Memorial Day

What a great day! We took the kids to a park out by my mom and dad's and had about 20 people join us! We BBQ'd and played all day. The weather was warm but a really nice breeze. Richard came for half the day and then had to work. The kids were so dirty!!! They had so much fun playing in the dirt!! They wanted to stop for icecream, but since you couldn't see but their eyes and teeth(for all the dirt) we just went straight home and into the bathtub! What a great way to kick off the summer! I hope all of your memorial day celebrations were just as nice!

Chocolate and Cowboys

Well catchy title huh? Anywho, last night was our Dessert Auction at church! What a fun time! They raised over 5K and yes I mean thousand! The teen group is going to Mississippi for the summer to help with Hurricane Katrina rebuilding! So I made a yummy chocolate cake and it sold for over $200! I was really excited about that. I did get an order and another on the way for making some for a couple folks. And on to the Cowboy! Well our cowboy turns three on Wednesday! What a fun little boy! He truly thinks he's a cowboy and has been heartbroken that he's outgrown his boots. So his ranchhand(me) has bought him a new pair to surprise him for his birthday! And yes, we are having a roundup on Saturday! Can't wait!

It all started...

about 4 days ago. I took a whirlwind trip to the Big D for a momentous occasion. My great friends celebrated a graduation! Not just any graduation, but the first time Shannon Jackson walked to receive his diploma. I am so very proud of you Shannon, and for Danna as well. I'm so blessed to have your family in my life! Thank you for all you are! Congratulations!!

I know, I know...

I know. It's been a while. It's just that sometimes I get so busy and life just flies by. But I do need to sit down and relax and update all you impatient people!! Our big news is.......Ashlyn is 5! Yes I know this is hard to believe. 5 years ago, God blessed us with the most joyful child. She is truly a wonder to watch grow and mature! I can't wait to see how God uses her in her new arena known as Kindergarten! Watch out school, she's a preacher! Her birthday party was great! Of course hectic, but what do you expect with 12 little four and five year old princesses running around! But the day is over and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of school. I'm dreading it while she's already planning what to wear and when she can invite friends over! It's going to be a very short summer :(

The Long Road Home-Our New Home~!

Well, what a quick little trip we had!! Our little family left Wednesday (a big thank you to my boss who gave me the day off) and drove to Tulsa OK! We attended the International Soul Winning Workshop! We had so much fun reconnecting with friends and lots of people that we only get to see there! And the shopping! Loved it! Lots of new books that I am really excited about getting to read! One is called "A Promise Kept" about a more committed marriage relationship! And another is called" I love You Unconditionally, on One Condition". So if you' ve read these and have any comments, let me know! A Huge thank you to my funnel cake and Farkel friends! I really needed those laughs as well as the great conversation! Love you to death, and hope to see you in May! The kids did great, but they were definitely tired! Between In-Laws, Two 6 hour trips, workshop hours, different beds, and lots of other things, they really held up well, at least until the trip home! We hit rock bottom. I was travelling with them by myself(hold all comments here please) and was probably two hours from home! Life was sweet. They were great! Then it happened. Road construction. Not just normal construction. Two miles an hour with 10 miles of one lane blocked construction. Yes. we missed church. Yes, I had to feed Braden on Interstate 44 with no way to pull over. Yes, Carter got out of his seat to potty(please don't ask how we completed this feat!) and Ashlyn helped me get extra clothes for Braden out of the suitcase since he pottied through his diaper. Believe me when I say there wasn't even a shoulder to pull over on and so the kids sang, drew pictures, I started a new book ( A Mother's Heart) and lots and lots of fruit snacks and water. We finally made it home and took the kids to see the newly painted house while we waited for pizza! It looks amazing! Richard and my dad did such an incredible job! And so tomorrow is our much anticipated move in day! I have lots to do today! Wish us luck!

We Have Keys!!

Well, so far so good!! We've started the painting process! We really wanted to get this done before we moved in three really boisterous kids! So, three rooms down! Only three more rooms and a whole basement to go!! The kids haven't seen it yet. We want to get their rooms done first and surprise them, so we'll see how it goes!

A Cute Conversation!!

Yes, I know that this didn't post, so I'm going to redo it!! Okay, Ashlyn had a really hard day on Sunday and of course had to get a spanking for her attitude. So, after her spanking we prayed about it and we tucked her in for bed. Yes this was an all-day-a-coming spanking! So as I lay with Ashlyn for a few moments she says:

Ashlyn: "Mom, I'm sorry I had a bad attitude"
Me: "Ashlyn, we just need to pray a lot and think about what we are going to say and
how we say it"
Ashlyn: "but, Mom, it's hard to do that when it just comes out of my mouth"
Me: "Ashlyn, that's why we pray for us to be able to control what comes out of our
mouth and how it comes out.
Ashlyn: "yeah, you know what else is hard?"
Me: "What's that?"
Ashlyn: "It's hard getting spankings"
Me: "It's hard giving them too"
Ashlyn: "Yeah, but not as hard as getting them"

Oh, reasoning with a four almost five year old!!

A very cute conversation!

On the Mend! Finally!

First and foremost, let me thank each and every one of you for your prayers for Braden. After a very nasty viral infection and five days in the pediatric wing of the hospital, we are now home. Braden is almost back to his usual self. We are working on his diet and him sleeping without being held, but the most important thing is he's healthy and happy! So, thank you for your kind thoughts and telephone calls, the food, and the cash for vending machines, etc. You made a very stressful time so much easier! Some really amazing things happened while we were there, we really got to witness to our roomates (our hospital didn't have private rooms unless you were in PICU-which thank God we weren't) and not only did we get to witness but many of you who came to visit and pray with us were also an example to them. They left us on the third day and left us their number so that we can give them more information on church and our young marrieds! God is so Good!! I'll update more later, for now, I'm really tired and while Richard is watching the kiddos, I'm taking a nap!!

The Road to Recovery

Well, we've definitely had a very eventful two weeks. We've been sick, sick, sick! All of us that is except Richard and Ashlyn! I've truly never been that sick in my life! But, I am finally better, and before you ask let me just say, no, there is no baby on the way! We're edging closer to closing on the house! I cannot wait! I'm at work, so I'll have to blog more later!

Some new developments!

Well, our little family has had a very eventful week! Our poor little Braden is sick! Well, he's getting much better every day! He was extremely fussy for two days in a row! For Braden this is very wrong, since he never cries. By this I mean never. He is the most laid back baby. Smiles all the time and just is not a cranky child. So I knew something was not right. So off to the Dr. we go and find out that he's had an ear infection for a while and his eardrum actually burst and is now draining and trying to heal on its own. What a kick to the mommy ego. I didn't even know he was sick! :( So, now we are on a ton of medication to prevent infection! But through it all, he still smiles!!! That's my boy! Carter is now potty trained. We are on the lookout for orange underwear(if you know where to find some, please let me know!!!) since this is his favorite color and the underwear he requests every day when he puts on a new pair. And since he does not own any orange underwear this is especially tramatic to his new potty image!! Richard is now on midnights and is doing great, well except that yesterday he locked his keys in his car! Oh, how I love to tease him on this!! Ashlyn is battling a little congestion. Our weather here has been so up and down. We have really cold weather of 15 on Sunday with snow and then yesterday 65!! And it's supposed to get really cold again today! How do people stay healthy up here? Today I go meet with the house inspector for the new digs!! I'm so excited, I've already been to Lowe's for the umpteenth time to look at paint samples. Ashlyn wants a pink and purple room(feel free to share any ideas, but we dont' like butterflies! Sorry to you butterfly fans!) and the boys ( I just love saying that!) are going to have a cowboy room. Well, old fashioned cowboys room! And I'm still debating on ours. What I picked out Richard says looks really sissy, so I'm up for suggestions on that as well. I'm really looking forward to Richard's days off coming up. I need a break to go to the gym!!!

We Close in March!

For those of you who have purchased a home before, you know what this means!! Yep, I found one!!! We found a very cute little house and we presented them an offer and they took it! Yea for us! Ashlyn just wanted a room with a window and is so excited that she gets one!!! Well I'll post more about it later, just wanted to share the exciting news! Our official move in date is March 18th!!

A Fun Night Out

Well Tuesday night my hubby took me out for my birthday! We tried a new little Mexican restaurant and were so pleased ! It was great! Let me just say that I have never seen my husband ask for a to go box and he filled it! So much food! But the conversation and time alone made for such a great evening! And then last night we took the kids to see Hoodwinked. It was cute but not a see again movie. At least not for our family. It was a lot of fun to take all three there! And not one had to get up to use the restroom during the movie(mommy and daddy included)!

The Perfect House

Well we found it. Or should I say, I found it. The perfect house. Ready to move right in! It was even yellow! Just like my dream house. Well it didn't have a wrap around porch and four acres and a little pond, but it's pretty darn close. So I found the house, took Richard for a second look ( He told me to house shop! Pretty smart man!) and we made an offer. Now for the bad news. It was also someone else's dream house and they made an offer a couple hours earlier than us, and the seller took it before seeing ours. Boo hoo. I know God has a home for us, I just want him to show it to me now!!! I am so impatient. So off I go again today! Let's see if we can find one today!

Playing

In comments and my previous post, this question just really keeps coming to mind and if I don't write about it, it will drive me up the wall! When I was little ( by this I mean younger than high school) I remember playing outside every day. I'm not exaggerating, I really mean every day. What has happened to kids since then? Almost every house that we have looked at that has kids has some sort of toy outside for the kids. Some had huge wooden playsets! But what strikes me as odd is that as many times as we've driven through this town, or our former town that we lived in, is how many houses we would drive by where the yards are empty! I can't remember the last time seeing children playing outside! For me this is really sad, as I love to sit outside and watch my children play. And if I'm not watching, I'm playing with them. What opportunities so many "busy" moms and dads miss out on.

Home Search

We are still at the home search. I know I know we just started three weeks ago, but it only took me a week in Mesquite to find our little family a home! And so there lies the problem. I am way too picky! We are not bedroom people..let me explain further.... The only time we are in our rooms, we are sleeping. The kids have toys in their room, but usually toys are in the family room and we all play together. So my point is this, all the homes we have been seeing are really big bedrooms and tiny everywhere else! We are very social people. We have at least one family over once a week. I want a place people feel comfortable coming over and plenty of room to sit on the couch and prop your feet up on the coffee table! And a kitchen where my kids can sit on the counter/stools and help me cook/bake! And tell me about their day! So I'm sure our realtor is getting frustrated(I can tell if the house has our name on it before we even get out of the car) since there have been a few we haven't even walked in! Anyway, Richard, Ashlyn, Carter, Braden, and I are praying God leads us to a home that will be blessed by Him and will Glorify Him.

Random Information

Well it's been a little eventful the past couple of days. Richard has had three days off with us, so that's been really nice. Not that any more laundry or dishes are getting done since he's home and I'm working, but I can't complain!! We are officially on the search for a house! I love it and hate it at the same time! I love visualizing our little family in each house, but I also hate going in and out of people's once private lives! While looking at one house yesterday I was speaking to the agent and my tooth broke and fell out! GRRR! Thank goodness it was a back tooth and you can't see it and it only mildly hurts! Tomorrow we are going to take the kids to see Chicken Little or as Ashlyn refers to it for some reason, "Little Chicken". I'm taking my mom with me since Richard has to work and I'll need her support. Not to watch the movie, but to keep three kids corraled. I'll post after the movie to tell you if it was worth wrestling three kids there or not! Thank you for dollar shows.

Sweet Prayers

One of my favorite things is to listen to my children pray. I learn so much of what they feel and know through this. At this point (and I pray forever) they have no inhibitions in what they pray for. It's funny to hear what Carter has to pray for. Usually he prays for rocks, and pie, and for Buzz and Woody. Ashlyn though, can already understand what it means to truly tell God things. The other night she was laying in my bed (the new cool place since Richard's hours are so different) and she prayed,"Jesus, thank you for washing away all my sins today. I did just a few ugly things. Jesus, I really want to be with you. But I don't want to die, so could you come down here? And could you bring Grandma Puz with you?" Her sweet honesty always humbles me. I so want to pray like my four year old sometimes! Just thought you'd enjoy the story!!

2006!

It's hard to believe a new year has begun. But, I say that every year! So many things have happened in 2005. Our family started the year off mourning the loss of my grandmother in winter of 2004. I turned 26. Richard turned 28. Our house went on the market in February. Richard resigned from Mesquite. Ashlyn turned 4. Carter turned 2. We moved to Yankee territory. Richard started the Police Academy. Braden was born. We sold our house. Richard received a contract from a VERY NICE city. Richard graduated from the academy (#4 in his class I might add!!). Richard started his new job. Christmas!! And now, 2006......I am so looking forward to this year. Unlike previous years in which it was just another day, week, month, year...This is the year we plant real roots here(A HOUSE!!) So, that's what our winter and spring are going to look like. Birthdays on the horizon, I'm inching so much closer to 30! And Richard's almost there. But I really want this year to be a year of real growth for our family. I've been studying more than I ever have, and have been wanting more and more of God in every aspect in my life. Ashlyn and Carter are like little sponges and it's so exciting to see them want to know more as well. I've begun really working on memory verses with them. It's so sweet to hear them proclaim the words Jesus himself spoke! It truly squeezes my heart! So Bring on 2006! We're ready!
Just a sidenote, we are really working hard on potty training Carter( The stubborn 2nd child that he his-God love him) and I ran out for groceries while Richard was watching the kids, when I came home Carter was on the big potty belting out as loud as he could,"Lord, reign in Me!"
So adorable! He also has puppy underwear (actually he calls them panties, yes, go ahead and laugh! Ashlyn calls hers panties, so that's what he calls his!) and he does not want them to get wet, because as Daddy says, "No one likes a wet dog!!" That's yuckiness!

Thoughts turning to Fear

I am the type of person who can easily become worried. I work very hard (Let me insert pray, instead of work) so that I'm not distracted by worries. I absolutely hate worrying. It has brought me no comfort. It makes me irritable(Richard can verify this) as well as truly makes me ill. Complete with nausea and headaches, etc. But currently I can feel this overwhelming sense of fear approaching. I didn't think it would happen. At least not like this. You see, I knew that Richard wanted to be an officer. I had no problems with this. Who am I to deny him what he (and now I) believe to be what he should be doing! I researched everything. And I mean EVERY police statistic that is out there. The chances of him dying are greater by so many other factors than with him on the street. Greater in a car, etc. So this actually brought me comfort. Okay, but then he comes home yesterday. A day like any other day. Except this day is just a little different. You see yesterday was the first day he brought IT home. I knew this day was coming. In fact, I bought a Safe so that I would feel so much more at ease. But I had never SEEN it. And then it hit. I am not fearful that my children will get to it. I am not fearful that someone will try to hurt my husband. What I am fearful of is this....When I looked at IT , my thoughts tumbled in so many directions. How can something so little be so dangerous? How is it that just looking at IT makes my heart race and my palms get sweaty? It is the cause of so much death wrapped up in black metal. I guess for me it's that death by a gun can come from any hand. Strong or weak. And that is what frightens me. That something so cold, can bring death so quickly, and to someone so much weaker. That someone can have no value for their life or the life of another, that this is so quick. There is so much power in that gray and black steel. And that is what frightens me. Richard wants me to learn how to shoot it. I don't think I can even touch it. As my thoughts have been lingering on this since last night, I noticed that EVERY person who walked by Richard with his uniform on, their vision went straight to his waist. So, does that mean I'm not the only one with this fear? I'm not sure, but for now I just pray that God guides Richard's hands each and every minute! I'm sure there will be more on this later, for now it's all I can write....