Long Post!!!

I have alot to blog about and not sure where or how to start so I am just going to jump right in. I am apologizing now for all the pictures!!!

Last Friday my mom called and said that two of my cousins from Chicago had decided to come visit. They were either going to be here that night or Saturday morning. We were so excited they were coming and knew that we would have a fun weekend. So after Jason and I worked out Friday morning, we headed to that did all our landscaping for us to pick out some plants that needed replaced and also pick out some flowers for Spring. Well, $400.00 later we were done, but the exciting news was that they were going to come either that evening or Saturday morning to plant everything. We really weren't expecting it to be done that quick. After picking up the girls from school we headed to Costco (I love that store). We spent way too much money there of course, but we did get to sample quite a bit of stuff so it was all worth it. But while we were there Jason's phone showed a missed call and it was Roland's (landscaping place) saying they were on their way to our house. Oh no!!!! We really wanted to be there, so we hurried home and got there just in time. They finished and now our front landscaping looks beautiful.

The next morning my mom left for the airport to pick up my cousins and I started the horrible job of cleaning the house. After a couple of hours I was finished and realized it was time to start getting ready for a birthday party my girls were invited to. So we all got ready and just when it was time to go my mom and cousins walked in the house. I was glad we got to see them before leaving. We headed to the party and the girls had a terrific time. There were two clowns there that were absolutely wonderful. After the party we had a ceremony to go to at our church and then we were off to our weekly volleyball game. I don't have much to say about that except that "we stink" and I will never wasted $12.00 on playing again!!! (I am a little upset with the whole volleyball thing if you can't tell).But it was after our game that the real fun began. We all headed back to our house for fajitas and my sister and her family came over to eat and play Wii. It was so much fun and I moved up to "PRO" status on bowling. I even got there before Jason (love you honey)!!! After a long night of Wii, everyone headed to bed.

My Nanny, Mary, and Sheila


All our neices and nephews (except Makala) on Jason's side


Brendon and Nathan


Hayden, Bailey, Jordyn, and Jordyn's friend


Logan (Tubby), Me, and Nathan


Aubrey, Logan, Me, Jordyn and Mallory


Brandon playing Wii


Sandy playing Wii


Jason playing Wii


Me playing Wii



Brock posing


Brock "playing" Wii


Hannah, Hayleigh, Aubrey, and Mallory entertaining themselves while we play Wii.



Sunday, we went to church and then Sunday evening grilled hamburgers. We just hung out the rest of that evening and enjoyed to weather.

Another Giveaway!!!

I am so excited!! I have another giveaway to post about. It is from Stacey at all sugared up. She has several scents and they look wonderful. It ends at 4:00pm today, so hurry and enter.

Giveaway!!!

April at Say It On A Sign is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100th post. She is a friend of mine and I have several of her signs. They are too cute and look great hanging in my house. So go on over to her blog and enter.

Here are just a couples of her signs. She has tons to choose from or you can give her a special order.

Celebrating Aubrey

I just wanted to add pictures from last night. Our friends Jeff, Gina, and their three kids ended up going with us and we had a great time.

She did awesome!!

Okay, I have to brag a little on my Aubs. Yesterday when we got back to my office after picking the girls up from school, Aubrey quietly came up to me and we had this conversation:

Aubrey: Mom, guess what?

Me: What?

Aubrey: I passed the TAKS test.

Me(really focused now): What? How do you know?

Aubrey: Mrs. Bergvall called me up to her desk and told me. She also told me I got commended because I only missed 3 questions out of over 40.

Me: Really!! I am so proud of you. (Gave her a big hug)


Man, I was/am so happy for her. Reading is definitely not her favorite thing to do so I was a little concerned about her taking the test, but she is a hard worker and I know that she put in her best effort and it shows.

We are going to take her out to dinner tonight to reward her.

Something I've been wanting to say

I have been wanting to blog about this for a while now and after hearing the message in Sunday School this past Sunday I think I can finally do it. So here it goes....

Just over a year ago Jason and I were faced with a very hard decision that has impacted out lives in so many ways. When I initially made the decision I kinda felt as if I had to do it because there were no other choices, but that has changed greatly. I know the decision that we made was the right one and although there have been times I've questioned it, I would not take it back for a moment. Friends and family who know the particulars of this decision would and still do make comments like "Jason and you are so great to do this." or "I/we don't know if we could do what y'all have done." But I have come to the realization that the decision I made was not a personal one, it was my Heavenly Father guiding me all the way. I know that from the very beginning He knew what was going to take place in this situation and I also know that He knew Jason and I would be the perfect ones for the person in this situation. I believe everything happens for a reason and we must find ways to glorify our Lord through it. So while I wish so greatly that she would not have had to go through what she has, I know that this may be the very way she comes to know Jesus. I believe she was placed with us because Jesus knew she needed us and also that I needed her. Through this season I have had to lean on my Lord so much which is not easy for me to do because I feel I need to be in control of things. I am learning that no matter what I do or think or how long I lie in bed at night thinking of how I can change/fix this situation Jesus is the only one who can fix it. I have no control over it except to turn it over to Him. And eventhough I turn it over to Him I will still have some suffering because we are told that we will suffer in this life, but I also know that is okay because I get the reward of spending eternity with Him. I know that I have been blessed beyond measure and that even in my hard times Jesus is there giving me a peace and assurance that is unmatched. I am completely sure that she will find her complete healing in Him and I believe that this is how He will be glorified.

Great Giveaway

Hollie at The Drama Mama is having a great giveaway. There are two drawings. One is for a free blog makeover by Drama Mama Designs (I would love to win!!) and the other is for a photo session with Hollie's friend Camily. So go on over there and enter. If you become a follower of The Drama Mama you will get an extra entry. And believe me you will love reading Hollie's post everyday!!!!

Here's the deal:

It's about that time for a giveaway, huh? But I have to say, this will the biggest one yet! Do you remember my dear friend, Camily who took these pictures of my family?







Well, she is part of this fun giveaway!
She is giving one of YOU a free photo session! That's F-R-E-E, people!

So here's the scoop....Camily will do a shoot for an individual, children, or a family in the Dallas area (or if you feel like driving to Dallas). She will shoot on location at the Arboretum, or any of the locations you see on her photography blog (and is open to suggestions if you have another idea). She will spend about an hour with the winner or long enough to get some good photographs. Camily will then edit the images and give you a copy of a CD with all the good photos for you to print as you would like. The value of the photo shoot AND photo CD is $250!!!

And just for fun, we will have a second drawing for a free blog makeover done by yours truly!

Here is how you can enter.....

Leave me a comment on this post and let me know what giveaway you are interested in. You can enter BOTH! You will get one entry (per giveaway) just for leaving a comment.

If you post about this giveaway on your blog AND LINK BACK TO THIS POST, you can get two more entries (just make sure you leave me a comment saying you did a post so I know to give you two more shots at winning either giveaway!!).

And if you become a new follower of The Drama Mama you will get one more entry!

I will use the random generator thingy to pick a winner on Wednesday night. And the winners will be posted on Thursday! So, what are you waiting for? Get busy, folks!

Meet Jett

Well, Saturday we did it. We got a puppy. His name is Jett and he is the cutest thing ever. He is a Pomchi (half Pomeranian and half Chihuahua). He is such a sweetheart and the best thing is that he is basically house broken. He is 8 weeks old and weighs 2.8 pounds. The girls are absolutely crazy about him. I am sure I will have many stories to tell about him.

"BUGS"

Mallory had her kindergarten program last Thursday evening and did a wonderful job. She had two speaking parts and we were so proud of how well she did them. It was so cute and a little depressing seeing her up on the stage. It made me realize how fast she is growing.

Mallory, you did a terrific job at your first program and Daddy and I are beyond proud of you. We knew you would be great even though you kept saying "I am too shy". There is not a shy bone in your body, Baby Girl!!! We love you and look forward to many more programs!!!