Mother's Day

A happy Mother's Day to all mothers and all women who "mother" someone!

I had an early Mother's Day celebration today. Cory and Cole went together to run errands around 11:30 so Cohen and I could nap! Then this afternoon we worked outside, mowing and washing windows. Finally the boys cooked me a delicious Mother's Day meal and gave me a box of beautiful organic soaps that have all different ingredients and purposes! It was soooo cool, I didn't have a chance to take a picture b/c naturally Cole and I immediately chose a soap with lots of bubbles and hopped in the tub for his nightly bath! But I'll post one later!

So I had a great Mother's Day thanks to a wonderful husband! Cory, you are an amazing daddy and an even better husband and I love you!

Pray Now!

Kaci needs your prayers as she gets her MRI! Pray for a miraculous shrinking of the tumor and even a complete disappearance!

Heavenly Father, be with Kaci and Ryan right now! Pour down your healing grace and give her the treatment that only the Great Physician can give. We pray that you re-energize and re-invigorate the whole family in this, their new "mission field". We lift the kids to you and pray that you are providing them the ultimate parenting experience while their parents are fighting and working for Christ! Be with them now, in Jesus' name we pray!

Pray for Kaci

For those of you who may not know, one of my very best friends has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor and is fighting that cancer like a champ! I haven't posted about it before because I think most of my blog audience are family and friends who also read her blog. But on the off chance that there is anyone out there who reads mine and doesn't read hers, I wanted to be sure to spread her story.

Kaci is my childhood best friend, freshman year of college roommate and someone who will undoubtedly be a lifelong friend. Her high school sweetheart, Ryan, asked her to marry him during our freshman year of college. Together they have three darling kids, Tate, Mya and Jada. They currently live in Guymon after a two year mission in Albania. They live across the street from my parents (who live one house down from her parents which is how we became such good friends in the first place) and so I get to see them when I go home to visit!

If I had to describe Kaci in one word I would probably use loyal. Once she loves something - she sticks with it. She is a loyal, dependable friend, wife, daughter, mother, and follower of Christ. She has been unfailing in her faith during this trying time and I think that is pretty characteristic of her as she's never been one to like drama or make a big deal over things. I also see her as the type of person who is constantly moving forward. She doesn't like to sit still and isn't afraid of the future or sad about leaving the past. She used to always make me get up early in college b/c she didn't want to sleep all day and she had some adventure in mind!

So I won't go into all the detail of her story, her blog is the best place for that and its at the top of my list to the right so go to "Ronne Family" for more information. But today at 10:30 she has an MRI and we are praying that there has been some decrease in the size of the tumor due to her recent few weeks of radiation. Her husband, Ryan, has been the leader of what has become "Team Kaci" over the past two months and he is asking that we all pause to pray at 10:30.

I do believe that God hears all our prayers equally, so that the simple, unpracticed prayer muttered by the inmate on death row is heard with the same clarity as the eloquent prayer of the most adored pastor. But I do think God will be chuckling at 10:30 and saying "I knew you could do it". I think that he knew that this tumor would not be a TEST for Kaci, Ryan and family but would be a TESTament to their faith that would shine the light of his love to the blogger community, Facebook forum, and countless churches and homes as people learned of her story and her family's faithful reaction.

So please join in the prayer today (and everyday) that God will heal her and claim his power over all things!

Laughter is the BEST medicine

Just wanted to note a STRANGE phenomenon in our house lately. Since Cohen was born we have had NO illness. Now I know that I'm probably jinxing myself and I'm sure it has something to do with no daycare...but it is really nice! And I think that part of it is the constant hilarity around here. See Cohen's new beautiful smile for proof that we spend a lot of the day just laughing!

Can you tell who is who?

I thought these pictures are a pretty good match in age and activity so can you tell which brother is which?

Dallas Children's Museum

We had a very eventful day today! Cory was given some tickets to the NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway today so the boys and I decided to go on our own outing. We went straight from church to the Vanderlick's house to meet up with Tatum and Peyton (Tim was with Cory). After naptime, we all loaded up and headed to the Dallas Children's Museum in Fair Park. Cohen enjoyed a very nice, uninterrupted nap in the stroller while Cole and Peyton ran all around the exhibits. They especially enjoyed the firetruck jungle gym, the water table (big mess - you guys know Cole and water), the farm exhibit, and the aquarium (full of snakes, turtles, fish, etc.). We had a great time, thanks Tatum for the idea! Unfortunately I forgot my camera and Tatum took hers but left the memory card at home. So we got NO pictures! So I'm just posting random pictures b/c people complain if I post without pictures!

Cole helping me with Cranberry muffins - he LOVES to help with baking!

Cohen trying hard to sleep through the mayhem!

Cohen Bennett

Up to this point my blog has been pretty quiet on the subject of Cohen Bennett. That is only due to the fact that life with "two under two" does not allow for a lot of computer time! But "blog silence" generally means "life loudness" so here's the latest on Cohen.

First, he is seven weeks old today! Yay! He is the perfect baby.....that's right....I've had two perfect babies! Lucky girl am I and yes, I've considered being a surragate for hire. He is already sleeping 4 to 5 hours at a time. He is awake and alert during the day, smiling and cooing at his big brother. He receives SEVERAL smacks, eye pokes, paci hijacks a day from Cole and rarely puts up a fuss. He is very snuggly and starting to be quite talkative, loves baths and being outside (good thing b/c Cole won't stay indoors at all anymore). I will admit that when something does upset him, he will let you know! In a very long and loud way! I attribute that to being the second child - you have to pick your battles so when you do pick one, its important to stage it appropriately! But I tell him that I understand and that despite certain disadvantages (like not having the dexterity to defend your paci against your older brother when you REALLY need it), second in line is a good place to be!

As of today, he is about 12 pounds 15 ounces and I can't tell how long b/c he's too long for my scale. He had his first road trip last week to OKC. And his next one is planned for next week - to Houston.

Ok, I think that covers the basics - enjoy the pics!