March already???

WOW where does the time go? We are nearly 1/2 way through March and I'm not sure where all the time has gone. I have had great intentions whenit comes to updating my Blog, but the follow through is a bit on the slow side.

Today is a sad day...Japan was hit by a record Earthquake and resulting Tsunami. The Tsunami has hit Hawaii and the entire West Coast of the US in addition to the catastrophe in Japan. My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected and those who will continue to be affected for a long time to come.

On a muchbrighter side - the girls are doingvery well. Jade has her driver's permit and is getting more comfortable behind the wheel. She really needs to drive more so she can build moreconfidence, but she's doing very well. She even drove most of the way home from Lubbock a couple weeks ago. McKenna continues to grow and learn on a daily basis. Her humor and her natural good nature keep us on our toes! I picked her up from school the other day andMs. Lori told methat at lunch they had fish sticks. McKenna was peeling the breading off and turned to her friend, Harper, and said, "I'm peeling the scabs off so I can eat the fish". I cracked up! Then Ms. Lori told me that McKenna told her that she's going to have a baby in 2 years. I'm not sure where her imagination comes from, but it's always entertaining.

Feb and March have been good months for visiting family. We were honored to be able to attend the wedding of one of Darrell's cousin's in Lubbock in February. Not only did we get to witness Amanda and James say "I do", but we also got to spend some time with one of his favorite cousins and his family. We love to hang out with Corey, Deanna and their daughters, Laci & Haylee. McKenna is constantly an entertainer and Laci, Haylee and Deanna keep telling me that I should get her into pageant shows. Haylee and Laci put one of Haylee's crowns on her and had her posing in all sorts of pageant poses. It was so cute!

Then just last weekend, the girls and I were thankful to be able to fly to Indiana to visit Megan and her family. Mom and Dad flew in and met us at the airport and then we all drove down to Megan's house. We were there to support Justin as he goes through some difficult times, but despite the sad reason for the trip, we had a good time. The girls loved to ride the horses and especially loved hanging with their cousins. We also got to spend some time with my Grandpa. It was so good to see him!! Jadelyn is quite the horse woman! I am so proud of her courage to overcome her fears of loping and truly enjoy being on a horse. She was even excited to help Miranda feed, brush, and groom the horses. She was also quick to volunteer saddling a horse when the kids all wanted to go for a midnight ride. (we didn't realize it was almost 1am until it was too late to stop the plan) They all went out and rode inthe indoor arena.McKenna even got to ride a horse by herself. (with Miranda walking close by to coach the horse to keep going at the corners) it was such a great visit!!! I wish we could see them more often!!!

Now begins a few weeks of Darrell's travels. He started a new job mid-February and is currently in NYC for one of the big markets. He will be home for about two weeks before having to fly to North Carolina for the next market. I pray that this job becomes what he wants/needs it to be.

McKenna will be turning 3 years old in two weeks...I find myself asking again, where has the time gone? Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that she's 'only' 3...but it still seems like just yesterday when we were anxiously awaiting her arrival. We will be driving to Lubbock for her birthday and taking both girls to see George Strait, Reba McEntire, & Miranda Lambart in concert with Darrell's aunt and uncle. We can't wait!!!

Miranda & McKenna riding Fancy

Jadelyn riding Fancy

Jadelyn on Holly, Kenna on the fence and Grandpa Ah-ha

McKenna riding Fancy solo in the indoor arena. (lots of dust flying around, so it's fuzzy)

McKenna giving Tana a kiss

So January has been a fun month. We started it off right with Jadelyn Celebrating her Sweet 16! We haven't had the party yet, but she is definitely enjoying her new laptop!

We always love when visitors come and this month was no exception - Grandma and Grandpa flew down for a long weekend with us. We had a great Friday just hanging out and having fun. We did a little shopping at Grapevine Mills Mall...and tortured Grandpa by driving by the big Bass Pro Shops TWICE but not stopping! Darrell had to work, so when he got home, we went out for some YUMMY Mexican food!

Saturday was a lazy morning because Darrell had to work again - so the girls and I made breakfast for Grandma & Grandpa while we waited for Daddy to get home. Once he got back, we all piled into the truck and headed to the Stockyards. The weather was a bit cool, but we had a good time. The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo was in town, so there were a lot of cowboys and cowgirls on horses for the girls to watch. We did the usual picture of the girls on a Longhorn.

Lunch was definitely a hit - we enjoyed All-You-Can-Eat-Ribs at Riskey's in the Stockyards. And I don't know if I should be proud or ashamed that I ate more than Mom & Dad combined! I just love ribs! Jade was a bit sad that she couldn't enjoy them because of her braces, but she did like the steak she got!

My two princesses looking at all the wonderful Build-A-Bear outfits we could buy at the Rainforest Cafe at Grapevine Mills Mall.

McKenna was thrilled with the Sit & Spin that Grandma & Grandpa brought her for her birthday. We were able to celebrate Christmas with them finally too! It was a great weekend and we are so thankful that they come visit us!!

I'm trying to figure out a better way to upload pictures...but for now, this is what you get! I'm also going to start updating this blog more often and earlier in the evening. I always seem to start it after midnight and then wonder why I'm so tired! :)

Sweet 16 & Snow in Fort Worth

Well I don't know why I bother updating this - almost a year later and I still don't have any followers. I guess it's a good way to record some of our memories.

So we had a good Christmas in Oklahoma with Darrell's mom and family. The girls truly love to spend time with family! We live so much closer now, so the traveling stress is a little lighter for us. Everyone had a good Christmas. I got an awesome new camera, so hopefully there will be more pictures that are clear and in focus. I'm going to look into some online album options so it will be easier to share pictures with family. Right now I rely on Facebook and email!!!

I can not believe it, but Jadelyn is 16!! Where does the time go! It seems like just yesterday when I was scared spitless that she wouldn't survive long enough to be born. She was two months early and I was in preterm labor almost the entire 7 months! I spent most of my pregnancy on bed rest just trying to get past each benchmark. Visiting the doctor two to three times a week was the only reason I was allowed to get out of bed. (other than to use the rest room) Each visit brought me one day closer to the prize. After 7 long months, they were unable to stop my labor any longer and my beautiful baby girl was born on January 5th by emergency c-section. It was a close one - we almost lost her several times. Then I had many complications and was unable to see her or visit her as often as I wanted. I was in the hospital for two weeks. The only positive to that was that I got to stay closer to my baby. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life was walking out of that hospital without my baby girl. She was a fighter, though, and was able to come home after just 30 days in the NICU. Seems like yesterday. She has been a true blessing to me and I am so proud of the young woman she is becoming. She is a great big sister and a wonderful daughter...but I also see what a great friend she is to her friends! Everyone is lucky to have her in their lives!

Yesterday we had snow in Fort Worth! The girls loved it - it was fun to see the excitement as they planned to play in the snow. McKenna ran into our bedroom and hollered DADDY DADDY DADDY - IT'S SNOWING, COME SEE!!!

I am proud of both of my girls! They are the light of my life and I thank God every day for them. I am truly a blessed woman!!!