Once Upon a Time . . .

It's been a While

2011-06-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hello ~ all 3 people that may or may not still check my blog!!!

I decided, on a whim this morning, to come back to blogging. I have spent so much time just wishing there was a good way to share info with people, but I sort-of forgot about blogging. Probably because I spend so many hours at work staring at a computer screen, that once I get home, I have no desire to continue to stare at the screen!! But . . . summer is HERE!!!!

We survived VBS at the new church (that doesn't feel that new anymore!) and now we are ready for summer to really start! We enjoyed the pool today with some new friends (from afore mentioned new church!) and then came home to our crazy dog that is now being allowed to roam free in the house for short amounts of time while we are gone. She is doing soooo good!

We are all ready for next week and our grand vacation with Mammie and Pappy to Branson!!! It's going to be awesome! I guess that's about all for now. I'm going to add some pictures just so you guys can see how humongous my kids are all the sudden, and how non-humongous I am getting as well ;) Long way to go yet, but I'm getting there!

My 3rd Grader!!!

2010-05-26T22:42:00.000-07:00

We celebrated the very last day of 2nd grade today! Sadie has had a great year, and she had the best teacher! We all love Mrs Staton, and will miss her so much!

Sadie was awarded a great plaque at the awards ceremony today. Only 2 students per class were given awards for Character Qualities and Sadie received the award for her class. Her character quality is Thoroughness. Mrs Staton has said from the very beginning of the year that Sadie is very thorough in her work - it must be perfect before she turns it in. I'm so proud of her!!! Oh, she also made straight A's all year this year!

I can't believe we are ready for 3rd grade, but h-e-r-e we go!!!

So I'm a Little Bit Behind . . . Again

2010-05-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

So, now I'm a slacker blogger again.

Since my last post, Sadie has turned 8 - WOW! - that's a big number when attached to my girl! Luke Calton has also graduated from Preschool - all on the same day!!! May 14th was a big day for us.

I totally meant to blog an awesome "Tamra worthy" page of tribute to how big and awesome my kids are getting . . . but I didn't. I did take some great pictures while thinking how great they would look while decorating said post. But they are still on my camera and not yet on my computer. Maybe next week . . .

But I do have something to say that is current! (I know - you are all shocked and amazed!) Luke goes tomorrow for his Kindergarten readiness test at CHA.

I must admit to being a bit nervous.

I know he's ready - we waited a whole extra year, for goodness sake - I KNOW he's ready!

I have nothing to worry about. He knows all the stuff he should know . . . I think.

But what if he doesn't? What if they say he needs to wait another year?

I know, I know - they will totally not say that.

But what if they do?

Being a Mommy is a hard job

(stop laughing Mom . . . and Dodie . . . and Tammy . . . and Grandmother!!!)

It's so hard to know if you're doing the right thing, and by the time you figure out that maybe you didn't do the right thing, you've already screwed them up and it's too late to fix it.

So, now I'm just waiting to get through tomorrow, and then I'll know. And the good news is that I'll be way too busy to think about it tomorrow as I desperately try to finish getting ready for the garage sale that we're starting on Fri morning, and getting my house half-way presentable before Mom and Dad get here tomorrow!!!

What am I still doing on here???

I have work to do!!!

Spring has Sprung . . .

2010-05-10T18:37:00.001-07:00

Well, Spring has Circulated more than Sprung through Oklahoma tonight. The meteorologists don't even have any idea how many tornadoes we had this afternoon. We got to have a tornado drill here at the house - climbed into the tiny hallway closet. We haven't had to do that since the kiddos were too tiny to remember. And just fyi, that closet is much smaller than I remember it!!! Probably because my kids are soooo much bigger, but probably also has something to do with the fact that we had to share the closet with and American Girl (Chrissa), Bunny, Sadie's favorite blanket, and Luke's Pillow Pet. How it makes me wish for a basement!!! Anyway, we had some decent hail here at our house - about golf ball size. We have lots of friends that live farther south that got huge softball size hail that went right through their roof. Some other friends with car damage - mostly windshields broken and such. At least one friend that lost the roof off their home and most of the windows. Praising God that they are safe!

In happier news - Sadie won first place at Frisbee Throw in her school's Track and Field Day today. The weather for that was horrible also - it was freezing all morning and the wind was atrocious! I don't know that I will ever get all these tangles out of my hair! EVER!

She also went to visit Bro. Walter at church, because she has been wanting to be baptized. Walter says he feels confident that she understands all that she did (when she accepted Christ), and that she is ready to start the New Believers class that is required before baptism. She is on the waiting list, and as soon as there is an opening - she will start that, and can be baptized after that if she decides she's ready. She has been asking for a while now to go talk to Bro Walter, so she is really excited!

The Future Feighners

2010-04-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

So I'm driving carpool today. It's always interesting - eavesdropping on the kids in the back seat. It was especially interesting today.

Sadie's friend, Drew, was telling me what his children will be named someday. He went through several scenarios - evidently there will be three of them, and he has three boy names and three girl names, and they are ranked - in case there are, for example, two boys and a girl - or any other mixture you can devise from three children. ANYWAY - as he's telling me all the plans, he keeps asking Sadie what she thinks and she gives her input and they even compromise on a couple. They finally agree on a firm list. Then . . . I had the audacity to ask Drew if the mommy of the kids got any input. I was informed (with a look that clearly said "where have you been?" and "don't you know of the Plan?") that Sadie would be their mommy. What was I thinking? This has always been understood, I guess I just forgot. And they haven't discussed it in a while, so I didn't know if the plan was still solid. Evidently it is - and with children even planned and named and everything.

I will just say this . . . jr high is going to be interesting!!!

If they can survive that, they could be for real!!!

Here's to the future Feighners!

Fishing with the fam

2010-04-26T14:10:00.001-07:00

We went fishing on Sunday at a new place that we'd never been. Our friend Damon told us about it. We didn't catch anything but lily-pads, but the kids had a great time, and it was nice to just get out and get a hook in the water. Hopefully we can find some great places to catch some golly-stompers this summer!

Luke spent some time pouting because I wouldn't let him try to cast his line by himself. Poor little Luke . . .

And now he's finally getting to try it on his own. If you look closely, you can see the bobber way over to Luke's right. Right above the grass. Not exactly where he's aiming. Oh my - let me just say . . . I spent the better part of 2 hours untangling his line from the tree, and the lily-pads, and the other tree, and the fishing pole . . . well, you get the idea.

Josh is attempting to instruct him in the fine art of tossing it out there. He does a pretty good job on instruction, and he finally does figure it out!

When it was time to go, the kids had a great time fishing the minnows out of the bucket to release them into the wild. Sadie's not a very talented minnow catcher, but Luke is amazing. At one point, he caught 3 in one hand! Wow!!!

So, no fish for dinner at the Milleson house, but I don't like fish anyway. We did make some sweet memories, and hope we can do it again soon! If you know of a great fishing spot in the OKC area - let us know! We're ready for some great fishing!

Spring Program . . .

2010-04-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

So I was totally going to blog about our fishing trip today, but then I realized these pictures were not up here yet, and they are too hilarious to not blog about. So the fishing trip will have to wait for a later blog - probably tomorrow!!! hehe! Anyway, here is Luke with his awesome teacher, Ms Amie! Isnt' she darlin? We just love her!!!
This is Luke's very last year at FLC, and it's crazy to me. He's been here since he was a wee little thing of 6 months, and now he's going to start Kindergarten. It's all a bit surreal. Anyway, here are some great shots from the Spring Program!

He's got to get the glasses just so . . .

Now the hair check - he did just get a new do about an hour before show time!

And now he's ready to sing - 5 Little Monkeys!!! "You can't catch me, you can't catch me . . . "

Awwwwww - isn't he darling? He rang his jinglebells at the wrong time, but he did it with a HUGE grin on his face!!! Can't help but wonder if it wasn't on purpose???

Letters to God

2010-04-21T06:38:00.000-07:00

I finally got a girl's night last night. I went with some friends to Zio's in Bricktown and then to see "Letters to God." And all I can say is, if you haven't seen it yet, take some tissue. And be prepared to go home and love on your kids, because that's all I wanted to do when I got home!!! Parts of the movie are a bit cheesy, and the cheesy-ness distracts a bit from the story, but it's a good story and the acting is better than this church has previously presented.

So, I know this post is not very exciting, but nothing else is really going on here - oh, we did see "How to Train Your Dragon" on Saturday and it was AWESOME!!! The kids are still talking about their favorite parts and Luke asks every day when we can bring it home! So, that's all I've got for now!!! I'll be back when something exciting happens . . . or interesting . . . or I think of something to write that someone might possible be interested in reading!!!

Staying 5

2010-04-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

Luke Calton is quickly approaching his number 6 birthday. It's August the 3rd, and for once, he is not gung-ho and excited about his birthday. He has decided he wants to skip it this year, and stay 5. Well, actually, he still wants to do the party and the cake and especially the presents, but he wants to stay 5 for another year. "What's the matter with the crazy boy?" you ask. Well . . . kindergarten. Yep, that's right. Kindergarten.

My darling son has decided to boycott kindergarten. He adamently does not want to go. It doesn't matter that 2 of his friends are going to go to school with him, and that he will learn all kinds of cool stuff, and go on lots of fun field trips. And don't mention that it is "big school" for "big kids" because that is definitely not what he wants to hear.

He wants to hear that he gets to stay at "little school" with Ms Amie. Ms Amie is evidently the greatest teacher ever made and noone will ever be as awesome as Ms Amie. I love Ms Amie - she's awesome and Luke loves her, but he really cannot stay with Ms Amie forever - and that is his plan right now.

He sat in my lap on Wednesday afternoon and cried for 20 minutes (balling with tears and boogers and everything) because he does not want to leave Ms Amie. And the boy comes up with some great arguments, let me just say. After not wanting to leave Ms Amie didn't work, he went with the friend plan. "But JOSHUA is going to kindergarten at home school! Why can't I go to kindergarten at home school and then go to Ms Amie on Thursday and Friday?" When that was ineffective, we aimed for the family plan: "But I won't get to see Daddy as much!" When convinced that Daddy will be at work the whole time he's at school, he proceeded to thinking of new solutions . . .

By dinner time, he had a plan.

Luke: "Mom. I've got a plan"

Mom: "Okay, what is it?"

Luke: "I'll go to kindergarten for one day, and if I don't like it, you will send me back to Ms Amie."

Ms Amie, Luke Calton loves you. I hope his kindergarten teacher has a shot at his heart after you!!! Thanks for being awesome! And the rest of you - pray for Luke to get excited about kindergarten because it's only April. We have a l-o-n-g summer ahead of us if he's this stressed about it now!

My Other Babies . . .

2010-04-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

Wanted to share my other children with you all. Cole was napping when I took these, so I'll have to snap some of him when he gets up and I'll add those later. These kids are such a part of our lives, I don't know how I'm going to let them go if/when I get a job at CHA. Gonna be hard.

Anyway, enjoy these pics of my darlin kids. Sarah is 3, and Logan is nearly 2.

Logan refuses to go down the big slide on the playground. He always goes all the way up, just to climb all the way back down again!! Hehe! Silly boy!

We set up a play tent in the back yard. They love it!!!

Spring is HERE!!!

2010-04-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

So spring is officially here - and my kids have spent nearly every waking moment outside. HOORAY!!!

Oh, wait. Maybe not hooray. Today was interesing. They discovered the waterhose. And the dirt. . .

Well, you can see what ensued ~

I must say - I love the handprint on her back!!! hehe!!!

So, I'm either the worst mom ever (for letting them play in the mud) or the most awesome mom ever (for letting them play in the mud!) I think I'll let them decide!

Sunday Night Madness

2010-04-11T21:06:00.000-07:00

What a day!!! Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. What-ever. When is Sunday ever my day of rest? It's my day to catch up on the rest of the week!!!

For example, every week, I have 2 discussions due that include an initial post and 2 replies to my classmates posts. I also had an essay and a quiz due this week. Every week - since the beginning of school - they have been due on Sunday at midnight. Guess when I frantically try to finish all of these assignments? Yep - you got it - Sunday afternoon, which usually rolls right into Sunday night, until I'm counting how many minutes I have until midnight to finish my last 5 questions on my quiz. Why do I not do these things, on, I don't know - Wednesday afternoon when all the kids are sleeping??? Probably because I'm resting on Wednesday afternoons while they are napping. So, maybe Wednesday should be my day of rest and Sunday my day of insanity. It just makes more sense around here. If only the Lord had consulted me before he assigned the day of rest . . .

In other news, Sadie had a super time on her campout, although she evidently got very little rest because she collapsed in a heap after a shower and we had to roll her out of bed to go to a friend's house for dinner. She did bring home a couple of stow-aways (read as 'ticks' - ewwwwwwww) but other than that she had a great time! I love that she is comfortable enough with herself to go off without us and have a good time. And she made it home with all the clothes she left with, so I consider the campout to be a success!!! I know she can't wait for summer and her first week at Hidden Falls. I just hope I can successfully drive away and leave her there. I kind-of want to stay the week too!!! Such sweet memories for me. I can't wait for her to make some of her own.

Exciting News!!!

2010-04-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

Big news, guys!!! I just learned this morning that my readership has increased by 25% this week!!! I think. Well, I'm just not that great at math, so I think it's 25%, although I will have to check my math with Josh. That's why I'm an English major and he plays with numbers . . .

Anyway - I now have 4 readers!!! Whoo-hoo!!! Welcome to my blog, Aunt Dodie! So glad you're here!

Hopefully I'll have something interesting to blog about tomorrow when Sadie gets back from her very first campout without Mom or Dad! And in a tent, too!!! Go Sadie!

I'm back with an update. Josh tells me that going from 3 to 4 readers constitutes a 33% increase, so - HOORAY! That's even better than I thought! hehe! So, to my 4 readers out there - thanks for reading my rambling, ridiculous thoughts! Love you all!!!

Annoying Professors

2010-04-07T11:33:00.000-07:00

I would just like to express my annoyance with professors that are ridiculous sticklers on due dates - regardless of hospital visits or true obvious oversights - but seem in no hurry whatsoever to actually grade said assignments.

Grrrrrrrr.

I have the same professor for both my classes this semester. In English Lit 2, we have turned in now 2 exams, 1 essay, and a website review. The essay was turned in over a month ago. As we prepared to turn in our second exam I emailed her very politely and asked when we might expect to receive our grade for the first exam in order to be more prepared and perhaps improve our performance on our second exam. Her answer read "I am slowly by surely working my way through them. Working on those exams now." What!?! Is that an answer to my question?

Grrrrrrrrr.

So, after giving up hope on looking over the first exam before turning in the second, I turned my exam in on Sunday - the due date.

My other class - Short Stories - we have turned in 1 essay that is still not graded - after over a month. Coming up on a month and a half. And guess what's due this week? That's right, folks - essay 2. I hate trying to please an instructor without being able to tell how I've done in the past.

Grrrrrrrrr.

On a positive note, I did FINALLY receive a grade for my first exam in Eng Lit, and it was a 97! Hooray! Now . . . if she'd only get around to those essays before the weekend. . . I'm not holding my breath.

Thanks for letting me vent. Just had to get it out!

On a Roll . . .

2010-04-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

I figured I'm on a bit of a roll with this blogging thing, so I'll just keep it up til I run out of steam!!! Hope the 3 of you enjoy it while it lasts!!!

Today Luke and I went to the zoo with some of our friends. Then we saw a zillion other people we knew while we were there! We have a brand new children's zoo area that just opened up, and we all had to check it out. It was awesome. The kids got to wade through a stream bed, pet some animals, and I got pooped on by a bird. It just doesn't get any better than that! A fellow teacher we ran into assures me that in Germany it is good luck to be pooped on, so I hope that pans out for me! We'll see. Anyway, enjoy these pictures of our crazy kids at the zoo!

My Children and their Eyes . . .

2010-04-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hello, 3 readers!!! Just a quick update on my children's eye appointments. Dr Scott says Luke Calton's eyes look great! He is far-sighted, which is actually NORMAL for children. Interesting and a fact I was unaware of. He could possibly grow out of it IF he wears his glasses all the time. Not a problem. Hopefully he doesn't outgrow his farsightedness and into nearsightedness like his Mama! hehe!!! His optic nerve looked fine and he was very happy with Luke.

Then I mentioned Sadie and her crazy eye-patch prescription and he said he wanted to see her ASAP! So . . . we made an appointment for next week. However, that time was just not working for us, so we switched it and got in last Wed afternoon. I learned things at that appointment. Her right eye has no prescription at all - it's just plain glass and she sees 20/20 with it! Whoo-hoo!!! Go Sadie! Her other eye is a bit nearsighted, but not nearly as bad as we were told. Her lense is actually a bit strong for her, and we need to change that, but no more crazy patching. He was very pleased with how she looked and there was no cause for all the craziness.

And the best news of all . . . he takes our medical insurance!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!

In unrelated news - the Lord is at work. There are two postitions available for next year at CHA. Going to apply Monday. I also got some other related news today that I am unable to share on the blog at this time, but hopefully can be public knowledge soon!!! Sorry - you never know when more than my 3 readers might glance over here and I don't want to "overshare" for anyone else!!! But I can say I got a huge smiley face post-it note from the Lord today to say "Your on the right track, girl! Keep on going!"

Oh, and one more thing - I've lost 6 whole pounds this week!!! What a great week!

General Life Update

2010-03-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

So, seeing as how I only have about 3 people that even read this blog, I am just not very motivated to post very often. I apologize to all 3 of you ;) However, I did feel the need to update you guys on our life, as my latest post was from before Christmas, and Easter is almost upon us. School is going well for Josh and I both. And Sadie. Luke is enrolled at CHA for Kindergarten next year, although I remain in denial about that fact . . . and tuition. I am still watching my 3 wild hooligans, but I am losing the almost 2-year-old, Logan, sometime this summer. He is getting a baby brother, and my car simply does not have seats for that many children. In related news, I called this morning to schedule an appointment to visit with Miss White (the elementary headmaster at CHA) to check into possibly working at the school next year. With our stage of life - both kids in school - and tuition being what it is - more than our house payment - it just makes sense. So, the first step is going and visiting with her to see what might be available. Please pray for us as this is a HUGE step for me, and change is hard for my brain to process - not to mention it would mean giving up my extra kiddos that are nearly like my own. I've had my Sarah since she was 4 months old and she's now 3, so it would be a major life change in several lives.

Let's see . . . what else is new? Oh, Sadie got new glasses and Luke got his first pair last month. Very exciting. And I went to Girl Scout Troop Camp Training last weekend. What a blast We were almost blown off the map, and then frozen to our sleeping bags, but we learned a lot and laughed a lot. It's amazing that I have camped almost every summer of my life, and there are still so many things to learn!!! I learned some very cool and handy knots and some excellent ways to cook in the rough. It really made me want to take my kids on a backpacking trip when they get older. I guess that is about all for now. I know - nothing really exciting, but at least it's a new post, and now the 3 of you know what's going on here in Oklahoma "where the winds come sweeping down the plains!"

Zhu Zhu Pets for Christmas!!!

2009-12-18T11:04:00.000-08:00

Hello again!! I know, I know . . . I just blogged yesterday, but I'm so excited I just had to share! My dear friend Christi (also Sadie's Girl Scout leader) called today with some fabulous news. Her friend at CVS called and they recieved a shipment of Zhu Zhu's this morning. I didn't really need another hamster, but . . . she called and said they had two each of the NEW COLORS!!!! Yip-ee!!! They weren't supposed to be available until after Christmas, but here they are! She grabbed a pink one for Sadie and she's going to be soooooooo excited!!! Isn't she cute??? Awwwwwwwwwwwwww.

Trying Again

2009-12-17T08:41:00.000-08:00

So, evidently it's been quite a while since I've done this - and, according to my Aunt Tammy and my sweet cousin, Tamra, I need to start again. So, here I go. We've been very busy around here. I'm teaching three year olds again, with a great friend, Ashley. We have a crazy bunch of hooligans this year, but we're doing good. Luke is in his very last year at First Learning, and I can't believe he will start Kindergarten in just a few short months. Sadie is thriving in the 2nd grade. She has a super teacher, and she just loves school. Hope we keep that for a few more years!!!

Josh and I are both in school at the community college. Josh is studying Petroleum Engineering, and since he survived Calc 2 this semester, he's on to some other ridiculous math class next semester. I, however, am pursuing the much more managable Literature degree and am plugging right along. I only need 9 more hours, and I'm off to OU to finish my Bachelors. Hopefully, I'll finish before Sadie does!!

Well, that's pretty much the update since my last post. Had a great weekend at Women of Faith with some girl friends, followed by an even better Hubbart Girl's weekend with Mom, Aunt Tammy, and my favorite cousin, Tamra - not to mention Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer. Good times! Now Christmas is now upon us, and I am so excited to spend some great family time in Amarillo. We'll be there for almost two weeks, and I can't wait. So many friends and family that I never have time to see! If I can just finish my shopping . . .

Fun Summer

2009-07-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Our family is enjoying the summer. No vacation for us, just normal days packed with fun stuff!!! Hope you enjoy the pics of our summer days!

Kiddos fishing at the wildlife refuge.

Sadie on top of Mt Scott.Luke listening to last minute instruction!Me and my girls on a road trip!!! Yep, that's Cadillac Ranch!Most defining moment of the summer - meeting Beth Moore at a restaraunt in Alberqurque!Swimming with friends - Sarah and Hanah Luke loves to swim!Zoo with friends - Cooper, Chloe, and Ms AshleyThese crazy kids love to sit on the animals!

Sadie's Birthday Cake

2009-06-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

I have the most awesome friends ever. I really do. I wanted to just post these pics of Sadie's birthday cake so everyone can see them. I'll get some party pics up eventually. hehe

My friend Ashley made Sadie's cake. It's the American Girl, Kit Kittredge and her treehouse. Ashley - you are truly amazing!!! I love ya!

The "tree house" is the actual cake. The tree itself is a coffee can, and the branches are Rice Krispie treats covered in icing. The branches were eaten at the party. Kit is made from Rice Krispie treats covered in icing and sculpted to look like the doll. Can you believe Sadie ate her???

He's Here!!!

2009-05-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

Timothy "Dax" Hubbart

I'm here to share to fabulous news that Timothy Dax is here! Okay, so most of you know that already, but I just had to put it up here, with the pics that I have!

He arrived at 8:37am on Thurs May 21st. They started Riane's pitocin at 5:30, and 3 short hours later, he was here! He weighted in at 7lbs, 1 oz and he's 19 1/2" long. He's got a head of curly dark hair, and is nursing and sleeping and pooping well!!! Hooray!

Congratulations to my Sadie!

2009-05-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

Every month at school, the kiddos at CHA talk and learn about a different character quality. At the end of that month, at least one child per classroom is selected to be recognized as having demonstrated that particular quality. My litte Sadie was recognized at chapel this morning for this month's character quality. You'll never believe which quality it is . . .

Thriftiness

I know, I know. You are all shocked and amazed. The quality is described as "spending less, and saving more" For those of you who aren't familiar with my girl, she saves her $ that she earns/receives for whatever special thing she has decided to save for. She has purchased an American Girl doll(she actually had $175 for that one!) and also a swimming puppy toy - very cool, but more than Mommy was willing to spend on a toy. I'm so proud of her. As we received the info on this, I was informed of a bank here that rewards kids for making a deposit every month for 12 months, and actually matches part of their deposits. They also receive a greater % interest. I think we're gonna have to check that out!

Oh, I should mention her attire today. I was unaware that she would be receiving this recognition this morning, or I would have fought her harder on her outfit. She typically dresses herself, and I try to persuade her to match, but it doesn't always work. My philosophy is, if it's in dress code, it's all good. So, she was wearing a white, black and purple shirt, a brown suede skirt, rainbow colored, striped fuzzy "house socks", and shiny, black dress shoes. I wish I had a picture. Or maybe I'm glad I don't. Anyway, at least she fit her award today!

Congratulations to my girl! May you always remember the lessons you are learning now!!! Oh, that I would have learned them years ago!

Easter

2009-04-13T11:35:00.001-07:00

We had the best Easter celebration on Saturday! Our friends, Kim and Kurt Feighner invited over a whole slew of people, and the kids colored eggs, hunted eggs and we all ate and played the day away. For a girl who's just used to celebrating with family, it's so wonderful to have and extra special family here at home!

Here's Luke with the Feighner's dog, Samson. My poor son really needs his own dog. Ritz just isn't cutting it anymore! He loves to visit Samson, and Samson loves the attention!

Such a good time with some of my girls!

Kelli, Amber, Me, Christy

Elizabeth, Kim, and Katie!

A fabulous group pic of all the kiddos!
There's something in the water at FBC I tell you!!!

The Milleson Clan!

I hope you guys enjoy the pictures. I can't seem to bring myself to post a blog without at least one or two, and preferably a whole bunch!

My kids also had a great scavenger hunt around our house that the Easter Bunny left for them on Sunday morning! Luke has declared the Easter Bunny a

"Waskawee Wabbit!"

Do HARD THINGS!

2009-03-30T15:56:00.000-07:00

So, I've been reading

Alex and Brett Harris' book, Do Hard Things, and I really can't believe that I can be so incredibely convicted by the words of two 19 year old "teenagers". I'm not even half way through the book yet, and already it's like I've been given a GIGANTIC sticky note from the Lord. He's hollering at me from the heavens. Although the book was actually written as a call to teenagers to rebel against the low expectations our society has placed on them, and do whatever great thing God is calling them to, it has been a great calling to me to get off my booty and do something amazing for God. There is a whole chapter that talks about WHY we don't do great things. We are scared. I think they are thinking about teenagers being scared of failure, but - as they are only 19 - maybe they don't realize that we are all scared of failure - regardless of age. Or maybe it's just me. I know I've had some great ideas that I've chosen not to act on - and it's because I just assume that I'm surely not capable of THAT! I can no longer sit on the sidelines and wait to no longer be scared. I will never become all that God wants me to be by waiting. And - if failure happens - I just have to remember this. ". . . failure is never total. We aren't called to be successful all the time. We're called to be faithful, to take those first difficult steps - and to leave the results up to God."

And, yes, I know there picture is in that other post, but just wanted to clarify who they are. You guys - go get their book. Or at least check it out from the library. Let me know what you think. Wow. That's all I got.

Update to prev post

2009-03-23T17:19:00.000-07:00

I just need to share - as of this afternoon it is official.

I did NOT scare Mary DeMuth to death.

She has actually added me as a friend on Facebook and has been leaving her dear self all over my page today! I feel like I'm in a dream and surely she could not really be talking to me. But - there she is! Her picture and everything! Just wanted to share. It just makes me smile!

The best weekend!

2009-03-23T08:31:00.001-07:00

I am just so excited about my weekend, that I can hardly contain myself. Once I begin talking, I can hear myself go on and on all the while thinking "this person I'm bombarding would probably really like me to just shut-up and leave them alone." So, I have come to the decision that I will let it all out here, and those of you that care to read the whole thing - GREAT! but if you just can't handle my ramblings, just don't tell me and I'll never know. But I hope you do look at all the pics, because I'm so excited about them!

To continue . . . . I went went two fabulous friends (Kim and Christy) to the Christian Book Expo in Dallas this past weekend. I was so excited, but didn't really know what to expect! We walked in on Fri afternoon, checked in, and wandered aimlessly into the exhibit area, and there before us was Max Lucado. Signing and taking pictures with fans! Cool! We didn't stand in line (it was really long) but we did grab a picture before moving on . . .

Christy and I then went to a great presentation by a fabulous fiction author - Deeanne Gist.

We learned all about publication and the steps a book takes to go from a manuscript to a book on the shelf. Really interesting. And then we got to meet Deeanne, get signatures in my book (Deep in the Heart of Trouble) and, of course, snap some pics!

On Saturday, we really got rolling. Kim had told us about these amazing teenage twin boys that wrote a book and are really doing some amazing things with their youth. We got to listen to them on a discussion panel, and then, yes, grab their book (Do Hard Things) some signatures and of course, the mandatory pictures. This is Alex and Brett Harris (oh - and me!) They are 19 years old, and have been traveling and speaking since they were 16. They are so well-spoken and intelligent and they have some amazing ideas and challenges for the youth of today. Can't wait to read their book!!!

Ahhhhhh, then there was Donald Miller. He is such a fascinating man. He has some very interesting ideas and Kim said his book (Blue like Jazz) is amazing. So, of course I had to pick one up and yet again get a signature and the picture!!!

Then I got my most embarassing moment of the weekend. We had heard Mary DeMuth speak on a discussion panel (actually with the Harris twins and Donald Miller) and I knew she had written some fabulous fiction novels that I really enjoyed. However, as we were picking up her non-fiction ( Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture) and new fiction novel (Daisy Chain) and getting them signed, I realized she had written one of my favorite books ever (Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God). I pretty much freaked out right there standing next to her. I was so glad Kim had already taken my picture before the gushing began. I really just hope I didn't scare the poor woman to death.

Sunday morning, we were wandering back through the exhibit area when we were offered a free book and a signing by one of my favorite authors, Wanda Brunstetter. She writes about the Amish in fiction. I just love her. I picked up her new children's book for free and she signed it for Luke. They were also giving away a ton of free books, and the three of us loaded up! She signed a couple of books - including an Amish cookbook! - and was so kind to let me take a picture!!!

My very last class was one I had waited for all weekend. My very favorite author - Beverly Lewis - had an informal time of chatting and quesitons. She also writes about the Amish and she has done many children's books as well. Such an honor to sit in such an intimate setting and just get to know her. I loved it!!! Of course, she signed my books and I got one last picture

The girls and I had such a great fun weekend, and we all brought home enough reading material to last us a good long time. In fact, I've been thinking I may need to purchase a new book shelf for all my new books!!! I did realize after we returned that although we took pictures with all these fabulous famous authors, we took NO pictures of the three of us together! What were we thinking??? Oh well. We had a super time at the expo, and we ate at some amazing restraunts - Hibiscus - incredible food - gotta have the macc and cheese!!!!

Papasitos Mexican - cheese, cheese and more cheese

and, of course, the IHOP!!!

What fabulous memories I will cherish with these amazing girl friends! Until we do it again, girls!

Best Friends

2009-03-14T15:35:00.000-07:00

So let me just start out by saying I have some awesome friends. God has blessed me greatly in the last year and literally showered me with loving friends. I truly know how blessed I am. However, it has recently occured to me that I really don't have any friends from childhood. I do have some fabulous cousins that are also some amazing friendships (that's you, Tamra!) but friends that I ran around with as children and grew up together, I have none. And that's really okay with me.

But I do hope that my children get to hold on to their best buddies as they grow!

This is my Luke with his bestest buddy in the whole world, Cooper. Luke loves Cooper and Cooper loves Luke. However, being as that they are only 4 years old, they tend to play and fight, and fight and play, and sometimes - the fighting greatly outweighs the playing! That being said, even when they've been fighting for 2 hours, when it's time to go home, they both want to know when they get to play again! What a lesson we can take from our children. They never hold it against each other when one wrongs the other. They know they love each other, and they will work it all out - even when there is crying, and screaming, and kicking and hitting and just general fit throwing!!! I do hope that attitude of forgiveness and all the memories they are building now will tie them to each other as they grow older!

And someday, I hope my friend Ashley and I will get to share these awesome pictures - and many more - with our boys as they go out to face the world, armed with a loving relationship with our God, love from their parents, and friendship with each other!

Fluffy to, well, still fluffy

2009-03-03T16:28:00.000-08:00

Wanted to share with everyone our starting pics! Here we are, fluff and all! I can't wait to post some skinny-girl pics! Thanks to my fellow girls!Amber, Me, Kami, Lori, Jenny
Ugh. What a fluffy girl. I can't wait to get a new pic of me up here!

Did anyone miss me???

2009-02-10T15:55:00.000-08:00

So . . . it's been a while since I've been on here. Got busy before Christmas, and just never returned. Hmmm. I kinda missed it, and I'd only just gotten started! So, I'm back!

I thought I'd post about the two most exciting things going on in my life right now.

1. Got to start Esther last week. Been looking forward to it all fall, and it's finally here!!! I just love Beth Moore, and already it's such an incredible book of the Bible, then you put the two together and KABAM! it's Awesome!!!

2. Some girlfriends and I got together and decided we are done being the fat-sos. We have all struggled with our weight and our eating for years and we are collectively done. We have embarked together on a Weight Watcher journey that promises to be an adventure for sure. It is such a blessing to have such sweet ladies in my life and I am so excited about this new phase in my life. The beginning of a better time.

So, that's pretty much what's going on in my life right now. I'm hoping to have some great pictures to put on here in the next week or so. I plan on documenting my journey from "fluffy" to "fabulous" so be prepared to witness the tranformation!!! And on an entirely unrelated note - I'm also looking forward to welcoming two darling nephews to our family this spring. I just love babies!!! Okay, so that's enough rambling for tonight, and I've got to make sure there are no tornados headed this way before we head out in the thunderstorm to go to Girl Scouts! Oh - and speaking of - if you need some cookies, you know who to call!!!

Help Bring Timur Home!!!

2008-11-11T20:05:00.000-08:00

Allow me to introduce a very special family to you all!

This is my friend Meghan and her hubby, Wayne with their beautiful children, Taylor and Tanner. They are on an amazing journey to adopt a darling little boy from Eastern Europe.

His name is Timur.

They are giving away a Wii just in time for Christmas to help raise the rest of the money they need to go rescue their son. Please check out their website and buy a chance for only $5! I can't wait to post some awesome pictures - very soon - of Timur in his new home with his forever family!

Their website : www.thenewdickinsonfamily.com

Oscar's Can

2008-11-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

Does anyone know why Oscar lives in a trash can?

My sweet Luke sat watching Sesame Street this morning, and as he watched, he was also asking me questions. Nothing new, he's full of non-stop questions about things I really know nothing about. Anyway, he was pondering why Oscar lives in a trash can. "I have no idea, son. All I know is that he lived in a trash can when I was a little girl, and it appears he is still living in the same trash can now." Why, I wonder? What is the purpose of Oscar? He's grouchy and mean to everyone else living happily on Sesame Street. He never wants to sing the "ABC's", or count, or talk about the shapes and colors, and he never wants to play any games with anyone else. And he's SOOOO messy. That's not really a good example to be setting for our little ones. And, if he's so unhappy there, why is he - after more that 25 years - still there?

As I wonder, myself, about Oscar, it makes me consider my own trash can. Sometimes, I think, we get stuck in our routine of life (our trash-can, if you will) and, even though we say we really are happy where we are, it really puts us in a bad mood and we lash out at everyone around us. I think many of us have our own trash cans that we are living in. Some of them - like mine - are stacked inside of each other. Things I want to change, things that negatively affect my attitude and my self-esteem. "I wish I could lose some weight", "I wish we had more money", "I wish I was further in my walk with the Lord", "I wish, I wish, I wish . . . " If I let myself get carried away wishing, I never get around to changing anything, and I remain stuck in my trash can and everyone else pays the price of my negativity. SOOOO, let me apologize to those who have recieved the outpouring of my trash can attitude. I know the trash can life is not what God has for me. I pray for contentment for where I am, but also for hope for where I'm going. I will not be an Oscar, stuck for years in a trash can of unhappiness!

"They tricked me!"

2008-11-05T15:10:00.000-08:00

A new adventure in the life of my Sadie girl.

For several weeks now, she has been asking to get "holes in her ears". Now, for those of you familiar with my little drama queen, I had pictured a joyous trip to the mall, followed by hysterical screaming as she changed her mind at the last minute.

We talked it over seriously for about 3 days.

She decided she did NOT want to wait until Daddy gets his next pay check, but she wanted to use her very own money (precious coins she's saving for her next American Girl - a whole new post for another day!) and go NOW!

So, we arrive at the mall, joyously bouncing around like a crazy person, and proceed to locate the famous Claire's jewelry store. As we get closer and closer, she begins to slow her stride, and her bouncing becomes a little less evident. She looks up at me. "Mommy, what if I change my mind?" Oh, no. Not happening. By the time we arrive, she sayes her tummy hurts.

But, she picks out the pair that she likes - sparkly, diamond looking things, and climbs up in the chair. Then climbs back down. "Mommy, can I sit in your lap?"

Oh great. Here we go. Cue hysterics at any moment.

She lets the nice man clean her ears and put the fabulous little purple dots on her ears. Then she decides she's done. She doesn't really like this place after all, and she really doesn't need any holes in her ears just now. Are you kidding me?

So, the very smart man at Claire's called the two lovely ladies over that are working with him. The talk her out from behind the chair. (Oh, yes. By this time, she had climbed out of my lap, and was hiding behind the big chair in tears) They ask if they can just "measure the dots". That's all, they just want to "measure" They are brilliant. They grab their "measuring devices" and count to 3. "OW!OW!OW! That hurt! What? You're done?"

SUCCESS!!!! And on the very first trip!

She looks fabulous with her new sparkly earrings, and she is so proud of them. She tells everyone she sees that the ladies tricked her, but I'm so very grateful to the tricky Claire's girls!

So, if anyone needs some really good "hole punchers" - let me recommend the Claire's in Sooner Mall in Norman, OK. Go on a Monday afternoon/early evening. They are never busy - and they measure those dots like you've never seen!

My darlings, all dressed up!

2008-11-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

I thought a fitting beginning to this crazy endeavor would be a tribute to my darling children, all dressed up and ready to hit the streets for a ridiculous amount of candy that should last us until next Halloween ~ unless their daddy eats it all before then! So here we go! Luke is Batman. Again. But oh what a batman he is!

A princess? A fairy godmother? I'm not really sure, but isn't she gorgeous!

We had a great time. We visited a church down the street that we always go to, and then hit a nice neighborhood for some good candy! About an hour trick/treating, and they were ready to call it quits. The weather was beautiful, and even better, my hubby got to join us for the first time! What a blessing to have a "real" job and get to make some special memories with his kiddos! God is so good to bless our socks off ~ even on Halloween!
I just noticed my photos are dated the day AFTER Halloween. I don't know how that happened! hehe! Guess I better fix the camera!