Our Memorial Day Weekend!

It really is amazing how fast time goes by. And crazy how fast children grow up. Becoming a blended family is never easy but we have been very lucky. Chad and I are two parents that love children (Especially our own) and when all three get together our beginning thoughts are "Here we go!" But end up being "How did we get so lucky?" These kids are incredible. 

While driving to Duckpuddle Campground in Nobleboro, by the time we reached Augusta they started a countdown to how long it would take to get there. Brad told the time by his watch while Anderson and Jayden talked the entire 40 minutes. When it got down to 16 minutes Anderson said "Wow, time is going by so fast!" and it was! Because they were having fun!

We set up our tent and Chad took the kids fishing while I helped my band, Sharon Buck & Dixon Road, set up to play. The kids played all evening long. Chad built a fire and they had s'mores for dessert. By the time I reached the site, Anderson and Jayden were passed out in the tent. The trick was getting us all comfortable! Let's just say Chad and I didn't sleep very well! LOL There are just some sacrifices you make to make sure your kids are happy! But we did find out these 3 things while at our first time camping as a family:

#1: Always make sure to bring an egg crate mattress for the bottom of the tent (we adults were sore Sunday!)

#2: Kids steal all the covers

#3: Chad and I both fit in his single survival sleeping bag

I LOVE #3!

Yesterday we came home in the morning because Chad had yardwork to do. It was the first mowing of the year and the grass and dandelions were so thick. I know how much we said we hated the rain but the lawn drank it up and came back so nice this year!

The kids road their bikes, played basketball, jumped on the trampoline and helped Chad with the yardwork. They even made their own lunches! Then we took them fishing! They had been begging to go so we loaded up the car again and took them to a small pond. I think all but Bradley caught something. Poor guy.

We were so hungry we went to the Benton Fun Park. While I ordered dinner, Jayden and Anderson went on pony rides in the field. When a little girl sees a horse...well they instantly fall in love! You can't say no that look!

Back at home, Chad said for me to stop doing laundry (load #3) and to come outside and relax. He had set me a chair in the sun in the garage so I could watch the kids play their made up version of kickball while he played and sang me songs on the guitar.

If someone had told me 8 years ago life could really be this way, I would have cried. I never thought I could have this kind of life. Is it perfect? No. We still struggle with money sometimes ( who doesn't? ) and when we don't see eye to eye, we have to talk things out. Times like those don't last very long, though. 

When we first started dating, Chad told me I could talk to him about anything. And I really can. He sometimes laughs at my questions because, well, being almost 40, he would have thought I knew the answers to some already. It's amazing how being brought up 60 miles apart 2 COMPLETELY different ways and families make us each know about COMPLETELY different things!

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

This Memorial Day weeekend, I hope you find time with YOUR family. Acknowledge the veterans who have served and spare a moment to give thanks. And take a moment to realize that what you have now is all thanks to them.

Sharon Started Her New Job!

And here it is...ANOTHER Monday!
But THIS Monday is the one I have been looking forward to for awhile...

Today I started my job at Kennebec Behavioral Health. It's not really a NEW job. You see, I have been working per diem since 2006 in the billing and managed care departments. I have been doing medical billing for the past 17 years and when they said they needed someone FULL TIME I had to apply. They have EXCELLENT benefits and the people I worked with were fantastic! How could I not?

Bradley and Anderson woke up at 6:15 this morning and we were out the door in record time. I dropped them off with my niece, Katherine, to take the bus to school with Anderson's cousins, Aubrey and Trenton. He doesn't get to see them much because I am so busy. Now, that I'm a mom with a regular schedule, family time will be more frequent. That's a wonderful thing!

And how is my first day going? Well, I am on my lunch break typing this just to say that I am having a BLAST! When I walked in the door, Kathy at the front desk looked at me and said 'Welcome Home'.

And I am. And I am very happy.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my decision. I like being an asset to the team I have worked with for years.

Anderson goes nuts when Dave and Connor Win The Amazing Race!

Every Monday afternoon Anderson, Brad and I all sit down and watch The Amazing Race on Sunday night. The kids go to bed at 8 on Sundays so we miss getting to watch it that evening. But after all the homework is done and after all the fun is played outside and after dinner is finished: THAT is when all of us sit on the couch with Chad and watch the next episode of The Amazing Race.

 

It's good family TV. Yes, a few swear words happened during the episode but we really just skip over them. It's cool to see all the different countries they get to go to. It's awesome the things they get to experience. It makes us all wish we could take a trip, too! One day we will. But right now funds are pretty low and camping is the best that we can do. It's something they all enjoy so they feel like they're really not missing out on anything. They love it and so do we! When more bills get paid trips will be more attainable. Oh, what parent wouldn't want to give their kids the world.

 

So, for the finale of The Amazing Race we were all sitting down and watching. Somebody had told me during the day who won by wasn't going to let on. Just seeing their faces as each of the teams went through their challenges was precious. And then it came time to see who won. They were literally sitting on the edge of their seats, eyes opened wide, engulfed in the show. Brad is a little older so his reaction was wasn't as animated but, just like his mom, Anderson kind of freaked out! We had been rooting for the Cowboys or Dave and Connor to win the entire thing most of the race. Boy, are we glad we did! Take a look below at Anderson's reaction to Dave and Connor are winning The Amazing Race!

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS DAVE & CONNOR!!!  Thank you for hours of great family entertainment!!

Chad Chose Sharon's Wedding Bouquet!

It's pretty amazing how everything is coming together so quickly. In less than a month Chad and I will be married. He has done so much to help me get ready for the big day! Not only has he chosen the cake, the invitations and the cake topper but he has also now chosen the bouquet of flowers I will be holding as I walk to meet him where Pastor Sue will be standing.

 

When I was picking up Jayden's corsage for the father-daughter dance I stopped at Visions Flowers and Bridal Designs in Oakland. They did a wonderful job for her corsage. As I was waiting for it to be made, I decided to look at their wedding book. Just browsing, of course. And I took a few pictures of the ones that I liked. I figured that since Chad had already picked out everything else that I would send him the pictures of  different bouquets and he could pick whatever he liked.

 

And I think he chose a beautiful arrangement.

 

I am very lucky to have such caring family members. My niece Jennifer, who is coming up with her family for the wedding from Massachusetts, sent me a message saying that she and her husband would like to pay for my flowers for the wedding. It would be their gift from them. I was so happy! She gave me a budget and I stayed within it. She's paying for the bridal bouquet and also the three boutonnières for Chad, Bradley and Anderson.

 

Take a look below at the beautiful flowers I will be carrying down the aisle.

Some Great Fans of Sharon Buck & Dixon Road

My band, Dixon Road, plays a lot. Like, EVERY WEEKEND! It's a good thing Chad is so supportive of my musical habits! I have managed to keep a few weekends free so we can go camping with the kids.

One of the places we play is Crystal Falls in Chelsea. It's a big BYOB club. That means you pay a set price and you supply the alcohol and snacks. Although they DO have Miss Rita behind the counter that can get you water, snacks and hot dogs that are available for purchase

The patrons of Crystal Falls LOVE to dance! As soon as the first song plays the dance floor is PACKED! Everyone comes to Crystal Falls to dance.

I've been singing there for the past 6 years and the people that I see there each and every time have really become my friends and family.

Here is a pic of some of my favorite people!

Meet Our Family!

We are going be a blended family on June 14, 2014. Chad Hood of Turner and myself live in Clinton with my son, Anderson, and his children, Bradley and Jayden.

We've known each other for years but a romance finally bloomed in November of 2011. We are so thankful we found each other.

So, hello! Nice to meet you! Thanks for reading our blog! We will update it frequently and make sure to take you with us on our journey through life! We will start with the wedding and take you along on our honeymoon, too! We have some exciting things to be done on our trip...including POSSIBLY meeting some country music stars!