ahhhhhh

1/2 day today then I am off until Monday! A much needed day and a half away!! We have our annual Christmas in July this weekend- which equals loads of fun and many side splittin laughs!! Infact, I think I am adding jello shots to the laughing!! Last year I did my famous frozen vodka slushies......but since I am supposed to be vacationing today and tomorrow jello shots sounds yummy but loads of work..lol
I get my kiddos back tomorrow too....boy do I miss them! It was a good week for them to be away I will say. The most stressful week at work with this job change! It was good for Steve and I to be home together without the boys. He could be my rock and he goes to bed earlier than me so I could chill alone and wind down....all in all....good timing, thanks Pa!
Steve will be adding a new dependent to our monthly expenses today- I will post a new pic as soon as I can. (Beth, he and Kyle just share too many ISSUES as I am sure they also share with with many other men too- just don't know the others as well) Can you guess?
Better get ready for my 1/2 day of work....hey, can I follow 1/2 of the dress code today and wear capri's today since they are only allowed on Fridays and I am off tomorrow? Thanks girls, I knew I could count on you.

Still kicking

and screaming...lol. I have been just bonkers lately.
Started my new job, which I was told would start August 1st! Barely any training I was thrown into the position, which has made me very grumpy I am told....hate that! I am not a truly spontaneous person that is completely free to just blow in and make due...I need a little info before I am thrown in. I literally had on the job training for >4hrs! and it is NOTHING similar to my old job, other than the same company! Ok, done whining! ( need lunch date, Beth...that always seems to make EVERYTHING all better!! LOL)

I am on my 'honeymoon' so my hubby will say! We went north to see ECW (wrestling-yuck, which might I add was postponed and we were notified late Friday night via email, and we were already on our trip there so Steve and the boys went to the arena to learn the bad news...oh well, we visited Pa and I helped him redecorated the boys' bedroom on his $$ love that!!) this weekend and left the kids to spend their one week vacation to be spoiled ROTTEN by G&G! They will be at Grandpa's until Thursday then off to Grandma's for a night with her (hate my mom's sig other so they stay very short visits as he is not a nice man and my kids are not the most comfy after a short visit! long story! but I will assure you they are safe and ok!!) Then we will arrive on Friday (vacation day!!) to snag the kids and go have our Christmas in July!! I will post those crazy photos next week....this is the wild side of my family tree. LOL

DH is on the prowl....seeking a new truck....giving my dad gram's old car....Steve just cannot live any longer without a truck, he says. Thinking he found the one....a F250 Diesel....sounds like a huge push of testosterone....the ruble of a big bad diesel...lol. We will see today! What happened to I cannot live without a new house? I think once again being the only female has allowed me to be overlooked again!! LOL

I better get ready for work....just wanted to catch you all up and let you know....I am alive and INSANE! Happy Monday!

Do you recognize....

this plant? We sure do now. Yes, it is poison ivy and it made it's summer debut in our house!! Poor Dakoda is just covered (and I mean everywhere!!) Luckily he had an appt scheduled with Dr. Wilkins for yesterday , the dermatologist, so went kept the scheduled appt and let him take a peek! The dr is awesome...he took us outside to a wooded little area near his office and showed us the EVIL little bugger (posion ivy) so we could identify it. He pointed out that is has three leaves(heard that LONG ago), the center leaf has 2-3 notches on both sides of it, but the two outside leaves only have one notch on the outside edge the inside edge is smooth.....hmm never knew all of this....they turn red in the fall....and on and on! BEWARE my friends this little plant is evil...and when the kids are sweating they rub the stuff all over before they know what hit them!!
Big Steve is highly allergic to the evil plant....he has been in the ER a few times since I have been with him due to a break out...once he was so sick....he had it internally from it being attached to trees when they were chipping and he inhaled it! EWWWWW and he wants this house out by the lake that is just surrounded by trees and leaves!! Thank God for health insurance!!

Happy 4th to you all!!
The guys are heading out to camp tomorrow (if Dakoda is up to it) at Pleasant Lake. They will be out there until Sunday...I will be driving out for dinner and bombfire nightly, sleeping there then getting up at 5am and driving in to clean up for work Thursday and Friday!
Hence, I doubt I will be blogging again until Sunday when we get back! (Unless I blog when I am home to let our dog out and for Dakoda to do his pet sitting at the Hamlin's :-)

Beth- I hope that you guys have a GREAT time and can get some R & R. ENJOY!! I lok forward to seeing all the pics when you get back...and how about a lunch date??

Look out Emmeril!

Look out Emmeril....Koda is the grill master!! Our favorite cooking method in the warm months is the good old charcoal grill. Koda has been showing lots of interest in grilling so, Voilla Dad handed him the tongs and BBQ sauce and said 'If you have questions, ask!" He did a great job!
He has been shopping aline seeking a new grill...he and his dad keep dropping hints...too funny to see this side of him developing! But we are beginning to love it...he cooks and cleans!!

WOW!

we do clean up good. :-) Had Koda take a few pics of Steve and I before we left for the wedding Sat! Not ususally fond of self portraits but these aren't so bad.
Went to see a house on Friday....I am sold on it, infact I really like it....room to scrapbook!! :-) But Steve wants to look around more.....UGH! Thinking I will be stuck here forever!!
Had a nice time at the wedding and reception on Sat but I thought of all of you .......frequently! I wanna see pics...how about the layouts that I heard you swapped pics for? I wanna see! When is the next get together?
I have been having people ask about a crop planned here? anyone want to help set one up or have any suggestions??
Just not sure I want to do all the work again....or maybe do a group thing at one of the stores again?? ugh
Lazt Sunday....we planted our garden, yeah late start but we started with mature plants so we should be ok. Added flowers along the edge of the garden row...they say that they marigolds help keep varmits out??
I started reading Janet's #12 book, read half of it last night...Kristin are you ready for the twelve twist? Beth I am glad to hear that you are reading three...you will get addicted too. Jill, are you ready to start the series? I guess I am off to

project

This was a little project I worked on the other night....it was FUN! The picture turned out BAD but it is cute as can bed. This is a 20x20 frame that had the 'family' mat in it.....I used my paper behind the word and photos and paper and embellishments in the flower cutouts! Wish the photo would have come out better....

Busy week

Sorry no regular posts...life has been a little crazy! I really miss bloggin! This past week was a little crazy, *Keitha my friend/co-worker that is getting married next Sat came to work Monday with a BROKEN FOOT! She will get married next Sat with an air cast on, she broke the long bone on the outside of your foot at her bachelorette party, stepping off a step she missed the next one. SOBER at that!! anyway, this means double work for me, as I am her cover when she is away! *My boss accepted a new job over at the hospital so we took her to lunch Thursday, then Friday threw her a potluck/farewell. *Kids had a dentist appt....all great reports; however Dakoda will be heading back to the orthodontist soon and he will be having a tooth pulled he has a baby tooth that does not have an adult tooth under it.??weird huh?? Friday we ran up north for the weekend....Father's Day/ Alyssa's bday
Saturday morning Steve, Dad, the kids, my brother Tim and his wife, Barb all went fishing, they left at 5AM! I met my mom and we went shopping together...it was a blast. I think it was the first time she and I ever went clothes shopping together since I realized my mom was cool. LOL (I think the last time was when I was in school!) We ran out of time to play....we had to go to Alyssa's bday party! She had a nice bday party at home with several friends and family, then Sat night we went bowling!
Today I made breakfast for the crew.....11 of us, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, milk, OJ and fruit! Shortly after I cleaned Pa's kitchen we ran for home. Time for a little R & R before we go back to work.

Another fun filled weekend almost over..how time flies when you're having fun!! Here was our weekend at a glance.

Steve and Tim with Steve's Big Lake catch

9.5# steelhead

Jake had fun learning how to fight and reel in a BIG lake catch,

however it broke loose just before they could get it in the boat!

Alyssa and Miah shared a birthday- they have been best of friends for about 7 yrs.

Miah moved to Detroit last year- her Daddy is a State Police officer and is now working with a K9 partner.

It was nice the girls were able to have a party together and have their friends all there too, Miah had her birthday a week before and Alyssa's is Today. 11 yrs ago it was also on Father's Day when she was born, made my brother one happy Daddy! She is his one and only, so far!

**Giggle note for all of you....Sat was the first time Jake and Stevie had been out to fish the Big Lake. The waves were 2-4 ft, so you can imagine it was a little wavy- and all three of my boys were ghostly white and puking! Jake was only one that came out of it and actually wanted to fight a fish...as you can see above. Stevie says he is not meant to be a fisherman for the big lakes now...I doubt we will get him back out again soon. Jake says he is going again as he promised his bud, Cory he would take him Big Lake fishing someday! Koda has gone before and says it was a fluke! LOL Gish golly I think I loved my shopping trip even more after I got that phone call!! LOL

Hope you all had a great weekend.

weekend photos

These pics were from the weekend....
1. Steve II....this is a photo screaming to be a scapbook layout! I love it- those eyes!!
2. Jakob- thought for the day....'More cake or Mt.Dew?' oh my goodness, and he could not figure out why his belly hurt?
3. Here are the Barton boys plus my one neice. She is my 'lil girl' we're missing....she loves her Uncle Steve aka Uncle Donkey Boy! LOL She and I both love Eeyore and when she was 2 she named him Unle Donkey Boy!! ....she will be 11 on Father's Day!

I'm NOT ready!

2010.....I will turn 40, my oldest son will graduate high school at 17!

Help me friends!!

We had 8th grade graduation last night at Paragon...it was amazing. They did a power point presentation of many shots from the school year as well as each student's name appeared on the screen then from preschool to present their school 'mugshot' flashed....I was choked up a bit, tears welled up......oh my cheesy grinning little freckled fac baby is now a young man! OUCH it hurts....where does time go?

He did an amazing job.....they had to give a projected idea of a career and a college(they were given a tshirt from that college they chose).....they chose awhile back when my angel was having a bit of a rough time with an 'attitude!

(really, he had an attitude, thought I could sense you all a little surprised at the thought! HA!!)

So when they called them up for their 'diploma' they also stated their career choice and college. I was scared!!

Dakoda Barton, constuction management , University of Texas! I knew it was going to be off the wall! My dad was a little surprised when I laughed ....and he asked U of T? I said "oh I am sure it was because it was the one furthest away from home!" When all was said and done...I asked why U of T and he said just what I had said....and the career....he said he just made up something as he was not in the mind set at the time to make that sort of decision.

The grand finale...all the girls hugging and squeezing my baby and he was a bit choked up with emotions...and he told me that one year was not enough to get to know all those kids...he wished he had more time!!??? It was amazing.

Take the quiz....tell me your scrapbook strength

I had a completely crappy day at work today, the neighborhood was NUTS when I came home at lunch....10 cop cars, 2 firetrucks, and an ambulance OH and a FREAK! They had me blocked in- I had to call work and explain I was confined my all the cars and an officer told me I had to stay put until the FREAK was in custody and the crime scene was clear! TOO much for one gal!
Ok ladies.....complete the quiz...and tell me your strength.

Quiz: What's your scrapbook strength



Take this fun quiz to start discovering your personal scrapbook style.

1.If you had to choose a career from this list, what would you choose?
A. Writer
B. Photographer
C. Personal Shopper
D. Artist

2. What' article_print.ihtml?index_field="1701&issue=January" mag print_templates a take you when process thought your s DIV photograph?<>

A. My friends won't believe the story behind this photo!

B. I love how the light is perfect for this shot.

C. Hmmm....what's missing from this composition?

D. These lines are going to make an excellent picture.

3. You've been given a $20 gift certificate. What would you buy?

A. A new collection of fonts

B. More photo paper and ink for your printer

C. Enough supplies to complete six or more layouts

D. Something fun and new from the art supply store

4. Which article would you read first?

A. How to Write the Story Behind the Story

B. How to Set Up Your Own Photo Shoot

C. How to Choose Accents for Your Pages

D. How to Use Silver Leafing on Your Pages

5. You have one hour to scrapbook. What do you do?

A. I write the story for my page.

B. I digitally edit my photos.

C. I play with different colors of accents, moving them around until I feel like I have a pleasing layout.

D. I get our my embossing powder, metal accents and a heat gun, and play!

6. When my friends look at my scrapbook pages, they say:

A. What a great story!

B. Look at those pictures!

C. You make this look so easy!

D. What incredible work!

7. You get to choose an assignment from CK. Which one would you take?

A. Create a page featuring a letter to a friend.

B. Create a page showcasing six photographs.

C. Create a page using three new products from your favorite scrapbooking supply line.

D. Create a page using three products from the art supply store, that you wouldn't find in your scrapbook store.

8. When you read an article in CK, what do you focus on first?

A. I read all the journaling on the scrapbook pages first, and I get frustrated when the journaling is too small to read. B. I look at all the photos on all the layouts first.

C. I look at the overall article design and then go back and forth between the text and the visuals.

D. I read the supply lists and look for cool new products.

Now, tally your answers...
If you had mostly As: Your primary strength is Scrapbook Storyteller. You're most interested in sharing the story behind your photos and making sure your memories are chronicled and documented with words.
A challenge for you: Have fun with your journaling. Realize that not all stories need to be sad or serious to be heartwarming. Experiment with different ways of communicating information: use lists, dialogue, quotes from favorite books, hidden journaling and more.
If you had mostly Bs: Your primary strength is a Scrapbook Photographer. You've probably studied your camera manual, taken photography classes and studied photos for what works and what doesn't.
A challenge for you: Continue to develop your photography skills so your pictures tell as much of your scrapbook story as possible. Take photographs of every single person you know and see how many distinct personality traits you can capture.
If you had mostly Cs: Your primary strength is a Scrapbook Stylist. You have an ability to pull together different elements and make them shine on a layout.
A challenge for you: Choose supplies you don't normally use and see what new combos you can create.
If you had mostly Ds: Your primary strength is a Scrapbook Artist. You love playing with scrapbook styles, creating new looks, pushing the envelope and trying new techniques.
A challenge for you: Continue to push the envelope. Realize that you're scrapbooking for the joy of creating something unique. Come up with a new technique you've never seen before.
Improve in other areas! Try a challenge from one of your weaker scrapbook styles.
Quiz from

Hot Looks for Scrapbooks, p. 38

Hypothermia?

Well, the pool is up! Crazy boys were in it...the thermometer only said 70! New pool toys prompted them but the cold water made it a short swim....longer than I could have gone....but they had fun. Actually they were in a half hour or so.
Ready for summer....last week of school....YEAH! Then comes the battling.....3 boys home together all summer! AHHH

AHHHH, field trips are OVER and this was the craziest one BY FAR! Greenfield Village....all the hype I heard and I thought it was a waste of time! I was NOT impressed at all. My mom and I went as chaperones with Jake's class...they gave us 5 kids...and out of those we had one BUCK WILD boy named Jacob. WOW- he was a good kid but in a world of his own ehich in tunr meant he was a wanderer! We lost him for about 35 minutes at one point...he went in the store with my mom and all the kids....and never came out! We had tickets to ride the train , so we scurried and jumped out but ended up on a delayed track....so we made the departure about 25 minutes late....OH BROTHER. Hate to say it but....I am so GLAD that this school year is about over.....and I am sending the boys back to JPS!
Dakoda will have 8th grade graduation Thursday night then my oldest will be a HIFG SCHOOLER! Yes, I just gave myself a few more gray hairs by saying that.....thankfully I went today to have them covered a little. :-) (highlights again)
Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

The weekend is OVER

Happy Memorial Day to all. Hope you each found a way to stay cool, with temps at, above or near 90s in our areas...we found various ways, from squirt gun fights to staying in with the A/C kicking!
Now, back to work/school...the boys are counting down the days. This week we have a field trip to Greenfield Village, field days and 8th grade formal dinner @ Davis'.

Then we head into the final days @ Paragon....Koda has 8th grade graduation on June 8th, the other two finish on June 9th. THEN WHAT? "We're bored, what is there to do? What time will you be home? Can ------------------- come over? and yadda yadda" ...LOL

Camping plans nearing(are you ready Miss Beth?), making Koda's birthday plans

(reservations @ YOGI's at Barton Lake in Indiana)- SUMMER!

4 SALE

A bicycle built for two..........the neighbor, Steve's uncle has this bike for sale....the boys just love it. They rode for about 45 minutes all over...the toughest part is...the rider in the back has to remember they cannot steer- and that can be tough to remember! Steve and I rode too....I laughed so hard I almost left a wet trail for us to follow home....oh the poor people in my neighborhood -what a site to see!
Lil Steve tried to ride behind Jake but he jumped off mid-ride- he said it just felt weird! LOL
Hey Beth- you and Kyle need it for the campground! SOLD!

Just got this in an email from my mom, thought it was too funny (and true) not to share!
Happy Friday to all- what does everyone have on their holiday weekend agenda? Thinking we are doing some cleaning, R & R because June is booked solid and July is filling up fast!
Pssst! Shhhhhhhhhhh secrets to share with my closets girlfriends!! Emails coming....he he ...nothing real exciting! but funny

A STAR

Steven's 4th Grade Spring Program- He had a solo speaking piece- it was awesome. He was one of the very few kids that was able to memorize all of his lines and not have to take his paper up to the stage with him.....that was until he actually got up in front of ALL of those quiet people focused on JUST HIM....he started out speaking beautifully, fluently and all of a sudden he FROZE...and all of his lines just slipped his memory! My poor baby! He looked at me with terror in his eyes and mouthed...."I forgot!" the teacher tried to help, FINALLY she got up and handed him a copy of his lines and the show went on......what a trooper....not a tear shed...however, the rosiness in his cheeks did not fade until he was fast asleep last night! I was so pleased though with the other students and family members....after the show they were praising him and telling he did a great job and how brave he was to try without a paper....memorizing all of his lines. YOU ARE A STAR- STEVEN!

Stage fright happens to even the biggest stars!!

Best Birthday Gift EVER

Here is the happiest Birthday Boy EVER....Can you tell? I bought him the fire pit so we can have fires here in town...and we finally spent a weekend at home - so he put it together Sat afternoon and we enjoyed S'mores at the fire Sat night!
He was like a kid with a new toy....he told me many times thanks for the great gift! And to think....he met me at the store on his bday and talked me into putting the one I had in my cart back on the shelf ! ( But I was determined to buy him one...so I went after work and bought a different one.) He wanted to have a fire again last night! LOL Somehow though, campfire clothes smell better at the campground...the ones here at the house went straight into the washer!

Weekend update- enjoyable weekend at home. I got some things accomplished....the boys' room cleaned (mattress' Febreezed AND aired out), the carpet cleaned, and just plain re-orgainized.....all bedding, pillows, etc washed...ahhhhh boys smell better! LOL Laundry is fairly caught up. Steve worked outdoors.....we had some electrical troubles he had to work on...it sure is nice knowing I am married to a man that is a Jack of All Trades...he can work on it all...LOL. He is sstumped now on his beater truck.
Now...the HUGE Barton dilemma....a house. Back to the struggle again....I have to find a house...it is such a huge issue....we cannot find one that we can agree on. There is one in town...on N.East Street I like....yep, Beth and Jill over near your old stompin grounds....but it is a nice house, reasonable and room for 3 boys and mom and dad! BUT Steve says not a big enough yard! I cannot win! HELP! Pray for me!
Have a great week...our week at a glance....tonight Steven's spring program, tomorrow Steven meets his penpal in Concord, Wed Jake's sports awards program......and that is as far as my memory takes me for this morning.....watch for the spring program pics. :-)

blogger-ugh

Blogger will not let me post pictures - ugh, I finally have time to post and it wants to be poopy!
well, I tried.

Well- we survived the Tigers game yesterday! 4 -8th grade boys, 1 - 7th grade boy another mom and I made way to Detroit- they were fun. The weather tried to spoil our fun a few times but NOPE we won....so did the Tigers 5-3!
Dakoda made me one proud mom on the way home !! We stopped to let the boys take a 'potty break' at McDonalds - they all started begging for food...we sent them in to take their break - all returned BUT MINE! The boys informed me that MINE was in line to get food....I was FURIOUS....I did not want to purchase $100 worth of McDs to feed them all...Oh Kody, why? I ran inside ready to choke my 13 yr old....I reached him at the counter and said give me what $$ you have left....and continued to explain in my mom voice how you cannot get food to eat in front of all the others that do not have $$ and blah blah.....when he so sweetly looked at me and saaaid "mom, that's why I bought 5 * 99 cent dbl cheeseburgers , so everyone could have something to eat on the way home." I felt like a heal...but for once I felt like the parenting I have been doing had really worked. I have hugged, kissed and told him many times how very proud he makes me since that moment! Gotta love my Kodman!

This is Jake- he had his Civil War day at school today. we were taking some photos this morning. I love the photo....is there any way I can get rid of the house in the background, ladies?? I do not have any fancy software.

Grandma purchased the hat down south....the rest of his costume is put together by Mom...not bad huh ladies? LOL

Happy weekend to you all.

Mother's Day dinner crew! (my family!)

Life has been busy as ever and blogger has fallen to a low priority...sorry. All is well here, just a little crazy! My headaches have been kicking my tail lately and the new drugs are making me exhausted too....makes little time to blog.

Here is a quick weekend recap..........................

Homer Simpson!

Steve got this decorated bowling pin for his birthday

this weekend when we went bowling.

I just love this picture of Steve....the serious bowler. He was watching his score ....very seriously! He is going to start training in June with a coach.

Happy Humpday to you all.