The Jungle Life of the Palmers

Dissatisfaction:

2011-03-20T23:07:00.000-05:00

Is your dissatisfaction a jumping point for sin or for success?

Joshua 7, Achin

(Kyle Cox, 3.20.11, Highland BC)

Achin's sin started with his "dissatisfaction with the manner in which God had ordered the affairs of his life".

Achin's sin was:

Demonstrated in his covetousness and his disobedience.

Resulting in his deciet in stealing objects and hiding them (guilt),

Consequences his whole family dies, and

the entire tribe of Israel loses the battle of AI.

Are we more capable or satisfied with our own ability to set order to our lives than the God who set the boundaries of the oceans and the land and the heavens and the earth?

Give me my own inheritance and let me go my own way.

Pagans run after the newest and best of everything,

they worry about what they will eat or drink tomorrow,

a worthless result.

What part of God's will do you push back against?

God orders our lives just as He sees fit,

with our best interest in mind and the big picture.

When we live outside of that plan,

the grass is always greener elsewhere.

Dissatisfaction in and of its self is not sin.

Is your dissatisfaction a jumping point for sin?

Is your dissatisfaction a reminder to refocus on HIM and reach for Christ?

Achin was dissatisfied with is life.

40 years in the desert will do that to a person!

He justified his actions against God's commands,

The consequences were dire.

Are you so dissatisfied with your life that you take matters into your own hands?

Are your hands better equipped to satisfy you?

Really?

God feeds the birds and the flowers,

He set the oceans and the land apart,

He made the heavens and the earth,

His plan is way better than anything YOU can come up with on your own.

Do you trust him?

Are you dissatisfied with where HE has PUT you?

Wake up people!!

If you are IN HIS will,

There is NO WHERE else that is GREENER.

Stop dreaming.

Live in the present.

NOW.

God really does have your best interest in mind,

Trust HIM.

March 2011

(great lesson in SS today, just had to share)

ETA: 20 days

2011-03-03T20:36:00.000-06:00

ETA:

20 days.

Ha ha ha

Like they even know when babies arrive.

March 2011

9 months pregnant---Forced to Slow Down in a Fast Paced World.

2011-03-03T20:26:00.000-06:00

How slow can you go?

Life is a bunch of fast pace races, separated by a minimal night's sleep, only to begin again the next day.

I was driving my car-- Slowly. Life racing by me. I take my time to get everywhere. I waddle in and out of stores and doctor's offices. I PLAN ahead and give myself several extra minutes,--even to stand up and "re-align" my hips before I dash off to get the kids from their classrooms at church.

During the precious time of gestation, God provides a drastic reduction in function.

Strange, we say. Should we not function at our best during this time?

No, the answer is No.

To function at our best, we actually must function at our worst.

What? That is crazy!

This re-aligns our priorities. What are your priorities?

In this case, our own personal health and the life we are responsible for.

When we simply have to slow down, we learn to appreciate each and every task and the energy required to do each task.

Taking the time to wake up, go to the bathroom every hour, and then get up and function the next day is God's way of preparing us to focus.

What are we focusing on?

We are to focus on what is really important. Really. Important.

Our next task will be the sole feeder of a tiny defenseless infant.

If we can't get up and pee every hour without getting angry and bitter......How, then, shall we get up every 2 hours and sit for 40 minutes of the next hour to Calmly feed our helpless babe? Only to repeat this every 2 hours, day and night for several weeks/months and get up and function the next day?

Nope, not exaggerating.

I will be asking God about this when I get there. It is not nice. God's purpose is supreme.

Thank you for preparing us......(even though I don't agree with you).

March 2011 (baby due in approx. 20 days). ha ha ha.....

Our Focus

2011-02-18T21:30:00.000-06:00

Each day we wake up.

Each day we are given a choice.

Is today going to be a good day or a bad day?

The question is not:

"are my life circumstances better or worse

than someone else's?"

There are SO many people out there,

and even SO many people so close to us,

who's life circumstances are worse than ours.

What is our focus?

Does our day suck more than your day?

Does our day suck more than yesterday?

Are we going to let our day suck at all?

Permission:

We do have permission to have a bad day.

We do not have permission to be ugly about it.

We have permission to "be in the dumps" for a moment.

We do not have permission to "stew" on the moment.

God calls us to rejoice, have faith, and trust in HIM for the future.

No matter what the "level" of our "bad circumstances".

In all reality, there is always SOMEONE,

who "has it much worse".

Where is YOUR focus?

February 2011

In Faith....

2011-01-15T08:03:00.000-06:00

In Faith,

I am packing my whole house.

In faith,

I am telling my children that we will move in June after school is out.

In faith,

I am accumulating baby things,

with the assumption that all will be well and baby will be born healthy and on time.

In faith,

I am giving my daughter "scary" medicines in hopes that they will improve her quality of life.

In faith,

I move about my day intentionally.

I am moving towards a goal that is unknown and uncertain.

It is ridiculous to Assume we will get a great job straight out of seminary.

In this economy, who are we kidding?

(God specializes in the ridiculous.)

In faith, I stand, the plan is God's.

the chore to follow through is mine.

LET'S GO GET 'UM!!

(can you tell they are still asleep as I write?)

January 2011

The Power of Relationship

2011-01-15T07:55:00.000-06:00

The power of relationship is the dividing line.

Do you think you have the "right" to say certain things to certain people,

Just because, you have a certain kind of relationship with them?

I can say "you stink, you need a shower" to certain people.

But if I said that to others, they would be offended.

Relationship matters.

Can we trust God?

YES.

Is it easy to trust God?

NO.

What is the role of relationship in this trust/ease factor?

If we have a consistent relationship with God,

Then it is easier to say "I don't trust that this will be OK".

And, guess what?

God understands that.

He does not condemn us for "oh, ye of little faith" moments.

However, if we do not have a consistent relationship with HIM,

It is much easier for us to fall into the category of:

"I don't trust"
and mean it.

Thus spiraling into the depths of despair.

The only thing that keeps us afloat is THAT relationship.

How is my relationship with God right now?

Do I trust HIM enough to say "I am having trouble trusting you?"

and KNOW firmly that HIS plan is big enough?

January 2011

Pain?

2011-01-15T07:43:00.000-06:00

What is Pain?

What is painful to me vs, what is painful for you?

How much pain is good to share?

vs. How much pain shall we "endure" alone?

My heart is breaking for some friends.

Is their pain worse or more important than my pain?

Do I "dwell" in their pain to escape the pain in my own world?

The comment:

"Don't worry, everything will be fine. Give it to God"

Does that just cover it and now it is over?

If we pretend like it does not exist,

Then, is it still happening, is it still real?

If we become overtaken by fear,

are we less of a Christian?

Do we have less faith?

In the quiet moments in the middle of the night,

who reigns?

Shall we let our minds wander to the point of exhaustion?

Or do we go straight to the source of all comfort?

IMMEDIATELY.

January 2011

30 weeks and counting

2011-01-09T14:44:00.000-06:00

When can you start counting down, instead of UP?
Our prayer is to make it to 37 without any baby growth problems.
We wish for baby's umbilical cord to grow adequately to sustain the needs of baby until 40 weeks.

Anti-Equality

2011-01-09T14:41:00.000-06:00

I have always been "anti-equality."

What does that mean to me?

Well, I am not sure when it started really. It may be as far back as childhood to some degree. It may be a more recent, college, newly married, experienced thought. I am just not sure.

I do know that our experience as houseparents of "under achieving, high potential" (read: troubled) teenagers in the Dominican Republic has changed, reformed or solidified my belief systems.

We had SO MANY parents say things like: "I don't know what happened. We treated all our kids the same and his/her siblings are not on this path to destruction"!!

The program in the DR was centered around a new approach: INDIVIDUALIZED "treatment/care". Go figure, they are individual teens with individual personalities and problems that come from individual backgrounds and have individual paths in life.

In general, America is a very Individualistic country.

We tend to think as one person, separate from everyone else. This is why I think equality is so strange in America.

Most countries are more "community", communal. Villages are held together by the bond they share as a family or group of families. Villages are held together by the common good and the common crops and the common beliefs and the common "religion".

In America, we all want to be Different and at the same time we all want to be "just like our group of friends". Yet our parents and extended families "treat us the same" as the other sibling/cousins, and expect our lives to turn out "the same".

My goal is not to "fuss". But to figure out how to be a "better parent" to each of my INDIVIDUAL children.

My equality issues have been on my mind during this holiday break as I have interacted with my children in different settings. Mackenzie (MJ) is in 2nd grade, learning to read and to be independent, 8 1/2 years old and a FEMALE. Luke is in Kinder and learning to argue the finer points of details and pretends he can read. He is almost 6 (aaaahhhh!) and all BOY. Mason (MW) is all of barely 2 and speaks very clearly what he does and does not want, in complete sentences and mostly complete thoughts. And all BOY.

Now, I know the two older ones are "different gender" so that makes things different for me. But, *"?does an 8 yo girl and a 5 yo boy need to eat the same quantity of the same foods?"

*"Is it possible for one to need a snack to simply 'survive' the day? and a snack would 'ruin' dinner for the other one?"

*"Is it not obvious that the little guy needs different 'amounts' of Christmas candy than the other older two?" *"does one need a nap? the other a 'rest'? and the other 'alone-time'?"

*"does one need allergy medicine or glasses or antibiotics or more rest or less quiet time...?"

How can we treat our children "the same"? and get different outcomes.

Now, men and women.

Did God make men and women equal? and by "equal" what does that really mean?

Should women get paid the same as men for doing the same work?

Is it possible for women to sustain the same level of Physical labor as a man?

What was God's plan when he made us Man and Woman? If we were the same, then why would we need each other?

It is our responsibility as parents to learn what EACH child needs and then apply it to the relationship. MJ NEEDS quiet time (alone time). She gets overwhelmed and begins to "crisis". Alone-time is the "medicine" for this. Luke is always ready to play with someone, however, if he does not get a few (15) minutes of "downtime" in the day, by evening he is "crabby". We are still working on figuring out Mason but he does have a very good "nap" or "crib time, lights out" during the middle of the day. Too much TV makes them all "lethargic". And a firm "go play" (as in leave me out of it), is very easy for MJ and very difficult for L.

(he is learning.)

I need my alone time. (Like alone, w/o kids too. This does not happen often). My hubby needs to "talk it out". (about everything...drives me nuts).

I don't mind stepping over the toys in the hallway. Jeremy steps ON them. I Require many hours of consecutive sleep. Hubby can 'run' on just a few.

Just like we MUST learn what we, as parents/people, NEED to function, so too we must learn what our children need for them to grow up to be the persons God intended them to be.

What makes you "tick"? What do you need to survive the stresses of daily life?

What is your "hobby", your "get away"?

Now, what makes each one of your special children "tick"? What do they need to survive the stresses of family/school/siblings life? What is it that they need from you as a parent? and more than just that, what does each one need from EACH parent? (cuz they don't need the same things from both of ya!)

Wow, did I go on and on? Don't answer that!

January 2011

Latest Sonogram

2011-01-09T13:54:00.000-06:00

I assume that since my January 4th sonogram,

I have not heard anything from the doctor office:

*everything is fine

*doc it too busy

*or out of the office

*everything is fine.

So, I will go with the best possible outcome,

Everything must be fine.

My powers of deduction and experience with

sonogram technology leads me to believe:

The "report" page on the cd-r says,

Baby is measuring one week smaller than "date".

This is consistent with the previous sono,

at that time, baby measured one week smaller than "date".

So, baby is growing consistently,

and just "IS" one week smaller than the calendar

says "average" should be.

I do make smaller babies.

NOW<

my prayer is:

*continued consistent growth

*that we "make it" to full term

*that he position himself correctly soon

*that my knee stop getting swollen

(we will worry about genes and genetics later)

God has blessed us.

Thank you Lord for getting us this far.

January 2011

(wow! that was fun date to write)

Year in Summary

2010-11-07T07:07:00.000-06:00

February 2010: I was diagnosed with 83% hearing loss in my left ear. This came as a total shock to me and I was alone at the specialist office. (result of an ear infection in May of 09, with eardrum rupture, ringing, and extreme exhaustion). I had been frustrated with my then 4 year old---"speak CLEARLY, say EACH WORD separately". I should have known something was "amiss".
March 2010: The search for a hearing aid begins. Wow! Hearing aids are complicated and EXPENSIVE.
March 2010: Information that our eldest daughter MJ might be dyslexic. Testing begins.
                      More emotional drain: wow, my hubby REALLY is more dyslexic than we thought.
April 2010:    Still no hearing aid, however, I have had a borrowed aid everyday since the "diagnosis". PTL.
                     Luke turns 5 and is SO SO SO ready for "all day, every day school". He is only in MDO two days a week.
                     More testing for MJ. Some "accommodations" for MJ at school help her at least "pass" her second time in FIRST GRADE. The school and the teachers have been VERY good to us. Thank you Woodway Elementary Staff.
May 2010:     MY MONTH: Mother's Day, My birthday, Our anniversary! I love May!!
                     Parents watch ALL THREE kids for THREE DAYS so Jeremy can take me "out" for our anniversary. It has been 11 years. WOW, 11. We have not "gotten away" for our anniversary since our fifth year. At that point we only had ONE kid.
May 2010:    Jeremy starts his "internship" for the summer. Sunday am he leaves, returning Wednesday midday or later. EVERY week for 12 weeks. How did we even survive the summer? The rest of the week he had to go to "regular work" so really all we got was Saturday, of course, he was so exhausted by then.....
June 2010: kids finish school. Now the fun can begin......It was a great summer, non the less. Three kids, lots of adventures, lots of outside, lots of kiddie pool in the back yard, lots of "not so healthy" dinners. Lots of friends over to play.
July 2010: MJ turns 8, wow, I am getting old. More of the same, we miss daddy when he is gone and we play HARD when he is here. We never missed a Sunday. (Man, I needed that break) Yep. I took them all with me to Sunday School and Service every week. They needed it as much as I did!
August 2010: Is is possible 12 weeks is almost over? The highlight of my summer was my very own trip to SOUTH AFRICA. Yes, you heard it right, just me 10 days. Jeremy had to figure out internship, work and three kids, ha ha, I got the best guy out there, he is mine!!!!!   He elicited help and it was freely given, thank you all of you who helped make this happen. (I will blog about the trip separately).
August 2010:    Jeremy had less than two weeks between internship and beginning a new semester. That was rough. Kids start school. Luke!! It is FINALLY time to go to "all day, every day" school. Wow, it is hard to get up in the morning. What a champion. He LOVES school. (I just hope he is actually learning something).
MJ will have quite the adjustment. After having the same teacher in the same room for both of her first grade years..... second grade will be a bit of a different story.....
September 2010: Oh, yeah, didn't we tell you...... we are pregnant.......we found out RIGHT before I left for Africa so we did not tell and now after seeing a real heartbeat, we are finally ready to tell the family. Yes, I can keep a secret without lying.
October 2010: Jeremy's birthday. He is 34 despite what he tells you. Mason had a birthday, he is 2 (he consistently responds 3, who knows!)
We dressed up for "fall festivals" on friday night, saturday morning and on sunday night. Yup, we like to party. Don't worry, we did not buy our costumes. The kids all have dress up in their toy boxes and I told them, if they could not find it in their box----they could not be that. We did make MJ's tail out of cardboard and duct tape for her cat costume.
November 2010: The first day of this month brings us a SONOGRAM..... MJ went with us. We got to see Baby Palmer #4 in action. Yes, another boy. Jeremy and MJ are both a bit sad but they will live.
A few days later in this very same week----we are burdened with the news of another uncertainty...... Baby Boy Palmer has SUA, Single Umbilical Artery. What that means WE HAVE NO IDEA.
SO for the next few days we will live in a state of uncertainty trusting in our GOD Almighty that HE IS BIGGER than ALL OF EVERYTHING.
November 2010:   More excitement to come.... Thanksgiving with family..... another sono picture of our baby.... maybe some Christmas decorating.... and most certainly more packing..... (I am living under the assumption that after May Graduation...... we will be getting a job and moving....I don't want to have to pack Everything with a newborn in the house)
To be continued..... everyday has is prize. ..... focus on your prize today......

It has really been a while

2010-11-07T06:34:00.000-06:00

In all fairness, who reads this anyway?

Blogging is so much more for the blogger

than for the readers (if there are any).

Snow Man

2010-01-02T20:38:00.003-06:00

Just my size.
Papa made it with Aunt Brittney and mommy Summer.

Can we claim credit if we did not help?

Aunt Brittney with Mason.

Mom, it is cold, can't you see?

A man in his element. Cousin Isaiah
Loves the snow. Watch him, he can really throw you a snowball.
Comanche, Oklahoma December 28th, 2009

Blessed Christmas

2010-01-02T20:04:00.003-06:00

Luke climbing in a tree at Great Grandma Murray's house in Oklahoma.
He saw snow!

My snow bunnies. Mason's first snow for sure.
Luke and Mackenzie's biggest snow.
Yay! Comanche, Oklahoma
December 28th, 2009

See the Ice?
My dad was driving. Glad it was not meeeeee!

My princess

Dude is getting big.

14 Months

2010-01-02T20:01:00.001-06:00

Mason is finally at 19 lbs. 14 oz.
I think we measured him at 29 1/4 inches.
At 14 months.
He is a little dude but he can sword fight with Luke like a champ!
December 2009

Thanksgiving

2009-12-02T22:19:00.001-06:00

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

2009-12-02T21:54:00.002-06:00

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

Taller

2009-10-14T21:26:00.000-05:00

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

2009-09-27T22:37:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-27T22:30:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-27T22:04:00.003-05:00

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

2009-07-22T16:24:00.002-05:00

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.

2009-07-22T16:16:00.002-05:00

**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!

2009-06-29T16:10:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-27T22:35:00.002-05:00

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

2009-05-27T20:40:00.002-05:00

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"

2009-05-25T07:57:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-23T21:59:00.002-05:00

March 31st
April 4th
2009

Awwwwwwwww!

2009-05-23T11:35:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-23T09:29:00.002-05:00

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

2009-05-20T21:45:00.002-05:00

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....

2009-05-19T18:43:00.002-05:00

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.

2009-05-19T18:32:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-18T22:17:00.003-05:00

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!

2009-05-18T21:38:00.003-05:00

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...

2009-04-15T15:15:00.002-05:00

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

2009-04-15T15:02:00.002-05:00

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!!

2009-04-15T12:01:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-09T16:07:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-09T15:31:00.003-05:00

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!

2009-03-05T13:19:00.002-06:00

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

2009-02-15T19:06:00.002-06:00

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

2009-02-15T19:03:00.001-06:00

Brittney with Isaiah
Christmas Eve Service 2008

The Palmers

2009-02-15T18:59:00.002-06:00

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

The Gilberts

2009-02-15T18:55:00.001-06:00

Kelly holding Blaize
Corey holding Alex
Christmas Eve Service 2008

Christmas morning

2009-02-15T18:47:00.002-06:00

the boys
Isaiah holding Mason
Luke

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

Grandkids Gilberts

2009-02-15T18:35:00.003-06:00

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

2009-01-24T22:17:00.002-06:00

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

Christmas Various

2009-01-22T21:44:00.004-06:00

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

2009-01-19T07:42:00.007-06:00

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

2009-01-04T19:19:00.002-06:00

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

2009-01-04T18:55:00.002-06:00

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

2009-01-04T18:42:00.002-06:00

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

"The First Year"

2009-01-03T16:00:00.003-06:00

An exerpt taken from "The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood" by Vicki Iovine
"Having a baby is like entering a carnival fun house...It's a thrilling adventure, even if you do look a little distored in all the mirrors, you have no sense of direction and have to feel you way along in the dark, and even if every once in a while something pops up that you didn't expect and scares the heck out of you. You can fight it by running around looking for the exit or you can just exhale and remember, life is a carnival...."
* * * * *
And with every new addition, the carnival rides again! Get to know each kid individually; learn their unique personalilty. Watch it develop and grow and mesh with the rest of the family....enjoy!

Halloween Follow Up

2008-11-09T05:02:00.004-06:00

This is what they usually look like.
We dress up often.
How cute, a moment of sharing.
Or are they arguing over the page?
We will go with sharing. That is my story,
And I am stickin' to it!
Mason is just "chillin" nearby.
Careful! Don't step on Mason.

Coralyn in Mackenzie's tutu again.
and again
and again.
Luke (no pants, again), in his superman shirt,
with his guns and mask on.
This is their true colors.

Coralyn spends a lot of time this way.
"Princesses do dat" she says.
She also spins an awful lot.

Finally, the halloween picture we needed for the post before.
(on halloween, she was NOT in the mood for pictures,
this is a follow-up picture)
And a great princess she is.
October/November 2008
Someone!! Buy that princess a tutu!!!!!!!!!

Halloween

2008-11-09T04:07:00.005-06:00

The Palmers,
Luke--thinks he is a policeman
Mackenzie--thinks she is a princess
Daddy--thinks he is a "stud" (that is his work shirt!)
Mason--thank you to Uncle Corey and Aunt Kelly for the hand-me-downs

What a cute "tigger".
Mason--9 days old

My princess
Mackenzie--6 years old

My Warrior.
Luke--3 1/2 years old.

The Bunch.
Coralyn "fincess" (Princess)--2 1/2 years old.
"Me a princess, like Kenzie"
Coralyn is wearing one of Mackenzie's "tutus"
We better get her on of her own QUICK!
Halloween 2008

Two Weeks, Already!

2008-11-07T12:42:00.002-06:00

Mason had his two-week appointment yesterday morning.
By two weeks, babies are supposed to be "back up to birth weight".
(at Mason's one week, he was one ounce above his birth weight)
At two weeks, Mason weighs 7 # 8 oz.
He is eating well, what can I say?!
His favorite time of day is still 3 AM to 5 AM.
Not exactly my favorite time of day!
Jeremy has been getting Mackenzie up and at 'um
and ready for school.
Jeremy and Aunt Becky have worked out getting
her to school on Jeremy's work days/school days.
Thank heaven for family.
Pray my sleep is restful,
since I don't get much!!!
Mackenzie is having trouble with homework.
Luke is having trouble with the schedule changes
(and that others don't uphold mommy's rules like he expects)
Coralyn is still with us weekdays.
She entertains Luke greatly.
This week they have been "Prince and Princess"
He has "rescued Her" every 5 minutes for hours on end!
Yes, he does weld a sword to protect "his princess".
They really do love each other.
November 7th, 2008

One Week

2008-10-30T13:28:00.003-05:00

Mason Wade Palmer is one week old.
He eats, sleeps and loves to be wide awake between the hours of 3 AM and 5 AM!
He is a really good baby, except for the AM party!!
At his one-week-weigh-in he was exactly 7 pounds.
(babies should be at or above birth weight by their 2 week-check up)
That means he is doing great.
Thank you for your prayers.
Please continue to pray for sleep.
(Summer is not real nice when she does not get her rest)
October 29, 2008

Videos of Mason

2008-10-23T10:47:00.004-05:00

I've uploaded a few videos I took of the new addition to our family. Hope you enjoy.
I set them up so you can download them and watch them in full quality.

Mason at less than 5 min old (85 mb)

Mason moving his hands around and looking at the camera, Great close up video (93mb)

Mackenzie holding Mason (44mb)

Mason Wade Palmer is here

2008-10-22T19:32:00.006-05:00

Mason Wade Palmer joined the family at 8:40 am and came into the world at 20 inches long and 6lb 15oz. We checked into the hospital at 6:30 am and he was out by 8:40 so it was a quick delivery. Summer did great and Mason is doing great as well.

Family Photo (current for the week!)

2008-10-19T20:46:00.002-05:00

At least the tire is bigger than me!
October 08

Corn Box

2008-10-19T19:33:00.006-05:00

Luke in the corn box.
Like a sand box but corn!

Mackenzie in the corn box.
(Yes, I let her pick her own clothes!)
Mackenzie said this is deer feed, not corn.
Uncle Chris hunts!

Tractor driven Cow Train
Jeremy is riding too, oh, dear!
Luke is in the orange shirt.
Mackenzie is right behind Luke.
This was the highlight of the day.
They BOTH remembered it from last year without
prompting on the drive out there!!
Great memory for a 5 and 2 1/2 year old.
Kaska Family Farm Corn Maize
near Waco, TX
October 2008

Kaska Family Corn Maize

2008-10-19T19:07:00.002-05:00

Mackenzie: The sun is too bright!
Luke: slept in the car and just woke up!

Is that a watermelon or a pumpkin in your shirt?

My babies.
They really grow up, don't they?
Mackenzie 6 years
Luke 3 1/2 years
Un-named boy child minus days old
October 2008
near Waco, TX

1st Grade Bible Presentation

2008-10-19T18:58:00.002-05:00

1st graders get their own first Bible.
They use it in class each week, together, so they can find the verses together.

My first Bible
October 2008
Highland Baptist Church,
Waco, TX

Pregnant Mom Brain

2008-10-19T18:55:00.003-05:00

I just put strawberry syrup in my bowl.....
of macaroni and cheese!
It was intended for the cup of milk which was right next to my bowl.
Yes, I ate it. It was not too much, just a drop or two.
Oh, the joys of pregnant mom brain.
Oct 2008 (39 weeks + 4 days)

39 Weeks, third child

2008-10-19T18:48:00.003-05:00

The shirt no longer covers!
No, I don't wear it in public!
Guessin' just days now,
but babies have been known for not cooperating.
Thursday October 16th, 2008
Due (officially) Oct 22.

Shower

2008-10-09T22:26:00.002-05:00

Halloween babies,
Carla is due 5 days after me.
We shall see who gets there first.
Not fair!! She is taller than me.
Third child for both of us.
I have a girl, boy, boy.
She has a boy, girl, girl.
It has been a great time having a fellow Preggo this time around.
Thank God for Friends.

The Loot!
Thanks girls!!!!!!
October 2008

Baby Boy Shower

2008-10-09T22:11:00.003-05:00

Yet to be named!!!!!

Aren't these the best cookies you ever saw?

Mackenzie came to the shower. I love having a girl!

2 weeks, and counting!

Carla, Heidi, ME.
Carla is due with me.
Let's see who babies first.....
October 2008

Baby Boy Quilt

2008-10-09T21:57:00.003-05:00

Snakes! Thank you to the quilter.
October 2008

Pre-Halloween fun

2008-10-09T17:04:00.003-05:00

He thinks he is a policeman.
but he loves the knife, grenade, walkie-talkie, and the canteen.

Princess to the core. She thinks she is a princess.
Dress up is fun no matter what the season.
October 2008

Granddad w/ Luke

2008-09-28T06:57:00.002-05:00

Can't beat Granddad time!

Luke is 3 1/2.
Waco, TX
Sept 2008

Granny Viola and Coralyn

2008-09-28T06:49:00.003-05:00

Chillin' with the Gran!

Let us enjoy some outside time with each other.

Coralyn is 2 and some....
We won't tell you how young Granny is.....
Waco, TX
Sept 2008

Too Much Information

2008-09-28T06:07:00.004-05:00

If you only get to buy one swimsuit,
It has'ta last you all the way,
right?
Luke is "huggin'" baby brother.
If you can't enjoy BEING a watermelon.....
Hey, if you got it, flaunt it......
Eat, drink and be merry......
What else can I come up with?

My oh, so clever daughter,
Informed me I was stretching out my shirt
(like the kids do when they put their knees in their shirt)
and that I was going to ruin my shirt.
I should not do that!
35 1/2 Weeks
(I did "retire" the shirt, along with many others.)
Thank you smarty pants!
Sept 08

Smile, you're on self-taken photography!
Sorry for the blur. I took this one myself.
It is hard to get help some times.
35 1/2 weeks, plenty to go.
I told the girls in class,
when it gets down to the leopard mumu.......
Getting close......
Ok, not close, but closer!!!!!
Just yesterday, I was wearing a friend's shirt.
Husband said "wow, you look like a giant LIME"
Friend said "it never quite looked like that on me"
and rubbed my belly.
(She carried wider, I carry RIGHT OUT THERE)
I did look like a lime!
Sept 2008

Sleep

2008-09-23T12:32:00.002-05:00

If you get 7 hours of sleep,
but it is broken up into 1 1/2 hour segments,
how much sleep does it FEEL like you are getting?
If it is not the potty that gets me,
it is the need to shift positions cuz one side is asleep or
a baby knee is trying to make an exit out my SIDE.
The blessings and challenges of being a baby factory.
The kids keep asking...."when?"
I keep saying...."when it is time, he will come"
Technically, 4 weeks.
A very long 4 weeks.
Blessed by God.
Sept. 2008

Diaper Cake

2008-08-26T10:39:00.002-05:00

This is a diaper cake.
yes, those are diapers.
No, you don't eat it.
But boy it is pretty.
August 23rd, 2008
Currently unnamed Baby Boy Palmer.

Peer Pressure

2008-08-26T09:27:00.004-05:00

I just found Coralyn with her swim trunks half down, in the back yard.
I said "Coralyn, what happened to your pants?"
She said "I don't know"
Luke informed me......"she went pee pee in the grass like me!"
I did not see this, but I believe it!
Peer Pressure.
Now we have to work on WHEN it is ok and when it is not!!!!!

August 26th, 2008

PS. Mackenzie was not here to inform me as it happened.
She is at school today.

First Day of 1st Grade

2008-08-26T09:10:00.003-05:00

My big girl is going to FIRST grade.
August 2008

She is so excited. I am nervous FOR her, but she is good!
Go figure. It is my job!

The Crew in the Big Blue Van!
Ready for school. Oh, how the little ones will miss her!!!!
Pray, it will be a long day for Luke and Coralyn.
August 26th, 2008

Strange

2008-08-20T13:04:00.002-05:00

Mackenzie just asked to watch a Strawberry Shortcake in Spanish instead of English.
She has a few movies she watches in Spanish.
I gladly compiled.
The more Spanish the better.
(she did say the voice in Spanish sounds like "she is fussing all the time", you know the whiny tv voices in Spanish....)

Not a Bad Looking Bunch!

2008-08-20T13:00:00.001-05:00

The fat lady (10 weeks to go), Luke-3 1/2, Mackenzie- 6, Daddy.

Marshall, Texas
August 2008

Ready for School?

2008-08-20T12:58:00.002-05:00

This princess is starting FIRST GRADE next week.
Boy, does time fly??!?!?

PlayMates

2008-08-20T12:35:00.004-05:00

Oh, they missed each other so.
(they were apart a whole week!)
Mackenzie has been dressing up and playing with Coralyn
like she was her very own play thing.
Both in Granny Mae's dresses with matching hair-dos.

Both in Mackenzie's leotards.
Mackenzie did their hair the same too.
Luke had to be in the picture too.
He is not allowed to wear leotards or he would be too!!!
They are in Gymnastics pose. (too much Olympics anyone?)

Mackenzie was wearing that pink leotard just last night.
Of course, it is quite a bit more stretched out on her.

Finally, a smile on the crazy girl's face.
She was not in the mood for pictures.
And mood is everything when you are 2.
August 2008

Protection

2008-08-20T12:32:00.002-05:00

Good thing we did not drive the van to Athens,

Marshall and Corpus Christi last week.
That is a nasty tire.
Yes, we did get new ones.
Aug 08

Even at 2

2008-08-20T10:56:00.002-05:00

I had an allergy attack. It was bad. Itchy eyes and runny/sneezys.
I said, "I need to call the doctor and get some medicines so I can feel better!"
Coralyn (at 2 years old) says back to me, "My daddy fix my aunt sum-mu"
with pleasure.
Note: Coralyn's daddy is a doctor! Smart kid, huh?!
Of course there is NOTHING that can be done for the fat, pregnant lady with an allergy attack except clean up the pollen in the house, take a good shower and sleep it off.
I get to brag on my niece if I want too!!!
August 2008

Are we there yet?

2008-08-19T22:23:00.004-05:00

As you can see, we have maxed out this shirt.

Mackenzie informed me I really need to get a bigger shirt

so as not to ruin this one by stretching it out too far.

I still have 10 weeks to go, so I am guessing this shirt will no longer

be in the closet by the end.

With Luke, my last 2 weeks we washed the ONE dress I could wear

at night so I could wear it the next day, again.

The pictures look like the same day,

but really they are my last 2 weeks.

Oh, how I loved that leopard mu-mu!

Baby #3, Boy Palmer

30 1/2 weeks.

August 2008

Corpus Christi

2008-08-19T22:12:00.003-05:00

Just a few of the cousins,

We miss you to the other cousins.

Mackenzie is still the only girl!

The Boys,

PawPaw, Isaiah-7 1/2, Luke- 3 1/2.

August 2008

The Kiddos

2008-08-19T20:40:00.003-05:00

Just hanging around the house together.

Daddy/Uncle Jeremy

Mackenzie, Luke and Coralyn

Can you see the love?

August 2008

Mackenzie is 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-02T18:59:00.003-05:00

The birthday dress,
Yes, the same birthday dress she has worn for her 4th, 5th and now 6th birthdays.
Yes, it is dying.
Yes, it is time for a new one.
How long can you wear the same dress if it still fits?
Oh, come on, it is her Nicaragua dress....

Princess cake.
Ella, Mackenzie, Kayla, Christopher.
We had a great party.
Thank you to all of you who could come party with us.
This was her first HUGE Blowout.
Isn't it nice to have friends?

Always a ham!

Oh, My! Polly Pocket. How tiny.
She has been playing with them for hours, daily.
Yes, daily.
The home-made doll house to the side is from her momma.
With lots of love, (it may have been more for me, I always wanted one like that)
:)

You can't beat clothes for little princesses!!
Resale, yeah!!!!!!
July 2008
Waco, TX

Survived

2008-08-02T18:50:00.002-05:00

We survived another week without daddy.
Daddy went to Guatemala with the youth group from our church.
Luke always takes it the hardest. He really misses his daddy.
I am so excited that he is coming home tonight.
He does not get in until Midnight so I will be asleep when he gets here!
This momma does not stay up that late for anyone!!!
We spent the day at the waterpark with Coralyn and her mommy, Aunt Becky.
No daddies. We missed them.
It was Aunt Becky's first time to go to the waterpark and she love it just as much as Coralyn did.
We always have busy weeks, mostly fun, but still busy.
Thank you God for keeping us all safe.
(Oh, yeah, the van just dies when it wants to, still. Yes, while driving it)
But so far it has not been in bad spots.
We can't wait to see Grampa this weekend. It has been a good long year since we saw them.
Thanks for commenting on this silly blog. It is really fun to read your blogs too.
Aug 2, 2008
****yeah, do you believe it is already Aug????*****

Watermelon Days of Summer

2008-08-02T08:25:00.003-05:00

This was a really good watermelon too!

What a gorgeous child.
Coralyn, 2 years old.

You just can't eat a huge slice with clothes on!
Mackenzie, 6.

I am the big man in charge,
Look at me put this watermelon away!
Luke, 3.
We then rinsed off in the pool.
Both, great summertime activities.
July 2008
Waco, TX

My day with 5!

2008-08-01T15:50:00.005-05:00

Big Sister, Kezia, with her daddy.
She just met her little brother!

Kezia, Luke, Kaidence, Coralyn, Mackenzie
(really I only had 5 for 2 hours, I had 4 for 2 days)
14 months, 3 years, 2 1/2 y, 2 y, and 6 y, respectively.

Kezia in the pool with the "big kids",
she loved it. (14 months old)
Mommy, Kezia and her new brother.
Congratulations!
July 2008

Sunday School Class Party

2008-07-31T07:13:00.004-05:00

Matt and Kezia, first pool adventure!

Daddy did not bring a swim suit!!

John and tiny Lilly
Rachel and Kezia
Keaton, Christopher, Mackenzie
Kayla
Summer 08, Pool Party

Scarborough Fair Waxahachie, TX

2008-07-30T21:30:00.004-05:00

Miss Rachel Geer on a camel!

(and Pregnant!!)

How brave!!

Luke is not sure about an ELEPHANT ride!

We will join him!!

And there we are (with two strangers),

Luke, Mackenzie and Mommy

ON AN ELEPHANT!!!!!

May 2008

Meeting Cousin Blaize

2008-07-30T21:13:00.002-05:00

Alex Gilbert, Luke Palmer, Coralyn Happel, Mackenzie Palmer

Luke and Mackenzie playing with Alex and meeting the newest addition, Baby Blaize.

The Proudest Big Brother, Alex.

Grandma with Blaize, and mommy Kelly.

Thank you for sharing your day with us.

Newest Gilbert addition,

Blaize Michael Gilbert

March 2008

Congratulations!

The Joy's of early Spring

2008-07-30T20:47:00.002-05:00

No, I did not let either one finish the sandwich.

Yes, I did finish each of their sandwich!

Yeah for mommies and leftovers!

Baylor Bear Day 2008

Coralyn

2008-07-06T22:27:00.002-05:00

Coralyn measures mommy

(after mommy measures everyone else!)

Coralyn HAS TO measure Luke

even though he objects.

Matching Cousins,

Sorry Luke, you are the boy!

Always a goof!

June 08

2008-07-06T22:20:00.002-05:00

Coralyn Happel at Mackenzie's graduation

May 2008 Congratulations Mackenzie!!

Coralyn -2

Mackenzie -almost 6

Luke -3

Waco, Texas

May 2008

Gorgeous Gut

2008-07-06T22:18:00.002-05:00

At least we have an excuse to be getting bigger.

Our husbands DON"T.

June 2008

Kindergarten Graduation

2008-07-06T21:41:00.003-05:00

Viking Hills Elementary School

Waco, Texas

May 2008

2 months before 6th birthday.

One of the youngest in her class.

She received an award for

"outstanding progress"

Rachel Boles, the best teacher ever!

She communicated with us,

reasured us and loved on Mackenzie daily.

Thank God for teachers (and good ones too)

Marley and Mackenzie

May 2008

May 08

2008-07-02T19:56:00.001-05:00

It ain't over til the fat lady sings.

May 08

My First Tooth

2008-06-29T17:08:00.001-05:00

Mackenzie just lost her first tooth!
July 2nd, 08
10 days before her 6th birthday.
My brother, Corey, My sister, Brittney, AND Her son, Isaiah, all lost their FRONT TEETH first.
They knocked them out.
I had NO IDEA the first to go was the lower front teeth.
Of course, I don't remember losing my own teeth, so in my experience, everyone knocked out their front teeth at a VERY young age.
She is super excited and Wiggled it out herself.
July 2, 08