Carson's 5th Birthday

I absolutely cannot believe that my "baby" is turning five. This means goodbye to having a toddler in the house and hello to having school children. This birthday is making ME feel old. Where did the time go?

Here is a snapshot of what Carson is like at five...

Carson LOVES: snuggle time, playing with cars (he takes at least one everywhere -- even in the bath tub!), watching TV, being a helper, playing with his sister, wrestling on the floor with Bella, jumping, falling, stuffed animals, spending time with his Daddy, mushrooms, learning, holding hands, taking baths

Things I LOVE and ENJOY about him: Carson is thoughtful. He's happy to give up something he wants so that I can do what I want. He puts, not just ours, but all of the shopping carts at HEB all back in line the way they should be so the workers don't have to. He opens doors for me. He is all about giving "big, giant hugs" and snuggling on the couch. Always up for an adventure and exploring. I love his passion for life and that, already, he has a great sense of humor.

I've been so blessed by this little boy, and can't wait to see all that God has in store for him!

Time to Unplug

Unplugging is a hard thing to do. But I find that a couple days of vacation helps to slow my sometimes frantic pace.

We’ve had the awesome opportunity this week to spend a few days in Port Aransas, and though it’s technically a “working” trip, it’s been amazing. The wedding I’m photographing is Saturday night, but we decided to come down yesterday for a couple extra days of R&R. We’re just a block away from the beach and have spent much time there. Sandcastles, swimming, and long drives along the coast. It’s so relaxing. When we’re not at the beach, we are either eating, swimming at the hotel pool, or watching re-runs of Everybody Loves Raymond. It’s been awesome so far. Since there’s a high likelihood of me forgetting to blog when I get back, I thought I’d get a little head start. Here are a few of the trip highlights…

Our awesome friend, Nick, swapped cars with us so we could cruise the beach in his Jeep. It’s been so much fun! We took this shot to replicate a pic I have of my family and I on the beach in front of a Jeep. :)
Abby took this pic of Aaron and I. I look strangely like Medusa this whole trip. Which is, of course, not the photographer’s fault… just a fact. Crazy hair.
This is a crab we found as we were climbing the rocks. We’ve seen tons of great wildlife on this trip. Dolphins, crabs, a scarlet ibis (my favorite!), and more!

A beach trip just wouldn’t be complete without a photo like this!

Letters

A couple months ago, I determined to write more letters, and it's been a lot of fun! Today I received, not one, but two letters in the mail (from friend, Ashley, and from Nanny), and I was so excited to sit down and read them. It's such a pleasant change from e-mail, texts, and tweets, and I hope to continue to write more people as time goes on. Have you written any letters lately??

Letters are among the most significant memorial a person can leave behind them.  

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

(I feel the same about journals and any other form of the written word!)

Playground Insight

One of the things I love about having kids is having a front row seat as they grow and develop. It’s so amazing watching their personalities and strengths surface and seeing the people they are becoming!
The kids love going to the playground, and one of the things I’ve noticed from the bench where I sit is that some of their distinct traits come to light as they play.

Abby is a tenacious little thing. Last summer (and again tonight, as she had been somewhat out of practice) she decided to give the monkey bars a try. She was nervous and scared and she spent forever standing on the edge of the platform, then hanging on the first rung, only to put her feet back on the platform again because she was scared. But I kept watching and she kept trying. Then she got up the nerve to go to rung two. Then she fell. But she tried again. And fell. And again, and again, and again… Finally, she was in tears, and I encouraged her, then suggested she take a break and try another day.
She wouldn’t.
She cried and kept trying. Over and over until her hands were bleeding and she finally did it. She was so proud. Mama was too. She’s like this in a lot of ways – at school, at play. This girl just doesn’t give up.

Then there’s Carson.
That boy’s gonna give me a heart attack someday.
It doesn’t take much playground observation to see that the child is fearless. He is always jumping off things, exploring, and blazing his own trail. Behind all the motherly nervousness, though, I think it’s cool. Really cool. With God’s guidance, I think that trait will serve him well.
So glad I get to have a front row seat to watching these two become amazing people.

Psalm 139:13-14
¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.

This Week... [05.20.11]

This week month...
...has been crazy.
...has been fun.
...we've celebrated,
spent lots of time outside,
and have made an effort to be calmer,
happier, and more encouraging.
...Aaron and I went to a great marriage seminar.
...we've started eating healthier and exercising.
...our kids have been super sweet and awesome,
and have made many many friends in the neighborhood.
...I started reading a book... and actually finished it!
...I've had several awesome weddings,
and have felt very lucky to have my job.
...my brain feels like it's on overload.
...I picked about a million cherry tomatoes from our garden.
...our church bought the Verizon Amphitheater.
...the NW Campus has been going well.
...contains both of our kids' b-days.
...we've spent a lot of money ;)
...the kids and I went to Sonic a lot, where
they invented their own drinks. Favorites?
Coconut Coke and Green Apple Sprite.
...I've become far more aware of the greatness of God.
Really, wow. Take a while to think about the universe.
Yeah. Wrap your mind around that.
...I've begun preparing for summer and then the
transition afterwards of BOTH kids being in school.
...is crazy.
...is fun.
...I'm blessed.

Pot Roast + Leftovers [What's Cookin']

It's been a crazy year, but I've been trying to get back into cooking more. I have to admit leaning heavily on my meal plan subscription and my husband a lot lately, but we're starting to eat at home more. Just thought I'd share a new recipe (x2) we discovered that we'll be adding to our family cookbook.

Pot Roast
You can use your own recipe if you like or this is the one I used last week

4 lb. Chuck Roast
2 packs of brown gravy mix
1 c. water

Place roast in crock pot. Stir 1/2 cup water into each packet of gravy mix and stir. Spread thick gravy mix over roast and cook on low 6-8 hours. Reserve 1-1.5 lbs for tomorrow's dinner.

Beef and Artichoke Fettucine
Aaron, who does not really like pot roast (something I will never understand), says this dish makes him look forward to having roast in the future for the leftovers!

8 oz fettucine
6 oz jar marinated artichoke hearts
1/4 c. finely chopped onion
1 c. half and half
1 c. shredded parmesan cheese
2-3 c. chopped roast beef from Meal 1

While pasta is cooking, saute onion in 1 T of artichoke oil in large skillet. Cut artichokes into fourths and discard remaining oil. Add to skillet: half and half, cheese, artichoke hearts, and beef. Stir until hot. Drain pasta, return to pot and pour mixture over pasta. Toss. Serve with steamed broccoli and garlic bread.

More Pics from the River

One thing we've really committed to do more of lately is spend more time 1) as a family and 2) outdoors. (We recently bought a camper and were given bikes, so we're on our way to being more outdoorsy!) Saturday, in celebration of Abby's b-day, we went and renewed our State Park Pass and headed out to the river for the day. It felt so good to play and to enjoy the beautiful scenery and cool water. I have such fond memories as a kid of the time I spent outdoors with my family when I was a kid -- camping, fishing, riding bikes, hiking, etc. -- and even though we live smack in the middle of Suburbia, I want our kids to have the same experiences.

Anyway, all that to say... here are some more pictures. :)

Kisses for the birthday girl!

Abby's 7th Birthday

I can hardly believe it, but my sweet Abby turned 7 yesterday. I'm so proud of the young lady she is becoming. Here is a snapshot of what Abby is like at seven...

Abby LOVES: her friends, babies, riding her bike, pickles, Bella (her dog), having her back rubbed, bean and cheese tacos, watching Animal Planet, being sung to at night, school, high heels, and Justin Bieber.

Things I LOVE and ENJOY about her: she is super sweet to her brother and they get along so great! When she sets her mind to accomplish something, she doesn't give up. She sings while her hair is being dried (cute!) -- but is too shy to sing otherwise. She always reminds us about having Bible time each day. She's a sweet and beautiful little girl inside and out. Her laugh when she starts giggling.

Friday night, Abby had her very first slumber party with three of the girls from her class (Aria, Diana, and Michelle). She's been excited for months about this big event. We started off the evening with a trip to Build-a-Bear. My kids have always wanted to get a BAB, but never had, so this has been all that they've talked about for ages. The whole night was a great time and everyone had tons of fun!

After that, it was back to the house for Happy Meals, presents, and cake!

The girls (and Carson) had a fun time playing the rest of the night, watching movies, and giggling over Justin Bieber. Around 12:30, I finally got them all to fall asleep.

Saturday morning was fun and laid back, and then after everyone left, Abby wanted to go swimming, so we decided to head over to Guadalupe River SP to spend the day picnicking and swimming. It was a really great day and the four of us had so much fun! More pictures to post soon.

Happy Birthday, Abby! We love you!