Megan Neal....I love you!

Ok girls...you know I can be handy - but who knew we could do this! Megan Neal - our awesome decorator gave us this idea for our breakfast nook. I had a huge wall that needed filling, with color but also with something simple. I told Megan I wanted fork and spoon concept. This is what she came up with, and David and I did it! Here are the before and after pics....picture quality is poor but you get the gist...also - leave a comment and tell Megan to start a blog or website. Also - do you need her info?????

And if you are looking for info on the Spring Fling....scroll down!

Color Your World...

I have been trying to think of a way to write this all week. When we grew up, our entire neighborhood was white. By white, I mean the race of our neighborhood, schools and family was entirely white. However, my parents weren't ok with us having the "idea" that this was what the world was like. I specifically remember my Dad taking us to an all black church in Tulsa one time. It was a really neat experience. We were shown other cultures, and taught from a very young age that Race is just the color of your skin.

As I raise my children, MY family has changed. Our family is NOT all the same color. Some of us are white....some a little olive...some pretty tan...others you might call brown...some are REALLY white (don't be offended Blake - it is said out of love) and some are REALLY brown! But one thing I have made a purpose in doing is making sure my children grow up in a world of color! My friends are all colors, my co-workers are all colors, we have friends whose families are all colors....our dolls are all colors, and children in the books we read are all colors.

I was brought up this way. That the color of one's skin, says nothing about the person. I was never told not to bring home a boy of a different race. I WAS told never to bring home a boy who was not a Christian. This week, when we remember a great man who fought for Civil Rights.... we must do our part as parents to make sure our children are colorblind. ALL families have to do this. Racism exists in every race....but as parents we have to be purposeful in making our children accept everyone for who they are....not the color of their skin.

Updates.....

I am such a bad mom lately - I have so neglected my blog. But I have a bunch of stuff I need to post, but today - it will be about my chillins...

Ragon is an absolute hoot. I am a little afraid. Sister is so smart. She is talking up a storm and most of what she says makes sense. She is an obedient little girl, but she is so strong willed. She really has an opinion about what she wants to do and how we do it (wonder where she gets it?). She loves gymnastics, dancing, Wonderpets, Ruby and Max. She almost always has a babydoll in her arms and loves playing mommy. She constantly immitates me (scary huh?). Today I was ordering something online, and when I turned around, she was in the chair next to me with her pink (fake) laptop. She is such a happy little girl and very very silly. She loves her friends Ty, Lillian, Kyndal and Eason. She talks mostly about her cousins, though. She is the apple of her daddy's eye and seeing them together warms my heart.

Greyson is really coming into his own. It wasn't clear until the last two weeks how much his ears were bothering him. He talks up a storm, is a lot less clingly and whiney and is working hard on walking. He will mimick almost any sound I make. He is sleeping so much better and most of the time he is standing...but not quite walking....any day now! He is still a little on the thick side...just like I like em! But it wasn't until lately that we learned what a ham he is. He loves to look at you and then wiggle his head side to side and roll his eyes and then he just dies laughing. He thinks he is hysterical! He loves hide and seek. But his favorite thing in the world is to play with his sissy....whom he calls Bubba...well it is what she calls him, so it does make sense!

I hope you had a beautiful Christmas. The most beautiful part was when Ragon would tell me that it was Jesus' birthday....and when I would ask her where is Jesus? She would point that little chubby hand at herself and say "in my heart"...."and in your heart mommy"....sweet sweet moments.

I was going to include photos...but I can't get them to upload....maybe later!

Tradition....

I am not a sentimental person. But I love traditions. We have some neat Christmas ones, so I am going to share one. For Christmas, my children recieve three gits...that is it....three gifts under the tree. Santa shows up at our house in the form of a stocking...and they are great stocking gifts....but under the tree...THREE. Why is that? When Jesus was born, he recieved three gifts....Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh (yes- I checked the spelling). It is a subtle and gentle reminder to my children that this holiday, while fun, and crazy and full of excitement...is not about them. We will do things such as work soup kitchens, take presents to a family, deliver baskets to police stations and fire stations. We will constantly remind them....JESUS is the reason for this season. I am all for spoiling kids...on their birthdays....but this day....this day, is not about us, me, or them....it is about Christ and celebrating his birth. (fyi feel free to have your own traditions, I am not one of those who is psycho that my traditions are the best - heck - we totally lie to our kids and say there is a santa!)

Second - I have some prayer requests if you have a moment:

1) Terra - I hope Terra doesn't mind me sharing. Terra has been a little under attack. Her famliy had the stomach virus, but her baby girl "K" has been under the weather quite a bit lately....so pray little "K" up.

2) Taylor - This is one of my sister's friends. But Taylor is 14 weeks pregnant, and she is so sick that she is on bedrest. She has lost a tremendous amount of weight and has a two year old that she is struggling to take care of.

During this season...pray for those who aren't celebrating Christmas...who can't afford it...who don't feel like celebrating....who are too weak....and be Thankful for what you have.

Lawson.....

I have not had a lot of time to blog lately. Clearly - from the lack of posts that is obvious. But tonight, I had to post a request for prayer. My sweet neighbor has a little boy, his name is Lawson. Lawson has been in the hospital for a couple of days now, suffering a high fever. I believe they thought they had it under control, but the fever has returned. He has sustained a fever as high as 106 for a couple of days now. Please pray for sweet Lawson. He is a sweet little boy and this is the worst time of year for this to happen. Not that there is ever a good time. He was transferred to OKC this evening. I am only assuming it was to Childrens in OKC. So tonight, pray for Lawson - and for healing.

Scarlet....

Really...don't let a little Scarlet Fever get ya down! After 24 hours of antibiotics...she is good as new! Here is a video of her in front of our Christmas Tree. Much like the one I posted this morning on FB, but instead of singing into a thermometer, Daddy sprung for a mike. It lights up. If you listen, it also sings Under The Sea from Little Mermaid. Which doesn't bother her a bit..she belts out the song anyway. I crack up, notice how she continues to sing through the mike malfunction....seriously - she is a pro! Much like her mother who can sing without the correct words....(I had to say this before my family did).....

What in the????

Sometimes I feel like things all hit me at once. I guess in the long run that is the best...I mean, really - don't you want all the bad stuff to happen in one week? If you spread it out, life would always be a stinker....right? At least I need to believe that this week. BECAUSE, Monday Greyson is having tubes put in, adenoids removed, and eye surgery to correct his tear duct problem. And to top it off, our insurance has denied the claim. Too many details and TOO big of a check I just cut the three doctors....LOVIN IT! Ragon was diagnosed with Scarlet Fever, sounds much worse than it is. Just strep with a rash that looks a little like a sunburn. David is sick....and to top it off....My sweet grandma "Grandy" lost her husband this afternoon. Folks - that is one shooie week! And it is only wednesday. I am hoping tomorrow brings better health, and reminds me of all the things to be thankful for. Because, I DO have children that can get sick, I have a wonderful husband who is usually healthy, I CAN afford insurance (although it doesn't pay), I have a roof over my head, and a God who loves me.....so who am I to complain about a crappy week?

On a fun note, I was thinking about blowing this picture up and hanging it over my bed with candle sconces on each side....what do you think? These are my precious Ragon's hands holding our wedding rings.