THE LAST BLOG

It has been such a busy summer. I have enjoyed every moment and the Dacus Family has made many memories! Sorry to say this but I am going to let my Blog take a back seat for a little while. Enjoy the rest of the Summer and School Year Beginnings!

7 on 7/ Trip to Uncle Mike's

At 7am last Saturday, we left Van and drove to Dallas. Casey had a 7 on 7 tournament in Lewisville. It wasn't too far from Mike and Jenny's house, so I requested dropping us off while he went to the games. It had been 11 months, since we had been at their house. (When Linde was born). It was perfect timing because my parents were there, so we got to celebrate Father's Day with my Dad too! We really had fun! Linde is trying to walk all over, with help from her walker. She was so cute. Her hair is really coming in and she is always full of energy and fun! Okay, one picture....she was crying because her cousins were taking over her toys! Do you blame her? ha. Jenny and I dressed her up in her princess outfit for pictures on her invitations for her 1st Birthday, which is coming up. We went shopping and grilled out that evening! It was a fun time all together. We will see them all again in 1 week......Colorado Trip! Thanks for letting us visit Uncle Mike, Aunt Jenny and Linde. See you soon!!!

Time at 2Gma's

Last Thursday, we went to Van, Texas to be with My Grandma. She has been under-going radiation treatments for breast cancer. We are praying that all of her past treatments will take care of this problem and it will not come back! Anyways, we wanted to go see her! We really had a great time. The kids, by Grandpa's request, call them 2Gma and 2Gpa. Even though Grandpa isn't with us, we loved the names so much that once the kids started talking, we made sure that those names stuck! (2G-stands for Great Grandparents)

We got to 2G's about dinner time on Thursday and went to eat. 2G was really exhausted. Her treatments wear her out, so we decided to just take it easy and watch the US Open: Beth Paige Black. It was really fun to watch and the kids colored and played with toys that 2G had. We then went to bed and got up early to take 2Gma to her radiation treatment in Tyler. It was so fast! Once we got back, we decided to go to Aunt Nene's Resturant for breakfast. We went back to the house to watch more of the US Open. The kids played and watched a nest of baby birds. 2Gma had them on her porch and we had a front row seat to watch these BarnSwallows care for their babies. (The family lost 2 baby birds while we were there. They fell out of the nest.) Then, it was time to get outside. Aunt Nene has a pool and the kids were getting a little restless, so we decided to take them for a swim. It was really fun. The kids enjoyed having one parent to each kid. We played games and stayed cool! That gave 2Gma time to rest too! We returned to fix dinner and then more fun with 2Gma outside on the patio. We had to leave early Saturday morning to get to the 7 on 7 tournament in Lewisville. It was a quick trip but we really were glad we had time to see 2Gma. As of Tuesday, she finished her treatments! We love you 2G and hope you have a great time with your brother and brother in law over the 4th!

OH Yeah, the picture of Camden and the dog....They were so funny! Everything Cooper did, Camden copied. Cooper must have understood what Camden was doing because after a few minutes, Cooper would jump up and bite Camdens ear playfully! Then it would start all over again! 2Gma and I couldn't stop laughing at them!

Our Friends from Huntsville

Just a quick pic from our afternoon/evening with our friends, Emma and Addison Perry!

Their Mommy and I are dear friends from birth (well, almost!). They were on their way out to Lubbock from Huntsville and made a stop here in Abilene to play and spend the night. We had such a good time! It's not too often that Jadyn has girls around, so she was especially excited to have them here! I loved every minute of it, visiting and watching the kids! Thanks for stopping Michelle, Emma and Addison! We can't wait to see you on our next trip to Huntsville!

Birthday Girl!!!

Another emotional day for this Mom!

My baby is Three! I can't help but be sad. It's gone even faster than Camden's 5 years. I look at her sometimes and think, "She's so old" but then Casey says, "She's only 2." Jadyn has never been a baby really. She's just been our big girl who has kept up with big brother!

Jadyn, you are precious and a gift from God. You have made our world a crazy place but we wouldn't change a thing about it! Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! We love you!!!

A Day at the Pool

Just a few snap shots of us at the condo pool today on Lake Conroe! It was so nice and relaxing. (I am taking the pictures) We were there for 3 hours and loved every minute of it. Chloe loves the water. She was to be napping but wouldn't give up the water for a nap. Camden was swimming like a fish all over the pond. Jadyn was happy just to sit on the steps in the water. My mom loves the sun, so she was soaking it up along with Michelle! They are 2 Sun Seekers! The clouds were even great today too! Shade and a slight breeze made the day so pleasant!

Taylors Graduation

Here are pictures from Taylor's Graduation last weekend. The Dacus Family all got together in Godley, Texas to celebrate. It was a fast ceremony and then off to the Roden's for a reception. We sat around talking and then Taylor broke out his guitars and Val and Pat performed. Bruster was ready to cut a rug but I think Granny was alittle too warn out to even think about it :) ha. We really had a good time and can't wait to do it again at Grady's Wedding in July! Congrats Taylor!!!!

Jenni in Recovery

Like I said, I am posting the updates of Jenni's surgery. It was a great success! She came out with flying colors!!! Doctors didn't have to go into the spinal "sack" to remove the tumor. That meant less pain and recovery for Jenni. She was doing so good that this evening they let her go home. Originally the doctor said Wednesday. She is pumped!! My Aunt Nene is staying for 2 weeks and taking care of the good patient and then she will get to go back to her home for more R&R! The tumor is negative as far as cancer is concerned. God is Good! Also, the afternoon of her surgery, she had feeling in her legs and no pain in her back. That was the relief she was looking for! WHOOHOOO! So excited for her and now to just getting her back to her Ol' Self! Knowing her, it won't be long :) Thank you so much for praying. Prayer does Amazing things!!!!

Jenni

This morning I had breakfast with my cousin, Jennifer. I have missed talking to her and being around her. She is one of my best friends! Monday is a very big day for her. She is having major back surgery to remove a tumor that has been putting much pressure and pain on her lower back. My Aunt and Uncle are here to be with her for the next 2 weeks. Jenni won't be released from the hospital for 2-4 days. She won't be able to lay on her back for two weeks. She is having to take vaca. time to recover and knowing her, she will become so restless so soon! I am asking for your prayers for her, her doctors, her recovery and for the tumor to come back negative. Like said before in another post, God is taking care of her and will watch over her. I will keep everyone posted! Thank you for your prayers!

Berry Picken'.....or Are they Us?

What a blast! When I graduated high school, my grandparents had me come stay with them in Michigan for a week. It was another one of those special memories. Grandpa wanted to go berry picking. We got up so early....to beat the heat. We had buckets to pick blackberries, strawberries and raspberries. It was so much fun, even if my arms were covered in scratches and my fingers felt like they had thrones in them. We then went to breakfast at THEIR favorite resturant! (Red Barron) Later, Grandma made dessert with our treasures. My parents came to Detroit a week later and got to enjoy the "Fruits of our Labor."

My parents heard of a berry farm outside of Huntsville and decided that we were going to take the kids to experience the things we loved most from the garden. My mom made us laugh because she said she hated picking as a kid due to coming in daily from school and then having to pick. So, this isn't what she considered FUN. Mom loves the fruit, so now its knowing what comes of her picking, that made it exciting to her.

We knew what to be prepared for and we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. Most berry patches have brush grown up around the bottoms of the plants. The vines are out of control and there is little room between rows. These farmers had it so clean, bushes clipped so nicely and tons of room in between rows. They also gave us gloves and buckets and walked with us to show us the "better berries" of their farm. The kids loved it. We had our own gloves and the kids thought they were so big! The Farmer had a dog, Lacy, that made the hot afternoon fun. Lacy was a Border Colly and followed them around everywhere.

We went away with 17lbs. of blackberries and have plans to return this next weekend to pick blueberries. Camden is pumped! The Farmer showed him where they were and wanted him to taste the berry. Camden loved them. He kept running back and forth with a few in hand as refreshments to us pickers. They were wonderful! So watch for our next berry trip!

5 Years Today!

This morning Camden got a Knock at the door! It was the Balloon Man. He dropped off balloons for the Birthday Boy! Camden had just gotten dressed and had Bed Head in the picture but we wanted to stop for a picture before the day got away! For Dinner Tonight we ordered Pizza and took it up to Football Practice to eat with Dad! It was quick but we all enjoyed it. Once Dad gets home we will eat chocolate chip cookies and strawberries! All requests of Camden! Happy Birthday Big Guy! XOXOXOX

Birthday Weekend

This is a picture of the Birthday Boy and Girl! They were so excited, they almost couldn't stand still for the picture.

Here is Jadyn before the Cookies were passed out and she was not wanting to wait long enough to take a picture. She wanted a COOKIE NOW! She isn't my most patient.

Here's Camden. All ready for the candles to be lit and the cookies to be eaten so he and his friends could return to Jumping and Running around! They had such a great party. So many friends and family came in for the Big Event! We are so blessed to have so many sweet people in our lives who love our kids like we do. Happy Birthday Camden and Jadyn!

Aunt Michelle out-did herself, again. My kids are so spoiled! We wanted to skip cake and do special 5 and 3 cookies for each of the kids ages. I can't believe how fast time has gone! I feel so old. I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old. Crazy.

Here was the cake for all the MAY birthdays in our family. It's crazy. 4 people. Really cool part of this is that Casey and I both had a Grandparent who has past now, but they too had MAY birthdays. May 4th and 6th. MAY is a popular Month!!!!

Easter 2009

Well, here we are! All together at last. It's been since Christmas that we were together (christmas wasn't even that much together). We had a really nice Easter even if Sunday it was pouring buckets. I actually went into church completely soaked, dress was a different color kinda wet. I did my hair 3 times and really it wasn't all that to begin with. Anyhow, we had an egg hunt Saturday afternoon and the Easter Bunny left baskets for Sunday morning. It was alot of eggs for just two hunters. Two other hunters can't walk yet but they it wont be long! Just wanted to share a picture and to say it was a fun time. Really, when is it not with my family...okay.....that's my thoughts anyways.

Feeding My Habit

I am excited to post that I am now using my efforts for good use. For those of you who don't know, I am a scrapbook junky. I could spend hours, days, months making a special place for my pictures to rest. I would be embarrassed to add up all the money that I have put into my books. I have spent so much time on them and there are still pages not finished, books that are incomplete and pages stacked on my desk that need much attention. SO.....to say all of this, I decided to become a Creative Memories Independent Consultant. I am really excited because they have now gone digital. I can do all my pages, print them and put them into a book and it's done!!!! What a Wondermeant! Seriously, I am so happy to have found something I love to do and to make money from doing it. I get discounts too! I have already met some very excited Scrapbookers and NOW Digital Friends who have the same passion that I do. Okay.....some of these people are a little more Wacky about it than I am! haha.

If you are interested in seeing what amazing things CM digital can do, keep watching. I will be putting all of it online :) OH...AND I will gladly come Host a Party for you! Just let me know!

Happy Easter!

Yesterday, 2Gma came through her surgery with flying colors!!! She is doing great and I spoke with her today. She sounded so good. The doctors will contact her with any other results from the removal surgery and then they will make the decision for her follow up treatment. I am so thankful that everything went so well. Thank You God for watching over her and the doctors. For those of you who kept her in your prayers, thank you so much. Every prayer is heard and answered the way God see's fit.

My Grandma Kern aka: 2Gma

I just wanted to put out a prayer request on my blog for this week. This Friday morning, March 27th, my Grandma Kern will be having breast cancer removed. It will be an out patient surgery and they don't think it is a very big tumor. They will remove all of the "cancered" area in hopes that the cancer was caught early enough. If the cells have spread, they will do a full masectomy (forgive my spelling) at that moment. She is at peace with the cancer and knows God is in control, as do all of us in our family. 2Gma is one strong lady and has faith, that all will be what God wants it to be. Selfish, I am, I don't want her (or anyone) to have cancer. I know God will take care of her and her doctors but I ask that you keep her in your prayers. Her name is Dottie Kern and she lives in Van, Tx (Tyler).

2Gma, if you are reading this, I will be calling you. We love you! XOXOXOX

Kids Today

Yesterday we had played outside until we were worn out. We even did dinner outside and dessert. It was an amazing day! After the kids came in we were talking about games on the computer. Camden had gone to look at the school we are hoping to put him in this fall. They had a computer lab and he was so excited. I decided to let him and Jadyn try out a few programs on our newer computer. The old one was taking so long, we didn't play games on it much. Anyways, for about an hour, the kids played games, spelled and "painted". They really enjoyed it and got along so well. It was fun to watch. Took a quick pic while they weren't looking :) Really it's amazing what little one's pick up on these days. I love kid friendly technology, heck, adult friendly is even better :) haha.

Geen Beens R Here

When we came home from Spring Break, all of our green bean plants had started blooming. Not anything real exciting but my kids have now decided we need to look at them every day to see if they are ready to pick! This weekend we are planting our green peppers and tomatoe plants. Fun Stuff!

Did SomeOne Call For A Plumber?

We are in Huntsville. Of course, seems like we live there huh? Well, we have been needed there, so that's where the fun pictures are coming from. Grandma Robertson is having an apartment built behind my mom and dad's house. The waterline was being put in and Camden, Dad, Chris and Mike were digging the trench to help out the plumbers since the weather finally let up. The beginning of the waterline was the deepest part of the trench. To prove how deep, Camden jumped in! It was fun for the guys to hang out with Camden along side them :) He's always a big help and keeps them laughing! P.S. Casey had to be at a track meet, so that's why he wasn't mentioned.

BIRTHDAY MIKEY!

I have been busy and haven't had my camera over the last few weeks. This is in Huntsville for Mike's birthday. Michelle made the cake but for those of you who don't know what it means, ask my family! ha. For some reason, Mike and all of us actually...had it in our minds, it was his 28th birthday. haha. Mom had to set us straight. As a joke, we put it on the cake. We had a great time and we were all together, so what better way to spend a weekend. Love you Mikey! P.S. Mike is a great golfer and LOVES playing, hence the theme of the cake :)

GaRdeNing as If I KneW HoW!

My Grandpa and Grandma Robertson were my inspiration. Growing up, I remember their gardens being so big and beautiful. Grandpa use to call me his "Number One Picker" because I loved going to the garden and picking. I was careful and appreciated all that came from it. He took much pride in both his garden and me :) Really I think he got a kick out of me wanting to do what he did. After we picked, we would wash the veggies and fruit and then get them ready with Grandma for canning. Mom reminded me today that Grandma was amazing at canning and preparing what came from the gardens. She really was good. Even in my High School Years, we had canned goods from their gardens that were "To die for".

Anyways, I won't have a garden like Grandpa's this year but if I am successful, I will expand it. It's a 3x7 above ground form and it will have only 3 veggies for now. I will plant tomatoes and green peppers. Today the seeds for green beans are going in. The kids and I have been researching and getting supplies for this small garden. This past weekend with my parents here, we got it all together and spent much time buying plants and the best dirt for this area. The kids were so excited. They haven't got it in their minds yet that it takes time to grow the veggies. (They were ready for the end product the day we planted it, ha) We are excited to tend the garden and pick it's produce when the time is right. I am sure this is so interesting to all of you, NOT, but I wanted to show my brothers what we did. ha. Wish us luck!

Here....25 Random ThiNgS!

1. I enjoy spending time outside as long as it's not 95 and dry. I don't sweat much, so it's like I am boiling inside. It's bad!
2.I love doing new things. I get a kick out of what reaction I have but more so what Casey and the kids reaction is.
3. Laughing with my family brings more joy to my life than I can explain. Each member of my family can do something or say something that makes me laugh so hard my stomach hurts and I cry. It is the BEST feeling ever!
4.I am the worst about making piles of things to "look" like everything is cleaned up. Then it drives me up the wall to see all the piles!
5. I want to be a Mommy one more time. Dont know when but if God see's it okay, one more would be fine by me.
6. I have taught my kids that orange juice and sprite is the best way to drink oj and popcorn with M&M's is the only way!
7. I love Salad. Everyway you can eat it, I could eat it....and lots of it. My brother Mike is the exact same way. We would choose a salad over dessert anyday!
8. Coffee is a need that my family bred in me. It's almost a way of life.
9. Breakfast is the BEST Meal of the Day. Now, I hate eggs and grits but pretty much everything else is GGGGGggggreat! That too is a family thing. We LOVE it socially and for a need to fill the tummy!
10. Spending time with my in-laws is so relaxing. We always enjoy being together and spending time at their house.
11. I appreciate so many things about my sister in laws. All 3 of them make me want to be a better me.
12. I love when my husband surprises me in different ways. I am the worst about being surprised but when he does, I appreciate it.
13. DVR is one of my favorite things. I love it when I miss a show, that way I can stay up late when the kids are in bed and watch it :)
14. I worked for a vet office for 6 months and it was such a great job that I would consider it right up there with an interior design job.
15. I am finding that this is taking longer than I wanted. You all say it too but I really mean it.
16. My Gma Kern is one of the best cooks in my life. (My Mom too) I love it when we go to her house because we always have amazing food but ahead of going to her house, she emails to see what dishes we all love and want for her to make.
17. One of my favorite memories of my Gparent Kerns is when I was first married, Casey had to travel and I would stay with them due to living so close. It was the such a treat to be treated like a little princess again. The other thing was when we had nights free, we would double date with my grandparents. It is precious memories.
18. I love to travel but I hate driving. I can't make the time go by fast enough if I drive.
19. I am a very loyal friend. I will go to the ends of the earth for friends.
20. I have found that having a dog isn't all it's cracked up to be but I would never tell my husband that!
21. I love music and I can sing.....not trying to brag but I can. I don't like to make a show of myself and so because of that, I play down my love for music.
22. I am a very modest person. In every way. My personality was shy because of it. I am not as shy now but still very modest.
23. If I die and come back as something/someone else, I want to be a Large Lady who can Sing her Butt off to crowds. (Larger Ladies have an amazing range and volume!!!)
24. I pray that my children will know and follow God because of Casey and I teaching them by example AND that they will know God because of What and Who He IS!
25. I won't ever do this type of thing again. It took me way too Long!

L.... is FoR tHe Way YOU Look At mE

First, Camden and Jadyn are photo HamS! They always act so sIlly infront of the CaMera! Cracks me up!

Yesterday, we had our Wednesday Playdate with a TwIsT! ValEnTines is Saturday but we wanted to celebrate it with our friends. We started the day off with a Treasure Hunt! Each of the kids stood around as I read off clues as to where they would find a prize. Each time they found one, there was a name on the prize. So, they hunted 5 different clues to find everyones prizes! It was so fun! Then the kids played in the playroom and enjoyed their new prizes...boys got MonsTer Trucks and Jadyn got a TinKer BelL coloring Book! Then onto a HearT Quesadilla and dip. For dEsserT each one of them decorated their own Strawberry PupCake (what my kids call CupCakes). It was then that we busted out the Finger Paints. Each of them painted their own Van Goughs. They really loved getting their fingers in the paint! And to finish the afternoon, we exchanged valentine bags full of Valentine Cards and Candy!

O...is for the Only One I see. V....is Very, Very, extra ordinary. E....is Even more than anyone that you adore.....can LOVE.......

Lovin' on Another

This weekend Mike, Jenny and Linde came for a visit! We haven't seen them since the awful christmas with the tummy bug. So, really it's been since Thanksgiving. I hadn't held Linde nor kissed on her in almost three months. It was time to-get-to smoochen' on that sweetie! Casey and the kids were as bad as I was. They loved on her and got in a squeeze every chance they could. We think that because Uncle Casey has a fuzzy face, he was #1 in Linde's eyes this weekend. She would grab his face and get real close to him just to see what facial hair was all about :)

Linde was so fun. She played on the floor with light up toys, blew spit bubbles in Aunt Jo's face and took a fun bath with the cousins. I don't have a thing with kids naked in the tub, it's just so cute the way they act. Splashen' and laughen' in water is GREAT FUN!

Thanks Mike and Jenny for coming to see us. We love you guys so much and really have a blast everytime we are together. Linde is just the Icing on The Cake! Keep us posted on her crawling. Not long now and she will be running along side Cousin Camden and Jadyn. Another fun thing, Cousin Chloe will be doing the same! Watch out Cam and Jadyn, your cousins are growing fast!

Door No More!

Funny but not really! Camden was playing with a set of keys. He was going from door to door trying to lock and unlock using the set of keys. He finally got to Jadyn's room, no one around or in the room, he closed the door. After many attempts, Camden started crying, "I locked the door. I am sorry, I didn't mean to." Poor kid, he hates to do something that gets him in trouble. Anyways, Casey and I tried to think of ways to get in the room. Taylor was over and he and Casey figured it would cost more to call a Lock Smith then it was to knock down the door and purchase another. Casey tried to drill thru the door knob. The actual lock shot out of the knob across the bed in the room. That caused the lock to set itself into the door jam. As you can see, knocking the door down WAS THE LAST STRAW. What a mess! This took place back at the end of November but I couldn't find the pictures until now. To date, we still don't have a door. We haven't taken time to buy one but with my family coming through out this month, we will have to get a new one soon. ha.

Girls n' Bubbles

Tonight everyone was here for dinner and it was Lasagna time!!! Oh, what a mess kids can make. Camden told Nana that it was such a great meal and it was a favorite. Mom said,"From now on we will have it when you come." So, Jadyn was really the only one who was messy. haha.

Aunt Michelle came prepared. Chloe has a new bathseat, so the water became ready. Both girls were glad to get in and the whole family had to come see the Bubble Girls! They smelled like sweet flowers and made two precious little bugs!

Enjoying being together

Over the past few days the kids and I have really been enjoying the "little things". We have played outside when the weather permits, we have given the dog a bath, played with Transformers and Dolls. It's been so nice to just enjoy things and not have to worry about money, safety or health. Tuesday nights we go out to eat because there's so many places that the kids can eat free or discounts for families. Rosa's is always a favorite. (With our kids, we hate eating out and paying for their meals because half the time they won't eat and the food/money got to waste.) Anyways, Jadyn loves spanish rice and a bean burrito, Camden loves meat/cheese tacos. So, this tuesday Casey wanted to eat at Rosa's and not take it to go. (It's nice having him home in the evenings to eat with us, ha.) He walked in about 5 pm and said, "Load up, lets go get dinner." The kids grabbed sweat shirts and ball caps. Jadyn loves hats and so does Cam. Off we went. We had a very nice dinner. Once home, we played Wii and really enjoyed the rest of the evening.

Yesterday, we played at our friends house, had lunch and then came home. The kids went outside while I cleaned out the car. We then got chalk and decorated the drive and sidewalk. We talked as we drew on the sidewalk that we needed to get out our new paints from christmas. So that's what we did. We had such a good time. They would call me to look at every brush stroke. "Mom, this is for you. Mom, look at how good I did. Mom I didn't spill paint on the floor." I had to take a picture of them hard at work. Each of them did two paintings and were so proud of their finished product. They are hanging on the fridge now. Anyways, like always, I am so thankful for my children. I am also thankful for a precious husband who allows me to stay home with them while he works. Thanks God! You are so good to Us!