It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

The first weekend of deer season is always a busy time of the year for me. Ever since I can remember, I have watched my nieces and nephews for my brothers so they could hunt all weekend. And I always decorate for Christmas that weekend. So Friday afternoon I started out by picking up Caleb. He got in the car with our foster son. They started chit chatting away. Then they got into it. And Caleb finally said, "KK, he is arguing with me". Wonder where he has heard that word! ha!!! And then got home and Bub, McKenna, and Trinity came over. We had a great time. We played some games on Friday night.

Saturday we got up and had biscuits and gravy. Mmmm good! Then we went outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. We worked outside ALL day Saturday decorating and cleaning up the outside a little. In the afternoon while Bub and McKenna were working outside, I brought out a blanket and Caleb and Trinity took a nap outside. It was all I could do not to go over there and lay down with them.

All our hard work paid off though. We even tossed big plastic candy canes into the trees. Not sure how we will get them out, but it was fun putting them up there.

This little cedar tree McKenna decorated with all kinds of things. It looks so much better in person.


















McKenna also helped me with this. She put the garland up. I need to figure out a way to have it lit up at night. It's so cute. Now if we can just keep the kitty's and dogs out of it.
















And this is the big well house. Bub got up on the roof of it and helped me hang the ice cycle lights. He and McKenna got up there and put the cross in place and then put lights on it as well. I think it turned out really well.














We ended our weekend with going to church Sunday morning where Trinity and I sang "He Knows My Name". Then we came home and ate Fried chicken, mashed taters, gravy, corn, greenbeans, etc. Then we started putting up the tree. McKenna does a great job of "fluffing" the limbs, and Bub "fluffs" the top of the tree. My lights didn't work though, so we took a trip to Forsyth and I bought 3 boxes of lights. Got home, ran out of lights. So we still didn't get the tree done. We went to Hercules church last night. Trinity sang "Walking on the Heaven Road" and McKenna, Bub, and Trin sang "He Knows My Name". They blessed my heart!!!

I had such a great weekend with them all. It is such a healing time for me. For just a weekend, I get to feel like a mom. I love it. It does my heart good. I always tease my brother Ron that he is stingy with his kids and that he always wants them to himself. But I am SO thankful that he is that way and his kids will be thankful one day too.

So thankful for a wonderful weekend. I will treasure these memories that we made this weekend. I hope the kids will too!!

New Do!

So last night I went to get my hair done. I was sick to death of it and have had the same color, cut, etc for a while now. I wanted a change. So my friend from way back, Suzanne, just opened her salon up just a month or so ago, so I called her and made the appointment. I told her she could do whatever she wanted to do with my hair. People thought I was crazy, but you need to look at her website (http://www.studiotrendz.com) and you'll see why I had total confidence in her. Thank you SO much Suzanne! I love my hair!

So here is the before picture. We forgot until she already had foil on my head. I can't believe I'm posting this before shot for all the world to see, but oh well!!!

















This is the after shot. I don't like this one as well as the next shot. But I wanted you to see the cut/length of my hair. You should have seen all the hair on the floor. Crazy!!!!

















This is the picture I like because you can really see all the cool colors. I had a such a great time. I was there over 3 hours, but we had a lot to catch up on. I hadn't seen her since 1996 so lots of things had happened since then.

Movin' On Up...

When dad and mom came up at the end of August they had planned to maybe pour the foundation of their new addition. They never dreamed they would leave this Friday and have it built and dried in. WOW!!! My brothers and dad know how to get 'er done. Anyway, we had such a good time getting together and working (ok, so the women mainly kept the men fed and "watered"). Tearing down the old porch was kind of bitter sweet. That's where my Grandma slept the last 18 years of her life was on that porch, so that was hard. The picture above is a before picture. This was before Labor Day.

And this picture was taken this past Sunday September 27th. Looking good huh. This is probably the way it will look until they come back sometime in the spring.

This is so exciting to see work being done, knowing that they will move home eventually (sorry Tishomingo people). This past time is the longest they have been here at one time since they moved away in 2002. We have so enjoyed having them here and it is going to be SO hard to see them leave. Especially for the grandkids. They have been so use to having Papa and Granny around and going to all their school and ballgame activities. They won't be back until Thanksgiving now. But that's not too far off.

Well I guess that's it for now. If you want to see more of the house pictures, I have them on my facebook page. It doesn't take as long to download them on there.

Have a blessed day!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAMMY!!!!

Today is one of my best friend's birthday! Woohoo!! We have known each other for a very long time. We first met when we were both singing with the New Life Ambassadors. I thought she was a snob (love you Tam), but turns out she's not and we became fast friends. We had a blast singing together and I was so sad when she became a Senior and wouldn't be in the group anymore. But little did I know that's when our friendship would really blossom.

We have been through a LOT of ups and downs, but our friendship stays the same. We don't get together as much as I would like either, but when we do get together, it seems like we've been together everyday. We are able to pick up where we left off.

Tammy, thank you for being such a great friend. Someone I can talk to about anything and I know you will listen. Thanks for all the many prayers you have prayed for me. I am so blessed to have you in my life. You are a treasure!!!

I LOVE YOU TAMMY!!!!

My girl Bailey Jo

This is my new puppy Bailey Jo Combs. Isn't she a cutie. I got her on Friday from my cousin Gina. Bailey's daddy is a border collie and her mom is part Great Pryenese and Commodore. I am in TROUBLE. I had a Pryenese before and she got to be about 80 lbs or so, but with Commodore added to it, OH NO! My brother had a Commodore and he was huge. When he hiked his leg he peed all over my cousins car window. I'm kind of excited to see how big she gets.

I got her because I want a "big" dog to take on walks with me. We have beagles but they are too busy trying to find a rabbit trail and don't care about walking. Besides, there has been a bear around our area and I feel that when Bailey gets big, she would be more able to scare the bear away then the tiny beagles! ha! She has a pink camo collar and of course I had to get her a pink leash to match.

Yesterday I went out to feed our calves their bottles and I heard a little meow. I went into the field and tried to follow the sound. I found him. A tiny kitten that got left behind. He was so tiny and so cute. I took him up to his mom and she took him in and nursed him. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon!

Well, that's all the news I have for now at "Boyd and KK have a farm, E..I..E..I..O" ha!

The Valley

I love the mountain tops. But with the mountain tops, come the valley's in between. That's where I am at right now. Being raised in church my whole life, and being a preacher's kid, sometimes people think I have it all together. That couldn't be further from the truth. I struggle just like everyone else, sometimes daily. Especially here lately. There are some days, I'm completely at peace about not being able to have our own children, then there are days, like the past week, I'm completely upset about it and mad. I look at pregnant women or people who have children and am totally envious and jealous of them. I want their life, but more importantly I want what God wants for my life.

We took our foster care classes but everytime we get close to actually signing our license, they come up with another piece of paperwork that's missing. AHHHH!! Sometimes life is just so unfair. I think Boyd and I would be great parents and I just don't understand why it is so hard to make that happen. If Boyd was closer to my age, then I would say we have more time, but he will be turning 50 next year. I know the Lord's timing is perfect, and people keep telling me that, but when I'm in the valley, it goes in one ear and out the other. It just plain makes me mad.

I haven't been singing specials at church lately, because my heart and mind aren't where they need to be. I've been going to church and sitting though the messages, but wasn't really hearing what was being said.

Well, yesterday was different! I went to church and my friend Mel got up to sing a special and she sang "my" song...

I choose by Ivan Parker

Master, may I be so honest
Could I admit the way I feel?
I’m hurting, it seems that you’ve forsaken
I wonder, is Your love for me still real?
Though my friends think that I am happy
Unaffected by this trail
They can’t see the pain I’m hiding
Just under my smile
Master, I can’t live this way anymore

So today I make my choice

Chorus
I choose to believe that You are faithful
And my heart is in Your hands
And this mystery that I face today
Is part of a greater plan
I choose not to be discouraged
When the sun will not break through
I have the choice of trusting you
So Lord this is what I choose

I know this road will not be easy
I know I’ll have my weaker days
And Satan will tell me I don’t mean it
When I say, “I’ll trust God all the way”
But that doesn’t really matter
I refuse to hear him out
With my faith I’ll find the power
That will overcome all doubt
Lord, I’ve never felt so strong
As when I’m resting in your arms

Chorus
I choose to believe
That this mystery that I face today
Is part of a greater plan
I choose not to be discouraged
When the sun will not break through
I have the choice of trusting you
So, Lord this is what I choose


That was it. I began sobbing, not crying. You know the sound you make when you try to hold it in and then you have to let it lose. I went down to the altar in the middle of her song. I couldn't even say the words, I was crying so hard, but the Lord knew what I was thinking and knew my heart. I went back and sat down and then Pastor Jeff's sermon was SO for me. I walked away feeling so much better. I'm not saying I won't be in the valley again, but I DO KNOW that the Lord will be waiting on me with open arms and tell me everything will be alright. In HIS time.

So, I'm trusting the Lord and am leaning on my friend Tammy's favorite verse...
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE!!!

Calf Business

I wanted to introduce you to the little guy that is taking up all my free time. His name is Hercules. We bought him from a sweet lady who was trying to bottle feed him because his momma died while giving birth to him. His name is Hercules and he is SO much fun.

He is part Charolais Bull and is so cute. We have just recently started letting him out of his pin to play. He just runs and bucks and really cuts a shine. I'm a little concerned that when he gets older, he may be better suited to be a bull in a rodeo. We'll have to see.

I've had a lot of fun with him. We did buy another bottle calf at the Ava Sale Barn while I was on vacation. She was a Holstein Heifer and we named her, "Ava". But she died on Monday due to many different sicknesses. We would get her better from one and she would get something else. It was sad. But we still have Hercules and he's going to be extra spoiled now.

Hopefully next Spring we can buy some more. I've had a LOT of fun with them. We have a lot of calves in our other field, but we can't get close enough to them to play because "Big Bertha" mommas don't seem to want us messing with their calf.

We are sure enjoying him!!

Mother's Day

I had one of the best Mother's Day and one of the hardest Mother's Day. I'll start with the best. This was the first time in 7 years I was able to go to church with my mom. After church we all met up and ate together. Mom had all 4 of her kids with her and most of the grandkids and great grandkids. We had a great time. After we ate we went to dad and mom's and fished at the pond. I think everyone had such a great time.

Thanks mom for all you have done for me and all you continue to do for me. Thanks for being my mom and my best friend. I love you!

On the way to the farm to fish. Boyd, Me, Jessica andRyan

Kevin, Me, Jessica

Caleb on the phone with Uncle Boyd

My 3 brothers, Ron, Rob, and Kevin and nephews Ryan and Caleb

Dad in his lovely hat and my great nephew Trey

Trinity and Sheila sitting in the truck out of the rain.

Fishing on the pond bank.

5-7 years ago we put some goldfish in the pond and now they have grown huge. Bubby caught one.

Papa Kevin and Bryce with their big catch.

Ok, with the not so good Mother's Day. This year has been the hardest one for yet. Don't get me wrong, I'm VERY thankful I still have my mother because I know that a lot of people don't. But I want to be a mother so bad myself that it was hard to be in the service and have all the mother's recognized while I sat there with tears in my eyes, wanting so badly for my own children. I was visiting my brother's church and the gentleman did such a good job. He even brought up those who can't have children of their own and I completely lost it then. Then of course as we were walking out, there were people standing at the back to hand out "mother's day" bookmarks and books. I panicked. I looked for another way out the door, but couldn't find one. So I headed out the door and the little girl, bless her heart, she didn't know what I was feeling, started to hand me a book and I said no thank you, I'm not a mother. Well apparently my niece was close by, who told her mom what had happened and she came outside and gave me a hug and a book and told me that I would be a mom one day and that I was a mom to her kids. So more tears came. I just had a pity party that day, but got over it after a little while.

I am so blessed in many ways. I have such a loving husband, wonderful parents and extended family and great friends. One day, I will get my miracle. It may not be our own child, but maybe by adoption. I'll be thankful either way.

Please remember to pray for all those people who can't have their own kids or who have lost their children. Can't imagine what they are going through at this time.

Here are a couple of videos that I did from last night.

The first one is of Boyd on his "pony" ride being led around by his wife. It was pretty funny. I'm anxious for him to get use to riding the horses so we can actually go on separate horses and he doesn't have to be led around. He was slightly embarrassed that we were videoing this whole ordeal, especially when he found out it was going on the internet. But he such a good sport! Love you honey!!

The second video is of Trinity and Caleb riding together. They are so cute. And there's a little shot of Ron and my horse Sissy. She was feeling left out so Ron went and got her and brought her down.

ENJOY!!!

Welcome Home Dad and Mom!

April 23rd, 2009 mom and dad pulled into Bradleyville. They are home, well at least until next Monday and then they'll be gone until August. But, oh well. At least they will be here part of the time.

I put of some signs starting at Taneyville and I'll write down what a bunch of them said... "Hi mom and dad. Welcome Back", "Home Sweet Home", "Bradleyville Bound", "Welcome back to Taney County", "Answered Prayer", "You are Loved", "You were Missed", "7 years is long enough", etc.


This one was on the mailbox with some balloons. The balloons didn't last long with the heat, but they got the point.

Here they are pulling in.































And another one of the signs. We use to have Sunday dinners with them every Sunday after church. Now we can again.













Here's dad and mom getting out of the rig. 8 hours is a long trip. They were happy to be HOME!

Tammy, this is for you...and anyone else that wants to read it.

Well, FINALLY I took some pictures. The social worker was suppose to be out on Friday to look over our house and place, but she called me an hour before stating she had to cancel. Oh well, my house looked really great anyway.

So here is the bathroom. It use to be light blue and now it's tan. I think it looks much better. Of course our theme is sports, shock, shock.

















Here is my basketball flower pot for a door stopper. The can underneath is actually a trash can for the bathroom, but the basketball was outside and all wet so I put it up on there for now.














For some reason I didn't take a picture of the "kids" room. But it's not completely finished yet either so I'll get one up soon. This is a cowboy boot with a silk plant in it. It's a door stop for the "kids" room because it's done in all horses. Imagine that! ha!














So the kitchen is pretty much the same, except for the curtains my mom made. They look really nice. She did a great job.











We brought the cedar bench from outside. I really like it inside and the lamp on the table is new. The shade is crooked because when you sit in the rocker, it's hard to see the t.v. I'll have to figure that out later.









The couch is on the other side of the living room now. I think I like it there better.













This is a view from the kitchen. We got an Armour for our t.v. and I LOVE it. It works nicely in the corner.











And this is by the front door. I thought it turned out pretty well too. It represents our lives... Us, our parents, and Christ.

One woman's junk, is another woman's treasure... Thank goodness! ha!

So Saturday, the fire department had a yard sale in their fire house. We all bought booths (or 2 booths in my case) and started getting our stuff together on Friday night. I had never fully moved out of my previous home after I had married Boyd. But because my parents are moving back, I had to get my "junk" out of there. I threw away a ton of stuff and probably should have a lot more. But I also had a lot for a yard sale.

In order to get rid of as much stuff as possible I put 25 cents and 50 cents on most of the items. I didn't have anything over $3.00 and that was for a rocking chair. I had clothes hanging on the wall for $1.00 a piece or $2.00 for a suit. Anyway, Saturday morning at 6:00 A.M. rolled around and people started coming in. I got rid of a lot of stuff. By 10:00 a.m. I put all my clothes $1.00 a bag. Have I mentioned I wanted to get rid of my stuff. It was all going to the free store afterwards anyway. By 12:00 I was getting tired of the sale. So I started giving stuff away. If they walked by and picked it up I would tell them they could have it. I had a big box of odds and ins for the kitchen and sold it to a lady for $1.00. The stuff that went the fastest was my books. I was very surprised. I had them 5 for $1.00 or $.25 cents each. They went quickly. I had about 100 books or so. I had plenty to replenish my table with.

All in all, I had a great day. Saw lots of people. Lot of old friends and made some new ones. And I got to do my favorite thing in the whole world... people watch! YES! And I made a little extra cash too. I was sure not to walk around to other people's booths, because I would've spend all my money!

Here are some pictures from the day...

Hillary and I! She came to visit with me at our yard sale. She brought her mom, Jenny, and the sweet lady who works at Hillary's home. Thanks for coming guys!

Just some of my "junk"

Here are "some" of the books.

3 tables full of "junk". Plus the clothes hanging on the wall.

The clothes on the wall. For some reason clothes sell better when you hang them up. It's true. As people would by them I would hang the others up.

Changing My Livingroom

This is really not a very interesting post, but I know Tammy will be interested. So...

Hey Tammy! I found an Armour for my living room and I have completely re-arranged my living room. I'm going to get pics soon, but I want the mess to be cleaned up first. I'm so excited for you to see it. It turned out pretty cool. Everything is completely different from the last time you saw it and mom got my curtains done, so I'm going to try and get those up too before I take pictures.

We found bunk beds that are country blue, but I think I'll paint them because the room they are going in is Hunter Green and Tan and the blue will look weird I'm afraid. Anyway, I'm anxious for you to see.

Just wanted to keep you updated since you helped me decide colors and such for the house. Pictures soon I promise!!! Love you!

Easter 2009

Boyd and I Easter Morning

Kevin, Debby, Mandy and Nicholas Easter Morning


















Ron, Sheila, McKenna, Zachary, and Trinity Easter Morning



















Jessica, Caleb, and Ryan Easter Morning













My cousin JoDene with straight hair. She has REALLY curly hair naturally.




















Caleb found an egg, can you see it?
















The kids minus a few adults that hunted eggs. We hid about 600 eggs. It was crazy!!!












Here they come from playing, ready to hunt eggs.
















Coloring the eggs.















Coloring the eggs.

Coloring the eggs.

We had such a great time at Easter this year. We took Rob's kids with us since Rob and Carrie couldn't come. Thursday evening, Boyd, Me, Jessica, Ryan, and Caleb headed down the road for our 8 hour trip. When we got close to Alpena, we could tell we might be in for a storm. Little did we know that we were in the middle of a Tornado Warning, not watch. It was very scary. I had to pull over at one point because the hail, wind, and the rain were coming down so hard. We prayed and we prayed. Thankfully we made it to the Huntsville store and waited it out there. The rest of the trip went pretty smooth. We made it to dad and mom's by 2 a.m. Ron and Sheila were a couple of hours behind us and they made is safely about 4 a.m. friday morning. Needless to say, we were beat.

Friday we just hung out and played. Trinity and I taught Caleb how to hunt eggs since this was his first Easter egg hunt. And then dad and I and the bigger kids went on a two mile walk. Well the boys rode their bikes.

Saturday we colored eggs in the morning and then hunted them that afternoon. It was a blast. Caleb did a great job. We also straightened my cousin JoDene's hair. (She has curly hair like you Tammy). It looked great and she looked way younger. Saturday evening a storm rolled in and Sunday was just plain nasty. So the church had their Egg hunt inside. But there were 2 prize eggs at church that had over $20 in them. Man to be little again! That would've been so exciting.

We headed home Sunday evening and we had our car that Boyd drove, and I drove Mom and dad's truck. They are moving home next week and so they needed some help getting all the rigs home.

A plug for my brother...

If you need any Excavating/Landscaping/Concrete work done, my brother Ron is your guy. He and the gentleman that works with him have over 20 years experience. He is very reasonable with his prices and does great work. You should see some of the beautiful fountains he has built in Branson and Ozark. Anyway, if you need his assistance, please contact him at 417-294-1878.

Thanks a bunch.

Dr Appointment

So today I had to go to the doctor's office to get the results of my blood tests that I had on Monday. Well, my doctor walked in and was so excited and gave me a hug. She said she had to do a double take when she saw my weight was down 36lbs since January. I have not been the weight I am at now, since 2006. My labs came back great. My blood sugar was 101 in January and Monday it was 89. My ALC was 6.4 in January and Monday it was 5.7. My cholesterol was great. My blood pressure was 128/72 (and that is without medicine). I'm SO excited. It's very encouraging to see the results of my weight loss on paperwork.

The doctor told me that if I can keep at it like this, I won't need to be on medicine for Diabetes for a long time. And normally she would have me come back in 6 months, but she decided to have me come back in 3 months, so she could encourage me to keep at it. Anyway, she told me that I started her morning off great.

I'm so thankful that I have gotten this far, and I'm anxious to keep going now.

Thank You Lord for Your strength that you give me daily. For surrounding me with such great friends and family who support me. Thank You for giving me such a wonderful husband who is patient with me when I get the hunger grumpiness, who comes on walks with me for exercise, who always encourages me whether I lose weight or not, etc. Thank You Father for life here on earth and life everlasting. I praise You Father!

29 and holding

Well, yesterday was my birthday and I had a GREAT day! I woke up at 3 to my husband singing happy birthday to me. Too funny. I had lots of calls, texts, emails, etc to celebrate my birthday. One of my favorite calls (that I missed) was my nephew Caleb who is 2, singing Happy Birthday KK on my voicemail. It's priceless. So thankful I have it saved. My friend Phillis who I work with, gave me an Americana basket to match my bedroom with an Easter candy dish. And my boss got me this beautiful bouquet.









Then Boyd came by and brought me this...That was so thoughtful of him. He had already got my birthday gift last month. I asked for a pellet/BB gun and he got that for me already and I've been having a ball with it.

I didn't want to go out to eat, so we stayed home and had frozen pizza (my favorite). Boyd did have the table set and had a candle burning. Then he went on a walk with me and then we came back and had sugar free strawberry shortcake. All in all it was a great birthday!