Turkey

I cooked a pretty big turkey for Thanksgiving which resulted in a good bit of leftovers. We ate on them for a few days and I was even able to freeze some of the turkey for later use. Tonight, I used the last of the left-over turkey to make soup. I just learned how to make soup about 2 months ago, when I was trying to figure out what to do with the left-over turkey a day after Thanksgiving. The kids have mixed reviews about it. Matthew loves it! Jacob only likes some of the ingredients and will pick out what he doesn't like. Lauren won't eat it or complains the entire meal if we do make her eat it.
The picture above is my bowl of soup tonight. I used turkey, celery, parsley, onion, garlic, carrots, zucchini, cabbage and egg noodles. Below, is my bowl when I was done! The weather is supposed to dip into the negative digits tonight with the wind chill. I thought it was perfect weather for soup!

Really Cold

Two years ago, we had the worst ice storm I have ever witnessed. That doesn't say much, as I'm from Louisiana and we don't get snow or ice. January 2007 was beautiful and COLD! The temperature for the next few days is going to stay below the freezing mark. Tommorrow night, with the wind chill, it is expected that the temp will be -10*! BRRRRR! Thankfully, it will be dry. Today's picture was taken two years ago. I was standing on my front porch, looking at the left hand side of my yard. I hope we do get some ice and snow this year, and not just the sprinkles we have had here and there. I hope we have a really good, deep snow!!

Lauren

I don't know what is her deal lately, but Lauren has been quite a challenge. She argues over dinner every night. She makes a choice to do the opposite of what I suggest, even if what I suggest is what she really wanted. My friend suggested that maybe it's a growth spurt causing the moodiness. I'm not sure, but I hope it passes quickly. Here is a picture of her from Sep 2006. Moody.

Demon

We adopted a new dog from my Uncle. This is Demon. He is a pure bred Siberian Husky. We are still training him to recognize the boundries of our property and to not beg for food. He seems to be doing much better since he has gotten here. He has been with us for 2 weeks now. I think he is going to be a great addition to our pack! The other two dogs seems to like him and he fits in well.

I've been Tagged

Ros tagged me! The rules are you go to your fourth picture folder and choose the fourth picture in that folder and post in with an explanation as to what it's about. Then you can tag someone else. Have fun! (IF you are reading this, consider yourself tagged!! Please post in the comments if you do post so I can visit your site!)

I had a little trouble with this as my pictures are in folders grouped by the year, then month then day uploaded or taken. So, I went to my 2009 folder and then to Jan, because it's the only folder in there. I picked the fourth pic in the folder and here is what you get:


This picture is Logan, Dyson and Matthew in the front of an Army bull dozer. When my sister was visiting last week, we took the boys to see all the big army equipment set up on post. They had a great time running around and checking out all the big green machines.

Hangin' Around

This is a picture of Mike from Warrior Tower last June. Warrior Tower is an obstacle course used to develop confidence in trainees. Mike was demonstrating one method of rapelling for the troops.

Back to School

Today's picture was taken on the first day of school, August 14. The kids are all lined up youngest to oldest; Madison, Lauren, Jacob and Matthew.

Old Ice

As I was going through some pictures from last February, I came across these two of one of the trees in our front yard coated in ice. Since I was asking for snow yesterday, I thought it appropriate to share these.

Where's the Snow

Here is our house and front yard on December 10. We got a little snow. The kids can't wait to get some real snow on the ground so they can built a snow man and attempt to slide on the ice! After two weeks off school and work, I'm looking forward to a snow day or two!

My Jake

I drove for almost 12 hours today. Holli and the kids are back home, safe and sound. Jacob was my travel buddy. We met Devin 1/2 way, which brought us just south of Memphis. Jacob and I had a nice, quiet ride home. He spent the day with Mike yesterday and when asked if he enjoyed having each of us to himself for the day, he replied "we should do this more often".
I really enjoy when I get to spend one on one time with the kids. It helps us to reconnect and get to know each other a little better. I am proud of the people my children are becoming. I get sad when I think about them growing up and away from me. I want them to be independant and well adjusted adults. But at the same time, I struggle with the thought of them being adults!
When I though of having kids, I never really thought past the kid stages. I don't think anyone starts out wanting kids just so they can raise teenagers! I absolutely love watching children grow from a helpless infant, into a thinking, caring, loving being. But I have to admit that I am struggling with the thought of my kids being so independant. As long as I can remember, I've wanted to be a Mom. To think of their being a time, in the not so distant future, when my kids will not need me, breaks my heart a little. I can't imagine my life without the responsiblity of my children. For so long now, they have been a huge part of how I defind myself. I know in the long run, it will all work out. I guess I'm just afraid of what the future holds. There are so many evils in this world.
I'm sure my Mom had this same thoughts about us as we were growing up. I joined the Army and left home a week after my 18th birthday. I was the first and only of 5 to leave home. Thinking back, I can't imagine what she must have felt. I can't imagine just letting my kids go out into the world. For her to have just watched me pack a small duffle and walk away must have been so hard for her. But, I am so glad she was able to put her feelings aside and allow me to become who I am. I only hope I can find that strength in myself when it's time to let my kids grow.

Today's picture is Jacob. This picture was taken on Friday when we took the kids to see the tanks and other Army equipment on post. My nephews really enjoyed running around and checking it all out. Jacob doesn't let me take his picture often, so it's a realy treat to capture a genuine smile from him!

Going Home

My sister and her three kids have been here since last Saturday. The kids have done great. They have really enjoyed spending time with each other. They don't get to spend much time together, as we live so far apart. I've really enjoyed seeing my nephew Dyson, as he has the best expressions. He talks really well for an almost 2 year old!!


Today's picture is me and my sister, Holli.


If you click on any pictures on this blog, it opens them bigger.

New Year

I don't like to make resolutions. I never seem to keep them. I think this year, I am going to try something. Starting today, I want to try to post a picture here at least every week day. I think it will help me to take better pictures because I will only want to post good pictures. It will also help me to see how far I've come with my pictures. I LOVE taking pictures and would like to improve. I'm hoping this will help!

So, here is my first picture post this year:

This is my nephew, Dyson. He has the cutest expressions!


Dyson is in the foreground here playing his brother's Nintendo DS. In the background, you can see Lynzi and Lauren playing thier game boys as well.

67th Military Police Regimental Ball

Mike and I went to the Ball last night. Here are a couple of pictures.
It must be noted that Lauren chose my dress! :)

Barbieri's In Tights

While in Florida, visiting my in-laws, the kids put together a show. Chuck worked realy hard to help them with the routine. Here they are, in their finest tights:

Vacation

The kids and I headed to Louisiana last Tuesday. After a trip that took longer than we thought it would, we got to Mom's late that night. Wednesday we packed and prepared to head to Florida with my Mom, my sister (Tootie), her two children, my best friend Danielle, her daughter, my Aunt, and another of my neices. We stayed in Panama City Beach from Thursday until Sunday. We had a good time. Here are some pictures Danielle took. I need to upload mine, though I didn't take many. I believe my sister also has some on her camera that I will have to put on my computer once I return to Louisiana.

Lauren, digging in the sand, making sand castles


Danielle and Me. Danielle was holding the camera and we were trying to not get bowled over by the waves!


Lauren, buried in sand.


Matthew, digging.


Jacob in the front, Lauren and Me behind him.


The kids and I are still in Florida, at my Mother-in-Laws house. We will head back to Louisiana on either Friday or Saturday. We have a fun week of things we would like to do, but nothing set in stone. It's nice to be able to just relax and have fun. I will post more pictures once I download them onto my laptop.

Goin' for a Ride

Mike and I went on a ride last Saturday on the Harley. We had a great time. I took my camera along to see if I could get some shots from the road. We were riding with some guys from the American Legion. Here are a few of the shots I got...

This was heading out from the American Legion:


This is Rick and the trike he designed.. it's pretty sweet!


The guys in front of us on the way up to Jefferson City:


And the view behind us. You can see Rick on his trike at the back of the formation:


A beautiful view of the countryside:

Water Play

The kids just finished two weeks of swimming lessons. We got off to a rough start weather wise, as the first day was cancelled due to rain. The first week proved to be a little chilly, but the kids enjoyed it anyway. The boys are totally swimming now and Lauren is pretty close. I have to say they are all fearless when it comes to the water. Here are a few pictures of the kids in the water. As always, click on any picture to see it larger.

Here is the crew: Jacob, Madison, Lauren, and Matthew


Jacob


Matthew:


Matthew, cannonball:


Jacob, bellyflop:


Lauren, jumping off the diving board with no life vest!

Back from a Trip

The kids and I went to Louisiana for a week. As of today, we have been back home for a week. I can't believe how fast time seems to be moving.

The kids are taking swim lessons. We went all last week and have one more week to go. They want to sign up for another session and I think it's a great idea! They love it.

I am going to post some pictures from Louisiana.. these are my favorites so far....

The kids at a rest area just inside Louisiana. When we were kids, we used to go camping in Mississippi every summer. On our way home, we would always stop at this rest area and take pictures at this sign. I will have to go through Mom's pictures next time I'm in Louisiana and dig those out!


This is Lauren, Lynzi, Matthew, Wess and Jacob. They had a great time playing in the pool!!


My neice, Anjel. She is such a beauty!


My cousin's daughter, Maria. She too is a pretty girl! I loved taking her picture!


Anjel and Logan. My godchildren.


My nephew, Dyson. He is such a cute and fun kid!


My sister and her son, my newest nephew, Joseph!! :)

Because Life is a Trade-Off

I posted yesterday that Lauren has outgrown her kidney reflux. I am so grateful for that.

I got a call from Matthew's doctor today. He has strep for the third time in a month. He is going back on antibiotics. I have to schedule and appointment to figure out where to go from here. It seems he is a carrier. There has been talk of removing his tonsils. He is against it as he is terrified to have surgery. I guess we wait until the doctor's appointment to figure out the next step. Of course, there are no available appointments through the next month. So, who knows when we will get to see the doctor.

Great News

As you may recall, Lauren was diagnosed with kidney reflux in Feb/Mar of 2006. She has been on a low dose antibiotic daily since then to prevent infection and damage to her kidneys. She had a VCUG last week to check the status of her kidney reflux. The urologist called this morning to let me know that the test showed there she has NO reflux!!!!! She has outgrown it and no longer needs the antibiotic!! I am sooo happy for her!!!!