Coco Update

Our newest family member Coco is growing like a weed! I took her to the vet for her 2nd round of puppy shots. As long as the treats were coming, she didn't care about what the vet was doing. Coco was 5 lbs at the 1st visit and now she is 10 lbs. The vet is still not sure what main breed she is but they are still estimating a dog under 50 lbs. YEAH for me! I LOVE my Hester but I have no desire to have another 96 lb dog!

Coco is doing well on the puppy potty training, her accidents are getting fewer and fewer. Now, when she does have an accident she "pouts"-the tail between the legs, the ears pinned back, etc. I feel like we are making progress.

Hester loves her Coco and Sara, the cat, tolerates Coco.

Mom

As many of my friends/family reading my blog know, I lost my mom to cancer 3 years ago (as of 7-14-09). Obviously this event in my life had a huge impact on me and it continues to effect me, sometimes on a daily basis. This year I decided (listen to that, "I decided" like God doesn't have anything to do with it!?!?!) it would be an easier "anniversary" because more time has passed. NOT THE CASE! I thought that I would busy myself thru the day and just remember good times and make it more of a sentimental day than a sad one. WELL, let me tell you, you can run/hide/deny/ignore your feelings for a while but eventually they come back to bite/haunt you!?!?!!?

My mom was a great lady. She lived for her family. She was very unselfish. She was huge part of my life. I get told that I am very maternal the way my mom was. Everyone leaves a legacy. If my mom's legacy is a determinator for the kind of life she led, than I can honestly say her life was a good one.

I don't know that time will ever make it easier for me. I don't know that July 14th will ever be considered a "good day" but I do know that I watched as my mom was baptized and I know that Mom is in Heaven. I know that the cancer that took over her body no longer has control over her. I know that Mom is watching over us. I also know that Mom is proud of whom her children turned out to be. I know this because Mom spent her life showing us love and support. I praise God for choosing Mom to be my mother.

All Star Softball Tournament 7/11/09-7/12/09

We Won!!!! We played 5 games in 2 days and we won every game! Not bad for the team's 1st tourney ever!

Britt on 3rd base, flashing her pretty smile!

I LOVE the All Star uniforms!

Britt had told me not to buy her sliding pants because she wasn't going to slide, ever, even if it meant she would get out. Well, Clay showed Britt how to slide in our living room. Britt wanted to stop in Marion on the way to buy sliding pants. I told her she would have to prove to me that she would actually slide. So, on Sunday Britt slid every chance she got! Therefore, I am headed to buy those sliding pants! What a sporty girl she is!

Alayna + Earrings + Nervous Parents!!!! 7.11.09

Alayna has been wanting her ears pierced so Alicia decided that it was okay. So, Saturday we went to Claire's. The entourage included Alayna, Jared, Alicia, Jerry, Grandma Sandi, Aunt Betsy, Carl, Brittany, and Aunt Susie.

Then, we went out for pizza

Pretty girls

Crazy girls!

Handsome man!!!

July 4th Bike Parade

Our church puts on a bike parade every year on July 4th. It is really fun. The kids LOVE decorating their bikes and riding behind the fire truck! This year Alicia, Alayna, and Jared got to be in the parade with us. The threat of rain was with us the whole time but we finished before the rain started!

Swimming at Papa & Mama's July 2009

Mike and Sandi have a kiddie pool at their house. The kids have just as much fun in it as they would in a regular size pool!

Leave it to Clay to find a way to include basketball with swimming!

Jared was being very sneaky He would take this blue tube go to the pool "fill" it with water.

Step 2 fling the tube

Step 3 soak Grandma!!!!

Backyard Baseball with the Family July 2009

Papa helping Alayna hold the bat


Look at my stance! I look so serious!!!!

I have posted pics in the past of my sister and her kids playing baseball and now here is some of Chad's sister Alicia, Jerry, and their kids playing.

This game was played after swimming, hence my kids attire!?!?!!?!?!

Everyone had a good time!!!

Alayna hanging out (literally!)

UPDATE: Gma Alice

Grandma Alice passed away this morning and made her entrance into Heaven. Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts! Chad's Grandma was a very family-oriented lady. She LOVED her family.

My first memory of Alice is from the 1st Christmas I was dating Chad (1996). Chad took me to McCorkle Christmas. It is a very large group of people in a very small living room. Alice bought me a gift, which I told her was unneccessary. She informed me that anyone that comes to Christmas gets a present. That present was a blue and white striped cosmetic bag. I LOVED that bag! Being a college student at that time I was always packing it to go to my parents' house and to Chad's parents' house. I used it so much that the plastic inside liner totally ripped out. I am not too bad of a pack-rat but I am a sucker for keeping anything that holds a memory for me. Needless to say, that blue and white striped cosmetic bag is in my upstairs bathroom, where it will remain.

Thanks for all the memories Gma Alice!

UPDATE Church Camp June 09

The "Drop Off" Picture

Miss Britt had a GREAT time at camp and is even talking about next year. She sang us her favorite Bible song and stated her memory verse. She was very tired but you could tell it was a very rewarding couple of days for her and her friends. She desperately wanted to take a shower, which she definitely needed. This Mom was very rewarded when I picked her up. After the proper id was made I was allowed to go into the gym and pick up my camper. Britt jumped into my arms and cried! yes, cried! She just held me tight and said "I really missed you!". I told her I missed her too! One day she might hear about how much anxiety I had during her 1st camping adventure, but for right now I am just happy to have her back at home!

The "Pick Up" Picture

Visit with Baby Lincoln June 2009

Deanna, Chris, Madi, Brayden, Brittany, Clay, and I went to help Pam over the weekend. After having a c-section we went to help with Baby Lincoln. I got some great pics of the newest cousin.

Uncle Roger, undeniably one of my favorite men in the world, holding Lincoln.

Brittany was devastated when I wouldn't let her go to the hospital with me when Lincoln was born, so she was so excited to get to meet him!!!

Jared & Alayna June 09

Alicia came home for a visit with Alayna and Jared. Jared found the shopping cart at the grocery store in our town. He LOVED carting around all the groceries!

This picture screams mischief-doesn't it???
Then, this picture screams CUTE BLOND BOYS!

Alayna got in the hot tub with Uncle Chad and Clay. Jared was content just watching from the deck!

Coco & Hester June 2009

Gotta love this picture!!!

The new roommates are doing great!!!!