One down, and I don't know how many left...

The test last night was 50 questions.. I missed 3.. making my grade a 94 and I couldn't be more proud of myself!! Yipee!! A good ole' confidence booster if nothing else, huh?? One of the ones I missed, I pondered about too long, and ended changing the answer!! You guessed it, I had it right BEFORE I changed it.. always been a problem for me-- second, and third, and fourth guessing myself!!

My first Test

Well, as Karley has her first day of 'big girl school', I've tried to prepare for my first test tonight! Jamie and I were up until 11:30 last night studying. He has always stepped up to be my study partner!! It's 4 chapters, one of which is anatomy and physiology!! geesy louisey!! Not only body parts, but a detailed explanation of how air enters the body and where it goes from the nose, how blood flows through the heart, and the ENTIRE facial structures and spinal column!! I'm nervous, b/c I know that this particular chapter is the foundation for the rest of the class and on through Paramedic level. So, it's the GOTTA KNOW AND UNDERSTAND rather than memorize for the test stuff!
I'll be studying during lunch and before class tonight also... wish me luck!!

Karley's First day of Kindergarten!!

"I'm okay daddy!!"

We did it.. Up at 6, caught (literally) the bus about 7:15 and she was off.. Big girl never looked back.. I begged for the pictures I was able to snap.. And at school, she was so NOT worried with Jamie and myself.. They were all TOO busy checking everything out and chatting with each other.. I say, "My baby's in Kindergarten", but really, I've gotta do this all over in a couple of years with Bowen--really MY BABY!! Not looking forward to that!!

Happy 4th Anniversary Sha-na-na!!

Happy Anniversary to Mr & Mrs. Daryl Smith!! Just when we all though Shannon would NEVER get married, she did.. and has stuck it out for 4 years now!! Congratulations to you both and wishing you many more years of marital bliss!!!!

Yes, me too....

Well, after all the chatter about us old brides, I drug me filthy, non cleaned, non preserved dress out of the closet.. I did it!! Heck, I even broke out the veil... and no, I still didn't stand up straight. My baby belly filled the dress in more than it did 8 yrs. ago, and my boobs were less filled than 8 yrs. ago!!




And Karley even broke out her Flower Girl dress for the photo session...



And what did I get out of this marriage??

Class...

Thanks to ALL of you supporters for all the kinds words of encouragement for me going back into the Student world!! It has been some 12+ years since I ran calls with Woodland Rescue Squad and took the EMT class, and about 10 years since I went through one year of nursing school.. And BOY have things changed!!

Last night went great..We didn't cover very much material because of the time it took to get registered and the orientation done. That matched with about 10-15 folks coming to class on the first night WITHOUT a book!! Geesy pete! what were they thinking? There are about 45 folks in the class..

I'm excited and again, thanks to you all for the 'push' and encouragement!!! I'll keep you posted.

One of my many Pet peeves..

NEGATIVE PEOPLE! This one person in particular is NEVER encouraging or optimistic about anything anybody is doing. I tend to think it's a jealously thing. EG: I've never had a 'great, fulfilling job'..it was just whatever paid the bills. uumm, well, as I see it, I you're given the chance to go for it- scared to death or not, do it. You can't stay stuck in a dead end, boring, lifeless job, solely b/c it pays the bills. What's wrong with having the best of both worlds? At least partly! NO, I'm not thinking that life is all sugar and spice, but if some people want to take a leap of faith and further their education and move on to exciting new careers, then by golly, JUST DO IT. God doesn't want ANY of us to settle with average achievements, he wants us to push and strive to accomplish a little more..not to be greedy, but go out and get it!!

None of us are 10000% convinced that the everyday decisions we make are the right ones,but if we believe in our hearts, that our decision today IS right for us, then it is.. Sink or swim. do or die. You can't say it won't work if you don't try it first!!

So, for us that ARE making a change and going for something new and different, YOU GO GIRL(S)!! And to those of you that are positive and supportive to us, THANK YOU! We will need a ton of encouragment and support throughout the next little while. When we are doubting ourselves and/or our life's decisions, lift us up. Speaking for myself, I have given MOST of my career choice making to the Lord, and I DO KNOW that he is going to guide and direct me to where I'm supposed to be. And hopefully help me figure out what I want to do when I grow up!!!

tonight's the night....

I will start my EMT class tonight.. Boy, am I scared.. I'm fearful that my house, husband, and kids can't function without me. Class is twice a week from 6:30-9:30.. I haven't studied anything in almost 10 years... I'm nervous. But, I'm going for it 1000%.. Wish me luck.

Be thankful....

As I spent a good part of yesterday morning listening to Jamie complain about our again broken lawnmower, I tried to tell him to stop, think, and be thankful for all that we do have.. So, I made a mental list of my many blessings that I felt moved to share:
1- we have 2 beautiful, healthy kids.
2- we have each other
3- we have a fairly new house that is more than enough for us
4- we have 1 good and three average fish ponds
5- we have 4 goats
6- we have 1 rabbit
7- we have 6 hyper hunting pups running around and one not so hyper lab
8- we have the resources to feed all those animals and ourselves
9- we have 2 nice vehicles
10- we have Directv
11- 2 cell phones, 1 house phone
12- FAMILY nearby..
13- health for all of us (such as it is, but it could be worse)
14- awesome friends
15- a riding (but broke down) lawn mower..we could have to push all that grass!
16- decent jobs (most days!)
17- FAITH and PEACE!
18- a loving church family
19- both of my parents are still here with us.
20- Jamie's mom & step dad are still with us.
21- living next door to our kids' 82 year old Great Grandmother
22- more than enough clothes, toys, and food for all 4 of us
23- freedom to say and do what we want to do
24- the resources for me to start school THIS monday, whew!!
25- 3 new babies coming all around us, and NOT US!! thank goodness!

The list could go on and on.. My thought is: when you're down and out and think you have nothing, STOP and look around.. WE all have more than alot of people do.. Heck, we all sitting here blogging AT WORK and reading from a computer!! Have a great day, and take a minute to thank God for all the things that you DO have in your life! It's precious, regardless of how problematic you think it is today. Everything around you could be gone tomorrow!

My Handsome Men

This was taken last night.. Jamie and Bowen often wear the same color shirts.. they did Friday night when we went out to eat. And again yesterday..I'm SO proud to be the wife and mother to such good looking fellas!!

Vacation Bible School

These are a few of the girls at VBS last week.. From the looks of the pictures, I think they had a great time!! These are Karley, Bentlee, Rebecca & Hannah (Donielle's 2 oldest)...

Baby Girl D'Arco

Erin and Joe came last night to tell us that they are having a GIRL!! We are SO happy for them. And they can't be controlled they're SO dang happy!! They will go tomorrow for the blood test that Mandy and Charlie just had done. Actually, they are still torn about whether or not to take the test.. They, like I was, don't really care about the results. They said they'd deal with any problems if and when they arise..
Either way, please keep the D'Arco's and all the other new parents in your thougths and prayers. They all will need a huge amount of love and support during these last few months of pregnancy and the rest of their lives as they raise kids!!

My Super Duper Birthday weekend

Well, I started off Friday morning with lots of calls and the kids telling me "Happy Birthday Mommy!" a thousand times. Jamie got me the most heart felt gift I think I have EVER received. He got me a new Bible. The New International Version, which I what I've been saying for months that I wanted... That was SO special, particularly getting it from Jamie.. and a sweet card!! Karley self crafted me a very special card!! So then we spent the day cutting grass, weed eating, pulling weeds, playing with the puppies and goats! Which was EXACTLY what I told Jamie I wanted to do!

Friday night we loaded up and hit RR to go to Lone Star, WalMart, and Belk! I bought myself a new bathensuit top with some of my b-day money.. I spent my 21st birthday at Lone Star (yep, with Jamie), so I guess it was 'fitten' to go there for the 31st!! Jamie treated me with the LONE STAR birthday song, which was rather embarrasing but the kids thought it was fantastic.. and when they were done singing, Bowen belted out "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!" and of course all the waitresses thought he was adorable..Yeah, Jamie's son for sure--working the ladies!! It was VERY special that Jamie went all out to honor me on this day.. My eyes filled with tears throughout the day and night about every 30 minutes..just thinking of how truely blessed I am to have him and my healthy children, among many other blessings!!

On Saturday, we went to the Watermelon Festival Parade.. I was not as impressed than I have been in years past. It was smaller than usual, but the kids enjoyed it. Then we went on to the river to spend the day and go out to eat at Riverside that night.. There we met up with Mama, Daddy, 'Uncle' Peter, 'Aunt' Patty, Jason, Ashleigh, and their 3 kids, and one nephew!! Yes, that totaled up to 7 kids!! We had a BLAST!! Boat riding, talking, and catching up with Jason and Ashleigh... And Ashleigh and I got on the innertube.. Actually the BIG MABEL!! and boy, the guys and kids thought it was hilarious.. and it was! A little sore yesterday, but not as bad as I expected it would be.. We just had a wonderful day and night!!

Overall, one of the BEST birthdays I've ever had!!