Whitney's Surprise

Please text me!!!

Honing those texting skills!

Whitney has been lusting after a cell phone with a texting keyboard for some time now. She has shared some real tear jerker stories with us, such as the sleepover party she went to where everyone else spent the whole night texting except her and one other girl. Heartbreaking, isn't it? I told her I thought that was the stupidest thing ever! Why spend the night texting when you could actually be interacting with your friends?!? Probably just the first of many future occurrences where lame old Mom just doesn't get it. Ironically she doesn't even like to talk on the phone very much she seems to just be fascinated with texting.

Luckily for her she has a cool Dad. Chris decided a cell phone would be just the thing to cheer her up after losing her kitty. His cell had just broken and mine has been malfunctioning so he called AT&T to work some of his magic. In order to keep our business they basically sent us three new phones for next to nothing. I'm not sure how he manages these things but I enjoy being the beneficiary of this talent.

Words of Encouragement

Yesterday, I decided to take my three oldest children bowling. Whitney had won some free bowling passes that were expiring on the 1st and the inner cheapskate in me (Thanks Dad!) couldn't let them go to waste. Plus, I had been feeling a little guilty that they were feeling neglected. Chris was too exhausted after doing all the previous nights feedings for Landon and said he would stay home with him. I on the other hand had enjoyed 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep and was feeling like a new woman. While we were there a nice lady came up and told me how much she admired me for bringing all three children bowling by myself. The word brave was even used! LOL When she first approached me I was a little worried she might be coming over to ask me to keep my children under control, as they had the misfortune of sharing the lane next to ours. My kids kept narrowly missing major collisions with them due to their complete inability to stay in our lane! I went from feeling a little frazzled to feeling proud of myself.

One thing that I have noticed about Southerners is that they are always quick to give a compliment, even to total strangers! There has been many times where I have had random strangers compliment me on my parenting, offer their thanks for Chris's military service, or even pay for our meal at a restaurant anonymously (when Chris is in uniform). Yesterday's encounter really got me to thinking about how I could be so much better at giving out encouraging words to not only those that are close to me but yes, even to perfect strangers. =D Thank you for the great example Southerners! You have inspired me!!!

Better Than a Dog!

Last night Gavin's night was immediately ruined when he saw broccoli was on the dinner menu. Gavin hates most vegetables but he has a special hatred for broccoli! Lately, Ashlyn can't get enough of it though! I think you see where this is going. =) It's about time Ashlyn started paying off all the love and affection Gavin has so generously showered upon her since birth! Really most dogs won't even eat broccoli!

A True Friend

Jasmine

True Friend and Beloved Pet

October 6, 2002 - June 18, 2009

Isis wouldn't be without her best feline companion!

Halloween 2007

Such a good kitty! She even let Whitney treat her like a baby doll.

Jasmine's favorite past time.

Jasmine's 1st Birthday

Christmas morning 2002

Last night Jasmine went to kitty heaven. Her passing was sudden and unexpected as she would have been 7 in October. I think we are all still in shock. Jasmine was Whitney's cat. Santa delivered her on Christmas morning 2002 and it was love at first sight. Whitney had asked Santa for a kitty that year but not just any kitty. She wanted a white female cat with blue eyes. She even had the name Jasmine all picked out. She never doubted Santa wouldn't deliver her hearts desire because she had been a very good girl that year!

Jasmine was a Ragdoll and the best cat! If you want a cuddly cat then a Ragdoll is the cat for you. She was extremely affectionate and loving. She looked forward to bedtime or snuggle time with her favorite girl. Many a night as I tucked Whitney in Jasmine would be pacing back and forth along side Whitney's bed in anticipation. If Whitney spent the night at a friend's house Jasmine would search the house for her and cry. Finally she would have to settle for Gavin's bed. As I looked through the photos I had the hardest time picking because there are just so many cute shots of them together. Though a lot of them make me laugh because Jasmine's eyes are usually bright red or glowing making her look like an evil kitty. Whitney truly loved this cat and is heartbroken. Please keep her in your prayers.

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One Month Old

Landon is one month old today! His eyes are still blue but his hair his looking lighter. Lucky boy got his Mom's white skin! He looks a lot like Gavin did at this age. That onsie he has on is newborn size and I think he is ready to move on up to his 3 month size clothes. He is long and starting to get a little chubby! He loves to be swaddled, which none of my other kids did. He is also still loving his binky. He is holding his head up really well too. He seems to be settling into a three hour feeding routine. He is one gassy little guy though! We spend a lot of time lounging around in our recliner with Ashlyn sitting on one arm.

Today was also Chris's first day back to work since Landon was born. I thought he would be dying to get back to work after all the Mr. Mom/cleaning duty but he was actually pretty sad to be going back. It was so great to have him helping out for the first month. I was able to enjoy Landon way more than I would have otherwise.

Bon Voyage Wendy!

The hardest thing about being in the military is that I don't get to spend as much time as I would like with some of my favorite people, such as my sister Wendy. It has been over two years since I last saw her! Way too long!!! She recently finished her masters degree in social work and is starting a new job as a therapist so she decided to take a much deserved vacation before she starts. We had five great days together. She left this morning and I have been sad all day. Though I am so excited for her because she is flying to Europe for the first time as I type! Thanks for coming Wendy. I love you and and I am so proud of the amazing person you are. What a blessing you are to me! And if you decide you don't like your new job, Whitney's offer to share her room with you still stands. =)

Ashlyn's New Baby Doll

Ashlyn is in love with her newest baby doll - Landon! That doll on the left used to be her favorite baby but has now been pushed to #2. Ashlyn brought her over so "Landon could have a friend". She has tried to pick him up a couple of times now (which I was worried about). She also will push his binky in his mouth, whether he wants it or not! Also, she wants to feed him food. I keep telling her he can only have milk and I think she has accepted this rule. She also got to take him for his first walk in the stroller about a week ago. She wanted to push it all by herself. Not being able to see over the stroller was a bit problematic for steering the stroller though! If he can survive Ashlyn's "love" we will be in luck!

Ashlyn doing her part to fatten up those scrawny little chicken legs!

That's Our Boy!!!

Gavin and to his left one of his best buds Sean. They have been in the same class for the past two years now and we used to be neighbors too.

Today we got to go to Gavin's school for an awards assembly! Our main occupation lately. =D Gavin's school is grades PreK-1st and they were giving out Presidential Fitness Awards and Citizenship Awards. To Chris's utter delight Gavin received the Presidential Fitness Award. I cannot convey how thrilling this was for Chris but this little story just might get the point across. Afterwards, Gavin's teacher came up and told us Gavin was reading at a 4th grade level and that she had recommended him to be tested for the Gifted and Talented program next year. (He will be going to Whitney's school next year.) Though I was very proud of him for receiving the Presidential Fitness Award, I was a little more excited about this piece of news. Right as we got home the phone rang, my sister Wendy was calling and when she asked Chris what was up, he happily started burbling about Gavin's fitness award. To Chris's great dismay, she was not aware of what this award meant. No mention of his reading level or recommendation for the GAT program was made. I told him to tell her this piece of news and his response was you can call her later and tell her about that (as I was feeding Landon). Clearly, this was not nearly as exciting to him! This probably isn't too shocking though to anyone who knows Chris.