HIS Rae Rae

Tonight in the car Creighton and I had some sweet conversations, even over Charleigh screaming her head off.

She said at one point, "so when you die, do I have to take care of her {meaning Charleigh}"
I said well I don't know when I am going to die, but yes, you should always care about your sister honey.  She said, "Good, I've always wanted to be a mommy!"

I love that!

I told her she'd be a good mommy.  She ask (while laughing), "Will I have to spank their hineys (we don't use that word, so maybe that's what was so funny)...and then we got to have a sweet conversation about discipline and how God disciplines me and that yes, I still make bad choices and disobey sometimes too.  She was kinda weirded out by that thought.  She though God spanked me.  It was hilarious.  I told her, that I sometimes wish that WAS all my discipline was, because it would hurt a lot less.  And that is why I want her (and her siblings) to learn NOW what it means to obey and to try everyday to obey and make good choices so she didn't have to learn as many lessons at 31 as I do.

I love her heart.  She's so pure and innocent still.

Except, I might have to just follow that statement up with tonight she told me she kissed a boy at church.  I tried not to flip out, because she was holding hands with this SUPER DUPER CUTE boy at the park just on Tuesday and I could tell she acted different than ever before with him.....

...and so it begins.

She's still innocent and pure and I hope she remains that way for a LONG LONG LONG time....Oh Lord, please.  Please. Please. Guide her heart to you.  Allow her to hear your voice. Fill her void in a way that only you can, and help her not to try to fill it with anyone or anything else.  Thank you for my precious Creighton...YOUR precious Rae Rae.

We own a home!

Today we signed our life away :)

I absolutely LOVE our new house. It's perfect.

I went to clean by myself tonight and I felt very led to just pray at first before I started. Then I felt that once I started I wanted to pray over every room. And so I did.  It was quite the emotional experience. I am sure some people do this every time they move and maybe everyday, but I am a Prayer Warrior in TRAINING for sure...and so it was a huge step for me.  I prayed in many different ways and very specifically for each room and the people(s) that would be in, around, beside it.  It was neat. By far one of the coolest experiences so far in Bixby!

Then I got to cleaning and I didn't get nearly as much as I wanted done but I was thankful for what I did get to do. We even had our first visitor at the new house tonight. We love drop-ins! It was fun.  I heart relationships!  My soul is thirsty for genuine Godly women to pour into me as I pour out.  I am thrilled to be in Bixby and get started and I truly feel at HOME.  It's been awhile since I could say that, and even though I can't spend the night in my new house yet, it's calling me....it's home.  (temporary till heaven anyway).

One tidbit that was cool while I was cleaning all the windows.  (the sun room had 7 VERY large single pane windows)  I started windexing the insides first.  I had anticipated also cleaning the outsides, because truth be told, it'll be probably the ONLY time in the history of our living there that it'll get done :)  (I really wish I could say I was kidding, but I am NOT Susie Homemaker).  Anyway, funny thing, when you spend time with the Lord and have a right perspective and are open to hearing, he'll speak to you through all kinds of things....like cleaning a window.

To the story...sorry.  Anyway, so I was cleaning the windows from the inside and noticed how, once I cleaned them I noticed just HOW dirty the outside was.  The Lord just showed me that sometimes we try very hard to clean (maintain) the outside of our lives that people see, but really it's the inside that needs the work first.  Once the inside was right, then I could really see where I needed to focus on the outside, in order to make it look like the inside.

I got to thinking that I could have done it in reverse order and maybe had the opposite analogy, but then He said, "no, because it's only when you have a clean heart (inside), and have the SUN (Son) shining IN that you can see the blemishes on the outside"  If you were clean on the outside, but not the inside, you'd have to be in the way of the sun (Son) in order to think it was clean on both sides....

Random, never know if it comes out in writing like it sounds in my head (gets through to my heart) but I am so thankful that the Lord speaks, and that occasionally I hear. :)

I love our new home and would love to show you around (aka...have your help moving in Thurs or Friday) :)

End of the Year

All three kids went for about the last 5 weeks or so to New Beginnings MDO program.  The last day of classes was last Tuesday and they had a great program to show some things they'd learned.  I was just learning to use the iPhone as a camera/video and so I didn't get nearly as quality of pics as I was hoping and thought I was recording when I wasn't and was when I shouldn't have been...but all in all there are cute videos (which I can't put on my blog) and only a few cute pics...

The older classes all sung a few Spanish songs in the very beginning together.  Jackson was a few people over from Creighton. 

 She looked so cute and I hate that this one was fuzzy...but it was the only one I got of her sweet smile

 and this one...

 I didn't get any pictures of Jackson's class up singing but I have a lot of video. They did a very good job and it was great.  After they sang they did a little "graduation" for the Pre-K kiddos.  He was called up first.

 Rarely see him so serious :)

There's my sweet smile! So proud of you buddy! :) I can't believe you are officially now in "real" school from now on.  It's weird buddy.  You weren't suppose to grow up so fast! I love you with everything in me and I am so proud of you.  You've come a long way and you have a long way to go, but you've proven you will work hard!

You said you wanted to be an Astronaut this time...so much better than when you graduated your 3's pre-k class and wanted to be a Taco Bueno drive through guy! :)  But if you do become either of those extremes or anything in between, I'll still be proud of you!

Catalyst

I spent Wednesday through Saturday with these people and about 3000+ others at Catalyst Dallas 2011.  It was an incredible time of growth and healing for me on nearly a million levels.  I can't wait to get my thoughts written out.  It will probably be a while before/if I post them...but let's just say I am more than grateful for the opportunity to have been there, and more excited that my prayers that God would show up and do big things were answered in that exact way and then some.

Friends, new and old.  Hearing the Word just BROUGHT!  Praise and worship like nobody was there but me and my Savior.  Healing. Laughing.   It was a priceless weekend.

Fun Zoo Pics

 same train, same sweet girl, so much time and so many memories in between

(this was around March 2008)

Adventure to the Zoo...

We had a whole day of nice weather. I figured I needed to plan wisely.  So we called up a friend and they were already planning to go to the zoo and that's what I had in mind too.  So we went. 

 Jackson's self portrait...after a crazy lunch chasing geese away CONSTANTLY.

I love this pic of my sweet girls and their smiles.  Jackson just wouldn't smile on the turtle.

 There is one of the friends we met, the other was on the turtle for a minute and then never got back on.

Our friends left and my kids were done with the animal thing, so they wanted to play at the park.  So we did. They had a blast.... 

 Charleigh played in/on the train forever.  She didn't want to get off.  So I kept taking LOTS of pictures of this sweet smile!

 So much so that she shook her head at me and said no and covered her face....I think I was taking WAY too many pictures....

 I love this sibling love!  She called for her Bubba and he came a runnin'.  He didn't stay long, but long enough to capture that!

 My sweet Rae came over next to hang out with her sissy!

 Isn't she just gorgeous!  I can't get over her these days!

 I finally had to PULL her off the train to show her there were other fun things to play on/with at the park too....she was just as happy on this!

 The big kids were playing happily together and that's a rarity so I had to get it documented!

Sweet cheeks! I love you.  You were such an angel today at the Zoo even though it was incredibly hot!  She came home and took about a 3 hour+ nap.  And I made Rae take one too. She was so fussy from being exhausted and so hot all morning.  That was nice!

We came home and had everyone (but Nonna) home for dinner and we made steaks! Yummy!

A Very Special Date...

with this sweet guy>>

I rarely get to spend time alone with this little guy and I treasure any time I do get him all to myself.  He is such a gem when he is alone.  He thrives on feeling special, words of affirmation and quality time.  He is a really neat kid!

First we went to Burger King and only because he really wanted a Thor toy and they came with the kid's meals. They only get kid's meals on special dates because I think it's cheaper not to get them.  Anyway, so that was his choice.  He ate all of cheeseburger and happily played with his silly Thor toy all day (although I can say I haven't seen it since).  He also got a special drink (a cherry Slushie) and he loved it but said it was "spicy" to his tongue. I think it is the carbonation? I have no idea.  

Then we went to a very very special dessert place because I wanted to treat him like a Prince and pull out all the stops...

 We went to Cosi and got the S'mores for 2!  It was the complete package.  Fire table side. 4 big marshmallows each, 4 graham crackers each and a 1 big Hershey bar.  2 sticks and we were ready to go! He just liked the idea at first but then LOVED it.  (I didn't tell him what we were getting until they brought it to the table).  I think he was confused.  But I made him a mean s'more and he devoured it.  It was such fun!

Then I had talked with his best bud from Bartlesville's mom earlier in the day and knew they'd be in Tulsa at his sister's dance competition, so I secretly arranged for us to meet him and take him with us on our next adventure.  I didn't tell him until he physically saw him what we were doing.

 Right before this ^ picture they hugged a HUGE hug and it was just too sweet. He was so excited to see Colton.  Oh the smiles were contagious!

We went Putt Putt golfing and it was an experience to say the least.  I will never take 5 year olds putt putting again, at least for sure not at that course. It was insane, but they hadn't a clue how bad they were and thought it was great fun (although it was VERY hot).  It was hilarious...each hole they'd hit the ball and drag the ball and drop the ball and lead the ball about 10-50 times and then once it FINALLY got in the hole, they'd scream, "HOLE IN ONE". I am really not sure they have a clue what the phrase even means. After the first few holes I ditched the card and the pencil and just relaxed and let them have fun.  And they did!

 Once we got to the 18th hole, I told them not to get upset that they wouldn't be able to get their ball.  It was so hot I don't think they cared one bit. It was our fastest hole and they just essentially dropped the ball in the hole to watch it disappear.  They really wanted to play some of the coin games in the inside and I didn't have any cash on me, but I am thinking that would have been way more fun and cheaper for everyone (good to know for next time!) :)

It was so hot that we went to get snow cones from Josh's snow cones and it was well worth the wait (yes, the line was about 12-15 minute wait). They were very hyper and driving me half crazy because we were so close to the street. I kept thinking they were going to run out there and so I was having anxiety attacks (it's one thing with your own child, totally different when you have someone else's baby too!)  I was thankful when the line got closer to the front and we could stand far from the street. We finally got ours and they both ordered Leonardo the Ninja Turtle.  They ate them up quickly!

I had such a great time with my little man and I loved seeing that big cheesy smile on his face, but more importantly the imprint on his heart (he wears it on his sleeve) was priceless.  I know that it was a sweet and special time for him (and it was for me too).  I look forward to our next adventure together buddy! I love you so very much!

Charleigh!

Charleigh wore this very cute dress that got her even more attention than normal on Sunday!  

She was one tuckered out puppy though and passed out cold.  She was a grumpy girl in Sunday School they said (which is completely abnormal) I guess she was just very very tired.  She's even cute then!

Well I was right...

It didn't even take until the end of the weekend. The very next morning, they were out on their bikes and Creighton had it in minutes.  It's funny, if we combined them, they'd be a perfect rider (almost)....but she's better at steering and braking and he's better at pedaling and starting all by himself.

We've been practicing a whole lot as of the "conquering" and they both get better each time. They are just SO stinkin' cute riding.  They are very proud of themselves and Charleigh is very proud of them both.  I think she's just watched us cheer them along these past few days so much that she just thinks every.single.time they get on their bikes they should be praised.  It's adorable.

They get on and she starts clapping and cheering, "yaaaaay bubba, yaaaaay Rae Rae!" It's awesome!  I love brother and sister love.

Jackson "got the hang of it"

I am pretty sure that by the end of the weekend we'll have 2 proficient riders because Creighton was gloating just yesterday that she was better at biking than he.  Now she has some catching up to do! :)

Today Jackson just totally "got it" and took off!  I loved it and am so proud of him.

What a week...in pictures

Creighton and I went to a Mommy and Me Tea Party.  I really rarely get to spend one on one time with my kiddos. I cherish the time I do!  We had a great experience...

I let her pick the table she wanted to sit at.  She chose the Tee Hee Hee Tea Table. I am thinking she noticed the ring pops :)

I had to snap a shot of us together! all smiles 

 The best part for her was ARIEL was there!  She taught us how to use good manners...or etiquette. :) It was kind of strange to me, but she loved it!

 Afterwards she took pics by all the decorations...great job NBC Children's Ministry team!  Looked fantastic!!!!

 Charleigh came too, but stayed in the nursery...she looked SO cute in her dress but would not smile and I now notice that she tried to pull her pony out and looks now like she has a mo-hawk!

 We had an impromptu Easter egg hunt in the back yard several days AFTER Easter because it has been raining so much we couldn't get outside till now! Charleigh was THRILLED! ahaha

 Jackson in the tree...oh that boy misses his climbing tree!

 Charleigh did a lot of cracking us up!  She is so stinkin' adorable....

 Peek-a-boo!

 Check out those dimples.  Little bit is FINALLY feeling all the way better and got her appetite back.  YES! she is back to eating me out of house and home.

 Seriously, they don't get any cuter?! even with orange juice dripping down the chin!

 Creighton got to go on a Daddy Date today for lunch.  She got all dolled up! (I helped).

 I just love that she loves her Daddy and will know what to expect when it comes to being treated the RIGHT way!

 I found these trikes and bikes on craig's list for $5 each. They have been life savers and wonderful for my kids who haven't had anything to call their own (as far as outside toys) for a LONG time now....if it'll just quit raining, we might never be inside....

Poor Charleigh got ANOTHER shot this week (18 month well baby visit) but she's totally the best and you wouldn't know....she's happy and healthy.  She weighed 22.6 pounds, 32 inches.  She's skinny and tall with a big head (they said her head is like 96% but that she'll eventually grow into it) I totally don't think she looks like a bobble head.  :) You're just gorgeous and so fun! I love you Charleigh Tatum

 my crazy lil man.  Oh he's so all boy, and yet, so tender. We've had some sweet conversations.  We are making progress with his actions/attitude in a 2 steps forward, one step backwards kind of way at the moment.  He's wild.  I love him.  Oh I love him.  He's too darn cute.

 Creighton has nearly mastered NO training wheels.  She can do it, she just gets nervous.  I love helping her but it's KILLING my back. I really can't believe they are growing up so fast.  It's all happening.  First this, next it'll be loose teeth...I just can't handle it all sometimes!

 Tonight they were digging in the yard and playing with mud and having a GOOD time together outside.  I LOVE WHEN THEY GET ALONG!  It just delights my heart and refreshes my spirit.  It doesn't happen often, especially lately it seems, but tonight (and any time they can get messy!) they were and I loved it.

 These are illegal pictures, forgive me.  But they turned out cute, just not quite cute enough to buy. I wanted badly for them to photoshop them for me for the "perfect" pic but they said they couldn't and I am sad.  Because if the sweet smiles of Jackson and Charleigh in this picture

 were merged with this gorgeous picture of Creighton, then it would just be ideal.

 But, it's not and so these images will have to do for now :)  (and actually I am not sure I want to always remember the MOHAWK he's sporting here anyway)....oh boys.

I just can't get over how big my LITTLE girl is getting.  SHe looks entirely too old...and seriously I prayed at one point during my pregnancy for her to be ugly*.  Good thing God didn't listen :) Baby you are gorgeous on the outside and I pray now that every day your heart becomes more and more like Christ's so that you will be all the more beautiful on the inside and be the COMPLETE package :)

*I stupidly (pregnancy made me dumb) assumed that if she was ugly it would ward off the boys....now I just have to teach her VERY well how to handle herself and how to have high morals and standards! Because there is nothing ugly about her (well, except sometimes her attitude...we are working on that!) ;)