LOOKING BACK AT THE MONTH OF APRIL....

For all of you who laughed at my wedding pictures, I am glad I gave you a good laugh!

Here we are 15 years later...

The last picture of the photo session and it shows!



the "toothless wonder!"

Tootie playing first base at a tournament a few weeks ago,

her team placed 4th.

Lauren's team placed first in the same tournament, way to go Heartbreakers!

Lauren's note to the tooth fairy telling her to look for the pink and green room!

Can you believe April is over?? In the last few weeks I have celebrated my 15th wedding anniversary, I turned 34, I have watched too many softball games to count! and absolutely loved every minute of it! I have watched my oldest daughter play her last freshman ballgame. I have also been very proud of her as she was invited to a special breakfast for being in the top 15% of her class. She is number 75 out of 790...which I find excellent! I have celebrated Tootie scoring perfect on the TAKS test. Hunted a few eggs, won a first place tournament trophy, and lost a few teeth!

Oak Ridge High School Lady War Eagles are in the playoffs, Erin recently made the cup stacking team and has tried out for all stars...results haven't been posted yet, busy season of dancing kicks off as we prepare for the recital. The girls' dances are soo cute. Lauren is dancing to "Stop in the name of love" or as one of her classmates called it...."Stop in the name of the hamburger!" It is way cute seeing a group of four and five year olds shaking their booty and pointing their fingers...Erin's has moved up to the "next level" in dance which is more grown up and not so little girly. She is tap dancing to a Billy Joel song...she is also very, very excited about her ballet dance to "Don't cry for me Argentina" by Madonna, the dance is very elegant and is so her! By the way, Erin said her dance was by Billy Joel and Kalei said isn't he that pastor on tv....Billy Joel...Joel Olsteen...don't think so!

I can't leave you without the "Laurenism's" of the month. Recently the girls were sharing a drink and Lauren told Erin "give me some of that Dr Pibb." Erin replies "It's Mr Pibb" Lauren says "I don't care about no Mr just give me the drink!" It is so hard not to laugh out loud because she gets very upset and embarrassed. Yesterday I was cleaning out Lauren's closet and she comes in the room and tells me "you can get rid of the dresses because I'm not wearing them!"

Lauren lost a tooth again last week. Sunday night she put it under her pillow and the tooth fairy didn't come. She decided maybe the tooth fairy is off on weekends. So Monday night we put the tooth under her pillow again and the tooth fairy didn't come again. We decided the tooth fairy couldn't find her because she usually sleeps with Erin and now she is sleeping in her bed. Tuesday night she decides to write the tooth fairy a letter. I have posted a picture of what I found on Erin's door that night. Thank Goodness the tooth fairy found her Tuesday night!

By the way the Tonyas' are growing soooo fast. Lauren spotted a few tomatoes and is totally excited. Over Spring break I took the girls out to the bluebonnets and rediscovered why I don't really have pictures of my children! Hope you guys have a great May and we all survive the swine flu...speaking of, my mom told me I had the swine flu in 1977....all these years I always wondered what was wrong with me....there you go!!!!

Stay tuned next week Terry is touring Minute Maid park with the 3rd graders and I am going to Old McDonald's farm with Lauren's class..should be some totally interesting stories come out of the trips!

HAPPY 15TH ANNIVERSARY

Fifteen years ago today I married my friend whom I thought I loved. It is only now, years later I realize what love is. It is happiness, companionship, pain, loving when you don't feel like it, compromise, struggles, battles, fun, joking, smiling, but most of all it is simply being surrounded by your other half, which completes you.

In the past 15 years each passing day has brought a new journey....some good, some bad. It hasn't always been an easy road, but in the words of Terry, "You never give up, that is not an option!" That phrase has carried us through not only the past 15 years of marriage but life in general. You have always been there to support me. No matter what road I chose to follow you have always been there encouraging me every step of the way. You married a spoiled little girl and you have helped me turn into an amazing woman. (yet, still spoiled!) I am very thankful for everyday I have with you no matter what it brings........and as I always say "I may not like you today but I will always love you!"

Fifteen years ago today I thought I loved you. Today I know I love you, more than yesterday, yet less than tomorrow, because everyday I love you more. If I had to do it all over, I would, I would change a few things...and I wouldn't be sporting 1980's hair!

What a perfect song for this blog entry, our first dance together as husband and wife!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOTIE!!

Today is Tootie's 9th birthday. She was born 3-6-00 at 3:07pm! As I was looking through these pictures I could not believe how much she has changed! There is one thing that has always remained the same and that is her sweet little smile! As long as I can remember she has always been a happy, sweet little girl! Where has nine years gone? Happy Birthday to our little tap dancing, softball playing, A honor roll rockstar!

THE TALE OF TWO TOMATOES

Meet the Tonyas. Erin and Lauren decided they wanted to plant a plant. We went to pick out some and they both wanted tomato plants. We at least convinced them to get different kinds. Erin picked out a "big boy" plant and I talked Lauren into a "grape" tomato plant. They also wanted to name them and guess what! They are both named Tonya! Kalei says they are named after each other. However, Lauren's version of it is she named hers first and Erin copied. Who knows anyway we have two Tonya tomato plants! The one on the left is Lauren's and Erin's is on the right. I guess the "big boy" is naturally going to be bigger than the grape tomato but I am going to have a hard time explaining this to Lauren. Lauren is totally Terry and is very competitive. She is going to be upset to see that Erin's Tonya is bigger! I will keep you guys posted on the Tonyas' progress!

MILITARY BALL

Kalei was invited to the ROTC Military Ball this past Saturday, which also happened to be Valentine's Day~She said she had a wonderful wonderful time. I was sooo nervous for her. I think I was more nervous than her date. It was actually her first official date that had to face the "wrath" of Terry. I am so proud of Terry as well, he behaved himself very well.....I only had to threaten him a few times! They look absolutely beautiful!

WAY TO GO K!

I've been waiting to post Kalei's good news until she got her uniform so I could of course post a pic! Kalei made the Lady War Eagle Softball team.....we are so proud of her and the accomplishments she has made. She started playing softball when she was six and hasn't missed a season since. I guess you could say this is what she has worked for!

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME SOFTBALL???

That's right....It's that time again! Softball season is starting! From now until May we are basically consumed with softball. Kalei is trying out for the high school team on Monday, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers that day for strength and agility! The other two will be playing for our local league. After the storm in the fall our girls league fields were used to store the storm debris so we were unable to have a fall season, therefore the girls are more than ready for the games to begin! I am just as excited. It's a busy time for our family but I wouldn't trade a single minute of it...guess I better get my softball mom shirt out time to work on my tan! That's one benefit of sitting out in the sun all day you get a nice tan for free!