Birthday Eve

What a blessing it is to take a picture of Brooks on the eve of his 4th birthday.  Brooks is a typical boy.  He loves to be outside, play with cars and trucks, get dirty, and he especially loves dressing up in his superhero costumes.  Brooks still loves to play with hair.  His new hair fetish is playing with mine or Kylee's hair when it is wet.  I don't know what it is about him and hair, but it sure is HIS thing.  Overall, this year has been a much healthier experience than some in the past.  Brooks is really digging superheroes right now.  He requested a superhero birthday party, so that will happen tomorrow.  He is pretty excited.  I love any chance I get to decorate for a party.  So, although I am a little sad that my baby boy is turning 4, I am also very excited to celebrate with him.

I put a few drops of lavender oil on the bottoms of his feet and within 5 minutes he was out.  All four of us love how well we sleep with the oil's help.  Kylee has woken up in such a good mood all week.  I say it is the oil.  She must be getting a better night's sleep and then wakes up feeling refreshed.  

Shine Your Light

Almost every night when either Charlie or I tuck Kylee into bed, we read a chapter from her devotional book.  It wasn't very long ago Kylee and I read about missionaries and how we should be stirring up God's love and helping others.  I have been praying and researching 

different ways to help others in or near our community.  God certainly works in mysterious ways.  We live in Lindale, which is 15 to 20 minutes away from Van, where a very ferocious F3 tornado ripped through the small country town.  My heart aches for the families who lost everything.  I am saddened to hear of the 2 deaths, 8 missing, and 43 hospitalized.  We sat around our own table at dinner tonight and thanked God for our warm meal, clean clothes, and our safety.  I am brought to tears just thinking about the devastation these families are having to endure.  Please continue to pray for the innocent families, the first responders, and those volunteering.  

 We knew immediately that we wanted to help in some way.  It wasn't long ago that one of my dearest friends mom's house was flattened by a grueling tornado.  I witnessed the torment they went through, and I wanted to help these families like I helped her parents.  I took the kids to Walmart after school and picked up a few things that Kylee will take to school as a donation for those that are in need out in Van.  Kylee's giving heart is something some adults don't even have.  She offered to put $10 of her own money towards the items we purchased.     We  thankful for the opportunity to give to others in need. We are shining our light and stirring up God's love!

Mother's Day

"Home is Where Mom is!"  This speaks true to me and my family.  There is just no place like your mom's house.  I love being here.  I don't have to do anything.  I can sit on the couch and watch tv, relax outside by the pool, or laugh the day away in the craft room.  Just being HOME is enough for me!

My mom has made me who I am today.  She has taught me how to be strong, giving, and patient.  I've learned how to be dedicated and passionate about things I love because of her.  She would do anything to make sure her family and friends are well taken care of and happy.  Today I honor the woman who I admire and love with all my heart.  I am blessed by her every day.

Sometimes us moms take for granted that we ARE moms.  We forget about the heart ache that comes on this day for those that have lost children and for those that cannot have children.  My heart goes out to those women, and I pray for peace and happiness.  It truly is a gift from God to BE a mom.

 We give God the Glory for providing us the opportunity to spend this rainy day with our family.  Kylee and Brooks handmade their own cards for their Nanas and couldn't wait to surprise them with their loving cards and gifts.  We get to celebrate Nana in Arkansas next weekend when she comes to visit,

 There are so many incredible women in this world, and we are lucky to call two of these women MOM and NANA.  Kylee and Brooks are so lucky to have two Nanas that love them.  Charlie's mom, Patsy, is an incredible lady.  Certainly someone I want my children to learn from.  She helped raise the man of my dreams.  She loves my little family and all our flaws.  I'm happy to call her MY mom, too!

Happy Mother's Day to these lovely ladies! I love you both!

Sports

Saturday, May 9th- We had spent the night with Nana and Papa, so Charlie and I could celebrate Rena's birthday at Primos.  It was a great time with friends!  It certainly helped confirm our desire to move back.  (Which will be June 8th!)

We started our Saturday nice and early supporting Kristin at her baseball game. As soon as it was over, we drove to Lindale so Kylee could play in her soccer game.  

God has blessed Kylee with a wonderful gift.  She's definetly the athletic type and enjoys her time on the field.  I love to see her drive and dedication when she's playing sports.  Kylee played extra hard yesterday trying to impress Nana who came to watch.  Her persistence paid off.  With help from her team and hard work, Kylee scored 4 goals.  The defense also played very well.  Final score...4-0!  Go team Pumas!

 This is a very deceiving photo.  The ball looks as if it is going right over the goal, but it was a great kick that landed right in the net!  GOAL!

Blasters

One thing we do love about Lindale is the sports programs.  Kylee has played both soccer and softball and we couldn't be more pleased.  Brooks is somewhat participating in t-ball this season.  He isn't as excited about actually playing as he was about buying all the gear.  He only lasts about 30 mins during practice, as do most of the kids.

Long Over Due

This post will have less words and lots of photos!

Here are a few photos from our trip to Disney in January.  Awe had a such a great time.  This was our 3rd trip, and can't wait to go back in a year or two!

In the previous post I mentioned the enormous trees.  Well, with trees come leaves...lots and lots of leaves.  Our entire back yard was covered in crunchy leaves waiting to be played in.  It was fun raking a pile for the kids to jump in.  You can't do that in Rockwall. ;)

Celebrating Christmas at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall was a first for us.  It was breathtaking.  We look forward to making this our church home and celebrating many things here.

Kylee had a great time celebrating her 9th birthday with friends from both Lindale and Rockwall.  We went to the American Girl Doll Store, Shenaniganz, and stayed in a hotel with an indoor pool!  

Faith

Where to begin?  I certainly didn't do a very good job keeping the blog updated over the past year.  There have been a lot of changes.  Some of which I hope not to help resurface, and others I wish I could replay over and over.  However, I know God has my journey all mapped out and I am blessed by every situation in some form or fashion.  Since the previous post was in June of last year, I will try to start there.

As many of you know, I quit my teaching job to move to Lindale so Charlie could be closer to work, and so I could stay home with Brooks.  It wasn't an easy decision.  We spent a lot of time praying and asking God for guidance.  After following His lead, we made the leap and moved to Lindale in September of 2014. Kylee started third grade at College Street Elementary School, and Brooks attended St. Luke's Day School on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I was incredibly thankful to be a stay at home mom.  I had big plans.  Crafts, cleaning, cooking, lunch dates with new friends, volunteering at the school...I just knew I would be so happy staying home.  Unfortunately, I didn't feel this way at all.  In fact, I was absolutely miserable.  I quit my dream job that I worked so hard to get.  I had no friends.  And trust me, nobody was going out of their way to make me feel welcome. I didn't fit the Lindale "dress code".  I guess I didn't get the memo to buy a new wardrobe, lose 75 pounds, and make another $100,000 a year.  I wasn't what Lindale wanted hanging around town.  So instead of crafting, cleaning, cooking, etc...I moped around the house, watched a little tv, and tried to make myself feel better with snacks from the pantry.  Every. Single. Day. was spent on the couch with tears pouring from my eyes.  Tears that were full of hate, jealousy, and sadness.  I had no desire to do anything.  I just knew we made the wrong decision moving to Lindale.   We chose Lindale because were heard so many good things about the school district.  Sadly, we happen to land a not so good teacher.  I felt like I was letting Kylee down by not keeping her in Rockwall ISD.  It wasn't until I began praying about the situation that I started to feel better.  In lieu of being a couch potato and feeling sorry for myself, I started praying.  I prayed constantly and about everything.  I knew He was my only saving grace.  Things are certainly different today, but it still isn't pleasant living here in this "perfect" little town.  I am able to give thanks for the many blessings God has provided us while in Lindale.  The four of us have done a lot more family activities. (Crocodile Farm, Tiger Refuge, Tyler State Park, Iron Mountain Amusement Park, small town gatherings, etc...) We have been outside enjoying each other's company more than we ever have.  (I will say, it is gorgeous out here with all the enormous, green trees.) We eat dinner at home more often. (There aren't many choices out  in the Boone Docks.) We have met several great families that we now call friends.  I give God all the Glory for keeping his promises to us.  By His helping hands, we now have the opportunity to move back to Rockwall.  Lindale just isn't for us. Moving has provided many opportunities to grow and learn, and all four of us certainly have.  Our house in Lindale is currently pending, and we have made an offer on a house in Rockwall.

Faith!  All it took was a little Faith.  I knew God had a plan for us.  I knew there was a reason we moved to Lindale.  I didn't know why and it wasn't easy, but I knew one day I would realize his path was worth trusting in.  The Lord's plan for my family is better than anything I can imagine.