BIG Surprise for ZACHARY

Happy Birthday Zach~ Thank you to my Dad and G'ma Lyn for finding the perfect car for my baby! Now I just have to teach him how to drive a stick~ so I have a few more months before he hits the streets! In one week we went from No car to 2 cars :) Zachary also got a lap top from his Mimi this week as well... he is still in shock I think teehee~ We had a blessed week for sure and one that Zach will never forget!

new hair and random pics

Chopped all my hair off ~needed a change I feel like a flapper haha!

Love seeing our Lyla JEWEL she truly is precious to us :)

We got to meet Lyla and Mom in the city and this Saturday we get to meet Dad and G'ma Lyn in the city :) We have a HUGE surprise for Zachary!!

Zach went to Tulsa for a last of summer visit :)Boys don't start school until Sept.8th~ Zach Has NO idea about huge GIFT!!

Max is in summer training 3 times a week for 2-3 hours!!! Pad football in 4th grade is serious :)

We are so HAPPY

we are all so happy... Violet is going to have a brother or sister coming soon! Yes, I am pregnafied again (what? pregnafied is a word. imma an english teacher). I am about 5 weeks along and should be due around April 21 (the day before Lyn's birthday). Eric, Violet and I are so excited to share the news with all our family and friends.

On a different note, I survived the first 2 days of school. Woohoo!

Back to School

Wishing everyone a wonderful back-to-school season! I am in meetings all week and then the students arrive on Thursday. This year begins with a new room! I will actually have cabinets, a TV and DVD player, student computers, and a panic button. Oh MY! What will I do with all these things! I am giddy with excitement.

Lyla Bear's Birthday

Your Momma would be so proud of you sweet baby girl. Happy 2nd Birthday Lyla!!!!- I am sure today she would have been baking cupcakes and getting a huge party ready for you. She LOVED you so much and it hurts to know that you will not know your beautiful Momma. This is the last picture you took with her on Mother's day. She was always bragging about your growth and development ever since the day you were born. She loved you more than anything in the world -I know this because she told me when you all came to visit us in March.

I will do my best to show you the love that your Mom would have given you. I am thankful you are with your Neena who loves you so much-you may not know this but you are such a huge blessing to your Neena. We don't know what we would be doing without you sweet girl. I know that she and Aunt Tara will give you the best Birthday party this year. I so wish we could make it to see you on this special day. I write this post in hopes one day you will look through this blog and see how much your Momma loved you and how much we miss her.

As I fight tears to write this I remember the last thing she said to me ..."No one LOVES me like you do Michaela" and I said to her "I know"- I wish I would have said more to her that day, I wish I would have talked to her on Mother's day to give her encouragement for the future, but I am so thankful that is the last thing she said to me.

I miss her everyday and it hurts me to know she will not be there with you today but she is watching over you always sweet one. Happy Birthday to my Lyla Bear ~~ we love and miss you.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL??!!??!!

Logan loved trying on Max's helmet :)

Max starts football practice today!! School doesn't start until Sept 8th this year but football time is here. Max and his friends are sooo excited but I don't think they know what they are in for- long hot practices and pain full hits. I am just praying he isn't injured at all this year! Mom's inner cheerleader is getting warmed up :)

Zach is NO longer playing football since his injury, this year he is in track! Shot put is his game and mom is so happy b/c High school football can be scary:)

Belated birthday pictures

The girls.... what more can I say.

Mrs. Potato head - the best toy ever!

playing in her new sandbox

yes, that is a leash and very necessary for my baby's joints. I leash my kid and I am proud of it.

Violet opening her new sandbox

Mom, Lyla, and a billy goat

Violet very excited about her matchbox airplane.

Hello Everyone! Yes, I am just now posting Violet's 2nd birthday pictures. The whirlwind of birthdays around here is coming to a close, finishing with Lyla's and my friend Carol's on the 15th. Summer is also coming to an end. tear drop. School starts on the 20th and this year I feel a little more prepared, but, unfortunately, I am scrambling around trying to finish summer reading and creating lesson plans. teehee. I do have to say my summer was restorative, relaxing, and quite perfect.

Enjoy these photos, and I hope everyone else is having a wonderful end of summer.

Happy 30th Birthday Tara!

I have been up since 4am- pondering things -like my little sisters Birthday is today. So I look through old photos this morning some make me laugh out loud and some make me so very sad. These memories take me back-

I remember the day you were born- Dad and Uncle John tried to sneak me and Molly in to see you and Mom. I am sure they had some cocktails and hid us under their T-shirts , we stood on their toes. We got caught! I can't remember if I saw you that day or not but I do however, remember that Jay had bought you this huge stuffed dog (brown and white) and I was instantly jealous that you were getting all this new cool stuff and I was getting NOTHING!

When we brought you home - I was so excited, you had the prettiest face and this glow of red hair. I couldn't wait for you to start walking and playing dolls with me. I remember thinking "I wonder how long it will take for her to be able to swing with me?"- Too long in my book!

My hope Tara is that you get everything you want and more this year! YOU ARE 30 and it is wonderful!
It is bitter sweet this year for you I am sure- So many things about this season of life I want to be over, it has been a long hard summer for both of us. Through these hard things that we have been faced with- I do feel blessed to see the silver lining. Have a wonderful day today Tara and enjoy the ride :)