Why I love my husband!!

He's such a goofball sometimes.. And other times can be the sweetest man. He's always been romantic, nurturing and just loving... He's a great father... We've had our problems but I truly do love him, and am so glad that things are looking up for us.. Well this morning I told him I wanted to eat chicken spaghetti for dinner and he asks me if I'm going to cook it. I said I didn't know how that he could.. So he sends me the following msg...

you boil noodles
kiss your husband
you boil chicken
hug your husband
you drain the noodles
play with your husband
you cut up chicken it bite size pieces
you nibble your husbands ear
you mix noodles and chicken together
you kiss your husband again
you open cream of soup cans
you diddle with your husband
you mix the soups with the noodles and chicken
you play with your husband
you pour in cheese with the other mixture
you drive your husband crazy
you pour chicken skitti in bowls
you kiss your husband again somewhere
you eat
we go to bed!!!

Pretty simple really don't forget the onion

He's such a nut!! But I love him..

Doing A Little Better!

I just got back from visiting my Grandmother. I can't explain how much joy it brought to me to walk in and find her awake, and talking!!! She's still really nauseated, her tummy is really tender. But she's not in nearly as much pain as before. They are sucking a lot of stuff out of her stomach so I think that's helping out a lot. Her potassium was low, so they've got her on a drip for that now. Her colon is still showing no activity, so please keep her in your prayers that it wakes up and joins the party!! :-) Thanks so much for all of your prayers. I have family coming in town tonight, my Aunt Becky, Uncle Keith and Becky's daughter Amy. And they are picking up my Aunt Susan and her husband Glenn on there way through in Arkansas. My grandma will have 9 of her kids here at once.. It would be nice if the other 4 could be here as well... She hasn't had all of her kids together in a long time...

Every Parent's Worst Nightmare!!!

My Niece Emma started Pre-K this year and rides the bus home. Her teacher put her on the wrong bus today!!!!!! She got out of school at 3:30 and it was 5 before she was home safe and sound! *sigh* My mom called me crying, Johann was on the phone with the teacher, bus garage etc... Johann was so upset... The teacher apparently puts a label on each kid with there bus number and instead of putting #21 she did #15!! When Johann called her after discovering she wasn't on her right bus the teacher was persistant that she had put the right label, Emma should have been on that bus etc... After some calls the bus garage the driver from 15 had just called in to say he had an extra kid.... PHEW.... it was so scary!!!! Emma called me to say Aunt Carrie I'm home and I'm fine... Johann is going first thing in the AM to meet with the principal and the superintendent. .. Apparently a few people didn't do there job... The teacher fubbed up... Then outside there's someone else with a master list of the roster and when this woman did #15 she let Emma get on even though her name wasn't on the list....

The woman were all praying for....

I took the day off of work to spend up here with my grandmother. My aunt has been staying up here a lot and she really needed to go in and get some work done today. I'll be working late on Thur. and Fri. and then going in again on Saturday to finish out my 40 hrs.

The above picture was taken back in May, she was on her way to church. She still could use some prayers. We now know that the excessive vomitting and stomach pain was coming from a blocked small intestine. She was placed on a bunch of pain pills when she came in because her Diverticulitis had flared up. Well all of those pills caused her to get Ileus; which as described by her DR this AM her Colon is basically paralyzed right now. To get it healed they are having to take her off of all of her pain medicines, and hopefully it "wakes up" again soon. She is starting to get really uncomfortable right now, stomach is really sensitive, she's moaning through the pain again etc. They have a tube down her nose and into her stomach right now to try and suck out everything that's in there. Please pray the colon starts working properly soon...

My Grandma

What Is a Grandma?
A grandma is warm hugs and sweet memories. She remembers all of your accomplishments and forgets all of your mistakes. She is someone you can tell your secrets and worries to, and she hopes and prays that all your dreams come true. She always loves you, no matter what. She can see past temper tantrums and bad moods, and makes it clear that they don't affect how precious you are to her. She is an encouraging word and a tender touch. She is full of proud smiles. She is the one person in the world who loves you with all her heart, who remembers the child you were and cherishes the person you've become. ~Barbara Cage~

Please continue to keep my Grandmother in your prayers. She's not doing well at all right now. Her WBC dropped down to 1.7 one day, and the next day was up to 17. They had given her something to help boost the number. She's hardly drank or ate anything in 3 days, and continue to vomitt a lot. She's in so much pain she's just begging for it to end, saying she can't take it anymore. A few days ago I saw my grandmother cry for the first time in my life, and I've seen her cry over the past week more then I'd care to see her cry. It just breaks my heart to see her like this. She held my hand, and my mothers hand telling us how much she loved us, and cared for us, and that she was just ready for the pain to end. Aleena has been begging to go see her so I'll be bringing her up there tonight. She's been unable to go up there because her counts were so low, we were having to wear masks and scrub in to be around her. SO I pray that my grandma can be awake long enough to know that Aleena is there. Aleena cries and prays for my grandmother everyday.

I'll update more later.

PHew How time flies by!!

Tomorrow school starts up for the kids again. And this summer just flew by!! This weekend was just as fast... We are starting up our sports season again, Aleena and Peyton in Soccer. And this year Aleena gets to add Dance (Beginners Jazz, Tap and Ballet) to her list. Joey's just really busy with school and activities with Church.

Yesterday I babysat my niece Lacie for the entire day, and we had such a great time with her here. Today we went to my In Laws to spend the day with them. It's something we'll start doing every weekend now, so I can sort there meds for them, and the kids can spend time with them. Today we went swimming, and I cooked Zitti, Garlic Bread and Peach Cobbler.

Please continue to say prayers for my Grandma. Her WBC has dropped quite a bit, and we are having to wear masks when we go see her, no kids are allowed in there. But get this... some idiot in the hospital decided it would be good to add a room mate to her room... That lady has pneumonia!!!! *SIGH* Now at the time her WBC wasn't too bad. But hello! You have a lady in there with Cancer, she's doing Chemo and Radiation, her immune system is down.. So lets all pray that my Grandma doesn't get it. She's too weak to fight that off.

((HUGS))

He did it!!!!

Peyton tied his shoes all by himself today!! Ok, I know he's going into the 1st grade and should already know how to do this. But last year his tennis shoes were slip ons, and we never had the opportunity to teach him (or the need to I guess)... But we went out today and got him some new shoes and I got tennis shoes that tie. We sat down on the couch, me holding one shoe and him the other. He watched me do it 2-3 times while I explained each step and he took his turn. And after a few tries at the 2nd loop, he finally did it! He did it 3-4 times in a row and did a great job, and then came the turn where he got confused on what to do next and quickly let us know he was done.. It was TOO hard... And he threw himself into the corner of the couch. After I sat here doing it over and over, telling my little story at each step, he finally grabbed his shoe again and practiced some more. Several hours later and he's got it down. He's no expert at it, but he knows if he takes his time he can figure it out...

Trip to Dallas Zoo

Well we made it to the Zoo today!! And it turned out to be a GREAT day for it! Unfortunately our friend George and her daughter Jessica were unable to join us. She had a remodeling project on her house being done that she wasn't expected to be dealing with today... Hopefully we'll get to meet up soon with her! We met up around 9:30 and it was a little muggy at first, but very cloudy and and not really hot. The kids had a great time! We spent about 4 hrs at the zoo, only walking through 1/2 of it. The Dallas Zoo has this great Children's area with a section that has this little wading river for the kids to play in. We spent a lot of time there! We did the Carousel ride before leaving, then went to McDonald's to let the kids play and have lunch. My friend Kristi had another little girl with her, who is just the sweetest little thing... Here are some pictures of our day..

Aleena, Katie and Shaylee

A cool Vulture
Peyton playing in the Tot Land..
Aleena cooling down in the stream
Aleena taking notes on the animals while Katie and Shaylee look on

Jeff stayed at home while we went trying to finish up the game room. He's been painting it, and today had a friend come over to help. Kevin sketched an image of Babe Ruth on one of the walls for Jeff. Kevin is such a great guy. I'm glad Jeff was able to hang out with him for the day. Jeff went to school with Kevins wife Carol Anne, they've known each other for years. Kevin was in our wedding as well... Kevin, Thank you for your help! I'm hoping to get to bed early tonight! I hope you all are enjoying your weekend.

Mamma wants hi-lights!

We've been busy getting the kids ready for back to school. Hard to believe another summer has flown by. Joey had to go today for schedule pick up and to take his pictures, so on Wednesday I took him in for hi-lights, something he hasn't had done in a long time. Well he usually just gets them on the top as he's always had shorter hair when getting them. This is the first time he's head it done all over his head!! As soon as the towel came off Aleena turned her head and looked at me saying WOW... These pictures don't really show the "wowness" of it.. I like it though...

He's growing up into such a handsome young man. I'm so excited to see what he grows up to be, how his personality is, the things he's able to accomplish.

I'm still busy doing cakes and working on my site. I've just added 2 more cakes. I had a cake order for my friend Kristi, her friend had a baby today and she wanted to take one to the hospital. This one is personalized, and turned out really great!!

I brought it up to work yesterday to give to her and I had several people stop to comment on it, ask questions etc. One lady stopped and said, "How fast can you get one done".. I told her I could get one done in a day or so. And she said well can I get one for tomorrow?.. So last night I went out and got the items and made my first boy cake in a long time... But I think it turned out really cute as well.

I hope all of the moms that are getting these love them!! Please be sure to check back to my site often. I want to get other things listed soon. Jeff's been busy painting the game room. Tomorrow as long as the weather is friendly, I'm meeting my friends Kristi and George at the zoo with our kids for a little play date. George just got back from visiting her family in the UK so we are hoping to get together for a quick visit before the hustle of school starts.

((HUGS)) to all of you...

My Personality Type? Does it fit me?

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal.A good listener, you excel at helping others in practical ways.In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music.You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for. In love, you express your emotions through actions.Taking care of someone is how you love them. And you do it well! At work, you do well in a structured environment. You complete tasks well and on time.You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist. How you see yourself: Competent, dependable, and detail oriented When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, dominant, and stuck in a rut

What's" Your Personality Type?

And the countdown begins!!!

My kids will be starting school on the 27th. I can't believe another summer has flown by, that I'll have kids in 8th, 4th and 1st grade!!! I have yet to buy any school supplies. I'm always the one that waits till last minute for all shopping trips like this. So we'll be busy next weekend running around getting it all done. Which is fun and exciting for me!

Jeff has a part time job now. He goes in tomorrow morning for his drug test and paperwork. I'm nervous about it, and excited about it. Nervous, because we've had a lot of issues in our relationship this year, and I'm afraid this will add more stress to us. BUT, it can't be any worse then the financial stresses. We have our solution to get our house caught up (will be caught up within 30 days), and we have our solution on our car situation, so we are now a 2 car family again. He's just wanting to go ahead with the PT job to get some misc. bills paid down, and get a savings account going again, and to save for a new car (the 2nd car is just a temporary fix for now). So please keep us in your prayers as we get through this.

I'm excited about my new business. I'm creating my 3rd cake this week since I've gotten the site up. I've updated my site some tonight, and hope to work on some more networking options tomorrow. I'll have new items up over the next week, so please bookmark it and keep checking. Below are pictures from my latest cake I made...


I hope all is going well in your household, and thank you for checking up on us!! ((HUGS))

Lots of updates....

Ok, here comes a really long update on what’s happening in the Rogers Household.

On July 11th my new niece Lacie Rae entered this world. Melanie had to be induced as she was just in too much pain from her car accident, and the DR thought it was best to go ahead and induce for delivery. Lacie weighed in at 6lbs 7.5oz, with dark blonde hair, and the most perfect skin color ever. It’s hard to believe that Peyton was this small; he weighed 6lbs 9oz. Lacie went in for a 2 wk checkup and is back up to 7lbs, she had gone down to I think 6lbs 2 oz in the hospital. Austin is a proud big brother, saying the entire time, “Come on in everybody, Lacie’s out of my mommy’s tummy”… It’s hard to believe Austin starts Kindergarten this year!!!

Baby Lacie getting Checked out...
Aleena excited to hold her new baby cousin

Aleena turned 9 on July 17th. We had a family party one weekend, and the next weekend she and her friends went roller-skating. She had a great time at both parties. My baby girl is getting so big. Last night I needed help cooking dinner, and I was able to call her in and ask her for help on getting cans opened, and prep work done etc. I still have a problem with her being a bit “bossy” to Peyton. She likes to play the “momma” roll all of the time, and we are constantly reminding her that she didn’t give birth, she doesn’t give orders. She’s really growing up a lot here lately, facial features are changing SOOO much, and her hair cut has really made her seem much more mature. It’s really hard to believe that she’s going into the 4th grade. I love you Aleena!

Aleena holding Lacie at her birthday party
Huff and Puff!!

I’ve got my site up and running now and have had a lot of hits on it. I’ve only had 1 order that’s already been filled and shipped out. She’s supposed to get it today so I hope she’s happy with it! I’ve created a flier that I’ve emailed out to everyone and am hoping that it gets hung up on bulletin boards all around. I also need to create a letter to mail out to the different boutique shops around, along with the gift shops in hospitals etc. There are several different ideas I have in mind to create and place on there as well. I won’t have any extra money to do that though until Aug 15th.

We are still working on our car situation, and getting our house caught up. Jeff went in Friday for an interview for a part time job; he’s supposed to hear back from them today. I’m hoping that works out. It’ll make my schedule a nightmare, but I’m trying not to complain about it too much. I know Jeff’s going to be exhausted working from 8a-10p, so the least I can do is be a happy wife and mother. It will only be temporary, hopefully by the 1st of the year at the absolute latest.

If you guys could keep some people in your thoughts and prayers... My grandmother is in the hospital again, has been there since Friday morning. She’s having problems with her Diverticulitis again, not eating much, really tired etc. My Uncle Paul, he’s in ICU right now and has been there since Friday as well. He and my grandma are in the same hospital. Paul has been sick for a few weeks and they called 911 for him on Friday. His sugar level was a whopping 1250!!!! He’s got horrible soars in his mouth; his esophagus is in really bad shape, bleeding into his stomach etc. They had to pump his stomach on Saturday I believe it was. He was really dehydrated as well, having had 10 bags of fluid put in him throughout the weekend. I’m hoping to go visit them this afternoon. And Jeff’s parents… Mom and Dad had to get rid of there dog Meg this weekend. They had Meg for almost 17 yrs and she was truly a member of the family. With Daddy not getting around well and still using a wheelchair a lot, and Mom not able to get around really good, it was in there best interest that Meg found a new home. It was a hard decision for all involved to make, and we pray that the person taking Meg gives her the love and attention she needs during her last years here.

Ok, I warned you this was going to be a long update. School will be starting in 4 wks, and then sports schedules will pick up as well. I can hardly believe that I’ll be the mother of an 8th Grader??? WOW… And then a 4th grader and 1st grader… Truly unbelievable…..

I’ll try and be more diligent in my updates…. Oh, one more update. Jeff and I were asked to teach Sunday School to kids aged 4-6 yrs old.!! I’m excited and nervous about this. It’ll for sure be a learning process for both of us, we’ll be learning along with the kids. We’ll do it for a month on, month off.

I hope everything is well with you and your family! Be sure to leave a comment so I know you were here. ((HUGS))

I've got a website up!!

Come check out my site, and maybe do some shopping with me. :-) www.southerngalsboutique.com Please bookmark it and check back often as I've got lots of things to add to it over time.

And please help spread the word. :-)

Carrie

PS. I'll post another update soon...

Running running running

I sometimes feel like I’m running circles and I’m not getting anywhere. Things are finally starting to go OK for Jeff and I financially, they have been for a few months, and I’ve slowly been trying to get caught up on the things were behind on. Now all we have left to get caught up on is our house. I’ve been sticking every last dollar we have out of each paycheck towards it, and will hopefully be caught up on it by September/October. I wanted to try and get a personal loan to get it all caught up and then pay off that loan (it would be smaller monthly increments then what we are dealing with now), but with our circumstances that’s not working out. We right now are still down to 1 car, and that car has no air conditioner; which stinks in this 90+ weather. My mom is still going to let us use her car, we gave her more money this week on it to get the last part needed, but she hasn't gone to get it yet. Hopefully she will soon. Then we'll have 2 cars, and would need to save to get another car and give hers back to her. SO my thinking was if I got a personal loan I could pay the payments on that and then start saving money to go pay cash for a car to give hers back to her. But at this rate we won’t be able to start saving for that until October/November or so which really frustrates me. I just really hope they are OK with us not getting caught up on our house until that time frame. That’s what stresses me out the most. I’m ready to sleep good at night again. And not be worried about what’s going to happen. And to watch my savings go up. I've been working overtime, I've been babysitting on the weekends, and Jeff is still trying to find a part time job. I'll be working on my website this week to hopefully start getting some orders on diaper cakes.

Here's hoping I'll check the mail and have a bonus check sitting out there or something!

Prayers for my sister Melanie

My sister Melanie was in a car accident yesterday afternoon. She’s almost 38 wks pregnant, and had her 5 yr old son Austin with her as well. She was driving down a 2 lane road and hit some puddles of water and her car veered sideways some and she was T-Boned on the Drivers side of her Taurus by a Dodge pickup. She doesn’t remember the car accident happening, and only recalls waking up in the ER. After the car accident she called her husband who rushed to the accident scene, and got there to find Melanie sitting on the ground near the car and ambulance there to load her and Austin up. They all are OK. Melanie suffered whiplash and can barely move right now her entire body is so sore; Austin suffered some cuts on his face, but nothing to bad. Melanie said this morning that he woke up around midnight and was crying that his body hurt. And baby Lacie is OK as well. She had a great heart beat, moving around great and the Ultrasound shows she weighs about 6 lbs right now! Melanie goes in this afternoon for an appointment with her OB. Please keep them in your thoughts as they make there recovery and get everything sorted out. We are all really counting our blessings right now.

Rain Rain Go Away!

It seems like it's rained every day since Memorial Day weekend. Literally it hasn't, but we haven't had many dry days since then. 100's of people have had there homes ruined, we've lost some lives due to the flooded creeks, rivers and roads. It's like a swamp out there now, and it appears there is no end in sight, at least not this week.

Yesterday I was able to get out to my friend Kristi's house for dinner. Our mutual friend George is leaving soon to go home to England for a month visit with her family. So we met up with her and her daughter Jessica for some great food and conversation. We hope to get together again when she arrives home. And I can't wait to see the fabulous pictures she'll bring home with her.

I'm getting really excited about doing this business on the side. I REALLY hope it takes off for me. My raise I got at work in April was only 3%. My boss said she hated that's all she could give me, but I guess she doesn't realize that's all I got last year as well. I didn't question it last year though because I had only been there 6 months. Today at work I figured up how much my gas has increased this year, and after I deduct my measley 3% raise from that amount, I'm bringing home.. are you ready... A whopping $45/month!!! WOOOHOOO...... Pathetic really. There are others who have gotten more then a 3% raise, bonuses still going out, etc. I'm thankful now though that I'm able to work a little overtime again, so that will help some.

thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers through all of this... Keep them coming though as we are still battling, and chugging up what seems to be a never ending mountain...

Some updates...

“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

I've made diaper cakes in the past, and enjoy making them. I've always been told you really should start a business on the side and have just said Nah, I just have fun when I'm going to a shower and enjoy making them. . I'm also going to make Towel Cakes for Weddings, Bridal Showers and Housewarming parties. As well as a few other things. I've already got a name picked out, and will be doing a site soon I hope. I just ordered some supplies this weekend to design a few... So watch here for more information. I'll be counting on all of you guys to help spread the word for me as well!!

BTW, things are going OK between Jeff and I right now. We have a long road ahead of us, but we'll be OK I think. I decided the love between us for the past almost 12 yrs out weighs the hurt I went through. And we'll be OK.

He tore some Ligaments and a Tendon in his knee last month, and is slowly recovering from that, still hobbling along. His Dad has been in and out of the hospital a few weeks ago and is just now starting to gain some of his strength back. He's spent the past 1.5 wks in a wheelchair after passing out and suffering a bad fall. So please keep him in your prayers. Aleena's been a GREAT help to him over the past week.

((HUGS))

Diaper Cakes??

Hello everyone! Over the past few years I've made diaper cakes for various showers, and have enjoyed making them. I've always thought about trying to make them and sell them on the side, for some extra money. Well I figured there's probably no better time then now. We are still trying to dig our way out of our hole after Jeff got laid off in November.

So here are pictures of some cakes that I've made, that I can find pictures of. There are 3 different kinds here. 2 are made with regular disposable diapers. One is real simple with ribbons and flowers on them, and the other is full of little gifts and gadgets (diaper pins, toys, socks, rattles, bibs etc). And then I have one that's just made of blanets, receiving blankets, washcloths, and some booties on top of it.

I can custom make them with any theme, color, type of diapers etc. And will even ship them out of state if needed. These make great center pieces, gifts for those mothers that you don't know what to get for them, corporate baby showers etc.

Baptism

Today my entire family was baptised. I was a little worried about Peyton, this morning he started crying saying he didn't want to get "Bapitised" (In his words). Peyton's not the kid that enjoys being in the water too much. He had a pretty scary moment in a pool a while back and hasn't enjoyed it too much since then. We talked to him in great detail again about what it would be like, how long it would last etc. He was REALLY excited after that. Jeff went first, then me, Peyton, Joey and Aleena. It was a time in my life that I'll never forget. We love our church, and our Pastor and his family. Thank you to the Perozzi's for introducing us, to you we are forever thankful. We love you and your family very much.

No Way?!?!?

It’s official! I am now the mother of a Teenager. Joey turned 13 today; which seems nearly impossible. 13 yrs ago today I gave birth to my perfect baby, 7lbs 12oz, @ 2:13pm; with the cutest 10 little fingers and 10 little toes. He was such a great baby.
I really have been blessed with him his entire life, not really ever causing me too many problems. Even through his toddler days, he was a great kid. I had someone ask me yesterday if I thought he was going to be a good teenager. I know that it seems overnight they change, I hope that’s not the case for him. He’s still my very affectionate, caring, loving, attentive young man that I love so much. He’ll still come sit in my lap, gives me hugs without asking, I get random text messages from him saying I love you.
Now don’t get me wrong, we have our battles. Like bringing his dirty clothes down, brushing his teeth, putting trash in the can, etc. But if those are all I have to deal with, I can handle that. Overall he shows a great amount of respect for us, he’s FUNNY, very witty, and doing pretty well I’d say.
We took him out to Chili’s last night for dinner, and he had Jeff and me laughing the entire time. He’s got some strange facial expressions, can quote movies like no one I’ve ever seen, he does these silly voice impressions, has funny little dance moves etc.

I’m going to brag on him for a moment. He’s now taking a summer course right now, and I was afraid he’d be devastated to have to take it. He was in just standard academic math last year for 7th grade, and after his test scores (TAKS and another test) they decided to bump him up to 8th Grade AP Math. The principal called me last week saying that his score on the TAKS was over commended, and the other test score was phenomenal, saying that you could tell by far Math was a great subject for him that he really excels at it. Joey is the only student this year in Middle School selected to go from Academic Math to AP Math. BUT, in order to do his best in the fall, the principal suggested he take a summer course of 8th grade math, otherwise he’d completely be missing that grade level of study, and may have some difficulty keeping up. So, that’s what he’s doing for the next 6 wks, 8:30a-12:30p M-F. That leaves him about 5 wks of summer vacation when it’s over with. He’s been named “Smarty” in the class because he’s the youngest in it. Apparently everyone else taking the class is doing so because they failed it during there 8th grade year, and need to make it up prior to going to 9th grade. Joey is going into the 8th grade in the Fall. We are all very proud of him…

Happy Birthday Joseph Rogers!!! I love you. Everything about you.