Quiet on the Home Front

Well, last weekend was our weekend away to Ft. Worth and the Texas White House Bed and Breakfast...it was absolutely wonderful. I forget how much I enjoy Jason's company. I know that sounds silly but usually the girls get my full attention rather than Jase. We ate (and ate). We went to the botanical gardens and an improv comedy show, stayed up late, and slept in late. Okay, Jason's internal clock went off at 7 each morning but he's normally at work before then so he too slept in. They had cable which we don't, so we got to watch a bunch of HGTV (looove that channel). It truly was so enjoyable and such perfect timing. I know that I'm tired but didn't know how much until I got to slow down. To whoever it is that treated us...a HUGE THANK YOU! We loved it!

When we got home on Sunday afternoon Mimi and Papa D then left to go back home but took the big girls with them. Can I tell you how quiet it is around here and a tad boring? It really is so weird. They went up last year too but I was on my mission trip so this is the first time I've been home with both of them gone. I think Reesie has enjoyed being an only child but will love having her little entertainers back. She has been keeping herself busy with her Little People house. We go up tomorrow to get them. Can I tell you what a breeze having only 1 child is? We love and miss you Ashlyn and Laney and can't wait to see you tomorrow.

Any bloggers out there. how do you keep the piocs from automatically posting at the top? It drives me crazy!

Thank Offerings

The above pic is of the girls and their friends in their princess bounce house that we put up inside the house when it's so hot outside. And I'll be the first to admit...it is very hot outside.

"Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." Ps. 107:22

Today I am celebrating some of the smaller things in life God has blessed us with lately:

1. Reese is 8 mos. old and we have never had to buy wipes for her. We were so blessed from our baby shower for her.
   
2. Drum roll please....Laney Hope has stayed in bed for 5 nights in a row!!! Woo hoo!! She is on her way to a special reward. I've taken out her nap for the most part and added swim lessons. She's a sleepy girl when bedtime rolls around.


3. A couple or two from our LifeGroup at church (although we don't know who) are blessing Jase and I with a weekend to a bed and breakfast. Only a few more days and we'll be childless for over 36 hours. We adore our kids but it will be nice to have a meal longer than 25 minutes, not have to tell anyone to "stop talking and eat please", have no laundry or dishes to do, sleep in past 7am, etc......


4. We always have food to eat and a roof over our head (an air conditioned one at that).
   
5. Our girls play really well together. They can get frustrated with one another but it normally only lasts for about 20 seconds.

A little more randomness:

Ashlyn always talks to Reese in a higher pitch than she normally talks. Actually, I do too but I'm telling you I am surprised each day that we don't have every neighborhood dog lined up at our front door with how high Ashlyn talks to her. Reese loves it though so it's all good. She is very into playing office at the moment. She pretty much sets up her office in a different place in the playroom everyday and will spend a long time playing in there. She is swimming like a fish at swim lessons.

Laney is loving the movie Enchanted. She does not love having to put her head in the water at swim lessons, however. A few tears have been shed but overall she's doing well. Since she is so fun and spunky it always throws me off that she isn't more adventuresome, but honestly it brings me comfort. Seriously, I get so nervous with my children around pools.

Reese loves dancing with her mommy. She likes to play with her blocks and loves toys that make music. I love that I know every teeny tiny thing about her and know how to comfort her within seconds.

Jason loves that he has such a great wife (tee hee)! Since I'm writing I get to post what I want. He's also been enjoying getting in a few more runs lately. I think in his head he is planning on running the San Antonio marathon this November. I normally cave so he probably will.

8 mos. old

Our sweet Reesie turned 8 months old yesterday. Today we had another appt. with the pediatric cardiologist. He didn't do another echo on her. We will do that next month he said and that is when he will determine whether or not she needs surgery...so please keep up the prayers.

She is just a doll-baby...so incredibly sweet and smiley. She is up to 13 1/2 lbs. She sits up for a long time to play now and rolls over like a champ. She has 2

teeth. She has the greatest laugh too which we get to hear many times a day. She is very much a mama's girl but loves to watch her sisters, daddy, and puppy too. They get the biggest grins out of her.

I wish I could express with words how much we love her, but words just aren't adequate!

Fourth of July Festivities

First, I have to say that I am so thankful and proud to be an American. Not because I think we are better than other countries. We aren't. God is passionate about all peoples and nations. Every person is created in His image and that alone gives them great value and worth. I am thankful for our freedoms though and feel incredibly blessed to call the USA home. Thank you men and women, past and present, who have fought for my freedom. I do know it comes with a great price.

Alright I get too wordy. The rest will just be pictures.