Adventures of Tommy and Allison

We had a wonderful Anniversary weekend. I love my man! What can I say. We went to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN. The drive was beautiful. I just love the mountains. The mountains always become spiritual for me, just like the beach. We got to see some leaves already starting to change. Fall is in the air...YAY BRANDI! We had a nice relaxing weekend. We had some amazing food. We had dinner at a new little restaurant in Gatlinburg on the street called Legends. Italain! It as wonderful! We went to Bubba Gumps, the famous Apple Barn and Old Mill. YUMMY!!!! We went to the Tanger Outlets and shopped (my favorite thing), of course visited all the little shops in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, bought our traditional yummy fudge, ahhh.... to die for, we bought three beautiful scripture portraits for our house, even, took two tours of the Wineries! AWESOME!!! It was just great! I loved every minute of being with my sweetheart. We have been married 12 years.WOW!! I missed my boys something terrible but I actually wished for a little bit longer time with Tommy. It was nice to just have no agenda and relax and be with each other. HUGE Thanks to Tammy and Tony for watching boys on Friday. They had a blast. Also HUGE thanks to my parents for keeping them the entire weekend. They had so much fun. I don't think they even missed us! LOL!

Now the next few days are going to be great too. My brother is here from Houston. We are going to have our entire family at my parents tonight for a big celebration because it is his birthday! I got to meet my sweet niece Makenzie last night. She is amazing! I cant wait to get my hands on her today. LOL!

So now, I am off to the shower. I have got to get ready for my busy week.......

not wanting to clean...uggh..so I will blog..hehe!

Yesterday was nice. I did some work around the house yesterday morning and then yesterday afternoon I watched Spiderwick with Eli. It was fun because we had read the book together. The characters were kinda scary. I was praying that we would not dream last night. Thank goodness we did not. Bleeze went to bed at 8 last night and then he got up at 12:30am crying so I put him in my bed because I was so into the volleyball at the Olympics. I fell asleep and then woke up to Bleeze screaming at 3:30 that the top of his foot was hurting. Not sure what was wrong. He cried for 30 minutes. I think maybe a cramp???? I gave him some Tylenol and he went back to sleep about 30 minutes later. Who knows?

I am looking forward to a lot of things coming up. We are going to be busy but have a ton of fun! I have got my little get away tomorrow with my sweetheart. We will be married 12 years on Saturday. I am excited about our time away but still agonizing over leaving the boys. They will be ok though. I just know it! I get to see my brother this week. I am really excited to see him and Jessica but I am SIKED about seeing my new niece Makenzie. I haven't got to meet her yet. I can't wait!! I also will get to see a ton of family on over the next week so that will be nice.

I have to get my house clean today. We will be back Sunday afternoon and then we will have family staying with us on Monday night so the house has to be clean when I leave. ugghh...I have a few errands that must be done today before we leave in the morning. I still have to pack our stuff and the boys! It will all get done in time! LOL!

I am off now to clean house. I hope to get done early today :). we are going to do something fun with our two monkeys tonight since we will be away for three days.(ugghh I have to be strong) LOL! They are excited. I am the one upset! LOL! So for now...adios amigos!

Quote of the Week...

"Honor is self-esteem made visible in action" ~ Ayn Rand

Wednesday Already?

It is Wednesday already! WOW! I have been super busy. I think it is only going to get worse in the future. I have a great few days though. Got my hair done on Monday. It feels so much better. THANKS Alicia! I had one of my feeling old moments again. Seems like yesterday I was changing Alicia's diaper now she is married, got a baby, and a successful young lady. It was good to see Brittani too. She is all grown up. Wheww....time flies!

Monday night we took the boys to Sonic (at their request) after the fact we had a discussion about cutting all the additives, preservatives, dyes, and JUNK from our entire families diet. LOL!!!!! I hate to say it but my chicken sandwich was pretty yumo! They love to go there and sit outside and chill. We used to eat in the van and call it a van picnic but now they like to go and sit outside. Sometimes it gives me the fuzzies when I sit there and watch them eat. Love my little family!!!! After Sonic, we had to go to Walmart for a few things I forgot. The boys got remote control cars (long story) don't have time for. But anyway, they have been the hit of our house the past two days. The funny thing is Eli's will work Bleeze. It is so funny because Bleeze thinks he is making his do tricks, but it is really Eli doing it. (We turn Bleeze remote off) He is just pressing the button and Eli does all the work. FUNNY!

Worked on some business ideas with Brandi yesterday morning. Brandi, we are so lucky to work from Starbucks and then the Iced Cupcake Cafe yesterday morning! LOL!!!! The boys keep asking when Jessica can come back and keep them. In fact, Bleeze is still confused, he wants to know when Miss Aunt Jessica is coming back over. hehehehe!

Back to the Iced Cupcake Cafe..... the place is AMAZING. I bought a sampler box yesterday morning. There are three left. Every single flavor I have tasted has been terrific. I am loving the red velvet I think the best, maybe the pink lemonade, no...maybe the black tie, wait no..chocoholic, oh...capacinno...HOLY SHA-MOLY!!!! Don't forget key lime, ying yang, and very vanilla.....( I still haven't tasted every flavor)

I cooked a yummy dinner last night! The boys gobbled it all up. I hate to admit it but I am SO glad school is back in session. I know... I home school. But good Lord, it was so nice yesterday, no one rang my door bell at 8am wanting kids to play, no fussing among all the kids, it was heaven, and then last night at 8:30 there were NO kids out except mine and the three other home schooled kids on my street. LOL! The boys were able to play w/ Bleeze Mustang without a hundred kids wanting to ride. Don't get me wrong.. I love kids...just get a little irritated with some of the ones who live in our neighborhood. Tommy and I enjoyed a LONG walk last night. I love our long walks because they lead to talks. God is moving in our lives and we know it like never before. Can't wait to see what he is going to do next. God's cool like that you know?

So that's my life right now. I have got some business to take care of today and start getting ready for our trip this weekend. Yes... I am still dying about leaving my boys but excited at the same time. I get some "Tommy time".

For now... I am off to get some work done and spend time with my two wild monkeys...Happy Hump day peeps!!!

Marvelous Monday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I had a great one. Saturday morning was lazy (isn't that what Saturday mornings are for) Met Brandi and the girls for lunch..WELCOME TO MOE'S!!! Had a traumatic experience while waiting on Brandi to get there. I was sitting in my van and I allowed Bleeze to get out come up front to sit with me. He was playing with all the buttons. DRIVING ME INSANE but nevertheless, he was occupied. Well, yet another reason for me to win mother of the year.... Bleeze was playing with the cell phone charger and then he opened the ash tray and I could swear to you that he did not punch in the cigarette lighter, he pulled it out and I said I yelled, "no, no don't touch that it could burn you" just as a yell it, he grabs the bottom and SCREAMS!!!! He has two big blisters on his little finger. I cried a river! I felt so bad for him. He literally cried for 2 hours. We went in Moe's and put it in ice and Brandi had her Neo-to-Go and we put it on there! Oh! It was horrible. I felt soooo bad. My poor,poor baby.

After Moe's we headed to Wally World (walmart) it was actually VERY busy but they had almost every register open. IT WAS A DAY OF MIRACLES! LOL! I did not even wait! Made it through Walmart with no major breakdowns from either me or the boys..hehe! Got home just in time to get ready for the neighborhood pool party! It was ok..nothing exciting, no drama, etc. Had some yummy food, the boys had a blast riding the train, and we just chilled out. The DJ was pretty funny yet no one got crazy this year. BUMMER!!! LOL!

Yesterday was good too! We went to church. It never ceases to amaze me at how God puts the perfect sermon for my life that week. It is truly amazing. Each week this summer the series has applied to my life. Yesterday was "seek ye first". Tommy and I had a deep discussion on that same topic earlier in the week. As always it was exactly what I needed! God's cool like that you know? We started serving in the 2nd service yesterday. It was so great to be with kiddos again. Our little class ROCKS! They are precious! I am sure I will have some awesome stories to tell! I am excited about our little penguin group.

After church we had lunch at my parents. AMAZING food as always. This week the meal was chosen by Eli. EVERY SINGLE thing. It was yumo! He makes good choices. LOL! Bleeze went to sleep right after lunch and so I came home and laid down for one hour. I still can't believe it! LOL! My parents and Tommy's came over last night for dinner. It was a nice relaxing time. Enjoyed chatting, laughing, venting, etc. LOL!!! Nice for us all to be together! Keri came over and we hung out chatting in the garage until after 11. Then I was once again sucked in by the Olympics. I tell you it is a good thing, they are not on all the time. I would be in so much trouble. I just can't stop watching it! LOL! It did not last long though, I took a sleeping pill because of being restless the past few nights and I crashed after a bit. hehe!

I am ready for a new week. This one is going to be good. Busy, but good. Excited about some business opportunities possibly this week, hanging out with my boys before this weekend. I am so anxious. Tommy and I are going away this weekend for our 12 year anniversary. I always get so anxious about leaving my babies. Typing this right now, I am starting to tear up. I hate to be away from them! They will be in good hands and have fun too. So I have to stop agonizing over it! So that's it.... I am done for now... got to clean and then go get my hair done today. I can't decide what to do with it! I hope everyone has an awesome week!!!

I am blessed....

For the past couple of days I have had that old song in my head ... You know " I am blessed, I blessed. Everyday that I live I am blessed. When I wake up in the morning til I lay my head to rest. I am blessed. I am blessed". God is so good to me. I have had wonderful past couple of days. Thursday, the boys went to spend some time with their Nanny Mary. I had some much needed down time. I spent most of the day shopping(Ann Taylor Loft ROCKED a sale), running errands(felt old when I saw Andrew P working the bank), had lunch with an awesome friend :)! This gave me time to reflect on truly thankful I am for the life that I have. All the blessings I see and especially all the ones I can't see. You know, the blessings where God is working in my favor and I don't even realize it! THAT IS AMAZING!

Thursday night I cooked dinner for my family and then Tommy had meeting. I hung out with Keri on the power box. ha! We just sat out there and talked and watched the kids play. They were so funny arguing over Bleeze Mustang. My advice, if you live in a neighborhood, don't buy your kid a battery operated vehicle. ugghhh! It was a pretty good night. We were all in bed sleeping at 10:30. That is AMAZING! LOL!

Yesterday was a great day too. I worked around at home yesterday morning. GOT MY MICHAEL BUBLE TICKET! WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN!! HE IS SO DREAMY!!! I went outside with the boys and played in the afternoon. They were so funny. They had went to spend the day with Nanny Mary on Thursday and she bought them a blow up pool. Nothing would do them but to bring the stinkin thing home. We could not get the air out so we crammed it into the back of the van. It was Hilarius! So despite they have in ground pool they could play in at the end of the street the opted to get in the whale pool. LOL! It is cute. It shoots water out the top. Bleeze likes it because he says he "swims" in it! Around and around he goes and then comes up gagging! LOL! Eli was calling him Michael Phelps. LOL!!!!!!!

Last night was GREAT! We went downtown with my parents. Greenville is so beautiful. Yet another reason I am blessed. Greenville voted 4th best place to live in the nation!! GO GREENVILLE! We had dinner at Smoke on the Water. YUMO!!!! OMG! That place is amazing. The boys behavior was awesome. Even the waitress commented on how well-mannered they were. She said, Kids normally are throwing bread and screaming. I busted out laughing and said, "thank you, we are having a rare night" LOL!!!!! We walked the entire downtown. Went to some of the shops but the highlight was Mast General store candy section. We always let the boys get some! It was so fun! We took our time and just relaxed. It was great!! Came home, the boys crashed early so Tommy and I had the evening to ourselves. NICE! I attached a picture. It is not that great. Tommy looks half drunk (he's not) LOL! Never the less, it is a reminder of our good night.

That is my past few days. I am headed out to the grocery store. We have our neighborhood annual pool party tonight. There is always some type of drama that occurs. Can't wait to see how it goes. LOL! I have to stay the entire time to help Tommy because he is the HOA president. UGGHH! We are going to have yummy food, DJ with dancing, trackless train, and jumpy rides. It should be awesome! So for now, I hope everyone has an amazing weekend! In the words of my dear friend Elle, "count your blessings!"

Had to Share

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1Timothy 4:12).Timothy was a young man when Paul wrote these words to him, explaining that he was not too young to set a good example. It is a reminder to all of us, regardless of our age or the length of time that we have been believers. God has called each of us to live out our faith as a model for other believers.Paul then listed some actions and attitudes to which 1 Timothy needed to give his attention:Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture (4:13)Devote yourself to preaching (4:13)Devote yourself to teaching (4:13)Do not neglect your gift (4:14)Be diligent in these matters (4:15)Give yourself wholly to these matters (4:15)Watch your life and doctrine closely (4:16)Persevere (4:16)Although some of the items addressed by Paul may be specific to Timothy and his gifts, there is much we can learn from this passage about how God calls us to live.We need to study God's Word to know what we believe and we need to live out those beliefs. The words persevere, be diligent, give yourself wholly, and watch closely, all signify the great importance placed on how we live.The way we talk, the way we interact, the way we love, how faith is evident in our lives, as well as the purity of our words and actions are all elements of how our lives should demonstrate our faith in God.People are watching.Paul tells Timothy to do these things so that everyone will see his progress (4:16). We are called to live our lives honestly and transparently before others.Paul also says that those who watch and listen will be saved by our example (4:16).What better reason can there be to set a good example?
Suzanne Benner