Friday, February 27, 2009
What a great kid :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The "skirts"
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
One smart little girl
Monday, February 23, 2009
A new discovery
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Dad and his Daughters
A post by Tony:
It is every Daddy’s dream to watch his children grow up and be happy, but it is also one of the saddest thoughts a Dad can have. When it comes to Kade I look forward to watching the man he is becoming, I truly am proud of him. His heart and soul are amazing, his manners impeccable (most of the time) and his compassion is real. That is the difference between sons and daughters (at least for me), I have no reservations about Kade becoming a man but when it comes to my three daughters growing up Daddy actually struggles with that thought quite a bit.
I realized just how fast my girls are growing up the other day. I had my baby girl for lunch last Monday and the sky was the limit, Dad would go wherever she wanted to go. Just my luck she decided to test me to see if I was serious and chose Fancy That. It is what I call a Foo-Foo place, one which my wife has gotten me to go to once. Well, Madison just had to ask one time and we were on our way.
As we sat there enjoying our lunch amidst all the art, flowers, and soft music I looked up at my daughter and had a premonition. She sat across from me enjoying her second (Dad’s) cookie, swinging her feet and smiling in only the way Madison can smile. I felt a sudden bolt of joy. I pictured the same instance in about 16-20 years. My baby girl as a young women back in town and her dear old Dad asking to take her to lunch, her choice of course. Having a pleasant conversation over lunch, hearing about her life, joys and concerns, and then what every Dad hopes and dreads, a boy. Being told that “he’s the one daddy”. Every dad of little girls can understand, it’s hard to be replaced as the “man” in your little girl’s life. All I can say is- he better be perfect or he may not like his father-in-law, my girls will always be my baby girls, no matter how old they are.
JJ laughed when I told her this story. It is true that every dad wants his little girls to grow up and meet the perfect man but THERE is no man good enough for my little girls, at least not that I have met. I am sure that when the time is right and my girls look me in the eye love struck, happy, giddy, and smiling I will accept the young man who has won my daughters’ heart. Until that day daddy continues to be the only man on this earth that holds his little girls’ hearts.
The Best Birthday Present Ever!!!!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A proud mommy moment.
I want to share a little moment that happened a few days ago with our Princess. Tony and I were just talking about how big she is getting and growing up to fast for our liking. This is another example of her growing up- all the kids were in the backyard jumping on the trampoline and she came in crying and went to her room. I could tell by the way she was crying it was one of those 'I am exhausted and not dealing well with something', so I gave her the space she needed. When she came out she had pulled herself together and went to face 'the cause' for her tears. She walked up to Big Sister and said "When you did blah, blah, blah.........it really hurt my feelings. I didn't like it and I don't want you to do it again." WOW!!!! This kid just turned 5! I can name many adults who can't/won't do this. I beamed with pride. Big Sister did apologize and I am sure felt a bit bad-look at this cute face wouldn't you feel bad to see it full of tears and know you caused it ;) I told little Miss Princess that evening how proud I was of her for being able to pull herself together, use her words and stand up for herself. I also told her there were many grown women who could not do what she just had done. I told her she was very big and acted in a very grown up way........then she beamed with pride. :)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Have you ever wondered........
Sunday, February 15, 2009
So much fun!
Well, if you have read this blog for more than a week-you might remember me complaining about the cost of dance and costumes (however it is well worth every penny-they go to an incredible studio which is owned by a wonderful Christian women who teaches them to love the body God has blessed them with) These great costumes that are worn for just a short time by the actual 'owner' have been enjoyed by the younger sisters. Today Jennifer found the cowboy suit from last year-yet had no idea what it was. Big sister was trying to explain to her what a cowboy was-which was quite amusing. Not sure if J really understood the whole concept but she sure liked the outfit. Especially when she added some pom-poms to the outfit.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
What to post.....
One would think that life with four children would give you plenty to blog about-maybe my brain is getting to old and tired to remember. Life has been exceptionally crazy in the Waggoner House and I am not sure exactly why. Lots of doctor's visits by all-with some shots :( Valentine's to write and stuff for parties, shopping for the company camp-out Tony is on this weekend, and I guess just life. I have been getting up a bit earlier too to run, training with some friends for a half-marathon. Did a 5 mile run in the freezing cold this morning-but by the 3rd mile I was either so cold it didn't bother me or had run long enough to get warm. So maybe getting to bed too late and up too early is the reason for the lack of posts. All that to say, sorry for those of you who read looking forward to an update on the kiddos and haven't been able to see any cute pics of them or read about them. Tony has also said he would help write to keep this blog up to date...........and I think we can all see that hasn't happened. So I guess I can blame it on him, especially since he is out of town and can't comment ;)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Our Church
Leaving our Wednessday night activities tonight, Jennifer said something that brought tears to my eyes. A little history before revealing the comment she said. "Church" in Ghana is totally different than any church I have ever been to in America. In Ghana people worship God with their entire being. I have described their worship as reckless abandonment. They pour every ounce of their energy into praising God and laying their lives before him as they worship. Church lasts 3-4 hours, and when it is over you are amazed at how long you have been there. All that to say, many worship services here in America are filled with people who look like they are attending a funeral rather than coming to worship. Jennifer is used to signing, dancing and loving church. I love our church, however it is very different than a Ghanian church. And to be quite honest I have felt a little sorry for Jennifer having to leave her familiar style of worship for something that is quite different. Tonight when pulling out of the parking lot she said "Mommy, I love our church!" This 'approval' statement means the world to me. NorthHaven is indeed a special place. I feel very honored to be a part of a church that is such a welcoming, genuine, missional congregation that is led by servant leadership.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A little dress up and lots of giggles
Somedays I think I can pack up the dress up clothes and pass them along to someone else's clutter. Then there are days like these pictures. The girls were doing a fashion/dance show. As you can see they were having a tough time choosing just one outfit. The names they were coming up with to describe themselves were hilarious. They had a lot of fun and I enjoyed hearing them laugh so hard together. Now if I could just bottle up that sound and moment for the times when they are not quite having so much fun together-the times where the squeals are not from giggles-yes those times do happen around here ;)
Monday, February 9, 2009
IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!!!
We went to court this morning surrounded by family and friends-thanks for all the support! Judge Bonner was wonderful with the kids. He invited the three current Waggoners to join him from his view point so they could see. They thought that was really neat. From the pics (thanks Missy) you can see everyone raising their hands to tell the truth. When it was all done he asked the kids if they were ready to have a new sister and they each got to bang the gavel to make it a official. We now all have the same last name and I am headed to OKC for the official new birth certificate.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Our Date
While the girls were out dancing, I had a date with my one and only little boy. He is such a gentleman! Dad had made sure he had enough money in his pockets and he said we could go anywhere I wanted. Of course he had a few suggestions, to which I picked his favorite. Spaghetti Warehouse in Bricktown sitting in the trolley. He opened all the doors and pulled out my chair and even unwrapped my silverware and opened my straw for me. He is going to be quite the ladies man. One might think little girls are chatty but he did a pretty good job keeping my ears busy. He shared a lot of memories with me, I am truly amazed at what he remembers. I do hope he continues to talk to me this much as he grows up. After dinner we went on a carriage ride, his idea. We snuggled up to stay warm, it was an incredible night for a stroll through the city. We held hands almost all night. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my date. We decided we should have a date more often, whether there is a dance for the girls or not. We even have pictures to remember our fun evening-courtesy of a photo booth. His favorite of the four.......him kissing mommy :)
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A few more
They look amazing.
Counting Down
I have three very excited girls who are counting down the hours until the Daddy Daughter Dance-they all have their dresses and shoes out ready to go and have looked at their flowers a zillion times. I hope Tony is ready to dance his night away, I am not thinking he will have time to sit-unless the girls want to take a cookie and juice break. While Dad has the girls, mommy is getting a date with her little man. He even says we can go to eat wherever I want............wonder where we should go.
Friday, February 6, 2009
A lesson from the Princess
Psalm 139
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
The kids have a new cd-that is meant for kids but is not annoying to parents-yeah!! Anyway this CD includes some bits of scripture in some of the songs. A favorite is a song that has a line "God knew me before my Birthday" and wow the power of music including the words! The Princess says "Hey mommy-did you know that God knew you before your birthday?" I asked her what that meant and she went on to say pieces of this scripture that is stated in the song. Nothing like hiding bits of scripture in your child's heart. She ended with "God made me......to do something special". I love this kid!! And the many lessons she teaches us.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A few random observations...
Life is a bit busy
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Teeth
Monday, February 2, 2009
Please pray!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A heavy but thankful heart.
Not sure how exactly how to say what I would like to say with our revealing to much, but enough for you to understand. Knowing that many of you who read this might try to read between the blanks and figure it out to see if you can piece the details together to figure it all out........ all I can say is please don't try. The whole point of the following story is to get a glimpse into the hearts of a mother and a brother who are falling more in love with a little girl each day. The three of us were able to spend some time together this weekend, experiencing another first for Jennifer. All was going quite well until a person, who I truly believe just made a poor choice-scared Jennifer beyond words. I do not think I have seen her quite this scared. My heart hurt for her, tears filled my eyes as they poured from hers. I believe with out a shadow of a doubt that I love her the same as my biological children-but that whole concept seems a bit crazy-especially knowing she has only been in our house about six weeks. However, when God places a child in your heart it is immediate. My reaction to this situation shook me up a bit. I guess because it was such an instinctual reaction. As I held her, trying to comfort her and let her know we would keep her safe. Her brother was right by her side. He left all of the action and immediately came to her side. His face was so sad to see his sister hurting. He said "Mama, I don't think that (person) is very nice." Trying to teach him, what I am trying to learn, I responded with "Their action was not nice, that doesn't make that person mean." What he said next broke my heart and made me so proud at the same time. He said "Mama, I think it is time to go, let's leave......now." He proceeded to be the bigger man, thanked some people for their hospitality and gathered our stuff and stayed by his sister's side. As we were walking to the car Jennifer realized she had left something, Big Brother immediately offered his and said you can have it-with a smile on his face.