February 28, 2026-Camping in February?

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It was another wonderful camping day-this morning not a one of us stirred in the camper until 10. Marley was still sound asleep at 10 and only started moving around because she heard Robby and me talking. Our morning conversation was something like this: "We should move into the camper?" "What time is it?" "10:00" "Definitely moving into the camper." 

We haven't slept late like today since Marley came to live at our house. Bentley was still pretty tired and in no hurry to go out, but Marley was a little more anxious. Robby and I started working on breakfast-eggs in the hole, pancakes, and sausage. Robby wrote Anderson to come over for breakfast, and he was here before Robby was done cooking. Reagan loves the cafeteria, but Anderson is not a big fan of it at all, so he was definitely up for a home cooked breakfast meal.

Soon after everyone finished their breakfasts, everyone left-Graham, Campbell, and Keaton headed home to Little Rock. Graham had a basketball game tonight (they lost, but came back quite a bit during the last half), Keaton had a party (Pops had to pick bring her home from it since all my other drivers were busy), and Campbell had to babysit (this was just her second time at this house, and she does well while she is there.) Anderson headed back to Ouachita because he had some school work and laundry for today.

Once everyone left, it was just us and Whitman. We didn't see much of him today because he was living his best life! Robby and I sat outside all day except for probably about an hour. I read and finished one book and started another. I had bought yarn to crochet some on this trip, but never really felt like pulling it out. 

Around 6 we started on supper. Anderson invited a few people to come tonight to eat, but everyone was gone, so he just brought one friend which was still perfect. We are glad to feed one or many! Tonight we made meatball subs which were super easy to make and pretty good-they were good enough that Anderson took our extras home with him.

We watched some of the Hogs game, and then we started cleaning up. It didn't take too long to put everything away. Now hopefully tomorrow we will sleep super late again (not counting on it!)

February 27, 2026-Camping in February?

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We weren't expecting much from Marley last night; we were even dreading it a little bit. However, she did so good and didn't wake up until 8:30. (This doesn't happen, and I'm not expecting it tonight.) After she woke up, Robby took her potty and then put her back in the kennel, and she slept even longer. 

We all really didn't still until 9:30ish or even a bit later. Graham and I left around 11:30 for a quick trip to OBU. Graham has decided that he wants to add Business to his Communications major in the fall so we met with the dean of the business school. Then we saw Reagan and finally Anderson, before meeting with the lady that he will do work study with in the fall.

When we finished, Graham was famished so we ran to Sonic-and who was there, but Robby and everyone else. They had been to Walmart and needed a drink on the way back to camp. Once we were all back at camp, we pretty much stayed outside all afternoon. 

The kids rode their bikes some, even Whitman. Anderson even came back to see us for a little bit. He visited for a while, and we asked him all of the questions that we could think of. When we left, we started on supper. 

Reagan brought a group of friends to eat tonight, and boy did they eat! We thought that we had enough food, but we had to pull out more chicken because even though it was mostly girls they just kept going back to get seconds. One of them even requested oreo delight-we actually had made it for tomorrow night's meal, but we pulled it out of the freezer to eat some tonight!

The Smiths pulled in to their campsite late, but they came over and visited with us. After Reagan's people left, we moved by the fire and talked until Robby started putting the food up. We had a mess to clean up inside and outside. It didn't take too incredibly long to clean up, and then we took the dogs on a short walk-now, here's to hoping that everyone sleeps well tonight!

February 26, 2026-Camping in February?

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Keaton and Campbell went to work this morning, and they were a bit disappointed that they didn't have any free sandwiches at ChickFilA. The rest of us did, so Robby headed the same way to pick up our sandwiches before they expired.

While Campbell and Keaton were at work, Whitman worked on his school. I should be able to say that Graham worked on his school as well. He did some, but he also did some xboxing and even some cleaning. This afternoon when I was leaving, I was also reminding him to make sure that he did his work that was due today! He could possibly be a procrastinator. 

While Whitman was working, I did a bit of last minute packing plus I helped Graham organize all of his drawers. He has a lot of tshirts. We got rid of about 5-well, we didn't really get rid of them because we put 3 in Whitman's drawers to wear later and 2 in Anderson's drawers because they were his. 

Around 1:30 Robby and Whitman left. They ran a few errands on the way to Degray, but they were there and set up before Campbell, Keaton, and I arrived. The girls stopped at a gas station on the way home, and after Campbell took a shower we left.

Graham didn't leave with us because he had a basketball game tonight. He knew that they were playing one of the best teams plus they only had 5 players tonight. Graham's team lost by a good margin, and the picture I saw of Graham he was dripping wet with sweat. He took Grannymom home after the game, went home to take a shower, and then drove on to the campsite.

When we did arrive at the campsite, Robby had everything set up. I just helped hang the lights-our lights are just perfect on this trip. It helps that we have a pretty great spot this weekend. And let's talk about the weather for a bit-we didn't really think that we would be able to camp this weekend since we weren't going to come if it was cold. Right now though the weather is perfect!

February 25, 2026

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  • It was another busy day around here. We did the school thing this morning, and school kind of flowed on into the afternoon. Graham and I were still working on his paper after noon today-we were going to work much earlier in the day, but he got a text saying that the internet was out at work today so no work for him and Campbell.
  • Needless to say, they were devastated-ha! Graham did opt to go to church with me this evening. He wanted to go with me even though I was leaving so early because he gets a bit bored on days that he doesn't go to work.
  • This afternoon I just ran around trying to get things ready for tomorrow. I made a pan of gluten free brownies for Reagan. Then I made a pan of sourdough brownies because I had a friend rave about the recipe. (Don't tell anyone, but I guess I messed it up a little bit because it is good, but they are by no means great.) I started worrying about those brownies so I just made a box of brownies. Seriously, we will never eat all of them! Plus tonight Robby made oreo delight and peanut butter pie to bring camping. 
  • I left for church early with Keaton and Graham because we had a few stops on the way. First, we stopped at Nonna and Pops' house to pick up some wire hangers. Then on to the library to drop off some books and pick up one. Finally, we went to Michaels so I could buy some yarn. 
  • I even splurged at Michaels and bought a candle (it was just 2.40), but when I came home I set my library bag which was full of everything from the car on the bar....and it fell over breaking my candle. Ugh!
  • When we came home from church, I helped Robby finish up his cooking and now I'm setting on the couch!

February 24, 2026

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  • This was a fairly busy day-busy enough that I didn't even rewrite my to do list for tomorrow, I just added a few more things to mark off..or a few more things that I probably won't get around to marking off. 
  • We did our school this morning, and the morning went by very quickly. Soon Campbell and I were headed to take her Accuplacer test. We just did all three today without any studying at all just to get a baseline. She did fine, but we will have to start studying so she can pass all 3 before school starts in the fall. She is going to start studying math this week so she can try again in a couple of weeks.
  • After we finished, we ran to Walmart to pick up a few things-mainly a drink for her. Then we browsed for a bit before doing some shopping  and a delivery. Once at home, I had to work with Whitman, but we sped through everything so I could leave again.
  • This time I met Robby at the store to do our shopping for this weekend. We never really made a list so hopefully we have everything. We will set down and figure things out tomorrow so maybe we will remember anything that we have missed.
  • I picked up some supper on the way home, and everyone ate while I tried to straighten a few things and catch up a little bit. Right now Marley is sleeping, and I think that I'm going to have my second cup of hot chocolate!

February 23, 2026

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  • Mondays make me sleepy, and today was definitely a sleepy Monday. Plus I wasn't really expecting it to be so chilly today. I love winter and want some more, or so I thought. After today, I'm not too sure if I really do enjoy chilly weather. 
  • This afternoon I went to get the mail, and it was just cold so I opted to skip my walk. I was fine with this, but I think that it upset Bentley a little bit. She had been a bit on edge today, because she knew that Marley got to go to the camper (I'm trying to get her used to it), and Bentley saw me take a load of things out there. When we start doing things in and for the camper, Bentley gets a bit anxious because she does not want to get left at home.
  • This morning we did our school work-things are slow the first part of the morning, and then I always look at the clock, and somehow it is already lunch time. I'm not sure why the last half of the morning flies by; maybe it is because everyone is waiting to work with me plus it is also the time that Marley wakes up from her nap. 
  • This afternoon Graham and Campbell went to work. They went to help shoot some pictures so that made their day go by a little bit faster. While they were gone, Whitman finished school, and I did some crocheting. 
  • Keaton and Graham went to Goodwill when Graham came home from work. Keaton found shoes, and then they decided to stop at Panda Express on their way home. It was quite interesting listening to them split the food that they bought-they got out the scale to make sure that they had the exact amount. 
  • Robby came home, and we finished off some leftovers. Now, I'm sitting on the couch freezing and thinking about getting myself some hot chocolate. 

February 22, 2026

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  • This Sunday morning Graham had to bring breakfast for his Sunday school class so it was an early morning around here. I had laid everything out last night to help as much as I could, and Graham had said that he would help get things ready.
  • I'm not sure if he set his alarm, but I did have to wake him up to come down and help. I cracked the eggs and put them in the oven. Graham then worked on heating up the sausage while I put the fruit on the platter. He then went to the shower, while I assembled the breakfast sandwiches.
  • Soon Keaton and Campbell were leaving for church; Campbell had worship care so she had to be there early, and we needed Keaton to take up the first load to Graham's Sunday school room. 
  • After church, we all met up at Dana's house to celebrate Grannymom's 82nd birthday. Les and all of his family were there to help celebrate Grannymom. Dana had soup, salad, dessert, and everything else! It was a perfect meal, and we spent a good deal of time visiting afterwards.
  • The kids then hurried home to let Marley out because Sundays are still a long time for her. Robby and I ran to the store and bought a few things that we needed; and then we zoomed home because we had to quickly make brownies before heading back to church.
  • We took Whitman to his lifegroup, and then Robby and I had a game night at church with our Sunday school class. While we were gone, Campbell and Keaton went to pick up some of Keaton's friends, and then Campbell chauffeured them around all night long stopping at most stores!

February 21, 2026

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  • I had a pretty quiet morning. Marley and I were the only ones awake for just a little bit though-Campbell had an early morning birthday party that she went to. Then she had quite a big morning. After the party, she went to help fold napkins for a wedding. When they finished there, they went to get a drink and then to another friend's house.
  • Robby left to run some errands, and soon after he left Graham asked about breakfast so I made pancakes for everyone here. I am always surprised how much people like pancakes and grilled cheese even though they are so easy to make. Well, I say that they are easy to make, but my pancakes today stuck and looked like a toddler had made them.
  • And while we are talking about not being able to make things-I pulled my sourdough back out of the fridge this week after having a friend's delicious bread at church on Wednesday I made a loaf yesterday which was ready to cook this afternoon. And, well that is one more thing that I just can't figure out how to do. 
  • Graham had a basketball game at 5 tonight-this was his best game. His team one by 14ish which was their easiest game. They all looked like they had fun tonight, but Graham did have a gash over his eye at the end of the game so I guess it was a little rough out there tonight on the court. 
  • While we were at basketball, Campbell and Keaton went to babysit. Campbell was going to have to babysit at one familiy's house, but they cancelled so she is joining Keaton at their regulars house. 
  • After Graham's game, we went and ate at David's Burgers again. I guess since we have done that twice now, it is a tradition. Don't feel bad for Whitman; he was excited to get his leftovers from last night.

February 20, 2026

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  • Even though there was no school this morning, Marley did not know this! She will not understand that tomorrow is Saturday, and we are all supposed to sleep in either. (Bentley did know that today was Friday; she didn't come down stairs until after 9 this morning.)
  • I started on my things for the day-actually, there wasn't a whole lot on my list, and actually I didn't get much done at all. Everything I attempted to do, just took a long time. My first task was to register Campbell, Keaton, and Whitman for the ACT. This took forever! It started with with my computer not logging in to the ACT site so I had to use the new computer, which I don't know how to use, so that just slowed me down more.
  • Then I started working on getting school ready for next fall. I know, I know, it is too early, but I was only able to finish 4 out of the 10 things I wanted to do-all of that was just to get ready for one subject for Keaton. 
  • I also worked on crocheting-my goal would have been to do 20 little things today, but I just managed to get 8 done. That was fine though because there is always tomorrow! While I was working on this, I decided to try again to make some sourdough bread. I worked on that, but then Robby came and picked me up to do some shopping. Thankfully, Campbell and Graham were already back from work, so she could do the next few steps in my bread. (We will cook it tomorrow after 2 and see if it is any good. I never have good luck with it; Campbell does though.)
  • Robby and I went to Walmart, Sams, and Costco and bought things at all those places. At Costco, we bought our supper (butter chicken), Whitman's supper (a slice of pizza), Keaton's supper (a cookie), Graham's supper (a chicken bake), and Campbell's supper (a chicken bake which she had to eat on the run since she was leaving to meet her friends at Menchies.)
  • Robby and I are going to the WIlson's house in a little bit plus I will probably have to wait up for Campbell. Last night she was out until 11:40ish babysitting, but she did very well...like so well, Robby has encouraged me to start babysitting.

February 19, 2026

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  • Thursdays are always very quiet. Campbell and Keaton left early to stop by ChickFilA to get their chicken biscuits on the way to work. Then that just left Whitman and Graham here doing school. Graham doesn't need me for much, and Whitman has a lot of reading to do each day, so he spends a good deal of time in the bonus room reading. 
  • I was able to do a few things on my list today, but I didn't sit down to register Campbell, Keaton, and Whitman for the ACT. I'm putting that off because it will take a while. That is on my list for tomorrow, but honestly, I may or may not do it tomorrow!
  • Keaton and Whitman had a fire drill at school today so that was a lot of excitement. Plus it was early out, so I bet that their day went by fairly quickly. As soon as they made it home, Graham left to go and play basketball. He was gone for a few hours.
  • Unfortunately for Campbell, Graham didn't make it back in time for her to leave, so she had to take the minivan when she went to go and babysit. This is a new house that she is babysitting for so hopefully it is all going well-I haven't heard much, plus they parents are at a concert so it will probably be a late night tonight.
  • We left soon after Campbell did. Robby and I did a little bit of delivering before we met the Wilsns for supper at Purple Cow. We had not been to that Purple Cow, and really, we probably haven't been to a Purple Cow in 15 or so years.
  • We came home to relieve the dog sitters (Graham and Keaton). Now, we are sitting on the couch for the last little bit of the night!

February 18, 2026

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  • We did our school work this morning. Around 10 this morning, I started to wonder if I had let Campbell oversleep. She usually always wakes up on her own, but I wasn't sure if she had done her school last night or not, so I did go up to wake her up. She had done her work. so she kind of scowled at me. 
  • Campbell and Graham go to work a bit early on Wednesday afternoon so they can come home early in time for church. When it was time to go, Keaton started telling me that it was time to leave. I went outside, and Campbell and Keaton were standing by the white car. They then told me that they were riding with Graham who would leave in a few minutes.
  • That was fine, but then I was leaving for church earlier than I really needed to. I had to go to the library, but I am find not being at church early so I took my time and even thought about looking around for books. 
  • I haven't been reading too much lately. I try, but I just get a bit distracted. I'm still listening to my books when I walk, but maybe because I'm crocheting again now, I'm struggling to finish a book. 
  • After church Campbell and Graham went to ChickFilA, but Keaton and Whitman picked up their sandwiches. Keaton started eating while we were driving home and had a bit of an accident with her ketchup-as in she squeezed it, and it went all over her shirt, face, and hair. It was quite the ride home!

February 17, 2026

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  • Campbell did her school last night again so she wasn't really around this morning much. Actually, I usually don't see her in the mornings until she comes and finds me so I can check her things and do our little bit of work together.
  • This was also the second morning that Graham was awake, and I didn't have to wake him up. He had a good bit of school to do right now with a paper and test coming up so he is working on those.
  • I did see Keaton and Whitman this morning; we did our morning reading, and then they did their work. It was almost noon when I finished my part in most of the school work for the day. 
  • Campbell washed both dogs-this is an undertaking for sure. Bentley is a little harder to wash because of her size and also because she stands there and looks incredibly pitiful breaking your heart during a bath. 
  • I dried Bentley while Campbell started on Marley. The bathroom, laundry room, and my closet are all still probably wet from Bentley shaking and rolling around trying to get dry herself. I even used the hair dryer until we were both tired, and she was still soaking wet. She probably is still wet, and I know the whole house smells like wet dog. 
  • Marley's bath didn't take nearly as long, and when Campbell dried her she was pretty dry. Between all of the dog drying, we did have to wash and dry a load of towels. 
  • This afternoon was kind of quiet-I tried to do a few things for school next year and organize my school room closet a bit, but I just really did a tiny bit of each of those things. Robby brought home some supper tonight, and Keaton talked about making a dessert, but she hasn't yet so it might be ice cream tonight!

February 16, 2026

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  • Robby was off on this President's Day, but the rest of us had to wake up and do school. Well, Campbell didn't have to wake up early because she did most of her school work last night. Keaton and Whitman were fairly awake this morning when we read, and then we moved on to their own work.
  • I had a bit of time to work on things around the house while everyone did their school work. Then it all got busy as I was helping Campbell and Keaton finish their school work. Whitman was the last to finish today-he again offered to finish earlier for a payment. 
  • Campbell and Graham went to work this afternoon. While they were gone, I walked both dogs-not at once-we are not near there yet. It will be a while, but I think that Ms. Marley is getting a little bit more tolerable, but I don't want to jinx it by saying it out loud.
  • I made manicotti for supper tonight, and Campbell delivered some supper to Nonna and Pops. I also made peanut butter cookies from my cook book. I have now made all of the easy recipes from the book! 
  • Robby ran a few errands tonight so I had a short nap and then text with Reagan for a little bit. She is pretty convinced that it is gluten upsetting her tummy-so maybe I need to be researching a few gluten free recipes.  

February 15, 2026

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  • Our power came on around 1:30 last night which gave our watched and phones plenty of time to charge so that was good, and most importantly it allowed us to take hot showers before church. I had worship care this morning so I missed big church, but Robby said he and Grannymom sat right in the middle of all of the kids from Big Chill.
  • After Sunday school, we loaded the van up with Whitman and his things from the weekend and drove to pick up the pizza for our Sunday lunch at Nonna and Pops' house. Nonna did say that having her knee done was the worst thing ever, but I think that she is doing pretty well. We tried not to stay too incredibly long because we didn't want to exhaust her, because the kids were exhausted, and because big church, Sunday school, and Sunday lunch is a long kennel stay for Marley still.
  • When we came home, I jerked 4 laundry baskets out into the mudroom for each kid to fill up their own basket. I'm not sure why I have really just discovered this trick, but it is life changing. I do each person's laundry, quickly fold it since it all goes to one person, and then pile it back in the laundry basket for them to put up. It works splendidly. I still have Campbell's clothes in the dryer so they may not get folded tonight which is ok. I have a few sleeping bags to wash tomorrow too.
  • This afternoon went by quickly-mainly because I was napping. Robby and I left a few minutes before Campbell. She went to Rock Creek for church tonight. Graham was going to go, but he was exhausted. Robby and I went to church for a good ole hymn singing night. It made Robby and I miss Sunday night church.
  • We all met back up at the Wilson's house for our Sunday supper. The kids came for a little bit, and then headed home. We visited with the Wilsons before coming home and ending our weekend.

February 14, 2026

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  • Robby took Marley to the bathroom this morning when she started to whine. Then he promptly put her back in her kennel so we could rest a bit longer on this Saturday morning. When she woke up again, I started with a few chores.
  • When Marley went to sleep the next time, Robby and I left the house. We ran a few errands before and after, but our first stop was the Croissanteire. We had to wait in line outside, but it was worth the wait...I guess. We still haven't yet eaten all of our food that we bought. 
  • We had scrambled eggs with all the meats plus a croissant and gravy. Robby ordered us an extra croissant so we ate all of that. The croissants were good, but honestly Sams' croissants are just as good. 
  • We also bought a cookie dough croissant, a turtle croissant, and a cream cheese danish. Our plan was eat them tonight but since the power went off at 8, we weren't able to warm them up. Do not fear though, Robby picked brownies and cookies at the Walmart plus we topped those with ice cream, so we were still able to have our snacks.
  • This afternoon Robby and I were out a good deal, so we had to hurry back to let Marley outside. She was fine and happy to see us. We spent our afternoon sitting on the couch-I read and crocheted, and it was a perfect day.
  • We had last night's leftovers for our snack, and later in the evening Robby ran a few more errands. While he was gone, I was watching the beginning of the basketball game when the power blinked a few times and went off. It had already blinked today, and I just kind of had a feeling that it would go off though I'm not sure why because we haven't lost our power in a long while.
  • I lit candles and gathered all the flashlights. Bentley followed me for a little bit, and then she went to our room and laid on the my bed. However, Marley was a little spooked-she stayed right near me chewing on her toy. 
  • Robby made it home, and we had our snacks. Now, he is going to take a shower upstairs and I may do the same-we are hoping there is still plenty of hot water up there. 

February 13, 2026

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  • Normally, we are able to sleep in a little bit on a Friday, but we all heard Bentley barking early this morning. I'm not sure if Bentley was upstairs with Graham when she was barking or if he had already opened his door so she could go downstairs. Either way, she was not happy about something.
  • Bentley not being happy about something woke us up and Marley up. Marley started whining to go out, so I went ahead and started my day. Of course when I leave the bed, Marley can hear me so then she really fusses while I go to the bathroom and find my pants and shoes.
  • I had plenty to do this morning so getting up wasn't that bad. Robby ran to ChickFilA to pick up our free breakfast sandwiches. When he came home, I text everyone to tell them that breakfast had arrived, and even though it was fairly early, all the kids trickled down stairs.
  • There was lots of packing happening today plus we left at 11 to go and see Nonna and Pops. I took ham and cheese croissants and pigs in a blanket (which I burned) to make there. Everyone was able to visit and see that Nonna was on the mend (kind of since getting a new knee is no joke.)
  • When we left there, we went to Walmart next. Taking boys shopping is never fun because they want to be finished very quickly. I tried to prepare them because I knew that Campbell was buying a birthday gift with many little pieces, but she showed up where we were just a few seconds after Graham and Whitman picked out their candy.
  • When we all came home, Graham went with me to meet Robby and pick up the mini van since it had a little bit of work done on it. Then it was time for the kids to go-they did leave early so they could stop at Sonic on the way.
  • This weekend is Big Chill for the middle schoolers (Keaton and Whitman), and the high schoolers help lead the weekend. Graham is one of the boys in charge of the 8th grade boys while Campbell is on the production team getting things ready and set up. 
  • Robby and I ran some errands tonight. Then we found supper at Chilis and even found some dessert in the ice cream section at Kroger before heading home. 

February 12, 2026

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  • Campbell and Keaton went to Mother's Day Out this morning; they even left the house early so they could run by ChickFilA to get some free breakfast sandwiches. Plus they were all dressed out in their pink and red because today was their Valentine parties.
  • Whitman and I did our work together this morning, and then he asked if I was going to pay him a dollar to get his school done before lunch. I told him that I would not be paying for school, and he finished around 5. 
  • Graham slept a bit late, and then he went on a run. Pretty much he did everything he could do except for his school work. He has a paper coming up that he hasn't started working on yet, so that will be a priority next week.
  • Whitman and I were walking out of the house to take Marley to the vet when we realized that Robby just got home. He drove us to the vet, and it took us about 11 minutes for our appointment. Marley is now 24 pounds, and he said that she was fine to start going on walks.
  • As soon as we came home, I took that little puppy on a walk to the end of our driveway. We have a lot of leash work to do though. She did really well walking away from the house, but then she just got plumb crazy on the walk back towards the house. 
  • I dropped her off and tucked her into bed, and then left for a real walk with Bentley. She enjoyed our walk so much that she didn't want to go up the driveway towards the house. Though when I did get her near the house, I quickly dropped her off also. My walks are a lot quicker with just me because I don't stop to use the bathroom on the side of the road.
  • The girls got home with lots of Valentine's treats-Keaton even got a 25 dollar gift card. I never got my teachers a Valentine growing up-things have certainly changed. They were home for a bit, but then they left again to go back to church to work tonight. 
  • After Whitman and I packed for his Big Chill retreat this weekend, Graham and I picked up and left to meet Robby at Graham's basketball game. Graham's team won by 2 points-they had been ahead by 8, but lost the lead in the last little bit making the last bit of the game stressful. 
  • We ran to David's Burgers to get supper on the way home for two reasons. First, Robby and I had a burger from David's last week, and it was delicious. The other reason that we went to David's was because after last weeks game, Robby picked Graham up two burgers from Wendy's, and they were the sorriest, smallest burgers that we had ever seen. Robby felt like he needed to make up for those burgers!

February 11, 2026

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  • Keaton paid Whitman a dollar to finish all of his school before 12:30-it I had only known that it was that easy. He grabbed math first, and zoomed on from there. It didn't take him long to finish all of his things, and by noon he was even done working with me. We usually work together twice, but we just did it all in one setting, and it worked just fine.
  • Campbell and Keaton finished their school work for the week, which let's me get things ready for next week which I do really enjoy. I spent a good bit of time trying to figure out how many things Whitman could finish before the end of February and the end of March.
  • Graham was getting ready for work today when he got a text saying that they wouldn't need them until next Monday. There was much rejoicing for the unexpected day off today. Campbell ended up spending her extra time napping!
  • The afternoon seemed to fly by for me because I was trying to register Graham for something, and I struggled to make it work. I was able to do half today, so that leaves half for tomorrow. Then it was time for us to head to church. 
  • When I returned my library books, Campbell asked if that could have waited until next week. I tried to explain that we should do today what we can, and not put things off. I'm not sure they were listening during that little speech.
  • After church, Campbell and Graham went to ChickFilA for supper while Whitman, Keaton, and I headed home, I had leftovers from when Reagan came so they were delicious. Whitman had pizza, and Keaton had some cheese dip!

February 10, 2026

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  • We were back to regularly scheduled programming this morning. We started our day with me reading to Keaton and Whitman-neither of them could stay awake so maybe I should move bedtime up a little bit.
  • Everyone did their school, and things went incredibly smoothly. Whitman even seemed to zoom through his school work today. He still had some things to do this afternoon, but he was still done much earlier than usual.
  • Campbell and Graham had eye appointments this afternoon. Campbell went to another doctor today. He did a few different things, but still gave her the same prescription. This is not a glasses year for our insurance, but she is anxious to change things up a little bit. Graham's eyes are a little bit worse, but not yet bad enough to need glasses. 
  • After the appointment, we headed to Nonna and Pops' house to check on her. I think that Nonna was doing really well. She was moving around and certainly didn't seem as loopy as she did yesterday.
  • We came home, and I laid down for 20 minutes-I have been exhausted the last few days. Then I hurried around making 3 pans of pigs in a blanket. I took two to my class meeting tonight and the other pan was devoured around here. 
  • Class meeting was a favorite things class meeting-so we all brought 4 favorite things, and left with 4 different favorite things. It was a lot of fun, and I got a few of the things that I wanted. 
  • Campbell spent the evening at a basketball game with some friends and is still out and about. Everyone else spent a quiet evening in the house.

February 9, 2026

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  • I was up pretty early this morning because today was Nonna's new knee day. They had to be at the hospital at 5:30 so of course they were there a little bit early, like at 5. I didn't make it until 7:30, but In was able to see Nonna before they wheeled her away. 
  • I sat with Pops for a bit, but then we went to the cafe to get breakfast. I wasn't going to eat anything, but I saw scones like the church has so I couldn't pass them up. We ate, and then Jason joined us. They said it would take over an hour because her knee was pretty bad, and it took all of that time plus another hour and a half in recovery. That was fine though because we were moved to her room, and I spent my time crocheting. 
  • Nonna made it back to her room around noon, and she was groggy for the rest of the time that I was there, and pretty much for the rest of the evening. I come home around 3, and while I had been gone the kids did their school work plus Graham and Campbell went to work this afternoon. 
  • When I did get home, I had to check quite a bit of work, and then it was time to get ready for tonight's party. 
  • Campbell had 13 friends come over tonight, and Keaton had 3 friends. It was a house full of girls. We had ham and cheese croissants, but the girls all brought boards, and they were all so creative-a popcorn board, bread board, candy board, veggie board, fruit board, caramel apple board, hot chip board, and chip and dip board are the ones that I can remember. There was so much food!
  • Campbell and Keaton had done the decorations so cute. After the girls ate, Graham and Keaton had prepared a Family Feud game for them to play. Then they decorated cakes which took the rest of the evening. 
  • When it was over, the girls went to town cleaning up the kitchen. When I came in the kitchen things were pretty much back to normal-it took a little bit of time to clean up everything, but Campbell, Keaton, and Graham all helped so now the house is pretty straight with just a few things left to do tomorrow. 
  • I did make a mistake and sit down on the couch-I should not have done that because I'm so tired that I'm not sure if I can get up and head to bed!

February 8, 2026

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  • I heard Campbell and Keaton stirring above us this morning. They had to be at church early to greet people at the doors. They would do anything to get to come to church early. Robby and I did all we could to stay in the bed as long as we could this morning, and that was evident as we scurried around the house to leave.
  • We all did the church and Sunday school thing this morning. Then Campbell and Keaton drove in the new car to Grannymom and made it just a little bit after the rest of us did. Grannymom had sliders which were delicious and perfect for a Super Bowl Sunday.
  • Robby and I ran to Walmart and Sams after lunch. We bought things for tonight's supper, more icing for tomorrow (I will not even write how many cans of icing I have acquired for tomorrow's party, but I don't want to run out), plus we bought food for me to make for class meeting Tuesday night, and then we ended with doing a bit of shopping for someone else.
  • We came home, and not too long after unloading and doing some straightening, Reagan and her friends showed up. I think that Reagan was glad to see that Marley remembered her. Her friends and her played a few games with Graham, Campbell, and Whitman (Keaton had already gone to lifegroup.)
  • I made a chicken, sweet potato, and broccoli sheet pan meal while Robby provided the Super Bowl meal of pizza. Reagan's friends had some of both, but Reagan just had mine-she is trying to eat gluten free right now to see if that helps her tummy troubles. I even made gluten free cookies which weren't really like cookies, but more like chocolate globs, but they were still pretty good.
  • Reagan and her people headed back to school, and then Campbell left to go and pick up Keaton. The rest of us, even Whitman, are all in the living room kind of watching the Super Bowl. 

February 7, 2026

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  • Graham was the first one up this morning. He had to leave early this morning to go to Ouachita for a leadership meeting. Reagan and Anderson both went to this, but this year it was not an over night event so he had to leave fairly early this morning.
  • Robby left at the same time and picked up Graham a bit of breakfast on the way. Robby stayed out for a little bit and ran some errands while Graham went on to Ouachita.
  • I laid in bed for a few minutes, but then I was up and started baking. Campbell and Keaton are having a little bit of a Valentine's party on Monday night, so today I made 24 heart shaped cakes. I was able to make 5 at a time, so it did take me all morning long.
  • Campbell woke up around 11 and went to work setting up and decorating the table and really the entire kitchen. It is going to be a cute and fun party. Robby came home, and pretty soon after he made it home, I finished my cakes and took myself a good long nap.
  • Campbell and Keaton left to go and babysit around 5. Graham finished his meeting around 4:30, but he found his brother watching the OBU basketball game so he stayed and watched the end of the game. Then he ran to the cafeteria to see his sister for a few minutes before heading home. We met him and headed to his basketball game.
  • His team won his basketball game tonight-it wasn't pretty, but they were ahead the entire time. Graham does enjoy playing basketball and so do all of his teammates so it is fun to watch them have a good time. 
  • We picked up supper on the way home. Then after eating, I straightened the bonus room, and now I just need to crochet a few more squares before bedtime.

February 6, 2026

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  • It was kind of a slow day around here. I would have stayed in bed longer but Marley wouldn't lay down with us for very long, so it was just easier for me to get up and start my day. Without school to do, things were fairly quiet. I knocked out a few chores, and then during Marley's first nap time, Bentley and I went on a walk.
  • By the time that I came back, Campbell and Graham were stirring. They ate their lunches and headed off to work. I think that they thought they wouldn't have a whole lot to do, but they were there the whole time.
  • I didn't see Keaton too much today, but she would pop down every so often and check on Marley. I had to wake Whitman so we could do his school work that was left over from yesterday. I narrowed down the things that we had to do together so he didn't really have too much other work to do. 
  • Campbell and Graham came home, and I left soon after they came home. Campbell left right behind me-she picked up a friend, went to eat at Chilis, did some shopping at Target, and then bought a shake at Sonic. She had a big night.
  • When I left Whitman was working on making 3d glasses. I'm not sure if he had any luck or not. I'm not sure what Keaton was doing, but Graham was asking about what we were eating. He didn't get supper tonight and had to eat what he could find, but he did get ice cream when Robby and I came home.

February 5, 2026

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  • This was a pretty different school day-Campbell and Keaton went to Mother's Day Out, and around 10:30 Whitman left the house too. That just left Graham and me at the house this morning, and he doesn't need me for school.
  • The girls ere glad to be back at Mother's Day Out after missing for the snow day. They really enjoy their Thursdays with the kids.
  • Robby took Whitman to Nonna and Pops' house. It was a big day for him because he was cashing in on his Christmas gift-he received a visit to Dave and Busters from Nonna and Pops for Christmas. Since they were there pretty early, there were very few folks around which was nice, and Whitman was able to play quite a few games. They ended their day with lunch at ChickFilA, and Whitman thoroughly enjoyed his day. 
  • Whitman came home, and then Robby and I left to meet the girls. First we ran to Walmart, and then we took them to Texas Roadhouse for supper. Campbell was giddy driving around in the new car today, so after our supper Keaton and Campbell left to run some errands. Robby and I did a few errands of our own.
  • We came home with leftover for Graham, and Whitman opted to slice my bread, which was fresh out of the oven, and make himself a grilled cheese. The girls made it home soon after we did, and then Robby made some rice krispy treats for supper...and now it is time to wake up Marley for just a few minutes before we all go to bed. 

February 4, 2026

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  • Usually in the mornings, I wake Keaton and Whitman up at 8:30. Campbell gets up on her own around 8:45, and then Graham is a little bit more difficult. When I wake up Whitman, I make sure that there is an alarm set for 9 and 9:05 for Graham. This morning I set alarms for every 3 minutes because even with the alarms set, I still have to go and wake him up at least once. All of that to say, this morning he did wake up on his own before 9. We were all surprised to see him, but he was up early because he wanted to run this morning before school, work, and church.
  • I worked with Whitman again later in the morning which worked pretty well again for both of us. Though Marley did wake up early which caused a little bit of a chaos-we can remember Bentley bumping into us and accidentally shutting the books in our hands or laps. However, Marley is just a different dog-she is grabbing and attacking any papers or books that we have left unattended. She usually grabs a paper and shreds it which causes Whitman to start thrusting his math papers towards her causing complete chaos!
  • The outing today was to the orthodontist. Keaton and Whitman were the lucky ones. It seems like Keaton will not need braces at least right now, but Whitman is the one who will get to start that process. I'm not looking forward to all of the trips to the orthodontist coming up. 
  • Campbell and Graham were already at work when we came home. We had a little bit of time before it was time to leave for church tonight. Whitman and I finished his school and then I emptied the trash cans, and then we left for the library and church.
  • Tonight Keaton, Campbell, and Graham went to ChickFilA on the way home. Whitman and I stopped on the way home too so he could use his free nugget coupon. Now, Robby and I are on the couch watching basketball while waiting on all the kids to come home. 

February 3, 2026

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  • Once again I think that I could count today as a snow day. Kids went back to school today here in town, but there was still ice on the driveway, and I'm still taking the dogs to potty on the snow. This afternoon a delivery man came (we had only had one other one in over a week), and I went out the garage so he didn't have to walk that far...except I wasn't any help because the driveway was icy, and I sure wasn't about to walk out to him. 
  • We did the school thing this morning. For some reason, Whitman seemed to finish his work pretty quickly. He did ask to do his morning work with me at 11 so maybe that changed things for him; however, that made my morning all different. We managed to get everything finished though by the end of the day.
  • Graham and Whitman got hair cuts to day. Neither one of them like getting their hair cut-Graham doesn't like how his hair looks after a hair cut, and Whitman doesn't like chit chatting with the hair person. And neither one of them liked me running in to Hobby Lobby on the way home. I was only in there for just a few minutes, so life wasn't that horrible for them.
  • Once we made it home, I started opening my packages that had arrived. Lots and lots of school books for next year which made me so, so happy. I've had to rearrange bookshelves to prepare for all of my orders. My bookshelves are all nice and neat, but the rest of my school room closet is a little messy.
  • I made a mexican dish for supper-I kind of winged it since it was just the girls and I eating. They both said that it was decent, and I will enjoy eating the leftovers tomorrow night after church. Keaton them made some type of peanut butter oat balls-I'm not sure if those are dessert tonight or her breakfast in the morning!

February 2, 2026

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  • For a Monday morning school day, things went very smoothly around here. I tried to sneak out of bed at 7, but Maryley heard me so she was soon joining us in our bed. She did pretty well, but she doesn't usually get to start in our bed for too long because she gets a little wild, and I take that as my cue to start my day. 
  • Since Laynie had spend the night, I didn't expect that Campbell would be awake and doing school this morning, but before too long this morning she came in with her pile of books that she had completed.
  • Campbell and Graham had to go to work so when they left, Robby took Laynie home, and then he ran some errands. That just left Whitman, Keaton, and I home. Whitman still had school to do so after lunch he got started on that. 
  • He is doing a new little logic curriculum which is based on a chocolate factory, so today it had him making different types of chocolate. Keaton enjoyed helping us taste test the 5 types. We also spent a good deal of time trying to do a "hot ice" science project-it was a flop though.
  • Robby came home after Campbell and Graham, and he had super with him. We all stood around the bar eating Mexican. Then we moved to the table and played Whitman's game. Campbell made corn flake cookies, and then we all settled in to watch a few tv shows.  

February 1, 2026

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  • I think that we might could get used to just going to church at 11. It was kind of nice; however, we did feel like we were just stalling most of the morning long because poor Marley was exhausted by the time that we did finally put her to bed when we left.
  • Church was surprisingly not to empty on this day 9 of snow and ice. I can still count this as a snow day since the kids went sledding tonight and we are still walking on ice to take the dogs out. Plus there was even ice that we drove over this afternoon. Schools here will have their 6th snow day tomorrow while we are doing school once again. Laynie is over spending the night with Campbell, but that just means that Campbell has to do her school later this week.
  • We ate Sunday lunch at Nonna and Pops' house. I think that Pops really wanted it to be summer time so he even grilled hamburgers on the deck. We all ate and then visited. The kids played outside, and it must have been a lot slippery-er on the way to the car than it was when we got there because by the time we made it to the car, two kids had fallen. Good thing that are all young and tough because they just bounced up while we would have broken a hip.
  • This afternoon Robby and I ran some errands plus I had some time to buy some things to send to Arkadelphia and things for Campbell's party coming up next week. I had fun and quickly filled a buggy, though Robby was pleased that we made more than I spent so it was a win.
  • We had Sunday night supper here tonight-we had meatball subs which the Wilson's had never eaten before. They were no Subway meatball subs, but they were pretty good. Plus Robby made his cookies again, and he is getting pretty close to matching Shannon's cookies.