Zoo with Reagan and Bryan

Reagan and Bryan and I headed to the Fort Worth Zoo on Friday. We decided to renew our annual pass and spend the day together at the zoo. Reagan has really missed "her" kids this week, so off we went. She kept asking if Libby could go, and who we were meeting there and what friends she would play with. She wasn't so sure about going to the zoo with JUST Bryan and Mom! We had a blast! Bryan was even excited to be there. The weather was gorgeous and it was just fun to be out with the two of them! Of course, that was the FIRST thing that she told the big kids when they got home from school...she wanted to make sure that they knew SHE went to the ZOO while they were at SCHOOL!!!! STINKER!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad and Happy Birthday Daddy!

My parents were married 42 years ago on my Daddy's 20 birthday! So, August 24th is a BIG day of celebrating. 42 years of marriage is a great accomplishment, especially in this day and age. I can't even count how many of my friends come from families of divorce. I am thankful for the heritage that I have in my family and the example of commitment that my parents have shown over these years. As a tribute to their 42 years, I have a list of 42 memories to share...not in chronological order, but in the order that they came to mind. So, here's to you Momma and Daddy....memories from our family!

1. Many fishing trips.
2. Momma always having me dressed in nice clothes and taking me shopping!
3. Pete
4. Jumping out of the barn trying to break my leg because I wanted to walk on crutches.
5. Daddy changing my stereo from country music to Christian music when I wasn't looking.
6. Momma curling my hair in rollers on the hearth of the fireplace.
7. Watching Hee-Haw
8. Skiing in Colorado
9. Sand crabbing with Momma in Florida.
10. Eating at ElChico
11. Freezing live Catalpa worms
12. Beating Daddy in a fishing tournament with a larger bass
13. Eastman Picnics
14. Mom being at all of my games: soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball and even track to cheer me on.
15. Throwing Jerral's wallet into Daddy's hotsauce (oops!)
16. Daddy telling stories about when he was a boy.
17. Going to see ET
18. Getting off of the bus at Macedonia to help mom with Wednesday night suppers.
19. Hitting baseballs in the back yard.
20. Mowing the lawn and enjoying it!
21. The night yall told me we were eating Blackie (my cow)
22. Daddy telling me that I can't date until I was 16.
23. Mom scratching my back with her long thin nails!
24. When mom gave me a perm!
25. Mom making denim bags for PTA
26. Daddy having me get up to change the channel before there were remotes.
27. Our rotary phone.
28. Homemade Ice-cream.
29. Arnold
30. Daddy telling me that I couldn't go to the 8th grade dance and having me explain to him why dancing is okay. (kids got drunk that night so it was good I didn't go!) Instead I got to go to Shogun...woo-hoo yum!)
31. Watching Jerral run...being sad when he fell at the state meet and yall let me tell him that you got him his car.
32. Homemade clothes that looked like they were off the rack.
33. Heath and Heather
34. Momma's Cooking...nothing better!
35. The look when we told you Bryan's middle name...BALDWIN
36. Supporting me through ACL reconstruction surgery.
37. My precious scrapbook that Daddy kept of all of my high school years.
38 Daddy teaching the bus kids from church in Sunday School.
39. Watching you both sing in the choir, and the time momma came OUT OF THE CHOIR because I was talking in church!
40. Trips to see Memaw and Grandma Ginny
41. Momma kissing Daddy in the morning before he left for work.
42. Ironing Daddy's handkerchief's while watching Price's Right

May there be many, many more memories to come!

Happy Anniversary, I love you!

Happy Birthday Waynerd!!! I hope that you have a wonderful day and that you get to golf and then go eat somewhere yummy. You are a blessing me me and I am honored to call you Dad! Love you..Meeka

First Day of School

All went well for the first day of school. I took the elementary kids and John took Savannah....MIDDLE SCHOOL wow! They all three had a great day and were full of stories this evening. We are thankful for good schools, good teachers and good friends.

Meet the Teacher

We had elementary Meet the Teacher tonight. The kids were excited. Whitney had Savannah pick out an outfit for her and she wanted her hair just right. Blayne had hopes of getting his teacher, Mrs. Middleton, again as she has moved to 1st grade. Whitney was hopeful to have Ella in her class, but since they have been together for 3 years, I told her that it was doubtful....well, Whitney got the same teacher, Mrs. Fabry, that Savannah had in fourth grade AND she got Ella in her class. Blayne did not get Mrs. Middleton, but he did get Miss Mullman...a pretty young teacher (that is the kind he likes!) So, it looks like we are off to a great start for those two. Savannah gets her 7th grade schedule in the morning, and they don't have Meet the Teacher in 7th grade, so she will have to meet them on the first day! Can't believe school is starting.

Happy Birthday Nana

Tomorrow is John's mother's birthday. We lovingly call her Nana. Because she has some dietary restrictions right now, we got creative with her cake this year! The girls worked really hard to make my idea come to life! It turned out cute and yummy! We enjoyed our time with John's parents here tonight and their house-guest, Graydon, who is staying with them for a short period of time as he joins the National Guard. the girls made the "cake", Reagan helped open gifts, Blayne entertained us by deflating balloons, and Bryan was just Bryan...the sweetest baby ever!

Pinnochio: No Strings Attached

The three older kids have been working on a play for the last three weeks. Whitney is out veteran thespian, but Savannah and Blayne have now joined the ranks. Reagan can't WAIT until she is old enough to participate...watch out world!

Update on Audrea

I posted a couple of weeks ago about a guy from DBU's little sister and her botched surgery. She was able to come home from the hospital, but she is enlisting in a program to have a small bowel transplant....isn't modern technology amazing?! They are working on raising the money for the medical expenses. She is a very good writer and expresses her thoughts so well. She is really a testimony of Christian faith in crisis. I would encourage you to go read her blog: ONE PINK DUCK

Libby Playdate

Libby starts school this year. Reagan is so bummed to not be going with her. They enjoy eachother's company so much! We are trying to squeeze in more playtime for them as school is quickly approaching! Libby told me that Reagie and I could come have lunch with her at school....and the I could take her home and we could swim! That girl always has a plan. She looks great and is doing great!

Quick Longview Trip

Last weekend, 4 of the kids and I hopped into the BIG van and headed East...we stopped by to see Michelle in Dallas on the way and dropped off some clothes for her to sell in the JBF sale, and I bought one of her Scribbles bags to wrap up my adorable baby shower gift. We were heading to Longview to do a quick visit to see Bee and Grandpa and for me to attends a baby shower for a little couple. I used to babysit the DAD...sigh...yes, I feel OLD! It was a lovely shower at a beautiful home and I got to see some wonderful people from my growing up years. It feels to good to go home and to see people that have known me all of my life and to give them a BIG hug and have a rush of memories flow through me. After the shower, I had to run by and see my friend, Marie, as I was just a couple of miles from her house. It is always great to stop by and visit with her and catch up.
The kids were THRILLED because my parents now have CAT! Its name is Sugar-Booger (an original from my Daddy! It really is a sweet cat. Even though it got IN my van and we had to dig it out...shhh...don't tell John, he is very allergic and he will think his nose is itching when he drives because of the cat! The kids got to fish and shoot a BB gun on this trip...didn't get pictures of the shooting! My Dad is so good about planning fun and different activities for the kids while they are there. It was also the big East Texas Balloon Festival, so we had high hopes of getting to see balloons float over my parents' property....didn't happen...got up early to see them and everything! One of the biggest highlights of my 24 hour trip was getting to visit a sweet little family and their TWIN baby boys! Another depressing thought is that I used to babysit their Momma! We had to come back on Saturday night because we had left our Whitney at home with a throat and stomach virus...I am sure my parents are very grateful of that! It is always fun to go home to East Texas and enjoy the beautiful scenery and the slower pace of life!