Weekend in Texas

Yesterday we got back from our trip to TX, and it was really good. We had to learn how to travel with three kids and needing a rental car with rental car seats...but I figure it can only get easier from here. The weather was nice, we had some great times with Renee, and the kids are still talking about the trip.

We went to the zoo in Tyler TX, and I was impressed. As you can see below the kids were impressed too. I love watching their faces as they see new things.

I thought this was a good picture of me.
We were in the place where you could feed the birds and they would even climb on you. It was really fun.


We had a snack at this lookout where you could be right up close to the elephants and giraffes. The kids love those two animals especially.
Renee made some beautiful jewelry, and here is Daniel helping make on for him. She even made some clip on earring for Rachel, and she loves them.
Renee has a little dog named Punkin, and the kids enjoyed playing with her, and her little cage.
In general the kids did well on the flight, but I was thankful for the little play area that Dallas had right out in front of the gate returning. On the return flight Daniel and Rachel fell asleep on landing, but again, it can only get better from here the next time we fly. Daniel has been on 8 airplane rides, Rachel 6, and Noah 3 so far. Thats the hard, and sometimes fun, part of having family all over the place.
We went and saw where Renee worked, celebrated some birthdays, and was able to experience her baptism. She braved the cold water at the local state park, and I teared up as she demonstrated her love for God with that outward gesture. I am so thankful for not only a sister in law...but also a sister in Christ.

Now it is pretty rainy and the sump pump has been going all day. I miss the sun in TX. I did sign up for another race this weekend, and am looking forward to the nicer weather around here, I know the kids enjoyed being outside a little more. Yesterday Noah stood on his own for a few seconds, you could see the look in his eye like get ready, because I will really be moving soon.

Happy Birthday Daniel!

Yesterday with Daniel's birthday, and I think he enjoyed it, because he told us he was having a good day. The kids did alright playing and sharing the balloons, and the weather was so beautiful to go into Boston and enjoy time at the Aquarium.

I like it when people offer to help take your picture.

We got our camera timer to take this one. At least we are all looking at the camera.



As shown in the balloons above his current favorite colors are green and yellow. It was a fun family day, and we have really been enjoying the weather. The kids still love their bunk beds, and we have a few things planned for the weekend, so the time is passing quickly. We need to recover from the sugar from yesterday, and get working on the next trip on Thursday next week to go to TX to visit Kevin's sister. We are pros now at traveling on a plane with three kids.

Bunk Beds and Basketball, and of a little boy growing so tall!

So after a busier week than I intended, we are heading into Daniel's Birthday week. I hear magic happens at 4, and I think I am starting to see some changes already. He is talking more, he it helping more, he is doing more things on his own...I think I like it.

We are trying out basketball lessons with him at the Y, here is a classic shot. Kevin said he was a little shy, but I think the chocolate donut he gets after it will be good motivation to enjoy going for the next few weeks.

Drum roll please...we got the kids bunk beds. And they love it.

Daniel is already learning how to throw things down, the next is making a blanket cave at the bottom bunk.
Here is Noah trying to help.
Kevin has Thursday off and we are going to the Aquarium for Daniel's birthday, I already got the library pass. I think we are going to partially celebrate his birthday in Texas, and at the end of April Kevin's parents will have a few more things for him, so it like a birthday month...I like the way that sounds. I ran the 5 mile race today in the pouring rain, and found a running buddy who may inspire me to run a few more races in the are in the next few months, it feels so good to be running again, although I would like to start getting faster. Maybe when the weather gets better.

Back Home

Here are some pictures from the time we were in NY. We drove back yesterday just to have a full day back before Kevin had to go back to work. I squeaked in a race this morning I had signed up for a while ago, and it felt good, but not I am utterly exhausted. I think it is going to take all of us a few days to get back on schedule, but the weather was so beautiful today, it is encouraging for the spring to come.

Rachel and Hadessa hugging, the two little princesses.
Noah is pulling himself up and is crawling all over the place.
The kids blowing off some steam at a McDonalds
Look at that look in his eyes, he is ready to go!

I had some time to myself this morning and a few moments to pray, after a few more tears, I think that God knew this was going to happen, and he gave all of us the ability to handle it. My mom was a huge spiritual guidepost in my life, and often I would go to her first instead of to the Bible, so it is time for me to get stronger in that area. I had my plans, Kevin did not get into Syracuse by the way, and they fell flat on the floor, so my prayers will be different. He knows we could use a bigger place and that we would like to be closer to family, so I am going to leave the details up to God and wait until we feel like He tells us to move. One thing didn't work, but that doesn't mean there is something different in store, even better. I have a tendency to get overwhelmed by the big picture, but I can just take it one day at a time, deal with the kids and husband, and hold onto the peace that passes understanding, and run this race set before me. So I have one more race I signed up for next week, and we are going to get bunk beds for the kids, and I have a son turning 4 soon...that is more than enough to keep us going! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, they have really carried us through.

A poem for Mom

This is the hardest thing that’s been done
To bury a loved one, as daughter, sister, husband or son
The time went to fast; how were we all to know
Her passing was a peaceful as the falling snow
There was so much more to do, more things to be done
More vacations to be had, more hugs, and more fun
We’ve all been so selfish, she gave us so much
She is laughing in heaven, and dancing and such
I am missing my mother, my mentor, my friend
But this is but another beginning, and not just an end
Just as a seed dies, it grows all the more
In our hearts and lives, her spirit will always soar
So yes we will cry, we will laugh, but we’ll never forget
Her life was a gift from God, and it’s still giving yet

Noah versus the Crawl

Noah began crawling this week, and now the game changes. He wrecks his brother's train tracks and gnaws on his sister's toys. Daniel has learned to stiff arm him, and Rachel just raises her voice yelling at him. And he enjoys every minute of their attention. I do have to baby proof a little better now, and make sure I have things picked off the floor too.

Saving the sippy cup for later...

Happy Valentines day with a happy baby in a box with hearts.
Someone is ready for the weather to get warmer.

We have moved Noah out of his infant car seat, because he was just to heavy to carry, in it, and now I need to be sure I have him well covered because before I could just zip him up all bundled up with the cover. But he just looks so cute in the hat.
Kevin's nickname for Noah is Mr. Happy, because he is still so easy going and happy all the time. What a blessing. This week is winter break for the schools, so I have a friend coming and watching the kids a few times this week while I go spend some time at my other job. It is always a refreshing change of pace, but I love my full time job better. We've had a good three day weekend, we find ourselves cleaning and reorganizing whenever both Kevin and I have some extra time at home. Just as an update on my mom, things are looking good for a straight forward treatment of her, but thanks for your continual prayers as she walks this path of recovery.

The Good and the Bad

The good news is that Kevin won an annual award this week for being the best financial analyst on the base. Last week, while Kevin was away, went well until Wednesday night when Rachel woke up with the stomach bug. It eventually went through all of us except for Kevin, who was able to come home Thursday night, and help with the puke and poop.

The good news is that we got folks in the house in NH again, and they love it up there. Kevin went up on Saturday to meet with the couple, and they are set to move in at the end of the month. The bad news on Saturday was that my mom went to the hospital, and now need surgery to take care of cancer and a problem with her liver....

You hear the worship songs in church that says that even when things are good I will praise God, and when things are bad I will praise Him. We seem to be getting a lot of both around here. The kids are doing great, Kevin is doing well, and yet my family is struggling. I don't want to be angry, but we still need to keep it one step at a time. So keep us in your prayers, and I'll keep things posted. But it's ok. The good and bad come along. I am learning that is what life really is about.

In any case, here are some pictures of the kids. I didn't get too many from last week, but they are really enjoying painting. I just wanted to point out the kid's different techniques.

I thought Rachel looked super cute Sunday morning.
Tonight Kevin and I are going on a much needed date, and we have some fun Valentine things planned for this week. I am glad we are learning about the Love of God, because that is what we all need.