Big Shot

Amelia put on this little sweatsuit of preciousness on one of the rare cold days we've had and she stood perfectly still for ten minutes trying to zip it up.


Elise stood and watched and laughed.



We went to Price Cutter because I was avoiding Wal Mart. As we walk in the door Amelia spotted these little mini carts and went into crazy, excited mode. She pushed that cart all around the store and stayed right by me and was "choosing" things to put in her cart that only she was going to eat. It was so adorable. We took quite a long time to get everything on our list, but it was way worth it.
It's the little things that make my day. This did. Thanks Price Cutter.

There's No Place Like Home

Amelia's best friend moved to Kansas in June and she has been missing her since the moment she left. Because Lynna has the best mom ever (and a great friend to me) she drove down here by herself with two kids so that our girls could be reunited. This is Amelia's face when she saw Lynna! It was a teary and precious moment. I honestly can't believe such little girls have such a powerful memory and friendship.


Close up of excited face...

Asher, Emily, and Micah ate with us too and we all know how Amelia feels about them, so she was in heaven at dinner. There was a balloon lady at McCallister's for family night, so it got EVEN better.

Then, Daddy met us at the restaurant after work and the night was EVEN more exciting.



The next day after school, Lynna came over to play and eat supper and watch a movie. Yippppeee. Oh, and there was hugging. Lots of hugging.
A really fun visit and we can't wait to see them again soon!

Wanna Go Again?

For two years we have gone to the Pumpkin Patch with Steph and DD. The first in Little Rock when there was just little Buzzy.


The second in Springfield when Ing joined the crew.


But this year they had to cancel because Ingrid has been so sick with stomach aches and dirty diapers and runny nose--you name it the poor girl. We were sad, but went on with our plans because Buzz just knew Ingrid would get better fast.

Well, the very next morning Ingrid was feeling a lot better and her Mom and Dad decided to bring her up. So after Sunday School we headed to the Pumpkin Patch...again! Amelia was thrilled to be going to the very next day and Elise was an angel...again. I was afraid we might be pushing our luck, but it was an awesome day and we were able to carry on the tradition! Yippee for year three.





Next year Liv will be with us. What a crew we will be :)

Pumpkin Patch Pics

We had great weather for the pumpkin patch! Started off the day in our pumpkin sweaters and then shed them by mid morning--beautiful sunny day with a little breeze. Amelia LOVED everything, as usual. The thing she was the least interested in was actually picking the pumpkin, lol. Everything else was much more fun to her. Hay maze, jumping in hay pile, seeing the animals, bouncy house, and watching people do the trampoline. Elise was great also. She rode in the wagon most of the day and got in the backpack to pick our pumpkin. I just loved this wonderful Saturday with my family. Enjoy the pics!

Coming Soon

Pumpkin Patch 2009

Pumpkin Patch 2010
Pumpkin Patch 2011



More pictures coming, but not much time right now. Please pray for my brother in law Derek. He was thrown from a truck doing a filming project. All his scans came back okay, but he is very sore and has a stapled head wound. We are so blessed it wasn't more serious.

Zip a Dee do Da

-post title courtesy of Amy Carter-

For my birthday back in July Ross got me a voucher to do the zipline in Branson and I redeemed it on Thursday evening! Mom and Dad came to watch the girls and off we went. Ahh..as we got closer I decided I was very nervous.

It was loads of fun! I wish we could have zipped along for hours. Definitely recommend it to anyone for something awesome and different. Such a good gift. And, it wasn't scary at all. The scary part was the "dismount" if you will. You literally just jump off the platform at the end. Free fall for at least ten feet before the fan on the cable starts working. Then we went to Cheddars and Target. Perfectly wonderful date night. Home in time to tell the Bee goodnight. Thanks Mom and Dad for watching the girlies. We had such a great time :)

OH, one of the best moments was when we got in the car after it was over and Ross says, "That was so awesome. And I was looking at the fan on the cable as you were jumping and the sheer physics behind something so simple, yet so complex was amazing."

Heather says, "Umm yeah, so, can we get cheese dip at Cheddar's?"

Because I'm In Charge

Amelia is always worried about who is in charge. She wants to know who made me in charge. And when I tell her God, she replies, "Well, he just told me I am in charge." She wants to be in charge of Elise and in charge of her babies and who knows what other dictatorial plan she is hatching in that brilliant two year old brain. And, it makes me do a little sheepish side-smile because I have always been mildly obsessed with being in charge as well.

She also loves to talk. And, I'm glad because guess what? SO DO I! With Ross working a lot, it sure helps to have my little buddy around to help me be in charge.

M: Amelia do not pull on your eyes like that because you might hurt them and not be able to see.
A: Well, Jesus will just put mud on them like that one guy and I will be able to see again.
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A: (within seconds of waking up) Hey, it's sunny out today. It would be the perfect day to go to the park and have a picnic. Let's do that, okay? Isn't that a good idea?
M: (laughing) Well, it seems we have no choice sweetie.
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A: Don't always put your hair in a ponytail. I like it down and wild.
M: But it gets in my face.
A: Well it looks wet to me.
M: Um that's grease. (eeek time for a shower)
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A: You know what I think?
M: What?
A: Dad is for sure Elise's favorite guy.
M: I agree.
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This happened a month or so ago, but it is my favorite story ever. I was calling Ross by my dad's name for something he did and this is what transpired.

M: Well, Steve Cates, aren't you funny?
A: MOM, Steve Cates is my GAMPY. That is WOSS.
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Here is Amelia with the dried pumpkins, and in car line at school.

Elise and Amelia at the mini-pumpkin stand where we spent almost an hour looking for a few pumpkins :) Somehow we left with six pumpkins, a gourd, and four ears of Indian corn.


And, on a random note. Elise is still not laying down for a moment so I scooted her off my lap as a joke and she sat in this chair the other night for over an hour. ONE HOUR of freedom. Well, kind of--I had to sit by the chair in case she woke up. BUT, I still got to fold some clothes and straighten up. Doesn't she look so darn cute?

Six Words

Six word legacy. Our preacher was reading from a book of memoirs that were six words total. Each person summed up what they hoped their legacy would be in just six words. It was a great sermon and really made me think why I do what I do. What's the reason behind my actions? The point of things?

I love words. In college and high school I always had to reign myself in when it came to being too wordy. And, it was always a challenge to put "too wordy" on a student's paper when I secretly loved all the adjectives. Try this. Give it a shot; it's a neat activity to incorporate with your quiet time. And speaking of quiet times--am I the only one who is embarrassed by how much time I squander away on worthlessness?? I decided to try this, but it morphed more into goals--things I'm constantly working on.

Release fear to God. Be free.
Smile more. Scold Less. Serve daily.
Love fiercely, treasure family, praise Him.
God wants first fruits; not leftovers.

One thing I never realized when I was younger is that our walk with the Lord is such a daily, hourly thing. Attitude checks, constant prayers, you name in. I'm reminded all the time it is never too early to start teaching Amelia and Elise the power of faith and love and prayer.

Perfect example: I'm rushing to try to get Amelia and Elise down for nap. Amelia calls out to me and says, "Mom, we forgot my prayers!" I quickly reply, "We only say our prayers at nighttime sweetie; get to sleep."

As I walk down the hall, I felt a very clear message given to me. "YOU CAN PRAY TO ME ANYTIME." What had I done? I ran back to Amelia's room and told her I made a mistake and that we can pray anytime we want. She said what was on her mind and curled up for nap.

Whew. Constant reminders. So thankful for grace as I continually slip up.

Here are a few pics of my peeps painting pumpkins. Amelia enjoyed herself immensely. Elise got to hold a paintbrush free of paint. I'm not that brave.I love my family of four.

Feeling Blue?

Well, this gorgeous smocked dress will cheer you up! I got it on a great sale for Amelia to wear for Blue Day today and she was loving the little photo shoot we did before we left. She kept running and twirling and singing the B-L-U-E song she learned for today. What a blessing that she is excited about school again after being so upset those few times. Grateful for a loving, Christian atmosphere for her to go and learn!