Howdy from Texas

I've been in Texas for the past couple of days spending some time with my mom and dad. Kevin stayed home with the kids so that I could come check on my parents and help them in getting some things done around the house. Not totally a vacation, but still a break from the normal day to day. First, a praise report! My dad's diagnosis on the tumor came back benign! Hallelujah! The roots are there of course, but we are claiming a complete healing. And my mom is doing better, although still in recovery. I was able to help her get her house cleaned and get some stuff unpacked. The kids really wanted to come, but it was just better they didn't this time. When I was telling the kids that I would be flying to TX, Denae looked at me with her big blue eyes and said, "I come too?" It was so sweet. Then she spent the whole day before I left running around the house in excitement saying, "I go fwy!(fly)" The girls gave me a little letter before I left saying that they wished they could come and that they were praying for me and grandma and grandpa. They also drew a picture of an airplane on it. When I talked to Dallas the other night, he wanted to know when I was coming home. He also wanted to know why he couldn't hear my mom and dad when I was talking on the phone. I guess he thought they should be as loud as the kids are when mommy is on the phone! The kids are being really good while I am gone, or so I have been told. Kevin's mom and dad came down to help him while I was gone. I guess Denae's potty training wasn't going as well as it had been, but with her mommy gone, I guess that's to be expected. Anyway, I'll post more when I get home, but I have really enjoyed my visit 'home.' As Kim said, "Home is where the mom is!" I think that is true no matter how old we get! Hopefully I'll get to bring all the kids and Kevin back for a visit, maybe next Christmas. I can always dream, right?

Texas Time

For those of you who have been wondering why I haven't posted anything new in a while, it is because I have been living in Texas Time! This past weekend I flew in to visit my family at my sister's home and church. I went to see my two new nieces, but in the process was able to surprise my sister! It was such fun! I took Denae with me and Kevin stayed behind with the other 3. I was only there over the weekend, and really wished my husband and kids could have come, but still had a GREAT time. We laughed and cried and sang and laughed and sang some more. And the kids played non-stop, although we did get them cleaned up and sitting still in time for church:) I do have to tell a funny story from the trip. We were out eating at a local Mexican food place, enjoying the fellowship, when we noticed a b-day party going on closeby. As we got up to leave, one of the ladies asked to take a picture of Denae. Her grandmother, the guest of honor really liked the outfit, etc. Well, we said sure. Before I knew waht was happening, we were all gathering around so we could give the 90 (or so) year old grandmother a "treat" (my dad's words!) We sang "Happy Birthday to You", and appartently no one had given any fore thought to what to call her in the song. We were all looking at each other as that line in the song got closer, then my Dad saved the day! "Dear Mama!" he sang and we all followed along. I guess he had heard them calling her that. Well they loved it! They laughed and took pictures and it was the birth of "The Singing McDaniel's"!! lol If you want to see at least a million pictures of this past weekend, then go to my sister's blog at www.pkthrasher.blogspot.com. She has done a wonderful job on some slideshows, and as I couldn't do any better, I thought I would let you enjoy her work:) I told you I would this, Mom!!lol