Flashback Friday

Here is our little fam of 3 back in 2001. Bethany just missed Christmas in 2000. She was born Jan 10th. (10 days late) So this was her first Christmas.

Things I remember about this Christmas:

Bethany singing many many Christmas songs.

Bethany reciting the beginning of Twas the night Before Christmas.

This little purple dress I bought from Sheila Parker's store.

Our humble first little home.

The big ice storm shortly after Christmas.

"Myra and Isaac" ?

While looking through old pictures for Flashback Friday, I ran across this one and couldn't resist posting it... This seems absolutely crazy to me!

This picture was taken in 1992. Not 2008!!

This is my little brother Andrew and sister Sarah. I'm sure they will both love seeing this because they look so darn cute. Especially Sarah in her little training pants.

They remind me so much of my two littlest ones, Isaac and Myra. Just like Andrew and
Sarah they are 2 1/2 years apart.

Myra does have red hair for now. It's quite a bit lighter than the others though. We always gave/give Sarah a hard time about being the odd ball "Blondie" I guess her and Myra will have to stick together now.

Isaac looks so much like Andrew. I showed Isaac this picture and he thought it was himself!

Flashback Friday

Here I was thinking I didn't have any old Christmas pictures. Then I remembered I have an entire box full from my Grandma's house. These were Grandma's pictures that now belong to my mom. They have just taken a slight detour to my house so I can eventually scan them so I can share in all these "older" memories.

This is me and my brother Josh in 1983 posing in the den of Ma and Pa's house.

I would've been 2 1/2 and he's 4 1/2. Josh got his dark hair from my mom. I got my red hair from my dad and his mom. Aren't we sweet?

First Flashback Friday

I'm going to jump on the Flashback Friday bandwagon!

I always enjoy my friend Melinda's flashbacks, so when she requested more bloggin buddies to join in on Flashback Friday I started digging for an old picture.

Josh and I were engaged in the fall of 1999. Yes, I was very young I realize now. I was 18. Josh was 22. I was so excited to be engaged to Josh. I was so ready to begin our life together. We were engaged for a short 3 months and were married in January.

This was the just the begining of our blessed life together.

Halloween 08

This year we had an ARRR Pirate Theme. 2 Pirates and a Parrot.

I made costumes this year. I always have a lot of fun putting these together. Although I do admit it drives me crazy when the kids take it all off so quickly!!!

We do go trick or treating. This is something I never did as a kid. But honestly, my kids have always loved handing out the candy at Grandma and Grandpa's house the most. We maybe went to 10 houses and then headed to Grandma 'Bertas.

I'm happy to report that everyone is well at my house, for the moment. Unfortunately 2 weeks ago a very yucky stomach bug started wtih me on a Wednesday night.

I always wonder whose fault these bugs are. Who gave this to me!! I'm sure we'll never know.
I guess I do know that I was the one who infected nearly everyone else in my family. Sorry guys.

We thought we were being careful. I hibernated in my room for 3 days and 3 nights.

1 week after I had this yucky bug Isaac caught it on a Wednesday night on our church's floor. YUK.

By Saturday, we figure everyone is eating and well so we head to my parents house to help clean and pack. We are getting them ready to come to HINTON!!

Saturday evening I feel drained. I'm thinking its cause I've been so busy all day. Maybe the chemicals I've cleaned with..... NOPE. I got this charming bug again!!!! At mom and dad's and all the way home.

In the middle of the night Bethany gets it. She cries and cries because she wants to go to church. I understand she loves church and explain patiently 5-6 times to her she's sick and she can't. Ahhh DRAMA. My sweet little girl nearly earned herself a spankin' from me while we were both sick in bed....

Monday. The phone starts ringing. First Josh, his tummy hurts. Mom calls. Andrew and Dad have it too. ( She'd had it already) Monday evening. Sarah calls. "I'm mad at you, Liz" She's now officailly broken Stillwater in.

Once again, I'm sorry to everyone. I do think I've already had my punishment. Remember, I had this twice...

For anyone counting, this is everyone in my family except Myra, my baby. ( And my brother in Minnesota) I'm very very pleased that Myra has been left out of this experience. She must be one strong cookie. I do know she was covered in many prayers. Thank you.

HSM 3

The Countdown finally ended today! We have been looking forward today for weeks now!
Bethany and I decided awhile back to grab up a few 2nd grade friends and see High School Musical 3 AS SOON AS IT CAME OUT.!!
I was a little worried it may be sold out so I paid an extra dollar to purchase the tickets online.
I guess I should have realized this is rural Oklahoma.... The theatre was not sold out.... and really not even close. Oh well, better safe than sorry.
Bethany was so excited to have friends with her. Last year we had 2 girls over to watch HSM 2 on TV the night it premiered. They danced and laughed and completely cracked me up.
The same 2 veteran HSM girls plus 1 more new recruit came with us tonight.
The movie was very very good. I almost cried once! Seriously, and I'm not a crier at the movies.
I won't spoil the movie, but let me explain myself. Josh came to my Senior high school prom with me 10 years ago. WoW. Time has really flown by.
It's so fun to make memories with Bethany. She is a joy. It makes my heart swell to hear her laugh and giggle with her friends.

Candy Land to the Rescue

This morning started out a little rough. There was quite a bit of grumbling, whining, and picking on little sister. I will admit I was a little tired and grumpy myself, but I was determined to start off this week on a good foot. After reading several books with Isaac I determined we needed something "different" to do. We settled on a classic. Candy Land. I worried just for a minute that Candy Land is too girly, but decided it's more educational than girly.... This is a game I've played a kajillion times with Bethany.....but, to be honest I don't think Isaac has EVER played it.

He decided to be the red gingerbread man. "Reds my favrit culur" is a proclamation I hear often.

He played remarkably well!!! He took turns and followed my directions to the T. Needless to say, he skunked me 3-0!!

Thank the Lord for Candy Land and the distraction it provided today. It completely steered our day in the opposite direction than it started out.

Myra Elizabeth

ONE YEAR OLD

Myra & Friends

This weekend we went to my parents on Saturday afternoon. It was a first and last for my mom. Her baby daughter, Sarah, came home for the first time after being the last to leave for college.... We had a nice relaxing time playing with Nana and Grandad and Aunt Sarah. We took the kids for a walk and park time at Cyril. They have a great walking trail, water feature, and a fun and challenging park. It's the kind of park the kids love, but it tends to stress out mom. It has a rock wall, a glider, and climbers that are high over my head. Isaac and Bethany both love the rock wall and riding their bikes. They rode along side us while we took a leisurely walk.

Sunday, we went to a little friend's 5th birthday party. It was at Tiger Safari in Tuttle. I had never been there and didn't know what to expect. As it turned out it's a really fun and unique experience. There was all sorts of wild animals to look at, feed and touch.....

My little tiny 15 month old baby had no fear. She touched all these animals: snake, ferret, lemur tortoise, baby kangaroo, llama, goat and an alligator!!! UGH
Yes, we used lots of hand sanitizer. They were very kind to provide sanitizer at almost all the stations.

These are sweet sweet friends of ours. Our kids rarely see each other. (Us moms talk on the phone frequently) But you wouldn't know it by seeing them pair off together. SO ADORABLE!

We each have 3. The oldest and youngest pair are only a few months different in age. The middle are separated by just over a year. Each pair of kiddos are boy/girl. My friend and I can just hear those wedding bells.... JK

We do love how our kids enjoy each others company so much.

Bethany ReCap

While I'm getting the hang of this, and I've got school on my mind, how about a refresh of Bethany's first days of school.

Wow! How she has changed! She's grown physically, mentally, emotionally and most importantly spiritually. Of course I'm mightily proud of her as well.

Bethany Pre-K 2005

Kindergarten 2006

1st grade 2007

2nd grade 2008

Isaac the Leader

Who could not be proud when their child is called a leader?

Isaac began "pre-school" this week. After much consideration we decided that Isaac (we) may need some transition time into next year's 5 days a week/all day long pre-school. Thankfully, one of our local churches just began a Mom's-Day-Out. So... it's only 2 days a week and only 4 hours, but it's something. And I'm thinking something has to be better than nothing when it comes to this transition time.

Isaac is one cool cat. I just sprang the idea on him.

"Isaac you want to go to school?"

"Yea Mom, today?"

"No not till Tuesday."

"Okay tomorrow is Tuesday. Okay."

He had no worries, not even questions surprisingly.

Tuesday morning. We arrive with our backpack and new Lightning McQueen lunch box. He's still cool with everything.... He spys a friend from our church and takes off into a classroom.



I'm still standing outside talking to his teacher and a few other moms and I see him poke his head out. I'm thinking, "Oh no, here come the tears" Nope. This is what I get. "Mom quit talking, you go" So I leave.



My first day without Isaac ends up being pretty busy so I don't worry about him at all. But when 12:30 comes around and its time to pick up. I'm thinking I hope he was good, I hope he was good. Hopefully no wrestling moves were pulled, or no popping of the underwear led to timeouts. To my great satisfaction and pride too. I was told "Isaac was a leader! He set a good example for the others. He's a Mom's-Day-Out PRO" Hallelujah. I'm so proud of my boy!



Here are a few pics of Isaac on his first day of MDO or "my school" as he lovingly calls it.