Puppies....again

We are just lovin' these puppies..look at the size of them!!! They are only three weeks old in these photos.

Merry Christmas!

Hey everyone! Christmas has been busy but wonderful. Here are a few random photos...more to follow! The first is our traditional Christmas Eve photo in new jammies. The others are the kids making cookies...or should i say making a mess!!!

I did it!!!

I figured out the problem!!! Our internet provider downgraded us to a slower version because they hadto put us on a different channel than the rest of the area...apparently our antivirus expired. Anyway...they installed their protection plan so I tried the photo thing again and here you go! A random picture...many to come with christmas in two days!!

Tattoos and Rockstars

Carsyn and Daddy...what a pair.  Can you guess which tattoo is real?

Carsyn's Birthday...4 months late!!!

I am going crazy now that I can post photos...sorry that some of them are sideways, but at least you get a general idea!

Minnie Mouse

Here's my other Halloween cutie... Marcus was a good sport as usual and dressed up with Payton for her party.

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall...

Who's the fairest of them all??? Carsyn, of course! Here's my beauty dressed up for Halloween...gorgeous!!!

Puppies!!! And Pictures!!!

What else could go wrong???

Yesterday I picked Marcus up from the high school. He was in a UIL competition and was pretty mad he didn't make it to the finals because he thought he did great. Then I let him take the girls into the local convenient store to get treats. His drumstick had melted and refroze so it was all messed up. He said "Great. What else could go wrong?'
So I thought about it.
Scott has pneumonia and has been in bed all week, the girls are a handful, the weather is ridiculous...complain, complain, complain..."
So I told Marcus a few things.
Lately people around me are having some tragedies as usual and even though life is stressful and tough, it is really good.
My good friend Kierstan got a desperate call from her dad yesterday that he was very sick and needed her to come help him get to the hospital. She was so scared for him. They don't know what's wrong...his next step is a colonoscopy. Kierstan's husband has been in Iraq since Last October and is finally about a month from coming home. Her mother passed away last time Martin was in Iraq. Pray for her!
A girl at my school, who happens to be the reigning Miss Teen Texas got into an accident at lunchtime with her sister. Her little Pontiac convertible lost control and ran into a tree. She is in the hospital. Both girls have skull fractures. Sommer also has a pelvic fracture, a fractured vertabrae, a fractured eye socket and had neurosurgery to relieve pressure in her brain. They had to shave her head and she had the most gorgeous head of hair I have ever seen. Pray for her family!
Three of my closest friends have husbands in Iraq right now and it is so hard for them. Two will return home soon, but most likely after christmas. They were gone last christmas too. The other on just left last week and will miss his oldest son's graduation this spring.
And then I got the Covey's Christmas letter in the mail explaining their tough year with such grace.

So I have come to the conclusion that life is tough but God is tougher. I am so grateful for everything I have. There are so many to pray for. Don't forget about them, because God is listening and can do miracles!

Paris Hilton had puppies!!!

Nothing much going on around here...just the usual busy lives.

Payton has bronchitis. She keeps me up at night coughing. So I am tired. And I have a headache. So my students are watching Iron Will since we just read White Fang and will do a compare/contrast essay. Anything for a break!

Paris Hilton, for those of you who are confused, is our dog. We have two pit bulls...leave your snide comments out...scott assures me they are great and are safe. Anyway, the male is Tito Ortiz...he looked like a fighter so I named him after one of our favorite UFC fighters. The female is Paris Hilton..she is platinum blonde so it works. Paris had three puppies monday night. They are so cute!

Carsyn informed me that Miss Kitty ( her teacher) no longer calls her a drama queen...now she's a drama princess. How funny.

How much longer do I have to teach? I want a break...or a snow day! Maybe I should jus take a day off and stay in bed.

Jesus, the cross, and a four year old's thoughts

Yesterday we were driving home from day care. Apparently Carsyn saw a cross on a church. The rest goes something like this.
"Mommy, is that the cross Jesus died on?" (yes)
" How did he get up there? Did he crawl up there?"
(no, he was put up there and nailed through his hands and feet)
"Owie...that would hurt. I wish I would not get stuck on a cross. Did Jesus cry?"
(yes, I am sure he did)
"Oh, then is Jesus a girl?"
(no, Jesus is a boy, why?)
"Cuz, boys don't cry, only baby boys, only girls cry when they are big"
(I explain that sometimes when they are really sad or really hurt boys cry too)
"Maybe they tied him up around his belly. But if you tie someone up around their throat you choke the breaf out of them and they die. Maybe they tie him up around his hands and feet and take him to jail."

The conversation continued for a while...I just turned up the music and drove on. Man, she is creative and thoughtful...kinda scary!

I give up!!!

OK, I officially give up. I will now be a journaling blogger only since I just can't figure out what the deal is with photos. Amy will be here in less than a month and will smooth it all out for me I just know it!!!
So we are still here. As usual, we are very very busy. Here's what's up with us in the last month or two.
1. SCott got a new job. He hated RSC and they hated him...life in the sales world. He is working for Factory Builders and is in sales. He deals with homebuilders and sells all kinds of high end appliances and cabinetry. His new job is very flexible and he loves it.

2. Scott got a new truck...the old one was from RSC. It is a huge Dodge Ram Diesel...I don't know the details but I know it is awesome.

3. I hit Scott's new truck...it has a huge dent in the side of it right now and my tail lights are gone...i didn't see it...it's black...it was dark out...i am sorry!!!

4. We had thanksgiving at home alone. IT sounded lonely at first, but turned out to be wonderful. It was a fun time for us and we had tons of food.

5. Payton broke a necklace and stuck a plastic bead up her nose on Thanksgiving...SCott had to take her to the doctor in his dented truck on Friday morning to get it removed.

6. Marcus got his bottom braces on today and they are killing him!

7. Marcus got all A's...even a 91 in Algebra...so he is getting treated to a celebratory dinner at Red Lobster...his choice...this saturday.

Other than that, the girls are getting big, and so is Marcus...he is taller than me now. Payton is a wild child...if you are coming to visit for Christmas, get ready. I can not be held responsible for anything she says or does. I am really trying, but she is just crazy.
My hair is now shorter and pretty much red...I call it Merlot...it's sort of the color of red wine...it was my hairstylists choice when I gave her free reign and I totally love it.

It's almost Christmas!!!!!!!

Carsyn's Birthday

Finally...two months later...Carsyn's birthday party. I know, it was August 15 but I was having technical difficulties which thankfully I finally figured out. Carsyn had a Little Mermaid swim party and had a blast. Her friends (and mine) were there. Here are some highlights...including a picture so hideously cute that it will HAVE to be shown at all slide shows in school and to all future boyfriends. You'll know it when you see it!
Just my luck...blogger is having difficulties this second...I will post pictures asap...check for many posts in the immediate future!

Still trying!!!

Here's another attempt to post a photo. Any luck???

Yeah! It worked! This is me and the girls on my birthday.

Today is Payton's party. I will definitely post photos and catch you all up since it has been months since you've seen us!

We're Back!!!

Yeah... We finally got our computer back and running! So here are a few photo catch-ups from the last month or so...starting with Ohio and finishing with my birthday.

Elliott Updates

So the computer is supposed to be fixed today, which means we can FINALLY post photos again. It's been a while.
Life at the Elliott ranch is hectic as usual. We are all back to school. Marcus has football practice after school daily and is fighting hard for a spot on the A-team as a wide receiver. Payton is finally getting used to her new teachers. She had to be pulled off of me kicking and screaming and throwing a total fit all last week when I dropped her off. But she was fine all day. She made it through a whole week with only one bite and one scratch. She is definitely getting into her terrible two's...much more terrible than I remember with Carsyn.
Carsyn is still recovering from surgery. The actual surgery and the day after went great. However, now she is healing and that hurts...her throat, her mouth, her ears, her head. And her breath...oh my word does it stink! she is getting used to sitting around doing nothing...but it hasn't even been a week. We'll see how she does.
School is ok for me this year. I have new classes and new kids and new chaos as usual. The drive is getting old...next year I need to find something closer to home.
By the way...Carsyn and I watched Yo Gabba Gabba yesterday and loved it. "There's a party in my tummy, oh yeah , oh yeah." What a crazy psychadelic show!!! Very retro.
And for the weekly Hills update...a little let down last night. Not much going on with my LA friends. But I did read in a magazine today that Jason (LC's ex) was in rehab last spring. Interesting.

Tonsil Day!!!

Carsyn got her tonsils and adenoids taken out this morning. She did well with the surgery. The medicine they gave her first to make her a little more calm was so funny...she was flat on her back, smiling and laughing and trying to speak with slurred speech. Scott and I couldn't stop laughing. The surgery was quick. He said her tonsils were awfully large but came out well. She had a hard time waking up...she cried and cried until they gave her a few more doses of pain meds. We went to a recovery room for a mandatory 4 hours. She did not sleep one bit. She was awake the whole time and wanted to eat. Sometimes she was crying and wanted her grandma. Sometimes she was walking all over the room...complete with iv...laughing and joking. The iv was the worst thing because she wanted it out.
We are home and she is FINALLY taking a long nap. yeah!!! Keeping her calm for two weeks is going to be toughbut she is doing great so far!
By the way...she took daddy baby along for moral support...the entire hospital staff got a kick out of that big ugly baby doll! They all thought it was her baby brother and agreed is was the ugliest doll they'd ever seen! Daddy baby went through surgery and recovery with her!

Back to School

So the home computer is still being repaired.... no new pictures to post yet. But there are many ready to go when we do finally get it back! I had my first week back at inservice...a little dull as usual, but good to get back into the swing of things! My students start on Monday...we are almost at 2400 students last I heard. Wow, that's way too many. We now have portable buildings all around the school....our administrators call it our FEMA community. It's pretty bad.
Speaking of pretty bad, Carsyn's tonsils are still awful. We went to see the ENT last Monday and he said they were almost touching. She is getting her tonsils and adenoids out this Thursday. It seems like something happens the first week back to school almost every year for me!!! Marcus is going to have to miss his 4th day of school to stay home with Payton...not sure what other option we have. Thanks goodness I have a stay-at-home mom friend who lives right by my school and will let Carsyn rest at her house at the end of the next week so she doesn't have to go back to day care too soon.
Well I guess I should go...a little ballerina who is currently on her 6th outfit of the day (and it's only 10:45 am) is dying to go swimming. Talk to you later!

What Time is It???

The big day is FINALLY here. We have literally been counting down for months. For those of you out of the loop, it is HIGH School Musical 2 premiere day. You all have to watch it tonight on the Disney Channel. Great music, appropriate for all ages, and Zach Ephron could not be any more adorable. So check it out! Carsyn is going to school today in her new HSM shirt, hat and buttons with stickers to share. Yeah!!!

The Hills discussion group...after the show

Ok, to all my Hills fans out there. This is our weekly post show discussion group....kinda like a book club but much easier. So what did you think?
1. Lauren...didn't you feel so sad for her when she went home to see her mom?
2. Heidi...she had a boob job and a nose job. Too bad she didn't have a brain job or a common sense job...what an idiot. She has NO friends except Jen Bunny who has the biggest nose ever!
3. Spencer...oh my goodness...the Hollywood grafitti wall? What an idiot.
4. Do you think Heidi and Spencer really started the rumors? I think Heidi is a complete idiot and is totally naive to the fact that Spencer did it. Just my thinking.

What else?????

tattoos and haircuts

Of all the times to NOT be computer ready...this is ridiculous! Scott and I went to get matching tattoos on Saturday...now that's love. We took in the previously posted photo of carsyn's hand doing "Ilove you" in sign language. He drew that with three flowers around the wrist,,,one for each kid. It's on my ankle and definitely permanent, but is really awesome. Scott has his on his arm. We will show pictures soon!
Today I got my haircut...short! I got it really short in teh back...Jenny calls is a stacked bob. I feel so stylish now. Again...pictures will come when I figure it all out or get my other computer back!

I'M STILL HERE!!!

Hey everyone. I am still here and have just returned from a 10 day trip to Ohio to see the family. Unfortunately our computer is still in the repair stages so I am using my Mac laptop from school. Normally it is more user friendly, but I can't figure out the photo program for the life of me. Amy took a millon photos while we were there and they are all amazing. Please check her site for postings of the girls and Marcus...I just realized that hundreds of photos and 10 days but not one photo of me. Oops.
check it out!
www.acovey.blogspot.com

Just checkin in!

Hey everyone. Our computer has a Trojan virus. Not good. Luckily scott and I both have laptops from work so I am not cut off from the world. However, I am not sure how the photo programs work on the Mac that I have so nothing to show you now.
We have had a summer week...I am done with summer school...yeah! It was really a good experience and I had great kids...but it started way too early!
Marcus is happy...he earned a lot of money babysitting the girls while I worked so he bought an LCD tv to mount on the wall of his new room. Also, he got the top braces on Monday. He looks just about the same, maybe a little more grown up. He is really excited about them. He is at football camp all this week at the high school....two hours every morning. So I am playing carpool mom/ housewife all week and lovin it.
The kids and I are meeting jill and luke at chuck e cheese today...big stuff. I really needed an excuse to get the kids OUT of the pool. The girls are lovin it and spending all of their time in there. Neither are afraid of the water and are having tons of fun learning to swim. The highlight of Carsyn's summer was when she discovered that her princess barbies can swim in the pool with her! Now all we need are some barbie swimming suits....styrofoam meat trays work well as rafts.
Scott has a renewed attitude this work and has been working like crazy. IT is good to see him happy at work, even after a long day.
Only a week and a half til we're in Ohio! See you all then!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July, everyone! We are hoping the rain will stay away long enough to swim, eat and watch fireworks tonight. July 4th in Central Texas is always great....so much to do! Hopefully tomorrow night we are going to the carnival and the rodeo!

Here's some photos from the land of the free and the home of the brave!

S'Mores!!!

Here's the s'mores pictures. Thanks for the idea jill...they were so yummy!

Finally...We get to swim!!!

It has been unbelievably rainy here in Texas this spring and summer. We have not had much cooperation with the weather to use the pool. But last weekend we had three straight days of sunshine and spent hours in the pool. Jill and family came over Saturday night. We swam, ate dinner together and made s'mores around the fire pit. Here are some photos!

My "Feather"

Did anyone watch Nate on Oprah the other day? He had framed and matted a feather in a woman's living room. Her husband had passed away and it was meaningful to her (anyone know why? I missed that part.) Anyway, they were talking about what their "feather" is...the one thing that symbolizes what matters most. This is my feather. I need a great photo of it (hint hint Amy) so it can go in our house. IN fact, Scott and I are even considering tattoos of it! I taught Carsyn this a long time ago. Now the whole family does it all the time. Even Payton comes close do doing it! So I guess it's our feather! What's your feather?

The Beast

Thanks, Aunt Amy, for finding the shirt in the right size. Here's Marcus, AKA "The Beast." He saw this shirt at Steve and Barry's but never could find it in his size. This is him posing in his best angry face.

And still more Jamaica!

OK, here's more photos. Me, trying to mimic a Corona commercial. Scott being super studly in the water (don't tell him it's on here!), my efforts at being artistic with Scott and the blue blue sky, Scott looking out the balcony, and me posing on a perfect photo bridge!

Just the two of us!

It seems silly, but for some reason on vacation we just take so many pictures of us together. We mastered the self timer on the new camera by the end of the week. Here are some results. All were taken by us!

(Actually the first was taken by a waiter, but the rest are our own!)

More Jamaica

Jamaica is everything stereotypical that you hear it will be. They constantly tell you "No problem," we heard Bob Marley the moment we stepped off the plane (can't tell you how many times I heard "Don't worry 'bout a thing..."), men in dred locks are walking the beach selling things. It is truly amazing. I have never seen so many long legged women in my life!

Our resort was all inclusive...all the food and drinks you want. All we had to do was lay on the beach and a waiter would come to us offering drinks, snowcones, fruit, cold washcloths. It was the most relaxing place every!

The country is beautiful! The most gorgeous beach on one side and lush mountains on the other.

Here are some more photos.

A view from the balcony of the pool, beach grill, and restaurant.

Our verandah.

Our room from the beach. We are on the top right.

Jamaica...Part 1

We just got back from a 5 day vacation at Couples Swept Away resort in Negril, Jamaica. It was amazing. Here are a few quick photos...more to come!

Jamaica, Mon...No Problem!!!

We just got back from 5 days in Jamaica. We stayed at the Couples Swept Away resort in Negril. It was AMAZING!!! Here are a few photos...I have to get dinner going so this will be short. But as soon as I have time, I will post more and tell you all about it! The first is our view from the room. So beautiful. The first thing I did every morning was drink Jamaican coffee and just look at it. The second photo is us on the beach in the evening. You should've seen the man who took it...an old European man with a very dark tan, a hairy chest, bald on his head, wearing a very tiny speedo...yikes! His wife was topless....so he was the better option.