09/09/09 and feelin' mighty fine...well, in general in life anyway!

Today is my big day...I am busting right on through the 30's. I have to say that all my dreams and aspirations for my life at 30ish are indeed coming true. I am blessed to know God and have a personal relationship with him that is an anchor in any life storm & my eternity is all shored up (what a bonus); I have two healthy children (who are also unbelievably handsome and funny); a fabulous, devoted hubby with integrity; overall good health; both my parents alive and well...still married and still fun to share life with; all my siblings and I speak, love, and enjoy each others company, many great nephews and NIECES; 2 grandmothers still with me to enjoy and love; supportive and loving aunts and uncles and fun cousins; wonderful in-laws, sis-n-laws and bro in-laws; a church where I still see miracles and life change happen, where people are authentic,and where I feel loved, accepted, and can have a meaningful place to serve and share the gospel; good friends that are truly more than just people to have fun with, but people to go through life ups and downs and celebrations with; just enough "paid" work that I enjoy (I like teaching...really I do...and it is funny that I was a teacher cadet drop out--I told my Mom I would NEVER teach); a mother-in-law that want to and enjoys keeping my kids so I can make money and don't have to worry about the boys AND she makes at least one lip-smackin' meal a week that I don't cook or clean up; a home I love every square inch of; and I get to be with my boys at home --what a privilege; we have just enough money to be comfortable and enjoy life but not enough to fight over and worry about; I have lots of places to plant plants, time to play tennis (seasonal opportunity only) and walk (most days); good books a waitin' on me; a new-to-us camper and great adventures in it this past year; AND I enjoy our "lawn- ornament" animals we have added to our family. I really AM where I pictured myself being...where in life I really hoped to be at this age...and that brings a lot of satisfaction and peace. I give God all the glory for answering my prayers and blessing me beyond belief. I cannot count my blessings ENOUGH! I could go on and on and I am sure that I left something or someone out that really brings meaning to my life but it was fun to think about what really makes my life tick at this point and to get it all down on paper for me and my kids one day!

Still, today is rather stinky in and of itself...Jonas is sick...he has ear infections and sinus junk, I am sick with a sinus infection and Jeb has 2 terrible ear infections--hours at docs offices, 300 bucks in docs visits, and meds and antibiotics all around. Jeb started school today and I truly did miss him....the house was so quiet...Caleb was whiny...I am sure he will be sick soon...my students seem to all have stories that make me want to cry...AND I have to work this afternoon AND it is overcast...yuck. Birthdays are just not what they used to be! When I get done with work, I am going to get some Chinese food (what a treat to me!), and come home and snuggle with David Baldacci--my favorite author. THAT I am looking forward to! I am going to see my sis this weekend so that should be FUN AND J and I have a big date planned and sitters all lined up...it is just that this actual day stinks...and that is fine b/c the bigger picture is that Life is GOOD!

Gross and Good Mealtime Stuff

Jeb has discovered that he likes Mac and Cheese! WOW! I am thrilled...now I can add to his list of 7 things that he eats (Beef Cow (burgers), BBQ, Chicken Nuggets, Turkey, "Job Siters" (ham and cheese toasted, eggs/cheese toast, and PBJ)....plus Chick-Fil-A. He also will eat yogurt on any of the above--gross. BOTH my boys dip their chicken in yogurt?? Whatever. As long as they eat. Also, I have been trying to get more anti-oxidants in the boys as we have been sick and cool whether is coming. They think that V8 Fusion (of any flavor) is Kool-Aid, how great is that!?
Jeb has recently added a new cereal to his list of cereals he loves--Oh's! I forgot how good that cereal taste with yogurt.



2 Recipes that sound GROSS, but are REALLY GOOD!

Hot PINEAPPLE CHEESE CASSEROLE, My Mamanette loved making this!
1 lg. can chunk pineapple
1 stick butter, melted
1 tbsp. flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 c. grated sharp Cheddar cheese
Crushed Ritz crackers
Drain pineapple and place in casserole dish. Mix flour and sugar and pour over pineapple. Pour melted butter over mixture. Place a thick layer of cheese on top of mixture.
Top with a thick layer of Ritz crackers. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.


Grape Salsa

* 2 cups red seedless grapes, coarsely chopped (about 1 pound)
* 1/2 cup anahiem pepper, diced - do not use the seeds! (about 1 pepper)
* 2 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped
* 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 1 clove minced garlic OR 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
* 1/4 tsp. Sugar
Can add green onions for extra taste


Caleb has discovered that he can kiss and likes doing it...but he is stingy with them. His first kiss (public) was to Granny, his great-grandmother. He kissed Mr. Ray (our 86-year-old neighbor) when we left today and surprised me to death. Mr. Ray was all smiles!

I have "fasted" and prayed about getting more into mopping with a happy heart. So, I have taken a week off and you should see the floors. One of the things about staying home that surprised me is that I thought my house would be so much cleaner--WRONG. Since 3 people are here all day getting into all sorts of things this place stays a wreck.

More NC Adventures...Part Deux

We had so much fun that 3 blog posts might be what it takes to capture what happened!
The group at Moore Cove Falls, Pisgah National Forest


Racing on the mountain top!



Making mud pies at Moore Cove Falls. I think they could have done this an entire day. Mama Faith was in charge of this very unsanitary restaurant.

We took the kids on a long ride all over the 90 acre campground area. They loved yelling and chanting "faster" and we had fun watching them!





The group at Looking Glass Falls.

Jeb loved playing in the CHILLY river.
J caught a snake, but the kids saw it first and they were quite ecstatic.
Cay can really get into a good ice cream. This was a 3 wipe job here.


Cay got a new phone--he was very proud. It has all the bell's and whistles!

NC weekend camping

We woke up "the morning after" our trip and Jeb said, "Can we go to Sliding Rock today?" Even though he only went down once apparently he has some regrets about not going back up for another plunge into the icy cold 48 degree water once more. He added, "Next time, I'm going down the slow side." So, that is good news..I hope there is a next time again next summer. We had so much fun. When I asked Jeb what his favorite thing we did was he started listing just about everything we did so I guess he liked it all...He said, my words added to his but his order, hiking and the kids seeing a snake first, roasting marshmallows, riding int the back of daddy's truck with all the kids, climbing the mountain, riding bikes in the mud, going to the huge toy store, getting ice cream.

BTW--Jeb actually tired and ate a "Mexican hamburger" at a rather authentic restaurant we went to--menu all in Espanol and no chicken fingers here folks--who knew? It was good!

Some kids snuggle with teddy bears and blankies...

Some kids snuggle with teddy bears and blankies...


mine snuggles with a cellular device! The past few months Cay had become literally obsessed with having a cell phone. He spends his time in the car, around the house, and even sleeping with one nearby (see pics). If he sees you with one--BEWARE--a fit will happen and he will want the phone. I don't know what pressing matters he is working out but I tell you if he is not happy food/snacks, music, and a cell phone will do the trick. His favorite is an old flip phone that we had. He thinks he is cool stuff when he has that one!


If you are planning to recycle a phone in one of those boxes, consider donating it to our toy bin. It will bring him so much joy. Hee hee! Seriously, the kids wants a Razor!! Ha!



He loves an ice cream sandwich too!

Jeb is into dressing himself...it is driving me CRAZY. He is changing clothes AT LEAST 4 times a day. The other day I did a full load of laundry and as I folded them I noticed that it was camo attire (down to the socks), John Deer clothes, various boxers,and pink shirts--his favorites. None of these clothes were even worn out in public. He also fancies some denim shorts because that is what "cowboys wear when it is hot and they can't wear jeans." He keeps me hoppin' washing all his wardrobe changes and sticking stuff back in drawers that are so messed up I won't even get started. It is funny b/c when you see him again around the house you just never know what he'll be costumed in!

August Memories

We recently had the great pleasure of keeping two little girl-friends of ours...
As you can see the babies TRIED to take the Jeep over and then the big kids had to finish their "date" and then Cay decided that if he couldn't beat um' he'd join them by pushing!

We had fun at Nikki's house seeing some folks we did not get to see this summer as much as we would have liked to! I loved Cay's mohawk in the baby pool and I love that babies can have so much fun in a simple bucket of water!

Jeb recently discovered the joys of V8. As it comes time for winter and all the germs and illnesses that go with it, I thought I would try to "sneak" in some more antioxidants and IT WORKED. I bought the V8 fusion Tropical Orange and set is down in a big boy cup with a straw and he said, "ooohhh, Kool-Aid treat for lunch today." I didn't say a word back.

Caleb has mastered the steps ...or so we think. He latest antics are that he can load Jeb's shotgun (FAKE, of course) alone which takes some serious, fine motor skills. He is so proud when he gets it! Also, he has been on top of tables, stuck under beds, and generally tearing the house apart. I think he is going to be more mischievous than Jeb ever was. He is giving kisses now complete with an audible pucker and some tangible spittle, which is fabulous. He is also riding his Power Wheel now alone. He can't turn yet so I have to assist, but he can use that 2 cm thumb to drive it.

Jeb has mastered biking with "barely" any training wheels. J has them bent up for a security blanket, but he is all over the yard on his bike now and wants to bike at least by 9 each morning. The pic is Jeb on Bobo's Harley. IN THE YARD, of course.

Camping trip to NC is coming up soon! We are excited to get back out there and do some hiking, biking and having fun in the river with friends.

OOOPS>>>> I have fewer pics to post from our trip to NC with J because I WASHED my camera when I was there. I don't mean wiped it down. I mean put my new $500 camcorder and my 9 mos. old Kodak point and shoot in a complete washing machine cycle. I am sending the Kodak to the trash and the camcorder to be refurbished (I hope.) It has been quite a sad thing for me to possibly lose every video I've made since Christmas (that is the last time I backed them up). I have shed some tears over this DUMB, DUMB mistake. I know most moms have done something like this while multi-tasking and talking/reprimanding children. I suppose mine was just more costly emotionally and physically. The good news is what really matters--my own memories and our safety are in tact from the week of camping at the Hilton.

Classes start today for me, so I gotta go "virtually" meet my new crop of students. Tomorrow I meet the others face-to-face. Oh boy! There are always some characters...some good, some bad.

Gone for 2 weeks...Happy to be HOME!

WHEWWEEEEE we have had some fun and we have had some great adventures (one in particular was not fun though--another blog coming on that)!

I have a new sister-in-law! Jacob and Kristen were actually married in Jamaica in July, but their reception was just before we left! It was a great outdoor affair at an old, Southern plantation like estate...I have 2 great Crooks sister in laws! I had fun dancing and being silly with some family gals that have a wild hair like me!














We went back to SandDestin for another great week. My aunt is the bomb for sharing her beautiful house in this unbelievable resort. I have serious thoughts of leaving the farm for this place...it is that good...it is fun and ideallic...but I won't ever leave this place.

Caleb was amazed to see "Taylor" the bird and get some gatorade...the pic says it all.


We hardly leave the resort. We love the golf cart living!



Jeb has no trouble relaxing in the pool.



Jeb learned to dive while we were there. Oddly enough, I showed him one time and it took no coaxing...he just dove right in!


The 8 hour drive gave Jeb plenty of downtime to watch movies. He did not complain once.


It was a blessing to go to the beach with all the leading ladies in my life...my mom, my mother-in-law, and my granny. How many kids get to go to the beach with their GREAT grandmother? What a blessing. She is tough and fun. It is quite a great memory to have a margarita and dance with your grandmother. What a good time.



We enjoyed our new bike trailer. Caleb liked it the least; he didn't even like suckers..what is wrong with him? About 45 mins to and hour is all he could stand.



This shot is of Jeb at the outlet mall playground peeking out of the lighthouse!


In Raleigh, the boys spent any time we had in the hotel wrestling of course.

We visited the museum of natural sciences and this is Jeb with the great white. He had fun identifying scat (he was quite good since we have a book on it), and seeing all the animals--real and fake alike.


Cay snuggling in our room with Polar.