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...