Happenings

I was sick last week and my sweet husband brought me flowers and came home to take care of me. He also brought his big girl some flowers. She was pretty excited!

The storms this week called for a family slumber party in our room...

This sweet boy got his appliance and began phase one of his orthodontic treatment. He has been a trooper dealing with all the not so fun parts of having a huge appliance cemented in the palate area of his mouth.

Nana and I took the kids to Chuck E Cheese today and they all had a blast. The twins loved the mouse and freely gave away their hugs.

I have felt so rich in blessings this week. God has really revealed his presence in my life and reminded me that he goes with me wherever I go. He also taught me a lesson about pride this week. I have wonderful family and friends. I am a mother to 4 amazing and unique children. I am the wife of a man that I have loved since I was 16 years old, and I think I love him more with each passing day. I can't believe that this is my life, my cup runneth over!

Catch up....

Still working in the yard and gathering our veggies. Some of our flowers have finally starting producing some pretty blooms.

The girls at church in their matching dresses...

We've been to a couple of doctor's appts....

We watched a fireworks display with friends. I can say that I have NEVER been that close to fireworks and I don't mind if I ever am again! They were beautiful and it was great fun though!

We had a Hobson kindergarten play date at the Nature Center. We were there for Critter Crunch. This day they fed the diamondback rattlesnake a mouse. Eeek! Then, Asher taught me and another mom the difference between a toad and a frog. I'm being educated by my 7 year old! Yikes!

The kids have had some special time with grandparents too. Today, my mom showed up to pick all the kids up and take them to lunch! Brave Nanny! I have been sick and was very grateful for her help. Thanks Mom!

Great Grandparents

This is my Main Man and Little Granny! Aren't they so cute?! I sure do miss them!

July 16th

Flashback.....

Celebrating her....

Someone's 50!!!

Today, my sweet Momma turns 50! That's 5 decades that she has had to become the truly wonderful woman that she is today! I don't have the words (or enough words) to describe how much love that I hold in my heart for her. She has shown me the meaning of love, motherhood, sacrifice, support, tenderness, trust, and friendship. Her story inspires me to live as she has, for my family. Her dedication to us is amazing. Her love is so great! My 32 years have been blessed having her for my mom. Here are 50 things that I love about her (in no particular order)! 1. She LOVES me so much! I have felt loved every day of my life! 2. She is beautiful! 3. She sacrificed lots of youthful things to be a mother to me. 4. She taught me to cook, over the phone, when I was in college. 5. She makes the best meatloaf and fried green tomatoes and okra in the world! 6. She still makes my baked potato when I'm home. 7. She slept with me on the weekends that I came home from college. 8. She was a joyful mother of the bride and she had the flu! 9. She didn't kill me when I spilled nail polish in her floor and on her cabinets. 10. She taught me to eat chips ON my sandwiches! Yum! Yum! 11. She's cranky when she's hungry too. 12. She is the cat lady! ha! Such an animal lover! 13. She was all of my friends favorite mom to talk to. 14. She taught me the value of a clean home. 15. She rearranged my room so many times when I was growing up that I never move things around now! ;) 16. She had dance parties with us when we were little to 80s hair band music. 17. She made me the most hideous birthday cake (imagine gummy bears melting and sinking into chocolate!) when I was in junior high and it is my favorite birthday cake to this day! 18. She gave me freedom to be me! 19. She is the strongest person that I know. 20. She is a hard worker. It taught me to be a hard worker too. 21. She let me go cruisin' with her and her friends when I was young. 22. She made me go to haunted houses and learn to enjoy (NOT!) being chased by a chainsaw man! ;) 23. She is super fun! 24. She has a great laugh! 25. She always makes me feel special. 26. She took us school clothes shopping in Tulsa when she didn't feel up for it. 27. She took us to see New Kids on the Block. 28. She let us have lemonade stands at her numerous garage sales. 29. She lets my kids have them too. 30. She played lots of pranks on us growing up.....lots of hilarious memories! 31. She let me have friends stay over on school nights and play hooky from school occasionally. Coolest mom ever! 32. She can skate backwards! 33. She trusts me and always has. 34. She believes in my dreams, sometimes before I believe in them. 35. She took me swimming and filled my summertimes with fun! (Mom, I'm talking about the swimming pool not the snake infested swimming holes! ha!) 36. She made it possible for me to have my fairytale wedding! 37. She loves my prince! 38. She let us duck down in the car when it would die in an intersection! ha! 39. She gave me a brother and a sister to play with. 40. She always let me get butter cookies and baby food at Sherman's grocery store. 41. She allowed me to express myself through fashion....sometimes scary fashion! 42. She took me to get a whole new outfit on my first school dance and made me feel so special. 43. She defends me. 44. She didn't care when all I did was dance all day....most of the time right in front of the tv. 45. She gave me a Twilight 30th birthday party! 46. She let me dance under the disco ball and fixed me drinks with little umbrellas when I was little. 47. She prays for us. 48. She is the best mother a girl could ever hope for! 49. She is the best Nanny in the whole wide world! 50. She doesn't even realize the impact she has had in defining the person that I am today. I love you momma! I could go on and on, but I'll stop! Happy 50th Birthday!

2 year checkup

Cal weighed 32 lb. 12 oz. (92%) and was 3' tall (82%)

Caroline weighed 26 lb. 7 oz. (46%) and was 3' tall (93%)

San Antonio Day 3

Back to Sea World we go...

This show, Cannery Row, was our favorite. The plot was fun and the animals were hilarious!

Then, it was dolphin tank time....

The kids loved petting the dolphins and feeding it a fish. This was the close to our Sea World adventure, but what a sweet time it had been! Time for the River Walk....

This was the night of Mom's 50th birthday dinner!

I'm so thankful that God gave me her for a mom!

Cal and Caroline fell asleep sitting straight up at dinner that night. I think that was the overall feeling of our trip.....extreme fun and exhaustion! So, 2013 vacation down in the books. We really enjoyed each and every precious moment. On the drive home, Tyler said that he would miss all the fun but would miss our all day family time the most. I share these exact feelings! Our children are growing up before our eyes and this trip was such a blessing. I am very grateful to Tyler and my parents for making this happen for us!