We made it!

Click on little Reesey's picture to go back with us for his first year...



Our first year

P.S. Birthday pics coming soon!

TAG! You're it!

I was lucky enough to be tagged by my new friend Leslie to write 7 random things about myself. I have been told I can be the queen of random, so this shouldn't be too hard!

Here are the rules:
1. List 7 random things about yourself that people may not know.

2. Link the person who sent this to you, and leave a comment on their blog so that their readers can visit yours.

3. Post the rules on your blog.

4. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

#1. I am an office supply junkie. You name it, I love it. Sharpies, Post-It's, Markers, Pens, Rulers, Pencils, Pencil Sharpeners....this list could go on forever. At the beginning of each school year, I spend a small fortune in the school supply section of any store. If I think there might be a chance I will use it, I will buy it. We have a whole closet at home for all my goodies!

#2. I am a reality TV nut! Pretty much, if it's reality tv, I will watch it. I love everything about reality shows. I guess because I don't have to catch it each week and keep up with a story line. I love The Hills, Real World-Road Rules Challenge, Big Brother, American Idol, Wife Swap, Super Nanny, Real Housewives of the OC, Intervention, Biggest Loser...I could keep going. Now that our lives are made simplier by our DVR, I can catch all my back episodes while Reese naps...life is great!

#3. I HAVE to have the bed made. Everyday no matter where we are. I hate to see my covers all slumped at the bottom of the bed. I like to make it as soon as I get out of it, but my husband would be under all the covers still snoozing. I just hate the look of an unmade bed. And yes, I even make our bed when we are in a hotel.....I know, I know...

#4. I have very vivid dreams about my dad, almost daily. In these dreams, my dad is back on Earth. Sometimes he has cancer and sometimes he doesn't. But in each dream, he tells me that he can't stay here on Earth that he is needed elsewhere. He always reminds me he loves me and that I make him proud. In these dreams, sometimes we are alone together and sometimes we are in public places. However, when we are in public, no one can see him but me, my mom and sister.

#5. I say "ordamnet" instead of "ornament". Always have, always will. My husband makes fun of me every year from November to January when the Christmas decorations invade our house. He even likes to make me say it in front of people.

#6. I have to have the TV on to sleep. When I was in 5th grade, my parents went out of town and we stayed with my aunt.My cousin left the radio on softly all night. When my parents came back a week later, a habit had formed and I did that until I got a TV. Then, I would watch TV to fall asleep. Now, I have turned my husband into a TV sleep junkie and I am sure my son will follow not to far behind. However, right now, he only listens to Baby Einstein to sleep at night.

#7. I am DEATHLY afraid of the dark. Yes. It's true. We have night lights in every room. Plus, I leave on the kitchen light over the sink and the breakfast nook light on low. If I could, I would leave the bathroom light in the hall on, but I am afraid Reese would never get to sleep if I did. Some nights Garrett forgets to leave all my lights on and if I need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I wake him up and ask him to go turn my lights on......

That's it! Now I tag Julie, Jason, Jennifer, Mauri, Angie, and Shoni.

Have fun.....

Nothing big...

tonight to blog about, so I thought I'd let you know a few things I am looking forward to.

• Reese turning 1. This Friday it will be one year since we got the call that our baby boy was ready to come home. Our lives have been so much sweeter, so much happier, so much better with the addition of this little one.
  
• My family coming to town. I have to admit, having a crazy family has it's advantages. I LOVE when we are all together. My sister is pregnant and it will be one of the last times I get to see her before she delivers my sweet nephew. I am just excited to have my family all together. The world is right when we are all together.


• Bible Study. I've been trying to go for the last 3 semesters. It's never really been a good time. We got Reese and he was newborn, and then I just got lazy last semester. I am looking forward to new female relationships. It's just good to get together with a group of girls and talk...about things that aren't kids or work or husbands.


• New friendships. Garrett and I have been very fortunate to have made some new friends lately. I am excited for these friendships and the thought of having close friends with kids Reese's age. I never knew how easy it was to hang out with someone until they have a kid that is the same age as your child.


• Spring Break. Yes, I know - 5 weeks away. But a girls' (especially a girl teacher) gotta have something to look forward to. Otherwise, she might strangle every last one of those dad blasted kids.


• Summer. I know - it's soooooo far away, and I even applied for Summer School, but it's the only thing keeping me sane at this point.
  

And some things that aren't on the top of my priority list include:

• The TAKS test. Enough said.


• The end of school. I just have to say I need a little help in my classroom. I need to see some changes for next year. If I don't, then I will probably have to find somewhere else to teach.


• Yard work. I don't like it. I despise it. Plus, my husband could care less about it. I hate it, but I love having a good looking yard.
  

And honestly, that's all I can think of.

Boring, yes. Informative, no, not really. Just wasting some time while the lasagna cooks...

While you're here, head on over to 2 of my new favorite websites....

#1 KenleyKakes at http://kenleykakes.blogspot.com/ . I work with Angie. She is making Reese's birthday cake (be on the lookout for pictures next week). She also made us a bucket of suckers for his party too (next week). Her stuff is amazing - she takes such great pride in her work. This is a sample of some of her talent. Anyways, if you need her, email her. She is amazing!

#2 The Pioneer Woman at http://thepioneerwomancooks.com/ . I stumbled onto her blog after looking at other peoples blogs. I have read through it and looked at some of the recipes and they look amazing. I love to see what she has cooked. And, she gives a step by step picture update. This is sooooo helpful! Check her out and enjoy!

Sweet Kelsey Fink.

Meet Miss Kelsey Fink. I met this girl back when she was in the 7th grade (2003-2003); a definite wild child in my eyes. Then, the school year of 2003-2004 brought this so called "wild child" into my classroom. I was going to have 180 days with this kid.

On day 1 of 180 a funny thing happened between me and this girl I labeled "wild child".....I totally fell in love with her. She is so great. She is funny, smart, energetic - a kid every teacher loves. She always had a smile for me, could make me smile on my bad days. I had her in class with ALL her best friends. I am not exaggerating when I say she was in there with all the other girls who made my year...Whitney Smith, Marin Hild, Brandy Farris, Sarah Reinhardt, Kacy Hensley, Katie Bridewiser, Michelle Dean, Rachael Solari, Andra Anglin, Lori Parker...I could go on.

These girls definately kept me on my toes. In October of that year, my life forever changed. It was Halloween day and I found out my dad had cancer. These girls rallied around me and just loved me. They made those hard days more bearable. I don't know what I would've done without some of them.

They've all grown up - they are seniors this year. It's hard to believe it's been 5 years since they graced Room 120 at Abell. Kelsey is the only one who keeps in touch with me. She sends me an occasional text when she's playing volleyball in Abilene, or like today when her boyfriend was playing soccer here and she wanted to come. Miss Fink came over to see me.

You going into the teaching profession to touch the lives of young people. I wanted to make a difference, and impact on just one child to make their life better, a little sweeter. When I started teaching I never realized that the kids would do that for me...

Sweet Kelsey Fink, you did that for me. You impacted my life far more than you could have ever known. Thanks for your phone calls, your text messages, and your love. You have made my world a sweeter place. You are no longer a wild child...but as you have grown up, you have become my friend.

I am excited for what life has for you...and I'm even excited that you are dating sweet James Fuller (another one of my favorites). I know you will do great things, be a great person, a successful person. But even more than that, I know you will impact this world in a great way.

I love you and thank you for loving me too!

Raindrops on roses...

and whiskers on kitten. Bright copper kettles with warm woolen mitten. Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things....

Well not really, but these are!

Maggino's Little Italy. My first experience with this place was in Vegas last year. Garrett and I went to eat there on our last night. The food is UNBELIEVABLE! It was so good. I have never had better Italian food. I can't wait until we go to Dallas so we can have it again!

SPRINKLES! What a cute name! So, everyone has heard of these cupcakes. Nothing spectacular really, just a plain ol' cupcake. Makes it hard to explain why I like them so much, but they are amazing too. The texture, the decorations, the store. This place is a must see if you are in Dallas.

My Sperry's. I am a shoe junkie - I should really attend Shoe Shopper Anonymous. I got my first pair this summer and loved them so much I bought a second pair in another color! They are probably the most comfortable, flexible shoes I've ever owned. My students think I am WAY cool when I wear my Sperry's to school. They always say "Hey, I have those too!"

Sephora. This is make - up heaven. And I'm not a girly girl. Garrett and Reese always let me go in and have a good 30 minutes of shopping in here. I always leave with my hands covered in eye shadow because I've been testing all the different colors on the back of my hands. I love this place. And if our second child is a girl, let's just say shopping trips will be oh so much fun!

George Bush. I really do love this man. I am sure some of you reading this are thinking "OH MY GOSH!" This is the first President that I really remember. I mean, I remember Clinton, but I wasn't old enough to realize the impact he was having on our Country. However, I do remember these things about George Bush. I love that he's goofy, I love that he likes to have a good time. Do I agree with everything he's done? No. Of course not. However, I honestly believe he is a man of God and that he doesn't take his job lightly. I believe that he tries to do what he thinks is best. I trust him, I respect him, and I admire him. Let's face it, those who are the most against him are the exact ones who would cry and whine about every president. I DO NOT LIKE Obama. Our country is in a world of hurt if he becomes the President.

The Hills. Ok, so I am almost 30 and I am watching a show made for girls in their early 20's and late teens. But what isn't to love about all the drama these girls have? I mean, LC is fighting with Heidi. Justin Bobby is cheating on Audrina. Whitney is jetting off to Paris. This show is so good.....I don't know what I will do when these girls decide enough is enough.

Kidd Kraddick in the Morning. I LOVE this show. I laugh and laugh at the things said on this show. When were were finalizing Reese's adoption, we were staying in Fort Worth but court was in Dallas. So, we were up at the crack of dawn to beat morning traffic. I got over 2 hours of Kidd Kraddick bliss. Also, when Reese was born, we left Abilene at 6 and didn't get to Granbury until around 10 - I got to hear the whole show! Garrett HATES it with a passion - thinks its dumb - but I can't wait to hear Kidd, Kellie, Big Al and JC.

Sharpies. One word - UGH - MAY - ZING! I love Sharpies. Well, I love office supplies in general, but these are by far my favorite. I love the colors (yes I have every one), the bold tip, the small tip, the way they bleed through the paper and how you can use them on anything..... Simply UGH - MAY - ZING!


My newest phone. The T-Mobile Sidekick. Mine, however, is chocolate brown. This little beauty flips open. I've got the full keypad. Unlimited texts. Internet Explorer. This little beauty has it all. Not my favorite phone of all time (May the Rockr rest in peace), but a definite second place.

Meet my son Kenny Reese Rasor. This little boy melts my heart. Look at that face. Your heart is now melting too! This is my most special and amazing gift. He was given to me so unselfishly. I honestly believe that God knew what he was doing when he picked Reese to be our child. He is so much like us. It's hard to believe it's been a year since he's been here. It's so crazy to think that a year ago I was waiting for him. My life is richer for having this little tike "LT" around.And last but not least, the other man who makes my heart melt. I don't know how I would handle life without Garrett by my side. He has seen me at my happiest and then again at my lowest. Our relationship was tested so much during our "dating" years with all the deaths and cancer in my family and yet he took a back seat and let me deal with all that. I've always said our marriage would be a breeze after all the drama my life had when we were dating and I was right. Being married to this man is easy. And it's easy because it makes it that way.

So long as it's still the pointer finger...

...we'll be ok.

Reese has found out where the pantry is. And since he knows how to open doors now, I find him in there an awful lot. He will crawl in there, open the door, and point. What is he pointing at you might ask? It's nothing other than "mini "strawberry newtons. We let him have one pack of these and now he's yelling for them! YELLING!

But the pointing is cute. It helps when I am holding him and he can point at juice or milk...makes my life easier!

Today at school, our librarian is making a bulletin board where you have to describe yourself in 6 words. So, she is asking the teachers to come up with a 6 word novel to describe themselves. Here's mine...

"Gone. Came back with a kid. - Tiffany Rasor"

Pretty much sums up my life a year ago...and from now on.

My challenge to you? Write your own 6 word novel and leave a comment with your novel!

You've probably been wondering...

...what we've been up to since I haven't blogged since Monday! The weekdays are super crazy busy and I don't have time for anything other than my boys. Garrett coaches UpWard Basketball and they practice on Mondays which leaves me and the little man home alone to play and I LOVE IT! I started going to UPS Bible Study on Thursday nights and I can already tell I LOVE it. It's so nice to have friends who believe and feel the same things I do and to spend time with just girls....I am super pumped about this semester.

A Happy Birthday shout out to Reese's Aunt B....Happy 24th BB! We can't wait until May when we can celebrate KJ's Birthday too!

So of course with this update I've got pictures....here we go....

Reese trying to share his sippy of Juice with me. What a sweet little boy...

Not so sure he likes the water/juice combo I've given him...he'd prefer the juice alone!

Nah, he thinks he'll have some anyways...

Ok, so we've been having some trouble with Reese eating these days. It started with him refusing to drink his formula, but since he's almost a year old, we went ahead and tried milk. He drinks it ok, but really isn't interested in that either. I asked a Pediatrician who teaches our Sunday School about his all the sudden finicky eating and she said its normal....whatever mom is having, he wants. So, today at lunch, he dined on some Pan Fried Noodles from Chinese Kitchen. Now, he loved letting the noodles hang out of his mouth. Why? Because me and Garrett would start laughing and he's picking up on the fact that our laughing means he's doing something right (this is going to be so hard when he really should be getting in trouble!). So, here he is, enjoying his noodles and even laughing at himself!

Little stinker!
Oh yeah......
This is just about how all our meals go....us laughing at Reese He can do it by himself...and would rather feed himself!
My aunt Tonya and Uncle Bill were in town yesterday. We got to go eat dinner with them and my cousin Katie. Katie's boyfriends family was in town so we all went as one big happy family! I have never met a guy (Keal is probably 20) be so good with kids at that age. He just loves Reese and isn't afraid to help out with him....and because of that Reese loves him....and Reese loves a man with a hat on, so all the more making him and Keal buddies.....

Playing hide and seek with Keals hat....Reese doesn't quite understand that Keal can see it!
Keal and Reeser
And now for the sweetest thing of all. Reese LOVES book. He's rather have a book over a toy anyday. The other day, I was getting ready and he was "supposed" to be playing and watching Mickey Mouse. Well, I peeked in to check on him and he was nowhere to be found. I search the house and find him on his bed. He had pulled down all the books and was reading. As I got a closer look, I saw he was reading his Toddler Bible...

Go ahead and say it...he's pretty much the sweetest kid you know......


And finally, hamming it up in the car on the way home from church today. And no...we don't send him to church without shoes, but he likes to take them off and his teachers didn't want to fight him on keeping them on.....little stinker!

Here he is with my Aunt Tonya - who I have been telling him is Tawns.....

Garrett and I have been attendiing BallRoom dancing lessons at our church and they are having a Ball at the Windsor this Friday night. I am so excited for our date. It will be fun...

And then a week from this Friday, Reese turns 1! Can you believe it?????

And to leave you with something....today at church we sang this song....pretty powerful stuff...

"All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all.

I surrender all.

All to Thee my Blessed Savior,

I surrender all."

I've been struggling with this and this morning, this song spoke to me. This is good stuff.

Old McDonald had a farm....E - I - E - I - O!

Our living room has turned into Old McDonald's farm...check out Reese's new tent!

Playing Peek-a-boo with daddy!
Thinking about going out the door
Wait, what??? No!!!! This can't be happening!!!
OH MY GOSH! BOB KNIGHT RETIRED!!!!!!! MY PAWPAW WILL BE SO UPSET!


A little laugh fest with dad!

And a lot of people have requested to see the funniest video of all time....so, here you go!

I wonder...

Tonight was a lot of fun. We were invited to a SuperBowl party from some friends at church who have a little girl who is 3 months older than Reese. It was fun to hang out with people who have kids and the kids just played and played....

Found out it is a small world - some people at the party are friends with some Midland friends....crazy!

I always wonder in situations like that if people wonder about me when they ask certain questions... For instance, people who are just meeting for the first time tend to ask those questions like "where did you grow up?" or "where is your family?" I always wonder - EVERYTIME I say it - when I say "my mom and sister are in Lubbock" - do they wonder why I don't say "my parents" or "my mom and dad"? I would love to say my parents live in Lubbock but I will never get to say that again...and it breaks my heart. I wish I could tell them right then and there why I only say my mom, but how awkward is that for everyone? Honestly, I think it's me...me wanting them to know how great my dad was until some horrible disease robbed him of his life and family...Oh well, just one more thing that death does to you.

I also wonder how I would introduce my mom if she ever came to Sunday School with us. People are bringing in their parents all the time and saying "This is my mom and dad from Lubbock." What would I say? "This is my mom and Rex from Lubbock?" Again - awkward....sometimes I wish you could tell the whole story...."This is my mom and her friend Rex...both of whom lost their spouses to cancer within weeks of each other and they have become best friends through their losses." Again....AWKWARD. I feel weird saying my mom has a "boyfriend" - but why should I feel weird? Rex is a great guy and I am so proud mom has him but again...something that death makes you have to deal with.....I guess it just sounds weird to say a grown adult (a grandmother at that) has a boyfriend.

Just some of the random thoughts I tend to think about.....and think about often....

Had fun tonight, was a very good weekend all together if you throw out being sick for most of it. Back to the daily grind....I can't wait until the day I am a stay at home mommy.....just a few more payments on that adoption loan.....just a few more....

I'm excited and happy for possible new friends....friends with kids - that is even more exciting. HORRAY!

Ok...it's bedtime...I'm out!

11 months and the countdown begins!

My Memaw has come and gone. Reese stayed home with her on Tuesday and they just had a grand ol' time. My memaw would die if she knew I was posting a picture of her in her pj's, but I am anyways!

Here are her and Reese watching me cook dinner in our breakfast nook. She just loves this little boy. And, he loves her. It's so funny to watch her with him. He doesn't really know how to take her. She doesn't really discipline him, but tells him "Eh eh eh...little boy, that's gonna fall on you and you'll be sorry!" And the funny thing - he stops EVERYTIME! Since she has left, I've tried this and it DOES NOT work for me!

She let him climb on his bed and pull down all his books. They are all still scattered throughout the floor and under the bed, but I don't care. I have realized Reese has a love for books. They are by far his favorite thing. He is pointing at the pictures and making up words for each thing he points at. It really is quite cute.

I want him to be a sports star (after all, the criteria for a name was that it would sound good said over the loud speaker at a football or baseball stadium! "Now Batting - # 3 Reeeesseee Raaaassssoooooor")But as much as I want him to love all things sports, I want him to love books and be smart. So read on little Reesey, read on!



I do have one sick little boy on my hands. This cough is horrible and not getting better but the dr says not to bring him in because he will be exposed to stuff much much worse than his cough. So for now, it's Vicks and the Humidifier...Here's hoping he gets better soon...

I got a sneeze on camera! And finally some videos. The first one is of Reese walking across the couch. I am trying to get him to tell the camera he is "1". This was about the 45th try and he was getting tired of hearing me say it, but he does preform!

This is just a video of him walking....I thought our family would be happy to know this little fellow is on the move...and I mean ON THE MOVE! Everyday he gets better and better. Excuse the blaring Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the background...it's his favorite show!

And finally, a few days later - walking to his bedroom where he has pulled ALL of the toys out of his toybox except on measley little dinosaur book...

Everyone have a blessed weekend.....we will!