Star Student

When I dropped Mason off at school this morning, his teacher hands me a piece of paper and says they forgot to give it to me yesterday. I'm already groaning inside, thinking what did he do now??? Instead it was a note letting me know that Mason was picked to be the "student of the week" next week, and asking for pictures of him and his family to put on the wall. I was stunned! I asked her is she was sure this was for Mason. His teacher laughed at me and said don't look too surprised, he's a great kid! Well, I know that, but he's been giving those teachers a run for their money lately! Although, I can proudly say he's gotten "treasure box" every day this week.

I'm kind of worried he's about to pass a kidney stone. He's had that "look" lately. Can't describe it, it's a mom thing I guess. Complained of some pain randomly and yesterday didn't eat at school or supper last night. He's so strong though, that even when he's hurting he doesn't really slow down much, so it's hard to tell. I kind of wanted to take him into the doctor for a check-up, but what do I say?? Um, Doctor? He's got that "look". See it???

Confirmation

Last night, Mason made me cry. But happy tears!!
He hopped up beside me on the couch, and started telling me how they pray before they eat at school. I told him I was very happy to hear that. Then he told me all of his prayers. He recited "God is Great, God is Good...", "Come Lord Jesus, Be Our Guest...", and another one that they sing before lunch. I don't know why, but it just got to me!! I'm so glad my little boy is learning good things like that! Especially since I really was unsure about putting him in a preschool. And lately he's been having his rough days there, that have made me question my decision. So, hearing things like that reassures me that we've done the right thing, and that he's truly learning and growing. I'm learning as a parent how hard it can be to make decisions for your children and how hard it is not to second guess or beat yourself up when things aren't going great for them. I'm also learning that I've just got to let Mason take his time and figure things out on his own.

Doris Katherine Hamilton

Doris Katherine Hamilton, age 85, of Olney, Texas died Sunday October 12, 2008, in Olney.


Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the Rev. James Gilbert, of Fort Worth, Texas and the Rev. David Carpenter, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Restland Cemetery under the direction of Lunn Funeral Home.


Doris was born November 21, 1922 in Olney, Texas to the late Mark and Io (Eubank) Campbell. She and Dwight Hamilton were married on September 24, 1944 in Olney. She graduated from Olney High School in 1940 and attended Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee. In 1944 she graduated with a BA and BS from TSCW in Denton, Texas. She was a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron, the Amity Club, the Olney Library Board, and past president of the Olney Board of Industry and Commerce. Doris was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the CPWM, and a former member of the Children’s Home Board. She was preceded in death by one sister, Peggy McKinley.


She is survived by her husband, Dwight Hamilton of Olney, Texas; one son, Dike Hamilton and wife Marti of Olney; one daughter, Kathy Gilmore and husband Dale of Olney; five grandchildren, Mike Gilmore and wife Charity, Ira Gilmore and wife Cathey, Molly Cauble and husband Robert, Parker Hamilton, and Paige Hamilton; and six great grandchildren, Kooper, Mason, Sam, Katey, Kasey, and Koy.


Visitation for family and friends will be Monday evening, October 13, 2008, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.


Memorials may be made to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 756, Olney, Texas 76374 or the Olney Community Library and Art Center, P.O. Box 67, Olney, Texas 76374.

9 Months Old & More..

Our little Sam is just over 9 months old now. So hard to believe! He weighs 24 lbs and 8 0z, little chunk, and I think he was 29" long. He's been pulling up now for about two weeks. Pulling up to everything! We have a fireplace in our house that has a brick bench around it, and he loves pulling up to that. He's giving me a heart attack, because he's still sooo wobbly! I'm so scared he's going to get hurt! That and the fact that most of our house is hard tile, we're definitely going to have some bumps and bruises. He's still eating about the same amounts of everything. And he still likes pretty much any and all food! We've started giving him some table food and even the foods that he makes a funny face over, he eats more of! He's finally talking a little more. Definitely got more facial expressions. He can get pretty animated! He still has that beautiful smile.
Mason has been having a hard time at school lately. His teacher and I have narrowed the problem down to the afternoon aide that he just doesn't mesh well with. It's been pretty frustrating, because I try to always back up the teachers, but with him getting into trouble everyday, I feel like I can't come home and enjoy him. I also think he was needing some momma time. So yesterday I took him to the dentist and he did so well. Sat up there like a big kid and got his teeth REALLY cleaned for the first time. Afterwards, I drove him over to Holliday. Olney was playing over there, so I thought it would be a good time to show him his school he'll go to next year. Then we got to visit with Brenda, Arville, Marty, and several others. On the way home, he was mad because we left, but he told me he loved me and thanked me for taking him. Love that little man.
Happy Birthday today to Da (Dwight). On a sad note, Denmama (Doris) has taken a turn for the worst and isn't expected to be here much longer. Kathy and family seem to be doing okay. I think everyone is more worried about Dwight. It is going to be really hard on him without her. Molly and I have both commented that they both seem to have a love story like that movie The Notebook. That undying true love. We should all be so lucky to have that.

Pics from the Birthday Party

The Birthday Party

I am sitting in my playroom, and it's quiet!! Seriously quiet! Wow!
Sam is napping, and Mike took Kooper and Mason to the store with him. And, instead of napping or resting, I'm blogging!
Yesterday, we had Mason's birthday party. He loved it! All the kids did. And they all did so well on the horses! Kasey and Koy, little darlings, are just naturals on those horses. Hopped right up there and quickly got irritated cause they couldn't go faster! Kooper had never been on a horse, but having no fear, he jumped up there, and wouldn't get off! He said that was the most fun of his life and he could ride a horse all day long. Days like this are when Mike has affirmation that he did the right thing by not moving to Dallas! Koop doesn't get opportunities like that at his mom's. And Mason, well, to begin with, I was a little worried. He was in dire need of a nap, was a little moody, and hopped up on several sugar drinks. I was scared about him getting on a horse. But, as usual, he surprised me and proved me wrong. He was very calm and loved riding. His horse was pretty tired from an earlier trail ride, so it was moving a little slow. Every now and then the horse would stop and Mason would promptly holler, "my horse is broke! come fix it!" And kick the saddle with his new little boots. (Have you priced children's boots lately??) The owner would just laugh and go pinch the horse to get him moving, and off they'd go again. We didn't have as many children as we'd invited, but it was probably just right. Everyone got to ride pretty much as often and as long as they wanted. After we left the arena, we all came back to the house with some very dusty and dirty, not to mention TIRED, little boys! Molly and the boys stayed until after 8 or so, letting the boys play with all Mason's new toys. Thanks Kase for putting the Hot Wheels stuff together!!
Oh, and Sam was wonderful, he slept through almost the entire party! Thanks mom for pushing him around in the stroller until he crashed!

Happy 5th Birthday, Mason!!

Five years ago today, I was the most excited and scared, that I had ever been in my life. I was going to have my first son, Mason. I checked into Harris Methodist Hospital (Ft. Worth) the night before, so that I could be induced first thing in the morning on October 2, 2003. It had been a long, long pregnancy. I didn't even know I was having a boy until my doctor finally did an ultrasound at 36 weeks. I found out we were having a boy. We also found out there was something wrong with his kidney. A couple of days later, we were sent to Ft. Worth to see a specialist. We were informed that there was only ONE kidney and that it had too much fluid on it. He had reflux. The doctor forewarned us about kidney failure, dialysis, and transplants. I was heartbroken. We decided to have our little boy at Harris so that he'd be close to Cook's Children's Hospital if there were any problems. They also decided to go ahead and induce at 38 weeks. So at 7 am that morning, off we were. And I mean, full speed! The doctor started my pitocin drip at the highest level, so within an hour I was having full hard contractions. (Aunt Molly was ready to kill my doctor for me! lol) My mom, Mike, Molly, Kathy, Dale, Daneil, and Uncle Sandy were all standing by and waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Didn't seem like he was ever going to get here! We had our funny moments. Like when I got some drugs and was amazed by the sight of my own hand. And we had our scary moments. Like when I had a reaction to the epidural and I looked like I was having a seizure. But finally at 11pm, they decided to do a c-section to get my little man out. I remember practically sleeping through it, but the next thing I knew, I was hearing him cry. I got to see him for a second, then they took him off to the NICU. I don't remember how much later before I got to see him again and hold him, but I remember how beautiful he was. And how loud and healthy he was. He was the biggest baby in the NICU! We really knew how blessed we were after seeing all the other babies in there, and knowing our son was healthy and thriving. After 5 days in the NICU and multiple tests, our son was fine and able to go home. Actually we demanded to go home! Mason was the first baby to ever be released from that hospital after midnight. It was so funny when the nurses were walking me down to go home. Security all of the sudden comes running at us, screaming, "STOP! STOP! STOP WITH THAT BABY!" They thought someone was trying to kidnap a baby! So after several explanations and proof that he was mine, we got to take him home. We didn't make it back to Scotland until almost 3 am. But we didn't care, we were home with our little boy.
And now he's five years old. My, how time flies! I'm reminded daily what a blessing he is, and a handful, haha! But he is the love of my life and I can't imagine my life without him. Every night I pray for all the best that GOD has to offer for my son.
GOD bless my little man. Momma loves you, Mason! Happy Birthday!

(I created a slide show to put in his baby book to always have. It's about 15 minutes long. Pretty short considering it sums up five years!)