Easter Sunday

Easter egg hunting

"quotation marks"

It is so funny to have a dramatic daughter and spastic son...because Easton is constantly coming up with these sayings or mannerisms that are typical or social that he has seen his sister do...but he is not able to use them at the right time or in a functional way...so we end up crying we are laughing so hard. Recently, the quotation marks is the latest example. Elle has used them for dramatic effect...so he has seen them used a lot. The other night at dinner, we were talking about something she was eating, and he used the quotation marks...over and over. We were rolling. I finally took a picture of him...

Birthday weekend

My family has a couple of birthdays that landed together, my nephew and Elle, my other nephew and Easton, and my neice and my Dad. So it is always fun to celebrate the birthdays together whenever we can. Elle and Easton had gone to Addyson's birthday party with my parents ahead of time and given Jason and I a little date night. At the party, the kids were singing karaoke and got their faces painted. Obviously as you can see, Easton did not really participate in those festivities...but Elle was all in. Easton said it was really for girls, but he enjoyed playing with Nashy and wanted to celebrate. Then we went out to eat for my daddy's and Addyson's birthdays at a great little cafe in Southlake. They have a tradition there of having the birthday people sing with a chicken hat on, but of course both of my kids wanted to put the hat on as well. It is always a good time with the family!!

Sometimes I wonder...

Seriously, our kids are so technologically savvy...it is crazy! One morning, I snapped this picture when I rolled over in bed and they were both sitting there playing quietly and I didn't even know they were there! I am not completely worried about them yet, because I know that they spend an equal amount of time reading, playing outside and in their extracurricular activities. So I feel confident that they are well rounded kids...but honestly, it amazes me that they're able to maneuver through any piece of equipment that we own. At times, it is a blessing, of course, and hopefully in life it will benefit them! I just need to keep focused on not letting it get out of control, right?

Another season of tball

So as Easton is growing up, and really enjoying tee ball, this is our 3rd season playing. The first season, he was the first child drafted (we found out later since we aren't allowed at the draft) because of his name and our team didn't have a coach or a manager, so Jason stepped up and did it. It was a little crazy, because this league is filled with people that have been doing this for a while with all of their kids..so to say the least--we were really "out of our league"!! But we made it through and of course Jason pulled out a winning team...and Easton learned a lot that season. In the fall, we joined forces with some of our friends and he drafted Easton by telling them Jason was helping as a coach. We had a wonderful season and again, Easton learned a lot and learned even more of a love of the game. So when we entered into this season, we were kind of thinking that we were on that same track. But again, when the draft occurred, Easton was drafted first and the board stated that "his dad would coach"...so our friend was not able to help us. Jason did not want to manage again due to all of the headaches, but agreed to help coach in anyway possible. It has been a roller coaster and trying to keep all of the politics and stuff away from the kids so that Easton can just enjoy playing ball...but this team is really bad!! :). I keep telling Jason that I really don't care about them winning or losing, I just want Easton to learn more about playing. But it sure does make it less fun to get spanked every game...:(. We told ourselves the first few games that they didn't even know..that they just loved playing--but then the 2nd game, Easton said, " I don't like losing...". We just reminded him that sometimes you have to struggle in order to get better. That God is building you up. He does love playing...and he is only 5---they aren't going to the World Series anytime soon or anything...:)

Medieval Times trip

My family is so fun. Anytime you mention something that you haven't done...my parents immediately say something along the lines of "well let's go?!"...so that wasn't any different when my kids mentioned that they wanted to go to the castle place off of the highway. I knew the kids would love it because Elle is really into the horses and Easton loves knights and fighting...but man, I never could've guessed just how much they would love it! It was so much fun to just watch them scream and yell for our knight. I couldn't believe how much they got into it. I was also surprised at how much they enjoyed the food...they both licked their plates. Of course my mother had to buy them all sorts of stuff as we got there from the little store...as always. ;).

Crash and burn

Easton has always, for as long as I can remember, been a kid that has taken things to the next level with regards to intensity...running faster, climbing higher, jumping off of things, etc. But the thing that was always crazy, is that he never got hurt...he was like a cat! He always landed on his feet and loved it--just encouraging him to do it more and harder and faster! He has every kind of bike, scooter, and riding toy there is...and most of them he doesn't use as they are intended--because that is too boring. :). Recently, when I was gone with Elle to horseback riding lessons, Easton was outside riding his scooter and I get a call from Jason telling me that he had a little spill. There is no urgency in his voice or no cause for alarm. I asked if he was okay and he answered with a quick, "he's fine". When I got home, this is what I saw. Honestly, I had to hold back a scream! What had happened to my sweet angel?? Was this okay?? What was not okay?? Dead?? (I know, I know--I am probably overreacting...but he's just such a precious little boy and look at his face?!). But he did learn not to ride his scoot backwards and try to jump off of the curb at the same time...lesson learned!

Church camp

This year was Elle's first opportunity to go to over night church camp with GABC, so of course she wanted to go. It occurs every year right as we are getting out for Spring break and lasts 3 nights...and I was asked to go as a counselor. If any of you know me at all, you know that I am incapable of saying no--and I do want to be involved with our children's ministry, so I went. Man, what was I thinking?? A bunch of 3rd grade girls, right as I am ready for a week off of work? But God is good all the time, so He provided. It was so much fun to watch the girls worship and learn more about Paul during the week. The weather was awful, but we modified and adjusted and the kids of course never care. Elle, my child that is never sick, came up with strep throat the night before we were supposed to leave, so we went to the dr the morning of and she got a shot of penicillin. Again, God provided healing and she was good as new as we pulled out on the bus. I am not sure that I will attend every year, but what a blessing to be there with my child as she is enjoying other children and really soaking in the love of the Lord!

Love of pets

Elle and Easton have just fallen in love with this stinking cat. I am allergic to cats and swore that when she got her for her birthday last year, the thing would never be allowed in the house. Well...not only is she in the house a lot, she rules the roost. Thankfully she goes out to go the restroom, so no litter box, but she loves to be to play with the kids and just take little cat naps here and there. She is so rotten. Recently, we brought our lab back from Waco because she was hit by a car and needs some rehab...so the cat is really having to adjust to not being the only pet in the house. Easton keeps saying things like, "your cat is annoying my dog!" to Elle, and then I find him laying on the couch loving on her like this. :). Precious.

Date night

It is so funny that Jason and I used to be so creative about our date nights before children...and even when Elle was young and we lived in McKinney. I think that we make excuses now that we live in Tyler and there is nothing to do...but honestly, I think we have just gotten old or something (at least Jason has)...so recently, we started talking about making more of an effort to think of more fun things to do when we went out rather than just dinner and a movie everytime. I enjoy just hanging out with him anyway of the week without kids...but when we get a babysitter and want to make an effort, going to a movie doesn't need to happen everytime. Anywho...this time we decided to go to the gun range. Jason has obviously been around guns his whole life and is very good with them. My dad has always had guns, but I have only shot bb guns and a shot gun a few times...I have never shot a hand gun, so this would be my first experience. I don't know if you other women have done it, but it is kinda scary and kinda awesome at the same time. I loved it. I'm not good at it yet, but I loved it. It was fun to watch Jason as he excelled at one more thing...;). I say that bc I always joke that he is literally great at everything he does. He is a great teacher as well. I would recommend it as a wonderful date night if you are looking for something different. :)

Elle's first horse show

Elle has been riding at this new barn for about a year and has always said that she would never show...Jason and I always laugh because we don't know where she comes from bc she is not competitive at all. But recently, when her trainer mentioned that they would be having an in-barn show, Elle was really excited. I was shocked, but inside, really thrilled. I knew that she would love it and hoped that maybe it would spur her on to want to continue into real showing. She prepared and really looked forward to the show for months. We borrowed some clothes from other girls at the barn, and bought a few things...and Elle had a great time. She was in classes of 15 or more and placed in each class she rode in! She jumped and did fantastic!! At the end of the show, she said that she could not wait to show again and that she wanted to get first place next time...I would say that is progress from not being competitive at all, huh? I think she just has too sweet of a spirit and I was so proud of her for going up and telling all of her friends congratulations. I don't want her to be a bad sport, I just want her to enjoy sports...but maybe that is not her calling. But I know that she enjoyed herself and that she loves riding...you can't beat that for a mommy that loves horses!! Thank you Lord for those blessings!!

Riding lessons

It is so great to see the relationships that the kids make at their extracurricular activities. Elle takes riding lessons twice a week and has made some really good friends. One of the girls is named Mackenzie and is such a precious little girl with a wonderful family. It is so fun because she has a little sister the same age as Easton and they play so well together each time we are at the barn. Easton used to complain about having to come with us, now he begs to come so that he can play with Gretchen. Elle gives him a hard time that he has a girlfriend, but he insists that there is nothing romantic going on! ;).

Is it really possible?

Elle is 8 years old...recently she came home talking about a boy liking her and she returning the affection. Jason and I have been praying about the days of talking to her about the "birds and the bees" in several years...but in today's society, it is always a fear that we would wait too long. We sure don't want her to hear about anything from her friends, people at school, or from a boy! Elle and I had a good talk this week about wanting to surround yourself with other people with the same belief systems...and I was shocked to hear her response of, don't all my friends believe in Jesus? Oh man, she is even more naive than I thought! We will continue to rely on God's timing as to when to broach subjects with her and when she is mature enough to hear certain subjects. I mean, she is only in the third grade, and we know that if you train up the child in the way he (or she) should go, even when he (or she) is old they will not depart from it. We know that is true and are counting on it!!

New years weekend

My best friend in the whole world lives in Austin. We don't get to see each other near enough...but when we do, it's like we were never apart. I miss her so much , and was so happy when we were able to plan our New Years together this year. We left early on Friday and came back late on Sunday...so the trip wasn't as long as I would have liked...but she and I were able to visit, catch up on our spiritual lives, push each other to the next level, and go shopping. Can't ask for better. We also went out to a great restaurant downtown Austin on New Years eve and had a wonderful time. It brought back such wonderful memories of being in McKinney and spending so many dinners hanging out with she and Chris. We are going to be able to see each other more soon as she and her husband are investing in a horse for her little girl and leaving it at our center in Waco...so they will be coming to visit it once a month...which means, we will arrange to be there at the same time! Guaranteed Alaina time!! God always answers our prayers...we all need those friends and even when it seems impossible...nothing is impossible with God.

Enjoying the new keurig

The kids are always asking me to make them hot chocolate...and it is not like I have to boil the water on the stove or anything...but I always dread making it...I honestly don't know why...but I really love it. It's just a hassle to make...is it? I feel like it is...but all of you that know me are probably making fun of me right now because really anything in the kitchen is a hassle for me to make...
So this year with some of Jason's Christmas money, he decided to buy a Keurig. He has talked about it for a while, but never bought one. I don't drink coffee, but we have a Keurig at the office and I do make hit chocolate at work almost everyday. So when Jason came home with the machine, I immediately knew that the kids and I were in business! The kids are so funny now because everyday they ask for a cup of hot chocolate and I am so happy to make it for them...and we all sit down and enjoy a cup.

Modifying and adjusting

So the kids and I continue on our exercise regiment...but Easton got a new 3 wheeler for Christmas since his big wheel was getting a little worn and he doesn't like riding his bike with training wheels...and he just isn't fast enough without them...I go running a few times a week with a friend of mine and her son...he is Elle's age, so they ride their scooters and are super fast. The first time when Easton rode his new 3 wheeler, he was really good...but I think the next day, his little legs were a little sore and he was not in the mood...so we hooked him up to a little leash and pulled him along as we ran. It was pretty funny how he would just cross his little legs and allow us to pull him. Since Christmas, Jason has started going with us and Easton is never going to slack with his daddy around...so we have not had to use the leash since. But we will see. Easton has a motorized police car and occasionally he asks if he can just bring it to the park so that he can keep up with us. I keep telling him that he is missing the point of going to the park...