The LAW MAN...

We're Ba-aaack! Finally.

So Sorry for the now, four month delay in our blogging progress!  Life as we knew it pre-remodeling, has resumed!  Yay!  Around Thanksgving, Keenan decided to take my advice about gettin' after this old home of ours!  Of course, the way he went about it turned my entire world upside down ( not to mention all to the center of our house, if you know what I mean)  He tore into our bedroom one morning after breakast with a SLEDGEHAMMER!  Aughhh!  Yes, he went commando on our home.  It looked like a war-zone by the afternoon and has looked that way ever since the first week of January.  

We took refuge at my parents' home right down the street ( Thanks, Mom & Dad!)  So, for about 2 1/2 - 3 months we have been there, not really sure what to do with ourselves.  And, definitely not taking time to blog!  

For those of you who have not seen, nor heard that we have remodeled both ends of the house( not the main areas, yet...)  But just our bedroom, and the kids' wing, as I like to call it!  We basically finished those areas completely.  They have been completely:  retextured, ( our bedroom has been restructured a bit) , repainted, re sheetrocked in some areas, kids have new windows, new light fixtures, new furniture, new closets - ( Our home is old, people - we had no closet space to speak of, now mine is 8'X12' YAY!) , new beautiful chocolate brown, double padded carpet in our bedroom, and redone hardwood in the kids' rooms and hallway.  Yes, I am totally thrilled to have this all finished after living with unpainted walls for the last 11 years, practically!  ( If you know me, you know I LOVES me some COLOR!  I have to thank the Lord, ultimately for prompting keenan to get this all done - without any real 'griping' from me!  

Pictures to come, I promise!  

Thanksgiving was yummy, of course,,,So was Christmas - again, I will post whatever pics I have...and in January, we began a bunch of firsts for our family...  It was very bittersweet in that we changed church homes.  However, we still love and look forward to maintaining friendships and the church family we have loved over our 27 + years there!  ) A little shorter for Keenan - but who's counting?)  We have been welcomed into a new church family at Frontline Church in Arlington.  God has DEFINITELY answered our prayers.  We are so blessed!  

Also, around the first week or so of January, we moved back into our home!  Wow, did that feel great!  

As of late, we have been missing Keenan alot, since his work has taken him away from us quite a bit!  He is such a hard worker - and I am so very proud that my husband is an ambitious hard worker!  Not to mention, quite the Renaissance Man~  He is now running his own HVAC company; Air-Kraft Mechanical, teaching commercial helicopter piloting to an individual, and NOW he is currently in Florida being trained ( for free, PTL!)  to be certified to be a Certified Technical Divemaster.  I know you are probably saying, "O.K., Rheagan - splain..."  Gladly!  Technical diving, as per explanation by Keenan, himself, is basically diving deeper than 'recreational' divers.  They use more tanks in front and in back, and are able to stay down longer.  Anywho, that is all I can comprehend, how about y'all?  

Landry is LOVING cheering for Jaguar Cheer Academy - and recently went to her first NATIONALS!  We are very proud of her, as always, but even more so because of a special award she was nominated for.  It was the "WOW AWARD"  In lay terms, it basically means that out of about 3,000 girls,  the judges asked her coaches for her name because she was memorable for one reason or another.  I am guessing it was the fact that she is very well-rounded little athlete!  And, she is mighty cute, too!  ( Sorry...doting mother ALERT!)  

Lawson keeps us in stitches, most of the time - He is still liking school and doing very exceptional at reading.  He continues to read billboards and signs everywhere while we are out, causing me to fear graffiti....  He is a joy, as always and ALL BOY!  

As for Logan, our teacup chihuahua, YES, he is still with us, after 4months - I know, a BIG accomplishment for this family!  ( Melissa - don't judge)

Hopefully I have not lost our loyal fan base by not updating for so long - but we have also found a new love....FACEBOOK!  Oh...my....what a time drain - but it is so...much...fun!!!  Well, let us know how you guys are and if you're still a fan ( even after this horribly long post!) LOVE YOU!

Rhea

Laundry Day...

Fresh "Landry"  & Rock Star - "Bro-Po"( Friend; Brooke)

NO,...no airing our dirty laundry today...but check back some other time for that...NO, our daughter decided months ago that she would like to be "laundry" for trick or treat.  Her Uncle Chris always calls her "Laundry" instead of Landry, as a term of endearment. :0)  But it truly began when my Aunt Karen accidentally wrote Laundry , in stead of Landry on my baby shower card.  It just kind of stuck.  And, it just so happened that a friend of hers had a fall costume party Saturday evening and this mother had to get into Trick or Treat mode real quick!  Whew!  Talk about a marathon....Soccer game, cheerleading at a football game, a quick sandwhich, then on to putting her costume together.  Landry won FUNNIEST COSTUME at the party.  I think I know what clenched it for her, DO YOU?  Do you see her little brother's old ( but clean)  Bob The Builder underoos on her head?  Yah, I was just  going to tack those on her shirt, but instead, creative sister came out with pigtails through them!  A special thank you to little brother for being immodest enough to let her use them!  I think it was a hit! Congratulations, Landry !  ( Although you always win the prize with us!  ) Happy Fall Y'all !!!  

Just noticed I had not posted anything about precious daughter lately.  Well, being that her birthday is today, - I have been a little retrospective.  Maybe a little too much, in fact.  I will save most of it for later because frankly folks, I get a little weepy.  Anyway, I am so proud of Landry.  She really is, a lovely young lady.  Believe me, this is only God - because He knows me and her father ( however precious we might be ourselves,..) Can not "make" Landry the person she is.  It was only The Lord.  His grace - giving us what we don't deserve - the best - as in Landry Elise Leatherwood -  was just that - GRACE.  Sure, she is imperfect, but as her mother, it is my DIVINE right to never admit it ( Although I guess I just did) We are so blessed to have her for a daughter and, more and more so every day - for a friend.  We enjoy Landry's company simply because she is a breath of fresh air to be around.  Innocent, pure, thoughtful, beautiful heart, sensitive in the things of The Lord and FULL of the JOY of the LORD! - She is the antithesis of this world.  So, she embodies the very thing we are to be - IN this world - but not OF it.  So proud....so, so proud.  Did I mention how proud?  Let me give you a glimpse into her character for those of you who do not know her, or do not quite know her that well.  The other day she chose her own outfit, as she does most of the time lately.  She chose bold orange - (her favorite)  in a corduroy fitted blazer, matching tights, modest length denim mini skirt, and her neon pink,yellow,orange and green high tops.  Of course she told me later that day that she received many compliments on her shoes, outfit, etc.  but that many of her classmates had made fun of her.  (Yes, the mama bear in me wanted to attack those poor children.)  However, my daughter's attitude was far more superior than her mom's...  I told her:  "I hope that did not hurt your feelings -because I think you look PRECIOUS! "  And her response was "No, not really - I mean, some people will like it and some people won't!"  She said all this as if she did not take too much stock in what THEY thought.  ( Yay!)  And she was sincere.  She DIDN'T care what they thought about it - She liked it - Her mother certainly liked it - And - well - I think that is all that really matters!  Anyway, if you are reading this, please give a birthday "SHOUT" out to my precious first born miracle...Miss Landry Elise Leatherwood.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!  We think you are so special and wonderful - And there is nothing you can do to change that!  We loved you before we even knew your cute dimples, beauty of heart or ANYTHING - so if you did nothing else on earth except BE, we will still love your hide off....  Love MOM & DAD  ( Yes, Lawson loves you, too - but well...hE HAS HIS OWN WAY OF SAYING THAT!)

Blah Blah Blah.....

Get ready - you're about to encounter my world of rambling - - - This picture is a perfect portrait of the last few weeks - - - I am TRYING to be optimistic.... Like Lawson, who is OBVIOUSLY ready for the cold weather - ( like his hot blooded mother)  I found him in his room getting his winter coat and mittens on, even though the temperature outside does not reflect the need for these items!  Either way, I thought:  "Boy, do you look how I feel!  I am ready for some changes! Both in the weather and in my life !  Anyone who can recommend a good bible study?  One for just an individual - If I choose it - I will send you a special something - providing I have your address - just e-mail me your address at rheaganrhea@gmail.com - and don't forget your suggestions!  - Yes, I got this idea from my sister in law's friend.  I frequent her blog - and she also does gifts for her 50th blog - maybe I will do that, as well?  Who knows - maybe this will help some of my self-proclaimed blog stalkers to come out from the woodwork?!   

Toothless Wonder...

Last week, through weepy eyes, our son told us he didn't want a loose tooth.  Too bad.  No, I did not SAY that to him, but I THOUGHT it.  LIfe is full of many events that are unwelcomed.  But, in order for bigger and better things to occur, we usually have to endure SOME kind of pain.  No PAIN...No GAIN!  O.K....NO, I did NOT ramble on to him like that, either.   Later in the week he professed to our family that he was going to "have a loose tooth the rest of his life."  Again, I wanted to "blah, blah, blah.." about how spiritually we can not stay in the same place forever, either.  But I refrained.  I save this stuff for YOU, people!    However uncompassionate I may seem, I DID try to help him through this.  Here are the results this week.  ( He doesn[t look TOO horrified , does he?!)  OUR TOOTHLESS WONDER: