Hooks Family

Love is all around

2012-02-14T20:42:00.005-06:00

Her Valentine outfit - yes, that

is a striped dress with a pink tutu

over it! She wanted to wear both!

Otis enjoyed his Valentine happy

My sweet flowers and bracelet - it says "her children

rise up and call her blessed"!

GLITTER

Sweet Rhyne's pepperoni hearts

Gluten-free version

enjoying the pizza

Ben asked me to make sure the flowers were in

the picture with him

AP clowning

My Valentine Loves

Yes, Valentine's Day made it to the Hooks house. No holiday would be complete without the kids bringing home a dozen crafts with GLITTER all over the place! And I have to stop and brag about my hubby......he is not the most romantic guy- he doesn't see the point in buying flowers that die. I get it. BUT every now and then it is nice. I totally was not expecting anything more than a card for the holiday. He came home with a huge surprise....... flowers, cards and a bracelet. Now this is not just any bracelet - I have been admiring this bracelet since August at a store called Smitten. I had totally forgotten that I had gone in there with my sweet friend, Christina, and had shown her the bracelet. I don't know the details of how the info got to Rhyne, but he brought it home tonight! It is so nice to have a sweet friend who will nudge my hubby to be romantic. Rhyne also cooked homemade pizzas for the kids. He even cut the pepperonis into hearts! It melted my heart to hear the kids say "thank you, Daddy, for this pizza - you did a great job"!!! So, Happy Valentine's Day! I have to go vacuum all the glitter out of my car!!

Star Wars and Frogs

2012-02-11T09:04:00.004-06:00

After AP's birthday party, Rhyne took the boys to see Star Wars. Of course the best part was the characters they met in the lobby! And - since Mandy missed the boys' birthday parties this year, she decided to make up for it by buying them frogs! The boys love them! Ben is the most fascinated - he checks on the frogs a bunch!

On a side note: I am so happy Rhyne has an iPhone 4 - he now takes pictures when I am not around so his adventures with the boys can be recorded!

Ann Phelps Day!!

2012-02-10T20:22:00.004-06:00

Not the best pic, but it is early in the morning

Birthday Girl

Fabulous cupcakes

I love how Will is looking at her

Mandy partied with us

Sweet class friends

Ok, this is a very special gift. Christina gave AP

this jewelry she had made from some of her jewelry!

How sweet!!! I really hope AP marries one of her sweet

boys so these can be called family jewels!

Yes, the 10th of February is known as Ann Phelps Day around here!! She turned 3 today! Since we celebrated with our families last weekend, we celebrated with our friends today! This was AP's first "real" party - we had it at Bop's Frozen Custard (I call it ice cream?). It was the perfect setting because kids at this age are not that social so a sit down ice cream party is perfect. The kids were fed a tremendous amount of sugar - Ms. Christina's fab cupcakes and then a whole ice cream sundae with chocolate syrup, whip cream and sprinkles- no early bed time tonight??!! After the party, Ann Phelps and I went to Pump-it-Up to celebrate Nan's birthday and the boys went to see Star Wars with Rhyne. After Nan's party, we met Ms. Christina and Vaiden for a special birthday dinner! It was a great Ann Phelps Day!!

Party at School

2012-02-09T15:21:00.003-06:00

Ann Phelps had her cupcake party at school today!! We will have the big party tomorrow afternoon on her real day!!!

Ann Phelps' Birthday, Rounds 1 and2

2012-02-05T15:15:00.005-06:00

For the first party she decided to

be Rapunzel

DeeDee got her a camera and she

LOVES it

Believe it or not, she gets really shy when people

sing the birthday song to her!

MaeMae is letting her open one gift before the party

Pop showing her how to work her computer

Uncle James was left holding Belle

so AP could blow out her candles

Aunt Kay and AP

AP loves being around the Big girls - Britny and

MaeMae

Uncle James and Ben

I am having Ann Phelps' birthday party on her actual birthday, February 10 - this is a weekday and since many of our family members have jobs, they wouldn't be able to come. The solution: we had a whirlwind family birthday weekend this past weekend! On Friday, we celebrated with my family - Dee Dee, Pap, Marmoo, Uncle Craig, Boots, NelNoo, MawMaw, and Grandaddy! On Saturday, we celebrated with Rhyne's family: Grandmother, Pop, MaeMae, MaMaw, Britny, Aunt Gail, Uncle James and Aunt Kay (it was actually Aunt Kay's real birthday). We had pink and purple princess cupcakes, at AP's request, and (don't be shocked) I made the 3 dozen cupcakes and decorated them!!

Old Friends Visit

2012-02-05T15:08:00.002-06:00

Trying to get the kiddos to take a picture

We had a huge treat Friday- my sweet friend, Misty (and her girls), met me at the Clinton Chick-fil-a to visit! Misty and I have been friends since we both were newly married and both living in Greenwood! Now they live in Tupelo and we get to visit when they come to see her family in Clinton! Her daughters are- Emma Claire (6 yrs.) and Farrow Kate (4 yrs.). Of course, with 5 kids at Chick-fil-a, our visit didn't last long enough - hopefully one day we can have a just-the-mommas visit!!

A memory that brings joy and tears

2012-02-01T13:00:00.004-06:00

I was searching for something in my closet yesterday and found a rubbermaid box. I looked in the box to remember what was in there........when I saw these sweet little white boxes, my heart immediately became heavy. These boxes were given to me at the hospital. The contents inside are very precious to me.......a picture of Matthew and Harris dressed in sweet little white shirts and a sweet white cap (both of these outfits were placed in each box), a footprint imprinted in plaster, footprints stamped on a card, and a sweet note from all of the nurses who were there tending to my boys and me! It amazes me how I think about my boys every day, but it isn't until I am hit with a visible memory from that day, that my heart becomes heavy and I am frozen for a few minutes. I am so very blessed I can sit here and type about what a happy day that was also! I am so thankful for my survivor, Will! He has brought me so much joy and he amazes me every day! I also truly feel if Matthew and Harris had lived, sweet Ben and Ann Phelps wouldn't be in our lives - God knows what I can handle!!! Even though I never got to hear Matthew and Harris cry, or I never looked into their eyes, I can have peace knowing one day I will get to see them running to me when I join them in Heaven!! God is so good ALL the time!!!!

Ben's Build-A-Bear

2012-01-28T17:32:00.003-06:00

Will had to take a bear to school on Friday for the letter 'B' day. The only teddy bear he has is a bear MarMoo made for him when he was in the NICU - I have kept it in his closet (safe from calamity) ever since. MarMoo has made a build-a-bear for Ann Phelps two times in the last year! First she made a cat then a chipmunk. On the way to school AP wanted to bring her build-a-bears too since Will had to take his. Poor Ben - he asked where his build-a-bear was from MarMoo. I guess my poor middle child has never had the build-a-bear experience with MarMoo. I called MarMoo (my sister) to let her know that an injustice had been done to my MIDDLE CHILD - she should feel his pain because she, too, is the middle child!! Well, being the WONDERFUL aunt she is, she told me to have him at Northpark Mall at 12 today before his TOT performance so they could build-a-bear!! He of course picked a camo bear with camo underwear and a football outfit! On the way home, Ben told me how he has the BEST MarMoo! I agree!!

Ben's TOT Performance

2012-01-28T17:21:00.004-06:00

Ben with his fans!

Look at how good this parent volunteer is!

Poor Ben- he was so nervous, he forgot where the

audience was!

That awesome Parent Volunteer!

Ben has followed in Will's footsteps and become a TOT Performer! This is such a sweet activity for the kids! He gets to learn brain skills as well as do physical activity! They don't actually shoot the basketball - it is more of a hand-eye-coordination drill versus a basketball game! Ben really enjoys his TOT days!! This is a mid-year mini performance they performed today at the halftime of the Belhaven basketball game. In May, he will do a 45 minute performance to show all of the skills he has learned!! They needed parent volunteers to shuffle the kids to and from the court - I signed Rhyne up!! He did a supper job as well!!

All Girl

2012-01-27T16:57:00.002-06:00

I told Ann Phelps to get her shoes on so we could go ride bikes around the neighborhood - she goes and gets her gold princess shoes?!

Good Listener

2012-01-27T16:42:00.003-06:00

In Ben's K3 class, if a student is caught doing something GOOD, he/she gets to take Bullseye home to play as a reward. Ben got to bring Bullseye home this weekend because he was a great listener this week!!! Maybe I need to start this incentive so he will be a good listener here? I am so proud of my Ben!

Feel Sorry for Me??

2012-01-26T17:11:00.004-06:00

The BEST reason to HAVE to miss a concert

Senior Prom

So young!

I am going to play the "woe is me" card for just a minute. You see the sweet couple in the pics above? That was Rhyne and me almost 19 years ago! We are one of the few couples who psychiatrist would love to analyze because we have been together for almost 20 years!! We went from first love to dating through high school and college to married, and only took a break for about 3 months! I know this is not normal and many psychiatrist would argue that we have an unhealthy relationship - well, I disagree - it has worked for us!! I am a hopeless romantic. I am not as hopeless as I once was - kids change that! But every now and then there is a moment where my romantic/rose-colored glasses come on and I just can't help it! Any time I hear a song by Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Firehouse, Bryan Adams, and some more I am forgetting - I am instantly taken back to the carefree dating days of Beth and Rhyne. Those were OUR songs and made me fall in love with Rhyne many times over! Now that we are almost 12 years in to our marriage and chasing 3 kids and a black lab around, the carefree, romantic moments of dating seem sooooo far away and don't come as easily any more. I love my kids and my marriage, but sometimes I have to act like a spoiled little girl and say, "It's not fair!"

Let me explain:

A month ago, I saw an ad for a Bryan Adams concert in Baton Rouge. I called Rhyne and said we have to go - these are OUR songs - the soundtrack to our dating years!!! This would be one of those rare moments in our life now that would cause us to remember falling in love and help us reconnect - a part from the craziness of our season of life right now. Now let me state a disclaimer - I LOVE my husband, my marriage, my kids, and my life! I am just saying that life right now makes it hard to just sit around listening to 80's/90's love songs and gazing into each others eyes!! I saw this concert as a chance to feel like 15 year olds again! Rhyne got the tickets and I booked the hotel room and I COULD NOT WAIT!!! For those who don't know Bryan Adams look at "Heaven", "Please Forgive Me", "Summer of '69", "Everything I do" -just to name a few- on iTunes and see if it doesn't make you want to have a boyfriend!! Well, here is where I want some sympathy ----- the childcare we had lined up fell through (it actually fell through because God answered a prayer for someone we love, but that is another post)! We did not have a plan B for childcare. Because the concert was on a school night, I just couldn't ask any of our friends to handle my 3 for the night! I thought about plans for 3 hours on Tuesday night trying to make it work and I finally gave up and had a migraine to show for it! So here I sit typing this post instead of pulling into Baton Rouge right now with my sweetheart - the concert will start at 8pm and our seats will be empty! Don't you feel sorry for me!?

Now let me state this:

I have tried all day to feel sorry for myself. I really tried to be depressed about not getting my way. But I just couldn't do it. I have actually gone through my daily routine without resent. The reason all of my attempts to be mad and upset about not getting to spend the night with my sweetheart is simply, I can't. When I put my big girl pants on and stop to think about WHY we can't go to the concert, how could I be upset?? How blessed am I to have 3 kiddos that need me and love me?! God has called me to this job!! Now, I am a sinner, so I have had these "It's NOT fair" moments peak through all week, but in the big picture, I have peace. I know there will be other concerts or "just-me-and-him" get-a-ways, but it's hard to have a planned one slip away!! BUT I have peace that this is God's plan and He has something much better than Bryan Adams planned for me and Mr. Hooks real soon (please let it be real soon- we need it)!!

So now---

I am listening to my kids playing in the living room, trying not to watch the clock and count down to when the concert starts, and I am about to put in the Bryan Adams acoustic cd I have to take me back to the "good-ol-days" until I have to start cooking spaghetti!!!

Images from the weekend

2012-01-22T19:55:00.002-06:00

Funny pics that really don't have a story?!

Daddy/Daughter Date

2012-01-21T12:48:00.003-06:00

I mentioned earlier that AP was upset Rhyne has been taking the boys everywhere and leaving her behind. She asked Rhyne to take her on a lunch date today and he didn't disappoint! She requested 5 Guys (hamburger place) only because she knows it's one of Rhyne's favorite spots!! Before they left, she went and got dressed.....in a princess dress of course - Rhyne was ok with it and even helped her put on her gold shoes! She went as Snow White! What a great Daddy!!

MONSTER TRUCKS!!

2012-01-21T08:12:00.002-06:00

This was a dino that had fire and crushed cars -

a boy's dream!

Rhyne took the boys to see the Monster Truck show at the coliseum last night. The boys came home around 10pm and could not quit telling me all about it!! They were so excited, BUT they were sad Grave Digger and the Batman truck were not at the show. Rhyne took pics with his phone - I told him to get good shots because it would be on the blog! He said Ben had issues with the noise level and wanted to come home, but Will rubbed his arm and said, "it's ok, you can make it"!! When the motorcycle stunts came out, Ben decided this was fun and wanted to stay! Honestly, these types of shows scare me as a mom - you always hear about fans getting hurt at these events. And the noise level makes me worry about their hearing - thankfully Rhyne is a NASCAR fan and has headphones that block noise!! Before Rhyne left, I told him to make sure the boys wear the headphones and pick seats (it was general admission) at the top!!! He did! AP and I hung out at Wal-Mart and grabbed a pizza on the way home! I love girl time with her! But she told Rhyne when he got home that they were going to eat lunch today - just AP and Daddy. She told Rhyne they were going to eat at 5 Guys - I think this is sweet because she named this because it's one of Rhyne's favorites!! Maybe they will and I can post about it??

Proof I am a cool Mom

2012-01-20T17:53:00.003-06:00

I am documenting this day because one day my kids will not believe I can be cool! I let the boys skip school today so we could sleep in and go to the park for 3 hours!!!! It wouldn't be a day at the park unless one of my kids pulled down their pants to use the bathroom - instead of it being Ben, AP was the one - she was trying to stand and "go" just like her brothers do! I grabbed her before it was a disaster!

Silly City Dog

2012-01-09T13:40:00.002-06:00

I grew up in the country and around hunters! My Dad still has hunting dogs that love when the weather gets cool so they can hunt. Rhyne and I aren't strangers to the hunting dog behavior. We own a black lab who just returned from Hunting Dog 101 camp - he is now a "Duck Dog" (the first lab we have owned that will actually hunt ducks ;-) ) The problem is Otis has acquired a taste for hunting SQUIRRELS . This wouldn't be a problem in the woods or in the country BUT in a subdivision where the squirrels are big and fat and there are neighbors around- it is a problem. He can't wait to get out of the house in the early morning to run to the fence and "tree" a squirrel. Then he barks non-stop for 45 minutes trying to let me know "I got him, I got him, I got him -shoot!"!!!! It is so funny to see the big, fat squirrels staring down at him and "barking" at him. They make this chirping sound like "ha, ha you dumb dog"!! My Dad let me borrow a training collar to help Otis learn that he can't hunt squirrels in the city - he has to wait until he visits his country cousins!

Happy Birthday, Boots!

2012-01-08T16:41:00.004-06:00

NelNoo was such a great hostess for the party!

helping Boots blow out the candle

NelNoo had the Disney soundtrack. So AP and MarMoo

had fun dancing to "Under the Sea"!!!

Ann Phelps and I traveled to Greenwood Friday night to celebrate my FAVORITE brother's birthday! The Hooks boys stayed in Brandon so they could play at Tripp's house and go to Sam's birthday on Saturday. It warmed my heart to hear Rhyne say, "I had the BEST time with the boys this weekend!!"! Now I sit here trying to get my game face on.....Rhyne left for Mobile for work this morning and I have a WHOLE week to know what being a single parent feels like! :-( I will surely blog about the events of this upcoming week!

No more diapers for the Hooks Family!

2012-01-04T18:54:00.002-06:00

I might be jinxing myself, but AP has been wearing panties (don't call them underwear - she says underwear is for boys) for two weeks now and has only had two accidents. This is for sure a wonderful day - not having to pay for diapers/pull-ups anymore BUT it is sad for this sentimental momma!! I no longer have a "baby" in the house! One funny thing: one of her accidents was at Ms. Christina's house (she has 2 boys), I asked her why she didn't go to the potty and she said, "I didn't want to use the boy potty!" This baffled me because she has two brothers? Ms. Christina, being the wonderful person she is, has now designated her bathroom as the "girl bathroom" and she lets AP use that one! And on that note: her brothers don't always flush after they go to the potty and they drip - she refuses to sit on the potty unless I flush it and wipe it off!!! My GIRL!!!!

Day One of 2012

2012-01-01T20:01:00.004-06:00

She is still trying to get the hang of

bike riding!

At this point she gave up the bike and wanted

to walk by Daddy

Last Day of 2011

2011-12-31T09:47:00.005-06:00

This morning I have been reflecting on this past year. We have seen changes in Rhyne's job - he is now the boss. We have witnessed our children growing too fast. I personally, have seen my faith in the Lord grow tremendously - what a blessing! Thankfully, we have had a rather smooth year, but being humans, we are looking toward the new year with hope and anticipation thinking it will be even better! The above pictures are just some reminders of what a great year we had. HAPPY 2012!!

Little Mama

2011-12-29T10:18:00.002-06:00

Ann Phelps has hit the Little Mama stage! She got lots of baby dolls/items for Christmas and she has been playing ever since. The boys went to Grandmother's yesterday so AP has been an only child last night and today. She wanted to sleep with me and Rhyne last night so I gave in. She climbs in the bed with us and her "baby" Clara joined us also. AP told me Clara had to join us because she had a bad dream. We are all in the bed and Rhyne is watching a football bowl game. The unspoken rule of Mama and Daddy's room is Daddy is in control of the TV. Ann Phelps turns to Rhyne and says, "I don't like football and Clara doesn't like it either, what other show can you turn it to?"!!!!!! We both had to laugh!!!! She keeps things lively!!

After Christmas Time

2011-12-27T17:08:00.004-06:00

Cooking gfree pancakes (can you tell

she got lots of Disney Princess dresses for

Christmas??)

The boys got T-Rex with a 3D movie

Posing with the munks

Here is Princess Belle with her

Christmas Dress on

Since we were the only ones in the theater for

a while, I was able to snap pics

These past 2 days since Christmas, my kids have been in a new-toy-trance! It has been pleasant around here- they have been so preoccupied with their own new toys, they haven't had time to fight!! It is great!!! I decided to take them out of the house today - they haven't been in the car since Christmas Eve!!! I took them to see the new Chipmunk movie. We had planned to see the 1:15pm show, but it was sold out- so we bought our tickets for the 2:25pm show and waited. The kids were so good even having to wait. They watched the whole movie without moving! And yes, lots of people commented on the fact we brought a Disney Princess with us to the movie ;-)! Ann Phelps has also been cooking lots of delicious food for us on her new Dora kitchen- she is even making lots of gluten free items for Will!!! She has also given me a GREAT gift----she is now potty trained!!!! (at least for the last 4 days, we shall see)!!!!

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T10:54:00.007-06:00

This year Santa wrapped all the presents and put

them in a big sack! Everyone got a new bike too!

Ann Phelps' loot

Will asked Santa to find him some sugar plums -

Santa pulled through

Santa and his elves made a mess at our house

this year - this is the floor in front of the fireplace

The elves hung streamers down the hallway

and over the bedroom door

The elves left a trail going back to the

fireplace

Will opening his sack - the festivities

began at 4AM this morning!!!!!!!

Ben's list topper - a gun!

AP opening presents

Ben's favorite treat - "red coke" (regular coke)! He

only gets this on special days!

He got a cowboy belt and the gun fits

perfectly!

Will's list topper - Ultimate Optimus Prime

Otis is proud of his new ball

Daddy figuring out the transformers

She is ready to hit the road

Ben's new Cars bike

So thankful for extra hands to open boxes and

put things together! Thanks Pop!

Thanks Mae Mae

I made sticky buns (found it on pinterest)

Doesn't everyone wear a princess dress to

ride a bike?

Daddy cooked eggs and ham - Ben is happy!

Pop, Ben, and Mae Mae

MaMaw (their great grandmother)

Admiring herself in the Tangled vanity set

Will keeps telling me this is the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER - so i think that sums up the day! What a blessing it is to celebrate the birth of our Saviour! I will post pictures later of our Advent Tree - it was a wonderful way to keep things in perspective and remember what we are celebrating! What joy it is to watch Christmas morning through the eyes of our kids. My cup overflows!

Christmas Eve Eve and Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T21:47:00.009-06:00

We introduced the kids to the Mistletoe tradition-

with my parents living in the country, there is an

abundant supply of mistletoe! Ben loved it that Pap

took a gun to shoot the mistletoe out of the tree - Ben

came in the house after the "hunt" and said, "We didn't

kill the mistletoe, but we got some!"

Making Daddy kiss her under the mistletoe

Showing MawMaw the pictures

She got a Disney Princess- Belle

She got Disney Princess boots that

light up when she walks - she LOVES

it! Ms. Christina will love these!

Ben asked for "homework in a blue

case" for Christmas. DeeDee found

a blue case and filled it with "homework".

He was so excited- he kept saying, "I can't

talk right now, I have to do my homework!"

It is great to have such sweet Uncles that will

help open toys! Thanks Boots!

Thanks Uncle Craig!

AP told Pap to watch her princesses- if you know

my Daddy, this is very funny!

We woke up Christmas Eve and began to

make some Christmas cookies for Santa

DeeDee wouldn't let me take a pic of her face since

she hadn't had a shower so those are her hands!

This batch is for sure NOT gluten free

AP took the top off the sprinkles to put "a lot"

on the cookies - I think she succeeded!

Ben sprinkling the cookies

We had to test the cookies for quality

Will making gluten free cookies

for Santa

More quality checking

Only chocolate icing for Will

Getting ready to leave for Nani's

house- AP picked out her colors!

Mom and her chickens

A rare family picture

Nani gives the best presents

PawPaw enjoying the attention

Our little reindeer

Coming home from Nani's to open more presents

from Grandmother, Pop, MaeMae, and MaMaw

Santa called Grandmother's phone-

Ben is telling him we have cookies and coke

for him and food for the reindeers

Princess dress from Grandmother

Putting out the reindeer food

Coke and cookies for Santa

On December 23, we celebrated my birthday and Christmas at my parents' house. We then left on December 24 headed to Nani's (my aunt Cindy's) for Christmas Eve supper. We just got back home around 8pm and as I sit here typing, the kids are snuggled in their beds with Grandmother, MaeMae, and Pop (MaMaw is in the next room)! I just heard that Santa is in Mississippi so I better head to bed myself!! Christmas Day posts to follow.........

A Tacky Birthday!

2011-12-22T21:51:00.004-06:00

Me and Lesley (and baby girl Smith)

Rhyne and Jerry

Rebecca had the cutest idea- the

lady's leg lamp from Christmas Story

Me and Shelley (and baby girl Sheppard)

My Tacky Man

Today, I turned 33! It was a low-key day, spent most of the day with Otis then lunch with Christina! Rhyne took me to Cracker Barrel for supper because I really wanted their pancakes for breakfast then we went to a Tacky Christmas party. Rhyne and I were probably the least tacky couple there- I need to do better with my imagination! We had fun looking at all the creative outfits, though! We left the party and headed to the River Oaks NICU to spread some Christmas cheer! I felt like we needed a sign that said "we have been to a tacky Christmas party"!! We got to visit with one of our most favorite nurses, Caroline! It is always a joy to get to give back a little to these special nurses who will forever be like family to us!! Now I am about to go to bed because tomorrow at 8am I begin the Christmas traveling/whirlwind!!!

Out Takes from Christmas Card Portrait Day

2011-12-16T12:49:00.003-06:00

Pap and the kids looking at Uncle Craig's cows

She is not happy that Pap is trying to rope

her brothers!

Pap being the cowboy while the boys pretend to

be the cows

DeeDee's kisses

The compromise: She had to wear the

dress I picked out, but she could wear her

tutu under it!!

Christmas Card '11

2011-12-16T12:39:00.003-06:00

2011-12-10T20:55:00.001-06:00

At the Nutcracker Tea Party - you

paid $5 to have a picture made with

some of the cast. Ignore the beautiful

ballerina holding AP.....Ann Phelps was

scared of the Mouse King!!!

The Nutcracker Experience

2011-12-10T20:27:00.005-06:00

Getting ready to go with DeeDee

Taking a picture by the Nutcracker

My Girl

Taking her own intermission

Clara and the Nutcracker

The Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier were awesome-

they were professional dancers

Love her outfit

At the tea party

NelNoo

MarMoo

The blue costume we bought- she is

in love with it!! She keeps twirling for us!

DeeDee (my mom), MarMoo(my sister), NelNoo(my sister by marriage), Ann Phelps, and I went to the Nutcracker Ballet today. The ballet was performed by the MS Metropolitan Ballet with special guests. I love, love the ballet. Ann Phelps picked out her dress (had to be tutu-ish) and her shoes (sparkle of course) for this special day. I laughed because so many little girls there had their little smocked dresses on, but not my girl - she likes flash!! Ann Phelps lasted the first 45 min., then the snow fairy put her to sleep - she slept through intermission and was back awake for the last half! She sat there in amazement! After the performance, they held a tea party where you could meet the characters. The best part was the ballet company had a consignment shop - they were selling old ballet costumes!!!! AP got a pretty blue one that she is still wearing at this moment and will probably got to sleep in it!!! This was such a fun experience- look forward to making more memories with my sweet little girl!!

Ben on Broadway

2011-12-10T08:50:00.002-06:00

Grandmother, AP, and MaeMae

he spotted me and kept posing for me!

ok, he hasn't made it to Broadway and he probably never will because he didn't sing at his Christmas program, he just did the hand motions! When he spotted me standing and taking pics, he kept looking at me and making funny faces!

Now he can sing....

2011-12-08T16:05:00.003-06:00

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth!!!! Mae Mae pulled his other top tooth today!

All I want for Christmas.....

2011-12-06T15:12:00.002-06:00

He will be singing this soon - he lost this top tooth Saturday and the other one is very loose!!!

Snowball Fight

2011-12-04T16:49:00.005-06:00

Some of the "snowballs"

Considering my dog plays in this yard also, this

may not be the healthiest treat, but Ben said

he was hungry?!

Ben telling on his Daddy for hitting him with

a snowball

Will's goal was hitting his Daddy - I really

thought the boys would love to hit each other, but

they enjoyed getting their Daddy more!

action shot of the Big Kid picking on the little kid

Sassy loved the fight

Ben in action

Will taking cover

Got this idea from Bible study.......since we don't have much snow here in MS, use marshmallows as snowballs! My kids (and big kid) loved it!!!!!

First Crown

2011-12-04T13:08:00.002-06:00

Ben said his first 14 catechism questions today!! At FPJ, the 3's Sunday School starts memorizing the catechism with questions 1-14 and then each year a new set is required. I am so proud of Ben! He was so excited that he got his crown!!

One Year

2011-12-03T19:19:00.002-06:00

It has been a year since I brought Otis home to surprise Rhyne. He is such a sweet dog! I am partial because he loves me more than Rhyne :) ! He just got back from duck dog training. I really missed him! It is funny to watch him get reacquainted with the house dog lifestyle after roughing it as a duck dog!!

Brought to you by the letter "P"

2011-12-03T17:11:00.002-06:00

Will had pajama day at school yesterday. The letter of the week was "P"!

The Parade

2011-12-03T17:03:00.005-06:00

We had to have the new SPARKLE Toms!!

Dee Dee and Ben

Pap and AP

MarMoo and AP - Dee Dee puts

together a snack bag for the kids

each year for the parade - notice

the cheeto smile!

We always try to go to the Greenwood Christmas Parade each year. My sweet sister-in-law, Eleanor, lets us come to her parents' home and watch the parade since it is on the parade route - this is great with little ones!! And this year we headed over to Justin and Eleanor's to watch the post-parade fireworks!! The kids were very excited!!

Santa 2011

2011-12-01T20:51:00.003-06:00

Every year we have to take a Santa picture - because (thanks to Grandmother) we have a picture ornament from each year, since 2006, with the kids and Santa. Last year AP was totally left out of the pic because she would not go near Santa. When AP makes up her mind, there is NO sweet talking her, bribing her, or pushing her. This year she got all excited to see Santa. She picked out her outfit, made sure she had her sparkle shoes on and even made me "curl" her hair. We get to Bass Pro Shop and wait in line - the whole time she is carefully studying the other kids in front of her as they say "hello" to Santa. We get up there and she will not get closer than 3 feet from Santa. I was just as hard headed and wanted my yearly pic with Santa and the kids. (I must say this Santa disturb me a little because he kept tapping me on the arm saying, "you will sit right here" - pointing to his lap) Anyway, I got my pic, but I had to be in it. Oh memories!!!!!

Small Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T19:55:00.006-06:00

Nani, PawPaw, and Mom

Nani and her girls always make it

feel so holiday-ish

Benny

Playing with NelNoo and Boots

sitting with Uncle Craig

Ann Phelps LOVES to pose and she

even has to look at the pic on my camera

to approve it before she will stop posing

Love, love that curl

Dee Dee bought her this sparkly dress

at Wal Mart - even some headbands too

Ben being a big brother, teasing AP

Here she is trying 2 bands on at once - she said

"mom, take my picture and see how cute I look!"

We only went to one place for Thanksgiving this year. On Thursday, we went to my aunt's house in Flora to celebrate with my mom's family. The kids have been hanging out with me at my parents' house since Wednesday - they have been eating and playing mostly! I am so very thankful for my sweet kiddos!

My kids ate octopus tonight!

2011-11-23T18:50:00.003-06:00

Doesn't look appetizing to me, but my kids

thought it was great!

Ok, not real octopus, but a hot dog with thin spaghetti noodles stuck through it (make sure there are 8 legs)!! I found it on pinterest!! Ben liked them the most- he kept asking me for more octopus!

Lessons Learned from a Hysterectomy

2011-11-20T14:16:00.005-06:00

**Disclaimer: I will not be posting the details of my surgery or recovery or the method Dr. M used to perform the hysterectomy. So, it is safe to continue reading - this is rated G!

I had a hysterectomy on Wednesday, November 16. This was the final attempt to make me a healthy woman. Given my history of infertility, it is clear that my "woman parts" have not always worked in my favor. Big lesson learned, my body worked (s) in God's favor and for his glory. When I spent years cursing my body for failing me, God was using the "failure" to bring me to him, to make me lean on His understanding. Also, after losing the twins and Will surviving, I thought I surely would never have to go through a huge trial again - haven't I suffered enough. How self-righteous!! I had always said I wanted 4 children (boys to be exact). After suffering through infertility and losing two boys, surely God would use my plan to "make it up to me". Wow, just writing those words makes me cringe to think I was (am) that self-loving. Well, God in His mercy and faithfulness didn't let Will be an only child - he sent me two surprises back-to-back: one boy and one girl (remember I didn't want a girl)! Something I learned after my hysterectomy Wednesday, my doctor was so amazed I even was able to conceive Ben and Ann Phelps given the huge amount of scarring I had from endometreosis under my uterus (this is the only graphic thing, I promise). She had performed surgeries on me before to get rid of endometreosis to help me conceive more children (and just feel better), but she would never be able to get it all, thus the huge amount she found Wednesday. I learned just how special Ben and Ann Phelps are (as if I didn't know), but you know - God showed me that man can't explain His ways or His timing.

When I made the decision to completely end my season of birthing, I grieved. I didn't just grieve because I never would use the crib again or now I could finally get rid of the bouncy seat and car seat....I grieved because the thing I fought so hard to have - fertility- was once again going away- permanently. I was saying goodbye to children I had planned to have - key word "I". I am just like the Israelites, I see all the good God does for me and all the many, many times He has carried me through the valleys and yet I still second-guess Him and lose my trust in Him. My fertility story is so incredible and full of "proof" that God is in totally control and He truly has my best interest in mind, but just like the Israelites, I grumble and cry. Going through the grieving process and preparing for surgery, I really was sad Ann Phelps would be my only girl. Remember, in MY plan I would have all boys - thankfully God knew I needed a sassy girl. Watching AP grow up these last 2.5 years has made me want more girls. A hysterectomy would end that. Another lesson learned: girls are so much fun and I would love to have more!

I am blessed to be a part of an awesome Moms' Bible Study at FPJ. Over 150 women come together every Wednesday to learn more about God. These women come from 25 different churches in the metro area. God has used these women to minister to me and to bring me closer to him. I have grown so much over the last 6 years - God used this group to help me grow. These women surrounded me with love, prayers, thoughts, food, etc.. over this last month as I prepared for surgery. These women who are extremely busy themselves with their families took time to love me. Lesson learned: I truly have sisters in Christ who are there in my time of need. This is the first time I really have had my own "sisters in Christ" whom God used to show me sacrificial love on earth. Their prayers lifted me up to a point where I had such peace the hours before my surgery. I cried in the "holding room" before surgery thinking about what peace I had and how thankful I was God allowed me to feel that and know I truly did have sisters praying for me and lifting me up!!! What wonderful lesson!! I do know that not only was I lifted up by these sisters in Christ, but all of my TRUE friends who love me. So many calls, notes, facebook messages, emails, etc.. have been sent just letting me know someone was thinking about me - I really have a treasure chest of friends!! (that sounded corny) :)

Another lesson I learned: no matter how old you are, you still want your mom (and your family) when you are healing. I have always been Ms. Independent. I always prided myself in being self-reliant. Oh how God must laugh at me! I am blessed my mom took off work and is using her "free time" to nurse me. It has been so special to have this mother-daughter time with my mom- a rarity now! I am also blessed that my sister came to visit me and keep me company and she will be helping me on Thanksgiving with my kiddos. I am blessed my brother married a sweet girl who is like a sister to me and is constantly calling to see how she can help - a blessing for sure. Another lesson I learned: I really do have a good husband. He took such good care of me in the hospital. I don't know if it was motivated by guilt because he "left" me to go to the deer camp the minute my mom came in to town or if it was truly out of love. All kidding aside, God has blessed me! I have also learned that a mother-in-law who loves you and your children is like owning a rare jewel. My mother-in-law is like Mary Poppins. She can come in and "take over" right where I leave off. The kids of course love it when she comes and they are so comfortable with her. I don't have to worry - a mom who doesn't have to worry about her kids' care - now that is a true blessing!! Not only does she love my kids, she really loves me. She is always thinking of ways to make things easy on me. As I type, I know my kids are having a blast with Grandmother, Pop, and Mae Mae.

Probably one of the best lessons I learned from a hysterectomy, is God truly has my whole picture in mind when he puts certain people in my life. I don't know about hippa laws, but I will mention my doctor here: Dr. Shani Meck. Many years ago, when I decided to find an ob/gyn in Jackson I was referred by a friend to a doctor in the Eastlakeland OB/GYN group - it wasn't Dr. Meck. The doctor I wanted had a 9 month waiting list. The receptionist said that there was this new doctor that had just joined the group and she only had a two week wait. I said, "sure, put me down." Little did I know the impact Dr. Meck would have on my life and how God would use her for such good in my life. God knows me, he knows I need someone to listen to my fears, someone who won't intimidate me, someone who realizes I need reassurance (to the point that will drive a doctor crazy), and most of all, a doctor who treats me like a friend! Dr. Meck is all of the things I need and more. She has such a gift to minister straight to my heart. Her love for the Lord and her patients is amazing. No matter what crazy notion I come into her office with, she always listens and gives me comfort - I never feel "stupid"! That is rare in today's world to have a doctor who makes you feel so loved and valued. Before every procedure, Dr. Meck always prays with me - you don't see that everyday! I wish I could have recorded the prayer she prayed before my hysterectomy. It touched me and made me sad because I knew I wouldn't be seeing her as often anymore since I wouldn't be pregnant ever again. God has always used Dr. Meck to calm me no matter what the topic might be. To know that Dr. Meck is just a text away is such a valued reassurance. I love Dr. Meck and would have 10 more babies just to be under her care for as long as I can!! God knew I needed her to get me through my first birth experience - our relationship will never be just patient/doctor it was changed to friend/friend the day Will was born! I love this lesson. I will try to pay more attention to people I am reluctant to have in my life because Dr. Meck is one of those that God used to show me how much he loves me by sending me someone so wonderful!!

Ok, I have almost written a book and I have so many more lessons I am sure I learned from this trial. Right now the lesson that sticks out is: I need to stop trying to hold on to the dream I have for my life and live the life God has planned for me- one day at a time. I need to cherish the blessings God has given me and stop longing for the blessings I think he has kept from me. I will grieve for this passing season, but need to quickly stop and begin rejoicing for all God has in store for me not only here on earth but eternally (getting to hug Matthew and Harris is one I can't wait for)!!! So now that I have bored you with all of this, please say a prayer for me that I will actually learn from these lessons!!

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;" Psalm 138:8
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 48:10
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" Psalm 34:8

Little Indian

2011-11-14T14:57:00.003-06:00

Ben made an Indian drum and headband at school today!

(Yes we have our Christmas tree up already - I am having surgery

Wednesday and will be out of commission for 6 weeks so we had to

put it up early) Ben wouldn't pose by the Thanksgiving tree we have, he

wanted to be by the Christmas tree!?

Weinnie Dog

2011-11-01T16:24:00.003-05:00

Ann Phelps got in the car from school today and proudly showed me her "weiner dog" picture by shouting: "Happy Halloweiner!!" I had to document it!

Trick or Treat

2011-10-31T20:38:00.004-05:00

Bags Mrs. Ann gave us two years ago!!

Trying to be tough

Love it!

She wouldn't go near the door

Doing her Spiderman stance

She also has Daddy wrapped

roasting hot dogs

We walked about three miles tonight treating! The boys had so much fun - Ann Phelps was scared to go up to the houses BUT she had a great system: she would yell out to her brothers, "Hey guys, don't forget to get me some candy!" as she stood at the curb! She has them wrapped! After two and a half hours of filling their bags, we came home and roasted hot dogs! On a side note: I made the kids take a nap this afternoon. I laid down with them and fell asleep also. I slept hard because when I woke up, I had pillow marks on the side of my face and my hair was messy - as I am getting the kids dressed in their halloween costumes, Rhyne asked me if I was going to fix my hair and put make up on to cover the lines going down my face before we left to treat - I said, "No, I am going as a tired momma for Halloween!!!!!!!!!!" Memories!!!!

Her Style

2011-10-31T13:48:00.002-05:00

Thanks, Mrs. Christina, for the awesome GLITTERY Halloween tutu! AP LOVES it! I walked around all morning with orange glitter on my shirt and skin - YUCK!! As you can see from the pictures, Ann Phelps matched the skirt with a purple shirt, gray and pink knee socks, and spiderman sandals! My way is boring, black shirt and black leggings!! Gotta love her style!

Boo at the Zoo

2011-10-29T21:12:00.006-05:00

Dee Dee, this one's for you!!

Notice AP striking her "Benstacular" pose -

she can't say "spintacular" like in the Spiderman

song so she says, "Benstacular"

Here is a good picture of her pose

Will felt the need to pose by every decoration

still posing

Such a GREAT Daddy - we are blessed

Waiting in line for the hayride

I had this big plan to go to the "Boo at the Zoo" tonight. It took a lot of convincing, but I got Rhyne to agree to go because I said, "It is only from 5-8pm and we don't have to stay that long, we can let them get some candy then do the hayride, then leave!" I said this because 1. he was worried to be in "that part of Jackson" after dark and 2. college football was on!! Now in his defense, Rhyne doesn't like the idea of going to big crowded places where there will be lots of other people's children there - let's face it, you can look at the parents of some kids and see why the kids break line, run over anybody in their way, spit out gum, etc.. - poor Rhyne doesn't have the patience!! Thankfully, I see these events with rose-colored glasses - I think "oh, what fun the kids will have, they will be so grateful to us for planning something so fun"!! (ha, ha, ha) All kidding aside, we did have fun. It wasn't so grand as I had dreamed in my head, but our kids enjoyed it! Ben had the most fun looking at all the other kids' costumes - he kept pointing out who was the "bad guy" and who was a "good guy"! It wasn't as easy as getting in and out fast, though - we got in line at 5pm and didn't leave the Zoo until 8:15pm - we waited in line for everything - Rhyne kept giving me looks like "ha, ha told you so"! It was great because it was a family memory and the kids all said, "Thank you Daddy for letting us go to the zoo." - just hearing them say that makes all the lines and other people's unruly kids worth it!

K5 Fall Festival

2011-10-29T08:34:00.005-05:00

Will and his friend Luke

Will bowling with gourds

Shooting basketball one-handed

Will's sweet class

The clown was so much fun- this is

the grandfather of a kindergartner

Roaring like a lion

The Kindergarten classes at FPDS had a Fall Festival on Friday. It was so much fun (it went so smoothly since those of us planning it had never seen a fall festival done before)! There was face painting (Will wouldn't get his face painted because he said it would be too hard to take off in the bathtub - I am raising him well, ha ha), tattoos, snacks, games, and even two clowns!! Something that melted my heart: when we got in the car after the festival, Will said, "Mom, thank you for working so hard on the festival, it was the best day ever!" How sweet?!

The Great Pumpkin

2011-10-27T19:36:00.002-05:00

Since Daddy (Rhyne) is staying in Mobile tonight......the kids are piled up in my bed and we are watching Charlie Brown!! Love making memories!

Rounding out the month

2011-10-26T19:10:00.004-05:00

She begged me to take her "ballerina"

picture. She wears this outfit everyday,

she will not let me wash it!!

AP would not put these wax lips on, so only the

boys would pose!

Little Sas can't resist not being in the spotlight

These are some random pictures I took this month. The pictures with Ben and the sword are priceless. He is obsessed with warfare. He is mesmerized by anything army. We went to visit my PawPaw and he showed Ben his swords from WWII. My grandfather fought in the Pacific - he earned a Purple Heart because as Ben loves to tell people "He was shot in the head by the bad guys, but the bad guys lost in the end!"! Not only did he show Ben the sword he used at Culver Military Academy, he also showed Ben a bayonet he took from a Japanese gun during WWII. Ben was completely amazed and still talks about it! I considered it priceless that Ben has gotten to hear these stories from his great-grandfather- it also makes me forever grateful for the "Greatest Generation" for their selfless sacrifice!

Of course the other pics are just silly acts that happen every day around here!!

The Next Food Network Star

2011-10-19T21:01:00.003-05:00

Ok, I am not the new Food Network Star, but I have made a HUGE accomplishment in my life today......I baked 26 loaves (small) of pumpkin bread!!! This is a from-scratch-not out-of-a-box recipe! From reading previous posts, you know I am no cook- so this is probably the equivalent of me climbing Mt. Everest!! Will's school is having huge fundraiser (Holiday Potpourri) and one part of it is a bake sale. I made the sacrifice to help the school! This is how NOT prepared I was to make bread, I didn't have the bread pans so my Mom let me borrow hers!! My Mom gave me three different bread recipes, but I decided to stick to just one so I wouldn't have to multitask too much!! I really feel a huge sense of accomplishment right now! :)

New Phase

2011-10-16T17:06:00.003-05:00

Ann Phelps has entered a new phase.....she now wants to be girly!! She is moving on from the Scooby Doo, Spiderman, and Batman phase. She now wants everything ballerina, princess, or sparkly! We have morning battles because she does NOT want to wear anything I pick out - she only wants to wear tutus EVERYDAY!!! We have gone to school more than once dressed in a tutu. I pick my battles and have come to the realization that this is the only time in her life she can get away with wearing tutus to school! I have to admit it is fun to see her so girly!

The Fair '11

2011-10-15T20:52:00.003-05:00

I love the look on AP's face!

While I was gone to my wonderful PCA conference, Rhyne and Grandmother took the kids to the fair! I am sad I missed the memories made, but I am glad I missed the stress of keeping the kids germ free!!!!

Spider Girl, Army Man, and Optimus Prime

2011-10-15T20:48:00.002-05:00

*Since this picture was taken, Ann Phelps is now somewhat over her Spiderman obsession- she now is obsessed with princesses, ballerinas, and Dora!!

Just a taste

2011-10-08T20:49:00.003-05:00

Right now I am sitting in a hotel room in Atlanta, Georgia...BY MYSELF!! I came to the Amazing Grace 360 Conference hosted by the PCA. I guess having 3 kids and a husband makes you do things you wouldn't 10 years earlier. I NEVER would have gone to a conference 6 hours away by myself 10 years ago!! I have had such a good time! I haven't watched or heard the TV, I have slept in a big king sized bed comfortably (no dog or husband to share it), and I have had the pleasure of eating when and where I wanted (no searching for gluten free options)!! Now, don't tell my family this - I have missed them and by Friday (I left on Thursday), I was getting a little lonely! Thankfully God knows exactly what I need and when I need it and just when I was feeling really lonely, He put my old friends from Greenwood, MS (Westminster PCA) in my path!! They have taken me back in to the group and I haven't had to sit or eat alone the whole time I have been here! What a blessing it is to visit and reconnect with such sweet friends!!

I made the choice to come by myself because I so badly wanted to hear the speaker. Nancy Gutherie has written several books on suffering and hope. She has written other books, but her book Holding on to Hope was used by God to bring a huge change in my life. Nancy has buried two infants so I can relate to her. God was so good to me (always) right after Will was born, He didn't let me really grieve right then because He knew I needed to take care of my little 2lb. baby boy. Being a new mom with a baby in the NICU was stressful enough without working through tremendous grief. Don't get me wrong, I was upset, but I didn't truly grieve until Will was about 6 months old. That was in 2006 and boy did I think my world was crashing. Up until the loss of my boys, I had never been through BIG grief. Also, I thought my relationship with Christ was "perfect" and I was the good Christian girl who was rocking along in my own personal "perfect life'! When you go through suffering, you pray that on the other side of it, God will use it for good and His glory. That had always been my prayer, but I really expected it to be immediate. I wanted to justify my suffering quickly. I didn't want it to take years. First of all, God doesn't "owe" me reasons or explanations. But when you have a seemingly "perfect" trek in life, you don't expect anything to be tough. I can stop right here and with great gratitude to my Heavenly Father, tell you that 6 years later I can say "thank you" to Him for this suffering. Because even though it has taken me 6 years, my relationship with Him has grown tremendously. I am not like the old me - He has made me a new Christian through my suffering. I needed this suffering to bring me truly to Him.

Back to 2006- here I am going through a whirlwind of tough emotions, and our MOMS Bible study is set to study the book of Job using the Holding on to Hope book as a reference. Not only did God use this study to open my eyes and heart, He used it to heal me. Shirley Windham (a fabulous Christian teacher and friend and mentor) was the teacher that semester and God used her humbleness to reach me. She has such a gift for being so real when she teaches - she has the gift of making you feel loved and comforted when she teaches. So I was doubly blessed with a great book and teacher. Everything Nancy wrote in her book spoke straight to me. Until I read her book, I felt like no one on earth could even understand what I was feeling. She did. I was even ashamed of my feelings. I was ashamed that I was angry with God, that He didn't follow MY plan (because my way was better, right), I doubted His love for me, I wanted to run from church, I didn't even want to live anymore. I was so selfish that I prayed for Him to just take me so I wouldn't have to deal with the grief and struggles anymore. How selfish! How thankful I am He is my life planner!!!!!!! He kept me here to bring me to Him, closer and in a more personal way than I had ever felt before!!!! I now believe with my whole heart that Matthew and Harris were never meant to be MY earthly babies - they were the angels God used to transform their mom- even though they never took a breath on earth, they were used by God to open my eyes so that I could see my deep, deep need for God's grace!!! Their short existence in my life has brought so much good and everyday God has allowed me to see a little more of the good in different areas! God will never "owe" me an answer of why he chose to give me that first kind of birth experience, but how merciful he is to allow me to witness the good that has come from it!!!!

This conference has been a huge blessing because once again God used Nancy to bring me closer to him! She not only has the great gift of writing, she is a great speaker. Like Shirley, she has the gift to teach in a way that makes you feel so loved and comforted! As I sit here and type, I don't want to go home. Don't get me wrong, I miss my babies and hubby, but being in the presence of 2000 women who love the Lord and want to draw nearer to Him is, to me, a little taste of what Heaven must be like!!! A little taste of what eternity will be- praising God and feeling nothing but love and comfort. AMAZING GRACE - glory be to my Great Father!!!

It's Fall Y'all!

2011-09-30T16:59:00.004-05:00

The reason Will's hair looks "gritty" is because

it was Gold day (it's letter 'G' this week) at school.

We sprayed his hair with gold paint!

What do you do when the weather is finally feeling like Fall?? Well, we went to the park to enjoy 2 hours of play time!! The weather felt so nice, I couldn't waste it!! The kids enjoyed a fun treat after school and I enjoyed watching them play!!

Covenant Back-to-School Night '11

2011-09-26T20:37:00.003-05:00

My Covenant Preschoolers

Will had to feel like a Covenant
Preschooler again

Riding the train

They all three begged to ride the pony - even

though they get to ride horses all the time!

Ok- Ben told the girl he wanted a ladybug. Then

he told her to paint his nose orange because orange

is his favorite color??! Love this sweet face!

Covenant Preschool had it's Back-to-School Hoedown tonight. Even though we have been in school for over a month, having it this late gives you time to breath between all the busy-ness of back-to-school. Ben and Ann Phelps got to show Rhyne their classrooms and introduce him to their teacher - which is fun for them! They played games, rode the train and pony, and Will got to see his old friends who stayed at Covenant for K5 - which he really enjoyed (made me sad, I loved the class he was in last year, I miss all his friends too)! We are very blessed to have such a wonderful preschool for our kids!!

Life in the Fastlane

2011-09-26T15:00:00.002-05:00

I haven't blogged lately because what you see in the picture is all we have been doing! We live in this vehicle. It takes us from 7am to 9am to drop everyone off at their schools. Traffic on I-20 and I-55 is killing me - my car doesn't go above 20mph on these interstates in the mornings! I am trying to convince my hubby that we need to move closer to Jackson (he won't leave Rankin County)! I will even settle for a lap top so I can get caught up on my room mom, MIHA, and Bible study duties while I am sitting in carpool!! So if you see this vehicle around the metro, wave and say a prayer for this tired momma!!

Aftermath and One Last Birthday Cupcake

2011-09-10T21:02:00.004-05:00

Helping Daddy blow his candle out!

Love it!

He has worn himself out playing with all of his

birthday goodies (here he is dressed as Optimus

Prime - for those who don't know Transformers)

This is only half the debris

All is quiet at my house right now. The kids are in bed and Rhyne is watching NASCAR/Football! God has blessed me beyond measure. Every birthday I celebrate with my kids always stirs my heart and takes me back to a time when I thought I would have no children and then when Will would be an only child......how thankful I am God saw the bigger picture and knew EXACTLY what we needed!!

Pump, Pump, Pump it Up!

2011-09-10T18:24:00.006-05:00

The birthday boy - he loved his
shirt, but was disappointed it didn't
have a sword on it!

Even AP had a pirate shirt (my
camera wouldn't correct the red eyes
in the pics??)

Will was too cool to wear a pirate shirt!

Mrs. Christina made the fabulous pirate cupcakes -

she even decorated the cupcakes with SWORDS!

Love this big boy

He would get so excited over every gift, we ran

out of time for him to open all of the gifts at the

party!!

Even the true birthday boy got to sit on the special

birthday chair!!

Ben finally got to have a Pump it Up birthday party today! He was so excited! We had a pirate theme since he is into pirates (only for the swords)! Today is Rhyne's 33rd birthday - he says he isn't that into birthdays, but I am - so "Happy Birthday to a wonderful man!!"!!!

Happy Birthday, Ben!

2011-09-07T19:21:00.004-05:00

He chose orange icing - he has moved
from green being his favorite color to orange!

Ben is 4 today!!! He is proof God has a bigger plan and infinite wisdom! After Will, I thought I would never have anymore children! Praise be to God that HE is totally in charge - not only did I have Ben, but I got pregnant naturally- something the doctors thought could never happen!!!!! What would my world be like without sweet Ben??? He keeps me laughing all the time! He also makes me slow down - he doesn't do anything fast!!!!!!

He requested I take chocolate covered doughnuts with sprinkles on top for his class treat and he wanted to eat chips and cheese dip for supper! Happy Birthday sweet Ben!!!

City comes to the Country

2011-09-03T18:52:00.007-05:00

Boots entertained the kids by letting them pretend
to be cows that he tried to rope!

Love the look on Ben's face as he runs from Boots!

Boots is such a good uncle!!

This is showing how gentle Bones is - I am trying

to make him "run" and he just won't do it!

Ben the cowboy

Christina and Vaiden - we will have to work

on their cowboy attire for next time!

Not quite sure at first

Tripp taking his only turn, once was enough

for him!

The city boys

Will and AP taking the first turn

The big boys

Tripp loving on Britt

I joke with my best friend, Christina, that her boys are blessed to have me so they won't grow up entirely citified! Today, I took them to the country to ride horses. We loaded up my suburban and headed out before the Tropical storm - the weather was very nice in Acona, cloudy and cool! I was very thankful Justin was there to help with the horses since Pap was in Arkansas! Eleanor also was the photographer for me!! Out of all the kids (my 3 and the Jackson 2), Vaiden (the youngest) had the best time riding the horse. He wasn't sure at first, but by the end he was riding by himself!! Dee Dee cooked us a true country lunch - even homemade ice cream for dessert! To explain how much fun was had: all 5 kids had to have a bath before we could load up and come home!!! We are blessed to have the Jacksons in our life!!

He is ready

2011-08-30T15:03:00.002-05:00

Ben is my true little boy. He doesn't mind dirt, he loves guns/knives, he thinks hunting is so cool, and his heroes are cowboys, soldiers, and policemen/law enforcement. To get ready for fall, we went to buy boots today. He, of course, picked out the camo John Deere boots. He LOVES them! He has not taken them off since we bought them. He even went to the potty and didn't get totally naked because he wanted to keep his boots on!!! Now all he needs is a trip to the deer camp!

Hooks' Pizzeria

2011-08-25T19:55:00.004-05:00

Grandmother has been here for a few days to help out while Rhyne is on a business trip (thankful for Grandmother)!! Tonight the kids helped Grandmother make homemade pizzas. Will even made a gluten free pizza! They had so much fun! I am thankful for the memories!!

Ann Phelps' first day

2011-08-19T14:35:00.003-05:00

First- Ann Phelps started a K2 program at Covenant on Thursday, August 18. We had computer problems, so I am a day late!

Now......

When the boys reached the age of 2, they started a Mom's Morning Out program. To cut down on my running around, we put AP in the K2 program at Covenant where Ben attends. She loves it!! She feels like a big kid getting out at carpool every Tuesday and Thursday. Of course, her being old enough for any program makes me sad. I miss my little baby girl!! But she never looked back when she got out of the car yesterday!!

Ben's Turn

2011-08-17T14:46:00.002-05:00

So handsome and clean

The chocolate milk disaster

We ended it well

Ben started K3 today at Covenant Preschool. I felt like super-mom because I fought traffic on I-20 and I-55 and still got Will to school on time. Then it was smooth sailing to Covenant where I was the 6th car in line, ready for the doors to open for Ben's first day. It always happens, when I start feeling my super-mom cape flowing in the breeze, something comes along to snatch it off. This was the case today when the doors at Covenant finally opened and traffic began to move..... Ben, my sweet middle child who has a balance problem, managed to dump an entire bottle of chocolate milk all over his clothes. Now, if this had happened to Will, we would have had to go home and start the day over, but Ben said "uh-oh" and thought I was going to let him get out of the car with milk all over him! Since we commute 30 minutes one-way to school, I am usually prepared with extra clothes - not today! All I had in the car was extra underwear!! I cleaned up the milk and Ben got back in his car seat with just his underwear and a polo on and we headed to Target - the nearest place open that sells shorts. I have now made a contact list of all boy-mamas in the Covenant Preschool vicinity that we can call and bum shorts/etc.. off of!! We finally made it to school (late) around 9:15am! For a split second after all of that, I really considered taking Ann Phelps to a nice restaurant for breakfast instead of Chick-fil-a so I could have a bloody mary/mimosa!!!!! BUT- everything turned out well!! I love you Ben, you definitely keep me going even if you don't always help my super-mom status!!!!

It Begins

2011-08-12T15:10:00.002-05:00

Today was Will's first day of kindergarten. He has officially begun his tenure at First Presbyterian Day School! His teacher is Mrs. McDade and her assistant, Mrs. Howard. I do admit, seeing him in his uniform made me a little emotional - I can't help but think how far we have come since his first day on earth! God is so good (all the time)!!

A Little History Lesson

2011-08-09T19:38:00.004-05:00

walking into the huge state's

monument - I love how amazed

they were!

She is crying because I took the picture before

she had time to sit down on the bench!!

The most exciting part....the gunboat!!

Ben loves all weapons!!

At the end of the day, we enjoyed a real Coke

float from the Coke museum! They thought these

were awesome! My Mimi used to make these for me

every time I stayed with her! Memories!!

Showing her frothy mustache!

Since I once was a history teacher and still love the subject, I wanted to introduce my kids to a little history today. We visited the Vicksburg Military Park. Of course with it being 102', we mainly drove through the park and stopped at the gunboat and visitor center! I was happy that the kids seemed very interested in the lesson! I might be raising three history buffs!!

Destructor

2011-08-08T17:58:00.004-05:00

He likes to dig trenches

This spot once had pine straw and grass. And
the stepping stones didn't have holes under them!

He can take the gutter drains off
the house

The gutter drain!

This is Otis' new "transformer name"! He is destructive!! He is our 3rd lab to have and the first to be so destructive!

New Beds

2011-08-08T17:51:00.002-05:00

I feel like we play fruit-basket-turnover every 3 months with the sleeping arrangements around here. I thought everyone was happy when Will got his own room - he quickly decided that he would rather have company. So.....we now have 3 kids sharing one room and finally have a playroom!! We purchased (cheap-because it won't make me sad when AP marks on them with permanent marker or Ben beats them with his sword) full-size bunk beds. We also had room to put up a twin bed so we have plenty of places for everyone!! The first night with the beds, Rhyne's family happened to be in town so of course the kids wanted them to try out the beds too! Who sleeps on top, bottom, twin bed, etc.. changes each night, but as long as we all get sleep, it works for me!!

Memories with Grandmother (and Pop and Mae Mae and MaMaw)

2011-08-06T17:55:00.006-05:00

I get to play with markers at Grandmother's

Yum watermelon

Love to swim

Snuggling with Mae Mae

picking berries

AP and Will probably arguing over who is in charge

Grandmother and Great-Grandmother

This is poor Prudence - obsessed wouldn't

begin to describe AP's relationship with

this sweet pup!!

My kids are blessed to have wonderful grandparents. They love visiting both sets because they get to be free country kids at both houses!! When we are at my parents' house, I am there to take tons of pictures (my parents don't take pics, glad I do). When my 3 go to Rhyne's parents', I am not there to take pics because I take that time to be free (from kids :) ) I never have to worry about not getting pictures to document all the fun they have because my Mother-in-law takes plenty of pics!! The above is a montage of the fun they have had over the summer at Grandmother's!!! And I never document the fun I have when they are visiting Grandmother because most would think it is boring - sleeping, blogging, running errands (but it is fun for me because I only have to worry about me, myself, and I)!!! Thanks Grandmother (and Pop and Mae Mae and MaMaw) for making sure they have so much fun!!

Relax with a Bubble Bath

2011-08-05T12:37:00.002-05:00

When you have three kids and you want to take a relaxing bubble bath to unwind...... you only have Tinker Bell or Spiderman bubbles to choose from!!!! I chose Tinker Bell because it has more of a "girly" scent!!

Must be a Girl-Thing

2011-08-05T09:57:00.002-05:00

Those who know me, remember the days when I stated that I wanted 4 boys and couldn't imagine being a girl-mom. I have admitted many times on this blog that I am so thankful God knows me and knows exactly what I need. I really didn't know how enjoyable little girls can be. I told Rhyne the other day that if I knew how easy having a girl would be, I would have wanted more!! Let me explain: Ann Phelps is 2 years old. She can change her pull-ups, put her shoes on the right foot, she can dress herself, buckle her seat belt, I can ask her to go do something for me and it gets done correctly the first time, she helps me with things without me asking, she even dresses and puts Ben's shoes on for him! Will and Ben are not this helpful. I think it has something to do with the "motherly gene" in little girls. She wants to help and takes pleasure in doing things for me. Now, I am not saying she is perfect, she does bully her brothers and can throw a tantrum like none you have ever seen, but overall, she is my little helper. In the last two weeks, I have been observing her and how much she has grown this summer. This is the down-side to her being so mature. Because of health problems, she is my last baby. (I of all people know God has HIS plan and can give me another at any time) I have this urge to keep her from wanting to be so mature. I want to keep her a baby as long as I can. I have always heard girls mature faster than boys and I can testify that this is true - this makes me sad. When the boys reached age 2, I couldn't wait to put them in a mom's-day-out program so I could have a break from having to "baby" them - now I am sad AP will be in a program for two mornings each week. I know it sounds crazy and it sounds like she is my "favorite" - I don't have a favorite, I am just recording my thoughts on the difference between my sweet boys and AP! Will and Ben each have qualities that make me fall in love with them day-after-day. I guess I am just posting this to remember how helpful and sweet AP was at one time in her life because I know this will not be the case when she hits the teen years (ha, ha)!! I do keep reminding myself that even though my "baby" is growing so fast, I still have Ben who will need me to come to college with him to help him put on his shoes and underwear before class each day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

End of July 2011

2011-08-01T17:38:00.007-05:00

We visited the frog exhibit at the Natural Science Museum

Dressed in our brother's clothes

Practiced our hairstyling techniques

Went to a fun family wedding in

Nashville

The family minus the in-laws

Rhyne and I at the wedding - we had a mini-vacation,

we were able to just be adults and relax!!

We have watched tv (it's too hot for outside)

relaxing

The holiday tree is decorated for

back-to-school

It's too hot for Otis outside!!

We have our lunch boxes ready

Some new school clothes

Will's uniform shirt for school

The last week of July was busy for us!! We are focusing on the beginning of a new school year now (yay)!

Birthday Party Time!

2011-07-23T22:29:00.004-05:00

He picked out this shirt for me
at Target!

Getting ready to bowl

Will has a unique bowling move!

Another fabulous cake from Christina

Almost 2 weeks after he turned 6, we finally celebrated Will's birthday with a bowling party!! It was Transformers themed with a fabulous cake from Ms. Christina (she's the best)! Who knew there would be a monsoon in the middle of July, but our sweet friends braved the floods to help us celebrate! I didn't take as many pics as I normally do, but believe me, fun was had by all! The best part was hearing Will tell me before we got to the party "Mom, thank you for planning this party and wearing that Transformer shirt for me!"!!!! So worth it!!!

Happy Birthday, Will!

2011-07-12T21:58:00.004-05:00

Happy 6th Birthday! We celebrated by going to buy school uniforms, getting a haircut, eating Mexican with Grandmother and Mae Mae, and getting another transformer!

6 years ago....

2011-07-12T10:05:00.002-05:00

Today is Will's 6th birthday!! 6 years ago it was hard for me to imagine the future - we were living one hour at a time in the NICU. Wow- God has truly shown his faithfulness, grace, glory, etc..!!! We are so very blessed to have healthy birthday boy today!!

It finally happened!

2011-07-06T21:25:00.003-05:00

The tooth fairy gave me a peek at the fairy dust
and $5 she wrapped for Will

He made an envelope for the tooth fairy to
keep his tooth safe

So happy!!

Will lost his first tooth tonight!!! He has waited and waited to be able to say he was visited by the tooth fairy! He was so excited! I had just asked my Mom this past weekend if she knew where my old tooth fairy pillow was - she is still looking for it. We had to improvise - we made a colorful envelope and Will decorated it. The tooth fairy let me know that she was caught off guard and had to cut up tin foil because her "normal" fairy dust wand wasn't working and she searched through two bags to find dollar bills since the fairyland bank was closed tonight! I am sure he will be happy with whatever she leaves! *I must mention when he called Marmoo (my sister) and Boots (my brother) they told him to expect $10 or $20 from the fairy - they forget they don't have kids yet and the fairy will remember!!!! Anyway, I can't wait for him to wake up in the morning!

4th of July Celebration Tour '11

2011-07-05T10:32:00.006-05:00

On the river bank getting ready for the fireworks

The fire rescue boat was of course a huge hit with

my boys!

My boys!

At my parents' house they have these birds who

make nests under their car port - there are 4

nests right now!! I got this shot of the mama bird

coming back to the nest to feed the babies! I think

it's neat how you can see some horse hair that the

nest was made from!

Water fight at Dee Dee and Pap's

Helping Daddy and Pap make

homeade ice cream

at the cabin

Loving the ribs at the cabin

Making cousin Bowen laugh

Biggest shock of my life- my boys loving the inter

tube!!

Ben swimming to shore

At the Anderson's

Kortney is the Martha Stewart

of our group - every party at her

house is decorated so perfectly!

The shirt says it all

Getting ready to eat

We began our patriotic tour on Thursday in Greenwood at the fireworks show. We stayed away from the big crowd by sitting on the river bank on the opposite side - it was wonderful!! We sat on picnic blankets and the breeze from the river made it so nice! After playing at Dee Dee and Pap's on Friday, we went to a bar-b-que at Marcie and Craig's on Saturday. We got to swim and eat yummy food. We played some more at Dee Dee and Pap's on Sunday and then went to the annual family 4th of July lunch at the cabin on Monday. I was so very shocked that Will and Ben agreed to get in the ski boat and actually take a spin on the inter tube behind the boat!!! I was so proud that they tried this and actually liked it!! Around 4pm we left the cabin headed back to Brandon to catch our breath and then head to the Anderson's for a fun supper. By the time we got home around 9pm - we were so very exhausted from all of the fun 4th of July Celebrations!!!

How to measure growth

2011-06-29T10:48:00.003-05:00

I didn't take pics at playtime
yesterday, but this is a picture
from last year at this time - she
wouldn't even get on the inflatables!

I take advantage of Pump-it-Up's pop-in-playtime often. It is great - air conditioned and contained! Sometimes it can be a little crowded, but you have to take the good with the bad. We went to play yesterday and as I watched Ann Phelps, I realized how much she has grown in the month of June. The last time we went to playtime, she wouldn't slide down the big slide and she hardly jumped on any of the other inflatables. In just three weeks, she has now lost all fear of the big slide and now plays on all the inflatables. I sat there realizing how fast they grow-up in such a short time. I felt sad, in a way, because I am used to her being my baby - now she is running around like the "big" kids! So, if you want to visibly see progress in your child - you can use playtime at pump-it-up!

Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue

2011-06-27T20:48:00.003-05:00

Keeping up with my holiday tree!! Happy July 4th!

Take me back..

2011-06-20T20:12:00.006-05:00

My Mom's "Everyday" wedding pattern

An experienced cook would know what these are

used for, but we all know that's not me! But I

remember my Mom using these when she made

biscuits (not from the can)!

My Mom was a Chi Omega in college, so we have

tons of owls all over the house! This is a napkin

holder - it is older than me!

My mom makes homemade jelly so

lots of mason jars everywhere

This is part of a group of owl canisters she still has.

Probably older than me!

My mom crosstitched many things. I don't know

if she made these, but they have been around her house

for as long as I can remember!

This butcher block was from an actual butcher!

It has been in my Mom's kitchen forever!

These measuring spoons have been around longer

than me! She still uses them!

I used this artifact to mix the cupcake batter in!

It has the name of a cattle feed (or something) on it.

I remember this!!

The owls again!

I spent four days at home (my parents' house) last week so the boys could attend the VBS program at Westminster Pres. Church. One day, Ben wanted cupcakes so I decided to make some. Anyone who knows me and my Mom knows I cannot cook and she cooks everything from scratch! I have a hard time navigating around her meticulous kitchen! Anyway, while I was "cooking", I ran across some things that made me think of my childhood. My Mom is known for not being sentimental - I am still getting over the fact that she gave away all the smocked dresses she made for me and Marice, that's right, we have no heirloom smocked dresses for our daughters!! So while in the kitchen, I noticed things that are probably older than me that she still has and why do these things have value and smocked dresses don't??? I will probably never know the answer!! One thing I have always liked is my parents still live in the same house I grew up in, so little artifacts still remain (even if the dresses have disappeared)!!!

11 Years

2011-06-10T21:00:00.004-05:00

a romantic bubble bath for our anniversary???

Wouldn't think of anything cuter! Our blessings!

It is almost 9:00pm and we are about to call it a night here at the Hooks Household! What is strange about this? To some this would be a sad, sad way to spend your 11th wedding anniversary! The season of life Rhyne and I are in is the "we-are-so-tired-and-going-to-bed-before-11pm (even on your wedding anniversary)is-considered-bliss" season!! I know this will only be our life for a few years, the days are long but the years are short! I try not to wish this time away or to just survive it - I really try to cherish it!! Having 3 blessings so close in age makes for a crazy, busy life!! Rhyne and I can still stand to look at each other at the end of these crazy days and fall in love again!! God allowed me to marry my best, best friend and I could never raise this family without his support!! We have a fun, fun trip planned to Nashville in July and possibly another planned in the fall - so we are calling those trips our "anniversary trips"? The most important thing is we can laugh about the simplicity of celebrating at home with all three kids and feel so incredible blessed and not feeling like we are missing out!

VBS 2011

2011-06-10T14:13:00.004-05:00

AP wore her pink skirt to add some

sass to her VBS shirt

Ben and his Joseph he made!

Will made an Egyptian mask

Getting to eat the grown-up snacks. Cassie

would bring AP a strawberry every day!

This was in Ben's classroom. The Elmo balloons

are representing Joseph's brothers!

Well, we made it through another week of vacation Bible school. This is not a tone of gloom, we had a lot of fun - we are just worn out!! This week is always tough because living in Brandon, we have to leave our house by 7:50am to get to First Presbyterian on time. Then I have to walk all three little people across the big sea that is the parking lot. It wears us all out! This year we learned about Joseph and God's redemption. Ben was so excited to let me know the story he heard each day! I was in charge of 2 and 3 year old crafts. This doesn't sound hard, but it was! We had 38 three year olds!! This also meant I was in Ben and Ann Phelp's class each day at craft time. Of course, Ann Phelps had to leave with me every day when craft time was over for her class. She really thought she was something waving to the other kids who had to stay and then getting to eat the grown-up snacks with me!! I am thankful for this week and pray my children have learned and hidden new things in their hearts!

Even the Dog is Messy

2011-06-02T17:48:00.003-05:00

Some of Otis' toys - when I put them
back in the toy box, he immediately drags
them out - he thinks it's a game

How could I be upset with this big baby??

almost 7 months old

My human kids are messy - they leave toys out everywhere! Now my furry kid has learned by example!! Because of the heat, I have been letting Otis spend more time in the house (I am a sucker) - he has a toy box to keep his toys in, but his favorite thing to do is leave the toys out everywhere!!

2 Peas

2011-05-31T13:10:00.001-05:00

But she is still girly!

Loves being just like her brother, Ben!! They are two peas in a pod!!

A Week in Acona

2011-05-29T13:18:00.006-05:00

picking plums

Dee Dee playing in the water

Ben has no fear when it comes to slimy things,

here he is catching a frog and earlier he caught

a lizard!

Ann Phelps loves dogs (or puppies as she calls them)

This is Princess at MawMaw and Granddaddy's

a RARE moment

MawMaw and Will fishing

Ben and Granddaddy fishing

eating an ice cream snack

Granddaddy and Ann Phelps fishing

In true AP fashion she now has two ice cream

cones because she took Ben's away!!

swimming at the Rozier's

Daddy and AP worn out from swimming

We left last Sunday for a week-long stay in Acona (my homeland)! We picked plums, played in the water, fed watermelon to horses, visited MawMaw and Grandaddy, celebrated Pap's birthday, played at NelNoo and Boots' house, went swimming at MarMoo and Uncle Craig's, helped Pap stack hay with the tractor, and slept hard at night!! We had so much fun and I love the country because I can relax!!

Saturday Fun

2011-05-21T17:23:00.003-05:00

We went to the Children's Museum with Mandy today since Rhyne went to play golf!! We also went to Chick-fil-a for a milkshake and then played in the water fountain at Dogwood. Some would say it is "redneck" to let your kids play in the public fountain, but redneck is in our blood!!

First Popsicles of the Summer

2011-05-20T21:33:00.004-05:00

Before we went outside, we made

Pop some birthday cards, she decided

to decorate herself!!

Today we finally got the play pool out and turned the sprinklers on for the official start of our summer. We even ate our first popsicles of the summer!

Our BIG boy

2011-05-09T19:16:00.004-05:00

Big Boy

hard to remember him at 6 weeks!

Otis is now 6 months old. Back in February he weighed 30lbs.- he now weighs 60lbs.!!!! Poor thing, I think he has learned his place in the family - behind the kids!! He is such a sweet puppy and a big mama's boy. I gave Rhyne the dog as a present, but he has clearly become my dog - which is fine with me!!

Better than a Birthday

2011-05-08T19:24:00.004-05:00

Today is Mother's Day. I spent almost 5 years dreading Mother's Day. Back then, it was a day that was painful. I was on my infertility journey and going through a day that celebrated what I couldn't be was so hard. I try so hard to remember those feelings so I will never take a second of motherhood for granted. I always wake up on this day and pray for those sweet women who are going through this day and dreading it. I will always feel that bond. God so graciously chose to answer "yes" to my prayers about motherhood. Even going through so much to have this family, I would not change a thing. God allowed me to grow up so much so I could be the type of mom my kids need. He brought me closer to Him - what a blessing. Now, I will not sit here and tell you that my days are blissful and carefree - I had to post the "Love Chapter" (1Corinthians 13) on my wall to remind myself to "love" my children the way God intended. But even on our worst days, I still feel completely blessed beyond measure! So, every Mother's Day since Will was born has been more special to me than my birthday. I wake up more excited than if it were my birthday. I will always view my children as gifts from God, precious gifts not every woman gets to open! Today is better than a birthday for sure!

New Orleans 2011

2011-05-01T16:30:00.008-05:00

Hanging out with the "cool" kids on Bourbon

Riding the street car

Riding the street car

Learning to play the bucket drums

AP's balloon animal

Ben's sword and Will's bunny

Riding the carriage

Walking on the River Walk

At the aquarium

Posing as usual

Buzz and Woody

The army men

This alien hat came on each bag of cotton candy,

Rhyne told the man he needed 3 bags, but quickly

changed his mind when the man told him the total

would be $36! For cotton candy - they know how to

make money at these shows! The kids had to settle

for one to share!!

Dee Dee and Pap enjoying the goodies

Before the show. From the moment we arrived in

New Orleans, Ben kept saying he wanted a sword.

The kids knew they could each have one thing at the

ice show - I cannot believe they had a sword at the

show! It made Ben's trip! Nothing in Toy Story has

a sword - I guess they knew Ben waned it!!

Getting ready for Toy Story on Ice

DDay museum

In front of the Higgins boat at the DDay museum

So thankful we had many hands to help carry

tired kids! Boots and AP

Dee Dee

We just got back from New Orleans. It was a very busy and fun weekend. We went with my parents, Marcie, Craig, Justin and Eleanor. The main reason we went was for Disney's Toy Story 3 on Ice show. This show was so awesome and fun. My parents, Rhyne, me, and the kids attended the show - the "cool" kids (aka- the aunts and uncles) walked around town and then joined us for dinner. We also toured the DDay Museum and the Aquarium. You don't realize how hectic trips can be with three kids 5 and under until you go on one! It really made me miss the days when they all liked to ride in strollers! They were worn out by bedtime each night. A BIG "thank you" to Dee Dee and Pap - they kept the kids each night so me and Rhyne could hang out with the grown-ups! I love trips - so many memories are made each time!!

Easter '11

2011-04-24T19:08:00.006-05:00

Daddy and Ben before Ben's egg hunt

seriously hunting eggs

of course, little sister bullied her way into Ben's basket

Will's Easter bonnet he made at school

Otis as a bunny

Picnic in the park with Grandmother on Good Friday

At the Science Museum

All Ben wanted was a GREEN Star Wars sword

Will loves Optimus Prime

When I say she is obsessed with

Scooby Doo, that is an understatement!
EB brought her scooby shoes and figures

Love this, she has a Tangled hair extension in!

Finding eggs that EB left

Will came in the living room this morning dressed

in Christmas pj's from two years ago, I make them

dress in matching pj's before they can see what Santa

brings them, I guess he didn't want to delay viewing his

Easter basket!!

I spent the week (and 2 months before) of Easter planning a surprise party so I called in reinforcements to help. Grandmother came on Good Friday and left on Sunday - she spoiled the kids of course! On the Thursday before Easter, my Mom came to keep Ben and AP- so the kids have been spoiled double this past week! The boys had their Easter parties at school, parents could come to Ben's, but Will's was just for the kids! I was so worn out, I took a nap today and I am not a nap person!! Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift of Jesus, His son, my Saviour! I am thankful also for family that helps me and my precious kids!! Happy Easter!

Surprise!

2011-04-24T19:03:00.002-05:00

My best friend, Christina, turned 30 the day before Easter. We celebrated Friday and Saturday - mani/pedi, lunch, dinner, and a Surprise Party!! Welcome to the 30's my friend!

Weekend in Acona

2011-04-11T14:05:00.004-05:00

We went to my parents' this past weekend. We had a crawfish boil on Saturday - the kids surprised me, they LOVE crawfish!! We got to try out a new horse, Bones - the kids have some of me in them, they loved riding and were not scared at all - they all wanted to ride by themselves without help!! Just for fun, we also hunted Easter eggs!! I love lazy weekends in the country!

"That Mom" - the over achiever

2011-04-07T17:58:00.005-05:00

Ok, I am "that mom"! (on many levels, but I will talk about this one today)! Every Thursday, Will has to take something for show and tell that starts with the letter of the week they are studying. I have been dreading the letter "X" for a while. I don't have x-rays or a xylophone handy, so what was he going to take? I googled "things that start with 'x'" and couldn't pronounce any of the words! As I was about to give up, I stumbled across a Chinese word....."Xigua" (meaning- watermelon) - then I had a brilliant idea- I would send watermelon airheads for the class! This word started with "x" and the class would get a treat! On the way to school, I worked with Will to pronounce the word, even Ben and AP learned the word! So you can call me "that mom"- the one who goes to an extreme to be different or creative almost to the point of looking ridiculous??!! But at least when Will visits China one day (he says this will be our next summer vacation), he can ask for a watermelon in Chinese!!

To Grandmother's House We Go!

2011-04-03T17:33:00.005-05:00

The kids spent the past weekend in Carrollton. From the pictures, it looks like they had a blast (they always do)!!

Random from this past week...

2011-03-27T20:44:00.012-05:00

I can't post phrases under my pics for some reason?? So here it goes: we went to Greenwood last Tuesday to catch up with some of Rhyne's family from Indiana. His cousin, Harris, and his family came down to visit. We named our son, Harris, after this special cousin! The other handsome guy in the picture with Rhyne (the one to the right) is his Uncle James. Ben's middle name is James after this uncle. These guys mean so much to Rhyne. The pics with AP in the pink dress is from that night - she loves to pose!! I love catching ordinary moments - the kids had fun playing with their Daddy Saturday! They also love when Grandmother comes and brings a board game!! I am so blessed with such a great life!!!

How can I complain?

2011-03-24T15:42:00.002-05:00

Today has been one of those days - a day where I have been convicted around every corner! I wish I could say that I wake up each day refreshed and excited, singing "This is the Day..." as my feet hit the floor - it is more like "KIDS, wake up we are LATE, get up, brush your teeth, we don't have time for breakfast, etc......!!!!" ! Now, there are plenty of days I am not the Screaming Banshee Mom - I just wish those days outnumbered the hairy ones!! All this to say, God has really been "dealing" with me lately. I have been going through a season of self-reflection and I can honestly say, I am so thankful God is dealing with me. For the longest time I have had a hard time being joyful, not "happy", but joyful. You can be in the depths of woe and still have joy in your heart. One of the books I am reading to help me with my joy-issue is One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I will be honest, her writing style is very dramatic and rambling, but there are so many golden nuggets that it is worth the trudging you have to do!! I am not doing a book review for this post, but I had to mention this book! It has really made me stop and think and even change my life!!
All this to say, today, God has really opened my eyes to the small, yet huge, blessings I have every day! My day began with Will's speech therapy. We have to be at the public elementary school at 7am on Thursdays for Will to receive FREE speech therapy. I shouldn't complain about something that is free, but leaving the house at 6:30am with kids who don't like to wake up, is NOT fun!! Anyway, I sit in the parking lot while he has therapy and this morning I got to see two handicapped buses pull up and drop off sweet, precious students who can't walk (who have to be in wheelchairs). WOW- do I ever stop and thank my Heavenly Father for the simple blessing that my kids can walk and run?? Do I ever stop and thank Him for the gift of sound from their lips - this is hard when I have heard "MOM!!" a thousand times! But really, how convicting?
The next event today was a long-awaited message from a friend who has FINALLY been blessed with a child she has longed for, for so long! I said I would NEVER forget the tough journey of infertility, but I have to admit, I sometimes take these sweet miracles God has given me for granted. Not only did He give us a child - He blessed us with three here on earth and two in Heaven!! And I still can't find joy!?
I am working on this daily and I am so happy God has opened my eyes to see the gifts He so graciously gives that I never stop and think about! I am thankful He gives me days like today to remind me to be thankful always and have joy ALWAYS!

THANKS BE TO GOD!!