Monday, October 27, 2008

Mommy to Mother...

I just received an email from a friend and it rang so true that I decided to post it here to let all of you read it.


MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
and get their answer when a little
voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Friday, October 24, 2008

A Sad Week...

This week has been a shock on me. My older sister had a classmate that passed away on Monday. When I heard the news, I was sad for her family and then as I called my sister and visited with her, my heart grew even heavier. I sat and thought of the friends of yesterdays, that have moved on in life and have families of their own. I remember the laughter, the sleepovers, the fights over boys, the sports where we learned teamwork and just the togetherness and friendships made throughout the school years. Many of the friendships starting way back in Kindegarten.

As I sat and day dreamed, it occured to me; there are so many of my classmates I truly have no idea where they are, how they are or if they are married or have kids. So many adult friends that have touched my life and my familys' and moved away, that I wish I stayed in contact with but always have an excuse to why I haven't. Then the saddest thing hit me, and those of you that know me...know me, I wondered what I would do if I didn't get another chance to talk about the good 'ol days, or laugh about all the mishaps when we were younger. Or tell someone how they helped me find my way or shaped me into the wife, mother, friend, and Christian that I have become today. Did I ever tell them thank you or just assume they knew.

There will be some of you that read this, that I hope you know it is directed to you. Not to point fingers, but Nicole Q. you have influenced my life in so many through out the years, and most of them when you probably didn't even know I was watching or listening. My marriage was helped in a time that I truly needed a friend to listen, my mothering was influence just by watching you, and my heart was lifted just with your hugs and smiles and our conversations. You, my dear friend will always be a blessing in my life far or near.

Then there is Nicole M. who has brought me out of my shell more than once in the past few years. She is my constant. I love to call her just to talk, or go watch "NCIS or The Starter Wife" when my husband is out of town, or to work out with and keep me going. Nic has been in my life since Kindegarten. I have always treasured her in my heart and now that she lives in Fairview, it has been amazing to rekindle the friendship and watch our children grow up together.

Marshalene helps me remember anything is possible with God on our side. I love to watch her and Brad with Hunter. My heart swells every time.

My sister. She could take up pages, but she knows she is my best friend. I can always rely on her if I need something or if I just want to hang out. It makes me laugh to think when I was little (and 7 years difference) how annoying I know I must have been! LOL!

Sorry I know there are so many more of you that have touched my life somehow, please know I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

So this week I worked 2 days straight, calling classmates of my sister's class and getting emails or calling their parents to track them down. You all have no idea how many strangers have a message from me asking them to call if they graduated in 1989 from Fairview, OK. I think my sister only has about 8 people they could not get any info on. I am convinced this is a God Thing! How else would we have been able to get a hold of 55 or more classmates from 1989 in 48 hours. He amazes me more and more every day. I will end with a quote from a local in Fairview that Ryan and I try to remember when we are in a low...

"Even when it is bad, He gives us more than we deserve" AMEN

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

Hello friends and family,
I am not sure what we have been up to lately, so I have no excuse for not blogging...Anyway, can you believe it is almost Halloween. I won't tell you we are almost 2 months away from Christmas, but YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE CALENDAR!!!

Ryan, Mike (our brother-in-law), and Dallas (our family friend) just returned last Wednesday from a week long Elk Hunt in New Mexico. Ryan said they saw plenty of wild life just nothing came close enough to shoot. I love to listen to Ryan explained what he saw, he uses such detail and I feel like I could have been there with him. The first morning they went, they saw at least 200 elk in a group...of course the season was not open on that day, anyway it would have been amazing to see.
We had parent-teacher conferences Tuesday evening before Fall Break. Both girls received good reports. I am very proud of the way my girls behave at school, now if they could just act that way at home HA HA! It is amazing how grown up Abbey has become just from starting Pre-K. Boy does time fly!

Gail's sister Berniece and Larry came down a couple of weeks ago to see their grandson Adam graduate from boot camp. Ryan got to see his cousin Tom for the first time in ALONG time. He was glad for the chance. He brought his 3 girls which our girls just love. Kayla is suppose to be coming to stay at Gail's for a while next summer and my girls are already excited.

Lisa's littlest, Ellary, turned 2 at the beginning of the month. Ellary is getting so big. Ryan and I missed the B-day party, but our girls were there. Thay had a great time seeing their cousins. In case I haven't said yet, Lisa and Micky are expecting number 3! I believe things have been going well and she looked good the other day when we saw her...!

Paige, Heather's daughter, has a new boyfriend! He is a sophomore and plays on the football team. I just can't believe she is old enough to have a boyfriend!!! I am getting OLD!!!

I have started working out with Nicole Martens everyday at the Fitness Center. I think it takes both of us to keep each other motivated. That is what friends are for!!!! We do cardio every other day and toning the others. It has actually been more fun than I thought it would be, but I am sure it has alot to do with my company...I just love her!!!

Anyway things are going well right now. I will try to keep this updated more often, especially with the holidays coming up...I will post pics of the girls in their Halloween costumes and their school parties when that time comes. Until then I hope all is well at your homes!

Monday, September 22, 2008

ALOT HAS BEEN HAPPENING....

WOW! I had no idea that it had been this long since I last wrote...Well first of all...I PASSED THE TEST FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY! PRAISE GOD!! For those of you that truly know me, this was a huge accomplishment. I STINK at test, so I was stressing, ALOT! Any how I am now a liscensed Customer Service Rep. for Major County Farm Bureau. I will start training soon.
I am sure everyone has heard about the flood that happened in Fairview almost 2 weeks ago. I took some pictures of Kelly and Gails pond and creek; along with some pics of the town and the highway going North out of town. So that is what the slide is.


Last week while I was doing laundry and cleaning up a little, Abbey wanted to play with play dough in the kitchen. After a while she came running to me so excited to show me her latest creation. When I got there she had made "me" out of the dough...so I thought I would share myself with you.











After I took the picture she came back to me and said that she had make the entire family now, so this is what our family looks like in the mind of my 4 year old..(HA HA)!!

2 weeks ago Abbey had her first real "school project" or as she said "homework like Rylee". She was to make a family page for her book at school. She picked out some pics smiling from ear to ear the entire time. Every 5 secs (not exaggerating) she would say, "This is so exciting, isn't it mom?" or "I am so excited, I can't wait." It was so much fun to see her get so excited about this, she just seemed too big. So here is her finished school project, I just had to share it with all of you..

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

How Will I Remember It All.....

Well, I know it has been awhile since an update...this is a crazy week. I started my schooling for FB insurance this week. It is in OKC, so I have been staying at Mike and Heather's house. It has been nice getting to spend some one on one time with Paige. We went to Target (my favorite store and Paige's) and shopped for the girls some fall clothes. It was a nice break from the schooling earlier. We are in a classroom from 8 to 5 with an hour lunch. I know it doesn't sound bad, but they go through ALOT of info...I have no idea HOW I AM GOING TO REMEMBER ALL OF IT! It is crazy...and some of the things I have learned; made me realize we are definitely under-covered on our insurance...house and car!!! I actually get excited to think I may have a PROFESSION one of these days. Not that I don't think being a STAY AT HOME MOM as being a profession, I see it more as being a gift that I was able to stay at home while my babies were babies...I STILL cannot believe Abbey is in school. No matter where life leads me from here on, I will always know that raising my children and staying home with them all these years, is the most rewarding job I will ever have. I have missed my family, Ryan included LOL!, so much this week...I am so ready to head home tomorrow evening. I will have to say my man is such a good daddy. He didn't even freak out when he realized he would be getting the girls up for school, fixing hair, helping them dress, baths at night, going over spelling words, and reading books for 3 nights all by himself. Although I will say "He probably didn't do it the way I do!" LOL!! I love him and he still amazes me with the challenges he is willing to take head on! LOL! Well I will write again after I make it safely home to Fairview. Hope everyone is well.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

PLAY DATES....

We had Sydney over Tuesday after school.. Those two did about everything they could think of in the 4 hours they played. They were barbies, cooks, mom and daughter, and queens and princesses. I loved listening to them laugh. It is amazing the things they came up with. Then we had Abbey's buddy Britten over Wednesday. Totally different...they were hunters, cowboys, farmers, and runners. They ran and ran and ran all over the house...I don't know WHERE they get their energy. Any way here are some pics...


Labor Day Weekend...

We had a quiet weekend. Paige and Tanner came Friday night and stayed until Monday afternoon. My girls LOVE it when they come and stay with us...and so do I. They have grown up so much in the past few years. Paige is in HIGH SCHOOL! Tanner is in JR.HIGH! WOW!!! The time seemed to go by sooo fast! Any how here are some new pics of the 4 kiddos..Paige and I took the kids to the magic show in town Saturday...Boy were we sooo HAPPY! when we saw the show last 1HOUR instead of 30 minutes. It was great! LOL! It was so fun and entertaining to listen to Rylee explain how she thought the tricks were done...(she is so smart) I know she is my daughter but I can still brag...it is all moms' rights to brag! LOL!