Deal-breaker

Since this is an election year I was wondering what every one's deal-breaker was. What is the one thing that would cause you to NOT vote for someone? Is it the candidate's stance on the environment? Their stance on taxes? Their stance on the military? Education?
I could never vote for someone that is pro-choice. I consider abortion to be murder. I do believe that their is forgiveness for women who have had one.....but only if they ask. I will never be able to accept that abortion is ok. It should be outlawed. There are so many couples ready and willing to adopt; why not give them the best gift possible. Each and every born and unborn child deserves a chance.
So what is your deal-breaker?

Our Home Team!!!

This is a picture of us walking to the Trop.
Trop as in Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Ray's in St. Petersburg, FL!!
They put in these cool bat & ball things.
Here is Miss Savannah in her seat cheering on the Ray's!
Cal Ripken Jr. was in the house throwing out the first pitch.
Dylan, Austin & I being silly.
Lukie & Mommy having a great time!!
The Ray's on the field totally kicking some butt!!
This is "The Luke" at the Trop!!
Luke finishing up the foot-long hotdog!!

We had a blast at the game and the Ray's won!! They are so going to win the World Series this year!

Weekend with the babies

I had Matt's cousins two boys spend the night Saturday. They were really good babies. I got plenty of love from both of them but I had forgotten how much work little ones are.

Noah Matthew

Noah and I
Noah & Elijah
Elijah has the most amazing blue eyes
Elijah getting a sink bath

Things that make me smile

I thought it would be fun to list some things that make me smile. They are random and not in any order. These are just the first things that came to me.
*watching Luke race his cars
*When Savannah calls me Momma
*how my dogs greet me when I come home
*every time I talk to Matt on the phone he tells me that he loves me
*Austin wanting to please everyone
*When people tell me how great my kids are
*Just thinking about my silly mother-in-law
*When friends leave comments
*Good parking spot
*bargain
*hugs & kisses from my husband & kids
*nice people
*belly laugh that the kids do when they are having fun
*chocolate
*when I go somewhere and they have Diet Dr. Pepper
*a clean house
*a quiet house
*when my flowers bloom
*a nice cashier
*when my team wins
*I always smile when I think about how much I love my life. I really don't think I could be any happier with my home and family. My kids are the best ever. I have a husband that treats me like a queen and love me more than anything. I fall in love with him a little more everyday.

School time!!

1st day of school 2008

Luke
Savannah
Savannah at school
Savannah in her class

The kids started school today!! It was supposed to be yesterday but was cancelled because of Fay. Fay is still touring Florida. We haven't gotten an bad weather just a little wind and clouds. I hope it stays that way. Well some waves for surfing would be cool.

I can't believe that summer is over, it really flew by this year. Matt and the boys have all gotten to ride a few waves on their new surfboards. I tried a couple times but couldn't get my rear end up. I'm sure I will one day, Savannah too. It's just really cool to ride around with surfboards on top of my van.

The kids all had a good first day at school. I enjoyed a quiet house for a couple hours this morning. Instead of enjoying it I cleaned. I'll be putting in many hours in the van being that I drive the kids to and from school...3 different schools!! Matt takes Luke in the morning when he's in town, which is most of the time. Savannah goes from 9am to 12pm and it's very close to home. Austin is in school from 8:40am to 2:40pm and Luke from 8:50am to 2:50pm. It's a little tricky getting from Austin's school to Luke's in the afternoon because they are on opposite ends of town. We've tried the bus but it's even more of a pain than the car circle. I don't mind because they are my job right now.

I'm still missing Grandma and I'm sure that I always will.

What a difference a week makes.

Last Saturday we were all getting ready to head to the beach for some surfing. The beach was awesome and the boys absolutely LOVE to surf. The boys and I had never tried to get up. I was able to get up on my knees and the boys had no problem standing up. Matt got his first 'real' ride too. We had a blast surfing and hanging with friends.
After the beach we had dinner at a friends house. Later that night we went out to celebrate Donna's 40th (I mean 27th) birthday. We were able to surprise her and had some good times. I couldn't have asked for a better day.
Last Sunday at 5:44 pm my Grandma took her last breath and her tired body was no longer needed. I have faith that her soul is with God. She believed and accepted Jesus as her savior. God's promises are what get me through each day.
This past week has been really tough. I am missing her so much. When I was sick as a child my mom would take me to Grandma & Grandpa's. Grandma would make me a couch bed and set up a TV tray to hold my 7up and chicken noodle soup. Grandma and I would would watch her 'stories' all afternoon. I still watch The Young & Restless today. Grandma always did things to make me feel special. Whenever Grandma would cook liver & onions she would make me something different that I liked. Grandma always served the big meal of the day at Noon complete with bread, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. When I was pregnant with Austin she would make me bacon every morning so I could have a BLT.
I miss you so much Grandma!!

Remembering Grandma

**Today is the day that Grandma will be remembered and hopefully honored. She had so many friends, everyone loved her. Here is what my cousin will read for me today.

Good evening friends and family. I want to thank all of you for making the time to come celebrate the life of a very special woman. I would love to be there reading this myself, but I flew up from Florida to visit Grandma in July while there still was time. It was what she wanted.
Years ago Grandma called to tell me how bad Grandpa was getting. She gave me a choice of coming then or coming not long after for his funeral. Grandma bought me a plane ticket so I could say good bye to Grandpa before he left. She knew it was important and I will always be grateful. That was just one of many times Grandma showed me her amazing love.
I have so many great memories with Grandma. We have always shared a very special relationship. I could always tell her anything and usually did. She listened better than anyone and she would consistently give solid, caring advice. She loved me before I was born and I think that love grew everyday. And I will continue to love her more everyday long after the pain of losing her grows and then fades.
I thank God Grandma is not suffering now. And although I selfishly want her back, I know she is better than ever surrounded by more love than anyone can imagine. I love you Grandma and I'll miss you dearly until we see each other again.
Amy

**Here is the link for her obituary. Grandma only had 9 great-grandkids and 11 are listed. My mom included my brothers friends daughters, Cora & Drew. Grandma loved these little girls and they loved her. I had asked that they list them as special adopted grandkids. I have been really upset about this because I made it clear that I wasn't comfortable with it.
http://www.legacy.com/heraldbulletin/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=115509524

Grandma

February 18, 1923 - August 10, 2008

I was hoping that I would wake up this morning and realize that I had a nightmare, and that Grandma is still with us. Instead I woke up with puffy, aching eyes. She is really gone. How do I live without her when she was the one constant in my life? She was so much more than a grandmother, she was my best friend, my biggest fan, my biggest supporter and so much more. She was the one that I couldn't wait to call and share good news with. The one I could cry to, laugh with and always depend on.

I miss her so much already. Knowing that I will see her again is what will get me through this. That and my awesome family and friends.

Surf's Up!!

Matt's baby.

Austin w/ his board & Luke w/ his board!
Nana being silly.
Austin & Savannah
The board's home.

Update on Grandma

I got some news today about my Grandma and it's not good. She was set to go home on Wednesday after she finishes her radiation. They now want her to stay two more weeks so that she can have radiation on her right breast; which they think the cancer has spread to. She has already had her left breast removed. Her spirits seems good and she is getting some relief from her pain. She does have some bed sores that they are treating now.
I owe my Mom an apology. She has been so awesome in taking care of grandma. She goes to hospital at least three times a day to feed her. Grandma won't eat unless someone helps her. I know that a huge burden was lifted when she wasn't in charge of grandma's pain meds anymore. When she does come home she will be getting her pain meds through her port that was just put in last week. I have peace knowing that mom is taking care of Grandma. I don't think anyone could care for her as good as my Mom. My Mom has always looked to Grandma to help her and now it's the other way around. My cousin LeiAnne and I are my Mom's biggest cheerleaders now. We listen to her when she's upset and let her vent. When she's having a bad day we try to cheer her up.
Please continue to pray for my family.