B is for Birthday!

Bray did it again! He and Daddy and NeeNee planned a surprise COWBOY party for me. It was a perfect birthday party. We spent Saturday evening at NeeNee's watching OSU and OU! Boo, Paw, Nee Nee, Spud, Reece and Molly came to help my family and I celebrate. Our favorite baker June made my awesome Pistol Pete cake. It was a perfect evening!

T is for Thankful!

Thanksgiving brought a new adventure around our house. We actually stayed home this year....no traveling! Although I missed my side of the family, especially my Grandma Peggy's dressing and pecan pie, I enjoyed the extra play time with my kids. We HAD to put our Christmas tree up on the day before Thanksgiving. Bray insisted! He got to put the star on top. It reminded me of Christmas when I was little. Putting the star on top was my Dad and I's job...until Reece claimed it! Dusty and Paw put lights up on the house. They let Bray help!!! I know, I was a little nervous that my 3 year old was on my roof. He Loved it! I think Paw enjoyed it, too! Katie Beth was in fine form at MamMa and PapPa's on Thanksgiving Day. She showed off her 2 day old walking skills. She also wresteled with Bray and Cade. KB ate everything we did...especailly dessert! She also was pretty sweet on Logan. Cole was busy running Bray to pig barn to see the big baby pigs! Thanks Cole for being so kind to Bray! Katie Beth got a little sassy at one point. She took the lid off the ice chest and snuck a cup. Then she hid behind the ice chest and began to eat the ice! I couldn't resist a picture between giggles! Boy am I in trouble! I did have so much to be Thankful for this year. It never hurts to stop and count your blessings!

p is for pictures

I finally figured out how to download pictures from my mom's camera. i don't like blogging without pictures! I am going to catch up.....

L is for Lane Monday

Lane Monday was one the bravest children I know. He was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at the age of four. After a long hard fight, Lane went to live with Jesus this past April at the age of six. His beautiful mom Gena began the Lane Monday Foundation to assist families in Southwest Oklahoma who are facing serious medical needs and to bring them closer to God. This is why she chose our church to house Lane's foundation. I truly believe in Gena's mission and am in awe of the faithful way in wich she is using her loss to aid others. Our family is dedicated to helping her in any way we can. Thus.... I am reposting this from our church bulletin.

Lane Monday Foundation
What if Lane Monday Foundation earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!
GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Tamarack Road Church of Christ as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!

K is for Katie Beth

My baby girl turned one today! I can't believe how fast one year goes by! She has been such a blessing to our family. The way Bray has embraced Katie Beth, loved her and accepted her is an even bigger blessing. We celebrated on Saturday with friends and family.

We are so very blessed that our moms and grandmas were able to celebrate with us. On the left is Me, Katie Beth, NeeNee and Grandma Peggy. Below is Dusty, MamMa, Boo, Katie Beth and Bray.

Don't you just LOVE Katie Beth's party dress and beads? She is truly a princess. If you don't believe me just ask her Paw....Dad...or brother! In true Tana tradition.....I pray...

K - Kidness

A - Ability

T - Tuth

I - Integrity

E - Energy

B - Beauty (both inside and out)

E - Eagerness to serve

T - Trust in a

H - Havenly Father

R is for Remembering

All journeys have their storms. Lately I have been forced to remember the longest, most severe strom of my life. The memories come daily, but lately they have been more frequent and more vivid. October first brought back an anxious, nervous feeling hemmed with tears. By the end of the day, I had realized that October first was the first day of basketball practice. (The first day to "bounce a ball!" ) Then came the Lawton Mac football game, OSU vs. Texas, and the day Dad met Jesus. Football homecoming and entering a crowded gym came soon after.
They were all clouded with sadness, yet I always found funny memories, embarassing stories and new tales told by friends to soften the time. My baby girl will be 1 on Tuesday. She is a constant reminder of God's promise of something better to come. In my mom's words..a rainbow!
This is a poem I wrote in May.

I miss your smile,
Your hello,
All the places we would go…
The gym,
The lake
The High School games,
Nothing will ever be the same.

I miss your voice
Your dialect,
The way you’d flaunt your intellect!
Stories
Poems
Funny sayings
I even miss Dylan playing!

I miss your heart,
You really cared….
The way that you were always there.
Advice
I’m proud
A hug goodnight
To live forever would be alright.

I miss your laugh
And heavy sigh.
I refuse to say good bye!
Miss you
Love you
Is what I’ll say
We’ll be together in heaven someday!

O is For OKLAHOMA STATE!

We met family in Stillwater for OSU Homecoming aka Walking Around! My Aunt Tracy and Uncle Terry opened up their home and so did Uncle Ryan. We spent Friday night "walking around" looking at the House Decs. We even were able to meet Pistol Pete!

Saturday us girls went shopping and then went to tailgate! Bray loved the Spirit Walk and Dusty loved the game! He and Reece had the best seats!