Poetry Scholar

In the winter Brielle wrote a poem for her class assignment. Ms Karnes submitted the poems to Creative Communication to be published. She informed us that we were not guaranteed to be published but that we would try. She also stated that only about 1 out of every 3 submissions is published. After submitting the paperwork I kinda forgot about it until we got the mail this afternoon...

Brielle won Top Ten Poem for the age group of K-2. She is the only 1st grader and the only student from Missouri. She won a $50 savings bond for her awesome poem.

I was quick to call Ms Karnes and confirm her winnings and the reputation of the organziation. She assured me that this was quite an accomplishment and that we should be VERY proud of her. This is quite rare!!

Way to go Brielle!!

Here is the famous poem:
My Brother and My Underwear
by Brielle Blackman
On Christmas morning I ran to the tree.
I wanted to see what was for me.
I got a glass doll and a fat skirt,
Lots of candy and a fancy shirt!
But what happened next,
Made me stare...
My brother had opened my underwear!!

Wrestling Champion

Way to go Blake! His first year competing in wrestling and he had a 6-1 winning record! This past weekend was the championship where Blake pinned his opponent in the first 10 seconds on Thursday; in the 2nd period on Friday and one the last match putting him in first place of his weight class!!! His buddies Randol McDowell and Bryce Norman also won first place in their weight classes!!

Brady's Past times

Any free minute that Brady may have is spent lining up his cars and trucks. He will then drive them through the house making the motor sounds. His all time favorite though is Brielle carrying him face out and he pretends to have a steering wheel and manuevers himself around the house.

California bound.... or not!!!

On January 9th Kimberly informed me that Wendy and I were going to be receiving tickets in the mail to come see her in Los Angeles. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! Wendy and I decided that we would throw her a baby shower on March 14. It seemed the perfect date since we would be leaving out on the Thursday before and returning the Tuesday after and that would encompass Brad's spring break so that getting the kids to their designated places would be easier. I should have known when the big snow hit and took his spring break away that the count down to seeing Kimberly was going to be a challenge. I continued with the count down 64 days... 30 days.. 10 days... 2 days...! I talked with Kimberlys' mom frequently to work out the flights and the Wednesday prior to leaving we printed off the boarding pass while she talked me thru it on the phone- all seemed to be going good. I packed my bags after the kids went to bed and was finished by 11p.m. I gladly set the alarm for 5 a.m. and went to bed. At exactly 12:35 my travel plans were shot- Brady threw up!! I had my fingers crossed that this was a one time event and then 30 minutes later the event reoccurred again. This pattern went on for 14 hours before the doctors informed me to go ahead to St Francis to be sure he wasn't dehydrated. We were at the hospital for 4 hours and one bag of fluids before returning home. I was hopeful since his 30 minute pattern had broke that we were over the main event. Unfortunatley I was wrong- the pattern was more sporadic. Between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday morning he threw up 5 times- how does this happen when you are not taking in any foods/ drinks???? I called the on call doctor who instructed me to meet him at SE hospital and to plan on him being admitted. We were in a room by 11 with an iv and a sleepy baby!!! He stayed subdued through Sunday when at 10 pm the night nurse finally said we were free to go only to wake to him throwing up Monday morning and nasty diapers!!!! I swear I was ready to put him on the street corner-! He has finally come around- 3 days after coming home- a little today and had a smile when he woke this morning- yeah it is about time!! Now that he is slowly becoming his self again I will keep him and hope that this bug moves out of our house- he is not welcome!!!!

Brad's Race

All of Brad's work has paid off- he received recognition for finishing the race with the fastest time this past Saturday. Way to go Brad! We are proud of you!

Blake's First Soccer Game of 2009

The first game of the year brought a victory of 2-0!! Way to go team!!

Brady's First B-day party invite!!

Brady had fun at Luke's 3rd birthday party. They celebrated at Class Act with lots of fun gymnastic activities.

First Wrestling Match of the 2009

Blake won victorisly 17 to 4! Way to go Blake- keep up the hard work!!

Daddy daughter dance

Gram came over before the big event to get the princess dolled up because Brad had the privelege of taking his princess to the Daddy Daughter dance at the Arena Bldg. He was lucky to be able to double date with two of his friends and their dates. The princesses had the opportunity to make tiaras, decorate cookies and dance with their prince. I think fun was had by all!

Shoe Shopping

Cost of 4 pairs of shoes= $80
2 begging children and 1 screaming toddler= $8 for migrane medicine
3 happy children with the shoes they want= priceless!