It's funny how the simplest, most mundane things can touch your life in such profound ways. While with the preschool choir/BSDT class Sunday night at church, one of those little events happened. Ms Carlene was reading a book to the kids-Max Lucado's "You Are Special". Now, as an adult I have finally begun to accept myself as I am. I realize I'm how God made me, and the outside stuff is only important as for me being healthy so I can do what I need to do and take care of my children. The inside is what I can control, so I need to work on that. With a young daughter who inherited my genes, I try really hard to tell her she's beautiful, but that what is on the inside is far more important than what's on the out. But I also struggle with her weight issues so that she doesn't have problems in the future. I thought I had it under control...'til I read this book. If you have children, and even if you don't...you should read this book!! It is a fabulous illustration of how God loves us and knows us by name. Even if you have no image problems or self-worth issues, you should read this. It is such a simple story, but so powerful in its message. Thank you, Carlene for sharing with us this great story of love and acceptance that we can only know when we come to God, our Father, who knows us, who formed us, who loves us unconditionally. Only then, can we be "dot"less!!

Pretty sure it won't be long before the Braves give us a call.




Cowboy Coy (and Cowgirl Kacie)

Lookout PBR--we're getting ready for ya!

Coy hulks up!


Trapped in the toybox?




No problem!!!





Sweeties going to church.

Unfortunately, my kids don't won't much (quantity) for Christmas, but what they want.....

Kacie wants:
a keyboard
a guitar
iPod touch "like Daddy's"
Hannah Montana Movie
Jonas Brothers Concert in 3D
new Demi Lovato CD

Coy wants:
a guitar
drums
cowboy hat
boots
basketball goal
...and maybe a poster of his "girlfriend"--Tinkerbell

So basically--
we just need a music store for Christmas. Hope Santa brings mommy and daddy an extra room (big and heavily insulated) to put this music studio in.

Sometimes--kids just blow you away with their sweet words. And where do they come up with this stuff? TV? Probably.

One day, we were looking at old pictures and Coy would point to each one and say, "Who dat?"

I would tell him each picture's contents, but as we went along, he started telling me, so we reversed our roles. I'd say, "Who's that?" and he'd tell me.

We came to my bridal portrait. I said, "and who's that?"

His reply was, "Mommy Pincess."

I almost cried. I hugged my little dear and gave him a big kiss. I told him that he was so sweet. To which he replied, "I know."

And the moment's gone....

Kacie finally made up her mind about a haircut, and decided it must go. So, we headed to Split Ends Friday morning before heading to the beach. She got two piggie tails cut off and ready to send to Locks of Love.

For some time now, I have realized that my little boy is a one man wrecking crew destined to end up in the ER with frequent bumps, breaks, bruises, and gashes. Little did I know -- that would start a little sooner than I expected.

Tuesday around 10:30, I get a call from MDO (daycare, for those of you unfamiliar) saying he has tripped and fallen on a stove knob and gashed his head. They thought he needed stitches. I was a little frantic, not because I thought Coy was hurt, but because I didn't know how we'd get him. I was at work and couldn't leave, and I thought Derrick was probably in the same position. I called him, and like the superdad he is, left his store and went to get him. (NOTE: He is also a superhusband because he makes so many sacrifices for me. I am so lucky!!!)

I was convinced that he'd get there, realize they were just overreacting, and he'd get some neosporin, a band-aid, and then get mad at me because it was a complete waste of time.

NOT to be!!!

He called back and said, "Yep. He needs stitches."

"Of course he does," I thought, "because him being okay would be TOO easy!"

So, Derrick set out for SAHRA, but unfortunately, Dr. Bish thought he should go to the ER. She thought it was really too deep and in too bad of an area for them to handle. So, Derrick goes to the ER, where they wrap Coy in a papoose (yeah, he was he happy! Can't you imagine a 2 1/2 year old who is used to be being free and running wild being tied up?), screaming ensues, and they proceed to stitch him up. Derrick tells me Coy wrestled one arm free, and was well on his way to getting out altogether if they had him in there much longer. He also said the nurse holding his head had to take a break after--she was worn out. I bet!

So, 11 stitches later, he's fine and dandy. Doesn't like having his band-aid taken off, but other than that, no problems. He went through it amazingly. I'm pretty proud of the way I handled the whole thing (i.e. I didn't panic or freak out like usual), too.

So, it begins. I wonder just how many more trips like that we'll make over the next 17 - 18 years? I don't even want to think about it. Glad we have the AFLAC accident policy. It will come in pretty handy. Bet they'll wish I didn't have it after we're all done. Oh, well, like they say,

Chicks dig scars!

Recently, I took note of the pictures on the wall at my mom and dad's house. There are a lot of "baby" pictures, especially of Kacie. You know how it is--the first child gets the most pictures taken. But I looked at that little face and couldn't help but get a little sad. She looked so small and sweet. Now she's bigger and has a very smart mouth. She knows way too much for a five year old, and I want to know what happened to my baby. Now, I look at Coy, who's almost two-and-a-half, and I wish I could freeze time. This is such a great age. He's still TOO cute and not so much of a smarty pants, but he's getting close. I look at his pictures and see time passing away again. UGGH! I don't want my babies to grow up. Now I know what my parents felt like. I watched them playing in the backyard this afternoon and I couldn't help but smile. At least for this afternoon--time slowed a bit!