Where are you from?

Such a little question that has a lot of meaning. I dreaded this question when I was at Baylor because people thought I was from New Jersey. I only lived in Jersey from December through August of my senior year. Being an "air force brat" has always given that question an interesting answer.

A few weeks ago I went to a game night where people asked me where I was from. Some of us had been at Baylor together but we didn't know each other then. It was interesting to visit with the ladies and learn about them. Many of them had grown up together, gone to school together and now live in their hometown.

I was jealous of others who had the same address all of their life or at least 10 years. The longest place I have ever lived is in Tyler. We lived on Darrell Lane for about 10 years during the 80s (preschool, elementary, and a year of middle school). I was born in Abilene, Texas; lived in Norman, Oklahoma; Tyler, Texas; Bossier City, Louisiana; and Medford, New Jersey. After my sophomore year at Baylor, my parents were located to Edmond, Oklahoma. They are still there (11 years)!

I am very proud of my parents. My dad served our country for most of my life and my mom always made sure we had a secure and loving home. Since I have lived so many places, I feel that my experiences made me who I am today. I have met people from around the country, seen different traditions, and enjoyed different kinds of food. At our wedding 9 years ago, it was very neat to have friends joins us from almost every place we lived.

I don't dread that question anymore - I enjoy sharing who I am. God has blessed me and my family with friends that we have never forgotten from those places! Thank you God.

Grandma's not here...

We went to run an errand Tuesday afternoon. (John David had been fever free for 19 hours.) I was wanting to get out of the house so we headed to Target. Before we left, John David got 3 quarters out of his wallet. He wanted to buy something. I told him to get one more coin so he could buy something cool. I asked him if he wanted gum, or mints, or even a car. He said if Grandma was here he could get something big, and if Grandma's not here he has to get something small. :) How cute!
When we got to Target I looked at some things for me while he begged to go to the toy section. When we got there, he couldn't decide what he wanted to buy. He wasn't too impressed with the smaller Matchbox cars and wanted to buy bigger cars. We finally walked away with a police SWAT van.

I got a new phone!

David and I have been waiting for months for our contract to expire to get new phones. I got a new iphone 3G!!! It is cool! I have seen others with it and they all had rave reviews. David still hasn't gotten one because he wants to play with with mine. (Brinker works better with Blackberry.) This summer I realized I wanted to be able to check email & send texts more so I have been looking to update my phone. I get to check my email, text, and use maps! I hate to brag but I am excited!

Grapefest

This weekend was Grapefest in Grapevine. For those who go on Thursday or Friday before 5 pm, admission is free. We have gone to these festivals for years and always have a good time as we sweat. After MOPS and a teacher's meeting/planning, we went to Grapefest. We didn't even have to move the car or pay for parking! The boys got to play with playdough, ride bikes and jump in a bounce house for free. John David wanted to ride a ride with me but I couldn't because I didn't want to leave Drew by himself so I told him Drew would ride with him. Both boys rode the train together in the same car - it was so cute! John David was talking to Drew throughout the ride encouraging him to stay seated and probably not to be scared. I bribed John David with a lemonade so that I could walk around to look at the arts & crafts. I can't wait for the next one!

We'll see you at Main Street Days in May!

MOPS

Friday was our first MOPS meeting of the year. It went fantastic! There were a few things that tried to get in our way but God worked them out for us. On Wednesday, our "mentor mom" devotional had to bow out due to a death in the family. After some discussion & asking, Stephanie found the pastor's wife to lead a last minute devotional. That was in God's hands because she was one we wanted to hear from this year anyway. Thank you Mary Beth!
We personalized our nametags, enjoyed lots of great food, and fellowship. Our guest speaker for the month was Brad Newton with HIMPROV. Brad has been to our group a few years ago and was a great way to start off the year. He made us laugh, got us up and moving to meet others in our MOPS group. I think "BOING" was my favorite part. :) Towards the end Brad shared his testimony how God has worked in his life since his wife suddenly past away 7 months ago. WOW! There wasn't a dry eye in the room. We had over 40 moms and hope to have more next month.


We bought table clothes this summer so that we have nice, matching white table clothes. Each table has a photo tree that will be filled with photos of moms and their families.


Thank you to everyone who helped make Friday successful! Thank you God for the blessings and new friendships. I am looking forward to this year!

Chores already???

John David loves to help me with various chores around the house. Drew has recently wanted to help, too. They think it is so much fun to help around the house so I always make sure they get the opportunity to help!

Tonight the boys' laundry needed to be done so I took Drew's basket in first and started loading it into the washing machine. Drew came in to help. It was sooo cute watching him try to throw his clothes into the machine.

John David obediently got his basket, too. John David has been loading his clothes for several months. It is so precious to watch them work together especially when it is my job!

David is anxiously awaiting the day when he has two yard boys!

Fireproof

"Fireproof" is the new movie out September 26. It comes from the same church in Georgia that created the movie "Facing the Giants." "Fireproof" deals with marriages and how difficult they can be. Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea are the lead characters.
On Sunday, my parent's church (FBC Edmond, Oklahoma) started a new series called "Why women love Jesus." Erin Bethea gave a 15 minute testimony to start off the series. I didn't realize who she was until after watching the trailer of the movie in church. She had a minor role in "Facing the Giants" and is the lead actress in "Fireproof." She works in Orlando for Disney World at her dream job acting in one of the shows. (She wouldn't divulge too much information about it.) By the way, did you realize that the actors don't get paid in this movie? They have no idea how well it will do! God blessed her by opening up doors for her to get her dream job that wouldn't have opened up otherwise.
I am excited about seeing the movie! David and I enjoyed the first movie and I'm sure we'll enjoy this one, too. Mom & Dad said it was a great movie and recommends any marriage in trouble see it. Don't get any ideas - we aren't in trouble just like see a good christian movie. :)

Click on the side of the blog to learn more or the first word of this post to learn more.

Dinosaurs!

Last Monday, we drove to Glen Rose to see all of the dinosaurs! It was a hot day and everyone made it through all of the heat We started at the actual dinosaur tracks left at Dinosaur Valley State Park. The water was nice and cool. Drew was the one with dry diapers packed but John David is the one who kept falling into the nice cool river. :) Crossing a river holding a 21 month old and a camera is not easy. Drew wanted to do everything his brother did - puddles, wading, climbing, etc. After falling in, John David never complained about being hot.



Afterwards we went to Dinosaur World to see all of these dinosaurs outside. It was really neat & fascinating! Drew fell asleep thankfully after some screaming. Kenny (our resident Creation geru/expert) was able to point out the false information scientists believe about dinosaurs. It was quite the learning experience. We disagreed with the dates and some of the so called evidence of the life of dinosaurs. Thank you, Kenny!

John David got to visit the huge store and let Grandma buy him a new dino egg that hatched over the next 48 hours in water. I think Mom may have gotten him some dinos for later, too. ;)

First Day of School

Well, the new school year has come fast! The boys and I headed to our first official day of preschool this morning. We left very early since we missed the last two days because of John David's fever last week. John David has Ms. Chrsiti this year and Drew has Mrs. Stephanie and I am teaching one of the four year old classes. John David seemed ready but not too sure about his teacher. He wanted Ms. Kristina from last year. After I talked to Christi later, she says he talks all the time to her (when I am not around). Drew had a good time today, too. Although when I walked by his room at one point he had pushed a chair to the table and was climbing to lay down on the table. I had a stressful day filled with anxiety. I had a new age group and didn't feel confident in my lesson plans or schedule. Did I mention my room wasn't finished? I made it through the day and stuck to my original schedule and some of my plans but decided to change things for Thursday.

Here is John David with Ms. Christi.

Here is Drew with Mrs. Stephanie.

Here is Drew when we were changing his clothes tonight. He wanted his shirt off but it got caught on his head. He thought he was so cute with his "hat" showing it off to everyone at home.

Here John David with a silly face. He doesn't usually ask for his picture to be taken!