cowboys (and girls)

So, a couple of weeks ago we had family pictures, an adventure in itself! The kids were priceless, especially Carleigh. She threw up her guns spontaneously in this shot of her with her brothers. We about fell over! But it was perfect! Go 'pokes!




It has been a LONG time since we have even attempted to get all of us in a picture together! My sweet amazing photographer friend Amanda did these for us. I love the way they turned out...they capture the spirit of or family completely! One thing I love about Amanda's work is that we have a similar style. I knew she would capture what I see everyday of my life with my amazing husband and five precious little people. Anyway, these are a few of my favorites!

I'm an auntie!

This is my new nephew, Drake Richard! Isn't he the sweetest? I have five of my own, but this is my first niece/nephew, and I am super excited! My boys are thrilled to have a new little buddy, too. Oh, I love babies! The first shot is my sister Mary and her husband Nate. They are an amazing couple, and two of my dearest friends.

Hairy Adventures

I love hair. I have always liked playing with little girls' hair and styling my own (when I had the time! HA!) I have four younger sisters who were always patient enough to let me experiment on them, and it was SO much fun! We made some funky styles for sure!

Now that I have little girls of my own, I must say that I have put hairstyling low on the list. Hairstyles these days has been simply a couple of piggies or a barette to sweep the hair out of the face (or to keep snot and boogers out of it.) Well, I'm finally bored with it all and have started getting creative again! Oh, I have missed this art! I usually come up with my own styles, but I found this one (mine is a little different) online and just loved it. It's called a tiara, and you can see why. Here's Carleigh showing it off right!

And a close-up.

Just a fun shot because I think she's so beautiful!

booger

no, i do not want to see it.

i don't want to see how BIG it is.

and i definitely do not want you to put it in my mouth!

bella has discovered how to pick her nose (and those of others if they don't see her coming.) oh the joy!

it's all over

Folks, there is a REASON we finish college right out of high school! The older you get, the harder it is to learn and retain information. Then there are the life factors (getting married, working, having kids) that put additional strain on one's ability to be a success in college. This week, I took two exams, a quiz, wrote a paper, participated in an online discussion and completed four assignments. Did I stress that...THIS WEEK!? My brain is about to ooze out my ears. Seriously. I have another exam this Thursday, and have to keep up in my other classes.

A lesson here? Definitely...I started this venture for many reasons. The first...I have been convicted to create margin for my family. Thanks, Craig. Second...I want to be an example to my children, showing them that I value an education and hard work and that I finish what I start. They are young now, but I pray that one day they do see these things and never take for granted the time they have when they are young.

On a side note...I took a test today that was totally stressing me. I have had facts and dates running through my head for a week now getting ready for this thing. I started the test feeling I wasn't totally prepared, but I breezed through...and got 100% of the answers correct (50 questions)! I was totally flipping out, thinking there must be some mistake. But it wasn't...I aced it. I was yelling and jumping up and down, and my boys thought I was totally INsane! But they hugged me and shared my excitement! It was AH-MAZING!

sweet gifts

I got an amazing one tonight.

It's been a hard week to say the least. I have been studying every spare minute I could (and even some I shouldn't have.) Three exams, a paper and a handful of assignments all this week. My head is spinning, and my attitude is well....just sucky. More than once, I have jumped all over the kids for teeny weeny little things. I am tired and irritable. I keep asking myself why on earth I think I can pull this school thing off. :) You can do it, my Two reminds me. And then, You can do it, my One whispers. And so I press onward.

So today, everything came to a head, and I thought I had completely lost my mind. Got one of my tests out of the way today and feel I did well. Sigh. Turned in a few assignments. Went to my night class. I've almost made it.

I come home to a nearly dark house. Everyone is in bed and nearly everyone is asleep. My oldest greets me in the kitchen (he is supposed to be asleep) to show me the amazing weather station he made at his scout meeting earlier in the evening. I hug him and gently push him in the direction of his room, promisng to come pray with him (again) in a minute. I put away the milk and bread I stopped for on my way home and make good on my promise. We pray and then chat some...he tells me about his day and the things that were most important to him. I ask him about the things that are important to me. I kiss him lightly on the cheek, hug him and tell him goodnight. But as I stand up to leave the room, he asks me to kiss him on the lips. He does this a lot. I always do, but tonight, I just had to ask why. And this is what I got...

When you kiss my lips, I can save it until morning. See, I wipe it right here on my pillow by my head and when I wake up, I can have it again and keep it with me for the rest of the day.

I gave him an extra hug and kiss for that. What a way to end the day!

PS...my Two is my husband and my One is my Jesus.

52

that is the number of times i heard the nice man in front of us blurt out one of three very nice expletives on Saturday at the OSU-Houston game. i SO wanted to wash his mouth out with soap...or blow snot on him (since my allergies were on a rampage the second we stepped out of our car in Stilly.) i think the latter would have been more fun. oh...yeah...the point. well, i (naturally being better than him), was totally passing judgment. yes, please cuss...it couldn't possibly make you any more attractive than the dirty shirt you're wearing. sheesh...if he thought he was going to impress the totally hot girls in front of him, then i am WAY out of touch with what is attractive. okay, so now that you all think i'm totally mean...

i picked my 6-year-old up to take him to his scout meeting a little while ago, and on the way, i got cut off by a really bad (but probably very nice) driver. before my brain even caught up with my mouth, i heard it. learn to drive, dumba**! umm...what? where did that even come from? i make it a point to never say a word i wouldn't allow my child to repeat. (well, unless i am fired up and i can't get my point across without it! heh.) but seriously folks. dumba**?? couldn't i have at least made it count and dropped an f-bomb!? no...i picked that one. questions ensued, of course. i apologized and promised to never say it again. not good enough. i will likely face punishment later.

so...to foul-mouthed dirty shirt man...i am sorry i judged you so harshly (because i KNOW you are reading along). one expletive is as bad as 52.