A Day at the Camp Ground Park

Our good friends Al, Julia, Angela and Dan with all their children had gone camping for the weekend. Every year about this time is when they go, and since I am not a fan of sleeping on the ground because of the my hip, we did decide to go for the day. Greg had been miserably sick for the past few days prior, but after some much needed medication, he was all drugged up and ready to go anyway. 

When we got there it was like a blast of memories from when I was a kiddo. My parents took us to the campgrounds a LOT while growing up. I vaguely remember the fishing, the playgrounds, running along the side of the river, playing on the dam, sinking toes in the sand talking about what we thought at the time as "what WE will do when WE grow up"... yes, it was a wonderful part of our childhood. 

BUT- not enough to encourage me to do the same with my children with a tent. No, I think a cottage or a cabin is a must! Not a young chicken anymore. LOL 

Anyway, so we arrived and it was awesome how Julia decorated the site. A string of lantern lights from one tree to another right behind the picnic table, a pumpkin laid right outside their tent for a "homely" feel. A tub of water with hand cleaner and sanitizer wipes on a small table next to the picnic table. She knows how to go ALL OUT! Awesome! She will be MY camping buddy next time! LOL 

Anyway, before lunch we decided to walk over to the park which was just a hop skip and jump from their lot. 

Beautiful playground! 

 Gabe was not afraid to try anything! He was enjoying himself!

 I think Kien enjoyed sitting in the sand as well. Well, I say sand, it was actually a mix of sand and little pebbles. Which I am sure is maintained so the sand isn't washed out from rain.

 Sweet Emma! I think she really wanted to go to the beach rather than this park.

 Sweet Katie likes the slide, and she goes down, then walks back up! BUT-Her mom had to rescue her from the top because Katie doesn't like heights. I don't think Gabe does much either.

 My Kien is fearless. We were discussing how Kien is so much like a cat, graceful and pretty much knows how to land on it's feet, as to where Gabe is more like a dog, ungraceful, and lands with a thud. Either way, they are so very precious each with their own precious gifts!

 I dont' know if they were just trying to say cheese faster so they could just go down the slide. Which IS why they are there. DUH mom!

 Daddy and Kien were burying Gabe's feet in the sand. He was not very happy about this when he realized that he could NOT get loose on his own.

 Help?!

Brandy and Jeremy were not with us because they had a marching show in Aledo, Texas. Which did end up being cancelled due to the storms that were brewing and headed our way. However, Saginaw High School DID make 1st place in the preliminaries! Not sure if there will be another to make up for it.

After the park adventure, we headed back to make lunch and sit and visit. Then, being that Julia's birthday was the next day, we brought her a large decorated cookie and her husband and daughters brought her cupcakes. So we enjoyed a yummy treat after. Our Home Team leaders and sweet friends DeeAnne and Brian stopped out for a bit as well, which was nice! Kien even learned how to potty in the woods, thanks to daddy! Overall a great day!

EWWW- Yukky Eggs

Gabe loves scrambled eggs. However, we did discover that he does NOT like egg salad/deviled eggs. HA! He was trying to let mommy know that daddy fed him something... "Yuyyeee" translated: yukky :) 

Homecoming Mum

Every year Brandy will either make/purchase a homecoming mum for someone at school. Last year she received one from her friend Meagan, and this year she received one from Elijia. Very beautiful VERY ELEGANT Senior Homecoming Mum. The detail is just amazing. They run $25.00 to $75.00 a piece depending on the size. 

Hamper Rides... Free and Fun!

Leave it up to a couple little creative little dudes to find a new toy to play with. I usually will help the kids do their laundry if they will place their hamper full of clothes that are layered in the proper groups to be washed. IE: jeans, colors, whites and heavy duty....etc...

I left the hamper and folded clothes in the laundry room for whichever teenager needed to pick up their laundry to be put away, because let's face it, if I did that for everyone, I would be up to my ears in laundry every day all day. Besides, if mom does it, they will never develop good habits. And, I am SOOOO not going to do their laundry when they are living on their own. LOL

Anyway, while I was compiling my photo's on my computer, I hear "my gah-goo, my gah-goo" -which  translates to: motorcycle. The boys brought this "gah-goo" hamper into the kitchen to play with it, I HAD to get some footage! Very creative, my sons! 

A trip to the Dentist!

One of the things about having kids that can be a real pain in the backside is getting them to brush their teeth properly. With the teenagers I am constantly asking them in the mornings if they have brushed and more times than not they will say yes. And with further investigation (very carefully of course, protecting my new found smell detector being fixed from surgery last month) I do inspect! Teeth are expensive to fix and PAINFUL if not taken care of. The little boys I will do the initial brushing to ensure proper cleaning, and then let them take over just for the sake of learning how to brush. 

I always warn the kids that they will have cavities and being that there are hereditary diseases they need to make sure not to slack off. Brush now or pay later! I also scheduled ALL FOUR at the same time because, in all honesty, I DO NOT wish to go multiple times, I just don't have a schedule that allows me to do so. However, I do like the dentist, and their kid friendly play room and open exam chairs. 

So, we arrive and kids are happy and content in the play room. Many toys keep them occupied while mom fills out the file folder the size of dictionary of paper work for each of them. Side note** I usually also have a backpack packed with so many things to TRY to keep the kids occupied in case we are not in a kid friendly area. Includes, drinks, snacks, books, toys, colors, extra diapers, and extra shorts (just in case -you never know, and you shouldn't ask LOL). 

We didn't wait long at all which was A to the W to the E-SOME! The staff is extremely friendly, and they not only accommodate for every possible need (not to mention the big screen tv along with benches so you can be in ear/eye shot of your child while they are getting their teeth x-rayed, cleaned and counselled. I should have taken more photo's, but, I was too busy. Ha! 

Gabe found the dino's quite fascinating! 

Ok, so don't ask, I don't even know. Maybe he was pretending to be a super hero and had laser eyes for a moment???! LOL

Jeremy was waiting patiently, and even got down on the floor to play with the boys. Good biggest brother!

This would have to be my favorite shot! And NO it's not photo shopped at all! GO ME!

Now Jeremy is getting a little crazy! I think I took a few shots to try to get Brandy and he kept jumping in the way. With the auto delay on the iphone camera, I just COULDN'T get one and so I gave up! LOL

Kien was such a trooper! He didn't give any resistance what so ever, and even showed the dental assistant how we practiced "open wide" on the way there. Preparation is they key people!

Here is Brandy waiting patiently for her x-ray results.The assistant asked Brandy if she had ever had braces because her teeth were nice and straight as if she did. Brandy told her no, but wished she did because she thought it would be, "cool" to have them. Yeah, NO! The grass is not always greener on the other side my child!

Jeremy didn't want his photo taken, for whatever reason, I don't know. He is usually camera ready and interfering! Haha!

Kien was being a great example for his little brother. Gabe did well, but I went and sat with him just in case, therefore not being able to take a photo of him. I think he was ok with it.

Their exam gloves taste like cherries and they get to choose their own flavored toothpaste/fluoride to have their teeth cleaned with. Kien chose strawberry. Then all of them received their own special toothbrush and floss, compliments from the brands who donated them for advertising purposes- and toy.

After all was done, which only took about an hour YIPEEEEEE (a mother's dream doctor/dentist visit for four kids) the report is as follows. 

Brandy- no cavities and perfectly straight teeth. 

Jeremy- one tooth needs a filling (which was scheduled on the following Monday) and has perfectly straight teeth. 

Kien -was suggested to have his front teeth capped which included anesthesia due to his front four teeth having very little enamel and cavities. I did ask the dentist if there would be anyway that we could possibly wait until the next 6 month visit to reconsider the surgery because he is so close to losing those teeth in the next year. She agreed, and said that if we brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss them twice a day, there may not be any further issues to worry about with his permanent teeth and if he doesn't complain of pain. The dentist also confirmed that his front teeth issues were in fact stemmed from the diet of his first year being restricted to poor formula and Congee -which is a rice porridge- until he was 1 year while in the orphanage. Karin was able to help him make a transition over to baby food when she officially received him. He was on a special type of formula, soy milk and much more solids shortly after he came to be with us. With all that said, we are going to wait 6 months, and if the xray proves to the teeth deteriorating we will have his teeth capped to help from the cavities reaching the nerves and to help preserve his permanent teeth. 

Gabriel was too little for a cleaning, but they did check his teeth and the dentist said they look like they are coming in very straight and no evidence of cavities. 

AHHHHHHH--- overall, a GREAT experience! 

I call it, The OLIE...

...because they are so cute just like the Olie from when we were kids! They are actually called Radio Flyer Scoot and Zoom.. Best $20.00 purchase from Wal-Mart yet! lol 

Greg and I are in agreement that they need to make these for adults!!! LOL They are SO fun! 

Carrots, Eggs, & Coffee!

I am passing this along from an email that I received from a sweet woman that I am blessed to have in my life! This is SO true, and it should really give us a perspective on how to deal with anything that comes our way in life. 


Am grateful for ALL the trails that come my way, and my God who gives me strength and grace to be successful through anything! 

Thank you Nancy! 
***********************************************************************
Carrots, Eggs, & Coffee!

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of
coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how
things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make
it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It
seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water
and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the
first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the
last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without
saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.. She fished the
carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and
placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in
a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She
did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter
to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed
the hard boiled egg

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter
smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What
does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same
adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in
strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the
boiling water, it softened and became weak The egg had been fragile.
Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after
sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The
ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the
boiling water, they had changed the water..

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your
door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with
pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the
heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a
financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and
stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and
tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water,
the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it
releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when
things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation
around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest
do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity?
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Saginaw High Homecoming Pep Rally

We brought the boys up to watch Brandy and Jeremy at the Homecoming Pep Rally of which they also have an awesome fireworks show!
Gabe was NOT thrilled with the loud noise and grasped daddy tightly!!
Kien didn't really care much because his reason for even wanting to go is because of cotton candy!!! Lol! I have to give props to daddy for taking the boys through the herds of people to find the booth with cotton candy after being spent from his very stressful work day. Such a great daddy!

I consider myself truly blessed that my teenagers are really involved with marching band and JROTC. I was physically unable to join marching band (or any sport for that matter) because of the car accident when I was 14 years old. I also was not exactly the model student nor teenager to participate in any activities as my focuses were way off from being anything successful other than getting into trouble. To watch my children walk in their talent and be successful is an unbelievable success for me deep down! It's hard to explain, they are truly my earthly joy! God is AWESOME!!

Blast From The Past...

So, my mom calls me at 10:30 (ish) on a Friday, -which she works a full time job, so to receive a call means something is up- and informed me that she gave out my phone number and address. Of course, I trust my mom and her willingness to keep our privacy at bay, but this particular person was an, OF COURSE they can have my address and phone number! So when she told me that Mr. Mad Hatter was going to be in town, I was excited to be able to visit many memories of my childhood that I loved! Mr. Hatter, Chris for the first name, was visiting his brother for his 50th birthday party in Decatur, Texas, which is only 20 minutes away! He just so HAPPENED to email my mom and mentioned that he would be visiting her the following week for a couple days to catch up on old times. In response to his email, my mom asked where in Texas he was going, that I lived in the North Fort Worth area. 

I don't recall a lot of my childhood, but boy oh boy do I remember Mr. and Mrs. Hatter! Chris, I remember as "The Mad Hatter" because of his spunky energy and willingness to be crazy on those things called ROLLER SKATES. YES- I said it.. A total 80's thing to do, and we went TWICE a week every week for MANY years. YES- I would SO go weekly today if it wasn't for the accident when I was 14. I sure do miss those days. I was -make no mistake- informed that he STILL goes roller skating! Mind you, I haven't seen Mr. Hatter since I was 15 years old!!! It was truly a real treat to have the opportunity! 

Can you say... J-E-A-L-O-U-S!! (LOL)

Anyway, I was on my way out the door to head over for my 5 month hip check up and I receive a phone call from Mr. Chris. We made arrangements for him to pop by when I returned from my appointment. And he did! He rolled up on his new 2012 BMW Motorcycle! I really wish Greg was home to see it, and also to meet Chris. The boys were just ready to eat lunch, so we invited him in and they LOVED talking to him. Chris and I visited through out the boys eating lunch, and then again after I put the boys down for their nap. We caught up the best we could with a little over an hour regarding family life, shared photo's and of course had to friend each other on Facebook! :) 

He mentioned he was headed up towards my parents on Thursday, so I knew we wouldn't get another chance to sit and visit or for him to meet my teenagers and husband while he was here, but I did invite him and his wife back anytime! The boys and I also met him at IHOP on Thursday morning before he headed out, just to get one more chance to visit. He even bought our breakfast, which was unexpected and I am very thankful. It was a huge blessing! 

Talk about the best COMFORT RIDE EVER!!! Yeah, I'll take one for my hubby! Ha! 

Kien about to enjoy his healthy fruit and yogurt pancake! 

Gable loved his as well! 

I didn't even think ask someone to take a photo of all of us together! DUH! Here is one last picture with Kien and Gabe before Mr. Hatter got on the road to head up to Nebraska!

Hair Cuts and Fly "DOW"

Ok, I have to give props to my husband for taking our boys to get their hair cut. Seriously, I meant to take them, I just didn't have time lately. You know, with school, -shopping, paperwork, fee's etc... yeah, running a household of 6 is not a chump job! Ha! 

Anyway, so daddy let me sleep in and DIDN'T EVEN tell me he was leaving. Once in a while, since Gabriel is our early bird, he will get up early and take Gabe to breakfast with our dear friend Brian, or work on some project outside. However, on this particular day, Kien was awake early as well. It was all a surprise that he would do this for me! I am SO grateful! 

Here are the boys sitting so soundly awaiting their turn for a hair cut. Now, I don't consider myself a "pushover" mom, but how in the world he got them to sit there for longer than the a minute is AMAZING! GO DADDY! 

 Gabe loves puppies! He has a stuffed animal puppy just like this one! They let him play with it! :)

Gabe wasn't a fan of sitting by himself to get his hair cut, so daddy had to sit in the chair holding him. :) And of course a lolly pop did the trick! :)

Kien didn't look thrilled either, but he always does very well sitting there very still while they cut his hair. :)

Later that day we were all headed to the van to leave and Gabe had a little friend say hello up close and personal. He didn't notice it at first, daddy showed him the butterfly that wanted to say hello.

He didn't freak out, like I would have until I knew what it was because I am that way with wasps, spiders or any insect that can bite. Butterflies are friendly :) He was so patient and pretty much didn't want to touch it.

When he was finished admiring the butterfly, instead of removing it from his shirt himself, he kept saying, "Daddy, fly dow, fly dow!"