Deck the Stalls

Today was the Fort Smith Christmas Parade, and Payton's preschool participated with wagon floats. Each float was a different Christmas Song. There were 19 total wagon floats We were "Deck the Halls" however Payton and several other parade watchers said it was "Deck the Stalls". My "h" looks like an "s" to some people.

The kids had a great time. They did great throwing out candy to the parade watchers, and Payton even waved a few times. Both kids ate tons of candy, and we all had a great time. Payton cried when we got in the truck because he wanted to go back to the parade. Tonight he said, "We had fun being in the Christmas Parade today and tomorrow we will do it again." That statement was worth all the time making the float. Hopefully it was our first of many parades.

Reagan's First Haircut

A non-excited Reagan is about to get her first haircut!

Reagan got her first haircut today! I never thought she would ever have enough hair to cut, but she finally needed a trip to remove some of the "baby hair". One of my girlfriends from college does our hair. Stacy always does such a great job with the kids.

Reagan did great! She sat up in the chair by herself and didn't move at all. No fits or tears! Of course mommy had to take pictures for the scrapbook. Miss Stacy also gave me some locks of hair for her scrapbook too. Payton got a haircut too, and he did great as well.

Thanksgiving Camping Trip

We spent the week of Thanksgiving camping in our new camper on Lake Ouachita. Mamaw and Papaw Dumas joined us, and we had a great time. We were pretty close to Gree and Pal's house (my mom) so we went there and had Thanksgiving Lunch with family.

As most of you know, our little Park passed away three years ago this past week. Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd, was the anniversary of his passing. There is still not a day that goes by that he is not missed or in our thoughts. We love you little guy - our angel in heaven! You changed our life forever! Thanks for allowing us to be your family!

I couldn't go without saying something about him................

Park's Pen Now Has A Blog!

Park's Pen is my "hobby"/business that I sell on ebay and locally, and I now have started a blog for all of my recent shipments.
Check it Out!
www.parkspen.blogspot.com

Our "Happy" Halloween!

We had a great time last night! Our church has a great "Family Fun Night" with carnival games, bounce arounds and pony rides. They even had a little area with preschool games for the smaller kids. The kids were great and both experienced their first pony ride. It was really a fun night!

Our Great Weekend!

We had a great weekend camping with couples from church at Marval Family Resort in Gore, OK. It was a great place for the kids with a great playground and activites. I think we had around 10 families that camped and when you add in all the kids we had about 50 people together.

Saturday Payton and Mike went on a hayride and planted "magic" pumpkin seeds. Then a couple hours later Payton and I went back to get the pumpkin that had grown. He was so excited picking his pumpkin. We then took them back and let him paint his pumpkin. He loved that little pumpkin so much that he slept with it Saturday night then brought it over to our bed during the night.

Both kids had a great time playing with all the other kids. Saturday night the kids were able to dress up in their halloween costumes and go around to other campsites and cabins and trick or treat. They loved seeing all the decorations and of course the candy was great too. The Razorback game was played on a large 20 X 20 screen so we were able to set in our lawn chairs and watch the game.

It was a great weekend and we enjoyed being with the kids and our great friends!

So Long September - Our Month In Review

I cannot believe September has came and gone! September seemed to be a busy month for us, but I cannot think of really anything significant that occupied our time. Mainly kids and schedules.

Payton continues to go to preschool during the week from 8-11:30. He really seems to like it however last week I did have several mornings where I left him screaming and crying on the floor or in his teacher's arms. That was a little unsettling for mommy, but he did fine as soon as I left. On the third day of his episodes I finally realized that his tantrums were not because he dislike preschool it was because the "Letter of the week" was still "A" and it didn't change each day to the letter he wanted. What fun I have with my intellectual child.

We have made several trips to Toys R Us in the last couple of weeks purchasing poo-poo in the potty rewards. Payton has done great going to the potty. Several times a day we all get to go and scream yea around the potty. Payton has done so well we have now forgone the reward system however Payton now asks me everyday "Do you have a surprise for me Mommy?"

Reagan is developing and changing so fast. She seems to be jabbering all the time, and at times we are even hearing words......"mine"......"Tayton" for Payton........"to-to" for Toby our dog....."no no" which she is hearing a lot these days....and of course all the grandparent names: Mamaw, Papaw, Poppa, Gree and Pal. She has developed a love for shoes. Shoes from everyone's closet are found all over the house because she gets them and wears them all around the house as she pushes her baby doll in the stroller. It continues to amaze us how different little boys and girls are. Payton is so rough and rowdy, and Reagan seems to be very nurturing and loving. Both kids are extremely dramatic which Mike would say comes from me!

I ran my second 5K this past Saturday. I improved my time by 2+ minutes from my first 5K so I was really pleased with that. It was really neat because the race "Survivor's Challenge" was sponsored by the local Cancer Support House, and it really caused me to reflect back on my cancer journey. It was two years ago September that I finished chemo, and then this weekend I finished a 5K race! wow! What a journey! I am so thankful to the Lord for his healing power on my life! Mike and Payton (Reagan was still sleeping) greeted me home with a decorated kitchen and signs. It was really cute. Mike tried to get Payton to write things for me, but he decided he wanted to write "orange", "brock" and other special words he thought I wanted to see. Then they made me a precious banana smiley face with sprinkles. It was really special to hear them say "way to go mommy".

I hope to post again before November gets here. Happy October!

Our Week and the Skating Party!

We had a good week this week adjusting to our schedule. Payton got to school on time every day. We all are doing well getting up. Honestly Lady Reagan seems to have the most challenge not getting all her beauty sleep, but she will get better as time goes on.

Payton has done well in his "big boy underwear" this week. He went until Thursday without an accident! yippee! He now has had an accident everyday for the past couple of days, but he is definitely doing better with using the potty. Reagan always joins us when we take Payton to the bathroom, so I decided to get the little potty out again for her to start playing with. She is so cute just sitting on it (with her diaper on) while Payton goes to the potty. She even once said "tee tee" while she was on it. Hopefully she will be easier to train than Payton.

Saturday we went to the Children's Choir Kickoff Skating Party. Now that Payton is three, he can participate in Children's Choir at Church. (Mike is already worried about what Payton will do in front of the church when they have programs.) Anyway, Payton had never been skating before so I was so excited about introducing him to a skating rink. As usual, he didn't want to skate. He ate pizza and played for a while then decided to skate around once. He did really good! Of course Mike and I had a death grip on both arms, but no limbs were broken so it was a success. Mommy then put on some skates and Payton helped me skate. It was a great day for everyone!

Payton Goes To Preschool!

Payton started preschool today! He was not very excited about getting up this morning at 6:30am (maybe because we usually sleep until 9:00am!), but we made it on time. They said he did great, and he got a smiley face on his hand for using the potty and getting a drink of water. Yes, he was in the same clothes I took him in so apparently there were no accidents. He said he wanted to go to preschool again tomorrow so I think he will do just fine!

Reading With Daddy!

Mike is such an awsome daddy! He spends every evening after bathtime playing with the kids. Reading has become one of Payton's favorate things and for the first time Reagan joined them last night. Daddy had both of his babies in his lap at the same time reading a book.

Way to go Dad!

Just Living Life

Not too much exciting news going on at the Dumas Home. Both kids have been a little under the weather. Reagan has had viral bronchitis and Payton has a double ear infections. We are doing the antibiotic/breathing treatment thing, but they both are doing fine and on the mend.

Reagan is doing so many new things. She has discovered my jewelry and loves to parade around the house with her "finds". She loves dog food. We have had to put Toby's food and water up until she is in bed because she eats the dog food and baptizes everything in his water. She is also starting to talk. She says the usual "momma"and "daddy" and we have now added "ball", "toe" for Toby, "baby" and something that sounds like "bubba" for Payton.

We "threw away" Payton's diapers this weekend. We really didn't through them away, but I just decided that we were going to go-for-it and do the underwear thing. He has really done well. He made it successfully through church and naptime yesterday. He did have an accident yesterday at home, but that is expected. We still do pull ups at night, but as we tell him "no more diapers". He starts preschool from 8-11 Monday-Friday next week. I think I am ready for a more scheduled day, but as everyone knows I am not a morning mommy so getting us anywhere at 8AM on time is going to have to come from the Lord. We went and bought all his school supplies, and he is really excited.

I put a few pictures of some our my Park's Pen items. I have been painting several nights a week to get things ready for the upcoming Fall/Christmas seasons. There is a link below on this page to our ebay store if you ever want to check it our. More items are coming.

I will post Payton's first day of preschool pictures next week. Please pray that I will get him there on time!

The End of Another Week!

Payton tried on his daddy's glasses one night! Isn't this precious?!

I thought some of you would get a laugh out of these!

We have made it to another weekend! Yippee! Daddy is home! I have felt like such a mom this week as I experienced all the wonderful joys of poop! As I got groceries one night, a Sam's employee pointed out to me that I had something all over the front of my white capri pants. You guessed it.............poop. Reagan had an upset belly before we went to the store and as I picked her up it apparently dripped all over my white pants. Then the next night Daddy screamed "help" from the bathroom where he was bathing the kiddos. I ran in there only to find poop floating in the bathtub. Reagan had again blessed us with a present.

Then last night Daddy gave Mommy a small break and took the kids outside to play. I walked outside to find my children eating fistfuls of dirt. Not just dry gritty dirt, but a handful of wet clay-like dirt. Both kids had it from their nose to their chin, and Payton even had it in between his teeth. yuck! Daddy duty sure is different than Mommy duty!

The joys of motherhood/parenthood are never ending. Even with all the poop, I am truly blessed with my beautiful children - and my Mike!

"By His abundance we have received one blessing after another." John 1:17

Our family truly has received one blessing after another! Even poop is a blessing!

Home Happenings!

It has been awhile since I posted. We have just been maintaining our family and having lots of fun. We have been able to see old friends - Joey, Beth and Baylor Bounds - last weekend at the Tulsa Aquarium. That was really fun. We have also been swimming some, and Payton is now sleeping in his full size bed. All is great here!

Our Camping Vacation

We returned home yesterday from our camping vacation. We spent a week camping on Lake Degray. It was a great time! The kids were great. We got to spend time with family and friends, and we spent sometime fishing and skiing.

VBS - Thumbs Up To A Great Week!

Barbara and I giving a thumbs-up Friday!

Friday completed 6 months worth of work as VBS ended. It was a great week! Twenty-two souls were saved! What a blessing it was to be a part of this wonderful week. Barbara, the VBS Director, and I worked so well together. It was just a great experience!

Unfortunately my body wore out a little before the week was over, and due to a virus (that Mike and I both had at the SAME TIME. That was an experience) that caused a fever. I got to spend Friday night in the hospital. I had signs of a possibly needing my appendix out, but fortunately I didn't have to have it removed. I received a couple doses of IV antibiotics and went home Saturday. Since chemo, my body has become quite a science project and just doesn't handle things like most people. oh! Well! I am thankful for the semi-healthy body I do have.

Anyway....now summer can begin for our family! Yippee!

Our Fun Friday.......

Aren't Fridays supposed to be the best day of the week??? Here at our house it has been a crazy and funny day. Only at our house..........

My morning began at 4:45am when my alarm went off to go to the gym. I made it out of bed and had a great workout. I was home by 6:45. By 7:15 I had made a quick trip (18 min) to Wal-Mart to purchase more paint so that I could finish painting the "stadium scene" for our VBS which starts on Monday. The kids fortunately slept until 9:00am, so God was very gracious to give me some productive paint time. Once the kids were awake, we had breakfast outside. They began playing with toys outside so I continued to paint.

Payton has been doing so well using the potty this week so I decided to make today an underwear day! He did great in them for 30 minutes, then he decided to poo poo in them. Nothing is more disgusting than poo poo in underwear! Since I had just started picking up things so we could go in I decided to let Payton wear his dirty pants for a few minutes. Those few minutes became a nightmare as all the poop began to seep out his shorts. yuck! Since we were outside I decided just to strip him down and hose him off before going inside. Just as I got him naked and was washing him off Fed Ex came to deliver a package. Isn't that wonderful timing??!! I explained to him that we were potty training. He kind of grinned and walked away quickly. Just as the Fed Ex guy was getting on his truck, my naked son yelled, "Look mommy I am pee peeing by myself." Just as I looked over to praise him, the string of urine hit Reagan. Yes, Payton was peeing on his sister!

Since all that drama had occurred, I thought I was safe for a few hours. But just a few minutes after we had came inside Reagan dropped the surround sound speaker on her toe and tore her entire third toenail off. More drama!

So it is now noon on Friday, and I am worn out! Surely the last half of Friday will be less eventful at our house. On days like today you just have to smile!

Exciting Times!

As a mommy you get excited about simple things. Today Payton poopooed in the potty! And of course, mommy had to take a picture! This is a true scrapbook moment. We have been working on using the potty, and when we have victories we get REALLY excited. He is beginning to wear underwear out in public, but we have to be sure and take extra clothes. He said when he pee pees in his underwear that he makes them "feel better".

Now everyone can see our beautiful lime green toilets. No, I did not put them in the house. When we bought the house, they were here and because the showers and bathtubs are the same "beautiful" shade of green we left them. I just had to decorate around them. Many people have said they are coming back in style. Maybe we are just ahead of the trend!

Eating Dirt!

Reagan has discovered dirt!

It looks like big brother is encouraging her! "Eat This!"

A face only a mother could love!

We all know kids will discover the dirt sooner or later, and Reagan found the dirt yesterday. Mike was playing in the yard with the kids, and they somehow migrated over to some dirt. My precious baby girl was eating it by the time I got the camera out there. Even Mike said this was a picture moment.

Summer Fun!

Summer is finally here! We love summer around our house. June especially seems to be enjoyable before it gets too hot.

The kids had their first swimming lesson last night at the Fitness Center. They offered a Monday evening toddler class, and we chose to enroll both kids and make it a family activity. The kids did really well last night. Reagan just loves the water and just wanted to splash around. Payton actually followed the instructor's commands and did what he was supposed to. I don't know who had more fun Mike or Payton, but we did enjoy spending time together.

Today I took the kids to our city pool. They have a great "splashpool" for the kids. We are so fortunate to have such a nice facility for the younger kids. Payton just walked in the water most of the time, and Reagan spent most of her time playing in some of the water spouts. Mommy enjoyed just getting out in the sun. It was the first of many times we will go there this summer.

Happy Birthday Reagan!

Happy First Birthday Reagan!

Today has been a great day celebrating Reagan's first birthday. We have had lots of fun visiting with family and friends, eating cake and opening presents. We are so blessed! God has given us so much including the wonderful gift of having Reagan in our lives! We love you little girl! Happy Birthday!

Memorial Day Camping Trip

Payton loved riding in the boat!

Reagan in her bikini!

Reagan at her first fish fry!

Mike skiing

We spent Memorial Day weekend camping on Lake DeGray. It was a great time being together as a family and seeing some old friends. Thanks Debbie for the pictures! We were able to spend some time out in the boat, and the kids did great. Payton will sit in the seat beside Mike or help Mike drive, and Reagan sleeps in the boat. She does not like wearing her life jacket, but she eventually realizes that it is not coming off and goes to sleep.

This was our first of several camping trips this summer. We are excited about getting back to some of our old hobbies..............even though doing them with kids is quite an adjustment.

Reagan's One Year Pictures

Reagan had her one year pictures taken last week. We got some great pictures. These are just a couple of them! Her birthday is Saturday.

Reagan's Swimsuit Debut!

Reagan had her swimsuit debut today! We spent some time outside this afternoon playing in the sprinkler and with bubbles so it was the perfect time to try a swimsuit on Reagan. I can't wait to put her bikini on her. Reagan didn't like the sprinkler, but she loved watching her brother play in it.