Ducks

The kids and I ate out at Joe's Crab Shack last Wednesday. They wanted to sit out back on the deck but it had been raining.

The kids went out to visit the ducks and found these little cuties out there as well.

Joshua was my photographer!

Ballistic Year End

Joshua's team had their end of the year party. We had it at the soccer fields and had a cook out.

After the cook out, we had a soccer game between the parents and the kids. The parents rocked! We were outnumbered by a few but still managed to win :).

Google Reader

I am a very faithful reader of a lot of blogs. I use to have a ritual of checking each one for updates. They can be so addicting. I spent a lot of time checking each one.

UNTIL...... I discovered Google Reader.

I have all of my favorite blogs logged in to my account. Anytime one is updated I know when I sign in to my account.

If you are a fellow Blog addict, I encourage you to give it a try.

Best Survivor Yet.....

Wow, I never imagined that I would love a Survivor season more than I loved Survivor Australia.

I had pretty much given up hope on it getting any better. I can now say that this season, Favorites vs. Fans, was my all time favorite.

I don't think I laughed or cried more than I did this season. It was truly awesome!

Finally, it came down to all women at the end. So many times they could have done it in seasons before, but they always held on to a man for some reason.

There were so many surprises this season. I truly did not care which of the four ladies won it although I was rooting for Amanda-- see below.

I am totally ecstatic that Parvati won though. She is one smart cookie!

I also am glad to see that James the Gravedigger was awarded for his personality.

My Pride and Joy!

In honor of Mother's Day, I spent some time with my kids at the park.

Happy Mother's Day!

I can't believe that I am so blessed to be called by the name.....Mother, Mom, Momma.

Nine years ago, I cringed at this day and definitely skipped church. It was just too painful to see all the others being recognized when I so desperately wanted to join their ranks.

I now stand with my fellow moms but will always remain mindful of those that are hurting on this day. Those that want and can't have, those that had but lost and those that made the selfless sacrifice that led to my dream coming true....

One Fish, Two Fish.........

I bought Delaney an aquarium a couple of months ago. I had initially set up a one gallon bowl for her but the fish died. Since Joshua has a 10 gallon aquarium, I decided to go ahead and get one for Delaney as well.

She picked out 5 fish for her tank. Well, last week- the crew had grown to 6. As each day passes, one of the fish is adding to the tank's population.

We now have 7 fry. I am really hoping she is close to being done as they are hard to catch. They are so small that they swim through the fish net.

We have a small birthing center for them. Delaney wanted pictures. They are so small-- I am not sure you can see them in the pictures.

Help a Child!

My heart goes out to the Homeless or Orphaned Children of the world.

Adoption allowed for me to become a parent. What a blessing!

Traveling to other countries and seeing the starving children (be it starving for love or starving for food) has changed my life. I can no longer turn my head away and forget that there are others out there that need our help.

Here are several of my favorite causes:

Orphan's Bright Star: This gives aid to children living in Orphanages in Ukraine. There are two in Joshua's birth city that need help. The actual home that he lived now no longer needs assistance due to prior donations.

Here are the two that are in his birth city:

teterevka internat
nova borova internat

Here is a local organization that helps others with the costs of adoption:
The Hug Away Foudation.

A new organization is : The Red Letter Campaign.

Mario Kart

The kids received a Wii for Christmas. I recently bought Mario Kart for the family. Here is Joshua's Mii (his character) on the Wii.

Pinwheels

I saw this display at a local Family- Children's place. All the pinwheels are for the abused children out there.

It really caught my attention and made me think

MOPS graduate :(

I have been a member of MOPS the last two years. My friend had invited me to a meeting time and time again. I really didn't want to give up my free time to sit around making crafts with other women. 1) I cherish my free time, and 2) I am not crafty...at all.

So, I humored her and told her I would go to one meeting so I could assure her it was not for me.

Well, I loved it. I loved the fellowship, I even loved the crafts. They made them easy enough for the crafty- challenged like me.

Since Delaney will be in First grade next year, I no longer qualify to go. Although I do know others that go anyway.

I received this beautiful rose since I was graduating.

If you are a Mom of a Preschooler, I highly suggest joining.

Amanda, You Go Girl!!

I am still a die hard Survivor fan. This season was some of the old Favorite players vs. Survivor Fans.

Amanda seems to be a sweet girl and plays the game honestly (not easy to do when you are suppose to "OUTWIT" the other players.

Amanda pulled out the immunity idol at the last minute saving her self and blowing the minds of the other players. She acted well enough for an Oscar up until the moment she pulled out the little surprise sending Alexis home.

What an awesome episode, just when you have seen it all....

20 Years???? Where did the time go???

Wow, it is hard to believe that this year will be my 20 year High School reunion. Of course, being the genius that I am, I graduated when I was 9 years old ;)

Here is our website: http://www.classcreator.com/bixby-ok-1988/class_index.cfm if you went to school with me.

Party Time!

One of Delaney's friend had a birthday party. It was a beautiful day for water balloons!

Soccer Spring 2008

The soccer season is almost over now. We have had a great time watching the kids. It will be nice not to be tied up several evenings a week for practice but I will miss the games on Saturdays.

We were very blessed to have both the kids on great teams with great coaches.

Delaney's team is awesome. It is hard to believe the girls are only under 6 years old. They are already showing team work and passing skills. They are all motivated players. We have no daisy pickers in this group of girls.

Delaney started the year off looking as she had played before. The girl surprises me time and time again with her athletic abilities. Just like being a natural horse back rider, this girl has no fear out on the soccer field.

She hasn't quite figured out when she scores goals. Seriously, how can you not know you scored a goal. Oh well, at least she is scoring. Last game, she was even nice enough to score one for the other team. How generous is that!! :)


Joshua's team is incredible. They took first place in their league. Joshua has been unfortunate in the fact that season after season, he had been placed with a new coach and brand new players. His skills and enthusiasm have suffered due to it. Before last season, I made the point of talking to the club to see if for once he could get an experienced coach. Well they chose to place him on the Oklahoma Coach of the Year's team. I can not say enough about this coach. He has the kids under control and is able to sit and enjoy the games like the rest of us. No pacing the sidelines for him.

Joshua has made improvements and scored a goal last week. Seeing the smile on his face afterwards was priceless. This is the same boy that use to dance in the goal after a score when he was a Kindergartener.

The boys on the team are such great team players. You can hear them yelling accolades and encouragement to each other during the game.

Way to go Ballistic!!!

His interest in Soccer has once again returned. For the first time in his life, he actually likes to go out in the backyard to play soccer.

Proud of you, Honey!

Paul was promoted at the beginning of the year to Chief Engineer. The position has been his goal with the company for some time. He seems to be enjoying it although it seems like all he does is go to meetings. I just love management-- meetings about how to improve but so many meetings that you never have time to do anything else. Got to love the Corporate world!

I love this picture of him! He said that someone was making him laugh.

Better now

Delaney recovered quickly from her Strep. She was up and about by Sunday and was herself by Monday. She even asked to go to school half way through the day.

I chose to keep her home on Monday since she had not taken much of the first antibiotic due to taste. Paul said it was disgusting as well even after we went back to add flavor. After a switch in medicine, she is taking it (reluctantly.

She went back to school on Tuesday. I guess there have been several children in her class that has had strep. Last night when I came home from work, she was already asleep so I guess she is not quite 100% but we are getting there.

Spring is Here!

My view from the kitchen window. I am excited to plant pretty flowers in our front flower garden. I am hoping our stormy weather will move on soon.

We are planning on putting more mulch in as well so I have been holding off until after that is done as well.

Featured Artist

We went to see Joshua's art on exhibit on Tuesday. He is becoming quite the artist. He drew and colored the lizard.

Delaney loves drawing as well and is doing quite well also. They both go to after school art class once a week.

The other photo was drawn by Joshua's friend. He is in second grade.

Zoe

When I came home from Korea, I could tell that Zoe had grown. Isn't it amazing that when you haven't seen someone in awhile how you can see the changes were as if you are there all the time, you don't see it.

Poor dog has a huge under bite. Paul is always saying, "Don't you show your teeth to me." I think it adds to her great personality.