Fall is here...

For some reason, maybe it is the cooler weather or maybe because the last few weeks have been a little fuzzy, it finally feels like fall. I love fall, and it may well be my favorite season. Football, crisp air, colored leaves, autumn crafts, and warm food make the entire experience of fall so homey. This fall has been a little harder to incorporate all of my favorite activities. Grace, Elijah and I did carve a pumpkin once even though neither one were too interested. Because of my dad's thorough cable package football has been on plenty, although my attention really hasn't been on the tube. And my fall cooking has gone out the window, and we have resulted to frozen food items...hopefully temporarily. On the contrary, this fall has brought something new. A new baby cooing and crying, a toddler boy continually destroying any new project I attempt, and a big sister trying to "help mommy" the best she knows how. I am so amazed by these three pumpkins that God has blessed us with. They are all so different, and instead of studying new fall ideas, keeping up with this blog, or even keeping up with more normal task list...I have been observing these kiddos....watching them learn each in their own way and at their own stage. I thought it was definitely time to share some more pictures of these precious three, so you can enjoy (as much as I have) the focal point of my fall days....

I never get tired of looking at this face

Grace drew her first letter! Smarty pants!

Working on a leaf collage

Destroying the leaf collage

Started cloth diapering...I may be crazy

The Royal Trio at the fall festival

Princess Grace

Sir Elijah the Knight

Princess Anna

Anna Ruth

We are so excited to introduce you to our newest member! Anna Ruth arrived on October 1 at 9:40 PM (our first baby to arrive at night). She weighed in at 6 pounds 14 ounces and 20 inches....our smallest baby yet! She is absolutely perfect with gorgeous olive skin, long fingers and toes, and sparkling blue eyes. I can't tell who she looks like yet, but I think she is beautiful nonetheless. Grace and Elijah were excited to meet her too. Grace wanted to hold her right away and "pet" her head.  Elijah wanted to tap her on the head too but with much more force. He is learning to be gentle. They are both adjusting well and becoming such big helpers. I am so proud of our growing family!

A Much Delayed Summer Recap

What a busy, eventful few weeks! We have been settling in the last few weeks into a new routine, so I was hopeful to record the summer conclusion of our trips and note a big change in our life recently. So, first, let me describe our biggest change this summer that has lead to a little chaos, some sadness, some excitement and a lot of blessing.

This past week Cliff began his first full week of school with many new faces. Yes, summer is officially over for us, BUT we are beginning a brand new adventure. About two months ago, Cliff was offered a great coaching and teaching position at Dripping Springs High School. Although Drip was the rival growing up at Lake Travis High School, we were thrilled. It is an amazing position in a excellent district. We accepted the position and began preparing our lives for another move. Over the last two months (in addition to a few family trips that I will share later), we have been saying our goodbyes, packing, trying to sell a home, moving in with family, researching new homes in the area, and finding a new doctor. We have a lot on our plates, but thankfully God has provided much peace. The kids have transitioned really well especially because they get too see grandparents a lot more! Our baby is still growing at a healthy pace and should arrive at the end of September!

It is hard to believe we are starting up another busy school year career in a new, familiar city, and how quickly our summer flew by!! It was an excellent summer, and I did want to share some photos of our summer trips...

Guatemala:
Cliff traveled with a missions team to visit orphanages. We had been praying for an opportunity like this, and God provided with no cost to us! He had an amazing time ministering, loving, and playing ball with the orphans. The kids and I were able to relax at Mimi's. Here is a photo from one of the four orphanages visited.




Baby Shower
Our Brenham friends threw us a very special shower for the our little Anna Ruth. We had amazing food, dessert and company. In addition to the yummy cookie cake below (my favorite), we had fresh, homemade chocolate pie. Yum!

July 4th:
We visited the Round Top parade which was long and hot. You can see Buddy didn't mind the view too much from his stroller. We then watched fireworks over the big, country sky at Washington on the Brazos. Summer snacks were the biggest hit of this day (snow cones, lemonade and funnel cakes).



South Padre:
We traveled with Cliff's family to the beach where the kids were introduced to sand, salty water, seashells, turtles, and fresh fried fish. We had great weather and it was super relaxing. Elijah loved the sand as you can tell. Grace enjoyed the beach but favored the hotel pool's slide.

Horseshoe Bay Resort:
Cliff and I were able to relax at a 3 day coaches retreat sponsored by FCA. It was the longest we had been away from the kids, and we missed them, but we were able to rest up and have some date time.

Elijah's First Birthday

Our little man is ONE! What a privilege, my son, to be your mama and watch you grow each year. You have a strong yet gentle spirit that is sensitive yet fearless.  I love chasing you around as you explore the world. I love singing to you at night as you cuddle on my shoulder. I love watching you gobble down food like a real man. I love holding your hand as you walk with a wobble. I love your giggle, your smile, and your chatter. It is a joy to be your mother, and I am so thankful each day for you!

You loved your pool party and your cupcakes. You climbed over everything and laughed along with your friends...

Summer Part II

Over June we were blessed to travel to several places. When school let out Memorial Day weekend, we packed our bags and headed out to the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina to visit my mom, stepdad, grandparents, sister and brother-in-law. It was a amazing start to our summer with lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s. It was glorious and beautiful. We took the kids to Tweetsie Railroad where Grace was able to see Thomas the Train live and enjoy kid-friendly amusement rides. Cliff took her on a few spinning ones (ones that would have made my face blue), but she seemed to love it! We also fished, fed the ducks, swam (in a outdoor heated pool - remember this is not Texas), celebrated 30 years with Cliff, hiked/walked in the mountains, visited my sister and brother in law, toured Duke and UNC Chappel Hill University, enjoyed date time in the mountains, ate amazing food, and spent quality time with family. Summers are what make teaching so great!

Summer Part 1

So, I have been a little behind schedule, and I am not just talking about the blog. It has been a very busy, wonderful, crazy summer and I don't think it is going to slow down. I can remember in the spring Cliff and I were looking forward to our lazy, summer days with the kids, relaxing, taking naps, and thinking we would have all the time in the world. Now, we are almost in July, planning Elijah's first birthday party, and I have felt that I have blinked five times since that early spring conversation. So, as I enjoy each day of our event-filled summer, I am going to post bits at a time, catching up on the special moments that have transpired...

GROWING

Everything in our family is growing, well except my husband...he is staying fit and trim...but he did grow another year...welcome to your 30s honey! My belly is growing and looking healthy and plump with kicks and bumps from our little girl inside. Elijah is taller, louder, clapping, waving and using his words and gestures to make us all laugh and smile. He is our monkey and climbs over anything including his sister. Grace's hair is really growing, and she is finally allowing me to try ponytails, piggy-tails, and clips. Little girl's hair is so much fun! She is also potty trained, learning her letters, carrying on conversations and practicing her little mommy personality on her little brother. It is amazing how our little toddler is turning into a beautiful little girl. We have enjoyed scrumptious meals from our bountiful garden. I have never seen my husband so excited about vegetables before. Thanks to my husband's hard work and the Lord's rain and sun, we have enjoyed many cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, black eyed peas, snap peas, broccoli, and peppers. It is true that food taste much better straight from your garden! It is so much fun to watch our life grow! More summer posts to come...

A nice surprise

There are a few things in life that bring a genuine, warm smile to your face. My mother in law, "Mimi", came to visit and worked on a small surprise with Grace while I was running errands. When I returned I was grinning from ear to ear. I had to share it with you...

Oh Glorious Day

Easter is a glorious day. A glorious reminder that Jesus is alive every day of the year. I am overwhelmed by His goodness today...

Because He suffered for me.

Because He died, so I could live with Him forever.

Because He didn't stay in the grave and is alive, so I can walk with Him. 

Because He offers peace, joy and life every day and forever.

Because He is actively working and drawing me into a closer relationship.

Because He saves those I love and pray for.

Because He saved me.

On Good Friday we went on our first cross walk. Our church met for a hike to downtown carrying a large cross on wheels, praying and talking to bystanders about Jesus. My husband walked with the cross for around a mile. It was definitely a powerful experience and I have jotted down a few thoughts that ran through his mind...

Everyone is looking at me. But no one is spitting, yelling or calling me names.

My back and shoulder are killing me. But I am not bloody, bruised or broken.

I am really tired and ready to stop. But Jesus suffered through it until death.

I feel strange. But Jesus was not ashamed.

My husband maybe caught a very small glimpse of Christ's experience. But it will forever change his perspective of Good Friday. His shoulder is still hurting. And as you can tell from the picture Grace couldn't have been more proud of her daddy.

Happy Easter from our family to yours!!

More Saving. More Doing.

More Saving. More Doing. Usually if you want to save money there is more work or more "doing" on your part. "More Doing" also gives you a sense of accomplishment and awe, especially when it requires sweat and maybe some blisters. This spring my husband and I planted our very first garden. Building a garden is not a walk in the park, but we had a lot of fun. We did some research, spoke to a few "garden" gurus, and began digging. Yes, a tiller would have been easier, but once my husband began with his shovel there was no turning back. He worked with the help of a friend for several hours and dug out a 20 by 10 foot garden in our backyard! The next week we bought top soil and humus (not the kind you eat) and tilled it in with our backyards' soil...




After we finished our soil preparation, we were ready to plant. Thanks to many friends we only had to buy a few vegetable plants. We planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, snap peas, and green beans. We also planted a blackberry bush. Yum! Yum!




This is a picture of our garden today. Everything seems to be growing, so hopefully we will have great crops soon. So now every evening we are out monitoring/watering our new garden, hoping that our hard work and "doing" pays off!