Homecoming, The Tom Bean Way

Homecoming was a couple weeks ago(I realize I'm a bit late writing this). It was so neat. First, to start the festivities was the annual homecoming parade. Of course, living here for a mere 2 months, this was our first time to experience this. Let me tell ya, they do it different in small towns. REAL different. My brother and I never had no parade growing up in Mesquite(AKA, up and coming ghetto).

Anyway, to my story. The Wednesday before homecoming we had a city wide parade that went through downtown Tom Bean. It was something I have never felt nor will ever forget. I literally got chills and tears in my eyes. The fact that our kids can experience that and take part was amazing. They loved it as much as I did. Their teeth, well, that's another blog. The parade was led by the police cheif, followed by a fire truck(they have some nice fire trucks here. Surprising for such a small town). After the fire truck were 5 cars with the homecoming court, then there was a truck and a flatbed trailor for every grade, Pre-k to 12th. The pee-wee football and team and cheerleaders were there too. As the parade past they were throwing out candy. We were in a good spot, right next to my dad and a few other coaches, thus causing some of the student body to hurl candy our direction. The kids got enough candy then to not even need to worry about Halloween...but I'm sure they will. After the parade we all went to the football stadium and had a city wide church service. It was really neat. I think the students enjoyed it. They were throwing out mini footballs and glow braclets. Just when you think that teenagers are all rotten you come across the slight few that make ya think otherwise. There was a certain group of about 4 guys sitting behind us and they gave Taya a mini football and al 3 a pack a glow bands(seeings how my kids are short and were unablr to accomplish this). I was moved by their genorosity. Who knows, maybe it was that "Coach Upchurch" was sitting right next to us:-) Either way, I was moved. Moving on, after the service was the BONDFIRE. This, I saw for myself, is a BIG deal. It was behind the scoreboard at the field. This thing was massive. We played the Whitewright Tigers that week so they passed out, to a select groud, tiger tails. The point was to throw the tails in the fire and watch them burn. Nice family fun. Taya was given a tail and was given the opportunity to throw the tail in so the Head cheerleader, Tenae, took her to throw it in. We hung out a bit but after we got nice and toasty warm, we headed home.





Then 2 days later was the big homecoming game. There was even a city wide pep rally. This means the boys were able to get on the bus and ride to the high school to participate. Lucky for us, my dad coaches Ethan's teacher's son so she was able to snap a quick pic.


The game was fun. The boys played and I ate:) Taya learned even more cheers from Big Taya. She likes to shake her "bahyie"(AKA,bottom). Sadly, we got smoked that game but it was a fun week in lue of that.




My mom and I even made shirts.





Now today, more greatness. Corbin came home with the monthly Tom Bean Elemenanewsletter. I am proud to say that each of the boys were mentioned 2 times. Ethan for "A" honor roll and Corbin for "B". They were both also named for perfect attendance. Another fun fact is that our little bity elementary school was chosen SCHOOL OF THE YEAR by our local Walmart and Sams club. Their were 10 specific teachers in the school that got $100.00 gift cards to be spent in the classroom. I am pleased to say that BOTH, Mrs. Ellis and Mrs. Lacy(the boys teachers)were 2 to receive the gift cards.

I'm(we)at peace with the fact that after however many years of school have past, moving from home to home....we are finally right here in Tom Bean(Van Alstyne)...where we belong

My Corby

Corbin Lost his FIRST tooth yesterday! And he has another one loose, almost ready to come out!

As I sit and think how fast he's growing up, I remember a few priceless moments. See, Corbin has always been a momma's boy, even though he's into "boy" things. Ever since he was old enough to give kisses, we've had a special kiss that he will only do with me. First, he kisses my forehead, then my right cheek, then the left, then my chin, then my nose and then finally my lips. Don't know why or how it started...but somehow it just did. Til' this very day, he still does it.

I also remember back when he was about 2-3 yrs old. He would get "in trouble" and we would ask him why he did whatever he did. We would say "Why did you do ???", he would say "Bacuzz", then we say "Why" and he would reply so innocently with "BECUZZ WHY". We would never get the reason...just BECUZZ WHY! We still laugh about that til' this day.

Then there was the time we were in mid potty training. He was about 2-3 again. Ethan was 4-5 and would be really upset if he knew I was telling this but it's the lead in to "My Corby" story. Anyway, Ethan would strain and push so hard when going poop. He would turn red in the face and just look plain angry. We told him time after time that he needed to be patient when he was pooping. It will come out when ready. Well, apparently Corbin was hip to this. One day he was on the potty, look at Matt and I and said "I'm patient with MYYY poo-poo"

Kidd's Kid's Day

The BEST morning show EVER is “Kidd Kraddick In the Morning”. I listen to them at work from 6-10 every morning, only taking a break every now and then to answer the phone. Well, yesterday was Kidd’s Kids day. For those of you that don’t know, one day every year Kidd and his whole staff dedicate their show to raising money for his organization called “Kidd’s Kids”. This organization is for terminally ill children. They raise money and with that money, that the public donates, they take 50 families(Kids, parents, siblings and all) to DISNEY WORLD for an entire week. This year they are taking 52 families. It amazes me the dedication Kidd’s listeners have to the show and to Kidd’s Kids itself. In just the 4 hour show yesterday, they raised OVER $400 THOUSAND. WOW!

I will be entirely honest. Normally every year on this day I either don’t listen at all or turn the channel when they start talking about it. I feel like if I listen then something bad will happen to my kids-Ridiculous, I know. It’s just very hard to listen to the stories of past years…some kids still here and others now with their maker. Listening to the siblings of the ill children is inspiring. The love, the devotion, the hope they have for their brother or sister. Amazing.

This year I decided to be a big girl, put my big girl panties on and listen. As I listened the more and more I realized how I take my kids for granted, knowing they will be here tomorrow. I put things off with them because I will have time another day to do it. The truth is that you NEVER know what tomorrow holds and you are never guaranteed that tomorrow will come for you and/or your children. I am SO grateful that we have 3 healthy, beautiful, perfect kids. We are blessed enough to be able to take our kids to the fair, to Fiesta Texas, to Six Flags, to water parks. We’re able to take them on vacation every spring break, every summer….they are able to enjoy life at it’s best. They can play sports, ride bikes, run like crazy and use all the energy God gave them. All the while there are so many kids out there that can only hope and pray for that energy. The energy that makes me crazy at times…when I want them to sit still and relax a bit. That is a craziness I will take over sick kids any day.

The love I have for my kids is unstoppable. I will never take the health of my kids for granted again. I am a paranoid freak, feeling them for fever literally once every half hour, always asking if they feel okay. In fact tomorrow we are taking them all 3to get their flu shot. To PREVENT the flu. How fortunate am I that I am able to give my kids a shot for an illness that is common. How many parents are there that only wish there was a shot to prevent whatever illness or disease their child has. Whether it be cancer, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, etc. I always think of myself as a good mom . I tell you what, after listening to the parents that have put their lives on hold to help their kids, I have to rethink that. The sacrifices, the sleepless nights, the financial struggles, the tests of strength…it goes on and on. Those parents are better than I will ever be. I admit that. My heart goes out to those families.

Thank you to Kidd Kraddick, Kelly Rasberry, Big Al Mac, J-Si and Jenna for all you do…

I have said it a million and 5 times…I will say it again, hug and kiss your babies every chance you get and let them know how proud you are of them and how much you love and adore them. I know I will:-)