Coffee Break!

I have a new addiction.....facebook. I LOVE seeing all the people I went to school with, WITH CHILDREN!!!! It's so funny! I have to post pictures of my kids too, I know, but it's just the neatest thing. I found people I haven't seen or heard from in years....on facebook. Several of them, within a 100 mile radius....can't believe I haven't run into SOMEBODY! Also, found someone I used to work with in Columbus, AND one of my best friends ever who moved away not long after the twins were born. I miss her!

Found family....mine and Jay's. Wish I could pop open facebook and see him again. He would be amazed at how Y2K and his widgets and thingamabobs have turned out. He would also be oh so proud of his children. C playing the violin, it's AWESOME, but she hates it. M being in scouts, not so sure he would like that, but he liked camping, and outdoors, and we are using the tent that he, Chris Brigham and Uncle Dud use to use when they went on "bike" trips. MK is such a doll. She is so much like I used to be. Very imaginative, can sit and play for hours with barbie.

I still find myself sad, wishing he was still here. I know he's in our hearts, but there's just something about that voice and his ways I really miss. Our dining room light flickers. He HATED that and had a FIT every time it did. Now, we laugh every time and say it's him. There is ALWAYS a hawk sitting on the power lines when we leave the neighborhood. He used to tell me he was coming back as a hawk....so, there he is.... I wanna believe he sees us. I wanna believe that he would be happy with how the kids have turned out, except they do poot and they do talk about snot and boogers (Oh he would DIE! lol) And they ALL have the one trait that makes them Keehley....the double chin, but THANK YOU JESUS! They don't have his nose! He was MOST worried about that.. Man, we miss you!

Summer reading

A friend gave me this book as a "happy". Ok, those of you who know me, and knew me last year on my birthday, KNOW that I was not a happy camper. Things were hitting me left and right, including becoming a grandmother, so I was not very excited when I received this book because of the title....it's the thought that counts, right? Anyway, it has become my favorite. It's funny, to the point, life! Anyone approaching this milestone in life should read this book....Thanks J!

Yabba Dabba DOO!

We got to play in the Flinstones car!

Watching the Neshoba horse races

it was raining, and dusty, and hot and MK was calling those horses left and right! Couldn't believe she picked quite a few of them.

Wow! it's been a while, a whole new world!

The kids and I did alot of traveling this summer, beach, mountains....we had a blast! We went to the Neshoba County Fair to watch Aaron race... eat funnel cakes, (and lots of red dust!) and be completely blown away by the midway. We decided to ride one ride, and the ride we chose was something we THOUGHT was the Hurricane, or something similar...nope! We were all about to cry before it stopped...we went round and round and round and it would slow down and I'd think THANK GOD!, only for it to start up again....that's the end of our riding carnival rides....it was called Hemalayan....

We enjoyed the horse races. I learned that MK is very good at choosing horses....We were told by friends that we would either LOVE the fair or HATE the fair. We want a house and would love the time spent there, just no more rides....PLEASE!

Kids are back in school. MD and MK are big time 3rd graders now and CC is Jr. High! It still takes over an hour to get through carpool at both schools...gotta learn how to do that better. So far, everyone is fine and happy.

Monogramming has slowed...I've enjoyed being able to go and do with the kids during the summer and not have alot of that hanging over my head, but now, I'm ready to get back into it some.

I'm ready to get my house back in order....one room at a time. Since KP's gone, TG's back, girls are sharing a room again, stuff packed, unpacked, moved, boxes everywhere....it's time for some sanity!

I'm amazed at how we have all bonded this summer. It's been great! This year, I'm the one whining about going back to school. I know, I have to be adult about this. My "friends" have to get their education, right? We are looking forward to their Labor Day holiday camping trip...going to be interesting. We are all calling TG "Daddy"....he's taken on the role for everyone in this house. CC can't date unless "Daddy" and TM go too....to which she says "NO". It's funny! The two of them have really connected. The other two are still just too young and can dish out the pranks, but can't take them.

Well, I hope I have caught up my loyal readers....kinda quick summer summary...things are happening, I'll be better now that the kids are back in school. Please pray for my neighbor BRG, having surgery hopefully Friday! Hang in there, girl, it'll be over soon! Then we can have coffee on your new front porch!

Ode to Rhino (or Dino?)

I awoke this morning to Maison crying. Wasn't because someone had hurt him, he was very sad. I asked him what was wrong and he said Rhino was dead. One of his turtles he got for Christmas from Santa had died. He told me that it wasn't eating like the other one (Spike), and I noticed when I compared them, Rhino (or Dino - he had a hard time choosing a name, sometimes it's Rhino, sometimes Dino) was alot smaller than Spike, not saying much, they both are no bigger than a quarter! I had to find a box to bury the turtle, and this afternoon after school, we have to have a turtle funeral. Rhino will be buried by Courtney's dog, Daizy, in the side yard. Please feel free to leave your condolences. Maison is having a hard time with this and wanted to stay home from school. He was satisfied that I sent a note to his teacher explaining his mood, and to please be a little sympathetic with him today.

Meet Baby Carter

Baby Carter was born Feb. 10, 2009 @ 10:58 a.m.. He is 19 1/4 in. long and weighs 8 lbs 1 oz. He looks alot like Thomas, but he looks like Jaiden too. He has lots of hair and it's kinda got a redish tint to it. He hadn't cried as of 9:00 last night, and she wanted him to cry. We all told her she should be thankful, she'd hear enough of that later! : )

Courtney is having fun being an aunt, MolliKate says he looks like a baby opossum (?) and Maison has been worried about Jaiden and how he was going to get out exactly.

Everyone is doing fine and they should go home on Thursday.

Here are the pictures from the last post. Thomas was "reading" the monitors, telling us Jaiden's progress..... Get a load of that baby belly!!! phew! I feel for her....

STILL waiting on baby Carter

Phone rings....9:40 p.m.

Thomas "hey, what you doin?"

Me - sleeping, why?

Thomas - we on our way to the hospital. we having a baby tonight.

me - ok, is she ok?

Thomas - I don't know, they left earlier, I had to take a shower and shave and put on clean clothes.

me - ok, do I need to go to the hospital?

Thomas - well, I don't know, let me get there and I'll call you back.


Needless to say, I got up, got dressed and headed to the hospital, not waiting on him....I got there, she was in pain, cringing when the monitors went over 60 for the contractions - later, I found out that this number was really not accurate, but she was having pain nonetheless.

Dr. came in, did his thing, left her hooked up to monitors, etc. At 11:30 p.m., dr. came back in and said she hadn't progressed, she wasn't in labor and did she want sleeping pill or pain pill? Sweet little Jaiden was holding back with all her might. She WANTED to let that evil little thought in her head to strangle that dr. work it's way on down to her arms to wrap her fingers around his neck and just shake the dickens out of him, but she didn't. In her sweet voice she said, I guess I'll take the pain shot. After the dr. left the room, I thought the devil was going to pop out of her head. She was SO mad!! She thought this time for sure she was having this baby and she didn't want to go home empty handed, she wanted to go home empty bellied! But, that was Thursday night, and it's Sunday morning, and still no Carter. He'll be here when he gets ready, no doubt, the patience part is just not there. She is 38 weeks now, and she is ready (she thinks) : ) I keep telling her he's alot easier to take care of where he is, but she's ready to see him and hold him, and I am too, we all are.

I have a picture to post here, but for some reason, it's not working. I'll have to post it later, I guess.

waiting on baby Carter

WWWOOOOHOOOO!!!

I have my house back to myself!!!  (i'm doing the happy dance!)  Just me and the dogs and the baby I'm keeping.  Speaking of the dogs, we have a new addition.  Courtney got a weiner dog for her birthday in November.  She and Ginger and Ken and Diamond (his weiner dog) every evening, pile up in the recliners in the living room and watch tv.  My dog, Biscuit, he's got allergies, he's smelly, (he STINKS!) he is very rambunctious, (he gets on the diningroom table!!!) and he weighs in at about 25 pounds - not a lap dog!  Yep, I was jealous, so I found the cutest, sweetest, most cuddliest, tiniest dog I could find...for me!  his name is Nestle, you know, Chocolate,  HELLO???!!!! and he is a toy poodle.  He is now 9 weeks old and just the most precious thing!  He goes everywhere with me.  We went to a scouting event last night, and he had to stay home alone.  He was so glad for us to come home and he followed me all over the house.

Speaking of the scouting thing....I have to say I was surprised to receive an award last night.  Our District Exec created his own trophy last year.  It's an eagle head and it's really cool.  He started out the presentation by saying   " I met the recipient of this award last year at this banquet.  I thought she was stuck up.  Later, I found out she was very hardworking and very dedicated.  I asked for volunteers for Day Camp and she stepped up and went to camp school and I'm jealous because she got to go to camp in the snow! "

 He was talking about me!  How cool is that!  I have my first trophy!   Told Ken we were going to have to get a trophy case!  It's so cool to be recognized for what you do.  Day Camp was no easy task, and camp school was HELL!  The hours required to pull off something like that are rediculous, but, it's all worth it when you hear from the parents of the scouts that they loved it and they are looking forward to this year.  This year is going to be awesome!, but you are going to have to wait for it!

Christmas went well.  Everyone was here except Brian.  He chose to stay in Colorado.  Thomas and Jaiden and her growing belly came for some gift exchanging, food and some laughs.  They got Maison a voice changer, which we all are hoping the batteries die soon!  He LOVES it.

Maison got two turtles, Rhino and Spike for Christmas.  It was funny, our neighbor came over after he went to his mailbox, apparently Maison had a letter that had gotten stuck in his mail.  The letter was from Santa.  He opened it kinda half heartedly, and was quiet....Maison, quiet.....yep he was into what that letter said.  We finally got him to read it to us.  After the usual Santa talk "you were a fairly good boy, pestering sisters too much, leave me some cookies," bla bla bla, "I hear you want a turtle, so since it's against Santa's rules to have live animals in the sleigh, I had an order of turtles sent to your local pet store.  Get your parents to take you there and get two."  Oh my gosh!  He was so excited.  When we got to the pet store, we told the story to the guy, and he went right along with it.  When we checked out, he asked Maison what was his name and address and he told him.  He had written all the information on a sticky note on his clipboard and said Santa had given him the info so he could make sure the turtles went to the correct home!  He also said Santa took care of the price of the turtles, but we had to pay for all the turtle stuff....food, aquarium, light, heater, rocks, etc...yeah, next time, Santa, I'd rather pay for the $10.00 turtles.......

We have about 6 weeks left before the arrival of the grandbaby.  He's growing and making Jaiden miserable.  She's having trouble breathing and she's tired.  I think they are all ready, Thomas says he'll be ready in about 8 to 10 weeks.  I tried to explain to him that in 6 more weeks, technically, it could be 4 weeks, his life will change, but he has no clue, he has no idea what this baby is going to do to him.  I can't wait!

just a few more days......

Yes, that's right, only a few more days until school's out for Christmas holidays. Only a few more days of freedom for me to do a tree, plan what to cook, and actually make it all work, receive boxes of all shapes and sizes at the door from the "Brown Man" (that would be Booder, the UPS driver!) and find places to hide it all, only to have to find it again. Have you ever hidden your children's Christmas gifts, only to remember several days or months later and have to use it as an Easter happy and then go find something really cool for the other three kids to be fair to everyone?

I have ordered most of the presents for this year, simply because I don't want to be in the midst of all those shoppers and all the germs and all the lines and all the illnesses and all the extra stress that puts on the holidays. I'd rather point and click and wait for the Brown Man.....

Monogramming is slow this year. I say that, I'm still busy, (busier than I want to be!!!), but I'm not up til all hours of the night trying to complete projects for others.....for that I am most thankful.

I think the Hubs and I are not going to buy gifts for each other this year. We are going to take the needed "time to ourselves" trip. That is, unless he does as he usually does when we make this decision and gets something really great for me, and I am there empty handed. He just doesn't understand somehow, that if we aren't going to buy gifts for each other, that means nothing, nada, nunca, zero! I don't care how neat it is and how wonderful it will look on me or how you just couldn't pass it up.....I usually do have a "something" in the closet hidden for him, just in case, but it's kinda awkward to have to excuse myself in the middle of opening presents to run upstairs and grab his "not a gift" gift, wrap it and run back downstairs, pretending I just forgot it in the closet. Then we go round and round about how I had something for him, and he had something for me, and how we weren't supposed to get something for each other and how glad we are that we each had something for each other and how awkward it would be if we didn't......

Another of my favorite holiday treats is taking the kids to get flu shots... (NOT!) .here's the bus, gotta go!

Courtney's birthday

Well, I have done it! We FINALLY had a spend the night party at my house with more than one extra child. I have to admit it was NOTHING like what I was expecting. The girls were WONDERFUL! We have some terrific parents of 11 and 12 year old girls here! Give yourselves a pat on the back, your girls were great! No giggling all night, no sneaking out of the house, no yelling and terrorizing each other, it was wonderful.

I guess I'm used to boys (you know, we ventured out and had spend the night parties when Thomas was younger, but they slept in a tent in the yard for about 10 minutes, then they were in and out of the house all night) It was fun then, but WOW, it's easier, or it was easier this time. We ate pizza and cupcakes (thank you Jaiden for doing the cupcakes!) and went to the movie to see Madagascar 2 - you ever tried to seat 10 people together at the theatre...that ain't an easy task! They all enjoyed the movie - I would have been better if the kid behind me had kept his feet on the floor and off my seat. I felt like I was in a rocket chair. I told Ken to watch out, I might be plastered on the screen the way that kid was kicking my chair around.

We came home around 9:00 p.m., ate ice cream and the girls watched a dvd Courtney got for her present, 2 went to sleep, and the rest were up until about 12:30 or so. Though the tv played all night, it was ok. They got up the next morning, ate waffles with all kinds of toppings, we won't dare go there!, and went home early. Ken had scouting for food at one of the grocery stores, and I had a monogramming class to teach, so we got rid of the girls around 8:30. It was good! Now, Courtney, Maison and I are suffering from sinus yucky stuff. They got antibiotics today, but it hasn't slowed them down at all. Maison is still bouncing off the walls!

Courtney's birthday present....a little early

Courtney received her birthday present a little early this year. She and I went to the pet store to get food for Jalapeno on a Steek (that's our bird!) and NORMALLY I'm safe there, b/c they only have birds, ferrets, a few frogs and LOTS of snakes and some mice to feed the snakes. While I was looking at the food for the bird, she walked over to the forbidden corner of the pet store, where all the snakes and reptiles are. They had 2 little doxie puppies, one male, black and tan, and one female, red. She started to cry. I couldn't deal with it, so I gave her the phone to call Ken. I knew he was a sucker for weiners. Long story short, meet Ginger.......

Maison and Wally

This is Maison and Wally. They became big buddies at Jaiden's family hay ride this weekend. Wally is a bassett hound in every sense. He is big footed, long earred, sad eyed, slow moving hound dog, and did I mention SMELLY????? Oh it was terrible! Maison just rolled and played with Wally and, needless to say, we about made him ride on the roof on the way home....they had a great time. Jaiden says that Wally is Thomas' favorite dog too. Apparently, Thomas loves on Wally and then tries to love on Jaiden. I don't think she appreciates it!

fun at Oktibbeha County Lake

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of ours opened a new coffee shop in town. My kids think it looks Dr. Seuss-ish, so we had to take a picture. We stopped by and had breakfast, grabbed the friend and Ken and Maison went fishing. Courtney, MolliKate, Madeline and I went to Dandy Doodles to paint pottery and then decided to go out to the lake to meet Ken and Maison and have a picnic. Everyone had fun except Courtney. She griped the whole time. She didn't want to go to the lake, it wasn't fun, there were bugs, it was boring, nothing to do, bla bla bla....your typical teenager. The only way we could get her to smile was this....

No matter where we go, MolliKate is ALWAYS a NUT!! We ate KFC, played frisbee, gave Madeline TOO much chocolate and took her home. The boys went back to fishing....or should I say running the boat in the water....the fish weren't biting!

misc. goings on at home

Jaiden went back to the doctor on Monday. The matter of the bladder infection is still there. The doctor seems to think baby is doing fine, they listened to his heartbeat, and told her she's gained too much weight... Poor girl, she was told to exercise and she didn't feel like it, now she feels like it and they told her not to, they told her to gain weight and she was so sick she couldn't eat, now she's eating and they say she's eating too much! Give her a break!

Thomas was laid off for a few days due to inventory, now, they are backed up and having to work 7 days a week. He is a MONSTER to get up in the mornings, and even so when he's working so much. Don't get me wrong, he LOVES the big paychecks, but hunting season is coming and he's thinking he's going to be working and not able to hunt....

He has put in his order for Thanksgiving dinner. He wants Paula Deen's TurDuckEn.....turkey, duck chicken? This could be a tall order to fill since I have no idea how to get ahold on a duck unless he kills one, and duck season is AFTER Thanksgiving......this meal may have to be a bring in the new year meal or a Happy Birthday Baby meal.

Courtney is cooking right along in school. Maison and MolliKate are going on a field trip tomorrow with PEAK to the Noxubee Refuge. I got invited to go, too. I'm looking forward to it. This is the place with BIG GATORS!!!!! We are doing two different classes at the Refuge...should be interesting. MolliKate just doesn't want to disect SCAT! She was ok, until she learned what SCAT is!

I went to the eye doctor today. I have been having a hard time seeing to thread the needles in my machines. Then it got to be that I couldn't read the design books, or get a number from the phone book....she told me I need bifocals! GREAT!!!! turning 40 IS BAD!!!!! Let's see....since I turned 40 just a few short months ago, I have experienced menopause, learned that I'm going to be a grandmother, and now, a grandmother with bifocals! Well, I guess I should look on the brighter side.....there will be another baby boy to love, my harmone pills are controlling the hot flashes and I'll be able to read the prescription in a few weeks.....I guess its going to be ok!

the last few days

Jaiden has been in the hospital with contractions since Saturday. She is 20 weeks and a few days. She has had a bladder/kidney/urinary tract infection off and on and the doctor says it's back and that's what's causing the contractions. They have flushed her system with fluids and antibiotics this weekend to try to get rid of the infection. She has been a trooper through all this. Seems she's been sick ever since she found out she was pregnant. We all went to visit and M&M made pictures for her. She seemed to be doing better with the pain, they had given her pain meds, but the monitors still showed that she was having contractions. Word last night was she was going home today, but earlier this morning, her mom said they were still pushing antibiotics through her iv. We are all worried about her and the baby, but we have been told that once the infection is under control the contractions should stop.

On another note, while at the hospital yesterday, Thomas and Sara (Jaiden's mom) ran right into his grandmother from the other side. She barely spoke to Thomas and later Sara asked him who she was. When he explained that it was his grandmother, Sara had a fit. No "Hey, Thomas, how are you, why are you here?" She pretty much ignored him, acted like he was a no body she came across on the street. He has done so well emotionally, lately, and didn't need that on top of what's going on with Jaiden. We tried to get him to shake it off, but he's hurting. Please pray for this little family.

well......it's a.....................

I can't believe I haven't posted yet about the gender of this baby! I am SUCH the bad grandmother blogger! Well, here's the story that I sent out by email.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I went today, after a 3 week waiting period, to a doctor's appointment with Jaiden, the mother of my grandchild. The families were represented well....her mother was there, I was there, my mother was there, and of course, Thomas was there. After a 25 minute wait and SEVERAL bets being made as to the sex of this child, the doctor appeared to do the sonogram. We all waited, patiently, NOT!!!!! while he quietly pointed out the head, the eyes, nose, mouth, why the eyes weren't open, oh there's a hand, look at the foot, I'm going to measure the head, click, click, this is the...., I'm looking to see bla bla bla..., next we look at the abdomen, to bla bla bla bla BLA!!!! I'm about ready to knock Thomas in the head because he CAN'T WAIT and I CAN'T STAND IT EITHER, frankly. On a swipe of the magic wand, I was CERTAIN of seeing ....something....having been through several myself, I can kinda see what the things are as they are pointed out, spine, belly, bladder, oh, there goes another foot, look its little hand... Thomas and I are about to take the magic wand away from the doctor and look WHERE WE WANT and SEE WHAT WE ALL CAME TO SEE! Finally, he sits back and says, well, your baby looks normal, then puts the magic wand back on her belly and points out a few more VERY UNNECESSARY items, turns and acts as though he is going to put the wand away. Thomas and I both lunged at him. Then he ever so kindly asked Jaiden did she want to know the sex of the baby? She said Yes, sir. And I could hold it in no longer, I, in my most politest manner I could muster at that given moment said well, why do you think we are all in here? Yes, we want to know! He turned and said, well, let's see.....and just as plain as day, there it was......Thomas Carter Holder is as proud of his >>>>>>as his father! He should be arriving sometime end of February. Stay close for further details. LP

Thomas, Jaiden and the bump

Well, here they are, Thomas, Jaiden and The Bump! I guess I'm going to have to stop calling this poor baby the bump soon because it's actually going to be a gender soon. We go Tuesday, Sept. 16 to find out. She will be 18 weeks and they have told her they can tell. I'm a bit skeptical, simply because I have been through this process before and either the doctor couldn't tell for certain or the baby wouldn't cooperate. I was always in suspense until after 23 weeks, and with the twins, we knew Maison was a boy, but MolliKate just wouldn't cooperate and I was stressing....praying that I didn't get TWO BOYS! Sorry, nothing against boys, I love the two I was blessed to carry and they one that I now can call partially mine, but I'm just not sure I could have handled two at the same time.

Anyway, maybe we will get lucky and the baby will cooperate! They have a boy's name picked out I think, but they are hung up on the girl's name. That's ok, soon we will know which name we are going to be needing.