My favorite pictures from today and the past week

I didn't realize how close I was.

I think his corneas will be okay!

Look at those blue eyes though.

Cannon is saying "cheese" with his whole face.

"Stop putting me on that trampoline!!! I don't like it I tell ya!"

My little gymnast"What hit my head?"
On the verge of the biggest grin yet.

Almost out...

Beautiful Gracelyn

The last time...

As parents we celebrate all the firsts that happen in our children's lives. We are programmed to think of these achievements as life changing. I fall into this category of people. I can rattle off most of the “firsts” that happen without even thinking of where the baby book is to check my stats. This information has a permanent spot in my memory and I will cherish the memories that were made in the process. The firsts that have the most special places in my heart are when Gracelyn learned to walk. (13 ½ months) We were at our friends the Stones house and I remember bringing my camera that night just in case she took more than 3-4 steps and she did about 10 actually. Cannon started sucking his thumb at 4 months. I thought he would just do it every once in a while but he has stuck with it and it is the cutest thing. I love that about him. Mason started smiling the day after his 2 month check-up. The doctor asked if he was smiling and I said no but I bet it is soon. And the very next day he grinned so big. He’s so smart. I can tell by the look in his eyes.

The things that have the normal “firsts” attached to it are easy to remember and accept but I am having a hard time understanding the “lasts”. The last time Gracelyn said “Hold you” and started saying “Hold me”. The very last time she called lotion ju-juice. (That one lasted a long time) The last time she said her nose was sticking out for my nose is running. The last time she rode in her toddler car seat and started sitting in the big girl booster. That was huge for me. I know it was sometime around a year ago but I can’t remember the exact day. The last time Cannon had to be swaddled to sleep through the night. The last time he ate baby food and went the whole day eating real food. The last bottle I ever fed him. Mason will be 3 months old on Wednesday and he has is own lasts. I am hanging onto every one of them because I think he will be our last baby and I want to remember every single last time I do something with him. The firsts are great but the lasts are so memorable as well. Pretty soon there will be plenty for me to remember.

My Grandma May has Alzheimer’s and for the past 3 ½ years has lived in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. I remember so much as a child and our 2-week summer visits to the lake with grandma and grandpa. I loved helping in their garden, playing in the cellar, riding our bikes, and going fishing. It was a true summer experience. I remember it all vividly and looked forward to our trips. But today as I was taking pictures of her holding Mason I realized that I don’t remember the last time she called me by my name. That she actually knew it was me there and not just a relative. She knows we are related but it has been a while since she has known I was Keri. I have to explain to Gracelyn every time we go that Grandma will ask her age and her name every 2 minutes (no exaggeration) and that Gracelyn doesn’t need to get frustrated with her and just answer her again and again with a smile. Gracelyn always wants to bring up my Grandpa that died 4 years ago and it is sometimes comical to hear what Grandma will say. Because to Grandma, Leon/Daddy/Grandpa is just down the hall somewhere.

I have tried to remember Grandma’s lasts and I can’t I wish I knew the last time she knew it was me coming through her door. I might get that someday because on rare occasions she does remember some people but I personally haven’t gotten to be one of those people. I hope that it does happen one day before she goes home. Just once for her to say Keri without being told it is me. I have accepted her illness and love that she is happy. She is happy and healthy for the most part but I have not accepted that she will not say Keri again. I thought I did but I guess I haven’t. I want to share my kids with her and for her to know that her youngest granddaughter has 3 kids of her own. That one of them is named after her. I want that so bad. All I can know for sure is that very soon she will have clarity in her head and her family will finally all be with her when she does go to heaven.

Grandma May and Mason

Grandma kept saying that she wanted to keep Mason there with her.

From left: Gracelyn, Grandma May, Mason, Me, Cannon, & Mom

"You did perfect"

Long post but so funny!!

Yesterday after school I thought I would finally get around to doing a chore for Cameron so he wouldn't have to. I'm such a good wife! I stopped by a small tire station to get a slow leak fixed. Cameron had promised that if I was able to get in and out without other people there is should take 15-20 minutes tops to fix a tire. That is why I stopped at the small place instead of the big chain store. We were on track for it to be a quick errand until the owner came out and asked me to step out of the car and come take a look.

There was a knot on the tire that was so soft I could practically stick my finger through it. We were about to have a blow out and he said that he would not put that tire back on my car because of my safety. I know the look on my face was priceless because what in the world was I suppose to do now? Call Cameron. So after he talked to the owner they decided we really needed all new tires and they started that process of removing all four tires and getting new ones. Did I mention I had all 3 kids with me? Cannon sat in his car seat with all the windows down while Gracelyn, Mason and I stood outside the car and watched the very rough looking man named Trevor do his job. All the while Gracelyn asking him every question she can think of pertaining to tires.

After Trevor was all done and ready for the lady with 3 kids to beat it the owner came out with my ticket and looked at the tires. It was his turn now to look dumbfounded. They had put the wrong tires on the car. WHAT?!?!? So...All four tires came off and they started the process again. Gracelyn still asking questions. This time there were 3 men working on the car to get it done and after 2 1/2 hours I was on my way.

I know that Cameron does not have the time for those kinds of errands who does? so I was glad it really was me and not him. I wasn't mad but more frustrated because of the time. But when I was getting Gracelyn in the car she looked back at our new friend Trevor and said, "You did perfect!" The grin on his face made it worth it. I wondered how many times a week or month he gets told he did perfect.

Things I learned while there:
~The little black stem plugs all over the ground can be thrown really far and bounce like crazy. It was great entertainment.
~Cannon is happy in his car seat as long as he can see you and has his thumb in his mouth. He only started getting unhappy when we went to the other side of the car a few times but other than that he was a trooper.
~Gracelyn can hold it for a long time if she has too. I made the assumption that the all-male-employee-bathroom might not be the best place for a little girl.
~Gracelyn showed great restraint when talking to Trevor because when we were leaving and he was out of ear shot she looked at me and said, "Mom, Did you see he lost some of his teeth? When will they come in?

Priceless...

All three kids wanted to tell Nana something!!!

Bumbo seat

Aunt Kassie was so generous in letting us borrow Bella's Bumbo seat. Mason acts like he likes it. He didn't actually put it into words but he didn't cry about it. He was in front of the TV with Cannon and Gracie looking around. Thanks Aunt Kassie and Bella!!!

Mason does have a diaper on.

He doesn't run around nude like his brother just yet!! :)

Cowgirl Princess

On Tuesday we are having Cowboy Day at school. Gracelyn is so excited and can't wait to dress up. She doesn't really care about the events but she definitely loves dressing up. When I told her that she would get to dress up our conversation went like this.

G- "Can I wear a skirt?'

Me-"Sure you can, but with what?"

G-"I can wear a skirt with my brown boots." (these are not cowboy boots but will have to do)

Me-"Okay you can wear that together. I will pick your shirt though." (I can't give full control over yet)

G-"I don't have a cowgirl hat."

Me-"We'll get you one at the store if they have one if not then we can braid your hair and just go with that."

G-"Well it has to be pink if I get a hat okay mom? Because I am actually going to be a cowgirl princess."

OH MY... She is so funny about what she wants and how things are but for sure she isn't going to just be a cowgirl she has to throw princess in there somewhere.

Mr. Cannon

Our latest run-in with gravity.

Cannon is a busy little boy (does that surprise anyone) and at 20 months old now he is as ornery as ever. We have entered into a whole knew realm of discipline. It goes way past "no-no, Cannon.". Now we forgo the the "no-no" and just yell "Cannon, NO!" It is like the children's book No, David! If you haven't heard of it, look it up and know that the book is my reality! :) As much as I love Cannon he is just at a difficult age. I remember Gracelyn doing some of the exact same things and having a feeling of just trying to keep my sanity. I will say that the summer of 2004 was not too fun because of fits, tantrums, pouting, screaming, crying (mostly me) and the such. But we made it through and now Gracelyn is a very well behaved little girl. The biggest factor tormenting Cannon is his lack of communication. If he could just tell us what exactly he wanted we wouldn't have to play the guessing game. He does sign a few words and that helps but his wants go beyond more, eat, all done, thank you & please. How does a toddler tell his mommy that he wants one sippy cup of juice and one sippy cup of milk at the same time? Not separate~the same time. As in one in each hand. Oh the drama of it all.

But I will tell you that my Cannon is the most loving, cuddling, sweetest little boy there is. So that makes up for all the heartache this momma goes through trying to teach him. He is very tender hearted for the most part and extremely sensitive when he gets in trouble. I will take all the hugs and snotty kisses I can get from him.

"Egg"stra special Easter

Easter was an extraordinary day this year. Our church went from one service to two and we will be keeping the two service from here on out. We normally have 250 people per Sunday and we had over 500! It was an amazing day to see God working in our corner of Amarillo. He definitely made his presence known on Sunday. It was wonderful!

After church and a nap we had our family over along with our good friends. The Ators are our friends first and our Pastors second. Actually they are both equally but you get the idea. :) They weren't company they are family as well. It was so fun to just eat , let the kids play and relax and talk about the services that morning. We did hold a very quick egg hunt for the bigger kids. It lasted about 5 minutes or less. The kids were cold and quick. Cannon and the twins decided that the warm house was much better and that the big kids would share so why do any work???

Here are a few pictures of the event and I threw in some others that were super cute.

I am so talented that I can suck my thumb and pick my nose at the same time.
Maggie was mad that Renay was taking pictures!
Marlee on the other hand couldn't wait to get her hand on the camera.
Sleeping Mason with BIG cheeks.
Lainee was freezing but so diligent in finding her eggs.

One day Nathan will be tall enough to get those eggs without help.
On the move.
Hurry Hurry Hurry. It is too cold to stop for pictures.
The big kids, Rylee and Tyler were pre-occupied for pictures as well.
Don't we look cute in our big winter coat and Easter attire??

"And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit."Romans 1:4 NLT

I know these people!

I know these cuties!!! They are my twin nieces that turned one on the 3rd of April. WOW! I can't believe it has been a year already. Their birthday party was Sunday and the cake eating was hilarious! The purple icing was a hit! Then of course it became a squishing between the fingers contest.

Maggie (left) and Marlee eating cake!

Here they are opening their presents! They have a whole new wardrobe for spring and summer. Renay kept telling everyone that they had plenty of toys so clothes is what they got. I was in awe of the cuteness of all the clothes. They were precious.

Marlee (left) and Maggie enjoying some bows and tissue. Yesterday our friends the Ramsey's got to meet Emmit Smith. Now Amy and Matt where more excited about meeting Emmit Smith the Hall of Fame/Pro-Bowl/Dallas Cowboys football player. I was more excited about them meeting Emmit Smith the Dancing With the Stars Champion. I wouldn't say I know nothing about football but I would admit that I don't ever think, "hmm... wonder how those Bears did last night?" Anyways I was excited for them and excited they got their picture made with my favorite Dancing Celebrity!

Matt, Emmit, and Amy (If you could only see her red shoes,va-va-va voom)