Melban Memories

4:52 Self portrait

2012-01-29T11:30:00.001-08:00

Feeling old and looking older. Ready for bed every night as soon as I hear the kiddies stop talking. Life seems overwhelming lately but God is working things out for us! Thank goodness we don't have to do it alone.

3:52 Dreamer

2012-01-20T19:13:00.001-08:00

Grace is a dreamer. She has big plans for her future and I pray they all come true. My dream for her is that she's happy, fulfilled and always a shining beacon for the Lord.

2:52 Made With Love

2012-01-13T16:49:00.001-08:00

Trip down south

2012-01-08T18:10:00.001-08:00

We got to see the Jones family over the Christmas break and it was so much fun!!

D'Sha' and I got a few hours with the girls to window shop. I'd never been in Anthropologie and I fell in LOVE! Same with Sephora. Such fun things to admire and drool over.

New Years Eve we took the kids to a Japanese Steakhouse. Cam couldn't wait to get his sushi fix (thanks to the Ramseys) and the kids thought we were super fancy. The fire scared Reece and all I could do was laugh. Poor guy!! It was a great trip and as always we left planning our next time together.

New beginnings

2012-01-06T18:08:00.001-08:00

My first day of work produced a ton of anxiety and even more guilt. I took a long term sub position at the kid's school and it is tough. The teacher unfortunately got sick over the break and can't finish out the year. The class is CRAZY but in a good way. They loved their teacher and she loved them. The students were also use to her ways and teaching style. On the home front we are CRAZY! We haven't found a routine at all. Everyone is chipping in with childcare and I am sooooo grateful. I have an insane amount of guilt and I miss my kids all day but this is good for us. It stretches us. Cam has been flexible with his schedule and I am so blessed that my dad keeps the little boys 4 days a week.

Cam decided at the end of the 2011 season that he was done with his business. It has been bittersweet to let it go. He was ready to move onto something else but the transition has been ROUGH to say the least. He is doing insurance full time and trying to make as many contacts as possible. I have an incredible amount of faith in God's plan and I know that Cam is in the position that will bring glory to Him.

Our house is for sale as well. We decided that we need to get out from our mortgage and are being led in a different direction. We aren't exactly sure what that looks like but we are confident it will all work out.

God is good, that much we know! We cling to that and we claim abundance and prosperity in 2012.

May your year be blessed and amazing.
Keri

1:52 First

2012-01-06T17:52:00.001-08:00

First batch of cookies in 2012!

A way to stay motivated

2012-01-03T22:01:00.001-08:00

I'm starting project 52 this year. It is a photography project that requires you to capture one picture per week for an entire year. I'm sure at times I'll feel that this is such a chore but I know it is a great motivator to keep posting. There are so many suggestions each week to choose from on the Internet so I'm weeding through them to find the perfect fit for me. Check back soon for the first project 52 entry!!

Hiatus

2012-01-02T20:46:00.001-08:00

A long posting hiatus took place. Well most of 2011 actually!!

I've never been more happy to see a year leave before. We welcomed 2012 with open arms and hearts full of hope for a great year. We have been in a roller coaster of sorts with jobs, finances, our house. All in due time I'll share what the Lord has been doing with us. But for now I'll just share some pictures of my sweet family! They've grown so much and are just wonderful.

The shirt once again! :)

2011-02-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

This morning we had to rush out and get Reece's picture taken because of the storm a brewing. I didn't want to wait another day. We had already been delayed in getting it taken so I felt time was against us big time. But alas here are the proofs of my sweetheart. He CRIED big time when I put him down and we only got 2 really good shots but that is all it takes. He melts my heart with that smile of his.

And just because it is fun to compare here is Mason in March 2008

Cannon August 2006

Gracelyn July 2003

Gracelyn and Mason favor so much but Cannon and Reece are spitting images of each other. YIKES! :)

Don't worry I didn't forget my love's 4th birthday and party. The post is forming.

Dilemmas

2011-01-18T06:22:00.000-08:00

I take pictures all the live long day. Seriously I have about 700 on my camera waiting to be downloaded and that is just from January. At the end of the month I download off the camera and put them into the new folder waiting to house my memories.

Problem is I blog more than that BUT the pictures that correlate with the story are still on my camera. See the problem? The dilemma?

The solution you say is to download the pictures more often, even just doing it weekly might help me??? Really??

Not so sure I agree. Then I would have 4-5 mini folders within the main folder and I don't like that.

You think I am a complainer? hmmm... we'll see about that. humph!

What I should be complaining about is that our water heater went out. Well actually just the thermal coupling. Cameron tried to replace it last night and the one he replaced it with was broken. A very select group of people know our situation with our WH. The pilot NEVER stays lit. It is a perfectly good WH and actually only 5 years old but we are CHEAP and since it works we haven't ever replaced it. When you need hot water you just go light the pilot. Not a hard thing since it is in the hallway and all. Well over time it wasn't staying lit even for a little while so you would have to relight it several times throughout the day.

Yesterday was the day that after the 20th time to light the stupid thing I complained to Cameron. I had kept my frustrations to myself because as much as I wanted him to say, "Yes, my love, I know what a burden this WH situation puts on your life. I will go replace it RIGHT NOW." He didn't. His response was to hit the tank and say a few choice words and then stare at it a while. Novel idea.

But it is getting a new thermal coupling and maybe, just maybe, I can go back to lighting the darn thing just 1-2 times a day.

( I am fully aware how weird this situation is now after I have written it out. I am fully aware that we are cheap. I am fully aware that our new house will not have this problem. I am fully aware I haven't mentioned a new house before, therefore I am leaving you with a cliff hanger!)

In the mean time I gave the kids individual baths in the kitchen sink. Not all of them fit. In fact just Reece and Mason did. I heated water on the stove and they have nice hot bathes. I had to convince 2 of my darlings that this wasn't weird and that other people often did this as well. Right, RIGHT?? Point being, yes we could have loaded up and gone to any of our friend's and family's houses and I might have even taken a bath in a adult size tub for once. BUT this was way more fun and not a hint of trouble. Note the sarcasm.

a celebration

2011-01-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

Birthdays are BIG in our house. I try hard to make the actual day just as special as the party day. Rarely are they on the same day so for our family of 6 we try to go the extra mile on the actual day of birthday. Yesterday was Cameron's 36th birthday. He is now in his mid/late thirties. I am nipping at his heels so I can't say anything!! :)

Much love sweetheart. You deserve the moon!

2010-09-28

2011-01-07T10:16:00.001-08:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Settling in

2011-01-06T20:40:00.000-08:00

The New Year has found us once again and I find myself reflecting on the past and anticipating the future. We lived a full year. Wonderful memories were made. Friendships were strengthened, faith was tested, kids were loved. It was a good year. What do I have on the horizon in front of me? I am not sure but I know that just like 2010 there will be much living to do in 2011.

The hugest task is settling into a new church family. We will forever be connected to the families we shared life with over the past 22 months. We were taught, challenged, strengthened and blessed. God took the opportunity to mold a group of people into servants. We were getting filled in a way that I refer to as ministry boot camp. It wasn't perfect the entire duration and the flesh got in the way a few times but over the course of our time together we have learned. Learned about people, learned about God, learned about ourselves. We have become equipped to go out into the churches of Amarillo and spread the seeds that we collected.

So the closing of our church isn't the end. It is the continuation of LTM's hard work. It is the continuation of our heart. It is the continuation of the ministers that were uncovered.

It is sad yes. Everything that comes to an end is sad to a degree for sure. But it isn't over. God's work is never over. We are given an unique opportunity that most people don't get. I wouldn't have predicted this opportunity 22 months ago, but I am so thankful for it.

God is good...All the time!

The perfect Christmas

2010-12-27T09:13:00.000-08:00

I have a very bad habit of building something up in my head and being sorely disappointed when it doesn't pan out like I think it should. I have grand ideas of traditions to uphold and memories to make. Pictures to take, expressions to memorize. But sadly I fail miserably every time I encounter an event that isn't quite what I had in my head.

BUT NOT THIS YEAR!!!

I made up my mind before hand that I would be content, not restless, happy with every moment. And life did not disappoint. There were PLENTY of things that could have really put a damper on the season but I didn't let it bother me.

You see I love Christmas. I mean love it!! I love the entire season between Halloween and New Years. The feel of love, spirit of giving, saying thanks, showing gratitude towards others, family and friends coming together. I love every single busy, crazy moment. I love the kid's Christmas parties. I love shopping for the perfect gift to spoil my loved ones. I love the stories we listen to to help us remember the reason we are celebrating this day. I love the tiny baby Jesus' that give me butterflies when I look at Nativity scenes. I love the thought of making my kid's imagination work over time for a few weeks.

This year there were several things that could have made me sad and disappointed. I could list them all and allow you all to really see how much you should feel sorry for me! But suffice it to say that even though it didn't turn out to be a perfectly sequenced Christmas week it was perfectly wonderful!!

I think I kinda go into a funk the first few days after Christmas but this year I am looking forward to the new year and new opportunities that are headed our way.

I took way too many pictures to narrow them down enough to post of our perfectly wonderful Christmas celebrations but just close your eyes and think of something incredibly perfect. That my blog readers is what our Christmas was all about!

First Snow

2010-12-03T19:38:00.000-08:00

We had our first snow a couple of weeks ago and it was beautiful. The rain that came before hand was monsoon like and the snow that followed was unexpected and very destructive. We still had many trees with leaves so once they were wet and then with the added weight of wet snow there were branches broken all over town.

The kids were so excited to see the beautiful fluff! It was gone within a couple of days though. I am ready for the REAL snow to begin. I love winter here. I never knew photographing the snow was so fun. School drop off was anything but the kid's managed.

Just a season...

2010-12-01T18:38:00.000-08:00

Up until a few years ago I had never heard the terminology of something happening in your life as a season. Like when your kids are little, sick, frustrating, growing, sassy, etc... that it was just a season and like all seasons it will change as quick as it came. But when you are in the middle of that season the end is never in sight it seems.

We are at the end of a season. Literally and figuratively. Cam's mowing season is coming to a close and I breath a sigh of relief. We made it another year. Another year of long days. Another year of trying to keep our head above water. Another season of seeing Cameron age in a way that is not recorded just by his birthday passing. I thankfully say goodbye to 2010's mowing season and bid it farewell. (I'd like to give it a good swift kick in the pants, but I am respectful of our bread and butter.)

The figurative season we are saying goodbye to is the feeling of hopelessness in our finances. We clawed our way out of a very deep hole which we refer to as 2008. And like everything else in life it took twice as long to fix what we messed up. We accepted our fate in the matter and slowly but surely made decisions that led to change. It was hard, frustrating, and time consuming. We had great counsel along the way and I am very grateful for that. But in the end I can say the light at the end of the tunnel is there. And it is BRIGHT! Can I get an AMEN?

Another season we are in is my favorite season of all. I cherish the Christmas season from start to finish. The decorating, excitement, anticipation, gatherings, spirit of giving, helping others, and so much more makes me just plain giddy. I love CHRISTMAS. I love everything about it. I love every single religious act we observe in respect to Christ. I love all the childish things we do to help our children anticipate Santa. There can be a balance of both without confusion and priorities being screwed up. The way I look at it is that we are Christians all year long and showing my children the love of Christ is a daily walk for us. We guide them DAILY. So having Santa added to the mix for a few weeks isn't as big a deal in the whole scheme of things. I get why people don't do Santa. I fully see why it isn't ever incorporated in their families and I respect their decisions completely. For me I think that if my child ever gets confused then it is a reflection on me and my teaching. Then I need to spend the other 340 days of the year working harder, teaching more boldly, making sure that my children see Christ in their lives instead of just at Christmas time. That's our thinking on the matter at least.

What season are you saying goodbye or hello to?

A Thankful Spirit

2010-11-25T05:21:00.001-08:00

I am so full of love and thankfulness this year. I have much to be writing about but I will keep it short. There is mashed potatoes to be made after all.

I am thankful for abundance. That we are overflowing with love, blessings and gifts from our Lord. We are so abundantly blessed that at times I have to stop and realize just how much we have it going on around here.

(Hey 3-year-old, hold your ring pop still so that my focus doesn't fall on your hand!)

Scheesh who said working with kids was a piece of cake?

Hey sassy-pants, don't talk to your mother that way,

unless it is to tell me all the ways you love me...then talk away!

Dude, we have got to have boundaries at other people's houses. I am sure Lily isn't impressed that you were playing with her potty. (Oh wait was it clean, empty, wiped out??)

Dear sweet son, your eyes are going to stick that way. (No they won't, it's just something I am suppose to say. I think I remember signing off on that page at the hospital. But I do need to complain. There was soooo much they didn't tell me!)

I am thankful for all of these beauties. They make my life sweet. I was sitting in the floor with Cannon and Grace and thought, goodness this sure is quiet and fun just sitting here with an 8 and 5 year old. We can play a game, we can talk, we can actually get through show without pausing it a bazillion times.

Then along came Mason, there is NO OTHER PLACE HE WANTS TO BE BESIDES YOUR LAP, and we happily obliged in letting him join our circle of quietness. We were squirmy but doing better than expected.

Out of the blue (how long did I really thing #4 would stay away?) Reece came a crawling up. He has no clue about personal space. When he is around he commands the floor or the space or the couch or the chair or the...you get the idea.

All I can say was that it was BLISS.

We could have stopped at 2. Our boy and our girl. What society deems the perfect family. But gracious I am so thankful today that we didn't. Because being a mommy to these darlings is just about the most perfect thing in this world I could write about.

And I wouldn't want to be a mommy to these kids without their daddy. He is by far the best. I find such joy being his wife.

So yes, we are blessed, graciously blessed, abundantly blessed, over the top blessed with such wonderful blessings on this Thanksgiving Day.

May you be abundantly blessed as well my dear friends.

Keri

Check out this giveaway

2010-11-13T12:12:00.000-08:00

Check out this site for a giveway and EXTRA cute Christmas shirts. Also there are lots of cute gift ideas. She made Reece's birthday shirt and I loved it!

Just talking

2010-11-08T10:47:00.000-08:00

No pictures this time, just talking.

I got a new camera last week. I really thought I was in over my head (and still do) but it has been fun. There are a few things I have picked up just by being around great photographer friends but mostly it is trial and error.

Along with a new camera we all were sick. Except for Cameron. Whew...avoided that one! But each day another bit the dust so to speak. But from start to finish we passed it around in record time-4days. It was just the tummy bug and it was very short lived! Praise God because those 4 days seems like eternity.

Reece has six teeth. While I was in the mountains a few weeks ago he sprouted 2 more. His grin is much different with so much white showing. He still hasn't learned to walk and actually refuses to put his feet down to walk with us but it's still early. Gracelyn was 13 1/2 months but the older boys were both lots older. 17 and 15 months. So I am not surprised. He just had all the potential though. He crawled at 5 months so he has been mobile for a LONG time.

Mason is loving school and learning so much. He just goes 4 days a week so Mondays are special mommy time. It is so strange to see how his attitude is different when it is just me and him (and Reece of course) as compared to all the kids being home. Either way I love it. He is my grocery buddy.

Cannon is thriving like I knew he would in Pre-K. He has learned a GREAT amount just by being at school. Of course he *gets* what his teacher is teaching but just the school environment in general is teaching him so much. I always knew he was bright and observant and his teacher confirmed that for me.

Gracelyn is just wonderful. I am so blessed by her and her sweet spirit. She is so much like me as a young child that it is scary. She is extremely sensitive and although it can be annoying at times I know how to deal with her. How to calm her down, how to comfort her. Much like what my mom would do. The biggest thing I learned from my mom and dad growing up was it wasn't that important if the other people got punished for hurting my feelings or whatever but it was that I was valued, loved, cherished despite what other people did to me. I don't even know if they know that is what they taught me. I know that is what all children crave but some kids just need extra doses of this type of parenting.

Cameron is rounding out his season and he has GREAT things in store for his business and our family. The best thing about Cameron is that he is a dreamer. It can get frustrating to people who aren't, but for me I see that his dreams are born of a place to want more for me and our children. I am perfectly content in my life but that is not good enough for him. He doesn't strive to be content. He strives to be abundantly blessed. God is showing him how to get there. Praise Him for his guidance in Cameron.

This is very random but I am contemplating giving Blaze a bath and allowing him to be an inside dog. Every time I see him have to work at getting up from a nap, my heart gets a little tug. Winter is coming and can he really stand to be outside much on those cold days? He spends the majority of the time in the sun room during the winter so it isn't like he is outside 24/7 but it would be a huge change for him. I know he is a dog and there is a reason God made him so hairy but he is getting old. 9 actually. Don't you think if you have survived our 4 kids for so long you deserve some perks?

Many blessings!
Keri

October recap...

2010-11-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

It was full of FAMILY time. We are getting to the time of year where Cameron is home earlier and not working 6-7 days a week. (It has been a long season!) So we are slowly working ourselves into a more regular routine of being a family of 6! I love FALL!

All of these pictures are from my phone so they are really random! :)

At Jack's birthday party! He's 5 now-time is passing too quickly!Amy and I took a little vacation to Cuchara, CO. It was so much fun and you might remember we posting about our summer trip here. Our purpose (or rather her purpose) was to photograph the fall foliage. Well we missed it just a tad. It snowed up there while we were driving. It was just beautiful the next morning but then the sun came out. That day we actually drove LOTS and got beautiful pictures.

I use the term we loosely.

I sat in the car A LOT and played Words With Friends. Look me up-I'm 5299keri.

Amy photographed A LOT! I can't show all the pictures here but soon I will share a special picture taking escapade we went on. Like I said I was her 2nd shooter, without the camera, experience, or knowledge of what I was doing, or any idea of terms. Basically I just held her lenses. I was good at it.

Brrr...looks cold Amy! Thanks for leaving the car on for me. I was nice and toasty.

We got a new(to us) dishwasher and Cameron had a great helper with the install.

On to Halloween. The only thing we do for holiday is dress up. I don't decorate the house, I don't fret over costumes, I don't make a big deal of all the spiritual implications upon my children. I let them dress up and we get candy for it. Simple as that. It could be as random as a Tuesday evening to our family. Like I said it is simple for our family and not something that gets much face time in the whole scheme of things. In fact, the day before is usually when I am asking what kids want to be for Halloween. We search for the dress-up accessories and go from there. :)

Reece was a Lion (which actually was Mason's first costume but really came from here) and his little buddy Jett was a Tree Frog. They stared at each other and I am sure thought, "Humph! Your mom got you too?"

Gracelyn was a Sassy Sailor (don't forget the Sassy part!) Mason was a Rescue Hero Police Officer and Cannon was Batman again

And here's my giggly lion again. He laughed and laughed when we put the hood on. Isn't he cute?

I had great visions of us sitting around the pumpkin digging and carving and marveling at our work. After 10 minutes I knew better and ended up carving a pumpkin to my liking because the little turkeys had lost interest. So I sat by myself digging, carving and marveling at my handy work.

Some friends gave us some clothes for the boys and we were going through them this morning. Cannon wanted to try some on. When I got him all tucked in and belted up. He struck this pose. He thought he was hot stuff for sure! He looks so much like Tyler to me!

Is it Monday yet??

2010-10-22T09:40:00.001-07:00

These words hardly ever get muttered from lips, especially mine. But this week I am asking this question A LOT!!! I am getting away for a few days and I couldn't be more excited. Literally over the moon excited to be able to sleep in, eat hot meals that aren't kid friendly and DO WHAT I WANT!!

Pinch me because it sounds like a dream!

Check all these new posts out

2010-10-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

Here are a BUNCH of posts that get me all caught up. It has been a busy 4 months these moments are just the high points!!!

Around the time I left off
Cuchara, CO
My oldest is 8!
Turning into a big boy
It was bound to happen sometime
Tri-State Fair 2010
Our birthday monkey
Running and no one was chasing me!

Running and no one was chasing me!

2010-10-13T15:38:00.001-07:00

Yep I ran without anyone chasing me. I wasn't trying to get away from a water hose, booger, or the resident tickle monster (Cameron). I signed up for a RACE!

I will wait for a moment while you gather yourself. It is awe inspiring isn't it??

Mason's school hosts a HUGE carnival each year and one of the events to help raise money during this shindig is a family fun run 1 mile and 5K. Yes, I am fully aware that we could have done the 1 mile. In fact I pondered that BUT NO!!! We went all out and signed up for the 5K. So on purpose I paid money to get up early on a Sat. morning and be chilled to run without being chased.

This girl made me do it. Peer pressure sucks.

And at this moment I thought surely I would die. I had lived a good life...
I won't lie and say it was fun or even enjoyable but we finished. With a few people behind us even. Although I was a little sore that a little pipsqueak of about 7 passed us. But the rumor is she had been training. HARDCORE, or something like that. Did I mention that we hadn't run in quite a while? Well I ran the Monday before the race for a little bit but who am I kidding it wasn't anything like running outside!! And there were hills. Oh wait we live in Amarillo, there are no hills. But there was traffic. Oh wait there were cones and cars to block people off (except for that one lady who got extra close to me...I was hoping she would hit me so that I would be put out of my misery). But there was... oh forget it. It was brutal. BRUTAL I tell you. But like I said we finished. I got a t-shirt. I wore it proudly and promptly got Italian sauce on it. But I'll still wear it proudly.

I Keri Melban ran a 5K on October 9th, 2010. And word is I might do it again!

Our Birthday Monkey

2010-10-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

Be prepared. There will be TONS of pictures.

What a fun party we had for sweet Reece. He turned 1 on the 6th and there was just so much anticipation and excitement in the air. Monkeys was the theme and not really jungle monkeys but more sock money/traditional monkeys were used. I loved it because it reminded me of his room (that he shares with his brothers) and just his personality. He is a mover and shaker and all around monkey boy! I will put this out there that I should have just hired Amy to plan the whole thing because seriously this party wouldn't have been 1/2 as cute if it were left up to my own devices. She did so much and I appreciate her tremendously

Each table was decorated with photos that Amy had taken of Reece and balloons.

The grandparent corner! :) It was so fun to have them all there!

Reece was so distracted by the commotion of big kids around him. He couldn't stay focused on his cookie and candle!

Lily is making sure Reece likes his cookie! :) Reece's shirt was made by a friend's sister that I haven't ever met but I feel like I know. Shannon has a online site that you can go check out. The coolest thing about working with Shannon was that she was so nice and just knew what I wanted. I wanted monkey~check, cute~check and his name~check. I was so pleased with how it turned out!!

Oh Lily!! What can I say about this girl?? I think she loves me almost as much as I love her!

Ashlyn, such a sweetie with the best hugs!

Miss Marlee. Always full of something to tell me!

Baby Joseph~when do you stop calling a child Baby? He will be 2 in 2 months but he is still called Baby Joseph by just about everyone.

Baby Joseph's sister Alexis. Cannon used to call her Sexy. He worked so hard at Alexis and it came out Sexy every time. How we first caught on was one time he was talking about Ms. Jill and said Sexy's mom...

When I asked to take her picture he quickly stopped playing and did her head tilt. I remember the day when Gracelyn picked up this little pose. It is adorable.

Jordyn~A.K.A. the new big sister. She has a new baby at her house that is about 5 weeks old I believe. Alyssa is a mini Jordyn. So of course she is going to be just beautiful.

Ahh...Nathan I got you!!! You only thought you evaded the camera!

Gracelyn and Macy

Kennedi~She is waiting for her baby brother from Russia! We are all on the edge of our seats in anticipation of the arrival of Baby Boy Rawlins. Go check out their journey here.

Lainee Lou~Which isn't her name at all. She is a Lainee Mae just like Gracelyn but for some reason Lainee Lou came out one day and it stuck. I sure hope she doesn't mind Teresa!!! Cameron calls her Laineebug. What ever name she goes by she is simply precious in our eyes.

I thought I turned this photo around but apparently not. This is mischief 1 and mischief 2!!! Two peas in a pod these two. Maggie is one of my favorites!

Ava Cakes. This is one girl who loves her momma! I don't blame her I do too!

This sock monkey was a hit! Reece hugged him right away. And now he sleeps with him. I only push the cute lovies on him!

My kids should take lessons from me while taking photos. I am almost falling off a squishy cube. I mean squishy!!! It couldn't be because I was too big for it at all or anything. But still I am looking up and smiling. The boys just had to sit there and still managed to make silly faces or turn their head. Sheeesh!!!

All in all a GREAT party. I loved working on his party and all the details. It was a fairly cheap event but turned out great!

Dear Reece,

My sweet baby boy. You bring so much life to our family. Daddy and I look at you every single day and can't believe you are so sweet and ours. We find ourselves constantly telling each other how much we love you. We are positive your older brothers and sister have taught us this love. You have added so much personality to our lives and we are so grateful. This past year has been one of much appreciation and love for our kids. You have taught us to slow down and enjoy the moment. I have tried to soak up every single second of your babyhood. Things that were the same between you and your siblings is that you came out looking just like daddy. BUT the red hair was certainly a wonderful surprise. I love it and hope it never changes. It is a unique trademark to set you apart from the rest. Your sleeping habits mimic Mason's (I'm not impressed) but your eating habits are all your own. At a year you weigh 19.2lbs and are 30 inches tall. You nursed for 1 year and 4 days. Quite the accomplishment if I do say so myself. I am proud of both of us little man. I love how you lay your head on our shoulder and although you don't pat us you give up hugs and your kisses are super sweet.

Love you more each day,

Momma

Tri-State Fair 2010

2010-10-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

Do you have those traditions that you set in place YEARS ago that you didn't really know would be a tradition or annual event but developed into one? We also have a few sporadic events that I wanted so bad to become reoccurring things but it just never panned out. Like pumpkin patches. My kids have wondered patches and gathered their own pumpkins off the vine. At that moment I could have sworn that I would fulfill this desire of mine annually no matter what. Guess where our pumpkins came from last year? Wal-Mart! Yep the grocery store pumpkins were not only cheaper but cleaner, more convenient and easy!

But one tradition that has STUCK is a fair trip. I don't like the fair after 2:00pm. In fact my kids have NEVER ridden a ride at our fair. They have at carnivals like Dogie Days but I generally stay away and never mention rides at fairs or carnivals for the most part. We go for the exhibits, petting zoo and food. Boy do I sound old! I load up the kiddies along with the Ramsey crew and we eat, pet animals, walk in all sorts of weather from one building to another. This year was no exception.

I mostly took pictures of the petting zoo BUT there was so much more to be seen. It is the story of my life when I am in the moment I am soaking it all up and the last thing on my radar is taking pictures. I think I am too reliant on other people's pictures. I need to change this habit of mine.

I loved this guy. I think his eyes were so sweet!

It was bound to happen sometime

2010-10-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

The end of summer came and boy was I sad! We had the best summer ever. I think there was at least 3-4 days a week spent at the pool, discovery center passes got used to the max, park dates were at an all time high. It was a time that made me certain I could handle this mom-of-four gig I got myself into.

Gracelyn started 3rd grade. Why is turning 8 AND going into 3rd grade so monumental? I guess because I never taught those ages or grades so it seems so OLD to me. We were blessed with Mrs. Smith as her teacher. I know that she is the perfect teacher for Gracelyn

Cannon jumped into public school this year. Pre-K is proving to be awesome (according to Cannon). He was made for school. He loves the rules, structure, and routine of the school day. He loves his teacher just as much. Mrs. Kutin is so sweet and loving towards Cannon. the first time she met him she looked him up one side and down the other and said, "Wow, we have a leader on our hands!" I knew right there that she was going to do great things for my sweet Cannon!

Mason attends St. Mary's Montessori 4 days a week. After being in a MDO setting I (along with Mason) was ready for more structure within his routine. After the first 6 weeks he FINALLY stopped crying at drop off. It was brutal every morning but he loved Ms. Jennifer and wanted to see her every day.

And this little guy is happy that he gets me all to himself in the mornings. We have tons of fun running errands, going to bible study, play dates (these are more for me than him), grocery shopping...

Turning into a big boy

2010-10-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Cannon is 5!! Can you believe it? I sure can't . Grace and Cannon's birthdays are only 2 weeks apart so we barely are able to come off the birthday high from one child before we start on it with another.

For MONTHS Cannon has expressed his desire to go to the beach for his birthday. Well it wasn't happening because honestly the beach is about 19-22 hours from here. And there was no way I was going to just hope in the car to fulfill his desire when surely I could come up with something to satisfy him right??? Well this year it was hard but we did it! I did something that went against every mommy code in my head. We went to the beach. Greenbelt Lake's Sandy Beach.
I have not one single physical picture of this trip but I have tons in my head. It was the absolute best thing our family could have done for him.

I didn't step foot in a party store, order a cake, ponder over balloons, wonder how many little friends were going to show up. I just fulfilled my little boy's wish of going to the beach. I dealt with the guilt of course because planning parties is very much who I am. I really get into them. Gracelyn's first 3 were productions that I am mighty proud of. As the years have passed I have slacked or let some aspects go to a degree because of cost, reality, and my children's desires but for the most part every child has had a party with attention solely focusing on them for the day.

Saying all that it was truly my favorite day with Cannon. He loved floating in his life jacket and just being in a space that was bigger than he could imagine. We played in the sand, built sand castles/figures, floated for hours, splashed and did tons of jumps off daddy's shoulders. No one was ready to leave but alas all good parties must come to an end.

Here are a few pictures of Cannon this summer. He got a new bike for his birthday and couldn't wait to show it off.He seriously has the most angelic face I've ever seen.

Dear Cannon,

Your sweetness is greatly appreciated. Although at times we wonder if you will ever get "tough" secretly I love your gentleness and sensitivity. You are going to make a wonderful husband because you are so in tune with other people's emotions. You genuinely care how people feel and if they are happy. You tell us a million times a day that you love us and in turn I just can't help but kiss all over your sweet face and return the sentiments. You are such the snuggler and I pray that never goes away. I love how you love your daddy but you have gotten a little more attached to me. You are always up for a car ride and ask a million questions that keep us on our toes. You are VERY smart and although your speech wouldn't show it at times your words are thought out and precise. We love your stories and wish we could understand 100% of what you tell us. We are getting there sweet boy!

Love you to heaven and back,

Momma

My oldest is 8!

2010-10-13T11:32:00.001-07:00

If she is 8, how old am I?? Never mind don't answer that!! After many years of planning parties and such at our house I outsourced! We had don't it the previous year and I decided it was NICE! So a swimming party was born. Macy and Grace have birthdays 2 weeks apart so we (the mommas) decided to help each other out and do a combined party. It was a huge success. The only problem was that we didn't get to spend much time with each other's family but it was so much fun and a change from the past.

We had a wonderful time celebrating Gracelyn and how special she is.

Dear Gracelyn,

Each year I say this is the best one yet. I mean it. You bring such joy to our lives. I am so proud of your heart and sweet spirit. My favorite memories are when it is just us girls doing girl stuff. God carefully orchestrated our family and putting you first was just brilliant. You are such a little momma to the boys and they love you so much. We both know they have mastered the term pesky little brother but the love between you all is strong.

Much love my sweet angel,

Momma

Cuchara, CO

2010-10-13T11:17:00.001-07:00

Back in college I met a girl that has forever impacted my life. Well let me back up and say that I met two girls at two different colleges that have forever impacted my life. This story is about the 2nd girl at the 2nd college I attended. Amy and I have known each other forever it seems and instantly we were friends. There is only one other person who knows me as well as her and truly gets me. I don't think I am complicated or anything but I am definitely not the normal, everyday, run of the mill type of person. I tty my hardest to make my friends feel special and if there is one thing I hope I accomplish in my lifetime it is that I made people feel loved and valued. Because without these fabulous people my life would be boring and beige. I hate beige. I am more of a red or pink type of person.

So after finding that more than a degree was in common we decided to hook on to each other and we haven't ever let go. 8 kids later we are still laughing at each other's jokes and "getting" each other.

We decided to take the kids on a vacation. As predicted Cameron's summer was FULL so time off wasn't on the books. But that didn't stop us from loading up and heading to Cuchara, CO. It was the BEST.TIME.EVER! I seriously could have stayed there for weeks. The kids were awesome and so well behaved. The babies managed well and no one got snappy. That is a huge plus in my book. Check out Amy's post about our trip because there were way more pictures to fully see the fun that we had.
Melsey Vaca 2010 was just the beginning of many years worth of memories we will be making!

Around the time I left off.

2010-10-13T10:39:00.001-07:00

There is no way I can go back over each even that happened this summer but I will try to do a little catching up for my own sake. (note to self~NEVER let 4 months pass on your blog again!!)

Cameron's business is ever changing and growing. He evaluated each year things that will make the next season more productive and lucrative. It is a never ending cycle that at times can be frustrating but in the end it is something I really admire about him. He just wants the best for us and if he is constantly investing time and energy in the business then the outcome is better and better. One of those changes was getting a box truck to house all his equipment instead of trailers. We have GREAT plans for this truck. 1. We no longer require a shop to house anything other than his mustang. Which in the GRAND scheme of things is huge. There aren't many houses in town that have shops that we can afford so if we can have a truck to house the equipment then we don't need the shop we currently have. We aren't looking to move this month or even this year but it will happen eventually. I don't know when but we both desire more space and different features than what our current house provides. 2. Cameron will be able to advertise mobiley without having to pay a monthly fee on anything. The yellow pages are OUTRAGEOUS. Did you know that? Trust me they are! Any advertising is over the top expensive actually. Eventually there will be paintings/wraps on his box truck. He is open for spaces to advertise for other companies as well so if you know anyone that is interested send them his way! 3. His workers won't have to use their own truck. Cameron compensates them for their personal truck use but he also knows it is hard work on a truck to haul around a trailer all over town so this way his guys aren't putting useless miles on their personal trucks and can just use this. 4. People think they are getting a delivery when really they are getting their lawn mowed. (this made me chuckle because I would totally think the same thing)

So here you have the box truck story. Next time you see it it will be newly painted/wrapped and sporting all kinds of fun graphics.This is just a random picture of my 3rd child and his super happy mommy!! Mason puts smiles on my face daily. I need to revisit this picture often because right now we are on the downhill side of the "Terrifying Threes". If anyone ever tries to mention the "Terrible Twos" they have no idea what they are talking about. Give me a two-year-old any day over a child in the middle of age 3! But alas I think I can call it as almost over. We have just 3 1/2 months until the magical age of 4. I love 4! I mean really love it. I don't know if it is really because 4-year-olds are all that special or if I am just living on a high of making it through the past year. Either way I love age 4! Gracelyn and Cannon woke up on their 4th birthdays totally transformed. I am ready!!!
July 4th we went to Plainview to visit my Dad's brother and family. After getting in the car extra late for the drive home I immediately started wondering why we don't see them more often. I know why really, because we don't MAKE time. It is that simple. We let time pass until months become years and then when we gather again we soak up all the fun and enjoyment and let it rest on our souls. We think it will carry us until next time and it never does. We think we are too busy but we never are. We think that we we will get together more often but we never do. Such a shame really. I didn't get one single picture of my Aunt and Uncle but when this fella came out (dragged was more like it) of hiding you can bet your booty I was taking a picture. He was huge! I bet he weighed at least 40 lbs. I picked up Mason, 37lbs, and then the cat and they were really similar. Of course a cat holds himself differently than a child. So who actually knows but seriously I have never seen a cat this fat before!

Great things are happening

2010-10-06T05:50:00.000-07:00

Hello...is this thing on? You guys(all 3 of you) didn't know I was going to drop off the blogging bandwagon did you! Well I did take the summer off. What can I say I still think in teacher mode. But I have missed sharing about our lives. I have kept up with many of my friend's blogs and I have decided after getting much inspiration from this blog, this blog and this blog that I would take on a new direction of my blog. I really would like from here on out for this to be more of a recording of our daily lives. Before I got discouraged from blogging because my postsI formed in my head would be short or I would just want to share a picture without anything to go with it. This blogging business is big time stuff. But like I said I want to change things up a bit and just post our daily lives. Grandparents love that stuff, right mom??

The biggest thing about today is that it is Reece's birthday. I can't write much more or my keyboard will short out. *sniff sniff* I am so blessed by this baby and it is hard to let his 1st year pass. More (lots more) to come about Reece, his birthday, his siblings, his daddy, and what we have been doing.

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

I had a fabulous Mother's Day! :) It was spent loving on these people.

And enjoying these...

And getting a mani/pedi with my sweet 7 year old. All in all a fabulous day in my book.

Love/Hate relationship

2010-05-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

Reece and Ava have a sweet friendship forming. She tolerates him being in her face all.the.time. He likes to get up close and personal. She puts him in his place with a eye poke or two and in return he gets even closer. Pure love I tell you. It is super fun having these two sweethearts close in age.

Joneses, Jones' or Jones's

2010-05-10T09:31:00.001-07:00

Which ever way you spell it we are keeping up with them. :)

We got to take a trip down to Keller a few weeks ago and had a blast. They didn't disappoint in supplying the perfect weekend away. We love them so much.

Happy Birthday Nana!! :)

2010-04-23T11:58:00.001-07:00

Hope your day is fabulous and lots of happy birthdays!!

Love you tons!

Food for thought

2010-04-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

I want to start this off by saying that I know how blessed we are by Cannon's minimal speech delay. It is not a learning disability or anything of that nature so I am fully aware of how blessed we are to not deal with those issues. Learning disabilities are frustrating not only for the child but for the family. I know that it is a commitment that parent's didn't know they signed up for. It can be a heartbreaking journey to say the least. I get that and I truly feel for every type of disability that a child has to overcome.

All that to say that some people assume that because Cannon can't communicate his feelings in a way that is comparable to other 4 1/2 year olds that he must not understand what you are saying to him or that he is even slow. That is so far from the truth it makes me laugh. I am constantly amazed by his humor or imagination. It is wild, full and vast.

To throw in another frustrating kink, he is tall. Oh not just tall as in taller that a few, but TALL!!! He is gaining on Gracelyn and they are 3 years apart. Most people think he is 6-7 in age and therefor expect his behavior to follow that of an older child. But alas he is 4 1/2 and everything that little boys do at that age is silly, funny, sometimes inappropriate, full of toots and full of questions.

When we were faced with a question about Cannon's formal education I was adamant that although he will be old enough to start Kindergarten in the fall that we delay his start date. That we would get another year of pre-K under our belt and start with that. Get him on target or even a little ahead for success. I didn't care he would be taller than any other child in his class. Seriously I know he will be :) I would take care of his emotional well-being while the school takes care of his educational well-being (along with my supervision). Deal?? We each have our roles in this partnership and we each have to do them WELL for Cannon to succeed.

Throw the sensitivity of a 4 1/2 year old in there as well and sometimes I am at a complete loss of what to do for him. Cannon will fall into a puddle over something so small as thinking you are laughing at him. Yep I have one of those types of kids. Or at least a child going through that phase. A frustrating phase it is.

But I will say that if you ever get the privilege of hearing one of Cannon's prayers you know that he loves with his whole heart. He loves me, our family, his friends and our God with everything in his being. He is perfect in his creator's eyes and his words are no longer jumbled, slurred or mixed up. They are sweet and sincere.

We have been working on articulation for so long (2 1/2 years) that sentence structure hasn't been high on the list of priorities. Along with correct letter sounds we are also working on hard consonant sounds at the end of words so that not everything is open ended. Lots of work by his WONDERFUL speech therapist weekly and then additional work here at home. Work, work, work. We are so proud of his determination to make sure we hear him, understand him, communicate with him.

This is where I really start to think I didn't fulfil my end of the bargain. I spent so much time on letter sounds that I didn't remember to enforce the letter name. I didn't guide his letter recognition in a way that would make him successful to start school ahead of the pack. So yes my son doesn't know his letters, numbers, all letter sounds or even how to write his name. He can recognize it but he can't write it. Is he behind?? NO he just hasn't been taught yet. Who is to blame? Well of course I am the teacher momma so I take the hit HARD! I feel the looks, stares, judging eyes among other mommas with similar aged children who know these things already. YAY for them. I want all children to succeed and be successful so I never wish them to be behind like Cannon. It doesn't bother me they are ahead of Cannon. It truly doesn't. I want them to thrive, grow and learn in a way that makes them the best. But I want it for my son as well. I want those same things.

Cannon is also a very good judge of character. I mean GOOD. He knows who loves him for being the wonderful boy he is and who is bothered by his frustrating and limited speech. He clings to those who give hugs freely and don't get worked up because they can't understand him. (Sometimes just agreeing with a nod is best.) Cannon knows who is patient and will listen. Who is too busy to stop and pay attention. He knows. He is a good judge of character that boy. So in turn he LOVES grandmas and grandpas. LOVES THEM. He refers to his own grandparents often and wants to say hi to any grey haired person who looks his way.

We will get there. We ARE getting there. We continue to learn and grow and gain more knowledge each day. And it isn't because Cannon has failed at learning. It is because we have been preoccupied with life. I have been to the park after school 3 times this week. I promise all you have to do is text me around 3:10 and I have a car load of children heading to a park somewhere in Amarillo. Ready to swing as high as birds, run as fast as tigers, slide as smooth as otters (all according to Cannon). Come join me!

And I hope soon we can master the ABC song because goodness I am tired of the repetitive wrong version we currently have in our play list.

small victories

2010-04-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

3 months ago I reached into the darkness of the back of my closet, and tried on a handful of my favorite items. I quickly realized that I am NO WHERE near pre-pregnancy weight/size/form. So fast forward 3 months to today and I did it all again. Well lets just say there was a minor success. I say minor because none of the tops fit (nursing does that to mommas.) But really I was more interested in the pants, capris and shorts that have been waiting ever so patiently to see sunlight. The first 5 items didn't make it over the thighs. NICE...just keeping it real folks. BUT then came the coveted Gap jeans that I have had for about 5 years. They are worn and just perfect. I know I was setting myself up but I just had to see. Low and behold they fit. Well, fit is a relative term right? They buttoned. Who cares if I had to lay down to zip them? Who cares if the muffin top was beyond outrageous? Who cares if the circulation to my thighs was compromised? Who cares if sitting down hurt my tummy so much I desperately wanted to pop that top button for a few glorious seconds? (I may or may not have done this while driving.) So for 3 hours I tortured my bottom half because I had to think that the hard work I have been doing is paying off. I don't ask for much really.

I gladly came home and found my elastic standbys and have been comfortably happy ever since. Small steps people, small steps.

Funny things kids say

2010-04-02T08:44:00.001-07:00

I have heard my fair share of things coming from my kids that make me chuckle. Here's just a few.

"Mommy, can we have blue seawater from Sonic?" (an Ocean Water)
"Reece's boogers taste good!" (I won't rat the little stinker out who said this)
"My brain hurts when you talk to me." (attitude much?)
"I wish it weren't too late for me to be the only child." (betcha can't guess who)
"I in the middle, and I the favorite." (referring to his place among his brothers)
"You're not my best friend no more!"
"Mommy, you're now my best friend!" (OH really?? Seems like you alienated all other options in the house when you started hitting them one by one~but I'll take it none the less)
"Mommy, can we just eat out tonight?" (as I am placing her dinner in front of her)
"Do you like me or Mason best?" (Competition at it's finest!)
"I am smarter than Reece!" (See above comment)

Every time I hear this song on Nick Jr. I smile. It is so true for our life.
F-A-M-I-L-Y
When I am in your heart, I'm in your family.
When you're in my heart, you're in my family.

Cameron and I are blessed with family that is beyond WONDERFUL! You can go here, here and here to follow how awesome they are. (Maybe if I call them out a few will start to update more regularly~AHEM). But we are also fortunate enough to have an extended family that is so full of love for us. Some are blood related (although I keep forgetting how exactly) and others are family because I say so. I don't know how folks can go through life without people like the ones I have around me. They make my life better, more fulfilling, and overall wonderful. We might not have started out this life as family but when you're in my heart, you're in my family!

2nd Grade Sock Hop

2010-03-10T13:03:00.000-08:00

Gracelyn got to participate in the 32428th Annual Sock Hop at school. Seriously I have no idea the number of years this program has been performed but believe me it has been forever. And you know us teachers once we get an idea in our heads we don't let go. So until there is a change of charge in the 2nd grade I predict 3 more sock hops in my future.

The dancing was cute, the costumes adorable, the smiles bright. The tension of boys and girls dancing together thick as pea soup. I kept thinking if there were things that could be done differently while breaking them up into gender groups that would have enhanced their performances. Gracelyn dreaded every day of practice because of her partner who was a perfectly fine little boy. But she couldn't stand to be in his presence because in her mind boys are gross and although from afar they can be friends and playmates you DON'T dance with them. Her partner who has been the thorn in her side (not really him just the thought of the whole mess) was absent last night so she got with another boy whose partner was missing and it was much better. She said her partner knew the part and only a few times did I see her directing him on what to do. She knows her stuff on dancing, singing and performing. She takes it serious and was sooo afraid that her first partner was going to mess up and embarrass them. I had it in my mind I was going to go up to him last night and give him a hug for putting up with Miss Bossy Pants for 3 months. But alas it all worked out and she smiled a few times. :)

I did think she looked just beautiful. Makes me realize in this picture that she is growing into a young lady and moving into a new stage of being a school-aged child. Hard to explain but soooo different than in the past few months. Mature but not mature beyond her years in a way that makes her weird. And she likes barbies and dolls just as much as before so really I can't put my finger on what is so awesome about her right now. She just is.

She is the little Sock Hopper in the light pink skirt.

Arrange marriages aren't a bad thing right?!?!

Playing Hookie

2010-03-04T19:11:00.000-08:00

Right before we unloaded at the park I shout (Yes I had to shout because it was loud in there with all these kids. I LOVED IT THOUGH) "Hey kids look this way"~Of course Gracelyn is the only one who knows a photo is about to be taken and we take this serious in our house. I want faces people!!!!

Again I say look here guys and I only see one little smiley face. One nose picker, one ipod player and one dog scratcher. Reece would have smiled at me I am sure of it. He's obedient like that.

GUYS!!! LOOK AT ME!!! And low and behold I get faces turned my way. Still a nose picker and a disgruntled 3 year old but I did get a Clayton smile along with G still posing of course.Wednesday Gracelyn didn't have school because our school district allows all children who do not take the TAKS test to stay home. It was AWESOME to get a day to play hookie. I really felt like we were suppose to close the doors and make sure no one saw that we were all well (FINALLY). But alas we made the trek to the park with all the bikes loaded in the back along with an extra. Clayton is our neighbor who God blessed us with. He's G's age but he doesn't leave the little boys out. Best of both worlds. Anyways we were packed. I loved it. We rode and walked for a long time and then played a good bit as well.

Mason got a new Huffy for his birthday. He loves it and we love that he loves it so much. Of course I find it funny the manual is still attached with zip ties to the bike. Who knows it might stay that way now. I am pretty sure Cameron has bikes figured out and doesn't need to consult the manual. :thumbsup: He thinks he is pretty much a rock star on his bike. We do too!

I love this pointy chin. There is something about seeing Cannon's sweet face that just melts my heart. Each of my kids have physical attributes that I just fell in love with the moment I saw them. Cannon's was his chin. It is just sweet. I don't know another word for it. So sweet will work. And yes he is showing me a booger.

As Cameron and I were pushing Reece (asleep the whole time) around the park I came to realize that I am almost to the moment of completeness. It felt like the most natural thing to look up and see Gracelyn and 3 little boys following on their bikes all going at different speeds winding the walk. It was one of the most surreal moments in my life. Of course I went into the mode of when Gracelyn's 10 Reece will be Mason's age now and won't that be so different than now. After about the 4th scenario I threw out Cameron stopped me and said and when we are old the kids will be older. Okay smartie I get it. This is a mommy moment not shared by you. That's okay I'll blog about it. He is such a NOW person. What is going on NOW~so he didn't find the joy of what I was speaking of. Like I said it was a mommy moment for sure. I just loved it. I loved getting a small glimpse of our future. Of these boys playing and loving on each other with a girl's differentness (that is a word~I think) thrown into the mix. It was just a special gift from God for that hour and I took it and held it and put it away for safe keeping. I plan to dig it up when we are having an especially hard day of drama, toughness, attitudes and orneriness and relive this moment. Because as much as I am a one-day-at-a-time type of gal I love to dream and think of whens, what ifs, and maybes occasionally.

AND YES WE NEED TO WORK ON PUMPING THE LEGS IN THE SAME DIRECTION TO PICK UP SPEED!!!

Two is way cooler than four

2010-03-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

The only time that two is better than four is when you go from four wheels to two. Look who is now a master at the two wheeler!!!

Cannon has never been a big bike rider. In fact his bike came used to us and we never thought about replacing it because there was no desire to get better or ride it. It saved us money really. He had plenty of other wheeled toys to occupy his time so don't feel sorry for the poor boy just yet. :) Well Tuesday afternoon after school he asked Cameron to take the wheels off of his tricycle and he just took off. I think it maybe took Cameron a few minutes of coaching but really that is it. He is a master at it now! :) The bike is way too small for him now so we will be upgrading this week. I love how he cycles with a smile on his face ALL THE TIME. So much fun for him!! YAY CANNON!!!

And yes we wear cowboy boots while riding our bikes around here!

sickies

2010-02-28T12:56:00.000-08:00

Yep we have the sickies here at Casa De La Melban. Not just a little under the weather either. Nope when we do something we like to do it big around here.

Cannon has ear infections in both ears or if you want to say it in a way to make it sound mega bad~double ear infection. :) But either way both his ears were hurting and one was draining. Stinky-brownish-goopy stuff. (Wouldn't want you guys to miss the full experience) He has been pure bliss to be around let me tell ya. Actually today he is back to his ornery self so I KNOW he is feeling better.

Reece went in with Cannon to get a little cough checked out and tested positive for RSV. Since we caught it early I have seen the full progression of what RSV can really do. We are in the 3-5 day phase of this illness and it is the worst supposedly. So we are doing breathing treatments every 3 hours. This morning we had to go back actually because I was concerned about eating and his urine output. But all is good although we did find out he has ear infections (or a double ear infection) in both ears. So we get to start an antibiotic as well as steroids for his lungs. JOY, just pure JOY here! :)

Red rimmed eyes. And yes the running nose is non-stop.

I am afraid it is going to be raw pretty soon.

Mason and Gracelyn are doing great through this. Gracelyn has a cough and stayed home on Friday because of it but really she is fine. I just didn't want her to get worse or pass this stuff on to another child. Mason has missed it all. Absolutely no change in energy level whatsoever! I don't wish he was sick by any means but I do wish he would adjust his disposition to a slower pace just for a day or two.

Here is the well child! :)

He was so shocked I would take a picture of him doing his business.

He was looking at the Toys-R-Us Catalog. Just a little leisurely reading.

2 of the 4

2010-02-23T13:39:00.000-08:00

Love this picture. It was taken last week after church when we had two other baptisms. A friend took it and I just love it. I mean, seriously love the two boys in this picture so much I just had to share.

Proudest moment in my life as a parent

2010-02-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

Cameron baptized Gracelyn yesterday. It was just spectacular and special and so filled with love. She is a wonderful little girl and I am just so proud of her confession and faith. Yes she is only 7 but her faith is what Jesus wants us to mimic. Pure, innocent, untainted by the world.

The most special thing besides witnessing her baptism is seeing how many people love my daughter, love us and love the church.

Valentine's parties for the boys

2010-02-22T09:23:00.000-08:00

Valentines is a day that I love. I don't love all the candy, hyper kids, sugar rushes but I do love the day of love and the idea of love and the act of love. I love it all! :) The boys had a great party at MDO that was fun and Gracelyn's school party was so cute. I forgot my camera for hers but she was perfectly dressed in pink and more pink!

Just 5 inches~no biggie

2010-02-22T09:17:00.000-08:00

This is the 2nd snow that caused great amounts fun in our house. We had just dug out of 10 inches the weekend before his birthday and then 2 days later we get this. I don't have pictures of bundled up kids but there was plenty around here! :)

Mason's Birthday Family Day

2010-02-22T08:52:00.001-08:00

Our Family Days are almost as fun as party days! :) We got Gracelyn out of school early and headed to Walmart to pick out a bike for our 3 year old. He was so excited and ready to join the ranks of "big kids". He got a helmet that hasn't left his head much since it is was bought and he loves the bike. I will let the pictures tell the story of our day/evening.

Discovery Center (bought a family membership and it has been so fun. Much different than the DC of when I was a kid)

First time for Reece to be in the stroller without his carrier. Such a big boy!

Mr. Gattis~pizza and chaos what more could you ask for?

working out

2010-02-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

I hate it!

There I said it.

I don't apologize for it and I won't take it back either. I just hate it.

BUT I love the results soooo I keep doing it. UGH...After 4 years of being somewhat consistent with it (although there were 2 pregnancies thrown in there) I still don't like it. But I do it. Reluctantly so I do it.

I only know 2-3 people who really LOVE it. I don't aspire to be like them, because their goals are different than mine so it isn't like we are on the same playing field really. But I do know a ton of people who barely tolerate it just like me!

Glad to know I'm not alone.

What do you not like to do but you trudge through it anyways because it betters you?

Hanging out

2010-02-15T14:44:00.000-08:00

When I was in high school "hanging out" got a whole new meaning. It meant there was usually food, talking (about boys), confessions, laughter, tears and more food. It was great. I won't usually confess to high school being that great, but the hanging out part was the highlight for sure.

As we grow older the term hanging out falls by the wayside and we adopt new terms such as mommy groups, women's group, prayer group, girl's night out, play dates, friend date, etc... but the topics never change. Confessions, laughter, tears, food and more food usually are on the agenda.

I love it and have had the opportunity to do this a little more than normal lately. It has been great getting with friends who have been there forever and people who are really more than friends in my book. My most favorite thing about my friends is watching them love my kids in a way that makes me love them even more. The best way to my heart is to be kind to my babies.

God is so good in providing these type of friends in my life. I am beyond blessed!

What is the one thing that you love about your girlfriends?

Hug away...

2010-02-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

Look at these sweet girls. Just precious in my book. They have not a care in the world besides spelling tests on Friday and whose brother(s) might win the prize for being the most pesky that day. But seriously they don't ponder deep thoughts, have huge worries, fret over life. Nope they just live life in a way that when your momma says (while holding the camera) HUG~they do it. With their whole body, heart, face and arms everywhere. They did just what they wanted and hugged. They showed each other their love through that hug and it radiated into their smiles and laughter. They didn't wait to see if it would be reciprocated they just did it knowing that eventually if you hug someone like that then they will hug you back. No worries between them that's for sure.

How wonderful to have a friend who wants to show you how much you mean to them that they would hug you with their whole heart. As we grow up we loose our ability to really just hug! We know huggers and non-huggers in our life. The non-huggers keep their distance when hugging. They aren't being rude they are just uncomfortable and it really has nothing to do with you usually. They just aren't huggers. The side hug (appropriate in some cases~necessary when with the opposite sex) is what you get. Usually these people might be better with words than affection but I have known some who just can't get it out no matter how much you want to crack their shell. You just aren't going to know them the way you want. Then there are the people who are huggers. The people who will hold you tight when life hurts. Who will not let go just because the time limit has been reached. Who show their sympathy, love, joy, and heartache through their hugs. I love these people. I honestly love that physical contact that expresses love. I connect with these type of people. I thrive in this environment. Might be why I have Cameron. He is a hugger and it never gets old. Nor does he let go until it is enough.

I don't fault or discredit anyone's hug ever. I take them in and love every one I get. But I do savor the hug of a genuine person. Must be why Gracelyn's mean so much. She has it mastered.

Up till now...

2010-02-05T17:40:00.000-08:00

I could enlighten you all what we have been doing in the past 4 months but I have a feeling that you guys pretty much know that we have become a family of 6 now. Reece Maddux was born October 6th. He weighed in at 7lbs 14oz and was 21 3/4 inches long. Tons of strawberry blonde hair that he is holding on to!! YAY!!! But really that would be a long boring post to go back that far so now that you know my sweet boy will be 4 months old tomorrow I can just start from now. I mean really we had 3 holidays in there to recap and then there is just the everyday life that happened while we blinked so I will spare you all.

I will just start from here on out with the wonderful things that have kept me from blogging. Is that a deal? Good...whew...thanks for letting me off the hook. You guys are the best.

Here are a few of my sweet guy. How did I get so blessed?

Not Your Momma's Aerobic Class

2010-02-05T17:17:00.000-08:00

Cameron and I have been back in the gym for a while now and although I am not seeing the results I would like I know that it takes time. It took me 9 months to put on the weight, I need to be realistic in getting rid of it. I am impatient though.

We have slacked this week but I don't feel guilty. I think it has to do with all the dancing that's been going on. The kids discovered Youtube. Yes you read that right. We are loving listening to Taylor Swift, Miley Cirus, even a little Katy Perry (although that is all Cam's doing). The kids have joined our dancing sprees and we end up a sweaty mess. But let me tell you it is fun. I would be mortified if anyone saw our routine. It isn't anything like Ross and Monica's *routine* on Friends, but it is somewhat organized. We are perfecting it and just waiting for the chance for Dance TV to call us. Oh wait that is Girls Just Want to Have Fun isn't it? Oh well we will get our chance one day. Until then we are just satisfied with our aerobics class each night.

And as promised pictures of my sweet workout partners. They keep it real by making sure they pat my jiggly tummy so that I will remember exactly why I am working out! :) Precious of them isn't it?

Switching over

2010-02-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

I have committed myself to (to a large group of people) blogging and although I question that commitment I must fulfill it just even a tiny bit so here is my GRAND RE-OPENING! :)

I last left off on my other blog with my grandmother passing away. That was mid December but before that it was a good 4 month hiatus from blogging. It was great and refreshing. Much needed in the whole scheme of things. I needed to step back and get realigned with my family. In doing so another Internet/social networking site crept into my life. I have been apart of Face book for a long while and have LOVED every minute of it until the recent months. I have seen it tear people down and turn into an ugly mess of late. Not something I want to be apart of. I needed to release that strong hold and regroup so to speak. Face Book was so fun to reconnect with a great group of people from my past. I have "seen" many people on there that I wouldn't have ever reconnected with otherwise. I am still in Face book mode as to thinking of two liners that will be witty and captivating enough for people to respond to. I might still revert back to that every once in a while. Because really does a whole blog post need to be dedicated to Gracelyn getting confused in thinking they were going to be giving REAL tattoos as a fundraiser at school? No just the quick reference that temporary tattoos were on the agenda and not the real deal.

One thing I will do is share pictures of my precious kids. So be checking back frequently to see these darlings who occupy my time.