The Crum Family Happenings......

Cuties and Beauties and Deep Fried Everything!

2009-10-12T16:26:00.003-04:00

Well this past week has been an eventful one!

Starting the week off was our Inez Volunteer Fire Department Cuties and Beauties Pageant! This years pageant was themed "Autumn Angels." We had a fantastic turnout and everything went super smooth! So many gorgeous children with some of the most adorable fall themed outfits you've ever seen!

We ended the week with our Fire Pup's Snack Shack at the Harvest Festival where we fixed Philly Steak and Cheese Sandwiches and every thing you can imagine deep fried (from pickles to twinkies)! We were a huge success!

It was a crazy week full of fall, festivals, fun, friends, family and food!

ABC School

2009-09-22T17:16:00.004-04:00

1st Day!

A couple of weeks ago, I took Tate to the ABC Program at the elementary school. HE LOVED IT! He felt like such a big boy! The program is only on Wednesdays for about an hour and 1/2 but it is made to expose children to a school setting. They do fun acitivities like crafts, coloring, book readings, play time, and lunch! The very first day, he tried to tell me that I could just take him and drop him off! My little man is just growing up too fast on me!

2nd Day!

With the class!

With his good friend Kylia!

Pumpkin Tattooing!!!

2009-09-21T17:30:00.002-04:00

Our kickoff of the fall season was to tattoo some pumpkins! Thanks Nan!!! This was so easy and made for some CUTE decorations!!!

2009-08-30T22:08:00.002-04:00

May the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

2009-08-26T18:07:00.001-04:00

"Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

There was one, then one found another, and together we created a third... A bond I dreamed of and I must thank God for answering the desire of my heart.

5 Years and So Much to Be Thankful For....

2009-08-26T17:15:00.005-04:00

This past Friday, Dave and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. It was a day that wasn't going as we had planned... or as we would have thought it would or should... We had thought we would take a trip or something of that nature but it didn't work out... Sometimes we have to get past the ideas of what or how we "think" something should be. Anyway, when evening came we had come to the conclusion that we were going to spend our evening at home (mom was babysitting). I had worked and Dave was going to football practice and we still had not really carved any plans in stone other than spending an evening together... So many times we look for elaborate plans to make our days special. Well guess what, the days when all we have is each other ARE indeed some of the most wonderful! I have to say I felt a little ashamed of myself for having my "ideas" of how the day should go. As it turns out, we had a wonderful evening and I wouldn't have traded it for a trip to anywhere! At the end of the day, I was reminded of how blessed I am... I thank God for Dave - for a Christian mate... One that at the end of an evening at home, I can be even more in love with than I was when I woke up in the morning... Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband!

Letting go of my Anxieties!

2009-08-25T13:49:00.002-04:00

"What are we going to eat? Or "What are we going to have to drink? Or, what are we going to have to wear? But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things taken together will be given to you. So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own." (Matthew 6:26-30, Amplified)

"Do not fret, it only leads to evil." (Psalm 37:8)

Peter the apostle wrote, "[Cast] the whole of your care–all you anxieties, all your worries, all you concerns, once and for all-on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully." (1 Peter 5:7-10)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (II Timothy 1:7, NLT).

Father in heaven, thank You for giving me power, love, and a sound mind. I open my heart to You and receive Your perfect love. Fill me with Your confidence and assurance to embrace everything You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Good Fun with Friends!

2009-03-04T15:10:00.003-05:00

Monday night I attended a party in honor of the season finale of The Bachelor. The party was hosted by my good friend, Donna. It was loads of fun!

An Airplane Ride to Heaven...

2009-02-28T10:50:00.002-05:00

Several times since the miscarriage, Tate has asked me about the baby in my tummy and until recently has just accepted my responses and went on in his carefree childish way to something else. Yesterday evoked a new set of responses... Early morning I was getting ready for work and had went into the living room to continue my morning efforts when as I was sitting there I heard, "Mommy, there's not a baby in your tummy anymore?" I proceeded to say to him that there wasn't. On this occasion, I sat down to try to talk to him which I had done several times before but felt the need to give him more of an explanation this a.m. I said "Well, the baby is in Heaven now and that means that we need to be really good and love Jesus and one day we will get to see the baby again." Well that I could tell was being intently thought upon... He continued on a bit with little musings of Heaven being up in the sky and such. But his next response was "Mom, I think we need to buy an airplane so we can go to Heaven." And it was in that bittersweet moment that I looked at his gorgeous face and thanked God.....

Ice Storm in Martin Co.

2009-02-02T15:36:00.003-05:00

Last week Martin County as well as much of Kentucky was pounded by an Ice Storm... Along with the storm came power outages, damage from fallen trees, and loss of water... I had never saw a storm do so much damage in such a little bit of time... It was quite amazing... As the ice fell onto trees and power lines they could not withstand and were falling faster than crews could even begin to keep up with... You could sit in your house and literally listen to them falling to the ground... There are three downed trees just in my back yard... It was crazy!!! There were so many power outages that Martin Countians went as far as yesterday without power (I'm hoping the last of them were restored in the pm yesterday) We, luckily only had to go one night and part of a day without water and electricity (and of course that means heat)... We did, luckily, crash on family members to stay warm!!! There were 13 of us piled into 1 house!!! WOW!!! Of course, during these times we are forced to sit with family and actually have conversations and entertain each other rather than relying on television or internet... It's then that you have to be slightly ashamed of the reliance you have on technology... It forces you to remember we would be much better off to turn of the TV and shut down the computers and just enjoy the presence of each other...

Here are some pics I borrowed from my good friend Donna's page... It literally just uprooted trees...

My Little Superman!

2009-01-28T17:48:00.002-05:00

Isn't he the most handsome superman you've ever saw?

Happy Birthday to a Very Special Lady!

2009-01-18T12:00:00.002-05:00

Today is my dear friend Vicky's birthday!!! I want to wish her a wonderful birthday filled with more blessing than she can imagine! She has always been such a light to me and one of the people I hold dearest to me in this life here on earth!!!

I love you Vic!!! Have a very special day!!!

Happy Birthday to my baby Boy!!!

2009-01-14T12:04:00.002-05:00

My baby boy is three!!! I can't believe time has gone by so fast!!! Happy Birthday Little Man Tate!!! You make every day I wake up that much brighter!!! I love you!!!

Santa Visits Tate...

2009-01-04T14:06:00.001-05:00

Christmas Fun with Sunny....

2008-12-05T13:29:00.002-05:00

This year is the first year in several that my dear friend Sunny is getting to spend the holiday's at home (in the same country :) anyway).... She was in for a visit during Thanksgiving. On Sunday night she came over and we decked the halls of the Crum household! We drank hot apple cider and put up the tree and talked and talked and talked... It was so nice to have her here!

Pumpkin Carving...

2008-11-02T22:54:00.005-05:00

Me and Tate decided to carve one of our pumpkins today... It was a beautiful day so we swept off the small landing in front of the porch and started work... Tate, of course being ALL BOY!!! only wanted to hold the knife - which of course made mommy a nervous wreck! He also wanted to draw all over the pumpkin - note the random lines! All in all, we had a good time and ended up with a pretty good jack o' lantern!!!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

2008-10-31T22:12:00.002-04:00

October 30th was Mom and Dad's anniversary - Trick or Treat here in the county.... Happy 32 years!!!

Pictures of Hollis Woods....

2008-10-31T15:02:00.002-04:00

This week I was working on some last minute homework... I had to have a book to base some Lesson Plans on... The entire time, I thought I would do the plans on Sarah Plain and Tall... Well, I couldn't find the book so I called my faithful reader friend, Vicky... Thinking she may have Sarah Plain and Tall on hand, I dialed the number... She didn't have it... but... She tells me she has another good one - Pictures of Hollis Woods... So thankful to have a book but a little dismayed to have to start over, I proceeded to begin my homework again... I finished the homework and my mom arrived home with the book in hand... Now it was time to read it...I started that night and was instantly hooked... I had to stop and turn the lights out so my hubby could sleep for the next days work - regretfully... The next morning I was up bright and early to do some Observation hours at the school but I came right back home and sat down to finish the book before my class... I tell you this may be a book aimed at young readers but I LOVED IT! It was a beautiful story of love and acceptance. I encourage everyone to read it! Although many tears flowed throughout the book, my heart was happy at the end... A beautiful story for sure! Thanks Vic for that one! It's now on my list of must haves... and I can't wait to watch the Hallmark movie either! Wonder where we could find it!

Trick or Treat fun........

2008-10-15T11:50:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I received one of the two costumes I had ordered for Tate - Lil' Frankie... Still to come is Itsy Bitsy Spider... I snapped a few shots of him and thought I would share... Let me know what you think... I'll be sure to take of few of the spider costume too... (I was actually a little disappointed with the quality of the Lil' Frankie costume - the picture was very misleading... but he loved it and with a little work I can fix it to what I thought it would be...) Also, I'm including a pic of my faudershock... Anyone know where I might find some mums? I've been on a search and apparently they are very hard to come by this year - LOL! Notice my beautiful gourds - courtesy of my dear friend Vicky! I LOVE THEM!

The Tale of Three Trees

2008-10-14T11:54:00.002-04:00

A Tale of Three Trees is a beautiful folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt and one of my most recent purchases. If you haven't read it, you should! It's a beautiful children's book that will adorn the shelf of my classroom!

Tate Man enjoying the Harvest Fest Pageant and Parade

2008-10-14T11:41:00.002-04:00

Fall is once again upon us....

2008-10-14T11:25:00.003-04:00

I absolutely LOVE this time of year! There are so many fun activities... festivals, parades, pageants, costume shopping... Not to mention decorating faudershocks and most importantly simply enjoying mother nature's gorgeous surroundings... The temperature is just right... Not too hot, not too cool... I could just sit for hours and enjoy the sounds, smells, and feel of fall!!! The leaves falling and rustling all around you... Apple Cider comes out on the shelves (Not only one of my favorite tastes but also a huge favorite smell!!!) Oh and of course I get to pull out my sweatshirts for the cool evenings! Fall simply feels like a time of relaxation to me!

My Birthday...

2008-09-29T15:18:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I was officially another year older... I spent the day with my wonderful husband and my Tatie-bug... My momma made me a wonderful Tiramisu which was delicious! I had lots and lots of birthday wishes from friends and family! Thanks to all of you - I love each and every one of you!

Ladies Retreat in Gatlinburg....

2008-09-29T15:08:00.003-04:00

This past weekend, me, Tate, my momma, and Wendy, packed up to travel to Gatlinburg, Tennessee to the East KY District's Ladie's Retreat..... and I was so glad we did... My dear friend, Sunny, came up from Cleveland, Tennessee (where she currently resides) to visit with us. We all had a wonderful time... I can't wait until we can all get together again... Only this time, my dear friend Vicky must come along!!!

Happy Birthday To My Dear Friend Sunny!

2008-09-17T22:32:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is my dear friend Sunny's birthday. I wish her a wonderful and blessed day!!!

Alexander......

2008-09-03T13:57:00.002-04:00

Well I have to say that, after the nervousness of beginning a new class has worn off, I am thoroughly enjoying my children's literature class.... My teacher is a hoot - she is a super skinny woman with the greatest sense of humor. I grow more and more fond of her with every class. I believe she truly LOVES what she does. Every day we enter and she has a stack of children's books to read to us and a stack of newspaper articles pertaining to something in the education world. For the majority of the class, we are taken back to our younger years and we get to hear her enthusiastic voice read some of the most delightful books! I have already started a list of must haves for my little guy Tate! Christmas at our house this year may consist of lots and lots of books!!! At the top of my "to buy" list is a collection of books by Judith Viorst. My favorite being , Alexander and the Terrible Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. I can't wait to get them!

My Hubby With The Title He Deserves....

2008-08-31T18:44:00.003-04:00

Yesterday Dave was the "best man" in a wedding.... He looked sooooooo handsome! Here are a few pics!

Happy Birthday Tracy!

2008-08-29T14:21:00.002-04:00

Today my brother turns 29..... I wish him a beautiful day and many more wonderful birthdays!!!

My Wonderful Husband

2008-08-29T09:28:00.005-04:00

On August 21st, my hubby and I celebrated our 4th year of marriage. He, being the thoughtful guy he is, sent me 1 dozen pink roses with a black and silver bow attached (the colors of our wedding) - oh and some silver balloons, too. They were gorgeous. The lady from the flower shop brought them in and then showered my desk with rose petals! Wasn't that sweet? I am so thankful to have him. I think that the four years we have been together seems like 20 - and I don't mean that the way it sounds but rather that I just can't imagine life without him now.... We have already traveled so many roads together and along the way realized just how much we fit.... God surely knew what he was doing.... I look forward to many, many more years!

A Good Day........

2008-08-27T18:38:00.002-04:00

I believe everything happens for a reason..... I believe every person's path you cross is for a reason.... I believe every friendship you make is for a reason....The reason may or may not ever become known....

Whenever Dave and I were dating, he would take me with him to visit his friend's shop, Threads Embroidery. We would sit for hours and visit with Lee, Wendy and Arty. I had went to school with Wendy but had never known her well. It was during this time that I was planning our wedding. She offered to help with the decorations and such, so I took her up on it..... Over time, we became great friends. Now we consider them to be some of the dearest people in our lives. Through the years, we have learned how special they are... Their hearts are made of gold! There are few people in life that you encounter that you can say that about...

On Saturday, Wendy asked me to make some chicken and dumplings for the next day, her mom was getting baptized at church and they were going to have dinner. Of course, I was more than happy to do so... Well as the "never on time" person that I am, I was running behind and was not going to be able to get the dumplings done and make it to church... So I called and said I would meet them in the church parking lot after service. Mom went ahead and took Tate. Dave and I arrived there about 1 or so and were waiting in the car. My mom comes running out of the church and says I need to come, Wendy was getting baptized.... Needless to say, I was not dressed for the occasion but I couldn't miss it... I entered the church and was filled with so much emotion.... For so long, I had prayed for my friend and I was witnessing an answered prayer.... It was a wonderful feeling....

As we left the church, I was hugging everyone and as I hugged Wendy's mom, I said, "Today is a good day, Betty." She said, "Today is the best day of my life." My heart smiles....

Later, I received a message from my dear friend telling me how much of an influence I had been along the way and how when she looked out at the crowd the only person she saw was me... She said she knew it was God's way of telling her to thank her best friend.... Again my heart smiles....

It seems like over the past week or so, I am seeing so much of God's work in action.... Sometimes a little confirmation that's he is in the midst can take us a long way! I am truly thankful!

I

Once Again a Student........

2008-08-18T11:10:00.000-04:00

After years and years of trying to muster the courage and somehow find the time and money, I am once again a college student....

As the procrasinator that I am, I decided Friday (the last day to register for classes) that I better get on the ball if I were going to get started back.... I hated to let yet another semester go by without making some sort of effort.... So, with my mind and body a bundle of nerves, I managed to spend an entire day at the Prestonsburg campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College and come home with a Children's Literature class to begin! Yes, it's only one class, but it's a start... With a 2 1/2 year old, a part-time job and an empty pocketbook, I decided that the one would suffice for now... I'll just be getting my feet wet I suppose...

I am strangely excited to be starting back but horribly nervous at the same time... I would have never imagined that I - being what I feel like is a fairly self-sufficient person - would be sitting in the parking lot of the college ready to turn around and come home because I felt so sick at my stomach....... I somehow managed - and on my own (with a lot of prayers to God so I guess I shouldn't say I was on my own) to enroll for my first step to finishing the education I have always desired to complete......

Now, let's see how this procrastinator survives the return to the collegiate world.... Wish me luck or better yet send up lots of prayers!!! I'm sure I'll need them!

Getting Started......

2008-08-04T15:57:00.000-04:00

Well after looking and thoroughly enjoying my dear friends, Vicky and Sunny's Blog Spots, I have decided to create my own... I am just getting started but will hopefully have the hang of it very soon...... I will start with some pics recent pics of our family.......