More fun with Baby H

Last night we had a small family gathering. 

My family can make a party out of anything. 

This party was to find out the gender of Baby H.

The decorations turned out great. 

Even Mom's cactus was dressed for the occasion. 

Frank and I knew the answer, 

and we had been tormenting everyone all day. 

We gave them one final tease before everyone arrived. 

Everyone dressed in the color of their guess, 

Blue = Boy

Pink = Girl

The teams were quite lopsided with more on Team Blue! 

 And Mattie showed how excited she is with all her Big Sister accessories!

We started with a guessing game. 

I had filled this jar with candy,

Half blue & half pink, 

well almost.

There was one more of one color, 

the winning team color. 

I had everyone write there guess on their team side as to how many they though was there. 

This box holds the answer to which gender Baby H is!

After we had dinner, it was time for the reveal. 

Mattie held the box

Phillip and Katie pulled the ribbons. 

And it didn't take long to learn what gender Baby H was. 

YES! IT'S A GIRL!!

And someone was really wanting a boy!

Baby H has been prayed over and will be loved beyond belief. 

And big sister Mattie has since turned that frown around 

and is all smiles about having a little sister. 

So now we wait on a name for the next little princess.

And God continue to bless us as we wait!

Exciting Things Have Happened in the Past Year

Someone once told me the only constant in life is change. 

That statement could not be more true. 

When I started my little blog, it was just to see if I could do it. Then it really became about Mattie May. 

A lot about Mattie May. 

Then in 2012, it became about my cancer journey. It was a journal for Katie and Mattie and anyone curious about that journey. 

I became very lax in writing in my little bloggy. And as I look back to check, it has been almost a year since I posted anything. 

Many things have taken place in the past year, 

Some really exciting things! 

But after the news I received this week, I think it's time to wake my sleepy, little blog. 

Last April, Katie, Mattie and I were meeting for lunch after church. She asked if a friend could join us. He had just returned from deployment and didn't really know a lot of people. I didn't care because I was hungry. I just wanted to eat. 

That friend was Phillip. 

He and Katie started dating. And Mattie approved. 

June brought about Katie's 30th birthday. Growing up, her June birthday was just as bad as my December birthday. Between vacations, sporting events and summer camps, birthday parties just didn't happen very often. So Frank and I decided to throw her a big surprise party with lots of family and friends. 

Phillip agreed to help get her there. 

Oh, he also proposed at this party. Again, Mattie approved. 

We took our annual trip to Florida for US Open Karate (at which my family rocked!). 

In October, Frank and I walked our 1st 5K. It was a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to doing that again. 

Phillip & Katie decided the wedding would be right before Thanksgiving. So on November 25, 2014, under a tent at my mom's, they were married. It was a beautiful ceremony again, with lots of family and friends. 

So obviously, it was a busy, happy, life changing year. 

And it seems that 2015 will be no different. 

Mattie and her demo karate team tried out for America's Got Talent in January. She also competed in the AISD UIL academic competition in spelling. She didn't place but that's OK. we all need to learn it's OK to participate and not win, as long as we do our best. 

February is just starting. The 4th, Frank and I celebrated our 31st anniversary. 

Phillip, Katie and Mattie took us to eat. It was a lot of fun. 

While we were at dinner, Mattie told us that in October, she was going to be a big sister. Yep! Frank and I are going to have another grandchild. 

Mattie's drawing of her expectant mother! 

So I decided it was time to dust off my little blog and record more memories for this next little bundle of joy!

As with everything else we have learned in life, we know that with every new day there will be changes in our lives...

But as long as we follow God, everything is going to be OK. 

God Bless.

Memorial Monday

Monday was Memorial Day.

We are so thankful for the members of our families that served in the armed forces. Our US Military is awesome.

Ernest Mixon served in the US Army

Bill Merkel served in the US Air Force

Albert Zbendin served in the US Air Force

Thank you so much.

It was a busy day for us.

AMMA Karate was asked to participate in the Memorial Day festivities at the Abilene Bombers Arena Football half time show.

We started out the day with practice. Eighteen members participated in the show. Well that's to say "performed". That doesn't include all the behind the scenes people that helped. Someone has to set up, hold boards, bricks, bats and coconuts, take video and pictures, and clean up. We could not do this with out help.

Practice went great, but of course there were last minute changes. One thing about this team, they can work on the fly. Shihan is good about seeing things at the last minute that could make the show better. So our team is trained, from the littlest at 5 to the oldest at 52, to make changes just minutes before the show.

After practice, we had some lunch and rest time. Katie got Mattie bathed and hair washed so we didn't have to do it when we got home after the ball game. And Mattie wanted her hair curled so it had to be washed first.

We had to be back at the dojo for one last run through and to load everything in the trailer. Some day I'm going to remember to take a picture of the loaded trailer. You just can't imagine how much stuff it takes to do a 12 minute demo!!!

We got to watch the football game until about 12 minutes left in the second quarter, then the team had to head down to get ready.

 

Savanna, Mattie & Rayven getting ready!

 

 

It is always surprising to me how quickly a show goes.

 

Even practice seems slower than the actual event.

 



 

On the field ready to go!

 

 

Littles doing their thing!

 

Elbow done, ready for foot,

 

Weird picture!

She is actually just going into her front roll!

 

Mattie and Rayven starting their self defense skit.

 

Really?! Those big kids are going to mess with these girls?!

 

OK! We're ready!

 

Take that big guys!

 

Really?! You want more?!

LOL

 

Sai Kata

She had not done it in over a year and she did

very well!

 

Katie & Frank broke too,

I just couldn't get to that end of the field

to get a picture.

Don't remember the mascot's name.

Sorry!

Mattie and Rayven rockin' out to some Michael Jackson

after halftime!

 

Noah and Mattie enjoying a bird's eye view of the game.

 

We had a lot of fun at the game.

 

We even stayed until Mattie got tired even though it was a school night. There are , after all, only 3 1/2 days left!

 

So it was a busy, but memorable Memorial Day, and it reminds us, as always,

No matter what happens, what we are handed in this life,

 

Everything is going to be OK.

 

Until next time,

God bless. 

Wild Wild West Texas Karate Championships - Frank's Turn

Frank did some breaking Friday night during the breaking portion of the tournament. He didn't win anything thing, but he had some personal accomplishments that are just as important. He didn't think he could break concrete! Don't ask me why he thought this, I break concrete after all! If I can do it I knew he could.

His first attempt was the Power Concrete Foot, or as we call it foot stomp concrete. He stacked eleven bricks and only broke eight. But for his first time that was great and just that he did it made me happy.

So proud of you! Love you Honey!

 Until next time

God Bless!

First First for December

Well, there are not many things new a young child can do in December once they have enjoyed their first Christmas. And because Mattie May has been in day care since she was a baby, she has had parties at school to celebrate. Her first first this year is her first school party. It was a really great party. Katie or I could neither get off work to help with the party, but Frank was off work and he gladly stepped in to help. I guess you could say this was his first school Christmas party too. What a great guy/grandfather/hubby/dad!

They had sandwiches, veggie trays, and chips for lunch, cookies and cupcakes for dessert.

And Frank was right there helping.

Cute gloves!

That's a lot of food for 24 four year olds!

Yummy lunch with friends.

But before lunch and the gift exchange, the students gave a little performance. They started before I got there, but Frank caught some of it on video for me. You know Mattie May can be a little shy sometimes, but see if you can pick her out in this video.






HAHAHA! She is such a ham! I guess that's better than her being shy and not wanting to be up there. Love that kid!
(Technical Problems: I can not get the video to load. But I will tell you, she is certainly the "center" of attention in it. I will try again later to get it to load)

That afternoon when we got the mail, there was a special envelope for her. It was from an address we weren't familiar with.
It was her first letter from Santa Clause, all the way from the north pole. It wasn't just a letter, it had all sorts of goodies in it. She was so excited. We were able to put most of the things away to save for her later. But maybe she'll get another letter next year.




I'm catching up with our first first. Tomorrow I will be going through January. WOW! It seems like I've had a few things to say about that month.


God Bless!

Otherwise Known As...

Last night was Daddy/Daughter Date Night at church. But in our house, we called it Grumpy/Mattie May Date Night.

One of Mattie May's best friends at church is Jackie and her daddy, Brandon, works with Frank. They decided that since date night was going to be a "tea" that they should take the girls to eat before they went to the church building. Chili's was the restaurant of choice and they met about 5:45, an hour before the tea.

At church, there were several different projects planned for them. My favorite was the photo frame that Mattie May decorated and then a picture of the two of them was inserted. I love it!

There were also some prayers and blessings for the little girls. Frank said it was all very good and he is ready for next year.

We took a few pictures before they left the house. If your one of my FB friends, you've already seen them, sorry.

Not only did he remember his mother-in-law's birthday this week, he remembered to order Mattie May a corsage for her "first date"! He is totally awesome!

My two sweeties!

They finally see eye to eye! LOL

My precious little ham.

She loves this dress. She calls it her wedding dress.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. And to those that have a holiday Monday just know I am very jealous!

God Bless!

Mattie May's Excellent Disney Adventure - Day Eight

I almost forgot to post today. I've been busy. My PhotoPass CD's came in last week and tonight is the first night I have had to play with them. I decided to use one to update my blog header. What do you think? This is one of the Magic Photo's that the photographer took. I love them! They pose you and you don't know how the picture will look until you pull them up!

Mattie May and Tinker Belle. What a combination.

This was our last day in Florida. I have two pictures that I think really sum this day up.

This is the first.

No one wants vacation to end. We didn't have to catch the bus to the airport until 4:20, but we had to be out of our room by 11:00. We got all packed up and took our luggage to baggage check before we headed to breakfast.

We ended up with some meals on our food plan and they had to be used. Nothing worse than not using what we had paid for. We took a chance on Chef Mickey's. We didn't have reservations but we didn't last time either. We had to wait about 5 minutes for a seat.

By now, Mattie May was pretty good at talking with the cast members. We had a great waitress and Mattie May was talking to her about what fun week she had and that she really didn't want to go home. The next time the waitress came to our table, she brought Mattie May another birthday cupcake! "Every birthday trip should end happy!" How sweet was that?!

Some creative photography using my iPhone.

We spent the day riding Mattie May's favorite rides, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mad Tea Party, Dumbo Flying Elephants, and of course one more go on "it's a small world".

We also had one more full service meal we had to use. We took a chance at The Crystal Palace hoping to get to eat with Winnie the Pooh and all his friends (we hadn't seen them all week!) No luck this time. Oh well, Frank was hoping for a pizza anyway so we headed to Tony's Town Square. Just a short ten minute wait and we were in. Frank had his pizza and Mattie May was finally served off of a Mickey plate! All was well with the world!

After lunch we had time for some shopping. We had some ears we needed to get for friends and family back home. The ear store and candy shop were just up Main street. While we were shopping, we noticed they were getting ready for a parade. We made our purchases and went out to get a place to watch. The parade was great but as soon as it was over we had to get to the bus.

Picture two to wrap up our day. She is realizing we are leaving and is NOT a very happy camper!

Just look at that face. Tired and sad. I felt just like her. I called Mom to let her know we were leaving and could hardly talk trying to fight back tears! It was nothing that one more Mickey Mouse ice cream couldn'tt fix. We all had one to lift our spirits and finished just in time to bored the bus and get to the airport.

We had spent an entire week in January in short sleeves and sunshine only to get off the plane at DFW to almost freezing temperatures.

We had a great time and made memories that will last us a lifetime. We have already started planning and saving for our return trip!

Walt Disney Resort truly is

"The Happiest Place on Earth!"

God Blees!

Mattie May's Excellent Disney Adventure - Day Seven

Day Seven found us back at Magic Kingdom, because that's what Mattie May wanted to do and this was her trip after all. As much as we had been enjoying our trip, this was the first day I actually felt relaxed. We only had one set of autographs to get and we knew right where we needed to be and when, so we just had fun.

Mattie May of course headed back to the tea cups! This time we rode in separate cups. Frank and I could really get ours to spinning this time!

We went to Winnie the Pooh's and had a little visit.

And had tea with Minnie Mouse! Love the decor in her home!

I don't have pictures of all this, but right after this picture is when we got to see the fairies. They told us Tinker Belle would definitely be there but not who the other two would be. The area you go in to wait for these characters is separated into two lines, one side fairies one side princesses. She already had all the princess signatures and her goal today was fairies! The line was pretty long but we felt it was moving pretty fast. They have monitors set up to watch clips of movies while your waiting and Katie and I really didn't notice the time. After a while my phone rang and it was Frank (he was waiting on a bench outside). He asked me if we were OK or if there was some sort of problem. No, we were fine just waiting, why was he asking me this? He said he kept seeing all these people go in after us and they had already started coming out, what was taking us so long? Katie and I started laughing, he didn't know there were two separate lines because he had stayed outside and all the people he was seeing were the ones going into see the princesses!!

We finally made our way in to see the fairies, Rosetta, Tinker Belle, and to Katie's delight, Vidia! Katie and Vidia have a lot in common. They both cause a lot of trouble!!! LOL

From here we just enjoyed the rest of the day, doing whatever Mattie May wanted.

Frank & Katie Flying with Dumbo!

After dark, we remembered there was one show we had not seen at EPCOT and it was now or never!! We caught the monorail over and once there, headed straight to see Turtle Talk with Crush. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!! Trina and Traci had told us that whatever we did not to miss this show. We had no idea what to expect but they were so very right! This is so fun! Crush, the turtle from Finding Nemo is on a movie screen but he interacts with the audience. It is so much fun! Katie and Mattie May both got to talk to him. Frank and I were sitting there enjoying the show and then realized we should have been recording! Ugh!!! We tried to get the phones going but it didn't turn out very well. Oh well. I don't think we will forget it!

Frank, Mattie May and Bruce

"Fish are friends not food!"

After Turtle Talk we walked around and enjoyed watching the divers checking out the aquarium. They kept swimming by Mattie May and waving at her. I think she thought they were there just for her enjoyment.

Mattie May found Nemo!

Then it was time to head back to our room and get packed and ready to leave on Friday. I leave you today with Frank and Mattie May's impression of Crush. Dude- until tomorrow! LOL

God Bless!