Gator Tails.. Part 2

So me and Zeyda woke up Saturday morning and headed down to Paoli, Oklahoma. We were both so excited for the adventure that was in store for us. When we got to Dea's house she was all packed and ready for us to go to her cousin's Ricky James house. We loaded all the kids in her truck and headed out..
When we got there Dea told me that Ricky, had the "Gator" all ready for the girls to ride. We walk about a mile before we came to the pond where I was introduced to Ricky James. There stood a man looking identical to KID ROCK.. NO joke! Ricky James proceeded to take us over to the tree where he had a live GATOR chained to the trunk of the tree!!!! He had his mouth rolled shut with duck tape and a home made saddle strapped to his back. I have Never in my life, EVER dreamed of something like this. I had chills from head to toe. I could not even speak because my body was was frozen solid with fear.
I looked behind to find Dea holding a shot gun.. She told me that this has been a family tradition for years. And that if the Gator acted out in anyway that she would just take matters into her own hands. Oh, and did I mention that Dea is 7 months pregnant!!!!




LOL I am just pulling your chain.. Dea is a Country girl but not crazy. We had a blast down at her house. The Gator looks something like this..




I even had the perfect Bow for Zeyda's hair to make sure she rolled in style on the "Gator"



It was such a beautiful day Saturday. The sun was shinning and the birds were singing. There is something so peaceful about a warm day out in the country.
With love,

Sorry you guys I am still learning how do to this... lol my last post is out of order. I hope you can figure it out!

Our Little Fighter!!! Part 2

Zeyda struggled for her life for the next 3 months. In the Hospital she had multiple surgeries. They put everything back together and even made her a new Belly Button.


She is now three and half and she is doing amazing!! She is the most amazing little girl in the whole world.



Zeyda Has changed my life more than anyone could ever imagine. I feel so blessed everyday to be the mother of this amazing little fighter. She brings joy to my life on a daily basis.

Our Little Fighter!!!

I Know you are all dying to hear the Gator tail story but I am sorry to inform you that it will have to wait until tomorrow because I need my Phone adaptor to put the pictures from my phone on her.. You are going to LOVE the stories I have for you.
Anyway I just thought I would share a little story about my amazingly strong little girl..

Zeyda Mae Bates was born on July,13,2007. She came 5 weeks early! She was ready to come into this world and fight for her life. I was in labor when the doctor informed me that he was going to do an emergency C- section because the baby was under stress. "At the time none of us knew how much stress" They wheeled me into the operation room where my mother and sister's we not allowed in. I had never pictured this day to be like this.. I thought it would be so magical just like my sister's deliveries.. That was not the case. With a sheet up covering my stomach the doctor performed the procedure. And then the fear set in.. As I am laying on the table all I could hear were voices shouting "Code Red" And then the doctor asking "What is this? I Have never seen this before!" It felt like an eternity of silence.. Finally the Doctor came over and let me know that Zeyda was now breathing again. That they had reseitatied her. He also explained to me that she was born with her intestines on the outside of her body and she was being life flighted to a children's hospital where they had better knowledge of how to treat her. As they wheeled her past me in her incubator they stalled so i could at least see her beautiful face.

Gator Tails

Hey Ya'll.. I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend thus far. I unfortunately have been sick now for two days. Nothing like being cooped up in the house all day with a 3 year old just wanting to run ramped . Brandon left today for the PBR in Indianapolis. I was so glad to hear that this evening Flint Rasmussen and him got to sit court side for the Pacers game. He could not wait to inform me that sitting behind him the entire game was Larry Bird. It makes me very happy when he gets to do wonderful things such as this.

Mean while I am at home with tampons stuck up my nose to stop the ever lasting drip of pure sickness. I have been trying to heavily medicate myself for our big day tomorrow. You see I have made some wonderful new friends here in Oklahoma. One friend that is very dear to me is Dea Newsom. She is such a sweet person and I am lucky to know her. Anyway, we have made plans for me to head on down to her ranch so zeyda and her daughter Katie Bell can ride on the "Gator".

You see Dea is a true country woman. She has been born and raised on a farm. "Far from the lifestyle I had". When she first mentioned the girls were going to ride this "Gator" all I could think of is Putting my little girl on a real life alligator. Then, Dea said they were going to charge it over night. That's when I let out a sigh of relief. I still am not clear on what the "Gator" is but I will keep you updated.

After the girls are done playing we are all headed to Ada Oklahoma to watch her bulls Buck. That's right people I am actually going to watch bull riding that does not include my husband. So wish me luck because this city girl is taking these bulls by the horns.

Much love

Thank you for visiting our Blog. I am very new to this so you all with have to bare with me. I think this is such a fun way to let all of our friends and family keep up with Brandon, Zeyda and I. We are always off on our next travel destination, our next vacation, and most of all our next adventure. I will try to keep you updated as we go along in this crazy but wonderful life of our's..

The Bates family Love you and are happy you stopped by