Where in the World Have I Been?

That is a good question. If you find out, would you let me know?

Anywhoo, I have completed a blog marathon below. I was so far behind and so much has happened that I had to get it all down. I have been on facebook lately catching up with some old high school buddies. Facebook is almost as addicting as blogging, but I think that will grow old, whereas talking about my children, family, and friends will never grow tiresome.

We have started basketball and Reagan is doing great. She scored 12 points her first game and 6 points today but to me that doesn't make a good player. She also passes to her open teammates, hustles for the ball, and is a mean defensive player (defense wins games, right?).

We had quite the scare a week ago. Reagan and her friend Madison were on a horse and the horse fell down with the girls. Madison ended up with a concussion and Reagan had a very swollen ankle (thankfully not broken) and lost some hide. We are on the mend. Thank you Jesus for healing hands.

Hope everyone is doing well and maybe next time I won't get so far behind.

Stock Show and Pig Paradise

I love stock show time. People running around in their coveralls, washing their animals, boots with poop, little girls and boys all dressed up ready to put their animal out there for the world to see. Well, this is Reagan's last year to participate as a Clover Kid. She entered banana nut bread and earned $10.00 for her effort and then she was one of the Pee Wee Showman in the swine division. By the way she was the only girl.

Here Reagan is with her coach. He did such a good job with her and she really listened to him. We hope to have him on our team next year when she gets to show her own pig.
Look at that intensity. Making sure the Judge sees her pig.

We are already in the process of planning for next January. Reagan plans on showing her own pigs. Her Daddy is mapping out where we build the pens and plumbing the water. I am sure we will also enter something in the home economics division as well.

The children learn so much about life and responsiblities through this process. For 6 months they have to feed, water, brush, and spend time with their animal so that by the time the show comes around, both the pig and the kid know what to do.

Henlee's First Birthday and Family Party

Happy First Birthday Henlee Kyle! On December 26, 2008, we celebrated your first birthday with all the aunts, uncles, Momo, Papa, Grandma Jane, cousins, Dave and Beck, and Bobbie. We had vegetable soup and chicken and dumplings. You weren't too sure about digging into your cake so I had to hold it up to your mouth so you would take a bite. After that, the cake was history. You are wearing 12-18 month clothes, size 4 diapers, size 3 shoe, drinking out of a sippy cup, and you love to take a bath. You are going to be a water baby. You started really walking about 2 days before your actual birthday. Our family is so complete with you and you light up our world, Punkie.

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2008: Happy 8th Birthday Reagan. You have to be the most wonderful oldest child. I cannot believe how grown-up you are. I love that you can now sit in the front seat with me. We have great conversations and sing really loud. I bet poor Henlee wishes she had some earplugs. You are wearing a size 12 pant, a size 12-14 shirt, and a size 5 shoe. We celebrated your special day by decorating our Christmas tree. Usually you and your Daddy go to Clifton and chop down a tree after Thanksgiving but your Dad wanted a tree that he could plant in honor of Henlee's First Christmas and both of your birthdays. Then you opened your birthday presents from us and Aunt Lisa and we helped Momo get ready for Christmas at her house. That night we went to Church and watched you perform in the Christmas program. You did such a great job and were by far the sweetest angel. We finished up the day with Santa Clause making a special appearance at Momo's house..

Happy Fake Birthday

Because Reagan was blessed with being born on Christmas Eve, we have lots of fake birthdays throughout the month of December. This year for her "friends" birthday party, I decided to take them to a hotel for swimming. Now this seriously limited the number of friends she could invite but we had a blast. I picked all the girls up from school and we headed to Waco. Our first stop was at the mall to see Santa and then we headed to the hotel. They quickly changed into their swimsuits and we headed for the pool. They swam, at pizza, ate cake, and swam some more. Finally around 10:00 we headed to the rooms. They all took showers and then cozied up in the bed to watch Fred Clause. Two o the kids had to leave early the next morning for UIL events but the rest of us lounged around in our pjs. I fixed the girls hot chocolate in bed, they watched cartoons, and I, believe it or not, read my book for about an hour. Then we headed down to breakfast where I fixed waffles, cereal, oatmeal, fresh squeezed orange juice, cranberry juice, coffee, the works. Okay, maybe the hotel provided all of that but I did have to help the girls get it all together. After breakfast we headed upstairs to get our things and head home. We had a fabulous time and Reagan has some super friends. This may have to be a repeat birthday party. (Of course if we do it next year, I am sure that little sister is going to want to be a part of it as well.)

This week both my girls have their real birthdays. Reagan's is the 24th and Henlee's is the 26th. I think God thought I should only be stressed for one week of the year. I also think he was testing my faith - do you think?

Vance

Hey Vance McAnally, this song reminds me of you. I heard this song yesterday and immediately thought of you and our summer vacations and your lapses into hable Espanol.

Happy Birthday Lisa

Today is my favorite sister's birthday and here are a few reasons why she is my favorite:

1. She is my very best BFF ever and for always. Since I was born and despite being 10 years apart, my sister has been my very best friend in the whole wide world. I have never thought of her as just my sister. I went everywhere with my sister, even to college. During the summers, I would spend many weeks with her at her apartment and her friends were my friends. I still talk to them today, just ask Karen Krueger sometime if you see her. I had more fun going to college with my sister than I did when I went. One of the saddest times in my life was when we took my sister to college. I cried every weekend for at least a year when she would have to leave.

2. Her faith in God is amazing and contagious. I often joke that Lisa has "special connections" with God. When I make it to heaven one day and God tells me that he sent Lisa to be my angel on Earth, I will not be surprised.

3. She is a wonderful Mother, but she is an even better Aunt - just ask Reagan. There aren't even words to describe how much love Reagan has for her Aunt Lisa. They have had a special bond since Reagan was born and it just seems to grow stronger with time. Reagan cries everytime we leave Lisa's and can't wait for Christmas vacation so she can spend her time with Aunt Lisa.

4. She has a very warm and loving spirit about her. Everyone can see it. We can be in Wal-Mart and people see her and just start spilling their guts. Her students for sure see this. I was the one to get my actual degree in teaching but I always knew that my sister was the born teacher - she listens not only with her ears but mostly with her heart and her students know this.

As you can tell I love you very much and you are the reason I wanted Reagan to have a sister. I have to tell you, I think Henlee is going to love her big sis as much as I love you. Happy Birthday Lisa!!!