Don's Solo

OK, let me tell you the story behind this. First of all, I have known for 14 years that Don has a wonderful voice. He does not like to sing in front of me but I listen every chance I get. We may be riding down the road singing to the radio or he may be singing in the shower. I love his voice. Anyway, he had said earlier in the year that he really wanted to sing a solo at church. I have been telling him that God gave him that voice for a reason. So, January, February, March, October, November (you get the picture) went by and he had not scheduled his solo. Well, being the control freak that I am, I scheduled his solo without him knowing. I went home and told him that I had scheduled it for 12/28. Needless to say he was not happy with me. He went to work that night and called me at his usual time. He thanked me for giving him the "push" he needed. I know Don better than anyone. I knew he wanted to do it. He just needed some help getting past his fear. So, here it is. This is only part of the performance since I am limited to how much I can put on my blog. I couldn't be more proud of him. I know that God smiled today knowing that Don overcame his fear to spread His word. To worship Him in song!

Jaxon's Solo

OK, I finally got this on my blog. Sorry it took so long but I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. Make sure you put my blog music on pause so you can hear Jax! Hope you guys enjoy.

Circle Yes or No!!!!

THE NOTE!!!

This picture was taken the day BEFORE the note!!
Jaxon and Kinsey

Ok, this post doesn't have a happy ending but it was too cute not to blog. Jaxon told me a couple of weeks ago that he thought he might like this girl in his class, Kinsey. He asked me if that was OK. I said of course it is. His big brother, Dylan, then began to give him "girl" advice. He told him to write a note. Dylan said "That's how I got my girl!" So on Wed night, Jax wrote the note and brought it to me to read. He then put it in a envelope and was ready to take it to school the next day. Well, the next day came and he decided to wait one more day. He took his note this morning. Not only did Kinsey get a note from Jaxon but also another boy in the class. Jaxon found out about the other note and threw it in the garbage before Kinsey could read it. Well, Kinsey read Jaxon's note and she THREW it in the garbage. So, Jaxon is still single. He told me "Mommy, girls are really mean these days!"

UPDATE: Kinsey and Jaxon had a "privacy talk"(that's what they called it) at church and they decided they wanted to be boyfriend and girlfriend!!

Merry Christmas!!

Chance is 6 months old!!

My great-nephew will be 6 months old on Saturday. He is the sweetest and cutest "little stinker" (that's what Uncle Don calls him) EVER. Boy do we love having him in our lives. Dylan and Jaxon call him "little buddy". They enjoy when he comes over but I think they are glad when he leaves as well. Babies are work! A couple of weeks ago, Chance came home with us after church. He was having some "potty issues" and was crying really loud. Dylan and Jaxon started to panic. They were so worried about him. They were rubbing his head and trying to make him laugh but nothing worked. Finally, the "issue" ended and the boys were so glad the crying stopped! Aunt Janie was too!!!

Mommy, sometimes I...

I had to blog this because I didn't want to forget it. This past Saturday night, Jaxon and I were sitting in front of the fireplace filling Christmas goody bags for church. Out of the blue (which is the norm for Jax) he said, "Mommy, sometimes I have a feeling like I hate you." I just kinda looked at him and said, "When do you feel like that?" He said, "When you send me to my room or get mad at me." He then said, "When you send me to my room, I get mad and make mean faces at you!" OK, I had to laugh! He said, "But I do love you at the same time!" HOW SWEET! (I think???) Anyway, I explained to him that what he was felling was not hate but anger and that it was OK to get mad at me BUT he better keep his MEAN faces in his room!!!! He agreed!

Jaxon's 1st Grade Picture

Well, after hours of practicing his smile, here is the result!! My baby is 6 years old and in the first grade!! I couldn't be more proud of this little man. He makes me laugh every single day and can be so sweet when he wants to be (when HE WANTS to be!). He is such an amazing little boy and I thank God for giving me this gift!!!

Thanksgiving 2008

Me and my big boy sleeping in my old room (OK, we weren't really asleep!)

Me and my boys in front of my Elementary School

My boys in front of the little country church where I gave my life to Christ!

Here we are in TEXAS!

For Thanksgiving we loaded up and headed to Sheridan, TX. I hadn't been home since March 2007 and the boys were about to die to go see their Memaw & Papaw! My Daddy gave us a scare a few weeks back, thinking he had a stroke. The doctors confirmed it was NOT a stroke but bells palsy which was a blessing. Papaw wasn't 100% but the boys enjoyed every second with him. Jaxon even got to experience his first "chicken butcher"! Not sure if that is how I should say that but he LOVED it. Dylan on the other hand just sat back and wouldn't have anything to do with it. He kept saying, "That's animal cruelty". I asked him where he thought the chicken he ate came from. He still didn't like it! Also, I believe my boys put on 10lbs each (so did their Mommy) with all the good cooking my Mom did. I guess I should have paid more attention as a little girl and learned to cook! I know my boys wish I had!!! We had a wonderful visit and it was sad when we had to leave. I hate that the boys don't get to see their grandparents more often. Wish Alabama was closer to Texas!!!

Jaxon Cross, News at 10:00

Here is another funny story about Jaxon. Today was his day to give a news report at school. His teacher sent me an email saying this is what Jax reported.
"My PSP is not charged and my parents keep forgetting to charge it!" That was his report!!! To him that is Breaking News!!!!

Election 2008

Well we have a new president. It was not my choice. All I can do now is continue to pray and know that all things are possible through Christ. On a lighter note, which was the point of this post, Dylan and Jaxon were VERY interested in the results of the election. They both voted for McCain in their school election. When we got home last night the first thing they did was turn on Fox News and jumped on my bed and watched as the votes came in. Every time McCain won a state, they jumped up in victory! "Yes, McCain won Texas!!! Yes, McCain won Georgia!!!" When Obama won a state, they would say "BOOOO". To them, it was like watching a football game and they wanted their favorite team to win.

Clain's going to be a big brother!!!

I've finally got the OK to share some special news. One of my dearest friends, Cassie, is expecting!!! This is really special news. This baby is a blessing. It is also an answered prayer! (Love you girl) Cassie and I have only been friends for over a year but this past year our friendship has grown into something that I hold very dear and close to my heart! Something that I count on daily. God brings people into your life and this special lady came into my life with a purpose. (THANK YOU GOD!) To love and support me during a time when I needed it the most.

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17

Congrats Cassie and Jared!!! God is so good!!!

Dylan's 10th Birthday Party!!!

Dylan burning up the guitar on Rock Band!
Dylan's friends hanging out in his room!!
Dylan and his sweetie!!

Dylan had his annual birthday party Saturday night with something a little bit different - GIRLS!!! He had a dance/karaoke/rock band theme party. I think it was a hit. They danced and sang to High School Musical and Camp Rock til they couldn't dance and sing no more. Of course Jax had to bust up in the middle of it all and show his moves!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Sweet, innocent Dylan?????
OK, I know I said Jax was Darth Vader but at the end of the night he pulled out the vampire teeth!

Halloween is a big deal around our house. My best friend and I have made this a tradition. We (or I) decorate my garage and we hand out candy together. We have done this 9 years straight and don't plan on stopping any time soon!! We have a blast. This year, Jaxon went as Darth Vader. He LOVES Star Wars so there was no guessing on what costume he would pick out. Now Dylan really doesn't like the whole costume thing but for some reason this year he wanted to be something scary SO he picked out the Scream mask, blood and all!! The boys went around the neighborhood with a group of friends from church. It was a great night with lots of great memories!!!

BOOMER SOONER!!!

This week the boy's school participated in Drug Awareness Week. Each day was recognized with different themes. Friday was spirit day and the boys went Boomer Sooner head to toe!!! Don was SOOOOO proud!!!!

Toothless Jaxon

I had to share these pics with all of you. Jaxon has now lost four teeth and I have had to pull ALL of them out!! YUK!!!

My baby will be 10!!!

OK, where did the past 10 years go? My Dyl Pickle will be 10 on the 28th and I am not handling this very well. I remember the minute I found out that I was pregnant with him. I remember his first word and his first step. I remember his first laugh and his first tear. His first day of school and now he is 10!! This little man will never know how much he means to me. What a difference he has made in my life. My life began when he was born.

Chance is now 4 months old!!

This big boy is now 4 months old. He is weighing a little over 17lbs and has everyone's heart in the palm of his little fat hand!!! Boy do we love having him in our family! We love you Chancey!

Homecoming 2008

The "cool" brothers!

Today was Priceville's homecoming game and at school, the theme was wacky Gold and Black day. Also, Preslie was on the 9th grade homecoming court and looked so beautiful. SHE HAD A DRESS ON!!!!!! GO BULLDOGS!!

Brothers and Sisters

Bo, me, Paige & Jimmy (youngest to oldest)

Many of you know that I was raised in Texas. And just a few of you know that my hometown of Sheridan is about as small as you can get. I don't even think we are a "dot on a state road map". If it wasn't for my two brothers and sister, I don't know what I would have done. Now before I go any further, their is another sister, DD, who was adopted when I was in high school. Note that she is loved as much as the rest but this story has to do with the three I was raised with. I could go on with stories from our past (Ask Bo!!!) but I will just say after we all left Sheridan, we went our separate ways for many years and somehow we made our way back to one another. Here are the first pictures we have taken together in almost 10 years!!! Yes, this was the first time in 10 years that we were ALL together. This day, I will never forget

You are in my personal space!!!

When Don is at work, the boys normally sleep with me. Well, actually Jaxon sleeps in the bed with me and Dylan sleeps on the floor. We were watching TV last night and I snuggled up to Jaxon. He turned away from me. I knew he was about asleep. I asked him if I was bothering him and he told me "You are in my personal space!!!!". He then moved further away and started snoring!! All I could do was laugh.

SMILE!!!

Today is picture day at school. I bought two shirts yesterday for the boys. I wanted a solid, dark button up shirt for their pictures. Anyway, went to Target and bought two dark blue shirts. When the boys got home from school, Dylan looked at his shirt and wasn't very pleased. I told him he would look good in it but he wasn't buying it!!! I cut their hair last night and told them to put on their shirts. Dylan put his on, put his glasses on and then looked in the mirror and smiled!! I said, "TOLD YOU IT WOULD LOOK GOOD!!"

Now, Jaxon was all worried about his smile (think that is my fault!) First of all he has another loose tooth. Top left! I told him to just leave it alone and we would take it out AFTER pictures. He was OK with that. Then he started practicing his smile. He kept saying, "How does this look Mommy?", with his top and bottom teeth touching and his tongue pushing through his spaces!!! I told him to just close his mouth and smile. Don't make your teeth touch. He kept trying and couldn't get it. This morning he woke up and was practicing and then said, "Mommy, you mean for me to put my back teeth behind my front teeth?" I had to laugh!! He then had his smile perfected and was ready for his picture!!

The Next Greg Maddux

Dylan is playing in a fall baseball league after taking the summer off. He has been playing baseball since he was four years old. I think he was throwing a baseball before he could walk. This was his first year to pitch. I knew he was accurate but had no idea he would do so well. Now, of course, I am Mommy and my Dyl Pickle can do NO WRONG but he really did surprise me and many others!. Watch out Major Leagues, here comes Dyl Pickle Cross!!!

I'm Sorey Dylan

Dylan came to me with this last night. He said, "Mommy, did you see what Jaxon wrote to me?" He then told me why Jax was "sorey". Dylan said that Jaxon was mad and tried to hit him with a drum stick. Dylan locked his bedroom door and wouldn't let Jax in. Jaxon then wrote this note and tried to slide it under the door but it wouldn't go so he asked Dylan if he could give him the note. Dylan let him in and read the note. Dylan accepted Jax's apology and they hugged!

Jaxon......

So here we go again. I received an email from Jaxon's teacher today. Here it is:

Jaxon came up to me at lunch, crying. He said he missed his mommy. Then he said he missed you b/c he didn’t know where you were. Then he said something about Trey tricking him…something about the date on the milk carton, but I couldn’t make sense of it. I told him I’d send you an email and maybe you could write him back. We’re having inside recess now. He’s playing with Legos, happy as can be! J

I am thinking this dramatic display of emotion all as to do with the fact that Trey did trick him. Jaxon hates to be tricked and it really makes him mad. And like his Mommy, he starts crying when he is mad. And then he probably got embarrassed because he got tricked and then he started crying. SO then he needed his Mommy!!!!

Rainy Sunday Afternoon

Who said that a rainy Sunday afternoon had to be spent in the house? As soon as we got home from church, Jaxon ran out the front door and got on his bike. It wasn't long before the rain started pouring down. Next thing we know Dylan stops watching football and joins Jax out in the rain. They rode their bikes up and down the road. To be honest, it looked so fun that I had the urge to get on a bike and join them. As I type I actually regret not joining them.

Mommy I gave you your FATNESS...

This could only come from Jaxon...... I was sitting by the pool today and Jaxon came to join me. Not sure what brought this up but he said, " Mommy, I don't think this but do you think you need to loose some weight?" I just looked at him and said, "Do you think I do?' He said, "You are beautiful Mommy but your legs kinda got fatness in them and I know that me and Dylan gave you the fatness!" All I could do was laugh. I told him, "No baby, you didn't give me my fatness in my legs, Mommy has had that since she was in the 8th grade but you did give me my fatness in my belly!!!" He said, "But that's OK right?" I said, "More than OK!!!"

My boy is now a man!

My Dyl Pickle is now a man. He mowed his first yard!!! I started mowing the grass Sunday after church. I called Dylan over and taught him how to push the mower and turn it around. We mowed the rest of the front yard together then I let him do it all by himself. He was so proud but asked when he could mow with the riding lawn mower!