Hello!

Well ... the boys are home sick once again. We just can't shake this runny nose, cough and fever thing. Marcus isn't feeling well either. I can tell that we will have a fun week ahead!


The students have returned to campus so I feel like it's actually 'alive' again. It's so boring when they aren't around, even though I don't have anything to do with traditional aged students. I love hearing them talk right outside of my office. The things that they are so concerned about (who is riding with whom to the game, where are they going to meet up for a party, who is buying the booze ... what!!!! Not at AU!!!) are so funny to me as those items are not what brings me joy or stress these days. Oh to be 18, 19 or 20 again! And can I just say that I do not get the trend of wearing winter boots (I think they are called Uggs) and a mini skirt with no hose!!! I just don't understand.

Anyway, have a wonderful week!
Carrie

Last Year ... Jamaica or bust!

Well, last year at this time we were packing our bags for Montego Bay, Jamaica! We left on Jan 14 and returned on the 19th. I have found myself thinking about that trip a lot lately ... probably because of the weather and lack of quality time with Marcus lately. So, if I am more scatter-brained than normal ... blame it on 'beach-brain' as I know I'll be daydreaming a lot this week!

Have a wonderful weekend with your families!
Love,
Carrie

hoorAy!

I have to brag on myself for a sec! As most of you know, I am finishing my bachelor's degree ... something well overdue. Most of you also know that I never was a great student the first time around. WELL ... I am currently a straight A student! I just found out that I earned an "A" in stats (not a fun class)! I would have been happy with a "B" but I am THRILLED with an "A!" I may have to have a pop in celebration (is it bad that I am ready to break my New Year's resolution already!?! hahahaha!)

Now on to Economics ... ick!

Have a great day,
Carrie

Welcome 2008

Hello! Happy New Year to all of you. And I hope you all had quality family time these last two weeks as we have had. We traveled out to Missouri to see my grandparents and great granny along with all the aunts, uncle and cousins. Lots of little boys running around playing, lots of laughter, lots of food, lots of football ... I could go on and on. I've added a few pictures - but the one that is most important to me right now is the one with the Five Generations in my family. Granny Fannon is sitting, Grandma Davis is the one with her arm in a cast, my mother is standing beside me and my sister is on the arm of the chair, then of course Aiden, Logan and Gavin.

During all of the festivities in Missouri, I asked my grandpa if he knew when he had his four children that they would create all of this (pointing to all of the great grandchildren and grandchildren playing with their new toys, all the cousins laughing and teasing one another, and the brothers and sisters picking on one another) and he said, "Yep ... I sure did. That's what I prayed for!" Isn't that really what all of it's about? Family and watching how our family grows and changes throughout the years?

As for the new year ... I normally do not do New Year's Resolutions, but I am going to give it a shot this year. Of course I need to lose weight, so I am going to cut out my pop intake. Anyone that knows me knows that I am LOVE my Coke and Root Beer, so it should be interesting. I keep telling myself that if Marcus can quit smoking cold turkey, then I can give up something like pop. We all have a vice I guess!

Well, I could share a lot of little stories from the last couple of weeks and it's festivities, but I'll just leave with a quote from a plaque that was given to my great aunt ... "The best things in life aren't things ..." How appropriate after these last few days?

With love,

Carrie

Pictures of the boys

Here are the newest pictures of our boys. I don't know how we got such cute kids! The baby in the picture is Gavin. Aren't they sweet!?!? Just had to share!!!

It's the little things in life!

As most of you know, I am horrible in the kitchen. I have a handful of dishes I make well, but the bad experiences outweigh the good by far! So, a couple of weeks ago I successfully attempted 'pigs in a blanket.' We sat down for dinner around the table, Aiden said our prayer and then he took a huge bite of his 'blanket.' He turns to me and says, "Mom ... you are a great cook." What he doesn't know can't hurt him ... right? The very next day I decided that I wanted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I began making one and Aiden asked if he could try one. (History: Aiden never liked peanut butter - so I don't think he has ever had a PB&J). I made him a half sandwich (cut diagonal ... the ONLY way to cut a sandwich). He took one bite and said, "Mom ... what do you call this and I will eat another one if you will make it for me!" I felt so proud! A couple days later Marcus was asking what they would like to have for lunch. Aiden replied, "My mom makes this sandwich on bread and cuts it. It has the brown stuff on one side and the purple stuff on the other ... do you know how to make it too Dad?" Took Marcus a second to figure out he was talking about a PB&J, but from what I hear, Dad makes a mean PB&J also.

See ... it really is the little things in life!
Have a wonderful weekend ... get that shopping done!
Carrie

Aiden's Issues

Good afternoon!

I've yet another funny Aiden story:
The boys haven't been in the greatest of moods in the mornings. For instance, Logan was having a 'bad case of the Mondays' on Monday. Cried about every single thing. I hear that lasted well into his time at the sitter's. We made it through Monday, just to enter into Tuesday. Tuesday Logan woke up in the best of moods ... whew! He was hugging me, kissing me, laughing ... we woke up on the right side of the bed. Aiden however ... not so much. He was your basic whiny four year old for the first few minutes, then it all went to - well, you know. He asked if he could take a Hot Wheel to the sitter's (something we have never let him do). So I replied, "No, Aiden. If you take it there you will forget it and then be sad. Let's just wait until we get home tonight to play with it." He did not like answer. He threw the car across the room followed by throwing himself onto the floor crying like a baby. I then told him to pick up the car and hand it to me because he now lost it for the evening. I proceeded to tell him (calmly I might add ... I was very proud) that he was having some issues and needed to get it figured out so that he could have a much better day. His reply through his tears was, "What are issues and why do I have them!?!?!" It was all I could do not to crack up in laughter! It sounded like a woman if you want to know the truth. AHHHHH! I calmly (again, proud of that fact) told him that issues were problems and he needed to figure out why he was having a bad day and fix it. From what I hear, he figured out his issues within minutes of being at the sitter's and had a good day. Another crisis averted!