This is a video of Noelle doing a speech at her school to celebrate there 50th birthday. She was so cute, she was representing the 1950's. I felt bad for her when she went blank on the word Topeka. However, she delivered her speech with such confidence and boldness. All the local dignitaries who were on hand commented on how good she was. School has just ended for Noelle, and we are sad. We have had such a great year, and the best teacher. At the end of the year, Noelle got nominated for the County Character in Education Award. Each School can only nominate two students and Noelle was one of them. Her teacher wrote, "I'm nominating Noelle because of her great overall moral character. She has taken time to reach out to a girl that didn't fit in. She has helped the girl build up her self confidence so that she could fit in with the other girls. Noelle also stands up for two boys in the class when she can see that they are being treated unfairly. And I know this can't count, but she shares about Jesus with the other children during recess (I only pray my children could be so strong)." Noelle got recognized in the newspaper, but she didn't win the overall award. However, after reading that, I knew she didn't need some fancy award to hang on her wall, I knew that her true reward comes from her heavenly father. And yes, the thing that counts the most, is that she is willing to share Jesus with others! Noelle, I am so proud to be your mom, you are the greatest big sister ever!

Soccer

Noelle had a great season playing soccer. It is something she has wanted to do for some time now, but I have put it off. She really developed into a little star on her team. She scored several goals, and assited with many more. She also became a good defensive player. She took blocking the goal very seriously. We were very proud of her hard work!

Art in the Dark

Noelle's school does a really cool art show called art in the dark. The kids all had flashlights and walked around looking at the glow in the dark art on the walls. It was a fun night, and a very creative idea.

The Bumped Head and Me

Earlier, I mentioned that I am waiting to take pictures of LeeLee til she is bruise free. If you look in this picture, you can see her latest battle wound. She and Hunter were playing on the bed, and she bumped his head. She came flying out of the room with blood all over her face. I finally figured out that it was from her forehead and not her nose. If you look closely at the picture, you will see blood all over her shirt. Oh well, I will now continue to wait even longer before I take her three year old pictures. She may even be closer to four before we finally get them done. I guess, since I am in this picture with LeeLee, I will go ahead and comment on myself. For those of you that don't get to see me very often, you will see that I have finally gained some much needed weight. In January, I ended up having a cyst removed that left me laying down for quite some time. I am also blessed with the best friends in the whole world. My family and I were treated to good food, and lots of help. All that good food=15 pounds. I am still skinny, but at least now I don't look skeletal. I am also still battling my thyroid disease, which will be a life long battle. I am praying that God will put the right doctor in my path. My first doctor moved to the air force base. We loved him, even though he probably wasn't the best doctor for my particular case, he was always there for me. He cried when he diagnosed me, and apologized for all the the trouble I had had while pregnant. Not only was he our doctor, but he was also our friend. I miss Shannon very much! Anyway, I was then taken in by a highly sought after specialist. I felt like things were finally on the right track, and he had me feeling like my old self again. Then he very unexpectedly died in February leaving me again doctorless. So, I live in a town where there is a shortage of doctors, and no one is taking new patients. A new guy just moved to town, so he is my only option. I will be seeing him the end of May. I've already been warned that he probably will not treat my Grave's Disease. I'm hoping once things get evened out again that I can keep some of this weight.

The Webkinz Extravaganza

Noelle and Hunter love Webkinz. Hunter collects all the frogs, and Noelle collects whatever people give her as gifts, but she is very fond of her penguin and panda. Last weekend, the Hallmark store hosted a big Webkinz extravaganza, and it was a blast. We visited all three days. They played different games and won all sorts of prizes. They also got entered in the drawing for the grand prize, which LeeLee won. She got three free webkinz. She got a bear, cow, and the yorkie. She thinks the bear is a monkey, and she named her Monkey George. Do you think that poor bear is going to have an identity crisis in Webkinz world? The picture is of Noelle and Hunter with Dr. Quack.

Hunter and the War Head

Anna Kathryn gave Hunter a War Head, and she and I sat back to watch his face. This was it, we laughed so hard. Hunter did better than I thought he would, but he could not unpucker his lips. After he finished this one, Anna Kathryn tried to get him to try another one, but he kindly refused.

Prom

After alot of persuasion, Emily's principal allowed her to go to prom. She wanted to go, and was very disappointed when she found out that prom was only for juniors and seniors. I called to school and talked to the principal and tried to get him to make an exception for Emily. Finally, with a week and a half left before prom, he finally changed his mind. So, a college friend of ours came to the rescue with a dress. Emily went on a one week diet so she could fit into it. Then a couple more college students came over and did her hair and makeup along with a friend from church. Emily's best friend from school didn't have a date, so they decided to go together. Her friend's brother was also going with his girlfriend, so he let Emily and his sister tag along. I told him he ought to feel pretty great with three dates. He seemed tickled to be able to help out. Anyway, Emily had a blast, and she looked absolutely gorgeous.

LeeLee turns Three!

I can't believe my baby is three. These pictures were taken the day before her birthday. She spent her actual birthday with a fever of 103. I looked back, and realized that she was sick last year on her birthday too. Unfortunately for LeeLee her birthday falls during pollen season. These were very impromptu pictures. I will be doing her formal three year old shots soon. She has been so banged up lately, that I've been waiting for all the bruises to heal before we do them. It may be a lost cause with her. As each day passes she becomes increasingly more active. We call her monkey, and she really thinks she should act like one all the time. I like the 3rd picture the best, cause it's just LeeLee.

The First Sign of Warm Weather

Around our house, you can always tell when the warm weather is here to stay. The first thing that happens is the dogs get shaved. Rags looks really cute with his new do. LeeLee was so funny when she came outside and saw most of his hair gone. She looked at him, and said "Rags, you're naked!" We all got a good laugh!