The busy life of Val

update

2012-02-03T22:49:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to update on my progress on reading the Bible. I have 18 more books to go and I will have completed it! They are all in the old testiment. YAY ME!!

Till next time~Val

getting there

2012-02-03T22:15:00.000-08:00

Well we are getting there. The drive way is done. The mailbox is up. My Dad got me two reflectors for my drive way so I wouldn't run off of it in the dark. The marker is there waiting on the water man to put my meter. The man came today to do our septic tank testing and give us our permit. The trailer man has assured me he will have my home there no later than Wednesday. Its coming slowly but surely. I am truly blessed to have made it this far but I can tell you its not without a lot of prayer. Worrying too. Not that I should worry but thats something I do very easy. I am a natural at it!!!
Tomorrow David, I and the kids are going to the land to do more root picking. These things are everywhere. Everyone has told us that we will be doing this for many years but we have to just head it on and tackle it.

Onto another topic. The Bible. I am doing so well with my readings. I plan to have it done by the summer but I wish I could just get it over with. Not that I am never gonna read it again I just want to say that I have read the whole thing. I have learned so much since picking it up and reading it word for word. Each book has many things in it. The Bible truly is a MUST read!

I am planning to start a BIG challenge tomorrow as well. For one, getting up at 7 am. I plan to wake up. Start my day with prayer and then cook a hot meal for my kids and David. I rarely do this because we are not morning people and its just never been a big deal around our house. BUT I want to teach my kids that you need to eat breakfast. Its the most important part of the day when it comes to eating. I never learned this coming up because I just didn't like to eat that early and no one really made a big deal of it which is fine but I see my horriable habit and I want to break it.

I want to insteal one new thing a week. So that is my task for this week is getting up early, praying and making a good meal for my little family.

Next week....well I am gonna have to think on this one. Maybe we can get rid of the junk food in the house...LOL

Well its off to the shower, reading and bed for me. 7 a.m. come mighty early when you are used to sleeping in.

Till next time~Val

The time has come

2012-01-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

The time has come for us to say goodbye to our house and move onto our land. We finally got a trailer. Not exactly what we wanted but will suit us just fine until the time to build. It's kind of a good thing cause if we got to comfortable we would most likely just stay put but I have plans for my Victorian style home and I really want it one day.
I am happy to say that they will be moving it onto our land Sunday or Monday depending on the weather. They are coming to lay the dirt and rock for our drive way next week as well. Sewer and water will follow right after so in about a week we will be there and all set up.
I am really having to down size with everything. Kaylee's bedroom set is having to go into storage and the girls are sharing a room and using DJ's bunk beds. He doesn't mind a bit because frankly he never slept a night in them. Maybe a nap or two. He loves sleeping with us and we LOVE him to sleep with us. One day he will not wanna do that.
I got rid of A LOT of kitchen stuff. Our extra gas stove, the sofa sleeper, Dad's chair is going to his house. We are going to buy a new living room set that will fit that space but not be over crowding. The TV for the kids games will go in the girls room thank GOD! I am really gonna miss having two living rooms with tons of space. I figured if I didn't put it in there I would go crazy with the noise. My computer is going in my room because there is just no room for lots of stuff in the small livingroom or kitchen. LESS IS MORE I always say and if its cluttered I will stay in a bad mood.
Anywho....must run. We are headed to Atlanta with the church for Bible quizing at 2:30 am! Emilee has practiced so much and I know she will do her very best!! PRAY FOR US

Till next time~VAL

2012 already?

2012-01-03T23:05:00.000-08:00

So it is 2012 already! Where in the world has time gone? I have been loving the blogging world lately due to all the Christmas posts! I just love to look at all the decorations, and read about all of the traditions everyone does.

Now for my BIG news! We are moving onto our land!!!! Thats right, you read it right! MOVING!!! I am so excited about this move. It will be our last. In my recent posts I had talked about us buying land in Pine, La. It has been almost a year (Feb will be 1 year). We thought we would be out there further in the year but due to some housing issues it has been moved up and I mean QUICK! Our land lord is having so housing issues where he is at and needs his house back February 1st. It first come as a shock to me and David and we where not that happy about it. But GOD has blessed us so much. We got our land cleared. We are waiting on someone to knock a few trees down in the front so we can finish making our long drive way. I have to turn in the paper work for our permits tomorrow and when that is down we will put down our water well and septic tank. I am not looking forward to that due to how much it costs but we have to have it I guess! LOL I am very excited about mail box shopping. I just can't wait to put it up. I plan on sending out snail mail cards with our new address. I also order a cute new stamp with our address on it! Seriously cute I tell you!!!!! I would post a picture of it but I don't want any stalkers, HAHA! We are having to put down some gravel for our long drive/road and that is gonna be a little pricey too but well worth it they say. So I am looking forward to being able to drive back there in my van and not worry about sticks, or being to wet etc. Its all really just running together and I/We are so excited like I said before. My kids espically. They have found spots for club houses. I can't wait to see what they make. OR shall I say how they make em.
We are now waiting on word on a trailer. We are wanting to go with an older used one. Something we can buy out right or buy and pay on for about a year. We really want to start sinking all of our extra money into our land to get it paid off. We really want to build in the next few years. We will see how all that goes.

Well I have tons more to blog about but I guess that will be tomorrow. The kids start back school in the morning so that means I have to get up before the chickens....LOL

Oh, we cleared about 3 acres!

Till next time~Val

Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-24T13:55:00.000-08:00

Today is Christmas Eve! I am so excited about it too! I have so much planned and we should already be getting a start on our cookies but the kids and David are playing outside having so muc h fun I figured it wouldn't hurt to have a late night. I love this time of year. Everyone seems to be in a cheerful mood. Well almost everyone. I love to take my kids to the store and let them buy things for their family members. They also LOVE to make a shoe box gift for a very special child somewhere. Its their highlight of the season I think. We have been so busy with all kinds of things that I am very unorganized this year. I mean I usually am not running to the grocery store on Christmas Eve morning...But all was well. It wasn't even really packed like I thought it would be.
This year is going to be like a NEW tradition. We are planning to start staying home every year on Christmas Day which I am very excited about that. The kids where too! We do so much driving...

Gotta run fast....till next time~Val

Christmas LOVE

2011-12-19T23:57:00.000-08:00

It is not the best quality picture but I am not able to use my scanner at this time so it is a picture of a picture.

This is our Christmas family portrait. Also the kids picture. I loved how they came out considering I did NOTHING with my hair!

I wanted to show a little Christmas "love" on how the kids and I decorated this year. We went really light because we didn't know if we where gonna be moving in the middle of the holidays.

The kids and I did a mini memory tree. We wished we put up our BIG tree with our memories on it but we just didn't have the room or time to.

We did put our snow men up!!!

This above is my first ornament when i was born. My mom made it.

Below is a cute ornament I got last year at a sale!

I love "L"

Above is from Emilee Grace and below is a snowglobe from starbucks! Double LOVE!

This is a power ranger that my next door neighbor made for my brother when he was DJ's age. Now its one of DJ's favortie!!

Above is an ornament that my piano teacher gave me one year.

Below is a ornament Kaylee made a few years back.

DJ and Emilee with Santa at the Naval Base for Uncle Zearl's family dinner.

I found these at Forever 21 the other day!

LOVE!!

Christmas gifts

2011-12-19T23:41:00.000-08:00

We opened a few of our presents today. Actually I had already given the kids a gift the other night. DJ opened his Mario Cart game, Kaylee open a doll set and Emilee opened a Justin Bieber Christmas cd. They where so happy and I love to see their faces light up!

Well tonight we where gonna let them open up one more gift, and well it turned into opening up two! Kaylee opened up two from us and the ones her brother and sister bought her. She is one blessed young lady. Very loved!

Emilee with her Zebra bag from Momma and Daddy.

Also below with her sketch kit!

Kaylee above with the two dolls her Daddy and I got her and below with her sketch pad.

She loves to draw and color!

DJ above in his green lantern outfit. Below with his Air Hog!

Emilee above in her NEW boots!

Oh yes! She is all about style!

I love how she tried them on with her cute socks!!

Kaylee opening her gift above from her Bubba Bear and below from Emilee Grace!

She loved em'

Zearl is with us and we wanted him to get a gift as well. He is such a BIG kid!

How handsome he looks in his new shirt :)

I am so thankful for such sweet kids. As we gave them the two gifts they quickly wanted to give their gifts to the people they had bought for or made something for. Emilee made her Daddy a cute "I love you" keep sake. Which she was so proud of. I hope that I/We instill in the kids Love, kindness and a giving spirit.

I mean thats what its all about!

Till next time~Val

rambling

2011-12-18T16:05:00.000-08:00

I feel like lately I am completely off my path. My life has been one crazy roller coaster ride these past two years with helping with Granny. And yet I get stressed over it I wouldnt change in for the world. She won't be with us one day and I want to remember everything I can about her. This time of year is kind of hard. Esp when I get sick. It makes me miss my MawMaw so bad. She was very motherly. Always making sure I was comfortable, and always made homemade treats for such an occiasion. Happy thoughts****

Well, I am still really nervous about our so sudden move with no plans ahead of us at this point. The days are flying and it feels like I am just standing her watching them go. What am I gonna do...? I think I am gonna put all this behind me for this week and start to really plan on something after Christmas. This week no worries.....just prayer.

Prayer......it makes everything better.

till next time~Val

A Total Mess...

2011-12-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

So, here goes. I am a total mess right now. I was told by our land lord about two months ago that we might have to move because he will have to move back into his house due to some family issues. I have prayed LONG and HARD over this and well we got told today that he will give us the exact date in Janurary. I am sure he is not wanting me to panic over the holidays but I am a wreck!!!!!
What am I gonna do? Our land is not ready by far. We have clearing, water, septic plus we have to by a trailer!!! Plus we are not able to just go out and do those things at will. It takes money. I mean we where gonna borrow for the trailer but for the other we where just gonna pay with our income tax. Hmmm.....
I bet I could cry at will I Have so much stress in my life.

Thats all I can write at this moment.

Till next time~Val

trying to stay calm in all of this rush

2011-12-06T21:40:00.000-08:00

It is already December 6th! I can't believe how this year has flown.

I have really been missing my MawMaw a lot this past few months. Today or yesterday was the Day she passed away but the date really doesn't matter. She's gone and my heart yerns for her to hold me. To listen to me whine like a baby. To make me snacks that I love and just make me feel like I am the most important person in the world to her. I know she had many special people but right now this isn't about them.

Lately I have been taking care of my Dad's mother, My Granny. She has been really sick and I have been sitting in the hospital with her threw out the day Mon-Thurs. She can't be by herself she has alztimers. As she sleep I glance over and I think of my precious MawMaw. All the wonderful times I spent with her, the stories she told me. How I chopped her legs because they hurt her so badly. She was a very sick women. Lots of health issues. I just miss her so badly right now. I wish I had her guidance. Her strength. I miss playing Bingo with her and Nanny. I miss the yard sales. I miss her rocking me at the age 20! Laugh....but I was and still am a big baby. I miss laying next to her sleeping and would make scary noses to try and get me all close to her. **smiles**

I miss coming in from outside and she having Kaylee a pallet on the floor watching barney eating candy and drinking chocolate milk. Funny things you remember when someone is no longer here. Kaylee wont even touch chocolate milk now and thats been 8 years.

Seems like only yesterday I talked to her one last time. She sound like her mother, my Nanny. Like an angel. She told me she loved me and couldn't wait till we got home.

The next day she was GONE!

It was the longest day/drive ever!

We drove straight 25 hours...

I was a wreck....

Still kind of am when I play it back over in my mind......

ah.....

Well I must be going to bed.

Till next time~Val

Thankful Tree

2011-12-05T00:17:00.001-08:00

I got this idea from a fellow Blogger or either on Pinterest. Not sure. The only thing we did different was use Or hands as leaves instead of cutting out regular leaves. We thought it would be more personalable to our family. So we all cut out a bunch of hands! Each day we wrote something we where thankful for. Some days we did two Or three. It started out so bare but it only took a few days to see that we really have a lot to be thankful for. Even some guests put a leaf up!

Till next time- Val

AWESOME!

2011-12-04T23:54:00.000-08:00

Ok, this is gonna be quick because I forgot to put it in the last post.
First its been really hard to find Monster High dolls for Kaylee. They are all sold out and when I do find them and they are online for 3 times as much if you could buy them in the store.
So with that said we went out on a hunt for dolls. I found a group pack for $50 and we got that. As we where leaving the girls and I ran to the shoe department in target. DJ and David stayed in the boy toy section. As they are walking out DJ sees a Monster High doll on an end cap. Its this one!!!

Now if you normally would find this doll in a store she would be $20!

She is always sold out.

So we tried ebay-$60!

No way!

We paid in target $4.96!!!!

The box was torn and they put her on clearance!!!!

WAY TO GO DJ!

Till next time~Val

P.S.- The WHOLE family gave up sodas!!

One step to being a tad bit healthier.....

More one that in teh next post...................................................

On the fence

2011-12-04T23:44:00.000-08:00

I have notcied I always have crazy blog titles. I just like to have a cute title and sometimes it doesn't even have anything to do with what I am blogging about but its whats on my mind right at the at moment! HA!

So, as I sit here and type I am listening to one of my favorite blogs playlists.

The happily ever afters of the lancasters. She really has great taste in music!

Church was awesome tonight. I really felt the holy ghost there tonight. Sometimes when I am at church I fell distant but tonight was like a renewing of some sorts. I do have trouble putting my thoughts down. I seem to have what I want to say or how I want to explain it but when it comes down to writing/typing I freeze up.

Let's just say amazing again!

I am so thankful for my church, my paster, my church family!

Christmas is getting close. I have all of my shopping down for the kids. Dad has a few to pick up but he is taking care of that on his own this year. He always picks up our stocking stuffers as well. I mean, he is Santa! DUH! LOL

David I and the kids went shopping this weekend and we finished up. I got the teachers Bath and Body works bubble bath. I need to run back and get 3 more but if I don't make it there it wont be that big of a deal. I wanted to get something for the helpers too! I could always just pick them up something else here in town but I know I will be going that way before the party next week. Oh! I almost forgot I have to get one little girl something from Kaylee but thats just a stop at the Family Dollar or Fred's. We have to buy $5 gifts only.

I also got Dad some pants. I actually had someone pick them up for me in Branson this year. If I have the funds I would like to get him a pack of shirts and underwear but we will see. Money is kind of tight at the moment.

We are having the land cleared at the first of the year. We found a man that does it for a great price! I can't wait!!!

I also got a return address stamp made that I can't wait to use!!!!!

My Granny has been in the hosiptal since last week. She has fluid, kidneys are acting up and a few other things wrong. Pray that she begins to get well.

I just want to add before getting off that I am very thankful for all the answered prayers from God. For a good christian school for my kids to attend. For a awesome holiness church to attend, wonder friends, a healthy family! tons more nut just to name a few important ones....

till next time~Val

A idea

2011-11-29T22:02:00.001-08:00

I Saw this project at my friend Kelly's grandmothers home. I really wanna do one similar

just another day in paradis

2011-11-27T18:32:00.000-08:00

So the year is almost over. Where did it go so fast?! We just got home from Florida. It was a short but really nice trip. Hopefully we will go back after the first of the year. We orginally where going to be gone till this Monday but Kelly's grandfather passed away Friday morning arounf 12 am. He was 93 I believe. We drove all the way back to Louisana late last night and early this morning. We arrived in Slidell about 7-8ish this morning and Kelly, Michael, Baby D and I rode to New Orleans to check on their grandmother and Dad. We also took her grandmother to get a outfit for the funeral. She has alzheimer's. Its really sad at this point because she can't remember anything and she is reliving the passing of her dear sweet husband periodically during our visit. I pray that she has healing with her loss and that she has a some what of a good day tomorrow. **Prayers**

On another note, David really liked Florida. He wants to visit alot. He could not believe how nice the beach was and the area. This will be a awesome vacation spot for us from now of. PLUS we have our best friends there and its a free place to stay! HAHA!!!

David is also having trouble with his job with commuting. It is approximately 2 hours there and two hours home. Thats with good traffic. It is starting to wear on his body and mind and also with his job. We are praying for guidance. **Prayers**

I am hoping to get organized here soon. Buy all new towels, dish towels and rags. I also want to stock up on food and tolietries.

I had to add a picture because sometimes with just words on my blog I get bored!! WHile at Kelly's I noticed she was well stocked in these areas and I wanted to do so as well. I also would like to get extra laundry soaps, fabric sheets, cleaning supplies. Its hard when you are always running to the store for every little thing.

SAMS rocks!!

(just saying)

OH! Christmas shopping is going off with a bang!

We ordered alot of our stuff for the kids and I only have a few more items I need to get.

I still need to get these items for KK

She wanted Monster high dolls, a camera to take still and videos and Just dance 3!

She asked for a new ipod but we are holding off on that because for her birthday in Feburary we are getting her an Iphone! So its a 2 in 1!

I still have a few things for Emilee too...

Squinkies!

A popcorn machine!

A cotton candy machine!

And Abby Doll!

DJ wants some boy squinkies, shoes, clothes, army men and germ-x!

The boy is a HOOT!!!

Well I need to be going. I have yet another long day ahead of me.

-Till next time~Val

P.S. I want an Ipad **Hint*Hint*

a fellow blogger giveaway!

2011-11-05T00:12:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share about a give a way a fellow blogger is having. It is for a bunch of items but I am most interested in the veggie tales CD and DVD. I would love to get the CD for my children and the DVD for my nephew.They all LOVE veggie tales! The link is below. Click to enter yourself.

http://mamato3blessings.blogspot.com/2011/10/veggietales-little-drummer-boy-dvd-o_27.html

Till next time~Val

Having fun

2011-11-03T23:05:00.001-07:00

Here are a few pictures from us playing in the store.

November is here.

2011-11-02T23:35:00.001-07:00

Can you believe that's it November? I can't. This year has flown by so fast. We have been living in this house for a whole year November 1st. I am hoping we will be on our load by this time next year. Who knows,right?
I've done pretty good Eatting during the day. Fish Or chicken with lots of veggies. After dinner is my problem its snack food time. Ah.....
I hope it gets easier.
Super granny made Kaylee a hat! Isn't it cute?

Oh, I also have been walking a lot at church. I'm so proud of myself for it. It's a big set.

Bible quizing was tonight. All the kids did really good they say. I had a house shower I went to in the gym. The cake was to die for!

In taking my babies yard saleing Saturday. 14 miles worth!!!!!
We have church Sunday and at 2 we have my nephew's birthday party. He is 4! They grow so fast.

I am hoping to get to go to town Friday with sabrina and eat at the Thailand place.

Enough rambing for tonight I guess

Till next time- Val

Zoey is 2

2011-10-31T22:55:00.000-07:00

Zoey turned 2 today!

10-31-11

With her presents.

Mini bacon strips from Poppy, a bone from DJ and Minnie. A yummy 0.90 dinner from Emilee Grace and Pixie and cup cakes from Grandmommy and Granddaddy!

**please pay no mind to me in this picture.

No one is looking at the camera but wanted to show all of our animal love!
Meow, Minnie, Pixie and Zoey at her party.

No more cupcake!

The month is almost gone

2011-10-30T21:58:00.000-07:00

I am so glad that the month of October is almost gone but still sad to see it passing by so fast. Yeah, that was a weird sentence...
Anywho! I have so much planned for the month of November it isn't even funny. We plan to go to a Toby Mac concert in Mobile,Al and we are also going for a week to Jacksonville,Fl to visit friends for Thanksgiving. Did I mention Jamie Grace will also be at the concert?! yup...If you don't know who she is take a listen below

She is awesome!!!

We bought her Cd at Simple Goodness for only $8.99!!

Every song on the cd is great!

I espically love track 2,3,4,5,6,7,8!

Track 3 is my JAM!

It's so me!

Next thing on my list-Halloween.

We normally never go house to house. We have once or twice in Magee but thats it.

We mostly go to Fall Festivals. They are always so good.

We have a favorite in River Ridge we love to attend and we went there tonight.

The kids had a blast as usual.

I was a slacker this year with costumes.

Emilee had bought her a candy corn outfit with her birthday money and I thought since DJ has a whole trunk full he would just pick one from there. AND he did! He went as Sherlock Holmes. A funny one!

He is so funny, just like his Daddy.

Kaylee didn't want to dress up until the last minute. We stopped and hse didn't find anything that suited her so she decided to just have fun as a preteen she said!

That girl.....

Till next time~Val

Also....check out these two songs as well

This song above is my THEME song!

Hmmmm......

2011-10-26T06:24:00.001-07:00

Well today I am all alone. The kids and my dad are off to school, Granny is at my aunts and Davids at work. What's a girl to do all by her lonesome?
I am planning on making some coffee, relaxing with a book and going to the school for 1:30 but I do have one major thing today I am doing. That's cutting the tags out of my skirts! No lie, I am huge and everytime I look at the sizes I cringe!
Someone gave me this idea and I know its gotta make me feel better to see Nothing that looking at that double didget.

Well off I go- Val

Natchez trip

2011-10-25T22:54:00.000-07:00

We are back!

I have been home for about three days now but life has been a little crazy.

School, cleaning, church etc.

We stay busy 24/7!

Tonight is the last night for church until Sunday so I that will give us a little breathing room here in the LeBlanc house. Emilee is wide open on bible quizing. She has learned over 18 scriptures! Thats amazing how little minds can remember all of that and PLUS the word is in her heart forever!!

She has her first meeting on Friday, which we are all looking forward to. Kaylee and DJ had planned on learning and quizing too but they have not wanted to study. I am trying not to force them to quiz but I am making them review the scriptures with Emilee and myself as we try amd learn them.

They have a cd that sings them and it has been super helpful.

Now for details on my trip.
We had a good time.

Theses are the ones we toured.

Rosalie

**picture to come**

Longwood

Melrose

This above picture is not mine.

Stanton Hall

the above picture is one I found online.

Some of the pictures are not mine. I found them online. I left the camera at my Mom's and I have no idea when I will going over there and I wanted to post what I had before I forgot the details.

Over all we had a good trip. We toured the four homes, went for a buggy ride (which was not as good as last time) I prefer the lady tour guide. We ate at the Eola Hotel for lunch one day which was YUM!

And did alot of shopping and site seeing.

It was nice for the get-a-way!

But I am sure glad to be home.

Thoughts

2011-10-18T12:23:00.001-07:00

These past few posts I've been doing have been on Emilee's iPod. It's a very convenient way of posting instead of having to set down at my home computer and post. I've noticed after reading already posted blogs that there is a bunch of spell errors, words missing! Thanks to good ole spell check. But I wouldn't change it a bit I love it in some ways it's just annoying in others.

Tata for now!

Excited

2011-10-17T16:12:00.001-07:00

I extremely excited about our trip. I have yet to put the first thing in a suit case and we leave early Wednesday morning. I still have to wash most of the clothes we are bringing. Not to mention make a menu for my Mom, by the groceries and organize everything so she can find stuff. I am hoping to have so extra funds so she can take the kids to chuckycheese one day and maybe to the zoo or aquarium. We have season passes to the zoo and aquarium but it's $10 to park plus games and extras for the day so it can get pretty pricey if you don't watch your dollars.

I really like sprite! Just saying.

Spring cleaning in the fall

2011-10-16T22:18:00.001-07:00

Today o have done so much spring cleaning. I really have an issue with orange you see. It's my favorite color. I have loved it ever since I was an infant...lol I think I have but I so know I have loved it since I was a toddler! I loved being around anything orange and bright. It just made me happy! Well these past few months it's kind of grown yuck to me. I NO, if you know me in person you are think WHAT!!! buy it has. It's everywhere in my home from the rugs to blankets, pots, cooking utensils to towels. It's just a bit much for me now. I think I am aging and I am starting to like calmer colors. Browns, creams, whites. So with that said, I packed up all the orange.
I got rid of my cookie jar monkey, a bunch of cups and plates. I tossed my throw blankets in the containers for when we have extras over. I took down the fun funky orange pink and yellow curtains that led to the game room. Moved my throw pillows to my closet.

With all of that bright orange stuff gone I feel better. I feel a bit more mature if you get me. Not that I wasn't before I just feel I have moved into a different chapter in my life.

Now, tomorrow/today I plan on going threw the rest of my dishes and what knots and box them up and them off to the goodwill we come!!!!!!!

I don't believe In doing my own yard sale. I have been giving so much that I feel the need to GIVE as well. But by know means am I saying that throwing a yard sale is wrong. I love love love to yard sale and it's where I get most of my house hold things and clothes.

Till next time-Val

Wordless Sunday night!!!

2011-10-16T21:18:00.001-07:00

Busy busy

2011-10-16T21:14:00.001-07:00

We have been so busy these past few days. The kids are finally out for fall break and I am loving it. We get to sleep in. Yay!!!
David and I leave for our anniversary trip Wednesday morning. We are going back to Natchez to tour the homes again. His grandparents will be joining us and we just can't wait to get there. We only stayed two days last year and only toured 3/4 homes I believe. This time we are going to tour all that are available and do a lot more aight seeing. We won't be home till Sunday evening.
The kids are staying with my mom for the week and then Saturday my dad will get them. They are looking forward to Guanny and Poppy time!

I am also so excited for a blogger that I follow. The happily ever afters of the Lancasters. They are on their way to pick there little boy up from Korea. God is so good. I praying daily for my blogs I read and if even though I don't know only two in real life I feel apart of these special times and get just as excited I bet. I can't wait to see photos of them getting their baby boy, Liam.

On another note, I am going to start a diet/ eating better plus working out when I return next week. I went to the store for a new skirt and has to go up a size and it was not a happy time as I thought it would be to go shopping.

Anywho..... Gotta run

Till next time Val

Also I wanted share a photo of Lucky. He is huge!!!

Emilee's birthday picture.

2011-10-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

Emilee showing some of her friends her new dance moves!

Sack races!!

They loved playing limbo.

Egg toss.

She got her ipod, finally!!!

and her $100 bill!

She had a blast!
So now she is ready to shop!

Till next time~Val

2011-10-05T10:48:00.001-07:00

I really try to update atleast once a week but I am really lacking in this department since I no longer have internet at the house. I guess I just Blogger/ journaled better from my hone computer than on my cell. Thank God for smart phones!

Well Emilee's party and birthday went off without a problem. Everything was perfect. We had about 19 kids running around. On 5 stayed the night.
We played lots of games, limbo, pin the tail on the donkey, egg toss, sack races.
She had the most beautiful cake made by my friend, Melanie.
She really wanted money for her birthday and boy did she rack up!
She also got a Repunzal doll,Clothes,hair stuff, a new purse and wallet. Books etc.
I am hoping to do a threw the years post for her soon and post her party pics but that will be a whole another post since pictures don't cone out right on my phone.

Till next time-Val

Free

2011-09-28T06:37:00.001-07:00

Free atlast might be alittle far fetched BUT it sounds good,right?

Last week I had yet another run in with ATT about my internet service. It keeps going off a lot and for some reason they where just not getting the job down. So I finally said enough and got rid of them! Not completely, I still have cell service with them but I no longer have a home phone Or the internet. Strange to think of it but it's been the most relaxing week ever. The kids where in shock because they could not play there games online but are adjusting well. My plan was to go threw the local cable company but just have not sat down and called then yet. To be honest I am in no hurry. I am able to use the internet at my Dads and really that's all I need. I really never realized how much time I wasted. How much time the kids wasted too. We have played outside every evening and surprisingly the kids haven't missed a beat. ( other than the first actual day) so with that said, pray for me! I am also glad to report I am not on Twitter,Facebook,MySpace, Or any other social media. It just makes like so much more simple when you don't have to check in Or check on others 24/7! I was Trying to look back on the time when I first started MySpace. ( it was my first) and I recall being so Happy to reconnect with my old pals and family. I thought it was everything. Then Facebook and twitter got a hold of me and it was an addiction. Sad.

Well I am free, free atlast!

Till next time-Val

Minnie

2011-09-12T11:49:00.001-07:00

Minnie has been with is since Thursday. I just found out at church yesterday that the reason she is so little is her Momma got ran over so she has been weened really early. Like 4 weeks. She crys a lot. Meow has kind of come around to liking her in his own way. He now hits at her and when she walks by he pounces on her. That's being move in his eyes. LOL

Here are a few pictures of her. Don't mind the one with me I was reading and wanted to get a picture of sure she was sitting.

Zoo#2

2011-09-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

The Zoo was a great trip. It was the ONLY one that we did this summer. I am sad about this but look forward to many more trips there this year.

Our season passes to the zoo and aquarium have really turned out good this year.

We have visited the aquarium several times and the zoo once. We have definitely have gotten out monies worth!

Here above is a picture with my Mom,Step Dad (Pop) my babies and I.

We love the elephants!

My youngest cousin and I.

Everytime we go we always take a picture by this elephant.

I guess its out tradition, and I LOVE it!

Climbing trees!

I want to one day get a family picture on this.

We love the web!

Till next time~Val

Zoo

2011-09-09T23:06:00.001-07:00

We went to the Audubun Zoo today. My uncle,Aunt where in from Orlando and they wanted to take Madison for her first visit to the zoo. I had free tickets for friends so that was a plus. My mom and Mr D went too! It's was a blast. Not to hot either. We had a picnic and it was perfect. Here is a few pictures I took on my cell. I'll upload the rest tomorrow after I get him from yard sales.

The kids and POP where being monkeys.

New addition

2011-09-09T22:59:00.001-07:00

Introducing Minnie. DJ went for a play date at a friends house the other day and came home with this sweet little one. David named her and it fits her perfect. She's so tiny. I think her color is beautiful. She is mainly white with Orange face and ears. She also has one spot on her back.
Meow is not too crazy over her right at the moment but Zoey and Pixie LOVE her!

Visit from family

2011-09-08T01:14:00.001-07:00

I am behind of posts but that's ok. Darrin, Darrin and the kids came over two weekend ends ago. Laykinn was 2 1/2 weeks old. We enjoyed our mini visit.

Introducing Lakyinn

2011-09-08T01:10:00.001-07:00

Lakyinn Michelle Grace LeBlanc
Born August 11, 2011
My first niece!

DJ is growing up

2011-09-08T01:07:00.001-07:00

DJ is growing up so fast it seems. He decided today he wanted to help with the yard work. Isn't he adorable?

First Day of school recap

2011-09-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

It was my kids first day of school Tuesday. I wanted re upload the pictures because I had orginally did the post from my phone and the pictures came out fuzzy.

DJ has always been my little helper and keeping things in place. But today he mowed the lawn for the first time. He was so excited that we let him.

I love these three little people so much!

I can't thank God enough for giving them to me to raise, to love!

**tears**

Till next time,Val

First day of school 2011

2011-09-06T07:53:00.001-07:00

Today is the first day of school for the kids. They where so excited. Enjoy!!!!

Testing

2011-09-06T07:49:00.001-07:00

Trying to test and see if I can post from my phone.

My favorite blogs!

2011-09-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

Kelly's Korner is doing a SUYL-Favorite Blogs.
I first got started blogging when 2009. Since then it is one of my favorite past times. Mostly reading others but I do occasionally blog myself.

Here is my list
1. http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ I love her blog. Always something fun to read about! She talks about REAL life topics.

2.http://peekingthroughthegate.blogspot.com/ This is my couisn Heather and I love reading and keeping up. This is her "new" blog.

3. http://www.ourhappilyeverafters.com/ I found this blog threw my cousins. She has a awesome playlist that she changes up a lot. Also I love the way she writes and her pictures are just beauitful.

4. http://toomanykidsinthebathtub.blogspot.com/ I began reading this blog over a year ago. I found it threw the blog below. Wonderful, Godly women.

5. http://blogginbridget.blogspot.com/ This blog is AWESOME! When I first started reading she was in a motor home traveling the US.

6. http://withlove-myheart.blogspot.com/ This is my couisn Ashley's old blog. I loved keeping up with her on here but lately she has not been writing as much. **HINT** Get to blogging girl!

So go there and check out the others! Link Below.
http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2011/09/show-us-your-life-favorite-blogs.html

Chicken Stroganoff-Crockpot Method

2011-08-31T20:42:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite blogs to follow Kellyskornerblog.com is hosting a crock potalooza!

This is awesome because there is already 202 entires and I LOVE having new recipes that can go in my slow cooker.

Here is a link to the actual blog.

http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2011/08/crockpotalooza.html

and here is my yummy recipe.

Chicken Stroganoff- Crockpot Method

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1 pound frozen boneless skinnless chicken breasts

1 can fat free cream of mushroom soup

16oz. carton fat free sour cream

1 envelope dry onion soup mix

Put frozen chicken in bottom of crockpot. Mix soup, sour cream, onion soup mix and pur over chicken. Cook on low for 7 hours.

Makes 6 servings (serve it over rice or noodles) My family loves egg white noodles!!!

Till next time,Val

a little mini get a way!

2011-08-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

David and I got a little mini get away this week. We left early Friday morning and we came home today. He had to take a test in Jackson early this morning so we go a hotel room so he could get a good rest and be ready for his BIG test. He thinks he did rather good but the only bummer to it is we will not know how he did till almost October.

A few things we did on our short trip was stay in Pearl, Ms.

It was a very nice hotel, but I must say their beds are alittle firm!!

We ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Fernando's. Delicous just like it always is!

On the way home we drove threw Puckett,Ms to see our old church in John's. They are still working on the church. Then we stopped at the high school at a yard sale and saw an old friend Mrs Judy!

Then we drove threw Magee where a part of my heart and a lot of memories are still.

We took the old threw the woods drive to Franklinton from there. It felt like old times.

But....I am so gald to be home!

I missed my kids, my dad, my animals and my town Franklinton!

HA!!

Till next time,Val

Summer where have you gone?

2011-07-31T21:17:00.000-07:00

Summer vacation is almost over! Can you believe that? I mean we ( the Christian school my kids go to) don't start back till the day after Labor day. Thats not far off. I have yet to really get any school shopping done. Well maybe for DJ I have but they all still need shoes and supplies.

My Dad and myself have a birthday this month. His is the 3rd and mine is the 16th. I am truly excited about both. Not that we are getting older but we are going out to eat and two awesome places. We are going to White's Seafood for my Dad's. They have king crab legs, steak. You name it! For mine we are going to Kirin. I LOVE Japanese food!!

Now just a few more things I want to chat about. Life. Simply right? NOT! I was just thinking to myself how I spend way to much time behind a computer,phone, ps3,wii, book. Or the worst for me sleeping. I really want to start mangaing my time better. I want to finish reading the Bible, go pray at church more. Play more games with the kids. Do more crafts with them. Actually get up and make hot meals everyday for them for breakfast! Yeah, don't fall out of your chair on that one! I am not a morning person and I can't stand the smell of breakfast foods. I cook eggs, bacon etc for them just not first thing in the morning but I think thats one thing I am gonna start changing. Slowly. I also want to get back in the habit of getting up with David when he gets off for work in the mornings. Maybe even make him breakfast. Who knows. We will see how it goes this week.

I've been praying so hard for God to point us in the right direction. Where to live, build or buy a used mobile home for the time being. So many things are running threw my mind. But tonight at church I saw it clearly. We are going to buy a used mobile home and start slow. I wanted to wait it out here in this house till we build but building could take years at this point in the game. To be honest my mind changes so much with house plans I would be scared to finish something and it not be just want I want. I also thing your taste/style changes when you are older. So my game plan is now 30! I mean I might not want orange everywhere and leopard rugs and lamps. Ha! But who knows. I haven't grown out of it in 27 years!!! LOL

So that was alot of rambling, but it made perfect sense to me :-P

Till next time, Val

The BIBLE thats the book for me!

2011-07-30T00:32:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to write about this for some time but it seems I always lose my train of thought theses days. I started reading the Bible at the beginning of the year. Our Paster, my Uncle asked us to all read to the Bible more. I took it upon myself to make a commitment to read the intire Bible this year.

I wanted to update on my progress. There is 66 books in the intire Bible and I have read 36 so far!

That is over half!

I have almost the whole new testament read, I lack Matthew, Mark and Luke.

I also am not reading in order either. I am kind of reading where I feel I am led.

I wanted to share some of the verses I came across tonight.

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (NIV)

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (KJV)

1 Corinthians 13:13

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.(NIV)

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.(KJV)

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.(NIV)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (KJV)

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love. (NIV)

13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

14Let all your things be done with charity. (KJV)

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (KJV)

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we live by faith, not by sight. (NIV)

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (KJV)

2 Corinthians 9:6

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (NIV)

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. (KJV)

I put both KJV and NIV because I like to see the difference of the wording.

I never really realized how insightful the Bible was until I acutally picked it up and started reading it. I mean I have looked up verses etc but never read it from cover to cover.

Till next time,Val

A well needed visit from friends

2011-07-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight we met up with Kelly and her crew. I was so excited to see them and meet their new addition, Dwayne Jr.

It's been pretty hard with them being 12 hours away in Florida but I am praying that they move home SOON!!

Here are a few pictures from tonight...

Hopefully if everything goes well they will be coming to stay the night tomorrow. We miss this so much!

Till next time, Val

DJ's 7th birthday party

2011-07-10T00:24:00.000-07:00

Here is DJ with his pancake breakfast.

A tradition in the LeBlanc house!

DJ had his party at the local state park near our house. This was the first party and last party we will have there. It is just not my cup of tea. I didn't have a lot of places to chose from to sit. Not nearly enough tables and chairs and it was too HOT!!

I ordered him a number cake from Walmart and it was a disaster. Luckily I had a friend JOJO that knew a lady and she made me a last minute delicious cake.

It was extremely HOT!

Luckily they had a water slide to play on :)

We bought his a presonal cake but it started to melt.

Just what he wanted!!

This is the only table I had other than the 4ft one I brought for the gifts...

Ah....It was horrible!

But DJ enjoyed himself.

I just had an idea in my head on how I wanted it set up and it didn't go as planned.

It was still a good party.

The BEST cupcake cake I had ever eaten!

Thanks,JoJo!!!

Till next time,Val

DJ graduates and end of the year awards

2011-07-10T00:07:00.000-07:00

This post is really late but its better late than never! Here is my little man graduating from kindergarden in May. Things are pretty crazy around here and while I started looking threw my pictures I notcied I didn't post about his BIG day. Or awards for the girls.

Kaylee with her class mates.

DJ with his cousins, Alana and Arianna

My Dad giving out awards.

Kaylee got honor roll!

Emilee got BANNER ROLL!

All A"s!!!!

This is where it gets funny.

Do you see DJ in the middle?

He is ready to GO!!

And here again on the end.

The boy is a nut!

He even took his robe off later on.

I didn't get that because I was getting alittle mad....LOL

My growning babies.

DJ with my Mom, Guanny.

As you can tell he was tired.

His Poppy.

Thank GOD he can make him smile.

Finally! I picture with his parents. I wanted a family photo so bad but everything was pretty crazy that night. I am thankful for the few pictures I did get.

After awards and the graduation we went to Pizza Inn. Everyone went to Pizza Inn I think.

Till next time,Val

I guess its time.

2011-07-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

My sweet Ladybug has gone on to Heaven.

She was hit by a truck around 5:45 am on July 1st.

It hasn't been a good month for me so far.

She was my sweet heart, my ladybug.

We buried her on our land. Tears****

She was such a good dog. Its weird how things work out because my last post I had done was about how she had stopped feeding her pups and we found good homes for them. Then a day later she is GONE!

I wanted to share a video I found of her but I can't get it to upload.

If you look closely in the first picture of her she has a small white pup in her arms.

He is the one we kept to nurish.

Well we have decided to get the little pup.

We named him "Lucky Bug".

Lucky, because we are Lucky we have him and Bug after his dear sweet Momma.

He is 6 weeks old today.

Pray for me.

Pray for my family.

Till next time,Val

decisions

2011-07-01T05:33:00.000-07:00

Lately I have had a lot of decisions to make. Tuff ones, easy ones. I am having a hard time with both to be honest with you. Life is just stressful sometime. But I will praise in this storm and also when its sunny outside!
First my dog Ladybug "Lady" had 15 puppies. 14 made it. One only lived for two days. Sad.
This was a real challenge for myself and my family. Puppies are hard work and that amount of puppies was even harder. Kaylee was a super help along with the other two kids but her mainly.
Lady stopped feeding them about 2 weeks ago. They where only about 2 weeks old at this time. Very hard. VERY VERY hard. Thank God they where smart little pups and was able to drink from a bowl. And soon hard food softened. Wednesday was a even harder day. We where not planning on trying to find homes for theses little guys for about 2 more weeks but it just had to be done. Lady was misreable. They had teeth and the where hurting her. She even got a little mad with this Wednesday and that was when we knew that they had to get good homes fast!
So we took the gate and all but two pups and set out for Winn Dixie parking lot. The two pups we left home where for a friend from church.
Once we got to Winn Dixie, No lie we had homes for everyone of them in 15 mins flat!!! Not joking.
We prayed on the way there asking God to help us quicky find homes for our little pups and he did just that. :-) See God answers prayers on his time. Not ours. I was so stressed out about these dogs and he lifed the burden in his time. I am greatly releived.

Here is a picture of the only puppy we kept.

Flash
He is DJ's outside dog. He also was the smallest one and was not eating well.

It is time.

2011-06-21T21:37:00.000-07:00

It is time for a change! Yup, I said it. And I will keep on saying it until I actually do something about it. HA!! After much thought and seeing my horrible pictures I have been in lately I plan to start a new way of living tomorrow. I plan to drink water more, lay off the tea and sodas and get active!! I am going to watch my calories and choose better things to eat other than fast food and sweets. I have a real problem with sweets. Its so bad sometimes I dream what I have in my pantry or frig that I MUST eat before someone else does. HORRIBLE! So, with all that said....Here I go.
One day at a time. Hopefully with me trying to document things I will do much better than my other trys at weight loss. I guess once I loss alittle bit I will put my starting picture up and my acutal weight. But for now that is gonna be a hush hush just for my prides sack.

Anyways till tomorrow...I plan on going to the water park with the kids and actually get up and plan with them! It's a start :-p

Till next time,

Val

DJ threw the years

2011-06-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

These are a few pictures of my little boy threw the years.

The first few pictures I have of his first year are not my favorite I had of him but since Hurricane Katrina I really never found anyone with any other pictures other than these.

Emliee Grace with Baby DJ. He is only a few days old in this picture.

DJ and Daddy.

Feb. 2005

DJ on Kaylee's 5th birthday.

DJ @ 9 months old.

My little man is ONE!

He is TWO!

DJ is THREE!!!!

Age 4

DJ at his 5th birthday party.

DJ his first day of school.

DJ on his birthday still when he is 5! FERNADO'S!!!

Your SIX!

Graduating Kindergarden

The BIG number 7!!!!

I love my BIG boy!

Till next time,

Val

Dj's party

2011-06-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

DJ is seven!

I can't belive it.

He is gotten so big this past year.

Here is a few from his birthday party and his morning pancakes!

Till next time,

Val

DJ is 7!

2011-06-17T22:53:00.000-07:00

Today DJ is seven. I can not even begin to explain how much I love this little guy. He is my baby boy, my snuggle bunny, my own personal joker. He is always making me smile and laugh even when he is in trouble.
He has been a joy to raise and watch grow. He is perfect in everyway as Mary Poppins would say!

Today we are having him a birthday party at the local state park. He is so excited to be able to play with all of his friends on the water slide. Lots of pictures to follow.

Yesterday, I went and picked up all the last minute things. His BIG present, drinks, the cake. Well I have only used Walmart two times. Kaylee's 10th bithday and this time for DJ's 7th. It was a mess. We ended up getting a refund all together on his cake. First when I got there to pick it up it was the shape of a 7 like I asked for and the colors where all right purple and gold for LSU but it had purple back ground and gold dots and a curly bow on the side!!! Yup you read that right! I bow with poka dots! I went into crying mode. Luckliy the ladies calmed me down and went to fixing the cake. They did a good job but the only problem was they used to much icing and when I walked outside in the heat the icing slide right off! So then cake the tears again. AH! Luckily a friend of mine that was with me knew someone and is getting a cake for me. I hope it turns out ok. Still a little worried.

Well off for now...I have to get some sleep because I have a long, busy and might I add a HOT day ahead of me.

Till next time,

Valerie

giveaway from a blog a follow

2011-05-17T12:59:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to a blog I follow she is doing a giveway on some cute items!
Go check em out!!!

http://www.inthiswonderfullife.com/2011/05/giveaway-discount-monday_16.html

Till next time~Val

upset

2011-05-10T20:14:00.001-07:00

It makes me so sad to hear that a lot of my favorite blogs are going private. Mainly because of comments that they get. Why do people have to be so negative all the time. I mean if you don't have something nice to say don't say it, right? It's not like they have a big sign saying please comment on my decisions as a parent, beliefs and as a person!

I guess thats it. I don't want to get on a long post about being sad and upset over this. I pray for all the rest of the blogs out there they the negativity will STOP!!

Till next time~Val

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T21:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Today we went to church and then met up with my Mom and Mr. D to go fishing at the state park by our house. We had a lot of fun. We caught a few fish but threw them all back. We even saw a small Alligator!

My sweet Emilee Grace got me a flower cupcake cake.

Emilee Grace with her first fish!

This is a super bad/fat picture of myself but I wanted to post it because of my Granny.

She was so happy when she got her rose at church this morning.

Sometimes I get upset because her moods are so OFF but its the little moments that I get like this that make everything worth it.

My kido's made me the sweetest cards.

Emilee even picked my favortie flower!

I love each one of my children.

I love how they all have different styles!

Even my BIG kid, my honey bunny!

He is so artsy himself!

I loved it!

Inside was a mushy letter explaining how much he loves me.....

The the back was of course all him!

Had to throw in the funny stuff.

I am so thankful for my little family.

They are so dear to my heart.

I am THANKFUL that God gave them to me.

I am THANKFUL for being their Momma!

I am also Thankful for my own Momma-

She is going to KILL me over this picture but it's the only one I could find.

She doesn't like her picture taken.

She would give the shirt off her back for a complete stranger.

She is one of a kind.

I LOVE you, Mom!

Then last but not least, My MawMaw.

I sure miss you.

David got these pictures from my Aunt the other day and it make my week! No YEAR!

It's funny how things happen at just the right moment.

I finally found the flowers that where at my Nanny's house coming up.

You know how you have a smell that reminds you of your childhood.

Then as I was sitting here smelling them, David messages me these few photos....

Tears.....

Tears of happiness.....

Tears of sadness.......

Just BIG ole tears......

left to right: My PawPaw, My sweet MawMaw that is with Jesus now and myself.

(I am two days from having Emilee Grace!)

My Aunt Minner and I

(Emilee Grace in the belly)

David, Kaylee and I

(Emilee in the belly)

My sweet dear MawMaw with Kaylee.

She loved her MawMaw!

Family of three about to be family of 4!

My Aunt Minner drove my MawMaw and PawPaw to see me right before I had Emilee Grace. They went home two days before I had her, due to not being able to breath good in the moutains.

I was so THANKFUL they came and saw us.

We where really afraid all the way in Colorado with no family.

We where young.

I was 18. David was 21.

I am so thankful for all of my family.

Till next time~Val

State Parks and such

2011-04-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Today we went to a birthday party at our newly opened state park. It is ruffly 5 miles from our house. It was awesome! Only $1 a person to get inside. We went to the day area which included a slide, and water area. The kids and hubs LOVE it!

Here are a few pictures....

This picture above is my silly hubs playing with a kids from church!

My neice and nephew,Daylinn and Caleb and I

(Can't wait till Lakyn Grace is here in August!)

Uncle Darrin and DJ

I didn't get any pictures of the girls. They would not be still long enough for me too!

It was a really nice state park. We plan to surprise DJ and go camping the weekend of his birthday instead of having a BIG party with his friends. We are gonna ruff it. LOL Kind of.

Other news:

I filled out my appilcation for the Technical College. I have to take a Compass test at the end of May. So lots of studying for me. I pray I do well. If I do I will register for a summer science class and hopefully will start my 15 month program for LPN in August.

So excited!

So nervous!

So TIRED!

(LOL)

Till Next time~Val

still pumped!

2011-04-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

So all of my co-watchers of the Royal wedding are knocked out! Yup, thats right! Any other night they would be up till the crack of dawn being fussed at to go to bed but the one night that we where to have us a little late night party they are out! Other than Kaylee as of right now but she looks half asleep. Oh well....I hope to stay up and see it for myself but if I don't I know there will be replays. Or clips of it atleast.

I have some excited news.....

I am going to school starting this summer! Yes, thats right little ole me is gonna go back to college and do the practical nursing program. I have been really down in the dumps lately. My feelings where all over the place. But last night at church something clicked in me. I've prayed and prayed and I know this is what God has in store for me. I am already a care giver to my grandmother. It just took some serious thinking and praying to come to terms of what I was going to do.
I've always wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember and I am finally going to go forward with my dream.
I'm going in the morning to sign up for my Compass test. Thats in May. Can you believe I have been out of school for 10 years this year?
This is a whole new chapter for me. Us, really!

Also please pray for all the families that where affected by the tornaodo in Alabama. I can remember being in a similar situation with Hurrican Katrina. Losing everything. Not knowing if my loved ones and friends where safe. But I do remember all the prayers and helpers and donations. They really meant alot. So if you want to help I know you can contact the local Red Cross. Also here is a blog I follow that has some helpful stuff.

http://www.lambertslately.com/2011/04/ways-you-can-help.html

and

http://legislativebarbie.blogspot.com/2011/04/tuscaloosa-tornado-relief-efforts.html

Well till next time~Val

Royal Wedding Party

2011-04-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about the upcoming wedding on Friday! Aren't you??

I have drove my husband crazy about talking about the wedding. For the past month or so I have picked with people about waiting for my invitation but it must of gotten lost in the post! HA!

The kids and I are going to stay up all night and have a pre-party till 3a.m. They are always wanting to stay up late so I figured that this would be a good time. I am sure by 3 am they will be sound asleep but we will see. They might surprise me ;)

I plan on letting the kids have fun and dress up and we plan on having Tea, scones and tea sandwiches. We do this all the time minus the dressing up.

Guess thats it! I'm so excited!!!

1 day 3 hours to go!!

Well till next time~Val

Easter 2011

2011-04-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

Easter 2011

My Granny Bott

I wanted to share a few pictures from our Sunday. It was a beautiful church service. We had alot of babies dedicated. We also had tons of vistors.

After church we had a dinner on the grounds and then we had a get to gether that included a bunch of bounce houses, and a bunch of contests. My little ones won a chick each! Yes, you read right. I a chick!

The chicks are doing fine but I am not. I am so tired of all the animals.Only if they cold lay eggs right away! LOL

I'm picking about not being a happy.

The church did raise a good bit for our bible quizers.

Till next time~Val

I wanna win!

2011-04-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

I wanted to tell about a blog that I have been following for years. It actually was my first blog to follow. It orginally wasn't on blogger.com but I am so excited that it has been now for some time!!
I wanted to enter a free give a way and if you want to as well click on the link below to check it out. I've orded soaps, cd's etc from this blog and LOVE em'!

http://homesteadinghomemaker.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-ever-blog-giveaway.html

Till next time~Val

Easter 1

2011-04-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

Today we dyed Easter eggs. The kids love this. They love anything that we do as a family and that their Daddy gets into. He said as we where laying in bed he was not wanting to do it. But as soon as he got in there with them he wanted to know where all the eggs where. I had only boiled 12. He's a nut!

Don't mind my CraZY hair!

Emilee Grace

Now look closely to this picture. After we where done dying them we sent Dadd outside to hide them. While they where on the hunt Kaylee found a small turtle by an egg.

That girl can find any type of animal,reptile,bug!

I went to one yard sale today. Actually it was a dealer that buys things and sells them. She is always having good stuff for cheap.

I found this today-A Vera Bradley purse for $1

YES,$1! I was shocked too!

Then this which I am going to repaint.

Sorry for the sideways picture. It won't turn for me for some reason.

Then this afternoon I made Tuna fish with our eggs and DJ baked us a cake and cupcakes.

I didn't get a finished project picture. But you get the idea it was a heart shaped cake.

Happy Easter, Y'all!

He is Risen!!!!

Till Next time~Val

Tn

2011-04-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

We are back from our trip to Pigeon Forge. I am glad it was a short one because I was so ready to be home but we did have a good time. Other than having to ride in the church van.

These few pictures where taken Friday outside of the Hotel where the bible quizing was going on.

DJ was following a Momma duck and her babies.

Too sweet!

This picture looks like a mug shot! HA!!

I only took this because we where standing in line at Dollywood and a lady ran past us looking for her little boy. They had just gotten off the Veggie Tales roller coaster. We where waiting to get on. A child can go missing that quick!!

The lady infront of me told me she always takes a picture of her children with the clothes they have on before entering a theme park for that purpose. So I quickly did this just in case and then gave him the low down on what to do if you get lost etc.

I was a nervous wreck for a while and then I finally calmed down.

I pray that sweet lady found her little boy......

One of our favorite rides was the flying elephants.

Reminds me of the Magic Kingdom.

Daddy and his two little ones riding the tea cups.

Momma will NEVER and I mean NEVER step foot on them ever again.

The last time we where here I took the babies on this and I got dealthly sick.

Sis Sabrina and Emilee Grace waiting in line for my first theme park ride.

I was so afraid.

I kind of liked it afterwards.

Not enough to ride it again.

LOL!

Momma and DJ waiting to get on a ride.

Kaylee did not go with us. She wanted to go fishing and visit my Mom.

That will never happen again! We missed her so much.

But she had fun.She fished, played online and spent some time with her old friends from Hahnville.

I am glad to be home.

Oh...and Sabrina if you are reading this....

Happy Birthday, Sabrina!

Till next time~Val

The count down begins...

2011-04-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

We only have 2 nights left before we leave for out trip to Pigeon Forge,Tn. The kids wanted me to wait for them to get home so they could pack their OWN suit cases which I thought was too cute!
I love to travel and this was the perfect opportunity to. My dad is head of the Bible quizing team at church and David is having to drive the van this time so we (meaning the kids and I) get to tag along! YAY!

We plan to swim alot at the hotel that we are staying in. It has a lazy river, slide and a inside pool. The kids will love it. There also is a huge car show going on up there this weekend so David will be in Heaven!
I can't wait to be able to go back to Dollywood. We didn't see everything last time and I hope to ride a few things we didn't get to this past summer when we went.

So I guess I need to get off here. I have a few lists to make before bed and I have two books I am knee deep in and I have to finish them....

Till next time~Val

a good day

2011-04-09T20:45:00.000-07:00

Today has been a really good day. We slept till 9ish. Got up, got dressed and headed to Mandeville. I love Mandeville. We used to live there. Sadly the apartment we lived in was horrible! Any hoot...We had a wonderful time. We stayed in Barnes and Nobles for about 2 hours or more. I got to update my Nook (YAY) and downloaded a bunch of new books. The kids all had their money on hand and was ready to do some shopping. DJ bought some bug binoculars, a super hero coloring book with colors included and a shark book.

Emilee got

Mummies in the Morning (Magic Tree House Series #3)

and

Pirates Past Noon (Magic Tree House Series #4)

She loves this series!

Kaylee got a cute all about me diary that she filled in all day long. Its really cute with questions to fill out about all sorts of things. I am sure in years to come that it will be nice to look back on and read what she was into then.

David was so funny at the book store. He is normally into dragons, fighting etc books but this time for someone reason he took a different turn. I had went and got

Water for Elephants

just to see what it was about and low and behold David picks it up and reads the first few pages and says "I'm getting this one!"

I was shocked!!!

So as he was sitting in bed tonight he was reading his book he purchased! I was thrilled at the same time because I wanted the book too! So I ventured off to find me something to read while he was reading it.

I found this.....

The Backyard Homestead : Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre!

It has alot of really helpful hints etc. I know this is going to be a favorite for some time to come.

After leaving the book store we headed to the lake front to feed the birds and look at all the sail boats. It was so much fun. The weather was just right.

We also went the back way to Slidell and stopped at a few stores and then off to the house we came.

Once we got home everyone was in a cheerful mood so we did some much needed cleaning and rearranging. I love to move stuff around. It makes me HAPPY!

Well its off to bed. Church in the a.m.

Till next time~Val

April

2011-04-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it is April!?

I can't!

I just don't understand why this year is flying by.

It feels like I just got done with Chritmas.

We have so much going on this month and next and the following month after that.

This month we have already gone on our Ester conference. Photos to come soon!

Next Thursday we leave for Pigeon Forge,Tn for a few days. We have a bible quiz tournament up there and we are going take this time for a mini trip as well. Then May will be on us and the kids last day of school is May 16 or 17th and we have a banquet on the 18th and DJ graduates and awards night is the 20th! Then Kelly should be having her baby somewhere in that time as well so I will be heading to FL that weekend. My little couisn is geting Christened the 22nd and I almost forgot my day! Mother's Day is the 8th!!! Following that is my Mom's birthday on the 31st. Then June 11th is our first violin recital. Then we have a bunch of birthdays that month, David and DJ's mainly and then Father's Day!!! Ah...I am sure I could go on and on about how much we have going on but that would take forever. I know I left something out too! Its just not coming to mind what it is.

On a sort of calmer not tomorrow I am going to bring a birthday cake to my PawPaw tomorrow. It was his birthday last Monday. He is 72! After we visit with him we are going to go my the cemetary which I dislike very much and drop off flowers. It is very hard doing that. I don't do well with death but I am gonna suck it up for my MawMaw. I miss her so much this time of year. I miss her year round.
Its been 6 years....
The arrangement is beautiful. Its an orange vase with big sunflowers!

Well I guess that is about it. My google reader is begging me to read some blogs! LOL

Till next time~Val

special day for my baby boy

2011-04-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

Today was a very special day for DJ. He prayed threw the last Monday night and he got baptized this morning.

Also when we got home from church today he lost his first tooth!

What a awesome day its been!

overwhelmed

2011-03-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

I have been completely overwhelmed lately. I think I just need a little get a way by myself. No LIE! No, hubby, kids, espically animals, no parents, no friends, no phone or computer! Just a good weekend will do me some good I think. I am gonna start praying that this dream can come a reality ASAP! I think a good two days would do me some good. To read, to actually think, to not have to clean or feel like I have to clean something. For people not to ask we whats wrong 24/7 would awesome! I am tired of saying nothing and it be a lie. I am just plain TIRED, wore out! I am sure as soon as I get one day of complete and total peace I will be dieing to get back home to my hectic life. For now its just a dream...........

On another note, Kaylee and I are leaving for the Ester conference tomorrow with our church. She is excited about it. I on the other hand and just blah.....I guess that comes with being so wore out.

Even better news is DJ is getting Baptized Sunday morning!!! Now this is something to blog about. My little man is only 6 years old and he is so HAPPY!!! I am happy about this. As wore out and tired I can't help to smile and get so excited for my baby.

See life isn't that bad.....

Till next time~Val

March is one of my favorite months of the year!

2011-03-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

Today is a HAPPY day!

It didn't start that way either.

It started out with being HOT not being able to rest without dreaming. When I dream I wake up tired. Like I have been on the go the whole time I was dreaming.

Kaylee and Emilee both had friends stay the night and they want to be right there with me everytime I did something. I'm not complaining about that I am just writing that...I love my girls and their friends! I had to watch Granny for a tad bit today and I didn't think I would ever get my clothes started. I did get them started but only one load. I got the dishes washed FINALLY but I am about to start dinner so that will soon be a bye bye on the dishes. Oh how I yern for a good dish washer.

Some good news is my plants are growning FAST!

I sold my iPhone for double what I paid for it!

and last but not least....

My mom ordered my some cute clothes and they came in!!!

I couldn't fin a whole picture so I did the two above.

I also got two knit skirt just to knock around in!

And now David and Dad are grilling and the kids are playing outside while we swing on the swing or rock in the rocking chairs!!

Till next time~Val

Tea Time!

2011-03-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

Today was Kaylee's 11th birthday party. I know...way behind but we are so busy and this was the only date we could get @ Vianne's Tea House!

All of the girls from her class rode and her two little cousin met us up there.

11 girls in all.

Her beautiful cake that Vianne's made. Might I add it was yummy too!

The food was to my liking...chocolate covered strawberries...mmmmm

Don't ya just love the heart shaped scone?!

Emilee Grace with her tea hat on and ready to drink her tea.

Turn your neck for the video. I can't get it to turn

I could not believe I actually got a picture with them looking,smiling and being nice to one another!!!

Who says girls can't act silly at a Tea Party!?

Kaylee and Grace her BESTIE!

Afterwards since we where so close we stopped by the lakefront to feed the birds.

An old favortie

Besties being silly!

Kaylee enjoyed her tea party. She said she didn't care for the tea but the food(snacks) where yummy.

I was in heaven! They played the sound track to Pride & Prejudice I drank my tea and ate ALL the girls chocolate covered strawberries! Plus my own scone :) I think I want a party @ Vianne's this year...HINT HINT

Gardening

2011-03-22T13:43:00.000-07:00

The kids and I where excited today to come home and water our seeds and to find that a cucumber plant had sprouted!

Then here is our little tomtoes

Just wanted to share our excitement!

Till next time~ Val

My favortie time of year.

2011-03-18T23:27:00.000-07:00

We finally started our gardening for this year. We bought our seeds and potting soil and where in full gear the day before yesterday. We also bought one flower hanging plant and a mini bird feeder which is pictured at the bottom. Its too cute!

We are off for spring break and Kaylee visited MiMi and Pappy and then her BFF forever Rebecca in Magee. So she wasn't here to help. She was greatly missed I can tell ya that by ALL!

First we got our dirt ready and then it was seed time. The kids loved the spray bottle I bought for them. Most of the time they over water and I figured this would help out an I would not have to stand over them like a hawk ;-)

We started with these for some of the seeds

ready to start planting!!!

All of our seeds, minis okra.

We planted-watermelon,califlower,beans,carrots,cucumbers,squash (two types)tomatoes and one other but I can't recall what it was.

She's adding warm water and waited till they grew!

my big girl helping!

big helper

getting the dirt in the cups

Watering the seeds

All done!

Meow watching...He wanted to be outside helping.

My Dad surprised me with this kit. I talked about having a herb garden a few times and he thought this would be perfectto start!

My mini humming bird feeder.

Till next time~Val

Some more exciting news!

2011-03-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

So today we went to our land to look around a bit. Someone from church bush hogged and made us a road leading to our property. Once we got to looking at it our land started closer to the road than we thought! Then as we are sitting there my Dad says y'all should of bought all of it. You see we only got 5.002 and there was 11 acres total. We just thought 5 was enough. Well God had a way of telling us it wasn't! We called while sitting on the back of the truck and BAM we sign papers for the rest of it tomorrow @ 3pm! QUICK I tell ya!!!
We are so excited. I have already picked out my house site. We plan on buying a used/nice mobile home around the first of the year and we plan to stay in it until the land is paid for. Our loan is for 13 years but we have a goal to knock it out in 3 to 4! Praying that everything goes smoothly.

We have set down and made a huge adjustment in our spending. I am cutting out Curves, my Iphone and Days Iphone as well. No more going out to eat! Maybe once a month...MAYBE! This alone with save HUNDREDS! As soon as my 3 months is up for violin we will be stopping that as well for awhile. I know I will miss all three of these things but I am super excited about whats next. That is a good chuck right there is ya can believe it! We know that these really are small things but when you have a goal, you put it first!
I was not looking forward to moving out there at first but now that it is half cleared it opened my eyes..WIDE! I am in heaven thinking of all the things I want to do.

Till next time~Val

Spring

2011-03-12T20:40:00.000-08:00

I am happy that it is spring time. The flowers are blooming and the weather is just right! We have already grilled and ate outside twice!
I love when the weather is just right. Not to mention our rental house we live in is perfect in everyway :)
We have two drive ways and one is a covered carport so we move my van and set the tables up and light the grill! LOVE.....

Today my in laws came in from Ms. We where very excited to see them. We grilled steaks and made my yummy potatoe salad and I popped open a mean can of baked beans! LOL I am not a big baked bean eatter but David loves them. On the can it says great for BBQ's. He like em' I'll warm em' ;)

Kaylee went home with them until Wednesday. I haven't really been away from her all that much so I am a nervous wreck since she left. I am used to DJ spending the night with my Dad or Emilee but Kaylee is usually always home with me. She is my big helper. The chick I talk to when her Dad falls alseep with the chickens! (ha) So she will definately be missed these few days she is gone.

Now onto getting an extra hour! Can we say. "YES!" I love to sleep and I am always late for church so I am totally excited about the possibility of being early.

Last but not least. We are going to be planting some veggies this week from seeds. I thought about using plastic cups or just buying a little mini green house kit. Not really sure yet on what we are gonna use. I guess decide on spot when I go to buy our seeds. My PawPaw is planning to get over one day this weekend and till up some rows for us for our veggies. I also think I am gonna get a satsuma tree and put it in a HUGE pot.

Till next time~Val

MALT-TZU Puppies for sale!

2011-03-06T20:42:00.000-08:00

My cousin is trying to sell her puppies. They are as cute as can be! There is one girl and two boys left. Click on the link below to see them. The are $500 with a puppy kit. Please contact me if you want more info.

MALT-TZU Puppies for sale!

Till next time~Val

Kaylee Marie LeBlanc-11

2011-02-22T19:10:00.000-08:00

Kaylee Marie LeBlanc

Born

February 22, 2000

Daddy and Kaylee right after she was born

Mommy and Kaylee the next day

shower cake

Mommy and KayKay Bug at our shower

food table

Mommy, KayKay and some of the grandparents

7 weeks old

3 months

6 Months

(This was my dress that I wore at 6 months old)

9 months

1 year old

2 years old

3 years

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old -1st grade

7 years old

8 years old

9 years old

The BIG 10!

First day of 5th grade

First cake she baked by herself

hair cut that you didn't like.

and now...

Happy Birthday Kaylee!

And now she is 11!

Time flys.......

I wanted to share threw the years of my sweet little girl. She is so sweet and caring. She loves animals and espically her puppy Zoey and all horses. I can't believe how she has grown. I can remember holding her for the first time and breastfeeding her. Tears of happiness....

Soon she'll be sixteen!

Gradutating!

Going off to college!

Married!!

Ah....the worries of a Momma.

If anyone is reading this with small children cherish every moment. They do fly. If they want you to sit and play barbies for hours, DO IT!

Can you see I am a mess over here....I'll looking now on Ebay for something to stop children from growing! LOL

Till next time~Val

updated my 101 in 1001 days!

2011-02-12T00:14:00.000-08:00

updated my 101 in 1001 days!

I finally updated my list! It has been over 3 months. I was very excited about updating because there was lot of things I have gotten accomplished in such a short time. It make me want to work that much harder on the things I have been lacking on. I need to get some reading going and set a massage ASAP! (its on my list)

The link is below.

http://vals101in1001days.blogspot.com/2011/02/101-in-1001-days-update-2-12-11-101.html

Till next time~Val

annoying!

2011-02-11T20:52:00.000-08:00

First I would like to say that I am fed up with not having a good working computer! I miss my laptop so much. I am going to buy me a new one ASAP! I just can't handle this any longer using other peoples computers. I don't have the programs I need. I have to wait to borrow them and then half the time I am stuck using this little mini of Kaylee's!!! Everytime I go into working on a project like cards, flyers etc this dumb thing goes nuts! I am livid......AH! Ok happier note and on to something else. I just had to rant for a second.

So, I have done pretty good with no cokes or tea. I mean I have gotten a few here and there but for the most part I am off the cokes. Tea is another story. I do plan to completely ditch tea asap! Not hot tea just tea from MacDonald's! Its so sweet...and delcious!
I started trying to lose weight at the beginning of the year and now its in the second month and I have not lost a pound! Tonight we went and ate at Chili's, one of my all time favorite places and had my fill. As soon as we got back into the car I instantly got sick. Not that the food was bad, but I have over ate. Not good. Something has to give. I am so tired of being a blubber ball. So at that point I had said, No MORE! I am gonna lose this weight and thats that! So here is my line up of what I am gonna do. And before I even go there I already no its hard to give it all up at one time but guess what? If I do a little I mess up more than just cold turkey!

1. No ground beef! This is steaks too!!! I am going to treat myself to a steak every two weeks. A small one that is. You aren't supposed to eat red meat but once a week anyways.

2. No sweet tea, or sodas! NONE NEVER! I am just done with them!

3. Junk food- Its a history! No brownies, ice cream, nothing! Well not forever but my goal is 20lbs! Then and only then will I eat something sweet. (Cold Stone!)

4. carbs- I am laying off the darn potatoes! LOL Thats all I am gonna say about that :)

5. I am gonna start a work out routine. Between Curves, walking at the church and running after these kids I am sure I am gonna get into shape. I plan on going to Curves Monday-Wednesday-Friday
Walk-Tuesday and Thursday either at my house around the neighbor hood or at church. Saturday I plan on doing something active with my babies and Sunday...well Sunday is my day of rest! Its the Lord's day!! :)

6. I am gonna journal about this every night for a month. So for the next 30 days you are gonna see the blog name as Day1 etc.
I am hoping by keeping track and journaling that if I mess up that I can look back and learn and see what I did wrong.

7. Menus! Kelly actually gave me this idea and I used to do it all the time but ever since moving by my Dad those have been obsolete. Well not anymore! We are gonna know what we are supposed to have for Breakfast- snack- lunch- snack-dinner! I think it is better that way because then you arent running to the store hungry picking everything in sight or running to a fast food restraunt. MacDonald's is my enemy!!!!!

8. Just plain old portion control is what I am shooting for. I am not gonna do so crazy diet where all I eat is grapes! I want to do this for life. Eat better and feel better! Look my age for goodness sake!
I even plan on doing a before and after picture but for now I am gonna keep my BEFORE picture to myself until I have seen some progress!! LOL

So, please of anyone has any recipes that they are willing to share that are fairly healthy please send them my way!

till next time~ Val

We might really get snow!

2011-02-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

I've really enjoyed all the snow pictures from other blogs. I wish that we where getting the same amount as everyone else north of us but I am just thankful right now that we might get an inch! HA! We really arent equipt for the snow :( I think weather bug said it was going to be in the 20's and they have canceled classes for tomorrrow at the church. So it will def be a lazy day. Sleeping eating and more sleeping and eating!

The kids only went to school for a half of day today. My dads water froze last night and he over slept so I took the kids and chatted with everone and went to pray. After leaving the school we went to my dentist appt. Which was much needed. I went to Hammond to the old office I used to go to. Unfortunatly my old dentist retired and a young lady took his place. All I have say was she will do and I really enjoyed the hygentist that cleaned my teeth. They took to long in the dentist office and I missed my ultrasound and my violin lessons. Not cool is all I am gonna say. I have a new ultrasound appt for the 16th and results for it a few days afterwards.

The date is getting closer to signing our papers on the land. Its Feb. 18th @ 2pm! We are counting down the days!! I also called about the sewer system being put down and the permits we will need for the water,sewer and electic. We also have to put a drive way down as well. I am hoping we are going to be able to get city water but we won't know that until later this month when they come out and inspect. Praying we can because if not that will be another good 2500! AHHHHH!!!

On one more topic. David and I started to look at mobile homes and we just for fun looked at new double wides and let me tell you they are beauitful inside! I am having trouble deciding if we might just go with one. Or a modular home. I doubt we do because I have always had my heart on building who knows what God has in store for us.

Till next time~Val

Patience is a virtue

2011-01-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

I am trying to come up with witty phrases or titles and most of the time I feel like I have really lacked in that department but todays title is perfect! I am so excited and have so much going on that I am literally being impatient. It horiable I know already God has everything under control but I am just so excited! I've done cleaned out the kids closets and mine TWICE! I am ready for this move. This step in our lives. If you know me on a personally then you know that my blog should be named The LeBlanc Gypsy Family always on the move! HA!
So please once you read this please say a little pray for me that I would no peace and patients!

So on to what I did today. I of course got the kids off for school. Then I had to go to the Dr for 11:45. So I got Granny and I ready and off we where to Madisonville for my check up. It went well other than the fact that they drew 3 huge tubes of blood and I have to go back for an ultrasound next week to look at my ovaries. I will keep my blog updated but to be honest I was kind of worried because the Dr seemed a little worried. I did take a PG test and that was negative. THANK THE GOD LORD! Not to say that I would be mad but a this point I would most likely cry ALOT! LOL I am just kidding. I will take what God has for me.
Pray on that too! I am a firm believer in prayer so just PRAY PRAY PRAY!

Well it looks like Emilee Grace is Bible drill is not canceled for everyone but she is not going. Mainly because I am not going to be able to go and she really needs me or her Daddy to be there. My dad is going but he is rooming with the other boys that are going and that was just not even an option. So there is always next time and she will be on top of her game as usual. The only other sad thing is David has to work ALL weekend long. Again. No complaints there but I do kind of miss him from time to time. Tonight he stayed at our house in Hahnville just so he could get extra rest and be done faster tomorrw.

OH! We got both of our w2's in so of course I am excited about that. We are paying off two things and I am so excited! Two down...I lost how many to go!!! LOL Total joke....we really don't owe anything else except house hold stuff and my van.

Till next time~Val

What's up with the weather?

2011-01-26T21:30:00.000-08:00

Today the weather has been so weird. I got up and it was freezing! No lie, I had to turn the heaters on in every room and in the bathroom. Then about 11, I got my Granny ready and we headed to Sonic for our lunch. Can you believe it was HOT outside? I had to take my jacket off. It was a super thin one too! We got back to the house and it felt kind of chilly again and the wind started to blow. Ah...So I put my jacket back on and got Granny inside. Low and behold it got warm again!! Then around 3pm I headed to violin and it started to get chilly again. By the time night fell it was FREEZING! I just wish it would pick one thing and stick with it. I hate to be to hot or to cold :(

Update on violin-It's great! I am ok. I don't know why but I can't wait for lessons and soon as its like right down to the time of walking in I get so shy and scared. What's up with that? My teacher is super nice. I don't have a shy bone in my body but for some reason I just get totally overwhelmed and feel like I could just go into a corner and shake! LOL Not lieing..I even do this shaking my leg a little its so strange. I pray I really grow out of this. It's kind of annoying.
I do plan to record myself this week playing open strings. So look forward to that!! LOL

I am also kind of bummed about my visit with my dear friend Kelly and her family. We where supposed to see them three times this month and all three times have fallen threw. The latest was this week. They where coming for the weekend and now they are haivng their trip cut short and I won't even be here because I hope to be in Georgia with Emilee Grace on a Bible Drill. Hopefully we can meet up or just go for a visit soon.
We will see what God has instore for us. Maybe a small Disney trip will be in our future very soon!

Now on to the BIG news. We are buying land. It is right by our church which is the biggest plus! We wanted to get really close but we didn't think it would be this close. They had 11 acres for sale but we only wanted 5 acres. 11 was just to much at this time for upkeep and price for our budget. We are planning to sign the paper work on it this upcoming week or the next depending on the title search etc. We are truly estastic! We plann on clearing it off and puting a mobile home for a few years (3 to 4) and then building. Right now we just don't want to over load ourselves and not have any spending money. The kids would die if I made them eat roman noodles every night! LOL They would love it at first but it would soon get old.

Here is a few idea pictures. The reason we are waiting ( I am waiting-David wants to just jump on in) is I want everything just right!

Above is my FAVORITE!

I would hope to have two bedrooms upstairs with a hollywood bath.

downstairs a master and DJ's room.

Plus all the living space.

AND YES it will be YELLOW with white trim!

This is what we most likely will end up having to go with because of the room.

Of course YELLOW!

You get the idea. It's victorian style. White fence etc.

These next few photos will be my furniture style. I really want either white or off white but we will see what I can find when the time comes but I won't be settling thats for sure! LOL

I will have a small sitting area for tea etc with this type furniture.

Ideas for the girls. They will be getting queen or full size bedroom sets that will stay at the house after they have moved out so when they come for a visit they will still have their own space.

Same goes for DJ but of course more boyish.

This is a must! I want a sun room for reading etc. With whicer furniture to add! It truly is a must! Orange pillows to top it off!

Directly outside will be my flower garden. (I hope)

Then my organized veggie garden!

A few ideas for my kitchen.

I will def will not have stainless steal or wood floors!

I can't stand either of the two!

Black appliances-A MUST!

And in time.....THIS! This is in time! I want it covered with the little water fall and I want it a funny shape.

It is last on my list! I bet the kids will not be to happy about this but for starters I'll get them on of those cheap blue ones!!! LOL HAHAHAHA!

Just wanted to share my excitement!

We have a lot of clearing to do and we plan to stay on a TIGHT budget for 3 to 4 years!

It will payoff. I have faith!!

We will also eventually get some chickens, a horse or two and make a cow and pig! Now rush on those things either!!

Till next time~Val

Another rambling blog post

2011-01-20T16:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have really rambled the last few times I have wrote. I am just stressed to the max. I have so much going on and every time I think I can sit down and take a few deep breaths something else pops up. I truly wish for a clean house right now. One where I walk in and it smells fresh and clean. No clutter anywhere to be found. I am even getting sick of the color orange if you can believe that! It used to make me HAPPY :) but lately I just get annoyed when I see it. I wonder what thats all about? I am liking white for some odd reason. White curtains, sheets plates. Yeah, I already know! I am rambling!!!! I just am feeling kind of blue lately. I am tired is the biggest thing I guess. Oh-and do the clothes ever stop? I get them done and I look in the bathroom and there is a full hamper :(

(I am just venting so don't get alarmed! LOL)

Well enough of that.

Till next time~Val

Unsure

2011-01-20T12:27:00.000-08:00

I get so annoyed with myself sometimes. I have been so unsure for so long about things I want that I don't know which thing or what I want to do! Ah!! Right now I am feeling a little annoyed because I am uncertain where I want to live. I know the area it's the actual place. Do I want land? Do I want to live in a subdivision? Do I want to live in the country part of the area I am in or more into te city limits?! I thought I had this down but I guess I don't.
I really want this to be the last move. I mean unless David gets transferred somewhere for tons more money! Lol

I want to build a house but of course everything I way David wants different so now I am to the point we should just pick a house! I'm not sure things could change but I had to wrote down my frustrations. Who knows?! Anything could happen.

Well enough of that rambling!

Till next time~Val

1-18-11

2011-01-19T20:59:00.000-08:00

Today was a lazy day. I really did sleep alot. Not that I didn't need it. David stayed home from work to fix the pipes under the sink and house. We had a little problem with them. They are fixed thankfully!

I got the kids off right before eight and I fell alseep on Granny's sofa. I was beat!! We didn't get home from church till after 11p.m. I don't even know how the kids where able to have so much energy. I bet its the breakfast I made them :)

I had violin practice for the first time today. I was so nervous at first but it was alot of fun. My teacher plays beautifully :) She is in the Gulf Coast Orchestra and they are doing a concert this Saturday. I looked it up to see if I could get some last minute tickets but low and behold they have them but they are $130 a seat. Thats on the floor level at that. So, I will be waiting on that. I came home and told David about it and he instantly said lets go! That would be awesome if we where not saving everything we make! I think I am going to ask for them for Mother's Day or my birthday from my parents or grandparents. I wouldn't feel bad then by going.
I did rather well for my first lesson. I have practiced all night since I have been home. I think everyone is ready for me to give it a break. I did go over and show Granny and my Dad what I had learned. I feel like a little girl all excited!!

I wanted to also address a recent post about wanting more kids. That would be a BIG NO!!! Not to long after I had posted that post my kids went from "ANGELS" to well I don't know what they went to. It's all back to noraml and they are fine now but I think I was just having baby blues. I prayed and David prayed and we fill that three is plenty! It just costs so much to raise kids now. We have one in braces, and soon EMilee will need them we think...Not cool!

Till next time~Val

Short Video of the Pups

2011-01-14T08:20:00.000-08:00

no more

2011-01-13T21:40:00.000-08:00

So, I have no laptop anymore. I am so annoyed too! David actually dropped it and it popped open pretty much. Its ok we did get to save all the picture and other important stuff I had on it but getting another one is the problem. I just took my iMac back to Best Buy because I was just not getting it. I am now regreting it. I guess I will be making a new trip up to Best Buy but I think I am gonna go with a iMac laptop. Not sure. I am trying to be patient with this purchase because I don't like to change computer a whole lot. My dear HP lasted since 2006. I LOVED it dearly too!

On another note. My diet is not going on so smoothly. I did on the other hand start back at Curves and I can tell a differnce. Keep me in your prayers because I am in need of them. :)

I am thankful for this 4 day weekend. Fri.-Mon. It will be spent resting!!!!!

Till next time~Val

Happ Birthday, Elvis!

2011-01-08T23:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday , (76th)Elvis Aaron Presley!

His home where he was born in Tupelo,Ms

Just wanted to share some pics and a video or two:)

My favorite song!

This is the kids favorite movie-Kissing Cousins

I really love me some Elvis. I just recently for my last birthday was able to visit Graceland for the first time. Best time ever!
It truly is a must see if you are a Elvis fan!

Till next time~Val

Can you beleive it is January?

2011-01-07T00:51:00.000-08:00

I still can not believe the date of today! Last year has flown by and so the cycle continues with tis month. I also want to add really quick that any mistakes in my typing are all because of the laptop that I am being forced to use. You see my laptop has lost its IP address for some crazy reason and is needing to go to best buy for some work so I am forced to still and blog and anything else I am needing to do online with Kaylee's computer. Its a mini and its very annoying but I am just thankful for it at this moment. So bare with me people!!! LOL

So onto my post. I am very excited to annouce that I will be starting my violin lessons next Wednesday. I am beyond words right now with this because its been a dream of mine since I was a child to be able to play and be comfortable to do so infront of others.

The next thing is I am really praying about getting a tubal ligation. David and I talked about it and we considered adoption as well and we just fell that if we are going to have anymore children that it be from us. I know alot of people thing three is enough but I yern for a larger family. The kids want a baby too! But like I said its all in Gods hands and I will do as he wants. I will update when I feel I have some answers. Until then PLEASE pray for me. Either pray that God tells me this is the right thing to move forward with OR let my baby fever please leave once and for all!

Now onto my last thing for today. I have yet to start on my diet/program. I had a bad run in with that drink that I was going to take to clean out my body. It didn't do as planned. I could barley drink it and I ended up throwing it all up. Soooo with that being said I am still on the sweet tea and sweets! No coffee though.
It doesn't help when I BEG my friend to come over so we can make peanut butter balls either! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!! LOL

Thats all for now.

Till next time~Val

Tomorrow is the day of new beginnings!

2011-01-03T16:32:00.000-08:00

I never really start my resolutions on the actual 1st. The kids start back at school tomorrow so I am going to begin tomorrow! It is really hard to eat healthy around the kids. Think what you may but when Emilee comes to me batting those pretty green eyes asking if I would like a delicous pretzel she has made with her easy bake oven or a to die for cake with homemade frosting I have to say, "Why thank you!".

I was told the best way to start a new diet/way of eating better is to detox your body. I plan on doing that tonight!! Someone recommended Oral magnesium citrate. It was recommended to stay at your house for about 3 hours after this is drank. LOL You kind of get the drift of what it makes you do so wish me luck!!

I plan on eating salads for lunch with chicken. No dressing. Other days I play on eating fish baked or broiled. I love Tilipia so I will eat alot of it on my new diet/way of eating better. I also love Salmen but not with the bottom skin part :P I only plan on drinking water and lemon for atleast two weeks. Maybe for the month. I do not want to put any sugars in my body so no bread,coffee, etc. I am praying that I do well. Tea and coffee and brownies will be my killer but I don't plan on never eating them again but in moderation and not like I am not with having 2 MacDonald's teas a day on top of atleast one cup of coffee and brownies for a late night snack. I am so tired of being this weight that I am and its time for a change.

Not only will I be helping myself but by proxy my kids and hubby will benefit from my new eating habits. I plan on packing their lunches everyday and I DARE them to drink sodas! LOL The good thing is they already LOVE apples, grapes, pretzels etc. So it won't be a complete shock for them. There just won't be any tea in the frig with they are thirsty :)

Well I have to run for now. Time for pray meeting! I love church~its my favorite place to be :)

Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-31T23:19:00.000-08:00

Cliche as it might sound I wanted to do a short list of things I would like to do in this year 2011~
I have a 101 in 1001 days list but I wanted to do a shorter one just for this year. Little goals for just me.

1. Lose weight-Yes, you read it right! I want to lose weight! Not like you couldn't look at me and tell that I needed/wanted too. LOL

2. Learn to play my violin.-Totally excited about this one I tell ya!

3. Read the entire BIBLE!-I must say with all the reading I do I have yet to read the whole thing :( This is the YEAR!

4. Get on a budget! -Yes, I shop and eat out WAY to much!

5. Get these dogs potty trained! Ok so this last one is one that I am a little annoyed with. Zoey and Pixie aren't even my pups but they are about to drive me looney :p If you are reading this one say a little pray that they will learn how to do OUTSIDE :)

Hope everyone is having a safe New Years and eat lots of cabage and black eyed peas today!

Till next time~Val

update on puppies

2010-12-30T16:30:00.000-08:00

Today their eyes OPENED!!!

Lady had pups

2010-12-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

On 12-18-10 Lady had puppies!

She had a total of 5. Two black ones and three white ones. The two little black ones did not make it. :(

Happy be-lated birthday Zoey!

2010-12-28T23:08:00.000-08:00

Zoey Renee LeBlanc

turned the BIG #1

October 31st 2010

I love playing....

2010-12-28T23:02:00.000-08:00

Emilee got this board game for Christmas.

It is now the family favorite!

Just wanted to share that.....

The biker gang!

2010-12-28T22:57:00.000-08:00

All three kidos got a ride on this year.

DJ got a eletric Razor dirt bike.

Emilee and Kaylee got scooters.

Happy as can be! She thought she wasn't getting it because she got her puppy and I had previously told her one or the other :)

This little thing goes like 12 miles an hour! Its really to fast for a 6 year old I think. Dad thinks other wise....BOYS!

Also Kaylee is not pictures on her bike because she took off ASAP! LOL

excuse the mess in the above pic!

Pixie Pooh!

2010-12-28T22:49:00.000-08:00

Introducing....

Pixie Pooh LeBlanc

Emilee Grace got a toy poodle for CHRISTmas this year!

Pixie fits her perfect-Emilee is tiny and so is Pixie!

Pixie will be 1 on January 23 I believe. Emilee has already started planning her a birthday party :)

Now, Zoey was not sure about having a new pup in the house but they two soon fell in LOVE!

Fast alseep.

The end is almost near!

2010-12-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

Yes, 2010 has only 3 more days! I am truly excited that this year has come to an end :) It has been a great year though. Some things I LOVED about 2010- We moved to Franklinton, and found the BEST church ever. David,Dad,KK, Granny and I all got baptized in the name of Jesus! We bought a new van! We got Pixie (Emilee's Grace's toy poodle) and went on a few good trips this year! I know there is tons more but I could sit and write for days on that. So I summed it up

Christmas was really good this year. I got the best gifts ever! I know thats not what its about but I DID get the best gifts ever!

A orange Rachel Ray tea kettle!

Orange Rachel Ray tongs!

I also got a violin

I was completely shocked about the violin! I asked for the other two things! My Day is so sweet :)

Christmas Traditions

2010-12-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

Christmas Traditions
I saw this on a blog that I read. I have yet to figure out how to link up but I guess I will try and do that soon and make that off my 101 in 1001 days list.

Week of Thanksgiving-
I get all of our Christmas decorations from the attic.
Decide if we are going to have a real tree or use our fake tree. (This year we did the fake)
I write a list of people that I am going to send Christmas cards to.
Take Christmas pictures.

Day of Thanksgiving-
Put on the Christmas music and start decorating!!
The kids decorate their trees for their rooms :)

First week of December-
Order Christmas cards at Walmart because they have a one hour and I am most likely just now getting around to doing this and I want them to be send out no later than the 10th!! :)

Middle of the Month-
Make Christmas cookies, and candy with the family.
Go look at Christmas lights in our PJ's
Go to Christmas party on my step dad's side of the family.
Have a Christmas party at church
Go visit my in laws and do Chrismtas with them

Chrismtas Eve-
Make homemade Christmas pizzas with the family.
Make Christmas sugar cookies for the BIG guy!
Make Jesus a birthday cake
Sing Christmas songs
Read about the first Christmas
Read The Night before Chrismtas

Christmas Day-
See what Santa brought the kids
Open our stockings
Sing Happy Birthday Jesus and eat his birthday cake for breakfast
Open gifts under the tree
Eat Christmas dinner
SPEND TIME WITH OUR FAMILY!

Till next time~Val

Rosalie Plantation

2010-11-30T15:24:00.000-08:00

Rosalie Plantation

http://www.rosaliepecans.com/Rosalie_Plantation.php

Above is a link about this Plantation so you can read more about it!

We had a wonderful time here. This plantation was espically nice because it had all the orginal furniture in it.

David and Mr D had fun picking up pecans before we went in for our tour.

I really enjoyed the tour guides at this house. They knew so much and was very personal.

A funny story they told us was the owner of this house had some friends and they passed away and he promised to take care of their 14 year old daughter. He didn't know what to do with a 14 year old so he married her! :)

The red furniture was so beautiful!

My favorite room of the house.

Look how small this lady was.

Till next time~Val