Weekend: LONG Blog

Caden helping me carve the pumpkin
Daddy and Jake carvin the rotten pumpkin

Caden's pumpkin

The pumpkin theif stealing another families pumpkins!

Jake's pumpkin

Wee puppy in pumpkins

Tate and her pumpkin (the rotten one)

Family time

Daddy time

Trying for a shot with Caden not cooperating

Maci getting a cut

so sweet

Wee pupp with his capri sun and shades

Jakey's two stimgs on his nose

Wow, we had a non-stop weekend. Jake had a soccer game Saturday morning. He still just walks around the field but hey at least he is on the field. He was so excited because his Uncle Jason came to watch and then took him to eat donuts!

The boys came home to share their donuts and then they were off to the gym while me, Tate and Caden hung out. Once they got back Tate and I headed out for our Girl Power Time at the beauty shop. Tate got a haircut and TWO braids in her hair and I got a pedicure. Perfect afternoon together. We got home and then it was time to cut the dogs hair. (We are in budget cutting mode and we now save $40 plus a month by cutting the dogs hair ourselves). While getting ready to cut Maci's hair Jake was helping me trim a plant back and there was a nest of bees/wasps in it and they flew out and two stung Jake on the nose. He screamed and I felt so bad that I didn't see the nest fast enough. We got him lots of benadryl and he settled down pretty quick. He was a trooper. But, he wasn't really up on the idea of going outside again. He now makes me check outside for any signs of bees/wasps before he will go out!

Tate then had a private lesson at the gym for her and Coach April to work on some of her fears on the beam. If I have not mentioned before how much we adore her coach let me just say it now. Tate has some fears of being on the beam and falling off while doing some of her moves (who wouldn't). Together we found a scripture that she has been praying on and she will say it to pump herself up when on the beam and bars. If she forgets it her coach quickly reminds her of it and encourages her with it. Taylor is also a people pleaser. She really reminds me of me at her age. Every time April has been drilling her on some things and making her redo them because she isn't getting them Taylor will break down and cry because she is afraid April is mad at her. So, the other night after practice April pulled her over and stood her on a chair so they could be eye level. She told Taylor this "Taylor, I love you and I will always love you. No matter what you do or don't do in that gym I will love you. I am not mad at you. The reason I make you do things over and over again until you get it right is because I am your coach and if I didn't do that that would mean I didn't care about you. I am tough on you because I know what your potential is and it is my job as your coach to make sure you rise up and meet your potential. When we enter those two doors into the gym I am going to work you hard and we will have fun too. But, when I am making you do things over and over it is not because I am mad at you it is because I know what you are capable of. And no matter what you do I will love you!" I swear I wanted to cry. She was totally loving Tate like Jesus loves each of us. He is waiting for us to rise up to be the person he created us to be. It was such a huge moment for me. To watch her take the time with Taylor like that meant so much to me. Cyn and I hear lots of stuff when we say our girls are in gymnastics and they compete and are at the gym 10 hours a week. But, really if Tate wanted to walk away tom. or next year I would not stop her she loves what she is doing and the lessons she is learning in that gym Way surpass the fine art of gymnastics! I know that whatever she decides to do in life these lessons and work ethics April is instilling will stay with her for a life time. (Sorry off my soap box).

We then headed home to cook dinner and have some family time.

Today we went to church and then Tate and I cuddled up in the chair and watched "Teen Witch". Hello friends do you remember that show. OMGoodness I loved it and it was just as good now that I am 32 years old. We then headed up to the pumpkin patch where all the kids picked a pumpkin. We took them to my folks house to carve while we grilled out. We had a blast until it was time to carve Tate's. It was foul people. Rotten to the core. That wouldn't be so bad except last year I totally botched her pumpkin while carving it. She was no real happy. But, Jakey fixed it all by saying he would share his and we could make it the family pumpkin. Sweet boy. So, after a good meal and carved pumpkins we headed home ready to start a whole new week.

Wee Spider

Quacking with the TV
Hi Mommy
Eating grapes

Caden came home from school today as a little spider! He will not take this hat off. When I picked him up they said everytime they tried to take it off he threw a fit. I think I have finally found our Halloween costume. Get a black shirt and I am set! Here is also a little movie of him dancing!

Random Things

Cutest First Grade Outfit
Cooler weather picture
Pep talk from dad (much bribing going on)
Wandering
Clueless....action passing us by

Breathing with Pippy
Tate's new machine
Peek a boo in mommy's bed
The boys watching TV in my bed
Soccer game

I am so sorry it has been so long. No excuse really. Just crazy life going by way to fast. Thank God for the cooler weather today. There is still a touch of humidity in the air and I am ready for it to go away soon. The one picture of Tate is of her in a fall outfit. She reminded me I always take a picture when the weather turns. She also informed me this was the cutest outfit she has worn to first grade. She then proceeded to get chocolate from her muffin top on it. Dang it!

The other pictures are of Jake at his soccer games. He actually sets foot on the field now which is huge. He still has no desire to run and kick the ball. As you can see he roams the field as the action passes him by. At least he is on the field. His coach promises in time he will get active. Whatever!

Taylor has a new sinus machine to breathe on twice a day. FUN! She is also having to start allergy shots soon. We are waiting on her meds to be delivered to the clinic to start that process. I really pray this helps her poor thing. She is still loving gymnastics and has had three meets so far. The girls look so big when they are out there competing. We are so proud. Last Monday she was awarded the penguin at gymnastics. This is an award they hand out every week for hard work and what not. She gets to keep it for a week and name it whatever she wants for that week. She named it "Pippy". That is what she used to call Jake when he was little. They have had fun with it and Jake babysits while she is at school. He even instructed me yesterday when he left for school to put pippy down for a nap on his bed and cover it up with his blanket. So funny.

Endless Search

Yesterday Brnadond came home with me after we dropped off the girls at gymnastics so Cyn could go see her mom in the hospital. He was so cute and the boys played so well together. But, when it came time to leave we could find Brandon's "bear bear". He had had it all night and Caden had kept tabs of the darn thing by bringing it to Brandon whenever he left it somewhere. I knew I had seen it during dinner on the couch but it was nowhere and I do mean nowhere.

Caden was in bed and we even got him up thinking he could lead us to him. When we asked Brandon he just kept saying "he is asleep". So, here we were three adults and five children and we could not find this darn bear! 20 minutes later I was convinced it had grown legs and fled our crazy house. Cynthia was starting to tell Brandon to say Goodnight to Bear they were going to leave. But Michael saved the day. He just happened to take one of the ridding toys and flip it upside down and low and behold stuffed in a tiny hole was "Bear Bear". I wish I would have taken a picture of how this poor thing was crammed in there!

So, we all were wiped after our game of hide and seek!

Truly He Is Hard Headed

Last night Michael had arranged a date night for us...he even set up the babysitting!! Well, about 4:45 yesterday afternoon, after Tate got off the bus, I was fixing snacks for the kids and called up to them to come and eat. About 30 seconds later Jacob is screaming his head off. He missed the bottom stair and landed on the side of his head! If you know Jake he is pretty accident prone. Last week he fell upstairs and hit the metal piece at the bottom of the rail and had a good bump to show for that along with a small gash (no stitches needed). Luckily this was the other side of the head (we need to even him out here).

Well, after about 10 minutes and a little ice he is not settling down and crying on how bad his head hurt. He just kept on and on about how his head really hurt and just wanted to lay on the couch. This is not normal for this kid and there was no bump. So, I called after hours and to the ER we went. Now, Jake is pretty much a medical drama queen and enjoys these little excursions. We went to Tomball becuase the wait is usually shorter and thankfully it was. Marca (our babysitter) came early and sat with the other two. So, they rushed him in for a cat scan (which he thought was going to be cool until we got in the room with the big machine). So, they allowed me to lay on the table next to him. Well, I was rather on top of him the table was so small and I talked to him calmly and they actually got the pictures!

So, after waiting a little longer they came and said all was clear Praise God. We got there at 5:30 and we were in our driveway by 7:15. We dropped him off with his whataburger and we headed on to dinner together. It has been a rough week!

Jake then had his first soccer game this morning. No, no pictures. Why you ask? Hard to take pictures of your child while they sit on your lap for the whole game!! If you know me I am not good in those situations so after responding not so lovingly Michael took over and we agreed I would just stay mum at these games until he plays one. Angela got a good laugh at me and I needed a valium by the time it was over. His coach assured me to be patient and he would be playing by the end of the season. I am not holding my breath!

We are now off to Tate's gymnastics meet!

Catch Up

Chick fil a run with Blackshear clan..nothing better than fast food!

Tate behind the wheel....crazy girl both hands on the wheel please!

trees down
tree in someones house.
Playing in the rain puddles
Caden slept with us for 5 nights. Fans were blowing on us thanks to a generator.
Watch out on the roads

helping daddy prepare
storm coming in
night of storm watching Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium
kids bed in my bathroom
Driving around Neighborhood in the ac


Sorry it has been awhile. Crazy to get back in the heat of things. Locked us all out of the house this morning if that tells you anything. Angela had to come and whisk Tate to school who was beyond distraught at the thought of being tardy. Angela saved the day parked the car and rushed her in. She was not late Praise God!

Here are some pictures from Hurricane Week. Also, we had Brooke over to play one day and they had a blast! One set of pictures are of me and Cyn whisking the kids out to eat lunch. We did not care how long we waited in line darn it we wanted fast food. We had the movie playing in the car and went to Chick fil a. Bless them we were only in line for 10 minutes!

The others are pictures from our neighborhood and us driving around. People here lost a lot. At least 20 homes had trees enter their house that night.

You can see the rest on my flickr site.

School Anyone

I have pictures I will post later but Michael has my camera at Jake's to record their damage and product loss. PLEASE pray for power to come on soon at Jake's. They are beginning to really struggle and loose product! Michael (as well as his fam and Jason) has worked 7 days straight with no sign of letting up. He came home Thursday night hugged the kids and had ice cream with them and as soon as they were in bed went back to work until 1AM.

Kids have been out of school a week now HELP ME! Tate is suppose to go back Tuesday BUT there are three schools in her district that are questionable for a next week return and of course hers is one of them. Was not ready for Spring Break this early in the year! Jake should go back Wed and Caden Friday. We will be starting from scratch with Caden since he only goes on Fridays and he has only bee ONCE! Should be fun for all. It is like starting the school year over.

Plus, they have cancelled all activities....soccer and gymnastics. The gym has no power and no water. So, she is flipping around the house and driving me a bit crazy.

We got power late Wed. PRAISE GOD! I became very sick that day with Strep and a upper resp. infection (am still feeling crummy) and had shipped all kids off so I could sleep. Cyn took Tate...Kimmy took Jake and my folks had wee pup. THANK YOU DOES NOT EVEN SUM UP MY GRATITUDE FOR THAT DAY!!!!! We left the older ones be and brought Caden home. He had slept in our bed for 5 nights straight and no one was sleeping well. He slept from 8 that night to 9 the next morning. I bet his own bed felt great!! We had so much to clean up inside. The fridge was molded and GROSS! But thankfully all is back to normal, in the house anyways.

My in-laws still have no power and a huge tree fell through their garage. It finally got cut down yesterday. My brother lives in an apartment on the second floor and it was totally ruined. He had water everywhere. Coming through the walls and his floors and light fixtures. He just bought himself all new furniture (he has a job and can finally do those things and was so proud to be able to do it). His fave thing was his HUGE TV. One because he loves TV and two being blind it helps to have a big TV. By the grace of God no furniture, including TV, were ruined. My dad went and put everything up on bricks to get it off the floors. Now everything is molding and mildewing so they have movers there today moving his stuff into storage until they get his place fixed. Which they can not get started on because NO POWER! My heart just broke for him. He was devastated. He cried and I could do nothing. We both knew that their were people MUCH worse off and he was so lucky. But still it is hard.

Our church had some major roof damage and leaks and water in the chapel and outlet buildings.

You really can't go anywhere because power is out so no lights work and people are not paying attention bad wrecks!! Plus it takes forever to get where you are going. So, we stay put.

I can not believe it has been a week. This has truly been the longest week of my life and I pray to never experience another hurricane again!!!!

Please continue to pray for those with no power or water. Those who are stranded far from their homes or have nothing to go back to. The images are horrible!