What is Family?

 We cleaned out Trace's closet and found all kinds of old pictures of friends and family. Troy and I were looking through them last night and we took a stroll down memory lane. It was nice looking through all the pictures from long ago and that made me think of family.

I saw old pictures from way back when. Old pictures of my cousins that are now all grown up. We were so close back then, we were sisters. I miss those days. Then we saw some of friends that I grew up with. It was like I was looking at each chapter of my life.

Family is the most important thing to me. I still love all of my little and older ( Marsha) cousins just as much as I did back then. Life happens and we grew a part. We all have children now, so it makes it hard for us to see each other.

The friends that have been in my life since forever ago, are still and always will be my lifelong friends. I love you( you know who you are) and always will. I have made some new friends over the years and I consider them as family as well. I don't think that you have to be blood related to be a part of my family. I would do anything for these guys and we love their children as if they were our own. You guys know who you are.

I want my boys to understand the value of family and friends. To treat them right and be a good friend.

Now since I have married Troy I have another big 'ole family and I love some most of them... I kid I kid... I love them all. Some are a little crazy, but they are worthy to be loved.. :)

so I ask you... What is family to you?

Time to move on

I have really enjoyed the snow, but now it's time to move on. I am thankful that He gave us a white Christmas. This past Christmas was one of our very best. And I am thankful we got enough snow for the boys to enjoy playing in. But Spring when are you going to be here already?

The snow we got last night was just enough to cancel school and make driving hectic. The boys spent the night at the g'parents house so I wouldn't have to drag them out in it this morning and I'm so thankful that my mother in law works for the county. She has been a blessing . I don't know what I'd do without either one of my in-laws.

I am ready for the green to show itself again. I am ready for flowers to bloom, for trees to bud, for birds to sing. I love the smell of freshly cut grass and to open my windows, turn my music up, and clean house. Can you tell I am ready for Spring???  Spring makes me happy. I always enjoy grilling out in the evening with family and friends.

Baseball training is a sign of spring being right around the corner. The boys start practice next weekend, so that means it's not too far away, right?. We are ready to get outdoors. Cabin fever has taken over the Blansett household.

Again, we have enjoyed the white stuff, but we are so over it now.

Did I mention that tulips are my very favorite flower??? (wink wink Troy D Blansett)

Our Renegades

Today we are have the Renegades' first fundraiser of 2011. It's being held at the Smyrna Rescue Squad building on Front St. It's a spaghetti supper and silent auction, with a lot of good stuff. So please come out and show your support to this awesome team. A lot of people have worked hard to pull this off.

The Renegades are a group of very talented boys that work their butts off during the whole season. They practice two days and week and most games are Friday thru Sunday. So you get it? They.work. hard. They have won a lot of championships.

We are more than a team, we are family. We spend more time with each other than with our own families. The boys have a bond that is unbelievable. We have a great coaching staff. All of the coaches devote so much time to these boys and have helped them to be what they have become. Personally, we have the most devoted coaches I've ever seen and I'm not just saying that because my great husband is one of them, ha ha.

Even the lil bros have made some lifetime buddies.

The parents and grandparents play a HUGE part of the success of this team as well. We all support our boys and  coaches. I love our team. When tragedy strikes one of our players' family, we pull together and make this happen to help our fellow teammate out. We are so proud to be a part of such an awesome team/family.

We love our Renegades!!!!

Mom and Dad vs. Trace-- Round 1

We've been having a battle at the Blansett household- Trace's battle with food. No, he's not eating too much, he not eating enough. Trace's menu consists of chicken, macaroni and cheese, Ramen noodles, and anything sweet and that's it. I failed as a mother on this part because its mainly my fault. I believe what kids are fed when they are toddlers is what they grow a custom to. Well when he was a baby and toddler I gave him a variety of food and he liked most of it. When he got old enough to talk the battle started. He let me know what he liked and didn't like and I, of course, gave in. I mean how could you say no to a dimpled sweet face?

Both of my boys are healthy and not over weight. They are active, but I want Trace to eat more and healthier. He's a skinny kid to be five years. Tonight I cooked meat loaf, mac&cheese, and green beans...and guess what? He ate only the mac&cheese and then I was told that if he ate the other stuff he would throw up. UGH that kid comes up with some stuff I tell ya. So after this fight at dinner Troy and I decided to make a change: no junk is coming back into this house.. well Trace won't know it's here anyway. We are not going to leave him an option. he's going to eat what I cook or else. I hate bringing to this point, but somethings got to give. I don't want him growing up with health problem related to bad eating habits and its all my fault. I should have taken action sooner.

 See what I'm talking about? Look at the sweet face...ah such a heart breaker.

I hope everyone wishes us luck through this change as Trace is not going to be happy. He won't understand that we are taking away junk to benefit him because we love him and want him to be healthy. Now, the next step is to get the g'parents to take our side and help us out with this when he's at their house. We'll see how that goes. Like I said before he's so hard to say no to.

Us

A friend of mine has been posting on a social site about her hubby and how much she loves him. She goes on to say how lucky of a girl she is to have him and she's right. He's a good man and a good father. Although, he likes throwing fire crackers on his friend in a drive way, so that the rocks can explode all over her legs and cause excruciating pain, but that's another post. As I was reading her post it made me think of Troy. How good he is to me and just how lucky I am to be his wife.

We met in 1998 through a mutual friend.  On Feb 22 1999 we became a couple and the rest is history. After almost 12 years together, eight years married, and two kids later we are still going as strong as the first day we met. Troy is my very best friend. We've been through a lot together and remained strong. I look at some couples and think "Wow, why do they stay together?" We enjoy being with each other, we have respect for each other and I think that's the most important. Our marriage is not perfect and we've our  share of problems, but we still love each other more and more everyday.

 He loves me even when I want to take picture after picture...

I love that man more than he'll ever know and I'm so glad that he's mine all mine.