Toddlers...no more!

No more toddlers in our house.....(cheer!! tear...cheer!!! tear....) I can't decide if I'm excited or sad about that. Cannon turned 5 last week and we can't believe that the time has flown by so quickly. Can-man is still our source of sunshine with his big, cheesey grin and his crazy dance moves that he busts out when we least expect it.

We had a birthday party planned for the little guy until our family was struck with the "recreational water yuk" (I don't want to jump to conclusions and say that it is "crypto" that has been going around, but it sure does sound dramatic in a "poor-pitiful-me" story). Cal and Cannon have both been down since Fri. night. We went swimming in a neighborhood pool on Tues and it took until Fri for it to hit. They are trying to eat a little more substance today...time will tell if it stays with them or not.

(Note: In case you live outside of Texas, and haven't heard about crypto, I'll spare you the details. But I will tell you that it is caused by what little ones deposit in their swim diaper, then get in the water, then others get the "benefit" of the contamination! ....and the benefits aren't all that great!)

So we are hoping to reschedule the party fairly soon. I don't want to run too far into Aug...just too far away from the actual birthday.

Here are a few pics from the morning Cannon turned 5...he was very excited to wake up to gifts from the family and donuts for breakfast.

His favorite out-to eat food is orange chicken, so we went to a Chinese buffet and Cannon ate orange chicken to his heart's delight. I saw some baby squid on the buffet and brought a couple to our table. I knew the kids would get a kick out of it and I never intended for them to be consumed....but Daddy (Darrell) had to up the fun and down one of those puppies! GROSS!!!! The kids totally freaked out and couldn't believe it. Cannon said he wanted to try one and kept holding it up to his mouth but just couldn't get it past his lips. It made for a good laugh at the table and it caused all the tables around us to watch with anticipation...they couldn't imagine this little guy really eatting the squid. I wish I had pictures of all that fun!

Happy Birthday, Cannon! You are a joy and delight to have in our home and I am thankful that you were the final piece to our family puzzle. You have completed us in ways that we couldn't have imagined. Our celebration of your life will continue with more pictures to come.

Camp...Six Flags...Father's Day....whew!

I haven't even posted the end-of-school events, but I will do those at another time when there is a bit of a lull in our "fun"!















Cal went to KidsQuest Summer Camp at ACU last week and couldn't have had more fun! We were loading up in the car at the end of the week, and he said, "Mom, there's another session in two weeks. Can I come back?" He had barely finished and was ready for more! His best buddy, Mitchell has gone for the last two years, and we finally decided to join him. (The boys were also glad to have Riley Fisher in their group!)














Not only did we get time with one Watts, but we were able to spend time with "baby Kate" too. She's not so much the baby anymore, but we can't help but still call her that.

As soon as we got back from camp, we had another fun time waiting for us. We went to Six Flags with Darrell's three sisters and their families (minus a few). The kids had a great time! I was thinking Cannon would only be tall enough to hang out in Looney Toons, but he was tall enough to ride on most rides!! He was so pumped and ready to get on any roller coaster that would take him! Cameryn & Cannon had fun getting their picture taken with Wonder Woman and Batman. Cal was the brave one to get on the Batman ride with his Aunt GiGi...Mark, Christina and I were the "chickens". (Was it bad parenting to send my son on a ride that I wasn't willing to get on....?) Thanks Aunt J for the fun day at Six Flags!

Last but not least, we had a great day celebrating our dad's! Darrell got to do just what he wanted...a bike ride from our house to my parent's (in Springtown!), watch the US Open, and eat a great homemade meal with homemade ice cream (which all the grandkids helped make). Between Darrell, my dad, my brother (Ken), my bro-in-law (Mark), and Papa Roy, we have some great examples of godly men who are raising their families to love the Lord and love their families. I'm so proud these dad's are influencing my children! I love all of you! Happy Father's Day, guys!

Tomorrow He's 8!!

Well, not only was this a great Mother's Day weekend, but it was a great weekend to celebrate our first born! Cal will be 8 on Tues. so we started the festivities on Fri. night. Cal decided a few weeks back that he didn't want a "big themed" party, but instead wanted to go out with just his friends. So, we invited some friends (we missed those who couldn't make it!) and headed out to Putt-Putt. After go-carts, mini coasters, teacups, a round of mini golf, pizza & nachos, we headed in to the arcade....who knew that throwing some money into a machine could bring such sheer delight to these kids!? After the tickets spewed out and piled up at their feet, they went to choose their treasures at the prize counter...decisions! decisions!

From all signs, the kids had a great time!

(click on pics to make bigger)

After Cameryn's soccer game on Sat., we then met all the family at our house for the "family party". Cal has become a Texas Tech fan over the years, so we had an all black and red cake. From past experience, neither of these two icing colors are very easy to eat without making a mess, but the kids didn't seem to mind...even the adults got in on some of the icing fun!

I'm so thankful that Cal was the one to make me a "Mom"...he was a great start to a great thing!

I love you, Calvin James Plemons!

Competitive Spirits

April? Has it been April? I barely new it was here, and now it's almost over! Since I blogged last we have been having a fun time with the kids' end of school projects, field trips, events and soccer season beginning!

Darrell is Cameryn's soccer coach for this season and they are both doing a great job! Even though she didn't want to do it, she is starting to have fun with soccer. (We all have to work in that exercise some how!) As you can see in the pics, when Cam decides to "get after it" she really gets after it! Her team is the "Little Wolves" and they are almost 5-6 year olds. The first practice was a bit comical, because Darrell didn't realize he was having a "pre-school" group and wasn't quite prepared for how distracted this age group gets. By the next practice, he had his "nurturing nature" pulled out and had a great time. It is funny to watch some of these first timers get out there and just zone out...picking up rocks, kicking the soccer ball too far and just standing there and looking at it like, "would someone PLEASE go get that ball?", and we have one cute little guy who likes to pick on the girls...none of them like that...yet! It will be a fun and interesting season to watch these players develop their skills and learn more about Jesus.

Last week was the "Bobcat Run" at the kids' school for the 2nd-5th graders. I knew about it because of the sign on the marque, but didn't really know how big of a deal it was for Cal until the few days leading up to it. He kept talking about how fast he was going to run; which guys were faster than him; if he was going to start off fast and pass everyone right

off or take it slow and steady; he needed to eat pasta the night before and be in bed no later than 8:30...I mean this kid was worked up! He could hardly go to sleep the night before and then was really nervous on the way to school. I prayed for him on the way to school, that God would give him strong legs to run swiftly and carefully and that Cal would know that his strength would come from the Lord. I asked God to take away his anxiety and turn it into excitement. By the time Cal got out of the car, he was a little calmer, but he later told me that he went to the restroom 6 times before the run (which was at 9:30!!)...I think he was still a little nervous. Cal did great and finished strong. The run was 1/2 mile and the top 3 received medals. Cal was a little disappointed that he didn't receive a medal, but he did finish in the top 1/2 of the 2nd grade boys. We told him that the fact that he finished and he did his best, was the greatest achievement of them all! PawPaw, Cannon, Brandt, Cade, and myself were all there to cheer him across the finish line...We were very proud!

Two-Wheelers and other Proud Moments!

Breaking News!!! Cannon and Brandt both learned how to ride their bikes without training wheels! Yesterday we went out front to ride bikes, scooters, and anything else with wheels and Cannon said he wanted to try the two-wheeler. So with a few assisted starts, he was off and rolling. Brandt was close behind waiting his turn! It didn't take too many turns for Brandt and he was rolling down the side walk unassisted as well! If you look close, you'll see two very proud faces on those boys!

No, we don't have a 4th child....that is "Rose", Cameryn's doll. The rest of those kids sure are treasures!

Cameryn standing by her desk at her Easter party at school.
Cal at his desk during his Easter party. He never wants me to take his picture, so I'm surprised I got a smile out of him on this one.
Easter at Nana and PawPaw's.

All the Collins family cousins (l-r) Cameryn, Cannon, Cal, Cade, Addie, Cage (floor), Coen, & Brandt.
Easter Bunny Nana...I asked her if she used to wear those ears in a previous job! She was quick to reply, "NO!"

We sure do miss our friends, the Higgins! The girls are some of the Plemons and Japhets favorite people!

Here are Cannon, Brandt, and Cade playing in Cameryn's room while she is at school....uh-oh!...I'm sure they will be proud of their Hannah Montana impersonations when they get older!

Upwards is one of our favorite things! This is the end of season celebration night and Coach Hector (Hinojosa) is giving Cal his team basketball. Cal has decided his two sports are basketball and football (flag ball for now!). He will sit out soccer season and cheer on Cameryn!

Gentle Reminders

Since I last posted, I have celebrated being married for 9 years to my best friend; enjoyed a wonderful Valentine's Day with my husband and sweet kids; cheered Cal on at basketball games; pulled Cameryn's teeth (she has lost 2 in 1 week with another one dangling); watched Cannon get totally enthralled with anything and everything "Star Wars"; and loved living each day with a fresh start and making it better than the day before.

Here are a few pics to catch you up...

I am reminded that God's mercies are new every morning and that I do have a fresh start each day...so let's get started!

Cameryn is Six!!!!

What a great way to start the new year! Our little girl is 6 today! Darrell traditionally gets Cameryn flowers for her birthday, and this year was no exception. She woke up this morning with 6 roses on the table along with cards and birthday gifts. Her cousin, Addie spent the night last night and was glad to share in the morning fun with breakfast in bed and singing to new High School Musical karaoke CDs. By 9:30, on this freezing (30 something degree weather) morning the girls were bundled up and out on the trampoline jumping. Atleast they have the desire to get out in this cold and exercise! We met up with Tammy and the rest of the kids at the church to play and have lunch. Cameryn wanted to cap off the play time with some "coffee" from our new coffee shop, "The Porch", so we all indulged! The day ended with $1 movie (The Bee Movie) and Taco Bell at home (per her request). It was a great day celebrating our little girl!

Santa or No Santa?

Santa is here! Our kids have been crazy with the "countdown" to Santa and this year Cal is starting to question the details of "is there?" or "isn't there?" a Santa. My reply..."what do you think?" I'm not ready to blow my cover yet, but I'm not going to out and out lie to him either if he asks a point blank question...time will uncover the rest of this story.

The kids woke up to their "Santa" stuff and had a great time playing with every little thing. As is tradition, the night before we set out cookies and milk for Santa and reindeer food in the front yard. Santa left his annual "thank you" note and reminded the kids of the real reason for the season....our Santa is a Believer!

Christmas in Dallas

Christmas Eve was reserved for Darrell's family this year! Christina, Mark and the kids were in from Nashville and we thoroughly enjoyed spending time in Dallas with all the family! Sunday before Christmas we all went to church with Darrell's mom and step-dad....it was the first time since we have been married (that I can remember) that Darrell has been to church with all his sisters and mom at the same time. It was a special time for us and especially Carolyn to have all the family together.

We "Christmased" at Jacque's and enjoyed a great meal together. Then it was round two of gift giving. After we cleaned up the mess of wrapping paper and gifts, we all went to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks"....what a fun movie to see with kids young and old!

Springtown Christmas

Christmas is hear and we are getting a bit of a head start. This year we will spend Christmas Eve with Darrell's family, so we are getting together with the Collins' crew on Sunday. If we had of stopped with this first round of gifts, we would have had a great Christmas! It is so humbling when our kids get so many wonderful things when they in reality are in need of nothing. Thank you family for your generosity! It truly is a joy to give and we had a great time watching everyone's faces as they opened another fun surprise. The kids are always the best to watch ripping from one package to the next...they can hardly stand themselves!

Tammy's House

One thing our family has been praying for is a place that my sister and her kids could call their own. Well, with the incredible sacrifice of time and money from several wonderful people at RHCC, Tammy and the kids moved into their new home a couple of weeks before Christmas! It was definitely a night to remember and the love of God is all over that house...from the elder who made sure there was good security lights all around the house to the sweet lady who painted the closet, there were brush strokes of love and kindness throughout that home. If you ever want to know the rest of the story, just ask Jamie Atchley, Patty Weaver, Jenni New, or Mindy Layfield (just to name a few of the angels God has sent into my sisiter's life), I'm sure they would light up to tell you what this project meant to them.

It has meant the world to our family, and we are forever grateful!

Glory Days

After Thanksgiving and before the holidays got crazy, I had the opportunity to spend some time with the Lord and four other friends who have drawn me closer to the Lord. We went to a beautiful cabin in the Oklahoma woods and we were able to laugh and cry together. We shared some wonderful praise time as well as communion together. We ate a few meals and a few hikes together, but I have to say my favorite time was the time I spent all day on Saturday alone with my Maker. This day was for us to fast, be silent, and be with the Lord. To be real honest, I wasn't looking forward to this day and made sure I had plenty of things to do to pass the time. As it turned out, I didn't need any of those things and the time I spent reading my Bible and walking with God made the day fly by. Thank you KC for following your prompts and getting this weekend together for us!

Thanksgiving for Family!

Since the GREAT Ride we have enjoyed even more family time and loved every minute of it. This year it was Thanksgiving with the Collins on Turkey day and we had a great time playing, visiting, nibbling, watching the kids play...in the snow!, and eating some more! Family time is always a great time...I just wish we did it more even when it's not a holiday!

It Is Finished!!

(Click on any of the images below to make them larger.)

Day 1 at the International Bridge on the Mexican border.

Days 1 & 2 while I was with the ride down south.

The welcome committee in Ft. Worth on day 8.

Heading out on day 9 (the last day)!

The Hinojosa and Plemons kids joined in the fun.

It is Finished at the Red River!

I finally have pics to show you of the GREAT Ride. It has been an incredible adventure, and one that the Plemon's family will never forget! We are so very proud of the guys for what they set out to do and accomplish, but we are particularly proud of our Darrell! There are a bunch of detailed stories that can be told, but who has time for that on this blog. If you want to get a glimpse into each day, go to the GREAT Ride blog at http://www.thegreatride07.blogspot.com/ Ron did a great job of catching the highlights and keeping them journaled.

I couldn't be any more proud!