Keeping Up With the Jones'

The Last Day...

2011-05-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

To Haley Brooke Jones

The Last Day...I get to bring you to school with me

The Last Day...I get to go peek at you in your classroom without you knowing it

The Last Day...I get to see your smiling face in the hallway

The Last Day...you just show up in my room for no reason (except to get a drink of DP)

The Last Day...the nurses can just walk you up the hall when you are not felling well

The Last Day...I get to try to not embaress you in front of your friends

The Last Day...I get a random hug in the hall

The Last Day...you come to my room after school with all the days adventures

The Last Day...I get to walk you through the hall

The Last Day...that you are an elementary student

The Last Day...that I can call you a kid

Now you are going to Junior High

Turning into a young lady

and will do great things with your life

You are growing up, maturing, and blossoming in your life

You are coming into your own and I can't wait to see

the paths you choose to take

You will always be my first little girl

I will love you forever!

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

Heading out Friday morning

For Spring Break this year, we decided to rent a trailer at Lake Waurika and go fishing! Bob and Barbara decided they wanted to come, too. We have been trying to get them to go with us for a while now, but they never had. I told Bob, once I made the reservation, he could not back out!!

Auzlyn

We got up and left on Thursday morning..Robby and Bob in the pickup pulling the boat...Barbara the girls and myself in the Expedition. Robby was driving to slow for me, so we passed them and went on in to Wichita Falls to stop by Academy and pick up a few things we needed and forgot at home...like chairs. They beat us to Waurika..but not by much..and they already have the trailer key. We go get everything unloaded and eat a sandwich..and then we unload the boat!!!

Barbara does not swim...does not like the water...in fact, she gets a little woozy just watching the water move...but she was bound and determined to get on the boat!! and she did!! Every time we went out, she was on it!!

I get home, and realize the only picture I have of Barbara is the back of her head!!

Haley cheesin'

Bob with his little Crappie

Needless to say, we didn't really catch any fish. Bob caught the first little crappie on Friday...not long after that, Haley had one on her hook, about the time it was at the side of the boat..it came off. Auzlyn caught a little crappie in the crappie house. On Saturday, Bob caught a little catfish. That was the extent of our actual catching of the fish. But we had fun!! Oh yeah, Robby was trying to get a snake away from the boat and almost flung it in...He had a not happy wife, mother and daughters at him...but the snake didn't get in the boat.

Robby...just waiting

Saturday night...instead of eating fish we caught..We went to Bill's Fish House! That was the BEST fish I have ever eaten!!! (besides our fresh fish) It is only about 30 minutes from Wichita Falls, just north of the Red River...so if you want some good home cooked fried catfish..go to Bill's!! and only order the half order because you will be taking half of the full order home!! It is just an old white house, on the west side of the road, with the name Bill's on the front window...Oh, and there will be a ton of cars parked around it!! So worth it though!!

American White Pelicans...gorgeous taking off!!

January 18, 2011

2011-03-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

After waiting for 2 weeks to find out the results of Haley's ABR, Dr. Guttenplan finally called! He said everything came out normal and he just wants to see her again in 6 months for a repeat hearing test. What a relief!! I just didn't know what else she could handle! but I know that God wasn't going to give her more than she could!!!

January 15, 2011

2011-03-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

Haley competed in her first 4-H stock show! She showed rabbits and had lots of fun with them. She wound up with a 4th, 6th, and 7th place. Overall pretty good for her first time!!

She also really enjoyed the premium auction...she got enough money to buy her an ipod touch...and put a good chunk into her savings account!!

Auditory Brainstem Response

2011-01-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, I am taking Haley to Amarillo for an Auditory Brainstem Response Test (ABR). Before Christmas, she had failed a tone on hearing test in one ear twice. We went to the clinic to see if she might have some fluid or something in her ear, but there was nothing, so they referred us to Amarillo. When we went for her appointment, they did the great big hearing test!! Well, theirs is a little more sophisticated than the schools. On this one, she didn't hear the tones, but she heard the words at the same level. So the doctor scheduled us to come back for another hearing test to see if it was a valid screening. Guess what?? She had the exact same results the second time. Now, we are going for this ABR to see what is going on with her hearing.
A good thing about this doctor is, he is taking it one step at a time. He said we would do the ABR, see what the results are, and then go from there. No speculating...no putting names of bad diseases in my head so I can come home and google them and put myself in a massive panic attack!! I think I like it...one step/test at a time and then on to the next one. I let you know the outcome!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

2011-01-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas Holiday's came and went way too quickly!! But now it is time to get back in the swing of things. Here are some pictures that I hope you enjoy!!

Christmas with the Jones'


Grandma with the Greats

Christmas morning

Christmas at Grammy's

My favorite picture! Don't you see the enthusiasm in her face!!

Aubrey taking aim

Add caption

The finished product

Haley's RC Truck


Auzlyn's RC truck

Have a Happy New Year everyone!!

CHRISTMAS FUH-REAK

2010-11-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

These are the words I use to describe myself this time of the year....well, let's face it..all year!!! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! You can tell from this post..exactly one year ago...this is when I really start gearing up for CHRISTmas!! Every time we go to Wal-Mart, I have to go up and down the CHRISTmas aisles just to see if there is something in there I just can't live without. I start thinking, where am I going to put all of my CHRISTmas decorations this year?...will I have enough room to put them all out this year?...if not, which ones will I put out, and which ones will I not? I'm ready to start carrying my Santa Hat purse...but it is still a little early for that. I already have CHRISTmas presents bought, and have a pretty good idea on the one's I haven't gotten yet.
I have a lot to do to get ready for CHRISTmas this year. We just had carpet laid about 3 weeks ago, and my most favoritest brother-in-law Kevin came this past Thursday and Friday and laid my new kitchen tile =) Now I have to get everything organized the way I want it. That will take a lot of time!(considering when I took my CHRISTmas houses out of my display case to move for the carpet, it took me almost 3 hours to get them all boxed up...it will probably take twice as long to put them all back in!!
I can't wait until CHRISTmas!!!! Thank you Jesus for being born on this day!! Your birthday is my most favorite holiday of all!! You ROCK!!

I LOOOVE BABY SHOWERS!!!

2010-10-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

I just love Baby Showers!! Especially Baby Showers for my very best friend in the whole world!! I know she is going to not be very happy when she see's the pictures on here...but I don't care! I can't wait until little Capin Rush gets here! I know Leisa, Stephen and Adyson can't either!

The very tasty cake!

The serving table

Side View!! She didn't like doing this one.

Let the gifts begin!!

My right arm is all you will see!


Adyson and Haley were helping.

CONGRATULATIONS!! JUST A FEW MORE DAYS AND WE'LL GET TO MEET HIM!!

Well...Here are some Pictures

2010-10-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

Instead of boring you with my lovely words, I'm just going to show you in pictures what we have been up to since July!?! What have I been doing since then to not blog...UGH=(
Family Vacation to DFW when we went for Haley's 1st appointment...Mideival Times

Dallas World Aquarium

We also went to Six Flags..we didn't take in the camera..and the Federal Bureau of Engraving and Printing...they wouldn't let us bring in a camera because we might have figured out how to counterfeit money.

Texas Motor Speedway Tour on 2nd trip to Dallas in 2 1/2 weeks to pick up the brace.

Aubrey singing karaoke in Haley's room.

Fishing with the family.

First Day of School

Haley's in 5th grade with Mr. Mills.

Auzlyn's in 2nd grade with Mrs. Gaylor.

We started Geocaching!!

Bye-bye 2 different floors in the kitchen!

Bye-Bye hardwood floors in the living room!

HELLOOOOO NEW CARPET!!

New Kitchen tile to come soon...it better Kevin Jones!!

Camping, Hiking and Geocaching at Caprock Canyon with the Saunders'

Inside Natural Bridge.

I do have one more set of pictures, and that event just happened a couple of weeks ago, so it will have it's own post. I hope to be better on my blogging, because I know I have a ton of readers!!

Here it is...

2010-07-30T21:27:00.000-07:00

This is it...Haley's Charleston Bending Brace in Hot Pink Camo!!

The first night she only lasted about 30-45 minutes in it. We went in there, put it on and we were laughing and having fun with it. She wanted Auzlyn to sleep in her room incase she needed anything, so Auz got her sleeping bag and put it in Haley's floor. When it was time to turn the lights off and go to sleep, the tears started flowing! It was all I could do not to cry and just tell her it's okay take it off...but I was strong and didn't. I came back in the living room and could just hear her crying, but I didn't move. It wasn't long I heard the velcro straps coming off! I went in her room and Haley said I just couldn't handle it anymore it hurt too bad. I said it was fine and went on.

The next day we talked about how she really needed to wear it or she might wind up having to wear a brace all day or even worse have surgery. This night was much better! At bedtime we got it on, she got situated in the bed and it was 5:45 before she woke up to take it off. Wednesday night, she slept with it on until 7:00, last night she kept it on until 8:00.

Tonight she is having her first sleepover with her brace. It is only at Meme's house, but she was still nervous about having to take it over there and actually sleep with it. I wonder how her night is going!

Charleston Bending Brace

2010-07-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

The time has finally arrived. I have been waiting for and dreading this moment for the past 5 years. I knew it was coming since I first realized Haley's back was crooked when she was 5. Her curve has been basically holding at around 18 degrees since since we first found it. At our last appointment in January, Dr. Johnston at TSRH said we should probably come in in 6 months instead of 9 since she is fixing to start her growth spurt. I am glad we did! In 6 months we went from 18 degrees to 24 degrees...if you are having a hard time with the math, that is 1 degree a month...which is significant. With her type of curve...left "C" curve in her lumbar area...he believes all she needs is the Charleston Bending Brace which is only worn at night. It will basically make her spine bend to the right, almost straight. This will be very uncomfortable for her to sleep in, but she will get used to it. I just told her hey, we start this now, you just have to wear it at night, and not all day like I had to. Plus, it is going to be HOT PINK CAMO when mine was just plain old white. This made her feel better, but she still said "I'm never spending the night at anyone's house again!" She will, and with a little time she will be able to sleep just fine with it. We go down on July 26 for fitting and to pick it up. That weekend we will probably do whatever Haley wants to do. She is a sweety and a fighter and this is just one battle in her life that she will overcome.

This is a picture of a Charleston Bending Brace I found on the internet. When we get hers, I'll post some pictures of it.

Haley's 10th Birthday!!

2010-06-21T07:40:00.000-07:00

Well, Haley's 10th Birthday was not near as exciting as her 9th. Thank the Lord!! But it was a good day. Like on all birthdays, you get to pick what you want to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had donuts from the Bakery for breakfast, McDonald's for lunch, and Pizza for supper. Not a surprise to me at all! Robby and I decided to get Haley a camera for her birthday. She has been really into taking pictures and wanting to always you my camera...so this would also ease my nerves on her using mine and something happening to it. We gave her the camera on her actual birthday, June 7, and needless to say the batteries were dead the next afternoon! I guess she liked it!

We had her party the following Friday at the Country Club pool. Most of her friends came and they all had a good time! The best thing was that her most favoritest cousin Bailey came down from Amarillo and spent the night with us before she had to go back home. I just can't believe my baby is now in the double digits and is going to be in 5th grade :( But she is going to be just fine and I guess I will too.

So...I'm behind

2010-06-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

So, here are some pictures from our end of school
activities. I am finally getting some time to get some blogging done, so don't be surprised if there are multiple posts in a day!! Enjoy the pics!!

Haley's PlayDay

Auzlyn's PlayDay

Piano Recital

Last Day of School!

New Business...

2010-05-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

In my last post...a month ago....I had mentioned that I was starting into a new business venture. Well, it's official, I am a new Tastefully Simple Consultant!!

This is a company built on home "tastings." Basically, you have a party and eat good food! It is all quick and easy to prepare. If you know me, you know I don't like to cook, so anything to help out is always a welcome!!

If you would like more information on the products, or if you would like to host a tasting, let me know!

4-H

2010-04-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

This has been quite a learning year for us in 4-H. Haley was a member last year, but she didn't really do anything, except for photography. We entered a couple of pictures and they did ok. This year it seems we have been working on 4-H projects all year!

Haley entered the Food Show with her Pumpkin Muffins. She won her category and was able to advance on to District. Something happened...I don't remember what...and she wasn't able to go to District. Don't they look scrumptious?

The Fashion Show...What can I say?? Haley worked her fingers off on those PJ's, well so did my Mom helping her. She would sew the seam...it wasn't right....she would rip it out and do it all over again. They slaved for HOURS over those things! They are so cute, and so cute on her. We go to District, and you know what wins? A TUTU!! It was cute and all, but come on!! A couple of seams and you are done! We had pants, tops, hems, sleeves, neckline, "H" embellished on the top...Come ON!! So that was me being a Mom who thinks her daughter is perfect, and can do no wrong. But I know that is not true, and it really doesn't matter to me if Haley won, or if she didn't. I just wanted her to have the experience to see if this is something she wanted to further her skills in. In Haley's words, "I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN!"

Photography...Now this is our event!! Haley had been taking pictures since the photo contest last year. She took pictures camping, on vacation, during the storm and weather, she took pictures of all kinds of things! Haley entered 10 pictures this year..you can see them here. Out of her 10 pictures, 8 went on to District. 3 of her pictures won Blue award..which is the high level award...4 won red awards...the mid-level award. 1 picture won the entire category for Black and White Landscape!! I am so proud of her! I believe this will be the event she really excels in!

I am diving into a new business venture...be watching for more information!!

My Favorite Thing...at the moment

2010-04-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

Here it is...My Favorite Thing (for the moment)

BISQUICK SHAKE 'N POUR PANCAKE MIX!!

My MIL introduced me to this product about a year ago, and my kids just LOVE it!

It is quick and easy...just add water up to the line...shake it up...pour it in your skillet!!

The big container says it will make 12-15 pancakes..which are silver dollar pancakes...

I can get about 8-10 regular size pancakes out of it.

If you haven't tried it, I suggest you do!!

If you know me, I'm not a big cooker..

so I wouldn't endorse anything that wasn't quick and easy!

NO, I'M NOT CHANGING CHURCHES!!

2010-04-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'm going to get on my soap box for a little bit, because I am tired of explaining this to many people.

Yes, God has called Shane and Sara to another church. NO, I am NOT leaving MY church just because the preacher is leaving!! My Great-Grandparents were some of the first members of Calvary. My grandparents, and parents were married there, I was baptized there, married there, and Haley has been baptized there. The only way I will leave is if they chain the doors shut, and then they will still have to pull me away kicking and screaming!

The preacher does not make the church, it is the members and the people in it. If it weren't for the members, there would be no church for the preacher to come to!

and NO, I am NOT mad at Shane and Sara...they are following GOD, and doing what GOD is telling them to do. I think we ALL need to listen more closely to what GOD is telling us to do. Isaiah 50:5 says, "The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I do not rebel or turn away." They are doing what The Sovereign Lord has told them. I know this. I feel if you are mad at Shane and Sara for doing GOD's will, not theirs or what you think it should be, then you need to hit the floor and pray!

I am going to miss Shane, Sara, and Noah dearly, but I know this is what is in GOD's plan for them. GOD already has another preacher lined up for our church, and I can't wait to meet him!

Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah. Lamentations 3:24-26

This is the end of my soap box. Thanks for reading.

Week in Pictures

2010-03-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

We have had a busy week...We mainly only had 2 events, but they took up a tremendous amount of time. So, here are a few pictures from this past week.

Auzlyn at the exact moment she turned 7...10:11 pm March 24, 2010

Auzlyn and her cakes.

Eating cake and ice cream.

Opening Presents

4-H Fashion Show(Haley made her pajamas)

Posing

Finishing up

Auzlyn, Aubrey and PaPa waiting for the fashion show.

March 24, 2003 Part 2

2010-03-24T04:52:00.000-07:00

Let me back track a little. I had Haley in 5 hours and only pushed 3 times. The nurses told me not to push to wait for Dr. Darter to get there. It is kind of hard not to push when your body is telling you "IT'S TIME!! NOW PUSH!!" He got there just in time to catch her. I credit my quick labors to Weekly visits to Dr. Nall, and NO EPIDURAL! This whole pregnancy I had been telling Dr. Darter, when my labor starts, it is going to be fast, so when they call and tell you I'm at the hospital, you better run and get there.

This is about 8:15. I am hurrying trying to get my legs shaved, I holler at Robby to call his mom to come pick up Haley, he was on the phone with Callie at the time. I get out, try to get dressed as quickly as possible. As I am finishing up getting dressed, I holler at Robby AGAIN to call his mom, he is still on the phone. This time, I think he got the point...I was in the middle of a contraction and in a deep, growling, half yelling voice I said "GET OFF THE PHONE NOW!! CALL YOUR MOM! I NEED TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL NOW!!" Needless to say, he hung up the phone and called. Thanks to Leisa, my bag had been packed for about 6 weeks. Once Bob and Barbara got there, we headed to the hospital.
I remember every little bump in the road just hurting, and me just telling Robby to quit hitting the bumps! They hurt!

We get to the hospital about 8:40, go in through the ER, and Sonya is waiting on us. I had to stop in the hallway a couple of times on the way back to the LDRP for contractions. We finally made it back there, I get all hooked up to the machines and then they check me...I am dialated to a 4. Sonya goes out to call Dr. Darter and tells him how everything is looking while the LVN is getting me an IV started. The LVN gets my IV started and leaves the room to go get my antibiotic (I had group b strep with both girls), and soon as she leaves, my water breaks...9:30. We call Sonya back in, she checks me, I'm at a 7 and all I remember is that LVN RUNNING back out of my room to go get the antibiotic, and Sonya is on the phone in my room calling Dr. Darter. He had listened to me, and was already on his way to the hospital. Robby, my mom, and Jennifer S.(who was going through nursing school) were in there trying to calm me down.

The LVN gets back and starts pushing the antibiotic in, by this time Dr. Darter is there, and I'm at a 9. At this point, I am screaming for some demoral and this sweet, little nurse was going to give it to me until Dr. Darter says NO! (how dare him!) He says by the time it takes affect, this baby will be here and he says with the next contraction...PUSH! So I push. The only thing I really remember is Sonya getting in my face, and telling me to stop screaming and push! I did what she said, and with one and a half pushes...out came my little Auzlyn Grace! at 10:11pm.

We didn't find out what she was going to be, this is the only real surprise God can give you.

Unbeknown to me, standing outside in the hallway was Bob...my father-in-law, Jason...my brother, Kevin & Shallee....brother & sister-in-law, Joseph...brother-in-law. Shallee was telling me later that night, that all the guys were just laughing at me at how much I was screaming, and she started crying telling them to stop because they just don't understand the pain! and they don't. During this time, Leisa and Jennifer P. come strolling up thinking they have gotten there before the baby...but they didn't. They were in shock that I had already had her. Barbara shows up with Haley, and she will only let Barbara hold her...she didn't know what to think.

HAPPY 7TH BRITHDAY!! MY SWEET LITTLE AUZ!! YOU HAVE BROUGHT SO MUCH JOY AND LAUGHTER INTO OUR LIVES!! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE OUR BABY GIRL!!

March 24, 2003 Part 1

2010-03-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

I woke up on this Monday morning, took a shower and started getting ready for work. Robby and I had discussed that this would be my last day to work...I was tired, exhausted, swollen feet, and just didn't feel good. It was just 1 week before my due date, and I had a doctor's appointment that afternoon anyways. I got Haley up, who was 3 months shy of being 3, and took her to my mom's house. Robby was already gone to work. I went into the school office that morning and told Mary that I just wasn't going to be able to come back to work after today. I went down to my room, and basically sat all day with my feet propped up, I did as little as possible.

My appointment was at 2:00. Robby had taken off work early to go with me. We got right in to see Dr. Darter. He came in and said, "My gosh, you look miserable!" I told him, "I feel miserable, and you better do something about it!" He preceded to tell me that my Grandpa had been in to see him that morning, and they had a nice conversation about me. Pretty much, my Grandpa, in all his knowledge, told him that it was time for this baby to come out! Thank you Grandpa! After Dr. Darter checked me, I was dialated to a 2, so he gave me the "magic pill" to take when I left the clinic.

I take the "magic pill" and we go pick up Haley and go to Wal-Mart to have her last only child picture made. This was during her non-picture taking phase. We walk around Wal-Mart for a little bit, I'm getting tired and achey. It is finally our turn for the pictures!! We get the picture taken, after much bribery from Robby, my mom, and myself. We head home.

I sit down for a little bit, by this time Leisa and Jennifer P. show up at my house to walk. What are friends for? We start walking...I am still tired and achey, but we walk. I don't want to get too far from the house, because the baby had been sitting on my bladder. We just walk around 2 blocks, come back to the house, so I can use the restroom, and go again. We do this for about an hour, I'm not really feeling anything, just still achey. I decide I'm hungry. We order pizza Leisa and Jennifer P. take their kids to their homes.

After I eat, I decide I need to take a bath and shave. I am relaxing in my nice, warm, bath and....it starts.

Haley's Pictures

2010-03-13T20:57:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'm going to be a Braggin Momma...but hey, that is what we are supposed to do. Haley had to turn in her pictures for the 4H photo contest Friday...and I have to say, she has some that are just awesome! Last year, 2 of her photos placed at district, which she was very excited about. So this year we doubled our number of entries. I told Robby, if the girls keep this up, we are going to have to invest in a good photo printer. 10 8x10's at Walmart was over $50. We will see what happens with that. Anyway, here are Haley's 10 photo entries for this year.

It's Been a While....

2010-03-01T11:27:00.000-08:00

Oh my!! I just realized how long it has been since I last posted! Everything has been so busy and crazy, and can't seem to keep my head on straight! Let me update you on the happening's around our crazy world.

All of Robby's test came back fine...the Doctor wants him to go to Houston for testing on some rare diseases, but he won't even consider it might be his shoulder. We are through with this Doctor...I think we are going to get an appointment with Dr. Pickett to look at his shoulder.

I have started Beth Moore's "Esther" Bible Study. This is taking up quite a bit of my time....but I am LOVING IT!! There are times I just have to stop and say "Oh my gosh!! This stuff really happened!!" It is a very eye opening study!!

Auzlyn got her 100 AR Points!!

Haley and I attended Simply Stunning this past weekend at FBC Vernon. It is a really neat Mother/Daughter event for preteen girls that tackle issues that these girls are facing. Allison Martin and Kendra Lakey did the entire conference from music to the lessons...I love Allison Martin!! She works the church camps that the girls go to in the summer! Haley got a lot out of this weekend..and frankly so did I. They covered topics from how to have your quiet time with God, to cell phones..and it is ok if you don't have one, to how to dress, to boys, to bullying and the mean girls, and how God wants you to handle these situations. They have this event every year, and if you have the opportunity to attend, I would strongly suggest that you go.

Haley is entering the 4H fashion show...which means we have to sew some clothes before March 25. Haley has never sewn before, so I bought her some material, drug out my sewing machine, and she has been making pillows and just sewing straight seems. She is getting the hang of it. I am glad she decided to make pajamas for her project...Super easy with elastic waist!!

Haley and Auzlyn are both enter the 4H photography contest...which pictures are due in by March 12. We have pictures the girls have taken throughout the year, but there are a few more things Haley wants to go take pictures of. Now we have to pick out which pictures to use, which category the fit in, edit them, put them on a disc, and go print in 8x10 size. This really shouldn't take too long.

We have started the 5th 6 weeks of school!! OH YEAH YEAH YEAH!! I have already started on my year end activities for school...like PO's for next year, ARDs, inventory, TAKS tutoring.

I am finalizing details and itinerary for our church trip to Great Wolf Lodge over spring break. I am extremely excited about going!! I almost think more so than the kids. Robby and I both need a break from our day to day grind.

Just 24 more days and my baby will be 7!! =( This makes me very, very sad!

With all this said..I hope everyone has a great day!!

What does God have instore for us now??

2010-02-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, Robby has had several medical issues over the past several years. You can go here to get a synopsis of what we have gone through. Well, a couple of months ago, Robby started losing grip in his right hand. He didn't think much about it. About 3 weeks ago, he went to open a Mountain Dew bottle, and couldn't...This scared him(he won't admit it, but it did). That night he was telling me about it, and asked if I would call and make him an appointment with Dr. Darter, so I did.

He got in to see Dr. Darter within just a couple of days...and I didn't have to throw a fit with the appointment clerk, I have before..many, many, many times. Robby went for his appointment, Darter did a thorough exam and came to the conclusion that he thinks he has some nerve damage in his hand...ok, nothing to serious. So Darter schedules him an appointment with Dr. Schaeffer...a neurologist...for a nerve test to determine that is what is really wrong. This appointment was yesterday.

Yesterday around lunch, Robby and Callie head up to Amarillo, while I worked. Robby says they get to the office, and this neurologist shares an office with an OB/GYN...What a combo!! The first and only bad mark against this doctor is he has a picture with him and Jeff Gordon. If you know us, even a little bit, you know we are Jeff Gordon haters, it's just true. Anyway, they perform the nerve test, then Dr. Schaeffer comes in. Robby said he was with him in the room asking questions and examining him for about an hour...which is unheard of, especially for specialist. He has Robby walk, hold his arms up and try to push them down, tap his thumb and fingers together so on and so forth.

When he gets through with all of his tests, he begins to tell Robby what he thinks is the problem. First off, there is no nerve damage, carpal tunnel or anything of that nature wrong...although, he does have a mild neuropathy in his leg. Ok, we didn't know anything of that problem. Secondly, it could be a bulging or ruptured disc...painful, but repairable. Thirdly, he could have had a small stroke at some point in time...we could manage that with medication. Lastly, Robby could have some form of Muscular Dystrophy...This is when I lost it! Muscular Dystrophy, no cure, just management of symptoms that will slowly take over your body until it kills you.

At this point, all of the what ifs go running through my mind...
What if we have to have back surgery? What if it was a stroke? What would we have to do to alter our lifestyle to prevent any subsequent strokes? What if he had a massive stroke that leaves him bed ridden? What if it IS Muscular Dystrophy? How will it affect his body? How fast will it progress? How am I going to tell my kids? How are my kids going to handle this? They have already had sooo much loss in their young lives, how will this affect them?

This next Wednesday we go for an MRI of his head and c-spine, blood work, and x-rays. The good thing is Dr. Schaeffer said he would do everything he could to figure out what was going on. If he couldn't figure it out, he would send us to Houston. We could go to Dallas, but Houston has the best facilities and doctors. So I feel very comfortable in the hands of the doctor.

I have been thinking and praying what I need to do. While I was in the shower this morning, Travis Cottrell's song "I Am Persuaded" just popped in my head. The first verse and chorus says:

I believe Your love is faithful
When all my hopes have crumbled
It is standing strong and able
When everything else fails
I believe Your love will cover me
Through every storm
I am persuaded

Nothing in life
Nothing in death
No mountain high
No ocean depth
No power below
On earth or above
Can separate from Your love.

I know this was God telling me that HE would be there, HE would not leave us, and that HE would get us through this storm because HE has gotten us through many other storms. HIS love will not leave or forsake us, HIS love will always be there no matter what we do.

I typed the word "strength" in my Bible reader on my ipod...and one of the verses has just stuck in my head. Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11 So I am going to keep seeking Him. I am not going to let up on my readings. I am going to go to God daily on what I should do and He will lead me.

I apologize for the length of this blog, but I just had to get it all out, and how I was feeling. This blog has become very good therapy for me!!

One Phrase Update...

2010-01-26T13:06:00.000-08:00

OH MY GOODNESS!! It has been a while since I have blogged!! So let me give you a quick, one phrase update on what has been going on....

I got completely caught up with laundry over the break...and am staying caught up

Started reading "Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize when God Speaks" by Priscilla Shirer...so far it is EYE OPENING!! I already have a list of friends who want to borrow it.

Started a Daily Devotional series that I am enjoying so far..

I TURNED 33!!!

I have been working out with my Biggest Loser Wii game....lost 4 pounds in a week!!

Haley's check up in Dallas...everything still holding it's own...go back in July...which means SIX FLAGS!!

Haley and Auzlyn got to start piano lessons back with Winna.....YEAH!!

Haley started wearing deodorant =(

Planned a church trip to Great Wolf Lodge for Spring Break...Super excited about going!!

Auzlyn is being tested for GT...I don't know what I'm going to do with her!!

Robby has been making some really cool pens and flower pots on his lathe...I need to post about them with pics.

Talked to my Dad after 6 months...but haven't talked to him since

Had a marathon day of ARDS

I think my dog is going to have puppies...if so, they will be here the end of February

Used my new GPS in Dallas...it was GREAT!! We got everywhere we wanted to go so easily!

I got to eat at Salt Grass Steak House...YUMMY!!

I have been cooking more at home.

Aubrey actually went to Sunday School with me!!

I have only been drinking about one or two Dr. Peppers a week...instead of day!

Still haven't found me any boots

Haley's long sleeve shirts that I bought her 2 months ago, are now 3/4 sleeves

Auzlyn is getting more prissier, and bossier everyday.

I have broken up at least a dozen fights between the two girls

I am in the process of making Bella a new cage cover...she has literally chewed her other one up

These have been some of the highlights from the last several weeks. Of course, there has been the usual cooking, cleaning, laundry, homework, so on and so forth. But it has all been fun, and tiring. I do miss the days of staying up late and sleeping in, but it will be summer before you know it!!

So, I just have to post a picture of Aubrey doing her "bulay" She is just to stinkin cute...and is getting where she actually likes me again!!

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone's new year is off to a great start! Our holiday season, for the first time in two years, was without any medical procedures. All I can say to that is Thank the LORD!! The last 2 years we have had 2 foot surgeries, gall bladder surgery, and a scare with colon cancer. God layed his hand on us, and took care of everything!

This year I am planning on listening to God more. To help me do this, I recently purchased "Discerning the Voice of God, How to Recognize When God Speaks" by Priscilla Shirer. I am so excited about reading this book. I feel it will answer my questions on is that really God talking to me, or do I just think He is because no one else will volunteer for this? This has been my question for a while, and I just don't know..I'll let you know what I figure out.

I am also planning on eating healthier, and becoming healthier. This will make me feel better all the way around. I have to get me healthy because I am setting a bad example for my children. They eat what I eat, and drink what I drink...so it is time I change. I am not getting any younger. I have a feeling this will be a slow process, but we will get there.

These are my two major goals for this year. I also have the same ones that I have every year like..keeping up with the laundry (I have all the laundry done right now!), keeping the house cleaner, so on and so forth...we will see how those go!

Also, I am asking you to keep my Haley Brooke in your prayers. Many of you know, I passed on my scoliosis gene to her. (Sorry sweety!) Her curve has been holding it's own at 18 degrees for about 2 years now. But (big word) she has started her growth spurt, and to me, her back is looking more curvier, and she has been complaining of it hurting. We go Scottish Rite on January 20th for her check up. I know that is a long way to go for seeing the Dr. about 10 minutes, but (big word again) it has the leading research facility for scoliosis. We are part of the study, and that is how I found out we actually have the genetic marker. If her curve progresses to 20-25 degrees, we are looking at wearing a brace. Believe me, that is no fun, especially for a pre-adolescent girl who is already going through many changes, both physically and emotionally. Just keep Haley in your prayers that God will give her the strength and understanding for this journey.

I hope everyone had a great break. School starts back tomorrow. I don't know if I will be able to get up, but I imagine I'll be pretty tired tomorrow! Have a Great Year everyone!

One last thing..Congratulations to Shawn and Shaley and their new baby girl!

What we got for Christmas

2009-12-27T09:03:00.001-08:00

Haley got...

.

Auzlyn got..

.

They also got many numerous other items, too.

I got everything I asked for in my last post...and Robby got his Playstation 3.

All in all it was a GREAT CHRISTMAS!!! HOPE YOUR CHRISTMAS WAS AWESOME, TOO!!

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas Lists

2009-12-16T12:08:00.000-08:00

Every year Robby asks me to what I want for Christmas. After I think and ponder for a while, I tell him. Several years ago he started asking me to print a picture of what I want of the internet. It has worked out very well...with a few surprises along the way.

The first year we started this I asked for a new one of these.... A Parallel Bible...this is 2 Bibles in one! You can't beat it! My Bible I was using was the one my church had given me with my maiden name engraved on it...Robby went the extra mile and had my new name engraved on it!!

The next year, I started collecting these......
This was an easy year...I believe I got 3 houses for Christmas that year.

Last Christmas I had 2 BIG things that I wanted....

I wanted an itouch....and a Callaway Big Bertha Driver (if you are not a golfer, these drivers can be quite expensive.) So, I was expecting one or the other...not both, which is okay (my birthday is just 3 weeks after Christmas, I would ask for which ever one I didn't get for my birthday!)

Christmas morning came, the girls opened their stuff, Robby opened his stuff, then I opened mine. Robby handed me a small wrapped box...the size of an ipod box...and to no surprise, that is what it was. Then he got up, went into the other room and came back with a long, skinny box. Well, there is only thing that could be in a box like that! I just sat there for a while just looking at it. I was in awe! I would have NEVER believed he would have gotten me both! As I am sitting there, the girls are jumping up and down telling me to open it, Robby is saying open it, so I open it. There it was...my Callaway Big Bertha Driver! I was so excited that I started crying! Here I am on Christmas morning, in my pajamas crying over a driver!! I kept telling Robby, we can't afford both of them, we have to take one of them back! He wouldn't let me...which is fine. I use my ipod on a daily basis...I have all of my important info in it, and my driver added about 20 yards to my drive (which I so desperately needed!)

So this year, I am asking for a new one of these...one of these, with lane assist...Robby NEVER drives in Dallas, and he's not too good with a map, this will help me out alot!

and of course one of these.....We will see what I actually get and if there are any surprises!! I'll be sure to let you know!!

Deeper Still

2009-12-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, Leisa, Erika, Sara, Melissa R, Noemi, and myself went to Oklahoma City for the Deeper Still conference. It was AWESOME!! Leisa, Erika, and I left about 8:30 Friday morning and headed that way. We had some Christmas shopping we needed to do before hand! We had so much fun!! We laughed until we cried and our bellies hurt! We stayed up late...in fact, we only "napped" about 3 hours Friday night. We ate and ate and ate some more!! It reminded me of when Leisa and I were in high school going to the Dawson McAllister Conferences, except we didn't have any adults to tell us it was time to go to bed, or we had to be in the room by a certain time...scary thing! We had a blast, and learned sooo much!!

The conference itself was just awesome! Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer all had wonderful messages that hit home each in it's own way. I will blog more about each of them later, for some reason, I am feeling compelled to go back through my notes, reread the texts in the Bible, and write about how it impacts me. Now, I have never done anything like this, but I feel God is leading me to do it, so I will. It might take me some time to get all 3 of them done, but I will!

Travis Cottrell and his Worship team did the music. It was AWESOME! There is nothing like being in a big arena with 9,000 other women singing Praise and Worship songs! There were a couple of times, when they would quit singing in the microphones, the music would stop, and it was just accapella...it gave me goosebumps every time...you could just feel the Holy Spirit moving through that room!

If you ever get a chance to go to one of these, or any other conference, GO!! It will change your life!

I will post some pictures later...I forgot my camera, but Erika took hers and she is supposed to send me a copy of them. Hurry up, Erika!!

LET THE FUN BEGIN!!

2009-11-17T11:49:00.001-08:00

What can I say...This is an extremely busy time of the year for me! There is always something going on, somewhere I have to be, and something that I need to be doing, but don't have the time!

This past weekend, Robby and I went to Oklahoma City to do some Christmas shopping. We got quite a bit done. I had two favorite parts of the weekend. The first was eating at Mama Roja's Mexican Kitchen on Lake Hefner. This has got to be the best Mexican food I have ever eaten by far!! It was pretty cheap, too! Five of us ate for $60! If you are ever in OKC, I would certainly suggest this restaurant!

My second favorite part of the weekend was going to North Pole City!! The only word I can come up with to describe this place is "Christmas Wonderland" and that is pretty much what it is. There is every kind of decoration you can imagine...and then some! It almost puts you into sensory overload...you have the smells, lights, and more lights, and all the textures. You just want to touch EVERYTHING! They even had a real Santa walking around! It was AWESOME! This is another one of my OKC musts!

That was the excitement from this past weekend. Of course I loved having quality alone time with my hubby...he really just spoils me (you should see what all I bought at North Pole City for me!) I am planning on getting him something he is truly not expecting for Christmas!

This Wednesday, we have the Thanksgiving dinner at church, Sunday we are having Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom and that side of the family. Wednesday is cleaning and rearranging the living room to put up the Christmas Tree :) Thursday is good ole Turkey Day!! Friday is putting up Christmas Decorations...The next weekend I'm back to OKC with the girls for Beth Moore Conference, the next weekend I am taking my girls and Bailey Faith to see The Nutcracker in Amarillo(this is her Birthday present from us since her birthday is Dec. 26) And then it is the busy week right before school is out for the Christmas Holiday! I can't wait! and Sometime in the midst of all this, I need to go back out of town to finish my Christmas shopping! Oh, well. I love this time of year, and how busy it is!!

Have a great day!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2009-11-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

Well, Halloween is over. The only thing I really like about Halloween is the candy...not one of my favorite holidays. Here is a picture of my Go-G0 Girl and Rose Fairy, and also one of Haley, Auzlyn, Aubrey...and Cody. Now, LET THE REAL HOLIDAY SEASON BEGIN!!

I love Thanksgiving, and Christmas is my down right favorite!!! My Christmas shopping has already begun! I would put my tree up now (but Robby won't let me). I do have Christmas decorations up year round! I even invested in a display case to house all of my Department 56 North Pole Series Houses. They are just awesome!!

What I really enjoy about the Christmas season, is getting to spend time with my family and celebrating Jesus birth. I have so much fun finding neat little crafts for my Sunday School Kids to do, and they always look forward to Christmas because they just never know what I might come up with!!

REMEMBER there are just 52 more shopping days left!!!

What I found on Photo Booth

2009-10-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

You never know.....
There are many more that I found, but these are my favorite!

My Little Girl is Growing UP :(

2009-10-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, we went to Wichita Falls. There was some woodturning symposium deal that Robby wanted to go to, me and the girls dropped him off there in the morning, and me and the girls went shopping. The girls needed some new Fall/Winter clothes, off we go to Kohl's (my favorite store in the whole world!)

The girls pick out several outfits and we head to the dressing room. Haley starts trying on her clothes, and puts on this really cute outfit. She starts looking at herself in the mirror, looking at the back, the sides. She looks at me straight in my face and says, "Mom, I don't like this. You can see my BOOBS!" I told her it's really cute, and she proceeds to tell me that "she doesn't care, you can see her boobs and she was NOT getting it!" In my infinite, motherly wisdom, I told her, "Get used to it, they are NOT going away! all your clothes from now on are going to show your boobs!" Needless to say, we didn't get that outfit.

Haley also needed new shoes. Best place for shoes...Academy. We start trying on shoes, first a 4, then a 4.5, and finally a 5. Oh my goodness! My baby is wearing a size 5 shoe! That means we are fixing to move to womens shoes! Where did the time go! It just seems like yesterday when she started Kindergarten, and now she is in 4th grade, worrying about her boobs, and wearing a size 5 shoe! I think I am just going to lock her in her room until she is 30!

THIS JUST REALLY BURNS ME!!

2009-10-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

IT JUST REALLY BURNS ME WHEN SOMEONE TRESPASSES ON YOUR LAND! THIS PERSON HAS ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESS BEING THERE! TO GET TO THIS PLACE, YOU HAVE TO BE GOING THERE, IT IS NOT ON THE WAY TO ANYTHING! BUT GUESS WHAT, WE CAUGHT YOU, AND WE ARE GOING TO FIGURE OUT WHO YOU ARE!!!

This is someone who can apparently go out when he wants. The date and time is stamped for Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 9:30.

QUIET LOVES

2009-10-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

Our Sunday School lesson yesterday was about the Good Samaritan. The 3 girls (one of which is Auzlyn) in my 1st & 2nd grade class have been coming to Sunday School pretty much their whole life, so they know this story, as well as many others. For these common stories, I try to find something that they might not know.

One thing that my book mentioned was "Quiet Loves" and how to show love to your neighbor without coming right out and say it. At first, they didn't quite understand it, but when I asked them had their mom or dad ever put a little note in their lunch box, they all said yes. I told them that was a "Quiet Love" Just a simple little note, nothing big or bold about it. Then, we talked about other ways to show "Quiet Love" to people other than family. Let me tell you, these girls had some great ideas. I always wonder if they ever really hear what I am trying to teach them. I know they are listening, but are they hearing?

Last night, as I was heading to bed, I noticed that there was a piece of paper on my pillow as well as Robby's. I unfolded my paper, which was cut out like a heart, and inside it, it said, "Love is you and me. Auzlyn Grace Jones"(in cursive, because that is her thing now) with a piece of candy in it. I do not know when she did this, or where she found "Love is you and me" (She probably googled it at some point during the day.) Robby's said the same thing. It was so sweet! This showed me that they really are listening, and understanding what is going on.

"And to love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Mark 12:33

HAVE YOU GIVEN YOUR QUIET LOVE TODAY?

Why Do You Always Bring That Camera With You?

2009-10-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

This is the question I hear nearly every Saturday when we go check the deer feeders and swap out memory cards on the game cameras. I have to admit, must days there is nothing...except a couple of weird looking spiders. But today it all paid off! I don't think he will be asking me why I bring my camera anymore!

There were Mule Deer Everywhere!

When we were driving around Poppy's Place, we saw a calf lay in the hay, that looked like it had been out for a couple of days. Robby walked it back and around to the gate to get it back in with his Momma. See, he isn't such a bad guy after all!

Forgetful Tooth Fairy

2009-10-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

Around our house, the Tooth Fairy is sometimes forgetful! For instance, Haley lost a tooth the day before we left for vacation this summer. Well, I guess the Tooth Fairy was so busy, probably getting ready for a trip, that she forgot to come and visit that night. When we got back from vacation, she had left a nice prize for having forgot.

Guess what? Haley lost a tooth the other day, and the Tooth Fairy almost forgot again! Keyword being almost. As the Tooth Fairy was laying in bed, she shot up and said "Oh my! I almost forgot the tooth!" Up she jumps, runs to the living room and starts digging for some money. When she finally finds some, the Tooth Fairy goes into Haley's room and carefully starts searching for the tooth under her pillow. As the Tooth Fairy is searching, Haley starts to kind of rouse up a little. The Tooth Fairy was thinking "Oh my, I'm going to get caught! I'll just bend down and kiss her goodnight" As the Tooth Fairy was bending down, Haley pops her head up, hits the Tooth Fairy in her mouth, causing her lip to bleed. But the money was placed successfully under the pillow.

As the Tooth Fairy went back to her bed, she turned on her light and Mr. Tooth Fairy asked "What are you doing?" The Tooth Fairy replied, "She raised her head and hit me in my mouth! She busted my lip and it is swelling! Next time, you are on tooth detail!" Mr. Tooth Fairy just laughed. It wasn't very funny!

Pictures!!!

2009-09-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

Jamie has our pictures posted on her blog! Go check them out. I have a really hard decision to make now!!

http://deerinwaterdesigns.blogspot.com

It has been 6 years...

2009-09-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

Six years ago, when Auzlyn was about 6 months old, our church was doing new directories. So I dragged Robby there and we had our picture taken. Needless to say, that was our last family picture. But.....

Today I got Robby to take a family picture again! Jamie Cherry(for Childress people)Deerinwater took them this morning at Lucy Park in Wichita Falls, and I am sooo excited! We had so much fun! Even Robby said it was OK after we left :) Now, I can't wait to see them! I know they will be AWESOME!! Can you tell I'm EXCITED!!

It was funny, when we were following Jamie to the park, she just took off...she didn't waste anytime getting there. Robby said, it must run in the family, I remember riding with her mom one time and she scared me to death! That was just a funny little tidbit I had to share.

Anyways, it has been a long day. I'm tired, my throat hurts, I can't quit coughing, and I am trying to lose my voice, so I am going to bed. Have a great day!

Labor Day

2009-09-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well, what can I say about this weekend...I did pretty much nothing! We were going to the lake, but decided with it being a holiday weekend it would be crowded, so we stayed at home. We were busy though! Well, not too busy...We went to the carnival, one of the best ones Childress has had in a long time! I was quite impressed, the carnie's were not that dirty. We played 18 holes at Stoney Ridge. I shot a 115...I think I should try out for the LPGA, I could probably make it. We ate lunch Sunday with Bob, Barbara and Grandma...These days, Grandma doesn't care what she says or about who...it was quite hilarious! I cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom on Monday. It was quite gross. How can a kitchen get so nasty so fast? All I can say is my house is SPOTLESS compared to those on the show "Hoarders" If you have never seen it, it is on A&E, and it will almost make you want to vomit! It is just plain GROSS! I rested, played with the girls, watched them play in the rain, layed in the bed with Auzlyn and watched "Jonas Brothers" and "Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus concert." Robby made a couple of birdhouses on his lathe, and some pens. I helped him some, what little I can do. Overall it was a good weekend!!

Back to the Routine!

2009-08-31T10:25:00.000-07:00

As we are starting the second week of school, it seems my life has taken on a familiar run of events. Get up, shower, get the girls up, fix them breakfast, get dressed, make sure the girls are getting dressed, fix lunches and then off to school. This is the same routine I have done since Haley was in Kindergarten...but hey, it works!

After school is when it gets really fun! Mondays, we go to the grocery store. Come home, put the groceries up and then it is bathroom cleaning time. I hate to clean the bathrooms more than anything, so that is why it is the first room of the week! Tuesdays are kitchen days...the second worse room to clean. Wednesday is piano and church night. That normally takes the afternoon up, so I don't do any cleaning that day. Thursdays are living room days...the girls can pretty much clean the living room by themselves, so I normally supervise them. Friday afternoons, I go to the Glass Shop, write checks, pay bills and do the deposit. Rule for Friday at our house is "Momma doesn't cook." My girls can tell you that! We will normally go eat somewhere, or order something.

Don't forget all the daily stuff like homework, practice piano, cooking and cleaning up supper...It just never ends! I like having my routine back. During the summer I just say, "It can wait until tomorrow" guess what? It never gets done!

On a last, off the subject note, I am asking that you pray for Winna Wilson. She is in Lubbock in the hospital. They are not sure what is wrong, other than her kidneys are trying to shut down. They also think there are some "hot spots" from her breast cancer 12 years ago. They will be putting stints in her kidneys tomorrow to see if that will help. As of now, she will be in Lubbock for an undisclosed amount of time. This woman means so much to me, and has been a big part of my life since I was in Jr. High. Winna is a big influence on my life, not only did she teach me to love piano, but she also taught me about faith and how God loves you, even when you don't think he is around. Now my children are taking piano from her and just love her to pieces! I know one day they will realize that Winna just doesn't teach piano, she teaches you about God and how he gives you talents to use while we are here.

Bella, Bella

2009-08-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening we came home and I just kept noticing that Bella was not moving from the spot she was in. She was being very quiet, and kept pulling on some loose rope from her bouncy rope. Well, this got me wondering, so I kept watching and noticed she would fall asleep in that spot...which is not normal, when she naps she is up at the top of the cage, and she was toward the bottom. Robby got up, opened the cage door, and when she tried to climb up the back of the cage, she couldn't! Her little foot was tangled up in the rope! I hurry out to the garage and get a tint knife, and Robby gets her cut loose from the big rope and gets her out of the cage. I start cutting the knot off from around her foot, and her little toes were cold. The problem was we didn't know how long she had been caught...neither one of us went home for lunch, I came home for a little bit before I had to go back to school, but I couldn't remember exactly where she was. We just held her the rest of the evening, and when we put her back in her cage she kept favoring that one foot.

We decided we would wait until tomorrow to see how she was acting. In the morning she was still favoring the foot. Robby called and talked to an Aviary Vet in Amarillo and he wanted to see her just to make sure there wasn't anything major going on. So at lunch we decided we should take her to the Vet. So Robby takes off to Amarillo with Bella. Once they get there, the Dr. looks her over and says she has probably just strained some of her ligaments, and her foot is a little swollen. Now, Bella has a prescription of Celebrex to take for several days...in a way that is just funny, I have taken Celebrex for my knee!

The good news is..Bella is going to be fine, and is healthy..the Dr. said she should live a long and healthy life!

The First Day...

2009-08-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it through the first day. Haley really enjoyed 4th grade and the changing of the classes. She was real nervous about that, but she handled it really well! And of course she made a new friend...and then went and helped find her mother after school was out. That is just typical Haley! After school, she said "I really like Mrs. Manley, Mrs. Self is just cool because she's Abbi's grandma, and Mrs. Keys just talked and talked and talked!" I thought that was funny!

Of course Auzlyn just lllloooovvveee'ssss Mrs. Atchley. Her words exactly...she drew the love out for about 5 seconds. Auzlyn made a new friend, also. The new high school assistant principal's daughter...She said she was just too sweet, just like me! Mrs. Sanders stopped me in the hall and said, "Let me tell you what Auzlyn just said" In my mind, I am thinking "there is no telling!" She said that she went into Mrs. Atchley's room, Mrs. Atchley introduced her to the class, and Auzlyn..in Auzlyn sassy style, says "I know her, I've been to her house!" Like she was all top dog because she had been to the assistant principals house. I wish I could have been there.

My year really won't start until tomorrow...I didn't have any students today, so I worked on scheduling ALL DAY LONG! But I will have my little darlings tomorrow! All in all, it was a great first day.

Accomplishments while my children have been gone..

2009-08-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, my mother took my girls and my 3 year old niece on a trip to Gallup to meet up with some cousins from California. Well, they will be back tomorrow, so I thought I would jot down what I have accomplished over these last few days.

Wednesday I worked and we ordered from the United Deli for supper.

Thursday I went to Quanah for a meeting, came home home and cooked Chicken Fried Steak with gravy and new potatoes for supper...Quite delicious if I do say so my self.

Friday I got up, went to the Glass Shop and wrote checks and did the deposit...like any other Friday. Robby and I went to El Sombrero for lunch and then I had to go to school to meet a student. Friday night we ordered Thai Kitchen and watched National Treasure: the hidden book.

Saturday we got up and went a played golf. I had a horrible round, but it was fun. It was the first time in a while that Robby and I have played together. We were through around 3:00, grabbed a sandwich from the Grill on the Green. For supper that night, we had chips and homemade hot sauce...very yummy!

Today, I went to church, came home watched the race, then watched the end of the PGA championship. Still cannot believe Tiger got beat...and now I am fixing to cook cream cheese jalapeno burgers. I have never cooked them before, but they sound very good!

My accomplishments include only cooking 2 meals...playing on the computer...watching TV...and playing golf...a very successful week in my book!

It has been quiet around here, and I am ready for my girls to get home! Tomorrow they will be here and start fighting all over again! I have to admit, I do miss the fighting!

Pack, Unpack, Repack

2009-08-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

These last several weeks we have been going and going! Just trying to get in as much as possible before school starts back :( Well, we got back from Colorado on a Sunday...the next Friday, I was packing again to spend the night in Wichita Falls and go to Castaway Cove. The girls had a blast there, and Robby and I did, too.

The next weekend we actually stayed home..I got some stuff cleaned out and finally painted Haley's room. It is painted, but we still don't have it completely decorated yet, so I'm not going to put any pictures up until we are completely finished...which may be next year.

Even though we didn't go anywhere that weekend, I had to pack Haley for church camp. They had fun, except for when the van broke down about 5 miles outside of town. That is a story they will have forever!

Haley got back from camp..got her unpacked and then packed us all for Amarillo. This is our annual school shopping/Wonderland trip. Both the girls actually rode the roller coasters! Auzlyn loved them...Haley was not to impressed, but she did ride them a couple of times. The whole time she had her head buried either in Robby or me the whole ride. She was a good sport about it!

So now I am unpacking again and packing the girls to go with my mom to Gallup, New Mexico. They are leaving on Wednesday afternoon and won't be back until Sunday or Monday. They are meeting some cousins from California to go to an India Ceremony thing...They will have fun! You need to pray for my mom because she is taking all 3 girls by herself!!

Then, it will be time for school to start...but I do have a comp day for the 21st...So I may try to talk Robby into going to the lake one last weekend before it all ends!!

The Last Weeks of Summer

2009-08-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

Every summer I do the same thing...I have all these projects I want to do around the house and I wait until the last 2 or 3 weeks of summer to do them. Well I have done it again! I start out and say, oh, it can wait until tomorrow...but guess what, tomorrow is here! So if I get no other projects done, I will get Haley's room painted!

We were going to paint her room last summer, but thanks to the lovely Father's Day storm, it didn't happen. We are almost ready to paint. As soon as she wakes her little hiney up, we are headed to Walmart for tape, drop clothes, caffeine, and other miscellaneous supplies we may need. Her room will be finished by this weekend.

Haley leaves for Church Camp on Monday, so I have to get all of her stuff ready and packed for that...what is really bad is her sleeping bag is in the trailer, and the trailer is down. We are going to have to pop up the trailer just enough to get her sleeping bag out.

I also need to go through the girls clothes(and mine) and see what fits, and what doesn't so we can go school shopping next weekend. I don't mind shopping for clothes for the girls, but Robby is always there and rushing us! He'll say, "Do you have to touch every item of clothing in the store? Aren't you through yet? Oh my gosh, can ya'll just hurry?" He is going to have to learn that when you have 2 little girls shopping for clothes, who are growing up, and forming there own opinions, it is going to take a while to find the right clothes we need for school. But I don't say anything to him, because he is there, shopping with his girls, and I don't ever remember my dad shopping with me. Plus, he carries all the cash.

Well, Haley's up, fixing to head to Walmart! Have a great last couple of weeks of summer! I'll post pics of Haley's room when we are finished!

Vacation to South Fork, Colorado

2009-07-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally did it...I got Robby to leave the shop for 3 whole days and go on vacation!! Whoo Hoo!! Off we go to Colorado, after much convincing that we could actually travel that far. Let's face it, Robby is not a traveler, but I am slowly turning him into one!

We had a great time, after the first night. We get to South Fork and check into our cabin. We were trying to decide what to do and Robby said let's just go on up to Creede, it's only 20 miles away! On the way, Auzlyn falls asleep. I wake her up when we get there and she immediately starts saying that her eyebrow hurts. That means one of two things...1. She is really tired and just needs to go to bed...2. She is fixing to get sick. Well, we were #2. We started walking around, and she says momma, "I need to go to the bathroom." So we hurry and find one, and she says, "I think I'm going to throw up." Poor baby tries to throw up with no luck, so we started walking back to meet Robby and Haley and just head back to the cabin. We get about 30 yards from the bathroom and Auzlyn goes, "Momma, I'm going to throw up right now!" We hurry around to the backside of a gazebo and she just let's loose. I just keep thinking, poor baby is going to be sick on our vacation. But, after a good nights sleep, she was just fine!

On the first full day there, we head up the Silver Thread Byway, which in my opinion is a must. You can buy a book at the tourist center for $1 that tells about the history of the different places and stops all the way up to Lake City. There were some of the most beautiful sights along this road that I have ever seen. They say North Clear Creek Falls is the most photographed waterfall in Colorado, and I can see why! Seeing bended trees at Slumgullion Earth Flow, was just strange. On the way back we had to stop and let the sheep get out of the road close to the Continental Divide...the girls really enjoyed seeing that!

The next day we headed over Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa Springs. On the way we stopped by Treasure Falls, and some other viewing areas. There would be water coming out of the side of the mountains splashing onto the road. It was a very strange sight to see. We get to Pagosa and drive around for a little bit, and then stop and let the girls play in the river. They had fun doing that. On the way back, we saw a man and his two 2 sons, probably not much over 10 or 12, riding bikes up the pass. They had more guts than me! I probably would have died if I even attempted that!

The last day we stayed in South Fork for the Logger Days Competition. They had crafts and an actual logging competition. That was very interesting...they actually had women competing. At the craft fair they had Gordon Possein doing chain saw carvings. That was just awesome to watch him start with a log and turn it into a sculpture! I convinced Robby I needed one, so I came home with a little black bear. It doesn't really match anything in my house, so it might go live with me at school for a little while.

The next morning we got up and headed home. We had a great time and are looking forward to going back in a couple of years. Next year, I'm going to try to convince Robby to go to North Carolina...Wish me luck!!

GOD IS AWESOME!!

2009-06-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

GOD IS AWESOME!! This past week has just opened my eyes even more to how AWESOME GOD is!! It is hard to believe that just a year ago the back wall of the sanctuary was practically gone, and now we have this beautiful new sanctuary (that is not orange, I might add) that if God wouldn't have brought the storm to blow down that wall we never would have gotten the things we need!

On that note, our Vacation Bible School this year was AWESOME!! We had more kids than we have had in a long time! 25 of those kids made decisions for Jesus, which is AWESOME! We have an awesome preacher who does not mind putting on the costumes Leisa and I pick out for him (We do that partially for our own amusement.) When we fear we are not going to have enough workers, God brings them to us! Thanks to everyone who brought their kids out and let us share Jesus with them, it is a true blessing.

Left to right VBS 2007, 2008 and then this year.

Remember, God has a purpose for everything, you may not know what it is at the time, but He will let you know He is ready for you to know!

Another busy week, and another one coming!

2009-06-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Busy, Busy, busy...I can't seem to get caught up! I spent Monday and Tuesday cleaning up the trailer and getting everything put up, laundry done from that. Bluck!! After getting all that done, Wednesday I could not do a thing! I played Farm Town...Guitar Hero...Wii Fit...and other numerous video games with the girls. After church, I made Haley's cake for her party so I could decorate them the next day...needless to say, I was up to 11:00 baking cakes.

Thursday morning I get up and finally make myself get up to decorate it. I made the icing, and iced the cake, and then I waited...waited...and waited for the icing to crust. After about an hour, it finally did! I don't know if it was the humidity or what, but it has never taken that long to crust! Finally, I get to actually start decorating it...talk about some hand cramps! I could tell it has been a while since I decorated a cake!

A few friends and family come..Haley was kind of disappointed, she wanted more people...more people=more presents. We still had fun. It was the year of the gift cards!! Thanks everyone for coming!

Friday we head to Lubbock for Haley's Learn to Golf through Scottish Rite on Saturday. If your child goes to Scottish Rite Hospital, take advantage of this program, it is AWESOME! The Golf Pro from the Tech Rawls Course, and several members of the Tech Golf team, and other Rawls course employees, volunteer their time to help these kids learn to play golf. I even learned some stuff listening to them! They provide the kids with golf clubs to keep, and a $500 scholarship for lessons. We love Scottish Rite!!

On the way home we got a phone call from Robby's mom saying "Where are you? There are storms everywhere!" We tell her we are almost to Matador and she says, "Stop there and wait!! There is a big storm with tornados that is going to cross the road between Matador and Paducah!" So we stop and sit at the Allsups (because there is nothing else in Matador) for about 30 minutes, when a trooper pulls up. Robby goes and asks him how it was looking, and he said we could make it on now, but it was probably a good thing we stopped! We finally made it home, 3 1/2 hours after we left Lubbock. Thanks Barbara for the phone call!

I get to church this morning and am walking back to my Sunday School room, and my best friend says "hey, come here..." I was like, "what?" Figuring it was something about VBS and she says "I'm pregnant!" I started screaming and jumping up and down! They could here me all over the church! I was just so excited I couldn't keep it in! I had just decided they were never going to have a kid, and now I am so excited for them! Congratulations, Leisa and Stephen!!

That's the big happenings from this last week. Vacation Bible School starts tomorrow...busy, busy again..Bring your kids out! They will have lots of fun!!

Until next time....

First Waurika Camping Trip

2009-06-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

I have been going to start blogging for a while now, but just didn't know where to start. After this weekends events, I decided now was a good time...So here it goes.

For Haley's 9th Birthday she wanted to go camping, so off we go to Waurika. This is where Robby used to go with Poppy and Grandma fishing all of the time, so he has many memories of this place. We head out of town about 1:00 on Friday, after stopping in Vernon, we arrive there about 3:45. Of course we drive around for about 30 minutes looking for the right spot...Kiowa #13. It's about 10 feet from the lake, and plenty of parking for all of our stuff, and for Joseph and Jarret when they arrive on Saturday.

We unload everything and get the trailer set up, then it is off to buy minnows! We go into this one bait shop, when I walk in I swear I hear "Dueling Banjos" from Deliverance. It was just creepy, and I'll leave it at that.

We get back to our site, and put the minnows in the lake. The girls are down by the lake, looking in the water, seeing if they can see turtles, fish, or whatever else. Haley is staying cautiously back...Auzlyn is bending down, getting as close as possible to the water. She lost her balance a couple of times. Robby and I are sitting there just watching them. I look and Robby and said "Auzlyn's going to fall in, just watch." I hadn't no more said that and guess what? She did. She started to panic at first, but when she realized she could reach, she was ok. It was quite comical. At first, Auzlyn wouldn't laugh about it, now she does.

The rest of the evening wasn't that eventful. We at hot dogs, watched the sunset, chased some lightning bugs, and then off to bed.

We get up Saturday morning, load the boat up and head for the boat ramp. We got the boat in the water and was on our way. We found a place and started fishing...got nothing. So we moved...still nothing. We moved again...nothing. During this time the wind gets up, and it starts getting really rough. The water is white capping, and Robby said it's time to go! He drops me off at the dock, to get the pick up and back it down the ramp. Let me give you a little background into me backing a trailer...I had backed the boat into the water earlier, but Robby had lined it up, so all I had to do was put it in reverse, and not move the wheel...other than that, there is none. I get the trailer lined up and somewhat straight, I only had to pull up and straighten it up about 10 times, I thought that was pretty good. It took Robby about 4 tries to get the boat on the trailer because the wind was blowing the boat sideways. We got the boat hooked up and back to the campsite for lunch and resting.

After we rested, we went swimming and then back to the trailer to wait for Joseph and Jarrett. They arrived and we cooked supper and visited, and then the first cloud came up. It sprinkled a little bit, and the wind blew, a lot. We went in the trailer and played Monopoly until 12:30 and we went to bed. At 1:15 I woke up thinking the trailer was fixing to flip over. 40-50 mile an hour winds in a pop-up, is no fun. Robby goes looks outside, I'm praying that we don't flip over, the girls and Joseph are asleep. Robby goes and calls the sheriff dept.(1:45) they say we are just getting the wind off the cloud. About 2:00, the electricity pops off and then back on, and you can feel the temperature just rising. Robby goes back outside, comes right back in, turns on the light, and says get in the pickup we are going to the bathroom. The temp. on the pickup thermometer said 101 degrees, where about 15 minutes ago, it was probably 70. There is a line of people headed to the bathroom. We wait there about 20 minutes and the wind calms down, so everyone goes back to their sites.

We start looking around to see if everything is ok. The trailer had moved, about 2 foot, the bed supports were out on one end. Then we look and the front of the boat had turned about 90 degrees and the tongue was now in the grass facing the water. Kind of spooky is all I can say. We get back in bed about 3:00, and then the wind starts blowing again. The last I remember looking at the clock it was 4:00, and then I was awake at 7:00.

The wind was still blowing when we got up, there was no use in putting the boat back in the water, so we just loaded up and came home. The funny thing is, I had been kidding Haley all day about keeping her up all night, because that is what she had done to me 9 years ago. I really was kidding with her, but we all were up most of the night anyways! We still had fun, and that is all that matters.