Sutton Stuff

I'm still alive and well

2010-03-07T14:52:00.002-06:00

Thought I'd type a bit today.....Ebeth has been sick most of the weekend (with strep) but is finally feeling better and has no fever.

On February 10 Steven and I were married for 14 years! It seems like just yesterday we met. I love him so much!

Ebeth made the track team at the jr. high. She'll be running distance relays. She has been practicing a lot. We are proud of her.

Emily's 9th birthday is this week coming up....March 11. I can't believe my baby is that old already! she is having her birthday party march 20.....the first saturday "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" movie comes out. She is having friends to the park and then to the movie! she can't wait!

well, need to run. just had a minute. One day I'll get back to blogging a little better.

WE DAT !!!!!!!

2010-02-08T17:35:00.001-06:00

Super bowl champs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love dem saints!
Dree Brees rocks!
What a night last night!
:)

WHO DAT???????????

2010-01-26T17:02:00.001-06:00

Go Saints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Miami, here we come!!!

So proud of Em !!!!

2009-12-29T10:51:00.002-06:00

This past Sunday at church (Dec. 27) Em went up at the end of the service and told Bro. Tommy (our pastor) that she had given her heart to Jesus...she wanted everyone to know! (She did this over the summer at another church's VBS). She got lots of hugs from our wonderful church family. We were all smiles. I didn't have my camera so I don't have a pic of the actual day...so I'm just posting a pic of my sweet gal!
Emmy, we love you VERY much! We will always be together FOREVER and EVER!!!!

Merry Christmas!!! and missing Granddaddy....

2009-12-24T12:35:00.002-06:00

It's been a long time since I've posted. Just fell off the blog wagon I suppose.
Merry Christmas (to the tens of people who read this!---if that many).

Just sitting here thinking about how strange it is not to be deciding what day or days over Christmas break that I want to go to Mississippi and visit Granddaddy. Thanksgiving break brought the same feelings....he had just passed away the week before. I know he is having the merriest of all Christmases this year, but I'm still sad that I cannot see him or give him a big ole hug! Sad for my sweet daddy too....he told steven the other day that it is just hard not being able to pick up the phone and call him to check on him or riding up to MS at least every 10 days to watch him and help him.

It's Christmas Eve and the girls are busy playing in the living room and counting hours away till santa comes. We will go to mom and dad's this evening to celebrate with them and Tood, C, C and Zane. The kids will have such fun. Steven is most happy because just last week he had lasik surgery and now he can SEE without having to wear glasses or contacts after MANY MANY years of doing so!

I am blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends who are like family!

May 2010 be a blessed year!

A Special Day

2009-10-18T18:57:00.002-05:00

Today Ebeth was baptized by Bro. Tommy Middleton, our pastor. We are so proud of her and her decision to follow Christ. We had our church family there as well as MawMaw and PawPaw, Aunt Candace, Connor and Zane (uncle todd was working at the fire station), Mrs. JoAnn, Mr. Johnny, Emily and Hannah, Ms. Andi and Megan, and Mrs. Donna, Mr. Richard and Dylan. We were happy they were there to share this as well.

Ebeth, I love you so much and am so happy we WILL always be together. :)
What a special day this has been!

Proud of Ebeth

2009-09-06T18:31:00.003-05:00

Today Ebeth went up to our pastor at the invitation time and told him she had asked Jesus into her heart and wanted to let everyone know and that she wants to be baptized. Steven and I went up with her (we were all sitting in our usual spots in the balcony....Em was at my mom and dad's house for the weekend with cousin Zane.)
Anyway, almost 2 years ago Ebeth had asked Jesus in her heart and told us and had even gone up front at church with many other kids who had done the same at an Upward awards night (Upward is a sports and cheerleading program our church participates in yearly). But she never was ready to officially go forward and tell our pastor and our church. But she was today. Steven and I are so proud of her. And of course we are happy that our family will always be together, here and in heaven. Em hasn't gone forward yet but she too has asked Jesus in her heart.....over the summer.
If any of you who read this want to know anything about Jesus please let me know. :)

I think Ebeth will be baptized in the next few weeks.

Ebeth we love you so much!

A great first week

2009-08-14T22:00:00.002-05:00

I had a wonderful first week at school. But I am one tired woman. My three sets of kids are a great crew. I think it is going to be a great year!
And having Ebeth at my school is so nice.......but so funny to see her walking around with the kids. I can't believe she is in jr high.
Emily is enjoying 3rd grade (but not as much as she enjoyed second she says......she just absolutely ADORED her second grade teachers). Ebeth had to stay home one day this week (thursday) b/c she had a bad bad ear infection. But she had to go back today (she insisted and she had no more fever). She made it but is so tired now and of course asleep, like I should be.
Just wanted to let everyone know I survived. And lesson plans are done for next week. Go me. Now if someone would just clean my house.....any takers?

Summer is over! School is starting this WEEK!

2009-08-03T17:24:00.003-05:00

I've been lazy and not downloading pics........so I don't have any to post.
Just making a note that I have to be back at school THIS WEDNESDAY, August 5.
hard to believe. Summer flew by! I go this thursday and friday and the kids come on Friday, August 7. Playtime is over!!!! Ebeth and Em are excited about school starting. My room is ready and I'll eventually think about what I'm doing the first few days. To all my teacher buddies, have a wonderful 2009-2010 school year. I'm planning on it!
:)

trying to post the picture

2009-07-24T12:27:00.002-05:00

Ok, I'm hoping the picture I was referring to in the previous post will actually appear now.....let's see......

I love my guy and gals!

2009-07-24T12:16:00.002-05:00

Just taking a moment after reading a few blogs and facebooking to post this cute pic of E. and E. with their daddy b/f we headed to Nahsville. (at the airport in N.O.) I just am so blessed to have such a sweet hubby and wonderful little gals. I love them sooooo very much! We have just been enjoying the summer so much I don't have time to download more pic or post. Bad me! The girls are with my mom and dad and cousins Connor and Zane on a mini-road trip. They are siteseeing along the historical Natchez Trace. Last night they stayed in Vicksburg, MS. They are going to the battlefield there today and not sure what else. They are just happy to be with MawMaw and Paw Paw. Last night steven and I had a great "date" night...went out to eat with our friends Kellie and Jay at the best seafood restaurant in Baton rouge, Mike Anderson's. It was nice to have some couples time! The kids only called once while we were eating!

Well, just a quick post about my WONDERFUL family of 4....(well, 5 if you count Skippy and of course we do!---he had surgery about 9 days ago and was "fixed"---he gets his stitches out tomorrow!---poor skippy!)

Another birthday girl...........

2009-07-13T19:40:00.005-05:00

Today is Susan's (aka "Nanny" to the girls) birthday. It's number ?????? for her!
We just wanted to wish her a super happy one! We love her LOTS!!!

Enjoy your special day! You are very special to us!

(Nanny doesn't like photos taken of her so that's why there's not one of her....
so I'm putting one of "petunia"---her little one.........and my two gals too.

Someone special is 11 today!

2009-07-02T10:56:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Ebeth!!!!! 11 years old! Wow! Soon to be a 6th grader at the junior high! I am so proud to be your mom! We are at Nanny's now and about to head to the mall to eat at the Rainforest Cafe, then shop, then Ebeth is getting her ears pierced!

Happy Birthday sweetie! We all love you soooooo much!

We're leaving.....on a jet plane.....(WED)

2009-06-29T12:32:00.003-05:00

The girls and I have been busy packing (and I'm doing laundry too of course) for our trip to see Susan (nanny) and Petunia....We leave out of N.O. bright and early Wednesday a.m.

Ebeth will turn 11 on thursday while we are there. We'll do some fun things I'm sure on that day!!! (hey, everyday we are there will be FUN!).

We will be at nanny's for almost a week! Talk about a house full of nothing but GIRLS!!! :) See you soon Sue and 'ana!

Mssing Ebeth.....

2009-06-24T09:42:00.002-05:00

Em made it back yesterday afternoon from camp....she had a GREAT time (hiking, playing in the creek (although she said that was way too dirty), horseback riding, swimming, sleeping in the top bunk...the fun goes on)....and Ebeth left yesterday a.m. and I am missing her a lot already. She stays tonight as well.....so she won't get home until tomorrow afternoon. Em even said this a.m. that she missed her sissy. I am so glad my two love each other so much even though they don't always show it (most of the time they get along very well).
Again, I thank God every single day for these two precious girls. They are just the best and bring Steven and I soooooooooooooooo much joy!

the boy in the pic with Ebeth is my brother's son, Zane....he and Emily are the same age (except a school grade difference b/c he was born one day after the cut off to be in the same grade). This was at a restaurant after ebeth and em's dance recital in May....we all went to eat sushi and hibachi grilled things.

Missing Emily

2009-06-23T16:09:00.002-05:00

Emily left yesterday for church camp....and she will soon be back. Just an overnight trip. I'm just here waiting for the clock to strike 4:30 p.m. so I can go get her. She's riding in the van as I type. Ebeth left today and I'm already missing her. she'll be back thursday afternoon. I love my girls so much!!!! God blessed me sooooo much by allowing me to raise E and E.
Em, you'll be home soon!

Splish Splash they were taking a bath...I mean "swim" in the whirlpool!

2009-06-18T15:38:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday Daddy/Paw Paw

2009-06-16T17:47:00.003-05:00

Today is my dad's 69th birthday!!! Happy Birthday Daddy!!! We love you dearly!
The pics are of Connor (my nephew) and Paw Paw and then Ebeth and Paw Paw. We will celebrate his bday this weekend, along with Father's Day!

We are loving our summer!

2009-06-16T14:06:00.005-05:00

Our summer is going by quickly......but we are loving every minute. The pics are of VBS at our church 2 weeks ago....I was Em's teacher. The theme was Boomerang Express (Australian theme). The kids all seemed to have a good time. Then last week they went out to my parents' house and did their VBS at their church (same theme so Em knew all the answers and Bible verses!). This week Em is taking Acro classes at her dance studio...she has already learned how to do a backbend correctly and she's just had one night there. Ebeth is running a half-mile tomorrow night in a local race. she is pumped about that. We've been doing summer movies and swimming and playing with friends and eating out. And I've been doing some summer cleaning and organizing (that's no fun, but needed). Next week the girls will go to church camp a couple of days and nights. They'll get to go horseback riding among other fun things. They are excited. They go on separate days/nights. Then the week of July 1 we will be heading to Nashville to see Nanny and Lily Ana....for Ebeth's birthday which is July 2. We'll stay till July 7th. We can't wait.
Summer needs to slow down....or maybe we do. Enjoy the pics! sorry i haven't posted in a while. I must do better!

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!!!!!

2009-05-23T10:06:00.001-05:00

Yipppeeee........let the summer begin!!!!
:)

Our annual Bennett Family picnic---year 44

2009-05-15T18:24:00.008-05:00

Here are some pics of the Bennett family picnic that we have had since I was not even one......every single year.....almost always in May. I've always been there...never missed a one. It's not one of those huge family reunions where you don't know half the people....it's just for my dad's brothers and sisters and their kids and their kids' kids. So 4 generations are there. It's held in McComb, Mississippi (near there) which is about halfway for most of us....some of us live in Louisiana, some MS. Anyway, it rained this year....a lot...but we were under a pavillion so it was okay. We just didn't get to hike or play horseshoes or volleyball like we usually do. But we did get to eat as always. Burgers and hot dogs and the works....and tons of junk food and desserts.
It was a wonderful day...and my granddaddy felt and look great! That was a huge blessing for us all.
Enjoy the pics!

Happy Birthday Steven!!! We love you!

2009-05-02T15:05:00.003-05:00

Today is Steven's birthday! Ebeth, Em and I love him so much! He is a wonderful dad and an amazing hubby who makes us all laugh all the time! We hope he has a great day! The girls got him a new Wii game (Nascar) and some accessories for the Wii sport games---tennis racket, golf club, bat. They, (oops, i mean he) love them!
He also got a new Nike shirt...because we always always give him at least one shirt. It's just what we do.

oh, Skippy says happy birthday too.....skippy loves loves loves steven too!

Happy 42nd bday Steven/Daddy! (i know, i know...you might be 42 but you are STILL younger than me....I hear it all the time!)

with much love,
Arlene, Ebeth and Emily

Stomach bug :(

2009-04-26T09:10:00.005-05:00

As I type this, poor ebeth is still suffering from a yucky stomach bug. I had it all day Friday (while at school......just stuck it out and had a garbage can nearby - didn't have to use it though---showed a movie all day----no subs to be found) and then half the day on Saturday. Friday night ebeth started feeling badly and still doesn't feel good...she's staying home from church. I hope she starts doing better soon....feeling nauseated is just the worst feeling!! Em has stayed away from the bug so far......Steven was sick a little friday night but is all better now.

So, the sutton household has been a sicky household this weekend. Skippy is doing okay too though.

I'm just going to leave you with a few pics --- just some random ones!
Then, Em and I are off the church!

Happy Sunday!

Visiting Granddaddy

2009-04-18T20:30:00.008-05:00

Here are some pics of our visit on Thursday to see Granddaddy.
He was feeling pretty well and he looked GREAT! We love him so much.
Cousin Zane was there too and my mom and dad as well. It was my mom's birthday so we celebrated with a yummy strawberry cake from Ambrosia! :) (and gifts and homemade cards from the girls)
Skippy made his first trip to see Granddaddy too and LOVED it! Granddaddy thought Skippy was mighty cute...he thought at first Ebeth was holding a stuffed animal.
He just laughed!

Enjoy the pictures!

Happy Easter 2009 and More Puppy Pics

2009-04-12T21:46:00.008-05:00

We had a wonderful Easter....the girls and Skippy were up looking at what the Bunny left for them at .............. about 1:30 or 2 a.m. (or earlier according to Emily). They got DVDs along with candy and lots of bath stuff....so they watched "Bedtime Stories" and I went back to sleep (oh, Skippy got tennis balls and a squeaky chew toy). We went to church and then to Steven's mom's for lunch and egg hunting with cousins (and I didn't take pics...bad mom) and then out to see my mom and dad after that.

It's late now and I'm sleepy...the girls are snoozing and so are Skippy and Steven. So I'm putting the photos on here and heading to bed myself. Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. And I hope we all remember why we celebrate Easter...I know I am very glad Jesus died for me and rose again.

Welcome "Skippy"

2009-04-08T21:37:00.008-05:00

We want to introduce everyone to the newest member of the Sutton household...
Skippy.....he is just 8 weeks old. We just brought him home today....Daddy surprised the girls (all of us). We love you, Daddy!!! And we love our Skippy!

Dancing Queens.......

2009-04-04T17:49:00.007-05:00

And you thought this was going to be a post about Abba's great hit right?

I love the girls dance pics! Do they have some long legs or what? I have no idea WHERE they get those...

I love my girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Recital is in the middle of May.

Go Ebeth!!!! She did it!!

2009-03-26T21:01:00.002-05:00

Today Ebeth found out she made the elementary track team!!!
She is so excited! She tried out last year and didn't make it but she nailed it this year! The one track meet they have is on May 7. They will have 5 practices.
The first one is in about a week or so.....:)
She was on cloud nine today!

Congrats sweetie! We are all so proud of you!

Meeting our Governor----Mr. Bobby Jindal

2009-03-22T20:12:00.003-05:00

Today our governor, Mr. Bobby Jindal, was the honored guest at our church. After the service (he actually got to speak for the entire service----and he did a wonderful job----he is an awesome Godly man and his testimony was a blessing)
He stayed after the service to shake hands and let us take photos. The girls were so excited. He is such a nice, genuine person. Maybe one day he may be more than the governor.........just maybe.......:)

Now why do we call the "slumber" parties???

2009-03-08T19:19:00.003-05:00

Friday night Emily had her first official slumber party to celebrate her soon-to-be turning of 8. (Her bday is Wed, March 11). She said it was the best birthday party EVER. (a high compliment because the gal has had some GREAT bday parties). I am so glad and it was worth it..................but slumber was not in these gals vocabulary. At least not until close to 3 a.m.---------yes, you read correctly 3, THREE, 3:00. One gal was asleep before midnight, one at 1 a.m., and the rest did not think of closing their eyeballs until at least 2:30 a.m.--------therefore my eyes did not shut until after 3. Momma was (and still is) TIRED. And then they were up around 7, 7:30 the latest. And I was then fixing pancakes and waffles.
Pick up for the girls was 10 a.m. and they were all gone by 10:15. So the Sutton household was snooze city for most of the afternoon on Saturday. What a weekend to lose an hour huh?? No picture of course right now......you people know I never download immedidately after an event.................I have to save something for later. Plus, I'm sleepy. All is all though, I'd let her do it again...........just not this coming weekend, which is what she asked me yesterday after everyone left...."can I do this every weekend---just without the presents?" Good try Em!

More later about the actual fun at the "slumber" (what a name----i just keep laughing to myself about that name---never before have I thought it was so funny---in a delirious sort of way) party!

I'm not even rereading this post..........of course, I might be the only one even reading it anyway----well, except maybe Kelli is and Nanny and Sybil might too----
:) Excuse any typo-s.

I think I might try and catch some more zzzzzzz's.

Eye Candy

2009-02-23T12:13:00.005-06:00

The girls recently had to dress up as their favorite candy for a Wednesday night activity at church. While they didn't exactly dress as their fav candy, they did come up with a couple of clever (yet quick to make) ideas.

Can you guess the candy????

That would be DOTS and NERDS!!! Go Sutton girls!

Mardi Gras Beauties

2009-02-23T11:44:00.011-06:00

Throw Me Something Sisters!!!!

2009-02-15T14:10:00.003-06:00

Last night, Valentine's night, was the big parade the girls were in. They had an awesome time
throwing beads, cups, footballs and stuffed animals!!! They even got a little wet (yes, it did rain on their parade) but they didn't mind. As usual, I cannot get the pictures downloaded so you'll have to settle for the photo shoot picture that was in the newspaper today (Sunday). Once I (or rather Steven I'm sure) gets the other pictures downloaded you will see the float they were on with the Queen. It was quite an experience for the girls! They looked like they were having SO MUCH FUN when they came by us-----and of course the proud Paw Paw Polly caught it all on tape for us. :) More pictures to come soon!!! Happy Mardi Gras!!! The official Mardi Gras date is February 24th----we'll be off of school that day and the day before (yipeee!!!!).
Nanny, we so wish you and Petunia could have been here to catch some beads and see the girls--you would have been so proud too!

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

2009-02-01T13:34:00.005-06:00

And since I would only be watching the above mentioned event for the commercials I just thought I would look through my photos and pull out a couple of random ones. And here are two smiling girls. First up is one of Ebeth on the way from our hotel to the Disney cruise ship....who wouldn't be smiling big! And then there is Em just being silly......I think it was while we were at my granddad's 102nd bday party in October!

I'll eventually download some more recent photos and update our blog soon.

******ok, just realized as I reread a couple of my posts that a couple of posts back I already posted this grinning big photo of Em...................guess I must love it huh? She probably would love it if I never put the first one on the blog. I love this gal's smile!!! Can't help it!*******

Yes, we do know we still have a blog!

2009-01-22T20:51:00.002-06:00

My it's been a few days or so since I've written anything. Bad me. Just haven't taken the time to write. Sorry. Thought I'd at least type a few sentences so people wouldn't think something terrible had happened to me.....you know, all 5 or 6 or 7 of you who read my ramblings. :)
Susan and Petunia were in town last week so we got to see them some and that was GREAT!
E and E went to the dentist on MLK day and they LOVED their new dentist but they both have to go back ---cavities---boo! Of course, when you go to a dentist who has Wii to play and X-box360 and you can watch movies on nice big plasma like t.v's above you as you lay in the dental chairs---who wouldn't mind having a cavity or two! But poor Ebeth also has to have..........a root canal.................:( more on that later. We watched Mr. Obama take the oath of office while we were at school on Tuesday. And right now I"m just rambling so I guess I'll stop and write more when I decide to post a picture or two. I'll try not to wait so long between posts again! I've also not been a good reader of other's blogs lately either. Forgive me bloggy friends.
Let's blame it on PMS shall we??

E's feeling MUCH better!

2009-01-08T21:47:00.003-06:00

E. went back to school today and is feeling almost 100 percent again.!
Emily had her mawmaw and pawpaw with her today at lunch so she was proud---they had spaghetti and Em had to help Paw Paw put his straw in his "bag" of milk. :)

About to head to bed. (wow, I'm a poet!)

glad everyone is happy and healthy at the Sutton household!

Sick sweetie :(

2009-01-06T21:23:00.003-06:00

Poor Ebeth is under the weather. Must have caught it from her daddy. She had to stay home from school today with her MawMaw and PawPaw (they are THE BEST!). We went to the doc when I got in from school and they tested her for the flu but that was negative (so glad) but she does have bronchitis (I know I spelled that wrong but I'm tired right now and cannot think very well). She got meds and will stay home tomorrow (with M. and P. again) and should hopefully be good to go on Thursday. She has been pitiful. I so hate when she feels so badly. She ran fever all day and still has some. Hopefully that will soon stay away. We are hoping Miss Em stays well. She hopes so for sure because she gets to have two people dine with her on Thursday at school and she invited her MawMaw and Pawpaw (THE BEST mentioned above) and she would just die if she had to miss that!

Let me run and see if Ebeth has fallen asleep. I hope she sleeps well tonight. She didn't last night. Which meant Mom didn't either. And I didn't the night before (I never ever can sleep the night before going back after a long break from school) so I am one tired woman. No one said motherhood was easy. Can I get an Amen sisters?????

A couple of random happy pics! Enjoy!

2009-01-04T17:59:00.002-06:00

Ebeth at Halloween and the cute pirate dog she found
and had to take a picture with! RRRRRRR

And Em----------who knows what she was grinning about--

she's happy so much!!! :) When is she going to get more teeth?

Puffy lip and back to school blues!

2009-01-04T17:49:00.002-06:00

Well I thought I hadn't bitten my lip while under sedation at the dentist on Saturday but apparently I did.....I have the puffy lips (think Julia Roberts---but only on the bottom left half of the lips----oh, and I am not quite as stunning and gorgeous as she is) or lip to prove it. And two bite looking spots on the inside of my gums. Attractive yes. Other than that, no complaints about the root canal recovery. (well except that it set us back about 600 or so dollars---with insurance).

Today we went to Steven's mom's house for lunch. She had lots of good Korean food fixed--she's a great cook. (She is originally from Korea). She also had a chocolate bday cake too for me---she bought that---she a cook, not a baker! Anyway, we had a nice time with her, Steven's brother and sister and their families.

Sad news for the Sutton girls...............school starts back tomorrow a.m.----so we'll be getting up early---Mom at 5:45 or so and the girls by 6:30 and we'll be on the road at 7 a.m.
Why can't school start at say, 10. That would work for me. Guess there is such a thing---home school.............but don't 'think that's an option for me. Nothing at all against home schooling--
just would not work well for us Suttons.

Steven is feeling under the weather. We hope he gets well soon---!!!!!

Root Canal

2009-01-04T08:24:00.002-06:00

That's a title you want to see and read about right? Well, just wanted everyone to know that I spent my Saturday a.m. in the dentist chair from about 9:30 unitl a little after noon. I was groggy (to say the least) when I left with Steven then. The girls had stayed at cousins Connor and zane's house to play so we stopped and got them and the when I got home I hit the bed.
I did take one pain pill about 30 minutes later when steven brought it in to me but none after that. I just slept and slept and slept. THE WHOLE DAY! This a.m. I feel pretty good....my mouth is a little tiny sore but I feel fine other wise. (I certainly should be rested by now)
I hope this is the last root canal i have to have done EVER--but certainly for a while anyway.
My birthday is Tuesday--wasn't this a nice gift??? :(

Speaking of nice gifts though, Candace, Todd and the boys made me the MOST DELECIOUS chocolate chip cake for my birthday! It's Yummy times 10. I've had it before and it's always so good! I think I ate 2 pieces yesterday in between snoozing. I havne't even had a chance to call and thank her for it but the girls told her when she called to check on us that I had eaten a piece and loved it (as did all of them). They also gave me a makeup case in the same toille black and white print of the rest of the carry-ons and bags they have given me throughout the years. It's so pretty. Inside there was lots of smell goodies---lotions, soaps, bath gels, etc. And I also got some pretty note cards and a pretty picture frame ( I love frames and have pictures ALL over my house--everywhere!). They outdid themselves on the gift giving. I love everything.

We are skipping church today.....bad us.........steven isn't feeling too great the past 2 days---and he didn't have a root canal---he's had a little fever and just achy and ucky. Steven's mom is cooking dinner for the family (us and steven's brother and sister and their families) in honor of my upcoming bday. The weather is rainy outside. It would be a good day to stay in ALL day.
Wonder if Ms. Sue would deliver??? just joking.

Tomorrow I start back to school after the 2 week holiday. It won't be easy for any of us (even steven has been off all this time--he usually isn't off this long--he's not in the education system).
But I guess we'll have to all go back.

Well, this sure ended up being a long post about a root canal. Glad the r.c. is done!!!

Happy 2009. By the way, don't forgot your regular dental check-ups this year!

In the news....two sweet gals!

2009-01-02T15:28:00.002-06:00

This picture was in the newspaper yesterday. The girls are with Ms. Linda, a.k.a. Queen Orion XI, at Ms. Linda's luncheon a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time at the luncheon.

Happy 2009!!!!!!

2009-01-01T10:36:00.003-06:00

Just a quick post to tell everyone Happy New Year!!!!
It seems like 2008 flew by!!!

We are hanging out at the house today, playing Wii and board games, and then eating
some pork roast, cabbage and black-eyed peas. (of course Steven is doing the cooking--
gotta love that man!)

May 2009 be a wonderful year for everyone! :)

After Christmas --- Club Libby Lu Do's, A Naked Christmas tree, Fav ornaments, and an Elf still hanging around

2008-12-30T16:44:00.014-06:00

Today we went to the mall and met Cousin Robin and Julia for a girls
fun day. E, Em and Ju Ju all got makeovers (updo's and make up and nails
done) at Club Libby Lu (and the Libby Lu's are going out of business at the
end of January so we got these done at half price!!! Even better!
We didn't have our camera with us so we don't have photos of Ju Ju who
was more than lovely too. But I took these when we got home. I had to
take a front shot and then show you the back of their heads too.

Emily's updo from the back

E's updo from the back

She will not like this photo when she sees it but I had to

give you a front shot. :)

This "mess" is all the ornaments off my tree---I thought I would

categorize them---angels, snowmen, balls, homemade, etc.

But I got tired and just piled them all up and then put them

in two big boxes carefully. We have a ton of ornaments. Teachers all

over the world have tons of ornaments--it's a given. (I personally

love getting ornaments as a Christmas gift--much better than

a coffee mug. However, I have gotten some pretty cute mugs for

Christmas too.

I thought I had posted a pix of my bare Christmas tree--I'm sure I did

but now it's gone....or I think it is......it was sideways so it wasn't kind of

silly looking anyway (sideways for the picture---I had it straight up with t the decorations...I'm not that crazy yet)

One of my fav ornaments E. made in Pre K. Too sweet.

E. also made this----either prek or kindergarten.--I forgot to

look at the date on the back before I packed Rudolph away.

Little Miss Em----ornament from when she was about

1 and a half. She looks a little sad---but adorable in all white.

We love this one----E. got this from Connor and Zane

when they got back from their DisneyWorld trip over the

summer. We couldn't wait to put it on the tree this year!

Em's beautiful mouse ears ornaments! Thank Aunt Candace-

you rock!

One of our ALL TIME fav ornaments--from Nanny Sue-

I think about 2 years ago---Chicken Little. My girls love

singing "We are the Champions" which was in the Chicken Little

movie to their Nanny Sue--especially over the phone and leaving her

crazy messages. Nanny and the girls absolutely love Chicken Little.

Miles, our Elf on the Shelf,----or should we say Elf on the Lamp.

He was here 2 nights ago. Santa left the girls a note that Miles

could stay a few extra days--and he's still here. :) We love Miles!

Miles was here one night ago---on top of all our photo Christmas

cards we have gotten. (I still am leaving those up--they are too cute

to put away!)

This a.m. Miles was hanging on the side of our t.v. That little Elf

gets around!!! We love him! WE'll miss him when he goes away till

next Christmas.

Okay, long enough post. It's almost time for New Year's Eve!

What's everyone doing?

When the Saints Go Marching In.........

2008-12-28T21:12:00.002-06:00

Today Steven and I went down to the Big Easy to see the Saints play the Carolina Panthers.
His work chartered a bus and paid for tickets for employees and their spouses to go. It was my first time to actually go to a NFL game! (but not my first time in the SuperDome)., I forgot to bring my camera so I don't have any pics to show (I did take a couple on my cell phone but I have no idea had to get them on here). We had a GREAT time! But unfortunately our Saints lost, 33 - 31. It was a great game--especially in the 4th quarter. We thought we were going to pull it out and win. But the Panthers kicked a field goal in the last 6 seconds. Boo!!!

At least when we left the Dome, the bus was waiting for us and we didn't have to fight the traffic ourselves. Steven and I got a nap on the hour and half ride home. (I know anyone who knows Steven is certainly not surprised that he napped--my man LOVES to snooze, but it was raining and it was good snoozing weather for me too. I hope neither of us snored.)

The girls stayed last night and tonight with my mom and dad. So Steven and I have had good date nights (and days). I'll get the girls tomorrow a.m. and we are meeting some friends to go see Marley and Me---I heard it was so cute and good. Steven is off all this week so maybe we'll let him come too. (if we can get him away from the Wii or his naps).

I am so glad we are off next week. :) See why I love being a teacher! (I know Susan, you would like to slap the smile off my face...I mean computer.)

Now, back to taking down the Christmas stuff--such fun!

and now for Em's pics

2008-12-27T21:11:00.013-06:00

Is our Em a happy girl or what? :) I know she makes us all happy!

E. pics

2008-12-26T20:27:00.008-06:00

Just looking through pictures that needed to be printed
and I thought I'd put ones with just our oldest E. in them
(well, except for the one with her daddy in the snow)
I'll do the same with some Em pics tomorrow.
:)

Christmas 2008!!!!

2008-12-25T20:47:00.012-06:00

Okay, it didn't really snow on Christmas Day in Baton Rouge--
I just finally got the pix downloaded today with the other pix so
I thought I'd tease you. This was on our "sneax" day a couple of
weeks ago. Today is was a little warmer---like in the upper 70's.

One of the 3 snowmen Ebeth made!

Not a Christmas photo either---this is the Granddaddy turning

102 photo from October 26. Doesn't he look GREAT for his age!

No, the girls didn't dress as pirate or a scarecrow for Christmas-

this is a Halloween photo I also promised. More later.

Em and Daddy playing the Wii Santa brought the girls!

(notice Daddy is wearing Wii pj's the girls gave him for Christmas!)

Ebeth reading a letter Santa left for her--he typed

it using our computer!

Em holding up her new shirt Santa left. It says "Wait 'til

I tell mom" She loves it!

e and e playing the Wii (hey, I rhymed)

Ebeth with her new Vera Bradley backpack from Santa.

Miles (our Elf on the Shelf) and Em---

According to the letter Santa wrote to Em, Miles gets

to stay with us a few more days before he heads up North.

Special "E" photo boards we gave the girls. :)

Guess what time Miss Emily woke us up to see what

Santa left her?? 1:59 a.m.-----

We had a fun day of playing the Wii and Wii games and just

enjoying ourselves. Steven grilled steaks for us (and my mom and

dad came over for lunch). Em took a nap around 2 until about 5ish.

Ebeth has been sleeping since 6 this evening and still is.

And I'm about ready to call it a night!

Might have to rest up for after Christmas sales tomorrow!

Em's better :)

2008-12-24T15:17:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!!!!
E and E cannot wait until tonight so they can go to sleep and wait on Santa to come!
But first we are heading out to Maw Maw and Paw Paw's house to open presents with cousins Connor and Zane and Aunt Candace and Uncle Todd (Uncle Todd has to work on Christmas Day--protecting the great city of Baton Rouge from fires ---thank you Todd). In fact, Santa has already come to Connor and Zane's house---last night---they wrote him a letter and told them how their dad would be working and if he could to PLEASE come a night early so that on Christmas Eve their dad would be home to play all day! And he did just that!!!!!!!! They will tell us everything they got when we see them tonight. We are leaving around 4 to head that way.

Em is much more perky today---and coughing less (still coughing some though) but no fever still. So we didnt' even go to the doc since I'm sure they just would have given us more prescription cough meds and we already have that. Ebeth had some tummy ache issues earlier today but now is better. Looks like everyone is feeling up to Santa coming! :)

Wonder what time they girls will wake up? Last year they just missed santa---and woke up at a little after midnight and started the playing. Maybe Santa won't come as early to our house this year???????????? I predict though that they will awake before light of day. And then so will Mom and Dad.

Okay, time to get ready to go over the river (we do actually have to cross a river) and through the woods (we do pass through some wooded areas) to grandmother's (aka Maw Maw Mary Nell) house. In case anyone is confused, TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS!!!!

Merry Christmas to all---and let's all remember whose birthday it is that we celebrate. I am so happy Jesus came into this world. :) He blesses me EVERY SINGLE DAY!

The Dentist----and Under the weather Em

2008-12-23T15:22:00.002-06:00

Had an appointment today at 1:00.
Enough said. You all know how I feel about the dentist.
Next appointment, January 3. :(

Em is feeling puny as of last night. Coughing terribly and it sounds
horrible. No fever yet but she isn't herself.
She is so scared she is going to get pneumonia again like she did on Christmas Day 2 years ago.
I told her I didn't think that would happen. We will go to the doc tomorrow if she doesn't perk up. Say some prayers that she does. :(

hopefully the next post will be a happy post.

Santa is coming soon.

Cute Kids---Cute Cousins!

2008-12-16T21:17:00.004-06:00

Photo shoot from today----- SMILE!!!

Connor, 10, Ebeth, 10, Emily 7, Zane 7

Where does the time go?

It's a SNOW DAY!!!!

2008-12-11T10:45:00.001-06:00

We are home from school today because it's SNOWING in Baton Rouge, LA!!!!
The girls are so excited!!! It's beautiful and there's lots of it!
We are taking lots of photos and later this evening I hope to post some great shots of the white stuff! :) :) :)

Ho ho ho! It's Santa and his cute elves!

2008-12-09T21:07:00.002-06:00

I've tried my best to scan the pictures of Santa with E and E and the one with Santa and just Em.

You probably will just have to click on to see a closer view of them both. The one of just Em was taken at school. Ebeth didn't want to have hers taken at school (I don't think many 5th graders were doing that). They both wanted to go to the local big huge Bass Pro and have their free photo with Santa whom they both know must be the "real" Santa because he was so nice and so tall and afterall, Mrs. Claus was there with him too. Enjoy the photos. I thought they were keepers! Merry Christmas!

I've Been Tagged

2008-11-28T20:01:00.003-06:00

Nanny Sue and Petunia decided to "tag" me and for this tag I have to go to my computer pictures, go to the fourth folder and pick the fourth picture in that folder and post it.

So I am about to do that right now.....so here I go.......... back in a minute....

Now I'm back---and the picture is posted above all of this ----wouldn't it have been nicer if the picture was after the words "back in a minute" I am quite sure there is a way I can get it to do that but that might take some time so I'll just not do that. This is a picture of cutie pie Em about 2 years ago during the early summer. It was at the wedding of one of our friends Betsy Ridenour (now she is Betsy Storey). Betsy was Ebeth's first grade teacher and the girls adore her (and they still refuse to call her anything but Ms. Ridenour---and she doesn't mind at all)-

and on a sad note, Betsy's dad passed away Tuesday and the service was today.

Anyway, Miss Em is just playing outside at the reception at the church ---at a pretty fountain that was in a courtyard area. She and her sissy passed out rice bags (or rather bird seed bags) to the guests for Ms. Ridenour that special day.

Thanks Nanny for tagging me. Gave me a chance to go down memory lane. I don't guess I'll tag anyone else though---this time any way. I just want to keep being "it" (because you know I think i'm all that and everything!)

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Day. I know we all have so much to be thankful for.

I am most thankful for Steven, E and E---they bring me SO much happiness every single day.

And I am also thankful for my dear family and my dear sweet friends!

Everyone is better------:) And we saw another movie!

2008-11-24T14:52:00.002-06:00

I shouldn't even type this because as soon as I do someone will get sick, but as of right now all of the Suttons are feeling pretty good. Ebeth never did get what Em had (so far) even though a couple of times she did feel a little bit tired she said. Em is back 100 percent and doing great!
I rested up all weekend (well, I did get out yesterday for church) and I feel almost like myself again!

Today the Sutton girls and the Bennett boys (aka cousins Connor and Zane) went to see the new movie "Bolt"----(the girl is the voice of Miley Cyrus, the dog "Bolt" is the voice of John Travolta)
It was a cute movie and the kids loved it. Aunt Candace and I gave it a couple of thumbs up as well. (however, I will say it still does not beat out HSM 3 in my book---can you tell I liked that movie??) We thought we were going to be the only 6 people in the entire theater but right before the movie came on.....in comes another group of about 5 people. And where do they pick to sit??
They have an ENTIRE theater of seats to choose and they decide to sit on the same 2 rows that the Suttons and Bennetts had taken residency on already. The nerve of those people!!!
They did leave about 2 or three seats of space in between us. But can you believe that??
The. whole. entire. place. and they decide to sit right next to us. No one else came for the rest of the movie. So it was just us and them on two rows. (apparently that family had kids that liked the top row too.)

Tomorrow if it is not too terribly cold we are going to the zoo (after I go to the dentist ----- YUCK---to get the permanent crown on my root canal tooth) and then to visit Uncle Johnny Ray and Aunt Shirley.

And one of these days I promise you will click on to our blog and see halloween pictures and pictures of granddaddy's bday. I promise.

Have a good week everyone. Turkey day is coming soon! Gobble gobble!!

(I hope Petunia and Nanny Sue are feeling better too!!!! Sorry you two were under the weather as well---what's up with all this sickness!!! No fun!)

Em shared......:(

2008-11-21T20:45:00.000-06:00

Em being the sweet gal she is let her mom share her sickness with her. I went to the doc today after school and I got a shot and some meds. Hopefully I will feel much better by tomorrow afternoon. And afterall, I have 9 whole days to get better!!!! No school for 9 days. (not that I am trying to brag or anything Nanny Sue).

Speaking of Nanny, thank you so much for the package I got from the man in the brown suit that rides in a brown truck. It was at my door today when we got in from school. Of course 2 Sutton gals tore into it for me (where they get the tearing into packages I do NOT know). We were fired up for the Keith Urban DVD.......we'll be watching that soon----but we don't have our new blue ray dvd thingee hooked up yet to it on our new big TV yet. But dad promises that will be done very soon. (otherwise we have to watch Keith on the small screen). And talk about one big HUGE beach towel........WOW!!!!!! LOVE it!!! And Em actually sat in the big HUGE tote bag that matches very nicely with the beach towel. Can you tell we love MY gifts? Nanny, you didn't have to send me anything for helping you out while you were out with a bum foot! It was my pleasure to take care of you and my gal for a week. Wish I could have done more. But I sure appreciate all you sent me. :) You and Ana rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) (had to use the ! )

let me go. feeling poorly. oh, daughter # 2 isn't feeling very well either. A trip to the doc may be in order for her tomorrow. We are some sickly people. Steven is Mr. Healthy right now.
Speaking of, he has lost 20 pounds-----go Steven!!!

ok, gotta run.

have a good weekend everyone!

STREP :( (and a story about Helen Keller)

2008-11-17T15:14:00.000-06:00

Who has it???? Poor little Em that's who. She had such a rough night last night.
She was so pitiful. Her fever got up to 101.5 and she was just miserable. At 4 a.m. when I gave her tylenol, up it came. So she didn't go to sch0ol or course and neither did her mom. We went to the doc at 10 and found out it was strep. So she is on meds now and just a little bit ago (this is around 2 or so I guess), she finally said she felt a little better. I know she must be somewhat better because she is actually talking a little. She has been almost silent since yesterday afternoon. And for those of you who know Em, if she ain't talking, something ain't right. (yes, I teach English---I know I said ain't). She will stay home tomorrow with her daddy. She should be good to go on Wednesday. Right now she is watching Lilo and Stitch, The Movie (Pay per View) and is quite content. I should be folding clothes. (does that ever END???)

A little story from last night.....Em woke up (or sort of woke up---she was still sort of sleeping I think---) and I went in her room and felt her forehead and she was soooo hot. I was about to go get her some more tylenol or motrin and she said "Momma, Miss Miley had this book about Helen Keller in class. And Helen Keller wasn't blind and "death" when she was born. But she got blind and "death" when she was very little because she had a fever and momma, I don't want to get blind or "death" with my fever. " And then she started to cry. I just held her and said "Emily, you won't get blind or deaf from fever. That was a long time ago and they didn't have medicine for fever like they do now. You won't ever get blind or deaf from fever." I was sort of smiling inside but I was tearing up too because she was meaning what she was saying in all sincerity. After I told her that, she stopped crying immediately and just went to sleep.
What kids don't think about huh?? I have to tell Miss Miley (her Lang. Arts teacher) about that conversation. Sweet but sad. Steven just shook his head and said "that girl is all drama."
That's our Helen Keller story. You may have heard of those helen keller jokes, we have the helen keller second grader story.

Well, hopefully Em will have a restful sleep tonight. (and so will her mom) And I hope Sissy doesn't get strep now.

Madagascar 2-----It's Definitely no HSM 3

2008-11-09T21:54:00.000-06:00

Well, the girls and I, along with 2 of their good friends, went to see the movie Madagascar --Escape 2 Africa ---on Saturday (I did this instead of watching our LSU Tigers lose to Alabama).
And as I was telling Nanny Sue when I was talking to her on the phone (and also chatting with sweetie Petunia-who, by the way, can say Nanny, Ebeth and Emily pretty darn good) that yes, it had some funny lines in it (and a funny "lion" too), and yes, the girls laughed and loved it, but Nanny Sue herself summed it up best for me. She says, "So, what you are telling me is....Madagascar is no High school musical" That is it in a nutshell. Madagascar 2 is no HSM3. (or no HSM or HSM2 for that matter). I'll also tell you this. I took a few little cat naps while I was in the theater. I in no way napped during HSM 3. But for those of you who have little ones under the age of 10, they I'm sure will love Madagascar 2. And if you don't have to get up to go with them to the restroom during the movie, you might get yourself a much needed nap too!!
:)
Hope everyone has a good week!!!! I can't believe tomorrow is Monday!!! Boo! (and I don't mean that in a Halloweenish sort of way this time!)

Happy Early Birthday Maw Maw Arelee!!!!

2008-11-08T08:11:00.000-06:00

Last night the four Suttons, my parents, my Aunt Jane and Uncle Rueben , and Todd, Candace, Connor and Zane helped my Maw Maw Arelee (my mom's mom) celebrate her birthday (which is on Veteran's Day). She will be..........................the young age of 87 on Tuesday. (she has a LONG way to go to catch up with Granddaddy she knows!). Anyway, we went out to eat at a great seafood restaurant called "Red's" (what a name I know) and everyone had some great food (lots of fried food that is not exactly "healthy" but who cares, it's a birthday party!). We went back to my mom and dad's and had some delicious coconut cake (none of us baked it---one of Candace's friends did---it was sooooooooooooooooooooooooo good) and ice cream (Blue Bell of course----for those who know my dad---there is no other ice cream---unless you make it yourself). Connor and Zane did some serious entertaining for the rest of us.....wrestling on the floor, doing tricks on the floor, driving their mom crazy, ....you get the picture....we all enjoyed the show!!! Really, we had fun. I'm sure some of my Maw Maw's other "kids" will do some special things for her as well in the next few days.(not tricks on the floor--more like taking her out to eat) She has my mom and then my Uncle Rueben and 3 other boys. And quite a few grandkids and great grandkids. So she is blessed and we are more than blessed by having her in our lives!! I forgot my camera but mom got some cute pix of all 4 kids with maw maw so I'll steal a picture from her and scan it and show you all soon. (yea, yea, I know, I still owe you pictures of grandpop and halloween too. )

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAW MAW. We love you dearly!!!!!! :) Some people will even be off on your special day---but not us school teachers nor the school kiddies. :( (I know Nanny Sue,
you don't feel sorry for me for not being off! I think you are off on Maw Maw's special day aren't you?)

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3

2008-11-02T19:17:00.000-06:00

I forgot to mention that the girls and I went to see HSM 3 on Saturday----
and we all 3 LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Sutton girls give it 2 thumbs up---or should I say "6 thumbs up." Dad opted not to go with us--he stayed home and watched football games on t.v. (imagine that!)

We can't wait for it to come out on DVD.

The question is, E and Em, which one of the three HSM's did you like best---
their answer in unison was "3"---and I have to agree!!!!

You must go see it!!!!!!!! (you'd think I was in it and I'm getting royalties from it huh?---oh I wish!)

Have a great week everyone! and remember, don't forget to vote on Tuesday! (it's for President---did you know that?) :) ----Susan--you think I'm on my pain pills don't you?

Is it Tuesday YET?

2008-11-02T13:39:00.000-06:00

Just in case anyone has been living under a rock, just wanted to remind you that this Tuesday you have to do your civic duty and VOTE!!!!!

I don't know about anyone else but I will be happy when Tuesday comes and goes.......
I'm very tired of it all...... (how many more times do we have to see Tina Fey act like Sarah)

Teachers in our parish have to go to school on Tuesday but no kids---so it's kind of like a holiday except I still have to wake up early. Mom and Dad will come over here and watch the girls.
Guess I'll go to the poles and cast my ballot for my guy before I head to school. Maybe we won't have to stay all day.

Steven still hasn't downloaded the halloween pix for me....but we had a great halloween evening.
The girls have WAY TOO MUCH candy here!!!! Sugar high!!!!!!! I think they were eating candy in church today (and why wouldn't they?) So pix will be forthcoming.

ok, don't forget to VOTE!!!! Did you know it was for the President of the U.S.??? :) Of course you did!

Boo!!! Tomorrow's Halloween!

2008-10-30T21:22:00.001-05:00

We just love Halloween at the Sutton house. Tonight we got the bags of candy ready to hand out to the kiddies who come by the house (dad will probably stay home and hand out the candy---
he likes doing that). We Sutton girls----a.k.a. Mom the witch (a good witch of course), E, the pirate "Elizabeth" from Pirates of the Caribbean and Em, a cutie scarecrow will walk the streets of our happy neighborhood begging for candy. We'll meet up with our neighborhood friends and have a fun time. We are soooooooooooooooooooooooo happy Halloween is on a Friday and no school the next day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yipee!!!

We promise to take pictures and we hope to post them soon.....along with pictures from granddaddy's birthday like we promised.

Happy Halloween to everyone!!! Have fun trick or treating! Don't eat too much candy!

Oh, tomorrow our school is letting the kids dress up for Halloween. I so want to call a sub!!!!
What a day it will be....they are supposed to come as a character from a book. We'll see how that goes. We only let them dress up about every 5 years or so........it takes us that long to re-coop from the chaos that will be caused. :) :( I think I might have to show a movie............
hope no one comes to "observe" me. Hey, I'll make it an educational movie.

correction---It was just WED

2008-10-29T06:33:00.000-05:00

Just posted the below (previous) post and told everyone to have a happy thursday...and it's just WED a.m. for me. I'm crazy. Would you want ME teaching YOUR children? don't answer that!

happy wednesday everyone!

My puffy lip.......:(

2008-10-29T06:29:00.000-05:00

I woke up from last night's restful sleep and I felt my bottom lip and it felt puffy still from yesterday's "fun." Looked in the mirror and yes, I'll be going to school with more than half of my bottom lip looking totally collagen -filled. Lovely. And I have duty to boot so i'll get to show even more of the jr. high world my new fashion look.

But, no pain in the tooth. I'm looking on the up side. Not the pretty side, just the up side.

Have a good Thursday everyone!

Gotta run---It's 6:30 a.m. here and we have to leave in 30 minutes for school.
a.

dentist visit went fine---glad it's over

2008-10-28T21:32:00.000-05:00

Well, had the root canal done as promised today. Started it at 1:00--with a complimentary valium (or the likes of) at noon. Then happy juice over my nose thru out the procedure. I remember parts of things but no pain really. However, my bottom lip is STILL huge....quite lovely. i sure hope it goes way down by tomorrow. Not a great way to show up at a jr. high school tomorrow. I just took another antiobiotic and a pain pill (i'm not in any pain, just don't WANT to be in any) and I'm about to head to bed. I got home from everything about 3:30 i guess. I've watched t.v. on and off and chatted with the girls and ate some soup. And I think they did their homework and things are set for tomorrow. (oh, steven IS around the house and checking on these things as well)

Bottomline......I did survive.........................................(had Gloria Gaynor (sp) tune in my head all day today-----I know it's not about surviving a dentist, but hey---it helped me.) Sing it girls!

Have a good Wednesday everyone!

Happy 102nd Birthday Granddaddy!!!

2008-10-26T18:43:00.001-05:00

Today my wonderful granddad, Mr. Randolph Bennett. turned 102 years young!
We just got in from Hattiesburg, Mississippi where we spent the day with him along with some of my aunts, uncles and cousins (and of course my dad (his proud son) and mom).
I'll post pictures of the birthday boy soon! He cetainly does NOT look his age! It was a beautiful day and we had a GREAT time. Our family is truly truly blessed by Granddaddy. We love him very very much!! He is sharp as a tack and gets around pretty well for someone over a century old. :)

My brother Todd celebrates his birthday tomorrow....he is quite the youngster as he is not quite as old as Grandpop.----It will take him over 60 years to catch up with Granddaddy. :)
Happy Birthday, Todd! And Todd's sweet wife and my wonderful sis-in-law Candace celebrates her birthday this week too on Thursday---so Happy Birthday Candace!!! :) (she's the really young one---compared to the rest of us....barely in her 30's!)

The rest of you October birthday people, Happy birthday and Boo!!!!

Look for pix soon!

p.s. Susan, can you guess how long it took Granddaddy to work his age into conversations at his church today---(that is for the maybe one or two people that didn't already know it was his bday today)----yep......less than 30 seconds.....he's fast....(Susan can attest to the fact that Grandpop can quickly work his age into ANY and every conversation he has....gotta love him for that!)

ROOT CANALS......a lovely thought!

2008-10-18T20:29:00.000-05:00

I know that title makes everyone all excited!!!!
On October 28 I get to have one. Lucky me!!! Just thought I'd share my exciting news.
I really was actually trying to download a cute picture or two (of my two cute gals, not my teeth)
and blogger won't let me. So now I'm letting you know about my mouth woes.
Let me tell you this......and it's a terrible terrible thing to admit...but I have not been to the dentist in quite a while....yes, I have missed a few yearly and semi-yearly checkups. The last dental visit I had was in the year.....are you ready....2000. ok, so I am terrible. And this is why I have to have the root canal...actually the first of two. I had to leave school on Thursday because of some HORRIBLE and I mean HORRIBLE pain I was in due to tooth troubles. The dentist took me in (new dentist for me...nice lady doc named Dr. Amy----love her----I mean as much as one can love a dentist) and took x-rays and gave me the "good" news. Need root canals on both sides of my mouth---2 different teeth (I have been having pain on both sides so this wasn't a surprise). I got pain meds, antibiotics, steriods (not sure why I got those...forgot to ask...i'm just taking them because they were prescribed with the rest) and then I was told the home remedy of lots of tylenol and advil combined that I can take instead of pain meds while at school and in place of the pain killers. So in a little more than a week I'll have the root canal....I"ve had 2 before.....quite a few years back....before kids. Didn't enjoy either of those. But Dr. Amy and her staff assure me they will sedate me well. Anything will be better than the pain I endured recently. I'm okay now......the meds have helped. I actually went back to school on Friday....(not back that day I left...no way) and did fine.

Enough of my woes. I'll bet Susan is enjoying this post tremendously since she LOVES the dentist. :)

I'm sure I'll survive my dental procedures as will my bank account. Not sure when I'll have the second root canal....but I do have to have one after Oct. 28 as well. Again, lucky me.

Moral of this story........don't neglect your teeth.............go regularly for exams.

I would rather go to the ob-gyn any day of the week than go to the dentist. I'd rather birth another child with no pain meds this time than go to the dentist. Did I mention I don't like the dentist? Let's just say I've had some rather unpleasant experiences with dentists as a child.

Sisters, fishers, painters and a missing fence

2008-10-11T16:39:00.000-05:00

Just some random pix for now. The first one is the girls first day of school of 2008....our 5th and 2nd graders. (standing in front of E's door---with her cool door bling bling). The next is a photo of PawPaw and his fav grandgirls at Granddaddy's "pond" in Mississippi.....always a fun time fishing there. Then there are a few photos of E. getting her room painted right before school started....she no longer has a bright pink room.....her PawPaw and MawMaw painted it for her (a beautiful shade of turquoise blue---no pix of that yet....of course) and E and Em helped with the work (sorry about the sideways shot---I don't know how to straighten the pictures for the blog).

Then the final pix are a couple in which you see no fence. That's because Gustav blew it right down. Now we have a lovely view of a very busy street and then some apartments. We will soon get the fence put back up.....well, a total new fence that is. Maybe some money will blow in for us too! :) :) Fences aren't cheap...especially right after a hurricane. :(

Someone's Almost 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-09T18:58:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Petunia!!!!! Your Nanny loves you!!!!!

Tomorrow, October 10 my favorite little Petunia will turn 2......I can't believe it!

(I finally got steven to download these pictures I took while in TN visiting she and Sue in July---or was it August---I can't think any more???) And everyone, Sue is right----it's very very hard to take a photo of Miss Priss. :)

Have a great day cutie pie!!! Your gift will be in the mail soon!!!-----I'm getting just like your mom in the getting gifts in the mail on time department! E and E send big hugs your way. Wish we could celebrate with you at your house!!

More Party Pix

2008-10-09T18:48:00.000-05:00

Here are more photos from the Orion Coronation Ball----

Enjoy!!

Pretty Princesses

2008-10-08T20:01:00.001-05:00

Aren't they just beautiful???? We were so proud of these two. They were the pages for our good friend Linda who was the Queen for the Krewe of Orion (it's a Mardi Gras thing for all you non-Louisiana people). The coronation ball was Saturday night and it was a royal night of FUN! I will post more pictures very soon. But I wanted this post to just be about my two pretty gals. They had the best day and evening. They took excellent care of her majesty too! They will also be at several other events thru the mardi gras season and end it all by riding with the queen on a huge float on Feb. 14 during the parade in Baton Rouge. (it's not New Orleans but we still "pass a good time.") Look for more pictures of the Saturday night gala soon.

Em's School Pix

2008-09-28T08:55:00.000-05:00

Finally, a post with a picture.....the girls got their school picture proofs back and Em LOVES her photo but E hates hers. So Em is letting me put hers on the blog but E. says no. So that's why there is just one pictures (and yes I realize it says proof big as you please across the front) I hope I don't get in trouble. I just wanted everyone to see our 2nd grader.

Sorry I haven't been posting. But next weekend (Oct. 4) the girls will be looking so beautiful (even more than normal) at a big event that they will be at and I will be getting some great pix so I hope to post them soon after. Keep checking in. :) (at least I know Nanny Sue and Kelli will comment right girls?????---thanks!)

We survived Gustav

2008-09-10T20:52:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone. I'm finally posting again. It's been forever I know.
And one of these days I might even post a picture or two again.
Bad me.
Anyway, thought I'd let you know that Gustav came and went through Baton Rouge and my family and I made it. Our back fence blew completely down and away.....which the girls thought was totally awesome and they just loved watching it happen ---------and our electricity was gone for 5 days......yes it was HOT HOT HOT. But we can't and shouldn't complain. My aunt who lives about 15 miles or so from me just got power back today--so she was without it for 10 days. And there are others who STILL don't have any. I have teachers who teach with me who have no power and won't have any for a couple more weeks. They have generators but that's no fun. Trees are down EVERYWHERE and are on EVERYTHING. We have at least 3 teachers who had trees in and on there houses. Several of my kids had trees that hit their houses.
The Sutton household was lucky lucky lucky. And all of my family was fine as well---mom, dad, aunts, uncles, my brother and his family..... for that I am thankful.

Looks like Ike will not bother us......hopefully. I will keep others in my prayers.

My two gals start back with dance tomorrow. Tap and ballet here we come again. Emily's class is at 4:30 every Thursday and Ebeth at 5:30. Makes for long Thursdays. But at least the next day is Friday!!!!!

Well, interim grades are due tomorrow, guess I had better go make up some grades. Did I type that where people could read it?????? :) JUST JOKING everyone. :) (this time anyway)

Have a good rest of the week! :) I promise to put some pictures one day. I know you want to see my cutie girls.

School's Cool!

2008-08-18T17:48:00.000-05:00

Hi! Just thought I had better post so people won't think the Suttons dropped off the face of the earth. We are just busy adjusting to being back at school. I have some sweet sixth graders this year.....3 sets of them for 2 classes each. I think we are going to have a great year this year and for that I am so glad!! I don't want to say too much more and jinx things. More on my classes later on.
Ebeth has three teachers this year in 5th grade and she likes them all. One of the teachers she had last year. She says 5th grade is easier than 4th grade so far. Em has two teachers in grade 2 and loves them both. She has Ms. H. for the third year (she keeps moving up with the kids) and she also has Miss Miley (that's her last name----it's not Cyrus). She didn't have any homework the first week and just had a little today. She's happy about that. :)
Em lost yet another tooth the other day (I promise to put pictures here soon of her) and she got 3 dollars this time from the tooth fairy.
Hubby is doing fine too----I know I never seem to mention him but he does exist. :) We love him, we just don't talk about him all the time. He did, however, send me some gorgeous flowers to school last week with a note that said "have a great year!--love, steven" So, he's a keeper!!!
I've kept him for 12 years now, guess I'll let him hang around for more. :) really, he's a wonderful dad and hubby. :)

Ok, let me run for now. I am going to post pictures one day I promise. I know it's boring to just read isn't it???

School starts soon......Boo!!!

2008-08-01T07:44:00.000-05:00

Thought I had better write a quick post so people won't think I decided to move to Nashville and leave my family! I got home from the Sue/Petunia visit Sunday and just haven't stopped since.
I sure miss my hugs from little miss Petunia though.....I will download some cute photos of her soon I promise. I also promise some pics of miss Em with no teeth (and she has yet another loose tooth). I called Susan and she went back to the doc on Wed of this week and she is now in a real cast. She has to stay off her foot like she has been doing (she's a very good patient and listens well to the doc and her caretakers) at least until her next appt which isn't until August 11th. The doctor was/is pleased with everything though. Sue says that Petunia is getting tired though of her mom not being able to do things with her and for her.

On the home front here, the girls have been going to Mission camp at our church this week. Today is the last day. Their mission today is to hand out cold bottled water to the homeless. They have done so many good deeds this week just around the Baton Rouge area.....they have learned so much about helping others too. I am proud of them. Ms. Caroline, our children's director at our church is wonderful. She is always doing great programs with our kids.
The kids also get to go swimming today after the mission work.

While the kids have been in mission camp, I've been going up to my school to get my room ready for the start of school. Which, by the way, starts next friday for the kids---August 8th---way too early for me!!!! I have to officially be back on August 6 and 7th. I'm already overwhelmed trying to get things done. Remember, I have been off since December. I might have forgotten how to teach???? You think??? Maybe the 20 years I've done it will come back to me.
Everything will get done. In the meantime, my house is a mess... I can't seem to get my school room done and keep the house straight at the same time. Just can't.

Anyway, i've posted more than I meant to post. Need to make some coffee and try and get the girls up. Our days of sleeping in are pretty near over. When school starts they have to get up by 6:30 and we leave by 7 each day. Boo hiss!!!! My two are NOT morning people.

Anyway, look for pics soon.

Have a good weekend everyone!!!

Nanny's doing fine

2008-07-23T11:40:00.000-05:00

Hi! Made it to Nashville---had a good flight. Had to say good bye at the N.O. airport to 2 sad little gals.....(even though they had each gotten a book at the airport bookstore).

Susan's surgery went very well yesterday.....no problems (except that it got started much later than anticipated----we were there at the surgery center for 10:30 and the surgery didn't start until 2:30----another patient had some unexpected complications apparently). Anyway, the doc said all went fine and he got the calcium deposit out and a bone spur and took care of repairing what needed to be repaired on the heel and tendon. (OUCH!!) Susan has of course been a little "dopey" since then and i keep her on the pain meds regularly (like the doctor said) so she hasn't been hurting YET. She says I'm being a good nurse----I'm happy to be here for her. :)
We've been getting some good chat time in also in between her naps......it's funny because we'll be chatting away and then I'll be asking her a question or waiting for her to comment on something and she doesn't and then I'll know....yep, she's asleep. Then I either just watch t.v., read a bood she's gotten me interested in (the Janet Evanovich series) or do some domestic thing like some laundry or something (notice that's last on the list.....but hey, I do it.)
We are keeping the foot iced 20 minutes of every hour like the doc and nurse said.

Petunia comes home today....I finally get to see her (haven't seen her since Christmas time)--
she's been staying at Jen's house the past 2 nights while Susan's been getting ready and then having surgery. But the cutie pie is with us tonight and thereafter. :)

Let me run for now. Just wanted everyone to know the patient is doing well and the surgery was successful.....she'll be laid up at least 2 weeks maybe 3. My "shift" as Nurse Sutton ends on Sunday and brother Kip and family relieve me.

Thanks to everyone for saying prayers and thinking about her.

Oh, for some strange reason Nanny doesn't want me to post a post-op picture of her---wonder why????

I'm leaving ....on a jet plane......

2008-07-20T18:12:00.000-05:00

but I will be back again....on sunday.

I'm heading to Nashville tomorrow (monday) to spend a week with Sue and Petunia.

Just me...no hubby....no E and E.....just me.

I'm looking forward to hopefully getting lots of hugs from little miss priss. And I hope I'll be a good nurse to Susan who is having surgery on her foot on Tuesday a.m. and will be unable to walk on her foot for quite a while. You have to check out her blog for all the details

http://www.fromgodsarms.blogspot.com/

Anyway, I hope to have some cute pics of Petunia when I return!

(the photo of E. is her on the chair swing ride at Celebration station for her bday party. She was almost to long-legged to ride on it----you see Em in the back of her with a not so happy smile--not sure why)

Birthday Pictures----better late than never!!

2008-07-16T22:22:00.000-05:00

Two happy gals!!!

I finally got hubby to download pictures from E's 10th birthday party---her birthday was July 2 and the party was June 27----so only a few weeks late. She had the party at Celebration Station and had about 12 friends and cousins there to help her celebrate. She got lots of great gifts---including a cute webkinz frog from Julia which she has in one of the photos. They played arcade games, ate pizza, had cake (how do you like her cake---she and her mom made it together---an idea we found on the internet--it's a "present cake"---we thought it came out so cute!) and ice cream, played more games, rode go-carts (until it rained unfortunately) and rode a few kiddie rides (the younger ones liked those more---the big kids liked the go-carts). Bottom-line was everyone had fun, especially the bday girl!!!! The 2 boys in the pictures are her cousins Connor and Zane (my brother's kids)---they were the only boys there (well, Julia's brother Reese was there but he couldn't play games---he's only 9 months old). I thought we took more pictures (and there are more than I have on here) but most of them are not turned the right way to post and I don't know how to fix them the right way (yet) so you just get these for now.

I'm counting down the days until I get to fly out to see Susan and Petunia in Tennessee.

I leave on Monday afternoon from New Orleans and I'll be there a week. I'll be helping Susan after she has surgery on her foot--taking care of both she and Petunia......:) Looking so forward to seeing them both!!!! My girls sure would like to see them too but we figure Nanny Sue wouldn't be that much fun this trip since she is going to be out of commission so the girls are just going to stay at maw maw and paw paw's for a few days and of course Dad will have them some as well.

Em has lost 2 teeth in 3 days.....yes the girl is rich from the tooth fairy. All she wants for Christmas (in addition to a Wii, games for that, a camera, and a big screen t.v. for the whole family) is her two front teeth! I'll be taking photos soon of the toothless gal!!! She is adorable!!

Her daddy can't help but laugh every time she smiles!!! And E and E outsmarted the tooth fairy---the first night the tooth fairy took em's tooth and left her some cash----then 2 nights later the tooth fairy left money for the next tooth but forgot to pick up the tooth from under the pillow. So em and E. decide to put it under E's pillow and Em sleeps in E's room that night with E. and low and behold, the tooth fairy left 4 dollars under E's pillow for that tooth (which she DID take this time). They were so amazed. They were bummed she took it that time. So when I say em is rich, I mean it. I think her total off of 2 teeth (she and E split the 4 dollars) is 13 dollars.

She's ready to lose more.

In other news both girls picked out book bags for school. They said "now I can't wait to go back to school." If only buying a new bag made ME feel that ready to go back to school.

I start back officially on August 6. Kids come August 8. I know all of you who are not teachers do not feel sorry for me at all (Susan, I am talking to you! : ) )

Bye for now.

Happy Birthday Nanny!!!!

2008-07-13T08:18:00.000-05:00

Today is Nanny Sue's birthday. She is 29 today :) ----- right Nanny???

We wish we could be there to help her and Petunia celebrate! But we are sending big wishes her way.

Make sure you stop by her blog and tell her happy birthday....I don't know how to do that where I can just type "Susan "and you can click on her name and get to her blog but I can give your her
address so stop in and say hi.....at www.fromgodsarms.blogspot.com
Plus you'll see some cute pics of Petunia!!!

Sue, Happy happy birthday!!!! We'll call you later today!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!
(And I'll see you and cutie pie in about a week!!!!---can't wait)
Remember a "few" years back when we were in Switzerland for your birthday---fun times!

Photography by Em

2008-07-06T18:08:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd share a couple of photos Em took while we were in the hotel room in Orlando after the cruise.....I was busy doing something in the room and her dad and sissy were out of the room and Em was just posing her stuffed animals and my cell phone. She was enjoying herself very much. And I thought the photos were pretty cute.

Still haven't dowloaded any birthday pix from e's bday party. Bad mom!!! Still to come!

(i just don't know how to do it so really bad Dad because he hasn't done it for me.)

We had a laid back 4th of July holiday. Took it easy most of the day......then hubby grilled later in the evening and we ate and then when it got dark we laid on the trampoline and looked up at the sky and watched everyone shooting fireworks (illegally in the city limits) all around. Em and E didn't think it quite compared to the fireworks display on the cruise boat though. I had to agree. Not much would now.

This coming week I am helping with the Cheer camp at our church's Upward Basketball and Cheerleading camp. It's from 8 until noon daily. The girls are going too. I helped last year and it was really a blessing. (and no, I never was a cheerleader in school---I just pretend to be one now!)

hope everyone has a great week!!!!

Missing our island...............

2008-07-03T18:28:00.000-05:00

This is where all 4 of us Suttons would like to be now......hanging out again on the beach at the Castaway Cay Island..................we just think about our cruise vacation all the time. It was just the best..... we highly highly recommend it!!! (We'll be happy to go on one with you too!)
That's our big boat, the disney "Wonder" in the background.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!!!

Happy 10th Birthday Ebeth!!!!

2008-07-02T20:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to you..
Happy birthday dear Ebeth...
Happy birthday to you!!!

We love you girlie!!!

We'll post pictures soon of our 10 year old!!!

Last day to be 9 years old!

2008-07-01T11:14:00.001-05:00

Today is E's last day to be 9. Tomorrow's her birthday and she'll be in the double digits.

So today is her last day ever to be in the single digits. She will soon hit a milestone.

How did she get so old??? She had her birthday party on Saturday and we will tell you all about it when we download the pix soon.

Anyway just thought we'd post today and post a picture of her while she is still nine.

My little girl is growning up! I love you E!!!

Guess who made it home???

2008-06-25T19:06:00.000-05:00

You guessed it----our Em is home now!!! As of about 3:00 today!
I think she grew a few inches...........
She hasn't stopped talking yet....well, maybe a little while just to eat some crawfish.
Anyway, just wanted to post this really quick...need to get back to loving on my girlie.
Her sister was super excited to see her little sis!!! I knew she missed her!!

Where o where is Emily??? :)

2008-06-23T14:21:00.000-05:00

I love this photo of Emily---taken on the Pirates IN the Carribean Night on the cruise. I think it was Em's favorite night....she loved acting like a pirate and making "piratey" faces. She is one funny gal. And I sure miss seeing that funny face in person. We talked to her last night and she is (was) in Wyoming. They will just be driving a lot today---they hope to be home by Wednesday. Last night she couldn't talk long because as she said "momma, the pool closes in 2 hours, I have to get off the phone and go." I cannot thank my mom and dad enough for taking her on this great trip. She will remember it always!!! I know Ebeth still remembers everything about it when she went a few years ago. And I went on the same trip when I was in Jr. High---that was about.......ok......a few years back.........................

Yo-ho-ho!!!!!!!

2008-06-21T17:53:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share one of my very favorite family photos from the cruise....(you thought I wasn't going to mention that cruise any more huh??) This of course was pirate night and this was at dinner and the photographer told us all to give him our best pirate pose RRRRRrrr!
I just love the girls in this one and of course hubby is super happy (he takes the best photos!)
And for those of you who know me, I am so happy when my eyes are OPEN in a photo! Go me!

I am posting this also because in just a bit E. and I are going to start putting our printed out photos (finally downloaded them at walgreen's and picked them up today) into a book...it's been fun already looking at all the pictures we took......like maybe about 300 or more. (i promise not to post all 300). Some of you will have to look at all of them when we see you (ahem....Nanny Sue and Petunia---we'll bring them when we come to see you!).

Alright mateys, I'm signing off for now.......RRRRRRrrrrrrrr! (can you tell I like that expression--or do you even call it an "expression." It's just a letter.---you know that's a pirates fav letter!)

Missing my girl

2008-06-20T22:16:00.000-05:00

Just missing my little Em.........
I'm ready for her to get back home.
Tomorrow she will have been on her trip for 2 full weeks. I talked to her last night and she was still enjoying the trip.....she talked and talked, then talked to her daddy until the phone service cut off----they can't always get good reception in the mountains so we don't know how long we get to talk when they call. They saw Old Faithful yesterday and lots of other geysers and such. They have been seeing lots of wildlife---deer, moose, buffalo, prairie dogs (em wants to bring one home with her)....she has so many stories to tell. This is a picture of her on the bunk bed at the hotel we stayed out the night before the disney cruise. Both of my gals have trouble keeping their eyes open for pictures....it's inherited from me......we just get so sleepy during photo shoots! :)

Well, this was just meant to be a quick post. E. is watching Camp Rock on the disney channel (actually she DVRed it and is watching I think for the second time). She and Connor hung out together today.....they went to Celebration Station and rode go-carts and some kiddie type rides and played some arcade games for a while. It was sooooo hot though. I think she might actually be missing her sister.....just don't ask her though...she will say no.

(the travelers are due back in town about wednesday of next week)

Happy Birthday Paw Paw/ Daddy

2008-06-17T15:27:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my dad's birthday---he is now 68 years young.
We called him yesterday to chat and wish him a happy one......and he was having a good time with mom and the grandkids and his friends Kevin and Karen and their two girls Rachel and Danielle (they have been staying there for the past couple of days on their trip to the Rockies).
So since I didn't post yesterday, I wanted to post it today and officially say Happy Birthday Daddy----or as Ebeth would say Happy Birthday Paw Paw----and as Em says Happy Birthday Princess Polly (long story there....she likes to pick on her paw paw---and yes her paw paw's nick name is "polly" as in "Polly want a cracker" and the girls name.....don't even ask us where he got the name polly because even he isn't sure---but the princess part is all miss Em's doing. she absolutely kills herself laughing every single time she yells out "hey, princess polly." It's a hoot.
We love you Dad----princess, prince, king, ---- you name it---we love you!
We hope you have many many more. (hey, he has to catch up with his own dad one day----that's a long way to go to get to 101)

My munchkins

2008-06-15T15:44:00.000-05:00

These are pictures of my two gals on their dance recital night in May. It was their first one ever. You can't see their costumes since they have their robes on them. I'll post one of them in their costumes later on. I just want you to see their sweet faces. Plus E and I are missing Em and wanted to put a photo of her on here. She's been on vacation for a week and one day. We talked to her this a.m. and she talked to her daddy to tell him happy father's day. We sure miss Miss Motor Mouth around here. It's much quieter at the Sutton household when she's not here.

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! says her sister. (with love of course!)

Happy father's day to all the dads out there!!!

To my daddy----Love Ebeth

2008-06-14T19:41:00.000-05:00

Dear Daddy,

Happy Father's Day.

You are the best daddy ever.

I love you.

Ebeth

Happy Father's Daddy---I love you!!!

2008-06-14T18:56:00.000-05:00

This is my dad---he is the best dad in the whole world. Right now if you've been reading my blog you know that he has my youngest and her cousin on a big trip. They are having the best time and saw some snow today----and they'll go play in it some more tomorrow (they are near Yellowstone now)---that being said----that is just one of the MANY reasons why i love him so much. Not every dad takes their daughter's kids on such great trips (he and my mom took our oldest on the same trip a few years ago and each of them also went on the Smokey Mt. grandparent trip too with the cousins). I adored and loved my dad when I was growing up but I love him even more seeing him with my girls as they grow up. It's like seeing myself with him when I was their age. My dad will do anything he can for me, hubby, the girls, my brother, his family-----in fact, he'll do anything for anyone almost----he's just the best. I have always been proud of him----it was the best telling everyone when I was in elementary school that "my dad is a fireman." Who didn't think that was cool? I still love telling people that he was---he's retired now----and by the way, on a side note, my brother has followed in dad's footsteps and is a fireman. He was at every school event for us (unless duty called and he was at work). He was there every time I was crying over some big or little crisis at school. He has seen my ups and downs and been there to hug me every time. He not only cares about the big things in our lives but all the little stuff too. He has the best sense of humor.....i love that about him. He loves the Lord and has shown that to his two kids and 4 grandkids and they (we) see it in him all the time. He loves my mom soooooooooooooooooooo much. They are rarely apart. I hope that my hubby and I can be that way when we've been married over 40 years. This is the first Father's Day in a long time that I haven't actually been able to see him and hug him.....but I'll call him and I sent cards with Em to give him (she can't wait---one is a "singing" card). I am so happy that we do live close to my mom and dad (less than 30 miles) so we see them often. I know not everyone has a dad like mine......I wish they did have one for they would be blessed. I could go on and on about him but I'll stop for now. I'm just smiling as I type this. He would be so embarassed to know I put all this down for people to read......but he deserves this and more.........
Thank you Daddy for loving me and Todd as we grew up and for setting such a wonderful example of good parenting. Thank you for loving E and Em so much. Thank you for loving my hubby and being so good to him too!!
Happy Father's Day! I miss you!

To my Granddaddy----Happy Father's Day!!!

2008-06-14T18:41:00.000-05:00

This post is just to let everyone know how much I love and adore my "Granddaddy." Most of my friends who know him just call him Granddaddy too. He's only 101----that's right----101!!! Can you believe how good he looks sitting in the recliner at our family picnic in May. (yes, this past May, 2008). Our family is so proud of him--

he's my dad's dad. He has 4 boys and 2 girls, quite a few grandkids (i'm the oldest) and quite a few great-grandkids as well. He lives in south Mississippi and always has. He is sharp as a tack and loves to read. He loves to go out to eat at the "fish camp" as he calls it. Above all he loves his family very very much. I hope that he has a wonderful Father's Day tomorrow. We will call him before he goes to church. I'm quite sure he will have the honor of being the "oldest dad" at the church service....he eats that up!!! My Uncle Robert and Aunt Mary Ann will be going with him to church---he loves to show off his kids---no matter what age they are!!!! I wish everyone could meet him......you'd love him as much as I do. And believe me, even if I hadn't told you how old he is, he would work that into the conversation within the first 2 minutes he talks to you.....

we have to laugh about that!!!! :) (You know I'm telling the truth on that one huh Sue? )

Happy Father's Day to all the granddads out there!!! My mom's dad passed away a little over 20 years ago.....I still miss him very much and wish my girls and hubby could have met him.

Paw Paw Henry, I love you too.

RRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr----a pirate's life!

2008-06-11T22:51:00.000-05:00

This is Em on pirate's night on the cruise....check out that face!!!!

Tonight we talked to her and they were about to go back to visit Mt.Rushmore and see it at night with all the lights. She named the presidents that were on the mounument. Then I asked her if spongebob was on there with them. She said "momma, WHY would spongebob be on there with the presidents?" Dumb momma.
She is having the best time. She told me not to worry about her. She's too funny.
Her sister insists she still doesn't miss her. But her daddy and I sure do. Dad had to call her on his way home from work today to chat with her. :) It's been 5 days now.

E. is taking swimming lessons this week.....she's a great swimmer already but she's learning lots of new strokes and learning to dive and other things. She's loving it. Today we also met up with some of my teacher buddies for lunch. That's always fun. Tomorrow E. and I are going with my friend Gail and her grandsons, Tommy and Matthew to see King Fu Panda.

Better go now.....promised E. I would keep watching Jon and Kate Plus 8 with her (We love that show---does anyone else?????) And yes, I know it is after 11 and E. is still up.....hey people, it's SUMMER!!!!!!! :) I'm still a good mom!

E on deck, Em in cool pool

2008-06-10T13:09:00.000-05:00

The picture of E. is before we left the port in Port Canaveral (see "Freddie aka Carnival Cruise ship behind her) and Em is already in the family pool on the same deck!!!!

WE MISS YOU!!!

2008-06-09T08:55:00.000-05:00

We miss you em!

We miss that grin!

We know you are having fun though!

love ya!

Missing Miss Em Already

2008-06-08T15:12:00.000-05:00

Em has been gone on her fun trip for a day and a half now and already I miss her. It was strange not hearing her this a.m. asking if we were going to church AND SS today. Or if I would fix some scrambled eggs for her. Of course her sister says she doesn't miss her, but she was the one who wanted to call her on the way to church this a.m. (We also all three talked to her last night---they were near St. Louis,MO last night---today they were going to see the Arch---or the Ark as she kept saying and then correcting herself.) I hope Em loves every single minute of her time with MawMaw, Paw Paw and Zaney boy.

I'll post a couple of more pictures of our Disney cruise for everyone to look at and enjoy!

Can anyone tell that i absolutely, positively, with no doubt LOVED the cruise?????

EM leaves tomorrow......for almost 3 weeks!!!!

2008-06-06T17:25:00.000-05:00

Em and her cousin Zane (age 6) are going on a long trip with their Maw Maw and Paw Paw Bennett and they will be heading out about 5:30 a.m. tomorrow. Em is almost packed.....

E. and Zane's brother Connor made this same trip a few years ago so E. has told them how much fun it is and they have seen all the pictures and movies. They are ready to see some snow!!! They will get to see the arch in St. Louis, the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Old Faithful,

the Rockies..................and just lots of beautiful scenery. Plus they get to hang out with their grandparents. :) We sure will miss Em though. She wants to eat some crawfish tonight since she won't get any while she is away. So after we post this pictures and post, we will go get some boiled crawfish--yum yum!!!! Em, we know you will have such fun!!! Don't forget to send us a postcard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (or two or three!)

Pictures from Universal/Islands of Adventure

2008-06-06T16:51:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try and post some pictures from our one day we spent at Universal Studios Park and Islands of Adventure Park in Orlando....

I'm still not up to writing a long post about our trip.......still trying to catch up on things around here and I caught the same sickness the hubby and E. had----little Em is still doing okay and hasn't gotten sick...:). I promise to post more on the whole trip soon.

Enjoy these pics.

More Cruise Photos---I told you there were plenty!

2008-06-01T20:56:00.001-05:00

Here are a couple of more photos I just scanned.......Em was having the best time playing in the sand on the beach at Castaway Cay. And then Ebeth loves the one of her and her sis with Chip and Dale!

And there will be more to come..............(can you tell I'm happy I learned how to "scan" photos)

Two Cuties at Dinner

2008-06-01T13:50:00.000-05:00

Just had to quickly put this one on for yall to see......

E and Em at Triton's for dinner on night 2 of the cruise.

Okay, I'm stopping this and doing laundry so we'll have some clothes to wear.

More soon. I just love this pic though.

We Met Capt. Jack Sparrow!!!!

2008-06-01T13:20:00.000-05:00

The Disney Cruise was the absolute BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is just one of the MANY photos taken of the girls on the Disney Wonder (we bought plenty that the cruise people took and we of course took tons also). We had four wonderful days on the big ship. We didn't want to ever leave.
The island was great (we were there on two different days). I finally learned how to scan photos (go me) so I will be scanning more of the photos taken on the big boat and posting them.
Can't type much right now but I promise to return and tell you all more about our vacation.
We went to Universal theme park after the cruise also and had fun there.
We got home late last night (Saturday) and we are quite tired. E and the hubby are under the weather---sore throats and coughs......they made a trip to the doc this a.m. and got meds so we hope they are better very soon. (Isn't Capt. Jack a hottie!!!!!)