Wordless Wednesday!

Jackson & Jacob (Hands)!

Hey blogger buddies! I decided to give "Wordless Wednesday" a try!!!! :)) Let me know how I did!!!!! :)

Hope everyone is having a good week!!!!!

Love, Cissa :))

Jacob Turns Five!!!! :)

Wow!!! My baby has turned FIVE!!!!! For some reason, it has been easier w/Jacob turning five compared to Jackson turning ten! Maybe Jackson turning ten in Feb. eased me into accepting that his little brother would soon be another year older as well! :) Who knows?! Jacob had a nice birthday! We met some good friends of ours at Galaxy (a big, gigantic playplace for kids). We had pizza and the kids played games and climbed and ran and played for several hours. The next day we had cake and ice cream w/family and lots of balloons which were a BIG hit. My dad (known as "Gramps" to the kids) works at Praxair and gets free helium which is awesome!!!!! Jacob also got to take M&M cookies to preschool (which my mom better known as "Gramsey" made). Thank You, Gramsey!!!!! Gramsey is always helping us out w/things like that!!!! I sure hope I will be a grandma like that some day!!!! :) All in all, Jacob had a fun birthday and got some cool presents, too!!! :) My boys are five and ten!!!! They are growing up fast!!!! We did find out this week that Jacob needs glasses. I had noticed him having a teeny bit of trouble seeing something on the computer. Big brother wears glasses so I went ahead and made Jacob an appointment just to be safe. Well, a month after I made the appt., Jacob had kindergarten registration and, what do ya know?! They also thought he should get his eyes checked. I must admit, I was proud that I had already caught it myself and had already made the appointment!!!! lololol!!!! Sooooo, he had his first eye appt. this past Friday and yep, he needs glasses! He pretty much has something similar to his brother. For them, one eye works good and the other doesn't. The good eye ends up doing all the work while the "lazy" eye stays lazy. Jackson had to wear a patch (over his good eye - it forces the lazy eye to work) for a couple of months to correct his lazy eye. There is a good chance that Jacob may have to do the same down the road. Right now, he is to wear glasses full-time. I was very proud of him when we tried on glasses and picked out a pair. He did really good and we were able to find a pair fairly quickly!!!! I will post a pic when his glasses come in - should be soon!!!! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACOB!!!!!!!!!!! (Birthday April 23rd)!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!! :)

Where are you going, my little one, my little one!

Where are you going, my baby, my love!

Turn around and you're tiny,

Turn around and you're two,

Turn around and you're a big boy,

Tying your shoe!!!!

Where are you going, my little one, my little one!

Where are you going, my baby, my love!

Turn around and you're two,

Turn around and you're four,

Turn around and you're a big kid,

Walking out of the door!!!!

LOVE YOU, BABY BOY!!!!!!!! :)))

Jackson's Ten Year Birthday Pics!!!!

Wow! I am just now getting around to blogging Jackson's 10 year birthday pics!!!! For those who don't know, his birthday was back in February!!!! lololol!!!!! Better late than never, huh??!! :)) In my defense, since his b-day was in February, there weren't really many photo ops at that time of the year w/nasty weather and all. I wanted to do outside pics, so I waited for a nice day in March and finally got some! These pics were taken at a local park. I always felt good about taking his pics when he was younger, but the older he gets, it is a tad more difficult. I just am not sure of what poses to do and all for an older boy. If anyone has any suggestions (cause I have been blog surfing and have seen some really great pics) - I would love, love, love any ideas you have!!!!! I have finally adjusted to my first-born turning ten!!!! Double digits threw me for a loop! My baby couldn't be ten years old!!!!! No way!!!! But mom is finally accepting it and, dare I say, embracing it as well!!!! :)) I hope I am adjusted b/c little brother has a birthday tomorrow and he is turning five!!!! Where did the last few years go 'cause they must have flown by when I wasn't paying attention! On that note, I read someones blog today where they said to "slow down" and "enjoy the moment." That is wonderful advice and worth passing on!!!!! Life does seem to fly by and, if we don't take time for the little things, I think we will regret it later!

Enjoy the pics and have a good week! :))

Spring Is Here! :)

Gracie Girl! :)

Jackson and Jacob :)

Just a quick note to say hi to all my blogger buddies and to show off a couple pics of my beautiful babes!!!! :)

The first pic is of our Gracie girl! She is holding her bunny (whom she named "Easter") that her daddy bought for her! She is such a sweetie and we are so happy every time we see her! She is a very loved little girl w/not one, but two families who think she is the cats meow!!!! :)

The second pic is, of course, of my boys! We got to go to Battelle Darby Creek on Sat. evening and had a fun time! I'll have to post all about how "we got lost (well, kinda, but not really) and the Ranger had to take us to our car (we were parked far away and the kids (well, Jake) couldn't walk that far back)". The cool part was the Ranger stopping and showing us all of the deer that come out from hiding at that time (getting close to dark)! Very cool, indeed! :) I don't think I would have noticed the deer on my own, so I was very thankful that the Ranger made a point to show us! I thought it was very kind and a reminder to take time for others even when I feel rushed. The main reason we were there was to take Jack's 10 yr. birthday pics! I haven't done them yet and needed to before he turns eleven! lololol!!!!! :) Sooooo, be watching for my next post which will be cleverly titled "Jackson's Tenth Birthday Pics!" :)))

I hope all is well w/my blogger buddies! It was a beautiful weekend and I am thankful for that! We are looking forward to the end of the school year and, once again, our "Summer Of Fun!" :) WooHoo!!!!!

I would like to send a quick shout out to Mark! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABE! WE LOVE YOU!

Take Care and know I am thinking of each and every one of you!!!!! :)

Love ya!!!!!

Sunshine On My Shoulders!

JACOB!

JACKSON!

Last week was Jackson's spring break from school! As many already may know, we (Jacob, then Jackson and I together), unfortunately, spent most of it being...................sick!!!!!! As Carleta put it in an email to me.........we just don't know how to do spring break!!!!! lol!!!!! Too Funny!!!!! :) We did try and go to the zoo (my favorite place) on Friday evening for the Eggs, Paws & Claws, but it was what I call "a bust!" For one thing, it was jam packed full of people!!!! I haven't seen the zoo that busy in a long time. And..........you just can't enjoy the zoo (or anyplace, really) when it is that crowded! Plus.........we really weren't well enough to go in the first place. So.........we got to the zoo by 6:00 pm and left by 7:00! lol!!!!! Can't say we didn't try! Now, some of you may say we are crazy for even trying in the first place, but after being sick and stuck at home all week, we wanted to do something! We really don't even mind that it didn't work, it was nice to simply drive and be out of the infested house!!!! Speaking of infested house, Mark got sick the next day!!!! lol!!!! Whatever we had seemed to last a day (24 hrs.) and then is gone! I tell ya, tho, that day SUCKS!!!!!!! I haven't felt that bad for a long, long time and let's hope it is a long, long time before I do again! I spent the next few days AFRAID of getting it back!!!!! :))

The boys and I did get to spend some time w/Gracie on Saturday (poor Mark was sick). Our Gracie time is always fun! :) Then, the boys and I got to go to "The Cheesecake Factory" w/some good friends and that was fun, too! Poor Mark was still sick! lol!!!! I told him, at least I kept the kids out of his hair while he was sick!!!! When "I" was sick, the kids were home the ENTIRE time! No one took them away and gave me alone time! lololol!!!!

Jackson went back to school today after being off from spring break. I think there is only like 11 weeks of school left, so he is going to be counting down the days! Oh, not sure if I mentioned this in a previous blog, but Mark and I finished the school yearbook!!!! WooHoo!!!! Exciting stuff, man!!!! lolololol!!!! :) We are SOOOOO HAPPY to be finished!!! It was a LOT of work and, although some of it is fun, it ends up mostly being a lot more work than it should be. I admit - I put more time into it than most people would (I can't have my good name on something I'm not proud of), but even if you just did the bare minimum, it would still be a LOT to do! We have done it now for two years and are ready to hand it over to someone else. We will be ready and willing to help whomever takes over.

Well, everyone here is well (for this week, at least)! :)) That is good news!!!!! Let's hope it continues on that path!!!! It's all good! :)

HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March Madness!

Yep, the ruler says "15 inches!"

Awww! Our little pine tree!

I love these pine tree pics! There's no place like home!

The snow is (almost) higher than Jake!

Jack helped shovel! And made hot chocolate, too!

Snow Memories! :)

The snow has come and gone and yet, somehow, the memory still lingers!!!! :) Maybe I'm just a little scared of a "repeat" of that day!!!! Although I absolutely LOVE my pics, I definately do not want it to come again - not this year or next! lol!!! :)) And, can you believe, we never even got to build a snowman, either!!! Jackson had been sick earlier that week and Jacob had gotten sick that Friday and Saturday! Poor Jacob wanted to come outside soooo bad (so, of course, I let him for a little bit that Sat. night). He only came out for a bit and went back inside while Mark, Jack, our dear, sweet neighbor, Dennis, and I all shoveled. We never did get back out that week to play and by Tuesday, the snow was almost gone! Some friends of ours went sledding that Sunday, but it was not meant to be for us! I am going to make sure the boys get to go sledding next year! I think they would really like that! :))

Our neighbor, Dennis, suggested we put a ruler in the snow to show how much we got!!!! Wasn't it crazy??!! I still can't believe it really snowed that much!!!!! I also never got to get out and take any pics, either! The only ones I got were in our front yard that night we shoveled. Even though I would have loved to get more pics, I think the two pics of our little pine tree are precious! We just got that pine tree this past April, so it was the first winter to get any pics of it! I think I will make it a tradition each year to take a pic of it in the snow! That way we will have pics of it growing from year to year! :)

Not much going on here. Mark and I did get the school yearbook finished!!!! WooHoo!!!!! :) It took up sooooo much of our time, but it is finally done!!!! We submitted it this past Friday. It feels soooo very good to have it done. I can finally relax a bit!

We got to take my niece, Gracie, to see the Easter Bunny! That was soooo much fun!!! Stay tuned b/c that will most likely be my next post - a picture of my boys and my Gracie girl! :) She is getting so big and she's such a sweetheart! Speaking of getting big, my baby, Jake, will start kindergarten this fall!!!! He has his kindergarten evaluation on Mar. 31st! It feels bittersweet to me! Sooooo, needless to say, this is going to be "The Summer of Fun!!!!!" (Actually, I think that was my motto last summer, too)! lol!!! You only get to be little once, so let's make it great!!!!!! Kids have their whole adult lives to worry about life and learning and all that stuff. I want them to have soooo much fun while they can! Life is too short not to live in the moment!!!! Soooo, that's what we are going to do, especially this summer!!!!! Live life to the fullest!!!!! :)) The funny thing is............I think I almost need it more than them! In the end, I benefit as much, if not more, than the kids! :)

On that note, I am going to say good-night! The snowy weather has come and gone and..........I lived through it! lol!!!! For the first time in FOREVER, I have been seeing the beauty in the snow! Watching it fall the entire day on Sat. was crazy yet amazing! And to see how quickly it melted was awesome, too! I still can't believe it melted so fast!!!!!

Here's a toast to spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been hearing the birds chirping every day and it is the most beautiful sound!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY and HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

SNOW DAYS!!!!! :)

Just thought I would show off the new "addition" to the Archer home!!!! He was a lot of fun and we thoroughly enjoyed him, but he had to leave a few days ago. He did leave us his scarf and hat so we would remember him. I'm just glad he let me take a few snapshots also! :) The kids are hoping he gets to come back tomorrow (we hear a lot of snow is on the way tonight). We'll see. It was nice having him here for a few days and we always have these pics to remember!!!!

On a slightly different note, I hope you all notice, who is holding the shovel in the pics???!!! Hmmmm, that would be the person who shoveled ALL OF THE DRIVEWAY AND SIDEWALK, TOO!!!!! I also shoveled a ton yesterday, but I am hoping to have some GREAT looking arms this summer!!!!! :)) We'll see about that, too! lol!!!! :)

For the first time in like........forever........I am not hating the snow! I can't say that I love it, but I am certainly finding some "neatness" about it! For one thing, it sure is pretty. I just wish I had an opportunity to take some pics. Maybe, if we get the snow they say we are tonight, I can head out tomorrow and get some shots. I would really like that!!!

I would like to sign off w/a quote I read yesterday. It said: The ark was built by amateurs and the titanic was built by experts. Don't always listen to the experts!" I must agree. Sometimes the little guys know more of what they are doing. :)

Be careful on the roads and look for the beauty all around you!!!!! :)

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY, JACKSON!!!!!!!!!

WOW!!!!!! Ten years ago today, I was holding my brand new baby boy!!!! My first born!!!! :) What a wonderful and memorable moment that was!!!!! I will never forget that feeling, nor will I ever forget being pregnant w/him!!!! It was one of the greatest, best times of my life!!!! I remember the dr. placing him in my arms! He looked a lot like his mommy, but had cousin Taylor's mouth and daddy's ears! He was from that moment and continues to be one of the most precious things in my life!!!! I remember when the actress Heather Locklear had her daughter Ava (I read this in a magazine) - Heather said, "someone took my heart and gave it arms and legs." I can identify!!!! Even now, ten years later, it is like my heart is out there and has two names - Jackson and Jacob! I don't know how it gets any easier watching your children grow. I know people have done it and continue to do it every day, but I feel a "slight" sadness of the thought of Jack turning 10!!!!! It is a selfish sadness. I don't want him to know! He HAS to grow up and turn into a young man and find his way in the world. This I know, but it is soooo difficult to step aside and let him do this - watch him do this!!!! I guess to explain it best I will write a few lines of the Billy Ray Cyrus song, "Get ready, get set, don't go!" He wrote it about his daughter, Miley, but I think many of us parents can identify! Maybe you have heard the song. If not, check it out, it is pretty good! :)


Here are a few lines and they explain how Jack's mommy feels to a certain degree! :)

"He says things are fallen into place, feels like they're fallen apart.
I paint this big ol' smile on my face, to hide my broken heart!
If only he knew.
This is where I don't say what I want so bad to say.
This is where I want to, but I won't get in the way.
Of him and his dreams, and spreadin' his wings!"

"He's at the startin' line of the rest of his life,
as ready as he's ever been.
Got the hunger and the stars in his eyes,
the prize is his to win.
He's waitin' on my blessings before he hits
that open road............................
BABY, GET READY, GET SET.................................................DON'T GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACKSON!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :))

The "First" Ladies Man! :)

Okay, after posting my last entry (if you haven't seen it yet - check it out real quick), I was going thru some pics for the yearbook. Voila!!!! Look what I found!!!!!! The first "ladies man!" lolololol!!!!!! :)) I HAD to blog these!!!!! I guess Jacob learned from his big bro!!!!! :) These were taken in May of '07. It is Jackson w/his friends Danielle and Azie. They are very sweet girls! I am going to start posting "more" pics of Jack and Jake w/some of their "guy" friends now!!!!! lol!!!! :)

Enjoy!!!!!

LADIES MAN!

Jacob and McKenzie!

Jacob and Khally!

Jacob and His Peeps! :))

(From Left: Hallie, Avery, Paige & Lauren)

Jacob w/Hallie & McKenna!

Jacob and Lauren!

Is there anything left to say??!! LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!! Mark said that Jake gets it from him! LOLOLOLOL!!!!! That is even funnier, to me, than these pics!!!!! :)) You gotta love it!!!!!

Today was pajama day at preschool and, as you can see, the kids had a great time! They got to watch a movie and eat popcorn and, at the end, they got cupcakes to celebrate a birthday!!! :) These days simply fly by anymore and I am soooooo thrilled to be there and see it all and be a part of it!!!!! I'm not feeling stressed - I am enjoying moments like these!!!! I hope you enjoy the pics! Our little "ladies man!" :))

School Days & Good Friends!!!!

Jacob and McKenna


Jacob, McKenna & McKenzie


Samer, Jackson A., Jackson L. & Trenton

I just wanted to check in and blog (but I really don't have much going on to talk about). Soooo, I figured..............I always have pics to post, so why not pick a few out!!!! :) The first two pics are of Jacob at preschool w/his little "girlfriends!" They are best buds, that is for sure! :) Both little girls are soooo sweet and I have become friends w/their mommies, too! I think I enjoy preschool as much (or, maybe, even more) than Jacob! lol!!!!! Seriously, tho, we both have a great time!!!! :)

The second pic is of Jackson (on Buckeye Day) at his school w/some of his friends! I can't believe this is his last year at Richard Ave. Elementary! He is growing up soooo fast! I have also gotten to know most of these kids myself! They are a good group of kids and I feel so lucky to have been so involved with them all!

Not much going on my way. We are working steadily on the yearbook (it is due in early March). I was stressing about it, but not so much anymore. I feel way better about getting everything done. We do know that we are NOT doing it again next year! It is way too much work to do w/out getting paid. It is time for us to take a time-out and let someone else have a chance and see what they can do! :) The important thing is that I am not stressing - so that is GOOD! :) I did have a dentist appt. two weeks ago (got to see my Mr. Friggin' Good-Lookin')!!!!! I had a small cavity (again) on one tooth (no matter what I do, I still seem to get cavities)! What a pain!!! Sooooooo, I had to go back last week to have that tooth fixed(awwww, man, I have to see him again)!!!!! LOLOLOLOL!!!!! Shucks, man!!!!!! :))

We have picked out a couch we want to buy (we desperately need a new one). We haven't bought it yet b/c we just hate to spend the money! I am hoping to buy it soon, tho, so, maybe, I will post a pic once we do! lololol!!!!! :)

Is anyone watching "American Idol?" We have been watching it faithfully! It is soooooo funny and gives me a laugh every time!!!! :)

I gotta run!

Live, laugh, love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :))

Oops! I Did It Again!

Preschool Field Trip

Today was the 4 yr. old field trip at Jake's preschool! :) We went to Battelle Darby Creek Park and learned all about turtles, frogs, and yes, they saved the best for last................snakes!!!!! :)) Now, I am not normally a snake lover, but when the instructor asked (after showing all the kids the snake) if any of us grown-ups would like a turn to actually "hold" the snake (yes, believe it or not, I qualify as a grownup, although sometimes I question that myself)! lol! I couldn't turn down the opportunity! :)) It was sooooo fun holding that snake! He quite quickly wrapped his body around my arms and would hide his face behind my arm! It was actually kind of cute! :) Maybe I missed my calling w/animals seeing as I love the zoo so much and now I am holding snakes!!! lol! Hmmm, what's next??!! Only time will tell! :)) Thanks, Carleta, sooooo much for snapping pictures for me!!!! You know that really means a lot to me!!!!! I appreciate it so much!!!! :) Thanks for riding w/me, Steph, and helping me find my way (we got lost)! lol! That is being saved for another blog! :) If I am ever having a bad day, my talks w/Steph brighten it up! Thanks, girl!!! :) It was a fun morning and we had a great time! :))

Soooo, here's to a great preschool w/great teachers and................here's to.....................great snakes!!!!!!!! LOLOLOL!!!!! :) Most of all..........................great fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :))

P.S. The title comes from an earlier blog (archives) where I held a much bigger snake around my neck! We were at my brother's wrestling event and there was a wrestler named "Snake Man" who actually carried around a big snake! And, of course, I, once again, couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a hold of that snake! :)) If you haven't seen those pics, check the Sept. 2006 archives to see!

GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!

GO BUCKS!!!!!! :)))

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!

With Love From The Harvey Family!!!!! :))

Gracie Girl!!!

After posting pics of my boys, it is now time for me to show off my Gracie girl pics (oh, yeah, and Heath is there, too, I guess)! lol!!!! :) Gracie girl can make me smile no matter what is going on elsewhere! Aunt Cissa loves you, little one!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!!! :))

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Just a quick note to wish all my blogger buddies a Merry Christmas!!!!! :) Oh, and also to show off some pics of my boys!!!!! :)) And.........keep watch 'cause there are more pics coming!!!! lololol!!!! Hmmm................there might even be a pic from the past that "pops up" soon...............muuuuuuwhaaaahaaaaahaaaaahaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

Okay, bare w/me, but I have more inspiring words I would like to end with in keeping w/the season. I have been listening to lots of Christmas music, the past couple of days, and these words (from a song by Jewel) stuck w/me................ "In the end only kindness matters!" "I will get down on my knees and I will pray!" "We are God's eyes, We are God's hands!" I don't know if these words make much of an impact w/out hearing her sing it, but, man, I tell ya, the song she sings is really good! I think the song is called "Hands." Check it out if you haven't already heard it before! :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!! :)