Fall Party

Jones had a "Fall Party" at his preschool on Thursday. I got to enjoy the morning with him and his class. He was also the special helper that day so he got to be first (which is always good for him) and he got to sit at a special desk, use Mr. Pointer during calendar time and dress the Weather Bear--FUN STUFF All the classes had a special snack, craft, tractor/wagon ride, and games in the gym. It was a jam packed morning of fun!

The Many Stages of My Hair!

WARNING--THIS IS A LONG POST!

After talking with Amy and looking at a couple of pictures, I am amazed at how fast (it seemed very slow at first) my hair is growing! Most of you know that I went through chemotherapy in the Fall of 2006; I lost my hair in October of that year and since my last chemo round in January of 2007 I have been growing my hair out. Amy wanted to see the progression of my 'hair-growing-out' stages. I must admit I did not like it when I stopped wearing my wig (way too short for my taste) but my Heber friends told me I looked better than Brittany Spears when she shaved her head! :-) So take a look at the pictures and be amazed at the transformation!!March 2006--This picture was at Jones' 1st Birthday--this was the hair I was used to having so I will probably try & grow it out again at least once! :-) October 2006--This is during chemo actually about 2 weeks after treatments. This was my attempt at short hair before I lost it all--not too short now that I think about it! December 2006--This picture was taken during the middle of my chemo rounds--I was a little camera shy for the most part--only wigless during my time at home or working out.January 2007--Laynie's 4th Birthday Party--Me in one of my wigs--this is the one I wore on a daily basis--after the inital shock of hairloss and wearing a wig--it was kind of nice. I didn't feel much like messing with my hair in the mornings anyway so thankfully I just washed once a week and let it air dry! Crazy but it looked perfect everyday!

May 2007--This is one of the first weekends I went totally without my wig in front of lots of people--I was very nervous, but Trey encouraged me and I just did it--NO WIG!
September 2007--Still really short hair, but getting used to it by now still really don't like it. This is the week before moving to Van Buren!December--2007 I finally feel as though I have some sort of style to my hair.March 2008--Jones' 3rd Birthday Party--I really do like my hair at this point. I even thought about keeping it this short, but once again, I think for now I still want longer hair and will try desperately to grow it out again.May 2008--Yucky Hair!! I am trying to grow it out, but it is definitely in a 'not-so-good' stage. Have you heard it has to get worse before it gets better? Well this is my worse stage in the 'hair-growing-out-process'!
August 2008--Finally I can pull my hair back (even if it's only just around the house)! I am beginning to like my hair (honestly) and it only takes a couple of minutes to fix it! Why would I want to go back to long hair and 15 minutes of drying it straight?October 2008--Two years worth of growing my hair out--I really like it now! I'm starting to feel like the old me again--yeah!!!

I can't describe to you all the emotions I have been through just with my hair over the last two years! I know, I know it's just hair right? Guys don't understand it, and some girls probably don't but have you ever stopped to think how much time and energy we put towards our hair? We can have the best outfit in the world on, but if our hair doesn't do just right, we girls become irritated at our hair (maybe others too) and feel a little self-conscious (at least I do)!

I know without a doubt that through all of my hair loss and growing it out again experiences that God had a plan for me and was trying to at least teach me a lesson through all of this. I don't know if I fully grasp all of the lessons he has taught me, but I do know in Matthew 10:29-31 it says:

29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

GOD CARES ABOUT ME!! He has my hairs numbered and let me tell you it changed daily for quite sometime so He was doing ALOT of math! :-) And it doesn't matter if I have hair or not, if it's short or long, He loves me more than anything. God cares more about my inside and relationship with Him than what others see on the outside.

Elementary School STUFF

Let me start by saying, "I had NO IDEA how much stuff went on during Elementary School! Was it like this when we were kids? I honestly don't remember!"

Last week at school was Literacy Week, activities included: Pajama Day, Dress as Your Favorite Book Character, and a Mash Bash for books complete with a hot dog snack on the playground Friday afternoon, not to mention face painting and the book fair was all last week along with parent teacher conferences.

This week is Red Ribbon Week--Be Drug Free, activities include: Don't Get MIXED up in Drugs-wear mix matched clothes; TEAM up against drugs-wear favorite team jersey; Put a CAP on Drugs-wear your favorite hat/cap; Wear Red Day.

So Laynie is loving all the STUFF that goes on at Elementary School, but I think it's beginning to wear her Mommy out! :-) FUN DAYS!
She was so proud of her Mixed Up Outfit! She's a hoot!

Tailgate '08

Wild Things Farm--Day Two

Friday was Laynie's first Kindergarten field trip--she had a really good time, but I think her favorite part may have been the bus ride! :-) She hung out with her classmates, Conner & Jackson, for the most part. Today was definitely different than on Thursday with Jones. Laynie liked the horse, but WAS NOT into feeding the goats! She was the only one I saw that made her corn cob fly into the swimming pool target (which made her day)! The Kindergarten children got a more in depth explanation of how a pumpkin grows, but other than that it was about the same. Guess we'll be going back next fall ya'll!

Wild Things Farm--Day One

It was a full morning at the Wild Things Farm--Jones loved every minute of it. Enjoy the pictures--the captions should tell most of the story!

Kindred Spirits/Sausage Dip

Last night we had Kindred Spirits, which is a time for the Adult 2 ladies (and others) to get together and fellowship with a little food and devotion of some sort. Well last night we had the opportunity to hear one of my CBS friends, Jennifer, give a devotion using her Potter's Wheel. It was really so good I had goose bumps during parts of it. She talked about what goes into making a piece of pottery and parralleled it to how God works in our lives--I wish everyone could have seen it! I think she quoted just about all the Scriptures that mentioned Jesus being the potter and we are the clay--I like it!!!

Anyway I made Sausage Dip for the evening, and Stephanie said it was definitely a blog worthy reciepe! :-) So here it is, just for you!

SAUSAGE DIP
1 pound Sausage
2 sticks of Cream Cheese
1 can Rotel, drained

Cook sausage and drain if necessary. Add cream cheese and Rotel in skillet and let all melt together slowly. Serve with corn chips. That's it--super easy, huh? I actually got this appetizer from my cousin Leslie--she's a great appetizer maker!

Weekend Travels

What a wonderful fall football weekend we had! Trey, the kids, and I packed up (5 bags, 2 bicycles, and a box of crosses) and headed south--to CROSSETT!

We took Laynie out of school early for our long road trip. Trey did some work in Conway along the way so I sweet talked my friend, Tanya (from Heber) into meeting me for lunch at none other than Chick-Fil-A. They kids were able to stretch a bit and Tanya and I got a little bit of girl talk in! :-) We made it to Crossett in time for the big Crossett Eagles Homecoming football game where the game ball was delivered via sky diver--that's right it was parachuted in almost on the 50 yard line--my kids thought that was too cool! Laynie's football night continued to improve with M & M's, popcorn, and her friend, ALLIE! Meredith and her family also made it down for the weekend.

Saturday was a bright and early morning--I was up at 7 am to run with my friend, Julie and new friend Tambry. They are training for a 1/2 marathon and I tagged along on their long run. Saturday was an 11 mile run for them. They ran by and picked me up about 7:15. I ran for 1 hour and 35 minutes WITHOUT STOPPING! Who knew I could do that??? Of course I had to drive the route, as best as I could, and see how far it was--wanna guess?? Almost 9 miles for me--whoo hoo! Oh how I long for running friends in Van Buren--any takers? Thanks Julie, for letting me tag along! Saturday continued with pumpkin carving and play time in the park with Meredith and her kiddos--we even went to the Crossett Zoo. Saturday night ended with a stinky Razorback loss that put all into a bad mood, but overall Saturday was a GREAT day!

The funniest part of Saturday was that the kids wanted pumpkins carved, my dad carved Laynie's and Trey carved Jones'. Trey naturally wanted to do something other than a face--I suggested the word BOO! It's Halloweenish and Jones likes to say BOO (all the time!) so Trey said that was a great idea--funny thing is, it took him FOREVER to get it like he wanted it--you gotta love my husband--the perfectionist! I'm thinking he wished I had chosed a different word, but it looked great all lit up! The kids had a wonderful weekend with their family!
Laynie's Pumpkin
Jones' Pumpkin

There was just enough time on Sunday for FBC Crossett, lunch, a little playtime and then we were on the road again!

Gymnast or Cowboy?

Life is so fun and full of exciting things when you are a Mom of a Preschooler! Every Monday we head down to gymnastics which by the way Jones LOVES--he would go everyday if I would let him. He's getting better on most things, but there are a few he's still a little unsure of. He even did a backroll all by himself (on the triangle mat, cheese mat, I think) but I didn't get a video of that. He has two other boys and two girls in his class for a total of 5 kids. These videos are of him attempting the beginning of a cartwheel and walking on the balance beam!


Today was Western Day at his preschool--doesn't he make a cute cowboy? He even took a stick horse with him for show and tell!I guess the answer to the title is he's more of a gymnast since he would do that everyday. He's never even been on a horse and I'm not sure he would climb on one in the first place--you can't be a cowboy without a horse, right?

Lessons from Luke

I am involved in Community Bible Study on Wednesdays here in Van Buren. CBS is made up of women from all different backgrounds, ages, churchs, and denominations. I actually teach the 3 year-olds during the women's Bible study lesson, and I have my Core Group lesson afterwards--so needless to say Wednesday is very busy for me, but I wouldn't change a thing!

We are currently studying the book of Luke. We are only on Chapter 7, but I have already learned so much during our discussion times from the other ladies. Some weeks we have a Scripture Verse to memorize during the week. Well I think I may have found a new favorite verse or at least one to try and pattern my life by. I don't ever remember reading it before, maybe I have and just skimmed over it--but take time to read it now:

Luke 6:38 says "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Another Game

Since Amy and Dusti have tagged me, I guess I better play along!

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Where is your significant other? Work
3. Your hair color? Black
4. Your mother? Sylvia
5. Your father? Bobby
6. Your favorite thing? Family
7. Your dream last night? Weird!!!
8. Your dream/goal? Content
9. The room you’re in? Bedroom
10. Your hobby? Crafty
11. Your fear? Kidnapping
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Content
13. Where were you last night? Pepperland
14. What you’re not? Gymnast
15. One of your wish-list items? Couch
16. Where you grew up? Crossett
17. The last thing you did? Clean
18. What are you wearing? Clothes
19. Your TV? Disney
20. Your pet? No
21. Your computer? Gateway
22. Your mood? Good
23. Missing someone? Always
24. Your car? Jeep
25. Something you’re not wearing? Socks
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your summer? Fun
28. Love someone? Yes!
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? Sunday
31. Last time you cried? Thursday

I’ll tag 5 people to continue the game! Good luck!

1. Meredith
2. Leigh Ann
3. Jessica
4. Julie
5. Luke??

City Heights 5K

The White girls ran a 5K this weekend! Well, Laynie technically ran a Mini 5K at her school on Friday, and I ran the real 5K on Saturday morning. I'm not sure if Laynie loved running or not; when playing chase with her brother she's pretty fast, but maybe the crowd got to her because 'super fast' is NOT how I would have described her running on Friday! :-) She did run the whole time and she finished so that's the important thing right?Trey is usually the runner of the family, but he watched the kiddos for me on Saturday so I could run. I had hoped to run around 25 minutes, but my time ended up being 25:48--not two bad for an old PTA mom, huh?!?

A Scattergories Meme

I was tagged so here are my answers!

Wanna Play? Here are the rules:

* Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following questions.
* They have to be real places, names, things. nothing made up!
* You can’t use your name for the boy/girl name question.
* Tag at least 5 people to play along


1. What is your name? Beth
2. A 4 Letter Word: Bath
3. A Boys Name: Bobby
4. A Girls Name: Becky
5. An Occupation: Banker
6. A Color: Blue
7. Something you wear: Bluejeans
8. A Beverage: Budweiser Beer (I Only chose that b/c in real Scattergories I would get 2 points!)
9. A Food: Broccoli
10. Something found in the bathroom: Bathtub
11. A place: Brazil
12. A Reason for being late: Bickering Children :-)
13. Something you shout: BOO!
14. Now tag five others:

1. Meredith
2. Leigh Ann
3. Jessica
4. Julie
5. Leah??

WHAT IN THE WORLD!?!?!

These pictures are what I found yesterday as I left Laynie's school after my PTA meeting. My initial thought was, "Someone broke into my vehicle, what if they are still in there?" Then I realized my jeep was in broad daylight parked in an elementary school lot--get a grip! After a little CSI investigation (complete with photos and questioning of those in the car line--who by the way saw and heard nothing) done by myself and 4 of my PTA friends, it was concluded that the mowers on the playground threw out a rock that skipped over three vehicles and the point of impact was on Jones' window of my car--YIKES! There was glass EVERYWHERE!!

We could never find a rock anywhere--oh if only, Gil, Catherine, Sarah, Nick, Warrick, or Greg could have been there (can you tell I'm ready for the season premiere of CSI: Las Vegas?)! Thanks to my new City Heights' friends for helping me out, taking care of my kids, and playing investigator with me!

They're GONE!

Laynie has been wiggling her top two front teeth for quite some time now. Sunday while I was preparing lunch she asked me to pull one of them--I actually tried, but it still seemed a little too tight to pull. Jokingly I said, "Well I pulled one, you have pulled one, maybe we should let Jones pull this one." She of course replied, "NO WAY!"

After lunch, Trey and I were TRYING to take our usual Sunday afternoon nap while the children play lovingly together and quietly watch a movie in the playroom (yeah, right!). Just as I was about to yell at them for being too loud, Laynie came running in the living room with a terrible look on her face. She was bleeding and holding her two front teeth in her hands--she was beside herslef and said admist her shock, "Jones jumped on my head and my teeth fell out!" Yes that's right, her little brother took out 2 teeth in one fell swoop!

Trey made Jones look at his sister to see what had happened to her teeth and tried to explain to Jones that we needed to be careful while we were playing with each other. Jones was sorry, but he looked at me and said, "Mommy put them back in Laynie's mouth!" It turned out to be an eventful afternoon for the kiddos--I guess Trey is up next to pull her teeth! :-)

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins

Last week was "The Pumpkin Unit" for Laynie's Kindergarten class. For as long as I have been in and around school systems, it seems like every K Teacher does a Pumpkin unit in the fall complete with a fieldtrip to a Pumpkin Patch (which we are going to take towards the end of the month). This year Laynie learned that pumpkins come in all shapes, sizes and some can even be white; pumpkins can float; and they counted the seeds in their class pumpkin! Well Friday was Pumpkin Decorating Day so a few of us Moms got to help out the children while they decorated. Check out a few of these pumpkins decorated by Laynie's classmates!

Student of the Month

Our Yard Sign
Students being called on stage
Kindergarten September Students of the Month
They were all girls!
Laynie smiling in the group photo
September Students of the Month

We got an e-mail this week from the counselor at City Heights saying Mrs. Turner, Laynie's Kindergarten teacher, had selected her as the September Student of the Month but to keep it a secret! The school had its usual Rise N Shine assembly this morning and they recognized all the students that were chosen by calling out their names and having them come on stage. She got a certificate, a free kid's meal at Chili's and $1.00 coupon to the school store! We even got a yard sign for our house!Trey, Jones and I were all there to cheer for Laynie! She was very excited! :-)

Please Pray for Hannah

These precious girls are Bethany (on the left) and Hannah (on the right). I received this e-mail from Hannah's parents this week & I just want EVERYONE reading this to PRAY for Hannah right now, daily, as often as you think of her. She is a sweet, sweet girl from a loving, Christian family. Please read below to find out more about Hannah's health issues.

Email One:
Hannah's oncologist at Children's Hospital showed us pictures of Hannah's scans, and explained that the original tumor has seeded in the lower part of her brain and in her spine. There are at least nine tumors in her spine and two near her brain stem. After carefully reviewing her scans and the available research regarding treatment of glioblastoma tumors, the oncologist has determined that Hannah should receive radiation to the entire region before beginning the chemotherapy treatments. The goal will be to reduce the size of the tumors and stop any new ones from forming.

The oncologist was very straightforward and honest in explaining to us the serious nature of Hannah's situation. We told him that there are many, many people praying for her, and He agreed that God's help will be needed for a cure. We are thankful that we serve a God who is the Great Physician. God has given our entire family, including Hannah, a peace that can only come from Him. Please join us in praying for healing, and in praying specifically for Dr. Saylors, our oncologist, and Dr. Pena, our radiologist...that God would give them the wisdom they need to determine the best plan of treatment for Hannah. We know that the ultimate outcome is in God's hands, and that He loves Hannah even more than we do.

God is good, all the time, even in (especially in) the middle of a storm!

Bits and Pieces of Email Two:
This afternoon we took Hannah to CARTI in Little Rock for her first tomotherapy radiation treatment. We met briefly with the oncologist/radiologist who explained to us that she will have a total of 20 treatments to be completed over a period of four weeks. The tomotherapy radiation is different in that they will be treating her entire head and spine, rather than a single focused area as they did previously. He explained to us that anywhere the spinal fluid flows is a potential area for tumor growth, so they have to treat the entire area. He also told us that this time she will lose all of her hair, instead of just patches of hair like she did last time, which she was able to hide so easily. He also went over all of the possible side effects from treatment, and it is a rather lengthy list. He told us that she will probably not be able to attend school at all during these treatments.

I think the reality of how difficult the next few weeks and months of treatment may be really hit all of us today. Hannah has been amazing though...when we told her today what the doctor said about her hair, she said, "Well, it's only hair...it'll grow back." Her faith is so strong, and she is truly an inspiration to us. In spite of the storms and emotions swirling in and around us, God has given us a peace as well, a peace that can only come from Him.

Brad & Jill

WOW--let me know you are praying for Hannah--leave me a comment saying you will pray. Thanks in advance!

SEPTEMBER Review 2008

Is it crazy that as I sit down to write this post, I can't even remember much that has happened over the month? I think I have been so busy that all my days are beginning to run together! I was writing 'year in reviews' to catch my readers (ha/ha) up on our life before blogging began, but I think I need to continue it. Tonight will be for September and I'll go back one of these days for July & August.
As I said September has been jam packed with stuff so I'll just start at the beginning!

Week 1--Labor Day visitors--Luke, Colby, Damitra and kids; 1st PTA meeting :-) (I LOVE being on the PTA!); Gustav brings lots and lots of rain; Small party (with 12 LOUD children) to watch the HOGS beat ULM

Week 2--Laynie learned to ride her bike without training wheels; PTA meeting; Grandparents Day at City Heights; Visit from the South AR grandparents due to City Heights event :-); curtains made and hung!; attended 1st VB Pointer football game; Laynie and Addy sleepover

Week 3--Substitute in Jones' pre-k class; Laynie sprained her wrist after a run in with her brother on her bike; PTA short meeting; attend a Fun b-day party for Jackson & Chad; Go to UCA for a packed weekend to honor my Daddy

Week 4--Jones in Crossett; Make Hannah Montanna Pet Potato for Awana; 2 year check-up with Dr. Baltz--all clear; Another fun b-day party this time for Jones' buddy Avery; watch HOGS get slaughtered by Texas :-(

Ended Month with an exciting Monday and Family Fun Night sponsored by the City Heights PTA--Did I mention I LOVE being on the PTA? I'm such a nerd--I know!

EVERY WEEK--Church; School; prayZkidz; Awanas; Gymnastics for Jones; Cardio Studio/running; Community Bible Study; LAUNDRY!!!!

Mailing Letters

I went to the mailbox on Monday and the item above is what I found in it. On Saturday, Laynie was asking me how to spell Texas and I didn't think anything of it--now I know why! Bless her heart--to her there's only one Allie White in Texas! :) Guess it's time to have a little lesson on the Postal System; I'm just shocked she didn't find a stamp to put on it too! I never know what that girl of ours is gonna do!