Pumpkin Prayer

Dear Jesus,
As I carve my pumpkin, help me pray this prayer:

OPEN my mind so I can learn about You - Psalm 100:3

TAKE all my sin and forgive the wrong that I do - 1 John 1:9

Open my EYES so Your love I will see - Psalm 119:18

I'm sorry for times I've turned up my NOSE at what You've given me - Psalm 51:10

Open my EARS so Your Word I will hear - Isaiah 55:3

Open my MOUTH to tell others You're near - Psalm 118:17

Let Your light shine in all I say and do - Matthew 5:16

Amen!

What brings tears to Clint's eyes?

In the almost nine years that Clint and I have been married, I have only seen tears at three events:
1. At the birth of our children.
2. Funerals
AND....
3. When Isabelle cut her hair.

Yes, last Tuesday my daughter decided that she would cut her hair. Actually, she had a little persuasion from her big brother. But, SHE was holding the scissors. They were doing their "homework" at their desks and I was folding clothes in the next room. They came walking around the corner and Camon was in front of her and said, "Don't look at Isabelle." About that time, all I could see was a little girls hand come from behind him and it was full of blonde hair. At first, I panicked. Then she stepped out and although I was upset, it was not that bad (in my opinion). She had cut the hair right at her forehead and it was brow length. So, I thought at least it looks like bangs and it is not too short. I lectured her and Camon to ensure that it would never happen again.

However, when dad got home... He was so upset. He turned off the cartoons that they were watching. And, kept saying "What are we gonna do?" Like we could do anything but let it grow!!! He had tears in his eyes and before he was done with his lecture both kids had tears too. As a matter of fact, Camon was sobbing hysterically. I felt so sorry for them. I was agitating him a little bit because I was laughing. I did not think that they hair cut was humorous, but his reaction took me off guard. He said that this was one of the 10 most devastating days of his life and then changed it to 5 most. (He has had a hard life, can you tell.) I asked him what was worse, the $750 damage she did to his truck a few weeks ago, or this. He said, "This is much worse." I guess that she won't be getting a stylish hair-do anytime soon. He wants it long and all one length. I guess we should have been Pentecostal because he feels the same about my hair.

I posted this picture, because it is the only one that her hair is down in lately. Clint makes her have it pulled back so that it hides the bangs. He is so funny!

The Phillips girls trip to Colorado

Isabelle and I went to Colorado for Uncle Dennis' funeral. Camon had to stay here because he is in "real" school now. It was a long trip there, but something that I would not have missed for the world. It is still unreal to me, anyway...

Some funny things that she said along the way were:

"Uncle Justin, what is that round square in the sky?" - now she has seen a moon before and knows what a circle is, but I think she had a bit of jet lag

"When are we going to get to go in the Dentist office?" - I had been telling her about Dennis and she thought I was saying Dentist the whole time

"Why is he so short?" - she could not understand that his legs were covered by the other half of the casket and kept wanting to open it

She and my mom have had this thing for a while where mom calls her the missy and she calls MiMi the boss. They were going through that one morning and Isabelle finally said, "I am NOT messy."

I leaned across her in the back seat to get something and she said, "I beg your pardon." I wonder where she has heard that?

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We had one day to goof off and so we headed up the mountain. Now, where they live is mountains to me, but we wanted to see snow and of course it did not snow while we were there. So, we went west a little. We ate lunch in Frisco and then headed to Vail. I think of all the ski resort towns that I have been to, that is my favorite. It is such a neat little town. Anyway, here are some pictures from our trip.

Some of the wildlife that we saw...

Some great views of the mountains...

Some fun in the snow. We had snow balls fights, made a snowman, ate the snow (Isabelle's favorite thing), and then destroyed the snowman...

They wore me out...

The trip back home. No wonder, it took so long, I was the navigator...

On a sad note...

Saturday night, I received the news that my Uncle Dennis suddenly passed away at age 57. He did some of the nicest things for me through the years and I am extremely grateful to have had him in my life. He sent roses to me on my "Sweet 16" Birthday, sent gifts off and on, drove several hundred miles to be at my high school graduation, added a room onto his house when I had a friend that wanted to go to Graduate School in Colorado, drove down to spend the day with me when I was anywhere close to Littleton snow skiing, and was just an overall great Uncle. I adored him very much and will greatly miss him.

Please pray for my Aunt Nancy and cousins Brian and Tony during this difficult time.

Uncle Dennis Doty July 24,1950 - October 20, 2007

Camon's Birthday Party!!

Camon had his "Ben 10" birthday party this weekend at the local park. He had several friends and family members there. It was a lot of fun and he got so much stuff. He loves this cartoon character named Ben 10, and so his Aunt Grace and I made cookies that looked like the Omnitrex, which is the watch that this character wears. Clint made fun of them and said that they looked like Camon decorated them, but when Camon got there and saw them he was so excited, and said "The Omnitrex, cool dude!" Dude is his new word. I thought that it went out a long time ago, but I guess not. Anyway, it went great. Camon's (kiddo) friends and family that were there were: Isabelle (of course), Jordan, Katie, Lacie, Abby, Aaron, Andrew, Eli, Iley, Endly, Grace, Rayley, Raygen, Ryley, Hunter, Bethany, and Ian.

The two sides of Isabelle !

I have the sweetest and most difficult daughter on the planet. Here are some examples from this morning:

Sweet...

Let me start the story with an explanation: Isabelle has a little girl, Nylah, in her class that will have her second heart surgery next week (at 3 years old). They have discussed her surgery at school, sent gifts for her during recovery, and prayed for her daily.

Yesterday, her class made baskets out of construction paper. In the middle there was a heart and on the outside the teacher wrote who they wanted to give it to, and it said I give you my heart. My mom picked Isabelle up yesterday and brought her basket home. I noticed that it said, "Nylah, I give you my heart. I love you, Isabelle". I thought that this was something that they made to send to Nylah, so I took it back this morning. The teacher then explained that it was hers to take home. So, I asked about what it said. To which the teacher teared up and told me that all of the kids were taking them home to their momma. But, when she got to Isabelle, she told her she wanted to give her heart to Nylah, because her momma had a healthy heart and Nylah's was sick. Wow! After my tears, I prayed to God all the way to work to give me the caring spirit that my 3 year old has.


On another note...the difficult side:

This morning we got in the car to go to school. As we left the driveway (late as usual) Isabelle asked for her food. Yes, I am one of those moms that does not get the kids up in time to eat before we leave, they eat on the way. It is a 30 minute drive, so why not. Anyway, I handed her a poptart (which is what she wants EVERY day). She started crying, "Go back. I want some cereal." This went on for 13 minutes (I timed it). Finally, she stopped crying and said can I have my cuppy (cup for those who do not know her language). So, I handed her the sippy cup. She started crying again. "I don't like this cup. I want the other kind." I knew that she preferred the other kind because they fit in her cup holder, but I did not know that it was a neccessity. Apparently it was. I tried to reason with her and tell her that it was the only clean cup. That did not work, so I tried to tell her it was purple and gold like LSU. To which she screamed, "It's yellow NOT gold." Finally, she settled down and I heard her take a sip. And of course, "I didn't want chocolate milk." (Which is again what she gets EVERY morning.) So, she started crying again. So, I did what any good parent does (ha!) and turned up the radio so loud that I could not hear her crying. Remember this had now been 25 minutes worth of crying at 7 am before I am ready for the day to start. Finally, she stopped and said, "Momma, I don't like this song can you change it?" Sure, anything for the QUEEN. So, I changed the radio station until she found a song she liked and that was about the time we pulled into the daycare parking lot. As I parked the car, she said, "Can I have my poptart and milk now?" AAAHHHHHH!!!! Kids, you gotta love them.

Well, my baby turned 6 yesterday. I can not believe that it is true. He woke up so excited about his birthday. Isabelle went from laying dead in the bed, to popping up singing Happy Birthday to Bubby. Camon just smiled and hugged her. I wish that I could have recorded it, it was so sweet. He kept saying, all sorts of things that would change now that he was six. He was going to obey his parents, not whine, fix his own drink, be nice to everyone, do his homework. Boy, it all sounded so good. And, for the most part he did that all yesterday. Then he woke up this morning whinning, it was good while it lasted. I guess that was only good for the actual 6 year mark and not for 6 years and one day (plus). Anyway, he thought that he was something. He told everyone that it was his birthday.











While we were getting ready, he told me that Isabelle told him that night that we got him something Ben 10 (which is the superhero that he is really "into" right now). I said, "Isabelle, you were not supposed to tell him." To which she replied, "But, I didn't tell him it was the watch!" So much for that surprise! He was so excited, but then he said, "I will pretend like I did not hear her say that!" He likes surprises and does not want people telling him what gifts he is getting.



When I picked him up at school, he wanted to go to the hospital to see MawMaw. On the way, I asked him where he wanted to go for his special night. He wanted IHOP. When we got to the hospital, PawPaw was craving a Blooming Onion from Outback and eventually convinced him that he needed to go there. (That was a little change of plans) So, we went to Outback. Deda, Mimi, Uncle Justin and his girlfriend Kara met us there.











He had fun. He loves fettuccini and so that is what he ordered. Then I had the waiter bring him ice cream (because he is the only kid I know who will not eat cake) and we sang to him. (He sang, too because he is still so excited about it being his birthday) He ate the ice cream (mostly the fudge around it) but then said that the noodles were better. I know, he is a strange kid. There was a couple behind us that stopped by the table on the way out and gave him some money. I thought that was so nice of them.











When we pulled in the driveway, I asked him if he had a good birthday and he said, "Yes, but I think my party on Saturday will be better." Then he said, "But, I will trick Mimi and Deda and tell them tonight was more fun, because I do not want them to think that they are not fun."

Here's to many more great birthday's.

Quotes for the week!!

I took Camon to school this week, because Gary has been at the hospital with Betty all week (and they still can not tell her what is wrong). Yesterday when I dropped him off, I kissed him and he looked at me and said, "M00000MMMMMM (you know how they draw it out) could you please wipe the lipstick off of me? I don't want to look like a girl!"

On the way to school the other day, Isabelle was riding in the back seat and she said, "Mom, why are the trees looking at us?" I had no idea what she was talking about. I said, "Looking at us? They don't have eyes." She said but they are leaning their necks down to us. And when I looked at the trees, that is exactly what it looked like. The trees were leaning towards the road and almost making a tunnel over us.

This week, I had a distinguished visitor to my office. Bobby Jindal, who is in the Governors race in Louisiana (and hopefully going to win it). That afternoon, I called my mom and was talking to her about it. Isabelle over heard the conversation and when I got off, asked who came to my work. I told her his name and she said, "Who is that?" I said he is running for Governor in Louisiana. To which she responded, "Was he running or walking? Because he is going to hurt himself if he keeps running."

While riding home from church on Sunday night, Isabelle squirmed down into her car seat so that the belt was at her chest. I got on to her and told her that I was going to put her back in her baby seat if she did not stop it. I also began discussing the dangers of not being properly buckled in her booster. I told her that if I had a wreck, she could be cut in half. Camon then joined the discussion to persuade her to sit up right. He said, "Isabelle, I do not want you to die. I love you. And you are not a worm, ya know." I thought, "what is he talking about?" Then he continued by saying, "Our body won't grow back once we are cut in half."

Gotta Love 'em!!!

Our Quick Trip to the Mountains!

This weekend was action packed. (As usual) We loaded up on Friday afternoon for a trip to see my roommate from grad school. It was about a 5 1/2 hour drive. Naturally the kids were so excited when we got there that they couldn't go to sleep immediately. So, it was a late night for them. They had never met Kristi's kids (I have not seen her in 8 years). She has 2 girls, Addilin and Myli, ages 4 and 3, and a son, Landon, who is one. I told my kids that there were 2 girls and one boy. I left the ages out for Camon's sake. But, to my surprise it did not bother him that there was not another boy his age. They both had a blast. Isabelle really had a ball with those two girls. They live in a beautiful part of the country. Their backyard is a national forest. It was so pretty. We spent time visiting and we went and took a short hike up to some cliffs where we let the kids climb around. Camon loved that.










Neither one of them wanted to leave (nor did I). It was so good to see her again. And, to spend time with another Christian family. God has blessed me with some great friends. I am determined not to let 8 years go by again before I see them.





Then we drove home on Saturday night because Clint teaches the High School Sunday School class and needed to get back. We had to listen to the LSU game on the radio as we traveled. LSU lost in triple overtime to Kentucky and dropped from 1st place to 4th. Needless to say, it was a rough last hour for Clint.











Sunday, we had a parking lot party at the church. The kids brought outside toys and we had a picnic and played with our toys. Living in the country, with no sidewalks, my kids do not currently have bicycles, so we took other things. I think that sidewalks or not, they need to ask Santa for bikes this year. The Fire Department and Police Department came out and let the kids climb on the trucks. They also taught a bikers safety course for the kids. It was a really great idea. We have a wonderful children's minister at our church who always has the neatest things for the kids to do.










Then, last night Betty, Clint's mom, went to the hospital with stomach pains. She is still having tests run and they can not find anything, but she is in a lot of pain. Please remember her in your prayers.

Anyway, tomorrow is Camon's 6th birthday! I can not believe that my baby can be that old. My how time flies (they always tell you that, but you never believe it).
Next weekend in his party. So, it looks like another weekend without cleaning the house. Oh well, quality family time is so much more important!

Pajama Party

Well, another week has come and gone. We are leaving this afternoon to go see my grad school roommate and her family. I have not seen her in about 8 years. I am excited, and so are the kids. She has 3 kids that are close to my kids ages. Isabelle asked me this morning if her new friends would be at her school today. She is so excited that she can not wait until after school.

She had a pajama party at school today. How nice to get to stay in your pj's all day! Her pj's had a bunny on the front wearing a crown and so she instisted on wearing one, too. When we got out of the car, I said, "Come on Princess." To which she quickly replied, "I am not the Princess, I am the QUEEN!" Well, the girl definitely doesn't take orders well from anyone, so I guess Queen is more fitting!!!!

Our event-filled weekend!

Things have been really hectic lately. Before kids, I would tell Clint, "We will slow down when we have kids." It has just multiplied. Since Friday, we successfully camped out, went to a Birthday Party, went to Six Flags, and went to a party for Clint's cousin who has been serving in the Navy in Iraq.

We have a family tradtion of camping out in the back yard a couple of times a year. Camon and Isabelle think it is the greatest thing (and so do I because we are only 5 feet from the house). When the temperature begins to get Spring/Fall-like we get out the tent and have a camp out. This weekend was pushing it, it was still a little warm for my taste, but we had fun just the same.









Then Saturday was Aaron's 6th Birthday Party. He had it at a corn field maze. It was okay until you got in the maze (where there was no breeze) and could not find your way out. There were supposed to be numbers with questions to answer to help you find your way out. We saw a few numbers here and there, but it was NO help. There was also a hayride, a corn dig, a tennis ball gun, a cow train, and a duck race. The kids had fun.









Sunday after church, we loaded up with Clint's family and headed to Six Flags, where we spent 2 days riding rides and having a ball. The kids love it there.









Then last night, we had a little eating meeting for Clint's cousin, Carl. He is serving in the Navy and we do not get to see him much. This picture is of Camon in a fighter helment that he had taken to IRAQ with him. He said that one of the pilots wore it when he flew a mission. Pretty cool!!!!

Anyway, most of what has been going on is the same old stuff... work, school, homework, and sleep. Oh, but I forgot... LSU beat Florida Saturday. They are now ranked #1 in the NATION! GO TIGERS!!!!