Let me try this again....

I have been absent from this blog for a really long time now (Fall 2015 to be exact!).  I got so busy with work, family, etc I just couldn't keep up.  So starting today, I'm going to try my best to get back in the swing of things.

First let me give you a run down on the Barker's:

Leven finished out his volleyball season in November.  He lost in the 3rd round of playoffs.  BUT GUESS WHAT? He only lost 2 players! So everyone is coming back and will be ready to go come August.  If he's ever (EVER) going to make it to state, these girls will help him get there.  Leven has started poker night at our house usually about 2 nights per month.  They try and do it every other Wednesday and I've found out that there's several men a lot like Leven---they love Texas Hold'em! They go in the gameroom and only come out a couple of times.  They don't bother me and it keeps Leven entertained! Win/win!

Trever is doing his best out in Lubbock.  He continues to amaze me.  He waits tables, study's all hours of the night and some how manages to workout at the gym! The only way I can some how keep up with him is through SnapChat.  He needs to intern this summer so right now that's what we are busy trying to do----find him a job!

Taydem is seriously the best daughter.  She helps me with whatever I ask her to do.  She has made all A's so far this year and is just very responsible for an 8 year old.  Tenlee adores her!  Taydem is super competitive and I only pray she continues to be, especially for sports.  She is Trever MADE OVER! She's getting better and better in her tumbling class and she's attached at the hip to her best friend, Julia. 

Tenlee Rose is so dang funny.  It's crazy how a little toddler that doesn't speak that well can make us laugh.  Her expresssions are priceless.  She communicates pretty well and understands it all! I'm in shock that she turns 2 next month.  TWO!!! She started sleeping with Taydem back around December and it's the sweetest thing.  I love going and waking them up in the morning and they are all tangled up with each other.  I hope Taydem allows this for a few more years.  She does not like that crib anymore so I guess I can break it down soon. 

I am in the middle of coaching club volleyball (surprise? Not really...).  This is my 8th year to coach club and I still really enjoy it.  It's like my thing.  Everybody should have "a thing" they enjoy doing.  Leven's thing is poker. Love this team of girls.  All different in their own way.  I also sold my Yukon (like, last week!).  I sold that thing in a day (still in shock over that).  I didn't even know what kind of car I wanted. I borrowed my grandmother's car for 2 days until I found something.  I had tears letting that Yukon go.  Leven bought me that car when Taydem was a baby.  It was my dream car and I loved it.  It was such a good family car for us.  But it started getting more and more miles on it and I was just afraid it wasn't going to last me much longer.  So it needed to go! I bought a Hyundai Sonata and I love this car.  It's a limited edition so it's loaded down with all the fun technology and gadgets.  Which I LOVE! I just haven't driven a car in 8 years so I'm having to get used to riding low to the ground. 

Well that was a quick wrap up. Here's a few pictues as well-----

  

WAY BEHIND ONCE MORE....

I can not keep up with this blog thing anymore.  Work is crazy busy and then the home life is crazy as well right now.  Leven has already won his first 2 playoff games and will go for round #3 tomorrow night back up in Forney.  Can't wait!

Taydem was a witch of some kind for Halloween and Tenlee was a rabbit.  Tenlee is so laid back.  She just goes with the flow.  She's talking more and more and we forget how much they actually understand at this age.  Although they can't communicate back with us, SHE KNOWS! She's the cutest thing to me.  Taydem is so good with her.  She will now get her out of bed, change her diaper, make her a juice cup and feed her breakfast (this is Saturday mornings only!).  But it's sooooooooo awesome. 

 I KNOW now why I waited so long to have another child!

 

Trever turned 21 yesterday!

 Did ya'll read that carefully.......21!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel so old saying that. 

 

He's coming home over Thanksgiving and Leven and I are going to take him to the boats over in Shreveport. 

Tuesday Nights and Loads of Rain

Tonight is the last game in district for this 2015 season.  It's so hard to believe that he's already been playing volleyball for 3 months.  Where is the time going? He is playing Rusk (for the 3rd time) and it's also Senior Night.  Playoffs should be starting next week!

 

We got tons of rain this past weekend. TONS! And it's looking like it will be a rainy Halloween this weekend......yuck!

 

Taydem made the All A Honor Roll for the first 6 weeks and she didn't miss any school.  So today her reward was getting to go to the high school campus to eat lunch.  She was so excited! I hate that I can never get to be with her on this special occasions, but I have wonderful Moms who take pictures for me.  This week is also Red Ribbon Week and today was "Turn your back against Drugs."  So they got to wear their shirts and hats backwards. 

 

This was early this morning.  Tenlee is always ready to smile for the camera!

 

Taydem and Julia spent ALL weekend together.  Thank goodness they get along good, but it rained ALL weekend as well.  So they were in the house pretty much the entire time.  Which drove me crazy at times!! lol  But they love each other and love playing together! We went over to my brother's house Saturday night for some pumpkin carving, deer chili and tons of dessert! My diet was seriously ruined that night. 

 Sunday morning we headed to church and these two wanted to be twins that day.  So pretty! And of course we had to eat at the #1 Hamburger joint in the state of Texas according to Texas Highway Magazine!!! Jucy's! I'm so proud of this family and all their hard work. 

Well deserved!  

 

 

 

MIA- for good reasons

Sorry, I've been MIA the past two weeks.  But for good reasons.....you know I love pictures!

I'll start with that:

 

I love any chance I get to visit with my grandmother (Meme).  She will turn 92 on November 19th! And I just love her to pieces.  My girls love her too!

Leven hit a huge milestone in the coaching world.  He hit his 500th win on October 13th! What an accomplishment.  I had a surprise for him after the big game.  I'm so grateful that this night turned out like it did.  We had a chance to play Rusk (weaker team than us in our district and we had already beat them once), at our HOME gym for this 500th win.  It worked our perfectly.  So my surprise....I asked friends, family, ex players, coaches, parents, etc. to send me a video message for Leven.  I put all the videos (plus some pictures) into one large video.  After the game was over, I had the short movie (22 mins long) set up with a projector and screen behind the bleachers.  He had NO IDEA! Some ex players and parents from Pine Tree also came to the game and surprised him.  It was a great night. So far there's been over 400 views on youtube of the video.  Check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2AjTANqTHs

 

 

 Leven had a chance to see two of his ex players play each other last week up in Arlington.  Emily is a setter for Texas State and they were playing at UT Arlington where Marisha is a hitter! He sure enjoyed it.

 Fall, fall, fall! I love this time of year.  Now if only it would get cooler outside....AND STAY! I think every month I buy something else for the house (well maybe every week! eeeek).  It just takes time, right?  So our new ottoman came in last week.  The girls love it! Something else they can sit and play on. 

 This past weekend Leven needed to head to Central Texas to scout some volleyball games. So the girls and myself tagged along.  We got to spend the night with his dad and Gwen one night and Grans the other night.  Worked out perfectly.  Taydem got to drive Grans four wheeler round and round in the pasture.  And of course Tenlee needed a few rides too.

 We have been looking for some type of transportation to get around in the neigborhood for a few months now.  Leven didn't want to jump on just anything so it took a while.  Plus he wanted something that could be used while hunting as well.  So we found this little gem right down the road in Kilgore.  We got the price down to where we wanted and so Leven wants to do a few things to it.  We are picking it up tonight! We are ALL excited.

 Taydem's fall softball has come to an end (thank goodness!).  No, really it was good for her, but she was getting tired quickly.  They have been practicing since July, two nights a week and then the games on Saturdays.  She is a better thrower and catcher.  Hitting still needs some work, but that will eventually come.  She had fun with all the girls and learned some new stuff.  She's really getting good with her tumbling class. 

She's got her back walk over down now. 

 So I got up early this morning and headed to our school's indoor facility.  My brother has a key and I'm wondering, why it has taking me this long to use this piece of work!! The weight room is amazing and then this huge football field for running.  I'm just too busy right now in the evenings when I get home from work.  No excuses!

 Last weekend we all went over to Shreveport to celebrate my birthday! Leven and I hadn't been over there for the night since February.  So much fun! I have the bestest family and friends a gal could ask for.  Leven and I were the only ones who spent the night.  It's always good to spend some extra alone time with your spouse.  We don't do it enough with our busy schedules.  So we enjoyed ourselves. 

One week away

I turn 35 in one week! OMG

 

I love finding pictures of Taydem when she was little and comparing them to Tenlee.  This outfit has now been worn by both girls.  Tenlee's smile is so dang cute! And yes, they look nothing alike!

 A lady I work with made this for me to hang on my front door.  I've seen her make several and asked how much she would charge me to do a "fall" one.  She GAVE it to me! So sweet and I love it!

 Don't you just love a good oldie but goodie!

I just want to know who is this stud muffin in this picture??

We leave in the morning for Magnolia, TX.  Channing is getting married tomorrow yall!

 I can't wait to see her beautiful self. 

 It's going to be a good time.

 Yesterday was my niece's 6th birthday!! Happy (day late) Austyn! We celebrated her birthday on Sunday.  She told Molly she wanted a "Baby Shower" party! It was too cute. 

 

Tuesday night, Leven's team went 5 games with Henderson.  It was INTENSE!! We lost the first game, won the second, lost the third and won the fourth and LAST game! We didn't get home until 10:00.  Tenlee was struggling and as soon as she got buckled into her carseat, she was out! Both teams wanted that win! And we still have to play them 2 more times.....eeeeek!

 

My cousin is getting married on Saturday! We are all traveling down to the Houston area for it.  I'm actually singing in the wedding so I'm excited about that.  And of course, I will be nervous when the time comes. 

My goal today, on my lunch break, is to find a dress!!

 

 

Taydem and I usually lay out her clothes for school, the night before.  It's just easier for BOTH of us.  She is very opinionated and will pout if she doesn't like what I pick out for her to wear.  So last night she picked out this outfit.  I think it's cute!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another good weekend in our books.  (yes, I know it's Tuesday!) Monday was...it was probably the busiest work day I've had in a LONG TIME!  I knew that I needed to leave work early because I was getting to go to the Ranger's game in Arlington.  So, I had to bust tail up until I left.  And that's what I did! We are extremely busy right now.  Which is always a good thing.  But can be stressfull. The clock said 3:30 and I was out da door! Dustin and Molly got 12 tickets to sit in the Coca-Cola suite and Leven couldn't go because of volleyball so he told me that I should go.  Mom and Dad also went, my nephews and Carl (cousin Chelsea's hubby).  It was a good time and I'm feeling it today.  I got in bed at 2:00 am! When my alarm went off this morning I thought I just woke up from a nap.  Crazy feeling. 

Trever NEVER posts pictures! I hate it because we don't ever get to see him.  So a picture here and there would be nice.  So finally this past weekend, we saw some pictures of him with his friends.  FINALLY!

On Saturday, Leven and I got a small date (time with no kids) and took advantage and went to the Carthage/Gilmer football game. We only spent about 3 hours kidless, but it was nice. 

Saturday before we left for the football game, Taydem and I painted a couple of pumpkins Tatum Eagle Green! I try and find things like this to do with her as much as I can.  I know she enjoys stuff like this.