A Little Rooney Doodle

My Bubble Bath Blues Dancers!

2011-06-01T08:24:00.001-07:00

Still haven't had a chance to look at the rehearsal video, but here are the pictures we took of our girls on recital day! Remember, no pictures were allowed in the auditorium...
PRE-SHOW PICTURES
My little dancers before the show...

Do you notice Emily has a side ponytail? Shame on me... but she was cranky and I couldn't resist a little rule breaking at that point.. I had tried to do everything by the book up to that point, and still been yelled at so.. why not? Intentional bad behavior is never a good thing.. except maybe in this particular case? : )

The big performance didn't phase Emily a bit!

Lila, on the other hand was a little apprehensive. No surprise there.. maybe she was worried about Emily's side ponytail.. Ha!

'Don't worry Sister, I'll be dancing right next to you and I could care less if my hair doesn't match the other dancers..'

POST-SHOW PICTURES
This is my 'Hurry Daddy' face... the first one in about fifteen where both girls are kinda looking at the camera and Mommy looks silly! Typical!

Flowers and Trophies!

Emily was so proud of herself.. and we were proud of her too!

Daddy and Dancers..

Sweet Lila Girl!

Daddy and Doodle..

Daddy and Rooney..

Very Silly Girl! Love her so much!

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Dance Lessons!

2011-05-29T14:08:00.000-07:00

Lila and Emily just finished up their year in dance with a recital. Now good or bad.. sometimes both.. my personality is such that whatever I take on I want to do well.. it's just how the good Lord made me! So I think I surprised myself with how nonchalant I was about the whole dance routine/recital thing... or maybe I was surprised at how seriously some of the other moms took this whole thing!

So, now that it's over we can reflect on the whole experience here is what I walk away having learned from dance..
1) Each dancer is unique and great in their own way... I think I may have mentioned this before.. some dancers may be dainty and graceful and others just like to have FUN.. I love both approaches the same and wouldn't change my bull in a china shop for anything... but, let me also say, as her loving mother, she did get a lot better towards the end of the year!
2) Dance is obviously a very big deal to some people.. not that this is a bad thing.. just not a big deal to everyone, i.e. ME!
3) Stage Moms really do exist!
4)I am clearly not one of them.. I could care less how my children perform... just as long as they have fun. We don't practice at home everyday and I don't stand off to the side to show my disapproval if they don't smile big enough, tap on beat, or keep up with the music!
5) If the studio wants you to put make-up on your sweet little four and five year olds for pictures, rehearsal and performance.. just do it... not worth upsetting so many stage moms over!
6) All instructions for costume, hair style, make-up and polishing of tap shoes must be followed to a T... don't you dare even think about that pony tail not being on the TOP of your daughter's head.. even an inch lower WILL be noticed!
7) Never, Never, Ever forget to put the gloves/arm things on your kids before they line up for the dress rehearsal! NEVER EVER! You will surely pay for this with a lashing of words by the stgae director.. and if you should find yourself in this situation, cover your little one's ears at the first hint that things are going south.. too bad I only had two hands and four ears to cover!
8) If your spirited child gets a run in her tights, make sure you buy a replacement pair from the dance studio.. even if you buy a replacement pair at Target and Payless, they still won't match and one shade off can certainly send those serious dance people over the edge! Dance is very expensive when it is all said and done.. tuition, costumes, recital fees, pictures, videos, makes my head swim.. and you really don't want to tack on an extra $20 for tights they will never wear again!
9) On the day of the recital, don't count on following directions as being the right thing to do. If one group of teachers tell you to stay with your children until they line up for their performance resist the temptation to obey... the whole auditorium just may be waiting for that seat your husband is saving for you to be filled before the show can start. So, by following the directions you are given, you take the risk of unknowingly delaying the performance because the fire marshall won't let anyone else in, per code, and your husband is still saving that seat third row from the front that must be filled before the kids can dance! This is probably the biggest lesson because, trust me, you will be SO embarassed when you walk in and the man on the stage with the mic heckles you in front of everyone for holding up the show. Forget about all those children with nervous, excited energy back in the gym waiting for their turn to perform with only two people to watch them.. don't think about those metal bleachers folded in the corner that they are letting kids in slippery dance shoes climb all over... erase the memory of your little one spending one whole hot summer in a cast and fearing it may happen again.. just sit in your seat and smile as you choke on all the ugly things you could 'heckle' back to the man with the mic on the stage! Just smile and enjoy the show until someone stands up in front of you to get a better look at their child performing and you have to miss out again! : )

So many things learned... and not just for the children learning to dance! IF we ever get brave enough to take on dance again I will try so much harder! For now, I'd just be happy with a t-shirt that says, "I survived the Dance Recital!" Seriously!
I won't be able to post their performance because no cameras were allowed in the auditorium and they made it perfectly clear with signs posted every few feet that you would be escorted out of the show if caught taking pictures.. still or video. We were allowed to video the rehearsal, but I haven't looked at it yet to see if it is post worthy.. there was one mom who thought it was more important to capture her dancer above anyone else, so she planted herself right up ON THE STAGE in front of my little dancers just so she could get the perfect angle of her little star! No, I'm not bitter or anything... but, maybe I should just go ahead and post that video of her derriere on the internet for all to see... Can you tell this is big a pet peeve of mine. Same thing happened at Lila's 'graduation' from preschool... you get there early so you will have a good seat, thus good pictures and then crowds of parents practically come sit in your lap during the one part you've been waiting to see, to get their picture.. why bother getting there early? Get there right as it starts, sit in the back rows and then just push your way up to the front and plop down in front of the people who got there early so they could get good pictures... I mean, of course your little one is so much more important than their's right? Why would we want a picture of our kid? Don't people take others into consideration?!? Okay, off the soap box! Pictures soon to follow!

Fun at the Farm - December

2011-05-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley no one was ever surprised by my Dad's occupation. I never even thought it rare that my Dad was a farmer until I went to ACU, and for the first time in my life noticed confusion on faces when my Dad's line of work came up in conversation.
"Do you like live on a farm with cows and chickens?"
No, my Dad grows crops... cotton, sugar cane, grain, corn (now he has horses and the cows were added in the last year)but at the time it was just crops.
"Did you have to get up early and do chores before school?"
No, I lived in a house just like you, except when my Dad went to work his 'office' was acres, and acres, and acres of land instead of your typical desk job... although that is a big part of the farming operation as well.
"Were you a cowgirl?" This one still makes me laugh... No, I am not a country girl AT ALL.. didn't even own a pair of boots until a few years ago.. seriously.

I still get this on occasion, maybe because I live in a big city and people just don't have a lot experience with farming, but I am no longer defensive about it as maybe I once was. I am so proud of my Dad... no man stands taller in my eyes. He grew up on this land and knows it like the back of his hand, which is impressive because it's a big farm! :) I wish my kids could grow up experiencing more of this life, of this land, that has blessed my family in so many ways... of the lessons in hard work, and bounty. Imagine planting row after row of seeds and watching them grow into beautiful fields of cotton, or sugar cane that grows several feet over your head, acres of grain in that pretty redish brown color... it amazes me. And not just the idea of watching these beautiful fields grow from a tiny seed under your watch, but the relationship that a farmer most certainly has to have with God, the author and creator of all things... that trust and faith that we all strive for each day is almost a requirement in farming. You really learn firsthand that He does make all things beautiful.. a field of dry dirt becomes a sea of white cotton, or grain that is both hearty and delicate at the same time. And the fact that in farming there are no guarantees.. you tend your crops with the same hope, hard work and vigor each year and never know if you will reap a bumper crop or lose it all in a hurricane. I know I am lacking in the patience and optimism required in this line of work... oh, the lessons the Lord would surely teach me! I have no illusions that my Dad and brother would probably paint a very different picture when it comes to farming and the stress that is in involved, but what a labor of love and how I admire them for doing it so well!

I've never worked the land at Dad's farm.. I did work in the office a few summers when I was home from college, but that doesn't really count.. but there is something about that farm that definitely calls me. I think maybe only a farmer's daughter can truly love and appreciate the smell of the cotton gin in the late summer.. my girls get so excited when the palm trees start to line the interstate as we get close to Mimi and Papa's house.. that is their 'coming home moment' but mine is just a little further down, right outside of town, when I breathe in the scent of the cotton gin and feel in my heart like I'm home.

The farm is something I have certainly taken for granted in my life, but the older I get the more connected I feel to this land. It has been such a big part of my family for three generations now. I guess that happens to all of us as we grow older.. that nostalgia with childhood memories... or maybe it is that I am realizing my own girls are growing up with very different experiences. I don't want them to miss out on the sights and sounds of the heavy machinery in harvest time, or the tractor rides just for fun, the excitement of riding in a trailer filled high with cotton, throwing it up and watching it fall like snow. It's those easy, simple things in life that I want them to grow up remembering. So, the past few times I have been home it has become important for me to visit the farm while we are down at my parents house. I want my girls to know it, feel connected to it, and appreciate it as I do. Of course now it's even more fun for this fourth generation with the horses to ride and all those pretty brauma's to feed... and we're looking forward to seeing the baby calves really soon! It's a special gift that I hope my children will carry with them long after their childhood is over.

So, on to the pictures and the HORSES, no surprise that this is my oldest daughter's favorite part! If only I had a dollar for every time Lila asks about her Papa's horses.. I'd have myself a very nice chunk of change to play with! : )

And gotta give the cows some lovin'... I think the brauma is the beauty queen in the cow family... aren't they so pretty?

Rosie Roo... Seriously. Could she be any cuter? Oh.My.Goodness.. just seeing her picture makes her Aunt Sam miss her soooo much!!

Rosie Roo, Do you have any idea how much I love you? Sweet little munchkin!

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Happy Fifth (Gulp!) Birthday Lila!

2011-05-29T05:20:00.000-07:00

Back in SEPTEMBER, Lila turned five... FIVE! How can it be?!?

Lila,
On your birthday this year you picked Celebration Park as your celebration destination.. good choice! You and Emily had so much fun playing on the playground and running through the splash pad. I loved sitting back and watching you play, admiring you, thinking about how much you have grown, and taking a few moments to sit in gratefulness for the blessing of you - such an amazing, sweet daughter!

I can't believe how fast the past five years have gone.. my heart skips a beat just trying to keep up with you! I wrote you the words from my heart last night in your journal.. the collection of my love letters for you.. so you will have to read your official birthday letter there, but I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to blog about this, your fifth, and probably biggest year yet!

This really is such a big year for you.. I finally let go, just a little bit, and sent you off to preschool! You have been in school for a couple of weeks now and I can already tell that you love it! I know you will have so much fun and learn so many new things, it's just hard for this Mommy who loves you SO MUCH to admit that you are finally ready to spread your wings a little and have your first big school adventure without me! It is only two days a week, but already I feel such a void in my days... I think about you all the time and can't help but wonder what you are doing at that very same moment you are filling my heart and my thoughts. I miss you so much when you are not with me!

But, today is your birthday and I can't help but smile when I look back through the images I captured of your special day!

You are beautiful... truly from the inside out. You are pretty timid around most people. It takes you a good long while to feel completely comfortable around them before you open up and they finally get to see my Rooney. I struggle in my prayers for you between wanting you to find more of your voice and grow in independence and wanting to keep you, the sweet, perfect you, exactly as you are, and all to myself! :) Truthfully, I know that God made you exactly as you are, and who can argue with that! So even in you never find that voice, know that you are perfect in the eyes of your Mommy and Daddy and Father in Heaven. 'Jesus knows me, this I love.' You are so joyful. So much fun to be around. You laugh easily and it's contagious. You are so, so sweet and still a Mommy's Girl which I love, love, love! I adore you little one..absolutely adore you!

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Lila's 'Horse' Party

2011-05-29T04:01:00.000-07:00

Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse! At least that is what Nellie Sue says in Lila's all time favorite book, Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse, by Rebecca Janni. Nellie Sue asks for a horse for her birthday, but she gets a bike instead! At first she isn't too keen on ridin' a horse with wheels where hooves ought to be but in no time at all, Nellie Sue loves 'Beauty', her 'horse', with the bright pink saddle (bike seat) and pale pink mane (bike streamers). After reading this book that Mimi and Papa found for Lila, the idea for our party was clear... we invited our fellow cowgirls and cowboys to saddle up their horses and meet us at the park so we could groom, gallop around, race, and giddy-up around the pasture!

It rained the morning of the party but stopped just in time... my sidewalk chalk birthday art needed a few touch ups, but no big deal... rain can't stop these wild horses! The kids all got bandanas when they arrived, but it SO HUMID that I think they got handed off to the parents real quick.. too hot to wear something tied around your neck! We read the story, and then spent some time grooming our beloved stallions... we attached bike streamers to our handlebars, bike spokes to our wheels, and personalized Texas license/bike plates to our saddles... seats! Then we cantered, galloped and skeedaddled like the wind in a few bike races. No belt buckles for winners, but everybody did get a medal to show off their extraordinary riding skills!

Next it was time to hitch up the horses and hit the feed... cake and ice cream, cold drinks from the water trough, perfect cowgirl grub!

Happy Birthday to you Sweet Cowgirl! Giddy-Up, Blow out them candles real quick!

The kids enjoyed their johnnycake..

Party Favors..

Think the parents will still be my friends after I send home with cowbells?! : )

Presents...

The perfect party for my adorable cowgirl! We love you Lila Rooney! Yee-Haw!

Ms. Laura and Ms. Lisa would be so proud!

2011-05-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

Boy have we gotten some rain lately... Thunderstorms so loud that Emily just walked around the house with her fingers in her ears because the "under" was so loud.. I know I should correct her, but it's just so cute to hear her talk about "under" and "R-nados".. not cute that we were under tornado watches, but you know...

Between rain downpours Lila would like to go outside and float a little plastic boat down the gutter... it was like a speed boat it went so fast down the street! That is when she discovered the worms. Yuck! There were earthworms everywhere and she took it upon herself to save as many of them from the floods as she could.

They learned about worms in preschool during "W" week. She is a lot like her Momma, except when it comes to bugs, worms, snakes, anything that is creepy and crawly.. and squirmy... and squishy... Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!

Anyway, she created her own mini preschool (just one little sister in the class) and tried to get Em to explore the worms like she did in school. She was insistent that it would help Emily learn her letters! Too funny! Like the true bug lover that she is, she insisted that we do the right thing and let them go after our lesson (no complaints from me on this one), but wanted her picture taken first so she could take it to school next week to show Ms. Laura and Ms. Lisa. She still doesn't understand that school is over for the entire summer. I tried again to explain it, and she came up with a better plan...She is gonna save stuff like this all summer long and then send her pictures and treasures in a box next year when Emily starts school! Have I mentioned how much she adores her teachers?!? We all miss them already!

Silly girl with a plate of worms...by this point worms had scooted off the plate, were in her lap, on her legs, and a few down on the floor..YUCK!!

The worms she put in my flower pots were her favorites and she thought this would be a good spot for her new 'pets' so they could welcome people when they come to our house....??? Notice Em's fingers in her ears...

Adios Amigos!

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Happy Birthday Uncle Buck!

2011-05-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

Uncle Buck and Aunt Shannon made a quick trip to Dallas and it just so happened to be Uncle Buck's birthday, so we HAD to celebrate with a cake!

Of course I made Samuel blow out 31 candles... couldn't cheat with just a "3" and a "1". Truth be told there were more like 40 candles on the cake after the girls helped, but don't worry, we won't let him grow that fast... he will always be my BABY brother!!

Love you Buck!

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Emily's Art Party!

2011-03-21T12:59:00.001-07:00

Emily's birthday party was at Kids-N-Art this year... love having a party somewhere other than my house! All you really need to do is just show up with a cake, of course I couldn't resist doing just a little extra! Love is in the details!

Since the kids would be painting at the party I made all the party guests a t-shirt so they wouldn't get their clothes dirty. The tag said, "Emily is FOUR, How old are you?" and on the back the t-shirts had the kid's name and their age. Of course once we got there I realized Kids-N-Art provided smocks for the kids to wear, but with my "little extra" they were sure to stay paint free! :)

Look how cute...!!

Emily picked a turtle as the design she wanted to paint for the party..

The party attendants walked the kids step by step through the painting process..

Even though everyone painted the same thing they all turned out different... some better than others, but all very cute.

To continue the "art theme" I brought paper bag puppets for the kids to make. We ended up with some cute lions, frogs, cows, elephants, and parrots. Emily chose a cow and Lila made a parrot. We've had several cute little puppet shows here at our house since the party!

... even a quick little show before ballet class! : )

Birthday Cake...
Emily has had Mimi's special strawberry cake (SO YUMMY!) every year on her birthday so I had to continue the tradition. The traditional cake from the Sparks side of the family, made it's appearance as a cupcake jar, but Emily's cake was a cookie cake with a monkey... per her request! Of course we had to have both! I just think it's sweet that my girls grow up having the same special cake that Mommy had on her birthdays when she was little! : )
Cupcake Jars...

And the Monkey Cookie Cake...

For the party favors I made Jello Playdough so the kids could continue their artistic creativity at home. I made WAY too many (7 each of 7 colors) and came home with a lot of leftover favors... so I won't need to buy playdough for my girls for a long time to come! It's fun because the colors are pretty and it smells like the flavors!

Emily had her own special parking space for the party...

I thought it was a fun party, but more importantly, this little girl had a blast!

And this one did too...!!

Happy 4th Birthday Emily!

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Happy Spring!

2011-03-21T12:39:00.001-07:00

I love this time of year..the warm days, beautiful sunshine, pretty flowers, and the grass starting to turn green again.. just another reminder that God makes all things beautiful!

The girls and I wandered around Hobby Lobby the other day until we came up with a plan for a new wreath for the front door and today we planted a bunch of flowers. They love helping Mommy "decorate"!

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FOUR?!?

2011-03-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a birthday to pull me back to the blog... the eve before a birthday always pulls at the heart strings of this Momma and tonight is no exception!

FOUR... how can a number be so small yet still feel so BIG? The number four has been haunting me all month. I've been dreading the countdown. My sweet little Emily Summer is turning the big F-O-U-R tomorrow. How can it be? Truth be told, I am not handling my BABY turning another year older very well. I don't know why the transition from three to four feels like such a punch in the gut... three is still closer to the "baby" years, but four... well you might as well start packing up the car and preparing to drop them off at college! (I know, I know, just a little exaggeration.. but I did mention not handling this "big" birthday very well, right?) Maybe it's because she is my baby, or it could have something to do with my glancing at April's calendar page this afternoon and seeing kindergarten roundup in big bold letters... can Lila really be old enough for school? Real school? Unbelievable! My baby is turning four and my oldest is off to kindergarten... pass the tissues please! : )

So tonight when the house is quiet and three of the four of us are sleeping, I will spend some time thanking my God for the beautiful, spunky spirit that came into my life four short years ago... there might even be a little sobbing from my side of the bed. Watching my girls grow and experience new things is exciting, don't get me wrong, but a piece of this Mommy's heart will always wish I could tap the brakes on the speed in which they are doing so. Will it ever slow down? I'm afraid I know the answer to that question and it scares me even more!

What a delight my children are to me. They really bring so much joy and a tiny bit of frustration to my life... of course the joy outweighs the frustration (for the most part).. kidding! Seriously though, being Lila and Emily's Mommy has been the toughest, most rewarding job I will ever have. Words completely fail me.

If you know me at all, then you know my Emily has been God's greatest teaching tool in my life thus far. I will never live up to the grace and love He extended to me through the blessing of my youngest daughter's birth and the numerous provisions He continued to provide in her first three years. And the lessons with my Emily keep on comin'.. each and every day I get another lesson in patience, forgiveness, patience, strength, patience, and asking Him for the strength and wisdom to stay patient. Oh, my little pumpkin has certainly taught me some big lessons! I have said it before that I absolutely love to sneak into my girls' rooms at night to watch them sleep and pray over them... but especially with Emily... the only time the girl is quiet is when she is sleeping! But then again, I wouldn't have her any other way... except maybe in the car... if she could just learn to use her quiet voice in the car I'd be so very thankful! : )

Everything about my spunky one is bold. She was fiesty when she entered this world, and used that spunk and courage to grow and thrive and face challenge after challenge head strong and determined.. even as a little one she must have wondered what all the worry and anxiety her Mommy had was all about. I guess she always has been strong-willed and determined and I love that about her! Some of my neighbors like to tease me about the outfits she puts together.. bold.. and she rides her bike up and down the sidewalk with her head held high so proud of the heads that turn to see her flair. And at ballet some of the other moms have commented on how dainty and graceful Lila is in her movements, and how Emily is "just not"... oh, the laughs that Wayne and I have had watching her wiggle, scratch, pull her ballet skirt up to her arm pits, fidget, and dance to her own beat... watching her learn to skip had all the parents in stitches.. I never knew a step, hop, step, hop could be so entertaining!! Once at the playground a stranger felt the need to share her amusement that Lila was so quiet and soft spoken and everything Emily did was said and done in the loudest possible way. On the way home from church recently we asked the girls what they did in Bible class, Lila tells us about her lesson and Em announces she went to time-out. Yes, she is bold. She is a girl who certainly knows what she wants and doesn't take too well to being told otherwise. She is exactly as God made her to be and I love it!

I hope and pray that she never loses that passion. She can be shy and does a pretty cute head tilted on the shoulder kinda shrug that absolutely melts my heart. But I'm not fooled! She sings the loudest, makes the biggest splash, dances the silliest, laughs the heartiest, is her sister's best friend, is her sister's worst enemy, gives the tightest hugs, and the best kisses. She spends the most time in time-outs, apologizes the sweetest and is right back at full steam ahead! My prayer is that she never slows down. My prayer for her tonight, on the eve of her fourth birthday is that God will use her to the fullest.

Emily,
Always be bold for Him. I pray that your passion will set other hearts on fire for Our Lord and that you will always praise Him in your unique Emily style. I love you sweetheart! I am so proud to be your Mommy and will always be grateful for the wonderful blessing of you! I will remind you later, when you are grown and we really are packing the car for your college adventure, of the conversation we had tonight while you were in the bathtub. I asked you if we could just skip your birthday tomorrow so you could stay three for a little while longer. Your response was in that exasperated tone, "Mommm, I have to get big.. but don't worry, when I get big I will just take you with me!" I couldn't have said it better myself baby girl, because wherever you go in this great big world I will never be far away. You are my heart. Four years ago when you graced this world with your presence you took over a part of my heart and together with your sister and Daddy you have become my heart. Every smile, every laugh, every good thing is made sweeter because I love you. And even though your eyes can't see Him in the flesh, know that your God is with you always too. I pray that you know it without a doubt, even in the toughest times, that you feel Him always, because He loves you even more than I do... and that is A WHOLE LOT, so much more than you could ever dream up!! Happy, Happy Birthday Doodle! May F-O-U-R be your happiest yet!
I love you,
Mommy

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Technical Difficulties...

2010-07-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

I still can't get my video of Emily singing Lord's Army to post, so just so you understand my last post, I'll explain.. She sings the song like this...

"...I may never fly ore' the Enemy cause that is my name!"

Reminder... Lila had a hard time pronouncing her "l's" so she used to call Emily, "Enemy"... I guess it stuck?!?! It's so funny!

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"I'm in the Lord's Army"

2010-07-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

As long as I live I will not be able to hear this Sunday School classic without smiling head to toe thinking of my little Eme's artistic rendition. So cute!

Straight from the mouth of Lila...

2010-06-23T13:55:00.000-07:00

When we arrived back from San Antonio today I mentioned to the girls that the car read the outside temperature as 101 degrees. Welcome Home.

When we got out of the car Lila walked to the mailbox with me. She said, "Yep, It's a hot and sunny day alright. I'm melting already!"

I couldn't have said it better myself. UGH!

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A Good Egg

2010-06-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

One evening almost ten years ago Wayne caught my eye at church. He knew one of my best friends and so I had her do a little behind the scenes magic in order to get us together. When she suggested to Wayne that he should ask me out, she told him I was "a good egg." I guess that stuck and it's been a little inside joke between us for our dating and married life... thanks Laura! : )

So, for our 8th Anniversary earlier this month Wayne got me this cute little stamped egg...

It's good to know that after all these years I'm still "a good egg" to him!

Wayne,
Thanks for a wonderful life. There is still no one else on this earth I would rather spend time with... you make me smile and laugh every single day. You gave me two beautiful girls that fill my life with chaotic joy. I absolutely LOVE being your WIFE and their MOTHER. I love you more than you will ever know. I pray that over the next eight years we will continue to find favor and kindness from our Savior. Thanks for being the man that you are and for leading our family through this journey of life. You are my most favorite person in the whole wide world and a great example to me. Thanks for helping me keep my eyes on Jesus and the rewards that await us in Heaven. I love you, love you, love you.... and I think "You're a Good Egg" as well! : )

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Dear God, Please let me never forget....

2010-06-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately I can go about the busy bustling of life without taking the time to stop and count my blessings… now, I KNOW I am blessed and I am incredibly thankful to my Lord for all the ways He has touched us with His merciful hand. I wake up in the morning and get busy making cancakes (pancakes) for the girls without realizing that just waking up to another beautiful day is a gift in itself. I’m sure we are all guilty of this to some level, but I tend to forget just how blessed I am until something in a conversation or something tangible catches my eye that makes it all come flooding back. It makes me emotional… I mean, how can it not?

So, yesterday at church I was talking to a friend who is thirty weeks pregnant… immediately I go there in my mind… sweet Emily. So many gracious gifts from my Heavenly Father where she is concerned. A happy ending that very easily could have been different. Then this morning Lila brought me a baby doll and one of Em’s sweet preemie outfits and asked me to help her get her baby dressed. As I held that precious outfit in my hands memories overwhelmed me… it is so tiny… she was so tiny… now she is big… THREE years old… healthy and happy… and that sweet tiny outfit fits a baby doll… a baby doll! We have come a long way only by the grace of God. So many blessings. When she was finally able to maintain her own body temperature and hit the magic weight that meant she could wear clothes, this precious outfit swallowed her… it was too big… too big! How does one receive such a tremendous gift and get to a place where pancakes, potty training, what time I can get to the gym, series finales like Lost and 24 distract me from spending every day thanking my God for His extraordinary provisions in my life? So, as with all my shortcomings, I apologize to Him and know that He knows my heart, He knows I will forever be thankful for my Emily Summer and Lila Seanne and for the ways He changed me by making me their mother… the good and the bad.. laughter and time outs… tiny preemie outfits and tutus in a size 3! I strive to do better… never forget the extraordinary gift that started it all as well as all the simple little gifts that arrive each and every day. I am so blessed and I want my life to reflect my tremendous thankfulness.

Our family verse…

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

~Psalm 126:3

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Sweet Boys

2010-06-01T13:57:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with these sweet boys...

Lila loved playing with her bestest bud, Pierce, and I couldn't get enough of his 'baby' brother, Preston... love these sweet, sweet boys!!

Cutie Pie...

This picture is blurry, but Lila took it and I love Pierce's happy face in it so I had to include it anyway!

And look at this little man getting ready for a nap...(picture courtesy of either Lila or Pierce, not sure which)... he is the most laid back little one I have ever been around... seriously he didn't mind taking a nap in an unfamiliar pink bed... I just gave him his lovie, paci and he was out... seriously, it really was THAT easy!!

And here's one of my little goof ball..
..yes she is wearing a tutu in the backyard... that's just how we roll around here!! : )

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I LOVE these CUTIES!!

2010-06-01T13:55:00.001-07:00

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Contain Yourself

2010-04-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

Although I am sure my mother can tell some good stories that might paint a completely different picture, I consider myself an organized person and can't stand clutter or things being out of place for extended periods of time. My two very sweet, yet rowdy and rambunctious girls have taught me long ago that it is pointless to constantly follow them around and pick up every toy they toss aside when they move on to the next thing that catches their eye... but once they are in their beds and sound asleep the house gets put back together. Wayne would tell you that I can't sit down to watch TV or read a book if there is "stuff" still scattered about. I also make the beds in our house every morning and can't go to sleep with dishes in the sink. Now, before you start thinking I am a bit OC, I must admit that I am notorious for throwing my dirty clothes on the floor by the hamper/laundry basket or on the hamper, yet rarely ever actually in the hamper... something that baffles me and probably really annoys my sweet husband, although he never complains about it... the important thing is that I have a really cute hamper/basket for dirty clothes.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to organize and label and keep things tidy... well everything but the dirty clothes....

Anyway, I was beyond excited when Rebecca called me Thursday night to tell me she was at The Container Store (one of my all time FAVORITE stores... can't you just hear the angel chorus?) and that they were having a HUGE moving sale. I wrestled with the decision as to whether or not I should join her since I had just taken a shower and retired to my jammies for the night, but in the end I couldn't pass this up so I jumped in the car and met her there.

We spent the next three hours fighting the crowds, perusing the aisles and filling up our shopping carts. We got a BUNCH of fun organizational items, gift wrap items, and things that promise to just make life easier. It was so fun and we were absolutely giddy over the good deals we were getting... like $20 items for 40 cents, $40 items for $4... we couldn't stop ourselves from filling up our carts to the point of overflowing!

Wayne totally made fun of us for taking these pictures, but you've got to see our loot!

Ah, the joy of organizing!

"Contain Yourself" is The Container Store's slogan, but there was no containing ourselves at this great sale!

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Super Cute Kids!

2010-04-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

We went to lunch today to celebrate Rebecca's birthday and had to snap this picture of these Super Cute Kids... I mean, seriously, their mommas' must be so proud of these sweet little faces! : )

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Saturday

2010-04-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

We got out today and enjoyed some of this beautiful weather. We went to a favorite spot, Watters Crossing, where we walked around, did a little shopping, ate lunch and enjoyed our Saturday afternoon!
The girls loved climbing the rocks and watching the baby ducks.

We ate lunch at Grimaldi's.

They bring the kids pizza dough to play with while you wait for your food.

I think we have a few future pizza makers on our hands...

Silly dough glasses...

And of course no visit is complete unless we make a stop at the horse statues for our little horse lover...

And a quick photo by the waterfall..

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Fun in the Sun

2010-04-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

So, I've just recently had another one of those mommy moments when you look at your kids and wonder when they got so big. Emily turning THREE was tough... although I tell her and Lila all the time that they will ALWAYS be my babies, our baby days are long gone and our house and hearts are now full of little girls! In a measure to preserve this moment in our lives I decided to snap some pictures of them while they played outside today.

The girls LOVE to play outside.. they would be out there all day if I let them... I'm always tickled at the silly games and creative things they come up with while playing in the backyard...
They love to swing... secretly I can't wait until they are old enough to swing themselves.. today I pushed them for over an hour!!

I'm not sure how this got started, but they like to have the swing twisted and then spin, spin, spin until they are good and "bizzy, bizzy" as Em calls it!

Lila called me out a few days ago to show me this snake in the tree... She told me this was "the snake that made Eve want to wear clothes"... ummm, okay... although I guess it is technically true it's interesting that she picked that out as the important thing to remember from the story...

LOVE the dollar spot at Target... We got these little ant farms the other day and the girls have been on a serious ant hunt ever since.. too bad Daddy is on top of the ant piles with the ant killer! We settled for earthworms instead... digging for earthworms is one of Lila's favorite things to do lately... ewww!!

And this morning we just HAD to come home with these tacky flamingos, also from the dollar spot. It was love at first sight for Lila... before we even left the store she had them named.. Sally, Suzy, and Sophie. Their new home is in the BACKYARD just outside Rooney's window!

Goofy Girl!

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Easter

2010-04-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

The girls woke up bright and early Easter morning to find some fun treats in their Easter baskets... Thanks Easter Bunny!

Then, after church, the girls hunted eggs! **Note... Lila rid herself of the hairbow (surprise, surprise) and started hunting barefoot before she ran in to put on her tennis shoes... She did not look that scraggly for Easter Sunday!**

Look at all those eggs!

Lila had two baskets full!

Checkin' the loot..

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Gracie and King

2010-03-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

We went out to Poppa's farm to feed Gracie and King some carrots. The girls loved feeding them some treats, and brushing them.

Checkin' out King..

Mimi even let them sit on Gracie for a few minutes... Poppa wasn't there to put on the saddle so they didn't get to ride this visit, but they sure were excited to help take care of them!

Lila took these pictures of her new horsie friends..
Mr. King...

Gracie Girl..

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Livestock Show and Rodeo

2010-03-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

My favorite men... Wayne and Dad!

Another fun year at the Livestock Show! Although I didn't get pictures of everything, we checked out all the animals, visited the petting farm, ate some yummy fair food and and rode lots and lots of rides on the midway!
This is the kids in front of the chuckwagon. We had an authentic cowboy meal one night, cooked on an open fire... yum!

This looks like trouble behind the wheel...

Silly Katers... She always keeps us laughing!

We had lots of corndogs and fresh squeezed lemonade...

The rides! Both of the girls chose the ferris wheel as their favorite ride... no pictures of that one... Mommy was too nervous holding on to the girls that high up... but not them... they wanted to stand up and peek over the edge... oh, boy!
Now I love a rollercaster, but for the kids, these kiddie rides were more my favorite... slow and close to the ground!

The swings were fun too... we rode this one several times!

Lila and Kate

Look close and you'll see Lila with her hands in the air! : )

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Cousins

2010-03-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

The Gang....

And their boots!

The kiddos and Mimi..

Cute Cousins... but WHAT is Emily doing?!?! She's such a mess!

And look at that Sweet, Sweet Baby Rose!! I just want to gobble her up!

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Emily's Birthday

2010-03-17T16:47:00.000-07:00

"Look at me, me, me... I'm three, three, three.. and I'm as happy as can be, be, be... Can't you tell... can't you see.. I'm a very, very, very happy ME!"

We were at Mimi and Poppa's again this year on Emily's birthday so we had a fun family party. Maybe I was resisting the fact that my baby girl was turning THREE because it wasn't the really big bash that birthdays usually are around here... just our most favorite people in the world in attendance... Em's aunts, uncle, cousins, grandparents and great grandparents. It's always touching to me that Emily gets to share her birthday celebrations with our family... after a bit of a rough start to life it's nice to share these special milestones with the ones that have loved and supported her through it all.
It was a really laid back day. I let the kids decorate the birthday cake and didn't even take any pictures of the party... Thanks to Aunt Summer we do have a few pictures to remember this big day!

Happy, Happy Birthday Doodle! I hope all your wishes come true!

Presents!

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Happy Birthday Emily!

2010-03-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

Emily Summer,

On the day you were born my life changed forever. On the day you were born, I became YOUR mother. Will you ever know what an incredible honor that is for me? On the day you were born the nurses handed you to Daddy so he could quickly let me see your sweet little face and kiss your tiny cheek before you were off to the NICU. It was only for a second, just so I could see with my own eyes that you were here, but in that second, I instantly knew you, instantly completely knew you.

It would be weeks until I saw that precious little face again without tubes or wires to help you breath and eat. But, that didn't keep me from memorizing every other little inch of you... I would sit by your isolet for hours and just take in the sight of you, the miracle of you. I could only touch you every four hours, (one day I opened a port hole on your isolet.. just so I could be that much closer to you... and got a stern little talk about your inability to control your body temp and blah, blah, blah... that nurse just didn't understand my need to be near you), but when I could touch, I took advantage of it... wrapping your tiny fingers around one of my own, stroking your soft delicate skin, playing with your sweet little feet (the size of my thumb they were my favorite... so tiny, yet perfect), and I would gently put my hand on your chest and feel the rise and fall of each breath. I could sit and stare at you for hours. Were YOU really MINE? How does one deserve such an extraordinary gift? And the gift of being your mother has only grown more precious right along with you. Still I ask, are YOU, MINE? Extraordinary.

On the day you were born I whispered to you of my love, of my commitment to pray for you daily. I apologized for how my body failed you and wished I could trade places with you so you wouldn't have to hurt or work so hard. I told you my hopes and dreams for you, I told you all about your beautiful big sister who didn't quite understand everything that was going on, but was very excited about her new baby. I told you how proud I was of your strength and I told you about Jesus, and how safe you would be in His arms until you could be in my own. A Mommy's heart is an amazing thing, for on the day you were born I was filled with so much love for you, more than I ever dreamed possible. I knew without a doubt there wasn't a thing I wouldn't do, not a place I wouldn't go, not a fear I couldn't find the strength to face, for you. It blows my mind to think of those feelings in relation to what God feels for us. My overwhelming love for you is just a drop in the bucket compared to His love for you and me and all those who love Him.

On the day you were born I also whispered in God's ear of my gratitude for His love and mercy. I thanked Him for miracles and marveled at His handiwork when it came to His creation of you. I promised Him I would teach you all about Him and show you how we are called to love in His name and for His glory. I asked Him for guidance and patience as I raised you and your sister to know Him. Even today, three years later, I pray the same things.

It gives me such joy to hear you talk about Jesus and see the twinkle in your eye when you sing songs about Him. It absolutely melts my heart to hear you pray and see your little head bowed, hands clapsed, and eyes closed in prayer as you praise Him and thank Him for things like monkeys and daddys,and m & m's. My prayer is that your love for Jesus continues to grow... that you will long for Him, seek Him and find Him, and keep Him in your heart always. I continue to pray for guidance as your Daddy and I raise you and teach you to feel His presence all around you. He is always with you Emily. Always. Just as I whispered of my love and promises to you on the day you were born, He whispers of His unfailing love to you all day long, just take the time to be still and listen, my little love. He is always there.

So, today on your THIRD birthday, my birthday wish is the same as always... that you will continue to Seek Him and Find Him, Love Him with all your heart, and Follow Him. Hear me when I say this, Darling... His grace is sufficient. His love enduring. And even when you mess up, which will happen, His mercies are new every morning. He is faithful and loving... your life is a testament to that! Happiest of Birthdays my sweet, sweet girl. I love you so much more than I will ever be able to tell you, or show you!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE,
Mommy

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Lila Rooney and her Nina

2010-03-12T22:21:00.000-08:00

Lila's best friend...aside from actual people friends... is this Alaskan Husky dog she got from Gram after an Alaskan cruise last year. I don't know why she is so attached to this one dog in particular, maybe because we had just spent time with Aunt Summer's chihuahua, Nina, and Lila knows her Daddy won't let her get a real dog so Nina (not a coincidence in name)became her "dog." Sometimes Nina appears to be real according to things that Lila tells us about her, but as soon as we try to get in the game and say something Nina should do, Lila quickly points out that Nina is not real. Go figure.

Anyway, we lost Nina a few weeks ago. She went to church with Lila and Daddy and never came home. We searched, I mean, SEARCHED the church building several times and didn't find her. Maybe she got lost in the parking lot, or who knows with Daddy! We had a few sad days and many tears at night, especially at night... yikes... until Mommy got a great idea and called Aunt Summer to see if Kate was as equally attached to her Alaskan souvenir... one that looked identical to Nina. Luckily Kate knows how special certain little things can be and was happy to send Lila a new Nina. You should have seen her face when she opened that package! Priceless! But I should have known better than to try and pull one over on my four year old. Lila was quick to say this new dog did look just like her Nina, but was definitely NOT HER Nina, and she listed off many reasons why... they didn't smell the same, Nina's eye was scratched, she had a ouchie on her back foot, etc. etc. but my favorite was... "And why did Aunt Summer send her in the mail? What was Nina doing with Aunt Summer? Nina doesn't even know how to get to San Antonio by herself!!" ...UGH...

But this story still has a happy ending. After giving Lila lots of assurance that old Nina isn't scared wherever she might be, she is never alone in the dark, and someone is taking very good care of her (is it always wrong to lie to your child?)new Nina has quickly filled the void and become just, Nina. She goes everywhere and does everything... even bath time on occasion when she's dirty and gets her hair dried with the blow dryer right along side Lila. As I type, they are sleeping, arm and arm all warm and cozy under the blankets together. So I guess this post was a shout out to Nina! We sure love you girl! And a BIG THANKS to Kate and Aunt Summer for the back up!

Here are some pictures that Lila insisted we take of her and Nina a few weeks ago. She actually got out the camera, set up her chair, etc and made Daddy come take the pictures... she is too funny!

Looks like Bolt must have joined in at some point too... silly girl!

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THREE

2010-03-12T21:28:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that my little Emily who entered this world at THREE pounds will be THREE years old in just THREE days!

Look how HUGE the preemie paci is compared to her teeny head.. could she even breathe with it covering her whole nose?!? Crazy!

(Excuse my looks... I was one emotional, tired Mommy!)
My birthday letter to Emily will come later... but right now I just want to close my eyes and remember this sweet, teeny tiny baby and the beautiful, rambuctious joy that she is today.

Oh, Miss Emily... you sure make us laugh!!
I will always be blown away at the power, the love, and faith that God has, and continues, to pour out over my sweet girl. We will always grace each day with thanks for our beautiful second daughter, and little spunky sister. Emily definitely makes our lives much happier! Love you Doodle... and your birthday letter from Mommy will come on your birthday... THREE! Wow!

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Rainy Day Playdough Fun!

2010-03-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

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PW Wrap Up!

2010-03-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

Chicken Parmigiana

Braised Short Ribs with Creamy Mashed Potatoes

SO GOOD! Oh. My. Goodness.
Grilled Ribeye Steak with Onion Blue Cheese Sauce and Crash Hot Potatoes

Cooking like the Pioneer Woman was fun but I have never used so much butter, cream oil, cheese, etc in my whole, life so now the fun begins on the treadmill to work off all those yummy extra calories.

There are definitely some recipes that I plan to make again to grace our table on special occasions, but let's be honest here... we are not cattle ranchers out from sun up to sun down doing heavy lifting, hauling, roping and riding so the Samantha and Ree Project sadly comes to an end...unless we want to spend every second of our free time in the gym!

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Samantha and Ree -2

2010-02-17T15:12:00.000-08:00

Onion Strings. I chose these because it's Wednesday, church night, and I needed something quick and easy, although I must admit, I was skeptical of the easy.. but look...

Perfection! And all this from one onion! YUM!

So dinner tonight is garlic and herb pork chops, mashed sweet potatoes, and Ree's contribution.. onion strings! Em thinks they are french fries so she's excited!

I am very proud. Very proud indeed!

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Move Over Julie and Julia...

2010-02-16T13:59:00.000-08:00

There's a new cook and blogger in town!

My trip to the grocery store a few weeks ago was an extra long one, it might have a little to do with the fact that I was alone and enjoying my time away from my two little monsters, but I am claiming that it was because I perused each aisle looking for something different for the family to eat. I don't know about you, but we end up eating the same meals over and over again with the only surprise being what day of the week we might have each familiar meal.

So, I decided to spice things up a bit, try my own Julie and Julia experiment, only I won't be cooking from Julia Childs cookbook. Instead I'll be doing something easier and much more fun... cooking delicious recipes from the Pioneer Woman herself... we'll call this experiment, Samantha and Ree...

It will be fun for me, a treat for my family, as they get a much needed break from the monotonous dinner routine, and if I fail, I'm sure my three faithful readers will love me just the same! : )

So here goes... up tonight... Spaghetti and Meatballs... say a prayer, cross your fingers, and check back in to see my finished product...let the fun begin!

**********************************************************
One down, however many more to go...

Wayne called my first attempt a success!

This little one sure liked it!

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Will You Be My Valentine?

2010-02-14T16:39:00.000-08:00

My cute little Valentines...

My heart melts.

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Record Snow

2010-02-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

We got up to 10 inches in some places in our backyard!! Daddy stayed home from work today so you know we had to go out and play...

Emily on the trampoline...

Look at all the snow on the girls' picnic table..

Now that's a lot of snow!
Lila and Mommy made Snow Angels..

Lila and Daddy had a snowball fight..

And no snow day would be complete without a big snowman. The whole family pitched in to make this big guy!

Daddy...

Lila...

Emily...

Look at our cute little snow princess...

I love this little cutie! She's adorable!

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Another Snow Day!

2010-02-11T07:40:00.000-08:00

The girls woke me up bright and early this morning to announce the snow. They were very eager to get out and play in it, so after what seemed like thirty minutes of layering up and getting warm we went out to the backyard to play in the winter wonderland!

As usual Lila was out five minutes before she started complaining of the cold and wanting to go back inside.

And as usual Emily wasn't phased by the cold... She was busy throwing snowballs, eating the snow, and exploring the backyard.

We did manage to make some snowmen before we headed back inside and not a minute too soon, because now it is coming down in big flakes... Lila wouldn't have lasted long at all with these big flurries!

Emily wouldn't be still long enough to pose for a picture with her snowman, but here he is... complete with blue M&M eyes!

It's supposed to snow all day, maybe turn into a winter mix of snow and rain later this afternoon and then get back to snow this evening, so I'm sure there will be more fun in the snow later, after we warm up for a bit! : )

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One Wild Child

2010-02-10T14:55:00.001-08:00

These jammies could not be more appropriate. Emily is definitely our Wild Child. A few Sundays ago she hopped like a frog down the hallway from the auditorium to the education building... I got a few snickers from people but what can you do?!?! Such a personality!

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Things I Love..

2010-02-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day this weekend here are a few of the things I love right now (in no particular order).

I LOVE...

...this man! Oh, How I love this man!

...Crazy Love, by Francis Chan! Rebecca and I are doing this Bible Study right now and I can't say enough about this powerful book! A MUST READ!

...painting these little piggies!

...Lila's jokes! Here's one she told me this morning, "How does a long neck eat leaves?" Answer: "WITH HIS LONG NECK!" Always followed by her hysterical laughter!

...the special bond between this Daddy and Daughter (photo taken by my FAV. Cindy Mills Photography)

Emily tells me multiple times a day (with the saddest face I've ever seen), "Daddy's workin'. I miss him."

...a warm fire in the fireplace (notice one of my ducks has lost her beak... thanks, girls!)

...spending time in God's Word, growing in my relationship with my Father!

...this little hand that I love to hold!

...this girl.. and her sweet boys! Life just wouldn't be as much fun without them!

...Clean Up time! Ahhhh...I love it when everything is put away in it's own perfect place! Again, Ahhhh....

...these pigtails on my little two (almost THREE) year old!

...Crabtree and Evelyn Nail and Cuticle Therapy. I'm addicted...maybe even obsessed with this stuff, I keep one in my purse, in the drawer by my kitchen sink, in the car, on my nightstand, at my computer desk,and several backups in my bathroom cabinet for instant replacement when I run out of a tube! I can't stand for my hands to be dry... I guess I can blame all that hand washing in hot water from our NICU days!

...the prayers that my sweet girls say at the dinner table... PRECIOUS!

(Yes, we do get in our jammies pretty early around here...)

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Pray for Jenny

2010-02-10T06:52:00.000-08:00

I do not know Jenny but we were at ACU at the same time. I have been touched by her story and the vast community of churches and christians that have banded together to petition our Father on her behalf. Read the following excerpt from Lynley's blog about Jenny Bizaillion, visit her care page, read her story and then pray for this sister in Christ, for her husband, daughter, family and friends.

"Jenny is a 31 year old wife and mother. She is a Godly and wise woman who is often first in line to help others.

After being sick with the flu for several days last week, Jenny went to the ER Thursday morning with chest pains. There doctors discovered she had pneumonia and sepsis. Sepsis attacks the blood stream and is incredibly dangerous. Friday afternoon, Jenny’s heart, lungs, and liver all began to fail. The prognosis was very bleak.

Friends and family from around the world fell to their knees praying on Jenny’s behalf.

As of tonight, Jenny is still fighting. And friends and family are still praying."

Read Jenny’s story and medical updates...
www.carepages.com/carepages/jennybizaillionupdates
(User: Jenny@Bizaillion.com Password: Friends)

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Cute Pictures

2010-02-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

I've been looking through old picture files lately and came across these that I LOVE...

Lila and Russell

Isn't she so cute?

And Emily and Dug

She loved all the characters at Disney World!
I need to go back and work on those posts. We had such a good time and I have so many cute pictures from our trip!

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Movin' On Up

2010-02-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

We converted Emily's crib into a toddler bed and this little girl could not be more excited!

She is so proud of her big girl status and is ready and willing for bed each night... wish her older sister was this easy!

Sleep Tight Little One!

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What's Wrong with this Picture?

2010-01-28T20:35:00.001-08:00

Shouldn't it be Mom and Dad sleeping in Mom and Dad's bed?

Rainy nights with thunder and lightning aren't fun at any age... especially when one has to share their bed with these tossers and turners!

Sleep Tight!

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ing

It's Raining, It's Pouring..

2010-01-28T17:44:00.000-08:00

..this Mommy wishes she was snoring!!

Cold rainy days are perfect weather for a nice afternoon nap, unfortunately all my girls want to do is get an "umderella" and go outside to play! Oh, to have the energy of a four year old! : )

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Busted!

2010-01-20T18:31:00.001-08:00

In my attempt to finally get caught up on my blog, I just uploaded pictures from my camera to my computer. There were pictures on there from way back in October!! I found a file of pictures that I didn't remember and didn't quite understand...

I wondered who took them...

...and then I came across this one... BUSTED!!

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Cuties

2010-01-20T16:28:00.001-08:00

Gotta love a willing participant in a photoshoot... even if you get the sillies!

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Treasure Hunt

2010-01-15T11:51:00.000-08:00

Today, although not perfect, the weather was warm enough to get outside for a little bit. My outside girls were thrilled to get to go on a walk and hunt for a list of 'treasures' I made them. Lila took my little camera to document our findings.
Here are a few of our 'treasures'...
a big leaf...

stop sign...

flag... (Baylor Bears would have to work)

flower... this one was hard... don't tell Lila this is actually a weed..

our list said dog or cat... we counted this statue/yard art..

bug... yard art had to stand in again...

berries...

And of course there were some silly pictures as well..

And even a few pictures of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus... since Rose has arrived we've been very conscience of babies...

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Rose Grace

2010-01-14T11:06:00.000-08:00

Proudly introducing my new precious niece...
ROSE GRACE CARTER
January 7, 2010
9:44 pm
7 whopping lbs. 9 big oz.

The new Family of FIVE!!

My parents with baby Rose..

Look at this perfect little cutie...

Absolutely Adorable! We're smitten with our new baby. After seeing her first picture, Lila said, "Oh, Mommy! She's gorgeous!" and Emily, "I want one!" Me too Emi! : )

Big Brother...

And Big Sister...

Sweet Baby Rose has been mentioned in countless prayers since we first heard she would be joining us and we are so thankful to our Gracious, Loving Father for another perfect blessing! I'm so in love...

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Belated Christmas

2010-01-06T16:57:00.000-08:00

Mimi and Poppa came up to celebrate a belated Christmas with us. The girls were very excited that Santa left presents for them at their house as well. The girls love all their new toys, but I think Emily was most excited about her "Snow Wipe" apron and baby from Mimi and Poppa and her wooden cupcake set from Uncle Buck and Aunt Shannon.

Lila loved her new Sleeping Beauty baby doll, Little Pony sets, Emily's big wheel, and her Leapster.

Actually the Leapster was such a big hit that sharing was way too hard and Mimi caved in and bought one for Emily the next day! Now we hear Leapster music coming from the girls' rooms when they are supposed to be going to sleep... at least they are learning???

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Yea Emily!

2010-01-05T16:44:00.000-08:00

At long last....

Emily has exited the Early Childhood Intervention Program!!

Yea Emily!
We absolutely loved our ECI therapists and I'm sure Emily will miss her playdates, but we are thrilled to have that stage in our lives behind us!

So, congratulations little graduate! We are so very proud of you and all your accomplishments!

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Christmas Day

2009-12-26T17:19:00.000-08:00

This year we spent a very quiet Christmas here at home. We woke up to a White Christmas and lots of fun Christmas surprises!

Santa came and left lots of goodies... he brought the girls exactly what they asked for...
Lila got her dinosaur, Skrechers...

And Emily got a baby that drinks juice from a bottle and wears diapers...

Santa ate our cookies, and left a big footprint out of soot... that messy Santa!

This year was very different from our big Christmases with the Sparks Family, the grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, great aunts and uncles, second and third cousins, but we really enjoyed spending this holiday at home, playing with all our new toys, and staying in our jammies all day!

This was Emily's FAVORITE gift. She LOVES "Snow Wipe." She literally wore her new princess dress all day and for several days after Christmas. She even slept in it at night!

I especially loved waking the girls up with the video camera and capturing the expressions on their sweet little faces when they realized Christmas was finally here and they could open those presents under the tree that had been tempting them for weeks! : )

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Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T18:05:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl I looked forward to the note that Santa would leave me next to an empty plate of cookies, telling me what a good little girl I had been and how he hoped I liked all my Christmas presents.
I must say that I am very impressed with Santa and how he has kept up with the times. We realized how very technologically advanced he is to send out emails to all the little girls and boys on Christmas Eve. Wow, Santa!

In Lila's email he told her he was proud of how she has been such a good big sister to Emily this year, and told her he had a special dinosaur he was bringing just to her.

Emily got an email too, and Santa told her he was proud of her for brushing her teeth every night before bed so he had a baby doll in his sleigh for her.
They loved getting a special message from Santa right before bed and hearing him say their name was extra special. Lila watched her video message several times!
Then it was time to set out the cookies and milk...

take a few more silly pictures in front of the tree...

and then off to bed so Santa could come!!

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Animal Kingdom

2009-09-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon...

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Epcot

2009-09-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

Ready to Go!!

Day Two was spent at Epcot. We got there when the park opened and stayed until right before the park closed that night. It was a long day, but the kids had so much fun! And the firework show at the end of the evening was spectacular!

Right after entering the park, we ran into Daisy Duck. It was a rare siting, so we've been told, so we were lucky to get to meet the lovely Miss Daisy.

Next we met Stitch. Lila was really very shy when it came to character greetings, but Emily couldn't get enough of them. She gave hugs, kisses, patted fur, poked at eyes, and tried to look under their shirts and dresses. It was too funny!

Then off to the Character Spot to see the classics...

The crazy chef's show...

The girls were just an inch or two short of riding most of the rides at Epcot so they spent a lot of time enjoying each other while waiting for the bigger kids, moms, dads, etc.

The rest of us had fun riding Soarin, Mission Space, and Test Track.

The girls still had fun on Spaceship Earth, Energy Adventure (at least the dinosaur part), Imagination with Figment, Imageworks, and Honey I Shrunk the Audience.

And of course The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Emily's absolute FAVORITE, and Turtle Talk with Crush, so cute and funny!

We also spent some time exploring a little bit of the World Showcase and watched the fireworks show at a perfect spot right off the water!

Summer got a ticket from this officer for refusing to be in a picture when he offered to take the picture so she could be in it... I'm not sure she knew what to think at first!

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Magic Kingdom

2009-09-28T06:23:00.000-07:00

Day One of Disney Vacation was spent at the Magic Kingdom. It was fun to watch the kids take in Disney World and finally see for themselves what we'd been trying to tell them for months! Kate and Lila were so excited just walking through the Orlando airport, "We're here at Disney World! This it it!" It only got better and better for them as we got to the resort and then the next day when we made it to our first park. It was very exciting!

Our first stop in the Magic Kingdom was the Dumbo ride and I'll admit while waiting in that line, in the heat, so early in the morning, I was worried about what the week would hold... but that was the longest line we stood in all week! It was so nice with many of the rides and attractions only having a 5 - 15 minute wait... perfect!! And we had a few days of really nice weather... excellent!

So, after Dumbo, we did Peter Pan's Flight, "it's a small world," Mickey's PhilharMagic, met Alice from Alice in Wonderland, rode the Mad Tea Party ride...

...met Lady Trumane and Cinderella's mean stepsisters... they really were MEAN... they made Kate cry and called Charlie "Monkey Boy"!! It was hilarious, always in character I suppose!

Next we met Rafiki, had a snack, lost Kate at the Swiss Family Treehouse, found her at the top (she was enthralled in the treehouse and just kept going when the rest of us stopped for pics), rode the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, saw Jack Sparrow, rode Pirates of the Caribbean, met Captin Hook, and ate lunch.

This is how Emily rode every ride for most of the week. She would climb right in the seat and as soon as the ride started moving she would assume this position. She never cried, just covered her face.

After lunch, we drove racecars at Tomorrowland's Speedway and went on the Jungle Cruise. Then we hopped on the WDW Railroad and made it over to Toontown to meet the big mouse himself... MICKEY.. or Hot Dog, as Emily likes to call him... you know from the song on the Clubhouse cartoon..."Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog!" After spending a few minutes with Mickey and Minnie at the Judge's Tent, we walked through Mickey and Minnie's house, checked out Donald's Boat and called it a day!

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Disney World - Animal Kingdom Lodge

2009-09-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

I guess the best way to describe the most magical place on earth is to just let the pictures do the talking. This was SUCH a FUN vacation! I think everyone in our family from young, old, sick, and pregnant had a great time! Thanks Mom and Dad for an unforgettable Disney vacation!

We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge which was awesome! Unfortunately I didn't get good pictures of the hotel so I will need to edit this post when I get pictures from Mom and Summer, but the first night we just explored our resort and had a great time walking the grounds and seeing all the animals. It was just like staying in an African Safari.. there were giraffes and zebras grazing, resting, just doing their normal thing right next to the lodge. You could literally just sit and watch them... so very cool! The kids loved it!

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Daddy and Lila

2009-09-26T05:33:00.000-07:00

Daddy took Lila on a special date to the Rangers Game..just the two of them. This was Lila's first baseball game and from what I hear she had a great time.

I also heard she loved taking the camera and capturing the moments she especially wanted to remember...

This in Nina. My Gram (Lila's Great Gram) just brought this back for her from a recent trip to Alaska. If you know Lila at all, you know she always has to take a "friend" with her to the store, church, baseball game, etc. Nina is her new favorite and has taken over Pinkie's coveted place as bedtime buddy, so I wasn't surprised at all when she announced Nina was going with her to the game.

It was a long night but she stayed up to tell me all about it when she and Daddy got home after midnight!

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Fun in the Tub

2009-09-23T05:22:00.000-07:00

Isn't a bath with bubbles always better??

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New Camera - New Poses

2009-09-19T05:07:00.000-07:00

So I got a new smaller camera for our upcoming Disney trip. I was so excited that I tore into that box on the way home from the store. My sweet girls were eager to be subjects while I tried out my new toy so the shooting began.

Can't you just hear them laughing?
I love these pictures because they show Lila and Emily in true form. These precious faces are what I see when I close my eyes and think of my beautiful daughters. They always find joy in the simplest little things! It's hard not to smile and be full of thankfulness when I'm around them! I'm one lucky Mommy!!
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Party Time!

2009-09-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

Birthdays have always been a big deal to me. I love having one whole day out of the year reserved to just celebrate you and how special you are. Around our house we usually start the day with a few presents and a special birthday breakfast, candles and song included! And the rest of the day is just pretty much about the birthday gal, or guy, meaning they get to decide what we do where we eat, etc. I love birthdays and this year celebrating Lila's fourth was no exception!

This year Rooney's birthday happened to fall on a Sunday... not just any Sunday... Family Day at church. This meant our usual Sunday routine was a little different. Class, Worship, Dinner on the Grounds, Children's Building Dedication, and then a time of prayer and singing. Everyone was asked to invite their whole family, from near and far, to join us in this special day of praise and worship, which meant a huge crowd! Our family wasn't able to make it since Disney World was literally just days away, so after church we celebrated Lila's birthday instead.

Lunch was at McDonald's... surprise, surprise... and the Happy Meal toy that week was a little beanie baby which thrilled our girlies (added bonus)! We came home to open more presents, play with a few new toys and then get ready for the big PARTY!!

Lila really wanted a Princess Party, but unfortunately her mom isn't big on character themed anything... parties, clothes, room decor, etc... so we compromised with a few little princess things here and there. Family Day at church meant no evening services since the festivities went well into the afternoon so we had a few of Lila's friends over that evening for dinner, fun, and cake! It was a VERY laid back party which meant the kids played, the moms talked, and the dads watched football on tv... but I think we all still had a great time. I'm sure the dads appreciated the football game over any pin the tail on the donkey, or scavenger hunt I could have whipped up in princess theme.... : )

So it turned out to be a great long day full of fun and celebration! I still have a hard time believing my little Lila is FOUR YEARS OLD!!! Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Here is the birthday girl with her cake... ugly cake, long story, lesson learned. oh, well.

Happy Birthday Lila Seanne!

2009-09-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

My Sweet Four Year Old,
You are my precious daughter. I have prayed for you for the last seven years, since your Daddy and I got married and knew that one day we would love to have a family together. Little did I know then just how much God would answer that prayer by giving us our beautiful Lila Seanne four short years ago. You, sweet girl, have brought me more love, joy and happiness than I ever dreamed possible. Every single day I am blessed to be your mother is fun and exciting. Not only do I love you with every fiber of my soul, but I enjoy you. I love to be around you and your sweet, spunky spirit. Lately you have made Daddy and I laugh so hard we just can't hide it from you, but you just always laugh right along with us, "That was funny wasn't it Momma?" And then we all just laugh a little bit harder! You are so precious and certainly rank at the top of my 'bestest' friends list! It seems impossible that four years have flown by so quickly, but I have absolutely loved every single moment - the good, the bad and even the ugly - I am your mother and there isn't a temper tantrum too great to make me stop loving you!

Your Daddy, you, and your sister will forever be my greatest blessing and accomplishment until the day I finally find myself at Heaven's gate wrapped in my Father's arms. I pray that I can always be exactly what you need... your comforter, cheerleader, provider, protector, secret keeper, heartache healer, best friend, consistent and constant, your strength.. your mother. These are lofty aspirations and even though I will always do what is best for you, I know I will also fail you at times in your life. I am only human and we were put on this earth for a longing, a desire that can never be satisfied aside from Christ. So even though there will be times as your mother that I will unintentionally let you down, I know as much as I know anything, that your Heavenly Father never will. So as I sit tonight and think of you, I wish, I hope, I pray this year the same thing I did four years ago when you were placed in my arms that very first time, and every eve of your birthdays since.. as I sit and soak you in, grateful for the beautiful creature you are from the inside out, I pray that you will know the One who made you. The One who merely had to speak and everything from the earth, sea, sky, and all that they hold came to be. I want you to know Christ for exactly who He is.. your Creator, Sustainer, Shepherd, Comforter, Healer, your Redeemer. He was there at the beginning of time and will be there at the end. He is your Lord and your King. He is the only thing you need. Follow Him. Follow Him with faith and conviction.

My knowledge of God and His love and forgiveness was planted like a seed in me by your Grandparents and Great Grandparents as the same was done for them. Your Daddy and I pray every day that we will be that same example and influence you need to find and follow Christ. This world can be a scary place and believe me when I say that Satan is lurking, watching, and waiting with his hate and destruction, but with God's promises we have no need for fear. We were made to be unsatisfied here on earth Lila, so don't spend too much time trying to fit into this world. Set your eye on the prize and know with everything in you that one sweet day Jesus will come back for us and we will spend eternity with Him.

I hope you never tire of hearing me tell you about my Father and His unending story of love and redemption. You are so precious to me and of all the things I could ever give you, Jesus is the only gift you will ever really need. You already love Him and I pray daily that your love for Him continues to grow deeper and stronger until it becomes the most beautiful relationship you will ever have. He will always love you, even when you mess up and mistakes are made, much like your Momma, but with a love so much more stronger than any human is capable of. I feel so strongly that these words from my heart need to be written down so that you can read them over and over again and know without a doubt what your parent's want for you most in this world.

You are a delight and I love every bit of you. You bring me so much joy and I will always be proud of the sweet little girl that God gave me four years ago. I love you in a way that words could never get quite right. I carry your birth announcement in one of my most treasured things, my Bible, in a pocket in the front that I made so I can always keep a record of my two most beloved people in this world close by. I will never understand why God chose to bless me so immeasurably by giving you and sweet Emily to me, but I will continue to thank him each and every day for the rest of my life for the sheer, wonderful beauty of my precious, exquisite daughters. The verse Daddy and I chose for your announcement was James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above." And although this is a common verse for birth announcements, there is nothing common about how true, how accurate and precise these words are for describing the gift of my Lila Seanne. I couldn't have asked God for a more good and perfect gift. Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! I love you to the moon and all the way back again. You are my Rooney and I will love you forever and ever! I hope you have the sweetest dreams tonight... for tomorrow you will wake up and be FOUR! I am so excited to watch you grow and experience new things, but my heart just has a hard time keeping up with the pace. You told me the other night as we were laying in your bed that you would stay my little girl forever and never leave me... as much as I would love to keep you small enough to fit in my lap and my tight embrace, I have to let you grow up and I'm excited to see the young lady that God has in store for you to become. So tomorrow we will celebrate with one more candle on the cake than last year, but yes, Lila, you will always be my little girl and I will carry the moments of so many of your firsts in my heart and treasure them always!
All My Love, Hugs and Kisses,
Mommy

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Sweet Baby Daniel

2009-09-02T00:23:00.000-07:00

After 41 weeks and 1 day, Sherry and Will welcomed their first baby, Daniel Melvin Russ into this world at 7:42pm. He weighed in at a whopping 9lbs. 10oz. and was 21 3/4" in length. For me it was love at first sight... well I've loved him all along because he was Sherry's son, but I was really smitten when I finally got to meet that sweet little face I have been praying for. He is SOOO CUTE!!! SOOO PERFECT!!! SOOO SWEET!!
About thirty minutes into the delivery phase the doctor thought the baby was too big for an easy natural delivery and suggested a C-Section was a better route. Carol and I waited anxiously in the waiting room for news, but when we felt we had patiently waited as long as we could, we went back to do some investigating. We heard from a nurse at the desk that the baby was here and fine, so we breathed a sigh of relief and returned to the waiting room eager to hear news of his stats. Waiting in this kind of situation is no easy task, but we gave it another half hour or so and then tried to get some news on Sherry. We were in luck because she was now in recovery and we got to peek in on her. She looked great and seeing her put all the worry to rest so we could now move on to the star of the show! We got a call from Will letting us know that he and Daniel were in the nursey, so we headed that way to get our first glimpse of this new little miracle.
Will so gently picked him up and brought him to the window so we could see him...

He kept looking up at his Daddy... it was precious!

Did I tell you how cute he is?!?

Then we watched as he got his first bath...

and got all pretty for Mommy.

Seriously, He's a cutie pie!

Proud Daddy! So Sweet!

Then we had another long wait as Sherry attempted nursing and then had to stay in recovery until a post partum room was ready for her. But we had fun visiting in the waiting room with family friends and Will's sister, reminiscing about how Sherry and Will met, some of their first dates, and their surprise engagement. We laughed as Carol told the story of how they announced their pregnancy to her and just enjoyed the chance that Daniel's arrival allowed us to catch up with each other. We finally got back to see the new little family around 11:00pm.
Doesn't Mommy look great after a long day of patient waiting and labor. She's amazing!

And Grandma Carol has been waiting for this moment all year... so sweet!

Sweet Adorable Daniel...

Welcome to the World Baby Boy!

I got to hold sweet Daniel too and I told him how much I loved him and how excited I was that he was finally here. I'm going to tell him stories of his Mama one day that will certainly make him laugh so hard his belly will ache! Sherry is one of my best friends in the whole world. We met our freshman year at ACU and the rest was history. College with our girlfriends was so much fun and each one was truly a gift from God. We did almost everything together from classes, chapel, Sigma Theta Chi, late night snacks, Texaco runs, being silly and growing together in our relationships with Christ. I found my lifelong friends at ACU and Sherry was one of the best! After graduation Sherry and I were roommates in Plano, both teaching elementary school. We were in each other's weddings. I loved her, cried with her and prayed for her when she lost her Dad, and she was there for me too when I was in the hospital for almost three weeks before Lila was born. She took me to doctor's appointments when I couldn't drive, painted my toenails to make me feel better, and sat up at the hospital keeping me company while knitting Lila a little pink bunny! When Emily was born she kept up with her progress, and even brought me a pair of sassy shoes after my thyroid surgery when I was worried about having a big scar on my neck. She is loyal, funny, wise, dependable, fun, honest, and sincere. She is also now a Mommy and I couldn't be happier for her! I am so honored to have been included in this big day for her family. We've had a lot of fun together through the years and I'm sure there will be many funny stories for us ahead in the future. Congratulations Sherry and Will. Daniel is beautiful and will bring you both so much joy and happiness. I can't wait to get back up there and hold him again!

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Riding Lessons

2009-08-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

Lila has a new hobby that she is very excited about! She has started horseback riding lessons and is enjoying every minute of it! She has been paired up with Daisy, a very gentle old pony and they are a perfect match. Lila talks about Daisy all the time and picks out a shiny red apple for her new friend each time we are at the grocery store... and Daisy loves apples!

It was no surprise to me that she took to Daisy so well, but after her very first lesson we were all impressed with her riding skills. By the end of the lesson she already knew how to get Daisy to respond by pulling on the reins and loved telling her, "Whoa," to get her to stop. Such a talented little rider we have!

Ms. Shelley, her instructor, is so very nice and does a great job involving Lila in the grooming and care of Daisy before they ride. Lila helps with the tack and likes to watch as all the buckles and straps are tightened before her ride. She is very sweet with Daisy and constantly tells her, "Good Girl, Daisy" throughout the lesson. It is the cutest thing to watch! She loves Daisy!

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New Bike!

2009-08-26T16:39:00.000-07:00

Lila worked hard this summer to earn a new bike! She is now officially "potty trained" and the proud owner of a new pretty pink bike! She was so excited to go to the store with Daddy and pick out the one she wanted. I wasn't surprised a bit when Daddy unloaded a Disney Princess bike from the car when they got home. Good job Lila! You're such a big girl now!

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Celebration Park

2009-08-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

Another Summer favorite is the Splash Pad at Celebration Park. It's the perfect spot to play in the sun and cool off in the water!

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Swimming

2009-08-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

Lila spent two weeks in swimming lessons this summer. I wasn't sure how much she would learn at this age but she has turned into quite a little fish!

Needless to say we've spent A LOT of time at the neighborhood pool this summer. The girls both do great in the water and have so much fun they never want to leave! They could spend the whole day swimming and splashing in the water!

One for the money, Two for the show, Three to get ready, and Four to GO.. Yea Lila!!

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Daddy's Birthday Dinner

2009-08-26T13:42:00.001-07:00

Daddy's new favorite steak place is a hole in the wall old barn right outside of town. The food is great and the atmosphere is that of down home fun! He requested we have his birthday dinner there on Saturday night when they have a live band and the locals come to show off their country western moves.

We couldn't keep Miss Lila off the dance floor.
She was quite the Dancing Queen making up her own moves and dancing, dancing, dancing!

She danced with her cousins. She danced with her sister.

She danced by herself.

She even danced with a stranger. ("Stranger" being a sweet older lady that kept coming over to our table asking Lila to go for a spin or two around the dance floor. She was very sweet and quite harmless.)

Emily got out there a little bit too but she is still a little too shy to just cut a rug like her older sister. She preferred to 'dance' with her Daddy!

Did I mention the food is good? It's GOOD!

I love this next picture. Can you tell Emily was a little tired of the picture taking?

We secretly told our waitress it was Wayne's birthday so of course they came over, made him stand up and sang their own rendition of the birthday song for him. He was surprised...

..and maybe a little embarrassed, but a good sport!

And his dessert was fabulous! Cobbler and ice cream.. YUM!

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Daddy's Birthday

2009-08-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

The Pahmans came in town to help Daddy celebrate his birthday this year. We all had fun with Uncle David, Aunt Sarah, Hannah and Leah. The girls all played very well together and we enjoyed a long weekend with family. Daddy had two extra helpers to help blow ALL those candles out on his birthday cake!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

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VBS

2009-08-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Vacation Bible School was a hit this summer! We had just moved into our new Children's Education Building and we got to break it in with record attendance! Lila got to participate for the first time this year and she had so much fun playing with her friends, making crafts, and learning some new songs!

Emily was in the nursery so she didn't technically get to participate like the older kids, but she had a great time playing on the inside playground and spending time with her buddies as well! Both of the girls were eager and excited each morning to put on their "church shirts" and go to VBS.

The VBS grand finale was a carnival and dinner with a performance by an All-Star cast! It was a crazy night with a bad storm. The performance was interupted twice because of tornado warnings and we all had to file out of the auditorium and take shelter in the classrooms without windows. We all had to sit on the floor in the children's classrooms as we waited for the storm to pass, but we still had a good time hanging out and visiting with our friends. Even a big bad storm couldn't squash our fun! When we finally got to the performance, Lila did a great job and made us all proud! Emily was especially excited to see her up on the stage singing!

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The Park

2009-08-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

The girls LOVE to play outside so we spent a lot of time at our favorite park this summer. Summer picnic lunches, feeding the ducks, climbing trees, walking the trails and just exploring the wildlife filled a lot of our summer afternoons. Luckily there is a good bit of shade there. A little sunshine and strolling around the park is always good for the soul. Just spending a little quiet time outside makes me appreciate all the goodness that God has blessed us with. Everything in nature is such a great example of God's tender loving care. Everything seems to whisper His name and tell of His gentle goodness. The breeze that rustles the leaves in the trees, the intricately crafted,fragile butterflies, the pretty wildflowers and singing birds, curious squirrels and the bright sunshine.. they all seem to tell their own sweet story of God's love and faithfulness. I love to just take it all in and marvel in His great works. I guess the park is the perfect place for all of us to enjoy the day!

The ducks and geese at Towne Lake Park have got to be some of the most well fed ducks around. God provides them all the bread and crackers their stomachs can hold from very eager and excited youngsters, my girls included. Lila and Emily love the ducks at the park and the ducks seem to tolerate them for the most part...

Lila likes to attempt tree climbing. She usually needs a bit of assistance but she loves the sense of accomplishment when she can finally sit at her desired branch and look down on her surroundings, just don't squash her dreams by pointing out she's on the lowest branch of the tree. There is always time for new heights later...

We usually find a nice shady spot to just sit and watch the water, collect rocks, pick wildflowers, and chase the squirrels... all things important to a three year old!

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"the Jesus Storybook Bible"

2009-08-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

"Every story whispers His name..."

As part of our nightly routine, Daddy takes Emily and reads to her, rocks her and puts her down to sleep. Mommy and Lila usually have a little sleeping party before eyes are closed and dreaming starts. We sing songs, take turns telling silly stories, and give all the glow in the dark stars over her bed very silly names...I think tonight a few of the names were alla, nofie, zeedee, and wancum. Then she points to her star, and mine, which is always right next to her's, and then points one out for Emily and Daddy, usually in another cluster opposite of ours. Then it's storytime. Prayer. Kiss. Shut eye.

My favorite, absolute FAVORITE children's Bible is "the Jesus Storybook Bible" written by Sally Lloyd-Jones. "Every story whispers His name." ...And it does in the most beautiful way. I LOVE reading to Lila from this Bible. It's funny, and simple, and written beautifully. Tonight's story was one of my favorites in the book, "Operation 'No More Tears!'" It's the story of Isaiah, and God to the rescue. Quoted from the book... "This is the message God gave Isaiah (it was like a letter God wrote to his children)..."

"Dear Little Flock,

You're all wandering away from me, like sheep in an open field.
You have always been running away from me. And now you're
lost. You can't find your way back.
But I can't stop loving you. I will come to find you.
So I am sending you a shepherd to look after you
and love you. To carry you home to me.

You've been stumbling around, like people in a dark room.
But into the darkness, a bright Light will shine! It will chase
away all the shadows, like sunshine.
A little baby will be born. A Royal Son. His mommy will be a young
girl who doesn't have a husband. His name will be Emmanuel,
which means 'God has come to live with us.' He is one
of King David's children's children's children.
The Prince of Peace.
Yes, Someone is going to come and rescue you!
But he won't be who anyone expects.

He will be a King! But he won't live in a palace.
And he won't have lots of money. He will be poor.
And he will be a servant. But this King will
heal the whole world.
He will be a Hero! He will fight for his people,
and rescue them from their enemies. But he won't have
big armies, and he won't fight with swords.
He will make the blind see, he will make the lame leap like deer!
He will make everything the way it was always meant to be.
But people will hate him, and they won't listen to him.
He will be like a Lamb - he will suffer and die.

It's the Secret Rescue Plan we made - from before
the beginning of the world!
It's the only way to get you back.
But he won't stay dead - I will make him alive again!
And, one day, when he comes back to rule forever,
the mountains and trees will dance and sing for joy!
The earth will shout out loud! His fame will fill the whole
earth - as the waters cover the sea! Everything sad will
come untrue. Even death is going to die! And he will wipe
away every tear from every eye.
Yes, the Rescuer will come. Look for him. Watch for him.
Wait for him. He will come!
I promise.

Love,
God"

Tears started running down my face as I was reading this incredible 'letter from God.' It is so simply stated and yet so moving. Lila noticed my sniffles and asked me if I was sad. I told her that yes, I was sad, but I was also very happy, because God's secret rescue plan gave us Jesus, and Jesus always makes everything better. My sweet little beautiful Lila looked at me and reminded me Jesus would wipe my tears. Then she kissed my cheek, laid her head back on her pillow and said, "I love Jesus Mommy. And I love God too." One doesn't have to try hard to imagine my tears then. If only I could keep her young and innocent. Shield her from the destruction Satan has set about on this Earth. But I won't. I won't because God will use Lila for the great work of His kingdom. I have no doubt in my mind that my sweet Rooney will do great things for her King.

She remembered from the story that Jesus would wipe away every tear. And He does sweet Lila. He always does. And He will always do the same for you and Emily if you trust Him and believe Him. I already hate the day that I will have to let you loose to find your own way in this world. But if I do my job as your mother diligently.. if I teach you the truth, show you the faith, wrap you in His love and protection, pray for you, and then trust in Him, you will be ready. And you will succeed. Cling to Him Girls. Ask for His guidance. He will listen. He will help. My beautiful girls, always remember that loving and being loved by Jesus matters more than all that this world can obtain or contain. Don't lose your focus, but just in case you do... remember that Jesus will wipe away your every tear.

I love you both and am so proud to be your mommy!

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Possible?

2009-08-06T16:17:00.002-07:00

Is it possible there are really sixty minutes in an hour? Twenty-four hours in a day? Seven days in a week? Four weeks in a month? I know it's true, even though I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to mathmematics, but what I can't figure out is how time has a way of passing so quickly. Can it really be August already? Are the long, lazy days of summer really nearing their end? Was my last post really back in early May? Where has the time gone? "The blink of an eye"... so very true. How has it gone so quickly? And even though I've had so many moments this summer that have come and gone but not before leaving a lingering impression on my heart, I've neglected to sit down and record them for the girls to read and remember when they are older. I've got a lot of catching up to do but I have to pause and wrap my brain around the fact that it is all going by so quickly. Why does it feel like each year goes by faster and faster? Does Mom know how old I am, or is she like me and still picture her babies as little ones that need a band-aid and a kiss for their scraped knees and elbows. I've been here everyday and celebrated each milestone the girls have met and mastered, yet part of me still feels like I need to swaddle them tonight when I put them to sleep and make sure a paci is handy for any late night pause in their slumbering. Is it possible they are really three and two years old?

I'm pretty sure the song, "These are the Days," by 10,000 Maniacs has been playing in my head all summer long as I have had so many moments that I just wanted to freeze and live in for years to come. If only there was a way to truly bottle up those moments so you could easily feel the same elation and sheer gratitude of those precious moments, save those memories so you can drink them in later when life gets tough or you wake up one day to grown babies with babies of their own wondering how it can be true. I guess I'm just feeling nostalgic as I come to the end of another summer and the acceptance that my girls are growing bigger with each new day. My grandparents celebrated their 80th birthdays this past year and I've had several conversations with Gram about how amazing it must be to have a front row seat to watch your babies grow up, have babies of their own and then see those babies in turn have babies. Such a gift... but a hard realization that it all goes by so very quickly... too quickly! The truth is my sweet babies aren't babies anymore and my heart sure hasn't been able to keep up with their pace. It seems like yesterday that I held them in my arms for the very first time and promised them a lifetime of love, protection, adoration, and any and everything else their heart desired. I would find a way to get the moon if that is what they wanted. Now I just want to wrap them up in their lovies and hold them in my arms for the rest of my life.

Just the other day someone asked Emily how old she was and she eagerly told them "TWO" while showing them all five little fingers on her hand. I tried to tell her not to be in such a hurry to grow so fast as I helped her fold down the three extra fingers so her little hand would match her verbal response. I always ask my girls if they are my baby, to which I always get an emphatic, "NO, I'm not a BABY, I'm a GIRL!" My response is always the same, "Yes, you are now a big girl, but you will ALWAYS be my baby, even when you are grown and have babies of your own." I'm not so sure they get it.. just like I'm not so sure I will ever accept that they aren't my babies anymore.

Lila will be four years old next month and has all but left her "baby" days behind her. Little did I know just how fast it would go! She is so independent these days. The conversations we have just amaze me. How does she know so much stuff?!? She has very good reasoning skills, especially when she wants something, she pleads her case so convincingly that I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she persues a career in law one day. I love to sit and watch her problem solving skills too... Just this afternoon she was trying to explain to Emily that the water hose wouldn't reach the kiddie pool if it looped around the tree and the picnic table. Emily didn't understand, so Lila promptly showed her and then explained that she was bigger so she knew more things... I pretended to keep reading my book as I watched her put her hand on her little sister's shoulder and tell her, "It's okay Enemy, ask Mom, she'll tell you." Smiles always follow Lila... she just can't help but keep us all chuckling. I can describe her with one simple word... JOY! So much of my heart is wrapped up in her. My sweet, happy, cheerful Lila.

And my Emily... wow. She entered this world as a teeny tiny three pound wonder and hasn't stopped impressing me since. All of a sudden I've noticed how much she has changed. She seems so much taller to me. She is silly in a nutshell. Such a Daddy's girl... she greets me each morning with an enthusiastic, "Hi. Mom. I waked up! Daddy workin'?" She answers almost everything with a, "yep-ee" and constantly tells me, "Watch. Mom. Mom. Watch." as she goes about tasks and play around the house. She is fearless for adventure but scares easily. She can't stand to watch her Daddy throw her big sister in the air and flip her around before catching her again. She always wants in on the fun. Lila loves it and squeals with delight. Emily insists that Daddy flip her too even though it's obvious with the first swing that she's scared and doesn't like it. Lila will ask her Daddy to do it again and again until he wears out, but not Emily. Everyday she musters enough nerve to ask for a turn but quickly realizes it's not as much fun to her as it is for her sister. She must convince herself that each time will be more fun, but after one flip she is done. Her reply when Daddy asks her if she wants to go again is always a very strong, "NO"... that is until the next day when she hopes this next flip will be the fun one! She is very loving and responds to each hurt feeling or ouchie she inflicts with a kiss, which is her top lip tucked in and bottom lip puckered out... she always has had her own way of doing things! She just had her yearly evaluation with ECI and didn't get to exit the program as we had hoped but she is still as smart and fiesty as always. I've never seen so much spunk in such a little girl!

So, it's been a very busy summer. I have a lot to catch up on and tons of pictures to post, but for now I am just giving my heart a chance to catch up and accept that time just keeps marching on... ready or not, here it comes! Slow down girls... don't be in such a hurry to grow... your mama misses you already.

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Little Bakers

2009-05-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

Am I brave or what?!?!

You guys wanted to make cupcakes today and we had all the ingredients... so... cupcakes you made!
Lila, you were very excited to crack the eggs... and I was excited to fish out the egg shells..

Emily, you kept wanting to taste the fruit of your labor each step of the way!

After watching you girls actually making the cupcakes I think I will pass on enjoying them with you... it's tempting.. but we should really save some for Daddy! : )

Delicious?

You sure loved them!

You even did the dishes... or at least took care of the prewash for me!

We had a lot of fun this morning but I think tomorrow I will refrain from asking, "What do you girls want to do today?"

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Rooney and Doodle...

2009-04-29T13:09:00.001-07:00

Such Sweet Sisters and Friends.

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Fun in the Backyard..

2009-04-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

When the weather is nice you girls like to spend a good portion of the day outside in the backyard. So I wasn't surprised a bit this morning when Lila went to get dressed and came back with her bathing suit on. The sky is overcast today as we wait for a storm expected this evening...it's nice out, and a perfect day for backyard fun! You both love being outside... the sounds of your squeals and laughter from our backyard this morning were proof of that!!

We played in the sprinkler..

On the slide...

In the playhouse...

We jumped on the trampoline...

Danced ourselves silly...

And splashed in the puddles...

We blew bubbles...

Collected rocks...

And spent time in "wing," as Emily says...

I absolutely love you girls and enjoy every special day I have with you while you are little... there will come a day, sooner than Mommy is ready, when you will be in school and we won't have this time together to run and laugh and jump and play. So for now I am soaking it up and storing it in my heart every chance I get!

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Rain, Rain Go Away...

2009-04-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

I can't take another day!
On this dreary, rainy Monday I thought we'd have a Movie Day since the girls can't play outside like they normally do... I let them pick a movie, tried to convince Lila to go with Emily's choice, ended up convincing Emily to watch Lila's pick, until Lila changed her mind and we had to start all over again. Finally 'Snow Buddies' was agreed upon by both girls and I popped the popcorn.

All was great until the phone rang and I stepped out of the room...

apparently it 'snowed' popcorn and chocolate Teddy Grahams in the living room and I now had a huge mess to clean up! Why couldn't they have been satisfied with 'Sleeping Beauty'??? I would have much rather walked in to find two sleeping beauties than a small blizzard of popcorn!

The forecast calls for two more days of rain... we might just have to break out the rain boots and umbrellas and prepare to get wet!

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"I'm so pretty!"

2009-04-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

Oh, the joys of having two busy little girls! I have had a few good laughs over stories like this happening to other people, but it didn't quite seem as funny when it actually happened to me!

Today, dear Lila, you cut your hair! All of one side of your head.

Mommy was feeling a little under the weather with a bad cold and you girls were both up so early that morning... I thought it was an okay idea to rest on the couch after breakfast. I guess I let my eyes close and I woke up to, "Mommy, I'm so pretty!" It took me a minute to realize why you looked different but when I came to the realization that you were pretty because you chopped off your hair I bolted off that couch!

This little handful of damage seems like a silly thing to cry over, but that is all I wanted to do at the moment! There was no time for a breakdown though... I had to think of a solution... if only super glue would work for a bad hair cut! I felt sick to my stomach for the rest of the day... at least it was only hair and you resisted the temptation to make Emily "pretty" as well... and Mommy as well, as I was peacefully slumbering right next to you!

Later, when I asked you why you had cut your own hair, you told me, "I had a problem...there was hair in my eyes."

After two different trips to the salon to try and get it fixed... both stylists told me there was nothing they could do to fix it unless they cut your hair in a "spikey boy cut," no thanks. I have come up with a few different ways of fixing your hair to try and conceal the worst, but we are going to just have to ride this one out and learn from this experience... never take scissors into your own hands to solve a problem... there are bows and barettes for that!

I'm sure someday I will think this is funny...

And will laugh with you as we look at these pictures...

but just not today.

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Hoppy Easter!

2009-04-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

This year we spent Easter in San Antonio at Aunt Summer and Uncle B's house. Kate's birthday fell on Easter Sunday this year, so we celebrated her birthday and the Easter holiday all in one weekend!

The Easter Bunny found us at our Hotel to leave you girls some Easter goodies in your baskets. You were both so thrilled that he found us in San Antonio and didn't forget your treats!

After Church we went to Aunt Summer's house to see if the Easter Bunny had come and left some Easter Eggs to hunt...

You were delighted to see that he had, and couldn't wait to start filling your baskets, but first we had to get some pictures of you all dressed up in your Easter clothes!

And then the hunting began...

You filled your baskets with eggs and found a lot of fun treats inside!

It was a great Easter and we were blessed to get to spend it with our family. Uncle Buck and Aunt Shannon weren't able to make it, but they sent you some fun Easter presents with Mimi and Poppa. We sure missed them, so Kate decided we should have Easter at their house next year! I'm sure there will be even more fun in store for our next Easter!

You girls were tired and done having your picture taken, but Mommy wanted one with you so we tried for one more...Emily wasn't having it!

Oh, Well... I tried!

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Happy Birthday Katherine Seanne!

2009-04-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Katie!
I hope that your third year was your best so far and that you will have many, many happy more to come! You are such a special little girl with a very sweet spirit and a tender heart.

You are beautiful from the inside out.

You are so smart and always impress me with the Bible verses you have memorized and the knowledge in general that you have at such a young age.

Wherever you are there is laughter. You have a special quality that draws people to you and makes them want to stick around for more.

You are definitely a show stopper with your silly, witty personality. You put a smile on every face!

Everyone that knows you loves you and your infectious cheery attitude about everything in life.

You are an amazing little girl and I love you so very much! I know that God has big things planned for your future and I am eager to see your life unfold and all the lives you will touch with your sweet spirit!

You are a joy to be around and I love spending time with you. I am so very proud of the little lady you have become. You have a very special place in my heart and I look forward to a lifetime of precious memories yet to be made!
Happy Birthday Sweet Kate! I love you to the moon and back!

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Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-04-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

This year my birthday was a super special one!

My dear, sweet friend, Rebecca, surprised me with these beautiful cupcakes at Ladies Bible Study.

Aren't they adorable? They were almost too pretty to eat! She is so super talented and I am so blessed to have her as my best friend!

After our Bible Study my girlfriends and our kids went to lunch at one of my favorites, Central Market, where we enjoyed good food and a gorgeous afternoon chatting in the sunshine while our kids played on the playground.

My last two birthdays were spent at the hospital with Emily, one in the NICU, and the other for her tongue surgery, so I was thrilled to spend this one out in the sunshine with the good friends God has sent me! Thanks guys! You're the best!

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Backyard Fun at Mimi and Poppa'a House

2009-03-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

Mimi and Poppa have a BEAUTIFUL backyard with lots of fun things to play with and explore... there is the swing set/fort, the sandbox, playhouse, tractors to ride, and lizards and butterflies to catch..the kids always have a fun time playing in the backyard!

This trip was no exception as we spent a lot of our time at home in the backyard. One day we blew up a swimming pool and took a break from the Livestock Show to have a fun afternoon playing and swimming in the backyard.

Charlie turned a bench over on it's side so he could put the water hose on it and make a waterfall...

Then he climbed it...

had a drink...

And jumped off... with his Mom's permission first, of course...

I love getting to spend time with my nephew. He comes up with things girls would never think of... I love you Charlie... you're a cool little guy!

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The Rodeo

2009-03-21T23:01:00.000-07:00

The kids enjoyed front row seats at the Rodeo. They loved watching the girl stunt team do tricks on their horses, cheering on the bull riders, and laughing at the silly rodeo clowns.

Go Cowboy, Go!

Lila and Kate

Kate wants to be a cowgirl when she grows up so she was really taken by the cowgirls at the rodeo who did tricks on their horses. When they came and sat by us in the stands Kate kept scooting closer and closer to this one until she was right next to her... it was so cute... we had to ask for a picture!

I'm still trying to download and sort through all the pictures of our adventurous week, so Charlie's big debut in the Mutton Bustin' is still coming.... Check back soon...

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The Show Animals

2009-03-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hogs...

The girls got to pet a baby calf that was only three days old...

The Clydesdales..

Long day... tired girls...

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Pony Rides

2009-03-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

These poor ponies logged a lot of miles walking in circles for a week! They were a big hit though even in the sweltering heat. Lila who LOVES horses and ponies and Kate who wants to be a cowgirl when she grows up were in pony Heaven!

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