Arbor Hills

On Monday, some friends, the kids, and I went to Arbor Hills Nature Reserve for a little playdate. It's so beautiful there, and so close to home, which is nice. We met at the playground first for some play time, followed by a picnic lunch, then on to a walk on the trails. It wasn't supposed to be as hot as it was, but we were troopers through it and the kids didn't complain about it! Amazing! One of my friend's little boys kept running ahead and saying he was seeing "porcupines," but we figured out he was calling piles of twigs, those. Funny. Maddie was saying, "I don't like porcupines. They bite," and she'd shiver like she was scared. Whatever. She's such a drama queen. She enjoyed playing and running with the boys. Isaac was really good and happy just to have a ride outside in the stroller! They both slept forever when we got home and I got some relaxation time as well. It was much needed. Here are some pics of our day:

Bahama Bound!!!!

We have some good friends that are getting married in December in the Bahamas. We have really been talking about going and tonight got the phone call that confirmed we will definitely be going! Megan, the bride, talked with me the other day about possibly having Madeline as her flower girl. They've had some stuff come up with their flower girl's family and she won't be able to make it. Therefore, that leaves an opening for Maddie. We talked to her about it, and she's a little confused, she keeps saying, "I don't wanna be a flower." :) Silly goose! I know she'll love it, along with all the attention she'll get. I can't wait to see her in a precious little dress. She's gonna look so sweet. I do have to mention that she has a major crush on the groom, Michael. From day one, she talks non-stop about him after we've hung out with them. He humors her and is really patient with her, which is nice. I'm just worried that she's gonna run to him when she gets to the end of the aisle, and not wanna leave! I've already warned Megan! :)

I'll have to post some pictures of the dress when it comes in. I can't wait to see it! Please start praying for us a smooth flight, as I am a very fretful passenger, and Madeline hasn't flown since she was 8 weeks old. Hopefully, I can medicate myself and take a nap, and Marty can keep Maddie entertained! *fingers crossed*

Thank you friends!!

I just wanted to say thanks to all of my friends who have weathered the last 24 hours with me over an email I sent out. I didn't realize how crazy it all would become, but it clearly draws a line to me of who's a Christ-follower and who's not. I would love to say that doing what's right is what's popular, but it's not. Actually, this day and age, it's quite the opposite.

I love all of you who were willing to stick your neck out there with me and say what everyone is afraid to say! You rock and keep me fired up too!!!! :)

I know we have a long and hard road ahead of us as a nation, but I am glad you guys are on my side through this all. We will reap the rewards in heaven! Praise God!!! :) I know that He is proud of us.

To all of my girls, I love you!

((hugs)) Mere

With thanks.....

I just wanted to update you all on my mom. She called me tonight saying she had gotten the results back on her last surgery to remove the cancerous cells and it shows that they got it all!!! Praise the Lord, He is good and faithful! I wanted to thank those of you who have prayed with us over my mother while we waited for the results. I know that it came back clear because of our faithful prayers. He wants to give us what we want, we just have to ask and trust Him to deliver.

I love you mom, and am glad He's not ready for you just yet! :)

I LOVE FALL!!!!

I just have to say that I love fall! I love the crispness in the air, the clear skies, craft shows, and fall carnivals!!! Last night, we were invited to go to our friend's son's school for the fall carnival their PTA puts on. We had so much fun! We bought tickets for Maddie to play some games, go on the blow up slides and relay race thingy, and of course, we had to buy some cotton candy! I saw quite a few people I knew from my new job at the preschool, which was really cool and gives you this small town feeling. Isaac was there too enjoying the stroller ride. He wanted to get out and crawl around so bad, but there were just too many people to let him do that. I was afraid some kids would stomp all over him! Gotta protect my little dude, ya know?!

Our friend's son, Conor, is in the 2nd grade and was a good little friend to Maddie. He kept taking her by the hand and telling her to go do this game and that game with him. She even wanted to do the rock-climbing wall after watching him!!! And she did pretty good, considering she's our more conservative child as far as adventures go. We were so proud of her and even got some pictures of the events!

P.S. = for whatever reason, I can never get my pictures to go after I've written and they're not in order. Sorry! I don't know how to do that. If anyone out there can help me with posting pictures on my posts, so I can put a picture, write, then put a picture again, I'd be grateful! Thanks!

Enjoy!

Prayer Request

Okay, so I just talked to my mom (yes, whom the last post was about) and she gave me some unsettling news. Last week she had some moles removed and got the results back today. One of them came back malignant. She's going back in on Wednesday to get some more skin removed so they make sure they get all of the margins of the cancer out. I am asking for your prayers to be with the doctor on Wednesday to actually get all of the cancer cells out. Also, please pray for comfort for my mother as she deals with this. The word "cancer" is so scary! I admit, I have cried, but I want to hand this over to the Lord. I know that several of you are prayer warriors and I'm asking for your help here. I know that God can heal her if it's his plan, and I pray that it is. If it's not His plan, I pray for preparing our hearts and minds to accept the facts.

Thank you friends.

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!!!!

Happy Birthday mom!!!! I just wanted to send you warm wishes for a wonderful birthday and I hope you enjoy your date with dad tonight! Also, since it's your big 6-0, I thought I'd write 60 things people might want to know about you. Don't worry, it's all nice! You're an amazing woman and I want everyone else to know a little more about you! So, here it goes!



1. You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE kids!

2. You actually WANT to teach those hormonal 5th graders! ... and have for 15? years? Something like that! Seriously, mom, I don't know how you do it! They drive me crazy just visiting your classroom.

3. You played the flute in your high school marching band, and continue to play every now and then.

4. You are an EXTREMELY talented artist.

5. You even painted a mural on my best friend's wall growing up.

6. You love Garfield. (whole classroom is decorated in Garfield just to give you a hint)

7. You introduced your sister to a boy in your college gymnastics class, whom she later married, and is still married to for around 30 years! Talk about a matchmaker!

8. You are a major peace maker. When someone is arguing around you, you change the subject....sometimes this drives me crazy when I just wanna get some things off my chest. :)

9. You are allergic to penicillin and corn.

10. You are a talented seamstress.

11. When first married and moved out of your small hometown, you used to go shopping to get out and meet people. I'd never be able to just strike up conversations with people like that.

12. You are the only one out of your 4 brothers and sisters who lives out of the small hometown you grew up in. Glad you did!

13. Your favorite color is turquoise.

14. You love sweet tea.

15. You enjoy cooking for other people.

16. You also love entertaining and hosting parties.... I love to sit back and watch you "shine" as you entertain your guests.... you're so good at it!

17. You are very generous and giving.

18. You drove me to and from my community college classes when I was going through some panic attacks and depression after moving to Houston. Love you mom!

19. You took Lauren under your wing and devoted all of your time and energy to her when Scott passed away. I'm so glad she has you to love her and be with her daily.

20. On that note, you also secretly don't want Lauren to move out and go away to college! I know you say you do, but you don't. I know you'll miss her!

21. You graciously took in your mother-in-law (my granny) and let her, not only live with you, but you even bought a house suitable just for her to get around in her wheelchair. How many daughter-in-laws would do that?! AMAZING!!

22. You waited on Granny, hand and foot, up until her last day. Even after teaching 5th graders all day long!!!

23. You trust me to color your hair! ;)

24. You LOVE a good pedicure! (right there with you on that)

25. You HATE Dr. Pepper.

26. You always look put together (very good with accessories)

27. You and your mom taught me to at least wear lipstick if nothing else.

28. You are a born collector... from owls to beanie babies to Fiesta dinnerware to boyd's bears to now Pandora charms! I got that from you!

29. Chico's is your favorite clothing store... and it looks really good on you!

30. You volunteer for anything and everything that people need you to do.

31. You used to make a 17 layer cake that you were known for! DELISH!

32. You used to make cakes to make a little money while being a stay-at-home mom.

33. Your favorite cake is Tres Leches.

34. You love some yummy Mexican food.

35. You were with me when I got my ears pierced for the first time when I was 18!

36. You gladly let dad teach me how to drive.

37. You are an epitome of the role a wife should be, according to the bible.

38. You've been an example to me of how to be a wife and mother.

39. You usually take Marty's side in our disagreements, always wanting it to be fair since he's not around when I'm complaining to you. :)

40. You are not ticklish! That always frustrated me as a kid!

41. You are so extremely patient.

42. You once went to nursing school and instead decided to be a teacher to be able to be with my sisters and me more.

43. You helped me to not be afraid of learning a new, big city on my own. I remember when we first moved to Houston from little Oklahoma City, someone told you the best way to get to know it was to drive around ourselves. I remember going all over that town, discovering new and unique places with you. Thanks for instilling that in me.

44. You are a pack rat! You won't admit it, but you are horrible about getting rid of things. You always blame dad for it, but really, you're the same way too! Sorry.... :)

45. You love your two grandbabies with abandon! And they love you too! Isaac seems to smile at you the way he does to me, and I love that. I think he sees the similarities in our mannerisms and looks and knows I love you with all my heart.

46. You have accepted the fact that your first born will probably never live in the same country with us again. Blake's nomad spirit comes from dad, and you embrace it and encourage her to live where she's happiest, even if it is half-way across the world from you.

47. You've always celebrated the "little holidays".... giving us gifts and making special days like St. Patty's day, Valentine's Day, 4th of July, Halloween. It was always fun growing up knowing we were gonna get a special treat from you on those days.

48. You make birthdays HUGE celebrations! I remember always having a birthday party every year! It didn't matter how old I was, we had a party, whatever kind we wanted, within reason.

49. You used to have SEVERE asthma attacks in the middle of the night. I remember dad being out of town and you coming into my room one night, barely being able to breathe, asking me to take you to the emergency room. I was so scared and remember driving sooo fast to get you there. Thankfully, we now know it was triggered by acid reflux and you have a nebulizer to help you in case of emergencies. Whew!

50. You have been married to the same man (dad) for 38 years! He's definitely not the easiest person to live with either. Love you dad! :)

51. You have parents time after time specifically request you to be their child's teacher. You know that means that you're awesome, right?!

52. I love the way you read to my children. You move your voice up and down and create special voices for certain characters.

53. You give the best hugs!

54. You were so disappointed you couldn't make it to be with me when I found out I was having an emergency c-section with Madeline. I remember Marty called you and told you, and you yelled, "WHAT?!!! But I'm not there!" I remember feeling so relieved when you, dad, and Lauren came to the hospital that night to meet Madeline. I was so proud to show her off to you!

55. I also remember when I was pregnant with Isaac, I knew I wanted you in the delivery room with me. I was upset when they told me that due to him being delivered via c-section also, I could only have 1 person in the operating room with me. You graciously stepped back and insisted it be Marty, even though, he would've been fine with it being you.

56. You were so excited that morning at the hospital getting me prepped for the big day having Isaac. You had a huge grin and couldn't wait to hold your new grandson! You were so nervous about having a boy around, seeing as you had 3 girls. But, nonetheless, you've become quite fond of him! He's such a lovie and you love that about him!

57. You call and ask me to let the kids spend the night with you. That is so awesome to know that they can go to their grandparents' house and spend quality time with you and dad. I love it!

58. You are always there for me to talk to. I have always known I could come to you with anything, and you'd support me and not turn your back on me. That is HUGE! I hope to develop that kind of relationship with Maddie and Isaac. It does something amazing to a person to know that they have someone always in their corner, cheering them on!

59. You are still a source of comfort for my sisters and me, no matter how old we are. We each love you in our own ways, and you know how to love us in a way that's unique to us.

60. You ROCK!!!!! All in all, you are truly a gift from God. I am so thankful for you and everything you are and have taught me to be. I pray that I can be half the mother you've been to me, and that'll make me an outstanding one! I have big shoes to fill in my role as a mother and wife, according to your example. I thank God for you mom!


I love you,
Mere