Friday, December 28, 2007

Holidays

Did I mention that Dillon got an electric guitar? Well he did AND the amplifier. Oh boy. He turned and grinned at his sister and said "Guess how you are waking up tomorrow." He also told his Mammy that "Rock stars don't need college."

H E L P!!!!!!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Ho ho ho

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas. I know I did. My family was together at my parents on Christmas Eve. Every one of the "Benny Powell's" were there, from Gran, who turned 92 this year all the way down to her great great grandson, Sammy who will be a year old in March. Dillon got an electric bike from Santa. He loves it and has ran the battery down twice already. I fear he is going to be a daredevil. Masen got her standard American Girl doll! This doll came with six books and by 4:30 last night, she was starting #4. (Is that MY kid or what!!!) She just locked herself up in her room and started reading.

Conversation yesterday between my parents about Dillons E-Bike:

Mom: I need one of those for when we go camping!

Dad: You'd have to get one with a bigger battery.

Mom: Oh BITE ME.

And Happy Holidays to you too!

Friday, December 21, 2007

A life worth living

One of my favorite blogs is Heather Armstrong's. (aka dooce.com) If you visit, make sure you check out her "How to Annoy Me" archives, because they crack me up. Heather is very open about her fight with depression and post partum psychosis that landed her in a mental hospital. Some of you know the extent of my depression and some of you don't, but I can say without a doubt, that anti-depressant meds, namely Zoloft, saved my life. It didn't save my sanity. It didn't save my marriage, it saved my LIFE. After Dillon was born, I went through the most horrible experience of my life so far. Post partum psychosis is something so awful, that I can't come up with the adequate words to describe it. Depression, now, is no longer a daily struggle. I still have moments when the darkness creeps in. The difference now is that I can acknowledge what it is. I have no denial. I am not ashamed. I accept what this is in my life and I am convinced that because I don't fight it, and hide it, that it has made it easier for me to overcome. I am writing about this today because Heather's husband, Jon, has written a beautiful piece on his site (linked to in Heather's) about living with a spouse with depression. It was an emotional piece for me to read and I am thankful these two talk so openly about this topic.

May God bless you and your families this holiday and stay safe.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Fa La La La La

So, the new firm I am working for does a christmas project each year. They contact the local schools and ask about children who are in need. The schools send names, ages, sizes, and toy preference to us. This year we had 71 kids to provide for. Each child gets a new coat and a couple of toys, along with a christmas candy sack. Everything is purchased and brought here to our conference room. Then it is sorted by school, then by child. The presents are then wrapped and delivered to the schools, or a school rep picks them up. I have to say that I really enjoyed the process. I had a scrooge day yesterday, but then went shopping last night for a 5 year old girl, who, when asked what she wanted, replied "shoes". So I took Masen and we went to wal mart. We bought clothes and shoes and dolls and crayons and.'.well you see where this is going. My family is so blessed. No we don't own vacation houses in Malibu, or drive BMW's or Mercedes, but our needs are more than met. I dont want to take any part of my blessings for granted, whether they be material or not. I am grateful. I am blessed. And I am humbled. My God is an awesome God.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Having a dark day.

Someone seriously p****d in my toasties this morning. So I am trying, at times harder than others, to up my mood. I think what would make me really happy is one of those great big nerf bats and I could walk around knocking the crap out of anyone who dares look at me in the wrong manner. WHACK. Got one. See, now THAT feels better.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

My Mother and My Son: ALL THE SOCIAL GRACES

Yesterday this conversation took place in the car on the way to Macy's ball game:

RETA aka MAMMY: Leaning over to Dillon, whispers: "Dillon, I think I need to "poot"."

DILLON: Holding his nose yells: "FIRE IN THE HOLE".


CHARMING!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

The Denial of "Leonard"

I've written before about Dillon's desire to NOT cut his hair. It has now grown into a thick mop which has just enough curl in it to make it go in every direction possible. Its an adventure each morning to see what little bed head is going to look like. Then its an extreme adventure to try and comb it into submission and make it look respectable. I told him over the weekend that his hair had a mind of its own and if it kept growing, we were going to have to name it and build it a bedroom. He did NOT find this amusing by the way. Chris was walking by and christened his hair "Leonard". So, the conversations would go something like this: "Dillon come here, Leonard is not behaving" or "Leonard is standing up trying to look around again." You get the picture. Finally last night, Dillon had had enough. So, I have promised him I will not call his hair Leonard anymore. (at least not where he can hear)

But Leonard and I continue to do battle. This morning Leonard was in a particularly bad hair mood. So, I'd like to take this last opportunity to tell Leonard, "I have scissors and I am not afraid to use them."

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Why Chris Wishes He Had Gone To Dallas

I have tried for two days to upload the pic of Masen and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders! UGH! I'll keep trying. We drove to Dallas to have a "Macy Day" and shop at American Girl. After we cleaned out the doll store, we wondered into Saks and there were two of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Macy was THRILLED.

Those outfits really are THAT skimpy!!!

Friday, December 7, 2007

Kids

Growing up I never thought I wanted kids, they got on my nerves. (most still do) But after Chris and I had been married for a few years I started to look out the kitchen window and see him outside and picture a "mini Chris" following him around. It took three years, two fertility doctors and one miscarriage to get Masen here; Dillon, well it took a little over a year and one visit to the doc for fertility drugs. (I found out I was pregnant the day I went to fill the Rx, so I never took them) I've come to believe that they are on loan from God. They aren't really mine, they are His but He is letting me borrow them, mostly to teach me what love really is, and its my job to love them enough to teach them how to get back to Him. I believe my kids are here to teach me how to love; to teach me what heartache and heartjoy truly are. And they do. I lie on the couch with Dillon curled up next to me, his little warm body all snuggled in tight and the top of his head right under my nose and I think about how marvelous and magnificent and amazing this creature is, and right when I am getting all teary eyed, he'll turn to me and say, "Mom why do dogs sniff butts to say hello?", or "Mom, I have a booger, can you get it?"

Who knew butt sniffing and boogers could sound so sweet?

Thursday, December 6, 2007

My Ballerina

Last night Masen performed her solo routine in front of Ms. Angie (studio owner) and the Sr. tap class. Its not quite completely choreographed yet, but Ms. Megan, who is choreographing, wanted her to show it anyway. It dawned on me as we were walking to the other studio that even though Sis has been onstage numerous times in recitals and competitions, etc., she has never performed before Ms. Angie or the other girls by herself, she has always been with a group. (exception of one pageant, but that is another story) So, Mom got worried. But she stood up there and performed like a pro, half of the dance she had learned only minutes before. The older girls made a HUGE fuss over her. They cheered and clapped along with Ms. Angie and when she was finished, Masen was glowing, absolutely GLOWING. Her eyes were all lit up and sparkling and she said THAT WAS FUN!

Yes, baby girl, that WAS fun. I love you.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

There Must Be Something Wrong With Me

No smart comments necessary!

So, Masen talked me into coaching 9-10 yr. old basketball at the Boys & Girls Club. I have done this before, coached her teams, but it isn't the most pleasant of tasks, so I have backed off in the past couple of years and appointed myself the "assistant" coach and didn't put my name on the dotted line. But I gave in and went to tryouts and the "draft" last night. That's right I said draft. And this is where I wonder if there is a screw loose in my thinking, but isn't this supposed to a fun learning experience for these kids? We had a few parent/Pat Riley wannabe's who approached our task as though we were choosing sides for a shot at world domination and multi million $ Nike endorsements. After an hour and a half of bargaining and arguing, the desire to knock someone into next summer with my clipboard was almost more than I could control. Heck I didn't even really WANT to control it. But, alas, I did and no one exited the building bruised. Today I went to sign up for practice dates and YOUHAVEGOTTOBEKIDDINGME some of these people have their girls practicing no less than three nights a week, every week before league starts in JANUARY. We are talking about 9-10 yr old BOYS & GIRLS CLUB LEAGUE. The only "awards" given are those bought by the coaches and parents for their own teams.

Did you feel that?? Common sense just took a hit!

Oh and I'll let you know when my team kicks their butts.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Enchanting

We took the kids sunday afternoon to see Enchanted. If you haven't gone, go. It is one of the better "kid movies" I've seen in a long time. And, most of you know I am pretty critical of most movies directed at children. Its romantic and funny. Hey, it even made me feel mushy towards Chris. After 15 years, he'll take whatever he can get! But don't feel too sorry for him. This is the man after all who has been quoted as saying (referring to ME in a conversation with the guy who works on the loading dock at the feed store) "I learned from Custer not to fight with the indians".

Thats right darlin', I'll shoot you in the arse with my bow and arrow. (I'd threaten scalping, but....)

Friday, November 30, 2007

Here's A Mental Image for ya!!

Yesterday morning Masen came through the house in her usual fashion with hair strung all over her face, eyes half open, and carrying Blackie. "Hold Blackie, I have to go to the bathroom". (WHY she has to cross the entire house and use our bathroom when there is one 3 feet from her bedroom door I do NOT know) Only this time, Chris was the designated holder. So, I look up and my husband, the man I've lived with for 15 years, is standing in the bedroom, in his underwear, attempting to iron his work clothes with one hand because he has a stuffed animal tucked into his other arm. Macho baby, MA-CHO.

And yes, this is another reason why I love him. (ok, that and the fact he irons his own clothes!)

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Such gracefulness...

Today I have on my favorite black pants. They are the perfect pants, not too tight, fit good across the hind-end, just the right length, and are cut with a little flare on the ends. I bought a great pair of black shoes to go with them. I REALLY like these shoes. They aren't dressy heels, but more of a trouser shoe with a lower heel. So today I am leaving for lunch, got my nose stuck in the air and am sashaying to my car when...I caught the heel of my great black shoes on the concrete median and fell, face first, full bear-hug-body-splat into the side of my car.

Yeah, go ahead and laugh, everyone else did.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

The Velveteen Horse (?)

When Masen was about 2 1/2 and I was pregnant with Dillon, we made trek to OKC for some reason or another, and on our way home stopped at a horse sale. (Can you IMAGINE CHRIS wanting to stop at a HORSE SALE??!! ha ha Anyway...) While Chris looked at horses, Sis and I looked at some of the booths that were set up by vendors. She came across a stuffed black horse. Well, naturally, she wants. She turned her big hazel eyes on her Daddy and he dished out the $$ for the appropriately named, "Blackie". The child had more toys and stuffed animals than should be allowed to any one child, so I thought Blackie would end up in the toybox like the rest. But here we are, seven years later, and I can count on one hand, LITERALLY, the number of times she has gone to bed without Blackie headlocked under her arm. That fact that he is indeed a horse is no longer distiguishable. His mane and tail are gone, she loved them off, and he is more floppy than floofy now. People who don't know, see him and say, WHAT is that supposed to be. But Blackie is a part of our family. He has his own little stuffed persona and has been known to travel in the front seat on trips and eat at the table with us. Sometimes I wake her up in the mornings by making Blackie "talk" and sing and dance to her. He also does a pretty mean swan dive from way up high if she doesn't get up soon enough. I was greeted EARLY this morning by being whacked in the head and hearing, "Here, hold Blackie...I have to go to the bathroom".

I know someday, alot sooner than I want, that she'll leave and I'll be the one holding Blackie and crying into his "fur". He knows it too and sometimes we give each other that secret look that lets us know we are in this together. But for now, she is still my girl little enough to need her Blackie, and Blackie, well, he's going into the wash!!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Super Dillon to the Rescue


Here's a picture of one of the wrestling matches that occur in my living room. Dillon is rescuing his sister. Notice the completely happy grin on his face.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

HAPPY HOLIDAY

I'll see you all on Monday. I am going to enjoy my time off work and my family.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Thankful


Its almost that time...family gathering, food EVERYWHERE, and I have to say, I have so much to be thankful for. There isn't enough room here to list all of the things I am thankful for. So, I'll just thank my God in heaven for the blessing that everyday I spend on this earth, I get to spend with people I love. To God be the glory, forever and ever, amen.

This picture was taken Sunday at Mom and Dad's pond. Chris, Mom, the kids and I went exploring. The kids had BB Guns and fishing poles. And another generation of hicks is born....

Monday, November 19, 2007

May I Help You?


Rocky wants to know what is in that little box.....

Friday, November 16, 2007

Happy 100th Oklahoma

My husband works for a local bank, who, today are having a HUGE centennial celebration. They have food, balloons, a wagon, even a chocolate fountain. So, just to be a pain, this morning I look at him and say:

Me: Where's the indian?
CF: What?
Me: The indian. You know, Oklahoma, it means land of the red people. THE INDIAN.
CF: Ha ha.
Me: No, I am serious, the 1/8th of me that is Choctaw is highly offended at your celebrating the taking of my ancestors land and now partying over it.
CF: Yep, that's us, cheating, land-stealing sons of *****es.

Now, we had a good laugh at this until I found out that there are tribes protesting at the Capitol today. You have to admit, they kind of do have a point!

Oh, and just to be a smart alec, I suggested they take a bow and arrow and shoot the arrow into the canvas of the wagon top. Warped, I know!

Monday, November 12, 2007

punched in the stomach

It was a monsterously busy weekend. Dillon played in the band again at the Pittsburg Co. Cattlemens car party, and Sis had a rodeo yesterday. There were moments of pride so deep and laughter until tears came, but it was all overshadowed by the death of a beautiful little girl that we knew. The news of her accident, and thoughts of it now, leave me feeling like I have been punched in the stomach. I hear people say, "How do you survive losing a child?", but the truth is that they have no choice. God chose to take this child home and He chose to leave her family here. The pain they feel is beyond my understanding. They are continually in my thoughts and faithfully in my prayers.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

How much longer will this last?!!


Conversation:

Dillon: Mom, those girls are bothering me.
Me: Well, thats because you are so handsome.
Dillon: Not funny.
Me: Sorry, but someday little girls are going to be chasing you all over the playground.
Dillon: If I bring them to you, will you whip them?

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Lost in Translation

Ok, so I recently got on this rant about attitude and rights and taking God out of our society. Several people have asked me, So what are you going to do about it. (No, D- you werent the first) The answer is, I don't know. I WANT to do something, I just have no direction as to what or how. Letter writing campaign, email CEO's, what? I'm not afraid to voice my opinions, we all know that, with this situation, I just dont know who to voice it to! If you'd like to read the rant, I'll email it to you. If you have any helpful suggestions I'll take those too!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

HUH?

I have been accused more than once of having a really weird sense of humor. Stupid comedy doesnt entertain me at all, with the exception of the Adam Sandler movie where he is the golfer and Jim Carrey in Liar Liar. Anyway....this morning on the radio:

A prison on Denmark has decided that taking a new interest in the inmates physical health can help improve their quality of life inside the institution. Basing their health improvement plan on Olympic type events, the inmates are now being trained in such events as pole vaulting.
Cracked me up. Are we SURE this is the best idea? What's next? Cross Country Track and Field?

Thursday, November 1, 2007

For the love of big hair and shoulder pads

I am listening to 106.9 The Point out of Houston Texas. Its all 80's all the time. Dude where's my Camaro? Lets cruise!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Happy Birthday to Gran

We had my Gran's 92nd birthday party on Saturday. Sherrie came up with the idea of having a "card" party. We sent out emails to everyone we could think of, and printed flyers and handed those around too. The idea was for family, friends, and anyone else, to mail a birthday card in care of one of us (mostly Sherrie) and we would put them in a basket for Gran to take home and spend an evening opening and reading. At last count, there were 81 cards from California, Colorado, Arkansas, Illinois, and of course, home. Cards are still coming in and we will take those to her. If you sent one, please know that she LOVED it. I talked to her this morning and she had already read through them twice. We also did a come and go party for her and didn't tell her. Mostly we kept it a secret because if she had known, she would have refused to come! Even at 92, nobody wants to mess with her! LOL. Its a good thing thats not hereditary, huh?!?!

Friday, October 26, 2007

A little too much football..

Dillon crawled into our bed, as usual, around 4:00 am, snuggled into his Daddy's right arm, and went to sleep. My alarm went off pretty early. Its one of those really fast beep-beep-beep (pause) beep-beep-beep ones that's enough to wake you up but not quite enough to glue you to the ceiling. So, I hear the beeping and get up as fast as I can at that hour, and about the time I hit the foot of the bed, Dillon, still sound asleep, yells:

TOUCHDOWN.
That was it, still asleep, he went back to drooling on Chris's arm.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Growing Pains II

Dillon is refusing to get a hair cut. Now by refusing, I mean he doesn't want to and I haven't forced him. (Hopefully he knows better than to flat out REFUSE) Now any of you that know my husband knows that this is driving him insane! That fact that Dillon's hair can actually touch the top of his ears is eating at Chris like a mange mite on a mutt. Chris keeps (what's left of) his hair in a military style cut. He calls it a "go anywhere" haircut. Dillon has very thick, wavy hair. Its getting harder to control and he loves it. He gets in front of the sink and mirror every morning and wets it down with his Daddy's comb and gets it JUST the way he wants it, grins really big, and walks out. I think it's the most adorable thing ever, Chris has to leave the room! I realize as the kiddos grow up that there will be tons of opportunities to go to battle with them over any number of things. I am trying to instill the idea into Chris that we are going to have to pick our battles and letting Dillon grow his hair a little longer won't necessarily mean he is destined for a life of crime, or even hot checks. Its just a little independence coming through.

However, my fear for the future is: if this bothers Chris THIS much, how will I survive the teenage years with both of them??!!

Oh! AND...a BOY called Masen last night. You should have seen CF's reaction to THAT!

Maybe I'll take up drinkin'.

Growing Pains

Conversation in the car yesterday:

Dillon (to Masen): I'm asking Santa for a Razr phone.

Me: Why? Who are you going to call on a cell phone? (he is just 6 yrs old after all)

Dillon: Sissy.

Me: But you live with Sissy, why don't you ask Santa for something you can enjoy. You won't use a phone much.

Dillon: Fine. I don't want anything.

Me: Do you want me to call Santa and tell him you don't want anything at all for Christmas??!

Dillon: Yes!

Me: I think you just want to be mad and act ugly.

Dillon: Yep.

He pouted the rest of the way home and promptly got sent to his room for having an ugly attitude. After a few minutes alone on his bed, he changed his mind and decided to act nice. We had a conversation about "why" he won't get a cell phone from Santa and he dealt with it. I won't say he flat out accepted it, but he dealt with it.

Santa needs a xanax.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

To Our Family In California

May God bless you and those you care about. Stay safe.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Weekend News

Well, friday night Chris decided it was time to take the front porch apart and begin to fix the water damage. Now, two things you should know about my husband, 1. carpentry is NOT his thing; and 2. neither is patience. My blood pressure instantly began to rise as did my anxiety level as I anticipated the mess, the fit, and the aftermath. Dillon on the other hand was THRILLED and walked around with a hammer stuck into his carpenter jeans. Getting the new plywood up was a challenge since Chris only had me and Dillon as help. The process involved backing the truck under the porch and me with my feet on the truck bed leaned up against the bricks of the house balancing the plywood on my head until Chris could get enough screws in place to hold it, all the while with Dillon supervising. Masen and I made our escape in the early afternoon and headed to the fall festival at Wilburton where a crazy indian man sold her a crystal and sang a prayer over her. She is very proud of her Choctaw heritage and thought this was cool. I was ready to call security.

Yesterday Masen had a rodeo. She ran a 19.34, her fastest yet. Dillon and I went shopping.

AND as a shout out to my husband...the porch turned out GREAT. He did a fantastic job and I had to eat my words as I have always said he cant build anything square or level. Turns out, he can, when he wants to!

Happy Fall Y'all.

Friday, October 19, 2007

You'll just have to forgive me for this one....

Last night my husband made one of his "only from HIS mind" comments that made me laugh out loud. (But then again, my sense of humor IS kind of odd) Conversation:

CF: Have you ever tried to lay back and take a George Bush (his reference to our president saying he likes to take 15 minute naps during the day)

CF: and had a (apparently VERY persistent) fly try to nostril screw you?

MJF: (shooting tea out my nose) WHAT did you just say?

CF: No I am serious. This fly would NOT go away, like it was on a mission to increase their species. Picked up the flyswat...no fly. Closed my eyes...sucker flew right back in.

MJF: This is why our marriage works....stimulating conversation.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Things I HAVE to say....

1st of all, big storms last night in our area. A tent collapsed at Tulsa Oktoberfest hurting more than 2 dozen people...what I HAVE to say on this is WHAT THE HOO HA WERE THEY DOING THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE? For days our local weather stations have been predicting SEVERE weather, not rain, not wind, not storms, SEVERE storms. This is Oklahoma people, did you really think you could hide from a severe storm under the beer tent??? AND radar showed the storms heading that way before I headed to work yesterday, so its not like they didn't know!

Next: Ellen Degeneres and the dog scandal. I have dealt with a rescue organization and from experience...those people can be nuts! We decided to adopt a basset a few years ago and upon receiving my application, the basset rescue people ATTACKED. They were so rude that I honestly thought, oh my goodness they have my home address I hope they dont try to kidnap Chip! No seriously, I did. And what horror was on my application that produced this response? I didn't let my 75 pound basset live in the house. Because, according to them, dogs are family members and how dare I make my family member live outside. (Does this mean I have to let Chris in????) Of course, I managed to call one them an ugly name in the end, which my loving husband will NOT let me live down...

Birth control pills in middle schools???!!! I thought the whole issue with condoms was that they not only prevented pregnancy but they prevented STD's. Now this middle school in a different state wants to make birth control patches/pill available to pre-teens? Yeah, I get it, kids have sex, but do you really want the school making the decision about a Rx drug for your child? Was their condom program a failure?

OK, and now......I GOT MY NEW CAMERA. Chris couldn't take the whining and gave me my Christmas present in October. Canon Digital Rebel XTI 400D. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!

Monday, October 15, 2007

What I didn't See

Yesterday we were all out in the yard, Chris and the kids were at the barn and I was in the front yard with the puppies. Macy and Dillon were taking turns leading Happy Appy to the fence and climbing on him bareback. All of a sudden I hear this "ruckus" in the back. I can hear loud kids voices, then a clanging metal gate and finally Chris yelling. By the time I get to the barn, this is what I see: One spotted horse running in the big pasture still wearing his bridle with One very pissed off man marching after him and Two children standing forehead to forehead and nose to nose. My first thought was to make sure no one had fallen off since the horse had made his escape. Come to find out, my two beautiful, sweet little angels had gotten into an argument, Dillon said Sis was bossy, Sis shoved him, he dropped the reins.....you see where this is going. The end result was a captured horse and two kids spending about 10 minutes standing nose to nose. If they moved, their Daddy made them go back. Talk about TORTURE. Can you imagine the PAIN of having to stand with your forehead touching your arch enemy and not being allowed to even talk??? I just said, Welcome Home Dear (He worked cattle at Wardville all weekend) and went into the house to take a shower. The kids recovered from their trauma in time to guilt trip their Daddy into ice cream at the store, and another weekend came to a close!

And how was YOUR day??

Friday, October 12, 2007

AAAHHHH FRIDAY!

Another work week comes to an end. Sounds great until you realize there really isn't an "end", its actually circular. Friday leads to Monday which leads to Friday which leads to...well you get the idea. So, the best we can do is enjoy each moment. You know, carpe diem. So this weekend I am going to spend time playing with my kids, watching them run with their puppies in the yard or ride horses, or just watching Hannah Montana. I like to just observe them. I like to watch them figure things out, you can almost see the wheels turning. I like to catch my daughter when she thinks no one is watching, and she is talking softly to her horse or her kittens. She looks so sweet and young and innocent and all the things she is supposed to be, and is. She is truly one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever encountered. She talks to her horse, he is her confidante and decision-making helper. When she is riding and its just her and him in the pasture, she is closer to who she is more than at any other time. She amazes me.

The boy, he is ALL boy. Let's climb trees and chase the cats or put the cat INTO the pen with the dogs. (dont worry, the cat LOVES it, no really) The minute he was born, (ok, actually the minute the Zoloft kicked in and kicked out the depression!!) I said he had my heart. He has one tiny dimple in his right cheek. I love that dimple. When he opens up into a full, ornery smile, I could just pull that dimple off and eat it up. He is learning to play Kum By Yah on his guitar. He can now stand and almost walk on his hands. He likes to aggravate his Pa Pa by calling him Hairy Monster or teasing him about being bald. He is full of all things boy and snips and snails and puppy dog tails.

One thing everyone should know about me, I know how blessed I am. Everyday I have to walk on this earth, I am grateful to God for the blessings in my life. My life is full with blessings and I pray never to forget that.

Ya'll have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Grade School Politics

So it has begun. Actually, it began on day one of classes. The whole female who is popular, who is smarter, who is better at sports, who is playing with who, drama that we all endured and prayed our own daughters wouldn't have to. At nine years old, these girls are aware that society looks at those with athletic ability or good looks differently than those not so inclined. At nine years old they are learning and teaching each other that its more important to score baskets or have a boyfriend (!) than to have a good heart and treat everyone fairly. Chris and I talk sometimes about how we may have done our children a disservice by teaching them to think about other people's feelings and to try to be kind hearted. They frequently get bowled over by the I WANT AND I SHALL HAVE kids. Still, I hope I am giving them a foundation in their character that is more of what God wants instead of what the world dictates. They won't be elected King or Queen of their class, they won't always play in every basketball game, they might grow up with one or two true friends instead of 30 hero worshippers, but they will grow up knowing that it matters how you treat people and it matters who you are in your heart and not who you think you are in the world. There is still enough Powell in them that they will definitely let you know when you've crossed the line, but both of them have a tender heart and I am so proud of how they are growing up. They are doing a beautiful job.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Camera Woes

Anyone who is around me for very long knows I love my cameras. Chris bought me a Canon Rebel YEARS ago when Masen was born. Later he bought me the digital version and WOW that camera is awesome. OR let me say WAS awesome. A few months ago it started giving me an err99 code. After lengthy research on the internet and trying every trick suggested, still nothing. Now this camera is not one you want to just run out and purchase with pocket change. (IF you DO have that kind of pocket change...well, we'll talk later) So I bought a simple Nikon Coolpix to have for snapshots. Let me tell you, its like driving a Bentley and trading it for Fred Flintstones foot car. I am having serious camera withdrawal. So, anyone out there with a few spare hundred or so, I am taking donations. Hey, I'm not proud, buy me something! HA!

Ugh and dont even get me started on trying to buy one on an Ebay auction!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Foris Family blog! Chris, Mickie, Masen, and Dillon will be checking in on occasion to give you some updates and insight into life with the Foris clan. Check back often and leave us a message.