New Blog

I have all sorts of updates on my new public blog that I've decided to take on.  Feel free to visit:
http://choosebetterorbest.blogspot.com

Dress-up/Play Time in the Fall

The night before the Storybook Parade, Grandma and Grandpa Jennings flew in to spend the weekend with us.  It's sort of becoming tradition...they've been here for this a couple of times now!

Sarah was "Chef Pierre Roundbottom" from a new book we came across...teaches all sorts of neat character traits and tells a story a of a happy small town...we've loved it!  Spencer was a "Fried Egg"...we have this book called "Egg Drop"...love the lesson that it's better to wait and not be in too much of a hurry to grow up, etc.

 

And then there is my cupcake!  She loved this costume...perfect for her obsession with strawberries and cupcakes at the moment.

Love my sillies!

 

 

We called him our "cracked egg" due to the emergency room run we had on Friday.  We got a call from the school saying that he had a deep cut on his forehead and was sitting in the nurses office.  He ended up with no stitches, no concussion...thank goodness.  Those silly games in PE and collisions with other kids' teeth can be dangerous!

We had a blast with my parents.  We finally got to roam the streets of Down Town Spring and admire the Amish Furniture stores, buy some Scent Chips, and walk in and right out of wild Texas Crafty stores.  We had a babysitter take the kiddos so we could enjoy "Saltgrass Steakhouse" and a very intense movie.  They even got to see Sarah at her Special Olympic Bowling Team Practice.

Then we headed south of the city to see the USS Texas Battle ship that first sailed 100 years ago.  It was in World War I and World War II.  It was incredible to feel and better understand the sacrifice that has gone on for our country!!!

Across the way was the San Jacinto Monument where Texas won it's freedom from Mexico!  I loved hearing my kids talk about all the facts and knowledge they knew about these historic sites from their school classes.  They're being raised in Texas!

The Fun Run

I'm Spencer's Room Mom so Justin and I got to decorate the door together.  I have to hand it to Justin...he did all the painting.  He's awesome!

I got to visit Spence at lunch right before we went out to the field.

 

We also got to tie dye all these shirts...now that was a project and a half!

 

I loved seeing how excited all the kids were.

I'm so proud of my fast runners!

 

A New School Year

Our good lookin' 3rd grader!

 

Our beautiful 4th grader!

 

Right before they get on the bus!

 

Allison's first day of preschool!  Whahoo!

 

Alli's new teacher, Miss Angie.

Of course she has to be the one to go in preschool on her own.

Little Miss Strawberry Shortcake

...is THREE years old!!!

 

This picture right here puts Alli in one big package for ya!  She waved those arms and lead us all in her own "Happy Birthday" song!  Sooo my Allison!!!  She's the star of the show, an idea of her own, a little spice, a little spunky, a lot of fun, a busy busy girl and always has a smile...a pure out tease!  I love her and have to keep up :)

Our New Dog, Sky

I have never been much of an animal person.  I always have said if we had a dog than it would be an outside dog, but it's impossible to not love this sweet, vulnerable puppy.  We love him sooo much!

The morning we told the kids that we were going to start like for a dog, Sarah of course exploded with joy but Spence a little aprehensive.  He was a little nervous about having a dog around and told me so.  Then he said we should pray that we get the right one for our family and knelt down right there in the middle of the kitchen floor...so Sarah, Alli and I joined him.  It happened too fast for Justin to know from way up stairs. 

He knelt down and said the most tender prayer about finding a nice dog that was just right for Sarah, and him and Alli.  That the dog wouldn't bite and it would be a fun dog. 

Then off we went looking...downtown in the city shelter...no luck.  Up to the Montgomery shelter...no luck...just more questions.  Around to multiple dog stores for their adoption shows...no luck.  We got talked into going back to the Montgomery County Shelter and walked around for way too long.  We were about to go when I felt like we should just walk through the bigger dog room and just give them one more chance.

Sky was sitting there just looking at me with his bright blue, almost white, eyes.  He cocked his head to one side and the other dogs in his kennel and next to were big, ugly, in my eyes scary and barking/jumping around like crazy.  There was a feeling that I needed to pull him out of the kennel and just see what he was like with the kids.

He was so tender and just snuggled up to them and let us all pet him.  I knew he was the one...I knew we should call him Sky because of his eyes and the kids didn't question or Justin.  It just felt right.  I know it was inspired.  Heavenly Father sent this dog to us!

It started that we wanted little and fluffy...ended up with this wonderful mix of yes...probably Pit Bull Terrier with some Blue Heeler and probably something else of a dog.  I never would have thought, but I will tell you that I feel so much safer when Justin is gone and I love knowing that he is way more tender and loving than he looks :)

Sarah's Pajama Party

This was so much fun to have Sarah's good friends over and celebrate her birthday!  We watched the Snow White movie and had cupcakes...just like she requested.  No sleeping over...phew...but we got to have them stay late :)

Sarah felt so special!!!

 

My Ten Year Old

It baffles me where the time has gone.  Those presents right there are things like a curling iron, an electric razor, clothes...big girl things!  I can't believe it!

She picked popeye pancakes, sausage and orange juice for her breakfast.

 

I just love and treasure this girl!  When I held her in the hospital 10 years ago, I wondered if I would be able to get to know her.  I wondered if she would grow up in our home or if I would have to wait until my mortal experience was over to really meet her.  How blessed I am to have 10 years together.

She may be a challenge and may stress me out more than I'd like to admit but she's a tool to bring us to our knees, to humble us, to show us what true empathy is, what true Christlike love is.  She has more perseverance and self motivation than anyone I know!  She has a nurturing instinct about her that every mother should be.  I love watching her grow.  I love watching the miracles in her life and being a part of them.  I'm so grateful, just so grateful to be her mother!