Determined!

Clark and I were cleaning out the basement this past weekend.  It doesn't take long for me to find a box of memories.  The cleaning then comes to a stop.  We have to look through the boy's baby pictures, old love notes, handprints, and photos from our honeymoon.  It happens so fast that I tend to forget.  Forget how chubby their fingers were, how sweet they smelled in the morning (now they do not smell sweet in the morning!), and how much fun they were when they were climbing and jumping everywhere.  Life is so fast-paced that the important things slip by. 

I am determined to remember...

This week, Isabella prayed aloud for the first time at bedtime by herself.  Her prayer was so sincere and sweet.  She used the same phrases and wording that I often use in prayer.  That showed me how closely she listens to every word that I say.  Of course, I carried on about her proud I was of her.  When Daddy came home today, she whispered in my ear, "Tell him Mama, tell him how good I prayed last night.  It will make Daddy happy."  Memories.

 

Landry has been so excited about learning how to write a friendly letter in Language.  My boy loves to learn like no other!  He wrote a friendly letter to his Daddy and me.  It was complete with a heading, salutation, body and the closing.  It was addressed just as it should be, and I will keep it forever.  He thanked Daddy for working so hard for our family and told me how sorry he felt when my back hurts.  Memories.

Riley's last basketball game for this season was last night.  His team lost.  On the way home he told me how impressed he was with the opposing team.  They were kind and encouraging even though they were beating the daylights out of our team! He said the other team would make jokes to try to cheer them up, and compliment them when they did something good.   Riley said he wants to be that same type of basketball player when his team finally beats someone.  Something tells me that he will be.  Memories.

 

I seem to smother my oldest with heart to heart talks lately.  I realize what little time I have left with the boy that is almost a man.  In the van I began to question him about standards that we believe in.  I questioned if he would consider dating a girl that might not believe in particular issues as strongly as he does.  He firmly said, "No."  I asked why.  Because someday she might be my wife, and if she doesn't live it right now, then she won't then.  I asked him if he knew why some standards were so important.  His response was...without conviction she will not have a prayer covering over our kids or me.  Later, he asked me to sit with him to watch a uTube video.  He apologized because he knew I was loading the washing maching.  The laundry can wait.  Sitting and laughing with my first born can't.  The name of the video was People Are Awesome.  All I could think was how awesome my boy is.  Memories.

 

I am thankful for the ones that we can tuck away in box, but even more thankful for the ones that I can hide away in my heart.  May I remember to slow down and bask in the beauty of the moments that are fleeting.  May I let go of the negative and see the positive that is all around.  May I dwell on all that has been accomplished instead of all that went undone.  More challenges for the year. 

 

I am determined to remember.

We had church, Presson-style!

Landry and Isabella had some happenin' church goin' on in the Presson house this past weekend.  Isabella opened with praise and worship.  Landry had prayer for all of the sick stuffed animals and then took up an offering.  In Landry's words, "Hallelujah, Sis. Presson (Isabella) gave $167.00 in the offering tonight!!!" (Not sure where she got all that money from) But, according to Landry, she is going to receive quite a blessing in return.  Landry took his text from Matthew 5 and preached an amazing sermon on the Beatitudes.  I wish I had taken notes, because he had some powerful thoughts. (seriously!  He amazes me!)    Every few minutes he would leave his "pulpit" to help Isabella find the correct scripture that he was reading from. (so cute!)  After his fire and brimstone sermon to all of the poor in spirit and pure in heart, he asked Isabella to come sing a song for altar service.  Much to Landry's frustration, the Lord moved on her heart to end the service with a energized rendition of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."  THAT is when I laughed until I cried.  Landry was furious because there is no way that souls can be saved to that song!  Thank you, Mom and Dad for buying Isabella a Dora Explorer microphone for Christmas.  It has brought mucho fun-o!

My One Sentence Journal

I have always loved to journal.  My first journals start around my 6th grade year.  I continued to journal all of my thoughts, emotions, ideas, loves, and lost loves through my middle and high school years.  I journaled sporadically while in college.  Once I was married and the boyness began, journaling was a thing of the past.  Until I discovered blogging.  I was much more faithful at my journals than I am to blogging.  I have BOXES of my journals downstairs.  I go through them every now and then and LAUGH!  I recently discovered a new form of journaling in a magazine and thought I would share it with all of you that would like to try one.  It is simple and fun.  I can't wait to have several months worth to go back and look over.  It brings those little moments back that are so easily forgotten.  It is called a One Sentence Journal.  Each day you are supposed to jot down one sentence about your day, your husband, kids, etc.  I am doing mine on my computer and then going to print each page and add to a book, or you could just grab a notebook and start a one sentence a day journal right now!  It is such an easy way to capture scattered bits and pieces of life.  My biggest problem is sticking to ONE sentence!  Here is a copy of mine.  It is non-exciting every day Presson moments, but it will help you get an idea...

One Sentence A Day Journal...

May 16, 2012 – I started Advocare on Apr 30^th, weighing in at *** pounds. :( So far I have lost 10 pounds :), and TODAY I started the treadmill! Proud of my accomplishments thus far!

May 17, 2012 – Clark went to work at 4:30 this morning so he could be home in time to eat supper with us and mow the grass. These constant late night hours are so hard for me. He mowed the grass and mulched until it was dark, and then worked by the porch lights. It was wonderful to have him home on a weeknight, even though he wasn't in the house!

May 18, 2012 – Avery's last day of 8^th grade! Can't believe I will have a highschooler in the fall. Very emotional day! Landry & our Ladybug played in the sprinkler. She could hardly stand the fact that the ground got muddy! Landry rolled in the mud. Oh, the differences between my boys and this girlie girl! Down 12 pounds! AND Leslie found out she is having TWINS in January!!!!!!!

May 19, 2012 – Clark left for a claim this morning at 1:30 and has been gone all day. We were all desperately needing to spend some time with him this weekend. Since that didn't happen, I took the kids to the Fort Loudon “Beach”. It was fun! We will be going back this Summer!

May 20, 2012 – Another lllooonngg day with Clark back on his claim. I was glad he got to come home and sleep for a few hours. He made it to church by 6:30 tonight. The ACA students presented their Competition performances. Awesome as always.

May 21, 2012 – Emery Baker is getting a new heart today at 1:00. Thank you, Jesus, for this miracle of life! God is so good!

May 22, 2012 – Competition is happening this week, so Avery is loving being in Knoxville all day without the rest of us. Riley and I are still trying to finish up 5^th grade. We got a couple of weeks behind due to my back situation and his IL trip. Everything went great with Emery. Happy Birthday to Selina!

May 23, 2012 – All the kids and I headed to Knoxville for Competition at 7:30 this morning. Avery did his Science Fair Interview. BuSy day!

May 24, 2012 – Another looonngg day of home school. It is hard when the rest of the house is off for the summer. We planned on going to the fountains at Maryville College, but they weren't on. Major sadness in the van, so we headed to Townsend to get wet in the mountain streams. 13 pounds down.

As you can see, one sentence is a bit difficult.  Just thought I'd share the memory-collecting idea!

A walker, a Science Fair, and a brand new baby.

Helloooo, bloggy friends!  So much for my New Year's Post on my WORD OF THE YEAR...consistency!  I haven't accomplished my word on my blog.  The nice part of having a word of the year is that you can pick it up again at anytime...so here I am! 

I have a couple of rrreeaaallyy good excuses on my non-consistent blogging.  One is still a secret, miracle in the making.  I can. not. stand. it. when. people. do. that. to. me.  However, it has thrown our family into a bit of a whirlwind, required mucho adjusting, and I will disclose the details as soon as I can. 

My other is that I have ruptured a disc in my spine.  It has been officially named the L5 and my neurosurgeon explained it as an extremely significant rupture.  I whole-heartedly agreed with him on the extreme part.  I did this on February 26, one day after our 17th Anniversary.  I woke up Sunday morning to begin our Get Ready to Go to Church Marathon, bent over to pick a book off of the floor...and BAM, WHAMO, WHITE-HOT KNIFE IN THE BACK - PAIN!  The kind that makes you instantly break out in a sweat and the cold chills at the same time.  I screamed (you might have heard me)  CLAAARRRKKK!  I have never seen that man wake up so fast on a Sunday morning.  I also woke the rest of the house.  I can laugh now, I was not laughing then.  I also managed to damage a nerve down my entire right leg.  My foot instantly twisted out to the right so that when my feet were placed together they formed an L shape (L is for Lisa, Lance, Laura & LaTrisa - couldn't resist), and my right foot and leg went totally numb, but yet was still able to feel pain down to the tips of my numb toes.  I have birthed three boys.  I can not recall crying one tear during any moment of labor.  However, I think I cried all day long on Sunday.  The pain was beyond intense.  Clark took me to the ER where they quickly started an IV to get the pain meds in, but they honestly didn't help much.  I kept asking for more.  My nurse was very willing and giving.  He probably kept giving me more pain meds in hopes of stopping the tears.  After Xrays, an MRI, and about 4 bottles of medicine picked up at the pharmacy, I got to come home. 

I became very good friends with my walker.  I am not ashamed of it, well, maybe a little!  But it comes in so handy!  I have made much progress.  The first few days the pain was incredibly intense.  My foot has finally started to straighten out, and I have 2 toes that are not numb and half of my leg is no longer numb.  If I have to sit up straight too long, I begin to get what I call "wooden leg" and the leg decides that it is not going to cooperate with me, and then I have to drag it along for awhile.  I am still having muscle spasms in my leg and hip, and the nerve seems to quiver and ache when I have been on it too long.

Due to the fact that I am unable to sit straight up, and do not have much power over my leg, I have not been able to drive.  I decided to try today while my mom was in the car with me.  My leg does not have the strength to hold itself up to the gas pedal, and will not listen to me when I tell it to press on the brake.  I never made it out of the garage.  I begin physical therapy on Monday.  I am nervous about this.  I am a wimp and fearful of more pain.  But hopeful it will help me to regain complete mobility.  I return to a new neurosurgeon at the end of the month, and please help me pray that I will not need to have surgery.

I must tell you that my MOM has been amazing during these past two weeks.  She has taken the most excellent care of me and my family.  She has done it all.  Helped me hobble around, cooked, cleaned every nook and cranny of this house, bought groceries, washed laundry (we have an unbelievable amount of laundry), picked kids up from school everyday, taken Riley for shots, ironed, and ironed and the list goes on and on and on!  We have kept her busy!  I do not know what we would have done without her.  I LOVE YOU, MOM, and appreciate ALL that you have done!

On a lighter, non-complaining note...I had another great-nephew born this week.  He is beautiful.  If my back wasn't so bad, I might try to steal him away from Amy.  There is nothing sweeter than a new born!  I am so happy that Andrew Michael Gomez is safely here!

AND (this is for the grandmas and aunts and cousins that read my blog mainly to hear how the boys are doing  :)...), Avery won 2nd place in the Science Fair tonight.  I am super proud of him!  Riley is doing great - aced another Math Test this week.  Landry has read the entire book of Matthew since the beginning of the year and is starting on Mark.  Love those boys of mine!

Thank you to the many of you that have been praying for me!  I am amazed by the love that you all have shown me with your comments!

"Ain't God good to give us so many blessings, undeserving, that's what we are!"

Due to a bit of Presson home renovation, all three boys are in one room for the next week or two.  I am amazed how wonderful they are getting along.  However, the mixture of the 14 year old's Xbox chaos, the 11 year old's million piece lego collection, and the 7 year old's world of all things batman is currently one huge jumbled mess.  I could not take it any longer, and had to do some cleaning this afternoon.  I noticed Avery's bed had been "made" according to my standard of bed making.  Although, Avery does not try to improve on his bed making skills, he does lllooovveee a fresh, clean bed with crisp, tight sheets made by his mom.  In the midst of my room clean-up I decided to freshen and change his bed.

I took a few extra minutes to do this, only because I know how much he enjoys it.  I love to hear that groan of contentment as he sinks into his bed, and hear the shout from across the house, "THANKS, MOM!"  While I was working on tucking in the clean sheets and finding the fresh blankets, I thought to myself that he really does not deserve this tonight.  He informed me an hour or so ago that he needed a calculator, graph paper, compass, and protractor before school in the morning.  I had bought all of these items at the beginning of the school year, but he has misplaced them.  I was not looking forward to going to the store tonight.  Clark is in Kentucky so won't be able to make a Wal-Mart stop.  So it is Mom to the rescue.  Sigh.  and double sigh. 

Back to the bed making thought.  As I was thinking of the undeserved clean bedding, the Lord reminded me of the many times I have been undeserving of His many blessings.  I have felt His blessings rain down on me when I was most unworthy. 

His mercy in the midst of my sin. 

His comfort in the midst of my confusion.

 His peace in the midst of my trial.  

I have never been and never will be deserving.  He does it all for me because of LOVE!

I took a little extra care to tuck everything nice and tight, just like Avery likes it.  Whether he deserves it or not, I love my scatterbrained teen more than life itself.  I also took a few minutes to thank the Lord for my undeserved blessings that he has given me this very day.  A short time later, I found an extra compass, protractor, graph paper, and calculator.  I will not be making a late night Wal-Mart run.  That is one BIG, undeserved blessing that makes this tired mom feel very humbled and happy!

The Presson Family 2011 A to Z

The Presson Family 2011 AtoZ

As for me & my house, we will serve the Lord.

Both front teeth “missing!” (Landry)
CIA has kept Clark veerrryy BuSy this year!
Downstairs building addition for Clark.
Excellent report cards from all 3 scholars.
First year of Homeschool for Riley, Landry & Mom
Grades 1, 5, & 8
Home is where the heart is!
Ipods & Iphones
Jetskiing, fishing & swimming @ Green Lake, WI
Kindergarten Graduation
LSU wins SEC Championship! (Avery only!)
More family moved to our area! :)
No hope of ever being caught up with laundry.
Online Scrapbooking & Blogging
Pizza, Pancakes & Pinterest
Quest for ALL missing socks is still ongoing.
Riding bikes and electric scooters
Soccer team for Avery
Trips to our beautiful Smoky Mountains
UT game for the first time for Riley!
Very, very blessed with love of family & friends.
Wasabi's (our favorite) for Avery's 14^th!
Xtra hugs and high-fives
Youth Camp for Avery for the 1^st time.
Z...Never enough zzzzzzzzzz's.

Happy Fall Ya'll! 

Just a few pics from past Fall fun!

My first born pumpkin'.

Avery - 18 months - I loved this pic!

My 2nd lil punkin' - one month and 10 days old. 

 I could jump in this computer and kiss those cheeks off!

 My Harley Boys!!!! 

Riley - 18 months (this was in the midst of his reign of terror)

Avery -  4 years old

King David and King Solomen - first month living in Maryville - 2 weeks before Landry's arrival!

So handsome!

Awww....love!  Cowboy Landry - almost 2 yrs. old.

 

2009

2009 -

I will always remember this night.  Landry was so scared to be outside after dark since Clark wasn't home.  It is written all over his face!

Happy Fall!  I am sure we will be making more fun memories tonight!

Memorable Monday Moments

I feel sorry for Monday.  She has a terrible reputation and no friends.  I googled quotes about her, and found this one... "Tear my hair out, slow roast me over a fire, pull off my eyebrows strand by strand, push pins through my fingernails, ...do anything to me, anything but a Monday."  Ouch!  That is harsh!  Poor Monday!

However, my last two Mondays have certainly been Mondayish!  On the weekend before last I spent about 3 hours in our homeschool classroom, preparing for the coming week.  I was one proud homeschoolin' Mama!  I was ready for my day/week...or was I? 

We were about one hour into our morning.  We had finished with Bible and Phonics for Landry, and started on Arithmetic for Riley.  Suddenly, Landry got that, "I have to go to the bathroom NOW!" look on his face, and went running up the stairs. 

Sadly, the door to our upstairs (the place where all the bathrooms in the house are located) was LOCKED!  We are still not sure how this happened.  Luckily, I had my cell phone, and called Clark, fully expecting him to come to my rescue.  Unfortunately, he was on his way to Kentucky!  Then I remembered that my Dad who is a PRO at coming to my rescue was at Dollywood.  By this time, our perfectly scheduled and organized Monday is a mess, and Landry is doing the potty dance at the bottom of the steps.  I broke out Clark's tools.  I tried many, many different things:  screwdrivers, nails, screws, paper clips, a clothes hanger, bobby pins, scissors, and even a golf tee.  Nothing was opening the door.  Riley's suggestion was to use a crowbar and tear the door down.  We vetoed this due to the cost aspect.  Landry's suggestion was that it would be great if he was Luke Skywalker and then he would use his lightsaber.  We vetoed this idea for obvious reasons.  By this time, I am sweating in a very unladylike manner and getting close to tears (no surprise there.) 

AN HOUR AND TEN MINUTES LATER, after continuous attempts, Landry actually saved the day.  He suggesting using a small paintbrush from our art table.  I used a hammer and flattened the end of it, put it in the lock, turned it, and heard a glorious "CLICK."  Just call me Mrs. Macgyver!

Landry made a beeline for the bathroom, and I stopped and pondered that no matter how prepared I am for a day, life just gets in the way of the best laid plans!

I will have to save today's Mondayish moments for another blog.  Thankfully, someone DID come to my rescue! ;)

March 2011 Briefing on the life and times of the Pressons.

Can you believe it? I. can. not. March has come and almost gone! This post is mainly miscellaneous info that only people that really love us would be interested in reading. So if you’re not a sister, aunt, grandmother or cousin then please feel free to skip to the next blog.

We started our month with our first FAC Mommy & Me Consignment Sale. I was astounded by the wonderful job that my “committee” aka Sarah Stafford, Kerri Hebert, and Falon Erickson did on organizing it. M&M cleared over $1,700. AWESOME! We had so much wonderful help, incredible things for sale, as well as so many creative vendors. I am already stock piling items for our next sale.

I had surgery this month, and had to do mucho resting. Clark and the boys, as well as Mom & Dad, took such good care of me. I received SO much good food from many that love me! I am blessed and spoiled. There is a fine line between the two of those.

I got a little stir crazy after awhile, so Mom sent over the antiquated VCR for extra entertainment along with several VHS movies. Anne of Green Gables and I got to spend many wonderful hours together! We shared many laughs and tears, even though I have watched it so many times that I practically have the script memorized. A “few” other of my favorites that I watched while recuperating were: Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, An Affair to Remember, Princess of Thieves, Roman Holiday, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Father of the Bride. I can tell you are jealous.

Avery and Riley brought home report cards with all straight A’s again. Super Proud Mom! Landry is graded with E(excellent), G(Good) and S(Satisfactory). He brought home almost all E’s and E+’s. However, there was one pesky little E-. It caused much sadness for my little overachiever! Clark tried to explain that an E- was something to be really proud of, but Landry could not understand how anything with a minus would be considered good.

Avery, Riley and Landry ALL lost a tooth this month! This was Landry’s first tooth to loose. Of course, it made me a little sad. He was hoping for $30 from the tooth fairy. He has high expectations in most areas of life. Poor tooth fairy! I save all of their teeth. I’m sentimentally silly like that. Each Sunday night I pack Landry a small entertainment bag for church. SOMEHOW one of the boy’s teeth got put into the “toy” bag. Landry was very surprised to find a tooth in the middle of his army men and crayons. I am still laughing about it! I am so glad it didn’t end up in a snack bag!!!

Avery won 3rd place in his first ever Science Fair. He will now take his (and…cough, cough…Clark’s) project to Competition at the end of the school year. We were excited that he won. I am already worrying about next year’s project. It is a BIG academic task! We have EIGHT weeks of this school year left. Summer is almost within our grasp.

As you know from an earlier post, Lisa & Randy have moved to Tennessee. We have all been spending Randy’s money to decorate their home. I must say that I enjoy helping spend his money! Their house looks SO nice! And I am so happy that they are here! We had lots of fun with Chad, Jordan, Amy, Brad and the kids while they helped with the big move. I got to give Cooper lots of kisses. He is such a cutie…. I would really like to keep him. And I got to give him his first little haircut/trim. Sometimes being a great-aunt has great perks.

My nephew, Evan, turned FIFTEEN, and my great-niece, Hailey had her 4th birthday party with us in Tennessee. My beautiful niece, Meaghan, celebrated her one month wedding anniversary. I hear she and Derek are becoming pros at the married life.

April is just a few days away. It will bring with it a whole new set of events. Some good and some bad. I am thankful that the Lord walks with us through each and every day. Although, the future is a mystery to me, it is not to Him! Farewell to March 2011!

Short Post With Exciting News on Thankful Thursday!

Today is St Patrick's Day.  Landry has been calling it "Pinch Day" for weeks now, and all three boys left for school in their pinchless green.  It is also Thankful Thursday!  I have one HUGE thankfulness to share... MY SISTER, LISA, IS MOVING TO MARYVILLE!!!!  I am beyond excited about this!!  It has actually been "in the works" for a couple of years, but it is happening TOMORROW!  I have not lived in the same state as any of my siblings for over 16 years, and I am so glad that she is going to be so close!  As most of you know, Sis (Lisa), is thirteen years older than me.  People that do not know us well have always mistaken her for my mom!  She is someone that I admire so much.  My sister has a relationship with the Lord that is strong and true.  Her heart is full of kindness, and she gives herself fully in any situation.  She loves my boys even when they are full to the brim of energy! She helped take care of me when I was little, and STILL helps take care of me! LOL!  It is going to be so nice to have her within minutes of our family.  Although, we are so thrilled to have her and Randy with us, we are sad for those that she is moving away from.  I know it is going to be such a big change for them, and sometimes change is hard!  Clark and I have been praying for all of them while they make new adjustments. 

Here is a picture of Sis and me many, many years ago!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I will leave you with my favorite Irish Proverb...

It is a reassurance to my heart since I have 3 sons...

"A man loves his sweetheart the most,

his wife the best,

but his MOTHER the longest!

Have a wonderful Thankful Thursday!

Sum, Sum, Summertime!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT IS FINALLY HERE! Summertime! Once Memorial Day gets here there is no turning back! You must grill, swim in a little plastic pool, dig in the sandbox and eat watermelon to start your perfect summer. We did all of that and more on Memorial Day. This picture was taken at the end the long fun day! Landry and his second cousins, Kayla and Hailey Gomez and Lucas Stinnett, were sunburned and tired. This is one of my new favorite pictures!

We try to wring every last little bit out of Summer that we can. Each year I have the boys make a summer list of FIVE things that they want to do. After much thought and list making we organize it all on a June, July & August calendar. I tape it to the inside of the pantry door, so that they can see what it coming up each week. It is a great way to make sure you fit all the fun that you can into summer. August is sneaky and can get here vErY quickly.

Here are a few things that we will be doing this summer...

AVERY'S LIST
1. Family Game night at least 5 times. (This night usually turns into family war night due to the competiveness of ALL of the men in my family)
2. Dollywood as often as we can.
3. Eat at Bubba Gumps in Gaitlinburg and play lazer tag(I think this should count as 2.)
4. Go to Grandma's house and play with Jose, ALL DAY LONG. (Jose is one of Avery's FAVORITE friends.)
5. Eat at Wasabi's (This is a family favorite!)

RILEY'S LIST
1. Go to Jackson to see Nana & Papa
2. Go to Illinois to see our IL family.(We are planning to do #1and #2 in one BIG trip!)
3. Buy a pool. (This one is done)
4. Go to the zoo and aquarium (again, thinking this should count as 2!)
5. Eat at Wasabi's (...hmmm, this is a good excuse to go 2 times!)

LANDRY'S LIST
1. Our WHOLE family spend the night with Grandma, including Daddy!!
2. Eat at Cheddars (Maryvilles NEWEST restuarant! Yummazzing!)
3. Bowl at Thunderworld
4. Spend the night at a hotel and swim in their BIG swimming pool.
5. Go to Chuck E Cheese - everyday! (This will not be happening everyday!)

I have added a few FREE things like trips to the Library, taking watermelon to the mountain streams in Townsend, picnics in Cades Cove, and so on. Daddy has added golfing as much as possible in there to.

All in all it sounds like it is going to be a SUPER DUPER SUMMER! I thrive on making memories for my children, and in the midst of all of it I hope they feel the presence of the Lord, and long to draw closer to him each and every fun-filled summer day!

May you have a wonderful and safe summertime with your family and friends!

Episode in the Elevator

My sons have terrific abilities to remember many things that I have long forgotten in the midst of trying to remember when book reports are due, dentist appointments are scheduled, and when to pick up my husband’s dry cleaning. Yesterday we were in the doctor’s office elevator and Riley asked me if I remembered the time when he was three and the elevator stalled with us inside. The memory is much funnier, and less scary, now than it was at the time.


We were in Chattanooga visiting a conference for my husband’s job. While at the conference, the decision would be made by the company if we would be moving to Maryville from Jackson within the next couple of months. Considering that I was 7 months pregnant and unsure of where I would be living when my baby was due, my stress level was through the roof. Harley-Davidson was also holding a conference there along with several other large businesses.


Avery, Riley, and I were in one of the many elevators along with 3 of the Harley-Davidson conferencees. I was trying my best to keep Riley and Avery from gawking at the men with looonnngg braided beards and very descriptive tattoos, when suddenly the elevator STOPPED and the doors DID NOT open. One of the very kind tattooed gentlemen told me they would call someone and get it taken care of.


The hotel told us that they would get someone over there as soon as they could. I must admit I was getting a little nervous, and my unborn Landry was choosing that moment to dance on my bladder, so I got a piece of paper out of my purse to fan with along with a few toys for the boys to play with while we waited. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Harley #1 point to my very large 7 month figure. Harley #2, visibly paled, whipped his cell phone out and very nervously told the hotel to hurry up because there was a pregnant lady stuck in the elevator with them. I quickly reassured them that I was fine...but they decided to take matters into their own hands.


Harley #3 physically pulled the elevator doors open with his bulging tattooed arms. Looking back, I am not sure that this was the safest way to go about this, but they did not take time to ask for my opinion. We realized that we were stuck between two floors and we could see the floor that we needed to be on out of the top half of the elevator.


Harley #1, #2, and #3 were REALLY nervous by this time. Before I knew it, Harley #2 had jumped out and up to the floor. Then, Harley #1 and #3 were lifting me (All of me) up and out. Next, Avery and Riley popped up. It all happened in a matter of seconds. I thanked my very kind helpers, and they hurried off as fast as they could. Evidently, the thought of having to deliver a baby scared the wits out of these ‘tougher than nails’ motorcycle men.

Lessons learned from the long ago elevator experience...
1. Always have toys in the purse for entertaining purposes of small children.
2. Use the restroom BEFORE getting on the elevator when 7 months pregnant.
3. Outward appearences should not dictate my reaction to the soul that is inside.
(In other words, looks can be deceiving.)
4. No matter how tough they are, not matter how great they are at being providers for the home, no matter how many engines they can work on, or tree houses they can build...MEN could never ever handle having a baby!!!!!!!!!

Sleepy talk...

WHY? Why am I on here at 10:45 when I should be in the bed!!! I have not been in blog land for 2 weeks. Many reasons why...

First, our sweet little dog, Meggie was killed 2 weeks ago today...we have all been suffering from this. It hurts to talk of it. My boys, especially Avery, have been mourning. Our house has been very quiet and sad. Avery is still having dreams that Meggie is alive, and he says it hurts so much when he wakes up and remembers. Tears have flown freely for days and days. We can't seem to help ourselves. Everything reminds us of her. She was so loved by my boys! On Tuesday, Avery jumped out of the van after school and whistled for her...his shoulders and spirits sagged when he once again...remembered. Please pray for us, sometimes loving hurts!

Second, BUSY...like the rest of you...how do you find time to blog while so busy??? Today has just been one of those CrAzY days. I had 75 apps to type for work...that is a big number for me, especially on a Wed. We had a Homebuilder bake sale at church tonight...all I can say is WOW...so many goodies...THANK YOU to all of you that helped. Especially Sheila - she went all out...she needed to make at least 2 dozen Mountain Dew Cakes. Leslie, as always, goes above and beyond to help me...she also bought Avery the new Toby Mac CD in hopes of putting a smile on his face, and it DID...we jammed all the way home with Mr. Toby. Clark got called out on a job in the middle of church so he is somewhere between here and KY. If he were home, I guarantee, I would be snoozing instead of filling you in on my busy day! Once I cleaned up from the bake sale, I had to run home and finish a few of my 75 apps before the 11 pm deadline...just barely made it.

Everyone is finally tucked in after bedtime snack, and a few more songs from Toby. Hopefully, I will be back soon with some more eventful news and clearer thoughts...I have a couple of MAJOR article deadlines coming up soon...so say a prayer for me for that...whew...k, I'm definetly starting to drift.

G'Night!

Go, Go Gadget Flyswatter...

I have missed blogging, I have missed face book…I have missed all of YOU! I started training for a new job on August 31. It has stolen all of my usable brain cells, seriously. I have been on the waiting list for this job for a year and a half. Although, it wasn’t a great time to be taking this on, I just couldn’t pass it up. It is one of those jobs that if you have your computer – then you can work – in your jammies at home, at your husbands office when you are supposed to be working on his reports, while your on vacation (but who really wants to work while you're on vacation?). That is the positive side of the job. The negative side is that it is HARD!!! Selina also works for this company. She describes it as trying to learn Japanese- it is very similar to that…then you have to type it – even harder. Each morning I get up at 6 a.m. to upload my work, and I feel new gray hair begin to sprout! I am determined it is NOT going to beat me…no matter how many hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades, it takes me to conqueror…I will be victorious!

Non-blogging excuse #2 – Last Saturday, Clark and I made the yearly flu shot trek to the pediatrician with all 3 Presson boys. Landry was clueless about what was going to happen until Avery and Riley jumped up on the table with just their boxers on. It took Clark, the nurse, and me to get Landry’s jeans down, as soon as we managed to get them down he would yank them up again – screaming and kicking all the way! We finally got the pants down, by this time the nurse and I were both in tears, and Clark had that, “oh yes, you are getting this shot,” look on his face. The three of us barely managed to hold him down and give the dreaded shot. Whew, mission accomplished!

Two hours later, Avery lay down on the couch…very still…Avery is NEVER still. He stayed in that same position for 2 days with severe headache, chills, and stomach ache. So much for the flu shot. I kept him home from school on Monday, because he still wasn’t eating. Monday afternoon, Landry was very quiet. Landry is NEVER quiet! I took one look at him, and knew his temperature was rising. For the next two days he ran a high temp, hurt all over, coughed, coughed and coughed some more. Riley woke up Wednesday morning and said he couldn’t eat breakfast. Riley NEVER misses breakfast! As the day went on Riley got sicker and sicker. By Wednesday night, his temp was up to 104, and he started vomiting, two hours later Landry started vomiting. The night seemed endless and my little men were miserable beyond words. We went back to the pediatrician on Thursday and they both tested positive for the flu. This continued until Friday night. All 3 boys started eating, running, jumping and being their normal wildman selves. I said a prayer of thanks and determined to complete at least one load of laundry before trying to get a full night of sleep in almost a week. I began to feel pressure in my chest, next began the chills aches pains, coughing and so on…no other words but MISERABLE. I had to stay in bed all day Saturday. I NEVER stay in bed. Sunday morning at 4:30 my temp was still up to 102 and my chest felt like an elephant had stepped on it ( I am NOT exaggerating…I never exaggerate!) Landry was still coughing and it had a new wheezing sound to it. Clark INSISTED we were going to the ER. I cried, I begged, I pleaded…he would not give in. So, off we went. I was so sick I did not even fix my hair…this is big for me…much to my husband’s dismay…I curled my hair, while in labor with all 3 boys before going to the hospital. The doctor found a spot of pneumonia in Landry’s left lung…decided that I had more than the flu…and prescribed 2 shots, along with antibiotics and steroids. The nurse said they liked to inject the needle in a muscle, because the antibiotic stays with you longer. I wanted to tell her she would not find any muscle where she was headed with that needle, but decided she would find that out on her own. I am finally starting to feel like myself again. I am literally sweating out the sickness hour after hour. I have never seen flu like this in all of my almost 12 years of motherhood. At some point during the week, I updated my status on FB. I wished for a flyswatter to swat the flu bug that had taken up residence in our home. My fun friend Lizzie added a comment of “Go, Go Gadget Flyswatter!” LOL!

Before signing off I must say that Clark has been wonderful beyond words this week. He has grocery shopped, cleaned vomit buckets (ewww), done laundry, kept the house clean, helped me in the wee hours of the morning with the boys, and on and on and on. He even picked out A & R’s church clothes for Sunday school AND ironed them…something he has never done. Avery’s clothes matched, however, Riley had on a gray and burgundy plaid shirt, a navy and baby blue argyle sweater, with khaki pants. AND I let him go to church like that because I was just too sick to care…NOW you know how awful this flu really was for me! LOL!

Please wash your hands after reading this…I am trying to keep anyone else from catching it!

Updates...doctor visits, prayer request and tee times.

I must admit that I am great at getting things started, but not always good at finishing them. Hand-painted glassware, personalized picture frames, and scrap booking, just to name a few. I even tried selling some of my handmade wares at a flea market and failed miserably. However, my mom loved all of them, and they are proudly displayed in her china cabinet. Thank you, Mom.

Many of you have told me that you need some closure details on some of my blog beginnings...once again, good at starting...not so good at finishing. So...here goes...

MY DAD ...thank you for all of your prayers. My dad got so much better the weekend of their 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. The whole family had such a wonderful time. We laughed, cried, ate delicious food (including 6 dozen boxes of Krispy Kreme Donuts), played our favorite games, and laughed some more. Unfortunately, his Miniere's Disease has continued to worsen. The "spells" of severe dizziness, weakness and vomitting just about have my parents house bound, so I am asking for your continued prayers. God has given my family so many miracles, and I know another is on its way.

RILEY ...THANK YOU JESUS, the stuttering is improving. We took a trip to the doctor and Riley began to stutter while conversing with her. Her jaw about hit the floor when she heard the severity of it. She began to question Riley about how it made him feel when that happened. With 8 year old sincerity he answered, "I HATE it!" She got right in Riley's face, and kindly but firmly told Riley that his stuttering was not going to last forever...that it WOULD go away. It seemed as if his whole body shuddered with relief. She also told him a simple trick of stopping his sentence and starting over again. This has worked wonderfully. She gave me several papers to read on how to help Riley through this time. I also need to heed her advice in many spiritual matters. I could get through so many trials if I have the mindset that it is NOT going to last forever AND if I stop when I began to speak doubt about a situation and start over with faith. The stuttering still pops up every now and then, but Riley has improved leaps and bounds...or verbs and nouns! :) We will be starting speech therapy again soon for some other troubles (or as Riley would say...twoubles)...so please keep praying for him!

AVERY ...we were recently trying on clothes for the upcoming school year (starting day is August 24) and he has officially moved up to size 12 pants and size 5 shoes! We are on the GROW!

LANDRY...Clark took Avery and Riley to Jackson last week for a SFC Golf Tournament. Golfing is a DNA strand in Presson blood, and it runs thick...almost as thick as the eyebrows. Landry and I had a restful and quiet weekend. I SO needed it! We ate microwaveable food all weekend, and I read an entire book...so blissful. However, the quiet was starting to get to me by Sunday morning, so I was more than ready for the return of my men.

Other Presson Happenings...

*Clark has put me on the Presson Poverty Plan, also known as a new budget. I really have been trying...stay faithful saints...I will get there one day!

*** My mom has had cataract surgery on her right eye and getting her left eye done next week.

*** Avery has joined facebook and I am Farmtowning vicariously through him!

*** August is our most expensive month (not a good time to start the Presson Poverty Plan)...book fees, tuition payments, and school supplies just to name a few...I am so thankful for the Lord's bountiful continued provisions.

*** We got to see Michael, Stacey and Dylan Spencer while they were vacationing in the mountains. It was so good to visit with them. They were such an important part of our lives when Avery was an infant and toddler. So many wonderful memories. Dylan is such a little miracle since his kidney transplant. I could listen to him talk for hours. He is such a little man.

*** My niece Amber turned the big 30 on Saturday, and her son, Joseph will be 2 on Thursday! Happy Birthday to both of them!

I think I have tied up all the loose ends and maybe unraveled a few more! Blog hugs to you all...AND this weekend is tax free weekend in Tennessee! Please think of me while you are enjoying the savings, due to Clark's PPP {presson poverty plan} I will not be participating... :)

Catching Up...

It's Friday! I wasn't going to type this morning because my thought patterns are very random at the moment, and I have a sneaky suspicion that most of this will not make sense. Clark and Rich would say that I have a plethora of thoughts today. The very large Starbucks coffee could be to blame. AND I need to be typing the seven reports that my husband/boss left on my desk this morning. (I work for Clark, for those of you that are unaware of this.)

Just to catch up on the last few days...

*Nana & Papa Presson have been here this week, as well as cousin Drew. We had a great and relaxing time while they were here. The boys think that Drew is the greatest! AND he brought his Wii, Ipod touch, and blackberry. It is nice to have a cousin with wonderful toys! My in-laws are so special to me. They raised my incredibly, wonderfully handsome husband (again, keep the large coffee in mind). We had a picnic in Cades Cove that was just perfect. Landry has deleted my pictures...so unless Clark can find them, the memories will not be visually be posted! :(.

**Landry and Riley have swimmers ear from spending so much time in the pool. This is a new ailment for us. It is very painful, and the ear drops are VERY expensive.

***As all of you know, Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett passed away yesterday (Thurs., June 25). We were watching the news last night...as I am sure many of you were. Riley looked at me with his beautiful hazel eyes full of tears, and said, "Mama, God has given them many chances to live for Him before they died, and I think he got tired of giving them so many." WOW... that boy amazes me. I love him so much it hurts sometimes.

****This morning Avery reminded me that we have been so busy with Nana & Papa being here that we have not taken time for morning prayers. He said that with all the deaths that happened yesterday, he thought we needed to make time for it today. Again, WOW...thank you Lord, for giving me this 11 year old conscience.

*****On the lighter side...

Wednesday's Van Vernacular...

Landry - "Mama, when I grow-up I want to be a heart-throb."

Riley - "You will have to wear a suit everyday, because heart-throbs always dress-up."

Landry - "That is fine with me!"

Mama - "What exactly do heart-throbs do?"

Landry - "They take girls out on dates."

Of course, I had to post this on FB. My friend, Cheryl Morey, responded that he is already a heart throb. I must admit, I have to agree with her! Have a wonderful weekend everybody! Take a few minutes to count your many blessings!

Graduation Weekend

I love Monday nights...although I always look forward to the weekend, I am also glad when they are over! We seem to get as much in the weekend as possible, and then we are exhausted! It has been a memorable few days...

FRIDAY

1. Avery & Riley had a friends birthday party at Sandy Springs. Clark, Landry, and I went to Texas Road House for supper. We never get to go there, because Riley is highly allergic to peanuts, and as you know, peanuts are everywhere! Landry kept telling me that somebody needed to clean the place up! It was so nice for Clark and I to spend time with Landry. He has a different temperament when he is not in competition for our attention with his big brothers. He can be as sweet as he is handsome! We filled up on as many peanuts as possible. Clark and Landry arm wrestled at the table, very cute!

2. While picking up Avery and Riley we got to spend some time with our church friends. Later we came home and ended a wonderful evening with laundry! It fills up most of my free time at home. I try not to complain about it, but in this, I am unsuccessful!

SATURDAY

1. We woke up to a BEAUTIFUL morning. Clark decided to take the boys fishing. I could write for days on thoughts I had, and sights that I saw, at Louisville Lake. Here are a few of my favorites.=

a. BIKINI BOTTOM - while looking for a good fishing spot, we had to pass the swimming area. There was not one person there that looked good in their bathing attire. Most of it was down right frightening. However, the one that was worthy of a double take was a bright yellow bikini. The bottom and belly that were in the bikini were VERY big. If the bikini had not been such a BRIGHT yellow, you might not have seen it all. Really, is it necessary embarrass yourself in that way? However, she left me with a lasting memory - maybe that was her intention after all!

b. FISH - Avery and Riley caught fish! They were thrilled about that. Landry did not catch fish and he was NOT thrilled. Every few minutes he would throw his fishing pole down and say that he QUIT! But, the lure of the water pulled him back every time, and he would try again. Unfortunately, his efforts never paid off.

c. SUN -I tried in vain to get a little bit of sunshine on these white legs of mine...enough said!

d. FOOD - I took a picnic of sandwiches, chips and brownies - forgot the strawberries at home. Have you ever noticed that food tastes delicious by a lake on a beautiful day?

e. MUSIC - There was a large bird in the tree above us. It's song was not a beautiful one, more like a gagging one. It kept singing/choking to us while we fished.

g. LOVE - Avery, Riley, and Landry's lines kept tangling, breaking, or getting caught. Bobbers were lost, and bait flew off. Clark spent the whole day fixing their troubles. Needless to say, he didn't really fish. I love my husband. He is the most patient man in the world...until his patience runs out! When it does...hide...LOL!

h. MIRACLE - My last lake reflection is the unforgettable one. Avery was fishing and suddenly his line broke. His bobber went floating off with his bait. He called to Clark who, once again, put down his pole to come fix the problem. As he walked toward Avery, he saw a very LARGE, UGLY, and SCARY snake next to Avery. This was not your normal garden snake. It was Amazon size. Brown with black stripes and a flat head....shiver....The kind you only see in a zoo, behind very thick glass!! I can not even begin to think what would have happened if Avery had stepped on it. My heart has rejoiced that the Lord had his scissors handy and cut Avery's fishing line. May I never take HIS gift of protection for granted. At that point, I was done fishing and began packing up our supplies!

SUNDAY -

I could go on and on, but I am going to keep it short, because my laundry is calling to me...

1. A.M. Service - Bro. Corey McCool and his wife ministered in our morning service. Bro. Corey was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer in January 09. His testimony boosted my faith. The Lord has given him such a miraculous healing. I am in awe of the greatness of God.

2. The McCools sang for us - once again - speechless. Bro. Carpenter has renamed them Corey and Jeanna Wow!

3. P.M. service. - Graduation night! We had 11 graduates. That is the largest graduating class in ACA history. Avery and Riley received awards for highest honors! I'm proud of my smart and hardworking boys! It was a night of laughs, tears, praise, and sadness. We should have had 12 graduates, but the Lord called one of them home early. Bro. Corey's message was entitled, "The Transition of 12." He was unaware at the time the Lord gave him this message that our 12th graduate had transitioned to heaven. Incredible word from the Lord! Congratulations Josh Ellard, Aaron Penton, Austin Penton, Aaron Losey, Jordan Atkisson, Micah Repuhhan, Kayla Stephens, Samantha Gill, Rachel Brown, Lauren Carpenter, and Brittney Harvey

Points to Ponder...

Psalms 5:11 "But let all who take refuge in you be glad...

Spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name many rejoice in you."