Princess Dresses Please!!

Friends, family and SISTERS -- if you have any princess dresses, tiaras, dress up shoes,purses, etc. that you do not need anymore I would love to have them. Crys Aigner ( http://meandmyzacks.blogspot.com/) is asking for them to donate to the children's hospital. I think it is a fabulous idea and I really would love to help. As many of you know and understand, little girls love to dress up. Before I had Jordan and Katelyn, I didn't know how much. One of Jordan's very favorite things to do on the weekends is to pull a princess dress out of her closet and wear it around the house. She will sometimes have us changing her outfits several times in an afternoon. Katelyn, at only 21 months, is beginning to be the same way. I wish you could have seen the look on her face at Disney when we would put a princess dress on her for the day. It is funny to be so little and know. She would get the biggest grin on her face. Both girls love to dress up!

This is why I'm reaching out to you. I know how much my children love it. To make another child happy for a moment and to help forget for that time about being in the hospital would be a nice thing. So... if you have any of these items please let me know and I will gladly come get them and send them on to Crys. If not, I will also gladly take money if you want to donate and go buy some dresses to send. Please let me know.

More specifics on what is needed is under the August 27th post for the Princess Alexa foundation:

http://meandmyzacks.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-08-28T08%3A30%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=2

Disney World August 2008

What a wonderful trip! We had the best week and it was so fun. The best part of the week for me was to get to spend so much time with my family. I loved carrying Katelyn around and holding her on my lap in all the shows. I loved holding Jordan's hand and running from one ride in Fantasyland to another. For CHH and I, it was perfect.

Yes, the rain came down while there due to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Fay. It didn't matter. We put on our Disney slickers every day and went right out in it. The song that kept going through my head while running around at Disney (and because of the Winnie the Pooh ride) was The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down (Winnie The Pooh And The Blustery Day) song!

The week was filled with different Disney Princess meals, meeting the Little Einsteins (big deal to Jordan) and the Pooh characters along with Mickey Mouse for Katelyn. I joked that my poor husband was covered in sparkles all week from the glitter from the girls' princess dresses. One point I looked at him and he had silver glitter at different points on his face.

Every day we would get up and go to a park. After lunch/mid-afternoon, CHH would go back to the Wilderness Lodge with Katelyn for them both to nap. Jordan and I would then continue (most of the time) at the park we were at. We would then come home and go swimming. Yes, we even swam in the rain because there was no lightening. We then would eat dinner and go straight to bed because of being so tired. The next day would begin bright and early.

Jordan also loved that one of her good friends and Mom were at Disney the same time we were and staying at the same hotel. She had fun doing different things with her friend at different points in time while there. Another highlight for her was seeing her "girl cousins"! She loves loves loves having girl cousins and it was perfect because they are close in age to my girls. The 5 girls together were so cute and it was great to see my cousin and his wife. We want to go visit them some time one Halloween and do the Disney thing after they were telling us how fun it is to go at Halloween. I know my girls would love it.

I want to write more later about the trip with some pictures. Unfortunately I have had NO TIME to even look at my pictures yet; I haven't even downloaded them. Between getting back late Saturday night from FL, the purse getting stolen, leaving for Chicago on Sunday, two day business meeting in Chicago, and half day meeting yesterday at KC, I have had no time to do anything. You know how I love pictures so that is saying something that I haven't had time to look at them yet!

No Luck

No luck... Someone already charged gas at 7-11 on my credit card. Sad.

Oh No - I didn't...!!

Ok, we are back and I can't sleep. Here's why:

On bus at 1:30 PM to airport.

Arrive by 2 PM for 4:30 PM flight.

4 PM ready to board and the storm hits.

After 7 PM and 5 hours waiting at airport, we are off!

We land after 10 PM and we wake up Jordan. CHH and her are in the seats behind me and she starts crying. She was excellent all the time at the airport and on the flight home. She is now really tired. She is so good; one forgets at times she is only 3 years old!

We are all so tired!

Katelyn, our precious 1 year old, was wide awake the whole time after her short power nap at the airport. She has NEVER slept on the plane yet!! She actually was really good on the flight though.

We land. Jordan is crying. I ask CHH if he got her blanket and water packed up - check.

Pull bag of stuff (sweaters, doll, etc.) out of overhead - check.

Get camera bag out of overhead - check.

Step on tip toes to check overhead to make sure I got everything and nothing fell out - check.

Place both bags on seat and grab Katelyn's backpack -check.

Get Katelyn's milk and book from seat pocket in front of her - check.

Get my book from seat pocket in front of me (don't know why I bothered even taking it out) - check.

Pick items up, try to talk to Jordan to stop crying, and pick 1 year old up as well who wants out - check.

Get off plane at different terminal from where we parked - check.

Take tram, get car, go back for luggage, and go home after 11 PM - check.

Go to get phone charger out of purse but NO PURSE! Yes, I left it on the plane!! That is why I can't sleep.

My father-in-law jinxed me. He just made a comment that he didn't know how a woman could leave her purse. I had just found a purse at a Disney restaurant this past week and turned it in. I knew where he was coming from because a purse is such an important item to a woman but I also know how it happens. I told him it was easier than one thought. I didn't want to show him though!

I'm off to Chicago today on a business trip. I have no ID, no corporate credit card, etc. CHH had me call the airlines right away. We were the last ones off the plane because of the kids and wanting to let other people by. AA said the cleaning crew should find it and turn it in to Lost and Found. I left a message for Lost and Found and emailed them. They don't open until 8:30 AM this morning and I'm flying out around 1 PM.

This is why I'm worried and can't sleep!

Can you believe I did this? All I can say is besides lots of prayers, I hope someone will do me the favor in kind that I did for someone else this past week by turning their purse in. Come on good person...!

Yes, I'm worried because of my business trip but in the scheme of things it will be ok. Yes, if I don't get it back it will be a huge pain and inconvenience. However there are more important things than a stupid purse like our vacation. We had an outstanding family trip and created so many more wonderful memories for our girls. It was worth every penny and something I will always treasure. Family is the most important thing and I'm so thankful we got this wonderful fun filled time together and truly enjoyed it. CHH and I both work many hours and to have this amount of quality time with our girls is very important to us. It was a week with no worries and just plain fun! We didn't worry about cooking, cleaning, etc. We enjoyed our vacation and were able to concentrate on what is most important to us - our girls. It was awesome!

PS I still can't sleep though! I guess I get the worrying from Dad - thanks Dad!!

PSS By the way, my purse is black and it was under the seat in front of me tucked to the side. It was kind of dark and thus very well disguised. I just didn't see it when I was doing my final check! Maybe I need a hot pink one like my kids!!

PSSS I will write more about Disney later!! It was so great!

Chasing Rabbits

My paralegal and I were talking today about life, Christianity, and the spirit. During our conversation we got into what we believe about the spirit. It is a hard concept at times to grasp and I just have to rely on faith to know it is real. My paralegal was talking about her experiences after her father passed away. She was telling me how she felt him around her and had several signs he was there at times. She described different events that happened and it is so interesting to hear it. We also talked about the different beliefs out there. Her class next week at church is learning about all the different beliefs -- once again very interesting. She said her instructor calls all these different questions chasing rabbits.

Yes, I believe in God and the spirit. I, myself, have had several different experiences that make me know there is a connection out there. It can be the simplest thing like getting a feeling my husband is going to call and then the phone rings. This has happened so often that I can't count the times.

I know I have a connection with my sisters. There has been 3 times that this was very evident. One time my sister, Shery, was attacked in the middle of the night in Lubbock. I was in Tulsa. I had not spoken to her in about a month and I got this overwhelming feeling that I needed to talk to her. It was late. I called and she told me she was sleeping and to call her back the next day. I wouldn't let her off the phone and told her to talk to me because we hadn't spoken in awhile. About two minutes in, she started screaming and yelling my name to help her and the phone went dead. I called my Dad in El Paso and 911 in Tulsa who connected me to the Lubbock police. They had already received a call. By the time I spoke to my sister again that night she had all but lost her voice from screaming. Apparently her roommate had left through the back door to go see a boyfriend and left the back door unlocked. A young man came in through this back door and into my sister's room while we were talking. It was dark and he grabbed her leg. She kicked out at him and jumped up and started screaming for me to help her. The police later told her that they thought this man may have thought someone else was in the house instead of me being on the phone. Between this and my sister fighting back, he bolted. I just had that feeling I was suppose to talk to her...

The good thing from that experience was my sister got more acquainted with her future husband. They were working together in the mayor's office and after the attack she was scared to be home alone in the middle of the night. She called him and he came over to be with her. They are now married and have my two nephews!

Another 2 times involved my sister Jill. Of course both times involved her being in accidents. One time I was at an Alan Jackson concert in San Antonio and I had this feeling I needed to call home. I was there for a fun filled weekend and normally would not call. This is back when cell phones were not an every day item. I didn't have one. I would normally not call but had the feeling I need to do so. I did and found out my sister had been in a terrible accident. She spent several weeks in the hospital.

The second Jill experience was when I was sleeping. I had a terrible dream that Jill had been in an accident. I woke up crying. I told CHH that I had to call Jill that something had happened. Sure enough I call and she was in the hospital. Another car wreck but fortunately this one wasn't as bad. Two black eyes from hitting the steering wheel. An old lady pulled her car out in front of her and hit her. I just knew something had happened to her.

I have also seen someone who passed away and realized that the human body is just that flesh and blood. It really is the spirit that makes someone. I know it is my children's sweet spirits that make me laugh and smile at their silliness and happiness. I know my husband's kind spirit is what makes him so loving to our girls. My Dad's spirit is the same way to my sisters and I. My Mom's is what makes her get up every day and have fun watching my nephews these past two weeks and enjoying being with them. Oh well it is a lot to think about and something I constantly ponder. I guess one just has to have faith and keep learning about everything.

Side note, my Uncle Dale many years ago had my Dad and I read this book called Celestine Prophesy. It was an interesting read in that it talked about how people come into your life for a reason and you choose to learn or not learn from that experience. I think I'm going to reread that book when I get a chance to do so and see if I enjoy it as much today as I did 15 years ago. I also really like the movie, Dragonfly. I know silly but I love how it talks about the different levels a person goes through and of course I love the ending. It makes me cry every time. I think it is because of me having little girls.

We are off to Disney tomorrow. Jordan is so excited. She has pulled every princess dress out of the closet to take. We are not taking all of them! I have been practising with Katelyn showing her Pooh and Mickey Mouse. I'm so happy to just spend the time with my family. I'm going to soak up every moment (even the plane ride with Katelyn) and enjoy being with my husband and our girls. Off to the happiest place on earth...! :)

My Sleeping Beauty

As I'm working on the computer the last couple of nights, CHH has put Jordan to bed. He reads her a couple of stories and turns out the light. I guess she is use to being with me with him gone the past couple of weeks. As he is walking out of one door to her room, she is leaving through the other door and quickly crawling over my feet and under the computer desk. I hear her say "Mommy get closer". She is hiding! Last night, I took a picture of her under the desk and then put her back in bed. It wasn't a few minutes later I went to check on her and she was sound asleep. Why do they look so cute when they sleep?!

Still Cracks Me Up...

I'm still laughing over Katelyn taking the oreos off the cake and dipping them in the green frosting.

End of the Night

One tired (now Clean!!) precious baby girl!

Birthday Cake - Pictures Say It All!

CHH brought colored pencils from the relatives in Japan to the girls. Jordan was thrilled and colored right away. Japan has the best colored pencils and we so appreciate the gift. They write so well. Birthday was great. Katelyn enjoyed the cake more than anyone!

Back from Japan

Jordan's favorite color has always been pink. I think it is because I dressed her in pink most of the time her first 2 years of life. I still actually dress both girls in pink a lot. Anyhow Jordan lately has stated her favorite colors are pink and purple. CHH's favorite color is purple. I asked Jordan why purple is now her favorite color thinking she would say because it is Daddy's favorite color. Instead she said "Because it is pretty Mommy". Too cute.

Jordan and Katelyn are really beginning to play together a lot now. You can see Jordan tickeling Katelyn in this picture. Katelyn adores her older sister. Jordan is a great big sister. She hugs on Katelyn and shares her toys with her (most of the time). The other day Katelyn did something and I asked her if she wanted to go in time out. At 20 months, Katelyn doesn't quite get what this means and she nods her head "yes". Jordan heard me and said "Mommy she didn't mean it. Don't put her in time out". Good big sister!

Daddy's home! He arrived from Japan. He's tired but happy to be home. I can't wait to go with him to pick up the girls after work. They are going to be so excited when they see him.

Also I got a great birthday card from my sister Kara today. I showed it to Jordan and told her it was my birthday. She said "Mommy I didn't get you a present." I told her the best present in the world is that she is my daughter. She smiled and said "That's nice Mommy". So sweet. It's true. I have a great family and I love them so much. I'm blessed.

Why?

I read Crys Aigner's blog http://www.meandmyzacks.blogspot.com/. She lost her little girl Alexa over a month ago to cancer. Alexa was 4 years old and reminds me so much of Jordan. My heart breaks for this Mom. I read her blog and I want to question God as to "why"? Interesting enough I just watched on Larry King Live an interview with the Christian singer, Steven Curtis Chapman. His son accidently ran over their youngest child and she was killed. When it happened, another son said he grabbed his brother, hugged him, and looked up at the sky and yelled several times "why"? I can't put myself in this woman's shoes because I haven't lost a child but I do think about how I would feel if that was Jordan or Katelyn that I couldn't hold one more time, touch their hair, look into their beautiful brown eyes, or simply say I Love You too. I just can't imagine and I think that is why I feel so much for this Mom. You want to help in some way and realize no one can take away this pain. Her beautiful precious little girl is gone. Alexa's Mom aches for her. I get tears in my eyes when I think about it too much. I say a prayer at night and thank Alexa in heaven lately for once again making me realize how lucky I am to have my family. It is the best feeling in the world to be able to reach out and hug and kiss on my girls and have a wonderful husband as well. Last night while laying in bed, Jordan was laying next to me watching a movie and I was reading a book (almost never happens!). Daddy is traveling so Jordan says she has his spot! She suddenly looks over at me and says "I love you Mommy". I don't think it can get better than that! Those words make my whole day! I wish with my whole heart Crys Aigner could hear those words again. I hope Alexa visits her in her dreams and her beautiful sweet soul tells her Mommy this many times over. Why does th is Mom have to go through this??? Why does any Mom have to ever go through it? My worst fear use to be to burn to death (don't want to be cremated because of this). Now as a Mom, my worst fear is losing a child. As an aside, Jordan and Katelyn's Daddy comes home tomorrow! Yeah! As Jordan said this morning, "one more day Mommy"! PS Alexa's Mom wants to build a pink park her daughter talked about. Every dollar counts so when she says how we can help I may forward the info on. A pink park would be beautiful! I know my girls would love it.

My Girls

Great day! We went to the playyard at the mall. The girls loved crawling around on the different play pieces. There were so many families there even though it was 10 AM Sunday morning. The goal was to wear Katelyn out and it worked. Actually it worked so well that we all came home and took a nap. The rest of the day was spent at home. Jordan colored and did a great job. She loves to color. It was a wonderful day spent with my girls!

Circus

We had a blast at the circus! Katelyn was soooooo good. It was amazing. She was totally enthralled. It helped to have front row seats. Katelyn helped herself to some popcorn from a gentleman sitting to the right of us. He thought she was so cute that he shared with her the whole time. I know GROSS! I don't know if it was worse for him or for her!

Jordan was perfect and so cute. She loved it. I think this is her 4th time going to the circus. She sat in her seat the whole time and was an angel.

It is so good to do events like this because it is great family time.

Why am I doing this?

My girls are the cutest girls ever! I'm going to try to write items down sometimes to remember. Life goes by so fast.