Great Anticipation

The excitement is building around our house. We went shopping last night to get some things we need for our vacation. We are all set. Everyone has their sunglasses, flip flops, swim suits, UV shirts, goggles, and clothes. We are getting so excited. I have many lists going and am beginning the processes of packing.

When I think of packing for the kids...18 outfits (at least) plus all the undergarments and hair bows and shoes and extras it seems overwhelming but I am loving every minute of it. The kids talk about it all day & hope they are not disappointed when they find out that mommy was right (isn't that great) when she said they were not swimming with the dolphins. We will SEE dolphins only.

I posted pictures of the flip flops. Kaityn's are the cutest though...pink polka dot and small...so cute!!!!!!

I can't figure out how to post a picture and have something written under it so if any of you pro's can help I would appreciate it.

Hope all has a good day!!!!!!

Home Sweet Home

I really mean that...there is no place like home.

We got home last night from a fun trip to Tennessee for my cousins wedding. It was a wedding straight out of the pages of a wedding magazine. If you know who Collin Cowie is then you will know what kind of wedding it was. The ceremony was simple and beautiful. The reception...AMAZING!!!!!!!! There were two HUGE tents (one was 100 feet long) with GINORMOUS flower arrangements. There was all sorts of food...shrimp, caviar (yes, I tasted it...interesting), lamb, fried fish, all sorts of crackers and cheese & alcohol EVERYWHERE. They did set up a small table in the back with water and tea (there is NOTHING better than sweet tea from Tennessee...I probably drank my weight in sugar). In the large tent there was a dance floor set up with a band that was really good and then in the back they had a "lounging area". There were couches and chairs with mirrored side tables, candles and flowers. I tried to take pictures but it was so dark many did not turn out so you will have to use your imaginations.

My sister-in-law, brother, Chris and I had a rental car and we had so much fun together even though my brother might be the WORST driver in the history of driving. I get car sick and he likes to take corners fast and hit every bump (I love you, Mimul). My brother and husband kept Lindsay and I in stiches. Chris is VERY witty and can make anyone laugh and my brother has a unique talent (I think) of making up songs. He would say, "Give me a word and then a style of song" (country, jazz, classical, etc.) and he on the spot would make up the funniest songs that would keep us laughing. We ventured out to find the best BBQ (we ate BBQ 3 times) so we drove what seemed like forever to eat at a BBQ restaurant called the "Commisary" which ended up being down the street from our motel. We decided it was the best. We even managed to drive by the home of Elvis Presley (no we did not see him and NO we were not about to pay $27 to go see his home).

My mother-in-law stayed with the kids and when we got home our house was SPOTLESS!!! It was great. I thought I was going to have to clean and do laundry all day but instead I got to play with my kids. It was great. We are so thankful that she was willing to come take care of all 4 of the kids. I'm sure she is worn out. She surprised them with PaPa coming. They love them so much and have fun when they are in town and sad when they have to leave.

Well, it's Moday and we are leaving Sunday for our vacation. We are SO excited but lots to do. I have many lists and feel like we are moving. We'll talk soon.

Thankful Thursday!!!

I have alot to be thankful today...I hope you do to. We are all so blessed.

1. I am thankful that we are leaving in just a few minutes for Tennessee.

2. I am thankful that I figured out what to wear for "party attire." :)

3. I am thankful that Grana was willing to take 3 days and come take care of ALL four
kids. They love her so much and are excited she is hear.

4. I am thankful that Chris is going to Sonic for me this morning for my special
drink.

5. I am thankful that all my babies are healthy.

6. I am thankful that we are finished with school this year & that God has given me
confirmation in my heart about homeschooling next year.

Hope everyone has a great day.

"The Lord is good. His love is eternal..." - Ps. 100:5

They Are Boys...

that's what I keep telling myself and Chris keeps telling me. I did not expect my sweet girly girl Kaibryn to join in. When you see the video you will know what I am talking about.

Tonight was just a fun night at home. Chris put together my early birthday present together (a patio table and chairs) and the kids played in the backyard. I love this weather and I love being outside playing. Oh to be a kid again.

Zoo Day

It was so beautiful today. We were excited about the warm weather this week and decided to go to the zoo. My friend and her two little girls, myself with my 4 kiddos, and my sister-in-law went and had a great time. All the kids were 6 and under. They did so good and loved looking at the animals. Everything is so fun to them. I love seeing things through the eyes of a child. I have a "zoo pass" and it is so nice because you don't have to see EVERY animal to feel like you got your money's worth. We made it to the major animals and skipped the side of the zoo where all the "deer" and some of the cats are. We called it our "Phase One" trip. Next time we'll go see the animals on the other side of the zoo..."Phase Two".

Enjoy the pictures!!!

What a Weekend!!!

It is Sunday night and as usual the kids are in bed and Chris and I just sat down and are exhausted and sore. We were outside ALL day yesterday working in the yard. I will have to post pictures of that later. I will say though...it looks GREAT!!!!!! I love spring/summer. I love looking out our front window and seeing flowers, colors, and sunshine.

However, if you ask our kids about this weekend I'm sure their first response would be, "we found a snake." Chris was on the side of our house cleaning out underneath the rose bush. He was clearing some stuff out and almost picked something up and then realized it was moving. He yelled, "bring me a shovel quick." I knew then it was something major but thought maybe a big spider or something. But no, it was a brown snake about 14 inches long. It freaked Chris out a little...he NEVER gets freaked out. The kids kept asking (after Chris chopped his head off) why the snake kept moving. I was really proud of Christopher. He usually does not like to touch bugs but he actually held the snake...he was so brave. Kaibryn on the other hand just looked at it. She tried to touch it a couple of times but quickly pulled her hand back. The rest of the afternoon they were talking about keeping the snake and took turns "babysitting" the snake.

Things have calmed down and the snake is now gone...it is probably being digested into some animals tummy right now.

This is a crazy week for us. Tomorrow we are going to the zoo with some friends so I'm sure there will be pictures and stories to follow. Chris and I are going out of town this weekend with my parents and brother and sister-in-law to the wedding of the century. There is lots of laundry, packing, cleaning and finishing projects (painting the laundry room) before Wednesday...Grana is coming. The kids are very excited and are counting down the days. HOpe everyone has a good week. We will talk to you soon.

Kaityn Mae, Part 3

Well, I am happy to say that Kaityn is back. She is still fussy at times but is running no fever, is eating, and praise the Lord she is sleeping.

I thought I would include in this the top 5 cutest things that she is doing right now.

1. When the kids are brushing their teeth she will get her toothbrush and some toothpaste and sit on the floor and try to put the toothpaste on her toothbrush.

2. She will feed her stuffed animals or baby doll with a bottle and then put it in a "push toy" and push it around the house like a stroller. She's already a little mommy.

3. Yesterday I was painting Kaibryn's toe nails and finger nails and Kaityn picked up the polish and sat down beside me to paint her toe nails. I took of her socks and started to open the bottle and she took it out of my hands. During this Kaibryn had stood up and walked away. Kaityn when over to where Kaibryn was sitting and sat down exactly where she was and how she was sitting. I painted her nails (clear) and she sat so still and seemed to enjoy being "pampered." It was precious.

4. Sometimes when we leave the house we make a "shoe train". Everyone sits in a line like a trian with their shoes and I tie them one by one. Kaityn has caught on to this and will get in line with her shoes just like everyone else. Yes, I know, they need to learn to tie their own shoes. I'll work on it.

5. This is usually done with her Daddy. She will walk away from you and turn around to make sure that you are coming after her and she will squeal at the top of her lungs and just laugh. She will do this over and over. She loves to be chased and picked up.

There are so many things she is doing right now. I forget how quickly time goes when they are young. All my kids are changing but I forget how quickly they change and grow in their first few years of life. She is a blessing. Thank you to everyone who prayed for her and for her MaMa. We are all doing well.

Kaityn Mae, Part 2

Well, I decided to take Kaityn to the Dr. because she was not sleeping, eating, and was running a high fever. I thought it was either teething, throat or ears. Well, I was right. It was her throat; however, it is a viral "thing" and you can't prescribe medicine for those which really stinks because if she did have strep throat she could take medicine...does not make sense to me. Anyhoo, the Dr. said this will take 3-7 days to get through her little system. I am praying for the 3 day "cure." She is sleeping right now, hallelujah!!!

Kaityn Mae

It is Monday morning and I am asking you to pray for Kaityn. She is cutting teeth right now and is not doing well with it. She pretty much cries and is fussy most of the time. She did not sleep at all last night and neither did her MaMa (& I needs my sleep:) ). So if you think about her today pray for her that this will pass quickly and she will return to her happy self soon.

Hope everyone has a good Monday.

Quiet Friday Night

Well, it is 9:00 P.M., the kids are in bed, the house is pretty straight, there is laundry to be folded and I am trying to decide if I am going to begin my kitchen project (cleaning out every drawer and cabinet). It is very quiet and kind of boring which can only mean one thing...Chris is out of town. He went to Louisiana this weekend to meet with some clients and then play in a golf tournament. He has played golf only a couple of times in his life. So needless to say we are praying for rain tomorrow. He will do great no matter rain or shine. He loves people and can talk to ANYONE!!!!!!! I am really kind of dreading going to bed tonight. It's kind of strange that for 26 years I slept in a bed by myself and now I can't sleep when I am by myself. I love rolling over and seeing him there.

So, I'm sitting in my chair, drinking my Vanilla diet coke (easy ice) and watching HGTV. Despite Chris being gone today we have had a good day. I got my haircut and then was able to take Starbuck's to my friend and spend some time talking and laughing with her. I went and picked up my kids at my Mom's and then headed home. When we got home Christopher was still complaining about his head hurting from this morning. I gave him some Tylenol and saw we were almost out. Kaityn is cutting teeth so I gave her some Tylenol and saw we were almost out of that as well. I decided to go get some Tylenol tonight rather than in the middle of the night. So, the five of us loaded up in our (as Chris calls it) SUVan or VanUV and headed to Target, don't you just love that place. I loaded up on Tylenol for every age in our household and headed to Sonic for dinner (thanks Grana). We ate and I covered our front door with a sheet. No "wreath stalker" this time (read my December blog about the attack of the wreath if you don't know what I am talking about). The kids watched a movie and then headed to bed which leads me to where I am now...on the chair, drinking a vanilla diet coke...easy ice and watching HGTV.

I posted a picture of my hair (I know you are waiting on pins and needles) and then my new favorite picture of my family. They are great. Hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys spending time with their families.

Fabulous Friday Favorites

I was trying to think today of something that I use ALOT and is so good. The item I chose was my "Swiffer Wet Jet". We have wood floors in our dining room and living room and keeping them clean can be a chore at times. This product cuts that cleaning time in half. It makes the floors clean, shiny, and makes them smell good. Best of all it is not that expensive to maintain (once you have the mop...my mother-in-law bought me mine, thanks, Karen). They also make cleaners with anti-bacterial cleaners in them which I have used in the kitchen and bathrooms.

OK...I will do two today. My other Friday favorite (or any day favorite) is a vanilla diet coke...easy ice from Sonic. Today is a bad day. Chris is gone out of town this weekend so I thought I would drown my sorrows in a "Route 44". It's HUGE...but so worth every yummy sip. I still miss my hubby though.

I don't know what happened with the Sonic picture. I tried to straighten it twice but could not get it to work. I think you get the idea though.

Thanks Mrs. Troop for sponsoring this.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

A Quick Funny!

Early this morning Cooper came into our room and told me he needed a drink and then he said the words I dread hearing..."Mommy, my ear hurts." I gave him some Tylenol and asked if he wanted to sleep in our bed for a little while.

We had been in bed for just a few minutes and he said, "Mommy, will you throw this away." I reached back behind me with my hand feeling in the dark for his hand expecting to find some trash. I said, "Cooper, what is it" because I could not feel anything. He said, "It's my bugger. Will you throw it away." Even at 3:00 in the morning that gave me a good chuckle.

Party Attire?

I am cracking up right now. Maybe you will think this is funny and maybe you won't...if you could hear the conversation in my head it is pretty funny.

At the end of this month Chris and I are going with my brother and sister-in-law and my parents to Memphis, Tennessee to what will probably be the biggest social event of my life - my cousin's wedding. The reception is going to be in the backyard of my Aunt's historic home under a tent which will be furnished with heaters and air-conditioning whichever will be needed. I am picturing the reception from "Father of the Bride." Her dress was specially made for her in New York. She is registered at Tiffany's (not to be confused with Target). Her "soup turrean" (a fancy name for a soup bowl) is over $2,400.00. There is a rehearsal dinner at a "Fried Chicken" restaurant (can't figure that one). It's going to be huge and quite an event...not a wedding like I am used to.

Well, a few minutes ago we got an invitation in the mail to the "after party" after the rehearsal someplace in downtown Memphis. On the invitation it said, "party attire." What is party attire? I immediately thought of what I would wear (IF we go...which I'm not sure we will). I guess my Mom jeans and t-shirt is out, right? What would your "party attire" be to the social event of the year, decade, my life. I might need some help in this area. It's really kind of funny to me because I am so not high society...believe me I do not look like high society today either. I'm sporting the "grunge" look. Don't get me wrong. I am really looking forward to seeing my Mom's side of the family which we have not seen in a long time and getting to spend some time with my brother and sister-in-law (& my hubby.)

Like I said, you might not think this is funny but it has given me a good chuckle today. It has also been a reminder to me of how grateful I am for my "little" life here in OKC. I love being at home and taking care of my little society here under my roof. I don't have to be concerned about what people think of my attire, I am loved and God has blessed me with a life far greater than I deserve.

Cooper's Birthday Party

Well, Saturday was the big day for Cooper...it was his 4th birthday party. I think it was more fun for us. There was some family and a couple of his friends and their parents (who we are friends with). It was great to let the kids play and then we just sat around and visited with our friends. It was great.

Again, his party "theme" was of course Lightning McQueen. Many of his gifts were from "Cars" and his cake was a "Cars" theme. He wanted a Lightning McQueen cake like last year but I was not brave enough to attempt that. So he had a checkered flag cake with Lightning McQueen and Mater on top. He thought it was great. He was so excited when he saw it which made my heart glad.

He spent all day today telling everyone that he was now four years old. He is great and fun. It was a long and fun weekend and I'm wiped out. Hope everyone has a great week.

Fabulous Friday Favorites!!!

I love stuff like this. It's good to see what other use quite often. My "fabulous find" that I use all the time is a "dustbuster." We have wood floors in our dining room and living room so if there is a little mess all I have to do is sweep it up. Also, don't you hate sweeping up some dirt into a pile and trying to scoop it onto a dust pan. Well, if you use the dust buster all you have to do is vacuum up that pile and it is all clean. Thanks Mrs. Troop for doing this.

OK.. my husband is going to crack up when I tell him that I cannot figure out how to download this picture. I will get that on here when he gets home.

Have a great weekend.

Thankful Thursday

1. I'm thankful for the rain. We had a "movie" day and I was able to veg out with the
kids and watch a movie with them (I might have gotten a little nap as well...don't worry Kaityn was taking her nap).

2. I'm thankful for friends who have confidence in me to minister to a single mother when I don't have confidence in myself.

3. I'm thankful for being able to teach my kids and see them have their "aha" moments when they discover they can do something on their own.

4. I'm thankful that warmer weather is around the corner...or tomorrow, you know Oklahoma weather.

5. I'm thankful for a "dust buster."

6. I'm thankful that I am learning about hospitality and that when we had 50 students (7-12th grade) I did not freak out about my house not being clean and when things got spilled I could honestly say, "It's OK...it's washable."

7. I'm thankful for our church & how it is beginning to experience true revival.

8. I'm thankful for our little Cooper - this week was his birthday!!

9. I'm thankful for my piano students which gives us a little extra money each month to do some fun things with.

10. I'm thankful for clean clothes...yes, hallelujah, all the clothes are clean, folded and put away (except for one load which will be done in a moment).

11. I'm thankful for our vacation coming up...30 days!!!! woo!! hoo!!!


God is good!!! I am thankful!!!!

Cooper's Entrance Into the World

The day Cooper was born.


Cooper holding Daddy's hand.


Daddy's hands around Cooper.


Coming home - April 21, 2004 - 4 lbs., 6 oz.

Kaibryn asked me this morning why Cooper came early. Before when she's asked this question I have always said, "He wasn't doing good in my tummy so he needed to be born." Today I realized that it was God's perfect timing for him to be born the day he was. God knew exactly what He was doing. He makes no mistakes. What a testimony Cooper's life is and is going to be.

Happy Birthday Cooper

Well, Cooper woke up this morning and came into my room and said with all the excitement of a 4 year old, "Can you believe I'm four." I cannot believe how quickly time has gone by. It just seems like we brought him home. Cooper is our little miracle. He was born nine weeks early weighing 3 pounds and 6 ounces and 17 inches long. He was a fighter. He was hooked up to all kinds of tubes and the nurses said he kept pulling them. At one point early on they had to sedate him so he would not pull them out. Those three weeks were a huge struggle for me. It was difficult going to the hospital every morning, afternoon and evening and see him hooked up to machines and monitors that made all sorts of scarry sounds that alerted the nurses to check on his breathing, his oxygen, and his heart. I had to give him back to the Lord and realized that he was not ours. I am so blessed and humbled to think that God chose me to be the mother of this four year old bundle of non-stop energy. I will never forget the morning I walked into his little cubicle and he was not hooked up to any tubes. All I saw was his sweet little face sticking out of his blanket. I called Chris and could barely get the words out "everything is Ok...I'm fine...Cooper's fine."

God answered so many prayers during those 3 weeks. We were told that he could be in the NICU between 6-8 weeks. I prayed so hard that would not happen and that he would be home sooner. Looking back on those days I am so grateful for the nurses who took care of him. They were the ones who loved on him, talked to him, and fed him when I could not be there. One of the pictures I posted was of Chris's hands around Cooper. Every night when I would leave I would just pray and ask God to strengthen him and that God would just hold him safely in His hands. I so badly wanted to hold him and be with him everyday all day but at the same time I knew God had placed us in the perfect place with the perfect nurses and doctors.

Cooper is constantly making us laugh...he loves life. Thinking about sweet Cooper just makes me smile. He LOVES "Cars" and is constantly changing his name to "Lightning McQueen" or "Chick Hicks". He likes to help. He asks me alot if I have a "job" for him to do. He loves to be outside and he adores his brothers and sisters. He still likes for his Mom to hold him (Chris thinks I baby him too much) :) and he loves his Daddy. I don't think yet that Cooper understands what a miracle he is but I keep telling him about his "baby years". Chris and I KNOW that God has such a special plan for his life.