Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving did Mason good.
He weighed in today at 19 lbs. 8 oz.
(with a wet diaper)
YAY, my boy is growing.
13 months old.

Walking

I think it is official.
Mason is walking more often that not.
13 months, 10 days.

Taller

Luke has been clumsy lately. He falls all over the place.
and his leg hurts randomly.
I said "boy, you must be growin' "
So we measured him.
On his 4th birthday we measured him.
He had grown 4 whole inches from his 3rd birthday.
whew! that is a lot.
Well, since his birthday, (approx. 6 months) he has grown 1 and 3/4 inches.
FACT: Luke, at 4 1/2 is just a tad taller than Mackenzie was at 5 1/2 years.
Mackenzie has grown too.
Since April, Mackenzie has grown 1 1/2 inches.
From her 6 to her 7 she only grew 2 inches. Now, only 6 months later, she has grown 1 1/2.
Luke is 3 1/2 inches shorter than Mackenzie.
They are 3 years apart.
Mason will have some time catching up!

11 Months

Mason has a smidgen of one tooth.
Mason stands up in the middle of the room.
He does not walk or step.
He does cruise on the furniture but crawling is so much faster!
(and we don't have that much stuff for him to go from one furniture to the next.)
Mason sleeps all night (has been since 3 months, PTL)
and is growing like a weed. (well he is pretty tiny for an almost 1 year old!)
Thank you Jesus for all 3 of my precious babies.
and my hubby too.
September 2009

My first Tooth

Mason finally got a tooth.
Or a smidgen of a tooth.
6 days before 11 months old Mason cut his first tooth.
It was not too traumatic. He was up and cried once at night
for 4 nights in a row.

Baby Weight

I did it again!!!!!!!
If you can lose all your baby weight after each baby within the year after their birth, then you are the bomb. Yeah, I said da Bomb. So, sue me. You can also sue me cuz I have lost all my baby weight. Ha ha, I totally get to toot my own horn; this is totally awesome.
If you want to know how I did it, I will let you know........
Eating right and exercise. oh, and a relatively strict schedule (for both me and the kids).
Thank you.

9 months

Mason is 9 months today.
He found an unattended toy car.
He stole it from Mackenzie's toys.
He is currently driving it all over the living room.
He is crawling and pushing, and crawling and pushing,...
Who taught him to do that?
and at 9 months old?
really?
July 2009

Information--use it.

**If you live the truth,
you will receive more truth.


**a pastor asked a church member:
"are you going to the Bible conference?"
the church member answered:
"naw, I already know more than I'm living!"

**God does not reveal to us any more
information, until we have acted on the
information you have.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Mason just pulled up at the couch.........


now what?

(clean the house, silly)

Oh, and the days have been 100 -106 for weeks.
Record highs.
Today it rained. The temperature dropped
20 degrees (according to my wall clock)
in 8 minutes. 97 to 77.
Praise the LORD for the break and the rain.
Mason is 8 months plus 1 week.
June 29, 2009

Growing up

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Mason is mobile!


It started with a slow army crawl.
Elbows and his big toes. Carpet burn.
We are up to a fast belly slither,
with a nice crawl/ bear stance
(bottom up, on his feet and hands)
thrown in for fun.

He gets from slither to sitting and back like a champ.
and to make matters more interesting.....
He PULLED HIMSELF UP to standing
a few times this week.
EIGHT MONTHS.
NO TEETH, not even a hint.
Plenty of food though.
Carrots baby food is still his favorite.
Followed closely by Sweet Potatoes.
Squash, Peas, Green Beans and a few mixed veggies.
So far the only "no way, yuck" is the rice cereal
mixed with anything, even peaches or carrots.
He has not quite mastered the "puffs".
(like cherrios for the un-knowing bunch of ya)
He gets them in his mouth himself but not without a fight.
Most of them end up on the floor or in the chair.
He is workin' on that "pincher" grasp.
They do grow up fast.
June 27th, 09

Mackenzie fun fridays

50's day
Aunt Becky made the skirt for 'dress up' a while back.
She loved getting spiffed up.

Crazy hair day
Pretty crazy!!
This one was fun!

Spring of 2009
First Grade Crazy Hair day

Luke's "when I grow up"

Luke just declared: (when he grows up)
"I am going to have 4 babies,
they will be all boys,
and their names will be:
Michelangelo,
Leonardo,
Donatello,
Rafael."
Mackenzie said:
"what if you have a girl?
To that Luke replied:
"I will name her April O'Neal"
(the reporter girl on the show)

Boy knows his ninja turtles!
I told him we don't get to pick, girls or boys,
God does that for us.
He said "God knows what I want, I told HIM."
Cute kid!
May 2009

Luke and Coralyn's Party 2

March 31st
April 4th
2009

Awwwwwwwww!

Me-to Mackenzie --"so, what did you get me for my birthday?"
Mackenzie- "I don't think I got you anything."
Me- "you are my kid, you gotta get me something for my birthday."
Mackenzie- "well, if you don't get anything for your birthday,
you always get LOVE."

Who taught her that?
May 2009
(after my super sick-no fun-birthday)

Love you too kid!~

Well trained

You know they are well trained when.....

While sitting at the breakfast table,
Luke said "it is getting dark!"
(rain clouds)
Mackenzie replied "NO< IT IS NOOOOOT!!!!!"
Me (da mom) corrected her "Mackenzie, that was not nice.
We don't talk to people that way."
Immediately Luke pipped in "OK! Lets try that again. It is getting dark!
Now Kenzie answer!!"
Mackenzie tried again FOUR TIMES with Luke's
prompting before he let her off the hook!

I was sitting right there with them. I did not prompt them.
They are well trained. God Bless their little hearts.
May 2009

Spring 09

Mason's baby dedication

Eatin' my toes! Look, I can reach them.

Good head control.

Look, I rolled over in my bed.
Grr, I can't get back over!
(this is old hat, I roll over just fine now,
I also scoot all over the living room)

In my pain....

In my pain.... I got a chance to read a tad. This is a grand feat for me the mom. As I have not been on the computer in weeks.

Vicki Iovine in her book "The Girlfriends' Guide to Getting Your Groove Back"
"...life is like surfing; you catch a wave and ride it as long as you can, then you may wipe out, but all you have to do is hold your breath, dive down as far as you can go until the white water passes you, and then you can come up in time to catch the next wave. ..... True survival skills depend a lot on on that breath-holding bit. " pg 17

This too shall pass..........................

I am so very sick.

I woke up Sunday morning with an incredible ear ache. It is like nothing I have ever felt before.
I managed to get to church. I am still not sure why. (The "treat n go" did not open until noon).
I was at the clinic at noon. Without lunch.
Jeremy took the kids across the street to eat. I waited. and waited. When I finally was seen, I like to have "stumped" the nurse practitioner. I don't think she knew what to do with a nursing mother.
I was given antibiotics. That is it. I was in so much pain. She said "Tylenol". I just about decked her. I had already taken Tylenol and then ibuprofen.
I came home to rest. It was fitful and short lived but.... I considered going to the ER. What would they do for me their? I did not want to wait so they could tell me "take Tylenol".
I really wanted to go to the ER.
I finally fell asleep.
My ear drum ruptured at 1:44 am. Believe me. I felt it. Then came the OOZZZZZZZZ. nasty stuff, and in my hair. grrrrr.
Now I hear a terrible ringing and the pain randomly shoots down my neck all the way to my pelvis.
Mackenzie has pink eye. I took her to the doctor today in this condition. (not safe, let me tell you) She cannot miss any more school. (we took two extra days of spring break. teeehee)
I was rescued first of all by so many who stepped up and are watching the Happel girls (THANK YOU) and secondly by my mother in law who swept in today and is cleaning the kitchen. Praise the LORD!!
Thank you to all who have called. I cannot talk on the phone, the pain is too great. (and right next to my ear).
I do take text messages and email.
I now have antibiotic ear drops for the open wound that is my ear. (thanks to Mackenzie's doctor at the pink eye visit).
Now, when will the pain and the ringing go away?
My birthday is in just a few days too. what a gift.
May 19th, 2009 (is it really 09????????)

Luke and Coralyn's Party

Luke turns 4 just a few days after Coralyn turns 3.
They have partied together for 3 years now!

Hey, what is your name?
Superhero!

Coralyn turns 3!
In all her glory.
Oh, gotta have that princess cake.
Her mommy made her cake!

Notice the ninja shirt!!!!

Do you see the look of admiration on his face?
She draws a crowd!
Oh, how they love each other.
April 2009
Luke 4,
Coralyn 3.

Luke turns 4!

Luke turns 4.
Ninja turtle cake,
thanks daddy for freehanding this turtle.

Daddy freehanded this turtle.
He was inspired and looked it up online.
Raphael is Luke's current favorite,
Red mask.
He holds the "sais" as a weapon.
fun, fun.
April 2009

Mason Plus...

Grampa!! Thanks for sharing.
(grampa's weakness)

Grr, Grampa. NO sharing.

Grampa and my three plus Kezia (Andrew is off to the side)
bedtime snack.

Daddy playing games with the kiddos.
Mason too!
Mason is 5 months old.

Luke's "Meet the Marines" day

Meet the Marines at Mother's Day Out.
Love the camo pants and the superman cape.
He picked his outfit.
March 2009

Got Coralyn back! PLUS ONE!!

Welcome Coralyn back to our brood.
And we are enjoying the addition of Coralyn's baby sister,
Amelia Cristin to our bunch!!
Yes, I have my hands full.
The Princesses started coming every day last Monday.
I have had a full week of chaos plus the few days of this week.
I am not sure this is the smartest thing I ever done but....
they are sure fun.
Amelia is 3 months,
Mason is almost 6 months,
Coralyn just turned 3,
Luke just turned 4,
and my big girl,
Mackenzie is 6 1/2.
Yes that makes 5.
I also have my hubby and his laundry.
Thank GOD for friends. I have had back up on this crazy adventure.
I love "putting into" the lives of these precious babes.
April 2009

Missin' Coralyn

Coralyn has been "out on maternity leave" with her mommy and baby sister, Amelia.
Do you know what it is like to have your world turned upside down?
Luke is at a complete loss without her; "my Coralyn" he calls her.
"where is my Coralyn?" "Why is my Coralyn not here?" "when is my Coralyn coming over?"
Coralyn feels the same way!
We are a part of each other. What a blessing to have such intertwining relationships.
Baby Crying......Gotta go.........

Been a while

Mason is amazing. He is growing so fast. Mason rolled over last week, from back to front. He is only 4 months old. I thought it was a "fluke". The next day he was a proficient roller!! He crunches up his head and lifts his feet, then he sort of falls to the left, arches his back, stretches back out and then he is over. Strange.
The third day, I think he rolled over the other way. But it may have been just an accident. He has not rolled tummy to back again.
He "talks" more now. He makes sounds and responds. I love it.
Mason 4 months, March 2009

new problem!

Mason learned to roll over.
Tuesday was his first time. He was in his crib, woke up, fussed and I noticed he was not where I put him! By Wednesday he is a proficient roller-over. He is a quick study!
Finally, today he did not want to take a nap. He kept rolling over onto his face.
After crying a little.....he did fall asleep on his tummy.

Boy better figure out NOT TO ROLL OVER or TO ROLL BACK OVER!!
March 5th, 2009
4 months old.

The Whole Crazy Lot of Us

Summer's side of the family.
It was such an awesome blessing to be all together for Christmas this year.
We attending the Christmas Eve Service together.
We had a huge sleep-over.
We really DID Christmas this year.
(Oh, someone is always looking away in the pictures.
I guess this year it was my turn!)
2008 Waco, Texas

The Gilberts

Brittney with Isaiah
Christmas Eve Service 2008

The Palmers

Mackenzie on Jeremy, Mason on Summer, Luke
Christmas Eve Service 2008

The Gilberts

Kelly holding Blaize
Corey holding Alex
Christmas Eve Service 2008

Christmas morning

the boys
Isaiah holding Mason
Luke

Mackenzie, Isaiah holding Mason, Luke
(Missing Alex and Blaize, it was quite early on Christmas day)

Grandkids Gilberts

Alex-- 2 1/2
Luke--3 1/2
Mackenzie--6 1/2
Mason--5 weeks
Isaiah--7 3/4
Blaize--9 mo
Thanksgiving 2008

Passionate Chocolate

Dove with Almonds
Happiness is the experience of living every minute
with love, grace and gratitude.
Oh, the words of chocolate!

Christmas Various

Mason on Christmas day, 2 months.
What a gift!












Luke, what a smile!















Mackenzie--6 1/2
Isaiah--almost 8!
Blaize--less than 1
Luke--3 1/2
Christmas eve service.











My Gorgeous Sister!
Brittney,
Look!! She is wearing a dress
AND
a smile!!!!!!!














Mason 2 months.
Great smile.

New Years Eve Gift

Several days after the incident my black eye is nice and formed.
It extends all the way down my cheek and to my hair-line.
OH< how it hurts.
The nice cut is really just a scrape; nope, no stitches.
Happy New Year!

One week later....
Full, lovely color comes in!
Ok, here's the story.
We had been working hard on the farm in Athens.
(the grandparents place)
Post hole digger for Jeremy,
Tractor driven wood chipper for Summer.
Granny was in charge of All the kids.
New Year's Eve.
Grampa comes over and says:
It is 4:30, lets call it a day, play with the kids,
then eat dinner and do fire-crackers.
Why don't you two go for a little ride on the bike
(Granny's tandem bicycle).
I did not want to go.
I have control issues and I would have to ride in the back
with Jeremy steering.
I said ok.
Off we go.
On the country road, the 5-7 dogs (little mutts!)
all chase us at the same time.
We get past them. My legs are burning.
I am not used to this much exercise!
Jeremy says, you wanna drive.
I convince him I am simply too short.
I can't sit on the seat and touch the ground.
We are off, again.
This time My Brilliant Husband says:
"Lets get a good start and we will get past the dogs,
they are already up on their porches!"
Now my control issues are surfacing!!!!!
Here they come.....
Mostly they stop near us and chase us.....
Mostly....
That one little black mutt.....
GOES RIGHT FOR THE FRONT TIRE.
He does not stop.
He runs right in front of us.
We hit him square on!
I don't remember the rest.
The way I heard it was:
He spun around and we ran over him again with the back tire.
My face connected with the gravel.
I hurt my big toe, my knee, my elbow and my upper arm.
All on my left side.
My hands were not even dirty! How did I do that?
I jumped up, all wobbly.
I did not want to get bit by the stupid, now angry, animal.
Jeremy grabbed me before I fell over again.
You know how much head wounds bleed?????
Jeremy starts calling out: anyone home?
We are just down the street from our property
but then you have to walk down the driveway.
A guy comes out, disclaims the dog:
"Not mine, people come and drop off their mutts here!
I'll call animal control."
(We know it is yours!)
So, he drives us home, Granny freaks.
Coralyn says: "My Unca Je-my, no-no, no hurt my
Ant Sum"
We explain.
Granny cleans me up and gets ice on my face.
Coralyn says: "NOW! All better, go play"
She knows the drill.
The neighbor is an EMT. He comes over to check my face.
No broken bones, does not look like stitches.
No ER for me.
Animal Control came.
The Police came.
Jeremy is not so bad. I am guessin' he will lose his toe nail.
His knee and palm still hurt but
His Face did not See the Ground!
My hands were not even dirty.
Oh, no fire-crackers.
We did have a bon-fire and ate some perfect Marshmallows.
Happy New year.
It is now 2 1/2 weeks later, my knee hurts and my face hurts.
(no wise-cracks, Your face hurts me too! :) )
I wonder what kind of scar I will end up keeping.
Oh, what a great story!
New Years Eve 2008

More Mason

Mason at one month,
resting with Daddy

Is that Mason resting with Dad again?
Dad, don't you know that it is not nap if only YOU are resting?

Big, alert eyes
Mason, 1 month

Thanksgiving,
Thank you for cousin Isaiah,
what a loving guy.
November 2008

Mackenzie's layered trim

She has never had much hair.
The ends are yucky and it breaks very easily.
Yes, she is wearing HUGE Christmas earrings.
These are for special occasions only, not every day.

We got at "trim", girls don't get their hair cut.
(She was afraid they would cut her hair OFF
like when we cut Luke's curls off)

The before picture
November 2008,
Mackenzie is 6 1/2 years old.

Mason one month

Mason and daddy
Look at that head control!

My big guy and my tiny guy

resting in the sling

How does this thing work?
We are not sure.
Mason, even at the young age of a month,
does NOT like things on his head.
Not hats, not hands, not sling.
November 2008