Winter Camp

This week Isabella's gymnastics school has a winter camp for the kids. She will be going four days to play with her friends and play on all the equipment they have at the school. She is in hog heaven at gymnastics school with Ms. Cindy. She loves/adores her Ms. Cindy. She talks about her all the time and can't wait to see her when we go to school. She would much rather go to gymnastics school than church school. She loves gymnastics. So for her birthday, we are going to enroll her in a class and start her on her way to trying out new sports and the such. At 3 years old, is when most sport activities will allow kids to start participating. So, I'm going to try soccer, gymnastics, ballet and a few others. She's going to decide what she likes and we'll go from there. I think she'll really like all three.

Christmas 2008

This year Christmas was just as wonderful as the years past. Isabella understand a little more about the whole Santa Clause bit, that he brings her presents while she's sleeping. Next year she'll have it all down and completely understand! We went to the in laws for Christmas Eve dinner and to hang out for a little while. Then home by 8:30. Kids in bed by 10:00 and then Santa arrived. He did a great job this year. The kids were spoiled this year, and got way too many toys. Cooper loves to play with the packaging and wrapping paper; the toys, not so much. Isabella loves all of Cooper's toys and her own, she thinks she got a double Christmas this year. Brian got me two new camera's and I got him underwear. Boy did he get screwed! But the guy is the hardest man in the world to buy/surprise. He gets the credit card bill, so he knows where I shop, so it's pointless. Last year I did good, I paid cash for the popcorn machine, but I was stumped this year. So he got a sweater and underwear. The day after Christmas I went shopping alone to Eddie Bauer. I love that store. The clothes fit me really well and I got some amazing deals. A sweater I had been eyeing since before Christmas that was $89, I got for $39. As well as a few others sweaters and a few shirts. I was a very happy camper. Then I went to Kohl's to just look around and got Isabella so much needed blue jeans. She hates the ones I have got her, so I got some new ones that are not tight and a whole size bigger 4T. She is such a big/thick girl. Then I came home and Brian went shopping. He went to Kohl's and bought some socks and a new shirt and some blue jeans. Then the kids and I packed for the farm and headed out of town with some of the in-laws. Jane, Lisa, Ashley, Zachary and my kids and me all went to the farm for a relaxing weekend. We arrived after dark and ate dinner and then watched tv for a bit. The next day we woke up and Bella and I played in the dirt. While Cooper was napping, I pushed Bella on the swing that PopPaw made for the kiddos and she didn't want to get off. I had me really good camera and took hundreds of photos. I can't wait to see them all. Brian, Eddie and Aunt Judee all drove up for the day to visit. Brian got the little riding lawn mower started and mulched the leaves, I got the blower and blew the leaves out of the flower beds so he could mulch those too. He had fun mulching and Isabella had fun riding around with him on the mower. Then the silly thing ran out of gas, then the battery wouldn't start up again. So Ash and Zac couldn't ride it. That was a bummer! We still needed to mulch a bit more, but the wind was blowing so much it was a lost cause. The tv was just about to go out, it had a crazy picture, but I don't go to the farm to watch tv so I didn't care. Saturday evening we made spaghetti and cookies. Then Brian, Eddie and Judee all left to come back home. We all went to bed then back up the next day. Jane, Lisa, Ash & Zac left after breakfast, I stayed and cleaned the house and did some laundry. I vacuumed all the rooms, swept, dusted a big part of the house and really enjoyed being there with just Cooper and Isabella. Isabella is so at home and comfortable there and Cooper will know nothing different. We are slowly making the place home. Fixing the furniture the way we like it, and taking care of the very old furniture where needed. A lot of it needs some major TLC. It's going to be a wonderful country home when all is said and done. I found a quilt at BB&B I like that would really complement the house/room. I just have to make sure its really the one I want before I buy it. Michelle is going to decorate her 'room' and I'm going to decorate my 'room', so that we really feel at home. It will be nice to have a bedroom at the country house, our place to escape.

Another Merry Christmas To Me!!

Cooper is finally crawling! Woo hoo! Christmas Eve we were at Brian's parents house and his Aunt Lisa helped him crawl. She got beside him and started to crawl and he just started doing it beside her. It was great! He got tons of praise, so he did it again. And now he hasn't stopped. We went to the farm again this past weekend and he was everywhere. I am super excited, because now when I leave a room, he'll scream then I'll tell him to come see me and he'll crawl right over. What a sweet gift he gave me. 8 months old and finally crawling.

Merry Christmas To ME!

Boy did Brian do good this year on my Christmas gift. I'm not sure I mentioned that Isabella broke my camera when we were at the Gaylord Texan on Nov. 28th. So I've been without a camera (borrowing Brian's here and there) for some time now. So, I told Brian I wanted a nice camera, so he followed through. I got a Nikon D 90, and damn it's nice. I plan on playing with it for a few months, then taking some photography classes with it. I am so dang excited. He got it out last night and played with it for a little while. It's exactly what I wanted. Then he also got me another point and shoot camera to carry in the diaper bag. This time I won't let Isabella touch either one! You did great baby, like always, you sure know your gadgets and I love that about you!

Poor Sweet Baby Cooper

Cooper has been batteling a cold for a few days now and this morning after he threw up on me, I decided to take him to the doctor. I knew he just got chocked up on the drainage, but I didn't want to get to Christmas Eve or Day and he be really sick and need medicine, I'd be up a $h!t creek. So we went to see Dr. Sutton and he has a double ear infection and a slight case of bronchittis and a really bad cold. Poor baby, I am so sad I didn't take him earlier this week. I just thought it would run its course and be over with by now. He is now on two medications and ear numbing drops. He is very, very cranky, and I don't blame him. He's truly not feeling well. I'll most likely sleep with him in my lap tonight so he can sleep on an incline. I just want him to sleep well and wake up feeling better and happy. We have a busy Christmas Eve and Day so he's got to be feeling better so his first Christmas will be enjoyable.

Power Of A Woman!

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater.

If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.

If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.

If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.

If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.

She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.

So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.

Dang It's Cold!

I posted earlier today that the temperature has been very cold, but now it's even colder! There is freezing rain and sleet falling now and will continue to fall until tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow's high will be a bit warmer than today, 36 degrees for a high. We always have a spell like this in December and January, usually the January spell is the weekend before Isabella's birthday, let's hope that happens again this year. I went to check on Cooper in his bedroom and it was ice cold in there, I check the temp in his room and it was 66 degrees. We keep our house warm, just how I like it, so when I walked in his room and my toes froze over I worried. Does his room always get that cold? Is my baby going to wake up with frost bite in the morning? I told Brian, he check it out for himself and I was right, it's damn cold in there! We put a towel in the window seal to see if that would help keep the room warmer and we cranked the heat up to 75 degrees, it's usually set to 73 degrees. That extra 2 degrees makes a huge difference! We're going to test a few things to see if we can keep it regulated and make sure our baby boy doesn't get uncomfortable. He loves to be bundled and warm when he's sleeping, so he has all the blankets in the house covering him (not really). When I make up to feed him in the middle of the night, I'm going to check the temps and see how it feels. I can't stand to be cold and I don't want my baby to be cold either.

Today's Journey

Today the kids and I went to my mother's to get some Christmas gifts for Isabella's teachers. Today is a very bitter cold day, isn't suppose to get much above 30 degrees. So on our trek to Corinth, it kind of misted on us, which froze and bounced off the front windshield, the temperature on the car thermometer said 29 degrees. Ouch, that's cold. We got to moms and visited for a bit and then the weather came on and it was talking about sleet/freezing rain in Collin County. So we loaded up the car and headed out the door. The last thing I want to do is get stuck on the road unprepared in an ice storm with two small children. One of my fears! When we were driving home, on hwy 121 in Frisco, at Ikea there was about a 10 car pile up/mess. We had to get off the highway and we passed a fire truck and the fireman slipped on the black ice. I was shocked, the roads didn't really look wet! So I got scared and started to drive below the speed limit and we went straight home. The weather here is so crazy in the winter, and I actually love it. The weather men don't have a snowball's chance in Hell when it comes to getting it right in the winter. Gotta love to hate them. Poor guys.

Update on Zachary

My sister in law finally talked to the neurosurgeon's office and they can't see Zac until January 9th. She has contacted a few other neurosurgeon, but I'm not sure what they have said. Should Zachary have a cancerous tumor, then St. Jude's has already said they would accept him at the hospital in Tennessee. Please keep praying for Zachary, he's been having a lot of headaches and acting out in class and at home.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

We finally decorated the Christmas tree on Friday night. Brian put the tree up the Saturday after Thanksgiving while the kids and I were at the farm for Pop's funeral. It's been sitting up there all fluffed ready for me to decorate. Finally, I found my motivation and Christmas cheer and Isabella put the ornaments on the tree. Isabella did a fantastic job, most of the ornaments are at the bottom, that's where she placed them. And I love it. A few she told me where to put them and I did just that. I have three more tubs full of the glass and breakable ornaments that I did not put on the tree, so it almost looks bare, but it's beautiful non-the-less. When I was laying in bed with Isabella that night, she said, "mommy, I love the Christmas tree, that was so fun" That was worth the wait. We really had a great bonding time, just she and I. We don't get enough one on one time, so I cherish that night.

Wow! What A Week

This past week has been non-stop. And we have had a great time, going and going! Tis' the season to party. Monday we went to a holiday party with one of our moms groups, we did a book exchange. Isabella didn't understand why we were giving our gift to the person next to us and passing them around a circle. She threw a fit. Thankfully most of the moms in the room knew her and understood that is her phase. Lord I pray it's a phase. Then Tuesday was a shopping day for me, I had to run around town getting some last minute things for Christmas. The Wednesday, I went for another procedure at the colon rectal doctor, some inferred burning internally. Don't ask, it was very painful, and I think it made the bleeding worse. OUCH! Then Thursday was Isabella's mother's day out Christmas program, she did fantastic! She sang "Away in a Manger" or "Major" how every she wished to sing it, just as long as she sang and looked pretty. Then off to run more errands then to pick Isabella up early, because she had two accidents in her pants before lunch time and had no other clothes as back up. So much for errands that day. Then Thursday night we went to an ornament exchange with the moms group, again Isabella didn't understand the whole process of passing our gift to the friend next to us. She may never understand sharing, but I'm really working on it! Really I am! The Friday I met a friend at the gym to run on the treadmill and do some abs work. I really still enjoy my time at the gym. Then Friday night we were on our way to Sasha's Senior Portfolio Party and I missed my exit and when we finally got there, it was over. I could have kicked myself, I was so mad! Sorry Sasha for missing it. I really looked forward to seeing you and your work!! Then Saturday Brian worked for a little bit and we went to Best Buy, Costco, Jill's to check out those motorized cars for Isabella's birthday, we have one picked out, it's gonna be fun! Then we went to Allison's holiday party where Santa showed up with gifts for ALL the kids, that was so much fun and the kids loved it. Thank you Allison, Geoff and Santa for the gifts for the kids, that was really sweet! Then off to Uncle Nicky and Tim's holiday party, Isabella and Cooper were the only kids and Isabella made herself comfortable from the moment she walked in the door. She and Cooper were a real hit among the friends at the party. We were invited to Gayla's holiday party and I was invited to a party with my friend/trainer Becca, but for one reason or another we/I couldn't go. Next week will be much slower, hopefully. Thursday is a play date for a family the play group adopted for the holidays and Isabella's last day of school for the holidays. Then Friday morning early childhood intervention is coming to evaluate Isabella, she's having a hard time showing remorse, I go into detail about that once I meet with them on Friday morning. Then Saturday morning we are going over to Flo and Sofia's house for a holiday play date and we have been invited to a holiday party at Joe's house that night. Wow, now I can take a breath. This time of year is always so much fun, and with children it makes it just that much sweeter!

House Full

Tonight was one of many Christmas parties we have been invited to attend. But since Brian had to work late and we don't have a baby-sitter in town (my mom's still at the farm), we aren't going to Danyel and David's annual party. But, since the entire Corr side is invited, I have offered to have all the kiddos over so the parents can attend. So, we have Zac, Katie, Kyle and Megan here to play with Isabella and Cooper. The kids all love to see one another and run/play everywhere. It's fun to hear them play with each other. Megan and Isabella are 9 months apart, so they sometimes play really good with one another, sometimes not. Isabella didn't have a nap today, so she was already in rare form. I'm not sure Megan's status on nap today, but the two of them can be a circus. Megan taddles on Isabella for, everything. Megan spits on Isabella and Bella taddles on her. They love to one up the other, and at such a young age.
The kids watched about 4 Christmas movies and then I put in Monsters Inc, Kyle and Isabella didn't want to watch it (although Isabella picked it out). So they watched Noggin with me in the playroom, while I typed all this craziness tonight. Then about 10pm Isabella told me she was ready to go to bed, she NEVER asks to go to bed. I went to put her down and 2 minutes later Kyle and Megan were on the couch, sleeping like angels. Then Zac came to tell me Katie was out. Out of 8 bodies in the house all but 2 were asleep by 10:30pm. That is rare in its self.

Now all the parents have come to collect their sleeping beauties and it's time for me to go to sleep and wake up to start the task of decorating the house for Christmas. I pray I wake up and find my motivation and Christmas cheer. I must have packed it away with the decorations last year.

Zachary A. Curry ~ Prayers Needed

(this is an old/bad picture of Zac, from when Isabella was born)
Our nephew Zachary is sick. He has been diagnosed with a brain tumor smack dab in the middle of his brain/head. This tumor is 10mm in size and is being fed by veins. His mother would like to tumor to be removed as soon as possible! The doctor does not believe it is cancerous, but with the veins feeding it, this will be a very serious procedure. Zachary is a very brave little boy. I don't believe he really understand what is wrong with him or how serious this tumor really is. There are so many questions we all have and at this point I believe it is all God's plan. He has it all under control. God's plan is not visible to us, it's not in black/white. We must trust in Him. Lisa, my sister in law, Zac's mother, is doing amazingly well. She has it together, simply because she can't loose it in front of Zac or Ashley. She is an amazing, dedicated, single mother and God keep putting task after task in front of her and she flies through with such an amazing grace. She has been given a gift to deal with such stress and not 'show' her pain/hurt. She is so strong. I hope and pray she is taking care of herself, crying, screaming, getting mad. If she isn't, she is going to explode at some point. I only hope I can be there to pray with her, cry with her, scream with her and hold her. Just like any sister would.

Christmas Decorations

I'm just not in the mood to decorate. Is that bad? Our Christmas tree has been sitting bare for over a week and I'm fine with it. For some reason, I don't have the energy. I feel like my plate is full and I just want to dump it on the floor. Brian was going to contract a company to put our Christmas lights up on the house, but I don't want him to pay that kind of money for just 2 or 3 weeks of decorations. Next year I'll try to put it all up before Thanksgiving. So we can enjoy it for a full 6 weeks or so. I had really good intentions, but that has all gone out the window now.

I am sending out Christmas cards. I'm very excited about them. They are beautiful!!

Decompress

The past week + has been a whirlwind for me. I can't even tell you what today is and what I'm suppose to be doing. On Thanksgiving day, as you can read below, we went to visit Pop and Elva for a little while (I now wish it would have been longer). The next day, was Friday, I slept in and we had a nice morning. We got dressed and ready to start our day around 2pm. We started out to Uncle Julio's to eat a late lunch and my cell phone rang, it was Michelle, she wanted to talk to Brian. I knew something was wrong, by her tone. Brian's reaction was exactly what I expected and I just wanted him to hurry and give the phone back. Michelle told us that Pop had just died. He was with Elva and they were eating fruit together. He went peacefully.

Brian and I continued on our day, we went to eat lunch, then off to the Gaylord Texan Hotel to see the ICE! exhibit. Brian and Isabella when through the ICE! thing and Cooper and I just hung out waiting for them. I just wanted to sit and think. I am so very, very grateful we went to see Pop the day before. No one could ever that those memories from me. I had just seen my Granny a day or so before she passed away. So that too was precious to me.

Saturday, I packed the car TIGHT for a long visit to the farm. We arrived as fast as we could and I started to clean. I guess that is what I do when I need to think and let some stress out, you'd think my house was spotless. I was happy to be 'home'. Michelle and I find the farm as a safe place, comfort food (like cornbread and beans, or Granny's chicken fried chicken and mashed potatoes). I love the farm, the dirt, the smells, the animals, the trees, the friendly-ness of old town folks, the old furniture, the old linens, the old truck. Everything about the farm is freeing, its innocent, its fresh, its warm, its relaxing, its walking around the house with no make-up on and no bra in your favorite old t-shirt and sweats. Do you get the picture?

Sunday was more of finding my roots, exploring, spending quality time with my children and nephews and my cousins daughter. Making memories that no one can ever erase. The kids and I went to one of my aunts/uncles house across the road to visit the horses and dogs. They have 37 horses and 8 dogs. Isabella was so at home, she loved the horses and dogs. She reminds me so much of myself. Fearless, out to conquer the world. She wasn't afraid of anything, she'd trip, fall and get right up and dust her legs off and keep going. She had to keep up with the boys. I took the kids to see the horses a few times that day, then we went to the viewing for a few hours. I left my kids at the farm with my cousin Ashley, her husband was the amazing pastor that did Pop's funeral. I am grateful for Ashley and her willingness to help me. Isabella can't sit still for 1 minute, much less 2 hours.

Monday morning we went to the funeral. The service was great, two of Pop's nephews did the service. It's nice to have an actual family member do Pops service, it felt more personable. Gary Don and Dan did a great job. We went to the graveside service and the wind was really high and it was really cold. It was beautiful, Pop planned a lot of it before he passed away, he did a great job! After the service, everyone went to the farm for lunch. Many family members came and it was nice to celebrate Pop's life with the ones he loved so much. Michelle and I didn't want to leave. So we stayed another night with our kiddos. The next day we still didn't want to go home, but we knew we needed to.

Tuesday we cleaned all our things up and packed our cars. The kids and I went to the Dodd's place across the way and 'talked' to the horses and goats and sheep. Isabella and I sang songs to the animals, "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and "Old MacDonald". We had a great day. We took pictures of around the farm, the old truck, tractor, the kids playing and posing. It was a wonderful day. The kids have learned to love the farm almost as much as Michelle, Mom and I. I know we will make many, many more memories. I look forward to it.

My grandfather owned 88 acres. I have stomped most of those 88 acres in the past 20 + years. I pray my children and my children's' children can stomp all 88 acres in their lifetime. I pray that all the land stays in the family and that all the cousins for generations will gather there and make new memories. I pray that the children will have the same feeling about the farm/land that Michelle and I feel. This land is our legacy, our heritage and our family.

In Loving Memory of Hershell Scarbrough

In Loving Memory of Hershell Scarbrough

September 04, 1920 - November 28, 2008

On November 29, 2008, Hershell Scarbrough went to be with his Lord. It was a day for rejoincing for the 88 years he spent on earth. His ongoing was from natural causes and was without pain and suffering. Hershell was born and lived much of his life in the Brock, Lazy Bend area. As a young man he joined the CCC’s and later the Navy to serve his country. He married Leta Joy Woodruff also of Brock in 1942 and they had 2 children. Hershell spent 20 years with Gulf Oil and then 20 year with the railroad and retired from Texas Pacific Railroad in the 80’s and returned to Brock to the farm he bought many years before. The rest of his life was spent “at the farm” in Lazy Bend within 5 miles of where he was born, where he was married and where his children were born.

Hershell was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Earnest Scarbrough, his wife of 57 years Joy Scarbrough, his sister Geneva Nicholson and his grandson Michael Dale Johnston. He was survived by his wife Elva Scarbrough, his children Calvin Scarbrough and Jo Lynn of Lufkin, his daughter Donnie Kay Johnston and Mike of Corinth, his step son Wayne Nash of Grandbury and his step daughter Donna King and Jim of Weahterford

Hershell was “Brother” to Juanita Harrison, Oleta Bloodworth, Margarette Overton and Husband Carl, and Cecil Leon Scarbrough and wife, Shirley all of Weatherford. He was Paw Paw to Melissa and Jeff Klingberg of Keller and children; Bradley, Clayton and Kelly, Jamie and Gigi Scarbrough and daughter Catherine of Plano, Michelle and Mark Pittard and children Micheal, Mavrick, and Major of Corinth, and Christy and Brian Corr and children Isabella and Cooper of Allen, as well as Jolee and Clay Tidwell and Shelby of Weatherford

As a proud member of the Masonic Lodge, for over 50 years, Hershell was a member of the Olive Branch Lodge in Brock who will be serving at the gravesite. Hershell loved the outdoors and hunting and fishing and working the land. He will be buried in the land he loved at Brock Cemetery. Services celebrating the life of this fine father, husband, brother, son, uncle, Pop, friend and neighbor will be at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel on Monday December 1st at 10am. Visitation at Galbreaith Pickard will be Sunday from 6-8pm or anytime “at the farm”.

Giving Thanks

Today was a wonderful day. Everything worked out perfect. Not how I would have liked it, but perfect for Brian, none the less.

The house woke up at around 7am. Bella and I ate breakfast first then off to the shower. Cooper and Brian were bringing up the rear. We got ready and left the house around 8:45am. Got on the road to head to see PopPaw in Weatherford and there was no traffic! Thank God! We got to the nursing home right at 10am and went inside to see Pop and Elva. Pop was sleeping like a baby (boy I wish I could cat nap like that) so I rubbed his arm and said PopPaw, It's Christy, Donnie Kay's daughter. He woke up and was so happy to see us. We talked for a few minutes and Michelle and her crew arrived, he was even more happy to see all of us in one room. He was beeming. We talked for a little bit more, took some pictures and he was thrilled with out surprise visit. We walked down to MeMaw's bedroom (they are in seperate rooms for a little while so they can keep an extra close eye on Pop) and MeMaw was sleeping sitting up on the edge of the bed (how she didn't fall off, I'll never understand). I talked softly to her and she woke up, just as happy as could be (rare for her). We talked for a bit and she LOVED the babies and bigger kids as well. We asked her if she wanted us to roll her down to see Pop, and she just about jumped into the wheelchair. She was more than happy, she was really cute, she said, "is my hair alright?" So sweet! When we got to Pop's room, Michael and Isabella said "we brought you a surprise!" and we wheeled MeMaw around the corner. She jumped on the edge of his bed and gave him a big, sweet, adorable kiss. They really do miss each other and I hope they will put them back in the same room soon. They need to be together, to be strong and not lonely.

Pop looked amazing, considering all he has been through this past few weeks. When I saw him on Halloween, he had sunken in cheeks and was an odd color of yellow. Now he's got much fuller cheeks and his color is normal. His eyes still look yellow, but I'm sure with a little more time, he'll be all better. While we were there he stayed in his bed laying down the whole time. But just seeing him happy, alert, talking and making sense and looking so much better. That made my Thanksgiving day perfect. I didn't have to do another thing, I could have gone home and had cereal for lunch. I was a happy camper.

We went to mom and dad's for lunch. Mom had been feeling bad, so she didn't go to the nursing home with us. She stayed home and cooked. Our good friend Gayla come over for lunch and it was nice to visit with her. It was all cut short so we could get home for Brian to watch the Cowboys on his TV in his media room. But that didn't matter. I got to cuddle with Isabella for a while and take a nap with her and Brian cuddled with Cooper. Cooper fell asleep in the media room with Brian and slept for around 2 hours. Gotta love Thanksgiving day cuddles with your kiddos.

We brought leftover home. My mom made an amazing lunch (Thanks MOM!) and dinner will be leftovers! Love it!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Yes, Bella is in her tutu and leg warmers!

Christmas Tree Lighting

This year we went to an amazing new shopping area in Allen for the Christmas tree lighting. Santa rode in on a fire truck and Ms. Clause was walking around hugging the children and they served hot drinks, they also had real live reindeer. We took the kids last Saturday night and it was very chilly outside. But we all bundled up and had a pretty good time. It will be nice to do this same tree each year from now on.

The kids in front of the fire truck Santa around the corner, we got a sneak peak of Santa before he arrived.


Real Live Reindeer. Now where do you find these guys in the country? I just never really thought about it. They aren't the deer we see all over Texas. Where did they come from? The North Pole?

Kiddos having a great time bundled up and staying warm as we wait for Santa to arrive and the tree to be turned on. Cooper was so happy and Bella just wanted OUT of the stroller!

Isabella Got Bit!!

Yesterday I took Isabella to Adventure Kids so I could go eat lunch with Patti. I got a phone call from AK's to tell me one of the little boys had bit Isabella on the arm. Sara told me she was crying for me and that the bite was pretty bad. So I rushed to get her and I could tell she had been crying. She would not show me her bite, I think she may have been a little embarrassed and scared from the whole situation. So we went home took naps and I had to take Cooper to the doctor because of an ear infection he has. When I was there I coxed Isabella out of her shirt to show the Dr. just to make sure I didn't need to 'do' anything to it. Dr. said it would bruise, but it didn't break the skin, it would be tender for a while, but she'd be fine. So that was comforting to both Isabella and me. Bella got a lollypop for being such a big girl.

I wasn't mad about the bite, simply because I was a bitter. When I was in preschool I bit a boy on the back and it did break the skin. I still remember it! And Boy was I in trouble!! Another reason I wasn't mad, I know the little boy and I know his mother. She is at her wits end and like my mother, has no idea what else to do to stop this behavior. The little boy M, has bit his brother a few times, and mom T really isn't sure what to do. I feel for her and I know of her frustrations. There's really not a whole lot for her to do. So, good luck T! I'll be thinking about you and little M.

Cry It Out

I have finally given in and made Cooper CIO last night. I was exausted and had a headache and all I wanted to do was go to sleep. So at 12:23, I laid Cooper down for the 5th time and he started crying. I crawled in bed (air mattress on his floor) and put a pillow over my head and tried to go to sleep. I let him cry for 10 minutes and got up and pat his back and told him I love you and then crawled back in bed. 20 more minutes passed and he was still screaming, but it was getting less intense. So I rolled over and tried to ignore (easier said than done) his crying. He stopped crying a little over 30 minutes and fell asleep. He slept from a little after 1am to around 4am-ish. I was so excited, I got more than 3 hours of unintrupted sleep last night. WOW, that is huge in this house! At 4am-ish I gave him a bottle and put him back in bed and let him CIO once again. I have no idea how long that one took, but he slept until after 8am. Now that is huge. He's been waking up between 5-6am every morning. I was thrilled, except that Isabella work up right at 7am. I made Cooper CIO again at nap time today, again, not sure how long he cried, but he finally went to sleep. But tonight, he cried for over 40 minutes straight, and I went up to soothe him, and it didn't help one bit. He was madder than Hell! So I put him back down and he cried for over 15 minutes and then Brian took him a bottle to see if he could comfort him and get him to go to sleep. We've had a pretty busy day, so Cooper only got one nap today. Let's pray he sleeps well tonight and I get more that 5 hours in a row. That is all I'm asking for!! Really!

Ready for Bed

Isabella and I went to the new Toys R Us a few weeks ago and she made herself right at home in the display bed. I love that store!

This is our new bounce house.. we are having lots of fun, when its warm!!

LONG Time No See...

I have a facebook page on the internet. As well as a MySpace page. Both of these sites are really fun. I have met up with a few old girlfriends from middle/high school. It's been fun reading about their lives and seeing their kids.

But the mother of all finds is an old girlfriend from elementary school. Yes, I said elementary school. I was 12 years old when we left Benbrook, Texas to move to Texarkana. And I don't remember if I even saw Kate before we left Benbrook. But I've looked for here here and there and the such, but once you get old enough to get married it's even that much harder to find a women, since her name changes. So just out of curiosity, I typed Kate McGrath in the search field and about 5 pages pop up. I looked through a few and found one that looked like she could be her, but I wasn't positive. So I took a chance and sent her a message and told her who I was, and who I was looking for. She was so surprised. After 22 years, Kate and I have 'talked' on instant messenger via Facebook. It's so amazing what you can do/find on the internet.

So Kate, I'll be digging up some very old photos and posting them in the next few weeks. It's just a hoot to finally find you and I can't wait to come to your resturant and see you and have some great food! See you soon!

Sicko's

That's us! Last week on Wed. I was in the colon rectal doctors office, just about to get my bottom looked at, butt naked on the table and Isabella's school called, she is sick. Cooper was in the stroller sleeping, but woke up when the school called. SCREAMING! So I put my clothes back on, tell the doctor I have to reschedule (he is really an amazing butt doctor if you ever need one!!, very caring). And rush out the door to get Isabella from school. Mind you, I have a million things to do. So I grab the sick little one and we run to two fabric stores for some rods and more fabric for a few other rooms. Then the pharmacy then to the grocery store then home. She did great. She didn't act sick, but she was burning hot! We came home and she slept a little and was a really sweet cuddly girl for the rest of the evening.

Then the next day Cooper ran a fever, I think his is more from teething. But he was fine a few hours later.

Then Friday early AM I woke up with Cooper screaming, and ran down stairs (I've been sleeping in his bedroom on an air mattress for a few weeks), and I handed him off to Brian and was about to go make Cooper a bottle, but quickly ran back to my bedroom to the toilet, I was so sick, throwing up, but noting came out. I had been running a fever all night and it was as if someone ran over me. I could barely hold Cooper (he is 20lbs, ya know). But I just about passed out on the bedroom floor. I didn't have the strength to crawl in bed. I just laid on the floor for a while. Brian was in between a rock and a hard place. He was going out of town with my BIL Mark to work in Fredericksburg. He planned to leave at 11ish. We'll that all went out the window. He scrambled to be Mr. Mom for the morning and try to find someone to come over to watch the kids and me, so he could leave. My mom was taking care of my very ill grandfather and couldn't make it. So his mom came and bless her heart! She had her hands full. I had a full weekend planned already, so everything happened, without me. Ashley and Zac came over to stay the night Friday and Saturday night. And Michelle and the boys come over Friday and Saturday night. It was a full house. It was a crazy weekend.

Tooth #2

Cooper got his second tooth on Nov. 7th. He's been overly cranky for a while and I feel very sorry for the poor booger. The top two should pop out any day now. Cooper is still not eating baby food. He hates it! But I did get him to eat some oatmeal and rice ceral in the jar. He seemed to enjoy that. I'm trying everything under the moon to get that baby full so maybe that can help him sleep better. Lord help me!

Where has the time gone?

I am so behind with blogging. I so miss this. I usually blog when Cooper is sleeping and Bella is occupied or sleeping. But for the past few weeks, Cooper has decided to sleep for an hour or so and then wake up SCREAMING!! Full blown scream! It shakes me to the core and I have to hold him/rock him back to sleep. So for about 30 minutes, I'm awake, but that's every hour or so. I'm just not sleeping at all. By the time I fall asleep, he starts SCREAMING!!! I am so exhausted and when he naps, I try my hardest to nap as well. I will never be able to catch up on my sleep, but I'll try every chance I get!!

43 Days Until Christmas

Wow, this year has just flown by. My babies are growing up and another year is just about over. We had Brian's family over for Jane and Judee's birthday on Sunday and we were talking about Christmas gifts for the kids. I didn't really pay much attention, but I guess I should have. Gosh, only 43 days to shop. We have an idea of what were going to get Isabella, but Cooper is another story. I have all the baby toys Isabella for her first Christmas and birthday, and those toys are perfect for Cooper. So, I'm at a loss for the little one. He'll be 9 months old for Christmas, so I guess I'll just have to wait until closer to time and find something on sale.

I've been picking up things here and there for Isabella, I have some stashed in the guest bedroom closet. That will make buying for here easier. I love this time of year, I'm ready to put the decorations up and the lights on the house and play seasonal music and wrap presents and on and on. I love Christmas!

Update on PopPaw

I just talked to my mother and Pop is doing so much better. None of the test they did on Friday have come back, so they still don't really know what is wrong. But he is hydrated, eating solids again and asking for more, showering alone, and really just feeling good.

One not so good thing is he's coughing up blood. It started once the kids and I left the hospital on Friday. As soon as it happened, they rushed him to an isolation room, in fear that it was Tuberculosis (TB). The nurses and doctors were all in masks and protectived clothes and the such. One of the doctors was so frightened, he said, "oh no, you had a 6 month old baby here today" my mother's stomach turned upside down. But, that test came back and he does not have TB. Thank God!! But they still don't know why he is coughing up blood.

BDA Diet

I've been trying the BDA (Before, During & After) Diet. You drink an 8oz glass of water B, D & A a meal. It is really filling and works. Between watching what I eat, BDA and the gym, I should be a goddess by summer. I'm not holding my breath, but it's a goal I can see achieving!

Toys R Us

Today after the gym, I wasn't ready to go home, so the kids and I went to Toys R Us to look around. They have built a new shop up the road from us, among many other shops and restaurants. We played around in the store. Isabella played on the car bed and the train bed and sat in the chairs. Then we played with the bikes and plasmacar and battery operated cars that she can drive. Then we played with balls and looked at the dolls. Ate a few cookies and finally I stumbled upon the bounce houses. I called Brian and asked him if we could get one and of course he said yes. I can't wait until he gets home and gets that big heavy box out and we blow it up for Isabella. I'm having some of her friends over on Friday and we'll blow that up for sure. It's going to be so fun to have that for our friends to play on. I also bought her a Wow Wow Wubbzy memory game. She's at such a fun age, I hope she enjoys games, I never got to play many when I was a child, because I was so much younger than my siblings. So I want Isabella to enjoy and love to play games.

I Forgot to Post This!

I think I forgot. I've been so busy and completely forget what I have done or not done. But!

Cooper finally rolled over from his tummy to his back the Saturday of the family reunion. And the following Sunday I found his first tooth. It's adorable! He loves to chew on stuff, so I know it hurts. He keeps on reaching for toys, so I know he'll be crawling before too long. I just can't wait!!

Halloween

Thursday afternoon, I took Bella and Cooper to a Halloween Park Playdate with the MOMS group of West Allen. We had a fantastic time meeting new moms and playing with the kids. Isabella love the park, so she was in heaven. The organizers had a special scavenger hunt all planned for the kids. It was so much fun. I am glad I found this group of moms. It's a small group, which makes it easier to get to know them all. Isabella really got into the scavenger hunt and wanted to do it again. I'll have to remember that for her birthday or even Christmas. That was fun!!

Then Friday, once we returned home from the hospital, Michelle and the boys came over to trick or treat. We had a blast. This was Isabella's first year to really 'get it' with the whole process. We went down one street then up the other and had a great time. She is so polite! Telling each person, "trick or treat" "Happy Halloween" and "Thank You". She really got it all down. Then we went to Cottownwood Creek Baptist Church for the huge festival they have every year. They had so many bounce houses, Isabella was in heaven. She just walked up to each one and bounced for a few minutes, then bounced in the next one, then on and on. Then Isabella and Brian went down the 3 story slide and her face was priceless. She was actually kind of scared, which she never is! I'll post pictures once I get them off the camera.

Hospital Visit

My Pop Paw is still in the hospital, it seems that the lung cancer has spread. He's not in any pain, but he's so thin. While we were there to visit him and give mom her suitcase, we went for a walk while he took a nap. We check out the hospital, since mom will be there for a few days and back and forth for as long as they have him admitted. We went to the small deli and Isabella helped herself to an apple. Mind you, this was Friday, Halloween. She actually grabbed two apples, and bit a huge chunk out of one. So we bought it! The sweet ladies behind the counter were shocked by her love for that apple, she just kept eating and eating. While we checked out, one of the ladies asked me if she could have a piece of candy. I quickly responded, NO! I didn't want her to want candy over fruit. And for the most part, she doesn't like candy. Love That!!

Cooper's Sleeping Habits

I took Cooper to the doctor on Saturday, he's had a runny nose and cough and has been extra cranky. I just thought his cold was getting worse. Well, he's just got a lot of teeth coming in. First of all, the tank weighs 20lb 2oz. That in its self is amazing at 6 months old. But the doctor told me to give him real children's Motrin/Tylenol, since he weights so much. I had been giving him just a tiny, tiny bit of infant medicine and it was not making him comfortable. The doctor also gave him some ear drops the numb the ears and I can also rub some on his gums. So Saturday afternoon, Cooper slept for 3 hours. He hasn't done that since he was a very tiny infant. I kept checking on him, making sure he was still breathing. He was such a happy baby when he woke up. And I let him sleep in the bed with me Saturday night so I could comfort him when he woke up, he only woke twice. I was so happy. Tonight he is in his bed and I pray he sleeps well again tonight. The doctor said he will be getting the other 3 front teeth within the next two weeks. So I'll have to stock up on the children's medicine!!

Hand Me Downs!

I love hand me downs. I love to get them and give them. I have a few friends I have gotten clothes from for Isabella and Cooper. And I have given back as soon as the kids outgrow clothes, I always make sure I have a friend to give the clothes to. Isabella has had some of the cutest outfits handed down and I love giving it all to another cutie pie. It is just so much easier to pass it on, then sell it or donate it.

I love me some hand me downs!!!

Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate

I have found the ultimate drink, finally! Last Wednesday I went to Starbucks to meet a friend and I wanted to try something new. Well, I fell in love with an amazing new hot chocolate. You have to try it, it's truly amazing and will make you so happy. All I wanted to do all week was get another one, and I did. Today I was craving one, boy was it hard to not jump in the car and run get one.

This is what the website says: Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate
This delicious sweet and salty combination brings together our rich, indulgent Signature Hot Chocolate and the flavors of buttery caramel and smoked sea salt. It is topped with whipped cream, a swirl of caramel and a sprinkle of our sea salt topping - a combination of artisan sea salt and Turbinado sugar from Hawaii.

My Vote Counted!

Last Thursday, after the gym, I went to vote. It was painless and I felt very patriotic after. I wanted to be able to feel good about complaining for the next 4 years, because I made my vote count.

Here's to 4 years of the good, bad and the ugly!

Reading

I'm finally reading a book I have been wanting to read for a long time. I listen to XM talk radio every chance I get. I love the Dr. Laura Schlessinger talk show. She is someone you love to hate. I bought the book The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands, and I love it. I bought it before we went on our mini vacation in early October. I read it all the way through during our drive and then I read it again over the past few weeks. And now I am about to start it again. I love it. Dr. Laura has made me appreciate my husband and children. As well as my extended family. I keep reading it because I keep finding something else I should be doing that I'm not that will show Brian how much I love and appreciate all his hard work. Gotta love making the hubby happy!!

Bitter Sweet

This past weekend was my mother's - father's family reunion. We all gathered in Weatherford at a great hall and enjoyed each other. It was great to see so many relatives and all the new additions. There were 7 (I think) new babies in attendance, and 8 new babies over the past year. And all but one were boys. Lots of love was spread around the family last year. My grandfather was there for a little while. He is 88 years old and for the majority of his life he never looked or acted his age. Until Saturday when I saw his thin little body, all his bones were pointing out. He looked his age. And for the first time ever I felt like he didn't know me. He is always so happy and excited to see me walk into the room, but when I walked up to him to say hello and show him Cooper, I wasn't sure he knew who I was. I was instantly sad. My grandfather has been the pillar of the family, he knows of only good and honest things and he is the most amazing man in the world. I have always looked up to him and wanted to marry a man who had/has the same characteristics (which I was blessed to do). I am most frightened to see him die. My mother will be completely beside herself, as will my sister and I. We adored my grandmother and I think we were all completely torn up when she died because our grandfather would be alone. But now that it is nearing time for him to go, it breaks my heart.
My mother took him to the doctor today, he fell twice at the nursing home this morning. So something isn't right. He 'has' cancer, but doesn't want to know it. But the doctor said the cancer has spread, therefore he's very sick and weak. All he does is lay in bed and watch TV and sleep. I'm so sad, when the phone rings, I think it's my mother to tell me he's passed. I know that call is coming, so I need to prepare myself. 88 years is an amazing time on this earth, he has seen so much of history. He is a very smart man and could tell you stories about anything and everything. But now he is just wasting away. The doctor put him in the hospital today, not exactly sure why, but I'm sure it has something to do with the fall and the cancer.

I pray that if he is in pain, or before he get in pain, the good Lord will take him and fast. Pop-Paw has seen his fair share of pain and now its time to let him meet Jesus. He'll be reunited with his wife, my Granny and one grandson, my brother. Bitter sweet!

Cooper's 6 Month Update

Wow, my baby is so big. We went for Cooper's 6 month check up on Monday, he weighs 19lb 9oz. He's in the 80%. I'm not surprised. He is such a happy baby! He had 4 shots, one being the flu shot. OUCH. He didn't like that and neither did I!

Isabella went to Cooper's appointment with me to get her flu shot. She had NO idea what was about to happen to her. She was a gem, I had her lay down the nurse held her legs and I held her arms and kissed her face, I told her I loved her and asked her if she wanted a sucker, she said yes and then yelled for about 15 minutes. She cried and yelled and screamed and threw her sucker across the room, twice. She was so not happy.

The pediatrician is located across the street from her church school and Adventure Kids. So she always says, "I need to see the doctor" then she follows that up with "I need a sucker". She has put two and two together. While she was screaming, she said I don't like the doctor, I don't like suckers! and threw the sucker across the room. It was somewhat comical, in a twisted sort of way.

Colonoscopy Update

I had the colonoscopy done yesterday, all went well. The dr. found two polyps and one ulcer. He's biopsying it and I'll know in a few days. I'm sure all is fine. However, I have been pretty icky today. I guess they blew some air in my butt hole, because I have had the loudest gas, EVER! Now if you know me, gas and I go way back. My nick name when I was very young was Wendy/Windy. So all night last night I thought my tummy was going to explode, but it was all just gas! I asked Brian if he heard me all night, he laughed and said yes. Ha! Ha! Gotta love that!

Anywho, besides the gas, I have felt like I had major cramps and I just wanted to bend over and hold my belly. I assume it's from removing all the things the dr. removed, I would guess it takes a while to heal from being cut on. I'm on a slight diet. I can't have anything carbonated, no beans, bran or any Advil or aspirin. Not that big of a deal. I think it said for one week. And with all this gas, I don't need to be making more. My tummy will explode!

Cleansing Day - TMI!!!

WARMING - TOO MUCH INFORMATIONS

Today is cleansing day for me, to prepare for my colonoscopy. It is 3pm and I've had many stool sofners, laxatives, nausea medician and two pills I have no idea what are, but they were in my packet and on the list. I have already gone to the bathroom and had two loose BM's. I have had two Dr. Pepper's, three cups of chicken broth and a few bottles of water.

I'll update later how it is all going...

What A Weekend!

This weekend was so much fun, busy but fun! Friday night I had some moms over for a Mom's Night In, to drink, eat & be merry! And boy did we ever! We played 'I've Never...' where you say "I've never drank beer." and if you HAVE you drink. So everyone at the table would drink. We got really honest and it was so much fun. I have some wild girlfriends!!

Then Saturday I slept in and went to my sisters for Michael's 9th birthday party. Isabella had a blast and I did too. We jumped on the trampoline and I reverted back to my childhood. I loved it.
Then today we meet Julie Birdseye http://www.birdseyephotographyblog.com/ for a photography session. I'm so excited to see her work. She has such an amazing talent, I'm really proud of her. She made Isabella love the camera (a feat of its own!!) and we all had FUN! Usually it is a complete beating to get photos taken, but the time flew by and before I knew it we were finished. I can't wait to see the photos she took today.

Now, I'm waiting for the time to pass so I can go to be, just to wake up to prep for my colonoscopy. I'll be going to the bathroom ALL day tomorrow. I just hope I loose a few pounds doing this. And I hope all is well in my colon. The big day is Tuesday early am. Can't wait.

A Busy Month!!

Happy Fall Y'all!!

The month of October is always busy, but this year even more. Not only am I celebrating my 33rd birthday and my nephew Michael's birthday (9 years old this year)!! But we took a family vacation early October, I have a mom's night out here at my house for my mom's group with 20+ moms coming over to drink and be merry, then the Susan G Komen race for the cure in honor of one of the moms in my group. And then a family photogrophy session with Julie Birdseye in Denton, and a family reunion I am organizing, and a halloween party for all the kiddos in my moms group. BUT on top of all of that I'm having a colonoscopy on the 21st. Now, about that, I have been having issues since before Cooper was born and after the issues becoming pretty bad, I finally went to the doctor and he couldn't see/feel anything unusual, SO the next step is a colonoscopy. I'm not worried, I just want the bleeding to stop, if you know what I mean! So with all that, I'm actually looking forward to the next few weeks. I thrive on staying busy. Fall is here and it is so nice to be outside going and blowing.

New, New Hair...

So, a few weeks ago, I colored my hair a dark brown with a hint of red. Well the red is all washed out and now it's a great natural brown color. Then this past week, I chopped it all off! And I actually like it a lot. Good thing, right?!!

Me and baby Major at my birthday party!!

Annual Pumpin Patch Outing!

Every year we head to the Owens Farm Pumpkin Patch in Richardson. The moms groups I'm involved in goes each year so we make this a fun family outing. We went this past Monday. They have farm animals and a hayride and rows and rows of pumpkins to choose from. Here are a few photos from our outing.

This is our first family picture. I love it!!!


Brian and the kids on the hayride.


Cooper and his pumpkin!


Isabella and her pumpkin!


Kids with their pumpkins!

Brian, Cooper and I. Isabella was 'finished' with the photos!


Isabella feeding the goats!

More goats - fearless!

Isabella's other boyfriend, Landon!


Not interested in the camera... and Lilah (Landon's baby sister)

Fredericksburg & San Antonio

The weekend of Oct.1 we took our first family trip, as a family of 4. The kiddos did fantastic! Neither one of the slept on the way down. Cooper fell asleep for about 20 minutes until Isabella woke him up by her singing. UGH! So then she entertained him the rest of the way.

We first went to Fredericksburg on Thursday night and stayed until Sunday early morning. We went to Oktoberfest with the whole Stephens clan. Todd and Genna's son Jack and daughter Avery both played well with Isabella. We're going to arrange a marriage with Jack and Isabella. They would make some pretty babies!! (I can't believe I said that!)

On Sunday morning we drove to Sea World/San Antonio. We saw all the amazing animals at Sea World and Isabella absolutely loved it all! Especially feeding the dolphins. Cooper was even interested in the dolphins flying through the sky at the Viva show. We took a back stage tour of the Viva show and got up close with the dolphins and whales. It was pretty great to see the animals in a private tour. The weather was great and Cooper even took a little nap while we watched a few show. We stayed at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort and it was beautiful. Hammocks, tree tire swings, playgrounds, tricycles, bikes, lazy river and much more. We can't wait to go back when we can actually enjoy it.

Headed to Oktoberfest - Isabella, Jack & Avery

At the Wildseed Farm - Isabella holding a butterfly on her finger.

At Todd & Genna's - Avery and Isabella on a very fun swing.

Jack and Isabella on their first date. Jack's even driving.

Isabella trying to touch the dolphin.

Isabella feeding the dolphins.

Shamu! Amazing!!

Isabella feeding the Sea Lions.

The backstage tour of the !VIVA! Show.

Backstage - dolphin

At the resort - a very fun tree tire swing

Cooper watching sister swing and daddy push her. He loves to watch her!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

Today is my 33rd birthday. Wow, is that old? Brian keep teasing me about how old I am, but he's over 4 years older than me. He'd better watch out. He'll be 40 soon and I'll be pushing his buttons big time!!!! I'm already planning that party! Watch out, dude!!

Anywho, for my birthday Brian got me some beautiful roses, I love flowers. They smell amazing! Good job, baby! Also, over the past few months Brian bought me out door furniture and 16 training sessions with my personal trainer. So I didn't expect anything additional! I did however go clothes shopping for myself, without any kiddos. That was actually fun! I got my hair cut, pretty short (I'll post pictures soon). And with my new hair color, I feel like a new woman. I got some very cute trendy blue jeans and shoes and a few new tops. I wore one of my new outfits today to a brunch playdate, and my entire attitude was completely different. I love feeling good again. I look, feel and even smell good! I just needed to give myself a make over and there you have it a new me!

Happy Birthday, to me!

My Baby Boy

Cooper is such a cute and serious little boy at times. He's such an active, happy baby. He loves to be tickled and kissed on. He loves Jewels (dog) and his big sister. Just looking at them makes him laugh out loud. He's such a doll.

Plano Balloon Festival

I love the Plano Balloon Festival! I love the colors, the balloons floating in the air, the crisp morning air at 6am and the look on my beautiful daughters face when she spots on in the sky. This year, we went to the Sunday 6am take off. We parking at the Garden Ridge parking lot and watch a handful of balloons float above us. All while waving and screaming HI. Bella loved it. Then Brian asked Bella if she wanted to go 'chase' the balloons. YES! That is my favorite part! So we all loaded back into the car and took off with the windows down 'chasing' the balloons. We followed them for a while from Plano to Allen, to the Russell Creek Park. The balloon we chased was driven by one of Brian's friends. We watched them land, bring the balloon down, then fold it up, pack it away and drive off. It was all very cool!!

Hair Today Red Tomorrow

What have I done??? I'm now a 'redish' haired person.

I told Brian Sunday morning on our way home from the balloon festival that I was going to color my hair today, with the help of my sister. He said what color are you going? I said darker, more like my roots. He said how about go red. WHAT? Are you serious. I think I asked him that about 12 times, "Serious?" He kept saying yes. So off the the grocery store I went to get a roast and hair color. Great combo.
I arrived home with the hair color and my sister helped me apply it. I took a shower to wash the color out and it turned out AWFUL. What did I do? It looked like the designer Betsy Johnson, crazy, wrong on so many levels, red.
So back to the grocery store I went, this time with my sister. We choose a much darker color than I really wanted, but I couldn't be that other color red, dark brown would have to do. Sister applied the color, I washed it out and WOW, it is dark, but still really red. It looks 'natural', so that say. I'm learning to like it. Only problem I am finding out is all my pastel clothes look awful with my new red/brown hair. Good thing it's fall! Off to go shopping!!

The pictures don't do it justice. This is the first try.






This is the final product. Not half bad.