Painting, again.

Well, thanks to Bekah volunteering me to paint Mrs. Ellis something for her new house, I am painting again. How on earth could you resist and say no to this ?
So, I of course said yes. Yesterday was the day. I painted and painted and ended up with these:

This is called "Windblown" and is 16X20 in acrylic. I'd love to do oils, but I just don't have the space for them to hang out and dry... The next one is a bit smaller at 10X13. It doesn't have a name yet, and I'm not so sure I'm done or even pleased with it...

The next two were done earlier in the year, the budha was commissioned by my sister for a gift and was HUGE. 24X40 also done in acrylic. The raven was a surprise gift for my husband. It is 16X20 acrylic.

Hopefully, this will be a trend that hangs around. I love the release and RELIEF that painting brings. :)

Archaeology ~ My husbands career...

Many of you know or may not know that I am married to a man passionate about his job. He currently works with PCI and is "stationed" for lack of a better term, in Columbus, GA at Ft. Benning. The outdoors is his office and he gets to do what he loves. I thought today, I would share some awesome photos from some of his jobs and some of the amazing sites he sees while he gets paid.

He, by degree and trade is an Archaeologist. Yes, Indiana Jones was an archaeologist and NO, Eric does not find gold or bones :::most of the time::: They do however, find stuff like this:

A clay marble.

tool

antique glass bottle

and a chimney base of a house.

In the process of finding all of this, Eric digs...

and digs

and digs some more...

He occasionally gets to screen

In the process to do what he can to preserve our history, he has been chased by wild boars, caught HUGE snakes ,

seen huge bald eagles fishing, found rare toads and countless lizards. He definitely has found his calling and passion. I just wish it were closer to home.

Hope you have enjoyed this walk thru Eric's occupation. I know I have! Enjoy your day...

Feeding the Ducks....Well, almost!

Mack has found a new passion... feeding the ducks at Guthrie Park in Fayette. HE will obsess about going and feeding the "duck-ducks bwed".

Eric and I try to take him at least once a week. Most of the time his belly gets more full than the poor ducks.

This week, though... they got an extra treat. Mack had just acquired a new car from the "Cars Movie" line. It was a cute little pink compact which he insisted on being a "ban". He was very enamoured with Chuki, but in his haste to feed the ducks, he threw the wrong handful... Chuki is now at the bottom of Hutto Lake. The rest of the day was spent hearing a very agitated 2 year old exclaim, "BAN! Watta... BAN! Watta!" Hopefully, the Mallards will enjoy the addition to their habitat. ;)

Has it really been this long???

I know it had been a ~while~ since I had blogged, but this long??? Really???? My how time flies when you are having fu.... well, lets not go overboard. LOL

Life is still chaotic with 5 kids, more so now because Eric is working 5 days a week in Columbus, GA on base at Ft. Benning. He loves it though (not the being gone). He's an archaeologist. It's what he went to school for and what his heart longs for him to be doing. Hopefully, God will find it in his plan for him to be an "at home" dad AND an archaeologist.

Tyler is gearing up for his Senior year. Of course he's amazing at academics. And you should really see the concrete slab in front of the house. He's constructed, as he calls it, a "ghetto skate park"... He's out there most afternoons working on his flips, (I'm not into the skater lingo) so forgive me) and his kicks...

Abby, is 13! Who can believe that? certainly not me. But her attitude tells all too well that change has come. Whoa! LOL... More beautiful than ever and an A-B student to top it off. Makes a momma proud.

Russell is Russell. Loves to learn. He spent 3 days at Camp McDowell this year. The first time he has been away from home without family. He loved it. He said he got tired but really enjoyed it. We are still hearing bits and pieces.

Bekah....ah my little Bug. Kindergarten has caused her to bloom... Reading, math and art are her favorite subjects. And Meredith is her best "frwend".

Mack, baby boy. Now 2, is quickly shedding his baby-ness. He's quick to tell you he's not a baby. Any mention of the "B" word and he passionately exclaims "KID"!... So precious, so inquisitive about every living thing. So much like his daddy. :::wink:::

I am trying to begin crafting again, I'm in the middle of a painting and several sewing projects. I actually made Bekah the cutest out fit. I copied it from a quaint little boutique in Tuscaloosa which were selling them at a price of $75! My version... less than $10! Now that is what I call a bargain.

I promise pictures to come soon. Especially updated ones of the kids. They are hardly recognizable if you are trying with what is on here! Shame on me. I promise better blog habits to follow.

Hugs and Sweet Dreams!

16 months already.

As I was downloading a multitude of pictures from my camera I came across these all taken within the last month. I can't believe its been 16 months since we brought him home.

Has there ever been a more perfect baby? Well, I can think of 4 that tie... but this is celebrating Zion McKay Watley! Number 5...

Nothing more beautiful!
So intent....
Mack loves being outside!

This is probably my favorite... So Peaceful.

If only you could see that his glasses say "Princess" on the side!
King of the castle... Remotes, drumstick and the big man recliner!

Mastering the spoon!

This is Mack's way of helping with laundry, notice the lint filter thrown on the floor.

So proud he was able to be such HELP!

It won't be long and he'll be grown...

Two Masters??

I just had to share this...

Bekah has taken to calling Eric and Tyler her "Queens" and rightfully so, addresses herself as "Princess". The other morning Tyler overheard her speaking to Eric and saying "Queen Dad Eric..." . He quickly told her that she needed to pick one of them to be her queen, because in the Bible it says that "you can't serve two masters." Her response???

:::at top volume:::

"YES I CAN. The one who buys prizes and YOU!"

Wow, Time Flys!

It's been forever since I've blogged. And I have missed it. Hopefully you've missed me too! I promise to do better! :::hand over my heart::: Now on to my "Wordless Wednesday!"

Bekah's B'day

Well, I can't believe its been FIVE years since this little angel was born! She was a surprise then and remains to surprise me everyday.

She wakes ups every morning exlaiming the "beautiful day" and never lets the sun go down before she's told someone how much God loves us all. She is definitely a special little girl.

That's why she got a birthday at CHUCK E. CHEESE! LOL, I had only done this once before and I guess adding a 5th child to our family this past year deleted all my past memories of the Big Mouse, and I gave in. Let me just preface it by saying as much as Bekah begged for a party and sang the praises of Chuck, she was TERRIFIED. If the mouse was out in the dining room, she was in the furtherest corner of the arcade, if he was in the arcade then she was in the corner of the dining room. It wasn't much of a problem until Chuck, himself wanted to "crown" her the birthday girl. Nope. It never happened. ;)

Maybe you will enjoy the photos, it was definitley a day for the books. By the way, Mack has been told that we hoped he enjoyed his visit... because it's likely that we will never grace the doors again. Yeah, right. If those big, blue eyes of his has half the excitement that Bekah had about it, we'll do it all again. Whew.

Just Pray

I'm asking for some serious prayer for my family.

Sorry it's been so long, hopefully I'll be able to post Bekah's bday party pics soon. But right now, at 4 am I need prayer.

Thanks so much.

Wordless Wednesday... FINISHED

I know this is Wordless Wednesday but let me say 2 things... 30 Hours~!

Wordless Wedesday

This is Dave. I took this a few years ago, before Dave "tolerated" me. I honestly risked life and limb to get this shot by sneaking up on him on my BELLY! I'm sure the neighbors thought I had lost my mind. But this is one of my favorite pictures ever in my amateur photo career.

My husband.....The Pimp?

I just had to share this, Eric was apparantly "playing dress-up" with Bekah when he snapped this picture.

He looks like he's stepped out of a 1970's movie with him starring as the neighborhood pimp! LOL. Thank goodness we live in the year 2009 and that he has no aspirations to break into that line of employment.

He does, however, begin training for his CDL's on Monday. Please be in prayer that he will find employment soon afterward that will not have him "over the road" and away from home. That will also mean that we will get to move into our OWN home again.

Have a great weekend!

First Haircuts...

I seriously am having trouble watching Mack grow so quickly. He's my last baby (unless God deems the tubal I had to be useless and by a miracle "fixes" the fix).

It seems like just yesterday I had to call Eric at work and tell him I was most definitely in labor and assure him that everything would be ok even though it was 5 weeks early.

We went to the hospital 45 minutes away and were ushered into the awaiting LDR room to be assessed. After all the preliminary tests I was given several shots of that lovely medication to stop labor and told to rest for the night. By 10 the next morning Mack was on his way regardless of the meds and it had set in. I would be a mother of 5!

In the beginning I felt that it would be much more than I could ever handle, but God is so good and has given me the best children anyone has ever experienced. The oldest ones pitch in and the younger ones have just fallen into the routine.

Now my baby is one and there's no turning back... Everyday he learns something new and the expression of wonder and amazement never gets old. For that very thing I would have a million more.

On the Saturday after his first birthday Mack had his first haircut, while I was pretty much resigned to it, I had no idea how much it would change his baby features into that of a little boy. Of course he's still "my baby" but something grew up immediately.

No matter how old any of my children get each of them are my babies... But the actualization of the baby-ness... There's nothing sweeter in the world.

Spring around my house means SNAKES

Hi everyone, this post was totally inspired by the fact that Amy over at Cheeky Cocoa Beans http://cheekycocoabean.blogspot.com/ posted today about a garter snake that she had found in her front yard.

Many of you already know that we are proud owners of ALOT of reptiles. In our domestic collection we have 4 burmese pythons ranging from 13 feet long and about 80lbs to 2 that are around 3 feet and just a couple of pounds. Then we have a small albino corn snake and a small Australian Sand Python also known as a woma.

This spring my husband and my oldest son have gone on a rampage, because around here, Spring means SNAKES! Let me just show you what I mean, I won't post all of them, because right now in our shed along with our domestics there are a total of 15 snakes. All but three, wild caught with their bare hands. The three that I speak of are probably the scariest... 2 adult Canebrake Rattlers and their baby. They were graciously given to us by a neighbor! THANKS!!!

So if your squeamish, you might want to click elsewhere now! For the curious, here ya go...

Yeah, that's a rattler. (above)

This is a gray rat snake (harmless).

This is a garter like the one Amy found.

This is Abby's albino corn snake. (above)

This is Monty, the Albino Burmese Python (He's not the biggest).

I think that is a pretty fair representation. I'm sure this post will deter any visitors at our house. LOL Hope you enjoy.

Prayer request please

Hi everyone, I know that each of you are great prayer warriors and I need your help.

Kortnie Heying, our worship leader, is having a terrible bout with cancer and I would like to ask that you add her to your daily prayer list if possible. She was diagnosed with colon cancer last fall and immediately had her colon removed and several subsequent surgeries for complications. She has since also has had part of her liver removed and now is scheduled for an MRI of the brain on Tuesday. It is very uncommon for colon cancer to metatisize in the brain, but she is experiencing some abnormal effects of the treatments and they want to rule all possibilities out before they decide on the next round of treatment.

Kortnie is 30 years old and one incredibly amazing woman of faith. She is such an inspiration to all that meet her as she is weathering this storm with utlimate grace. Never has she questioned why or lashed out at God, but accepted this as part of her plan, that God will use for His glory. I shudder at the thought of what my reactions would be in the same situation and already know that God has directly used Kortnie in my life showing me the example I should be when I tread through what seems to me overwhelming... but in the grand scheme of things I am so incredibly lucky that God loves me and is holding me in the palm of his hand.

I so love and appreciate each of you and thank you so much for your faithfullness and support. Please know that special prayers are sent up on your behalf and that you are counted as my most precious blessings.

Thanks!

National Honor Society!

Tyler came in from school yesterday and announced that he had to be back at school at 7 "for some ceremony thing". We questioned him about what it was and he said "I don't know, some honor thing." Tyler is notorious for sweeping things of such importance under the rug, because to him its no big deal!

We were finally able to get him to admit that he was to be in "sunday attire" which meant that he had to put on his "funeral attire" LOL. (Our church is very casual and he usually is in tshirt and shorts). It was a struggle but we finally got him in a pair of khaki's and a white button down shirt. If anyone reading this actually knows Tyler, that was an honor in itself. It doesn't happen often or without argument.

Anyway, dressed and ready to go, Tyler remembered that the ceremony was not going to be at school, but at the local baptist church. So, off we went.

When we arrived we settled into our seats while Tyler found his at the front of the sanctuary and it began. A mock trial where the defendants academic career was put on the stand. There were four witnesses: Leadership, Scholarship, Service and Character. And not to mention the jury. Each of the 20 defendants were found guilty of possessing each of the witnesses qualities. What am I talking about you ask???

The National Honor Society. Tyler was inducted last night and now represents the top 5% in Fayette County. He's a sophomore and has already had inquiries from colleges such as Birmingham Southern and Tulane just to name a few. Needless to say, I think his future is pretty bright.

I was a proud momma last night. Well, scratch that... I'm a proud momma everyday. Last night I just got pictures!

Wordless Wednesday...Dooley

This was the view a couple of weeks ago outside our kitchen door. We were certain that Dooley had fallen down the stairs and died. It actually took Eric a few loud bangs on the screen door to wake him up. He was just asleep. This dog is going to send me to the looney bin!

It is finished!

As most of you know I have begun painting again and actually was "commissioned" by my sister to do a painting for her boyfriend's birthday. His nickname is 'Buddha' and she wanted his birth year included. So this is what I came up with... The kanji symbol is for 1983... Year of the Pig!




Please feel free to comment. It's been a long time since I wielded a brush, but I am pleased. I, absolutely give God all the credit for me even being able to attempt this, especially Him, because I have finished it!

Mack's First Birthday Disaster~

This is Mack's BEFORE picture.

Hi everyone, I'm writing to you as I check Mack's poor fingers to make sure the flame did not do too much damage last night.

Yes, I said flame.

Let me start my entry by stating that we had been without power from Sunday to yesterday (Wednesday) at about 11am. I was pretty certain that a birthday party on Mack's actual birthday was not going to happen. But as soon as the lights came on we loaded up and headed to the grocery for birthday provisions.

By the time we got home I had a little less than an hour and a half to make 2 cakes (one for us and one just for him) and pizza's for everyone. During this time, I realized that I was going to have too much cake batter and ended up making 5 cakes just to use it all up, flipping a pizza cheese side down on the door of a HOT oven, and stubbing my toe to the point of it bleeding.

After getting it all done and ready for the party, I set Mack up in his highchair and put his froggy cake in front of him, candle lit, ready to have him blow it out... Well, have the kids blow it out while I was taking pictures...

Before we could even get close enough he very carefully reached for the flame, extinguishing it with his little one year old fingers.

He's fine, but our hearts are scarred forever! Eric couldn't even stand to look at the pictures that I insisted on taking with him crying... Hello! there has to be pictures!!!

He did recover in time to climb his presents like a mountain,

then when he did open it, HE LOVED his giraffe rider!

He worked on it, rode it and climbed more on the empty box until he was aboslutely tuckered out~ I think it was a very Happy Birthday... disaster or not!

This is Mack's AFTER picture.

Wordless Wednesday... Pride...

Russell doesn't get very interested in anything; but when he brought a craft home from church where he was to construct a bird feeder, he hopped on board with both feet.

Below you can just see the pride oooooooozing out of every pore.

I was pretty proud of him myself!