The Silhouette

Check out this cool machine ! I want one!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

We are heading back to Texas. My baby brother is getting married and we head out to Houston for the wedding next week. Aubrin and Reagan are going to be the flower girls (please cooperate, please!!) and Jared asked me to sing. We are looking forward to the wedding but DREADING the drive. After the drive to Texas this summer and heading back so soon, I am cringing at the thought, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I will try to get some fun pictures while we are there.

Congrats Jared and Jennifer!!

School is in Session....

Can I have a hallelujah?

It was about that time. You know the time when your kids have exhausted all the love that they have for one another and every little thing they do includes picking on or making the other one scream. It is this time during the summer that I know that the school year is fast approaching and that they will have that much needed relief from one another.

It most definitely has been quiet around here today. It is bittersweet. Oh, who am I kidding? It has been bliss! Reagan did well without the other girls today, but I am sure after a few days without them, she will realize just how boring Mom really is. She starts Preschool next week and will be going a couple days a week and we both are excited about that.

What new school year would be complete without "First Day Photos". I just can't believe how grown up my girls are getting.

Kristen was pretty thrilled that school started today. She was so ready. I love that she takes in school with such a great attitude and has such a love for it.

Brooklyn, well...she wasn't what we would call thrilled to get back to school, which is funny to me because she said everyday for the past few weeks how bored she was. I think she was more excited about picking out her school supplies and outfits for school, probably because it involved shopping.

Aubrin could hardly contain herself with all the excitement. She was the first kiddo to wake up this morning and walked into my room with a big smile on her face. She is an official kindergartner! That means an all day schedule and she gets to ride the bus with her sisters in the morning. Plus, the coolest part, eating lunch at school.

Aubrin with her new lunch box! She had so much fun helping me pack her lunch.

Turning Over a New Leaf

I have been feeling a little out of sorts lately. I think that has something to do with my lack of posting and lack of drive for just about anything these days. I am feeling good, I just have a bazillion things running through my mind that I need to push aside and just get on with it!

I came across a quote that just hit home yesterday. The quote said,

"When you feel like life is falling apart,
maybe things are actually falling into place!"

It really put things into perspective for me. It reminded me that things happen for a reason and even though we can't make sense of things sometimes and look at the worst in situations, things happen so that other things can take place and I am choosing to look at life that way right now.

Out of Practice

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted on here. I have to be honest in saying I didn't miss posting one bit while I was in Texas. It was actually quite nice to have a break. The only part I have missed is catching up on everyone else. I even have contemplated giving up blogging all together (gasp!). I am still having a debate with myself on whether to continue or not. Boy, it frees up time which I feel I never have enough of. But, I have friends and family in and out of State that get updates on our family this way. Plus, the connection I have made with people have been an added bonus. Oh, what to do?

Once I get settled back in (yes, I am still trying to get settled back in) maybe I can get a few pictures posted from our trip.

Happy Trails to YOU!

Howdy, everyone! I am off to Texas in a few days with my girls and my blogging days are coming to a screeching halt for a good month! Yep, a whole month! Actually, I probably won't be on the computer at all (Mom doesn't own a computer). Oh what will I do? So, I am sure I am going to miss a ton of post from everyone. So, I am asking that you please do not post anything new until I return, j/k!

This is the first time I have traveled alone with my 4 kids. Prayers my way please! We plan to leave Tuesday morning early and drive and drive and drive and then stop at a hotel for some shut eye. Then, drive and drive and drive some more the next day. It is a good 16-18 hours of driving. Even longer if the kids have to pee every 10 minutes. I think I will stop liquids 24 hours before departure. Maybe if they are dehydrated, we can get there faster. Only, kidding don't be calling CPS on me. Actually, looking at this as an adventure, I am just hoping it isn't a wild one!

I will be gone over Father's Day. I say poor Ryan, but I think he is going to enjoy it (far too much). I apologized for being gone and he said, "That is the best Father's Day present you can give me. Go to church, come home and watch a game with no distractions!" To which I replied, "Well, there you go, Happy Father's Day!" We have been gone over Father's Day before and we still try to make it special for him. Shh, the girls and I plan to send a package!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and get a chance to play a little bit. We are hoping to have a bit of fun while we are away. The plan is to have a ton of pictures when I get back. Hope everyone has a safe June!

I will see YA'LL after the 4th!

The big 3-5!

(look folks, he smiles!)

It has been 35 years today that this grumpy little man came into the world and the world hasn't been the same since (at least mine). I asked Ryan what he wanted for his birthday and where he wanted to go and I got the same answer I get every year (this year a little more adamant); "Nowhere!" I am still in the negotiation process; it takes some convincing...but I will succeed! We got offers for a babysitter and FREE might I add, so why not jump all over it? Our anniversary is Sunday too, it would be crazy not to make it a double header!

{Our family wouldn't be the same without him} He works so hard for us. He's got skills! He knows how to do so much; he is my handy man. He is one smart cookie. He is very level headed. He has kept me from freaking out on many occasions. He doesn't care what anyone thinks (although I do have to admit I wish he did sometimes), loves his girls like crazy and would do just about anything for me (that is why I will have a birthday/anniversary night out).

Thanks for being you! Happy Birthday Honey!

Beth's Birthday Outting

This past Friday was my sisters birthdays (Beth and Lauren). Since Beth's boys were camping and it was just Shelby at home we decided to make it a girls night and Kristen and I tagged along for a birthday celebration.

We started out the night at Oreganos, yum! I loved getting there early so we can just walk in. It was such a nice night; the weather was awesome! We sat out on the patio, laughed and stuffed our faces! Then we were off to San Tan to do a little walking and shopping (actually, more walking than shopping-had to walk off some of that pizza...and pizza cookie).

We finished off the night by heading to a movie. The girls went to one and Beth and I went to another. Funny thing (not so funny at the time), right in the middle of the movie the alarm went off and we were told to evacuate. It scared Beth and I because the girls were not with us. After locating them and getting them back into the theatre after the false alarm, they picked up right were they left off on the movie and as we headed out the door after the movie, they handed us free movie tickets for next time. Gotta love that!

I just love hanging out with my sister. We just have the best of times laughing and goofing off. We have the same sense of humor and find the same things hilarious even when others don't. I am glad we have the relationship we do and I do have to say she is one heck of an Aunt to my girls. Thanks for a fun girls night!

Summin' up the School Year

The last week of school was a doozey of week! So busy with talent shows, class parties, water day, field trips, programs, etc. The girls had a good school year. I cannot believe how fast it flew by. Here are a few pictures that will sum up the school year!

This is Donnie, Aubrin and Lizzy. Donnie was the only other kid that rode the bus with Aubrin this year; this big old bus with 2 little munchkins on it. They became quite good friends keeping each other company. Lizzy is another one of Aubrin's friends. She made so many this year. She gets along with everyone. It is so cute to see her interact with so many kids on the playground.

This is Mrs. Powell and Aubrin. She is the teacher's aide. Aubrin drew her, I am sure, a book worth of pictures and notes over the year. She thinks it is too cool that her teacher lives in our neighborhood and has already (since school has been out) asked if we could ride bikes over to her house to hang out. Mrs. Powell did invite her over, but I am sure she will feel a need to file harassment charges or a restraining order before summers end. Aubrin loved her!

This is Mrs. O'Neil with my Aubrin. She was a good teacher. Aubrin LOVED going to school. It says something about the teacher when your kids do not want to miss a day! She learned so much and was so excited to learn how to read. She is ready for kindergarten!!

Last Wednesday was the "Goin' Buggy" performance. Brooklyn was the caterpillar. She did an amazing job learning her part. The day she got the part she came home and walked through the door and just collapsed in my arms in tears. After asking her what was going on she told me that she got the part as the caterpillar and that it was a speaking part! She immediately grabbed the phone and wanted me to call Mrs. Mell and tell her she couldn't do it. We all tried to convince her that she should do it and finally after going to school and talking with the music teacher she agreed to. I was so proud of her for going out of her comfort zone, learning the part, wearing a funny costume (her words...oh, the fear!) and nailing her part! Go Brooklyn!

My little bug!

This is Ms. Anderson. Words can't describe the love that Brooklyn has for her. She was awesome! I think it was her teaching that got Brooklyn so into playing school at home. She was such a sweet teacher and always willing to give a kid a hug which Brooklyn just ate up!

School Party. Reagan got to join in!

Kristen was in the talent show this year with her class playing the recorder. Remember playing them in school? The performance was really creative. I was figuring they would get up there, toot their little horns (technically not a horn), but they had music with it and moved along with the music while they played. They did a good job!

This is Ms. Hall with my soon to be 5th grader! I cannot believe that I have a 5TH GRADER! Kristen really enjoyed having Ms. Hall. She was a right fit for Kristen. She challenged her and motivated her to do better. I loved that.

Well, another one bites the dust! Next year I will have three in school all day! It will just be Reagan and I. Poor little thing, she will not know what to do without Aubrin. She had a hard enough time having her gone for half of the day. Here we come kindergarten, 3rd grade and 5th!

Baptism Day!

Saturday was a special day! Brooklyn was baptized. I asked her if she was nervous and she said, "No! I am just excited!" The day was a nice one. Brooklyn had some of her favorite people there. We really appreciate all who came out to support her in spite of the holiday weekend. There were only two baptized Saturday so it made for a intimate event, one I hope she will always remember.

Ryan baptized her.

Papa Jim performed her confirmation.

The girls sang "When I am Baptized"

Our sweet little baptized girl

Thanks to all those who helped with everything (from food to hair!). We have great friends. Brooklyn felt special!