April 2011

I am really trying to ease back into scrapbooking so I thought if I highlighted some things on the blog it might help me get a kick start!

April was so fun and so full!

 Robert's kindergarten class performed a reader's theater.

We had another beautiful Saturday so we took another trip to the zoo. This time to be sure to see the elephants. The OKC Zoo just built a brand-new exhibit/habitat for them. Then a week after we were there one of the elephant's had a baby. So we'll have to go back soon!!!

All of the kindergarten classes at Roosevelt went to the Science Museum Oklahoma for a field trip. Scott even went too! This is Robert riding a segway.

Robert played soccer with friends from church. He had a great time!!

Scott & I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary! And last but not least...

EASTER - in Kansas...

We also had friends come from Virginia - yet we didn't take any pictures (what was I thinking?!)

These may not be award winning photos - but we made some wonderful memories!

The Royal Wedding

I didn’t set my alarm to watch the wedding of Prince William to his bride. I planned on catching a view of them reciting their vows later on the web.  My alarm went off at 4:40 am so I could fetch Lord Robert and Lady Lauren their special breakfast of chocolate sprinkled donuts. Then after obtaining my bounty I went to the gym to walk. As I was walking my 3 miles so I could later indulge in my breakfast reward I was able to witness Prince William and Catherine’s vows with a billion of their closest friends. Yeah – Bonus I would be able to see what I wanted! Then as I watched them pledge their troth's to one another my mind wandered to the summer of 1981 when Prince Charles & Lady Diana were wed. I remember being a kid of 11 and begging my mom to wake me up to watch it. I remember the majesty, the pageantry, the hats that only the British can wear, the horses & carriages and the train! The 25 foot train on Lady Diana’s gown was amazing. I kept thinking “Holy cow! How did that fit into the carriage with her?” I remember the vows. How nervous she must have been and then she said his name wrong. To this day I always hold my breath during that part of the wedding – who wants to blow that?! Then I remembered their kiss and thinking what a life that must be. Granted we all know how that fairy tale ended. So here’s to Prince William and his bride, may your fairy tale come true!

January - February - March

    Yes 1st quarter of 2011 got off to a wonderful start. On New Year's Day we watched our Sooners kick some UCONN Husky tail in the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl. A BCS win that was needed.  



These are from our trip to the OKC Zoo in January...the weather was unbelievable so we took advantage of it!!

The very next week this is what the weather brought us in February!!  Robert was out of school for 7 days in a two week period!! We did get to take the kids to a free OU Men's basketball game since the weather was so bad. The university let everyone in for free!!!

March brought a trip to Grammie & Grandpa's in Kansas for Spring Break & a trip to Woolaroc with Mimi & Grandpa. Shocking that this was the best photo of the 2 huh?! Hopefully we're giving everyone the opportunity to make some wonderful memories.

Ahh...Easter

I love Easter - not for the chocolate bunnies or Easter egg hunts (while those are fun distractions); but because it's the time of year to reflect on true unconditional love. The love shown to us by our Heavenly Father & his providing for us a Savior. I hope to post some Easter egg hunt photos shortly. In the meantime, I hope you had a happy Easter & were able to spend it rejoicing in our Heavenly Father's love!

What's in a name?

     

     What’s in a name? Everything! Names can cause heartache or triumph. They’re an adjective that’s so powerful tears of joy or sorrow can come with a mere mention. I’m trying to teach my kids the lesson that names are so important. 

    

      That was one way I knew a new chapter in my life had begun. I knew when we planned our family that I would have to be one of “those” moms who work outside her home. So when the day finally came to take my precious baby boy to the wonderful, loving people who would care for him in my absence there were no tears. Not from me and certainly no from him. When I arrived to retrieve him that first day one of the other mommies was there & she called me a name. She said “Oh you must be Robert’s mom”. There it was. She called me a name that no one outside our family had used to describe me before. MOM – it hit me like a ton of bricks; the newest chapter in my life – MOM. It brought tears to my eyes. It’s a name I wear proudly. So fast forward 5 years. I’m having a conversation with Lauren (who is 2) on our way to her school. I say “La, do you prefer to call me Mommy or Mom?” Imagine my surprise when she says “Um, Paula”. I had worked pretty hard to be called Mom. Guess I need more teaching time with her!

The Kids

This is my boy. My Son. My ray of light. The reason I decided "heck this was so much more fun than work let's do it again". My Little Bit of a Boy from Heaven right here on Earth. In fact we take to calling him Little Bit because when you put him with other kids the same age...he's typically smaller. You're probably looking at the picture and wondering 1. What's wrong with his smile, or 2. Why is he eating meat off of a fork?. Well answer #1 - the child won't stop moving to take a photo with a digital camera to save his life so we end up catching him mid smile. And #2 - he loves grilled pork chops and just couldn't wait. Funny huh? Yep that's my little bit!

 

This is my girl. My Daughter. My answer to "what was I thinking? 2 is more than 1" or "if the 2nd would have come 1st we might not have the 2nd". She's just so different in every way possible from the boy. I love her! She's ornery! We refer to her as "The La" in our home. I wouldn't change a thing, but some days...WOW!

Some of What I Know

They say you should write what you know about. Well, I know I have an amazing family. And what is it they do that's so amazing you ask. Well for starters they exist. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband who/whom I take for granted because I can be a horribly greedy woman. For some reason he still loves me after all these oh so many years.  I also have been blessed with 2 astounding kids. The fact I get to be their mom just stupefies me. They are smart, funny, caring, compassionate, etc... I remember when I was expecting each of them just how incredible the process of them coming to be actually was. How everything has to work just perfectly for a child to be created. Then I would question as to whether or not I was up to the responsibility (something that should probably be thought about prior to conception rather than during pregnancy. just a tip!). Then these perfect little angels were placed in my arms and I chose to take on the task. To do my very best by them (sometimes the lyrics of Quincy Jones' "Just Once" come to mind, you know "I did my best, but I guess my best wasn't good enough"; because some days I'm a very ordinary mom). Fortunately I've also got a pretty awesome extended family. Just so we're clear I include my friends in my extended family. Mostly because we live 109 miles to our closest parental unit, so having friends who help out is just phenominal. Hopefully we've been able to let them know what they mean to us. So with that I hope to update this blog with stories & photos of their amazingness (yep - I just made that one up). Maybe I will upgrade my efforts from ordinary to extraordinary soon as well!