My Favorite Kids!

So. Did anyone even realize what time the post was written? Well, in case you didn't, it is exactly 03:00 in the MORNING!! Thanks to pregnancy, a new bump that gets in the way of my stomach sleeping, and this cold that continues to come and go, sleeping is happening only when it shouldn't. Like mid-day. But hey, I'll take it when I can get it!
Anyway, enough complaining for now.
I've mentioned a few kids in my previous posts and decided to blog/brag about them. Actually, I thought of it after dinner tonight.



This is Jake!

We had dinner with Kim,  Jeff, and Jake at Olive Garden (yum...one of my favorites!). Jake is sick...has some respiratory stuff going on and an ear infection. You could tell he wasn't feeling well, poor little guy,  but he was so sweet.  He took is nasty liquid antibiotic like a champ! Jake is 2 years old (see tons of pics and even more bragging about him here) and is at that age where he wants to move. Doesn't want to sit still and doesn't want to hear your reasoning for sitting still. Well, he did so good at dinner tonight! I was so proud of that little guy! You know at Olive Garden they bring salad and bread sticks to your table before your meal. Well, our waitress was too busy smoking (yes, I smelled it even under her tacky perfume) to remember to bring ours. Poor Jake was hungry and kept looking at every waiter carrying food and saying "My food?" or "I'm hungry!"  or "I want to eat."  He said what we were all thinking. Finally the manager walks by and Kim caught her and Bam!! we had bread sticks in a matter of seconds! (she was very closely followed by our waitress with another basket of bread and our salad.) We all dig in, Jake first of course.   He ate some of his food and played with some it...like little boys do. He said some of the cutest little things. The one I remember most is "Don't cry baby!" while looking a his momma and touching her shoulder. Sweet I tell ya!  Oh, and Kim said to him "What do you do when you cough?" and he faked coughed and covered his little mouth with that tiny hand! Ah! I wish all moms taught their babies that! It was so cute! He sometimes amazes me at the things he actually comprehends. Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones bringing it out, but I was just looking and listening to him and was thinking, he's too little to know all that! And then of course I started wondering what our child will be like...hoping he or she is at least equally smart! lol

Jake and I last summer

So...moving right along. Let me talk a minute about my nephew, Ben. He is something else. Smart little guy. He's 8 years old and a spitting image of his daddy.  He likes to hunt, talk about hunting, talk about the land and how to get it ready for hunting, football, baseball, playing in the dirt... anything a typical little boy likes to do. One of my favorite things to do with the family is go to Ben's ball games. He is one heck of a little ball player! I like baseball best, but he's a great lineman too! He is just like is daddy...pretty good at just about any sport he tries. We used to spend a lot more time with Ben and his sister, but since they've gotten older, their schedules are busier than ours! I mean that seriously! Ben is so dang funny! I remember a few years back one of the most hilarious things I've ever heard/seen in my life! We were all at Bill and Belinda's house for something. Sitting in the den. Ben goes upstairs for something and comes back down several minutes later. We figured he had to use the bathroom. Didn't think twice about it. Until. Belinda goes up a few minutes after Ben gets down and then you hear a LOUD scream.... BEN!!!! lol He was squished in between Mikey and me on the couch and Mikey looked at him and said "What did you do?!" He of course said nothing. Then Belinda screams again, "Why did you clog the toilet up!? Did you push this stuff down there!?"  Mikey said "Well, did you clog it up?" He said yes. He had taken the entire bowl of potpourri (the kind with the big balls in it) and shoved it down the toilet hole....and even packed it down in there with a knitting needle! They had to separate the toilet from the wall to get it unclogged!!! lol Not funny for them, hilarious for us!  Anyway, funny, great kid! And he's definitely going to be a stud when he gets older! Lord help the little girls!

Terrible picture of me, but great of Ben!

Now, his sister, Jane Claire. Whew. Let me take a breath first. She is something else. She's 12 going on 25. I'm serious. She acts older than I do sometimes. She is a handful to say the least. So busy! She absolutely loves taking care of smaller kids...at ball games or whatever. She plays Momma very well.  She always makes sure Ben is taken care of...Always. She acts like she hates him one minute, but would beat up a kid for messing with him the next. True brother-sister relationship. She only wears the coolest, in style clothes....and probably has more money in her closet than I do! She won "best dressed" at school a few years in a row... of course. She loves attention! (but what 12 year old girl doesn't?) I love spending time with her...and trying to keep up with her. I really talk to her like she's my age. Well, I think I'm getting too old for her! I took her lunch and cupcakes at school for her birthday and she couldn't get me out of there fast enough!! I took the hint and left, but geez! I'm still cool! I told Mikey how uncool I felt, and he said "Well, you're her aunt, pushing 30, and your pregnant. Three strikes and you're out." Really? C'mon! Anyway. That girl loves some Chick-fil-A! She is very opinionated and knows exactly what she wants...and will gladly let you know! I think Shu Shu is probably one of her best friends...spends just about every weekend with her. She is something! You won't forget her once you've met her....especially if she is acting herself :) Love that girl...even if it is 'uncool'

JC last Christmas

So... that's enough for now...just  a little something about my favorite kids!
....well, all my favorites minus one....but she isn't related by blood!
I must have the cutest niece and nephews ever! Can't wait to meet my nephew Mason in just a few months! :)
Good day everyone!

Mikey and the Kids a couple of years back... Ben trying to be cool! :)

Great Mom or Not?

**This Could Potentially Be Offensive!**

(just warning you ahead of time, if you don't like my opinions, stop reading right now! I will not be held liable for anything further that you read!!! )

I've been thinking a lot lately (specifically, the last 13.5 weeks) about characteristics that a "great" mom has. What sets apart a "great" mom from an average mom or a bad mom. What makes a child say "I have the best mom in the world!" and what makes others say, "Yea, I love my mom." and leave it at that.  Even some adults say "I have the best mom in the world." Well what makes them so great? Seriously? What does a mom do that is so great it makes her grown up child remember she was so great as a child?

Does this type of mom even know that she's great? I'm sure every mom would like to think that they give their all to the child and take care of them as best she can....but that's normal, that's part of the definition of a mom (to me). But what does she do that pushes her over the top and makes her look like a hero to her kids?

Well, here is what I think a great mom is...and these are only my opinions. (The list is small... I could add things all day long.) Things that I will try my hardest at to make my child say "My mom is the BEST mom in the world!" and honestly mean it with their whole heart.

*I think a great mom is selfless. She puts her husband's and children's needs before hers. Whether it mean not buying that new dress for herself because her child would just die for that new baby doll or toy truck, and she would rather see her child's face light up with excitement any day of the week than to look good in that dress. Or it could be that she sends her child the last thing of Jello in their lunch because she knows they would just love it, although she's been craving it ALL day. It could be that the child is scared at night and just wants her to lay in bed with them, even though she had a terrible day and has an extremely early meeting in the morning, but would rather her child feel safe and secure than for her to feel prepared and rested for the next morning. It could be any of these things.

*I think a great mom is patient. She will spend countless hours with the child trying to teach them their ABCs and 123s, or their Algebra homework in 1st grade, or months helping them walk and say MaMa. I am not patient at all at the moment. It's something that I will have to work on. It burns me up when I hear (and yes, I have heard) "Mikey will have to do that, you just aren't patient enough." or "You're just like your mom, you have no patience." Well. That's true. But I also have not birthed a child yet. Neither of us know what is going to happen once that baby gets here. Everyone says that a baby changes everything...well, who says a baby can't change character flaws? I never want my child to look back and say "Mom, why did you never do this with me?" and me have to respond with "Because my nerves couldn't take it."  It may happen, I'm sure Chuck-E-Cheese will push me to the edge more than once, but I will try.

*I think a great mom never has a "sick" day. And by sick I do not mean physically ill, I mean just a free day to do as she pleases.  A day where she can just pawn her kids off on someone else just because she doesn't want to deal with them. Um. Hello. You had the child....or decided to make the situation happen.... Honey, you don't get to do that. I know kids can work your nerves, and I'm sure my time is coming really soon, considering my who the daddy is. I understand that sometimes you just need some "me" or "us" time. I really do get that. I just think that sending your children off to some one's house more than once a week, every week may be crossing the line. It IS crossing the line in my book. I just want to say "Get over yourself!" Nothing you could do for yourself is worth losing all of those hours with your children. You'll never get that time back.

*I think a great mom puts their children's happiness above a lot of other household chores. (but clean up our messes afterwards)  I've seen signs that say "Excuse the mess, we live here."  Do NOT get me wrong, I love my house to be clean. In fact, I'm a bit obsessive about the laundry.  When the baby gets here, I will try to keep it close to as clean as it is now and we will have chores and practice cleaning from an early age... but (and I'll have to work really hard at this one too) I don't want to deprive my children of play or learning just because it'll make a mess. We can always clean after we play. I remember having to have everything so clean at my house growing up, and I hated it.  Some of the most fun memories I have with my niece and nephew were made making HUGE messes!! Covering old bottles with melted crayons, carving pumpkins with Ben's little arms elbow deep in the pumpkin,  making and decorating cakes and cupcakes, just fun, messy stuff. We all love it!
*I think a great mom raises their children in church with a Godly love at home. I know that a 3 month old doesn't realize they're in church, but it builds a good, firm foundation for the child that will last them their entire lives. Some of the very first songs  I learned to sing were "Jesus Loves Me" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children"... God places such great teachers in children's lives to teach them things on levels they understand and ways their little minds remember.

*I think a great mom sets a good example for her children to follow. She does things that would make her children proud. I know children make their parents proud, I was told that all the time growing up, but I also think that the children can be proud of their parents.... they just may not realize it until they're older.

*I think a great mom uses positive re-enforcement. It makes such a big difference in the child's attitude. I was always told that I was pretty when I wasn't, that I was smart when I didn't do as well as I wanted, that I made my parents proud when I didn't think they could tell I worked so hard, that I was so creative when I would play.... Positive encouragement equals positive feedback. I look at kids at work and can pick up right away on how they're talked to at home.

*I think a great mom disciplines their child and shows they love them at the same time. I was raised getting my butt whipped all the time! I turned out just fine, I think. I didn't realize it when I was younger, but the discipline and manners that I learned at home has made me very thankful that I was taught and raised that way. I see a bunch of hoodlums running around back-talking their elders, kids snatching stuff without saying Please or Thank You, screaming when they don't get what they want, when they truly don't need it anyway.... If that were me 20 years ago, I would've had a red but and "I'm sorry" coming out of my mouth. I think the correct discipline (and I know that every family has different discipline styles....this is just the way I was raised) builds character.  Not just a pat on the butt, but an explanation as to why they don't do that.

*I think the greatest gift for a great mom isn't peace and quiet, but the sound of laughter and the sight of a smile on their kids faces. Peace and Quiet are a very close second though!!

*I think a great mom just shows her child a love and level of security that no one else can. She just strives to make her kids respectful, loving, happy, and safe. And would do that at any cost.

Now, these are just MY ideas and thoughts..... I warned you before you read!

I'm sure some of these will take a lot of work to get good at, but I will try. I'm sure I'll mess up and my kid will hate me at some point, but I always want my kid to know that their loved and that I'm always there for them...whether that makes me a "great" mom or just an average mom.

And no offense to the dads either. I just chose Mom because, well, I'll be one in about 6 months. It's easy for me to say what I'm going to do or not going to do. I know what I liked and didn't like growing up and these are things I can control. I think being a great dad takes just as much hard work and dedication.

If something here is wrong, well, I don't really care. I'm sure my views and outlooks of life and children will change a million times....even before the baby gets here. It's just what I feel and think now, so just humor me.

Fast and Furiously Freezing

Well Hello Again!
     I'm on one of my blogging spurts...so you'll see a few posts back to back, and then I'm sure I'll get busy with something (or nothing) and not blog for a month or so. It's just how it goes.
     Back to the subject....
     Every year my mother and father-in-law invite all the family and friends down to their land in Sardis for a cookout/hayride. It's always very close to Halloween, the weekend just depends on the kids' schedule. (who knew a 12 and 8 year old could be so important!?)  This year was the very first year that I've been able to attend!! I've been around for almost 6  years, and this is the very first time I've gone! (Side Note: it's not because I've never wanted to go, it just always falls on  a weekend night that I have to work....yes, some of us have to work to pay bills and do not have the option of just "not working" or having someone else pay our bills)  I was so freakin' excited! 
     So, because I don't drive to Sardis alone ( I could, but I'd probably never make it to the correct destination in a timely manner) I rode with Belinda. She drives a Genesis Coupe and had us there in about 40 minutes flat. My kind of trip!  Besides the 8 phone calls from Bill, and I mean that literally, it was a pretty decent ride down there....just kind of caught up on family gossip and talked a little pregnancy talk... It was enjoyable. (and Bill called about every 4 to 6 minutes asking Did you get this? Do we need this? Do y'all want something from here? Can you stop and get that? ....and so on. Bless it.)
     Bill, Belinda, and I got down to the land around 3-ish in the afternoon...perfect weather. We clean up the trailer a bit and start unloading the food and junk. Belinda starts all the food, the chili, the delicious white hot chocolate, the ruben dip, all the good stuff. Bill starts setting up the lights, getting firewood together, and packing the coolers. I sat my little butt down in the chair in the warm sunshine and watched :) hehe
     Watching Bill and Belinda try to accomplish a task together was very comical to say the least...as you can imagine. At one point Bill was trying to get the lights set up and in the right positions and, simultaneously, Belinda was trying to make the chili on a burner outside....that Bill insisted would work just fine. Well, every few minutes Belinda would stop Bill and get him to turn the burner up or down or stir the chili or put a rock under the pot (?) or something!! lol Bill was getting very frustrated, but Belinda didn't care....it was his idea to have her use the burner and not the stove in the first place. I know he picked up and sat down the exact same light in the exact same spot about 10 times before he finally put it in it's appropriate spot. It was fun to watch...made me laugh. Well, I'm not sure if it was that that was so funny, or him mumbling under his breath the whole time!  The chili turned out just fine...as long as you got it from the top of the pot and not the bottom!  :)
     Anyway, they finally get it all set up and everyone else starts arriving... We sit around the fire and talk for a bit....the music is going, the fire is warm, weather is cool, but not terrible at this point, kids are running around, and everyone is drinking some hot chocolate (or their preferred beverage). This is what it's all about...family and friends!
     After we eat our chili dogs and corn dip and all the other yummy stuff, it's time for the hayride! It's what I've been looking forward to for 6 years!! Apparently we 'have' to wait for it to get dark before we can start the hayride...which means it's cold. Real cold. Not freezing, but I think it was about 40 or 50 degrees out. We all load up on the trailer and wait. And wait..... And wait. The tractor was acting up and it took about 5 guys to look at it and decide that it wasn't going to pull the trailer.  So, BB decides to take his truck. That's okay...it still works and it'll still be fun, probably won't be able to tell the difference. Once we're all piled up on the trailer (again), between the hay and under the covers, we take off. (Side note: If the trailer would've had seat belts, now would've been the time to restrain ourselves) We had to go through a couple of fields before we could get out to the main road. Well. BB must have a lead foot because I swear as soon as he pushed the gas, we were going 45. In the fields. I do not mean fields of green and pretty luscious flowers. I mean bumpy, dirt, holey, trench-filled, hilly, bean planted fields. Fields with a speed limit of 5!  They have to make Ben and Tanner move closer to the center so they don't bounce off the back! Seriously!! We finally make it out of the fields... all alive, thank goodness, and make it to the road. Well, we accelerate. No doubt. Now we're going about 60. Hell, it was probably 75. And the temp is steadily dropping...and the wind is picking up! We're all huddled up close together, on top of each other, covering our faces and ears. It was cold. We figure that the ride will last about 20 minutes...at the max. We could deal. Well. We figured wrong. 20 minutes into it we're still going strong...and fast. We yell out several times for BB to slow down...he doesn't understand. He keeps flying. I swear we were up on 2 wheels on one turn.  We finally think the ride is coming to an end. Thank God in Heaven above. We thought wrong. He passes the drive to the land and decides to take a right on a road that it about 6 miles long.....and has no place to turn around.  Perfect. My first hayride will be my last, and my unborn child will be just that. Benji yells and flashes BB with his red flashlight several times! Several! He even gets off the trailer and tries to direct BB in a clear path to back up and take us back. He backs up about 7 feet and decides that it isn't going to work....and hauls off in the same direction. Again. It's a good thing Benji has good reflexes, otherwise he'd still be left in the middle of that little, no end street.  At some point the kids started singing some stupid, kid song. I thought I might lose it. Thankfully, that didn't last very long. The cold wind quickly took their breaths away.
     FINALLY we find a driveway that is large enough for us to turn around in. And thank God, we did.... If the people who lived at that house would've heard us, we probably would've been shot. Everyone of us. Men, Women, Kids, and all. It was not a very "welcoming" house.  We turn around, leaving rubber marks on the pavement and head back to the land. We make it! Everyone of us jumps off as soon as the truck stops! Not gonna chance him going for round 2. We go to the fire and de-thaw a little before we start making smores! Yum-O!   I tell Mikey that it is time for us to go and I need to get home. It was long afternoon. lol Long and fun...but my toes were numb and ears would've fallen off if someone would've touched them.  My long-johns were no longer keeping me warm, my hat was not keeping heat in, my feet warmers were even cold. It was just time to go....especially before my attitude came out.
     It was a fun trip, and I really enjoyed being around everyone...I think most of us did. It's little things that I appreciate that makes life worth while. The kids had a blast... Jake was every where, JC was bossing them all around like a 16 year old would, and Tanner followed Ben around like a shadow.  Good times and even better memories.
    

Caution!! The cult is expanding!

Consider this as your fair warning! May of 2012 the McCrory Cult will be growing by one!  Who? You ask? Who would be stupid enough to not only marry a McCrory, but intentionally sleep with one.... and dare I say, reproduce!?! 
     Well, I never claimed to be the smartest of them all.... so I must admit that it is Mikey and Me! We're Expecting!! And yes! It's a baby! Today, Nov. 5th, we are exactly 13 weeks along and couldn't be happier!

See! It's True!

     We started trying for a baby in March... we purposely waited 1 year after we married b/c we wanted to enjoy each other and get used to the 'living together' thing before we introduced more craziness into our house. We also had a loooong list of things we wanted to have complete before we got pregnant...dull, boring, grown-up stuff. ( i.e a new dishwasher, hardwood floors, new washer/dryer, an arbor over the patio, credit cards paid off, a new vehicle for Mikey, and a storage shed built.) Well, I am happy to say that all but the shed have been completed! By March we will have saved enough to pay for one!...just before the baby gets here! I have to say that this is a very great feeling of accomplishment! Kind of lame, I know....but Hey, your priorities change when you get married, right?  (well, some people's do anyway...but that's another blog in itself)
     We tried for about 3 months before I started to get irritated. I know I sound ridiculous right now, but in those 3 months, my cousin Lindsey, my sister, a friend of ours Amy, and a girlfriend at work all found out they were expecting! What are the freakin' odds!?! So I was doing everything right, prenatal care, eating right, exercising on a regular basis, followed up with all my doctors to make sure all aspects were lined up. I even went to my OBGYN to make sure it was okay to start trying!! (Idiot, I  know!) And still, nothing. We tested on days 6 AND 3 (before my missed period) EVERY single month! That is a ton of money! But we thought we HAD to! Just for peace of mind. After the 5th and 6th month, I was so tired of trying. It was like clock work. We knew the exact days to try and not to, we charted everything, kept up with all kinds of numbers, and even had apps on our phones to log it all. I finally said to Mikey "That's it. It'll happen when it happens." I was so angry and felt like I had done something to make God mad at me and punish me. I just had to let it go. It was so hard. I know that 7 months isn't long at all, but it just seemed like everyone and their momma was pregnant....and not even trying to be that way, and I wanted it so bad and had prepared for a year, and had all the steps down, doing it all the 'right' way...and it got me no where. I can not tell you how many times I cried and prayed and cried some more. But. What do you know, as soon as I said I can't handle it anymore, and gave it to God.... BAM!! (and it wasn't only me praying! I had my Nanny, my girlfriend Lexi, Mikey, a few other close friends praying everyday... I mean I would even send them reminders to pray for us!) We were pregnant within a month and half. Just like that. Easier said than done, I know. Trust me.

Don't pay attention to the
piece of bangs sticking straight
out...Hubs took the pic.

     So as I get further along, my belly gets slightly larger each week.... go figure. I can still wear my normal clothes, they just fit a little 'differently' now. My hair is fabulously thick and my nails are growing like crazy! The morning sickness has subsided for now, and the tiredness is slowly fading away too! Things are looking good! Warm baths and naps are my best friends right now :) And that is 100% okay. I'm going to enjoy this pregnancy while I can... It's only going to last 9 months. And if you had a terrible experience, Well keep that mess to yourself because frankly, I don't give a rat's butt. I do not need any negativity.... so Thank you in advance.
     By this time next year, we will have 3 new babies on the Read side! Lindsey is having a girl, Ily, Kerrie is having a boy, Mason, and we are having a ...... well, we don't know yet. We find out in January. JANUARY! Geez. I guess I'll make it until then. I just feel like it's a boy, and Mikey "knows" it's a girl. We have our names picked out...and have for a very, very long time :)  Isaac and Evie. Both are family names and mean a lot to both of us. If you don't like the names, keep that to yourself too! You get to name your children, and we get to name ours! And if you have a baby before us and you steal our names, God help you. I will pray for you.  (ever heard that song with the same title? :) )
       Christmas and Easter and all the holidays will be so much more fun next year! The Read's youngest kid is like 8! We haven't had bitty babies in forever!!
     I think everyone is excited for us... God only knows what this baby will turn out like. But I can guarantee you one thing. It will never ever wonder what it feels like to be loved or to know that it is cared for and is surrounded by support and love. We will try our best to make sure that it feels special and important every day of it's life. We may not be perfect parents, we've never said that we would be, but we will spend every second of the day trying to do what's best for him or her.
     We have gotten one ultrasound so far, and it was the neatest, most awesome sight I've ever seen. Precious. It was moving like crazy and had it's little hands up to it's face. Ah. My heart melted. We've also heard the heart beat! And again, awesome! There really is a life in there!!  :)

Sweet, Huh? Those boots are T.I.N.Y!

     So basically, we are on cloud nine right now! I know that it was God's perfect timing. Mikey will be a terrific dad...the kind that blames all the bad things on mom and makes me do all the punishing... But plays his heart out and tries his hardest to make the baby happier than any other baby in this world. I can not wait to see him hold it for the very first time :) He rubs my belly every day and tells the baby "good-bye and I love you" every morning before he leaves. I don't ever want to forget how we feel right now...even before we meet our baby. I know it only gets better! :)
    I had a ton of other stuff to blog about...like the fast and furious hay ride in Sardis and MeMe's surprise birthday party, but I got a bit side tracked with this pregnancy thing...and well, there's always tomorrow. Stay tuned for more blogs on the past few months.... and get ready for a few laughs. God love it.

Hey! It's Just A Dollar!!

http://www.givetheguyadollar.com/ Say what?!
 Listen to this!! I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful new charity! You're going to love it!
About 2 months ago our friend J.C had mentioned an idea to us (Mikey and me) of starting a non-profit organization in the near future. He said it would be a local charity and be aimed at helping those in financial distress. We of course said that would be awesome and if he needed any help, to just let us know and we'd be more than happy to help. Well, a few weeks later he asked if we'd be interested in being on the board of this charity. We of course said Yes!!  (How exciting!!) . The name of the charity is "give the guy a dollar." And that's basically it. We believe that no one person can help with just $1, but together, our $1 can change a life. We ask for $1 donations (of course any more is definitely accepted) and 100% of that dollar is given to the recipient.We,the board members make absolutely no money! None! Not a single one of us! It is truly a non-profit organization. The board consists of a variety of people with one thing in common. We have a heart for helping those in need.
Now. We feature only 6 recipients a year. They get their picture and bio on the home page of the website (http://www.givetheguyadollar.com/) and they get every single penny we raise! They stay on the website, and receive donations for a total of 12 months!!! The recipient owes us nothing!  How does a person become a recipient you ask?? Well they're nominated. That's all. We decide as a board who to choose based on severity of the situation. It really is awesome!!! We also sale T-Shirts ($15) and Bracelets ($2-$5) and all of that money goes to the recipient as well.
Our first recipient is Shawn Butrum! Shaun's bio and picture is on our website right now (http://www.givetheguyadollar.com/) and he has an amazing story!! I encourage you to go take a look. Shawn's church hosted a rummage sale, spaghetti dinner, and silent auction for him and his family all day Saturday. Give the Guy a Dollar was able to attend and introduce itself to the public eye. It was such a fantastic thing to see so many people pull together for ONE cause. Together with the church we raised over $11,000 for Shawn and his family.... in a single day! That is an awesome act of God, and nothing more! 
If you get a chance, check out the website....and if you feel led, donate a dollar to help "the guy"....and if you know someone in need, whether it be from a natural disaster, a terrible illness, or just an unfortunate turn of events, nominate them. It's so easy and could change that person's life forever!....  Hey, It's just a dollar.
http://www.givetheguyadollar.com/

Thankful Thursday!

Well Hello there! Happy Thursday!  ...and let me warn you. This blog, or post, or whatever you call it, does not have a single word of sarcasm in it!!! Write it down! lol
I'm stealing an idea from Kim (Let it Snow) for my blog today. She does a blog on Thursdays and tells what she's thankful for...be it friends, family, etc. She calls it "Thankful Thursdays".... So here it goes.

Let me say this first. In our Bible study last week, Blake said something and it really stuck with me. It's paraphrased, but you'll get the idea. He said that no matter how busy he was during the day, he always made time for his wife. Regardless. He said if someone asked them to do something (dinner, movie, etc.) and he hadn't really spent quality time with his wife, he would pass on the invite and just sit and soak up his wife's attention. Although that is wonderful, he said he doesn't do that for God...the one who gave him his wife. I know I am guilty of that. I see my husband every day, and even if it is at midnight, I spend time with him, watching tv, talking, just giving him attention (and he does the same). God (or praying) is usually the very first thing we cut out of our day... breakfast or coffee or nap or a shower or the radio..etc. all seem to come BEFORE God and at the end of the day we never find time to give to Him when He is the one who allows us all of these things. Blake said we should all try to cut out time, no matter how busy or hectic to just take time out to thank God for his blessings and just talk to Him.   Makes sense, right? Well it does to me. I have made it a point to say "Thank You" for at least one thing (usually turns into several) each day.  I'm not trying to get all "Holy" on you, but I am very guilty of being selfish and I know I am undeserving of all the wonderful things I have been given. It's just kind of heavy on my heart is all.  Anyway.

Today I am thankful for (among many other things) my health. I went for a run this morning. (basically had to force myself out the door) Running is a great way for me to clear my head and think. I began to get a bit labored after, I don't know, 10 minutes, and here's where the deep thinking came in. I have asthma. It used to be terrible... I mean out of control. Couldn't participate in gym class b/c I would have to use my rescue inhaler several times. I remember in Sunday school when I was about 5 until I was about 15 I would pray "for my asthma". It was a prayer request every single Sunday. It has been about 1,000 times better in the last 4 or 5 years. (thanks to a great doctor and meds.) 

Anyway, I ran this morning. Back to the subject. I was thinking of how many people would love to walk, much less run, just one time, much less every day. I am incredibly blessed with a healthy heart, lungs, legs, eyesight, arms, ears (I am VERY blessed with ears),  just everything. I am overall healthy. I can do things everyday that a million people only dream of doing. Things that are simple for me. Things like swimming, walking, running, jumping.... Things I take for granted a lot. 

So... Thank you Lord for my Health!! I am so very grateful!!

(and sorry for the rant, it's just what's been on my mind lately)

Everyone have a good and thankful Thursday!!

Happy Monday to Ya!

So. I know it's been a while since my last post (forgive me, a thing called "Life" has gotten in the way a bit!)  :)
There's absolutely no way I could explain all the hectic things that have gone on in the past month...but here's a quick update on the fam.... because I know you're sooo interested!
-First. Mikey and I have joined with a few friends to create a small group. We aren't cool enough to have a name, so we just call it a small group/Bible study type deal. Our schedules are pretty lame and (honestly) do not allow us to go to church... It is nearly impossible with work. And we both LOVE to eat, so we must work. It stinks...but it's what we have to do right now. Anyway, back to the point. Blake Bostick is leading the study. Our study (this 6 weeks) is on a book called "Sacred Marriage." We're on our 5th week. So far it has been great for all of us. I can not describe the feeling I get when I pray with Mikey. (Sounds corny...I know) I feel like I've made my "Dad" proud. You know? We've never prayed together prior to this study. And do NOT judge me for that either!! lol "Betta check yo self before you wreck yo self!!" But seriously. It is awesome.
Moving right along...
-My aunt Rachelle and uncle Donnie were in a bad motorcycle wreck a few weeks ago. Both were airlifted to the Med. Donnie was released the next day with only a broken shoulder blade (or blades...not sure) and fractured wrist. Minimal damage compared to what could've been. Rachelle got to go home Thursday! Whoop! She has 2 broken legs (one was very severely broken), broken ribs, bruises, etc. She won't be able to put pressure on either leg for about 3 months...but Hallelujah she's at home and her family is taking extra-extra good care of her!
-Now. Back to the Aunt Jenn business!! :)
As I announced a couple of months ago, my sister is pregnant and I will be an aunt in February!! She is doing well. I think the morning sickness and summer heat is kicking her butt, but she's hanging in there. She went to the doctor last week and the baby is doing just fine. Heart rate is normal...everything looks good! :) I'm hoping for a Kennedy...she swears it's a Mason. We'll find out in September! AHHHH!! This is so exciting!! I bought her her very first pair of maternity pants (capris).... she's at that stage (13 weeks) where her regular pants are fitting "a little tight" :) I absolutely can not wait until her belly gets big and round!! :) :)
-Now let me say a big CONGRATULATIONS!! to Mrs. Lee Caldwell for winning Republican nominee for the primary election. ( I think that's how you word it ) A lot of people (not us..we only put in one....possibly 2 total hours) put in a lot of hours in this terrible Mississippi summer heat campaigning for her.... and it surely paid off!! So..YAY for Mrs. Lee!!
-We've also been dealing with some 'family' issues... I won't go in to detail..partly because it's very ridiculous and stupid but severe.  (and let me say...this goes back to the title..McCrory by MARRIAGE!!! Hint, Hint!! ) Just keep Mikey's, I mean, Our family in your prayers. It always seems like the ones who give all they have to give to help others always get burned the worse. Everything will be fine...nothing time (or a good butt whoopin') won't heal, but a few family members are having a really tough time dealing with these issues.
-OH!! I started Zumba! I absolutely love it! Went 3 days last week with my girlfriend Danielle, and we looked like crazy fools, but it was sooo fun! I started sweating about 5 minutes in to it, but I will be super hott in about 3 more weeks...or at least I should be! What little butt I have, I feel like it's going to be worked off! Kat (the instructor) has no mercy on us! :) I will leave this class knowing how to belly dance and (white girl) booty dance! So watch out Southaven!! And bless Mikey's heart for having to deal with me.  :)
-Sorry to bore you to death...but that's our last month in a nutshell. I'm still alive and kickin'....lol God help us!
AND let me just say that I am very thankful for my job. I see lots of little blessings and miracles each day I work and it makes me realize how fortunate I am for my health and happiness and family...even though they are...ummm.. uncontrollable. :)
-Everyone have a good week!!

Cult Collaboration

#31 Ben McCrory           

 My nephew Ben plays competitive baseball for the Mustangs! (Go #31!!) Well, this past weekend we all went to Ridgeland, MS to watch my him play for the state championship. Well, the Mustangs didn't win a single game, but we all had a fun and comical trip. Love making memories with those crazy kids!

    Side Note: When I say 'we' I mean ALL of us. (and here's where the cult comes back into play. And for those of you who do not know what I'm talking about...refer to my previous post) I'd say we had about 30 cult family members down there. It was more of a convention than a meeting. Several chapters were present... We had Southaven, Durant, Madison, and Kosciusko. Can you imagine all of us out cheering for ONE little 7 year old? Well, we were. God bless those we sat by. 

           Now we know that when we all get together SOMETHING is gonna happen. We will never have a normal, event free trip. Never. At least ONE bad or exciting thing is going to happen to one of us. We all know this and pray to God that it isn't us this time.   

    Here's how the weekend started off. (And please, Shu Shu, do NOT kill me for this, it is written out of humor, not hate) 

Mikey, me, Benji and the kids all leave with the team Thursday afternoon. We get to the hotel around 4:00p or so. Shu Shu had reserved all of our rooms together so that we could be next door to each other. I tell the man that we are to be 2 of the 3 rooms reserved under Shu's name.  We check in and go directly to our rooms. No problem. The boys get ready and we go eat a quick dinner and then head straight to the ball fields for game number one. Shu Shu and the other half of the family had to work, and couldn't leave until 4 or so. They arrived in Ridgeland and went directly to the ball fields... just in time to see the last 30 seconds of the game...that the Mustangs lost. After the game we head back to the hotel. (Shu and them still have to check in b/c they came straight to the ball fields.) Mikey, me, Benji, and the kids are up in our rooms showering and getting ready for dinner when Mikey gets a call from Kim. It went something like this. "Mikey come down here. They gave our room away and Momma is going off on the man. Do y'all want to leave and stay at the Holiday Inn across the street with us?"

And here we go. We go downstairs to the lobby and see Shu Shu at the reception desk, red in the face, telling the man that she needs to speak to the manager. Apparently the man did give their room away and lied about it. He said she didn't have an assigned room to begin with. Well...that may have worked had she not had a conformation number for all 3 rooms she reserved. She demanded a room with 2 beds (there were 3 adults and a child...that makes sense) but the man told her the only room he had available had a king sized bed with a cot. I thought, well, this is an easy fix. Mikey and I could just swap rooms. There's only 2 of us and our room had 2 queen sized beds. So I go up to the counter, a bit optimistic, and tell Shu, quietly, that it's not a problem. "Why can't we can take the room with 1 bed and y'all can have the room 2." We hadn't unpacked yet, so it wasn't a hassle for anyone. Dear God in Heaven above. You would've thought I asked her to kill her first born. She said, firmly holding that pen in her hand that was about to snap, "because at 7:17 I got a call and they asked if I still wanted my room with 2 queen sized beds. I said yes, we're running late. Do not give my room away." I tried to reason with her. Hell, everyone did. Security came to the reception desk. Shu ended up calling every number she could find and it got her nowhere. She unwillingly took the room with 1 bed and a cot for one night an hour later, and (Thankfully!) got another room the next morning.

    Whew! Thank God that was over! The next few days were fun. Terribly hot, but fun. All of our McCrory Chapters came to support Ben and the Mustangs. We played 3 games in 3 days. Now, at the fields, we all cheer for ALL  the kids, we gripe about all the kids..even our own, and we help all the kids. That's just how it works.... so we thought. One of our star players took a while to warm up in one of the games...he was missing the ground balls, fumbling with the ball and glove.... just petty stuff. And Really, they all took a bit to warm up. Well after the kid misses the ball a few times, Shu YELLS "Get your head in the game..!" Well, that's not really a big deal to us. If anyone ever said that to Ben, well he probably needed to get his head in the game. I don't think this other family agreed. From that point on, we got dirty looks and the cheers from the other tent began to fade. The temperature went from about 97 degrees to 200 in a matter of minutes. Mike got Shu's attention and told her to watch what she said about that one kid. We later find out that that particular family doesn't really like constructive criticism. Huh. Well, F them. She didn't mean anything by it..... And I say that out of love.

    Other than those two instances, I think the rest of the trip was pretty enjoyable. We did a little shopping at the mall...and we met Gail Pittman at her store! (Kim was more excited than I) We ate at some wonderful restaurants. Cock of the Walk was delicious!!! Awful name, Awesome food! Mikey acquired a new nick name while we were down there. "PawPaw". He's 33 and one of Ben's team mates said "Look y'all, there's Ben's grandpa!" hahahaha And it stuck! lol The hotel had a free happy hour! So of course, we made it every day! :) And 3 of the nights we spent just hanging out with family...real family and our ball team family. Kids were running the halls at midnight and up at 8 am. It is always so much fun to hang out with such great people. We left without a win, but I think it's safe to say that we all had fun   
 We left Sunday morning and headed to Durant to see some of the family. Aunt Macel made us all lunch. Home made fresh creamed corn, corn bread, fresh shelly beans, and fresh home grown tomatoes.  Slap yo momma it was good!! We left her house as full as a tick and went just around the corner to Uncle Bubba's house. He is THE Head Master (pictured to the left) of our cult family. We visited with him for a little and then got back on the road. Finally made it home about 4:30 Sunday evening.

That's our weekend in a nutshell. Hope you enjoyed....and Shu's expense :)

Did you say Aunt Jenn?

Happy (late) Father's Day to all the dads out there...because I'm sure I have a ton of men reading my blog. :)

We celebrated Father's Day with my dad Friday since I had to work Sunday. My dad, step mom, and Mikey and I met at my sister's house for a cookout. You know, steak, grilled corn on the cob, baked potatoes, bread, the whole nine yards. And, let me just say, that it was delicious. Props to the brother-in-law for a great job on the food.

Since we were very young, Kerrie and I always compete for the BEST gift (whether it be Christmas, Bday, Father's Day, ect.) and the best card.  Always have, Always will.  Well, since we have 4 men to buy for this year, I knew my gift wouldn't really be that great. I mean it was good, don't get me wrong...we just had to be a little conservative this year. Anywho. Kerrie assured me that she, of course, had the best gift this year. She wouldn't tell me what it was, she just said it was better than mine. (She always says that, but it's never true!..just ask my dad!! hehehehe)

Well, Dad and Dreama finally arrive at the house... They greet the pups and get lots of kisses from them :) Between Kerrie and Me we have 6 dogs. Yes, six. 
Anyway...We're always very anxious for Dad to open our gifts...that way we can spend the rest of the evening rubbing it in that the other one's gift sucked. :) Well, Dad sat down and Randy handed him our gift. He read the card, which of course was the best, and he pulled out a black and white striped Polo shirt.  He of course said it was nice, he needed it, all the junk they say to make you think the gift was 10000 times better than it actually was. I look at Kerrie with a "Take That!!" look and again, she assures me that her's is better. Well, here he goes to open Kerrie's gift.  He read the card, which I'm sure was lame compared to mine :) and we all stared at the gift bag as he opened it.... He pulls it out and looks at whatever it is for a minute. Then holds it up for us to see. I'll be damned, it was a baby bib that said "I Love Grandpa".  She's pregnant!
We all congratulate her and Randy and of course I start weeping....and can't stop. Even through dinner.  :) She is due Feburary 13th. I'm already calling the baby my neice. I just know it's going to be a girl. Already.
I'm going to be an aunt to MY neice (or nephew) for the first time ever!! I will have a little baby to love and squeeze and play with and spoil rotten....and then send back home to mommy. I can NOT wait!!  Kerrie has always wanted to be a mom, and she'll be great at it, no doubt. I'm awaiting the days when I can rub her big round belly and talk to the baby :)  (yes, I'm weird like that, I love little pregnant bellys) Dad and Dreama will finally get another baby grandbaby they've been asking for the last 2 years.
Kerrie won the best gift this year, hands down.  And, I really couldn't argue with that.
However, I did have the best card!! :)

My Daddy and Me

McCrory Cult, Indeed

Hold on y'all!! It's about to get bumpy!!
Now as Jennifer Read I lived a very normal life. Very. One happy, close knit family. Church every Sunday, Lunch with grandma and grandpa,No cursing, No staying out past curfew, Always say Yes mam and No sir.... You get the idea. I had no idea that obscurities even existed.... Until I met my husband. God love it.  (and after we met, coincidentally, my Read family slowly, uh how do you say it, got issues.... but nonetheless) Hence the name, McCrory by Marriage.
Now. On to the real story.
First I'll give you one definition of Cult :2. A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.
A cult you say? Do those even exist anymore?  Oh, you can bet your bottom they do...and right in Southaven, MS!!
Before I get in to this whole situation (and you could be here for days) let me give you a little back round info. on the "McCrory Cult" origination.
My brother-in-law went through a very terrible divorce that took about 3 years to finalize.
Now his Ex.... Well, I did have a very descriptive paragraph about her but was told by my husband to edit it out because apparently she just wouldn't "get" my sense of vulgar humor. Let's just say she's "precious."
Well, anyway, our families do not cooperate with each other. No, that would be too easy and civilized-like. 
The others (I will not mention names, but meaning NOT the McCrorys) seem to think that since we all stick together and back each other up, regardless, that we are in fact, a "cult".  I'm sorry, for some reason, the word "Family" comes to my mind instead.
Now, back to the definition of a cult.  (A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister) We are a relatively small group....probably 25 or so, we do have shared beliefs...I think they're obvious, and others do think they're strange... If you think "strange" is backing your family up on absolutely anything, no matter how ridiculous it is, sticking side by side and defending each other, loving each other even if you disagree with them, and standing firm in what you believe to be right... Well, then yes. Maybe we are. 
Well, since someone of the other 'party' have called us a cult (they get such bad raps around here!!), we've kind of run with it... They say it out of hate, We make a freakin' joke out of it.  It's actually quite funny to us...more like an ever-expanding game. We've decided that as ridiculous as calling us a cult sounds, we'll come up with even more ridiculous crap to add to the story. <We're what you call 'Good Sports.'> Since we have family in other towns, we've come up with "Chapters". We have a Southaven Chapter, a Durant Chapter, and a Jackson Chapter! Stay tuned for a Chapter near you!! :)  <lol>  Our leader (we say) is in the Durant Chapter...the eldest of all the McCrorys. He is sure to kick butt and take names if anyone comes close to messing with any of the members.
So we're always looking for new places to have 'cult meetings'...so far we've got ball fields, restaurants, family rooms, parks, and churches down pat.  We'll take any suggestions or recommendations!! lol
I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but it's fun way to make light of the situation.... and thank goodness the McCrorys (and God!) have a since of humor!
Since the divorce and the last custody hearing, my brother-in-law has remarried and life is somewhat settled down. ( ... at least until a member of the other 'party' reads this) He does have custody of both of his kids, always has and always will (which is no surprise) and they love their step mom to pieces. Life is good.
I can say this about my family. That's exactly what they are. Family. Through and Through, Good and Bad, Love or Hate. We're Family. Funny, Happy, Depressed, Hopeful, Joyful, Sad,  You name it, We've all been there....and we wouldn't have it any other way. 

This is only about a third of the Southaven Chapter on my brother-in-law's wedding day of 2010...all in our Sunday best!  ... Not quite the cult you pictured, huh? Especially the lady in the blue? :) Those kids are the world to everyone! There will certainly be future posts about them....they are a handful!! :)

McCrory Cult Member #1

Okay, so it's about time for me to post about my McCrory family. I'll start off with the most 'normal' of us, to kind of ease in to it. 
My father-in-law, Bill or BB,  is a very wonderful man, and I sincerely mean that. He is absolutely the cornerstone of the McCrorys. Without BB, I firmly believe that the entire Southaven Chapter of the family would fall apart.  (I'll explain the 'chapters' in another post....that's where it gets interesting)  BB can fix anything that's broken, make a joke out of any wrong words, make delicious homemade dinners, can get anyone a deal on a car from any dealer in the tri state area, he can light a fire under any of us when need be (which is quite often between all of us), he can resolve any family argument.... I could literally go on for hours, but you get the picture.  He is very generous and helps anyone he can (like all of the original McCrorys), IF they don't piss him off first. lol Once you piss a McCrory off,it is hard to get back on their good side.
BB had a rough year last year. He was hospitalized a couple of times due to his gallbladder, and his heart. He had a pacemaker put in earlier this year, and I'll tell you what. He is hard to keep up with, even for me!! And I'm  36years younger than he is!! Someone asked how he felt since the pacemaker and he said (and I quote him) "Instead of feeling like 62, I feel like two 31 year olds!" He is very funny...most of the time. 
BB is the extreme opposite of MeMe (my mother-in-law) and the perfect match for her. There is no other place I feel more welcomed than at their house. I am very, very blessed to have such a great Father-in-Law.  And I'm not sucking up to him, f.y.i. He doesn't have a 'Blog' and probably doesn't know how to even look at mine! (Isn't it strange how some people say you're sucking up to someone when you are trying to genuinely say something nice and whole heartily mean it?)
The reason I bring him up is because he is helping Mikey build an arbor over the back patio. It's almost done and it is fantastic!! There is no way in God's green Earth that Mikey could've done it without him. Trust me. 
I've got a million stories to tell about him... this is just the most recent :)
Now...let me tell you this before I go any further. 
{When Mikey and I started dating, he bought a hammock, the kind with the metal frame you buy at Lowe's. Well, he had barely put the dang thing together and jumped in it and told me to join him. I was soooo scared to get in that thing only because I knew who had put it together. Well, I wish I would've listened to my instinct, because as soon as I laid down with him, the whole thing collapsed and I got nailed in the nose with the metal piece the hammock actually hooked to. That was about 270 pounds nailing me square in the nose. I mean it hurt. It hurt bad. I immediately start crying and hold my face, thinking my nose was going to fall off. Mikey can barely stand up from laughing so hard. He can't even get out "Are you okay." Talk about pissing me off. That did it. He laughed for about half an hour. Nonstop. He is very insensitive. Very. I remember it like it was yesterday. He told everyone and their mommas.... Like he does with everything. Bringing it up only makes him laugh, still to this day, and me cringe at the thought of the pain. Well, he called Lowe's and took the broken one back and got another one... Lucky me.} 
BB has been over about 3 times a week for the past week or two trying to get this arbor built.  Last night he was over and took a very short break from the arbor and sat down on the hammock. Well, the hammock, YES the hammock Mikey put together about 5 years ago,  collapsed and he fell straight to the ground....in slow motion. lol I was laughing, and asked if he was okay. He, who was also laughing, said"yea, but I don't know why you're laughing, you've done it too!!" lol  Thankfully, he didn't get nailed in the nose! lol
That's how fabulous he is. He can laugh off anything and still make you feel stupid!! lol 
This is BB and MeMe from February of this year. I love them both.

Kenny Chesney in Southaven?? Yes, Please!!

Let me tell you about our night on the town...
Like most of DeSoto County last night, I went to see Hott Stuff, I mean Kenny Chesney, and Billy Currington at the Snowden Amphitheater.  Mikey and I went with Kim and her husband Jeff. Well, the concert was great and I have scars to prove. Yes. Scars.  I'll get to that later.
First, let me start by saying that my husband was very reluctant to go see Kenny Chesney, because of course, "He's Gay." (Like most men, Mikey thinks that any man his age who is more attractive than he is and/or who obviously works out and has a better body than he does, and/or who can sing and dance better than he can, is, and I quote, "Gay".) Well, I was stoked about going, and Mikey later became excited.....to see Billy Currington.  Yea. When we got the tickets (Thank You, Kim!) the only "seats" available were in the grass....which means NO seat. (and no,you couldn't bring your own either) Thankfully the screens on either sides of the stage were large enough for us to see him and his fine self. Both of them. We got to see all of Uncle Kracker's gig (which was my least favorite) and only about 1/3 of Billy Currington b/c the lines for drinks and the bathroom were increably long. Speaking of lines, it is absolutely amazing where a smile and a nice complement can get you. :)...unless of course, the line is full of girls. Then they get you absolutely no where. Just sayin'.
Kenny comes on last and blows us away! Ah! Such fun...even if he looked like a 5 year old from where I was standing. And my husband, the one who "doesn't care for" Kenny, was singing louder than him. Yes. In my ear. .BUT we all had a good time and enjoyed the show.

Now. Here's my lesson learned. We (Mikey, Jeff, and I) were going to the bathroom. (this is only one of our 8 trips) Mikey was leading, I was following, and Jeff was behind me. Well, Mikey is going so stinkin' slow down the 5 millions steps, it seems, so I say "I'll lead", actually, I'm sure I yelled it, but that is irrelevant at this point. I push to get in front of Mikey thinking I am going to magically part the crowd and stroll down the center of the aisle. I was too caught up in my (demanding and inpatient) thoughts, that I was oblivious to the steps right in front of me. I mean immediately in front of me. (and I had not even had that much to drink!) Well, I don't even know what really happened, but I could've sworn that I was running on air!! And this is NOT a fun feeling b/c I knew I had to come down and it was not going to be good!! Especially w/ my wedge sandals, landing on two feet was not going to happen. And it didn't. Mikey is steadily saying something like "Stop".... but again, the thoughts. (this time they were more like "Oh $h!t!!)  Well, I come down, very quickly, and land on my knees. Yes. Both of them.  I was too pissed at this point b/c this is just stalling us longer from getting to the bathroom. I get up, make sure my dress is down (and thank God, it was), and keep trucking right along. Mikey says "See, I told ya!" Really? Do I see? Not only do I see, but I freakin' FEEL it!!  Poor Jeff doesn't know what to do.  So he marches right along like nothing ever happened. lol
I woke up this morning around 3:00 to aching knees. I get up, go to the bathroom and look down. Yea. Skin is open, huge knot on my left knee, both are bruised purple and green, covered in dried blood, and very, very tender. I have pictures to show, but I will not be posting them.... Your eyes and my eyes may not see the same thing. :) lol It is true, but the size of the bruises and terrible, terrible open flesh, is about the size of a quarter. But, nonetheless, they are hurt.  :)
So, the lesson? Never listen to the sassy thoughts that cute wedge sandals put in your head. They will take you no where but down. Literally.

10 Things About Me!

10  Things About Me

1. I am a Respiratory Therapist (and only work 2 nights a week) ....and how I ended up doing this, I have absolutely no idea.

2.  Claussen Pickles and Sour Patch Kids make up my favorite snack!

3. I absolutely LOVE doing arts and crafts of any sort.

4. I have 4 dogs. Yes, 4.  Tater and Lucy are Chiuauas, Brody is an English Mastiff, and Archie is a Boxer. They are my children and I love them dearly.

5. I like to knit. I can only make scarves, blankets, and hats....and I'm not too great at it, but I love it.

6. My husband tells me at least once a week that I'm a 60 year old woman in a young girls body.  :) He married me anyway.

7. I feel skinny when I'm tan. 

8. I ran the St. Jude half Marathon in December of 2010.

9. You will almost NEVER see me in public with my hair up.... My ears are the size of satellites.

10. I am very, I mean VERY opinionated. Don't ask if you don't want to know, because I will tell you exactly what I think. And no, I don't think this is a character flaw :)

And.......Action!

Well, I thought I'd make my very first blog an introduction and warning to the things you could possibly read on my page.

I started this thing, my "blog", because my husband's cousin (and I frequently call her MY cousin because it's easier to explain, and well,we're family so it really doesn't matter to which side she belongs) Kim suggested it to me. She thought I should try to capture and post the many random moments that that occur on a regular basis at our house...but of course we don't consider them random at all, more of a way of life.

If I somehow mess this 'blog' thing up in any way, forgive me. I'm just learning what a blog is and have no idea how to put this crazy thing I call life into words for you to understand. (and more importantly, a way that doesn't make me seem THAT crazy and disoriented)

So, having said that, I'll begin with a little info on me, Jennifer McCrory. I am very opinionated, extremely sarcastic, I have a good heart, it just takes a while for you to see it. I'm small, but let me tell you, the saying is true. Dynamite comes in small packages! I like to think I can handle my own.

I met my husband, Mikey, in January of 2006 via a blind date. Yes, BLIND DATE! I had never seen him, talked to him, heard anything about him (and he hadn't about me either) the night we met. I worked as a pharmacy tech. while I was in college and one of my frequent customers randomly called and asked if I was interested in meeting her brother-in-law. After her description, I couldn't refuse. Well, thankfully he wasn't half bad! He seemed normal, looked decent, kinda funny, had a job and a house,so he didn't live with Mommy, and he paid is own bills....sounds great right? Well, for once, it was. One thing led to another, and (long story short) after 4 years of dating, he proposed. And we lived happily every after.

Now. Mikey. I'm not sure where to even begin with him. Umm. He is a character, and that's putting it nicely. (I'm pretty sure bad language is discouraged) He is outgoing, unlimited, outspoken, wild, LOUD, crazy, opinionated, and a bit ridiculous sometimes.  Although he is all of those things, he is also a very loving, dependable, and caring family man.  He is everything I need (and sometimes more than I can handle) in a husband.

The Blog name, McCrory by Marriage, is a perfect title, and you'll see why with every post.

Most of my 'Blogs' will originate or focus on Mikey, no doubt. He is definitely entertaining. While Mikey is the funny, laid back, fun guy, I am the sarcastic, uptight, beautiful (of course I HAD to add that in) responsable girl.  We are a perfect balance most of the time, but other times. Geez. Well, not so much.... and you'll hear all about it! We like to have fun...you'll never know what to expect on here, especially when pictures are added...so consider this a warning! :)

(and FYI, Mikey is not a big fan of me blogging only because he knows there will be things on here that he may not find as humerous as I do )....BUT you can NOT make this stuff up!)

Mikey and I on our Wedding Day

March 20th, 10