Take me out to the Ballgame(Roll Tide style)

This past weekend, Jerry and I took the kids to Tuscaloosa for the weekend. We are a huge softball lovin' family so we went to watch some Alabama Softball. Boy, was it a blast! First of all, we played them dawgs from Georgia. Whooped them Friday night. Then we played them again on Saturday and whooped them yet again. AND got to watch their coach be very ugly and get himself thrown out of the game. It was not very nice.
On Saturday morning, we took a walk around campus. For those of you Bama fans, you know that when you step on campus, the atmosphere and feeling is awesome. To stroll down those sidewalks and take a look around Bryant Denney Stadium is just amazing. We spent some time there and took some pics. It was a fabulous weekend and we hated for it to end. But there are these places called Eye Center South and Coca Cola and  for some reason they needed us there on Monday to work. So we came back on Sunday.

Bryant Denney Stadium

Gives ya chills just standing near it!

And this... Love it

Alabama Doin its thang!

We had such a great time , that Ashley has asked me to take her to the Troy/Alabama game in April. They are playing in Troy. And you know this mama is gonna take her little girl to watch it. The good thing about Troy games is they are FREE to get in. Alabama's was only $5. Can't beat that for some good family fun.

 And this says it all.........



Now, I could add the Rammer Jammer in here, but I won't since I have some Georgia friends out there. But we did enjoy watching Bama beat them!!

And this is where I add a little ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!

Prom 2011

Last night our baby girl attended her Senior Prom. As a mama of a senior, I'm very emotional at the "lasts" that she will experience this school year. Last football game as a student. Last softball game she will play. Last Homecoming dance. Last prom. And last time she will be called a student of Wicksburg High School. Her senior year has been one that has been very emotional for her as well.
But last night, she walked down the isle at leadout with her boyfriend(TJ Walker) and looked stunning(TJ you looked very handsome as well!!)!! Yes I'm bragging. But my gosh, she was beautiful!!!! We watched her and her friends(and enemies) dance their Senior dance together. Memories were made and will be remembered for years to come. I never got to experience the things that she is so I wanted her "lasts" to be memorable. And I think they have been.
Jerry and I left leadout saying to each other "We cant believe she's not a baby anymore". She's all grown up and fulfilling the dreams and plans the Lord has for her. For those of you who havent experienced this stuff, as a mother, I am very emotional with all of it. You just wait, when your little girls and little boys become Seniors. Its an emotional roller coaster but I'm glad to ride it with her.
Well the tears are dried for now. I imagine the next ones will come when she plays her last softball game(if she plays, but thats a whole other story for another blog). Then the next will be when she walks onstage to receive her diploma. I'm practicing now for what I will Yell at her when she does. I need ideas people!! I want her to KNOW her mama is PROUD!!!

I birthed a Miracle

Children are a miracle from God. And I have 4 of them to proove it. But 1 in particular is truly a life that was given a chance when noone thought he would make it. The Lord thought different than everyone else. You see, My Brandon is 14 years old and his life started out a little rough. Born June 23rd 1996, he was 11 weeks early. I developed Pre eclampsia in my 29th week and was rushed to Birmingham to deliver. Its very scary to get off an elevator and have a team of nurses/doctors waiting for you to arrive. He was born early in the morning and weighed in at only 1lb 6 oz. and 12 1/2 inches long.  No I didnt leave out a number. I meant ONE POUND SIX OZ. Unbelievable I know. He was in the hospital for 3 months.And that was the hardest 3 months of my life. We didnt even get to hold him until he was a month old. And even though the time went by very slowly, on September 5th, we brought him home. And thus began our journey...
We put our faith in the Lord and refused any negative. And here we are 14 years later, and Brandon Wesley is a handsome young man with NO medical problems. Now thats a miracle!!! Some people ask, "Why would you even try to have anymore children after going through that?".. My answer: I don't give up!! I serve a God and believed for a healthy pregnancy and thats exactly what I had 2 times after that with Emileigh and Hannah. Hannah of course being our little surprise!
My point is that our God is a God of miracles. And on June 23rd, my son will turn 15 and will be in the 10th grade this coming school year. Awesome!!
So for those of you who had perfect pregnancies and healthy babies... thank the Lord above. Having a preemie is heartbreaking and very scary.
Below is a picture of my miracle.... Then and Now:

From this:

June 23rd 1996 his first day in the world

To this!!!

Brandon at 14. I love you son!!



College... Already???

WARNING: Post might cause tears, keep the kleenex close by... Just sayin..


Hard to believe that tomorrow I will turn in our baby's college admission application at Wallace. I'm so not ready for this. But are any of us mothers who have to go through this? I guess this is part of the "letting go" process that we must go through. But it just seems so early. She's 17. I've held this little girl for 11 years and called her my own. And now I will watch her receive her diploma in May and go on to fulfill her dreams. I have so many mixed feelings. Happy for her. Sad because she's growing up so fast. But I know that she will do just fine because she serves a great and awesome God and he will help her through it all.
I love this little girl with all my heart. She's grown into a beautiful young lady with so many hopes and dreams and I want her to reach them all. She has had a really rough year this year. But I have watched her come out on top of it all. In the midst of adversity she has prevailed and it is all because she kept her head up and trusted the Lord to help her through. Of course this mama had to come to her defense a time or two. And that will never change. We stick beside our kids. I'm so very proud of her. And I always want her to know how special she is to me and how much I love her. I heard a song on the radio a few weeks ago and I told her that was my song to her. Rascal Flatts "I won't let go". It is exactly what I want to say to her
when she feels her world is falling apart.
I am so thankful that the Lord gave me this awesome opportunity. She has given me such joy(and pain at times but more joy). I dedicate this post to you, my sweet daughter, Ashley. Mama loves you so much and you have made me and your daddy very proud.

Our Story

Those of you who know Jerry and I know the story behind this life we have together. Those of you who don't, well here it is....

We knew each other in our younger years. He was the handsome 17 year old and I was the bashful young girl who thought he hung the moon. We went to church together and we both knew we were destined for each other(his mother always told me I would marry her son one day). But we just couldn't ever seem to find our way to each other. We both went our seperate ways and lost touch with each other over the years. Then, after marriages to other people, divorces, and 2 children later, we found each other again and connected. We dated 2 months(yeah I know, but when you know.... you know!) and married in July 2000. And here we are today, 4 kids later, and 11 years of marriage. Not always happy either. But we all, as married couples, have our ups and downs. But in the end, it makes us stronger.
I plan on growing old with him. Even though he aggravates the heck out of me from time to time, I can't see my life without this man I love. He is my friend, my lover, my children's father, and my future. I waited a very long time to call him my own, and now I refuse to let go of him. So here we are..
I love this man I call my husband. And I look forward to many more years with him by my side.

Well that is a little piece of our story. I could have added more detail, but I'm sure you don't have all night to read this. So that kindof sums it up a little. I look forward to sharing more about our family and our times together in the Wells house. Til next time....


Jeanette

The beginning of a new adventure

So I've never done the blog thing before. But it looks fun, so I'm gonna give it a try. This is a blog about life in our house. I'm warning you ahead of time, our life is NEVER dull. So hang on tight and enjoy the ride as I post our everyday life for all to see. Jerry and I have 4 children: Ashley (the athletic one), Brandon(the lazy one, come on Brandon you know its true), Emileigh(the outspoken one), and Hannah(the spoiled one). So there is what keeps our home full of sister/sister fights, sister/brother fights, laughter, crying, yelling, well you get the picture. But we wouldnt change it because its OUR life together in the WELLS house.
Jerry and I have been married for 11 years. Yeah, we have a Yours, Mine and Ours children issue. But NEVER do we allow our children to call each other "Step" or "Half". It has always been, "This is my sister" or "This is my brother". And it has worked out perfectly.
Ashley is the oldest. She's 17. I adopted her and made her my own 7 years ago. It was a decision we made as a family and best one we've ever made. She is mine in every way but blood. I always say "Birthing a child does not make you a "mother". But taking care of that child and loving them unconditionally DOES. And that is exactly what I have done and will continue to do until my life is over. She will graduate in May and begin her life in the real world(of course still close to mama's side). We are extremely proud of her.
Brandon is the one who lives in "THE BAT CAVE' as we call it. Or you can call it "his room". He stays hidden in there amongst dirty clothes, sweaty socks, a stereo, tv, and a playstation. He's 14 and my only son. His life started out a little rough. Weighing in at only 1lb 6oz, he was 11 weeks early. But here he is today, in the 9th grade with absolutely NO medical problems. That's the work of my God!!
Emileigh is the middle girl in the family. A mama's girl I must say. She's 8 and in the 3rd grade. And she is a pistol!! Don't make her mad... She'll give you the "rolling of the eyes" that she does(and gets in trouble for by the way). But we love her anyway
And last, there is Hannah Bug. Hannah was our "surprise" baby. Yeah, exactly what I said... A BIG surprise. But a BIG blessing. She's got us all wrapped around her tiny fingers. She knows that if she just whimpers just the slightest bit, that someone in the house will come running to take care of whatever she needs. She's especially close to her Big Sissy, Ashley(or Ashy as Hannah calls her). She's 2 and a handful.
Well, the only ones left are the animals... That would be Samson(our boxer), Delilah(our puppy), Tiger, Smokey, Prissy, and Sophie(our 4 cats). And thats about it.
Well thats the beginning of this blogging adventure. I've introduced you to the kids, I will introduce you to Jerry and myself in the next post. Until then, God Bless!!