Birthday fun at any age...

One fun new tradition that the ladies of our church fellowship have made is a trip to Chili's for lunch whenever one of us has a birthday. We usually have 3-5 of us arriving at lunch time, eating until our hearts (and bellies!) content, then sitting and talking until way past lunch time.
We all agree the 'Bottomless Soup, Salad, and Chips' is the way to go. With plenty of choices we all find something we like, even if we don't agree what the best soup is(!)

Here's pictures from our last two 'girls days'...one celebrating Gloria's and Beth's special days:



Can't wait for our next round of birthdays in the summer! We might just have to come up with some great reason to go this spring...love you ladies!!

Homeschool Valentines Party

Our family was blessed to attend the Homeschool Valentine's Party again this year. The kids had a great time fellowshipping with friends, trading cards, playing games, and eating all the delicious snacks.

Miss K won the guessing game of how many Hersey Kisses were on the tray...the prize all 100+! Other games they played were throwing the ping pong ball at the tortilla covered in peanut butter, ball races where you control the speed by blowing through a straw, and the highlight for mom was Mrs. Lowe and I being given everything need to make a cake EXCEPT the recipe....that we had to come up with on our own.

Here's some fun pictures of the day:

It looks like a precious girl!

After ultrasound #3 last Thursday, it looks like our family will be blessed with a precious baby girl. I ask the tech twice "Are you sure??" She assures me she was. The baby is growing right on schedule. I'm not growing in pounds, but am in inches...my way to grow!

As for names, I shared with a few that My Beloved picked out the name "Polly" with "Esther" being the middle name. I told him I'd REALLY have to pray on that one. Grandma added we could use "Ray-on". I thinking we should be saving those two for our Boy / Girl twin set that God will send some day.

So as for what she will really be called, who knows. Thankfully we have some time to think on it!

SKILLS USA Competition

Josh went to the regional Skills USA- Votech competition on Tuesday. He competed against other high schoolers, both first and second year students demonstrating their skills in Heat, Air, and Refrigeration knowledge. We were so blessed that he placed 3rd! In May he will head to the State competition.

~~ On a side note, My Beloved placed 4th in the state his senior year in high school. Like father like son!! Looks like we'll have another competent service tech.

Josh's 17th Birthday

My first born son, second born child turned 17 this week. Time has sure flown fast. I remember that Sunday morning we had him like it was yesterday. I went to the hospital to be induced at 9 and was holding a precious son by 10:49...even the Doctor couldn't believe how fast he arrived.

That morning was Prolife Sunday. I clearly remember watching the demonstrators on the sides of the roads holding signs encouraging LIFE. As I held my baby I marveled again how blessed I was to know the truth about all children being a blessing!

Josh was a very loving little guy, always sitting on my lap and patting my face. He simply loved his mommy, daddy, and big sissy. As a toddler he could often be found in the back yard 'ridin' Papa D' lawn tractor. At the age of about 4 he and his best buddy Caleb decided to see how Papa's tractor would run if you filled the gas tank with leaves and dirt. We didn't clue in to what had happened until Caleb's dad came to borrow our mower...seems his had dirt and leaves in the tank too.

At an early age Josh became a very organized person. I never have to ask him to clean things up, he just naturally likes them orderly. He follows the rules well and likes to arrive to all our destinations at least 10 minutes early or he considers us LATE!

This last year was once again filled with many firsts for Josh...even as a young man he meets each challenge well. He got his permit and so has spent the year practice driving...soon to get his licenses. He started attending our public Votech in the HVAC Dept. He has carried a 97% grade all of semester one and was placed on the honor roll. He also was required to take Geometry and has a 97% there as well. I praise God for a diligent son who works hard in all he encounters.

Josh joined the Incredibles Volleyball team last year and progressed to a Bronze M level this year. It has given him quite a work out. He really enjoys volleyball and even told me he'd consider college if he could major in VB. He's made lots of new friends and gained lots of confidence this year.

~~For his 'party' he said he wanted to wait for warmer weather. So on Sunday Am while he showered, we rushed to decorate the kitchen and prepare a small family party. He doesn't really like cake, so we substituted M and M cookies with star candles for the treat.

((He did say he wished I'd let him finish dressing for these birthday photos, but that would have ruined the surprise!))

I PRAISE the Lord for this blessing he has given to our family. Josh may you continue to grow as a man who loves the Lord and walks in HIS ways in everything you do ~ Mom

Up and Coming in 2011

"Giving thanks to God for His abundant love,
We welcome with joy each gift from above.
It is God who gives children and His ways are from Heaven.
Announcing our dear sweet baby number seven!"

Our family is pleased to announce the expected arrival of a dear one coming in July 2011...stay tuned for more details!!

December Recap...Christmas is over

With December on its last days and all our Christmas goodies put away it is finally time to get to those memories we want to share.

We spent an early Christmas with Papa B and Grandma S for a 2 day get away in OKC. We stayed in a hotel, swam, karaoked on the fun gift they gave us, and ATE...buffet after buffet. We did Golden Corral for lunch ((too much food!)), Mongolian Buffet for Dinner ((more food!)) and the the hotel continental buffet for breakfast ((we were stuffed!)). We finished off with Pizza for lunch and didn't need to eat for days afterward. Notice I said didn't need to...not didn't eat (-;

We decorated the house as a family and finished off making paper snowflakes to hang around the room.

Next for Christmas Eve, we were blessed to have Grandma T and our grandbaby Leelee come to celebrate. The only one not home this year was Kim. We had a fun evening filled with FOOD (why do we always overeat??), the Christmas Story, singing, gifts, and play.

Each year we take time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I read the Christmas story from a book we received 17 years ago when Josh was celebrating his first Christmas. We then used our 'little people' nativity set to act out Jesus' birth. Finally we went through our hymn books singing all the carols we love about Christ's birth.

During gift time we opened one at a time starting with the youngest and going up to the oldest. What joy it was to see the littles enjoy their much awaited 'long hair dolls', matching dresses, and a new wagon. The boys were excited for some 'big boy' toys. I was blessed with much needed new shoes...everybody got something the needed or requested.

Finally one of the perks of being a grandparent is to brag on how cute your grandkids are. Here is our Leelee  playing with Poppy...




Next to salvation, Kids really are the BEST GIFT of ALL!

December arrived while we slept...

Do you ever feel that way? While I was asleep life kept going and I woke up behind. I had intention to post our Thanksgiving photos by now, but somehow December is here and they still wait in my camera.

For Thanksgiving week we were blessed to have lots of family and some really GREAT friends~the Smith family here to help us celebrate.

For family, Grandma Mary got her first 'farm' visitors! All the way from Georgia, Brian, his lovely wife Melanie, and two adorable sons Parker and Paden. They came on Monday and stayed for a nice long visit...grandma was so excited!!

On Thanksgiving Day, we were blessed by Dwight (My beloved's Dad), Lisa (his sister) and her hubby S, their sweet twin daughters...H and N all from Georgia. My beloved's other sister Sunny came out from Mcloud. My beloved's mom S and dad B from Yukon. My mom T and her friend Walt, OKC. Aunt Vicki and her son Curtis from Edmond. Last but surely NOT least, our friends the Smith family from Blanchard.

While everyone brought food to share and it was much appreciated, the Smith family get a big pat on the back. There is nothing like having good friends who will bring the Turkey and Ham, the casseroles, the cranberry sauce, and too many other things to mention...then cook with you all morning and clean up the kitchen while leaving the family to visit. What a blessing these guys were to our family!!

Next the Smith family and our family headed over to the Elliott's home for our annual Thanksgiving dessert social. Every Thanksgiving night we meet for finger foods and desserts...Fun games and movies...Fellowship and Friends!

We continued to just hang out the rest of the weekend with our guests. My beloved took the kiddos to see the 'Tangles' movie, while Corine and I stayed home to visit. We made lots of yummy leftover creations...like Turkey salad, similar to chicken salad. Mmmm, it was so good! While we were eating, the men folk were hunting. At one point all 4 guys were in different trees.

We ended up the week worshiping together at our Stratford home church...we are SO THANKFUL for our church family. We shared different songs of praise and why they were important to us. Mr. Burnett gave a great breakdown of a chapter in Psalms, reminding us to have a song in our hearts and on our lips.

Now that December is here we are off and running. We started by sewing with friends the C family. We have our Keepers meeting where the girls will be making holiday trays. Lots of volleyball practices for the boys...it's getting exciting! Joe got a draw hunt for deer coming up in a few days. I don't even know when we'll have time to put the tree up. My beloved has 3 large jobs before the end of the month (PTL!!) I'd love to get our family photos taken soon...wanted to do it outside, but I think I waited too long...it's COLD!

I have most of my Christmas shopping done, but hardly any of my Christmas sewing complete. Off to do that now! Have a great month (in case I don't get anything else posted before then!!)

Success is coming easy (easier at least!)

Quick update...I've lost 18 lbs now. My waist is 3.5 inches smaller! My clothes are actually fitting better. Yea! I plan to go through next week. That will end my first month commitment. I will go on a maintenance plan for a week or two then start over again. If I could have the same success for 1.5 more months, I will have achieved my target weight. If I can do it for only 1 more month, I will be exceedingly HAPPY. Either way, I'm very grateful to my dear hubby for allowing me to do this despite the cost involved. It has been SO worth it for me!

Excitement around here...(or at least around me!)

A few of you know that I did the drastic and started the HCG diet this month. I was so tired of battling those extra pounds that I put on over the last year, yet making no headway in getting rid of them. I had heard good things about this diet from both my mom and my dear friend. They each lost, have been off of the diet and not gained any back. Yea...motivation for me!!

As of this morning I have lost the equivalent of twin 7 lb babies (I relate well to pregnancy, btdt x7). I'm so encouraged! While this diet is very restrictive in the food/amounts, it does focus on Meat, Veggies, Fruit, and whole grain...right where I plan to focus myself on for the long haul after I complete this. I do well with a plan and avoiding the processed, greasy, sugar laden foods will be a great plan for me. After no sugar now for 11 days, the cravings are gone...

So around here the excitement is there is not as much to go around! Yeah!!

Fun Fall Party with Grandma...

This week in Home Ec. class Grandma guided the girls into hosting a Fall party for their friends the Elliott family. We made a fun Fall Turkey from pine cones, played pin the stem on the pumpkin and drop the close pin in the cup. We ate fall cupcakes and candy. Lastly we just enjoyed some time hanging out in the back yard... We are so blessed to have the friends!!

Miss M

Miss A

C-man

E-girl

C-girl

P-man and Miss K

The whole group - Leelee on the left

I can't remember if P-man or Miss K won the pumpkin stem game, but I'm sure they know!

Last...Me with our dear g-baby Leelee. She was NOT ready for the party to be over.

Fall Break and a trip to Branson, Mo.

Our family has been looking forward to Fall Break 2010 for a few months now. We were blessed to be invited to Colorado to stay with our dear friends the Smith family at their cabin. Unfortunately, as life often does, last minute things changed. Their extended family had a death and funeral in California that they needed to attend during Fall Break. We missed their fellowship greatly. We've been good friends with them for years and just enjoy our time to be together.

On the flip side, this gave us time to think what else could we do with the children and still enjoy our 'vacation'?? We decided a trip to Branson, Mo sounded great! It's been years since we've been there. Our last Silver dollar city trip saw Kim at 9, Josh about 6, and Joe at 3...Now we have Josh at 16, Joe at 14, Miss K 7, Miss M 5, and Miss A 3.

We were blessed to have my mother, T as a guest. This was the first vacation she'd been on in years and the first we'd gotten to take together since I was a little girl. She and the girls played games in the van on the way up. She taught them each to count the mile markers all the way to the state line. It became more challenging once we got to Missouri. Their mile markers come every tenth of a mile(!!) meaning they have five times the amount of signs we have. Imagine trying to explain to a three year old we're now at 1.4 miles, 1.6 m, 1.8 m, 2 m. (whew!)

We spent 3 nights in Branson. The first day we went to Silver Dollar City and rode lots of 'family rides'. The giant swings were a family hit...especially with the little girls!! They were each SO BRAVE, wanting to ride everything they were tall enough to get on. Miss A would cry when she was too short, but this momma was secretly relieved that my baby couldn't ride the really big stuff...no matter how brave she acted!

That night we got to see the incredible 'Dixie Stampede', Dolly Parton's dinner show. We were served a wonderful dinner (but they don't let you use silverware) and a fabulous dinner show. Horses, magic tricks, trick riders, dancing, singing, and stunts...this was the place to be!

On Friday we headed once again to SDC. We started the day off with a trip down into Marvel Cave. Learned two or three neat new facts that we don't remember from the last trip down. All in all it was close to 700 steps down and back out...it's such a neat cave to travel through. The beginning room is big enough to fly multiple hot air balloons in or have a 20 story building in or hold the Statue of Liberty if her torch stuck out the opening! That's one HUGE mouth to this cave...

Next we saw the award winning show 'Heading West'. Our whole family enjoyed that!! SDC does hire some very talented performers. Finally back to the rides we went. On Tom and Huck's river raft we shot water guns, got soaked, and had a great time playing around. After a few more rides the kids were exhausted! We took them back to the room with Grandma, while Josh, My beloved, and I returned to the park for a night concert. It was great, but after just a little while it got rained out.

A new tradition for us is to take a picture in the GIANT rocking chair at the Lumberjack Camp. I hope they still have it when we go back in ten more years!

Here's an old photo of me and the three older children the last time we visited SDC...how things change over the years!!

The rain caused us to be back in our rooms in time to let the girls go 'swimming' in the HUGE jacuzzi tubs. They thought that was great to have their own pool right in the bath room. After a good nights sleep we headed for home on a nice leisurely back highway thanks to our TOM-TOM...a few times we wondered where it was taking us. Once it even left the main road, went through a neighborhood then circled right back to the main road...guess we were on the scenic route!!

We stopped in Tulsa to see my Kim and pick Leelee up. She'll be going to stay with my mom for a while. I know she was blessed to see all of us as we were to see her. We ate a quick lunch and then back on the road with all 9 of us.

I'm thankful that we were given this opportunity to make memories with the kids. Even though car rides with children can be stressful, I wouldn't change any of it! I had been hoping to get some fall pictures with our family and SDC provided the perfect background props.

Finally, here's a old fall favorite of mine...Kim age 8 at the Pumpkin Patch.

Have a Happy Fall Ya'll!!