My Daddy Went to LA...

My daddy went to LA and all I got were these stupid sunglasses!!!
In Mark's defense, he didn't leave the hotel and these were a freebie that he picked up at the conference. He casually mentioned to Kam that he had gotten her something and you know how kids don't forget those things. She was sorely disappointed and told Mark that she "couldn't even look at the sunglasses!" But Cooper loved them!

And this is why I still pick out Kam's clothes...

Ain't it GRAND?

I stole this title from Mom, who sent me this picture of her new prized possession, a large platter painted by her "grands"(my kids and Braxton). She told us this is what she wanted for Mother's Day so no, we're not that creative. And, of course, we waited til the last minute and didn't realize that pottery has to be fired, which takes a little time. So Mimi just got her platter on Friday night, but I think it was worth the wait. The kids had fun (for the most part) painting and I really enjoyed it. I could stay and paint all day long... it's therapeutic for me! Kam had a minor meltdown when we painted her hand but she eventually got over it. JJ took pics so I'll post them after I get them from her.

On Saturday, we visited Mark's Nannie in Benton at Uncle Glenn and Aunt Sue's house. Kamdyn is always talking to herself or anyone who will listen about random things, but she caught my attention when she told Sue we made Mimi an "offering plate" for Mother's Day. Sue had a funny look on her face and I had to explain it was actually a large platter. I'm just proud she knows what an offering plate is!

AWANA Closing Program

We had our AWANA closing program last night at church and the kids sang some of the songs they have learned this year. They did great! Mrs. Linda, Heather, Dena, and Lynn do a great job with the music and we appreciate their hard work.

Kam loves to listen to the CD's that Mrs. Linda sends home with them. I put the CD in yesterday and Cooper started screaming "no music." Kam just looked at him and said, "sorry, Cooper. We have to do our practice songs." It was too cute.
Kam is standing next to Grady and Barrett. Both of these boys have been known to do a little dance when the music starts... I love watching their facial expressions!!!
Kam, Grady, Barrett, and Braden.... I think they knew I was taking their picture.
Kam and Abby... I think these girls look forward to seeing each other at AWANA every Wednesday night.
Barrett and Braden holding hands..... we all agreed this picture definitely needs to be saved for senior banquet. I think they held hands through the entire song.
And although I haven't posted a picture or video of it, little Sadie stole the show last night! She was hilarious!

Mother's Day, Part 2

As promised, I wanted to post the surprise that was waiting for me at Mrs. Mae's on Friday for Mother's Day. It was so sweet. There was a huge banner that said "Happy Mother's Day" and each mom had these goodies waiting for them. Kamdyn had been hinting about what they were up to all week long and I loved the hype. We had fun with it all week long.

One night last week, she let it slip that she had made a necklace for me and I told her that she didn't need to spoil the surprise. So then she asks me if I will make her a necklace with beads for Sister's Day. I tried to explain that there isn't such a holiday and she wouldn't go for it. I think she may be on to something though... and she hasn't let it go so we may have to do something special for her since she's such a good sister!

I just love it when she brings home things like this. I can just imagine looking back on these one day and treasuring the memories.
This is Kam's portrait of me. I thought it was a turkey at first, but I think I now see the resemblance. I love it!

And the rest of this post is random pictures for the benefit of someone who misses seeing the kids right now. I had to take this picture to prove that we actually left for school and work early yesterday. It didn't happen today though so my glory is short-lived.
A little early morning chase before we got in the car. Aren't all my pictures of Cooper chasing Kam?
Kam and all her stuff.... the girl cannot even make it out the door without a snack and either a book or Barbie. I've finally talked her into leaving her sleep stuff at school so we don't have to carry it every day. We need more hands!
Hope everyone has a great day!

Happy Mother's Day

The two reasons I love being a mommy:

Kamdyn
Cooper

The loves of my life.... Aren't they cute???? What did I ever do before I had them? I've often said that being a mom is the greatest hardest thing that I've ever done... and my kids are still toddlers! Well, technically, Kam is a preschooler and Cooper is getting close, but I can't imagine the things I will face with them when they actually get in school. Preschool has been hard enough on me!

But I've had a great example to learn from... my mom, my best friend. I know it sounds cliche, but if I can be half the mom to my kids that she's been to me, I'll be doing good. I really mean that. It seems like the older I get, the more I need my mom. I'm not sure it's supposed to be like that, but that's the way it's been for me. And now that I'm a mom, I really appreciate my mom and the sacrifices that she makes for me.

At least two times last week, I had to call her to go get my kids because I had appointments or ran late. I don't know what I'd do without her! And it goes way beyond that... It's been a pretty difficult year for me personally and my mom has never left my side. She has pushed me and believed in me when I didn't have the courage to do so myself. I know that she faithfully prays for me and for that, I am eternally grateful. She not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. She consistently models service to her Lord and her church and I've often said that it's hard to follow in her footsteps. But I'd like to try...

Yes, I have a great mother, but my kids have an even better Mimi... she makes no bones about spoiling the kids rotten. I've tried to tell her that sometimes she makes things a little difficult for Mark and I when the kids get things with her and not with us. She doesn't care though... it's her job, she says!! This is why every day when I pick Kamdyn up she asks me for a treat...

Mimi and Kamdyn outside of Lambert's.

Mimi chasing Cooper down...she's not afraid to get dirty with them!

Mimi holding kids, cameras, purses, diaper bags...

I could go on and on about my mom and how blessed I am. Mom has often said that she would take a houseful of boys over girls any day of the week. I'm not sure that speaks well of me... I admit that I've needed a little more hand-holding in life than Brian. I think God knew exactly the kind of mom I needed and he blessed me with her. I only hope that she knows how much I love and appreciate her!

I'll post some pics of my gifts from Kam tomorrow... she's made this week really special for me.

Drama Queen

Bet you thought this post would be about Kamdyn... you'd be wrong!

I might have overreacted a slight bit on Tuesday. I've been fighting these awful headaches the last few weeks behind my eyes. I went home Tuesday after my school visit to lay down and try to sleep since I had been up since 3 a.m. with one. I felt better for a while.... then the blinding, stabbing pain overtook me. Now I've had a few migraines in my life that have made me very sick, but I can honestly say that I've never had one to hurt this bad.

So I panicked... because all I could remember reading was to go to the doctor if you have the worst headache you've ever had.... and it hurt to move. I'm not exaggerating on that point. So I called Mom at work hysterical telling her that I was having an aneurysm and probably going to die. Then I called Mark and told him to get home immediately. He actually hesitated and made some comment about leaving in a few minutes. Did he not understand me? I was about to die...or so I thought. After a few calls back and forth between Mom and Mark, he finally made it home.

On the ride over to Hot Springs he said (and I quote), "I'm going to be so mad if I go pay $500 at the ER and they tell me you have a headache."

Well, yes, I do have a headache. I thought that was obvious. Was he hoping for a brain bleed or aneurysm? For real?

By the time we make it into Hot Springs, the pain is actually subsiding and then I begin to feel stupid. So we decide to go to the Convenient Care Clinic and save ourselves the cost of an ER visit. Turns out I did have a migraine.... duh!!! But I made sure to ask the Nurse Practictioner if there was any chance that I could have an aneurysm (she already told me I didn't have a brain tumor)... I even said no to the CAT scan she offered.

As we were leaving Mark commented there was no way he could ever be a nurse or a doctor. When I asked him why he responded that he couldn't listen to patients like me whine and say the same thing over and over.... apparently, I told her a minimum of 5 times that I felt a blinding, stabbing pain all of a sudden in my eyes that wouldn't stop. What can I say? I wanted to make sure she got all the facts before she dismissed anything.....

Yeah, I overreacted. I admit it. I think we all know where Kamdyn gets it now.

Walk Away...

Sunday morning we were all sitting at the table eating breakfast and Cooper was not cooperating... didn't want anything to do with his food, was pushing it away, whining, etc. and I could tell Mark was beginning to get angry with him. All of a sudden Kam chimes in, "walk away, Daddy, just walk away!"

I don't think Mark was as amused as I was, but I did see him crack a smile. I know she's heard me say that to him before when he gets angry and I think he needs a time out of his own. Guess she is paying more attention to me than I thought she was!!!