A Day at the Lake...Happy Mother's Day!!!

Yesterday, we got invited to go with our great friends, the Whitfields to the lake! We had a wonderful time! (as you can see!) What is really nice to think about is when I look at these pictures, I look at them in they eyes that our kids will see them with someday. Someday, they may or may not remember this day until they see the photos. That's why I ALWAYS carry my camera. Every day has SOMETHING worth remembering. I see photos from my childhood and it strikes a memory, a feeling, a sense of who I am in this world. I want the same for my children. They are so precious to me and I love them so much! I think Mother's Day is the perfect time to think about their future and how they will remember their past. I hope that when Sarah sees this photo of her with her arms in the air enjoying the ride, that it sticks with her. She has a long road ahead of her and it will not always be fun. I plan on framing this photo and putting it in her room as she recovers from heart surgery soon. I want her to think about how when life is rough and flips you around like a rollercoaster, the best thing to do is raise your arms and go along for the ride. Even better, smile through it. God will get you through! God is like our lifejacket. I am sure that she would have been a little more nervous if she didn't have on her pink barbie life jacket. Probably clinging to mommy or the boat or whatever she could grasp onto. But, she had already been in the deep water and guess what.....the life jacket held her up! She learned to depend on that life jacket to keep her afloat in unknown waters! Then, when it was time to "go fast" and go for the ride....she was no longer nervous! She had her life jacket! So....in true trusting fashion, she raised her arms in the air, put a smile on her face and went for it! Sometimes, it was bumpy, but she enjoyed it anyway! Now, if we could all just learn to think about God that way...think of how much more fun we would have in life! I am truly thankful today, Mother's Day, for my family and the gifts I am blessed with! Todd, Jason & Sarah mean the world to me and I am so proud to celebrate today as their wife & mom! Every day is "Mother's Day" at my house. I find something every single day that makes me feel special to be their mommy! Sometimes, it is hanging out in Jason's room watching him play his guitar or helping Sarah dress her baby dolls or curling her hair. Sometimes, it's helping with that ridiculously long boring book that Jason has to read and finish writing summaries for or even washing Sharpie from every surface in the house and Sarah's face...............but still.............I am thankful and more blessed than I ever imagined I would be! Happy Mother's Day, friends! Enjoy it and find the importance of this day in EVERY day of your lives!


Mommy & Sarah hanging together on the boat!

Jeff & Kim.....who I repeatedly thank for "setting me and Todd up" 14 years ago! Without them, we'd have probably never seen each other again after the first time we met!

Me & Todd! Love you!!!!

The brat pack!

Love this photo of Jason jumping off the boat! SO funny! My little comedian!

Sarah loved riding "up high" where she could see everything!

Me & Kim hanging on for dear life! LOL

I think he MAY look like his daddy!

My cool man!

Love this boy!

And this one!

Having a BLAST!

Mommy's Girl!

Sarah's "Mommy Date"

This week was Sarah's turn for her "Mommy Date!" She got so excited. I asked her what she wanted to do and she said "Let's go for a tea party!" So, she got it. She wanted to pick out her dress, have me curl her hair, etc. She was so cute! It was a blast! We invited Shanna & Kaylin to come with us and we all went to Mar Teres' Tea Room! (For those of you who haven't gone, you SHOULD! It is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!) We had a wonderful girly time sipping tea together! Sarah got her own little teapot to pour and she did pretty great. She also cracked me up by sticking her pinkie out while sipping tea. Toooooo cute! That's my GIRL! We had a wonderful time!

Jason & Mom Date...

Every so often, I try to take my kids on a "mommy date" in which I have the other one doing something else and I spend one on one time with each of my precious kiddos! This month, I managed to have Jason's one week, and Sarah's the next. I did invite Jason to let his best buddy, Keagan come with us and his mom. They had early release from school, so I picked them up right before lunch. Then, we went to Pizza Hut and had a wonderful time. Afterwards, we went bowling and we played boys against moms! (The moms won! Woohoo!) But not by much!

I had a great time spending time with Jason doing something HE wanted to do. So often, we get caught up in every day details that we forget to make memories. Even though we had friends with us and it wasn't JUST me and Jason, I spent quality time with him. He told me he would remember this day always! I thought that was so sweet. All it involved is pizza and bowling which is not a big deal. It was just the fact that I set that day aside to do what he wanted that made an impression. (and that we did it without Sarah who tends to take the stage when in the room! LOL) We love Sarah and we do lots of stuff with her, too....but sometimes, Jason needs to remember what it was like to be my only kiddo before little sister showed up. I try so hard to make him and Sarah both feel like they have my undivided attention as often as possible.

It was a great day! I love this kid!

Jason gets a STRIKE and does a victory dance! LOL

Me & My Little Guy!

Acting tough! LOL

WHAT a weekend!

We had a really great weekend! On Friday, I took Sarah with me to go do a little shopping! She calls it a "Shopping Date". So adorable! We went into this new boutique here called "Glitz & Glam" and we walked in and she stopped right in her tracks and said "Ooooohhhhh.....FASHION!" It was sooooooooooo cute! The sales-girl laughed and thought that she was so funny! It really was precious! She was like "THIS is where I'm supposed to be"! LOL We were just looking for a necklace for me but she made me try on the sunglasses, etc. She was wanting to touch everything in the store, so I figured out a great way to distract her! I carry a small (cheap) digital camera in my purse. I call it my purse camera. I use it when we're out and about. You know me, I can't be without one! Friends have joked with me about it before and said "Someday, we'll recieve photos posted online of Heaven when you get there!" LOL I doubt I'll be thinking of sending photographs home at that time, though! So, I may as well take as many as I can for now.

On Saturday, I had to drive to Houston to photograph a wedding. I had a fabulous time! I got to ride for nearly 3 hours in my car, by myself, armed with my ipod and cell phone! I talked to friends and listened to whatever music I chose....which did NOT include Hannah Montana, Clifford or Barbie! I listened as loud as I wanted and I even sang along as loud as I wanted just because I could! I had a great trip! The wedding was great and everyone was SOOOOO nice! Along with paying me....they gave me a beautiful gift basket with a nice bottle of wine, TONS of bath and body works stuff, etc! I was so surprised! It was very sweet! If you are reading this, Thanks, Dan & Carrie!

While I was gone to Houston, Todd, being the good daddy that he is....took Jason & Sarah on a little road trip of their own! His friend has a train track in his yard and trains, etc. (Like we had at our last house!) Sarah was so excited that she got to drive the train ALL BY HERSELF! She thought that was just too cool. Todd loves to watch them have fun with stuff like that. They both love trains as much as he does. Jason had a wonderful time, too. He has always been around trains but Sarah is just starting to get involved!

One of Daddy's friends plays with the kids and pretends he's tied to the tracks! Tooo funny! Daddy has some good friends!

Sarah played brother's Nintendo DS in the back seat! Fun Stuff!

She may grow up to be a photographer! LOL

Jason took Todd's photo while he drove.

Todd took this photo of Jason! I love this! LOL

On Sunday, Todd's Uncle Michael showed up and asked if he could take Jason to his friends' house where they have a barn and several bands show up every so often to play! Yesterday, there were going to be about 4 bands there and he knew Jason would LOVE it! He was on his motorcycle, so we let him borrow my car to take Jason to the show. Couple of reasons....#1...I love Uncle Michael and trust him more than you can imagine with my child...but not on a motorcycle! LOL #2....It's hard to ride behind someone on a motorcycle and hang onto your electric guitar if you're only 9 years old. And last, but not least....#3....I can take my kiddo being a "rock star" around our friends & family and even a few strangers....but I cannot take the idea of him being a motorcycle man just yet! LOL

He had the BEST TIME EVER with Uncle Michael! Michael told his friends that Jason wanted to play and they said "sure....in a few more songs, then we'll let him". I'm sure they were thinking "Okay, some kid thinks he can play so we're going to have to let him try for a minute and then we'll get back to business." Well, he got on stage with them and was there the rest of the day! THEY LOVED HIM! The barn they play in is set up for shows, etc. but it is very small. There's not much room inside so most everyone just sits around in their lawn chairs outside and listens to the music. Michael said everyone started coming inside and squeezing in because they just HAD to see this little kid jamming out with the band! Jason said it was the best day of his LIFE! LOL They liked him so much that they let him just start playing whatever he wanted and they followed lead with the drums, bass, etc! He said it was like having a real band!

One man named Joe Jolly who is a Sherriff's Deputy loved it so much that when it was time to leave, he told Michael he wanted to give Jason something. They followed him to his car and he handed Jason a Yamaha 120SD vintage guitar!!!!! Hard case and all! He said that when he was 13 years old, he played and a man heard him. He gave him a guitar and told him to keep at it and he'd be great someday! He said that NEVER left him. He told them it was his time to "pay it forward" and so he just GAVE Jason this guitar! It was unreal! Jason came home so happy! Uncle Michael was almost in tears! (sorry, Michael.....I had to tell on ya!) :) It was great, though! I think it really made an impression on Jason. He told Jason to NEVER get rid of this guitar! Jason swears he won't ever! I am going to buy him ANOTHER Guitar stand today for it. He's up to 4 guitars now! Quite a collection for a 9 year old kid!

Easter 2009

We had a good Easter this year. We had lots of time with family and friends and enjoyed quiet family time as well.

Friday, I got to take photos of Jason, Sarah, Presley, Laura & Carolyn! It was a beautiful day! Then, Mimi had a great Easter Egg hunt for the kids at her house and gave them their Easter goodies from her! She had bought each of them the cutest outfit and lots of candy and treats and little games, etc. They blew bubbles, ran, played, and had a great time! Sarah & Presley wore their matching dresses and hairbows the next day!

On Saturday, I planned a little party on the patio for Sarah, Jason & Presley. It was an Easter "Brunch" type thing and we had snacks and the bubble machine was going and they got to drink punch out of real "big people" glasses! They thought they were so big! Jason thought it was a little cheesy...but he's getting too big for it! He still participates for the girls, though! HE loves being their "big brother!" Even Presley says Jason is her big brother! It's so cute! We also had confetti eggs that Lala brought over and they LOVED that! Jason loved that part the most! He loved getting confetti all in Aunt Lala's hair! Thank you, Laura! (and on a funny note, I am still finding pieces of confetti around my house! LOL but that's okay! They had a great time!)

After their "brunch", we made Rice Krispy Treats! It was great fun!

On Easter morning, there was a terrible storm and we didn't go to church, but I did sit and talk about the REAL reason for Easter with Jason & Sarah. We also hunted for eggs (right before the storm!) and read "I love you, My Bunnies" to Sarah. They played and then we all watched "Nim's Island" together! (Jason got it in his Easter basket and he'd been begging for that movie!) We had a great time together cuddled up in the storm nice and cozy in our house.

Sarah got her first pair of REAL high heels for Easter! They weren't to wear to church, but to play in and they were so cute! She didn't take them off ALLLLL day! Then, I gave her a mani-pedi with pink & white polka dotted fingernails and a French Pedicure. She really enjoyed it!

Sunday afternoon, we had dinner at Davy & Carolyn's and enjoyed family time with everyone else. Then, we came home and took a big, wonderfully long nap! It was a wonderful day! We did hate that we missed church, though. I was thankful though, that my kids do know the real reason and that Jesus died and rose again and that we are celebrating because of HIM. The candy is just extra. (and we had toooooooo much of the "extra"!)

All in all, it was a fabulous Easter weekend! We really enjoyed all the time we got to spend with family and friends!

Monkey Bars...

This week, I have been quiet. I have been home more than usual. I have been told "You're just not yourself" this week. I know this is true. I'm not.

Lots of things are going on or are fixing to be going on and I think the whole thing is finally hitting me. Sarah will soon be scheduled for her heart cath procedure and then after that, her open heart surgery. I've known her whole life that this is all coming. I know it will happen when she is 4 or 5 years old. She will be five in September.

Realization has set in for me that very soon, she is going to have to fight a pretty big battle. I know that Todd & Jason & I are strong and will stand by her side through it all and that she will be fine, but the thought of all of it is beginning to "sink in". Memories from the last surgeries she had have began to be at the front of my mind instead of waaaayyyyyy in the back. Every day, it's a little closer and every day, I feel a little more "nervous".

I am not scared. I have complete faith that God is in control and He will take us through this. But everyone knows that even when you KNOW something is in front of you and it's going to be hard and even though you know you'll "make it"....it's still gonna be hard.

For instance, when I take Sarah to the park and she wants to try the monkey bars. Even though I am standing below her with my arms wrapped around her so that she cannot fall, she is scared. Scared, but determined. Determined, but still scared. Once she lets go of that footing underneath and hangs on to that bar she is dangling from and I am right there with her and nothing in the world could make me let go of her at that point, it is still hard to do. I hold her and help her as she moves from one bar to the next until she gets her feet under her again on the other side. Then, when I feel she can handle it on her own, I let her stand on her own. Not a moment sooner.

I know this is how God is with us. I also know this is not how it SHOULD be. In all actuality, we should not only expect Him to guide our steps when we are scared or worried, but always and in everything we do. Everything. Not just the hard stuff. But we are "big girls and boys" and we can "handle" everything....until it gets tough. But knowing that we have that assurance that someone is there to hold us as we take a leap or are pushed or knocked over....makes it a whole lot easier to bear.

As our family approaches this gigantic set of monkey bars....I know God has a firm hold of us as we move forward, one bar at a time toward the point in time where we get back to "normal" and have our feet under us again. I know that we are protected and loved. I am so thankful for the circle of friends and family that are so supportive to us always. Nothing I could say or do could ever be enough to express my deep appreciation for each and every person in our lives who has been there for us in both big and small ways.

I will continue to post updates as to Sarah's progress throughout this journey. From her birth, I have referred to our life as "A Journey of the Heart" and that is what it is...in many more ways than one. It is a very physical, mental, emotional and spiritual journey...but I know we will make it through because we are not the ones reading the map!

We Have EGGS!!!!!!!!!!

Yes! Finally! After a month of building their home and working so hard....our little bird family has finally laid eggs in the nest outside our window! Not long now until the sweet sounds of baby birds fill our days (and probably nights)....but it's a small sacrifice! :)

I can't wait to post photos of baby birds!

Here's the eggs! They are a little blurry because it's dark where they are and they are WAY down in the nest. But, you can see them, still! So cool!