Cotillion 2012

It's finally time for Parker's Cotillion.  Both Tyler and Kanon have gone through this invitation only program and Loved it.  Ok..ok.. so I fibbed a little.  Tyler and Kanon both went through because I made them.  It is such a sweet and beneficial program and just maybe a few manners and dance steps may rub off on them in the process.  At least I get to dance with my boys and get an awesome picture.  Next year will be Grayson's turn so Don can dance with his little girl. 

This year Parker actually enjoyed himself.  He is quite the handsome boy and loved dressing up and hanging with his friends.  I think he actually had fun and didn't mind it at all.  The sweet little boys and girls are all dressed up for the annual holly ball and bless their hearts must feel like they are in a fish bowl with all us parents gawking at them.  Us parents are running around snapping pictures of their every move the entire night.  Don says Cotillion is more for me than our kids.  Anyway...It's a fun evening and part of the Breedlove kid rite of passage.

Thanksgiving 2012

Playing catch up with the blog as usual..so lets see everything I have missed.  I'll start with Thanksgiving.  This year we hosted at our house for the family.   It went perfectly and the food and fellowship was amazing.  My sweet husband may just be the best cook ever.  After a wonderful lunch, we had what may have started the first annual cornhole game.  Don was the big winner with whichever kid joined him and If I recall right, my aunt Loretta did pretty good.  Of course the fun began later when Derek began posting on facebook how he and Kanon were the champs...all in good fun!  We smiled and laughed and we continue to miss mom.  Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday of the year...she loved Don's cooking.  But, I find comfort in knowing she had the best thanksgiving of all this year in Heaven.

Amazing kids = wonderful life!

Parker enjoyed a busy two weeks with Y club Junior Assembly and then off to his first Church Youth Retreat.  He had a blast, but my favorite part was that he was ready to stay home for awhile and was maybe a tad bit homesick after the second weekend in a row away.  I love that Parker wants to be so involved in school and Church.  Everybody that meets him loves him and his sweet personality.  Parker was also selected as student of the week for his team at middle school.  All of this makes this mama proud.

Kanon is 16!!! I'm excited, happy and sad all at the same time.  I can't believe this little boy who is full of such funny sayings and full of joy is growing up so fast.  I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.  And Wow what a great kid he is, we are truly blessed to be his parents. Happy birthday Kanon!!!

The picture above is an indicator of how funny, silly and wonderful Kanon is.  This is what we get when we let him design and pick up his own cookie cake.  The cookie design may be ugly, but the saying is right on the money. :)

Grayson was selected Star Student at her school.  I always enjoy going to the sweet little breakfast they have before school to honor these students.  We are very fortunate with a great school that has teachers that love on our children.

And....last but not least Tyler.  No pictures this time, but so proud of the young man he is.  He is so smart and will be heading off to military college very soon or at least that's his plan for now.  I know he will do well in whatever path he chooses.  Now, if I can get through all the graduation invitation ordering and college preparation without crying my eyes out we will be ok.

Halloween 2012

We are almost at that point in our lives where this holiday will look very different for our family as our children are growing up, but this year it was still the fun of enjoying friends and racing from house to house to get enough candy to eat for the next year.  This year some sweet friends invited us to their home in our neighborhood to enjoy drinks and appetizers first before we set out to trick or treat as a group.  Our older boys stayed at home....Kanon and his friend were working on a spanish project while Tyler and Ashley guarded our door and gave out candy to all the youngsters.  Grayson and Parker and friends stayed ahead us most of the night while the adults walked leisurely enjoying one anothers company.  Don't get me wrong, I loved it when all my children were small and it was crazy chaotic, but this year was nice too knowing they were old enough to go as a group and run ahead without us holding their hands.  Makes for a much more relaxing evening.

Check out that full moon!

And this is our life....

From fall fairs to friends weddings to homecoming dances to cotillion and to our first college visit with our oldest, we continue to live out our amazing life.  Although its not been easy on our hearts lately, it is totally worth every second.

Here's to living a life with purpose and intention. For the first time ever, I am excited about the future.

A Tribute to my Mom.....

Neubie Jean Norris
1/25/43-9/30/12

When she smiled at me, I knew she loved me more than words could ever express.  I never doubted, for even one second, how much my mom cared for me.  During her lifetime, she made choices and experienced challenges along her journey, but she loved me and her grandchildren deeply.  She was always patient with my children and took good care of them when they were small, allowing Don and I to work.  For that alone....I am forever grateful! She loved being a grandmother.  She would play games, read to them, cook for them or just listen to their many stories for hours on end.  Each one of them have those memories they will cherish forever.  With her sickness, her last years were very difficult on her and our entire family, but now I finally know she is healed and happy forever.  Though we are saddened and have shed many tears, we know she is rejoicing with our Heavenly Father.  We are not sad for her, but only for ourselves because we will always miss her. Rest in Peace Mom.........

The Best Flag Crew Ever!

Don and the boys had a great opportunity to serve on the Atlanta Falcons Flag Crew for a Monday night football game. They had a blast!  Grayson and I enjoyed a little girl time eating nachos on the couch and getting in our pjs early and her crawling into my bed with me.  She loves that!  Don would probably be much better at writing this post about a football game.....yeah I don't know really much  about the players or the game, but I know they had some great male bonding time and thats what matters.  They all took lots of pictures, but I must say the picture of all them together is by far my favorite.  Out of all the famous players and coaches on the field, they are by far my most important guys.

The next post will be fun......I promise :)))))

I have lots of fun things to post, because believe it or not we have continued to live and love in the midst of sadness.  That's a testimony to how great our God is...He allows life to go on and allows us to find good amongst things that don't seem so good at the moment.  This past week has been not so good for me health wise. I guess I should have seen it coming.  Stress and worry can be not only bad emotionally for you, but physically bad for your body.  I had another blood pressure and extreme headache episode that required Don to take me to the hospital (my least favorite place in the world). After lots and lots of good meds, I'm better once again.  But you will be happy to know sweet family....this time scared me enough to start exercising and eating better so I can be around to see my grandkids.  Cause we know that will be a loooong time away and I will be old, old, old.  I have also gained a new perspective about a lot of things that weigh heavily in my life. I have given way to much "think time" to family matters that continue to hurt me time and time again.  But I have realized maybe my expectations were unrealistic because the truth is....our extended family really doesn't care about us. I have learned they are only around when things are going good, but let us need some emotional support and they are no where to be found.  There I said it finally!!! Whether anyone reads this or not other than my husband and sweet children, I feel like I have said something out loud that should have been said a long time ago.  I can move on with my wonderful life that God has so richly blessed me with.  I finally can live honestly.  Our real family may not be blood, but are our amazing Christian friends. They are the kindest people you will ever know.  They call, text, email, bring us food, share carpool for kids, and let me know everyday how much they care about us.  They know who they are and I believe God knew exactly what he was doing when he placed them in our lives.

As I am updating the blog this evening....Don and the boys are at the Falcons Game getting to participate on the flag crew. I can't wait to share the pictures from that.  Grayson and I are having some girl time.  Also, this weekend was a blast at Morgan's wedding, pictures are coming. Last weekened, we also had some good old fashioned "fair" fun. Love this every year.  Don says its the best people watching around.  So, as "the world continues to turn"  our days will continue and we will depend on each other, but most of all we will depend on our heavenly father to watch over us and guide our decisions.  I feel like things are getting better and I know I am getting better and stronger each day.  I have a relationship with Jesus Christ and the best husband and children in the world and that is what matters to me. :)

Some of the best years of their life....

Friday nights at our house bring crazy schedules with everybody wanting to head in different directions. Mom here spends the entire evening dropping off and picking up and delivering kids. But, I wouldn't trade these times for anything in the world (even though I may sometimes actually complain a little).  There is nothing better than a car full of teenagers laughing and talking..this is the time I learn the most about my children and their friends.  Friday night was no exception.  It was the big rival Cartersville/Cass Game at Cass and Kanon and his friend Pierce needed a ride to and from the game.  I took two teenagers and brought back four and of course they wanted to go to Relay for Life after the game.  It was just at the park across from the neighborhood and they could all walk home when they were ready to leave.  Tyler and his friends were also doing the same after the game the only difference is Mom doesn't have to be involved cause they just drive themselves.  I finally got landed at home for the night at about 11:00pm but of course could not go to sleep until all my little chicks are under one roof...so finally about 12:30am I finally was able to drift off to sleep.  I love that my teenage boys were told they could stay as long as they wanted (it was an all night event) and they chose to come home early only staying about an hour.  I love that my children are homebodies just like their me and their dad.  Maybe that's a sign that when they grow up, they will still remain close and miss us like crazy! :)

They were all wearing their white for the "white out against Cass".  Of course Haley jumped in the back for the picture and told Kanon to get in the back also, but he was way too cool to be silly :)

My Man....

My husband checks the blog each night for updates and will always jokingly say "well..its not about me again!" and we laugh.  Although I know he is not being serious for one minute, I realize this blog should be more about him.  In all seriousness, he is the rock that keeps our family grounded and keeps me going on the right path when I am losing my mind.  These past few weeks have seen some deep, deep sadness at our house and he has just kept right along keeping us moving.  Otherwise, there have been days I probably wouldn't have gotten out of bed.  He is a strong man whom I love deeply.  The children adore him and know they can always count on their dad.  That's my kinda guy!