Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had a great turkey day and lots of fun with family. Jasper and I spent the day in Strong with my mother, sisters and their bunch. Daddy was a little under the weather, but healing. The kids grow so fast! AShley's 2 are growing...Ty is as tall as me, Reeve is a good size boy, not "fat" just big, he is going to make a great football player if he chooses to play. Amber's well, Jay is still thin, getting taller, and Laura is cute as a button. Devin went to CA with Jenny and Micheal and they were on their way home, stopped in TX to spend Thanksgiving with his family. Sounds like Devin had a great time! I can't wait to hear all about it. Forgot the camera but will try to remeber it for Christmas.

pillow fight anyone?

Make a Smilebox slideshow

a few new pictures

Make a Smilebox postcard

Learning new things.....

as many of you know, Cassie is a senior this year, so that means I am having to look at colleges! Keep us in your prayers! And yes I know she should have started last year...anyway. I will be filing and finding scholarship forms and college applications and the like for the next couple of weeks, wish me luck!
Sydney made all region choir! Don't think I mentioned that, we are very proud of her. They have a concert next month, so if interested in seeing our little girl let me know! I still have to find out the details.
Jasper is growing by leaps and bounds! It is so hard to believe that he is 2 years old! Cassie was out of school Tue and came to spend the day :), he ran through the house "cassie, cassie, cassie" I think she was very pleased that he can say her name now.
OH! I know you are not going to believe this, but EVERY November our family has something happen, grandmother (Paul's mom) broke her ankle and twisted the other one Sunday night. So pray for her and of course Daune who is taking care of her!
Our mission groups filled their shoe boxes last night at church, if you are not familiar with this idea check out http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ or contact a church in your area. The kids had a great time shopping last week, and they enjoyed arranging the items in the boxes, they would take them out and rearrange so they could get as much as possible in each box. It is wonderful to see the young ones wanting to do for someone else.

opps,,,

"oh crap" is one of my bad habits I'm trying to break, just slipped up and you guessed it, Jasper said it! OH MAN! is our new phase. I know crap is not "a 4 letter word" but it is not to pleasing to the ear either. There have been words that we have had to tell the girl we don't like to hear for whatever reason, one...gaugh, just didn't like it, sounded like god when she said it, one of the new ones, jacked up, don't ask but didn't like it either. Of course they think we are being silly, it's just words, right? How do you make children understand tone, phasing and attitude? Especially when they don't live with you. That has been a constant pray, to be a good parent and do what we think is best, not what is easiest. Back to Jasper, as you can tell, he is repeating words more these days. Loves animals, we went by the zoo the other day before playgroup and saw the monkeys, bears, dogs (wolf). Will have to video him and post! He is a hoot!

Make a Smilebox postcard

at last

I have logged back on the computer! First Praise the LORD! My back is better, thank you for the prayers, and I am starting to like my PT guy, things are getting better. Now if the nerves would just work them selves out...my feet go to "sleep". Not painful, just annoying. I go back to the dr on 11-3, am thinking it will be good news!
I even have a new refrigerator. Jasper loves it! I had to get the double door with the ice /water in the door to get the inside the way I wanted (adjustable shelves on door). Anyway, it has crushed ice, so he thinks that is a part of his supper now! And if he eats this food I don't care, I'll give him a cup of ice every night if that is what it takes.
Just staying busy trying to get ready for fall festival at church and work, kids, house....never ending list. You all know how that is...
have a great week!

what a week

made it to the dr, saw the PA not the dr. but he was very nice and informative. I am trying PT for now. He said that with the area of the back that is sore it could heal on it's own, but it my take as long as 3 months or I could see if PT helps. If this does not work I would meet with the dr and if necessary they would have to do surgery. Right now, I'm thinking give me a bottle of pills and lets be done! PT hurts! I walked in okay, Monday, but had a harder time walking out. I know it is suppose to help and just give it time, but I can hurt and stay at home. Okay, I'm finished complaining, at least for today.
And to top it off my refrigerator died on me! And it was not that easy to find a new one. At least not in Crossett. But I should have one delivered today! Thank you Lord! I was about to loose my mind. I had decided on the features I wanted, Paul said get what you want, and they changed everything this year! I now know why it is so frustrating buying new items! But this one should last at least for the next 20 or so years, right?
Paul went back to work this week! Good times for my checkbook, bad times for my baby. Jasper wants to know where's "my Paul", that is what he calls daddy. And as a result, will not let me out of his sight. He is not sure about this, he has gone from having his daddy 24/7 to having him gone when he gets up in the mornings and going to bed early. Don't think Jasper likes this at all.
Okay, and for my all rambling of the morning, don't some of you faint, the Presidential debate last night. If that was the only thing I had to go on, this world would be in trouble. I personally HATE policits. Don't think either just answered a question straight out. Obama, stayed on how he is going to help the middle class, got their vote, McCain, had some good point, but seemed to be attacking the other guy each time he talked, am I really the only one that gets tired of that? Don't tell me about the other guy tell me about you! Show me your proof of your record and let me choose.
Hope you all have a great week and thanks for listening!

18?????

Hard to believe that our little girl will be 18 years old Thursday! Auntie and Grandparents were here this week-end so we celebrated a little early. She has changed a little from when the first years of our married "family". She has been talking about college and wanting to going to LSU, in Baton Rouge! Says that is where she wants to go, so I guess we will be taking a road trip at some point in time. Of course, I think the Hammond branch sounds like a better school!!! I know Cassie and I are not "close" but she is still my child and I worry about her being so far from home and on her own. Please start praying for me now, even through it is still almost a year year a way, it is getting closer each day.

Jasper helped with the cake, we made a paper cake with money inside, he thought it was fun to stuff the boxes. Of course he also thought it was fun to help remove the money! Japser gave her 18 $1 bills, Sydney $18 and we gave her 18 $10 bills, then her daddy told her to add it all up! You know him and his math, always trying to teach us, I keep telling him not everyone sees numbers in their heads like he does. She also receive 18 packages, Jasper helped with those as well, I'm sure he thought it was another birthday for him or something. When they were all open he ran back to our bedroom and looked for more to bring out; he and Sydney carried them to the table for me.

Cassie opening gifts, think she was counting in the first picture. CHEESE....not sure where he got that, but it has stuck. Thought it was a good picture of them both.

Park fun

We spent a couple of hours at the park on Tuesday with friends. A little different for Breaden and Ellie without Tessia, but we had a couple of new faces join us and we were very happy about that! Noah is also 2, he is Dana and Jonathan Gates' son for those of you that remember the Gates family. Ain't he cute?!?!?! They all had a great time sliding and running back around to go down again. Where does all the energy come from and why do we lose it over the years? And we had to feed the ducks, turtles and yes even the fish. The turtle pictures didn't turn out as well has I had hoped, but it is amazing to see them coming. We start out with one or two and then you see all these little heads sticking up out of the water every couple of feet, the kids (and I) love to watch them coming!

Oh by the way, Ms. Susan and Avery are home! YEAH!!!! Jasper "helped" take the picture as they were coming out of the terminal. I think Avery missed Jasper just a little. And speaking of weary travelers, Grandparents and Auntie are home! So all is right with our world again, everyone in their place.

Over 30 and falling apart....

or at least that is how I feel. Found out I have a herniated disc, going to Dr. Molloy in Monroe for exam Oct. 1, earliest they could see me. Please pray for me, I know prayers work cause on the up side, the med for the headaches is working!!! :) Thought life was getting much better, then this, of course it could be worse, so I'm not complaining! Life is still good, just a little uncomfortable at times, and some days a little pain, but then I look at those a round me and thank God for the health of my family. If you have time read the mccones blog, and remember Alan and family in your prayers please, they are having a rough couple of weeks, to say the least.
Let's see....Jay, my nephew, put a Lego in his ear Sunday night (out of boredom) and had to have it surgically removed Tuesday. A friend called this morning on her way home from Monroe, her 2 year has strap on her legs, can't sleep, bath or wrestle with siblings. Like that is going to happen, asked her if is she asked the doctor is he thought that was possible. And my baby sweet little baby has a stuffy head, we got in the yard the other day, I am sure it is from the mold and leaves and all, but he is so stuffy, and you can just tell he is not 100%. I am SO thankful that this is the only thing that we have to deal with, but it sure hurts it not be able to help when he can't breathe.
And while we are praying for health issues, Rob, Trena's step-dad, is having "blood problems" forgot the name, but the spleen is not working correctly and he is on steroids and having transfusions. Talked with Peggy last week-end and not sounding great.
Okay, a couple of praises!!! It has been a beautiful week in south Arkansas! Nice and cool, believe it or not. Paul is getting strength back in one shoulder and working on the other one. Trish is back home after her mini-vacation. Misty is back at work, I am not having to work full time. OH, and my girls are starting to live up to their potential, they are both making straight A's and B's, something we knew they were capably of doing but just didn't for so long. So...if you read this, we are proud of you both!!!!!!:)

Traveling.....

Grandparents and Auntie are on the road again, Paul said they called about 10:00 our time, 8:00 OR time and they were leaving Alan's. They decided they would take a road trip. Alan and family moved to Orgeon this year, not that be of a change from Washington state, still a long way from home. I think they have all enjoyed the trip so far, they will be taking a different route home and doing more site seeing. Please remember safe travels for them. We haven't been away from them any longer than normal but just feels differnt with them so far away. I am sure we will see them if not as soon as they are back a couple of days after.

Test

Well, first of all I passed my insurance exam! I did not renew my license when I was pregant, thought I'd get out of the business. God opened the door back up when I was looking for something part time so then I had to take the test again. Talk about a nervous wreck! But it is over, and I a made it.
As you can see I have been trying something new with the blog page. I am trying the digital scrapbook sites and found one that I like, just having a few problems with the uploading or something. Be patient.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

new outlook....

ok, I have let this be an on again off again thing for months now, thinking, I had to post pictures every time I try to up date. I am giving that up and will simply make every effort to post at least once a week from here on out! If I fall behind Susan will yell at me and get me back on track:)
School is going well for both Sydney and Cassie so far, Cassie is starting to look at colleges, ugh....hard to believe that "I" have a child that old! I feel so young......lol! Cassie is on the dance team for Bastrop High, they play Pine Bluff next week I think, and it is suppose to be on TV will let everyone know for sure. Sydney is waking up and looking forward to school each day as she starts the day in choir. I was so thrilled to hear her tell me that! Jasper of course is still happy to be here, doesn't really matter to him if he is at the house or at Allstate, as long as he is with those he loves. I have been working full time for the past several weeks, Misty had surgery and is off. Which works out good for us, since Paul is off work right now after having had surgery on both his shoulders, the left one in July and the right one 2 weeks ago. Don't know which one of us need the prayers more some days, Paul for healing or me for taking care of my man. I love my husband, but you women know that men can be a handful at times when they don't feel good. but he is healing and God has taken very good care of all of us.
Jasper also spends a couple of days with Avery, she stays with us on Tuesdays and he stays with her on Thursday or Fridays, sometimes both days. They are starting to think they can't live without each other at times. For pictures of their play dates check out Susan's blog page at www.penningtonposts.blogspot.com

I think that will bring you up to date with us. School, church, work-me, no work-Paul, Jasper and housework, that seems to be my life right now.

OH! thank you mommy is Jasper's new phase, and last night....let go of me daddy! Paul was trying to hold him down while I changed his diaper. Needless to say, he didn't like it! OHOH! He is trying to potty train! He has been to the potty a couple of times and mostly by himself. I am so proud of him!!!

2nd Birthday

As you can see, our little boy had a great time! he never stood still long enough to get a clear shot at his "choo" shirt, but it says, choo choo I'm two! He loves trains or choos as he calls them. At first I thought it was because the "tr" was throwing him off, but he says track...one of the many wonders of childhood that I am left in the dark about! He loved playing with all the kids, most of them were girls, but that was okay in his book, as long as you know how to run and kick he doesn't care if you are a girl or a boy. Jasper even has fun with paper plates! In one picture he is waving plates around, big fun!!! Give him a box and some paper and his day is made!

So many things, so little time...

it seems like only yesterday that I was on the computer, hard to believe that a month has gone by. We recovered from VBS nicely. Jasper has had several play dates at the park, before it got to hot, so that took up our Monday mornings, but well worth it. He LOVES playing outside, add a couple of kids and he is in heaven. We fed the ducks, or "quack" some of the animals he says the names, some only the sound they make, go figure!
Sydney went to children's camp, her last year...she is officially a youth now. I'm having a hard time with that one. If I survive the end of this year it will be a miracle. Cassie is turning 18 in October, Sydney is a youth and Jasper will be 2 in 2 days! And of course I still have a tons of things to do for the party on Saturday! But not stressing!!! And Paul had surgery on one shoulder and will have the other one done next week, bone spurs and arthritis.
Will post of new pictures as soon as I remember!

VBS

Jasper's first VBS, as you can tell from the smile he had fun! Here he is running down the hall for line up outside.
Sydney, a flag bearer for the day...
Jasper lined up with some of his friends, Tessia and Breaden. He of course thinks he is as big as they are!
Opening worship rally, Jasper is getting into the songs and learned a few of the moves! Not sure if he got the right ones but he is having a good time and that is the main thing for the little ones, don't know if you can see, but the little girl behind him is a year older but about his size, he really took to her!
And the week would not have been complete without AV, he is trying to say a few more words.
All in all we had a great week. We had about 11 pre-k kids for the whole week. Some nights 12, depending on if Jasper stayed with us or "helped" daddy take pictures.

new pictures

Our Mission Friends group made cards for mother's day, Jasper is busy with his. I was so proud of him, the first time he didn't try to eat the markers! And yes I have a wonderful handmade card by my baby.



Meet Bella...we dog set for some friends last week. Jasper loved having Bella here. He is trying to feed her wiht a spoon in the above picture. She was a great babysitter, they played together and ran and just had fun!

First trip to Aunt Chrissie's...

We went to south LA for a visit, of course it was not long enough but Jasper got to see where Aunt Chrissie and family live. I know he will not remember this trip, and I forgot my camera so nothing to put in his scrapbook although I believe that he will remember being in their house. He decided that he did like Aunt Chrissie enough to hold her hand and let him hold him. He was a little unsure about Uncle Eddie, but he was won over with chocolate pie! We had a great trip. I don't understand how the time can pass so fast when you are with those you love and so slow when we are doing things we don't like. We will have to head back down, and I promise to remember my camera next time!

yard work

cleaning the yard is a family affair, Jasper loves to use his "mower", but that doesn't last long until he is off to something else...that rake looks like it needs some help.

now that is a great yard boy! he liked to pick up the leaves more than the sticks, but hey, he was helping!

got enough, don't want it to get to heavy

and on to the tarp, don't you wish you had such a handsome, helpful little boy around your house?!?!?!?

Easter party at the church was lots of fun, big little sis even tagged alone for the fun.
duck, duck, goose any one?
it rained so we had to hunt eggs inside, the choir room made a great hunting ground!

Our new little friend...Ellie, don't you just love her name?! A good time was had by all! We went to see grandmother and grandaddy on Easter morning. Jasper noticed all the children getting up to head out for children's church, so we had to go with them. He is getting so big, he enjoyed the Easter story, they used the "eggs". It helped to keep the kids involved. A great time was had by all!

New words...

Seems like Jasper is trying more words this week, so far we have bye-bye, baby, mama, da,nite-nite, bird, more, toot toot, meow, moo, arf. We bought a piggy bank at the dollar tree the other day, I thought it would be nice for him to start learning about saving. He not only learned that money goes in the bank, but is learning to say money and how to make himself understood when he wants it. He still needs to work on the part about understanding there is only so much at one time.
And "ish", we bought a blue beta fish a couple of weeks ago and he loves to watch him eat and swim around.

Pre-teen

Our baby girl is growing up fast! She turned 12 in March, hard to believe! Were does the time go, it seems like just yesterday she was 6 years old and cute as a bug. Now she is in to doing her nails and do I like okay. Thankfully she is not boy crazy (yet). Syd is into Harry Potter, so we made a castle cake. She helped decorate it, made all the trees and the rocks by herself, she even did a little of the piping, not to much because the icing was thick and it was not easy to get out of the tips. And daddy helped with the towers, a family affair! Japser wanted to help, but he only got to watch. Maybe next year!

Jasper loves to sign "happy birthday"; appy, appy and claps his hands. He gives it his all.

Back again

Looks like I have failed to keep up our page, I will try to do better! We are staying busy around here. The pretty weather is great and Jasper loves the outdoors. We have been cleaning the yard and planting flowers. Hopefully we will be able to keep them for awhile. AS you can see Jasper has his own little wheelbarrel. He is a big help in the yard. He is a big help in eveything! He seems to love to do things and learn.