Thursday, December 4, 2008

It's in the cards...

Last night, I decided to dig out my greeting cards and get my Christmas cards ready to send out. Well, when my Great Grandma passed away, I helped my Grandma sort through a HUGE box of greeting cards that Great Grandma had collected over the years. (which explains my liking to greeting cards, as I have my own collection) I found some cards that I really liked, and my Grandma let me take them home. I currently don't plan on using them, as I am keeping them since they were/are a part of my Great Grandma. I really miss her and think she was with me last night as I came across these two cards:
First Card: This card is kind of blurry, but it reads "We must become the change we want to see." - Gandhi.
Do you ever wish that certian aspects of life were different and wonder what needs to change? Well, I have been thinking about this for a while... and this card answers my question. The change needs to be within me. I must become the change I want to see.
Second Card: This card reads: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that who soever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16.

Wow, now I'm going to cry. This was the first Bible verse Great Grandma ever taught me. I was young and at the time thought it was boring to sit with her and go over and over and over the same verse about a gazillion times!!! Now, I look back and appreciate that Great Grandma took the time to sit with me and teach me such an important verse. This will be the first verse Zoe will learn and I'm going to ask my Grandma to teach it to her. I strongly feel that Great Grandma was with me last night and gave me these cards for a reason.

Thank you Great Grandma for loving and caring for me, then and now. I love you.

Stefanie

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The Girl!

HOW FREAKING CUTE IS MY KID?! We had Zoe's 3 year old pics taken about two weeks ago and they turned out great!!! Here are a few for your enjoyment:

I love her. Can you tell?

Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful one. We went to my Dads for lunch, we ate, played video games, ate again and watched the Cowboys play. After my Dads we went to my Grandma's on my moms side for dinner, we watched the remainder of the game, ate MORE, talked, ate even more then we went home. My mom watched Zoe for Nick and I, so I could get the decorations up on Friday, without little hands all over them! Which was nice to not have to get up early on Friday!! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love being with my family and am very thankful for all of them! This year was hard though, it was the first year without Great Grandma here to celebrate. I miss her dearly and thought about her all day! I did however, learn to make her Famous Sausage Balls! They were Yummy!! I think I'm going to start making them for all our special family events.

I made a list of the TOP TEN THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR!

1. My family (All of them, and I mean ALL, immediate and extended!!!)
2. My bestest friend in the whole world, Stephanie (Betzy)!!
3. Good health.
4. My job
5. Peanut Butter M&Ms (Love Em)
6. Our Daycare encourages prayer before meals and bedtime.
7. Mexican food
8. Good Friends
9. My daughter was able to meet my great grandma
10. My brother. He is my Hero and I love him very much!

Have a good week!

Stefanie

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Princess and the Halloween Ball

So, I'm officially behind. Halloween was two weeks ago and I still haven't posted any pictures or blogged!!!

Halloween this year was very simple and easy. Zoe is not quite to the age of trick or treating yet, or it might be that I'm not ready for her to be yet... The day started with Zoe not wanting to wear her Halloween costume and wanting to wear her cheerleader costume. I had to beg her to wear it!! She ended up being ok with it once I had her all dressed and she looked soo cute!!! She is my little Princess! Here is a pic from the morning:
Nick had to work, tattooing all the crazies!! So My parents, (Mom & Shane and Dad & Suzanne) My grandma, (we call her Grammie Hammie) Zoe and I went to dinner at my ALL time favorite mexican food place in GP, Monterys Little Mexico. Then we went to Halloween Nights at Lonestar Park. It's done by the same peeps that do Prairie Lights @ Joe Pool Lake. It didn't cost much and there was tons of fun things for kids to do. Zoe had a blast!! They had a really creepy tunnel-o-spiders that Zoe didn't like at all. She cried everytime I got her remotely close to one of the BIG fake furry spiders, which I found terribly funny so I kept doing it! I know I'm not mother of the year this year, but it was really funny!

This is Zoe right before we left for dinner. Isn't she soo cute!!!!

This picture is inside the tunnel-o-spiders. Look at her DEATH grip on my shoulder!!!

Hillarious

Zoe played every game they had, so she could win lots of candy and prizes! She even got us playing so we could win her prizes!!!



They had face painting. So of course she had to get her face painted. She got a butterfly. She loves butterflies! (She gets one everytime she gets her face painted)


It was alot of fun for everyone to be apart of Zoe's Halloween. She loves being with her family and she had a great time!


After we left Halloween Nights, we went to the tattoo shop to see Daddy! She fell asleep on the way there, but was very glad to wake up and see her Daddy. We gave her a cute little hallowwen basket with toys and candy. All in all it was a great day! Happy Halloween Zoe and Everyone!



Ohh... I totally forgot to show off our Halloween Pumpkins! We bought a big pumpkin this year, but somehow it got a whole in it and was oozing nastiness, so we had to throw it away! But I bought some little ones and Zoe got one at the Pumpkin Patch with Zam. So we had 4 pumpkins and one BIG craft day! Zoe helped alot with painting and decorating our pumpkins. I think we might have to paint pumpkins every year! Here are our pumpkins: (I know it's blurry, sorry)


Nick is the White Ghost, I am the green Witch (of course), Isaiah is the Black vampire and Zoe is the Pink Princess!

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!!

Always,

Stefanie
















Aren't they cute!! Zoe painted the pink and green ones. She also covered the back of the pink one in silver glitter











Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ten Things about me!

1. I am a wife and mother
2. I work fulltime
3. I love to eat mexican food
4. I dream of being a stay at home mom
5. I love to scrapbook
6. I wear black almost everyday
7. I hate onions
8. I am addicted to One Tree Hill ans Grey's Anatomy
9. I will one day have a degree
10. I love to TKB (Turbo Kick Box)

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

My baby is 3!!

Zoe Maryn Wade was born Saturday, October 22, 2005 @ 7:26 pm. I didn't think I could love her anymore than I did that day. But my love for that 7lbs, 19.5 inch long baby has grown everyday and continues to grow but now for a 33lbs, 38inch tall preschooler. She has my heart.

All Dressed for her Royal Celebration
We had big 'Royal Celebration' for Zoe on Saturday, Oct 18th. I took the Friday before off so I could run around like a crazy mad woman without having to worry about any extra bodies with me. I baked and decorate her 'Castle' cake too! (I have to admit, it was really cute) Saturday was a good day. My MIL and SIL were in town from San Antonio and were a HUGE help! (Thanks, Lyla and Stel) We had a bounce house and a special guest appearance from Princess Belle, from Beauty and the Beast. (Thanks, Dad & Suzanne, Shane & Mom and Debbi Day from Extreme Kids) Zoe and the kids ABSOLUTELY loved the party! Zoe was tickled PINK when Belle showed up for her birthday party. She had so much fun!! She received TONS of gifts! Everything from Princess barbies, a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform to a Karaoke Machine! She truly had a great day and is blessed with many friends and family that love her! Thank you to everyone that was there to share in her birthday. Here are some pictures from the party:


This is 'THE' Castle Cake


Princess Belle doing her magic show


Zoe with her butterfly face painting

Future Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader




All in all it was a great party. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. After the party we went to the fair. I think we have started a tradition. Every year, since Zoe's first b-day party we have gone to the fair the weekend of the party. Zoe loves her some sausage on a stick!! We had an action packed weekend. I will post later about Zoe's actual birthday full of events!!! Stay tuned!
Always,
Proud Momma
Stefanie



Thursday, October 9, 2008

Happy Birthday Bubba!!

Today, is my older brother, Thomas Jason's, birthday. He is 28 years old. As many of you know my brother is currently stationed in Iraq. He will be there until next year. This is the second birthday he has spent away from his family. So this blog is going to be dedicated to him.

Happy Birthday J!!!My Brother is one of the funniest, goofiest guys I have ever met. When we were little we were both involved in pee-wee football, well he played and I cheered. My Mom used to take us to eat at Monterrey's Little Mexico in downtown G.P. after every game, win or lose we ate Mexican!!! Anyways, one day my brother randomly said "Mom, can I have the bu-u-t-ter" (Think Paulie Shore) we all laughed until we cried that day. And to this day, My mom, brother and I will crack up laughing at the mention of 'bu-u-t-ter.' This is a picture of my brother and I at one of our pee wee games... How cute are we?!

My brother went in to the Marines, the week before the start of my Senior year in high school. This was supposed to be the best year of my life and it started out terribly. I don't think I have ever been soo sad. (yes, I admitted it!) I knew I would see him again, but he was leaving us. I remember my mom and I cried for weeks after he went off the bootcamp. We all flew out to Caliornia for his graduation. It was soo cool to see my brother again, but this time not as just my brother.... He was a Marine. He was an adult. He was my big brother. I was soo proud of him. This is a picture of him and I at this Marine gradutation in California, 1999.


My brother is in LOVE with Superman and has been since before I can remember. He used to fix his hair with a little curl in the front to look like Superman. I thought he just looked Goofy! He used to draw Superman and all the superheros on EVERYTHING!!! I think he had every Superman comic book that was ever made! My Brother is in the Army, has three beautiful little girls and a life of his own. We are both adults now, we both have our own lives, our own family's. These years are supposed to be the best years of our lives, but I'm sad. I miss my brother terribly. But I am very proud of him. It's weird how sooo many things can change and still be the same all at the same time. I pray for my brother every day. I wish him good health, strength and courage to get through all the trials he is facing while at war. We don't talk as much as we used to, but we are both very busy and with the time difference, he knows better to call me in the middle of the night!!!

Happy Birthday Bubba! I love you and miss you!

Always,

Stef

Friday, October 3, 2008

Are you kidding me!?!? Really?!

OR

OK, so I have always wanted to be in on the political things in life. But for some reason I'm not. I told myself this year I would be and I would vote. (no, I haven't voted previously, EVER) I want to vote. It is my right as an American. This effects my future and my childrens future. I should vote, Right?!

McCain and Obama both have strong points on issues that I believe in. Obama for withdrawing troops, McCain for No Child Gets left Behind, Obama and McCain for the Death Penalty, to name a few. All of which I believe in. So I am rather torn as to whom I'm going to vote for. So since I cant decide on a Presidential candidate, I figured I would look to whom they picked to be their right hand person, the second in line, The Vice President. I attempted to watch the Vice-Presidential Debate last night, which was a beating!!! I could only stomach so much "Gosh, Darn it!" and fumbling over words. Are you kidding me?!.... Really???? YOU ARE GOING TO BE VICE- PRESIDENT, TAKE A FEW FREAKING CLASSES ON PUBLIC SPEAKING, Please?!

(sigh)

Give me something to work with?! I know this election is going to be a big election for America, because of the "Firsts" in history. The First Bi-Racial President, the First Female Vice-President, and the first time Stefanie Wade is voting. This is important people!!! Like I said I am torn. I'm going to go do more research and I will get back to you... Until then have a great day!

Stefanie

Thursday, October 2, 2008

What's going on?!

It's been a while since I post somethings, so how about an UPDATE!

Zoe is growing like a weed! She's completely out of 2T clothes now, her 2T jeans are highwaters! She's getting excited about her upcoming birthday and that she will be 3! She has learned that her birthday is in October and she is going to be 3. So Cute! Zoe has been potty trained since she was two, but we have still had night time wetting. Well, this week we decided that we would try again (after many failed attempts and wet sheets) on the night time potty training and I have to say we are doing pretty good. We stop giving her drinks after dinner time and make her go potty before bed. She's been getting up on her own around 3:30am to go potty, and has been dry since Sunday! I hope we can keep this up, I really don't want to buy anymore pull ups!

I have a cute story: Monday, on the way home from picking up Zoe from daycare, Zoe randomly says "and to the pupublic, for which its hands; one nation, under God, indevibible; with libaty and justice for AAALLL!!" I looked in my rear view and said "What did you just say?!?" "The Pledge of allebance, Momma" I immediately asked her to do it again, and she did!! My daughter is a genius! Or is this normal for a 3 year old?! She knows the Pledge of Allegiance!!! I'm sooo proud of her.

Nick is doing good! He's busy, busy, busy both at the Harley shop and the Tattoo shop. He is meeting all kinds of cool people. We recently went to the drag races in Ennis with some friends. He was in heaven. He has gone to the races the past few years with friends, but this year I went also. It's really cool! Of course to start out, I was like "It's just some cars going down a track" But it is far more than just that. It really was alot of fun! Isaiah and Lyla went with us. We all had a good time!

I am doing well also. I'm busy trying to get Zoe's birthday plans taken care of, which is stressful. What can you do at a 3 year old princess party, that everyone will like? What food should we serve? I'll figure it out, eventually. I am still at UTSW in transplant and I just recently start working with my Uncle Jeff and brother Matt on the weekends. It's hard to not hang out with Zoe, but she gets to hang with her Opppa & Zam (my Dad and Stepmom) so that makes it a little easier. She understands that work is something that has to be done. I am having my wisdom teeth taken out in November. I'm kind anxious and nervous about it. Yes, I know it's a month away but those of you that know me, know that I'm a worrier!

My family is doing good. My Mom and Stepdad are going to New York on Saturday, they will be gone for a week. I hope they have a good time! My Dad and Stepmom are doing good. They are busy with work and my little bro, Matthew's life. (you know, Sports, work, girls) My Brother, Jason is still in Iraq. I haven't heard from him in a while. But he sent my mom and dad a funny video he made. You can tell that his experiences over there haven't changed the comedian inside him.

He's a nut!

Well, that's all I have for now. I hope everyone has a good week!

Always,

Stefanie

Thursday, September 18, 2008

One Month ago....

One month ago today, my great grandmother passed away. I have been handling it fairly well. (Yay, me!) I did however have a few ‘moments’ that I couldn’t fight back the tears.

Moment #1: I had a dream about great grandma. It wasn’t set in a recent environment, It was sometime in the past. It was a very short dream. We were sitting on the couch and she turned to me and said “Be a good wife, mother and friend. Love your family and be happy.” and that was it. I woke up completely frazzled. I was a mess. But what she said in that dream has stuck with me ever since.

Moment #2: My grandma Ruth gave Zoe great grandma’s twin bed and bedding. Well, the other day I got the bedding out to wash it and I was completely overwhelmed with the fragrance of great grandma. I stood in the garage, frozen. I looked at Nick and said “it smells like Great Grandma.” Instant tears. Needless to say the bedding didn’t get washed that night, and has yet to be washed. I will however wash it before we used it… Just not yet.
Moment #3: I was uploading my pictures from Great Grandma’s viewing and funeral to my computer, and Zoe came over to sit in my lap, as she normally does when I’m on the ‘puter.’ We were looking through some of the pictures (mostly family and flower pics) and we came across this picture: Zoe said “That’s Great Great Grammy” and I said “yes, ma’am it is.” A few seconds past and she said “Where is she??”… I froze. (What am I supposed to say? How do I explain this to her??! Please God, give me the knowledge to explain this to her?!?) She asked again “Where is Great Great Grammy? Is she at her house?” Here’s what I said “No baby, Great Great Grammy is not at home. She is in Heaven with God.” Zoe said “Heaven?!, That is where the rain comes from. Is she playing in the rain?!” (Let the tears begin.) “Yes, baby. She is playing in the rain” Then she dropped it. She hasn’t brought it up since. Wow, that was easy.

I miss her and think about her everyday. It’s hard to not think about her. Like I said in a previous blog, there’s not a memory I have that doesn’t have her in it. She is forever in my heart. I love you MaaMaw!!

I hope everyone has a good day!

Stefanie

Friday, September 12, 2008

Story Time with Zoe

Everynight before Zoe goes to bed, we either read a book or tell bedtime stories. Well, last night was a bedtime story night. I tell my story and she tells me how much she liked the story then says "Ok, I tell you a stowy now." and she tells me a story quite similar to the one I told her. So here is my little reinactment of the story telling time.

My story:
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who was turing 3 in October. (Zoe buts in to say "Just Like me!! Same, Same!!") She had pretty brown hair and eyes. (Zoe said "Just Like me!! Same, Same!!") She also had two parents that love her VERY much, they are the King and the Queen of the castle. The princess was growing to be such a BIG girl! (Zoe said "I'm a Big Girl too!!") She was completely potty trained and didn't pee-pee in her panties at night. (Zoe said "Uh Oh... I pee-peed the odder night, not Same, Same.") The Princess was very smart and was learning everything she could at school. She really liked school. (Zoe said "I love school") The princess loved to read and tell stories at bedtime and never gave her mother, the queen, any trouble when it was time to go to bed. (Zoe said "B End") (my story ended there)

Zoe's story:
(during story time Zoe is holding her little hands together like a book and opening and closing them.)
Once a time, there was a witch, with a green face, and pink hair, with lots of sprinkles, and glass slippers. (I then asked "is this a witch or a princess?") Ohh, this is a princess. She loved her mommy and daddy berry much and was a big girl and she pee-peed on the potty. B End.


Hilarious. She is sooo cute!! I got most of this on camera and will post the video another day. I love story time with Zoe. I don't feel like my night is complete if I don't put her to bed and tell stories.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Quotes:

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history -- dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death. ~ Robert Fulghum




For everything there is a season, And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

So, yesterday was a hard day. My Great Grandma Lucille Boatwright, we called her Maa-Maw, passed away yesterday morning. She lived a wonderful happy life. She has been on 3 Cruises, gone to Branson Missouiri about 4 times to see the shows, Eurika Springs Arkansas for the Passion Play severel times, Little Rock Ark, Oklahoma, New Jersey, The Amish Country in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, Delaware, New York City, where she walked down Wall Street (which was one of her dreams) and went to 34th & Broadway, Times Square & the Theater District. She also went to Washington DC, Virginia, Atlanta, California, and Biloxi Mississippi. She was a busy woman.

She was the glue that kept our huge family together. She loved to cook and eat desert first. She gave me a copy of her cookbook as a wedding gift. She knew I was going to marry Nick, before I knew. She called Nick 'her boyfriend'. She was very talented with a sewing machine. She quilted Zoe a huge quilt for a baby shower gift. She also wanted to have a grandkid named Rebecca. I bought her house when she moved in with Grandma Ruth. She left me little kitchen things (her cooking timer, her drink pitcher and the matching glasses, her broom, etc.) when she moved out. She was wonderful. I don't think I have a memory that doesn't include her in some way, shape or form.



She was 28 in this one and 90 something in this one. She was such a beautiful person, inside and out.

She had four children, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. All who are very blessed to have, had her in their lives. She was 94 years old and completed five generations.

Five Generations of Boatwright women, May 2008. She was soo proud that she had five generations.

Back to yesterday, My mom called me early yesterday, around 8 am, which is odd, so I new something was wrong. When she told me Maa-maw had passed my heart sank. I knew that Maa-maw wasn't going to last forever, after having two hip replacements in two years and the fact that she was 94! But the possibilty of her not being here never crossed my mind, until yesterday. I was a mess. I would cry then I would dry up then I would cry, typical me. I left work at noon and immediately went to my Grandma Ruth's, Maa-maw lived with her. You could tell that everyone was numb. I went into 'What can I do' mode, I cooked lunch and cleaned the kitchen. I helped my mom find pictures for the slide show for the visitation on Wednesday. I wanted to fix it, then realized I couldn't. She was gone and there was nothing I could do. I couldn't bring her back. That's a sucky feeling. I miss her.


(Insert subject change, so I don't cry)


On a more positive note, I did find some pictures of Maa-maw that I had never seen before. I think I'm going to do a scrapbook for my family of Maa-Maw and maybe journal some memories that I have. (Thanks Meli for the idea)
Odd Fact: I didn't know that Lucille isn't Maa-maw's name. Her full name is Edith Lucille Boatwright. Edith, Who knew? Apparently, not me!

This is Maa-Maw at her 90th birthday, January 24, 2004 and Maa-Maw and I at my wedding October 23, 2004.

This is my absolute favorite picture. Zoe was about 6 months old and teething. Maa-maw took her tea spoon out of her drink and gave it to Zoe to chew on and wouldn't you know it... Zoe cut two front teeth before dinner was over. I think I'm going to have this picture framed for Zoe.

Well, I better quit rambling on and try to get something done today! I love you Maa-Maw. You will be missed dearly.

Take Care,

Stefanie





Friday, August 8, 2008

Airhogs!

Did you know that Grand Prairie now has a minor league baseball team? Well, they do. The Grand Prairie Airhogs. I know, The Airhogs?! What kind of name is that? But it is G.P., did you expect anything less?

Well, We went on 8/5/08 to see them play the Pensicola Penguins. Nicks family was in town, so we had a good size group. (Nick, Me, Isaiah, Zoe, Grammy Hammie (my grandma), Grandma Lyla (Nicks mom), Nathan and JD (our nephews)) Before the game we had the traditional baseball meal; Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and PIE! (Thanks to Grammy Hammie, it was good!) After dinner, we all piled into my car and headed to the stadium. Zoe was soo excited to see the game. The tickets were cheap and the seats were good. I don't think there is a bad seat in the stadium. It wasn't a full house or too hot, so that was good! The game was good and the Airhogs WON. They are number 2 in the Southern Division, the Fort Worth Cats are number 1. Here are some pictures from the game, of the stadium and such.







Look how beautiful the day was!






These are my two favorite pictures.

See the rainbow? and my pretty little girl?

Both sooooo beautiful!
I hope everyone has a great week. I will post another soon!
Stefanie