In case you didn't know, Davis has had quite the obsession with Star Wars since mid-October or so. He's completed Jedi training in the basement, received all the Star Wars action figures one could imagine, even requested that we call him "Luke" and given his family all the corresponding names of Luke's family. His favorite birthday gift? His Jedi robe. College? Not anymore because, according to Davis, Jedis don't go to college.
Yesterday, I think Davis changed his obsession. I bought him his first pair of cowboy boots. I won't go into why it took me until he was 5 years old to get him a pair, but it did. Anyway, after we bought them, Davis had to school but the minute he was home, he asked to put them on as soon as he got home. He has worn them non-stop since then. Thankfully, he had a cowboy hat that was given to him by his cousin, Randall. We borrowed a Western shirt from next door, then I remembered: I have a hand-me-down TX flag cowboy shirt and a belt complete with big buckle, also from Randall! Our neighbors also had a kids' pair of chaps, so Davis has those, too.
This morning, Davis got up and put his boots on. Then we had to get his cowboy hat down (we put it up in his closet because we don't him and other kids thinking it's a play toy) from the closet. Now, he has the belt on, too. After he got all dressed up, he told me he needed a horse. I reminded him that he has more than one stick horse to choose from. Well, that wasn't good enough. He informed me he needs a real horse, since he has real boots.
I can't wait to find out what his cowboy name is! I'll keep you posted on that one!
We're keeping you updated on the goings-on of Jasen, Sara, and most importantly, Grace and Davis Graham.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Post for Clara
Okay, this post is not about me or mine. It's not about our family, our times, our lives. It's about a sweet little girl who is in the fight of her life.
The backstory: many, many moons ago, there was a guy that lived in Stephenville who was a friend from A&M of my dad's cousin. I didn't know this until much later, but he only lived in the 'ville for six months. He needed a job after college and my uncle Brad hooked him up. After a little while, he decided the 'ville wasn't the place for him and he moved on.
For whatever reason, his name always stuck with me: Frank Shannon. I don't know why. Some of you know I have a knack for remembering things that are either insignificant or shouldn't matter much. Well, Frank's name stuck in my head. I didn't have any contact with him, minus a few visits at Texas A&M, when Frank was the director at the 12th Man Foundation.
Flash forward to our time in Charleston. I learned that Frank lived in Charleston and not only did he live there, but he had been the head of fund-raising at The Citadel. I got in touch with him and he graciously agreed to meet me and my family for lunch. It was neat to visit with him; to talk about the people we had in common (my family and people from the 'ville) and for he and Jasen to talk about the people they knew at The Citadel.
Because of that meeting, we "friended" each other on Facebook. I friend almost everyone and I love to see what people are up to. The day we met Frank for lunch, he and his family were getting ready to move back to TX, where he would work at Baylor. I told him to tell Coach Briles hello!
A few months ago, I was sad to see a post from him via Facebook that his brand-new granddaughter, Clara, had been diagnosed with leukemia. I was immediately taken back to Germany, when a precious family in our small military community was affected by the same disease in their own newborn baby girl.
I have been able to keep up with sweet Clara through her mom's blog (www.brookebabble.blogspot.com). She recently had a bone marrow transplant and it's either going to work or it's not. Some kid (I think Brooke, Clara's mom, said he was under 25) was a match for Clara. How did they know he was a match? Because at some point he went and had his marrow tested. From what I understand, they can type your bone marrow pretty easily.
Which brought up the question within me: why have I not been tested? Why am I not making sure I am in the bone marrow "clearing house" for them to call me if someone needs my marrow? I've heard it's painful to donate and I guess that's why I haven't been willing to do it.
But when I go to Brooke's site and see pictures of Clara, I am confronted with the same question over and over. Why? Why, if it could save some other precious baby, child, mother, father, have I not been willing to do this? And I challenge you...can you not do this? Could the pain of donation be greater than the pain of losing someone you love?
Listen, I won't ask you if you will or have done the matching. I won't ask you to make a commitment. I will only ask you this: what if you were the missing link that could save Clara's life?
The backstory: many, many moons ago, there was a guy that lived in Stephenville who was a friend from A&M of my dad's cousin. I didn't know this until much later, but he only lived in the 'ville for six months. He needed a job after college and my uncle Brad hooked him up. After a little while, he decided the 'ville wasn't the place for him and he moved on.
For whatever reason, his name always stuck with me: Frank Shannon. I don't know why. Some of you know I have a knack for remembering things that are either insignificant or shouldn't matter much. Well, Frank's name stuck in my head. I didn't have any contact with him, minus a few visits at Texas A&M, when Frank was the director at the 12th Man Foundation.
Flash forward to our time in Charleston. I learned that Frank lived in Charleston and not only did he live there, but he had been the head of fund-raising at The Citadel. I got in touch with him and he graciously agreed to meet me and my family for lunch. It was neat to visit with him; to talk about the people we had in common (my family and people from the 'ville) and for he and Jasen to talk about the people they knew at The Citadel.
Because of that meeting, we "friended" each other on Facebook. I friend almost everyone and I love to see what people are up to. The day we met Frank for lunch, he and his family were getting ready to move back to TX, where he would work at Baylor. I told him to tell Coach Briles hello!
A few months ago, I was sad to see a post from him via Facebook that his brand-new granddaughter, Clara, had been diagnosed with leukemia. I was immediately taken back to Germany, when a precious family in our small military community was affected by the same disease in their own newborn baby girl.
I have been able to keep up with sweet Clara through her mom's blog (www.brookebabble.blogspot.com). She recently had a bone marrow transplant and it's either going to work or it's not. Some kid (I think Brooke, Clara's mom, said he was under 25) was a match for Clara. How did they know he was a match? Because at some point he went and had his marrow tested. From what I understand, they can type your bone marrow pretty easily.
Which brought up the question within me: why have I not been tested? Why am I not making sure I am in the bone marrow "clearing house" for them to call me if someone needs my marrow? I've heard it's painful to donate and I guess that's why I haven't been willing to do it.
But when I go to Brooke's site and see pictures of Clara, I am confronted with the same question over and over. Why? Why, if it could save some other precious baby, child, mother, father, have I not been willing to do this? And I challenge you...can you not do this? Could the pain of donation be greater than the pain of losing someone you love?
Listen, I won't ask you if you will or have done the matching. I won't ask you to make a commitment. I will only ask you this: what if you were the missing link that could save Clara's life?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Seen, Heard, Watched
What could you have seen around the Graham house this week? Well, kids were home for three days. Listen, I love being with my kids. However, by the third day off, the temperature was below 10 degrees and the windchill was below zero. So, no playing outside. Besides, we had a friend over for Grace, which was good, but the kids were done entertaining themselves. Enter Mom. Again, I love my kids, but that was one heck of a five day weekend!
What could you have heard around the Graham house this week? Kid noise, obviously. But also, the creaking of the wood floors under me while I got my sweat on via our Kinect XBox games. Man, it's not fun. Oh, and I've started an AWESOME...not...abdominal DVD workout. Ugh. Also, Davis had one of his great quotes. At the breakfast table on Monday, the day after his birthday, he told Grace "I feel sorry for you. You only have one lightsaber. And it's Darth Vader's. And it's broken." Think he's still obsessed?
What could you have watched around the Graham house this week? Well, despite the fact we have NO IDEA where we will be going in June, I've been researching houses for rent in our top three choices. Oh, man. I am so anxious to find out where we are going. Wait, anxious isn't the right word, because that would imply I am nervous. I am not nervous, but curious. Ready to start figuring out where we'll live, where the kids will be in school, etc. Oh the joys of military life!
What could you have heard around the Graham house this week? Kid noise, obviously. But also, the creaking of the wood floors under me while I got my sweat on via our Kinect XBox games. Man, it's not fun. Oh, and I've started an AWESOME...not...abdominal DVD workout. Ugh. Also, Davis had one of his great quotes. At the breakfast table on Monday, the day after his birthday, he told Grace "I feel sorry for you. You only have one lightsaber. And it's Darth Vader's. And it's broken." Think he's still obsessed?
What could you have watched around the Graham house this week? Well, despite the fact we have NO IDEA where we will be going in June, I've been researching houses for rent in our top three choices. Oh, man. I am so anxious to find out where we are going. Wait, anxious isn't the right word, because that would imply I am nervous. I am not nervous, but curious. Ready to start figuring out where we'll live, where the kids will be in school, etc. Oh the joys of military life!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Snow Day!
When we found out last January that we were moving back to Kansas for sure, all Grace said was "Yes!! Snow!" Until yesterday, we saw MORE snow in South Carolina in 2010 than we did in Kansas. That's just wrong! Also, I think it was just last week that I was bemoaning the fact that, although we purchased snow pants and boots for the kids, we had not had any measurable snow since. Well, today took care of that!
We were awakened at 5 a.m. by Jasen's alert roster/phone tree, that there would be a two hour delay on his school day. With that, I took a look outside and saw SOME snow. It didn't look like that much. By the time we were up at 7, there was more. Grace's and Davis' schools were both closed, so we got ready and the kids and Jasen were out by 8:30.
Now, I must say that I have no idea how much snow we have gotten. However, it has snowed all day, with only a hour of let up. The snowfall has been pretty heavy, too. So, I would guess we have gotten anywhere from 6-9 inches, easy. That's a lot of snow!
So, we've all been out on the sled, we've all taken a turn shoveling, and the kids' cheeks are well chapped!
And we've got another snow day tomorrow!!
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Our Birthday Boy
Ahhh, Davis Henry Graham.
The little man of the house. Our little prince. The sweetest Jedi we know. We can't believe you are 5!! How can that be? Your actions make us laugh, your facial expressions are priceless, and your heart is tender. No doubt, you are getting older, preferring your dad a little more everyday, speaking your own mind, instead of letting Grace answer for you. Your calls of "Okay, Mama Odie" ring in your mama's ears and warms her heart. Your fabulous Jedi play makes your sister laugh. Your Jedi robe combined with using the force via your hands make your dad smile.
We love you, sweet boy, Sunny D, D-man, Luke Davis Skywalker, Handsome!
Monday, January 03, 2011
Our Life in Pictures
So, I don't make resolutions. I do try to do better in some things, though. One thing I want to do better? Blogging!
Because I am so far behind, I am going to post a bunch of pictures with explanations and call it good!
Here we go....
This summer, we purchased a blow-up water slide. Best money we've spent in a long time! Can you tell which two kids are ours?
For the third year in a row, Jasen was here to walk Grace to school. And so were Reagan and Amy!

One of the blessings of being at Ft. Leavenworth? All the time w ehave spent with my cousin, Jennifer and her family. Here are the four kids at the KC Irish Festival:

And me and Jen. I have always adored her and that hasn't changed one bit!

In August, we went back to Ft. Sill, to see Jasen's 1SG, 1SG Johnson, retire from the Army. What a special day! We caravan-ed with the McCalls (1SG Johnson was also Brian's 1SG), got to see COL Gadson, the Pichts and our friends, the Andersons, ate at Los Tres, then went by our old house for Grace to have a picture where we brought her home from the hospital. She was really annoyed, but we told her not many Army kids get to do that!



Our girl started back playing soccer this fall. As before, she had a great time. She's discovered she prefers defense.

We were blessed to be able to see my cousin's son, Joe, play one of his Angel League games. The field is behind a house in a random neighborhood. It was so special to be able to see Joe play.

Four pretty cute kids, if you ask me!
That same day, we visited the Red Barn Farms pumpkin patch.


This would be our son, playing dress-up. Can you guess what he is? Puss (notice the cat ears!) 'N Boots, of course!

We took the kids to their first A&M game at Kansas University. Although, it wasn't at Kyle Field, we were glad to be able to take them to a game so close to our current home. We got to see the Yell Leaders, too!

Isn't that a beautiful sunset? I've always thought royal blue was a weenie color for a football team. However, it sure does look sharp on a bright green field! (As I say this, I recognize no real sports fan will care about how it looks on the field!)

We had quite a few times to dress up in October. Both kids had character parades at school.


Davis dressed up as a Cowboy football player for his last day of Start Smart football. Can you see the medal around his neck? He was so proud of it!

The week of Halloween, Grace's school participated in Red Ribbon week festivities. Each day was a different dress-up theme. This one was crazy hair day.

Here are Alice in Wonderland and Dash Incredible on Halloween.
Ahhh, look at that happy girl! We had quite a pile of leaves going in our small backyard.

Grace decided this would be how she dealt with a not-so-nice friend. A few days after posting these signs, the kids' had a new restaurant in Grace's room called Romans 12:21. No, I am not kidding!

We learned a lot about Mother Xavier Ross, the nun who founded Davis' school. Here he is, bringing in the money he collected for the local Catholic-run free medical clinic.
I wasn't able to get a good picture of him this day. Too many competing parents were in the way!

We took Fergus on a walk one day and this is how the kids decided to dress. Thank you, Mom, for modeling "Who cares?" behavior for me. The kids appreciate it!

Okay, they aren't New England fall colors, but we got some pretty ones here at Ft. Leavenworth!

We visited the WWI museum in KC. It was awesome and I hope to go back before we leave. We went on Veteran's Day and Jasen fulfilled his Public Affairs requirement for school by wearing his uniform.

Those are our little ones, watching one of the videos on the war. I know I learned a lot!

The grounds are also beautiful, even under an overcast sky!

They had a display of blue star flags and this was a special field artillery one. Once a redleg, always a redleg. Or redleg wife!
That same day, we met Jen and Maggie at Fritz's. It's the neatest restaurant in Crown Center (there are other locations, too!) where your food is delivered via an overhead railroad car. Also, a sweet lady paid for our meal so her kids would know what you do to show a veteran how you can thank them for their service.

Obviously, Davis' school talked about Indians. Here is our little Running Deer...

Okay, long story here. In the field next to our house, our kids and our neighbors' kids found some old wood that they fashioned into a teepee. Again, not kidding! They were dying to have a bonfire and camp-out out there. Camp-out hasn't happened, but our neighbor did supervise them having s'mores out at the site.

We had Thanksgiving with our friends, the McCalls and their immediate McCall family. We had such a nice time and really stuffed ourselves!
Me 'n' Amber. Together in Bamberg, at Fort Riley, and here. Sometimes, the Army throws you a bone in the way of an old friend being nearby!


Shortly after Thanksgiving, we decorated our house.
We hung our stockings on the bookcases.

Not too shabby!
Davis had a Christmas program at his school. Can you tell he's trying not to smile at me?
Afterward, I finally got a smile from our boy!

We won't soon forget Grace's Christmas play at our chapel on-post. She did great. The play? Um, well, let's just say that after three months of practice, we thought it would be a little more put together. The directors bit of a lot to try and chew.
This was Grace's favorite dance move, I think.
Here she is, grooving out to the '50s tune they sang.
She was also Mary during the discussion of Christ's birth.

Right after that, we had our first snow. It was really blowy, not very wet, so it wasn't much to play in. I went out and got them snow pants, boots, etc. We haven't had any measurable snow since then, of course!

Davis helped me get the sugar cookies stirred together.
I helped with Grace's school party. She's got a really small, really sweet class.
We had quite a few visitors during the holidays. Our friends, the Kazors, came through town. What a blessing to share time with some of our Army family from our time at Ft. Riley. Here are our kids with theirs, Ashleigh and Brendan.
Jasen's aunt and uncle, Ann and Stan, and their sons, Andrew and Kenneth, came through while moving Ann to MN. Andrew and Kenneth wore Davis out! It was really neat to see them all.

Davis had an accident with the powdered sugar. He says he thought it was the bag of marshmallows and once he figured out it wasn't, he ran because he thought he would be in trouble. One of my friends and I have made countless jokes about this picture...I won't repeat them here lest the DEA is watching my blog. hahahaha
We were blessed to have my mom and grandma come for Christmas. Here we are on Christmas Eve, decorating cookies for Santa. And his elves! ;)
Ready for Christmas Eve service.
We read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas from the coolest book that Jasen's Graham grandparents gave us. It has awesome cut-outs.

Before bed, we lit the four candles in our Advent wreath: hope, peace, joy and love. Then we lit the Christ candle in the middle and read the account of Jesus' birth from Luke 2.

Can you believe I got no pictures of our tree just with the presents? That's probably best because it would have embarrassed me! Here are the kids before we let them go to the tree.
I'll give you one guess what toys captured Davis' attention!
Grace got a pogo stick. Once upon a time, Grace's mommy was a great pogo-er. Sadly, Grace's pogo stick looks rather flimsy, so Mom will not be trying out her skills.

Yep, here's the boy with his Star Wars action figures. He would have been fine if that's all he had gotten for Christmas.
Two years ago, Grace got her first cozy robe from her grandmama. That was about four sizes ago! Grace requested a new one and her grandmama came through, of course! Her is Grace in "The Changing of the Robe."

Hey, Jasen, are you helping or playing with those Star Wars action figures?

GGma and Grandmama getting in on the action!

Watching the inaugural brew of my new Keurig. It was worth every penny!
The family gift this year? A Kinect for Jasen's XBox. Oh, we have already had so much fun with it! Here are grace and Jasen getting their Kinect on!


Christmas afternoon, we went to the Orths (my cousin, Jen) house and ate Christmas dinner. Have I mentioned I love being close to family? I really do. So, so, so, so special! Here is Maggie and her cousin, Davis. Although she has called them both "GraceandDavis." When we aren't there, she just calls them her cousins. I am so glad Jen's kids and my kids know each other!

Here are Jen and my grandma. Special, special ladies. Two of my favorite people.
Okay, here's to doing better on the blog!! Next big event? A special boy around here turns 5...
Because I am so far behind, I am going to post a bunch of pictures with explanations and call it good!
Here we go....
This summer, we purchased a blow-up water slide. Best money we've spent in a long time! Can you tell which two kids are ours?
One of the blessings of being at Ft. Leavenworth? All the time w ehave spent with my cousin, Jennifer and her family. Here are the four kids at the KC Irish Festival:
And me and Jen. I have always adored her and that hasn't changed one bit!
In August, we went back to Ft. Sill, to see Jasen's 1SG, 1SG Johnson, retire from the Army. What a special day! We caravan-ed with the McCalls (1SG Johnson was also Brian's 1SG), got to see COL Gadson, the Pichts and our friends, the Andersons, ate at Los Tres, then went by our old house for Grace to have a picture where we brought her home from the hospital. She was really annoyed, but we told her not many Army kids get to do that!
Our girl started back playing soccer this fall. As before, she had a great time. She's discovered she prefers defense.
We were blessed to be able to see my cousin's son, Joe, play one of his Angel League games. The field is behind a house in a random neighborhood. It was so special to be able to see Joe play.
Four pretty cute kids, if you ask me!
This would be our son, playing dress-up. Can you guess what he is? Puss (notice the cat ears!) 'N Boots, of course!
We took the kids to their first A&M game at Kansas University. Although, it wasn't at Kyle Field, we were glad to be able to take them to a game so close to our current home. We got to see the Yell Leaders, too!
Isn't that a beautiful sunset? I've always thought royal blue was a weenie color for a football team. However, it sure does look sharp on a bright green field! (As I say this, I recognize no real sports fan will care about how it looks on the field!)
We had quite a few times to dress up in October. Both kids had character parades at school.
Davis dressed up as a Cowboy football player for his last day of Start Smart football. Can you see the medal around his neck? He was so proud of it!
The week of Halloween, Grace's school participated in Red Ribbon week festivities. Each day was a different dress-up theme. This one was crazy hair day.
Here are Alice in Wonderland and Dash Incredible on Halloween.
Grace decided this would be how she dealt with a not-so-nice friend. A few days after posting these signs, the kids' had a new restaurant in Grace's room called Romans 12:21. No, I am not kidding!
We learned a lot about Mother Xavier Ross, the nun who founded Davis' school. Here he is, bringing in the money he collected for the local Catholic-run free medical clinic.
We took Fergus on a walk one day and this is how the kids decided to dress. Thank you, Mom, for modeling "Who cares?" behavior for me. The kids appreciate it!
Okay, they aren't New England fall colors, but we got some pretty ones here at Ft. Leavenworth!
We visited the WWI museum in KC. It was awesome and I hope to go back before we leave. We went on Veteran's Day and Jasen fulfilled his Public Affairs requirement for school by wearing his uniform.
Those are our little ones, watching one of the videos on the war. I know I learned a lot!
The grounds are also beautiful, even under an overcast sky!
They had a display of blue star flags and this was a special field artillery one. Once a redleg, always a redleg. Or redleg wife!
Obviously, Davis' school talked about Indians. Here is our little Running Deer...
Okay, long story here. In the field next to our house, our kids and our neighbors' kids found some old wood that they fashioned into a teepee. Again, not kidding! They were dying to have a bonfire and camp-out out there. Camp-out hasn't happened, but our neighbor did supervise them having s'mores out at the site.
We had Thanksgiving with our friends, the McCalls and their immediate McCall family. We had such a nice time and really stuffed ourselves!
Me 'n' Amber. Together in Bamberg, at Fort Riley, and here. Sometimes, the Army throws you a bone in the way of an old friend being nearby!

Shortly after Thanksgiving, we decorated our house.
Not too shabby!
Davis had a Christmas program at his school. Can you tell he's trying not to smile at me?
We won't soon forget Grace's Christmas play at our chapel on-post. She did great. The play? Um, well, let's just say that after three months of practice, we thought it would be a little more put together. The directors bit of a lot to try and chew.
This was Grace's favorite dance move, I think.
Right after that, we had our first snow. It was really blowy, not very wet, so it wasn't much to play in. I went out and got them snow pants, boots, etc. We haven't had any measurable snow since then, of course!
Davis helped me get the sugar cookies stirred together.
Davis had an accident with the powdered sugar. He says he thought it was the bag of marshmallows and once he figured out it wasn't, he ran because he thought he would be in trouble. One of my friends and I have made countless jokes about this picture...I won't repeat them here lest the DEA is watching my blog. hahahaha
Before bed, we lit the four candles in our Advent wreath: hope, peace, joy and love. Then we lit the Christ candle in the middle and read the account of Jesus' birth from Luke 2.
Can you believe I got no pictures of our tree just with the presents? That's probably best because it would have embarrassed me! Here are the kids before we let them go to the tree.
Yep, here's the boy with his Star Wars action figures. He would have been fine if that's all he had gotten for Christmas.
Hey, Jasen, are you helping or playing with those Star Wars action figures?
GGma and Grandmama getting in on the action!
Watching the inaugural brew of my new Keurig. It was worth every penny!
Christmas afternoon, we went to the Orths (my cousin, Jen) house and ate Christmas dinner. Have I mentioned I love being close to family? I really do. So, so, so, so special! Here is Maggie and her cousin, Davis. Although she has called them both "GraceandDavis." When we aren't there, she just calls them her cousins. I am so glad Jen's kids and my kids know each other!
Here are Jen and my grandma. Special, special ladies. Two of my favorite people.
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