Sunday, May 23, 2010

Family Vacation 2009

My grandparents live in Austin.   The last time we saw them, Colin was a baby.  So, as part of our summer plans we made a trip to Austin to see them.

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Notice the white cloth on my grandpa’s arm?  He’s a funny little man.  Connor asked, “Why come you broke your arm?”  Grandpa then explained that he keeps the cloth on his arm so his new puppy won’t scratch him.  I loved visiting with them again.  I have so many memories of visiting them in rural Arkansas when I was growing up.  My fondest memories are of Grandma’s homemade breakfast with farm fresh eggs, that I “picked” myself, and homemade jam and biscuits.  I watched my first duck hatch at their house and traveled home with 23 baby ducklings in a cardboard box.  (That was a noisy ride home) I walked on a frozen pond at their house, and went fishing, shot BB guns, walked in the woods, picked plums, and ALWAYS took a swing on the tire swing!  What amazing memories I have of them. 

My kids enjoyed visiting with them too, but of course they were inclined to spend most of their time snuggling Grandma’s new dog, Kayla.

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I never realized how much I look like my Grandma until I saw this picture.  She is an amazing woman.  She is so full of grace, strength, and courage!  I love her and I’m so thankful for my family.

June 2009

June began with Connor ending his baseball season.  He really enjoyed baseball, even if it did include lots of

Waiting…

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And waiting…

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And waiting…

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And then finding a way to occupy his time…during all that waiting.

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In June Colin received special recognition at school.  His second grade class voted, and he was awarded the Citizenship Award.  We were so proud of him!

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The girls celebrated the beginning of summer by having a water fight.

It all started when Rhiannon put a piece of ice down Kess’s shirt.

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Yes, she really is looking for ice down there!

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The fight escalated from ice to water balloons…

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In June Rhiannon and Kess got to attend their first Girls Camp!  They had so much fun!!  They were a little nervous at first, but the older girls were so great to them and helped them feel comfortable.  Rhiannon even bore her testimony on the last night of camp!  The weather was horrible the whole week of camp.  The girls were evacuated twice because of tornado warnings and thunderstorms.  Of course the weather only made their first year at camp more memorable.

The week after girls camp Colin attended his first Cub Scout Day Camp.  It was so much fun!  I attended it with him several afternoons.  It was sooooo hot, but it was a lot of fun!

Colin had two favorite activities.  One was shooting (BBs of course)

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His other favorite was archery. 

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The week was filled with many activities and opportunities to earn belt loops.

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The water relay race was a lot of fun, too.

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On the last day a fire truck came and sprayed all of the kids.  They were drenched, dirty, and worn out!

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Whew…the next week we left for our family vacation.  What a busy first month of summer!

Friday, July 17, 2009

A Letter to Harry

Dear Harry Potter,

I'm sorry to inform you that we need to end our relationship. I know, I know...I've loved you and been with you through all seven of your books, and five of your movies. I've enjoyed our time together, however all good things must come to an end. You see, Harry, you no longer bring me joy...only heartache and annoyance. Because of you....

THEY

got all dressed up tonight to go to their first movie, YOUR movie, alone with a friend...(although, much to their dismay dad did go to the same movie, just not "with" them. )

And as if it's not enough that you're responsible for aging my daughters over night...you are also responsible for the fact that tonight I cleaned

THISOn my hands and knees because...

THISwas used as a broomstick earlier in the week!

Thanks so much, Harry.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

He survived...

(So what's with throwing the gang signs when he gets his little diploma?)

Er...or should I say...his teacher survived! Connor is wrapping up his first year of school. He's had such a great year and has done really well. We are so proud of him. Here are a few videos from his Kindergarten Celebration tonight.

This first one is my absolute favorite! What a hoot!





Oh what a fun year you've had Connor. You were adorable tonight! Dad and I are both so very proud of you. You've grown and changed so much this year. We're so proud of how much you've learned. I love listening to you read! I love all of your little sentences you write! I love the little person you have become! I love you!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Co-dependency Anyone?

Rhiannon was having some fun with my phone...that explains the color...I didn't even know you could change the color. As for the co-dependency...she was kidding...I think.

Coping Mechanism

There are a variety of ways to cope with stress. Apparently I cope with the stress of a long, long day and quarreling children by singing Broadway tunes in the Taco Bell drive thru.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Bring it ON!


It happens. Every month, it happens. Hormone levels drop and I have a very bad day. In the past these days have manifested themselves in a variety of ways. Sometimes, I become paranoid and believe that everyone hates me. Other times I've been known to cry, a lot, and feel far too overwhelmed to ever get anything accomplished. There's been months of ravenous hunger, eating brownies and ice cream and any combination of carbs I can find. THIS month however, I decided would be different. Even though there is a plethora of things to freak out and cry about, I decided I was going to hold it together no matter WHAT! Well, don't ever declare war on Mother Nature.....

I awoke this morning, and knew with the dull ache in my head that today was not going to be a very good day. I decided to shut the world OUT. I closed my door, crawled into bed, put a pillow over my head, and pulled my covers around me. I was going to crawl into my hole and emerge tomorrow a much happier being. Of course this lasted for about thirty minutes until a concerned phone call reminded me that I could not spend the day, locked in my room.

So, I decided to fight this thing head ON! First, I thought I would color my gray hairs. Primping makes everyone feel better, right? In light of recent events, I would just have to do the job myself. I've done it numerous times in the past, and never ONCE have I had a coloring mishap....until now. Red roots, black ends. I was almost pushed over the edge. I fought the tears with a vengeance. "Today will be a good day!" Maybe I was being dramatic, maybe it's not so bad. Well, my fears were confirmed after school!

My spirited Kess, "Mom, I like your hair."

Me, hopeful, "Really?"

Kess, "Yeah, it is so spunky! You're like a rock star mom! I would totally do my hair like that if I could."

Not exactly the look I was going for, "Mmmm...yeah, thanks, Kess."

I look over at Rhiannon who's eyebrows are raised and a look of disdain paints her face.

"I don't like it. "

"Yeah, I know. It's black and red isn't it?

"Yes." She says.

Enough said.

After school we also went to the library. I don't know what it is about the Bentonville library, but I NEVER have a good experience there. EVER. Of course my account was expired, and of course I had a late fee, and OF COURSE I was helped by some tacky little old woman with tightly permed hair and large amounts of exposed cleavage.

"Ummm....let's see, is all of your information still correct?"

"Yes."

"Okay," she then pulls my name up on the computer and glances at the screen, then at me, then back at the screen and says, "Ew. Well you must have been really tired when we took your picture before and you had much longer hair."

What the HELL? Excuse me while I go climb back into my hole. I'll see you guys in a few days.