February 27, 2009 ~ Really? I mean...Really? ~

Last night I was sitting at the dinner table with Camryn as she was telling me different stories about things that have gone on at school and who is bossy and who thinks he's cool when he's really not and who jumps on the desk and how she's "like...you're not supposed to jump on the desk" and like...like...like...I got lost. I can't tell you much of what else we talked about because I was distracted by the fact that my 7 year old now throws in "like" about every 2 words or so. Really??? Does that start this early? And her facial expressions...I mean, really??? Is she like 15 or something? Like Really? I mean, like, I am, like, soooo not ready for, like, this stage in life.

Oh my word!!

February 25, 2009 ~ God Is Good ~

I just found out some exciting news! Let me start by saying God does provide and He is AWESOME! When I was married my credit was RUINED by my ex. I mean RUINED. I went to try to buy a car with him...not knowing my credit was bad. I had no idea he was ruining my credit. I got there and got chewed up one side and down the other by the dealer. He told me that if I walked in with $10,000 cash, he couldn't get me in a car with the shape my credit was in. The whole time, Dwight just sat there and let me take the lashing for something HE did. Today I had my credit run and just got word that my credit score is...ready....742!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I own my home and car and have a credit score of 742. It is amazing to me how God provides when you step out of your comfort zone and follow His will!

February 25, 2009 ~ Guess Who? ~

Who remembers this oh so fun game? My sister and I used to play this all the time. Remember picking your one person and fighting to slide that lil card with their picture in between the bars to get it to fit in the little flippy thing? Oh the heck of trying to do that. Then you begin with "Is your person a girl?" If the other player says 'No' you close all the girls and go on. Well, Camryn wanted to spend some of her money so she bought the new addition of Guess Who. OMG! WHY did they not have these things when I was growing up...check this out!!

Look at this nifty board. You just pop open the side and all the "doors" fall open. No more fighting to get them flipped out. And then you place the board...look at all these, and this isn't all..

In the back, close the "door and tada...you slide your little slider at the top over the person you choose and begin to play. Only this time, you don't answer out loud!!!!

They have green and red buttons on top for yes or no complete with SOUNDS and flashing LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man...they just make toys so much cooler these days!!!!

February 23, 2009 ~ FOR SALE ~

I'm TRYING to sell my old wedding set. If you want them or know of someone who wants them, please pass the word!! Email Andrea at brwneyez915@yahoo.com
14kt yellow gold
1.44ct diamonds total (center stone .50 ct.)
Size 8
Appraised at $2600.00
Price $1300.00

February 23, 2009 ~ It's Happening...Never thought it would..but it is ~

I never thought this would happen. I mean, I have always heard that it would happen, just never thought it would happen to me. I guess this is my lesson in "never say never". The moment took me by surprise and leaves me awestruck to this very minute. I mean, this wasn't in the plans, however, it's happening my friends. Yes, I am in fact....turning into my Mother. *sigh* Not that that's a bad thing by any means. My Mother is a wonderful person. Strong, smart, beautiful, independent and motivated. However, these are not the qualities of which I speak/type. It's slowly been creeping up on me, however, I've been in denial. The signs are all there. The frustrated sigh's, the disgusted grunts, the closing of the bedroom door...they are all there I have just ignored them. After last night, I can no longer deny it. I am turning into my Mother. Something was said last night about Camryn's MP3 player and I mentioned how she can't find it and this is the 2nd MP3 player that she has lost. My mom mentioned that she thought it was in Camryn's room. That's when it happened, folks. It took over me like a wave crashing down on a rock. I couldn't stop it. I'm not gonna lie, I didn't even feel it coming. Before I knew it, it was out. "Well, that's the problem...if she would pick up her room, she might be able to find something". WOW! As it struck me, all I could do was say "Man, that sounds familiar." I just had to suck up my pride and let my mother enjoy the moment.

February 18, 2009 ~ My Boys ~

Camryn's brothers were in town this past weekend so I got to go over and visit for about 30 minutes. I can't believe how much they have grown up. I came into their lives when they were just turning 4 and 7. Now they are 13 and 16....time sure goes by fast. I had a very close relationship with both of them. They are very special to me and will always have my heart. I loved them and raised them as if they were my own. I still love them with my whole heart!! Ian is 16 and Chance is 13! Wow!!

February 16, 2009 ~ Happy V - V - Valentines Day ~

Wow...really??? This year marked a new thing for me. I celebrated Valentines Day for the first time in years!!! The past several years I have celebrated S.A.D (Singles Awareness Day) so to have a Valentine made me feel a little out of sorts. I mean, what do you do? This is new territory!! My Sweetie-pie and I had our Valentine's Day on Friday night. He took me to Mike's Place in Conway for dinner. We had a booth off in the back so we could spend time talking and getting lost in each other's eyes, while whispering sweet nothings across the table. Ok, not really, but we did have a very nice dinner. We really do enjoy our dinner dates that we try to have a couple times a month. With children, it's hard to find time alone, so the time we get to spend together one on one is always very special and spent with lot's of talking and laughing. Now, I know some of you are probably sick at your stomach right now with all the lovey dovey-ness but trust me...reality has hit and Mr. Wonderful is by no means Mr. Perfect...however, he quite possibly could be Mr. Perfect for Andrea. There is a complete difference in the two. Anywho...we had dinner then went to pick up his daughter and went home. I spend the weekend with Charles since my ex Valentine...UGH...was in town... I just didn't feel comfortable staying at home alone. After a not so comfortable nights rest on the couch, we got up Saturday and I spent the day playing with Alaina...hunting deer and taking our puppies to the hospital etc....while Charles did some much needed house work. That evening, which was actual Valentine's Day, we went to church...which was kinda neat cause it was our first date place....then rented the movie Fire Proof and watched it. Very good movie...and book, I might add. Oh yeah, during the day Saturday I took my special wonderful Valentine girl a balloon, candy and a stuffed worm to her. I also got to see my boys. Well, they are not mine anymore, but I consider them mine still. Sunday was spent playing with Alaina as well. All in all it was a good weekend. I did almost make up my mind that I do not want any more children. Having a 7 year old who is SOOOO independent, I had forgotten how much work little ones are! Here are a few of the pics we took while playing this weekend. I'll post some of the boys soon. Hope you all who have a sweetie had a great valentines day. And to those who are celebrating S.A.D...Happy SAD. It's REALLY not all that bad!! :)

February 12, 2009 ~ 4th folder 4th picture ~

So I went to my 4th folder and had to pick the 4th picture...here it is. This is me and Charles when we went 4 wheeler riding for the first time.

February 10, 2009 ~ She has a point ~

My daughter is attached to my hip...almost literally. If I leave a room, she's gonna follow me. I seriously can't even use the bathroom alone. I'm not exaggerating here. Then there are times when she hurts my feelings. You as mother's know that feeling all too well. So, when she does or says something that hurts my feelings (but is not meant to be mean spirited) I will become very dramatic...although I'm sure that's hard to believe. I will try to pull a guilt trip on her by saying "That's fine...I just carried you for 9 months...and gave birth to you....and raised you by myself for 7 years...but that's fine" ya know, things such as that. I do this quite often lately, because she seems to want to spend more time with Charles than me. *dagger in the heart* Or if she has the choice to ride with me or my parents, she will pick them. So I always point out the fact that I gave birth to her. So last night she was attached to my hip. We were sitting down to color and I told her to scooch over on the couch and give me some room. I said "Why you always gotta be right up on me?" To which my lovely child said "Because I LOVE you....and you gave BIRTH to me!" I couldn't help but crack up laughing. She's the best!!!

February 9, 2009 ~ My Valentine ~

I got this for Valentines Day from my Valentine. He wanted to send them today so that I could enjoy them at work all week. He knows my favorite color is purple and my favorite flower is tulip! :) He's so good to me!

February 9, 2009 ~ Jr. Miss Nexstar ~

Camryn had another competition this weekend. They have 3 categories to comepte in: Prestart, Newstar and Nexstar. Ms. Karen wanted Camryn in the Nexstar category which is this "NexStar Division: Dancers who take more than 5 hours of class per week and have significant competition experience should be considered for this division. The NexStar Division is open to all performers and will be adjudicated, as well as receive additional high score awards within their division" She was competing against some awesome dancers 2 years older than her such as Sloan and Timbo (for those of you who know them...ie. Alison). She received 1st place High Gold points in her age division. Then she received 2nd place high score in the top 10 which is all dances ages 8 and under. She got second place only to Timbo. He's awesome so for her to get second behind him...I was shocked. Especially cause I didn't think she did that great (of course I didn't tell her that..but I thought it). Anyway, I also entered her into the running for Jr. Miss Nexstar. I have no idea what it means, but SHE WON!!!! Margaux was 2nd runner up, Sloan was 1st runner up...so when they announced that I figured she didn't win. I was so shocked I don't think I even cheered. She will get her picture in the program at Nationals!!! WOOHOO! They gave her an envelope and a large plaque. I'm not gonna lie, this Momma was hoping for some Moolah in that envelope, but no such luck. I mean really??? Jr. Miss Nexstar and no moolah...they coulda come off with a tiara or something! ;) j/k sort of hehehe!!! No, I'm super proud of her!! I can't wait until she does her dance on stage like she does in practice. I'll order that video for sure!!!

February 4, 2009 ~ Love of God ~

I'm on a roll today, huh? Anyway. While at work yesterday I got news that a lady here at the office lost her grandson in a fire over the weekend. She sent out an email with pictures of him. I opened the pictures to see the sweet little face of a blue eyed boy who couldn't have been over 4 years old. I later found out he was 3. I didn't have all the details until today, but I was literally sick about it. I lay in bed last night and just cried for the Mother and the boy. I could not imagine losing Camryn. I just can't. His face kept haunting me and the thoughts of how scared he must have been kept playing in my mind. I could not wrap my mind around a mother losing her 3 year old. I can't imagine losing a child at any age, but for some reason it hit me hard. I realized just how fragile life is. I realized that I may not always have Camryn. The thought of her being in bed and my house catching on fire was making me panic. I would walk through fire, literally, to save her. I just can not imagine living life without her. Then it struck me, God knows the pain that mother is going through because He also lost His son. The difference is, God allowed His son to die. He voluntarily went through the pain of losing a child, knowing the suffering that His son was going to go through. Why?? Because He loved me and you and look at how we treat Him. I tried to put myself in that position...not saying I'm God, but to better grasp His love for me. I honestly can't think of one person I would sacrifice Camryn for...especially someone who has done me wrong as we so often do to God. I tried to put it into perspective for my simple mind and thought, would I be willing to watch Camryn suffer and die to save Dwight? Or someone at the office who smiles to my face but puts me down behind my back? So many times we profess to love God at church, then turn and live a life unpleasing to Him outside of church, such as the backstabbers in our lives. So many people just flat out deny God and treat Him terrible to His face, such as Dwight treated me. There is NO WAY I would sacrifice Camryn to save someone like that. As the realization hit me I just had to thank God that He loved me that much. It is completely mind boggling to me. I can't imagine the pain that mother must be going through, but God knows her pain and I pray that he just hold her and comfort her during this terrible time. We can't take life for granted. We can't waste our lives away. God did not allow his child to die for us to waste our lives. That is an amazing thing God did because He loved us that much. To God be the glory for everything in my life. I don't know why He loves me so much because I certainly don't deserve it. We have to strive to live our lives so that His sacrifice is not in vain. Thank you God for loving me so much!

February 4, 2009 ~ Sam??? Really??? ~

Let me just tell ya, nothing frustrates me more than being at work and getting a phone call from somewhere out of this country wanting information from me on a bill. "Sam" calls and can hardly speak English. Sam??? Really??? You know his name is really Alkdgjhaoihsdwerh...and he wants to try to call and ask me about a claim from "R Kansas" and then I have to try to explain...in my southern accent no less...the reason we denied this bill. I can't understand him and he can't understand me. I mean really, if you're going to be in customer service in AMERICA, PLEASE speak English fluently!!! UGH! I got my panties in a bunch on that one...hmm...maybe I should go make sure I have them on right side out today! :)

February 4, 2009 ~ 25 Random Things ~

This has been going around facebook...but since I can't figure out facebook I'll do this on here. This is stricktly incase the 3 of you who read my blog (mom, sister and Billie) don't already know these things..lol
1. I'm terrified of heights. I have difficulty climbing ladders. I went up the ladder of a huge slide at the fair with Camryn and almost had a panic attack at the top. I was frozen for a minute.
2. I do not walk on drainage things in streets or sidewalks. I have a fear of falling thru it so I avoid them.
3. I can't stand to have to be stopped under a bridge or at the edge under a bridge or to have to stop on a bridge. I will, again, almost have a panic attack thinking the bridge will fall on top of me, or a car will come off the edge and land on me, or the bridge will fall with me on it.
4. I have always wanted to be a lawyer. Never wanted to have to go thru law school but would still love to be one.
5. I can not stand for the toilet paper to roll from the back. It doesn't matter where I am, if it's rolling from the back, I'm going to change it around to roll from the front. It's just the way it should be.
6. I'm scared of spiders. (are you realizing that I'm scared of a lot of stuff, cause I am...i think i'm a big ole chicken and just now realized it).
7. Speaking of chicken: I only eat white meat chicken or turkey for that matter. I hate dark meat and I'm NOT a fan of bone chicken. I'd rather have a tender.
8. I'm suprisingly organized. I like for everything to have a specific place. This is gradually gotten worse. Who'd a thought, in highschool, that I'd be organized??? Not my Mother, that's for sure.
9. I played softball ONE season when I was young. Had no clue about it, but did awsome at tryouts. The coach put me on first base the first game. I didn't know that every ball was thrown to first. So, as I was watching the birds, the short stop thru the ball at about 178.6 mph at me and I got the heck outta the way. Then had to chase the ball out of the field as my Mother is screaming in the stands "get her off first base". Yeah, I was in left field the rest of the season.
10. I love boxing...and growing to like UFC.
11. I'm nosey as can be when something is going on. I could easily be an ambulance chaser.
12. I'm a lover of AC Slater. Yep...love me some Mario Lopez.
13. I was married, had a child and divorced before I turned 23. Got all the bad stuff outta the way.
14. I tried a tomato for the first time in my life last year. Spit it out too. NASTY!
15. I went 6 months hardly eating when I was in 6th grade. If you look at my yearbook you will see where people used to call me shamoo and fridge. I stopped eating and went from an 11-12 to a 5-6 in 6 months. I do not advise this weight loss method.
16. When I'm mad at someone, I clean.
17. I can't stand for someone to accuse me of something I haven't done. Can't STAND it!
18. I had a cat named Grace who I though was a girl until I went to have her "fixed" and found out "she" was a boy. I never told Camryn. I mean, really...how do you explain that one?
19. I used to use my ex husbands razor to shave my legs in hopes that when he went to shave his head/face it would cut him. Yes, I did that.
20. I have never broken a bone...knock on wood.
21. I have an insane love for peanut butter. Melted is the best.
22. I love grammer but can't spell worth a flip.
23. I love to read...i'm struggling for stuff now.
24. I'm a random person in general. I like to bring up random things and use random numbers. It's fun.
25. I am a HUGE American Idol fan!

February 2, 2009 ~ Yep..~

You know it's gonna be one of those days when....

You go to the restroom and discover that your underoo's are on inside out! :)