BRRRR!!! The cold spell is over!

Well, we got 2 days to stay home and it was just us 3. We really enjoyed it. We introduced Rachel to hot chocolate. She loved it. It was neat, because she doesn't really like chocolate milk but she liked the way it made her all warm inside.

Another Day of Ice

Here we are at home again because of ice. WOO HOO! The only bad part is that we will be going to school 2 beautiful days in May. But for now, it is AWESOME!!! Our grade goes to the FW Stock Show tomorrow so that makes for a great 2 day and 1 field trip week!! I love teaching!

God Bless Texas

WOO HOO!!!! It is icy and we are staying home!!! 80 degrees last week and no school due to ice today. God Bless our great state!!!

A Look Back Part 3: MY SOFTIE

Rachel's Nana gave Rachel this SUPER soft tiny blanket for her to hold and love on. She really got attached to it, and still has 2 to this day. This one has been put up, but it is another item to watch her grow with.

This is a few days after we brought her home1 Month 2 Months3 Months4 Months5 Months 6 Months
7 Months8 Months 9 Months
10 Months

11 Months

1 Year

2 Years
We forgot last year to take a pic, so I thought this would show how grown up she is!

A Look Back Part 2: At Home

When you have a preemie, you really have to look at items that are in everyday life to see how small they really are. So, here are some pics we took soon after we got home of our newest addition. With Lance being a coach, this was a must have pic.
This is one of my favorites to this day.

A Look Back Part 1: Cook Children's NICU- 04/02/05-04/14/05

In honor of the March of Dimes Walk coming up, I wanted to take a look back over the almost 4 year that have passed. We have not looking back this far in a while, so it was a blast!!! This is a look back at our days in the NICU! This was the morning after she was born. She was 35 Weeks when she was delivered. She was IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restricted), so she was the size of a 33 Weeker. She was 3lb 12oz and 17 and 1/4 inches long. She was on the Ventilator for 8 hours due to the Magnesium they gave me while I was in labor to bring my blood pressure down. Once the meds wore off, she was breathing like a champ.

04/02/05

This is a little sun tanning session for her and her jaundice. She did this quite a bit while she was there.

04/03/05

04/04/05

After 12 days of waiting for her to learn to suck from a bottle, and keep her temp, they let us room in and go home. Before we got to leave, she failed the car seat test, and we had to purchase a bed car seat so she would keep her oxygen levels up in the car.
04/14/05

Addictive Personality

I have always prided myself on not having an addictive personality, but I really think I might have one. I am addicted to Blogs for sure. I love to read about other people's lives. I am addicted to reality TV. Now, I am thinking that I am addicted to getting into running/walking long distances to support organizations. I am going to do the Relay For Life here in Jacksboro. This is a HUGE deal here in our town. My MIL is heading up the team in Stephenville to walk for March of Dimes, so I am definately do that one. This one holds a SPECIAL place in my heart. I know first hand what it is like to have a premature baby. I know the sorrow of leaving the hospital without your baby, and bringing her home much later. Rachel was 5 weeks early when she was born. I went into labor at 25 weeks and was on bed rest for 5 weeks before she was born. So, she was a whopping 3lbs 12 oz. She was a resident of the NICU for 12 days before coming home at 4 lbs. She is as healthy as can be now, and we are eternally grateful for the care she got at Cook Children's FW. So, needless to say, I am stoked to be able to help out and raise money for this organization. If you so feel led, please make a donation to help these mothers and premature babies.

Busdriver Rachel

When Lance comes home from an away game he lets Rachel on the bus while he is waiting for the boys to be picked up. She loves it. She loves to just see the school bus and sit in the big seat. It is fun to see the joy it gives her. She loves to open and close the door too.

Lance's first Championship WIN!!!!

Lance and his 8th Graders played in a basketball tournament this weekend and he won 1st Place. It was AWESOME. It was fun to see his boys do so well. It was a good game too. That always makes for more fun!!! So, I took lots of pics and thought I would share my pride with all of you!!!

Rachel and Willam

Rachel and I had a super busy weekend. So did Lance, but I will get to that in my nest post. We went to see a friend of mine and her son to have a play date. It was a blast, and the kids played together so well. It was nice to catch up and watch our kids play together. When we met neither of us had kids so it was neat to see the difference in both of our lives. Here are some pics!!!

Eating some "Poot Nacks" (Fruit Snacks)

It is so hard to say goodbye sometimes!!!

Rachel's First "REAL" haircut!

The before front and side View:

When Rachel was 18 months or so I took her for a haircut. It was not a real haircut, it was just a trimming of the longer than everything else hairs that she had since she was born. But all in all, I saved them and I mark that as the first. So, now her hair is a little above her bootie, so we are going to get it really cut into a style. So, I thought that I would do before and after. So, here it is!!!

Chicken Fried Steak Night

When we were sent home from school on Monday, Lance was watching TV and saw this chicken fried steak recipe, and decided that he wanted to try it. I don't make that, so I was in for not cooking. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!! Did I mention that he made homeade mashed potatoes too. So, that brings us to last night. We were having friends over and dicided to make it again. This time the chef had a helper. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. I took a ton of pics. Sorry, just wanted to share.

Seperating the rollsShe cracked all 5 eggsby herself and she only dropped a few shells in that we had to dig out. (We did warn the company) HAHA!!! She also did all the stiring.My two loves working. Notice the towls that they have in thier pants.To wipe our hands they told me!!!Seasoning the meat. Lance turned his head, and boy there was a lot of pepper on that one. (Again, we gave a warning to our friends)I really think she liked the poof that came from putting the meat in the flour.Notice the flour on her mouth, and pants! I LOVE IT!!!She had to wash her hands every time she got them dirty. She really doesn't like to have dirty hands. That is TOTALLY my fault.Chef Rachel

The finished product!!!!