My Little Candy Monster !!!

Last night at AWANA at the church, they had a contest where the kids were supposed to guess the number of Smarties Candy packages that were in a jar. Well, you all know what a candy-aholic my middle child is. Of course she was the winner. However not only was she the winner of this huge jar of "sugar", but she guessed it right on the dot!! 39 packages. One of the teachers laughed and said, "The girl knows her candy!!" SO, guess what I will be sending to school with Camon and Isabelle tomorrow along with the candy that I have already gotten - Smarties! If not, she would eat EVERY one by this weekend.

Also, on the way home she and Camon had an interesting conversation... Their PapPaw and MawMaw pick them up on Wednesday afternoons and bring them to church. So, after church I usually get filled in on how their day went. Well last night, Isabelle said, "Camon was tattling on me to MawMaw. He said that I hit him, but I didn't." To which Camon replied, "Uh-Huh, she slapped me in the face." And of course comes Isabelle's reply, "I didn't slap him, I just hit him." And, then Camon said, "Well, duh! You just admitted it." It was so cute!!!

Merry Christmas !!!!!

I could not let this month go by without wishing all of you a Very Merry Christmas!
I hope that it is wonderful for you and your family!

My family is doing great, just growing daily. They just do not stay little.

Ashlynn is almost 5 months old and weighs almost 14 pounds (she is not missing too many meals). She has been sleeping through the night for a week now, so that is WONDERFUL!!! As a matter of fact she slept until 9 am on Saturday (of course I was awake at 7)!!!! She is laughing and getting her little "baby" personality. She is a real happy baby! I think she will be a hair twirler like her sister - when she eats she is constantly rubbing her head with her left hand. It is so cute.

Isabelle, well what can I say. She is so smart and cute but boy can she get into some stuff!!! Her favorite thing to do right now is to cut and tape paper. Any type of paper, and lots of it. It makes a huge mess but it keeps her occupied and so I just let her have at it. It drives Clint crazy, though. He asked her yesterday what she wanted for Christmas and she said tape and scissors. She is also my inquisitive child. She has begun asking about Santa. "Why do they look different?" "Why do they wear different clothes and shoes?" "They can't be Santa's elves because they are too tall." And of course, "how will Santa get into our house because there is no chimney?!!!"

Camon is doing GREAT in the first grade. He is reading so well. I can not believe it. He also has made straight A's on both report cards that he has had. He is getting so tall and of course is still so sensitive. Ashlynn had a fever last week and when I told him, he immediately teared up and wanted to see her right then. He was so worried about her.

And of course Clint is fine. We will be married 10 years this coming Friday. I can not believe that it has been that long. Time flies when you are in Love, I guess. I am still thankful everyday (well most days) that God gave him to me!!! He is truly my "soul mate" and I love him more today than ever before! He is the BEST! We will be leaving the Sunday after Christmas for New York City. I finally talked him into taking me!!! I am so excited!

Anyway, this is just a quick update on my family! I hope that yours is doing just as good. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!

JESUS is the reason for the CHRISTmas Season!!!

Isabelle's haircut

Well, Isabelle talked her daddy into letting her get her hair cut. Because of course, "All of my cousins have short hair." Well, daddy finally gave in, so we went last Friday. It is really cute and looks so much healthier, but it made her look 2 years older.














From this............................................................. To this.......










Isabelle and her "short-haired" cousins (minus Jordan, I think she was chasing Camon around)





Some cute things that she has said lately:



First, understand that I am hauling 3 children (2 who are in car seats) around in a Toyota Camry. So, there is no "personal space" for them in the backseat. Therefore there has been a tremendous increase in the arguments that take place between the two older children. Well, the other day, Ashlynn was minding her own business riding quietly in the car, with her eyes in the position of her big sister. Well, this must have irritated Isabelle, because she said (in a very disgusted tone), "Momma, Ashlynn won't stop staring at me." Boy do I have a lot to look forward to...



Then, also on one of our adventures in the car, Ashlynn was quietly sleeping. I just happened to look in the rearview mirror and saw Isabelle messing with Ashlynn. So, I asked her to stop. Well, about 5 minutes later Ashlynn wakes up with this horrible sounding cry. I looked back there and Isabelle had a guilty look on her face. So, I started getting on to her and trying to make her understand that if Ashlynn is asleep LEAVE HER ALONE and let us have some peace. I told her that it was her fault that she woke up. To which she replied, "Well, she was fakin' it anyway."



As I have said before, Isabelle has quite a sweet-tooth. She is addicted to sugar. That is why we have spent thousands on teeth that will fall out eventually, anyway. So, last week we were in the car and she had found a piece of candy in her car seat. Before I knew it, she had opened it and put it in her mouth. I lectured her about asking before she eats candy and AGAIN about what it is doing to her teeth. Well, that does not phase her. She finished the candy and then said, "Mom, can I have some gum to wash this candy taste out of my mouth."



Kids are so cute!!!

Does she have to become a teenager?

Isabelle has been going through the "terrible twos", the problem is that she is 4 1/2 . I do not know what is going on, but last Friday night she had the biggest fit-throwing, yelling, screaming, kicking, meltdown that she has ever had. And of course we were in public. Then yesterday she did it again on the way to "school". She will ask for something and when she gets my answer and does not like it, she will keep asking and get more and more disrespectful with each request. Until we are both so mad at each other that we can not stand it. So yesterday, I finally decided that yelling, spanking, or giving a guilt trip was not doing the job. So, I told her she was punished from her babies. She could not play with any baby dolls that afternoon. Well, she went nuts. The babysitter could not believe that was Isabelle when we got there. She was hysterical (of course Amy says that she was an angel all day - it is just with me she becomes possessed). Anyway, so last night she had to survive with out playing with any baby's. She did very good, she never even asked to play with them, but did bring up the fact that she was punished several times. At one point, she came in there and began listing all of the things that she could have taken away if she did not behave. She said, "You could take my dolls, and then my colors and coloring books, then my scissors, then my lipstick, my gum, the TV, my Leapster, and you could not let me hold Ashlynn." Boy did she give me some good ideas. But, she was good all night. Then during her prayers, she said "Dear God, I am sorry for hurting mamma's feelings this morning. Help me not to do that again." I teared up. Of course she was probably smiling and thinking, "Watch this. This will get her." Anyway, I think that may have made her think about her actions, if only for one day!!! I can already see her when she is a teenager - whew!

Then, she got a phone call yesterday from her buddy Sydney. Now, I had no idea that kids could be so close to a friend at 4 years old. They are the best of friends and have been since they were crawling - I know you think I am crazy but the daycare used to tell me that they were always together, and while one slept, the other played under their crib until they woke up, and if one was out the other cried all day. Anyway, Isabelle has been having serious withdrawals since I took her out of Preschool and moved her to a home daycare with Ashlynn. She literally cries to go back, and not because she does not like Mrs. Amy's, but because she misses Sydney. Anyway, she called to see if Isabelle could spend the night. 53 minutes later my 4 year old was finally getting off of the phone. They talked like they were grown. "How is school?" I heard her ask. Then, "I will bring two nightgowns to our sleep-over so you can wear one. What else do you want me to bring?" I could not believe the conversations they were having. (and for almost and hour) At one point I went into the living room and she was laying sideways in the recliner with her legs crossed and hanging over the arm. She truly reminded me of my teenage years. I am scared!!!

Days of change...

Well, today is the last day that Isabelle (and Camon) will be attending their daycare/preschool. It is sort of a sad day for me. This is the only place that Isabelle has ever stayed and she has been there since she was 3 months old. But, I have found a great home for she and Ashlynn to stay in once school starts for Camon next year. Right now, the daycare is about 30 minutes out of the way, but this is right next to Camon's school. The lady is the mother of a little girl in Camon's class and as we found out last week, a distant relative of mine (by marriage). Anyway, I am really excited about the convenience and the fact that Isabelle and Ashlynn will be together each day. So, with the baby due soon, we decided to go ahead and take them out of the program they are in and let them stay with grandparents until the baby gets here and they can all be home with me. For Camon it does not make much difference because he has been away from there a whole year, but for Isabelle it is sort of sad. She has a lot of friends there, especially Sydney (which I have not broken the news to her momma, yet?!?!?!?). When I first asked her about changing "school" she was excited, but a couple of days later she came to me and said, "Momma, I think that I want to go back to my school next year." I asked her why and she said, "Because I will miss Sydney." I knew that she would eventually think about it. They have been close since they were crawling. But, we will just have to keep in touch. She changed her mind when I explained that she could be with Ashlynn all day at this new place. So, anyway this is the last day in a long relations hip with THE BEST DAYCARE that I know of. We will definitely miss it!!!

Some cute things that Camon said this past week:

He told Isabelle that she needed to play with him all she could before the new baby got here, because then he would be too busy taking care of her. I think he is finally coming around about this little sister thing.

But cutest of all... Many of you know that Camon is very shy and that he thinks girls are still gross. Well, on the 4th of July we went out on my parents boat to watch the downtown fireworks from the lake. Pawpaw was with us and had brought up alligators. So, all of the kids were paranoid the whole time we were out there. Anyway, after the fireworks, we started heading into the boat launch. It was very dark and you could see other boat lights but not see anyone on the boats. As we passed this one boat (that sounded like it was full of teenage girls) a girl screamed out, somewhat in a laughing tone. Camon's eyes got big and he said, "Why was she screaming." I am sure he was still thinking about the alligators. His aunt Grace said, "She is just laughing and having a good time, it is nothing." So he walked over to me and whispered, "Momma, I know why she was screaming. It is because she saw me. Girls do that when they see me." It was so cute, and not expected from him. I think he might have too much of his daddy in him after all.

Finally sleeping apart

You know, there are some things that you REALLY wish your kids would grow out of - and then they do and you want to have it back the way it was. Well, I have had one of those moments this past week. Let me back up to about 5 years ago....


Camon was about 18 months old and crazy me thought it was time to convert his baby bed into a toddler bed, because he was a "big boy"! Well, that did not go over well at all. After several nights of him screaming uncontrollably, getting up out of bed, and yes throwing up all over himself, his bed, and me, I decided that it would be easiest if Clint or I laid down with him every night until he got to sleep. The problem with that was that most of the time we fell asleep with him. However, for 2 years this was our nightly routine. During that time, we had Isabelle, who slept all night early on and by herself I might add. Well, one night when she was about 16 months old Camon wanted to sleep with her in her baby bed. Now, he was three and at first I resisted. But, then I thought "it will never work so I will just put him in there tonight and warn him that if they do not go straight to sleep then he can never sleep with her again." Well, not only did they go straight to sleep but we were able to go to our own bed to sleep.















Their first night sleeping together.













The next night, he wanted to do it again. So, instead of letting them sleep in her baby bed, I decided to try them in his bed. Once again, they went straight to sleep. And, for over three years now they have been sleeping together. Isabelle sucks her thumb (yes I know I need to break her of this...) and twirls Camon's hair each night to go to sleep. He just lets her and I even find her doing this sometimes during the day while they are watching TV or riding in the car. It is so sweet.

Playing with Bubba's Hair!!!

Some sleepy time pictures.




About two years ago, Clint built them bunk beds, thinking that they would separate yet still be in the same room. That never happened, they would just switch from the top together to the bottom together.

Well, as you know Camon has now finished Kindergarten so he is "grown". He decided about a month ago that he wanted to sleep by himself. He started mentioning it and each time Isabelle would get so upset, so he never tried it. Well, three weeks ago I guess he was feeling grown and he refused to sleep with her. We made it through prayer time, and then she lost it. Now, she is a drama queen but I had NEVER heard her cry this hard. She was hysterical. I kept going to the door and he was talking to her from the top bunk saying, "Isabelle, it's going to be okay. Bubba is right here. Please don't cry. You are going to make yourself sick." It was too sweet. I told Clint that he would give into her. Sure enough after about 5 minutes Camon called me. He said, "Momma, I want to get down there with her. I am afraid she is going to throw up." Well, asleep she went. The next morning I felt so sorry for Camon. He said, "Momma, I wish that we could make a fake me, with hair." I thought that was so cute. It is sort of ironic that he is the reason they slept together in the first place... Well, he continued to sleep with her each night. He would say that once she went to sleep he would move, but I guess he always fell asleep, too. Then Thursday, June 19 we were at my parents house until late. Isabelle fell asleep in the car on the way home. When I put them in bed, Camon asked, "Can I sleep on the top bunk since she is already asleep?" Clint said, "Sure." Well, I had my doubts. I just knew that she would wake up in the middle of the night screaming, but she did not. The next morning, Camon made a huge deal to her about how proud he was that she was so big. Well, it must have worked because she has been Bubba free each night since. It is nice for Camon, but I must admit a little sad for me. However, she still has withdrawals and when they get up she plays with his hair while they watch their morning cartoons. I know one day that too will end but for now it is so cute.



















Isabelle all alone on the bottom bunk.



















Camon all alone on the top bunk.

Catching up during morning cartoons.

Swimmin'

The kids love to swim. I would be willing to say that it is their favorite thing to do. We have a little swimming pool at the house and they love to get out in it and jump, swim, flip, etc. Here are some recent swimming picture ( I think they are part fish) !!

Vacation Bible School 2008

The kids had VBS this week, and loved it. Camon said he wished that he had VBS everyday. That does a momma's heart good. They had their closing program Wednesday night and both got on stage, sang, and did the motions without crying. There was a moment that I thought Camon might, but he did good. Believe it or not, Isabelle had a small speaking part and she said it loud and clear with no hesitation. I was so proud of her. Anyway, they had a great time learning about Jesus. Camon actually said that his favorite part was the songs that they learned. I think Isabelle's was the socialization. It is funny that Camon's age group is made up of mostly boys and Isabelle's mostly girls. I guess it works out for them (until it comes dating time). Anyway, here are a few pics from the closing program.

Memorial Day Weekend!

My family rented a house and took Deda and Mimi's boat to the lake for Memorial Day weekend. We had a blast. Of course being 30 weeks pregnant in 90 degree weather did not make for an extremely comfortable time, but once the swelling went down in my ankles I felt a little better. The kids all played great together (and even the big boys - Clint, CJ, Justin, and Dad) got along. The funniest thing that happened was that Justin, Clint and Camon were going to climb up a cliff and jump off into the water. Justin swam from the boat with Clint and Camon shortly behind. They got over to the cliff and Justin put his hand up on the first rock. When his eyes got level with the ledge, he jumped backwards and came up white as a ghost. He was spelling (very fast I might add) S-N-A-K-E. He did not want Camon to know what it was and so finally told him it was a "wasp". Luckily, Camon can spell but not that good, I guess. Justin came really close to landing right on top of them as he barrelled off, and he swam as fast as he could back to the boat and climbed in. It took him several minutes to catch his breathe. Clint said, "Man you just left your nephew out there." Justin said, "In moments like that it is every man for himself." It got to be the joke of the weekend. When we would see a wasp flying in the air, someone would say, "Look at that snake." Needless to say, they did not try to jump any more. The fishing was slow, but I did catch my first turtle. Yes, a turtle bit my bait and I reeled it in. Clint and Dad said they had never seen that before. It could have been worse, a friend of mine has a son that caught a 3 foot alligator fishing this weekend. I think Clint would have just cut the line. Anyway, here are a few pictures from our weekend.

Camon and Justin hanging out...Justin on the tube with Camon, Isabelle, and Jordan

Geaux Tigers... Camon havin' fun

Isabelle cheezin' ... Camon's Cannon "Bolt" (as he calls it)

Hanging with Daddy ... Just worn out!!!!

Update !

Here are a few things to mention that have happened in the last few weeks...



First of all, I posted a while back that Isabelle has to match all of the time... well, she blew that theory (a picture is worth a thousand words)

The other day, she and I were headed home from school and we saw a pretty bad wreck and so I stopped and called the fire department. Well, a few days later we had some major flooding in the area and on our way to school we saw a truck in the ditch. Isabelle said, "Mom pull over you need to call 1-9-9." Well, we need to work a little on her emergency response plan, but at least she has the correct numbers?!?!?!?

Isabelle has learned to tie shoes. I know this does not seem like a huge thing to most parents of 4 year olds, but considering that her almost 7 year old brother can not tie, I am pretty impressed. Plus, she wears nothing but flip-flops so I am not sure why she felt the need to learn, but... Anyway, I have been trying to teach Camon for a while now and he has no interest. So, I thought that this just might be the incentive that he needed. I mean why would you want your 4 year old little sister knowing something that you don't. WRONG!!! Now he just thinks that it is neat because he tells everyone that Isabelle ties his shoes. It does not embarass him at all. As a matter of fact, he sees no need to learn now because she will tie them any time he asks her to.

Camon made me a mother's day card where he answered questions about me. He said his favorite thing I wear is a blue dress with pink flowers??? I do not own such a dress. His favorite thing that I cook is fajitas - which I can not get him to touch when I fix them. His least favorite thing I fix is salad - which I NEVER fix. But, the one thing that proved he was my child was that his favorite thing to do with me was...........MATH??? Clint just rolled his eyes, and said, "What a nerd." I thought it was pretty cool myself. Then on his end of the year journal of memories, he put that math was his favorite subject and that it was also what he looked forward to learning about in 1st grade. I just hope he continues to love it.

This past weekend we were with Mandi and her girls. Now, on my side of the family it is Camon and 4 girls (with another on the way). I feel so sorry for him. Anyway, we were walking and he wanted to hold Isabelle's hand, but she already had Katie and Lacie on each side and so she said, "You can hold momma's hand." He quickly poked his lip out and said, "Darn girls!" You want to get on them for saying something like that, but sometimes to control your laughter you just have to bite your lip. This was one of those times. Poor Camon!

And last of all, one thing that mother's dread most in life. The influence of other kids. You try to train your kids "in the way they should go", but then they get into school and you have no control over what they learn from other kids. Anyway, I picked Camon up from school last week and he said, "Mom, Trae said that this is bad." I looked in the rear view mirror and to my horror he was holding up "the sign" - you know the finger...my 6 year old. I was without words at first but knew that I had to say something. So, I said, "Yes, it is very bad. Please do not ever do that." Then he said, "Well, what does it mean?" Oh NO! So, I said "Well, it means that you do not like someone. Sort of like when you stick your tongue at someone, but MUCH worse. It is not nice at all, and I never want you to do that." So, he said, "Well, what if it is an accident. Like if I am holding something and trying to point and have to use that finger." "Put it down and then point or point with another finger", I said. Then I asked him why they were talking about that anyway, and he said that he was balancing his pencil on that finger, and Trae told him it was bad. He said, "But momma I did not mean to. I did not know that it was bad. I am sorry." I guess that I am thankful that he learned that way rather than someone giving him the finger, or telling him what it meant. It sort of made me proud that my children have been so sheltered. I now just hope that he learned his lesson and will not use it again. I am so not looking forward to the teenage years.

Tee-Ball 2008

Well, T-ball season is over. This was Isabelle's first year (and probably last). It was probably also the only year that Camon and Isabelle will be able to play on the same team. I hate that because my sister and I played ball together for years and have so many memories. But, I do not see Isabelle playing ball with the "boys" and definitely do not see Camon playing with the GIRLS!! This may have been Isabelle's last year anyway. She got hurt twice and we had to beg her to play every game after that. I hope that it is not the end of her career. I grew up loving softball season. But, if her career is over I know that there will be something she will love doing. Here are some pictures from the season. Enjoy!!

Isabelle's Preschool Program and "Prize"

Isabelle had her preschool graduation/program yesterday. Believe it or not, we made it through our first one without crying. She and Camon both are a little timid in front of crowds. But, she did great. Partly because she was promised that if she did not cry, she could get her ears pierced. I guess that worked. I am so proud of her. She sang, did the motions, and all without tears. (I even saw a smile now and then)

With her cousins, Katie and Lacie.

BEFORE.......

So, Afterwards, we went and got her ears pierced. She did great, that is until the machine got stuck on her right ear. Then the tears came. Afterwards, I was telling her that she had to keep them in for 6 weeks and then we would go pick out some different earrings. To which she quickly replied, "NO! I will just keep these." Poor thing she thought that new earrings would mean another piercing. Once I explained to her that she would not have to get them pierced again, she calmed down. She is so proud of them. They make her look so grown!!!!

AFTER....

What will I be when I grow up???

Here was the conversation that I had with Camon and Isabelle yesterday. Let me preface it by telling those of you who do not know, that my 24 year old brother is a Fireman and still lives at home with mom and dad. And let me also add that all 4 of his nieces and especially his nephew (Camon) think he is the coolest uncle.

So, Here goes...

Isabelle asked me what her baby sister was going to be when she grows up. I told her that she could be whatever she wanted to be. She would get to choose. So, then I asked each of them that question... "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Isabelle responded. " I think I will choose to be a momma." How sweet I thought, I hope that you get to be just that!!

Now, Camon's response... "I want to be a fireman because they can walk through fire and not get burned. You know, like Uncle Justin. Then I can just live with you and daddy forever." I had to laugh. Of course I made sure that Justin learned of his nephews admiration for his life choices. To which Justin responded, "He is only six and he has life all figured out." I can not decide if I hope he gets to be just that, or not. Of course a mother never wants her children to leave home, but forever is such a long time....

Then to top is off, Isabelle said "Momma, What do you want to be when you grow up?" I said, "A mommy to three great children." To which she replied, "You are already a mommy, you have to choose something else."

Trying to get back in the swing of things...

It has been a while since I have posted. There are some very good reasons: 1) I am constantly exhausted and growing larger by the day 2) Work has been hectic 3) It is t-ball season 4) The school year is winding down (that means field trips, field day, programs, and kindergarten graduation) 5) My mother-in-law has been in the hospital (just to name a few)

First, the new baby... Things seem to be going great. I really have not been sick, just extremely tired. Part of that comes from having 2 more children that I am trying to keep up with. She is kicking away, although Clint nor the kids have gotten to feel her. Every time I call them when she is kicking, she immediately stops. The doctor says that she is growing great and I will have another ultrasound at the end of May, so we will probably see more how much she has grown. I am about 26 weeks along (seems like I should be further). So far, we have not gotten her room together. I have however gotten some bedding that I will probably be using. I just have to get the room painted. Right now it is "Electric Blue". And yes, it matches it's name. I can only imagine how many coats of paint it will take to cover it up. I am getting really excited about her coming,though. So are the kids. They keep asking now when will it be August?? As you can see "she" is still her name - we have not agreed on a name yet.

Camon will be finishing Kindergarten in June and I can not believe it. It seems like just yesterday I was dropping him off for the first time and crying like a baby. Now, the year is almost over. He has learned so much this year. I look back at pictures and can not believe how much he has changed. In March, he was named "Student of the Month" for the whole kindergarten. What a far cry from that 2nd week when he almost got suspended for beating a kid up. I told Clint maybe he was the most improved from then and that is why they gave it to him. Of course you know men... Clint said, "Well, why did it take them so long to give it to him?" To which I explained that it was an honor, only 9 students the whole year get that honor. And, I told him that the kids before him did not have to prove anything, but Camon has shown them through a whole year how great he is. HA! Of course Clint was kidding. He will have graduation on June 4, and I am sure momma will shed a few more tears. He was recently enrolled in an Accelerated Reading program and can really read very good. I have really enjoyed the teacher that he has this year. She has taught him a lot. Last night, he lost his third tooth. This is the first one that he lost without there being another one already in behind it, so it looks so cute to me when he smiles and has that hole there.

Isabelle, well what can I say. She has not changed a bit. Well, I take that back...she is quite a bit sassier (is that a word???) She and Camon are playing t-ball this year (and Clint is coaching them). She did great the first game, until the last bat. She was running the bases and the other team headed into the dugout. When they did, about 4 of them trampled her. Then the 2nd game, she threw the bat when she was hitting and it came back and hit her elbow. Then for the next 2 games she refused to play, because she did not want to get hurt. I was so sad because she really was a good little ball player. Then her cousins, Katie and Lacie, got their ears pierced and she has been begging to get hers done. So, I told her that if she would play in the rest of her games, she could get them pierced. So, Monday night she went out in the field, put her hands on her knees like a pro, even chased some balls that were hit her way. I was so excited. The inning was over and she came into the dug-out. When it was her turn to hit, she refused. So naturally I told her no earrings. To which she replied, "You said I had to play. You never said I had to hit." Well, technically she was right. Boy is she smart. She has learned a lot in preschool this year, too. She amazes me how much she can do. She can write all her letters, numbers to 10, her first and last name (without help), and any other word she wants simply by asking you the letters. She can count to 30, say her months, knows all basic shapes and colors, and can spell most of her family and friends name. One of her favorite things to do (besides change clothes 20 times a day) is to paint. She got water colors for her birthday and I think she paints everyday. She insists on choosing her own clothes and shoes (and they must match, by the way). So, before Clint irons them at night, I must okay it with her or it will be a fight the next morning - sad isn't it? But, it makes the morning go much smoother. She informed me the other day that when her baby sister got here, she would be choosing her clothes. This could be a nightmare. I got some little silver shoes for the baby the other day and she slept with them and then carried them to school to show her friends. Clint says she has a shoe fetish... Ya think???? She has one whole armoire with nothing but shoes. I think I have created a monster. And, she will be a teenager one day!?!?!?!?!? Each day when she gets in from school, she changes clothes. Usually it is dress-up but not always. The other day she wanted to put on a dressy, expensive dress to go outside a play. I argued with her for about 10 minutes and finally said, "Go to your closet and you can wear any dress that you can reach (I have the nicer stuff on the top rack). So, she left and came walking down the hall in a 2t (she is a 4t) Halloween dress. Clint thought it was funny. He said, "well, you told her any dress." I think she knew it would drive me nuts. But, I kept my word and she went outside showing her panties, wearing an orange and black jack-o-lantern dress (in April). Then yesterday, she returned from her room in a bathing suit (it was about 70 outside). She is something else.

Clint is doing great. He is getting excited about the new baby. He has been designing our addition (although we agreed it would be several years before we built it). He is coaching the kids t-team, teaching the High School Sunday School class at church, and being a super help around the house. I am very fortunate to have him. He does all of the ironing (maybe his friends won't read this), most of the cooking, at least half of the kids bedtime routine, and is the bathroom appliance cleaner. He works four days a week, but I think works harder at home on Mondays. He has gone to an Orthodontist to see about braces and will probably be getting them sometime soon. I am not sure what to think about that. He will look different, but it is something he wants and so I am all for it. He has been helping his brother lay floors in his new house. I am still trying to get him to follow his passion - woodworking, but it is so hard to give up a steady income with 2 kids and another on the way. Maybe one day... Anyway, there is nothing major going on as far as he is concerned. Just being Clint.

And lastly... The tragedy of the past week. Clint's mom, Betty, went into the hospital last Sunday and they found a lemon-sized brain tumor. They removed it last Monday and believe that it is not cancerous (though we are still waiting for the biopsy results). We had a rough week, as her speech was messed up, short term memory was off, and she was out of it most of the time. They did another surgery on Friday to place a shunt to drain fluid off of her brain. That (along with her finally realizing that she was not dying) helped her to make a tremendous turn around. She got out of ICU on Saturday and then went home Monday. She has a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech therapist who come to her house to work with her. They think she is making tremendous progress. I know that hundreds of prayers were and still are being answered. It will still be a long battle, but she is here and so, for that we are thankful. God is so good!

Camon's Easter Egg Hunt

Yes, I know this is a little late. I have been so swamped (and exhausted) that I have not had time to post. Well, I have but I chose a nap instead. So I will now play catch-up.

Here are Some pictures from the Easter Egg Hunt that the Kindergarten classes had at Camon's school. Isabelle was invited, too. They had lots of fun and got way too much candy!!!

Camon's class

Finding eggs!!!!

Camon's buddies - I see a lot
of trouble in my future!!