Payton's First day at Dance...

Well, Payton finally had her first dance class yesterday and can I just say that she LOVED it!!! She was so cute. I got her all ready and we went to the place here in Helena that she is taking. I took her in and met her teacher and then I had to leave her. She was so okay with that though. She just told me bye and off she walked. Of course when I asked her what she learned after the fact, she told me "I don't know". But hey, she had a good time and that is what counts!!!

Pics of Shawn leaving...

I forgot to post some pics of the day Shawn left. I wanted to put these up to remind me every day to pray ....

Air National Guard

So many people I have known have been affected by someone close to them going into the military - either here in the states or being shipped overseas to fight for my freedom. Now I am seeing things with a whole new perspective from my end.

My little brother, well not little, I should say younger, has been gone for a week and a half now in Basic Training for the Air National Guard. He is in Texas and the first and only time we have heard from him since he has been there, he was having a tough time. I usually talk to my brother at least every other day so this is different and difficult for me. I miss him and I am constantly praying for him.

I asked God to wake me up in the middle of the night whenever Shawn needed prayer. That first night he was there I woke up 6 times with him in the front of my mind. I prayed diligently then, just as I do now. When Shawn called and talked to mom he told her that the first night was literally one from hell and he didn't think he was going to make it through. But he did, and now it is the first week of physical training. I know he is going to come out of this a stronger man and a better man, but I just ask that you pray for him whenever you think about it. From what I have heard, the first 2 weeks of any boot camp is horrible and can be the worst of your life. Being away from family with no tv or music or communication would be difficult for anyone, but especially for him since he still lives at home with my mom and dad and has never been on his own, this is a real world wake up call for him.

My mom and dad are having a hard time too because they are used to seeing him everyday too. This is just an adjustment, but please pray for him when you think about it. If you are interested in sending him cards (he would love it) let me know and I can get the address to whoever is interested. Now off to bed for me...

New Hair Cuts...

Well, I finally broke down and cut the girls hair ... you know so it would grow back thicker and fuller. Their hair had grown so much but was looking kind of thin around the bottom, so we chopped it tonight. And let me just tell you how cute they both look. Pay's isn't as "drastic" as Em's but she insisted on cutting hers after she saw her sissy's. Very cute and sassy and I think I did a pretty good job :) (and Emi's hair is even, even though it doesn't look like it on this picture... about drove me crazy getting it right!!!)

Spring family photo shoot...

We have a very dear friend that we use twice a year for a photo shoot. I will gladly plug his name (many of you know him) because he does an INCREDIBLE job of capturing wonderful pictures. Jason Wallis Photography.... We had our "spring" shoot last week and here is the link to look at our latest slide show. Enjoy :)

http://www.walliskids.com/reed08/

if you really want to check out how much the girls have changed and also see some of Jason's previous work, here are some earlier slide shows he has done for us.

http://www.walliskids.com/reed2/ - this is right after Graci was born

http://www.walliskids.com/reed3/ - this is last fall

Updates

I honestly can't believe that June is already here. This year is literally flying right past me. I used to laugh when I would hear my mom say how fast time flies and for me not to wish away my years. I completely get her now though. Having kids of my own and watching them change daily is truly amazing. Emi will be 5 in July ... now that is just weird for me to think about. Payton is almost 3 1/2 and now Graci is 17 months. Where has the time gone??? Don't know what me start on that rampage but for some reason it has hit me today. Graci is talking so much and singing songs and copying everything her sissy and paypay do. It is so cute to see them together now.

Anyway, Graci had her adenoids out on Thursday and she seems to be doing okay from them. She has been a little fussy but that is normal right now. She is finally eating a little something so that has helped her fussiness too. We go back for her post op in a week. Her adenoids were covered with infection so Dr. G thinks that this is the source of all her problems with that ear. I just hope and pray that he is right and we are done with all of this.

PawPaw - he has gone to church a couple of times and has made a friend with a man in the church who is witnessing to him too. Praise the Lord, that is progress!! He is still in pretty good spirits when we talk. Says he isn't hurting anywhere and that he feels "fine". Just keep praying that his heart will continue to be softened and that he will be open to receive Christ in his life. Jere, PawPaw's wife, her mom just passed away this morning at 96 years old. Remember her in your prayers also please.

Sorry this is so random, that is how my brain is acting right now. I'm going to bed now.... hopefully to actually sleep instead of getting up all night with my babies.

Mother's Day

Well, better late than never. I had a great Mother's Day this year. My morning started off bright and early but it was a happy time. I went into the kitchen to fix my coffee and there were 3 balloons and a dozen gerber daisies (my very favorite flower) waiting on me. My cards were all lined up from the kids and they were excited to give them to me. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of my flowers and my gift (and I call myself a scrapbooker???) I am so upset I forgot to take a picture. My precious husband did the sweetest thing for me too. He gave me a spa gift certificate and a .... are you ready.... a night at the WYNFREY for me, myself and I !!!!!!! A whole night away from everything in real life!!! It was a wonderful surprise to wake up too. Now I just have to find the time to actually go.

After we got ready, we went to church and then went to Selma to see Bryan's mom. She was super excited for us to be there. We went and ate Mexican food and then just went to the house to let the girls play and ride their bikes. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun.

Their Nana Reed is super creative and always doing fun crafts with the girls so she painted their faces for them (like butterflies) and they loved that. Graci was feeling pretty rotten the whole day. Her ear, of course, was bothering her and she actually came down with a fever virus that night - 104.6 was her temp. So the day started off great, but ended pretty yucky. But Mother's Day for 2008 was a great one. God has blessed me tremendously by giving me 3 beautiful little girls and a wonderful and loving husband that I get to call my best friend.

Mommy and sick little Graci

Graunt Connie and the butterflies
(Bryan's aunt, his mom's sister)

Mommy and her girls


My beautiful Butterflies

Bryan and his mom (aka Nana Reed)