INSERT CATCHY TITLE HERE

I really have nothing to blog about. I have been working late everyday, going into the office on the weekends or bringing it home with me. Which leaves very little time for anything else.

Thank God I have the most amazing husband who picks up the slack and doesn't complain. He has taken over the dinner making and helping keep up the housework. I am hoping it is starting to level out so that I don't have to put in so many hours.

We are in the throes of Girl Scout Cookie sales, Thinking Day activities and this is the 100th year birthday of Girl Scouts. Lots of projects to plan and do. I have spent tonight researching the country of Denmark for Thinking Day. We will have a booth about Denmark for Thinking Day. Our service unit has joined with another city to have the event together. We will have 37 countries represented and expect to have an estimated 400 girls that evening. Each troop that signs up for a country has a booth with info on Girl Scouts from that country, a craft or food to hand out to all 400 girls plus a Girl Scout Swap to give. I have contacted a few bloggers I found from Denmark to help us get information. I found a recipe for a cookie that sounds really good called Pepper nuts that I hope to make a batch of this weekend to see if it will be cost effective to make 400 of. I will be having the girls do this the week before the event. I have also been trying to find 400 Lego pieces to make the SWAPS since Lego's originated from Denmark.
If you have any you want to get rid of I will gladly take them. If you have any information about Denmark please share!!

I did get to spend Saturday with my sister, Mom and Aunt. We met at my Aunt Donna's and I wish I had taken photos. She just bought a new home and it was my first time to see it. It was gorgeous. She made us a delicious lunch of chicken salad, fruit and Poppy seed dressing. The dressing was just as good as our local tea room. She even sent us home with some.... Love to drizzle it on the tropical mix canned fruit.

I am headed to bed to try to catch up on some rest. I was up and down all night last night, spent today exhausted and yawning .

GOALS FOR 2012

Twenty twelve. I like the sound of that, it rolls off the tongue easily.
I am not one to make resolutions (because I don't keep them). I do love this time of year when I reflect on the past months and dream of the ones to come. We have been talking this weekend about where we would like to go on vacation this year. Plans I like to make, I think it is has something to do with the beginning anew. The cleaning up after Christmas when your house seems less cluttered and everything is in its place. I think that is some of what makes us want to set goals and make plans.

So that is what I have been doing the past few days. Lots of thoughts on what I want 2012 to look like for us. Here are a few plans I have. I am sure I will be adding and subtracting as the year comes and goes.

1. Simplify
2. Organize
3. Finish Coco's furniture (Look into painting in the colder months)
4. New blinds and curtains for living room and dining room
5. Eat healthier and exercise
6. Drink more water I should say DRINK WATER!!!
7. Become more involved in our church
8. Do a bible study or 2 this year (miss those Beth Moore studies)
9. Revive some friendships that have been put on the back burner
10. Date my husband more
11. Crochet scarves for everyone for Christmas (bought my first yarn today)
12. Live like no one else now so I can live like no one else later
13. Paint the house - long overdue
14. Buy new living room furniture
15. Learn something new


Those are my plans and goals so far! Do you have plans for 2012?

2011 IN REVIEW

It seems like 2011 went by in a whirl. These are a few things I want to remember about our year.

Coco has had lots of fun on her trampoline.

We finally finished our bathroom remodel in early 2011

Blizzard of 2011. Arkansas received record snow. Lots of snow days spent at home

Fun Girl Scout trips to Camp Noark

Our precious Mammie went home to be with Jesus

Celebrating a great year of Girl Scout cookie sales

Along with snow we also had record tornados and thunderstorms

Spring was filled with nights at the softball field where Coco played for the Diamond Hawks.

She moved to the Dirt Hawgs in the fall of 2011 a traveling team

Coco finished 5th grade with straight A's

Spent the 4th of July at Nana and Papa's

1st day of 6th grade. Our baby girl is growing up too fast

We went to Oklahoma to see Ms Willie. Scott's favorite teacher.

Spent a Sunday afternoon in Eureka Springs, Ar playing tourists

Mimi got her first computer. Love connecting with her on the world wide web

Scott started power lifting. He is dead lifting 540lbs and benching 350lbs

Girl Scout troop bridged to Cadettes

Spur of the moment photo shoot with Coco

Halloween dance at the middle school. Ashlyn spent the night and went with Coco to the dance

I started a new job with Wells Fargo. Spent a couple of weeks traveling for training.

I am loving the new job

Coco and I visited the Daisy BB Gun museum in Rogers, AR

We added Abbi Lane to our family. She was intended to be Coco's Christmas present but has turned out to be a family gift. We are all in LOVE with her. She has a great and fun personality. Brings us so much joy.

Coco all dressed up for her first formal dance at school

My sister and her family came to visit. Love these kids Jake, Kaylee and Ethan

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened on 11-11-11 in Bentonville. We went in December to see it. I can't wait to go back and Scott has no desire to ever go back.

Family Christmas photo using the timer on my camera.

Kbugg broke her elbow the first week of winter break. She had to go to Children's hospital in Little Rock the same day for surgery. She is healing well and has been a little trooper through it all. Their family is in New Orleans as I type awaiting to board a cruise ship for a 7 day vacation. I am so jealous!!!

Christmas morning 2011

The Family 2011

Looking forward to 2012 and making lots of memories!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

RECENTLY VIEWED

I was looking at Coco's phone today.

I found this recent conversation between her and her Daddy

Daddy: Get me a coke? Thanks LOL

Coco: NOO!!!

Daddy: Yes!!!

Coco: NOOO!!!!

Daddy: Yes Ma'am !!!!!!!

Coco: Get it yourself

Daddy: No you get it now!!!!!!!

Coco: No

Daddy: Nevermind lets get ice cream

This all happened with him on the couch and Coco in her room...

Maybe I should make a no tech rule in the house, but then I would miss this little connection between the two! Daddy loves to aggrevate her.

JUST WHAT I NEEDED

 I have had a wonderful 3 day weekend. It is amazing what 1 extra day off can do for you. My Lupus has kicked my booty for the past few weekends. To the point that by Sunday rolled around,  I just wanted to stay in bed and that is what I did for about 3 weeks.

Scott and Coco went to a campout with his best friends family on Saturday and Sunday. I just hung out at home on Saturday. Sunday my sister and I went to flea markets for the afternoon. I did not buy 1 thing, but had a great time just hanging out with her. She is on a special diet and is doing so well. SO PROUD OF HER!!!

My family got home at 11pm last night and I was ready for them to get here. I missed them even though I enjoyed the time alone.

Today I got up and went to work cleaning the house. I finally used my Shark steamer that I won at a Christmas party. Crazy that I let it sit in the box for so long. I loved it. It came with a little bottle steamer that I used to clean the tub and shower surround. WOW that little thing is amazing. Should have used it sooner. Well now I know!

Coco and I went to do a little shopping.

My baby girl is not so much my baby girl anymore.

She will be 11 next month. Where has all the time gone. I just want to cry thinking it was just yesterday that I was rocking her to sleep everynight. Giving her a bath and now she is shaving her legs, wanting to wear makeup (NOT).

This photo we took in the car shocks me that I have a TWEEN!!

Believe me the attitudes remind me often!!

A great weekend and now I am counting down to the next one. Which I will have a 6 day break at the end of June. Wooo Hooo

Have a great week my friends

Pam

EASTER SUNDAY

A glorious Resurrection Sunday.

The recent and continued rains put a damper on our Easter plans but we rejoiced in our Savior anyway!

I did not even get a picture of us or even Coco in her Easter dress. I might have to have her dress up for a photoshoot.

This was Coco's Easter basket this year. She is at the age that she didn't want to do the coloring of eggs or hunting. Made this Mama kind of sad.

She received clothes and a couple of tween devotional books and candy.

We celebrated with Scott's parents after church. She had the table decorated so cute.

Nana might be a spoiler! This stuffed Target bag was Coco's Easter treats. She got her lots of cake decorating supplies, candy, jewelry, jewelry box and cash! She says next year she will be better. Yea right! She only has 2 grandchildren so she goes a little overboard.

Saturday night we went to see "The Messiah" at a friends church. I love this production and for a small church they do it up big! I was happy that my Mama and sister both got to come enjoy it with us.  Our church service was good this morning. We got there late and had to sit in the very back and we sat behind a family that interacted with each other all through the service and I kept getting distracted so I feel like I missed most of it. We came home and all took a nap. Love those naps.

I do not love this rain. It has rained since Friday evening. We spent an hour in the cellar on Friday while the tornado sirens were going off. Luckily we didn't have any touch down. It has rained, thundered and lighting all weekend. The forcast shows the rain lasting thur Wednesday. I might be paddling to work tomorrow instead of driving.

Hope all had a Blessed day.

WEEKEND RECAP

This weekend has been just wonderful. We started it out with Coco having a sleepover with 3 other girls. I laughed so hard Friday afternoon when I called home to check on them. Scott was home when they got off the school bus and he was a little antsy with all the giggling and squealing going on.

The played and played and played on the trampoline, ate pizza, watched Tangled and made paper cell phones. Only 1 of the girls actually has a cell phone. The convinced me to take them to Sonic for a Blast about 9pm. I think we had some sugar overload but Scott and I didn't hear a thing after about 11pm.

PTL

Saturday we had to be up early for softball practice and then Coco and I came home to just hang out the rest of the day. Scott and I watched the Fighter. It was a good movie just tooooooo many bad words.

Sunday morning we had a great service on Worship. A quick lunch at Taco Bueno. Walmart run to pick out  a birthday gift for our nephew Jack who turned 6 today. I didn't pick up my camera until this afternoon.

Coco tried to get me to let her play in the sprinkler yesterday and I kept telling her it was to early in the season.

Sunday I gave in. This is what she did with it.

She had a blast and never complained about being cold. It has been really windy today so I thought she would be back inside quickly but I WAS WRONG. She stayed out there for quite a long time. I had to let go of my Mommy worry and just let her be. I do remember being a kid and the water was NEVER to cold...

When I went to upload the photos I found a BUNCH of these. Someone had a fashion show recently.

Love weekends like this. Full of memories and fun.

REST IN PEACE

Our Mammie went home to Jesus on Sunday night. We will grieve and miss her like crazy.

She is whole.

She can see.

She can hear.

We are grateful that she is no longer in pain.

At my wedding in 1999

Coco's kindergarten graduation.

She and Coco napping on the couch when Coco used to stay with them every Monday until she went to school. Thankful that Coco had those years with her.

Mammie and her sisters at my bridal shower.

I thought the world of her. She was a very special lady.

BLESSED

I just got off the phone with the sweetest lady. Her name is Willie and she tutored(sp?) Scott when he was in school and they have always kept in touch.
She is now in her 80's living in Tulsa. She is such a neat lady. She went back to college at 40 to get her teaching degree and then taught for the next 20+ years. She hosted a wedding shower for us and was there at Coco's birth, bringing us meals. I just love her.

We hadn't talked to her in awhile so she got worried when she couldn't reach us so she called Scott's parents to check on us this weekend. She and Scott have played phone tag the past couple of days. She called tonight and told me she was worried that we had been raptured and she was left behind. So FUNNY!

She volunteers alot and she is now volunteering at a Assisted Living Home on Mondays  answering the phone. Can you imagine? She had just come from taking her recycling out. She's totally up to date with this Going Green stuff. She stays up until one or two in the morning and then sleeps until 10 or 11. I told her she is like a teenager. She told me she prays for us. She prays A to Z when she goes to bed. Whoever she can think of with each initial she prays for. I told that is why she is staying up so late... LOL

Her call just made my day. Shame on us for not calling her more often!

Feeling very blessed to have her in our lives!

Wish she was still living in our area so we could be with her often. She is a very special lady!!!

WEEKEND RECAP

Another Saturday at the gym watching Coco play basketball.

A special guest this week. My nephew E got to come watch her play. He asked her at lunch why she didn't get that ball in the goal? Innocence is wonderful.

Our girls will FIGHT for it!

Her own little cheering section. Aunt Tammy, Uncle Michael, Mimi, Nana, Papa, Cousins Jake, Kaylee and E.

Saturday night we were with family celebrating 3 birthdays for my Aunt and 2 uncles. These are my Mothers brothers and sisters. Sadly we have lost 2 of her brothers in recent years. I don't see them often so it was good to see everyone. I got a couple of OMG's when I walked in. Maybe I should come around more often.

My first attempt at making a magazine bowl. The inside looks much better than the outside. I have been working on my Girl Scout calendar for the rest of the year and we will be doing a lot of things regarding recycling and reuseing. I have found some great crafts that we will be trying in our meetings. Lots of fun coming up!

Another great weekend has past.

I wish you all a great week ahead.

Be back soon

Blessings

Pam

WEEKEND RECAP

I have had a wonderful weekend and hate to see it end. We were pretty busy all weekend but it was nice.

When I got home on Friday Scott and Coco wanted to go into town to eat. We thought we were getting a headstart on the crowds but we were wrong. Scott wanted a steak but everywhere we went the wait was like 45 minutes so we ended up at Napolis. This was our first time there and it was very good. For you locals it tasted a lot like tontitown spaghetti/pasta. Very good.

Our Saturdays have been spent here

Basketball games. This week we played Westfork and beat them 14-9. Our first win of the season. They might not be winning every game but they are learning and playing hard. Love to watch my girl! 

After the game I had a Girl Scout planning meeting but I had to go here first.

My car was so nasty from the recent snow. I couldn't tell you the last time I went thru the carwash but it had been awhile. I had this planned all week because it was so warm on Saturday. I learned my lesson a few years ago when I washed my car in the winter and the next day I couldn't get in because the doors were frozen shut.

Sunday has been great. We went to church and listened to a great sermon. We got out early today so we did beat the crowds and Scott got to have his steak. Coco and I shared some cheese fries and then we weren't hungry for our meal. (imagine Scott frowning at us). We brought it home and ate it for dinner.
I took a quick nap when we got home.

Coco had basketball pictures at 3pm and then she and Scott went out to sell Girl Scout cookies in the neighborhood.

A great weekend!

Wishing I had tomorrow off for MLK day, but my bank doesn't give all those federal holidays.:(

Glad to have a job though!

Blessings,

Pam