Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!!

While there are sooo many posts that I need to catch up on right now, I didn't want this one to fall through the cracks. With Ella's birthday being so close to Halloween I could see it happen. So, first things first.
My baby girl turned two. Can you believe it?!! In some ways I can...seeing that she has two cousins, that she adores, that have already turned the "big 2" so, she wasn't too far behind, but then again it's odd because I feel like she is still my baby in some ways. I can still remember wanting her in our family for so long and then being blessed to carry her for 9 months. We were all so excited to welcome Ella into our family. We ached for her. There was so much anticipation for Ella's birth...not only because she was our first girl, and all the fun things that come with that, but she was another blessing to join our family. She has been a joy and a learning experience for all of us since she was born. She is naturally a nurturer, a mother. She loves her babies and will dote on them. She also loves the fun and frills of being a girl. It is fun to have a daughter who gets excited over shoes and bows as much as I do. Ella also is an opinionated little one. She knows what she wants. I am learning Ella also has a "strength of spirit". Hopefully, she will be a pillar of strength for the right. That being said, she is quite shy and will hang back to be with Momma. I usually don't mind too much, as we have become quite good pals. :) Once someone has gained Ella's trust she is generally pretty loyal...it just takes her a while to warm up. :)

I can't imagine my existence with out my sweet Ella-Bell. She makes my heart sing and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for my sweet daughter. Happy birthday my beautiful little one.Here is Ella before she opens all of her presents.Hmmm, could this be what I think it is??

Ella is feeding her baby doll in her brand new sling (thank you Auntie Libby and Auntie Whitty!!) while properly adorned in her tiara. Hmmm, maybe she has something there... If I walked around in a crown while parenting maybe I would get the proper respect I deserve...;) Tiara (check), tu-tu (check), favorite toys (check), cell phone (check)...one satisfied little girl. The boys on Ella's birthday...they wanted some TLC, too. ;)We were also surprised with snow on Ella's birthday. Crazy weather, I tell 'ya, crazy!! Per birthday tradition we went out to eat on Ella's birthday. We went "high class" and went to Burger King. She did enjoy the play gym and yummo...the mac n' cheese!!

Poor little girl hasn't been feeling well...so, she hasn't exactly been in the mood to smile at the camera. Thus, the pictures have suffered a bit. *sigh* Oh well. :)

Phillip helping Ella blow out her candles, as she hasn't quiet mastered her extinguishing skills.

Yummo...chocolate cake (no shame in that bite, either! ;)!

Happy birthday sweet girl...and here's to many more!!

Playing Catch-Up

***Disclaimer*** Some major catch-up going on *** ;)

Life has just been truckin' by. I kept on meaning to post, but "life" has gotten in the way. So. I decided that enough was enough and I would get down to business and post.
Before the weather turned too cold Phillip wanted to take the boys camping. We realized it would be impossible to take the boys camping on Friday and get to their 9:00 am soccer games. So, we decided backyard camping would have to do. They loved it. Ella was especially in luuuv. The boys gathered pillows and sleeping bags and Ella just layed there, sucking on her much beloved binkie and looking into the sky. It was pretty darn cute. Ella did sleep inside with me, but the boys and Phillip slept in the tent...and they made it the whole night!!

Boys in the Hood...errr, tent

My three cuties

Since the boys have been in school Ella and I have a had a little bit more time to do things just the two of us. Every Wednesday my ward has playgroup. On one such Wednesday we all went to the free (!) zoo. Ohhh, does Ella love the animals. She loves saying what noise they make. She especially loves the bears, lions and tigers because they growl. I must say it is a bit comical to hear such a girly-girl making such a "growly" noise and getting such a kick out of it.

Ella in front of the lions
I did want to clear up one little thing, though. Just in case you were under any pretense that it is all roses and puppy dog tails with just me and Ella around, I wanted to set the record straight. *disclaimer* I love my daughter verrrry much and am grateful for her everyday. But, that said she is a little girly terror. She gets into my makeup, cleaners and "cleans" everything she shouldn't, loves my nail polishes (thankfully, she hasn't done irreparable damage with this one) and she simply can't get enough of lotion. I only mention this because I found this particular mess ironic beyond belief. She had gotten into some lotion that I have and she loves to squirt it everywhere and slather it on her body. It is quite the mess. As I was cleaning up the mess I noticed that the label on the lotion states it is for "Stress Relief". Ha!! I don't think they had this in mind when they were creating it. Hmmm, now that I think about it, maybe the scent filtrated through my senses and I found this ironic instead of maddening. Maybe they do have something there...When I moved to Amarillo I was afraid that my beloved annual tradition of going to a pumpkin patch and picking out pumpkins had been a thing of the past. I was thrilled to learn that Amarillo has a couple (!) pumpkin patches and I was ecstatic to learn that they were oh-so much more than that! The school that my boys attend takes the kindergartners and the next week the 2nd graders to the pumpkin patch. They not only get to pick out their very own pumpkin but there are rides, hay towers and so much more. Phillip was able to go with Greyson and his class last Friday and I'll be going with Cooper this Friday. Phillip did a stellar job of taking pictures; I won't bore you to death with all of them, though. ;)Greyson showing off his much loved pumpkin (or punkin as Greyson calls it). He was pretty upset that he couldn't carry off a ginormous one (and so was Phillip as he carried it around all afternoon for Grey). So, we promised him that we would go to another pumpkin patch and let him pick out a huge one for home...he held up on his end. The one he chose last weekend was huge!Grey wearing his "Kindergarten Rocks" t-shirt. He loves it as it is not only blue (his 2nd favorite color next to orange (Go Pokes!), it is "comfy" clothes and it says "kindergarten rocks"! What kid wouldn't love it??

I also hear that Grey is a corn shuckin' fool. He let me know that he was "the second winner". I'll make sure and call him into the kitchen to help when we're having corn for dinner. ;)

Greyson and his good friend, Brian

This past weekend we were so excited to have MiMi and Grandad come down from Stillwater. My mom asked us forever ago if they could come down for the boys' Primary Program and we were thrilled to have them. The boys did such a great job and it always makes my heart skip a beat to see them sing. For the occasion (and because I would've been sending Cooper in church shorts and sandals) we got Cooper a suit. He looked so handsome. I need to get a couple of pictures of him in it. We also thought that it was a good idea because his baptism is right around the corner. Crazy, huh!! For fun on Saturday we went to the other pumpkin patch that the boys don't go to for school. It was so much fun!! It was great having the boys have a grand time playing in the dirt hill that has a slide inside (!) of it. A dream of many a boy, I think. Play in the corn sandbox, run around in the bay bail tunnel, climb the hay bail tower and so much more while I chatted with my mom and dad. We snacked on carmel and kettle corn, traveled the large corn maze, rode on the tractor ride and picked my pumpkins to decorate my home. I think that I had as much fun as my boys did. It was also a treat to have my parents here while Phillip was set apart as a counselor in the bishopric. Needless to say, I have really felt my parents absence as I have been a single mother this week. I'm thinking it might slow down a bit as the new bishopric gets their feet under them. Thanks Mom and Dad!! I love you so much and am so grateful for the sacrifice it was to come and support us!!

Cooper showing us his maze punch card. We went to every single stop...all 12!! Cooper was quite determined to get to all of them as you get to enter a drawing for a handheld ipod thingie if you got them all punched.

Mom taking Ella for a cow ride. She loved it!!

Cooper and Greyson on the top of the haybail tower. It was really quite high. There was bluegrass folk music playing and Cooper had no qualms tap dancing and doing a jig on top. It was hilarious.

Well, that about wraps it up for now. Thanks for sticking with me this far, guys. Really, you're a trooper. :)

Taylie's Story

I had planned on posting about my kiddos and some of the fun they've had the last couple weeks. I still plan on doing it...just not right now. Given the struggle I have been going through this week, I felt this post was needed. I hope that this helps this sweet girl and her family. I can't even imagine the pain and heartache they are suffering and if this post helps in some way then I'm happy to do it. Thank you, Kylene for getting the ball rolling. Check out Taylie's story here.

Soccer and some Singin'

Not too much has been going on here. We are just adjusting to life in general. But, I did want to share a couple of fun things that my boys have been involved in.

In Amarillo most of the soccer teams have either practice and/or games on Sunday. I was told by a friend at church that there is a team called Upward Soccer where they practice and have games on days other than Sunday. We were thrilled to get the boys into soccer here and onto teams that had the same standards as we have and teach good principles. My boys, for the most part, really enjoy soccer and we have told them that everyone has an important place on the team. Let's just say we don't necessarily have a couple of David Beckham's on our hands. ;)We have found though, that Cooper uses his size (it's a 1st and 2nd grade team and he is a 2nd grader. Not to mention he is taller than his team mates) to get into the pack. Then he "muscles" the ball out, and Greyson is pretty quick. He defends the ball and does a pretty good job of stealing the ball and turning it around towards their goal. They do try hard and I am really proud of them and enjoy watching them play.

Cooper waiting and watching Greyson's team before he plays.

Cooper "muscling" his way into the pack.

Going after that ball!

Greyson during his game while he sits out to let all team mates play. The sun was really bright...the smile and the contorted face explains that real well.

Greyson getting in there and playing.

Greyson and his team. He's the boy on the far right (our right).

Another fun thing that has been going on is the boys' elementary school dedication. I actually went to it this morning, so these pictures are "hot off the press today". :) When we moved here we had no idea that the boys would get to go to a brand-spankin' new school. Through a bit of "tweaking" they were able to attend and they are really enjoying it. I am amazed how "smart" the school is. They have Smart Boards and other highly electronic things. I think back (and I'm not that old) and remember the actual blackboard and chalk that I used. I am quite pleased how technical the school is, they really seemed to be interested in giving the best education my boys can get. Today at Hillside Elementary School's dedication we were able to hear from Amarillo's mayor, the state representative, the Canyon School District President and other highly visible people of Texas. I thought it was pretty neat they made priority in their schedules for the dedication. I must say, above all the pomp and circumstance I enjoyed the picture slide show with music (I don't know what it is about music and pictures, but it always makes me want to cry) and the kids' song. I know they had been practicing the song for quite awhile, because Cooper and Grey have been singing it at home. It was really beautiful and it made my heart swell so big to see my boys sing their hearts out. I thought that it would pop right out of my chest.Here is Cooper singing his little heart out.Greyson while he was waiting for their part to sing.

Here's Cooper singing and doing the arm motions to go with the song.

It has been fun watching and supporting my boys in their activities. It helps me remember what good boys they are and how I am blessed to be their mother.

Fall Smells, "Oopsie" and a Crazy Little Nut

It's been feeling a bit like Fall around here...and I am a total seasonal girl. I don't like soup in the summer, I love baking in the fall and winter and I l.o.v.e. seasonal scents. Yumm-o!! I was thinking that I needed to get some fall smells going on so I decided to take myself and Ella to the mall. (oh, darn-it! ;) So, Ell and I got a Auntie Anne's pretzel for lunch and then headed to Bath and Body Works. Going to that store is a bit painful, because I want to buy, buy, buy. Not so good... Anyway, I had a purpose in mind and I saw the fall scents beckoning me. Ahhh, love them. I took one sniff and I was in luuuv. I smelled the "leaves" scent and thought it was heavenly. I was looking for the Wallflower starters because I thought that maybe I should replace my old ones and got thinking that since my home is a bit larger I should try these: They are plugged in and I am currently basking in a very powerful fall scent....hmmmm. Maybe too powerful?? We'll see... Wait!! I totally forgot to mention the best part! When I went in they were having buy one get one free. Love it!! Makes a good-smelly home a guilt-free home and who doesn't love that??

Does anyone else out there start a project, get looking at it and then after it's done realize it's not exactly what you had envisioned?? Well, I have....lots. There was a space above my daughter's changing table and it need something else. I didn't know exactly, but when my mom and sister came and visited they put their finger on it. A vinyl saying. Love it!! I was so excited! We looked when they were here and I found this saying on sale (!) for way cheap and it was cute enough so we tackled the project and I was pleased...or so I thought. As the days passed I kept looking at it and thinking that something was not quite the way I wanted it. I finally figured it out. It was too light for the wall and it didn't "pop" like I wanted. I still liked the quote and it was already hung...what to do... So. I decided to color it with permanent marker. One may think I am crazy. Well, that may be true, but I couldn't think of another way to fix it w/o taking it down. So, I am carefully pulling up, corner by corner, and coloring the saying. It's been quite the task, but I think that it looks loads better.On another topic...even with going to the mall, Book Fair and other craziness my daughter still manages to dump old, dirty, dead-buggy water that had accumulated in the empty sandbox (gotta get that filled) all over her, eat a package of still packaged gum....don't worry, I got to it before she swallowed any, dump a jar full of Styrofoam fruit all over the living room and try to eat it. Gotta love the permanent bite marks. Ohhh the joys of a two year old. Here is a picture of her stripped down to her skivvies because she was absolutely soaked from the gross water. What a crazy little nut.

My Mother Taught Me Better Than This!!...and Other Grand Adventures

I have been meaning to update sooner then I have, but I was busy having fun and showing off a bit of Amarillo to my mom and my sister, Whitney and her kiddos. So, pardon the tardiness. ;)

You may be wondering what the title was referring to when I said that my mother taught me better then this. That would be these:

If I saw this picture I may be thinking to myself what's so wrong with a pair of Dora sandals?? Well, it all began with a harmless trip to Kohl's. I have been checking out the shopping a little bit now that the boys have been in school (love the freedom). I was looking at the jewelry and Ella insists that all of it is hers. She lets me know it's "mine"! Getting a bit tired of hearing her incessant cries that all the jewelry belongs to her and she has all licence to try on (and keep) whatever she wants. I tell her we can go to the shoes...her other passion (a girl after my own heart). She breaths "shoes" and we're off. I am looking at little cute fall shoes for her and she lays eyes on that particular pair of Dora shoes. She won't let them out of her sweaty little hands...unless it's to try them on. I get a look at them and folks, they light up. Ella is AMAZED. She bops them against the floor and cannot believe her eyes. Love at first sight. I get a bit better look at them and see that they are two different sizes...no good. I ask the sales lady if there are matches to them and evidently some person has purchased a 5 and and size 6. I get a bit better look and realize that a.) there is no price tag and b.) they are plastic. I ask the sales lady how much they cost and she tells me they are on sale for $14.50, but since they are two different sizes they would give them to me for 1/2 off...$7.25. I am thinking...um, yeah...they should be paying ME to take them off their hands. What crazy lady would purchase shoes that aren't the same size?? By now Ella has wielded her feet into the mismatched sandals and are proudly wearing them. I try to take them off, but she pitches a fit. So, I decided that I will let her wear them while I continue to browse and then stealthy take them off and slip them onto a shelf while she is is busy looking elsewhere. (Fantasy World??....I think so) As fate would have it, Ella takes off the shoes herself and so I plan on just "leaving" them somewhere in the store...not to go back to the shoe section because it would start the cycle all over again. But...then I remember how much of a deal I had made with the sales lady and realize she would remember me and the mismatched shoes and see that I totally ditched them in the middle of the store...tacky, tacky, tacky. Well, I continue looking around and actually forget the Dora shoes were in my basket altogether and then remember that I need to get my boys from school. So, I rushed up to the front of the store to purchase the couple of things I picked out and Ella spies the sandals...a bit faster then I do. She has them clutched so tightly in her hands and I try to reason with her and tug them all at the same time. I am running out of time and she is making such a big fuss all the while there is a line beginning to form behind me. I must admit to all, that I have a "bit" of an anxiety problem and I could feel it rising as I struggled with my daughter who refuses to give up the mismatched, plastic, light-up Dora sandals....all of which my mother would staunchly remind me are a horrible deal. After all, I did have her words ring in my ears ("they should pay you to take them off their hands!). My anxiety and the screeching, I must say, drowned out all reason and I purchased the Dora sandals. When I get home and I see them placed on her sweet, chubby feet I think of all the negatives of the shoes and realize I lost that battle, but she was so insistent and who could say no to this face??

Onto other naughtiness... Another love of my sweet daughter's is makeup. I will, on occasion, sit in front of a window and do my makeup. I will get a hand mirror and place it on the window sill and put my makeup on while sitting on the floor. Ella gets the routine and she will grab a compact and brush and scoot her little bottom right in front of me. She will sit with her head right in front of my view. I will place her out of the way, but she will repeat the bottom scooching and head blocking until I get sick of getting her out of the way. She "gets" for the most part what each product does, and I was proven right on this assumption the other day. While my mom and sister were here my mother gave Whitney's youngest, Scarlett, a mascara to fiddle around with. She is young enough she wouldn't have opened it, just roll it around. We were all getting ready and then we see Ella emerge looking like this:The picture didn't come out very clear, but she has mascara all over her eyes and even onto her lashes. I was quite shocked that she could get it onto her lashes w/o poking her eye...but then I remember that she has amazing dexterity. She was pleased as punch and could see no problem with her naughtiness. We scoured the house looking for the mascara aftermath. We ran straight to Georgia (Whit's other daughter) with whom Ella has loads of naughty fun with. But no, Georgia was playing beautifully by herself. So, we continue our hunt and eventually find the mascara tube perfectly closed w/o as much of a smudge on anything (remember the amazing dexterity) and she hates to be dirty. So, I shouldn't have been as surprised as I was. Wiping off the mascara, I did have to chuckle to myself at the girly naughtiness that had been abounding.

Onto other fun things...

While Whitney and my mother was here we were able to go to Cadillac Ranch. One of my favorite, fun, simple things in Amarillo. I guess I love it so much because it is characteristically Amarillo. If you ever drive through, it is fun to see. The kids got quite a kick out of the cars sticking out of the air and actually getting to color! on them. We didn't stay too long as we brought permanent markers (Phillip's brainchild)...at least it wasn't spray paint (what is traditionally used to color the cars). Scratch that, the kids ended up picking up the discarded cans and trying to spray them, much to our protests to put them down. Cooper still ended up getting blue spray paint on and in his ear...I don't know how they do it. Overall, we did have a fun time and left our mark on a interesting art statement.

Greyson inside of a Cadillac making his mark.

Ezra and Coop happy to be together...and loving the dirt, cars and coloring on whatever their heart's desire.

Little Miss Georgia taking time out of her scribbles to take a picture.

Boys in the Hood....ummm, literally.

Cutie-patootie Scarlett. Ahhh, love that little girl.

The girls kept insisting that they get their hands traced on the cars...Georgia even tried on her own. Gotta love green permanet marker hands... My mother sweetly took their little hands and traced them. They loved it.

After that, we went to Blue Sky Burger and had a grand time. They have fantastic burgers and may I say a fabulous sand area for the kids to play.
It is wonderful because there isn't humidity like there is in Oklahoma. We sit out on the tree shaded deck and feel the breeze while the kids play. It's wonderful. We had lots of fun and only had to deal with the sand covered scalps (much to my sister's dismay).

I am so grateful they traveled down here and were able to see my little piece of the world. And, I just want to tell them how much I love and miss them (already! :)