Gulf Shores 09

This picture is not the greatest, but it's the only one of all 4 of us!
Me & Ben @ Longhorn

Isn't he so cute? The mark on his head is from the sand. The waves crashed him into the sand and it left this lovely mark. But he didn't care, he went right back out! He loves the water!

Adam & Ben share their "love for the water". They stayed in it ALL DAY!!

Ben & his big cousin Zach. They were so excited over their shirts!

He has learned just to smile and not complain when I get the camera out!

My FAVORITE....

It's been a while...

I have decided that I am just not a good "blogger"...lol. I just never have anything interesting to put on here, but I guess I will catch up on some things. Summer has been very busy for me so far. I am teaching the Summer Reading Academy at Ider. It was only a 3 week program, so it's almost over. Next week will wrap it up. I enjoy the hours (7:30-12:45)... they are great!

Adam has been doing his Field Experience for his schooling. He was placed at Ider and has observed in the 21st Century program. He loved it, he always had a few stories every afternoon to tell me.

Ben is officially the cutest kid ever. lol.. He has a tan like his big brother and has highlights in his hair from all the sunshine and swimming! Unfornately his tan is not dark enough to cover all the bruises and scrapes from the bike wrecks. lol. He learned to ride his bike without training wheels probably a month ago, but still wrecks at least once a day. His poor little legs look like he has been beat to death. It would help if he would ride the bike normally, but he has to start out running by his bike and then jump on it after he picks up speed. lol. He is a mess. Have I mentioned that he is cute... and that I love him!!

Jake is Jake! lol.... Moms out there, please tell me the "I know everything" attitude will fade away with time! Jake is a good kid, don't get me wrong..... but I swear.... he just KNOWS IT ALL! :) He has been busy with football workouts 3 nights a week. He also helped in Bible school, and he seemed to enjoy that. He recently spent 3 nights straight at the Smith house and loved that.....J & J are inseperable!!!

As most of you know, I am searching for a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it's KILLING ME! I have NO PATIENCE..... I LIKE TO PLAN........ &..... I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MY FUTURE HOLDS!! I think God is teaching me a lesson in waiting....and being patient. I know he has the perfect job picked out for me, I just pray that I find it soon. Everyone knows, I would love to be at Ider, but now I am at the point where anywhere I can find a job...will be JUST FINE! :) Please add me to your prayer list... I know I have asked for prayer about this for a loooonnnnggg time, but I do need them. Not only do I need a job, please pray that I understand that whatever happens is God's will!!! Pray Pray Pray.... :)

Anyways... what a long post! This weekend is Father's Day, so I better talk about my daddy a little. I have the greatest dad in the world! I have always been a daddy's girl.... and I still am! My favorite thing to do with my daddy is spend Saturday's watching Alabama football with him. (Unless Alabama is losing....then things are not too great..lol) I did get my "lack of patience" from him! Daddy is a funny person to be around and is always cracking jokes. Since I have been married, I have lost my identity somewhat.... In many many cases, if I told someone my name was Christina Hayes..... they would reply with "Are you Marty Hayes' daughter?" lol. YES I AM... and I am proud to be! I love my daddy with all my heart... daddy's girl from the start!
Happy Father's Day Daddy!!!!!

(Momma- Don't be sad, I love you too)

I guess I better go now. Adam just said it was illegal to blog this long! lol
Im off to the beach next week for Laura's wedding. We are taking a girls trip, so I should have stories and pictures to share later!!!

I can't believe he is a FIRST GRADER now... .

Well...my sweet (not so little) Ben officially graduated from Kindergarten today!!! I can't believe it, the year just flew by. The graduation ceremony was very simple and cute. Ben however was not very interested in the cute little dances and songs that they had to do! He had that "Im too old for this... this is not cool.... " look on his face!! I knew he wouldn't be too excited about it, but it was still very funny. OF COURSE.... my lovely camera died... and then came back to life.... then died.... etc. I was able to get some good pictures. Ben was on the back row so I didn't get many pictures of him, but his adorable friend Sydney was on the front row.... so I used her as my focal point! lol.

After graduation, instead of going home Ben stayed at school with me at our 2nd grade picnic! It was fun to have him there today, and he loved hanging out with the big kids. They all love him and are so impressed at how smart he is!

Now.... my LOVELY card reader thingy is not working so I cant put the pictures up tonight. I will try to do that tomorrow!! I hope everyone has a great Friday!!

Mother's Day

Since this weekend was Mother's Day, my momma came to visit. I had a great time just sitting around talking with her and my sister. She is and always has been a great momma. Im not the mushy lovey dovey person (if you know me at all, you can probably tell this) but I do love my momma and I don't show it like I should. This being said, I am NOT like my momma when it comes to being emotional. I cry... and I cry more now than I used to... but I don't cry like my momma does! (or Deb) lol. However, momma knows I love her... I just don't sob and cry and hug all the time to show it!

Anyways. I have a great momma and I am thankful for her. You probably notice that I still call her my MOMMA.....not mom! I never have been one to call her mom. I hope that I can be a momma like her one day.

Today was a sweet day at church, but it was also sad. We all miss Adam's momma, but today she was on my mind more than usual. My heart just broke for Ben...because he don't get to have his momma like all the other kids do. Adam and Jake are older, and they had more time with her. Ben just had those 3 precious years. I feel so guilty sometimes getting to watch him grow up, when I know how much she would love to. I never want to try to take her place, and I fear that people think I try to. But I can't not love that child, it's just not possible. I probably baby him more than I should..... but I guess that's ok. Ben often has to tell his friends at school.... "She is not my mom... she's my sister-in-law!" lol. Can you imagine the look on the other kids faces? Half of them don't even know what a sister-in-law is!! But it never fails... usually everyday at school some kid will say "Hey there is Ben's mom!" And the lady at Lowe's the other night wished me a Happy Mother's Day. Ben just looked at me and kinda grinned, we have both learned just to let it go.

I wish Tammy could be here to watch her boys. I know she would be so proud of all of them! Jak is learning to play the piano and the guitar. He can play nearly anything by ear. Ben is just a little man. He can read some words you wouldn't imagine! He asked Adam yesterday what LEGITIMATE meant... because he read it on something! (and yes.. I just had to ask Adam how to spell it... lol) She would be SO SO proud of Adam. She raised a great man, and I will forever be grateful to her. He is just everything I need. He is wonderful to me, and I love him so much. He has taken on more in three years than some people do in an entire lifetime. Talkin' about a GREAT DAD.... I just can't wait to see it! He has been Jake & Ben's rock and he loves them so much. I can't imagine how he will be with our babies.

So this long post is in honor of 2 great moms... My mom and my mother-in-law! Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommas out there!

A much needed laugh!

This week has been extremely long... for many reasons... so I am very happy SPRING BREAK is next week! Today during my planning period, I was in S. Pruetts room talking to her. We were just talking when we had a cute little visitor stop by. S. McKay saw us talking as he walked by her room , so he stopped to tell us some "news"!

This is what our conversation consisted of....

Him- (Hey.. my dog Daisy is having puppies!!)

Me- (Really, that's good! I bet your mom is not happy)

Him- (NO, she's not)

Me- (She doesn't like Daisy, does she?)

Him- (Nope)

Me- (Is she having them today?)

Him- (No, we just found out yesterday.)

Him- ( They are gonna be half Saint Bernard.... )

Me- (Wow...those will be big puppies...)

Him- (Yeah- that dog was huge, he kept jumping over our fence)

Him-(But she is only having six puppies..)

Me- (How do you know? Did you take her to the vet?)

Him- (No..... I just counted her milk squirter thingys.. and she only has 6!)

Me & S. Pruett- ( LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL)

WE LAUGHED ABOUT THIS FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. If you know S. McKay, you can imagine him telling us all of this. He is hilarious....

Happy Birthday Taylor..

This is one of my favorite pictures of Taylor! Acting funny and making everyone laugh was what he did best! This was taken at our cousin Margaret's wedding. I'm not sure how old Taylor is here, but he was always like this!! He was so happy that day, wearing that tux. He knew he looked good!!
This was the last Christmas we got to spend with Taylor. He was excited over that Alabama boggin that we got him. With a family of mostly Auburn fans, Taylor loved Alabama just like me!!

I love this picture of Hayden & Taylor! It's so sweet.

Cousins! Taylor loved all of us, as much as we loved him.

This is the whole gang back in the day! Although Hayden & Lillie's face does not show it very much... we LOVED each other! lol

Taylor McCrary was loved by EVERYONE! I have never heard of anyone who did not like him. He could make you laugh as soon as he entered the room. If he was ever around me for any length of time, he had me scratching his back. Then he would move to the next person who would scratch his back, usually his maw maw. One of the sweetest memories I have of Taylor is when he would stay with his maw maw nearly every weekend. After Uncle Bill died, he would stay with her to make sure she was ok. Not many 15 year old boys just go stay with their maw maw. But Taylor was special, he was not your "average" young man. He loved playing golf and was good at it! My daddy would always brag about how far Taylor could hit the ball. He loved all sports, and was good at all of them too! I remember on Senior night during my basketball season, Taylor came to watch me. He sat on the bottom with my daddy. Daddy told me if I could score 20 points he would give me $100.... Well, I scored 12 in the first half and then six more the second half. Once I got to 18 I could not hit anything. I remember looking over at Taylor and he would just be dying laughing. He would hollar.. only 2 more points and then just laugh his head off! I also remember when I got my first car. Taylor of course wanted to go on a ride, so I took him. Between him and Adam I was crazy when I got back home! They were hollaring out the windows, Taylor kept reaching for the emergency break..just trying to scare me! And it usually worked! lol. He would absolutely aggravate me to death.... but I still loved him to death! I would give ANYTHING to have him here to aggravate me again!! I remember one time we went out for Amanda's birthday. Taylor was proud that he got his permit... we ate at Famous Daves and Taylor asked the lady if he could order a beer, then he opened up his wallet and showed his "ID". Of course he was kidding, and the waitress got a kick out of it! I have many many great memories with Taylor. He was the greatest thing in the world to me. I can still see that big smile, and hear that laugh. He was an awesome son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend. I know he is truely missed by everyone. I know there is not a day that goes by that he doesn't enter my mind. I can't wait until the day I get to see him again!

Happy Birthday Taylor! I love you more than you know!

Busy Saturday..

We have definitely had a busy Saturday, but it has been enjoyable! Ben came over around 11:30 this morning and we have been in full swing since then. We had to be at the egg hunt by 1:00. It went really well. Ben loved it all, he loved finding eggs, getting prizes and riding the lovely ponies. However, he was not crazy about the Easter bunny that was there. He has a fear of things like that... such as the mascots, disney world characters, etc.. So he didn't get his picture made!! We had tons and tons of cupcakes. Ben had chocolate all over his face and then come to hug me like a sweet child, and then wiped his chocolate covered face on my back!! Anyways... By the time we left the egg hunt it was 3:00. Adam wanted to run get something to eat so we went to pizza hut in Fort Payne. We were in a hurry so we left quick and headed back. We had to be back to Ider for C. Tinker's birthday party by 5:00. We all had a good time over there! I have decided that C.Tinker is one of the sweetest kids ever and I love him dearly.(I can't believe he is 3 years old). There were lots of family and friends there. Ben enjoyed playing with all the kids. After leaving there we stopped by my Granny's. I had not seen her in a couple of days, so we went in and visited with them a while. We finally walked in the house around 8:45. Ben will probably sleep good tonight. He has played his little heart out today. He is curled up beside me on the couch right now, yawning lots!! He will more than likely be out of it soon!

I'm sure tomorrow will be a busy day too. I dread it being cold... I want it just to stay warm weather forever. I guess I will bundle up and stay in the house between church. Maybe I will catch me a few zzzzz's !! Nothing like a good Sunday nap. Tomorrow will be a sad day for our family. It will be Taylor's birthday. He would have been 20 years old!! So hard to believe....I miss him so much. I know it will be an even harder day for Leslie. Please say a prayer for her!

I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!

Miss you Maw Maw

If you read my moms post today she mentioned that today would be my Maw Maw's 89th birthday. My maw maw or (old maw maw... as Taylor started calling her) was hilarious!! Although she really wanted my momma to have her a little red headed, freckled faced great grandson..... she was happy with me...... a little red headed, freckled faced great granddaughter!

I have many fond memories of spending time with Maw Maw. I wish she was still here to see my babies one day. I will be naming my first born daugther (if I have one) Allie after her!

I love....

I love Jesus Christ my SAVIOR..
I love my husband...
I love my boys.. (Jake & Ben)
I love my daddy...
I love my momma...
I love my sis...
I love my grandparents...
I love my aunts, uncles, cousins...
I love my friends...
I love my pastor & his wife...
I love my church...
I love my job..
I love my hometown...
I LOVE MY LIFE!

As I sit here on the couch, I enjoy the sight of my husband reading his bible & my crazy dog Maggie playing in the floor. I can't help but think of blessed I am. I have been given many great people in my life and can't imagine my life without them.

Thank you God for my many many blessings!

Update

Well... since the last time I wrote....

1. We got a new puppy named Maggie. (Pictures to come later) She is hilarious and we love her, however on her 2nd day with us, we tried giving her away! She is much like a baby. She is only content if you are giving her attention. Luckily she has started sleeping through the night in her cage thingy. And please don't say...."If you can't handle a puppy, you don't need to have a baby!" Totally different..... I will be much more patient with my own flesh and blood....dogs are different! Babies use the bathroom in diapers.... not wherever they please! lol.

Anyways.......

2. I have had a horrible horrible horrible toothache! I had never had one like that before. By Sunday evening I was miserable. I went to the dentist on Monday and then yesterday (Thursday) went back for the lovely root canal! I had a broke tooth, that I was putting off getting fixed because I didn't have dental insurance.... well the tooth didn't wait! But today I am feeling much better than I was yesterday!!

3. I am thankful for such a sweet sweet husband. He was so nice and caring to me when I was dying over that stupid toothache. I couldn't have done it without him. He is just simply the best!

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Just catching up on things..

Well I have not wrote on here in quite a while, so I will attempt to catch up on everything. We have been busy busy!! Most everyone knows that Adam was baptized on Sunday! YAY.... I knew he was struggling with it, for a long time but I didn't want to force him into it so I just waited! I knew he would decide it when the time was right. As Luke mentioned Sunday morning when he was baptizing Adam, he has definitely been studying his Bible. If I ever can't find him, he will be in the bedroom or bathroom (ha ha) reading his Bible. It is a great sight to see! He always has a question for Luke to answer. I am thankful we have a preacher that Adam can talk to so easily. He loves him dearly and considers him a great friend.

After church Sunday we went to eat with my family. Everyone came to see Adam be baptized, but it was also to celebrate my birthday. Sunday night we watched "Fireproof"!! It was AWESOME. It was definitely an eye opening experience. Although it was a serious movie, I did get tickled several times due to comments Ben made! About half way through the movie he shared with our pew (and those around us) that Kirk Cameron looked like Coach Tinker! lol. The funny part was, Brent & Shannon were sitting right in front of us! lol. Of course they laughed... and then we all went back to watching the movie. Towards the very end of the movie..Ben said " This movie is just like a movie about Coach Tinker" lol. We laughed even more this time. I don't think Ben even noticed Brent was in front of us until then. Why he thought this movie was "about Coach Tinker" I don't know, but it was funny.

While I'm talking about Ben... let me brag a little! I am still in shock of how awesome this child can read!! It is amazing! The other day I was pointing to hard words to see if he might know them..... words like.... (wondrous, important, Samaritan, daughter, promising)! He was blowing my mind. He reads them so quickly and doesn't sound out anything. I will remind you that he is in Kindergarten! To say the least, I am very proud of him. Someone made the comment the other day that my children would probably be very smart... since Adam, Jake & Ben are weirdly smart! Then I reminded them that my children would be watered down somewhat.. (due to me). lol. I am hopeful that they will be smart like their dad!

Jake is also doing well. He has recently joined the drama team at church and loves it. He is making more friends at church and is definitely becoming very outgoing. I feel bad not writing as much about him as I do Ben... but 14 year olds are not as funny as 6 year olds! lol

I had a great birthday yesterday. I enjoyed my day with Adam, Jake, Tyler and Hayden. We went to Birmingham to watch the Lady Hornets in the state playoffs! Of course they won... and will be playing Cold Springs tomorrow for the 2A State Championship!!! They are very fun to watch. However, I feel old.... Hilary and Jade are Seniors and tomorrow will be their last game!! My senior year they were 8th graders and were starters on my basketball team! I love them dearly and hope they can bring home the trophy tomorrow!!

Pray for Adam & I as we are doing the Love Dare together! It will be a very interesting 40 days!

In Loving Memory...

This is Tammy in Las Vegas. Her and some other girls she worked with had to attend some nursing classes there. The is my favorite picture of her. It is the best, most recent picture we have of her. I think she looks beautiful!!

This is Tammy's graduation picture from nursing school. She was an awesome nurse!!

This picture was at my graduation. Adam had to walk at my graduation because he was 3rd in his class! She was so proud of him!!

This picture is at my Senior prom. It was also Tammy's birthday!!

Tammy & Adam. She looks wore out, but he is smiling so big! I love this picture. We have it framed in our house. It is just so sweet. She loved that baby boy!

Tammy & Adam

Tammy & Jake

Tammy & Ben

3 years ago...

As Valentines Day is just around the corner my heart is sad. Three years ago Valentines Day Tammy (my mother-in-law) was taken home to live with the Lord. Over the last few days that whole day has been playing through my mind over and over again. That was the worst thing I have ever been through...and I CANT EVEN IMAGINE what was going through Adam's mind. I will never forget when my momma and daddy pulled up at Northeast to tell me... they just said Tammy had been killed in a car wreck. I immediately went through ever Tammy I knew in my mind... I just knew it couldn't be Adam's mom. As momma drove me back to Ider I was begging her to go faster, I had to get to Adam. When we finally made it to the school I saw Adam walking down the hall. He had the most pitiful look on his face. He handed me a rose for Valentines Day that he had bought earlier in the day, hugged me, and then we cried.. cried.. cried.. and cried!!!

Since that day we have not celebrated Valentines Day. Adam refuses to celebrate the day his momma was killed. I understand where he is coming from, however I know his mom wouldn't want us to never celebrate. She had bought all the boys Valentine presents that she was going to give them that day. I have tried mentioning to him that we should spend Valentines Day with the boys and Granny & Paw Paw in memory of his mom. Valentines Day is a day of LOVE and Tammy loved her boys more than anything in the world!! I don't think he is up for it this year still, but please pray with me that one day he will be able to celebrate again. Not for a lovey dovey day for me, but in honor of his mom!! I am planning on making a special post tomorrow night or Saturday in honor of Tammy.

Pray for Adam this weekend, that he will be strong and remember the good times he had with his mom. Pray for Jake, Ben, Granny, Paw Paw and the rest of the family!! Pray for me, that I can be strong for Adam and that I will be a good listener if he needs a shoulder to cry on!

I want to be a Hornet teacher!

Today Mrs. S called me and asked if I could come sub half a day for 2nd grade!! Of course... Today was my first time to sub at Ider. I absolutely loved it. I love being that close to home, I love seeing kids I know, I love having Mrs. D & Mrs. S right in the office if I need them, I love the whole atmosphere.....

Some of the students were telling me who all the principals were....(like I didn't know..lol) and they said Mrs. D is our principal down in this building. I explained to them that I knew Mrs. D. I proceeded to explain to them that she was my kindergarten teacher and then she moved up and was my 1st grade teacher! I told them I was in the very same classroom when I was in her first grade class! They could not believe it! lol. It was hilarious because they thought that was just forever ago. They could not believe that Mrs. D had been a teacher "THAT LONG AGO"! lol...

I am so thankful that I am having the chance to work there some. I will be starting sometime in March and finishing out the school year for a teacher on maternity leave! I can't wait. I know the chances are slim that I will get a job in the fall.... so I will be willing to work ANYWHERE!! However, when the chance comes along I would love to teach at Ider. Please start praying now that I will get a job SOMEWHERE in the fall, and then maybe eventually I will be placed at Ider!

Answered Prayers...

As most of you may already know my Uncle Jerky does not have a brain tumor!!!!!!!!! YAY.... It was a long week full of waiting and more waiting.... but yesterday morning we got the great news. They were doing more scans yesterday to see if he might have had a stroke recently... I do not know the results from that yet.

I am so thankful for the prayers of everyone. God heard all the prayers that went up for Uncle Jerky and my family.

Jerky did come home today. He was so so so glad to leave the hospital. He was super excited about getting to watch the Super Bowl on his big screen instead of in the hospital!!

Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

Please Pray...

This morning I heard an ambulance pass my house before I left for school. I always get that horrible feeling in my stomach, hoping it is not someone I know. I always worry about my granny....I started to call her but I knew if it was her...I would have got a call. I went on to school and had a normal day. Around 3:15 my phone rang and it was my dad. He said he had some bad news....

My uncle jerky (Darrell Hayes) had passed out this morning and they took him to the hospital. He has passed out a few other times recently, but everyone thought it was because he had just had knee surgery...... when they took him to the hospital today they found a brain tumor. My heart sank.... I love my uncle jerky! He has always been so funny and played around with me. It breaks my heart to see him go through something like this. We don't know anymore details yet. I took my Granny to the hospital tonight and not long after we got there they transferred him to Huntsville. Im sure it will be tomorrow before they can run more test and before the doctor can see him. Please help me pray for a miracle.

Also pray for my whole family. My dad's side of the family has never really dealt with anything like this before. Pray especially for my Granny. She is not in great health herself and she is really worried about Jerky. If you know them...you know HE is her baby! Pray for me as I can hopefully witness to them through this... I also ask that you pray for Bro. Luke. He will be going to see him tomorrow. Pray that he will be able to give everyone peace.

I know God can work miracles. We have seen that many times before. I just keep thinking about little Emma and how she was healed. I pray that Uncle Jerky will be too.

Where does the time go??

Well the weekend is over....AGAIN! lol. It has been a good one, I just don't understand where my time goes. I am not looking forward to waking up early in the a.m. but it's life! :) I told Adam the other day that I feel like all I do is wake up...take a shower...dry my flippin hair (which is one of the worst parts of my day..lol) and then go back to bed....and repeat the process all over again. Time flies by very fast.

Today Adam & I have been married TWO WHOLE MONTHS! :) I really can't believe that either. Getting married around the holidays was very busy and did make time go by faster than usual. However, it has been a great 2 months and I am so happy! God gave me a special special man and Im very thankful for him.

Tomorrow starts the beginning of my last week at Sylvania! I can't believe that my time will be done there. I really like everyone there. They have been so welcoming to me and made me feel comfortable. I will be sad to leave (Most) of my students and the teachers I have made friends with. However, I am going to sub there some, so I will still see those ppl occasionally.

As the time has past so quickly...the pounds have also found me very quickly! I HAVE GOT TO EXERCISE more.... or some! lol. And its not just because I got married...this time last year I had gained weight. I then lost a good bit on First Place....and then over the year I have gained it back. Luckily...I have not gained ALL of it back...but Im to the point that I don't feel good again. I thought that when I bought MY OWN groceries and cooked my own meals....that it would be easier to lose weight and eat healthy! Well....I was wrong. It is just so easy and quick to eat food that in unhealthy for you. I also cant afford to buy all of the healthy foods....

I am going to try to set a very small goal for this week...Im gonna make myself exercise and eat better this week....then just see what happens. I am not very patient and I like to see results RIGHT AWAY! So it is often very very frustrating when I workout hard and eat good....and nothing happens. I know if I would stick to it, it would pay off... SO...please say a little prayer for me each day this week.. pray that I will eat better and be motivated to exercise.

I guess I better get in the bed... so when that clock sounds off in the morning I will be good and rested....and ready to exercise! : )

I hope everyone has a great week....

What a DAY!

Today was a very interesting day in my 5th grade classroom. I was opened up to some things....I didn't know 5th graders knew about. You know how mean 5th grade girls can be....everyone talks about everyone. You have your little clicks, and if ppl are not in your click you are NOT COOL!! So they may think....

At first...I had a little girl that had on a shirt that sent out a rather naughty message! It didn't say any bad words...the wording was just bad. I wont put what was on the shirt...just because! What was so sad was this girl had NO IDEA the message her shirt was sending to others. I just kept my mouth shut hoping the other students wouldn't notice. Later in the day, I saw another little girl confronting this girl about her shirt. She was giggling and telling her what it meant... I dodged it yet again though, because these 2 girls were friends and the (bad shirt little girl) took it as advice so she wasn't mad! A little bit later....the (bad shirt little girl) came up to me and said one of the boys was making fun of her shirt!......I then cleared my throat and proceeded to ask her where she got the shirt. I was hoping to find that out and that she would explain to me what the shirt meant (like in another way). While I waited on a reply...which seemed to take forever....she then said " This is my mom's shirt..... WHAT?? WHAT?? IT WAS HER FLIPPIN MOM'S SHIRT!! I then told the little girl, it was causing a distraction to the other students and that she should not wear it anymore! lol lol.......

After I was over the "bad shirt deal" another girl from 5th grade....not in my homeroom came in saying she needed to tell me something! She said, " I don't know if I should tell You this or the counselor". In my mind I thought "GREAT"......wondering what it could be! To make a long story short....the girl "SAID" that a girl in my class was telling everyone in the 5th grade that she was gay!! However, she put it in a much more slang way of talking..... I told her that since it didn't happen in my classroom that maybe she should just tell the counselor!

Also, in my first Science class of the day I took up 3 "love letters" and read them. Adding a little more juicy information....to make them better.

By the end of the day, I was thinking teaching Kindergarten might not be so bad! lol. But the sad thing is...sometimes those kids know way more than they should too....

Anyways... I hope tomorrow has no bad shirts, bad rumors or "love letters"!!

Lovin the 3 day weekend.....

I love sitting here typing on my blog when I know on a normal Monday I would be........
Just finishing snack, and preparing for my kids to change classes. I WOULD BE...dealing with my favorite little problem child for the next 45 minutes!!! The one that will say "Yes mam, No mam" to your face....but you turn your back and there he goes!! lol

OH.... Thank goodness for the holiday! And the upcoming 4 day week..!

Instead of being at school, I will be cleaning out my closet! I know my life is filled with so much fun! lol.

This weekend has been great.

Friday night~ Adam & I watched 3 episodes of HOUSE with K.K. (K. Tilley)

Saturday~ We went to Cohen's birthday party...it was a bowling party! It was lots of fun. I even beat Adam at bowling...... to keep from making you feel bad about your bowling skills.... I wont tell you our scores! lol lol lol JK. Im sure our scores would make you feel great!

Saturday night~ Went to Katy's Katfish with McKays and Pikes. The boys came to spend the night with us.

Sunday~ Went to church. Jake was baptized.... My mom and them were here so they came over for lunch. Ben also had a special visitor....his "FRIEND" Sydney came over and played between church times! After Sunday night church, we took the boys to Cracker Barrel.

So it's been a pretty great relaxing weekend. I hope that everyone has a great week!

I actually surprised him.....

After a week of keeping a secret... I successfully planned Adam a small surprise party! He had been saying for a month... " I just know you are planning my surprise party, right?" At that time, I was not. I finally decided to just go ahead and do it! lol. Basically just to show him I could!!

It was so hard to keep the secret. I came SO close to letting it slip many many times. However, we had a great time. It was just his closest family and Tim & Gaye, which are basically family. He was pretty shocked. He had no idea. He just couldn't believe, I hid something from HIM! lol. He said he would never trust me again, because I had lied so much! he he :)

He also loved his "House MD" cake my sister made. To say the least.... Im glad its over but we had a great time! I am so so so so so thankful its FRIDAY! And its a long weekend.....YAY. Now Im just gonna sit on my tail end and try to keep warm for the night!

Hope everyone has a great evening!!

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!!

On January 15, 1988 Adam Taylor Watkins was born! What a great addition to this world!Twenty-one years later...he is now my husband.....I can't thank God enough for placing such a wonderful man in my life!

I will never forget how we "got together". I was in the 10th grade and he was in the 9th. Coach Thompson (a former coach @ Ider) encouraged me one day that I should go out with "Watkins"! He said, " He's smart.....good at football.....taller than you (lol).....and I think he likes you! I kept thinking of reasons why I shouldn't go out with him. I came up with many.... he's in the 9th grade, he's in the 9th grade, & he's in the 9th grade! Thats all I could come up with! However, time went on and we never advanced past a small conversation in the hall daily! lol

In February, the church had a lock-in for the youth. Adam was there and he followed me around EVERYWHERE!! I acted like it got on my nerves...but deep down I loved it! A few weeks later we had a school Valentines Day dance. I went with another guy and Adam went with another girl. By the end of the dance we were dancing together! We danced to "Hero" by Enrique Iglesies. Adam sang to me too! ( he is no singer....but I thought it was so sweet). He wore a black sweater with khakis and had a silver cross necklace on. I came home telling my mom how buff he was! I was so excited.

On March 10 we started "talking" and on March 24 we started "going out"! So cheesy I know! But this is how it happened! :) I was head over heels! lol. This "go around" we dated until July...and Adam broke my heart! I thought my world was over....but God knew what was going on. I remember thinking... "Im young... this is not who I was supposed to be with...everything will be ok." Even though I kept thinking that..... I still felt like I really loved him.

On May 3 of my junior year Adam asked me out again....in the most romantic place ever! We were working out in the weight room at school. Some of the football players were in there when us basketball girls were. From across the room he asked me out. " Will you go out with me AGAIN!" You know being the cool girl I was, I tried acting like it was no big deal. I told him no at first....just to make him beg! lol. And that was history........

Today here we are married..... Little did we know that day in the weight room what our lives would be like. I never knew we would marry... we had no idea we would lose my cousin Taylor, his mom Tammy, or Eric. We never knew his dad would end up the way he did. Although all of this happened it brought us closer together.....it made us who we are today. I remember praying that God would show me or let me know that me and Adam should be together. A few months later his mom was killed. That very day... I knew! I had never hurt for someone the way I did for him during that time. At the funeral home, one of Tammy's aunts shared something with me that was so comforting. She said that the Christmas before Tammy got killed she told her this......"Christina will have my grandbabies....I could never pick anyone better for Adam." When Aunt Judy told me that of course I cried my eyes out! I took that as God's sign to me that we were to be together.

So this long long story is for Adam, my husband! I can't imagine being with anyone else. He is the greatest thing ever. He is so loving and caring to me. I know he will be a great dad one day! If you know Adam you know how awesome he has done in raising his brothers.

Tonight Bro. Luke preached on asking God "Why?" when we are in despair, sad, lonely, etc..... The same thought kept coming to my mind. I will never know why Adam has had to endure all that he has. Why his mom? Why a hard working mom that loved her kids more than anything on Earth. Why does he have to have a sorry dad....WHY WHY WHY?? Like Bro. Luke said...some things we ask God we will never know until we are in heaven and meet him face to face!

Please help me cry out to God and lift Adam up to him...especially on his birthday tomorrow! He still struggles daily with being depressed about the whole situation. Valentines Day is approaching and that will be 3 years since his mom has been gone. Please keep us in your prayers daily.

Thanks so much for reading this novel! I just needed to get that out I guess.... I want everyone to know how much I love Adam and how thankful I am for him.

Happy Birthday Adam Taylor!!





I know his mom would be so proud of the man he is today. She loved him so much

T.G.I.F.........

Thank God it is FRIDAY! I have been wore slap out this week. I guess getting back to the normal routine, was just a little much for me! lol. Today my students probably wished I would have had a nerve pill. I love my students, but I am learning that I do not want to teach 5th grade for the rest of my life. No way no how.... I surely hope and pray that God will eventually one day give me a position with younger children! Bad attitudes and not doing homework certainly clash with my personality. This week has been crazy. The kids come to school Tuesday....moaning and groaning about having to get up, yet they had all the energy in the world to talk..talk..and talk some more! Tuesday afternoon my planning time was ruined because of the tornado warning. The students had to sit in the hall....my head was pounding before and this only made it worse! Wednesday morning school was delayed 2 hours...which was pleasant since I got to sleep late! Yesterday was fine...and I woke up this morning in a GREAT mood....because it was FRIDAY!!

Enough whining and crying..... I am thankful the weekend is here. I am looking forward to spending time with Adam. We have become quite the "House" fans! We watch it ever chance we get....love it love it! Tomorrow night we are going to Huntsville to eat with our Sunday school class. I am looking forward to spending time with ppl our age. I also hope to get some good quality time with Luke & Lisa. We love them both, but Adam admires Bro. Luke so much. Just a simple conversation with him makes his day!! When we get back tomorrow night we will get Ben and Jake for their routine Saturday night stay!! I always look forward to spending time with them. Its good to see Adam's face light up when they are around. He still misses them really bad.

I can't wait to hear Ben stories tomorrow night!! If you read this post before tomorrow night(Saturday night) please pray with me for Ben. I know this may sound insane, but Ben will more than likely see his dad tomorrrow for a short while. When he does spend any time with him at all, he is a total different child! I think he is just emotionally confused after being with him. He knows how his dad is, but when he is with him Im sure Richey makes everything seem ok.... I believe Ben is often confused about the fact that his dad says he loves him....but Ben knows if he really loved him, he would treat him differently. He has often made comments like " I dont even have a normal family. My momma is in heaven and my daddy does bad things and don't take care of me!" It breaks my heart. Adam & I try our best to help him feel like he has a normal family. Basically, after being with his dad our evenings are often ruined, because Ben's mood is so different. Please pray that he will be our normal sweet Ben tomorrow night and that we can all enjoy the weekend together.

I guess I better get in the bed to gain plenty of energy for Ben time tomorrow! I hope everyone has a great Saturday.

Love~ Cina

The best car ride......

Tonight after church we were on our way to take the boys home. Unusually both boys were in a good mood, which made for a peaceful ride! Jake was talking about when he would be baptized and then we were just having normal conversation. Jake then said he needed to work out harder for football. However, he added that he needed to focus on God first and then football! My heart felt proud to hear him say that. After our sweet family moment.... Ben chimed in! He said.." Yeah Jake you better keep that first one (refering to God) on your list! Or you will be in big trouble!! lol. The cutest part was, he was dead serious!!

Later down the road....Adam was kidding around with me. He said that I was gonna get a beatin when I got home because I asked him to go get me some gas! Ben once again chimed in and said...." YOU CAN'T HIT GIRLS!!" Then after a long pause he said in a sneaky voice..." THEY'LL HIT YOU BACK!" lol :) He might have learned that lesson from his little girl-----friend Miss Sydney McKay. Notice I added many ------ between girl and friend! He emphasizes that very often. "Sydney is just my FRIEND!"

And yet later on....while pumping gas.... Ben and I had a thrill locking Adam out of the car. I did it the first time, just to be mean and Ben found it HILARIOUS! He was laughing hysterically, and it was so cute. Adam would have usually got mad....but he was laughing just as hard watching Ben laugh! To say the least our 20 minute adventure home from church was great time with the boys. However, before we made it back to Granny's the boys were fighting in the back seat. Ben was throwing punches and Jake was complaining about the whole situation! ! Things were back to normal.........

But we love it! Im so thankful for the family I have with my three boys. I wouldn't trade it for the world!!

My first "teacher work day"!

After all the fun of Christmas break.....the fun was over... my alarm clock went off bright and early this morning! Adam & I both had got in a horrible habit of staying up way too late....and then sleeping until around 9:00. The only day we got up early was Christmas morning! We were at Adam's Granny's house by 5:45 to make sure we didn't miss Ben waking up to see all his presents! I wanted to watch him open them, but Adam just insisted that we be there....cause he has never missed a Christmas with him!! Isn't he just the best big brother ever?? :)

Anyways... back to my story. I did have to get up this morning and go to my first "work day" as a REAL teacher!! It still hasn't hit me yet that I am finished with school....and it probably wont until I actually get a PAYCHECK...!! My day was good, I did a lot of work to get my classroom ready. I will only be there for a month....so its not like I had to do a lot of moving in! Im just there for a short while.

Adam started at UTC today! I was so proud of him. He was really nervous this morning about going to a different school where he knew NO ONE! But of course I knew he would do fine. He is taking three engineering classes. Please help me pray that he can focus on his school and make good! Pray that I will be the wife that he needs to support him and encourage him when he is down. He still has a lot of stress on him and he worries more than I do sometimes!

I hope everybody had a great day. For those of you who have kids I know you will be thrilled to send them back to school tomorrow!

In the mind of a 6 year old.....

Last night at the Watkins house it was a little wild! The boys were playing Wii and I was bored out of my mind. When the boys are there their "big bro" turns into a Wii maniac also!! I decided to get on myspace and out of boredom I did a lovely little survey. I had only done a few questions when Ben hopped into the recliner with me! He had rudely been denied playing the Wii by his older brothers. He was so into what I was doing. He thought they were some important questions I was having to turn into somebody! lol. I explained what it was and asked if he would like to join! Well of course he wanted to... :)

So Ben and I both completed the survey. I typed his answers exactly like he said them. It would be 10,000 times funnier if I could have caught him on video doing this! The look on his face was priceless when I would ask him questions that he found to be stupid. And on the other hand he was very serious about some of the questions.

I hope you enjoy reading our survey. Its kinda long, but pretty cute! You will see into the mind of a 6 year old... but not just any 6 year old.....My little genius!!


First thing you wash in the shower?~ Christina-My face.~ Ben- my hair

What color is your favorite hoodie?~Christina- My new Bama sweatshirt, so Crimson!
~Ben- my gray one with white stripes

Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?~ Christina- Sure. He’s my hubby
~Ben- nope.... lol

Do you plan outfits?~Christina- Sometimes. Not usually~ Ben- no

How are you feeling RIGHT now?~Christina- Tired....but enjoying time with my boys
~Ben- Pretty good. Kinda happy.

Whats the closest thing to you thats red?~ Christina- Ben’s sleeping pants
~Ben- my sleeping pants

Tell me about the last dream you remember having?~Christina- The other night I dreamed I was in someones wedding, but I was late and run in last minute! My hair was really long and gorgeous....so I knew it was a dream! lol.
~Ben- Pirates sailing and then there was a big giant guy and he was made out of stone and broke their ships. I can’t remember part of it, and then I got on a train and kept going... then I jumped off the train! (I think he might have made this up! Lol)

Did you meet anybody new today?~Christina- No ~Ben- no

What are you craving right now?~ Christina-nothing at the moment...I am craving being skinny...so I don’t need food!~Ben- Raymen noodles

Do you floss?~Christina- Not very much. But I need to.~Ben- sometimes

What comes to mind when I say cabbage?~ Christina- Cabbage Bowl
~Ben- Cabbage Patch dolls for girls.

Are you emotional?~ Christina- this time of the month yes..but usually no.
~Ben- yeah sometimes I get sad when my brothers wont let me play the Wii

Would you dance to the taco song?~ Christina- Whats the taco song?
~Ben- well maybe

Have you ever counted to 1,000?~Christina- Im sure at some point in school.
~Ben- No never

Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?~ Christina- LICK- my teeth are sensitive
~Ben- Both..

Do you like your hair?~ Christina- Its ok. Im never satisfied with it... I change it a lot.
~Ben- sometimes

Do you like yourself?~ Christina- most of the time... but Im ready to diet
~Ben- yeah I love myself

Have you ever met a celebrity?~ Christina- Do you count Alabama football players as celebrities
~Ben- no..

Do you like cottage cheese?~ Christina- no no no
~Ben- Yes I love it! ( he can eat a bowl full....he has always loved it)

What are you listening to right now?~ Christina- Jake & Adam playing the Wii
~Ben- Wario on the Wii

How many countries have you visited?~ Christina- Just Mexico
~Ben- just the USA

Are your parents strict?~ Christina- they were kinda....when I lived with them.
~Ben- Granny, Christina & Adam make me mind!

Would you go sky diving?~ Christina- probably not
~Ben- maybe...but not over water.

Would you go out to eat with George W Bush?~ Christina- sure
~Ben- not right now...because Im full! (How funny)

Would you throw potatoes at him?~ Christina- Well NO. ~Ben- no

Is there anything sparkly in the room you’re in?~ Christina- my diamond
~Ben- the silver christmas trees

Have you ever been in a castle?~ Christina- no..~Ben- maybe at Disney World..

Do you rent movies often?~ Christina- no
~Ben- I think I have rented only one!

Who sits in behind you in your math class?
~ Christina- Well when I was in high school...I don’t really remember who I sat with. My senior year I sat by Laura, Heather and Hemphill.
~Ben- I don’t even have math class.

Have you made a prank phone call?~ Christina- yeah ~Ben- no... (with a smile on his face)

Do you own a gun?~Christina- nope ~Ben- if I owned a gun... it would be fake

Can you count backwards from 74?~ Christina- well yeah ~Ben- no

Who are you going to be with tonight?~ Christina- Adam, Jake & Ben
~Ben- Adam, Christina & Jake

Brown or white eggs?~ Christina- white please
~Ben- brown.... (Remember Adam used to have chickens!)

Do you own something from Hot Topic?~ Christina- I don’t think so. ~Ben- no

Ever been on a train?~ Christina- just around a park one time
~Ben- at Noccallula.....

Ever been in love?~ Christina- well of course. ~Ben- Im in love with the Wii

Do you have a cell-phone?~ Christina- of course ~Ben- no

Are you too forgiving?~ Christina- sometimes, depends on who it is.
~Ben- I don’t know

Do you use chap stick?~ Christina- Yes religiously....morning and night.
~Ben- YES..

What is your best friend doing tomorrow?~ Christina- going to church
~Ben- Rylie & Sydney are both going to church

Can you use chop sticks?~ Christina- no not well ~Ben- kinda

Ever had CREAM PUFFS?~ Christina- Yes.. Don’t like them
~Ben- I don’t even know what that is

Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?~ Christina- yes.. It was over my head.
~Ben- no

What was the last question you asked?~ Christina- "Ben, have you ever had cream puffs
~Ben- "Christina, after church tomorrow do I have to go home?

What was the last CD you bought?~ Christina- Casting Crowns
~Ben- none

Boys or girls?~ Christina- If your talking about for children...I at least want one of each!
~Ben- When I have kids I want boys.

What is your bus number for school?
~Christina- I have no idea.
~Ben- 97??

Is your hair curly?~ Christina- it can be ~Ben- no... but my moms was

Last time you cried?~ Christina- the other day
~Ben- today...when the weight hit my head

Ever walked into a wall?~ Christina- yes
~Ben- no... I don’t think I have

.Do looks matter?~ Christina- No...because I know some very good looking JERKS
~Ben- kinda.. Lol

Have you ever bought anything from Pac Sun?~ Christina- negative ~Ben- no

Have you ever slapped someone?~ Christina- yes but just playing around
~Ben- yeah a kid in my first grade reading class. I just couldn’t help it. Lol

Favorite time of the year?~ Christina-Football season & Summer
~Ben- maybe....winter since its Christmas time.

Favorite color?~ Christina-Pink and Lime Green
~Ben- red, blue, gray and black..

Are you sarcastic?~ Christina- yes usually
~Ben- I don’t know

Do you have any tattoos?~ Christina- negative ~Ben- no

The last person you held hands with?~Christina- Ben probably ~Ben- I don’t know

Do you sleep with the TV on?~ Christina- we go to sleep with it on....but then it turns off.
~Ben- sometimes

Where was your default picture taken at?~ Christina- at my wedding reception.
~Ben- I don’t have one.

Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?~ Christina- NO COMMENT....
~Ben- no

Do you like your life right now?~ Christina- yes Im blessed...excited to see whats in store for 2009.
~Ben- yes I do

How often do you talk on the phone?~ Christina- not much now that Im married...but I text!
~Ben- not much

What is your favorite animal?~ Christina- dogs
~Ben- maybe a white tiger

What was the most recent thing you bought?~ Christina- stuff at Walmart yesterday
~Ben- boiled peanuts

Do you have good vision?~ Christina- nothing to brag about
~Ben- yes

Can you hula hoop?~Christina- not great ~Ben- no..

Could you ever forgive a cheater?~ Christina- I guess.. It depends on the situation
~Ben- ? ?

Do you have a job?~ Christina- yes.... ~Ben- no not yet.

Can you handle the truth?~ Christina- yes ~Ben- yes

What are you wearing?~Christina- t-shirt and pants
~Ben- sleeping pants and t-shirt

Have you ever crawled through a window?~ Christina- yes
~Ben- yes...my paw paws camper window

Really mad at the moment....

OK... so I had a great post about how great and lovely our night was goin. I had pasted a survey that Ben did with me and it was funny. However, when I pasted it, it was all jumbled up and it needed to spaced out!!! So.... I did. I sat forever fixing it so it would look good. I was three from the bottom and I pushed the backspace one too many times.... MY HARD WORK WAS GONE FOREVER!! I could cry! I will try to post it in the morning before church... its too funny to not be put on here!

Our visit with Benjamin Blake

Well, as you know Ben has been here since Wednesday morning. We have had a pretty good time, just being lazy and relaxing. Ben has honestly played the Wii ever chance he had! It is hilarious to watch how excited he gets when he beats a certain level or gains some great skill! Adam & I were in the kitchen yesterday and he run in there screaming like a little girl....." I beat him, I beat him...I beat Sonic!"

To our surprise...Ben has managed to sleep in his room the past two nights. Wednesday night Adam had to lay in there until he fell asleep and last night he fell asleep on the couch so we just carried him in there and he continued sleeping!! I love the child...but he is not a great bed buddy. Especially when Adam is hard enough to sleep with. The two of them make for an awful nights sleep for me!! Both mornings around 6:30 he has ended up in the bed with us..which is fine snuggle time for me! This morning I heard a huge THUMP....and other loud noises. As I jumped up to go check on him he came in the door...(rubbing his head). lol. He said, " I think I got a little tangled up in my covers and I fell out of the bed!" lol. Relieved that he was ok, I had to laugh at him. He kept saying he broke his toe...but he was fine! This whole time, Adam knew nothing was going on. He could sleep through anything.

Im pretty sad this morning..because today he has to leave! He will be back tomorrow night to stay again but I have got used to him being here. We have to meet his "other grandparents" (Richeys family) today and let them have them for the night! We really don't like it, but we have to be nice!! Pray that me and Adam can have a good evening and not be mad and worried about him being over there!! (He usually sees his dad for a short time on Saturdays...and thats what we worry about).

I better go get ready.....I have lots to do before the Bama game tonight!! I hope everyone has a great evening.

ROLL TIDE ROLL