Galactic Blast VBS 2010

So immediately after school ended, we geared up for Marvin UMC's Galactic Blast...VBS 2010. Can you sense how busy it has been??? God's love (and torrential rain) were "out of this world" all week. The girls each had their own story times, activities and friends made during this week.


God bless our sweet two year-old teachers, Jordan and Jennifer. I don't think they knew what they were getting into, but they did it beautifully! How sweet it was to see Molly going from activity to activity learning about God's love for her and her friends. Sweet moments!

Addy and friends enjoying time with the parachute. Who knew a round piece of fabric could brings so much joy?

This is Addy dancing on the stage. The girl can "get down" and LOVES her music!

You've seen this special friend, Riley, before. These two are inseparable buds when together.

Mary Ella dancing with the "astronauts", Paul and Luke. By the end of VBS, they were celebrities!

Mary Ella is hard at work putting the final touches on her craft...so serious!

This is just one of my sweet friends here in Tyler, Jami. You can't see it, but we both wore white skirts and blue shirts on this day. All in all, VBS was a success despite getting wet at times. It is always fun to spend time with each other and our children each year. Yes, it requires LOTS of preparation, but it is totally worth it when you see the excited, happy faces on the children.

End of 1st Grade Bash

We wrapped up another successful school year by having a party for Mary Ella's class at our house. Mary Ella's teacher, Mrs. Sudduth, joined us. I also had the privilige of coming to know each of these kiddos throughout this past year. What a great group of kids and what an amazing teacher! I truly believe Mrs. Sudduth helped Mary Ella discover her love of reading and writing. How comforting it was to send our daughter off to school to be loved and nurtured by this wonderful teacher!

Water balloon fight!

Junior Olympics

Mary Ella and Addy concluded their year in gymnastics with their Junior Olympics complete with medals and all. Lots of tumbling, climbing and balancing acts were enjoyed by the kids and parents alike.

Addy's favorite activity....the monkey bars

Whoa!

TA DA!!!

Ready for the balance beam

Hanna and Mary Ella

Look what I earned!

Last Day of School

Well, Addy and Molly wrapped up another year at Oak Tree Academy. Addy enjoyed a little lunch with her sweet teacher, Liz, and her classmates. She thoroughly enjoyed the Cheetos :). As we walked through the sea of tearful parents attending the Pre-K4 graduation, I realized I'd be there next year with Addy. Before I knew it, I was tearful just thinking about this time next year. Sometimes I wish they could just stay this age forever!

Molly's teacher, Robin, had and ice cream sundae party for her class. To those who know Molly, you know how much she LOVES ice cream. You can also see her love for Mrs. Robin in the picture.

A Dozen Years Later

On May 16, 1998 we entered the Sacred covenant of marriage. On May 16, 2010, we kissed our three girls goodbye, left them in capable hands, and had ourselves and adult-only dinner. One thing we have come to appreciate, especially after having children, is enjoying a good meal together. We went to our favorite restaurant, Bernards, and reflected on all the years. In years, our marriage is still young, I realize that, but I still can hardly remember my days without Scott. We reflected on the last 15 1/2 years we've known each other, how we met, and our years of "barely making it" from month to month (we have the best stories during that time period)....where we were, where we are and where we want to be. Inevitably, the conversation and thoughts always end up turning to our thanks to God for using our circumstances to bring us closer day in and day out. Let's face it...we are not the same people we were 12, 10, even 5 years ago. As time goes on, the changes we experience always compliment each other and it is just "easy" to be together. We are so blessed to have God, each other, and our little girls! Now, I wonder what the 13th year will bring? Can't wait to find out!

Randoms

Mary Ella put out her clothes for the next date with a note, "I want to ware this"...so cute!

A family of three girls dress-up a lot!

....even to do homework!

Molly throwing a fun two year-old fit.


Molly- five minutes later. What a difference five minutes makes!

Mother's Day 2010

This picture was taken on Mother's Day. Not the best picture of me, but aren't these little smiling faces infectious? Don't they make you smile? Of course, motherhood isn't always filled with laughter. In fact, there are some days I flat out get and "F", but the moments of pure joy, as seen here, refuel me. Here's a little known fact....my grandmother was one of three girls, my mom was one of three girls, my cousin on my mom's side has three girls and I have three girls....pretty crazy, huh? So I was born to be a mom of three girls and "yes" my days are drama filled, pink filled, glorious and sometimes not so glorious days. The bottom line...I LOVE it and wouldn't have it any other way! Happy Mother's Day to all those mom's out there! Of course, all those who meet this day with sadness are always on my heart.

Race for the Cure 2010

This year's Race for the Cure took on an even more meaningful meaning since my mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer last August. She was originally diagnosed nine years ago. They thought they had caught it early, but little did we know it had already spread only to be found when her medication inhibiting the estrogen food had stopped working. She has been doing chemotherapy and is responding well to treatment. So we all donned pink (even Scott) to do our part in finding a cure for this increasingly more common type of cancer. Not only has my mom been diagnosed, but my best friend's mom has been treated for breast cancer, and one of my dearest mentors/friends was recently diagnosed. Reality has hit from all directions. A cure MUST be found for ALL types of cancer.

Unfortunately, I did not get the memo that we would be hitting record lows in May, so there was a nip in the air and we had to pull out blankets to cover the girls up with....but we did it!

This is Judy, she has been a pillar of strength for me and is also a breast cancer survivor! Yay Judy!

Chuckwagon Day 2010

I went and spent the day at Oak Tree Academy for Chuckwagon Day. This is where Molly and Addy attend preschool. Molly's class was first. I think you can't deny this girl is into it! She was lovin' her some farm animals.

Yes, she is painting a horse

Excited about the lamb

Bunnies!

I had to leave after the animals due to our attachment issues...at least I know I'm loved!

Next was Addy's turn. She's been begging for a dog, now she wants farm animals! Yikes! Guess she'll have to go to my mom's farm for that one!

So sweet and gentle

Riding the not so real pony

Now we're talkin'


Such a sweet class! LOVE Mrs. Liz!

Marvin UMC Children's Choir Program

With the end of the school year comes lots of "wrap up" activities. It just so happened that the morning after the dance recital we sat in our sanctuary to listen to our little song angel. Mary Ella doesn't know how to do anything half-heartedly. She approaches all activities with full committment. I love that you can see God's light shine through her in this picture and the cross above her head says it all. So proud of her!

When I grow up

Mary Ella performed in her second dance recital April 24th. Each class represented a different profession. Mary Ella's cheer class were referees and danced/cheered to "Keep your head in the game" from High School Musical. Yes, they were in heaven and she did SO well. On to jazz class next year. The girl has developed some rhythm!

Getting ready!

So good!

Easter weekend 2010

We all decended upon Horseshoe Bay for my grandmother's 80th birthday. What a blessing it was to spend this special time with family. It also happened to be warm enough to enjoy the first swim of the season.

All the adults dressed up and enjoyed a peaceful dinner to honor my grandmother. If only I had the words to adequately capture her sweet spirit and why we all wanted to share this special day with her. Unconditional, kind, loving, generous, humility....are all words that come to mind, but again, the only way to understand, is to know her. She is the matriarch of the family and has instilled the importance of family in all of us. Thank you grandom! It was a wonderful weekend!

My big bro and I

My grandmother and granddaddy Pete. Happy Birthday!!!

We finished the weekend off with an egg hunt and our own, little family church service.

Kids examining the bunny loot

Girls hunting eggs

Mom and her mommy
All the great-grandchildren
Mom playing for our family church service
Molly getting some snuggles from Pete