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!

Have I really ever expressed how much I love my kids?

Well I really do love them.

They both are pretty cool with amazing qualities.

Jackson has such a sweet and kind heart.

Lizzie is so tremendously talented and beautiful.

They each have their little quirks also,

but that's what makes them kids!

Right?

Thank you Lord for my two perfect gifts!

Bored

Wow!

There was a lot of freezing days the past two weeks

and here in Texas we are not use to that.

I was bored.

So what's a girl to do when she's trapped in the house?

SHOP & DREAM!!

I really want to redo my kitchen,

so I was coveting these that I found...

This is too white for me- I love a dark cozy room,

but I love the color of these green cabinets.

Love, love, love these cabinets,

but I would be so scared to try to paint them myself!

Then it was time to SHOP!
I got this headband for Lizzie to use in her senior pictures.
So cute!

Love these key fobs!
Why does anyone need a key fob?
Who cares- they're cute!
(sew much detail on etsy)

Lastly, I have been wanting a camera strap for a long time!
So I finally bought myself a little Valentine present!
Happy Valentines to me!
Love it!

Okay, I came across this while surfing the web. Oh my gosh! I love to camp, but I would really like to do this kind of camping! Anyone want to join me?

Okay, I'm done
SHOPPING & DREAMING for now.
Time to concentrate on more important things- Ugh!

Snow Day

Yep, can you believe it? Us Texans had a snow day!

What a great day it was!

No school,

lots of sledding,

snow fights and

so much fun!

Snow boarding Texas style!

Stylish sledding!

Time to find more ice and snow!

What's a snow day without a snow fight?

I love this pic!

After we used up all of the snow and ice at our house,

we headed for the grandparents.

They have a great hill on the back side of the house!

Yes, daddy was reluctant to drive us out to the country,

but I knew deep down inside he was excited too!

Even NaNa had to get in on the fun! Whoa!


Who is that masked little boy?

These two girls that got the giggles and couldn't stop!

They had too much fun!

It's always fun to act like a little kid again!

Everyone was pooped after all the snow fun.

It was time for a hot fire and hot chocolate!

Thank you Lord for such a beautiful day

and great memories!

XOXOXO...

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and there are all sorts of

cute ideas and gifts on-line!

Here are some of my favorites to put you in the mood:

www.tinyprints.com has some of the best valentines!

I love these frames! I wish I could cut them out myself!
www.theorganicbloom.com

I would love to use this handy little carrier for my next bake sale!

www.snapware.com

Okay, this camera strap really isn't "valentiney",

but I sure would love for my valentine to get it for me!

Hint Hint- could someone tell him for me?

polka dot bungalow on etsy

Love this headband!

They are so cute!

Mrs. Darcy on etsy

All I can say is Yum Yum!

Too pretty to eat!

cookies 'n cream on etsy

Wouldn't these be so much fun to do for your child's friends?

They are so cute!

hope loves cards on etsy

Hope you feel truly love on
Valentine's Day!

A Cold Family Night

It was one cold night last night!

We are not use to that here in Texas.

The kids have been begging me to make a fire and eat supper in front of it,

so I made a big fire and tortilla soup. Their fav!

Jackson and I played some cards and of course he beat me!

I decided to go make some quick one minute cookies and when I came back this is what I found in front of the nice fire that they begged to have-

two sleeping kiddos at 7:30pm!

What a night!