New Sheriff

Look out Monticello! There's a new sheriff in town!

8 Things About Me

1. I have been to New York three times. (Been in the World Trade Center twice and to Ground Zero once).
2. I am like Jeff and thinks potty humor is hilarious. I guess that is why I get along with the guys better than I do the girls. I think farting is funny and hate to go shopping all day long.
3. I am a strange love for John Travolta. I think he is the hottest person alive.
4. I was manager of Pizza Inn in Jonesboro when I went college.
5. I was Valedictorian of my class.
6. I wish I could play the trumpet like my brother did.
7. I didn't join the marching band in high school because everyone in my class was doing it. I love to stand out even then. Of course this wasn't hard being the only white in my class or school at Eudora.
8. I have a overbearing fear of being raped or my children being molested.

RAIN

Words of wisdom from Ashton.

"Mom, please call God and tell him to stop the rain."

Night Terrors

Just when you think it is going to be a peaceful night, you are awoken by your baby boy screaming to the top of his lungs. He is screaming but yet he is not conscious. He does not even recognize you. Ashton has been experiencing night terrors for about a year now.

They are very stressful. You want to shake him or slap him to wake him up, yet it wouldn't work. All you can do is sit there and hold him until he wakes up or it is over. Research says that children experiencing night terrors must have a regular sleep schedule. Sometimes these night terrors are triggered by being too tired. How can you do this, if the boy will not take naps? I think sometimes he is just scared to sleep. He has actually told me this a couple of times. I just wish whatever little demons are possessing his brain at night would disappear and leave him alone.

Prayer Request

This is a simple prayer request for a beautiful little boy named Garret. For most of you, this is just a repeat of Shelly's blog. I just want to tell people that do not read that blog.

Garret was born with craniosynosis. This is a premature closing of the right front skull suture, meaning he has no soft spot. This can inhibit his brain to have room to grow. He was wearing a corrective helmet but it was determined that it wasn't working. The next option is surgery. Please pray that Garret and his family will have the physical and emotional strength for this surgery.

The Ressurection

The orange paci has been ressurected.

The orange paci went missing yesterday morning. For those of you who don't know, this is a major deal. This very orange paci is the only paci Kaylee will take. She has a blue one just like it but no she has to have the orange one. SHE KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE! Those of you who say babies are color blind, well this one isn't. It was missing all day yesterday and today. We could just go out and buy one, but we are broke. This particular orange paci cannot be bought in the single paci pack. You must buy it in the two pack. That two pack does not have two orange pacis in them. So basically you have to buy one paci for the price of two because she only wants the orange paci. Two days of hell and we are back in business. We just found the orange paci. For those of you who have an extra orange paci like this one are welcome to mail them to Kaylee for those critical times when the orange paci goes AWOL.

According to Renea and Jenny, she is respresenting Journey with the orange paci.

BLIND AS A BAT

I am blind. SO WHAT!! About a month ago, I went to the eye doctor. After the eye exam, he said "Wow! You can't see, but I am sure you already knew that." Why wouldn't I know that? I either have to wear my contacts or my glasses unless I want to feel around and touch everything to know where I am going. My prescription is -6.00 and -5.75. For those of you who this makes no sense to you, consider this. Michael is a -3.25. Yeah, I could almost pass for legally blind. Enough blind talk, I will catch up with you later.

43 Things

I got this from Shelly's blog. It is 43 things you want to do before you die. I found it to go right along with our small group session last Tuesday. This is harder than you think.

1. Pray with my family on a daily basis
   


2. Learn to cook beans like Dad
   


3. Take family vacations every summer, even if it is for the weekend
   


4. Start a support group for parents of special needs children
   


5. Get my masters (be done in August)
   


6. Read completely through the Bible (word for word)
   


7. Advocate for special needs children in my community/state
   


8. Own my own home
   


9. Have a cocker spaniel
   


10. Daily devotional time
    


11. Learn to use Photoshop
    


12. Learn to tread water (almost hopeless)
    


13. Not scared to talk about God (can do it on paper…can't really in person unless it is a fellow Christian)
    


14. Build a computer like Michael
    


15. Daily exercise routine
    


16. Prearrange funeral arrangements (both parents this way…so much easier)
    


17. Watch "It's A Wonderful Life."
    


18. Have a totally clean house for more than one day
    


19. Travel to Germany and Poland and study the Holocaust (I'm a Holocaust fanatic)
    


20. Good role model for my students
    


21. Out of debt
    


22. Not a liar to my kids (I believe in telling the kids there no Santa Claus, Michael doesn't. We will see how that goes.)
    


23. Cook on a daily basis
    


24. Routine of making my bed everyday
    


25. Having family nights one night a week
    


26. Tell my husband "I love him every day." (I don't know if I tell him enough)
    


27. Find time to sew (love it, just no time)
    


28. Get over my fear of canoeing (done it twice and shook the whole way down Spring River in Hardy)
    


29. Take anniversary trips with Michael (my grandparents called it their honeymoon)
    


30. Take initiative of more things
    


31. Read as much as possible on real life murders (the only books that can grab my attention)
    


32. Get over the fear of being raped
    


33. Forget ever being molested by my brother's friend
    


34. Get through this list of 43
    


35. Make more list of goals to complete
    


36. Get over the fact you can't give your children everything they want
    


37. Become more organized
    


38. Remember to put earrings in
    


39. Start getting yearly physicals
    


40. Start having yearly eye exams and dental exams
    


41. Stop drinking so many cokes. (I love coke and have withdrawals.)
    


42. EAT MORE CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM!!! (It makes me happy)
    


43. Stop being so critical of myself and my family.
    

If I have a line through it, then these are things I have already started toward completing.

Where are you taking me God?

Where are you taking me? My heart has been pounding all day. Does this mean that this is your will? Why am I so nervous about stepping out and trying to help people? I know, however, that everything will be find because you are behind me 100%. Why does it still seem like a scary thing to do?

I am fixing to take a leap of faith here. I have wanted for some time to start a support group for parents of special needs children. Parents with these children need to have someone with the same experiences to talk to. It was not until Rosjuane's blog about the kind of treatment she receives when she takes her son out in public, that I realize there is a need and that need is now. It is devastating to know that this happens. I am pretty sure that she is not the only one that receives this treatment. I have with my autistic sister and I get the same looks, smirks, and hear the whispering.

Anyways, all is invited to come next Saturday. I may be the only one there but that is OK. I really hope to see this group start off. I want to use the group for parents to support each other and give your ups and downs as you tackle the difficult task of taking care of a special needs child. I also want to see in the future to reach out to the community and educate them on these children. We are in the times now that parents don't stay in their homes and hide because they have a child that is different.

Our 4th of July

We had a great fourth. We started out by grilling our lunch. Michael grilled pork chops. I know you are suppose to have hot dogs. But when you are broke, you have to eat what you already have. We also had fried okra, squash, corn on the cob, and macaroni and cheese. To me the corn was the best part. I ate four ears myself.

After lunch, we all took a nap. The off the lake we went. We got rained out so we came home. We decided to try again at 9 for the fireworks. I think that was everybody's idea. What is so spectacular about fireworks that people will drives miles to see. The side that we were on was packed. I am sure the other side was too. Below are some pics of the fireworks.

Before I Die, I Want To

BE	DO	HAVE	HELP	ENJOY	LEAVE
Financially Able—No debt	Teach special education or work directly with special needs children	A home	My children to see God's work	Life	St. Judes a sum of money
Nurturing wife	Set up college fund for kids	Family nights	Other children in need	My kids	Namesake
Understanding parent when my children are in a crisis or need	Set good example for my students	Healthy relationship with my husband	Church members who are struggling	Time alone with hubby before and after the kids are gone	No problems for my kids-everything prearranged
Christian woman and it shows	Sponsor a child	Cocker spaniel	My community with food and clothing drives	A retirement of traveling in a camper	Enough sentimental things for my children to treasure
Advocate for special needs children	Start a support for local parents with special needs children	Family trips every summer	Parents who are struggling supporting their kids-tell them about options they don't know about	Sitting on porch listening to birds and watching squirrels (just need the time to do it)	Enough money to support my husband and children if I go before them

This was an assignment in our women's small group at Journey Church. The answers are in no particular order. This assignment, however, did make you have to think about things you never want to. No one wants to think about what they want to do or be before they die.

Ashton's Haircut

It started out to just be a little trim. It was getting long. He thought it would be funny to wiggle and dance during the haircut. I told him that I was going to cut it bald if he wouldn't be still. He didn't want that because people would laugh at him. You thought he wouldn't move then. WRONG!!! While trimming, he wanted to shake his booty. You guess it I cut a big gap out of it. The only way to fix it would be to shave it. So here is the after picture showing the results of a comb, clippers, and wiggly boy.

Lunch at the Arnold's

Ashton's new way to make a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. One with a whole right in the middle.

Arnold Update

Life....Don't you wish you could hold someone's hand all the way through it. Never experience pain alone. With this picture, I like to pretend that the baby hand is me and the big hand is Jesus. So often, we feel alone, yet he is right there with us.

UPDATE ON ARNOLD HOUSEHOLD:

Lou: I have just completed 9 of my 10 classes for my master's degree. I never thought I would see the end of it. So in 8 weeks, you will see the more educated Lou with a master's. I am starting my second year of teaching kindergarten in August. I can't wait. I have already been setting up my room. It is hard to believe that time is near. I am becoming more active in the church. I take care of the nursery every 3rd Sunday, helping to clean the whole church Friday with the James', and learning Pro Presenter for the slide shows. Pro Presenter is the software used to run the slide show of the songs that are being sung. I am learning this because it gives me the opportunity to sit with Michael during worship service. He does the sound, so I never get to be with him during the service. But I have found the way.

Michael: Michael has two classes left to finish his bachelor's. Hopefully, by December he will be done. I am crossing my fingers. Currently, he works for Monticello School Distirct as a summer technical help. He loves that job. I hope he can find a full time job like that. He is so much happier when he can take computers apart and fix them. It is amazing what he can do to a computer. He has actually built two computers from scratch over the past year and sold them. Now, if I could just get him to work on ours.

Ashton: Ashton is such a great big brother. I don't know what I would do without his help. He is constantly wanting to hold her and feed her. He even throws the dirty diapers away. In August, Ashton will be in pre-school at Drew Central. He is so excited to go to school with school buses. He wants to be in kindergarten in Mrs. Cossey's class but he has to start somewhere.

Kaylee: Kaylee had her 3 month birthday yesterday. She is so active and alert. I believe that she knows everything that is going on around her. She hasn't rolled over yet. But research says that rolling over from your back to your stomach is harder than the other way around. It takes more muscles. She refuses to lay on her stomach. I think that she can't see as much. She is currently going to Kid's World. She loves it. It is amazing how you can see a 3 month old glow when she sees her teachers. She is in heaven there. She has lots of kids to watch play.

STRESSED!!!!

This is the last week for this course in my master's class. I have borderline C or D. I missed one assignment and got half credit for supposedly copy another student's work. That is a long story and don't want to go there. (I still don't know how I got accused of that one.) Anyways, by missing 10 points and only getting 5 on one will make me receive a C. Now my teacher is saying that I have an assignment missing. I submitted it but it is not there. Of course, you say just resubmit it. If it was only that easy. I deleted it off my computer because I double checked and it was submitted. CAN WE SAY STUPID IDIOT? Now, I have no proof. The teacher however says that she has two assignments that say a guest submitted them. I just don't understand how you can't open those up and see who they are from. Every paper submitted had to have a title page with the student's name on it. Needless to say, I have e-mailed her about it. Probably just made her mad.

Let's say with this class, I am STRESSED. I have already cried to the point of hyperventilating. Took a bubble bath to relax. Take tylenol for the migraine I am getting. Cleaning the house. NOTHING IS WORKING!!!!

UPDATE: SHE CHECKED TH PAPER AND FOUND IT. THANK THE LORD. MY STRESS LEVEL JUST LOWERED BY 95%.

It's morning alreay?

Some days are just not worth getting up for.

First Conversation

Frustrating Being A Wife

How can you move on when you taken an oath to stand by someone until they die? You have given your all to that person and it doesn't seem like enough. You are completely exhausted raising two kids, getting your masters and helping your husband through school who just ain't making it.

The world today would tell you to get rid of him. He is doing nothing but bringing you down. He won't do homework at school or send resumes in. He believes that is your job. In the back of your mind there is no way you can leave him. You took an oath before God. After all you stood by him that time in March a year ago when he betrayed you. How could you leave him over something so stupid? Is it just too much to ask for?

I love him don't get me wrong. Sometimes it is just so frustrating to be a nurturing wife. You start getting your life back together and it feels like your world begins to crumble.

A Fearless Child

What makes a child fearless? What makes them so trusting of people?

Thinking back to the events at family camp, what makes Ashton do the things he does? Why does he let someone lift him up a tall pole and then put him on the zip line for him to go plunging through the woods? Why does he jump into a swimming pool that is over his head? Why would he follow the older boys through the woods on his bike?

What happened to me as an adult? I would be scared to death to do those things. Never would I climb a pole and drop to the ground. Never would I jump off into water over my head without my life jacket. (If you notice I always stay in the shallow end.) Never would I follow someone into the woods on a bike trail. Does life experiences change this? If we are suppose to have trials in our life, why do they cause us to fear the world and everyone in it? Maybe it is because once we start to believe, we can look back on those experiences and see what could have happened if we only would have trusted God.

Starting July 20th, I am going to make a leap of faith. Am I scared, YES! I have to do it in order to be obedient to my God. He has been putting this on my shoulders for years. I am tired of holding all that heavy baggage. We are going to tithe the whole 10%. This is very scary for me and I have been struggling with this for years. I have been scared to do it. How will I pay for everything that I have? RENT, DAYCARE, CAR PAYMENT, UTILITIES, FOOD! How will they get paid? It is hard to support a family on 4 on a teacher's salary. I just never saw how I could do it. I still don't. You hear of people saying don't worry about it, God will take care of it. I just couldn't take the chance. I know not taking a chance on God is pretty stupid. Well, we are going to try it. Just pray for me because this is a big step that I have to make. It is time for me to be as fearless as Ashton.

Journey Family Camp

We had a great time at camp. The one thing that we brought back from camp was that we must find a devotional for our family. We learned that your family is of the upmost importance. If anyone knows of a good devo for 3 years old please let me know. Ashton asks a lot of questions and is very interested. Everything we have found is over his head.

Here are a few pictures from camp.

Daddy helping Ashton get ready to go to breakfast.

You guessed it. This is the evil grin. Ashton has taken Blessing's car.

Playing Connect Four by himself. Actually he just likes putting all the pieces in there and then watching them fall out.

Where's Kaylee? Oh, Kynlee has her.

Can you tell that he had a blast at camp.

Second year of Family Camp and they finally get along. (Picture taken from Jeff)

Yes, the Arnold's won something. We may not win anything that deals with physical endurance, but we can Flashlight Morse Code with the best of them.

We are trying to teach him to ride the big boy bikes, but you have to take small steps.

I never saw Kaylee the whole time at camp. Someone else always had her.

Ashton left camp with an adrenaline rush. He climb a big tall telephone pole and zip lined to the ground. That is right my 3 year old rode a zip line from about 70 feet in the air. He has no fear. Ashton wants to thank Jeff for saving him. He told me we had to buy him a Christmas present for the save.

Our trip to the Movie

We went to the movies because Momma took Ashton to the doctor and told him that would not give him a shot. What did they do? Stuck him in his finger and gave him a shot in the booty. What was I suppose to do? He looked so sad when he turned to me and said, "You said I wouldn't get a shot." I had to do something.

We went to see Shrek the Third. It was great. It kept Ashton's attention all the way through, which is unusual.

We got our popcorn and began eating until the movie started. You can't go to the movie place and not get popcorn. It is a must and it must have extra butter.

After eating all that popcorn, you get thirsty. We drink our Barq's Root Beer (the real kind).

Of course, what is a trip to the movie without spilling your drink and popcorn all over the floor. A three year old gets exciting with something in the movie and kicks it all over.

We had a great time!

(Can you tell we love the camera? All of our pictures can tell a story. Sorry the pictures are bad, but they were done with the mobile.)

100 Things

So I have done this before too. Shelly and Brandy have me wanted to redo mine.

1. My real name is Larryanna Lowery Arnold.
2. had seizures as an infant
3. from a broken home, although both parents work together to raise me (no problems)
4. grew up in Eudora
5. graduated Valedictorian
6. only white in my high school class
7. an aunt at age 7 (can't believe that boy is already 21)
8. had my tongue pierced in college
9. love A & E and all their crime shows
10. used to be a social drinker
11. the baby of 6 (4 half-brothers and 1 sister)
12. watched my Dad and my Mom take their last breath
13. long to teach special education
14. used to stay depressed....especially during pregnancy with Kaylee
15. been to Rome and Israel
16. traveled to New York 3 times (one with Ashton at 18 months)
17. rode in a train from New York City to Little Rock
18. love flip flops (10 to 15 pair and counting)
19. hate to buy clothes at full price (look for the red clearance signs at stores)
20. love to listen to country
21. love dogs especially cocker spaniels
22. hate to wear make-up
23. favorite color is green and yellow
24. teach kindergarten
25. have an autistic sister
26. a tomboy
27. likes to fish but refuses to touch the fish or put the worm on the hook
28. married for 5 years
29. love pickles
30. have scoliosis
31. used to wear contacts (and will get some more tomorrow...just in time for camp)
32. outspoken...when it comes to my kids (at home or at school)
33. never had a cavity
34. love jewelry
35. don't like to dress...(would wear t-shirts, jeans, and flip flops anywhere)
36. hate to wear tennis shoes or boots even during the winter
37. swam in the Dead Sea (rather I floated)
38. love to take pictures
39. would love to leave in New York City if I wasn't so family oriented
40. don't like to read books (It must be a true story of a killer before I can)
41. love horror films (Michael doesn't)
42. wish my birthstone was not a diamond because everybody wears them
43. takes a while to trust people
44. very criticle of everyone I met...sometimes wonder what their motive is
45. hate to drive
46. can't tread water...must stay in water that is not over my head
47. love to watch people and analyze them
48. once wanted to be a news anchor
49. love Sour Cream and Onion Chips
50. favorite candy bar is a Butterfinger
51. would love to go to a Nascar Event
52. love riding on four-wheelers
53. hate washing clothes
54. manager at Pizza Inn for two years in Jonesboro
55. went to ASU before UAM
56. totally flunked ASU because I didn't go to class
57. have two kids Ashton (3) and Kaylee (2 months)
58. refuse to live in Little Rock (it stresses me)
59. realized by calling in live to be a teacher from the Jonesboro School shooting
60. took several years to learn to ride a bike
61. never went to a Bible Study until Journey Church
62. can recall at least once when I know God carried me through a situation (I am positive he need more, but I actually felt him lift me up in his hands)
63. love to sew but don't have the time
64. my brother is my mechanic
65. have help my husband work on a Volkswagon beetle
66. actually kissed a boy 2 days before 16 (wasn't Sweet 16 and never been kissed)
67. love to watch sports
68. cheerleader in high school
69. rode on a motorcycle only once
70. fear being raped or assaulted (almost makes me paranoid to be myself)
71. have to wash my hair everyday (it's very oily)
72. jumped off a diving board only once (with a life jacket)
73. can't stand Dr. Pepper (sorry Shelly)
74. favorite food is anything CHICKEN
75. tried to breast feed (It just was not for me)
76. had an ulcer on eye
77. hate to sun tan...if I get tanned it is while I am doing my normal thing outside
78. want a house so that I can mow it
79. took dancing for 13 years
80. have 3 nephews and 1 niece
81. My Dad is my hero
82. can't stand for people to touch my nose
83. my toes are the only parts on me that is ticklish
84. love to camp oustide in a tent (not a trailor)
85. would not trade my husband for anything
86. strive to have a quiet time with the Bible...(right now just trying for Bible time)
87. Both my kids have slept all night (gets up only once for a Bible)
88. love Wal-Mart (except the one here)
89. can't stand to do house work unless it is oustide
90. very poor night vision
91. think John Travolta is the sexiest guy ever.
92. bought my wedding dress off Ebay
93. never used the internet until I went to college
94. hate talking on the phone
95. wore braces my senior year of high school
96. rear ended someone at a stop light because I was looking for my retainer
97. very ogranized person
98. must watch TV to go to sleep
99. have muscle spasms in my back during cold weather
100. hate chatting on the internet

Bible Devotionals

I got a new Bible about 5 days ago. I have wanted a devotional Bible for some time. I hate having 2 or 3 books just to study God's word. Anyways, I have done great with it. I have been reading it for 4 days straight. The devotionals only take a 5 minutes in the morning. This is awesome if you only get up an hour before you have to be some where and you have 2 kids to get ready. I am also reading through the Bible in one year with a plan that I found online. I have been doing this before I go to bed. I am so excited. I never made it 4 days in a row. I usually stopped around two. Woo Hoo for me.

The Melancholic / Choleric

I am 80% Melancholic and only 29% Choleric

The melancholic-choleric is also a leader with the potential to accomplish great works. However, where the choleric-melancholic is driven by the challenge and the opportunity, the melancholic-choleric is inspired more by the nobility of the task. The introverted nature of the melancholic, combined with the focused and unempathic nature of the choleric, can result in an individual who is highly motivated by noble ideals (even humanitarian ones), but who prefers to work alone, rather than with people. The melancholic side of both temperament mixtures results in the project being organized, ethical, and high-minded, while the choleric aspect is the driving and demanding force.

If you are melancholic-choleric, you are somewhat less pragmatic (or utilitarian) than a pure choleric, just as persevering and determined, and with a greater emphasis on the ideal. Likely to be motivated by the most noble and demanding of causes, you are capable of founding a humanitarian society, composing a symphony, founding a school, or discovering a cure. You are organized, perfectionist, introspective, driven, and moody (though less so than a pure melancholic). You will be less active than a choleric-melancholic and less extraverted, more internally focused.

But your weaknesses include a tendency to excessive self-criticism and criticism of others, being dismissive or overly judgmental, exhibiting a tendency to self-absorption, and possessing an untrustful and controlling nature. You tend to be inflexible, can bear grudges for a long time and may be prone to discouragement. A melancholic-choleric who is not attentive to his spiritual life, and does not keep his eye assiduously on the truly important things of life can become a cross to those around him, through his nit-picking, perfectionism, disdain, bitterness, resentfulness, spitefulness when crossed, and even haughtiness.
If your temperament is melancholic-choleric, for a better understanding of your temperament it is recommended that you read the full descriptions of the melancholic and choleric.

25 Favorite things

25. Favorite Holiday-Christmas

24. Favorite Season-Winter...I love the snow

23. Favorite Color-green or yellow

22. Favorite Hobby-sudoku puzzles

21. Favorite Sport-basketball

20. Favorite Game-Clue

.21. Favorite Place-New York City

.20.Favorite Restaurant-Olive Garden

19. Favorite Food-anything chicken

18. Favorite Ice Cream-Chocolate

17. Favorite Drink-Grape Slush from Sonic

16. Favorite Gadget-my cell phone Treo

15. Favorite Smell-cucumber melon

14. Favorite Shoes-any one of flip flops

12. Favorite Pet-Champ my cocker spaniel I had when I was little

11. Favorite Movie-8 Seconds

10. Favorite TV Show-Grey's Anatomy....I so need a support group

09. Favorite Radio Station-106.9 Country station out of Stuttgart

08. Favorite Band-just one....Rascal Flatts

07. Favorite Song-"The Dance" by Garth Brooks

06. Favorite Book-The book on Jeffrey Dahmer

05. Favorite Quote-Excuses are like booty holes, everyone has them

04. Favorite Song Lyric: "I can buy the same thing on the Wal-mart shelf half price." Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson

03. Favorite Poem-Anything Langston Hughes

02. Favorite Candy--Sweettarts or Butterfinger

01. Favorite Person-Michael

Prayer Request

I have a simple prayer request for those that have the time. Friday afternoon a 5 year old shot old his 3 year old brother here in Monticello. It killed the little the boy. I know the little boy that did shooting. He was not in my class but in kindergarten. The funeral was today. Please keep this boy and his family in your prayer. Right now, the 5 year old does not really grasp what has happened except that his brother is going to heaven.

I went to visitation, yesterday. It was the worst thing that I have ever seen. All I could do was picture Ashton in that casket. It just brought tears to my eyes. That could have easily been him. We must count our blessing everyday.

Today, I went to Monroe for my pedicure with the rest of the teachers from kindergarten. I absolutely had a blast. Who would think that a country girl from Eudora would love to have a pedicure? It is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I would recommend it to everyone.

Just one of Those Days

I feel like Brandy does when she post about her doctor's appoint visits. I just want to cry like Ashton is in this picture.

Today was my appointment for WIC sense it was canceled last Friday. I didn't know that until I went for the appointment. A phone call would have been nice. Below is a short synopsis of the morning.

7:30 Take Michael to work

7:45 Drop the kids off at day care

7:50 Go home and pick up WIC papers that I left

8:10 Arrive at DHS for appointment at 8:30

8:12 Go to pick up kids. (Didn't know that had to be there since Friday I mentioned I had a workshop at 9am and could just walk right over to the Co-op. You would think the secretary would have caught that and said you have to bring the children.)

8:20 Arrive back at DHS (though I did good I was still early for the appointment)

8:30 Kaylee screaming for a bottle and Ashton wild as a goose

8:45 still waiting and thinking I will never make it to the workshop....text Michael to come over and take the kids back when they are finished with the appointment.

9:00 the waiting room begins to fill...still have not been called back...text Michael again to give him the update and hoping for a response with words of encouragement..WORKSHOP STARTED

9:15 nurse walks through front door...really hoping that is not the nurse that was suppose to be at my appointment at 8:30....15 MINUTES INTO MY WORKSHOP

9:20 still not called back...students from my class were there so I talked them...Ashton is jumping off the seats....Kaylee is crying because I didn't bring her paci or more formula from the day care....(I honestly thought I would be done or at least been seen)..20 MINUTES INTO MY WORKSHOP...text Michael again with an update and to tell him to come and help

9:30 finally called back and yes the nurse that walked in at 9:15 was the nurse that I was seeing...do all the kids measurements and mine...pricked Ashton in the finger to check for hemoglobins (He was such a trooper. I told him that it would not hurt. All he said was OUCH)....find out I have to have one (talk about nervous..I knew it would hurt)....text Michael to see where he is at....30 MINUTES INTO MY WORKSHOP

9:50 moved to another room to see what we are lacking in our diets....text Michael again.....50 MINUTES INTO MY WORKSHOP

10:00 Michael calls to find out where I am because he needs the car...his phone's battery was dead....ONE HOUR INTO MY WORKSHOP

10:30 finally all the paperwork was complete....1 HOUR & 30 MINUTES INTO MY WORKSHOP...finally get dropped off and Michael takes the kids back to day care and he is off to class (30 MINUTES LATE FOR CLASS)

After the whole 2 hours, we did receive WIC. Kaylee will get her formula and Ashton and I will get lots of other things.

My day would have been great, but of course the chaos did not stop there.

10:35 arrive at the workshop

11:30 break for lunch...pile into co-workers vehicle...that's right it was dead...the car would not have to start

11:45 guy from Monticello Exxon arrives to replace the battery

12:00 off to eat

12:10 arrive at City Drug

12:15 get our order taken

12:20 Michael arrives and orders

12:25 our food arrives and we eat...Michael is still waiting for his

12:45 time to be back...finally get to pay...Michael is still waiting for his food

12:50 we leave...Michael is still waiting...I hope that he got his food but I don't know

1:00 arrive back at the workshop.....15 MINUTES LATE

2:00 workshop is over...get ride to Monticello School District to get my car.....THE CAR WAS LOCKED....you guessed it Michael has the keys and his phone is dead...there was no getting in touch with him.

2:20 arrive at home and am now blogging about my crazy day

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. I GET TO GO TO WAL-MART AND BUY MY WIC. I ALSO GOT $28 TO GO TO FARMER'S MARKET FOR QUALIFYING FOR WIC.

My High-Maintenance Girl

Happy 5 Years!

Friday is actual the magical date, but I can't wait to tell you how much I love you.

We have been through a lot together and you have been great through it all. Below is a short timeline of us.

December 1999--We met and I electricuted you (literally).

February 2000--You went to the Valentine's Dance with me.

March 2000--You asked me out. The best thing you could have every done with your life.

May 2000--You moved home for the summer or at least I thought you did. You stayed in Jonesboro with your friends for most of the time.

September 2000--You began to work at Pizza Inn with me and I was your boss. You were a great employee.

March 2001--We went on our first mission trip together to Mexico.

May 2001--We moved to south Arkansas. You to Casscoe and me to Eudora.

January 2002--You proposed to me in my dorm room.

Febuary 2002--You were by my side after my Mom's death. You are the greatest for this.

June 2002--We were married and off to Hardy.

August 2002--We moved into our first apartment at Family Housing. It was tiny at the time, but we didn't care.

January 2003--We were able to work side by side again. I was secretary at UAM school of Ed and you were the tech guy.

November 2003--We had our first child, Ashton Michael Arnold.

December 2004--We moved to Jonesboro. You went to school and I interned in a resource/special education classroom.

May 2005--We moved back to Arkansas City. Dad was sick and someone had to take care of him. Thank you so much for doing that so I could finish my last semester of internship.

July 2005--We took at trip to New York City with Ashton to help a lady move. That was fun, especially the train ride home.

October 2005--We moved back to Monticello after Dad's death.

January 2006--I took my first teaching job at McGehee Elementary. You were there for this exciting moment.

April 2006--We found an awesome church that we both loved. Finally there was a place for a Methodist and Baptist to go without feeling awkward.

June 2006--I was offered a job at Drew Central teaching kindergarten. You told me to go for it.

December 2006--We took at car trip to Arizona with Ashton and Kaylee in my belly.

April 2007--We gave birth to our second child, Kaylee Elizabeth Arnold.

June 2007--Here we are. STILL TOGETHER.

Thanks for sticking with me for this long. I know it is difficult since I am so stubborn and independent. You are the greatest guy that I ever known and I love you for that.

Doodie King

This is an actual truck. Nothing has been photoshopped. My friend was driving home from work in Little Rock and had to take a picture of this and send to me.

Sissy's Going Get Sick

I keep both kids out from day care today. Kaylee had to go to the health department to get her shots and I was trying to get on WIC. Ashton wanted to go so he could hold sissy's hand while she was getting a shot. He thought it would help. I gave in because I didn't want to crush his feelings.

We load up the car and get to the clinic. Our appointment was changed. Didn't know that. They called Michael and do you think he gave me that message. NOPE!!! So we have been rescheduled till next Wednesday.

As we are leaving, Ashton throws the biggest fit. I thought it was just a normal fit like he throws when he has to leave church or anybody's house. It wasn't because usually by the time we make it to the car he stops. Not this time. He was about to drive me nuts. He screamed most of the way home. When he calmed down and was only crying a little, I asked him what was wrong. He said that sissy didn't see the doctor and she was going to get sick. I forgot that I explained to him that shots weren't bad that they would keep sissy from getting sick. This just goes to show that Big Brother does care for Little Sister.

Flixster

So I am asuming Jenny has nothing to do with her life but play on the internet. She keeps sending me these cool places to go. Guess what. That's right. I don't clean house, wash kids, feed kids, take a bath. or even eat. (Just kidding, don't call DHS.) Anyways this newest site is about movies. It is called Flixster. You really ought to go here. It is a fun way to see how you match up with your friend's choice. According to Flixster, I am just friends with Jenny. We like some of the same things, but not all. The funny one is Jeff. Obviously, me and Jeff are nothing alike. The advice it gave me was to RUN AWAY, FAST. If I was married to him, it also gave me the advice to consider divorce. I am sure it will be the same way with Michael.


Just for future reference, my husband is very upset. Please click on his link and give him a comment. He is upset because only two people commented. That was me and according to him, I have to. The other was K.T. He said she didn't count because she reads everyone's blog is his in charge of Friday Blog Wrap-Up. I will fight him and make sure that he updates.

My Girl Loves the Water

My little girl loves the water too. She was actually awake for it today.

Day at the Lake

Trying to move a really heavy rock.

They really ought to invest in those pottys.

He is wearing blue jeans to the lake. He didn' know he needed his swimsuit to go swimming. This is why I love him.

Sleeping!

The only picture of me.

Who is having more fun?

It's cold Mommy.

Still sleeping.

More sand castles!

Still sleeping.....

I LOVE THE LAKE!!!