The Girl of My Dreams

When I think about my mom I think about comfort. I imagine her running her hands through my hair and telling me she was proud of me. I can remember her perfect hugs....she was a frail little thing but she gave the biggest tightest hugs. Every single hug I give to Hallie is given with the thought of my mom's hugs in mind.....a little extra tight just for good measure. I often struggle when I really stop and think about what an incredible mother my mom was....how on earth will I ever be like that? I let my mind run wild while I'm in the car on work days and after much thought and worry I've come to this conclusion: strive to be better every single day. Being a mom to Hallie is a blessing and a dream come true. Literally. I dreamed of being able to do the same things with my daughter that I grew up doing with my mom. Watching Disney movies, painting her toenails, dressing her up, watching her dance and tumble, having tea parties and playing restaurant. And most importantly telling her that she's beautiful, loved, funny, special, smart, and reminding her of each of these by giving her the very best hugs. 

You are 75% GIRLY GIRL....and 25% naked tomboy. Naturally I love both of these sides....but the girly side makes for loads of fun for both of us! The names "your majesty" and "Princess Hallie" are often what we are to call you. A lost high heel or necklace sends the whole house into emergency search mode. You DO NOT leave home without a purse. A purse full of princesses. And sometimes coins. Coins to buy makeup. Lately you've made a point to tell me that princesses don't have to say "please" and "sorry"....after I get past the stifling laughter part I have to remind you that Princess Sofia is a polite and proper princess. That always gets you back on track. You are a sharer or tea and crumpets and most of the time you even let me pour.....

Our carpet is now a bed of dressup clothes, sparkly tiaras and necklaces. Or "nicholases" as you call them.....

If you could sleep in your princess dressed every night you would. But you're a pretty good sport and settle for afternoon napping in style....

The way the prance into the living room with your high heels clanking on the wood floor with the most adorable little smirk on your face that says you are waiting for your dad to look up and tell you how beautiful you are....that, my dear, is what I live for. You are a pretty predictable gal Hal. Either naked or princess. It's that simple. 

Little girl dance outfits are my weakness. Little girls in said dance outfits....well, I just have no power over them. Take note sis, if you ever plan on getting in trouble just make sure you're wearing pale pink. I can't handle it....

And black with sparkles is pretty cute too....

Put two sweet dancers together and I'm pretty much a big sappy mess....

Four pretty dancers?????? Put a fork in me...I'm done.

You have a flare for fashion, my dear. You certainly don't get it from me...and you MOST certainly did not get it from my mom. It's embarrassing to admit how excited I get to dress you for school. The attitude + the fashion = a recipe for laughs.

I tend to talk about your goofier traits simply because they are just knee-slappin' funny...but it overshadows your sweet nature. You CARE so big....you don't hesitate to tell me that we are best friends....and you give the best back pats at the end of the day at the most perfect times. 

Hugs to you my one of a kind girl of my dreams. I hope that this letter finds you on a day when you need it most. 

I love you. 

Hal's First College Football Game

Take note, child of mine: Please, please, please don't follow in your momma's footsteps of being a maniac when it comes to football. Yes, I've mellowed a significant amount since you were born. In fact, sometimes I wonder if you took the place of football....I just don't have enough love stored in me for both...you get all the love honey! ;) If you're going to be in this family then not loving college football just isn't an option. Now as far as what team you choose to be loyal to, that's a whole 'nother topic. But promise me you will not be an obnoxious fan....promise me you won't get so nervous on game day that you can't bring yourself to eat anything....promise me that you will not cry when your team loses...because after all, it's just a game. Guilty of all of the above. But lucky underwear? Go right ahead!!! They work!

Although I defnitely think you look immensely cuter in crimson and cream, your first college game was spent in Stillwater wearing orange and black. Here's the even crazier part: I wore orange too. Living in a house divided sometimes means having to compromise. And we all had a pretty fantastic day compromising. Let me tell you about it.....

We made some last minute fun plans to meet our friends, the Mills, at El Vaq on our way into town that Saturday. We love us some El Vaq! You girls had a fun time with eachother and sort of forgot about the whole eating part of lunch. 

It only took us about two hundred shots to get you kiddos to do a cute pose for us.....

Nope, try again....

finally!!!

After lunch we drove straight to David and Lisa's tailgate where we received a warm welcome. Nothing says welcome like a giant tub of cheese puffs, right?

There were quite a few familiar faces and even some new ones at the tailgate. You were pretty excited to see your friend Cayden and had some energy to burn and lots of showing off to do....

These favorite girls of mine definitely made wearing orange for the day much more bearable.....

Family, food and fun....what more could a girl ask for???

You chased butterflies for a solid half hour and even recruited numerous buttefly-chasing assistants who were a bit taller than you....

The butterfly tree

The poor butterflies.....you held them captive for awhile....telling them how beautiful they were....

I hit the jackpot when it comes to aunts and uncles

Your long lost friend, Shawnae, was at the tailgate too!

Too cute!

Waaaaaay too cute!!!

David grilled out some burgers and dogs for everyone and there was a table of goodies as always. Love me a Detrixhe tailgate! I'm just thankful they put up with us when we decide on a whim to join them. ;) 

Once your dad announced that it was almost time to head over to the game you got busy doing something very important.....we looked over to find you placing handfuls of cheesepuffs in your folding chair. You then told us that you were taking them to the game, folded up your chair and started to carry it with you.....

I can't make this stuff up people

You, my little cowgirl, had a pretty sweet ride to the game on the back of Cristen's shoulder. You even made your own face handlebars for safety....

Cracking up!

Thank goodness for Cristen who lugged you a good majority of the way there as we trucked it over to the stadium. Finally....we made it to our seats. You struggled at this point. Struggled to get up in this seat....

To heck with the cushion....up on Dara's shoulders was a much better place to check out the excitement on the field before the game started. As much as I'd have preferred you to be marveling at Owen Field it just wasn't the case....soon, my girl, very soon. But for the moment it was beyond adorable to see your look of excitement....

Your dad was...well, what's the best term for it....ECSTATIC that he had you in the brainwashing zone all to himself at the beginning of the game...

We made it past halftime which blew my mind. No, really. I figured we'd spend most of the game down buying you snacks and chasing you down. Once again, I was proven wrong. You're getting pretty good at that. ;) It could have had a bit to do with the fact that DooDoo used our fourth ticket and held you on her lap nearly the entire time. It's always a good time when she's around....

This house divided thing is becoming a lot easier. Like I told your dad later that night...."I didn't feel one ounce of disgust while we were at the game." That, my friends, is kind of a big deal in my books. Baby steps to big girl steps....we're getting there!!!

You loved seeing Bullet out on the field...and people watching kept you entertained. You clapped at the funniest times and even cheered when the other team did something good (which was not very often). This time was "Go Pokes!"....next time will most definitely be "Boomer Sooner."

You poor confused sweet girl....

Adios Cancer

He's over halfway done with treatments and well on his way back to being a healthy Gman! Dad and Meg have been driving back and forth to OKC daily during the week for treatments at Procure. Hallie, Aunt B and I wanted a better idea of the treatment process at the facility so we joined G a few Fridays ago for his afternoon treatment. Hal was a woman on a mission once we arrived....a mission to RUN!!!

She paused for a quick smile and then whoooooosh....she was gone.

Using ten thousand water cups in a thirty minute span of time

Working (or messing up) the puzzle on the table

...and just running in general.

Dad invited us back to the radiation room and we got a good laugh when he came out in these super cute pants....

 The technicians explained the process, showed us the radiation room and then sent us out when it was time to start. He was out within thirty minutes...just enough time for Hallie to make a few more messes and spill another cup on water. ;) Afterwards we went out for dinner (or supper as Gman calls it) and as always were entertained by Hallie.

I must admit that initially I was skeptical about Procure and if it would work for dad's BIG (for lack of a better word) cancer. So far he has had very few side effects and is able to take some time off of work while he completes treatment. Prayers are working miracles and I can personally say that the peace I feel about this process now is overwhelming. Keep up the prayers!

We love you Gman!!!

Hal's First Homecoming

I'm almost 99% certain that Hal gal hasn't a clue as to what homecoming is but she sure did her best to celebrate it this year. After having finally jumped on board the Boomer bandwagon and FINALLY feeling like I belong here in this fine community we decided it was high time we act like Boomers. AND look like Boomers.....

Unaware that her bonehead mother forgot to dress her in red on "Red Day" at school

She was happy with her black and gold

We had big plans to check out the homecoming parade downtown that afternoon but this girl had some other plans of her own......

She took a record long nap which allowed her exhausted mother to accomplish more exhausting tasks that made life feel a little less exhausting when they were all completed. Amazing what can be accomplished in a quiet house. Amazing what a determined mother can accomplish in a short amount of time. Amazing how much energy this chick has stored up after a good nap.....

She was all about the accessories Friday night while we got dressed for the game. She loved the mini scarf I bought for her from one of my patients. Oh, and the lipstick. My oh my, the lipstick....

Oh yes! One more thing! The perfect purse she found at the thrift store earlier that afternoon....

The weather was perfect once we got to the game....just a bit on the windy side....

We met the Humphries at the game and Papa found us up in the stands as well. Alexa and I's football watching to talking ratio was about 25%/75%. We were much too busy talking about shopping for girls and getting no sleep. Did I mention the lipstick yet?

Re-application at halftime...she takes it very seriously

She's ready if the circus ever wants her to join them!

We made it all the way to halftime and surprisingly ended up leaving because we were getting tired. Hal was going strong and her and her lipstick probably could've lasted the rest of the game. The Boomers won and all was well. Hal's first homecoming is in the books and there's one thing I know for certain.....the girl was born to be a cheerleader....it's only a matter of time....