Memories and Moments

First Day of Kindergarten

2009-08-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

Sully's first day of school was yesterday, and he loved it! Michael and I both went to drop him off. They had all the kids sitting in the auditorium. My eyes teared up a little when I told him bye...Michael wanted to stick around for a while until they took the kids to their classes, but I told him that if I stayed, I probably wouldn't be able to keep my tears in check!! So, we went ahead and left. The day went by surprisingly fast after going to the Y and nap time. I had a harder time not crying when I picked him up that afternoon than I did when we dropped him off that morning....guess I was happy to see him! After he told me about his day, I had him call Michael to tell him. When Michael answered the phone, Sully said,"School was great, Daddy!!" I still can't believe that Sully is old enough to be going to school!! He has been begging to ride the school bus....I have been so hesitant about it. I just thought that since I am home during the day and we live RIGHT NEXT to the school, I would just drop him off and pick him up. But, our little neighbor girl rides the bus, so I know she would help make sure he gets to his class and make sure he gets off at the right stop in the afternoons....so I guess starting next week I'm going to loosen the reins a little more and let him ride the bus....we'll see how it goes!

We're still here!

2009-07-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

Wow....time really flies!! We've been staying very busy. I find time to read other's blogs, but don't seem to find the time to update my own! Right now, all three kids are napping, so I'll see if I can get in a quick update with a few pictures.

Lelan Elaine is 6 months old today....unbelievable!! On that note, it's also my nephew's, Trenton, birthday, so "Happy Birthday, Trenton!" He is 6 years old today!

Sully graduated from Pre-K in May and is very excited about starting Kindergarten this fall. We'll see how excited I am in about 1 1/2 months.

Everett is definitely the live wire in our house. He loves to jump off of things, etc. The other day, as he stood at the edge of our bed with his arms spread out, he said, "Look, Mommy! I can fly!!" (And, of course, proceeded to jump off the bed!)

Michael passed his test for Certified Federal Land Surveyor and will be taking the test for his licensure in Arizona sometime soon. So....that may eventually mean some traveling for him, but as long as he has job security, we are thankful!

On another note, I discovered a really good, really easy cookie recipe that Sully likes to help with because he can pretty much do everything himself. I use the Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge cake mix....yum yum!! While we're talking about food, we've also found THE BEST cornbread EVER....it is Marie Callender's Original Corn Bread Mix....you just add water, and it is delicious!!

Everett

2009-04-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Everett turned two on April 4!! Although 2 can be a very trying age, with tantrums, etc., it is also such a fun, expressive age. Everett has really become his own little person. He LOVES to dress up as different things. He loves to wear Sully's Spiderman costume and Sully's Ironman pajamas.

His Peepaw and Granna got him a pair of John Deere cowboy boots for his birthday, and he loves them!! He's worn them everyday since he got them. The day he got them, we were at my sister's, and he walked around showing everyone his new boots. Sunday morning, I walked into the living room and found him wearing his pajama shirt, his diaper, and his boots....too cute! Last night, he slept in his boots because he refused to let me take them off when I was getting him ready for bed. He is also crazy about monster trucks....he takes his nap with them and sometimes does gymnastics while holding a monster truck....it's like his security blanket!! Glad his gymnastics instructor is understanding!! :)

2009-03-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

Well...I think I'm long overdue a blog update. Having three kids has kept me busy that past few months!! Having two kids under the age of two has kept me REALLY busy!

Lelan is already 2 months old....it's unbelievable how fast the time goes by. She has been a really good baby....she's already sleeping through the night....yay for sleep!!

I started back to work part-time this week....so far, so good. I was so proud of myself the first night I went back because I didn't cry when I left the house. Once I got to work, I called Michael to let him know I made it (it's a 45 minute drive into downtown Fort Worth). Anyway, when he answered the phone, Lelan was crying in the background....so, it made me cry!! Michael called me back about 30 minutes later to let me know that she had settled down and was fine.....so much for not crying on my first night back to work!! :)

What a whirlwind!!

2009-01-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

Wow...the past few months have been CRAZY busy!! I am hoping that things settle down a little, now that Lelan is here and the new year has begun. Lelan Elaine arrived on January 8 at 7:38 p.m. weighing in at 8 lbs. 12 oz. and was 21 inches long. She has a full head of dark hair, just like her brothers had when they were born. So far, she's been a great baby...pretty laid back.

On a sad note, my Grandma Dake passed away on December 27, so that has been hard on our family. She was definitely the pillar of our family and will be so missed. I can only hope that I will be half of the wonderful, loving, accepting person that she was in her lifetime. She always had a sparkle in her eyes and such a strong foundation in her faith in God. She was the person that I hope to become....I've definitely got a lot of work ahead of me to accomplish that task.

So, I think we've kicked off the new year right with the birth of a healthy, beautiful baby girl, who carries her Great-Grandma Dake's middle name with such honor. We are definitely a happy, thankful, blessed little family. It will be exciting to see what this year brings our way!

Just a little update...

2008-12-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

Wow....it's been well over a month since I've blogged...way too long!! It seems like for the past month I've just been running around in circles trying to get things ready, the house organized/cleaned, etc. before we have a new baby in the bunch. But, looking around, it doesn't seem like I've gotten ANYTHING done!

We had a good Thanksgiving. We spent time with my parents and Michael's parents and enjoyed some GREAT food!!

Sully started going to Pre-K on Tuesdays and Thursdays in November. He LOVES it! It's been good for both of us to get used to him not being with me all the time. I'm hoping that it will make his transition to Kindergarten a little easier on both of us, too!! Everett is my little shadow on days that Sully is at school....he definitely misses having his playmate around.

We got some family pictures done in November that I tried to include with this post, but the internet won't let me right now....so next time!!

A BIG Sigh....of RELIEF!!

2008-10-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

Well, we had our Breast Cancer 3-Day Golf Tournament last weekend, and we made enough money from it to send everyone on our team on the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk (once the sponsorship check gets here!). What a relief...and I am so glad it's over with...the tournament was A LOT more work than I had bargained for....but, in the end, all the hard work paid off. So, now that I'm not busy with the planning, organizing, recruiting, re-recruiting, etc., etc., etc. for the tournament, maybe I can find some more time to blog more frequently than once a month!!

Before I know it, Lelan Elaine will be making her grand appearance, and I'll be super busy again! Sully is so excited about having a little sister....he keeps finding rattles, etc. from when Everett was a baby....he brings them to me and tells me to save them so Lelan can play with them. Plus, I've had fun buying some baby girl stuff....I think she's going to be just a little spoilt....and I think her daddy is going to be worse than me!!!

Some More Pictures

2008-09-18T15:48:00.001-07:00

In the picture of Sully at sunset, those are bats flying above his head!

It's been a while!

2008-09-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

Wow...it's been quite a while since I've blogged! I read everyone else's blogs quite frequently but don't seem to find the time to update my own. I am now 23 weeks pregnant and feeling good. I'm feeling her move around, so that's always reassuring. I have been so much more emotional with this pregnancy....you can ask my husband or my sister...they can definitely verify that! For example, a few weeks ago, Michael and I were watching "Forest Gump." At the end, where he is at Jenny's grave talking to her, I was absolutely bawling....anyone who knows me knows how completely out of character this is for me. I might shed a few tears at an emtional movie, but I definitely don't BAWL! It's been crazy....I wasn't like this with either of my pregnancies with the boys!

In the past few weeks, we've gone to a Rangers baseball game, played in the Frio River, and been to Sea World...fun times!!

The Rangers game was the first professional sporting event I've been to, and it was a lot of fun. I will admit, I am not much of a baseball fan...I am much more into football and basketball. But, this game was a lot of fun, and I look forward to going to some more!!

I've also been very busy with all of the fundraisers we've been doing to raise money for the 3-Day Breast Cancer walk we're doing in November...it's been A LOT of work but will definitely be worth it all!!

It's a.....

2008-08-18T17:07:00.001-07:00

GIRL!!! I had a sonogram today that showed a healthy baby girl! We are very excited and, most of all, thankful that she is healthy!!

Sully was disappointed at first because he wanted another brother. However, after reminding him that his cousins (Tracer, Trevor, & Trenton) had a little sister, and that she was pretty cool, he decided it would be okay if he had a sister, too!! Kids are so funny!!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Sully!!!

2008-08-06T07:43:00.001-07:00

Sully turns 4 today....wahoo!! I can't believe he's already that old...unbelievable!!! I honestly can't imagine our lives without him....he has been such a joy, and I am so glad I have been fortunate enough to get to be at home with him each day and watch him explore the world around him and become the little person that he is today. He has been such a great son and is a wonderful big brother to Everett.

We had his birthday party on Saturday....we did a "Dinosaur Dig" birthday party. It was lots of fun! I've posted some pictures from his party.

Memory Tag

2008-07-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. :)

Nine years and counting....

2008-06-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

Today, Michael and I are celebrating our 9-year anniversary....yay! We started dating the last week of our senior year in high school. After 3 months of dating, we were engaged! We got married the following summer, when we were both 19. It's been a great nine years....we have definitely grown together. We went from two young high school kids, to going to college together in Corpus Christi, to moving to Granbury, starting our careers, and buying a house, to having two handsome, wonderful boys! We've done a lot in the past 9 years (actually 10, if you include our dating/engagement period). I can't imagine doing all of these things with anyone else. Michael is my best friend....he makes me feel so good about myself, both as a wife and a mother. When I call him, he answers his phone with, "Hey, Beautiful!" It's all the simple things like that that he does that make me so happy to be his wife. I am so thankful for the past 9 years that I have spent with him, and I look forward to spending many, many more together!!! Happy Anniversary, Michael!

It's Official...Another One's on the Way!

2008-06-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

I had a sonogram today which confirmed that I am 10 weeks pregnant! My due date is Jan. 15. We're very excited and hoping and praying for a healthy pregnancy!!

Long time, no post!!

2008-06-17T17:19:00.001-07:00

Wow...it's been over a month since my last post...unbelieveable!! How time flies!! A week ago, we went to Oklahoma because the company Michael works for was celebrating its 50th Anniversary, and it is based out of Oklahoma City. So, we went and spent the weekend there. On Saturday, we went to an amusement park which Sully LOVED...I am posting some pictures from that adventure!

Anyway, on the drive to and from Oklahoma City (about 4 hours from our house), the boys watched "Nemo." If you've seen the movie, then you're familiar with the part where Dori asks, "Are you my conscience?" Well, yesterday, when we were driving to my sister's house, out of the blue, Sully says, "Everett, are you my conscious?" I laughed and laughed....I pulled over so I could get a good signal and tell Michael the story....he got a kick out of it, too.

Other than that, not much has been going on...we're trying to find ways to cool off in the Texas heat...it's gotten into the triple digits the past couple of days....yuck! I enrolled Sully in a gymnastics class where they do stuff on trampolines, etc. He loves it...I'm hoping it will help give him some coordination, balance, etc. because the good Lord knows he didn't get any from me or Michael!!

"He's making raindrops!"

2008-05-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

Had to share this funny story:

Today we were sitting at the table eating lunch. Everett is cutting teeth, so he is drooling a lot. Sully reached over and put his hand on Everett. Some of Everett's drool got on Sully, and Sully said, "Look! He's making raindrops!" Michael and I got a good laugh from that one!!

Not much going on....

2008-05-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well....I haven't posted in a while....really hasn't been too much exciting stuff going on. I am posting some pictures I took of the boys over the past few days. Everett found the tupperware cabinet....that's always fun...now I always have tupperware all over my kitchen floor!!

My Mother's Day was good....we took the boys to the park and let Sully fly his kite. Michael got me an "icee" maker....I LOVE slushies and snowcones!! So, now I can make my own. The best slushie I ever had was a Dublin Dr. Pepper slushie in Hico. If you've never had a Dublin Dr. Pepper, then you've been missing out....they use pure cane sugar....it is sooooo good!! So, now I'll be making my own Dublin Dr. Pepper slushies!!

Garage Sale

2008-04-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

So....we are going to be doing a garage sale next Saturday at my house to raise money for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk we are doing in November. Does anyone have any tips/ideas for a successful garage sale? What type of items sell well? How do you decide what price to put on items? Any input would be appreciated!!! :)

What a storm!

2008-04-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

We had quite a storm last night!! I was at work, which is about 45 minutes away, so I didn't realize it had gotten as bad as it did at home. I only worked a half-shift, so when I got off at around 12:30 a.m. I had a message from both Michael and my dad on my phone. Michael had called me right after the storm came through to tell me what all damage had happened, and my dad called just a few minutes after him to make sure we were all right. Anyway, as you can see in the pictures, our fence was broken in a few places. Also, our gas grill was knocked over (that thing is REALLY heavy...I went out this morning and tried to pick it up, and couldn't!!) Also, our trampline tumbled about 40 yards, somehow making it's way around a huge tree and a swingset, and went over our 6 foot privacy fence, landing between our house and our neighbor's house! CRAZY! The power was out for about 6 hours....it came back on about 2:00 a.m. So, that was fun to wake up to in the middle of the night, after I had just gotten to sleep....lights, TV, our alarm system making siren noises....glad the boys somehow slept through it! Anyway, I'm just glad and thankful Michael and the boys are okay....it could have been much, much worse!!

"Sunscream" lotion

2008-04-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this funny story....it had me and my sister rolling:
Friday, I went over to my sister's house to make candles. (For those who do not know, she and I have a candle/soap making company! www.countrycabincandleco.com ) Anyway, we poured candles and went to eat while they were "setting." After going to eat, we came back by her house to pick up the candles. We just had to run in, get the candles, and come right back out. So, we decided to leave the kids (Sully, Everett, and Trinidy) in my Tahoe while we did this....it would only take a few minutes. Well, I guess a few minutes is all a 3 year old needs....
When we got back out to the Tahoe, I opened up the back door to put the candles in....and there was white stuff ALL OVER the inside of the Tahoe. I'm talking all over the ceiling, seats, floor, windows, doors, dashboard, etc. At first, I thought someone had shaken a bottle with milk in it and gotten it everywhere. Then, Sully turned around and looked at me, and he had this white stuff all in his hair, on his shirt, etc. On the floor, there was a bottle of spray sunscreen. Yes, you guessed it.....Sully had sprayed sunscreen ALL OVER my Tahoe!!! Everett had some in his hair, too. Trinidy "dodged the bullet" because she was sitting in the seat right in front of Sully, so she was blocked from it.
When something like this happens, you have two options....you can either get furious or you can laugh uncontrollably about it. Well, my sister and I started laughing....and kept laughing. We both mentioned how we've never been impressed with the spray-on sunscreen because it never sprayed well, but somehow my 3-year-old had it spraying so well that he even got sunscreen on the dashboard....he was sitting in the very back seat!!
Anyway, since then, Sully has been calling the stuff "sunscream" lotion. Too funny!!

Funny little tidbits....

2008-04-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

It seems like today has been one of those days that both the boys are saying and doing a lot of funny things, so I decided to share. First thing this morning, I was helping Sully put on his underwear. He was excited because they have Superman on them. As he was putting them on, he said, "I need to get some Super Sully underwear!"
Michael plays a game with Sully where he pretends to pull out money (dimes, quarters, etc.) from behind Sully's ears. So, today, as we were driving to the YMCA, Sully asked me if I had a lot of money in my ears, too. Wouldn't it be great if it were that simple?
Everett, being one and getting into EVERYTHING, has been hearing the words "No, No" a lot lately. So, now, when he is crawling toward something that he has been told "no" about, he crawls to it, saying, "Nah, nah, nah" the whole way. Also, when you tell him "no, no" he repeats it back to you and shakes his head. Too cute....for now!!!

They love SPAGHETTI....and apples!

2008-04-14T13:16:00.000-07:00

We had spaghetti last night for supper....both of the boys LOVE it, as you can tell!! Of course, after they are done, it's straight to the bath tub....that's the only way to get all of it off!! I also took a picture of Everett eating an apple today....he loves those, too! It's almost as big as he is!! One of my Amaryllises bloomed this weekend....can you tell I love SPRING????!!!! Last night we built a fire in the fireplace and made smores (yum, yum)....too bad I didn't get any pictures of that!! Sully thought that was pretty fun!

Sully's Photography

2008-04-10T09:26:00.001-07:00

Sully was playing with my camera yesterday....here are some of his creations! Amazingly, there were no pictures of feet....he usually takes several pictures of everyone's feet! :) I've also included some more pictures of some of my irises that have bloomed in the last few days.

Everett's First Birthday!!!

2008-04-07T08:30:00.001-07:00

Race Day

2008-04-07T08:29:00.001-07:00

Irises!!

2008-04-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Spring!!!!!!

2008-04-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted!! We've been busy getting ready for Everett's first birthday, etc. I've also been training for another 1/2 marathon which I ran yesterday!! My dad, sister, and brother did the 5K. Plus, we've been enjoying the outdoors....we've had a few really nice spring days. The boys and I love to go play on the trampoline. I also LOVE to sit in my hammack and get lost in a good book!!! I've also been enjoying watching my flowers bloom. I'm posting some pictures of my irises, along with pictures from the birthday party and the race.

Susan G. Komen 3-Day 60-mile Walk

2008-03-26T08:55:00.001-07:00

It's official....I've registered for the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. I am soooooo excited....my sister and two other friends are going to be doing the walk with me!!! We are honoring breast cancer survivors and those who lost the battle by putting their names on a hat or t-shirt that we will be wearing during the walk, so if there is anyone that you know that your would like to be honored in this way, please let me know!! Also, we are each required to raise $2,200 for breast cancer research. So, I would really appreciate any donations. The website is http://08.the3day.org/site/TR I really appreciate your support in helping me reach this goal!! Wouldn't it be great if our children, grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren did not have to worry about this disease? Any money donated will be put towards the research that is going to find the cure!!!! :) Thanks! I'll keep everyone posted on our training progress, etc.

I've Been Tagged--10 Weird Things About Me

2008-03-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

My sister tagged me....I'm supposed to tell 10 weird things about me.

1. I "air" type. What this means is that I type words with my fingers like they are on a keyboard, but they're not. I do this a lot while I am running...."typing" the same words over and over again. Michael has caught me doing this before and asked me why I kept tapping him with different fingers. Weird, huh?

2. I only dated Michael for 3 months before we were engaged, but we didn't tell our families for another 2 or 3 months.

3. I had a pet pig named Petunia that I would give a bath and took naps with when I was in junior high. Yes, a real, live pig!! When we sold her, she weighed 750 pounds!!!

4. I, too, like to dance. However, you will find me line-dancing and two-stepping by myself in my living room. For example, Michael caught me doing the Electric Slide to Christmas music a few years ago....talk about embarrassing.

5. I can't stand to get my socks wet. It REALLY annoys me if I have socks on and step on a melted piece of ice or something.

6. I LOVE to drink pickle juice and Worcestershire sauce. Not together....let me clarify that!!

7. I am afraid of the dark....very, very afraid. I thought I would eventually out grow it, but I haven't yet, and I'm 28!!!!

8. I wanted to be a veterinarian. For some reason, I changed my mind late in high school. I also thought about being a physical therapist.

9. I've never just sat down and read an entire book in one sitting. I have to read a few chapters at a time because reading makes me very tired....I end up falling asleep, no matter how good the book is that I'm reading.

10. I am OBSESSED with email....I check my email every few hours during the day....I really need to get over it!!

A Standing Ovation, Please!!! :)

2008-03-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well, Everett pulled himself up all by himself today......Yay!!!!! I've always wondered if you get as excited about your second child reaching milestones as you do your first, and yes, you do!! Of course, this time around, I know what's coming next.....walking....and getting into EVERYTHING!! :) Fun, fun, fun!!!!

2008-03-07T10:48:00.000-08:00

Book Tag

I've been tagged by my friend Sharon.

So the way you play is:
1. Pick up the nearest book (with at least 123 pgs.).
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next 3 sentences.
5. Tag 5 people.

The book closest to me is "It's All About Him" by Denise Jackson (Alan Jackson's wife). I borrowed it from my sister and just finished it yesterday.

Sentence 5--In the spring it sends forth tender growth, and green leaves return to cover its naked branches.

Next 3 Sentences--In the sweltering summer it offers cool shade beneath its big canopy. When I look at that big tree, or consider the flocks of cherry trees that dot our pastures in the spring, like lacy lambs, I think of seasons in my own life. The separation from Alan was like winter for me.

Cowtown 2008

2008-02-26T11:37:00.000-08:00

Well, I did the 1/2 marathon on Saturday. I finished in 1 hr 57 min.....a little better than I had expected, so that was good. The weather was beautiful! Here are some pictures....

2008-02-21T00:05:00.000-08:00

Tagged - Me and My Hubby
1. What is his name? Michael
2. How long have you been married? 9 years in June
3. How long did you date? We dated for 3 months before we were engaged, then we were engaged for 10 months
4. Who eats more sweets? probably me....I have no self-control when it comes to chocolate
5. Who said “I love you“ first? Michael did....we were sitting down by Lake Belton
6. Who is taller? Michael
7. Who can sing better? We can both sing
8.Who is smarter? Depends on what the subject is...
9. Who does the laundry? Me
10. Who pays the bills? Me
11.Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me
12. Who cooks dinner? Usually I do, just because I am the one that is home more, but Michael is a really good cook.
13. Who drives? Both
14. Who is more stubborn? Me
15. Who kissed who first? Michael kissed me first
16. Who asked out who first? Ummmm....Michael invited me to the drive-in
17. Who proposed? Michael did....he was sly....he asked me if I would say yes if he asked me to marry him. So, I told him I would say yes, but then I wasn't sure if we were officially engaged or not!! :)
18. Who wears the pants? Ummmm....it depends on what it is....somethings I put my foot down on, others I just kind of go with the flow

2008-02-19T12:29:00.000-08:00

Here we are on the ski trip we took in January. Sully called the gondola a helicopter!!

For starters...

2007-04-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

Well, we've officially joined the cyberspace
community and have started a blog. Actually, I've really enjoyed peeking in on Angela and Melody's blogs, so I decided to create my own.
As an introduction, Michael and I have been married
for 7 (almost 8) years. We were somewhat high school
sweethearts.....we were not more than "just friends" until the last week of our senior year.
Then, within 3 months, we were engaged and got married the following summer. By now, our family has
expanded to two boys, Sully and Everett, and two dogs, Mollie and Hallie. And, of course, whatever insect, etc.
that Sully collects and brings in the house to show off. Of course, once he gets ahold of them, their lives are
very short-lived. :)
Michael is a land surveyor and I am a full-time mommy and part-time nurse at a pediatric hospital. Right now, I am on maternity leave because we recently welcomed our second son, Everett, into our family. So, I am adjusting to meeting the demands of two kiddos, and
loving every minute of it!!