Have I ever told you I have an amazing Husband that I am deeply in love with? I know I have...I tell everyone. So if you have no idea why let me tell you what he did today. I got up with plans to be at the gym by 9a.m, things were not going as planned and twice I said "forget it" but he kept saying "just go you have a new book and you like going during the day".

After trying to get the kids ready and telling myself to go I did. I pull up and slump over the steering wheel because I am so worn out, sit there a second and go in.I noticed everyone kinda looking at us but then again I was walking in with 4 kids. Then one of the girls handed me something and said "here I was told to give you this" I am thinking what the heck is this?

I open it up and to my surprise it is a sweet love letter that my Husband dropped off at 6:30 a.m. Now that is yet just another reason I love him so much! He is so random with the little things that I never expect it which makes it that much more special.
Anyways, it is the simple things in my life that make me smile. He made my day and I really needed that today.

OK so Ashlynn's doctor called yesterday. What should have taken 2 weeks took 3 days..REALLY? Mmmmmhhhhmmm it was not a pretty phone call and most likely we will be changing doctors. We ended the call with the Doctor telling me she wanted more blood work. Grrrr!! Not going to happen!

So to catch you up nothing has been going on around here. We are getting ready for cheer camp at Texas A&M, school starts in a few weeks and I'm trying to somehow fit a camping trip in. I really don't see that happening but I am trying.

I have also been lucky enough to take pictures for a sweet little girl! She is our little friend and we just adore her. She is a little bundle of energy and so much fun.

Ashlynn had her follow up appointment (5 WEEKS LATER) from her blood work. She has only gained a pound. We have been giving her lots of Pediasure along with making sure we keep her on a Gluten free diet. Yes it can be hard with some items but for the most part it is not so bad.
Dr. Sastry sent us over for blood work again, she is still concerned something is going on. I must say since we have done the gluten free diet she has not been vomiting and seems a bit happier. She is doing full blood work along with testing her for Celiac Disease.
Last time we had blood work done it was so easy and she just yelled "OUCH YOU HURT ME!" Today was a little more traumatizing and difficult.
So we will see what happens...it should be about 2 weeks until we get the blood work back. Hopefully we will have some answers soon.

By the way..have I mentioned she is riding her bike now? Pedaling down the sidewalk like she has someplace to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHjynTr2FhU
See if you can copy and paste this link to watch her ride.

They bring me such joy....

Click on the bottom right side and slide show will get bigger.

OK I have been in one of those "non creative" ruts. After all that rain we had I was so dang bored and unmotivated. Now we have scorching heat that makes you want to melt into the concrete like that witch in Wizard of Oz. But yesterday I took Ashlynn,Lindsey and Zoe to a puppet show at the library. YAAAAWN I have to say it was really cheesy (I am sure not to the lady putting it on) but reminded me of the 70's. I could not stop giggling! I had to text people to keep my mind busy. But the girls loved it so much! I really like taking them to things like this.
On our way home I decided for some reason to stop by the LaPorte Feed Store. We have no animals that require anything from that place BUT it has been there for YEARS! All I can say is IT WAS MAGICAL! I had goosebumps and got teary eyed watching the girls run to the bunnies then run to the baby chicks and ducks. They squealed,giggled and laughed. You could see the excitement in their little eyes. The two ladies working there were enjoying watching them as well. I really think there is just something so wonderful about watching a child experience something like this for the first time. They were just so chatty and excited talking non stop. As we were playing with the animals a HUGE Union Pacific train came by. Have you ever been actually standing next to one? WOW you can feel it in your chest. That is a ton of weight I must say.
Anyways we left and kept on talking about it. I just love that place. It is old,historic looking and non commercialized. I have to add I couldn't just stand around and not buy something. I try to always buy something locally because well...it is local. I decided to buy Honey. I am not a big fan of honey but someone in our house is because it is always on our grocery list. I couldn't resist buying it...one reason is I sure didn't need feed and well it said Local Honey and helps allergy sufferers (story for another day).

It is cute! It really does taste better than store bought honey.

Well we went back today, I had to take Nicholas and Lauren. We had the same reaction today. Ashlynn took off running wanting to show Lauren and Nicholas the babies. It was so adorable how her hair just whipped in the wind as she ran. We stayed played with the babies and talked about convincing Terry on why we "need" a bunny. There is just something about that little place that makes you want to live in the country. I LOVE IT! While we were there I snapped a few pics...imagine that!




I have decided this place is one of those really great spots to take pictures.

I have not put much on here lately because I am still catching up from our trip. I have just been busy and then we had all of that rain.
But a few weeks ago my longest BEST FRIEND ever called me and asked if I would fill out a paper for an adoption recommendation for her. I won't go into details but I can say this little girl has been through alot. She is a wonderful child and her future is bright! Matt is her natural father and Karla married Matt but took her in and cared for her as if she was her child. Something like that would be hard for alot of people but Karla did it without hesitation. It wasn't a smooth road but thru faith,love and a wonderful marriage they are building and molding a wonderful child.
So I had to fill out a paper for my recommendation on Karla adopting Debbie. I felt honored that she asked me to do this. I know I am not the only one she had to ask but she has so many friends and it just made me feel so great that after all of these years she still thinks my words are special. Did I forget to mention Karla and I have been friends since we were 9? Yes that makes me feel old.
After writing the recommendation letter I realized I was crying through typing it. I never had to stop and think about what I was writing, it was just coming out. I didn't realize anything until I was finished and had to proof it. This family is amazing! I am going to post my letter on here. I feel that this family has so much to offer to the world! They are BEAUTIFUL.


As a couple I have known The Whittington Family for approx. 5 years, Karla has been a lifelong friend of about 23+ years. She moved to Austin and we still to this day keep in touch almost daily. I have only known Matt for about 5 years but know he is a great husband and father.

I have spoke to Karla daily thru email,phone,mail for a good 5 years straight now and rarely talk to Matt only because my main goal is chatting with Karla. We commonly call each other for advice on our children or to just chat.

I have not been able to visit the Whittington Household only because I have several children involved in activities but I am welcome to stay at anytime with a moments notice and will be doing this soon. Normally the family visits me when they come to Houston and I look forward to it every time.

I feel the couple communicates amazingly well. They have been thru alot with the birth of their children and have pulled thru it wonderfully. I feel the stress of sick children would put a strain on most families and they seem to work together as a team and pull everything together and keep it that way. I also know they work together at everything to ensure their children are raised in a healthy loving home.

I believe this couple is an amazing set of parents! They have happy,healthy,loving and well mannered children. Both parents came from loving very involved families.

I have seen no instability in their marriage at all. Karla and I talk about things that we don't share with others. Personal things and never once have we had a conversation that talked badly or negative. The love they have for each other is very strong and growing everyday. They have faith and love.

I have seen the couple handle stress thru communication. They both want a healthy and stable environment for their children with lots of love.

I have been amazed by the couples ability to care for Debbie. I don't think it is easy to raise someone else's child but I have never heard Karla call her a "step child" or her "step daughter" Karla boast about Debbie and is very proud of her. She is proud to call her Daughter. She loves her as her birth child and treats her great. I have not seen in person Debbie and Matt interact but over the phone thru pictures and emails I have seen a man step up and care for his daughter.

I have no concerns over this adoption. I think this is the most helpful thing that can happen to Debbie. She needs love,closure and a good stable home. Something her parents Matt and Karla can and do provide for her.
I think it is very easy in our Society for Debbie to get "lost" and take the easy road to trouble and I know for a fact this will not happen. Matt and Karla have the strength and love to encourage her thru life. They support Debbie in everyway possible and push her to achieve her goals and dreams.

Thank you,

Sandra Kimball

Summertime seems to just be full of so many things for our family. I love it but this year is a little different. Lauren is working alot, Terry has Thursday and Friday as his off days,we haven't been to church and Natalie has been hanging around more.
I see light at the end of the tunnel! Lauren's job will end in mid August and Terry will have new off days at the end of July. So we will then be able to camp,go to church and hang out more on the weekends. I can't wait!


Another thing...I have been taking pictures. I am just "practicing" but love it! Here is a sweet picture I took of a neighbor baby.

12 years ago...

I can not believe 12 years ago (yesterday) I had this spunky little girl. She is amazing in so many ways. Time with her seems to go much slower than with the others. Maybe because she is the middle child or something. I have not quite figured that out but I will continue to cherish each moment with her. It also seems she has changed the least when it comes to looks.

Natalie I am so happy with all that you do, all that you try and all that you have become. You are an amazing girl who is growing up beautifully! I love how you are never afraid to try new things, you are so out spoken, truthful and silly. You are just amazing! I love everything about you!

Can you believe I have nothing to blog about...just have been quiet lately. But I do think this is an adorable picture.

These little monkeys were the most delicious cupcakes I have ever had. Lindsey's mom made them for her birthday and brought them over since we were having a birthday celebration for her. I was very surprised and excited because she made them gluten free for Ashlynn. It was so nice of her and they really were so yummy!

It seems like forever ago the kids and I planted peppers and tomatoes. We normally buy the plant and just plant them in the ground but this time we decided to plant seeds move them after they were bigger and see if they make it. I thought it would be a good way to teach the kids (Nick,Ashlynn,Lindsey and Zoe) and give them something to take care of. We now have a tiny little jalapeno bud! I am so excited! When I showed them today they seemed to think it was neat.