287 ain't never been a free ride

This Cooder Graw verse has new meaning to me. I always thought in my mind it was from all the Highway Patrol that cruise that from Decatur to Amarillo! Not any longer.... plus I have a new respect for stranded drivers. I may not always stop but from here on out, I will say a prayer every time I see a traveler in distress. We are hoping it is just a hose and nothing major. It is sitting at a mechanic shop in Childress TX, 200 miles away now awaiting its diagonsis.
There are many blessings in our adventure. I realized how easily this could have happened when the kids and I were traveling by ourselves. Luckily Jamie was with us, with his work cell. Which brings me to our next blessing... neither one of our high dollar iphones were in range. 3rd - Cousin Jaylan and Jenn were on their way to the Panhandle and were 45 minutes ahead of us. They were close enough to turn around and get us.

287 ain

Little boys are made of.....

The first year of his life I would agree with boys being made of snails and puppy dog tails... but 6 years later I think differently. Our days are full of baseball, batman adventures, and sporadic nonsense that comes from his mouth. For example, last night during our nightly prayers, here is his " Thank you God for ..... Life insurance." Over the course of this year, he has started baseball (our rule was 5 yrs old), learned to ride his bike without training wheels and has become EXTREMELY picky about his clothes. And in the fall he starts kindergarten. This has been a big year for him!

Happy Birthday Ivan Blaine Kapka!!! Mom and Dad are some very proud parents!

Things I love
a. how I view boys differently since I've had one of my own.
b. Blaine's love for his family, his friends, and baseball
c. dirt bike toys in the bath tub!

end of this era

I've been counting down to summer and super busy with graduation and end of the year stuff and his baseball schedule it hadn't hit me that Blaine won't be coming to school with me in the fall! I will have 2 in school! On one hand I am sad to think he won't be my constant tag-a-long, and on the other, a whole Friday to myself!!! He is has grown into a very sweet independent boy who will do great next year. He makes me proud daily. I am a little worried about all the girls who stopped me daily in the halls at preschool to pass the message "I love Blaine. Be sure and tell him Mrs. Jessica" ummmmm no!

Things I love:

1. New chapters and beginnings
2. the sweet family God blessed me with
3. Friday's beginning in August!!!! Call me for lunch!

Showtime!!

Emily wanted to sign up for dance this year. We were glad to hear she was ready to step out of her comfort zone!!!! Her and her class has worked hard since January for the recital which was this weekend. We were extremely proud of her! She was really nervous, but you would have never known it from her performance. Blaine really enjoyed watching but was wiped out right after!!!!

Way to light up the stage Emily!

New Chapter

In July of 2005, we bought a 1975 Scotty from a friend for $200. I loved going camping as a kid, but hated the summer heat in at midday so we wanted something we could get in out of the heat for our kids on our camping trips. It was the best purchase we ever made. We have made so many great memories out of this little trailer, that wasn't much to look at, with our own family as well as friends!
Its been almost 6 years, and we began to outgrow it! We purchased an "upgrade" and decided it was time to sell. It was a hard break to make. We sold it to a guy in Dallas who has plans to restore it. If you wish to follow his progress, he has a facebook page called Stash Dallas.
As we watched it drive away it felt like part of my life was being pulled away with it. We've got to get some camping trips planned in our new trailer PRONTO!

Things I love

1. Vintage Trailers
2. Memories
3. That my kids were just as sad as we were to see it leave.

Snow Days

4 snow days in a row in North Texas??? Get out of Dallas..... no seriously - snow and ice get out!!! We've been stoved up in this house for 4 days now with only one trek to the store. The kids have enjoyed no school, but they are also really tired of one another. I did take the opportunity to finish baby gifts and make 18 horse heads for Wild West day at school. God provided me the time to do it so I better hop on it before baseball season starts. Oh how I can't wait for that --- because spring is so close at that point!!!

Things I love???
1. changing into dirty pj's into clean ones day after day
2. Frito Pie
3. Summer Summer Summer TIME!!!!!!!

Christmas

I know Christmas is about the birth of our Savior! And I am so thankful for the holiday to celebrate that openly.... however, with small kids, Santa is just soooo much fun! I can't imagine not allowing my kids not to know about Santa because it takes away from the real holiday. Studies show, memories are one of the most sacred things you can give your children, and holiday's and vacations are the best way to create them. I know all my memories are mainly from Christmas and Easter, and Christmas because of Santa.

I was told by a friend about this website that you can set up an email to be sent from Santa for your kids. Emily and Blaine loved it and seeing the look on their face was priceless. You can set it up however you want -- talk about walking a straight line if Santa sent you an email with all the details of your naughty adventures! Instant obedience! (notice Blaine's face)

Things I love?

1. My Savior Jesus - Happy Birthday
2. Santa
3. Portablenorthpole.tv for helping us create this memory!

State Fair 2010

We've lived in North Texas for almost 5 years now, and going to the State Fair was on our goal list since. We finally made it happen this year. We took the train from Ft. Worth to Dallas, and the kids loved that almost as much as the fair. We decided that is the only way to travel to Dallas - no traffic!!!
Then the fair - we had fun, but it was so expensive. We actually prefer the Tri-State fair in the panhandle. $53 to walk in and most of the exhibits you had to pay for. The free ones were looking at cars! Rides were 10 tickets each on average. It was a mini vacation. I have to look at it that way - and not the fact that I could have a new dishwasher in my kitchen right now! The food was great. I could feel my arteries just walking by some of the booths. Fried pina coladas, fried beer, fried cheesecake (my fav), funnel cakes (Blaine's favorite), Cotton Candy (Emily's fav), Fletchers Corn Dogs, and Fried Frito Pies.... fried goodness heaven! I think I actually heard angels singing at one point.
But above all this, the greatest thing about the fair --- the people who dance to all the music at the rides..... people watching at the fair was the best!!!!!

Things I love:
1. Train rides to avoid traffic, and seeing celebrities on the rail!
2. Delight in the kids faces
3. Fried food goodness

No words, purest of love

Put me in coach!

We've started "laid back" fall baseball. Already encountered the crazy parents, and tempers flaring. I'm sure I'm the stuck up mom who doesn't interact with the other moms at practices and games. But I've heard enough that its best if I just keep my distance. The picture I wanted to post I don't have! It's the look on his face the first time he ran to the car after practice. If he could have been glowing he would have been. Hence, the reason we are doing this!!! So I will endure......

Emily Grace turns 8

Fashion party - that is what Emily wanted. How do you pull that off? Emily planned and told me what was needed and how she wanted it to go down. Easy enough! The girls had a great time. The whole birthday weekend started out with a surprise visit from cousins Peyton and Caitie!

4th Annual

Create a digital scrapbook

This year marks the 4th year we gather and have a family reunion. This isn't your average family or reunion! This year marks the first year Jamie and I lost our chilie champ reign. We came in runner up but in my opinion that's just the first loser!! Enjoy your victory Oakies!!! It will be your only year! We played Ladder Ball, played pool, sang, lied, ate so much food, laughed so hard I thought I was going to have to change my pants! Here is some of the pictures I was allowed to put on my blog...... the rest will remain in the blackmail vault!

Things I love;

1. Labor Day weekend
2. Good times with Family we never get to see until this weekend
3. A day of rest on Monday to re-coop!

A new start

My precious little girl is a 2nd grader. I could not be more proud of her! I don't know what I have done to deserve such a precious little gift, but I know I am blessed. Surprisingly she wanted her hair rolled in the dreaded foam rollers the night before so she could don some curls to school!! She was super excited the night before.
Then reality sets in.....
Morning of, she begins to say she is nervous. Talk, pray, she's fine......
Leaving her at the classroom door, she begins to break down, which in turn causes mom to break down. I turn and bolt ( sunglasses on, to hide my emotional state) to the nearest exit. Crying the whole way home, I turned to check on Blaine.... and he is crying. When I asked why? "I'm going to miss her so much!" We were a sight to be seen!!! I had great intentions on blogging about this - all day - but never could get the courage up to do so.
Some days I wish I could be one of those moms who look forward to school. But for today - I just missed that little ray of sunshine that was my constant all summer!
Here's praying for a great year - for all my friends, family, the teacher but most of all my little world, my family to have wonderful year.

Things I love?
a. Dark sunglasses
b. great friends who understand
c. the closeness, genuine love of my family

Individuality

I remember the days when Blaine had his own mind and opinion! I am just wondering if any other parents have this issue with the little brothers/sisters. At restaurant, when asked what Blaine wants his response "whatever Emily is having". He did AWESOME at swim lessons. After day one arm floaties were history!! Last day was fun day - but he didn't enjoy it because Emily stayed with Nanny and Papa instead of being there with him!!!! After only one time jumping from the diving board, he was done. Only a year ago, he was his own little person, now he is mini Emily! It very frustrating!!!

Things I love -
a. Blaine's ability to swim without arm floaties!!!
b. being your own person!
c. that he loves his sister so much he wants to be her, even if it does drive me insane!