Stormy Weather

Our part of the world had severe storms this week. We had been out of town this week visiting my parents and returned late afternoon. We had just put the car in the garage, walked into the house, and the hail hit. Whew! That was a close call.

A Coke and a Smile...

Look what we got! This coke machine has been at Blake's family business since the 1970's. About 8 years ago, I was visiting Blake at work, and he was in the process of taking the machine to the dump. I saved the machine (against Blake wishes:))and wanted to bring it home. Blake put in the warehouse, hoping that I would change my mine. Over 8 years, he would always find some excuse not to bring it home. (I won't bore you with listing his excuses;)LOL!) Finally, two weeks ago he brought it home and carefully cleaned and fixed the pop machine. He moved it to our patio and filled it up with pop bottles. I think it looks cool! Blake loves it now because it reminds him of hanging out at his family's business with his beloved grandfather and his great uncles, all of whom have passed away.

Maggie getting the first pop.

Happy Birthday! (again)

This weekend my family got together to celebrate birthdays, mine included. As you can see, we had lots of helpers to blow out those candles.

The dog's life...

Sometimes, I think it would be great to be a dog. You know what I mean. Those days when you just don't feel like going to work--like a rainy day when all you want to do is curl up on the sofa and take a long, long nap.

Our dogs don't know any tricks, and they may not be the smartest dogs, but they are the sweet, kind, adorable, loving, and cuddly.

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner

Look who got braces!

On Wednesday Maggie bravely went to the orthodontist and got braces put on. She has been so tough about the whole ordeal. I am very proud of you, Maggie!

What is Lola?

There was a question on The Mont Southwest asking what breed of dog Lola is. Lola is a pappilon, which translates into "butterfly" in French. The breed originates from France. Female pappilons usually weigh around 7-9 lbs. but Lola only weighs about 3 lbs. She was the runt of the litter and very, very tiny. She was sold to another family who returned her to the breeder, my dad, because the family's vet said that Lola would more than likely not live due to the "soft spots" on her head. My dad didn't want to sell her again, so he gave her to me. I, then, gave Lola to Maggie. Lola is perfectly healthy and a sweet dog. Maggie carries her around like a baby and totally spoils her.





P.S. I have been so excited to get comments on The Mont Southwest!!!!

The Birthday Boy!

We celebrated Blake's birthday yesterday. Blake played hooky and didn't go into work. (It's great to be the boss!) Playing hooky is sooooooo much fun! (And it's so good for your soul and your mental health.) We did a little shopping and out to lunch. In the afternoon, Maggie and Isabella made their daddy a beautiful and delicious chocolate cake. That night we ate a special dinner and, of course, chocolate birthday cake!
Maggie mastering the cracking of the egg.
Measuring carefully...
The girls have been working on flouring a pan. Yesterday, they did a perfect job! I was so impressed.
Sprinkles make everything better.
The adorable bakers.
Blake and his girls.
What do you do if you don't have any candles? You pretend you do and blow out fingers instead! LOL!

Just because...

they are so darn handsome! These are my three oldest nephews (more like little brothers to me--we grew up together) Michael, Tommy, and Will.

My Mom and Dad

just celebrated 50 years of marriage in August. Wow! Enough said.

Saturday Night Fever

DISCLAIMER: Just because I love to dance doesn't mean I am a good dancer :)

I have always loved to dance. My love of music and dancing came from my parents who attended dances as teenagers and young adults in South Dakota and Minnesota. (They met at the St. Patrick's Dance in Sioux Falls, SD.) Growing up catholic, I attended many weddings. Catholics love to dance, and no wedding is complete without a dance. At wedding dances, a child will dance with mom, dad, cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, and new friends just met--waltzes, jitterbugs, polkas, line dances, and just good ol' groovin' moves. Every week we tuned in to The Lawerence Welk show and my dad would twirl me around the living room floor, teaching me a variety of dance steps. As a teenager, my friends and I attended many rock concerts every year-Duran Duran, The Go-Go's, Van Halen, Flock of Seagulls, Lynard Skynard, James Taylor, Bon Jovi, The Thunderbirds, The Steve Miller Band, Lionel Richie, Harry Connick Jr., etc., etc., etc. When Blake and I were dating and newly married, we would go to clubs with friends to hear local bands around the University of Oklahoma and in OKC. When my mom and I planned my wedding, I wasn't concerned with flowers or food. My only concern was to have a good live band. The wedding ceremony was beautiful, and fun (Yes, fun. Blake had me, his brother, my sister, and the priest laughing throughout the entire ceremony). The reception and dance was a blast-my large catholic family from the north and all of Blake's southern kin danced the night away.

In our home, we have a stereo system installed throughout our great room and patio. We often have dance parties with our girls and our friends. Our dear friends the Claussens visited the Mont Southwest on Saturday evening. Before we knew it, we were dancing the night away. It was so impromptu that we didn't even move the patio tables out of the way. The hot tub also took away some of the dance floor. Oh well, it didn't stop everyone from moving to the groove and laughing...

Not sure what this move is called... I tried it and am still limping two days later...
Diego's moves from 1982 still work for him, don't they...
I can't keep these three from jumping in front of my camera!
We still "got it" after all these years...

Our version of the JitterBug.

The Dance Crew

The Round Up

Isabella and her classmates had a biography project. Isabella chose Annie Oakley. Isabella wrote about a short biography of her life, drew a picture of her, wrote a poem about her, dressed up like her, and gave a presentation about her. My sister Theresa made the cute chaps and vest. I bought Isabella new boots and loaned her my black cowboy hat. She looked fabulous!
My beautiful cowgirl


Katie Beth was recognized at her school yesterday as Student of the Week. We are very proud of you, Baby!

Cheers!

Happy Birthday to my big sister, Theresa! I love you!
Theresa with her three boys: Michael, Tommy, and Will.

Updates on Jack Henry

We received updates on Jack Henry on Monday. I am not sure how accurate the information is, but we are grateful to receive it. All of our paperwork went to Guangzhou today, and then it will be sent on to the CCAA in Beijing. Hopefully, we wil receive our Travel Approval soon. Please keep us (and our paperwork) in your prayers.

UPDATE ON JACK HENRY
What medical treatments has he received?
*No medical treatment except some medicine for cold and cough. (Yea!)

What kind of food is he eating now?
*He is eating mixed rice cereal with formula and congee. (Do you think he is off the bottle now?)

How would you describe his personality?
*He is fairly introverted.
(On his first report, they called him "bold." So, they contradict themselves. We are wondering if he is shy or a little "turkey.")

What makes him happy/upset?
*He gets upset when he is hungry or other children grabbed his toy. (Okay, both of these things upset me too!)

What are his favorite activities?
*Playing games with other children.



His updated measurements:
Height = 32 inches
Weight = 26 lbs.
Feet = 5.5 inches (What size shoe is this?)

40-Love

The girls have been bugging Blake for weeks to take them to play tennis. We finally had fabulous weather this weekend, so we hit the courts. The girls learned it is much harder to play tennis on the hardcourts than in the drive-way of our house. I think, Blake and I had the most fun. I am just a little bit sore today... Blake, on the other hand, looked an 80-year old man when we got home. He was hobbling around the house. Well, he is getting up there in age and is having a birthday this month...

Where in the world is Jack Henry?

This is a map of China, and Jack Henry lives in Guangdong Province, which is highlighted in red.

This is a detailed map of Guangdong Province. Jack Henry lives in Yangjiang City. We will meet him in Guangzhou and stay there for most of our China visit.

Oh, Happy Day!

We received some good news this week---we have our I-800 approval!!!!! A USCIS officer contacted us vis email to tell us that we were approved. One step closer...

Now, all of our paperwork will go to the consulate in Guangzhou, China, and then, it will all be sent to the CCAA in Beijing. Then, we will wait for our Travel Approval from the Chinese government.

Ode to Katie Beth

Sweet.
Funny.
Happy.
Beautiful.
Kind.
Good.
Dancing.
Laughing.
I prayed for you.
You are a gift from God.


Work it, Girl!

Michaela and Katie Beth

Our Student of the Month

Maggie was Student of the Month at her school for February. We are very proud of Maggie for all the wonderful things she does. You go, girl!

Getting ready...

About a month ago, I realized that I hardly bought Jack Henry any clothes or shoes. The girls and I hit the shops and gradually gathered together a wardrobe for our little man. Plus, Blake's mom (a hall of fame shopper) added many outfits to Jack Henry's closet. His bedroom is almost done. We are just waiting on the headboard, which will match the dresser, the bookshelf, the nightstand, and the desk. Pictures to come.

This is a beginning...

A few more outfits...

Grandma D's contribution

How can a mom and three older sisters resist shoes!