Little Things That Make Me Laugh

Jason and Reid were wrestling this morning in the dining room. Jason was trying to get Reid's shoes and socks on but Reid wanted no part of that. Reid managed to wiggle away from his daddy and I could see the look of triumph on his face as he was running for his room. He had to be thinking, "Ha, I got by you daddy!"But the look quickly was wiped off by Jason when he reached out and grabbed Reid around the waist, effectively sitting Reid between his legs to finish putting his socks and shoes on.  To this Reid said, "Oh man! You sorry dog!" Allison and I burst out laughing and poor Jason just sat there with a "did he really just say that" kind of look!

Summer Adventures 2013

Here's the digital scrapbook that I created using Shutterfly. I tried my best this summer to take lots of pics of all our adventures. Our family really connected this summer and had a fabulous time. The kids are growing up so fast! I can't believe Allison learned how to ride her bicycle without training wheels or that Reid learned how to potty train! I feel very blessed to kiss their sweet faces everyday and listen to their wonderful laughter. Jason, Allison, and Reid are the best family God could ever give me. I'm truly blessed!

Click here to view this photo book larger

A Good (Great, wonderful, awesome...) Marriage

Today I was humbled. And I don't mean this in a bad way but in a "my cup runneth over" kinda way. You see, this morning I was getting out of my car to walk into work all the while talking on the phone to my husband. As I walked to the passenger side of the car to get my things, I realized the door was locked. So, I went to get my keys from my bag but they weren't there. I locked them inside the car. I tell my husband this over the phone and he promptly offers to bring me a set of keys from the house. Here's the catch, he was half way to Stillwater on his way to Tulsa when he offered. He had taken comp time from work this morning so that he could go pick up our new wheat truck there. I was hesitant because he was so far away and I didn't want to ruin his day. However, after calling the only 2 locksmiths in Ark City and being told they couldn't help me out because of the make/model of my car, he was my only hope. With a heavy heart, I called Jason back and broke the news. I don't know why, but I expected him to be at least a little bit annoyed or inconvenienced by this request. Instead though, he was jumping at the chance to help me out. He WANTED to be my hero today! He didn't care at all that Tulsa and the truck would have to wait, that his plans were ruined. No, instead he was loving, supportive, and placed me above all his needs. With this one act, he was able to make me feel completely loved. The kind of love that you don't have to be told, but you just know, it's that good. As I think about this act, I have to hold back tears. They're happy tears and awe tears because truly my cup does runneth over. Jason has filled it so full with love and continues to on a daily basis. This gives me great hope with my relationship with Christ. I've always found it hard to believe that no matter what, God loves me. Because of Jason's love for me, I now can, and do, believe in God's love for me. One day, I pray that my own daughter will love and marry a man like her father. A man that loves the Lord and his family as much as her own daddy does.

     My little boy turned 1 years old! Where has the time gone? I always ask that but seriously where does it go? It seems like I wake up and months have passed instead of hours. Enough of that...we had friends and family over to the house and celebrate Reid's monster party in the barn. We decided on a cook out with hamburgers, hotdogs, veggie trays, chips, beans, coleslaw, fruit, and of course yummy monster cake. I'm so thankful that I have a mother in law that I can tell what I want and she is so good at being able to create just that in her cakes!

     Reid was such a big boy today too! His manners were spot on and boy howdy did he dig into his smasher cake! It was so funny watching him because he kept looking at Jason and I like, "Are you sure I can use my hands? I'm not going to get into trouble for the mess, right?" I love my beautiful boy who keeps me on my toes! My heart is full!

   

Allison's 6th Birthday

First of all, say WHAT?! I cannot believe my baby girl is already 6 years old and in Kindergarten to boot! I spent several months pinning tons of girly party ideas on Pinterest for her to choose from. I had envisioned lots of pink tulle, dainty cupcakes, girls in cute little party dresses, etc. Needless to say, she dismissed all my ideas in lieu of a Halloween themed birthday party. Sometimes she surprises the heck out of me! The party turned out really great. We started with a fun craft that had kids making green monsters.

The kids then played several games. One was called Mummy Wrap where the kids worked in teams to wrap a friend in an entire roll of toilet paper. The quickest team won. They also played Fake Out where all the kids sat down and tried their absolute best not to smile while 1 person had to do their best to make them smile either by singing, making goofy faces, etc.

Then it was on to cake! Grandma Schneeberger made Allison's cake this year. The writing says, "Our little Witch is 6!" We ended the party with presents and of course outdoor play time!

On July 9, 2012 Allison broke her leg. It's something we don't talk about because it's really hard for Jason. To make a long story short, Jason was carrying Alli to the back of the pickup with the intention of sitting her down to tie her shoe so that she wouldn't fall. Somehow, he slipped and he and Alli fell down a bar ditch. Jason landed on Allison's leg and it broke in two spots. Now obviously, we all know that this was a freak accident but because Jason is such a caregiver and protector, he has really struggled with this. However, for me anyways, this event is more of a paradox.

Fast forward almost two years....

I can really see a difference in how our daughter lives her life due to this accident. She's always been so scared to try anything. In fact, she often would ask, "Will I get hurt?" But now, she has truly cowgirl upped! No longer is she letting fear control her, she's accepting her fears and doing it anyway! (Yes, as I write this I tear up but with happy tears! My heart overflows with pride in our daughter.) Her recovery journey was long, 1 surgery and three casts, equalling  3 1/2 months total to be exact. It was itchy, painful, terrifying (having a saw blade coming at you on three occasions would be a bit much for a 5 year old) and at times she was embarrassed. Afraid of what kids at school would say. Would they make fun of her? When she started Kindergarten, she was still in a wheel chair because her first cast was too heavy for her to lift using the walker. Well, she made it and it turned out better than we could have ever hoped for. 

Our family was so touched and blessed by the community we live in. Our friends, neighbors, and church family rallied behind us with endless support. It gave us a real sense of belonging and acceptance. What was more humbling, was the love and compassion that these people showed our daughter. Everyone was so good to her...prayers, gifts to pass the time, words of encouragement, intentional motives to make her feel confident...And Alli herself changed so much. She finally got over her fear of the water and passed level 1 swimming lessons! That same summer, she said goodbye to her training wheels and is now quite the little speedy Gonzalez on her bicycle. She's playing machine pitch softball, climbing hay bales, working cattle, and numerous other things. I see so much more confidence in her and an inner strength that's unbelievable for a person her age. I pray that this is a life experience that she will recall and draw strength from. When I think about this time, it reminds me that God's in control, not me, and that He has plans for my girl. I trust Him. So, breaking her leg wasn't ideal but, I can see that it has built some great character in her, and I believe that's exactly what God wanted for Alli. 

Keeping wrapped and still waiting for our 1st doctor appt.

Alli and Hello Kitty getting ready for surgery

Going home with cast #1.

Getting our of surgery

All the rodeo princess/queens rallying behind Alli

Cuddling in cast #2

Off it goes....

Finally, cast #3 

Nothing is stopping this girl!

Learning how to shoot a bow!