Tag Archives: birthdays

September 28, 2009 · 6:00 am

Our Weekend In Pictures.

I’m officially the mother of a seven year old.

JH - 7yo wp

Er, soccer is back.

Anna - weekend wp

Daddy Bryan came out to celebrate.

Bryan - JH weekend wp

So did Nan.

Mom - weekend wp

My husband rocks. 

Kris - JH weekend wp

But, he rocks every weekend.

And, this is what 15 ½ weeks looks like.

Pregnant 15 wks wp

Well, it’s what it looks like on me. 

Let’s be honest.  There are probably a few of Kris’ homemade cinnamon rolls in that picture, too. 

It was a fun weekend filled with a ton of love.  I am thankful for a Nan is who continues to be a great mom.  I am thankful for a daughter who lets her fun personality show in her pictures.  I am thankful for a son who makes my heart melt.  And, I’m thankful for two dads who love that one son so much that they even enjoy one another.

Oh, and I’m thankful for the littlest Takle.

That’s my weekend.

How was yours?

4 Comments

Filed under gratitude, Kid Stuff, Motherhood, pregnancy, Relationships

Tagged as , , , , ,

September 24, 2009 · 6:00 am

What Does He See?

Every once and awhile, he commandeers my camera.  When I upload my pics, I’m sure to find one like this:

JH - 7yo blog

And this:

JH 7yo blog 2

I don’t dare delete them.  Not even the random pictures of a plant on my end table.  It gives me a peek into what captures his attention.  I’m sure he goes back and observes his photography on my digital camera.  And, I’m sure he sees his self-portraits. 

I wonder what he sees when he sees himself.

Does he notice how beautiful his eyes are?

How his gentle spirit emanates from him every time he smiles?

Does he see God’s grace in his reflection even though he doesn’t know what to call it?

Does he see how he was perfectly and wonderfully made?

Because, that’s what I sure see every time I look at him. 

That’s what I saw seven years ago today when I held him in my arms for the very first time.  He is my sweet reminder of God’s incredible presence in my life in the midst of joy and suffering.  He is my sweet reminder that no matter what season I am forced to endure, God’s grace is always sufficient.

Happy Birthday, John Henry. 

Love, love, love you.

35 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Kid Stuff, Love, Motherhood

Tagged as , , ,

August 6, 2009 · 6:00 am

My Mom.

Is the first person I call with any life-changing, gut-wrenching, or hair-raising news.

Will find any story about my children amusing.  Any.

Never has enough money to spend on herself, but is a dadgum millionaire if I want something.

Is relentless when it comes to trusting in God.

Loves my dad, and will still laugh at things he does.  Usually with me behind his back.  But still.

Is the best Easter Bunny EVER.

Makes the best cake in the entire gargantuan universe. 

Will still cry when she thinks about her mom and dad.

Loves to ride her Harley, and I will raise my fist if she ever gets a tattoo.  Raise it, I tell you!  No.  I wouldn’t raise my fist.  My brow, perhaps.

Thinks I’m funny.  I love to make her laugh.

Is the best mom.

Ever.

In the history.

Happy Birthday, Mom.

17 Comments

Filed under Motherhood, Randomness

Tagged as , ,

May 15, 2009 · 6:00 am

90 Never Looked So Good.

Sure, the Treaty of Versailles was a big deal, but this was bigger.

90 years ago tomorrow, Bigmama was born.

Bigmama 90

I’m glad she was.  And, I’m also glad for her salmon patties, biscuits and pecan-less pecan pies.  Oh, and for always pouring half of a can of evaporated milk into my coffee.

She has a faith like no other, virtues that have stood the test of time, and the deepest love for her family.

Happy Birthday Bigmama.  You always make me smile.

6 Comments

Filed under Favorite Things, Love, Randomness

Tagged as ,

March 27, 2009 · 6:00 am

If You Look Up Mercy, You Might Find His Picture.

dad-b-day-wp

A few quotables from my dad I try to live by:

1) Nothing good happens after at midnight.  Wherever you’re going to be, be there by then.

2) Vengeance belongs to God.  Not me.

3) His mercies are new every morning.  So should ours be for others.

4) Never let her cut grass.  Well, that’s what he told Kris when he asked for my hand in marriage. I remind Kris of this. J

5) Everything is going to be okay.

Happy Birthday, Dad.  We love you big. 

And, so do John Henry and Anna:

14 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, life, Randomness, Uncategorized

Tagged as , ,

November 7, 2008 · 6:00 am

Supergirl turns 4.

anna-b-day-wp2

That’s right. Today is little Miss Takle’s 4th birthday.  It seems just like yesterday she was tearing up the runway with this look:

anna-re-do-wp1

And, if you look really close….closer….closer.  Right there.  You got it.  You’ll see a little pink pacifier on the counter, or “boppy” as we called it.  Kind of makes me tear up.  Who am I kidding?  A year of the two’s re-do?  I’m just fine, thank you.

Then, there is my favorite one.

anna-b-day-wp-3

I mean, puh-leese.  Does it get any cuter?

Although she doesn’t know it, Anna takes a lot of heat on mommy’s blog.  From her crimes of fashion to the disclosure of family tales, her life is on display for all thousand ten of my readers. 

So, on Banana Boat’s birthday, I thought it appropriate to share four reasons why I love this pumpkin pie so much.

1.  She is stubborn persistent. 

2.  She is ONE.SMART.COOKIE.  Sight words at 3?  Easy fa sheezy.

3.  FUN-NEE.  She makes me laugh until I cry.  Or almost pee in my pants.  Wait a minute, is that just because I’m getting old?

And, number 4.

She turns my face to hers with her sweet little hands and tells me she loves me.

Happy Birthday Anna Marie Takle.  You make life oh so fun.

 

20 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Tagged as ,

October 21, 2008 · 6:00 am

Today is kind of a big deal.


Today is my birthday.  And, well.  That’s kind of a big deal.  I’m not like all into myself or anything.  It’s just my favorite day of the year. 

Oh, Dusty.  You mean you enjoy it more than your own child’s birthday?  Of course, I do.  It’s MY birthday.  It’s apparently not that big of a deal to some other people.  I won’t go to namin’ names.  But, Kris has just been a little preoccupied lately.  And, to think his preoccupation has been around my entry into this world would lead me to one big letdown.  I’m not bitter or anything.  I just keep reminding him that my birthday is kind of a big deal.

Last night, I asked him if he wanted to do a guest blog and describe 34 things he loves about me.  (I’ve seen it done by some other bloggy husbands.)  Anyhoo, he was like, “I’ll do it after my meeting tomorrow morning.” 

As if my OCD would EVER let me post a blog that late in the day. 

N.E.V.E.R.M.I.N.D.  I said in the most understanding wifey voice. 

Later in the evening, he decided he needed to make a run to pick up some ink cartridges.  Uh huh.  I bet you are. 

You can bet he did.  Pick up ink cartridges, that is.

Not to worry.  I have no problemo going to buy my own birthday present. 

Truth be told.  Here are a few of my favorite gifts.

Getting aluminum up to two-five-o is kind of a big deal.  I have my own private pilot.  And an even better husband and dad.

Seriously.  Be still my heart.  And to think.  He lives down the hall from me. 

 

To never be short on pure joy?  Well, that’s a really big deal.

There you have it.  My three favorite gifts (and a few of my vacation pictures.) 

Happy Birthday to me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 Comments

Filed under Randomness

Tagged as ,

September 22, 2008 · 6:00 am

What Kind?

Well, our weekend went off spectacularly.  John Henry played his first soccer game, and he thought the tumble and roll was the best part of the game.  Here he is before the uniform needed a good washing.

 

We were pretty certain this girl here was our ringer.

Not so much.

Anyhoo, the start of Takle/Landreth sports has begun.  And, we couldn’t be more excited or proud.

Anna, much like her momma, kicked it back and soaked it all in.

As I gave John Henry one of his birthday gifts, I told him it was from his Dad.

His response and, no doubt, quote of the weekend, “What kind?”

In other words, which dad?

We all laughed at our not so normal life.

People often ask us how we do what we do.  How do Kris and Bryan do dinner together, laugh together, and share the joys of one amazing boy together?  I don’t know that I ever explain it all very well.  This is what I do know:

– After Bryan and I separated (and I was pregnant with John Henry), I prayed several scriptures over Bryan’s life.  (Thank you, Bob and LaRue McDaniel, for your amazing book, “Pray the Word”.)

– I chose forgiveness. 

– I married a man who not only loves me, but loves John Henry so much that he loves Bryan, too.

– I took ownership in “my stuff.”

– I thank God every day that His mercies are new every morning.

Because, I need them.  We all need them.  And, I know that I know that I know, that I am nothing without Him. 

What kind of dad?  The kind that loves.

Aren’t you glad our heavenly Father loves us no matter what?

 

6 Comments

Filed under divorce, Love, parenting

Tagged as , , , ,

September 19, 2008 · 6:00 am

Celebrate Good Times.

I’ve spent a lot of time this week getting our house ready for John Henry’s birthday celebration.  My parents arrived yesterday, and my dad had his list of restaurants he needed to hit before departing the great state of Oklahoma.  Daddy Bryan arrives this evening. 

We decided to make the weekend a family affair for the most part, and John Henry didn’t seem to mind scaling down his bash as long as Optimus Prime made an appearance on his birthday cake.  No, I didn’t ask for Kris’ assistance.  The Super Target bakery will do just fine, thank you.

We all get to watch John Henry play his first game of soccer tomorrow morning.  It should be a wonderful weekend centered on a tender-hearted, soon to be six-year old. 

Not much sweeter than time with family.  It’s that kind of love that gives our children a foundation that will weather anything.

“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children.  One is roots.  The other is wings.”  – Hodding Carter, Jr.

What are your weekend plans?

13 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff

Tagged as , , ,

September 18, 2008 · 6:00 am

Shot to the heart.


It’s no secret that I don’t shine in the kitchen.  But, when John Henry told me this, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Me:  John Henry, do you want me to make your Transformers birthday cake?

John Henry:  Can you?

Me:  I can try.

John Henry:  Well.  Okay, but get daddy to help you.  He’s good at making stuff.

It’s as if he’s never tasted my Kraft mac & cheese.

Of course, my cake would probably end up posted here.

I’ve had the pleasure to attend a bible study on Tuesday mornings with some really cool ladies.  She, like, makes breakfast treats for us from scratch.  Then, she brought cute, little homemade muffins this past Tuesday.  I hope they all still love me when I pick up bagels from the bagel shop one day.  ‘Cause they will be bought with love.  Just like Christ bought us with love.  Not to compare purchasing breakfast items with God’s redemption of mankind.  Anyhoo.

How are your skills in the kitchen?  Wanna share a favorite cool weather meal, treat, or recipe?

8 Comments

Filed under Motherhood, Randomness

Tagged as , , ,