School Marquee

Last school year 08-09, I was so excited to finally be able to get involved in school and volunteering!! I was the Room Mom for Connor's Kindergarten class and also served on the PTA Board as the VP of Publicity - creating and editing the monthly school newsletter. I really enjoyed being active and involved - rewarding in so many ways. Bobby even got in on the activity ~ Not only is he coaching Connor's soccer team the BLUE SHARKS, but he is also responsible for updating our school marquee!! The above picture was taken after we updated it for summer break as a family fun outting!!

Damn Cancer ~ Who Said You Could Take So Many!!!

I have been overwhelmed with sadness the past couple days and really was unsure why.

I realized today (June 24th) that it is the one year anniversary of my dear friend, Velena's death. Velena was an amazing friend and spirit, and I miss her daily. There is no way that I can completely share all that she was or even begin to describe her incredible smile, contagious laugh, great sense of humor, her southern drawl, her love for animal print, bright colors and long fingernails! She was definitely one of a kind!

Velena and I became friends while working together in telecom. Even after our company closed its doors in TX, and laid off 900 of the best telecom workers in the industry, we stayed in contact. She and I were very close and we helped each other through some extremely tough times - as we both raised boys, alone, as single moms. She made me laugh at myself when I took things too seriously, helped me analyze things to figure out an answer to a problem and she always was there to share a good story, big smile, silly dance to loud music and another view.

Her life had taken a wonderful turn for the better, just before she got sick. She had moved back to her home town and called me to share her news of her engagement to a childhood sweetheart! (If you new V like I did, you would understand why this was such amazing news!) After returning to home from her honeymoon, she got very sick. Thinking it was food poisoning and concerned about her jaundice coloring, her husband took her to the hospital. She was diagnosed with liver cancer! She underwent surgery and they removed 70% of her liver! Amazingly she recovered and was tougher than ever!! She became a pillar of faith, sang for her church, focused her life on family and God.

I worried immediately when I heard CANCER but when it was liver cancer, I worried even more! I remember Kathleen (Kameron's Paternal Grandmother) had battled breast cancer but was eventually taken from us when it spread to her liver (before she turned 40)...And it happened very, very, very fast. So, 'cancer' never has been a word I felt very optomistic about and of all the cancers a person can get...liver cancer is the LAST one I would want it to be!!!

Velena fought hard a long though. She surprised me and inspired me, each time I would talk to her and hear about her plans to open a resale shop ('La-Tee-Dah' was her name for the shop, which was perfectly V) or about a prayer corner she was setting up, or about the grandbaby she was excited to meet...She talked as if tomorrow would always come and that we would always have a chance to catch up!!!!

Many times I shook as I called her, listening to the phone ring...worried that I may get bad news when it was answered...but each time, I hung up after speaking with her feeling uplifted, proud and confident that she may just beat this!!! Last June my phone was ruined (a pink phone was surely attractive to my baby girl...who meant no harm when she dunked it into the fountain). I lost Velena's number with the phone...so only had email to connect with her (which never had been optimal, as she did not get on the computer often and even less often took time to write - she was a talker, not a typer!) I hadn't heard from V in a while so I got concerned, always feared in the back of my mind that it was a bad sign...I emailed some others that were close to her to get an update and her phone number...

Here is what I recieved back from one of the girls...

"You may get multiple responses from various people. Velena passed away on Tuesday June 24th from the liver cancer. I hadn't heard anything from her since February and contacted her sister around the middle of June to ask about her myself. Her friend Kay gave me an update that she probably only had 2 to 3 months to live before she went down there over the weekend of June 21-22. They had started taking "comfort measures" with her and she wasn't eating or drinking. Kay said she was out of her head a bit and thought everyone was trying to poisoning her. They ended up putting her in the hospital over that weekend while she was down there. The doctor came in on Saturday and said she probably only had 45 to 52 hours to live.
I apologize for not saying anything to you. It happened all of a sudden and we had to make arrangements to go down to the funeral. I know her sister was contacting as many people as she could and passing on the information to as many of her friends as she could."

Oh no! Not at all what I wanted to hear, but had half way expected. I missed her funeral and was devestated! I was 17 days late sending out my inquiry email to others! I grieve today as if it were yesterday. I hate that I missed saying good-bye, I would have gone to her services for sure or traveled down to be with her those last days!!! It's been hard this past year, missing her and feeling bad for not knowing til after the fact! I can't tell you how many times I have wished I could call her and tell her a funny story, special memory that hit me or heard a song that made me think of her and our friendship. She was an amazing spirit and wonderful friend. She was so witty & charming, fun & loving, caring and gentle. I am so blessed to have known her.

Velena Irene Taylor
Velena Irene Taylor, 43, of Orange, passed away, Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Port Arthur. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, the 27th at First United Pentecostal Church in Orange. Velena was born August 15, 1964, in Orange, to David William and Helen Marie (Jackson) Clark.Velena was a member of and played the keyboard for the First Pentecostal Church Choir. She was preceded in death by her father, David Clark.She is survived by her husband, Steven Taylor; her mother, Helen Clark; grandmother, Una Pearl Jackson; son, Aaron Keith Arpin and wife Victoria of Deweyville, and their daughter, Faith Elizabeth Arpin; son, David Hodges and wife Jackie and their children, Braden and Courtney; daughter, Tina Hodges and her children, Cody and Shelby; brother, David Lee Clark and wife Theresa; and sister, Darlene Williams and husband Phillip and numerous nieces and nephews.

Damn Cancer!

There has to be an end to your destruction soon. You have taken too many, too young!

Our Spy Boy

Connor loves to play SECRET AGENT. This past weekend he took some pictures as he spied around the backyard. Had to share these as I think he is so fun, creative and silly!!

I will call this "The Sidewalk Drawing Mystery"

A mysterious drawing is on the sidewalk...no one is claiming it...

This is a case for our TOP SECRET AGENT....
('Mission Impossible' theme plays and builds to crescendo)

Looking for clues as he watches from the top of the fort....

He spots this strange character as his first suspect

He has an alibi though, he has been busy grilling our dinner!

So Agent Jones moves on...peeking over the fence he searches for more clues and finds something rather mysterious...

Dark shadows peeking back at him!

He investigates further and finds the culprit....

Case Closed....Sidewalk Chalk Artist Captured.

My Favorite People All Together in One Place at One Time...Finally!!

There are no better days than the ones when all my kids are with me!! Unfortunately, it is rare. I am so happy that I captured a picture of this special Thursday night - we enjoyed dinner together as a family then came home and spent time together outback. Everyone was happy and all smiles!!! Thank God for days like this and kids like mine!!!

Katherine was being silly in her smiles (I think a little giddy that the boys were all around her!)

They took a moment to stop between pictures and giggle with her!! The princess and her princes!

Our big boys - Johnson 14, Kameron 19. These two were always such great brothers to each other since Bobby and I blended our families. They will always have a special bond. I am glad.

One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and FOUR TO GO!!!

YIPEE ~ My beautiful faces and happy spirits.

Special Mother's Day

Daddy did good - took my babies out and taught them how to pick wildflowers!!

In the bag is my favorite - Dove Milk Chocolates
Beautiful arrangment

Purple Thistle - ouch - Connor thought they were very pretty and insisted I have some in my arrangment...He is right - they are gorgeous!!

Kindergarten Mother's Day Tea Party Flowers

Connor is the first flower on the left

Connor reading his sweet card to me.

He also made me another card at home and snuck it to school to give me on the day of the Tea Party. His teacher emailed me and said he tucked it away in his cubby til the right before I came!

Connor's Handprint Placemat - Love this!!!

Modern Day Mother's Day

Connor played on the computer for a while today and figured out how to take his picture with the webcam, add border and send it as a greeting!

My 2009 Mother's Day card from Connor

Times have changed!!

He also me a sentimental - traditional, old fashioned type card - using real paper and colored markers. It says, "I love you because you are you and I love you" :o)

Garage Sale Funds

We had a neighborhood wide garage sale this past weekend. Connor quickly got into the idea of selling things for money. He searched the garage for items that he could put a price tag and started throwing out sales pitches to every kid that came near the sale! We mostly cleared out old furniture that I was sure someday I would recover and make new again...after 8 yrs, I realized it is just not going to happen!! I was ready to reclaim our space in the garage and clear out everything we weren't using. Unfortunately, for Connor - not many of his things fall into those categories...so he didn't sell much. But because our sale was good, I gave him some of the proceeds for being such a great saleman.

Today the ice cream man came around the neighborhood and Connor decided that he wanted to spend his sale money!! He ran to his room, dumped out his money jar and ran to the ice cream truck. He selected a SpongeBob ice cream for himself and then bought his sister a Push-Up pop! I thought it was so sweet that he wanted to share it with Katherine and did so without hesitation.

We all know that things just taste better when you have someone to share them with!!

I am glad my Connor knows that too, and that the person he shares them with is his sister.

(I have a brother like that too!! I guess that is why it touches my heart when I see Connor loving his sister, very much like my brother always loved me)

A Day with a Pretty Girl

My Little Lady in Red - Refused to wear the pants I selected for today, instead she pulled this dress down to wear! I guess she needed a reason to wear those cute red crocs! A nice day for a hat! Katherine loves hats - This one made her feel like she was having tea with the Queen, I believe!!

A Natural Beauty!!

Katherine's new thing is the TWIRL!

She has learned that dresses twirl and pants don't...so guess what she prefers to wear! :o)

She is a beautiful little girl and I am so happy to have her in my life. She brings me lots of joy and is so full of Grace!!

T'was the Night Before Easter

Katherine loves to get tucked in with Connor
Connor was heading to bed, the night before Easter...and he asked if we had any carrots to leave the Easter Bunny. We did not, so he moved to asking if the Easter Bunny would like cupcakes (since those were sitting on the table left over from our family dinner). Then he popped up, very excited and ran off saying, "I know what I will give him!" He returned with his wallet and pulled out his only two dollars. He wanted to leave the dollars for the Bunny! He took the time to pull out a piece of paper and write "From Connor - To Easter Bunny" and headed off to bed.
(I have never known a kid that loved to give gifts like Connor does!!)

Well, the Easter Bunny could hardly keep his two dollars, but wanted Connor to know his sweet gift was appreciated. So, the crafty bunny wrapped up the dollars and made a little bunny shape. The dollars had big ears and were placed lovingly on the basket for an extra surprise for Easter morning. :o) Connor LOVED it!!


The kids enjoyed there baskets of surprises this morning - Connor has a new basketball, a dice game, a white chocolate bunny and an old favorite toy that I am not sure what its called!?!? The fun yo-yo type action makes the magnetic bunny climb up and down the metal handle. Katherine got a new Polly Pocket ready for a swim and several little fishes to swim along with her, Dora the Explorer garden gloves and of course a chocolate bunny!




We are heading to Mema's later for an egg hunt!! Happy Easter every bunny!!

A Family That Plays Together...

I LOVE SPRING!!! Our yard feels so good when the grass turns green again for spring...we always fill the flowerpots with pretty flowers, the trees are full of leaves and the wisteria bush is beginning to bloom. We spend a lot of time outside once it really starts to look like spring is here. One of my plans for the year is to have many family get togethers and since our house is tiny, outside is the perfect way to do it!!

Last month we had a 'Family Fun Day' - for once we had ALL 4 kids together on a pretty day with lots of time...Mom & Dad came over and we enjoyed playing in the yard with the kids. The big boys showed off climbing which quickly became a competition (started with a tree, then went to the roof of the house and then Johnson pushed it hard by going to the very top of the Cottonwood tree (the tallest one in the yard)!!We played Blongo Ball in teams and when it got too dark to continue, we moved inside for a game of Apples to Apples. We played until midnight! I love time with my family - especially when it is unrushed and playful.

Kam teaches Grandpa about texting - Grandpa feels old

Grandma tries to feel young playing in the sand

Kam & Kate jump and bond

For Easter we decided to recreate a fun day - hoping for nice weather and a yard full of family, I asked Bobby if he would consider building a big picnic table to help accomodate the seating needs. Mostly, I thought it would be really neat to have a table for years to come, that he built. Connor has been wanting to build something too, so he will be assisting!! I did not give him much notice for fulfilling my request, as Easter weekend is this weekend and between weeknight activities and soccer - he has had to start and stop many times...not to mention the countless trips to hardware store for more wood, screws, saw blades and trips to neighbors and Dad's to borrow drill bits. (It's amazing to me that all those tools in the garage are still not enough, we end up borrowing some too!?! - I think men & tools are like women and shoes - which is why we need another closet and a shed!) Anyways, I am excited about the table - I have asked that he also carve our initials in the table with a big heart!! He is very sweet to do this for me, I am sure he has no idea how special it will be in the end. It will be the center of our activities for many years to come and will help create more traditions and more memories.

I searched for a cleaver quote about "tables" but instead the phrase hit me...

Come to the Table

I searched this phrase, interestingly enough this is the title of a song.

Very appropriate for Easter & beautiful that it "came" to me to share.

the lyrics...

Come To The Table

by Michael Card
Come to the table and savor the sight
The wine and the bread that was broken
And all have been welcomed to come if they might
Accept as their own these two tokens
The bread is His body, the wine is the blood
And the One who provides them is true
He freely offers, we freely receive
To accept and believe Him is all we must do
Chorus
Come to the table and taste of the Glory
And savor the sorrow, He's dying tomorrow
The hand that is breaking the bread
Soon will be broken
And here at the table sit those who have loved you
One is a traitor and one will deny
And He's lived His life for them all
And for all be crucified
Come to the table He's prepared for you
The bread of forgiveness, the wine of release
Come to the table and sit down beside Him
The Savior wants you to join in the feast
Come to the table and see in His eyes
The love that the Father has spoken
And know you are welcome, whatever your crime
For every commandment you've broken
For He's come to love you and not to condemn
And He offers a pardon of peace
If you'll come to the table, you'll feel in your heart
The greatest forgiveness, the greatest release
Chorus
Come to the table He's prepared for you
The bread of forgiveness, the wine of release
Come to the table and sit down beside Him
The Savior wants you to join in the feast

Michael Card ~ Come To The Table

I am always in awe of how God gets his messages to me

~ HAPPY EASTER ~

Love Birds

These two dove birds were sitting on our bench in the back yard the other day! I thought it was so sweet. They were sitting very still and close, as the wind howled and blew a chill across the neighborhood. These two looked very content together and I remembered a fact that Bobby told me when we first met. (He really does amaze me with all the facts he knows about animals, plants, insects and just nature in general.) He told me that Dove birds mate for life. I finally understood the LOVE BIRD saying! And I think I when he told me that, I found my love bird too!!

Learning from Kids

Last night Kameron, called me. He was so excited to be at his first Dallas Mavericks basketball game!! He described where he was sitting, the team spirit wear he wore and watching Mark Cuban, the owner, shoot hoops before the game. Kam was impressed that he made every shot! I was glad that he finally got to go to a professional game, that boy has always loved sports, any sport. I use to be amazed at how many balls he had as a small child - football, basketball, soccer ball, baseball, playground balls, golf balls, nerf balls, and more and could play which ever sport went along with them!! Anything that required a ball, he excelled in. After the Mav's game he called and told me to turn on Channel 8 - they were waving in the crowd behind the sports caster. I love that on his special night, my son called me! I love that I was the one he wanted to share the fun with first. I am so proud of how close we have always been and how we continue to be - even though he is an adult and living on his own.

Kam and I really only had each other, I was a single mom, which wasn't easy but we had a great life! He was my world and I was his...we were best friends...playmates...and each others biggest fan! This closeness is awesome, but when it is time for the 'break', that eventually happens between a mother and child...it was VERY ROUGH! I remember when we went thru our worst times, I called my girl friend, V, and was in tears. She calmed my worries and said, "Every boy eventually breaks from his Mom, you and Kameron are closer than most and because your relationship is so strong that break will be uglier than most, it has to be in order for him to grow!" She also explained that this is a compliment to the people we are and the love we have for each other. (Those words from her were the last advice I received from my sweet friend before we lost her to cancer. I will never forget that conversation about my son with my best friend - it was probably the most important one I ever had.)

As a single mom, I had a tendency to put myself aside and to focus 100% on Kameron. His activities were my activities and that is how we both liked it. This created a large hole in me when our lives began to separate from each other. In the midst of all the emotion of our 'break', God gave me GRACE! He blessed me with my daughter, who I am convinced was proof that God thought I did okay and He trusted me with another little life. She helped me to be calm when I wanted to cry, to be busy when I wanted to be lazy and bummed. I have often told Kam that I believed that God gave me Connor (meaning "wise aide") and Katherine Grace ("pure blessing") because He knew that I would need them when Kameron no longer needed a "Mommy".
I am fortunate now, to have a wonderful husband that supports my decision to stay home and be a Mommy, I have time to devote more to myself and to my kids. I work hard to make sure that I am involved in the kids activities and have my own too. I learned a lot from my first child, sometimes I think I learned more from him than he learned from me. Today with my little kids, I make sure I do many of the things that I know I did right, while trying hard to do some things differently so that I don't make some of the same mistakes.

One of those things I do differently is that I am focused on my life too, not JUST the kid's lives. I think most of my activities are to make sure that when my babies are grown, I am not left empty with nothing of myself. They are just babies now, which I am so thankful for, I have time before they will be gone (which goes too fast), so I continue to try to find balance. I want to have friendships and things that give ME a life, but my family really IS my life. Without them, it's all empty.

I love having a family to come home to, to hug, to hear about their day and to celebrate their achievements, and to love and they do the same for me!! I love having a grown son that thinks of ME when he has great news, something fun to share or needs advice. I don't ever want anything to come before my family. There are only so many hrs in a day and in our life! I just need to make sure that whatever it is I am doing, I will be glad someday that I did that. Its a hard balance to find, and is one of those things that I continue to work on daily. (Now if I could just eliminate the stuff that eats my time that has no value - laundry for example!!) My hope is that I can have the closeness with all my children that I share with Kameron and that some of the hardships he suffered are prevented for the little ones. I pray all the time that I am doing the right things and that they will all be better people because of something I taught, shared or did.

In my life, I play many roles...a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife, a volunteer, a neighbor, etc. My most important role though is and will always be...Being a MOM!

Kameron's 1st Birthday 1990

4th of July 2007

Valentine's Day 2009

Thank you Kameron for being my first child, my greatest teacher and my most wonderful friend.

I love you with all my heart. I am a better person because of you!!!