Soooooo Thankful

Over the years of my life I have had many thing to be truly thankful for. I look back on all the blessings in my life and I am truly grateful.

This year I am especially thankful for:
1. The gift of salvation, even though I am not worthy
2. The love of a good man, who thinks I am beautiful
3. Three children who are bad sometimes, but mostly are very good
4. My mother, who makes every effort to make those around her happy
5. My church and my church family, they have fed my family
6. Family, no matter what comes out of my mouth they are stuck with me!
7. Friends, I do NOT know what I would do without these sisters of mine
8. Hot chocolate
9. My childrens teachers. They have a very tough job.
10. Last but not least, my JOB. I love where I work.

Please take a moment this holiday season and remember what we have. We have so much to be thankful for.

My Daddy

The other day I was talking to someone about my dad and I realized that my dad has been out of my life longer than he was in it. For those of you who don't know, my dad died in 1988 when I was 16. He was 39. I know this is sad. It makes me sad to think about all the things he has missed in my life. He totally missed my high school graduation. He didn't get to walk me down the aisle. When my girls were born I didn't get to have him come into the delivery room afterwards and introduce him to my girls... He is not physically present at birthdays, holidays, recitals, big events, nothing....
But this does not mean he is not there. My dad may have been on this earth for 16 years of my life, but during that time he impressed on my a lifetime of valuable information. He taught me about love. My mom and dad had an unbelievable love. And they were not afraid to show it. My dad would do anything for someone who needed it. Which may be why I would do the same. He was such a family man, always doing for us kids so that we would have fun. And boy did we have fun!!!!!!
But most importantly he taught me about the love of Jesus. When my dad was sick, I never once heard him ask God why. Why him. Now he may have in his own private time or with my mom but never in front of me. This showed me such a strength and belief that he not only knew where he was going but that he would see us again.
So in believing this I know my dad is there. At my graduation, my wedding and every day he is there. Watching me raise my kids, helping me to do a good job with the training he gave me before he left. Watching me love the way he loved. What pride he must be feeling. Funny that this is exactly how our Heavenly Father feels too.
So yes , not a day goes by that I don't miss my dad, think about him, or wish he was still here. BUT I have a lifetime of memories that will get me through until me are together as a family again.

I love you daddy..... Thanks for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Happy Birthmonth to my Friend of the Day

Tracy is totally my friend of the day. Sometimes when you meet people you become friends. Not always good friends but friends. Then over the years as you are around that person more and more and in more personal situations you get closer. This sums up my friendship with Tracy. I met Tracy several years ago at work. I knew immediately that I liked her but I did not know to what depths she could love her friends. Tracy is an awesome friend. She is an awesome hostess, one of the funniest people I know and an awesome gift giver. She is one of those people who are always there for her friends. And I am lucky to be one of them.
I am sooooooooo glad that Tracy and I have evolved our relationship. Lately we have become a little closer through our children dating (and by dating I mean conversing through texts). I have to say this thrills me to no end. Knowing that when your child "goes out" with someone they will be with another person you trust gives immeasurable comfort. I hope this last forever!!!!!
My friend Tracy is so special she deserves not just a day but a month!!!! So happy birthmonth Tracy.

Thanks for being my friend........

Mrs. Bentley to the Principal's Office

My friend of the Day is Nicole Miller Bentley.....

OK I have known Nicole for a very short time. The first time I met her she was very quiet and reserved. So I wasn't too sure about her. But after a few times I said something to Nicole and in true Nikki fashion she has a smart a-- remark and I thought oohhhh I like this girl!!!! She has a great sense of humor, She is a God Loving woman, and she married my Matt. (That alone deserves some praise!) This last Saturday I spent a few hours with Nicole just talking. It is soooo easy to talk to her. She has a lot life experience for such a young person. She gives good feed back when you share a problem with her. I just totally feel like she is a friend to keep. And did I tell you she married Matt!!!!

I look forward to many memories with Matt, Nicole and Ella. She is the perfect addition to the Bentley family. I am always here for ya Nicole! I know you would say the same thing....

Thank you for being my friend......

Happy Birthday Mary Paige!!!!!

Being a mom to a 4 year old is........

Hard

Frustrating

Impossible

Crazy(bad)

Exhausting

Mind Numbing

Draining

Rewarding

Fun

Crazy (good)

Loving

Awesome

Enlighteneing..........

PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary Paige I love you with all that I am. You delight me and frustrate me in one breath. I am forever grateful that you came into my life. Your 4 short years have given me some of the happiest times in my life. I look forward to watching you grow, to being a part of many more happy times in our lives. You are an angel. I love you............

Friend of The Day

Did I ever mention to you that I have the best friends ever? I did? Oh well I am telling you again... I have the best friends EVER!!!!! My friends know exactly when to pick me up, exactly when I need encouraging, exactly when I need a hug.

My friend of the day is Dana McBurnett. I truly love her. Dana was one of my special buddies on night shift. ( and by special I dont mean a ratard). Dana is probably my earliest friends in L&D. She liked me before I was cool. Heck she probably made me cool. I remember some good times on nights with Dana and one really sad one when she thought I was leaving her forever :-(.

Dana is always ready to have fun. She is friends with everyone. She is someone I am really glad is on my team. And she can burp louder than any drunk red neck I know.

Dana, Thanks for loving me, thanks for always being there for me, thanks for listening to me, crying with me, holding my hand when I am sad. Thanks for dancing with me at parties, singing Tim and Faith duets with me, making me laugh, all of it. I love you, always will.

Thank you for being my friend...

Friend of the Day

Today I have another friend in mind who deserves to be my friend of the day. And today is her birthday.... My friend Tammy Williams.

What can I say about Tammy.... I met Tammy when she started taking care of our babies in the nursery. I knew instantly when I met her we would be friends. In the nursery it didnt take me long to realize she wasn't just nice, she was SMART! So I promptly moved my kids to her practice. I knew I wanted someone to take care of my kids who I felt I could really talk to and she has never let me down. One thing that Tammy and I share that not a lot of people can say about her is she diagnosed my child with a brain tumor ( yeah some friend huh?). Well what makes the friend part was she said " I called Cyler, he's got Ben and I am ready to go with to the hospital" She went with us and helped us get Grace admitted. She didnt leave until after 9pm. I don't know what we would have done with out her, probably sit in the Harbin Clinic parking lot staring at the road.

BUT, the good times were being there when she had her 2 beautiful boys, knowing she trusted me with such a momentous day, Lunches at Dragon Garden, Belly pictures she did of me and the girls when I was Pregnant with MP, Long talks on the phone, and many more memories to come...

She's proven she would be there for my family and that is number 1 in my book....

Happy birthday to a great friend and doctor....

Thank you for being my friend

Friend of The Day

Have I ever mentioned that I have the best friends in the world? Well in case you missed it, I am telling you now. I have the best friends EVER!! and I mean it. My friends have been there for me through thick and thin and there has been a lot of thin. I have always been one of those people who liked to have a lot of friends. I always used to look at peoples friend list on Facebook and wonder "why do they have more friends than me?" Not until recently have I really learned the true value of have a lot of REALLY GOOD friends, not always measured in number but measured in value. So I know this really nice guy named Severo( Shannon's tennis buddy, but also a friend of mine). He started a "Friend of the Day" on FB. After reading some of his entries I thought what a way to honor your friends by calling them out for all the things they do to make them such a perfect friend for us!! So I am totally copying his idea. Thanks Severo!!

Today's "Friend of the Day" is Angie Adams...

I met Angie in 1997 when I started working in Labor and Delivery @CMC. At that time she was just some cool day shift girl who would never like some newbie like me. Well over the years, we got to know each other better and better. And we came to find out we are soooo much alike we could be sisters. Angie and I were raised here in Cartersville and have lived here most of our lives. Our parents had very similar tactics when raising us so our value systems are very close.

What I like most about Angie? is when you are with her- What you see is what you get. She is a "no bull" kinda girl. She wears her heart on her sleeve and would literally drop everything and drive across the country to get me if I called her. I have trusted her with some very important decisions in my life and she has yet to fail me. She also has some very awesome parties at her pool AND takes us girls to her beach house for rest and relaxation!! I have to say I am honored to know her. I'm sure everyone of her friends will say that. I also have to say she has a great husband Todd. But that's a friend for another day.

Thank you for being my friend.......

Miss Me?

Well I missed blogging!!!! But I just came back from a much need vacation. We had a blast!!! We spent a week at Ms. Angies house in PCB. Mary Paige calls this "Ms. Angies Beach" HA!! sooo funny... Love her.

Updates?
1. Its back to school time. The girls just had day #2. They are still in the excited phase. It wont last. Never does. Felt the need to write a letter to Graces teachers about her history but how do you start a letter like that? Hey Grace had a brain tumor, she survived far worse things than middle school so treat her good or I come to school and we take it outside????? I dont know sounds rough around the edges. Thoughts?

2. I am considering a change in jobs. Still at CMC which is my work home, just a different position. Newer, different, challenging. So be in prayer for me. I really want this...

3. Continuing to grow at Oakleaf church. Really wish you would consider joining us. Church meets Saturday nights @6pm, Sunday mornings @ 1000 and 1130am. Same great service, 3 different times.

I guess that about sums it up for the Bently house. Oh gosh and the AC's out tonight so I am doing a sweat out to lose some weight!!!HA HA!


Random Weird fact about me: I am obsessed with abandoned buildings. I would love to be able to go into some really old, big, important looking buildings and just walk around and be nosy. Is that crazy?

Rome Braves

Wednesday we went to the Rome Braves game. I won the tickets at the hospital during Nurses week. It was like 900 degrees. No I'm kidding it was 99 degrees. But it felt like 900. Here are a few pics...

This is what Mary Paige and Abby would rather do...

Abby is on my iTouch and MP has Shan's iPhone

Band Aid Bandit Strikes Again!!!!!!!!!!!!

I miss You girls.....

My kids went to spend the night with Grammy. They went to celebrate Ella's birthday tonight and then Micah's tommorow. While they love going to Grammy's because it means playing with cousins, going to Unc Matt's, playing in the playroom, Grammy going to get breakfast, and so on and so on....I miss them tremendously. I left the house this morning at 0640 while they were all fast asleep and I won't get to see them until tommorrow night about 8ish. It really makes you think how much you love them. When we are home and they are crazy wild, or bored or lazy and I think I am going to send you all to live somewhere else!!!!!! Then they go away and I just want them home. I miss you girls soooo much. I love you all!!!

Tonight at Unc Matt's they are celebrating Ms. Ella's birthday. Ella is Matt's girlfriend Nicole's daughter. She and Mary Paige are just a few months apart. They play great together. We are so happy Unc Matt has Nicole in his life. We hope she and Ella stay around for a long time. We are getting very attached to them. Happy 4th Birthday Ms. Ella. Sorry I have to work and will miss your big party. Have fun and enjoy your special day!!!

A Fun Saturday Night

Last night we had a special treat. Around 6ish Shannons mom and dad called and said they were coming to C'ville and wanted to know if we wanted to do supper. Uh, YE-AH! So we cleaned up and headed to LongHorn with Grammy and Pop ( what the kids call them). We had a really good dinner and then Pop took us all to Brusters for ice cream. We just hung out for a while and had a good ole time with Grammy and Pop.
Now They only live in Cedartown, which is only about 40 min away but we don't get to see them nearly as much as we like.
My "in laws" have been my 2nd set of parents for 22 years now. So you can see how I really consider them to be like my own mom and dad. As well as Shannons brothers and sisters. They are mine too. When I met Shannon my dad was in the hospital a lot and my mom had to be with him. I am not really sure where Jeff was all this time but I was in Cedartown. Shannons mom has fed me, hugged me, bought for me and loved me. His dad has had my car fixed, loaned me money, took me to dinner with the fam, and let his son ask me to marry him. They have put up with me for a loooonnnng time. I am very thankful for them and that they are awesome grandparents to my kids.
I love you Grammy and Pop. I am proud to be a Bentley!!!!!!!

Momma!

I remember when my girls were little how I used to be so excited to hear them say "mommy" for the first time. Even though MP is my 3rd child I was still anixous to hear that word from her. I should tell you All my girls said "DaDa" 1st. So of course they are older now so "Mommy" or "Momma" as my girls say, usually means they want something. Therefor it is not nearly as exciting these days. However when MP Says it I still try to answer her in some affectionate was such as "yes angel" of "what Love" instead of just "what". This just makes me feel better knowing she doesnt think I see her as a bother. So the other day we were in Publix. I was in the check out line ringing up about $50.00 in groceries. (before coupons of course) The cashier is trying to get my cpns, The bag boy is trying to get my reusable bags and all the while MP is like "momma", "momma?" Momma" and I am patiently answering "yes darling", What honey" I bet she said it 50 times in the 10 minutes we were in check out. I grow weary fast and she says "momma" for the bajillionth time and I say "WHAT?!!!!" and the bag boy just looks at me and shakes his head. I'm like "you're 12! dont try to make me feel bad. He just helps me out to my car without another word.
Mary Paige, even though I may act like it sometimes. I will never stop loving to hear you say Momma. and I hope you will never stop saying it.

Changed for the Better

Grace is turning 11. How did that happen. It seems like just yesterday I was the mother of 1 and Abby and I were sitting in bed painting toenails and eating pizza. Little did I know that the next day, on June 28th 1999 when I met a little girl to be named Madison Grace Bentley that my life was about to be changed.
At 1:13 pm on that day I gave birth to a perfect little angel and I have loved every minute that God has allowed me to have with her. For every year that she is, there are 1,000 reasons or more that she has changed my life for the better:
1. She taught me that a mother can love two children equally but differently.
2. She showed me how fun it is to play. She loves to play.
3. She strengthened my faith in God.
4. She showed me how to be stronger.
5. She survived a brain tumor.
6. She has been my easy child.
7. She has told me some really funny jokes (knock knock. Whose there? Interupting cheese. Interup..CHEESE!)
8. She has made me smarter through helping her study.
9.She has made me more important in this life.
10. She has given me many, many, many reasons to smile.
11. And she has loved me unconditionally.......

Grace you will never know the many, many, many ways you have changed my life for good and for the better. Your smile and honest to goodness love will never leave my heart. You are there forever. I love you.......

As a mommy, the most precious thing in the world is when your kids tell you they love you. Tonight as I was getting out of the truck after work Mary Paige comes running out of the house in her underwear (which is her outfit of choice these days) Yelling "mommy's home, mommy's home!" She then runs into my arms and hugs and kisses me, What a welcome. I LOVE it!!!!!
Even though my kids do some crazy things to annoy me, they do A LOT that really tickles my heart.
Do you know the feeling when you hug your kids and you notice for the first time they are patting you on the back? Or when you look down at them as you are scolding them and they are looking at you with those eyes and it melts your heart and you just can't do it? How about when you are doing the blessing at the dinner table and you look over and they are so cute you start to giggle and then everyone else starts to giggle too?

I will miss those welcomes, giggles, eyes and hugs when they get too big for their momma.

Mary Paige's Big Weekend

Mary Paige started swimming this weekend! It was so cool to watch her slowly spread her wings and get braver with each time she got in the pool. Saturday was a scorcher and of course we spent all day at Nanas pool. She was already jumping off the side of the pool with her floaties on but she finally got brave enough to go off the diving board with her floaties of course but the pool is like 10feet deep. Thats a huge accomplishment for a 3 year old.

The next day we swam at Aunt Tara and Uncle Brians pool. By the end of the day she was jumping off the side of the pool, in the deep end, WITHOUT her floaties!!!! She would jump off and swim by- her-self to the ladder. She is so awesome! On top of that she's not just "jumping in" she is DIVING off the side. HEAD 1st!!!!!! It was years before I knew how to do this. So it was a busy weekend for Mary Paige.

So yes I am very proud of her. She is soooo brave but I am also frightened to death! She has no fear. NONE! One minute she is playing in the shallow end of the pool the next she is swimming toward you in the deep end. So I ask that you keep us in your prayers. Help me to never take my eyes off her for even one minute. I was never this scared with the big girls. Or maybe I was I just don't remember it.

Summer has set in. The kids are constantly bored. The house is a constant mess. The grocery bill is higher. I cant go anywhere by myself. UGH!!!!! We have VBS this week. Maybe that will occupy them for a while.

Mary Paige is in this mode where she thinks if she repeats something over and over it will get done faster. Today while grocery shopping she wanted Mc Donalds. I told her if she could be quiet for a few minutes I would take her to get something to eat. So sitting in the Walmart bugy she repeated over and over "I want some McDonalds, I want some McDonalds, I want some McDonalds" I said "if you don't zip it we are not going to get anything". "I want some McDonalds, I want some McDonalds, I want some McDonalds" ( now imagine this in your most whiniest voice). I said "if you dont ZipIT your are not getting anything to eat". This went on for the entire trip. No she didnt get McDonalds. Lesson learned. This just reminds me why I like to shop alone!

Gracie took Tennis lessons last week. She liked it. Thinks she might like to try out for the middle school team next year. We will see about that. I am also playing tennis again. You may not know this but I played tennis back in high school. Guess what? I stunk then too!

Abby had her 1st Date (kinda) You know the kind where your parents take you to the movies to meet a boy. Luckily I know the guys mom so we dropped them off and went to have some BBQ as a form of Prozac. Of course they have since broke up which devestates us moms. We had Christmas' planned and everything. She is the type of in law I would not mind adding to the family. I guess it was just wishful thinking.

Right now I am at work. My family is at home asleep. When I get home there will be stuff that has to be done and peeps that are ready to go go go. So it should be an interesting day. My friend Angie is having surgery in the morning. Say a prayer for her. It never hurts to have extra people praying for you......

The Little things....

I yelled at Grace the other day. It wasnt just any old day either it was a very important day for her. It was her Elementary Graduation Day. She was complaining to me because we were having something detestable for supper. (well to her at least) I can't stand it when my kids whine and she was whining. All day my kids had been whining. "I cant find my pants", or "why dont we have any kool aid made". "We never have anything gooooood to eat" BLAH, BLAH BLAH!! I had had it, I yelled at her "how do you think stuff gets done around here? do you think the food fairy comes and buys food, or the sock fairy washes your socks and puts them in your drawer?" "NOBODY thinks about all the little stuff that needs to be done around here" (now this was not all directed at poor Grace she just happened to provide the last straw) I walked around the house for a good 10 minutes yelling about how no one appreciates me. How my kids think things should be handed to them. How there are a million things I do around the house that goes unnoticed. And what would happen if I just disappeared one day, what would they do then Huh?

Well of course I apologized later as I was tucking her in. Explained to her that I just feel "used" sometimes and I want them to be more appreciative sometimes but that I had no right to take it out on her.

Today I was thinking, isn't this what we do to God everyday. We forget all the little things He does for us. We concentrate on the big things we have asked for and forget that everyday when we wake up we should thank Him for another day, another breath, the sun, our family, our home, our job, everything. Everything we have He has provided. But we just take for granted that it should be there when we need it.

Be thankful everyday.

Thank you God for....

Mary Paiges sugar, it is soooo good
For when Grace plays with my hair
The fact that Abby is smarter than me
Allowing me to have a husband that makes me laugh
Giving me friends that I can share my truest feelings with
Giving me my father for 16 years
Bringing my brother closer to me
My mother who is my best friend
Thank you God for Your Son Jesus
Amen

Sleeping Angels

A sweet angel is asleep in my lap. At least that is what I think of her when she is laying here asleep all angelic looking. We were walking tonight and she was looking up to the sky and saying "momma is that where Jesus lives?" I said well yes Mary Paige Jesus lives in heaven. I asked her "Mary Paige who else do we know that lives in heaven?" She said "Gwanny Vaughn, Aunt Wachel and PawPaw Homer?" She said "Aunt Wachel died on a Sunday when it was dark." (dont know if this is true or how she would know that, but I agreed) I said "all those people are in heaven waiting on us to go to heaven one day." She said "But I dont want to die mommy" and I told her she would be Very Very old when she went to heaven. She seemed happy with that response and went about changing the subject. She is too funny. I wish my dad had been around to see her grow. I think he would get great joy out of watching her. And of watching me.

Abby is asleep on the couch beside me. She also looks so sweet laying there. This weekend we bought a new bathing suit for the summer. For those of you that know about Abby and her clothes issues this was a big step. But we finally got 2. I actually talked her into getting 2 pc. They are both too stinkin cute on her. I told her if I had her body( 5'7 about 110lbs.) I would wear bathing suits everywhere. She thinks I am retarded.

Grace is asleep in her own bed. I cant see her but I can tell you without looking that she is beautiful when she sleeps. Her cheeks are sun-kissed from swimming today and she tans naturally so she already looks like a tropicana model. She on the other hand would let me buy her 50 bathing suits and wear a different one every day.

My 3 angelic sleeping kids, oh how I love them when they are asleep.

Seriously! Where does the Time Go?

Mary Paige just finished her 1st year of Preschool. Tuesday was her end of the year party. I video taped her singing their blessing. I think it is sideways but it is too cute to miss.

From the mouth of Babes...... Mary Paige you make mommy proud. I pray you always thank God for your many blessings. We are so lucky.

I'm Just Sayin is All

Thats right I got some BEAUTIFUL Girls!!!!!!

Numbers

7 number of sippy cups Mary Paige dirtied up today

2.5 number of hours of Sponge Bob Square Pants I watched toady

347 number of times Mary Paige said "mommy"

2 number of times abby texted me to come get her at school cause she "felt bad"

5 Number of times Grace asked me to go to Target even though she was home sick

2 number of times I cried today

4 number of times I prayed today

13 number of couples I had in my Childbirth Class tonight

4 number of cookies I ate today

647 number of times I have told Mary Paige to lay down since I got home at 9:30

I love my life!

How Quickly We Forget

Recently I read a book about a women who had 5 kids. In the book she talked about how when you have children you mark all of their first. The first words, first time they walk, first day of school, their first date and so on. But what we forget to mark are their lasts. The last time you hold them in your arms as you nurse them, or the last time they want to hug you before they get out of the car at school or the last time they sleep in their beds before moving off to college.

When you have a child who is ill and you dont know the outcome you tell yourself that when, not if, but when they get better you will do everything they want. You promise to read to them, to play outside with them (even when you just want to lay on the couch). You say you will be there for everything, every moment and be the best mom you ever.

Then everything turns out fine. You fall back into the same routine as before. You become complacent. "Firsts" pass you by and some "lasts" are missed too. The next thing you know you turn around and their all older. You're older.

Today Grace came home from school because she threw up. Of course I go into my usual panic mode. "does your tummy hurt?", "Did you throw up more than once?", "Does your head hurt?", "Are you sure your tummy hurts?" All because it never goes away. "That Fear", that fear that you will be called on all your promises to do things better and you won't have lived up to them.The fear that you will miss more "Firsts" and "Lasts".

We are blessed by God with children. Some are given to us for only a short time. Some will out live us. We should take every moment and cherish it. Soak it all in. Love every minute of it. Now I am not gonna lie and say I LOVE every minute. Being a mom is the toughest job in the world. One minute I love them sooooo much, the next I want to send them to live with a Grandparent.
And it never ends. The worry, the fear, the constant juggling of hugs and kisses with time out and pops on the leg.
Some "Lasts" that have come this year:
-Grace's last first day of elementary school
-Abby's last day as a non-teenager
- The last time Mary Paige wore her red sparkly shoes that she wore so much the
sparkles wore off the toes

Tonight I "re" pledge my committment to do more. To be a better mom. To not miss anymore
"Firsts" or "Lasts". To say yes more, but to love them enough to say no sometimes too.

I Love you Girls.

Mommy

I'm TOO Old For This !!!

First of all let me say that I love my job. I do. I work in the Mother-Baby Unit here in Cartersville. I may complain about it sometimes but all in all I love what I do. I work with some great girls and the patients can be really sweet. Part of the job is that I work 12 hour shifts and I work every other weekend. While the 12 hour shifts allow me to work less days, it's 12 hours. (hello?) Anyway, not always but a lot of the time our work is busy. We walk in to a busy situation and don't sit down, eat or pee for the entire 12 hour shift. The start of the shift is always the busiest. Then it usually settles down by 2pm ish. By then you have to catch up on all your paper work.
What is crazy about the 12 hour shift thing is that most of the work force still operates on 8 hour shifts and get 1 hour for lunch. They also work Monday through Friday. This is true for most of my family. I always get these comments "you are so lucky, you get to be off on Monday." What people dont realize is I am off Monday because I just worked the weekend.(now in all fairness I work most Fridays and everyother Saturday and the occasional Sundays, I like to go to church) but I call Friday/Saturday my weekend. So I am not "getting Mondays off", Monday is like my Saturday. My other work girls can relate I'm sure. Right girls?
I worked nights when I started at CMC. I did that for about 4 years ( and 2 kids). Night shift REALLY screws you up. I am glad to be on Days now, even though they are usually busier. My night shift friends may dissagree. but the grass is always greener ya know. When I started at CMC I was 25. Such a baby. I could do 3 nights in a row and then be off for a couple of days and start the process over. Well I just finished 2 DAY shifts in a row and I am exhausted. I am getting to old for this S--t. I don't have the stamina I used to have. We have a couple of new young girls and they work the same schedule I used to and I realize I have become the senior of the unit. I am now the older "mom" type who can't keep up with the younger girls. Don't feel bad for me I am in good company. Right Dana, Angie and Michelle? HeeHee. (love you).
I guess I just want everyone to know working 12 hours is hard work. And sometimes our Mondays and Tuesdays are our Fridays Saturdays or Sundays. So if we want to lay areound the house all day in our PJs like some people do on the weekend then that is our right.

Lucky Lucky Girl

I love my mom. She has given me everything I need in this life and more. She is coming over today for lunch and I am really looking forward to it. She is my sounding board. I vent to her. I bounce ideas off her. I tell her my worries. Everything.

She has always been my biggest cheerleader. A word of approval or encouragement from her means more to me than getting a medal or honor from the President of the United States.

She has had to be the mother and father for my brother and me. She has done an awesome job. My dad is very proud of her.

My wish for her is that someday she will be as proud of the mother I have become as I am of the mother she is to me.

Thank you God for this Blessing. I am one lucky, lucky girl.

Rainy Days

Who wants to get out of bed on a rainy day when this is what you wake up to?

NOT ME!!!!!!!

Our Crazy Life

Whats going on with us you ask? Craziness. This is CRCT week. When I was in school it was just CRT's. I hate this week. Gotta make the kids get in bed early. Try to force Grace to eat Breakfast (which she never does) give them encouragement, blah blah blah. Anyway it will be a long week. I think the kids secretly like it because they get to play the rest of the week and no homework. ( I am secretly happy about that last part).



I did hear back from Abbys lab results. All test were normal except one of the Mono titers came back high. Seems she has had mono in the last few months. This explains the tiredness. I am so glad to have a reason and she seems to be better everyday. We still struggle in the mornings. She gets that from me. I was horrible when I was younger. Ask my mom.



Gracie is going for Neuropsych testing in July. She had it right after the surgery. It is exhaustive. She is there all day. This is just a follow up before going to middle school. We had to fill out all this paper work. Crazy questions. Then her teacher had to do the same. I hope she continues to do well in Middle school. I just cant believe my baby is going off to middle school. Keep her in your prayers



Like I said last time we played in the yard all weekend. I spent like 300.00 at Lowes. I know Star the outside lawn and garden girl well. We planted bushes all along both sides of the house and spruced up the back yard some. I think it looks fabulous. So we totally ignored the inside of the house this weekend. Then this morning Derick calls me and says did you get my msg? Someone wants to show your house between 1230 and 2pm. WHAT!!!! OMG MY HOUSE LOOKS LIKE DUMP!!! I am in the middle of my Monday trip to 3 grocery stores and I have 2 hours til I pick up MP. So of course I rush home and clean the house. I am not having anyone come into my house when it looks like that. So I did it, they came to see the house. And like usual we will probably never hear from them again. At least my house is clean.



Tonight I met with my small group (11-12 grade girls) from OLC. This group is such a blessing. I am a leader with Suzy Jordan. She is just an awesome God loving woman and I am honored to know and work with her. We also have some really great girls. Girls who love God and are sincerely trying to live their lives for Him. Listening to these girls make me so jealous. I wish I had half the smarts they do as a teen. Not just in school but in the ways of the Lord. They just genuinely seem to have it all together and I am blessed every time we meet.



Well enough rambling for tonight. Talk to you soon....

Great Weekend

Wheeeew! I am tired. This weekend we worked in the yard both Saturday and Sunday. It looks great but it was hard work. Mary Paige comes in and ask for "A" band aid. So I sit the box on the counter and say here. This is what I see next. "mommy this is my broken leg" says Mary Paige. Love her!!!!


Finished up with 2 great services at Oakleaf Church. One of the songs we sang really gets me everytime " I stand with arms high and heart abandoned in awe of the One who gave it all, I stand my soul Lord to you surrendered, all I have is Yours..."

"You are Holy, we cry with everthing thats in us, sing the praises of our glorious our hearts are bowed before your majesty we worship you our King."

Thank you Lord for all the blessings you have given us. Amen

My AH-HA Moment

Before I get too carried away with my crazy life I want to share my testimony with you. I do not have one of those big flashy testimonies where I did drugs or spent time in jail or what not but every person has a testimony for a reason. And mine might be meant for you.

I grew up in a christian family. We went to church every time the doors were open. My mom taught Sunday school and Both parents were invloved in the youth activities. I went to Christian camps, my friends were my church friends, I was just always into church...I could tell you the right things to do when I was growing up and most of the time I did the right thing. I prayed the prayer of salvation when I was younger and recieved Christ. But it never clicked.

In 1988 my dad died of cancer. He was 39. I was 16. What a heart break. How could that happen. He was so young. So was I. My brother was even younger. This is when I started to question God. I knew in my heart that my daddy went to heaven. However I just wanted to know how a God that good could let something that bad happen. I remember laying in bed at night talking to God. Why did you take my daddy? Why did you do this to my mom and brother? I just don't understand. I had soo many questions.

When we were married Shannon and I continued to attend church. God had so richly blessed us with 2 beautiful healthy children, a loving supportive family, good jobs. Everything! We even had our 1st two girls Dedicated when they were infants. But we never fully turned our lives over to Christ.

As I mentioned before in 2007 Grace was diagnosed with a brain tumor. We were devestated. The tumor was operable and she was admitted to Scottish Rite for surgery. We were there 15 days. Our family and friends were AMAZING. Strangers were amazing. We were truly blessed throughout the whole ordeal. We had people in 5 states who were praying for Grace. I began praying earnestly. "God heal my baby. Dont take her from us. She has a purpose on this earth." I bargained with God. "Take me instead" or "if only you will heal her I will go to church every Sunday and read my Bible like I am suppose to". Well I dont know whose prayers God was listening to (probably not mine I was so selfish), but he answered them. Grace did wonderful. She was back in school a few short months later. and Now is like any other kid. Shannon and I started back to church immediately. We would go to Cedartown FBC on my weekends off. This was still not enough to make it click. We would quiz Abby after church. "What did the preacher speak on?", "Name 1 song we sang". Nothing, she had no clue. We just were not "feeling it."

In 2008 Abby was invited to FUEL. A student ministry of Oakleaf Church in Cartersville. She was on fire. She would come home and say "Oh my gosh momma Michael talked about Blah, Blah Blah or we sang this song and it was awesome". She was really getting the message now. Shannon and I thought "Ok we have to see what this is about." We attended our 1st service in the movie theater in January 09. It was and eye opener. Michael was an awesome "teacher of the Word" things started to make sense. In one service Michael talked about why God allows suffering. This really struck a cord with me. Why had God allowed some bad things happen in my life? I jumped in with both feet. I started scheduling my self off as many Sundays as I could. I wanted to hear more. I needed answers. And thats exactly what I got.

Sitting in Church one Morning I had an AH-HA moment I needed to accept Christ into my heart because I knew of the price he paid for my sins. Not because someone told me it was the right thing to do. All my life I had been living the Christian life my parents had raised me to follow. Never did I attend church because I was eager to learn about Gods Sacrifice or because I wanted to praise God for his blessings. Now that was changing. I made a decision that day to be Baptized publicly. I wanted my family and friends to know of the choice I had made. Abby and I were baptized in July. It was awesome to experience this together.

You know how I know things have changed in my life. Now when I start my prayers I praise God for all his blessings and mercy 1st. Then I thank him for all he has done for me. Lastly I bring names and events to Him and ask His will be done and for understanding if my will and His are not the same. I also know a change has come over me because I want to read His word, I want to attend as many classes at church to learn as much as I can about Him.

I want my friends to know I have made a change. I want them to see it, feel it when they talk to me. I am not the same old Nikki. I am renewed in Christ. I have been given a second chance. Christ died for my sins before I was even born.

So I want you to know. You can have your AH-HA moment too. Christ died for us all. Get yourself into church. Learn of what God did for you. Make the change now. He is everything you could need and want. I will pray for you. If you need someone to talk to call me.
I love you......

Mom of the year?

I am currently in the running for "mom of the year". Today Abby woke up with a headache, she claimed was soooo bad that she couldn't get dressed, eat, etc... I dressed her and sent her to school. She texted me around 9:45 and asked me to come get her which I promtly ignored. It is now 1:15 and she is still at school so she must be fine. Here are my thoughts... she hates getting up in the morning. I think she is just complaining cause she doesn't want to get up. Because this "complaining" is an ongoing problem, Monday I took her to see Dr. Williams (the best Pediatician in the world if you need one), they drew blood work. I really pray to God that it is all fine but if something comes back off I will officially claim the title of mom of the year.

Why is it that when we take our kids to the doctor there is nothing wrong but if we don't and they are truly sick then we feel like crap. How do we ever know what the right thing to do is? Do you think she is trying to run over me? She has like 10 absenses this year anymore and the police are going to come after me. I told her this morning you either have to puke, pass out or have a fever. Is this wrong??????

Yay Me!!!!

I got some great comments on starting this blog. The funny thing is that I worried about doing this because I don't want to copy anyones idea or look like I have all the time in the world to do this. I am also not always good at putting my feelings into words. So just bear with me.....

Cute quote from Mary Paige today- "swing me high momma, swing me high so I can touch heaven"

Where to Start?

This is my first blog post so I may seem to ramble....My goal with this blog is to take note of all the things that happen in my families life. When my 2 older girls were little I made scrapbooks. Well Mary Paiges is still in the box at the bottom of her closet. so this will probably serve as a scrapbook for her.
About my family... Shannon and I just celebrated 22years of Knowing each other. We were married 5 years later so May 1st 2010 will be our 17 yr anniversary. WOW!! We met on a blind date. It was the best blind date ever!!!! We have our ups and downs like any two people who have know each other for 22 years but I wouldn't trade him for the world. And in the deal I got the best In-laws that I now refer to as my own sisters, brother, Mother and father.

Our girls are the love of my life. I was meant to be a mom. I am not a perfect mom but neither are my kids perfect so it's a great match. Don't expect to get on this blog and read how wonderful my kids behave. Expect to hear funny stories and quotes.

Abby is 13. I am so frightened to enter this stage of her life. She has always been my "nerd". Too smart for her own good if you ask me. And she is every bit like her daddy despite their efforts to deny this. She freaks about routine changes, hates blood or anything related to being sick and is sooo picky about her clothes/shoes I have threatened to leave her in a store more than once. But I love her. She knows exactly when I need a hug. She is beautiful without even trying and Some day she wants to be a Vet and take her mom to live with her and have a maid.

Grace is 10 going on 30. She is the easy going one in the family. In 2007 she was diagnosed with a brain tumor in her cerebellum. Luckily it was a benign growth know as a JPA. or astrocytoma. We thank God for that everyday. But not to let that define her... Grace is the best speller in our family. When she tells you she loves you, you just know that she means it. She loves to snuggle. She is beautiful and has her very own sense of style. Maybe some day she'll be a famous designer. She is sporty and loves to do anything that involves "going". She is the strong one and I love her.

Mary Paige is our youngest. I am so glad she came into our lives. We only discussed having two kids, but Mary Paige was planned. We just didn't feel "finished" and I am so glad we changed our minds. She has driven me crazy most of her 3 young years, but I have enjoyed almost every minute of it. She lights up a room. She attracts attention without knowing it. She is getting so big so fast. She loves her sisters. She wants to do everything they do. She will be a constant source of my blogs. She is a typical 3rd baby. She is spoiled rotten. Thanks to her Grammy and Nana. I am so honored to be a part of her life. I look forward to watching her grow.

Come along on this journey with us. It should be a wild ride......