Recently Random Camera Phone Pictures....

I have really been so busy since last month. The last post I did was the fire, and since then we have had Christmas, and New Years. It seems like we just can't get this crazy life under control. However, I have still been getting picture texts, and so I thought I would share the best of what I got this month.

This is from Amanda. It is a picture of Jonathon's AR lunch at school. He was allowed to invite 2 friends. So, he invited Ashely Boggs (his lady friend), and Bethany Kirkland (his cousin). They totally enjoyed being served by the teachers, and filmed...LOL He had to get 125 AR points to have such a lunch. For anyone who knows anything about AR points you know that is alot of reading, and alot of test taking...
This is from Chris. Our supplies for the new fireplace has arrived. This calls for a happy dance...LOL

This is from Amanda. This is Noah with his other family, having some really good times.

This is from Jonathon. He sent me a picture of the new calf.

This is from Harmony. It is Remmie with his Christmas mowhawk...

This is from Harmony. This is what Braxton is Thankful this year. I have to agree. Don't you?

This is from Chris. Christopher was on a Scout trip, and got hit in the head. He had to spend the night in the hospital. It was pretty bad. Then when the black eye set in it was really nice looking. Now it is yellow and black. Poor Christopher...

This is from Lynsey. This is Lynsey, and Bethany's new duet costumes. They are tapping to 'I Can Do That' from Chorus Line...

This is from me. I wanted you to see we moved the doorway into the middle of the bay window. Farrell thought this was a mistake, but it turned out really good. He just couldn't see it when I was describing it. He likes it now...

This is from Harmony. For Brandon's 15th birthday they all went on a ski trip together.

This is from Jonathon. The is learning to take pictures with his ipod touch, and play with the features....he used baby David as his test subject...LOL

This is from Amanda. This is a picture of baby David sleeping with his new big brother Jackson. AWESOME!!

This is from Lenee. She made this great looking bow for Lynsey's production 'Strongest Suit'

I think this is from Jonathon? This is Bethany showing off her new Christmas hat, and Emma Mae being as cute as ever...

I hope you have enjoyed the ramdoness of all the pictures.....

Call 911!!

Thursday night right after 2 a.m. Chris decides he will stoke the fire, before he comes to bed. While stoking the fire he hears a popping sound under the house. Weird.....Then he notices little puffs of smoke coming up behind the mantle. He comes and wakes me up to tell me the house is on fire. I come out and see the puffs of smoke, and I say I will call 911. He starts running through the house yelling for the kids to wake up and go outside 'The House Is On FIRE!!'. I am trying to put on my robe, and slippers while I am calling 911. This takes less then 60 seconds. We come out to the living room and the wall was on fire. Yes people there actually flames burning, and crawling up the wall above the mantle. Here is a picture of what was burning.



The kids ran outside. Chris and I filled pots, and large bowls up to try and put the firey wall out. We seemed to have it under control. This took maybe 60 to 120 seconds. Chris says 'I'm going out to get the hose'. He runs out the door, and runs back in and says 'The roof is on fire'....no way...I run out with the large pot of water in my hands....and there it was THE ROOF WAS ON FIRE!! We tried to throw the water up onto the roof, but it was just to high. However, that didn't stop us from trying 3 more times. This is a picture of where the roof was on fire.....
The police show up at that time, and tell us we have to get out of the house. We can't stay here. We have to stop trying......I am in the kitchen, I look around at my house thinking this may be the last time I see these rooms....I have a few seconds what do I take. My most important things are standing outside on the street....what's left?....I see my scrapbook, and say no....I see my laptop, and say no....I see my purse, walk to it, pick it up, and walk out....I have to tell you this is the strangest feeling I have ever had in my whole life, and as I write this I feel it all over again....

We are now all out on the street.....what are we suppose to do, stand back, and watch it burn...yes that's what you do....

The neighbor Nelda took the kids to her house. Another neighbor named Wink came up to see if Chris and I were alright. That's when she realized he had no shoes on, and his socks were wet. She took her slippers off and gave them to him. He said I can't put those on my socks are wet....she insisted he put them on....very nice.....our other neighbor turned a little stove on at his porch where we could warm up and watch the house....

When all was clear they let Chris and I come back in......


The fireman was explaining how the fire went up the wall, and into the attic. I look at the floor and see my netflex return envelopes all around mixed in with the plaster from the ceiling. I say 'I guess my netflex movies are under there somewhere?'....another fireman says 'no mamam I saw them on the floor I picked them up and put them on your kitchen table, I also moved your snowmen over here by the wall'....'But we couldn't get the T.V. down so I'm sure it will still work'...
If you ever wondered how firefighters find their way around your house....don't worry, they will make holes if they have to.....

This is up in the attic where the roof was on fire............

This is outside looking in through the chimney...While we were standing in the living room, the firemen realized that underneath the house where we were standing was on fire. They had to use a chainsaw to cut the floor to get to it....their chainsaw was dull, so Chris gave them his to use....

See how from outside you can see in....

I had a few really crazy thoughts during this whole thing that I want to share with you. As I was throwing the pots of water on the firey wall I thought 'Where is my camera'....just for a second....

What made us think standing on the ground that we could throw water as high as the house?

Lynsey called her Mom and she came with Kelsea. They got together some stuff for the kids, and took them out to Pat's house. The girls have been with their Mom all weekend, and the younger kids have been with Amanda....

Before the kids left with Debi I kissed each one. Bethany wanted to know what burned up in fire, while Noah cried. What does a parent say to their kids at that moment?.....I don't know but here is what I said......Bethany are you alive? she said yes...I said Am I alive? she said yes....I said Are we all safe now? she said yes.....I said we can go buy the other stuff, but we can replace each other.....

Chris, and I wanted to stay at the house. We worked on getting the living room closed off until we can get everyone to come look at it and start working on it.....I'm sure it will be a long process.

We have had alot of phone calls, emails, facebook comments, visits, ect....We could never thank everyone enough for being so supportive....

I will write another post about this later.....I have some other thoughts I need to get in order, but I know everyone wants to see the photos, and read the post....

10 Years and counting.......

Well who knew that Chris and I would make it 10 years? Not to many I'm sure, but here we are 10 years together and counting......

I didn't think we were really going to get to do anything for our anniversary. I mean we talked about doing all kinds of things, but everything just sort of kept falling through. So, what we ended up doing was more perfect for us then anything else.

Chris had really no idea what any of the plans were. It was a surprise. I booked us a room in Jacksonville, Florida with a heart jacuzzi tub. We checked in on Wednesday night, and went to the Kennel Club to play poker in the Rookie tournament. Here is how the tournament works. You show up, sign up, and they give you the same amount of chips as everyone else. (free) The chips are free, but can only be used for this tournament. Anyway, everyone plays, and at the end you count your chips. If you have only been to the Poker Room 5 times or less you are considered a Rookie. You see others who aren't rookies like to play for other prizes like trophies, shirts, or cds...Anyway Chris always wanted to play real poker, and I love cards so we played against 27 other people. It was alot of fun. Guess who won the Rookie tournament?......

Me! Can you believe it? I won the first hand at our table, some in between, and the biggest pot for the last hand at our table. I had 131 chips. That's when I realized that I just won $40.00

Now once you win these chips you can either cash them out, or go to the main floor, and play. What do you think we did? We totally played poker until we took a break to eat the best sushi I ever had. They had this sushi bar there, and I now want it just thinking about it....LOL

Don't start worrying we are not going to become obsessed with poker, or gambling, but I do have to say I would like to go back....LOL I think Chris was happy that I won, but alittle sad that he didn't. In the end we cashed in all the chips, but I kept one....LOL

This is me with Aaron from Rock 105.
The next day we got up, and we went to the mall to get a new tire for the van. We did alittle shopping, and then headed across town to get me a new wedding band. The old one is to big now.

Then I had one more surprise for Chris. I took him to the Gun Gallery to rent handguns, and shoot at the shooting range.

I picked out this Smith & Wesson with .38 special.

It looks dangerous doesn't it?

I have to say I look good in the eye glasses, and head gear....
Chris isn't looking to bad himself...LOL

I think he had some kind of 45 Glock....

Are you scared yet? When I first went to shoot the gun I thought I might puke. I was so scared, and I really was chickening out. Then I thought 'Echo snap out of it. If you don't do this Chris will never let you live it down. Now put your big girl pants on and squeeze the trigger.'.....LOL

My little pep talk totally worked. I shoot three rounds, and had quite a rush.

I may look sassy in my pop art shirt, but I am dangerous!!

Here is my target's head....It's nice to know if I had to shoot something I could most likely hit the target.

Here is my target's body.....

Here is Chris' target....

Then we went back to the room, and relaxed. Then we headed over for dinner at the Olive Garden. Then we were off to Crackers for karaoke.

The locals told us it was a biker bar. I love biker bars. However, I was disappointed that this was the only biker looking guy in the whole place, and I don't think he really rode a bike to the bar?

Some cowboy came up and asked Chris if he could stare at me from across the bar...LOL Chris is like 'No that's my wife, and we have been married 10 years' I said 'Chris he can stare at me if he wants too....LOL' So he did stare at me...LOL Chris found it all really funny. Then the cowboy danced with a couple of different women before he came up to Chris and said 'Can I ask your wife to dance?' Chris said 'sure'....LOL So the guy asked me and I said 'yes'.....Chris thought the whole thing was so funny. We were having a good time...when we meet these people....

They were our biggest fans for the evening.

We were really having a good time when the DJ came and told us that the karaoke stopped at 11:30...we were confused because the hotel called earlier in the day to see what the time for karaoke was, and they were told it was from 9pm to close. However, come to find out the day shift person was wrong. We asked if we could pay a fee to have him stay. He informed it that the owner wouldn't allow it. Don't you find this just strange. We like your karaoke anyway stranger.

One last thing before I go. So, when I told Bethany we were going to the dog track to play poker she asked if we would bet on a dog. I said I just might pick out the best name and make a bet. She said if there is a dog named Orlando pick that one it will win, or just call me and tell me the names and I will tell you which one is the winner, you know I'm psychic.....LOL

So, I buy the dog racing book, and look it over. There wasn't any Orlando's, and we were busy so we didn't bet. However, I really like the dog named Cheeky Puppy. So at the end of the night I went to see if Cheeky Puppy won. Nope he didn't, but I do remember which number did. So, when I get home I ask Bethany to read over this race and tell me what you think. She reads them all out loud and then says 'I would pick number 3' (the name escapes my mind right now) I said are you sure? She said yes. I was floored she totally picked the winner.....maybe she is psychic....LOL

Hawaiian Luau

The Golden Isles Swim Team had a Hawaiian Luau on September 25, 2010. They are raising funds to be able to buy the equiptment to heat the pool for the winter. It was a really nice event. They had a silent auction, and they raffled some stuff off. More about that later. I want to show some pictures of us sitting around getting ready to eat.

Me & Chris. This is me in my new shirt. I felt much more sassier then I look in this picture...LOL

Amanda & Josh. I really like this picture of them. Her make-up always looks so good. Farrell & Courtney. Her little blue dress was very cute. Chrissy & her husband. I never really talked to Chrissy all that much. The first time she called me by name at the Christmas party it set me back. I don't ever remember meeting her, but she works for Josh so, she must have either met me, or Josh/Amanda have spoken of me. I'm sure they had nothing but really wonderful and great things to say about me....LOL Anyway, I really enjoyed their company. Mac & his wife were there as well, but I didn't get the chance to take their picture....I never really talked with them before tonight, and I must say they are very enjoyable people.

So, what do they serve at a Hawaiian Luau? Roasted pig of course....

See the bullet hole in his head?

See the roasted apple? Do you see the tounge hanging out?

Although it looked gross, it was really awesome. I meant it was super yummy. I wish I would have had a to go plate...LOL

We totally should do this for some holiday function or something....LOL

Now for the raffle tickets, and auction. I was outbid on everything I bid on in the silent auction. Which was okay. So, I bought a raffle ticket for the football tickets to the UGA vs. Auburn game on November 13th. You see Chris and I are going away that weekend for our 10 year anniversary. We haven't made any plans and we thought we were destined to win the tickets. How cool would it be to maybe spend a couple of days somewhere, and then on Saturday head over to Auburn for the game, and hang out with Jeff & Lisa....

Well only two tickets were sold to win the tickets. So, we were on the right track....Right?

Well we didn't win. DANG IT!! I guess we weren't meant to go....that is unless Jeff reads this and you know wants to hook us up.....LOL

Tiger Cub

Noah started Tiger Cubs tonight. He was so excited to finally be able to be a 'Boy Scout'...it was the cutest thing I ever saw.

This is Noah giving me his scout salute. To bad he did it with the wrong hand...LOL Look at his fingers on his other hand, just in case he had to hurry up and change hands...LOL...that's right he already understands the BSA motto 'Be prepared'...LOLThis is Chris in his uniform B helping Noah with his new uniform A. I love the way Noah is looking at Chris in this photo. This will go down as one of my favorite photos of all time. I wish I could bottle that look....
Chris was really excited, and thrilled to go to Tiger Cubs.

We are so excited for Christopher as well. He is a full fledged 'Boy Scout' now. He will be able to go on camp outs, and everything else the BSA Troop 224 does.

I am finally getting into this whole Boy Scout thing. It will be really good for both the boys, oh and let's not forget Chris. This will be really good for Chris too.

P.S. This will be really good for me as well. I finally have something to talk to the boys about that is boyish, or more manly or whatever....LOL

My new kitchen shelves

Look what the King built....in my kitchen...under the window that goes into my living room. We kind of borrowed the idea from Amanda's house. You see when they were remodeling Josh had this built in shelving done for Amanda, and of course I wanted one, and so I kept telling Chris how much I loved them, and the rest is history...

I couldn't wait to fill it with jars. As you can see it is 2 pint shelves, and 2 quart shelves. Only the wide mouths fit right, which is fine by me. They are my favorite jars anyway. Also each shelf is 2 jars deep.

You can see I have left a space to put my blackberry/blueberry jam I made with Amanda and Courtney...but left at Amanda's....LOL

I have been asked if I will use these jars first? The answer for now is a big NO....it is to pretty...but reality will strike one day, and I will pull from here first for 2 reasons....

1. it will be quicker

2. I'm to lazy to walk the extra steps to get it from somewhere else...LOL

Try not to be to green with envy....just copy it in your own kitchen...LOL