Say What??

No Mommy I'm not gonna eat your air heads I'm just gonna hold dem and keep em safe.

O- the butterflies didn't come out.
Maqui -were they still in their cocoons?
O- they were sleeping.
Maqui- did you tell them about my cocoons and butterflies?
O- no, they don't know you. They call you Maqui, no, they call you Monkey.

O- Daddy, stop it you being reawy annoying!
Brett - Where did you hear that?!
O- Um Mommy.

O- I want a toy
Maqui- tell you what, when you're potty trained for 7 days, I'll buy you a toy.
(30 min later.)
Maqui- why did you take your diaper off.
O- it's been 7 days.

(Watching a commercial)
O- I wanna go there!!
Me - O'Ryan's that's the Sylvan Learning Center, trust me you don't want to go there.

My school is the short school. Cause it's for wittle people not big.

Are we going to see Jesus today? Did he say it's time? I wanna bring my paci's to see Jesus.

Me - Don't put my highlighter down your pants!

Let's take this party somewhere else!!!

Why isn't my echo on? I can't hear it.

The frog is gonna squirt glands!

I call bottoms a buttocks now. I'm not kidding. Maqui says it too. We not kidding.

Last April Weekend

* This week Judy and Brian were in town! We all had a blast with them. Thursday all of Brett's fam came over and we had the best time. O'Ryan fell in love with them all over again :)

* Friday was such an up-and-down day for me! I received my MRI results - which left me feeling happy and sad. I can't explain it. I just started reflecting on the past few years and became overwhelmed yet excited this may be the last step to feeling better. Then I grew stressed over what to do next. Steroid shots? PT? Continue massages and acupuncture? Surgery? And if surgery, what kind of surgeon and does my insurance cover them? I prayed as I scanned the Internet for answers. This of course did NOT help my hurting back. Computer time = big NO NO right now. Anyway, I was led to a good orthopedic surgeon and THANK YOU GOD I got an appointment tomorrow morning at 9am!!!! Stress gone.

* One more thing...I have been told by numerous people to go with a neurosurgeon. If you know of a good one, please pass it on. Thank you!

* Saturday morning O and I were off to "his Avery Bibb's" party. Avery Bibb is O'Ryan's absolute BEST girl friend. They attend preschool together and hit it off from the beginning. They hold hands and Avery sweetly wakes O from his nap every Tuesday and Thursday. She'll say, "O'Wyan, wake up! You need to put your shoes on." It was SO fun to chat with my girl friends and meet Avery's extended family. I ended up mostly talking with the elders about their neck surgeries they've had! Ha. Life is just funny.

Ms. Avery Bibb

* Judy and Brian came over that afternoon to go to RPC with us. Church was awesome. Patrick made a parenting sermon seem more like a comedy show. And the music rocked. I mean what church plays "Burning Down the House?" Loved it.

* My family met up with us at Outback for dinner. O'Ryan was the star entertainment for the night as always. I forgot how totally amazzzing their steaks are there!!! I had a 5 course meal for $11.99. Score.

* This morning we chilled in our PJs and played a few games of hide and seek before heading to RPC. It was our Sunday to serve at the Front Porch. Brett and O drive the kids on the carts while Mommy checks people in. Today I escorted several new families. That's my FAVORITE part of working the FP. Being the first person they encounter at RPC. I love putting them at ease when they have to leave their kids at childcare and warmly welcoming them to a safe, Godly atmosphere. We had tons of new fams today!

Our new grill

* Our Sunday was just getting started...we headed straight to my mom's for a cookout/pool party. My aunt and uncle and 6 little cousins came. The pool quickly became wild with that many kids :) O'Ryan totally loved being around his cousins and being crazy in the pool. I'm SO thankful for a kid who has caution built into him. It's not as stressful when he's swimming. Oh and David cooked the yummiest burgers. O and I ate like 30 "watermelon balls" each. SO YUM. Watermelon and summer just go perfectly together.

* To wrap up the weekend we held Home Team at our house. It was laid-back and chill, with great convos. If you aren't connected with a small group who regularly discusses God and all about being a Christian, I would HIGHLY recommend you try to find one. Fellowship with friends is so important for spiritual and personal growth. I'm looking forward to what lies ahead for our group. Let me know if you want to get connected with something like this! I've had several people approach me about it.

* This week I will continue to lie low, narrow down doctors, and simply ENJOY life with friends and fam!

Hanging out back at my mom's

Um ma'am, we have a problem

You want to know the quickest way to turn O'Ryan's morning funk into a giddy happy dance? Tell him we're going through Jack In the Box for pancakes. That boy loves his mini pancakes. 

So that's what happened this morning. And as we're waiting in line, "I lost my keeeeeys!" came on. You know the Francesca Battistelli song "This is the Stuff?" The theme of the song is how it's so easy for all of us to get frustrated with our daily small problems that we forget how blessed we are by Him.

Anyway, when I pulled up the the window the lady said "Um ma'am, I'm so sorry but we have a problem." I look at her a little confused. "I apologize I didn't enter your order and then totally forgot what you wanted and haven't put it into the computer! I'm sorry..."

I busted out laughing, as her tone sounded so serious I was genuinely worried. Poor lady looked at me like I was insane. I told her no worries. I thought something was really wrong. A few minutes later, O's mini cakes came out. The lady profusely apologized and I said, "No no no. Seriously, it's fine. We're all good!"

"Well you'd be surprised how many people would get really mad about that," she replied. I told her I had too many actual problems to have a cow over a drive-thru order. We gave her a wave and off to preschool we went. 

Okay, rewind 3-4 years ago. I wouldn't have been upset over that particular incident but you cut me off while I'm driving, or hop in front of me in the check out line (It makes me laugh that adults do that!), or shrink my shirt at the dry cleaners? I would be good and mad, boiling with anger or frustration. I'd think, 'Why are people so stupid? What kind of person cuts me off only to stop at a red light 2 seconds later?' I'd be allll filled with negativity. Blah. It's gross. 

I have a few incidents that I'm too embarrassed to even bring up. But they remind me what life is like before you wholly let Christ in your heart. I remember thinking several years ago how I mostly thought of myself as a nice, friendly person. Deep down I knew there were unnecessary, snippy, even ugly thoughts or words just waiting to burst out. I always knew some things needed to change. 

It wasn't until I finally said enough of that. I want to be completely full of light and love. I want to know how to give people the benefit of the doubt. I want to know how to laugh things off. I want to be able to shrug my shoulders and just move on. I want more laughter. More positivity. More joy. This was all part of my transformation process. Once I made the decision to pursue a REAL, living, continuous relationship with God, he jumped in and softened me. I can't explain how freeing it is. You become lighter. And God will use you to push others to let Him in. That's how He works. 

He works through love. Really the entire point of the Bible is all about loving others. 

"This is my command. Love each other."

"If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!"

"Love is patient. Love is kind. 

"We love each other because he first loved us."

"Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law."

"God IS love."

Rudeness, hurtful words and bitterness only breaks you down. Plus, it just takes too much of your precious energy and time. If you find yourself full of negativity, hatred and anger, just take a step back to observe what you center your life around. If it revolves around anything BUT Christ, it's time to reevaluate things. I can promise you you will never regret opening up your mind, heart and body to let God be the center and take control. 

Because He is love.

We obviously don't take life too seriously. 

Letting Go + Lake Pictures

A theme, goal, whatever you want to call it, in my life the past two years has been to slow down. I realize it goes against our culture and natural human instincts. If we all don't stop, take a breath, look around at what we're running to and from each day, we'll go a bit insane. I feel it's quite risky to live life in a rush. We trap yourself in a go-go-go mindset and end up missing out on the quite amazing and beautiful journey life has to offer. We wear our minds, bodies, spirits down until everything that truly matters (aka: people) suffers greatly.

As I move along in life and stumble upon trial after trial, I feel God whispering "slower...nope, even slower.." I feel I'm finally grasping what he has in store for me during this season in my life. I have a clearer vision of my priorities and Christian duties thanks to His whispers. Sometimes I want to scream, 'But I know what I'm doing! Just let me do this!' Who am I kidding?! Ha. Let go and Let God, right? So while everyone around me is packing their summers full of camps, swim lessons, and gymnastics...you'll find us doing just the opposite.

We'll be winging it. Pool one day? Sure! Park to feed the ducks another day? Why not! Lake house this weekend? Bring it on. The BEST childhood memories I have are of the completely random, spontaneous things we did with our family and friends. Time, moments, years are gone in a flash. O'Ryan is so so incredibly young. Camps, lessons, and all that junk can wait. Summer is a great time to push hard on the brakes. Let go, Let God, and Live it up!

___________________________________________

Last weekend was our first trip to McQueeney this year. We were pleasantly surprised with a little cool front, too. Although the weather was nice, I was itching to to the jetski and boat in warmer weather. The Guadalupe is just calling my name! Memorial weekend we plan on heading there with family and friends. From then on, most weekends will be spent in Central Texas, on the cool river with the cypress trees!

A Happy Life

A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, 

for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy dare live.

Bertrand Russell

Today I had a super relaxing day.

O was at school and my good friend Rachel came over with her two youngest girls.

We had girl time and watched K play in the baby pool.

I could definitely use more of these days...

Ones with friends, sun, laughter and baby smiles :)

Less is MORE

Our April has been a blend of things. 

Very warm weather. Bubble guns. Baby pools. Allergies. Hunger Games series. Date nights. Potty training, sort of. Heating pad. Massages. Watching caterpillars transform into butterflies! Doctors. Watermelon. Snuggles. Prayers. Praises. Some tears. And plenty of laughter!

****************

Less really is more.

Simplicity is often best.

Being still is underrated.

Chill days at home are the most memorable.

Observing > Talking

Backyard picnics are more fun than fancy meals

Less is more.

:)

Boomer!!! ...Sooner!!!

Aaaand that's the only time you'll see me write that :)

GO BEARS!!!!

Sorry. 

I just uploaded these same pics of FB, but for those family members without FB here they are! Pictures from our weekend in Norman, OK. A total of 11 of us traveled to watch Eric play in the spring game. Thank you Coach Stoops for playing ALL of the players, including my little bro. No matter what happens from now on, I can say that Eric's dream came true. All he's ever wanted along this journey is a CHANCE to show everyone what he can do. And he's been blessed to have that chance, now not only during practice but during an actual game. 

We couldn't have hidden our pure JOY and PRIDE for him that day if we wanted to!!! I haven't seen my mom that smiley in a while! :) One of the best days of our families' life. Thank you Lord! You get all of the glory.

If you step back, it's a beautiful story God has weaved together for the world to see. A story He knew and began putting the pieces together for a long, long time ago. A story of dedication, determination, faith, hard work, patience, endurance, positive attitudes, and an unwavering sight on a high goal!!! 

And having a supportive, loving system of family, friends and even strangers is simply the icing on top!

We love you Eric. Thank you for your inspiration to us and all of those you encounter!

My cutie jammin out.

Our shirts were such a BIG hit! The whole day people came up to us asking about Eric and congratulating him and us. GOOD IDEA MOM on making shirts!!! And THANKS Kortni for making them :)

Hiding from the tornadoes, yikes. One JUST missed us.

Game day.

Eric said it was a great experience to sign autographs and interact with the kiddos. 

Daddy and O at the races 

Copying O'Ryan's "I'm on a SUGAR HIIIIIIGGH" face.

ERic had several tackles, even though they put 1.

Worn out after the game.

O'Ryan's shirt.

"We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. ⁸ We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. ⁹ We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. ¹⁰ Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything."

2 Corin 6:7-10