All Have Survived

I returned today from my 4 day trip away from home (for work).... and all those I left behind survived without me..... the husband... the big boy..... the baby boy.... the dogs.... the hermit crab.... the house.....

I must be honest, deep down I was somewhat disappointed that something didn't fall apart due to my absence! But, then again, I trained them well.... oh, and my mom came to the rescue when needed.... and, I washed everything we owned before I left... and had meals frozen and ready to go so that no one was forced to survive on BJ's and McDonalds (heaven forbid).... and there was a daily schedule with a play by play of how this house runs!! :-)

Even so, I am SO GLAD this was a one time thing.... being away from Ragan & the boys was torture....

The Countdown Begins

One month and counting... that's how much longer we have until Ragan returns to working EVERY single weekend..... BLAH!

What I will miss the most is going to church together as a family.... and having days off together... we will continue to count our blessings, though...... thanking God for job security at such an uncertain time for many.

Update on the Heartache

I think the 4th grader's heart has mended.... he asked to wear Ragan's cologne to school today... he also asked me if his breath smelled!

What in the world is going on here??? :-)

My Lil' Fashionista

I know this makes his daddy proud(do you sense the sarcasm?).... I also know that this makes his momma laugh out loud! (I didn't mean for that to rhyme by the way... lol)

Check out these pics of Cooper sportin' some BCBG heels! He loves them... They go real well with the big orange juice stain covering his clothing!

Hostile Takeover of the Science Project

4th grade Science project.... it has taken over our evenings this week (and one night this past weekend)... our schedules & plans have adjusted so that the project gets done... and it has now taken over my kitchen table. I have no idea when the table will surface again..... hopefully, soon.... we kind of need it.

In the meantime, I am having my fill of glue, paint, construction paper, hot glue guns, scissors, adhesive spray, cotton, sticks, markers, fake rocks aka dried beans, and paper mache. Oh, and I now am a plethora of useless knowledge on the bald eagle.

p.s. Thanks, Nonna for letting us raid your teacher stash of art supplies....we'll dedicate this one to you!

He is smiling here, but only because I MADE him. This project was fun until he realized he can't play video games until it is complete!

Workin' hard!

My table is under there somewhere... and this picture is AFTER we cleaned up a good bit.

4th Grade Heartache

I have to limit how much info I share in this blog due to the confidentiality my 4th grader has in me.... but, I have to share a conversation I had with Austin yesterday.

First, let me give you a quick history on the subject...... Austin has noticed a young lady at school. (Well, actually he told me he noticed her camouflage jacket...lol) We'll call her "K." It is very innocent, yet he has been asking me questions this past week about girls, why people have boyfriends and girlfriends, blah, blah, blah. I know that some of this is part of growing up, so I try to answer his questions appropriately, but not push or encourage anything. Follow me?

Anyway, he sent "K" a valentine on Friday at school. All week he was so nervous about it... he wouldn't even sign his name to it! But, he comes home Friday, devastated... he found out that "K" had in fact exchanged valentines with another boy. I find it funny, Austin didn't. I began my spill that it was okay and that the most important thing right now was to learn how to treat people, make friends, and be a good example. I mean, what do you say? I think it's absurd to encourage things like this at his age, but I do recall having a crush on a boy that rode my bus in the 4th grade! And, Austin was visibly upset my the situation.

As I continued my "motherly advice" he says, "Mom, I know, I know.... God will send me the right one, one day... but, is it okay if I like "K" until then?" I was stunned... glad that he was aware of the process, but wanting to laugh that he even acknowledged it!

Crawfish, Cake, Cooking, Cooties, & Cuts

This is what our weekend involved... crawfish, cake, cooties, & cuts!!! Ragan's birthday was Saturday. Our good buddy, Heath, had a birthday on Friday. So, we decided to load up and tackle some crawdads in Bunkie for a birthday celebration.... no kiddos allowed (love 'em, but not at a restaurant while you are elbow deep in spices & mudbugs). I've got some pics below from the restaurant. Good Food + Good Friends = Good Times! However, no pics of me & Ragan together.... pitiful, huh? It's my fault, though. I had some quirky pose with this triple chin thing going on when they snapped our pic... I look AWFUL in the pic and REFUSE to ever make it public! Sounds vain, but it's the truth. However, you will get to see some pics of the greatest people in the world who we so proudly call our friends!

Cooper got to spend some time at his Nonna Sharon's and with Uncle Davin (aka Daaaaaa), Aunt Melissa (aka Issa), and Allie (he actually conquered that one)! I know he had a blast and was even more rotten than when he arrived! However, before sending him off, I attempted to put scissors to his hair and do a quick cut. See the picture below and you will know why. His bangs were TOO long. So I guess, technically, it was his 1st haircut, but only the bangs. It's gotta be rough on a 1 yr old who can't see because his hair is flopping in his face! Everyone asks me, "When are you going to cut his hair?" My response, "When I feel like it. We like his curls & we will cut them when we are good and ready!" So, if you are thinking this question, now you have the answer!! :-)

Sunday afternoon, Ragan's mom cooked lunch for Ragan. She makes a KILLER roast! When Ragan & I first started dating, we would go over after church on Sundays to eat lunch with her. She would always cook a roast and it was always SO GOOD! I always wanted to stand in front of the stove with a fork and just eat the whole thing straight from the pot. I figured at the time, it may not make a good impression! But, I guess now that they are stuck with me, I can help myself!!! lol

Sunday night my dad grilled. He's a beast on the grill... seriously, he grills chicken and sausage that will rock your world!!! I can remember when I was young, my mom would always make these stuffed potatoes when they grilled or had company over. They are way yummy! It's one of those things she cooks that she dumps ingredients and mixes and it turns out the same every time....until I do it and it's not the same! Another thing, she always made a chocolate cake (from the box, but never tastes like it) and covered the top with M&M's. It's something that is a tradition and every time I see that cake I have "feel good childhood memories" of me, my brother, & my sisters on Oakbrook Drive..... I didn't know mom was going to initiate Ragan into the "family chocolate cake birthday club." So, I bought him a Cookie Cake. There was MORE than enough cake & calories to go around. This did not help me with my "become a healthier person" resolution!

On a sour note, Ragan has passed his sinusitis-cough-stuffy nose cooties on to me! I deserve it, though. I am always bragging about my "immune system of steel" and telling him he is a baby when he gets sick. (He thinks I have the compassion of a thorn and must be a horrible nurse. I tell him, no, unless your are bleeding from every orifice, missing an extremity that shouldn't be missing, or not breathing, I have a hard time being impressed!! It's the curse of the ER nurse!! lol Just kidding, I really do have compassion!) So, now I will spend the week hungover at work from Nyquil.... this should be lovely!

Check out the bangs... this is before I got the scissors to him!

Jason & Kelly.....

Amber & Johnny.....

Spring & the other birthday boy, Heath......

Natalie, if you read this, I will not put this pic on Facebook!! lol

Thankful

My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness today and I want to share why.

I am thankful for grandparents who think my kids are as awesome as I do....

Thankful that God has given me family that is unique, loving, and teaches me wonderful things about myself and this crazy world around me...

Thankful for parents who I know hung the moon (and you will never change my mind about that)......

Thankful for parents who were able to learn from the best... their parents...

Thankful for a God of healing and second chances in this life....

Thankful for family members who provide us with rest and breaks and "parenting intermissions" so we don't lose our minds (or forget who each other are)....

Thankful for praying grandmothers who share in the burdens I carry for my boys....

Thankful that God has given my boys an ABUNDANCE of people who love them, cherish them, support them, and want the best for them....

Thankful for things that marriage has allowed me to acquire...more wonderful family members...

Thankful that I live in a land where I have the opportunity to serve Jesus to my boys without fear....

Thankful that HE KNOWS ME and my battles, my fears, my hopes, my joys, my insecurities, my faults... and provides me with that safe and sacred fortress.

Thankful for family who is willing to share in the financial burdens of school (and now daycare) fundraisers.... After all, a home only needs so much cookie dough and wrapping paper!

Thankful for miracles.... whether made public or not, I know they still exist....

Thankful to a God who loves me and is the source of all that I have to be thankful for.....

Highlight for "Bubba"

"Bubba" aka Austin had a highlight this week...Cooper said his name! He didn't say "Bubba," he said "Austin." (And is was clear as day!) Oh, how I wish I could post a sound bite for all of you to hear it.... it is the sweetest and cutest way I have ever heard Austin's name spoken.... seriously!

And, Austin was floating on cloud nine.... his lil' brother thinks he is "IT" and this all just made his week. So, if you happen to see us, pass us, get a visit from us... don't forget to prompt Cooper to speak his newest word. Just make sure you do it in front of Austin, the thrill of seeing his face light up is just as priceless!

Thanks for letting me ramble about my boys and their milestones, I just can't help it... I think they are just so awesome and worth blogging about!

The Love Dare

The Love Dare is a book. I'm not sure what came first, the book or the movie, "Fireproof." Anyhoo..it doesn't really matter....Ragan and I purchased this book on our recent and oh so adventurous weekend getaway. The book dares you to love your spouse for 40 days, unconditionally and gives you a new tool each day. It's really cool and extremely eye-opening, revealing, challenging, and a new way to connect with my #1. It is a way to connect on a deeper level that is orchestrated by God. So far, so good! :-)

Anyway, I firmly believe in when I find or see a good thing, that it should be shared..... That's all. For you married folk out there, I'm no book critic or wisdom guru, but I think this book is a great tool on learning to love your spouse as Christ loves us.... even if you have already been married 100 years, I think this book still has something to teach.

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Proverbs 24:3, New International Version
(This scripture hangs over our mantle at home, just wanted to share...)