Bliss

I feel the same way when I see you, Abby!

A visit from the doctor

Abby's Dr. came to visit us today. He and a nurse came to our house for a well-child appointment. It was fantastic! She giggled and laughed on her little playmat she lays on every day. So comfortable in her surroundings. So was I. I wasn't rushed and frazzled. Relaxed, coffee in hand. Even her vaccinations weren't so bad. She cried but calmed down much faster. Had a bottle and off to bed (where she is right now, because I chose home instead of Apple Store!).

It's a great way to get to know your pediatrician, you know the person who takes care of the 4 people I love more than myself! The person I trust to care as much as I do for these little people.

Some things need to be improved on over time, but in home Dr. visits just like the old days work for me!

Of ducks and I phones

Well today could've been a bad day because something BAD happened yesterday. Really bad. Zac and I were at the pond in our neighborhood on a very windy day. We were sitting on a bench feeding the ducks when my stroller flew into the pond. I pulled the stroller out along with Zac's scooter. Everything looked good. A little wet, but fine. We continued to feed the ducks. I kept noticing the ducks looking at some white square thing on the bottom of the pond. I thought hmmm wonder what that is, interesting it catches their attention. We got up to leave and the light bulb went on. It was my Iphone. Yep, the shattered one
I 've been carrying around so I can get the 4G in ONE month. Did I panic. Pretty much. Didn't think I could live without it.

Well, I have survived. I have even decided this doesn't require an emergency trip to the mall (I hate the mall!). In fact, seeing my baby napping peacefully in her bed, instead of dragging her around T-town won out. I do have my priorities right some of the time. So good to know!

Am I a nerd?

I 'm beginning to think so. I never realized what cool things they have at Best Buy and the Apple Store. Just call me a late bloomer. You buy one thing and just follow the trail...

It started with an Ipod and then an Iphone and then an I Mac and now the Apple TV. No more scratched DVDs.  Zac carries them around like stuffed animals you see. This habit is getting out of control! So before I get cut off, you must see the new app I downloaded. It is called Hipstamatic. It's a camera. I love it. So does Hanna.  You will probably see more photos taken with it. Enjoy...

(Ok, pretend like I have make up on here!)

By the way, I know you think I'm really cool because I found this cool app. I'm not. Someone told me about it. They are cool.

Fresh air, dirt, and miracles

Begrudgingly, Chris and I took our kids to the lake this weekend. We love the lake just not when it is cold and rainy and yard work is SERIOUSLY calling our name. Chris and I both squeezed in workouts right before we left to prepare us mentally and physically for a whole weekend of family time!

In fact, when we got to Wal-Mart my legs were so sore from running I could hardly walk. I even thought about grabbing the battery-powered buggy (just kidding, I probably couldn't figure out how to drive it) but waddled through instead.

We arrived and unloaded just in time to watch a movie and go to sleep.

Yes we woke to a cold and rainy day. We were going to have to be creative.

What to do when it's cold and rainy at the lake? You can drive the golf cart around and around and around, which we did:

Will driving...

Hanna Driving!

Let me give you a hint...when you tell an 8 and 10 year old to stop. They STOP. On a dime. I have a sore neck to prove it. Otherwise it was quite an enjoyable adventure. Zac rode on the back covered in blankets. Thank God he hasn't requested to drive. Requested for Zac means jumping up and down with a bobbing head while screaming, "I want ____!"

We fished. Zac hooked himself within 10 seconds of getting the fishing pole in his hands. Can you imagine why there are no pictures of our excursion?

We watched more movies and to cap our night off the kids wallowed in a big, huge dirt pile...

Yes, look closely they are actually being nice to each other! Fresh air and dirt do amazing things.

No pop for Willie

Have you argued with an 8 year old...for 5 hours? The only break I've had is his baseball game. Currently we are arguing over pop. He is begging to take pop on his field trip. Begging, pleading, even telling me I am going to. Too bad his dad and I just watched an expose on sugar. Too bad, so sad. No pop for Will.

Our day was pretty ordinary. Abby has decided to fall asleep BEFORE we go to the gym which means I haven't been for a week. Zac has decided to throw a Chris Farley like fit BEFORE he goes to bed which means his dad and I are like mush by the time we hit the bed. He also insists on wearing his brothers catchers mask everywhere we go, and I do mean everywhere.

Now its time to fix lunch for tomorrow (without pop) and mentally prepare myself for the zoo with 50 1st and 2nd graders. Wow.

Another eventful weekend! I spent Saturday in Stillwater. I woke up early to run a 10K which is a 6.something mile race. This might seem a little brutal to some, perhaps even challenging. But no it was an ESCAPE. Eight hours with adults only. AHhhhhh. Yes, I had to run six painful miles in the process but it was definitely worth it. The only person annoying me was me! It was the "Remember the 10" run. The 10 are the 10 OSU basketball players and staff who died in the plane crash nine years ago. I felt strong at the end of the race knowing we were running for those who couldn't. I thought of the 10 lives who were ended suddenly and tragically. I was tired and sore, but still here and able to run.

Sunday we spent in Oklahoma City. Our niece Alyssa was being confirmed at church. This is Alyssa (of course she is not at church, she is in New Orleans!)

Later that day we went to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. Today is the day before the anniversary. It brought back so many memories. I lived in Oklahoma City when it happened. Even today, I felt the crushing sadness. The unfairness of young children being killed for no reason. Mom's and dad's in agony over their little ones being taken. The brutal force that left that building and so many lives in shambles. The memorial is excellent in reliving what happened. Oklahoma City has responded amazingly. It was bittersweet to see.

So I spent my weekend thinking of many who were gone to soon.

I hugged my kiddos close tonight. Thankful that I have them safe and sound in our home.

These are at the Memorial. They aren't great pics. There is a wall on onside that says 9:01 a.m. and on the other end it says 9:03a.m. The chairs are in the center which is 9:02 a.m. and when the bombing occurred. There is a chair for each person who died that day. The smaller chairs are for the children.

New Orleans Cox-Family Style

Ok, yes New Orleans survived and so did we. Just a few bumps along the way, such as the drunk guys giving my children advice on their college plans and general future. No they weren't drunk college guys, they were guys who have been drunk  since college and that was a long time ago for them!

We went to St. Patricks Day parades, ate Cajun food, saw alligators, shopped and ate beignets every single day!

Too much fun.

See those beads around their necks? We had bags and bags to carry back to our hotel. Speaking of, did you know the street cars stop working early on parade days in New Orleans?  Yep, they do. Do you know what that means? Mom and dad get to carry pounds of beads while they walk a long, long distance. That is until Mom boycotts the walk and stages a mini demonstration by sitting in the middle of the sidewalk until Dad finds a cab. It was a peaceful demonstration. It worked.

In honor of my peaceful demonstration and I thought it looked cool.

Ok, yes they saw a tiny, tiny bit of Bourbon Street.

Ok, yes we let them go inside a bar. It was a long day!

yummy, yummy beignets!

Ok, you know how most kids get a cool t-shirt or something as a souvenir? 

Not Hanna! She got the pony tail in a wig store in the French Quarter.

Jackson Square Day and Night...

Can't leave without holding a baby alligator!

Since you heard from me...

We've been to New Orleans, celebrated Easter, won a few baseball tournaments, attended Suessical the Musical 2nd-grade style, high-fived Elmo, and much, much, more! See below for a first-hand view.

So excited to see Elmo...

Sesame Street Live Rocks!

Go Vypers!

Yes, He is embarassed.

Chillin' in the high chair

Too much fun.

Breakfast with my mommy.