The Tooth Fairy Returns

Savanna was avoiding us pulling her second tooth. With the first one, there was no complaining and she was eager to have it pulled. I had previously scheduled a dentist appointment for her on Wednesday afternoon and was hoping that the dentist might have some luck in pulling it, but when I picked her up from school, someone else had beat me to it. She and another girl in class accidently bumped heads and Savanna said her tooth landed on her tongue. I am so glad she didn't swallow it. How weird was that? - so funny.

When we were at our last sale in Lufkin there was a vendor there that had some of the cutest western baby and kids stuff (a little pricey, but so cute) like baby bedding, diaper bags, clothes, rain boots, lamp shades, nap mats, etc. And she had these cute tooth fairy pillows that had little books to record when they loose their teeth and fairy dust to sprinkle around. I got Savanna a pink one and Shane a red one for when he starts to loose teeth.

Crazy Weekend

This past weekend we were home only to sleep in our beds. It was one of those weekends where it seems to fly by because you are out busy doing stuff. Anyway, Jody left for a show in Ft. Worth on Thursday and Ashlyn came to stay with us Friday and Saturday night because Pam & Randal went out of town. Mom & Dad kept Anna and Avery. Well, Saturday morning we all got up and got ready for Savanna's soccer game at 9am. It was very hectic trying to get all three ready without Jody there to help out, but we made it. Next, we drove to Sulphur Springs to Mom & Dad's, had lunch, then on to Leonard to see Hayden play football which got started later than scheduled. We went back to Mom & Dad's to eat supper and hang out a little while all the kids played. On the way home, I needed to stop for gas so I stopped at Wal-mart to wait in line for $1.949 a gallon gas. It only took $27 to fill up!! I just couldn't believe it - I never imagined that it would go that low again. After waiting for gas and driving home, we pulled into the drive at 9pm and when I turned around all three kiddos were asleep. Needless to say, they didn't get a bath so we had to wake up early Sunday for that and then get ready for bible class and church. Of course, we were late, but I'm just glad we made it. We sat on the back row for church and left a little early because I had to drive back to Sulphur Springs and meet up with Mom & Dad, Randal's parents, and Penni (Todd was out of town too) at Pizza Inn and drop off Ashlyn to Randal's parents because Pam & Randal wouldn't be back until Monday afternoon and Ashlyn had school. (Is anyone lost yet? - I am) Randal's mom (Katie) had promised to take the girls to see High School Musical 3 so my daughter has to throw a fit to go see it too. Katie was so sweet and said that Savanna was no problem and she was more than welcome to go. So, (take a breath) Shane and I left for a wedding shower in Mt. Vernon @ 2pm and had a great time seeing everyone there. We then left from there around 3pm and drove back to Sulphur Springs to pick up Savanna (good thing I only paid $1.94 a gallon for my gas - haha) . But wait, we still had one more stop. At the shower, Granny had asked that we stop by and visit Uncle Royce (her brother) and her Aunt Maud in the assisted living home in Mt. Vernon. I am so glad we did - they were happy to see the kids. I plan on stopping in more often. On this day, we pulled into the drive at around 5pm. After that, I tried to pick up the house, get some laundry done, kids fed, bathed and put to bed. And then I fell asleep waiting for Jody to come in from Ft. Worth (which was at midnight). What a whirlwind of a weekend! I am hoping for a more calmer, stay at home weekend this week - probably won't happen.

I have a great husband.....

who has a great secretary (Thanks Sherry!) who planned a great overnight trip to Jefferson. Jody did have the idea but he had to have a little help in getting it planned. He wanted it to be a surprise for me, but he should know that I hate surprises and I will stop at nothing to find out. I know I sound mean, but I just can't help myself- I have to know. Anyway, we left out Saturday afternoon around 2 and arrived in Jefferson at the bed and breakfast at around 3:30. Jody said they had a hard time finding a room since there was a Big Foot convention in town that weekend. Sorry if some of you believe in Big Foot sightings and such but we just had to laugh - I just couldn't imagine people sitting around talking about Big Foot all weekend. So, the bed and breakfast room that was left wasn't the best (was an older home that they plan to remodel) but for one night it was fine. In the room was a beautiful bouquet of roses that Jody had them leave for me. (ahhhh)

We walked around town until supper time. It is such a wonderful, historical town and I have never seen so many antique stores in my entire life. If we would have had the kids with us, I know one of them would have probably broken something. For supper, we drove back up the road and ate at a steakhouse that we saw on the way down. The food was great, but we had to rush back because Jody had scheduled a carriage ride for us to take around the town. (ahhhh)

The woman driving was so sweet. Her horse was Ned and she asked if we wanted her to talk and give us a tour of the houses and buildings as we drove by or if we wanted a quiet romantic ride. We threw romance out the window and opted for the history lesson. We both love hearing about the history of things and this tour did not disappoint - was very interesting.

We slept in the next morning which was so nice and then went walking around the town again. Then we ate at a neat hamburger place that allowed their customers to write on dollar bills and staple them to the wall, ceiling or where ever you could find a place. Since it is so hard to find time around New Years to celebrate our anniversary, we treated this trip as our celebration of 9 years of marriage, so we put our names, the date, and our 9th anniversary with a shout out to Savanna and Shane on the dollar and stapled it on the rail where we were sitting. So if you ever go into the Hamburger Store in Jefferson, TX you will have to look for our dollar. (ha ha) Our lives stay so busy that even though it was a short trip, it was so great to get away with Jody and have some alone time with him. Thanks, Jody - you're the best!

Fall Bash

Shane goes to a great daycare and last year they had their first Fall Bash where they had different game booths, good food, and a hay ride. This past Friday was the date for this years bash and the kids had a great time. Of course, they loved the bounce house the best.



Shane, Savanna, & Ashlyn

Savanna

Rody

Shane on the pony ride.


I usually don't have time to decorate our yard or porch for the seasons, but last Christmas I made time and I really had fun doing it and the kids loved it. So after Jody and the kids carved a pumpkin this weekend, we put this together on the porch. I thought it turned out cute. We bought a light at Lowes to go in the pumpkin and it changes into different colors other that a white light. The kids love it. I like the face they picked out this year - they did a really good job. And can you believe that Savanna, not Shane, liked pulling out the insides. I guess Shane thought it felt too slimy.

Survived, Yet Again

Well, we survived another fall annual auction yet again. It was our 11th one. When Jody and I were looking at the finished product of the horse catalog for the sale and saw the title saying that it was our "11th Annual Fall Horse Sale", I just couldn't believe we had been doing it for that long. We talked about the first one that we had... we weren't married yet and of course I was trying to impress him by taking on the responsibility of the office work that it entailed. But I didn't have one clue on how an auction was put on or how it was run. It was a big learning process and I have since learned it all. There are times I wish I would not have been such the love struck, gung ho girlfriend that wanted to be there for her man like I was. It's stressful and time consuming but after 11 years it seems there is no turning back now.

On Saturday the equipment auction started at 10 am and ended at 8:30 pm. I always mean to bring my camera and try to get some pictures but I seem to have other things on my mind besides taking pictures - maybe next time. On Sunday, the horses sold and they didn't sell as well as the equipment did. It seems the horse market has really been bad the last couple of years. All in all, it was a good weekend and I am so glad it's over (at least until the spring). I plan on sleeping in tomorrow - we'll see.

Sports Saturday

Last Saturday was definately a sports day for those in our family. Gran and Papa will be busy every Saturday by having somewhere to go and watch grandkids play soccer or football. At 9:00, Savanna had her first soccer game and she did so well. I am so proud of her. She has never really showed any interest in playing sports so when she said that she wanted to play soccer this year, we signed her up. She is really enjoying it and having a blast. Her coach is so great and encouraging. He just wants them to have fun because they are only this age once.


Team meeting before the game - aren't they so cute. Savanna is #2.

Team picture - Notice that Savanna is the tallest on the team - gotta love those genetics.

After Savanna's game, we rushed and drove 25 minutes to see Anna and Avery play soccer. They have really grown and improved since last year. We found a nice shady spot and really enjoyed watching their game.

Anna is the blue one on the left waiting for the ball to be kicked in so she can take it to their goal.

With all the traveling and watching, Shane did great. He never got fussy or complained.

At one point, Avery was one of the guards out in front of the goal and she was so aggressive by kicking the ball away when it came close. They both did great.

After Anna and Avery's game, we rushed to get a bite to eat then all drove another 20 minutes to Hayden's football game. When I first heard that he was playing tackle football, I was really worried about him getting hurt. But after seeing our genetics coming into play again, I don't really see that I have anything to worry about. If anything, I think I should worry about him hurting the other team.

Hayden is definately the biggest and tallest on the team. Can you spot him? He's #10.

Halftime - he was so hot. I don't see how they stand it with those helmets on. He did so well and really enjoys playing.

I look forward to watching all my nieces and nephews playing or doing what they love throughout the years. By the way, we were winners in all three games. yeah! It was a great Saturday of sports.

More Birthday Wishes

I really meant to post yesterday and wish my wonderful mom a happy birthday!!!! I shouldn't reveal her age but .... I will be 34 this year and she was 35 when she had me. Ha ha. She is truly a great mother! She was a stay at home mom for me and my two older sisters, and I never really understood ALL that she did for us until I had kids of my own. I guess growing up you could say we were spoiled by our wonderful mother. I remember getting up in the mornings before school and sitting down to prepared breakfasts and then coming home to wonderful suppers where we all sat at the table together. My bed would be made, my room cleaned, my laundry done and put away, and the house was spotless. At school when the teachers would ask what you wanted to be when you grow up, I would always say "a housewife". I wanted to be and do exactly what my mom did (I still do, but this day and age it seems so hard to make ends meet). She worked and still works today to make her house a home. I love walking into that house and it will always be home to me. Besides making a wonderful home, more importantly she has guided our family spiritually throughout the years. Growing up, we never missed a church service. I truly feel it planted the seed for me to grow and want to know my Lord and understand what He did for us all; and to now be that example and plant that seed in my children. As we all know, there are always going to be disagreements within a family and we have had our share, but we have always come through just fine knowing that our love for one another is so strong. Thanks mom for ALL that you do - the nuturing, guidance, support, and especially the unconditional love means so much. I hope you had a GREAT birthday yesterday! I love you.

Now I want to wish DeAnna an early happy birthday!! Her birthday is tomorrow. She and Jody were born exactly 2 years and 10 days apart from one another. My kids call her Aunt Dee and she is a wonderful aunt to them. We have a great deal with each other in that I will take Rody to school in the mornings on my way to work and she will pick up Savanna for me in the afternoons from school. But here is where she gets the raw end of the deal. Jody is usually in the middle of something and can't watch Savanna until I get in from work so Aunt Dee is left to watch her, give her snacks, break up disagreements, pick up after her, etc. I am so grateful for her! She has such a sweet spirit and is a great mother. I hope you have a great day tomorrow!! Happy Birthday!