Rays of Sunshine

Most of you know that me and Abi knock heads pretty much all day every day. I will admit that it is because we are so much alike. I see her say some things exactly the way I say them. But there are times when she does or says something and I am not sure where it came from. Abi would tell you, "it came from my brain"! She has been extra silly recently. This was Mark and her at dinner tonight...I think I'm beginning to understand where the silliness is coming from!

Abi and Mark

Austin, pretty silly too!

Yesterday the kids and I took one of our common shopping trips to the grocery store. Apparently, Austin and Abi were both on an off day, because both were being awful to the other. The final straw for loss of TV time and alone in their room time came when Austin did something to Abi, so she whacked him in the face. Good times. That was it, I was boiling mad. I told her that when she got home it was to her room. She fought and argued for a few minutes, but finally got the point when I told her that the best things she could do was just be quiet. Then came the 'I Love You Mommy'. Still both were going to their rooms. We get home, both help me carry in the groceries. Afterwards, I told them both to have some time in their rooms. So, Abi calls Peaches behind her and goes to her room. Then, about every minute, Abi would come out and ask if they could come out yet. After about the fifth time, I told her that I would add five minutes to their time every time she asked. A few minutes later...Peaches came running downstairs with this note stuck in her collar:

It says: "Can we please come out. If you say no, then I am sorry for everything I did. Love, Austin"

My favorite thing about this letter is that for Austin to be writing it, he misspelled his own name!!!! After that, of course I HAD to let them out!

Last night I played bunco at Sarah's house. I came home to this very specially wrapped 'Christmas gift'!!

An empty tissue box that was once used for paper hockey on the kitchen floor, can you tell?

This is the gift that was inside:

It says: "I love you and my Christmas present to you is this right here. You are the best mom ever. # 1Best Mom" and then there is a picture or Abi and me and a floating head.

Each of these silly moments have reminded me that yes, we do have bad days, but even more so we have many more fleeting moments of laughter and silliness. I won't remember all the bad days if I focus on the the good ones. So, I am trying to make a point to give both Austin and Abi (AND MARK) extra hugs and kisses each day. Time passes so quickly. I don't want to forget this time. And when I think I have given them enough hugs and kisses for the day, I will give them each one more for the road...

Playing on the Team!!

This fall Austin selected to play baseball. He played soccer when he was 4 and loved it! Then he switched it up and played T-ball when he was 5 (loved it) and then switched again and played basketball when he was 6, all of these through the local YMCA. He LOVES sports! We loved the YMCA because they aren't too pricey; however, this year, we really wanted Austin to play in a more competative league because in the past we have struggled with having other kids on the team that are as dedicated as he is. For example, when he was in soccer, he was the only kid on the team that was didn't have to be bribed or forced to stay out on the field and play. (Not that he is so special and great that he's better than the other kids, but it is true!! The other parents struggled to keep their kids interested the entire game) It was the same in T-ball. In basketball, we sometimes had to borrow players from the team we were facing just to play the game because our full team wouldn't even show up. So, switching to a new and more competative league, I think, was a great idea. I am really glad we made the switch. Austin has made some great new friends that I could see him staying friends with for a long time.

 On to the point of this post...after a FUN and awesome season, the Diamondbacks won the championship! Granted their were only 8 teams and we were only allowed to play 4 of them in the playoffs. Our team played so well together. I loved hearing them cheer for each other. When Mark and I told Austin we love hearing him start chants for his team mates, his response was, "Well, we should build people up, not tear them down!" Well said.

A winning team

A proud boy!

As soon as they open up registration, I will be signing Austin up for the Spring season! Of course we won't let the gear get cold, he will still practice in the off season!

Mr. Sandman...please slow down!!!

Again, too much time has past since my last blog. We made it through Halloween and Fall festival. We signed up again this year to do Trunk or Treat. Our theme came from the brilliant mind of Lizzie Bender! Lizzie suggested that we decorate our trunk as 'A Group Divided'. For those of you not familiar with a chunk of Texas culture, Texas Longhorns and Texas Aggies are pretty big rivals. There is a popular bumper sticker for households that have students at both schools that reads 'A house Divided'. It was also fun to hang out with some of our group peeps.

Luke as Iron Man and Abi as Black Widow

 Austin as a Ninja

 A Group Divided!

Maddox, Abi, Mark (holding Pacey), me, Luke, Lizzie, Justin, and Kellie (in the front)

Abi, stuffing herself full of candy!

Last weekend, I got to get together with some old friends. We had lunch and attempted to catch up on what has been going on with each other in the last year or so. Lunch was okay, luckily the company was good.

Angie and Naomi November 2010

Naomi and Angie Spring 2000

 Jenny and Me November 2010

Me and Jenny Winter 2000

Jenny (who is due with her first child Nov 15), Angie, Naomi, and Me

A throwback pic for my girls!!!

The same night of my lady shindig, one of Austin's best friends, Cameron, had a birthday party at a laser tag  play place. Abi got to go too. It was lot of family fun!!!

Austin, gettin' ready to rock!

 Abi and Luke playing video games together! Where ever one is, there is the other....

 Me and my love!

We've been having lots of family fun this fall. I love homeschooling for the simple fact that I get to see the kids all the time. (Of course, sometimes I need a little space...I am only human) I have really enjoyed watching them grow this year!

Nothing melts my heart like a daddy and his little girl! 

A mama and her boy!

Austin and Abi with the brat, Peaches

Austin played his last official game of the season this past Monday. His team did make it to the playoffs so he will get to play a couple more games. Before we left to go to the game Monday evening, Austin and Abi were out playing in the backyard. They came running inside to get Mark and I, and insisted that we see their masterpiece! The call it 'The Elements of Jesus: Faith, Kindness, and Trust'! 

The said masterpiece!!

Austin's team also had their first shut out at 12-0.

 After playing hard!

 

Homeschooling has been going well too! Austin dissected a sheep's brain this past week, and has been learning about the different parts of the brain. He has also been learning about the nerves. I spared you, and myself, any pictures of the sheep's brain (yes, the kids brought it home!!!)

 

A while ago, we had dinner out and he had chicken wings. When I asked him if they were good, he said, "yeah, but I could see the ulna and the radius!" So, we are fairly certain that information is sinking in! Also, this Friday is the last day of our Friday school classes. We will still have activities to do together before the next semester, but we will not meet for classes anymore. I am contemplating teaching a history course on colonial times that would also include some sewing, cooking, woodworking, and all those other cool things they used to do back in the day.

 Austin's colorcoded brain mold

 The nerves



Holdin' on for Dear Life!!!

Yes, I am well aware that it has been at least two weeks since I last posted. I really didn't think that I had anything to post about since we have been in the same routine. However, as I look back over pictures we have taken, I was wrong! A LOT has happened, and I'm not quite sure how it slipped my mind...but it did! First, congrats to Mark's dad and Wendy on the engagement. Mark, the kids, and I are very happy to welcome Wendy into the family!! Abi has already found another name of endearment for her, Tink, because Wendy loves the character Tinkerbell.

 Abi and Mark at Dad and Wendy's house with their puppy, (yes, PUPPY!) Alex

 Wendy and Cooper

This year I moved from the preschool ministry at church to the children's ministry. I must say, it's a completely different world. I co-teach first and second graders with a good friend, Taunya. Surprisingly, my job this year requires a lot more energy than did preschool. The kids and I get to church extra early every Sunday to prepare for the morning lesson. I like this because it gives the kids an opportunity to help out and serve where they are needed. Of course, they are no stranger to the early Sunday mornings. Austin and Abi both regularly go early with Mark to do technical productions stuff. I think Austin is now completely trained on how to set-up and take down the cameras. He LOVES getting to help dad, or Diddy Kong, as he and Abi both call Mark these days.

Abi and Austin doing their part to serve 

If you didn't know it, fall little league baseball is in full swing. Austin has played 4 out of 10 of his games for the season. I am really glad that he chose to play baseball this season, even after the option of getting to play soccer or basketball! I secretly wish he would stick with baseball because I LOVE watching him play. He has been playing short stop, which from what I can gather, is a pretty important job. So far this season, his team has won 2 games, lost 1, and tied 1. Austin has also made lot of new friends on his team. The Coach's son made his first home run in the last game! We are thinking Austin will probably play spring ball in a more competitive league than he is now. This is a big decision because of the cost and mostly the time it will require. Right now, Austin can have up to 3 practices or games a week (between the two) and there is no solidity to the schedule. As you can imagine, our schedule has been trampled on! Not only has Austin made new friends, Mark and I have too. Which is nice!

 Mark playing catch with Austin before one of his games

 Austin in action!

In all of this madness, Mark and I managed to have a date night during Parent's Night Out. We had dinner at a new mongolian grill...and it was DELICIOUS!!!! We ended the night early, picked up the kids, and went home. We were expecting two very special guests: Jimmie and Jacalynn (my brother and niece). Although Jimmie stayed with us, he had drill for the Army reserves at Ellington on Saturday and Sunday; so, Jacalynn was the only one with us during the day. When Abi woke up on the Monday morning after they had left, she said,"I miss baby Jacalynn"! She sure does love her cousin!!

 Snapped a pic on the way out the door for our date!

Jacalynn, she's so sweet!

 Abi, Austin, and Jacalynn Saturday morning before baseball practice

 Abi and Shawny hanging out Saturday night

 Austin and Kenzie on Saturday night

 Abi and Jacalynn in their matching dresses I found for them!

 My three favorite kids

This past Tuesday, Austin, Abi, Cameron, and I went to the Health Museum. We had a TON of fun!!!

 Fitting where the liver goes

 This 27 foot long rope, is supposed to be comparable to your intestine. Cool, huh?

 A hologram in the eye section

 This was Austin's favorite thing from the museum, a skeleton that moves on a bike next to you as you pedal.

 A section on DNA and genetics where I discreetly avoided the 6 very vivid life size models of the miracle of life

 A 4-D movie, 'Planet You' was VERY cool

 Mindball, using brainwaves to move the ball in the middle

Moving the ball Abi-style