The Pratt 6 Pack

Prayers needed

2012-01-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

A co-worker of mine and her family need as many prayers as possible at this time.

http://www.rickeystokesnews.com/article.php/dothan-man-charged-with-aggravated-child-abuse-29189

Her 3 year old grandson, D.J., was brutally beated, burned, and attemped to drown by his mother's boyfriend on Saturday night. D.J. is now on a vent in Children's Hospital in Birmingham, AL. At this point we now that the police had to perform CPR on the way to the hospital. After emergency brain surgery to stabilize him he was airlifted to Birmingham where he has since had another brain surgery to place a shunt or drainage tube to help with the swelling in his brain. The right side of his brain has died from all the trauma with has left him paralyzed on the left side of his body. At this point he is being sedated because of his vent and ng tube and so that his body can rest from everything. We will know more in a few days. Today will be the first time Danior will be able to see her grandbaby since the incident. Please pray for continues healing for D.J. and for his family.

Cards

2012-01-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

So I have recently rediscovered the importance of sending cards through (gasp) snail mail. It is exciting to me when I open the mailbox and there is a card for me. It reminds me that someone is thinking of me. So I joined the Heart Connections through Dayspring where I get 10 cards a month to send out to friends and family. My goal is to send 10 cards a month whether for birthdays or just because. I want to use them as encouragement to as many people as I can. I have already sent 4 cards this month. 2 for birthdays and 2 for reasons that I hate, to remind the people in a terrible situation that God is with them and that I am thinking of them. So I have 6 more cards to send so I hope that they are for better reasons than the other 2. ( I will write a post about it soon). So pick up a card and send it to someone today to say that you are thinking of them. Make someone smile.

Happy 2012!!!!

2012-01-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

A new year means a new start. So lets be honest my resolutions are pretty much the same for the first 3:
1. LOSE WEIGHT (exercise and also doing the "I Quit Sugar" diet)
2. SAVE MONEY
3. SPEND MORE TIME WITH THE KIDS.
Now I am by no means putting my resolutions in order but those are three. I am also including several more:
- Spend more time on Bible reading (this one is going to start in earnest on January 15 when I join an online Bible study at www.goodmorninggirls.org). But I am also doing some on my own until then
- Do more devotionals with John and the kids to work on our family/ marriage relationships with each other and with God. I am reading one with John called "Love and War- and 8 week couple's devotional" and I am currently looking for a good one to do with the kids.
- Join an online book club.
- Support a mission (I actually already have 2 picked out just have to support them now :))
- Get more organized with everything!
- Move- finally after almost a year of owning our new home
- Attend at least 2 "ladies" events for my personal growth. I am hosting one on April 28 so more details to come on that. Now to find a second one.

There are plenty more little resolutions that I have but they are very tiny and hopefully easy. We will see. So updates on how it is all going as time goes on. I hope everyone has a great 2012!

Church Christmas Party 2011

2011-12-20T09:04:00.001-08:00

Delilah and Santa

Pacey and Santa

Tyler, Delilah, and Santa

Tyler and Santa

Santa (aka Pawpaw)

Miles wasn't having any of this

Calvin and Santa

Miles liked Santa's chair until Santa sat in it

Doodle and Santa

So this past Sunday we had our church Christmas party. Everyone was there including Santa. Actually since Santa didn't do to good of a job disguising his voice everyone knew that it was Pawpaw all dressed up. Everyone but Miles. He did not like Santa no matter what we did to convince him that it was just Pawpaw behind that beard. But all in all we had a good time and maybe next year Miles will like Santa a little better.

Christmas Party #1- Work

2011-12-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

So on Saturday Dec 10th we went to my company awards banquet/ christmas party. We spent the evening eating and enjoying all my work friends and teasing a newly engaged couple that we had a preacher and witnesses so they could just get married that night. I recieved my 5 year service pin and John said that he was proud I actually held down a job that long. Um yeah, I have only had 4 jobs since graduating college and this one was just the right one. So here a couple of pictures.

Maggie and Deborah

Brandy, Maggie, Tasha, Meghan, and me

Me and John.

I actually had another work party last week but it was for the clinic and I just didn't take pictures because it was in the middle of the day. I have 2 more this week and more than likely won't take pictures at those either.

Wow!

2011-12-09T11:52:00.000-08:00

Wow it has been over a month since I blogged. We have finished soccer season and started in the Christmas season. I have been reading alot lately. I have recently discovered Karen Kingsbury and I honestly don't know why I have never read any of her books before. I love them. I recommend all of them to anyone. Pacey came in 6th in the 5th grade spelling bee and was disappointed in himself because he did not win like last year. But he will move on and start preparing for the math bowl that takes place after Christmas. Calvin is being Calvin and we actually have a project to work on this weekend. Josh is also being Josh and not feeling to good this weekend. Miles is into everything especially now that he has mastered climbing. He loves the Christmas decorations however does NOT like Santa this year. We are quite busy for the next little while with lots of Christmas celebrations planned. So hopefully I will blog with pictures and everything before the end of the month. So have a great December. Pick up a Karen Kingsbury book and read it as well.

Not a DIY Diva- book review

2011-11-06T14:32:00.001-08:00

I have made no secret at all that I LOVE this book! I have read it twice and I can't wait to finally get into our new house to use my new inspirational quote to decorate. Melissa Michaels says "when life inspires our home, our home inspires life". Doesn't that make perfect sense! This whole book helps you to look at your life and decorate for you instead of for someone else or to be on a magazine cover. We all need to live authentically and Melissa can teach you how both through this awesome book and her blog www.theinspiredroom.com. Buy this book (link to the right) for $3.99 you will be inspired to decorate for you and live authentically. Best book EVER! BUY IT!

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Happy Halloween!

2011-11-02T10:42:00.001-07:00

So our family does not trick or treat but we do go to our church's fall festival. This year the party was at Jay and Margaret Winkler's home. These pictures are not in order but they show that we had a lot of fun and can't wait til next year.

Pacey says he is too old to dress up but he still participated in the whip cream pie games.

This is the best out of 20 pictures trying to get Miles and Delilah a picture together.

My little monster with his runny nose and his new expression.

Tyler with out his head covering. He was a creepy ghost thing.

My little monster hiding in the trees.

Delilah was a lady bug.

Josh was Bumblebee from transformers.

Can we say senior day in a few years? This is a friend of Pacey's and Austin Winkler. Tyner (a boy) was a drama queen and Austin was a drama king.

Calvin was Thor the god of thunder. We have hid the hammer since that night.

Not a DIY Diva

2011-10-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite blogs is The Inspired Room. Melissa the author just released an ebook TODAY called "Not a DIY Diva- How to create an authentically-inspiring Life in a Pinterest World." And I have to tell you I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! It is so good and so reassuring. So I want ALL of you to follow this link Click here to view more details and buy a copy!!!! You can also check it out at http://www.notadiydiva.com/ and read more. I am telling you- for those of us who are on pinterest and would LOVE to create everything that we see and either don't have the talent or the time this is YOUR book. I will blog more completely on the book when I finish reading it but it is so worth the time to read this book. So don't forget to click the above link and BUY THIS BOOK you can all thank me later. ;)

new ebook excitement!

2011-10-23T09:19:00.001-07:00

So one of my favorite blogs is the inspired room. See blog list on right. Well she wrote an ebook that comes out Tuesday! Check it out at www.notadiydiva.com. I can't wait to read this book!

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miles is 15 months!

2011-10-23T09:16:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note to say miles weighs 24 pounds and is 31 inches. More later w pictures.

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Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-04T10:43:00.001-07:00

We took the boys to the Pardise Pumpkin Patch in Eufala, AL on October 1 to start the month off right. These pictures are in a random order but as you can tell we had lots of fun.

They played in a big corn box.
We saw lots of pumpkins.

We went on a hayride.

We petted lots of animals like goats.

We stopped at EVERY cut out so I only put in 3.

We fired a corn cannon.

We saw a huge red bull.

We rode a cow train.

We milked a "cow".

We walked through the pumpkin patch.

We picked a pumpkin.

We saw old tractors.

We watched a pig race.

Calvin's pig "tiger" (as in Auburn) won the pig race.

I highly recommend this pumpkin patch to anyone. There is a lot of stuff to do. There is a corn maze, animals, pony rides, jumpy houses, a cow train, hayrides, a playground, and lots more in addition to the pumpkin patch. Just go to their website www.paradisepumpkinpatch.com and plan your visit. We will definitely go back next year.

Pumpkins!!!!

2011-09-16T09:22:00.001-07:00

All pictures I found on pinterest. I love pumpkins and can't wait to start decorating for fall at my house. This is actually my favorite decorating season. I like it even more than Christmas. I think because it can stay up longer. And just because......

Another one

2011-09-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

Bucket List

2011-09-16T08:51:00.001-07:00

BOYS

2011-09-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to be the mother of boys even though I want to pull my hair out at times. I love my boys and wouldn't trade them for anything in the world (most days). I found this sign on pinterest and I love it. My boys have stolen my heart and I am so happy they did.

Blessings!!!!!

2011-09-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

Okay. I have cried multiple times this morning out of sheer joy. I have not seen Abby in 11 years but I follow her on facebook and also her blog at www.dockerybambino.blogspot.com. Abby and Pete have been going through the adoption process to adopt a little boy from Ethiopia and yesterday they got their referral. They have seen their baby and love him already. I am so excited for this sweet family and can't wait til they are holding him in their arms in the US. Congratulations Texas Petes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If it wasn't for my droid.....

2011-09-13T11:59:00.001-07:00

I would not get to blog that often. I also would not get to watch my Auburn games. And I would be very sad. So as you can tell from the previous post Pacey is now 11. Good lord where did the time go. He is almost as tall as I am, weighs a whopping 75 pounds, he is in the 5th grade, wears a size 14 clothes, and a size 9 1/5 men's shoe. He is handsome and a great big brother. He loves to read, watch movies, write, draw, play his new PSP, and ride his bike. We start soccer soon and he also loves that. He is a huge Auburn fan and wants to go to school there. I am so proud and so blessed to be his mom.

In other news- nothing much new going on. I am addicted to pinterest and have so many ideas for decorating running through my head it is scary. I can't wait to get back from Destin to get started. John and I are going to a week long union meeting in Destin,FL soon with NO children. I am really not sure how I am going to handle that. But my plan is to lay by the ocean or the pool and read and relax and NOT think about work. I will miss my kids like crazy but I need a break and some mom time to keep my sanity. And I have a confession- I finally figured out why I am enjoying Miles more than the others (I enjoyed them all, I just seem to be absorbing more with him)- I am finally ready to be a mom. I was ready before but I am finally old enough to appreciate it and revel in it. And that did not at all come out like I wanted it to but oh well (I know what I meant). :)
I am reading the new Angie Smith book and thoroughly enjoying it. I am taking my time so that I can get as much from it as possible. Calvin is reading at least 3 AR books a week and so we are finding all new interests with him. Josh has fallen in love with the Pout, Pout Fish books, Pacey is reading the Septimus Heap books, and Miles just likes it when someone reads to him and he holds another book and "reads" too.
I went to a wedding shower the other day for a girl who was so appreciative and amazed that people cared so much that it made me cry and also made me want to go to the wedding even though I had not planned on it.
I actually made a project I found on pinterest for grandparents day and it turned out pretty good. So I will probably be making more. I know I am cooking some things that I found on there this weekend. So since this was a completely random post I actually have to go do some stuff for my job (i.e. end of break). Hope everyone is doing well!!!

happy 11th birthday pacey!

2011-09-10T15:49:00.001-07:00

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Today is.....

2011-09-03T10:13:00.001-07:00

Opening day of Auburn Football! Happy day!

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trying new things

2011-08-20T13:42:00.001-07:00

I really don't like to cook but I have been doing a lot of it lately. Last night I made chicken tacos from a recipe on www.dashingdish.com. they were so good. Tonight I am making chicken spAghetti from the pioneer woman cookbook. All this new stuff and I might start to like to cook.

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product review

2011-08-14T09:54:00.001-07:00

I bought the huggies little movers slip ons the other night. They are supposed to be easier to get on a kid that likes to wiggle. Um no! They are absolutely not. Miles wiggled more trying to get them on than with regular diapers. Oh well gotta keep using them til they are gone. Just won't buy them again.

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We survived

2011-08-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

barely. The first week of school was tough. We had to get back into getting up early and going to bed early. We had to get back into the we have to leave by this time so that Miles can be dropped off, school drop off can happen, and Mommy can make it to work on time. We had to get back into making breakfast every morning. And we had to get back into doing homework. Pacey and Calvin have had homework every night since school started and Calvin even had some this weekend. But none of this compares to the fact that last night all the boys who go to school REFUSED to go to sleep until 11 P.M.. Why? Because they weren't tired. Well they definitely were this morning. And I got to say the famous I told you so. So tonight will be an early night for everyone as we head into surviving the second week of school.

Big Green Tractor

2011-08-02T10:36:00.001-07:00

Just 2 random shots from Miles' 1 year photos and Josh's 5 year photos.

I can't believe I forgot

2011-08-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I forgot to post that Pacey now has braces. In Auburn colors of course. And also in regards to an earlier post- he wears a 9 1/2 men's shoe not a 9. I was SHOCKED!!!!

First Day of School 2011- Aug 1

2011-08-02T10:19:00.001-07:00

So my older 3 started back to school yesterday. Pacey went to 5th, Calvin to 1st, and Josh to kindergarten. We really like all the teachers and Pacey came home with homework already.

These pictures are backwards but at lease I posted them :) There's Pacey in the gray shirt with Mrs. Wendy Brownlee as his homeroom teacher. She is a repeat teacher. He had her in 1st grade. And she is our cousin so he gets away with NOTHING.

Calvin refused to take a picture with his teacher. But let me take a picture at his desk. He has Mrs. Shenita Lester. She has rules and enforces them and that is what he needs. He came home with homework too.

Josh has Miss. Michelle Watkins. Calvin had her last year so Josh is well acquainted with Miss."Chelle". He is excited that he is in her class and had no problems going to school this year.

Calvin was stung by a wasp on Sunday afternoon in his left eye. As you can see he went to school with it still swollen and all benadryled up so he was sleep the first half of the day. It is better today.

Josh wanted a picture of me and him. So this is us (with no make-up). Pacey had the honors of taking the picture since John was at work.

My three big boys. Miles spent the night at my mom's so that the first day would go smoothly. And it did. So here's to a great year of adventures (space camp for Pace) and learning.

getting to be a big boy

2011-07-29T14:50:00.001-07:00

Miles has decided that screaming the entire car ride in his rearfacing Carseat is a good idea. So I went and bought him a forward facing graco nautilus. He loves it and thank goodness. The big selling point for me is the fact it goes from a rear facing all the way up to a backless booster seat. I hope this is the last one I purchase.

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happy birthday John!

2011-07-26T15:47:00.001-07:00

So John turned 31 today. I ended up off at lunch due to pacey having to go to the doctor so we loaded the boys up and went to the Flint Riverquarium in Albany to see the fishees. Then I took him out to eat at our favorite Albany restaurant Harvest Moon. I would give you his stats but he would kill me. But I will say that I got him a movie and book he had been saying he wanted and Calvin insisted daddy have socks and underwear too. So happy birthday to my best friend. I love you.

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new fun

2011-07-23T00:36:00.001-07:00

So I got an invite to join WWW.pinterest.com about a week ago. So I did. And I love it. Still trying to get used to it but I like to play and have gotten some great inspiration. Check me out at www.pinterest.com/laurapratt.

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The Mom Creative

2011-07-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

I really like the blog www.themomcreative.com. So far this week I have gotten 200 prints on www.snapfish.com for $2 plus 20 free prints for signing up using the promotion code JULY200PRINTS. I also have gotten 2 books from www.papercoterie.com using a promo code for $40 off (which means if you do only 1 book you just pay shipping) and you can use it over and over again. So go on over to her blog, look at her adorable children, and look up all these promo codes and use them.

shoes

2011-07-09T20:55:00.001-07:00

Can I just point out that my 10 year old wears a size 9 men's shoe! And doesn't understand why I will not buy him expensive shoes but when you go through 3 sizes since Christmas it is just not possible. I am honestly scared to see how bog his foot gets.

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josh is 5

2011-07-09T20:51:00.001-07:00

Can't believe it myself but my blond baby is 5. He tells me all the time that I am his girlfriend. He says he is never moving away from me so he can marry me. He also likes to tell me about when we were kids together. He has a huge imagination and tells the best stories. He starts kindergarten on August 1 and he is ready for it this year. He wears a size 5 and a size 12 shoe. He is easily scared but brave at the same time. He is a little fish in the water and loves jumping off the diving board. He has a goldfish named soldier gold that has actually been alive over a year. He is an awesome kid and I am thankful he is mine.

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miles is 1

2011-07-09T12:40:00.001-07:00

Miles turned one on July 3rd. He weighs 20 pounds 9 ounces. And is 30 inches long. He can walk 3-6 steps, crawls all over, is trying to climb things, shakes his head no, eats anything he can get, has 8 teeth, and has us wrapped around his little finger. He according to the doctor is ahead of the game in his hand-eye coordination. He love playing w cars and blocks. He hates being told no and has started pitching fits. Fun times.

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bare your cross

2011-07-08T15:40:00.001-07:00

I just won this cross in an auction and I love it. I had already placed an order for one in different colors so I will probably give this one as a gift. They have a Facebook page. Look them up!

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pictures

2011-07-07T17:08:00.001-07:00

So below are pictures I took for a canvas and miles' 1 year photos. As you can tell it takes several pictures to get 4 kids just to look at the camera let alone smiling. And miles hates looking at the camera when I want him to.

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July 4, 2011/ Miles 1 year photos

2011-07-07T12:54:00.001-07:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

A party for 2 Josh and Miles

2011-07-07T12:52:00.001-07:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Calvin loses a tooth!

2011-07-05T18:36:00.001-07:00

And I started to cry. But he is super excited. Does not want the tooth fairy to take his tooth though. Said she could keep the money.

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I love.....

2011-07-01T14:07:00.001-07:00

Sarah's Summer House on HGTV.

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Dear.....

2011-06-28T22:10:00.001-07:00

dear person who invented Angry Birds, I do not know whether to love or hate you. I am addicted. John is addicted. It is 1 in the morning and I am up playing. Help!

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The Fitting Room Chapters 4 and 5

2011-06-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

Chapter 4 is all about how much God loves you and how loving is an action. About how we have to become aware of how much God loves us and that we have to love ourselves too. You have to love yourself before you can understand how much God loves you. I agree with the author in that we sometimes become to comfortable in agape with out the full understanding of Agape. She also points out that in order to love we must trust. Love and trust go hand in hand. In order to love God we have to trust God and in order to know God's love we have to trust that it is there. I personally think that as a parent it is easier to understands God's love. You love your children and it does not falter it does not end. But even knowing that love, it is only a fraction of God's love for us.
Chapter 5 focused on taking off the old to put on the new. It is a journey putting on there virtues. You can't just read the book and then boom you are wearing them. You have to actually change your life and your focus to wear them. You have to study, understand, and internalize the virtues to wear them. You have to step out of the comfort zone and change to doing what God wants you to do even though it is not comfortable or easy. Begin the journey by looking very hard at yourself and your life and then start making the changes where they need to be changed and keep working until you are truely wearing these virtues. Take the journey.
Next post on the book will be chapters 6 and 7 about forgiveness. Can we say HARD!

power outage

2011-06-13T17:40:00.001-07:00

So the power is out and it is over 100 degrees. Normally the power can be out here but since my mom and my in-laws are on generate lines we can go to one of their houses. No such luck today. Power is out all over Hentown, GA. But this power outage has given me a proud mama moment. When we got to our house with a sound asleep miles and found that the power was out, Josh decided that it meant he could play outside. And after I laid miles in his bed and came back out to our porch Josh sits down next to me and prays, "dear God, please turn our lights back on fast. I am hot and my baby is sleeping. Thank you God. Amen." Yep I am a proud mama.
I will blog on the Fitting Room soon. VBS and grandparents visiting are putting me behind. So in the words of my child. Dear God please turn the lights back on fast.

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The Fitting Room Ch 3

2011-06-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

Oh how this chapter jumped out and really spoke to me again and again. I had to go find a pen to underline the points I wanted to mention in this blog. The chapter was all about being holy. I love that she used righteousness and justification. The first sentence that just jumped out at me and said read me again was this, "without this imputed righteousness (God thinking of Christ's righteousness as belonging to us) we are back to the concept of trying to clothe ourselves with clothes we don't actually own. Righteousness isn't something you can borrow." You know what you first have to BE a christian to wear these clothes. So you have live everyday as a christian. you can't just go to your friend's closet and borrow these characteristics to wear every once in awhile. You have to own them and wear them ALL THE TIME. The chapter then goes on to discuss how hard this is when another sentence jumps out and says PAY ATTENTION. "Our past sins and choices, even abused perpetrate upon us, are good at puncturing our belief that God has made us holy in his sight." So everytime you remember something you did wrong or that was done to you then you are doubting that through Jesus God has made you holy. "Because believing that Jesus is our rightousness is the very fabric of every virtue. To be declared righteous and no longer guilty is the STARTING point, not just for a relationship with Jesus Christ but also for the power to livel like him." You have to start off believing and accepting Jesus as the son of God who DIED for you and be baptised as commanded for the washing away of sin before you can actually fully have a close relationship and accept being righteous through him. Because "Godliness does not begin with our righteousness but with Jesus.""There is nothing we can do to mess it up. The one thing we can do to circumvent it, however, is not to believe it." The part about there is nothing we can do to mess it up I do not agree with 100%. I believe if you continually sin purposefully and then ask for forgiveness and then purposefully do it again and again then you will not be forgiven. However if you TRUELY ask for forgiveness with a repentent heart and change your life then you will be forgiven. You have to "dead to sin, but alive to God." And I love when she says, "he has set me apart for HIMSELF and for the purposes HE longs to accomplish in and through my life." That just makes me feel warm and loved and chosen. And she quotes Dallas Willard saying "that loving others in about giving them that which is for their good, not necessarily what they desire," (Total Mom moment). "The virtues are not deceptive enablers that encourage those around us to live any way they wish; instead, they are a strong light that blazes in the midst of ever-increasing darkness, calling the lost and cold....to warm themselves by its fire. The church clothed in the virtues is a church whose light is always on." When I read this I remembered what my mom has always said- the church is the people not the building. I want to be that church, a beacon of light, encouraging others to come to Christ and proudly wearing the virtues as they are meant to be worn.
So for the book club you are supposed to find 3 things in each chapter.
Seed- What has been planted as you read the chapter?
We are righteous through Jesus' death. And if we truely wear the virtues we will be a beacon of light for others.

Water- How are you nurturing what God desires in you?
Trying to better understand how to wear the virtue of being holy and to greater grasp that God has a purpose for me.

Bloom- What is the fruit you are seeing from what you have learned?
A deep desire to be a light for others. An understanding that Jesus gave me righteousness through his death.

The chapter 3 video is posted at www.incourage.me and click on the book club tab. Or scroll down the right side of my blog and click on the button for inbloom.

Good stuff y'all. Chapter 4 coming soon.

31 Day Challenge

2011-06-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

So I am also reading the 31 Day Challenge by Sara Mae. You can download it and join in the challenge by going to www.31daystoclean.com. I am actually starting the challenge on Sunday. And since I am off next week to teach VBS every morning I thought hey I have all afternoon to work on this. I am also using a couple of other books- Oraganized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider and Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman. My goal is that by the end of July, I will have a clean current house that is completely ready to move to a new house and organized already. And that we as a family will be on a routine that will work all year with everyone having chores that they do everyday. Lofty goal but I hope so. And I am giving myself a "few" extra days to complete the 31 day challange due to work and family visits that are coming up soon. So join up there are support groups you can join and talk through your progress and it is actually looking like it will be fairly simple. So hopefully I will have my next Fitting Room post up by tomorrow and I will update about the challenge soon. Have a great day!!!!!!

The Fitting Room by Kelly Minter- Chapters 1 and 2

2011-06-07T09:33:00.001-07:00

Awesome book. I am really enjoying it. The basis of the book is Col 3:12- putting on the characteristics of Christ- clothing yourself in them. You don't have to do anything to earn them they are a gift. You are CHOSEN for them. Put them on everyday just like you would your shirt and pants. You get to wear them and show them off. Be proud of them. I am challenging myself to improve my wearing of these characteristics. To be proud to have them on. To know that I am CHOSEN by God to put them on. He gave them to me as a gift. In the back of the book there are discussion questions for each chapter starting with chapter 2. Chapter 1 is more of an introduction. So here goes.
1. How do you think knowing that God chooses you is meant to help you live out the virtues?
-God chooses ME! I wasn't left out. The fact that he feels we are important enough to wear his "clothes" is a big deal. I want to compare it to a major fashion designer handing you their new collection to wear before you can buy it in the stores. God could have bypassed me but he chooses to stop and hand me the "clothes" he wants me to wear, show everyone, and inspire others to wear them too.
2. Do you feel confident in God's special choosing of you, or is this a truth you struggle with?
-I struggle. I don't feel "good" enough. I am scared I am going to fail. I am unsure of how to "wear" the characteristics in a way that I need to so that others will embrace them and want to "wear" them too.
3. Share a relationship where you feel chosen. Describe the benefits and blessings of knowing that someone chooses you.
-My marriage to John. He didn't have to choose me. Not a single mom with a baby. He is my best friend. He loves my first born as though he were his and never for a second has felt any different. We have been blessed with 3 more children since then. John is always there no matter what. Through some pretty tough times he has been there as a support and as a sounding board. God definitely knew what I needed.
4. What elements of Psalm 139 assure you of God's distinctive delight in choosing you?
-God knows my every thought and movement and yet he chooses me anyway. Even with the good, the bad, and the ugly he still wants me to represent him.
5. How does knowing that you are chosen by God free you to live the virtues you find most challenging?
-*Toughest Question* for me to answer without repeating myself. Even with everything he knows he still wants me to live my life as an example of his work in my life. Leading others to him. He doesn't take it back when I mess up. He loves me flaws and all. And given all my flaws that is a big deal.

Under Attack

2011-06-07T09:22:00.000-07:00

Ever feel like you are under attack? I do. From the minute I open my eyes in the morning until I go to bed. I rush around in a hurried fashion with a sharp tongue. And I'm sorry to say using language that I would punish my children for using (I am working on it). Then I walk into the door at work and there are days that I feel like everyone is out to get me. Then I come home and there is just not enough time to get everything done and I am out of energy. So then adding in "me" time is almost impossible. I try and read my Bible everyday and I am trying to read The Fitting Room and it always seems like something comes up taking me away from it. I realize who is attacking me and who is happy that I don't get things done and that I am angry, irratable, and using bad language and then I realize that I have to put up my shield. I have to counter attack. I have to stay on my toes and pray extra hard. Make the time to study and read and journal everyday. Even if that means doing it in the bathroom. Taking whatever time I can and fighting back. So for now I am fighting a battle. Some days I take steps back and other days I take steps forward. But I can't give up. I want to win this battle. I want to be a better example for my children. I want to teach them to fight for their soul and not let it go. I want them to fight as hard as they can to be with God in glory in the end. And I want to be right there with them. So today I fight and pray for the chance to do it again tomorrow.

Fears

2011-06-07T05:16:00.000-07:00

Last night we were at my in-laws house with John's parents, Uncle Vic, his sister, and her in-laws. The older kids were outside playing when it started thundering. All of a sudden there was a huge clap of thunder and lightening. All the kids came running inside along with poor Josh screaming and crying scared to death. As I was comforting him John and Eddie were trying to get him to come to them but all he wanted was his mama. He wanted to feel safe and secure. But isn't that we all want. And I thought isn't that we all want. To feel safe and secure. So then I started to think about all my unreasonable fears. Now I don't feel like my fear of snakes and bad weather is all that unreasonable. Now some of them are very unreasonable. Heights- I hate going up bleachers, stairs, escalators, and glass elevators. And Bridges, yes you read that right, bridges. I am on the verge of a panic attack every time I go over a bridge. I grip the steering wheel as tight as I can and look straight ahead. If I am in the passenger seat then I clinch my fist together and close my eyes. I used to love bridges and looking over into the water. You never know what you are going to see. It started when I was pregnant with Miles and has just not gone away. Merging- I DO NOT drive in Atlanta. I grew up there, learned to drive there, used to do it all the time. Now I plan naps around the time we are getting close to Atlanta and just past it. Or I find something else to do. All because of the amount of merging that we do there. It is almost ridiculous. Losing my kids- in any shape form or fashion. I realize that it is part of being a mom. But I find myself eyeing strangers if they get to close to where my kids are with suspicion. And the biggest one is the fear of falling short of good enough. I don't like feeling inadequate but I feel that way all the time. Not a good enough mother, not a good enough wife, not a good enough friend. And worst of all not a good enough Christian. That is a daily struggle to remind myself that I am. So daily I remind myself that my fears are Satan attacking me. Trying to make me give up. Make me turn away from God. But I also remind myself that I am not alone. God is there holding me safe and secure. He will take care of me no matter what. And that lessens the fear a little. I am working on it taking all the fear away.

11 months old

2011-06-04T07:45:00.001-07:00

Scary thought that my sweet angel will be 1 in a month. At 11 months old my sweet baby is a one finger walker and a feet and hands crawler. He hates to be still. :) He "talks" all the time. He LOVES the water and the pool. He eats anything he can get his hands on but continues to love green beans over anything. He still gets up once a night but goes back to sleep when you hand him a bottle. He has everyone wrapped around his little finger and that is play for now. He will have his birthday party a week early combined with Josh's 5th birthday party. Hey call me cheap but when their birthdays are 2 weeks apart I opted for 1 big party. He has a big month ahead. His Uncle Vic and cousin Tori are here this week, VBS and great-grandparents visiting next week, birthday party the next, and then his big day. I love my sweet angel!

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Alabama fundraiser

2011-06-02T19:38:00.001-07:00

Go to WWW.gracieandco.com and order your shirt. Helping raise funds for the Alabama tornado victims.

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swimming anyone

2011-05-29T16:30:00.001-07:00

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Book Club

2011-05-28T14:33:00.001-07:00

I am participating in an online book club and this is what we are reading. You can join in too at WWW.incourage.me and click on the book club tab. You can buy the book watch the videos and join in the discussions. I am excited to get started and will post on the book here too. Hope you join too.

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Calvin

2011-05-27T18:43:00.001-07:00

Calvin graduated kindergarten on May 20. He sang a song and got a diploma and was all around a cute. After we went and saw the new pirates movie and saw our new baby delilah. So proud of my hard headed, mean one minute sweet as can be the next, smart, handsome second born.

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I have a niece!

2011-05-27T18:40:00.001-07:00

Delilah Elizabeth Poff made her debut on May 20 at 2:01 pm. Weighing in at 7 pounds and 6 ounces and 19 inches long.

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10 months old a little late

2011-05-27T18:38:00.001-07:00

Not wanting to completely skip Miles at 10 months even though he will be 11 months next week. At 10 months, Miles finally hit the 20 pound mark. He has 6 teeth including his fangs and has 2 more working their way in. He can now say mama, dada, bubba, baba, bye bye, hush, and go. He loves his brothers but especially Calvin. He is pretty much in go mode all day. He climbs over whatever is in his way and pulls up on whatever or whoever is available. He loves to hold your fingers and walk. He hates shoes and socks. He still does not sleep all night but its getting better. He loves mickey mouse clubhouse but otherwise could care less about tv other than turning it off. He eats and eats and eats. He loves table food and would rather have that than baby food. He has 1 cup that he likes and will not take any others. He is a rotten rascal. And continues to be a joy in our lives.

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Calvin is graduating

2011-05-16T17:17:00.001-07:00

K5 that is. Hard to believe that its happening this Friday. He already has 3 years of school under his belt. I will post more pictures after his program.

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love this face

2011-05-15T18:58:00.001-07:00

How can you not smile at this face?

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fangs

2011-05-15T18:12:00.001-07:00

Can you see his fangs? He's our little vampire.

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crackers

2011-05-15T18:11:00.001-07:00

Miles lives eating crackers. And he makes a huge mess doing it.

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Easter Pictures in random order

2011-04-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

This is how Miles crawls outside in the grass now. Josh thought Miles needed to be involved in the water gun fight.

Sporting the old man look.

Water gun fight

Eating plastic eggs

Josh AKA Doodle

Family shot

My sweet boys

My favorite one of Miles

Pacey

Calvin

Coloring Eggs at the church Easter party

Church Easter Party

Almost all the church kids

Happy Easter from the Pratt!

2011-04-24T17:16:00.001-07:00

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website addictions

2011-04-23T17:35:00.001-07:00

So- I have become addicted to etsy.com. I ordered Easter baskets, some custom prints for the new house, and mothers day gifts. I also placed my first diapers.com order today. Saved a ton of money on formula with coupons. So now that Easter is tomorrow I can concentrate on my addictions focusing on the new house. Did I mention amazon.com? I did not buy the first thing for Easter baskets at a store. I bought everything at amazon and etsy. And I saved a ton doing that too. Gotta love online shopping.

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prayer

2011-04-19T17:25:00.001-07:00

Do me a favor and say a prayer for a great kid named carter bates. He was diagnosed w a rate condition today and is having a procedure tomorrow. He is a talented, loving 18year old. So thanks!

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exciting times are ahead

2011-04-19T17:24:00.001-07:00

We just bought a new to us house. Well doublewid but still it is bigger than what we have. Pics as soon as I can get them. Ready to be in it and settled. The best part- there are 2 bathrooms. So hopefully the middle of may if everything goes well.

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9 months old already

2011-04-11T16:13:00.001-07:00

Miles has already been out as long as he was in. He is crawling everywhere, pulling up on anything, cruising all he can, and the other night took a step. He still prefers veggies and eats as much as we let him. He says mama, bubba, baba (bottle), and yum. He calls John gunk. He loves green beans on any form. He weighs 19 pounds 6 ounces and is 28 inches long. He has a new cheesy grin but stops when I get the camera. We went to the zoo and he loved it. He continues to make us all happy and complete as a family. Now if only he would sleep all night.

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zoo

2011-04-10T13:59:00.001-07:00

The first animals we saw at the zoo were red wolves. Calvin looks at me and says, "look the Twilight wolves. I wonder where Jacob is." Yep that's my child alright.

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zoo for spring break

2011-04-10T13:57:00.001-07:00

My mom and I took the boys to the zoo in Albany during spring break. John was on shutdown and working 12hours everyday. We had a blast. We will definitely be going back.

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Playing Outside

2011-03-23T16:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was so pretty that I took Miles outside to play for the first time down on the ground. Last year he was just too small and before now he has always been held. But I let him explore and chase his brothers yesterday and he had a blast. Except when I took the grass from him as he tried to put it in his mouth. I see many more outside days ahead. (oh and pictures aren't the best. I didn't want to miss anything by running inside for the good camera so these are from my phone)

The first of many dirty feet

I really like this- snotty nose and all

I found something

Trying to stand up. I would get my hands back further and then fall over.

I love these fat little feet.

Just saying

2011-03-21T12:11:00.001-07:00

I really want this pedestal but I need it like a hole in my head. I think I will order it anyway.

Searching

2011-03-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

So- for the past few years I have been searching for something to jumpstart my hunger/ craving for Bible study/Jesus/God and all the trimmings. Don't get me wrong- I truely believe in Jesus and God and am very thankful and blessed. But there is just something missing in my life that is linked with that. I know that part of it is that we are so busy we don't have a lot of time to put towards it and part of it is that it seems no matter how hard we work nothing goes right for us. And add in the stigma in our church family that anything that is not Church of Christ is not the right thing and if you are doubting and not perfect you are not worthy. I know that it may not really be like that but it is how I feel around certain members who I dearly love. But it does not help when you are having problems in areas of your life you should be able to look to people for guidance in and not feel judged. I am also not of the opinion that if it is not Church of Christ it is wrong. I feel like there are areas that I am lacking in that could very well be found by studies with people from other denominations and I would be very well served. But I am not able to go to a bible study group without all my kids because of John's work schedule. And forget studying with my mom or mother-in-law. My mom thinks that I am going to hell for not holding with her opinions and my mother-in-law (who I love and count as a friend) is not on the same page with me at all. So I am looking for something- an online bible study group, blogs that are inspirational, help in any shape or form, books, etc. All without judgement from the giver for my reason for looking. I love my church family but at times I know and feel that they are not what I need for my journey. But I am also where changing churches is not an option so I must struggle through. And I know that there are the people who say just read his word and it will be enough but for me right now it's not. I need to have a craving to read it and not feel like I am obligated. I also need to be able to pass that to my children so that they crave it too. And also to John so that it will get out of the just enough to get by rut that we are both in. So any help would be great. Everyone that I personally know that reads this blog is either on my facebook or has my email so please message me. Thanks in advance. Also I have not done this in awhile but I have some prayer requests so:
My grandmother- she had open heart surgery and is currently at a rehab hosp and driving everyone crazy. She has some mental alterations that are really worrying me and she needs prayers.
John's grandfather has lung cancer but currently is doing well.
Ashly Tucker (www.onceuponatucker.blogspot.com) is pregnant again and needs prayers. Please read her blog.
Erin Coleman is a friend from high school who at 17 weeks is on complete bedrest for the duration.
My cousin Cooper is about to head overseas again.
My soon to be brother-in-law is overseas and my sister-in-law only has 10 more weeks til Delilah is here. Delilah is currently breach.

There are alot more of our friends and family who could also use your prayers but it is a very long list. So please just start with these few.

Love this face

2011-03-11T09:39:00.000-08:00

Calvin spent the day with John's dad a couple of weeks ago and brought this back home. He was so proud. I can't tell you what happened to the fish after the fact but he hasn't asked so it doesn't matter to me.

In the truck

2011-03-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

Me- "Boys, please be quiet so that I can finish my phone conversation."
Josh- "What's a phone conversation?"
Calvin-"That's when you argue with someone on the phone."

Calvin-"What do you do at a papermill anyway?"
Josh- "Money, duh."

Showing off

2011-03-11T09:27:00.001-08:00

Just a few pictures of little man showing of some of his new skills.

Cruising along the coffee table
And I'm up (sorry I can't figure out how to rotate it)

What's this thing?

Fun new toy!

I'm a musical genius- can't you tell?

Hello

8 months old

2011-03-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

Can you tell I am a Twilight fan?

Miles is 8 months old. Man time really flies. He is really the sweetest boy.

Likes- being held, chewing on everything, "real" food (anything not baby food), crawling/ rolling

Dislikes- being put down, loud noises, being told no, not going as fast as he wants.

New Skills- pulling up, getting into the sitting position by himself, throwing things at me

Next doctors appointment is at 9 months so no stats this month. Miles actually is trying to cruise on the furniture too but he is unable to let go or pick up a foot with out falling over. John likes making him do his "pterodactyl" laugh and it is so funny. Still only 2 teeth but he is chewing on everything so more are coming. He also has stopped sleeping at night. We have gone back to the every 2 hours waking up and wanting to eat. It is funny that he does not eat alot during the day. But I suspect a growth spurt coming on.
My grandmother had open heart surgery last week and a heart attack the week before so Miles is not staying with my mom right now. The complete disruption to his routine has been difficult. He has been staying with John's mom and John's aunt ONLY puts him down is we insist on it. But Granny goes to Healthsouth Monday so hopefully Mama will be back and able to take care of the sweet boy again. SO I think I am caught up, probably not but I tried anyway.

Old Pics Part 2

2011-03-03T15:32:00.001-08:00

PArt 2- Concert through county spelling bee

Leanne Womack

King of country- George

Reba

Miles and the Cat

Em and the Cat

Em and Grandma

Happy Birthday Em!!!!!

Thing 1 at Em's party- 7 months old

Pacey- 3rd Place County Wide!

Trey Brownlee- Second Place

Middle School Principle, Winner, Trey, Pacey, and Mrs. Lester

Old Pics Part 1

2011-03-03T15:03:00.000-08:00

Okay. Old pictures part 1. Christmas through Miles' 6 months.

My little Doodle Rudolph

Christmas 2010

Miles' First Christmas

Calvin and his puck

Pacey and his friends at the Cottonmouth hockey game

Pacey and Calvin at the Cottonmouth game

Miles' first road trip to Tennessee and first time in the snow.

6 months old at Papa John and Mimi's

System Wide (county) spellin bee

2011-03-01T09:45:00.000-08:00

PACEY WON 3rd PLACE!!! Against 4th- 8th graders. His cousin Trey Brownlee won 2nd so our family was well represented. So proud of those Reese boys!

Emalyn is ONE

2011-03-01T09:41:00.000-08:00

Jan 29 marked 1 year that she has been here. I love my sweet little cousin so much. We celebrated with a Dr. Suess party at the Houghston County Farm Center in Dothan. Josh and Miles had a lot of fun at her party and even got to meet the Cat in the Hat. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET BABY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miles is 7 months old.

2011-03-01T09:35:00.000-08:00

Likes- his brothers, music of any kind, veggies, playing peek-a-boo, his lamb, being held, turning over, taking off his diaper, "talking", scooting, and putting everything in his mouth.

Dislikes- loud noises, bananas, being put down and walked away from, diapers, being ignored

New Skills- crawling/ scooting (he crawls when he is trying to get away and scoots the rest of the time), stacking his blocks, singing, saying Bubba and Mama, taking off his diaper

AND Miles has 2 teeth! He got them both within 3 days so it was a very fun weekend.

Miles still cannot get himself in a seated position but can sit up by himself when put there.

I realize that he will be 8 months old in 2 days but I will post again then.

Hosp Fun- NOT

2011-03-01T09:22:00.000-08:00

On Jan 21 I took the boys to the doctor. Josh was already sick and had run a fever of 103 all night with problems breathing. I was ready for him to be seen to say the least. Fortunately I work at the doctors office so they were able to play in my department while waiting on the doctor. Tasha and I decided to check Josh's O2 sats because of his breathing and at 91% I went and got a nurse to come check him out. She took one look at him and went to get our PA Brandy. At this point Josh was so bad he his skin was sucking into his ribs with each breath. Can we just say ER STAT. Brandy called ahead and Stephanie and Dr. Brand were waiting on us to make the trek up the hill (which seemed really long that day). He was immediately placed on the first of 3 breathing treatments within 2 hours and x-rays taken. Flu test came back positive and he was diagnosed with croup. Welcome hospital admit. Not the whole time I am with Josh, Pacey and Calvin are in my clinic with Tasha- who now understands my stress levels. She made sure that they were both seen by the doctor and waited on John to get them. When John finally got there from work he sat in the ER while I went and saw an outpatient and waited on my mom to come get Pacey and Calvin. After my outpatient I went back to the hospital room and stayed with Josh so John could go home and get some sleep. I fortunately missed the whole IV starting and labs drawn process. We had 6 more breathing treatments for a total of 9 that day and watched TV the rest of the day. By Saturday morning Josh was bouncing off the walls ready to go home. Dr. Muhammad came in said that his labs looked good, his fever was down, and his O2 sats were up so we could go home. So we packed up and hit the road. He finally started feeling better and on Tuesday we went for a follow up with Dr. Brand only to find out he had double ear infections.
Fast forward 2 weeks and welcome to another round of flu and strep throat for the child and another week out of school. He is finally feeling better and hopefully he is going to stay that way.

Spelling Bee

2011-01-24T16:23:00.001-08:00

Pacey won the 4th grade spelling bee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On to county.

Miles is 6 months old.

2011-01-24T16:20:00.000-08:00

Wait. Are you sure? Yep, my sweet baby boy is already 6 months old. He weighs 17 pounds and is 28 inches long. He like veggies but only stage 2 foods. He is rolling and scooting everywhere. Still no teeth but it won't be long. He can sit up if we get him there. But he can pull up if he gets a hold of anything. So obviously he is telling us he doesn't have time to sit still. I promise I will post pictures soon.

Cottonmouth Hockey

2011-01-24T16:19:00.001-08:00

The first Friday in Jan we went to a Columbus Cottonmouth game. Pacey loved hockey and Calvin could take it or leave it but still it was a lot of fun. So short post just telling that we did it. :)

New Year's 2011

2011-01-24T16:09:00.000-08:00

This year we went to Tennessee to visit with John's family for New Year's. We left Miles at home because the poor baby was just not feeling good. SO we left Friday afternoon and got to our hotel right at midnight, checked in, and went to bed. We got up the next morning and headed to Papa John's to meet up with all John's uncles. So throughout the day people were showing up. We had John's Uncle Larry, Aunt Donna, cousins Heather, and John Paul; Uncle Vince, Aunt Stacie, cousins Sydney and Emily; Uncle Vic, Dianna (complicated), cousins Kayla and Tori; and by the end of the night John's parents, sister, and our nephew Tyler. So the only children missing were his Aunt Laura and Uncle Mark, the only grandchildren missing were Laura's son and Mark's son Daniel, and the only great- grandchild missing was Miles. We had a blast. It was the first time in like 20 years all those brothers were together in the same place. The kids had loads of fun with their cousins. We spent the weekend hanging out before coming home Sunday. Sunday we went and visited the Etowah train depot and the boys climbed all in the old caboose. Then we stopped at Carter's Lake on the was home and took some pictures. I promise I will eventually post pictures but I need my own computer to do it. We also come home to Miles getting up on all 4s and scooting everywhere.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T17:20:00.000-08:00

SO- Christmas parties start early for us.

1. HACC Christmas party was Dec 12. We had a blast on a grown-up date with no kids.

2. Church Christmas party- Dec 19. Kids had fun and Miles started getting sick.

3. DEC 15, 17, and 22- Work parties DURING work hours- lots of good food and fun.

4. Reese family Christmas- Christmas Eve at my mom's with all my family. We had a whole lot of fun and the kids were really spoiled. I love when my family gets together because I am my mom's only child and my cousins are my "siblings".

5. Pratt family Christmas- Christmas Eve after my mom's party. Once again the kids were incredibly spoiled. And since John had to work Christmas Day we did all our presents to each other there too. We always get the kids clothes since Santa handles toys. John got hair clippers (long, long story) and a bag full of hunting accessories. I got Ugg boots (that I LOVE) and a blow dryer (my dryer I have had for over 10 years decided to die this week). His parents also gave me a mother's ring with all the kids birth stones so it is really special.

6. Christmas morning. SANTA CAME. Since John had to work we got up at 6 and saw what Santa brought the kids. They were once again very spoiled.

7. Christmas afternoon with my mom and grandmother. Since John was at work we went to my mom' s at lunch and did gift exchange with my mom and grandmother. So my mom and I already knew what we got each other because we bought them together. We are going to see George Strait and Reba in January!!!

So overview of Mile's first Christmas. He has been sick since Wednesday so he was pretty much miserable. But he loved the paper! and the lights. my mom and I took the boys out to Parks of Cheehaw for their lights and Miles was squealing the whole time. Other boys always enjoy Christmas but this was special for Miles. I hope everyone had a great Christmas too. PIctures to come.

SEC Championship

2010-12-26T17:11:00.000-08:00

So- we were watching our beloved Auburn Tigers play in the championship game when at the start of the third quarter we here screaming come from the other room. Apparently (if you have more than one child you will understand) "someone" gave Josh a wedgie and he fell and hit his mouth on the footboard. The result was a bleeding mouth and us not being able to tell how much damage was done to his teeth so we headed to the ER. Let me first say that we will only ever go back to the ER in Blakely, GA if we cannot live long enough to make it to Dothan, AL. We get to the ER and the PA slaps on some gloves feels Josh's lip and says take him home and see the dentist Monday. WHAT? This is a 4 year old in a lot of pain- no pain relief no nothing. But you can be sure that they would not let us leave until they got their co-pay. So we go home with Josh still crying in pain. Meanwhile Val finds the 2 halves of Josh's broken tooth. After an hour Josh is still in pain and our dentist does not have an emergency line so we load him up and take him to the ER at Flowers in Dothan. They check him out give him something for pain and an antibiotic and tell us to take him to the dentist Monday. Now them telling me that I can take better after the took care of his pain and preventing infection. SO we go see the dentist on Monday who couldn't do anything until Josh's gums healed. Fast forward to Dec 21 and we are still dealing with damaged teeth but healed gums and the very understandable advice of we want to leave them as long as possible because they are his front teeth and his age prevents a spacer and pulling them will lead to bigger issues. Can deal with this.

Oh and by the way- AUBURN WON THE GAME AND WE ARE SEC CHAMPIONS HEADING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-26T17:07:00.000-08:00

I am really far behind in posting so everything is going to be brief. We spent Thanksgiving spilt up this year- as in John went to lunch with his family with Josh and Calvin and I went to Thanksgiving with my family with Miles and Pacey. Reason- they both had them at the same time and neither would wait til Friday when everyone was actually off. After eating I got all the boys and John went to work. I managed to get Christmas card photos made and saw some extended family. Miles learned quickly that you go to sleep watching football and fell asleep on Uncle Eddie's couch. Typical male. The day after Thanksgiving resulted in ZERO shopping from us and the IRON BOWL. Which I very happily say that AUBURN WON!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Cards

2010-12-04T04:56:00.001-08:00

Faith Love Family Religious

Unique party invitations and greeting cards by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

I didn't get a whole lot of pictures this year because I was not feeling well. But I got a few. Pacey did not want to dress up this year but the other 3 did.

Calvin was a Gorilla

Josh was Superman

And Miles was a Cheeky Monkey

He was sooo cute.

The church Fall Festival this year was at John and Leslie Godwin's. I only got pictures of bobbing for Apples and the sack race. Miles and I pretty much stayed inside I was feeling so bad. So he and I watched the GA/FL game with a room full of GA fans- FL won in overtime. And then we watched the Auburn game. Pacey decided he was too old to go on the hayride this year and I couldn't go because of the bouncing. So Daddy had to take Calvin and Josh. He has actually never gone on the hayride with them. I always have. But this year Miles and I stayed with "Aunt" Libby watching the Auburn game while the others who stayed behind cleaned up. All in all it was a fun time. I am really looking forward to feeling better next year and actually being able to do something besides sit around.

And one last thing- according to the BCS poll (the one that decides the championship) ranked #1 in the country for NCAA football:

AUBURN!!!!!!

WAR EAGLE BABY!!!!!

Barefoot Books

2010-10-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

So I have been selling Celebrating Home for about a year and a half. But the other day I decided to add another company to my resume. One that had more to do with my children than with my love of Celebrating Home products. So I will still be selling Celebrating Home at www.celebratinghome.com search designers Laura Pratt BUT I will also be selling Barefoot Books. I really enjoy these books as do my children and I love that they promote literacy for everyone and also that I can share my love of reading with my children and other children. So go look, browse, and buy for your kids at http://laura-pratt.barefootbooks.com. I can do parties and fundraisers from both. You can click on the links above or for Barefoot Books you can click on the banner at the side.

Computer is fixed-

2010-10-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

My little chunky monkey now weighs 14 pounds and 5 ounces. He loves to play and talk to us. He hates the "spider" game that his Pawpaw plays with him. He still hates riding in the car. He has been a very sick little baby this past month with bronchiolitis. He has been to the doctor multiple times and is finally getting a little better. We have to run a vaporizer and he takes 2 different medicines 3 times a day. He get sweeter every day and I fall more in love everyday.

We took the boys to their first Braves game for Pacey's 10th birthday. They had a blast and so did we.

We went to the rodeo on Pacey's actual birthday. He is getting to be such a lover of the rodeo and we are somewhat ok with that and we are looking around for riding and roping lessons. It is very hard to believe that he is 10 years old already. We are truely blessed with our 4 great boys.

Much needed update.

2010-10-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

So our computer is still messed up and this is the first chance I am getting to update. Since the last post I made so much has happened. Pacey turned 10 with a Rodeo and Braves game to celebrate. We had so much fun. Miles has had his first cold and then bronchiolitis. Josh and John have been sick as well. But it looks like everyone is finally getting better. I had a hysterectomy yesterday and I am slowly/ quickly recovering- I am actually returning to work on Monday. Unfortunately I am going to miss my 10 year reunion and I will really miss seeing everyone. I will post again soon. Hopefully our computer will be fixed this week. We are all on Fall Break together apparently. That and I will be able to post pictures from the rodeo up to Miles turning 4 months old.

2 months old

2010-09-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Miles turned 2 months old. He now weighs 12 pounds 9.5 ounces and is 23 inches long. He is sleeping most of the night( he goes to sleep between 9:30 and 10:30 then wakes up between 3:30 and 5 in the morning). He is holding up his head fairly well and trying scoot. He still has not mastered rolling over and has only done it once when he was laying on his side. We went to the doctor yesterday as well and he got 3 shots and 1 oral vaccine and has run a fever ever since. Best of all- he still loves his mommy even though I went back to work 2 weeks ago. He is a smiling fool but when you get out the camera to catch it he will stop. He hates his carseat and hates to ride without a bottle or someone sitting next to him.
In other news-
John's knee is healing slowly but he will hopefully be able to go back to work soon. As mentioned before I am back at work and very busy and very glad to have help most days. The other boys are in school and doing well even though the 4th grade is kicking my butt. Pacey will be 10 next week and to celebrate we are planning on going to a rodeo on his actual birthday and then to his first Braves game the next day. It will actually be Pacey, Calvin, and Josh's first Braves game. After the Braves game we will also get to see Montgomery-Gentry in concert.
Our computer is messed up so I am using someone else's to update. Therefore pictures will follow as soon as I can. But my Facebook account stays pretty updated through mobile uploads. I am excited that after 2 months I will finally get another paycheck this week even though it will all be gone by Monday the 13th. But at least I will have a paycheck. Other stuff in the works so more updates as things happen. AND----

HAPPY OPENING DAY OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!! WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miles is of course sleeping through his first Auburn game after a big day of shopping and a Birthday party. But he has represented well all day.

Ortho

2010-08-19T05:43:00.000-07:00

Well, John's MCL is defintley torn. He is in a brace for at least 6 weeks and at home for the next 2-4. So I go back to work next week =(. Sad that I am missing out on my last 2 weeks but somebody has to be working. On the upside Miles has been sleeping so good this week. We have added cereal to his night bottle at 10 and he sleeps til 3, eats and goes right back to sleep. Then he gets up between 7 and 8 to play for a while. Right now he is laying next to me and listening to one of many playlists. He loves music. Which is good because so do we.

Where to start

2010-08-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

Okay so it has been a LONG week since I last posted. Tuesday night John laid his motorcyle over and hurt his knee. Went to the PA on Wednesday and she ordered some x-rays and a MRI. Went to the MRI on Friday and looked at the disc after we got home. Did I mention John is out of work until we see an ortho so that means he is home with me and the baby. Also on Wednesday I got a phone call from the school that Josh had fallen off the monkey bars and landed on his face- he is fine just all scratched up. Saturday my in-laws held a back to school bash for our church family. We all had lots of fun. When everyone but our family and the Winkler family had left all the "grown-up girls" went and jumped in the jumpy house and went and played on the giant slip and slide.
So today we got the MRI report that does not sound like anything that I saw on the MRI disc and an appt with the ortho for tomorrow. Now instead of going to open house for Calvin and Josh I will be sitting in a doctor's office with John. It will be fine because all my kids teachers are on my facebook and I will talk to them later. Also have the grandparent in-laws coming tomorrow through the weekend to see Miles and of course we have plans ALL week ending in a yard sale on Saturday. I will post pictures later after I actually put them on the computer from our various events this week. More after the ortho tomorrow.

Something to be said for planning ahead

2010-08-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

Since my sweet baby seems to have some kind of stomach bug (projectile poop- enough said) I decided to go ahead and start planning our Christmas Lists. Amazon is GREAT for this since you can make multiple lists and organize everything. They even have this thing called the universal wish list button so you can add to your wishlist from any website. It is going to be a lifesaver this year since I plan to do mostly online shopping. So lists are done- nothing bought but I know what we are getting my father-in-law, my sister-in-law, my nephew, Emalyn, and Madeline, and my secret sister from church. I told John that I would make a wish list for myself this year and believe me I have. And I found all kids of other stuff and added it to the just because list. The kids have lists even though they will probaly change between now and then. But the lists are done. Now I just need to go back to work and get some money.

By the way, if you know my husband you can tell him that I want the Kindle from Amazon for Christmas. And he can tell his parents (or you can) that I want Amazon gift cards. Oh and I need Photoshop elements.

Hard Transition

2010-08-05T19:26:00.000-07:00

I feel like I need to explain Josh's hard transition into school to everyone who keeps asking why he does not like it all 500 times a day. So here it goes again- by choice of course. Josh has ALWAYS stayed with Grandmas. He has never been to daycare and the only other children he is around are his brothers, his cousins, and the church kids. Well he was around the library kids but 2 hours once a week is not the same as everyday interaction in a daycare. So school is a HUGE difference for him. He went from staying with me and John or a grandma to staying with complete strangers all day. He went from normally being the only one at the house when school is in to being in a room full of kids all day at the school. He is just having a tough time with all of the change. But everyday gets a little bit better. And tomorrow is Friday so he can be home for 2 days before going back to the school.

Mean Mama

2010-08-05T18:50:00.001-07:00

I have apparently been a mean mama today. Starting at 6:30 this morning. Wake the kids up and from the middle 2 all I hear is that they are tired and they don't want to brush their teeth or hair. Finally get that done and Calvin dressed (thank goodness Pacey gets himself ready) and turn to Josh who starts crying and begging me to please not make him go to school and then he refuses to get dressed. This goes on for 20 minutes before John comes in there and sits him down to talk. This is when we find out that not only is he scared of his teacher but he does not like the playground, or the fact that they do not read him a story at naptime. Poor baby just does not like school. BUT he gets dressed and gets his bookbag and then procedes to tell me he is not talking to me because I am mean. Fast forward to after school- Miles does not complain about me yet- and he gives his teacher a big hug when we go to leave and is playing with his new friend- no name yet.

I went to the welcome reception for our awesome new doc- Dr. Brand- after school and showed off Miles. This is where I became a mean mom to Pacey. I left my purse in my truck and showed off the baby at the clinic before heading to the hospital with him and Pace. Remember where I left my purse and note that the clinic is down the hill from the hospital. We get over to the hospital and procede to go visit everyone and sign in. This is when Pacey asks for some change to go get a drink. I said no that my purse is in the truck and he can go get a glass of FREE lemonade. Obviously not good enough- he procedes to ask 3 more times before going to get lemonade and sulk. On the upside he got to see Mrs. Tasha and that always makes him happy.

After all of this I head to my mother in laws to reclaim the middle 2. They were playing and I told them to keep playing and I would look through my MIL's sunday school stuff to decide what to do when I take over Pacey's class in Sept. While I am getting out of the truck I notice that Pacey has brought home his required reading list for the year. So I go to Amazon and start searching. It is going to be expensive since I will buy all of them- I figure I have my nephew and 2 more kids going to be in that class fairly soon so we might as well have them on hand. All this leads to mean mama moment for Calvin. He comes in from the slip and slide mad about something and starts his I hate you's for the afternoon- this is a sure sign that he is TIRED. Well somehow my MIL spanking him because I was feeding Miles made me the bad guy.

Then we ate dinner- spagetti for the adults and homemade pizza that the kids did themselves for the kids. Calvin cannot eat spagetti noodles without getting sick so she decided to let them make their own pizzas instead. After we ate and helped clean up it was time to head home. And in 10 seconds flat I went from mean mama for making them go home to fun mama because I let them run home while I followed in the truck- don't worry we live less than a quarter of a mile down the road and we are the only 2 houses on the dirt road. We get home, they get baths, and then got in bed and 5 minutes later they were all asleep. Including the baby.

So today went from Mean Mama to Fun Mama. And now I am tired and ready for tomorrow since John is off.

August 3- BIG DAY

2010-08-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

My sweet baby boy is 1 month old now.
He spent the afternoon laughing and smiling at me. He also spent the night away from home the first time so that we could do the whole first day of school thing without having to drag him around a very crowded school. He is up to 4-6 ounces every 3-4 hours. He slept from 11 PM to 4:30 AM one time and has not done it since. He loves his brothers and loves to watch them when they are around. He likes to ride but hates it when we stop. I will find out tomorrow how much he weighs and add it. He is VERY picky about his pacifier- he will only use the soothie from the hospital or the gum drop from the pediatrician. I bought some cute McDrooly pacifiers when I was pregnant and he will not use them at all.

Aug 3 was also the first day of school for the older boys. Pacey is now in the 4th grade and told me I did not need to walk him to class this year. Calvin is in kindergarden(sp) and let us walk him to class but would not let me take his picture with his teacher. Josh let me do it all. I missed my little man. John and I snuck out when he went to put his bookbag up. So when I picked them up he started crying because I left him.

Mrs. Debbie, Josh, and Mrs. McBurrows
John bought the boys matching shirts to wear the first day of school. They were so cute.

Today was the second day of school and I just dropped the kids off at the Pre-K building. When we got home Josh told me that he cried at school today because he missed me and wanted to come home. Poor baby.

CAN I JUST SAY...

2010-08-02T18:03:00.000-07:00

SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND MILES WILL BE 1 MONTH OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 weeks

2010-07-31T20:16:00.000-07:00

My sweet baby boy is 4 weeks old today. Where has the time gone? It just does not seem right that he will be a month old on Tuesday. He is an angel and I cannot imagine my life without him at all.

This week is a BIG week at our house. School starts back on Tuesday! Thank the good lord because I was going insane with all 4 of them at the house all day. I will also be able to get some quality one on one time in with Miles. Because in a couple of weeks I go back to work. Absolutely do not want to but I also realize that we need my income. I go back to the doctor on Wednesday and at some point this week I have to actually go into the office and deliver some stuff. Would much rather just go out to Tasha's one afternoon but clinic it will be. And I will try to weigh him while we are there just to see how much he has grown.

And I realize that my HR director reads this BUT please pray for us as a family as we try to figure out a way that I can be a stay at home mom come the first of the year. Or at least a way that I can go to part time at the first of the year and stay with Miles at home and be more involved in school/ church activities with all our children.