This Crazy Life of Mine

She still takes my breath away!

2008-07-27T23:04:00.006-04:00

It was June 25th 1994 and I did not want to be pregnant for one more minute. I was two weeks over due and I was dang over it. As Madi entered this world in her sassy fashion, she hung herself on the umbilical cord. "Code Blue" was all I heard and everyone waiting outside. Doctors and nurses ran from everyone, they entered the room and took her away. I could not believe that she could be taken from us so quickly. She had barely been born and I did not even get to see her face. I was so scared that I could hardly breathe. The team worked on her for what seemed like forever, then finally she took her first breathe...and so did I. Since her dramatic entrance in our world, Madi has continually taken my breath away. She turned 14 on June 25th and is one of the reasons I wake each day. She is the most like me. We have the same personality, same build (I mean, when I was her age), we have the same thoughts. She scares me because she is me. We are wired the same way. She hates it when I say that I know what she is thinking because I know her that well. Here is a picture of her at our family reunion and is one of my favorites of her. It is like she is saying" Stop, this is my life". If you knew me at age fourteen, then you will say it too, It is like looking in a mirror.

She has the most amazing heart. She taught a cheerleading camp this summer and the girls loved her. She makes everyone feel special.

She loves the beach and is a sun worshipper. She loves her friends and stays up most nights texting, myspacing and talking to them, encouraging them and loving them.

She is so pretty that it makes me sick. I told Greg that I think we should shave her head so she would not be so dang cute. I think she could probably pull that off too. I don't know where the years have gone. I love you Madi...Happy 14th...You still take my breath away!!!

Love,
Mom.

2008-07-24T18:32:00.003-04:00

Remember our vacation last month. Well, Jessica had just begun to drive. I made her take the wheel. She had already had her permit for over a year. I mean a year and 3 months. She was very content never to drive. Then she realized that she would have to have her license in order to get a parking pass at school in August. So, I made her drive everywhere, to the store, to get gas, to get food, to yard sales, to the post office and to the beach and back. She took off and never looked back. She is actually a good driver-knock on wood and say a prayer. After she got her license, then the inevitable came up...I need a car. After much looking and praying, she got this jeep. Thanks PawPaw and Greg!!!. Also, thanks to Gmaw for "primping her ride". It is definitely primped out with tinkerbell stuff. Notice tink on the side window. She loves her car and I love that she now helps me with errands and transporting kids. If you see her go by on the road..please send up a little prayer for her safety.

She is also gainfully employed. She has been taking marketing classes at school for the past two years and her guidance counselor said she should get a job in marketing somewhere. So, I hooked a girl up!! She is one of my marketing assistants at Chick-fil-A. She loves her job and is doing a great job. She has made many CFA friends and hangs out with the crew there often. She also likes having some money. She also has bills now. Can you say car insurance...and gas.

Turning 3 months old

2008-07-22T19:34:00.003-04:00

Can you believe that Whit and Parker are already 3 months old. Here they are visiting me for an afternoon around the pool. They are the happiest two boys I have ever seen.

This is Parker

This is Whit

They are ready for a swim. Their bathing suits are too cute. I could not post their swim diapers but they swolled them up.

Here are their 4th of July outfits.
I went and picked them up twise last week and brought them over for a visit. We all enjoyed them so much that we are going to get them once a week so that Chip and Lindsay can chill at the house for a while alone. They are all out of town this week spending some time with Lindsay's family. I can't wait till Friday so that I can see them again.

Chandelier gets painted and room update

2008-07-22T19:13:00.005-04:00

I picked up this chandelier at a yard sale at the beach for $10.00. I quick painting with spray paint primer and coat of beige. Whala!!!

I love it in my room. It is beautiful. I am still trying to decide about the shades. What do you think? Red or Black?

Here is a shot of the room. Remember I picked up the Waverly curtains from Goodwill for $1.99 each. The pillows which match perfectly I found on Craigslist in Atlanta for a great price. And the sweet lady was kind enough to ship them to me. The wicker piece was from a yard sale for $5.00. I don't know if you can see if very well, but I got the cutest dresser beside the bed for $2.50 at the Matthews help center. I can't wait to paint it and put new drawer pulls on it.

I found the letter M on the wall at goodwill. So, here is how it looks so far. I love it and it did not cost me very much to do. I am wanting to add a little splash of red in there. I have been looking for a pillow that can go on the bed and maybe those shades. I will keep you posted.

Hello

2008-07-22T10:28:00.002-04:00

I have not put one single post on here for about a month. I have been super busy. Over the next few day I will update you on the happenings at the McKinney house. Here are just a few
She gets a job, her license and a car
She graduates and turns 14
She spends 2 weeks with her best friend and 1 week at the farm
He loves his best friend Nicki-where's Wil?
They have turned 3 months old
If they move, then we move!!!
Saying goodbye to an old friend-the beach house-still can't even think it without tears
40 going on 10

Wow, did all this really happen in the past month?

Yep, there they are!! My sweet love muffins...

2008-06-23T22:29:00.002-04:00

Would you just look at those sweet boys growing..Whit and Parker are two months old already. They are the sweetest things. I got to spend an entire week with them and I am seriously going through withdraws. They are coming over here Wednesday for Madi's 14 birthday dinner. Can't really believe that either.

It wouldn't be a vacation without smores!

2008-06-17T22:27:00.004-04:00

There are always small things that you do each year that make up your memories of a good vacation. These pictures of the entire family sitting outside with tiki torches lit, the firepit flaming and everyone sitting around telling stories, is one of my most favorite things about our family vacations. We roast marshmellows on coathangers and all smell of smoke when we go inside, but I love it.

Lindsay has Whit.

PawPaw is sharing more popcorn from the grill.

Olivia enjoys a smores. Check out our mad pool in the background. It is one of the favorites of coming to the beach. PawPaw blows up the pool and we get in it after a day at the beach. It is so big is takes up most of his driveway. We can all get in it-its that big.

Grandmaw has Parker.

What's cooking at night on the island?

2008-06-17T17:54:00.006-04:00

This night we had popcorn on the grill. It starts with Madi and PawPaw taking Orville out and putting kernals in the pot with oil

Then it takes atleast three people to watch over it until it begins to pop.

This is what you are left with-melt some butter and shake lots of salt on it. Yummy.

Do we ever see the road we travel?

2008-06-17T00:06:00.008-04:00

Do we ever really pay attention to our daily drive to where ever we are going? Does your car know the way by itself to work, home and church? I am usually in such a hurry with kids and life that I don't take time to really look at my path to anywhere. But this day, I decided to take it all in as if it were my last trip to the beach. I looked at the fields, the ponds, the roads, the railroads and the cars riding towards us and beside us. In my people and place watching, I even spotted a Chick-fil-A vehicle on the same highway as us. As we passed by the CFA vehicle, I looked over to wave..haha-it was none other than my boss and his family going on their own beach family vacation. We were about 2 hours into our little trip and so were they. I called my bossman on the phone to tell him that he was driving slower than I usually see him and he explained that he was in a convoy. Oh well, since I wasnt in his little convoy, I passed him and went on. My pictures are not in order since I am not savvy like that. But, the gest is, God is good. He has created some beautiful points and places in our day to day. We just need to take the time to enjoy them a little more than we do. I made a point this day and this trip to see our drive to the beach as if it were our first and out last. Take time to enjoy your path, you maybe surprised at what you are driving by each day.

This is the home stretch. The lake at Carolina beach. We are about 1/2 mile from Mom and Dads now. This is where we ride bikes, go to watch movies on Sunday nights on the big jumbotron and where we ride the boats.

The road seems to never end. We just drive on and on.

The was my girls first drive to the beach. Which is why I got to enjoy the sites that I normally dont get to.

Obviously, some of us don't worry about the road, the driver or really much of anything.

Here is a picture of the railroad crossing in Polkton NC, that we cross on the way to the beach. I don't think I have ever really looked up these tracks. I can only image the stories that could be told and the history that the tracks hold.

Are you serious? $3.99 a gallon. BTW, it is now $4.05 down here on the island. Thanks Gmaw for letting us drive your car to the beach. Lots better gas mileage

Outside our windows were lakes and ponds that we probably have passed 100's of times over the years.

The corn fields went on for miles. As far as I could see, there were fields.

This field looked so soft and pretty that I had to pull over to touch it. Have you ever touched a wheat field? Its not so soft after all. Looks like to would be fun to walk through, I actually stopped, looked for awhile, then rubbed my hands right over it as if it were going to feel soft. Its not. It was dry, rough and prickly. But I am glad I did stop.

1 week down and 1 week to go

2008-06-16T23:49:00.002-04:00

I have always wanted to spend two weeks at the beach with my parents. Everyone knows how much I love Carolina Beach. School was over and it was a great time to pack everyone up and spend some time regrouping, recharging and re-acquainting myself with the sand and ocean. I have spent one week with Chip, Lindsay, the boys, my kids, Greg and my parents. Surprisingly, we all get along in this house. We all love days on the beach and nights chillin at the house. I have read one of my books for work and watched hours of dvd's about Chick-fil-A. Being away from work helps me plan and get a vision of the months to come. I love being locked up in my room late at night going over work stuff and goggling the Internet for fun stuff to do at the store.
I have not blogged in over two weeks. I don't think that I can catch up in date order, so forgive me if I jump around.
Greg has gone back to work and will return Friday for our last weekend here. Chip, Lindsay and the boys also went home. It is now just me, the kids and Mom and Dad. Today we sat around the pool and watched Tiger Woods win his upteenth golf tournament. I don't think I ever watched golf until I married Greg. I love Tiger. I also never watched football and we are die hard Steelers fans in our house. It is amazing how a man can rub off on you.
Tomorrow we are going down on the beach for a day of sun and fun. Wednesday we are going into town-haha-to take it a movie. I am also going to see a marketing director from this area and sit down with her for awhile for a chat.
The rest of the week will be filled with more CFA dvd's, another work related book and lots of planning for upcoming events at the store.
Tonight we had a great dinner from the garden. Corn, squash casserole, potatoes, cucumbers, stewed cabbage and Chick-fil-A chicken strips(thank you boss man). Yummo. My children love coming to the beach because they know GMaw will feed them well.

Picture day on the beach

2008-06-16T23:10:00.006-04:00

My crew with Mom and Dad

The entire crew with Mom and Dad

My crew sure is getting older

Olivia has Whit and Madi has Parker
Wow, 6 grandkids. A picture we have all waited a while to enjoy.

Are these proud grandparents or what?

I love taking pictures on the beach. This year I wanted to get photos of my parents with all the grandbabies. It was a great afternoon so Lindsay, Chip and myself walked everyone down to the beach for some fun. I think I may be bias but these are some beautiful people.

Where did all this come from?

2008-05-30T20:47:00.005-04:00

Tonight was Madi's "8th grade graduation formal". Let me break that down for you.
8th grade..didn't she just get her first tooth...or a training bra (BTW-Greg wanted to know more about the training bra or lack of that was going on with this dress tonight)
Graduation..from preschool?....nooooo..from kindergarden?..noooo..but from middle school..we will have a freshman in high school soon. That makes me have 2 in high school, 1 in middle school and 1 in elementary. Whoa!!! Sun, please stand still!!!!(more on that later)
formal..yep..they are having formals in middle school now. And I have the receipts to prove it.
Dress-$? Thanks GMaw & Pawpaw
Earrings$20.00
Pedicure $33.00
Shoes Number 1- $20.00 Greg made me return because she would receive nose bleeds from that altitude. And yes, he made me with a fever, suffering from strep throat get in the car and go buy Shoes Number 2 45 minutes before her date was picking her up.
Shoes Number 2- $35.00- Modest, but cute
Flower for date $10.00
Smile on her face- $Priceless

Madi has to do a speech at her graduation Thursday in front of the entire 8th grade student body, staff and parents. She read it to me last night, and I thought I was going to choke on my tears. The theme of her speech is "Sun Stand Still". The idea came from a series Pastor Furtick did last year. She speaks of all the tiny moments in her years at Queens Grant that make up almost 1/2 of her life. The funny times that she wants the Sun to Stand Still on so, that she can remember them forever. Wow! I told her not to look at me cause, I would be the mother in the room that was whaling. Please pray for her..she does not know if she can make it through without crying either. So many of her friends will be attending different High school next year.

As for me,,I am battling strep throat again...yep..went to the doctor today and this is my 4th time since December. She looked at my chart and added up that in the past 12 years I have had strep 3-4 times a year. So, she decided that it was time to take my tonsills out. Yep... 40plus year old woman is getting them out. If it helps me feel better than I will go for it.

Tomorrow we are having Wils and Olivia's birthday parties here at the house. Both wanted to delay their parties until the pool was open.So, Wils is from 12-2pm and Olivias is from 3-5pm. Boom, both out of the way. Greg says he has this one, because he does not want me outside, near food or anywhere near the children. Sure thing bossman!!!.teeheehee. OK, that's fine with me.

Going to Grandma's

2008-05-23T06:15:00.003-04:00

My parents are at the beach house and we are off for a long weekend to visit with them. I love Carolina Beach. Greg and the kids are so excited. Memorial weekend marks the beginning of summer for us. It will be a kinda working one for me. I have lots of Chick-fil-A work to do on the laptop at night. But, it's all good, I will have my days..sun and fun.Hope you enjoy your holiday weekend, whatever you find yourself getting into!!

A sad day!

2008-05-22T21:05:00.005-04:00

As I was driving to work today, I heard news that really shook me. Steven Curtis Chapman's adopted five year old daughter was struck by a car on their property and died last night. I could not image the grief that family must be going through right now. Please pray for this family as it seems as if it was a family member that hit her. They will be going through so many things in the next weeks. I found this site and enjoyed watching the utube tapes of Maria and family. Hope you enjoy too.

http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/ make sure when it is through playing that you move your curser over the utube logo and it will show you more videos of the chapman family with Maria.

Look at this great family picture
http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

One last post for today about the little man in my life

2008-05-21T10:15:00.002-04:00

You gotta love a guy that will hold your mirror while you are putting on make up on the run.

This is Wil's favorite place to be...On his bed playing his xbox360. i still love his walls from his nursery even though he thinks he has outgrown it. It was originally a nautical theme and as he grew it became a western room.. now its just a guys place to play games, put together tons of legos and hang with friends.

Two weeks ago, Wil asked Jessica and I to trim his hair. You know stick the blade on and brush through, trimming it just like the barber would. Well...silly me did not know that Greg owned 3 different size blades. We grabbed one and off we went outside. Being the professional as I am, I went one swoop down the center of his scalp to...OOPs..Dang, we grabbed the wrong blade..we grabbed the guard that buzz cuts your hair. I looked at him and said"How you feel about a crew cut for the summer son?" "Mom, what did you do, Wils said". Oh Snap!! I began to explain that everyone will be wearing the "buzz cut" for the summer, It will be easy to maintain (like he's a boy, what does he maintain) I told him that every soccer player would think he was cool with the "David Beckham" look. I told him ALL the 3rd grade girls would think he was the hottest thing since sliced bread.I tried to say anything that would make him feel better and lets face the reality here folks, I was saying anything for my son, who is 9 years old, not to be furious with me. It did not help that I have these 3 stinkin daughters that made comments like-"You look like a cancer patient", "Yo, Chemo Boy", and "Oh Lord Wil, Mom screwed up your head". Thanks girls!! Anyway, I was ready to face the disappointment of Wil, when he ran inside and looked in a mirror and said these words" Mom, it's cool, I like it! Whew!! Did I dodge a bullet of what? This from the soccer playin boy that likes his hair to bounce. Then it made me think, I should be that kind of forgiving to those that make quick mistakes with me. He gave me grace and still loved me anyway, even if I made him bald. We sure can learn big things from little people. Gotta love em.

SSHHHHHH! 6 weeks old today!!

2008-05-21T09:58:00.003-04:00

Look at my sweet luv muffins. They are six weeks old today. They are the cutest dang things. Everyone is doing well. The boys are extremely healthy. Chip has gone back to work, after 6 weeks home on family leave. Lindsay, well what can I say..she does not sleep, eats on the run, feeds them 24-7, is a trooper and is in need of prayer. Keep her in your thoughts, for you mothers out there that wondered how you ever made it through the first three months.. just imagine if there were two of them and only one of you. God knew what he was doing by giving me one at a time. We love you Lindsay.

Look at those sweet faces sleeping.
This is sweet Whit below-Parker did not want any close ups that day. They are getting tired of Aunt Paige always stalking them with the camera.

My goodwill finds!

2008-05-21T08:57:00.009-04:00

I love goodwill and yardsales. Not all the time, but an occasional browse. Its like going to an antique store, you never know what you will find. It maybe junk or it maybe treasure. This flower arrangement was orginally two that Olivia and I took apart and re-arranged. Total cost was $5.00. It goes great in my bathroom

This is a wicker shelf that I got at a recent yard sale for $5.00. It goes great beside my bed. It holds my favorite books. If you look closely, you will see that they are my 10 books that are my goal to read this year. I think if they are close to me, that maybe I will grab one before I fall into bed each night. Nah!!! Also, pictured is my lampshade that I found at goodwill for $1.99 . I think I will go to hobby lobby and get black fringe or feathers to hot glue to it to make it a little funky looking. (Yea, I didn't make my bed, what's it to ya! A girl needs an invitation to climb back into it sometimes...)

Here is my fav find for the month. Waverly black toile curtains for my bedroom. I found two of these for ...are you ready...$1.99 each. I was so excited. I also found blue ones that I gave Mom for the beach house.

This is my fun, gold, glittery candle stick that I spray painted beige, I thought it was cute.$.99

I know that plaque thing is hard to see, but it was also .99cents and gold and glittery. I loved the cherubs on the front, so I took it home and spray painted it too.

Thanks to the GMaw & PawPaw

2008-05-18T11:23:00.007-04:00

I love my parents. They are so good to me and my children. Last week they took the girls shopping for a bathing suit for the summer. Each girl came home with two. What a big financial relief off me. As they all posed for the camera, I wondered though...Where is the rest of the suits? I mean for real, I hope they got them on a super dooper sale or something ,cause they only got half of the material intended for the bottoms. What I thought was too low, they said felt comfortable. I kept trying to pull them up on the sides which made the bottoms looks ridiculous. Seriously though, my girls are growing up. Jessica is 16, Madi will be 14 next month and Olivia is 13. Madi is already taller than me and I don't much think the other two will ever make it to 5ft. We do come from short stock you know.

Today is a great Saturday

2008-05-17T19:09:00.004-04:00

Today I woke up early and went to some yard sales. Though I did not find a lot, I did meet a very interesting woman. She lives here in Mint Hill. We hit it off and she even asked if we could go to lunch one day. We had many similar likes. It is amazing how much you can find out about someone in a 10 minute yard sale visit. I then was off to meet my dad and mother in law at Wils soccer game. It was a beautiful day and Wil even scored a goal. After the game Greg, Wil and myself went to lunch with Wanda(MIL) and it was great.
After lunch I went to Marshall's and purchased a new bedspread to match my curtains I found at goodwil. When it is all done, I will post a picture. I also went into Hobby lobby where I lucked up on a deal for some cool wooden, ornate scroll looking things that I hung over the windows in my room.
Since then I have enjoyed a quiet afternoon at home. Straightening, surfing the web for my next project, and watching Greg till the garden. I also planned out what all I wanted for him to buy at home depot this afternoon.
I found some really cool gold glittery candle sticks at goodwill this week and I am getting ready to go outside and spray paint them beige. I am looking for ideas for our very old outdated fireplace. If you have any ideas comment me. I am thinking of removing the buck stove and painting the brick. Cross your fingers that Greg will let me.
Tomorrow after church, we are going to our family reunion. We typically only go every 5-6 years. This year my grandmother asked that everyone come. She is getting older and we are going to try to get some pictures with the family. She has 12 grandchildren and I think around 18-20 great grandchildren. I will have to check on that one. I am looking forward to seeing my favorite cousin" Angela". She lives in Raleigh and I am glad that I will be able to see her tomorrow.
hope you all have a wonderful weekend

Five Weeks Old. So cute!!!

2008-05-16T21:40:00.002-04:00

Parker

Whit is now bigger than Parker

Whit just needs a little snack

Whit loves looking at the picture on the wall of the old family church

Whit is telling Jessica all about his day

Parker wonders why Madi is showing him her teeth

this is one of my very favorites. Whit is always putting his hand up. We think he will be a preacher because he is always in the Amen position.

Look Who is 40!!!!

2008-05-01T08:24:00.004-04:00

Of all the bajiliion pictures I have of my children, I did not have one of Olivia and Greg. Here is my girl after soccer practice.

Me and the kids did not think this day would ever come. Greg has finally reached 40!. He has been 39 for the past several years. I am picked on all the time from him that I am older. Well look in the mirror buddy. You have arrived. We are celebrating his birthday on another day here at the house, because he is coaching tonight, Jessica has work. Madi is going to a baseball game, Olivia has soccer practice, so does Wil, Chip is at Navy reserves, Dad is at the beach, Mom is spending the night with Lindsay and the boys and I am not about to cook and have cake alone. So, we will celebrate this momentous occasion when everyone is home. Have a great day, Honey, you deserve it!

Bring on the rain...

2008-04-28T23:08:00.003-04:00

Today I took a much needed day to myself. I did not go to the kids school. I did not watch TV. I did not call into work. I did not even go see the boys. I just hung out at home, cleaning, piddling, organizing and being me. It was really nice.
Last night me and the kids were missing my parents. We have all been loving on the boys so much that we just moved in on Lindsay and Chip. There was no other place that me and my parents would have wanted to be. It is very hard to let go and go back home. I miss seeing the boys all the time but it is nice to see Chip and Lindsay settling into parenthood. Anyway, I did not realize just how much my children missed their grandparents being around here too. My parents are regulars here. Sometimes they are here for a long visit and sometimes they just ride by to love on the kids. They are always in arms reach and only a call away to jump in and help me and Greg out with our crazy life. This past month they have really missed their grandparents and I just did not realize how much. We had them over for an impromptu dinner. Drive thru at Wendy's. It was not the quality of the food that made the dinner so special, it was the quality of the company. My children laughed and told stories, and of course Mom and Dad laughed at everything that came out of each ones mouths. They had so much to catch them up on and my parents made each one of them feel special by listening. It made me so happy that they came. After they left, I realized how thank-full I am to have them so close and on call to me and my family. We should never take for granted the time we spend with the ones that matter most.
Back to today...I love rain. I love thunder, lightening and really big winds. Call me crazy but there is no feeling like the safety of your home while everything is crazy right outside your window. I like taking Mondays off and never really mind if it is raining on those days. I can chill at home without feeling like I have to take advantage of the day off to run tons of errands or work outside in the yard. My parents called to check on me several times. Separately, I don't even know if they knew the other was calling. They just checked in to make sure I was safe. Again, gotta love em.
Tomorrow I am going back to work and start another busy week. I have interviews, events, caterings and parties to plan. I have hired Jessica to work on my team. She is really doing a great job. I will post more about that later. I am posting a picture of her in her CFA uniform.

Happy two week birthday Parker and Whit

2008-04-23T09:34:00.003-04:00

I have uploaded all my pictures of Parker and Whit to snapfish. Send me an email and I can send an invitation to view them to your computer. I am new to snapfish, so if you know an easier, faster way let me know.
paigemckinney@bellsouth.net

Happy two weeks old boys!

Hi, my name is Paige and I have this addiction!

2008-04-22T22:25:00.004-04:00

I told you that I have a serious problem. I am addicted to a deal. Not just any deal, but the one that makes you call your Mother with joy. It is sad when she does not say hello anymore when I call, the first thing she asks is how much did you save and where did you go? I usually don't post pictures and details of my deals, but CSI is not on tonight so I decided to post my savings at CVS. The shampoo was buy one get one free and I used a coupon from the paper for $3 off 2 which made the shampoo $1.29 for two. The buddies soap was $1.00 and there was a $1.00 coupon in the Wednesday coupons from the mail today which made it free. The Goodys powder was free too because there was an offer that printed on my last CVS receipt to try it for free. And lastly, the Alavert was regular $10.99 a box on sale for $6.99 and it rang up $5.99, I printed off the Internet a $4.00 off per box coupon which made it $1.99 per box. The total before taxes was $83.00 and I gave them a $4.00 off $20.00 coupon from CVS.com. This brought my total with taxes included down to..drum roll please.....are you ready $16.00. the best thing was I got back extra bucks to use next time I visit in the amount of $20.00. I got more in rewards than I even paid out of pocket. I get so excited when I save money on things we need anyway. I am trying to teach the girls how to be smart with their money and use resources and tools offered to stretch their hard earn money. This way I hope they will be a help to their future husbands. I pray for those future husbands of theirs already. If they are going to marry one of my daughters they will need all the prayer they can get. I mean seriously. Anyway, I am not one to down load and post pictures of my deals, though I love to look at my blogs of frugal friends daily. Hope you enjoyed my rantings Have a great night and seriously if you find me a CVS addicts meeting I can go to-hook a girl up with the location information.

Yeah, I know!

2008-04-22T18:37:00.005-04:00

I know that I have been somewhere else besides blogging. My children have been busy with life. Jessica had her end of the cheerleading banquet. She received the "leadership" award. Wilson has been playing soccer for his dads team. Working really hard. Olivia was asked to be a starter at a few of her soccer games and enjoys just getting to play.Madi is trying to decide where to go to high school. Should she move onto the local high school or stay at her small charter school? Life and decisions. Greg has really not been feeling well for the past few weeks and went to the doctor. They are increasing some meds and adding some new ones.He is coaching soccer and for some reason seems to be good at it. Mom and Dad have moved into Chip and Lindsay's house. Bear has moved into ours. The boys are wonderful. They are so cute. Chip and Lindsay are trying to get into some sort of schedule with the boys. And as for me, I am ever busy with children, work and coupons. Here are my newest pictures of the boys. Enjoy!

I have a serious addiction!!

2008-04-13T23:56:00.004-04:00

Everyone has an addiction to something or someone. I am a closet coupon queen. I love a deal. Not just any deal, but one that will make you have that rush of energy. It's sad- I know. I think it all began when Jessica was born. I had suffered for one year working at a very unsatisfying job. My boss did not like women that had children. For goodness sake if Jessica was ever sick I might as well of said the sky was falling. My boss and workplace were not family friendly-funny now since I work for the most understanding, family friendly man in town and for a company that has built itself on family values. Anyway-after Jessica was born I longed to be a stay a home mom. For her first birthday I gave myself a gift. My two weeks notice at work. I did not discuss it with Greg until it was done. He told me I had 3 months at home. If we went under then I had to go back to work. I swore to myself that I would make it work and he would not even miss my income. I don't know what line I was feeding myself. We did miss my checks, but I decided I would try to be a frugal as I could. I was known for making a dime out of a nickle. We survived and I enjoyed finding deals. My experience with my frugality did well for us after Greg began to have seizures. Though it got pretty sticky a few times we managed to always have clothes, always eat and have a home. I enjoy a bargain. I get a kick out of saving money on groceries and at drugstores. When you have four crazy kids, a part-time job and husband that suffers from Epilepsy, you must have something that you enjoy. For me its the thrill of seeing how much is taken off the bottom line of a receipt. When it says you paid _ and you saved _...it sure does make me giggle. Not only do I enjoy saving money but, I enjoy reading about others success stories. This is why you will find so many sites that I read each day. There are so many guru's out there in blogosphere. If you find a good one-email me and I will add it. My new addiction is reading and saving good frugal blogs. One day I will share a picture of my bathroom cabinet-my kids laugh and tell me that I need to attend a meeting on addictions.

Saturday with the boys

2008-04-12T20:30:00.008-04:00

this is Whit

this is Whit ^

This is Parker^

This is Whit ^

this is Whit^

this is Parker^

Parker and Whit

this is Whit

This is Whit

This is Parker

Joseph Whitmire Wilson

Benjamin Parker Wilson

Today I visited the boys and Chip and Lindsay too. The boys slept a lot and I enjoyed holding them and loving on them. Everyone took cat naps. They are all going home tomorrow and will need lots of love, prayers and help. It is a lot of work taking care of twins. And they have not left the hospital yet. I am excited for them to go home and get into their home and routine. I am grateful that Lindsay does not mind a sister in law that seems to never go home. Enjoy these pictures of the boys. I marvel at how perfect they are.

More pictures of the boys

2008-04-09T23:09:00.009-04:00

Madi,Wil,Gramaw,Jessica, Whit, PawPaw, Parker & Olivia. 3 boys and 3 girls. What a crew!

He looked uncomfortable, but he really loves rocking babies. Whit on the left and Parker on the right

Jessica has Whit and Madi has Parker. Instant Love

Never too big to the rocked by PawPaw

this is Whit

Wil was so excited. These two boys evened the playing field for him.

they waited all day to love on their new cousins

G-Maw and PawPaw. she has Whit and he has Parker

Here is Lindsay and the boys. Whit and the left and Parker on the right. I can't tell you how proud I am of Chip and Lindsay. They are instant parents. Dotting and very nurturing.

this is Parker on Gramaws arm

Welcome Parker and Whit

2008-04-09T12:50:00.008-04:00

After a long day for Chip and Lindsay, Whit and Parker finally decided to come into this world. Parker was born first at 3:24am weighing 7lbs 7oz. 20 inches.Whit came next at 3:25 weighing 6lbs 15oz. 19 1/4 inches. They are the cutest things that you have ever seen. Here are some pictures, Greg is home and we are leaving to go to the hospital. I will post more pics later and more details.

Still no babies

2008-04-08T19:01:00.000-04:00

Mom and Dad are fine-but still no babies
I will keep you posted

update at 1030am

2008-04-08T10:31:00.002-04:00

Lindsay is resting comfortably. While we are all sitting around sharing stories of our own child births and rearings. Mom, Dad, Chip, Marsha ( Lindsay's mom) and myself are all here waiting for these boys. The doctor says everything is looking good and we are in for a long day. I will check back in later.

Today is Parker and Whit's BIRTHday

2008-04-08T06:42:00.003-04:00

My eyes popped open at 2am. "OK, Great I have not slept through it". I closed my eyes again and it was 4am. I am not even sleepy. At 515am I woke up and decided to text Lindsay to tell her I loved her and would be at the hospital soon. Then I remembered that they did not have to be there until 7am. I prayed until I feel back asleep. I woke up again at 615am I decided to go ahead and just get ready. Mom and Dad will be here around 8am. to pick me up. Today is an exciting day for everyone but for me and many of you reading this, it is a day that we thought just never happen to Chip. Chip has always been a great guy, but cautious. He loves my children and was/is very good to them. But, I thought he was just going to "bach it" the rest of his life. I was the happiest girl in the world when he met Lindsay. And when they decided to get married-who knew? Our family was complete! As a sister, I could not be more happy with his choices. But today, I can't believe that he will become a "Dad". Wow! I am so proud of him. I could have not imagined that he would have been so dang excited. I am gathering my things for the day at the hospital. If you know me well, that includes-my camera, cell phone and laptop. Things I never travel without. I will be updating through out the day. Please pray that Lindsay and the boys are healthy and she doesn't have to be in labor for too long.

Oh Happy Day!!!

2008-04-04T20:35:00.004-04:00

Today Mom and I drove Lindsay to the doctor to meet Chip. We were anticipating some good news from the doctors. And good news came. Lindsay is having some contractions now..if she does not have the boys over the weekend, they have scheduled her to come in on Tuesday. What a relief!! It looks like the end is in sight..or should I say the beginning is in sight..haha. What an expression of relief she had on her face. She was beaming and glowing as we left the office. Her doctors office is way cool. They have a starbucks right down the hall from her doctor. We stopped and mom treated us to drinks. What a celebration!!! I will take my laptop to the hospital on Tuesday to post pictures of baby Whit and baby Parker. MY NEPHEWS!!!!! Scroll down to the very bottom of my blog to see our family picture...it will change on Tuesday, as we add two precious faces...

I have added some of my favorite blogs on my site. I linked them here so I could check them easily each day. Enjoy them yourself. I get great tips and ideas from them.

Where oh where are my nephews? Oh Where, Oh Where, Could They Be?

2008-03-31T21:55:00.003-04:00

Ok seriously, them little buggars are still not here. Each week Chip and Lindsay take off for the doctors office with high hopes and each week they return back home. I mean I got it during the winter months, its cold..and I understood they did not want to come during Easter cause they could not eat chocolate..but come on..its Spring..the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and times a wasting. Hear me Little Parker and Little Whit..I have waited long enough...This is your Aunt Paige..could you come on so I can see ya!!!. I mean for real..next week is spring break and I am not even going to the beach as I normally do..I am staying here by myself, so I can take care of you guys and your mommy.

Speaking of your mom- she is a trooper..She can barely walk..her feet are swolen and she rarely sleeps. Not that much is going to change when you two get here..but its time.

On a another note. I love my church. Elevation..If you have time..around 45 minutes and want to listen to Pastor Furticks Easter sermon. Click here and click on watch sermons online. His message is amazing. Dont get freaked out with the white suit and hair..He suffers for the Lord. And his wife thinks he's hot!!!!This past Sunday the message was even better, but it is not uploaded yet. I have listened to this service about 3 times. My children have listened and they even download him on their ipods. Pretty awesome..

Pray for Lindsay, she is going back to the doctor on Thursday. I hope she receives good news then.

Life comes at you FAST!!!

2008-03-29T22:26:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I spent the day with Lindsay. We organized our coupons. It was triple coupon days at Harris Teeter. I really like triple coupons. After we organized we we went shopping, ran errands and had a great lunch. We went to South 21, I mean really great lunch. As we were leaving a lady stopped us and asked Lindsay this.
Lady-"When is your baby due?"
Lindsay"Anyday now"
Lady-"Are you having a boy or a girl?"
Linday-" Two boys"
Lady'"Oh, that is wonderful"
Then the lady turns her head towards me and utters these words that rocked me to the core. Are you ready? Are you sitting down? Do you have a tissue?
Lady-"Are you the grandmother?"
WHAT......Am I the GRANDMOTHER????
All could say was "No".. no other words could form in my head. Lindsay kindly explained that I was to be the boys aunt and we walked away.
I told Lindsay that I needed to go to the gym. I must be looking bad. We got into the car and went about our way. I shared this story with my mom. I think she about peed in her pants. We laughed so much she woke the sleeping dog and my dad. I called Marybeth today and shared the funny with her too. Only a friend could understand where you are coming from when you are feeling dissed by a stranger.
What else can I girl do but move on.
Madi and I went to the grocery store today. I ran into the dad of one of my best friends from school. We talked about my friend and how much fun we had growing up. He spoke to Madi and shared funny stories of my youth. As he was walking away he rested his hand on my arm and said these words" I will tell Susan I saw you and you look much older than the last time she saw you." ....WHAT...again....I am aging this much? Do you need to arrange for my room at the home.. Do I have one foot in the grave?....Seriously....Life comes at you fast!!!
I have laughed about these stories all day as I shared them with my family...as i ate a brownie...

Praying for your husband

2008-03-25T22:38:00.005-04:00

Greg and I have been together for 19 years. In a few weeks we will have been married for 17 years. I really don't write much about Greg, because he is very low maintainance to me. But tonight Jessica came out of her room to find me because she was worried. She explained that she had heard an announcement on the radio that tonight was initiation night for a specific gang in Charlotte. The gang were to be on the road after dark and all through the night finding would be prey. They were to bump into the back of drivers on the road. When the driver gets out of the car to see what happened, this is when the gang member would shoot and kill them. This really burdened Jessica because Greg travels to work every night at 2am. He drives across town off highway 85 and Billy Graham and opens the truck lot alone. There is a gate that locks behind him, but he has to get out and unlock it. He does this every night while his four children and I are sleeping peacefully through the night. Greg was not home at the time Jessica was telling me this story because it is Tuesday night. Every Tuesday night for the past 11 years, Greg has went over to a local dentist office to clean it. He cleans it twice a week for extra money. I don't know if the little extra really makes a difference or if he just enjoys the time alone. Jessica called her Dad on the phone to let him know what she had heard and he assured her he would be extra careful. He put her mind to rest. I don't write about Greg much because he is "simple", he does not require much attention or sleep. I wish I could say that I have accepted all his flaws/traits but they still get under my skin at times. He is gruff and loud. He is direct and to the point. He does not try to make you feel better by puffing you up with words and he never uses words he cant pronounce or explain. He is just Greg if you know him.
Seven years ago Greg began to have seizures. Through many tests the doctors determined that he was epileptic. They narrowed the portion of the brain that was making him have seizures and wanted him to have brain surgery. The risk was too much for us, so we decided not to go through with the surgery. Because of his new condition, Greg had to give up the one thing in his life that he loved. Driving a truck. He loved everything about it. Being your own boss, not sitting behind a desk, and being outdoors. When he was a child,his grandfather started one of the first trucking companies in Charlotte and that is all he ever wanted to do. He has made the very best of his situation. I could go on about the effects it has had on our life, children, job and finances, but this is about praying for him.
Every night Greg goes to bed before me. Like I said he leaves at 2am. One of my favorite things to do is get all the children in the bed and get myself ready. I sneak in the room and gently climb into bed as not to wake him.. Who am I kidding. Greg slept through hurricane Hugo. I come in turn the lights on, get dressed for bed, set the alarm, climb up in the giant bed in the sky(another story for later) turn the TV on and set up my laptop on my lap. I can type, work and laugh at the tv for hours. I could jump on the bed and it would not wake him. I usually have to tell him is alarm clock is going off for work.
But tonight as I set up my laptop to surf blogs, I thought of Jessica and her worries of her dad. I thought how much this burdened her. I thought of where we would be without Greg. I thought of the children and how they love their father. So I placed my hand on his back and said these words"Lord protect my husband as he drives to work. Place angels around him and guard him as he travels through the streets of town. Walk beside him as he opens those gates tonight. Thank you that he never fails us, he always gets up to go. Thank you that he has only called into work sick two times in 19 years. Thank you that he provides for me and the children. Thank you that he loves his children. Thank you that he is a wonderful father. Thank you Lord that even though he works sometimes 12 hours per day, he picks the children up from school in the afternoons, so that I may work. Please give him strength to work even though his body is always tired. Thank you that he always returns home each day and does not want to be anywhere else. Thank you Lord for him".
How come we usually do not pray the hardest for the ones we love the most. If you read this post, please pray for your husbands more. They really need it. I know my stinkin one does.

Quick thoughts

2008-03-23T00:06:00.002-04:00

I am writing you from one of favorite place in the world. My bedroom at the beach. The kids are enjoying reconnecting with friends. The weather is wonderful. The dinners have been amazing and we all miss Chip and Lindsay. I keep thinking that we will be back in two months for vacation and the boys will be here with us. I am so excited. And yes we have had our first bite of Britt's for the season. I will post pictures tomorrow. I am just I just too tired tonight.

Lindsay went to the doctor Thursday and those sweet boys still are not ready to see the world. She is 36 weeks today. The doctors will let her go until 38 weeks before they decide what steps to take next. I will keep you posted.

I will post more tomorrow-but for now have a Blessed and wonderful Easter. I am very thankful this Easter..

Saying "Yes to God"

2008-03-18T21:51:00.004-04:00

I am still reading the book if you where wondering. We are in a crazy season at CFA and I really don't have a lot of time to just sit and read. Today, as I was getting ready for work, my mind and heart kept going to one special person. Most of my friends and family have known her for years. She has been apart of my life for so long that it is hard to remember her not being in my life. She married one of my very distant cousins. We don't know how or even claim it but we know that we are somehow related by marriage. Once removed, twice over... somehow. Anyway, back to getting ready this morning. Teri Miller aka "my cousin Teri", said "yes to God" this past year and man has he transformed her life. You can't help but see her beaming with new life. She accepted Jesus this past year and has really said yes in a big way. She heads up one of the children's ministries at Elevation. She loves working with the children. My children love her. She is a part of a small group of couples that meet once a week. She is a part of a group moms from the church that meet once a month. She takes meals to fellow church moms in need. Her children say the most wonderful prayers. Her man, Kemp is serving in the church, too. I love me some Kemp. Teri is a "yes" serving woman. If you don't know her, hop over to Teri Sue's thoughts and see the heart of a true Jesus serving woman. I enjoy reading her blog entries. Get yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read them all the way through. She has always had the biggest heart and now she has the biggest, full heart. When I was finished getting ready for work I was filled with happiness and joy that I am apart of Teri's life and get to witness her be a witness, light and "yes" serving woman. Way to go Teri. I love you!!!! Teri's heart was pricked and then filled with the love of Jesus, all because someone invited her to church. Go ahead, invite someone to church and see their life change too. I double dare you....Maybe they will become someone that says yes to God too.

I have Spring fever!!!!!

2008-03-18T08:18:00.007-04:00

I am tired of cloudy, grey and cold days. I love "Carolina blue skies". I love sand. I love warm breezes on my face. I love watching my kids play in the ocean. I even love playing in the ocean myself. My kids get the biggest kick of their 40 plus year old mother jumping over waves and diving under "the really big ones". They especially get a kick when I occasionally "wipe out". Full blown wipe outs, I mean head over feet ones. I love listening to music on the beach. I love family walks down on the beach. I love wearing absolutely no make-up for an entire week. I love my dad loading up the trailer with endless supplies and mom loading up the food. I love the smell of suntan lotion. I love that my children share the love of Wilmington with me. The place where I grew up on the sand. They love it. They have made friends and can't wait for another summer to return to spend weeks upon weeks with them. I love the enormous amount of flip flops that gather at the front door each year. We love riding bikes at the beach, around the block, around the lake, finding new spots to talk about. I love my memories of mom swinging on the front porch swing for hours and dad tinkering in the garage. I love the sound of the lawn mower starting up early every Saturday morning. My kids love to fish. They really love fishing from the neighbors boat. They love watching Corny kiddie movies on the lawn around the lake at night with the entire community. They love playing "rolla bat in the side yard". They love hiding Easter eggs for the adults and watching us run around like chickens to see who can find the most. We have had Easter at the beach for the past 15 years. We don't even have one single basket, egg dying supply or one piece of Easter grass here in Charlotte. Everything is there in the closet at the beach. They love going to the beach because my moms cooks really good meals for them every single night. We have adults cook and kids clean rule at the beach and they don't seem to mind. They love Easter weekend, because it's when their dad goes every year to purchase the first "Britt's donut of the season" Britt's has been open for over 50 years, making the same donut. Simple donut, but extraordinary. They love Britt's. I have so many memories of the beach that I could go on for days. As you can tell, I really have spring fever, beach fever and whatever fever takes me to the "beach house". I love summers with my family, my kids and friends. I love the fact that I will have two sets of tiny toes to put in the ocean this summer. I can't wait to have Parker and Whit grow up at the beach like my children have. I love hanging out with Teri, Kemp and their children. Kemps parents have a house across the street from my parents and the summers spent with them are irreplaceable. Teri's children made such an impression on Lindsay and Chip last summer. Playing with Whit and Sophie on the beach sealed the deal for them that kids were in their future. Love me some Whit and Sophie!!! I love family pictures on the beach. Everyone in position and me running to take my place in the growing number of people that I adore, while they all count down until the picture flashes. It is funny every time. I love working "from the field". It's what I call it when you call me with a Chick-fil-A question and you hear waves crashing in the background. I know in the years to come we will no longer have this beach house to love, but for this spring break and this summer vacation. We do! And I am going to enjoy the mess out of it. So, if you start to miss me this Easter weekend, spring break or anytime this summer when the temperature is over 75 degrees , you will probably find me on the sand with my parents and kids.

Keeping meals organized

2008-03-14T13:07:00.011-04:00

I love reading Lysa's blog and was reluctant to post anything. I must admit, I am not the most organized person around. I am typically chasing my tail. I have two organizational tips though.
1. Find yourself a very organized, creative, mentor friend. I have one, her name is Marybeth Whalen.
2. We have a family meeting every other Saturday in the kitchen, all around the table. I have four children, so I ask them to tell me two dinners that is their favorite. I write down my menu's for two weeks on this chalk board. After we plan the meals, I go to the store and purchase all the supplies. If it is written, then I usually cook it. Well, until someone wants to give me the night off and then I don't mind leaving the menu board behind. My husband and children love being able to see what we are having each night and get excited when we are having their favorite. If you have a favorite organizational tip, hop over to Lysa's blog at http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/

Making bread

2008-03-14T11:50:00.016-04:00

These are the supplies I use to make Amish White Bread

Start with 2 cups hot water, put in 2/3 cup of sugar. Mix until dissolved. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of yeast. I use these packets

Mix until it looks like this, kind of milky

Let stand about 10 minutes while yeast proofs or activates

Pour into mixer. I use my kitchen aid mixer with hook attachement-if you don't have one. Use regular mixer until you have to kneed the dough. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt and 1/4 cup of oil. Mix well. Add 6 cups of bread flour-adding one cup at a time.

It will look like this. Take it out and kneed it for about 15 minutes on a floured surface. This is where I usually take out my days grumpiness.

Put in greased bowl

I cover with foil and a wet cloth so that it can rise. I leave it alone for one hour. This is the time that I put everything away and clean the kitchen except for my kneeding board and a little more flour

After 1 hour it looks like this hopefully. Bread has a learning curve that I learned from "My goodfriend Marybeth". So, if yours does not turn out the like it should the first time. Join the club, my first bread look like a baseball bat.

This next step in fun. Punch a hole in risen dough and take it out and kneed to again for about another 15 minutes.

Place it in a greased 9x5 bread loaf pan. As you can see I have one glass and one Pampered Chef stone. I can not tell any difference in the way they bake or taste.

Let sit again for another 30 minutes to rise again. This is when I clean the kitchen and pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. I cover mine back up again, but I don't think it is neccesary.

This is what they look like when I take them out after 30 minutes of baking. I like to let them sit for a few minutes so that they slice easier. Sometimes they don't make it that long, the house smells so good that the family usually is in the kitchen before the timer goes off. I know this looks like alot of steps, but believe me when I say it is worth it. This bread is great for sandwiches, toast is amazing and I now have to double the recipe to make 4 at a time. It does not make it long in my house. Thanks for letting me share and I hope you try making bread soon.

I need to work on my BFF skills

2008-03-13T20:48:00.007-04:00

I called "My goodfriend, MaryBeth" (first name My, middle name GoodFriend and last name MaryBeth) yesterday and this is how the conversation went.
Me-"Hey, what's up?
MB-"How are you?"
Me-"Nervous, going to meet Art for a one on one. I am weirding out about this meeting. I think this could be it""I am getting fired"
MB-Listening to me rant for next 15 minutes, interjecting kind, positive and generous encouragement to me as always.
Me-"Well how is your day going?"
MB-"Great, I have been contacted by someone wanting to fly me to Disney for an all expense paid trip to enjoy myself and talk to other mother bloggers about being an experienced older mom"
Me-"Great, I am having a crappy day and all you can tell me is you are trotting off to Disney because you are "an it on a stick Mom". "Great- way to go MaryBeth, way to make me feel good"
MB"I don't know if I'll go, I mean this might be a scam"
Me-"MaryBeth, are you serious, who would want you? "No one is going to lure YOU to Disney. "They would be insane, I mean you are a mother of 6.
MB-"Paige, You need to take yourself right home and blog about what it is to be a good friend, cause you stink!!!!"
So this is a SHOUT OUT to "My Gooood Friend MaryBeth". I love you and don't know where I would be right now without you. OK- yes I would. My children would unhealthy and malnourished, cause you are my mentor cook friend. I would be an organizational mess, because you are my freaky, clean, organized friend. I would be a heathen, going to Hell in a hand basket, cause you invited me and mine to Elevation baby. And I would not be who I am today without your relentless love of Jesus, love of motherhood and love of me. You are the bomb! And I shimmy and bow down to you. Love you friend! And if you are going to Disney and need a chaperon, take me, cause I have 4 children and am way older than you. No one would want me either.

Ever been in love with someone you have never met?

2008-03-13T19:10:00.010-04:00

I know you may think that it can't happen, but I am here to tell you it can. You can fall in love with someone you have never met. I can see the face, the hair and the hands he has. My heart explodes every time I think of him. I can hear his voice. I am counting the days till we meet face to face. I will love him until my last days. I have waited and waited. I guess I should say that it is not him, but them. Them boys are so dang cute. Don't you agree? Look at those cheeks...It's ok if you can't tell what you are looking at...but this is Baby B, my nephew.Baby A did not want to show us his cute face today. But I know he is precious. Mom and I went with Lindsay and Chip to the ultrasound appt today. It was amazing. God is good! Mom and babies are very healthy. Lindsay is a trooper..she is amazing even though she does not sleep anymore. She is almost 35 weeks and each of the boys weighs right at 5lbs 12 ozs. So, now can't you see how I can be in love with someone I have never met?

What happens when women say "yes to God"

2008-03-11T22:35:00.005-04:00

For the past few weeks I have been in a funk. I have wondered if what I'm doing matters. Am I a good mother, friend, or wife. I wonder if my time at work has outlasted my performance. I have been wondering will I make a difference in my children's life. I wonder if I am being a good christian. I have been wondering if I am anything good at all. One day last week I decided that I I, I, I am not good at anything unless I am doing it for "God" Every time I clean my house and the children dirty it again, "I" don't want to clean it up. Then, I think about being a good wife and mother and doing all these unto the Lord. I love to bake. I like to bake a whole lot. Have you seen my fanny? Well, last week it dawned on me that sometimes my family does not appreciate the time, love and energy it takes for me to always bake for them. Then, I decided that I should not think of doing it for them. I should be thinking of baking for the Lord. So to get to my good story..this morning I was driving to work and praying as I drove.."Lord, I want to say "yes" to what ever you want me to do today. Where ever you lead, I will go. I will follow you and say "yes". No matter where that leads me. Whether it leads me to stay at the job I truly love or to go back home and be a full time mommy, that I loved so much too. Where ever you lead me Lord, I will go." After I prayed this prayer I went inside work and was having a wonderful, as usual day at the Chick-fil-A. I was to have a meeting with my boss, so right before that I did what any women would do prior to meeting a male person. I went to the bathroom. When I returned back to my office to get my things for the meeting. Low and behold.... there sitting slap in the middle of my desk was a book. And not just any book..."WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WOMEN SAY 'YES TO GOD'. What, are you kidding me.?There was a note that said,"Lysa thought you might like this book, Art". (This is one of the many books that my bosses wife has written.) I loved that she thought of me to have it. But, back to my shock...I sat down for a minute and could not believe this. What was God telling me? Had Lysa and Art heard my prayers of possibly leaving the good ole Chick-fil-A? Was my car bugged? Was my office bugged? No, silly I thought to myself. God his self had bugged my heart. Pretty cool I thought. I don't know what will happen after I read the book, but I do know that I have said "Yes to God" and where he leads and will follow. I will let you know how everything goes. As for now. I still love my job, love being a mom, love my humble home, love my husband, love my family and love, love, love to bake. One other thing I have decided that I need to work on --I use I too much...I need to begin to say we- me and Jesus..not I..I am not focusing on me anymore, just Jesus and me.
On a giddy note: I am going to visit the boys on Thursday. Yep! Lindsay and Chip have invited me to come to the ultrasound appointment and I can't wait to tell them to hurry up and enter this wonderful world. These little fellas are so loved and everyone is antisipating their arrival. I am so dang excited.

Holding my breath!!

2008-03-03T20:54:00.008-05:00

After the final practice, the coach was suppose to call at 630pm to let us know if Olivia had made the team. At 730pm the phone rang.

Mom don't take pictures of this. The conversation was somber.

He asked how she was feeling because she took a hard fall at the try-outs.

Proof of hard fall(bruised threw socks and shin guards)

Then the smile came that we all had been praying for. The coach said she had a spot on the team. What a happy girl. Greg and I were so proud of her. Everyone ran from all over the house, jumping, shouting and being very proud

of her. This is the first thing she has ever tried out for. What a great accomplishment for a 6th grader. Not bad for a 5 year veteran American girl. She worked hard for it. Bruise and all she was on cloud 9 all night. I finally could stop holding my breath. Way to go Olivia. I am so proud of you!!!!!

Saturday at home

2008-03-01T19:07:00.007-05:00

Today has been a great Saturday. One of my New Year's resolutions was to be more planful of our meals. I have been very successful with this. I sit down every other Saturday and make a menu for 14 meals. If it is purchased and written down then I will most likely cook it. Greg loves having meals every night and I love only having to think about it twice a month.

All my children were home all day today and we cleaned, cleaned and cleaned. Jessica and I took off to the grocery, and I am excited to report that I planned 14 meals and some extra baking things for $118.00. For six people that is great. Tonight we have so many teens here I can not count so I made a huge crock pot of sloppy joes and 5lbs of fries. I also have chocolate chip banana bread in the oven to go along with fried eggs that Greg makes all the "Saturday night sista's" every Sunday morning.

I am trying something that Marybeth let me try one day at her house. It is homemade bread. I will let you know if it turns out. Olivia and I made it from scratch. Yeast,rising dough, rolling out dough and the whole nine yards.

Olivia has her final try-out Monday and is very nervous. I spoke with the coach last night and I don't think he is keep very many if any 6th graders. She is really wanting to play but understands that 7th and 8th graders will probably make up the biggest part of the team. She has just begun middle school so she will have plenty of time.

Madi is home and had the most wonderful time. She said it was very cold in Washington. They went to the Mickeys tavern, Monticello, Union station, lots of monuments and memorials, Air and Space museum, National museum of National History, Holocaust Museum, The tomb of the unknown soldier, Arlington Cemetery, National Archives, The Capital bldg.,Native American Museum, and they even went to a Senate meeting where she tripped and screamed out on National Television. Silly girl.

Here is the list of dinners we will be having for the next two weeks. I write the main dish on a chalk board and each night will add in side dishes. I am very lucky that all my children and husband love chili's, soup, salads and pastas. It makes it alot easier on me.

1.Sloppy Joes and Fries 2.Chili beans in crock pot 3. Cheeseburgars 4. Potato Soup with bread. 5.Meatloaf 6.Black bean soup 7.Beef Stroganoff. 8 Taco Squares. 9.Breakfast (pancakes or french toast) 10.Chicken Dumplins 11.Flank Steak salad 12.Chili cups (from left over chili) 13. Chicken Alfredo 14. Homemade soup (soup starter from the farm).

Shout out to the BFF Becky from Philly

2008-02-27T14:21:00.007-05:00

This is my BFF Becky from Philly (she is in the pink).
I met Becky through Chick-fil-A. She is one of the most awesome people I have ever met. We spend time together at any CFA event we can get to together. This picture is of Denise Boston,myself and Becky from Philly (btw-she does have a last name, it is Lockwood). We were on a river boat at Stone Mountain, Georgia this past fall. We spent a week laughing, talking and being really silly. Isn't that what bff girlfriends do? So here is a shout out to my dear friend, Becky.

Look at him now!!!

2008-02-27T08:53:00.008-05:00

Here is Chip and Lindsay. Doesn't she look great? The boys will be here sometime in April. This past weekend Mom and I threw them a baby shower. I must say Mom and I had loads of fun, decorating, shopping for food, picking up lots of baby clothes times 2 and getting to be apart of this special time. But, the most exciting thing is to see my older brother finally getting the life he has always wanted. For years he has wanted a wife, children and a family of his very own. Chip goes to Lindsay's doctors appointments. They have taken lots of educational classes at the hospital. He washes and folds mounds of new born clothes. He takes care of her. He dotes on her and open car doors for her. Don't get me wrong, Lindsay does just as much for him as he does for her, but to see my brother do all these things is wonderful. Check out his smile..I think he began to smile the day he met Lindsay. For that and many more things she does for him, I will be forever blessed and thankful. They are going to be wonderful parents. I am going to be a wonderful aunt!!!!!

Anyway, back to the shower. Instead of buying a table cloth, I decided to purchase two baby blankets and have them monogrammed with the boys names of them. Check it out, I think it turned out cute.

Greg carved out two baby strollers
out of watermelons and we put fruit
in them. I was so proud of how they
turned out. And we made a center piece

out of a tin with diapers, wipes and baby items. The
stollers were so easy to do and added so much to the table.

I was so excited that we had a lot of family that
got to the there. All my dad's brothers and sisters were there but one. It was a great time to visit and catch up .We all had fun talking, eating and sharing stories that were meant to scare the pants off expecting new parents. ex. 650 diaper changes per week and way back when there were no disposable diapers, they only had cloth. Can you just imagine?

Now that all the excitement is over from planning the shower, and the nursery is decorated, we are just waiting for Parker and Whit to arrive. I will go down to Lindsay and Chip's soon and take picture of the boys room to post for you.

Before I go, I wanted to say "hello to Angela". My bestest, most favorite cousin. She lives in Raleigh now and I miss her. I am glad we can catch up through this blog and emails. Can't wait to see you and Clint after the boys get here. Let's do plan that beach trip. Clint, give her a big hug for me. Love you girl.

On a side note about Madison, she is having a great time. She has text me several times, sent me pictures messages from her phone and called me this morning to say hello. She knew I would be in the car taking the kids to school. It makes me feel good that she is calling me so much. She is excited to share all that she is seeing, doing and experiencing. Gotta love it when she is calling tha Momma!!!

Putting your baby on a bus

2008-02-26T06:30:00.007-05:00

This morning I put my baby, Madison on a bus to Washington, DC at 6:00am. She has been so excited about this trip for weeks. The planning, packing, talking, texting, and myspacing to friends about this week has been fun to listen to. The many decisions of what to wear, what shoes, how many sweatshirts, bathing suit or not, phone charger, ipod charger, ihome, camera, batteries, hair straightner...I don't know how we got it all in that suitcase. But, as I watched the bus drive off today, I realize my baby was growing up. She will be staying in a room with four of her friends without a parent chaperoning them. She will be able to walk around our nations capitol without me holding her hand and telling her to watch both ways before she runs out. Though it was hard to let her go I knew this will be the trip of a lifetime for her. She will make memories there that she will share and laugh about for years to come. She graduates from her school in a few short months and goes off the high school. I will have 2 in high school, one in middle school and one in elementary school at that time. I must be old. I can remember saying, I have a 4 yo and 2 yo. Now, I have 4 of them and 2 of us. I prayed for her this morning that she would be a light to all her friends and make good choices. I prayed protection for her and her friends. And I prayed she would miss me too. haha. She text me while I was driving home and wrote "I love you momma". Here are pictures of her and that huge suitcase, her and her friends and the bus getting ready to leave. If you will this week say a prayer for her and her friends. I will try to post more details of her trip later this week, she will be sending me pictures over her phone.

Happy Birthday Courtney!!!

2008-02-20T20:12:00.004-05:00

This is my favorite niece Courtney. She turned 3 years
old yesterday. Is she not the cutest thing that you have
ever seen? What a little princess.Greg's brother, Brent and his wife, Sue have 3 wonderful children. Brandon, Micheal and Courtney. Sue is one of my scrapbook buddies. These are my only nieces and
nephews until Whit and Parker join them.

Three of my favorite people had birthdays all on the same day yesterday, Courtney, my pastor Steven Furtick, and my boss, Art. Kinda Cool. If you want to read about my cool pastor. Click on his name to the right.

Mom and I are working on last minute details for the baby shower for Whit and Parker this Saturday. I am excited to see the nursery and all the new things the boys have gotten. We have family coming in from out of town that we do not see often and I am looking forward to seeing old friends and all the family.

Jessica and I just gave Wilson a haircut. Can I say that boys are just as picky about their locks as girls are. I have never such gripping going on as I just went through. He wanted to make sure his hair still bounced when he jumped up and down, or when he is running down the soccer fields.

Speaking of soccer, please say a prayer for Olivia-her first day of try-out for middle school soccer is tomorrow. It runs through Saturday and I guess we find out next week if she made the team.

And talking about "teams". Greg will be coaching Wilson's Mint Hill soccer team this year. Practices two nights a week and games on Saturdays or Sundays. Say a prayer if you will about that one too. Greg-coaching. hahah. Little 9 year olds calling him Mr. McKinney-cracks me up!

I am happy that the next few months will be focused on Wil and Olivia. We just finished up cheerleading with Jessica and Madison and now they can come support their brother and sister. I will post pictures soon of our soccer players and coach.

Today was the first day that I can say that I feel better. It has been 10 days since the "Crud" attacked me. Last night was my first night of great sleep. I have not slept an entire hour in 9 nights. I slept from 11pm till my eyes opened at 830am. Awesome!!!!

"Not too fast there Missy, get back into bed!"

2008-02-17T20:22:00.003-05:00

Just when I thought I was ready to go out and hit the town I was struck down very quickly. Friday I seemed to feel better so I decided I would be a good mom and go to Jessia's last game of the year(she cheers for her local school). Isn't that what every good mom would do. This was the last game of her sophmore year.Madi and I decided to leave early because I wanted to new pair of jeans. My jeans have not been fitting too well lately. They were not only tight, they were cutting in my stomach tight. You know when you take them off and they have an imprint of the button in your stomach. That tight. I did not want to go up on the size so I decided to extend the jeans like you do when you are pregnant. I was using a rubber band to extend them. You would think that I would just stop eating or something. So after I had endured the permanment markings and rubber band ordeal for a while, I finally decided to break bad and buy myself a new pair. So, Madi and I took off to Kohls so we could make my new purchase. I knew the kind I wanted, the color, the style, and price. I knew what size my pair currently was and I decided to go up one size. As I walked into the dressing room, I thought I would dig inside the current jeans to take one last look at my now to be past size of jeans. hahahahah I began to laugh, I began to laugh louder, I was laughing to such Madi knocked on the door. "Mom, what is going on in there" she said. I looked again at the tag insided the jeans. "Who's jeans are these" I said to myelf. You see these jeans should have been killing me, they were 4 sizes too small. Stupid me. Even if I was a size 4, which I am not, could you see me pouring myself into a size 0. (pants size changed not to embarrass myself even more)What was I thinking? How could I have been wearing pants 4 sizes too small for months. Well the good thing is I did not have to go up a pant size to purchase those new jeans. I just purchased my correct size. So off to the game we went.
That is where the ceiling fell in on my head. I began to feel achy again. I felt like my throat was on fire. I became dizzy and my stomach began to hurt. I took about 2 hours for me to decide that I had to get out of there and back home as soon as I could. I told everyone goodbye and had my bed in my sights. I had to pull over on the side of the road and be sick. I got home disrobing as I was walking down the hall. I made it to my bed. My ankles hurt, my wrist hurt, my eyeballs hurt, my hair hurt. You know you are sick when your hair hurts. My sickness had comeback with a vengence. I felt bad all week, but compaired to what I was going through, this past week was a walk in the park. I don't remember who all I have talked to, or what I may have said to them. Please forgive me if I said something ugly. I called the doctor and they asked me to go to the emergency room. I was not going there. I would rather suffer in my own bed then go there and sit for hours. They had the nerve to tell me that I had not suffered long enough to get meds called in. I called back Saturday to tell them I could not swallow, could not breath and that my glands looks like something off the haunting. It has been a great thing for the family because I can not talk. This nurse took pity on me and called me in a zpack. Even though I have only taken it for two days, I think I will be better soon. I am sitting up in the bed and able to get back on my laptop. I have eaten lots of popsickles. I hope this does not come back again.
I may try to go into work tomorrow..I know I can hear my mom saying now. "Dont go too soon". I won't stay long...
Hope you enjoyed my jean story. It still makes me laugh..on a up note..I have lost 5 pounds..not on weight watchers on the flu diet..not recommended

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T20:25:00.003-05:00

I am feeling a little better today but just can't seem to break this fever. I think I can become mobile and then I feel terrible. Not wanting to even think about going anywhere tonight.. I decided to cook. We had a wonderful "Red and heart healthy meal".
Spaghetti with veggie pasta circles
Asparagus-baked with red spices
Toasted Heart shaped bread with pink colored butter (I used my pampered chef heart shaped bread tube and colored butter with red food coloring)
Pink Lemonade
Angel Food Cake with strawberries and whip cream (I made the angel food cake myself)

The table was decorated with red place mats and white plates.

Everything was wonderful and we had my dad over for dinner. Mom is still down. Get better soon mom.

The children cleaned the dishes and I asked them if something ever happened to me would they remember that their mother always wanted to make even the simplest dinner special for them. Ok..Here is where you should start belly laughing.."No Mom..Are you kidding..we don't care about this mess..we just want to eat" Why do we try so hard as mothers to do things for them that they probably don't give two cents about now. I am holding out that one day they will be just like me, say things just like me and care about the smallest details of holidays just like me..so I can sit back and belly laugh at them..all the while I am tracking in mud on their carpet, scratching their newly painted walls, stopping up their toilets and giving their children candy before dinner. ha ha.

Hope you and yours had a Happy Valentine's Day.

What to do when you are down with the crud?

2008-02-13T21:57:00.004-05:00

This week most of us have been battling the flu. Jessica returned to school this week, it hit her last week. Wilson has been in and out of school for over a week. Madi has been hit the worst. I always worry about her when she is sick because of her asthma. She usually coughs herself into an attack. She is going back to school tomorrow and I am much happy about it. The crud has come and gone and come again and I was happy to have avoided it. Until about 4am on Tuesday morning. I felt terrible...I looked terrible and sounded terrible. Today I did get a shower and that made me feel better. One thing about being sick is that it grounds you. I have worked for 4 1/2 years and when I get a break from working it usually is to benefit the children or take time away from home. Well this week there has been no children activities for me and no venturing outside much. I have laid up in bed on my laptop or reading some books. It seems like I have been down for about 2 weeks and yet has only been 2 days. I have recommitted myself to work on my weight-I have researched the mess out of weight watchers. I have organized all my financial accounts and bills online-to view and pay them monthly. I have listed my 12 books that I am going to read this year. I have started a "want" list of all the latest gadets online. Do you know that they make something called "kindle" that you can download books to it and read it. It is mad crazy to much money but heah, I put it on my "wants" list not my " I'm getting this fo sho list". And I saw this gadget called "slingbox", you attach it to your computer or phone and wherever you are you can watch tv programs that are on your tv from home. Cool right? So if you are somewhere and you can to watch a show that you can get on your cable network at home then you can watch it on your laptop.

I also made of list of things I want to accomplish with the kids and at work. I thought about what I wanted to have for Valentines dinner at the house. I read lots of blogs. You people are way more interesting than me. I have researched everything on Voddie Baucham-I proudly am the newest member of his fan club-right behind Curt Whalen-We are Voddie stalkers. I researched baby shower stuff. I looked up all my favorite Hollywood friends- you know Jennifer Aniston-today is her birthday. I looked up all my past soap operas and read up on them. I am current now. I looked at gobs of craft websites and scrapbook sites too. And lastly one of my favorite things to do online is look up the webcam at Carolina Beach in Wilmington. Man I miss the beach. We are counting down the days until Spring Break here. After I watched the ocean for a while-I thought of places I would like to visit one day and googled webcam in those areas and watched them for awhile too. I know you are laughing at me by now. I know you want to know where all I visited with a fever in the comforts of my bed. I visited Ireland, Paris (eiffel tower, if you know me, its my dream to go there one day), Russia, Iceland (dont ask me why ---lol-theres alot of snow there, Washington DC-(lots of webcam there-Madi is going there in two weeks-I was just curious, the beaches of California and also I watched many webcams of several cruise ships. By now you get the feeling that I am bored out of my mind don't you. Me too haha. It really was interesting but I thought to myself--"Self-I sure am glad you have a life-a husband, four kids, two dogs this week, parents, family, church, friends and a job, cause this is what I could see occupying my days". So this crud will pass soon and when it does I will be right back in the thick of my crazy life. I am really looking forward to it.

have a great day

Paige

p.s Mom and Dad are back from their 3 week Mickey and Minnie adventure-She did return home with the crud of her own. Boy was Bear so excited to see them. We will miss Bear.

Resurfaced, Revolve, Rememberance, Reverse, Rejoiced and Refreshed

2008-02-10T14:10:00.000-05:00

Where in the world have you been? I not only have been checked out of updating my blog, but I have been checked out of life too. Now that I have resurfaced I can tell you some of the things that we have been up to at the house.

I did join the momtourage group and enjoyed the first visit. I received the book and am working on reading the first four chapters. BTW the second meeting is tomorrow night and I only read two chapters so far. I am looking forward to going again.But tonight I will not be able to read because I am taking my girls to a volunteer only concert at church. That means you have to volunteer to hear the wonderful music that Elevation puts out each week. I love that my girls want me to go. I am wearing my cool new tennis shoes, even though I don't think they call them that any more. I am wearing my "puma's" and jammin with my girls. OK-I will try not to embarras them too much or throw out my back like I did last time we jammed.

I took Madi to the "Revolve Conference". It was a teen christian conference for girls. It was awesome. We got to meet some of the speaker team and artists. For me it was very inspirational and Madi was siked about it too. Here is a picture of Amanda, Meredith and Madi at the conference.

Olivia is trying out for the Queens Grant soccer team in two weeks. We have been taking her to lots of practices and I hope she makes it. Greg and I love going to our kids sporting events. Soccer games, cheerleading, basketball, dance, tumbling..you name it and we love going. I think my girls get cheerleading honest..they have parents that are their biggest fans.

Both Olivia and Wil received honors this week at school for perfect attendance and grades. My children love going to school. They love getting good grades and working toward those paper acolates. As long as they will strive for them..I will encourage it.

Jessica was in a reverse homecoming court at her school. That is when boys are on the court and they ask girls to escort them. Her grandparents took her to buy some dresses and this is the one that she chose to wear that day. She is also recovering from some funky fever thing. She could not eat for a week. She survived off saltine crackers. I think she lost about five pounds... like she needed it. I dont think the cracker diet would work that great for me. I also

added a picture of

Amanda, Zack and Madi

at their middle school winter

social. These three have been

best friends for years.

This month will be the 5 year anniversary of adopting Olivia. Remembering back of what it took leading up to our decision to add her to our crazy family and all it took makes me tired. It truly was a God thing because I don't think that I could do it again. This week I have remembered her brother that ran away the weekend he was to sign away rights to her. I remembered finding out in court that her parents are still alive. I remembered telling the judge I would love her like my bio children. I remembered the wonderful man that helped Greg and I through some tough times there. I remembered armed men taking my husband away to a dark, locked room. I remembered how my heart ached not to see or hear from my family for 3 weeks. I remembered the smell of Belarus, the smell of the house we stayed in, the smell of the foods that were prepared for us each day, the smell of the people on the plane to Poland, the smell of fear, the smell of the steak house in Chicago and the smell of my dad's cologne as he hugged me when all the family was at the airport welcoming us back to America.It seems like yesterday that my brother was in Afganistan telling my mom not to let us board the plane.And yet it seems like 20 years that Olivia has been with us. We seem to be alot diffent then we were back then. Sometimes I think we are crazier but most times I think that she has made us better. And a quote from Mrs. Danner (Greg's sweet grandmother that has since passed)"that foreign girl that ya'll bought looks nothing like ya'll". She has grown into a beautiful, hard working, caring daughter of mine!!!!

I know this is a little long-but what do you expect? Life just didnt sit still while I was not blogging you know!

I wanted to go to the Everlasting Love tour with Voddie Baucham. But we couldn't go because Madi had a cheerleading competition. I was bummed because I thought Greg and I would enjoy it. We have been married for almost 17 years. Lately we have been wrapped up, ran over and over whelmed with life, health and children. So this seemed like such a great thing. When Madi's comp. was canceled I briefly thought that it would have been nice to be able to go. The tickets were $90 for both of us, not including lunch. This week my very sweet, long time friend Teri called and said that she had won tickets off the radio and wanted to know if I wanted them. I could not believe it. I rejoiced that God was that darn good.And Kemp and Teri thought so highly of us to bless us with their tickets. Greg and I went and I must say that it was a day of inspiration, confiction and guidance. Not only do I feel better as a mom but a wife too. I am going to try to use my new found wisdom this week. I will let you know how it goes. My friend Curt Whalen is a Voddie stalker and I think I am too now.

I wanted to post a picture of the "Saturday Night Sista's" They are the group of fabulas girls that spend the night at our house each weekend. I think now that I could have been Ma Walton. I can get them all to bed, cook Sunday morning breakfast, load them up in two covered wagons and haul them off to church service... on time no doubt. I love each one of them and tell them so every night before they go to bed. They all say "Night mama, I love you too". It is a good feeling.

My parents have been in Florida for three weeks. Hooping it up with Smokey, Hazel, Mickey and Minnie. Before they left my dad celebrated his birthday. (the picture of my dad looks like he has some funky beard going on, but really it is his collar)They will be coming home next Wednesday and they are coming straight over to get Bear. Bear has been an angel. We all love him. Even GREG!!! He even told Bear last night that he did not know what he was going to do when he left. I think I saw a tear..This is huge people..remember my husband does not like dogs that are not shepards and that he did not pick out. Anyway-back to the parents..them coming home means we are in the home stretch of baby watch. Mom and I are giving Lindsay a shower next weekend. She is already out of work. The baby clothes are currently being purchased and washed. Chip and Lindsay are taking classes at the hospital and Aunt Paige is getting giddy.

Whit and Parker are less than two months away. You know twins come early...stayed tuned for baby watch countdown.

And lastly..my baby turned 9 years old this week. Wil was 9 on Friday. He had his BFF Nicki over to eat pizza and brownies. We all watched the game plan with The Rock. And I enjoyed having a layed back evening with the entire family. As I looked around the room, I thought to myself that it is not often that we all together doing the exact same things at once. It felt good to have everyone home Friday night. Wil wants to have a laser tag party with his friends and we will have Mom,Dad, Chip and Lindsay over next week for his family birthday. Doesn't it seems like birthDAYS and birthWEEKS now a days. It must be great to be a kid.

Thats it for now. Hope you have a great day. I am going to read my two chapters, slip on my "puma's" and begin to get my groove on. I feel very refreshed that I have gotten all this out for you to read.Catch up with you soon.

competitions,books and seminars

2008-01-15T17:46:00.000-05:00

I have not sat down for a second in about a week. I love reading my friends blogs and when they don't update it often I get upset. So, here is the family update.

Madi is flying high this week, because her school went to a cheerleading competition this past weekend. She was signed up to do a solo. As luck would have it, she was first to take the mat of the entire days competition. She was awesome! I was very proud of her. At the end of the day, she was awarded first place for her performance. Her school came in first place in their division and the parents and cheerleaders cheered so much that we were given the award of most spirited. Pretty awesome. That was not the end though. They awarded girls an award based on spirit, performance and academics the "All American Cheerleader Award" and when they called her name I was over joyed. What a sweet end of a great competition!

Jessica is doing great. This week is exam week and she gets to catch up on her sleep. She gets up every day at 430am and usually is studying until after midnight. When we arrived home from the competition Saturday we had a full house. The picture below is what we call "the Saturday night sista's". These are the group of girls that stay at our house every weekend to go to church with us.ok no picture right now due to camera left a work for team member to use.

Olivia is going great. She is helping with Toby and Bear. Bear is my parents dog that we get plenty of visitation rights to due to retired parents

that travel a lot

Wil is doing great. Nothing major happened to him this week. He had Nikki over to play this weekend.

I wanted to update everyone on two of my new year resolutions. I was joining a moms church group and wanted to read 12 books. Well, we are reading this great book from one of the Proverbs31 speakers. I wanted to go to Barnes and Nobles to see if they had it. I asked if they had any books from Melanie Chitwood. The lady said yes we do. We carry the book "What a husband needs from his wife physically". As she looked up from the computer I began to laugh. I think there is more to the title. She did not look amused. I think she thinks I am reading some freaky book and what I need to do for my husband. I proceeded to tell her the rest of the title and she was not interested. Just in case you were wondering the entire title is "what a husband needs from his wife physically, spiritually and emotionally". As luck would have it the book was out of stock so I ordered it. Sorry Greg will just have to wait to see what the books says I should do to him physically.

I am really excited about the adventure I am going on this week. Art and Raquel(CFA team member) are off to Atlanta for some intense, serious training with some big wigs at corporate. I had a marvelous plan that I should accompany them. Here is how the conversation went. Art I think I need to go to Atlanta too. You really should not travel with Raquel alone, that does not look good. She may feel uncomfortable. I should go too and stay in my jammies all day while you two are in serious, intense classes and read the book that the seminar in modeled after. After you two are in sensory overload each night-I could help you process your information and help put your plans into action. Are you following me people--me all by my self for hours in a hotel room, reading, with no husband, no children, no workers, no customers and no no no one but me!. Sweet idea right? Who was I kidding-what boss would OK that idea? So after I stated by case-I waited for the laughter to ensue..."Sounds great, I think that is the best idea you have had. We can put a game plan into action right there on the spot and be able to hit the ground running when we return home." What, are you serious. I have been quite giddy this week about my trip. Until today. We interrupt this happy vacation plan for a wonderful boss plan."Hey what time will your plane land in the morning" he says. I say that I should be at the hotel about 10am. He says"Great the seminar starts at 10am" I think you will love it". Ok now I am starting to picture what I will look like shimming myself into a seminar that I am not invited to. Picture this with me if you will. I will not get home tonight until 10pm-remember it is Tuesday again-After I pack, make sure everyone is taken care of for the rest of the week, get in bed, wake up at 430am with Jessica, get ready, drive to the airport, lug my luggage, check in-did I mention I am flying stand by-wait to see if I get to board the 7am flight-thanks Tam and Greg, arrive in Atlanta at 830am, ride the marta-train- to station-pray for me all alone in the big city like Mary Tyler Moore (didnt want to tell my parents I was doing this-sorry mom and dad), call for the driver, arrive at the hotel, it maybe raining there by the way-can you imagine humitity in very curly hair of mine, and saunter myself at 10am into a room full of professional dressed, well rested, showered, full belly from sweet buffet breakfast people just in time for the serious, intense seminar to start. Now back to conversation with Art-"Oh, I had a jammie day planned" Funny look from boss-"but intense, serious, all day seminar sounds great to me. See you there". OK now I am thinking what I have gotten myself into. I am sure that I will update you later on my adventure alone in the big city. By the way it is not looking so good for the flight back. It looks full and I may not be able to get on the flight. If I cant I have to stay another night in Atlanta-Hey I just might get my jammie day after all. Please pray for me over the next few days if you think of it.

Well I hope that each of you are doing well and you are still working on your new years goals.

Insert shout out to Gail-friend from Wil

Have a great week!

Paige

What gets you through a yucky day?

2008-01-08T22:59:00.000-05:00

Today was a yucky, gloomy, grey and a kind of overcast day. The kind of day that I wanted to stay in bed for. But that rarely happens on a Tuesday. That typically is McKinney family crazy day. My day started last night when I climbed into bed at 1am. I had just returned home from a moms group. I had a great time meeting other women from church. By the time I got home and piddled around the house it was 1am. I knew waking up this morning was going to be hard. Madi had cheerleading practice at school at 715am. I woke up at 430am to wake Jessica up and then dosed back for awhile. I was having a hard time thinking of getting out of bed. I had to pray myself out of that bed. I prayed I would have enough strength to make it all day. I prayed and prayed and prayed. Then I got up and could not believe my energy. I did a load of laundry, ironed Wils school clothes, made a meatloaf for dinner and put it in the fridge. I took the kids to school, went to park for a walk, returned countless CFA(Chick-fil-A)phone calls, showered and was ready for my day at 930am. How did all that get done. I don't know if God was pushing me or if he just gave me energy to get it all done. I went to work and got so much done. I had lunch with Matthew, Marybeth and sweet Annaweezie. That is Marybeth's youngest sweetie! We could have talked for hours, as if we had not talked last night. I worked until 6pm and then went to Jessica's basketball game she was cheering at. Mom and Dad picked up Madi from her practice and we were all home at 730pm. Olivia had put my meatloaf in the oven and I warmed corn from the farm. YUM! Threw some frozen broccoli in the microwave and we had ten minutes to eat before we got into the car again. Did I say Tuesdays were my crazy night? I then took Jessica and Madi to gymnastics practice and got home at 10pm. I could have went to bed but I had taped CSI. I could have went to bed at 11pm but decided to check in on some of my friends blogs. So now I am ending this very long day and getting ready to head to my nice comfy bed. This image above gets me through a lot of days. Eager for summer, and days on the beach with the children and parents. I sat on the beach this summer and thought "It don't get any better than this". I knew on grey, yucky days my mind would go back to the beach. But if my memory could not bring back the image, I would darn sure make certain that I could see it. Doesn't the beach look wonderful. This is what got me through today. Oceans and lots of prayers.

Random pics of the fam

2008-01-06T22:50:00.001-05:00

My favorite summer photo of Wil

This is Madi's favorite picture of her and her dad.

I need the keys to the car, please Dad.

Olivia loves Chinese night at the house

Our newest member-Toby

2008 resolutions=pays and owes

2008-01-05T16:07:00.000-05:00

I decided that I would write down some New Year's resolutions for this year. I came across this picture of Lindsay and myself. This is my sister-in-law. I always wanted a sister growing up. God has blessed me with 3. I like looking at this photo because it was a day that I zipped up that dress and felt good. My hair looked good and my make-up went on good too. I looked at this picture this morning and wondered why I don't feel that kind of "good" anymore. So, that what started my pays and owes list.

1. I will exercise 3 times per week. I owe it to myself and it pays great benefits (picture is example)

2. I will read 12 books this year. I owe it to my brain and it helps develop myself personally and professionally.

3. I will join momtourage. I owe it to myself to have some time away from the children and It pays to get to know others from my church. Elevation baby-most rocking church around.( This ones for you Marybeth-thanks for the invite)

4.I will be more planful of my dinners. I owe it to children to be a better cook and it pays to not eat out. Feeding 6 of us is insane at a restaurant.

5.Scrapbook more-I would like to dedicate 2 weekends this year to catching up on my scrapbooks. I owe it to the children to preserve their heritage and It pays to see it done.

6.Mostly importantly--I will have a more intentional quiet time each day with God. I owe everything to God and it pays everything in my life to have one.

These are a few a my personal resolutions. I have a work list too. I may post it one day. I have to share it with my team and Art next week.

Today I am baking coffee bread for the kids breakfast tomorrow. We always have a great group of kids spending the night with us to go to church. I get so excited when they are here. They are full of laughter and fun. You never know what they are going to get into. Literally. One night I heard screams coming from Jessica's room. I rushed in and it looked like an episode of ER. There was needles, peroxide, apples, knifes, cotton balls and lighters. They were having a good ole time piercing each others ears. I am sorry to all the mothers that were represented in that room. My child was the worse. I have never heard the likes of someone screaming before. But all was well because for each scream an outburst of laughter would erupt.

My dad came in this morning with lots of loaf pans. Guess mom was cleaning and thought they would be used here. They were right, I am going to use them to bake the coffee cakes in today.

While they are baking I am going on a walk in hopes

to fit back into that dress. Here is another picture of

me in the dress. Art and Lysa sent Greg and I on a

cruise last year after I met some of my goals at work.

We had a great time.

Being an adult

2008-01-03T19:25:00.000-05:00

Today was a real day. Have you ever had one of those days when you realize that you were an adult? Today was one of those for me. I really like being liked, playing it safe and making everyone feel good. So when one of those days come up in my personal or professional life that I have to "man up" it is hard. Today was a man up day for me. I dont really know how I did, but at the end of the day, I feel good. God is good! He let me get through this entire day and be able to say that it is ok. Tomorrow will come and we will start all over, fresh and new. Thank you, Jesus for fresh starts and new days.

Today I also visited my dearest friend Tamera. If you know anything about Chick-fil-A at the Arboretum, then you know Tamera. She is the best dining room hostess ever. She is such a servant and loves people. Tamera has taught me many things over the past few years. Most of all to laugh, love chocolate and how to love the Lord and be his servant. Tamera fell at home yesterday and got pretty banged up. She is so dedicated to her job that she actually wanted to come in to work. You can't keep her down. Gail-friend and I went to visit her and cheer her up and we left there with a box of See's candy and pains in our stomach from laughing so much with her and her wonderful raymond husband "Gregg". Watch out for her crutches Gregg!!!haha.

I had to leave just now for a few minutes. My sweet father just called to check on me. You see he knows my path home. He called to see if I made it home safely because there was a 10 car wreck that just occurred on the highway I take home. I love my fathers. My heavenly father protected me from being in this wreck and my earthly father worried for my protection as well. Like I said, God is good.

This picture is of one of the most exciting days in my professional career. Art-wonderful boss took Tamera, Liz and myself to corporate and we had the pleasure to visit with Truett Cathey for awhile. He is the founder of Chick-fil-A. It is a honor to work for such as man as he is.

Tomorrow is Friday and I will be mucho busy. Madi has cheerleading practice at 715am. Then off to Marybeth's house for some hot chocolate, breakfast, talking and lots of laughter. At 130pm I am volunteering at the kids school. I am going to a physical therapist(neck aches) so that she can work on my neck at 200pm. I am walking at the park with my mom and dad at 330pm and then to watch Madi cheer and 430pm. I will be home by 730pm to begin my weekend!!!!YES!!!

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Hi Ho Hi Ho Its Off To Work I Go

2008-01-02T09:16:00.000-05:00

Did I say that I love my job..I do. I have been at it for four and a half years. Almost six months after the long process of adopting Olivia, I needed a break. Everyone needed a break from me. Shortly after the adoption, I was standing in my room and Greg was looking for something in the closet. He asked if I was ever going to do anything with all the pictures that had accumulated in boxes. That was a hint from him to clean up. So, I head to my friend Wanda's house, who is the creative memories guru and began my love of scrapbooking. I found that I really loved to scrapbook. The family loved seeing the end product and they missed me while I was away. I loved being with other women and we all shared stories of our children. The best part is your children can not talk back in pictures and your family looks normal and perfect for a short period of time. Anywho..I really liked scrapbooking and I went to my friend Wanda's alot and to the local scrapbook store. One day while looking around the store, the manager asked me if I was looking for a job. I said that might be fun and we scheduled a time for me to come back for and interview. When I was on my way to the interview, "my good friend Marybeth" called. I told her about the interview and she thought I was "nuts". "Why would you want to work nights and weekends", she asked. I didn't. I just knew for some reason I was going. Marybeth hung up and called "my good friend Lysa". While they were talking, Lysa asked how I was. "A JOB INTERVIEW!!!! What in the world is she going on a job interview for".You see up to this point I was a stay at home mom..Loved it. Wouldn't have anything to do with going back to work. So the shock of me at an interview was just that. Art-wonderful boss-heard Lysa yell out job interview and asked who was wanting a job. "Send her in to talk to me". This all took place while I was in my "not really what I wanted at all" job interview at the scrapbook store. When I got out and back in my car, Marybeth called and soon began my love for Chick-fil-A and the TerKeurst family...thanks to good friends--
So, now it is 930am and I must hurry-I love my job, but want to keep it. So, I am off to have fun...loving on people, having people loving me back and making a difference...Was this what I looking for all the while I was at home for all those years... Maybe so, but my children probably wont say those words of "Thanks Mom" for a few more years...
Please keep my parents in your prayers today. They are traveling to Greenville to a birthday party for my great aunt. Happy Birthday, Gloria and We all hope you feel better soon. We love you!!!
Have a great day everyone

So much for my traditional New Year's dinner

2008-01-01T20:38:00.000-05:00

I had this grandios idea that I would have a traditional New Years day enjoyable, sit down dinner with my entire family. I will set the day for you. Husband is at home, laid back in the recliner watching all the bowl games. I worked most of the day creating this bleeping blog so that I could share it with everyone in my life, so the grocery trip did not happen until 4:30pm. I rushed there, went inside and tossed everything looking tradional as I could remember from my childhood New Years day dinners into the buggy(remember I did already put a disclaimer in previous blog that I am the queen of run on sentences) and scurried home to cook. After a good laugh with one of the grandmothers to this blog(good friend, Lysa) I began my lovely, dreamy Norman Rockwell scene dinner...Ready.... here is where Norman meets Paige....What's this crap?...I don't know but it looks like grass clippings to me....What's the other mess?..Hominy, honey you will like it, I used to eat it when I was a child...response...You should have kept it back when you were a child...I'm not eating this stuff..can I have cereal?....When is the pork roast ready?....I should have started earlier cause the roast is still pink in the middle..Oh my gosh mom....we don't have any roast...are you kidding me?...What can I put on these grass clippings to make them taste better?...Vinegar???What white vinegar that stuff tastes terrible...I'll try if it will make this taste any better...Look at my plate mom, I am the good child I am trying everything you cooked...I am even trying the hominy..One hominy does not make enough for trying...that's like homin-i-if there is such a word..Mom I ate alot-I even had two pieces of cornbread.. .....This is a look at my family and the dinner table conversations. Did I say dinner table?They did not even make it to the table, they ate standing in the kitchen ridiculing my meal. But all was not lost for my children loooovvveeedd the yummo dinner at the end...dessert. Marybeth's recipe of course.Check out Jessica's plate-she did not want to hurt my feelings so she tried everything--just not alot of everything.....

2008-01-01T15:32:00.000-05:00

OK, here goes..This blog is dedicated to "my good friends, Marybeth and Lysa". These two wonderful friends of mine have tried to encourage me to start a blog. First of all, I am not a writer like they are. Second, I am the Queen of run on sentences and usually do not use spell check. Sorry in advance to all you perfect people. Third-usually my stories are only funny to my mom (side note..she only thinks that they are funny because she finally gets to says all those grandmotherly things like--I told you so, You wanted all these children..and Payback is heck isnt it) and my friends MaryBeth and Lysa, who laugh hysterically at my stories because they are living my same insane life with all their children too. And finally, I did not want to start a blog because I was scared one day that these words may be used against me in a court of law. You know what I mean if you are a mother. For real, sometimes things just come out my mouth, but that does not mean that I want a prosecutor to re-read and re-live them for all to judge me. So thats it, If you want to read about me and mine-enjoy but please don't judge...Like momma says payback is heck...
I have four children as you can see pictured right. Jessica is 16..just 16 I might add. She turned 16 on Christmas day. She has her learners permit and I do not like driving with her. Now, I understand why my dad turned me over to Smokey when I was 16. My parents wanted to live another day..Jessica is a sophomore at Butler High school. She is captain of the JV cheerleaders there..We are on a quest to get her accepted to UNC-Chapel Hill and on their cheerleading squad in three years. I am sure I will tell you more about her later. Madison is 13 going on 24. In her mind she has graduated high school, went to college four years at UNC-Wilmington and has a job as an ultrasound tech. She lives with her ultra rich husband on Lake Norman. And you can see her most weekends on her boat probably skiing. But for now she is an eighth grader at Queens Grant (captain of the JV cheerleaders and VP of the student body-she wanted me to add) Olivia -now is changing on us daily. For those you that don't remember, we adopted her almost five years ago from Mogilev, Belarus. She loves animals.....loves animals..She will probably be a vet, or nurse, or own a dog kennel like her Uncle Bob and Aunt Jan..I am sure I will write more about "the farm" later. I secretly hope Olivia becomes a massage therapist so that I can benefit..She loves to play soccer too. She has try-outs for her school team in the spring. And then I have my little Wilson-he is all of our favorite here at the Casa McKinney..He is 8 and plays soccer..He finally received an XBOX360 from santa (what were you thinking Santa-I mean for real)and all is well with the world. His best friend is Nicki and they play together all the time. We are glad he has a best friend, since our house in a swinging door to girls at all times of the day, week and night. There is always someone here and Greg and I love it...most of the time..except when my head is spinning around, I grow four heads and ugly things come screaming out of my mouth...I have the most wonderful parents and will probably blog about them because my children and I invade their house at Carolina Beach a lot each summer. They would love to sell it and I think they will one day but for now me and mine secretly hope it does not sell for a few more sun-filled summers. My days are filled with everyone you have already read about and more. I love, love, love my job. I am the marketing director at Chick-fil-A at the Arboretum. I am sure as days follows you will read about my wonderful boss and boss lady(my good friend, Lysa and thanks to my good friend MaryBeth for telling me about this wonderful job), my most perfect assistant LIZ-in-which I could not survive without, my Gail-friend-every girl needs one and the crew...We have also fell in love with our new cocker spaniel Toby-yes Toby Keith. The kids and I named him that in hopes that Greg would love him too. No such luck. Greg hates any dog that is not his, is not a German Shepard and he did not pick out. Sorry Toby.
By the way -we are having twins...Don't I look good? Just kidding, my brother and his wife are having twins this spring and we are soooo excited about it. Get ready to hear lots of good stories on Parker and Whit..
So I think that this is enough for my first blog and first day..I am now off to the store for dinner. A traditional New Years Day dinner. Pork roast, black-eyed peas, greens and asparagus for the children and corn bread.Yummo!!
May each of you have a great year and enjoy my crazy life with me......