Lead Me

LOVE the song "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real....the part especially has hit me close to home how that the kids deserve the best of my life.  There are parts of me that want to scream at some parents "ITS NOT ABOUT YOU RIGHT NOW!"  So, just a reminder to myself - more than to anyone that actually reads my blog :o) - Give your kids the best of your life while you have them - they won't live with you forever - hopefully - and you can NEVER get the time back! If you have been blessed to have children - take care of them - its the greatest gift God can give you! Listen to the song if you haven't ever heard it.  Have a great Friday!

Update #2

This year David celebrated his birthday in Austin at the state track meet.  So, when he got home we had to celebrate it properly.  And when I say celebrate in Austin, that means he went to Cabella's.  We had strawberry cheesecake and the kids were super excited to sing to him!

This is some of Rielyns artwork.  The one in the middle looks like a potato to me, but apparently it is a toad...We have a cat, a dog, a frog and a potato...i mean toad.:)

Hawaiian day at school

First swim of the summer! It is a chore to get her to take good pictures.  I think she has learned from Keldyn how to be silly for the camera.  When he was 5 it was nearly impossible to get a good picture from him. 

This is a good one....what you don't know is that its one out of about 10 that I had to take...bc the child mentioned earlier would not cooperate!

Swimming with some cousins.  Two of Tiff's kiddos swam with us one day.  That have so much fun together.

Update #1

We were at a little league baseball game and it got chilly - she decided to where my jacket as a suit...mainly for the pants....she looked so silly running around like that but she totally did not care!  This girl cracks me up!

The boys had a good season, I think their team got 2nd or 3rd in the division.  What's wierd is that they already know that if you don't make all stars then that means you aren't that good....so we had to deal with explaining that....they did not make all stars by the way :)

He's getting too big too fast

Sarah, Charlie, Tiffany and myslef ran in the Longview Alley Fest 5k.  I think we all had fun.  It seemed hotter this year than last.  I got 2nd in my age group....yes the old ladies division....but still had fun.  Running like this keeps me competitive....no basketball leagues for old ladies so this will have to do!

The boys had a friend from church spend the night for 3 days - we all had a blast.  He fit right in with us, he's smart and funny and respectful....many more good times to come.  This was before they went to see Thor....the girls sat out of this one.

Instead, we did this....sat on the back porch with a strawberry smoothie...homemade....and just hung out. 

I know! I know!

It seems as if I title many of my posts that....it has been a long time.  I have tons of pictures to share and lots of stories.  HOWEVER, I just don't have time right now to upload everything and share with you about our adventures thus far.  We are super busy trying to get many home projects completed.  I will share my stories with you...soon....I promise. 

Words that sting!

My oldest is very bold.  He has a way of saying pretty much what is on his mind.  Some examples:

"Mom, when we were little did your singing sound that bad?" 
 OR
"Mom, did boys like you in high school even though you looked like a boy?"

He holds nothing back...especially with me.  He is a little more reserved with his dad and I am glad that I have that kind of relationship with my son, however...he asked me something the other day that stung a little more than the previous two comments...

"Mom, do you like to laugh?  I don't know what your laugh sounds like."  That hit me hard.  I don't want my kids not knowing what my laugh sounds like.  As a child/teenager, I like to think of myself as mostly happy.  Quiet but happy.  If someone in our family was in a bad mood, I would act goofy or silly to try and make them happy. My goal this summer - for my son to know my laugh even when I am no where near. It won't be long before he is off at college, alone, away from his family for that long of a time for the first time.  He will need to know what his mama's laugh sounds like!

Thank you Pappy & Bear Grylls

Since we no longer have "real" television, we watch some shows as re-runs on netflix...one of our favorites is man vs. wild.  This man is insane.  He gets dropped off in the wildest of wildernesses (I know that those are words but work with me here - creating a mood) and then survives...at least so far.  Well, there was an episode where he shredded a pine cone with his bare hands and then proceeded to eat the tiny little seed out of the middle.  We have pine trees people, in our yard, lots and lots of pine trees.  So as David and I were working in the garage one day last week, the kids come running in exclaiming "Can we eat this?"  They too had shredded a pine cone with their bare hands and found the tiny seed.  I said no.  however, dad said yes and so they ate.  No stomach problems and it has been a few days so I'd say we are clear!  Earlier in the week, we were at Lala & Pappy's (David's mom & dad's) eating dinner and he found some mint growing in his yard.  Of course we had to all try it (well the kids anyway).  No big deal right?  That is until we went to my parents this past weekend for my grandfathers 94th birthday when i notice Rielyn is outside chewing on something.  I go out and ask her what she has in her mouth.  She replies with "Mint" - totally not mint.  It was a fern - one of my moms planted ferns.  Not mint.  We quickly spit it out and followed it down with a large glass of milk.  Again no stomach problems - so we are clear.  All i can say is "Thanks, thanks a lot!"                                                      

wrapping up

Well, the end of the school year is wrapping up....programs, awards assemblies and semester exams....Its almost like you wait all year for this moment and when it gets here it TAKES FOREVER!!!  This week has been so long....but filled with good things.  The boys had their last baseball game of the season last night...they lost, but they were soothed with the ever so delicious food of Don Juans :)  They had a good time, i hope, made some new friends and improved their baseball skills.  Rielyn gets to celebrate her birthday today at school since her's is in the summer....We got the roof finished and are starting on the carport....The mudroom/locker room is almost complete as well...Bryson got his results from the TAKS test...passed all three and commended on all three (that means you miss 2 or less)  He was pumped.  Keldyn has a meet the author tea today at school....all year long the 2nd graders have been composing poetry and today they are presenting it at a tea for the parents...he is in jeans a long sleeve yellow shirt and a pink tie....He went all out for it::) he's very excited.  I am ready for summer....love spending that time with my family and my kids...hope everyone is doing good....