Believe

We've been having so much fun in Texas. I think all the family and friends have brainwashed the kids into thinking it's the best place on earth. Cole says he never wants to leave and loves Texas. He will move here tomorrow. I couldn't list all the cool things we've done and times we've caught up on in fear that I would leave something out! The boys might be slightly right.

During a quick trip to Sea World, we saw the Shamu show: BELIEVE. At the end of the show there was a little girl who got to get up close. She was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. The trainer told her all things were possible if she BELIEVED and gave her a necklace to remind her everyday. The girl sitting next to me said "girl - I bet he does that every show!" What a bubble buster, two seats down GeGe was crying at the touching one-of-a-kind spontaneous moment.

My point in all this - and I do have one - is today it happened. I NEVER thought I would see this day. Cole swam underwater! Yes, head underwater swimming. I can't BELIEVE it!! He played and played and played as he swam with all his cousins/second cousins/family. So attached are the photos as proof. Seeing is BELIEVING!

Changes in Plans

The Pioneer Woman (http://thepioneerwoman.com) recently confessed her life isn't at all what she pictured it to be 20 years ago. She posed the question: Is mine?

Well, I'm not sure. I don't think I've ever been a future planner. I'm more of the here and now thinker. I will plan the order of the day, weeks, stops on vacations.... but I've never said I want to be xyz in 15 years. Back then, the only thing I've ever known was that I was going to spend forever with Keith Lawson McDaniel. You can pretty much check that one off.

I'll go back 10 years. I was 22 and about to graduate from Texas Tech. I didn't even know what I wanted to do after college! Hello - what in the world was I thinking about for the past 4 years? See, not a planner. I wish I was. I wish I put more thought into it and went to nursing school. I would have loved being a labor and delivery nurse. I got hired on with Southwest Airlines and had some pretty memorable life experiences. I am so thankful for that job and company.

My Uncle asked me if I missed it... life with Southwest and the person I was? No, I don't. Life is so wonderfully busy, sleepless, and crazy. I am a stronger Christian now (I NEVER could go back) being married to Keith is everything I could ever want and more, and the boys are pretty much the greatest things since sliced bread.

What I didn't know: How much it hurts when Keith is gone for only 51 days. How much joy two little kids can bring. How much frustration two little kids can bring.

No, I wouldn't go back to being 22. Being Mrs. Keith McDaniel with two boys, two dogs, a cat, and a minivan in a rental house is pretty great. I'm living the dream. Thanks honey.

Keep Your Kids Away From Me!

I went to visit my dear friend Sarah today. We were roommates at SWA flight attendant training. She so nicely reminded me that it's been 10 years. Crikey. Oh - get this.... Sarah goes inside for a few minutes and I'm swimming with the kids. McKenna wants to see if I can swim from one end of the pool to the other so I say - watch this! Well, as soon as I go under and kick off, she decides to follow me. I accidently kick her in the face and when I come up, I see blood. Yeah. So I get her out and we go find Sarah. I'm like "Sarah, I think I kicked her, and there's blood" Not kidding - she opens her mouth and I knocked out her two front teeth! I FEEL SO BAD!!! Sarah says they were both super loose anyway, but still - I kicked her kid in the face! I can't believe I did that. I feel horrible. We couldn't find the teeth at first, but after much searching, they were recovered (ps. teeth sink). Precious girl kept saying "Miss Jennifer, don't feel bad, it was an accident" = worse! She was pretty proud that her teeth were gone. We went to dinner and she kept telling everyone "look at my teeth..... SHE kicked them out!" Funny girl. So, don't be surprised if we never hear from the Coopers again! Killer guilt, but a super cute toothless girl.

God is with You

Brad was crying in the car. I was trying to find out why all the tears, but nothing I offered or could do soothed the tears. Cole then told me that he just wants me. Poor Dude - that's when it happened.........

Cole so calmly says to Brad "Don't worry, your mommy is right here. You just can't see her. Mommy will never ever leave you." Heartbreaking. In my mind, all I could think about was me. I slightly felt more confident in the decision of not going to visit Keith. I knew he was too young. Then Cole added more, "Do you know who else is always with you?" "God".

Such a wise, wise kid. I can't explain the peace it gives me to hear him remember and say that! He's right, God is always with us, even when we can't see him, and will never ever leave. Brad stopped crying.

For Keith

I hope these brighten your day. I am taking a ton of pictures, but I just had to send you a teaser. Here's us today at yet another T-Lake.

Sidenote: There is a dried up lake bed in Mountain Home and the T-bolts have arranged rocks to form the squadron patch. As planes fly overhead, they can see the logo. Every time we drive by it, Brad yells "T LAKE T LAKE" even though there isn't any water in it. He has progressed to calling every puddle, pond, and stream .... "T-Lake"! T-Bolts Rule
Cole was helping my mom drive the boat, and when she let go (to show him he was driving all by himself), he let go too!
I LOVE this one of Cole. He's so good lookin'. Can you see how light his hair is getting?

Worms. Brad tried to stuff all 12 in his little fist and squeeze them to death. He was laughing and squeeling. Cole was so desperate for a hook!

Our Grand Arrival

Let me just say that the car ride in was less than enjoyable. I packed a good attitude and all, but it was misplaced between the dogs, cat, and kids. I can not believe I was stubborn enough to think I could do this on my own. Let this be a warning for next time the opportunity arises - I WILL NEED HELP, LOTS OF HELP!

That's where Ashley comes into play. Sweet Ashley. She is the greatest among great friends. If this car trip didn't run her off, I don't know what will.

I tell her to be up and at em' before the sun rises, and she was. We load the animals, but the cat's drugs don't take effect. Marty Cat moaned (notice: not just meowed) the first 1 hour and 45 minutes straight. She slightly got use to the car, but would throw in the moan just when the ringing in our ears stopped. The boys yelled, whined, and fought 20 minutes after getting into the car. That continued for the next 36 hours. Merlin started panting. I like to call it panthering for no reason at all, but he was pantering. A movie got jammed in the DVD player. To those who rely on this great feature, you know the kind of disaster that brings. I come up with the brilliant idea of stopping at a Honda Dealership during our next pit stop (kill two birds with one stone kind of thing) Wrong. We show up with our posse of 1 slightly medicated, still moaning cat, 2 kids that have been tied down for 5 hours straight, 3 dogs, and 2 adults. We crammed in that little waiting area INSIDE! I even had to change a poopy diaper on their floor - so embarrassing. Let me tell you, they got our car fixed ASAP! Actually the people could not have been nicer. It was closing time and they fixed it for free. They even helped load the car up with pets and kids when it was time to go. I must write them a thank you note.

WAIT - I forgot to add that I got sick. A migraine took over and sweet Ashley was driving my crazy caravan and pulling over so I could puke. Along with the dog breath, cat litter, and fast food smells of Mike Victor was my lovely half processed Taco Bell. Tell me - would you have gotten out in the middle of Wyoming and headed for the hills???? I know I would have! And that was only the first day!

Ashley, I slightly fear the repayment I owe you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You took care of me and the boys like any family member would have, handing me a fresh bottle of water and wipe when I got back in the car. She bought my children food when I was still out of commission, drove half way, and even offered to buy gas. You're one of a kind. I think you make a fine military wife and friend. You've got a better grasp at this than you think. I hope you have the time of your life visiting your husband. You deserve it. Keep this thought out of your mind while you're relaxing on the beaches: you have to get back the same way you came ;-)

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

More Cornstarch

It just ain't for cookin! Poor Mickey Lee. It seems Brad found a small bowl of cornstarch and then found my dog. I was looking everywhere for the bowl of cornstarch too. I just wasn't fast enough to keep Brad from paybacks. Did I say payback? Sure did. However, he directed his revenge on Mickey instead of his big brother. See below:

Nighttime Prayer

We say this prayer every night. Cole can say it with me, and Brad is learning.

Dear God, Thank you for today and all of our blessings. Thank you for Daddy, thank you for Cole, thank you for Brad, and for all of our family and friends. Please keep us safe through the night. Amen.

Cole will add in "thank you for mommy" every now and then. I use to think it's because we had a fun day together. Wouldn't you know, he throws it in on my worst mommy days too. I also ask him if there is anything else he wants to tell God. Sometimes he will say thank you for my toys, watch over the man he saw with one leg, or ask for something I told him he couldn't have. Ever since Keith left, he's been praying for daddy to fly safely. Amen.

30 Days Out

Happy Family Separation Pay!


Not worth it. :-(