Neeley Family Blog

So I found this desk I don't know just over a year ago.  It was before we moved.  My mother-in-law was visiting and we spotted this kids desk sitting out at a neighbor's house with a Free sign on it.  Brad was sceptical and wondered why I picked it up.  It needed a little work, but I thought it would be great as an art desk for the kids.  Before: When we moved it came along with us.  I had not touched it up to that point.  And after we moved it sat for a month or so as it was not one of the top priorities at the time.  Late November (I think) we finally went and picked out some paint for it.  The boys and I decided on a bright orange.  Yes, we are talking "Construction Warning" orange! And after a little bit of work and talking through with the people at Lowe's we made it happen.  The boys, Brad and I then painted a white "primer" coat on the desk to cover the blue and red.  Here were are starting our proj...

Mother's Day started for me on Friday this year.  Brayden invited me to his class for a Mother's Day party and talent show.  It was so cute on Monday of that week he came to me and stated that we needed to get a violin because he was going to play it for the talent show. I told him that we did not have one and that he did not know how to play one either.  He said well that is why we need to go buy one.  I chuckled to myself and kindly explained that it was not that easy and that maybe he should pick something else that we have at home or that he know how to do already.  After a discussion and brainstorming of ideas he decided he would play the harmonica.  An excellent idea! When us mommies arrived at the school we were greeted by our little ones and taken to a table for snacks and drinks.  After some visiting, the kids started by singing us some of their songs they have been learning in class.  Here is one to check out: After the singing...

Brayden and his class participated in their school Jog-A-Thon a couple weeks ago.  This was the second year.  He had to ask for pledges from family, friends and neighbors.  The school goaled each child to raise $150 (which we accomplished).  The school uses the money for maintenance, facilities and things that the tuition does not cover.  It is their largest fundraiser of the year.  The Principal and Father were out there participating as well.  There were 2 ways to pledge, by lap or a lump sum.  The lump sum is a much better way to go.  Sometimes these little kiddos can go quite a ways.  Brayden last year ran 6 laps on the track.  This is a full-size High School track people.  This year he did 13!!!! 3 1/4 miles. He walk/ran for the whole hour.  Brock, Brylee, Grandpa John and I joined him in his laps.  Brock and Brylee had the best seats in the house! I got my workout in for the day ;).  We ended up having de...

Our March of Dimes walk was a HUGE success this year!!! Not only did we beat our goal of raising $500, we had our largest party walking with us yet! So awesome! This year we broke out both strollers... oh yeah folks a single and a double to carry this children!  We had people from all across the USA donate and support us.  We are so thankful to everyone who donated on our behalf!  A few friends and lots of family helped us get to our all-time high of $605!! Another first this year was having my parents walk with us!! YES they actually did it! It is such an amazing walk through downtown Portland.  I enjoyed my time by remembering our journeys through the NICU.  We are so blessed to have the outcomes that we did and have been supported by our friends and family through those difficult, challenging, and yet rewarding times.  There are many people that walk that did not have as good of outcomes as we have had and lost some of their little angels.  It d...

Today, would have been my father's 60th birthday.  Crazy still to think that he is gone and all before he turned sixty.  Rather young and if he hadn't drank so much he really would have still been in pretty good shape.  At look at my dad in his late 20's after winning one of the Wild Horse Races at a Rodeo.  Here is a look at his 59 (would have been 60) years historically: May 11 Events in History 2010 The Gulf of Mexico oil spill threatens sensitive marshes and wildlife along the Gulf Coast; Admiral Thad Allan is appointed to lead the Federal response to the spill 1998 India resumes underground nuclear tests after more than a 20 year gap 1997 "Play On!" closes at Brooks Atkinson Theater New York City after 61 performances 1997 New York Mets C. Everett and Butch Huskey are 9th to hit consecutive pinch home runs 1997 Paine Webber Senior Golf Invitational 1997 Sara Lee LPGA Classic 1997 Scott McCarron wins Bellsouth Golf Classic 1997 Terry-...

We had our first game last week.  It was an away game.  The boys were so excited.  They played so well.  There is no score keeping in tball.  If there was score being kept we probably would have lost the first inning and won the second.  There were a few memorable moments though that I thought I would share.  Kids are so hilarious especially when they don't even know it! Getting ready for the game to start Brayden on First Base and one of his teammates throwing his glove in the air behind him :) So Focused! These guys decided since the ball wasn't coming their way they would take a break and check out some of the grass around them Brayden as the catcher Brylee helping out the guys by grabbing all the bats We had 4 of our kids all dive onto the ball in the outfield and pretty much try to wrestle each other to get it.  Brad had to run over and remind them that they are on the same team and not to fight over the ball! Hey, at least they all wen...