Bicycle Rodeo

A few weeks ago we went to a Cub Scout sponsored Bicycle Rodeo. It was at the Stadium behind our house so we just rode bikes over. On the way, Jillian was so unsure of herself I actually had to hold onto her handle bar as she cautiously peddled.

When we arrived, the kids got their bikes safety tested and helmets fitted.
The kids got their bikes engraved with our DL #'s in case they are stolen.

They rode in little "tests" put on by the Garland PD Neighborhood Unit!
They were taught about street signs-
Now, every time we pass a "Do NOT ENTER" Sign-
Jillian points and says, "DO NOT ENTER!" :)

Jillian became a confident champion rider!

and Josh LOVED all the challenging mazes!

It was great family affair (Jordan was absent as she was at DinosaurLand in Glen Rose, TX)
--- Dave arrived in time to watch the cool STUNT SHOW!! here are the highlights...

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Mother's Day thoughts

I am the luckiest mommy ever- I sat in church this morning with my 9 year old boy bear hugging me and leaning against my side during the service. I have been showered with beautiful artwork and hand prints and I even was surprised with a 'wallet' (I've really wanted one for awhile)-- I am blessed to have extended family! Andrea and her mother and grandmother and stepmother invited me to be a part of their Mother's day girls day out celebration! I was so spoiled and pampered and humbled and loved this Mother's Day. I was able to visit my sweet Aunt Connie today-- Then I visited my Mother's grave. We washed her headstone plaque and shined it up and placed yellow flowers in the vase. We looked at a photo album of pictures from the 'Bridal Shower' given to me by Penny and Andrea. There were group pictures of my mother, grandmother, great grandmother and me (skinny me LOL). There were funny pictures of 'Ma' wrapped in toilet paper as the Toilet Paper Bride! I was telling the kids funny stories and remembering! It made them more REAL for the kids. Then we visited "Ma", my grandmother (mom's mom) in another section of the same cemetery and did the same but gave her some pink flowers! Then we went to another cemetery and searched and searched and finally found Mamaw and Papaw and Uncle James. It was celebratory as I approached Mamaw's grave-- See... We had been canvassing the huge cemetery searching for awhile when Dave and the kids called out to me--- "Deb, She's HERE!" Tears stream down my face even now-- As I walked over-- I had a conversation with my Mamaw-- I so miss the mother's of my life-- BUT I have been so immensely blessed and feel such thankfulness to the Lord for giving me these strong loving women that helped me grow and guided me into the paths of righteousness. I so love being a MOTHER! I am so blessed.

Birthday Party Fun at TX Skatium!

Last weekend we celebrated the big #11 for a sweet friend of Jordan's at TX Skatium!
Here are our 2 Skating Beauties!

This is the gang:
Jordan in back then front row L to R, Detzany, Angelli, & Birthday girl Rachel!

It was so fun and nostalgic for me to be at the skating rink with the disco ball and the loud music! LOL-- I didn't skate but I walked around the first few laps with Jillian to lend her a hand! BUT Rachel's parents who haven't skated for probably 20 yrs or more DID SKATE-- That was a sight!! Very fun!

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Mother's Tea with my baby Jill!

First of all, it has been brought to my attention by an opinionated blog expert that I tend to blog MORE about my youngest and leave my other 2 precious babes out when it comes to blog entries! I realize that because of her cuteness I do take a lot of pictures of her yet I really strive to be balanced in my attention and affection on the blog!

WELL... Here is another blog about Jillian! LOL

When I got to her classroom, her teacher called for Jillian to come-- There she greeted me and presented me with a homemade necklace, a big hug, and an "I love you!" She took me by the hand and led me to my seat. Here is the beautiful place setting-

I love my placemat with fun pictures thru-out the year!Next, the class serenaded all the moms... it was adorable!

Then we enjoyed fruit salad & strawberry cake with some delicious pineapple punch! Jillian was very concerned and kept asking..."Is this the kind of tea we can drink?"(we only drink herbal teas) She was really funny about it!
All the kids made some portraits of their moms with yarn for hair. We played a guessing game of which portrait was which mom by hearing what the kids described about their mom!

Jillian said about me...
She is 8 years old!
She weighs 100 pounds! (when I was in the 5th grade probly!)
Her favorite TV show is Commercials!
Her favorite drink is Diet Dr. Pepper
Her favorite food is SALAD! (I don't know where she got that?)
What she likes best to do with me is Go Swimming!
AND...I AM AS PRETTY AS.... A HEART!
I was also given a Recipe Book filled with "how my mom makes it recipes"
It is hilarious! Jillian's recipe is...
Toast
1st get a piece of bread and then she toasts it and then she puts butter on it & I eat it!
Here we are 'happy together' at Mother's Tea! it will forever be a wonderful memory!

Jillian really is such a loving and affectionate child. Her newest thing is racing me to the front door but LETTING ME WIN! I usually trot there and she would beat me and I would always say... WOW, you are SO FAST! WELL, now she is saying that to me. So sweet. I asked her why she was 'letting me win' and she replied because I want you to FEEL GOOD!
Out of the Mouths of Babes... If we all led our lives that way in regards to the ones we love-- If we did things always to make them "feel good" - we could just be so much happier!

Happy Birthday to McKenna!

It's a busy Birthday month! My favorite niece (My brother Mike's girl) sent out an email earlier in the week REMINDING US...

"My Birthday is on THURSDAY in case you forgot. Love Mckenna"
SO, I told her to look forward to a special blog on her behalf-- Just what every kid wants! LOL
What can I say-- 1st of all, McKenna is such a sweet big sister to her younger brother Jackson.
She is "into" clothes from what I hear!
She plays LaCrosse!
McKenna has a BLOG that she shares with a friend of hers! (very creative and fun)
I love her sense of humor and her charming personality!
I feel sad at times because our physical visits are so few and far between!
BUT-- We are going on vacation in May 2009 together!!! Whooohoooo!
SO Happy Birthday Mckenna Kay!
Maybe we can be together on your NEXT birthday--

Happy Birthday to Aner!

Just wanted to recognize my best friend of over 20 years special day and celebrate her on our family blog! I can't help but get teary and emotional when I reflect on our friendship as she is just the most loving and wonderful person. The song-- Just call on my name... and you know wherever I am... I'll come running! Well, that is her theme song!! I know our friendship was divinely appointed- My Heavenly Father blessed me with a lifelong sister-- I LOVE YOU ANER!! I hope your "Thirty Something" birthday is joyful and more!!

Jillian's Day School Open House

Jillian was so excited for her "Whole Family" to come to her school! As we parked at the Church-- it brought back memories for Jordan and Josh and they wished they still were little! Josh said, "Remember when you used to let me push the button on the crosswalk!" So funny that something so little gave him such a thrill! Jillian showed all around... Here is the tour...