Playing Catch Up

Sorry about the lack of posting. It's not because I'm just plain lazy though, I've got an 80,000 word novel to show for it. Last night, I finished another draft and sent a query letter out to several agents. We'll see what happens! I've had a lot of fun writing. Even if it never gets published, I still learned a lot in the process. I've already started a second novel; this one is an entirely different genre.
Becuase of a very slow connection, I'm only able to post a few pictures. I thought I would still post them anyway. The kids are all doing well and looking forward to Christmas.

Finally Posting

Yes I am finally posting. And no, my lack of not posting isn't due to pregnancy though I think almost all my friends are pregnant right now. Congrats to all you pregnant ladies! Actually I've been writing a novel. It's been a lot of fun. It's something I've always wanted to do but for some reason told myself that I just couldn't. I read some books by an author named Jessica Day George. She writes the Dragon Slippers trilogy and other books including Princess at the Midnight Ball. After reading her books I read her bio. which said she had one small child and was pregnant with a second. I felt a pang of jealousy after reading this. How could she possibly have time to write a novel? I felt like I barely had enough time to check my e-mail let alone write a novel. I pondered this for a few days. I had written several outlines of books I would like to write someday and just couldn't get one story in particular out of my head. It was calling to me. It needed to be written. So I started writing during nap times or after the kids went to bed. I found I had more time than I realized. I spent a lot of useless hours picking up after the kids when they just made messes right after I cleaned them. I set aside a certain time to clean, a certain time to write, and a certain time just for playing with the kids. The house is still messy as usual but I have a novel to show for it. I wrote my first draft within a month and am now working on the second draft. It's been well worth it. I feel happier. This is something I've always wanted to do and now I'm finally doing it.
I would have liked to posted some pictures but my computer isn't wanting to work with me at the moment. They are pictures from a trip we made to a very beautiful home turned museum here in Tulsa. There are also some pics. of Phoenix's first soccer game. He's doing amazing and just make his first goal last Saturday.

One sassy three year old girl

Yes, I have one sassy three year old girl. She knows how to strut her stuff in her new birthday outfits and can play with Barbie like the pros. Don't let those curls and pink dresses fool you though, she's got two brothers to keep her tough enough.

Sequoia turned three on August 25th and really enjoyed her birthday. She's a big girl with a big heart.

Kindergarten, here we come!

Phoenix was so excited for his first day of kindergarten. You'll have to look at these pics. starting from the bottom up, otherwise they're backwards.
We took a camping trip after Phoenix's first day of school.
Sequoia was stylin' in her bunny towel and paint rollers, luckily she isn't in school yet.
Phoenix and his teacher, Mrs. Federline.

It was pretty awesome that Daddy got to be off work for Phoenix's first day of kindergarten. Here's a picture of Dad and the boys.

First steps

One of the perks of being a stay at home mom is seeing all the firsts, like first steps. Yesterday at the gym, I was signing the kiddos out of the babysitting when I heard the babysitter say, "Take another step." I looked over the counter and sure enough, Bridger had just taken a step. I hadn't actually seen his first step but I am still glad I was there when it happened. Bridger did take another step that evening for both Mom and Dad to see.

Bridger's first birthday

My sweet little man is one! I can't believe it's already been a year. Here are some pictures of his birthday party. He really has grown a lot. He's such a sweet boy a a real blessing to our family.

Time Flies

So today I realized I am not really a "young" mom anymore. I guess you could call me a "school-aged mom". Meaning my kids (at least one of them) are of school age. I also realized that things that used to really stress me out about being a mom are now just common place. Take last night for example; Bridger woke up areound 3:30 a.m. with diahrrea in his diaper and a huge nasty rash. I got him cleaned up and put to bed. While washing my hands after the ordeal I realized that the whole process just seemed normal, no big deal, commonplace, ordinary. Back in the day, when Phoenix was Bridger's age, I probably would have felt stressed, overwhelmed, why me? type of attitude. But now, I just feel like it's all part of being a mommy. I think being a mom has taught me more than anything else has in my life, to be patient, loving, kind, and most of all to endure. Heavenly Father has blessed me with a loving husband and three beautiful children and I can never thank Him enough for it. And yes I still do get stressed out with mommying, but I've had to learn to endure. Having Dave working 80+ hours a week, I've had to learn to do everything on my on. I used to wait for him to get home to take my break, let him fix it/deal with whatever drama is going on with the kids. Now, I have to find a way to get a break without him. Don't get me wrong, he still helps when he can, but I can't always count on hime being here when I need him.
I was reading in my journal the other night from a few years ago. Dave was going to be on call at the hospital overnight and I was so nervous about speding the night alone. Now, I do it all the time without even thinking about it. I think whatever situation we're put we just find a way to adapt. I used to get really nervous about the future, wondering how I would survive with three little kids and a husband hardly ever around, but now I realize that we can, with the help of our Heavenly Father, find a way to do it and do it well.

Texas, our Texas

We went to Texas last week to visit my Mom in the hospital. We also went to Galveston and Spring to visit the Bues' and Chris and Lorena. My computer is giving me problems with picture downloading so this post will be black and white. I had some funny pics. too. We went to the candy shop on the Strand with the Bues' and I have three different pictures of three different kids with the same huge rainbow colored butterfly sucker in their mouths. We had a great time in Galveston. It's funny because I was so excited to move away from from Galveston and now I find myself really missing it. I don't miss the heat, mosquitos, or fire ants, but I do do miss old friends. Tulsa is fun too, we just got home from the zoo today, but I guess you get attached to places after awhile.
Mom is making slow improvements. I think they are actually pretty fast improvements but it still feels slow when you are trying to walk and talk again. She went from barely moving her right hand to eating with it by the time we left. She's a strong woman and I know she'll be able to make a full recovery.

Last day of pre-K

I thought I would catch everyone up from the last month. So here goes:
We visited Bella in Lubbock. (And Andrea and Malachi.)
Phoenix and Dave got drug off to jail in Uncle Nick's police car.
Phoenix's last day of school.
The teacher's gift I made for Phoenix's teacher.
I thought I would post a picture from his first day of school.
Sequoia and Bridger on the last day of school.
Phoenix is ready for his last day of pre-k.
Phoenix and his teacher, Mrs. McHenry.
Phoenix and Miss Vickie.
Phoenix really did love pre-k and he has grown so much. Not just physically but emotionally and mentally. He's learning to read and sound out letters, he's learned how to count forwards and backwards, how to count objects, how to color in the lines, how to use scissors properly, and a whole score of other things. He's learned to not depend on Mommy for everything which I think has boosted his self-confidence. Pre-school really was good for him. I'm glad we live right next door to a wonderful school.
I'm writing this after finding out on Sunday that my mom suffered a stroke during church. She is currently in ICU but is progressing well. She is weaker on the right side but can move it, she can speak but is having trouble finding words, she can eat now and actually walked today. It's all been very nerve-wracking and a total shock and surprise. She has always been very healthy and it is hard for me to think of my mom in the hospital. I'm hopeful that she will make a full recovery and I thank Heavenly Father for the wonderful mother he has blessed me with. I would be nothing without her. It reminds me of the quote, "All that I am I owe to my mother."

One Handsome Dude

My little Goo Goo is ten months old! He is such a little handsome dude. I took pictures of all the kids and a family picture. And before I forget, Happy Mother's Day to all you hard working moms out there!

Hodges Gardens

We went to Hodges Gardens a few weeks ago. It's a park in Louisiana that I've gone to since I was a kid. It was beautiful! We stayed in some cabins, had a campfire, roasted marshmallows, went on some hiking trails, and had a lot of fun! My parents and sister and brother in law came too.
We are sitting on top of a petrified log that has been there as long as I can remember. It's hundreds of years old. (And no, I am not hundreds of years old although I do feel that way after a long day of chasing kids.)
We are sitting in front of a huge waterfall in the main garden.
Phoenix's favorite was the campfire.

Phoenix is five and a whole lot more

There are several big news items circulating in the Grantham family. First, Phoenix turned five on Easter, Bridger turned 9 months, we went to visit Nick and Ilana in Lawton, and we celebrated Easter. All this happening around the same time.
To start, Phoenix turned five. I know, it seems like I just had him. Crazy how time flies. His birthday was on Easter which was fun. I think it confused Sequoia though because she got a easter basket just like Phoenix did on Easter morning but when it came time to open presents I think she thought she was supposed to open presents too. She really enjoyed her chocolate though so I'm sure that helpled ease the pain. Speaking of chocolate, chocolate easter bunnies and birthday cake can make for some cranky kids.
We spent Easter at Nick and Ilana's house. Ilana is David's sister. They are only 3 hours away so we decided to spend Easter/conference/and Phoenix and Nick's birthday's together. Nick's birthday is on the 10th. We had a great time, the weather was beautiful. I think the best way to spend birthdays is with the family.



Playing at the park near Nick and Ilana's.
Nick lights the candles on his and Phoenix's cake. Phoenix thinks his Uncle Nick is the coolest because he's a real army man.

Bridger turned nine months on the 29th.
Easter morning, and yes my kids posed themselves.
Bridger really wanted Sequoia's easter eggs.

Dave got a little carried away with swinging. Sequoia nearly fell out.
Opening birthday gifts.
Deneka and Briger, first cousins, 5 months apart. Aren't they cute?

Happy 8 year anniversary

Dave and I have been married for eight years. It's funny to think it's been that long but honestly I can't imagine my life without him. I love the flowers he got me, lillies and roses, the flowers that were at our wedding. He did it unintentionally, I mean really, do guys remember what flowers were at their wedding? But I still think they are beautiful just the same. I got Dave a card with some froggies on the front that said, "I'll love you," and on the inside it said, "till I croak." It's not exactly true though, I'll love him till way after I croak. Thanks Dave, for putting up with me these eight years, they've been the best of my life and I wouldn't be complete without you.

Goo Goo is 8 months

My big old boy is eight months old. Technically I guess he never really turned eight months though. His birthday is on the 29th and there was no Feb. 29th, I guess we'll just count it as happening on March 1. He just got his very first tooth. It's his bottom left tooth. He wasn't very happy about it but it's out now so he feels much better. Although now there's another one trying to pop out so here we go again. Trying to get a picture of it is impossible so I am just posting a picture of his happy chubby face instead. I love this little man! By the way, if you're wondering why I call him Goo Goo it's because his first uttered syllables were uh-guh and uh-goo.

Happy Birthday Handsome

Dave turned the big 31 on the third. His birthday went tons better than mine. We went out to eat at the Five and Diner. It's one of those fifties style diners with the juke boxes and such. We had a coupon for a buy one meal get one free. Plus it was on Wednesday night which is kids eat free night, plus Dave got a free sundae for his birthday. In all we only had to pay for one meal. This must be Dave's lucky year. I got him a new game for the Wii and we had birthday cookie afterwards. Phoenix and Sequoia helped me decorate the cookie. After we put the blue icing on the cookie I let Phoenix and Sequoia have the left-over icing which was almost a whole tube of icing. When it came time to actually eat the cookie, Phoenix informed me that he wanted a piece with absolutley NO blue icing.
In other news, we got a new car. It's a 2001 Toyota Corolla. We're hoping to keep this one. I'm tempted to put a sign in the rear window, "You touch, we shoot." That kind of thing. "You steal, we kill." Okay, maybe it's a bit violent and mean spirited, but really, one thing I've learned from this car theft ordeal is that stealing is bad and mean and ugly and there is a reason it was included in the 10 commandments. It also makes me a lot more sensitive to those people who have lost a lot more than just an old junk car; like all our friends in the hurricane and more recently all the people in Haiti. In the end though, I am very grateful it was just a car stolen because cars can be replaced.
And lastly, happy birthday Dad! My dad's birthday is today. Way to go on the big 60!