Oops.. forgot to mention

This weekend my parents kept the kiddos again while J and I worked on painting the house. The Realtor came and picked out color schemes and all that on Thursday, so on Friday, we dropped off the kiddos headed to Lowe's.

And since we had to change the color of the trim, we had to change out every outlet and every light switch.... about 33 of each. Nice.. We got the contractors bulk package. lol.

Everyday the boys are away, I call first thing the morning just to see how the night or morning went and see if G put himself on the brink of tragedy. He didn't this weekend thank goodness.

Unfortunately I realized the first day that I didn't prep mom enough.

Mom: "G started something new... since he knows I have a key to the bathroom he now pulls out the drawer to block the door from opening."
Me: "Oops.. I forgot to mention that... we have ended up taking the drawer out... Sorry"

Mom: "Oh, and I caught him in there eating all the toothpaste"
Me: "Ooops... sorry.. forgot to tell you he has gone to great lengths to get to the toothpaste.. sorry"

It's sad when the crazy things your kids do slip your mind to mention because nothing shocks you anymore.

Life

Life is crazy. So many ups and downs, excitements and disappointments.



Tat is my brother. He has had his shares of ups and downs, and excitements and disappointments... He has also handed them out, but who hasn't, you know.
He has made great strides for himself over the past 10 years... he has taken steps back and there were times where I thought I would never want to speak to him again.. and never thought I would.
Then we start talking again and it is fine.

One thing about Tat that never fails though... his love for his 4 legged babies. He loves them unconditionally and they love him too. He life revolves around his two cats and his dog, just like your life would revolved around your children. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a wife, nor children, both of which he longs for deeply. So, needless to say, his animals are his world.. his family unit.

Obviously, our entire extended family loves animals.. I have 4 of my own, Tat has 3, Nana and granddaddy have 4, there are too many to count with aunts and uncles... it just goes on and on. They all get Christmas presents people.


About 11 days ago, Shadow, Tat's 5 year old cat and only male bonding partner decided to sneak out of the house. No sign of him since. Tat is devastated. There are nights he has slept out in his truck hoping to get a glimpse of a 30 lb black cat roaming the streets looking for his home. He checked every shelter in the county and city. He put out flyers with "reward". He has walked to every neighbor giving out flyers and asking for leads. He walks the neighborhood everyday. He checks the sewer outlets everyday. We have searched Craiglist, petfinder... all of them.
Unfortunately he can't drive around to look for him because about 5 days ago, his alternator went out on his car.
His prayers were that he would give up anything to have Shadow back.


Then about 3 days ago, Maggie, his beloved and most prized possession, his 11 year old Aussie/Border Collie mix, his first baby girl, the one he attributes "saving his life and making him straighten up" started screeching and whining, and her legs stiffed up and she began shaking uncontrollably. Once she could walk again, she started to walk backwards.... less than 12 hours later, she did it again... the whites of her eyes turn an awkward shady gray color and she just sits as if she wants help.. when there is nothing no one knows what to do.
Tat rushed her to the vet where the doctor immediately took some blood which we are awaiting the results for.

Tat is beyond devastated... he keeps saying "that is not what I meant when I said I would give up anything for Shadow"..

I worry about Tat anyways... whether we are talking or not. I am hurting for him right now and wish there was anything I could do to help/fix/take the burden off of him right now.

Even if you are not a 'dog or cat person' please pray that everything works in the way God has planned.

Random

The boys wanted to show off their skills... total white boy/no dancin' skills... but overall, their skills.

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Anyone who knows my family well enough knows, our animals/pets are like our children. We hurt when they hurt and we mourn them. And when one decides to run away from home, it hurts us all.
Please pray that Shadow, my brother's little buddy, decides to come back home. He has been missing for 10 days now and my brother is absolutely heartbroken. He has visited shelters, every neighbor around the neighborhood, handed our flyers, offered rewards... he is at a loss.
I am honestly surprise no one has seen a 30 lb black cat running around the neighborhood. I think someone has taken him in and won't give him up. I hope he comes back.

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See.. no one can doubt we spoil our 4 legged babies too.


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OH, and the boys totally dug my strawberry cream cheese on wheat Ritz crackers...



I plan to address the new night light and sleepign with G in the next couple of days.

Newest Family Member

So, my brother found this baby girl furbaby was being tormented by the neighborhood kids. She brought it to my granny's house Sunday hoping that 1) either my granny wanted a companion or 2) my aunt, who has connections at Guardian Angel Pet Rescue could find it a home.

She still has puppy breath.
She is so smart.
She is a total mutt.
I think my granny took a liking to her. She was being called a lazy heifer before we left and my granny only usually holds that for those she holds dear.
My granny has named her Honey.

Welcome Honey.

T is for TIRED

We are exhausted... but a good exhausted.
We had a good time at the wedding this weekend. It was gorgeous. It had a fall theme and was beautiful. CONGRATS AMY AND CLINT.
When I get pics I will post.

We got to see Mammy and got some more toys and clothes. How great, and couldn't be at a better time since G can clearly not fit into 18 month pants anymore. They are just too short... but his waist is like a 12 month... so we went to buy some more cinch waisted jeans for our skinny minny.

We did some shopping and spent some great time with Uncle Berek and KaKa and Pops. The boys always come home worn out!

2 times, G accidentially took a nap in his big boy underwear and both times, we were so worried about the amount of washing we were going to have to do after those naps. The funniest one was during the wedding and reception.. G was sound asleep, in underwear on daddy's chest. Dada decided to put a diaper between G and him for a "just in case" measure. No need, G didn't mess at all. Then again on Sunday... for like a 3 hour nap. So proud...

Last night on our way home we made one stop to pee pee and G did great. About an hour later, we hear from the back of the car... (in a half asleep stupor)

MAAAAAAAMA PEE PEE
Honey, wait baby, we will stop as soon as we can. Just hold it.. you are doing good... just hold it... *he proceeded to look at me like I was crazy*

1 mile later: Just hold it baby.. you are doing great. We will stop as soon as we can... don't fall asleep baby.

another 1/2 mile later: We are almost there baby.. wake up G.. J, I think he has peed, he is relaxed enough to be sound alseep.. We are almost there baby... just hold it.. G, wake up G, wake up baby..

another 1/2 mile later: We are here baby, G wake up....

HE WAS DRY AS A BONE!!!! NOT EVEN A DRIBBLE ON HIS UNDERWEAR!!!!
NOT ONE DRIBBLE.

We put on a diaper for "night night" in the car and he was NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT!!!!

I am so proud. *sniff*

great-great Uncle

Beecher Whiteaker

COOKEVILLE -- Funeral services for Beecher Whiteaker, 92, of Cookeville, will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22, from the chapel of Whitson Funeral Home. Burial will be in Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 4-9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21, and from 7 a.m. until time of services on Monday at the funeral home.

Mr. Whiteaker died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, in Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

He was born June 13, 1916, in Putnam County to the late Lot and Effie Swack Whiteaker.

Mr. Whiteaker was a maintenance supervisor in the Putnam County School system.

His family includes a son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Vickie Whiteaker of Cookeville; a daughter, Linda Joyce Whiteaker of Sana Maria, Calif.; a sister, Betty Henry of Monterey; three grandchildren, Valarie Smith, Steven Whiteaker and Melissa Ramsey; and three great-grandchildren, Carlie and Brinna Smith and Calvin Ramsey.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Thelma Roberson Whiteaker; his second wife, Edna Whiteaker; and seven brothers, Vance, Albert, Mal, J.B., Burl, Junior and Charlie Whiteaker.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Carroll, Edwin Ortlepp, Barry Martin, Mike Jones, David Roberson and Bobby Whiteaker.

Bro. Myron Greer will officiate at the services.

Cousin

Terry Edwin Pence
48, of Conway, passed away Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008. Terry was born Nov. 1, 1959, and he was a 1977 honor graduate of Griffithville High School, where he graduated as valedictorian of his class.

He received his bachelor's degree in 1982 from Arkansas Sate University in Jonesboro and went on to earn his doctorate in law from the University of Arkansas Law School in Little Rock in 1985. After receiving his law degree, he went to work for the Pulaski County prosecutor's office where he spent the last 19 years with the State of Arkansas in the Workers' Compensation Special Fund Division. He also served as the attorney for the city of Holland.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Raymond "Sprout" and Fay Pence also Clytee Bradley; his father-in-law, Harry "Buck" Whaley.

He is survived by his wife, Pam (Whaley) Pence of Conway; two sons, Wesley Pence of Fayetteville and Evan Pence of Conway; one daughter, Katey Pence of Conway; one stepson, Airman first class Jon Osborne of the USAF stationed in Sheppard AFB, Texas; his parents, Jerry and Sandra Pence of Griffithville; one sister, Sandy Allred of Des Arc; one brother, David Pence and sister-in-law Jennifer Pence of Florida. Also, many extended family members and a host of friends, all who loved him and will miss him greatly.
Please send prayers to my grandmother and all her sisters and brother. They will miss their nephew/son.

*Jason's great Uncle Beecher also passed away Wednesday I think, but I can't find the obit as of right now.

Remember that wedding?

One of the many weddings I have talked about on here.. remember it? haha

Ok, J's cousin's wedding... it was in August.. well, eventhough I haven't seen any pics of the bride and groom, I got a hold of some candids from a family friend of the boys.. so for right now you get this..

*NOTE: I keep the orginials I get sent, but sometimes I can't help but play with the pictures a little bit... I sooooo need an iMac.
Here are some:

Enough to break a heart... and a wedding!

I know.. another wedding, right?! lol.
Here's the dealio.. my uncle had a wedding date set of 11/1/08. All Saint's Day... they picked it because they thought it was somewhat ironic... moving on..
Ok.. so they are getting married in November in a small ceremony in downtown Memphis in a little house/chapel where they can invite like 20 some people then we are going to Paulette's for a reception that their friends have booked and planned already.
Then came Wednesday and they came by where we were price stuff for a garage sale and let us know "Hey, btw, we are getting tomorrow at 3:30 down at juvie hall." (that is where my uncle works)... "My buddy, Judge so and so, is going to marry us."

jaw drop

"Cool deal".

Welcome to the family Nikki.

So, J has gone out of town again. Only overnight, but he sat down with G last night and explained how he would not see him until like Tuesday night. G didn't think anything about it until this morning when Dada was not here to say bye to or watch leave or NUTTIN'!!!
What do you do??
You claw at the garage door and look underneath because if you cry loud enough or claw long enough.. things will eventually come your way, right?


How about if you scream DADA loud enough.. he ought to come through, right?


Surely it doesn't take that much longer than the inital 45 minutes!, right?

Sorry

This week has been crazy busy and that is why you haven't seen a lot of posts. Monday was a holiday, J was out of town Wednesday - Thursday, those days I was at my granny's old house with my mom and the boys getting stuff ready for granny's garage sale, Friday and Saturday was garage sale. Also, Nana and Granddaddy wanted to take the boys to Delta Fair.. so we went last night. G rode all the rides he wanted and had to be turned away for most of the ones he wanted because he is oh... a baby.. ok, a toddler.. ok a kid, but a WIDDLE kid... he thinks he is much bigger than he his.. anyways, he found a new ride he wanted to try. But being little, he would just hang because he didn't have enough weight... so the lady manning the thing helped him... she bounced him a bit.. the dadda (you know, his PROTECTOR) says "he ain't scared, let him take off".. and she did.. to the point it was drawing and crowd and many times you could here the crowd GASP.. my mom is having a coranary and me.. I am looking, but I can't.. but I have to, but I can't.. it is just crazy.. he is like 50 hundred stories up and the little booger head can't quit grinning!!! PUT THOSE DIMPLES BACK IN.. YOUR KILLING YOUR MOTHER! Sorry we don't have pictures... I probably would have dropped the camera anyways.

Oh.. and their aunt Becky gave them an old little baby drum thing that she had had with her boys to play with while we were putting prices on items... One day with dadda and he rocks out... check it... *btw, he is saying "two, four" when tapping his drum sticks together... then he stops and says "ROCK N' ROLL".. but trails off after rock.

this is why

we don't eat momma's world famous (ok, so not WORLD FAMOUS, but they are to the boys..) blueberry smoothie popsicles in the house. and what do we do when we are excited that dada is back in town??

A few more things are going on in our lives... my bro quit his job... doesn't have one lined up. He seems ok with it... and my mom is about 99% sure she will have to have surgery.. that is what the technicians told her, but she won't see the doc until Monday. Depending on what the bloodwork says. Apparently she has extreme carpal tunnel with muscle athropy(shrinkage) in like 1 or 2 fingers. She will find out more next week.
We are heading to Nashvegas for a wedding this weekend. J's cousin is gettin' hitched. It will be fun... I am a little scared though about how the boys are going to act.. I have a feeling it will be like church, we will spend a majority of the time in the hall outside with our loud mouth babies.

Connections and other things...

Well, it looks like there is a possibility of some of my work on my family tree is paying off. I came across a website today, and it looks like he may be my 5th cousin once removed.. or his kids are my 6th cousins. What is so great, is it is through my mom's paternal side. We didn't have a lot of contact with them over the years because of certain family situations, but I found a connection.


This is a picture of my great grandfather as a baby (C.S. in the picture) and his family. How cool is that? Ok, maybe it just excites me. lol
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My dad can't swim and he ain't too fond of water... what can make a man who can't swim and hates water get in a swimming pool? Not his wife, nor his children.. but those grandbabies can... The boys have no idea of the power they possess.


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My mom asked me yesterday if G was really undoing the footrest of the sofa....

Yes... yes he is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and updates.

HAPPY BIRHTDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
HAPPY BIRHTDAY TO YOU!!!!
We love you babe.


So I got the results of the evaluation and it looks like G is accepted into the program... but not because of delay. Out of 5 areas, he had a 15% delay in one area... that is it. NO other delays, but the records they got from the doctors showed that at one time he was diagnosed "Failure to Thrive". Because of this, he is accepted.
Let me clarify something. He is healthy as a horse, very. He just has a hard time gaining weight. When he was very little, like months old, he stopped gaining... for months. At 3 months old, he was still just 8 lbs after a month of weight stall. When this happened he was diagnosed with 'failure to thrive' and they began to run test for Cystic Fibrosis and such. He came up negative for all tests, rest assured.
I questioned whether or not to proceed with putting him into the program.. "if he is not delayed, then are we wasting our time". I mean, this is state funded.. and do we really want to be those people who can do it on their own and take advantage of state funded programs?
Then I talked to Nana and she said something "With as competitive as the world is, why are you going to take an opportunity away from him?"

Thoughts?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KA-KA and updates

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KA-KAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
We love you.


My uncle is finally home from the hospital and doing good. Thank you all for your well wishes.

Here is a pic of the flowers.. the purple lilies had already bloomed and was in their dying state..

I ended up having to put them outside once the white ones bloomed. :( One sniff of the living room and my head clogged up immediately. They were gorgeous though.

G's early intervention evaluation.. well, I should get the actual results today, but she said that they were using the Battelle Developmental Inventory. She said that out of 5 areas, he needs at least 40% delay in one area or 25% delay in 2 areas to be able to receive their services. She said she does not see this at all. She told me that 'language' wise, 2 year olds are considered 'within the range' if they have at least 10 words. That is it. She said "considering he was passing various 3 year old tests, I doubt he will get our treatment."
I don't understand how being able to put circle pieces in circle holes, and lacing up a a shoe has anything to do with him TALKING and needing help with TALKING... but it is a government funded program, so they gotta put the standards there for a reason. hrmf!

So, G took today to sit and chill for a bit...