Sea World 09'

Sea World 09'

On July 30th my family and I ventured off to San Antonio. On that Thursday we traveled most of the day and then settled into our hotel suite. Ava & Kalli were so funny.....they loved being in a hotel. I liked it also because they could take splash water in the bath tub and eat food in the living area without me having a care in the world!

On that Friday we got up and went straight to Sea World. The first show that we went to see was "Viva" and the girls were just in aww. They loved everything about that place!! Shamu is always amazing and Ava was actually tall enough to ride the Shamu ride in the kiddie park. She actually rode it twice and could not get enough of it. Kalli had fun splashing around on top of holes that would randomly shoot out water. Twice she was looking into the holes and the water sprayed out right into her face. It was hilarious!!

Saturday we got up and decided to go to Sea World again and then from there went to the Dallas Cowboy Training Camp. Wayne was pretty excited about that and, truthfully, so was I. We really had fun, but I think our favorite part was seeing Shammy (as Ava would say). We had a great time and headed back on Sunday.

While away on vacation Kalli's vocabulary really broadened. She is saying sentences and her personality is starting to come alive. Ava was just so much fun because she is not a baby anymore:(, she is my little girl.:) Enjoy the pics and hopefully I will be better about blogging in the future.

Rodeo, Run & Fun

Riding her pony "Fancy"

Ava feeding the little goats

Popo, Aunt Ell, Ana, Reid & Ava right before leaving

Sunday was such an interesting day! Immediately after church we took Ava to my parents house so that she could go to the Rodeo with Popo (my Dad) and Aunt Ell. Every year the two of them take the older kids. They are getting pretty out numbered so I am sure pretty soon they will need another adult. They all looked so cute. My mom had bought the kiddos pearl snap shirts to wear & they were so excited.

After dropping her off the rest of us went to eat some Italian food and then Wayne, Kalli & myself came home for a nap. My nap was quite quick because I was meeting my friend from church for a run.

We had such a great run. This was our first actual outdoor run together. I started off thinking, "there is no way I will be able to finish", but after about 10 minutes I was good. We talked and talked the entire time which made it go by really fast. I found many reasons during this run that God opened this door for me. You see, Wayne & I have really been struggling with disciplining Ava, we feel as though sometimes all we do is spank and spank and spank with no better results than what we started with. God knew I needed someone, another mom, a trained and experienced mom with an extremely stubborn, strong-willed child. My friend began talking about her oldest daughter and some of the experiences they had with her. As she was spitting out details of stories from when her daughter was three, I felt as though she was talking about Ava. She had no idea that at this very moment in our lives we are dealing with some of those exact same circumstances. God blessed me so much, beyond my wildest imaginations, with her stories and outcomes. I told her how hard I struggle and she assured me that I need to keep pushing forward. I really needed that. I needed encouragement and did not know until that run just how bad I needed it. She is a blessing to me and I look forward to our next run. Her daughter is now eight and extremely sweet, caring, polite and respectful. I know that I have these moments to look forward to, but I needed an extra push. To go for a run, talk and come home feeling so motivated and encouraged is all I could have asked for.

So, I got home and Kalli was up from her nap and we played and played. It was so nice to get some much needed one on one time with her. She laughed and talked and wanted so badly to jump. It was really cute....she thought she was actually jumping but her feet were not coming off of the ground. I had so much fun with her and I think she had fun also.

After we put her to bed, I worked on my homework and then about 9:45 Ava got home. I was so excited to see her and love on her and kiss her. She talked for 45 minutes about all of the things that they got to see and do at the Stock show Rodeo. She was wired!! However, after much talk and many questions, she actually looked and Wayne & I and said, "Ava's really tired." So without any problems, we put her in bed with Hannah Montana Music and she went sound asleep.

It was truly and blessed day. Enjoy a few pics from Ava's Rodeo adventure.

West Family Update

Wow!! I looked at the last time that I posted and it has been way too long. I wish I could blame it on something but I can't.

Wayne has been really busy with the start of a new year trying to keep his sales up in a down economy, but so far business is staying pretty steady. Many people have been laid off with his company, as with so many other companies. Some days I get a little worried, but it is in those moments that I must give it to the Lord because my worrying could eat me alive. We have been trying to save more than normal so that means not as much shopping. If you know me that is hard because I love to shop & find those great deals for my girls. Wayne has been staying healthy and today sanded down Ava's new bed for me to paint.

Health wise, both girls have been well for 2 weeks straight!! If you have read my prior posts that is a major accomplishment. All of the sudden I have noticed Kalli has started doing less rambling and more words. Maybe having her ears clear makes a difference. She is playing alot more independently and sleeping so good. I am so excited to see all of the changes occuring in her life right now. She & Ava have been doing more things together. It is really neat to peek around the corner and see them bonding.

Ava is going to have a new bedroom look by the end of this week. We are going with hot pink and black zebra print. I cannot wait to see the finished product. I will post some pics once it is complete. Her bed will be painted a bright pink and I have already bought most all of her wall decor. I sure hope having a new bedroom will do wonders for her sleeping routine. Right now, Wayne & I are really struggling with her getting out of bed. I would say if it was just a couple of times a night that would not be a big deal, but it is more like ten times a night. Seriously!! We are not going to let her win this battle, even as heartbreaking as it is sometimes. Tonight, she actually has done better so far. Wayne came up with a genius plan to put Hannah Montana music on his old Walkman and I guess that sung her to sleep. At this very moment I can hear her snoring logs. She has only been averaging about 8 hours of sleep at night & that just does not cut it. If she does not get atleast ten hours she is a bear!

As for me, I started a new semester of school. I am taking two psychology classes. Human Growth and Dev is one of the classes & I can't wait to get further into it. One of the books I have to read is titled Raising a Strong-Will Child......is'nt that just fitting after reading my last paragraph.LOL. Seriously though, I am looking forward to this semester and the new knowledge it will bring me. Please pray that God will open my eyes and ears to all things that will better equip me for my future career as a teacher. These are two of my final four classes needed to graduate. So graduation is still set for this December.

Today I stayed home majority of the day and cleaned like a mad woman. I have been sticking to my new years resolution and just letting some things go, but today I needed to get some things accomplished. I also went to the gym and ran 4.6 miles and lifted weights. Me and a friend from church will be running a half-marathon in May so we are getting started on our training.

If you are still reading this extremely long post, I hope your day is great and you are enjoying this cold weather.....I know I am:)

Here's to a New Year

As 2009 is off to a great start I wanted to put a few things down that I am wanting to accomplish this year....in no particular order:

• To play more & work less. I have a bad habit of cleaning too much. Sometimes I never stop & I feel like I may miss out on those "moments" with my girls
• I want to work hard and be able to complete the 13.3 mile marathon in May
• I want to spend time with my husband digging deep into the Bible
• I resolve to be an obsessive coupon clipper & cut my grocery bill in half
• I hope to be graduating in December if all goes as planned

Okay, so I hope I am not over-doing it. If I fall I hope to get right back on track.

Also, Wayne & I are starting this year off right. We are going on a date night this Friday to Wayne's favorite restaurant, Japanese Palace, and then to downtown Ft Worth to stay over night. I am so excited to get some alone time with my hubby. Thank goodness that Nana has agreed to watch the girls. All couples need this kind of time & I can't wait.

Ava just came running to me wanting to get a few more minutes of play time before bedtime.

Sleep tight!!

Build-A-Bear

Today my family & I ventured out to have a family birthday celebration for Ava. First stop was Red Lobster, the birthday girls choice. Then we went to Build-A-Bear because Ava & Kalli both had gift cards to spend. We had alot of fun! It was our first experience there and boy do I wish I would have thought of coming up with an idea like that. What a great place for kids to go.

Ava chose to get a (you guessed it), Hannah Montana Bear and Kalli got a pink Monkey with the help of her sister. Ava had more to spend so she got two outfits for her bear with some shoes and Kalli got one outfit for her monkey. I will post some pics later of the girls with their dressed up animals. They both had fun, but got really tired of being in the store because the stuff line was a little long. All in all a great experience!

We finished the day off with a stop at Marble Slab for some birthday cake ice cream. Yummy!

Ava's Rock Star Birthday

Ava will be turning three, tomorrow, December 29th. It is hard to believe! She is growing into such a little lady. We celebrated her birthday on Saturday in Rock Star style with cake, ice cream and a pink bounce house, which was every bit worth what it cost.


I just want to list a few things about my little 3 year old that I love.

• I love that she loves to sing and is not afraid to express herself
• I love how she sings at the top of her lungs "Hosanna in the Highest"
• I love that she wakes up every morning with such sweet hugs and kisses
• I love how her tongue sticks out when she is concentrating really hard
• I love to hear her pray and love that she can't wait to go to church every week
• I love that she gives her all in everything that she does
• I love to watch her dance
• I love when I catch her kissing Kalli on the head just because she wants to
• I love that she loves to read and brings books to me and Wayne to read to her
• I love that she teaches me new things daily
• I love that God chose me to be her Mommy

She is truly an amazing child and I look forward to watching her grow. She was everything we wanted and more, and without a doubt, worth the 3 1/2 year wait. Thank you, Lord, for choosing us, thank you for making us wait, she has blessed us beyond imagine.

We love you sweet girl with our "whole hearts"!! Happy 3rd Birthday!

Christmas in a Nutshell

Wayne & I had so much fun with the girls this Christmas. Ava really got into the whole celebration of Christmas. Kalli really just wanted to eat the paper and climb all over her presents. They each have such unique personalities. My heart was filled with much emotion as we got up on Christmas morning.

Ava's most favorite present was her Hannah Montana guitar. For those of you who do not already know, she "is a Rock Star". The stage really is her friend and exactly what she received that evening from Nana & Popo. Yep, her very own Hannah Montana stage. So now she has two favorite gifts her guitar and her stage. If you have not figured it out yet, she loves Hannah & Miley.

Kalli liked it all. Especially that which was not hers. However, if I had to pick one gift that she has been crazy about it would be her miniature four wheeler that she got from Nana and Popo. What can I say....I guess grandparents really know how to spoil them:) She enjoys riding on it backwards. Yeah, I have not quite figured that out, but everything she rides she usually does it backwards.

Anyhow, we did our annual pajama gift opening on Christmas Eve and we all got a new pair of pj's to sport on Christmas morning. That is a favorite childhood memory of mine that we have carried on even now.

I love Christmas....everything about it....the spirit of the season, seeing family, eating lots of yummy food, opening gifts and most importantly celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus. My prayer is that my children will grow in the Lord and celebrate His birth, death and resurrection every day, not just at Christmas.

I could add so many things about Christmas but I wanted to just give everyone a little tidbit.

I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas and having time off with friends and family.

Uh-Oh

You never know just how sweet it will sound until the words "Uh-Oh" come out of your child's mouth for the first time. Today, while at Wal-Mart, I clumsily drop several Christmas tins that hit the ground and unfortunately sounded like the whole shelf had come tumbling down. As I lift up, red in the face, certain the entire store is staring at me, Kalli stretches her neck out over the edge of the buggy and so sweetly proclaims, "Uh-Oh" and smiles with that big dimply grin. I forget to remember how embarrassed I am because in that very moment, my daughter, my sweet, sweet Kalli had just said a new set of words for the first time! My cup over floweth with joy!

I do not want these moments to pass me by.

As I look over at my Ava, she is pushing all the buttons on these dancing Santa's that are singing, "I like to move it, move it". (This just happens to be her favorite statement of the moment thanks to Madagascar 2) So yes, she has managed in the short amount of time, while Kalli and I are connecting on the word Uh-Oh, to push about 10 buttons one after another. I laugh and begin to chant with Ava, "I like to move it, move it!!"

These are the moments that I waited so long for. The moments I prayed so hard for. The moments that God gives to us all, hoping we won't let them pass us by.

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Yeah, I am unsure why the paragraphs did not space quite like I had them. My blog looks like a big blob. If anyone knows how to help me let me know!!

Santa Baby

I am sitting here with the fire place going, old Christmas cartoons playing, and the smell of Cinnamon and Spice in the air, I am getting so into the holiday spirit!! Ava & I have been singing Christmas songs all day and I took the girls to the mall and had their picture made with Santa. Ava did so good....she jumped right up on Santa's lap and put her beautiful camera smile on. Kalli did okay....it was so cute when she turned her head to see who I had actually sat her on, her little lip started to quiver and tears started streaming, it was almost as if she were so shocked she could not make a noise. However, she is still fighting off her ear infection....we actually started a second round of antibiotics today so no smile from Kalli for Santa.

Also, I am just about finished with my classes for this semester. The hard part is behind me. Now I only have two test and one assignment and then I will be free for one month. Woo Hoo!!! I have only four courses remaining after this semester....so graduation is set to be Dec 09'! I cannot believe it!

I wanted to share a little bit about a paper I wrote this semester. It is on the act of foot washing. First, let me say foot washing was a customary act that was normally done by a servant or slave to cleanse feet prior to entering a home or eating a meal. Normally people walked around in sandals, no socks, so their feet were probably very dirty and stinky. In John 13:1-17 Jesus is within His final hour. He has surrounded Himself with all of the disciples that have followed Him on His journey. He is sitting, about to partake in the Passover Meal, when He gets up, takes off His outer clothing, wraps a towel around His waist and begins washing His disciples feet. What an intimate moment the disciples were able to share with their Lord. He was their Leader, their Lord, their Master, and He performed a selfless and humble act that only slaves would normally do. He showed to me that we are no greater than our neighbor, we are here to share and show His love and do for those as He would do. His love surpasses all that we can understand, but His love for His disciples in that moment is tear jerking.

I want to live the life of a servant! I want to do for those who are in need! I want to be an encourager, a worker, a do-er, a friend......I want God to work through me to show His love to somebody in need or whom is lost.

My post is getting a little long so I am going to end with this. There is no better time than now to start serving or Lord. Send a card, support an angel tree, serve food to the homeless, take cookies to someone who needs a little uplifting. Watch and see what God can and will do through you;)

Have a lovely evening!