At what age is a child old enough to understand the "truth" about the family?? I have been wondering this for a while now, Chad and I have been married for almost 7 years and during our 7 years of marriage we have encountered some of the hardest times. If I told you what they were some of you would be amazed. Most of them had to do with dealing with all the many battles in his family. My life and his life growing up as a child was like Aladdin and Jasmine.Now I say that in the nicest way possible, I do not think in way I was better than him but I know that my family and child hood was a lot better than his was. When he finally got to the age that he could sign up for the army he felt that, that would be his only way out of the craziness that he endured on a daily basis. Once he was in the army and into the "real" world he soon realized just how messed up his family actually was. Even in basic training and through some of the darkest days of his life he was alone with NOBODY to turn to for guidance. By this point in his life he was able to block and hold in ALL of his emotions. He began bottling it all up and then like a ticking time bomb he would explode. By the time his four year service to the army was over he had already been divorced, filed bankruptcy, and lost his home. A lot for someone at 23 to take in. When we started dating he was fresh out of the service and he was lost at to where to go next in his life. Of course me being a senior in High school (yes thats right HIGH SCHOOL) I had no guidance to give him, I was just excited to be dating "CHAD BRIDGES" funny now .... I never really knew the "truth" behind his family issues until much later in our relation, but I did however know that he did not have a normal everyday family like I was use to. We dated for one year before he purposed and then waited a year after that before we got married.

I always knew that I would marry him...Funny but I have to throw this story in... When I was in middle school Deanna lived across from Chad and he and Travis use to drive this big blue van and they use to chase us in it and scare us and try to give us candy...They were mean but Deanna and I loved them...Before Chad left to go to the army we actually rode the ferris wheel together at the catfish festival (yeah I know romantic huh?) I was like 13 which made him 18 or 19 and me having puppy love for him.... When he left I use to write him all the time...NEVER got a response and I believe that Deanna use to tell me to give up I would never see him again.. Then when I was a freshman he came in on leave and we ran into each other at a football game and he wrote his "new" address down for me LOL....(which I still have) I wrote more to him then and still nothing.... Oh well I thought I had done what I could to try to keep in touch. I use to tell all my friends that I was going to marry somebody from my past that was going to sweep me off my feet and I always said it would be Chad...HMMM weird huh...He came back in from duty for good I dropped everything for him and here we are.

Okay so back to why I started typing this blog. Before Peyton came along we really didn't worry to much about what we encountered over the years as long as we still had each other. But when Peyton came along we made a pack to not let her life be anything like the life he had...Even though Chad wont admit it I know he was terrified to become a daddy. He knew he didn't want to be the father that his father was to him. And I really just think that since he never had his dad there he didn't really know how to be. But when Peyton was born he has more than fulfilled his duties as father...He is the greatest dad EVER!!! But his family issues always lingered in the back of his head. Now as Peyton is getting older and grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles have come in and out of her life and confused her beyond belief I often find ourselves asking "When should we explain the truth behind the life long family issues that will forever be apart of her life?" I know that 5 years old is pretty young but she is a very smart five year old, (no comment Laurie I know I have told you more than anybody all she knows LOL) She is starting to ask questions about why she can't go see this person, or why she never talks to this one? I really just don't know what to say so normally I say "well they live far away." I know that EVERY family has issues it doesn't matter who you are there will always be problems in the family.

So when is the right age? I obviously do not want her to worry about problems like this but I also want her to understand at some point...Just always thinking about the deep stuff....

Powerful

I was going thru youtube (as I do EVERYDAY while I am eating lunch) I just wanted to hear some old songs that I use to listen to back in the day. Collin Raye popped into mind I use to LOVE listening to ALL of his songs. But I had never heard this one, and to be honest I didn't know he was even still actually singing...I watched this video and as I listened to the words I realized how powerful it truly is. I could not imagine Chad still being in the army and having to be over there fighting. I have always, since a young child been fascinated by the "TROOPS" there is always a pull at my heart when I see videos like this..These men and woman are fighting and dying for US and I know that GOd is hearing their prayers... This battle has been going on long enough and I think it is now time to bring them home and maybe reward these wonderful men and women with more than just a pat on the back and an Honorable discharge... I know that when Chad got out of the service he was lost..It took a LONG time to get back into civilian life style and I know that everyday if he could go back in ...he would he has even tried a few times. But God has a plan for him right here. I just wanted to share this video with you all

Atlantic City HERE I COME !!!

We will be leaving Saturday afternoon going to my sisters and staying all night there and then getting up Sunday morning and leaving for Atlantic City. I am a little bit nervous (Imagine That) about the weather it is suppose to have 30% mixed percepitation all the way up there. Really the only thing that is concerning is up in the mountains of West Virginia. SO PLEASE PLEASE keep us in your prayers for a safe trip there and back. I want to make the best of all of the trip, so I am not going to worry myself over it. And one thing I am thankful about is the fact that Chad is a good driver and will not try to be superman and drive in bad conditions. So like I told Heather this morning we are just gonna take our time and get there when we get there. God will watch us safely.
I can not wait to see the kids tomorrow night, Bayleigh is my princess number two and only number two because Peyton is number one!lol... She loves her AA so much and I love her so much...She usually tackles me as soon as I walk in the door so I will be more than ready for my BIG hug from her. And I am sure she will say she wants to sleep with me and Chad but when I actually take her and put her in bed with us she expects me to hold her the whole time and when I don't she gets VERY angry...LOL...I just love her I can not wait to see her. And of course Cole and Lindsay, they are just getting to that age where they could careless who comes over...LOL... Thank goodness today is friday. Please say a prayer for my friend Missy, I hope she knows that I love her !!!
I will be posting pictures while I am gone so keep checking back ...

Thanks Laurie

Thanks to Laurie Keen for my WONDERFUL pictures..I can't wait to choose which ones I want to order. I am just so GLAD my husband finally let me schedule it. I think him being laid off he was tired of sitting there so anyway to get out of the house for anything..So I took him advantage of him ...Oh well he will be okay..

You asked for them ....so here they are...

When I came home from work today Chad was actually putting together some of the doll house. Even though he said there is no way that he could do that..It actually looks like a house now..I was impressed... :~) So here are the pictures that I have

THESE ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS ..... DO YOU SEE ANYTHING HELPFUL ?

THIS IS WHAT THE HOUSE IS SUPPOSE TO LOOK LIKE.....

THIS IS IT WHEN I FIRST GOT HOME...NOT TO BAD...Notice the outside has to be painted...



Okay so this these are just a few parts....very few... notice the things I am holding in my hand are the inch long "SHINGLES" for the roof..Now keep in mind they are wood so they too will have to be painted...

This is what it looks like tonight after we got finished working with it.

I think it is actually going to be pretty. Hopefully I can get it all done and tomorrow I will probably start with the small details like FREAKIN FLOWERS BOXES, and all the stuff I never have done with my OWN house....LOL...Oh well my saying is "What my baby wants, My baby gets"

Until Next Time

Weekend overview

This weekend has gone by entirely to fast. Friday night Heather and Laymond came over and we decided to go to Central City to get a blizzard at DQ. While driving there my husband being the "Professional" driver that he has always claimed to be decided he would talk and not pay attention and almost ran the stop sign at the end of 70. Luckily Laymond said "huh, YOU GONNA STOP BUDDY" LOL...SO while Chad slammed on his breaks and swerved a little bit to get stopped just before running the stop sign we noticed that a state trooper was passing us. He turned around quickly and so Chad just figured he might as well pull on over and so the state trooper flipped his lights on and pulled behind us. He was really nice Chad just admitted that he was talking to much and not paying attention and the cop just decided to let us go and told us to be careful.... SHWWWW....that was exciting and all that just for a blizzard. Saturday we went to Bowling Green and got groceries. Peyton has been hoarding some money away so I decided to take her to Hobby Lobby (he he he) and let her look at the doll houses and she quickly decided that was what she wanted so it was 99.00 and when we got to the check out this nice lady in front of us gave us a coupon for 40% off so that made it like 63.00 dollars...that was a HUGE help...I was so excited... If I had only known what I was getting myself into. We had Chad's mom come over and help us put it together we figured we could get it all done....WRONG!!! It is AWFUL...The box is VERY deceiving the exterior walls are not even painted..Now I knew I was going to have to put it together and paint the inside and all but then I pulled out this baggy with what I learned to be SHINGLES...YEP you guessed it I have to freaking ROOF this house.. and the shingles are each about an inch in size and there are probably about 500+ pieces.... AND there is now lettering or numbers to identify what parts are what....So it is basically like building a real house... I was SOOOO mad but I this is what she wants so I am hoping to have it complete for her before her 16th birthday...LOL.... I have the second floor up and the third floor, floor on and that is about it..I just figured I can spray paint it when I am completely done and that should take care of the majority of it....
Today we went to church and Resurrection Bound played and it was good music and worship...Then we went Laurie's for pictures and had a GREAT time visiting ...I think she got some good pictures so we will see.....It wasn't Peyton that was hard it was Chad who we couldn't get to smile....LOL...But that is Okay I think we all kept Laurie entertained....HA HA HA .... I really enjoyed talking with her and Scott they are two friends that I am glad to have I LOVE THEM BOTH..... So since Missy is such a great friend we have a free vacation this weekend we just booked it and we are going to Atlantic City New Jersey...It is one place that we have never been and it is FREE so we will go any where for that.. I can not wait to just get away for a while.... Now I have to get up and get things done this week so I wont fall behind next week at work. Here is hoping for a nice easy and productive week.... Hope you all have a wonderful week and ....

A year into a lifetime......

I have kept myself busy most of the day today. But in the back of my head, while going about my day I couldn't help but remember the heart ache and pain I felt on this day one year ago. It seems like just yesterday and it still hurts to think about it all over again. I have been working on a presentation of Chad singing a song makes me think of Tiffany every day and I have been setting pictures up to his song. I was hoping to have it done but I was not able to.... There is really know words to explain my feelings I just have to live each day as though Tiff was here with me. She brought me back to Christ and I will forever love her for that ...I miss you Tiffany EVERYDAY .....

Ray Boltz

As a child I was very much inspired about my religous beliefs by listening to the wondrful voice of Ray Boltz. The way he softly spoke the word of God into his songs and made them easy for me to understand the "TRUE" meaning. I was very easily "awwhhed" by him time and time again. With each new song that he would come out with brought me so much joy in knowing that I was about to hear the next wonderful song that Ray Boltz has to offer. Now, I have lost all of those feelings. I know the first thing I must say is that I never judge ANYONE,EVER...I always give every better the opporunity to show me what they truly are. I have given Ray this opportunity my entire life. Also I know that his decisions and everyone's decisions for that matter are strictly how THEY choose to live their life. I will pray that God will show them the right way but that doesn't in any way make me have to agree with their life style. And on a lighter note I have had many family and friends come in and out of my life ALL of which I have loved deeply but I have had to take myself out of the situations in order to not judge them. I love them all but sometimes it is best to let go... When Ray Boltz came out of the closet I was SHOCKED, Beyond belief. I could not believe this man that I looked up to for so long has now become someone I never dreamed him to be. I was looking up songs on youtube today and I came across his new song. It is titled "Don't tell me who to love." At first I didn't give it much thought but as I listened I became a little aggrevated. I wont go into details about it but I was just amazed at how some people think that being in a byracial relationship is the same as being gay. I disagree it is totally different. They are not the same at all in my eyes. I feel that however you want to live you life is your decision but It just amazes me how some people want to look at things.I guess we are all different but I am just deeply saddened at the life that Ray has decided to live. STRICTLY MY OPINION..... LOL

Peyton and her thoughts..

Well today Peyton spent the day with my mom (mamaw) they baked valentines day cookies and then took some out to Miranda and the boys. This is one of Peyton's favorite things to do with her mamaw. When I picked her up she was in a great mood and didn't seem to be in a bad mood. We got in the car and started driving home. Now let me just say that we have really tried to make Peyton understand being rude or hurting peoples feelings..... So with that being said.. She is in the back seat and says to me "Mom I wouldn't ever tell mamaw she was fat.", I said "well Peyton mamaw is not fat at all so you shouldn't tell her that anyway, plus we should always keep those kind of opinions to our self so because that is rude." She starts balling her eyes out....I was like WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU.....She kept saying, "I am sorry mommy, I am so sorry" I said,"what are you sorry about?" She said I am sorry that you are fat and I am sorry that I told you that you were fat, I just don't want you to be disappointed in me for saying that you you are fat." I really couldn't do nothing but laugh (to myself of course) I just told her that mommy is glad that she is honest with me and that I want her to always be honest with me but she doesn't need to tell people things that are going to hurt their feelings. She of course cried some more and apologized about a million times. I told her it was okay because I already knew I was fat but sometimes people don't like to be reminded. LOL...What a hoot she is...I called mom to ask her how the conversation went and she said she did the same thing to her to. My child is already so sensitive it almost scares me..So hopefully our little talk will help her to understand ....Here is hoping anyway....

My New Fear

Well this weekend I realized that I have a new fear. Yep that is right, not surprised I am sure. We decided on Saturday that we would take the pontoon to Lake Malone to just try it out (since its been fixed) and see how it runs. Well not only was it a bit chilly when your moving along on the water but it was a bit spooky since we were almost the only people out there. I got on the boat and didn't think much about it but then when we actually started moving something just hit me and I became terrified. When I say terrified I mean to the point of which my head was between my legs and I was sitting on the floor and at one point was crying. I am almost ashamed to admit that but the truth is what it is. Chad thought that I was a freakin nut. But I was so scared. You know the funny part is that I have been on boats before and it not effect me like that. I haven't been on them much but I have been on them none the less. So needless to say I will probably not be enjoying the boat this summer with the rest of the family. But that is okay I will find something else to do Like Scrapbook....Yeah maybe Jill can invite me over for some fun with her criket machine...LOL...Sounds lots of fun to me. Gosh what has happened to me over the years? I use to be able to do anything at least once. I would ride on anything land or water. Now I am even scared to drive to fast. I am such a wuss....Oh well I will be safe. Maybe If there was a big bubble around the pontoon then I would feel more comfortable. You know what else, Peyton loved it. She thought it was the greatest thing. And I kind of hated the fact that she liked it....But I just have to learn that my fears are not always going to be her's so I just have to let her enjoy herself with her daddy.

Here it hoping for a good week this week. I got Quick books 2009 today at work and it is like the Cadillac of Quick books so here is hoping that I get use to it quick. So far so good though.
Here are some pictures of Peyton and Tristan from this weekend.

The McClintock Boys

My Prayer...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace

I really need to start saying this on a daily basis...I get so upset about stuff EVERYDAY that I have no control over. I need to realize that God is the only one that can control my life. These last few days have just been so stressful for me emotionally for some reason. I have so many things going through my mind and I hate to not be able to fix all my problems or wants on my own.. I know that I have a wonderful life an family and I need to stop and think about the good in my life and not all the bad. I have homeowners coming in here everyday crying because they can not pay their bills and they are going to loose their electricity. I have some that have cancer,lupus,diabetes. They have so many doctors bills and stuff that they are at the end of their ropes. One lady came in today and told us that she is tired of the worries and had even though about suicide....WOW..I tried to explain to her that it is never that bad and that she needed to just relax and let us work with her like we have been for 2 years now. I am truly blessed, yes I struggle but not like some of these people are suffering. I pray that God is with them everyday and can help them to overcome their obstacles. He has always been the one to pick me up and give me hope I just pray that they are all letting him work in their lives.

Me and all my weirdness.....

I just thought it would be fun to just post some random facts about me and maybe I could get everyone else to do the same. This is just a fun way to get to know me.

1. I am a mother to one beautiful little girl Peyton Leeann Bridges
2. I was born in Ashland, KY and moved to morgantown in 1992.
3. My mom and dad have been divorced since I was 2 yrs old.
4. My sister and I have the same birthday but we are 8 years apart, and apparently we look a lot a like.(I don't see it)lol
5. I have OCD....and was diagnosed with it 2 days before I found out I was preganant with Peyton.
6. I hate to hear people type on a key board in silence.
7. I hate the sound of someone changing the channel on the remote.
8. When I change channels I ALWAYS have to start with the first one (like channel 2)
9. I have a routine for EVERYTHING..
10. I count things...EVERYTHING...from cracks in the wall, to windows, to people.
11. When I was a kid I got a yellow crayon stuck in my nose... I was on my way to hospital when I finally blew it out..lol
12. I worry constantly about everything...
13. Peyton never stayed ANYWHERE without us until she was 2 years old and since then she has only been a way from us over night maybe 5 times.
14. I worry that my fathers health is worse than what I know because I am so far away from him.
15. My dad suffered 3 strokes when I was pregnant with Peyton and he has not been the same daddy since..
16. I have gone most of my married life without health insurance. And Peyton has gone most of her life without insurance as well..God has blessed us with Health
17. I have a BURNING desire to help people, I just often feel held back for some reason.
18. I think of Tiffany Taylor and Eric Young on a daily basis... They inspired me and left a HUGE mark on my heart that will never go away..I MISS THEM TERRIBLY
19. I am TERRIFIED of dying
20. I sing REALLY REALLY loud in the car.
21. Chad has had the hardest life of anybody I know and I am not sure how was able to as sane as he is.
22. I do not ENVY anybody...I often get angry because I couldn't do something someone else did but I know that there is a reason for that.
23. I cry VERY easily...I can hear a song on the radio and cry.
24. I LOVE MUSIC... I can remember several people and several events just by hearing certain songs.
25. I fear that I do not do enough in my life.
26. I have not seen or talked to my father's side of the family in probably 3+ years until I found two of my cousins on facebook last week.
27. I often feel like I am talking to strangers when I talk to my mom and dads side of the family.
28. I want to be close to ALL my family and Chad's family but I have to learn to just leave things alone.
29. I believe that my husband knows where he needs to be in his faith he just needs for someone besides me to lift him up and make him see.
30. I NEED to be a better Christian.
31. I 6 cell phones in 2008 and almost the same amount of vehicles to drive back and forth to work.
32. I love scrapbooking.
33. I have an obsession with collecting picture frames...I LOVE THEM...
34. I feel that everytime I go to a store I need to get Peyton something even if it's gum...hmmmm...Spoiled..
35. I worry about my sister on a daily basis.

Okay now it is your turn...I may just keep adding to this list....Hmmmmm..then everyone would know how weird I am .

Braxton Bennett McClintock

Braxton was born February 1,2009 and weighed 7lbs 15.5oz and was 21.25 inches long. He is such a little cutie and perfect. His big brother Tristan loves him so much..He just can't stop kissing him. It is so cute..I think he will be a great big brother..