Emily's first day at Gymnastics

She absolutely loves it. So much more than dance last year. She is surprisingly very strong. As little as she is I thought she might be a little weakling but she pulls herself right up onto the bars etc.... She has pretty good balance too. She loves that she can take class with her friends Kylie and Ireland. I am glad she is growing up with some good girl friends. She is excited for her next class. She is also doing her first lock-in at the gymnastics place next friday night. I think it is going to be harder on me than her. Trin, Kylie and maybe Ireland will be there along with some other older girls from Trin's class that Em has met so that makes me feel a bit better b/c I know Trin will take care of her. She is a good big cousin. So there are some big events coming up in Emily's world. She is so passionate about everything. I love to hear her talk. She adds a; it's fantastic, so beautiful, gorgeous, really great, so excited, absolutely love, to everything she says. How could you not think a 4 year old talking like that is absolute innocence. I love it!

Current Updates

We are on our way into a good school year and routine. Jacob starts his school September 2nd. Em is in her second week of school and enjoys it. Amy is now taking her to school in the mornings. This makes me a bit sad but it is ok. She likes to ride with them. We are doing good. Chris is also into another semester of school. That degree is getting closer! I am so proud of him for doing it. Jacob is growing so fast. There is no remnant of the little baby I once had. He is all boy and so special to me. He is so laid back and easy to have around. He plays on his own and learns very quickly. Em is getting bigger everyday. Well, lets not say bigger but taller. LOL She is discovering her voice and self. I think she is realizing she is her own person now and can make decisions for herself. She is still my sweet natured, loving child and I hope it stays that way for as long as possible. For myself, I am doing ok. I am still a little out of wack. The loss of our baby was a big blow to me. I finally miscarried around 9 1/2 weeks. It was a long road. It is getting better and a bit easier but I don't think the sadness from it will ever be gone for good. I have been having trouble with my leg as well but thank God there is no cancer recurrence. It is more mechanical issues that they can't seem to find. It is frustrating but I have to live with it. I am not exactly wanting to rush into another surgery anytime soon. I am focusing on what I have and how special my family is. The positives. I have a lot of them. Despite all I have been through lately I am still in high hopes of a good life and family. I love being a Mom and feel so blessed I am able to stay home to see them grow. A long time ago, after all my cancer stuff I learned to stop and love the little things if life. I love all the little faces my kids make and what they look like when they see something new for the first time. It is priceless. I want to expose them to all the good in the world and shelter them from all the bad for as long as I can. I will preserve their innocence for as long as possible. Wouldn't it be great if we could live in their world? Upcoming events include a visit to Greenbriar to see Linda, Blake, Gina, and the boys. A visit from Anthony and Windy and a trip to Branson.

Little Rock Zoo

We headed to the zoo Sunday. We went with April, Kailey, Avery, Jerald, Amy, and Trin. It was a nice time. Jacob has recently gotten into his animals so this was a fun trip for him. His favorite were the giraffes. He would say "Momma, dat my girafe." Emily was very insistent on the alligators. It was her obsession that day. We rode the train and had lunch and then let the kids ride the carousel on the way out. It is one of those old ones where everything is wood and the floor goes up and down, not the horses. Very "old school." Jacob's little arms were so tired by the end from holding on so tight when we would go up. It was pretty steep. I even had to hold on pretty tight. It was a good day.

Daddy's Birthday

For Chris' birthday we made him some chocolate pie. He loves it. The kids like to help in the kitchen and love birthdays. My Mom cooked Chris a birthday dinner of his favorite fried chicken and all the fixins. Thanks Mom!

Happy Birthday Daddy! Your the Best!

Back to School..Pre-K

Emily started Pre-school this year. It is a great time and sad time all at once. She does like school and is an eager learner. She is a good listener and student. I however, miss her so much. I miss my baby. I don't want to let her go. I know it is good for her and she learns so much. I went throgh this last year also. This year she is at the elementary school and it just seems too real. She is growing up! I am happy that she is growing strong and a good little "big" girl.

Haircuts and Movie Stars

Jacob went with his Daddy and got a hair cut at the "big boy hair pace." I have cut his hair until now. He loves going with his Daddy.
My movie star is born! She is growing up too fast.

My Birthday Surprise

Chris is so sweet. He made me a birthday cake! It was very yummy! He wrote this poem and printed it in the card he got me. It was very thoughtful and I appreciate it.

Texas Trip

We decided to head to Texas once more before school started. We hadn't been since the end of March so the 4 month mark had hit and it was time to make the trip down. We had a great time and of course the kids love it there. A day doesn't go by that Em doesn't say "I miss Texas Granny." We hope to be back there again very soon.

Missouri Trip

We went to Missouri for a summer trip and stayed in a cabin on the Current River. We went with a bunch of family and had a good time. The kids liked to play in the river. Jacob loved to just throw rocks all day and Em liked to play in the sand. It was a nice time and a good get away from home.

Independence Day 2008

This year is a July 4th I will never forget. It was good and sad all at the same time. Friday night we went to the park with Jerald, Amy and Trin to see the fireworks. Saturday Mom took the kids to Tina's for their 4th BBQ and then that evening we went to Amber and Robby's for more food and fireworks. All during this time I was in the process of loosing my pregnancy. It was and still is hard but we are getting on. This is the only picture of the holiday I managed to get. These are the cupcakes I made to take to Ambers. We did have a good time there.

Trip to Leola Fish Farm..Yummy!

This was one of our little treats during the summer. It was a goal to get there this summer. So we loaded up and headed that way with Granny and Papa. It was very good food and the kids loved the petting zoo. It is only about 30-40 minutes away too. We will definitely be going back. Did I mention the kids loved it? This was just one of those places we could make into a yearly tradition of visiting. Fun and good food!

Trip to Branson

The kids and I took a trip to Branson with Mom and Hershell so see Anthony,Windy and Titan before they took their long trek to Wisconsin Dells, WI. It was a good time. We took the kids to Dixie(of course), had a surprise birthday/going away party for MiMi, and had a good visit with everyone. We will miss you guys and hope to see you every chance we get. These are the only pics I got this trip.

Summer Fun 08

This summer flew by so quickly. The kids had a good summer and we had lots of play dates with friends and family. Here are a few pics from the summer. I think they both grew a couple inches over the summer. Jacob being a baby is truly a thing of the past. Emily had discovered she has a voice and a bit of an attitude! At some points it seems she has gone from 4 to 14 in a span of seconds.....the years ahead are going to be a trip( I am not sure I am ready for it).

Happy Fathers Day

Chris is the best father I could have ever asked for. The kids love and adore him, as do I. He has never let us down and will always do what right for us. He is our world and we love him so.