Much to be thankful for...

So it appears that I haven't been the best blogger lately...I apologize. Life has been busy and time has flown. And to be quite honest, I haven't been the best at taking pictures and posting them. I check others blogs, think to myself " Yeah, I really need to get to that..." and then walk away to find myself doing something else.



The real truth is I just haven't been that motivated and when I say busy, I mean occupied. Most of you know but my dad came to live with us in August and its been a blur since. Cancer is a mean disease- it affects not just the patient but those that have to care for those patients. It is heartbreaking, frustrating, and has left me feeling like I am helpless to the disease. Brian has been a real trooper. We both had short notice on this diagnosis and literally jumped right in to help my dad who didn't have the medical resources where he was living. We got the call on a Tuesday, dad was here by Friday moved in, and I went back to work on Monday. So when I say that we jumped in, we really did.



As Thanksgiving has passed, I can sit here and think back the last few months and realize that there really have been many silver linings behind these clouds of the last few months. Things have slowed down a little and I have found a moment or two to reflect on some things that I am thankful for ( in no particular order):



1. God has all the answers & even though I don't, I still have faith in knowing that He must know what He is doing and why this is happening. He has pulled Brian and I closer and made him my tower of strength.



2. For Brian, who has never questioned anything and has been reliable, dependable, and a shoulder to cry on when all the hurt and frustration builds up... because we all know that taking care of anyone that is sick is a hard thing to do, especially when it's a parent. I love him so very much.



3. The time that we have to spend with my dad and more importantly, the time that he has left to spend with us & his grandkids- however long that may be none of us know.



4. The happiness and joy that Riley and Cole fill my heart with- the laughter, the hugs, the " I love you mommy", the nuzzles that take the place of the words because they can't come out yet...



5. For my dad accepting Christ and acknowledging a relationship with God.



6. Family & friends who have been there to call, offer help, and just be "there."



7. The jaw dropping moment when my three year old asked me this weekend, "Mommy, when will God be in my heart!?"



8. The dr.'s who have had the knowledge to make a diagnosis and provide some answers to this cruel disease.



9. continually being provided for.

So I will leave you with two things: a promise to be a better blogger, and the chorus to " Long Black Train" which I am listening to right now, thinking it has great relevance to our life:

Look to the heavens
You can look to the skies
You can find redemption
Staring back into your eyes
There is protection and there's
Peace the same, burnin' your ticket for that
Long Black Train

'Cause there's vict'ry in the Lord I say,
Vict'ry in the lord,
Cling to the Father and His holy name,
And don't go ridin' on that Long Black Train

Happy Halloween...a day or two late

Let's make this simple: ball pit + games+ moonwalks+ slides+ candy= very excited kids!

Just to be clear, Riley was Thumbelina, who she loves, and Cole was dressed as nothing other than what he is on any normal day. We thought it suited him well. When he ran off at the festival, I just gave that tail a little tug and yanked him back. He tolerated the costume very well- he normally will not put up with hats, bibs, or anything else of that nature.

he thought the balls were meant to be thrown OUT of the ball pit, so we spent some time chasing balls and trying to keep them IN the pit.

She went down over and over and over......again.

The kids ate the candy before we even made it home- imagine that!

a great day!!!

What a FABULOUS day to spend at one of my favorite places! We made our now annual October trip to the zoo today with some friends of ours and their little one....and I think it was the best one yet. The weather was clear and cool and the kids are now at an age where they can run around and actually enjoy the animals. And I should say for the record, that for the most part everything went well. ( insert clearing the throat noise here...) Cole is now also at the fabulous age of 15 mo. when the fits and the word "no" mean the world is coming to an end. He spent a small portion of our trip strapped into the stroller kicking and screaming because we wouldn't ;et him continue to pull the wagon and run into people and their strollers. Riley was quite observant of this not so great behavior and said, " Mommy, what's he doing?" Maranda and I laughed, and at the very same time, said, " The same thing you did at this age." After the fit throwing commenced, the rest of the day ran smoothly.

We topped it all off with a ride on the new and improved Hermann Park train which we all enjoyed.

a few first's...

This past Saturday marked a first for Riley and Cole...Aggie football!! Let's just keep it short in saying Riley did really well, Cole did well till half time and then wanted nothing more to do with sitting still or the game. So much for watching that great Aggie band in hopes of entertaining him. Nope, he wasn't having it. He was squirming, screaming, and literally worming his way out of our arms. So I took him down to run and hopefully wear himself out by the concession stands. Nope. He instead was trying to run up and down, up and down the ramps back to the bleachers. Back and forth trying to get himself in to the men's restroom. Back and forth trying to climb on all the equipment parked off to the side.

I was just a little worn out and sweaty by the end of the 3rd quarter so we called it a night and left the game. It was such a great feeling to be back on our old turf but this next weekend when we go to the game, we will be sans kiddos.

Gotta love this adorable little boy of mine and his enthusiasm for checking out EVERYTHING. I can't blame him too much, he's just doing what he does best. And he does it no matter where he is.

These are my new favorite pics-my sweet little Aggie princess. She was sooo proud of this dress, which she picked out.

wow! look at the excitement on her face!

she found my old hunting hat and decided to take that too.

and posing for us while showing off her outfit for dove hunting.

a fun weekend...

This last Saturday we threw Riley her 3rd birthday bash...it came out of nowhere in early summer that she said for her birthday party this year she wanted a pink party but not just pink, it also had to be a princess party. Well, princess is what she got. She had so much fun I think we are both trying to catch up on some much needed z's. This year was great because she thoroughtly enjoyed her princess castle moonwalk, cake & cupcakes. Every one got the message too somehow because almost all of her presents were Disney princess. I have no idea how that happened, I didn't even mention it was a princess party. It seems she must have had some words with the Man upstairs and it was like everyone knew. Totally ironic. And totally satisfying to her. Last year Ike made other plans and blew threw and destroyed everything the day before her party was supposed to be. So my poor Roo Bug didn't have a 2nd birthday party. But I think they all made up for it. She jumped, and jumped, and still jumped all through the afternoon.

All I know is momma is thankful the rain held off, this little girl had a great party, and most of all my dad got to come home for the weekend to be a part of it. What a great blessing that was. The happiness on his face....( He's been in the hospital for the last 3 weeks and was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in August).

More to come later...this little girl also went on her first hunting trip with her daddy Sunday afternoon!

Happy Birthday...

To our precious Roo Bug!! I can't believe our little blue eyed girl turned 3 on Friday. What a difference three years make.

Thank you Riley for being the precious little girl that you are. You have brought so much joy to our lives. We are so blessed to have you. Our love for you is more than you could ever imagine.

You are funny and have made us laugh so many times, you have impressed us by how smart you are. You are so perceptive for a 3 year old it blows us away, you are very affectionate and loving but also so so stubborn when you want to be.

I love your big hugs and when you say " Love you too Mommy." I love when you come to snuggle in bed in the early mornings, I love when you sit in our laps for bedtime stories and try to read the story to us. I love that you are a protective and nurturing older sister. I love that you are such a happy child and you LOVE to sing " Jesus Loves Me- even if we are in the airport or in WalMart, let's just add that you repeat it many times making sure that all around you hear.

I love the confidence you have when you talk or dress yourself. You are a very decisive child and know what you want and when you want it. What a great trait to be gifted with.

Your laugh is infectious and your smile fills our heart with so much joy. I can't wait to see what the next year brings. We love you so so much.


Her Tinkerbell cake made by her Nee Nee!

Brian gave her a pink rose and she was thrilled!

what a difference a year makes: 2 years old

1st Birthday!

Just home from the hospital - Sept. 2006