Ding-Dong the witch is dead....

FIRST STOP THE MUSIC FROM PLAYING...LOCATED AT BOTTOM OF PAGE(CAMI'S PLAYLIST)!! (click pause) then click PLAY on the Smilebox post I've created...ENJOY!!

I've finally had a moment to post some pictures of the girls' in their Halloween costumes! I'll try and post some more pix of us soon of other Fall Fun things we've done!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

love this video...just cuz

Hey! Before you click on the play button...turn off music from my playlist at bottom of my blog by clicking on pause, then please watch this incredible video..enjoy!




I love this video

Happy Halloween!

A year ago today.
I thought I'd ad some pictures from last year. Last year K & L wanted to be 1950's car-hops. Nana made their costumes too! They looked great! Syd was a little lady bug crawling around. So cute! She didn't mind wearing her costume at all last year. This year is a different story! Sydnee is sleeping right now so I can concentrate on helping K & L get into their witches costumes! (Hee-Hee) Sydnee is going to be a black kitty cat. I have not been able to get her to wear her costume for very long so I'm waiting until later tonight to dress her. I'll try my best to get some pictures with her not crying.The girls just walked in from school and I'm about to get them both dressed in their costumes and take them out for the nights festivities. Grandma,Nana and Memaw will also be coming over for dinner and Halloween fun. Not much different from last year. I'll post pictures of tonight's fun later this weekend. I must go decorate my children now...Happy Halloween!!

It's a beautiful day today but my heart is hurting...

A year ago today....

It's a beautiful day today but my heart is hurting...

one of the most beautiful women (moms) I've known in my life lost her battle to cancer. She was like my second mom...such an inspiration...and ALWAYS brought a smile to my heart.   I'm thinking of you Mrs. Barbara Waugh.

I miss you dearly...and you'll never be forgotten. Hold tight to your sweet angel Mathew too....we know you both are always hugging Tamara and lifting her up in spirit everyday.

Let it rain.....

 

Below is the email I received from her daughter Tamara (my dear sweet childhood wind beneath my wings friend)   

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I thought I would send you the obituary that is set to run in the Colorado Springs Gazette tomorrow.

 

Love,
Tamara

 

 

 

Our beloved daughter, wife, and mother Barbara Helen Waugh, 58, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 24 after a courageous nine month battle with cancer. 

 

She was born on February 12, 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland to Suzanne and Leonard Niparavic.  She graduated from Bear Creek High School and married her high school sweetheart, Ken Waugh, on December 20, 1967.

 

After moving to Colorado Springs in 1974, Barbara spent twenty five years in the healthcare industry.  She worked as an office manager for two dental practices, owned a successful medical billing business and later became the Branch Manager for Apria Healthcare.  In 2005 she started working as a volunteer and part-time employee at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center.

 

Barbara had an avid love for the outdoors.  She loved to kayak, fish, and garden. She loved spending time with her family and friends.  She always had a good joke to tell and could always make a person laugh.

 

We will miss her everyday for the rest of our lives but know that she will live on in the hearts of all who were privileged to know her.  She made such an impact with her compassion, her smiles, her humor, and her love of life!  Although we are going to miss her terribly on earth, we know that the life of the party has just arrived in heaven!!  We also know that her grandson (due in 12 weeks) just received his guardian angel!

 

She is survived by her mother, Suzanne Niparavic; her husband, Ken Waugh; her children, daughter Tamara Engelhardt (Loy), and son Chris Waugh.

 

She is preceded in death by her brother, Michael Niparavic and father Leonard Niparavic.

 

A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, October 3oth at 10:00 am at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs.

 

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society P.O Box 22718 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123-1718 or Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation, 825 E. Pikes Peak Suite 600, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903

 

www.cwaugh5.googlepages.com/home
Tribute to Barb Waugh...........

www.barbwaugh.blogspot.com/
Barbara's blog she kept since the day she found out she had cancer.

www.rideforbarb.blogspot.com/
Barbara's son Chris' blog....his incredible journey home...and so on

Yes...I'm still here (w/eyes in the back of my head)

Just a quick note...
Yes...I'm still here and still plan to blog/post what's going on at some point. I've just really been very very overwhelmed lately. We've got A LOT going on around here....I really feel there aren't enough hours in the day lately. I have not posted in almost a month!! I've got a lot of catching up to do. I do try and type "twitter moments" now and then through out my day from my mobile phone.(look below) Those that are interested can follow me on twitter. Try it it's pretty fun. I feel somewhat contected in this world and feel as if "its a small world after all" when I recive twitter texts messages from those whom I follow. Some of you other twin moms out there seriously crack me up with your texts! Thanks for the smiles! Its cool when I can hear about someone's daily happenings from around the country.
But I'd admit...even typing out a short "tweet" on what's goin on with me takes a few seconds!! It's always..."who are you texting NOW? and Why?" that my DH says while rolling his eyes. Or when my kids see me on the phone or texting they look at it as an opportunity to misbehave too. They just think I'm not aware on what's going on around me. Example: the other day I was in the living rm watching the news and I heard one of the girls sneak down the stairs and tip toe to the pantry in the kitchen, grab a small bag of chips and start to tip toe back up the stairs to enjoy her (third) snack for the afternoon. ( also note they are not allowed to bring food upstairs) I calmly stated,"I don't think that is a good idea,..you might want to stop where you are and put that back where you found it." I never even looked at her. She then whines...,"awwaahhh! How did you know?!How did you see me??" I say,"I know everything....& I have eyes in back of my head." She says..."seriously?!" I say "yup." Lately,...now and then I catch her trying to get a close look at the back of my head and especially when I'm texting on my phone. I always say..."Yes I see you honey...don't try anything sneeky!" Think I've kind of freaked them out a little. OW. Another reason for no post lately (even though this one is getting longer my the minute) these past few weeks I've literally turned of the light & shut the door to my dungen-hell-hole-of-what-I-call-my-office in the house. The ADD part of me has defintely taken over in here and it causes much hardache when I walk in to my mess. I just don't even know where to start to clean up even if I had the time to do it! I have a little pathway between the clutter of "to do's", papers etc. to get on the computer to check emails. Forget taking the time to minster up the energy to sit here and post somthing exciting on my blog.(but I guess that is what I'm doing now-finally) I do sometimes take a moment (in the middle of the night-cuz I can't sleep) to sneek in here to read up on other blogs too. But, I just haven't been inspired yet on what to post on here. I also think its because we do have SO much going on right now...again feeling overwhelmed. Why am I feeling this way? Well hopefully my new shrink will help me figure all this out. No I'm not going crazy or anything,...just not feeling so inspired lately. hummm? OK...don't worry I'll be back soon....must go be super-mommy now...and try and get some rest. Wish me luck. Thanks doc for the Sonata sleeping pills! They're helping! Good nite blog world.

FW: Meet me in the stairwell

NEVER FORGET!

With the 7th Anniversary around the corner... We all need a reminder...

Wear red, white & blue on Thursday, September 11, 2008!

AND FLY YOUR AMERICAN FLAGS!!

this is a wonderful read...

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan ...
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you. But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God
During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are
doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it
is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the
following:

Stop and think and appreciate God's power
in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to
Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the
instructions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be
ashamed of you before My Father'

If you are not ashamed, copy and send this message...only
if you believe 'Yes, I love my God. He is my
fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and
night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do
everything. Christ is my strength.'


(this was an email send to me earlier this week by a dear friend of mine, I thought I'd share it on my blog...thx tamara)

Getting straightened out

OK i just have to talk a little about K&L's time at the ortho.
They were so excited to find out that they had an appt. with the orthodontist earlier this summer that they asked me everyday "Mom,..how many more days till we go to the orthodontist? Yeah! Only 5 more, only 4 more, only 3 more...etc." Till it was the night before their 10 am appt. they both came up to me separately...feeling a little anxious and worried that it was going to hurt. K said "mom don't tell L but I don't know if I want to go anymore?" Not but an hour later L came to me saying the same thing!

Well I have to tell you....it was a really memorable experience for both girls and I. They both now have expanders and will soon have braces. The ultimate goal of a beautiful "straight teeth" smile. (they already have beautiful smiles)

Going to the ortho is nothing like it used to be. I thought at the most they would take some x-rays and then they would looked at and be told that "Yes they will need braces once they are in High School for about 2 years." (I was wrong)

No...their treatment plan at the most will take 14 months. And we start NOW! They are in 3rd grade. They both are to wear top and bottom expanders (to spread apart their mouths) to make more room in their mouth so their teeth will grow in straighter. Once all the adult teeth are in...then they only have to get 4 little braces on the top 4 front teeth for a few months to help straighten them just right. They have braces in till they have the perfect smile! They will then wear a retainer to help keep them straight.

OMG! In my mind this is so much less invasive! I remember how horrible it was when I had braces...going in to have them tightened every few weeks was like choosing to have someone place your head in a vice and turn it till your mouth hurt so bad you couldn't even blink without causing pain. OK I'm being a little dramatic, but I also remember how much I hated having braces in High School. Eating with braces and trying not to show what you ate for lunch when smiling at the cute guy sitting next to you in class took much skill. (And it also took a really good friend whom you weren't afraid to ask if their was any food particles stuck in your teeth or stuck up in your braces.) (thx Kara) Some days I remember my friends and I just wouldn't eat until we got home. The day I got my braces off was liberating!!

Anyway..glad the girls don't have to deal with all that!
Here are pictures of them just before we were to meet with the Ortho. Can you just feel & see the excitement! They were being silly too.







After this meeting and lots of pictures we came back about 2 weeks later and had impressions done. They also got to "design" their expanders. Seriously...the stuff kids have today!

You'll see what lovely colors they decided on for both top and bottom expanders. Let me just say...it was like the MOST important decision in their life!! They discussed it among themselves for days...& changed their minds about 20 times too!! Though, I guess I'd have a hard time deciding too.
L ended up getting a glow-in-the-dark top expander that is neon pink! Her lower one is neon green. She said those two colors coordinated very well together. K decided for the rainbow look (with no sparkle) for both the top and bottom. She had a hard time deciding if she should have "sparkle" or not. I think she made a good choice...all the rainbow colors will coordinate well with anything you might be wearing, plus might even match what you're eating too.

Anyway, my job for the next few months is to use a little "key" and turn their expanders every few days. (what joy) This is slowly expanding their mouths. I also get to hear how I turned it too tight or how much it hurts now that I turned it. I gently remind them that I had it much worse when I was in HS and had braces. I say back in the old days...they used to put my head in a vice and....well you get the point. (he-he)

Now I'm tired talkin' teeth...but I do have to mention there have already been several instances where they each almost LOST their bottom expander. Not on my watch I might add. (knock on wood)
I've heard of them having to dig in Krispy Creme's bathroom trash to searching every isle in Tom Thumb finding it stashed neatly between cans of green beans. (what?) Well L did leave it at school this past weekend. (she was devastated) I was working on my story on what to tell DH (dear husband)if she did come home today to tell me it was not in her desk by her pencils like she said. Thank God the wire on her expander got caught on a spiral notebook in her desk so it didn't fall on the floor. I pray we make it without losing them till the day we get braces. I personally cannot wait to see the before and after pictures too! I'm sure I'll blog all about it... enjoy the photos.

www.wiseorthodontics.com

Pictures of the horses

PLEASE REMEMBER TO FIRST TURN OFF THE MUSIC BOX AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG...
Enjoy seeing pictures of our horses.
-Cami

Make a Smilebox slideshow

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S (just posting a slide show if pix from a trip we took)

PLEASE! BEFORE YOU CLICK PLAY PLEASE TURN OFF MUSIC AT BOTTOM OF BLOG PAGE.
THANKS!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

FW: CAM CAM

My brother saw this license plate today on George Bush...pretty funny.

Everyone used to call me "Cam-Cam". I'm glad that is not my nick name
anymore...

Anyway thought this was cool D thought to send this pix to me.

I'm headed out the door to get the twins at school....then its off to cheer
practice. My plan is to post much more later tonight.
I hope your able to open the picture attachment on my blog...I guess I'll
know soon.
-talk later

Cami
(formally cam-cam)
Now samsue---long story...

Simple & Sweet moments

Above picture is our little chihuahua Zoe. (she's waiting at the front door for the girls to come home from school)

Finally. I've been able to fix my computer (which has been working very slowly lately...until it finally it just locked up!) I've really been out of touch and spent most of the day today downloading pictures and catching up on reading all other blogs. I realized once my computer locked up how dependant I've become on my computer. Not being able to check my emails or get online really put me in a bad mood. I think its because it forced me to go do things I really hate doing like laundry, cleaning out closets, dishes etc. I usually do all those things but I take a lot of breaks in between to get on the computer. Really,... what did I do with all my time without having a computer?? humm? Don't really want to ponder on that for to long...

Anyhoo..., its been almost a month since I've last posted. OK,OK, I'm going to get better at posting. I'm thinking on what really stands out in my mind that is exciting to talk about. Humm?

Oh!! I know...Sydnee has finally said her first word! No its not Mommy or Dada. She likes to call out our dog's name! And guess what?! She says it over and over again! Especially when I'm in the car driving or while on the phone she yells "ZOOOEEEE! ZOOOEEEE!" I'm going to do my best to video her yelling for Zoe cuz when Zoe comes running to her,...its just so so sweet and precious how the two of them tell each other hello. To many times these last few days I wish I had my video camera on while watching Syd and Zoe play. At least I need to try and take a picture of them.

Speaking of special moments. I'm working on uploading all the pictures from the Summer and updating on all the fun we've had.(trying to finish where I left off from the last post)

Also Nick and I just returned from an incredible little vacation to Cali. We went to watch one of our horses race. But he ended up not racing...long story, but we had a memorable and incredible time anyway. I'm going to post tomorrow with the pictures. Sweet Summer memories and pictures from our recent trip.

Gotta run for now. (sorry for the short post)

Happy Labor Day....I'm off to go change a dirty diaper....Sweet!

It's 08-08-08!!

Wow. I don't know where to start. I've been out of pocket for awhile and have not posted in awhile. I thought today was a cool day to post.

Friday Aug. 8th, 2008. (08-08-08)

All the little precious babies born today will have a really neat birthday! Tonight I'm planning on going with my family to go see Jersey Boys. http://www.jerseyboysinfo.com/
I've only heard great reviews. I bought us all tickets for Dad Kearns' Father's day gift. He's really excited on going and to me that is the best gift of all. Seeing Dad Kearns happy. So who's going?? I got six tickets. So far Dad Kearns(of course) myself, Nickel, Little, and Damon are going for sure. We have one left and I'm not sure who is taking that one yet? Nana Nicki was going to go but she is now traveling with Gomama (Nick's grandma) and Aunt Joy to Roswald, NM. I'm sure I'll be able to tell you all about their adventures later. Nana was really bummed she is going to miss it. Maybe she'll spot another UFO while on her adventure! HA! I asked Darren "Skeeter" but he really doesn't have an interest. So I'll let ya know who takes the sixth ticket as soon as I do! I really hope we have good seats! I'll post all about it later to let ya know.

Now I'm trying to post and start where I last left off. I'd started this blog and then started redesigning it. I'd found it hard to post everyday like I thought I would. I was able to post short little updates on a few really special days...one being my 10 yr. wedding anniversary. And I've been working hard on making "smile boxes" and scrappin' other pictures I've taken with all that's gone on so far this summer. So I have a lot to catch up on...I'll do the best I can in one post.

Anyway back to my 10 year... so far we've only been able to go to dinner...but we've decided we are going to treat each other all this year by doing some special small things for each other now and then and taking a few trips together later on. I'm all about celebrating all year! :) Plus Nick and I decided to redo our backyard that includes a "spool"! Yes I did type SPOOL. I'll get more into that later and give all the details for sure! Check out http://www.classykoiponds.com/ to see more. No we are not putting big goldfish in our backyard.

Anyway, this summer has just flown by...I have a lot to catch up on. I last posted wanting to talk all about all the fun things we wanted to do this summer & how the last day of school was for the girls. So here I go...
(just FYI I started writing this post Aug. 4th...)
IT'S SUMMER TIME!! FOR SURE!! IT'S WAS 105 degrees TODAY!! HOT, HOT, HOT!!
OK back to what I'm doing...
I'd like to share some neat pictures of the girls on their last day of 2ND grade. They were so excited about Summer!! I took Sydnee with me up to the school to go get the girls. They let us take the kids home early that day or we could stay and enjoy the classroom parties if we wanted to stay. I thought we'd stay and party a bit, but as soon as I got there both girls were ready to leave! So after a few goodbyes and a few pictures with the teachers we headed out! We luckily got home just in time too!! It started pouring rain so bad that the tornado sirens were sounding off and we had to get into the hall coat closet!! I remember one of Katelyn's first comments to me was asking me when exactly were we going to go to the beach! Katelyn thought the next day was a good plan. Well, that didn't quite get to happen until later in July.


Here are some of my favorite pictures from the last day of school. I'm so thrilled that they really enjoyed their 2nd grade year. I was worried because this was the first time they were separated into different classes. We had a few bumps along with way but we've been able to work them out. Here are the pictures...Thank you Mrs. Curry(Lexi) and Mrs. Lewis(Katelyn) for an awesome year!!

After the rain stopped...we decided to meet up with Daddy, Grandma and Uncle Darren to go out to dinner at a new restaurant call Matitto's in the Frisco Square. I just have to show you these pictures of Sydnee at dinner that night!! I love it!! These of her and Nick are PRICELESS! My fav! Just sharing a sip of iced tea together.



She is such a ham and LOVES to play with every one's cell phones!! The one she has in these pictures is actually a toy phone that I'd bring for her to play with...but recently the batteries died on it and she quickly figured out that it wasn't a "real" phone so she is not into playing with it at all anymore. It's so funny that she doesn't even talk yet, but she knows to put the phone up to her ear and say "Yeah" and "uh humm". She sometimes takes the phone and pushes buttons with her thumbs and it looks like she's texting! Humm...wonder where she gets that from??
The last day of school this year was June 5th and it was on a Thursday. That next Friday we didn't do much but enjoy being able to sleep in.

Saturday June 7th was the RACE FOR THE CURE. http://www.raceforthecure.org/ in Plano at Legacy.Myself, the three girls went and met up with my mom. When I got there my brother met up with us as well and we all walked the 1 mile family fun run together. It was a beautiful day! The only thing that irks me was I forgot my camera. So here is some pictures of us at a past race we all walked in. Enjoy! (note Sydnee was not born yet! so she's not pictured)

The next week after the race we celebrated several birthdays and Father's day was on June 15th. Nick and I attended his bosses' 60th Birthday bash at Bent Tree C.C. Nick and Brian are head of the refinery at work and in the past they've always gotten Terry a really unique gift and this year they both knew they had to think of something really unique.

Well the night of the party Little had decided to take the girls in my car to her house. We were loading up the girls in the car in the driveway and Katelyn screamed out loud "WHAT'S THAT IN YOUR CAR DADDY!!" with a terrified look on her face too. He calmly said,"Oh that's just the monkey honey." I of course had no idea what the hey he was talking about, but sure enough he was right! It was a freaky looking monkey thing holding a sign in his truck! It was facing out the window and looked really weird! It kind of scared me too as it did Katelyn. But,... yes...this is the gift that was the talk of Terry's party. Brian and Nick thought they were so creative and just knew Terry would love this thing. We had to ride with this thing in the back seat of the truck...pull up to the valet and well, get the monkey out and carry him into the party. You should've seen the look on the young man at the valet,...the look on his face was priceless!

Mr. Valet sir, can you please hold the door we have to get the monkey out of the back seat.

So here is a few pix I took of Terry's 60th b-day bash! The monkey now lives with Terry at his home & I think he's sitting on his front porch! HA! What ever floats your boat Terry! Happy 60th! I'm just glad its not at my house scaring my children. (look at Nick's big smile...he really liked the monkey too I think)

OK ...I know I have more to catch up on but I think this post has just taken over my entire blog! So I'm going to post more later this weekend. I've got to tell all about Father's Day, my trip to Billy Bob's, our trip to Corpus Christi and Padre Island with Express cheer, dentists visits, 1st ortho visits and just some more Summer fun with the Smith's. I know it's so exciting isn't it? So I'll write again soon. For now it's getting late and I've gotta run... Syd is just to quiet so I know she's into something...I'd better go check it out!!

SHARING SOME SUMMER FUN

Make a Smilebox slideshow

STOP...READ!
BEFORE YOU CLICK PLAY PLEASE TURN OFF THE PLAYLIST MUSIC AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!
ENJOY OUR 4TH OF JULY!!

10 YEAR WEDDING ANIVERSARY TODAY!!

I don't have time to post much, I've got to go get ready..., on my way to dinner with Nickel. He's taking us to Bob's Steakhouse. Wonder what else we will do this weekend??
You can listen to our wedding song....
I had not listened to it in a long time...I still love it!
Its called...FOR THE FIRST TIME by Rod Stewart

Scroll down to the playlist at the bottom of this blog and you'll find it.

The song your hearing now (Bittersweet Symphony-THE VERVE) is also Nick & I's wedding song. We played it during our video at rehersal dinner. And its on our wedding video.

I'm going to go find that video now and show the girls. OMG! I can't show it to them because we don't have a VHS hooked up in the house anymore! Just a DVD player! I need to look into getting all my VHS home movies transfered to DVD's.
Ten years!! God it went by fast....
Well enjoy our song!


(looking forward to the rest of our lives honey! love u!)

msnbc.com: 'Last lecture' professor dies of cancer

'Last lecture' professor dies of cancer
Randy Pausch, a former Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose "last lecture" about facing terminal cancer became an international sensation, died Friday. He was 47.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25848017/from/ET/

a smile box from last summer...love it!

Make a Smilebox postcard

BEFORE YOU HIT THE PLAY BUTTON....SCROLL DOWN AND TURN OFF (HIT PAUSE) THE MUSIC THAT'S PLAYING FROM MY PLAYLIST!!!

Dallas Child - Death of Daughter Led Jenny Hander to Writing

I just ran across this article while looking through the Dallas Child magazine. I have about 20 copies to pass out to friends and family. I originally was planning on sharing the magazine copies because Katelyn's & Lexi's picture is in an ad on page 78. Their picture was chosen to be in an ad for Kids and Art. (which BTW is an awesome program) But now I'm also going to tell them to read the article/interview on Jenny Hander. Another story of TTTS. Jenny Hander has written a wonderful book. I've not read the whole thing yet but have it by my bed reading a little each night. I also have added her website to my link list. I'm planning on contacting Jenny at some point in the near future. We will have to see what happens. I'd love to sit and have a chat with her. :)


Dallas Child - Death of Daughter Led Jenny Hander to Writing

Above this the direct link to the article in the Dallas Child magazine. Don't forget to check out her website too. I've added it to my "links I like" list. ---ttyl
Cami

Happy Birthday Maam

Yes! Today was my Birthday and although I don't want to have anymore birthday's I have to say today was a really nice day.
I'm blessed beyond words for all the friends and family I have surrounding me in my life. I thought often today..."Thank you GOD for all you've given me."

Here are some pictures of my birthday dinner at Cheesecake Factory. This was a last minute decision to have dinner tonight...I'd originally asked if the family could get together later this weekend like on Sunday because earlier today I just wanted to relax at home and DO NOTHING! Well we all know how that goes,...we are always on the go. Also last night Nick and I got to sneak away to stay in a nice plush hotel after he took me to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. Thank you honey for a nice time. So, I was a little tired and like I said, I wasn't planning on doing much today on my "real" birthday.
I'm home now just after dinner with the family and wanted to post these pictures and post a note of what a nice day I had. I did feel old "-er" today. I had a nice day but couldn't help feel a little sad that I'm officially now in my late 30's. UGH! Forty is just around the corner!!! OK, OK I have to stop thinking bad and scary thoughts. I looked in the mirror and couldn't help but notice several more wrinkles than usual this morning. UGH! And why is it all of a sudden EVERY guy or person lately is calling me Ma'am! "Yes Ma'am", this and "Yes Ma'am" that I used to think this was polite but for some reason now I'm a little annoyed by it. I wonder..,do I look like I'm a Ma'am? Do I look older than my age or is calling me "Ma'am" is what I should expect from here on out? What happened to "MISS"?! or "Young lady" Or I'll be honest...I miss being called "Darlin'" (just a little bit). I know its a Texas thing...and only in college did I hear that. Oh Well...
I have to think good positive thoughts..(as Nick would tell me)...so I'm headed off to bed now trying to think of nice pretty thoughts. Hope you enjoyed the pictures from tonight...my favorite is the first one I posted. Finally,... one picture of the girls and I all looking at the camera! From left to right...Katelyn, Me, Sydnee and Lexi. Thanks Nick for taking it.
OK some more positive thoughts...
I get to extend my b-day out a little till the end of the week! As you see, Damon was not in any pictures. Damon was unable to come tonight because of work so he asked if he could take the girls and I to lunch on Friday at his Country Club. (OOOHHH fancy!) Katelyn was so excited while talking with Damon on the phone today in the car she said...,

"Hey Damon,..after lunch on Friday, maybe we all could play a little game of golf too?! I'll bring my clubs. What do you say?"
Too Funny! I could tell Damon was a little surprised by her request he responded by saying..."Well, I'll sure check to see if there is a tee time for us that day and I'll let you know...(sarcastically)...don't forget to bring your sticks OK!"

Katelyn I guess has yet to learn that her mom cannot hit a golf ball what-so-ever!
I don't even own clubs!
However, I'm glad she has showed some real interest in playing golf though. Maybe I'll be driving a golf cart around one day while watching the all the girls play soon?
(dreaming of being in a professional tournament...I'd hear..."here comes the Smith sisters...will they clinch the title again and make LPGA golf history??? We'll just have to wait and see how they handle the back nine.)

Wouldn't that be a change!? Hey! That's another good thought! How fun would that be??
Instead of me just being there chauffeur back and forth to cheer practices all day in the car!(must stay positive)
OK,... so that's a nice thought to end on don't ya think?? A little golf dream. Plus I'm tired and I keep making typo mistakes!

Happy birthday to me...let's make it a great year ahead!! Good night!

Sueno,Syd and wishing for a stroller

OK who'd ever thought that some day we'd own a race horse?? I never dreamed something like this would ever come our way. Well we are proud owners of Sueno whom is going to be racing this coming weekend again soon. Sometimes the races don't make so I might not be able to tell how she did this weekend if so. I do know the day she raced in the pictures above (#5) it was a really neat day for the family. It was the first time we brought the girls to come watch Sueno race. It was on Sat. the day before Mother's Day. Sueno was really hot that day and as Nathan her trainer put it she was being a "real" bitch that day! Very very feisty and just ready to run it out! Well she sure did!! We got to the track just two races before she was to race. We went outside to watch her prep and walk...IT was INCREDIBLY HOT.. and Nathan kept poring buckets of ice on her. Which really made her mad too! The girls, Nana and I earlier in the day had enjoyed a "Mother's Day Tea" in Plano along with my mom and Memaw. It was really nice. We were all very excited to be able to go with Nick later on to the races. Like I said we got there just in time to watch her walk. I remember my stomach hurting from excitement and also worry that something was going to happen to Sueno in the race because she had never ran in this kind of heat before. I remember hearing others put in their bets and talking about Sueno. I also quickly put my bet down. She was 5/1 which was not so hot and Nick said it was because in the last race she ran she won 2nd and should have won. This time she was expected to win. But you never know what's going to happen. After trying to answer every question under the sun from the twins... we all raced outside to the lowest part of the track pushing our way through the crowd and watching as they loaded the horses in their spots. Trying to keep a close eye one the girls and answering all their questions...I realized how super HOT I was getting. I was holding Sydnee and trying to get her to look out on the track. She was more interested in getting down and walking & exploring what was all over the ground. (old bet tickets and cigarette butts) Then the race began!! And God was it HOT!! I was sweating so bad and we'd only been outside for about 10-15 minutes!!At the first of the race we all were biting our nails and it was very silent...Sueno was riding in the middle of the pack. Then as the pack rounded the corner we all were yelling and jumping up and down. I could not stop thinking about HOT and humid it was!! My eyes were burning from sweat getting into them. By this time, I'd given up on fighting with Sydnee holding her back from the ground. I let her slide out from my sweaty arms. She too was just burning up! Her face was getting red and her head was wet with sweat too. I thought to myself just a little longer (like a minute) and we'd go inside to cool off! Suddenly... Sueno started to come around on the outside of the pack and pass all the others....then she was neck 'n neck with one other horse for the lead. We were all screaming and jumping up and running toward the track...GOD!! RUN!! BABY!! RUN!!!----YES!!YES!! YES!!------- SUENO WON!! SHE DID IT!! ---------------now hear is the part where I'm so so sad to say I did. I along with all the others standing with us started walking briskly toward the winners circle. All huggin', and giving each other high fives etc! Then I realized...HOlY CRAP where is Sydnee!! She was just at my feet and now GONE! As I looked frantically around yelling her name...I about threw up!! I look back behind me where we were standing and see Nana racing toward her as she lay on the ground crying. I raced over to her and grabbed her from Nana who had just swooped her up. She had a scrap on her sweaty little head and was whimpering her little cry. Nana said she saw her walking away from me as I watched the race and then as the race ended the crowd trampled over her to get closer to the track and she got knocked down. I cannot believe I'd just walked on without her!! God I felt horrible and at this point and I started yelling for Nick. He came running back from going toward the "winners circle" and gave me a stern look and took Sydnee from my arms. We all started walking toward the finish line to Sueno. We didn't make it to the winners circle in time to get a picture with Sueno and its all my fault for leaving my precious Syd behind. I tried to video a little bit of the end of the race and us trying to get our picture too but that didn't work so well either. You can check it out what I was able to video. I was so thrilled that Sueno won but at the same time I couldn't stop thinking what Sydnee must be feeling and what horrible things would've happened. Thank God for Nana getting to her so quickly. A Mother's Day weekend race and I definitely did NOT deserve to get a medal for MOM of the year or anything. All in all, it was a memorable day...and next time I go watch Sueno race, I'm going to stay inside watch the race on the monitors, sip on a cold one while I rock & push Sydnee in her stroller!!