Where we've been for months...

So for the past few months we've spent 2 - 3 nights per week in a gym. Sometimes the games begin at 5 with Logan's JV team, Lys then plays at 6:30, then Logan's varsity at 8:00. Whew, that is hard on the back!!! Jeff purchased a stadium chair a couple of years ago and it has truly been a blessing. Don't think me and this old back would make it without it.

The games are winding down - only to begin baseball season in March (UGH!!!).

Senior night was last Tuesday. Lys cried. Courtney lost it. I was pretty composed. I've been ready for the end of basketball. Too much drama. I will miss it. I love to watch Lys play. The picture above is of the senior ballers. Below a pic from senior night recognition

Time out advice from the coach... :)

Going up for a shot against Harriman

Christmas 2010

Christmas this year began with a forecast for SNOW!! The kids received an early gift of an extra week of Christmas break due to the snow the week before. They missed all their finals. It was a crazy week at RSCC trying to have classes in between snow storms and ice storms. We made it through and now 2 glorious weeks of rest and relaxation... Not exactly something that ever happens during my Christmas break, but I do dream.

On Thursday evening, we hosted the Mehlhorn, Collins, Adkisson Christmas this year - a tradition since the kids were little. Here is a snapshot from the evening and just below it is one of Courtney, Lindsay and Alyssa at one of our Christmases from years past. The date says 1996, if that is correct, Alyssa was 4 years old.

Due to the weather forecast, we had to make a change in our normal Christmas Day dinner at Mom and Dad's. Vonda, Lee & Emily came down on Christmas Eve for brunch -complete with Chocolate Gravy!!! It was wonderful. This made for a food filled day as we went to Jeff's parent's that evening.

After feasting and opening gifts at Mom & Dad's, Vonda, Alyssa, and I sat around singing hymns from a book I got Dad for Christmas (Then Sings My Soul). I love to sing and anytime I can get someone to sit around and sing with me, I'm all for it!

2 things I'm tired of saying....

If I had a quarter for every time I've said two things in the last few months I'd be a RICH woman...

1. I don't have time

2. I don't have the money

This whole master's degree program takes up an enormous amount of time. No matter that you only take one class at a time, there is soooo much to read! Since August, I've read nothing but journal articles regarding communication research. Blah, Blah, Blah! That's all I can say. Somewhere there must be a class that will be interesting??? I looked longingly last night at some books I'd bought or been loaned months ago: Beverly Lewis's new series, Karen Kingsbury's now old series, a Tamera Alexander book I found. All completely ignored. I told Jeff I needed the 2nd book in a series for Christmas, but then, nevermind, I don't have time... I honesty can't think of a time recently when I've watched one of my fav TV shows. I did watch Toy Story 3 with Logan this weekend and will be regretting 'wasting' that time this coming weekend. That 25 page research paper didn't write itself while I was lollygagging..

For some reason our bank account has hit an all time low in the last 5 months. Recovery has been slow and, with Christmas, recovery is probably a long way off. My kids are tired of hearing it. They haven't suffered. They may talk as if they have, but they haven't seen real hard times yet. I hope they never have to.

I've got a ton of pics to post - just random shots from crazy happenings in the Adkisson clan. Maybe I'll get to that this week :)

out of the mouth of... Logan

Took a day off last Wednesday and spent the day in Turkey Creek with the kiddos. We had a blast. No fighting, no arguing... Are they growing up a little?? I'm afraid to put that in print cause I know they'll be fussing again in no time.

Top 8 laughter moments:

8. all 3 of us making a beeline for the bathrooms at Ross's

7. text from Logan repeating 'sounds' coming from the men's stall next door

6. spitting tea all over the parking lot and nearly p'ing my pants

5. Logan spitting tea just cause...

4. shopping at the Goodwill

3. finding books for my 'other' family

2. non-stop talking from the man in the booth next to us at McDonald's

# 1 bout of laughter: Coming home, I wanted to take the 'long way', so I could 'observe' the latest happenings at the neighbors.

Logan, "Why you going this way?

Me, "To check out what the neighbors are doing" :)

Logan, "Ah, Mom, you're such a nose picker!"

Me, "It's rubber-necker!! If you're going to call me names, get it right! Geez!!"

Wow.. a post??

It has been nearly 2 months since I posted anything. I know exactly where the time has gone... It has been a crazy 2 months and the last thing on my mind was blogging.

I won't bore you with all the details of the past 2 months, but life has been a little overwhelming :)

Master's class: This has totally consumed the past 2 weeks. It probably wouldn't have been so time consuming if I had practiced a little more time management and less procrastination. If I've learned anything from 'going back to school' it is a whole new appreciation for those students I see everyday who are doing it. Working full time, mothering full time (and ALL the things that go along with that)... makes taking a class a whole 'nother job! I took the final test Sunday night and it was horrid! My bibliography paper had me in tears on Thursday evening. I finally just gave up (it was due in 15 minutes anyway) and submitted it with what I know were errors.

I've debated bailing out of the whole master's program. Part of me wants to finish. I enjoy learning... but the bigger part of me wants to say, 'Who cares' and 'Why subject myself to such torture'. My next class starts on the 24th. It's already paid for, so I'm going ahead with it. I've heard the class I just finished is the worse (and it was only worth 1 credit), so maybe the next will be better.

Work: From the first of August (yes right at the peak of fall registration) til just last week, I was on my own again at work. It's a long, unbelievable story as to what happened, but believe me it was a very stressful July. I'm thrilled with my new person, though, so it all worked out for the best!!!!

In the next month, ball season will begin and our evenings will be crazy once again. Thankfully, for the first time ever, Lys and Log will play on the same nights, in the same gyms. WhooHooo!!!

I'll try to keep you posted ;)

Not the best weekend for camping...

Okay, so Jeff has been dying to try out our new (to us) camper. He insisted on going this past weekend, which was definitely NOT the best timing. Me and the kids had plans to shop on Friday for Tennessee's tax-exempt weekend. (Even though I was advised against this as sales tax funds my salary :P ). Saturday was Meghan and Jonathan's wedding. Thursday night was the election results evening. This weekend just had everything stacked against it. Should've listened...

The election results were totally disappointing. We were actually able to tune in WECO from the campsite down in Meigs county. I've never lost so many races in my life!!!

Friday morning, me, Lys, Tonia and Lindsay headed out for a quick trip to Turkey Creek for some tax free shopping. We heard Cheryl and Courtney were heading that way and decided to meet up for lunch. It was Cheryl's birthday and after her disappointing loss the day before, she needed some cheering up. We had Wasabi's!!!! My favorite... We debated how to break the news to the guys. Logan would be so mad that we went without him. We made up a story about having chicken at McDonald's, but in the end we all saved enough from our plates to take them back a doggy bag. When we got out of Wasabi's it was 12:30. Westley text Tonia and said he had to be in Wartburg to catch the bus to their scrimmage by 3 pm. We did the math - that means we had to leave Turkey Creek by 1. We had only been to 2 stores. After a quick trip to Rue 21, we made a mad drive back to Ten Mile.

On Saturday, Lys and I headed out again for Meghan's wedding. We went home to get ready.... The bath houses only had one shower stall, of course no air conditioning, and worse yet, no lights! Made showering after dark interesting. The wedding was gorgeous. Meghan looked beautiful as always. Joey Williams and I joked about being each other's dates since our spouses weren't there. The photographer took our pic at the reception as a couple.

While at the wedding, Mike decided to take a dip in the lake. Now Mike's camping trip wasn't perfectly timed either. He had to work everyday, so Saturday afternoon was his first time to see the campground in daylight. He took a running jump into the lake. Only problem with that is the water around the shoreline was only 2 feet deep. Broke heel and bone in leg... Needless to say, he spent the rest of the evening in the emergency room. He is sooo aggravated at himself. That heel bone is the worst bone to break in your body. Takes about 15 weeks to heal. My mom went through that couple years ago.

Overall, the time spent at the campground was wonderful. The weather was beautiful with humidity not so unbearable. Logan and I enjoyed lots of bike riding. He, however, had numerous wrecks and is still doctoring his poor knees... If it weren't for all the laundry you have after a camping trip, I'd do it more often.... or maybe not.

Family pictures from the beach...

My favorite of me and Log even though it is a little 'over-exposed'

A smile??? ;)