Welcome to yet another post about my super cool rad 18 year old . . . Brandon! This picture here above is a very proud moment . . . our college acceptance letter! Brandon will be graduating in May, and heading to East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN in the fall. Brandon discovered ETSU this summer on our vacation. We visited in November, and he was ready to go. Brandon plans to go into Criminal Justice and this school has a great program for that. And the campus is really nice, and so is the city. Originally we were also excited because we had some friends of ours that just moved there - but turns out they are now moving back here before Brandon gets to ETSU. Currently, it seems a few of his friends are also heading that way so he won't be alone five hours away from his momma! That is probably scarier for his momma then it is for him. CONGRATS BRANDON! WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Another post about Brandon . . . could it be?
Welcome to yet another post about my super cool rad 18 year old . . . Brandon! This picture here above is a very proud moment . . . our college acceptance letter! Brandon will be graduating in May, and heading to East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN in the fall. Brandon discovered ETSU this summer on our vacation. We visited in November, and he was ready to go. Brandon plans to go into Criminal Justice and this school has a great program for that. And the campus is really nice, and so is the city. Originally we were also excited because we had some friends of ours that just moved there - but turns out they are now moving back here before Brandon gets to ETSU. Currently, it seems a few of his friends are also heading that way so he won't be alone five hours away from his momma! That is probably scarier for his momma then it is for him. CONGRATS BRANDON! WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Boys Turns 18, Mom has mid-life crisis???
As you know, Brandon turned 18 a little over a week ago. Probably since his 16th birthday, he has talked about a tattoo. He would draw tattoos and talk about when he would get his tattoo. We all thought it was a phase and he would forget about it. But he didn't. Instead as the 18th birthday grew closer, he was more sure about his decision to get a tattoo. Brandon is a very mature teenager. He has a good head on his shoulder and thinks things through. We have been blessed abundantly by our first child and teenager. We can only pray we do as well with the other three and we don't somehow completely mess them up. :-)
Anyway . . . so Brandon did the research as to where he could have the tattoo placed since he plans to go into Criminal Justice and might someday want to work under cover. Although his mother would just prefer he stay in the nice safe lab and look at blood and fingernail clippings for evidence.
And again . . . anyway . . . so being that Brandon is who he is . . . we decided it would be fine for him to get a tattoo following his 18th birthday. The idea of my oldest son getting a tattoo got me to thinking about how since I was about 21 I have wanted one. And how each time I had thought I would do it, I didn't for whatever reason. I remember my first idea was Mickey Mouse on my hip area. Had I done that when I was 21 . . . YIKES . . .who knows what sad shape Mickey would be in now. That would be one distorted looking mouse.
Anyway . . . so with Brandon going to get his tattoo, I thought what greater bonding time for a mother and son then for them to get tat's together. So Saturday off we went . . . my level headed 18 year old son and his crazy middle aged mom . . . to get our tattoos.
Brandon had originally designed his tattoo, and then found one online that was very similar and went with that one. I knew I wanted something that would represent my four children. I had tossed around getting a four leaf clover, but then online I found the cutest one with ladybugs, and decided on that one.
The experience overall was very positive. Did it hurt? Oh yes, it hurt! The main thing you have to remember to do is breathe . . . which I tended to forget and ended up with a KILLER headache afterwards. Right now, it just kind of feels like a really bad sunburn. Which for Brandon and I with our very fair skin we are totally used to that pain so it really isn't much to bear.
Enjoy the pics . . . and beware because who knows what sort of nonsense this mom will pull when her baby graduates in May, then leaves for college in August. Never can tell what might happen!
Brandon ready to go . . .
My chubby little leg being worked on . . .
Brandon getting worked on . . .
Brad and Tai looking at Brandon's master piece. . .
Brandon's final product. . .
Mama's final product . . .
Anyway . . . so Brandon did the research as to where he could have the tattoo placed since he plans to go into Criminal Justice and might someday want to work under cover. Although his mother would just prefer he stay in the nice safe lab and look at blood and fingernail clippings for evidence.
And again . . . anyway . . . so being that Brandon is who he is . . . we decided it would be fine for him to get a tattoo following his 18th birthday. The idea of my oldest son getting a tattoo got me to thinking about how since I was about 21 I have wanted one. And how each time I had thought I would do it, I didn't for whatever reason. I remember my first idea was Mickey Mouse on my hip area. Had I done that when I was 21 . . . YIKES . . .who knows what sad shape Mickey would be in now. That would be one distorted looking mouse.
Anyway . . . so with Brandon going to get his tattoo, I thought what greater bonding time for a mother and son then for them to get tat's together. So Saturday off we went . . . my level headed 18 year old son and his crazy middle aged mom . . . to get our tattoos.
Brandon had originally designed his tattoo, and then found one online that was very similar and went with that one. I knew I wanted something that would represent my four children. I had tossed around getting a four leaf clover, but then online I found the cutest one with ladybugs, and decided on that one.
The experience overall was very positive. Did it hurt? Oh yes, it hurt! The main thing you have to remember to do is breathe . . . which I tended to forget and ended up with a KILLER headache afterwards. Right now, it just kind of feels like a really bad sunburn. Which for Brandon and I with our very fair skin we are totally used to that pain so it really isn't much to bear.
Enjoy the pics . . . and beware because who knows what sort of nonsense this mom will pull when her baby graduates in May, then leaves for college in August. Never can tell what might happen!
Brandon ready to go . . .
My chubby little leg being worked on . . .
Brandon getting worked on . . .
Brad and Tai looking at Brandon's master piece. . .
Brandon's final product. . .
Mama's final product . . .
Friday, January 22, 2010
Sophia and the Big Top Cupcake
Sophia turned six on Tuesday! What did the child want to do for her big day . . . she wanted to go to Taco Bell and have a Big Top Cupcake. Oh yes, the 18 year old chose Logans Steakhouse and ordered him a $20plus steak . . . the 6 year old . . . she just wants her some Taco Bell. We almost fed the whole family for what Brandon's steak meal cost. :-) And then we have Big Top Cupcake. 
Yes this is the product of the As Seen On TV Big Top Cupcake baking kit. You know have a cupcake 24 times the size of a regular cupcake. Amaze your party guests with the size of this cupcake. Overall to me it just looked like a two layer cake . . . but to my sweet six year old it was the coolest cake thus far! Score for momma! 
We are having her big friend party this year in about a week as the jump place here in town. She is very excited! But look at the loot a cute girl can score . . .
And then for Grandma Hornsing here she is in the outfit that I wasn't sure about . . . that Sophia LOVES!
Yes this is the product of the As Seen On TV Big Top Cupcake baking kit. You know have a cupcake 24 times the size of a regular cupcake. Amaze your party guests with the size of this cupcake. Overall to me it just looked like a two layer cake . . . but to my sweet six year old it was the coolest cake thus far! Score for momma! We are having her big friend party this year in about a week as the jump place here in town. She is very excited! But look at the loot a cute girl can score . . .And then for Grandma Hornsing here she is in the outfit that I wasn't sure about . . . that Sophia LOVES!Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Brandon Is 18
Last Thursday Jan 14 at about 2am in the morning, my first born turned 18! Yikes! Am I really that old? Is he really that old? We celebrated pretty low key with dinner and cake with the family! The big 18 year old event is yet to come as he gets his first (and only) tattoo! He has designed it and been thinking about this for over a year. We have discussed and discussed this. And I think he is ready. I think I am ready. I have wanted one off and on for years. I know there are many discussions and arguments that can be said with tattoo's but in the end . . . does it really matter? :-) There are bigger fish to fry in this world. There are bigger debates to be had. Pictures and a blog of the event will occur. It should be this Saturday! 
Monday, January 4, 2010
Christmas Photo Recap
I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas and our enjoying this New Year! We just returned from our annual journey to the great state of Nebraska for our WHITE Christmas. And boy was it white!!!
Here we are though before our trip decorating sugar cookies. We made them one day (the kids lost interest about half way through) and decorated them the next day (the kids lost interest after about 4-5 cookies each). Ah traditions. Sophia did stand strong with Jeff and I until the end decorating the cookies. I did realize a truth - When my grandmother made sugar cookies, there were always quite a few with just random sprinkles on them. I now know why . . . those are the cookies that she had to do after we all lost interest. The kids did make some very cute ones before giving up though.
We have our kids exchange gifts with each other and those are the ones they open on Christmas Eve.
Then very early on Dec 26 we loaded up and headed northwest to Nebraska. This is about a 12-14 hour journey depending on the stops we make and the road conditions. This time is was over 14 hours as we dealt with crazy road conditions the further we traveled.
Here we are though before our trip decorating sugar cookies. We made them one day (the kids lost interest about half way through) and decorated them the next day (the kids lost interest after about 4-5 cookies each). Ah traditions. Sophia did stand strong with Jeff and I until the end decorating the cookies. I did realize a truth - When my grandmother made sugar cookies, there were always quite a few with just random sprinkles on them. I now know why . . . those are the cookies that she had to do after we all lost interest. The kids did make some very cute ones before giving up though.
We have our kids exchange gifts with each other and those are the ones they open on Christmas Eve.
Then very early on Dec 26 we loaded up and headed northwest to Nebraska. This is about a 12-14 hour journey depending on the stops we make and the road conditions. This time is was over 14 hours as we dealt with crazy road conditions the further we traveled. In the end, we prevailed and enjoyed Christmas time with Grandma and Grandpa "Hornsing".
Sophia loves her some Grandpa "Hornsing".
This picture of my oldest and youngest was just too cute not to be put on the blog. I mean really look at the look that sweet girl is giving her amazing oldest brother. I know he will protect her for many years to come even as he goes off to college and becomes an adult.
And then of course we MUST talk about the SNOW! And was there some SNOW to be played in! Oh yes! I made the trip to Walmart to be sure the kids were geared up right since it was cold also. They played almost every day of the week we were there. They could not wait to get out there. Grace would do about 10 minutes and be done as she prefered not to wear gloves to allow her access to her trusty friend, Thumb! Dawson and Sophia spent their time building two forts (with the help of Daddy and Grandpa). By the end of the week ,the forts were big enough to sit up in and had back and front doors.
Gracie is standing next to Dawson's back door to his fort, and Sophia's front door is across the driveway. 
The kids also spent some time painting with Grandpa and Grandma (with close supervision).
And finally on Saturday after a yummy lunch in Seneca with family, we headed home and this is what we left . . . 
That's right . . . NEGATIVE TWO actual temp! Of course, our return to TN only gave us temps in the 20's and possibility of snow for the week. But I think we are ready!
Sophia loves her some Grandpa "Hornsing".This picture of my oldest and youngest was just too cute not to be put on the blog. I mean really look at the look that sweet girl is giving her amazing oldest brother. I know he will protect her for many years to come even as he goes off to college and becomes an adult.And then of course we MUST talk about the SNOW! And was there some SNOW to be played in! Oh yes! I made the trip to Walmart to be sure the kids were geared up right since it was cold also. They played almost every day of the week we were there. They could not wait to get out there. Grace would do about 10 minutes and be done as she prefered not to wear gloves to allow her access to her trusty friend, Thumb! Dawson and Sophia spent their time building two forts (with the help of Daddy and Grandpa). By the end of the week ,the forts were big enough to sit up in and had back and front doors.Gracie is standing next to Dawson's back door to his fort, and Sophia's front door is across the driveway. The kids also spent some time painting with Grandpa and Grandma (with close supervision).And finally on Saturday after a yummy lunch in Seneca with family, we headed home and this is what we left . . . That's right . . . NEGATIVE TWO actual temp! Of course, our return to TN only gave us temps in the 20's and possibility of snow for the week. But I think we are ready! HAPPY 2010!
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