World Thinking Day

Cooper participated in her Girl Scout World Thinking Day today. Each troop chooses a country to research and learn about. They must make a display board of the facts and info they learned. Then they all gather together and share with everyone about their country. Cooper's troop chose Jordan and Cooper researched sports played in Jordan. Troops have to present a food dish and have items from that country. Cooper enjoyed learning about so many new places.

Campbell meets Jacob - finally!

Our Campbell has a favorite K-State basketball player. His name is Jacob Pullen. She likes Jacob SO much that her daddy bought her a number "0" jersey for Christmas. Her daddy told her she could get Jacob's autograph on her jersey. She was NOT going to let that wish go by.

Now to get an autograph, you must be patient. You have to wait after the basketball game is over for the players to come back out and give autographs. A week ago we tried this and waited for 30 minutes, only to hear that Jacob had already left. So today only Chad and Campbell were there and got lucky enough to meet Jacob and get his autograph. Campbell was so excited!! I think you can tell in the picture. Thanks Jacob for making our little red very happy!


Campbell getting Jacob's autograph!


She also got one for her sister too!

11 Years

On a much smaller scale and less grandiose version, Chad and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. It was a crazy family day filled with K-State basketball, Girl Scout activities, and a nice quiet dinner out alone. No gifts, no exorbitant amount of money spent, no traveling, no fuss. Just us. And really for one night, that was just perfect! I love you Chad Thomas.

Western Day

I love that Campbell is going to the same Preschool that Cooper went to. I love that they continue to do the same activities each year. I remember when Cooper had her Western Day at school and wore this same costume. Campbell was so excited to be a "cowgirl" for a day. They did rope paintings, and played with stick horses at school.


Campbell the "Cowgirl"


She wasn't so sure she liked the hat!

Campbell takes on tennis

Campbell started taking tennis lessons this semester. Being that she was 4 years old now, and that's when Cooper started her lessons, we figured it was time. BOY - is there a big difference in Cooper and Campbell. Thankfully, there are just 2 kids in her lesson, she gets a little dangerous with that racket! I'm sure she will get better with time, for now she is having a great time learning something new.


Learning form.


Remember to watch the ball.


Practicing punches.

Autographs - take one

The K-State basketball season is coming to an end, and with some of our favorite players being seniors we need to get autographs. After the game today we stayed in hopes of making that happen. The girls were not bashful at all and gladly asked for Will Spradling's autograph. Thanks Will!


The girls waiting for the players to return.


Will Spradling


Will signing Campbell's jersey.

Ice Skating

Cooper took on ice skating again tonight as she joined students in Mrs. N's class. Chad took her and proudly cheered her on, even when she took a few tumbles. Her determination is what gets her through. Good Job Cooper!

I love to organize

Today I went to Council Grove for an Organizing Job. My sister lined it up for me and I was thrilled to be doing something I have a passion for. It was a long day's work, but I went home feeling a sense of accomplishment and purpose. I know that sometimes just that extra help even with the small things makes all the difference.

PT Conferences

We are proud to say that both girl received positive reports from their teachers at PT Conferences. Way to go girls!

Cooper continues to excel in school. She is reading Mysteries now and completed the class projects. She is working on Math facts in a timed test fashion. Spelling is her challenge, but once she sees the word correctly she usually remembers how to spell it. She is very helpful to other students and her teacher and enjoys being given extra tasks and assigned other responsibilities. Imagine that!

Campbell is doing well in Preschool. She recognizes her numbers to 10, can write her name, and is beginning to recognize letters and the sounds they make. She likes to shadow the teacher and help out even when not asked. She enjoys playing with her friends and is right on the verge of grasping the whole concept of school and such. She certainly has grown up a lot in just these few months.

K-State beats KU

I arrived home from Las Vegas in time for Valentine's Day. And this was no ordinary Valentine's Day, this was the K-State vs KU basketball game night. Chad and I grabbed a bite to eat with friends, shared Vegas stories, and headed to the game. It was an exciting game and K-State was playing their "A" Game. The crowd was into it and as the seconds ticked down to a K-State victory, security knew the floor was going to get stormed. In keeping with tradition, Chad had to rush the floor and make another debut on tv. Within minutes, people were texting and calling to say they saw Chad on tv. What a great game and what a great Valentine's Day!

Daddy in charge

Chad and the girls seem to be managing just fine while I am away in Vegas.

His scheduled was busy and his itinerary packed full. Lots of little things to remember. Field trips, babysitters, meetings, packing lunches, after school activities, Valentine's Day parties, and school carnivals. It was enough to keep them out of trouble.

And Mother Nature packed a punch when it snowed all day and plans had to change.

I know it's what you do for a spouse, but Thank You Chad for letting me have my week away and taking care of everything while I was gone. You did a great job!

A week in Las Vegas

I ventured West to Las Vegas for the week to spend time with Jura and celebrate her 35th birthday! Let me tell you we surely packed the week full of fun, laughter, new adventures, and paths we'd like not to visit again. All in all, it sure made one great story to tell again. Most memorable yet. It just keeps getting better it seems. Thanks Jura & Darrin for a wonderful week of vacation away from reality.

Monday - after a late arrival, Jura and I picked up Thai food for dinner. It's always great to gather round the table with the Leak's (all 6 of them.) So different being in a house with 2 teenagers and a toddler. Everyone going in their own direction and doing their own thing. Darrin got me hooked on at least 4 new tv shows I don't usually watch.

Tuesday - Grandma, Jaryn, and I hung out today. Jaryn was all about watching what I was doing and following me around. You would never believe she is only 2 years old. She is so smart and loves herself some lip gloss! What a girlie girl she is going to be. Jura cooked dinner that night for everyone and it was a stay home and enjoy the family night.

LiL J and I hanging out, while mom is at work.


S, J, Jura, and P, the night before Jura's birthday!

Wednesday - I headed out to work with Jura that morning. The ladies at her office had birthday cake for breakfast to celebrate her special day. Her co-workers are all great and each have their own personalities, which totally makes that office and what they do run smoothly. It was an out of office day for Jura and Dee, so they took me around to show me just how they help the homeless kids in Vegas. Supplies, supplies, and more supplies. That's what we picked up for the next few hours. Lunch out, stories, laughter, and work all at the same time. Now that was a good day. We headed home to get ready to go out for apps and drinks with friends for the "official" birthday celebration. Everyone met at Blue Martini and with a live band and yummy caramel apple martinis it was a great time.


Jura and I at Blue Martini! Happy 35th Jura!


The group at Blue Martini!

Thursday - Jura headed off to work and I stayed home and was able to join my former co-worker Crystal out to lunch. We decided PF Changs was the place to be. I love PF Chang's. Crystal and I team taught First Grade together the 1998-1999 school year. It was both of our first teaching jobs ever. We can sit back now and laugh at what we went through, but when we were going through it, it was a different feeling. Crystal is doing well and is pg with baby #5! It's hard to believe how fast time goes by. That night Jura and I held down the fort and listened to S & P's stories of middle school drama.

Friday - Jura took the day off and we enjoyed sleeping in, bagels for breakfast, a trip to the salon for mani/pedi, lunch out, and a bit of shopping. Late afternoon we caught our 2nd wind and were ready for a great weekend of fun. It was girls night, so we met Rachel out for dinner and drinks. A night out of girl talk and stories can make your sides ache from laughing so much. Darrin enjoyed his night at home, catching up on tv, eating his faves, and resting up to party.

Saturday - We hit the shoe stores before Darrin had to go to work. Then Jura and I decided to check out my new favorite place, Patty's Closet. After visiting all 4 stores, and purchasing some new items for the wardrobe, it was home in time to get ready to go out, Vegas style! We met friends at Sushi Samba and enjoyed a delicious meal. Definitely a place we need to go to again. There is nothing like the Vegas strip. Nightlife, people watching, just having a great time!


Jura and I ready to go out!


The girls out for the night!

Sunday morning came too soon and Jura and Darrin took me to the airport. I was ready to get home to see Chad and the girls, but so glad I made the trip. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Looking forward to what birthday #40 brings!

I was welcomed home with a big sign, balloons, tulips, and my 3 favorite people!

Red Dress Gala

Last night Chad and I attended the A Dress The Heart Gala. Sponsored by Mercy Community Health Foundation it is an event to raise money for cardiac care. With wine, food, great entertainment, and time for socializing with friends; it was a welcomed break from reality. Glad we could attend.

Goodbye Granny

My Granny Hance was called to Heaven early this morning. We are so thankful that we visited her in October. She was a wonderful lady. She had just celebrated her 84th birthday. She passed away at home. The home she had lived at for over 55 years.

She raised 7 children, 4 boys & 3 girls. She was a tough lady, who worked hard, and was feisty as ever. She had been without her true love for the past 8 years and I know she was missing him deeply. She loved to get the family together, eat a meal, play pinochle, and look at old family photos.

In my memory I recall Granny & Papa visiting us in Kansas three times, the last time would have been my high school graduation. They also visited us at my dad's house in Florida quite a bit. She also made the trek to Iowa in 2004 for my dad's 50th birthday. She had a twin sister and her family was from Missouri. I remember her sending my sister and I a Christmas package one year while I was in grade school filled with neat treasures. A purple beaded doll and purse, stationary with my name on it, and I can't remember the rest. She always called me Chrissy, until these last few visits then she would call me Debe (my mom's name.) I guess she thought I looked like my mom.

Granny's house wasn't the cleanest or the prettiest, but it sure was the place I had the most fun. They lived on a farm - to this city girl that was cool. The house is on 6 acres of land and when my dad would take us there to visit, my sister and I could run all over that land with our cousins. We would play hide-n-seek, pretend to be camping and have bonfires (down in the spot where dad had his bonfires as a kid), get up in the barn and watch the cousins jump out of the barn (but I was too scared to do it), play the game of LIFE, Connect Four, and Lincoln Logs in the spare room, listen to Conway Twitty sing "Don't Cry Joni" on the BIG record player, eat Grandpa's Dilly Beans or fresh peaches from the orchard down by the driveway, drink "sweet tea" by the gallon, watch Grandma & Grandpa make quilts together, catch fireflys, and later as adults go snowmobiling in the winter.

Granny didn't spoil us with gifts, but I do remember the one Christmas EVERYONE was together at her house and us kids were allowed to open 1 gift on Christmas Eve. She had gotten all of us light up yo-yos. It was the coolest gift ever! We didn't need anymore presents after that. Granny loved to get pictures of our families as we grew up and made our own lives. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren and I can't even count all the great grandchildren.

Granny wasn't a celebrity nor did she try to change the world, but in her little "village" of Berrien Springs, Michigan she was a well known treasure. And she gave me one of the greatest gifts ever - my dad.

We love you Granny. xoxo


Granny with my sister and I in October 2010.

Snow Day # 5

Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring! That is great news!

Today is yet another snow day for Cooper from school. We didn't get as much snow as they predicted for our area, but other areas East of us sure did. Today it's the single digit temps (2 degrees when I woke up today) that are keeping the kids at home. With the wind I'm sure the temp is below zero. Today the girls and I are working on golf tournament letters and going to tie die shirts. Wish me luck! I think we'll skip tennis lessons today. Just because Chad is out braving the cold and messy streets, doesn't mean I want to. I'm content to stay home where it's warm and cozy and enjoy my time with the girls.

Snow Day # 4

Yes, it's another Snow Day from school for both Cooper and Campbell today. The snow and wind started last night and continues into today. It's COLD outside and due to the wind sometimes I can't see the house across the street. The city and state are basically closed down today. At this point we are preparing for extended time of the school day or added days onto the school year. I'd rather do that than risk getting out in this weather. This storm is predicted to be the biggest ever and the worst for some places in years. I opted not to work out today and Cooper's flute lesson was canceled. Chad of course loves the snow and happily goes to work each morning. The store is busy on days like this, especially when KSU and Ft. Riley are closed down. The girls played restaurant, we watched movies, and I cleaned house and did laundry.