Daredevil and wrecking ball

I know everyone thinks Henlee is so cute and adorable, but her personality is starting to shine through. Her new thing is to climb on her bouncy seat. I snapped this picture the other night and when she caught me looking at her she squealed with delight as if to say, "See Mom look what I can do now." She is also into shredding any paper she can get her hands on. This will keep her entertained for hours - maybe not hours but in babyworld 5-10 minutes is equivalent to an hour. Her other new activity which has earned her the nickname, wrecking ball, is to undo everything. The magazine rack, her diaper bag, her toy crate, anything that has stuff in it.

Henlee brings so much joy and happiness to all of us. Nothing makes my heart swell more than to hear my two girls laughing and playing. Even though they are 7 years apart, they are already developing that bond that only sisters can have. I would have been just as happy with a boy, but I prayed that if God was to bless us with another child that He would give Reagan a sister so that she could give and receive the love that only sisters can share. I should know because He gave me the best sister.

Fun at the Lake

On Saturday afternoon, after soccer, the tractor show, etc., we headed to the lake with Beck and Dave and Beck's parents. Oh yea, we took the kids too. Of course, Madison and Reagan had a fabulous, ginormous fun time tubing. Beck's parents have a pontoon boat which was perfect for Henlee. This was her first boating experience and I think she will go again, especially if Granny Joyce brings bananas, chips, and crackers. We stayed out until dusk and then we loaded up and stopped at Gustine for steaks. Thank God for friends, especially friends with fun toys (just kidding, I really am not that shallow).

I think this kid is going to turn in to a monkey as many bananas as she eats.

Domestic Diva

Soccer Season began this past weekend. Reagan's team didn't fair so well but she had a good time. My house is always the cleanest during soccer or basketball season because it forces me to stay at home at least through Saturday morning. After the soccer game on Saturday, we went straight home and I started cleaning. Reagan invited a friend over and they played all afternoon. Of course, Henlee decided she didn't want to take a nap on Saturday, but between Reagan watching and playing with her, I was able to complete the daunting task. Then I invited our friends Dave and Beck over for my once-a-year dinner - chicken enchiladas. We always eat at Beck and Dave - usually once a week. They have a great patio, the kids play outside, and Beck will grill something. She loves to cook. I told her she has more patience for cooking than I do. Our house was buzzing with activity Saturday night. The big boys were watching Smoky and the Bandit for the one millionth time, the kids were playing with all of Henlee's toys (they make lots of noise), and Beck and I were trying to visit. We had a wonderful time. On Sunday we all went to Church. The Men's Club at Church was having a fish fry so I made meringue pies - chocolate and buttermilk. Then I folded and put away ALL the laundry - yea me.

For people who know me really well, know this is a lot of domestic activity for me in one weekend. However, next weekend, Darrell is going to the drag races in Ennis and I think I am due a trip somewhere, somehow.




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Henlee's first soccer game.








My meringue pies.

Hey Mom

Hey Mom. This is how Reagan starts every sentence when she is talking to me. My response back is always hey Reagan. But then I got to thinking about this, and guess what? When I have something to tell Reagan, guess what I say? Hey Reagan! Just another minute example of how influential our actions and words are to our children.

Happy Birthday Bryce Charles

Our boy turns twelve today. I remember the day he was born too. They induced Lisa so we weren't in any big hurry. They hooked her up and about two she was still sitting up in bed writing thank yous and birth announcements. I decided to go run some errands and my Mom went to get Rylee from Preschool. When I got back at 3:00 the lights were off and she was not doing well at all. I can still remember rubbing her feet with Freesia lotion from Bath & Body works to help her through the pain. (Man, that stuff smelled good.) Of course she didn't get her epidural in time to do any good. Lisa kept telling the nurse she was ready to push and the nurse finally checked her. Needless to say, she immediately called the Dr. He came squealing aroung the corner in his BMW and arrived just in time to catch Bryce Charles. Bryce weighed in at 9lbs 7 oz. Quite the change from Rylee who was a mere 6lbs 3 oz. My heart grew a little bigger on this day as well. Here are twelve reasons why we love Bryce.

1. He hangs out with us girls all the time and doesn't really seem to mind. He is going to make some girl a great husband. Of course, we probably won't ever think anyone is good enough for him.

2. He loves Reagan and Henlee like his own sister. Wait a minute, I have seen how he and Rylee fight so maybe he loves them more than his sister.

3. He is cuddlely.

4. He is very perceptive.

5. When he decides to do something, he does it right the first time. He will sit, watch, and study for a long time and then when he tries it, he masters it.

6. He loves to shop. This is a by-product of hanging out with us girls all the time.

7. He thinks I am hilarious.

8. He loves to go hunting and fishing.

9. He is a good friend.

10. He loves his Mom. There is something about little boys and their moms.

11. His laugh is infectious.

12. He is a great conversationalist.

My prayer for you today is that God would continue to bless you and keep you safe at all times. That God continue to guide you in your daily life so that others can witness God's love through you. And thank you God for blessing us with Bryce.

Red

Red is my favorite color. When I see this color I see strength, courage, and sacrifice. If any of you watched Gov. Sarah Palin's speech last night at the Republican National Convention, you should be seeing red. WOW! I was blown away. It has only been in the last 10 years that I started identifying myself with a particular party. I was always for the best person for the job. However, I have a hard time getting past all the Democratic ideals (and lack of morality) and have declared myself a Republican through and through. But if I hadn't been a Republican before last night, I would be this morning. She doesn't just talk a good game, she delivers.

The media and the Democraps (oops I meant Democrats) need to lay off her seventeen year old daughter Bristol. As a parent you do the best you can to teach your children to make the right choices, but in the end the child is the one to make that choice. So Bristol evidently wasn't thinking too wisely at some point and is now pregnant. It happens. The best thing to do now is to embrace that child and the baby growing inside her. That seems to be what Gov. Palin and her husband have done. I wonder how many of her critics have been in the same situation and terminated the pregnancy so that it wouldn't tarnish THEIR image ?

I almost cried last night when she was talking about her family and their sweet special needs child, Trig. (Did you see the daughter holding him and spit-wiping his hair?) Through my sister, I have been exposed to some very sweet special needs children. They make you look at the world a little differently and make you focus on the important things.

This lady is just like the rest of us. She started out at PTA and look where she is now. (Hey Lisa, you maybe could be the next Pres and I could be your Chief of Staff. Oh, that's right I already have that title.) Seriously though, John McCain and the Republican Party hit a homeroom when they picked Sarah Palin to be his running mate.

The Three Rs

Running - Saturday Reagan was very ambitious and ran the 1 mile in the Dove Festival 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run. I was very proud of her. She tells me she didn't run very much of it, but she came in running. She finished and that is what counts.

Reagan and her cousin Emily

Rodeo - Friday night Becky and I took the girls to the rodeo for a girls night out, while the Dads kept the babies. We had a very good time but both the girls didn't think it lasted near long enough.


What a fun weekend. I think this could have been one of the best Dove Festivals we have had. We went to the rodeo again Saturday night with the entire family. I think Lisa spent most of the time in the Saddle shop with Henlee. It was nice and cool in there for a little nap.

Relaxation - Sunday we hung around the house and did nothing. My Mom cooked breakfast for all of us and then we watched tennis and beach volleyball. Misty May and Kerry Walsh got beaten.

I am at home today celebrating labor day. I have been to Wal-Mart, to the school for lunch with Reagan, home again to unload and put clothes in the washer, and I am about to leave again to go get Reagan. Staying home is definitely more labor intensive than my regular job - you know the one that give me a paycheck every week:}

Hope everyone had as great a weekend as we did.