Little Momma!

Has it really been two months since I last posted? Where does the time go? I always intend to get on here and share what is going on, and the wonderfully funny things that JJ and LT are doing and saying. But, somehow the times gets away with me and so then does my intentions. Oh well... something is always better than nothing. Or at least I like to think so.

Jentri has become quite a "little momma"! She received several babies for Christmas, and she has just now decided that they are worthy of her play time. So she had two or three of them out and sprawled all across the kitchen floor. One in particular has a little blanket that came with it and Velcros which makes it easier for her to wrap her baby up in. I was busy getting bags packed and doing a little last minute cleaning before the kids headed East to the Upchurch home for a few days of vacation. I wasn't paying much attention to what Jentri was doing, but I began to notice the repetition in her behavior, so I stopped to watch. Poor baby.... It became very clear to me what she was doing, she had seen and experienced. As the babies lay in the kitchen she would walk away from them and head to the family room, where she would immediately whip around and run back to them and point her little finger with determination at them and yelled NO NO! She gave them the stern look and turned and walked away only to repeat the entire process again. It was amusing, but made me reflect and think about what we are saying to her. That poor child must only her NO from us?

She is Miss Sassafras and keeps us on our toes laughing. She already has the attitude of a teen, which is none too funny although it is difficult at moments to keep from laughing. You don't expect such expressions to come from a one year old, but she has them nailed! If this is a sign of things to come we are in trouble.

Priceless....

So a funny conversation went down the other day with Landry. We have daily conversations at dinner about how his day went and what he did at school. Unfortunately the cold weather has kept them from playing outside, so they have watched quite a bit of the Magic School Bus. Brett asked him to tell us about the movie. Landry went on to explain that we needed to take care of our planet because we were destroying the habitats for certain animals. Of course the science teacher in me had to know if he knew what a habitat was, to which Landry said no he didn't. Naturally I felt like I needed to tell him, and I followed it up with.... "Tell me what is the natural habitat for a lion?" To which Landry responded with... "New York". Brett and I laughed and realized he had been watching too much of Madagascar and believed that zoos were a natural place for animals to live.

Kids are funny how they see and interpret things. Landry can come up with some doosies! If anything it makes me very aware of what he watches and sees! Little Eyes and ears catch it all! Jentri is also saying some pretty funny things and we continue to laugh at her. The same night the conversation about habitats occurred we had music playing and she loves to dance. So she was standing in her high chair like she knows she isn't suppose to... dancing and she wiggled those little hips and made a face that was priceless. She loves books right now, and wants to be read to even if it means not finishing the book. I keep books in the car for Landry to read and she always wants one in her hand as well. Many times I'll look in the back seat and she will have the book upside down and reading away.

My moments with the kids are priceless... How I envy those who can stay home with their babes. Until then I hold on to "quality" not "quantity", and pray my impact on them is long lasting.

Where Did the Time Go?

I'm looking at my blog and just realized that I have posted nothing for almost 4 months. Not that anyone really looks or cares. But, I love being able to post pics, and I haven't done it.

Lots has happened in the past few months and it seems that time has gotten away from me. Brett's dad passed away in October, and the rest is history. We are two days from Christmas Break and I can't tell you how anxious I am to be able to relax for awhile. We are heading to Amarillo to be with Brett's family this year. I'm keeping this short today, but my goal is to do a better job posting. It is a good outlet and a great way to show off pics.. which is the original reason for the blog.

Rock On!

SO.... in light of everything that has happened with the start of school and Brett leaving to go to Amarillo I totally forgot to share how much fun I had two weeks ago at the Def Leppard/Poison/Cheap Trick concert! The QC gals came and we had a blast. The only problem was how short the visit really was. It came and went quickly! But, I had so much fun and of course it took me back to my Freshman year of high school. Def Leppard came to Manhattan and it was quite an ordeal. Bramlage Coliseum had just been built and the community was taken full advantage. Well.... maybe the youth of Manhattan were taking full advantage.

That all took place the Friday before school started. So, on Monday little man started his 1st grade year. I am excited and really do like his teacher. He gets to walk to school this year because the school he goes to is a block from the babysitter. She has twin boys the same age as Landry, but they are in 2nd grade and have become fast friends. I drop him off with Jentri and pick him up there too. It is a wonderful arrangement. And of course Landry feels like a big guy because he gets to exert some independence.

As for Jentri she is adjusting well to her new babysitter. We of course miss Lisa and the fam... but we are thrilled that she has adjusted so well. Amy loves her as much as we do and does so well with my kiddos. Ironically I had a babysitter before I had a job moving back here to Little Elm. As always we are blessed! Please keep praying for Trent... many of you know he has Alzheimer's and had a seizure a week ago. He has been placed in a home, and we just ask that you pray for the boys and Donna to find peace and comfort!

Trying....

So this is my third time to write... and though I feel compelled to write, I don't know exactly what to say! So maybe bullets would be better today.

• Jentri is sick... had to come home early, which is why I'm up late.
• Brett made it home from Amarillo... please pray for peace!
• New job... even though I've been in FISD there is still new stuff to learn... floating through!
• Landry is a 1st grader... as always nervous about how the year will go.
• No Friday Night Lights...
• Finding a "HOME" church... looking for something more...
• Trent... placed in a home... peace for the boys and Donna! Comfort for Trent!
• ..........

Sweet Family!

My parents came to visit last weekend and I wanted to post some pictures of the kids with Nana, Pop, and Uncle Jeb. Jentri is old enough now to know who people are, and it makes for so much fun. Landry is preparing to be a big 1st grader this year. I think he is a little bummed that he isn't going back to Fisher, but I just felt like it would be better for him to be at a different school than the kids he started school with, since we held him back. Here are a few new pics!

God is Faithful!

I know... I know... most of you know that. But, for some reason I feel a need to say it out loud. Most of you know that the past year has been a roller coaster ride for our family. Lots of highs and lots of lows! I have to honestly say that I never felt bad about things that happened to us, because I'm also a believer in "What goes around, comes around". Don't get me wrong, there were moments that I was frustrated and didn't understand some of the situations I was having to endure. I did a lot of "self talking" to remain positive, and for the most part I think I did. Quite honestly I hadn't really paid much attention to "EVERYTHING" that went wrong, but at the end of the year my principal sat me down and said... " I can't believe you are still smiling, you have been through the wringer." I guess so... but I never felt like I wasn't going to get through it. Needless to say we have moved back to our home in Little Elm, and as most of you know we were in the process of letting the house foreclose! It was too hard to keep two house going, and the medical bills continued to grow. We just weren't making it. When Brett decided he wanted to leave QC he looked all over, and somehow GOD led us back to our home. However, it was in foreclosure, and so I frantically began the process of trying to save it. What a process! There were moments that I was frustrated and at my wits end dealing with our mortgage company! But, God is Good! Yesterday I followed up with our mortgage company and they accepted our loan modification!!!! The poor lady on the other end of the phone didn't know what to do with me. All I could do was cry and say thank you! Of course my true praise is to Him! Even though we were in the house I was reluctant to really settle in. I didn't want to make it our home if we were going to have to leave it. Suffice to say... I have been eagerly unpacking and deciding where to hang things. Many of you prayed with us, for us and simply remember us! I thank you! We couldn't do with out our prayer warriors. I know I say this a lot... but I'm always amazed at how God shows us His faithfulness even when we aren't in a close relationship with Him. I'm a sinner and don't deserve His grace! But, man am I glad He loves me enough to shower me with it! We still have a long road ahead, but there is peace of mind!

Zoom Zoom

Uncle Garrett sent Landry his birthday gift this past week. I had chatted with Memaw who had informed me that it was on it's way and that we might be quite suprised. And to say the very least we were. He got Landry an electric scooter. It almost killed Landry to wait the full 24 hours it would take for the scooter to charge. So, the next night we took him over to the parking lot of LE's high school and let him learn how to use it. After a few near falls, because Landry thought he needed to kick his foot to make it go just like he did on his other scooters, he picked it up and was off! We all enjoyed playing on the scooter... even Brett, though his ride was short :).

We are SLOWLY working on getting the house in order. I hate unpacking as much as I hate packing. When we moved out to Atlanta we put alot of stuff out in the barn because we simply didn't have the room in the house. So, I have been finding things I forgot about, and finding things I wish could have remained forgotten! We even brought back some good ole' East Texas mouse droppings. .. YUCK! I guess that might have been a good thing. The mice had ruined some things that were Landry's from his babyhood! And really they weren't anything sentimental, and probably needed to be passed on. Unfortunately they were passed on to the trash. Oh Well! Sometimes we need that extra incentive to make a decision!

In the unpacking, I finally started to work on Jentri's room and as I unpack some of her stuff there were toys that we had put back because she has been too little to really enjoy and appreciate them. Well Nana and Pop gave her a Cabbage Patch doll for Christmas and we hadn't pulled it out of the box. Needless to say once she discovered the box and what was in it, I couldn't open it quick enough to satisfy her desire to play with it. The doll is really almost as big as she is as you can see. But, she was adament about rocking her baby. Then she would get tired of trying to hold her and would eventually throw the doll on the floor. It kept her entertained for some time. Picking up baby, rocking baby, throwing baby.

Kids are funny people. I love to hear Jentri and Landry interact. He absolutely believes that he is in charge and Jentri lets him know differently!

FEBRUARY?

Has it really been since February that I have made a post! Of course... I haven't had access to my blog, and since I can't post it made it hard to update. But, I'm back in action and planning to make posts more regularly so people can see the kiddos and I can keep people up to date on our goings on...

First... We have moved back to Little Elm into our old house. We moved a year to East Texas and now we are back. We made some wonderful friends, but it is good to be home. Jentri was born and back in this house before she was a year old. We left two week after she was born, and we were back before her first birthday. I'm not sure what she thinks. Landry is excited to be back though he misses his friends Spence, Jake, Aiden, and Cameron.

Brett will be a boys cordinator for one of the middle schools back in Frisco and I was fortunate to land a counseling job at one of the middle schools. We seemed to wiggle ourselves back into the life of Frisco. Pray for Brett's year... We are excited about new adventures!

Jentri was able to have two birthdays... One in Atlanta and one here. The one in Atlanta was more of a party... we just celebrated with family here. I'll post some pics. Landry ended the year playing baseball and actually enjoying. It was a rough ride there for a while. He wasn't hitting the ball and it was so discouraging to him. But, by the end of the season he was connecting and hit well. It made the whole season worth it.

Pray for the Phipps' family. Lots is going on, and we are aclimating to a new life again. Finding old nitches and new adventures. The best part of our move is old friends and closer to our families. Look for more updates!

Week Away!

Well I find myself in Austin Texas for the TCEA conference for technology!  I'm so excited that I get to come and enjoy the opportunity to engage in so much technology!  Four of us from Atlanta were permitted to come spend the week learning and eating... of course.  However, that also leaves Brett for the next 4 nights on his own.  Now, any other week would be fine.  Brett is a FABULOUS dad and the kids adore him. But, he has taken on the responsibility of head baseball coach in Queen City.  And.... this week is the first week of practice, so as you can see a lot landed in one week.

Isn't that usually the case.  If something is going to happen it happens all at once or not at all.  We are blessed to have some wonderful people help us out.  Landry will go to practice with dad.  He loves going an hanging out with dad and the boys.  I'm not sure how that all goes... I'm sure Landry gets into some trouble but I'm never informed of it.  I do know that the Warren boys go hang out with him, which helps keep Landry occupied and entertained.  

We just need to pray that Brett and the kids make it through to Friday with all the activities that they have going on!

Finally Some Family Pics

It has been almost 7 years since we have done any family pics professionally. Landry was 7mos. old when we took them. I know that I take pics, but it is so hard to do of your own family. So... I thought I would post a few for you to see.
k

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to quickly post a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! And of course place pictures of the latest festivities at the Woodford household. We have been rather blessed this Christmas, and hope you have too. Merry Christmas!


k

Christmas Eve Day... Hangin out!


Christmas Eve Church Service



Feeding the Reindeer... you know they work hard all night they deserve a treat too.

Daddy and Landry also prepared milk and cookies for Santa. Which were ALL gone by morning!

The Christmas Elf came to help at our house!

Santa knows what we all like best! Landry got STAR WARS. I know that shocks you guys.


And... Jentri got paper... her most favorite toy.:)

Here's to you all... hoping you received everything you wanted this year!

BRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

OK... I new that when we moved back south that cold weather would be a whole new ball game, but this is ridiculous! We got to Manhattan on Saturday night. Our drive was a progression of weather change. We could absolutely tell we were moving north just by how cold the windows were getting. When we got to Tulsa to gas up it was definitely frigid, and when we made to Bartlesville it was cold, but when we got to Manhattan we reached ridiculous. The temperature on the bank signs around town were reading -7. Today it was up to 16, but you wouldn't know it to step outside. Landry couldn't wait to go outside and play in the snow. Unfortunately it was no longer snow, but frozen ice. He came in bummed out and informed me that it was too difficult to make a snowball. He couldn't even get any snow in his hand. Of course this did not stop him from trying. He worked all day on going outside and playing and attempting snow balls. Needless to say... today he gave up.

My mother called Friday before we left to inform us that she had wiped out on a drive way. The wipe out brought with it a broken leg, and ankle. If you know my mom, this isn't a big surprise. She seems to be accident prone. I can't tell you how many people we have talked to in the past two days who also said they fell on the ice, but did not BREAK anything. Nope... just mom. The long and short of it is that her rental car started to slide out of the drive way she was parked in, which of caused her concern because it was a rental car and she didn't have the extra insurance. So her mind was on paying more money for another damaged car. Oh yeah... she has a rental because two weeks ago a "crazy" driver hit her at a stop sign. The luck of the Woodford's carries on! Anyway she was so worried about the car that she wasn't paying attention to where she was walking, therefore causing the fall and broken body parts. Merry Christmas! That has not deterred my mother from her favorite love.... shopping. It just makes it more challenging. The Walmart man showed her how to pop wheelies with the motor carts. I think it scared her more than him. We absolutely didn't pop an wheelies. She also rented a "Knee Walker", so she is moving faster and makes it a bit more challenging to keep up with her.

We hope you are keeping warmer than we are.

This is my parents street, or at least it is under the THICK SHEET OF ICE! Now you know why my mom fell.

One of my little Snow Babies. The other one wouldn't stay still long enough for a pic. I'll catch him.

PARTAY....

Last night we had our "Coaches" Party! We always have a good time when we get together, but last night had to TOP all. We had a White Elephant exchange, and it got pretty interesting. At least we all had a good laugh. We had great food to eat and fun conversations! I hope your season parties are a blast!

k

Hurry!!!

It seems that our technology administrator has allowed me to read blogs today! Yes... I should be working, but it is two days before we are out and I'm pretty much getting ahead for TAKS. The dreaded word! Things are going OK at the Phipps household.I'm going to TRY to post some new photos. But, that has proven to be a bigger challenge than I had first thought. We are excited about our upcoming visit to Kansas, and of course two weeks to recover from what seems to have been a VERY quick first semester in East Texas. We hope your Christmas is a great one. I will be posting because of course I'll be home and have unlimited access to internet. No filters... :)
k

THANKSgiving

I hope you all had reason to give thanks this holiday break! We had the opportunity to go home to Amarillo and see Brett's family, and of course watch a great deal of football. We ate great food and had lots of family time. As always the time there was too quick, and the trip home too long. It is my hope that as you read this it finds you doing well! Love.. Love

K

We're Off!!!

Today is our last day before the Thanksgiving holiday. Brett and Landry have had yesterday and today off, unfortunately Atlanta decided we needed to work two days this week. It seems like a waste. Most of our kids are absent because parents have decided to take them out for trips. Brett has been the stay at home "dad". I think that after a weekend with me gone and now two days of me at work Brett has seen the challenges of a working mom. I say working because whether you stay home and work or work and come home the challenges are still many. He picked my up from work yesterday and said... "The stay at home thing.... it's not for me. I can't get very much done with the two of them." It only proved to me that men can't multitask, and maybe gave him a greater appreciation of my weekends alone while he is up a the football office working. He has handled it like a trooper. That isn't to say that when I came home Sunday from the wedding trip the house was pristine, but it was still standing, and the kids seemed to be happy and dressed. They weren't matching as I would like, but they weren't naked either. So, this morning I had him doing those last minute things...haircuts, baths, gassing the car, and picking up some breakfast for me. School is out at 1:15 and I'm hoping to be on the road by 1:30! I'm not looking forward to the long trip, but I'm definitely looking forward to relaxing, and seeing family. We love west Texas and being "home". Our hope is that you have a great holiday too. I'm I will make the most of my time with "true" internet and unlimited searching. We will be praying for all of you and your holiday time!

Overcoming Odds

I spent the weekend in Houston. My dear friend from high school... Miss Lori Depew, got married! It was so much fun to go and see her, see old friends and watch her become Mrs. Lori Andrade! When I say she had to overcome obstacles, I mean she had to overcome OBSTACLES! She was suppose to get married on September 13, however if you recall Hurricane IKE decided to hit instead. It sent all her plans and guests packing! I told her not to fret... all would work out. She has had to do everything backwards and still came out on top. They had to go ahead and go on their honeymoon cruise first, the wedding was next and then on Saturday they had the rehearsal dinner. All the same... she is married and we are excited. I bring this all up because we have found our family facing different obstacles here in the Piney Woods the past week. I start to look at what I have been faced with and think I can't take much more. Since I had to drive to Houston by myself there and back I had lots of time to reflect. Life could be worse! My difficulties are minor compared to the difficulties of some of my friends. I have a great family! Two wonderful, healthy children, and a husband who loves me. I have a house that covers my head to keep me dry, keep me warm, and keep me safe. There is always food to eat and water to drink. What more could a person ask for? I take for granted the things I'm giving, and if not for the moments like this I'm not sure what more I would be dealt. I have to remind myself that the challenges we face make us stronger, and better people if we allow ourselves to grow from the experience. I need more moments like this to keep me humble, and make me grateful!

Test!

I have found a way to at least post on my blog.  I cannot always read my blog but I can at least keep you guys updated! So right now I'm testing the post.  If it posts I will come back later and post more and add pictures.

There's No Place Like Home!

Ain't that the truth! Obviously it has been awhile and any chance I have to get on the computer I plan to take advantage of. The kids and I came up to celebrate my dad's induction into the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. He was so honored. More so this time than when he was inducted into the National Hall of Fame in Stillwater, OK. He said it meant more because these were his peers that chose him to be placed in the hall of fame. There are fewer in the Kansas Hall of Fame because it is more selective in it's process and he went in with two men he admires. The one is my ex boss at Santa Fe Trail, Mr. Gary Blosser. The fact that one of his ex-wrestlers was the honored as the Assistant Coach of the year, only added to the celebration. It was a great day to be with our extended "wrestling" family and a joy to see old friends.

Since the induction was this afternoon it seemed that it would be best to come up on Thursday night and enjoy a day of freedom here in the "Little Apple". That also allowed Landry the chance to dress up and Trick or Treat for candy. Jentri went too and even received some treats, which of course her brother will enjoy long before she gets the chance to eat them. Uncle Jeb enjoyed the festivities with the kids by taking them from house to house. He is a good uncle!

Jentri is four months today! How time seems to fly. I have been thinking back to Landry's birth and I was able to be home with him for four months to the day I went back to work. It makes me sad that I wasn't able to do the same with Jentri, but I also feel blessed to have found a great babysitter. She is such a great baby! She only cries when she is hungry, or dirty. So it's easy to fix one problem and if that doesn't work then it has to be the other. Landry LOVES her and is a great big brother.

Things in QC are rough... for so many reasons, and yet we know that it is where God led us. We have moments that we wonder why, and then decide we many never know. The people have been good to us, we have made some good friends, and we love being back in small town. So, maybe that was the reason? I have to believe that God's plan is perfect even though what we go through isn't! I have struggled emotionally and personally in ways that are not typical of my personality. It's a side to myself that I truely HATE! It has been humbling and at times embarrassing, the way I have acted. I can't change it, but I can change my attitude and move forward in hopes that those who are abused by my behavior will find forgiveness in my regret!

I find the older I get the harder it is to accept change. Moves... as exciting as they can be are also difficult. The excitement of what the future holds and the fear of the change it brings can sometimes be overwhelming. I a lot has happened in the past four months, and I have been blessed in so many ways. It is my goal to seek the unseen and find the blessings daily, and stop worrying about the Earthly desires that I have. It is my sincere prayer that God will work on my heart to help me through the changes that the future holds... and the strength to endure them.