If you are not a fan of heat...

Then stay out of Louisiana...

We have the worst summers...

It's just the beginning of June and already it's 100 degrees!!!

C-R-A-Z-I-N-E-SS


We bout a pool yesterday to try to keep cool. The kids and I got home from the store and decided that we would set the pool up without the help of Dad. Now that didn't go so well...

After about 20 minutes of trying to put the pump together I said forget it and went in the house. The kids weren't too happy but they dealt with it!!

Drew got home from work and within 10 minutes he had it all set up and ready to go...unfortunately it was time to leave to go to baseball pictures for Ryley. We decided that since we just bought a new camera that we would take our own pictures instead of ordering some that are entirely over-priced.  It was miserably hot sitting out at the ball park for over 2 hours between the pictures and then his game.



BUT...I got up this morning and started filling the pool up with water. It took almost 3 hours to fill it up. The boys all went to my mom's house this afternoon which left me, Drew and the 2 little ones at home. About 5 this evening, me and Avery decided it was time to go swimming. Well apparently the plug wasn't in the pool right because it only had about 2 inches of water in it...

BUMMER

We didn't let it stop us though! We splashed in that 2 inches of water for almost an hour...but we did start filling it back up again...I'm really not looking forward to the water bill next month!


She didn't care if the pool was full or not. She just loves the water!!

Tomorrow is another game...sitting in the heat...at least it's a late game...maybe it won't be as hot.

A girl can dream right??


Ashley






  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Spaghetti Pie

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Memorial Day!
We are taking it pretty easy around the house today.
I love having Drew home during the week!!


I love to eat spaghetti! I could probably eat it 7 days a week but unfortunately Drew is not a big fan of it. He will still let me cook it every now and then and he will eat it too! Spaghetti Pie is so good! Everything kind of thickens up so the sauce isn't really soup-y like...if that even makes sense....



Spaghetti Pie

*1 box of spaghetti noodles or whatever kind of noodles you want
(We used a bag of elbow noodles)
*1 jar of spaghetti sauce
*1 lb. ground beef
*1/4 c. chopped onions
*1/3 c. mozzarella cheese
*1/3 c. Parmesan cheese
*garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
*In a large pot, boil noodles a few minutes less than package directions; drain and return to pot.
*While boiling noodles, brown ground beef and onion until beef is no longer pink and onion is translucent; drain. Add to noodles in pot.
*Mix spaghetti sauce and Parmesan cheese into beef/noodle mixture; mix well.
*Pour everything into a 9x13 casserole dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Add mozzarella cheese on top and return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

***Serve with garlic bread and salad.***

ENJOY!!

The Queen




  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Birthday Traditions


Since today is Hudson's 7th Birthday I thought I would share a few things we have started with the kids.

1. Birthday Binder -
          Each year we add the age they are turning.
              Followed by:
                   *Birthday Questionairre
                   *Tracing of their hand print
                   *Their birthday menu
                   *Pictures of their birthday
                                        (***Will add pictures later***)

2. Birthday Frame -
           I made this using a wooden frame from Hobby Lobby covered with scrapbook paper and some letters. I also added another peice of scrapbook paper inside the frame and the day of their birthday we write their name on the glass with an erasable marker.

3. Birthday Wreath -
           I was about half way done with this but I've decided that I want to do it a different way...look for the post soon. Inspiration came from here.

Those are what we have started so far. I have a few more ideas that I want to start but I haven't made them yet. Look for a post soon about these as I finish them!

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

My first baby turns 7!!

It’s really hard to believe that Hudson is 7 years old today. It REALLY seems just like yesterday he was a baby.

I was 16 when I found out that I was going to be a mother. I was excited. I was scared. I had so many emotions running through me. I was still a child myself.

The next 29 ½ weeks were such a happy time for me. I was ready to be a mother. I knew I could do a good job. I had a never-ending smile as I prepared his very own room for his arrival.

Until…I thought about actually having to go to the hospital. You see, I’m terribly afraid of needles and the such. As the time came closer I became more and more scared. I decided he could live forever in my stomach. We would get along just fine! Unfortunately the doctor said that couldn’t happen.

So on May 27, 2004 at 5:30 am, his dad and I arrived at the hospital to be admitted. They quickly got me into a room and wasted no time getting the needles ready. I thought I would cry…or puke…or cry. At around 6 am they started the Pitocin and it was on! Ready or not this was the day I would meet my precious son!

At about 8 am the doctor came in and decided to break my water. Can we just say YUCK! I knew there was no turning back now…he was going to come sooner or later! Finally the contractions started picking up after this. I was in a lot of pain but I knew once I saw his gorgeous face it wouldn’t matter anymore.

Between 8 and 10 am I decided that I hated everyone and the pain was unbearable. I wanted the epidural. I was completely terrified now. A huge needle going in my back? Then a tube sticking in there all day? Really?? Were they nuts? I sucked up and maybe only cried a small amount…maybe…It was smooth sailing from there!

The majority of the day is somewhat of a blur for me. I slept a lot. I had a lot of visitors. This labor was creeping by at a very, very slow speed. I believe at about 6 pm I started feeling pressure like he was getting ready to make his debut. We called the nurses in and they said it was just about time. Hudson wasn’t all the way down so they were going to wait a few minutes to call the doctor but they wanted me to push a little bit to get his ready.

After about 10 minutes he was ready and the doctor hadn’t been called. The nurses quickly got on the phone and told him to get there NOW! We waited what seemed like to be an eternity but finally one of the nurses said he had just pulled up in front on the hospital. Now he just had to make it up 4 floors and to my room! I wanted to quit right there and go home. I’m pretty sure I asked the doctor if that was possible. I’m pretty sure he told me no because right after that I was PUSHING. But it hurt so I couldn’t hold it for the full 10 count. It seemed like it was never going to end.

At 6:45 pm my baby boy came into this world. At that point I had never felt so much love in all my life. The moment I laid my eyes on him it was love at first sight. He had my heart. He was mine. I was his. The cord was wrapped around his neck twice but he was ok. His dad cut the doctor when he tried to cut the umbilical cord.

These past 7 years have been such a growing experience for both of us. We’ve kind of grown up together. Hudson saved me from my teenage years. With what was going on in my life then there is no telling what I would have gotten into if it wasn’t for him. The Lord blessed me with my own miracle.

We’ve had our ups and downs as all parents and children do. I’m not a perfect mom. I’ve still got some learning to do. But he makes me feel like I’m the best mother on this planet. He tells me I am. He tells me how much he loves me and gives me the biggest hugs. He cries if I cry. He smiles when I smile. He helps me when I ask even if he doesn’t want to. He is an amazing child. I’m so lucky to have him.

I hope he always knows without a shadow of a doubt that I love him with all of my heart and soul. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without him.  Oh and he is my twin...just saying!

I love you so much Hudson! Happy 7th Birthday!

2008

Kindergarten Graduation  2010

Valentine's Day 2008

Momma

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Why do kids grow up so fast?

I just can’t stand it. My baby is 3 months old today. It seems just like yesterday I was lying in the hospital bed anxiously awaiting him. Three months really isn’t a long time but it’s like every time I blink my eyes these kids are getting bigger and bigger. I want it to stop!

These three months have been wonderful. There is no greater love than a mother’s for her babies. Baby boy will be the last baby in this family until grandkids…which will be a LONG time from now. I’m trying to savor every last moment of him being a baby.

His smiles.

His little laugh.

When he only wants his momma.

Because I know too well that they grow up and won’t even give you a goodbye kiss in the car line at school. I know this because my oldest turns 7 tomorrow.

Jaxon is the sweetest baby. I’m so thankful that God blessed Drew and me with him. He has brought us closer together and made our family so much stronger. He binds us all together.
Newborn


1 months

2 months


3 months

The Queen

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Kid's Eat Free or Nearly Free Shreveport/Bossier City, La

Having multiple children can make a restaurant bill go sky high. It's always nice to get things for free or nearly free to help out!!

Here is a list of restaurants by day of the week that have free or nearly free kid's meals.

Monday
Quiznos - Kids 12 and under get 1 FREE Kidz Meal with purchase of adult entree.
Golden Corral - Kids 4-10 eat FREE 5-9 pm. 2 Kids per adult meal purchased. Kids 3 and under eat free  anytime.
IHOP - Kids 12 and under get 1 FREE kid's menu item per adult entree purchased. 4-8pm. Drink not included.
Moe's Southwest Grill - 1 FREE kid's meal with each adult entree purchased.

Tuesday
Backyard Burgers - Buy 1 adult combo meal and get a kid's meal FREE. 12 and under 4p-close.
Chik-Fil-A - 1 FREE kid's meal per adult combo meal purchased. 5:30-7:30 pm Family Fun Night.
Dennys - 2 FREE kid's meals per adult entree purchased. 4-10 pm.
IHOP - Kids 12 and under get 1 FREE kid's menu item per adult entree purchased. 4-8pm. Drink not included.
Quiznos - Kids 12 and under get 1 FREE Kidz Meal with purchase of adult entree.

Wednesday
Firehouse Subs - 1 kid's meal FREE with adult purchase.
IHOP - Kids 12 and under get 1 FREE kid's menu item per adult entree purchased. 4-8pm. Drink not included.
Quiznos - Kids 12 and under get 1 FREE Kidz Meal with purchase of adult entree.
Jason's Deli - Kids 12 and under. 2 kid's meals FREE per adult purchase.

Thursday
Captain Ds - 2 kid's meals FREE per adult dinner purchased.
Piccadilly - All day. Kid's meal 99c. Big Kid's Meals $1.99.
Quiznos - Kids 12 and under get 1 FREE Kidz Meal with purchase of adult entree.

Friday
Quiznos - Kids 12 and under get 1 FREE Kidz Meal with purchase of adult entree.

Saturday
Quiznos - Kids 12 and under get 1 FREE Kidz Meal with purchase of adult entree.
Dennys - 2 FREE kid's meals per adult entree purchased. 4-10 pm.

Sunday
Hooters - Kids eat FREE  11a-11pm
Quiznos - Kids 12 and under get 1 FREE Kidz Meal with purchase of adult entree.
Jason's Deli - Kids 12 and under. 2 kid's meals FREE per adult purchase.


***Disclaimer: As of post times these deals have not been personally confirmed. I found these deals online through various websites. Always call the restaurant ahead of time to make sure they are participating in these deals. Thanks.

The Queen

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Welcome!

I'm so very thrilled that you stopped by to visit today!

In the South, Sweet Tea is a must so here's a glass and I hope you enjoy our talks!


It's also possible for you to drink it out of a Mason jar...we're just a different kind of people down here!


You can call me The Queen, Your Majesty, Your Highness...or Ashley...Whatever works best for you.

But I am the queen of this trailer palace.

At least my husband, the KING of this palace let's me think so anyways....He is an amazing man that loves this family with everything he has and more. He works hard FOR us and plays even harder WITH us. We could not ask for a better to man!

Who's the "we" you ask?

Well that would be the heathens umm..I mean children that we have. There are 5 of them.

.....................................................

Yes...we have 5 of them.....

The king has given them nicknames but I suck and can't remember them. I'm not sure that the kids even like them. I think they just smile when he calls them by those names because they don't want to hurt his feelings. Yea they can be sweet sometimes too. Sometimes...


In case you haven't noticed I use alot of "............." that would be me taking a breather. Something I try to take alot of but rarely get the chance to...so...just stick with me!


Anyways, the kids, we have 4 boys that range in age from 7 to 3 months and 1 girl that is 2 soon to be 3. They are such a joy and blessing. When they aren't destroying something or fighting with each other or back talking or tracking mud in the house. I like them when they sleep...yes...that's my favorite time! HA! Just kidding! I love them all the time!


Well I hope you will stick around...but I don't blame you if you run for the hills when you meet everyone else.

Have a great night!

The Queen


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS