A Year in Review

As I sit here and think about all this year held for us; I'm not ready for it to end yet.  This has been a great year with many blessings.

A few of our big highlights were:
** We have been doing owner financing on our last house for 2 years and this was our last year.  He paid it off in August; which was exciting.
** We paid our house off; which was even more exciting!!
** We bought a new 4 wheeler, so even more fun for sure to be able to ride together and not all of us on the same 4 wheeler.......LOL  Just picture all of us on there together; not the most comfy.
** Zachary turned 5 yrs old and Sadie turned 3 yrs old in March.  Busy month!
** Les turned 43 and I turned 35.......whew, how come we have to get older too?!?!
** Zachary has been learning to shoot basketballs and really has been enjoying that too.
** Zachary started Kindergarten (homeschooled) and is doing really well.  He loves to tell you everything he knows.
** Sadie has slowly started to learn how to write and really enjoys doing "school" with bubby (her big brother)
** The kids enjoyed a vacation with my mom and my brother and his family to visit Uncle Wawee in MS and LA.  Les and I didn't know what to do w/o them, but we enjoyed 4th of July alone.  That was a first for us since having kids.  It was fun and I tried a frozen banana with nuts on it - RECOMMEND!
** Les changed jobs after being with the same company for 17 years, so it was a most-welcomed change. 
** We traveled to AK for a 7 day cruise and had a great time!!!  My family, my mom and her cousin, Nancy, went together.  We spent a few days in Seattle, WA and really enjoyed the vacation.  Overall, we were gone for about 10 - 11 days.  The kids did WONDERFUL and I would definitely do it again with them.

One of my resolutions from this last year was to say "No" to too much.  This year was great because we weren't overloaded with activities and just had a relaxing year.  We have been camping, traveling, Les has been hunting, and so much more.  Overall, a very good year and look forward to 2015 and see what lies ahead for us.

I'm hoping Jesus returns and brings us all home to our eternal home.  Do you know where you're going?  If not, PLEASE ask me how you can know that you will be secure in Heaven, with Jesus!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday, Jesus, and Happy New Year!!!!

See you next year!!!!

Countdown to Jesus' bday

Started our chocolate calendars today. Yay!!  

Happy Birthday to Me

What a fun day it has been turning 35 years.....NOT!  I celebrated with a tummy bug that Zachary so sweetly gave to me...YAY!  I am still not feeling super great, but definitely better than earlier today (Zofran in my system to help).  I ate dinner.......thank you, mom!  I pray that y'all don't get sick.  I really enjoyed being with y'all and giving the kids something to do other than watch TV.  :)

Thank you, Les for the sweet card and the dessert.  It was yummy, but now I'm ready for bed.  Way to party it up....LOL  Hopefully tomorrow Les and I will be able to go out on a date.  We have plans to seeing the new Hunger Games movie. 

Happy Birthday to me, cheers for a healthy year!!!!!!!!

Christmas Cards

I didn't send Christmas cards last year b/c well, I don't know why!  I probably ran out of time or just didn't do it; I'm going with the latter excuse.....HA!

Anyways, we went to Alaska (you have to go!) this last September for our 7th Wedding Anniversary with our 2 kids, my mom, and her cousin.  We had a great time, many laughs, some tears, good memories, bad memories (lost S's lovie, her Dogee), etc.  We saw so many great wonders like glaciers, man, they are fascinating. 
While we were in Ketchikan, we got to meet the REAL Santa..........SSSSAAAAAANNNNNNNTTTTTTTAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!  Pretty much how I felt and the kids too.  wink wink  Zachary has told pretty much every. single. person. that he met the real Santa and has been to Alaska.  Pretty cute, if you ask me. 

Today I ordered our Christmas cards for this year with this wonderful picture:

Sadie isn't smiling, but the rest of us look great.  She actually wasn't smiling in any of our Santa pictures.  She was probably still daydreaming of the Lumberjack guys that we just saw working their muscles.........HUBBA HUBBA (that's what I say to her when she looks at the pictures...hehehe).  She just smiles and repeats it.........LOL.  She's just the sweetest thing, Sadie, how can you really be 3 1/2 yrs old?!  STOP. GROWING.

I hope that you enjoy the picture because I love it and can't stop looking at it!!!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!! 

Change

It's coming and we're so ready!!!

Les has accepted a new position with a different company.  He has been with his current employer for 17 yrs.  So, it's bittersweet, I'm sure for him to be starting this new chapter in his life. 

We made a list of things that he wanted in his new job and started praying over that; which was in July.  Then in August, a position opened up in the County that we live in.  He applied for that and was called for an interview.  6 weeks later, while on vacation, they called back for his 2nd interview.  Needless to say we were ecstatic.  However, we weren't going to be home for another week.  They did wait and he had his 2nd interview the following week.  They asked him to accept the position that afternoon after his interview that morning.  He had his physical and the rest is history.  I'm so proud of Les and his accomplishment.

Honey, love you and keep up the good work.  <3

No more Sundays!!!

Today Les worked his last Sunday at Sears.  Les has this last week left and then he'll be starting his new job.  He's been with Sears for 17 yrs, so this is a huge change for him. We have prayed Gods will for the last 3 months and God opened a door for change. We're so excited for this change in our lives. Thank you, Lord for all that You have done and will continue to do in our lives.  Praise Him!!!

3rd week of school!

Today was the first day of public school around us.

We decided to have some fun today and do edible science; which was slime!  We also went to the library after school this morning.  Here are a few pics from our edible slime!!  Enjoy!!

7 years!

Today is our 7th year anniversary.......woo hoo!!!  Time has flown by so fast; really, it has!

The number 7 is completion, so we made it to that.  We are completed....LOL

We're now working on the 8th year of our marriage; which is new beginning.  We have a lot of new beginnings in our life right now. 
1. Les' new job
2. We paid off our house a few months ago; which was totally exciting!
3. We bought a new 4 wheeler, so now all 4 of us can go riding much more comfortably.
4. We think we have found the church for us to go to as a family, but we are wanting to try 1-2 more that we have heard about.  FBC VA is a great church with a lot going on right now.  They have a great kids program and areas for Les and I to get involved also. 
5. We started Zachary's Kinder year as a homeschooling family and Sadie is in PreK at home also.

Those are just a few "new" things for us over the last few months that are exciting in our lives.  We continue to pray that we would keep God in the center of our marriage b/c w/o that; it just wouldn't last.  We're happy and more in love than when we got married.  Our communication skills have gotten better.  I'm learning to hold my tongue; which is HARD, but I have to try to tame it.

The way we celebrated today was with crab legs outside with soup and asparagus.  Then we took the kids for dessert at Braum's to celebrate our love with some sweetness.  The kids loved it!

Here's to many more years!!!!!!!!!  I love you, Les and I'm glad that you and I are doing this life together.  xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Bra

My sweet Sadie was playing trains while I was getting ready this morning.  I came out of the bathroom to find this:

She pretty much cracks me up.  She said she had a bowl for her trains....hahahaha

Our little egg...

Sadie loves this!!!

Pics!!!

 

Me on a cooler July day, did I really just say cool & July in the same sentence??!!  YES!

Ladonia Frontier Days - Bubble Gum Blowing Contest!


Australian Rodeo Queen at the Ladonia Rodeo!


Les and I spent 4th of July together - Alone!  We went and saw fireworks in Anna with my dad and then just the 2 of us in Celina.  Celina was the best between the 2 and the weather was PERFECT!!  It was a great date night for Les and I.  :)


Celina Fireworks Show


Took the kids to Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville.  We had a great time!!


Walked in and found Sadie sitting like this watching TV one afternoon.  Pretty funny!!


Tim Hawkins & Bob Smiley Comedy Show


Our trip to Downtown Dallas - this is in the Visitors Center.


DART ride to/from Dallas!!!


Us at the splash pad in Anna.  The little white thing in Sadie's hand is a white poodle...HA!


My MIL and I spent the day together and this was at lunch and after her haircut.  We had a great time and reminded me of what it was like before her Alzheimer's got worse.  Love you, Doris!!

Summertime FUN!

I just noticed that's its been about 3 weeks (at least.....oops!) since I blogged. 

1 week I worked more so a fellow co-worker could go out of town, so I was really busy that week! 

We have had a lot of playdates with family and friends.  What else is summer good for, right?!  :)

Les has been job hunting and had 2 interviews yesterday, so we're praying for God's will.  We're trusting that God will tell Les to either change job locations or stay where he is.  It's for sure an exciting time; even if God does tell him to "stay".  God's ways are always best!

We have been planning our vacation in September.  I can't WAIT to go!!!  We're going on a cruise to Alaska and I am so excited!!!  Cruises are so fun and this is a place that we have been wanting to go to.  We wanted to do this cruise for our honeymoon, but they don't do AK cruises in October.  We're all 4 going and then my mom and her cousin.  We're going to have a blast!

Monday was a neat day with my MIL, Doris.  I took her to her dentist appt and when we were sitting there waiting; she told me she wanted to get a haircut, so that's exactly what we did after her dentist appt.  The lady that cut Doris' hair was a God-send.  She is a believer, works with Alzheimer patients 3x/week at a assisted living place, and is about Doris' age.  One thing that I just loved about this lady was when she told me that she prays over her clients when she's washing their hair.  How cool is that?!  LOVE!  Doris and I also went shopping and had lunch together.  She was pretty talkative, smiled a lot, hugged me several times, etc.  It was like when we used to hang out together when Les and I were dating.  Doris and I had a very good relationship and this time that we had on Monday was so much like those days.  It just made my day and I felt like my heart was going to burst.  I have cried many times over the loss of relationship because of Alzheimer's.  It's not fun watching the ones you love lose their mind.  Doris, I love you and I'm so glad to have you as a 2nd mom.

Zachary has started Kindergarten this past Monday, so we have had our first full week.  This week, I taught him about the creation and then just reviewing writing his alphabet, etc.  We've had a great week.  The next 3 weeks are going to be focused on reviewing more from last year, but a step harder to get him ready to start the curriculum.  This week was fun and we had to break a wall down to get where we needed to be to have a teacher/mom and student/son relationship.  I think we're ready for the year and I'm excited to see where we are in a year.

Praise!!!!!!!!  My mom had a pet scan last week and we didn't know that it was going to be scheduled.  My mom had received a call to schedule the pet scan.  We were all pretty nervous about it, but just tried to stay calm and leave it all in God's hands.  This past Monday we received the results for her.  No Active Cancer!  I pulled off the hwy and just cried and praised the Lord for HIS healing hand.  I am so thankful and blessed and totally at a loss for words.  All praise goes to Jesus!!!!

That's all for now, but stay tuned for a few pictures that I need to post from my phone.  :)

Challenge

This morning at church the pastor re-asked a question that he presented last week in church.  We're visiting churches looking for one closer to us.  We're having fun meeting new people in our community; which is our driving goal of finding a new church.  We want to be able to enjoy serving our community.  Okay, off that rabbit chase.  The pastor basically said," what would your church be like if everyone was like?"  He the went on to say, what if they prayed like you? tithed like you? etc.

That one question really got me thinking.  I know that I need to continue to work on myself, but I can say that I am not the same person as I was before September 2012.  God got ahold of me and has forever changed my life.  It's very personal, so I won't post all of that yet, but God rocked my world, showed me things that needed to changed in my life, areas I needed to ask for forgiveness, people I needed to forgive who have hurt me and a few more things.  It was a very hard time, spiritually challenging time, and dealing with things of my past that I have just pushed down and not dealt with.  I am thankful for that time in my valley of Baca, I am thankful that my mom has cancer, I am thankful for so many things.  I just can't let bad things get me down because God is holding my right hand.  God has gone before me and He goes with me through all things that I will encounter in this life.  I know where I'll be when this life is over with, I know where my family will be when their final breath finds them.  I have HOPE, I have JOY, I have CONTENTMENT, I have LOVE, I have PEACE, I have JESUS CHRIST!

May you be encouraged that even in the midst of storms; God is there!  He's there in the good, bad, and the ugly times.  He loves you and will always be waiting for you to open that door to your heart.  Don't delay.........Jesus could come today!!!!

Crazy busy fun

We've been having a great summer so far.  The kids went on vacation with their Mimi, wee-wee, dayday, Caleb, Caitlyn and uncle wawee.  They all had a great time.  While they were away we (mainly Les and my dad) built a big fort that we named Fort Brown.  I love it and so honore to have it in my yard.  We had a great 4th of July.  Parade, festival, and lots of firework fun!  We went to Anna's and Celina's firework shows.  Great times!!!!

Happy Father's Day!

Yesterday was Father's Day, but this weekend was fairly busy and I wasn't able to post anything to honor my own father and the father of my own kiddos.

Dad, you mean so much to me.  We have had our moments, but overall, I'm so thankful for you always pointing me to Christ through all I have gone through and all I will go through as life continues.  :)  Thank you for loving me, helping me, and being there for me.  I love you and thankful to have you as my dad!!!!

Les, I want to also tell you how much I love you too and the dad that you are to our kiddos.  They love you so much and enjoy all your silly games!!!  ;)  Enjoy this time with them as they blossom into little mini-you and me's!!  I'm glad that God selected you and I do this thing called life together!  I love you and they love you too!!!!

 

Les and Zachary

 

Les and Sadie

Dog days of summer

It's not even that hot yet, but the dog is tired....hehehehe. 

Memorial Day

I want to take a moment and thank those who have served our country, died for our country, and still serving for our country.  Thank you for your sacrifice b/c it's such a great sacrifice.  However, the greatest sacrifice that was ever made was when God sent His son, Jesus to die for you and me on the cross some 2000 years ago.  Without that, our sins send us to Hell, but with the sacrifice of Jesus, we can overcome hell and be forgiven.  Thank you, Jesus for dying for me!!!!!!

Have a great Memorial Weekend and please don't forget all these sacrifices that have been made for me and for you!!

MFW K Curriculum

We got it today - yay!!!!!!  I'm so excited and the kids were super excited too.......both of them!  I think Sadie will enjoy doing things with us in the next school year.  I haven't been able to look through everything yet, but I can't wait to sit down by myself and just absorb all the information!!!

Doc says one thing; God says another

One of the docs a few weeks ago who was taking care of Clayton said that if they didn't put in the feeding tube; then Clayton would die.  They tried the NG tube 2x and it didn't work.  Then they thought about the feeding tube, but guess who is now eating ON HIS OWN???  Claytie Bear!!!!!!!  He has come along so far and will hopefully be moved to a specialty hospital/rehab type place to strengthen him so that he can go back to his group home.  We're so excited to see how far Claytie has come.  God has performed a miracle in Clayties life since they're shocked that he survived this incident.  God is good in the good and bad times.  We never gave up on God and continued praying and searching the scriptures.  He is so faithful; thank you Lord!

Ebates?

Do you use ebates when shopping online???  If not.........WHY?????  You could paid to shop using their site.  I just received in the mail today a $15 check for just using it.  It's free to sign up and use, so what are you waiting for?????

Click this:
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=mSRGLgEhP3NO6DjQaW4uXA%3D%3D

Sign up today!!!!!!!

Claytie

My uncle is doing a little better each day. He's still not ready to have either a swallow test or feeding tube yet.  Hopefully next week he'll be strong enough for something.  Here's a picture of the bear.

Legoland......

Well, not actually, we're playing Legos on my bed, but we are among a sea of Legos!!!  

New iPhone app!!

I am posting this from my phone.....I'm in love already!!!!  Enjoy some pictures from our Branson trip!!

Branson Trip

We had a great trip to Branson last week.  We went and saw the Presley's, ate at Lambert's (they throw the roles at you and the kids LOVED that!), saw Jonah (Highly recommend!!), Springfield (to my mom's side of the family cemetery), and of course, had a fun day at Silver Dollar City.  On our way home, we went up to some friends' house up in Lebanon and had a great visit with them.  We went to a fish hatchery which the kiddos were able to feed the trout.  They enjoyed that too; that was a first for them.  :)  Then on Saturday, we had to get home b/c my uncle had been admitted to the hospital on Thursday night for aspirating on chocolate cake.  They had to intubate him to help him breathe.  It's a miracle because he is doing pretty good right now.  He's not out of the woods by any means yet and he's still in the ICU.  They are working on clearing up his pneumonia; then they're hoping that tomorrow they can put in a feeding tube.  He wants to live, but the NG tube didn't work, so right now the only way to get him nourishment is to get a feeding tube.  So, please say a prayer for our sweet Claytie Bear.

Have a great day - we're soooooooooooooooooooooooo busy today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heaven

Zachary has always been very comfortable when talking about Heaven.  However, lately, it seems as though he talks about us being in Heaven more and more.  I just put on facebook something he said yesterday on our way to church.  He said," I think that we'll be in Heaven by the time the road to Mimi's is finished."  He also will ask me frequently when will Jesus call us home (Heaven).  I always tell him that we don't know the hour when Jesus will call us home or when Jesus will come back for us.

He's a pretty deep thinker and I love that his thoughts are on Heaven, Jesus, God, etc. a lot of the time.  This is part of education part that I wouldn't trade one single bit.  I want Zachary and Sadie to have a very strong background in their faith, our morals, and values.  Sometimes I can't explain everything to Zachary, but the fact that he wants to learn about it.....that's the awesome thing!  I know that God will give me what I need when I need it; I am getting so excited about K this upcoming Fall. 

Here are a few pictures of us from our walk today at a park near our house.  Enjoy!!!

Louisiana Trip!

We got back last Thursday from a whirlwind trip to see my uncle down in Covington.  We had an absolute wonderful time, exhausting, but wonderful!!!

The kids didn't want to fish and I started fishing off of the dock.  After I had caught a few fish; then they were both VERY quick to get off the boat and come fish with me....HA!  They both caught fish and loved it.  I was pretty proud since fishing is one of my favorite things to do. 

We were on the boat (54 ft Cruiser) a lot, playing, eating, sleeping, cruising, etc.  The kids enjoyed it immensely!  I'm pretty sure that my uncle did too.  He had a lot of hugs from the kiddos and quite a few good belly laughs at their antics.  They were so good though and very proud of how they acted the entire time.  My uncle said that they could come down anytime they wanted because they were so well behaved.  Points for mommy and daddy!!!  :)

On our way down we went to eat at Randol's in Lafayette........LOVED IT!  My mom and I had been there many times before and we were telling the kiddos about how you can dance to Cajun music and that the food is awesome.  Zachary and Sadie really enjoyed all the dancing and they were really kicking up their heels!  HA!  Zachary really enjoyed his shrimp and Sadie enjoyed her catfish.  My mom and I enjoyed our food too!!!  YUMMY!!!!!!

On the way home, we stayed in Shreveport and found a hotel that had a pool.  They were so well-behaved (have I said that yet....LOL) and we wanted to reward them.  They loved the pool and once I got used to the cold water; I enjoyed it too!  The next day we got up and I wanted to show my mom our stompin' grounds during deer season.  So, we came through Marshall, Caddo Lake, Jefferson, etc.  We got to see our friends at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Refuge - we surprised them with a visit!!  Then we came on home and it was GREAT sleeping in my own bed that night.  :)

All in all, it was a great trip and can't wait to get down there again!!!!!!!!!!

7 (6) weeks left!!!

We're almost done with our 1st year of homeschooling - PreK.  Woo Hoo!!!!!!  We have 6 weeks of schooling left, but there is a week of vacation thrown in there too, so 7 weeks till we're out for the "summer".  However, we're going to still be working on stuff during the summer to keep the noggin' from forgetting much.  I have a K book that we're going to be working through, so we'll start that after a few weeks after ending PreK.  Zachary did absolutely awesome this past school year.  He loves school and I love that for him too!

For K, we're going to be doing My Father's World - I'm so excited.  It's a Christian based curriculum that is very hands on for the kiddos.  Also, a portion of the money goes to support missionaries and Bible translating.  I think we'll have an awesome year next year!

Cheers to 6 weeks left of our 1st school year - Go Zachary!!!!!!!!!!

God is still in the healing business

I don't even know how to begin this blog, but with tears streaming down my cheeks because of good news, well, that's a Jesus deal (as our pastor says)!!!

My mom, for many years, has battled cancer off and on (since 1999).  Today, she still battles cancer and has been on a certain chemo drug since April 2013.  Recently, she has been more sensitive to the drug and we don't know what that exactly means.  However, I have been praying that her numbers would be 0.  While they are not 0, her numbers did go from 41.3 to 11.83.  You talk about a huge leap of numbers.  I just can't stop praising the Lord and I'm so thankful that He is choosing to do a miracle in her life.

We need to give thanks and praise Jesus in our joy and our sadness.  Thank you for your faithfulness, Father.

Mom, we're still fighting with you.........Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AWANA Grand Prix Derby

Zachary had his 2nd grand prix derby races last night with his AWANA group.  His car did awesome and he won 1st place in several heats.  He was so excited and had a great time.

He helped to design his car, he painted it, helped put the wheels on, etc.  He did a great job and he is so proud of his car.  We're proud of his car and the effort that HE put into it.

Pictures to come because, well, I didn't take any.........LOL  Big surprise?!  NOOO.......HAHA  I am terrible about taking pictures, but I promise to take a picture of his car and him.  :)

Zachary, we're so proud of you and the work that you did on your car.  Keep up the good job little man!!!!!!!!!!  We love you so much!!!!

God's Not Dead!

Wow, Les and I saw that movie tonight and it was powerful!  I laughed and I cried; great movie!

It will strengthen your faith and if you're not a Christian; then it will challenge you in ways you might have known before.  See it for yourself and let me know what you think of it.  Of course, I can't change your mind, but I can give you my own personal testimony of how Jesus has changed my life, how the Holy Spirit guides me, and how God, the Father, forgives me, protects me, and loves me no matter what.

Keep looking for Jesus b/c one of these days, He WILL appear and come and get His followers.  I'm ready!

Have a great night and GO.SEE.THE.MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday, Zachary!!!!

Oh where to begin........my sweet baby boy was placed in my arms shortly after midnight on March 11th.  I was in love the minute I laid my eyes on him (if not even before!).  He still melts my heart, causes me happiness, pain, love, anger, etc.  :)  He's a great little guy who has grown SOO much since last August when we started prek.  This year has been so much fun and I have gained so much patience.  Have I passed every test....HECK NO!  LOL  Anyways, Zachary is a lefty; just like his mommy.  This fact alone makes me smile ear to ear.  He's so much like me in his personality.  I pray that my desire to love the Lord and obey Him also is passed on to him.  He's a very hard worker when we need him to help out.  He definitely can step up and help out!  He amazes me by his cleverness and his desire to grow.  He's definitely a physical touch kind of little boy.  He wants to be hugged, kissed and just generally loved on.  (like me too......HA!)

Zachary will be starting K this next school year.  I was really debating on waiting till he was closer to 6, but I think he'll definitely be ready to start in the Fall and will not delay that.  He loves mazes, loves school homing (as he calls it), loves to be read to, enjoys playing outside, has a buddy across the street named Matthew that he likes to play with too.  Whenever he comes home and tells me about their games; it's pretty funny what they have imagined and made up while playing.

Let's see, Zachary's favorite stories are: The 3 Billy Goat Gruffs, this body book that has a poem at the end where I tickle him and Sadie, The 3 Little Pigs, The 3 Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig (that's hard to read out loud......HAHAHAHA), Jack and The Beanstalk, Peter Rabbit, Knoggle Head (not sure how it's spelled; they read it with their Mimi), etc.

He is a pretty good eater - broccoli and carrots are probably his favorite vegetables, loves PB & J's, Fish Sticks & Honey (I ate it this way when I was prego with him.......LOL), Cheese Sticks, Cheez-Its, and a whole lot of other foods.  He did want for his birthday dinner to be waffles, scrambled eggs and sausage.  I loved it since I love breakfast food any time of day!!!!!!!!

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy!!!

 

I don't know how many weeks I was, but it was definitely towards the very end.

 

After a C-section; 36 hours of labor; I was so glad that he was here!!!

 

Daddy and Zachary!!!  :)

 

Mommy and Zachary!!!  :)

Happy Birthday, Sadie!!!

Where o where has the time gone the last 3 yrs????  My baby girl is going to be 3 yrs old tomorrow morning at 7:59 AM.  I was so ready for this sweet baby girl to come b/c my belly button had already popped out and I was in active labor at home for 2 days before they delivered her by C-section on a Friday.  We had just arrived to the closing of our house and I started having labor pains and after all the papers were signed; we called the doc and they told me to go home and rest and if it got worse or changed places; then to call her back.  About 4 hours later or so, my mom took me to L&D to be monitored and see what was going on in there.  :)  Sadie was doing well and I was too, so the doc on call wanted to wait for me to see my doc on Thurs morning before she did anything.  So, they sent me home after monitoring that sweet baby girl and I for an hour or so.  I saw my doc the very next morning and said that I was still in active labor; however, I was STILL not dilating at all.  So, she scheduled my C-section for the next morning at 5:30 AM.  After we got all checked in, got the blood drawn, iv's started, epidural/spinal started, a BIG drop in my blood pressure; which I finally recovered from with 4-5 doses of something to get it stabilized.  My parents walked in during my low blood pressure problem and I'm sure it was scary for them to see me like that.  Once the blood pressure was stabilized; then off to surgery we went and out came that sweet baby girl. 

These last 3 yrs have been awesome, crazy, frustrating, loving, and all the emotions rolled into one at any given time......LOL  Sadie is a beautiful, crazy, funny, loving princess.  She loves to kiss me and she'll usually tell me before she does "I kiss you".  She loves Snow White, Hello Kitty, Meerkats, & talking/walking animals (she has a rabbit, dog, & horse).  Sadie has been learning the alphabet, can count to number 15+, loves watching Shaggy Dog (black and white version), Hello Kitty, Snow White, Mater's Tall Tales, "My" Cartoons, Thomas the Train cartoons, RV, Nanny McPhee, and so many others.  Those are the ones that come to mind offhand since we watch them pretty frequently.  Sadie has also been learning to say," Yes ma'am," so that's really fun listening to her say that.  We have been working on picking up our things and she is doing pretty good at it.  She'll refute some, but overall, she'll do it.  Her favorite books to listen to are: The 3 Little Pigs, Goodnight Moon, I will never, not ever eat a tomato, Harold and his Purple Crayon, 3 Billy Goats Gruff, Peter Rabbit & Book of the Body inside (I always tickle them at the end when reading a certain poem).  She loves to be read to and I can't think of other books, but I know there are so many other stories that she loves. 

She will start prek in 1 more year besides what she wants to do while working with Zachary.  She's growing so much and I have enjoyed being with her the last 3 yrs.  She's very much so a mommy's girl.  If she could, she would never leave my side...HA!  Oh, she potty trained completely back in September 2013 (30 months old).  I'm so glad to have both kiddos out of diapers and love the stages that we're in right now.  I love you, SJC, you mean so much to me!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are a few pictures of my sweet pea from when she was a little tike - enjoy!!!

 

19 weeks along - love this picture!!!

 
This was the night before Sadie was delivered!!

 

After Sadie was given to me, so sweet!!!

 

Here Sadie was on her way to the NICU.  The nursery nurse was so sweet and brought Sadie by to let me hug and kiss her before she was taken to the NICU.  I wasn't going to be able to see her till the next day when I was all un-numb.  Thank you, sweet nurse!!

 

Here is Les and Sadie after birth - she's no more than 5 minutes old!

 

Here is Sadie right after she was delivered.........HA!

Time Flies!!

Wow, the last time that I wrote was back on December 30th, I think.  We have been super busy the last few months, but it's been fun busy.

This past week the kids had a "staycation" with Mimi and Poppy.  I needed to make-up a few days from work because of the kiddos having the tummy bug a few days apart from each other; which meant me missing 2 days of work.  Sadie got sick Christmas night and Zachary got sick a few days after that.  Zachary went with Les Christmas night to go deer hunting; this might just become a new tradition for the guys!!  :)  Sadie and I had stayed home together playing with some of her new toys from Christmas.  We had fun; until she threw up on my legs!!!  HA!

The kids had a great week!!!  They went to the Perot Museum, went swimming, went to the Dallas Zoo (and came home with some fun souvenir's).  Les and I went hiking on Wednesday together through the Caddo Grasslands.  We had a fun time just being together and being able to spend the day together minus the munchkins.  We ended up hiking around 6 miles and we were out there for 6 hours!

Today, our female cat was spayed.  To our surprise, she was pregnant and they terminated the pregnancy and spayed her.  It was really hard on me, but I'm doing much better this evening.  She's recovering and Jet, the male cat (her brother), has not left her side.  Even though she's in a cage; he's laying by her on a mat that we have in the garage.  Since she was pregnant; her surgery was more involved and she came home with staples.  So, we have to watch her and keep her "locked up" for 2 weeks or so.  She goes in in a few weeks to have the staples removed.  I know she'll be happy about that - sure glad that I don't have to hold her down to have it done.  She has some sharp claws.  They didn't trim her claws since she's an outdoor cat who lives in the country.  She needs to be able to protect herself.

Sadie's 3rd birthday is in 4 days and Zachary's 5th birthday is in 11 days.  I just can't believe that they're growing up so fast.  They're doing great and getting a long pretty well most days.  They have their moments of being sweet and being mean to each other.  :)

Hope you're all doing well - till the next blog!!!!