You asked for it, family....

I know...we've been back from Christmas break travels for a while, I have not an excuse left in the book, so I'll blog. We had a wonderful break. We stayed in Searcy with Nana and Papa until the 26th...hence all the Christmas pics. So, this post will be all about Christmas...
Parker is watching Sesame Street so we will see how much time I get to type and all more posts today. When the show is over, we are off the the mall. It's rainy out here in Houston and I need to return some jeans for the member of our family that is growing so fast that I can't keep her in clothes. Literally. Grace must get all her growing genes from Aaron's side of the family because poor Susie hasn't grown much at all this year...my side! And so it goes with our growing children. I'm waiting for the day (and it's coming soon) when people will start to ask if Susie and Parker are twins. He is about to catch her in height and they look sooo very much alike! Okay...off to the pictures!

See, I told you....little twins! Susie got the little bitty twins (blonde headed ones) for Christmas from Santa and they look so much like she and Parker when they will toddlers....so cute!

Nana and the kids are making their cookies for Santa. The Santa in Searcy, whom we love so very much...told them that he likes 2% milk. Now everytime we go to the store, Parker says, "Remember, he likes the blue milk, Mom!" You know, because 2% milk has the blue cap!

Papa reading "The Night Before Christmas" to the kids.

The tree at Nana's house right before the kids came downstairs....

Yes, I'm still behind...

I know, I know...I'm still about 3 weeks behind on blogging, but I'm going to catch up this week...
Okay, maybe not because of this weeks crazy schedule and all, but we will see. Aaron is having knee surgery on Wednesday...he has a torn ACL and meniscus. He thinks that he will be well enough for us to drive to Arkansas on Friday afternoon. I disagree and think that we will not be making the journey to the Land of Opportunity until at least Monday, but we will see. If anything, say a prayer on Wednesday morning for everything to go well. Aaron's mom will fly in late Wednesday night to pick up her car from our house and then drive to Florida to be with his sister Carrie. Carrie and her hubby, Dale, are expecting their first baby in the next few weeks and we are sooo excited. After spending a little while in Searcy, we are driving down south to be with the Green side of the family and hopefully we will get to love on the newest member of the family while we are there!!

Okay, back to the updates from November....after we got back from Mexico we decided to get out the Christmas tree. Yes, I know, it was before Thanksgiving, but with going out of town for most of the holidays, we decided that we actually wanted to enjoy it this year. So, we got the tree up and the house all decorated and it was time for us to go to Kennett, Missouri to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving. My Grandma is 99 years old and she is amazing. She still drives, teaches ladies bible class and works in the benevolence center at her church. We joke around that Grandma is going to outlive all of us....she is a wonderful example for me and I'm so thankful that she is my Grandma. There were 29 of us packed in her house on Thanksgiving. The kids had a blast with their cousins...they played in the backyard, sang us songs with dances and made some interesting concoctions from all of the stuff in Grandmas' bathroom...Grace and Courtney!! It was a fun weekend and I'm so thankful that we made the LONG trip there to be with all of the family.

When we got home from the Thanksgiving trip it got so cold down here in Houston that it SNOWED! The kids were so very excited and to tell the truth....so were we! I mean, really, who doesn't love snow?? It warmed up the very next day, but we had snow for one day and it was perfect! The girls got out of school early and we had a fun time playing in the snow and just being together as a family. Parker ran inside and grabbed the ice cream scoop, "MOM! I'm going to make some snowballs with this and throw them at Susie and Grace!" Oh...he is a fun little guy. So...enjoy the pics. As usual...the pictures loaded backwards on blogger...you would think they would have that fixed by now! Or do they and I just don't know how to use it after 5 years of blogging?? Oh well...

Susie loved the snow...you can tell we live in Houston. She has on a dress and tights from school that day! She stayed outside for a long time...I came in much quicker than them and I was bundled up!

The kids had a snowball fight with the neighbors across fence...it was so funny and they loved it!

They last day of school before Thanksgiving break was Susie's Thanksgiving feast! The kids put on a little song and dance show for us and then the kids ate so much food.

This was the middle of the dance...she was mid-spin!

Stephanie wanted pictures of our house decorated for Christmas....so I got Parker to pose by telling him, "Don't you get in my pictures!" Why do they always do what you tell them NOT to do? Oh well...it worked!

Next year, I will have a foyer tree....I only say that because Aaron bought the kids a new TV for the playroom with my new tree money....Okay, I guess the tree can wait until the after Christmas sales. I want it to be right behind where Parker is standing...just dreaming.

I'll try....

It is cold here today. I mean, for Houston, it is REALLY cold. It's hovering around freezing and the weather channel says it's going to get colder. The girls are both at school and Parker is on the couch playing Super Mario Brothers and watching Night at the Museum. I'm waiting for the call from the school saying that we have to go and pick the girls up because the roads will be bad once the snow starts...until then I guess I will type.

I don't know exactly why I haven't been blogging. I go to my blog and check all of my friends blogs and their updates. Yet, my blog stays on it's October post. Maybe it's facebook...I mean, really, it is so easy to get on and stay for a while doing nothing and then...oh...I need to clean and actually be a productive member of our family, and get off. It could be that we have just been busy. Since my last post we have made 2 trips to Arkansas, a trip to Mexico and had 2 holidays. Nope....Can't blame it on that. I can't figure it out exactly. I just haven't wanted to blog and talk about us. Maybe that is it. Well....time to get off my duff and update the old blog.

Hmmmm....where to start?

Halloween! We went to Searcy for Halloween weekend. Not because it was Halloween (that would just be silly) but because it was Harding's Homecoming. And because I think Aaron knew that I wanted, no strike that, NEEDED, to see some of my friends and family. It was such a fun weekend. We got to spend time with our great friends and family and see all of our sweet kids that are at Harding as students now. I just can't believe that Jenna, Bethany, Brant and Victoria are almost done with their first semester as college students. CRAZY! Victoria was one of my first students when I was teaching and was in our wedding as a flower girl....yes, I am officially old.
Our kids loved trick-or-treating on the HU campus with their buddies Kendall and Mason. And of course, we spend lots of time with Nana, Papa and Aunt Jess! I personally just missed my friend, Jenn Mallory, and I am so thankful that she made me stay up so late every night in the dorms with Jenna and Bethany! :) Night Owl...love you!

June and Gene came for Homecoming and Parker was excited to see Ms. June! We miss you!

Of course, Grace (she was Wendy from Peter Pan for Halloween) was soo happy to see one of her favorite Harding Students, Collin! We didn't get to hear him and the Good News Singers, but hopefully we'll get to at Spring Sing!

Our kids with the Mallory's kids...Parker (Peter Pan) was tired of taking pictures at this point and was ready to eat his candy.

The kids and Nana. Thanks for letting us come and visit!

We got home from Searcy....all 9 hours in the car....and it was time to get ready for MEXICO!!

Oh! The school just sent out an e-mail and text message and the girls are getting out of school at 1:40 today! YIPPPPEEE! The snow is on it's way....I better get off of here and get some stuff done so that we can play when the girls get home from school. I promise....I try to do better with the blogging....Mexico trip recap is next!!

Something new!

I started this post on Friday...then decided I didn't want to spend another minute on the computer and just left it alone! I love it!! :)

Before school, the kids and I all pile in about 2 minutes until 8:00. School starts at 8:20, but the drop-off line here is a bear. I would rather not fight it, so the kids and I get there just after 8:00. Yet, we still wait in about a 5 minute line.

Everyday we have just been sitting there...chit chatting, talking about what they are going to do...you know, kids to mom talk. Then it hit me. Why in the world am I not taking that time to pray with my kids before they start their day??

So, on Thursday we started praying in the car. The kids close their eyes and bow their heads and I pray over my babies (okay, they aren't babies anymore, but I can still say it) with my eyes open (I am driving in the drop-off lane) and it feels GREAT. Just a huge wave of relief comes over me after they got out of the car. Everyday. They know we love them and we pray with them every night before bed, but why not before they start out their day?

I have no idea why it has taken me 4 years of Grace's school career to do this, but I am so thankful that we do it now!

Friday was spirit day at the girls school. When we went to "Meet the Teacher" night, you could purchase school spirit shirts. They had already run out of Susie's size and hopefully they will be in next week. Until then, I made Susie her own, black and red spirit shirt, complete with "bling"...she was pretty proud of that shirt and I was excited that she liked it! :)


Last week was great. Sus is loving Kindergarten and Grace is thriving in 3rd grade (like we knew they would.) The GT teacher called this week and told me to get our "parent checklist" turned in quickly so that they could get her in the program ASAP....It looks like all of her test scores are great and she won't have to be re-tested!! Yes! They told us at first that she would have to come in on a Saturday and be totally re-tested because we are coming from another district. Thankfully, our old school district uses the same tests and she is good!
Parker has started to take an interest in my digital camera. He loves to take pictures...just thought I would show you some of his fine photography skills. He must take after his Papa James!


We had a great weekend. We really didn't do much, but it was nice to just be together after a crazy first week of school. Aaron and the kids were trying to make me breakfast in bed Saturday morning, but I woke up just as they were fixing my coffee, so I ate my food with them at the table. Love them! Grace and Aaron made me a David Cook CD for the car, too. They know how much I love Mr. Cook. :)

Yesterday we placed membership here at Cinco Ranch Church of Christ. We decided to quit being visitors and jump in and get busy being active members. Besides, we can only sit and do nothing for so long. It felt good to let everyone in the church know that we wanted to be a part of their family. Granted, it doesn't feel like "home" yet and I don't know when it will get to that point. It's just so hard leaving a place where you have family....I mean, a real church family. Legacy was that for us and we loved it. We hope that Cinco will be that for us and our kids. They are on their way. The kids are making friends and really love bible class. We are making friends, too. Don't get me wrong.

We had lunch with our friends, the Kleins. We are so thankful for them. They have 3 , super well behaved kids, that our children love. Honestly, I know that God sent both of our families to Cinco Ranch at the same time. It is so funny. They went to Harding the same time that I did and we didn't know each other. Yet, we know so many of the same people....Small world. We went over to their neighborhood pool and ate pizza for lunch after church. It was great. Easy, low key and great. We tried to go out to eat and the wait was going to be over an hour, so they just picked up some pizza and we just hung out by the pool.

We were leaving their house and were at the stop light outside of their neighborhood and we ran out of gas. Completely. It was so funny. We have never run out of gas. EVER. In 11 years of being married....Kyle bailed us out and I'm still laughing that we ran out of gas! :) So funny!

I just loved being able to talk to some of my friends last night on the phone. I really miss that connection, but know that we will always have it...it will just have to be through Skype and the phone. And that is fine with me!

Okay...enough jibber jabber....I'm off to play on the upstairs computer with Parker. He loves playing on Playhouse Disney. Tomorrow is his first day of pre-school here and he is sooo excited to go....The next question to answer is...what am I going to do tomorrow with a whole day to myself?? :)

11 years? It feels like just yesterday!!

This past weekend Aaron and I celebrated our 11th anniversary. Okay, it feels like I just blinked and then we were married for 11 years!! It just goes by in the blink of an eye. All of those people at our wedding were not kidding when they told us that so many years ago! I love you, Aaron and I'm so thankful that you have put up with me all of these crazy years...here is to 70 more!! he he he!

Grace made it home from camp. She loved it. She came home with stories from canoeing and getting stuck and being super excited that she got mail and a package at camp! I was glad to have all of my little chicks back in their nest. We picked her up Friday afternoon and Aaron flew home on Friday night.

Aaron thought he was being sneaky Saturday morning when we were lying in bed and he tells me that it is 10:30. YIKES! I hopped out of bed and ran to the shower. Grace had a scheduled eye dr. appt. at 11:30 so we had to get on the ball. Yeah right. I put in my contacts (I'm soo blind without them in) and took a shower. After I'm fully awake and walk into the bedroom and look at the clock. It was 8:00 AM! I had gotten up before 8:00 on a Saturday morning!!! Oh the drama! :)

We had choc. chip pancakes for breakfast and then started hanging pictures around the house. We have only a few left to do and then most everything will be done around here. We'll finish this weekend. I took Grace to the eye doctor. Ends up that she has her mommy's eyes and will be getting her glasses at the end of the week. Not real happy about that. Really. She was so disappointed about it until I told her that Aunt Jess has glasses and then it wasn't so uncool.

We came home...ate...just hung out. Then all 3 kids come running up to me in their swimsuits and yell, "Happy Anniversary, mom! We are going to the beach!!" It was so sweet. They packed a cooler full of junk food and sandwiches for dinner and we got in the car to go to Galveston Beach.
This time we drove a different direction down the beach and it made all the difference. We went to Jamaica Beach. It was great!! We had the beach almost to ourselves. I loved it. We ate our dinner out there, had so much fun playing in the waves and the sand. It was the perfect way to spend our 11th anniversary.

The beach

A little background here...Aaron is from Florida, well, mainly. He grew up around some VERY beautiful beaches in Destin. I went to high school in Tallahassee, Florida. I too, spent much time at some very pretty beaches. Aaron and I both LOVE the beach. Have we been in the past 5 years? No. Have we wanted to go? Oh my word! YES! We miss the beach and the fun times in the sun. The last time we went to the beach with the whole family, Susie was 9 months old and we were in Destin for Aaron's 10 year high school reunion. Yes, Susie will turn 6 in September so it has been awhile. She obviously does not remember the beach.

Parker has never been to the beach and then Grace was like what, 5 years old when we went last? Who knows? It has just been a stinkin' long time. So with that, we decided that we should take the kids to Galveston. I mean really, we aren't that far from there. Right? Wrong! We forgot to take into account Houston I-45 traffic. OH. MY. WORD! But, you know us, no big! Grace read a book, Sus and Parker slept. It was a nice (really nice) break from the unpacking of boxes and I wasn't driving so I was GREAT!! :)

We drove to Stewart Beach. You pay $8 to go in and park on the public beach. I have never and I repeat NEVER been to such a crowded beach. There were hundreds and hundreds of people there! I think everyone in Houston decided to go to the beach on Saturday. I mean who could blame them though. It was a beautiful day! Not too hot, there was a great breeze and we loved it!

The kids LOVED the beach. REALLY! They must have some of us in them for sure...they were begging to go back before we even pulled out of the parking lot! They jumped over waves and made sandcastles with their little hands. There wasn't a minute that they were not having fun and for that I am so thankful.

Galveston may not be the most beautiful beach in my eyes, but in my kids eyes it was on Saturday! So, when are you going to come down for a visit??? The kids want to go back and explore some other beaches that Galveston has for us to all see!

Walking out to the beach!!

Feeling the water...testing it out for the first time.

Here we go!!

Parker worked on this sandcastle for the longest time. I have never seen that little guy so intent on finishing something like that in his little life! It was so neat to watch his creation just using his hands and sand. Such a fun time, for sure!!

Denial....

I think that is the state that I am. Denial...not Texas.

I keep hearing people talk but I have just been putting all the "miss you" comments in the back of my head and not really hearing them because I just don't want to think about it. Really, I don't. Tomorrow the movers come to pack up the house. Today is my last day with my things in our house. Our house that we picked out to raise our kids in, the house that we picked out to have people over for dinner and pool parties (the pool was coming in next summer). And I really know it's not about the house and the things. If anyone knows that...it is us. Really, I could care less about our stuff...it's not that great in the first place....really, with 3 kids we are not into "stuff."

Goodness, I'll have all of these things when we get to Houston. I think it is all of the things that I wanted to do in this house with my kids and our family HERE. I know, I'm thinking selfish but this is about the time that I break down in the moving process and for some stinkin' reason (you FRIENDS!! :) ) it is so much incredibly harder this time than it has ever been. Watching the kids with their friends at church here is what makes it all so hard for me. I know that is what is making it so hard with this move. Our kids have never been old enough to have those "best friends" that they will actually miss. Looking at them and wanting them to have those relationships when they go to high school and college...ugh!

I know, I'm being a baby now, but it's my turn to cry and then I'll be done until we get in the car on Sunday. At that point, I think I will cry all the way out of town. I know the kids will meet other kids and life will go on. I do. I'm not a moving rookie. I've been though it before. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda.....

This time it just hurts. Plain and simple. I love our church family here so much and it just hurts to go. Our lives and relationships are centered at our church and I love that. At any given time, I can come back go to church and see everyone that I want to see here in the big city. And I love that. We will find a new church in our new city....right now it just hurts to leave here. I know God has a plan and I'm all for it. Just right now, I want to cry and be sad for a little bit.

Love ya'll....Mean it.

Where does the time go?

I know...I'm a horrible blogger as of late. I don't think that when I started this blog 4 years ago, that I would still be posting....maybe, but I don't know. We lived in Alaska then....2005. Wow! That seems not that long ago, but it was 2 moves and a baby less then! Things do change quickly when you have 3 kids and a sports loving husband...he he he. :) I just looked back at my first few blogs. I think then only Reagan, my mom, sister and mother-in-law read my blog then. Now, it's been so long since I've posted, it's probably the same 4 people! :) So, for you 4 readers, that we never get to see but would love to have a visit from....here is an update and then I'll get back on the ball this week!!

Susannah graduated from Pre-K and is so ready for Kindergarten in the fall. Everytime we drive by her "new school" she yells, "KINDERGARTEN, HERE I COME!!" Yeah, she is just a little excited. She and her friend Ryan have been playing a lot lately. He invited her out for a little "date" last week and she loved it. They went to see Frog and Toad's Big Adventure (with his mom) at Casa Manana. She was dressed in record time and waiting by the door for them to drive up. I think that they giggled all the way to the play. Good friends and fun times!

Susie and Ryan on Graduation day!

Grace is staying busy with softball. She's been invited to play on a u10 team this next year and she is excited about being with her "older friends"....remember, she is only 7. She's going to 2 softball camps starting on Monday so that should help her skills before fall ball starts in September. Tomorrow is her last full day of second grade....where does the school year go???

She's getting a big hit!

Grace wants to play high school ball just like Bethany!

Parker. Parker. Parker. Let's just say this...he keeps us busy and could be the reason that I hardly ever post here....I have to keep up with him and I love it!! He has started spelling his name to the tune of Bingo "P-A-R-K-E-R and that's how we spell Parker!!" Aaron went and threw me a curve ball last week when he taught him how to use the restroom standing up. I have been perfectly happy with him sitting down and using the potty. Aaron thought other-wise, but to Parker's credit...He has been doing GREAT!!! Of course, he thinks he is a big kid so that probably helps out even more, but he's doing a super job right now, for sure.

Ms. Suzanne and Parker during their "Smartie Party" in the church office. We love to visit our favorite place in the church building!

We had a big softball game and picnic at the park with our small group...here some of the kids that came!!

Aaron and I have been staying busy with work (well, he has) and with church. I bet our kids think it is their second home and I couldn't be happier about that....I love our church family and our friends. Small group is going great and we love our Sunday nights up at the building! Our high school seniors are less than a week from graduation and we are so excited for them and all of their new opportunities in College in the fall....not that we won't miss them, but they know they always have a place to come home to at Legacy!! :)

That's about it with us....staying busy, loving our God, loving our friends and making it real with the time we have. It doesn't get much better than that!

Hug your babies

Yesterday during church I was hugging my girls really hard. Bethany and Jenna were working in the toddler nursery, so Parker was in there playing with them. Communion time was quiet and all I could think about was the Rine family in Searcy and about their great loss. I know that they are hurting so much and missing their sweet Micah.

I'm sure that Susie thought I was about the hug the life out of her, but it just made me reflect on how very thankful that I am for the love we have in Christ. He loved us so much that he went to the cross and then defeated death and rose again! WOW....Micah is with him and singing with the angels in Heaven because of Christ. Hug your babies extra tight today and be thankful for what Christ did for all of us.

Below is the article that was sent out to the Harding friends and alumni this weekend:

The Harding family mourns, and our hearts ache over the tragic loss of Micah Rine (‘06) Pate on Thursday, April 30, in Bartlett, Tenn. She is the daughter of Dennis (’78) and Terri Pittman (’82) Rine and the sister of Casey (’01) Rine. Micah’s roots are deep in the Harding family, and she was a joy to everyone who knew her. Dennis is the baseball coach, teacher and guidance counselor at Harding Academy. Terri taught in the family and consumer science department at Harding for many years. Her grandparents are Floyd and Patty Rine, who retired from Camp Tahkodah, and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Pittman of Proctorville, Ohio. Her aunts and uncles are: Mel (’84) and Lori Pittman (’85) Sansom , John (’98) and Penny Rine (’82) Hitt and Tim (’02) and Becky (’94) Rine. She is also survived by a host of cousins and friends.

Micah was a graduate of Harding Academy and the College of Nursing at Harding University. She was a member of Zeta Rho social club. Always thinking of others, she recently cut her hair for Locks of Love. She was a nurse’s nurse and the best of the best. On Tuesday, she celebrated her 26th birthday.

One of her high school friends, Justin Mueller, told her once that she was so kind that he knew she had a full scholarship to heaven. We believe that is true. When Darren Mathews (’90) drove her truck back to Searcy, he turned on her CD player and wondered what was the last song she heard. It was “Blessed be the Name of the Lord.” Our hearts are heavy, and the rain has fallen since her passing like tears from heaven. Through our grief and sorrow, we rejoice in her victory in Jesus. As an avid runner and a Christian, she finished the race, kept the faith and will receive her crown of righteousness.

Visitation with the family will be on Monday, May 4, from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Heritage Lobby at Harding University. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 5, at 2 p.m. in the Harris Gym at Harding Academy.

Memorials may be made in memory of Micah to the Harding Academy Wildcat Trust Fund, Box 12238, Searcy, AR 72149

The Rine family sends this message, “Love your children and cherish your time with them...” Please keep the Rine and Pate families in your prayers during this difficult time.

Spring Break, Part 2

You guessed it right, we went to Six Flags! We renewed our season passes for 2009 and had a great time with our friends, The Thompsons.

I think this may be the last season for Grace and this ride...I think her feet are dragging!

Parker really likes the roller coasters...it's pretty funny!

Grace was sweet to ride with the little guys on this...she hardly spun them at all.

The girls were waiting in line for the bumper cars and being silly!

Six Flags, first of many visits of 2009!! Whooo Hooo!!

Spring Break, Part 1

I know, I know...I'm behind on spring break posts. So, here you go...

The first morning of spring break, Aaron went to play basketball up at church and on his way home, he picked up donuts for the kids! What a great way to start spring break...we love donuts, but we hardly ever get them. We didn't do much but play outside at home and of course, Grace read. She is on #4 of the Harry Potter series. She read the first 3 books in one week. Now that school has started back, she has slowed down but I know she is already getting excited for the weekend when she can get back to Harry and his friends.


On the second day of spring break, we went with some of our friends to Founder's Park at the DFW Airport. This is about the closest you can get to the airport without paying for a ticket! The airplanes would land so close and the kids thought it was pretty cool. The kids would roll down the hill a couple of times and then stand at the fence at watch the planes land. I love the free days of spring break!
They had a whole afternoon of play with just a blanket, hundreds of ladybugs and of course, their friends. It was a fun and relaxing day.