10 in 2010

It is very hard to believe I am the mom of a 10 year old! I always get all sappy and reflective this time of year...Robbie and I both get older in October, then two of the three kiddos get older in November. It really does make me pause to consider how quickly time goes.

Today, Jackson is 10. He came in to the world a surprising 4 weeks ahead of schedule...and he's been keeping us on our toes every day since! My two favorites lately...

He had a history test at school. We had studied and he felt really ready. That afternoon when he came home I asked him how it went. He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Mom, there was a word bank. It wasn't even a challenge"! I'm nearly certain he is the only kid that was frustrated about the helpful hints!

My newest favorite...tonight, we were sitting at his birthday dinner and catching up on the day. I asked if he got back the math test he took last week. Casually, "Yeah Mom, my first 100 on a math test this year". I went crazy. He just looked at me funny...as if to say...no biggie Mom...I got this covered!

I am so proud to see how well he has done with school and the transition to Veritas instead of full time homeschool. It has also been great to see him develop in areas where he doesn't excell as easily. He really struggled last year in football...but he's worked at it and this year seems to have found his groove. He is more relaxed and has made some really great plays. Last weekend his team won the flag football super bowl!

But I guess the thing that gets me most...a few days ago a friend said to me..."You know, all the little ones love Jackson. They are always talking about getting to play with him". That filled me up. The Lord has given Jackson a gentle spirit. I pray he will continue to use this gift and glorify the God with his life.

Happy Birthday buddy. I can't wait to see the adventures in year 10!

Fabulously Four

I cannot believe it...but today Brooklyn is four years old! She is very proud to be four. I've done retrospective posts before with all the baby photos leading up to the big new photo of how grown up she is...but today I'm just going to stick with telling about this day!

We had a few friends over for lunch and cupcakes today. Then this evening B got to pick the place and we took her to dinner. Her choice...Chick-fil-a....always! It was a pretty laid back day but still had plenty of birthday fun. I was once that mom who planned the party a month in advance...sent out the cute invitations, made the amazing gift bags, and of course...baked an entire cake from scratch and decorated it to the hilt using the theme of the absolute favorite character (of the moment) for that particular child. I am no longer that mom! I look online last night to find what easy cupcakes I could make in any acceptable girly theme... her favs right now are Olivia and Madeline...I looked...WAY too complicated! So...here's what we ended up with...

Not amazing people. Completely stolen from a photo on the internet...totally made from store bought candy and cake mix...but look at the kid...she's happy and I didn't loose my mind doing it! Score one for both teams!

I would love to say I took some amazing new photo of B today that I am in love with...but lately, I'm in love with this......notice the sheer drama of all that is needed for this blissful sleep...2 bunnies and a fuzzy blanket. That's my girl! And one day those bunnies and that blanket are going to be memories tucked away in a keepsake box. So, this...this I love. This I remember is going away too soon...and with a bitter sweetness, I hold on to today. Four years old!

First Day, Fleeting Moments, and Fewer Curls...

The boys had their First Day of School on Wednesday! They look adorable in their uniforms all bright faced and ready to go! As you can see...Will demanded a faster hairdo for the beginning of 6:30 mornings...They are loving school so far and happy to have friends in their class. Jackson's friend JD agreed to pose for a quick photo before class...JD is not in class with two of his friends that he has been in school with since Kindergarten. When I found out, I told him I was sorry. He told me that was ok because he was happy to be in class with Jackson to help him out for his first year. WOW! He's really a great friend. So all this school business is making me a little sentimental. I know, I know...what else is new! Anyway...I took a few "fleeting moments" photos of B snuggling her bunny. One of these days I'll go back and show you the bajillion photos I have of her and bunny....but for today, let's just say I know this will not last forever, so I'm trying to treasure it now.
And finally...fewer curls...I needed an easier do! I've been putting it in ponytails and braids for too long...chop, chop...goodbye to over 6 inches worth of curls. So far I'm loving it. Sorry for the black and white/color accent photo...just didn't want to put on makeup after the shower just to show off my hair. Better photos to come...maybe...if I get time!

Sunflower Photo Shoot

This is just a quick post to share some photos I just took of B. The sunflowers have been so beautiful and I wanted to capture something before they burn up in the heat! The lighting was great tonight and the princess was in the mood to be photographed! Hope you enjoy the results...

Now I'm just having a super hard time picking my favorite! Which one do you like best?

11 years today!

I cannot believe it! Today, Robbie and I have been married 11 years. We enjoyed some time together last month in the US Virgin Islands...gorgeous...maybe I'll post about it sometime...probably not though! :)

Here's a little look back at us...

Sorry for the scan of a scrapbook page...it was before digital cameras! Oh...and apparently also before people told brides not to do that cheesy hand/ring/tilted face pose!

oooh...fun trip to California wine country. this was around our 6th anniversary.

in our hotel room in New York City...taken last year near our anniversary...and no, there wasn't a creeper in our hotel room...we finally figured out how to set the timer to take photos!

this year...we're actually taking more photos together lately...more than the once every 4-6 years like before!

I am super proud of my man...this was taken just last week when he graduated with his MBA from Duke University!

I like the photos of us together. I think I will torture him into one tonight...we are actually attending a wedding on our anniversary! So fun. It will be great to celebrate with friends and remember our own vows.

I could go on and on about our marriage...what makes it great, the good times and the bad...but really, it all boils down to this...I love this man. I commited in front of God that I would spend my life with Robbie Wright, and that is exactly what I am doing. I love him more every year. Really. We've seen some rough times together, but I still choose to love him. I told God I would. He chooses to love me too...he made that promise. I hope above all our marriage glorifies our God...and I hope that continues for many years to come!

Will is 7

This is unbelieveable! Really...I cannot believe this little guy is 7. And from a recent photo a friend did for us...I think we are in for a heartbreaker with this one...

So, just incase you don't know Will as well as we do...

He is our snuggly kid. He likes to just sit next to us and have someone running their finger through his hair or playing with his hands. He will sit for hours that way. He is spunky and very funny. Things that matter deeply to other kids just don't phase him...but Willie G can really get stirred up if you hurt his feelings. He is cute and playful and has been an absolute joy in our family. Here's a photo stroll down memory lane...enjoy...

2003...ready to go home from the hospital!

2004...one year old

ummm....yeah, that's Will with his look-alike for sure...this guy looks just like my Dad!


now on to 2005...2 years old

2006...3 years old

2007...4 years old

2008...5 years old

2009...6 years old

Will has been quite an adventure. He had stitches by the time he was 9 months old, and a broken leg just before he turned 2. We thought we were "in for it" for sure...but really, he's just been plain fun. I cannot wait to see all the smiles and laughs that this 7 year old brings to our family! Happy Birthday Willie G!

Bluebonnet Beauty

I cannot resist sharing the photos we took in the bluebonnets yesterday. We found a great patch of them and nobody was around...it was just perfect! Eventhough it was cloudy, the kiddos are still squinting a bit. However, I have learned not to be too picky...if I wait for the perfect conditions I will never have pictures of my kids!

And of course...and sweetie one of the princess by herself. Little known fact...the brothers were in need of a restroom, so they ummmm..."watered" the bluebonnets in another area while we took this photo!Of course...once I started this, I couldn't resist a walk down "memory lane"...flower style!

2009

2008

2007

I must have completely lost my mind in 2006, because I did not take a bluebonnet photo! Maybe they weren't good that year...or maybe, and I'm just sayin....I was pregnant and that accounts for quite a bit of scatter-brained things!

2005

2004...bluebonnets and wisteria

We did live in Austin in 2003, but I recall that year when the bluebonnets were blooming I was...ummm...having a baby! I think we did go out and take a few photos, but either they were terrible and got deleted, or they were taken by my mom and I didn't save them. Before 2003, we lived in places where bluebonnets were not...and that is sad! I love, love, love Austin in the spring...and this is a huge reason why! Thanks for letting me blog some beautiful memories!

Treasuring This...

So, I haven't been blogging. What else is new! But, I haven't been doing my normal "non-blogging" where I am doing something else like sewing, scrubbing my house, baking something yummy, etc. Nope...I haven't been blogging because my life has been whirlwind crazy lately!

The Lord has just sent lots of things my direction that needed attention. And not in a "Ok, Lord, I'll get around to those"...but in a NOW kind of way! Life has been completely full.

So, I am slowly figuring out that it is not about a perfect house, or neat records of my kids lives filed away in scrapbooks, or even a daughter that runs around in adorable homemade clothing...nope...it is about treasuring. Every second I get lately, I am treasuring this...

What did the Lord bring into your life today? Did you treasure His gift?

Jackson has a blog...

Hello readers! Just wanted to pop in and let you know Jackson now has a blog. He came home from his time with Mimi and Poppy asking if he could start his own blog. He has lots of ideas in his head...and honestly, I think this would be a great way to get him writing without seeing it as a chore! So...go on, follow his blog too...
http://jacksonthegenius.blogspot.com/2010/01/one-of-my-simple-projects.html

I have some photos and fun stuff to post...I will do this soon...I hope!

I love this...

What a handsome little guy. I love my boy! Look at that blonde hair...those big
"kissy" lips...man am I ever glad he is just 6 yrs. old...for one because he is going to be a heartbreaker...
for two...I just referenced his "kissy lips"...any teenager would be horrified at that statement from his mother!


I took this photo yesterday at lunch...with my new i-phone (thank you most wonderful husband for giving up your nice phone for me)!! I was thankful to be relaxing at lunch with my cuties before my hubby had to head off for another extended trip. I really had not paid much attention to the attire of the kids...they were dressed, hair well "messed" so it looked purposeful instead of raggedy kid style...etc. When we got back for the evening services, my friend/co-worker Becca asked if I had seen Will's shirt. Why, no...he's had a hoodie on all day. Truth is...Will had his shirt buttoned off by 2 buttons...so the collar stuck up on one side and the tail hung down on the other. He wore it that way all day. Even after we told him. He just left it!

I love this kid! He wasn't embarrassed or upset. Just set...this is the kid, just in case you are wondering...this is the kid who starts that strange teenage trend of wearing 2 different colored socks or sticking the collar up on your polo...he's the one. Different and he doesn't care...so other people follow him...mostly because they cannot figure him out! Honestly...we can't either...so we love him...our quirky, beautifully handsome, crazily cuddly William Grant!

Helping Haiti

Through The Austin Stone and through our trip last summer to the Dominican Republic...we've gotten to know some pretty amazing people. People who live their life on mission for God. People who are world changers. Today...I want you to get a glimpse of the story of these people. I am going to link to their blogs so you can keep up with them too.

First up, Jamie and Aaron Ivey. They are being used in a big way by the Lord for His glory! They have adopted 2 children from Haiti. Story, their youngest, came home recently...and WOW...it was a party. They had been waiting almost 2 years for her to come home. However, Amos is not home yet. So he was in Haiti when the earthquake hit. They got word that Amos is ok, but the place he lives is not ok and they are currently sleeping outside. Jamie and Aaron have been interviewed on local news...here are two clips you can watch...
http://www.kvue.com/news/Austin-couple-waits-for-word-on-bringing-son-home-from-Haiti-81573147.html

http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=263885

...and they were on CNN this morning! Crazy!! They did an amazing interview and were able to talk about the need for adopting children from Haiti.
http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/15/familys-adopted-son-in-haiti/

Aren't they precious! We love them so much. So...here's the deal. You have an extra $25 right...I mean, you go to Starbucks or have Saturday dinner out...just make some coffee at home or have a dinner in/rent a movie instead of going out...easy in our world to get an extra $25 fast...

Ok...I'm waiting, waiting, waiting...good...you got your $25 now? Go here... http://dreamingbigdreams.net/?p=3538 and buy one of their shirts. All profits go to Real Hope for Haiti and Heartline...these guys are changing Haiti. Oh, and you won't be disappointed in the shirt either...I bought a beautiful shirt last year from them to help raise money for a mission team they were taking to Haiti...it is my absolute favorite t-shirt. So...seriously...GO buy a t-shirt!

Ok, now that you have an awesome shirt and you ordered some extras to give away for birthdays, Valentine's Day, President's Day, Groundhog Day....you get the idea...

Now I want to tell you about the gang at Makarios. This is where we worked last year when we went to the Dominican Republic. In case you are geographically challenged (like me)...these countries border one another. So, Makarios is reaching out to try to get supplies to the Haitians. However, there are plenty of barriers. Roads are not great in the DR and I am sure they are worse in Haiti now. Pray they will find a way through, pray the government will not stop them, pray they will not have trouble with people looting, pray they will be safe and find a way to the people who need them most. Specifically pray for Robin, Cara, Sharla, Chris and Erica. I may have missed one...but God remembers...so please pray. Here is a link to Cara's blog
http://carajanewelch.wordpress.com/2010/01/15/haiti-update/

Finally, we just heard the Haitian government is holding a meeting this morning about pending adoptions...the one like the Ivey family has with Amos. Maybe, just maybe they will decide the country is in chaos...there are more orphans now than there were...and maybe, just maybe they will let these children come home...to the families who have adopted them and want to love on them! Please pray!

OK, I know I said finally...but...while you are praying...give thanks to the Lord. Not just for your safety and comfort...the fact that you were born in America and have what you have. NO...praise Him that HIS name is being lifted high through a disaster in Haiti. Praise Him for the glory that is shining for Him around this entire story and pray His name will continue to be lifted high!

Princess Party!

Last Saturday, Brooklyn got to go to her first "drop-off" birthday party. Everyone was supposed to dress in princess attire. I wasn't sure what she would think, but she was more than eager to dress-up...and did not even blink about me walking right back out the door. Here is how she looked when she left home...
Thank you Mimi and Poppy for the princess dress...it was perfect timing to get this at Christmas and have a party to wear it to so soon! I love the hoop skirt...it looked so cute on her!

And then a picture my friend Julie (mom to the birthday girl) took of her at the party...

Julie always takes the BEST pictures and is a genius with accenting them...thanks so much Julie. Brooklyn had a wonderful time at the party...a visit from Snow White, face paint, balloon crowns, body glitter, cake and ice cream...WOW. She was a very happy girl when we picked her up!

What were we doing while the princess partied at the castle? Well, my knight in shining armor was changing the flat tire on my "trust steed" (err...mini van). Oh well...we can't always live in the fairy tale!

Took an adorable picture of all the kids today. Everyone was looking at the camera, smiling, etc...but it is for Valentine's Day...guess you will just have to wait!