Flowers in Bloom

The weather we have been having has been perfect for my flowers.  Warm days, spring showers, and lots of sunshine.  The birds and bees are loving it too.  They were hard at work this weekend. The Memorial Day wasn't a day off work for the worker bee.  They were busy, busy.  A constant buzz around the purple flowers.  I'm not sure of the name of this flower but someone told me it was called Cat Nip.  The robins are constantly digging in the flower beds trying to find the worms.  I sat for hours trying to get close enough to her but she wasn't a willing photo subject.   She kept a close eye on me.  We did find a few of the robin's eggs in our front yard.  I think its the first time I have actually seen a robin egg.  I was so egg-cited!

You have to look really close to see the bees. 

The Day lilies are blooming as well.  They are really looking good.  Putting on more and more flowers everyday. 

Cake Decorating

For the end of the soccer season, our coach always plans a parent-kid soccer game.  This year they also had a sleepover.  At the sleepover they had fun decorating their own cake. Their coach is much braver than I am.   They enjoyed it and most of them stayed clean!  Watching the kids decorate tells so much about their individual personalities.  Parker was so meticulus.  He made sure to get the icing just right.  He worked very slow and careful.  Madi on the other hand just got right to it.  She didn't take time to think before she started working.  She just dove right into decorating.  Parker's cake was a picture of a boat with some sort of flag.  He really surprised me in how careful he was.  I don't think that he had a drop of icing out of place.  And he didn't even get any on himself.
   

End of School Camping Trip

Thursday after work, we packed up and headed to the lake for a campout. The kids love it when we go camping. I love it too, with a few small stipulations. No wind, that is the first and most important one. If the wind is blowing too much it causes the tent to make lots of noise, which impairs my ability to sleep. I can not go without sleep. I require rest and without it no one wants to be around me. The other thing that is important for me is the temprature. It must be a reasonable temprature for me to sleep outside. Considering these things, I love camping. But most of all I love smores. This is my favorite part of a camping. I love the campfire and being outdoors, but the smores make it all worth it. We have decided to make this an annual event and to try every year to campout as an end of school celebration.

Little Boys

What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails
And puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.
What are little girls made of?
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice
And all things nice,
That's what little girls are made of.


The classic nursery ryhme is so true. Parker found a snail on some of my flowers and hasn't let go of it since. The snail went to school, church, and Nana's house. Anywhere Parker goes the snail goes too. After he found it he found an old jar with a lid and filled it with dirt. I wasn't sure the snail would survive but he has had it for a week now and its still alive. Parker loves all critters. He even brought along the snail on our weekend events. He just loves it. I took a few pictures so I could share the newest addition to our little family.

Signs of Summer

Its not long after the first warm days of May before it feels like summer here in Oklahoma.  It seems just as quickly as spring arrives it disappears.  The kids are always so very anxious for these days to come.  Swimming, of any kind, is their favorite summer activity.  Before May passes by,  they talk my parents into putting up the pool.  It's not a fancy one but grand nevertheless.  The kids were begging all evening Friday, "Please, Nana, Can't we please put up the pool?".  My mom's response was this and I quote, "When we have had a week full of 80 degree weather we will, I promise." 

Sunday after church, when Chris and I pull up to my parents house, what do I see first?   Yep, you got it, the pool was already in progress.  It never fails.  Nana caves.  I laugh in saying this because she says that is a grandparents purgative.  She delights in her grandchildren, and I am so grateful for that. 

While patiently waiting for the pool to fill the boys decided to practice up on their baseball.  Parker insists on teaching Jarrett the how to's of the game.  Whether Jarrett listens, we will never know. 

  

A Mother's Day Celebration

We spent Sunday with my mother and grandmother since mother's day was spent slaving at the home last weekend.  I had bought my Nanny some plants for her flower bed so we went to her house to get those in the ground.  She was delighted to have some more plants growing.  I was also able to spend some time with my sister.  I love when we are all able to spend time together.   The weather was beautiful.  We spent most of the day outside in the sun!   Even though it was a week late it was worth the wait!

 

I just had to share this funny one of Chris, my dad, and my brother-in-law.  None of them really wanted to have their picture made but I couldn't resist.  They are all such cut-ups! LOL

Weatherford Baseball: State Playoffs

We went to Shawnee Saturday to watch a friend's son play in the State playoff.  His team is really good but they were beat in the Championship game.  He plays for the Weatherford Eagles and is a Junior this year.  It was a good game, just wished that they would have won.

 

A Candid Moment

Chris and I decided that we may take a trip this summer.  Not sure yet on the details, but we have the fever to visit the sandy, beautiful beaches of Mexico.  We haven't shared this with the kids yet because we didn't want to disappointment the again.  We were suppose to go to Orlando, FL to a Conference held by our drug wholesale company at Disney World. It was canceled due to lack of funding from the drug manufacturers.  The economy has affected so much.  Anyway, back to the reason for this post.  After deciding that we may visit Mexico, we knew we had better file the paper work for the kids passports, so we picked the kids up early from school to have a photo made and to file the papers at the courthouse.  The kids were a little concerned, having a picture made and we didn't even have to fix their hair or change clothes.  Madi was really bothered that she didn't have time to brush her hair.  "MOM,  I had a hat on all day! "  I convinced her that no one would really look at this photo and that seemed to calm her down for the moment.  Parker on the other hand could have cared less.  So on to the courthouse with just minutes to spare.  Both parents and child must be present to file the papers, so we all head up to the office.  Needless to say our office here is very limited in space for visitors.  The four of us in a small, quiet, office was change for the ladies there.  We filled out all the papers and waited patiently.  Before finishing up, the sweet lady helping us said we will all have to do the oath.   So we bring the kids up to the counter, and she says would you all raise your right hand please.  This wasn't something the kids were expecting.  They don't really even understand why we were there and what a passport is all about.  So as she starts reading off the oath, both kids eyes begin to bug out, especially Parker.  She continued on and in a whispered voice Parker turned around just slightly and asked "Do I have to repeat all of that?"  The look on his face was priceless.  In moments like this it's when I say "that kid is so cute".   I would give anything to see a picture of the kids faces standing there, right arm up and bug eyed.  A classic moment.  Something I'll never forget!

A Beautiful Life

 

Ever heard the saying "every cloud has a silver lining"?  I'm sure we all have at least a hundred times.   There are times when we all have questions, and ask why.  Wondering why things are the way they are. Especially in hard times.  Life has a way of making us question our future.  I know that everyone has had a moment of panic, a moment of uncertainty worrying about what the future holds.  Seeing this beautiful display of God's wonder and majesty helps to give me a sense of assurance.  It's a reminder, a wake up call.  This world is not my home. There is a silver lining to all of this chaos.  I feel that the old adage is true,  nothing  in this life  is worth even a second of worry.  

"These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

AWANA Celebration

The end of school also means the end of AWANA's at church.  Wednesday night we had a celebration night for all of the kids.  There was a inflated bouncy slide thing, not sure the official name but the kids love these.
 

The kids all had so much fun.  The kids were also able to ride on an antique fire truck and play some tug of war Awana style.

 

Pink-a-Boo

I just had to share this one. I have never tried to link to another blog or borrowed pics from someone else before but this quilt was just too cute to pass up. I had to enter the giveaway, so here goes. This quilt is adorable. I wish I had the talent and patience for quilting. Check out her blog at Pigtails and Snails. She is definetly a creative and crafty blogger.

Mother's Day

Chris knows how much I love fresh flowers.  He and the kids surprised me with tulips on Friday at work.  They are so beautiful.  The kids also made me gifts at school.  I think these are two of my favorite gifts to date.  I love that they are able to express their individual creativity in a gift.  They were so excited for me to open them up.   They both put so much thought into it.  Madi wanted me to be able to look at the plate from any way and be able to read something.  So you have to turn the plate to read it.  She said that she put   TO:  Cathy,  because if she put mom it could go to just anyone.  And that is the name she will probably need to call me later when she is an adult!!  Kids say some of the funniest things.  Parker's on the other hand needed a little more description in order to understand the picture.  This is his explanation.  We are all snorkeling and he is the one in the water at the bottom of the picture.  Madi is in the middle.  The circles are all of the bubbles in the water.   I thought this was a really cute picture.  All of these were really great gifts.  Saturday night we discovered that we had a leak in our hot water heater.  After this, we had to turn off our water.  Until this happens, you don't realize what a what a blessing modern conveniences are.  In order to get to our hot water tank, we had to move the up-right freezer.  We decided to move it to the carport shed in order to provide more room for a shelving unit in the laundry room.  Cleaning out the carport and shed was then on the agenda for the day!   Not exactly how I wanted to spend my day but I did get to spend it with my most wonderful husband!  As we spent the morning cleaning, I was thinking about what a wonderful team we make. I would sweep and pile up all the leaves and then as I held the trash bag he would pile them in.  We finished it all up and were able to have dinner as a family.  Paula was here and made dinner for us.  She made Mexican casserole and refried beans.  It turned out to be a wonderful day.  I thank the Lord for what he has given me!  A beautiful mother, the best listening nanny, a loving mother-in-law,  a sister to laugh with, my best friend, Chris, and two of the most wonderful children! 

Soccer District Tournament

 

This Saturday finished up all of our soccer games.  We started at 7:45 a.m.  We had to get up early.  Earlier than I get up for normal weekdays.  That is a lot for me.  Those who don't know me to well don't understand what a feat this is for me. Needless to say I am not an early riser.  I hate to get up early.  Anyway......   Back to the subj. at hand.   We had three soccer games at Weatherford.  Both of the kids finished up and we headed home to crash out for the rest of the day!  Just wanted to share some of the pics from the games.