Another trip to the Emergency Clinic

So just five short days after Cooper got stitches in his chin, he had 3 staples put into his head. I had dropped him off at my parents and was taking the girls to a dentist appointment when I received a phone call from my dad telling me to turn around and come back. I could hear Cooper crying in the background and thought he was just throwing a fit cause he missed his momma(he does that quite often). Unfortunately he was running in the house, tripped and hit his head on the coffee table. He gets the staples out this evening which he is very excited about, he will finally be able to ride his bike.

2009

Wow, I can't believe the New Year is already upon us and we are already almost to the middle of January. After my 2008, I am looking forward to a smooth sailing, love filled year of fun and excitement. So far, that has rung true. We have already made a trip to the After Hours Clinic for three stitches in Cooper's chin. We celebrated bringing in the year at Mosaic with about 100 others and our closet friends that were in town joined us. It was a great time of laughter, a little dancing and some fantastic fellowship. God is so amazing and is teaching me so much. I look forward to riding the "Big Wave" this year and am glad to be able to experience life with my wonderful family.

We have had a few changes in our animals beginning this year, Motor our little fish passed away and our three hermit crabs, Hermie, Santa and Diego were donated to the assisted living facility that my mom works for, Golden Pond. That gives us Moxie, Scout and Spikey. Still a handful but a little less work than I had before.

My son, the donkey...My daughter, the angel...

So, of all the animal choices for the Church children's program that Cooper could choose from: sheep, cows, camel or donkey, he chose, you guessed it the donkey. I admit the donkey plays a key role in the Christmas story for without the donkey how would Mary and Joseph have gotten to Bethlehem? The donkey plays a very important role in many Bible stories and carried many kings. So the donkey is not so bad, that is of course unless you dress your son in a shirt that says "Classic Boxing". Little did I know or think at the time that this shirt chosen at the last minute would cause such a chuckle to erupt throughout dress rehearsal (note the picture). Thank goodness it was not actual performance day. Sometimes when we least expect it, oxymoron's appear and sometimes really are true. I'm not saying my son is a donkey, but his actions at times sure do appear as such. In turn he did a great job in the actual performance, not mentioning the pouting face, the constant standing up and walking around the hay barrel, the spitting at the cow next to him, the fist he received in the face and the punch he threw back. Gotta love little kids in performances, it truly brings laughter and excitement.

In controversy to the donkey, my Harleigh was an angel, and not just any angel, the angel that told Mary and the shepherds the good news. Until to them a child is born, unto them a son is given. She was beautiful and did such a fabulous job at whispering into the ears of the others. What can I say she truly is an angel!

The Christmas season brings such joy and laughter. Times of reflecting on the blessings in our lives. We are so beyond blessed this year and I am so grateful to a God who loves and provides for us. He is so faithful!

Moxie Tegan

Our newest addition has arrived in the form of a Russian Tortoise. Growing up I was privileged enough to have a dad who was always bringing home turtles and tortoises for my sister and I to play with, though you can't really play, at least you can follow them around as they crawl and explore. Now, I get the privilege of giving my children the same excitement. Although, I do believe I am much more excited than they are. So now, another amendment to our family which now consists of Jason, Tara, Maison, Harleigh, Cooper, Spikey, Scout, Moxie, Hermie, Diego, Santa and Motor, not to mention an adopted manatee named Lily. Woo Hoo! Jason said we should just get some sheep and goats for the backyard, though I am tempted I will pass for now, though the rabbits at the feed store today sure were cute. LOL!

Halloween Pictures

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Harvest Time

So I haven't been blogging for a while and with the little nudge from Mere, here I am. I spent the day with my little Cooper shopping around for fall decorations and finishing touches for Harleigh's Halloween Costume. We then made it home, picked up Maison, Harleigh got home and we did some Pumpkin Carving. We had such a great time. We then went outside and set the pumpkin up on the front porch with it's painted brother and little flowers. Jason surprised me this weekend with some lovely greenery for the front yard. It looks so great! Thanks babe. We spent yesterday at the Harvest Festival at Mosaic and had such fun, hay ride, rock climbing, crafts, family pictures, food, horse back riding and candy diving, plus much much more. Meredith and I then went on a 17 mile bike ride. I got the feel of my new bike and Mere and I both seemed to be dragging. I definitely enjoy riding first thing in the morning much better than after a long day on my feet. Since I have been blogging we have had two family birthday's and I ran in another race. Cooper turned 4 and Jason turned 39. Coop's day was quiet and quite enjoyable with him opening gifts, lunch out and relaxing here at the house. Jay on the other hand spent his mountain biking with his new bike. He had a blast. I had a lot of fun in my second 5k this year. Ran the Ocoee Founder's Day race with Michelle and Meredith. Meredith ranked 2nd in her age group and Michelle was 4th. I was still suffering from shin splints even after purchasing another new pair of shoes and came in 7th in my age group. I also ran with a girl who was running in her first race ever and had just quit smoking a month before. It was great to cheer her on and finish with her. During this month, Maison had her first Choir Recital, got her eyebrows waxed for the first time, had her phone eaten up by Scout and attended her first Lock In at Church. I got some bangs. The girls and my mom and I went to see High School Musical 3. Jason took Cooper to the Golf Range for the first time. We have been busy! Life has been so much fun and we are going crazy as usual. Loving life and enjoying the blessings that God has been sending our way! (I must say this picture just about explains it all, taken on Jason's birthday at Maison's Choir Recital.)

Komen Race for the Cure

Wow, what an experience. I had a blast, though the morning started off a little rough. Trying to get the family out the door by 6:30 did not work very well. So much for just having to get myself ready. They all seem to want Mom to do something for them. I suppose in a few years they won't need me at all, so I am treasuring it while it lasts. We got there, I got my chip and met up with the girls, my sister, Melissa, my best friend, Michelle and my great friend, Meredith. We took off to the corral, waiting patiently for the start. Finally the horn blew and off we went. My goal was to stay under 45 minutes as I have been suffering from intense shin splints and thought I might have to walk most of it. After running the first 1/2 mile I walked the rest of the first then ran most of the next 2. I finished at about 38:26. Not bad for my first 5k in over a year. I loved the experience and it is great to have been able to participate in something so prevalent in women. I pray that a cure is found long before my little ladies have to worry about the possibility of breast cancer. We are the cure and early detection is the best. So Feel your Boobies!

Now I am addicted to the run. Next one is scheduled for the 18th. I'm looking forward to improving my time and getting down to at least a 10 minute mile. I'm icing the shins, stretching and hoping the injury is quickly resolved. New shoes, inserts and some ibuprofen seem to be working.

So once again today I take time to reflect on decisions of my past and the choices I am making for the future. Wondering once again where God is leading me and what He has in store for me. In the meantime I search for my passion, listen to great music and dream of the possibilities for the future.