Just a "HI"

Well a dear friend reminded me that I haven't blogged in a very long time, so thought I'd stop in and say hi :)
Life is going well, Samantha just completed her first All state Chorus performance 2 weeks ago and we are so proud of her abilities! Rachel is "in love" (she thinks)...boyfriend for 3 months now. He's a good guy so I'm not complaining- yet :), Katelynn is just finished her first season as a cheerleader and got her first trophy yesterday. She then came home and said "mom I think I will do this again next year".. so apparantly it is something she enjoys and it's so fun to watch!! All 3 of them are getting all A's in school so we are very proud of that!
We just got back 2 days ago from Florida where I got to catch up with a bunch of old friends!! Nothing like reminiscing about the "old days"... Fun times!!
I have been very busy subbing at school...this is my first day off in 8 weeks! I'm thrilled to be home just to take it easy today and I'm going to lunch w/ some girlfriends so very excited about that! Hunting season has begun, so of course Bill is off on the weekends trying to fill the freezer- no luck yet, but I know he will end up with something! I hope everyone is doing well and hope that you ALL have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and families!! Until next time.....

Back to school

WOW! I can't believe it's been since May since I blogged.. well actually I can because I now use Facebook more than anything else, but for those few, yet dedicated blog fans I wanted to share a few pics of the first day of school today. It's hard to believe that Rachel is now in her last year of middle school and will be a high schooler next year- it's scary beyond belief!! Samantha my very sweet middle child is now in her last year of elementary school, the 4th grade and it's just crazy how fast they are growing. And last but not least, my precious baby Katelynn, who is of course not a baby, but still my youngest and I'll think of her like that always probably :) She is in 1st grade this year. I'm having a good day, but a quiet day and a bit sad.. the emotions are all over the place as I ponder my growing children today and my life and how and what I'm going to do with it all next. So until I have more ever so exciting (LOL) updating news, I'll leave you with these pictures and hope that you all are doing well and having blessed summer days!

My mom

A tribute to my mom.....

My mom- there is so much to say, so I will let it just flow from my heart.
First and foremost, she is the best!
She is a loving, caring, friendly, special, amazing woman who anyone would be happy to know. She is beautiful inside and out!
My mom taught my brother and I the meaning of kindess, to love one another, to treat people with respect, to be fair.
She is and was a great role model as a mother and a wife. There were many times growing up when I didn't know how her patience (for example my brother and I fighting constantly) could take anymore, but she always stuck with what she believed in and what she lived for and that was her family!
My mom is a great friend and has many friends.... who wouldn't want to be her friend!! She's honest, reliable, a great listener, a Christian woman whom we all love and respect!
She has 9 grandchildren now and I'm so glad that I still have her to go to for advice in raising my girls and look forward to the times still ahead when my girls look to her for advice! She is the best at being a grandparent!!
We don't live very near each other anymore & I miss her dearly... she is on my mind more than she knows, especially now at Mother's Day! She is my friend, my teacher, my role model and the best mom ever!!
I love you mom and send all my love on this upcoming Mothers Day!

HI

Just wanted to say I'm still here and alive! I know I have failed to blog in a while, but I've been stuck on Facebook now for what seems like years... ha ha.. I LOVE IT- if you don't have it- I encourage you to join (and add me as a friend)- I love catching up with old friends and family around the country that so often we forget!
Onto just a few updates of what is going on around Georgia lately. My girls are about to be done with another year of school.. 25 more days to be exact! That means they will then proceed into 1st, 4th and 8th grades!! I no longer have any babies and that is sad, but life must go on and each one of them is still my baby in my heart!
My mom, grandpa and Aunt are coming to visit me in 2 days and I CAN'T WAIT! Our Easter was nice,but quiet- no extended family around this year so a little lonely- but blessed that I have my hubby and 3 girls to enjoy it with!! I will add a picture here of us after we left church on Easter Sunday. Samantha is playing softball and she is great at it. She scored 2 of the 6 runs we had today and everytime at bat she hit a double! I'm very proud of her!! Katelynn sang at the PTA meeting last week and she was a big ham! She smiled and sang and made faces the whole way through it! Rachel is growing into such a young lady- it amazes me daily how quickly she is changing and becoming more like a teen than my little 5 lb 12 oz baby that left the hospital with me almost 13 years ago!
My life is good and I need to be more aware and appreciative of that. I hope each of you are having a great Spring with your family, friends and loved ones!

All State Chorus weekend in Savannah

We had a terrific weekend in Savannah at Rachel's All State Chorus performance and she did a fantastic job! We are so proud of her and all our daughters. I hope they all have a passion like Rachel does with singing. Samantha is already wanting to sing more herself, she told me just this morning that she couldn't wait till Rachel was older and she could get her Karaoke machine so she could start recording cd's of her own :) She also has a beautiful voice- if I do say so myself. If you'd like to see more pics of this fun weekend, check them all out on my facebook account- just type in "Tammy Robinson Mayo" to get on my site & view them all.

14 years and counting

This photo was taken a year ago, but it's the only one I had on my laptop (which I'm using at the moment).
It all started about 15 years ago. Mutual friends thought they'd try to set up Bill and I, before I even knew there was a "Bill", he knew my name, age, what I looked like, where I lived, everything.. When we finally met he asked me out, I said no..., he asked again a few days later, I said ok.. a couple days later I cancelled, he asked again, I said ok... a couple days later I cancelled, he asked again, I said ok... a couple days later...YOU GUESSED IT- I cancelled... finally I think I felt so bad and he was such a persistant man that I went to his work to ask him if he'd go out with me.... but before I could get the words out, he asked one last time (and he tells me to this day that it would have definitely been the last time).. anyway I agreed. We went to the Outback Steakhouse and to a movie-- guess what he fell asleep during the movie- must of been tired out from all the rejection and finally had a moment to rest and bask in the glory that he was finally sitting next to me in a dark place.. HA HA HA!!!
Long story shortened for your reading pleasure- 3 daughters, many many pets, many trials later here we are 14 years married today! I love him and he loves me and we are excited for another 14 years!

Superbowl Sunday & Missing Tooth

Just some ramblings because, well, I'm bored.
It's superbowl Sunday. That probably deserves to all be capitalized but you see I'm not into football- in fact it is probably the hardest sport for me to endure! I have no interest and luckily neither does my hubby, except of course until it's time for a big game- like today's. So we were invited to a friends' house tonight for a party and so we shall go. Invitations are far and few between of places we actually get to go and mingle with other adults, so we are looking forward to our evening. The kiddo's will also have lots of other kiddo's there to play with so all should be good. Oh and did I mention food- well of course, what is a party without food- so that is another plus! I told you there is no real reason for this post- other than to "ramble"... ha ha.
Oh my baby (my sweet Katelynn) lost her first tooth today- BUT she can't find it- she thinks she might of swallowed it while eating her sandwich at lunch.... this ought to be fun! She sure looks cute though!

Random notes

Last time I was on here I posted my New Year's Resolutions. This one has nothing to do with that, other than to say they aren't going real well.. Some better than others I guess. I started with working out to the Biggest Loser dvd's, but I just can't make myself do it everyday, or even every other day.

I went to Upstate New York a couple weeks ago and it was great to see my extended family and celebrate my grandfathers 80th birthday with him, BUT I also missed my family here tremendously! I got a wonderful welcome home with streamers and posters and screaming little girls when i walked in. I will post pictures soon, but it was one of the most wonderful times I can remember in years!

I've been really busy subbing at school but I love it and am VERY grateful for the work and the friends I have made there!

My beautiful Rachel, has made the final cut for the All State Chorus again this year. She will be performing in Savannah GA the last weekend of February. We are extremely excited and proud of our first born :)

Thanks to my loyal blogger fans for continuing to check it out- I consider you my dear friends and love reading your updates as often as possible. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week full of lots of blessings and fun times!

Resolutions again

This time last year I had a resolution of loosing weight and guess what, I actually did- 17 pounds in 3 1/2 months, and I was just starting to feel it and people were just starting to recognize it, but then I couldn't go to the gym anymore and I didn't have the group at school doing it with me anymore and boom, there came back those pounds- 15 of them to be exact. I just gave up.

I am on a mission ONCE AGAIN to give it another shot so here is my list of resolutions (yes I have many this year) here goes:
* loose weight!
* become more obedient in reading my Bible!
* be a better mom and wife (I am VERY sincere about this- especially the mom part)- this is another long blog to come!
* work on learning to save and spend money smartly!
* further my education so I can teach full time!

That's the short list- but those are the top 5! Once again I implore you , my friends and family to help me with your oh so great words of wisdom, encouragement and prayers.

Thank you and I wish each of you a most fantastic New Year and Happy 2009!!
Love you!

Update, read all about it :)

OK Jonatha this update is for you.. ha ha... just read your blog so felt inclined to give a quick update myself just for you :)
Thanks for the Celebration idea- Bill and I were trying to think of something "cheap" we could do while in Florida this weekend with the kids and that might just be a good idea- although they see the "real stuff" here usually every year- quite a bit last year. Anyway.. thanks!

Today I am planning on going to 2 class Christmas parties. I have to pick up all the goodies for one of them (pizza, cups, etc) before hand so I have to leave here pretty soon. Also I am going to pick up Breakfast items for all the teachers tomorrow so we (PTA) can treat them before the holidays! My day is pretty busy today but it's also exciting being out and about in the rush of things.

Friday we are suppose to be leaving for Florida for a few days. It might get put off till Saturday though- depends on if Bill can get his work completed on time. We shall see. I'm invited to my first ever "ornament exchange" party tomorrow night- never been to one, but sounds fun. Now I need to go find a cool ornament to share... any ideas??

Only one more gift to buy for my youngest sweetie and I'm all done shopping! YEAH! I have stuck to my "budget" this year when it comes to shopping and spending- didn't over do it, like I always do. So I'm proud about that!

That's all the boring news from this part of town today. Hope everyone is getting in the Christmas spirit and hope everyone (all my 2 fans- ha ha) has a marvelous Christmas with your families!

Christmas thoughts

Well today we are getting ready to start getting decorations out and going to pick up the tree tomorrow afternoon. I just can't seem to get in the spirit of it all right now.. usually the day after Thanksgiving I'm up and running and ready to pull everything out of the attic. I'm thinking it must be because it's so hard to spend money these days. After years and years of not really worrying "too much" about spending, now with the economy the way it is and people's jobs on the line and millions going hungry and loosing jobs, etc...it just all seems sad and not reason to celebrate. I know we celebrate Christmas because of Jesuss' birth, it's just hard for me in the "buying gifts department" of it all to NOT buy for everyone everything on their list. I know you might say well then "make some gifts"... well if you know me at all you know I am not crafty and never have been. So that option is out. So what to do... that is the question of the day? Also as you know time is limited so homemade stuff is really not an option for me. I've already told my kids that this year will be slimmer, but I'm pretty sure they've heard that before and it's never been slim! I worry they won't be happy, I don't want to disappoint them on such a big day. Am I selfish in wanting to buy them all on their lists and what do you do when you can't. I guess they are just too far past the "spoiled" stage and that's where my concerns are now coming into play. Am I making too much of this, do you understand where I'm coming from? Tell me your thoughts and ideas.. brainstorm with me!!

Still here :)

Hey all- yes I'm still here if anyone is still reading! Just not into blogging that much lately. Quick boring update for my 2 fans.. ha ha hee hee. Working lots and lots- this is like my 5th straight week of subbing at school. Now I remember why I love a day off now and then. I'm very glad for the days though- it always helps around Christmas! My parents got to visit for Thanksgiving and it was a great time- Mom and I shopped for 8 1/2 hours- well ok we hit Olive Garden in the middle of that, but ya know you have to get energized to do a couple more hours of shopping :} Thanks Bill for watching our little pumpkins and allowing me some "mom and I" time!
Our Santa Shop starts at school next week and I'm the coordinator- LOTS and LOTS to do. So far I've been to 4 Dollar Stores, Target, Michaels, and a few others to shop. it's always fun spending other people's money at those places. It's all for the kids though- they love this event at school!
I've joined "Facebook"= spend more time on there now than i do on here- check it out and sign up.. I wasn't sure about it at first, but have come to really enjoy it and seems much "quicker" of a way to keep up with everyone.
Family is all doing good. Rachel is busy busy with All District and All State Chorus practices this month. All District conference is in Jan, All State in February. Samantha is wanting to play Soccer- I told her they do that in the spring, so just a few more months to wait. She's never played so not sure if she'll like it or not. Trying to convince her to stay in Softball, but guess she needs to try something different to see what she enjoys or is good at the most. katelynn is Katelynn- just growing up way to quickly, she's loves to walk like a fashion model and play on the computer. She is also great in school.
Well so much for the "quick update" but now you know what we've been up to. hope you haven't fallen asleep at your keyboard!
Love to all and goodnight for now.

Can you say OH YEAH!!!!

(This picture was taken the day of the audition)
To follow up on my blog of 3 weeks ago- my daughter Rachel got the news today that she passed the audition for All state Chorus with flying colors! 10 was the absolute perfect score you could get, she got a 12 and a 14 or higher had not a chance. So I'd say she did well. There is one more small audition right here in our town before the performance in Savannah, but the teacher said it would be crazy for anyone to not make that one. She said if they pass the 1st one then they are pretty much in. I'm not counting my chickens- but the chorus teacher has been straight up and on track for everything she has ever told me! Each school participates and not every school always has someone make it. She was the only girl in her school to make it and there was one boy who also made it.
As you can tell I am very, very proud of her! God answered all our (and your) prayers that day and I can say nothing more but thanks!!

More North Carolina photos

So many pictures I had to do 2 posts... these are more of the scenery and of us apple picking... we had a blast and got lots of yummy apples- unfortunately they are still sitting on my counter, but now that fall festival is over I should be able to find time to make some apple crisp, apple pies, apple cider,,, ha ha ha... oh I forgot- I don't cook... no really I will make the apple crisp because we all enjoy it so.
Anyway.. enjoy the photos. Love, Tammy

Fall Fun in N.C.

We were very fortunate to be able to go visit with my parents last weekend. The fall colors were just amazing and we had a wonderful visit! Daddy stayed home to work and do a little hunting so he wasn't with us this trip.

Sweating is.......

NOT FOR ME- ha ha! Just got done doing The Biggest Loser DVD for 30 minutes... that's an accomplishment for me! My middle sweetness (Samantha) talked me into joining her. She did an hour yesterday while I watched (I was not feeling good then), but today she got me up there with her- thanks Sammy :) I hope we can continue this- it's especially fun when the kids want to join in too. Seeing a 5 year old do jumping jacks at warp speed is nothing but hilarious. Maybe I'll try to video it next time and put on here for you to see. Happy Columbus Day!

Prayer request

Hi everyone- I know I haven't been on here in a while and I'm only on for a few minutes right now because I'm so tired, BUT my daughter(12 year old) asked me today if I could post a blog asking everyone to pray for her and her Allstate tryouts next week in Cordele, GA. I said, "why of course"!- anything for my first born :)
Anyway... she has been in Allstate for the last 2 years and done solo's at the state level both years, but this year it's an actual competition instead of just being chosen and allowed to attend the state event. She was still chosen this year, but this year she must "compete" (I don't like that word) against other 7th and 8th graders across the whole state. The teacher has warned us that it is extremely difficult, but that she does have a lot of confidence in Rachel and doesn't usually tell many parents that... Rachel is nervous but she is also excited. She has a beautiful voice and I wish all of you could hear it- maybe I can figure out how to put her song on here for ya... we shall see... I don't know what is involved in that. So, back to the subject of this- please pray for her during this next week. The actual date is next Saturday, the 11th and her audition time is 11:10 a.m. We will drive her the 2 hours to get there and 2 hours back for her to audtion for I think she said 2-3 minutes, but it's well worth it to put the effort into doing anything and everything we can do to help her achieve her goals and encourage her to do what she loves most and that is sing.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and we'll let you know the outcome- they say they usually won't know for 2-3 weeks after the audition.

Music/download questions?

Ok 2 things I need help with..
1 - does anyone know a good trusted site for downloading music onto MP3 players? We were using limewire, but our computer got a bad virus and the guy said it was probably from that site..
2 - How do I download a song off of a music cd and put it on my computer and/or my blog? My daughter has sang an amazing version of "somewhere over the rainbow" and I'd love to share it with others.
THANKS!!

SAVINGS- DO YOU HAVE IT??

Well I feel like taking a poll! Do you have a savings and how do you go about it? What's your motivation? How do you stick to it? Is there any bible verses that reference this? I am feeling the need lately to motivate ourselves to get busy with saving for our future, yet it's so hard to do these days. I just feel like someone out there has the right words that will knock some sense (cents... no pun intended ha ha) into my head about this. How do make yourself put away money that you know could be put to better use right now? Maybe I'm not asking the right questions, or maybe I am, I'm just looking for the right answer... give it some thought and let me know what you think :) Thanks!

First day of school 8-6-08

Ok as previously promised here are some photos of the 1st day of school. It was a great day for everyone. No one had any breakdowns, so in my opinion that constitutes a great day!! And as a special treat this year even Daddy got to go with the little girls to class and so that was exciting for them as well.