Let The Craziness Begin...............

Well here we go, on to another school year! Trent has already been back to it all for a week now with kids. He got them all moved in and books bought, etc. last Saturday. Their first tournament is next weekend so they are practicing every day to qualify. Next week work outs start, for both of us! That's right, you read it here, keep me accountable! I will be running everday along with a Trent Ab work-out and yes I am scared! His days will go to 14 hour days! He will be leaving at 6 A.M. and coming home close to 9 P.M. every night for the next three months. Oh, and he will be gone four days out of every week too! I keep trying to remind myself that I had him all summer and will again for the holidays. Its just so extreme!

As I had mentioned before I will be teaching at a different pre-school this year. Of course the kids will be going as well. We all will be there four days a week. I have spent the last few days getting my room ready and last night we had "Meet The Teacher Night". It was a success. All but two of my parents came and they all seemed super sweet. I will have 18-24 month olds this year which is quite a change for me. Half the age, double the days, without help from a husband when I get home..........say some prayers for me. When I think about it too much I get a little overwhelmed but I know that this is a blessing and God will see us all through it. Its just up to me to choose to involve Him in every minute of it!

I get excited about the silliest things involving school. Trent's grandmother made Olivia the most precious little nap mat you have ever seen! I will post pics for you family members that never comment but verbally ask for pictures later! She also moves up to backpack status, well a little minature one that I found at Sam Moon last year. A cute little flowered Jansport-precious! She is going to look so big. She also now has a little lunch box. No more baby stuff, except for diapers-see previous post, for this girl! I am kinda sad about that part of it.

I love both of their teachers this year and again are so blessed in that area. God just takes care of my babies. I was a little overwhelmed at 'decorating' my room at first. Its quite a different deal than our last pre-school. Before we were only given one bulletin board and the rest was for Bible classes. Here, we have the ENTIRE ROOM, which is pretty big actually! They gave us money to go to Mardel's and pick out what we wanted. It was fun to do!

We are going to be busy busy from this point on. It will be a longer stretch before we get home again and no Dave Matthews this year! Trent will be in AZ. the weekend of it! I still just can't believe that we will be missing it. Dave is such tradition for us. Maybe next year! I would so rather it be this way than the way it was before with Trent gone ALL YEAR and I feel blessed to be able to do the pre-school thing for another few years anyway. Come on September, bring it~

All About Olivia Lane

Lots of milestones for this little girly this past month......

Yes, we have started potty training and not because of me. She asks to go on the potty and does everytime I have put her up there! Yes both kinds! She looks so odd up there, she is too little!!! She will not be two until November and I am not ready for this. Its so much more convenient to keep her in diapers. We are not making any big moves unless we get to the point to where they are always dry and she tells me everytime. I don't think they make underwear that would fit her. I have not even found a 'feel n' learn' or pull up that will!

Also, cut her hair! I did it after her bath about a week ago. It turned out pretty well! SO glad I did not pay someone to do it! This girl is growing before our eyes and I am NOT READY! Mom, that is the watermelon gingham dress you got her, she wore it to church Sunday. Thank you!

Also, painted her toenails for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Have not been brave enough to do her fingernails yet! She did great for her tiny toes though! Sat so still watching and even for the blowdryer to dry them! They look just precious!

I have more into and posts to post but not enough time to do it right now. Maybe one late sleepless night in the future! Have a great week!

SEVEN YEARS BABY!

On this day seven years ago at The Little Chapel at Brookhollow in Ransom Canyon at two O'clock in the afternoon, we said, "I do."

Wow how we have grown during the time that has passed. A lot of big changes and I think we were challenged through travel and job change is when we have grown the most. I can truely say that today it is better than it has ever been!

I remember the day I met Trent very clearly, although it seems SO long ago now. It was on a Wednesday night in the single's class at Prestoncrest. My friend Bethany and I were actually early for once and sat a little closer to the front. A guy I had met oddly at the bank while I was measuring there, for my job, was sitting in front of us and introduced us. They had gone to school together. In a short conversation I learned he (Trent) lived in the apartment complex next to me. You have to understand that this girl is incapable of flirting and was NEVER looking for a date. In fact at this point in my life, I was done. I am not sure how much time passed before I met up with him again. It was then a Sunday when I was my usual late self with a few friends visiting with me and ended up sitting next to him on the back row in class. His first words were, "Hey, you want to go the Byron Nelson with me?" Not hi.........or how are you......
I actually already had tickets from my roomate, Amy Dickey (Smith) and instead invited him to go with us. He did. Him and four girls! Still not looking for a date there but thinking what a sweet cute guy! Amy and I ended up eating dinner with him and he took us to hit balls afterward. I had no idea the golf that my life would entail at that point! We began a sweet friendship which many weeks later led to our first date to which I met his entire family! That had never happened to me before and it was then I knew that this was going to be something special. I was beyond cautious in getting into any kind of relationship. I remember praying that day........."Please God, if this is not meant to be, spare me the pain now because I am fine being single -but I can see myself getting wrapped up in this one."
I had no idea!

This may sound strange, but I felt all along that God was pulling me toward this man. I had my doubts at times. We could not be more opposite from one another and had completely different up-bringings. I see so many things looking back now that show me how true that feeling was.
Two years later we became engaged, that could be an entirely different post in itself! Six months later we were married.

I had some not so great relationships before this one. The first time I heard this song I cried and started to sing along..........God Bless the Broken Road...........that led me straight to you! SO true for me. My husband makes me such a better person in so many ways. He not only encourages me but challenges me as well and holds me accountable. He has taught me self-discipline in many many ways. He has taught me to not be so uptight and more free-spirited. He has shown me how to laugh at myself and not be so serious. He has taught me to be more vocal in my thoughts and beliefs which in return has made me a more confident and proud person. He helps me be a better parent to my children. He ALWAYS backs me up. He demands respect for me from everyone.

We do not have a perfect marriage. I have not met a couple yet who does. We have struggles and weaknesses just like everyone else. Now we know how to communicate and work through those and own up responsibility on both ends in order for that to happen. I think that is what we celebrate more than anything else today. We are not as spiritual as we could be and that is a constant goal which is what I think has made it work. God has blessed me with this man and I would not change one moment that we have been through for the couple that it has made us. Thank you God for being a part of our marriage, through example of others, using the Holy Spirit to reach us, and feeling your love in one another over the past seven years.

Thank you for the past 9 years and Happy Anniversary Trent...................I love you forever, for always, and no matter what!

Quality Family Time

Our open house was not sucessful but our day as a family was! We enjoyed a nice outing at the park. This was before the heat wave took our town and it was absolutely beautiful. Trent joined us after his morning in a tournament for a picnic and play time. I love these pictures, they really captured the day and I hope I remember the details of it forever. Maybe blogging will help me to do so a little better. The first one of Olivia and Trent is not the best one I captured but I love that she is saying cheese and he is sweetly brushing the hair out of her face! Even dog did great and had a great time! He did not bark at one person. Just laid nicely and enjoyed some lovin from sweet kiddoes.

I have a silent prayer request. We are making some life-changing decisions and need some clear answers from The Lord. I am not really feeling comfortable with sharing the details of these at this time but God knows and I would appreciate it if you would remember our family during your prayer time. If you care about our family and are reading, you are a blessing to me. Thank you.

Hampton Turns Six!

The Birthday girl!

My favorite boys!

Silly Turban boys (aka my nephews:Hayden, Heath, and Hunter)

Bum and Em

Allison and Olivia

I cannot believe our little neice is six years old and going to be a big first grader! I have SO enjoyed this little girl all six years! I remember holding her in a little tea cup outfit I got her for the first time! Her mamma knew I was coming and was thoughtful about that! She is one of the girliest girls I know and has been a wonderful 'older' cousin to Ty and Olivia. She is so nurturing and sweet to them and helps me out a lot when she is with us! She had the cutest summer flip flop party last week! Mostly family and our good friends the Widemans who are basically family as well! They swam, made their own foam flipflops, and gave fun beach bags away to each girl complete with summer sippies and sunglasses. Even Olivia received one with some precious little espadrill flip flops and grosgrain ribbon! It was a fun filled day and I am so glad we made it back in time to celebrate!

Last Week @ Pop n' Cita's House

Well here are the pictures as promised. I will have to do more posts with the rest of them but this has taken more time than I should devote already! The details of our trip are on the previous post. It was just all too long to put into one! Downloading pictures is a job in itself! I think I took a total of over one hundred pictures in the last two weeks!!! Yes, I do love my new camera and am getting Trent's money out of it!

Swimsuit pic. The best one I could get!

Our last day we met my mother's very best friend in the world, Mary, and her daughter Karen with her children Paige and Natalie. This was an attempt at these sweet grandmothers with their grandchildren!

Ty found a perfectly round rock in the fountain bed. We keep it in a special turtle rock and Cita always makes sure it is returned to its spot and often 'concerned' that it may be lost!

Sister would fill up her bucket and empty it out for hours on end!

'Paw Paw' playing house with Olivia. Oh, how I love this man. I am telling you he is as next to Jesus as they come.

Lazy on the deck

Cita and Ty bake cookies together

First day back, Pop reads about the beginning of Fort Worth!

End of July

LOTS going on here this past week and a half. We took a quick trip to the Metroplex and our days quickly filled up. I had my traditional dinner with my highschool gang at 'OUR' place, Razoos. Such a treat since we don't have one here. We used to all go to the one in Sundance Square in highschool and college but now there is one in Arlington, so fun! Took a day to visit with some friends from ACU, had a ball with all the girls and kids- it had just been TOO long! Got to see my dear friends the Harpers and their gorgeous (new to them) home on the way back. 'Experienced' some traffic issues and don't know how you people do it there with kids! Got lots of good quality time with my maternal grandfather, aka paw-paw thanks to Ty. Lots of time on the deck and in the pool because of the incredible humid-free, low temp weather! We NEVER get to see everyone that we would like to because there is just only so much you can pack into a week and truely soak up family as well.

Drove back just in time for our neice Hampton's birthday party. Now its back to laundry and cleaning! Our house remains on the market with a realator until end of August, that is when our contract is up so we are going with it. They re-opened a street coming into our neighborhood two weeks ago so three homes on our street joined us in the seller's relm. Two of these homes sold in the one week I was gone, WHAT IS UP WITH THAT???????????? We are having an open house this entire weekend and hopefully we will just get some people in here.

Its taking me forever to download pics from the past few weeks, I will update with those later. We are resting after our class playdate at McD's today, man am I going to miss all these people next year! A lot of us taught together or had kids at Bright Horizons and attended Ladies Bible class. I will not be able to go to Ladies Class again until I am retired some day and I am REALLY going to miss it as well. I am trying to remind myself to be grateful for the job situation I have and not be negative. There is a season for everything.

Summer Days........

Liv in her 'puff-suit'

Ty congradulates Hunter

Chuck E. Cheese's with Hampy! (AKA Hampton)

Tim's birthday-goofy brothers!

Well, I have been SUPER lazy lately, although I still feel tired! Not sleeping in so much anymore, that did not last real long, but occassionally he will go a little later. I have not re-charged the battery in my camera (have not had to since I got it!), the battery in my cell-phone is not working, and I feel like I need a re-charge myself! We have been going to the pool almost everyday. Trying to get Ty to move up to the 'big' pool. Where we go they have a pool that is one foot deep and its perfect for the both of them to play around, and for me to sort of lay out in! We have seen lots of people from our new school there and a few family friends as well. Its been a fun family outing, Trent will come for a little while and then go practice and play golf. He is in LOTS of tournaments this summer. I have totally slacked on laundry and can't seem to catch up. Have not kept up any plants on my back porch. Barely water the ones next to the front door. What is wrong with me?!?

Our house is technically off the market but we still have to sign the legal release form and take the sign out of our yard and lockbox off our door. I think I am going to feel a lot better knowing that people can not just come in our house whenever they want anymore and I will not have to be SO prepared everytime we leave! Last week we had been at the pool all day and had just enough time to come home and rest and shower before going to celebrate our good friend Zach's birthday. However, wehen we got home there was a message for a showing. I rushed around to get everything perfect with such a bad attitude of thinking this is all for nothing!! I, nor the kids were able to bathe before leaving.

The silly thing is, I am really dissappointed. I was so not about selling in the beginning because I am not a person that likes change. Then I really got used to the idea. We found other homes that I liked better. Construction began to take place on all major streets around us. Our neighbors got well, I had better not say because that would be ugly. Only hot water comes out of the tub in my kids bath! Not out of the sink faucet just the tub. No explanation for that. They now take baths in ours every night. I cannot fix Olivia's room for a real bed in a few months because one will not fit in there with the other furniture she has. I thought we would have moved by now while I have a husband around for the summer. Now at least one street is open getting to our street so three other houses before ours decided to put theirs up as well. We have one month at for sale by broker and then I guess I will need to accept that is just is not meant to be.

We have had a lot of fun this month. We have SOAKED UP OUR DADDY BEYOND BELIEF!!! SO nice having him home for the summer! We celebrated Trent's brother Tim (aka Bum) last week for dinner and yummy Bahama Bucks! We have been to lots of our nephew Hunter's baseball games! He made allstars and his team is now in the playoffs! Lots of quality time with friends and friends who also happen to be family! Going to chuck e cheese with the girls and Ty! Birthday parties galore! Em had a beautiful lunch Saturday and I got to go while my( grand-in-laws?) kept the kiddoes and fixed my suberban so that I can now see what gear I am in! Trent is driving a fun new sporty little car that he occassionally let's me drive! Ty loves it because he thinks "Its baby's favorite color purple!" Really its maroon but whatever! Had Olivia's 18 month check up at 20 months-oops! Thanks to Denise mentioning taking Caleb who is just a week younger! She has yet to reach the 20 pound mark but is growing in an upward motion at a moderate pace! The girl did great getting two shots! We (kids and me) are planning a trip to my parents this coming week and look forward to seeing all of our family and friends in that area. That's it!

Summer Pics of the kids!

Just a few summer pics, from June mostly I think. Ty's hair is shorter and Liv's is longer! Enough for 'low' pigtails! Makes her look so much older I think :( Something crazy has been going on in the mornings. Trent has sports camp all week and gets up early to leave. He give Ty his milk and then puts him in bed with me. We have been sleeping in together until 9 everyday!!! This is the boy that never sleeps! I never thought I would say this, but it might as well be noon, feels like it! SO nice that he will FINALLY do this! His sister sleeps even later! Trent has camp again in the evenings so I have been letting them stay up a little later with movies and popcorn, playing, etc.... that helps a little too~ Have a great week!

Tagged

By Larissa. No new big news around here. We had a great 4th out at Meme and G's- a tradition. They put on a fireworks show directly over their house so we always spend the day in the pool, eating and then pull out the chairs for the show. There is also a band near by that we get to benefit from! I actually got in the pool this year! My kids are not real wild about it this year although they both loved the pool last year!!! Craziness. We have parties, appt.s and tournaments along with sports camps for Trent this next week. The business continues! On with the get-to -know ya 5s tag from Larissa!

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
Let's see, that was July 1997...........I had just graduated from ACU that May and I honestly do not remember what I did that fourth of July. I was living at home and working in Richardson at my first job, Andy Jones Commercial Interiors. Probably went to see fireworks somewhere in Ft.Worth.

2. What were you doing one year ago?

The same thing I guess as this year, just had younger kids!

3. 5 snack you enjoy.

1-Sesame Sticks
2-Chips n' queso
3-Hot n' spicey club mix
4-mixed nuts
5-red grapes and cheese cubes

4. 5 songs you know all the words to.

Working 9 to 5 (Actually, pretty much all 70's and 80's country music)
The entire Grease soundtrack
Almost every Jimmy Buffet or Steve Miller Band song
Almost every Dave Matthews Band song
I just belted out to "You Raise Me Up" on the way home from the fireworks last night!


5. 5 things you would do if you were a millionaire.

1-Give to my church, specifically request a playground!
2-Completely support my missionary friends
3-Put my neices and nephews and little cousin through college
4-Give to the Interior Design Program at ACU
5-Give to the Golf Program at LCU

Probably need more than 1 million dollars for these things, it just does not go as far as it used to!

6. 5 bad habits

1-twirling my hair
2-messing with my nails
3-not calling people back, or e-mailing real fast
4-not good about remembering people's names
5-not a great listener, I get distracted too easily.


7. 5 things you like doing

1-Taking hot bubble baths
2-Laying by a fire in the winter watching a movie, or for no reason other than to be warm!
3-Shopping on-line
4-Eating Dessert
5-Laying out

8. 5 things you would never wear again

1-My prom dress!
2-Hair bows
3-Claw bangs
4-shoes made out of plastic
5-Stretch pants!


9. 5 favorite toys

1-Camera (I am right there with ya Larissa!)
2-Computer
3-Trent's XM radio (Gotta luv Lucy 54!)
4-DVD Player (We LOVE doing Netflix-especially Sunday afternoons and Tues.Nights)
5-Ty and I play Choo Choos a lot and I am REALLY looking forward to Barbies with Olivia!

I TAG April D, Little Whittle, Jenni K, Candice S, and Jodi Mc

Last Week-Babies and more........

Thelma & Louise!

I love this picture of BIG Trent in front of Fugler's

Wow, Brian is REALLY tall!

Well on Monday, Brad and Sara (actually Sara) had their baby boy! We (Olivia and I) went to the hospital later that day to meet Carson Randall Kemp. Precious big healthy boy! Later on Thursday we headed to Arlington and I FINALLY got to meet, hold, and change Kyley's diaper! My close dear friend and sister Holly, friendship dating back to highschool, and through college had her only 15 weeks ago and I have been super jealous that everyone has seen her but me! I got in around 9:30, dropped girl and dog off at my parents and went straight to the McLean's house!!! Do you see the resemblance or what??!! Friday morning Trent and I headed for Marshall but made a quick stop in Tyler to see Brady and Sharon Irwin, who just hours earlier had their baby girl Bella.

We then went on to meet Brian and Amy for the tournament. I always look SO forward to this trip each year because it is the only true quality time time that we have with them all year. Amy was my roomate for the year and a half before Trent and I got married. She was more than just a roomate to me. We had so much in common but yet were very different at the same time. Maybe one of the only people in my life I immediately clicked with and hold very close to my heart. We had an absolute blast. We were able to watch our boys play quite a bit because the kids were all with their grandparents. After Saturday the four of us made our traditional trip out to Jefferson for lunch, a little shopping and of 'Texas' best limeade' for Brian. Sunday we went out for the first few hours and then Amy and I took in a show-also a rarity with little ones usually in tow! Too fun.

We returned that evening back to Arlington just in time to celebrate my Dad's 63rd birthday on Monday by eating at 'the original' Mexican Inn down on Lancaster in Ft.Worth. We have been going there since I can truely remember and its one of my favorite places as well so it was a treat for me too! SO blessed to have my dad as my dad for the 33 of those years. He is such a thoughtful caring person and has been a wonderful 'Pop' to Ty and Olivia.

We had a great week of seeing lots of people who are special to us that we don't get to see real often- but man is it good to be back in a place that is not so humid and back in our own beds. Ty's fish even lived for four days without food! Not one showing while we were gone and we are taking it off the market in four days and going FSBB until the end of August. Guess we will try again next year and make the best with what we have got for now. I have to say our neighbors across the street are not making that any easier. That could be and probably will be a blog in itself for a future read......