I know it's been forever!

Let me just start off by saying, I've returned to work and I have been VERY busy or just so tired when I get home that blogging is not my first priority. But I have SO much to share with all of you, I'm not really sure where to begin.

Hmm lets see... I guess first things first. I returned to work on September 8 and left my two precious little ones with the best babysitter in the world. MY MOM!!! It is really funny how GOD works in our lives and at times we don't even realize it.

Let me give you a run down of what I'm talking about. I really wanted to return to work on September 14th not the 8th, but my job had schedule to move my temp to another location, so I wiped my tears away sucked it up and returned a week before I had planned. With that being said and all, Collin refused to take the bottle for my mom so that first week I was making a couple of trips to my mom's for a few feedings. Good thing she only lives a few blocks away and my cool boss, so did not mind. I was most certain that with me not being anywhere around he would take the bottle wrong. I came home Wednesday and did a Google search for bottles and breastfeeding and I stumbled upon this....



Breastflow bottles by first years. I had them expressed shipped and Collin was taking one by Friday. Ahh.. the relief. I was so stressed from going back to work and then him not taking a bottle and wondering if my mom could handle both of them, that I was just on the verge of becoming insane.

Now back to the part of God working in our lives... The next Monday the 14th (When I wanted to return to work) my mom got a kidney infection and there was no way she could watch the kids so my other best babysitter in the world, Chad's mom, kept them. So you see, God knew my mom was going to be sick and God knew that Collin was not going to take a bottle the first few days. I mean what would I have done if Collin was in Fordyce and was starving. There is no way I could get here in 2 minutes. But you see God knew and HE provided. You see it was not my plan (which I SO wanted it to be it was GOD's plan.

AWANAS has started at church and Anna is old enough to go this year. They had a kick off party and the RAIN caused us to move it from the church to the Commons Area at the high school. They rented a huge blow up obstacle course. Anna loved it. We had grilled hot dogs and cake and ice cream. Look at this cute cake.









Anna had such a great time. She will be a Cubbie and she is learning her pledges listen... TURN UP YOUR SPEAKERS




The fair came to town this past week, well I guess you could call it a fair. A few rides and $20.00 later, Anna had the best time. She called it the Pin Wheel. She had seen the Farris Wheel and somehow associated it with a Pin Wheel.




She road the horses on the Merry Go Round and when it would stop she would say Wooo Wooo Girl! To Funny.





Then she road the little Farris Wheel Pin Wheel. Her daddy road with her on the swings, while I stood there about to loose my lunch. There my baby was going around in circles high in the air. She loved it. She was ready to get off before the ride was over, but Chad would reach out and touch her and she would smile SO big.

Then she road the caterpillars and she bounced in the bounce house and Chad had to go in and get her in the ball pit pirate ship.


Before we left she through 3 darts and hit 3 balloons ALL BY HERSELF and won this cute dog.





We didn't get to ride the Farris Wheel Pin Wheel because every time they started it it would pop and the workers started looking around. It just verified what Karla (my friend at work) said. "Do Not put that baby on a ride that they take apart and put back together." Never thought of it that way until she said that, I think she was right.

Here is Collin at the Fair.



As I was traveling to church this morning, I just thought about how blessed and wonderful my life is. Things are becoming a lot easier. We had such a great weekend. We stayed at home and worked in the flower beds and just enjoyed our family. We had great family time at the fair and a wonderful church lunch fellowship. I hope to blog more frequently, but for now to sum it up. I've returned to work, Collin is taking the bottle a little better each day, Anna is growing and starting AWANAS, Chad is working his tail off at work and at home and GOD has blessed us all.

Just a quick update...

I've been working on this blog since Sunday and just got finished because I'm at home today taking care of my hubby. Chad was admitted in the Dallas County Hospital last night with server vomiting and cramps. He had a low blood pressure, sweats, chills, nauseous, fever, weird white blood cell counts and pain everywhere. His color was odd and I don't think I've ever seen him look so bad. They started him on an IV and some meds. His xrays where good but they were concerned with his white blood cells count. Russell stayed the night with Chad and I went back first thing this morning. He is feeling a lot better and is at home resting now. He has no energy and lack of appetite. He was still a little dehydrated and he had to stay until he finished his IV bag. He will return to his doctor on Friday for more blood work. Right now they think it may be a bad virus but don't think it is the flu. Please keep us in your prayers.

2 months old today

It is hard to believe that 2 months have past since we brought this little bundle of joy into this world.


It has been such a blessing. He changes every day. He is so sweet and loves to cuddle and he loves to talk to you. Look how much he has changed!!

One Month



Two Months



We love you Collin!!!

Here are some video's from this morning!

1st Ballgame of the Year and for Collin

Last night we traveled to Arkadelphia to watch the Bears face Harmony Grove at Henderson State University. Hooten's sponsored two games and boy was that placed packed. Didn't seem to bother the Bears at all, came out with a 27 to 7 victory.

It was a lot of fun. We heard stories of when Pawpaw Russell played football there and Chad took us around and showed us where his old frat house was used to be.

Anna loved the popcorn and hot dogs and cheerleaders and Haawian Punch, although she really wanted a Dr. Pepper.







The weather was nice and it was great being around just about the entire family. Here are a few pictures from the night. If the quality isn't too good it's because I had my little point and shoot camera and I was 1/2 way up the stands.



Michael, showing us some action...

Football Ad Pictures

Well it is that time of year again, the change in the season and temperature. You can almost hear the beating of the drums in the distance and the Voice of the Bears yelling "Touchdown Bears". That's right it is time for High School Football.

We are so excited. Bearden is suppose to have another really really good season. Games are fun to go to and especially fun when you have family to cheer on. Our nephew Michael, #81, is playing again this year and we can't wait for him to show out on the field. I would try to tell you his position but I would probably get it wrong. I do think he is a receiver???? He catches the ball, but that is about all I know.

I'm sure Chad is shaking his head right about now as he reads this and is saying as long as we have been married and that is the only term she knows. I'll have to get a refresher course as the season gets going.

Anyway, my baby brother aka Coach C, is also participating with the BEARS. He is an assistant football coach to the senior and junior high teams and now has been named the HEAD 7th grade football coach. We have a cousin Hunter Weatherly that plays on that team and his dad (Chase) says they will be the best team Bearden has ever seen. All I know is there is a lot of boys playing.

Anyway, again.... One of our family owned businesses always takes a football ad out for the home game programs. It is always a treat because we get to put our kids picture in the ad as well. Here are the shots from that day. I will put them in order taken and I just want you to know that by about the 4th shot it started to thunder. (Anna hates thunder) you will see her reaction. She said hurry everyone we have to go inside.



We wish the teams good luck this year! GO BEARS!

We love Pictures!

What do babies, blue tongues, & boats have in common?

A FUN TRIP TO THE LAKE!

For Collin it was his first trip. I can hear it now, you took a 7 week old baby to the lake. I did and yes he had a life jacket. See...



Anna loves the lake as you know and she also loves blue ring pops. Here she is sporting a blue tongue and her daddy's sun glasses.



We had such a good time. The weather was perfect. Nice and cool, especially for August. It almost felt like FOOTBALL WEATHER!

We took the jet ski. The kids really love it, especially Michael. It was also used for pulling Michael and Anna on the tube.








We always have a lot of good food. Mimi made us BBQ sandwiches, yummy! Anna and Pawpaw went for a ride in the ski boat. She needed to drive take a nap.




We also met up with Christy and Michael Thompson. Kenli showed out with her newly learned wake boarding skills. YOU GO GIRL!!



The girls were exhausted by the time the day was ending.




We all made it home safely. We can't wait to go back again, whether it is this summer or next.




I just love this picture. I love how it focuses on Chad and Anna and Michael are faded. Can you tell I'm taking a photography class?

Collin's 6 week checkup

On Thursday, August 20th, my mom, Anna, and I headed back to El Dorado for Collin's 6 week check up. It was such a fun day. We took our time and just enjoyed our selves. We took Anna to McDonald's for lunch. They had a play room. At first she was very hesitant. She did not want to climb up, but she so wanted to slide down. She ate her lunch and got a little braver. She met a little boy and he showed her what to do. We couldn't keep her off of it then.








We let her play a little over an hour and then she got this yummy mini ice cream. They give them to the kids. I thought it was so cute and Anna thought it was so good. MMMMM she said.



Then we went to see Dr. Bevill. We first went and Collin was weighed and his temperature was taken. He weighed 13 lbs and 4 oz. WOW!!! Double Wow!!! We let him lay there for a minute to make sure that is was right and it was.





Anna weighed too, she weighed 38.8 lbs. She is growing up so much.

She also thought she needed to be checked out from Dr. Bevill. She laid on the table with her mouth opened. It was funny.



Collin measured 23 1/4 inches. We think that is not right but probably pretty close. He likes to keep his legs curled up. He got a good report and is in the middle of the chart when you cross his weight vs his length.



He is smiling and cooing more everyday. His face has cleared up and he is sleeping about the same as before. We love him and Anna both. It's hard to believe it has been 6 weeks.