Blessings...

I seem to get sentimental as I sit in the Oyens PO (or it's just when I'm able to let my mind be free...) Either way - I type out another blog...

Blessings is the title for many reasons...

Last night was the season finale to ER. Yes, I'm starting my blog talking about a TV show. Why? Because after 13 years I truly feel like it was a part of me. Those people in the black box were friends of mine that I connected with. Though it was merely a one sided friendship it was one that kept me looking forward to new weeks. It messed with my emotions and opened my eyes to larger problems/situations than those in my little bubble. It physically saddened me to watch it end last night yet I know with the end of it there is something new in store for me. I've become a one TV show woman - I merely watch Grey's now and spend the rest of the time busying myself with "real friends" or motherly duties, or continued education. Much more productive. :)

Blessings....

I met a 3 month old girl yesterday that was born without a brain. God has sown her eyelids shut as she was born without eyeballs and she is deaf. Miracles.... Blessings.... I'm not sure why she was born like that. Her parents first child. I'm not sure why she is still alive. Deaf. Blind. Fragile. And yet a total blessing. I'm not sure why I got to meet her? Why did God affect my life with her and why do I sob at the thought of her? Why does my heartbreak with the vision of her beautiful features? Ugh. Emotions. They pull you from your routine and throw you a curve ball. Ripping you from your comfort zone and putting you out there. Vulnerable.
Well, a beautiful girl she is. A blessing for all who meet her. In the 10 minutes I saw her I realized two things... #1: My life may be hard at times but it could always be worse. #2: My children may drive me crazy but at least they are able to drive me... How crushed would I be to never see their beautiful eyes.
Well, God knows what He's doing so we'll just be thankful for the opportunities to enjoy the blessings He gives us.

Blessings...
Little Jabrel. The girl who literally makes me want to scream in frustration and throw my own temper tantrums. She talks so much I pray for silence. She is persistant. Annoying. Tedious. And adorable.
As I run around the house getting things done she comes into the kitchen...
First thought - great. Her she comes to bother me...
Holding up her cell phone she says "Mom? It's for you. It's Jesus. Wanna talk to Jesus, Mom?"
"Sure Jabrel. I'll talk to Jesus." I'm thinking - "thanks God for making me feel guilty. My first thought was that she'd bother me...."
I chat with God on her "cell phone" while she dances around the kitchen. I give the phone back to her only to watch her walk away with it propped between ear and shoulder (just as I do.)
"Yes, Jesus. That was Mommy. Yep. mmmhhmmmm. Ok - I be good for her cuz you watchin' me." And then she disappears out of eyesight for me. Still in her bubble - talkin' to Jesus.

Why don't I remember to use my cell phone to call Jesus? I call everyone else. I text. But I forget to call the One who can really help.

Blessings....
Always ready to jump out and throw you back a step. Put things in perspective. Re-align your wheels and set you spinning again.

Thank you for the opportunity to let me share my blessings.

I'm refreshed and in need of spring!

My last post consisted of me talking about why I needed a vacation... well, I've had that vacation. A wonderful period of bonding and rejuvinating. The winter is starting to set into its "way-too-long" period and the kids need to get outside.

The weather man teases us with a day or two of nice weather and a glimpse at a possibility of warmer weather to come.

But here we sit, indoors, looking at the frigid outside wondering when will it be time to go out and play with no coats? Will I ever do 3 loads of muddy laundry again? Will the kids get the opportunity to wear through the tires on their bikes?

Come on, God - give us a break and let them go out and play!!!

Tyson's been begging for us to move somewhere warmer all year round. Funny, but at age 5 that kid is onto something. Hmmm, guess I know where he'll be when he grows up! :)

I'm rejuvinated by my "me" time. Now it is time for Adam. Maybe he'll get the chance to run away from work for a while and just relax. And if not, maybe he'll figure out how to let loose and home and regroup before he too goes stir-crazy.

Sometimes Mommies need to be people too...

This is one of those posts that when I was in high school I would've just journaled and tucked away in my underwear drawer. But now-a-days I'm not afraid to voice my opinion. I'm willing to share my thoughts.... long or short.

Winter always brings a sense of stir-crazy into our house. The kids need to get outside and play without exerting so much energy just to walk across the 3' deep drifts.
I need the ability to walk outside and clear my mind.
Adam needs the ability to run outside and golf and hunt... and do all the things that cleanse his soul.

And of course, during the winter months is the time that I get to the point of needing a "me" vacation... which is why I write.
Not to rub in the fact that my husband spoils me by letting me go on vacation with my girlfriends. (Although, let's be honest - is it considered spoiling when two people compromise and work together to give each other the space and "breaks" they need to stay sane?)

Anyways, in 14 days from today I will be sitting in an airport at this moment waiting to board a plane to sunny AZ to spend time with good friends. I'll be laughing, sipping margaritas, and reminiscing the good old days. Only to mix those memories with the new ones we will be making.

I'll go back to Raegen - the person, friend, free spirit.
And when I return I'll be Raegen - the mommy, organizer, college student, helper, caretaker, lover.

Both Raegen's are me. Both of them make me happy. But sometimes, during the long, cold winter months I just want to be Raegen the friend in warm places! :)

So raise your imaginary glass to good friends, warm states, and the ability to get away and refresh!

Girls Getaway 2009 - HERE I COME!!!! :)

January Jitters

Wow! What a fast beginning to a new year! :) Our month wasn't very exciting... at least not on the "fun" side.

Adam spent the majority of it in Idaho or Louisiana.Both for work... obviously.

Raegen spent most of the month working at the Granville Post Office. It was a nice change of pace but I like Alton! :)

The boys jumped back into the school routine and are working on recognizing and writing their numbers. Everyday is one day closer to them in school ALL DAY! Pretty big stuff! :) Yesterday they got a new experience.... they went home with a friend afterschool and got to ride the bus! :) They actually had to take a little bus to the middle school and switch to a big bus to ride the rest of the way to Luke's house! This has been a VERY exciting time! Both boys think that riding the bus is the coolest.... Mom is still really happy we live close enough for me to pick them up.

Brel had the most exciting month! She started out getting her ears pierced and then celebrated her 3rd birthday on January 13. She has also started Sunday School. At home she brags about the fun she has and how she can sing the songs but when it comes to Sundays she doesn't want to go and is very shy. Not sure what's going on there but she'll out grow it... she has to. She's one of my children! :) Shyness doesn't run in her chromosomes.

Speaking of chromosomes... I am still doing Math and Science this semester. Math is going well. Science is NOT! First class I've had to use Adam to check all my homework and I'm now sitting at a D. Yikes. I've got 5 weeks to raise that. Ugh.

Happy Freezing Frigid January. May our February bring warmth and Sunshine!

Love~Raegen & Crew

Brel's Ears Pierced

She's ready.... so she thinks! But nervous! Ummm, MOM? What are they doing? I'm not so sure anymore!

And I'm BEAUTIFUL! Love 'em! SEE?!?!

I took Brel to get her ears pierced on Thursday since she'll be 3 on Tuesday. All week long she had been prepping herself.... telling me she was going to say "OW" then cry then sing "Happy Birthday to me!" Well, she was partially right. As the anticipation began to build leading up to it she started to get nervous. She brought her baby blanket but left it in the car. As you can see from the pics she wasn't quite sure but was still excited. She jumped when they went in but then started to cry a cry I've never heard before. After making me and the girls who did it feel SUPER guilty she was mad at us and played it up. By doing this she was able to get 5 suckers and go to Gramma Sue's and get M&M's and more suckers.

Let's see.... who is the real sucker??? All in all - she loves them and of course brags about them all the time. As for the "Happy Birthday" song, well, she's still singing it everytime she feels her ears! :)

You can't see the earrings real well by the pics but I'd like to add a sidenote that she is just like her mother.... she picked the most simple earrings available. Plain, gold balls. Go figure.