FRIENDS

I really have been so busy lately with

After- Prom planning & fundraising,

senior pictures, scholarships, applications,

campus visitation days, sports games, practices,

dress shopping and on and on.......

What is it all for?- all the time, all the work,

all the stress, all the money and on and on........

When Lizzie told me that her and her friends wanted to

take a senior group picture, I thought, "another thing"!

I didn't know when we would be able to do it

with every one's busy schedule, but we pulled it off

and got everyone together.

As I was editing the pictures at home- it HIT me-

yeah- you know what-

it HIT me!!!!

Tears and all!!!!!

They looked so old! These girls are my "adoptive children"!

I have been so used to a house full of kids in our t.v. room.

I have been so used to hauling them around all over the place.

I have been used to dressing them up in funny clothes.

I have been used to make them snacks and their favorite lemonade.

I have been used to them getting in their little drama moods

and forcing them to talk it out.

I have been so used to being so close to each one of them!

What am I going to do without all of that?

What am I going to do without all the work, stress and time that

I have put into these kiddos?

Poor, poor Jackson. He's not going to know what to do

with all of the time we are going to have together!

I am really going to miss them!

I thank God that He let me be apart of

each one of their lives.

I am so very proud of all of them!

Spring Break with Friends

Jackson and I got to spend a couple of days over spring break

with some friends at the beach.

Jackson had not been to the beach since he was

little bitty and didn't remember much of it, so he was

super excited to see what it was all about.

...and oh boy, did he see what it was all about!

The water was so cold,

but that didn't stop Jackson.

He was determined to surf some waves!

He had so much fun and I had so

much fun watching him.

I loved the smile on his face!

I absolutely love this next picture!

It says it all!

The beach house that we stayed in was beautiful

and right on the beach.

It was perfect!

We even went and did a little crabbing.

One by one.... they marched on...

Jackson couldn't get across that bridge

fast enough!

Oh where, Oh where

are the crabs? None yet!

Oh! That's what they look like!

So fun! Jackson loved it!

Gas....$120

Food......$50

Crabbing supplies.....$5

Sun block.....$10

Fishing bait.......$5

Spending 3 amazing days with Jackson & friends at the beach.....

ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS!!!

Thank you Lord for the memories.

Especially for the smile on Jackson's face!

Tripp 3
Saylor 1

What a wonderful weekend!

My family was very blessed to get to share a special birthday

with two cutie pies!

My sister threw the cutest bug party for my nephew and niece!

They were so sweet and funny.

I love to watch children at this age at a birthday party-

they are just not sure what to do or say with so much attention-

they are bound to do something funny!

Here's our Tripp!

Full of bounce and laughter!

Here's our Saylor!

Full of spirit & sweetness!

My sister did a fantastic job on all of the decorations!

They were so cute and full of vibrant colors.

Saylor loved the "Ants on a Log"!

Can't you tell?

Bug Toys, "Caterpillars on a Stick", "Bug Juice" &

"Ants on a Log"!

Oh My!!

Even Aunt YoLanda & Uncle Jon

had to get in on the bug fun!

Uncle Jon looks like he was having a little too much fun

playing photographer.

What's so funny?

Kyla, you did a great job!

A party that Tripp & Saylor will always

remember and love their Mommy for!

Thanks for making great memories for them!

A Day with my Lizzie

Lizzie & I went out and did some senior picture practicing.

It was a lot of fun!

I'm sure that we were quite entertaining to spectators.

Lugging big chairs around and crawling through alleyways.

I think Lizzie was laughing in most of the pictures!

I know this might sound "braggy", but I think Lizzie is beautiful! I think that all moms think that of their children, but I really do. She is beautiful inside and out! I'm still avoiding the thought of her going away to college this summer- I guess you would call that denial, but that's what is getting me through all of these "lasts" she keeps talking about.

I love being with her. I love spending time with her. I love being her mother. I love her relationship with her brother. I love her smile. I love her sense of humor that is just like her daddy's. I love that God gave her to me.

I just really love my Lizzie!

11th Birthday

It was my baby's birthday!

I can't believe how fast they grow!

It makes me sad and want to hang on forever.

This has been a long year for Jackson, but it's getting better

so I wanted to have a great party for him.

He finally got excited about his birthday and we decided to

have a camp out- one like he used to share

with his best friend Thomas for his birthdays.

I think all of the little touches around the house got him excited about his birthday. I don't normally do it for that reason, but I'm glad it helped!

He loves looking at all of his old baseball pictures.

He was so stinking cute!

Now he's just my big boy with a big heart.

I wish I could make everything perfect for him. Both of my children!

Do you ever wish that for your kids?

I just always have to remember that God is in control and has great plans for my children, but sometimes I just want to know what they are and help them through those tough days.

If we could just take their pain away and make everyday a joyous one like birthdays!

This was his invitation for the camp out.

We had a lot of fun playing with the compasses!

So I headed out to the country to get all of the little details ready before the campers arrived. It was fun, but a lot of work.

I set-up some games to keep them occupied while we fixed meals.

I think they liked the games the best!

The first game sent them on a hunt to find numbered flags.

At the end they found their prizes.

Walking sticks, food for the trail, fishing lures, and more camping gadgets!

It was so nice and beautiful!

Until about 6:00 am and a storm blew-in!!

I know Jackson had lots of fun and made great, new memories, but I also know that he will never forget his camping or birthday memories with his buddy Thomas!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Texas Independence Day

March 2. Texas Independence Day

We are fortunate enough to live only 30 miles from

Washington on the Brazos State Park.

It is such a beautiful place!

Every year they celebrate Texas with a huge event that we try to attend.

My husband's family has supported this historical

event and place for many years.

My husband's grandmother and grandfather befriended a dear man

years ago in Austin. He was a struggling artist.

Jon's grandparents bought the artist his first art set.

After many years of friendship, Charles Normann- the struggling artist,

gave several pieces of artwork to Jon's grandparents

in which the familyhas since then donated to the State Park's museum.

One of these is the famous text book painting of the

signing of the declaration.

This year Washington on the Brazos honored Texas by having

artists from all over create individual panels to recreate

this particular painting.

It was beautiful!

What an honorable event for our family!

My father-in-law had the privilege to introduce one

of our state representatives.

I know that it was an honor to just be there.

Unveiling the new painting was exciting!

Then of course we had to stop here!

Right around the corner is a great BBQ restaurant.

R Place- right on the Washington Square

And of course the best ice cream- Blue Bell!


How could you pass this up!



I love this shelf! So organized and white!
It made the inside of the restaurant feel so cozy.


God Bless Texas!