Sneak Peek

I just can't wait so I have to post these RIGHT NOW. We took pictures tonight for our Christmas cards. Here are a few samples- I didn't get any of the other girls that turned out good. It's humid as heck outside and the mosquitoes were eating everyone alive! So, all the individual pics I took outside were more like action shots of the girl's hitting at their legs to make the bugs go away.

Look at Mr. GQ

Stud Muffin

I adore this shot of her! Classic.

Loving Lola

I received a new camera for Christmas. I love her so much! So much! That's why I had to give her a name. I will cherish her for a long, long time and I've waited a very long time for her.

Her name is Lola.

This is a sample of what she can do...

...more to come!

A Few of my Favorite Things

Here is my new favorite thing in the entire world:

Fire & Family

I've never known how to start a fire before. By asking a few people (Braelyn included) I learned what to do. I bought some cheap wood and voila! I love nothing more than curling up on our couch with the lights out and the fire and candle burning. Tonight Bella fell asleep on my knee and Bentley fell asleep on my chest while we were watching Charlottes Web. Cali was on the other end of the couch. All this and the fire smelt so good. I adore these moments and I am enjoying the cooler weather (even if it's still not that cold). Opposition is good. We know the bad so we can appreciate the good.

I'm Happy It's Over

Is it ok to title a blog that way when it's referring to something with your children?? I've been a little stressed out over the thought of doing this walk with both girls. It was scheduled for last Friday and I was having a hard time making that work with some vinyl deliveries that day. It was re-scheduled for today due to bad weather. Cali and the higher grades walked this morning on a 3 mile walk and Bella and the lower grades walked this afternoon for 1 mile. I had both babies in the double stroller and it was quite an ordeal. :) Did I mention that it was stressful to even think about?? So we started out at 8:30 like this. Oh, Bent woke up as the camera flashed.

The boys are cute together. Mees is on the right.

They had it very organized. Each child had a partner. Cali was paired with her best friend, Tegan. This is the two of them and their friend, Precious, looking at the babies.

These two girls talk about each other non-stop. It just so happens that Tegan's mom is Bella's 2nd grade teacher this year! Makes it special!

We spotted an opossum in a tree along the route. Nasty thing- just stay up there.

So, since this is my blog I can write about how I didn't love this walk. Or the afternoon walk. It was not relaxing. The babies couldn't have been better but these fourth graders behind me were obnoxious! They started out chanting "Here we go Ward, here we go!" Which was nice for the first twenty times. Mind you, before the chanting began I listened to the boys count 300 cracks in the ground, one by one. So, after the chanting started it soon became "Here we go Donkeys, here we go!!" Who are the donkeys- no one! It got louder and louder, and they were RIGHT behind me. Ugh! I seriously couldn't wait until we got to our street and I could leave the madness.

Friends along the way

Finally- our turn off. Cali and Tegan wanted to do this pose from their choir concert Tuesday night.

I came home and laid the babies down and did some bills then it was time to go walk with Bella's class. I just wanted to get it over with. How horrible am I! It was a lot of work. So we were off and I was hopeful it was a more peaceful time. I would soon discover that it would not be that way.

This sweet little girl was Bell's partner and she talked to me the entire time. And it would have been ok but when someone would try to get a word in with me she would keep talking and when no one paid attention she talked LOUDER. She was sweet but it was an awful lot.

I love my girls and I'm thankful I could have a day that this was possible, even if it was stressful.

Just keeping it real. It is what is it. Cie la vie!

B & B

Some shots of Bella and Bentley lately.

I love this one!! She cracks me up.

Kensington's A Pepper!!!

This little turkey made me WAIT to blog about this until she got her t-shirt. She tried out for the Pep Squad back in September I think it was. She got on the squad and we finally got her shirt yesterday! She has to attend Pep Squad meetings once a week and a game once a week to cheer the team on in the stand. It's a great way to be involved but still not have it take up too much family time. She likes it!

Clear Lake Intermediate School Pep Squad

Yay Kensy!

Braelyn's YWIE

Braelyn had her first Young Women In Excellence program this week. It is for her age group at church. They have a book they work in from the time they turn 12 until they are 18. They have to complete six experiences in each value- Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice & Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, Virtue and a ten hour project in each when they finish the experiences. YWIE is an annual celebration for their achievements in the program that year. Braelyn displayed how she memorized the 13th Article of Faith and journaled about it and how she attended a Fireside where two leaders in our church spoke. She did a great job! I am so proud of how she is self motivated. She works on her Personal Progress on her own. I was so upset that I missed her program last night. I had the stomach flu and she had to have some adoptive moms at the program. :( It was hard to miss. I couldn't be more proud of her and her hard work and preparation for this night.

Article of Faith 13: We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men. Indeed, we may say we follow the admonition of Paul. We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Calissa's Choir Concert

Cali is in choir at school and she had her first concert this week. It was really good!

So sweet!

I love her foot in this shot!

I am really proud of Cali going to all her practices, even the early morning ones. She gets herself up early and is very responsible.

All my babies!

My 29th Birthday All Over

I love turning 29 again. My friends took me out to my favorite place to eat...Saltgrass Steakhouse! Yummo. Suzanne, Angela, Me, Bent, Jordi, Shannon, Ashton

Suzanne made me a cake and brought ice cream and they sang to me

The Saturday following the TomBoy Fan Club (Ken, Cal & Bell) made me breakfast. Mmmm- green eggs and toast. ummm- I DID eat this...

My friend, Carina, brought me a balloon and yummy cupcakes on my birthday too! I felt special and loved by the calls, cards and gifts. I am thankful for the good people who surround me!

Trunk or Treat to Trick or Treat

Our church has an annual Trunk or Treat a week or so before Halloween. The kids go from trunk to trunk to get candy. There are usually festivities before hand.

My friend, Suzanne's little cowboy, Owen

Brae, Bent and our friend, Amanda

We were a Powder Puff football team and Bent was our football

had to throw this one in at my friend's baby shower! He is so stinking cute

the Friday before Halloween I went to a school to do an Open House for my vinyl business. This is my friend, Alona, who works there. She is holding my personal assistant!

Bent dancing. He has one spike in his hair but with the shadows it looks like little horns

Halloween night

All tired out