God answered our prayer in the form of Ozzy Osbourne?

Well James spoke with "Shaggy" again today and everything still looks like he will be driving for Disturbed and then Ozzfest. He was told today that he was assigned to drive the bus for Kelly and Jack Osbourne. I told him that I think that is initiation for the job to have to drive the bus for Ozzy's kids. I can only imagine the stories that he will call home with. I hope I get to meet Sharon. I have to say I do like her. Hopefully I will get to go to a city where she will be at. James is about to have a stroke or heart attack one worrying if this is legit or not. God love him! I told him that I believe that this is the answer to the financial prayers that we have sent up. We just laugh we didn't know God was going to answer us in the form of Ozzy!

Making a turn on the crossroads

Well James spoke with "Shaggy" (the man that offered James the job) and after many more questions he gave Summitt his notice. He is going to be flown first class to Washington to pick up a brand new bus and then he is working on the Disturbed tour up until Ozzfest starts. I am so excited because I am a believer in God but I am a huge fan of Disturbed's music. It is great music for those days when you just need to scream and let it all out. I asked James about 3 months ago about going to the Disturbed concert in Cincinnati OH. He responded with " I doubt I will be able to take the time off." Now he is going to be responsible for driving the guitar player and his wife to the concert along with the tour manager. How things change in such a short time. We are trying to keep our wits about us until he is on the plane to go and pick up this bus. He said that his stomach is in a knot. He is just waiting to get on that plane to start getting excited. This is going to change so many things for us. When this is over if all of the things that are promised to us happen this will be a great opportunity for us to have a home and live virtually debt free so that we can worry about family and not money on Fridays. That would be a nice change.

Ozzfest

Well James talked to the man that we met at Ceaser's about the job. The money is a little less than we thought but the starting pay is 2,500 a week. Still incredible money and a wonderful opportunity to make some changes in our lives. He said that is the starting pay he has guys that drive for him that make the 3500 that we thought and some that make more than that. ALL expenses would be paid for him on the road lodging, food etc. So the only thing that he would have to spend money on would be what he wanted to buy while on the road. We would have opportunity to visit and see him on the road too. He would be gone for the duration of the tour and that really sucks. He would miss alot and he isn't at all happy about that but knows what doors it would open up for us and he is willing to make the sacrifice for our family. At the end of this we could have virtually no debt and could have the house that we need to raise our family and for him to come home and not have to work his tail off to make sure everything is taken care of financially at home. I think he and I are in agreement that this is a good thing. I want him home all of the time and I know that this will lead to many long nights lonely for both of us. God only knows what he will encounter on the road and also who he would meet. A good Christian friend of ours said "Who knows at the end of this you could own your own fleet of buses and just hire drivers and have them work for you" ....good point. We are both scared but know that if he takes the job worst scenario would be he quits and goes back to trucking. The pros to this opportunity is that his work would be planned out for a year or so and we could plan when we could see each other and not have to worry about if freight is good or someone messing up a load and him getting stuck out waiting for a load. The pay is guaranteed weekly and bonuses are available too. Here lately freight has been scarce and he has worried if he is going to get enough miles in to pay for the bills. If he leaves his job now he would have no problem getting his position back and going back to trucking life. We are praying about it and trying to figure out if this is something that we can do. All signs are pointing to go for it right now. We are still collecting info. If he is going to take the job he would be leaving in a couple of weeks, but I can't talk about that without getting teary eyed. Please pray that will be lead in the right direction.

Oh so much to tell!!

My goodness so much to catch up on so this is going to be a long one. We had a blast as Ceaser's. Travis did his 30th in! The food was great and I am in love with tiramisu. Yummy. I ordered Kobe steak and lobster tail. I was educated on Kobe beef and how the cows are pampered and massaged and listen to sounds of the rain forest while sleeping and how tender that makes the beef. (I was able to cut it with a knife) We went to the bar that Travis works at for a while and listened to a group of guys that called themselves a band ( I would beg to differ) We took a cab back to the boat and finished off the night with a little gambling and conversation. We crashed into bed at about 3 in the morning so stress free.

Also while on the boat James met a man that offered him a job driving the tour bus for Ozzfest for a HUGE weekly paycheck. $3500 a week guaranteed and a 50,000 bonus if he drives Ozzy's bus personally after the tour ends. James and I are contemplating this and all of the things that it could do for our family and our housing situation. We could have a home bought and paid for in a year, year and a half, and then just go back to work like he is now and have less bills to worry about. Then we think about all of the things that we will miss birthday's seeing all of us and all of the milestones that will happen without him here. The guy said that they fly their families out to see them once a month so it would make it a little easier but still he would be gone for a long long time. Oh another decision to make. We will see where this option leads us. James is going to call the man back today to get some more information. I will keep you posted.

In the morning we headed to IHOP to take in some food. We laughed and giggled about all of the events of the night and how much fun we had. James and I finished up our breakfast and got our car at the bar and headed to pick up Victoria at Mamaw and Papaw's house and then go to mom and dad's to get my babies. When we drove up to Mamaw and Papaw's house Victoria ran up to the car and tells me that she missed me so much that she picked a flower for me in Mamaw's flower bed. I didn't understand why Mamaw was laughing until I saw the flower that she picked.

We headed up to Pekin to get the babies and help my Dad put a new seat in his semi and tint his windows. Victoria has been bugging me to take her fishing for weeks now after she heard the her aunt Punkin went. I grabbed a pole from my nephew and we headed next door to Grandma's house to catch us a fish. We used balled up bread for lack of energy to go and dig up worms. Victoria was raring to go stuck to my hip on the dock while I cast the first time into the little pond. She leaned over the dock with her eyes glued on the bobber watching to see if we would catch anything. It wasn't long until my bobber disappeared in the water and I started to reel it in. On the end of my line was about a 6 lb catfish. HUGE!! Victoria saw the mouth on it and started running to Grandma's house. All I saw was curls and tears. She was terrified!! I had to laugh at her in her state. All I have heard about for a week is about fishing and we caught a good size fish and you would of thought that we caught Jaws. Mom and Dad said that it took them a minute to calm her down before they could come over and help me get this thing off of the line. She told me that she didn't want to fish anymore and I promised her that we would catch a fish her size (like I usually caught out of that pond, little did I know that Shamu lived there now) So after a little coaxing I got her to sit next to me again and she even touch a bluegill that was about 4 inches long ( a fish "her size" as she called it.) We caught about 5-6 more "her size" fish and sat and watched the bobber float again until it disappeared underwater. I then reeled in a fish that was about a foot and a half to two feet long. I got excited and turned to Victoria to show her what was surfacing on the water when I noticed that all that was behind me was Victoria's bright green clogs and no Victoria. I looked over on the other side of the pond and saw Victoria's curls flying straight back off of her head as she made another mad dash to Grandma Harb's house barefoot. Apparently she didn't have time in the excitement of things to put her shoes back on before she ran scared back to "safety". I cracked up! Dad was amazed at this fish that I caught. We had no idea that there were fish in this pond that size, and that they liked bread crumbs. Victoria came back to the pond holding Grandpa's hand and inching, very slowly, her way to edge of the water to show Grandpa what we had caught. I have pictures but they are on Grandma's camera so I have proof of these whoppers that we caught I will post them when I get them loaded onto my computer along with the video of Anthony's new trick that he learned while on his overnight stay at the Grandparent's house. You will crack up. Oh the things that Mom and Dad came up with to entertain the babies while they had them.

Today we are getting ready to go camping. I promised Victoria that if she was good for Mamaw and Papaw that we would go camping. We are going to set up her Dora tent in the living room and pretend to make roasted marshmallows with toothpicks. She is really excited and I have to admit that I am too. I am completely refreshed and ready to be Mommy again.

Preparation

This week has been slammed with appointments and things to get ready. James and I are going to enjoy another night at Ceaser's with Aunt Marlina and Uncle "boom boom" Travis. (we gave him that name due to his love of fireworks and firearms) We are staying the night on Thursday night and eating at Portico again. Mom is watching the babies and James parents are taking Victoria. Mom is going to have her hands full enough with just the babies on a few hours of sleep. She works at 4 in the morning on Thursdays and is going to pick them up after she is done. Dad is going to be home while they are there and he is excited about getting to spend some time with them. I get tickled at him. When we are over there and Dad just disappears we usually find him in the other room just watching them breathe. It is such a neat feeling watching your parents watch your kids in amazement. So let the packing begin. Mamaw and Papaw watched Victoria last night so I have the morning free so to speak to get stuff ready for tomorrow.


This week was the start of alot of new things. Today will be Victoria's first real session with her counselor. She asks all the time if we are going to talk about feelings today. That is the best way for me to describe where we are going. Plus they have sand for her to play in she loves that. I also started my "Mom and loving it" bible study at church. It is every Tuesday morning and they have childcare too. I am super excited about it. I think it is going to be a great study.

Addison had her evaluation for First Steps yesterday and passed with flying colors. She is still babbling away and Anthony is still working on getting that crawling thing down. The girls that came to do the eval said that was typical for b/g twins for the boy to work on motor and the girl to work on verbal early on. I guess I am going to have another talker on my hands with Miss Addison Marie. Lord help me.

We ain't faking whole lotta shaking goin on

I just like everyone else in the area woke up to my whole house shaking. I laid in bed wondering if I was dreaming it. The ground shook and something fell in my "storage" bathtub I later found. Yep, we here in Indiana, not California mind you, had an earthquake. The kids didn't wake up but mommy sure did. I turned the TV on to the local news and it was confirmed that there was an earthquake indeed. It registered a 5.2 by Vincenese In. It gave me quite a shake up. I was just dumbfounded by that fact. Quite an eerie feeling. I know that my California family is laughing at us here going crazy over a 5.2. When they have an earthquake they have an EARTHQUAKE! It was all over the news just so uncommon here. I called my mom and dad to tell them that the shaking that they felt had nothing to do with my awesome vacuum that I got. (they have been teasing me relentlessly about my vacuum)

Today we had a day in the country. I headed to mom and dad's to have lunch and a day of playing in the yard with the kids. Victoria had a ball playing tea party with water on Grandma's back porch and we both enjoyed when we walked next door to the pond to feed the fish crackers. Victoria about lost her mind when a HUGE coy fish came up and grabbed a cracker floating on the top of the water. I didn't know they had them in their. She screamed "Look at that big goldfish!" I caught me off guard. We spent the rest of the time trying to get it to come back up to the top of the water to eat.

Punkin, my sister, surprised us by coming by for a bit and seeing us. She asked if Victoria, obsessed with the fact that her Aunt Punkin drives a school bus, if she would like to go with her on her route. She had been asking Grandma all day if she could pick up sticks (her version of yard work) That was all we heard about "Can I pick up sticks with my Veggie Tale gloves? Grandma are we going to pick up sticks? I would really like to pick up sticks! " Punkin turned to her and asked her about her interest in going with her on the bus, she turned to Grandma and said "Bye!" I got tickled at her.

Later in the evening we headed up to the fairground for a Lawn and Garden show. It was quite interesting navigating the stroller around in the crowd. But I held my own I must say. On the way home we stopped to hear Grandpa play his banjo with his band and got some ice cream. It was such a beautiful day we really enjoyed the relaxation.

My how things have changed

Ok I am still trying to get that video to load on my last entry. I apologize. Addison has been babbling Da Da for about a week now nonstop. She cracks me up. She is developing quite the temper too. She started yelling at you and it comes out "EEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIBBYYYYYYYYYYYYY DA DA!!!" I am not sure if she is mad at me or at Da Da. Everyday is an adventure.

Well the title "My how things have changed" refers to what excites me. This week I got surprised with a midweek visit from James with a surprise in hand. He bought me a new vacuum. I have been in need of one for a while now. I have had mine for about 7 years and it has been on it's last leg for while. He walked up the driveway with a Hoover Pet hair magnet God (This is not the official title). I spent the day amazed at what this things picked up. I vacuum about 3-4 times a week honestly and I had just vacuumed 2 days ago and just in the nursery, hallway, Victoria's room and living room I picked up so much dirt that I gagged as I filled up a very large mixing bowl to overflowing. Yes I am a freak when it comes to seeing my progress. I had to visibly see what I was getting out of the carpet so I collected it in a bowl as I had to empty it several times because of the shear amount of dirt that I was collecting. I had no clue that my floors were still that dirty after all of the vacuuming that I do. This thing is AMAZING!! Let me tell you that if James had come home with a 10 ct diamond and this vacuum (after seeing what it is capable of mind you) I think you wouldn't be able to see what I was more excited about...........but I would STILL take that ring!

Not my imagination

So I have caught it on tape now. I am aware that she has no clue what she is saying but it is so nice to hear her say a word. Bubby on the other hand was found in his swing with spit up on the tray and

I also have this video of how I found Addison one morning last week that I think is just precious. She doesn't seem phased by it.

Just my imagination?

Last night when trying to get the babies to sleep I thought I would try my hand at getting some babble to turn to words. I don't' know if I am just a wishful thinker but, Addison plain as day said "daddy" back to me. I repeated it and she kept repeating it back to me. Even did it this morning! I called James and she said it to him on the phone and made him cry. So cute how a man that could pick up a car and throw it across the yard can be brought to tears so quickly with tender moments. I just love him so much! She repeated it to Grandma Harb this morning too. So I do have witnesses for those of you that think I am crazy. By the way.... I already know I am!

If we are the body

One of my favorite Christian songs is "If we are the body" It speaks of people in need and if we claim that we are the body of Christ then why aren't his hands reaching?" It has a good message to it and stops and makes you think about things. Today our family was on the receiving end of Christ's hand. Today was a day of service for our church. Kirbie Moore of the Children's department called and asked me what kind of formula the babies use because she and her friends were wanting to help us out. Less than an hour later she along with 3 others showed up with 3 cans of formula and some onesies for the babies and a tea set for Victoria. I am humbled by the love of God and the people of our church. I stand in awe of him daily. Who am I to deserve such blessing? Just like another favorite song of ours that says "You know the depth of my heart and you love me the same! You are amazing God!"

Pop goes the teeth

Well it is official... today Anthony cut his first two teeth through. Wow he has been doing quite a bit of fussing and has been a Motrin regular. I have tried the cold in the mouth and he just doesn't like it at all. This morning I checked him out and sure enough there are two tiny Chicklets in the bottom middle just like Sissy. They are so cute. He seems to be proud of them already. I know we are.

Who forted?

Corny I know but what are ya going to do? Rainy days seem to be the norm here these days. I decided to get creative and grabbed the super yard that I bought at the sale and flip Victoria's bed on it's side and build a fort for her. I equipped it with her mattress and some books with a flashlight. She has been in there for over an hour playing.......................ahhhhhhhhhhh peace!

Need to destress?

Today at Walmart Victoria and I decided to follow Grandma Harb into the makeup. We found a facial mask that claims to take away stress. Actually we have had little stress here lately, but I still thought that it would be a good idea. She said excitedly that we could be Craig's Salon again. So while watching Big Brother 9 we decided we needed to de-stress. I painted Victoria's face and I bravely allowed her to paint mine. She didn't do that bad of a job I was proud of her.

By the way God has blessed us with a grant for counseling at Family and children first. She will be able to get help for as long as needed fee free. Praise our God! He is so good to us! We were connected to them through CAPS, again something that I learned about through church.

cupcakes for dinner?!?

Victoria lost her mind when I told her that we were having cupcakes for dinner. She of course thought it was a great idea..........Until I served it with corn. Again Family Fun, gotta love it. This recipe for cupcakes is made with meatloaf and mash potatoes. Just press meatloaf into tin cupcake holders and ice them with mashed potatoes tinted with food coloring. They were a hit! April Fools!

My cat is a moron!

Last night while doing some gaming online I heard the most awful noise coming from my bedroom. It sounded like someone was trying to crawl in my window and knocking things off of the wall. I turned on the light and saw my drawers in my vanity opening and closing all by themselves. Hmm.......................who could be doing that?!