Cooper turns 2 today!

Today is my sweet baby's birthday.... 2 YEARS OLD! He looks like he could be 10 but he's not! Just 2 years and has so much love to give. He lights up everytime he sees me and loves to have his belly scratched. He loves to smell, sniff and lick anything he can and I am so very proud he has kept his beautiful grooming for a full week now, it is supposed to rain / snow today so I am sure he will be a mess when I get home. I am making Drew grill him a steak when he gets off to celebrate!

I had read the first book in Nora Robert's the Bride Quartet a couple  of months ago. It was so good and I could hardly put it down. In an effort to be more rounded in my reading I put off reading the second book until I had read something a bit more ... informative. So I have been struggling to read Still Alice for the past couple of months.

The book was good, very informative about Early-Onset Alzheimer's and helped me know more about what my Mom is facing and feeling with the disease. However after reading it I was emotionally exhausted and needed a retreat back to the light hearted.... welcome Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts, book 2 in the Bridal Quartet.



I read this book in 2 days... 2 DAYS people! So good. It sucks you right in with the romance and sexy flings. I hardly noticed that Drew as out of town this weekend as I spent Friday night, Saturday morning and Sunday morning curled up in bed with this book. Loved it! I was so sad when it was over I immediately downloaded the third book on my Ipad and am halfway through it. I haven't read through a series this fast since the Shopaholic's in Highschool.

Whitney I am thinking I am gonna send them to you to keep you entertained in Africa.

On another note: I left my Mom and Nana's last night and went Drew's where he tricked me into eating deer meat queso- it was actually amazing! and had the sweetest suprise for me...

MARSH-MALLOW POPCORN!!! This stuff is the ABSOLUTE BEST!

I haven't been able to find it in years and he found it for me. Sweet Sweet Man!

the Big Texan

A couple of Friday night's ago Drew, Mom and I were trying to figure out how to spend our evening... as there is not much to do round here and usually everything revolves around eating we wanted to go eat somewhere new... and boy did we get it.

If you are unfamiliar with this little neck of the woods known as Amarillo let me just clue you in on something, as you begin approaching Amarillo even from as far as 2 hours away (I don't know how many miles that would be) you begin to see signs fearturing a FREE 72 OZ. STEAK only at THE BIG TEXAN. This restauraunt is one of Amarillo's most known landmarks. It is a ginormous restaurant made to look like an old western saloon complete with a huge cowboy statue out front and his giant cow. There is a giftshop, casino, candy shop, and much much more. Travelers from all over will come stop here to eat and take part in the fun as they are passing through. It was reported a couple of years ago that Johnny Depp himself had stopped by while he was headed to New Mexico to film a movie, However upon seeing the photos I blew that story to shreads for those who are not so savvy in the world-o-Johnny and had not seen him on an awards show the day before with short short hair where as this fellow had shoulder length. The Free 72 oz. steak is a bit misleading as you must eat the HUGE steak, a baked potato, salad, 3 fried shrimp, and salad in 69 minutes. Many have tried, many have failed, but it adds to the fun of the evening if someone tries it while you are there. The whole place starts whooting and hollaring for the poor soul who actually thought he could eat it all.... if you can't complete the task then you are left with the bill which I think is like $118.00. Anywhoo needless to say this is a place for the memory books when visting Amarillo.

So as Drew, Mom and I are driving around thinking we will probably go to our usual, Texas Roadhouse, Drew gets the idea to head on out to the Big Texan.



After waiting a little while we finally were seated in the back corner of the dining hall with a terriffic view of all game decorating the walls. The walls are decorated with old reminants from back in the day and there is a trio of acoustic country musicians who walk around serenading you with your song of choice at your table-- that part is pretty much my worst nightmare. Drew passed for us when it came to our turn, although I have no doubt Grandy would have chosen Amarillo by Morning to be sung to him as he ate.

This was one of the first smiles Mom cracked all night-- I think she had her heart set on Texas Roadhouse.

We came in right after a 50+ member biker gang and so we had to wait an insanely long time for our food. Just as we were getting our food a college kid and one of the biker dudes decided to partake in the challenge.

The worst part about doing the steak challenge is you can't just sit and eat with your friends, you have to sit on a platformed stage for all to see with a clock over your head counting down your time.

We left before either of them finished but with the survey I took as we walked out of the food left it didn't look hopeful.

Mom's second real smile of the night as I begged her to take a picture with me to remember this fun night!

As we were leaving Drew delcared he could ABSOLUTELY eat the 72 oz. Steak meal so I am definitely going to make sure we come back for him to prove that statement true!

Late Birthday Post

A few weeks ago we celebrated Mom's Birthday. Her Birthday fell on the same night that little miss Kelsey had a Cheerleading performance at WT. So we all went down to watch Kelsey in this year's routine of her squad with CheerTX then headed to dinner to celebrate Mom.

There is not a happier girl in the world than this one when she wears that uniform. She is such a delight to watch-- her entire squad gives you the chills to watch and see the Joy that cannot be robbed from these sweet kids when they get to do something they love so much!

Mom doing what we all now call "the Kelsey"-- a pose that MUST be done when you recieve new clothes for your Birthday. Nana, Aunt Tammy, Kelsey herself and now Mom have all done it for their birthdays!

Mom had her helper beside her the whole time while she opened presents and celebrated. Our two red heads!

and Finally here is Mom with the BEA-U-TIFUL flowers that Patrick sent to her- nothing better than getting flowers on your birthday!

I didn't take any photos on my birthday - but I had a great one! I woke up Sunday morning (we go to church Satruday nights so I got to sleep in) and Neeley fixed me a breakfast for champions served in bed no less! As we snuggled in to watch a Lifetime movie on tv Drew came over with the most lovely striped red roses he then made me some delicious pancakes! I hung out for most of the day and then had a wonderful dinner of Chicken  and Rice ( my FAVORITE) at Nana and Mom's and was surrounded by lots of family to celebrate. I even got a homemade German Chocolate Cake by my Aunt Tammy-- The BEST!

Sad to post about January birthdays in February but that is how life has been rolling. Hoping to catch up and post more soon!



Trusting in God's plan

Yesterday was a hard day for me and my family.

Mom, Aunt Tammy and I all traveled down to Abilene Tuesday night to be at divorce mediation the following morning.

I had tried to work very hard to ensure that Mom would never have to lay eyes on Gary, therefore we arrived 30 min. before our start time and were swiftly tucked back into a private room with her attorney.

I sat in that room and was instantly saddened. Saddened by the circumstances, saddened by the scared look on my Mom's face knowing her future would be changed based on that day's decisions, saddened that she fell for a horrible man's lies and maniuplation. I was selfishly sad for myself and Patrick that we were 26 and 24 years old sittting in a room speaking on behalf of the only parent we have left... trying to slay a dragon with no law to back us up.

I do  not want to get into all the details of the day because that is my Mom's private business.... However I will say that we walked away from yesterday's experience knowing evermore that there is no faith or hope in this fallen world of ours. We must only put our faith and hope in the one who has conqured it all.

No mountain is to high, no valley to low for him to abandon us.... he will guide us through lifes storms as we remain faithful followers of his light.

My Mom is surrounded by a strong and present family who forms a protective shield around her. Yesterday that consisted of  Patrick, Aunt Tammy and myself in the physical but so many many more were praying for her. I believe our prayers were not unanswered but will come to be in God's timing and in a much more magnificent maner than we can imagine.

I am so incredibly proud of my Mom for being the strong woman she is, for putting her trust in the lord and not man, and for realizing Family is the most important thing.

I am proud of Patrick who came to be strong for Mom even when that meant being silent. For showing us what a real man looks like.

I am so thankful and grateful for my Aunt Tammy who showered us with love and encouragement when each of us wanted to lose it and for being the strong presence that pushed the limits.

We walk forward into the future with mistakes and pasts behind us, we walk forward looking to the eternal life promised to those who believe and with some sadness walk away from a seed that was turned into a thorn knowing that God will have justice in the end.

We look foward to the light!

Very Belated Christmas... Part 2

So this month has been absolutely nuts and I have had so much going on I haven't had much time to blog... but I definitely wanted to post about Christmas before the end of January so here it is!

On December 26th Ryan, Darrah and little Peyton drove in to spend a couple of days with us. It was so much fun to have them here, we missed Paige and her entertainment, but were so very glad to have the change to spend a little Christmas with all of our family.

We spent a lot of time eating, playing games and spending time together, ohh and being entertained by Peyton. So here are pictures to show all the fun...

Peyton got a pretty pink princess castle for Christmas from Gran-Nana which she turned into a bouncy house.

All the babies loved seeing Snoozing Santa that Nana and Grandy have had for years and years.

 

 Patrick was a major hit with all the girls during our family dinners

 

We tried to go bowling one night but after waiting for a lane it was decided Peyton would be getting a little bit grumpy by the time we actually got to bowl so we just took some photos and left.

 Gran-Nana and her sweet girl.

Peyton rocking my Urban wedge boots.. she walked pretty awesome in them!

Mom reading to her little girl as we tried to get her to wind down a little bit, she then let me rock her for a little while

Peyton's real favoritest person was Drew... she feel for his teddy bear hugs

Not Alright-- Sanctus Real

Burn away the pride
Bring me to my weakness
Until everything I hide behind is gone
And when I'm open wide with nothing left to cling to
Only you are there to lead me on.

Honestly, I'm not that strong.

I'm not alright... that's why I need you.

I don't understand the Lord's plans for me or why he is allowing everthing in my life to be turned upside down and right side out all at one time but I have to trust it is for a reason.

Schoolbuses and Birthdays

Everytime that I see a schoolbus I have to shut my eyes and fight back the tears.

My Dad drove a bus for the last part of his life and he absolutely LOVED it. I remember one of his first routes he called me to tell me there was a little blonde headed girl, about 6 years old, with big glasses on her face. He said she had the sweetest smile and that it reminded him of his own little Princess not so many years ago. That was one of the sweetest moments to me, I remember being sad and wondering how much he looked back on life and lost moments and if it made him as sad as it made me. But that story, that little tale was the awakening of a resart for me and wanting to rebuild that relationship that I had let anger, and judgement ruin. He also told me that there was an older boy who was wild and loved to shout and tease other kids on the bus, this kid reminded him of Ryan. That part of the story had me laughing.

I loved talking to my Dad during his day, seeing the bus trips he was driving students on, hearing the tales of mischevious little kids who would mind bus driver Tommy, and even the little kids who undoubtedly stole his heart. He loved his job. He brought so much Joy to every person he encountered on his routes. I know it wasn't necessarily what he would have dreamed to be doing but he did it 100% and with complete thanksgiving for the opportunities it provided.

So everytime I see a bus especially one with Durham School Services on the side I picture my Dad driving his bus through the streets and traffic of Keller with a big smile on his face. And then I remember he isn't there to do that any longer and the tears start to stream down my face.

I am about to have another birthday for which I am grateful to have had another year to live on this Earth although I am not at all excited about turning 26. I keep thinking that the math is off and I am only turning 25 again. It is hard to believe that my Dad is not going to be around for me to talk to on my birthday.

He used to send my cards or text me or call me on the wrong day to tell me Happy Birthday. This completely angered me... he is my Dad how could he NOT know when I was born. Then one year I sent him a Happy 50th Birthday card, called him to talk about how it felt ot be 50 to which he responded well sweetheart I turned 50 last year. I was horrified.... how could I not know how old my Dad is?! Since then I have been gratefull for the simple conversation and card that I have recieved from him and Christie knowing it is not a complete representation of the love he had for me and how proud he was to have been my Dad and shared in giving me life.

I will miss that this year. I will miss  him as I turn to face another year on this Earth knowing he is not.