What's up with that!

Have you ever really wanted something and every time you thought you were going to get it something happened. Edana loves animals and has wanted a puppy since she was big enough to ask for one. After 3 tries, Jeff and I decided it just wasn't happening. Well, if there is one thing that Edana is, its persistent. She has begged and begged. She proved responsible this summer with the stray cat dad took in. Even now when we're visiting she feeds "her cat" every day. After our last visit Jeff and I had a talk. Maybe now was the time. We could afford to take care of a dog properly, Edana is bigger and has shown responsibility, why not! Jeff looked at the dogs online. I called the pound and talked to them about the dogs Jeff picked out. This was our first choice. His name is Scooter. A sweet black lab mix. We were going to rename him Boomer. Unfortunately he was terrified when we got home. we tried for 3 days. It hid behind the toilet seat or under the step. Finally we took him back. As soon as he was back at the pound, he was happy as, well... a puppy. Shelly said he must have been suicidal!

This was number two! Our sweet wonderful perfect puppy! They told us it was a girl. Upon further inspection he was a boy! Alex helped us name her Darcy. He was just right. He was young but not too wild. The only thing he did was whine to come in and get tangled on his run. (He had fleas and was too young for meds, so he lived outside.) He was so cute. After we had him a couple weeks, thinking he was 8 weeks old, we got some frontline and took care of the fleas. We brought him to mom and dad's with us last Sunday. He did pretty good in the van, but we discovered something on the way. He was wormy. OH! That grosses me out. Not too big, I'd go get him some meds the next morning, right? Unfortunately the next morning didn't come. My sis-in-law said it was probably the worms(hopefully it wasn't the frontline), but when I went out to put him in the trailer (that's where we're sleeping this trip) he was laying almost dead out by our van. I wrapped him up and let him die. It was so sad. Edana was so upset. I took her out and let her tell him "bye." I don't what most would think of that but I thought it would help her understand.

Wish I understood. Maybe we're not meant to have a dog. The kids have already asked if they could have a new one, but I get attached to this puppies. I'm not sure I want to keep trying. Would you keep trying or just take it as a sign you shouldn't have one.

Pictures of the kids

Apparently people don't read my blog for football information. So here you go. The real reason people read. My Kiddos! They are worth checking out. I may be bias, but you can judge for yourself! They're so fun! Edana Rois! Yep! That's my girl. Papaw is raising her right! Wow! She's getting so big.

So big and so beautiful! And she loves animals. This was her puppy "Darci" She, umm..., went to heaven this week, but that's another post.

Mommy and her girl. She's so much fun! She's just crazy.

Aidan Jeffrey!

Aren't you supposed to sit on the couch this way. Oh well, check out my homemade sling shot. There is always a need for a cape!

School buddies!

Aidan's Christmas concert. It was a special performance just for us! He cracks me up.

Super strong!

Declan Eghan!

Can't you just see it in another 18 years or so? A biker and an artist!

He's my stinker! This 2 year old talks better than most 3 yr olds, and he definitely keeps us hopping. His latest game is his imaginary friend, Max. I didn't know 25mo old kids could have those! He's hilarious!

Really he just like his picture taken. Who needs a special reason!

What are you looking at? I'm not getting into anything. Would I do that?

Rileigh Cait!

Yep, she's growing! And Daddy is already teaching her about superheroes!

Her first spaghetti!Pumpkin head!So pretty!Notice the earlobe! She has earrings now!! Oh, she's so girly!!

Bedlam!

Its 11 o'clock, and we're coming down from a "Bedlam high" Some of you out there may be deprived of knowledge of what Bedlam is. Let me explain. Oklahoma Sooners vs. OSU Cowboys! This game is never a sure win...well, some years it is. Its way intense! Tonight was awesome! They played it close for a while, but the Sooners wore the Cowboys out in the end. They put a beatin' on 'em! Okay, I can't find words. I'm pumped. Now we wait for the stupid BCS to decide the fate of who will play for the big 12 championship. You know where my vote would be. As for votes...this guy gets my vote for the Heisman! SAM BRADFORD!! There is a chooch (Cherokee for boy) out there that can make something out of himself! Makes me proud. Indian or not this boy is hot on the field. McCoy's got nothing! I love football! Makes me miss my grandma. She would've been doing some hollerin' tonight! Guess I come by it naturally!

Friends, Fire, and Football

That was what last weekend consisted of. We went to mom and dad's as soon as Jeff walked across the street from school. It was a GREAT weekend. Shelly and Bailey were there when we got there. We got around Sat and went to town, and I had my hair chopped off. It's super fun! I wish I could put a pic on here. After that we met some friends from church and went trail riding. I love riding horses. It has been nine years, and terrible accident later, but I still love it! I have to say it seemed a bit unnatural walking them in a straight line. It would have felt good to run. We got home just before the crew started to arrive...Every year we have a fall party complete with fire, hayrides, and this year a projector screen to watch the Hogs lose on. (no, that wasn't sarcasm...okay, maybe it was. BTW. Sooners won!!) The party was huge! Not sure how many came but it was a blast. It was awesome to spend time with my friends, The Jeff and Shawnna came early, so Shelly got to see Brayden and Dec together. For some reason the hayride was hayless this year but we had fun! Sunday we had a fish fry at church. We also got to take a tour of the new facilities too. The are WOW!!! I can't wait to see it finished. Well, I've run out of time. We're going to a football game tonight. The boys get almost as excited as their mommy! That gives me hope! I really need a football player or two in the family. Maybe Rileigh will want to be a trainer or something!! Have a good weekend.

Sweet Success!

Okay, in this case it may be stinking success, but success all the same. Declan is potty trained!! We haven't used pull ups in over two weeks. I'm really proud of him. For all of you mom's looking forward to that stage....I wish I could tell you some trick I used, but the fact is its all on Declan. I did the same thing I did with Edana and Aidan. Everytime, I got different results. Edana took a few months, Aidan took about a year, and Declan took a couple of weeks. I have one baby in diapers now and no more on the way!!!! I can't begin to tell you how wonderful that is. I have no pictures for this blog, but things are going well! Rileigh Cait is growing like crazy! She has two teeth now, and can roll just about anywhere that she wants. Edana is playing fall t-ball. She is definitely a newbie! The coach is great! He just calmly goes over how she needs to do things until she gets it. She might get pretty good in time, with some practice. Edana is still loving school. Poor Aidan still doesn't have much to do. He is making a few friends and he follows Edana to her friends. Aidan was trying to get out of going to school for about a week there, but he seems better now. They are both really picking up the accent. Cracks me up! Its homecoming week this week, so the town is buzzing! Jeff somehow managed to get elected m.c. I guess they figured he should do it since he is the speech teacher. We have a parade Friday and they have a special ceremony then as well as that night at the football game. They announce the queen the day they announce who all is in it, so its not a suprise the night of the game. That seems a little anit-climatic to me. Well, I guess that is about all. Oh me, I'm not doing much. Cleaning house, chasing kids, cooking dinner.... I do sneak across the street and hang out with my new friend when I can, and of course I always have running. As a matter of fact, I might go do that right now. Have a good day!!

Finally

I guess I had to come all the way back to Winslow to blog... The transition to our new life in smallville is going quite well. I'm finding I kinda like small town life. If there is one thing I've learned about Hermitage, it is that hermits they are not. Most everyone has been very friendly. Edana is loving school. Her teacher seems really nice and she's made several friends. She even went to her first slumber party. Aidan is going to head start. He seems to like it as well. He mostly just talks about one little boy being his friend. Declan and Rileigh are just stuck with me at home. We actually have a lot of fun during the day. Dec is potty training now and Rileigh is trying really hard to figure out how to get mobile. So I'm just working hard to keep the floor clean! The people have been welcoming. Its definitely a more ethnically diverse area, but there doesn't seem too much division. There is some of course, but I guess that would be Utopia if there was none. We've made friends with our neighbors across the street. They are the pastors at the baptist church in town, and just a couple of years older than me. Their oldest is in first grade and has become one of Edana's favorite friends. They also have a girl about to turn 3, and a boy just a couple of months younger than Declan. Praise God for new friends! It has really made things easier. Jeff likes the school. He took another praxis this month for teaching speech. He'll have to take another in Jan for drama, and he's going to start tutoring after school. He keeps pretty busy, but not terrible so. He's finally figuring out a system for doing his lesson plans that keeps him from working til three in the morning! Not that Jeff would need much excuse to stay up late. Sometimes I think he must just dislike sleeping or something. He tries to stay up so late. Stresses me out! I like sleep too much for that! We've also agreed to work with the youth at the Assembly of God in Warren. Not sure as to what extent that will be, but we'll have to see. We plan to sit down with the pastor and discuss things more, but we will be at least teaching the Sunday school class after this weekend. For this weekend, we get to be back at Trinity! That has been the hardest part of moving. Trinity Fellowship is one of the best churches ever, and having to leave has been very hard. The people at our new church are very attentive, but our relationships with our friends at Trinity were so deep. I miss them greatly! I wouldn't take the move back. Its been good for us, and its been an adventure. Sometimes the hardest endeavors in our lives can turn out to be the most exciting, rewarding adventures. Knowing God is directing our way, makes it all the more worth it! Of course, it also helps that I'm on these adventures with Jeff! I love him so much!

Aidan is our reason for making a trip to "slow town" so soon. He was given the option of a party at the park or one with his papaw. He chose the obvious! I love the jaw-dropped expression in the picture below. He just realized he'd gotten a new batman! His birthday is actually on Monday, so we'll cook him a special dinner then and give him the presents we got him. I can't wait to see his expression when he sees his new "Bucky" (for those of you who don't have husbands or sons with a super hero obsession...Bucky is Capt. America's sidekick originally.)Dec, ever the egocentric toddler thought the batman car should be for him. That's always a fun lesson to teach!Rileigh Cait is practicing for future bull riding. Mom starts them young you know!The only quiet time I have most days is when Dec gets a book out. All of the kids love books. Fitting for kids of an English teacher I suppose. Having books such as Great Expectations, Book of the Dun Cow, LOTR and various other books read to them aloud might have helped that along.Maybe I'll actually make it to the library to blog again soon. Its hard to make it there when its only open on Mon, Wed, and Fri. Then I have to chose between running or blogging, and well blogging doesn't help my clothes size go down. I am proud to say I have lost a total of 22lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. I am officially a size 12! (never thought I'd be proud to admit that) Two more sizes to reach my ideal goal. Not long after high school I cried because I had to wear a nine. Oh how things change. I'm much more self confident now. With God, Jeff, and Tammy Hill I have overcome a lot of self image issues. Life isn't perfect, but it sure is good!

Becoming a Hermit

Well, it was official Thursday morning. Jeff took at job in Hermitage, AR as the english, speech, and drama teacher. I'm sure all of you are saying "where is that," because that is what everyone else has said. I'd try to tell you, but most likely you won't know the small towns around it either. Its an hour south of Pine Bluff. Everyone wants to know how we feel about it, but I don't know. I'm a little apprehensive about moving so quickly, and to be honest, i've been so stressed trying to move in such a short time, I don't know. I kinda like moving. For those of you who have known me for a long time, you know, i've been trying to leave NWA for a long time. Didn't really intend to leave it for South Ark, but it'll be fun. We'll be together and Jeff will have a good job. Its a small quiet town, so that should be nice! I'll blog more before we actually head out. Well, Jeff is heading out tomorrow. Inservice starts monday, and the rest of us will follow in a few days! For now, I have major packing to do.

Special Aunt Shelly Edition

These are for Aunt Shelly. I'm sure she doesn't need an explanation, but for the rest of you, I'll clarify. Edana is wearing an outfit that Bailey practically lived in, in Kindergarten. Now, my baby fits in it. As for babies....Shelly bought the Strawberry Shortcake for Edana's first birthday, and Rileigh Cait is wearing it now at 5 months old! Crazy kid completely skipped 6-9mo clothes and went straight to 12mo! They sure are pretty girls though!

I think I embarrassed Edana a little in this picture. Oh well! Yes, by the way, the pants are supposed to be capris on Rileigh, it worked better on a walking, one year old!

Unemployed in Greenland

With one week until teachers go back to school, Jeff has a couple of potential jobs but no actual offers. The places currently showing intrest are places we'd have to move to in order for him to take the job. We knew that was a possibility when he started this venture, but I thought I'd have a little more time to make a move happen. We'd have to get on the ball too because Edana is starting kindergarten. Wow! I think it must be impossible for us to do anything the easy way. We really need everyone's prayers.

As far as other things go, we've had a fun summer. I'm a little sad to see it end. At least the end of summer means the start of football season! Its been a full summer with playdates, birthday parties, and of course company...aunt shelly, uncle shawn, and cousins!

Dec and Brayden had a great, messy time playing together. They are so cute together!This is Brock, him and his sister, Attalie, came for a play date. I think Brock would have taken Rileigh home with him. He loved holding her!Edana's best friend from church, Abigail, had a princess party. You can see in the picture, Edana didn't want to dress up like the rest of the girls. She made her own princess outfit.I finally got a picture of the boys with Aunt Shelly! Uncle Shawn's picture with Aidan is just what it looks like. He hosed him off after Shelly gave him a haircut.

Most of the summer, we just had fun around the house. We do have a great place out here! Rileigh Cait has hit a couple of milestones this last month as well! She rolled over from her back to her belly. She's doing it all the time now. She has started eating baby cereal! She does really well, too!Well, Dec is yelling to get out of his chair, not that he yells or anything! I better go help Jeff!