This handsome guy is my middle child, Jayson. Jay, as he likes to be called, will be fifteen at the end of July. Jayson is named after my brother Jay and my Dad, Keith.

Jay has a passion for the outdoors. He loves hunting, biking, four-wheeling and just plain being outdoors. He would spend every waking hour outdoors if we let him. Just the other night, Jay and his cousin Aric spent the night in the old Jeep parked out back. Bad Mom that I am, didn't even know if until the next morning when they came inside. His sense of humor is great.

Jayson can look at me with a grin on his face and I just start laughing. His smile is contagious. I think the only drawback to Jayson being Jayson, is that I have to yell and holler every morning to get his butt up for school. Jayson is the kid that couldn't care less if he ever stepped foot in a school building again. He goes to a program at BOCES that is a different learning atmosphere for kids that dont care for school. He really likes it. The problem is just getting him up in the morning to get him to go there. Next year, he will be enrolled in the Career Academy at BOCES. This will show him four different career paths that he could choose. Carpentry, mechanics, floral design, and I am not positive on what the 4th one is... He would like to follow carpentry or mechanics. He will know after he takes the classes which one he will be doing in his Junior year of high school.

With all the things going on with Kaylie and Kevin lately, I felt like I had slighted Jayson. So now I feel better, hope you all get to meet this amazing kid someday! I sure do love that boy!

The Week Is Over!! Phew!

It has been an interesting week, to say the least! Monday morning, Kevin didn't feel good, so I told him he could stay home. He is 12 now, and my father-in-law was going to be home, so I thought, "What the heck, I'll let him stay home." He had been complaining of a stomach ache for a couple of days. But at the same time, spent the weekend at my father's house, went four-wheeling, went with my Dad to work and rode in the truck, jumped on the trampoline, etc. As I am getting ready to head out the door to go to work, Kevin started saying his stomach hurt so bad, and I did a double take, he was all pale and not looking so good. I called my boss, whom I told I would not be to work. I showed up at the Doctor's office, un-announced (I work at a Dr. office, and I can tell you that I absolutely hate when people do this, unless it is warranted.)and they sent us to the hospital to get a sonogram of his right upper quadrant. That was negative. So, I called the doctor's office and they suggested that if he was in that much pain, still, to take him to the emergency room. So we walked over to the ER and Kevin was seen and they gave him a prescription for his bowels to calm down(they were spasming and causing him to not digest his food) and we were told that he needs to see a GI doctor. So we get through the rest of the week, the med is helping a lot. No complaints from him since he started this med.

Last night, Kevin fell off his bicycle onto his hand. He came in the house at about ten o'clock, my kids had a four day weekend, and were outside being kids. He told me he hurt his hand. I looked at it, told him to get some Tylenol and go to bed. I didn't think anything of it until this morning when he got up and his thumb was twice the size it should be. Billy took him to the emergency room for the second time in four days to have some xrays done. I figured it was just sprained. NOPE!! Broken thumb, broken in 2 places. So they splinted it, and told Billy to have a surgeon look at it next week. I called, and they were of the opinion that he needs to see a hand surgeon. I asked her how she knew that, and she told me that they can look at the hospital records and xrays through a portal on the computer. Pretty neat! She made a special appointment for Kevin first thing Tuesday morning, as they are closed Monday for the holiday. They are hoping the swelling will go down before then, so that they can take a closer look and xray it some more. I am hoping that he just needs a cast, and not surgery. Now the kicker of this is that a 12 year old boy is not supposed to do a thing with that hand until Tuesday. Nothing, Nada, hold still, don't move it. How the heck does a doctor expect a kid to not do anything for four days??? It's not going to happen. At the moment, he is outside playing tag with the boys, Jayson, and my two nephews, Aric and Marshal. When I got home from work, he was in the creek with the boys, Billy had plastic bagged his splint that is wrapped with an ace bandage over it. You tell me.....can I keep this kid down? Nope, even when it is throbbing, he is out there having fun and being a kid, not complaining.

The other photo is Kaylie, today, taking her very own car for a trip to Burger King. This was the first time she has gotten to drive it, Billy went and put it on the road for her today.

My poor husband. Between the hospital, a trip to the DMV, a trip back to La Fayette to have his uncle sign on the right spot of the form for the DMV, back to the DMV again, and dealing with Kevin and his hurting hand, I think he has had it!! He looks like a train ran him over!!

All in all, I am glad this week is coming to an end. Holy Cow!! I would like to pass on the drama button to someone who has a boring life...Any takers????

Kaylie had an absolutely fantastic time at the prom. After months of planning and tanning and "Mom, I need more money!," it is finally over. Mom and I were wondering if the prom would be a let down after all that planning, but Kaylie said no, it was definitely worth it. I am so glad!

It certainly was not such an extravagent thing when I was in school. Ten of them went in on a Rolls Royce limo to the tune of $650.00, thus costing each of them $65.00. Tanning 2-3 times a week for about three months before the prom, and daily the week of the prom...I guess if you have a light colored dress, you don't want to look like a pasty-face! I understand that part...The dress and shoes were, well I won't tell you what that cost, but let me just say that I could have had a new wardrobe for what she paid for it! We had to go jewelry shopping, that part was fun. We had a blast checking out all the different things she could have gotten to go along with that gorgeous dress. We had to go looking for a clutch for her to carry her things in. Nothing was what she wanted, so I don't even think she had one. The day of the prom, Kaylie and her friend went to get manicures, pedicures and of course we have to have our eyebrows waxed! That was another $83.00, and then off to the hair salon, where the makeup application was $25 and the up-do was another $50. Dinner at Delmonico's, I have no idea how much that cost, but she said it was good. I also have to add that Mom and Chuck gave Kaylie money multiple times too, when she needed things and was at their house. Thanks Mom and Chuck!! I love you guys!

Kaylie got out of the limo first I was absolutely blown away when my beautiful daughter stepped out of that limo. The picture above of her standing alone is the moment she got out of the limo. Every penny spent was so worth it by the look on her face. I would have spent ten times what I spent just to see the look of self confidence and "I know I look good!" on her face. She was absolutely breath-taking! All the parents that were there, gasped and were saying how beautiful she looked. I was a proud Momma!

Pictures were taken at Chapman Park out in Lakeport, on the pier. Great idea. The lake was a great background. The kids had a blast getting their pictures done. After all the pictures had been taken, it was time to head back up to the limo (which had a red carpet rolled out every time they got in or out) and get on their way for the biggest night of their lives, thus far.

So, off to Delmonico's and then to arrive fashionably late to the prom. Afterwards, they all camped out in tents at one of the kids house. She told me today that there were about forty kids camped out there. The parents were present and took all keys, and blocked all the cars in the driveway. Thankfully, they were not naive, and know that kids are going to be kids. Good thinking on their part!

First thing this morning, she was at Walmart, getting her pictures developed, and also had a CD made for me. (Mom, I will send it home with her so you can download it too.)

So, that is the prom story!

Adam

This handsome guy is my younger brother, Adam, and his girlfriend Courtney. They went to Courtney's prom Friday night up at Highland Forest. Adam is 19, and out of school. Courtney is still in school, so he went to her prom.

Adam is a great kid! Full of spunk, and he has a teasing way about him that just draws you to him. My boys love going up to Grandpa Keith's house, always asking first, "Is Adam gonna be there?"
Adam works at a farm up the road from Dad's house. Actually, my Dad works there too. He is about the hardest working kid I know. He has a great sense when it comes to responsibility. He, at nineteen, has already bought a really nice truck, a four-wheeler and a snowmobile. I was not smart enough when I was younger to save any money, so I am proud that Adam had the foresight to think ahead when he was younger.

He loves to tease everyone, and in turn, we all love to pick on him. Wonder where he got that from? He is not afraid to get down and dirty rolling in the mud with my kids, wrestling them to the ground. Jayson loves it when Adam comes to pick him up to go up to the farm. (I think it is a guy bonding thing....) He takes them four-wheeling, snowmobiling, bowling and watches movies with them. Sometimes I wonder if the kids think of him as a brother, or cousin, as they are so close in age. He is a really good influence on my kids. They take what he tells them to heart.

Adam is the youngest of five kids. Julie, Jay, Joanna, Jennie and Adam. We all love having him around. He is definitely an asset to the Searle Family.

Settling Down for the Day

Hey all. I am just settling in for the night, Today was a good day. Work was smooth. Kids behaved. Jayson called me at work and told me he found this little guy. He almost ran him over with the tractor. Jayson sent me this picture, so I showed the girls at work, and woo hoo, one of them wants him. So I am taking him into work with me tomorrow so he can go to a good home. I have two pretty kitties already, Sammi and Mandi. They are a handful all by themselves. I cannot handle another cat! Sammi and Mandi are full of hell and run the house all night! They think that this is their house and they just let us occupy it when we are here.

Kevin had his first baseball game tonight. I stayed home to cook dinner and clean up the house. Billy texted me that they were winning 10-0, about a half hour ago, so it looks like the first game of the season is a hit. Kaylie had a softball game tonight. Mom and Chuck went to that. Kaylie says they lost their game. Her season is over within two weeks and she plans on getting a job. She wants to put her car on the road, and needs to have gas money.

That's all I have for today. Not too much going on tonight. I am going to get my book and read for a while, before the boys get back. Have a great night!

My Favorite Girl

This is my favorite girl in the whole wide world. Officially, she is Kaylie Elizabeth Rose Searle. She was born on April 30, 1993 at 12:20 p.m., and weighed in at 7 lb., 1 oz. She was absolutely beautiful. She is a ray of sunshine in my life.

Kaylie is now 17, and a junior in high school. She is an A student. At the young age of 11, she came to me and asked me if she could join the U. S. Navy Sea Cadets. I asked her how she had heard of this, and she said she had looked it up online and went on to tell me all about the things she could learn. I called the people that run it, in Mattydale, and lo and behold, the gentleman I was talking to used to deliver feed to my father's farm. So we went and checked it out. She spent a weekend there, to test the waters. I figured she would say.."No Way Mom!", but she didn't. She absolutely loved it!

In the six years that Kaylie has been in the Sea Cadets, she has traveled quite a bit. She started out with a one week tour in Buffalo, on the USS Sullivan and the USS Little Rock. They loved Kaylie and her friend Nate so much that they have asked them to come back and staff boot camps every year since. Her very last boot camp this year will be to staff again at Buffalo. She has gone to New Jersey to a two week boot camp aboard the USS New Jersey. Last year, she went up by Fort Drum, to a Sea Cadet unit called Camp Clark, for what was supposed to be a one week tour, and ended up staying there for almost six weeks. Every time a boot camp was getting close to being over, she was on the phone telling me that they asked her to stay and staff another one. This goes to show that my girl knows her stuff!

She has learned so much doing this. She has her marksman award for shooting rifles, she did culinary boot camp, she is qualified as a master at arms, and the list goes on and on. The things she has learned, have made her a better person. She is very intelligent and is not afraid to try new things out.

Last month, my girl was promoted to Chief Petty Officer of her unit. This is as high as she goes in the Navy Sea Cadets. This photo is of her being sworn in as Chief. We are so proud of our girl. She wants to go to law school and become a civil attorney. I know in my heart that this is one kid that can go all the way!!

Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day! This photo is my mother Rosalee and my daughter Kaylie in their matching T-shirts. My Mom is not only my Mom, but my friend, my sounding board, my voice of reason, my savior, my reason for staying positive, my "Hey - Can you do me a favor?" person. Not only is she all of those things, she is also my best friend.

Mom grew up on a farm in Ogdensberg, NY. As one of thirteen kids, she was one of the youngest kids. She speaks fondly of her brothers and sisters.

Mom married my Dad, Keith, and had us four kids. Julie, Jay, Joanna and Jennie. We lived on the farm, in Navarino. When I was around eleven, she and my Dad split up. Later on, she met and married Chuck, who has a daughter Teri.

Very rarely is it, that I hear anything negative come out of my mother's mouth. She is one of the most positive people I know, always finding a silver lining in a cloud. No matter what problem I call her with to listen to, she puts a different perspective on it. I always look forward to hearing what she has to say.

Mom was present for Kaylie's birth. It was a long, hard labor. Almost 3 days long. Being the first baby and all, I was not so happy with the length of it, but Mom kept saying to me, "Pretty soon, Joanna, you will have the best thing in the world to hold!" After a while, I just wanted to belt her one, because it just wasn't going fast enough for me!! But, again, she was right. All that time and pain just melted away as soon as my daughter was put in my arms.

Mom has a faith in Jesus Christ that I admire. She tries to live by His word. As far as I am concerned, she is doing a very good job of it. As kids, we were taken to church and attended Sunday School. I, myself, believe in Jesus Christ, but I don't attend church. I believe that He has a plan for all of us, and attending church is not necessary, because He sees all. I credit my mother with my faith.

Mom has Kaylie during the week, so she can attend Chittenango School, and we have her on the weekends. It is hard having her away five days a week, but I know she is taken care of by the best Mom in the world, so that makes it a little easier. Kaylie is such a joy to have around, and I know that my Mom sees that too. I think she is making Mom and Chuck a little younger. They go to her games, let her drive them around, (she has her permit) take her shopping, and by spending all this time together, I think that it benefits both Kaylie and them.

So, Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there. I feel pretty lucky to have mine! Love you Mom!!

Grandma Searle

I love this lady. She is awesome. She is my father's mother. My Grandmother. I love spending time with Gram. She always makes me smile.

One of the memories I have of Gram is when I was about 12 years old, and I spent the night at her house. Mom and Dad had split up by then, so I spent a lot of time with Gram. I had bronchitis or something like it, and had a high fever. Gram, being Gram, tucked me into bed, put a glass of orange juice on the nightstand and kept a watchful eye on me. I fell asleep. In the middle of the night, I woke up and to my embarassment, thought I had wet the bed. I started crying and Gram heard me. She came in, told me to go into the bathroom and change my nightgown. I did as I was told, with a heavy heart. I was so embarassed! As I came back down the hallway, Gram turned around, looked at me, stuck her hand on the bed, then proceded to smell her hand...EWWW! I just stopped, and was ready for whatever she was going to dole out...She said, come here. I did, dragging my feet. She said that there was no way I had wet the bed, because it didn't smell like pee. She went on to tell me that my fever had broke, and the dampness on the bed was because I had been so sweaty. Boy, did I feel better. She then tucked me back into bed and told me, "Now go to sleep!" I don't know why I remember this so vividly. But, it just goes to show how caring and thoughtful she can be. I mean, who else would stick their hand in a bed that you thought had been pee'd in? My Grandma, that's who.

Gram took all of us, one at a time, on vacations during the summer. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world the summer Gram took me to Georgia to see Great Lizzie, who was Gram's step-mother. What a trip we had. Gram made sure that the motel we stayed at had a pool. so I could go swimming after a long hot day in the car. There was no air-conditioning in her car. Just the old roll down windows. We took her green station wagon, if I am remembering correctly. She had packed a cooler with sandwiches, potato chips and Pepsi. We ate at rest stops along the way and went out to a restaurant at night. Great Lizzie was standing in the driveway waiting for us when we pulled up. Gram had the biggest smile on her face when she saw that Lizzie was waiting for us. We stayed there almost a week. We got to go to the Laser show at Stone Mountain. It was the best thing I had ever seen. I sat there in awe. I remember looking over at Gram and she was just as much in awe as I was! We had a great time. The trip home was just as good as the trip there.

Gram has 5 kids. Bradley, Keith, Dawn, Larry and Eileen. Bradley is the father of Kandi and Chris. Keith is the father of Julie, Jay, Joanna, Jennie and Adam. Dawn is the mother of Bill and Jeff. Her great grandkids are as follows: Jay has Rebecca(11) and Keith(6). Chris has Brooklyn and Dillon(2 months), who are twins. Joanna has Kaylie(17), Jayson(14) and Kevin(12).

I see a lot of Gram in all of us Searle's. We are a stubborn lot. Yet, none of us knows where it came from! She is an amazing lady. Her career path was first and foremost, a mother and a farmer's wife. She also drove school bus, and from what I understand, she ruled her bus with an iron hand. Not surprising! She is an awesome lady, full of spunk and spirit. I am proud to say she is my Grandmother.

Cold, Dark Saturday Morning.

Good Morning! It is a cold, damp morning today. The weather forecast is calling for possible snow tomorrow. Tomorrow is Mother's Day.
Plans for today include visiting my grandmother. Have to stop and get her a Mother's Day present, on the way. Getting my annual mammogram, grocery shopping for Poppy, and making dinner tonight.

My husband Bill, daughter Kaylie and son Kevin are here this morning. Billy and Kevin are watching the morning news and Kaylie is still sleeping. Kevin is chattering on about the big fishing derby in town today. He is very excited to go to it. Last year, he caught a 15 inch trout, so he is hoping that this year he will get the same size or even bigger! My other son Jayson is off on a jaunt this weekend with Billy's brother - and sister-in law, Lee and Toni, to go on a four-wheeling trip with his cousin Aric. He just texted me "Good Morning Mom." He says it is the same weather up where they are. I think he is in Hastings, or somewhere close to there.

I am hoping to get into this blog-thing and share some of my life with you. Frequently, I read my mother's and her brother Leo's blogs. I walk away from them with knowledge of their lives that I wouldn't have had if they had not taken the time to sit down and type them in. I feel like I find out things about my family that are very interesting. Maybe someday, my kids can share my blogs with their kids-Wow, that would mean I would have grandkids! Double Wow! Hopefully, that is not for a long time to come!

Kaylie is getting excited about her prom. It is two weeks from last night. The limo is paid for, the dress is bought and hanging in a bag in her room, the shoes, jewelry, and whatnot are here. The hair appointment is made....They will be dining at the Scotch and Sirloin before the prom, attending the prom and then she doesn't know what they are doing after, (YET!!) I made arrangements at work to get out a little earlier than normal that day, so I can go and see my pretty in her dress, and take pictures. There are ten of them going together in the limo, and it is a Roll's Royce limo with a "disco" theme to it. There are strobe lights and a full bar,(which will be filled with soda...)

That's all for now. Have to jump in the shower to get ready for the mammo...
Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Jo