Little Momma!

Has it really been two months since I last posted? Where does the time go? I always intend to get on here and share what is going on, and the wonderfully funny things that JJ and LT are doing and saying. But, somehow the times gets away with me and so then does my intentions. Oh well... something is always better than nothing. Or at least I like to think so.

Jentri has become quite a "little momma"! She received several babies for Christmas, and she has just now decided that they are worthy of her play time. So she had two or three of them out and sprawled all across the kitchen floor. One in particular has a little blanket that came with it and Velcros which makes it easier for her to wrap her baby up in. I was busy getting bags packed and doing a little last minute cleaning before the kids headed East to the Upchurch home for a few days of vacation. I wasn't paying much attention to what Jentri was doing, but I began to notice the repetition in her behavior, so I stopped to watch. Poor baby.... It became very clear to me what she was doing, she had seen and experienced. As the babies lay in the kitchen she would walk away from them and head to the family room, where she would immediately whip around and run back to them and point her little finger with determination at them and yelled NO NO! She gave them the stern look and turned and walked away only to repeat the entire process again. It was amusing, but made me reflect and think about what we are saying to her. That poor child must only her NO from us?

She is Miss Sassafras and keeps us on our toes laughing. She already has the attitude of a teen, which is none too funny although it is difficult at moments to keep from laughing. You don't expect such expressions to come from a one year old, but she has them nailed! If this is a sign of things to come we are in trouble.

Priceless....

So a funny conversation went down the other day with Landry. We have daily conversations at dinner about how his day went and what he did at school. Unfortunately the cold weather has kept them from playing outside, so they have watched quite a bit of the Magic School Bus. Brett asked him to tell us about the movie. Landry went on to explain that we needed to take care of our planet because we were destroying the habitats for certain animals. Of course the science teacher in me had to know if he knew what a habitat was, to which Landry said no he didn't. Naturally I felt like I needed to tell him, and I followed it up with.... "Tell me what is the natural habitat for a lion?" To which Landry responded with... "New York". Brett and I laughed and realized he had been watching too much of Madagascar and believed that zoos were a natural place for animals to live.

Kids are funny how they see and interpret things. Landry can come up with some doosies! If anything it makes me very aware of what he watches and sees! Little Eyes and ears catch it all! Jentri is also saying some pretty funny things and we continue to laugh at her. The same night the conversation about habitats occurred we had music playing and she loves to dance. So she was standing in her high chair like she knows she isn't suppose to... dancing and she wiggled those little hips and made a face that was priceless. She loves books right now, and wants to be read to even if it means not finishing the book. I keep books in the car for Landry to read and she always wants one in her hand as well. Many times I'll look in the back seat and she will have the book upside down and reading away.

My moments with the kids are priceless... How I envy those who can stay home with their babes. Until then I hold on to "quality" not "quantity", and pray my impact on them is long lasting.

Where Did the Time Go?

I'm looking at my blog and just realized that I have posted nothing for almost 4 months. Not that anyone really looks or cares. But, I love being able to post pics, and I haven't done it.

Lots has happened in the past few months and it seems that time has gotten away from me. Brett's dad passed away in October, and the rest is history. We are two days from Christmas Break and I can't tell you how anxious I am to be able to relax for awhile. We are heading to Amarillo to be with Brett's family this year. I'm keeping this short today, but my goal is to do a better job posting. It is a good outlet and a great way to show off pics.. which is the original reason for the blog.

Rock On!

SO.... in light of everything that has happened with the start of school and Brett leaving to go to Amarillo I totally forgot to share how much fun I had two weeks ago at the Def Leppard/Poison/Cheap Trick concert! The QC gals came and we had a blast. The only problem was how short the visit really was. It came and went quickly! But, I had so much fun and of course it took me back to my Freshman year of high school. Def Leppard came to Manhattan and it was quite an ordeal. Bramlage Coliseum had just been built and the community was taken full advantage. Well.... maybe the youth of Manhattan were taking full advantage.

That all took place the Friday before school started. So, on Monday little man started his 1st grade year. I am excited and really do like his teacher. He gets to walk to school this year because the school he goes to is a block from the babysitter. She has twin boys the same age as Landry, but they are in 2nd grade and have become fast friends. I drop him off with Jentri and pick him up there too. It is a wonderful arrangement. And of course Landry feels like a big guy because he gets to exert some independence.

As for Jentri she is adjusting well to her new babysitter. We of course miss Lisa and the fam... but we are thrilled that she has adjusted so well. Amy loves her as much as we do and does so well with my kiddos. Ironically I had a babysitter before I had a job moving back here to Little Elm. As always we are blessed! Please keep praying for Trent... many of you know he has Alzheimer's and had a seizure a week ago. He has been placed in a home, and we just ask that you pray for the boys and Donna to find peace and comfort!

Trying....

So this is my third time to write... and though I feel compelled to write, I don't know exactly what to say! So maybe bullets would be better today.

• Jentri is sick... had to come home early, which is why I'm up late.
• Brett made it home from Amarillo... please pray for peace!
• New job... even though I've been in FISD there is still new stuff to learn... floating through!
• Landry is a 1st grader... as always nervous about how the year will go.
• No Friday Night Lights...
• Finding a "HOME" church... looking for something more...
• Trent... placed in a home... peace for the boys and Donna! Comfort for Trent!
• ..........

Sweet Family!

My parents came to visit last weekend and I wanted to post some pictures of the kids with Nana, Pop, and Uncle Jeb. Jentri is old enough now to know who people are, and it makes for so much fun. Landry is preparing to be a big 1st grader this year. I think he is a little bummed that he isn't going back to Fisher, but I just felt like it would be better for him to be at a different school than the kids he started school with, since we held him back. Here are a few new pics!

God is Faithful!

I know... I know... most of you know that. But, for some reason I feel a need to say it out loud. Most of you know that the past year has been a roller coaster ride for our family. Lots of highs and lots of lows! I have to honestly say that I never felt bad about things that happened to us, because I'm also a believer in "What goes around, comes around". Don't get me wrong, there were moments that I was frustrated and didn't understand some of the situations I was having to endure. I did a lot of "self talking" to remain positive, and for the most part I think I did. Quite honestly I hadn't really paid much attention to "EVERYTHING" that went wrong, but at the end of the year my principal sat me down and said... " I can't believe you are still smiling, you have been through the wringer." I guess so... but I never felt like I wasn't going to get through it. Needless to say we have moved back to our home in Little Elm, and as most of you know we were in the process of letting the house foreclose! It was too hard to keep two house going, and the medical bills continued to grow. We just weren't making it. When Brett decided he wanted to leave QC he looked all over, and somehow GOD led us back to our home. However, it was in foreclosure, and so I frantically began the process of trying to save it. What a process! There were moments that I was frustrated and at my wits end dealing with our mortgage company! But, God is Good! Yesterday I followed up with our mortgage company and they accepted our loan modification!!!! The poor lady on the other end of the phone didn't know what to do with me. All I could do was cry and say thank you! Of course my true praise is to Him! Even though we were in the house I was reluctant to really settle in. I didn't want to make it our home if we were going to have to leave it. Suffice to say... I have been eagerly unpacking and deciding where to hang things. Many of you prayed with us, for us and simply remember us! I thank you! We couldn't do with out our prayer warriors. I know I say this a lot... but I'm always amazed at how God shows us His faithfulness even when we aren't in a close relationship with Him. I'm a sinner and don't deserve His grace! But, man am I glad He loves me enough to shower me with it! We still have a long road ahead, but there is peace of mind!