A Cute Story

Ok, so I just have to share a cute little story about Emma. This morning, I asked her to put her cereal bowl away before we left for school. She told me that she already had, that she was being PROACTIVE. Ok, I was wondering where THAT word came from, so I asked her. She said it was one of her "words" at school. I knew that her school was starting a new character program this year, and apparently, this is one of the words. I asked her to explain it to me, and this was her explanation...

"There are good abits (habits) and bad abits. The bad abits are not good. If you do the bad abits, you are following the devil, but if you do the good abits, you are following God."

Ok, at least I know she's understanding what's she's told and putting two and two together!!

The Birds

Since the day Emma found out she was in Mrs. Cook's class, she's been begging me to sign up for a weekend to bring the birds home...so guess who brought home the birds on the first weekend after school started?!!

First Day of School, 2010

The first day of school this week came and went without a hitch! Emma started first grade,and she loves Mrs. Cook, her teacher! She's especially excited about the birds Mrs. Cook has in her classroom. Here are a couple of pics of her on the first day!



Mac actually started back to Miss Renee's on August 11, but I needed a picture of him. He wasn't happy about it, and he fussed after I took this picture!

I'm getting to old!!

Yep, I am...at least to play softball. I played in our church associational co-ed tournament yesterday, and I am paying for it dearly today! I can barely move!! I haven't played in two years!! What was I thinking?!! On top of that, it was HOT (over 100 degrees in the shade)!! I think I've lost my marbles! We did have a great time and some good fellowship! We played 4 games total (lost the first and last!). I meant to take my camera, but I forgot, so no pictures...those of you that played got lucky!!

Wordless Wednesday

Two Important Days

Randall and I are coming upon two very important days in our relationship...on August 15, we will have been together for 12 years. On August 17, we will celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. One song sums up how I feel about Randall...No Place that Far by Sara Evans. This song came out not long after Randall and I started dating. We had been dating 9 months when Randall was deployed for the first time, and I thought of him every time I heard this song.



Randall, I love you very much, and I look forward to spending many more years with you!

Miss Renee's Graduation Program, 2010

On Sunday, Mac was in a program for the kids from Miss Renee's that were graduating from the daycare to kindergarten. Although Mac isn't going to kindergarten, he still got to sing in the program. It was priceless. The theme was "Tribute to the Soldiers." It was very touching. Thank you, Miss Renee and Mr. Wayne, for all you do for my little one! He's come so far since he came to you two years ago...an eighteen month old who had just started walking a month before he got there and barely spoke a word. Now you can't slow him down, and he talks A LOT!!

Mac holding the American flag.


Mac and Miss Renee. We are so blessed to have Miss Renee and Mr. Wayne taking care of our sweet Mac while Randall and I are working. They are both truly gifts from God. God answered a HUGE prayer from me when he sent them our way!

Update on Emma

Ok, as promised, here is Emma's post.

Emma weighed 7 pounds and was 21 inches when she was born on April 26, 2004. Now, at 6 years old, she weighs 43 pounds (31st percentile) and is 47 inches tall (68th percentile). She is wearing 6X and 7 slim pants and 7 tops. She wears 11-12 in shoes. She is really into anything with bright colors and peace signs...and she's loving that she's old enough to wear clothes from Justice...(oh, she also really likes Justin Bieber and the Jonas Brothers!!). She is growing up so fast...I can't believe she starts 1st grade in a week and a half!!

I don't know if I've ever actually posted Emma's birth story, but I will soon...easy and quick labor...but Randall was deployed to Iraq!

Me holding Emma the day we were going home! Going home outfit was courtesy of Randall!


Emma at VBS in July.

Update on Mac

I haven't posted lately just to give an update on how the kids are growing, so I decided to do a separate post on each one.

Mac is growing by leaps and bounds, and he's looking great when you see how far he has come...he started out at 2 pounds, 8 ounces, and 15 1/2 inches long. He now weighs 26 pounds and is 37 inches tall. He is still small for his age, but he's healthy!! He is in the 10th percentile for height, but he's still less than the 3rd percentile for weight. At 3 1/2 years old, he is still wearing 24 month clothes (some 2T shirts), and we have to roll the waistbands down on the pants. He speaks very clearly and has no health problems other than asthma and allergies (which we control with Flovent, Singulair, and Hydroxyzine).

Mac being held up by his nurse immediately after delivery on February 3, 2007.


Mac during VBS program in July...he's in the middle among other 3 year olds.

A Very Moving Song

I love this song!! It reminds you that it's family, not stuff, that matters!

Family Trip to Branson

About a week and a half ago, we loaded up on Friday at lunchtime and headed to Branson. Momma and Daddy headed that way with us, and Randy (my brother) and his family came down from Ft. Leonard Wood. We got a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom condo for the weekend and planned on just having some family fun time. We didn't eat out except lunch Sunday (which was actually lupper because we ate at 3:00) before we headed home. Friday night we had hot dogs for supper, then we headed out to walk around the grounds. Saturday morning we had pancakes for supper, then I went out and did a little shopping with Momma to get some school clothes for myself. (The men took the kids to the "kiddie pool" at the condo.) I ended up getting several pairs of pants/capris and shirts to go with them! I was very excited! That afternoon, the guys headed to Bass Pro while Momma and I took Emma, Mac, and Mikayla (Randy's oldest daughter) to the pool. We had steaks on the grill for supper, then headed out to the strip to let the kiddos get in some rides. We also headed over to Cakes~n~Cream to cool off. Sunday morning, we cooked breakfast and packed up...we did do some shopping before heading home. Randall, the kids, and I, ended up not leaving until about 4:00! All in all, we had a great weekend!

Mikayla, Mac, and Emma heading to Kids Kountry for the rides!!


Gramps, Mac, Mikayla, and Emma waiting for Randall and Randy to get armbands for the kids.


Mac and Emma


Emma and Mikayla riding the teacups


Randall and Mac watching the girls on their rides...he only wanted to ride the train!!


Poor Miya...she only got to watch!


Emma on the swings.


Miya finally got her own ride!!


Emma, Mac, and Mikayla riding the rabbits.


Emma on the go-carts.


My black raspberry sundae from Cakes~n~Cream!! That's my favorite place in all of Branson! I love to play the jukebox and enjoy family time eating ice cream or funnel cakes!!


Emma's Peace Sign Bear she made at Build-A-Bear. Her name is Sadie...we always let the kids cash in their piggy bank money for our trips to Branson, and Emma always gets to make an animal at Build-A-Bear! She doesn't know there is a Build-A-Bear in Little Rock!!


Mac's "Batman" car...he uses his piggie bank money to go to Ride Makerz...it's like Build-A-Bear, but the boys get to "build" their own cars!! It's really cool!