Yippie!

We got the rough version of the intro for our "5 Star Bucks" hunting DVD.

Check it out! Reegan dances everytime we play it! oh yeah, it has sound...turn it up!!! :)

http://mcraeentertainment.com/5star.html

If you can't see it then you need to download the latest version of quicktime. http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ download the one WITHOUT itunes and it will load quicker.

Ok...so what do ya think?????

Koby's birth mother called again last night. She started with the excuse that she thought of more medical information. They were things like...they all wear glasses, she has a high tolerance for medication...she poops on a daily basis (ok so not really THAT one). It was just an excuse to call. She just wanted to talk.

There are 2 perspectives on this. 1. Hers: she has finally figured out after 30 years where her only child is and she's excited. 2. Mine: She's rushing me! This is all new....It's a process....don't rush me! She is really a nice lady don't get me wrong. I just have to ease into change...I've always been that way. Plus, i guess I have always selfishly liked being the main woman in his life. I realize she's not MY birth mother....but she's someone I loves....and Reegan and I feel rushed! ;)

As far as Koby's feelings....I guess you'll have to ask him. It's a sensitive subject with him and he isn't quite as open about things as i can be....

Reegan's latest answer to any question is 'no'. "Did you have a good day at school?" ..."no"...."are you hungry".... "no"...then immediately goes to the fridge and whines! it can be pretty comical! "Did Ms. Teri feed you today"..."no" ....."Is daddy your favorite" ..."no" (yeah right!). I think it's more the expression on her face that is most funny. The child has more facial expressions than a clown! She's hilarious! I'll have to try to video this one day....

We're doing better on staying home and cooking vs. eating out. The extra 9 lbs I'm carrying around would appreciate it if i would continue the eating spree and add on some more 'friends' (aka:lbs). We've both started working out periodically and going on walks with Ree in the evenings. Ok, so we never EVER go to McDonalds.....this was just a funny sign!!!

Amber should be having baby Kylen sometime today!!! I can't wait to see her!

Spring break is 11 school days away! I am so excited!!! I am in desperate need of a break! I have the school burnout real bad. I really wish that I could just work 1/2 day....somehow I don't see that happening!

WHEW....

Ok,

Koby went to the Dr. yesterday and told the Dr about an 'episode' (Koby doesn't like to refer to it as a possible heart attack) that he had a couple of weeks ago. The Dr. did an EKG-it came back irregular. He is scheduled for an echo cardiogram and stress test on the 7th (the soonest he could get in). Koby told the Dr. "I'm too young to have heart problems", she said "you're never too young".

As most of you know Koby was adopted, therefore we have no medical history. So far we know he has high BP, high cholesterol, is borderline diabetic, chronic heart burn, and NOW a possibly a bad ticker....at 30 years old!!!

Through research a while back I found Koby's birth mother. I had a name, address, marriage certificate, copy of the deed on the house, drivers license #, voter registration #....YOU NAME IT. (Yes, I'm nerdie-nerderton!)


Because of all the medical issues we decided that we really needed medical history. With Koby's permission (never would have done it otherwise) and his sisters insistence... we did it...we contacted his birth mother.

So...I was the one that talked to her....lets see where to start on all of this without being to wordie.....


She was 17 when she had Koby. Dr. Howell was her Doctor (Koby's dad). She said that she had doubts about giving him up for adoption. When she went into labor she had pretty much changed her mind and was going to keep the baby. The turning point: She overheard the nurses in the hall talking about how Dr. & Mrs. Howell tried to adopt a baby from California and it fell through. Now Dr. Howell was going to adopt 'this' baby! She said the nurses were like little girls in a candy store, they were so excited....THAT was her turning point. Knowing that her baby was going to a good loving home that truly wanted him, could take care of him, and give him things she knew she never could.

Apparently she had a hard pregnancy and even harder labor, and for some reason was never capable of having another child. She said that for 30 years she has wondered about every blonde headed blue eyed boy that walked by.

She said she has been registered for years with some Texas adoption hotline so that if he ever wanted to find her he could.

She said she has no expectations and said that just knowing that he was doing ok and was happy was good enough for her. She said it was truly a blessing that we called.

SOOOOO.....medical history.....everything he has....YEP, it runs in the family...except the bad ticker(but with the high BP and chol. ...you know...could be caused by that).

There is also a history of breast and ovarian cancer. There have been 6 women in the family diagnosed or deceased because of it. (Good to know for Reegan's sake)

There was more to the conversation...but that's the basics...she was a very nice woman with a sweet voice. She laughed, and cried...and was grateful to hear from us.

NOOOWWWW....where do we go from here? Well, that's Koby's call. I can't imagine being in his shoes. This is very overwhelming to me and I'm sure it's insane for him!

But for now...there are lots of emotions, but I think we're doing fine right where we are! :)

NEW POST COMING ASAP

NEW BLOG POST COMING ... YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHATS GOING ON IN OUR HOUSE! OMG!!!!!

This one will take me a little bit to write...but wait for it!!!!!

NO I'M NOT PREGNANT!!!

WOW IS ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT THIS....WOW!

Pictures

Ok here are some pics from the kitchen remodle (sp?)...we had already knocked out the white backsplash when i remembered to take pics.

We put in new countertops, back splash, faucet, composite granite sink (love it!) and built in a microwave...i think thats it....OH and Koby bought me a tv for the kitchen for valentines day!

I had a problem with the pics being too bright or too dark tonight...I'm tired and rather than fixing them, ya got the dark ones!

Oh, and Shauna, I'm about a month late...but this is where I blog from!

I haven't posted pics of Ree lateley either so here's a few!



Her hair is really taking on the family curl!

New blog

Ok is it to loud? Sorry to all of those that have viewed all of my blog changes in the last couple of days! I've been playing around with it and I'm working on my creativity(not much there to work with).

I keep thinking that I'll take pictures of our newly remodeled kitchen for ya to see....but i haven't yet.

I've decided that I am going back to school. I just can't decide if I am going to get my administration (which would be better once I have school age kids rather than now), or my Realtors license.....I am also open for ANY other suggestions. I just kinda feel like I'm in a rutt and want to learn something new.

Robin vs. Meredith

I'm fairly sure Robin and Meredith are having a race to see who can go the longest without writing a new blog. One more time I'm filling in. Here is a funny story about Mom (Robin, Heather and Meredith's grandmother):

Mom and Dad meet friends at IHOP every night at 5 pm for supper. Why IHOP? I have no idea, that would be a whole new blog. Mom, in the last few years because of her dementia, will go in her bathroom to get ready and fall asleep while sitting on the toilet. Every day. She can sleep for 2 hours. She can go in to get ready at 1pm and still not be ready at 5pm. Dad tries to help her but she runs him out of the bathroom. She can't fasten her bra or button her shirt by herself but she doesn't want his help til she's ready for it. He tries to have her ready by 5 to meet their friends but many days it just doesn't happen. He says he tries for it not to make him mad but some days he just can't help it. He decided (probably because I suggested it) that if she wasn't ready at 5 they would stay home and eat cereal. That might work if she didn't have dementia. Unfortunately she can't remember the rules. One day she came out of her bathroom at 5:25 to go to dinner. He told her they weren't going. She got in the car and kept honking the horn. And honking. And honking. Dad called me and I went over there. I opened the car door and asked her what she was doing. "Waiting for your father to take me to dinner." I told her he had already eaten cereal for supper. Her comment? "Fine, shut the door." He finally coaxed her in the house after about 45 minutes.

Yes girls, YOUR grandmother.

Cute baby contest!

I entered Reegan in this little baby contest. It is by far not the best picture...but it works. I was going to have Larae take them but we have all been horribly sick for 3 weeks, and we just couldn't do it. It would have been a much cuter picture if she had done it...

So, here's the deal. You can go to this address http://gosanangelo.com/news/2008/jan/27/vote-cutest-baby/

On the first page you can vote for 'Reegan H.' (to see all the other babies, just out of curiosity, click 'thumbnails' at the top)

You can vote ONCE A DAY PER COMPUTER until Feb 6th. I am not INTENTIONALLY skewing the data....but you've gotta know how the game is played ;)

You might just happen to have some friends, work group, or entire school that also thinks shes the cutest and could vote....or if you wanted to put a link on your blog that would be ok too :)

(A little obsessive...you think???)

THANKS!!!!
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AMENDMENT: apparently you can vote every HOUR per computer!!!!

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Linda's Snot

Where does snot come from? I don't mean a little snot, I mean lots and lots of snot. How can you have no snot one day and the next you have buckets of it? Does your body store it down in your legs? Does the snot fairy come down the chimney like Santa and deliver snot? This is one of the questions I'm going to ask God when I get the chance. This blog is so boring I think I'll post a picture and no, it is not a picture of snot. Even I'm not that gross.

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Oh look Shauna, a little girl that hasn't cut her hair. Imagine that. Of course she doesn't have much to cut so that could make a difference.

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I fully expect that one of these days Robin is going to change her password and I won't be allowed to blog anymore.

Blake's initials ...

It's Linda again with a very important blog message. All you lurkers need to vote. In my kitchen at the top of the wall (actually on the side of the air conditioning ducts) there are talavera type painted tiles. These tiles have the initials of family members. Now that baby Blake is here, she needs a tile. Where should it be? Some family members (no Koby, I'm not going to mention your name) have spent many hours deciding on just the right tile. Oh, the tiles are painted such that we can remove the center design and add initials. Disclaimer: Ryan and Mere get the final vote.



This is the wall above the frig. It has "SBT" for Sue, "LJD" for Linda, "EOT" for Dad, and "RGH" for Reegan.



This is the wall above the sink. It has "MMT" for Meredith, "LEW" for Laine, "MET" for Mike, and "KDH" for Koby.

This is the wall above the entrance from the living room and it turns back toward the frig. It has "MJT" for Mom, "RMD" for Robin and I think that is all.

This is the wall where the utility room door is. The top row has "RMW" for Ryan. The bottom row has "HLW" for Heather, "JRW" for Jonathan, and "BCW" for Bowen.

More Christmas and baby Blake pictures

Reegan's reindeer butt jammies.

Reegan is taking after Paco - she loves her bicycle.

Look - baby Blake is SO advanced she is winking at us!

Shauna this one's for you!

What a great holiday we had. We spent Christmas at my mom's house. Reegan loved EVERYONE'S gifts. She still has 2 gifts to open because when she would open something she would play with it. She wore out before the presents ran out!

Koby left the 27th for a hunt. When he got back we all, grandparents included, went to Ft. Worth for Christmas with that part of the family and, best of all, to meet baby Blake! We had so much fun just being family. Blake is absolutely beautiful. She has a little bit of dark hair and is so sweet. She sleeps four hours at a time which is just amazing. I don't think Mere and Ryan are sleep deprived like most new parents....yet! Fun was had by all. I love my family!

Koby is on another hunt but the season is coming to an end. It's always nice when he gets home but we are so used to being apart that it takes us a few days to adjust. I can't wait to get back to normal!

Here are pics from the fam Christmas/New Year! I'm not sure how Heather, Jonathan, and Sue didn't make the pics ...but they were there! And yes Shauna I made sure there were a few of Blake just for you!

Mimi Linda, baby Blake and Koby
Paco, Reegan, and Mere

Granny and Granddad (poor granny didn't have a chance to get her hair done before they left)



Ryan and Blake - What a good dad!


Me and Blake - She's so tiny!

Reegan and Laine (and her new coat!)

Proud Paco and Blake

On our way home! This is Ree's favorite way to sit. She loves having one foot propped up!

Happy 2008!!!

Baby Blake is here!

Ahhhh....the house is clean, the Christmas stuff is put up, laundry is done, I've cleaned out 3 closets, and Reegan is nite-nite! There isn't much that feels better than that!

Reegan's latest favorite sayings are 'sat?' meaning:what's that, and 'MINE' !

Christmas was wonderful! I am certain that there wasn't a thing left to want!

OHHHH and baby Blake is here http://meredithware.blogspot.com/!!! We're going to see her tomorrow, i can't wait!!!! I'll post some pics of her when we get 'em!

Yeah for Christmas Break!!!

We are out of school until Jan 7th!!! Wooo-hoooo! I am so excited!!

In the next two weeks we are traveling the state trying to see the whole fam. I love this time of year! It always goes by too fast, but it's so much fun seeing everyone. I AM SO EXCITED TO MEET BABY BLAKE! Mere, My guess was the 22nd. That should be enough time for you to have her and be home for Christmas! :)

OK y'all, I have to brag on the hubbie. He has a hunt going on this week (duh...hunting season!) and the 17 year old daughter had a really bad experience with another hunting outfitter last year...anyway she wasn't going to hunt. Eventually the story came out that she shot her animal, and it was a good shot, they immediately walked up on the animal (should have waited several minutes) and that outfitter suffocated the animal to death in front of this girl(mind you it was the first animal she had ever killed). It TRAUMATIZED her and she was NOT interested in hunting this year. To make a long story short after several discussions this girl wound up trusting Koby so much that she killed not one but 2 animals this morning...with Koby's bow!! It was an excellent hunt and she is so proud!!! You should see the picture of them with the wildebeest she killed!....I'll have to get that and post it...

I love hunting season because we meet so many neat people! But, I'll be glad to have some normalcy again!

Reegan got bit AGAIN at school today....gggrrrrrr. I know it's just a phase this other little girl is going through...but geezzz bite another kid every once in a while!

Scattergories Game

What’s your name? ROBIN
car: ROLLS-ROYCE
city: ROBERT LEE
boy name:RALPH
girl name: REEGAN
alcoholic drink: RED EYE
occupation: REFRIGERATOR MECHANIC
something you wear: RING
celebrity: RENEE ZELLWEGER
food: RAVIOLI
reason for being late: RAN INTO A PARKED CAR
cartoon character: ROGER RABBIT
something you shout: RUUUUUUN :)

So mom...what you're saying is that I SHOULDN'T undecorate the Christmas tree?

CHRISTMAS FAVORITES

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper for Reegan, bags for everyone else!
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial – why kill a tree every year?
3. When do you put up the tree? My goal always is the weekend after Thanksgiving….I was a week late this year
4. When do you take the tree down the tree? Usually a day or two after Christmas. I leave the outside lights up a little longer
5. Do you like egg nog? Who would drink something named “Egg Nog”….rename it and maybe I’ll taste it
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmmm… that’s hard. Maybe the doll in the blue dress. I got her when I was on the verge of being too old to play with toys….and I loved her!
8. Hardest person to buy for? My grandparents, They are 84 and only get out of the house, and out of their recliners for that matter, to go out to eat.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Reegan…, just the wrapping paper will be fun!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail…If I get it together soon enough! It seems more formal and personal than email….despite my love for email, IM, and texting!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I was too young to understand an adult joke….long story short a member of my family sent me off with this giant, weighted down box, and said that I could ONLY open Christmas morning…long story short I wound up in tears when this present I had lost sleep over wound up being a joke.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoons Christmas Vacation!!!!!
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? There are things we just don’t discuss!
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Fudge, cinnamon dolce latte’s…sorry heather!
15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Absolutely clear
16. Favorite Christmas song? Do you hear what I hear
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home is good, but its nice to see everyone…so if we have to travel its worth it.
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donor and Blitzen….and Rudolph!
19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas eve, and it’s usually a new pair of pajamas so that you’re cute in the pics Christmas morning!
20. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Financial stress, and that it goes by so fast.
21. Favorite ornament theme or color? Who needs a theme…it’s Christmas
22. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Dressing and pecan pie
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? New floor and countertops!

Lately....

What a season it has been. Koby has been gone on hunts for most of 3 months. Sometimes it makes me feel like a single parent, especially because my mom is cooking for most of the hunts. Reegan and I go to the ranch for the day on the weekend but we don't spend the night. The good thing is when Koby is gone I don't have to cook! Oh wait, I haven't been cooking when he is home. I'll have to work on that.

I'm such a bad blogger. I need to work on that. Reegan has grown so much and is doing so many things. We love her new day care situation. She is staying in a licensed home and we absolutely love Teri! Out of the blue she will text me and tell me something funny Reegan has done - it makes leaving her so much easier.

We had Thanksgiving in Abilene at my aunt and uncle's house. Both my cousins were there. It was a great day. It's so much fun when we all get together - I wish we did it more often. That is something I should work on.

Baby Blake will be here very soon. Meredith's due date is the 29th but I'm hoping for sooner. I'm so excited for Mere to experience motherhood. She and Ryan will be wonderful parents. I'm ready to meet Blake! I love her already.

Babies and Feelings - by Linda

When Heather announced her pregnancy with Laine, I had so many feelings. The first baby in the family: exciting. What would the baby look like, be like, act like: so many questions. Was Heather old enough, mature enough, did she know what she was doing: afraid. Please God, let this baby be healthy: prayerful. What about Jonathan, would he be a good daddy: cautious. Then came Bowen: happy for a boy!!!

The next family pregnancy was Robin. Sadly this first pregnancy ended in miscarriage: anger, upset, empty, sympathetic. Soon another pregnancy for Robin, would this second pregnancy of hers be successful and healthy: optimistic. My own baby was having a baby, it gave me a new love for her that was so passionate. Here was my daughter standing so tall, being so responsible, eating right, wanting a margarita and not having one: proud.

And now Meredith. Meredith – the baby of the family is having a baby: delighted. Mere loves her sleep, will she be okay for a couple of sleepless months: confident. Is she ready to share her life with a baby: uncertain. Are Mere and Ryan ready for this responsibility: sure. Will they know how to install a car set properly: hesitant.

These three young women have far exceeded my expectations. They are so powerful, so successful, so courageous, such Godly women. And loved, so loved.

My overall feelings about these babies in our family: warm, faithful, joyous. And blessed. Most of all, blessed.

The week(s) to come...

Starting tomorrow we REALLY start hunting season. Koby and my mom are gone for 4 days, Koby another 3, then another 8 to Wyoming (after that...I'm sure there's another one right after that and they'll both be gone 6 days a week until after Thanksgiving). I broke it up not because he'll be home for a day or so in between but because I might happen to catch him running in the door for new underwear and running back out. There are actually only a couple of hours between hunts.

Reegan's nose is ookie. Really (knock on wood) she's never been sick. But now that everyone is leaving....that's how the cookie crumbles!!!

OHHHH you have to see her one year pics from the photographer. We have a new photographer at the place we go (Great Expectations) and she's incredible!!! OK here's the link http://www.greatexpectationstx.com/ , (she's on the home page!)go to Location Portraits, then Families and Kids.

Speaking of GE we are having a HUGE jewelry/make up/wine party at my moms on the 11th. Let me know if you want more info! It will be a blast!!!!

Amy and I are going to Disney's Princess's on Ice tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes!

does anyone comment anymore...or has it just been so long since I posted that no one reads my blog anymore!!! FINE I'll do better OK! :) LOVE Y'ALL!