The Green House

Time keeps on tickin....into the future.....

2011-08-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have blogged this before..........where has the time gone? (LOL! Yes, I know I have!) I feel so out of control of time! We always get to the end of the summer and it feels like we just got out of school! This year seems a bit quicker, tho. Maybe it's because I enjoyed it more. Maybe it's because I'm older and everything seems to fly by quicker. Maybe it's because I have a Junior in High School this year and I want to hold on a little longer.......

I am just so weepy today! I always feel better when I blog. So, I get on here and the last blog entry was in January!!!!!!!?????? (sorry, Grandma!) I just had a sinking in the pit of my stomach. 8 months have passed by........so quickly! I barely blinked and they were gone! We have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, milestones and memories. We have said goodbye to loved ones and hello to new friends. We have prayed and seen prayers answered. We have prayed and been promised God's grace. We have laughed so much that we want to cry.....and cried some, too. We finished yet another school year and are getting ready to welcome another.

So, as this school year begins.......Emma is a Junior, Hanna will be in Jr High for the last time as a big 8th grader, Lily will finish her milestone in elementary school as a 4th grader and Seth will no longer be the little man on campus as a 1st grader (which he is torn between sadness and gladness here!) We will have fun. We will laugh. We will cry. We will pray. We will grow. We will love madly. We will hope deeply. And time will march on.......

Here are some of the words to a song that I heard this morning. It touches my heart so sweetly and brings me to tears everytime! This is dedicated to my sweet ones....my peeps....my littles....my family!

and, the link: http://youtu.be/Vyjq5SCbjQk

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow

And each road leads you where you want to go.

And if your faced with the choice and you have to choose, I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed, I hope you keep on walkin till you find the window.

And if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.

But more than anything,

My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to. Your dreams stay big and your worries stay small, you never need to carry more than you can hold. And while you're out there gettin where you're gettin to, I hope you know somebody loves you and wants the same things, too!

Yeah, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but you never forgot on the one's who love you and the place you left.

I hope you always forgive and you never regret, and you help somebody every chance you get.

Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake and always give more than you take!

Yeah, this is my wish!

~Rascal Flatts

Project 365

2011-01-20T09:04:00.000-08:00

So, as soon as it started....I fell behind! Life happened! I knew it would! However, I did manage to get caught up. So, here it is. (I will try to post less than 20 pictures next time! :) My first 20 days of the new year and my project 365.....a picture a day of simple pleasures that bless my life!

My New Year motto:

My sweet Hanna....and the way i see her many times during the day....

....ahhhh, happiness in my mug!

A blessing.....with a fever! Why are sick babies so stinkin' sweet?

....and his favorite thing to do.

A sight that makes you proud! We did good!

Seth, "helping" me cook his "cloud eggs", his favorite breakfast.

My morning, starting out right!

I LOVE these shoes! They make me happy! :)

and one of my favorite things!

Sweet Lily, and her cheering friends

SCRAPBOOKING!

God's handiwork at it's finest.....winter sunsets!

Seth's 1st lost tooth. I love this look.....and it's the last time I will see it in one of my children.

Sweet Hanna Grace.....my cheerleader! She blesses me!

When I see this, right inside the door, after school.....my first reaction is "grrrrr"! Then, I realize how blessed I am to be the mommy to this little boy of mine!

My kitty....Clara. She loves me!

Seth and his popcorn. Enough said!

My new MacBook. Ahhhhhhh..........

Lily Hope.....you make my heart smile! And, your new braces make you look too grown up!

A New Year!

2011-01-08T07:52:00.000-08:00

I love new things! New shoes, new clothes, new pens and paper, new camera things, new finds, new thoughts, a new box of crayons, new babies (no, I'm not!), new friends, new days.......it really goes on and on. But, I love the old, comfortable things, too. Old shoes, old sweats, old jewelry, old favorite movies, old things, old friends....and that list goes on, too. In the last few months, life has happened, sometimes it is happy and sometimes it is cruel...... and time keeps flying by! It doesn't stop for nothing! It's always CrAzY!..... yet, never the same.

....BUT, the one thing that has stayed the same, is the faithfulness of my Jesus, encouraging me to "keep going" and reminding me "it only gets better"! Blessings are present in my "everyday"....I just have to have the eyes to see them! My motto for the coming year is "Scatter Joy"! Somedays I just don't feel like it! Somedays I do. With God, all things are possible! So, ok! I can do it!

I have decided to do a project called "Simple Joys 365". In this, I will photograph something that brings me joy each and every day. I am a little late, because life has happened...... but I will catch up! I will try to document my photo for each day......and I encourage you to join in. You can jot down a note of your "simple joy" or blessing from each day, if you aren't picture crazy like me! :) I challenge you! Just as life challenges you.......but, this will bring you JOY! Guaranteed!
one of my joys!

Ready.....Set......GO!

THANKFUL!

2010-11-29T08:14:00.000-08:00

This is the most wonderful time of the year! I love Thanksgiving. I love giving thanks! I am always amazed at how great our God is and how lavish His love is.....and how abundant our blessings are. This is the time of year where we pause and remember to give thanks.....not that we forget to give thanks on a daily basis.....but, to really stop and ponder all that He has done for us. It brings tears to my eyes even now as I think about it.

Our family got to travel to Kansas for Thanksgiving this year. We haven't gone back for Thanksgiving in many years. It is always a busy time of year for us, preparing for The Nutcracker and Sean's busy schedule. With so many relatives lost this year and with several struck with illness now, we knew we had to go back home and visit some of the very "blessings" we are thankful for.

Seth and Gramps.....in his chair has always been one of Seth's favorite places to be. He even took an extra blue silky this time so that Gramps could have one of his very own to snuggle with while we were there visiting. Sweet!

Grandma Betty showing Hanna how to set the table. It was so sweet and got me a little choked up to see this.....seperated by 3 generations, but still an important thing to pass down. She taught me how to set the table many, many years ago.

....a cheerful learner.

This is one of my favorite trees at my grandparent's house. (My other favorite is pictured at the beginning of the blog and with Seth later) It is always so pretty...no matter what time of year we visit. It is especially beautiful in the fall.

Grandma, cutting the pies.
Oh, my, how I adore her pumpkin pie. (The pecan wasn't bad, either.) She has not only taught me how to cook (to that, my hubby is grateful), make a bed properly, sewing and even some painting......she has also taught me how to take care of my own and love them deeply.

Two of my favorite blessings.....Emma and Hanna. I love how my extended family sees their bond when we visit. They truly have a special sister bond that has become more like best friends. I love that, too.

Sweet Lily and Sean.....a couple more of my favorite blessings.

....and my sweet Sethy (under the fabulous crabtree!) Another little person that blesses my socks off!

HOOORAY for the pumpkin pie!
(that's exactly how I felt!)

Sean, Hanna and Uncle Johnny....ready to eat.

Uncle Mark, carving the turkey and cutting the ham.

Me, my daddy and my grandma! I am blessed!

Gramps and Grandma Betty

Gramps was diagnosed with cancer this year. He has always been the rock of our family. Now Grandma takes care of everything. Seeing him down is hard. But, he still has that ornery look in his eye and I love when he tells me he loves me.
Blessing!

The Lyons bell and star.....the beacon in the wintry night sky, that tells me, "I am home!"

Mom and her Grands! So blessed!

I love this woman.....and what a blessing she is to me. My mommy, my confidant, my children's Grammy and my friend. (She has also installed in me some great lessons....cooking, again, being one of them!)
Did I mention, I am blessed?!

Me and Granny
The miles have seperated us more than we would like.....but, as soon as she hugs me, I know I am home. She has planted some great things in me over the years. She has taught me to love and care for others....and have faith in my Jesus. She is not only a prayer warrior..... She is a prayer Queen!

We also got to travel to Emporia to be with some of Sean's family at Uncle Mike and Aunt Joyce's house. Aunt Julie and Uncle Doug were there, too. It is always so great to get together with them. Lots of good times. Just never enough time!

Sean's dad, Bill, and the girls.

Sean and his Uncle Mike

Maddie, Jared and Melissa's little sweetie, and Seth tore up the piano....and honestly, I think they tore up everything they were around that day. Thank you, guys, for putting up with us! Maddie and Seth made an instant connection! For not having been around each other for a long time, it was really sweet, and proves that family ties are just instilled! I love that!

Melissa and I. What sweet time we enjoyed together!

Joyce, Michaela and Caesie. Sweet blessings!

This is just a sweet picture I took on the way back to my Texas home from my Kansas home. It gave me a warm feeling inside.....just a sense of security. It made me think about how those big towering things were never there before, back when Emma was a little baby, and we would travel home for the holidays. We never used to see anything but an occasional windmill or some cows in the field against beautiful Kansas sunsets. The road is still long. Home is still home. Family bonds are still as strong as ever. Some have passed away.....some are still in the same place....some of us have grown up and changed with life.....but all of them still bless me for who they are and have become. Now, more than ever, it occurs to me that "the more things change.....the more they stay the same". And, for that...

I am thankful!

Sweet 16 and An Enchanted Evening.....

2010-11-23T06:40:00.000-08:00

Another "how can it be" moment! ( I seem to be having many of those lately!) I chalk it up to my children's older ages....not mine! :)
My Emma Kate is 16!!! I can't believe the day has finally come! She is a vision of beauty and of grace. We love to watch her dance and sing and do the things she loves the most. She has given us so much to be thankful for....but, I am thankful most of all for the way she has taught me mercy and a love that looks so much like the Father!

Emma's "new" car! We have been trying out all options, and, it looks like she is getting the one she wanted! This was the best car to "fit" her. She wanted to be high up off the ground and she had to see over the steering wheel. With her trips back and forth to Amarillo, Momma will feel better now that she has something "meaty" to travel in! (And, she looks stinkin' cute in it!)

Sweet 16 wishes!

And, on her 16th Birthday, how fitting that Lone Star Ballet would throw their annual Nutcracker Ball. We say....in her honor...but, the whole family, and many of her good friends, got to enjoy this enchanted evening together!

This is my favorite picture from the night.....Seth is in Heaven!!!

Our beautiful family...

Emma and her friends in her new car! (this won't be the last time I see this view!)

My sweet peeps!

Emma and Seth and their matching Converse! COOL!!

And, the final fun surprise of the evening.....their very own LIMO! The look on Emma's face when he pulled into our driveway was PRICELESS!

And, here is "Joe Cool" again.....what a ladies man!

...arriving at the Ball....they were princesses, for sure!

...and, this Cinderella better not loose her glass slipper at midnight!

The Belles of the Ball......Morgan, Marissa, Madison, Emma and Kyleigh

Emma. Erin and Loren.....dancing friends.

my sweet birthday girl

Lily's excitement for Santa could not be contained! She is such a silly girl!

Hanna and her daddy

Sweeeeet Sisters!

me and my little guy smiley

....and the band sang "Happy Birthday, dear Emma!" What a fun moment in the spotlight for her! She is very comfortable there.....and she still loves her momma!

Seth, doing the "Bunny Hop"! Oh, that boy had the time of his life!

oh....we all did!

Sweet Hanna Grace is an official teenager! 13!

2010-11-12T07:06:00.000-08:00

I love that she was born in the fall.....when grace and beauty abound!

She is such a fun-loving, life-living , cheer-yelling, hug-giving, softball-playin', friend-makin' girl! She changes a room when she walks in..... Her spirit is evident of God's grace and favor! I am so very proud of her! She is one of my favorite blessings! We love you, Hanna!!!!!!

I love how close these two are! Sweet sisters!

Where have the months gone?

2010-11-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

WOW! How could it be November? Where did the summer months go and the beginning of school.....and now, it is FALL?! I know, everyone says "the older you get....", but I am not accepting that! I want to remember my days and capture every moment and ponder on it....so that each memory will be fresh for me to revisit on days like today.....when I am wondering, "where has the time gone?!"

Sooooo.....to fill in the gap between now and the last time I blogged (sorry Grandma), we have had MANY events and fun things going on in our lives! It has been FULL!

We started the summer off with a BANG! Emma and I took a girlfriend trip to Baton Rouge, LA! We went to the Bayou Countryfest to see Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Kelly Pickler! It was awesome! We got to try some local cuisine.....and found out they serve biscuits with EVERYTHING! It was wonderful....and a great time for Emma and I to get away together!

here we are with our traveling girls.....the other Green's.....Katie and McKay
...and the famous TSwift heart! We heart you, Taylor!

Summer is not summer with out the 4th of July! We enjoyed celebrating our country and freedom and family in Kansas.....which is our tradition! We love to be at Gpa Max's lake and celebrate with the Miller/Lattimer families.

Gma Betty, Dad, Gramps, Aunt Janet and Uncle Mark Dad and Seth showing off their tats!Daddy and his girls ...and the famous floaters! (which could also be our singing group name!) LOVE IT!

And on the 5th of July, we love to celebrate Granny Loyce's birthday with the cousins and Grammy on her farm.Granny and some of the great grands. Aly, Emma, Cameron, Hanna, Lily, Quinn and Seth Mom, me, Gretch and Granny

Summer took us to the beach! YAY ! I love the beach! It is my favorite place to be. I will always remember the sound of the ocean coming in and going out. It is forever carved in my mind. I love seeing my kids in the ocean and on the sand, playing and getting lost..... like there is nothing else important in this world than this moment right here, right now. They taught me so much on this vacation. To sit back, relax and enjoy the view! We went to Padre Island this year. It was Amazing. Relaxing. Wonderful.

Yes, we played some softball this summer ! Hanna's Storm team did great! We played in several tournaments around Texas and then traveled to Carlsbad, NM for a week of tournament fun. We also went to Nationals and WON! It was an exciting time!

I also traveled to Kansas in July for my 20th High School reunion! What fun we had together, again! The Lyons High class of 1990 still ROCKS!

We also got to be at the XIT Parade and rodeo with our cousins in Dalhart. Always a fun time!

Then, Grammy came to see "TEXAS" for the first time! We enjoyed an extra special treat as Miss Emma Green was our hostess for the night. Emma love working out at the Palo Duro Canyon and with the"TEXAS" organization! What a fun and wonderful experience for her first job!AND, the family went on another occasion! It is just too much fun! This was Seth's first experience at "TEXAS"! He loved it, too! Except, for the fireworks at the end! "Too loud!"

....and our end of summer trip to Wonderland! Always a fun time!

And then it was back to school! My baby went to Kindergarten and my oldest started her Sophomore year! Hanna started Jr High, in the 7th grade, and Lily in 3rd. How?! What a wonderful year it has been already. Lots of growing up has had to happen....and momma is enjoying some "momma time".

Sweet Seth turned 6!!! on August 28th! It seems like yesterday, we were bringing that tiny little boy home from the hospital! Our prayers in that NICU room "for strength" have come to fruition! Oh, how I love my strong, handsome little guy! ...here he is on his Razor Powerwing scooter! It was ALL he wanted! :)

Lone Star Ballet performed "Dracula" in October. What a wonderfully freaky show! Emma was a bride of Dracula....and enjoyed getting her "freak" on! She was frightening! (but the sweetest little vampire I have ever seen!)

I love FALL! Everyone who knows me knows this well. I love the fresh air. The crisp mornings. The football games. The flowers. The colors of the trees. The pumpkin spice products that are available in EVERYTHING. I love to get cozy in my house after being outside. My first two babies were born in the fall. My wedding was at the beginning of the fall. My favorite color is all the rage in the fall (yellow)! I am happy!

Happy Fall!

Summertime.....so glad you have finally made it!

2010-06-06T20:23:00.001-07:00

School's out for summer! We are jumping for JOY! I took Emma and her friends out for a fun Sunday photo shoot. It was the last week of their Freshman year! Wow! How this year has flown by! We were all ready for summer break after the crazy-fun-Spring we have had!

Here is a glimpse of what the last month has held for the Green House!

Spring brings storms! We had a scary one! Tornadoes just down the road. This is one of the pictures we took after we got out of the shelter. I love the way the sun is breaking through while it was still hailing. That is so much like life! There will always be sunshine after the storm!Spring brings....flowers! Beautiful girls in the beautiful wildflowers of West Texas! Love these girls! My beautiful SOPHOMORE girl! A few of the great shots I got of her on the photoshoot! She is a beauty! Inside and out! I am so proud she is mine!

Spring brings GRADUATION! Pre-school graduation, that is. The caps. The gowns. The Pomp and Circumstance. Why?! To make mom's cry! That is their whole scheme! I was a mess from the moment the director said the title of her poem. "If I Had My Child to Raise Once Again"! Sigh...Their teachers said a little bit about each child. She said Seth was a leader, an artist and a very sweet boy. She pegged him perfectly!

They even got to turn their tassels.......look out kindergarten. The Canyon schools will never be the same!

Mommy and Daddy and the proud little graduate! Seth is going to "big school"!

Look out Canyon High! These boys are coming up...... It did my heart good to see my big, little boy climbing a tree. He really is still little....his daddy had to help him up.

Spring brings track meets.....end of school parties.....and lots of fun! We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day at Hanna's track meet. Hanna loves her brother.....and so does all of the boys in her class! (see them waiting for him behind her!) I don't know who they enjoy being with more.....Hanna or Seth.

They taught him how to dance. Hanna was a little embarrassed! (at least it wasn't me embarrassing her with MY dancing this time!) He entertained us all! And, for the event of the day.....

Hanna raced against 3 boys in the 200 meter dash...... and she beat them all! It was the talk of the school! She even got an award....for beating the boys!

Spring also brings ballet recitals.......

Lily and Emma both had recitals with Lone Star Ballet. They were on different days. This was meant to make it easier on parents....and to make the recitals not last as painfully long as years past. But, for this family, we got to go to BOTH of them. We are special! We have 2 ballerinas! 7 years apart!

My beautiful ballerina.....in the back right. She makes my heart skip a beat! I love watching her dance!

Emma and the girls.....they have been dancing together for several years. Beauties!

Lily and Seth love to watch their sisters perform, I don't know where Seth ran off to when it was time for a picture, but he really was there!

My little prima ballerina! What a beautiful, graceful child!

Grammy got to be here for the recitals. And, since they split them up, Emma even got to sit and watch Lily perform. It was a sweet time!

Sprng also brings.....baseball and softball and softball.......oh, my!

Seth got to play tee ball this year! He was the cutest little "Rockie" there was! I loved watching him and his friends play....and play in the dirt! They are precious! (I know Sean! But,I can call him precious for just a little bit longer!!!!) I can just imagine them in a few short years as Canyon High players. They will still be precious to mommy!

Seth the catcher.....mom's favorite part! He looked so little and cute in all of that gear! He was fearless when that ball came across the plate. He especially thought it was cool when it hit his mask!

Seth the batter.....his favorite part! He was good, too! They got 3 pitches from the coach and then they got the tee. He almost always got his hit off of the coach!

Seth the outfielder.....and the dancer!

He made us all laugh!

They got to play an exciting double header for the championship! The lost.....but, only because they were tired and the other team was fresh! For those of you with 5 year old boys, you will understand the need for a fresh boy to win a game. (or at least resist to play in the dirt for another hour!)

Proud Daddy moment!

Lily Hope took a swing at softball! It was machine pitch. A team of girls that love each other and go to school together. She got to be #7, just like her big sister! Go, Canyon Cuties!

Lily and Ally! Best friends.....and teammates!

She really is #1!!!!

The Canyon Cuties are 8U Champs!!!! An unlikely team of friends....with a coach that loves these girls....many first timers..... and that just goes to show that love and kindness really DOES make a difference!

And here is the 2010 Spring/Summer 12U Amarillo Lightning Storm team. They are fierce! They are friends! They are beauties! They've got game! Stay tuned for more Storm news....as tournaments are just now getting started! Off we gooooooo...............

And...there is my workin' girl!

Emma got her first job! (Even as I type that, it seems so surreal! This is a little hard for her daddy and I. How could she be old enough to be "at work" every night?!) She is working at the "TEXAS" production, down in the Palo Duro Canyon. She is on the Hospitality Crew and LOVES it! One day (probably next summer) she would love to perform in this production. It is a piece of Texas History that everyone must see!

So, now the relaxing begins! The lazy days of summer are here! Staying up late and sleeping in later. Pool time! Naps! Softball tournaments with Hanna and the Storm....

We are going to enjoy every minute of it!

This girl's got game!

2010-04-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

Hanna Grace.....our softball player! The season is about to explode...........

I love this girl! I love how intense she can be about this sport....and then, in a blink of an eye, how kind and compassionate she can be towards her teammates. She's an awesome batter. A fast runner. The best centerfielder! She's a cheerleader! She's a team player! She amazes me with her ability. Her strength surpases all that I have ever seen in a 12 year old. The endurance these girls show on the field is that of Olympic ability. And, even better, the character she shows off the field is that to praised! It amazes me! It challenges me! It makes me so proud! I'm not kidding! This girl has GOT GAME!

Our life.....crazy, fun, busy, full and fast! Take a peek!

2010-04-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

My 38th birthday was April 7th. This week was such a full and crazy week, Sean threw a surprise party for me on Sunday. My birthday didn't even phase me. In fact, it seems they are easier and easier every year. I love who I am becoming. I love that I see changes in my life every year. I love how God keeps coming after me harder and the way it becomes a challenge for everyday. This week was so busy, but it gave me an oppertunity to count my blessings....one by one! So, going backward in time, from this day........I will try to re-cap the highlights of our lives.....since Feb. :)Opening Day! What a fun time! I never thought the day would come when all four of my children had their thing going.....all at once! This weekend, it became a reality! It was Seth's turn! He is playing t-ball. I am loving every minute of it! Is there anything cuter than a proud 5 year old boy in his baseball uniform? If there is.....I have yet to see it! They put Seth in as catcher, his first time out on the field. I say, from behind the fence, "Seth has never practiced catcher!" His coach says back, as they are strapping him in his gear, "Noone has!" Alrighty then! Play Ball!And a fine catcher he was!Now it is his first "at bat". I know they have been practicing this......it's all we do at home! And, look out when several 5 year olds have a bat! WOW!He hits the ball.......a double!Made it to 2nd! Get ready to run, Seth! .....he runs to 3rd! And then HOME!!!!!And, big sister Hana approves! (Big sister, who just finished her softball practice, where she slid and tore up her knee! Good times!) The Rockies win their opening game! Whew! That was fun! (Next time, I will not forget my video camera!)

Friday Night at the ballet! "CINDERELLA"! We love OPENING NIGHT! The nerves, the excitement, the flowers, the pictures......
...and the dancing was spectacular! Emma is a Spring Fairy here, presenting Cinderella with her dress.

Here, she is an Arabian princess at the palace party.....

...and her first partnering lift on stage.....it was breathtaking! Literally! We gasped!

Mom, Gretch and Aly joined us on Saturday for the matinee. It was a fun day!

EASTER! Oh, how I love celebrating our Risen Lord! Dyeing eggs is one of our favorite traditions. I never really knew how it could tie in to the Resurrection story....until this year! Everytime Lily heard anything about "dyeing" eggs, she would say, "Jesus died on the cross!" I love that girl! She makes everyday worth living!

Seth and his turqouise egg!....anticipation!Easter Morning! Easter Baskets! my Easter Lily!

...and confetti eggs! Gotta love them~

Sweet Lily, ready for the hunt!

Oh, and by the way, somehow I forgot to blog this....and it is a very important and exciting event in our house! HANNA MADE CHEERLEADER FOR JR HIGH!!!! Yes, go ahead and add one more thing to this crazy schedule! We are thrilled! She has never wanted anything more (at least not right now!) than to be cheerleader. She made it, along with 3 other soon-to-be 7th graders and 4 soon-to-be 8th graders. We have already picked out and received 4 uniforms (yes, FOUR! I only had 3 as a college level cheerleader at Kansas State!) We are so excited to watch her shine! ......However, her High School softball coach has warned her "Get that out of your system now....before you get to High School!" I think he has his eye on her!!!

Until next time.............Happy Spring!

Lily is 8! Oh, Happy Day!

2010-02-22T17:23:00.000-08:00

YAY! She has been waiting for this day since she turned 7! We had her birthday party at "Brush With Art". It is a great place where you paint sweet little ceramic things.....my kids LOVE it! Big wishes.......

Her crazy family...... Sweet friends~ I love these girls!

Seth, the artist!

Sweet Sisters!

It REALLY is all about you, Cupcake!

Daddy and her before the big ear piercing! It was all she wanted for her 8th birthday! And, all she has talked about since her 7th birthday! She was so very excited!The first one goes in.......The brave girl......finished! Emma was the one that cried! No tears! Only joy!

My big 8 year old on her big day!

Big cookie for school! With a cat, of course!

And then, a date at the Rock N Roll Soda Shoppe with her good friend Andrew Greene and his sister, Ashley. He paid for her ice cream! It was so sweet!

So very sweet!

My big girl~ I cannot believe she is 8! What a wonderful ride we have had together. She has taught us how to hope and believe......and what faith is really all about!

We made personal pizzas out of biscuits for her birthday dinner!

Happy Birthday, Princess! We love you!

So happy you are mine! <3

Lots of Love.....

2010-02-22T08:39:00.000-08:00

Oh, how i love LOVE! This month has been full of it at the Green House!

I love watching the kids make their Valentines! It brings back such good childhood memories. Drinking hot cocoa, with snow outside..... and picking that special one for each friend. Seth took great care and wanted to write every child's name on each one. And, of course, signed it with that precious "Seth"! I love his handwriting! Does it have to change? Ever?

and.....

Hanna made the decision to be baptized.....again. She has come so far in her walk and has really understood the Love of God in a real and personal way this year. She felt so sure about being baptized........as a changed daughter of the King! How could we deny her that? What a witness she has been for me.....and so many! We really have no idea how many she touched by this act of obedience! Some things are mysteries.......but, this I know for sure.......... His love is so real, so much more than I can stand...........it is deep and wide and His love endures forever. It is new every morning! And, the King is enthralled with her beauty! She is HIS!

Valentine's Day brought us more love! We just adore this holiday....it forces us to love....even when we don't feel like it! Somedays, it is a challenge! These blessings remind me that I can do nothing BUT love........ Emma and Hanna before our "Girls Night Out" at the ballet........

Sweet little pockets full of love.......Valentines from friends......and school parties!

sweet love.......Lily performing at her Valentine's Day concert/dance. What a fun night this was! She was alllll smiles! They even did a little signing! My Funny Valentine........And.......

My Sweetheart!......and crab legs! Love them! This is part of the wonderful Valentine's Day dinner my sweetie cooked for our family! And.....SNOW! I love snow! We have had a lot of it this winter! Good things!

And, this is Lily's scarf that Aunt Janet made her for her birthday.........it's pretty and pink.....just the way she likes it!

LOVE THAT!

Snowed In!

2010-01-28T19:21:00.001-08:00

Isn't amazing how things can change so quickly? Just yesterday, we were running around, busy with all of our activities, in the 65 degree weather, just trying to keep our head above water with the homework and ballet and groceries and church and more homework and bedtime......

And then, with one drop of frozen liquid from the sky.....it is all put on hold! We slow down. We take the day off from our crazy schedules and GLADLY stay home. We stay in our pajamas all day. We even forget what day it is. We put puzzles together....till they are done. We play games. We cook yummy snacks and full meals. We snuggle on the couch and don't look at the clock. It is amazing to me how quickly WE change. And, change to a pace that we love.

So happy to be snowed in. So happy we get one more day at home and then the weekend! So happy that our little vacation came with much anticipation and satisfaction. So glad we are all home safe. So blessed we have heat! And food! And family! AND TV!!!

....and then, in a few days, it will all be back to normal......and we will be ready! Thank you, God, that you know just what we need!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas.....

2009-12-02T07:27:00.001-08:00

.....whether I'm ready or not! We've had a good month leading up to this crazy time of year! Nutcracker Ball, costume fittings, rehearsals, THANKSGIVING, decorating, Freeze Modeling at the mall in Amarillo...... I guess this is God's way of slowly preparing my body, soul and mind for NUTCRACKER!!!! It is really NUTS, alright! Long nights of practice, sorry attitudes (some from my girls, some from me), bad hair days because they are sleeping in till the last moment......but, all to lead up to this beautiful gift we are giving the community.....called "The Nutcracker"! Having Emma, Hanna AND Lily in it this year has made it interesting, to say the least. I didn't think it could get any crazier.....HELLOOOOOOO!

Nutcracker Ball.....ballet friends.....only Emma and I went.....trying to reduce the crazy factor just a bit..........

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Gretchen and Bobby and their family. It was a fun, fabulous time! The kids always have fun with their cousins. And, I love having my sister here! We even managed to drag Bobby out for an all-nighter of shopping the Black Friday sales! Oh, what fun.....

Freeze Modeling at Westgate Mall......so much fun! People were amazed at the beauty of the costumes and the magnificent models! LOVED IT!

AND......our first snow! Nov. 30th! Sooooooo fun!

So, in the next 2 weeks, please pray for me when you think of me. I will need it! If you are in our area, we'd love for you to come and see. Shows are Friday, Dec. 13th thru Sunday, Dec. 15th. Let me know if you do get to come so we can meet you in the hallway and get some illeagal pictures with the girls in costume! And, yes, I have resorted to being a rule-breaker! That's where all of the fun comes.....and as a Nutcracker mom....you NEED to have some fun!

Happy 15th Emma Kate!

2009-11-20T07:46:00.001-08:00

I woke up this morning in a pondering state.......wondering HOW I could have a 15 year old daughter. It really just seems like a few short years ago, we were told there may not be any "Green" children. And, if so, there would probably only be one. We prayed and prayed and learned what a "fervant" prayer was. God reassured His faithfulness to us when we found out we were having a baby. A baby girl! How could I be so blessed as this?! Emma has been a shining light in our worlds since the day she was born. Yes, there were MANY evenings that I wondered how I would make it through.....and, yet, Got proved Himself over and over!

Today, at 15, she amazes us with her grace....not only physical.....but, her whole graceful self! Her beauty shines from within. Her joy is contagious! Her sweet spirit goes before her. She's my daughter. My coffee buddy. My singing partner. My movie-goer. My biggest fashion critic. And, my friend. I'm so glad she's mine!

I'm a Little Indian.....on the go!

2009-11-20T07:28:00.000-08:00

We got to enjoy our first Thanksgiving Feast and program with Seth at his preschool! It was so cute! And he was the cutest little Indian boy.....I'm so thankful he is mine! There is just something about him that makes us beam!

Notice the fire alarm on the wall.....inside a tidy, LOCKED, plastic box! That is where they should be, ESP. with "Seths" around! :)

This is his friend, Sydney. I think she is staking her claim on him early! :)

We all have so much to be thankful for........Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy 12th Birthday, Hanna Grace!

2009-11-10T15:30:00.000-08:00

I am praising God today for the beautiful gift I received 12 years ago today! She is still the ball of sunshine she was when she came into this world! I am so glad she is mine! Happy Birthday, beautiful girl!

Halloween......and the festivities that surround!

2009-11-08T09:35:00.000-08:00

I love Halloween! It is such a fun time for our family! We love to carve the fabulous pumpkins we all meticulously picked.

Lily, loving the goo..........

Sethy enjoyed his first Fall Festival at preschool. It was cowboy day......

My cute cowboy and his little Indian friend, Sydney Adee.....

Painting his sweet little pumpkin.....

.....and his first fishing pond.....I used to love this game at Parkey's Fun Night!

The kids love to dress up....and, this year, I was told to, also. About a week before Halloween, when asked what she was gonna be for Halloween, Lily would say, "A spooky black cat......and my mom is my witch!" I didn't want to spoil the fun, so, a witch, I was. A good witch.

(and there are no clear pictures of me as a good witch! That's what you get when the photographer is IN the picture! Oh, well! You get the idea!)Seth and Lily practicing!

Seth chose to be a KState football player and Emma was a fairy. Her and her freshman friends had a pumpkin carving party and then joined us for soup and then trick or treating. Then we all came back to our house for more treats and a scary movie night-slumber party. The scary movies didn't last long.....as they ended up watching "The Proposal"! That's my girl! We had a fun night!

The flu, Timesteps and the pumpkin patch.....OH MY!

2009-10-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

We have had an eventful week at the Green House. We started the week with Lily getting sick on Sunday night. Then, Monday morning about 9:45, the nurse from Hanna's school called me to come and get her. By Tuesday, those two ended up testing positive for the flu. They were home for the week! Tuesday night, Seth started coughing and running a fever. We were in the middle of theatre week for Emma's encore, rocking performance of "Timesteps....Rock of the Ages".....and by Tuesday night, I had to go pull her off of stage! She had a fever. Wednesday and Thursday are all a blur. All four kids sick makes for a tired mom. Emma got to participate in the final dress rehearsal on Thursday night and Friday came quickly! Opening Night! Somehow, it all fell into place! (Thank you for the prayers! You know who you are!)

We are total ROCKERS! :) 50's Record Party! "Baby Love"!

Emma....2nd from left....in "The Girls"....."These Boots Were Made for Walkin"......

...and, one of my favorites.............."Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" !

Another favorite from my era......Michael Jackson's "Thriller"!

RAVE ON.....It's a crazy feeling!

Three great shows......one fine tribute to the music that grew us....or we grew up to! Goodbye to "Timesteps", for now! A bittersweet ending to a fabulous show!

So, the weekend was long.....and fun.....and over quickly! We took Sunday to rest and spend some much needed family time!

We all slept in and then made our way out to Maxwell's Pumpkin Farm. It is just outside of Canyon, and is a fun and festive place to spend a fall afternoon. I love pumpkin patches.....I love everything about fall.......I love the smell of it.....I love the crisp air......I love the taste of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, yummmmmmmm........oh.........back to the pumpkin patch.....somehow, I get so sidetracked there!

Here are some pics from our fun trip there! YEAH, Fall! Thank you for falling on us!

A hayride out to the pumpkin patch....

and the corn maze

Our fearless leader, finally gets us through it.......

Now, we get to pick our pumpkins! I don't know if there is anything cuter than my Pumpkins picking pumpkins................................ Of course, Lily found a pink pumpkin! (Seth actually found if for her!)

Happy Fall!

Wait for it........it's here!

2009-10-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

This is dedicated to you, Grandma! A new blog! YIPPPEEEE! I can't believe it has been since May since I blogged last. Wow! Time does fly when you're having fun!

The summer was joyous! We loved it and can't wait for it to be here again! Much needed rest and relaxation!

School began. Four kids. Four schools. Enough said!

(I do need to mention, I have a pre-schooler and a Freshman in high school! How?!!!!)

So, it brings me to today. A wonderfully dreary fall day. I am in love with the season that brings crisp mornings, cool evenings, football games, pumpkins in the patch and Pumpkin Spice Latte in my cup! YES!

In our life lately, it has been busy. FULL! Blessed.

Emma is dancing her heart out, getting ready for "Timesteps: Rock of Ages". It's the rockin' production that LSB put on in the Spring and is bringing back again. Do not miss it if you are in our area. IT ROCKS! She also will be in the upcoming Nutcracker, Dec. 12-14th. She has five rolls. One of most favorite being the dancing Columbine Doll that comes out of the box at the party in scene one. So beautiful! so.....here we go again!

Hanna is playing tournament softball with her beloved Storm team. And league play, too. It has been so much fun watching this little team turn into a big event! They are ones to watch.....and fear. They finished league play 10-0. I am so proud of her team and her ability to keep them all pumped up! She is my cheerleader! Oh, more than you know!!! Hanna will also be in The Nutcracker in Dec. as an ice-skater!

Lily Hope. The princess. She started dancing again with Lone Star Ballet. She just wanted to be in The Nutcracker, like her sisters. That's all. So, she is doing classes there now and auditioned in August......and MADE IT! She is debuting in her first Nutcracker as a Snow Angel and a little pink lamb in Merliton. She is so excited! So am I! (Pictures to follow very soon!) Pray for me!

And, then there is the boy! Momma's Boy! Seth started pre-school this fall. He was excited, at first. Now, not so much. He just doesn't want me to leave him. He'd be happy to just be with me, no matter what we are doing. I pulled up to school one day, and noticed a very sad face in my rear-view mirror. I said, "Buddy, you LOVE school! What is the matter?" He said, very matter-of-factly, "But, I LOVE YOU!" Hmm. Now how do you argue that point? Seth is not in The Nutcracker. Not yet. :)

Sean and I are just holding on for the ride in all of this fun and excitement! We tag-team most days. Quite nicely, I might add. Sean is our biggest fan and my best supporter. He stays so busy at work and is on board for whatever is happening when he gets home. We couldn't do it without him. It's football season, too, which makes him a happy man!

I have turned over a new leaf in the world of running. I have been training since August and have loved it. I am an adict. I ran in my first 5K for the Susan G Komen foundation on Sept. 26th. It was awesome and I was just so proud to finally make it there. And that it was for such a good cause, more awesome! I also started teaching dance at Lone Star Ballet. I am so glad to be back at it. I am teaching little ones. Mommy and me classes for 18-24 months and then 3-4 year olds. I am also going to be teaching at the pre-school program at Seth's school. Maybe he will get to dance, afterall!

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

May Madness......SuperMom to the rescue!

2009-05-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

I just posted a real quick run-down of March thru half of May. However, it would not do my SuperMom SuperPowers any justice if I didn't include these activities, too! I joke about the days when I have to pull my cape out of the closet, and lately, it has been out too often!

Being a mom is nice, quaint, lovely.......but, being a SUPERMOM is fierce! I am a passionate person! Why would this role in my life be any less! No one would expect it. I would surely hate to disappoint!

So, I say, "Put up your dukes.....Let's get down to it!"

Hanna was selected to participate "Reflections", an art program that is throughout the entire school district. This is her with one of her entrie. She entered two pastels and won awards for both.....she loves art!

We have also been doing softball! Hanna still plays on the tournament team, Amarillo Lightning Storm! They are an awesome bunch of little softball players! They are small but mighty! This was one of our first tourneys this year, in Lubbock. I took all 3 kids by myself and stayed with our dear friends, The Woods! We always have so much fun going and supporting our Hanna! She rocks!

Hanna's slide into home! Whew! Makes me so nervous.....and she LOVES it!

And, here's the only pic you will see of Emma. Here, she is a cheerleader for her sister! That is about the last time we saw her, too. They are working on their Lone Star Ballet Academy Spring Recital. She has been at the studio for class and rehearsal everyday and evening. Her dedication to dance is really something to be mentioned! And, don't forget her driver! Me! Dedication! There will be more on her soon.....stay tuned!

Seth and one of our kittens. We have 4. I don't have time for this......so, I call it an unexpected pleasure?!

Hanna at her Field Day! She is awesome fast! She got 1st in the softball throw and 2nd in the 200. Her mile relay team finished 2nd, too. I'm so proud of her!

Seth got to do "little kickers" this year! Oh, my goodness, this produced MANY belly laughs from the stands! These little guys have been sitting on the bleachers, watching big brothers and sisters for years.....and NOW....it's their turn! I don't know if they are having as much fun out there as we are watching them!

Seth was on "bandanas" when they scrimmaged! Nice outfit! I love that they only want comfort at this age! It was cold!

This is the best! They all just did what they learned.....kick the ball and run after the ball. And they kept kicking and running, past the goal, clear out to the pasture. The coaches decided they better run after them....because they were almost out of shouting range! LOL! We were rolling in the stands! This brings a whole new meaning to "out of bounds"!!!!

Lily walked/ran in the Eaglethon at her school. This is their fundraiser! I love that! No cookie dough sales! :) They raised money by amount of laps or the amount of minutes walked/ran. I pledged to pay her $1 per minute. Her Daddy pledged to pay her $1 per lap. She made 7 laps in 20 minutes! Hmmmmm.... No comments from the peanut gallery......Seth participating in Eaglethon! ARGH!The Crestview Cookout to celebrate Eaglethon: Notice the difference in the weather. Same week! Different Day! We can't do anything in one day! No, let's spread the event over the W-H-O-L-E week, because nobody has anything else to do! Really, this was a fun day. Same day as Hanna's Field Day....did I mention SUPERMOM???!!!

And, this is Lily's favorite place in the soccer game.....on the coach's lap! She loves soccer! She's just not into running for an hour. Who is, really?! I have enjoyed watching her participate in a team sport. She is a sweet encourager. And a team player. But, if the wind is blowing her hair and her pony tail isn't tight enough, all bets are off! She is DONE! (And the hair will be fixed right in the middle of the field of play!)Lily does play.....she loves to throw it in from the sidelines! :)

And, here's to the SuperMom on Mother's Day! My day! Awwwww, this day makes it all worth while! At 7am, I heard footsteps, then, "DAD, I'm ready to get up!!!!" DAD?! There must have been some training behind that statement! So, I pretended not to hear and at 9AM, I heard more footsteps.....this time, they were carrying breakfast! Yay for Mother's Day!!! My sweet boy.......he loves his momma so much!My blessings! This is why I do what I do. Why I drive and I cheer and I yell and I get sunburned and why I put my heart on the line everyday! They are the reason I drag my tired self to bed at midnight and why I drag my tired self out of bed at 6:30am every day! Their smiles are why I put on my SuperMom cape on the tough days and just get by the best I can! Somehow, I make it to every event....or at least have someone there to take the pictures.....and somehow I make each of them feel special and wanted and loved! These are the reasons why....... Emma, Hanna, Lily and Seth..........Thank you for making each day a journey and the road a total joy!

DISCLAIMER: This could not have been done without my sidekick, SuperDad. He is my partner in crime....we divide and conquer many, many days! Thanks, honey! And, thank you for even taking the camera!!! We love you!

WHAT THE HECK?!

2009-05-12T07:53:00.001-07:00

Where did April and half of May go? And, how did I skip Easter??? This life is flying by....I guess we are having fun! So, here you go Grandma, the missing links to our last few months......

Life is fun! It really can't get any better than this.....

Time Steps happened! It was a brilliant show with the ROCK of the Ages....from the 50's to now!! The music rocked and so did the dancers! Way to go, Emma! You are sooo groovy!

2 generations of ROCK! LOVE IT!

An outreach performance at the elementary school in Hereford. The dancers did a little sampling of "Timesteps"! Emma rocked!

Then, on April the 7th, I turned 37! WOW! Life is good! I love this age!

One of my favorite gifts from my girls! The Jonas Brothers ROCK!

Easter 2009

Always a fun holiday at the Green House! We all LOVE to color eggs! Somehow, I only got to do one out of the 4 dozen that were boiled! We love Easter morning, Easter service at church and all of what Easter means to us! Thank you, Jesus! You rock!

California Dreamin....

2009-04-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

We didn't have to dream anymore! Our trip to California was so relaxing and fulfilling! We went for Lily's Cochlear Celebration.....which was at Disneyland! The girls had been to Disneyworld and Seth was in-utero the last time we went....so this was his first experience! And none of us had been to DisneyLand! It was a blast! We stopped off in Hollywood first to see the sights and spend the afternoon with Jason Brunk, a friend from our home town. We checked in to our fabulous hotel and were pampered from there on out! My 2nd cousin, Todd, works at the Disneyland Hotel and he set us up with the Royal Treatment! He put us in the Princess Suite....quite fitting....and the place was dream! The girls gushed and fell right into the part....Seth said, "where am I gonna sleep?" The theme of the resort was Peter Pan, so the rest fit him fine! Among other sweet comments, one of my favorite was, "Can we stay here forever?!" That pretty much summed it up! Disney is just magical! Everything is perfectly happy and surreal! I really think they pump something into your room at night so you forget what you are spending, too. I love to look at the trees that are sculted like characters, the beauty of the flowers and the trees. I love the way it smells! Like cotton candy and flowering blooms! At night, everything sparkles! The parades and the fireworks and the castle! I love it!

After 3 sunny days at Disneyland, we made our way to Newport Beach and spent our last day there. It was overcast and 70 and the water was cool, but the ocean was breathtaking! and the kids had so much fun splashing in the water (with their feet, mainly!) Lily took an early dive, so her time was spent cuddled up with Daddy on the blanket! I love watching the ocean. I love seeing how small my kids look by the ocean and how small I feel there. It is truly a picture of how big God's love for us is and how it swallows us up! I LOVE that! We spent the day in Newport with Sean's best friend from High School, Jeff Stewart. They hadn't seen each other in 12 years. It was fun to watch them fall back in to the same comfortable conversation the way old friends do.......

Our vacation was glorious and Lily's

Cochlear Celebration was enlightening.

It was fun seeing others with "hooties"

and Lily was not really interested in that.

She knew she was there to celebrate HER and

her "hootie"!

"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens. Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance"

Happy Spring......and the stuff we are doin'!

2009-03-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

HAPPY SPRING! My favorite season! I love the new flowers and their happy colors that are poking through the dry ground...... and the green grass that is springing up in places that are rock hard! How do they do that?! Amazes me! The flowering trees are glorious! They are like candy to my soul! The sun is warm and makes me so happy when it shines on my face! I love Spring! Maybe it's because it's my birthday season, too. Just sayin'!

Kite flyin' and sidewalk chalkin'.....

And, yes, we did have a beautiful snow shower the first day of Spring Break! CRAZY!

Along with our fun times, we have also been busy! I have gotten many appts. for pictures, as people and kids are wanting to get out of hibernation. Senior pictures are also on my agenda! And, my kids have their things starting back up.....soccer for Lily and Seth, softball for Hanna and as always, dance for Emma. Everything is in full-swing!

Here are some pics from the last few weeks' activities.....Enjoy! And, be happy.....It's SPRING!

Spring Break fun at the bowling alley.....

The Lone Star Ballet outreach show at the Mall........

S and S photo shoot.......pure preciousness!!!!

K's Sr. shoot

An unexpected trip......a forever blessing!

2009-03-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

Well, as many of you know, Sean's mother, Bea Hemry, passed away late last Monday. It was definitely not expected, but she had heart and lung trouble for the last few years. She went to the doctor for shortness of breath and died later that evening. She was 60. As the trip was so sad, it was also a good time of reflection. Yes, we went back to Kansas last week to attend services and be with the family, but it was also a great time of reminiscing and time to remind ourselves just how important family and friends really are! We know Grandma Bea is rejoicing over us in Heaven. We will see her again someday!

We got to spend some time with dear friends and visit some places that warm our hearts while we were in Manhattan. It was a beautiful week! Here are some pics from our time there...

Patty and Dixie are Bea's sisters. Suzy is her niece and Katie and Beth are her nieces.....all from Georgia.

Fun pics
on G'pa
Larry's
Farm.....

Lily Hope is 7!!!

2009-02-24T07:12:00.000-08:00

I am in disbelief!

How can she be 7? It has been a great ride, these last 7 years!

Our eyes have been opened to a whole new world as Lily's ears were opened to a whole new LOUD world! :) She has changed so much in the last few years. She's become more confident, more outgoing, more independent (if that was possible), more beautiful and more sure of the little woman she is becoming! She has changed so much, but has so much remained the same!

We celebrated her day at Jump N Jive with many of her friends and classmates! It is always fun to see her interact with them and how they have adapted to her way of hearing them......like how they gently make sure she is looking at them when they speak to her. It is precious!

We love you, Lily! And celebrate YOU!

My Valentines

2009-02-14T21:15:00.001-08:00

"Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things!" Psalm 98:1

I have celebrated many Valentine's Days with Sean. Today, I'm more thankful for him than ever before! He is my friend and my help-mate. I love to hear him come in the door.....especially these days! He's my hero and rescues me everyday! It is fun walking in the promised land together! Love you, Babe!

Then, there is this boy, he kinda stole my heart...............he calls me mommy!

I don't know how it happened, but 4 years ago,
this little man came into my life. He stole my heart....right away! I've never fallen in love so fast before! He makes me laugh, he makes me scream, he makes me cry sweet tears of delight. He can't go to sleep without my hugs and kisses (on the head, of course, not the lips!) He cries when I get ready to go somewhere and frets about how long I'll be gone. He says, "I want to hold you", everyday...........and, today, I asked him if he'd be my valentine and he said, with this annoyed voice and shy look on his face (the one he gets when I kiss him in public)........"I guess"! Ugh! there goes my heart again.........

A mother of princesses HAS to feel like the Queen!

Lily Hope blesses my life! Everyday, I praise God for something amazing she is doing. SHE is just an answered prayer! Tomorrow is her 7th birthday and we can't believe the leaps and bounds she has grown. Not only physically, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually! She makes a FAST friend with everyone she meets.....really, everyone! Her eyes shine like diamonds and you can see straight to her precious soul! She is our joy and has taught us to hope.....without end!

Hanna Grace is a ray of sunshine! She just makes me smile......just for looking her way! Her laughter is infectious and always has a joke or a silly thing to say. I always tell her how lucky I am to be taking the funniest girl in the world home with me! Not only does she make me laugh, she also makes me feel so loved! She just knows when Mommy needs a hug. She is kind and caring and has a heart of gold. Her passion is to feed the world......man, woman, child AND animal! Her heart is like her Heavenly Father's. She will do something amazing with her days. I want to grow up to be just like her!

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admireable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy....think about such things" Phil. 4:8

This is Emma. She makes me so proud! Her love for life is apparent in all she does. She loves her friends and her family and truely enjoys the time spent just "hanging out"! She is graceful and lovely! She is the Princess in her Father's House. She knows who she is and Who's she is! I am forever in awe of this beauty we are raising up!

I am blessed beyond measure! I love Valentine's Day! It reminds me of love.....my favorite thing....and how much I am loved! It brings me to a place where I realize there is little love in this world anymore......and the love we do have, we are blessed to have. Today, I reflect on this.....a true love that is patient and kind, that does not envy and does not boost. It satisfies me. It is from God! And I cherish it with all my heart!

It SNOWED! (last week)

2009-01-30T20:44:00.000-08:00

Ok, this is a little past-due, but I had to post these pics for my family! They are just too darn cute! We had a "dusting" last week....yes, I know, it is supposed to be high 60's tomorrow....but we sure did enjoy it while it was here. We are still hoping for more.....at least enough to make a good snowman! I love the snow! It is like my mornings.....so peaceful and calm.....until my children jump in it.....screaming and yelling with delight! :) I LOVE IT!

Boris, The Kind Hearted.

2009-01-30T20:23:00.000-08:00

Introducing our new kitty, Boris. We rescued him from SPCA and he sure is appreciative! I gave Sean the chance to say "no", and even went home and slept on it......and we went back and got him the next day. It was love at first sight. He stole our hearts immediately! He is precious and so sweet. Sean thinks he is mentally handicapped because he will just sit in your lap and purr all day long. He really isn't like any other kitten we've had and we are fine with that! Really, what does it hurt if he is slow, I ask? I don't have to worry about the other kitties teasing him, do I? No....not unless I start talking "cat" .....and at this point, I may!

Sick Kids and Winter Blues!

2009-01-16T09:56:00.000-08:00

Ok.....enough, already! After a fabulous Christmas break, without any sickness, the Green House has been bombarded! I won't go into the play-by-play, but, it seems like we have been passing something around since New Year's! Until now, it has been the tolerable 2 or 3 day crud. Until this week......Today, I am going into my 8th day with a sick child in my presence. Lily came home sick on Friday of last week. She had a fever and just didn't feel good. By Saturday morning, we had full-blown flu symptoms. Cough, HIGH fever, aches, complaints, red eyes and headaches. Seth woke up Wednesday with a fever and since then, it's been medicine (for 2) every 4 hours, checking temperatures, breathing treatments (for 1), making sure no one is throwing up, and making sure everyone is laying still and being quiet! Including Momma! I have had enough! Today, the troops are getting weary of this house and the time we've spent together. I decided to clean out my junk drawer (I know, sad!)....as Lily and Seth were supposed to be watching a movie. All of the sudden, I hear, "Awwww, what a lovely day at the beach!" .....and as I came around the corner, this is what I saw! I love it! A day at the beach is exactly what the doctor ordered! I think we all need to pack up and go!

And, yes, that is my Christmas tree....still standing in my living room on Jan. 16th! What's a girl supposed to do with sick kids at home???? I haven't had a free day to myself since they've gone back to school! ARGH! (do you feel my frustration???!!!!) :)

Happy New Year! ....and Merry Christmas.....I have pictures!

2009-01-03T20:39:00.000-08:00

This has been a crazy few weeks! Everything that led up to Christmas.....and Christmas came so quickly! I was happy to be relaxing and it was a joy to just be at home with my family. When you have kids.....and four of them.....that is the only place TO be! I noticed this year how their presents really didn't matter as much to them, but the one's they gave to others were the main attraction! We did our usual snacks and opening of 1 gift on Christmas Eve, after the candlelight service at church (which we LOVE!) Then, a little "Santa Tracking" on Norad and off to bed! Bedtime on Christmas Eve is always interesting. For some reason, everyone is eager to go, but too excited to sleep (including Sean and I! I think we just laid there awake and excited until 2am!) Christmas morning is so fun! I love seeing their expressions when they see the display that Santa left. And, how the tree looks so full of gifts that it's about to burst! I love how quickly the quiet of the morning is broken with whispers in the hallway and then all four kids in our bed ready to "go and see"! Then squeals of delight! We opened our stockings and then ate breakfast. THEN....it was time! For several years, we have gone around in a cirlcle and watched each other open one gift at a time. Announcing who it was from and then watching the thrill of excitement as they open their gift and the joy on the gift giver's face. I loved just sitting and watching them. It made me so proud of the "gifts" God had given me.

It was fun to have mom and Granny Loyce here this year! They came on Friday with the Hales'. We enjoyed a day full of fun and cooking and laughing and games with the cousins. Followed by a huge slumber party! I always love how my house swells when they are all here! It makes my heart swell, equally! Our break continued with a quick trip back to Kansas to deliver Granny home, and some quality time with G'ma Betty and Gramps and even my daddy! To complete my holiday, as I drove in to Lyons that night, I saw the emblem of my childhood of Christmases-past that said "all is good and right in the world".....the famous glowing red bell! It made my heart skip a beat. I had to drive around town and show the kids all of the landmarks and memories that still stand there today.....there really is no place like home!

And, now, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Every year, I think about how quickly the year has flown by. It really seems like we were JUST here! As I get older, it happens even faster! I love a new year! A new, fresh calendar with nothing on it (YET!). A time to get re-organized. A time to look forward and a time to reflect. As I sit here and look upon this past year, I am amazed at how God has stretched me, again. How He has been faithful and has blessed us, over and over again. How His love has grown me, again and again.... And, how I am assured that the blessings that He has for me in the New Year will astound me, yet AGAIN! I pray for all of you a Happy and Blessed 2009. That your defeats will be overshadowed by your victories and your troubles will not amount to many when you consider all of your blessings!

I'm AWAKE! and Christmas is here!!!!!!

2008-12-19T19:25:00.001-08:00

Ok, my grandmother is getting antsy about me "waking up and posting, already!" So, here goes! BTW....can anyone believe Christmas is 6 days away?! WHAT! I have been sleeping, I guess! This year's Nutcracker was a week later than the year's before, so I guess that is why I am panting and gasping for air to get things done. No down time for me! Everyone I run into has asked, "are you recovered?" , "are you back to normal yet?" , "are you glad it's over?" , "will you do it again? and, my favorite, "when does the next performance schedule start?" (and that person knows us better than anyone! ILY, Leanna!) So, 1. no, I am not recovered, NEVER! (not even after a nap nearly everyday since and a 2 and 1/2 hour nap today!) 2. On the normal thing, I don't know what "normal" is, I will get back to you on that when I figure it out. 3. Yes and no.....I am glad it's over, but miss it terribly! Bittersweet parting! I am a glutton for punishment, obviously! 4. OF COURSE, we will do it again! Over and over and over again! I may even dance in it next year! AND.....Lily is insisting that we will watch her in the Nutcracker next year, too! ARGH! Did I mention punishment?! 5. And, to all of you wondering, the next audition is in January for the next performance. Emma will be in "Time Steps" in the Spring. It never ends! NEVER! Oh, by the way, softball will start in January for Hanna, too. And, last night, when I picked Hanna up from Cheer Texas, she gets in the car and the first thing out of her mouth is.........................."I want to compete!" I knew it! I am officially going to need a Nanny! (if any of you out there know of someone in the area or want to volunteer, we are taking applications!!!!!!!!)

What happens in the buffoon's dressing room, stays in the buffoon's dressing room! :)

Annie (Juene)
Bobby (Drosselmeir),
Emma (Clara)
Emma signing autographs at Children's Party. The Buffoons!
Hanna and a precious lamb (my favorite).

Uncle Bobby, Aunt Gigi, Cameron and Grammy.....opening night guests!

Guest artists, Carlos and Jennifer (Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier) with Emma after the final bow.

Emma and dear Ms Vickie.

Emma with Nutcracker Prince, Drake (from Ballet West, Utah) with Lily and Seth at Children's Party.

So, Christmas is 6 days away. I have decided to accept it. Christmas break began officially today at noon. There is a Christmas excitement in the air at my house. I love it! It never fails! I always think I'm not ready but when they are out, I LOVE IT! (for a day or two) I am about crazy already tonight and have threatened "early bedtime" for everyone! Including momma! (except, after the 2 and 1/2 hour nap, I think I am good!) I am almost done with my shopping. Sean wants to go with me Monday to get some "boy stuff" for Seth. Apparently he is afraid I'll come home with footed pink bunny pj's.....which I can not find anywhere!!!! The house is as decorated as it's going to get, there are MANY gifts to still be wrapped in my closet, there is baking and candy making to be done this weekend and THEN the joyous holiday can come! I better get busy! ......and off of this computer! I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, many belly laughs with the ones you love and blessings beyond blessings expected from God this Christmas. (and I wish for a Nanny for all of my busy momma friends out there.......is it illegal for Nannies to cook and clean and keep your kids for cheap? JW!)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.......

(more Nutcracker pics of the actual show on stevesatterwhite.photoreflect.com! password "nut08". It's worth a look!)

And visions of Sugar Plums danced in her head......

2008-12-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

.......Nutcracker 2008 is behind us, leaving us with bittersweet feelings for our labor of love! What an awesome Christmas gift we have in this tradition! I hope some of you got to come and see the performance....they were fabulous! I will send pictures when I wake up!

Emma Kate is 14! 14?!

2008-11-22T06:47:00.000-08:00

Ok! This one hit me! On November the 2oth, at 5:06pm, we have had Emma Kate in our lives for 14 years! I just can't believe it has been 14 years since this little princess changed us! In some ways, it seems like Sean and I have ALWAYS had children....in other ways, it seems like yesterday that they arrived! And then, I find myself so grateful to look over the last 14 years and praise God for this beautiful, talented, kind, patient, gentle young woman that He has grown. My part has been work, but I can see God's fingerprints all over her. I will have to say, I am the happiest mommy in the world to kiss "13" goodbye! Woo! I deserve a medal for that year! I look forward to the years to come and will treasure every moment as it screams past me. The other day, someone said, "it won't be long till she's driving"! Well, just like "it won't be long before she's walking" and "it won't be long till she's in school", it's true, it didn't seem like long enough, but, God prepares my mommy heart everytime for that moment! I am getting ready for her to drive......just like I was ready for her to walk and for her to go to school! As a parent, I am finding we are really never "ready" to go on to the next stage....if we just go willingly and gracefully, we might enjoy the ride. We may even smile a time or two. I just pray for joy and deep belly laughs and peace and protection over this child as she grows into a young woman. I pray for both of our hearts to be prepared for what lies ahead. And for God's grace to usher us into the next "stage" of her life!

"The King is enthralled by her beauty, she is anointed with the oil of joy. All glorious is the princess in her chamber....she will be led in with joy and gladness as she enters the palace of the King...." from Psalm 45.

Tag, I'm it!

2008-11-18T07:10:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'll play! Just because I have a million and one things to do this morning and here I am on Facebook....why not! :)

I was tagged by my friend, Tammy. Sooooo, here goes......

Link the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
*Share 7 random/weird facts about yourself.
*Tag 7 other people and link to them at the end of your blog.
*Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment.

1. My sister and I are the only ones in our family that are left handed.

2. I cheered for Kansas State in college.

3. I have always wanted a pony.

4. I love massages!

5. I want to live on the beach someday.

6. I'm a photographer.

7. Chris Daughtry is my favorite right now!

I've tagged Al, Amy A., Amy P., Amy W., and Ana

Giving Thanks

2008-11-16T11:00:00.001-08:00

November is always such a crazy month for us! While most of the world is preparing for Thanksgiving and shopping for Christmas, our family celebrates MANY birthdays this month, prepares for Nutcracker, attends the Nutcracker Ball, and THEN Thanksgiving is here and then Christmas is fast approaching! GASP!

This year, we had a pause in all of the activity that fills our lives.....a time to pause and pay our respects to my step-father, Stephen Fox-Vincent. He passed away on Monday, Nov. 3rd, after a 10 month battle with lung cancer. My mom had written in her journal not too long back that "if God would choose to take him now, it would be in the Fall". During this beautiful time of year, where the world seems to glow with color and the splendor of God's creation, we remembered Stephen this past Friday, and got together with family and friends to recall the dear blessings in our lives. This November, all of the craziness just seems to have subsided. We have tuned into God's hand on our lives, to the many blessings we celebrate, to the family we have gotten to enjoy so much more than we normally do, to the friends that have blessed our lives...past and present...and have stopped and really taken in God's Glory here on this earth. Just like the prayer we all know says.....this really is Heaven on Earth! It reminded us to sit longer, laugh harder, hold tighter and love deeper. We will miss you, Grampy. We know you are at peace now and are healed from this world's pain....and enjoying this beautiful Fall from a different view this year.

Mom with her forever friend, Kelly.

Emma and I at the Nutcracker Ball

Hanna Grace is 11!

2008-11-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

Oh, is it really possible? I know, this is every mother's lament! How does time fly by so quickly? I remember Hanna as a baby. She was my best child! An angel! She has always been so fun and easy-going. Even as an ornery 2 year old, who would escape our house many days....to be found next door at Mrs. Warkentin's, just playing in the floor. Many times, she never knew she'd come in. Hanna has always found a friend in everyone.....and everyone has been fond of her very quickly. She is my sunshine! My bright spot in each and every day. She brings us up when we are down and makes us laugh till our sides hurt. She's caring and kind and loves deeply. I love seeing my children bloom where God has planted them......and Hanna is one of my most glorious flowers! I can see God shaping and molding her into who He wants her to be. Happy Birthday, Hanna Grace! Shine on!

Trick or Treat.....Smell my feet.....give me something good to eat!

2008-11-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

Well, that is what we always said. Why, I'll never know. And, for some reason my kids don't believe me and won't say it!

We had a fun and hectic Halloween this year. We went to Dalhart to be with my sister and her family (as we were helping them move to a different house...just down the block) and because Daddy was working the monthly Dalhart weekend. This year snuck up on me as we have been so busy. Glad my kids were prepared. I always love to hear what they want to be every year! It changes with their ever-changing personalities (and seems to fall in line with their b-day themes for that year). I really thought Sethy would don the beloved Spiderman costume AGAIN (since Spidey made it for two birthdays in a row....why not two Halloween's?!)....but, he said he wanted to be a SPIDER! Go figure! We checked and double checked and he assured us he wanted to be a "big, black spider with many legs"! Ok! Got it! (and, Quinn was Spiderman, so that was perfect!)

Lily was no surprise......Hannah Montana! (duh, Mom!) Easy enough. The girl owns half of Hannah Montana's wardrobe. Really!

My Hanna decided to go as a softball player, which was fitting, since she was missing her last softball tournament of the year to be with her family in Dalhart! What a punkin she is! So, that was an easy one, too! We had all of the stuff. She said, "I feel like I'm getting ready for a game!" Of course she did! That is the norm for her! :)

Now, Emma, I didn't know about. (Really, when do they stop wanting to dress up?) She decided on her own that she was going to go trick or treating with her siblings and she had to dress up to do that! She was a punk-rock ballerina. That is her norm, too! It was a fun evening. It was fun to be with the Hales for Halloween again, too. It has been a few years! I miss being close to them! We also had fun watching our Dalhart friend's faces as they opened their doors and then realized who we were! I wish I had my camera ready each time! I think I had the most fun with that. :)

Hannah Montana (AKA, Lily) before the wig came off! It didn't take long!

I love this one! One day, he'll appreciate that love! :)

And, a picture of my new eco sneaks......I guess the kids weren't being cooperative at some point and I had to get a pic of my shoes! LOVE THEM!

And, the whole gang! Seth, Emma, Hanna, Lily, Cameron, Aly and Quinn. Love them, too!

PUNKINS carving PUMPKINS!

2008-10-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

We LOVE to carve pumpkins! This year was no different....except the kids seem to have more of an opinion of what they want to carve AND they want to hold the carving tools BY THEMSELVES! Makes me a little nervous,Sean LOVES it that he doesn't have to do ALL of the carving anymore! Do you know that pumpkin innards sting the skin now-a-days AND they stick to the floor like glue! Mop them up quick, not the morning after, for a happier mommy! :(

We also made our annual jack-o-lantern pizzas for the occasion! There is never a dull moment in my home! Here's proof!

Here are some more pics from our fun evening. Enjoy!

Love these faces........

Daddy's Job!

Hard at work......

My Little Punkins!

Happy Halloween!

So Proud!

2008-10-24T20:33:00.000-07:00

I don't know if there is anything that makes me more proud than my children! Everyone must run out and get the November's issue of Southern Living. Besides it being an awesome magazine, esp. in the fall, there is a featured section on The Lone Star Ballet's "The Nutcracker". It has a picture of Emma on stage in the party scene. (she's in a rust colored dress...b/c they really all look the same in a bun!) It was from last year's performance and has an incredible article that makes me proud to be a part of our jewel in the crown of Texas! If you don't want to go buy the fine copy of Southern Living, at least go look at it while you stand in the line at the grocery store. It's on the pages following pg. 164. (She will sign copies if you bring them to The Nutcracker this year) ;) Enjoy!

Lily's Little Tooth Lost

2008-10-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

1st tooth a'wiggling.............5 months

Time it took to pull it...............5 seconds

1st tooth payout...............$5

The prayer that Lily said asking God not to let the tooth fairy take her tooth away...................Priceless!

(I wish the tooth fairy could use Mastercard!)

Softball and Nutcracker and LIFE.....oh, my!

2008-10-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

That is my anthem...it is ringing in my head! We have soooo enjoyed taveling with the fastpitch softball tournament team this year.....but, isn't it time to STOP?!!!!! Just this weekend, I took Hanna (and the rest of my crew ) to Wichita Falls for the Texas ASA State Tourney. (Sean was in Dalhart working the ER, while I had trauma of my own!!!!!!) .....anyhow, it was fun, but the drive was long and the games were long (esp. the last one on Sat. night! We finished at MIDNIGHT.... Texas time!) woooo! The girls did great and fought hard, but their carriage turned into a pumpkin and they lost their glass slippers and LOST the game! We came home on Sunday after some Nutcracker Ball dress shopping..... Very tired! Very cranky!

That brings me to my next stop....Nutcracker! You all know how I love (and loathe) Nutcracker time! Yes, yes, it is all worth it to watch my ballerina and gymnast show their stuff on the big stage! It's just all of the wonderful things that lead up to it that I could do without. Nutcracker Ball is one of them. The kids love getting all dressed up for a night and a party, just for them! It's Nov. 8th. I'll pencil it in!

On with the show......this year, Emma is "Clara" again! YEAH! We are thrilled! And, if that isn't enough, on her "off nights", she is in the party scene as a Party Girl, dancing in the Snow Scene, a Merliton in Act II, in The Land of Sweets, and then she is also in "The Waltz of the Flowers". Wooooo! I am worn out! She will be "Clara" on Friday and Sunday performances and the other FOUR roles on Thurs. and Saturday. Eight performances in all! (You can go to http://www.lonestarballet.org/ for ticket info). One of the mom's asked me the other day, as we stood staring at the cast list in awe and dispair......"Is this the Emma Green show, or what?!" I didn't have an answer! My mind was throwing out all kinds of comments and jabs, but my heart guarded my tongue and I just SMILED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) When you've got it, you've got it!

Hanna is also in The Nutcracker again this year! She is a tumbling buffoon again. It just fits her, really! And she is proud of it! She will be in EVERY performance. :) I'm so proud of my girls!

We have already started rehearsals. Emma is there after school with classes, and then rehearsals till 9:30pm, most weeknights. She LOVES it, so it's worth it. Lots of hard work, sweat and tears. We are still doing soccer with Lily and gymnastics with Hanna and softball....which is almost done till Spring! Seth just hangs on for the ride. He loves the ride! And, he likes to go fast! He's in luck! I am so thankful for my hubby! He just smiles and asks very little of me during this crazy time! We did decide the other day that we need to hire another parent to this party. If there are any takers, get back to me! SOON! :)

Soooooo, bare with me in the next few months. My blogs may be few and far between. You never know which mommy hat I will have on. You may get totally sick of Nutcracker stuff.....it may be complaints or praises! You never know! :) That's why I love blogging.....I can just let my mind go and you can turn it off whenever you want!

Oh, yeah, I forgot....we had Canyon homecoming on Friday before we left for the tournament. I made Emma and Emily's mums. Aren't they fun?! :) Life would just pass me by with no memory if I didn't have photos to prove where I've been! ARGH! Canyon beat Lubbock-Estacado....a lot to a little! That's all I know.....

What I've been doing....

2008-10-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of spending an evening with the Adee family in Palo Duro Canyon a couple of weekends ago. Here are some pics from that shoot.

You can go to my website www.jgreenphotography.com to see some more! :)

If anyone is interested in Christmas pictures, please contact me now! My calendar is filling up!

Soccer Mom!

2008-09-28T19:25:00.000-07:00

It's happened again! I'm a soccer mom! My sweet Lily has decided to play soccer this year with her friend, Ally. What's good for Ally is good for her! Ally's daddy, Micheal McBroom, is their coach. This weekend was the first game and Micheal went out of town, so Lily's daddy got to be thier coach! Sean doesn't know anything about soccer and really melts around 6 year old girls! So, he hired Emma and Hanna to help out on the sidelines. (Emma played one season of soccer when we first moved here and was pretty good. It didn't fit into her ballerina lifestyle, tho!) So, GAME ON! Lily's first game, Sean's first coaching experience..... I knew it would be interesting! And, it didn't disappoint!

Lily was so excited....we had the pink ball, the pink shoes, the pink shirt.....and when we got to the field and they handed out team shirts.......we got black! It's ok! It really works good for pictures! :) Sean's first task was picking which four would play first and which 2 would sit out! That was the hardest thing for him to do and ended up letting Lily sit out first, because he didn't want to disappoint anyone! Lily was really great with that, too, because all of that running really isn't her cup of tea!!!! And, Sean thought it best for her to sit and watch for a little bit to see what really happens in a soccer GAME! (turns out, that is very different from soccer PRACTICE!) The game was fast, lots of substitutions happened.....lots of substitutions were begged for! We scored, they scored, we scored, they scored.....you know the drill in youth soccer.......then it was halftime! Everyone was tired, the black shirts were very HOT! in our late September Indian Summer, all of them wanted more water and more time out.......and noone wanted to go back in to play! So, the second half was much like the first, but their team endured more and scored more. We lost our first game, 12-8, but those 6 girls won Sean's heart right from the start! We are addicted! It doesn't take long! Lily did good, once she realized her teammates were not the ones she was supposed to play defense on like they had done in practice, and she is ready for the next game! So, I guess "soccer mom" can be added to my many list of titles.....at least for the next 5 weeks! :) Game on!

More good things.....

2008-09-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

I'm singing that "Happy Working Song" from "Enchanted" all the day long! I have found it! A cleaning product that makes me happy to be cleaning! And, I leave it on the counter and clean all day! It's Mrs. Meyers Clean Day countertop spray..............in Basil! Are you kidding me?! It comes in several scents and several products (like laundry det., dish soap, shower and tub spray). But, I LOVE the Basil! I love the smell! Everytime I walk into the bathrooms and the kitchen (and anywhere else that falls victim to the spraying), it smells awesome! It makes me so happy! I'm not kiddin'! I find mine at United....but, I am sure it is sold elsewhere. They'd be smart to have it at every store in America! You must give it a try! There is a cute little drawing of a happy little lady cleaning on the front of the bottle......and I tell my family, "See, it's me, happy to be cleaning!" It's a good thing! :)

The Biggest Cheer....

2008-09-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

Last night at the WT football game, cheerleaders from all over Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas were invited to participate in "The Biggest Cheer". They needed 1,201 cheerleaders to show up and cheer for 5 min. to make the Guinness Book of World Records and beat the record that was set this Spring in Bejjing. Well, Hanna got to participate with Cheer Texas and they had a bunch of cheerleaders on the field, but they fell short of the record by almost half! It was an amazing bunch of cheerleaders! I don't know how they all would have fit if they all would have shown up! They thought it was a Texas record, for sure! And, it was a record high for my little cheerleader.....we are pretty sure she is addicted! She tumbled out onto that field like she owned it......and shined!

Lily and Ally.....it was sooo loud! :)

Seth and Sean enjoying the game! We love WT games....it is so much fun and reminds us of KState games many years ago!

Good things.....

2008-09-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

I love fall! I love the way it smells. I love the colors that splash all over the earth. I love the treats from Starbucks.......pumpkin spice latte is my addiction and the pumpkin loaf is very tasty, too! I love the cool air in the morning and how it covers the ground with a fog. I love that warm breeze at the football game that is gently mixed with a little cool breeze. It makes me happy! It is good for my soul and refreshes me. There is a time for everything, a time for every season! God knows what I need......and I love that, too!

God's Roller Coaster Ride

2008-09-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

We are back in the full swing of things after almost a month of school and a whirlwind of activites! I just feel like I have been on a roller coaster ride and I can't get off! My emotions have been high, along with the emotions of 3 girls that are going in ALL directions, and lots of yelling has been going on in our house of late! I feel like every morning starts calm, for about 10 minutes, and then the hurricane hits! (yes, those pictures of devestation is how I feel when everyone finally gets out the door!) Then, after-school happens.......craziness all over again! The homework, the snacks, the practices, the meetings, the meals, the baths, bedtime, homework that was forgotten, notes that weren't read, tests that were forgot and now remembered and NOW needing studied for.........I am about spent!

Well, God has a plan for me, I don't deny! It's fair week and every kid in this town knows it! Our crazy weeks don't stop because of fair week! But, we decided to get off of our roller coaster ride for one night this week and go to the FAIR! We decided one night of fun away from our schedules was just what we needed.....and we were right! We had a blast! We laughed and ate good (bad) food, rode rides and then really laughed! It's been a long time since our family laughed so hard together! It's expensive to take a family of 6 to the fair......but, it was worth the sacrafice! (No pedicure for Mommy this month! :)

This reminds me of God's roller coaster. His plans are not ours. I got to step out of my crazy, rigid, full of yelling pattern that I spiral down everyday and get on God's ride for a night to see how it really should be. I read in James 1 this morning, verse 19-20, "be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." NOW, I am not saying the fair is what God desires, He just used that for me this week......to break a pattern of anger. I think I truly get mad and start to pity myself everyday and that is where all of the yelling comes from! God used our night out to show me the joy on my children's faces and their laughter and how that ministers to me so deeply! We need those smiles and that laughter everyday to make our days better.....to make life righteous......the way God desires it to be......HIS roller-coaster ride!

I know these are a little blurry, but that is the point! Get a little dizzy, go real fast and laugh out loud....it's good for the soul! :)

Too Busy to Think! (or post, obviously!)

2008-09-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

Life has just blown by these last few weeks! There has really just been too much activity to even begin to write about! We've had a couple of sick kids on top of that (yes, I know, already! that's what school is good for!) and, all of you mommy friends know how sick kids makes you loose your days (and your mind!) However, I had promised many in our family that I would post pics from Seth's birthday party at "The Mouse", so, here it is! Better late than never! (That is my life motto these days! My sister always says, "You'll be late to your own funeral!" .....I say, "Better late than never!" and, I always follow up with, "I bet they will wait on me!" Thanks for waitin' on me! :)

The Birthday Boy!

........the fun! ......the rides!

......and the antics of 4 year old boys! LOVE IT! (and, love you, too, Brock!)

....the cake (Spiderman, 2 years running)

......the face! I don't know if the sugar was too much for him or he was reacting to April, his little friend from MDO! :)

I love this face!

..........the gifts! And, after he opened

each one, he said, "It's MIIIIIIINNNNNEEEEEEEE!"

Thank you, Grammy!

2008-08-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

My mom is grand! When Seth was in Kansas in July, he loved Grammy's binoculars! When he tried to look in them, they nearly drug him to the ground because of the weight and he really couldn't get a good look....but, he wanted to see! So, for his birthday, she sent him his own little red pair of binoculars! He opened the box and Sean said, "your mother remembers everything!" Yep, she does, and it means alot! See, that is where I get this crazy, creative sense to make my kid's lives memorable! Thank you, Mom! And, wether he realizes the precious gift and the thought behind it or not, Seth loves his "glasses" and has gotten many miles out of them already! Thank you, Grammy! We love you!

The best day ever.....according to Seth!

2008-08-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

Because I am "one of those" mothers that think their kid's birthdays need to be the most memorable landmarks in their life, I make myself (and my whole household) crazy! Yesterday was Seth's day! I let him pick breakfast (he picked the donut stop....cherry donut with sprinkles!) and lunch (hot dogs and mac-n-cheese), his after-school activity (the park) and his dinner.....really, anything that he wanted me to cook.....anything.......and he picks...........

..........and, as you can see, he is the happiest birthday boy on earth! (and his daddy is about as happy to be at McDonald's as the rest of the family!) It wasn't Daddy's day, tho! That's the way the cookie crumbles! (what is that analogy all about, anyway?) So, tonight is the party at Chuck E. Cheese (The Mouse.....as Seth calls it) and I have a very confused 4 year old on my hands. He wonders if today is his birthday or yesterday. And, why didn't he have more presents to open today? And, where was his cake yesterday?! And, today he told the lady at United that he turned 4 today and was 4 yesterday, too....she was as confused as he is! See what I mean about craziness! Hey....I have always said, "if crazy makes you happy, go with it!" That just seems to be the anthem of our lives these days.....so we are going with it! And....I have always been a fan of "your birthday week"! I like it! Seth will learn to like it, too!

Enjoy life, Seth! It's yours! :)

a blast from the past....

2008-08-28T20:25:00.001-07:00

Terry White just sent this picture of Seth to me from his baby shower.....4 years ago! Wow, how time does fly! (this is my friend, Adrienne, from Waco. She flew in to Dalhart just for Seth's shower! God has blessed me with great lifelong friends! Love you, Ade!) Thank you, Terry! love you, too!

Seth Crighton Green is 4!!!!!

2008-08-28T10:58:00.001-07:00

My boy is 4! How did this happen? He's the baby! I've been singing the "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be." song to him all morning. (He's finally stopped being disturbed by my singing and has chimed in with humming a time or two!) That comes from that tear-jerker book "Love You Forever". I'm starting to really releate! If you haven't read it, run out and find it! It will make you cry....and, since I'm crying today, you can join me! It will bless me! :) On to my 4 year old! He is happy one minute and cranky the next. I love the happy times....he really is a funny guy! He LOVES to play with anything with wheels. And, if it doesn't have wheels, he will pretend it does and scoot it across the floor! He loves, ADORES, his sister, Lily! They also fight like dogs! He loves to go in the car....doesn't matter where! just go! He is a momma's boy....and I don't say that too loudly, because his daddy teases him about it and I don't want it to change anytime soon! I love that he only wants his momma to "hold me". I love that he always wants kisses (not on the lips!) and hugs from me. He is so sweet and cuddly and would just like to spend his day in my lap! I also love that he always wants to "help" me. Just to be with me.....

I have to also say......He is also his daddy's big, STRONG boy! He goes from cuddling in my lap to running to the door as fast as he can when he hears his daddy come home! He jumps violently into him and wrestles him to the floor with much laughter and growling! That makes my heart gush! He's my little man! I love how big he is becoming and how small he still is to me! I love this boy! .....and I celebrate the 4 years I've already had and the many years that are to come! Happy 4th Birthday, Sethy Crighton!

2008-08-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

ps.....to my previous post......notice the picture I took of Emma in front of her school (below). Oh, you can't tell it's Emma? Right, because she is in the 8th grade now and has decided that her mom with a camera is the most humiliating thing on the planet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously! What has this world come to? (That's her, walking up to her school. I, sitting in my car, looking like a stalker, had to point the camera through my dirty windshield and take the shot! I'm surprised they didn't call the cops on me!)

2008-08-28T10:52:00.001-07:00

Back To School!

2008-08-28T10:34:00.003-07:00

1st Day of School! YEAH! I'm jumping for joy! Really, all of us are excited, Mommy is ECSTATIC!!!! Summer was fun, but it's time for school! I am a sucker for the long, lazy days of summer. The pool! The popscicles! The sprinkler in the yard! Vacation! Sleeping in late! Naps! FUN! .....however, the seasons tell us it is time to get back in the swing of a schedule and a BEDTIME!!!! Maybe I am just getting older and tired! Maybe I just need my own time! Maybe I just love Fall just as much as I love Summer?! (can you feel Fall coming? just the little cool breeze in the air? football? chili? sweater weather? can you smell it????)

So, we are off to a great start in school! Emma is an 8th grader at Canyon Jr. High and LOVES her friends :)! Hanna is a 5th grader at Canyon Intermediate School and loves her new teachers and new friends and the new freedom that being out of Elementary School provides. Lily started 1st grade at Crestview Elementary here in Canyon. She got to mainstream into a normal, all-hearing classroom with no interpretor and quite frankly, I'm nervous! It will be a week to week progress for her. We really don't forsee ANY problems, however, it's my job to worry just a little about this little jewel that God gave me! I know, HE loves her more than I could ever love her and has her in the palm of HIS hand! I know! My mind knows, my heart aches! She is fine! Really! She loves her new teacher, loves her desk, loves, LOVES school!!! :) Seth is home with me for another year! He is still at MDO 2 days a week and LOVES that! I love that I get a couple days to do my stuff and all of the other days with my snuggly, wonderful, funny boy! I love school! I love "back to school"! I love the schedules! So, why am I tired already? 6:00am comes quickly! Bedtime for the kids is early...... and mommy is really enjoying her time in the evenings! Soooooo, maybe the trick is a bedtime for mommy? hmmmmmmmmmm............

The Green Babies

2008-08-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

......but, they aren't babies anymore! Dang! Where does time go? Emma is 13 and in the 8th grade, Hanna is 10 and is in the 5th grade, Lily is 6 and is in the 1st grade and Seth is 3 (4 on the 28th!!!) and will be home with me again this year! He goes to "Mary's", which is Mother's Day Out, consequently, at St. Ann's Catholic Church! Mary is his teacher....not the holy mother Mary! :) Life is good! .....and, summer is sadly drawing to a close!!!

Blog-Stalker....No MORE! I'm in!

2008-08-08T20:26:00.000-07:00

I love to read the ramblings of bloggers! I am a time-waster with it! Seriously! Well, I don't think I'm wasting my time, but others in my household may have such the opinion! I have loved reading and watching and keeping up with all of my friend's kids and lives on their blogs....so much so, I've decided to return the joy! With family and friends in different parts of the US, this will be a great way for them to peek in on the happenings in our home. I hope I don't bore you with my random-ness, but bring some laughter to your day with the sheer non-sense that goes on in our lives! Don't get me wrong..... I love the non-sense! It should really be called "fun-sense"! It is the stuff that makes life worth livin'! It's the cheese on the cracker....because my kids won't even consider the cracker without the cheese! :) That's the kind of stuff you will get here! Hope you enjoy it and come back often! So, it's official, I'm not a blog-stalker anymore! I've always heard said, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" ......so, I'm in!