Boo Boo is Two!

I can't believe that tomorrow our little baby boy will be two. It doesn't seem like it was yesterday that we were bringing him home and holding his little body in arms in awe. Now he is a bouncing, rowdy, ornery two year old. He is growing up so fast and I don't know if I like that or not. He is very opinionated and knows exactly what he wants when he wants it, but on the other hand he is still a momma's boy. He still loves for momma to rock him and him put his hand on my face as he is going to sleep. His favorite things right now are flashlights, Thomas the Train Engine, and Elmo. I feel ever so blessed to be his momma. He is such a delight and I'm looking forward to all the wonderful memories we will make with him in the years to come. So Happy Birthday Boo Boo! Momma loves you with all her heart, today and always.

Our Special Picnic For Two

The other day was a time when I was feeling quite blue. It seemed I was just needing some special time with Big Daddy, but didn't know how I would get it while schooling the kids, taking care of Boo Boo and doing all the rest of my daily duties. Big Daddy just happened to see that I was needing some of his special love, so he surprised me and told me that we were going to go on a picnic for two. I didn't quite know how that was going to happen but Big Daddy had a plan, he asked Margaret to watch the boys for a few minutes while we had our little getaway. I felt like a teenager getting ready to go on a date. I guess most people wouldn't understand that, but since we have only left the kids one time to go out alone, this was going to be a treat. Big Daddy packed us a little picnic, of Diet Soda and Crunch n Munch. We then took off on the four wheeler and rode out into the field to put down a quilt by the pond and just be together. Not to many words were spoken, they didn't need to be. We then went over and fed the fish and then sat back down on our quilt and watched the fish eat. We laid down and watched the birds fly over and the clouds float by. I just was enjoying it so and for a minute or two just closed my eyes and let the wind blow on my face and soaked in the beautiful moments together. To most people they would think that this wouldn't be something to write about, but to me it was everything in the world at just a time when I needed it. After all of thirty mintues we came back home to see that Margaret and the boys had moved a little table in the living room, fixed us tea and jolly ranchers, and had our favorite movie Facing The Giants playing for us. They had spent the whole time we had been gone preparing this surprise for us. It was a time to remind me just how blessed I am. May I never forget it!

Tractor Day

This past Wednesday was to our family one of the biggest days of Big Daddy's life. He was up early and had posted all over the house little pieces of paper with Tractor Day written all over them. We counted the days and then we counted the hours and then we watched the road for the blessed time.

It has been Big Daddy's dream for most of his life to own a little piece of land, a farm, and to have his very own tractor. He has spent countless hours talking about tractors, dreaming about tractors, searching out tractors, calling about tractors, and looking at tractors online. This past Sunday morning as he was driving home from work he spotted a cute little tractor. He said as he drove by he prayed, "Lord, please let me have a tractor about that size and just like that." The Lord being as awesome as he is heard that plea. Big Daddy came home and talked to Pappy about it after church and Pappy just picked up the phone and called and checked on that very tractor. They hadn't planned on selling it, but said sure they would if Big Daddy would be interested in it. Late Sunday afternoon Big Daddy, Pappy, and OB took off to go look at the tractor. Big Daddy of course fell in love with it and what makes it even better is that it was a price we could just pay for it. Ain't God Good! So after contemplating for a whole day, Big Dadddy called and told them he wanted it. They said they couldn't bring until Wednesday evening so there was a couple of restless tractor waiting days for Big Daddy. But when Wednesday rolled around he was just like a little kid waiting for his big dreams to come true.

He got so excited when the gentleman brought it down the lane he just kept saying, "My tractor is here, my tractor is here." The whole family had to go out and watch it be unloaded. As soon as the gentleman was gone he jumped on it and started it up. His eyes lit up and all the kids were anxious to take a ride on it. Of course I took lots of pictures so we would never forget the excitement in their eyes. They rode around the field for sometime. I bet Big Daddy will never forget that wonderful night.

As he was out in the field yesterday brush hogging, I just watched him and had to fight back the tears of being so happy for him. I love being able to watch his dreams be fulfilled, even if it is with a little tractor to call his very own.

Is It School Time Already?

This has been our first week of school. I have to admit I think it's been harder for me to get back in the swing of things than the kids. It has although been a great week. We are doing something completely different this year for school. We are doing paces and the kids surprisingly are loving them. So far they have worked much harder, complained less, and all in all just enjoyed their school time so much more than ever before. I am so happy about the way things are going. At this rate they will be done with all their paces just about the time the baby will be arriving and then we will have lots of fun family time. This is our plan anyway.

The kids have always just been able to pick where they wanted to be at to do their school - whether it be on the couch, outside, or on the kitchen table, but this year Margaret decided that she would like for them to have their own personal space. Being married to Big Daddy has been such a blessing when it comes to these times. We had the idea and big daddy started searching around the farm to see what he could find. He found all the right pieces and I found the material and within one days time, they had their little student corrals. They look ever so cute and they have them all decorated and fixed up. They are so proud of them. I don't know how many people would want little student corrals in their livingroom, but this is our life and we love it.

After all this being said, I just want to say how blessed I am to be able to stay at home with my babies. I love schooling them. I love watching them learn and be excited about how they are doing in their school. I love being with them if they need help or just need a hug. I love being a momma, a keeper of the home, and a homeschooling momma. I just don't know how it could get much better than to be able to spend everyday with the precious ones God has given to you.

A Special Little Laugh

Isn't it funny how at different times you notice those things that might have gone unnoticed on other days. Tonight I had one of those moments. We decided that we would make our own little personal spa, so Margaret, OB and myself thought it would be fun to do hot oil treatments on our hair. I wasn't going to let OB do one, since it's usually a girl thing, but I saw he really wanted to share in the experience. After putting the oil in our hair and letting it set, it was then time to wash it out. Margaret went first and then it was OB's turn. He climbed ontop of the counter and then when the water was turned on he began to giggle. He laughed so hard and giggled nonstop the whole time. I didn't want to even stop rinsing his precious head since he was having so much fun. I just really took the time to enjoy his special laugh. It was so innocent and just pure joy was popping out all over him.

As I was listening to his silly little giggles I had to stop and think of a family who just lost their six year old son in a car accident this past Monday. My how I know they wish they could hear his laugh one more time. This made me think, Am I really enjoying every moment to the fullest. Sometimes I think I get so carried away with things going on that I don't have control over that I forget to fully focus on the things right here. The little, simple things that are just so precious.

Lord, help me to remember the feeling I had tonight as I was listening to my special little boy giggle and help me to focus on these things. Thank you Lord for blessing me with the most wonderful gifts in the world, my wonderful babies.

Aunt Sandy

I don't know even where to start when I think of how much I loved my Aunt Sandy. She was one of the most unique people I have ever known. No matter where I saw her, there would be a nice special hug and kind words. She always had time for me, never in a hurry, but took the time to listen to what was going on in my life and she really did care. I have so many memories of her. She was my one and only baby sitter, she was the one who tried to teach me how to sew, she brought my kids little things from the dollhouse show, she made me the most beautiful quilt for our wedding, made the first two of our children cute little baby blankets, made Kassi a sweet little pillowcase doll, and the list could go on and on. It wasn't but just a couple of Christmases ago that I had the wild idea of having her make dolls for the kids for a special scavenger hunt on Christmas morning. We had so much fun talking back and forth about the dolls progress. She worked so hard on them, and the kids and myself will treasure them forever. I had the privilege of putting up her Christmas tree one year and we enjoyed that precious time together as she shared about each one of the ornaments and what they meant to her. I feel so blessed to have had her in my life. I know that I am a much better person by knowing her. She gave me so much. I loved her for so many reasons. The one thing I loved about her the most was the fact that she just was what she was, you didn't have to guess what she was thinking or if she liked you or not. I'm so happy that we got the chance to tell her just a few days before her passing that we were expecting a new little bundle. She was so happy to hear the news. I know that when my next baby shower comes, she won't be there or even show up late like she did to Boo Boo's, curlers and all, but I will feel in my heart that she will know about this precious child and she would have loved it just as much as she did my others. Aunt Sandy I hope you knew just how much I loved you and always will. Thank you for the memories.

This and That

1. Seems the last few days have been filled with summer fun. Not much going on around our little farm, but the usual. The thing we have done the most is all of us pile on our 4-wheeler and take rides every evening and look for deer. We usually take back roads to the park and let the kids play and then before it gets too dark we head back home to see if we can spot any of God's beautiful wildlife. The kids get so excited as we spot a deer maybe standing on a pond bank, in the middle of the country road or jumping over a fence. Boo Boo will say, "GO?" after they run off and then he always wants to see more.

Margaret and OB are out right now riding the 4-wheeler out in our field. They love having the freedom to be out in the field without worrying about anything, just being together, riding, and talking.

2. We are so excited for today I made my 1st doctors appointment. I feel that God has really led us in the right direction. I feel this experience will be a good one and the people I have talked to this morning have made me feel so comfortable about the decision I have made. We will be going to a new doctor and a different hospital, but all in all I'm so excited.

3. Margaret has been such a joy the last few days. She is so anxious for the baby to get here. She makes sure she takes time to come and kiss my stomach every day. We talked last week about how it was the week either the baby would develop boy parts or girl parts and she immediately got down by my belly and said, "Please be a girl, Please be a girl." She just cracks me up. Last week she came in and ask me if she could go out to the field by herself. I finally gave in and told her not to be gone too long. She was gone for awhile and came back carrying me a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers. I ask her what she had been doing and she said praying and having quiet time. She then told me she had sang Happy Birthday to Grandma Miller since that would have been her birthday. Words cannot express just how much I love my baby girl.

4. Koleby made huge progress today. It was time to put up all of our laundry and we have to remind him to do his, but today as we were gathering up our things to take to our rooms we couldn't find him. Big Daddy hollered for him and sure enough he was already out in his room working away. So needless to say he got lots of high fives, hugs, and kisses. He has been trying so hard to keep his room nice and neat. But it seems so hard for him since he would rather dig and find different toys to play with. I think it may have something to do with him being a normal 6 year old little boy, but my how I love him so.

5. Boo Boo is growing so fast. There's no way you could even write down all the funny things he does in a days time. His favorite place is on the island in the kitchen, his favorite food is vienna sausages. Sometimes he thinks things are "sausome" and then sometimes he just want you to shut up. (don't think he doesn't get in trouble for saying that) He loves for me to "pike" his hair and when he sees himself in the mirror he says "OOOOH." I can't believe that he will be two here in a few months, time goes by so fast.

6. Once again, I can say how blessed I am. I should never complain about what I don't have when I can look around at the precious souls right here in this house and know just how much God has richly blessed me.

Could God Really Bless Us More?

This was the question I asked at the end of my last post and the answer is yes, yes, yes!! I have been keeping it in the secret for the last week or so and my secret is that we are going to have another baby! I can't believe it! Sometimes it absolutely amazes me that God would entrust another little miracle to me and big daddy. I spend countless hours wondering whether it will be a dainty little girl or a rough and tumble little boy. Will it look like Margaret, OB, or Boo? Sometimes it doesn't even seem real quite yet, but then whenever my belly starts getting that queasy feeling again, I'm reminded just how real this really is. We have so prayed for this to be the Lord's will and I truly believe it is since the time the baby came to me was within days of my precious grandma going to heaven. Somehow I believe that she was there to pick out just the perfect baby to send my way and I wonder if it won't have alot of her qualities. I don't know, we'll just have to wait and see.

I'm sure the following months will include lots of different feelings and emotions, but I know that I can rest in the Lord in knowing that this is all his plan and that he so wants to bless our family with another child to hold. Ain't God Good!

Oh Me Oh My - It's the 4th of July

This has been a roller coaster ride of a day. It first started off with finding out that our dear friend Jim had finally lost his battle with cancer. Bless his heart, he and his family fought the battle until the very and end with such dignity. I can't even imagine how their hearts are aching tonight, but it's nice to know that he is resting in the arms of our precious Lord who will send his angels to comfort the family and all of their friends. I was privileged to be able to go out and be with family for awhile and clean up their kitchen for them, seems that's always been what I liked to do while visiting their home. (not that it needed it) I just wanted to pitch in and help them in anyway I could.

Then Big Daddy and all the babies and myself took off and went to Houston and met Nana and Pappy at KFC for a bite of lunch. All these times are so special to me, I cherish each and every minute I'm able to have with my parents, not only are they my parents, but they're our best friends too. We then made our happy way to Walmart to look for the kids new fishing poles. A trip to Walmart is enough to fill the day no matter what we are going to get.

After getting Boo Boo to sleep and traveling home, it was time for a 4-wheeler ride and picnic out in the country with who else, but nana and pappy. We went to our picnic spot to only find out that others were already having a bar-be-que there so we ventured out a little further in the country and set beside the road and had our supper. These times are worth more than millions of dollars to me. I love each and every time we do this. Momma laughed when we finally got back and said that she felt like she had been riding a bull on the way home, since their 4-wheeler was cutting out on them. She's so funny, she cracks me up!

The day then just kept going on after making it home, having a family pick up, then it was time to move onto fishing at our own pond. (That's sounds so good to say our own pond) It was so much fun. I think the kids caught 15-20 little fish! Boo-Boo caught his very first fish and he was so excited. Kassi and myself made a huge step in becoming farm girls, we both learned how to put worms on the hooks. If you don't know us, then you should know that this was a HUGE accomplishment for the both of us.

After everyone came in and took hot baths, it was just a nice time to sit down and remember all the fun things that took place today. We are so blessed to live in the country we do and we are so blessed to have the most precious family anyone could ever ask for. Could God really bless us more?

You Make Me Happy!! Yeah!!!

For my 1st post I decided to list a few things that make me happy. Margaret was out in her bedroom listening to that song and it made me sing along and think of all the things little and big that make me so happy!

1. My wonderful husband - He's the most wonderful man anyone could ever ask for. He spends every waking minute thinking of more ways to make me happy. I love you my knight in shining armor.
2. My daughter, Miss Kassidi (aka Margaret). She is an absolute joy. She is so funny and loves to talk nonstop, but that's okay, I always have time to listen.
3. My oldest son, Koleby (aka OB). He is all boy, rough, loud, and rowdy, but is the most tenderhearted child. He always wants to fix everything that is broken and make everyone happy.
4. My baby boy, Kyan (aka Boo Boo). All I can say is that he is a delight. From morning to evening he makes me smile. He's very ornery, but he is so precious. He loves to be outside and be in the wa wa. (water)
5. My home. I love my home, my little piece of heaven is what I call our little farm. We love it here and feel so blessed to have my daddy's little farm that he has treasured so.
6. My family. I have the greatest family ever. We have always been a closely knitted family and I cherish all the fun times we still have together.
7. My church family. We have been blessed these past few months with such a special group of people to come together and worship with. God is doing amazing things in our church and I'm so happy about that.
8. My heritage. I'm so blessed to have a heritage in which serving the Lord is the most important thing in the world.
9. My camera. I love my camera!!! It definitely makes me happy. When I'm the happiest is when I am taking pictures of my children. I love it!
10. My collections. I have had many collections over the years, from stuffed animals, aprons, blue willow, pink willow, willow tree angels, beanie babies, bearington bears, boyds bears, the list could go on and on. I love being able to go out and yard sale and look for little goodies.
11. Last but not least, My Savior. I would not be who I am or be where I am at without the Lord. He has so richly blessed me with all that I have. I'm so thankful for the life I have in him. It's not always the easiest way, but it's the best.

So now you can see why I am so happy!! So here goes, You make me happy, yeah - You make me feel the way I do. You make me happy, yeah!!!