Merry Christmas

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Hudson PEP Christmas Party 2008

Visit from My Sister

We were able to meet my sister and family to eat one evening

before they headed to see Maud continue their winning streak in football.

Logan and I cherish all the time we are able to spend with them -

which is NEVER enough.

Skating at Hudson PEP

Ashamed

Wow! Time flies when you are having fun....or in school....whatever the case may be. I started the Halloween, Skating, Yellow Belt post awhile ago and just now finished it. My semester in school has come to a close, so I hope to catch up on lots of things in the next month.

Logan lost his second tooth two nights ago. He's not looking like a "little" boy anymore which makes my heart hurt. He's in his 3rd six weeks of school and doing very well. He's just a pleasure.

I'm missing Logan this week. I flew to Florida yesterday to be with Darin (well - in the evenings anyway)- Darin is attending a Homicide Class all week and I thought it would be fun to relax after finals!! Tuesday, as I was driving Lo to school, I was going over my day with him and told him that I hoped I didn't miss my plane. He asked what would happen if I did miss the plane and I told him I would have to come home. He stated that he "sure hoped I missed my plane"! My precious baby boy!

Halloween, Skating, and Yellow Belt!

Lots of things have happened since my last post.....
Logan has earned his YELLOW BELT in Taekwondo!!
He has "learned" to skate.
And...of course Halloween brought out

the

Darth Vader in him!
Life is good!

Pump It Up

Logan had a great birthday and a great birthday party....

even the parents had fun (notice the dancing moms!!)....

October 18, 2008 - East Texas Yamboree

A tradition we have is going to the Yamboree every year. This year Logan surprised me - after the parade - he did NOT want to ride any rides (lines were too long, it was his birthday and he wanted to go home and play, etc) but he did want to go see the livestock.......

It's a BOY!!!

My life changed for the better seven years ago TODAY!

Logan made his debut into the world.

I'm not sure there has ever been a prouder mom!!

(I know tons of you will disagree!)

I can't help but see Jesus everytime I look at my son.

He is the GREATEST GIFT I've ever been given.

Thank you, Ashley, for choosing life for my son.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUN'KIN BOY

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING!

Every good and perfect gift is from above....

James 1:17

October 17, 2001

My Wednesday, seven years ago, started as the rest of them did.

I rushed to get ready for work, I rushed to get to work, church after work

and

then to bed to do my day all over again.
God's plan is always better than my plan!!!
I did get ready for work, I did get to work, I did go to church.....

then that's where "MY" plan flew out the window.

Upon returning home from church I had messages saying

"my child" was about to be born....

I didn't even know I was planning on having a child!!!
I rushed to the hospital to wait......

Seven Years Ago

Seven years ago....

I didn't know that I was soon to have a baby boy!!!!

I knew there was a POSSIBLITY

but

I didn't know it was gonna happen so quickly.

LOGAN-

The greatest gift I've EVER been given!!

All A's

It's very obvious that Logan did

(NOT)

get his smarts from me!!

He is MUCH brighter.

He received his very FIRST report card today

.....all A's!!

I'm just alittle proud!

(I did make a 94 on my Algebra exam today though....)

At Hudson PEP they actually give number grades

(which I don't remember receiving until

Jr. High or High School) -

so I'm extremely pleased with his progress.

Reading - 90, Writing - 93, Math - 96

Social Studies - 97, Science/Health - 94

A Couple Divided

Well, the game was a disaster.

The Horns stomped all over MY HOGS (52 -10)!

Thank goodness the company was good!

And....It's Outta There!

Logan lost his FIRST tooth last night.....

I won't go into all the details but it was

VERY EXCITING!!!!

He was sure hoping the Tooth Fairy would

bring him some toys or jewelry (for me -

such a sweet boy!) but I told him that she

was only into the Money Business!

He keeps growing everyday!!!

Loose Tooth

Logan is about to lose his FIRST tooth!

We really thought it was going to be yesterday.....

but no such luck!

He wiggled and wiggled it all day yesterday,

I picked him up from school and brought him

to my office to have the tooth pulled by a

professional!

Dr. Ross wouldn't touch it!

I had some help from the ladies up front...

but it just wouldn't come out.

Maybe today!

Lobo Pride

Hudson PEP has an assembly every Friday morning at 7:30 a.m.

- Spirit Assemblies for Fabulous Fridays -

He's an Orange Belt Now!!!!

More of First Day....

My handsome little man in front of his new school

and

in front of his locker

(He loves having a locker!)

First Day of FIRST GRADE....

Logan survived his first day of FIRST GRADE

and

better yet - so did I!

He ate in the cafeteria and liked it.
That may not sound like a big deal
but
if you know Logan it's a HUGE deal!!
He has a few staple favorites
and
getting him to venture out is rare!
So, that was a success.

We both really like his teacher
- Mrs. Cole -
seems like she is going to be wonderful.

I love the fact that they wear uniforms.
Everyone looks so nice each day.

All the children seem really happy to be there.

I guess Logan's only concern, so far, is that
they do not get much recess time.

I don't know where the time goes. . . .

yesterday he was born
and
this week he started 1st grade.

All Alone

I'm sitting here all alone - with nothing to do....

Logan left on a mini-vacation with my dad (Papaw)

first thing this morning.

I have to admit that I am a wee bit nervous about this trip.

Logan has tried spending the night with my dad before

and

has never made it past midnight:(

He is 7 hours away for TWO nights.....

he is going to have to "make it".

I don't know who I feel most sorry for

(if Logan gets homesick)

my dad or Logan.

I also don't know who was more excited -

my dad or Logan.

My dad invited me to go, as a last thought,

I know he was just trying to be nice.

He didn't want me to go - he wanted Logan all to himself.

Logan called me about 10:30 a.m. this morning to tell me that

he had just spotted an ANT EATER!!

He said, "Mommy, I just saw an ant eater.

Papaw said it was a deer but it had antlers

and

they were pointed to the ground

trying to eat ants so it must have been an ant eater."

What a weekend they are going to have!!

It's been a LONG time since I've gone a day

and

not been with Logan.

Even when he stays with my mom for the weekend I go and visit.

I'm just beside myself!

We went to Meet the Teacher last night.

Logan will be attending Hudson PEP

for the next 5 years and after last night

I think this was a good choice.

I have asked at least 100 people (w/o exaggerating)

what they think of Hudson PEP

and

I can't find anyone

that

has a negative thing to say about it.

That is a relief.

It is so BIG compared to PCC.

Alittle overwhelming.

We had to stand in line to get school supplies....

we had to stand in line to get t-shirts,

we had to stand in line to put money

in his cafeteria account,

we had to stand in line to meet the teacher

(our room was so WILD),

we had to stand in line for EVERYTHING

it seemed like.

Logan has a locker -

you would think someone gave him $1000.

He has 2 people from his Kindergarten class

in his First Grade Class (makes me feel better).

He was walking the halls like he knew what he was doing.

I just watched - amazed. He is growing so quickly.

It just feels like my heart is being ripped out at times.

He told me he didn't want me to walk him in -

not even the first day.

I thought I was going to die....

thank goodness he changed his mind!

He gave me permission to walk him in on

THE FIRST DAY ONLY....yeah, right!

(The teacher just "happened" to tell me that

I could walk him in the First WEEK...woohoo).

Okay, I promise pictures within a week.

I will add Darin's b'day party pics

and

Lo & Papaw vacation pics

(I sent my camera with them).

Logan and I both start back to school on Monday

so it will be a hectic week. But I will try to get the

pictures on ASAP.

Oh yeah, Logan gets to test for his next belt in

Taekwondo on Tuesday...

I'll have those pictures too!

Hold your children all you can - they won't want you to forever.

Many Blessings!

Time Flies

Wow! It has been over a month since

I've written anything.

I am sorry.

This will be just a quick little blurb

and I will elaborate over the weekend.

The month of July brought:

Logan getting even closer to

SEVEN YEARS OLD

and

FIRST GRADE!!!

Summer School - Algebra - an A - WooHoo!!

Jackson's 7th Birthday!

Darin's SURPRISE 40th Birthday Party!

It was a great month!

One last thing - can't resist sharing.....

Wednesday night before bed,

Logan was saying his prayers

(the night before my final)

and this is how it went...

"Dear Jesus, please help my mommy

with her stinking test that I wish she didn't

have to take because I'm tired of her

doing homework all the time. AMEN."

Out of the mouth of a babe.

I had two immediate feelings about his prayer:

First, I felt so guilty -

I knew that I had neglected him

over the four weeks I was in the class

and

Second, I just wanted to laugh (I DIDN'T).

How much more honest can a person be!?

I bet Jesus was laughing!

I think He likes for us to be honest in our prayers.

I believe Logan was just that!

God Bless America!

Logan's school (Presbyterian Children's Center) had a

4th of July parade around the Courthouse this morning.

Everyone looked so cute all decked out in their

Red, White, & Blue.

Dr. Ross & His Beekeeping Buddy

Logan - The BeeKeeper

Wow! What an experience Logan had with Dr. Ross on Friday, June 20th.

I fortunately (or not) have a child that is not afraid of anything.

He is willing to try anything once. Dr. Ross (my boss) invited Logan to work bees with him. Dr. Ross said he thought Logan was a natural!

Logan was thrilled.

As you can see by looking at the picture....he did very well -

and LOVED it!

It is probably safe to assume that I will be adding BEE HIVES to my "farm"......

although we no longer have the 5 Blue Tailed Skink Eggs.

We went out to check on them and they looked like raisins.....guess we did something wrong!

I am blessed to have people in my life that take an interest in Logan.

Oh my gosh....I forgot to mention that the

HONEY IS EXTRAORDINARY!!!!!

Thank you, Dr. Ross!

EVIL LO-NIEVAL - In Action

Darin, Logan, and I went to Joaquin on Saturday to visit my Uncle, Aunt, and cousins....Logan just loves it there. My cousin Stevie brought his girlfriend and her little girl - who just happened to have this mini dirt bike. Logan LOVED it. He had the most fun. (Yes, I know he didn't have a helmet on.) I made a "deal" with Logan - if he would take his training wheels off of his bike - he "may" get a dirt bike for his birthday or better yet Santa may bring him one. He was totally thrilled! Come to find out, he had a little talk with my aunt and told her, "she can take the wheels off of my bicycle but I'll never ride it again!" Little toot! He can ride without training wheels, obviously as seen above, but he just doesn't want to try!!

Oh the thrill he gives me!!!

Did I mention that he is QUITE the DAREDEVIL?!!!!

Evil LoNieval

Check out my Slide Show!

Darin

I'm a bit OCD - and I realized I was posting left and right

- so, I figured a post a week would suffice

(unless something REALLY exciting happened)......

I have several things to talk about today!

First - PRAISE THE LORD -

Darin's cornea transplant was a success!!!

His surgery was last Wednesday, June 18th

and

we have been overly amazed at the progress!

We spent last Tuesday and Wednesday night in

Dallas at his parents house.

I was so nervous about spending

that much time with them.

I have to say that it was just like being with my parents -

I was so comfortable.

They are such sweet people.

I am constantly reminded how blessed I am -

in so many ways.

Last week the Lord showed me (or reminded me)

how blessed I am to have Darin in my life!

I am also thankful for his wonderful family

and the loving hospitality!

Family

My cousin sent this to me today. I've read it several times but it always serves as a reminder to have more patience with Logan. I couldn't ask for a more thoughtful son - I always tell him that if I could pick anyone in the world to be my child, I would still pick him!!!!!!

F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,

'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.

He said, 'Please excuse me too;

I wasn't watching for you.'

We were very polite, this stranger and I.

We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,

How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,

My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.

'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heartbroken.

I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said,

'While dealing with a stranger,

common courtesy you use,

but the family you love,

you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,

You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.

He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,

you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'

By this time, I felt very small,

And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;

'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said.

'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'

He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.

I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'

I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;

I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'

He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay.

I love you anyway.'

I said, 'Son, I love you too,

and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.'

FAMILY

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think?

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day Dad/Papaw,

Logan and I love you very much.

Without you, I'm not sure that Logan and I

would have the life that we are so fortunate to have.

I am thankful that you go above and beyond to make

sure that Logan and I have what we need.

I am thankful that you decided

to UNretire to help us out.

You will never know what you mean to me.

All My Love,

Always Daddy's Girl

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

Aren't they tiny (especially in comparison to Logan's hand)!?

My dad found

5 Blue Tailed Skink (Eumeces) eggs

today that had been abandoned by the mother.

Of course they have ended up at my house

under the watchful eye of Logan.

I did some "research" and found out

that we have to keep them moist....

how am I suppose to do that?

I'm sure not gonna lick them!

Maybe Logan will.

Oh, the joys of raising a boy!

So, our "farm" now consists of 1 dog (Sox), 2 cats (Taz & Casper), 1 fish (No Name), 1 rabbit (Dumper), the visiting Emu, and now 5 blue tailed skink eggs.

And The Results Are...........

The EEG is NORMAL!!

Yeah Baby!

We are going to discuss what route to take next.......

But

At least I know that his heart and brain are functioning properly!!!

Praise the Lord!

Thank you to each one of you that has prayed us through!