Cookies by...

Typically at our house, we only eat cookies made by Auntie or, as the rest of you know her, Paula. Because, well, they are THE BEST COOKIES IN THE WORLD!!

And while I am on the subject, I just want to let Suzette York know that she made my day on Wed. morning when Zach brought me my little "happy" and it had two Salem gives good Sugar Cookies in it. They honestly didn't last a minute. I had those suckers wolfed down in a split second. Some of my students watched in disbelief and were an awe of my cookie eating ability! So in case no one has told you today...YOU ROCK!!!! Ok, now back to why I posted in the first place.

Tonight we will be eating, not Cookiesbypaula, but Cookiesbyarden. She loves to get in the kitchen and help me make things, and I have been promising her that I would let her make her own cookies. So tonight that is what we are doing...making, baking, mixing and messing! And it is so much fun. We are waiting on the dough to chill now. I would post some pics but I have no clue what I have done with my memory card for my camera, so enjoy the clipart I have chosen from the internet.

It's a...

GIRL!!!! Ok, I got 5 posts, even though technically Shannon cheated a little. But since I didn't specify, I have to tell now! It is a girl, which is what Mike, Arden and I wanted. I really didn't make this known to too many people because I didn't want them to think that if it was a boy I would be disappointed, because I would not have been. I just love little girls and don't know anything but that. We already have a name picked out and have since right after Arden was born. I found the name when she was about 2 months old and have always said if I ever had another girl, that would be her name. Her middle name is my grandmother Inez's maiden name, which as all of you know, my grandmother is an amazing woman that all of us LOVE more than we can even express. I had not even looked at any boy names so if she had have been a boy, I don't have a clue as to what his name would have been. So we are now anxiously awaiting the arrival of Channing Cope Cummins!!! She will be here May 9th, 2008! We can't wait!!!

It's a .....

Well we did find out the sex of the baby and, in my post last night, said that we weren't going to tell the family til Christmas. However, that little plan didn't work so well because Kirby and Regan were DYING to know and were bribing my poor Arden to tell them. She was so upset that she actually cried and begged me to let her tell. I still don't know what the bribe was but Regan is spending the night with us tonight, so I am assuming that it has something to do with that. So the whole surprise element got thrown out the window...fast! Below is a picture from today. See if you can decide what it is. You can see its face perfectly...nose and mouth are very visible. Too cute! If you already know, don't spoil it for the others please. I will post the result of today's u/s after a few of you have guessed.


Ok, I have 4 guesses so far! If I get 1 more, I will reveal!!! Keep trying!

Tagged by Danielle...

I was tagged by my friend Danielle. This is my list. Here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just answer the questions and "tag" another blog buddy!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags ? Both

2. Real or artificial tree? Artificial, but we always had a real tree growing up

3. When do you put up the tree? Weekend before Thanksgiving

4.When do you take the tree down? Depends...last year not until after my in-laws came in the middle of Jan.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A computer that talked and played games.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? no

8. Hardest person to buy for? Mim

9. Easiest person to buy for? Arden

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? coffee mugs...I totally hate these things and this year I didn't get one!! Yeah

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Just depends

14. Ever Recycled a Christmas present? Yes

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Buck Eyes or PB balls

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear

17. Favorite Christmas song? Kenny and Dolly's CD...Mike makes sooo much fun of me!

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Usually stay home,but this year we are flying to PA!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? neither Santa

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? We have done both.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? crowds

23. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? Yes all Santas, but I am beginning to acquire lots of snowmen so it may become a mixture.

24. What do/did you leave for Santa? Cookies & Milk and reindeer food.

25. Do you make New Year's Resolutions and do you keep them? Heck no!!! What's the point???

I now tag Paula

Sooooo Excited!!

Tomorrow is my ultrasound and we will be finding out the sex of the baby!!! I can't wait, but it looks as though the rest of you are going to have to. We aren't going to tell the rest of the family until Christmas Day. It is going to be extremely difficult to keep this from them but I want it to be special, so my lips will be sealed. Now...any ideas on how to keep Mike from telling!! All of you out there say a prayer that God will grant me the will power to do this.

Until next time...

Not very much longer...

until Christmas. Well, they don't call it Christmas anymore because that is not politically correct and that really ticks me off. I hate that fact that no one can say Merry Christmas because they are afraid it will offend someone. I mean give me a freaking break. I am offended that people are saying Happy Holidays but does anyone care?? NO, because they are too concerned with the messed up feelings of the very small minority in the world. I want to say Merry Christmas and let others know that Christ is the reason for the season. It isn't all about gifts, parties, and shopping so all of the retail chains that won't say Merry Christmas in their ads need to get a clue and stand up for what is right. There are many more of us who spend our money with them who are not offended by Merry Christmas than those who are. The whole Merry Christmas thing does make me mad, but what really set me off is when I heard that Mall Santas can no longer say HO HO HO because that, too, might be offensive. To who? For this to have become an issue someone must have complained. But my question is "who did it offend and who in the heck did they complain to?" Did they write a letter to Santa? I guess that is the only logical explanation. The letter probably looked something like this:

Dear Santa,
I am writing to you, not to ask to a football or a dolly, but to ask you for a little compassion. As a child I visited you at the mall and told you of my Christmas wishes, dreamed of you landing on my rooftop, sliding down the chimney, delivering my gifts and even hoped of hearing those three beloved words that have made you ever so famous. However I am not a little girl anymore and have become a woman whose Christmas list has changed. I would share it with you, but it might make you blush and your cheeks are the perfect shade of red as they are. I will spare you the details but I am asking that you not say HO HO HO anymore while at the mall, in your sliegh, or anywhere else for that matter. I am personally offended by this because I have heard that word used in a deragatory manner, and believe it was directed at me. I know you are all about making wishes come true, so Santa Baby, please grant mine!

Yours Truly,
XOXOXOXOXOXO

Please understand that this is just my opinion and if you agree, please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts too!!!!!!!


Oh...Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

My Christmas Tree

Ok Jenn wanted everyone to post pix of thier trees, so here is mine. As you can see, my tree is full and running over with santas. I have been collecting them for several years and probably have over 200 and just bought 2 more last week. My mom did my mantle last week and it looks beautiful! I am so anxious to see your tree as well. Merry Christmas!!

It's still great to be a Tennessee Vol...

Yeah, we lost, but if we had to lose to anyone, I am so glad that it was LSU. We pretty much choked in the 4th quarter and could have tied it up, but Ainge threw an interception and they ran it back and scored. Oh well, you can't win them all. So to all of you VOL fans out there...GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhhh....the weekend!

Another busy week and lots to blog about. Monday was my 15 week visit with the Dr. I went in hoping for a "freebie" U/S. You know the one that they aren't supposed to do, but will do, if you know someone. But I refused to ask Dr. Beatty because I didn't want to impose on other's appointments but I really wanted to. Mike actually got to go with me and had reminded a million times on the way that the Steelers were playing that night 7:30. Anyway, my appt. was at 4:00 but we got there at 3:30. We walked into a packed waiting room but that wasn't unusual; it was always crowded late in the day. We waited a while and by 4:30 Mike and Arden were getting restless. I don't know who was worse, but they both let me know how long we had been sitting there. I explained to them that there had probably been an unexpected delivery and messed up the whole schedule, but that really didn't work. Finally I got called back about 5:30 and was the last patient in the waiting room. I went in, did all the vitals and the nurse took me to a room and we listened to the HB (158 bpm). I was so glad to hear that because I didn't start feeling any movement until yesterday, so I had no way of knowing if everything was "good". A little later Dr. Beatty came in and asked if everything was ok and then said, "I bet you could get a little sneak peak since you are the last one here." I was soooo thrilled and just knew that I was going to leave that office and know what we were having. So off I go to the water fountain and begin chugging down cups of water. I looked into Craig's room and the door was closed. So I assumed that he was still with a patient. After a couple of minutes of waiting and a few more of Mike telling me we weren't going to make it home for the game, I decided to knock on the door. No answer. He had already gone home.:( Not that I blame him because it was almost 6:00, but I was sad! We head home and make it just in time to see that the game had been postponed because of lightning. So now I have to wait until the 20th of December to find out. I am going to try to keep it a secret from my family until Christmas Day, but it is going to be hard. Do you guys have any fun ideas for the "big reveal?" I have a couple, but I am still open for suggestions!

BTW, the Steelers won the game 3-0. A nail biter I tell ya!

Wanna Dance???

Ok, I am so loving this little Holiday Funny. I saw it on my friend, Steph's, blog and couldn't resist. Click here to see it for yours"ELF"!!

Giving Many Thanks...

Tonight I am sitting in my recliner with Roxy...just doing NOTHING! Foxy is hobbling around, Arden is playing upstairs on the other computer and I am just relaxing looking at my Christmas tree. I am so glad that I got that over with this weekend. I love putting it up, but hate the mess afterwards.
This week everyone has been posting what they are thankful for and, today, I am feeling really thankful. (either that or it is pregnancy hormones and I am just weepy) I have so many things to be thankful for in my life, that a list seems almost inappropriate but I guess it is the only logical way to do it.

1.My Savior
2.My family (Each and everyone of them has a special place in my life.)
3.My friends, especially Carrie.
4.My dogs (Foxy especially because she has been through so much)
5.My job
6.My health
7.My cell phone
8.My computer
9.An easy pregnancy...not sick ONCE with either one.
10.Listening to Arden read to me each night. That is such a blessing because it comes so easily for her and I see so many of my students struggle.
11.Plastic Surgery...I will have a tummy tuck after this baby gets here!
12.My SUV being equipped with On Star...Foxy has locked me out two times in 6 months. If you want to know how/why...just ask.
13.Court TV
14.Cracker Cuts Cheese slices...these are the bomb!!
15.MY ELECTRIC BLANKET!!! Thanks mom!

My first Ultrasound pic...

This was done on October 22nd at 10 weeks 1 day. And if you read the next couple of post, you will understand why I am just now getting it posted! I know that the quality isn't very good and he/she was just a little blob but I still wanted to share. Any bets on if it's a boy or girl??? I may do a poll later on. I should know the sex before Christmas, so I may wait a little while.

Just a few random pix of things we've been doing!

Tacky Day last week at school!


Medusa and Athena on Halloween


Arden was voted Queen for her Kindergarten Class. This is a pix of her before she was introduced at the Fall Festival.

Whew...it has been crazy at our house!

Ok again, it has been a long time since I posted anything new and again it is only because I have had NO FREE TIME!!!! I guess I need to back up a little bit from the last post and tell you what happened to Foxy on Monday, October 22nd. Arden and I were getting read for bed around 8:00 and just as we do every night, we took Foxy and Roxy out to do their business. They both usually do it and come right back in. But for some reason on this night, Roxy wasn't cooperating. She was wondering around the yard sniffing and snooping, but not peeing. So to help her along, I began negotiating with her! Begging her to hurry up and finish, so I could go to bed. In the mean time, Foxy, whom always runs out of the house barking at NOTHING, was as usual, barking at nothing. She runs to the edge of the yard and barks her head off at the dogs across the road that she cannot see!!! It was dark and I was preoccupied with Roxy and I didn't realize that Foxy was ON HWY 70, which everyone knows is like the Indy 500 all day, everyday! The next thing I hear is a loud smack and Foxy yelping her head off. This is where panic set in and Arden began crying, because she knew what had happened. I prayed at that moment that if Foxy were hurt severely, that she wouldn't get up because I couldn't stand to see her suffer. But to my surprise, she came running toward the house. I couldn't believe it! This little Pomeranian had somehow survived getting hit by a car going at least 65 MPH. When I got to her she actually looked as though there were no injuries. Then she turned around and I saw the side that the car hit and I about lost it. I will spare you the details, but it was BAD!!! I ran in the house and got a towel to wrap her in and was trying to keep it together so Arden wouldn't realize how badly she was hurt. Mike was at work and I couldn't get in touch with my vet in McMinnville. By this time, I am sure she is going to die in my arms, so I called my neighbor Jerry and he came down to help me. I called Bridgestone to get in touch with Mike. That in itself took an act of congress, even after I told the guy that it was an emergency. All of my wonderful neighbors came to side. Some came to keep Arden calm, others came to keep me calm and to check on our precious Foxy. Mike got home around 9:00 and was completely devastated because he, like me, thought she was going to die. I got in touch with Dr. Tate in Woodbury and he agreed to see her. I was sooo relieved. Mike took her down and I was prepared for the worst! Arden and I stayed here, cried, and tried to keep our hopes up. Then the phone rang and it was Mike. He said that Dr. Tate was certain she was going to be ok but would need surgery and would have to stay with him for a while. We were so happy! She stayed for a total of 9 nights but is now recovering at home with us!! And for those of you who are wondering, she DOESN'T go out of the house without us or a leash!!!

I'm Back to Blogging

It has FOREVER since I had "real" post on here and I have alot to catch up on. Last Thursday night we went to the circus in Nashville with Carrie, Caylie, Wes, Desiree, Chance, and Mia. It was held at Municipal Auditorium; the last time I was in that place was in 2001 at the REO Speedwagon/STYX concert. The circus was pretty good, but not so good that we stayed through the entire performance. We left during intermission, not only because it was a little boring, but also because there were tornado watches out and we were a little freaked out.

On Friday, we just hung out around the house and then I went to a Purse Party with a couple of friends. It was really nice to have some girl time! Saturday morining Mike, Arden and I got up and went to The Avenue in Murfreesboro. It was great weather and to my surprise, it wasn't very crowded! We shopped around for a little while. I didn't buy anything except for a huge chocolate waffle cone from Maggie Moo's! YUMMO! Arden did get some tennis shoes, so it wasn't a total wasted day.
Saturday night, I helped Kathy Brewer at the Miss Warren County High Pageant. I enjoyed getting to volunteer for such a good cause and had so much fun getting to meet the contestants! On Sunday we went to church and then had a huge dinner at my Granny Ma and Pap's house to celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary. On Monday I went to see my OB and had an ultrasound done. Baby #2 is expected to be here on May 9th. It is due on the 17th but I have to have a C-section again, so he has already given me a date. I haven't been sick but have felt a little yucky most days. I am getting ready to begin my 11th week, so hopefully I will begin to feel better soon!

Sweet, Sweet, Sweet

I have been tagged by Miss Tab and Shannon. Thank you both so much for thinking of me. I have seriously been slacking when it comes to my blog and I PROMISE to do better. I love reading all of my girls' blogs each day. You guys make me smile.



Here's how this award works:
1. Once you've been awarded, make a post and award it to bloggers who you deem "One Sweet Treat to Read" everyday.
2. Make sure you inform those who you awarded that they have won!
3. Grab the button and proudly display it in your sidebar for all your old/new readers to see!
I am suppose to tag someone else to receive this award.There are so many sweet treats to read, today I pass along this award to:

But my obvious choice is Paula! Because she makes the sweetest treats of all!! Love you!

My Bits of Happy

After reading Tab's, I had to do this. I love reading what makes others feel "warm" on the inside.

-Arden waking up and asking, "Do we have school today?" and getting to tell her, "no". That actually makes both of us happy! :)
-Snuggling on the couch with a blanket, my dogs, and Arden.
-My mom's holiday goodies at Christmas.
-Going to Granny Ma's for "dinner" My family's dinner is most people's lunch. I guess it's a southern thing.
-Paula's Sugar Cookies BTW thanks for those last night!
-Being able to help others.
-Laughing with my students at school.
-A clean house...never happens that much!
-Watching football with Mike.
-Getting the remote before Mike does!! That way there is a "chance" I won't have to watch ESPN!!!
-Snow days!
-Sitting on my porch swing.
-Putting up my Christmas tree!

Lots going on!

It has been over a week since I posted anything and the only excuse I have is that I am still jet lagged and tired from the DW trip and hopefully this weekend, I can recoup! We had such a great trip. The flight there was pretty uneventful except for when we were getting ready to board, they made an announcement and said that there would be a slight delay because we didn't have a flight attendant. WHAT???? You have got to be kidding me. We were delayed about an hour until they "found" one and then were on our way. When we arrived in Orlando, the weather was gross! It was raining and very cloudy. We were afraid that this weather was the precursor to what the rest of the trip would be like. We got to the room, ate dinner, walked around, played in the arcade and waited on luggage. The Disney Magical Express takes care of everything so we didn't claim our bags at the airport. They pick them up and bring them to your room. We checked in at 7:50pm and at 10:30, we still didn't have luggage. I wanted to shower, take my contacts out and go to bed. Arden wanted to swim, Mike hadn't slept at all the night before because he worked, then got up went to class and we left for the airport, so he was passed out on the bed and could have cared less about anything and Mom was like me and getting a little worried. I called the front desk and they said, "It can take up to 3 hours, so just be patient, they will get here." Around 11:00 I headed down stairs to talk to someone in person. I spoke to a young lady who informed me that it can take up to 8 hours to get luggage. When those words came from her mouth, I think my head spun around! I said 8 hours? So you are telling me it could be 4:00am the next day before I get luggage? I don't think so. She corrected herself and said oh well, yes I guess it is 3 hours but we don't really have any control over that. I said,
"well, then I need you to get me someone who is in control." By this time, I was not happy because I was tired and not in the mood to deal with this. The Magical Express had not been very magical and the only magic I had seen was the "disappearing luggage act" and I was NOT impressed! By this time it was 11:30-11:45, I spoke to a very helpful young lady who knew what to do and who to talk to and she got me the answers I was looking for. Withing 30 minutes, the luggage had arrived and I was happy again! When I got to the room, Mike was still oblivious to what had happened and mom was going through our bags. So around 12:30 we were finally able to get some sleep!

The next day we slept in til around 9:00 and headed to the Magic Kingdom around 10:00. The weather was perfect and we were ready to take it all in! There were no lines for any of the rides, so we were able to do everything we wanted. The only time we actually had to wait in a line was for character pix and autographs. We worked out a system so we all would not have to stand in line and wait. Mom or Mike would go wait in line while Arden and I rode, then she would be able to get the pix and move on. It was great!!! We had dinner at Cinderella's Castle that night, so we left the MK around 3:00 to clean up and be back at MK around 5:00 so we could be there in time for dinner. It was the most amazing thing we did while there. Arden dressed up in her Cinderella dress and got her pix made with the "real" Cinderella. The meal was prepared by 5 star chefs. We had steak, potatoes, steamed asparagus and tea. Then for desert a chocolate cake that was to die for. The mice and Fairy Godmother came and danced and visited with all of the patrons but paid very special attention to the little "Princesses". It was wonderful! While we were eating it rained but when we left the castle, it had stopped! Perfect timing! It was about 7:15, so we still had almost 2 hours until the park closed and we didn't slow down. We rode everything and anything we could. We had been so lucky and hadn't been rained on all day. But as we were leaving the park, it began to pour and we got soaked. None of us cared because the park was closing and we were on our way to a warm hotel room!

The rest of the trip was great. On Friday morning we went to Animal Kingdom and then to MGM. On Saturday, we had breakfast at the Grand Floridian with Mary Poppins, Alice In Wonderland, Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Pooh. Then we took the monorail over to Epcot and stayed until around 3:00, then went back to the MK for the rest of the day. On Sunday, we had to leave :(. The Magical Express took us back to the airport. We had about an hour before we were supposed to take off and the sky began to look ugly. I told Mike after we boarded that we needed to get off the runway ASAP because it was going to storm. Weeeeelllllll, needless to say, we sat on the runway for 2 hours before taking off because it did indeed storm! Arden was the most understanding of us all. She never fussed one time about the delay! She was perfect! We finally landed in Nasvhille about 3:30, which was 3 hours later than scheduled, but we were home safe and sound, and that is what really mattered!

At Epcot

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!!!!!!!!!!

And more...

A few more from today.

Animal Kingdom and MGM

Today we ventured out to Animal Kingdom and saw a couple of great shows. The Nemo and Lion King Musical were awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We got a few more pix and autographs and then came back to the room to nap for about an hour and then headed to MGM. We finished the night there with the Fantasmic show and it rocked!!!!! Words can't do it justice but it is a must see if you ever come to DW. Tomorrow it's breakfast at the Grand Floridian with Mary Poppins (I think) and some others. I will post more tomorrow night. Arden and Mike are at the pool now and mom and I are resting and watching TV! I am EXHAUSTED!

More...

More pictures...

Dedicated Daddy waiting in line for autographs while she and Mim rode the teacups.

Where do I begin?

Today has been "magical" in every sense of the word. Arden has been treated like a true Princess everywhere we went today. Because this trip was to celebrate her Bday, they gave her a Happy Birthday pin to wear around the park. So, every single park employee has greeted us with a "Happy Birthday Arden". It is amazing! We started our day about 10:00 after "sleeping in" a little because we were awakened this morning about 430 with mom banging on the bathroom door. I thought she was sleep walking, but then she said that she was locked out of the bathroom. Not good!!!!! We called the front desk and a maintenance man came to our room about 15 minutes later and told us the door was broken. Ya think??? When I got out of the shower the entire knob fell off in my hand. No big deal. We can live without a door knob! Anyway there is too much to post right now, but here are a few pic of the things we did today. Until tomorrow...




This is Miss Julie whom fixed Pal Mickey for us. He wasn't feeling well, and she did a little "surgery" free of charge!

Today is the day!!!

In about 3 hours Mike, Arden, Mom and I will be whisk(I love that word;it makes me feel like royalty) away to Disney World!!! Arden has been anxiously awaiting this day for over 6 months. I will be blogging daily while we are there, so all of my blogger friends can experience the magic as well. Well, gotta go finish packing! Lots to do and not alot of time! I gotta say thanks to "Auntie" for taking care of Foxy and to Uncle Danny who will be house sitting and feeding the fish. Roxy is going to stay at the Doggy Hilton with Miss Phyllis. Thanks guys for all your help! Until next time...

P.S. For those of you who are concerned about the frogs, they only have to be fed once a week, so they will be fine. ;)

Happy Birthday to my Princess!

Wow! I can't belive that my baby is 5 today. I remember going to the hospital and praying that they would just "get her out". For those of you that remember, I was as big as a house and miserable!!!! But all of that was soon replaced with a beautifu little girl with a head full of black hair. Arden, you have brought more joy, love, laughter and happiness to my life than words can ever express. I thank God that I have been blessed to have such a happy and healthy little girl. Your smile literally lights up a room and makes anyone around you smile too! You will never know how much you are loved.

Let it Bead...

My daughter is Miss Crafty. She adores crafting of any kind and is obsessed with the craft section at Wal-Mart. She began Art lessons at Chole's last week and has asked me everyday if it was the day for art. She LOVES Mrs. Brandie. Her birthday is Wednesday and she always starts receiving gifts early because my in-laws live in PA. So today when we got home, there was a huge package on the table with lots of goodies inside. But the thing that she loved the most was the beading kit. But it is not your typical kit, it is paper clip jewelry. I was so amazed at all the cute things inside this book. However, it is a little more difficult that it looks so I am going to have to read a bit more before I master that skill.


But this got her craft juices flowing and she said that she wanted to make a necklace, earrings and bracelet, so we go to Wal-Mart and buy one bag of beads, some string and the clasps. Then we got to work. Now keep in mind I have NEVER BEADED IN MY LIFE!!!!! I was clueless as what to do, but I just winged it and acted like I knew exactly what was going on. I can't make Arden think that I am not with it, right???? So a couple of hours later and what seemed like a few thousand beads in the kitchen floor, here is our finished product. She is very proud of her creation and I have to say, so am I. I made the necklace with the shell pendant just for fun!! I hope I made Tabetha proud. More important than the necklaces, are the memories we made while doing these. It was sooo much fun!