So many things going on, I can barely keep up. Turns out when you turn 36, you start to fall apart and no one gave me a heads up on that. At the end of August I was in the hospital for 11 days with major lung issues. It was the longest 11 days of my life. It was so depressing, eye opening and I don't ever want to be in that spot again. But because of it, I did quit smoking which has been one of the hardest things Ive ever done. I have had a bunch of scares since being out, lots of steroids, breathing treatments, left side of my face is numb and just weird things going on. I gained a bunch of weight, my self esteem was in the shitter, I got horrible acne, the list goes on. But on the flip side I really did learn allot about myself and how I handle stress. And I learned that I have more to learn! lol anyway I'm sick of talking about me and my issues, let talk about the monsters.
Tristen is going to be 9 this week which just rocks my world. How can this happen? What have I been doing for the last 9 years because it feels like he was still growing in my belly yesterday. Honestly this time concept really freaks my world out. I think because I'm "mid 30's" now I am questioning everything...life, kids, faith, what I have accomplished or haven't accomplished. Going through a weird phase if you haven't picked up on that.
Anyway back to Trist- I love this kids thought process. He is smart, creative and so quick witted I really have to watch what I say because he is SUCH a thinker. He is sensitive, he is a leader and SUCH a goof-ball, always making me laugh. He's just a really great kid. Don't get me wrong, this kid has a mouth on him and also a temper but he really controls it pretty good. I am so proud of the person he has become and cant wait to see what new and amazing things he will accomplish in his life. He is obsessed with football, just like his Dad and he can talk about it TWENTY FOUR-SEVEN. Believe me. Halloween just passed and I had to talk him into dressing up. Apparently at 8 years old it isn't cool to wear costumes. But I told him there is a rule that you cant ditch Halloween till your 10. It worked this year, not sure about next year.
Then my cuddle bug Tanner. He is so interesting to me. He is in pre-school 4 days a week and has learned SO much this year, it amazes me sometimes. He has 200 questions a day and wants ALL the answers NOW. Sometimes when he has asked his 199th question and I am all out of answers for that day, I redirect him to Tristen cuz God and/or Buddha knows he thinks he has all the answers! and ya know what?! it works...so far. Tanner has special and different relationships with Tristen and Cassidy. He looks up to Tristen like little brothers do but he isn't afraid to disagree with him or question Tristens motives. He babies Cassidy and makes sure no one messes with her. He is very protective of her and I have a feeling that little girl wont be dating till she is out of the house. Those boys and her daddy certainly will make it difficult for her to do ANYTHING, cracks me up!
Ohh Cassidy what would I do without you. She really is a perfect add on to our family, I cant even imagine what life would be like if we really would have stop having babies after Tanner. She has her Daddy completely wrapped and she knows it, and so does he. She has this beautiful curly light brown hair and perfect sea blue eyes. She is a girly girl for sure and loves babies, Barbies and pink. She loves dressing up, shoes and looking at herself in the mirror. She is talking a ton and is a little parrot. She has favorites already, she loves Tristens friend TJ and Jimmy and for some reason EVERY friend that Tristen brings over is named Jimmy. Even though she will call them by there correct name, 2 minutes later...they are Jimmy again. And cant forget her BFF Charlie. He is a dog. She loves him and makes me wanna get a dog. Then I come to my senses and realize I have enough on my plate. Rebecca is Charlies owner and she lives next door so when Cass needs her puppy fix, Charlie comes over. Rebecca takes awesome pictures and we have so many of those two together, its so great. Cass and Rebecca are good buddies too, on a daily basis you can hear Cass yell HI BEEEECCA!!! We got lucky because we have great neighbors!!!
more updates soon, just trying to catch up with "life".

here is the scene: Tristen, Tanner and a couple of there buddy's chillin and watching TV in the back room. Im unloading and loading the dishwasher in the kitchen.

Tristen says- Mom you worked all week and you have been cleaning all morning, you should take a break and watch some tv with us.

Me- Trist your so sweet, thanks, lemme finish these dishes up and I come hang out with you.

Me (in my head)- OMG I have the sweetest coolest kid in the world, I am SUCH an amazing mom for having SUCH an amazing kid.

a few minutes later as I am putting the glasses away, he comes in the kitchen and says- Ummm mom, so I really do want you to watch tv with us but can you STOP putting the dishes away cuz your really loud and I cant hear my show.



Me- Um yeah thats great, Im almost done.

I Would Pick More Daisies

I Would Pick More Daisies

my neighborhood

Not sure if I have mentioned how awesome my neighbors are before but I swear there hasn't been 1 day that I questioned our decision to move to this city and THANK BUDDHA we live on this street. I have to tell the whole story-
Rebecca lives next to us, we share a fence with a gate connected to both our yards so we do hang out with both Rebecca and Charlie. Charlie is a brown lab that all my kids, T and I just love.

Across the street is where the trouble makers live, sweet and innocent Trish and her conservative husband Pete. When we first moved in, Pete was the first neighbor to come over, welcome us to the neighborhood and offer his help if needed. Such a nice guy. Next to Trish and Pete are Holly and John, they have 2 kids Zach and Cassidy (so random) (and cool). But Cassidy likes to be called Cassie. But it proves that Holly and I both have great taste in the names category. Zach has a daughter named Lilly who is 3 and I am hoping will fall madly in love with Tanner (when they are older) and live happily ever after. They are so cute together!!

Anyway- a couple weeks ago Pete was watering Johns garden because John and Holly were on vacation and Pete decided to go to the store, buy tomato's and put them in Johns garden so the poor man would come home from vacation after a long drive, go check out his garden and be so proud of his big red shinny tomatoes, go pick one and figure out he had been punked...by Pete. Well that is exactly what happen. We all had a good laugh about it and joked to Pete that we had a money tree in the back and asked if he could water it for us.

little did I know.

A couple months back I had planted some flowers in the front yard right in front of the porch but it looked like I needed something more so I split some plants that was given to me from a friend at work and added them to the flower bed. I didn't really think anything more about them and had just gone about my business and watered them, ect.

So my mom and I are on the porch earlier this week just talking and I am looking at these plants and they are growing like weeds but kinda getting in the way and getting a little out of control. My mom says "Carrie those plants look like corn!" We just laughed about how crazy that sounded and kept talking. Mom left, I put the monsters to bed, I go outside and start watering my "flowers". And I'm looking at them again and thinking what IS that weird plant and why doesn't it look like the other ones?!

Just then Trish starts walking across the street with a grin on her face. She said "Carrie I have to tell you something" ohh god I thought, What did the kids do NOW?! NOTHING, they did absolutely nothing wrong.... this time. Trish said "I have to confess.....about 2 months ago Pete and I came over early one morning and planted CORN in you flower beds. CORN! I have been watering CORN for 2 months and didn't even know it! OMG I cannot explain how AWESOME this is and I am still laughing about it 3 days later.

I feel like I was initiated into the "cool kids" club. I LOVE that for 2 months every time I have watered the flowers the punks across the street have been laughing there asses of because I'm really watering my crops!!

And ya know what?! I'm leaving the corn so if your in the neighborhood take a drive down Kenilworth and see how great my farm looks! And in another month or so I can cook my fresh corn and eat it on my porch with a smile on my face!!

again, I LOVE this street.

soccer picnic and growin up!

Tanner has just changed so much this year, its amazing.

He's a little boy now who goes to school, plays soccer, fights with his brother and wants to be just like him.

This was the first year Tanner played soccer and, ummm, well, lets just say it was a good thing Thomas coached his team. lol. Lil Rebels is the name of the team and these kids were just AWESOME, and so much fun. Tanner had a good time and learned what it takes to be on a team. But to be honest I think my husband got more out of it than any of them. Thomas is an amazing coach, no question about that. But this team did something different for him than the football teams I have been watching him coach for 15 years. He has perma grin the whole season. The kids and parents adored him and he really made everyone feel involved and a part of this team for 4 year olds. Their are only 3 kids out there at a time, no score, at least 1 kid scores in their own goal every game. And its a riot. Maybe Thomas realize he's not just a football coach, that handsome guy out there can coach anything. Even soccer, the sport that he insisted wasn't a sport! lol

Back to Tanner-man, he did so great at soccer when he wanted to. When he didn't have any interest in playing, we learned to not argue. We learned this the hard way.

If that boy has his mind made up that soccer is not something he wants to do that day, it's not gonna happen, soccer is outta the question. So he had to sit and cheer for his team but no one was forcing him to play. We pick our battles ;)

I love these 2 pictures, such handsome little boys.

This was at Tanners picnic for the last day of school!

All his classmates. This picture took FOREVER to get.
Weird but 4 year olds don't like to sit still. go figure.

This is Miss. Julie and sweaty Tanner. She was such a great teacher and Tanner just fell for her right away. He still talks about her everyday and because she lives close he asks all the time to drive by her house so we can say hi! so cute. She made them all a little scrap book that is just the cutest thing you have ever seen. We are big fans of Miss. Julie over here!

I love this one too!

We made it together at his school for the mothers day tea. School did so much for him and in 1 year he has grown up so much its scary.

He is such a kind, sweet and stubborn lil boy with LOTS of opinions. He loves to cuddle, swim and dance. He loves making people laugh. He is so adorable with Cassidy and is always trying to help her do new things and looks up to Tristen like he is the coolest kid out there.

That's why he's my little Tanner-man, I just love this kid.

2 years ago

2 years ago she was safe and sound in my belly,
now she is a little girl with her own lil attitude.
2 years ago I couldn't comprehend having a lil girl,
now I still stare at her amazed that she is here.
2 years ago it was the 4 of us living in a house,
now our family of 5 lives in our new home.
2 years ago it was all about trucks and the color blue,
now we have added baby dolls and a speck of pink.
2 years I thought I couldn't be happier,
now I am the happiest I have ever been.

It's all about you, Cassie-Roo.

JT & CK

Girls night out!!!!

We (30 chicks & I) went to James Taylor and Carol King and I have to say it was in my top 5 all time favorite shows.

We started at Jude house and had some drinks and apps- everyone was dressed up in 60's and 70's attire~ big glasses, flowery dresses, big ol hats and peace signs everywhere. Funny but I didn't have to buy anything for this event, my normal clothes seem to mesh right in. whatever, I'm cool with it. BUT Chelsea did hook me up with some super fab shades and a headband to complete the look! WE LOOKED AWESOME!!

Now normally a JT concert doesn't consist of 30 grown woman acting like 17 year olds that just slammed a bottle of Boones Farm in the parking lot, but this one did! I had to laugh because as we were all walking into the Palace, I looked in front of me and it was a sea of drunk hippie chicks huggin and stumbling and laughing there asses off. I loved it. It was one of those moments when you sit back and think OMG I'm so glad I'm here right now.

Chambers gurlssssss


Captain CT warm rice

my cousins!!

~PEACE OUT~

its just mud.....

On Mothers Day my Aunt Nancy wasn't feeling good- we all thought she had a kidney stone but she is still waiting to find out whats going on. I have had a few myself and it is true, it is worse than giving birth. So Cassie Tanner and I went to her house to drop off some marshmellow root and a smoothie and Trey and Evan were there too. Katie is my cousin and those are her boys. Tanner and Trey are only weeks apart in age and they are the adorable together. Tanner is a lil shorty and Trey's vocabulary is amazing but they are just the cutest buddies together. We went to the park and they tore down a school so lots of dirt piles and mud but Trey and Tanner think they were climbing on the mountains.
So as Katie and I were watching Evan and Cassie (both 1), we turn around and Trey and Tanner were knee deep in the "river". Katie and I both looked at each other and wondered What do we do now? and well, they won. They both thought it was a blast and we let them get muddy and nasty and THEY LOVED IT. They climbed a mountain and swam in a river. To Katie and I they made a mess and we knew our cleaning job was coming up. But so what, how many times have you climbed a mountain and swam in a river in Berkley?!

BATHTIME and Tristen even jumped in which isn't usual (he likes his privacy) so I grabbed the camera fast.
I was actually surprised he let me take a picture even! lol

clean or dirty they are allllll mine!!!

Ugh is the only way I can start off this one.

Did I ever mention how happy I am or how great my husband and kids are?! yes, I will answer my own question. Most of these blogs are ways to remember the amazing moments that I can pass on and to keep some friends and family update with whats up at the Perry/Chambers homestead. But ya know what?! (not sure why I keep asking YOU questions) Sometime life just kicks my ass. For real. Today made my head spin. I thought I knew what the meaning of running but standing still meant but I was wrong. NOW I KNOW. And actually while I am on the subject of things I know, the older I get the less I know. Isn't it supposed to be opposite? Don't you get wiser with age?! Well I had everything figured out when I was 16 and somehow the knowledge has been sucked outta my brain. Did my kids take it? Did my hippie days in zona catch up with me? so many questions I have. SEE what I mean?!

I know I should put on my big girl panties and quit bitchin but its my blog and I will cry if I want to, cry if I want to. You would-whatever, you know what I mean.

It's just so much work being an adult. Sometimes when Tristen complains about homework or having to clean his room I think OMG I wish I had those kinda problems. But to him having to spend 15 minutes on his math when its 65 degree's outside and his friend wanna play hockey, ITS DEVASTATING. But to me who had a day from hell at work, I just want him to do it without having to nag at him 24-7. I do enough of that at work.

Of course I look at the big picture and yes, I am lucky for everything I have. And yes, I still wanna bitch sometimes.

Whew feel better already.

Joshua Robert Chambers

To my baby brother, who I think of every day.

Joshua Robert Chambers came into this world for many different reasons.
These are some of the reasons he has made my world so different.
It was just us 3 and he made us a family, giving me someone to stand by my side through all of our childhood. I would climb in his crib when he was a baby to be near him, I would try to protect him as big sisters do. But this baby brother of mine grew into a man that has taught me so much.

He was a sensitive and kind kid that made me laugh allot. We would cuddle on the coach every Saturday morning watching cartoons. We would sit next to the heat vent with our blankets, begging our Mom to turn up the heat.

We were a pair, we didn't like to part. Even when Joshua went 2,000 miles from home, I followed him to our new home. Because even across country if Joshua was there, I was home.

He is good at everything he tries at, and he has that certain thing that makes everything come together and makes it complete. I was the worrier and he just made things happen. I always wished I had that in me, and the older I get the more I try to make that happen.

He taught me to let go and believe.

We fought, we cried, we grew. We went through things only brothers and sisters do. We listened to James Taylor and hugged each other when we needed it. We took care of each other and we got in trouble together.

We are older now with different lives and Joshua's new home is far from me. But not a day goes by that I don't think of him and know he'll always be: the baby that made my family; the kid that grew with me; the man that taught me to ride that wave and close your eyes and believe.

Joshua there is no one else like you, you are that something special I have. I love you different than anyone else and thank you for coming into my life and help shape me to the person I am today.

Happy Birthday baby brother,

Love you madly,

your sister

my Aunt Patty

Well I reconnected to an Aunt today that I haven't seen in a very long time. I am close with both sides of my family and it had bothered me that I hadn't seen Aunt Patty in quite a while. She lives in a home and has manic depression and schizophrenia . Recently she had gotten sick and I don't like to admit it but that brought on some guilt. My Mom, Aunt Joyce, Aunt Linda and I went to the group home to have a little visit and when I walked out of there I felt like I had a new Aunt. No doubt it's hard to see her like that, she is very thin, not very talkative and her sickness has taken a toll on her but somewhere in that beautiful soul of hers, she let me in. And it felt SO great. When I was younger she had given me a hemp bracelet with pretty little pink beads in it, this bracelet has shown up with perfect timing and reminds me daily as I wear it that no matter what I do, there is always someone who has made a difference in my world.
Thank you Aunt Patty, I missed you.

Cassie's photo shoot

This little girl makes me melt.
Since she didnt wanna smile at the family pictures, we tried her by herself and it went like this:









One goofy lil munchkin with a smile that makes everything ok.

NOW you get mad?!

Saw this on a blog - I feel like I don't know enough about Health Care to form a solid opinion. But I do believe we were in need of a major change. So I am sitting back and hoping for the best.

I do find it SOOO annoying that even without complete knowledge of what the future holds, everyone wants to complain about what is going on and doesn't seem to remember EIGHT years of BS we went through. I don't think this will be perfect and there are things that I don't agree with, paying for abortions, or the rumor that immigrants will have free health care but ya know what?! you gotta start somewhere. And for all of you that believe that getting charged 28.00 for an aspirin at the hospital is normal, you are blinded by the ridiculous insurance companies that have monopolized health care. Time for a change.


Wanted to share:
We had eight years of Bush and Cheney, Now you get mad!? You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President. You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to dictate energy policy. You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed. You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed. You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.You didn't get mad when we spent over 600 billion(and counting) on said illegal war. You didn't get mad when over 10 billion dollars just disappeared in Iraq. You didn't get mad when you found out we were torturing people. You didn't get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans. You didn't get mad when we didn't catch Bin Laden. You didn't get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed. You didn't get mad when we let a major US city, New Orleans, drown. You didn't get mad when we gave a 900 billion tax break to the rich. You didn't get mad when the deficit hit the trillion dollar mark. You finally got mad when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick. Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all okay with you, but helping other Americans...oh hell no.

Family pictures 2010

YES!! We finely got some family pictures!! And I will add that it turned out better than I expected. But don't worry we had our share of craziness. All my kids are total hams when you whip a camera out, but going to a studio is a whole different story. Cassidy nearly lost her mind and was pretty outta control, which meant that Thomas or I had to run around with her while the other 3 were cheesing it up.

But whatever, we got something. And actually I'm pretty happy with them. Some are just your normal classic shots but I love the one where we are all high-fiving and the boys back to back.



I love the ones of Thomas and Cassidy too. She really didn't want anything to do with getting pictures taken but when she was with her daddy......she smiles.

And then there are my two boys. I love the way Tanner is looking at his big brother. This picture is a small example of how it really is at home. Tanner just adores Tristen and wants to do everything he does.

Then my 3 beautiful lil loves. This is the only one with all 3 monsters in it, but its ok, I love it.
Cassie with her tear, Tristen with his missing teeth and Tanner and his cheesy smile.
Life doesn't get much better than this!