* Amanda Leigh *

Marley and Me

2009-04-04T00:01:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to take a minute before I go to bed and tell you about my sensitive little man Hayden. Tonight we had family movie night and watched Marley and Me. At the end, (I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it) Hayden was SOBBING. I was crying as well, but Hayden made me cry more than the movie! He is so sensitive and sweet. He is also compassionate....right there to comfort you when you are hurt or to cry with you when you cry. I hope these are traits he hangs onto all his life....all qualities I would be proud for my son to have as an adult.
It took about 30 minutes for him to calm down after the movie and be okay with it.
I love you Hayden!

Kite Flying

2009-03-13T21:18:00.011-05:00

Last Saturday, we had a beautiful day. It was a little windy, but just right for kite flying. My mom bought the kids some kites....they were cheapys from Walgreens, but they worked really well. Hayden also got a new puppy that morning. He is a border collie german shepard mix. He named him Buddy.

Snow 2009

2009-03-13T21:07:00.006-05:00

Every year we get one good snow fall. This year we got about 6 inches. It was 70 degrees one day and then a huge snow storm the next!!!
Molly didn't like the snow at first. She wouldn't even walk in it. Eventually she liked it, but didn't want to sit down in it.

This is Hayden making a snow angel.

The front of the house

Hayden jumping on the trampoline

Molly and I in the driveway. It was sooooo cold and the wind was blowing really hard.

Just a few pics

2009-02-22T23:05:00.003-06:00

Whoa, I haven't blogged in awhile!!!! I will just post a few pics for now.

Hannah Eileen

2008-12-30T23:24:00.003-06:00

Please say a prayer for the Salcher family. Tomorrow is sweet Hannah Panda's viewing in IL. Hannah passed away on December 27, 2008 in her parent's arms. She had a rare genetic disease called MPS-1. Her little body fought so hard for so long and just couldn't fight anymore. She has a care page with her story if you would like to check it out.
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/HannahEileenSalcher

Hannah was the same age as Molly and her passing breaks my heart.

Rest in Peace sweet baby girl!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-29T20:36:00.006-06:00

I think Santa went a little overboard!!!

I had NOTHING to do with the purchase of the BB Gun.

Christmas Eve

2008-12-29T20:10:00.004-06:00

Making cookies for Santa

Hayden decorating the cookies while Molly eats a snack

The finished Cookies

Our presents from Granny and Grandpa (my parents)

Decorating the Tree

2008-12-29T19:54:00.007-06:00

I'm Sad

2008-12-11T20:48:00.002-06:00

My parents old my childhood home.....and they have to be out next week. I am sooooo sad!!! I didn't think it would bother me, but it has. I no longer have a room that is all MINE....my bedroom that I have so many memories in. That was my sanctuary. Something that I could go home to. My mom always let me pick the paint and decorate it however I wanted. My parents room didn't get painted for years, but my mom always let me redecorate mine whenever I wanted.
I lived with my parents their when Hayden was born. That was Hayden's first home. He took his first steps in that home.
The other night Brad and I were getting ready for bed and the lottery numbers came across the screen...the numbers were 868. I started balling!!! These are the first 3 numbers in my parents phone number. My parents have had the same number for 20 years!!!!
Don't get me wrong....I am super excited my parents are moving here to Tennessee to be with my family. And I want them here.....I guess I am just being sentimental.
It is so hard to imagine someone else living in my home. But I guess it is time to close that door and open a new one. In Tennessee!

Hayden is King!

2008-11-07T10:21:00.003-06:00

Hayden's school had a Harvest Festival. The students sell raffle ticket books and the boy and girl in each class who sell the most get to be King and Queen. Well, I worked my butt off and Hayden won King for his class! I unfortunately was very sick the night of the festival and I didn't get to go. I was really bummed out, but Brad took him and took some pics for me.

Halloween

2008-11-07T10:14:00.004-06:00

Just wanted to post some pics of my kiddos on Halloween. Molly was a pirate princess and Hayden was Spiderman. They had a blast trick or treating and got lots of loot. Molly loved it and wouldn't leave the candy alone.

If You're Reading This

2008-11-01T09:35:00.003-05:00

As some of you may know, my husband Brad was in the Marine Corps for 5 years. In February of 2003, when Hayden was just 3 weeks old, Brad left to go to War. He only was gone for 5 months, but it was 5 too many. He left a few weeks before the war actually started and was there for the beginning of the war. I did not get to talk to Brad much while he was gone. We did get letters from him every once in awhile, but the mail system was very messed up at the time. It took almost a month to get our first letter, which was agony for me. I never knew where he was or what he was doing. I never knew if he was safe, where he was sleeping, or even where he was. He was never allowed to say. I am so proud of Brad for serving his country and protecting our freedom. And I am VERY thankful he came home to us safe and in one piece.
Having been through this experience, the War is something that is a RAW emotion for me. Not so much the fighting part, but the families that are torn apart by it. The families that say goodbye to daddy or mommy and don't know if they will ever see them again. The men and women that sacrifice themselves to protect me and my children.
Whenever I see the homecoming stories on the news, I cry. People I don't even know and I am overcome by tears. There is a song by Tim Mcgraw called If You're Reading This. It is about a soldier who dies in the War. I love this song and I cry everytime I hear it. I found this video on you tube...hopefully it works. Please watch it and say a little prayer for our men and women fighting to protect not only American citizens, but innocent families in other countries.
I have also included some pictures of Brad when he was Over There.

The Bunker

Not exactly how you want to see your husband, the father of your children

Friends

2008-10-11T21:43:00.002-05:00

I have so many wonderful friends back home. I miss them all so much. Even though we are all grown up and raising families of our own, we have remained great friends. I think of my friends often and wish I could go home and see them.
My dearest friend Mandi.....I love Mandi to death. I guess our friendship really started when my group of high school friends was being really mean to me. My mom and I were at Stater Bros and I was talking to them on our cell phone. They were having a sleep over and didn't invite me. I was really upset. Mandi was a bagger and was bagging our groceries. She invited me to come spend the night with her. I did and we ended up spending the whole weekend together. She was there to pick me up when I needed a true friend. She is beautiful inside and out. I am so thankful for her and our friendship. I love you Mandi!
My wild and crazy friend Alyson....Alyson and I became friends in high school. We met at a mutual friends birthday party. She invited me over to her house one night and were best of friends! We always had so much fun together. We got in trouble sometimes, but it was a lot of fun! She was always there for me...if I needed a shoulder to cry on, a big warm hug, or someone to tell me I was doing something stupid! She has even come to Tennessee and stayed with me for a little vacation and I loved it! I miss her a lot, but she will always be a wonderful friend! I love you Alyson!
Brandi....Brandi and met at her 8th birthday party. We didn't know each other, but our moms did. My mom made me go to the party, even though I didn't know anyone at it. I am so glad she did....I had a lot of fun and met a wonderful friend. We have also been through a lot together. I could always tell Brandi anything no matter how silly or stupid it was. Whenever we see each other, we pick up right where we left off.....like we saw each other everyday. We always had big plans to have a baby and raise it together!!!! We were crazy. I love you Brandi!
Brandee.....I haven't seen Brandee in years, but I still love her to death. She kept me on the straight and narrow after high school....she was a great example to me. We always had fun together. We once took a trip to Utah and it was a lot of fun. I could always be myself with Brandee. She saw the best and worst of me and loved me all the same. I miss her a lot and can't wait until she moves to Missouri and we can hang out again! I love you Brandee!

The sweetest Kids

2008-10-11T21:25:00.005-05:00

I have the sweetest kids I know. Seriously, they are. I am so blessed to have the kids I do. I love them with all my heart and wouldn't trade them for anything.
Hayden is my sensitive child. He loves art and is very good at it. I think he gets that talent from my grandma. She is an awesome artist as well. Hayden loves his little sister and for the most part is kind and patient with her. He will sit and read to her, let her color with him, and let her on his room to play. Last Thursday, he had the stomach virus and we were home from school. Even though he was sick, he let me sleep in. He got up and went in our guest room and watched a movie while I slept. And, he is so handsome! I was always worried I would have ugly kids.....but they are both beautiful!
Molly is a little doll! She runs around laughing all the time. She doesn't watch tv, but she sure knows when Spongebob comes on. She hears the music and immediately starts dancing and says Spongebob over and over. She is very curious and climbs on everything! Today she was carrying around a chicken nugget....she climbed up on a toy box and fell off backwards. She cried, but she didn't let go of that chicken nugget for anything!!! It was so cute! She loves her brother....Bubba as she calls him.
Here are a few pics.....mostly of Molly. I haven't been too good with taking pictures lately.

Here is Molly eating her first Subway sandwich...she was a pro!

My Grandma's Quilts

2008-09-09T21:38:00.002-05:00

We are so lucky and blessed to have such a talented Grandma. She loves to make quilts and we have at least 20 of them! She always makes them for every occasion. I have a few pics below of some our most cherished ones and the stories behind them.

This first quilt is the latest one she has made us. She made it for Hayden's room, which is surfing themed. I absolutely love this quilt. It has a beautiful color combination....blues, browns, and yellows.

This is the back side.

This is the edging.

This is my Mother's Quilt. My Grandma made it for me right before I had Hayden. This quilt was with me at the hospital when I had both my children. I love it.

The edging.

This is Molly's Quilt. It hangs in her room above her crib. When she was a newborn, she loved to lay in her crib and stare at it.

A close up

This is Brad's quilt. My grandma made it for him when he went to Iraq. He is very protective of it and doesn't like anyone else to use it.

Purple Polka Dots

2008-09-05T23:27:00.003-05:00

I was going through my old photos tonight when I came across some of me when I was pregnant. I had a chocolate lab named Macy at the time and she got an owie on her head. Sandra (my Mother In Law) gave me some purple medicine to put on her head. Macy wasn't having it, so Sandra was helping me put it on...I was holding Macy still and she was applying. Well, somehow the medicine squirted out, missed Macy's head, and got me!! I had purple polka dots all over my face and arms for a few days. It was hilarious! Anyway, here are the pics of me purple and one of me pregnant just for kicks.

I'm about to freak out!

2008-09-04T22:06:00.002-05:00

I am having a freak out moment. I lost my eye drops.....I can't find them anywhere!!!!!! My eyes are itching like a mofo and my drops are GONE! I know, I am totally lame.....but it is 10:00 at night, pouring rain, and I am in my jammies. So I can't run to Wal Mart and get more. Oh well...I will just suffer until tomorrow and PRAY hard that they don't itch all night long.

So Very Thankful

2008-08-30T21:10:00.005-05:00

This morning Brad's Aunt Marie and Uncle Jim's house burned. Thank God everyone was okay...no one was home at the time. Brad got up early this morning while the kids and I slept in. He went to town and when he was coming home, he passed Jim on the road. He pulled into our driveway and saw smoke coming from the back of the house (they are our neighbors). He thought maybe Marie was cooking and burned something. He then realized that no one was home and called 911. When he went around the back of the house, flames were shooting out the back door. The fire department didn't take long getting there and got the fire out. They cleaned up and left. About an hour and half later, smoke starting pouring out the attic....it was on fire again. So they came back and put it out. The fire started in the laundry room. The bedrooms didn't burn, but the attic did. Everything is black and covered in soot. Water is everywhere. So even though it all didn't burn, it is ruined. I am so thankful no one was hurt. It was just a year and a half ago that Brad's mom and step dad's house burned and his Grandma was killed. It is amazing how fast things can be gone. And it is all just stuff.....it can all be replaced. But still. It makes you stop and think. What if they would have been home? What if the grandkids had been at the house? What if Jim had been sleeping? I am just so so so thankful.

Everything looks normal from the outside

Living Room

Melted ceiling fan blades

Kitchen

Outside door to the laundry room where it started

Laundry Room

Shower melted

Microwave

Why?

2008-08-21T12:01:00.000-05:00

Why is it that some people can see the whole shirt in my last post and some cannot? When I look, I can't. What is going on????

This is For Mandi

2008-08-20T19:56:00.001-05:00

A few pics my Dad took

2008-08-17T23:34:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to share a few pictures that my Dad took today of the kids and I.

This is my Favorite!!!

My Baby Started Kindergarten

2008-08-15T21:16:00.003-05:00

Hayden started Kindergarten yesterday. I can't believe my baby is in Kindergarten!!! Times flies!!! Anyway, he woke up early that morning around 6:00. I was in my room and I hear him yell Whoo-hoo, I have school today! He was so excited! I was really glad. I work at the same school he goes to. I went to drop him off in the gym....he started crying and freaking out!!! Luckily, our principal rescued me. She called him by name and took him under her wing. I think he was impressed that she already knew his name. He calmed down and when I checked on him a few minutes later, he was laughing and having fun. I didn't see him again until lunch.....he was sitting in the cafeteria eating. He looked so grown up and handsome. He had a great time and I am really thankful. Here are a few pictures of his first day.

Standing outside his classroom door pointing at his name on the door

Cutest Little Girl I Know!

2008-08-14T23:10:00.002-05:00

Molly's First Birthday Party was Awful!

2008-08-14T22:38:00.007-05:00

Molly was sooo sick for her birthday party. She had a low grade fever on Saturday, but she was fine....I thought it was teething. Sunday, she was ok until I put her down for her nap. She woke up a few minutes before her party with a 103 fever!!! Not teething! Anyway, we had her party anyway. It was horrible. She cried the whole time. Nothing made her happy. She didn't touch her cake. She didn't open any presents. She just cried. Poor thing. I was so disappointed. It turns out she had a virus.....after having blood work and an in and out catheter. But that is for another post!

A cake that the neighbor made

A second cake that I made...it was yummy!!!

Molly checking out the decorations

Cupcakes!!!

2008-08-08T22:05:00.002-05:00

Molly's First Birthday was on a Wednesday night. I baked some cupcakes just so she could have something on her actual birthday. My mom was here and a few of Brad's family members came over. Hope you enjoy the pictures!!!

Finally, she is tasting the cupcake!!!!

She found the paper

She ate the paper...and liked it better than the cupcake!!!

Life is About to Get Busy

2008-07-25T14:38:00.003-05:00

So, I got a new job. I will be working at an elementary school as an aide in the Pre K class. I am really excited, but nervous. The position is only part time, so I am going to keep my part time job now for extra money. I will be working 7 to 4 Mon-Fri. I also have to go to school to get my cda certificate at night. I think classes are Monday and Wednesday nights. Brad will also start Lineman school Sept 2 and will have to go to school for the next 4 years, one night a week. Wow. It is going to be tough, but it will just better our family when it is all over. Hayden wants to play soccer again this year, but I am not sure if he will be able to. Last season his games were on Monday nights. If both and Brad and I are in school, there won't be anyone to take him. I feel horrible that he will have to miss out because his parents have to be in school. If my parents house would just sell, then they would be here to help out with the kids. But the market sucks so who knows when that will be. I need them here soon!!! Anyway, life is about to get super busy!!!!

And here she is now!

2008-07-24T14:04:00.003-05:00

My Baby is One!!!

2008-07-24T13:56:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was Molly's first birthday. I can't believe how fast time has gone by! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect daughter. She is so sweet and loving. And she has to be the cutest thing on the earth!!! I am so thankful for my children. They are both so special and I love them to death!!!

Lost Post

2008-07-23T23:44:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I had a post about Molly and it being her first birthday complete with pictures. Well, for some reason, the pics were screwy, so I had to delete it. It is now almost midnight and I am exhausted, so it will have to wait until tomorrow to be redone. I may sneak home from work early just to work on my blog!!!

I am back!

2008-07-23T22:56:00.001-05:00

I haven't been posting to my blog lately. I have been super busy with life and family. But, I love reading every one else's blogs, so I am determined to keep up! I promise I will try to do better!

Parents in Town

2008-05-29T14:44:00.010-05:00

My parents are here visiting. They came May 16. My dad will go home Saturday the 31st and my mom is staying all summer. We haven't done a lot of touristy things. Just stuff around the house. They did get to go to one of Hayden's baseball games. He was very excited.

We also went to Georgia to see my brother Scott, his wife Kileen, and the kids. It was fun to see Hayden playing with his cousins. I hadn't seen my brother and his family in over 3 years!! Here are a few pics from our "vacation"

Maddy

Juju

Kids say the funniest things!

2008-05-05T23:00:00.002-05:00

Today I had to register Hayden for kindergarten. So I took him to the doctor for his school physical. The nurse has a series of questions that she asks all the time....one of them being does anyone smoke in or around the home. I answered no. Hayden then chimes in...yes someone does smoke. I asked him who. His response.....You Momma! You smoke in the house all the time! WHAT?????????? I was soooo mad!!!! I have never smoked a cigarette a day in my life and here he is telling the nurse I do it all the time in the house!!!! Needless to say, he got a big lecture on lying. Then the doctor was asking about discipline and Hayden proceeds to tell him I spank him all the time! That was sooo embarrassing! One of my biggest fears is that someone is going to call CPS on me and they will come to my house when it is at it's absolute worst state and they will take my kids. Now, I sure hope they can tell he is happy and healthy and NOT abused AT ALL. But, I still worry. And yes, he does get the occasional spanking when the situation warrants. Most of the time it ends up hurting me more than him. Daggum Kids!!!! Gotta love em!

Molly Addison

2008-05-04T15:44:00.002-05:00

Molly was born on July 23, 2007. She is a sweet little princess that loves to laugh. She is a very good baby. She can say momma, dada, and bye bye. She also loves to wave. Molly is always full of smiles and laughs, but sure lets you know when she doesn't like something. She has attitude already! Her favorite things are her cabbage patch doll, climbing in the wet shower, and of course her family!

Hayden Emmsley

2008-05-04T15:24:00.005-05:00

Hayden is 5 years old. He will start Kindergarten this fall! He is a very emotional little boy and wears his heart on his sleeve. He loves sports and is currently playing Coach Pitch Baseball. He is very athletic and talented. He loves art of any kind, especially drawing. He is also very smart....top of the class in his pre-k class at school. We are very proud of him!

I'm confused

2008-04-27T23:27:00.004-05:00

This whole blog stuff confuses me! I see all these blogs and they are so neat! Someday, I will figure this out. When I have time....yeah right, time? What is that?
I have enjoyed reading other peoples blogs. I have found some people I know from back in the day and enjoy seeing what they have been up to. It's pretty neat!

The Miracle of Toilet Paper

2008-04-26T17:15:00.000-05:00

Fresh from my shower, I stand in front of the mirror complaining to my
husband that my breasts are too small. Instead of characteristically
telling me it's not so, he uncharacteristically comes up with a
suggestion. 'If you want your breasts to grow, then every day take a
piece of toilet paper and rub it between them for a few seconds.'
Willing to try anything, I fetch a piece of toilet paper and stand in
front of the mirror, rubbing it between my breasts. 'How long will
this take?' I asked. 'They will grow larger over a period of years,'
my husband replies. I stopped. 'Do you really think rubbing a piece
of toilet paper between my breasts every day will make my breasts
larger over the years?'

Without missing a beat he says, 'Worked for your butt, didn't it?'
He's still alive, and with a great deal of therapy, he may even walk
again, although he will probably continue to take his meals through a
straw.
Stupid, stupid man

We live at the doctor's office

2008-04-22T16:08:00.004-05:00

Last Tuesday, the 15th, Hayden had his tonsils and adenoids removed. The surgery went smoothly...recovery, not so much. When he was waking from the anesthesia, he freaked out and was screaming at the top of his lungs for about 30 minutes. Not a good idea when you just had your throat operated on. Then, he messed up his i.v. and it took 4 nurses to hold him down to fix it. All of this while I was in the waiting room by myself. Do you know how hard it is to just sit there while your baby is screaming??? They finally let me back to the room. After a few hours, we were able to go home. Hayden was in a lot of pain and would not eat or drink. He had nothing to drink for 2 days and was on the verge of dehydration when my sister in law came over and got him to drink some Gatorade. Phew!!!! I did not want him to be hospitalized. Meanwhile, a cough he had before surgery starts to get more wet and nasty. So, I took him to the pediatrician yesterday...pneumonia. Poor guy!!! We are both sick of each other and getting on each others nerves. He is ready to go back to school and I am ready for a break! He hasn't been sleeping or eating well, which makes for a pretty cranky guy. And an even crankier Momma!
Molly on the other hand is doing fabulous! She said bye bye last night for the first time. She has her 9 month check up on Thursday. I can't wait to see how much she has grown!