Yea...I know what the experts say...

Hello all, I hope you had a great Christmas and celebrated the birth of our Lord and Saviour...or as baby boy says "Jesus Baby Day". Yep...you heard me...he is on to speaking in 3 words, not necessarily in order...but they are there.

Many of you know that we have been traveling...a lot...recently. Not to mention flying to Disney World...but we have been to both grandparents house. It has been hard...but we have had a blast. When we get to Mammaw and Pappaws house...it is a zoo. No kidding...not to mention all the adults...we have 8 kids running, crawling, jumping, crying, screaming, eating...you can see my point. Anyway, we took the kids to a jump house today...what fun. We went to make the kids tired...well...you try climbing up all that equipment while holding a 28 pound baby...I am EXHAUSTED. But the kids had a blast.

It is always hard to make decisions when you have this many people around, but we are making it. Of course I am reminded of a perfect quote. Please tell me that you are all fans of Peanuts...(if not, please don't tell me)...anyway Lucy once said "If everyone agreed with me...they would be alright"...Don't you love that one. Really, I am kidding, I mean if we all agreed then we would never argue...if we never argued, we could never make up.

On a more serious note...I have really enjoyed being around family. Of course with my parents the only kids are mine...but we have fun with the family and love to visit. When we are with daddy's family...there are lot's of kids. Of course when your kids are here, then you want them to be on their best behaviour. I am always telling myself that my kids just grow up too fast (they do don't they)...until that moment at 2 am in the morning when everyone in the house is asleep except my child. No I am not talking about my baby...but Sweet Girl decides to throw a fit. So all those times I said...they grow up too fast...I was saying to myself...good grief...grow up already...why throw fits at 2 am. But the next morning when she walks up to me, gives me a hug and says "mommy, I love you", then refuses my help to get her clothes on...well, I realize again that they do grow up too fast.

So when we are around people, yes even family, it is nice to see your kids behave well. You know all those nice things that you want your kids to do (and don't tell me you don't have the same dreams). Picking up their own clothes, helping the younger kiddos, being polite and always asking please and saying thank you. I am sure you have all picked up those parenting books...you know the ones that tell you what you are doing wrong and what to do. The 'experts' that explain why your child might throw fits in the middle of the night, or why your son rips his diaper off but REFUSES to get in the bath or get dressed again. Those books that explain 'reasoning' with your kid instead of popping their behind! or using a 'quiet chair' instead of time out or grounding. So as I sit here now and ponder the actions my kids use at times (most of the time they are PERFECT), the attitudes they develop at odd times, or even the remarks they come up with...well I know what all the experts say...and I have come to a conclusion. The experts must all have NANNIES!

I love you all!

Grace in the minivan

Ok...I know we have been gone a few days...but I guess I am still recovering from the minivan ride. We only had to wait 10 minutes into the trip before we heard some arguing. Yep...my sweet babies were arguing. We stopped that real quick only to hear the kids start crying. I know what you are thinking...those sweet babies...crying...no way. We were about 40 minutes into our 8 hour trip. What fun.

So we put in a movie, gave some snacks and things seemed to be going ok...but no...we have to stop and potty. Then we spill a red icy in the car (sweet girl)...we drop Cheetos in the floor, we have an accident in pants and spend about 20 minutes cleaning up. Daddy was devastated that I threw the pants away (I wasn't about to wash them out)...they were only jammie pants and we can get the child more.

So the tip continues with constant talking, crying, arguing...and then we had to deal with the kids. No, I am only kidding. They were quiet for a while. But the noise continued a bit. Then we were about 40 minutes away...and it really started. You know those moments that you want to bang your head on the dash board and claim that you will NEVER take this trip again...but realize you are making a sacrifice for your kids to see family. So you just lay your head back and listen to the 'music' of complaining about being strapped in. Wanting to be at PawPaws house NOW. Wanting to see Nana NOW.

We were then 30 minutes away from our destination...and it got a little quiet. I look back and Big girl is fast asleep. Then Sweet girl is now asleep. Oh yeah...I forgot to mention that the last 2 hours of the trip I had to rub Baby Boys foot. I am not sure how he learned that...except that mommy LOVES to get pedicures and I had several when I was pregnant with him. Anyway...it was uncomfortable, but I love him...so I did it anyway.

Ok...so 15 minutes away, and you guessed it...he fell asleep. Only to arrive at our destination so we could wake them all up to hear them cry a bit more before going back to sleep.

All that said...I just kept thinking about the reason we did all that...and no matter what we had to deal with on the trip...we are with family now and it is awesome. We were reminded that we need help even in the small things...like that grace we needed in our minivan Friday night!

We miss everyone...

Family Portrait Day

Well, we did it...it took a few hours, a lot of patience, some resistance...but we made it through. We took a family portrait. The last one we took was when Big Girl was about 6 months old. It was fun, exhausting, loud, and costly...but so worth it. As most of you know...I love pictures and love to scrap book. So I get so excited when I am able to get professional pictures taken. They turned out great...well most of them did. I wanted to share a few.










We are preparing for all of our holiday travels coming up...and it is a hard time for us, but we are ready (I think). We love going to see our family, but it is difficult to travel with 3 kids (potty breaks every 30 minutes). I know many of you are also traveling as well and I was just talking to a friend of mine (GW) the other day about the holiday season. I mentioned that it just seems that the season of Christmas goes by faster each year. I always have all these plans that I want to do with the kids and our family to 'make cherished moments'...but each year we seem to lose more time. It just goes so fast especially since Big Girl is in school now. She will get out of school on Friday...we leave on Friday...come home the 24th and leave again on the 25th...hectic. I am so excited about seeing my family...but I am trying not to get so 'busy' with the holidays. I am also trying to teach my kids the real reason we celebrate this season. I even bought myself a new nativity scene this year. I splurged and bought a Jim Shore for those of you that know who that is. It is a beautiful scene...hand carved and painted...and we have talked with the girls about it. We have even taught Baby Boy how to say Baby Jesus...so sweet! Anyway...I know this is getting long...but I think during these times we get so caught up in having to do everything, get the gifts, bake the cookies, have everything in order, travel to different places, and we become tired, stressed and over worked. That is not the way to celebrate this season...




I heard a lady say 'be careful what you ask God for...because you just might get it'...Well, I am asking for Him to slow my Christmas down, to truly make it peaceful, to allow time for my family, and most of all to help us Glorify Him in all that we do. I mean God gave the FIRST Christmas gift ever...right...he gave us his son...Jesus Christ...we can't top that no matter what we do or give. All God really wants is for us to be with our families, celebrate each other, love one another, and most of all celebrate the birth and gift of Baby Jesus.


Yes, I love to give gifts, cook for people, bake the cookies for my kids...and I love to see their faces when they get to open their gifts...and the family pictures were such a nice gift for me and those that will enjoy the photographs...but I do not want them growing up without knowing and receiving the ultimate gift!




So let's celebrate our families, our traditions, our friends, and our blessed Saviour during this holiday season.

So I was wrong...

Hello friends and family...I know what you are thinking...'She said she was going to blog each night'...So I was wrong. I mean really, what was I thinking...3 kids in a hotel room, at Disney World...and I thought I could play on the computer each night...RIGHT. Well, I did have to do my work (which I got very behind)...but I just didn't have the time to blog...sorry.

So we are finally back and I talked to a friend today about the trip. She asked how the girls liked the plane trip and if I took any pictures of their first flight. Yea...sure...3 kids, a stroller, 5 or 6 carry on bags...and I took pictures. That was the last thing on my mind. Just getting through the plane ride was enough to worry about. But they did fairly well...as good as can be expected.

Did we have fun...of course. It was truly magical...but have any of you been lately? It is like it's own state within Florida. The state of DW...it was huge. We didn't even make it to one of the parks or to Downtown Disney. We spent a lot of time at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, and we watched the fireworks 3 times at Epcot because they were so amazing.

At animal kingdom, we rode rides, saw animals, and went on a safari ride...that was a blast. We saw 'the festival of the Lion King' which was really cool, and met several characters there. Here are a few of my favorite photos from Animal Kingdom.

We also had a blast at Magic Kingdom. I already posted a few pictures of when we met Snow White, Belle, and Cinderella...also I mentioned that we ate at the royal palace (AWESOME). We also rode some rides...Big Girl even rode Space Mountain. Now, that is the only memory I have of when I went to DW and all I remember is Sheree's hair in my face and I was SCREAMING...and probably yelling at my daddy for putting me on the ride. My Big Girl did say that she did not like the ride...but she did not scream or anything. We were so proud. We met other princesses and we spent some time with Mickey and Minnie. Here are some of my favorites.

Ok...I guess I will leave it at that for tonight...it is getting late. I will post more as soon as I can. I just wanted to let everyone know what a wonderful time we had. It really was magical, the girls were in awe of all the huge things they saw. It was such a neat place to be and it wouldn't have been possible without Nana and Pawpaw...thanks so much. We don't say it often enough...but we love you both and it was a tremendous trip.

Where Dreams Come True?

Hello and Good morning

I have had a little trouble blogging here at Disney World...the first night, I couldn't get the net to come up, last night my blog page was not working...so here I am...7 am and I am ready to tell you a bit about our trip.

So we are on the 3rd day at DW and I already know that 4 days is just not enough. This place is amazing...but to get here we did have to ride a plane. The first flight was ok...only about 30 minutes...it was the flight from Houston to Florida that was a little tough. But we made it and we had fun.

As soon as we got to our resort...we were starving...so we went to eat, took a nap, then headed to animal kingdom. It was dark so we didn't see much, but we rode rides. Big Girl even rode a big coaster...but she said she didn't really like it.

After a few hours there...we headed to Epcot...WOW. The first thing we saw of course was the big golf ball at the front. Baby Boy was so excited to see such a BIG ball.

We didn't have a lot of time there...but we went for the light show...called Reflections of Light...Spectacular...here are some of my favorites.

Yesterday...we had a late start because we were all so tired...but as soon as we were ready, we headed to Magic Kingdom. The girls were in paradise...guess who we saw right from the start? SNOW WHITE...well, we had to wait for her autograph and picture...this is classic.

We also met Mary Poppins

and Belle

Then Cinderella invited us to her royal castle to have dinner.

The saying is 'Where dreams come true'...I don't know if that is right...but I do know it is where dreams come alive. This place is amazing.

Talk to you later.

Being Thankful

Hello everyone...sorry I didn't post on Thanksgiving like so many others did...but we had sort of an odd day. Daddy was on call, I had to bake cookies all day, and the kids just enjoyed the yard. So this may be a bit long...enjoy it anyway.

On Friday, we drove out to the ranch to see mammaw and pappaw...but daddy had to leave to go to work. So the girls stayed at the ranch (camped out with daddy) and Baby Boy and I came home. We went back out there Saturday...we loved seeing all our family. Even extended family that we rarely see...it was a blast. Again, daddy had to go to work...but everything seemed to work out. We still had fun...and of course we ate a lot. We had a non-traditional meal at the ranch...mexican food...but on Thanksgiving day daddy and I cooked a turkey here. Big Girl still thinks daddy shot it...she didn't understand why we would buy a turkey.

Ok...so everyone was able to hear Baby Boy talk...well, they heard him say YEP a lot...but they all thought it was funny. Big Girl was such a helper...and she just loved her cousin AM...they played well together. Sweet girl was also taken with AM because she put make-up on her and painted her nails. AM has a friend for life!

On Friday I took Baby Boy out to 'sight in a gun'...and yes, I know what you are thinking...he is too young...it will hurt his ears...it will scare him...yea yea...BUT I know my friend TREV and daddy will be happy to know that Baby Boy is a natural born hunter. He did not even flinch when the gun went off. Now if a helicopter flies over...well, that is a different story...but the gun shots didn't bother him at all. I did tell daddy we would have to wait a while before we put him in the blind.

The other high-light of the day happened this after noon just as we were leaving...Mt, our cousin, has 4 wheelers. Of course mommy is the one worried because they are 'not safe'...well the girls have been begging all weekend to take a ride...so I gave in. The girls loved it...so Mt looked at Baby Boy and said...'you wanna ride?' YEP! He jumped right on...my baby boy...on a 'dangerous' 4-wheeler...but he had a blast. He didn't really want to stop.

But we had to come home...and we were exhausted. We now have a messy house...and are trying to pack for Disney World. Yep...you heard me...we are headed to DW...we can't wait. We are so excited and can't wait to get there.

One last thing before I post some more pictures...was that we did talk about what we were thankful for...Big Girl was thankful for mommy and daddy and all her family. Later she even told me some specific names and she said that she was thankful for our new home but missed our old home (YUCK)...Sweet girl was thankful for her family, friends, barbies, and her doll. She should have just said that she was thankful that mommy continues to buy cheese sticks or she may starve. Baby Boy...well, he didn't really say much...but I know he would be thankful for family and friends, as well as football and of course the word YEP! He also asks for Pappaw all the time and wants to call him whenever he sees a phone.

So what is daddy thankful for? Well, he never really said...but I can probably speak for him (although I don't like to)...I know he is thankful for our family, friends, being able to spend time with family, and since he had to work so much...I know he is thankful for the sleep he is getting. He might be more thankful if his loving wife would quit banging on computer keys!

So, I never really told anyone what I am thankful for...I guess we need to make that a priority next year. I mean Wal-mart just skipped over this holiday...they started playing Christmas music Nov 1...no wonder people are greedy these days, but that is another post. So I have had some time to think about it...and yes...I am thankful for all the things I have mentioned...family, friends, time with them both, my delightful children, my new beautiful house, lovely backyard, 4 healthy and loving pets, my laundry room (kitty potty) and my kitchen. But one thing that has really been weighing on me is that I am thankful for my Bible and my time with my Father. I have obviously been dealing with some things since before the election...and I am so thankful that God has taken me through this and given me peace and insight into his word. It amazes me how as we get older we think we know everything, we know what is right, we think we can do everything on our own. That is just not the case...

Last night I was reminded of something my Sweet Girl used to ask for...'Mommy, could you reach me the moon?' and she did not understand why I couldn't just hop on a ladder and get the moon for her. But our Father wants to do that for us. He wants to give us our hearts desire and keep us walking in His Will...I think we often times forget that. So my challenge to you this season is to remember that Christmas is about Him...the Baby Jesus...and that he wants to take care of us. So let's not just be thankful for our family and the time we have with them...but let's be thankful for our one and only Father...and remember him when things get stressful during this holiday season. We must remember that we can go to him with anything...besides, he already knows what is on our minds...but he wants to talk with us...after all...he is our Papa!

I love you all!