Let the Present's Begin

This year we have presents to open 5 days in a row. We started today! Nana, Papa, Mimi, and Pa went together and got the kids a trampoline. Arthur and Joel spent the day sneaking around and putting it together. They did a great job. The kids had no idea even with them being in the backyard. Of course Joel, Arthur, and I tried it out while the kids were having quiet time.
Everyone wanted to get to see the kids when the saw the trampoline,so we had a get together early so that everyone could be there. The kids were so EXCITED!

Broncitis for Chirstmas

One Wednesday Kase had been coughing for about a week, so I took him into the Doctor. He has Brochitis. Kase isn't feeling his best, but he also doesn't feel too bad. The bad thing about Bronchitis is Steroids. Those things just do weird t.hings to you.

Kase has turned into a non-stop, go, go energizer bunny. He's driving everyone crazy. It wouldn't surprise me if he breaks a bone before we're done with this medicine. He has a huge bruise on his leg and a swollen finger we thought at first "might" be broken.

He is spending his day climbing on furniture and jumping off. It crazy Kase days at our house.

Guess What Daddy!

Last week while at Wal-mart finishing up the ECI Christmas presents Arthur pointed out a basket of golf balls that he would like to have. This was great with me, because I needed one more gift for him. So, a few days later I was finishing up my last few gifts with Kase in tow. I flew into Wal-mart, grabbed the gift and headed home to do a little wrapping.

So, after nap, after picking kids up from school, and lots of play time Arthur came home from work. Kase promptly told him that we bought him golf balls at Wal-mart today. So much for the surprise.

It's Over!

Five months ago when I started working at ECI the words "Christmas Party" were said in hushed voices by everyone who worked there. Well it was TONS of work but it is finally over and I can have my life back. It was snowballs of fun. The kids made snowman ornaments, played in the snow, had snowball fights, colored snow pictures, had snacks, and took pictures with Santa. It was big, it was crazy, but most importantly it was over. On Monday Kase an I are going to the mall and play.

Busy Weekend!

Early Saturda morning my family and I headed up to my work at ECI to wrap all 120 gifts that have been collected off the trees. (just about 30 more to go) Everyone helped and we got done in about 2 hours.

The we all loaded in the car and headed to Dallas to meet some old friends of Arthur's. One high school friend and one college friend. Arthur had some good fun catching up with friends and the kids and I enjoyed visiting Aunt Julia.

It was a full and good weekend, but it feels a little like I need a weekend now to feel rested and pre-pared for the week.

Bebo Update!

Tiffani and Stephen won the Bebo contest. Thanks to anyone who linked and voted for them.

Updates!

-There is no word yet on the Bebo contest.

-The bank robber turned herself in after the police released her photograph to the media. Turns out she is also responsible for a robbery in Austin.

-The ECI Christmas tree is doing well. We still have about 50 gifts left to be purchased with about a week and a half left to go. It is amazing to me how generous people are. Some of kids have gotten really wonderful gifts.

Five Minutes

Today, on my knees, I thank God for my family.

Yesterday, I had a lot on my to do list. Arthur decided to help me out and run some of my errands for me. He grabbed the girls and headed out yesterday morning. The grocery store was one of the stops on the list. For the most part the trip was uneventful (as uneventful as shopping with kids can be.) Arthur noticed a lot of activity at the bank while they were there, but nothing much other than that.

Some times there are five minutes in your life that "could" or "do" change the direction of your life forever. Some days I wonder how many of those pass us by while no one, but God and his angels, know that the moment has even passed. While Arthur, Ally, and Samantha were shopping the bank in the grocery store they were at was robbed by a women who said she had a remote control bomb in her bag. The robbery took less than five minutes. No one was injured and the woman got away with an unknown amount of money. Arthur and the girls were even on that side of the store.

I thank God today that those five minutes where no more to us than a Dad who was getting really tired of his wife list (which had many unusual item on it), and two kids who had already ask 100 times if they could go home.

You can read more at in the Abilene Reporter News.

Bebo Contest!

My friend Stephen and Tiffani Corbett made a video to enter a contest. The winner win a trip to Tennessee to a Bebo contest. GO VOTE FOR THEM! Go here and there video is the second one.

No more Bebe'

We named Samantha thinking we would call her "Sam." However Ally called her 'Mantha and it stuck. Once Kase came along her called her Bebe'. I have no idea how he got that from Samantha, but he did and so that's what she's been.

However that last couple of days he's changed and has started calling her Samantha. While he's excited that he's can say that big word, I'm a little sad that he's gotten so big. I still remember when Ally went from Aunt Befry to Aunt Bethany.

Thanksgiving

We had a great holiday at Arthur's parents here in town. I spent Thanksgiving morning cooking. Patty makes the bulk of the the meal, so after I made my items I was supposed to bring I thought I'd make a few extra treats. Once we made it out the door it had started snowing. The kids were so excited. The cool part was we actually got enough to play in. It was such a fun Thanksgiving treat!

Of course we spent the day planning our strike plan for Black Friday. Aunt Julia and I were up and at the stores at 4:00 on Friday. I know most of you think I'm crazy, but I love the day after Thanksgiving crazy morning shopping. I got everything I had wanted to pick up. (even the cheap electronic item from Best Buy)

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving too!

ECI Christmas Tree

Well right now at work I'm right in the middle of the biggest part of my job, The ECI Client Christmas Party. We have a little over 200 children in our program and we need a Christmas gift for every one of them. So, we set up one of those "angel trees" (ours actually has differnt Christmas shapes on it.) On Monday, I set up that trees. So, if you buy a gift for a child here in Abilene off those trees head to the SOUTHSIDE WALMART to buy a gift.

Disposable Society

It's amazing to me how much we throw away. When you buy a new toy you throw half a tree away just getting it out of the package. Recently I have been having some computer problem.s (I've mentioned them a few times) I have had an interim computer, but it really didn't allow me to do everything I needed.

As always when I develop a computer problem I tried to get my computer savvy hubs to fix it. When he failed he tried to get his computer friends to fix it. When all that failed we headed into the shop to get the Geek Squad involved. Just to get an estimate it was going to be $129. Then if what the guy thought was wrong with it, it was going to be over $400 to fix. Which is about what the thing cost in the first place.

So, here I am sitting on my couch with a new computer, because it cost just $100 more to buy a brand new computer, and if your going to spend that much money you want it to last a few years.

The truth is the new computer is nicer than the old one, but I just didn't need one. The other worked fine up until the point of "the problem." I really just think they make things to be disposable now. My computer was not quite two years old the the geek guy said "well with a computer this old they may no even have the parts anymore."


It really just seems like a waste of money to buy a computer, but the reality it more wasteful to spend the money on a computer that may have another problem in a month or so.

The good news is I should be back able to post pictures on the blog! So, pictures will be up soon.

Webkins

The girls in my house are totally addicted to Webkins. Webkins is a cute online game where "your pet" can play with pets of other real kids. So here is my problem. The girls are always adding kids they do not know to their friends list. The game only allows "scripted" conversations, so there is no way my kids can divulge any personal information. The game allows you to choose what to say from a predetermined list of phrases. It doesn't seem to me that there is anyway some predator could track them in this game. So, it seem to me they could be allowed to add as many friends as they want. However,I have a friend however who only lets them add kids they know. Let me know what you think. So, let me know what you think, does anybody know something about this game that I don't?

Catching Up!

Things have been really busy out our house lately, just like yours I'm sure. Last weekend was Ally's birthday, she got an ipod. She has a new permenant attachment. Have you ever watched a musical, and thought life is not really like this people just don't break into some. Well life is really like that and it's called Ally. Ally loves music it's part of who she is. Now it can be who she is and I don't have to hear it.

Abilene Christians Homecoming was this weekend. The girls got mums, cheered with the cheerleaders, and ate ate tailgate supper hotdogs. It was lots of fun. I'd post picture, but I still can't do that.

ACU also had homecoming this weekend. It was my ten year reunion....No I didn't go. I also did not go to my highschool reunion. It's just not my thing.

No Fun Play Day

Well I had my second Polk-a-Dot Playgroup today and I only one kido show up. So that's a little disappointing.

Better new though....Tonight is ditto's shopping

Cute Pictures!

I have wanted to post pictures for week, but I am still on the extra computer. My sister-in-law did it for me. So go check out my bubba and his cute little cousin over at Us and Our little one.

Excuse Me! I am standing here!

Has anyone noticed that when you at the check out making a transaction you can't even get your change in your purse without the person behind you almost pushing you out of the way.

Today the kids and I did an after Wal-mart run. There were a number of empty lines, but we chose to wait a little, so the kids could play on the toys while I checked out. I don't normally do this but I had cheap pumpkin cups and bowls I was trying to hide for a special October movie night. So, after it's our turn I let the kids go to the toys and I scoot up just a little more than normal so I can keep a good eye on them. The lady behind me puts her wallet and bag on the check-out. You know that little place they have for you so you can fill out your check. I mean I can't hardly get to the card slidy thing. The checker hadn't even done two bags worth of my stuff. That lady stood there the entire time while the checker did all of my groceries.

I know I should have said excuse me or something, but I just kept thinking when I need to pay she'll move....she didn't. So, my question is how do you deal with rude people out in public. Do you let it go, or do you say something?

Pizza Day!

Today was Pizza Parlor Play day! I was so nervous that nobody would show up. I had a dream last night that I forgot to bring any pizza boxes.

Everything went great! I had nine kids, which is a good size for a playgroup, but not so large that we can't add more. I was really happy with how everything turned out. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and acted like they would come back next week.

Kase came with me, and he did great too. I knew he'd have a good time, but was a little worried that while I was telling stories or helping others he'd have some need my mommy trouble. (he's been having a little trouble with throwing fits, and one right in the middle of the pizza poem would have been bad) Kase had tons of fun, and didn't want to leave when Dad came to get him.

Whirlwind Weekend

The weekend is over and it was a crazy one. We started the weekend early, with the girls getting out of school at 11:30. (ACS gets out early the last day of the six weeks) We spent the afternoon doing work for ABC with three kids in tow and deciding what Ally was going to do for her birthday. It's less than two weeks away, and we are unusually know weeks ago. She decided on the new paint your own pottery place. So, that should be fun in a couple of weeks.

Friday night we went to the balloon glow. It was a little disappointing this year. There were only 3 balloons up. I thought it might be because of the wind but they were giving tethered balloon rides, so it was a little weird. We watch the kites and let the kids do a few games. The kids had a good time anyway.

I spent all day on Saturday doing Dittos. There were a ton of safety pins still at the store when I went Sat. morning, so I am assuming a ton of other people spent there weekend doing the same. On Sunday our church had celebration Sunday, which included a concert by Amy Stroup. She was really fun to listen to, but they were not selling CD's which I thought weird, seeing as the girl used to go to Southern HIlls. If anyone else wanted to get one she's on itunes.

Sunday afternoon I helped the first grade teacher clean her room, and the evening was spent finishing dittos up.

Maybe we can start finding down time during the week. Ha, ha not likely.

The Good.....The Bad.....The Ugly!

The Good- Ally is not allergic to the cat, or much else for that matter. She is slightly allergic to a couple of weeds and dust. So, allergies are not affecting her breathing.

The Bad- She is only breathing at 73% of normal, and at times as little as 49%. She doesn't have allergies, but she DOES have significant asthma problems.

The Ugly- Ally is going to have to go one allergy medication daily for an indefinite amount of time.

Allergies!

Ally has had asthma since she was a toddler, but over the last year she has really had trouble. So.... On Monday she is going to the Allergy doctor to have the dreaded allergy test. She is really worried about it. I don't think it'll be too bad, because I don't think she allergic to everything. What I am really worried about is that she is allergic to the cat. If she has a serious allergy to the cat and we had to get rid of her it would just break her heart. She really loves that cat. She thanks me almost every day that I let her get her and we have had the cat for 8 months.

The Big Presentation!

Today I made my big presentation to the entire staff about my new Polk-a-Dots and Playing-Tots play group. I came prepared with the October newsletter announcement, and follow up announcements for the individual days. It went really well, and I think everyone is excited about it.

The first play day is going to be "Pizza Parlor Fun." I am going to have centers set up so that the kids can take pizza orders, make pizza, box pizza, and deliver pizza. After they are all done playing we will make real pizza. I really think it's going to be a lot of fun.

Now as long is some people show up for the play group everything will be great.

Mama Bear

Tonight I seriously considered punching and 8 year old......

Just for fun we headed out to the ACU football game. We had nothing better to do, the kids like it, and we get in for free. There were a ton of people there, so the kids had a number of friends to play with. Our kids met up with some friends and they began to play and holler at some kids down bellow the bleachers. While I'm watching the game I am keeping an eye on them while they are messing around. After about an hour this boy (about 8) came all the way up the bleachers and hauled off pushed Ally and then kicked her. I have never seen this child before, and I pretty sure the girls did not know him either.

I am telling you I came out of my seat, vaulted over the other spectators, in order to aid my daughter and her friend.

Now mind you Ally was not hurt, but I felt pretty sure someone should punch this kid out for PUSHING MY DAUGHTER! Fortunately for this kid his face was covered in fear, and it somewhat helped me regain control of myself. He stammered out some sad little excuse for pushing, and I pretty much told him I don't care you do not physically touch someone else. He pretty much got out of their as fast as he could.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was my birthday, and it was a good day. I got the cutest little red polk-a-dot flip flops. (my hubby took me shopping, and I picked them out) He also brought me flowers and took me to lunch at Fugi (one of my favorites.) Last night my in laws took me to Red Lobster, another one of my favorites. I had a wonderful time having dinner with my family. We even had cake back at the house, which this girls made sure was covered in candles.

What do you think?

POLK A DOTS AND PLAYING TOTS! Doesn't that sound like a great play group name. My good friend Anne Jones came up with it. I am going to present it to my boss on Monday.

Cross Your Fingers!

In just a little over a week I will have been at my job for two months. If everything goes well this next week I will also be officially done with my training. I still have a few visits, online training, and CPR left.

So, Hopefully in a little over a week I'll start my REAL job. The first thing I'd like to do is start a playgroup on Wed. mornings, and I need a name. That's were you guys come in. Give me your ideas! I need something catchy!

Sick Computer!

My computer is not doing to great. It needs to go see the computer specialist. Art's the regular computer Dr., but he says we need a specialist, so my computer using is having to be short and sweet. So, I thought I'd give yout the short cut version of all the blogs I've thought about writting.

1. Both girl lost more teeth. Ally's top two are missing and Samantha's bottom two are missing. (wouldn't you like to see the cute picture sorry that might send my computer into a TOTAL meltdown)

2. All told me they studied the scripture Problems 22 in school.

3. Yesterday when I woke Kase up he was so tired and really trying to wake up. He told me in a very sad little voice, I can't open my eyes.

4. The girls got new webkins today so that is going to be our labor day fun.

Letting Go!

Edits in BoldSince I have added this new job my life has gotten very hectic. So, the time has come to let a few things go! There are three items currently on the chopping block.

Item one: I've been doing few six, and the people I've been doing it for are going to be very disappointed to be given it back. I will no longer be finding babysitters for the women's ministry. So, I'm so sorry for those of you who teach those classes, and will be picking up the slack. Teaching a class is already a time counsuming job in itself.

Item two: I've been doing for two years, and quit frankly not doing a great job but no one else wants the job. Arthur and I will not longer be our Sepherding Group leaders. September will be our last time to organize the group.

Item three: This one benefits me probably more than the owner, but I may be going to. I probably will not be working working dittos. This one is a little harder to give up for me, and I haven't decided. The will probably be someone waiting to fill my shoes, but I really enjoy this. While the other I dreaded telling other people, I don't really want to give this one up.

I would tell you what the item were, except those people who are going to be greatly disappointed don't know yet. Reading my blog might not be the best way to find out.

So send up a little pray for me that I am brave enough to follow it all the way threw.

Back to School!

Yesterday morning the girls lonaded up their backpacks and headed off to school. They were very excited, and both had a great day. Ally has a four new students in her class, so she has some new friends to get to know. Samantha's best friends wasn't planning on returning, but at the last minute did. Her whole year has been salvaged.

While it was the girls first day of school it was Kase's first day to stay with the babysitter without the girls. We left a very sad little boy, wearing his backpack at the door. The sitter assured me that sad face did not last long.

On the Go!

We have had a really busy weekend. Friday we drove to Early for one of my good friends weddings. We had a good time seeing all our friends. We got home really late about 11:30. We got up and on our way to Dallas the next morning for my brothers baby shower. (Their little one is due in October) We had a fun time with cousin Jaycie. Kase had a great time at the shower, can't you tell in this picture that he's having fun at a baby shower?


On Sunday we were up and at church by 7:00 a.m. The good news is that Mimi and Pa met us for lunch and stayed around for a couple of day. The took all the kidos to Frontier Texas and then to lunch at Chuckie Cheese, while I was at work. There were some sad faces when Mimi and Pa loaded up and headed back to Colorado.


Today we headed to the pool for our last day for freedom. The girls go back to school tomorrow for the year. The back backs are ready and clothes being picked out. Although we had an extra couple of week it seems like the summer just flew by.

New Job

Lot's of people have been asking how my new job is going, so I thought I'd give an update. I've, officially been working for a month, and I AM STILL TRAINING. It's hard to get and idea of what the real job will be like just yet. The group I work for goes on visit with children in their homes and I have to observe 15 hours of these. The problem is I have to get with the 6 coordinators find out when there visits are then find a sitter for the kids. Since I'm not in the office everyday, I at the mercy of email and hoping they check theirs in time to give me notice. I also still have driver training, first aid, and infant CPR to attend........ So, all that to say I'm still training and will let you know how the job is going when I actually start it.

I want spikey!

Kase now has an opinion about his hair. He has woken up 3 days this last week saying "I want spikey." He is referring to his hair. This was on Sunday morning, and I think all the attention he got from it at church got him wanting it all the time. All those sweet little old ladies telling him how cute he is went to his "spikey" head. The problem is it's already getting a little longs for "spikey."

Tooth Fairy Fun!

The tooth fairy has had a busy week at our house. Samantha lost her very first tooth! She has been waiting forever to get a loose tooth. She was so excited to put her tooth under her pillow.

Ally lost her top tooth. She has a big gaping hole in the front. The one right next to it is loose, so that gap might get even bigger.

Exercise Your Brain!

I have recently been reading a book that encourages moms to exercise their brains. While watching kids and taking care of your kids is hard work, it's not always deep brain stuff. I've had two jobs that I've had for several years, and I use my brain but it's more right brain things. It a lot easier to use the right side.

Well, I have a new job and it involves a lot of left side of the brain stuff It makes me tired. I think I'll like my new job, but it's been three weeks and I am STILL training. If I ever get to the real job I'll let you know if I like it.

On the bight side I got my first pay check, so that's always good.

New Job!

It is offical I have a new job. I am the new Family Activities Coordinator for ECI Advancing Babies Chances. (a program that is a part of the Betty Hardwick Center) Before you ask, no I am not quiting any of my other jobs. If you count the house cleaning job I have. it brings the grand total of part time jobs to 4. I know I will be very busy, but I am very exciting about this new opportunity.

Basically I will be setting up family activities so that the families in the program can meet each other. (It could be a story night or a speaker talking about children nutrition) I think it's a job that I can do well and much of the work I can do from home.

The funny thing is this seems like such a "real job." Isn't that funny. I mean I have three other jobs that pay real money. Although my job is only 12 hours a week it's a pretty big company and everything is very official. The two nursery jobs I have now are very laid back. I start training in a couple of weeks and just the training is going to take a couple of weeks! I have to take defensive driving, computer training, CPR, and new employee training. Wow! That's a lot of stuff. I don't mind the training I just seems like such a big deal.

I think it's a great program and I'm really glad I'll be working there.

WHAT!

What! That is Kase's new word. When he really doesn't like what you have to say (like it's nap time) he says, "what?" I mean if he doesn't understand what you saying he doesn't have to do it right. He says it 4 or 5 time before he will give it up. This is that face that he make when he says it.

Aren't They Cute!

Mimi and Pa sent us some new really cute "matching" clothes in the mail from Colorado. So, today we cleaned up, dressed up, and brushed our hair and headed to ACU to take some pictures. The girls had a good time modeling. Kase however had other ideas. He asked if I was all done after each and every shot. I never got a great one with him in it, but I think the ones of the girl turned out great. Kase after a very short time refused to wear the little plaid shirt he has on in one of the pictures. Apparently it wasn't the fashion statement he wanted to make. He made it very clear he does not wear two shirt, one is all a boy needs.

Bible Bookmarks

I am always looking for good ways to bring "Bible time" into our family. The summer is always a great time to start new habit, because of all the free time we have on our hands. So, this summer the kids and I are reading the scripture using Bible Bookmarks.

The bookmarks have a new scripture or passage to read each day Mon.-Fri. that all apply to the same subject, like kindness or self control. It also has additional questions on Wed. and Fri. to help you along in you study. The kids have really enjoyed these book marks and it's a great time to talk about God. The kids comments and questions have just been so amazing.

The good news about these bookmarks is they are so cheap. They just cost 11 cents a piece. I got the whole summer's worth for under $10. Half of what I paid was shipping, so if you go together with a friend it would be even cheaper.

Camping Fun

It's been forever since I've posted, and I've missed posting lost of Brant happenings. Our camping trip was a few weeks ago, but I didn't want to miss having on the blog. We had such a great time. (I had more pictures but blogger wouldn't let me load them) We got there Friday evening and set up camp. We slept in a tent for the first time. Everyone went fishing and everyone caught fish. The pond at Buffalo Gap state park is great for kids to catch fish. Once it got dark we headed back to camp and saw tons of lightning bugs. There's just something magical about those bugs. Once the fire was built we roasted hot dogs, and of course had smores. On Sat. we did more fishing, rode bikes, and went swimming at the pool. We saw all kinds of animals. An armadillo came poking around our campsite, and so did raccoons. There was a pretty heavy rain the first night, but it wasn't any problem. The girls kept track of how many fish everyone caught, as well as what kind of animals and bugs everyone saw.

Kindergarten Graduation!

Samantha graduated from kindergarten last week. The school had a sweet little program with the kindergarten kids and 5th grade. Samantha proudly marched across that stage and graduated. Before the program they had a reception in the classroom for the kids. They each got a graduation teddy bear, a blue star cookie, and a framed picture. The picture included a drawing she had made of what she want to be when she grows up (a mom), a graduation picture, and her signature. We now have a very excited first grader.

Finger!

If you want to keep you finger then you should STAY AWAY from our house. Lase week we had finger x-ray, and this week smashed fingers. Saturday Samantha smashed her finger in the car door. OUCH! I mean the door was closed and her finger was still in there. It's her thumb, so there's not much they can do even if the tips broke off. The problem is that it just kept filling up with blood. We had to go today so that he could poke a hole in the fingernail with a hot paperclip. It's just not a good month for fingers in the Brant house hold.

Clean X-rays!

Well after all night and half a day of waiting the X-rays were clean. No fracture and no chipped bone. The lucky girl got to spend all day at work having a good time with mom. Her finger is big, fat, & bruised. It's nothing a little Tylenol won't fix.

What a Week!

Sunday- I spent most of the evening in the ER with a friends a her little boy. He smashed is finger in the car door and the had to remove the nail and sew it back on.

Monday- My parents left for Colorado. It was a VERY tearful day at our house.

Tuesday- Swim pool meeting. Yeah! Summer's almost here.

Today- Spent most of the afternoon and evening in the doctor's office and the ER. Ally little finger got smashed playing four square. Test results pending..... I'll let you know!

Results

Well I ended up spending most of Monday sitting in Doctor's offices. Samantha ended up home from church on Sunday, so I took her to the doctor on Monday. He said she "might" have a virus. So after spending all morning in the Dr. for Samantha we headed out for Ally's appointment for her ears.

The guy looked in Ally's ears, and said the look healthy, do another hearing test in a month to make sure there's no change. So, we paid the "specialist" to do what I'm pretty sure the family doctor could do.

So hear is where we stand. She has a slight hearing problem that we can do nothing about. We retest her again in a month if she has lost anymore hearing then there is nothing they can do about it and she will completely lose her hearing. (this is not something they expect, but has to be checked for because she shouldn't have hearing loss to begin with)

Because the dyslexia test was negative she need to be tested for auto processing disorder and Irlen's syndrome. The insurance will no pay for the auto processing disorder test, and the school will not test her for the Irlen's syndrome until 2nd grade.

I really feel like satan is blocking Ally's path every direction she goes. Please pray that the right doors will be opened for her. She is tired of test, and tired of stuggling so hard. For the most part she is doing well in school, but there is still just a lot of work for her.

Staying in the first grade was the right educational decision for Ally, but socially it has been hard. Her very best bud moved on without her at church, and the new first grade class. At school there is a "mean girl," that has made it very hard to feel comfortable at school. The problem is that no matter what I tell Ally she seeks the approval of this little girl. (so do all of the other girls in the class) The hard thing is that we are involved in some other activities that involve this little girl.

Busy Times

Tomorrow is Ally's appointment with the Ears, Nose, and throat specialist. Four weeks ago I thought this appointment was FOREVER away. Now it seems like it was just the other day that I thought we Can't wait that long. The last couple of weeks have been so busy...as I am sure you have noticed the absence in blogging. What I hope for this appointment is that we can get some answers to Ally's hearing, or a least a direction to go. It's seems like the last few years have been full of people saying yeah she has a problem, but we can't help you. So pray that this appointment goes well... I really don't know what to ask for. All I really know is that we have an appointment and we need to go.

Can't help you either!

Those of you who have followed our lives over the last year know that Ally has some trouble reading. She has been tested, tested, and tested. Her last test was for dyslexia. Just like every test she has had it came back that she is not dyslexia. It's not that I want her to have dyslexia.....I just want to be able to help her. Just like everyother person we have spoken to her thinks she "has a problem" it's just not dyslexia. So, now we have to find a new path to look down. This guy gave me a few leads, but ideas is really all they are. Her appointment with the ear, nose, and thoat guy is next week.

Did you know?

According to Samantha the Texas state bird is the Wood-Pickle.

May Farm

The mother's day out that I work for does a lot of really fun things for the kidos that go there. Today was my favorite day we have all year long. It was May Farm Day! Most of the kids are just crazy about all the animals. They had just had some new little goat born the oldest being just a week old and the youngest born yesterday. Kase was just crazy about all the animals. He tried to feed every single animals several times. He just loved it.

Give Away!

The ladies over at 5 minutes for mom are giving away a dyson vaccuum cleaner! Go over there and sign up. All you have to do is sign up on Mr. Linky and put a link to them on your blog.

1 Step Forward 2 Steps Back!

As most of you know Ally has struggled with reading since kindergarten. It seems that when ever we find something that helps we find another problem to over come. Last summer we made the very difficult decision to have Ally repeat the first grade. For a while Ally seemed to be doing much better, and for the most part still is. However about November I realised that while Ally's grades are good there is STILL just something missing. So, once again we started down the path to try and get her some more help.

I signed her up for everything I could find. My fist choice was to have her tested by a medical professional. However, after a two month debate our insurance refused to pay for it. While we were waiting for the insurance to turn us down I signed her up for a reading camp at McMurry and an learning evaluation by and ACU graduate student. While these are both good things they really aren't the real testing that she needs.

Finally the best news we could have gotten came it the mail. Ally has been approved to be seen by Scottish Rite! This is a hospital in Dallas that "are the best" at dealing with learning disabilities and all their services are free. The problem is that so many people want to go here that although Ally is approved to go here we won't get an appointment for months. They asked for some additional testing so we HAVE to go back to AISD. This is good and bad. We had a very bad experience with AISD and I was hoping to avoid them. The good new is that I have a direct letter from Scottish Rite requesting the correct test. That that seem to be helping me negotiate the red tape.

So her is the most recent blow. Ally failed a hearing screening at school. We went and had her tested and she is either on the low end of normal hearing or has a slight hearing loss. Translated that means her hearing is causing her trouble in school, but it's not bad enough to do anything about it. WHAT! Yes that what I said tough luck sorry you can't hear.

Spring Break!

Spring break at our house started this morning. This is a picture of the girls packed up and ready to go on a LONG trip. The real twist here is that Arthur, Kase, and I are NOT going with them. Mimi and Pa loaded up the girls and headed for Colorado this morning. The girls have been so excited about this trip they have have been barely able to contain themselves. They even got to miss an extra day of school wich just added to the excitement. My parents have spent a lot of time getting ready for this trip. They have a cabin in wood in Colorado. It's so "in the woods" that once you get to a certain point you must get out of you car and snow mobile the rest of the way in the winter. (it's a little community, but they just don't clear all the roads) My dad has bought sleds, and snowshoes. While my mom has bought warm boots, coats, and games for the car. Some of the snow shoes my Dad bought make bear and dinosaur tracks. I think everyone will have a wonderful time.

Living in the middle of Texas snow is not something we see a lot of. My kids will for the first time make a snowman taller than three inches without using ALL if the snow in the WHOLE yard. When they make a snow angel you won't be able to see the grass, or cement beneath. I grew up with snow (just enough to play in) and I'm so glad they get to experience this.

Kase and I will be having a very laid back week. He will for sure miss his sisters, he made it clear to Mimi and Pa that he noticed their was no seat in the back seat for him. (I really thought Mom might cry) We made up for the missing trip by going to play with Kase's best buddy Jaxton at Chic-fil-a. What more can you asked for junk food, cool play place, and best friend. then we went and did a little dollar store shopping with no rush to pick the big kids from school. Kase got to walk and be as slow as he wanted. Now he is napping while I blog. We've had a wonderful relaxing day.

Hope everyone has a great spring break!

Phil, Annie, and Karen

I had said I would post more about the conference, so here it is.

Phil Vischer's talk was the most inspiring talk I heard at the entire conference. (the part I was there for anyway) He has a new book Me, Myself, & Bob, and I think his talk was probably very similar to the book. Once I get the book and read it I'll let you know. Basically he gave a fall from grace story, and his learning that keeping God the most important thing in you life was important. If you don't know the story.... Phil created Veggie tales, which became a huge success, but he lost the company because of a law suit. Phil stated that God could have saved him from all of that heart ache but he didn't. He basically said that when you have a wonderful dream come true, and you loose that dream, it might be that God wants to know what's more important to you the dream, or Him.

I really took this to heart because I am a Big Idea person. If you give me some little thing I try to make it huge. The thing is God doesn't need everything to be big so that he can use it. He just needs our heart to be his.

The Annie Moses Band also performed that day. They were awesome. If you are anywhere near them when they tour you should go see them. The entire band is made up of one family. Parents and grown kids. They are kind of like a cross between "the devil went down to Georgia," and the symphony.

I also went to a workshop done by Karen Henley. She has written a book called Child-Sensitive Teaching. It's about how children's faith is developed. It was a very eye-opening experience. For example when a child is 4 or 5 they are developing an initiative and if they are not able to they develop a since of guilt instead. This development begins at birth and continues as they grow up.

No Ringy, No Dingy

Lakita Garth was the first speaker I heard at my conference, she is an teen abstinance speaker. She is an advisor to a lot of people including the president. She was an incredable speaker, and it was very eye opening.

-Today 42,000 people will contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
-2/3 of them will be under the age of 25.
-About 50% of the entire sexually active single adult population has at least one STD
-STD's accounted for 87% of all cases among the top ten most frequently reported infections in the U.S. during 1997
-About 750,000 unmarried teens will become pregnant
-It is estimated that 20% of all Americans over the age of 11 are infected with genital herpes
-Almost 4,000 abortions will be performed today

Oh my goodness! Let's just say I changed my opinion about the new Texas HPV vacine! More people die of cervical cancer cause by HPV than AIDS. Lakita Garth has written a book called The Naked Truth. I am going to read it. If you have children getting into the Tween years I would check it out.

The rest of the story!

My trip turned out to be a little more eventful than I would have liked. I took me 34 hours to get to San Diego, 21 of those hours I was either on a plane or in the airport! It was a really long two days.

Once I got up and got to the Airport (promptly at 5:20 a.m.) I found out that all the morning flights to San Diego were cancelled. So my 6:30 ticket was no good. She re-booked me on a 2:00 flight, so there was no way I was making that 1:00 workshop. The girl at the ticket booth said if a new flight made I could try and get on stand-by and get out earlier. So, I spent much of the morning waiting in line and checking to schedule to see if a new flight had formed. Since I had arrived so early to the airport to make my "canceled" flight, I got on the standby list pretty close to the top. I knew it would separate me from my bag, but I still was concerned that the flight I was booked on could get delayed or cancelled. Flights all around me did not seemed to be doing well. Once flight was cancelled because it's windshield on the plane shattered, if you were trying to get to Las Vegas there were 172 people stand-by list, most people didn't have any kind of ticket that guaranteed them a fight before several days, if they had one at all. By the time I got onto the 11:30 stand-by fight I had been issued 4 different tickets to San Diego. Once I got to San Diego I had to wait for my bag....the problem with that is that they LOST the bag. So, I headed onto the hotel with no clothes, make-up, or cell phone charger. Once I got to the hotel THEY GAVE MY ROOM AWAY!

However, I did get there just in time to go the the general session to hear Lakita Garth, the Gateway worship team, and Dennis Lee. Let me just tell you it and the next day was worth it. I'll share about what I learned in the next couple of posts.

California Sun :(

I know you guy are imagining me enjoying the California sun. However, just envision a Texas dirt and wind storm. I made it to Dallas..... I started my trip with no hint of a problem. The flight from Abilene to Dallas was mostly empty with plenty of room to stretch out. Let's just say that was the last pleasant moment. Before we left Abilene the DFW stopped taking planes. We taxied back to the gate and waited and hour. We then made a VERY rough flight to Dallas. When we landed and my next flight was already boarding in a terminal far, far away. I made it to the plane and got on with just a few minutes to spare. We taxied out and waited for THREE AND HALF HOURS. All flights in and out of Dallas had been cancelled for the rest of the day. After another hour of waiting in line I have a ticket for a flight in the morning that leaves at 6:30 arriving in San Diego and 12:00 with a nice little stop in MISSOURI. I can't complain many of the other people didn't get a new flight and all, and many more had there luggage lost. My wonderful sister-in-law picked me up and are putting me up for the night. My sweet brother is getting me back to the airport at a very early 5:30.

Weekend Away!

This weekend Arthur's on his own. Once a year I go to a conference for work. I'll leave in the morning and not come back until Tuesday. So, those of you that go to church with me just ignore the kids hair on Sunday. The conference I go to is the Children's Pastor's Conference. It's a great conference Max Lucado and Phil Vischer are speaking this year and I am really looking forward to it. I'm in charge of the Nursery and I always come back with so many wonderful new ideas and a re-newed spirit.

On another note my 81 year old grandmother is in the hospital in Amarillo. She had a procedure today, and she had some trouble with it. Procedure cause some internal bleeding. They "think" she's okay now, but a few prayers on her behalf would still be appreciated.

Just Call Me Kandle!

What's your rap star name? Mine is Kandle the Funkstress! Arthur's was Boss E. I told him that just means he's Bossy. Go Here to get yours.

Are you?

Today one of my good friends at work told me how old she was. I was so surprised when she told me she was 10 years older than me. (love you girl) I wasn't surprised because I think her age is really OLD or anything, but because I had several friends this age a few years ago......

Several years ago I had some friends they I met with once in a while for our kids to play. I really enjoyed these ladies, but it was very clear to me that I would never be part of "the group," and it was because I was "young" (by about ten year) I have always had friends of all ages and just never really understood this. If I like to be around someone, then I like to be around them. Who care how old they are? No matter how had I tried I could never really over come this age thing with this group. So I was surprise not by how old she is, but by how inviting she has been to me regardless my age.

So, my question to you is: Are you and age snob?

Valentine's Day!

Well the girls woke up to breakfast in bed, which they thought was the best thing ever. Then they went to school where they ate candy all day and had parties, where even more sugar was consumed. Tonight we had a special birthday dinner for my mother-in-law. She has a valentine birthday. We had Chinese, and Racheal Ray cup cakes. The kids had fun trying to eat with chop sticks and reading their fortunes out of their fortune cookies. We also had a sugar free cheesecake for Papa. It's really was pretty good. If you need the recipe check-out the splenda web site.

That !@#% Cat!

So, today I was getting ready to clean-up my house.....(yes the Dittos throw-up is still here) My plan was just to make a path. Anyway I'm putting my ipod on and the cat thinks she NEEDS the cords hanging down from it. I threw her the Kermit doll she loves to play with and ignored her NEED for my ipod. However, she was not to be deterred. I feel this sharp pain in my tummy and the cat IS HOLDING ON TO ME WITH ONLY HER CLAWS!!!!!!! Can I just say that hurt!

One

Several of you have asked how my weight loss competion is going. This week I lost one whole pound. A little disapointing. My weakness really got me this week. Dr. Pepper. I did have two last week, and that seemed to be ok, however this week I wasn't quit as strong. I also had a bunch of other junk because I ran out of healthy stuff. I'll have to plan better next week. The good news is I not ready to throw in the towel yet, so that's a good sign.

It's Here!

Well almost everyone we know has had some kind of bug in there hows. I know people with the tummy bug, strep throat, and mono. Last night it came to our house. Ally threw up last night. It hit Arthur this morning, so lets hope it stops traveling thew the family.

Doing Fine!

We have had a couple on nights that were a little tough at our house, but everyone is back in their own beds. The girls seemed to be doing good after a couple of days of worrying. Samantha slept with me one night and lights on for a couple of nights. I think she is young enough that she doesn't dwell this little girl death. Ally keeps things to herself more, so it's harder to tell how she really is. She prays for this little girl each day when she pray, so I know it's still on her mind. While the kids seemed to be getting back to normal Dittos has thrown up all over my house.

Too Close to Home!

Just a few short days after celebrating Samantha's life another young child lost hers here in Abilene. A four year old little girl was stabbed to death by her brother in her home just last night. This afternoon I had to sit down with Samantha and tell her that her school friend had died. At a larger school I might have been able to shield Samantha from this by just avoiding the news, but the girls school is small. This little girl was a year younger than Samantha in school, but the kindergarten and pre-k are paired up for different activities. She also often played with this little girl at the gym I worked out at after school.

The world should be a place where you don't have to tell your six year old that her friend has been murdered. The tears flowed for a while at our house, and I'd imagine the school's teachers need you prayers tomorrow. This young girls class was small, just about 12 kids, her absence will be a gaping hole I'm sure. I just can't imagine trying to make it through a day of pre-k kids with questions, when all I wanted to do was cry.

Please pray for these teachers, children, and the family this involves.

Time to Party!

Samantha's birthday was last week, but we celebrated with a party this weekend. There were tons of kids there, and everybody had a great time. Samantha's ran from equipment to equipment, and friend to friend all night. She was so excited that it was her party. It's just so hard for me to believe she's six.

One Week Down!

I am one week into my weight loss competition. I lost 2 pounds. I did pretty good this week, not super great but not too bad. There are definitely some things I can improve.
This week my goals are to:
Eat a more healthy dinner.
Take my vitamens (more than twice)
Drink more water.
Go to bed on time, so that I can get more sleep.

It's Finally Coming!

HARRY POTTER- JULY 31, 2007

Will you be the bookstore and midnight?

Happy Birthday Samantha!

Today Samantha turns six! There is no child that gets more excited about their birthday. She talks about her birthday all year. (I mean all year) Samantha is stuck in the middle. Not big enough to do all the "cool stuff Ally can do, but not young enough to be the baby. She sometimes wishes to be the oldest and sometimes to be the youngest. Most of all Samantha is happy. She loves everything and everyone. Social butterfly could be her middle name. She knows everyone. At school she knows all the teachers names and what they teach. We we go to a football game she spends her times hopping around and visiting everyone from her friends to the teachers. She's not hard to please, because she loves everything,people want to know what she'd like for her birthday and as long as it's not a boy's toy she'll love it . The exception to this rule is food, unless its junk food she rather not eat it) Samantha happiness also makes her oblivious to many problems that may crop up. According to her all clothing items have no front or back, or right or wrong. She can be seen with shoes on the wrong feet, shirt or pants backward, and coat upside down. She could careless, if the clothes are on then what does it matter. The minute you comb her hair she look like she just woke up. She is too busy spreading sunshine to care about that kind of thing. Samantha's just a joy to be around.

100 Day of School!

Today was the 100th day of school at the girls school. Ally's class celebrated all day by doing all kinds of 100 things. They licked a sucker a hundred times, made a necklace with a hundred beads, hunted a 100 pieces of gum, and the list goes on. They released 100 balloons which was one of the most exciting things that they did.

Another favorite activitieswas lining up 100 cereal boxes and knocking them over like dominoes. It actually worked really well and was pretty easy to set up. We used the gym pretty quick to do it, but if we had a big place with more time it would have been fun to set them up in different shapes and knock them down. It was a very fun day.

That's Just Wrong!

I am a big Harry Potter fan. Just like everyone who is, I've read the books many times and am looking forward to the next movie. The trailer for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is out. Harry Potter got a hair cut. It's totally wrong. 1980's big bang, and short back cut. Go here and see for yourself. (You have to click on the order of the Phoenix to see the trailer.) It just isn't a Harry Potter cut.

It's time!

I have decided it's time to lose the baby fat. Since my youngest just turned two, I can't really use the just had a baby excuse. I do not have as much weight to lose as others, but all the weight I gain goes to my belly. There is a lot of heart problems in my family, so this is wieght I really need to get rid of to avoid serious health problem in the future. To help motivate me I joined the Giddy Up weight loss competition. I weighed in yesterday promptly at 2:00. You know that 1_6 was not a great number to see. There were a ton of people signing up, and they don't end until today. When I went in to work out today there seemed to still be a lot of people signing up. The competition goes by percentage lost instead of pounds lost. It last six weeks, until March 10th. If you win you get a whole day at the spa and a free membership to Hendrick.

My goal:
1. Drink more water.
2. Cut back on the Dr. Pepper
3. Eat breakfast (I never do this)
4. Cut out the junk food and eat healthier
5. Get more sleep
6. Exercise (I do really good for two weeks, then really bad for two weeks, I need to get consistant)

Protecting your child

A few days ago here in Abilene a four year old was killed while sleeping in her bed in a drive by shooting. All of my children's bedrooms are lined up across the front of our house. We of course live in a much safer neighborhood, and Arthur and I are not involved in any gangs. (I have no idea if this family was) Still I have for several days said special prays over my children with tears in my eyes while they sleep this week. How horrible to lay your child to sleep safely in there bed, and wake up to them murder in there sleep.

Since hearing this story I have tried to run interference and keep Ally away from the news. She is really interested in the news lately. She can really obsess about this kind of thing for months. She just really hold on to things in a way many other children would not. Today one of her friends told her the story at school. She of course asking all kinds of question, which tried to answer in away they she might still feel safe sleeping in her own bed. Sometime, it seems like no matter how hard you try you just can't protect you kids it just can't be done.

Young at Art

I've been reading this book Young at Art. It has some really great ideas about helping children learn art. However, according to this book I have not only ruined my kids chance of ever being able to write correctly I have also crushed their self worth. Great! Kase is saved if I start right now and Ally and Samantha are just out of luck.

You must never, ever under any circustances throw any art piece away. I mean that scrap of computer paper with two squiggles. You MUST keep it, and if you do not you are the most insinsitve parent there is. When I say every art piece I mean EVERY one. You know the ream of paper you child just went threw in 20 minutes. Keep every piece.

I am just kidding. I mean I would never let my kids see me throw their art work away, but I am just not keeping every piece. I cut pieces out of their art work and put it in the scrapbook. I might point out according to the author this tells my child that their art work was not good enough and I needed to alter it. We have a clothes lines on the wall in the kitchen were we display the kids art. Once it's too full to fit anymore we choose the pieces we a going to keep.

So what about youdo you keep every piece, or am I truely insinsitive.

Oh, and I wasn't kidding about the good ideas for helping kids learn about art. I just think it's went a little overboard.

Blast From the Past!

Nicole from All that Sassafrass tagged me!

*FUNNY*: Saddly enought this has happened since this post? Things to remember

*SERIOUS: A night in the hospital was a very had week for our family.

*UGLY*: Yuk! for sure.

*ALL ABOUT YOU*: Where did you come from.

I tag Jessica, Denise, and Paula

Now you see it, Now you don't!

Tonight:

Kase: Sucking on paci and sitting in mom's lap.
Mom: Go put you paci in your bed.
Kase: No.
Mom: Kase, (little louder voice) go put your paci in your bed.
Kase: Shoves paci down mom's shirt.

(I guess if Mom can't see it she won't know it's there?)

Cool Uncle Brad!

My brother, Brad, has always been one of my kids favorite people. They are always excited when we get to go and visit. One of there favorite things about Brad is "Tic Toc." The kids lay in the floor, throw their legs in the air, and he picks them up and swings them back and forth. When I say all the kids I mean it. Ally is heavy and he still picks her up and swings her. Uncle Brad is the only one who does this for the kids. They have thrown there feet in the air for almost every family member, who all say "I'm not Uncle Brad." Brad was here a little while ago, so Kase is now regularly throwing his legs in the air saying "Tic Toc." He's too young to know the Uncle Brad only rule.

Shout Out!

I installed site meter months ago, but I never really look at it much other than to see how many hits I've gotten. The last week or so I've been keeping an eye on the places were the hits come from. So, it turns out I have two percent from Guam. The cool thing is I know who this person is and had no idea she was reading. So, Evie if you reading email me some baby pictures. (i don't have your email, all I had before was your work address I think) So if you haven't check out your site meter (which I sure most of you blogging savvy people have) it's kinda fun. I mean 40 percent of the people who have read recently aren't even from the U.S. Which is pretty cool since I've never even left the country. (not even Mexico) I honestly assumed that no one really read my blog that I didn't know.... I mean I've only had like two people ever in the year I've been blogging post on my site that I didn't know. I am a huge lurker myself, so I just don't lure that many people to my site. Kinda fun.

Turning Two!

We celebrated Kase's birthday on Saturday, but today is really is sthe day he turn 2. Kase was born 4 years after Samantha, so I really got to enjoy him being a baby. The girls were big enough to help out a little and play on there own some, so I got to do a lot of baby holding. I really enjoyed having a baby again, even knowing it would be our last one. Kase is a very sweet boy. He has a totally different personality than the girls. The girls were fearless, and Kase is very cautious. He is a one person kind of guy. Many kids are mommy's boys, or daddy's girl, but Kase likes who ever he likes at the moment. Sometimes it's mom or dad, and other times it's Mimi, but when he's at school it his buddy Jaxton. When he is at school he may not even say hello to you. However there is not doubt that he has a solid kind of love for you, because when it's your day, it all about you. Before I had kids I always thought that the "boy toys" and "girl toys" must be pushed on kids by mom and dad. Shortly after Ally I noticed she had a natural attraction to all things pink, but she still played with the cars and balls we bought her. Little did I know that what she was doing was not "playing cars." Lining the cars up and moving them around is not really playing cars. Kase has showed us the true art of playing cars. He rolls them, pushes them, crashes them, and he does it all day long. According to Kase all cars are boy toys and therefore belong to him. This includes Barbie's big VW bug, polly pocket's convertible, ,and Dora's jeep. He takes it as a personal affront if any cars are kept in the girls room. Although cars are at the front of Kase's interest he also loves to be outside, playing ball, and his new found joy involves play dough. (thanks to Jaxton for the birthday present) Kase also thinks as all two year old's with older siblings that he should be allowed to do whatever the Sisters do. I am so glad that Kase enter our family two years ago. Happy Birthday Kase!

Growing Up!

It seems like daily I get reminders that Ally is growing up. Today Arthur received an email asking for Ally's email address. What? Of course she is way to young for an email.... Right?

Well the truth is I'm really glad Ally's cousin wants to email her. It was just a little shocking that she old enough to do it. They live a long way away and we don't get to see them but about twice a year. What a great way for them to become close friends. They just love each other the little bit of time we get to spend together. So, it's official Ally is not only growing up fast, she is now doing it with an email account. I am hoping we can wait a few months for the Blog.

It's a Race to Two!

Kase's birthday is on Monday, so we celebrated today. Many of our friends braved the weather to join us. We had a race car theme, because Kase's favorite thing is cars. The kids played with big cars on a road, and they raced cars of a little race track. Kase was a little unsure about all those kids touching his things, but then his best bud Jaxton arrived and that made it all better. We picked up the cup cakes this morning and he really wanted to have them for lunch. (I mean break down crying wanted them) Once he finally got his hands of them he took his time and enjoyed the whole entire cup cake. Kase got lots of new fun toys: cars, books, Diego action figure, train, football, and dump truck. He didn't get anything he already had, which is amazing since I thought he already owned every toys there is. So, all that's left is for mom to scoot over all those Christmas toys and find a place for all the loot.