100

Today was Allison's hundredth day of school! When I picked her up today she told me it was her absolutely favorite day of school! She started pulling stuff out from her backpack of things she had accomplished today. She made a necklace full of 100 fruit loops, a bag full of 100 snacks, a book with 100 pictures, a picture of what she thought she would look like when she turns 100, and a hat!! Allison said the only bad thing of her day was when she accidentally ripped her brand new sweater. I am glad we made it through 100 days of Kindergarten!

Talking!

Cooper has been talking up a storm lately! Usually he is pretty quiet and mostly lets his big sister do the talking. Also he has such a low voice, you can barely hear him. Since I've been back from California he has been talking non stop!

"Come here Mommy."

"You wanna play with me mommy."

"What was that for."

"Go get Alli from school."

"Daddy workin."

Lately Cooper has been so attached to me, I cant walk out of a room with out him calling for me! Today my mom called and asked if I could bring her spare key because she had locked her keys in her car. I guess Cooper was actually listening to the conversation and said "Why Grandma need Jeep keys?" At first I didn't understand him and then I figured it out and explained what we were doing. I just love my lil guys voice!!!!

Happy

Even though I have been extremely sadden by the lose of my Aunt, coming back from California I was able to really appreciate my life. I am happy and I am in love. I feel like I've got motherhood down! Don't get me wrong we all have are bad days and I am not saying I am prefect by any means. But I feel pretty comfortable and content with being a mother, its my role in life. I also am completely in love with my husband. I was listening to Tim McGraw the other day his song My best friend. That song really touched me, because Richard is truly my best friend. I couldn't ask for a better father for my kids. This morning Cooper was being his little handful self and couldn't figure his toy out and Richard set there on the floor with our son and they figured it together. The other night I heard Richard and Allison talking about my Aunt and Allison was just crying and Richard just held her, it was precious moment between father and daughter. My kids are at such interesting stages right know.

Allison~ Big sister, always worrying about her little brother. We go to the park, a play date they both stick together like glue! They are inseparable most times. Allison got a Razor scooter for Christmas and has been riding that like a pro. When we were at the park the other day several women commented on how wonderful she could ride they were surprised. My Allison always the inquisitive child always asking me the most intriguing questions, some times you really catch me of guard! My little reader, how very proud I am of you at how far you have come! My little dress up girl, how many times you change your outfits it is unreal! Mulan, pink power ranger, a Dr, Brittney (chipmunk), Hannah Montana, or iCarly. Did I mention Allison is in love the the Chipmunks and chipettes. She has recently acquired all members and sings Girls just wanna have fun all the time with her mp3 player or on the Wii. I couldnt love this little girl more, always helpful, understanding, and thankful. She says the sweetest prayers, never asking her Heavenly Father for anything but always thanking him for everything she has.

Cooper James~my lil guy, my baby. I swear your father and I say we baby you way to much! You still sleep in a crib and haven't been potty trained yet, and we just took your pacifier away. But you are my baby, and I enjoy you more than you know. My destructo boy, always wreaking havoc on my little house. Five minutes cant pass without you completely turning a room upside down, you seriously make me fill like the maid! The sweetest words that come out of his mouth "Love yooooou mommie!" Any time I ask for a kiss or a hug, he will always comply. Cooper is beginning to learn manners saying, please, thank you, your welcome, or bless you. Recently Cooper has decided I should play with him! Always telling me "Come here Mommy."

I am really enjoying life with my lil family right know, and relishing every moment.

A good book....

One of my goals for this year was to start reading again! Last year I made the same goal one book a month. Although I enjoyed it so much I was reading like 2 book a week! I totally over did it fast! By May I had read nearly 30 books! I went through all of the Last Olympian series, well expect the last one could never find it (My Aunt Steffer bought it for me in CA). I also went on a whirlwind of Nicholas Sparks books. Talk about crying for over a month striaght, he writes some tear jerkers! My sister also let me borrow a few books, Shiver was one of my favirotes! Then I found many random books here and there, like books made in to motion pictures for example Lovely Bones etc. I also re read the Twlight series. Anyway my sister Courtney (Ann) also shares a love for reading!! She sure can pick a good book, books that I would normally skip over. Last year she let me borrow this book called Fallen. I actaully started reading this book on more than 3 occasions. So last week I deiced to open Fallen and finsh it up! And I am so glad I did! It exceed my expactions beyond belif! I loved it and am glad it has become a series, the second book came out last year. And the third installment comes out in June! I love to read I feel it keeps my mind fresh and hungry!

Weekend report

What a weekend!!!!! I am exhausted. Richard and I caught the cold Allison had, and have been battling it for a few days. It is strange how a nasty cold can set you back! We didnt even leave the house until late Saturday! I was so exicited for our Mommies Bunco night at a friends house on Saturday. What a fabulous turn out!! Great food and amazing company!! Oh and I just love playing Bunco too! Sunday at church I was asked to sub for our Nursery class, thank goodness Richard helped me! I am seriously out of comission tonight! I'm in excruciating amount of pain right know it's ridculous. I cant believe its been 14 months since the accident and I still cant handle 2 and a half hours taking care of 12 toddlers! My back is just no where what it use to be, and that just gives me no hope for the future! I literally cant bend down to pick up my baby boy today. Hopefully a easy day tomorrow will help me recuperate.

Half Birthday

While we were sorting through things at my Aunts house I found this picture of Allison and my Aunt Ruthie. Sorry the picture isn't very good, I scanned it to my computer. Made me smile then cry. I cried because I couldn't believe how big Allison has gotten and I cried because I miss my Aunt. Everyday my heart aches for my Aunt. I am sure this years blog will be field with post about my Aunt. I am going to be grieving her lose for a long time. Allison celebrated her half birthday November 4th. I always loved half birthdays. And I think it is unreal that Allison will turn 6 in a little more then 3 in a half months! This first semester of kindergarten just flew by. And we are already half through January. Speaking of half birthdays Cooper James will be celebrating his on the 31st of this month, no way he is 2 1/2!

Perfect

My little Alli-cat has always been inquisitive even more so since my Aunts passing. Right after she passed and I talked with Allison and she said "why are you flying out to California to bury her if she was already in heaven?" I told her that her body was still on earth and we would bury it in a cemetery like her grandfather and other relatives. That seemed to make since to her until she asked me another question "If Chach is in Heaven and her body is still on earth does she still have a shadow?" I never thought of that question in reference do person's body after death and we talked about what a shadow is and that made since to her. Fast forward to today. We were driving home and Allison said this to me. "Mom, don't tell anybody this, but I want to touch my brain!" Okay I told her, and ask why that intrigued her. "Mom, I just think it's so cool how my brain thinks I wanna touch it. Wait if someone cuts open my brain would I die?" Well Allison that's tough, you might not survive that I explained. "So if someone cut opens my brain and I die and go to heaven will my head be cut up like that in heaven?" "I told her no, when we go to heaven were prefect. Our heavenly father takes away our imperfections and were perfect in heaven. "Mom, since Chach was sick on earth now that she is in heaven she is perfect know right?" Right Allison she is in heaven and is perfect.

Iam back!

My aunt at Cooper's Blessing

Courtney and Me at my Aunts house, last week.

My sister and I landed in Midland Last night around 5:30! My darling husband was there to pick us up, man a week is a long time to go with out seeing the husband or my babies! We drove straight over to my in laws to pick up our children. Our jeep is being worked on due to transmission issues and our keys to my in laws house were at the transmission shop. So when we got to my in laws we had to knock on the door and Cooper heard us grabbed his bag and was waiting at the door. Richard opened it and I bent down to Coopers level and I surprised him when he walked out the door and saw me. His eyes were so wide and he instantly hugged me, "MOMMY"! I didn't think he understood that I was coming home that day, but he sure was surprised to see me. And my poor daughter had been sick since Wednesday afternoon so she wasn't feeling her best and had pretty much not eaten in two days when she saw me. I feel at such peace being at home with my little family. Being a stay at home mother is truly where I belong. My poor husband said to me that it took so many people to do my job. And I was still making phone calls states away calling Allison pediatrician and her school!

It was bittersweet leaving California. From this point on this is my new life, without my Aunt in it. It saddens me, but I am strong and promise to learn a lesson from her death and be a better person. Being there in California in her home a week was so necessary for me. I was able to go through some of our childhood photos, report cards, letter's to my Aunt etc! Moments were hard and I cried alot. But thanks to my Aunt Steffer and sister Courtney, those moments were tolerable and made easier. We even kept up with alot of traditions that we normally do while visiting California like we ate at Foster's freeze, went to the book store, played a game of domino's, and ate fish in San Fransisco. My Aunt will be sorely missed, but I will carry on her traditions and love for others in my life. On to the next chapter......

Picture moments

I will not be blogging while on my trip to California so I thought I would leave you with a few photos until my return 1/14/11. I left Allison for one week while I visited New York, but I have yet to leave my little guy since birth. Hope everything goes well with the kids while I am gone good luck Richard.

Normal

The past few days I have been trying to find a since of normalcy. I thought once school started we would be back on our schedule and preparing for Richard to start his last semester. But things turned out a little different and know I will be flying out to California for my Aunts funeral. I leave Friday and will fly back the following Friday. I am still a mess and can not imagine how I will feel once in California in my second home where she lived and will be staying. I just pray for strength and I am glad I'll have certain people to lean on during this difficult time.

I thought I would share a picture that was taken through the holiday break. Allison got her dress up outfit for Christmas and wore it for days straight while she watched Mulan! We truly had a fabulous time together during those two weeks. Richard had many days off in between Christmas and New Year's which meant lots of family time. Cooper is getting so big and the kids really enjoyed each other. We even made time to fit Allison school studies in between are trips to the park, jumpy place, McDonald's, and the drive in.

Ruthie

When the news of my aunts terminal cancer set in I began to think of the many memories of my beloved aunt. Today early this morning on January 3, 2011 she passed away to once again be with our Father in Heaven. I am completely a mess! Some times I just stop and think how will my life go on without her in it. I shake and cry as I write this. I don't know if one day passed that I went without speaking to her or feeling her presence in my everyday life. No one will understand the love and the relationship I had with her besides my sister Courtney because we had such a special bond that couldn't be explained. I feel as though I have lost a parent. I know she is in a better place believe me, I guess as naive as it sounds I never saw or pictured my life without her.

The day I gave birth to my daughter my mother called my Aunt on the phone and at that moment I told Richard that everyone that meant the most to me was there. The first three months of Allison life it was tough she was a newborn I was a new mother and I swear everyday I called my aunt some times just to talk, to vent, to ask questions, to share new things. Those were some of the most cherishing moments I can remember. As much as she was involved in my life my children meet just as much to her. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do was to tell my daughter her Aunt had passed. The true hardest thing I ever had to do was telling my aunt good bye. My wonderful mother put the phone up to my Aunts ear as we had a private conversation and a last goodbye.

I am sure this post makes no since, but it is very therapeutic to write this out.

I am not sure how this year will unravel, I do know that I have a guardian angle in Heaven looking after me. Oh Ruthie words are not enough to tell you how much I love you and how much you will be missed.

Resolutions

I think of a New Years resolution as a time to set a goal or goals for the new year. I personally set goals every time the new year comes around. Some have been as simple as decluttering or reading a book once a month. I am proud to say every goal I have made has been accomplished. This year I had a few goals I wanted to set. Some of my goals are pretty realistic and some are going to be challenging. But I am not a quitter and am up for the challenge. This semester is going to be one of the hardest times of our lives. Its going to be busy and a totally hard few months. But I am ready to take it on.

New Year

Happy New Year! I cant believe a decade has gone by. Richard and I have been together for over 11 yrs, married for over 8 yrs, and have a 5 1/2 yr old daughter and nearly 2 1/2 yr old son. We have moved 6 times since we have been married! Gone through 3 cars. Gone on several vacations from San Antonio to New York, California, and Disney land twice! There have been many ups and downs in 2010. We have set and completed goals. Richard has started a new career. Our first born started kindergarten. Many fabulous memories have been made and cherished. The end of 2010 is bitter sweet, and we have much to look forward to in 2011.