Holiday time is here..

Hoping everyone had a great Thanksgiving.. Christmas will be here before ya know it! Do you have all your shopping done?? I know I dont. Got my daughter's done and my neice and nephew but still have to get for my 2 boys. I have NO idea when I'll have time.

This week has been pretty normal here I guess.. had to buy a new stove, that was $700. Then my car kicked the bucket and had to get that fixed.. that was another $550! Then yesterday, had to call the plumber.. OMG.. almost $300!! Ok, so anything else breaks here.. TOO DAMN BAD

Well, Pimp My Ride is on... catchya laterz

JFL...

I am sitting here in our small town of 2100 (give or take a baby or 2!) We are at Austin's JFL practice.. One of about 30 he'll have just this month. The kids are having a blast and cant wait for full padded practice to begin. Austin is running drill now and is anxious about the first game. The Blue Ridge JFL Jamboree. August 22 & 23 at the football field in Farmer City.

Drink break now.. then back off to run some more!

Well, guess I'd better watch... he's getting mad!!

Till next time.....

Cody's BIG decission...

Cody made the hard decision to NOT go back to Detasseling today. He broke out in this CRAZY rash in the evening, was sick as hell and of course the muscle pain was making it hard for him! We woke him up this morning and gave him the option, totally his choice, of going or not. BUT, it he didnt go, he was done. Of course, the fact he was ill was a big part in his decision..

Austin will be able to do it here in about 3 years! He will be able to do it and while Cody was unable, he's glad to have made what little bit he did...

Hard lesson to learn but, well worth it in the end.

Till next time....

Why do we have to be so darn busy these days???

As if our days aren't busy enough. We have to add 4H meeting in LeRoy, JFL practice in Farmer City. Now we are preparing for the McLean County fair from July 29 thru Aug 2 held in Bloomington!! Have TONS of rabbits going there plus posters for hedgehogs and quaker parrots. We are NEVER going to get it all done... Oh well... next year... ONLY RABBITS!!!!

Till next time....

Cody's 1st day Detasseling...

Well, I just went and picked up Cody from the High School in Farmer City. He was SO glad to be done for the day!! He's exausted and is in the shower as I type this.... poor kid.. first time he's actually HAD to work for something (not my fault either!!). Got to dawn a BRIGHT orange baseball cap with a netting on it, cool protective glasses, gloves, rain poncho, work boots and a bright red face!!

While he said he WILL finish out the 2 weeks, he WILL NOT and I quote WILL NOT do it again next year LOL.. yeah, well we'll see once he gets his check (between $784 - $1176 for 14 -20 days work)

He's doing a great job!! I was shocked to hear that he wanted to detassel this year as it is a very hard job!

Till next time!!

Crystal Smith, signing off.......

Get FREE Smileys today!

Well, it's Friday, what more can I say.

After a really long week... it is finally Friday. We have 2 birthdays to celebrate this weekend... Both on July 12. Brian (the hubby) will be 38 and my son, Cody, will be 13. It's hard to believe that I have a 13 yr old!!!!

We will also be having a moment of silence for a friend that recently passed away just 1 week before her 33rd bday. (We miss you Paula)

So, hopefully, we'll get some good pics done and have a great time!! Cake, Ice Cream and an Ice Cream cake to celebrate!!!

more to come............

Small things I've noticed lately...

While many people are enjoying the nice weather Mother Nature has seemed to lay upon us this wonderful July, I realized that not everyone in this world could actually enjoy it.





I look at my kids and ask, "do people really know how lucky they are to have children that are comletely healthy and free of illness and/or disease?" Many parents will never truely know the struggles of a family with even one sick child let alone multiple. From high medical costs to stuggles getting them into school to the everyday living costs that seem to go higher and higher as the days and weeks go on.

One wheelchair co-pay can hit $500 easy, Gait Trainer co-pay can hit $200 easy. Medicine co-pays can be between $10 & $60 and sometimes higher. Drs visits are $25-50 before you look at the cost of gas to get there. Multiple trips to Chicago, St. Louis and talks of heading to Indianapolis means a tank of gas to get there and a tank to get back. With average prices of gas being $2.50 right now in my area, that's damn near $100 for gas just to get her there and back!!!

Fights with drs officies to get scripts sent to where they need to go, fights with the health insurance company to even pay for the stuff she needs, the stresses of knowing she'll never be normal, not like other children in her class. Fights with the schools to make the proper adjustments and reconstruction of areas of the school to get them up to ADA standards is time consuming to say the least.

I have become and advocate for my daughter and encourage others to be the voices of their children as well. I have also become advocates for other children that have no voice and no one to assist with getting them what they need.

Sure, worring about if you're gonna get that new iPod or Wii is great if you have the time and money to worry... But for those of us that have other issues to worry about like where's the moeny going to come from to pay for medical bills we have already or those to come, what about the special meds she needs, how are we gonna pay for the new wheel chair she so desperately needs...


My dear Autumn is now 7 years old, she is free of her feeding tube and 99% of her meds that were "sustaining" her from 1 yr till now. Her only meds are a growth hormone and the occasional tylenol or motrin. We are very happy and thankful for everyday we have with her. Now, that is not saying I am not angry nor jealous of those with healthy children. Because to be honest I am... I am very angry that God made my daughter suffer with an illness that took 6 years to find. I am very jealous that God gave this one a healthy daughter when all I ever wanted was a little girl to call my own. Shopping, hair salon trips.. ya know... the normal stuff moms and daughters do...

(Photo above is Autumn during the State Farm Play Day in June 09..... Taken by Crystal R Smith)

I however would not change having Autumn in my life for anything. Not even a healthy Autumn. She is mine.. all mine and I love her to pieces. No matter how bad things seem to be going in our lives, Autumn always seems to make sure we smile at least 10 times a day LOL.

As I sit here and write this, dear Autumn is sitting with her dad eating a bagel and playing Nintendo DS! She is the light of our lives, makes us smile everyday no matter what's going on. She's a happy little girl without a care in the world! She enjoys being with her family and the animals here on the farm. She's a friendly little girl that sees only the good in people. I wish I had that trust, that hope to see the good in things, especially when right now, all is see is greedy, evil, self preserving people.......

Lord, grant me the strength to go on, provide guidance for me so that I may guide others during their struggles in this cruel world. Forgive me for all that I have done or will do in the days to come. Keep my family safe and my friends well. In this your name I pray... AMEN...


Keep family close my friends, love them, respect them, listen to them.. and most of all.. LOVE THEM...

A Changing Day in My Life

While updating my Facebook page, I looked up a friend. I didnt realize this little fact about him. He had cancer 6 yrs ago, lost tons of weight (100 lbs) and was now the healthiest he's ever been...

After a few moments of self reflection, I realized that while I feel "okay" most days, I do not feel my best, like I did when I was 180 lbs! I have decided to do what needs to be done.. Lose the weight, stop smoking, eat healthier (this is gonna be hard as I LOVE my meat) and exercise more, do what needs to be done.

Be healthier for me, my family and my friends.

Now, I know WHAT needs to be done (end result), I just need to figure out HOW I'm gonna do it.... ???????????

Will post more later
Crystal

Spring Break is upon us!

Spring Break begins for my littles one today. She wont go back until Mon the 30th. The boys begin Spring Break on Friday the 20th. I am not sure what all we're gonna do while they are on their week off... I know that by the time school begins again.. I am going to have gone crazy.

I know the kids are looking froward to it.. mom... not so much.

Will update soon

Crystal

It's SPRING!!!

It's FINALLY spring outside... We had some nasty weather here and unfortunately, our shed is now in the field upside down!!! And to top it off... Austin is sick.. He hasnt been ill in months!!

I am not too happy about the kid being sick part but, I suppose it could be worse. Been a pretty busy day and I must admit... I am NOT looking forward to the after noon. We will just have to see what all happens...

Oh, hubby said shed is now back right-side up and is in its place... added some weight until we can get it tied down.

Blog on...
Crystal

Life as we know it....

As we decide to become moms, things go through our minds... do this, do that, drive here, drive there... But, we forget to add in what we will no longer be able to do ALONE ever again. Here's a short list...

• Pee
• Shower
• talk on the phone without someone screaming
• have an adult conversation WITHOUT someone interrupting
• eat in peace
• watch a nice movie without someone saying "MOM, he hit me!"
• Having that "alone" time with your husband and not have someone unlock the door with their fingernail and yelling "What'cha doin'?"
• Enjoy Wal*Mart the way we did BEFORE kids :)
• Wear underware/bras that are cute vs. supportive ;)
• Being able to sleep a full 8 hrs without someone wanting a drink, having to pee, OR blaring the TV

I am sure there is more that I can add to this list but, these are what comes to mind RIGHT now...

On that note, I am off to bed.. Hoping to get a good nights rest. Maybe everyone will sleep the whole night (yeah, right LOL)

Crystal

So, what's for dinner?

Well, after being ill all day... Had to come up with a shopping list for the hubby to get.

Here's what's on the Menu for the weekend....

Feb 6, 09

SUPPER: Bacon Cheeseburgers, Smiley Face Taters (McCain)

Feb 7, 09

BREAKFAST: Extra Fluffy Pancakes, Syrup, Potatoes O'Brien with Scrammbled Eggs and Sausage.

LUNCH: Veggie Beef Soupe, Rice, Grilled Turkey `N` Swiss Sandwich

SUPPER: Shake ~N~ Bake Chicken, Mashed Taters, Gravy, Corn

Feb 8, 09

BREAKFAST: French Toast, Syrup, Sausage, Eggs

LUNCH: Spaghetti, Meatballs, Garlic Bread

SUPPER: Leftovers from Sat/Sun big meals (YUMMY)

Looks like a nice weekend for cooking. It's supposed to be in the upper 40's lower 50's. YAY!!!

So, happy cooking everyone


YAY! Pancakes YUMMY


Crystal
Mama to Cody, Austin & Autumn
Wife to Brian

New Fid is here!!

Well, after months of looking, I finally found a new bird.... His name is Sugar. He's a Dark Eyed Cinnamon and is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!

He was born July 5, 2008. Purchased from IlliniParrots in Champaign, IL. He is very good tempered. He is already speaking!! Says, "Good Boy", "Bus" and "Shhhh"

Above, is Sugar and Skye. They are getting along great!!! Both speak quite well, Skye's vocab is much more advanced but he has been here for a few months. I love my FIDS

Crystal

It's Thursday in IL

Hello all!!

It's been a long week and there's still a couple days left. With a sick kid, haven't gotten much else done. Dishes are in the sink, floors need swept and mopped... cages need cleaned.. UGH... With Strep in the house, everything must be disinfected, sterilized and dried. That in itself will be a chore. So my list for the day is as follows...

1. Sweep/Mop floors (LR, Kit, Hallway)
2. Clean guinea pigs cage
3. Clean Hedgehogs cage
4. Clean bird cages
5. Wash dishes
6. Do laundry (wash, dry, fold)
7. Do animal dishes (wash, sterilize, dry)
8. Figure out what's for Supper
9. Give baby bath

I think that's about it for now LOL... seems like the list grows daily but, with everyone in and out, kids sick, mom tired, dad cranky, days go by fast and things seem to take forever to get done.

So, with that said, I must go, gotta get the baby her medicine and breakfast.

Happy Mothering (I need coffee!)

Crystal

Check this out!

Well, looks like the hedgehog of the houe, Harriet, has her own blog now!!! visit it by going to http://quilledgoddess.blogspot.com/ she has some photos up too!!

Other than that, not really much to tell...


WindDancer