In My Life

First Day of School

2009-09-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

School has started. Max is in the 6th grade and enjoying being the oldest in the school! Molly is in 2nd and loves it! I was able to snap a few pics.

Summer Fun and Birthdays

2009-09-03T06:08:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe summer is behind us. June, July and August flew by. We had a great summer with swim meets, birthdays and hanging out. Here are a few pics.

Molly at the park

Max feeding (really hitting them with the bread) the ducks

Molly and Bella are scrubbing bugs and each other!

Molly on her birthday! She is very excited over her
Ipod Shuffle!

Great Cake! Thanks Aunt Janice

Swim Meet

Molly and Tess at a swim meet

Max's 12 birthday

Max wakeboarding

We are still here...

2009-06-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

Life has been very up and down for us this spring. After Molly had her tonsils out, Dennis' dad took a turn for the worse. After 2 strokes, rehab,and a short stay at home, a doctors visit brought bloodclots. After a 2 month journey, we lost Dennis' dad on May 1st. It is hard to believe he is gone. My heart breaks for my husband and my children. The loss of your spouses parent is a very unusual thing. You put aside your grieving to help them, your children and the rest of the family. Everyday is a little better but the world will never be the same...

What was so surreal about the experience is that the world keeps on moving and we are still here. We celebrated Easter ( I think it rained) and Mother's Day. Molly danced in Swan Lake at the FOA's spring recital. It was her first year to dance with the big girls!! The kids had awards ceremonies and end of the year parties and now it's summer!! Summer swim team has started, so we are off at meets most weekends. Feels very normal. Max went to swim camp and had a great time. We are waiting to see all that hard work pay off!

Goodbye Tonsillitis!

2009-03-22T14:21:00.001-07:00

Molly has had several bouts of tonsillitis this winter. So, the doctors decided her tonsils needed to come out. She had them removed Friday morning at St. Bernard's. We decided to do it this week since Spring Break starts on Mon. She should only miss 1 day of school this way. We weren't going anywhere since we need to stay close to home because of Dennis' dad.
So Friday morning we got up at 4:45 and got to the hospital by 5:30 (very impressive considering we are not morning people!). Molly was decked out in her jammies and furry pink robe carrying her bitty baby, Abby. The staff decided she was a princess!
The procedure went off without any problems. Dennis and I even managed to check in on his dad.
We are now at day 3 and she is doing awesome! She had a little case of the throw ups early this morning. (Did you know phenigren now comes in a gel you rub on your wrist? Amazing!) The biggest problem we are having is keeping her entertained and not dancing!
We are so thankful that everything went so easily. Hopefully the next few days will get her back to full speed!

Molly's Locks of Love

2009-03-16T19:58:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Julie was so awesome. She washed and dried Molly's hair. Then she measued it out!

Measuring the 10"
The BIG cut!!

Check out that smile...
Molly was so proud to donate 10" of hair to Locks of Love. She grew her hair out for just over 2 yrs.

We are really proud of her for her dedication and willingness to share. If you ask her if she's going to do it again, she just smiles and says maybe...

Holding the fruits of her labor! That is 2 yrs of tangles and buns, ponytails and braids. Molly loves her new cut and everyone seems to think it makes her look older - and while I'm proud that makes me a little sad...

Catching Up

2009-03-12T07:13:00.001-07:00

Recently, Max won 2nd place in Craighead county in the DAR essay contest. The topic was The Gettysburg Address and how it is still relevent today. We are so proud of him.

Max and several of his classmates and their teacher went to the awards ceremony. IS took 2nd, 3rd and both Honorable Mentions in the contest.

Molly is having her hair cut tomorrow. She is having 10 inches cut off and donating them to Locks of Love. She is really excited. She tells everyone "I'm having my hair cut and making a wig!" We are all ready for the big cut- the tangles are out of control!!
Then next Friday she is having her tonsils removed. We have been down this road before with Max so I'm stocking up on ice cream, jello and mini pancakes! Hopefully, she'll do great. We are doing it the Friday before Spring Break starts so she will only miss one day of school.:)Of course this means no trip for us-instead we are going to spend some more time in the yard doing ice storm damage clean up.:(

Both kids are getting ready to participate in the Swim for the Gold Swim-a-thon for their swim team-the Jets. They are swimming laps to raise money to attend the Olympic Swim Clinic with Josh Davis in May. (Let me know if you would like to be one of their sponsors!)

Enjoy this last snowy day! Jackie

Pretty but Dangerous

2009-01-29T19:20:00.000-08:00

Our backyard

Max's treehouse has seen better days!

This was early Wed. morning

So the ice storm hit this week. It is amazing how something so beautiful can be so dangerous. Max always makes the most accurate comments- he said to me today: "Mom, ice is like in the books. The prettiest stuff is always the deadliest."

We have some significant damage in the yard (almost every tree is down or coming down). We are very lucky though that the house seems OK so far. And after a couple of days w/out power, we are back home. The kids spent 1 night at Janice and Adam's because they had power (until 11:00pm) and truthfully our house was terrifying Tues. night. Dennis and I stuck it out. We wanted to be at the house in case any trees came through the roof. Mom and Dad got their power back on Wed. morning so all 14 of us kids, spouses and grand kids moved for one big sleepover! While there was not a lot of sleep we did have fun. I haven't spent the night in my old room in a lot of years! But I am glad to be home in my bed tonight.

Stay warm- Jackie

25 Random Things

2009-01-23T07:02:00.001-08:00

So this is something going around FaceBook, I did it there but decided to post it here too.

25 Random Things by Jackie Drake Carter

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (click on add photos..."tag people in this note" will appear in the upper right) then click publish.
1. I watch my children sleep.
2. I love being my own boss.
3. I sleep with socks on so my feet don't get cold.
4. My new fav ice cream is Carmel Twix Explosion.
5. I won't let my 11yr old have a cell phone.
6. I still watch Days of Our Lives-when I can.
7. My fav color is red.
8. I have been in the same book club for 10 yrs.
9. I take a girls trip every year with my 4 childhood friends.They're my grown up friends too!
10. I don't text.
11. My husband is my best friend.
12. I have a beagle named Ringo.
13. My kids are both named after Beatles songs-Max and Molly- do you know which songs?
14. I am afraid of falling and fire.
15. I still wish I had bagpipes at wedding. Other than that though,it was perfect!
16. I am a terrible driver.
17. I am easily distracted.
18. I procrastinate.
19. I love a good plan and always want a back-up plan!
20. I wish that life would slow down- my kids are growing up too fast and my parents are getting older faster that I want to admit.
21. I still can't believe how smart my parents got when I turned 25!
22. I am trying to be more community minded this year.
23. I believe God loves everyone everywhere.
24. I think 40 wasn't too bad.
25. I wish I liked to exercise!

Anyway,it's harder than you think, but fun. Give it a try!

Jackie

A New Day

2009-01-20T19:41:00.000-08:00

Most of my updates are about events in my families life, but I feel compelled to mention today. I think in years to come today will be one of those days people ask where were you when...? I hope that when my grandchildren ask me that question it is with disbelief that it was a historic occasion. I want diversity at ALL levels to be their norm. No matter what your politics are it is truly an amazing thing to watch our government change hands so peacefully. What a privilege it is to live in a country where we vote w/out fear and voice opposing views w/our govt. w/out looking over our shoulder.

I had chills as saw all those people braving the cold to be a part of this day! It was an amazing site to behold. I do not think change will come overnight. I do not know if some problems can be fixed-they may just have to run their course. I do believe that people are motivated for the first time in a while to try.

I am not blind to the problems of our country, but as I watched Max take an interest in this election, I was reminded that change starts with us. We teach tolerance and compassion to our children. We lend a hand to our neighbor in a time of need. We pray for people who don't want our prayers. So no matter who the president, this is the difference we can make. I am pledging to find a way to make a difference this year. I am not sure where and how-maybe recycle more, maybe serve Thanksgiving lunch to others - but I will be open to what comes my way. I also pledge to help my children learn to make a difference so that when they become adults community service is a part of who they are.

Enjoy your life- Jackie

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2009-01-02T18:43:00.001-08:00

Christmas 2008 has come and gone and I am proud to say we survived it!

The kids love all the fun stuff we do during the Christmas season, but their favorite thing is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! (Who's isn't?)
On Christmas Eve we always attend the Christmas Eve Candlelight service. This has always been my favorite part of Christmas- seeing old friends, listening to the Christmas story, and singing Silent Night by candlelight. I love watching my kids, Janice's and Jim's kids see the magic of that simple candle in the dark as we sing.
After church, as always we raced home to put out reindeer food, read Twas the Night Before Christmas and put out Cookies and milk for Santa.
After the kids go to bed, Dennis and I settle down and watch Holiday Inn. It is the last quiet moment we have before the chaos begins!

Max opening his Guitar Hero
World Tour Band Set

Santa was good to Ringo too!

Max with his new Michael
Phelps swim cap - if only Santa
delivered Gold Medals!

Molly with her new Emily Doll!

Dennis and the kids on

Christmas Eve.

After spending the rest of the day with my family, we made it home. We were too full, wondered where all the new stuff was going to go and Molly declared it the best Christmas ever! (She says that every year) And she's right.

Sledding

2008-12-16T21:35:00.000-08:00

The kids had their first day off of school due to weather today. They took advantage of the extra day sledding on the ice. Janice and Jim even braved the roads and brought their kids for the fun.

I manged to make cookies and fudge along with several batches of hot chocolate. Today really helped me find my Christmas spirit! Jackie

Christmas Countdown, Nutcracker and all kinds of stuff!

2008-12-12T21:36:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that it is already Dec. 12. We seem to jump from Thanksgiving to the middle of Advent in the blink of an eye! This year's Christmas Countdown got off to a great start. We have celebrated Mimi's 70th birthday, shopped for our "Adopt A Family", and made it through another Nutcracker. The kids were disappointed to miss the Christmas Parade this year, but one case of tonsilitis and one round of the stomach bug kept us home. Mama did not mind too much though because it was Cold that night!Molly had a great time in the Nutcracker this year. This was her third year to be in the show and she was a snowflurry and a lamb in Marzipan. It is so amazing to see the hard work these kids put in for months take shape on stage. The magic of it all is reflected in the eyes of all the future ballerinas in the audience. Molly seems to have found her place on the stage. She is so at home there. She dreams about future parts and makes plans for when she is the director!Last night we went to Winter Wonderland. This is an annual trip we make as part of our Christmas Countdown. The kids always spend time with Santa and mail their letters to the North Pole. I am sure Max is starting to outgrow some of the things we do, but he continues to have fun and surprise me with his enthusiasm for little Emma and Caroline.

"It's Beinning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"

2008-12-12T21:32:00.000-08:00

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas..." After all my years in retail, I finally love Christmas again! While Advent services kept me sane through those retail years, it has been my kids that have brought joy of Christmas back to me!As with most things, we share this time of year with my brother and sister and their families. One way we do this is through our Annual Christmas Countdown. A friend shared an idea with Janice and she shared with us and now it has become a family tradition. Every morning through Christmas, the kids get to open a pocket on the countdown. In it they find things like making gingerbread houses with their cousins (at grandma and grandpa's who say they don't mind the mess!),school parties, Nutcracker premiere and shopping for a needy child. We also always hit the Downtown Winterwonderland and mail our letters to Santa. And yes we do most of these things with all 7 kids.There are some things we do as just the 4 of us-decorate our tree, cookies for Santa and plenty of Christmas movies! The countdown ends the same every year: Happy Birthday Jesus! The kids always check this before they check their own loot...I keep waiting for Max to tell me he is too old for the countdown, but it has yet to happen...It is so magical watching Christmas through their eyes. They love the presents but they seem to understand the true meaning behind all the glitter. And for that I am thankful.enjoy the season-Jackie

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T08:53:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe another Thanksgiving is here. Every year seems to race by faster and faster. We were remembering our first Thanksgiving with Max. He was 5 months old, we had closed on our house the day before and of course me being me, we moved that Wed. night. So Thurs. morning dawned bright and cold and we began the Thanksgiving marathon! A whole lot of turkey later, Max cut his first tooth after having (disgusting) green beans baby food for the first time and then projectile vomited said green beans in Wal Mart. We finally arrived home (to the new house) to find we had no heat! The kids were rolling over this story but it made me realize that time is racing by- and while I am enjoying every second of it (although I don't miss baby food!) there are times I wish it would slow down.

At dinner each night we all share something good that happened that day. This week we covered what we were thankful for instead.

Molly's list includes: God and Jesus, her family and friends, Ringo, school and her teacher and turkey! Max was thankful for his family and our health, a house to live in and food to eat.

My list echos theirs quite a bit:
1. Family- far and near they bless me every day
2. Health- my own, Dennis', the kids, our siblings and their childrens, and our parents- Dennis' dad's has been a little rough but he is hanging in there.
3. Jobs we are both lucky enough to work with people we enjoy
4. Friends- new and old they are the family we pick. this group expanded to include baby Eli (Lawrence) this year
5. Grace-without this all the others are meaningless

I am also very thankful to live in this country and be able to enjoy all the freedoms we so often take for granted. So thank you to the pilgrims for dreaming and enduring to leave a legacy for us today. And even though Molly has told me the first Pilgrims did not have it, I am thankful to be heading to my mom and dad's for turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings this year-
Jackie

2008-11-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

Right now we are in what I call "our busy season" Molly is doing Nutcracker every night (on top of school, art, ballet class being 7...), Max is swimming everday and racing whenever he can. And then there are the Holidays!!!
Most years I tend to want to wallow a little about the craziness. This year instead I am embracing it. We are so lucky to have healthy kids, be close to both our families, and all the other things we tend to take for granted. I am adopting the the"we get to " not the the we "got"to attitude. (Not my idea- belongs to John Miles)

I hope I can keep it up after my upteenth trip to the Foundation or the pool. I want them to remember how much fun they had not me complaining about living on the road...

2008-11-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

A blog site. Hmm not sure I'm ready for this. Several of my friends have started their own blogs- they keep telling me EVERYONE is doing it! Janice, my sister, even caved. She is doing it instead of scrap booking. So here I am.

I am hoping to use this as an archive of our life. When Dennis and I got married, one of the songs in our wedding was In My Life by the Beatles. We both love the words "I love you more". But I also love the part that goes "all these places have their moments ...I have loved them all" I don't want to forget the moments or places or people that come into our life- even if they are only for a moment or a lifetime. I am not good at baby books or photo albums or scrap booking (sorry mom) but maybe I can do this.

Enjoy your Life
Jackie