Easter 2007

We had a wonderful Easter this year! For the past 20 years or so, we have had a family (and friends) Easter egg hunt and dinner at my Aunt's house in Collinsville. There is always too much to eat and way too many prizes but we all have a great time getting together (even though the weather on Easter was more like winter time.) At church that morning, we had a special speaker at our church. Miss America 2006, came to speak to us about all the crowns she has won over the years, but how they all pale in comparison to the crown that Christians get when they go to heaven.
Afterwards, she made herself available for people to meet her and get pictures made with her. Of course, Ashleigh wanted to meet her, so we stood in line and the girls got to meet her and have their pictures made with her....


Zachary didn't really care to much to meet her, especially after he found out where she was from.... Jenks.... (for those of you who aren't familiar with this area, Owasso and Jenks are rivals) He also wouldn't dare meet a "GIRL" willingly. hehe

Here are some other pics that we took during the day.

Update.....

Whew, it's been a long time since I posted!
We are all doing fine. The girls are playing on the same TBall team called Owasso Power. Ashleigh is really catching on to the game, fielding the ball well and even "took out the first basemen".... when Troy asked her why she ran her over, she said, "she was being mean to me and my team mates at the last game, so I took her out...." I was at practice with Zach during their game, so when Troy told me what she did and said, it was a little hard not to laugh... it's so against Ashleigh's character. Allie is doing okay for a 4 year old. She has finally figured out where first base is and that is where she is suppose to run when she hits the ball. At the first game, Allie ran across the pitcher's mound, to 2nd base and finally to 1st. I got my entertainment for the week.
Zachary is playing baseball for the 10 and under Owasso Reds. He was suppose to play a game last night, but it was cancelled for rain. He was really disappointed. He has another game scheduled for Friday. He is the starting right fielder. He was a little disappointed cause he wants to play first base, but Troy told him that it's better to be playing in the outfield, then being left out and not get to start the game at all. He seemed to take being a right fielder okay after dad told him that. I think he may be the back up 1st baseman, but I'm not sure, as they are still figuring out who works best where.
As far as me and Troy, we are doing fine. Troy is still enjoying his job and I am still staying at home with Allie. We put a contract on a house that has 5 acres with it, but haven't heard if the owner is going to accept our contract yet. The house is a repo and needs some minor inside cosmetic work, but it's on 5 acres, so we are willing to fix up the house so that we can have the land. The girls are already asking for a horse. We'll have to see about that. There is already a barn, runs, and an area fenced off that they used as a barrel racing and calf roping practice area. There is also a very small pond on the back corner of the property.
That's about it for now.... I'll try to update more often than once a month.

Back from Arkansas

Mom and I visited with Aunt Iva Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. She is doing better and is "behaving" and doing her therapy. We also talked her into eating more. She is gaining back her strength slowly.
Please continue praying for her.

Aunt Iva update

Well, Aunt Iva hasn't gotten any better. We found out that she can't keep anything down and that the dizziness was caused by blood not getting to her brain. After an MRI... they discovered that she has Alzheimers. She also won't try to walk on her leg and says it hurts to much.... we are hoping that she hasn't given up.
My mom and I are going down to see her on Sunday and to make sure her affairs are in order. They say that if she makes it out of the hospital, then she will need nursing care, most likely in a nursing home. We are trying to keep her out of there, so, we will see what happens.
She is still mentally active and only seems to have short periods where she doesn't remember things, so she is still doing well as far as the Alzheimer's is going.
Just pray for Aunt Iva's health and for my mom, as she makes decisions on Aunt Iva's behalf.

P.O.G.

One of my friends here in OK, Cheri, told me that we needed to get out and that she was taking me somewhere, so to get child care and then, of course, was cruel, and wouldn't tell me where we were going, until we were on our way yesterday.(my kids stayed home with Troy) She had gotten tickets to the "Point Of Grace" concert in Tulsa. I love POG so, It was a wonderful surprise (even if I don't like surprises) and couldn't be more timely.... It helped me to have a "girls night out" and some much needed "me" time.
(Thank you Cheri!)

Aunt Iva Update

Aunt Iva isn't doing much better. She is still in the hospital, but is now in rehab. She says her leg still hurts really bad and that she gets dizzy when she stands up. Please keep her in your prayers.

Please pray

Please pray for my Aunt Iva who is in her 80s. She lives in Arkansas.
From what we were told, she was out taking a walk yesterday evening, and she was hit by a car. We have also been told that the driver didn't stop. Someone called 911 and she was taken to the hospital with a hurt hip, knee and head injury. She has a concusion and remembers nothing about the accident. She had surgery on her knee today and is in recovery right now. We were told that she would have to stay in the hospital until she can get around with a walker and then was told that she needs to go into a nursing home, something that will NOT sit well with her (can't say I blame her).... so please pray for her healing and that she accepts what the doctor tells her. There is family there in Arkansas who are with her now, and mom and I are planning on going over there in the next few days.

UPDATE:
(WE FOUND OUT LATER SOME MORE OF THE STORY, THE DRIVER DID STOP AND CALL 911)
She is doing better after her knee surgery but is frustrated that she can't get up and walk because of the pain.... my Aunt Iva, even at 85 is more active than most people and is always going out and helping out all the "old people"

Well House

We finally have everyone well again. Ashleigh went back to school last Wednesday and Zachary went back today. He missed a whole week of school, but his sister brought home some of the work that he missed, so he won't be too far behind. I am just glad things are getting back to normal.
Both of the girls are playing T Ball this year, on the same team, thank goodness... and Zach will be playing his first year of "kid pitch". We should be getting their schedules soon.

Sick Sick Sick House

Well, I just got over the flu and now my 3 kids are sick! Fun Fun! The kids are home from school today with fevers, but are feeling better than they did yesterday. Troy somehow escaped the bug.

Happy dance!

Yep! I'm doing the happy dance! School is back in session tomorrow! If it wasn't going to be, I was going to offer my assistance to get the roads cleared. I am sure there are lots of parents who would've joined me, too! :)

Arghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

As many of you know, we were hit with an ice storm about a week ago. 3 inches of the stuff! The kids have been out of school all week cause the neighborhood roads are like skating rinks and I am about to go stir crazy.... and as I am about to have SOME hope that my kids would get to go back to school, I find out that we could get up to 8 inches or so of snow.... when is it going to end?
So far, it hasn't snowed even 1 flake here, they say that the system has slowed down.
The way it looks, the kids may have to wait until the spring thaw before they can go back to school :(

A reminder of why I hate math! :)

My son Zachary, who is in the 3rd grade, started learning his times tables last week. They started with the 11s and 10s and are now on the 9s and 8s. As I am helping him study his flash cards, I remember how much I HATE math. Always have and I always will :) I didn't have trouble with my math facts.... just had trouble understanding that, in life , why does it really matter what the "value of 'x' is" ... my math teachers could never answer that question without the look of anger in their eyes, and never gave me an answer that suited me, so since, in life, it doesn't matter what the value of "x" is, I don't have to learn it. :) (Most teachers thought that I was trying to be a smart aleck when I asked that question.... but I really wanted to know)

Because of my struggles with math, I am being really hard on my son when it comes to math. When I was a kid, I hated math so much, that I neglected to learn some early math principles and then, had trouble when it came to algebra. So, I am forcing him to KNOW how to do math, whether he likes it or not. I told him that he doesn't have to like it, just know it. I don't want him to have the same struggles with it that I had. Who knows, while I am drilling and pounding these facts in his head, maybe I might learn something as well :)

I might even finally find out the answer to my question. Maybe Zach's teacher's will know ;)

Catching up

One of my friends told me the other day that it had been about a month since I blogged.... I hadn't realized that it had been so long :)
Our holidays were wonderful. We got to be at home here in Oklahoma for the first time in years.... and we had Christmas morning with our family here at our house!
Troy and I celebrated our 10th anniversary on Dec 21st. He took me to Branson, MO and we stayed at Chatteau on the Lakes. It was so nice to get to spend some alone time with my husband. When we went out to eat, Troy told me that I could cut up his food for him if I wanted, since that is what I am use to doing for the kids.... I told him that I didn't think that I was gonna miss that, but thanks for offering. It was nice going out to eat by ourselves! We also got all of the Christmas shopping for the kids done while we were there. I'm know that it wasn't the most romantic thing to do, but, it was the only time that we were away from the kids and we could get it done! It was a wonderful trip and I am very thankful for my sweet husband for taking me on a trip for our anniversary.
I realized something this morning, that since we have moved back to Oklahoma, we have had snow already with more snow coming this weekend and in Virginia, they have had unseasonably warm weather. Now what's up with that. Getting away from the snow was one of the things I was looking forward to when I moved back to Oklahoma. Several people here have blamed me for the snow saying I "brought it with me".... well, if you know me very well, you know how much I "love" snow, so, I figured that one of my kids must have prayed for it to snow here, cause they love it so much, and God answered their prayers. Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?
Zachary and Ashleigh went back to school last Tuesday. Man has it been quiet in the house while they are gone. Allie misses them though, and asks "when are bubby and sissy gonna be home" and then she fights with them when they are here.
Zachary tried out for the 3rd grade spelling bee and was the first one chosen in his class. He even "practiced" the night before.
Ashleigh celebrated her 6th birthday on Jan 5th. She got a cheerleader doll from her brother and sister. The one thing that she asked for from us was an American Girl doll. So, we gave her a choice... choice #1. We buy here the American Girl doll, and she take one friend with her to Chuck E Cheeses, with no big party, or #2, We buy her a less expensive present and she has a big party here at home with her friends. She chose option #1 and she will be receiving the AG doll sometime this month (we had to order it) and will be going with a friend to CEC's soon. Turned out to be easier on us and she is getting what she wants for he birthday. We will be having a simple cake and ice cream get together with family soon to celebrate. I was looking at this coming weekend, but Allie's birthday was almost canceled, and probably should have been since they don't clear the neighborhoods here, and it was still very slick and icy after the snow storm. So, we will have is hopefully sometime this month.... she never got to have her party last year because Allie had Chicken Pox on every inch of her little body and Ashleigh had 2 pox, so we had to cancel the party!
Well, I think that about catches up the last month! Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Traditions

Here are a few of our family traditions.... (I realize some are not traditions since we haven't done them long, but, our family seems to enjoy them!)

One of the things that we do, starting on December 1st, is read at least one book every evening about Christmas. It helps us keep focused on what Christmas is all about. Of course, all are centered on Christ's birth and steer away from Santa Claus. One of my favorites is "One Wintry Night" by Ruth Bell Graham.

Another family favorite is "What God Wants for Christmas".

On the night that we read "The Legend of the Candy Cane", we decorate a small tree with little candy canes. That way, whenever we see the "Candy Cane Tree", it reminds us of Christ's love for us.

(We have a lot of Christmas books that we share together and in a future email, I will list them all, for those of you interested.)

Then, on Christmas morning, before we do ANYTHING else, we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and read the Christmas story.... We did this when I was a child and I have read it since I was old enough to read, and now that I have my own family, and Zach is old enough to read, he gets to read the Christmas Story. It is about the most precious thing you've ever heard, a child reading the Christmas Story for the first time. Then we all get to see what Santa brought and rummage the stockings.

What kinds of Christmas traditions does your family celebrate?

This is a NOT a holiday tree

(I received this today in the email)




This is a Christmas tree.

It is not a Hanukkah bush,

It is not an Allah plant,

It is not a Holiday hedge.

It is a Christmas tree.

Say it... CHRISTmas , CHRISTmas , CHRISTmas

Yes. CHRISTmas - celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ!!!

Gabriel update

Here is an email that I received yesterday from my friend Dawn.... Praise God for His mighty works!

Dear loved ones,

We are home and Gabriel is doing great. I am sorry for not e-mailing sooner. Since we came home we needed to just focus on him and his continued recovery and for our recovery as well. The children are home with us again and we are all very happy to be together. The Doctors are very pleased with Gabriel's recovery and he has adjusted to being home quite nicely. I was worried that he would have a difficult time getting back into routine, but he is so happy to be home he has just picked up right where he left off. He is sleeping very good, napping good, and in good humor most of the time. He has become a little shy and wants only Mama but that’s a normal thing anyway.

I want to take this opportunity to give God the Glory for all He has done for us. We have had a very difficult year. The knowledge of Gabriel's heart defect was the beginning of this long and trying journey. On January 20th, 2006 we were told by my Doctor that most parents would just let their baby die. We were given no hope from her and we were devastated. I remember leaving the clinic in shock and fear. I also remember that we had a girl's name picked out but not a boy's name. That afternoon, the name Gabriel Michael came to mind and Brian confirmed that was the name for our son. I believe that was his God given name. We determined that we would face this challenge together and do whatever we could to help our son live and be thankful for time we did get to have him. He will soon be 6 months old. He has had 2 open heart bypass surgeries and is doing fantastic. (He will have another surgery in a few years. )

We are not guaranteed a perfect and happy life. We are not guaranteed anything in life. One guarantee that I hold to is that God loves his own. He did not spare us this trial, but He was with us through this trial. My prayer for my family and friends who do not have a relationship with God our Maker, is that each and every one of you will seek Him. This life is very short and we don’t know what tomorrow holds for us. God sent his son Jesus Christ to die for our sins so we could have peace and comfort in knowing our eternity will be with Him.

We have 4 beautiful children and our deepest desire and prayer is not that they are spared difficulties in life, not that they will have a happy and carefree life, it is that they will have a personal relationship with our Father in Heaven. That they will know Him and love Him. We pray for wisdom in the training of our children and we pray for guidance when we are facing trials.

I feel like we are at the end of a chapter in our life. Thank you all for your prayers and support this year. Your love and encouragement has been a blessing to me. I pray God will bless you for your faithfulness in prayer.

Love to you all,

Dawn

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

THANKSGIVING

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING, BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP

I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS, I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED - THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE

BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION

THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.

SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR
>
> AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.

I GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,

PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,

'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.

I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY

WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.

BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES....

HAPPY EATING TO ALL; PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.

MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP,

MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS, MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,

MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!
-Author Unknown

Son on TV

Well, I finally got to see Zach's team on TV today. They showed re-runs of last Saturday's championship game. It was so cool to see our little guys on TV. They were so cute! What will be fun is watching these little boys grow up together as a team, cause they will be together until 7th grade, then it will be fun seeing which ones go on to school ball together.
These little boys, on both teams, wanted to win so bad. You could see it through out the whole game. Neither team gave up! That in itself is a victory, even if Z's team didn't end up winning. They will always be winners to me!
It had been fun to watch them grow as a team... The only boy that Zach knew at the beginning of the season was a boy that he had met at the combine a few weeks earlier. Zach and this little boy almost had gotten into a fight because the boy butted in front of Zach in the line.... both the little boy and Zach were all "brisseled up" ready for a fight until they started the next drill. (I was kind of glad of that, cause this little boy was a head taller than Zach!) I watched from the bleachers during the combine, and watched Zach and this boy exchange looks on the field the rest of the combine. Well, wouldn't you know it, this little boy ended up being on Zach's team.... as a mom, I thought, "uh oh, nothing good is going to come of this." Well, I was wrong, now Zach and this little boy are friends and team mates... I think they have forgotten what happened in August! (it was hard on me to watch what happened at the combine, to let him handle it and not swoop in and "protect" my baby)
As for the rest of the team, only about 1/2 of the boys knew each other, because they had played together as Mighty Mights the last two years. The other half, except for a few "move ins" had never even played football before. You could tell that they were unsure and nervous around each other. Zach was so nervous those first few months. He had never played football before and had no idea what he was doing. I had to give him lots of encouragement during breaks as well as before and after practices. One day, I was giving him some encouragement when one of the other new kids who had just moved here, but had played football before, told him, don't worry, you'll catch on... then he taught him and easier way to get his helmet off... It was one of those feel good moments. It was something that this other little boy didn't have to do, but he did.
There was even a time, at about a month into it, where Zach said "Mom, I don't wanna play anymore." I told him that he signed up to play on this team and that he was going to stick with it this year, and then if he doesn't want to play next year, then that would be okay, but he was not going to quit on his team! A few weeks later, he came up to me and gave me a big hug and said, "Mom, thanks for not letting me quit, I love football now!" That's what it's about, for the love of the game. Although he doesn't get to play very much, he still enjoyed playing. And he played his heart out every time he was given a chance.
It was really fun watching them get to know each other and learn to work together. They really came a long way from late August til now.
I am one proud football mom!

CRAZY SOCK DAY

Yesterday was "Crazy Sock Day" at school.... doesn't she look cute?

Miss Owasso Outstanding Teen Pageant

My little cousin Chelsey, who is 15, was in the Teen Owasso Pageant yesterday evening. She did really well and looked beautiful as always!
(For those of you always asking where Ashleigh gets he blonde hair, just look at Chelsey!)
She did really well in all the aspects of the competition and for her talent, she sang the "Black horse and the Cherry Tree". She sounded awesome!
This was her first year to participate, and she won 1st runner up. She said that she definitly wants to do more pageants.
We are all proud of her!

Saying hello to those who came to support her.

Chelsey with her proud mom and dad.

Chelsey giving her first autograph.

WHAT A GREAT SEASON!

Today was the championship game. It was a total defensive game, with TBC ending up on top @ 6-0. We ended the season at 12-1.
We all are soooo proud of our boys for making it this far! We ended up being 2nd out of 60 other 3rd grade teams, so, they have nothing to hang their heads about!
The boys get to stay together thru 7th grade. I really like that, because they learn to play as a team. As far as I know, all of them will be back next year! Zach has been blessed to play on this team. I am thankful for them picking my son in the draft, even though he had never played before. There were about 5 or 6 that had never played football before and I think they learned alot this year. I am thankful for a caring and supportive coaching staff. Couldn't ask for more than that. Our coaches love these boys as if they were their own sons. It's a awesome thing to watch.
Zach is not playing anything else until baseball season, so we won't start getting really busy again until March or so. He has a tryout for a baseball team next weekend.
GO RAMS! Below are some pics that I took that day.....

THE GIRLS ARE READY FOR THEIR BROTHER'S BIG GAME! GO RAMS!

THE HIGH SCHOOL LET US BORROW THEIR BIG HELMET AGAIN. OUR BOYS LOVE THAT!

"WE ARE A TEAM!" This was taken during the opening coin toss. Our coach always told them no matter what, win or lose, we are a TEAM! He has always told them that when they make a mistake, not to worry cause they have the rest of the team to back them up.


TROPHY TIME! -------------->


Here is a pic of Zach holding the 2nd place team trophy. I am sure that Coach Tucker will display it proudly at his house!

WOOOOOHOOOOO!

WE WON! We are going to the Championships! Our boys have worked soooo hard this year and still remain undefeated! We won the game 19-13.
We were down 13-12 with less than a minute left .... and we tried a reverse fake and it worked! TOUCHDOWN RAMS! The TD was made with about 20 seconds left in the game.... Sapulpa had possesion with just a little left in the game and went for a long pass, but one of our boys intercepted it! It was AWESOME! (I wasn't aware that I could hold my breath for so long!)
We play Tulsa Boys Club on Saturday the 11th around mid-day at the Broken Arrow HS field. For those of you who can, please come out and support us! And for you guys who are local, and can't make it for the game, it is on Cox Cable - Channel 3. I will post the exact game time as soon as I know!

TONIGHTS GAME!

I found out late yesterday afternoon, that the game time for tonights game has changed. It is now @ 8PM - at Sapulpa HS.

GO RAMS! Beat the Little Chiefs!

Our boys got to run through the helmet that the high school team uses for their games.... just for a few moments, they got to be like the big boys! (Zach is somewhere on the left side of the pic in the "herd" of rams... you can't really see him)
Our next game is in the "final 4" or the tournament...... there are about 50 3rd grade teams in the conference and we are in the "final 4" so I'd say that's pretty awesome.
The game is on Tuesday night @ 7PM @ Sapulpa HS.
GO RAMS!

GO RAMS!

We are in the semi-finals! We beat Jenks 7-0 @ Jenks tonight! We play Sapulpa in Sapulpa possibly on Tuesday night! One more game and we're in the finals!
The boys hung tough and basically shut down their offense.... Jenks defense was very good as well, we just happen to get a break away touchdown.
Zach played very well and made several good tackles.... I'm one proud mama!

Game

We won... 28-13
Next game is on Saturday. We are playing Jenks Maroon @ 5:30PM @ Jenks HS.
GO RAMS!

Our little Cheerleader

On Saturday, FOR (Future Owasso Rams) handed out participation trophies for the flag football players and cheerleaders. Ashleigh is VERY proud of her trophy and it is sitting on our fireplace mantle at home.

GAME DAY!!!!!

Today is game day! WOOOOHOOOOO! They were lookin' really good at practice, but were freezing to death.... but they are so pumped that I don't think that will be a problem tonight... at least I don't think so....
I was freezing at practice too, but you know me, I won't be able to sit still at the game, so I might not notice the cold too much either.
GO OWASSO 3rd Grade Black!!!!!

Update on Gabriel Cross

This is the email that Dawn sent me today....
Dear Friends and Family,

There have been many new developments that I wish to inform you all on. Last week Gabriel went into Arkansas Children's Hospital for a routine Heart Cath test. This test was done so the cardiologist and surgeon could see detailed pictures of his heart, measure pressures, and look for any obstructions. The test was successful and an agioplasty was performed on his aortic arch where there was a gradient (not too bad). This area is where the first surgery was performed on and this was an expected possibility. He was addmitted over night for observation at which time he spiked a 102 fever. This is also a normal reaction to the dye used in the test. He recovered nicely execpt for having lower oxogen saturation. His pulse ox was normally in the mid 80s. It is however now in the upper 60s to lower 70s. This a source of great concern. He did not, however, come home on oxogen even though while in the hospital he did need it.

On Monday, the surgeon and his team did meet and plan Gabriel's next major heart surgery. On November 8th, 8:30am Gabriel will undergo the next stage. This heart surgery will involve the reconstruction of the blood vessels leading directly to the lungs. This will allow all the upper extremeties blood to be directed to the lungs first and then to the heart to be pumped out. He will be on a by-pass machine and this proceedure is expected to take many hours. He will be in CVICU at ACH afterwards for an extended time. We are optimistic that his recovery will take less time than the first surgery.

We will be leaving for Little Rock on Monday, November 6th. Gabriel will be admitted on Tuesday for many pre-operation tests, x-rays, and EKG. This process will take all day in order to prepare for the next day's surgery. The other 3 children will be picked up on Sunday next, to go and stay with my parents in OK. Brian's parents and family will help when they can.

Please pray for all of us as we prepare for this seperation and for Gabriel's healing. We knew that he would need surgery before the end of the year, however, given a weeks notice seems it is coming too quickly. We are all worried and under a great deal of pressure during this preperation time. Brian has informed his work and his boss and co-workers are encourging.

As we find out more about the proceedure ect., we will e-mail everyone and keep you all informed.

I am reminded of all the letters, cards, and e-mails we received during our last stay at Children's Hospital. It was so wonderful to read each of those and remember how much we are loved and are being prayed for. Thank you all for your prayers and encourgement. Our lives have been truly blessed by all of you.



Love and Blessings,

Dawn

Playoff game

Our 1st play off game is on Thursday, 6PM at Owasso High School. Come on out if you can and support the Rams!

WE DID IT!!!!

Well, Zach's team did it! They are 9-0 going into the playoffs next week! Way to go 3rd Grade Black!

Crazy Hair Day for Red Ribbon Week

Today was crazy hair/spirit day for Red Ribbon Week at school.

Quotes.....

“Each generation has been an education for us in different ways. The first child-with-bloody-nose was rushed to the emergency room. The fifth child-with-bloody-nose was told to go to the yard immediately and stop bleeding on the carpet.”
Art Linkletter

Today's game

Today was a hard fought defensive game on both sides... both teams were undefeated. We won 6-0. We are now #1 in our division! Go Owasso Rams 3rd Grade Black!
(Yes, I remembered to take the banner this time!)

Tulsa Maize

Zach's football team had a cook out at the Tulsa Maize tonight... they all had a blast.
They went on a hayride and of course through the haunted maize maze. I am hoping that they all sleep well tonight cause the haunted maze scared all of them silly. I didn't go in the maze cause I don't do things that scare me on purpose! Yes, I am a chicken, and as one of the other moms put it "I wear my feathers well!" Yep.... and I am proud of it!

Banner

Here's the banner that I made for tomorrow's game....

Girl's first fishing trip

Troy took the girls the other day on their first fishing "trip". We have several "catch and release" ponds in our neighborhood to go fishing at. The girls had fun... Ashleigh caught 5 fish, and Allie caught one... Troy said that Ashleigh did great and loved fishing... Allie was fine until a fish actually bit and then she quickly handed her pole to Ashleigh for her to reel the fish in.

Hurry and take the picture, daddy, the sun is in our eyes.

Ashleigh's first catch!

Allie's first catch!

Rainbow pic

I love seeing rainbows.... it reminds me that God always keeps His promises!
This pic was taken behind my house.

FACING THE GIANTS

I am gonna take my son to see "Facing the Giants".... On the website there is info about the movie as well as clips and a trailer.

Here is the movie description.....

From the award-winning producers of FLYWHEEL comes a new, action-packed, family-friendly drama about a high school football coach who draws up a new game plan for his team … and himself.

In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season. Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure.

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Ashleigh's last game

Ashleigh's last game to cheer at was Tuesday night. She has made lots of improvements since her first practice several months ago! She said she wants to cheer next year, but wants to cheer for tackle football next year instead of flag. That is fine with me. I couldn't get into those flag football games!
One comment she did make after she was done was soooo sweet. She said "now that cheerleading is over, I won't have to miss any more of bubby's games!" She loves going to her brothers game and cheering him on!
I love cheering on all of my kiddos!

INFC Playoff time

Well, INFC Playoffs are almost here! Zach's team is 7-0 with 2 more games left to go.... we are definitly in the playoffs, just don't know what seed we will be. We are 1st in our division right now, and to stay in first, we have to beat Sand Springs this weekend, who are also 7-0. It will be an awesome game.
We also have to beat Collinsville on the 28th to keep our place at the top of the division.
Playoffs start Oct 30th or 31st and the finals are on Nov. 11th!
Go Owasso 3rd Grade Black!

Score for today's game....

Owasso Black - 29
Sapulpa - 6

Owasso Black is now 7-0 with 2 more games to go. Next weeks game is gonna be our biggest challenge!

O W A S S O

I frequently visit the forum for the Indian Nations Football Conference, (Well, actually I am addicted! I may have to start a INFC Annonymous support group) The forum has an automatic filter for bad words or phrases. It changes the words to silly words and phrases such as "I'm a dork".... It is even hard to type in Owasso, because of the 3rd, 4th and 5th letter.... sometimes when you type Owasso, it comes out Owhippoo ..... it replaces the "offending" letters with hippo. So the word passer becomes phippoer.
The filter is a good thing, I suppose, because kids read the forum as well and I am glad that it is family friendly, but I think that they need to "turn down" the filter a bit.... right now, people are haveing to type O W A S S O most of the time so that it stays what it is suppose to be! Hope they fix it soon!

A critter amongst us.........

On Sunday morning, I saw an animal of some sort swimming in the pond behind our yard. I knew it wasn't a dog cause it was gliding through the water. For several days, I thought it might be a river otter, but what would a river otter be doing in a pond....?
Well, we figured it out. Well, my hubby did. He got out his binoculars when the critter was out there this morning, and he discovered that it is a beaver.
Pretty cool if you ask me... but it doesn't take much to entertain me!

AWESOME video

CAN World's Strongest dad (click here)
This video made me tear up a little....

"they don't get wet"

We were sitting at the table eating lunch and the girls asked me if the river otter was out in the pond behind our house today (yes, there was an otter in the pond the other day)... and I told them that he probably wasn't out there, cause it's raining, and he doesn't like to get wet. Then Allie piped up and said, "well, he could stay under water and stay dry".... all of us just cracked up with Allie looking at us puzzled with that "what?" look.

We are finally ranked! (Owasso Black) This is for last week. We are now 6-0

3RD GRADE

1. JENKS MAROON(2) 5-0
2. B.A. PLATINUM(3) 4-0
3. BARTESVILLE(4) 5-0
4. JENKS BLACK(5) 5-0
5. OWASSO RED(6) 5-0
6. SAND SPRINGS BLACK(7) 5-0
7. TBC RED(1) 4-1
8. SKIATOOK RED(8) 4-1
9. EAST TULSA MAROON(9) 5-0
10.OWASSO BLACK(NR) 5-0
11.COLLINSVILLE RED(12) 4-1
12.JENKS SILVER(NR) 4-1

Game - Oct 7th

Owasso Black - 35
Pryor - 0
We are now 6-0
GO 3RD GRADE OWASSO BLACK!

The team Ashleigh cheers for lost, but I am not sure what the final score was... I do know that the Dragons didn't score and that the team they were playing against scored 2 or 3 times.

Goofy me....

Well, I pulled an "only me"... after staying up and making the banner that I "showed off" in the last post, I FORGOT it at home.... silly me... oh well, we can use it for our next game, not a big deal.

Banner

I got to make the "spirit banner" for my son's football team for the 2nd time this season.... This is the one that they get to run through.... Basically, I make it, they destroy it.... that's how my life goes :)

One on One time with Ashleigh.....

If you know my middle child,Ashleigh, you know that she always thinks that her brother and sister always get more attention than she does. So, she and I had a little time together today, just me and her! Her brother had his party yesterday and her sister got to go with her daddy to Wetumka for a few days, so she was feeling left out....so, we went to the Tulsa Zoo. We had a great time, just me and my blondie.

Zach's 8th Birthday party

Zachary had his 8th Birthday party yesterday at Incredible Pizza in Tulsa. He had a great turn out and had a blast!

Nostalgia

I was a bit nostalgic tonight.... my friend, Tonja, called me up and asked me to go to the Owasso Band Contest finals with her. So, I decided that I would go.
It brought back a lot of memories!
My Alma Mater, Collinsville High School, was in the finals. They did a really good job and won first place in Class 4A but came in 10th over all. Not use to C'ville band coming in 10th place!
Berryhill HS Band was 1st over all.
I really enjoyed going and seeing all the bands. It brought back a lot of memories!
(I guess that once you're a band geek, always a band geek!)

WOW... what a game....

Went to Zach's game today (of course) and what a game.... we played Berryhill. Both teams brought their "A" game and it was a hard fought game on BOTH sides. My hats off to the Berryhill 3rd grade team. They've got a good one!
Our team didn't really "wake up" until the middle of the 3rd Quarter, but when they finally woke up, man, did they wake up! There was one play where they held Berryhill and it was 3rd down and their running back made a huge run and got a first down.... after that, our boys got mad enough that they decided that they weren't gonna take it anymore and played harder.
Owasso won 12-7..... We scored a touchdown with a little over a minute left in the game.... then we did on on-side kick, and we recovered the ball!
They are now 5-0! Go Owasso Rams 3rd Grade Black!
(after watching Jenks run over Owasso Friday night (yes, I witnessed it and it wasn't pretty) we need some hope for the future!)

Sad day

After a hard fought fight, Ator field will be no more. Read about it here.
Ator field is a well known landmark in Owasso and will be missed. I don't know this man who decided to take the promised land away from the Owasso Public schools personally, but I do know one thing, I don't have a very high opinion of him. I don't think anyone here in Owasso does. I don't understand how someone can be so heartless!

Football Funny

While I was watching my son's football game Saturday, there was a questionable call. I didn't think much of it, cause we were winning the game anyways, when one of the other parents who was sitting about 5 rows above me, and he is an OU fan yelled, "Hey Kim, are we in Oregon? Didn't we recover the ball?"
All I could do is laugh and say, "haven't you gotten over that yet?"
We all got a laugh out of that one...
At least he has a sense of humor!

Picture day

Today was picture day at school. I remember on my picture days, mom said she would fix my hair up really cute but when she'd get the pictures, it was all messed up and looked nothing like it did when she sent me.
So, I wanted proof that I actually did fix Ashleigh's hair before she left the house for school..... When she got home, almost all the curls were gone. I hope that they got the pictured taken before that happened! We will see when we get her pics back.
(Zach got his pic made too, but he wouldn't let me touch his hair, so I didn't bother to take his pic.... besides, there isn't that much on top of his head to mess up!)

GO DRAGONS

Lazy Dog

Our dog Joe fell asleep like this in our kitchen floor... what a bum

8 years ago today....

8 years ago today was the day I became a mommy! It was one of the best days of my life!
Today is my son Zachary's birthday! Happy Birthday Zachary, I'm so proud of you!

Pics of Saturday's game

There was a photographer on the sidelines at the game Saturday. Here is the link if you are interested in looking.... Zach is #10 and is in 4 of the 130 or so pics....
Sure Shot Action Photos Click the "Photo Gallery" button and then "INFC Youth Football" then "3rd grade Owasso vs Broken Arrow"

Sept. 23 game

The team Ashleigh cheers for, the DRAGONS, won yesterday. Those little ones are sooooo cute... on one of the touchdown runs, the little boy carrying the ball took a moment to look at the fans on the sideline and shot us a big "look at me" grin... before running into the endzone.
Zach's team won 35 - 0 against Broken Arrow. The boys played really well again and Zach even got to make a kick off return. He only ran for 2 or 3 yards, but at least he got to touch the ball. I was proud. After the game, that is the first thing that he mentioned. He said "mom, did you see me?" ... I gave him a big hug and told him I was proud of him! His team is now 4-0. Next weeks game at Berryhill will be a test for us, cause they are a really tough team. GO RAMS!

Starting to not feel sorry for them anymore!

(stepping up on soap box)
Okay. In my last post, I stated that OU was cheated at the Oregon game and that I felt sorry for them. We ALL know that they were cheated... and now, the officials who made the bad calls are being punished, which is the right thing to do. They should be punished for it, cause it totally changed the outcome of the game.
But, I am starting to lose my sympathy for OU cause they won't let it go....
It was just a game and an NON CONFERENCE one at that. I don't think it sends a good message to our youth to keep whining about it... yes, I know that Oregon was a ranked team and yes I know that it knocked OU down the polls a bit... but they are STILL in the top 25!
We know that OU was cheated, we know that it was because bad calls, but now OU needs to quit dwelling on the Oregon game and show the world that they can rise above it.
I, as an OSU fan, am accustomed to losing and moving on, OU fans, if you need any lessons on "how to accept a loss" I am sure that I can start teaching classes on it. An REAL fan is a fan NO MATTER WHAT the outcome of the game.
(now I will climb down from my soap box.... OU, please don't give me reason to climb back up on it!)

OU was cheated

Yep.... you saw it here on my blog.... OU was cheated the other day when they played Oregon. As much as I hate to admit it, I actually felt sorry for OU the other day cause there was some really BAD calls made in that game and OU probably would've won if those bad calls weren't made. Now don't get me wrong, I usually don't mind when OU gets beat, (I usually enjoy it thoroughly, jump for joy, etc....) but I want them beat fair and square not by bad officiating!
(BTW, I still bleed ORANGE and BLACK!)

Kid pics

Our Cheerleader, Football player and the "little sis" cheerleader.... Allie says that she wants to be a cheerleader when she "grows up"

Pic from behind my house

Here is a pic I took the other morning behind my house before the fog lifted....

Today's score....

3rd Grade
Owasso Black - 34
Glenpool Blue - 0

Please keep one of Glenpool's players in your prayers. He was hit pretty hard toward the beginning of the game, and an ambulance was called after about 30 minutes. We are all praying that he is okay.

Sport's schedule for the weekend

Here's the kid's schedules for this weekend....Ashleigh - 10 AM (Owasso Sportsplex (they play in the back right corner)) GO DRAGONS!
Zach - @Glenpool (Glenpool HS field) at 12:30PM
Dylan - @Home (Owasso HS field) at 3PM
GO RAMS!

Powerful Video

A friend of mine sent me a link from "YOU TUBE" today... it's very powerful and to the point! All I could say was "WOW" at the end....
CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO

Ashleigh's first slumber party

Ashleigh went to her first slumber party last night. It was at her cheerleading coaches house and she had a blast!
I think it was harder on me than it was her cause it's not very often that I don't have all of my little ones "in the nest"! But I did OK and so did she.

Team of the week

Every week, there is a FOR (Future Owasso Rams) "team of the week". This week Third Grade Black was selected! It's a great group of boys and is well deserved! Congratulations, boys!

Sept 9th Football Game

My son's team won their football game today over Jenks. As Zach put it, "they kicked some Trojan butt"
Owasso Black - 33
Jenks Gold - 6

GO RAMS!!!!!

Sanity check

After Saturday, I may have to have a sanity check done. It's gonna be a BUSY day! Zach has football pics first thing, then a game, then 30 minutes after Zach's game starts, Ashleigh has a game to cheer at. Then, she has practice afterwards and a slumber party.... after Z's game, we have a neighborhood block party to go to for a little while that afternoon and then Zach has a football party later that evening.... So, after all of that, I may need to have someone check my "marble count" because I only have a few more "marbles" left and I think that I may loose them all after Saturday!
Ashleigh's coach asked if they could do team pictures that day and when I frantically said "could we do it some other time?" they, thank goodness, changed the time to sometime next week!

My little Cheerleader

Tonight was Ashleigh's first game to cheer at and they all did a great job.... Ashleigh, of course, was the loudest.... and if you ask me, she was the cutest! (I might be just a little biased tho!)

Goofy dog

Okay. It's official. My dog Joey is GOOFY!
I bought him a dog waterer so that he wouldn't run out of water so quickly.... and everytime it refills itself after he takes a drink, it bubbles.... it makes him jump back and run away every time.... I am hoping that he would be a little more brave if he ever had to protect the family! I knew that Joey was skiddish but I didn't realize he was THAT jumpy!