Yes I know it's been forever.

Well, we've had a lot going on lately and I haven't been in the mood to blog. We recently moved to another house in October and are in the process of making it "our own" so that's taken a lot of time. I wish I would have taken some before pictures of the house to show you the transformation. Anyway, I'll leave the house for another post. I'm so behind on posting I don't know where to start. Anyway, below is the video of Alli and Meredith's choir performances at our church. Hope you enjoy!

Time at the Lake

A couple of weeks ago, Michael's Uncle Alan was kind enough to let us go stay at his condo on Lake Ouchita (sp?) and then hang out with him on his pontoon boat the next day. We took cousin Will with us and I think all of the kids (and us) had a great time. They all really enjoyed riding on the jet ski and being pulled on the intertube. They also loved jumping off of the top of the boat into the lake. Thanks Uncle Alan and Aunt Jan!

Fourth of July

Little did I know that I was possibly infecting my sweet family in Broken Arrow with the swine flu but through my aches and pains and not feeling well here are some pics I took. Luckily no one in that part of the woods caught it from me (Praise the Lord!) and as long as I was taking Aleeve I was doing pretty well. The girls, however, had a blast with their cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandma and papa with fire works and playing. Unfortunately I didn't feel well enough to attend my Dad's side of the family in Haskell on Saturday but maybe next year. They should really consider themselves lucky I wasn't there.

I then managed to pull myself together and we headed to Michael's parents for dinner that evening with Becky, Patrick and the boys. After dinner Michael started running a fever so we headed home relatively early.

Sickness and Praise in the Household

It's been quite an exciting past couple of weeks here in the Atchley household. I started feeling quite sick like on the Thursday prior to the Fourth of July but as a Mom does I just kept on keeping on. I did stay in bed Thursday evening but then woke up feeling okay enough to take the girls to BA like I promised them I would do to see the family. I found that if I kept up with my "Aleeve" I could manage to feel okay to make it through the activities. (I'll post pics later). The girls and I then headed back to the Fort on Saturday to celebrate the holiday with Michael's family Saturday night. Michael had mentioned that he hadn't been feeling so great that day and so that evening at his folks he started running a fever so we headed home. We just assumed that we were passing around some cold virus. On Sunday we knew we had to fight on because we were all so excited that Meredith was getting baptized and Michael was doing the dunking! What a praise to have our first born child have the obedience to follow Christ's example and be baptized. We were thrilled! In the meantime Alli woke up Sunday morning with a slight fever so I loaded her up with Tylenol and we all went to church. I kept Alli with us so she wouldn't infect others. Anyway, below is the video of Meredith's blessed day. My brother's family, my dad and sister (my mom had MRSA infection in her toe from where she had a surgery (another story all together)), Michael's parents, and Aunt Susan and Uncle Giles. Okay, now back to the sicknesses, Alli continued to run a fever once the Tylenol ran out and then Meredith started in on Tuesday afternoon with a fever. Alli, to this day, is still running a fever so I decided to finally take them to the doctor yesterday to get them checked out. While we were there I had one of frequent coughing attacks, and the doctor said that it sounded like a flu cough. So, she tested Alli for the flu and it came back positive!! She then proceeded to share with us that it had to be the swine flu since that's the only strand going around right now. Can you believe it?! So, to all those that we infected, I apologize. We had no idea. Michael and I are no longer contagious since it has been a while since we've run fever but the girls are still running a low grade fever. I'm beginning to get cabin fever!! I've definitely got my fill of Hannah Montana episodes and other Disney shows. To be quite honest, I think this flu is probably more prevalent then we realize. Most people, like myself, who get over it rather quickly just assume it's a virus and don't go to the doctor or the doctor doesn't think to run a flu test. We had to get it somewhere! Good luck and I hope no one else gets it anytime soon!

Welcome Baby Collin!

It was an exciting day on Monday, June 1, when my new little nephew Collin John was born. It was bittersweet in the fact that my Grandmother wasn't able to see her new and first great grandson that day but I'm sure she was rejoicing in Heaven with my Papa. I must say that he is quite the cutie. It was so cute to see Meredith, Alli, Carlee and Cydnee just hovering over this little guy. I can't imagine how smothered he's going to be at Christmas time with all of these mother hens looking after him. Carrie looked wonderful, of course, after she gave birth and didn't have any problems which is always a blessing.

We'll Miss You Grandma!

As most of you already know, my grandmother, Wilna Hardwick (mom's mom) passed away on Wednesday, May 27th here in Fort Smith. She was living with my parents and had come over with them that day to see Meredith's soccer games in the morning and then go to the girls' dance recital that evening. Well, after the soccer game when she was using her walker to enter my house she got very weak and started feeling very dizzy and nauseous. Once we got her in the house we realized with her speech and body language that she may be suffering from a stroke and we then called an ambulance to take her to the hospital. She then slowly got worse until she left this earth to be with her heavenly father on Wednesday. Actually on Saturday, Sunday, and during the day Monday we thought she might beat it. However, we then found out it was a hemorrhage type stroke and was in the part of her brain that affects respiration.

Her funeral was then on Saturday, May 30th and was very nice. The minister at her church did a wonderful job as he did at my Papa's. Of course, it always makes it better when the pastor has a relationship with the deceased as was the case with my grandparents. She was truly a woman who did her best to follow God's word and read it daily. She was an inspiration to all and I will always cherish my sweet memories of her. She was 89 years old and I find such comfort in the fact that she no longer has her chronic pain from arthritis and back pain. She's having a party in Heaven! I love you Grandma!

Alli's Dance Recital Performances

Well, I gave up loading my movies to Youtube the way I normally do and tried a different way and it worked. So, below are Alli's dress rehearsal performance of her tap routine to "I Feel Good" and her ballet recital performance. I hope you enjoy them!