Terrible Twos

Ok I know what you are thinking...not that precious baby! Wrong! I have no idea what has happened to our sweet little baby. She is quickly turning into a little girl. I want her to stay a baby a little longer because I know she is the last one. But something has changed. She suddenly will not share, has an opinion about everything, and lord help you if you sit on her swing!

So the other day Zoe was on her swing and suddenly Ashlynn was screaming "MY SWING" and trying to yank Zoe off and she threw herself down kicking and screaming.
WHAT HAPPENED?

God is GOOD...

So I have to admit, we went from going to church 2 times a week down to once a week and now we are going once a month. Why?
Here is what happened. I love our church and church family. I really think it is the most amazing church I have ever been to. The problem started on Wednesdays, it was so late when we got home and while Ashlynn was in the nursery she was exhausted and crying (screaming) and Nick was just WORN out. So every Sunday was great even though it was SUCH a big fight to get Nick into his class. I really didn't understand it because when he goes to our friend's church he just walks right in like he knows what to do. But we kept shoving him in (I really hate doing that) because I feel like in these times kids and parents REALLY need church. Then a year ago Terry had to start working weekends (don't even get me going on that)no problem because we are committed and going to keep going no matter how difficult it was getting 4 kids rounded up on Sunday mornings. If that is my biggest problem I am doing good. So then it started getting cold outside and with cold winter weather comes sickness! First is was Natalie with Swine and we stayed away for a week. Then each kid passed it to each other. That took a month. So we went back to church feeling all good after being "stuck" to our house for a month. That Sunday night sickness strikes again and it just went on and on the ENTIRE winter. I am not kidding you and at one point I was worried because Nick was carrying a high fever at least once a month sometimes more. We all passed the flu, stomach bugs, virus after virus and now FINALLY we are better and have been for a month. There was one time I had to keep all of us away from everyone because if we came near anyone who had a runny nose one of us got it and it turned into a virus then went to each of us.
So for those who have wondered what happened to us...we have just been staying away for your health and ours. But get ready because our little group is headed back your way!
By the way I think I figured out why Nick was so upset about his church class. During the winter we have one church service on Sundays. That made his class very large,loud and crazy. Now that we have two on Sundays he loves it (the 2 times he has been) this past Sunday he even cried because we did not go. That makes me happy! Not happy he cried but happy he wants to go. So like I said before
GOD IS GOOD! We are a very blessed family.
http://lifecommunitychurch.org/

Finally it is here!

Remember the wisteria we have been watching? If not scroll all the way to start of blog and you can see the pictures.
BEAUTIFUL!

Opening day...

I never had a clue how busy opening day of baseball would be. First we had to stay up late Friday night to start decorating our float. In small town this is a big deal! The tradition has been around for A LONG TIME and you decorate a trailer that goes with the theme of your team.We are the Cardinals and we are also the youngest team so we decided to be Baby Cardinals. So on Friday night we started the balloons, getting streamers together, hay and all kinds of stuff. It ended up being fun. BUT Saturday morning we had to get up at 6 a.m to get the float to our start point and finish putting everything on. WHAT A LONG DAY! But everything went as planned, the boys were great and we had no accidents or problems.



I am not sure who had more fun...us or the boys. So the good news is we won 3rd place out of 57 floats!! Very exciting for our first year. After the parade then the games start to kick off the season. Along with carnival activities, picture day and lots of running around.


Daddy even got to leave work for a few minutes to come watch. I could see the excitement on his face as Nick went by. He had no idea I was even near taking pictures.


One of the boys "mimi" made the hats for us. Everyone took their hat off as soon as the parade was over...except my baby bird. He was still wearing it at 8 that night.


This is what it is all about...I wish I had been at a different angle when he hit the ball. I can see his happy little face as he hit the ball. By the way it went past the pitcher's mound.

So after these proud moments of running around the ball fields all day I sat down last night and my mind was still going a million miles an hour. Days like this make me so proud. I was teary as the float pulled away. This is what being a parent is all about. The happiness of seeing your kids cheering each other on, parents cheering, little kids having meltdowns from playing so hard. I love it. I have to mention also that Natalie woke at 6:30 to help out. We both ran along the float for what I thought was going to be a slow roll only to find out it was a fast jog! I was also happy that Lauren had to opportunity to go see friends, mall or whatever else new drivers want to explore and instead she was right there cheering her brother on as he passed by!


It is the simple things in life..but sometimes the simple things are what matter the most.

A happy little face

I had to post this picture...we rarely get pictures of Natalie. She is always on the go and running around. She is 11 but still plays outside and with friends. I will encourage this and cherish it as long as I can.



Natalie was able to drive to the store with Lauren this afternoon for the first time. She loved it!

Sweet 16

March 24 is the big day! All I can think about is 16 years ago I was 16 and my world was about to change and boy did it change! I loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her and I knew no matter what I was going to survive this. 16 years later and here we are. It was a rough road at times and a few times I had to work harder than ever to feed us but I knew it would all work out.

Our day began in a rush. Lauren and Terry had to get over to the DPS office by 7:30 to get in line for them to open at 8a.m. As they pulled up they noticed the line out the door and I kept thinking how disappointed she will be because they are not going to be able to get a driving test today. Not only was I thinking about that I was thinking OH NO we forgot to teach her parallel parking!If you are wondering why Terry took her, we decided to do the parent taught Drivers Ed course. The teacher had to go with her so that is why.
As I sat home freaking out I received a text from Terry that said They didn't make her do a test,we don't have to wait in line, and she is taking her picture now. WHAT? Well a lady recognized them from a year ago when she got her permit and saw Terry in uniform and grabbed them out of line. YIPEEEE! Don't get me wrong if we thought she needed the test we would have waited. She is a good driver and we have spend the past year working with her. About 25 minutes later here they come down the road....





Since it was still so early off to pick up her Best Friend Chasity and head to school. I can only imagine how that ride went. I am sure LOUD!



Later that night we went to dinner with her closest friends and family. I let her decide who she wanted and what Restaurant. We had a good time and though I was a little sad she did not want a party I think this was perfect.

Flowering!

Remember this? If not scroll way down and you can see our pictures from the begining.

POST

Before you read camping... FIRST READ A camping we will go.

camping...

So we went hiking,walking, rock throwing and sat out by the fire. We did get to see raccoons, armadillos (baby ones also) and snakes! Friday afternoon we were by the water throwing rocks then later after we left a mom came over to us and said be careful we just watched a copperhead go in a hole. WHAT!!??!! I didn't go back after that.

On Saturday we went hiking and had fun, I think no matter what we do we always have fun. On the way out of our trail we heard some people talking about a snake so we had to ask about it. That is when they told us it was a chicken snake. I really don't care what kind of snake it is I am not sticking around.


YUCK!

While we were is Jasper we went to see Grandma and Grandpa "EGG" (Tell you later about the name) I love visiting with Terry's mom and Step dad. They are so sweet and loving. The moment I walked into their house I was reminded of being a small child going to see my great grandma. Grandma's just have a smell you don't forget. They love you in a different way and look at you in a different way. They wanted to make us a big meal and I suggested something easy like sandwiches. Everyone kind of looked at me like I was nuts giving up a home cooked meal but I wanted to get to see them and spend time together. Figured it would be easier on everyone right? We all made our lunch and sat down and I SWEAR when you have a sandwich any were else but home they are so much better.

Grandmas are just so special. I look at this picture and get so teary. The love they share is just unbreakable. I miss my grandma and wish each one of our children could have spent summer days with her.

We went back to our campsite around 5 ish to eat dinner with Meagan and Jacob and after that I was so WORN OUT. I forgot to mention when we went to visit grandma it started raining and a cold front came in. We did know that was going to happen so we prepared for it. What I didn't prepare for was SNOW on Sunday morning. It was not alot but the fact it was snowing was crazy! Sunday morning we all packed up and headed home. Everyone from back home kept texting us that it was SO very windy and to be careful. Well I never expected it to be so windy that we were all over the road. Don't worry we were not the only ones. It was a very stressful trip home. Nick sang Jingle Bells over and over while Ashlynn yelled "STOP IT NICK" over and over. Lauren and I kept laughing at everything and Natalie took a small nap but I think it was because we were all annoying her. Every time I looked over at Terry his knuckles were tight on the steering wheel and white!
A picture on the way back...

A camping we will go

Our family loves to camp BUT since Ashlynn has been born it has been so hard. 1st she was so young it was either cold or hot. Then she was going through this sleeping thing that was so unbearable and all of us would rather sleep in a tree than in the trailer with her. We have canceled several trips at the last minute because we were all not looking forward to the stress with taking her. We even let her stay with a friend last Easter just so we could go and let the other kids have a good time. Anyways, this weekend we all knew it was time! We packed up and headed out to Martin Dies Jr. State park with our friends Meagen,Jacob and Madalyn. We all needed this trip and the weather has been beautiful. So out we go....about the first hour and a half Ashlynn whinned,cried and yelled at Nick to stop singing. We all have learned to tune it out but it was getting annoying, not to mention the fact we are all quiet at first since we are pulling the trailer. We made it!! We all pile out of the truck and go into the park office...so excited to be in the woods on such a sunny day. I go to check in and the lady says..."we don't have a reservation for you" YES YOU DO! I pull out my confirmation email...she then says "Oh my the call taker put you at Martin creek" NO SHE DIDN'T I said...we are meeting our friends! We worked it all out and everything was ok. I was getting nervous but trying to remain calm. (Martin Creek was another 2 hrs away and no way was I staying in the car with Ashlynn that long)
So we were able to get a spot and as we drove to our site I quickly forgot how long the drive seemed and the checking in process. Everyone was looking out the windows with excitment as we drove to our site.


What a beautiful site! This weekend is getting better by the minute.

As we unload and set everything up we realize the electricity at our site is not working. NO! I love this site. It is private,secluded and on the water. Not to mention the fact that I grabbed the site next to us for Meagan and Jacob. I quickly call the office. Of course they have a park ranger who will come check it. But the thought came across my mind...Do we really need electricity? OMG yes we do!

All done! You guys have a great weekend! What a nice Man he was to hurry out and fix our electricity.

So have I mentioned yet we are so excited? We LOVE to be outdoors and camping.

Still growing

I am still taking pictures of the wisteria in our back yard. It is changing everyday and I bet by the weekend it will have flowers.If you scroll down you can see the first picture we took of it.

A little obsession I have

Shhhhh! I have this Obsession and some people say I must have no life. But I really do I swear!!! I just love to save money and get great deals. You see this picture? All of this was purchased for 28.92. Yes I said 28.92! That is alot of stuff for a small about of money if you ask me. I maybe could have done a little better but I still think this was a great bargain. It all started off as a little hobby to save here and there, then it became an obsession and I can't stop.

Mom,Mom, Mom, Can I call you mom?

The girls have always called me Mommy or Momma so we have taught Nick and Ashlynn the same. No biggie right? Well Nick has suddenly wanted to start calling me Mom. So I tell him "No, you can call me Mommy or Momma until you are a grown boy." He always says "Ok Mommy. " Well this weekend I must have told him 900 times Mommy! He does it at random times and secretly love when he does it. I think it may be a game to him to see if I ever slip and answer to Mom.
I don't want him to stop doing it. I truley believe be careful what you wish for...some days they drive my crazy but I think in my head...One day it will be very quiet in our house and I will wish to hear that again. When they grow up do Mommies and Daddies sit and recall the years past? I can see Terry and I sitting on our patio one morning 20 years down the road drinking our morning coffee and saying...Remember that time......

Busy little bees....

So the weather is perfect and when this happens we just can not stay indoors. It is not warm enough to swim yet so instead we spent the weekend cleaning the yard and Terry finished the patio cover he was building! Yipee, I love it! It is everything I wanted and so perfect. Rustic yet very well put together. It is amazing how I can tell him my ideas and he just starts building. This patio makes for a very peaceful and relaxing area. Not to mention this summer we will not be moving the umbrella all over the patio as we eat lunch or dinner. In the past years we spend most of the summer days and evenings swimming and grilling so this just puts it all together for us. The project went very smooth with only 2 extra trips to Lowes and then 1 in the end to take back the extra supplies.

My favorite time of the year.

We spent the day yesterday cleaning up the back yard. YUCK! We had such a nasty winter this year and our entire backyard was dead. The kids played all day on the swing and slide while we slaved over dead foliage and a swampy pond. What a mess this year but in a few more weeks you will never know it was this bad. I love our backyard and I know Terry agrees with this. We spend most of our Spring and Summer out back. I swear it is one of the things that sold this house to us. The trees and landscaping are just so pretty,full and colorful. At one time the previous owner had planted plants and flowers that would bloom one right after the other so that at all times something would have flowers. I LOVE flowers. It is so private and secluded...except we have neighbors on each side. With all of our trees you can not even see our neighbor's houses. As we finished up yesterday I told Terry it sure would be nice to have a patio cover. Since we are out so much it would be great to have a little cover from rain or sun. He said "well you want me to build one tomorrow?" Yes I do! We spent the rest of the evening talking about it and drawing up the plans. I can't wait! We always do things this way, last minute and everything turns out great. I will update later on how it went.

Opossum our fish...

Meet our fish Opossum. Since I keep kids I thought he would be fun to have, not only is he kind of pretty but he can keep them busy and would be a learning tool. Notice his milky looking water? Nick decided the other morning to come downstairs really early and feed him. Mmmmm a half can of food. So for the next two days he swam sideways. Every time we went up to the bowl we would tap the glass and he would swim like he was fine. I was going to change is water but since he didn't look so good I thought why bother. So now that is why he has his name.
The first day we had him it was GREAT! I put him in the middle of the table, all six kids in chairs and they starred at him for 20 minutes so I could make lunch. Was pretty amusing for me to listen to the silly things they would say like....ewww he poops in his water, maybe he needs a mommy and he will fit in our pocket.
By the way...today he looks great and will be getting new water.

Spring?

I have decided to take a picture of this one spot everyday to see how much it changes each day. Seem boring? Well I was thinking it would be neat to show the kids and to find out how long it takes to develop.

Different kind of day...

So we woke up Tuesday a little groggy. Ashlynn had been up thru the night crying and saying "ouchy" but was kind of doing it in her sleep off and on. Well we woke that morning and did our normal routine of sugar free chocolate milk. WHAM! Not a good idea! Apparently her tummy had been hurting thru the night. She was in my lap and vomited all over me. Not fun...that went on until about noon. So I tried to keep everything normal for the others and I swear Nick was asking me a million questions all day. Do you ever wonder why they do that? I got everyone laying down for a nap and thought hmmm peace and quiet. WRONG! I happen to look out the window and our city heavy trash trucks were picking up the trash. They use this giant claw and grab it, well when I looked out they had these big pieces of wood hanging over Lauren's car! OMG! She would have flipped out.

I think Spring is finally here! Our temp Tuesday got to 80. YES!!! Our plants are starting to bud. I love Spring. Best time of the year ever. I am very excited this year since I have a new camera. I plan on all of us going to hunt bluebonnets for some family pictures. I just love flowers!

Gonna try this everyday...

I started this blog so that our family and friends could keep up with us. I have a really hard time emailing and calling people back. SO VERY BAD ABOUT IT.

We had a busy weekend this past weekend and I will post some pictures for that.

Well lets see...Lauren will be 16 in 16 days. VERY EXCITING but at the same time sad. I am sad at the fact my dad Doug is not here. The closer the date gets to her birthday the more my memories of her birth become clear. The night I went into labor he was frantic. My mom and I were calm and not rushing a bit. He drove us to the Hospital and got lost, yes lost. I was having some major contractions and the straight shot down Spencer to the Hospital we went. He was a wreck. I know he should be here and would be so very proud of us all. I do think we have had signs of him near us and if that is all we have right now then that is what we will work with.

Anyways, last night we let her drive to the mall with her friend who is 18. I was a little nervous but her driving is fine. They made it and made it back. WEW.

Natalie is in 6th grade, she has been playing the violin and it started off GREAT. She loved it but that has faded into no more practicing. But at least she tried. She will finish the year off with it and move on next year. She plans on playing Volleyball,Basketball and track.

Nick is playing baseball now. It is still a little cold but I think I won't even complain because in a few weeks I am sure it will be hot. He still kind of doesn't get it. They all dog pile and fight over the ball when it goes to the outfield. Last night he hit the ball and just took off running all over the place. You can't help but laugh.

Ashlynn is just into everything! She is little Chatty Cathy and doesn't sit still for long. She explores everything.