The Pumpkin Patch Part Deux

Today I went with Kaelyn's kindergarten class to Honeysuckle Hills in Coopertown. Needless to say, this was an adventure. There were about 80 five and six year olds running around. It was such a great time to spend with Kaelyn and her friends. I loved watching her interact with the other kids and her teacher. These are the things I hope she remembers most about her childhood.

With that said..this next part is specifically for my mom....



As I was waiting for the buses to pull out this morning, everything felt so unorganized and I had no idea where to go. I thought for a moment, I don't know where to go..it would just be easier to go home and have a day to get things done around the house. Then I thought of my mom..and all the times things must have been really hard on my mom and she did them anyways. When we were in Chicago, we were having fun and talking about our favorite childhood memories based on some conversation starters at American Girl Place. Today, I remembered quite a few of them. I remember the time my mom would work in my elementary school library when she was working part time. It was great to have my mom with me at school (I know what it feels like for Kaelyn to have me there). In high school, I particpated in a community service organization called Interact. During a meeting, we were responsible for leading it with a guest speaker. I had arranged for a friend of Chris' to come speak..he had just started college and I thought he could talk to us about the transition. About 2 hours before the meeting started, he had to cancel. I had no idea what I was going to do. My meeting turned in to women in the workforce and my mom was the guest speaker. Wtih about 30 minutes notice, she dressed up to the hilt and gave a great presentation in front of all my friends. She really came to my rescue. Two days before my senior prom, I went to pick up my prom dress. The store had altered the dress incorrectly and it didn't fit. Once again, my mom fixed everything. She went and bought fabric and got someone to make a new dress for me in 48 hours. WOW! These are just a few things..I didn't even mention all the softball trips, movie dates in which she drove, and all the field trips she attended.

So, I know it took 28 years to hear, but thank you. Thank you for always being the mom who threw herself into her kids and taught me great lessons along the way. I know being a single mother how much you sacrificed for us. (I can't even imagine being a single mother with my two kids.) You have made me the mother I am today and I understand more and more everyday alot of the feelings you had when we were growing up.


We are grown up..take care of yourself..make yourself happy...enjoy watching your children and grandchildren and what you have helped create. I love you.

The Bell Choir

Tonight the kids performed at church for Laity Club. They did such a great job! Kaelyn is veteraned, but Caleb just sits up there and rings away when someone else is shaking their bells. We also were blessed to hear the Brown brothers sing. They did an amazing job! It's a great blessing to have these kids in our church and to watch them grow spiritually. Here's a clip and some pictures. God Bless the little children.

The Pumpkin Patch

We visited the pumpkin patch on Sunday after we got back from Chicago. This is definitely a country version of an amusement park. They had some really neat things for the kids to do..but they were filthy by the time we left. Oh well...they had a great time. Here are some pics...

This is Keith..Grumpy's brother..his family was at the

Pumpkin Patch...had to include this one!

American Girls in Chicago

We just returned for what was probably the most eventful weekend of Kaelyn's life...so far! We took a trip to Chicago over the weekend with Gramma, Nana, Cindy, and Kassandra. And it was amazing! I caught myself just watching everyone a few times..wondering if they would have the same great memories I have from this trip. I hope Kaelyn looks back at this weekend and understands that it wasn't just about going to Chicago; it was about girls spending time together..talking girl talk, eating because it's good, and enjoying great times with family! (yes..Cindy and Kassandra are definitely part of the family)

Kaelyn and Kassandra are absolutely the two cutest kids ever..they get along so great (and fight so great). They are just like sisters and I know they will be best friends forever. Thank you to my mom, Corneice, and Cindy for going with us. I had such a great time with all of you and am so glad we did this. It's great spending time with all of you..talking about the past and great times we have had and enjoying the moments we are in now. I learn something from each of you all of the time. Although I'm a mom now, I still learn "mom things" from you guys . I hope I leave things with you as well.

We did so many things in Chicago...I don't know where to start. In true form, there are lots of pictures in the slideshow! We checked out American Girl Place and had a brunch there on the second day. This was a great experience for all of us. We walked. We saw Milennium Park; the girls wanted swing sets, but there were none. We walked. We saw the Chicago theater..no one had seen this in movies, except me! We walked. We went to Navy Pier and rode the Ferris Wheel on Friday night. We also watched the fireworks. We walked. We saw lots of Dirty Dancing advertisements for the broadway production (don't worry..the next trip is in the works). And we walked..and all those times we walked...we ate!

I can't wait to do another trip like this again somewhere else with everyone..these are some of the greatest memories I will treasure and hope all of you do too! Love you all!

Nay Nay's Special Picture

I promised her this would definitely be on here. And I thought it deserved its own post. Here she is ladies and gentleman..Sha Nay Nay Barger..on Kaelyn's bike and she posed for the picture. How pretty is she! Hope you like it Nay Nay..and hope everybody gets a smile. We love you Nay Nay!!!

Kaelyn's 6th Birthday

Wow! She is 6! (almost) We celebrated a couple of days early; she really turns 6 on the 8th of October! So almost 6 years ago I was being induced to have my first child. The doctor accidentally cut her head as they were delivering her; she didn't really cry though. She has been just as tough and hard headed ever since; not sure where she gets that..probably from Grumpy. We had a very low key birthday party at the house..just close family and a few friends from the neighborhood. She loved playing with all the kids; but mainly chasing Eric around..she loves him so much and he runs because he likes the attention. We had a great time with all the family. Thanks to everyone who came and Kaelyn really appreciates all the gifts!

We leave for Chicago on the 16th to go to the American Girl Place. I can't wait! Mainly for two big reasons--this will be an amazing experience for Kaelyn and I to share together; but also the two most important women in my life are going with us--my mom and my mother-in-law. These are the most special people to me and I am so glad Kaelyn gets to see all of us together as a family. We are also traveling with Cindy and Kassandra--the other most important people in our lives. Kaelyn can't wait to hang out with Kassandra! I'm sure we will have lots of memories to share from this trip. Check out the pictures on the side!

10 Year Reunion

Saturday night Chris and I attended my 10 year high school reunion! It doesn't seem like it's been that long; but 2 kids and 8 years of marriage later..and there you have it! We met at Coy Lacy park during the day..and everybody has been having babies!! There were kids galore..the people you could never have imagined as parents..were now parents. Everybody grew up..it was nice to take a moment and just sit back and watch. Saturday night we went to Blackhorse and lots of people were there! It's so nice to see people still connected after all these years. Although we have all gone on different paths, married people (some divorced), had babies (some not)..we all have something in common. We attended Clarksville High School. We made lasting memories through sporting events, favorite classes, pep rallies, and after school clubs. And although I haven't seen some of these people in 10 years and don't talk to some of them near as much as I should, these are people that will always be there. I would like to think our class was different from your typical high school class...we all had our clicks and popular people..but we all knew we could count on each other. I am so glad that I can call of these people my friends. Thanks to the organizers and everyone who came! We made lasting memories and can't wait to see everyone in another 10. Below are some pictures of our night! To Michael..everyone asked about you and missed seeing you..hopefully you can come to the next one..everyone would love to see you!