Happy 30th Anniversary Mom and Dad! (12/19)

HAPPY 30th ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!

WOW! I cannot imagine being married to the same person for 30 years (probably because that would be my entire lifetime up to this point, but still!) I am so blessed to be able to say that my parents are still married to one another. I am so proud of this fact because I know it hasn't always been easy - but somehow they've made it. I hope that today they sit and reflect on how blessed they truly are. They have three lovely daughters (yes, I said lovely and yes, in this picture we are truly dorks. Mom bought us matching pj's for a weekend in Cinci and we couldn't help but show them off!) ANYWAY ...Not only have they been blessed with the three lovely daughters, they've been even MORE blessed with three grandsons! This picture doesn't feature the kiddos in their best of moods (sunrise service for Easter) but you get the idea ... blessed.

Mom and Dad - thank you for being an example to us that marriage isn't always easy, but with faith, support and love 30 years of marriage is obtainable. We love you!
Marcus, Carrie, Aiden and Logan

Tag ... you're it!

I've been tagged!


1. Two Names You Go By: Mom or Mommy (the kids seem to call me Mommy when talking to me, but when they are talking to someone else about me it's Mom, weird). My dad always calls me Sunshine.

2. Things You Are Wearing Right Now: My wedding rings and my grey high heeled boots. Luckily I am wearing much more than just those two items. I gag at the thought!

3. Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment: A church to call home up here and a McDonald's sweet tea.

4. Two people who you look up to: Grandpa Davis and Dad.

5. Two things you did last night: took a hot bath and watch the Trans Siberian Orchestra on PBS ... not nearly as entertaining on tv as it is in person. Now that is a concert! I've added a couple of my favs to a playlist - enjoy and rock out!

6. Two things you ate yesterday: sloppy joe, rice.

7. Two people you last talked to: Marcus (via text messaging) and Cindy @ work.

8. Two Things you're doing tomorrow: Driving into Fort Wayne for an appointment and coming in to work.

9. Two longest car rides: IN to Mexico with stops in AZ and CA and IN to Washington, DC.

10. Favorite Holidays : Thanksgiving and Christmas

11. Favorite Vacations : Jamaica with Marcus in January 2007, Gatlinburg, TN on our honeymoon in 2003.

12. Last trip: Branson in July 08.

13. Two favorite beverages: McDonald's Iced Tea and Mt Dew. Can you say S-U-G-A-R!?!?!

Ok, so I tag: Missy F., Missy S., Stacie and Leslie. By the way, most of the time when I tag someone they never do it! We'll see this time ...

Mommy has Super Powers!

Last night I decided to make cookies with the boys. We voted for chocolate chip cookies ... yummo! I had gotten all of the ingredients out and ready and had turned to get the bowls. I told the boys not to touch anything and I noticed that Logan was reaching for something and I told him not to touch anything while facing the opposite way. Aiden was shocked and asked, "Mom, can you see out of your brain?" I laughed and said, "No. Why?" He said, "Well, how did you know Logan was doing that?" Again, I laughed and said, "Well, Mommy has eyes in the back of her head!" He was shocked again and asked, "Does Daddy?" I said, "No, just Mom."

So, yes. I am sure I am a horrible mother because I told this fib and said that Daddy does not have this secret power, but it was really funny! Plus, Aiden is my sneaky one, so if this wards off any wrong doing, I am ok with that fib.

Another funny, er, cute thing Aiden said last night was about a stray cat that has been lingering in our neighborhood recently. He looked out the window and said, "Mom, do you see that cat out there? It's adorable." HA! Adorable! Who knew that he knew that word?

The last funny thing was from Logan. As you know, they now have faux hawk hairdo's. Yesterday morning I told Logan he looked like a rooster and he said, "No ... I am a chicken!" My bad, my bad.

Talk to you all soon,
Carrie

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's 52nd birthday. He is coming up to our place for the weekend. I am very excited. The boys and I are going to make his favorite birthday cake (white cake with milk chocolate icing) and we have some really cool gifts for him.

This birthday seems a bit more special to me this year. On July 17th, dad had a small stroke. Luckily he was only away from work for 6 weeks and seems to have made a full recovery although the dr.'s still are unsure as to why he had the stroke. Anyway, the experience made it all to clear how precious life is and how I should cherish my time with him. So, with all that said, here are 52 that I love most about my dad (or remember doing with him when I was little).

*Sunday afternoon wrestling matches.

*The smell of hamburger and onions (the only thing he can cook).

*The time he warmed up frozen waffles for me ... in the microwave.

*Our phone conversations.

*Watching him play baseball with my boys.

*The way his hands felt when I was little. They were always rough from boxes, but they were still comforting.

*His laugh.

*His baseball card collection.

*The way he loved (and still does) his mom.

*His organizational skills. Seriously, if I had half of them I would be in good shape!

*His work ethic. The man never calls in sick (ok, other than for a stroke or back surgery! HA).

*Playing catch with him in the middle of Chipaway Drive.

*Driving around looking at Christmas lights after he got home from work.

*He was the only one I would go trick-or-treating with.

*Daddy walking me down the isle.

*His face when he held his newborn grandsons.

*He taught me to mow the grass.

*He taught me to change a tire (I do neither of the last two now, but I could at one point in my life).

*The drives to Toledo every third weekend.

*He treated his three daughters as fairly as possible.

*He didn't judge when I brought a drunk friend home.

*The fact that I'll have to print this blog entry off so that he can read it. He's never used a computer!

*He is forgiving.

*He recognizes me for the woman I am today.

*He made it to as many sporting events as he could ... even for cheerleading!

*He's a Detroit Tigers fan.

*He's a Green Bay Packers fan.

*He a Colts fan.

*He's a Pacer's fan.

*He's a Nolan Ryan fan.

*He's a Brett Favre fan.

*He's my fan.

*He's Aiden and Logan's fan.

*He took us sledding ... down the driveway.

*Building snowmen.

*Snowball fights.

*Good's donuts and Sunday night with the Oldies on the radio.

*He's Pepsi addiction. Really ... it's a problem.

*Watching hockey with him when I was little.

*Being his bat girl when he coached the church softball teams.

*His strength.

*His faith.

*Watching him rock with my boys.

*Hearing him try to sing, "My Girl."

*Seeing his face light up when he is singing "My Girl."

*His record and 8 track collection!

*His discipline.

*His sense of humor (well, most of the time).

*The fact that he's proud of me even though I know I didn't make things that easy sometimes.

*He cares about my friends.

*He prays for me and my family.

*Watching him do anything with my boys.

*And the number one reason ... because he's my Daddy and I will always be a Daddy's girl.

I love you Daddy!

Carrie

Faith of a Child

I don't have to tell any of you that live in Northern Indiana that it's dry here ... really dry. Since we moved here nearly 6 weeks ago - it's rained once (of course we were camping in a pop up camper that leaks, but at least it rained). The grass is so dry that you cannot walk on it barefoot (unless you're a Farmer sibling that can walk across glass with no problem). ANYWAY ... Last night we got a little rain. I was working late when I received this text from Marcus: "Aiden says Jesus saw our grass and said we should get rain." Faith of a Child.

Marcus has been taking Aiden to and from the bus stop in the morning and afternoons while he's home. The morning 'shift' cracks me up because it's normally three daddy's that are on the corner with the kiddos. I love that! All three of them stand there with their coffee in hand and look so proud and not at all embarassed that they are doing this duty. Anyway, when the kids get off the bus all of them are in the upper grades of elementary and no one comes to the stop to walk them back to their homes. Well, Marcus does this with Aiden. So, last night Aiden said, "Dad, do you think you can do something for me?" Marcus said, "Yes - what?" Aiden replied, "Could you stay in the house tomorrow when I get off the bus so that I can just walk with the other kids?" OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course Aiden doesn't understand the safety measures we are taking, but we never thought that it bothered him that Marcus walked him home. So, they came up with an agreement. Marcus will wait at the end of the driveway and just watch as they walk to the house. Thankfully our house is just 5 houses from the stop ... straight shot. Faith of a Child.

Lastly, if you haven't read Angie's blog entry this week titled "The Chicken" you must do so now!(http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/) HA-LAR-IOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, one more thing. Dad returned to work on Tuesday and is doing well. He is glad to see the people on his route and I think he's getting back into his routine.

Have a great week!
Carrie

Back to work!

Hello.
My Dad had an appointment yesterday with the neurologist and found out that he can return to work on Tueday after Labor Day! Hooray. I could tell he was excited to get back on his route and see his customers. He has been keeping busy so that is good.

Remember how 'strong' I was on Aiden's first day of kindergarten? I hadn't had a rough day until today/last night. He has learned to tie his shoes. I know - it's a great thing, but that was the very last thing that we had to help him do in the dressing process. He just seems so big now. Marcus took the boys to daycare this morning and Aiden was picked up on the bus there. As I passed his bus on the road I saw all the kids in there and it hit me, my kid is one of those kids laughing and screaming on the way to school. He is on that bus making friends. He informed me last night that he has been chasing the neighbor girl on recess. He tells me that he isn't 'in to' girls yet, but I am not so sure. Then there is Logan. He is talking so much more, completely potty trained (thank God!) and his personality is so evident these days. He seems like a big boy too. I have no baby-ness left in my house. So, today is a rough one for me. My sister, Jamie, is coming to stay with us tonight with my 9 month old nephew. Finally ... some baby-ness in our house ... if only for 24 hours.

Life ...
Carrie

Lots of catching up

Hello. Sorry it's been awhile --- a lot has happened in the last week. Here we go ...

Thursday, July 17th - We closed on our new house! A few little glitches (my driver's license was expired! OOPS) but other than that we now own two homes. EEK!
Same day about 11:15 pm - My dad calls to ask me to take him to the ER. He was having numbness in his left arm and hand. It was later confirmed that he had suffered a stroke earlier in the evening. I don't know all the technical stuff, but he is home and in great spirits. He is slowly regaining the use of his left hand. He begins therapy this week with the hopes that he is back to full usage by Christmas or sooner! Please keep him in your prayers.
Saturday, July 19th - We were supposed to head out to Missouri for my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary. Mom was already out there and dad insisted that she stayed since it was her parent's. Marcus and I debated on going, but when we knew for sure that dad was doing great and in good hands with my bro-in-law, Nick (he's a dr.) we decided to head out for the festivities. I am so glad we did.
Sunday, July 20th - Sunday all day was the big celebration for my grandparent's. I will post pics later (using dial-up and would be up for hours for one picture!). Lots of people came to celebrate with our family. Good times.
Monday, July 21 & 22 - We headed to Branson with Gma and Gpa, Aunt Deb, Nathan and the boys. We had fun, but we were worn out! I will give details with the pictures I post in a day or two.
July 23 - Headed home. Took 10 hours and Mommy is tired!
July 24th ... WE START MOVING! Marcus and I will be boxes things all day tomorrow and loaded the Uhaul in the evening. We hope to pull out for our new address on Friday morning! I'll keep you posted!

Love,
Carrie