What day is it???

My days are so very confused with the snow days this week then throw in "Valen-days" as Anna Kate calls it! Yesterday felt like Monday, but a very long Monday since it was Wednesday nite @ church. Daniel left church when we did to go watch the Tarheel vs Dook game w/ Uncle Kerm & we headed to Walgreens for Valentines since I hadn't really found I liked @ WM. We hit the jackpot for Shawn & Anna Kate.





Can you guess which ones belong to which child????

So we got home & had baths then AK & I worked on cards while Shawn did homework. I was so proud of AK doing her valentines. She would "write" on each one hand it back to me then say "who next?".


She did LOTS bc it was for her class & she also did cards for all the ladies who work in the office. She was so proud to pass them this morning. Shawn worked hard on his too & this was the first year I haven't helped Shawn do his. He's growing up!!!!



I was absolutely exhausted this afternoon when I got home so we went out to dinner. First it was to be Mexican, but changed to Chinese. Both are my favs so I was happy either way!

Shawn with his plate of noodles! He LOVES those!!!!


Anna Kate doesn't really eat so I looked over & this is what she was doing!


Shawn & I always end our Chinese buffet dinner w/ ice cream comes & fortune cookies!!!


Anna Kate's meal consisted of 3 bites of sweet n sour chicken & ice cream! There's 4 food groups in there somewhere right????


We all had ice cream & I started laughing bc Daniel ALWAYS eats chocolate pudding when he eats buffet!!! We all have out preferences.


We all shared out fortunes...which were really good & I even brought them home to share, but they are in the van & it's REALLY cold outside so I'm not going back out!!!


Even though tomorrow is Friday, it's a big day...I'll serve @ the Senior Adult Valentine's Banquet for lunch, Shawn's school Valentine's party @ school & then Kids' Night Out (if we don't get snowed in again) so hitting the sack!

Happy Valen-days everyone!!!

Laurie

Second try

This is the second time I've tried to blog about today & apparently I fell asleep te first time pushing the button unbeknownst to me erasing everything I had done! So here it goes again...

We were rather surprised to wake up to quite a bit of SNOW!!!! Not ice but just snow! I didn't sleep well so turned the TV on in the middle of the nite to wake up to the discussion of winter weather, traffic due to the winter weather, and all the other conversations that occur when AR receives any type of winter precipitation. They quickly started closing schools all around us then before I knew there we were! Turn off the alarm & go back to sleep!

The kids were so so excited when they woke up! They couldn't wait to go outside. Here are a few pictures of our winter fun!!!






Anna Kate was the boy from A Christmas Story..."I can't put my arms down!"



I put my gloves on her bc she didn't have any! I know, I know...she will have some next year!






Eating snow from Clay's yard!!!



Trying to catch snowflakes!

I'll post more pictures later from the real camera, but these are just from my phone (had to be careful w/ the camera bc it would go from snow to rain in second literally). We had so much fun playing together, especially throwing snowballs!

Happy Snow Day!!!

Laurie

An Eventful Friday...

While Anna Kate was at therapy Friday morning, from 8-9, I ran to WM (Wal-Mart) to see if they could "quickly" change the bulb in my headlight. Of course it could be fast...it was going to be over 2 hours so what's a girl to do???? Go inside to see hah she can find to buy! Well, let's just say that I hit the WM jackpot for a 20 minute trip!!!

I was so excited to share my finds!!! It's just took me a while to have the time to blog & show them off...more on that later.

Here are my 4 tops for only $29!!!!!

Fun & flirty...so versatile bc it can be worn all year (black under when old & w/out when warm.)


Whimsical & sassy...also versatile for the same reasons, except that I would wear a tank under when warmer since it virtually see-thru.


Hello Summer...the perfect camp shirt w/ long jean shorts & my other favorite find of the day, new shoes!





Won't that be fun???? I wore the shoes last nite & LOVE them! They're so comfortable! I've been having shoe envy for a while w/ these shoes so it was not really an impulse purchase.

Last clothing find was this sweater...goes with everything!

So following my eventful shopping spree, I pick up Anna Kate & we return to WM for a few necessities. As we walked down one aisle, she said to me "you not need that". What has your daddy been teaching you????

Then we stopped by to pick Nana up from preschool so we could all go eat lunch w/ Shawn at school. AK decided that there are some perks to the teacher being your nana. She helped mom play color & shape bingo. Mom would hand her a card & call it out then AK would repeat it to the class then hold it out showing each child so they can make to know the call. It was so sweet! Her class just loves AK & AK thinks she's as old as the other kids!


We joined Shawn for lunch to inclue the usual "will you check me out this afternoon?" "we've finished all our work." "all we have left is boring stuff.". Well, I'm hoping that he actually went back to class bc I left him in the hallway since AK decided to throw a protest right in the middle of the hallway where I had to just walk away hoping she would finally come running...she did ;-)!!!

Needless to say it was naptime! Last nite the kids went to spend the nite w/ my parents while I took a group of children to the Little Rock Skatium for 4 1/2 exciting hours of roller skating, ice skating & broomball!!! Can I just say that I am TOO old for broomball??? If you would affrmation of being out o shape just play a little broomball...it will remind you quickly! I was fine once I found my place as the goalie since the ball rarely made it's way that far! We had a blast & managed to leave w/ all body parts intact & none broken!!! I was wondering what possessed us to do broomball when the guy is warning about being careful w/ your sticks to not knock out teeth, etc.



Well, that was Friday! It was crazy but fun! Great start to the weekend!

Laurie

A Christian Dinner & Movie

After Daniel & I went to see The Blind Side, we've talked about me taking Shawn to see it so that we could use it as a learning experience in his faith & helping him see how truly blessed he is. So...I surprised him by picking him up from school & we were off to the movie. It was the perfect movie day since it has rained ALL day long!

We had popcorn, Dr. Pepper & Nerds (Shawn did anyway). It was the two of us and another couple in the theater so it was great! He LOVED it!!! We've had some good conversation already & I'm looking forward to more. Daniel asked him what his favorite part was & he said when he pushed number 66 all the way off the field towards the bus! (you remember that scene if you've seen the movie). What can I say he is 8??? And in case you're wondering, I cried AGAIN!

After the movie, we picked up Daniel & Anna Kate for a trip to the Holy Chicken or Chick-Fil-A as the rest of the world knows it. The kids loved playing after dinner too. We're having some eating issues w/ Anna Kate so we told her she had to eat before she could play. This meant that she repeated her mantra the entire we ate...Eat my chicken french fries then I play. Eat my chicken french fries then I play. And on & on!!!

She actually did eat pretty well so they were off to play. We ended w/ ice cream cones & headed home. Shawn & I did homework while Daniel got AK to sleep.

All in all I would consider today a great day!!! Love spending time w/ the family!

Laurie

It's Wednesday!!!

Wednesdays are always LONG days at our house with church & it is usually later when I get home. Thankfully today my Daddy took me to lunch so I had great energy to get through the day. I love going to lunch with my Daddy.

Tonite when I got home Shawn was getting out of the shower & told me that he had something for me. He then kept asking me if I wanted a glass of milk...hint, hint. I told him that I needed dinner first since I didn't have time to eat at church. So my little man told me to go sit down & he would fix my dinner!!! I tried to help walk him through it a little bit, but he REALLY wanted to do it on his own. He continued fixing my dinner, brought it to me on the couch & brought me my milk...he even sat on the couch with me while i ate. What a man?!?! I love this boy! I pray God continues to grow him into a godly young man!





(Sorry for the poor picture quality but I just used my phone.)

Can't finish this nite letting you think that we are the family in a Norman Rockwall painting. Lately, Anna Kate has started throwing some crazy fits! So tonite was no different. She screamed blooding murder when Daniel carried her out of my office at church to go home & then has been screaming while in bed. She's yelling for me which is REALLY hard to take & not just go to her, but that just creates a bigger issue when she throws the fit then gets her way! I'm sure I sound cold hearted but we are well into the terrible twos & we just have to stand firm (which is really hard on Wednesdays since my days are so long). Sounds like maybe Daddy has won this battle! It's actually quiet in the house now. Hopefully it lasts!

Good Night All!!!

Laurie

Happy Birthday Shawn Douglas!

Shawn Douglas Cox - January 23, 2002

Well...eight years ago at this time I was just getting into a wheelchair from lying flat on my back from a spinal block for my c-section & Shawn was on oxygen & many other machines in the NICU.


Shawn has always had a good appetite so when the doctor said "He's got his mouth wide open!" it was an epiphany & also what led to his adventure with neonatology. He sallowed aminotic fluid & created some pretty serious lung issues for himself. Little by little over the years, I've realized how serious his situation was but not truly until Anna Kate was born & we had a normal scenario did it really, really hit me!!!? That's a lotta wires & machines!!!!! But God was gracious to us and he recovered quickly to be released from the hospital 6 days after he was born.


We are truly blessed to be Shawn's parents!!!! He is a wonderful young man of God & I can't wait to see how God uses him. We are extrememly thankful to know that he belongs to the Lord, and he really does want to do right...just struggles sometimes?!?!? Don't we all!!!!

Shawn has had a big 2 days!!! Yesterday, he & Daniel started the day with Donuts for Dad @ school (sorry no pics) then AK & I checked him out for lunch @ Burger Shack.





Back to school for a little while then I picked him up along w/ 2 friends for a birthday sleepover. Another friend would also join us @ the house. Fed the hungry boys pizza...which between the 4 of them they ate 2 pizzas!!!! Then it was off to bowling! (picture confession...forgot the big camera but it was so so dark & also disco nite so pictures just weren't in the cards). Here's one try for a photo w/ the phone...


Shawn & Max

Back home for chocolate iced brownies & presents followed by some Wii & Alvin & the Chipmunks!!! I know, I know, you're just so jealous right now you can't stand it!!! Please try to control your anger bc I'm so lucky!


After just a few hours of sleep (which I don't do well), these boys were up by 6 to start again. Chocolate Chip Scones & Hot Chocolate for breakfast then time to go home! We really didn't kick them out the door, but they all had plans!


Then it was off to Little Rock for a day of fun! We met my parents & brother for lunch @ Genghis Grill (Mongolian BBQ) then off to search a pair of Puma shoes, their present for Shawn. We didn't have to search too hard...found them @ the mall then off to get him a haircut & to buy mom a new phone. We were going to eat dinner out, but Shawn got puney (spelling???) on us so we headed home & drove thru Chick-Fil-A. He did perk up a little bit, but I feel certain we'll be going to see the doctor by Wednesday!

Mom had made him a cake based on his description...chocolate cake with green icing & white lines like a football field. Here's the outcome from her adventure w/ Anna Kate....


Anna Kate was in charge of placing the footballs & my dad made the goal posts! They all did a great job!!! We brought it home & Shawn had a small piece before bed.

That pretty much recaps the day. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! Most importantly, we have been blessed beyond measure to be Shawn's parents & God has given us the opportunity to impact his life for Christ. May we always strive for that highest goal!!!

Shawn, we love you & are so proud to be your parents!!!

Wonderful Friday Night

We met my Dad @ The Faded Rose for dinner bc he was out of town on business all week so the kids were dying to see him!!! Plus my mom is having a girls weekend with some of her very dear friends from Magnolia so we didn't want Daddy spending Friday alone. Anna Kate loves to wear my dad's reading glasses so she immediately took them from him.





Kind of hard to see but she likes to wear them on her head! It's pretty funny!

So we started with wonderful company & enjoyed wonderful food! One of my favorite dishes is Shrimp & Grits...yummy!!!! This is a new addition to their menu & it was fantastic!


How could you not be happy after that meal???

Well, Daniel & I got an unexpected surprise when my offered for BOTH kids to spend the nite w/ him!!! What a PawPaw! He was already planning on Shawn staying but couldn't stand it for AK not come too. So...Daniel & I decided to go see a movie. We haven't been to the movie in a while so it was definitley a treat! We both have been wanting to see The Blind Side...OH MY GOODNESS!!!! If you haven't seen this movie, you MUST go! I had mentioned Leap Year but knew Daniel really wanted to see the other (he is good about going to see chik flics w/ me though!). Sandra Bullock is a must in his book though. Well, I'll just tell you that I would have missed a HUGE blessing to have not seen that movie. Also, I'm now the newest & biggest Baltimore Ravens fan there is!!!!

If you need something to do this weekend or even if you think you don't have time for a movie, trust me you won't be disappointed!

Happy Saturday everybody!