VALENTINES' DAY!

Valentine's Day Blake & DeeDee came to stay the weekend with us- we went to Sundance Square and had dinner at P.F.Chang's. Then we walked over to Barnes & Noble- Star buck's for a white chocolate mocha (YUMMY)- went to an art gallery- and then we ended up at Pete's Piano Bar. We were home before midnight, and we sat and talked awhile before going to bed. We had a great time- and cannot wait to hang out with our cousins again!!! The next day the boys went to Waurika and rode 4-wheelers at the river- DeeDee and I went to lunch at On The Border, and then did some shopping!! It's not very often that either one of us gets to do anything like that without little kiddos- it was really nice being able to talk without being interrupted a zillion times! ~wink~

OBSTACLE COURSE FUN!!

Friday afternoon, I was messin' around in the shop. Kinda piddlin' with the 4whlr. Sofie and V came out to play. I decided we should go for a ride around our place. We were going around all of the trees and up the little hills. They were laughing the whole time, which made ME laugh the whole time! Then we decided to set up an obstacle course. I was teaching them how important safety was and how to operate the lights, brakes as well as how to go EASY on the throttle. I/we set up some old metal trash cans, a cone and some flags to make our course. Most of the neighborhood kids were out playing and became pretty curious as to what we were doing in our empty lot. We ended up having about 7 kids over wanting me to teach them and to have a turn. I made them get their parents permission first, I provided a helmet and away they went! Johnny, from next door had never even been on a 4whlr before. He was stoked! He did very well, as did our girls and the other kids. I was glad to give him his first ride. Hopefully he'll always remember that. I think that if we spend a lot of fun times at home with our kids, they won't have the desire to go get into trouble out in town. I'm a dreamer, what can I say!

Love and Happiness,
Mark

"We have a new fort!!!"

Mark just sent me this picture on his phone. The girls got there and they think they got a new fort, but actually, it's Blake's deer-blind. They're playing in it now. We're going to have to build them a tree-house, or playhouse, before Blake takes the 'fort' home!!!

Valentine's Poems '09...

I am very cheap, maybe a better word is frugal; so I told Mark that all I wanted for Valentine's Day was to go out and have fun, but I wanted something personal from him as well. I asked him to write me a poem. So we decided that this is our new tradition; we are going to do this every year; and then we'll read the ones from before on Valentine's Day each year, and save them in a folder. Yesterday we sat down and Mark read his out loud to me, and then I had him read mine. We laughed out loud, and decided this was the best idea EVER!!!! So I wanted to share them with you. Happy Valentine's Day !!! MMUUAAAHHHH!!!!


you


gentle waves of dew drops- bouncing on my skin
bubbling molten lava- rushing through my veins
total relaxation- my mind- oblivion
leaving me emblazoned- though your touch sustains

my heart- entangled by growing vines
spring flowers blooming- under my feet
my days now filled with bright sunshine
always prayed for a love this sweet

your special nature- joyous tones
my soul- electrified by your smile
kindness soars from within your bones
living proof of God- all the while

meshed together- like honeycomb
bonded strong- one we've become
near or far- you are my home
never- will we be undone

Amy




My Love For You

When we first met
you were with my pal.
You said you liked me more
but I was with another 'ol gal.

Along the way, we've shared so much
A belly laugh, some tears, and the
ever awesome touch!

I love you more everyday,
A feeling I never want to shake.
Hell, I love you more than a
perfect chicken-fried steak!

Speaking of how much I love you,
in comparison, here are a few more.

I love you the way a seamstress
loves some 'ol trousers that are tore.

I love you like Pee-Wee loves to bark,
And I love you like a tornado
loves a trailer park!

Our love is like taking the kids
on a summer evening walk.
I love you more than Mamu
loves to talk!

Of all the ways I love you,
I hope you get the gist.
It's the fond memories, like me
in a gown when we first kissed!!

I can't imagine not having you
with me in this life.
You're my best friend, my lover,
and thank God, you're my wife!

Forever yours,
Mark

Christmas Day at Papaw's...

Merry Christmas!!! I didn't get to blog at Christmas-time because I was having issues with logging in- so I wanted to add the pictures now. Seems like such a long time has passed. We got up early, opened our presents- the girls made cup-cakes, then we were off to Royse City to spend the day with my Dad, step-mommy, grandpa, sister-in-law, brothers, brother's girlfriend, cousins, neices and nephews. We sang, the guys played guitars, we ate, we kissed, and hugged- that side of my family is so affectionate- I LOVE THAT!!! The kids ran around outside- and we just had the most wonderful time- really did- and the drive there and back didn't even make me want to pull all of my hair out this time!!! I'm getting better-WOOHOO!!!

My sweet Dad teaching Mark some cool lick on the gee-tar


Jody & his beautiful girlfriend

PawPaw- my girls' great-grandpa

Cousin Blake's baby, Brookelin & Sofie

Little Rascals


Little bro Jody

Big Bro Matt


PawPaw Ray
(Mad was born on his 75th B-Day: that's where her middle name, Raylea, came from: Mamu's middle name is Lea)



Mom & Dad

Valentine's Plans FINALLY Finalized...

YAY!!! I am SO EXCITED!!!! Mark really didn't care what we did, so he let me do the planning... Cousin Blake & DeeDee are coming over tomorrow for the weekend. We are going to Sundance Square Saturday afternoon. P.F. Changs is our first stop for a late lunch and cocktails. Then we can walk around the square and enjoy each others' company (without kids)... I ,personally, want to go to the Marble Slab Creamery for dessert- YUM-YUM-YUM!!! better wear my baggy jeans... We definitely want to end the night at Pete's Piano Bar. (if you've never been there- you MUST go- it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on!!!) the whole Sundance Square thing is such a great Date-Night.. we always have such a good time down there. Can't WAIT!!! Great food, great martinis, great music, wonderful, sweet people to go with- couldn't get any better... oh yea, and my husband makes me LOVE Valentine's Day again... that's pretty cool too...

Victoria's Birthday : Phase 2...

Victoria chose to go to Chuck E. Cheese with her best friend, Bailey, for dinner. I gave her a choice of a big house party, or a small party at Chuck's, and then a little later we are going to go to Great Wolf Lodge and have a two night stay in the hotel there, with all the girls and me- for a birthday celebration for all of them. Gigee came along, and the girls were so very sweet- we sang in the car all the way there, and we really did have a good time- I was not looking forward to it- I usually get really irritated by all the noise and commotion- but it wasn't too crowded, and we only stayed for about 2 hours- it was surprisingly enjoyable- and the pizza was YUMMY!!! AND we didn't spend a milion bucks!!! YAY ME!!! Victoria is seven now- and she really is getting to be such a big girl- I just really cherish this time with my girls- it's magical...

Victoria's Birthday - phase 1...

Sunday was V's birthday, and before church, I helped her make cupcakes for her party. She is wearing her apron I made her for Christmas, it has a crystal cupcake on the front. She let Sofie break one of the eggs, and then her arm got tired of holding the mixer, so she let Sofie finish that too!!! I have to make Sofie an apron for her birthday in April- I'm going to let her pick out her own fabric and ribbon. We are still eating on those cupcakes... we made 24!!!!




Stepford Child...

Birthday Bash...

There were 3 birthdays celebrated last night: Mark's mom, Victoria, and a friend of the family, Keith's dad. There was lots of good food and fabulous music!!! Victoria and I sang our song- 'Dry Town' by Miranda Lambert; I was on drums, Mark on the guitar. Mark played and sang a few, and I sang some too. Victoria was singing 'Walking After Midnight' when she woke up this morning...