Our New Addition to the Family

Tonight, John and I made a road trip to pick up our new van. We met the owners at their home and took the van for a test drive. It is in excellent condition. It is kind of sad to think of getting rid of our BIG van, but we know that it is a better choice economically for us!!!! This van was owned by an older couple. This belonged to the lady. She has come into bad health, and can no longer drive. She was so sweet telling us that she hoped we enjoy the van as much as she has enjoyed it. She can barely walk because of an injury from a fall. She was real impressed with Reagan! I am so proud of John. He got us a really awesome deal on this vehicle! So here is our new addition to the family:




(And NO they didn't give us the handicapped parking tag....man, I could have had some premium parking!)



And WHY would we want to buy a new smaller van????



This was the last time we had our BIG van at the pump...OUCH!

Dinner with Baby Jack

We took dinner to Baby Jack's family tonight. The cousins had fun playing and we had fun holding baby Jack! He is already changing so much.

Roses and Horse Lessons

Today I took some pictures of Reagan and Blayne in our roses...they smell sooo good. Whitney had horse lessons this afternoon. She is graduated to Sadie who is a younger horse. Whitney is doing really well and loves riding the horses. She loves her teacher and so do I! She is a very responsible 16 year-old, and has great people skills. This has been a great fit for Whitney.

Singing in Church

All three big kids sang in church tonight. Blayne and Whitney's classes sang a couple of songs and Savannah's choir did a musical about Queen Esther. They all did a good job. John videoed it, and if I can talk him into it, I will get him to put some of the video on here. Two of the great-granparents were there and I was thinking how special that is, to have great-grandparents still alive and able to come hear you sing at church! These pictures aren't so good, but you can at least get a feel for the evening!

Reagan and her NEW Kitchen!!!!

Our good friends, The Heberts, gave Reagan their play kitchen. She LOVES it! She has cooked more meals in two days than I have in two WEEKS! She is so cute "cooking" in her new kitchen.

And then there were.....FIFTEEN!

Remember the family that came to our house for the Easter Egg Hunt??? They had 11 kids and were pursuing adopting twins from Ethiopia....well, they're back!!!! Meet Judah and Kyrie. Aren't they cute? Congratulations to the family!

Meeting Cousin Jack

We took the kids to the hospital to meet their new cousin, Jack. They were so excited. Savannah LOVED holding him and even admitted that she would have liked to have taken him home! He has light hair and very blue eyes. His "cat scratches" look so much better. The baby nurse was really sweet and come to find out, she knows Gracie as they used to do circumcisions early in the morning together...that must be some great bonding time???? Small world, though. Everyone is doing well. The kids got to eat the last few bites of the cookie and they were thrilled!

Where Have I Been???

I have gotten a couple of e-mails inquiring wanting to know where I am in Blog World...well, please know that I have been BUSY! This time of the year, things get crazy busy with programs at church and school and we have piano recital around the corner, and just life stuff! But, something exciting happened yesterday: I got a new nephew! Jack Wesley Beckham arrived at 12:49 PM yesterday weighing 8 pounds 3 ounces and was 20 inches. I got to be the labor room photographer. Thanks to the use of Gracie's great camera....I took some wonderful pictures of the day. (well morning, it didn't take long to get that guy here!) He is a beautiful baby. Please note that these pictures are of him just minutes old! Pretty darn cute for a newborn. Becky did great. Jack did get caught in her pelvis and you will see some lovely pictures of the scratches that is caused. I told Becky that it looked like she swallowed a cat and it scratched Jack! We are going to ALL go see him again tonight. Hey, I still have the camera, so I will try to take some more pictures! Enjoy...Maybe when I grow up, I can be a labor room photographer. I would enjoy that! The doctors and nurses would hate me, and probably the babies too, but the Mommas would love me. Poor Jack was like a celebrity child with constant flashes going off. Doesn't seem like he has any seizure problems, because I certainly would have given him one yesterday!

Famous Blayne Quotes

Blayne is at that age where is is constantly saying funny things or sharing his "thoughts". Here are a few of his latest ponderings:

"Mom, did you know that pigs are made out of bacon?"
"When I was a little boy, I used to...."
"Mom, you know what my favorite word is?...SCRATCH, because when you have a itch you can SCRATCH it!"
"Mom, how old were you when you were born?"
"Do you know why you wash your bottom? So it won't be itchy in the morning."
"When I swim I drowned to the bottom of the pool, so I have to wear a swimming jacket"
"Reagan didn't mean to do that. She can't help it because she has a little head and a little brain."
"People like to stare at me"
"Darth Vader likes to kill people, Mom"
"If you swallow seeds, you will grow plants inside you"
"I like butter (creamy pb) not peanut butter (crunchy peanut butter)"
"I think that I am growing because my pants hurt"
"I am so tired of thinking" (getting in the car after per-school)
"I so sick, I can't go because I will take my sick germs" (his response when I tell him it is time to go somewhere that he doesn't want to go)

Family Time

This weekend, we have spent a lot of time together as a family. Last night, we had a family movie night at watched "My Fair Lady". The kids seemed to really enjoy it. Today we journeyed off to the west side of Weatherford to the Shaw-Kemp Log Cabin. It is a pioneer set up of old school houses, barber shop, homes, dentist and and original home from the 1800's. My great aunt and uncle participate in this program every year. We got to visit with them and their youngest granddaughter, Kelsie. She is on the merry-go-round with Reagan in the picture. It was a fun time. I took pictures with my camera, but I will have to wait until my pics get developed....I know, I know, I AM hoping to get MY digital camera soon!!!! John did take some pics with his little camera so you can see a glimpse of what it looked like. John's dad, Pappaw, went with us! It was a gorgeous day! We came home and John worked in the yard all afternoon and I worked inside. The kids played outside ALL day. It has been a really good weekend.

New Cousin

John's Cousin Chris and his wife Amy had their baby this week. They are in the service and are stationed in Japan. I sent a gift over a week ago....I wonder how long it will take to get there???? Anyway, baby Lottie is here! Can you believe all of that hair!!!! They are planning a trip here in the fall. We can't wait to see them!

God is Good

Every now and then, I enjoy sitting back and reflecting on God's goodness. I should take the time to do it more often. One latest thought on God's goodness is from today. I had a doctor's appointment today for my annual check-up. I really like my doctor and enjoy visiting with her. I learned only a few weeks ago that tragedy hit my doctor's home last year as she lost her sweet daughter in a drowning accident at her home. I was shocked an devastated to learn the news. Her little girl was adopted from China and was a really cute and funny girl. My visits would always consist of a story about her daughter. They always made me laugh. One thing that she asked me one time was "do your girls always want to buy new shoes?" I thought that was a funny question, but realized that her other children were older and BOYS, so this was a new concept. She told me that her daughter ALWAYS asked for shoes when they went to the store. I said "well, do you you buy them?" and she laughed and said "Yes", and I told her that her daughter was smart and had her figured out. My girls and I saw them at Bass Hall a couple of years ago for a live Barbie production. Her daughter was dressed up like on of the fairies and had on cute dress-up shoes. My doctor told me that this was not her thing and she was WAY out of her element!!! It was funny seeing her there. This same doctor crossed my path at the hospital when my mother-in-law had surgery and she called me by name! I was very impressed with that seeing as she serves a FULL practice. She is a special, gifted doctor! My heart is so sad for her. Anyway, since our insurance is changing for the better in a couple of weeks, I had to call her office and change my upcoming appointment. I was a bit nervous about seeing my doctor for the first time after the accident as we have had many fun conversations about her daughter. I was grateful that I learned of her daughter's passing, as I am sure that I would have entered the exam room with a smile on my face and asked happily about her daughter, and wanting yet another funny story! I did; however, want to see my doctor and give her a hug. As I was changing my appointment, I realized that the date was TODAY which is the one year anniversary of her daughter's death! How sweet is the Lord to not only let me learn about the accident ahead of time (even if it was just a few weeks) and for Him to ordain that my appointment would be changed so that I would not be a fresh reminder of today's tragedy. And, the Lord knew that Blayne would be sick and that I would have to stay home today. He knows the plan that he has for us! I am thankful for our new health insurance and for God giving me even the little blessings in life. I sent my doctor a card, and I look forward to seeing her face to face in a few weeks. Spend time today looking for ways that God has blessed you, even in the small things.

Vehicle Day at Pre-School

Today is Vehicle Day at Blayne's school. They are studying the Letter "V" this week. Blayne was so excited about the parade that was to take place today. We spent a good amount of time on Tuesday constructing his Vehicle Boxcar. Blayne was just waiting to go to school today, to enjoy his truck with this friends...
Here is what his truck looks like:







Here is what Blayne looks like today!!!! He has a fever and could NOT go to school today!!! But we worked so hard on that truck...waaaaa!

My Girls are Better

ALL smiles!



Both of the girls are back to health. I am still waiting for the culture results, but Reagan is seemingly back to normal! Pressing forward with our day, and just wanted to let you know our health as been restored...well for today!