It's NAKEY TIME!!

ahhhhh yes..a subject near and dear to the hearts of parents
with kids like my Molly Kate....

nakey time

We've been blessed that she doesn't disrobe in public, but I've read horror stories
from other parents. She has attempted occasionally to 'break free' at school, and it's
always reported (Thank God) to me with humor...but the sharp eye of her teacher has prevented any disasters. (thanks Steph!)

The joy of being free of clothing....SOOOOOOO inappropriate in our
world today, yet a pure joy in the eyes of the constant child.

Molly and I went to Springfield this week to take over duties for
the new baby while her parents worked...and early one morning holding miss Aubrey propped-up in my folded knee, one hand trying to hold a camera, the other hand making sure my little "bobble head" didn't throw herself into a tumble...while simultaneously making "those gramma faces" that can elicit smiles from the nearly new born...i tried to capture it.

IT WORKED! I GOT HER TO SMILE!! AND i got it on
video!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!....i was so anxious to come and
post the video here, but alas....when watching it i see in the background,
fuzzy from focus but still viewable, my young daughter has awoken from
sleep....gone to the bathroom, and stripped. She's looking for sponge bob
on the television in the background of my awesome shot and??? IT'S NAKEY TIME!!

so no video for you...GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR next time....but take heart...got some great
still photos

Here's that smile...this one given to daddy:



Aubrey Jo is constantly monitored, and showered in love from her Aunt Molly Kate:



Her little onsie says "this IS my little black dress" and as you can see, the
interest goes both ways.....




The big ugly babe gets a shout out...and is also well cared for with ALL the goodies
miss Aubrey has amassed!




Molly Kate constantly reminds me that we are human. Pure and Simple,
we are gifts from the Creator. Our bodies by society standards need to be
covered, but Home? home is the place we get comfy. To adults, that would
mean sweat pants and an oversized tee-shirt. To the more 'enlightened"?
Nakey Time!!!

We as a society view nudism as funny, sexual or at worst... shameful. I'm seeing it in a whole new light thru my child.

It just is.

She is totally oblivious to Magazine Covers...cares not what her body fat ratio is,
would RATHER we didn't comb her hair. She does have quite the fashion sense, and
we do argue about some outfits...but primarily over the outfits comfort! (no tight
jeans and too small shirts for this girl! YAY!)

IT'S NOT IMPORTANT...WE SHOULDN'T CARE -That is the message Molly
sends to me. As a society, we pay out millions to alter our features, buy diet drugs,
and on psychiatrists trying to help us cope with the inner-self-loathing we have
for our bodies. Good Health? Oh yea, that's important, but the impact socio-economically that the 'perfect face' and the "perky boobs" seems to be MORE important! Just try interviewing for a job if you need proof!

So we do care.

Everyone cares...except Molly. Molly sees YOU. She doesn't care whether your outfit
came from the Good Will Store or was designed by Ralph Loren. She doesn't care
if your face is scarred from fire, or your hair is gone from Chemo. She sees YOU.

Our Children come directly from the sparkle of God's Eye. They are a reminder to
all of us what He intended when he created Humanity and we should Honor them
for that contribution to this messed-up world. They are the Ultimate example
in so many ways of what we should strive to be.

We shouldn't use the word "retard" to describe something less than the beauty
that is our special children.

Join me in the cause



http://www.r-word.org/

*****************************************************************
This week marks more of life in all it's glory and heartbreak.

The Glory
Little Ben's MRI has been viewed by many specialists.

They are preparing for a stem cell transplant which includes a HORRIBLE phase of chemo.
Cancer treatment is always SO devastating to the recipient, and parents Always question
their part in the torture..."Is This Worth the Pain?"

This week we receive news that the tumors? are unseeable...no biopsies on
them can be performed as THEY ARE GONE!

GLORY BE!

Please continue to pray for them as the walk through the valley of chemotherapy...And Praise
God for a bit of good news to carry them through to Bennie's total healing.

www.carepages.com

CP BenTheBrave

The Heartbreak

Susan's mom died. Scary because we're the same age. Scary because she was not ill...had no warning. That's 2 in 2 weeks and weighs heavily on the minds of all of us in this small communtity....especially all of us baby boomers.

Susan was a childhood friend of my shauna. I have always adored her. She also,
saw no need for fashion....fought wearing dresses preferring basketball shorts and hi-topped tennis shoes. She was ornery...but in the purest sense of the word, and had that sparkle of humor that made you smile, no matter WHAT situation had just happened. You just know that both her parents raised these children in love and humor.

Her parent were heavily involved in raising everyone's children....mom taught 25 years at a rural school...dad was a referee for all schools, preferring the younger kids' basketball games. They are founding members of our community, have a blueberry patch open to all, as well as an open door to their home and hearts. BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.

Mom, Rosa Leah, fell ill with what she thought was the flu....turns out it was her heart, and we lost her on Wednesday.....again, totally unexpected.

As Susan and i talked, her swollen eyes turned to her youngest, who was 'cruising' his way to a cookie. I watched little Cooper attempt to sneak the cookie and steal a glance to see if his mommy was watching.... and in doing so the twinkle returned to Susan's eyes.

It was the same twinkle i saw in Rosa Leah's eyes whenever we discussed how all that toilet paper made it into my trees.
***************************************************

So, all of you I love so dearly....Enjoy this life...live it with all the vigor and happiness you can. Cherish each moment....and remember to treat each other with respect.

Regardless on how we look...we all have contributions, we are all worthwhile in our being here, we are all Creations of God.

I'll end with my most favorite quote...I am sorry I don't know the author of it...


"Respectful support begins with the recognition that individuals with disabilities are not abnormal or deficient but, instead, reflect the normal diversity of the human community"

F*** Ben Stiller and his gang of HATE ADVOCATES!

I am pissed beyond words...

I am SO SICK of people not understanding, and hiding behind the 1st amendment
to advocate HATE!

as IF!!

Its like when HITLER defended his quest for the perfect race! Yea, that's right
stiller...i just compared YOU to HITLER!!


Stiller is quoted as saying "he didn't MEAN to offend anyone"

I CRY BULLSHIT!!

you wanted to make money at the expence of every child who is not PERFECT LIKE YOU!
(and today, I feel blessed that Molly is not ANYTHING LIKE YOU!)

Just the fact that you would PREY on the disabled for A BUCK?? How broke are you?? Or is it
an EGO THING...you'd do ANYTHING to see your face plastered all over the media?

What kind of MONSTER ARE YOU????

I WILL NEVER watch ANYTHING these jerks are associated in again!

Not that jerk Ben Stiller, or Jack Black (who should be banned from ANYTHING having to do with children) and their FREAK-BUDDY, TOM CRUISE!!

Dreamworks?

You just lost a customer and ALSO should be banned from having anything to do with children.


WRONG-WRONG-WRONG!

The Carousel

Up and down...up and down...complete with nauseating music that is too loud and seems never-ending!! This life sometimes gets spinning so fast sometimes I just want to jump and run.....but over there? A rollercoaster!! Damn!

I am at the point in my life, that I'm desperately seeking the bench in the shade away from the midway.

No Mas! No Mas!

It seems futile...in order to survive with no heartbreak, you'd have to quit work, move to a mountain top, have no more contact with the outside world.....share no laughs....cease feeling anything whatsoever. This seems to be the only alternative to major heartbreak....and the lows seem SO much lower..when proceeded by the highs. We are just having too many highs now to go join the Dahli Lama, but I always keep that option open....and some weeks try to avoid anything that may cause me pain. Sometimes it is just unavoidable. Sometimes Life Sucks!

This week marks the first swimming lesson. Molly Kate was definitely uncomfortable with no floatie, meeting a stranger to entrust, and seemed to contemplate her own immediate future as we waited for him to arrive.




She warmed up to him soon enough, and almost enjoyed herself. She was very uncomfortable with him touching her belly (trying to lift her into proper floating position) and although it was detrimental to the lesson...it warms a mom's heart. "Hey! not just ANYONE can touch my tummy like that!" To all parents, particularly emphasized in parents of children with special needs, that boogeyman weighs heavy in the back of our minds. It's great to see that she recognizes an uncomfortable feeling...and reacts to it.

No worries with this young man. HE IS AWESOME! Matt is the son of my ex-lawyer, who became judge. He also attends college, works the register in the pharmacy part-time, and is a lifeguard. He is as pure as a man-child can be, without being enhanced with that extra chromosome, and has been insistent on getting a few lessons in with Molly before he embarks to his new life in China. He's been accepted into a gifted college exchange program for a couple of semesters, and we are all so proud of him. I truly believe he should take me with him, as I worry that he could be taken advantage of, given his spirit......but like the rest of my kids you just stand back and watch them fly. Matt will be famous one day, I know it. A personality like his shines like a lighthouse beam in this foggy world.

GOOD LUCK MATT!! WE LOVE YOU!





Kelsi was down this week. She is the epitome of teenagerness....and sooooooooooo intelligent! I cannot wait to see what she's going to be when she makes that turn into adulthood. It's so exciting to see them at the last jump before the plunge. I'm sure it will be spectacular. We took her back to KC on Friday, and I rode along to Springfield and jumped off there to get my 'baby fix' for the week.

Little Aubrey Jo is growing so fast...if I take a weekend off, she's a whole new person when I get there! She has my chin (or lack of one) poor little thing, but somehow I think she will be Way Beautiful despite it! I didn't think I would ever want to wish it on anyone, but now? I beam with pride in looking at it, in seeing my genetic markers continue on in another generation. It is an AMAZING feeling. SHE'S A MILLER!!

She is now mimicking daddy's faces, and he can cajole the BIG GOOFY GUMMY GRINS outta her!





That's something that even the wonder-mommies can't do.

We are the providers, Ally...take heart...there is no one EVER going to be, what those two are together, daddy & daughter. I know it's frustrating, because I look everyday at my "Little Trooper" Molly Kate.

She goes to daddy for love, and fun and laughs...and comes to me when she's hungry. She says "Daddy" lovingly....but calls me "I" in a demanding sort of way. She can point her finger at you and say "Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhush" determinedly (giving orders like dad)....but refuses to tell me "I love you". Such is our lot in life. We, the mommies, the ouch fixers, the Kool-Aid makers, the ones that understand that bread has no place in the life of a hot dog. NOT FAIR!! :-)

I particulary loved it that molly was so willing to introduce the big ugly baby...to the little beautiful one:




and just WHEN did they start making swimming suits this little???




Oh, and all that lovey-dovey stuff seems to carry over to cats, I guess. This is Hattin, letting the sarge know JUST how much HE was missed on our Friday trip!!





The only contact I seem to have with him, is an occasional bite, and kitty-screaming if I'm running the canopener! The two cats have managed to reach an accord, though...when it comes to naptime. It seems the only molly and dog free part of the house is now a "no-fighting" zone....that is molly's bedroom where the important things in life -like a good nap- can be acheived:



The Breaking News of the week? My parent's have finally succumbed to the constant nagging of their daughters...and have agreed to move in with us. 6 months here in the mild Ozark winters (we still have an occasional snow, but NOTHING like the poundings mother nature delivers to central Nebraska) and in the summers? They'll migrate to Colo Spgs with my eldest sister...they'll get to forgo the joys of tornado season, and the dog days of summer which this week?? ARE FINALLY OVER!!!! YIPEEE!!!!!!! More on this story later!

And regarding the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy downside of this weeks Carousel ride:

Another guy from work...Gordon Voelschow:





Gordon is an asst manager at the store. We met about 15 years ago, when he came to build the new supercenter. I absolutely adored him from the git-go! He's one of those guys who, when you run up to him and yell THE STORE'S ON FIRE!! would just smile, change directions, and walk toward the fire extinguisher in the same determined step he had been before.... and maybe flip back a funny story on his way. A no sweat...no worries....don't take yourself so serious - we'll handle this kind of guy. He was just a few years older than me, but seem to have all the answers - while I'm still struggling with the questions! It surprised me he didn't whistle the Bobby McFerrin "Don't Worry, Be Happy" tune while he worked.

I saw him in the back last week, right after I got my latest Aubrey pictures developed, and said "heya Jordan, (don't know why, but it was his pet name from me) have you seen my grandbaby lately??" He laughed, made fun of me as he let the grandchildren pics flow out of his wallet...and teased me about having only one. The one thing about this man that always stood out, was the love/pride/joy he had for his family. He glowed whenever his wife was with him in the store...teased her unmercifully...and she always was smiling.

He loved his black cowboy hat, his boots, his horses, and something I didn't know...in his off time (really none at all when you're in management) he donated that time and those horses to hippotherapy for children with special needs. HE DIDN'T TELL ME THAT!

Of course, that's Gordon....walking that determined pace...doing everything for everyone - changing lives and loving every second but never bragging about it. He definitely did not fit the pattern of a Walmart Manager.

Gordon went to the Poplar Bluff Walmart to oversee a remodel there. It was Day 2 for him, Wednesday, when he went to take a break, and dropped on the stairs of a (we think) massive heart attack....Lights Out-Party's over. No Goodbyes, No Fanfare...just gone.

Godspeed Gordon.

It IS true when they say "the good die young" Take heart, all of you that have lost little ones....the ultimate guardian just made angel ranks, and your kids could not be in better hands there. We will miss him immeasurably...and stuggle to understand that his work has to continue, just in a different place.

We are jealous that THAT place is Heaven and we have to remain here, anxiously awaiting the Ultimate Reunion.

Lesson for the week:

Take the time to tell your friends, workmates, and all those people that make you smile everyday, just how much you appreciate them. They make the ride bearable.

And make sure that when you speak of your family...EVERYONE knows how much you love them. Let the world see that love....it seems easier to complain about who broke what, or who SAID what...but do we GLOW when we speak about them?? we should...if not for all the right reasons, then...

In honor of Gordon.

just DO IT DO IT DO IT!!

It's been a lazy weekend for us, and a welcomed week of no trips, and no cleaning up from trips! I should be scouring the house and giving it the attention it desperately needs, but for the last day or so have concentrated on cleaning the pool...watching movies (the other bolyn girl...awesome) and playing with molly.

She is CONSTANTLY on the move...we are in the middle of our 'dog dayz'... the temps hit over 100 yesterday, so just like blizzard season, we are confined to the house during the day. Missing school and the constraints of the heat have just about sent her over the edge!

She has come up with some new 'larryisms' though. She brought me an empty ice cream cone while i was hauling a basket of laundry. I told her to take it to daddy, and immediately hear him say "Make Mommy Do It!" (he antagonizes any situation for fun)

She promptly brings the cup back to me and says as plain as day...." DO IT!"

ugh....

a few hours later, when i sit to check my email, she pulls me from the chair. I stand and tell her to stop dragging me around and just 'say it with your mouth' when she snipes my computer chair.

She touches the monitor (yes all the new LCD's have been properly inundated with little fingerprints) and says "Dora....Do It!"

She likes the noggin webpage. She cant click well enough to play games unassisted, but they have a scrolling header with all their shows in little squares at the top, and if you roll the mouse over them...the name of the show is announced. DORA THE EXPLORER....LITTLE BEAR..OSWALD! and so on....she loves it, and it's teaching her beginning 'mousing'.

Again, i am please that two more words are added to her vocabulary....although the emphatic "DOITDOITDOITDOIT" in an emergency...i.e. getting her some juice, is quickly losing it's novelty for me......but not, of course, for her father.

The rest of the kids are quiet, my parents are home, safe and sound, as is shauna (despite united airlines best effort)I miss the baby this weekend, and her fabulous parents, and by the sound of Bill's voice yesterday...he's up to his neck in work.

So I'll take today, try to get my act together, but more probably will play with molly, stay calm and snuggly and enjoy the quiet of the little house in the woods. Larry is off to pick up miss kelsi....so im sure that is ALL going to change by this evening!

On the pure humor side of my life, i am in love with the editor of our small town, every day but sunday, comes in the mail a day late newspaper...the West Plains Daily Quill....this is an example of our op/ed: howwwwwwwwww embarrassinggggggggggg and hilarious!!





The week also marks the passing of 2 of the carepage kids we pray for:

jordyn laura

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/jordynlauraspage

and david crider
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/DspecCrider

Pediatric Cancer continues to be the 1 killer of our children. The time for us to gather as parents and take action is NOW!! This is a note from AJ's dad....take a second and respond....for the sake of the children, or as molly would say...just DOIT DOIT DOIT!! (and thank you for 10 seconds of your busy day...it WILL make a difference.)



I'm AJ's Dad.

I wish I had no story to tell. Our AJ, my best friend in the whole world, was only 14 years old when he left us on January 5, 2008, a victim of childhood cancer. It still seems unreal to type that. Our world will never be the same.

So I started this because I, like many of you, am frustrated at the sheer lack of awareness and funding for childhood cancer. The idea behind the petition is simple; collect one million signatures to challange the major TV networks to create a special devoted solely to childhood cancer. It's a story you don't hear. Yet it impacts 1 in 300 of our children, and is the 1 killer disease of our kids.

So this is real. This is happening. We have momentum. But we need your help. Here's how you can help:
Sign the Cure Childhood Cancer Petition.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/CureChildhoodCancer"

There is no going back. We can't un-know what we know about childhood cancer. So, to change it, we each have to DO SOMETHING. Remember, "You get what you give".

We love you Age, AJs Dad CarePage –
AJsSpace
curechildhoodcancer@blogspot.com

meet me in saint loueeee baby, meet me at the fair

ok-a mid week blog.

it has to be, as I'm hoping to be in Springfield taking over baby duties this weekend, and there is NO typing with miss Aubrey on duty. All 4 grandparents gave the new parents a weekend off last weekend...we DO keep them BUSY!

I should be a pro by now, but this is what Molly Kate did Tuesday:




Yes, that is what is left of a 32" LCD television...Yes it was secured...yes it was IMPOSSIBLE to tumble down...we have to two-man struggle with it when it's time to clean under it. No she was not hurt badly, but hopefully hurt bad enough to TEACH HER!!...and yes, i am mortified, too!!

Miss Monkey Butt just WAITS for us to be inattentive...Heaven forbid we have to go to the bathroom!! This is the life of a child with special needs...you don't even chance a quick trip to the loo.



I was speaking to the rep from our "people" here regarding respite care, (she prob thinks im goofy) i thought it would be nice to have an occasional night out....but really NEEDED someone here to watch molly, so that i could accomplish things. Simple things...getting the house cleaned...taking a bath, mowing the lawn, things that the 'others' think of as mundane chores, i would RELISH having the chance to complete, just one time.

And through the worst of the worst (e.g. the television) we are still proud she has the ability and "problem-solving techniques" to figure out how to solve the impossible and achieve it! I just wish she would use her prowess to VERBALIZE....grrrrrrrrrrr

So, the TV disaster happened Tuesday at the end of my shift...the sarge calls and says..."pick up another TV on your way home"

????????????????? his calmness in these situations amaze me.

Wednesday at the end of my shift?? another phone call from him:

"pick up a new monitor for your computer"

JEEEEEEEEEEZ LAWEEEEZE...i am in LCD Hell this week!! can you say cha CHING???? Officially I have spent more at Walmart in Two Days, than i made in TWO WEEKS!! EEEK!!

Such a let down after such a wonderful weekend! We ran up to ST Louis to meet up with some moms...who all happened to be in the area at
the same time...they were there friday, and we came up Saturday and missed almost ALL of them!

All but Beck and Belly...and Karen and Mary from Chicago.

STILL WONDERFUL!!

Us seasoned missourians stayed in the motel pool, and at a well treed park and had a BALL!! (july in St Louis is NOT the best month to venture outside for any length of time) The sarge even passed on seeing the Cards Play! now THAT'S HOT!




We didn't get as much 'mommy chat time' as i would have liked, but got to watch our same-aged girls play and interact. It is so nice to allow our kids to run and play among THEIR peers! And FYI to you typpies out there...our kids with DS are very unique individuals...if you know one...you definitely do NOT know them all. They may have similar, beautifully almond shaped eyes....but it ends there! Our three girls were as different as colors in the rainbow, but nonetheless sparkled just as bright.



It's wonderful to chat with like-mommys too...we can talk about pull-ups to another mom of an 8 year old, whose jaw doesn't drop in SHOCK, but offers better solutions for the night time problems. It's soooooooo good to be among friends and peers.





If you've been hesitant about having an IRL meet with parents that you "know" online...don't. JUST DO IT! It's great to be among people that you don't have to explain anything to, they just know. The greatest thing i think i've discovered among my 'sisters' is that they are all similar in their love of human diversity...we should really be a PAC group, and start running this country...


My work week is now over It's abbreviated until Molly goes back to school-if you need to understand why..... refer to paragraph 1.

This morning Daddy left for an early morning meeting (or maybe i should say he ran screaming from his 3 day stint as single parent) and it's been fabulously quiet here. I LOVE BEING AT HOME!!

Molly slept in, and is now busying herself in the backyard. Shortly it will be way too hot for her to play out there, so we bypassed the prep (hair fixing-clothes donning..etc) and just let her run. I'm sure the lack of outside is most of the reason of her monkeying around where she shouldn't in the house! We'll swim shortly, have lunch, and THEN she'll be calm enough to scope on a movie, or painting, or books.

The new addition kitty has quickly made himself at home in our hearts..



He's playful, ornery,demanding, spirited, and FUNNY!! he takes up most of the camera room this week...the ONLY thing he has in common with the other cat...is the speed of his run when he hears Molly coming!! :-)





For our kids fighting cancer...Little Ben is fighting the worst of it right now, the proverbial "stripping" of everything cell his dna is in...to prepare for the stem-cell transplant.....it's very painful. He remains postive, and my heart is breaking for his mommy....who can only sit back and watch the process happen. GOD!

and one of the adorable twins, who we thought was remission... just discovered active cancer cells in a chance spinal tap. GOD PLEASE!!





They are in Iowa City today, talking to doctors. There can be no more radiation, he's maxed out...and has already done the stem cell transplant.

Cancer has also stolen the life of Randy Pausch...the Carnegie-Mellon Professor who had the "Last Lecture" series (see youtube and get enlightened!) and also had Pancreatic Cancer.

Damn Cancer

There are too many moms mourning losses, and too many babies fighting the beast...please take time to pray, donate, and if you know a family dealing with this...offer something...food...money...babysitting,
ANYTHING....they need to know they are not alone. If you don't yet, you will.

And if you want to help ben and his family...visit them at
www.carepages.com
cp BenTheBrave

there is info in the "about me" section of his page of the church-family collecting the donations.

Kiss your kids, watch them like hawks...and hug them hard! Rejoice in every second you have with them....and honor them and their health, by reaching out to those that aren't as fortunuate as us.

Lets bring a baby home

one of my online mom's is autioning off her blackberry curve to raise money to bring a little girl home via Reece's Rainbow.

http://chroniclesofhousehold6.%20blogspot.%20com/

her story is there...every $5.00 gets you a shot at it...and ALL MONEY...100%...is going to Reece's..secured by paypal. She has set a goal of $500.00, but knowing all of you...im sure we can blow that TODAY! (ends July 27th)Good Luck...tell her e sent ya...and YOU HAD BETTER NOT WIN MY BLACKBERRY!! hahahahahaha!

Family is Life

My kids are my life- i miss them so


There is so much to update, i can't possibly get it all done in one try...so be patient over the next couple of weeks,and i'll try to catch up!

First..my parents drove down from nebraska (11 hours and they are in their 80's) to spend some time with us and meet thier new gg-baby. We had a wonderful time!





They surprised me by jumping the ladder and swimming everyday with molly (for safety, i still haven't decked around the pool) Then we all piled in my old Tahoe and headed to Springfield to meet Shauna who was flying in from DC. Her trip was horrible (united thru O'Hare) and her and her cat ended up spending the night in the airport....but she managed to shake it off, catch up with friends, and party with us!!




Little Bill came up from Arkansas, and we all camp'd at Gabes....miss molly was in 7th heaven surrounded by all of her sibs!




G-ma (that's ME! hahahah) babysat while big sis and bro...took little bill out and properly celebrated his 21st birthday in young adult
fashion....i am relatively sure that bill will never, ever drink alcohol again.

Shauna got to let go of all the stress and movin&shakin she does in the district, and stayed lit up-hilarious-and so very entertaining the entire time she was home...and gabe and ally went overboard with their hospitality.



There were some tears as we all headed to our respective homes







all but bill who took a few days and came home with us...but especially with shauna...not that she was going to miss US....but that she was bringing "Hattin the Cat" home to stay with me. (his name is a twist on the Dr Suess's book...cute)







He wasn't handling being alone at home so much...with her increased schedule...and she thinks he'll be happier here. I'm not sure of what his "pet nanny" was seeing, but i do know he is VERY happy in the ozarks, with lucifer the old man cat...and 'the boys' the german shep &the choc lab! They also did not want to see my mom and dad leave, and made it clear to us all.





goofy dogs have never seen a trunk...we have a pickup...the Tahoe...and a van! Cracked us up when we tried to load my folk's car for the trip home!



Hattin beats up the boys daily and they are scared stiff!! We roll laughing at his antics and are pleased at the spark this Yeti sized Yellow cat has brought to our home.


After we got home from Springfield, Bill had his brother Josh, his wife, and their beautiful babies over for a swim and a bar-b-que..and it was wonderful having my house full of kids and noise again. Josh and Bill are soooooo much alike both in looks and in attitude, and romp now, like they did when they were babies...so much fun!




With so much going on...we kind of skipped my birthday, but the sarge made up for it this week by upgrading my ride. I think i may have converted the FORD man, cuz we got another Tahoe! YAY!




All in all..it happened too fast, and i awoke to quiet...wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too quiet this morning. Molly cried when the kids all left, and that broke my heart...but she knows it's only temporary....and one day we'll all be together again!! I cannot WAIT!!


I'll leave yall with a couple of my favorite shots from the weekend...daddy showing molly just how to take care of a baby.








Kiss your kids, and relish your time with them...one day sooner than you can ever imagine..., your time together will be not often enough, and too short in duration

*sniff*