Smoke Off & Sunday Nothings

Saturday night we met up with some of the Maddox Family for the 1st Annual CC Smoke Off.  Aunt Mary and Aunt June were home for the weekend to attend their high school reunion and we were able to sneak in a lil down time to visit with them.  As most of you know, I just love the Maddox/Dennis family.  So here are My Favorite Aunt Peggy, My Favorite Aunt Mary, and My Favorite Aunt June along with their life long friend Anna and my Mother-In-Law Debbie.

We were a little late and didn't get to sample all the Bar-B-Q but the homemade ice cream was Delish!  I had Strawberry, my FAV!!!!

And we can't leave out the boys.  I think they "coalmined" all night long.

Kris, Steve (father-in-law), and Ronnie (Kris' Uncle)

Me & the best Mom-In-Law in the world.

My Favorite Aunt Mary (Birthday girl)

Me & My Favorite Aunt Peggy

Today we did nothing, ok, so I did nothing.  The Hubs and I stayed in the bed til noon.  We made reservations to go camping in the next few weeks and decided to pull all the necessities out.  We have a huge 8 man tent but it seems to be a lot of work so Kris decided to purchase another small tent at Wally World today.    So here's the my home for 4 days and 3 nights.  Considering the kids have their own tent, I'm calling this one "The Love Shack".

And just so you know, even 36 year olds still like to set camp up in the middle of the living room and watch TV.

So in a few weeks, we'll be loading up the truck like a bunch of Hillbilly's and heading to the Smokey Mountains to rough it up for a few days.  Going to forgo all the nice dining, dinner shows, and shopping and spend some good ol' quality family time together.  Getting back to the basics of life, tubing, fishing, hiking, and campfires.  Quality time with the 3 boys I love the most.  Have a Marvelous Monday Bloggers!

My week

I've been meaning to upload this picture for months now.  I purchased this hand made frame from a blog that I follow.  She just uploaded some new frames, tassels, and photo albums on her ETSY webpage.  Click HERE to visit her blog and enter her online store.

The last few weeks have been a lot of fun at work.  The soon to be new owners have been coming in on most days, working along side of dad and the rest of us.  This is Harold's first set of lighted LED channel letters, all made by hand.

I've been trying to take pictures of our last days here.  Below is our favorite delivery guy (Billy) from a sign supplier we buy from.  (Billy, Dad, Me, Nathaniel)

Although its bittersweet and my working days are limited , I really enjoy being around  The Ford family, I think Muhlenberg County will be very happy with the transition.  It will be strange not working side by side with my dad and younger brother once we are finished with the transition process.  I thought I was ready for a change but not so sure as its gets closer.  Not sure how I'm going to like working from home  5 days a week.  I'm really going to miss all of our life long customers, some of them have know me since I was little bitty and have become "like family" to me.

I've been cleaning out a little during my spare time.  We're finding all kinds of great stuff, lots of memories.

My work week was pretty good, especially Friday.  Yes, I love the last day before the weekend and the fact that it's payday but this past Friday was extra special.  I had lunch with my niece Kinley and then she came and spent the afternoon with us at work.  We then left work a lil early and hit happy hour at sonic.  I just can't believe that my lil KinleyBoo is this big already!  She's so funny and just acts so grown up, this girl loves the radio and loves to sing! 

I dropped the kids off early this morning for a paintball event and then spent the morning doing a lil shopping for me.  I've had a gift certificate from Mother's Day and it was burning a hole in my wallet!  I haven't posted any before/after shots cause its just not me to do so, but I've lost 25 lbs on Zija in the last 4 months and my cloths are starting to get to big but not big enough for me to go on a big shopping spree.  I've only went down 1-2 sizes and I would like go down 1 more size before buying any new cloths.  So I settled for "one size fits all" items today!  Some new sandals, a hat, and some earrings!  Very cute!!!!  Thanks to the hubs and kidos!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Happy Father's Day

Fathers Day was spent with the most wonderful men in my life.  Only one missing was my older brother Rick.  He was busy doing important stuff like saving lives (he's an EMT).  Here's to all you Great Fathers out there.

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea, 

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages, 

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity, 

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so,

He called it ... Dad

(Author Unknown)

Happy Father's Day!!!

A Week Celebrating some of my Favorite Guys!

What a busy week, but never too busy when it includes all the favorite guys in my life.  This week Karson wrapped up his base ball tournament.  Had a few rain outs, but are officially finished for the season.  Notice the blue ribbon on Karson's  sleeve?  It was honor of a lil boy named Corbin who was just 5 years old, he passed this past Saturday due to Battens disease.  So sad, just beaks my heart.

My lil catcher!  Mom sure was glad to see you back behind the plate again K.

Tuesday night we celebrated Kris' 36th Birthday with his parents at Phillys.  I made a visit out to the mines and decorated his office and of all days I forgot my camera.  If you know Kris very well, he's soft spoken, quite, a lil shy, and does not like any attention at all.  So any chance for me to give all those boys out there an opportunity to rag him a bit, Yep, I'm gonna do it.  Happy Birthday!

I also got to eat lunch with my niece Kinley and nephew Payton this week.  

and with my brother too.

Saturday Kris & I celebrated our 16th Anniversary.  We thought we would be at the ball field all day for K's tourney but the weather seemed to have different plans for us.  So that night we headed out (just the two of us) which is very rare for dinner and a Saturday night drive. Here's a few picts.

I really do think I'm married to the most handsome man in the world!  And as he gets older, he gets better looking ;)  I love you Mr. Maddox!!!

Ok, so we're not 18 anymore, but I still like to kiss on him.

After dinner we put the windows down and the sun roof up, took a trip to sonic, rode around listening to some good music.  The simple things in life are often the most important things in life.

Now being completely serious.  16 years have come and gone and hasn't been as easy breezy like some may think.  Marriage is hard and has been the most difficult but most rewarding commitment I've ever made.   I think back to the vows we made on our wedding day and good times/bad times we've shared in our marriage.  It seems these days that a successful marriage is very uncommon, but is possible.  I know that it requires hard work, commitment, compromise and adaptability, love and respect, and a helping hand.  I, myself witnessing it firsthand with my parents and Kris parents, marriages that have stood the test of time for more than 35 years is so encouraging.  It reminds me of why it is important to keep trying, growing, learning, and loving.  Marriage is the most worthwhile venture I will ever invest in.   I can't read the future but what I know for sure is that 16 years ago I married my friend, the one I laugh with, live for, dream with, LOVE.

Prayers Answered!

Guess who is home resting?!?!  Mr. Johnson!  He came home yesterday.   We were able to visit him and his family in Nashville this past weekend.  Can I just say "WOW" what great family you have Mr. J! You are blessed beyond measure.  Here's a few pictures from our visit this past Saturday.

Mr. Johnson and 1 out of 3 amazing kids Jenna

2 lil Green Belts, Karson with a "K" and Mathew

They love their Instructor!

Mr. Johnson - We are so happy you are home and starting to heal.  1 case of Diet Coke, coming right up!

Thanks to all my blogging buddies that kept this family in your prayers.

Happy 36th Birthday to my Honey Bee!

Every time I hear Blake Shelton's Honey Bee I think of you.

you'll be my soft and sweet i'll be your strong and steady
you'll be my glass of wine i'll be your shot of whiskey

you'll be my sunny day i'll be you shade tree

you'll be my honey suckle i'll be your honey bee

you'll be my louisianna i'll be your mississippi
you'll be my little loretta i'll be you conway twitty
you'll be my sugar baby i'll be your sweet ice tea
you'll be my honey suckle i'll be your honey bee

Hope you have a Happy 36th Birthday!  Love you!

Prayer Request for a Special Man

I usually don't ask for prayer request on my facebook page or my blog.  I would never want to invade on anyone's privacy or personal situations.  But today a very good man who means a lot to our family is struggling with a slight set back.  Karson's TKD Instructor Mr. Johnson suffered a stroke about 10 days ago.  He was doing very well, but he has take a step backwards today.  His family and friends are asking for prayer.  He means so much to our community and youth.  I know his work here on earth is not done.

Classic Mr. Johnson & Karson with a "K" photo.

I can't say enough great things about this man.  He has a precious family who just adores him.  So I'm asking my friends and followers to say a prayer that God will heal and strengthen him.

Thursday's Blunders

Its Thursday and I have NO motivation at all.  The husband set my alarm clock on my day off.   So my sleeping in was out of the question.  I don't think he knows what day of the week  it is anyway.  Ahhhhh, I know too much ranting and raving about too much work.  Fact is my pool is green, the house is a mess.  I had to work a lil today and run all over 2 counties.  Went to the big bank for work so I made a pit stop by the mines and dropped off some pizza for the hubs but he was underground so I left it on his desk.  Noticed that the mines had posted that they would be running coal this Saturday. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!  Came back to town, went to the pool store and said this is the last treatment before I got BLEACH & BAKING SODA crazy!  So it seems like every time I took one step forward, I took two steps back.   I think I'd rather be spinning my wheels. 

I did manage to steel some picts from my oldest son's facebook page from his paintball trip he recently went on.  It seems like I have to beg his friends for photos, Lord knows he won't let me take them.  He's getting so big! Wow, can't believe it's happening this fast.

The highlight of the day was picking Karson up from 4-H camp.  Thanks Ms. Vanessa for bringing my baby home safe and sound.

Poor kids had to sit on that hot bus til the parents were called out of the crowd to pick them up.  It was blazing hot today.

Feeling much better after a shower and some "regular food" McDonalds.

I haven't found any great words of wisdom today.  My sister-in-law did post a quote on her facebook page today that I really liked. And it really doesn't pertain to any of today's events.  Just liked it.

   Loving is not how you forget but how you forgive, not how

 you listen but how you understand, not what you see but

 how you feel, and not how you let go but how you hold on.

Who am I?

Who am I?

My first answer would probably be my name.
But, my name does not describe who I am on the inside.
I could then give the title of my profession.
But that is what I do.
I could then tell you I am a wife, a mother, a sister, and a daughter.
But those are my relationships.

I ask again, who am I?

I could describe myself as an extrovert and outgoing.
That is my personality.
I am organized in planning events.
But that is a gift God has given me.
I could describe my appearance, but that is not who I am either.

So many times I have believed what others say I am.
If I receive affirmation, then I feel worthwhile.
However, when I receive criticism, then I feel like a failure.
I have chosen to ride the roller coaster of emotions,
Instead of believing the truth of what God says about me.
I have tried to work harder to prove that I am worthwhile.
Yet every time I mess up or fail, I am reminded that I will never measure up.

I will never be pretty enough or talented enough.
I will never be skinny enough or do enough good things of the church.
I will never be a good enough wife or mother or sister or daughter.
But, I keep trying harder and harder.
I believe the lie that if I continue to try harder, I will finally be "good" enough.

One day, God gently said to me,
"Stop trying so hard to prove yourself to others.
Get your worth from me. I've already given it to you.
Remember my grace.
It's a free gift and nothing you can achieve by trying harder.

by Shelley Hitz

Kronos, Beech Bend, and 4-H Camp

Western Kentucky is finally seeing some major flood relief in the last few weeks.  The river is still up and the bugs are badddddddddddd. Oh how I hate bugs.  A few weeks ago the hubs took me on a lil Sunday road trip.  This is the famous Green River.

Big Rivers Power Plant - Hi Justin!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Notice all the bugs on the windshield.

The hubs has been working way too much but I guess it just comes with the job.  I think he's now married to it actually.  The next 6 months aren't going to get any better at all.  Their time is almost up at the current mine and he'll be moving his crew to the new mines when they hit the coal seam.  This was my first trip out to see the new place, its going to be very nice!  Just wondering if I should buy a cot to put in his office considering the time he's going to be there.  I know I should stop complaining.  We are very fortunate to have a job in todays economy.  But the stress it puts on a marriage SUCKS! Yes, I said it, its sucks!  I just miss him :(

Ok, so I'm off that now, heres a look at the new place.

Awwwww.......My handsome man!  No, not perfect but perfect for me.  The reason I choose to swim not sink when times are tough.

Last Friday was Karson's Jr. Beta trip to Beech Bend.  He really is growing up with a good group of kids, I really enjoy being around all his friends.

I forgot to tell Karson that the bigger guy always gets the outside on the Scrambler.  Classic "help I'm smooched" photo.

It was 68 degrees outside and the kids were swimming like fools! Crazy!

Karson's favorite 5th grade teacher, Mr. Sharp.

Another hat that the brother will love!  I think it outdoes the Panda Bear Hat. 

My friend Bobbi turned 40 last week and this is what her lovely husband left her while we were on the field trip with the kids. Ha!  Should of seen her face when we pulled up at the school parking lot.  Priceless!

40 Balloons and Dead Flowers!

Karson left for 4-H camp on Monday, its been very quite around here.

Hope & Chelsea

Hope and her dad Keith (one of my favorite coal miners).  Keith was on the same mine rescue team as Kris for 2 years and now is one of the safety directors at the same mines.  Love the Whitehouse family!

Letters from home.  Considering camp is one day shorter this year I had to mail letters off on the day he left.

Well I think the pool is calling my name, have Wonderful Wednesday!