Change of Plans

We were suppose to head out Thursday morning for our first official family vacation since having children. It is going to be the first time we have gone somewhere, with our kids, and without a youth group in tow! We are very excited! Unfortunately, our vacation is going to take a small detour. We are headed to Tyler tomorrow for my grandmother's funeral. She died today and the funeral is set for Wednesday. So, I am packing frantically for a vacation that was suppose to still be 2 days away. After the funeral, we will still take our vacation. We will be in the mountains of Northern New Mexico for a week and I am really ready for the solitude and nature. Keep my dad in your prayers since he now has buried both of his parents....that has got to be hard. But, my grandmother had a tumultuous last year and a half and it's been hard on both of my parents. Thanks.

A glimpse

This picture truly gives you a glimpse into the personality of my second child, except no smile. Usually she is smiling from ear to ear, but bring out the camera and it's time to be somber. Other than that, she's wearing a shimmery bathing suit on top of her clothes while riding Milky. She loves that horse. I need to get her riding it, on video...it's quite funny.

Blood, Sweat and Tears

I have a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine. I love it because I can make just about anything I want to. I hate it because there is usually blood, lots of sweat, and tears involved in making that "just about anything." Really...I usually prick my finger 3 or 4 times causing blood, and I soak at least one T-shirt in sweat trying to figure out how to follow the cruddy pictures, and tears is pretty self-explanatory...I cry because I'm frustarted and there's no one to turn to!!!(sometimes I cry when I'm done because I'm so glad it's over) Today, I started on my Rita Hayworth dress since I couldn't find one at any Goodwill and I didn't want to spend more than about $15 on it. Everything was going wonderfully on the dress until it was time to sew the last two side seams together. I decided to try it on first and see if it would even go around me (I was having premonitions that it wouldn't). Sure enough, I was about 1/2 inch short of fabric on both sides. I could put the sides together, but not overlap them to sew. I can not explain for those that don't sew, how unnerving it is to have a piece almost done....yet so far from finished! I had to pull out every bit of logic and mathematical ability I own to figure out how to make it fit me with what I had. A few magic tricks later and it's just about done! My house is now littered with material and pattern debris and my kids forgot what I looked like but by golly I am going to look like Rita Hayworth if it puts me in a mental hospital! I think I need to go to bed now.
In unrelated news, I went to a consignment sale that was going on this weekend to try to get Elle's fall/winter wardrobe. It was a bust as far as clothes go, but I did find them a few Christmas presents! I miss the consignment sale in Tyler....I may have to make plans now for the Spring sale.

Christmas Prep

Along with loving Halloween and preparing REALLY early, I also REALLY REALLY REALLY love Christmas!!! This post is manly for family....if you drew our name or are our parent here's a hint......AMAZON WISH LIST! We all have a separate list with all kinds of goodies that should give you some great ideas for what we like! Enjoy shopping...and if you haven't started an amazon wish list you need to! It makes shopping so much easier! Even if you don't buy something off the list, it points you in the right direction.

love, your very-concerned-for-your-shopping-enjoyment-daughter/in-law, Emma

Halloween Prep

Okay, this story needs a bit of background.

#1 I love Halloween and begin thinking about it around July.

#2 We are in charge of October's MASH event and we are hosting a Murder Mystery Party.

#3 I'm going to be Rita Hayworth (see pic below)

#4 Inconsequentially, Shawn is going to be Jimi Hendrix....I can't wait to see that.

#5 I never wore makeup in high school and still don't really wear much.

#6 I love playing with makeup...like a 5 year old girl, but I just don't really like the way I look with eye makeup and bright lipstick on.

#7 I love Halloween because it usually gives me an excuse to buy and try new makeup and really wear 100 times more than I usually do.

With all that being said, today I purchased all the makeup I'd need to glam it up. Then I made Shawn takes pics of me because I was so surprised at how much I actually liked it! This is definitely not every day makeup but if I have a prom or the like to go to soon, I'll now go all the way! I don't think I look anything like myself in these pictures but they were too funny not to share. Also, there is a wig involved in the final look but you'll have to wait till the party to see the whole shabang!

p.s. after looking at these pics again, you may not even be able to tell I have much makeup on besides the lipstick, but I promise I had LOTS on.

We're Back and Better than Ever!

Shawn and I returned from San Antonio late Sunday night and I'm just now having enough free moments to post. We had a wonderful, amazing, intense, awesome, exhausting and culinarily delightful 3 days! We did a three day class on how to teach a marriage class at our congregation. The success rate for couples that take this class is 75% as apposed to a 16% success rate for couples that do marriage counseling. It was awesome. We not only learned how to teach the class, but we pretty much went through the class. Shawn and I both feel that we have started a whole new book in our lives! (not just a new chapter!) I strongly recommend that you check out this website and look into participating in the class in your area and most likely there is a class being taught in your area. The one we are going to be able to teach is called Dynamic Marriage. It's specifically for couples that are in one of three places in their marriage. 1) marriage is good 2) marriage is stagnant 3) marriage is troubled. The one group this seminar doesn't help is marriages that are in "crisis" meaning one or both of the partners want a divorce. They have a class specifically for that called A New Beginning and from what I understand it's also VERY successful in keeping couples together. Anyway, it was amazing and I am very excited to use this within our community.

While we were gone, Gramme took the helm. She was quite brave to take on our little toots for the weekend and taking them to church twice with no help! GO GRAMME! Gramme, knowing that birthdays were very important to me, made sure that Ava had a wonderful birthday. Elle and Gramme made cupcakes together which Elle LOVED. They had a little party for her and I'm sure she was just giddy with the idea that is was all for her...and cupcakes! Anyway, it was wonderful. Oh and for those that are curious, the hurricane didn't even give us a drop of rain, but I'm not complaining because I have electricity and a house! And it has brought much better weather too.

Since we didn't really have time to have "fun" while in San Antonio, we made our meals all about something new and fun. We made a pact not to go somewhere we've been before, unless it's a really fancy place! So we went to: Fatburger, Freebirds, California Pizza Kitchen, Brindles and Beni Hana's. We attempted to go to The Melting Pot which is fondue but 1) it smelled really nasty in there and 2) the wait was going to be 1 1/2 hours...no thanks even without kids! I'm going to have to say Fatburger and Beni Hana's were my fav's but I was really tired the night of Beni Hana's so I didn't enjoy it as much as usual.

A Special Day in Pictures

To begin, Ava will turn 2 on Saturday. Being the horrible mother that I am, I'm missing her birthday (most likely---more on that in a minute.) Shawn and I are planning on heading to San Antonio tomorrow until Sunday night for a marriage seminar where we hope to become facilitators of a marriage class that we'll teach eventually. As most of you've heard though, Ike may change our plans. Depending on what happens tomorrow with the hurricane, we may not be headed to San Antonio. Regardless, we decided to celebrate Ava's birthday yesterday and give her a big special day since we most likely won't be here when she turns two. So that's the whole story. To have a quick rundown of how the day went we 1. ate donuts at our fav. donut place 2. went to the Children's Museum in Austin 3. Ate dinner and played games at Gattiland

4. Came home and ate cake and opened presents 5. rode on her new horsey which she has named "Milky."

What a wonderful two years we've had with our Ava. We love her to pieces and she brings so much joy to our home!!!

My favorite story from the day was when we woke her up from her nap. I had decorated the downstairs with her presents, streamers, table cover and balloons. When I carried her downstairs she said in the most excited and sweet voice, "Oh! Lookie! Balloons!!!" She had the biggest smile on her face and the sweetest part was that she ran up to Shawn and gave him a big hug and then ran up to me and did the same as if to say "Oh thank you so very very much for my balloons!" What a wonderful day and what great memories.

Peanuts and Crackerjacks

Yesterday was 1st Sunday which means we have a potluck, then an abbreviated afternoon worship service and then we have the night off. So, our MASH group took advantage and got together for a game of softball. But, the ball wasn't very soft....neither was the infield. I had a whole lot of fun playing, but as catcher, one of the balls hit me on the front of the leg and left an awesome bruise. Then later, I slid into 3rd base and scraped up the same spot pretty good. It's quit sore today but it was worth making it to the base and being safe! Anything to win....

Maybe you can zoom in and see it...it's quit gross right now...it was covered in field dirt when we took the picture.

Enjoying the "cool" weather

I am feeling normal for the first time in a week and a half right now, so I thought I'd take advantage and add those pics I was talking about earlier. I'm not sure if the feeling good is going to last, but it sure is nice while it's here!

I think the hurricane finally ushered the hottest of summer away. It's still hot here, but the mornings are very nice. The other day when Hurricane Whatever was coming up towards Louisiana, we had a windy and very cool morning so I decided to get the girls out and spend some time outdoors. We headed to a deserted park and played until we couldn't play anymore. Then we headed down to the almost dried up stream where all the ducks were and the girls spent about 20 minutes throwing one rock after another into the water. I'm pretty sure we damned up what was left of the stream. It was so good for the mind, body, and spirit to get outside and be able to breathe cool air into our lungs for the first time in months. There was also no sweating which was a MAJOR plus! Here's a few pics.

Still the same

Unfortunately, I'm still not feeling well. I'm getting close to biting the bullet and making an appointment for a mono test? That's all I can come up with that makes sense. I'm going to let it ride a few more days maybe and then if I'm not getting any better, I'll make the appointment. I hate doctors, only because not matter what's wrong with me, they can never seem to figure out what is going on and I feel like I wasted time and money for nothing. I have some cute pictures from a few days ago and maybe if I have time later I'll post them but that takes too much energy right now. Hope everyone is doing well.

Nana and Poppie's Visit

My parents came in this weekend to see the girls and celebrate Ava's upcoming birthday. It's amazing what you can squeeze into 24 hours! Actually is was a nice leisurely time and we didn't feel rushed. It was nice. Ava's first word this morning when she woke up was "Nana?" :( They both LOVE their grandparents SO much!

Elle got a little something too

My mom and dad got the girls hula hoops too...which Shawn and I immediately tried out...I think they're broken.
We headed to Olive Garden for dinner...Ava picked it and told me to tell the grandparents. Now for the reason she behaved so well in the first place....
How old are you about to be Ava?

Can't you just feel your teeth rotting right now?

Thanks so much for the fun time Nana and Poppie!