The Gardner Gang

Weird.

2011-05-05T21:31:00.003-04:00

OK, so I substituted at the pre-school today in the two-year-old class, (That's not the weird part) and while we were on the playground one of the little boys fell and hit his chin on a toy car. We did all the teacherly things, patched him up and called his grandmother to come check it out. The lady I was working with mentioned that it was the first time this year they had anything like that happen.

So then this evening the kids were playing in the back yard and Katie fell and hit her knee on one of the steps of the deck. I seriously thought she was going to have to have a few stitches at first. Turns out she is OK and I'm taking her to the Children's clinic in the morning to have her checked out.

Maybe it's just me but I thought it was totally strange to have something like that happen twice in one day. I also think it's strange that I had stitches by the time I was three. And again before I was Katie's age. My kids have NEVER had any stitches or broken bones or anything like that. I'm totally thankful and if I were superstitious I would be looking for some wood to knock on. I thought it was normal for kids to injure themselves on a regular basis, maybe I just shelter them to much. Hmmm... and if we have prevented serious injury up to this point, is that a bad thing?
Thoughts?

Spring Break

2011-04-25T21:28:00.002-04:00

Last week the kids were out of school on Spring Break. When I was a kid I know the words Spring Break caused great joy. I was unaware that they caused terror to Mom in equal measure. A whole week to entertain the kids and keep them from killing each other or me killing them. It's not just the week, which is really no big deal, it is the promise that in one short month, there will be THREE months on end of the same.
At least that is how I use to feel. This spring break flew by and I wasn't ready for it to end. I think that had something to do with Easter being at the end of the week off instead of at the beginning. We played hard all week and instead of resting we partied all weekend.
We had a wonderful Easter. Andy came out of his office where he has been in end-of-semester induced hibernation. I think the sun hurt his eyes at first and he had a hard time standing up straight but once he worked the kinks out it was good to see him. We had a cookout at Becky's on Saturday which has been a family tradition since Katie was born. So this was our 10th year. Then on Sunday we had a wonderful church service where we remembered the true meaning of Easter. (HE is RISEN!) Then we had Easter dinner at my house. In total about 5 egg hunts, two huge meals, tons of family, and more candy than we know what to do with. Well the kids have some ideas, but I won't let them consume it from dawn till dark, mean Mother that I am.
I think the best thing we did for spring break was an impromptu trip to Charleston where we got to hang with the Beam Bunch for a few days. We had a blast hanging out and catching up. Charleston is lovely as always but our favorite attraction is Matt, Kathy, Josh, David, Seth, and Annabeth.
Now it's back to school and looking forward to summer. Heaven help us!

SNAKE!

2011-04-12T23:09:00.002-04:00

Ok so this is a true story. This afternoon the kids and I were in the living room watching Ned's Declassified school survival guide. (For those of you who don't know that REALLY is a show) Andy comes home to get some papers he needed and Katie walks out to see him and scream "Is is alive?!?!" So of course all of us jump up to check out what they are talking about. There is a snake in the mud room. I'm not kidding a freaking snake has came into my house and is chilling in the mud room. Andy came in and thought it was one of the boys rubber snakes and he almost picked it up. If he had, he would have screamed shriller than Katie. (and that's saying something!) So Andy and I caught the snake in the critter keeper so Dad can identify it. In case your worried we found one like it last year and it turned out to not be poisonous. Not sure how comforting that is, he may have told his deadly pals about the cool hangout. I'm thinking that it got cool outside this afternoon so it came into the warmer house to be comfortable. (Thank you Andy for not turning on the air conditioner.) Needless to say I think I will be looking down the next time I go into the mud room.

Friends

2011-03-09T11:33:00.002-05:00

As you know I haven't blogged in a great while. I got out of the habit for one and for another thing I was convinced that no one was reading what I was writing. I have recently been encouraged that I did have readers. (Thanks J.L.) So just to get back into the practice I have a blog about something I've been thinking about today.
Friends... We're doing a study in Sunday School on Philippians. In the opening of the first chapter Paul writes to the Philippians about how they are in his heart. (v.7) And because of this he says, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for you I always pray with joy," (v.3 and 4) As I understand at this time Paul is under house arrest in Rome. He could not be with the ones he loved. They were miles apart and still they had ties to each other. I have people like that in my life. Whether because of circumstance or distance we can't be together. Yet they still have a piece of my heart. I think of everyone who use to attend Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Some of them I don't see for years at a time yet when we see each other, for me, it's as if no time has passed. I think this may be the kind of bond that Paul was talking about with the Philippians. The study guide says " When you love someone, that person tends to get inside of you. Your heart blends with that person's heart. There is something about the bond friends in Christ share that remains strong even when time a distance separate them." I think that pretty much sums it up for me.
This goes out to all the old Vineyard crowd. With a special emphases on Matt and Kathy. I was looking through some old pictures the other day. They were from when Emma was born. I have pictures of Matt and Kathy and the boys with our family. And I realized that even though we aren't in each others day to day life anymore the family ties our families have shared are still as strong as ever. Love you guys and hope to see you soon!

2010-01-16T23:17:00.000-05:00

This is 14 of my 16 first cousins. Were a cute bunch, if a little dorkie. We had a family reunion today in Ga. It was so cool to see everyone. Most of us have kids now. We figured it out on the way home. As far as my Grandfather is concerned he has 5 kids, 17 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. If you lost count that equals 41. WOW that is quite a legacy! My grandfather also turned 80 on January 2nd.

Summer wrap-up!

2009-08-10T12:41:00.003-04:00

We have had a great summer. We went to Charleston for a week in June. We usually go to visit our dear friends the Beam's, however they were out of town (and graciously allowed us to stay in their house) so we did all the touristy stuff. Which was not cheep but I had my Mom with me who was determined to make it an "educational and cultural" trip so she helped out a lot. We saw Cypress Gardens where they filmed a scene from The Notebook. It was cool. We also went to Magnolia Plantation, there we did a swamp tour, a tour of the house, a trolley ride and walked in the gardens. My brother said the only way to see more of the plantation was to fly over it or tunnel under it. My brother moved to Charleston a few years ago and we don't see him often, we saw him everyday we were there. We also saw Transformers at the Hipadrome. We had so much fun, however next time we go I'm looking forward to seeing our real favorite attraction, The Beam Bunch.
We have also went hiking at South Mountain twice, Picnicked in the mountains, under the Peach in Gaffney and various other places, we have been to Kid Senses museum, rode our bikes in the driveway, Swam in various pools, played in sprinklers, and done yard work.
We have been sunburned, tanned, bug bitten, skinned knees, bit by a cat (ME), tortured our siblings (them), bit by ticks (EW!), caught frogs, spent the night everywhere (Katie and Emma), had people over to spend the night, watched movies, stayed up late, slept late, and learned one bible verse REALLY well. I'm exhausted!
As far as my summer goals. The kids did do their chores everyday, however reluctantly. Some days it took threats, and teeth pulling, but it did get done. We did not sit and eat breakfast together ever morning while having a devotion. However we did learn a bible verse Philippians 1:6 being confident of this that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. I hope it is hidden in their hearts. Katie finished a few chapter books and wrote me a few book reports, but she had to be threatened to not have anymore sleepovers until she finished Judy Moody saves the world. We did do a lot of free things but we also spent more money that I would have liked, mostly at Wal Mart. That place is dangerous for people on a budget.
I hope you have all had great summers and will enjoy your last two weeks of free time. We plan to do some fun things this week if they can remember how to act. Then next week getting back on school time sleep schedules. It is easier to be a zombie when they don't have school to deal with too. Wish me luck.

Let the games begin!

2009-06-10T16:47:00.002-04:00

School is out. I feel at once excited and terrified by the idea. I hope to keep the house in order, have the kids exercise and not forget everything they have learned this school year. The kids and I will all have chores and bible study every day. They are also required to put on "day cloths" everyday. I have grand plans of doing a lot of free things with the kids this summer like hiking, picnics and the like. I must also maintain a very strict budget (thank you very much State of North Carolina). So all in all it is stacking up to be a pretty busy summer. I hope I can acomplish at least some of these things whilst not screaming at my kids or scaring them for life. *sigh* I better get busy. Hope you all have plans for wonderful summers. If any of you have any suggestions on the free stuff let me know.

My Little Man the Race fan.

2009-05-30T01:11:00.011-04:00

Here are some pictures of Nathan enjoying his very first NASCAR race. We got really great tickets for the Sunday Coca-cola 600, thanks to Greg's girlfriend (thank you Krissy). Dad, Andy, Frank and I went on Sunday. We had so much fun, we had pit passes and they gave us cool free stuff, drinks and great food. Anyway the race was rained out on Sunday. Which was a bummer. So we scrambled around and tried to take days off to see the re-race on Monday. I was sick, so Andy decided to take Nathan. He was SO excited! He loves Cars and this was like Cars in real life. I showed him a video of Jeff Gordon winning Taladega on YouTube and he was jazzed. He had a wonderful time and was thoroughly tired out (as you can see). However when he got home I asked him how he liked the race, he said "It was bad" I was like "Why Son I thought you had a great time." He said "Well we had fun but we heard on the radio on the way home that some other guy than Jeff Gordon won the race, so it was a BAD race!" My dad is thrilled, we are not die hard race fans, and Dad loves Jeff Gordon so we were pulling for him by default. I guess Nate has taken it seriously.

Tired

2009-05-20T11:23:00.002-04:00

Hello people. I hope you are all well and well rested. Nathan and Ian finished their last day of school yesterday. It was major busy last week and this with all the last minute things to do. Remember to bring apple slices for 35 for the end of the year party, don't forget carrots and goldfish for the graduation reception, bring home all changes of cloths, and art work. The kitchen table looks like I could start my OWN preschool. So today I'm here with two wild boys, and I just don't want to do anything. I'm hoping to muster some motivation and try to dig out from under the debris of the last week of school. Ian had an asthma attack the other night. It was so random and came out of nowhere. He is OK now but we are both kind of tired from middle of the night breathing treatments.

New Life.

2009-05-17T11:53:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, Andy and I helped my Sister-in-law and her family move into their New/Old house. Emily has breathed new life into Grandma Gardner's old house. For those of you who don't know Andy's grandmother went into a nursing home a few months ago. Her house is a historic house in Shelby. It was built in 1886 and has been in the Gardner family that long. Once Grandma went into the nursing home and it was pretty clear she wouldn't be able to care for herself at home again, we started going through the house. It was sorely neglected, due to the fact that She just wasn't able to care for it in the last few years. Emily had a vision for it though and she started to work. She was the ONLY one of us who had the desire to revive this old place just because of the amount of work that would need to be put into it. She and my Mother-in-law have pretty much done it all. We cleared out as much as we could and its been re-carpeted, a/c installed, and painted. The counters have been changed all with the most careful attention to it's historic standing not just inside but outside as well. You wouldn't believe the difference in the house. It looks amazing! Emily and David have great taste. The antique furniture that remains will not look out of place in this new setting. The old door knobs are being restored and used. As well as the old doors. I admire Emily for having the vision and seeing it through. GOOD JOB!

Day seven.

2009-05-08T01:36:00.004-04:00

I was reading in Genesis about creation last night and this is what I got.

Genesis 2:2-3 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating he had done.

What did God do on the seventh day? It says in v.2 he rested. Do you think God needed a nap? Nope, he wasn't even winded. Psalm 121:3-4 says, He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep(NIV). So what do you think he did with his day off?

I think he looked over the earth he created and took the time to reflect and admire. Much as a first time parent looks over the edge of the cradle in wonder as their child sleeps, at the miracle of life. Maybe he spent time thinking about the possibilities of the Earth and all the creatures on it. Did he see what would become of his creation? Did he smile about the good times, yet know there would be bad times for the earth and its creatures as well?

Picture this...He looked over the earth and his gaze fell on a majestic mountain with snow on its peak and a covering of green trees further down.The golden grassy planes and the sandy beaches and deserts. He saw the fluffy clouds move across the sky, and then he saw the sun sparkle in the Sea, that he had called into being. He lovingly watched as a pod of dolphins frolics in the waves and a whale spouts in the distance. As the sun sets orange and red in the water he sees a flock of sea gulls fly over the earth in the expanse of darkening sky. As he looks up the stars start to come out he knows how they will be used to determine the seasons and the days of the year. (Gen. 1:14) As he looked at the stars he didn't have to wonder, like we do, how many there were, HE KNEW, for he had lovingly put each in it's place.

As his eyes roamed over the Earth he had created I'm sure he saw the potential of its land, sea, and the living inhabitants of the earth. I hope when he looked into the future and saw me he was pleased with what he saw. The human race has been to the extremes of hatred and evil that is almost unimaginable. Yet, he loves us unconditionally. Matthew 10:29,30 it says, "And are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Wow, I don't know about you but I have some pretty thick hair. God really loves us, as much as we love our children, and our parents love us, it is hard to imagine that he loves us more than that, but he dose. I hope that is encouraging to you today. To think that God stood there on the seventh day, his day off, and as he surveyed his handy work he knew that one day there would be a you and a me. And after all that, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Gen. 1:31).

Be blessed.

BLESSED!

2009-05-06T00:55:00.004-04:00

Tonight I received the most wonderful blessing that a Mother can have. My daughter is now not just my daughter but also my sister. Emma prayed to ask Jesus into her heart this evening. I had the incredible honor of being the one to lead her in prayer. I got to pray with both Katie and Paige when they got saved and I never thought I would be so blessed to get to do it again.
I knew that Emma was on the verge of something for the past few weeks. She keeps coming out with a lot of deep and challenging questions. Such as, "Why did God create the Satan if he knew he was going to be bad? Also my Dad's Aunt recently committed suicide and while it seemed to roll over the other three without many questions. She has been thinking about it for a few months. She and I had a conversation about it the other day. That one was HARD. I just told her that God created us and has a plan for our lives and when we accept Him as our savior we give up control, which means that if you take your own life you can't do what he has planned for you, and it's not yours to take once you surrender it to Jesus. I think I would have preferred to talk to her about sex.
We are in a time of great spiritual blessing around here. Katie is on a soccer team which has a huge rivalry with one other team. So I've been trying to talk to her about being a good sport and a good witness even if it means she can't go along with what her friends are saying. We started going through Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the mind for Kids last night. She is really getting it. She comes up with great insight and challenging conversation. She can even site examples from her daily life. It’s amazing. I get to teach my girls a bible study. I feel so blessed. My cup is running over.

Missy

2009-05-05T01:26:00.002-04:00

This post is for Missy. You are awsome. A great friend. A wonderful Mama to Bella and Olivia. Joy and I love you and so do a million and one other people. I'm always amazed when I get to peek into your world and see all the people you touch on a day to day basis. I had a lot of fun last night. I forgot how fun baby stuff could be. I wanted to do this post to encourage you and let you know how much I admire you. Hang in there you are so close to holding Olivia which will make all this hard work worth it. I could go on and on and I would but if I make this post any longer you won't read it. :)
I love you girl.
Heather

Why do you think that is?

2009-05-03T11:43:00.003-04:00

I don't mind loading the dirty dishes into the dish washer but I HATE unloading it...Why do you think that is?
I have a hard time throwing away product containers, even when they are empty, the more I paid for it like Face stuff, Makeup or perfume, the harder it is to part with the empty container... Why do you think that is?
Sometimes I engage in verbal arguments with my eight year old and get right down on her level before I remember I'M the Momma and that wins all arguments...Why do you think that is?
Every other summer I have dreaded school being let out, yet this year I can't wait...Why do you think that is?
I am a big advocate for the kids having fun with sports and not putting pressure on them to achieve, yet at Katie's Soccer game yesterday I was yelling so loud Andy threatened to move...Why do you think that is?
I love my husband being home and can't wait for him to finish school, yet when he mentioned a few people dropping out of his program or only taking one class a semester from here to the end I almost hyperventilated thinking he was going to do the same thing...Why do you think that is?
I always say I want to make friends, but yesterday at Katie's game was the first time I have approached the other Mom's and talked to them. As a result reconnected with a friend from High School, made some good contacts, AND thoroughly enjoyed myself... Why do you think that is?
I fought pull-ups tooth and nail while potty training Ian, when I finlay gave in and put him in one to poop (two solid weeks of pooping in his underwear *HELLO HEATHER* who proved the most stubborn in that situation) He wore them for a week hardly peed in them, only pooped in them once and now is doing both in the toilet without any help, and NO pull ups...Why do you think that is?
I write long meaningless post when I'm home with my sick kid on a Sunday morning... Why do you think that is?

Ah, cool, don't you love it when you get an idea for a post that is all fluff and the Lord gives you a verse that makes it all make sense? Here goes... Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. AND Philippians 1:6 ...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. That may have just been for me but I hope it spoke to you guys too.

"I'm ok and I'm on my way." Joyce Meyer

"I'm not where I need to be but thank God I'm not where I use to be." Joyce Meyer

"The only way out is through." Joyce Meyer

Tomorrow, Tomorrow your only a day away!

2009-04-10T10:14:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow Is departure day! We will be off for a week of fun in the sun and relaxation. I am almost more excited about getting to see Matt, Kathy, the boys, and the girl. I haven't seen Annabeth in so long I probably won't recognize her.

Today I am anxious about getting everything packed and making sure the kids are as prepared as they can be. One of my biggest worries is that Ian decided this week that he was not wearing diapers anymore. He has been in underwear for two days and is doing surprisingly well, but I worry what he will do for my Mom and Maw-maw while I'm gone. I am trying to convince myself that if we have to start all over from the beginning that it's no big deal but I haven't succeeded yet.

Katie keeps saying she doesn't want me to go which makes me feel guilty. We really haven't left them to much in the past and never for this long.

BUT, it will all be fine. We WILL get everything packed, and the kids WILL be fine. Hope you all have a wonderful Easter and a great spring break.

As my Mom is fond of saying "I have more things to do than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest" (sorry if I offended any one legged people or butt kickers) So I better get to it.

CSI Mommy!

2009-03-26T13:36:00.002-04:00

Last night before the girls went to bed Andy wanted them to clean their room. Which turned into about an hours worth of lecturing and crying and well you know how it goes. They have a beautifully remodeled room, done by Missy in all her geniuses, so they should be motivated to keep it clean. Andy and I were kind of tag teaming them on the way they have been so slack with their room maintenance in the past few weeks. (In their defense they do have soccer and awana which doesn't leave much free time) We were all four worked up, them making excuses and us laying down the law, which I must admit as a parent when you get on a roll can be quite fun. At such times some of the things you say may surprise you, well last night I came out with something that was truly inspired. Emma was complaining about the fact that Katie had pushed everything under her bed (which I knew to be true because I picked up laundry earlier that day). Katie instantly starting denying it which is her knee-jerk reaction to everything. Since I knew that it was a lie I immediately jumped in with, "Katie, I know you pushed the things under her bed because under your bead is totaly clean (which if you know Katie is a miracle) She would not push things under her own bed and Mommy and Daddy watch CSI and I read mysteries so I know that you are the only person in our family to have a motive. Ian and Nathan didn't come in here and push thing out from under your bed to under Emma's. I know you are guilty!" Melodramatic? yes but it did get my point across. Andy thought it was hilarious. Katie just said "sorry". Sometimes parenting is fun. And today we get to enjoy the fact that their room is spotless.

Countdown to relaxation!

2009-03-25T14:29:00.003-04:00

In 17 days Andy and I will leave for a Cruise! I can't wait. I know that when it is time to go I will hate leaving my babies but right now it seems like a WONDERFUL idea. Everything is going fine but its kind of like seeing those people in the log rolling competitions where they try to run on the log as it spins in the water and not fall off. It looks like any second they are going to bust, yet somehow they keep running. That is what my family life is like right now. It's sometimes fun yet always terrifying. I just hope if I fall off my log I will be able to get back on and not drown.

It is amazing how time can go so slow and fast at the same time. Some of the days seem like years and the years seem like days. April 3rd is mine and Andy's 10th anniversary. (Hence the Cruise, thank you babe) I try to remember that I must enjoy my life right now and not always look to what is coming up next.

Now I must go see what my darling boys have gotten into in the time I have been on the computer. I promise to enjoy it. OH my I hear Ian saying "Mommy is comming" this is going to be fun.

"Facing" reality.

2009-03-11T23:20:00.002-04:00

Well I have joined the modern age. In my attempt to keep in touch with all my friends near and far (and at the request of my Brother) I joined Facebook. So far so good. I like it a lot, although I don't have the foggiest idea how to do half of the things on it. I did take a quiz and apparently the 80's movie that defines me is the Princess Bride which was awesome since I could quote it. Anyway if you are on facebook and you want to be my friend I would love it. Hope everyone is well.

Christmas, Jane Austen, and roadkill.

2009-01-08T23:58:00.003-05:00

Ah I've got you interested haven't I. One of my favorite radio talk show dose this thing on Monday where people call in and describe there weekend in four words or less. These four are my Christmas break in four words or less. (It's all connected trust me.)

Christmas was great this year, exausting but great. We had a wonderful visit from my grandparents the weekend before that kind of kicked off the festivities and we were going strong right through New Years. The kids all got their hearts desires (some hearts were harder to please than others). We did the ultimate Christmas this year and got them a Cat. His name is Landon he is eight months old and came from the Humane Society. The kids LOVED getting this gift it's funny to ask the little boys about it if you ask Ian what Santa Clause brought him he says "Pet Cat" as if that's Landon's title or something. If you ask Nathan he says (and all this in one breath mind you) "We got a cat because he was poor lost on the road and Santa wanted to give him to a special family to give him lots of love and take care of him." The girls are just ecstatic their only disappointment is that he won't let them dress him in doll cloths, push him around in a stroller or carry him everywhere. Nathan and Ian love to "play" with him which consist of the boys ferreting out Landon's latest hiding place and chasing him around the house. I think Landon appreciates the whole predator and prey roll playing it makes him feel like he is in the wild. You may be thinking that Landon is a strange name for a cat but it's the name he came with and it has a story behind it. (I love names with a story behind them) He was found abandoned in the Ingle's parking lot and the person who found him thought he was a girl so they named it Laura (Laura Ingles) when they found out it was a boy they changed his name to Landon (Michael Landon) We didn't tell the kids that they could change it because I didn't want to end up with a cat named Senor Fluffington or something (no disrespect to the Fluffingtons out there).

Least you think the roadkill is about Landon specifically I will skip to that one. I think of myself as a compassionate person but the sight of roadkill never moved me beyond thinking it was gross. Since we got Landon to see a cat dead on the road almost brings me to tears. I think of how cute it probably was alive and whoever will be missing it and it makes me sad. I guess I'm a sucker for our newest family member.

Lastly, Jane Austen. My dear mother gave my the most wonderful Christmas gift. She got me a box set of the BBC Jane Austen movies I have them all from Pride and Prejudice to Northanger Abby. Then she realized that the Pride and Prejudice I wanted was the one with Colin Firth in it (I know he was a dandy on Mama Mia but he really is the best Mr. Darcy ever) and it wasn't the one in the set she got me SO she got me that one too. I have been Jane Austing it up since Christmas I have even started to THINK in a British accent. I think Andy hopes this will soon pass. I know that even if it dose it will come back.

Hope you all had good Christmas' as well and all of you who send your kids to school got them back there and survived their first week.

Favorite Things

2008-12-15T16:57:00.002-05:00

OK I figured if Julie Andrews and Oprah can do it then so can I. Here is a list of my favorite new discoveries this year.
1. Mr. Clean multi purpose cleaner with fabreze scent. You not only clean your kitchen you make it smell great too.
2. Mr. Clean magic erasers with fabreze scent. Same reason.
3. Magic eraser MOP yes you can now mop your floor with the power of the Magic eraser. It is the only thing that makes my scratched up stained linoleum look half way decent.
No more magic eraser products I promise.
4. Floss sticks. It's like floss on one end and a tooth pick on the other. SO cool. I use to floss like once a month (don't judge me when was the last time you flossed?) Now with my flossers I floss like every day. I keep a bag in my car and if I get something stuck in my teeth I just whip one out and go to. If you see me on the road doing strange things with my mouth just know that I'm flossing.
5. Dawn Hand Renewal. It's dish washing liquid that promises to help your hands look better in like five uses. IT DOSE. I have seen this promise on other dish soap but this really works. You know what it is like to wash your hands a thousand times a day. My hands end up looking and feeling like sand paper. But no more I just wash with Hand Renewal its cheaper than Bath and Body works and smells good.
6. Last but not least. Aveno 24 hour hand lotion. Dawn and Aveno work hand and hand (pun intended). I wash with Dawn and use the Aveno it works great. It says it last 24 hours even through hand washing and it dose. I put it on in the morning and before bed and I haven't had any problems with dry hands this season.

I know you are all extremely busy getting ready for Christmas but I hope this was as good a break for you to read as it was for me to write. Take time to enjoy the season and remember the true reason for it. God bless you my blog buddies.
Now your turn. Let me know your favorite products I may run out and pick some up.

Thanksgiving

2008-12-04T13:48:00.004-05:00

Hello all! We Gardner's are all alive and well. We have had some trouble with strep throat but everybody has finished their antibiotics and is doing well. I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. We did, we spent time with family and friends enjoying each others company and being thankful. Katie had to do a writing assignment around thanksgiving and it was so cute I thought I would share it with you all.
The prompt was to write about your best thanksgiving meal and she did. Bear in mind that she means the whole thing as a complement.

"Did you ever feel like you were going to explode on thanksgiving? Let me tell you about my best Thanksgiving meal

Initially my family goes to my NeNe and Dada's house with Uncle Mike and Uncle Greg, and sometimes Uncle Greg's girlfriend. My NeNe makes the best turkey. After that we sit down. I eat salty mashed potatos, greasy turkey, and yummy peas. It was so good I had two more helpings, but I had more room for the best part, the Strawberry Cheesecake. Finally when I ate as much as my little tummy could hold I felt sick inside. I sat down and watched t.v. I can't wait until next Thanksgiving."

The funny thing about it is that Mom didn't serve peas or strawberry cheesecake. If I didn't know how much she really dose love Mom's cooking I would think she was being sarcastic.

I hope you got as much of a kick out of that as I did. Have a good week and don't get overwhelmed with Christmas preparations.

Prayer request.

2008-10-23T13:35:00.003-04:00

I know that everyone is going through some tough times and we have been also. I have a few prayer request for you guys.

First, my cousin Matt has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. He is 14 years old almost 15. The tumor is 2 cm and the doctors think it is benign however it is interrupting the flow of fluids in his brain which is causing mood swings and blurry vision. For these reasons they are going to take it out on Friday. I can't even imagine turning your child over to people who are going to do surgery on his brain. This is such a precious christian family and I know they would appreciate any prayers on their behalf.

Second, my own darling Katie has a most disturbing illness. It is called HSP. She started having spots show up on her legs and bottom that just looked like really bad bruises or some kind of bug bite, I took her to the doctor on Monday and they said it was called HSP and it will run its course in about a month. She could have some stomach problems and some joint pain, we have to take a urine sample to the Children's Clinic once a week but other than that business a usual. She isn't contagious and she isn't restricted from sports or school or anything. So I'm thinking this is regrettable but manageable. She comes home from school on Tuesday afternoon limping and says her knee hurts. Katie tends towards the dramatic so I just said "Let me look at it Baby". It was so swollen you could not even see her knee cap. The skin was tight and a little purple and her feet were swelling as well. I immediately called the Children's Clinic, they called back a while later and said that it was perfectly normal with HSP to just put a warm compress on it and give her some Motrin. The next day her knee looked better and wasn't as painful. Then last night on the way to Awana she told me her fingers hurt and lo, they are horribly swollen as well. *Sigh* As long as she doesn't have blood in her urine she should recover in about a month. It is just really hard to see your kid in pain and not be able to do anything about it. Just pray for me and her that we get through this.

Thank you guys. It is such a comfort to be able to tell guys whats going on and know you care and you are praying.

Update

2008-10-17T12:39:00.002-04:00

Finally, after a week of my kitchen being out of commission it is all done. The plumber finished up the last of it this morning. I can now use all of my kitchen appliances and my sink again. I am so relieved. It was quite a trying ordeal. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.

Also, everyone is healthy at the moment so we have much to be thankful for.

No words.

2008-10-15T09:25:00.005-04:00

I have no words to describe this last week. I couldn't even think of a title for this blog. I'll just tell you whats happened. Last week I got my dad to come over and look at my washing machine which has been giving me trouble for about six months. (My poor busy husband just doesn't have time for such things) For the past few months there has been a odor in the laundry room. I could not figure out where it was coming from. Dad looked at it and said it looked like the pipe was clogged where the machine drains and it had leaked onto the insulation. No big deal stop the leak and the smell will go away. The next day the dryer stopped working. My father-in-law came out to look at the dryer. Which is dead as a doornail. It had a good life it was given to us used when we got married. Which makes it about twelve years old. So Thursday I took four loads to the laundry mat to dry. No problem Andy's grandmother recently went into a nursing home so they are giving us her dryer and the washing machine will be fixed on Friday. (We called a plumber) Meanwhile Ian and Emma are sick with a virus which consist of a fever and a sore throat. So Friday comes and brings with is the plumber who unclogged the washing machine drain and said the smell was probably just the natural smell of the old house (I wasn't buying that because I have lived here 4 years and it has never been funky). He decided to look under the house before he left and then he found it. Apparently the main drain pipe that connects the kitchen appliances the Washing machine, the sink and the dish washer has rusted and has a hole in it. So for the past four to six months everything has been draining to the ground under the house. Hench the funky smell. Now there are two silver linings on this cloud. One the hole was past the floor so the floor didn't rot out and two the bathrooms are not involved in the problem. So plumber says he will try to get out early next week to replace the pipe in the mean time we cant run the dish washer or the washing machine and we can't let any water go down the drain in the sink. That is the plumbing problem.
Then Saturday I woke up with the virus the kids had earlier in the week. Now as most of you know those little viruses the kids get over in 24 hours take adults forever to get over. Saturday I limped along and buy Sunday I was down for the count. Unfortunately Andy left Sunday morning for a business trip. This is why I thank God for my parents and in-laws. Mom and Dad took the boys to their church and Becky and Frank took the girls to their church. If it wasn't for them I don't know what I would have done. I didn't feel better until Tuesday.
So if we can get the pipe fixed and I can continue to get better we will be doing OK. Pray that the plumbing doesn't cost to much and that Andy and Katie don't get the virus.

Doggie Drama

2008-10-08T14:15:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone! I know I haven't blogged in a long time and this may seem like a weird way to get back into it but I have to tell you about our poor little doggie. Technically we don't have a dog but we consider ourselves part owners with Granny's dog. She got the dog a few years ago and Nathan instantly fell in love with it Granny has been trying to give it to us ever sense. We aren't ready for a dog yet so we take care of Carmen whenever Granny goes out of town and sometimes he comes to visit just because. Anyway, last Saturday Granny gave Carmen a bath and had set him up on the counter in the kitchen to dry him off. She stepped out onto the back porch to get his brush and for some reason he jumped off the counter. He broke his leg. Granny took him to the vet where they wrapped his leg and told her to bring him back on Monday. When he went on Monday the doctor told her that it was a very bad break and Carmen has very tiny bones. They said they could either put a plate in it or amputate it. Thankfully Granny wouldn't consider that option so he had surgery last week and they put a plate in his leg. There were some veins and tendons injured in the surgery and the Dr. said if he moves around to much till it heals there will be no option but the amputation. So he is confined to a port-a-crib for the next 4 to 6 weeks. Poor little guy.

Orientation.

2008-08-22T00:42:00.003-04:00

Well the day finally came that the kids returning to school is soon to become a reality. We got to the school a little after eight and went to Emma's informational meeting which we have heard twice before. Then we met her teacher. I think she has a good one. Emma seems a little more excited after today. She sat in her spot at her table and organized and re-organized her pencil box. Then we went to Katie's meeting which was essentially the same as the Emma's. Then we went to her classroom. She had a list of past friends who she really wanted to be in her class. We learned right off that she didn't get her really good friend from last year in her class, but she realized she had two of her other good friends not only in her class but at her table (I hope she doesn't get in trouble for talking)she is excited. She also has her cousin Paige in her class. Paige and Katie have had a love/hate relationship all their lives. It's hard to explain because I don't think it is typical but it is cause for concern. When they were in class together in pre-school they only played with each other so that was a problem. Emily and I figure they will either compete with each other, fight with each other, or be best friends. We explained the dynamic to the teacher and she told us she would watch them and see how they do and make sure they aren't sitting at the same table.
It seems every time we meet a challenge though the Lord sends us some reassurance it turns out their teacher's assistant was their teacher in their three-year-old year in Pre-school. So she already knows them and she is super sweet. Thank you Lord for your provision.

Oh and the Van is fixed. Thank the Lord that it was not the alternator is was something with the post on the battery which didn't cost very much to fix.

Just when you thought it was safe...

2008-08-19T16:56:00.002-04:00

Wow what a day. First off we got back from Charleston just fine. Then we went to the airport and picked up my dad who was returning from a mission trip in Peru. He got back o.k. and seemed to have had a great time other than being really tired.

We had SO much to do this week to get ready for school next week, well check-ups, sick appointments, school supplies, a birthday party just to name a few. This morning though was the well check up for Nathan. I knew it wouldn't be a walk in the park because he had to get shots but that turned out to be the least of our worries. We all got up this morning tired and a little grumpy from the fun but exhausting weekend and got ready to go to the doctor. We went out to the car and got everyone buckled in and went to turn the car on and.... nothing. Not a sound or light came on in my van. It was totally dead. So I called my Mother-in-law, who is a saint, she told them he would be late (she works at the children's clinic) canceled a doctor's appointment she had and came to my house and stayed with the other three while I took Nathan in her car. I had called AAA and was expecting them to get there and jump the car off and go on about my day. No such luck, the guy came and jumped it off and it started right up and then died again about a minute later. He said "I'm sorry ma'am it appears to be your alternator, it will need to be towed to a shop." So I called my mother-in-law who called my father-in-law who told me where to have it taken (all this time my Mom is at work, and Andy was in interviews all morning). SO they loaded it up and took it away.

NOW I'm STUCK in a house with one child who got four shots today, one child who has a cold, one who can't seem to stop the baby-talk and one who is very vocal about not liking having her plans changed (doesn't seem to occur to her that this was NOT my plan either). Anyway Just when I think it is safe to return to normal life I need to remind myself that my life is not normal.

Thank you Lord that all my children are safe and healthy, for helpful in-laws and for AAA.

Still alive.

2008-08-17T19:09:00.002-04:00

Just to let everyone know I am not stuck under a large piece of furniture nor have the kids staged a mutiny. We are all alive a kicking. The best way I could describe my summer is "the summer of dental disasters." I have had a root canal and a crown and Emma needs to have some dental work done as well. She had a filling fall out. Sometimes when it rains is pours.

Andy finished school for the summer and is enjoying a few weeks off before starting back. Thankfully he will only have one class this fall. Which will be handy with Katie, Emma and Nathan playing soccer this fall. Although the weather is still hot plans for fall are in full swing.

It has been a good summer but I am glad that it is almost over. A little routine would be nice right now. We did get to go to Charleston and visit Matt and Kathy and the boys, which was all we needed to make our summer complete.

I never did update my picture though.

Summer fun.

2008-06-30T00:50:00.002-04:00

I can't believe I ever thought that summer would drag. We haven't had a minute to catch our breath since school let out. The week after school was out Andy and I went to Wilmington for a few days, he had a conference and I tagged along. We had a wonderful time. The kids have been in art camp and vacation bible school. Then this week I went to Virgina for a few days to see my grandparents (by my self) and had a wonderful time. And I am being blessed with a wonderful bible study that Missy has organized and is doing a wonderful job with.

On the whole summer has been a lot of fun so far. As for the rest of it. We have one more trip to Virgina planned in July I am taking Katie and Emma up to spend a few days with Granny B and Papa Joe. It will be there first time away from home without me, which they are a little nervous about. I think I am just as nervous as them but I think it will be good for all of us. And the summer can't be complete without spending some time with the Beam's, not sure how I am going to work that out yet but I hope it is soon. (Kathy if you have any ideas give me a call)

I hope you are all having wonderful summers and enjoying your time with your little darlings.

Summer goal: update picture of the kids on my blog. That picture is from Christmas and they all look very different now.

My brush with the law.

2008-06-16T11:47:00.002-04:00

I am kicking myself that I haven't thought about blogging this before now.

Last Monday night I went to the Yellow Mall with my Mom and the kids. We got done kind of late and made it back to Shelby about 8:30 and I was driving the back way home, I was on Graham Street almost at the stop sign when Nathan said he was going to barf. I stopped in the road because there wasn't anyone behind me and scrambled around to find him something to barf in. After giving him instructions and making sure he was OK I drove on. A white car pulled out behind me and when I turned at the stop sign I saw blue lights in the rear view mirror so I pulled over. I wasn't upset because we hadn't done anything wrong. I rolled down my mirror and looked in the side mirror that's when I realized this wasn't some ordinary traffic stop. The officer had His flashlight in one hand and his other hand on his gun. And he was ALL business. Then he hollered "PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM." I quickly stuck my hands out the window and He immediately relaxed and walked up to the car with a smile on his face. He said "here's the situation Ma'am, we had an inmate get away from us and I saw you stopped in the road back there and I heard voices, I just wanted to make sure that He hadn't gotten in the car with you and your family." I was like "uh no my son was about to throw up." He was very nice and told me I could go. As we pulled off and the kids returned to full volume my mom said "if he had gotten in the car with us he would have turned himself in." At that point I had to agree with her the kids were all quite rowdy. When I told my brother about it he cracked up. He had a few brushes with the law in his younger wilder days and he found it hilarious that his straight arrow sister was told to put her hands where they could be seen.

Any of you who live in Shelby have probably heard about this guy getting away from the police. They lost him at the intersection of Graham street and Kings road about two hundred yards from where I stopped to take care of Nathan. Thank you Lord for your protection.

What time is it!?!?

2008-06-11T00:16:00.002-04:00

SUMMER TIME! O.k. for any of you who don't know that is from High School Musical, which I am destine to hear a lot of now that Katie is out of school. Today was her last day. She got an award for A-B honor roll for the whole year. I was so proud of her. Thank you Missy for volunteering to keep the other three so I could be there for Katie's special moment.

Now the fun truly begins. To be totally honest with you all I start dreading summer starting about Valentines day. I know it sounds awful but it is so hard to have all the kids here at the same time. God bless the homeschoolers! I prayed about homeschooling when Katie went to school and I know it just wasn't right for me. However, I still have guilt that I don't want to have my kids with me 24/7. I think the feeling is mutual though. When Andy was out of town last week after about two days any time the door would open Ian would holler "DADDY" I kept saying no sweetie Daddy won't be home for a few more days. After about a day more when he would hear the door he would hopefully say Neenee? (my Mom) as if he needed to see ANY other adult than me. I wasn't offended at that point I was about ready to give him to the Mail man. (Just kidding) (kinda)

After a few weeks we settle into a comfortable routine and before we know it the summer is over. We are excited this year the kids have some opportunities to do some fun things. There is always Vacation Bible School, our church dose one the kids love. Katie is going to go to a few of the summer art camps that the Arts Council is putting on. She is going to do Clay play where she will do pottery and then later in the summer she will have a week of theater camp with my high school drama teacher. I can't wait for Ms. Reger to see her flair for the dramatic. Emma and Nathan will spend a week doing Art Adventure.

I would love to hear you guys stay sane plans for the summer and any fun things you have planned. This year I have the privilege of attending Missy's bible study, so this is shaping up to be a great summer.

Catch up.

2008-06-04T11:40:00.005-04:00

I know I haven't posted in a few weeks. I have no excuse except the kids are out of school. It has been quite an adjustment phase having the three children at home all day everyday. They are just finally figuring out how to play together and get along. (Most of the time)

So to catch everyone up... Emma graduated pre-school. We were proud and sad to see our little girl moving on from Rainbow. She is really growing up.

Nathan will move upstairs next year. At Rainbow the upstairs is a real status symbol, the big kids go upstairs. Next year at Rainbow will be his last so he is excited about being a big boy.

Ian will be in the two year old class next year.

Katie will finish her school year with honors. She has done exceptionally well this year. I am so pleased with her progress. I am dyslexic so it is a thrill to me to see her reading and doing math so well. She can read about anything she wants to now. She told me she wanted to read Ramona Quimby age 8, and I was like O.K. baby so she started to read it and about a week later I started reading it to both girls and she knew what was going on! I didn't read with comprehension until the third grade when I had been held back in the second grade and started in a Learning Disabled class. She was writing in a journal the other day and it asked her what her favorite thing to do was and she said "Go to school." Thank you Lord, it is such a blessing.

Andy is traveling this week. He left on Monday and will be back late Thursday night. Which is a bummer because Thursday is my birthday. I will be 29. Somehow I think that will be harder than when I actually turn 30, its like leaving my 20's already. I saw a lady on So you think you can dance the other night who was my age and had four children also. I asked Andy if I looked that old. He was non-committal. He said he couldn't compare because he thinks I am so much prettier than she was and he thinks she looked older than her age. Not sure how to take that.

Anyway that's what is going on with the Gardner Gang. I hope to be a regular updater over the summer even though I feel like I'm drowning in kids. Hope everyone else is doing well.

Whewww!

2008-05-15T19:15:00.003-04:00

It has been quite a week around here. We have had three of the four of our children down with strep throat. It all started the week before with a trip to the Children's Clinic for a well check up for Ian. Everything went great with his visit. When I got home that afternoon I heard that Bella, Missy's little girl had strep throat and she had been to the clinic on Monday. Ian came down with it the next Wednesday. Since the kids had not been together while Bella was contagious I deduced that they got it from the children's clinic. Isn't it funny that we take our kids in well and they leave sick. Something wrong with that. Although they separate the kids out in the waiting rooms to try to cut down on the germ sharing, the exam rooms are the same for all the kids. So you kept my kid from contracting malaria in the waiting room but he got it off the floor in the exam room. Hmmm. Anyway after Ian had it the fell like dominoes. Ian was treated for it on Friday, Nathan spiked a fever on Saturday, and Emma on Sunday evening. Now I have three kids on antibiotics. Ian, is sensitive to antibiotics and is on a stronger one because of his ears. As a result his hind end looks like hamburger meat. Well maybe not that bad but you can imagine. On top of all that I have had some kind of ick that has made me nauseous all week I even took a pregnancy test (*gasp*) it was negative. Hence my ability to be sitting here typing to you fine folks. I hope your weeks have been illness free and wonderful. Enjoy the rest of the school year before we have to figure out what to do with our kids this summer.
On a final note my Mother-in-law works for the children's clinic and I think it is the best place to take my kids when they are sick. We have had good experiences there. We are just aware of the petrie dish that all the surfaces are.

Rocky Mt., Mother's Day, and Friends

2008-05-10T17:11:00.002-04:00

Wow what a week. We had a wonderful time in Rocky Mt., I think Joy and Missy said it all and they have great pics so link to their blogs and see the sweetness. While we were in Rocky Mt. I got a text from a sweet friend that I have just recently reunited with. She and I are both fans of The Princess Bride so we texted back and forth quotes from the movie. It was just one of those moment that you see the blessings of friendship that the Lord has given you. I was in Rocky Mt. with Joy and Missy, two dear friends, I had just had my Monday phone date with Kathy (another God given blessing) and texting to another friend in Florida, all at once I felt surrounded by love and friends. I remarked to Missy that it is amazing that sometimes I feel so isolated and alone but the reality is that I have wonderful friends at my fingertips. She encouraged me to trust that my friends want to be there for me and encourage me and all I need to do is reach out. I needed to hear that I think I have been in a friend funk since Joy moved. I kind of felt that no matter how hard I try to make friends (and believe me it isn't easy for me) they will just move away or get to busy for me. (I know pity party table for one) Its just when Kathy moved I didn't think I would ever find any other friend like her but the old girl scout song is right "make new friends and keep the old one is silver and the other is gold" we never have to loose our friends through a move or business we just have to reach out to them and we can stay friends forever.
ANYWAY happy mother's day to all. Pat yourself on the back for another successful year of mothering. I hope all you families make a big deal over you because you ARE a big deal.

Blogfest!

2008-04-29T23:55:00.002-04:00

We to have been stricken by whatever computer cold was going around so I haven't been on in a few days. Man did I have a lot to catch up on. I have just spent the last hour happily reading and commenting on blogs. It was a great time. You all blog so well. I get something different from each of you that helps me get through my day. I started the blog because Joy wanted me to so we could keep up with each other. I twisted Kathy's arm and got her to start one so I could keep up with her and the boys. I have found blogging to be very therapeutic and reading yours to be spiritually uplifting. Thank you fellow bloggers and keep it up.

Ian's potty mouth.

2008-04-19T23:04:00.003-04:00

I know another post, it really is feast or famine with me. Oh well. Here goes..
Ian is in that adorable little toddler phase where he can say WAY more than people can comprehend. He has his own words for everything. He needs me or one of his siblings to interpret for him. Lately he has two new words that he likes, chip and truck. Unfortunately they don't sound like that's what he is saying. On truck he drops the "tr" and adds an "F". Normally only I notice this because thank the dear Lord the other kids don't know that word. As it happens thought the other day on our way into school (at Shelby Presbyterian Church) he saw a fire truck parked outside the fire house. So he commenced to screaming TRUCK at the top of his lungs (only the altered version). I'm going "Yes Ian Truck" every time he says it so that the passing mommies don't think that he is actually saying what it sounds like he is saying. I could have melted into the sidewalk.

Chip sounds like Sh** which he also says a lot since they are his new favorite food. What will I do with this boy? My dad asked me if he had been hanging around my brother to much, for those of you who know Michael you know what he means.

Mower than you probaly wanted to know.

2008-04-18T11:24:00.003-04:00

I learned two things about myself yesterday. One is that I am VERY spoiled and the second thing is I LIKE IT! As you know I am taking care of things around our house lately, well it came time for the grass to be cut. I mean it was like "anyone seen Ian?" it was that bad. So yesterday my Mom (my hero) took all four kids with her when she took Katie to soccer practice, so that I could cut the grass. So I got out the mower and attempted to start it. It is difficult at the best of times down right ornery the rest of the time. I struggled with it for about half an hour. I have to admit there was a point when I thought "Hey if this thing doesn't start I can sit in the house and read my book while Mom has the kids." It was a fleeting thought I really wanted to honor Mom's willingness to chase all four of my kids around. So after much struggles I got the darn thing started and I mowed the grass. Man it was hard! Last year I did I a few times for "Fun" (ick I'm disgusted by my own spoildness) when I did though Andy trimmed in and all I had to do was mow back and forth in a straight line. This time I had to get in close to the house and run under bushes and around trees and all that fun stuff. Not to mention the front yard had to be bagged because it was so thick. I had to empty the bag every second line. I realized that as and adult I really haven't had to shower because I had dirt on me but yesterday I found dirt in unmentionable places. I'm still puzzled by how it could have gotten there.
The yard may look like a drunk monkey mowed it but the grass is short. I have the kind of husband who always looks to my comfort first. He will get me things from the kitchen and take my trash and all kinds of things like that. He is a prince, and now I really appreciate all that he dose.
Love ya, Babe!

I am woman hear me ROAR!

2008-04-16T14:59:00.002-04:00

With Andy doing so much school and work a few things around the house that he would normally handle have fallen to me. The sprayer on the kitchen sink broke last week. I was waiting patently for him to fix it and then Monday I colored Mom and Sandy's hair and had to rinse them out with a cup I think there ears are probably still full of water (Sorry ladies). So I decided that if it was going to get fixed before summer break I would have to do it. I loaded my three youngest children in the car and headed off to Lowe's. I realized after some research that it would be better to replace the whole faucet (the old one leaked badly). Word of advice if the man at Lowe's and you husband say "AH that's an easy job no problem" take it with a grain of salt. However I set about it with passion and determination. I emptied under the sink and got a flash light and crawled in. First the instructions were ONLY for installing the new faucet NOT taking out the old one. I turned the water off and starting unscrewing everything that screwed. Now I don't fancy myself a girly girl but I do like to look my best. I had just flat ironed my hair and applied makeup before picking up the kids (I don't want their teachers to think I always look like my morning self). So I am laying under the sink working on these screws and things are falling in my face and sticking to my lip gloss. I just about lost it. It was so nasty. I also had Bob the builder and his little brother (Nathan and Ian) either under the sink with me or stealing everything from my screwdriver to my flashlight. I had it all undone except one screw that would not budge. I worked on it for half an hour. I was determined to get this thing fixed though because I had no faucet and no water in the kitchen. SO what did I do? I roared..... DADDY! I called my Dad. If I call my dad on the phone and call him Daddy or D-Da he knows I want something. He graciously came to my rescue. He fixed my sink and also hung a paper towel holder and a hook in the laundry room. I love my Dad he has always been my hero and he proved it yesterday.

What about you guys (girls) even if you don't think of yourself as girly everyone has that one thing that they can't handle be it spiders, bugs, or anything like that. I would love to hear what would push you over the edge and make you scream like a girl.

Here I am.

2008-04-15T11:16:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone. I am still her and still trudging on with this thing called life. It is such a challenge to enjoy everyday and not say I will be glad when.... I am posting. I have been fussed at so here is a post. Last week was the week from ..... uh you know where. It was like the perfect storm in bad children behavior. When you have four children you always have one of them who is being more whiny or more difficult. Sometimes you have two which makes life interesting. Last week ALL FOUR were in foul moods all week. Emma was as snarky and sarcastic as she knows how to be which is a lot. For example Nathan would say "Hey Emma look at that pretty tree and Emma would say Ya Nathan that is a pretty tree... NOT." Which would make Nathan dissolve into tears and declare "Emma is being rude-to-me" Katie did her best impression of a snotty teenager, which she is sadly getting pretty good at. I actually sent her to bed without dinner one night last week. Granted she had Yogurt and a pop tart for a snack at 5:00, so I didn't feel like she was going to perish. She did though, she layed on her bed screaming "I'm going to STARVE... you can't do this to me!!!!!" She is no stranger to drama. Ian has been his lovely and mischievous self. He bit a kid at school and had to sit in time out. Which is really hard because you can't talk to a two year old about his behavior hours after the fact.
On top of all that Andy worked until 9:30 or 10:00 every night last week. He is in the final push of his current semester, and doing three jobs at work so he has been really busy lately. We would covet your prayers.
Here's to a better week this week... it can't be any worse! (Can it?)

Reflections on nine years.

2008-04-03T13:43:00.002-04:00

Today is mine and Andy's ninth anniversary. It has been quite a ride. I'm pretty impressed with nine years, especially since it seems like we just got married yesterday. I have had a great time being married to Andy. It hasn't been without it's bumps in the road but we have weathered it all together.
Just to give a few examples, right before our second anniversary Andy's father had a heart transplant. Katie was born in January a week after she was born Frank went into the hospital not to come out again until he had a heart. At the end of March Frank got a heart. Andy was at the hospital at least four nights a week while his Dad was there. You can probably imagine what a stressful time it was for us. Andy visiting his Dad and being concerned for his Mom and his Sister traveling back and forth to the hospital. Me at home with an infant who for some reason despised the hospital. I'm serious as soon as we would pass the fountain in front of Carolina's Medical Center she would start screaming so what time I did get to see Frank my Mom or Emily sat in the lobby with Katie so I could go up.
Then, While I was pregnant with Emma, Andy went back to school to get his Masters Degree. He got it when she was about 8 months old. For any of you who have done the school thing with a spouse and then thrown kids in on top of that you know how hard that is.
We had a few years of smooth sailing during which we had Nathan. Nathan was a perfect baby. The kind that makes you scared to have another baby because he couldn't possibly be as easy going as Nathan.
Along came Ian, who is a joy and a delight but comes with his own set of challenges. Most of you know that Ian was born with some health problems. He was in the NICU for a week after he was born. Unlike when Frank was sick this was a crisis in our own nebular family. The decisions that were made were all Andy and I. The outcome would most closely affect us and our children. We felt this responsibility when the other kids were born, sure but not to this extent. It was really hard to watch Ian struggle but it was a great feeling to know that Andy and I were in this together. That he cared about our little boy as much as I did. A few nights after Ian went to Charlotte we got a room in the Hospitality House at Presbyterian hospital. They gave us a family room because we were a married couple. There was a set of bunk beds and a single bed in the room. Andy and I slept on the bottom bunk of the bunk beds because we couldn't stand the idea of being so far away from each other and we both need the comfort of the others nearness.
As you all know Ian is great now he is a thriving two year old who is one of the bright spots in our days.
I guess its true what they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And closer to each other and to God if you will let it.
Now nine years have also brought us many blessings. We have had two houses, numerous vehicles, four wonderful children, continued education and success in business. We also have the support of friends and family. I know all of you loving and praying for us has helped make this marriage a success.
We still work on our marriage and I'm sure we always will. I got some criticism for getting married at nineteen. People said "don't you want to travel and play and experience life before you settle down?" I said to them that there was nothing I wanted to do in my life that I wanted to do without Andy. I'm happy to say that I still feel that way today.
Andy I know you appreciate me being frugal so this blog is my anniversary card to you. I hope you always know that I wouldn't want to be anyone but your wife and the mother to our children. I love you, Babe.

Nate update.

2008-04-02T09:59:00.002-04:00

As I was sitting her blogging yesterday about how concerned I was about Nathan's leg I realized that I wasn't going to wait until today to know what was going on.
So I pulled the power of Mommy and called the Children's Clinic and told them I wanted him seen that day. I wasn't rude I just told them that I was concerned and wanted to know what was going on. So we went and he got to see Dr. Noodle (Dr. Hayek, my kids have called him Dr. Noodle since Katie was a baby). He examined his leg and said that he couldn't see anything wrong with it and Nathan didn't flinch when he mashed on it. He dose have a definite limp that is very noticeable. We are to give him children's Motrin twice a day for a week and see if it improves. If it doesn't he will go next week and have his leg x-rayed. Dr. Noodle also said that it was not MERSA and not to worry about what I heard on Dr. Phil, he said a lot of that information was sensational anyway. It always helps me to talk to him he is so level headed. So now we have a time frame and we are watching him closely. Thank you for your prayers. I will keep you updated.

O.K. people time to pray!

2008-04-01T11:24:00.002-04:00

Nathan has been limping for a week. He started last Saturday, we were at my in-laws house for Easter and my Father-in-law has a heal spur so we thought he was imitating Papa. However no three year old can imitate that for a week without ever not doing it. Some days he limps worse than others. He has a doctor's appointment tomorrow to have it checked out. I have to admit I am feeling pretty anxious about it. Then today I watched Dr. Phil and he was talking about MERSA so now I'm a basket case. The strange thing is he says it doesn't hurt. He limps wether he is wearing shoes or not and no matter what he is wearing. Once we ruled out all of those factors it has us pretty concerned.

Pray for me to leave this with the Lord and to be anxious for nothing. I am not usually alarmist but this has me pretty alarmed.

Wow I'm flattered!

2008-03-31T10:59:00.001-04:00

Hello people I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break. We had a great one. We traveled to Virgina to visit my grandparents. We left on Tuesday and came home on Friday. My parents went with us and stayed until Thursday. On Wednesday the guys went and played golf while we ladies kept up with the kids. Then on Thursday Granny B, Mom and I went and got manicures and pedicures. It was great. Andy and Papa Joe took the kids to the airport to watch the planes take off and land and then to Papa Joe's limo company to see the limos. (Papa Joe drives for a limo company) Nathan was very impressed with the "limbos." We had a great week.

Over Easter I got several comments from people who said they really liked my blog and wanted me to post more. I was blown away I didn't know anyone was reading. If you read my blog and would like to read more leave me a comment so I know who I am talking to please. I dearly love to read all of your blogs and I am flattered to think that some of you may be enjoying mine.

I'm Trippin!

2008-03-10T20:22:00.007-04:00

We have done a lot of traveling lately. I happy to do them all but it is also nice to be home.

The end of February my cousin had a baby shower on Saturday then on Sunday my uncle got married. Me, Mom and the girls went and had a girls weekend. We went to the shower and then went shopping for the girls Easter dresses and then to the wedding on Sunday. We had a good time it's nice that the girls are old enough to travel with without to many headaches. When we were shopping at the Children's place the girls decided to do a little window modeling. So I did what any good mom would do... I went outside and took pictures. We got some giggles and "how cute" from passers by so I think they sold it. Funny thing was that most of what they were wearing was from Children's Place.

Next we had the trip to Gatlinburg with our friends Matt and Kathy.

We got home on Sunday and Andy left Monday morning for a conference in Greensboro and then went from there on Wednesday to a conference in Asheville. He got home on Friday evening.

Then this Wednesday my Mother-in-law and I are leaving to go to a Joyce Meyer conference. We get to do this about once a year and I love it. It is so good to go and get spiritually refreshed and it's great to get to spend some alone time with Becky.

I'm also looking forward to a trip to Rocky Mt. to see Joy and the Boys, and her new house. I will be traveling with Missy and Bella and some of my kids so that will also give us time to spend together.

We also may be going to Virgina to see my grandparents over spring break. I hope we get to do this. Andy will travel with us and he could use some rest and relax time.

Anyway that all about me Trippin' hope you all are well. Have a God Blessed week.

Wonderful Weekend

2008-03-04T23:55:00.003-05:00

Andy and I went to Gatlinburg this weekend with some dear friends of ours, Matt and Kathy Beam. We use to travel together all the time. In fact we were sitting on a beach together the year after Andy and I got married and we named Katie. We were looking for a good name to go with Jeanette, which is my middle name, and Kathy said "Katherine is a good name". And that was it we loved the idea of calling her Katie. So Katie is named after our friend Kathy. We loved the idea of honoring her as well. We had a great time with them which included a lot of "Remember the time when...?" It was so fun.
We got to do this great thing called Ober Gatlinburg, which I have never done. We rode a trolley car up to the top of the mountain and then a ski lift to the very top. It was so cool to look down on the world from that height and enjoy God's creation and man's ingenuity. We also did this thing called and Alpine Slide if you get a chance you should try it. It is a concrete slide that you slide down in a yellow sled thing. Kind of like bobsledding in the Olympics. Andy and I raced the first time and I won, he says he slowed down for me but I don't know.
We also enjoyed just hanging out with our friends. We have 8 kids between us and soon there will be 9 (Kathy not me) so this was a rare opportunity.
Anyway the new week brought a hefty dose of reality. Andy is out of town for the whole week and Emma and Katie woke up sick on Monday. That and all the other delights of taking care of four kids alone should make for an interesting week. I'm glad I got some time to recharge.

My kid is a Genius!

2008-02-28T00:30:00.004-05:00

Nathan went back to school today after his two sick days. He was so excited to see all his friends. They had a Doctor in to talk to the kids about staying healthy and getting check ups. When I went in to get Nate the Dr. had just finished his talk. There were quite a few moms around waiting for their kids and a few said "your kid is so smart" and things like that. I had no idea what they were talking about. One of the moms said "did you know that he knows what an otoscope is?"(if any of you don't know it's the thing they look in your ears with) I was like uh... he dose? What happened was the Dr. held up a stethoscope and asked if anyone knew what it was, a few kids did. (Nathan among them) Then he held up and otoscope and Nate said "That's and oteoscope." His teacher said she almost fell out of her chair. They were all stunned that he knew it. I asked him "Son how did you know that?" He said, "Blues Clue's." I was so proud of him. Thank you Joe and Steve, they really are listening.
P.S. I had to research how to spell otoscope because I had no idea. I don't feel to bad though because I doubt Nathan could spell it either... I think.

Tidbits

2008-02-27T00:38:00.002-05:00

I have just a few thoughts to share.
1. I have recently decided to read some of the classics. I like to read things that I have heard about and never read. I just finished Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I loved it. I don't know how I missed it all these years. I look forward to reading other books by Dickens. If you haven't read it you should give it a chance. I think next Dad and I are going to read Moby Dick. I hope it is half as good.
2. Do any of the rest of you have trouble with the letter identification when you post a comment on someones blog? I have a horrible time with it. I am dyslexic and my eyes just don't see what is there. It takes me three or four times sometime. I love to get comments on my blog so I try to regularly comment on other people's. If I comment on your blog just know that I had a hard time with those crazy letters. And I love you. :)

Oh well.

2008-02-25T23:31:00.002-05:00

I had such a hard time getting back into the swing of things after Christmas this year. I felt like I was always a step behind. Last week was the first week that life felt normal, with various illnesses and other things happening life has been unpredictable at best.

Routines were clicking and things were going like clock work. Well this morning Nathan woke up with a fever, or a feber as he says. So I was in the land of a sick three year old all day today.
My house which had finally gotten clean last week looks like a tornado hit it. I know you can't predict children's illnesses but sometimes they are so inconvenient.

Oh well, such is life. Pray for Nate, he has a fever and a runny nose. Maybe life will be normal next week.

The Sweetest Hour

2008-02-13T19:49:00.002-05:00

I love to cuddle with my kids. We love to lie on the couch and cuddle up with each other and watch Arthur and Curious George. The spot that is most coveted is my “nest” as long as I can remember that is what Katie has called the space behind my knees when I’m laying on my side.

Some afternoons I feel like a mother Cat with all my little kittens laying all around and on me. I love it. I lay on my side; I have one kid on my arm (usually Nathan) and two in my “nest” (Katie and Emma) and Ian sitting on my hip. You may all think this sounds weird but it’s what we do.

I didn’t come from and overly affectionate home so I love that I love it. I found out as a kid that kissing and hugging your children is not as irresistible as I find it with my children. I have loved them so much and told them so, so often that it is like breathing. This is weird because I don’t remember anyone except my Dad and Andy ever telling me they loved me before.

It’s interesting the things we determine to change when we become parents. This is one area that I have to say I made up my mind to make it different and I did. I know this because of the evidence. I have four very confident children. In fact I don’t think that Katie would think it possible that people not think she’s beautiful and clever. She can’t think why anyone wouldn’t like her. I hope the balance comes as she matures but I’m glad she gets to start life with her love tank full.

So if you haven’t today and I’m sure you have, cuddle your children and tell them you love them.

By the way, my friend Kathy has a “fort” instead of a “nest.” Any of you guys have anything like this?

Regarding Spell Check I'm typing post in Word and cut and pasting to the Blog.

Dolls, teeth and Skates

2008-02-06T11:21:00.001-05:00

About Dolls, Teeth and Skates.

2008-02-06T10:53:00.000-05:00

My girls have had some pretty big events in their lives the last two weeks. Katie turned 7 and she got her American girl Doll for her birthday. The doll's name is Molly and she is a member of our family now. She sleeps in a cloths basket at the foot of Katie's bed. Katie changes her cloths as much if not more than I change Ian's. Emma wants one so bad she can't stand it. She has decided to save her own money and buy her one. We told her she could get one for her birthday but she doesn’t want to wait until October.

She has made some strides towards her savings though she lost two teeth last week. One, one day and another the very next day. She was thrilled, the tooth fairy was generous and she put ten dollars in an old tang can that says American Girl Doll. Andy and I are going to start them on an allowance. I know we should have already done this but we haven't. Anyone have any tips on chores and payment?

And lastly. Katie had her first birthday party in which she was able to invite friends from school. It as a skating party at Kate's. She had a great time she loves to skate. She invited 12 friends and 11 showed. We couldn't have expected a better turnout. Now four of those kids were Emma, Nathan, Paige(cousin) and Bekah (basicly family). She had friends from Kindergarten all the way back to Pre School. Now the kicker was that I asked her what kind of cake she wanted and she said She wanted a cake that looked like a skate. And she wanted it to be purple. Now I learned to decorate cakes about 3 years ago and Skates were not one I have done before. I had convinced myself to order her a Hannah Montana cake, however my brother got wind of that and he had a cow. My mom always use to make us really unusual cakes like soccer balls and a Holly Hobby cake. He said "twenty years from now she will never remember a Hannah Montana cake but a Skate cake will be remembered." He convinced me so I made one. My mom helped but I think it turned out o.k.

Im in a very mellow mood today so I hope this post isn't boring.

This blog is rated PG-13!

2008-02-04T14:55:00.000-05:00

I hope that by telling you guys this story some of you will tell me that it has also happened to you and your kids aren’t scared for life. Yesterday afternoon during nap time Nathan and Ian were asleep and Katie and Emma were playing in their room. I thought it would be a good time for a quick bit of alone time for me and Andy. He was working at the computer in our room so I went in and shut and locked the door (or so I thought). We were laying on the bed in ah... the nude making out when we hear footsteps in the hall. Andy stopped kissing me and looked up and said "oh door please be locked" and I said "I locked it." Just like in a horror film everything happened in slow motion. The door knob turned, we froze and Katie opened the door. I grabbed a pillow and covered my chest and Andy hollered "GET OUT" she shut the door in like a second. Andy jumped up and ran into the bathroom in case she came back and I jumped up and locked the door. I was laughing so hard I couldn't breath and Andy was hiding in the bathroom (he didn't know I had locked the door). As we were getting dressed to go talk to the girls Andy could hear Katie and Emma giggling as Katie retold the story to her. We sat down with them and asked them what they saw and what it meant. The good thing about it is that we got to see what our kids know about sex which fortunately is nothing. Emma said "I told Katie I thought you were getting naked and kissing until you die." We're not sure what that means. Katie thought the whole thing was gross and didn't understand why I didn't have any cloths on my back. Fortunately I was laying in front of Andy and we were facing each other so she didn't know that he was naked she just thought he didn't have a shirt on. We explained that married people like to kiss with their clothes off sometimes but you don't do it until you are married. They didn't have to many questions though. I just hope they aren’t scared for life. Later on I thought of all the things the could have seen and the whole thing isn’t quite so funny anymore. Needless to say Andy and I have some unfinished business and from now on he says HE will lock the door.

Ian, oh Ian.

2008-01-30T13:49:00.000-05:00

I have heard a lot lately about how Nathan gets a bad rap on this blog. That's just not so He is just the one who offers up the most raw material. This blog however is dedicated to Ian. My once docile, sweet, easy baby is almost two and it shows. You know how if an adult isn't very attractive they are described as having a great personality. Well I am convinced that when you describe a toddler as having a great personality you really mean he is a monster. Now don't think I don't love this little man with everything I have in me... well let me present the evidence it speaks for itself.

1. We moved him into a real bed after Christmas, the other night at three o'clock in the morning we hear a lot of ruckus coming from the boys room. Ian had gotten out of his bed and onto Nathan's bed and was running from the foot board to tackle a sleeping Nathan. I went in there as he was raring back for another run. Nathan looked at me half asleep and said "hes jumpin on me." I told him I was sorry and tried to get Ian back in bed. He did it twice more before morning.

2. Ian takes his naps and starts out the night in a port-a-crib in the play room so that he and Nathan can sleep at the same time. One night when Andy was working I counted how many times he came out that door and I got to twenty before I got to frustrated to count any more. I didn't speak to him and calmly put him back in bed as the supper nanny recommends. Dose this really work? I have no evidence that it dose.

3. And my last piece of evidence is this. If I ever thought any of the other kids were "climbers" I was sadly mistaken. Ian's favorite place to hang out is in the middle of the kitchen table. And now he has discovered that he can move chairs. I walked in the kitchen the other day and found him in the middle of the stove(no lie). I almost had a heart attack. Everything was off but I shutter to think what could have happened.

There that's my proof that my kid has uh...personality. I told everyone who might keep him or try to keep up with him that he is on FULL safety lock down. I don't trust him alone for a minute. And yes that makes baths and potty breaks interesting.

Happy birthday to you!

2008-01-25T00:14:00.000-05:00

My darling daughter who it seems just arrived yesterday has turned 7. I remember turning 7 myself. I thought "Wow 7 is almost 10 I am getting old." She was so pleased with her birthday she was out of school so she and I had a date. We had breakfast with my friend Missy and her Bella. Which later got turned into she had breakfast with Missy and Bella. Not sure how I got deleted. Then we came home and ordered her American Girl doll online. Molly will come in 5 to 7 business days. We have it marked on the calendar. She got lots of phone calls from people who love her and she loves attention so she was in hog heaven. We had special dinner of Dinosaur shaped chicken and she got a scarf and hat set along with a unicorn that Emma wrapped up. Then she went to AWANA and got sang to. I think she had a great day. Not to mention that her birthday party has been scheduled for February 2. I wish I could have a birthday like that.

Something to ponder.

2008-01-15T09:49:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking of this spiritual insight for a few months now. I am hoping that if I get it out that it will clear up space for the Holy Spirit to hit me with something new. This has challenged me a lot. I am sure all of you have heard of the devotional by Oswald Chambers, My utmost for His Highest. I have been reading it off and on for years. Back in July I read a devotion called All Nobel things are Difficult. He referenced our utmost for Christ's highest. It really got me thinking of the title of the book. MY utmost for HIS highest. If we could really grasp that concept. Its saying that we do our best job ever all for the glory of Christ. It sounds like a no brainier in the spiritual sense we all are striving for that, but think about it in the daily sense. Lets say you have a project to do with your kids school or at work, you work with all your might and invest all of yourself in it. Then the praise goes to someone else. I think we would all like to think of ourselves as unselfish but we all like to be appreciated and acknowledged. Can we do our very best job for the glory of someone else? Can we do our utmost for His highest? Think about it as you go through your day the next few days, in everything you do think that you are doing your very best for the glory of Christ. Lets try to do our utmost for His Highest.

To mothers of boys...Help!

2008-01-06T01:12:00.000-05:00

My darling son Nathan has been potty trained for the better part of a year now. He dose very well with few accidents. We have been very pleased. The problem is the smell in the bathroom. I have watched him without him knowing and he dose try to get it in the toilet. Andy taught him to make bubbles and I encourage him to make water noises. I told him if you don't hear water noises you are missing. Anyway he dose seem to be doing these things but my bathroom still smells like a truck stop. I have scoured every surface with cleaner. Floor, toilet, walls, cabinets everything. *ICK* It still smells. If anyone can give any advice I'd be happy for it.

Post christmas funk.

2008-01-02T11:30:00.000-05:00

The Gardner family had a lovely Christmas. We were all showered with gifts and many well wishes. We partied and played and visited to our hearts content. We spent new years eve with my parents and the girls actually made it to midnight. As we shared our last day of vacation on New Year's day we realized something... we could not wait to go back to school and work. We have had enough of each other. The kids were tired and Andy was grouchy. (I was a peach) We all love each other so much but we realized that we need to all have our own experiences and come back together and share them in the evening. Now that school is back in and Andy is back at work I miss them all but I also appreciate them more. I may be the worst mother in the world to feel this way but I value our separate live and our coming back together time.

Oh and Ian moved out of his crib into a big boy bed on New Year's Eve. He is determined to leave me without a baby. I am proud of him though he is so sweet and smart.

I hope you all had a blessed holiday season and a wonderful new year.

One last post to catch you all up.

2007-12-18T20:59:00.000-05:00

I saved the best for last. Two Wednesdays ago our daughter Katie decided to give her life to Christ. She has been talking about it for a while but I just didn't feel like the understanding was there. She goes to AWANA at church and they had a missionary in to speak to the children. She made the decision that night. I got there to get her just as they were taking the ones who stood up to pray so I got the privilege of praying with her. When she got done praying she looked up at me and said "that's a big step Mom." Im so proud of her and I hope you will all pray for her as she begins this new journey. She is already struggling with her old way of doing things and her new accountability. I told her that night after she prayed that I was pleased that now she is not only my Daughter but my Sister.

He did it!

2007-12-18T20:50:00.001-05:00

As you all know Andy had an interview for a new position at the end of November. He got it! He has been working hard all his career and now it finally seems like He may be getting somewhere. Im so proud of you babe. He is now the Dean of Enrollment Management. Impressive sounding isn't it? Way to go hon. Oh and you look Hot in your suit. :)

Locks of Love.

2007-12-18T19:10:00.000-05:00

About a year and a half ago Katie got her hair cut for locks of love. Emma so admired her decision she wanted to do it to. Only problem was that her hair was shoulder length. She grew it until last week. With her Daddy dragging his heals she got it cut. She needed 10 inches she had 10 1/2. She was so proud. We were proud of her.

Emma's hair cut.

2007-12-18T19:09:00.001-05:00

Lots of Leaves.

2007-12-18T19:04:00.000-05:00

We had so much fun in the leaves. The kids played, they laughed, they threw, I raked. Andy was busy with work and school so it was up to me to rake up the piles for the kids to jump in. It was worth a few sore muscles to see them have fun.

Fall Fun!

2007-12-18T18:39:00.001-05:00

It has been a while.

2007-12-13T11:23:00.001-05:00

I haven't blogged in a few weeks so I hope to catch everyone up with a few slide shows. Thank you all for being interested.

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

2007-11-20T16:38:00.000-05:00

Our family loves Christmas. The kids and I really get into Christmas decorations and lights. When I was little my family lived away from extended family, my Mom took that opportunity to create all kinds of wonderful holiday traditions. Andy's Mom has some great traditions as well. The way my kids know that its time to herald in the season is the tree lot near our house. They watch it everyday. They get more and more excited as signs of the season spring up at the lot a little at a time. Yesterday they brought out the Christmas trees and started setting them up. Today they pulled out the big guns... the SNOWMAN. They love it. Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Spend a lot of time with your families and eat a lot of turkey. Happy Thanksgiving from The Gardner Gang.

Ian's first week.

2007-11-14T16:56:00.001-05:00

Ian and Bella. First date?

2007-11-14T14:18:00.000-05:00

I thought I would put up a slide show of Ian's first week. Everyone prayed for him so much but nobody saw what he went through. So here he is in his first week. Thank you all for your prayers. He is a healthy 19mo. old now and its hard to remember where he has been. He was born on March 20, 2006. He had breathing problems after birth and they eventually decided to send him to Charlotte. He came home the next Monday.

2007-11-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

Ok everyone time to pray for Andy. He is under a lot of pressure with work and school. He is trying to finish out this semester with school which has been a bugger! There have been several people who have been in this program for a long time who say this has been one of the worst semesters yet. So hopefully it will get better. For anyone who may not know Andy is pursuing his Doctorate. Also with work He has an opportunity to interview for a job that he has been wanting for a very long time. Every thing we have done work and school wise is to eventually lead to this point. He should have the interview later this week and hopefully know soon after that. We have been praying for this for years. This is the career move he feels like he needs to make. And on top of all that he is sick. He started feeling stopped up last week and now its the crud and a cough. I feel sorry for him feeling so bad and having no time to slow down. All I can do for him is to keep things going around the house. Anyway that's something I would like for all of you to pray for.

Katie is so funny!

2007-11-12T14:42:00.000-05:00

For anyone who knows my dad you would know that He has a very dry sense of humor. Some might even call it corny, Not me because I share the same sense of humor. :) It became clear to me this weekend that Katie has also been "blessed" with the same sense of humor. The other night I was in the kitchen mixing up Russian Tea mix and Katie wanted a cup. I fixed her a cup. She drank about half of it and then said she didn't want any more. I told her to pour it out and put her cup in the sink. As she poured it out she looked at me and said "I guess its Russin' down the drain." I laughed because I would have said the same thing. Then a little later on Ian decided to play in the toilet (a favorite pass time of his if the older kids forget to shut the bathroom door). However this time they also forgot to flush it. (EW!!!) SO there was a puddle of pee/water around the toilet. I stripped Ian and got him in the bathtub right as my Mother-in-law arrived at the house. I asked her to finish Ian's bath as I finished up in the kitchen. I called to Katie and told her to put a towel in the puddle so Maw-maw wouldn't slip and I heard her say to Becky as she walked into the bathroom "Pee careful Maw-maw." My father should be so proud, I know I am.

Eggs down the drain.

2007-11-09T00:12:00.000-05:00

Ah, Nathan. Isn't he cute? I know that he is but he is also three. Now for any of you who have had a three year old you know that it can sometimes be quite the adventure. Nathan has been that lately to say the least. This afternoon after a very busy morning that included a flu shot and lunch at Chick-fil-a he was tired and wanted to watch a movie. He was watching Sky High and the other kids were occupied so I thought I had a few minutes to check my e-mail in peace. As I was sitting at the computer going through the e-mails Emma walked into the room carrying a egg in her hand. I asked her what she was doing with an egg and she said she was saving it. I said "from what?" She said "from Nathan." So I jumped up and ran to the kitchen and find my darling boy standing in a chair at the sink cracking eggs into one side and dropping the shells into the other. He had already made it through TWO DOZEN eggs. I know because I counted the shells as I was cleaning them out of the sink. AND he had another dozen sitting on the counter ready to go. Once I dealt with him and cleaned up the mess I said "Son what were you doing with the eggs?" He said "I was washing dem." I guess that makes sense to him. Anyway that's life with a three year old or rather my three year old.

Welcome to my Blog.

2007-11-07T21:55:00.000-05:00

Iam just a baby blogger with very little clue as to how to do this thing. So if you will just bear with me. I hope this works out but we shall see. I will try to pretty it up later. Bye.