Blake came to work with me

Blake came to work with me to help me out with some heavy lifting and other odds and ends I need help with.  Since Blake has been so busy working out for a few hours 4 days a week, having double headers twice a week, umping to earn money as well as trying to work in time to spend with his girl friend and Michael and I he's been a little to busy to come to the office and help.

Fortunately Brian, my boss, was able to get me some help for the month of June.  The young ladies name is Hadley.  Hadley is a life long friend of Brian's middle step daughter.  Hadley was named after Hemingway's first wife.  Hadley has done a fantastic job. She has done everything I have asked her to do without complaint and efficiently. I don't feel she should have to do all of the heavy lifting alone. Honestly it freaks me out a bit. Lifting heavy boxes when I worked in the records department at a bank is what contributed to my back problems.

Last night the boys went to the Ranger game. They actually left the game early because the Rangers were not doing very well.  Normally we stay until the bitter end but since it was a work week and Blake wanted to take Andrea the shirt he bought her the decided to leave a bit early.

This weekend we do not have a ton planned.  I'm not sure what we will be doing tonight.  If the kids are at our place I'm sure we will end up playing games or watching movies or something wild and crazy like that. Don't be jealous of our party animal ways.

Saturday, Blake and Andrea will be heading to Oklahoma City to go see comedian Kevin Heart in concert.  They have been saying his bits for a couple of weeks now. Michael wants to go see Rock of Ages sometime Saturday. 

Sunday is Fathers Day.  We are having Michael's step mom and her husband over for lunch. Although they are not technically related to us they are still our family. We have been though a lot with Pam over the years and love her dearly.  We are very lucky that she married a man that accepts us with open arms and that we adore as much as we do Pam. They are both precious people.  We do not see them nearly enough.

I hope the Dad's out there have a Happy Fathers Day!  If your dad is still living be sure to give him some love.  This will be the first year my dad will not be living. Last year I bought him and Michael fathers day cards and I STILL can not find them. Don't think he didn't pick on me about that.   I'm hoping to stay busy enough where I don't think about it.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jackie

Blake Plays Ball!

Blake finally got to get into a game on Wednesday and it sounds like he did great.  Blake played the end of the first game and all of the second game.  He went 2 for 3.  Blake is batting 400 right now.  Oh, how I wish we could have been there to cheer him on. I don't know if you can tell but, I love that boy with all my heart!  I'm so happy for him about finally getting to show what he is capable of in a game situation. I hope the coaches see what they have on their hands and capitalize on his ability.  Trust me I'm not just saying that.  If he is stinking it up I'm honest about it.  We have always been honest with Blake and he prefers it like that. 

Michael and Blake got me a couple of digital frames in the last few years and we have really enjoyed them.  I love our family on both sides and love to see pictures of everyone daily.  It has worked out well.  I can take pictures until my heart is content and Michael loads them on both digital frames.  Michael is even going back and scanning old pictures and putting them in the frames.  There are pictures of Blake from when he was little bitty and it melts my heart and takes me back to that time.  Honestly it makes me want to have another child I miss it so much.  I told Michael that last night and he said "No way. I  would have to get in way better shape before we had another kid."  So it's not a no. ha ha Just kidding. As much as I would love to have the cuddles and the good times with a baby all over again it was a lot of work and dedication. As good as Blake was it wasn't always sunshine and rainbows.  That and we always have heard you have one really good kid and one that's hell on wheels.  We got the really good kid first so we were to scared to try for a second.  Well, we tried, it just never happened.

What are your plans for the weekend?  We are going to stay home and work on the house some more. I took the before pics of the entry way picture wall and the frames we are putting up in it's place. I'm excited about updating our home.

TGIF! Hope y'all have an awesome weekend.

Jackie



Our trip to Tyler, Lindale and Mount Pleasant

Again, right after work on Friday we take off for Tyler, Texas.  It didn't really take that long to get there.  I think it was about 2 and half hours.  About as long as it takes us to get to central Texas. Blake's baseball team is playing Tyler Jr. College on Saturday Afternoon.  For some reason they had to play at a high school field. In Lindale about half and hour from Tyler Jr. College. Once we got to Tyler and to the hotel I called Blake to find out where the team is staying.  To my disappointment they are staying in Mount Pleasant. When we were in Poteau last weekend we asked if the team was coming to Texas on Friday but, Blake didn't know.  The coaches had not made up their mind if they were staying two nights in hotels or just one. They have to keep a tight hold on the budget which is understandable.  When Blake texted Michael Friday night that they were in Texas we both just figured they would be staying one night in Tyler and the next in Mount Pleasant. Obviously we thought wrong.  We were both disappointed that we did not get to see him Friday night.

Saturday we get up and head to Lindale and get in town about noon.  There was an electronic sign showing that Carl Albert and Tyler Jr. College were playing a double header at noon. This took us by surprise.  We thought we were getting in town an hour early because the schedule said the game started at one.  But, then again the schedule also showed that the game was in Tyler.  So, we get to Lindale High School and NO baseball fields anywhere near the school.  Lets just say it got a little bit tense in the truck! We ended up going to a convince store to find out where the fields were and we did not get to the field until the second inning. Sadly Blake never got to play in either game. Surprisingly he was OK with this.  He loves his team mates and wants the best for them and the team.  And to top it off  between the two games that little brat had to be told to come out of the dugout and speak to us.  Other kids came out and spoke to their parents but not Blake.  But, then again he never really has on game days.  Here we bring him a new bat, batting gloves and some shirts he ordered. Kids!  Blake's roommate Erick got to start pitching in the 2nd game.  My heart hurt for him.  His mom was at the game and the poor kid choked.  He walked the first 3 batters and had 2 balls and no strikes on the 4th batter when they pulled him. Up until today he has done great..  Not sure what happened.  I feel bad because he was so excited about staring while his mom got to see him.  But then, pitching can go like that sometimes.  I just wanted him to do so well.  He is such a great kid. The team ended up winning the first game and losing the second game.  Because we didn't get to eat as we planned before the game we headed to DQ after the game and then drove to Mount Pleasant.

The boys put their rally caps on for the second game.

Sunday we got up and got a bite to eat and head out to the game.  Blake didn't get in again.  We aren't quite sure why.  The left fielder had 3 errors at the very least and no bats were going.  Not sure why the coach didn't try to mix it up when the team was getting creamed.  But, that's not my call. We said a quck goodbye to Blake and headed home. 

On the Road again

We are heading to Tyler, Texas after work to finally get to see Blake play in a real game on Saturday late afternoon or early evening for two 7 inning games.  After the game in Tyler we will grab a bite to eat and head to Mount Pleasant, Texas for more games on Sunday. I am hoping he gets to play at least a little bit.  For some reason he is struggling at the plate.  Now I think he is over thinking it and adding to the pressure.  He needs to get out of his own head.  When we were in Poteau last weekend he had a couple of great solid hits. When the coach put him in on Tuesday he struck out. He said he was in front of it.  He does have a problem waiting if a pitcher doesn't throw hard. I am hoping with us there it will give him some confidence and he will get his mojo back.

On a completely different note. On Wednesday after work I finally got my eye exam. The last time I got an eye exam and new glasses was 2004. I went next door and picked out two pair of glasses.  The only problem is I have to wait until March 7th to pick them up. They had to special order my len's because of the astigmatism I have. I can't wait to be able to see clearly again. One pair of glasses I got the works.  The other pair I got the transition glasses.  I am so looking forward to having those for games and traveling.  I almost wish I would have just went with one pair with the transition.  Oh well,  It will only be 8 years before I get my next pair.  Not really. Well at least I hope I go before then.  With the insurance I have it didn't cost much at all.a

Did any of you watch American Idol this week?  Did any of the people you like get through?

I hope you guys have an awesome weekend!

Jackie

Christmas Begins a few days early

I'm so excited I get today through Monday off.  I need to run to the store and get some stuff to work on my craft projects.  I will try to take pictures of the sock monkey as I go along.  I will also be sure to refer back to the site I got the idea from in the first place.  I'm excited and nervous about the projects.  Excited because I think it will be fun to get into crafts again  but nervous they will not turn out at all like I hope they would.

Michael has to work today so it will just be Blake, dad and I.  Maybe I can talk them into playing some games.  My dad has got to get bored out of his mind sitting in the same spot day in and day out staring at the TV.  I know there are many times I walk by and he will have the TV on and the sound off. He doesn't have the want to's very often.  It takes so much to breath now that it is hard to get the energy to do much else. 

I've always loved to make my dad laugh.  When we were younger my sister and I would know we got him good when he laughed so hard he lost his breath. I know that's mean but if you have ever heard my dad laugh you would understand. My mom said that she would laugh just hearing him laugh.  She could be in another room and he would start laughing and she said the harder he laughed the harder she laughed.  It's contagious.  Now making him laugh just seems mean.  Sadly he LOVES to laugh and joke around and have a good time.  I just have to figure out how to do it in small doses.

 Dad can be very silly at times.  This is one of my favorite pictures.

Dad always loved  to play around with the kids. 
Dad would play and mom would nurture.

I would love to spend some one on one time with Blake.  Since he has been home I haven't really gotten to spend quality time with him.  So far during the week I've been falling asleep early.  I'm sure he is wondering why I did start doing that until he moved out of the house. When he was growing up I didn't sleep very much.  Most nights I was lucky if I was asleep by 3 AM.  You can't even think about sneaking out with a parent that is a night owl like that.

I hope each of you have a very Merry Christmas this year.  Please remember Jesus is the reason for the season.

Jackie

Interesting begining to the week

I had a nice little surprise when I walk in my office this morning.  Someone left a miniature nativity scene on my desk to put next to our miniature Christmas tree.  It is adorable.  It is a nice little reminder of the reason for the season.

Friday I ended up leaving work a few minutes early because my computer had a virus and our IT person was already gone for the day.  I tried to run a few scans to at least begin the process of  ridding my system of the virus. When I got to work on Monday I had forgotten my little problem until I tried to sign in. So the first part of Monday was me sitting around as my computer was worked on. It had some major viruses on there.  I don't know how it happened.  We have a firewall in place as well as virus protection. My computer wasn't in working order until almost 1PM. Apparently there are still some issues but I need to get some work done and she needed to as well.  There is nothing like playing catch up to make the day speed by.

Once I leave work tonight, I need to go to the grocery store and get my dad a few things.  Necessities like Coke, ruffles and a few other little odds and ends he has run out of.

On a brighter note.  Blake comes home at the end of the week.  I'm not sure if he will come home on Thursday or Friday.  I sure am looking forward to seeing him.  I miss my baby boy something awful.

They had a red neck night at Carl Albert for the Viking basketball fans. Boy did those kids dressed the part for the game.  Blake had a couple of pictures on his facebook wall but, he isn't the one who took the pictures.  I didn't want to take the chance of a copy right issue so I decided against posting the photos until I have approval.  The basketball team was up with something like 3 or 5 seconds left in the game.  The opposing team drives the ball down, shoots and misses. One of Murray boys rebounds the ball and shoots it from behind and sinks the shot!  It was an incredible shot.  Sadly the Vikings lost the game. You can check it out here it's on Youtube under RhettAcker15.  If you or your husband likes basketball then you will LOVE this shot.  Heck even if you don't like the game it's one heck of a shot!  If you do watch it, I thought I should let you know that when the video begins it is turned the wrong way.  They do correct the problem.  You will get to see some of the kids dressed up in the video.  I have emailed the young man that took the pictures. If I get permission I will post the photo's another time. 

Have a wonderful Tuesday and Merry Christmas!

Jackie

Happy 20th Birthday Blake!!!

Dear Blake,

Happy 20th Birthday sweetheart!

I can't believe my little premie was born at 5# 3oz, 19 1/4" long. When you came home you only weighed 4# 14oz. You were so tiny that your premie clothes swallowed you.  Your sock was smaller than my thumb. It was the size of a cotton ball.   When they took your baby picture in the hospital they had to put a wash cloth under your shirt to fill it out.  We thought you were the most beautiful new born that ever lived.  Now we all look back at that picture and realize you looked like an alien.  The upside is you didn't look like an alien for long.  By the time you were three month's old you were beautiful.  When you were little I would tease you and tell you that you were to pretty to be a boy.

 Blake Born 12/2/1991
9:10 PM

Blake 3 Months old
My favorite baby picture

Who would have thought that after being so tiny you would turn out to be 5 ft. 11" and well on your way to 200 pounds?  It still amazes me that you wear a size 12 shoe.  Thank God your alien look went away and you became a very good looking young man. Not that I'm biased or anything.



I could not be more proud of the man you are becoming. You are a sweet, caring, loving, athletic, smart young man.  You make my heart melt with your sweet smile. My favorite thing in life is to just be around you.  I don't care if it's watching you play any kind of sport, going out to dinner or the movies or simply staying home and watching TV or playing a board game.  As long  as you are with me my heart is complete.

Since you have graduated high school and gone off to college I have watched you grow and mature.  Each time you come back home you are more grown up.  It's hard to think that you turn 20 today and your dad and I will not be there to celebrate it with you. I guess I will have to get used to that.  It's all part of you growing up.

Thank you for being such an increadable son.  Thank you for making being a parent so fun and easy. I am sorry we didn't give you siblings.  You would have made a fantastic big brother.

Please know you can always come to your dad and I for anything.  We love you more than life it's self and woud do anything for you.

Above all NEVER forget:

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be. " by: Robert Munsch

I hope you have the best birthday of your life so far, on this, your 20th birthday!


Love always,

Mom aka Madre

Sad News

I'm completely bummed out.  I just found out after work that Dara has decided to move back home. I understand how it is moving away from all of your friends and family.  I did it at a young age but, I was married to the love of my life.  Dara's boyfriend got a job back down by where she lives so it would be silly for her to stay up here when she moved up here to be closer to him in the first place.  Oh well, so much for girls movie nights.  Her last day at her job up here is Wednesday. She will be with her mama on Thanksgiving Day.  I'm so thankful she is doing her college courses on-line so she didn't have to skip  a semester of school.

The upside is I still have my baby boy at home.  Blake goes back to Oklahoma on Sunday.  He will be gone for two weeks then he will be home for a month.  This makes me very happy.  I love having him home. When he is away a piece of me feels the like it is missing.  I guess I better get used to him being gone. I'm sure he will want a place of his own by the time he graduates from college.  Heck, by then he could be engaged or even married.  You just never know.

I am hoping we can figure out a place for our Christmas tree between now and this weekend.  We always put our Christmas tree up with Blake. I sure don't want to break that tradition before we have to.

One of the Youtubers I watch had some really cute Thanksgiving treat ideas.  If you would like some cute treats that are quick and easy you should check her out on Youtube under HeyKayli .  I'm thinking about doing the Pilgrim hat.  I think that would be the easiest one to do. If I make anything I will be sure to either video it or take pictures of each step so you can follow along.

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!
Jackie

Blake and The Talamena Senic Drive



This weekend went by entirely too fast for this mama.  We ended up not getting on the road until 5:30 PM on Friday evening.  Not exactly the ideal time to start a long road trip. It took us right at 5 1/2 hours to get to Poteau this time.  It normally takes about 4 1/2 if the traffic is cooperating. Between road construction and slow poke drivers I was going stir crazy. 

As we pull into Poteau, I call Blake to let him know to hop in his car as we are passing his college and meet us at the hotel.  The funny thing is apparently he had just sent me a text about picking him up some food right as I was calling him.  I didn't get text until after we got off the phone.  I texted him back telling him his dad hasn't eaten either and when he meets us he can have all the food he wants.  The poor kid looks like he has lost about 20 pounds.  That is frustrating because we spent a fortune this summer with a trainer trying to get him bulked up.  He just doesn't have time to eat 6 meals a day anymore.  So, we get the guys some food and take it back to the hotel room.  It is so late that Blake only stays for about an hour.

We got up the next morning and the boys made me stay at the hotel room to rest my back while they did laundry. I have such thoughtful men in my life.  I am very blessed!

The guys finally get finished with Blakes laundry and we head out to see the Talamena Scenic Drive.  It is very long trail and absolutely beautiful. We only drove about half of it.  It was so windy, cool and it had a slight over cast.  But so worth the drive.  You can also take various trails.  We got out at one place and found a spring.  It looked almost  dried up. I'm sure it's from the drought that happened this past year.  The entire area was beautiful.  With the leaves changing.  We do not get to enjoy that very much here in Texas.

 

After the drive we went to eat somewhere quick then went and rested at the hotel room for a bit.  Later that evening we went to see Tower Heist in Fort Smith, AR.  I kept calling the movie Towering Heights for some reason. When I was posting the movie we had gone to see on FB I put Towering Heights trying to put Tower Heist. DOH!  Anyway, the movie was great.  We were all pleasantly surprised.  With as many good actors that were in the movie you just never know.  But it worked and all of them played their role perfectly.

After the movie we are all starving.  Blake wanted to go to Outback Steak house.  It was so yummy.  I love their green beans. The steak was perfect!  Blake got the Sirloin and shrimp and Michael got the Sirloin and Ribs.  I had a slice of cheese cake.  The guys got these chocolate waffles with a scope of ice cream and chocolate syrup poured all over the waffles and ice cream.  Their desert could have been a meal in itself.  They really enjoyed it. 

On the drive back to from the movie we are on this really remote piece of the highway and Blake is telling us how he and 3 buddies from school had gone to see Paranormal Activity 3 and how freaky it was.  When they guys were on that part of the highway and someone would start to bring up the movie the others would shut him down quick. I was cracking up.  Right after Blake was telling us about this while he was still thinking of the movie and a littel freaked out and grab him and he jumps a mile.  I was cracking up.  He told me, you better be glad your my mom or you might have been punched in the nose. Which only made me laugh more. I'm such a mean mom.

We got back to the hotel room and just hung out and talked and watched TV.  Michael fell asleep around midnight and Blake left around 1AM.

Sunday we all slept in.  We had to be out of the hotel by 11 AM.  We get ready and go get Blake.  We ate at Joe's Place.  It's a whole in the wall breakfast and lunch dinner.  It is very good and the prices are great.  We have eaten there the last three Sundays we have been to see Blake. The last thing we did on the trip was go to Wal-Mart.  Sorry, no shirtless guys or hineys showing stories this time.  Which is fine by me!  We get all Blake needs and head back to his dorm.  Everything gets put up and we just visit for a little bit longer.  We finally get on the road a little before 2.  I tell Michael I'm going to sleep because I was hurting.  Boy did I sleep.  I slept all the way home. Get home get unpacked get dad something to eat and lay on the couch and visit with him a little bit.  Head on to bed and we watched one show we recorded and I was out like a light by the second show.  I don't even recall what the second show we watched was.  Before I fell asleep I did get the pictures uploaded to my laptop.  Hope you enjoy them.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Jackie

Disappointed

I'm so disappointed right now.  Since the trip last weekend my back as been bothering me.  I'm still able to walk but, I have to walk slowly.  If I get froggy and move a little to fast it catches and send a spasms down my leg and up my back.  That is with the stimulator on and with me taking the medication and ice hot on.

Michael came into the room last night and said that Blake's last fall home game was this Sunday.  He wants to go back up there this weekend.  With the way my back is feeling right now there is no way I can even think about going. This disappoints me so badly.  I always want to take any chance I can to see Blake.  I can't risk not being able to walk and missing work. I'm still negative 35 hours on vacation time from when I was out at the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010.

I have to mention I work for the most incredible people.  They kept paying me even when I was out of vacation time.  They allow me to take time off when my dad needs to be taken to the Dr. that is 3 hours away so it takes all day.  They also let me take off whenever I need to for Blake or when ever I need.  I normally try to make the time up because I don't want to take advantage of them or the company.

Even though I can't go I don't feel it's fair to make Michael stay home.  So, I'm encouraging him to go without me.  It stinks but, we want Blake to know he has our support.  Maybe we can Skype.  It's not the same and I won't get a hug from him but, it's better than nothing.

What would you do if you were fact with going to see your son and possibly not being able to walk after or staying home and possibly visiting him on Skype?

Hope you have a wonderfu Thursday.

Jackie

Going to see Blake and watch him play ball!

I am so excited!  We get to go see Blake this weekend. My sister Shannon is coming up to take care of dad while we are gone.

Michael and I are able to leave at two and meet at the house.  Get dad setup until Shannon can get there.  Get the car loaded up and start heading to my baby boy.   I can't wait to see him.  With us leaving work early we will be able to take Blake out to dinner tonight.  I can't wait to see him.

Saturday we get up and head to Arkansas to watch Blake play baseball.  I hope we are able to visit with him at some point on Saturday. Not sure what we will be doing that evening.  It all depend on what time the games get over.  Sunday we head to Ada, Oklahoma for more baseball.  I'm not sure how much time we will get to spend with him on Sunday. I'm sure I will at least get a hug and kiss goodbye.

I have written one post for Saturday.  I'm not sure if I will have anything for Sunday.  I all depends on our schedule.  Hopefully I will have something up on Monday about what went on this weekend.  I'm sure I will have quite a few pictures. It really depends on how late we get back home.

What are your plans for this weekend?  I hope you have a wonderful one no matter what your plans are.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop in and read this post.

Jackie