Halloween pictures

Drake "The Werewolf," Mason "The Vampire" and Ross "The (you fill in the blank)" He was called a swamp monster, Chewbacca, and several other things I can't remember.


The pumpkin Ross and Drake carved... Ross added the gross stuff coming out it's mouth.


Drake "The Werewolf"


Mason "The Campfire" (Really a Vampire but when he said it, it sounded like Campfire. It took me forever to figure out what he wanted).

We all had a great night!

Tom Turkey

Drake had a school project this past week where we had to disguise Tom Turkey so he would not be eaten for Thanksgiving dinner and write a story about the disguise and Tom. Below is the story Drake wrote for the project. I wrote it down as fast as I could. He was talking so fast!!! He wrote the whole story.

Tom “The Chick-fil-A Cow” Turkey

One day before Thanksgiving, Tom Turkey was out in the wild. A hunter came by and said “Hey there’s a turkey.” Tom Turkey ran as fast as he could to the costume store. The last costume they had was a Chick-fil-A Cow costume that said “Eat Mor Chikin” so Tom bought the costume. Then Tom Turkey went back to the woods. The hunter saw him and asked if he had seen Tom Turkey and Tom said “That way!”
But then when the hunter got home he realized Tom Turkey was dressed up as the Chick-fil-A Cow. So he went back to the woods and found Tom Turkey. But went the hunter found Tom, Tom said he was Tom the Chick-fil-A Cow not Tom Turkey. Tom suggested the hunter eat chicken for Thanksgiving instead of turkey. Then Tom took the hunter to Chick-fil-A for dinner. The hunter’s wife was getting worried because he had been gone so long, but then she went to Chick-fil-A for dinner and found him. They both thanked Tom for dinner and went home and went to bed.
The next morning was Thanksgiving Day, the hunter got up and hurried to get dressed and went back to the woods to find Tom. He invited Tom to his house to have Thanksgiving dinner. The End!

Hide and Seek and other kinds of trickery!!

Mason has taken to hiding things... mainly his shoes!! Although he does like to hide himself on occasion. A couple of weeks ago his shoes were lost, not just one pair all of them. We looked for days for them. I was doing laundry and remembered seeing a sock on the edge of under our bed. When I went to retrieve the sock there were all of Mason's shoes under our bed. He said "How did they get there?" Um you put them there!!! Monday morning we could not find his school shoes... so he had to wear a different pair that are usually for church... my kids tend to get dirty and destroy clothing and shoes so some clothes and shoes are church clothes and shoes so at least they look decent on Sundays!!! So he wore the church shoes. This morning we all searched for the bouncy ball shoes (that is what Mas calls them). We looked and looked but no shoes. Finally Mason and Drake were behind the couch and Mason said there were no shoes so I asked Drake to look too. And there they were the bouncy ball shoes!! Mason was staring right at them... he said I was just tricking you!! Ross did not think it was a funny trick!!

Mason and I have decided that we do not like the "new" moody Drake, we like the "old" nice Drake. Mason thinks the "new" Drake needs more spankings!! I think so too!! But I know we have to take the old Drake when we can get him and try to mold the new Drake in to a nice and respectful little boy! We are still working on that last part.

Halloween is coming up so Sunday afternoon I took the boys to look around at some costumes. Drake wants to be something really scary. He has in mind what that is but we could not find it at any of the stores we went to. He did like a werewolf costume but the mask had been ripped off so I am still looking for that one. We thought Mason was going to be Spiderman because he has that costume but he has changed his mind several times. Last week he wanted to be a Tootsie Roll. Then on Sunday when I asked him he said he wanted to be a "campfire" I did not know what he meant... then Drake said no he said VAMPIRE!!! It sounded just like "Campfire" So funny!! So I asked Mas if he wanted to get some sharp teeth (we were in the car so I was looking in the rear view mirror for his response) his raised up as far as he could in his seat and showed all his teeth and said he thought his teeth were sharp enough!!!

We are going to Sheridan this weekend and are going to go to the Pumpkin Patch with Melissa, Lane and my Mom. Last year we had a great time hopefully the same this year. Maybe Uncle Jared and Daddy will come too. Drake hopes so because my rule is they can only get a pumpkin they can carry... last year they got Uncle J to help them so they could get giant pumpkins!!

Last week I went to Florida with in-laws and girlfriends, Valorie and Tiana, Rowan, Taylor, Ashely, DeLana, Lisa, Heather, Cash, Melissa, and Lane. We all had a great time at the beach in Destin. All the little boys were great, it was a prefect age to take them on the girls vacation they were so cute. I can't wait until next year!!

Today is our first Parent-Teacher Conference wish us luck!! And Friday is our first field trip we are going to the Pumpkin Patch in Pea Ridge.

Funny how you plans don't really matter...

Just a quick up date on the last week.

Last week was pretty uneventful for the most part. Just the normal stuff... school, work, church, gym, repeat. I did get to workout with Heather for the first time after Cash. We had a nice light leg workout and some cardio, maybe we will again tonight?!?!

On Friday the boys and I headed down to Sheridan to visit my parents. Ross stayed in Fayetteville to finish up writing his dissertation. I had planned to take the boys to the Grant County Fair and Rodeo and hang out with my sisters and the rest of the family. We were going to celebrate all of the September and October birthdays in our family (Papa, Uncle Bill, Samantha, Tim, and Patricia) on Saturday afternoon. These were MY plans.

When the boys and I got to Russellville they were hungry so we stopped and got something to eat, just before my mom had called to ask us what time we would be home. We had not been back on the road for long when she called again but this time from her cell phone. She told me that they were taking my Grandma to the hospital and they were going to meet the ambulance at Crossroads. That was all she said. So I finally got a hold of Melissa and she told me Grandma was having chest pains and probable a heart attack. So I put the pedal to the metal and headed to Baptist. I almost beat the ambulance there but I got held up in some traffic in Little Rock. We spent most of the night in the ER and ICU. She did have a heart attack but they did not find any major blockage so that was good news. However the doctor did perforate a small artery during the arteriogram so she had to stay in ICU for a few days to make sure the artery healed properly. She is doing great now and is at home.

It is amazing how quickly YOUR plans can change. God has a plan for everyone and every moment and we need to remember that we are not in control!

Thank you to everyone who prayed for us this weekend and continue to pray for my Grandma during her recovery.

Drake and Mason did get to go to the fair but it was on Sunday to help me and my Dad take down the chicken pens. They had a great time helping and watching the rides pull away to go to the next fair.

Also over the past week I have realized how much like my Dad I am. I went to the PTO meeting this past week and I love being involved in everything they do. Also I do not like the boys to ride carnival rides because they are DANGEROUS!! They are pulled on trucks from town to town that can't be safe, Dad never wanted us to ride them when we were little. And I hate it when Mason plays with his gum!!!

I signed up for another round of spinning classes. When I told the guy at the HYPER I wanted to take the Tuesday, Thursday and Friday classes he looked at me like I was CRAZY!! He said really all three days, Yep all three. It is so fun and great cardio. All you folks that are at the UofA should check it out.

Finally a NEW post

Ok so apparently people are checking this blog and are upset that I have not posted anything in a REALLY LONG time!! So I will try to bring everyone (Heather, Jeremy, Melissa...) up to speed.

The last post is from June so I will start there.

In June... Drake finished up T-Ball. He had a great time and thinks he wants to play again next year (Ross is not so sure) we will see how that goes. Also in June we hosted Backyard Bible club at our house, think VBS but in a neighborhood instead of Church. It went well, did not have as many kids as we thought but still had a good time worshiping. I am sure we did more stuff but that was a long time ago!

July was full of fun stuff. We went to the Springdale Rodeo. Drake and Mason had a blast and we even got to see an old friend of mine, Justin Koon, ride a bull. Drake was very impressed that I knew a bullrider. The week of the 4th we had our annual Smith-Drake-Wolfenden-Bickford-White family vacation in Branson. On Friday night Melissa, Jared, Lane and the Wolfenden's stayed at the Cove Inn (do not stay there) it was terrible. At about 3 am we were all woken up by the song Baller Shot Caller, you remember the one. There was not even a phone in the room to call the front desk, like there would have been someone there. I thought Melissa was going to break down their door. Jared went next door and I guess they were a little intimidated by a 7 foot dude so they immediately said "the music is too loud isn't it" Needless to say we checked out early and changed hotels the next night. We had a great time. On Saturday night we all watched the fireworks and then on Sunday we went out on the boat for most of the day and tubed. Lane had his first tub ride and then went to sleep. Drake loved the boat but Mason refused to get on it so he stayed at the condo with Mom and Dad and swam. Tim showed us his mad tubing skills and Jared held on way longer that he should have!!
Also in July Dad retired from the Navy. We had a nice ceremony and a great time. The cake was very good, you all know the cake is the reason I go to weddings, showers and other types of ceremonies!!
Ross and I went to Raleigh, NC for out annual Poultry Science Conference. We had a great time and ate some really good BBQ. We were able to catch up with some old friends and make some new ones.

In August some big changes happened in our house. I was able to take off the first 3 weeks of August to stay home with Drake and Mason. We spent a lot of time at the pool with Heather and Cooper. Mason is learning to swim and will be a pro by next summer. Drake and Mason spent a good bit of time with their grandparents during this time so I had time to relax!! Drake started kindergarten and is having a great time. Mason started school at Mrs. Becky's and is loving it. They both have adjusted very well to the changes. Drake has homework a few times a week and wonders why I can't just do it for him since I get to stay up later that he does!

September has been pretty full too. I went to Beijing for a few days at the beginning of September. It was a quick trip so I did not get to do very much sight seeing so hopefully I will have a chance to go back. My Mom came and stayed with Ross and the boys while I was gone. I think she ate breakfast and lunch with Drake everyday at school he really loved that. On Friday after I got back I went to have lunch with him. We had rectangular cheese pizza (it was exactly like the cheese pizza I had when I was in school) mixed fruit and chocolate chip cookies! I complemented the lunch ladies on the cookies so I got 2... Johnnie was eating with Kamree that day too and he was upset that he only got 1 cookie, he said that he would remember to tell the lunch ladies what "Tall drinks of water" they were next time!!! Heather had the baby that Friday too. Cash is here and healthy. He has a head full of black hair and his momma's mouth!! We are glad that he and Heather are doing great and are going to be able to go to Florida in a couple of weeks for girls vacation week!!
We tailgated this past weekend with Ross' buddies Adam, Jeremy and Melissa and Chris and lil Chris, from High School and AGR days. We grilled some bison burgers and they were huge and awesome, thanks Melissa!! We had a great time despite the weather and losing the game. By the way the Hogs need a kicker and a defense if anyone is interested!! Ross thinks he has 2 years of eligibility left and he might walk on...

I think that brings me back up to the present and I will try my best to keep this updated with funny stories and other stuff that is going on at the Wolfenden's.

Now for the latest Drake and Mason story...
So last weekend we spent most of the day inside because of the weather. So everyone was tired of everyone else so the boys were playing in Drake's room. Drake comes out with his box of Knex (think legos but smaller pieces and a lot of them in a small storage box) and says Mason peed in the box... Ross and I just look at each other like WHAT? You have got to be kidding me. So he comes into the living room and gives me the box. I asked Mason why did you do that and he says that Drake told him it was a toilet. So I spanked both of them and sent them to their rooms. Still Ross and I could not believe that this just happened... Welcome to my life with the boys!!!!

Drake's T ball game

Picture this...

Sunday after church most of our Sunday School class went to eat Mexican at the Acambaro in Pea Ridge, there was like 35 of us. I had already taken Mason to the bathroom once and then he needed to go poop so I asked Ross to take him. They were gone for a while and when they came back to the table Mason was crying. I asked him what was the matter and he told me that he bumped his head. This is where it gets funny. Then Ross starts telling all of us what happened. He said that Mason was sitting on the toilet and he was using the urinal. Mason said he needed help so Ross went over to help him. Apparently Mason had peed a little in the floor and Ross slipped in it and was about to fall so he caught himself with Mason's head, which resulted in pushing Mason's head into the back of the toilet and bumping it. Everyone started dying laughing!!!

5K

Saturday, Heather and I did our first 5K. Heather is 6 months pregnant and did awesome. She won her age division and got a medal. She claims she beat me but we did cross the finish line at the same time. She turned in her tear off before me so technically she did beat me!!! But we both know I could have ran off and left her in my dust!! Next year we won't have to worry about upsetting the baby, who got really mad about a mile in to the race!! We are going to run the whole thing next year.

Silver Dollar City

Tuesday the boys and I went to Silver Dollar City with Heather and Cooper. We had a great time. Drake really loves all the rides. Mason on the other hand hates them. Last year when we went we took Mason on Fire in the Hole and it scared him to death. He remembers that and would not get on any of the rides. I even had to make him go on the little kiddie rides, he ended up liking them. The highlight of Mason's day was finding a rock while waiting in line for the lost river. He still has it!! Drake and Cooper wanted to ride Powder Keg, a roller coaster, but Heather and I said they had wait for their dad's to come before they could ride it. Heather is pregnant so I had to ride all the rides with Drake and Cooper while she waited with Mason... it worked out pretty good. We rode the train last and Mason took a quick power nap and stayed awake the whole way home, I could not believe it. We had a great day with great friends!!!

Today in History...

So today is the 4^th anniversary of the worst day of my life!!! Most of you know that Drake, Ross and I were involved in a head on collision that broke my ankle 4 years ago… What most of you don’t know is that I think about it almost EVERYDAY. It has affected almost every aspect of my driving and my life… what I drive, where I drive, what I think about while driving, my kids, my husband…

Most people, Ross included, do not like to talk about or hear about that day… so if you are one of those people STOP reading, otherwise continue reading (this is helpful to me)

Okay here is the story

Our anniversary in May 31^st and Ross and I usually try to spend at least one night together somewhere special. My mom and dad had taken Drake (18 months old at the time) home with them for a week. During the week Drake got sick and Mom took him to the doctor. He had an ear infection which was common for Drake at that time, however the once the ear infection was discovery the doctor stopped looking for a problem. Come to find out Drake also had a sever throat infection.

On Friday night, Ross and I and Aaron and his girlfriend (at the time) Crystal all went out to the Olive Garden for dinner and then to the Drive In movie in Fayetteville, we saw Hitch. During the movie my Mom called to say that she was taking Drake to the ER at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Ross and I immediately left from the movie and drove to Little Rock. When we got there Drake and my Mom were still waiting in the ER. Once we got in they had to give Drake an IV because he was dehydrated from not being able to swallow. He also had to have an X-ray to make sure there was not a mass growing in his throat that was causing the obstruction. Once it was determined that he had an infection he was put on IV antibiotics and fluid and we had to stay the night and most of the next day. Late on Saturday we were able to leave. We all went back to Mom and Dad’s in Sheridan.

On Sunday, we had lunch at my Grandparent’s house. Everyone was there, my parents, Tricia, Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill… Melissa was working at UAMS then and was at work. We usually have lunch and then would hang out at Grandma and Papa’s for a while and visit but Ross and I were ready to get home so we loaded all of Drake’s stuff in the TRUCK and put Drake in his carseat (my Dad made the comment that he thought the straps were too tight on Drake’s seat and I told him that you were only supposed to be able to fit one finger between the strap and the child) and we left at about 2:40.

We decided to go through Sheridan, which was unusual because we had a full tank of gas and we only go through Sheridan if we need gas. I was driving and I turned towards Sheridan out of the driveway. We were almost to HWY 167, the road through Sheridan to the interstate, and Ross and I were trying to figure out what the guy in front of us had in the back of his truck (it was a deer stand, imagine that). When we turned on to 167 from 35 I saw a log truck coming, my Dad always told me that if you can see a car coming it is too close to pull out there, but I did, so I gunned it to get out of the way of the truck. From Crossroads to Sheridan the south bound lane has 2 lanes and the north only has one. Less than a mile after turning on to 167 I saw the truck with the deer stand swerve out of our lane on to the shoulder. Then I saw a Toyota Corolla driving south in the north lane, my lane. I remember Ross yelling “OH SHIT” and I tried to swerve and stop but it was too late. They hit us almost directly head on at 60mph. I passed out and when I could open my eyes I did not want too. I could still hear the radio, Sugarland Baby Girl was playing. I said a prayer for Ross and Drake and then looked. Ross was all bloody from his nose and Drake was silent but fine. Drake’s cup, pedia sure, had hit him in the head and he had a knot. Ross’ ankle was hurt, nose was bloody, and elbow was hurt. My foot had broken the brake in half and crushed my ankle. Soon after I saw all of this Onstar came on and asked if we were hurt and if we needed help. She called 911 and then called my Grandma’s house to tell my parents. Both mine and Ross’ cell phones were dead and we could not have found them even if we could have used them. My Grandma answered and the lady asked for my Dad. Then I got to talk to him. I told him that we had an accident and where we were and that we needed but we were OK. He, my mom and Tricia left immediately. Tricia did not even have shoes on when they left. My grandparents and aunt and uncle followed too. Just after we got off the phone a lady came to my side of the truck and said “Give me the baby” my first response was no you do not move anyone after a crash, especially a head on collision. But then she looked down and there were all kinds of “liquids” running out of the truck and she said I am a nurse I need to get the baby out. So Ross reached around and took Drake out of his seat and I handed him to the lady. In the next few minutes lots of people stopped and tried to help as best they could. Our windshield was busted and we could not see in front of the truck.

It did not take very long for my family to arrive. I think they got there before the paramedics even. Once they saw that we were alive and not in serious danger, my dad started trying to help with the other car. Ross and I did not know what was going on with the other people, but Ross knew they needed more help than we did. When the paramedics arrived they checked us and told us that they had to get the other people out first that they were more seriously injured. I have to admit I was mad that they were not working on getting us out. It was not our fault that this happened and it was hot (~100 degrees). Finally, they got us out of the truck and in to an ambulance. One of the paramedics asked what hospital we wanted to go to. All we said was just not Jefferson. She agreed and got on the radio. Once we were in the ambulance I heard over the radio that there were children in the other car and that at least one had died and the other was coding. The helicopter was landing in Sheridan to pick the child up.

There were not enough ambulances to take everyone so Drake, who was not seriously injured rode to ACH with my parents.

We were taken to UAMS because it was the only hospital in LR that had neurosurgeons on staff. Remember Melissa, my sister was at UAMS when this all happened. Once we got to the hospital we were taken into a trauma room and they tried to figure out what all was wrong with us. Ross did not get any meds on the way because he did not want an IV which would make him have to get a catered. I had some morphine. The first thing that I remember happening was they were checking me for bleeding and found none. The whole time I am asking them to page Melissa because I did not want her to leave before she found out what was happening with us. Next a doctor came in and without any notice pulled my ankle back in to place, the worse pain I have ever felt. He told me that if I had went much longer without setting it I would have lost my foot. Then they took Ross for a CT and such. He was mostly fine, nothing broken, but messed up his elbow, shoulder, ankle, and nose. Then finally my Dad and Melissa got to come into the trauma room after they took Ross. My Dad told me that my mom and uncle had taken Drake to ACH and he was fine. The Melissa said something that I will never forget. Remember that we did not have any clothes and we had been at the hospital with Drake, so I was not looking my best when the wreck happened. So this is what she said “Wouldn’t you know this would happen on a day when you don’t have good clothes on and you hair is a mess and I have been in surgery all day and now I (Melissa) have to go out there and see all those people” oh yes she did say that to me while I was lying on a table. Oh yeah while I was still in the trauma room they were working on a guy who had unsuccessfully tried to commit suicide. They took me for scans next and when I was done there were no rooms left for me so I was put out in the hall on a gurney, naked by the nurse’s station. Ross got the last room. Lots of people came to see us and make sure we were okay. People from my parent’s church and out family filled the waiting room. The youth director and song leader came back to keep me company in the hallway. We had been talking for quit sometime and I was still nauseous from the dye I received during the scans. Told him, Cedric that I need something to puck into but the nurses were so busy that no one could help him find something. So he held out his hands so I would not have to puck onto the floor, lucky for him Melissa showed up with a pan.

Because I could not stop pucking they held us overnight in what used to be the morgue of the hospital. We were in between and couple with a baby that were driving from AL and had a wreck in LR and a psychotic woman, really! The baby screamed all night. They did not have any food or diapers and no one was helping them. Finally then next day Ross and I got to go home. Mom and Dad stayed at the hospital with us and got us some new clothes since what we had was cut off of us. Drake was fine he had a bump on this head and a burn from the strap on his carseat.

After we were stable we learned that no one from the other car lived. A whole family perished that day. Joe, Leigh, Micah, and Emma Byars died four years ago today. They were from El dorado and he was the associate pastor of a church there. They had been away for the weekend visiting family and best we know she fell asleep while driving and crossed into our lane. Both of the children were in their carseats.

Many people have told us how lucky we are, but it was not luck, it was GOD. For whatever reason GOD saved us that day and He has a plan for our lives.

So now on to my soap box… ALWAYS buckle you kids up… CORRECTLY. You NEVER know when an accident is going to happen and you will not have time to react.

Busy Busy...

So it has been too long since my last entry... We have been very busy to say the least. I finished my last class the first part of May. I am so happy. I love learning but classes and studying takes up a lot of time and when you work full time, are doing research, have two little boys and a husband and a life classes get in the way. I am so glad to be done with them!!!

We have been busy the past couple of weeks. We went to Chicago at the end of April to a meeting and were fortunate to get to visit Ross' family that live near Chicago in Pecatonica, IL. The boys had a blast playing with their cousins.

We have had graduations (Taylor's high school and Drake's pre-school), Mason's 3rd birthday and Ross and I celebrated our 6th anniversary yesterday.

May is a very busy month for us so I am glad it is behind us now. The summer is going to be pretty busy too.

Batter up

Drake's T-Ball season is in full swing. We had our first game Friday night. He was so excited and enjoyed the game much more than practice. The team we played was mostly little girls and had a couple of little boys on it. Let me tell you those little girls can play. I was really afraid that they were really going to lay it on us. Their attention spans are orders of magnitude higher that our little boys and they can catch too. Luckily they could not throw!!! Evidently in each inning they get a max of 6 runs and since no one ever got out the game ended in a tie at 18 all. Drake batted in the last run, he thinks it was the winning run! Too Cute.

Easter 09

Okay Dad here you go!

We had a great weekend! Saturday, we had dinner with Ross' friend Israel and Tiana and Heith and little Rowan. Israel is not around very much because he works on cruise ships. He is going to Alaska to captain a boat this summer. He is a great cook and looks just like the guy from the Transporter movies, I wish I would have taken a picture!!!

Sunday, Ross left for Dayton for a business trip. Tiana and Rowan went to church with the boys and me. Mason got chocolate on his sweater before we even got to church. I was so mad, I told him not to eat anything!!!

Church was packed on Sunday, which is to be expected. Great sermon on the meaning of Easter. After church we had a late lunch with Ross' family (Valorie, Tiana, Heith, Rowan, Taylor and Bobby(Taylor's dad)). We had a great time catching up with family and the boys got to spend some time with Bobby. They have not been around him very much in the past but we have a feeling that is going to be changing.

Ross was supposed to be home last night but got stuck in Atlanta overnight. He called this morning to tell me that he did get on the early flight but then they made him get off because "he caused the plane to be unbalanced" He then had to go stand out in the rain to wait for them to get his bag off the plane!!! He is on standby for the rest of the day and supposedly has a ticket for the 4pm flight. He said he hopes to be home sometime this week!!!

We are leaving this weekend to go to Chicago to visit family and Ross and I will be at a meeting for a few days. More on that later.

WORMS, THERE ARE WORMS ON MY HEAD!!

Mason woke up several times last night from dreaming that there were WORMS on his head and hands. This morning he came in to the bathroom to wash his hands to get the worm juice off. I did not think that he would remember the dream but I think it was pretty traumatic for him. He said they were going to eat his eyes. I am sure this is the beginning of another irrational fear!!!

Where my PEEPS at!!!

I recently discovered peeps, you know the sugar covered marshmallows that come in the shapes of chicks and bunnies at Easter. I say recently because I have never been a fan of marshmallows so I did not think that I would like them. Turns out that I am a fan of SUGAR coated marshmallows in the shape of cuddly little animals. I bought some peeps at Wal-Mart Saturday night while we were grocery shopping. When we got home Mason and I had one, turns out Mason is a huge fan of peeps. Sunday afternoon after church, we had lunch and the boys were supposed to clean their rooms before taking their naps. Ross and I were in the kitchen talking and Mason (the stealth bomber) snuck into the kitchen and grabbed the peeps of the counter and RAN. The whole time stuffing as many peeps as he could into his mouth!!!

Saturday, Cole, Drake's BFF, came to spend the day with us. They played inside and out and in and out all day. We also had T-ball practice, Cole and Drake are on the same team which seems great but they are an unstoppable force when they are together. Coach Jerry figured this out on Saturday and they now play on opposite sides of the field.

While at practice, Mason learned to climb a chain linked fence. He was going up pretty high and then fell and busted his bottom. I thought that would be the end of the climbing but it turns out that Mason is only afraid of things that he will probably never incounter, like bears, and not those that really could hurt him, like climbing fences. Because of this Mason had a near death experience later Saturday. We have 2 dogs and the boys like for Mack, the boxer, to be put in his kennel, 7 feet high chain linked fence, when they are playing outside. But since the boys had been in and out all day I had told them that I was not going to put Mack up anymore and they would have to play with him out. So Drake and Cole decided to play inside the kennel and lock Mason out, see where this is going. Mason then decided to climb over the fence. I was doing laundry and heard "Miss Amanda and MOMMA" coming from outside. I ran because they sounded scared, when I got outside I saw Mason teetering at the top of the fence, he couldn't figure out how to flip over. He finally did and thankfully he is strong and could hold himself until I could get him down. HE IS STILL NOT AFRAID!!!

Sunday, we had a great Easter musical at church. There was an Easter egg hunt after church but it was freezing, really freezing so we went home. Valorie (Ross' mom) and Taylor (Ross' youngest sister) came over for dinner. Great food and family, can't beat it.

Later, Heather and I went to the gym. Good arms workout (hard, really hard, not easy) and a 20 minute run walk on the treadmill. Heather and I are going to do the Poultry Festival 5K in June so we are training for it. More on that later!!

One more note, the pictures published of Drake, Mason and Lane were all taken by one of Melissa and my good friend, Brooke Allison. Brooke is a nurse and an awesome photographer who lives in Rison. She does great work. All you girls in South Arkansas should check out her work and use her is you can.
http://www.brookeallisonphotography.wordpress.com/
http://www.brookeallisonphotography.com/

Busy, Busy Weekend

Saturday, the boys and I went to Sheridan for Lane's 1st birthday party. We picked up the cake and proceeded to drive through a small blizzard from Fayetteville to Alma, from there on it was a beautiful drive. The party was a blast. Lane loved the cake. It took a few minutes for him to figure out that it was okay to eat it but once he got the hang of it he dug in. He even put his face down into it, so funny. His other Aunt Mandy got a great photo of the face plant. He got so much stuff, it looked more like Christmas than a birthday party. Lane was not very interested in the presents, he kept crawling away, so Drake and Mason opened most of the presents. We left after the cookout and headed back to Pea Ridge. The weather was not too bad just a little rain and snow on the grassy areas.

Sunday, we had a great message at church and then during out Sunday School Class we did out outflow. This is when we take time to help others and show God's love through our actions. Ross and I went with some of our friends and delivered about a month's worth of grocery's and a check to help out in there time of need. This really is an amazing story of how we as Christians can show God's love for others. Adrianna has two children that attended (they are in school now) the preschool that Becky runs in Pea Ridge, Drake attended there a couple years ago. She had a brain aneurysm a few weeks ago, just before this her husband was laid off from his job. She survived the aneurysm and is at home now. She has almost completely recovered. She still stutters a little and is having problems with one of her eyes. She needs to see the neurologist in Little Rock more often than she is financially able (gas, hotel, etc.) so we have set up a fund to help with these expenses as well. Yesterday when we took the food over they were overwhelmed by what almost total strangers had done to help them. She said that they wanted to come to church with us and know this love that we had extended to her and her family. God really is awesome!!

After church, we had lunch with John and Becky and their son, Cole, he is Drake's best friend. Cole came home from church with us and played for the afternoon. Then we had the David's over for dinner. What a terrific day!

*This is a correction to an earlier entry regarding my gym partner, Heather. We are not going easy because of her. We did reps of 10 instead of 15 but not because she is pregnant!! Okay Heather are you happy now. Back to 15 tonight and 30 on the devil treadmill!!*

Drake and Mason last fall













Silly boys

Rain Rain Go AWAY

So yesterday it was rainy here in NWA.

Mason woke up with an ear infection, so we made a trip to the doctor. Got some antibiotic, augmentim, it tastes really nasty. Mason was not having any of that, he is used to the good flavor of amoxicillin. So we went and had donuts for breakfast and ordered Lane's (my nephew, Melissa's son) first birthday cake from Ricks (it is the best bakery). We are going to pick it up on Saturday and drive it down south to Sheridan.

Mason was feeling fine after donuts and did not have a fever so he went back to school. After his nap he was pretty pittiful so Ross picked him up from school and took him home early. Apparently he was faking because as soon as they got into the truck he asked for Donald's (McDonald's) or Mexican. He was fine the rest of the afternoon and night... little stinker!!

Drake was supposed to have Tball practice yesterday afternoon. But when they got to the field lighting struck and they came home. He was disappointed but there is always next Tuesday and Thursday and the next...

I finally got to the gym (DYE HARDS in Pea Ridge) at the same time as my workout partner, Heather. She is pregnant so we go a little lighter these days. Good leg workout and a couple miles on the treadmill felt pretty good.

I am excited about Lane turning the big 1 this week and his party should be a hoot. MO (Melissa's nickname with the kids, thanks to me, she hates it and is committed to finding an equally horrible name for Lane to call me) told me yesterday it is up to 30 confirmed guest!! More on that later...

First entry

Okay, so this is the first time I have blogged... we will see how it goes and if I keep up with it. I have the privilege of "having it all" right now. I am married to an amazing man, who is my best friend and a super dad. Ross and I have been married for almost 6 years and have 2 awesome, crazy, incredible little boys, Drake and Mason. My three boys are my life. I also am working towards obtaining my Ph.D. in Poultry Science and I run a very busy laboratory at the University of Arkansas. Ross is also finishing up his Doctorate this summer.

Our life is very busy and full of surprises... you never know what is going to happen today or tomorrow so we just go with the flow. That may surprise some people who new me in a past life because I am a recovering control freak. If my boys have taught me anything it is that I cannot control what they are going to do next, I can only react to what happens.

Drake is 5 and is playing T-ball for the first time this year. He can hit the ball but catching and throwing are another story. Ross tried to work with him last night (in the living room, which is surprising because the TV is Ross' m0st prized possession). It went okay but there is still a lot of learning!!

Mason is 2 and will turn 3 in May. The best way to describe Mason is like a stealth bomber, he sneaks up on you and is gone before you know what has happened. Last weekend I asked the boys to play in there rooms for a little while so I could recover from a migraine headache. Drake was fine and watched cartoons. I thought Mason had gone into his room to play. Later when I went in to my bathroom it had been redecorated by Mason. He had used my mascara brush as a paint brush. The room was painted with mascara, toothpaste, neosporin, and whatever else he could get his hands on. This is one example of a day with Mason!!!

Well I think that is enough for now... try to write some more later.