Friday, January 29, 2010

Dedication to...

work...that's what I'm going to call this!

With one little boy out of school for a snow day (due to an "expected" snow storm), one little boy who's school is closing early (but not sure at what time due to the "expected" snow storm) and a husband that is out of town, it would have been sooooo easy for me to call out for a snow day. But, I didn't. I sucked it up and went to work with one with me and the other going to be with me at some point...ugh!

For the first time EVER, my office closed early (Thank You Lord!)! It took us an hour to get home (thanks to the snow and roads), but we made it home safely. After a 3 hour nap (yep, we must have been tired), we woke up to this:

The Snow Storm like no other. Nashville hasn't seen snow like this since the early 1990s.




And wouldn't you know it, Brent was trying to get hom during all of this. It was so bad, that it there were no cabs for him to take home. He had to drive my car from the airport in all of this! It was terrible. He was literally driving 20 mph all the way home. But, he made it. And when he walked up to the door, this is what greeted him:

Whew...we're all home together. Finally. Now, bring on the snow sledding!

Beautifully Blessed and Truly Thankful that Brent is home and we are all back together again,
Chasity

PS...have I mentioned my washing machine broke?? Great!!!!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

HE WON...

Brent WON. He actually won his award!!!! ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!!!!

YAY! So proud. So proud. So proud. Beyond proud. So thankful, grateful. So proud.

Of course, he kept me on pins and needles for most of the day.

When he got to the hotel, in his welcome packet, he had an invitation to an "Awards Reception." Of course, he didn't know this meant that he had won the award, he just thought everyone was invited. But, he won! Woot! Woot!

This is awesome on sooooo many levels. 1) He deserves it. 2) He deserves it. 3) We get a trip. 4) This is great for his resume and for when he asks for a transfer back to Florida. 5) But mostly, he deserves it. Recognition. Something it seems he never gets.

So unbelievably proud!

Beautifully Blessed and Truly Thankful for Brent...my very own "Rookie of the Year"!
Chasity

PS...He did a VERY BIG happy dance and proceeded to tell the boys they WOULD NOT be going with us to California...we love them, but...

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Fingers Crossed...

for Brent.

This is the week that he finds out if he won "Rookie of the Year."

This is an award that is only given out to 8 reps (count them...8) out of more than 5,000. Last year, we found out about this goal and for the past year, we (and yes, I mean we) have worked hard to be up for this award. We started by making it VERY KNOWN that Brent wanted this award and was going to work very hard for it!

For the past year, everytime Brent has been around his boss, he's brought it up, mentioned it, talked about in some way shape or form.

Brent deserves it. He's been the top Sales person in his region for 3 out of 3 quarters. He's had great ideas and has to work with a not-so-nice partner.

Not to mention the best part, an all-expense paid trip for two to California for a week. Oh yeah, we deserve it!

Wishing, Hoping, Thinking and Praying he gets this award!

Beautifully Blessed and Truly Thankful to have a husband that works so hard to provide for his family,
Chasity

PS...If he gets it, we are calling the trip our 10 year honeymoon!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Maybe...

just maybe, soccer will be the sport for Palmer.

Today is the day we signed Palmer up to play soccer (for this Spring). We tried baseball last year...too slow for him. All he wanted to do was run the bases. After two practices (and $175 later)...we decided baseball was not for him (at least not at that time). Baseball = not for Palmer.

We also tried karate. We thought he'd like karate -- the thought of beating up his big brother did not have the impact we thought it would have. Karate = not for Palmer.

So, we're at soccer. We're hoping this is the sport for him. He can't sit still and loves to kick things, so maybe, just maybe soccer will keep him busy, moving and become his sport. Of course, Brent and I know nothing about soccer, but we're not going to let that stop us or him.

Soccer...here we come!

So hoping, praying this is his sport.

Beautifully Blessed and Truly Thankful to have a healthy, active little boy (that keeps us on our toes at all times),
Chasity

PS...I think this makes me a official "soccer Mom." I'm not sure how I feel about this!

Happy Birthday Mom...

to my Mom!

So wish we could be with her to celebrate, but we can't. So, Pandora charms will have to do:)I truly look forward to the day when we get to go out to dinner together on her birthday. When I can buy her a cake and be there to eat it with her. When I can see her face as she opens her present. See the boys give her big Happy Birthday Hugs!


This is just one of the many reasons that after 3 years (yes, 3 years), I'm still homesick!

Beautifully Blessed and Truly Thankful to have a kind, giving, healthy and beautiful Mother than I can call my best friend,
Chasity

PS...We gave her a suitcase and pineapple charm since this is the time of year she usually goes to Hawaii!

Friday, January 15, 2010

I Might Be a Redneck If...

I actually went to a Monster Truck Jam.

Yep, those words really did just get typed on this page!

I know! I know! But! Here's my explanation:

You see, the boys are still at an age that it's not exactly "easy" to take them places together. One wants to go to the bathroom, the other wants to stay, both have to go, one pitches a fit, one runs off...well, it's not easy.

So, I sucked it up, asked one of our stations for free tickets, and off we went. To the Monster Truck Jam, along with every other redneck in this entire town. WOW! the people that come out to these things...a little scary. ok, more than scary!

But, we had a great time! The boys loved it! Well worth a night on the town with our two adorable, all boy, boys!



(Yes, I did dress him in a "deer" shirt. When in Rome, do as the Rednecks do)!


(Predator lives right down the road from us! The boys used to get so excited to drive by his house!)

(They look so small from where we were sitting, but they are huge and LOUD!)

(I was ready for some action...)

(Way too Loud!)

Anyway, being that we have a huge container of nothing but Monster Trucks (and even had a Monster Truck 4th Birthday party for Peyton), we couldn't miss this, especially since little Palmer is beginning to get into the stage of liking Monster Trucks.

I totally felt like one of the boys!

Beautifully Blessed and Truly Thankful to have been one of the boys for the night,
Chasity

PS...Yes, I forgot the tickets and we had to go all the way home to get them...and Brent didn't even get mad!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Can You Say Yellow...

Y-E-L-L-O-W!

After starting Karate lessons in September, Peyton has now been awarded his Yellow Belt. YAY for Peyton.

Of course, it must be said, that behind every good Yellow Belt, is a proud Mommy and Daddy (constantly ignoring the pleas to not have to go to class and making him go and then, of course, making him practice and practice.)

But, he was proud and excited and confident -- a confident, little booger. He didn't seem nervous at all. I think I was more nervous than he was.

But, he did it. And did it well. In fact, the instructor said he even used a move that wasn't typically done during the Yellow Belt testing...that's my Peyton:)





We're so proud of him. He's ready for his black belt. I'm figuring we have a little ways to go (and of course, a few thousand dollars to go)!

Beautifully Blessed and Truly Thankful to get to experience this with my favorite firstborn,
Chasity

PS...They really do make a big deal about getting a new belt. They took him in front of the adult class and changed out his belt. Everyone was clapping!!!

Dos and Don'ts...

when Mom is sick...

Setting the Scene:

Last night (and even today), I'm not feeling great. Not feeling horrible, just not great. So as most Mom's know, even when we're sick or not feeling well, our job doesn't end. In fact, sometimes I feel like my family sniffs out weakness and preys on it...you know...they know I'm sick, so they demand more!

So, to help my Brent, Peyton and Palmer figure out what to do and what not to do when I'm not feeling perky and chipper, here's a few Dos and Don'ts to follow:

*I'm naming names in this one. No hidden identities people!

Dear Family:

I want to help you understand when I'm not feeling well. I realize my signs are not obvious and you are used to me being there for your every need and want, but there are times when I just don't feel 110%. So, in order to help you figure this out, here's a few Dos and Don'ts to follow:

NOTE: When you see the following...your "Mom's Not Feeling Well Light Bulb" Should Come On and your "fend-for-yourself" mode should kick in...

When you come home from school/work, and I'm lying on the bed, that's a really big clue that something is wrong. On very RARE occassions (like when I'm not feeling well), I'll lie down for just a few minutes. This usually gives me a little kick to get up and get everything else down. But last night, I didn't want to get a kick. I wanted to lie in bed for the entire night. It happens sometimes. I know, it's hard to believe, but every now and again, you guys are not Numero Uno...not often, but sometimes...

So, when you see the "lying on the bed thing", this DOES NOT mean to do the following (aka Dont's):
1) Yell for me from across the house and expect me to come to you (Peyton).
2) Ask me to button your jeans and when I say, "Ask Daddy," for you to scream and have a breakdown next to me because I won't button your jeans (Palmer).
3) Proceed to blame me for something that was CLEARLY not my fault (Brent).
4) Decide tonight is the night to test the waters on your new found attitude (Peyton).
5) Choose tonight as the night that you must have something for dinner other than cereal or pancake on a stick (Peyton and Palmer).
6) Scold me for not being OVERLY excited (jumping up and down, etc...) for Peyton getting all E's (Brent).
7) Look at me over and over again and tell me I don't look like I feel good, yet proceed to let me make dinner, do homework and be the "bad guy" and "rule enforcer" to the boys(Brent).
8) Scream and yell at me for trying to put lotion on your eczema-acting-up skin, so you won't claw yourself to death trying to scratch it (Palmer).
9) Decide tonight is the night you refuse to say your prayers because you're mad at the world with your new found attitude (Peyton).

It does, however mean for you to do the following (aka Dos):
1) Realize I'm not feeling well and say, "Stay in bed...I've got this covered tonight" (Brent).
2) Come to me and say, "Thank you Mommy for making me do my homework every night and for reading to me everynight so that I get E's on my report card (Peyton).
3) Eat cereal for dinner. Most nights I have to beg you to eat something other than cereal, help a girl out (Peyton).
4) Learn how to button your own pants. You're 4 (and very good at it), so it's time you learn to button your pants (Palmer). And oh, BTW, I'm as stubborn as you are. You are my child. Therefore, you can stand and pitch a fit next to me for as long as you like, and I'll just sit there while you pitch a fit. Still. won't. button. your. pants.
5) Get rid of the 6 year old attitude (Peyton). I don't make you read to me or make you do your homework for my own health. Nor do I pay $55 a month for you to go to Karate lessons and not want to be there. And I certainly will not pay an extra $20 so you test for a yellow belt that you don't even want. From now on, let's just say you pay me for your lessons!
6) Don't scream when I'm putting lotion on your body. Really. We've done this every night for your entire life. It's time to let it go and just let me put it on you (Palmer).
7) Say your prayers and mean them for once (Peyton and Palmer).
8) Tell me that I look beautiful (even when I don't), and that I'm a great wife and Mom that deserves a night of not feeling well (applies to all Men in the house). Then proceed to wait on me hand and foot (for just one night). And hugs and kisses help too!

Thank you. I don't ask for much. Just a few things. Please keep these in mind the next time I don't feel well.

My head says thank you,
Chas and Mommy

PS...If I was a man...(insert thoughts here)!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Widdlytinks...Snow Day

Scrapbook at WiddlyTinks.com
Photo Tinks by WiddlyTinks.com

Sunday, January 10, 2010

It's That Easy...

or at least that's what the Easy Bake Oven says...

Palmer asked for an Easy Bake Oven for Christmas and against Brent's thoughts, Santa got him one anyway. I explained to Brent that he is 4 and he's just curious. Funny, I think Peyton was just as excited about it as Palmer (which of course made Brent cringe just a little).

So, we broke out the oven today...it took us a little while since "Santa" didn't see that the Easy Bake Oven needed a special kind of light bulb. Ugh....

Today was the day we broke it out and gave it a try! Sugar cookies...that's what we made. It took us a bad batch to get to a good batch, but we had a fun time making them. And, of course, you know I had to take pictures!



(Little Palmer's first attempt at being a Pastry Chef!)

If Palmer becomes a famous Pastry Chef, I'll take full credit for it:)

Beautifully Blessed and Truly Thankful to have two, cute, adorable little boys that defy society's thoughts and want to bake with the Easy Bake Oven,
Chasity

PS...Brownies are next on the menu!

My Attempt...

to get New Year's pictures failed. FAILED. BIG TIME.

I had to bribe one and the other just didn't want to do it. And the poor hubby, we'll he sucks it up and does it even though he doesn't want to...

And...it didn't work...this is what we got. Cute, but not photo-card worthy! just thought I'd share...



(Yeah, Palmer's face says it all!)

I keep hoping that one day Peyton will just realize that I'm going to take pictures and he might was well just give in...I keep hoping. I hope I haven't turned him off from pictures completely!

Beautifully Blessed and Truly Thankful to have three handsome devils as my very own,
Chasity

PS...I'll try again! All the coordination of colors...oh yeah, I'm gonna try again!


Snow Day Part 2

So, by Friday afternoon it was still snowing...yay!

After putting the boys down for their nap, we decided to venture out into the COLD, COLD air...brrr....it was cold! We decided to try sledding down another hill on the otherside of the street...



(Peyton trying to surf...didn't work out so well for him!)

(My little stud!)


It was so cold, we didn't last long. My two pairs of gloves only kept my fingers warm for so long... so we headed inside. We ordered pizza and had a family pizza and game night. After about 10 games, I finally one...Brent and Peyton are tough to beat!

(Batman (aka Palmer) and Daddy getting ready for round 6)


After the boys went to bed, Brent and I watched The Hangover (unedited)...OMG! It was hilarious! Absolutely hilarious!!! So, of course, we went to bed late, only to be woken up by two little boys at 6 a.m. on a Saturday. A. Saturday. Ugh! And, of course, I was the one to get up. We couldn't believe it had snowed all night. We literally woke up to a white winter wonderland. It was beautiful...so I had to take pictures!

(Our neighborhood)

(Our house and driveway covered in snow. We pulled my car into the garage.)

(the backyard and hill)

(I'm not sure what the puppies thought about everything...it didn't take them long to go potty)


So, even though we had planned to get up and go sledding by 6:30 a.m., my not-so-much-a-morning-husband wouldn't get out of bed and because we weren't so sure we could get out of our driveway or up the hill (we had to go down the hill, turnaround and speed to make it up the hill and out of the neighborhood). After 4 layers of cloths (and me actually whereing a camo coat), we got to the sledding area until 9. We went over to our friend's neighborhood, where they have some mac-daddy hills. The one below is just one of the hills we tried.
(WOW)

(Peyton's face says it all!)

(Daddy was the official "saucer pusher.")

(Palmer, my fearless sledder, taking it all in...deciding which hill to tackle...)






(My fearless sledder LOVED going down the hill backwards!)





(Racing down the hill.)

We had to leave because Peyton had karate class, but it was perfect timing, as we were FREEZING! It was fun, we had a blast and believe it or not, it kept snowing most of the day. We were so excited to have the snow for as long as we did. We had a great day and a family-filled weekend.

We finished off the weekend with a date night for Brent and I, and a Sunday of taking down all the Christmas decorations (finally...we're a little late).

It was a fun-filled snowy, snowy weekend! I think this weekend qualifies me for my "snowflake" pandora charm.

BEAUTIFULLY BLESSED AND TRULY THANKFUL to have spent a weekend enjoying something so beautiful with my family,
Chasity

PS...I saved one last PTO day just for a day like we had!!!!


Friday, January 8, 2010

Snow, Snow, Snow is falling...

Snow, Snow, Snow is falling. Snow, Snow catch it on my tongue. Snow, Snow, Snow is falling. We're so glad the snow has come -- this is actually the line in a song from a Boz the Bear Video the boys have. I love this line.

It's been wicked cold here lately. The high for about a week now has not gotten above freezing. It's kind of awesome, kind of cold!

Finally, we got snow. Not as much as we anticipated, but snow, nonetheless...

(Our backyard)

On Thursday, once Brent got home, we took the boys out to play in the snow. Back before Christmas, we bought the boys these saucer looking things that the boys can use for sledding. We hadn't gotten
to use them until now...

We started in the front yard. The boys had a blast...they were even trying to surf on the saucers (that didn't work out so well for them). Brent even tried surfing. Again, that didn't work out so well for him!

After a little while in the front yard, we decided the sidewalk across the street looked so much better -- more snow and a bigger/longer hill. So we crossed the icy, slippery street and went to town...


(Palmer: Wait up guys. I'm coming!)



(I think the camera started getting too cold to take pictures!)

We finally made our way inside. We were frozen. I'm pretty sure I lost my fingers and toes at some point. And of course, it wouldn't be a night in the snow without someone falling -- me and Palmer. We slipped and I'm pretty sure I hurt something other than my camera. But nothing a warm bath couldn't cure.

So, on Friday morning, when we woke up and realized we weren't going to make it to work because 1)the kids were out of school for a snow day 2)Our driveway was frozen, as well as the street and we couldn't get out of our neighborhood, we called into work and decided to start the morning with our annual snow tradition...snowflake and snowman pancakes. YUMMM!!!!
It's still snowing and still freezing and it is forcasted to be this way for the next couple of days. So, I think we'll enjoy being trapped inside (in the warmth) and at some point we'll get brave enough to go out and play in the snow!

A three day weekend that we didn't plan to have!!!!

Beautifull Blessed and Truly Thankful to get to play in the snow with the boys,
Chasity

PS...I'm walking. I've got a nasty bruise on my backside, but at least I'm walking! Thank goodness for bath tubs and heating pads.