New jobs, new classes, strep for everyone and one crazy eight year old.

So last we talked Ron was about to embark on his new jobby job. His first day was last Monday and he LOVES it. I mean seriously loves it. It's disgusting. He's almost giddy every night when he comes home. I'm happy for him. He is totally in his element now and I think that's pretty awesome.

We've had a busy couple of weeks though since Ron's first day. Let me get you up to speed. The week before the new job, all the kids were sick with strep (again) and I was about to pull my hair out (again). So we got the kiddos better and I had been telling Ron that I was a little worried about our morning routine changing. The way it had been before Ron took Emma to school and came to work and Luke put himself on the bus and I would take Kyle to school and come to work. Well that was all about to change with this new job because Ron had to leave earlier in the morning. So I would be taking Emma to school, which meant Luke AND Kyle would have to put themselves on the bus. I wasn't really worried about Luke, but I had a bad feeling about leaving Kyle with this responsibility at 8 years old. Now when I say I was worried about him, let me explain the psyche that is Mecca. I was worried that someone would try to kidnap Kyle or beat him up or come in the house and rob us and Kyle would have been the only one there. I'm crazy like that. I worry about the extreme worst, most horrible things that could ever happen to my kids. That's how I roll, I can't help it. Anyway, so Monday came and Ron left (45 minutes early, I might add) for the new job, Luke put himself on the bus and I left the house at 8:10 am to take Emma to school. Now Kyle is supposed to go to the bus stop at 8:20 am, so as I'm leaving I say "Leave in ten minutes. Turn everything off. Shut the door behind you and don't talk to anyone on your way to the bus stop." He nods his head in complete understanding. Right? Right. I get to work and everything is fine. I have 15 e-mails from Ron showing me his cool new office and yadda yadda yadda. So lunch rolls around and I go to meet Ron. As we're eating I tell him I think I'm going to drive by the house before I go back to work to make sure Kyle shut the door behind him. (Now at this point some motherly instinct or something was really trying to tell me something that I was choosing to down play or ignore.) I left Ron, drove by the house, door was shut, so off to work I go. About 3:37 pm I get a call from Luke and this is how our conversation went down-

Luke: Mom did you know Kyle walked home because his throat was hurting?

Me: What? (immediately I'm thinking, I know he didn't do what I think he did)

Luke: Yeah Mom. He said he walked home. He said he walked home from school instead of riding the bus. (so the story is already changing and there is no way Kyle made it home in 7 minutes on foot)

Me: Put your brother on the phone now.

Kyle: Hello.

Me: Kyle, I'm only going to ask you this once and don't you even try lying to me because I can find out the truth. Did you go to school today?

Kyle: (long pause) No.

Yep, just like that. The kid just didn't go to school! I think my blood pressure was at stroke level and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I mean who at the age of 8 thinks it's ok to just not go to school? Apparently, my child. Oh and the school did not call me or anything. I'm still not really sure how I feel about that.

In other child news, I got a call yesterday from Luke's math teacher. At first I was very afraid, but then she asked me if it would be ok if they moved Luke to advanced Math. I was like ummm, yes?! I'm pretty proud of my little Lukey Pukey. I knew all that stuff I taught him would eventually come to the surface. (Yes I'm taking all the credit on this one) ;)

Remember at the beginning of this post when I told you all the kids had strep? Well guess who else decided to get it? Yeah and I don't like it. My throat has been on fire for a week and now I have no voice. I'm finally starting to feel a little better, but I could still use a few days of rest. So that is what has been happening at the Freeman house. Never a dull moment. Never.

Ronny's New Job.

So for those of you who haven't been within 100 feet of me or my husband or my kids in the last three weeks, let me get you up to speed. Ron got a new job at ConocoPhillips! We are so excited! He is going to be working at the Research Center here in Bartlesville with scientists doing all kinds of crazy experiments. Not really on the crazy part, but he will be doing experiments and research on capturing CO2 and other "greenhouse gases." Now I put that part in quotes because those are the actual words I heard Ron tell someone. I just looked at him and said, "you didn't tell me that part." Not that it matters, it just sounded more scientific or something.

Anyway, his last day at the pharmacy was yesterday and he starts with Phillips on Monday. I'm excited but kind of sad at the same time because we won't be working at the same place anymore. I don't if you all know this or not, but we had been working for the same company and actually worked at the same office. I'll miss having him right here if I need him for something, but I think it will be good for both of us to have our own "identity" at work again.

This new job is a huge blessing to our family. It is not only going to pay better, but the benefits are almost unbeatable. Ron will get more time off around holidays, which is such a blessing and we will be able to use the recreation center. So we can work out or play basketball, swim or bowl and the kids can too. The boys are so excited about that. The job will also be really laid back and the people Ron is going to work with are so nice. They've all been e-mailing him letting him know they can't wait for him to join their team. I'm just really happy for my husband. He is such a good supporter of our family and he works so hard. This job is validation of everything Ron has been working towards lately. For those of you who don't know, he is also going to school full-time this semester and should have is Bachelor's Degree by the summer.

So thank you Lord for the huge blessing you have given our family and if you all see Ron be sure to ask him how the new job is going. I know he will be more than happy to fill everyone in. Oh and be sure to ask about those greenhouse gases!

Summer Re-Cap

Here is a little recap of some of our summer pics. I'm so bad at getting these things on here when I first take them, sorry. Here is Emma at the Kiddie Park for the first time. She liked this ride, but hated the rest.
This is Emma after she had been "helping" Ron in the flower bed. Yeah she helped herself to a few handfuls of dirt. Nice.
Kyle and Luke decided to get all tatted up at SunFest this year. They thought they were pretty cool and the "tattoo" lasted a little over a week.


I would have posted another picture of Luke's tattoo but I guess you can only load so many pictures at a time. I like how both the boys were so serious, like it was actually hurting or something. They kill me.

Overall, we had a really nice summer. We didn't do much, but that is fine with me. A little down time is always nice especially after the spring we had. I'm really ready for Fall though. I love it! It's my favorite time of year. The colors, the first crisp evening, oh and the FOOTBALL! Yeah I know I'm a freak. I love football though. OU is my fave, actually my obsession, but I can watch any college football. It's a sickness that I will have to be medicated for someday I'm sure. You know I even watch football when Ron's not home. I knew it was bad when I caught myself watching a game one night and Ron walked in and I said "Oh my gosh, you have to see this hit you just missed!" I don't know who was more surprised by those words, me or him. But I've come to embrace my football craziness and consider it a bonding time with me and Ron. And every other person that wants to talk football with me. ")

So bring on the football, the leaves and all our November birthdays! It's going to be a fall to remember and all you Sooner fans get ready. Only 9 more days until kickoff!

The First Day of School

Well the first day of school was last week and I had to send my baby off to Middle School. I managed to stay composed and only broke down once the week before school started. I just can't believe how fast time can go by. One day you have this little 8 pound bundle of joy and the next you have this...
He didn't really want me to take too many pictures and neither did his brother, but I made them and they can just get over it. Kyle was a little bummed he had to go back to Kane while his brother got to go explore a new school, but I assured Kyle that one day he to would get to go and he would have to endure his mother having a few minor meltdowns. What can I say? These kids are growing way too fast.
Can you see the despise in their face. They hate my camera, they hate being that close to each other and really they didn't want to be up that early.

Sorry the pictures are a little dark and blurry. It was dark in my house and it was foggy outside that morning. Frankly, I just need a new camera. Maybe Santa will get me a new one for Christmas??? Santa are you reading???

Anyway, they went off to school and had a great day. All went well and things seem to progressing nicely. I don't really anticipate a year without any hiccups, but a mom can always dream can't she?

The Greatest Man That Ever Lived!

Ron and I have been married for 12 years now.  For the most part, the years have flown by and it is really funny to think about how we got here, at this crazy point in our lives.  We've come so far.  Thank you for the hilarious, fun, sweet and memorable past 12 years and here's to the next 100!  I love you, Ronny Wayney Chaney Freeman!

Here are some fun facts about Ron and I that some of you may not know:

1. Our first date was at the movies.  We watched PCU.  We held hands and Ron kissed me at the end of the night.  Just a peck on the lips.  

2. Our first "real" kiss was at the baseball fields one hot summer night after Ron had played a game.  

3. I almost broke up with him after our first date because I thought we were better friends than anything else.  My best friend swore she would kill me if I didn't give it at least one week.  Well it didn't even take a week for me to realize I would never break up with him.  Thanks Amanda!

4. Ron prank called me before we had even met.  He looked me up in Bryan's yearbook and I guess he thought I looked like the kind of person that needed to be tormented on the phone.

5.  When we turn 30, we will have been together for half of our lives!  

6. We went to Tulsa for our Honeymoon.  It wasn't much, but it was seriously, one of the greatest times of my life.  I was in my own little world with the my husband and I loved every minute of it.

7. When we first started dating our nicknames for each other were Buff Daddy and Hot Momma!  Some how people in school found out about this and we were called that forever.  That is until we had Luke and then everyone just called us Mom and Dad.

8. Ron's favorite perfume for me to wear is Escape.  I wore it on our first date and he says that will always remind him of that night.

9. We've never broken up.  Not for a day, an hour or a minute!!

10. We had a marker fight at work the other day.  It was hilarious and one of those moments that made me think, "yeah, we'll be doing this kind of stuff forever!!"

I LOVE YOU, RON!!!  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Someday...

OK so I know I haven't posted in awhile, but I'm going to start making it a priority. I don't know that too many people stop by my blog, but I would like to keep a better record of the ins and outs of "Freeman life", if you will.

So where do I start??

I've been very reflective the past few weeks. Reflecting on my life up to now, my husband, my marriage, my children, my parents, brothers, in-laws (my second family), and the events that have somewhat shaped me up to now. 2008 has been a crazy roller coaster ride of emotions for me and my family. I found out in February I had a hole in my heart, I lost an Aunt in March (which I think left a bigger hole), I had surgery in May, Emma turned "one", Luke graduated 5th grade, Kyle has shot up like a weed, Ron and I will be married 12 years this month and then we turn 30 in November. Good grief!

One of the major things I've been reflecting on lately is my family. For those of you who don't know, I have the best family in the world. I'm not just talking about my parents and brothers and Ron's family. I mean my Aunts and Uncles. My Grandma and my Cousins. They rock. In fact Ron even says they took him in and made him one them. Growing up I may not have had much, but I had them. We all had each other. I think that's why this year has been especially hard. We lost one and it hurts. It hurts so bad that I don't think I can go an hour or less without thinking about Her. I think about that day all the time. The day we, as a family, became broken. I have a picture on my cell phone of Emma playing in the living room and everything was how it should be. But then, in one minute, in one phone call, everything around you can shatter into a million pieces.

I want to know why.
Why now?
Why Her?

Someday is the answer I get. Someday you'll know. Someday it won't matter. Someday you'll see Her again. I know. But it still hurts. It hurts me for Her mother, Her children, Her grandchildren, Her sisters and brothers, and Her nieces and nephews.

I wish we could all live close, like when I was younger. I want to see them everyday. I want to play with Aunt Dawn, Jessica and Marla (the girls). I want to race Josh, Matt and Erick (the boys) in the back yard. I want to eat at the ironing board again. I want to go back, just for one day. To see Andrew and Robyn when they were about the same size. I want to take all of them and lock them away so nothing like this will ever happen again. I want them all to know that I think about them everyday. Not just some of them but ALL of them. I don't want any of them to ever doubt how much they mean to me and to this family. So for my family who reads this, I love you. More than you'll ever know, I love you. My memories with you are some of the greatest times in my life. So in memory of Aunt Darla, I want to tell everyone I miss you, I love you and I can't wait to see you again. Oh and thanks for being the best family in the world. You guys rock my socks off!

Happy Birthday Emma!

Emma turned "1" on May 23rd, so we had to throw her a party Freeman style. We ordered a fantabulous cake, made a boat load of food, and invited tons of friends and family. I must say as far as parties go, Emma had one of the best first birthdays I've ever seen. I will also say that I was so busy trying to entertain that I did not get many pictures. Here are a few I managed to get.
Here is Emma's 1st Birthday Cake! It came from a really cool bakery in Tulsa and was just perfect. It was also really yummy!
This is her very own small version of her cake. She did pretty good eating it. I eventually had to cut it open so she could dig into it. But she didn't freak out because her hands were all goopy which I thought was pretty good, considering both of the boys did that on their first birthdays. This was Emma before the party even started. I guess we wore her out in preparation for the big day!

Having all this fun at this Pink and Brown girly birthday party, reminded me of the day we found out we were having a girl. I had my appointment Jan. 2, 2007 to verify the sex of the baby. I think about this day quite a bit, because, honestly, it was one of the funnest days of my life. We took the boys with us to the appointment that day. As soon as we walked in the man who did the ultrasound said "I bet you want a girl." Boy was that an understatement. I wanted a girl, Ron wanted a girl, Luke and Kyle wanted a girl, my Mom and Kevin, my Dad, Ron's parents, all of our brothers, grandmothers, friends, family, EVERYONE wanted a girl. So of course the appointment started and the guy took forever measuring and doing all the important stuff, my heart was pounding and I couldn't stand it. Finally he said "Well I'm going to tell you what you want to hear." I couldn't believe it. I was crying, shaking and my heart was about to beat out of my chest. All I could say was "Are you sure?" After the appointment, we bought pink carnations to give to my Mom, Ron's Mom and Ron's Grandmother (of course I would have bought a pink carnation for every citizen of Bartlesville that day, but I figured they probably wouldn't be as excited as we were). I'd have to say my Mom's reaction was probably the best. I didn't remind her that day was the day of my ultrasound, just in case it was a girl. I wanted to surprise her. When we walked in she was just, you know, happy to see the boys and had no clue what we had for her. So Ron gave her the carnation and then the funniest thing happened. At first she was like what is this for? And then she just looked at me and started crying. But the funniest part was she said exactly what I said, "Are you sure?" Yeah Mom, I'm pretty sure!