Jace's Bird Feeder

Jace getting his supplies together

We have the string on the roll

Spreading the peanut butter

Sprinkling bird seed

Getting the other side

Now to really get the roll covered

All done!

"I want it on that bush" (You can't see it, but he's pointing

in the general direction of the bush)

Here you go birds!

The biggest CHEESE I could get out of him...

the sun was in his eyes.

Later that day a HUGE flock of black birds came down and was around the bird feeder. We had the door open and I whispered to Jace to peek at his bird feeder. He slowly got up and tip-toed to the door and eased his head around and saw the "silly birdies" jumping up at his feeder and snagging what little seed and PB they could, (we forgot to put perches on it...).

A New House...FINALLY!

Annie, the ever curious one...

"Watcha doin'?"

"Hhmmm, this will do..."

After a slow and some what difficult trip from Mom and Dad's house to mine, the shed made it on one piece, broken...but one piece. They have really loved the new little shed and are much, much warmer than in their little adobe hut.

Puzzle Time!

Jace getting started...

He got Lightning, now he's working on Mader
Almost there...!

Now get the outside!

All done! Good job!

(With help from Ben, the train)

Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

About a week ago I finally decided that it was time to get some new tires for my truck...(they were pretty bad)!! And I hadn't seen Claire in FOREVER, so I figured that I would take Jace and Claire to see the early showing of Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, get tires, then they would get home at a decent time.

They had sooooo much fun! They LOVED it!! The laughed through the whole thing. Claire was either at the edge of her seat or standing up dancing and Jace pretty much stayed in my lap the entire time. It was wonderful bonding time for Auntie Em... I just soaked it up!!

I highly recommend the movie...btw.

Merry Christmas Ashlei

Jace and I decided to ride with Grandpa and see Ashlei while Grandpa was seeing Grandma. Today is the 26th of December - Grandma was buried exactly 12 years ago.

This is the first Christmas we have spent without Ashlei and though yesterday was wonderful, I think we all had Ashlei on our minds. We didn't talk much about her, but I think she was there. These pictures are of Jace placing some flowers next to his Mama's grave.

We love you Ashlei! We think of you everyday! We miss you!

P.S. - And Ashlei, don't worry...Jace knows exactly who you are!

Any Comments...?

Sssssoooooooooo, I've had a blog for awhile and....I have no comments. Does anyone know I have it? Does anyone have anything to say? Hhmmm!

Christmas Time Blues :'(

I promised I would not be one of those "crazy people" who get all depressed at Christmas time... Well, here I am. Its not as bad of an episode as it could be, I guess. I have a job - I'm helping my Grandpa, my bills are paid; early, my animals are fed and healthy. I just don't have much money for much else - like Christmas gifts!

I feel like such a looser for not being able to get any gifts for anyone. My sisters and I did get together and got mom and dad a gift (woops...! Almost let it slip...again)!

I think when I start getting paid from Grandpa I'll start to feel better. Plus I'll be starting to take some college classes at Angelina in Jasper...that'll help feel like I'm making progress. And that's a FINALLY on that.

I don't have many regrets. In my opinion, what's the point of having htem? You can't change the past and YOU (or I) made the choice, so man up and stand by them - and I have, thus far. The two regrets that I still hold on to (one of those "I shoulda listened to the parentals") is:

1) I wish I would've finished the last two years of softball in High School. I lettered my freshman and sophomore year on the Varsity and quit. I will say the coach kinda sucked and really showed favorites, but my junior and senior year there was a new coach...an AWESOME coach!! And he BEGGED me to play. Said I could be just the pinch-hitter and not have to run the bases or play the field!! What was wrong with me?! I don't know...okay, regret #1.

and 2) not started college the fall following graduation! I will have to say that my counselor SUCKED big ones, my parents had no clue the steps it would take to get me on that road, as far as SAT/ACTs, etc., and I, certainly, had NO CLUE...

...Anyway, #1...can't do anything about it. I got my letter and moved on. #2...we're fixing. I little late, but fixing it...

Already feeling better. Watching Teen Mom on MTV, about to go see my Grandpa and eat some fish - I'll be ok!