A Time for Thanksgiving

As I reflect on the past few years and all of the life changing things that have happened, I can't help but feel nostalgic about my past and memories with my family. The "simple times" for my sisters and I were probably not so simple for my parents. They probably stressed about money and schooling and the future-just as I am now for my daughters. They had to have worried about things and yet I never once heard about it. We were not rich with money by any means, but we never went without-they always provided, always taught us, always fed us and clothed us. I never felt like we were "shorted" anything. But I was also taught that not everyone has food, or clothes, or a loving family.
I am thankful that I did. I have always felt full, cared for and loved beyond belief. I am thankful for my amazing parents who have always given-everything-for those they love and even those they don't know. I am thankful that they taught me to care for others and the well being of those who don't have the luxury of a loving family; I am thankful for my sisters who I look up to as strong, Christian women, who want the best for those around them. We were all instilled with so many things-compassion, generosity, love and forgiveness-and for all of those things, I credit the path my parents took and take everyday.

Tender heart

I'ma real crybaby when it comes to movies about: fathers/daughters, babies, friends, elderly, love...okay, I'm a crybaby about most movies. In fact, when I hear Russel Crowes voice, it makes me tear up. I don't even have to see the preview...just the sound of his voice. The movie Up-bawled like a baby...all three times. The movie Meet Joe Black, cried like a lil' girl. We just bought Toy Story 3 and guess what...cried during that too-but Natalie started it. There are several parts in the movie that are a little scary for 4 year olds ( in my opinion) she cried when the Big Baby cried and Lotso stepped on the BB heart; she cried when the toys fell in the dumpster...she's just a tender hear like me. And that's okay.

Natalie is funny #107

My baby girl, Natalie Joy is funny-I've said that befoe, but she really does just crack my stuff up. This morning she complained of not feeling well (she had the night before, so I kind of believed her)so shewanted to stay at home-Andy just happened to not be feeling well either, so she got to stay with Dad all day. Before I left for work told her that sick kids have to stay in bed all day and they are not allowd to watch tv, movies or eat anything fun. Her eyes got really big, but she said, "I won't Mom, I'm just tired and sick and I'll be in bed all day with my fever"
When Andy called at 11am I asked how Natalie was, and when he told me that she'd been up since not long after I left, watching tv, I asked him to give her the phone. I said, "Natalie, what did I tell you before I left this morning?" She said, "That sick kids have to saty in bed all day, but Mom, when I woke up again, my fever was gone-so I thought, I better watch tv to saty better"-she got in trouble :)

uh-oh

So lil' Hannah banana has always had dry skin issues, but Sunday morning as I was changing her, I noticed something a little more disturbing. several round patches on her legs. I just knew it was ringworm, so I asked our friend who is familiar with the fungal junk and he confirmed what I had guessed. UGH! Where di she get this?! I asked her daycare the next morning and they said no other parents has said anything and they've never had a problem like that. SO I called her doctor (because by Tuesday morning, it had spread) and took her in...Dr. Nichold said it's not ringworm, but poor baby will have eczema for the rest of her childhood. I get to go and buy only Cetaphil and Eucerin lotion...at least it's not ringworm...that freaked me out.

Hello November!

Its hard to believe that it has been almost a month since I posted the last time-but I hope to post more now since I have joined the 21st century and gotten internet at home. I think Andy is more excited than me-no more looking at tiny phone internet with little to no pictures :)
So many things have happened since October...lets see... we celebrated my 30th, our 7th Anniversary, a wedding, another 3 anniversaries, a baby shower (Jennifer Bauer and he upcoming arrival TBA), a new career and Halloween/Arkalalah.
Arkalalah is a fall festival in Ark City- and not just ANY ol' fall festival-this is THE fall festival where all Ark Citians go every year toi see old friends, family, eat fried delish food and watch a 3 hour parade. NAt, Hannah and I went down to Ark City on Weds and stayed until Saturday afternoon. We sat down for the long parade and after about 20 minutes, Natalie says, "Mom, I'm hot and I'm done being here, let's go home" SO we piled in the car and headed back to Perry. It's alwys good to see my family and spend time with them, but you have to agree, there's nothing like going home...wherever that might be.