First Day of Kindergarten

We started the night before at Corinos in celebration for Ty. He had been nervous about it all weekend. He asked a lot of questions mainly and mentioned several times how much he wanted to go back to his old school. I actually was the one who did not sleep the night before! I am always anxious that I won't be prepared enough.

By morning, God had covered all of us in peace! He got up with out a complaint and was fine! Walked right in and greeted his teacher. Did everything on his own, found his locker, put up his backpack and then went and found his seat with his name on it! Neither he nor I shed one tear! I left feeling VERY at peace about it and was beyond excited for him!

Trent came home so we could pick him up together. When they came out he was visiting with his new friends and laughing. His teacher said it was a great day. We started to walk off and he said wait, I need to say bye to my friends... he ran back and talked to this precious little blonde girl and then ran back all smiles ready to leave!

We met our cousins to have ice cream afterward. I think it is going to be a great year! I am going to be the room mother which I am very thrilled about and look forward to watching him experience the first days of the rest of his life!!!

Meet The Teacher Night

Well, we got all gussied up and made it to the school on time at 4:30. Nobody made it clear that this was a come and go event or I would not have pushed Trent so hard to be home by then! We entered the building in all its choas with the expensive school supplies in hand! We were one of the fisrt people in Ty's classroom, which is about the same size as his pre-school 4's at Calvary! I was kind of happy about that! It was decorated very 60's with the theme of the year, "Peace, Love, and Stars." Stars are sort of the mascot of the school. Mrs. Grimsley was a very pleasant lady, whom I think may be a little on the quiet side. Not really what I expected for Kindergarten but she was nice. I was so proud of Ty in using his manners to meet her. He gave her a hug before we left and told her it was nice to meet her, made my heart melt and if I had allowed myself I could have been very emotional! We did not request a teacher and although we did not know who Ty's teacher would be until a week ago, I have been praying for her all summer. I am trusting God that they will be a good fit for one another! I believe there is a life lesson in every situation!

Ty did great while we were there but had a lot of questions at bed time and I can tell he is a little nervous which I think is normal! I would be too! We talked a lot about it and will continue to do so. I hope he is not emotional his first day or it will kill me!

We have had a wonderful 'Last Friday' so far. We went to the Galbraiths for muffins and playtime, a long time tradition that started when Ty and Noah were just a couple of months old!! We are about to head out for one last pool day. Ty's baseball team made the playoff tournament and that first game is tonight. Summer is coming to an end which makes me sad yet excited. Time marches on.....

9 Year Anniversary

Lots of things have changed since this day back in 2000. My how I have aged! Didn't think I would be saying that just 9 years down the road! Trent has too but he just looks better. Funny how it works like that! We have moved twice, gone through different jobs and had two children. I wonder what it will be like years from now. To say we have grown as a couple is just not even the tip! I think mostly that is due to my man. I have grown some individually but am not near as far along as he is. This year imparticular has been the year of most change. He has really taken his faith seriously which has filtered into every part of his life and most noticeably as a husband. He says he just made the choice and has followed through. I however have let many things get in the way for me and feel so blessed, that despite how much I lack there he is patient with me. I am not saying that Trent is perfect, he is not. But I do think he is the perfect person for me.

There are probably some people that doubted that we were meant for each other when we dated. We probably did too at some points but as I have said before, I always felt that God drew me to him and now we are at the point in life where it is so much more visible as to why in many many ways. We could not possibly be more different from one another, but that is one of the reasons I think we need each other. God knew more than I did of course, how much I needed different!

It is really neat for me to see him in my children, not physically but in their actions. My son especially is so touchy and loving, even when I am in the worst mood or he senses that I am upset, he makes a special effort to show me love. That is pretty darn amazing for a five year old! My daughter could not be more like him! I just hope these things never change. I am proud to see that he is having a deep impression on them. I think they see too much of my non-proud moments and am glad that they are not taking on my traits there!

I know he gets frustrated with me at times. It definately goes both ways. We are far from a perfect couple. We have our 'junk' just like everyone else. I am secure though that he is in it for the long haul as am I. It is SO hard at times- but I always know we have a firm foundation and HE can get us through anything. I am SO thankful for His hand over the past 9 years. I just pray that I can grow more into the wife that He wants me to be. I am a work in progress!

First Tooth

Ty lost his first tooth yesterday!!! It had been so wiggly for days. I get so freaked out with that. I remember being that way when it was me! I could not even hardly watch him wiggle it and it gives me the willies just writing about it. He let G pull it last night! It was his bottom left tooth. I did not think this started happening until well into Kindergarten! Pictures to come soon. He is SO proud and cannot stop feeling the blank spot or blowing air through the new hole! Crazy kid.

Baseball and School Supplies

When Ty was four we started him in his first season with Lubbock Christian Athletic Association in T-ball. It was definately an introduction to the sport but not a lot was learned. The next season he went for much more serious league... Western. Our coaches were nice but again... not much learned. I wish we would have skipped T-ball all together and done what my brother-in-law suggested all along, which is where we are now- Coach pitch. Its amazing how successful a child can be when you actually have expectations of them and take them time to teach them plays!!! Give kids some credit!!! Ty has been playing on the Red Dawgs for Fall Ball. He learned more in three weeks of practice than in three seasons. TOTALLY different coaching from a great guy who has a the perfect balance of firm and appropriate age expectation. He is a different kid on the field. We are definately sticking to this league as long as we can. SO much more enjoyable to watch, I am more than proud of Ty and the great strides that he has made in a matter of weeks! There is something to be said for two to three practices a week, a five year old does not remember when an entire week has passed. The coaches have given us practical things to practice at home and Ty has developed a real love of the game because of the individual time they have spent with him. Olivia is already showing an interest but she is going to have to wait until next year. I want her to be at least four before we start committing to things outside of school.

I have now made two trips to various stores and will be having to make a third to complete the standard school supply list for Preston Smith, where Ty will be starting Kindergarten in just a couple weeks!!!!! This is completely out of control. Its not anything like when I was in school. We need 6 packages of CRAYOLA crayons, which amounted to $18, and that is only one of the 15 items on the list!!! 24 glue sticks, two packages of CRAYOLA markers, among many other items. Very frustrating when the ROSEART brand right next to it is a quarter of the cost!! For instance, on the crayons... Roseart was only .99 and Crayola was $2.99, the difference is more than the price.... totally different color hues. Had I had my act together and purchased them through the PTA by May 15th it would have been $55, which I thought was outrageous at the time, now its close to $70!!!! FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pure insanity. No wonder som many have to be donated b/c kids can't afford them! That is half of our grocery bill! The stinkiest part of it is not one store carries everything on the list. I now have to go to Mardel's to get 9X12 multi-construction paper, I am just hoping they have it. This is beyond ridiculous. I will be biting my tongue on meet the teacher night!

Fourth of July

We went to the parade with our good friends the Kemps! It was so fun watching the kids watch the parade! I LOVE the picture of the four of them from the back (Marli, Olivia, Carson, and Ty). We even ran into our friends the Kings, crazy in such a large crowd! I love the picture of Elise and Zane in the wagon... Elise is holding up three fingers because this was her third birthday! What a fun way to celebrate! We had some interesting people behind us who kept yelling, "HOLA, welcome to Lubbock, thanks for coming out!" Craziness. It was just a perfect day, nice weather, great company, and gave me chills to see everyone stand and clap as some of our serviceman marched through. We later went out to Trent's parents where Olivia jumped off the diving board for the first time! As you can tell they had a great time with their cousins. All the girls painted our toes in variations for red, white, and blue. Just a great day!

Marshall Trip with the Davis '09

Every year we spend a weekend in June with Brian and Amy Davis in Marshall Texas. Its the F A R East side of Texas where Trent and Brian play in a tournament every year and Amy and I just soak each other up.


Every year we end up at several of the same places.... its tradition now after I think 7 years! Here is our first night at Jalepenos!


Last year we started a new tradition which was not captured in photos on my blog but were seen on Amy's. We always end up at the local Walmart for various reasons and last year Amy dared me to wear a Hannah Montana T-shirt, in foil with puff sleeves, mind you... it was also purple. I took on that dare only to be able to select her shirt of a rabbit stating, "Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it." This is even funnier if you know Amy, but clearly I got the embarassing end of the deal. This year I more than made up for it.........................................




All I have to say is...



YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and don't worry, I didn't get off scott free, I had the pleasure of sporting a BRIGHT yellow shirt with the Muppet, yes you read that right, Muppet Animal on it with the words in neon lettering, "ROCK ON"

I SOOOOO thought this should be the shirt for Amy for next year but buying it would not be within the rule guidelines so I am just hoping and praying that it will be available next year! In case you can't read.... OBAMA SAY KNOCK YOU OUT!!!

Let's just say we had a bad weekend of customer service. Amy and I had spent TWO hours in a store trying on clothing and finally came to some selections and went to check out. The credit card machine wasn't working. Amy politely asked the girl if they would take a check and then if they could hold our items with which she was met with a short NO as a response. Okay, we had our swimsuits and opted for a relaxing afternoon at the pool. We went back to the hotel, changed headed down the hall toward the pool with hotel towels. We were met halfway with an employee who stopped us. The conversation went something like this:

"You are going to have to take those towels back to your room."

Me: " We didn't bring any other towels."

Employee: " You can check out pool towels."

We head back to the room and then start back. The lady meets us with a clipboard and takes our names and room numbers. Then gives us the towels

Employee:" The pool is now closed. They just shocked it with chemicals and it won't be ready for five hours."

Me: "Are you being serious right now?"

Pure craziness going on here. She was indeed serious. We head back to our rooms where our boys met us with food. Then we headed to Shreveport! Very much fun.


Here we are with a hummer limo :)

Brian, post getting a bug out of his hair! A slight resemblance to Creamer some might think!

Our fun Davis'

I have never laughed as hard as for as long of a time as I did on this trip.

Five words...........

Pop it like its hot!!!!!!!!!!!

Pop's birthday

The Catfish Sam's Royal treamtment...

Ty with Aunt Mimi

We love you Pop and felt honored to be able to celebrate YOU!

Father's Day

Thanks Kerri for the fun shirts to celebrate THE man on Father's Day!

Trent's gift awaiting him before early service!! He has mentioned this is something he has always wanted to learn how to play so we surprised him with it by hiding it over at our neighbor's house. I can't believe the kids's didn't let it slip! We got it weeks before so they probably forgot!

I fully intended on getting a picture of the kids with dear old dad and his gift but I am just not that good anymore.

We celebrated by going to church and then to The Breakfast House for brunch with G (Trent's dad) and then came home to a lazy day on the couch to watch the U.S. Open. Here is the poor guy with a heating pad while doing electro therapy. He has back problems and did something to agrivate that this past week :(

Olivia and I got a little bit silly with the camera!

How blessed are these kids to have such an incredible Dad?! He is such a great balance of silly and discipline and I am so proud of the example he is to them. I have told so many people this... but he just sets the tone for our family and helps me to be a calmer person and encourages me in so many ways to be a better parent. I know these kids will look back on their time at home someday and remember these things and have SO many fun memories with him!

This summer so far....

I just took some time and looked back what was going on at this time over the past couple of years. That is so fun to do, just reflect-try to remember and then see how much has changed!

We have now been in our house a year and its definately become home! Trent and I have done A LOT of yard work lately. We put flower beds around our trees out front, re-did the jungle bed in front of the playroom window, and completely did the backyard! Most of this was done before things have really 'heated' up for June! We are staining our back porch in the next week or so. We are now putting our efforts on the outside, however I am doing yet more painting was well, I know I am crazy. I am doing the living room the same color as my dining room b/c I like it so much, and Ty is finally getting a painted room! Our bathroom is also being re-done with new floor in the shower and I will finally get to use my bathtub in two weeks!

I have ended up subbing quite a bit for Calvary's summer school. All but one day so far! It has been nice though and I look forward to another paycheck! The kids are loving it. I had Olivia's class today and it was neat to watch her interacting with the kids and we were in the class room she will be in next year which is starting pre-school for her! We will be in the same class again Thursday.

We have already been to the pool twice, Meme and G's once, and two other friends homes with pools! The kids are LOVING swimming. Ty is swimming on his own great, diving under water and doing tricks! He was in floaties last summer! Olivia is in floaties still but having a lot of fun. Hoping to break her in this summer!

I don't know that I have mentioned this before but some of our closest friends, and the first couple we met at church and hung out with, moved in across the street around 3 months ago. They have a little girl Ella who is Olivia's age whom she will start kindergarten with and hopefully go to school with forever! The Martins are very dear to us and it has been SO fun having the kids play together back and forth and having someone 'close' so close!!!! Such a blessing! I have never lived that close to good friends and LOVE it!

I have started seriously working out again with a great new friend who has been a wonderful accountability partner. She married a man who used to be a trainer which has been very beneficial! This girl knows what she is doing and has us on a plan. She has been a great encouragement to me in many ways and I have really enjoyed getting to know her and her family more! Trent has played golf with her husband over years but through other friends from that same circle we have gotten to know each other more. She keeps my bootie inline and its getting much tighter!!!! HA!

We went as a family to see "Up" in 3D one evening last week. It was great, we all really enjoyed it. We had to hold Olivia's glasses up for her the entire time because they were so big! I love watching and listening to Ty laugh so genuinely! I have been holding him a lot lately... in the mornings or at night. He said to me the other night that he was growing and before too long he would be too big for me to do that... I teared up! I told him I didn't care, and that I would still be kissing his head 10,000 times when he was a man with his own kids! Maybe not snuggling him in his bed or holding him while he drinks his mornning chocolate milk watching batman.
We have our first trip planned the end of this month to go to my parents and then our annual East Texas trip. I am SO excited about that. We have not been home since Spring Break and I am ready. We have however had a lot more metroplex type weather here lately with thunderstorms and everything. It has been really nice for our newly planted flowerbeds! The storms have also been conveniently at night not to interrupt our outside playtime... thanks God!