and to Judi for helping him Saturday. This trip wouldn't have been possible without you both. Thank you to Brenda and Jen I had an amazing time and can't wait until next year.

Car Seat Cover

2009-09-24T17:55:00.003-05:00

Here is a picture of the Car Seat Cover I made for Miss Priss her old one was falling apart.
I am already looking for new fabrics for them both for the winter!!!!

Miss Priss's blanket

2009-09-20T17:04:00.002-05:00

I made Priss a new fuzzy blanket to snuggle with today. I wanted it to be large enough to cover her whole body plus room to grow since her old one is so small. I picked up the fabrics in Hilton Head and fell in love with them. I love the final result, even though I thought I would throw it all in the trash before I finished the fabric was so hard to work with. Now I get to start on Bubba's since I have already bought all the supplies. Oh well, another day!

Beach Pictures

2009-09-18T09:26:00.003-05:00

These pictures are especially for Shae. She has been begging for pictures ever since we got back and I have been so busy with all of my sewing projects that I haven't posted them so here are a few to hold her until maybe later today.

Bubba's Quilt

2009-09-18T09:18:00.004-05:00

I worked most of the day yesterday and got Bubba Love's quilt top made. I love it!!!!!!! It turned out so awesome.I still can't believe that I have learned how to make them, and it is so much easier than I ever imagined. Here are a few pictures of the kids. Let me know what you think.

My 1st Dress

2009-09-16T22:15:00.004-05:00

I was in the store picking up a few supplies when Miss Priss ran across this fabric. She told me that she liked it and wanted it. I wonder if this is my foreshadowing for the future when she picks out all of her own clothes. Anyways, I decided to get the fabric and try to make her a little dress. It is by no means perfect, but I am still very pleased with it. It only cost me like $10 with the pattern to make so you can't beat that. she seemed very proud of it! I think it will be adorable this winter with tights, mary janes and a turtle neck. Not to bad for my first.

Miss Priss's Quilt & Pillow

2009-09-16T22:07:00.003-05:00

I ran out of stuffing so its not stuffed all the way!

the back is going to be a really pretty pink & floral pattern

As you know I have taken up sewing and I picked up a few projects when we were in South Carolina. I decided to try making the kids quilts. I started Priss's first and I love it. It is only the quilt top, Mimi Strain's Aunt in St. Louis is hopefully going to actually quilt it for me (she does it for a living, so much more experience than myself). All the fabrics are 1930's reproductions. I love the vintage look of them. I can't wait to see the finished product. I had enough fabric left over to make her a pillow to go with it. Priss loves pillows!!!!! I think tomorrow I am going to start on Bubba Love's, I am not sure who's fabrics I love more. I hope she loves it and cherishes it as much as I do the quilts that I have that my grandmother has made me over the years.

Miss Priss & the Bears

2009-09-16T21:54:00.003-05:00

Savannah Birthday

2009-09-08T20:23:00.004-05:00

Miss Priss enjoyed the trolley ride and all the freedom to look around.
Both of the kids had a great time.

It became more than Bubba Love could take.

Priss is and I at lunch

Proof that I was there!

Bubba was waiting for his fried chicken.

Can everyone see the cheese biscuit and fried cornbread in the picture? Let me tell you they were wonderful.

Today is my 26th birthday so we headed to Savannah, GA to tour the city and have lunch at Lady & Son's. Everyone knows how much I love Paula Deen so I was so excited when we had the opportunity to go her restaurant. Lunch was amazing and we didn't even have to wait for a table we walked up and got right in. The kids were really good and they sang happy birthday to me over peach cobbler. We went in a few shops then dropped Mike off to see some friends. I even got to spend an hour in a fabric store picking out some beautiful fabrics for some projects I have in mind and even one I didn't. Everything was sooooo beautiful it was hard not to buy a little of everything. Then Mike and I went out to dinner to a local seafood place and it was sooooo good. We had a wonderful time. It was a great day! I still can't believe I am getting so old. Thank you to everyone for my birthday wishes and for making this year so wonderful.

Hilton Head Island

2009-09-07T20:17:00.003-05:00

We made it!! We arrived in SC on Saturday afternoon. The drive went very well considering that we had the kids in the car for two days straight. We made many stops along the way, anytime the kids would start to cry the rest of the car would start to look for places to stop. In my opinion, the more you stop, the more they want to stop. Anyway we are here and having a wonderful time. We have rented bikes for the week, and the kids love them as long as you don't make them ride for more than a couple of hours. Last night Mimi and I went for a ride on the beach and it was wonderful. It was actually a smoother, easier ride than the bike paths. This morning however was a different story. Mimi and Papa went to see some condos so Mike and I decided to go for a long ride with the kids and circle from the back of our complex that we are in down the beach and catch up with the public boardwalk/entrance then go up the street to the front entrance of our complex. Well we were in for a nice surprise! Turns out that you can only bike on the beach when it is low tide and the sand is hard enough and this morning was high tide and so every time we got on the bikes we would sink and almost fall off the bikes. We had to walk down the beach around 2 miles to get to the next pier. Overall Mike says we biked/walked around 5-6 miles. We were exhausted. I told Mimi that this may be the first vacation I actually loose weight on. Well, I just wanted everyone to see some pictures of the beach. It is beautiful!! We are having a wonderful time and are headed to Savannah, GA tomorrow and eat at the Lady and Son's for my birthday. I am sooooo excited. Happy Birthday to Matt. I still can't believe we don't get to spend these birthdays together anymore! I love you happy 28th birthday. I love you.

My Memory Bear

2009-08-31T22:14:00.005-05:00

Just to prove to those sceptics out there that I truly made it myself. You can see the mess,

the sewing machine and the mangled bear.
The bench that inspired it all.

The finished product!

I loved the way his feet came out.

He still needs eyes and a nose, but that will have to wait until I can get to the craft store.

I know that we all have those random memories that something in life triggers in our minds; a few weeks ago when Brenda was here to put up corn she found something that did just that for me. There was a county Antique & Flea Market that she spent some time at (when she was suppose to be shucking, silking and cutting off corn) and she came home with this beautiful bench made from Jenny Lynn baby beds. I loved it and finally found a place for it, but just looking at it I knew that it needed something to sit on it. These bears that my mom made were suddenly embedded in my head. For those of you who know me well, know that I do not remember much of my childhood, but theses bears were perfect images and memories. I could remember everything about them, the fabrics, the tea-stained look they had, the lace tied around their necks and more specifically these wooden hearts that my pawpaw would cut out that had writing on them my mom would hand paint and then the twine used to hang them from their necks. It was unreal! I have never touched a sewing machine, so the idea that I was going to make these bears was a little crazy, but I wanted them, one for Priss and one for Bubba Love. Brenda and mom helped me track down the pattern and then Brenda and I found a quilt shop and picked out my fabrics. Still I do not have a sewing machine. I have always wanted one, but I have never had the time and I didn't realize how affordable they are. So finally I got my first sewing machine. With some scrap fabrics and a very good instruction manual full of pictures, I began to sew. It is very relaxing and frustrating all at the same time. I LOVE IT!!!!!!! My favorite thing has always been to read, but with the kids so little its just not possible. This is my new hobby, I actually ask Mike at dinner tonight if we could get a converter for the car and I could sew on the way to and from South Carolina. He laughed at me and I suppose the image of me and my sewing machine in the car for 14+ hours with the kids is slightly humerus. Anyway, I sat down this morning and decided I might as well dive in to my bears I had everything I needed so it was now or never. Mrs. Judi stopped by to look at an issue I had with my machine and explained some pattern cutting tips to me and then I was off. I can honestly say that from first stitch to last I did it by myself. I still can't believe that I did it. I grew up in a family of crafty women. My mom can do anything she wants, mawmaw sews and yet somehow no one ever thought to show me how. Oh well, now I know. Priss is in love with the bear that she calls a "Care Bear" and is adamant that she wants me to start on hers. I will get hers done soon but it will probably be after our trip to SC. Bubba Love's bear is not perfect, but I think he turned out fantastic for my first ever sewing project. Now, I have something to give my children that hopefully they will cherish for forever and I can't wait to teach Priss how to sew. Hopefully, between now and the age that she can start, I will be better and can teach her. Thanks to everyone who helped.

On a side note: I have lots of pictures I will get put up soon.

My Little Climber

2009-08-11T18:58:00.002-05:00

Ok so Bubba climbs on everything these days. Here are a few pictures that I took with my cell phone of him climbing on everything. If the house gets quiet while he is awake you have to start looking for him because most likely he has climbed up on something. Either that or if he starts screaming you know he has gotten himself stuck on top of something.

Hello

2009-08-11T18:47:00.003-05:00

Bubba on the potty

Priss posing for a picture in her new outfit.

Going by the Oak to see daddy for lunch.

Well, we are alive for those of you who have been wondering. I think for the past three weeks Mike or I one have been sick with something we just can't seem to shake it. The kids have been ok so I guess that is all that matters. Nothing much going on otherwise. I have been working with Priss on potty training a little but it is very frustrating and I get overwhelmed with her stubbornness very quickly. I think I could train Bubba Love quicker than her. He will definitely sit on the potty 5 times longer than her. Well, that is pretty much it for now. Hope everyone is well.

Katie Day Photos

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The Pictures Are In

2009-08-01T08:13:00.001-05:00

Go to katiedayphoto.com and click on client proofing and the password is meleah...... they are absolutely amazing. Katie Day did such an amazing job!!! Let me know what you think.

BLog Name Change??????

2009-07-19T17:43:00.002-05:00

So you may be asking yourself, "Why would she change the name? What prompted this?" Well, the other night Mike and I were talking and I was relaying all the crazy things the kids had done that day. This is very typical of an evening for us, the kids have always done some interesting things during the day. We were joking about it and I said "Oh the adventures of Priss and Bubba" and how many more there will be in our future. I said it was like that cartoon The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle. So, there you have the new name. Yes we continue to grow in some ways, but this is the permanent size of our family so in many ways we are no longer growing. Now we are of to take on the world one adventure at a time.

The Birthday Day

2009-07-19T15:25:00.005-05:00

The Birthday Prince

The candle was his favorite.

Yuumy another cake.

That's right I can play and eat my dinner at the same time.

Ready to get his selections and go home. you can see daddy already playing with one of them.

This was his favorite but he kept on trying to eat the letter magnets.

He loved this ball.

I know some of you are thinking, "Boy, I wish someone made this kind of production of my birthday" or maybe some of you are thinking "Thank goodness no one makes this kind of porduction of my birthday." Well, a little boy only gets one first birthday. I'm not sure who it was but I remember someone saying one time that it was a contradiction because we only get one of each birthday we have so that would imply that every birthday should be just as special. Well, in the Strain house if that is the case then yes every birthday will be this special. We had such a good day with Bubba Love he is so big and trying to talk so we have a lot of fun with him. His favorite thing currently is paying his sister back for all of the mean things she has ever done to him and boy is she getting it. When Mike got home we took him to eat at Ritzy's and then on a shopping spree to Toys'R Us. He had a ball running thru the store looking at everything. We got him a basketball set and Mike found him a truck of some sort, Because "every little boy needs a truck". He had fun that night playing with his cake and then learning how to use his basketball set. I was amazed at how quickly he picked up on it. Priss even did great about letting him play with it on his own..

Yes,we have now added the water to the bottom so he can longer pull it over on himself. After this it just became a game of who could pull it over the most. Then they would jump on the frame of it while it was down. Oh, the joys of having yound children. There is never a dull moment you never know what expect next.

Bubba's Cupcake Cake

2009-07-19T14:49:00.004-05:00

Would you like a lick she asked me at one point.

Yum-Oh

It may not be perfect, but he won't care its as close to a cupcake as I could get it.

Priss was certain that she could crack the eggs herself, it took a little convincing

for her to let me do it for her.

Tuesday Priss and I made Bubba Love a cake, because every kid should have a cake on their birthday. Birthdaus were a huge deal growning up. Matt and I pretty much share a birthday (sept. 8th & 9th) so we always celebrated together which I'm sure made the parties a little bigger than they would have been. I very vividly remember so many of them and what a big deal mom made of our birthays, even after the divorce we still had large parties (maybe with a little akwardness) we were young it didn't bother us too much. Anyway, the parties were always awesome and we always had a cake, mom does beautiful yummy cakes. It was fun and something I want to do fro our kids. Memories, they can never replace and ones we will always have about them and how they change from year to year. Priss, loved helping me and really liked licking the beater. Silly Priss. When we got done that night she was looking at the cake and on her own she started singing the happy birthday song for Bubba. I'm not even sure where she heard it. But she knew it and wanted to sing it for him. It's a moment that lets you know that you are doing something right as a parent and that your kids are so loved and special. The fact that they love each other its icing on the cake so to speak. She then decided she wanted daddy to help her sing.Well enjoy!

Yes Shae Shae we know she needs those hair nets, maybe you should move your order up from her birthday.

B'Day Weekend Pt. 2

2009-07-19T14:32:00.006-05:00

Bubba's first ride Sunday night in his new trike. Let me tell you he thought he was hot stuff. He would prop his feet up above the wheels I do beleive his thoughts went something like this...."Ladies there is a new cat in the neighborhood just get in line. This is my new ride and if your nice I might take you for a spin!" Wink Wink Wink Ok maybe not but you never know he is such a flirt! He smiled and giggled his way around the neighborhood.

"Finally, I get to play with my new care! Where are those kids I better run and hide before they see me with it and take it away"

Madi's final war wound from cousin Reese right before they left. The product of a nasty balloon fight.

Doing his morning stretches. "That's right ladies I am a secure enough man to sport a pink paci, eat your heart out!!!"

The birthday boy getting some snuggle time with Mimi

Lots of babies in a bed

Hopefully, these pictures will not get me kicked out of the family. Everyone knows that any pictures taken are fair game for the blog its the waiver you sign when you enter our lives.

Anyway, these are some snap shots I took the last morning everyone was here. There were so many of us that every morning the first ones up with kids would end up in bed with me, Mike went in very early every morning, and we would let the kids play and watch tv until everyone else woke up. This morning we all were there except the men. It was a very good weekend, I find myself enjoying the time with family even more than normal. Its like the calm before the storm, something is coming, things are going to change, and sooner than later I believe. Just call it woman's intuition. I just know that the days of family at b'day parties and family coming over for the weekend and and for quick visits are almost gone and who knows where we will be. It has been a wonderful time, I think that God gives us special blessings from time to time but then when He sees fit it can be gone for reasons that at the time we may never understand. Evansville has been a special blessing for me, maybe more of a trial for Mike, but for the kids and I definitely a blessing we will thank Him for forever. I am not foolish enough to question why, when it comes time for us to move on. I have been praying for 7+ months for God to provide Mike with job security whether it be to save Oak or provide something new, so we will see what the immediate future holds, and continue to be thankful.

My "BABY" Brothers

2009-07-18T08:12:00.003-05:00

Kyle & Caroline Kamren

Can you believe that these are my two BABY brothers!!!?!?!?!?!

Kyle just celebrated his 15th birthday, which is almost too much for me to think about. I still remember the day he was born, how I use to dress him up like my baby doll, and this first time I was playing airplane with him on my feet and sent him flying thru the air. It is very hard to believe that he is old enough to be driving and dating.

Kamren will be 9 this year! I was 17 when he was born and was lucky enough to get to spend around 9 months with him when he was only 2. We were best buds, he was like my own little boy. Living so far away from them and starting college right after Kam was born has made it very hard to see them the past 7 years. It seems like yesterday that they were babies, it is very surreal for me that they have grown up so fast.

Mom and the boys are coming to spend the last week of July with us and we are so excited. Priss loves the boys and Kyle has never got to visit us. He is always playing some sport so he doesn't get to travel with mom and Kam very often. I have a very busy week planned for us, as it is there last week of Summer so I want them to have a great time since they chose to spend it with me. I love living close enough that my family can come visit. This past year and a half has been wonderful. I am not crazy enough to think that it will stay this way so I am soaking it up while I can. There is no telling where we will end up next north, south, east or west your guess is a good as mine, but I will always have these memories with my family. I am counting down the days boys! 8 more to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!