Happy Birthday to Will!

Two years old as of March 3, 2012.  I hate to start this blog with...wow it went so fast.  But, wow it went so fast!  He brings so much fun, joy, love, perspective, and energy to this family.  We feel so grateful to have him in our mix.  I have had just as much fun watching my girls interact with him as watching him.   To see them read to him, change a diaper (wet ones only!), get him dressed, get him a snack, and just care for him in general warms my heart.  I think we are not only busy shaping and teaching him, but learning from him too.  They learn all kinds of valuable lessons just by being big sisters. 

Here is a quick summary of all things Will.  Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet little boy!

* Loves to sing

* Can repeat almost anything you say (careful!)

* Loves the barn and hanging out in it with Dad.  A ride on the tractor would be a close second. 

* Runs everywhere he goes - walking does not exist

* Talks to me constantly on our trips in to Tulsa to get the girls, etc.

* Loves pizza, roast, and barbeque chips

* Still loves his bottle of milk (morning, naptime, and nighttime)....don't rush me!

* Loves to Dance - anytime he hears music

* Water, water and more water to play in...sinks, tubs, anywhere he can turn on some water

* Calls shoes, Bee-Bops

* Calls the raindrops, rainbops

* Has been known to call for Claire or Kate (over the monitor) after his nap, especially if he isn't happy with Mom and Dad. 

* Loves our dog, Missy

* Loves his cow blanket

* "Momma, hold you."  My favorite thing he says.  Actually, he begins almost every statement with "Momma"....I guess just to make sure I know he's talking to me and that I'm paying attention!

* "Here he is!"  Bill's favorite thing he says.  Kate said it exactly the same way.

* Is the cutest thing, in my book!  Check it out!   

Lesson for me

Those of you who know me and my husband at all, know that we differ where finances are concerned.  Most couples do to some degree.  He would like to bury it all in the backyard.  I would like to take all of it to Pottery Barn.  Good thing we have each other.  Okay, maybe better for me than Bill!  We have both revised our thinking since getting married 10 years ago.  It was not always easy, a pretty painful process.  One thing we have ongoing discussions (and yes, arguments) about since moving to our acreage in Skiatook is time management vs. financial management.  The load of chores immediately multiplied when we unpacked our stuff out here on the pasture!  I don't know why this came as such a surprise to me.  Not only do we have the normal house, yard work, kid's activities, car maintenance, etc.  We have a barn and 30 acres now, fences that need to be fixed, cows and horses to feed, brush hog work to do, a garden to maintain...the list goes on.  I am always suggesting we have someone at least mow and edge our "yard" so that we can focus on the pasture and barn area.  Or maybe let's have someone help put up shelving in our barn.  Let's hire someone...please.  Your time is valuable.  I'd rather just have more time to enjoy our place.  Dig deep in those pockets and CALL SOMEBODY! 

No.  I'm going to do it myself, he says.  He and I both know that the main reason for this is purely financial.  I get it.  This is a one income family with three kids headed to private school.  There is a limit to what we can do and we have to be responsible regarding our future.  But he always throws this out too: 

I want the kids to see US working hard, taking care of things, doing things ourselves.  It's a good lesson and shows them value in hard work.  It's what I want to show them.     

It sounds perfect.  It really does.  However, I usually roll the eyes and drop my case.  He wins and gets to put that money that I had only conceptually taken out, back in his pocket.  Honestly, what can I say after that?  Such a good lesson for them.  Very true.  But we don't have time for all of the things we need to do!  We have yet to get around to things that needed doing when we moved out here five years ago! I always chalked this up to another attempt at saving money.  I knew that what he was saying had merit, but I still just pulled out the tally sheet and marked another "1" for Bill and "0" for me. 

Until I read this.  I stumbled across this little book made by Claire this week.  I think I can say, tail between my legs, that the score is still Bill "1" and Courtney "0".  This is why I am thankful to be on his team.  Oh, I still think he needs to let someone else bury the trampoline in the backyard (my latest project), but this little book, all of Claire's own doing, spoke volumes to me.  Yes, thank you Bill for working so hard.  We all appreciate you!  And wow, they are paying attention.   

Thank you for working at the barn for our family.

We all thank you for working at the barn!

I am going to help some day at the barn with you dad.

that is a really nice thing you do for the horses and our family.

  

Issis

That's what my kids call her....Issis.  She is Aunt Sissy to me.  Has been for 40 years now!  When Kate was a baby, she began trying to talk SO early.  Her first word, "duck", was at 9 months.  She would try so hard to verbalize what she wanted and work with such intent to repeat exactly what we were saying.  She couldn't have been more than a year old when she began referring to my Aunt Sissy as "Issis".  She just got all tangled up in Sissy and that's what she is now!  Not Aunt Issis, just Issis.  Will can go either way with Sissy or Issis.  I don't think she cares much!  They love her and that's all that matters to her. 

She is super special to me.  She is my Dad's big sister.  She is my only aunt who lived near me (like 20 miles!) growing up.  She is such a fixture in almost all of my childhood memories that she's more like a third parent in a way.  She is small, but mighty!  A Southern lady, but strong.  I know exactly who is on the other end of the phone when she calls - even when I'm not the one who answers (l.o.u.d.)!  She is something else.  She has taught me more than she probably realizes.  There are little "happies" all around my house that came from Heidelberg, MS...or Vossburg, MS (depending on where she saw fit to mail it that day!).  I love it.  They remind me of her and of home.  Almost every cookbook I own, especially all the Southern ones or Mississippi ones, are from her.  She sent me a subscription to Mississippi magazine and the Laurel Leader Call (local paper) when I first moved to OK.  I think I only got the paper for about a year ('95-'96), but I still get that magazine and I look forward to it.  She sends me little things made in MS, from the musuem, etc.  She does not want me to forget where I'm from, even though she need not worry.  She taught me how to shell peas and that there should be an UNEVEN number of flowers in a flower arrangement.  I spent many hot afternoons in her garden, "helping" her pick whatever was ready.  We did lots of puzzles together when I'd spend the night and she always had plenty of junk food for me!  Every year, on my birthday, she would take me shopping for clothes at several different places in Laurel then we'd go to lunch at Mr. Gatti's pizza.  Her chicken spaghetti, cornbread dressing, and cheeseball recipes are some of my favorites.  She always cooked for holiday meals with family.  Way back when, we used to gather at her house occaisionally for Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving, etc.  After a while, we ended up mostly at my house and she would drive at least five pots of stuff (I'm skimping on that number) all the way from her house, unload it, serve it, and pack it back up when we were done!  I used to love seeing that Lincoln coming (the only car my Uncle Bill would ever buy for her).  It meant that they had arrived and were bringing that cheese ball and all the other stuff I loved with them.  It always included peas, butterbeans and cornbread.  She still does this.  Every time we drive in from OK...her car is there in my Dad's driveway and you know there's something good on that stove!  Now, not that my Dad's a slouch when we come, providing no meals, but he would agree - she can put together some good stuff!   

That's just a smidge about Issis.  I've got more, but this is a blog not a book.  She has left her mark on me, for sure.  This Christmas she gave us all a big scare.  I received a call that Issis was in the hospital.  It was a heart attack.  They weren't sure how she was doing.  The doctor said he was "guarded" about her situation.  Big lump in my throat.  Not ready for this.  Should I jump on a plane?  Was she going to be okay?  Did I need to go help my Dad?  I wasn't quite sure what to do, but I kept in touch with my Dad (about every hour for a few days) and with prayers answered and one more heart attack later, (that's 2!) she pulled through!  Whew!   It was a long week (or more) but the outcome was exactly what we were hoping for.  My dad did a great job as caretaker.  I think she would agree.  They are brother and sister with the typcial brother/sister relationship, so I was leary of this arrangement.  Turns out, it went really well.  I am proud of both of them!  She is already back in action helping him out this tax season (the 42nd).  Could not be more thankful!  Big reminder to soak up time with loved ones every minute you can.  Can't wait to see all of my South Mississippi folks in a few months.  I'm saving a extra big hug for my Aunt Sissy.  I am more than grateful I have the opportunity to hug her again! 

One of my favorite things in my house.
Haven't found flowers that don't look good in a blue mason jar.

second favorite....yes, that's correct.  It says Milk of Magnesia.
Eat your heart out!  You know it's cute!

Just a little C.I.L.Y. present (cause I love you)...I keep lots of her notes.
Pretty handwriting, huh?

iron skillet from Issis (I think it was her mother's, my Mamaw's??)
and that dish sitting in front of it is hers too!
I think she'd be proud of the way my cornbread turned out.

Love you, Issis!

                   

A new year, resolutions, and being happy...

I have so many pictures to share from Christmas and our Christmas break, but this little story is fresh on my mind so, once again, I am blogging out of order!  Who cares though, right? 

Last night, we, like the rest of America, enjoyed the traditional meal of black eyed peas, cabbage, sauerkraut (for my husband and apparently now Kate), and ham.  As we were eating, I suggested we go around the table and share our resolutions for the new year.  "What's a resolution, Mom?"  Claire asked.  We all explained that it was kind of like a goal...something you either wanted to stop or start for the new year.  We gave her examples, she listened and seemed to get the idea.  Kate started with her resolutions....(1) to get to school on time and (2) to stop biting her nails.  (I think #1 has more to do with me than the girls, so I will add that to my list).  I rattled off my list which has been the same for 10 years...(1) get more sleep, (2) read more and (3) exercise more.  Boring, I know!  But all three SO needed!  Bill said read more.  He was in charge of Will at this meal, so he had time for sharing just one resolution before dodging another black eyed pea. 

Then came Claire.  We all looked at her.  "Claire, what are your resolutions for the new year?"  She was quiet, looking as if she might still be thinking of what she was going to say.  Then, here it goes.  "I don't really think there's anything I need to start OR stop doing", she says with a great big smile.  We all look at her.  Kate with a "you've got to be kidding!" sort of look.  Me with a "We need to work on her humility" sort of look, and Bill....just laughed.  He probably had the appropriate response.  I almost opened my mouth and tried to help her think of some resolutions...but I decided not to.  I decided that she is SEVEN and there is plenty of time for her to feel the need to "work" on herself.  I like the confidence!  Goodness knows, our society, media, etc. will push you to the max to be faster, more accomplished, more fit, more glamorous, more social, more organized, more this, more that!  Don't get me wrong, I'm all for improving, changing, doing good things for ourselves, but that can so quickly turn into self loathing.  Well not now, not Claire!  She is happy with herself and happy to be her!  Grandma and Grandpa gave her the cutest, most fitting shirt for Christmas this year.  "So Happy to be Me!"  And I am so thankful that she is.  Isn't that what we're all after anyway?!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Will

I am a tad obsessed with my baby.  I really am.  Perhaps it's because he is likely my last baby.  Perhaps it's because he doesn't have a sibling, 15 months younger, needing my attention.  Maybe it's because I'm entering my 40's and I have learned to "chill out" and enjoy the little things (my husband would disagree!)  Perhaps it's because he is so funny and sweet.  I think it's a combination of all of these.  All I know is we are having a ball together.  He's my little sidekick and he makes every day more enjoyable.  "Mornin' momma!"  is his new greeting for me when I open his bedroom door in the morning.  "Date and Der" are his favorite people.  (That was Kate and Claire in case you were wondering).  He can spot the "bee gucks" (big trucks) like nobody's business on the highway - doesn't miss one.  And he really wants a sip of "mommy oppey" (mommy's coffee) in the morning.  Love him, love him, love him.  I would like to freeze him right here for a while, but that's not the way it works.  I'm sure I will continue to be just as enamored with him, but 18-24 months sure is cute! 

  

Halloween

We had an extra fun Halloween this year.  There were several highlights:

1.  Claire, starring in "Halloween on Parade" with her 1st grade classmates at Monte Cassino...awesome performance!  Cleopatra stole the show.  Just a mom's humble opinion. 

2.  Will, cutest sock monkey ever and so much fun to watch his face as he realized, for the first time, that Halloween was about knocking on doors and receiving CANDY!  Pure disbelief and elation, at the same time.  Priceless.  The little fella did not miss one "thank you" as he left each door.  (Have I mentioned I'm a little bit crazy about him?)

3.  Kate, rocking the Disco Dolly costume.....too cute!

4.  The cake, the completion of the cake that I planned to make LAST year and didn't due to.....hmmm, I'll blame it on my baby.

Here are some pictures of the highlights! (If you click on the collage with your mouse, it will make the pics larger....that was for my Dad!!)   



Fall Break...American Girls!

We never take a family trip for fall break.  I don't really know why.  It's usually fairly short - three or four day weekend maybe.  Our beach trip is usually late summer, so I always feel as if we've just had a trip.  All kinds of reasons, but we never do.  This year, however, I felt it was time to break the cycle and take a small trip - but not the whole family - just me and my girls!  The whole family had just been to the beach late August and then to MS for my high school reunion in early October.  Let's face it, the more babies you add, the harder traveling becomes.  So - I thought it would be fun, simple and special for me to take a little road trip with Kate and Claire.  They are the perfect ages, 7 and 8, to enjoy their American Girl dolls.  I decided we should head to Dallas and check out the American Girl store, have their doll's hair done, eat at the bistro, shop a little, order room service, sleep in!  Man, recounting the events makes me want to do it again!  We had an absolute ball.  It was even warm enough for a swim.  We were able to talk, take time to just enjoy each other and do only what we wanted to do, when we wanted to do it.  Kate even took a big step and got her ears pierced! 

All  in all, it was a great trip.  Since Will arrived 20 months ago, I have had very little time to spend with just my girls and before Will...so often, it was JUST me and my girls.  It was sweet and special and just what the three of us needed.  We were all grateful to our Daddy extraordinaire for holding down the fort while we were gone.  We won't always do something so big on fall break, but I think I've started a tradition.  Fall break is girl trip time.  Already thinking about next year...!