My "To Do List" before Richie gets home.

I have a "To Do List" I started before Richie was deployed last June. A few of those on my list were ~ to get all the walls and trim inside the house painted, paint and install all new doors and closet doors inside the house and put all new hardware on these doors. I now concede that I probably won't be able to complete all these tasks because I forgot about all the preparation that has to take place before you paint. You know...remove pictures, patch the nail holes, sand those down, clean the walls, move and cover the furniture and tape off the walls and trim. When you do that in EVERY room (Entry Way, Hallway, Kitchen, Living Room, four Bedrooms, two Baths) it gets a little time consuming and reminds you of some of those forgotten muscles you have in your body. I have tried not to ask for help from my family but on occasion just couldn't do some of it on own. Here are a few pictures of my work and progress thus far!

Madyson "helping" ??

Painting door to the girls room.

Woops! How did that happen?

This painting is messy.

Mimi, I need a wash rag.

How did this get everywhere???

Well that wasn't so hard.

Four doors done and...um...several to go. Body hurts.

Sadie is here!!! :)

Sadie Cheyenne Robins

Born April 14th 2009

6 lbs 11 oz

20 inches

Daisha checked into the hospital on the morning of April 14th, Dr. Nilson started her labor about 9:30 and Sadie was born a little after 2:00. Lucky her... I spent 23 hours in labor with her and she had 4 hours of labor with Madyson and 4.5 hours with Sadie. Do the math... 4 + 4.5 = 8.5 and 2 babies. How fair is that? Honestly, as her mother I'm really glad she hasn't had to go through hours of labor pains to have her babies.

Here's a few pictures from the hospital.

Madyson & Jamison watching Madagascar II ~ waiting

Madyson still in her Jammies ~ waiting

Amy pulling Daisha's hair back ~ waiting

Richie Von & Michael ~ waiting

Trista eating Pei Wei's ~ waiting

Mimi and Madyson ~ waiting

A little after 2:00 ~ No more waiting ~ Sadie is here !

How did my Mom do it with six kids??

I had all three of my granddaughters Saturday morning. Haylee and Madyson spent the night with me and Amy brought Jamison to me about 8:00 a.m. I had to feed, bathe, dress, make sure their teeth were brushed, clean ears with q-tips and fix their hair, not to mention - do all the same for myself, and be out the door with them by 11:30 a.m. to drive an hour to Oologah for Haylee's soccer game. (Oh, one small note, I had to make sure we had snacks and drinks packed for everyone for the game as well). I think I layed awake in bed half the night getting my "Game Plan" together on how I was going to get it all done and in what order I needed to do it to make my time line. I was so excited that we were all ready to go with fifteen minutes to spare. My excitement lasted only a brief moment when two thoughts came to my mind..."Oh my gosh, Daisha is getting ready to have Sadie any day now and I will have FOUR granddaughter's." and "Mom did this with six kids". Maybe I need not get too excited yet.

Breakfast with a smile!

Pretty in Pink!

Mom...you are definitely a "Super Mom". And by the way...Next time I have all of the girls here I'll pick you up to spend the night with us so you can give me a few tips on how I might do it better.

"Super Mom" I Love you!

~Haylee lost her first tooth~

A milestone in Haylee's life!!!! She lost her first tooth. I can't believe it. Richie Von said she came home from school and showed them the tooth that was growing in behind her baby tooth. He said he took a string, tied it around the tooth and pulled up on it, the tooth popped out and hit him in the nose. He said he felt something on the end of his nose, it was blood, he thought it was blood from Haylee's tooth. When he went to the bathroom to clean it off it kept bleeding. What actually happened was the sharp end of the tooth hit his nose and cut it. LOL Once he cleaned up the blood and got it to stop bleeding they had to look for the tooth...on white carpet. He said he was on his hands and knees searching for this "little white tooth" that caused him affliction. Amy said, "You better find it, that's her first tooth". (I would have said the same thing~sentimental) Anyway, they found the tooth and put it under her pillow for the Tooth Fairy and when she woke up there was a dollar under her pillow and the tooth was gone. Note: I only remember getting a nickle. What's up with that?!?!?!?!

Making Monkey Bread with my Girls!

Last Saturday was such a great day for Mimi (that's me). I got up early because Haylee had a soccer game in Oologah that I wanted to watch (she scored a goal ~ for her team ~ yeah Haylee). I'd made plans with Richie Von and Amy earlier in the week for Haylee to spend Saturday night with me, so, after the game I went back to their house to pick up her clothes for church and her jammies. I ended up taking both Haylee and Jamison home with me so Richie Von and Amy could have a much needed fun afternoon. (They are way too busy and they really needed some fun relaxing time together) Anyway, Haylee asked me on the way home, "Mimi, what are we gonna do today." I told her we were going to Aunt Daisha's to make Monkey Bread. She said "Mimi, I want to make Cheetah Bread." I had to stop a minute for my mind to unravel what she said. ~You think maybe she thought we were gonna make bread in the shape of a Monkey~ yep, I think so. I couldn't help but laugh under my breath. Once I got that straightened out in my head I explained to her what Monkey Bread was. Well, once we got to Sand Spring I had to make a stop at my house to drop off the luggage, take a bathroom and change of diaper break, pick up the bunt cake pan (Aunt Daisha doesn't have one?) then we headed to Aunt Daisha's for more fun with Madyson. We made "Monkey Bread" while Jamison sat in the high chair with Cheerio's and Juice and Aunt Daisha took pictures and made a video of the fun. We had a messy blast and made more memories together.

Madyson, Mimi and Haylee

They hated their hand being dirty. Many wash rag breaks.

Cheerio's, Juice and a smile from "Little Bit"

Into the oven.

Loving The Brief Spout of Warm Weather

I am absolutely a warm weather person. I hate being cold. Last week it was so nice to go outside without a coat, sit on the back porch and enjoy the warmth from the sun.

Before I got sick I was at Wal-Mart, anticipating the warm weather, I bought a Little Tikes Basketball Goal, 3 large bouncy balls, sidewalk chalk, colors, color books, sticker books and bubbles for the girls. Friday afternoon all three of the girls were here at the house. It was warm outside so we headed out the back door to the porch to enjoy the outdoors and the new toys. We had a blast with all the new toys and enjoying the warm weather.

Little Bit with her bubbles.

Madyson blowing bubbles.

Haylee coloring.

My Thanks to Amy & Trista

Daisha's baby shower was the last Saturday in February. I started planning it around the middle of January. I made the invitations, mailed them out 4 weeks ahead,

I ordered the cake to look like the invitations,

purchased the ingredients for the punch, picked out all the decorations, you get the picture. The day of the shower Katie was suppose make the punch and Amy was picking up the cake so I could go early to Daisha's, help her clean the house and put up all the decorations. I made all these plans so the day of the shower there'd be no stress. I was so excited...then all heck broke loose.

I got sick the Tuesday night before the shower. My body was in pain, I was running a high fever that I couldn't break, my head was killing me so I ended up on Thursday morning (finally) at the Urgent Care Center. The bad news: I have the flu, I'm not allowed to be around children, I'm not allowed to be around older people and I not allowed to be around my pregnant daughter. All that planning and preparation and I was not even getting to go...that's right, I did not get to go to my own daughters baby shower. :`( But there is a great ending to this sad story, I had two special people in my family that pulled it all together without blinking and eye. They wanted Daisha's baby shower to be as special as I wanted it to be. Thank God for Amy and Trista. They came through and did everything that needed to be done to make sure Daisha had a great baby shower. I can't thank them enough. They are the best.

Again, thanks girls, I love you two. You're the best.

Sidenote: Earlier that day Daisha said, "Mom, turn on your Skype, I'll turn on my Skype and you can watch while I open my gifts and join in on our conversations. It'll almost be like being there." Well, no it wasn't, but, it was better than nothing. All in all she had a great shower.

Our Soldier and Amazing Papa

I get home from work Monday and there's a package in my door from Fed-X. I,m on my cell phone with Becky, it's dark outside, my hands are full, I can't read what the package says, so I brought it into the house. I,m telling Becky, "It says it's from Shelly Allen at DFW Airport." My first thought, ~Shelly Allen, that name sounds familiar to me, or does it? Becky said, it doesn't to her.~, Second thought, ~Richie must have left something at the airport in Dallas and they mailed it to our house~ I was wrong on both thoughts. I opened the package and there's a pink blanket, 3 books, two DVD's that he has written "For My Girls, with the date 19, Feb 2009" and a letter from the USO Volunteers. Here's what this amazing husband of mine did... On his way back to Iraq he had a layover at DFW Airport from 9:am to 3:pm. He spent a lot of his time at the USO area because they feed them, make sure they have coffee, juice, tea, water etc..., give them a place to rest and they also provide cell phone's for the soldiers so they can call their families. Well, they (DFW Airport and USO) have an area or room set up called "United Through Reading". I guess they sell books for kids and some miscellaneous items. He bought a Pink Blanket for Sadie and books for Haylee (Horse Heroes-she loves horses), Madyson (Dance at Papa's-she loves to sing and dance) and Jamison (Mama, How Long Will You Love Me?-she's a mama's girl). He also wrote a little message to them in each of their books. Well anyway, they have this room set up with a rocking chair and decorated like a Kingdom with Castles. He sat in the rocking chair and read a little out of each book for the girls plus he had a little personal message to each one about how much he loved them. They recorded it on a DVD and mailed them to our house for the girls. The letter said, "Dear Hero, Today a very special person stopped by the USO at DFW Airport's United Through Reading Room. They picked out a brand new book and made a DVD of themselves reading the book to you." It goes on to say, "We are one of the selected USO sites that offers our service members and their families the wonderful opportunity to read to their 'little heroes'. It was a pleasure to help your special person get this gift to you. If you'd like, send us a picture of you watching the DVD and we'll add it to the bulletin boards that line the entrance of the USO/DFW Reading Room. (Why am I crying???) Amazing Papa isn't he!!!

He loves his "Girls".

The Hallway at Mimi's

The hallway in our house is one of the favorite places to play for the girls and apparently Papa. I guess because it has a wood floor and it's fairly long. They like to have races, they eat their snacks, they sit at the far end and play with their toys or read their books to each other, they get at opposite ends and throw the golf ball (it's loud) and when Papa was home on leave I believe there were some bowling games played. They love the loud noise their shoes make when they run. At times we have some boo-boos because they forget that without their shoes the floor is slick. Not to sound like I have no compassion but...I have laughed at some of the falls the girls have made and then pick them up to kiss a boo-boo and wipe away the tears. Nevertheless...the hallway is a fun place to be if we have to be inside.

Playing, Reading and Silly Faces for the camera.

Eating Crackers.

Setting up the bowling pins.

Bowling!!!

My Valentine's Day Gift

My Valentine's Day gift from Richie this year literally came from 8,000 miles away. It was by far the best gift I have ever received. Here's the story... Back in December I received an email forwarded from Richie that one of the guys from his Company sent him regarding his leave. It looked very official, very military and it said his leave was Mid-March. I have been planning for this leave since I received the email. You know me, I like to plan ahead and have everything in order. He has 10 days of leave and I wanted to celebrate all the Holiday's he missed with us since he's been in Iraq, our anniversary and his birthday. I was planning the meals I knew he would want, the gift's, which I already had two of them purchased and was making plan's to get the rest, and celebrate each one on a different day.

Now, here's my time line of events:

February 3: My boss passed away, our office is in shock and very upset.

February 4: Our office was visited by super nice individuals from our Regional Office to start the changes we had to make due to David's death.

February 5: Up early, left the house at 6:15 am to pick Little Bit up in Oologah, drove from there to Sapulpa to pick up Madyson. Played with the two of them all day. Was on Skype with Big Richie from 8:30 to 9:30. Told him I needed to get to bed because my tomorrow was gonna start early again and I was tired.

February 6: Up early again, had to be at the funeral home at 7:00 am to do David's hair for the family because I think it's important to make sure he looked like himself to them. Left there and went to Sapulpa to pick up Madyson. (Had a good cry for David on my way there). Richie Von came over late morning with Haylee and Little Bit and I played with the grandbabies all day. Haylee and Madyson spent the night and we went to bed around 9:30 because, Mimi was tired. Daisha forgot to leave me Bella...a big mistake. Here's my conversation with Madyson once we got to bed:

Madyson: Mimi, where's Bella

Me: Uh Oh, Well, I think mommy took her to your house.

Madyson: Let's go get Bella and come back to your house.

Me: Well, it's late honey, mommy and daddy are probably already in bed.

Madyson: (almost in tears) but I neeeeeed her.

Haylee: Mimi, let's go get Bella at Aunt Daisha's. Madyson needs her.

Mimi: Well, why don't you sleep with Pearl tonight.

Madyson: But, Bella needs me. She's my daughter.

Mimi: How 'bout this: Let's go call mommy first.

Mimi: Daisha, where's Bella?

Daisha: Uh Oh, (Which, I believe those were my first words) I think she's in my car. Is Madyson crying?

Mimi: Yep.

Madyson: Mimi, can we go get Bella.

Daisha: Let me talk to her.

Madyson: Mommy, I need Bella.

Daisha: Listen honey, mommy's tummy hurts and I need Bella to stay here with me so I will feel better. I'll bring Bella to Mimi's tomorrow, OK?

Madyson: OK, Love you, bye. (said very sadly)

Now that we have that ironed out, let's get some sleep. Mimi's tired.

February 7: Richie Von had drills, and had to go before the flight board early morning, Amy had classes, so I took care of Haylee and Little Bit. Madyson was here and Daisha soon arrived with Bella. (Thank God) Richie Von and Amy had a get together that night with all the guys and their wives that went before the flight board and they picked up the girls around 11:00 pm. Now I'm alone but ok with that because I am very tired.

February 8: Got up at 7:00 am to get ready for church, back hurts, house a mess, got a phone call early from Daisha saying she probably won't be at church today but Michael had to do something and she'll come over around 2:30 or 3:00. Richie Von called a little later and said that my Valentine's gift came to his house yesterday so they will be over at 2:30 or 3:00 to bring it to me. I thought, my back hurts, my house needs cleaning, they'll be over about the same time so I'll skip church (said a little prayer, "please forgive me Lord"), clean house and fix a dinner for the kids.

Did I mention that I am tired???

2:30 no one arrives, 3:00 still no one, 3:15 guess I'll sweep the back porch so the girls can play out there if they want, door bell rings, they're all there at the front door instead of coming in thru the garage like normal??? what's up with that???, Haylee walks thru the door saying (or at least what I thought she said), "we're not staying long Mimi" (found out later she said "I'm not saying anything to Mimi), Amy looks frustrated at her and escorts her to the back room, uh oh, she must be in trouble, Richie Von is still in his uniform because he had drills, and both Richie Von and Daisha keep questioning me about why I was going to the Rosary for David, I thought, how rude, why don't they want me to go to David's Rosary???, we're still standing in the kitchen and I told the kids to get them a plate and let's eat, Daisha and Amy tell Richie Von to go out to the car to get my Valentine's gift from their Dad, they said to turn away from the door because they don't want me to see it as he brings it in, I hear the door open and Richie Von says "OK, turn around mom, here's your gift from dad", I turn around and there stands two men in uniform, one Richie Von the other MESM (Richie). I cried, I hugged, I kissed, some more crying, I was so surprised. They've been planning this since last October. (still can't believe Richie Von kept the secret) I know he has to leave on the 19th but I will greet every one of these 10 days with a smile and thank God that I have them. Happy Valentine's Day to me. It was the best ever.

My Valentine's Day Gift

Richie Von saying, "we got you mom"!

Still can't believe it. The best surprise ever.

Oh no, Mom's here, that means work!

Sadie's bed arrived at Michael's work place week before last on a Tuesday. And you know me, I showed up at Daisha's the next night with no tools in hand waiting for Michael to arrive. (He has all the tools and I wasn't sure where Richie's were) Anyway, Michael walks in smiling at Daisha like "I knew your Mom would be here before I got home and I bet she won't let us eat before we get Sadie's Baby Bed put together." Yep, that's me!!! But in my defense, before Michael got there we had Madyson's bed moved to the other side of the room while Daisha's rolling her eyes at me saying "Mom, just wait till Michael gets home, that bed is too heavy" and I had the Baby Bed parts removed from the huge box and perfectly organized ready to start construction. Michael says, "OK, let's get started, where's the instructions?" Um, Uh, Ok...We looked everywhere, it came with NO instructions, none, nada, zilch. So, Daisha gets on the internet to see if she could find something to help us, again, nothing, zilch. A little anger starts to set in because I want to get this bed put together. Michael says, "we can do this without the instructions". Well, thanks to Madyson's help, our foreman of the job, and her knowledge of the proper use of tools we got the bed put together. She did take a few white donut breaks and didn't offer to share even one of them with us and, by the way, Mimi's the one that brought the donuts over to their house. But putting that aside, the bed is done, the mess is cleaned up, tools put away and we are starving. Now, let's order Rib Crib.

We all scream for Ice Cream

Who doesn't like Ice Cream? I haven't met anyone yet that doesn't and we all have our favorite, mine is Vanilla with Chocolate Syrup. I figure it's pretty nutritious because it has milk in it. : ) : ) The girls were over last weekend and I try to have this (healthy) treat for them when I know they're coming. There was one snag... I bought the kind that comes in the little cups. I thought by getting it in these little cups I wouldn't have to muscle it out of the carton with the scoop, I wouldn't have to wash the bowls, and there would not be any of this "she has more than me". However, Haylee and Madyson baulked because they wanted theirs on a cone. So...to make them happy I scooped it out of the cup and maneuvered it onto a cone, ~And poof, now I have two or rather three happy campers~. Little Bit (Jamison) didn't complain, she just wanted Ice Cream.

Madyson's Culinary Skills

Daisha seems to think Madyson is around Mimi too much. She loves to help me cook, bake, vacuum, sweep, fold clothes, dust etc... This day she wanted to bake cookies so I pulled out the sugar cookie recipe, the little table, the rolling pin and tupperware mat, the cookie cutters and the sprinkles. We had a lot of fun and made a great mess... a mess that Madyson cleaned up! Please remember, I did not force her into this "child labor", she just loves cleaning. I guess she may be a little like her Mimi, but that's not a bad thing, is it?

Sadie's not cooperating!!!

Sadie wasn't very cooperative today for her 4D Ultrasound pictures. Daisha and the nurse poked, pushed and jiggled her around trying to get her to turn and "Face the Camera" but she wasn't budging. Finally the nurse told Daisha to get up, move around and walk around the office a few minutes to see if she would turn her little face so they could get a full view. I think that just made her mad so she decided to show them. There's a slight possibility she may have her Mommy's personality. You know the Daisha attitude at times! Something like ~I'll show them, I'll just cover my face with my hand so they can't get any pictures of me~ Just teasing Daisha! The pictures they did get look a whole lot like the one's of Madyson while Daisha was carrying her. We'll see her in person soon, 91 more days!

Haylee & Mimi Time

Funny, my little Haylee is growing up so fast. Time seems to have slipped by more quickly than I thought possible. I remember the day she was born, the day she came home from the hospital, the weekends Daisha and I drove to Enid to see her and the kids... The pictures I take with my camera are the memories we have created together and I have so many of both with Haylee. Since she started school I feel we haven't had as much time together and I miss her smile, her singing, her crawling up in my lap to get hugs and kisses, and I could go on. This last weekend I picked her up early on Saturday to spend the weekend with me. I took her to the mall so she could show Mimi how to do the "Build a Bear" thing and the Disney Store. We had a blast.

First you Pick out your Animal.

Then you choose a little red heart to insert in the animal for sound effects. Haylee chose a doggy barking.

Some kind of "Insert the heart with Love" ceremony . So cute!

Stuff!

Fluff!

Bathe!

Dress!

Accessorize!

Register!

Whew!!! That was no easy task, but it was a lot of fun! Haylee taught me a lot last weekend and I look forward to many more of these. I Love you my Little Princess!!!