Holidays 2009

We enjoyed many celebrations over the holidays! One of my fondest memories of Christmas 2009 was when I took the older 2 kids Christmas caroling with other members of our church. We visited the nursing home where my Grandmother resides and the Veterans home followed by some shut ins and one very special lady at the end stages of ALS. Kollman and Madeline walked up to each individual and shook their hand and said "Merry Christmas." For those individuals who were no longer in "their right mind" they would just touch their shoulder very gently and would whisper "Merry Christmas." It was such a joy to witness the smiles on their faces. My Grandmother cried tears of joy as we worshiped in song the birthday of the Christ child. Our last stop of the evening was the most touching. The lady we went to visit was at the end stages of ALS. I was not sure how my children were going to react. When we arrived her sweet husband turned her head so that she could see all of us as we each took turns speaking to her. When it was Kollmans turn he touched her shoulder ever so gently and again whispered "Merry Christmas." As he did this their eyes met and hers filled with tears. I must admit...so did mine. I was reminded ...again... of his sweet, tender heart. A heart filled with the love of Jesus. After all, isn't that why we celebrate Christmas?

Home Sweet Home

We have been living in our house now for 13 months! Wow! Where did time go?! We were blessed enough to have bought a brand new home that was already gorgeous! (If you go to LRM Homes.com and click on gallery and then Abrego Lake you can see what is looked like before we moved in.) When we first moved in I have to admit that I felt a bit overwhelmed! We made a major move from NC t TX with 3 children ages 6, 4 and 1...lived out of suitcases for 6 weeks ... and then worried about all of our belongings literally in storage...praying that EVERYTHING made it! This is a picture of our half bath! Even it is decorated for Christmas!!
This is a picture of our dining room....complete w/ Christmas decorations, too! My china cabinet contains some wonderful, meaningful treasures...including my Grandmother's china! This week-end we will be adding her buffet to the mix. I'll post pictures when we get it in the dining room and decorated! The window in the dining room faces the front of the house/street. It has a huge flowerbed that contains a shrimp plant from my Grandmother Herndon's house in San Antonio and also a bird bath that was hers. This Spring we intend to put a lof of effort into the yard....our focus has been the inside for starters! I am also on the hunt for material for drapes and also recovering the dining room chairs. Even though we have only been here 13 months, we've served many a wonderful meals with many wonderful family and friends!
The above picture is of the kids shower curtain in their bathroom. I actually found it in NC b/f we moved. I needed something that would work for boys and girls. It also could not be too childish since there is a difference in ages. This one worked perfectly since all 3 of our kids LOVE the beach! It also has great colors! It is just fun and works well!

Ha! Another bathroom decorated for Christmas! And yes, it is the kids bath hence the huge Santa! He does truly watch everything! LOL! Their bathroom has 2 sinks...Madeline is thrilled that she has her own sink, own medicine cabinet, and her own set of drawers and cabinets! The boys..well, they could care less! It is so nice to have so much storage as our old house did not! When you have 3 kids...you need all the storage you can get!!

This is Madeline's room! It has changed some since I took this picture. The little table and chairs has been replaced by a desk and chair. This little table held lots of tea parties and we made many crafts, too! We are thrilled we were able to pass it on to another little girl that will treasure it as much as Madeline did! Madeline's room has a "beach" theme to it. The walls are painted sky blue and it is very calm and relaxing! She loves the beach and would live there if she could! I still have a few pieces to add....but are holding out to find just the right ones!

That's all the pictures I have for now. I'll have to take more of the rest of the house and post them. We are planning to really focus on the outside by adding even more sod, making a stone patio w/ firepit and planting more trees and adding more to our flowerbeds! It's just so fun making a house a home! Thanks for stopping by!

So Much To Be Thankful For.....

This Thanksgiving Matt and I decided to host two airmen stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio for Thanksgiving dinner. I have always wanted to do this...but we never lived close enough to a base to do so. When we were able to do it this year I was so excited! Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday (for many reasons) and the more around our table...the merrier!! Thanksgiving morning Matt and my brother loaded up the two older kids (who were super excited I might add) and headed to San Antonio to pick them up. When they arrived I was taken aback by their gracious spirit. It felt like they were a part of our family instantly! I think the most suprising thing to me was this.....when asked about war.....neither one of them quivered or hesitated in saying, "Mam we are ready to defend." But when Matt and I told them they could use our phone and computer to talk w/ family and friends....you should have seen the tears. Oh, I'm getting emotional thinking about it again. Then my tears turned into laughter! Since my husband Matt was a US Marine...he knows what boot camp is like and what it entails. We offered to go to the store (ok....I am NOT an advocate of shopping on Thankgiving day....but for these two...an exception could be made) and get them ANYTHING they wanted. Their request: orange juice, gummy bears and strawberry twizzlers!! How funny is that!!!!!!!! Their eyes lit up like my children's do on Christmas morning!! When it came time to eat....I have never seen so much food get piled on one plate in my life! I realized they were eating quite fast...and then one said to the other..."dude we can slow down...we are not at boot camp"!! They are so used to eating in such a particular way...must be a hard habit to break! They were so adorable talking about the flavoring of the food! And then it came time for dessert...seriously, I don't know how they had room...but they did! There was a definite look of satisfaction on their faces!!
I am so thankful that the Lord placed these two young men in our lives. To be as young as they were....they seemed so mature beyond their years. These men are two of the mere thousands that have made the ultimate sacrife.........to defend our great nation......and who are willing to do so without question or reservation. To say that we are humbled....would be an understatement. We continue to pray for their safety and peace of heart/mind ...as we do for all the other troops. May God bless and keep each one of them. This is one Thanksgiving I will NEVER forget. We are blessed beyond belief.

The Cutest Pilgram Ever

I had the fun experience of planning and attending Kollman's Pre-K Thanksgiving program. I was fortunate enough to work with an amazing group of Mom's and Dad's who put heart and soul into making the program a huge success!! Everyone who attended had a great time and just could not stop complimenting on how great everything was...and how smoothly it flowed! I am so thankful that Kollman attends such an amazing Christian preschool and for the teachers who shower him with so much love and support. Watching his growth the past few months has been amazing!!

One Amazing Teacher

When I think of Madeline's music teacher one word comes to mind.....AMAZING. Several years ago she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She had surgery to have it removed and had to start over again.....literally. She had to relearn to eat, speak and walk...you get the picture. To know her now...you would never know what all she has had to endure. She is seriously one of the most humble and gracious individuals I have ever met. Madeline and her connected instantly. She was a big help in making Madeline feel welcome and loved at a new school. She has such a way with all the children. It is evident she loves them all! I am so thankful for her .... mostly for her sweet, kind ways. BTW-she and and the kids put on such a cute Thanksgiving production for our monthly PTA meeting! The Turkey Tango was a big hit with everyone!!

Halloween 2009- - - -A few more memories made!

Happy Halloween 2009

We sure had a blast this Halloween! All 3 kids were in good moods and we enjoyed the day by laughing and playing together ... followed by some fun trick or treating!!! For all the "major" holidays I try to really make it fun for the kids and do things that hopefully they will always remember. This year I found these really fun "snack trays" at HEB shaped like haunted houses. I managed to keep them a surprise until today. When I called the kids for lunch they were so excited to see their new "trays." I also set out some fun decorations throughout the house...including their bathroom! I decorated one day while the older 2 were at school and Ryan was napping. When they saw all I had done they kept saying "We have the best Mommy! "...and "our house is awesome!!" It's the simple things that make it all worth while! I love seeing and hearing their reactions to things. Hopefully I am creating memories they will never forget!

This year for Halloween Madeline was a "pop star". Fits her perfectly! She loves to be the center of attention and is ALWAYS singing and dancing ...and cheering, too! I put make-up on her tonight which makes her look so much older already. Kollman was a fireman. He was going to be a pirate and changed his mind last minute. That is okay--everything (minus the fireman rain boots) was from our dress up bin! Ryan was a train conductor. Again--last minute change. He was going to be a dog...but I felt like the costume would have been too hot for him. He is a very hot natured kid! It was very hard to get a picture of him tonight (well ever for that matter). He is on the go....ALL the time! A very spirited 2 year old! The picture you see was taken in his car seat...only b/c he was strapped in!

Madeline's cheer academy that she attends hosted a bake sale today. I made these cute cupcakes and found some cute spider rings to put on them. Halloween just could not be complete w/out spider rings!! I saved a few for the kids to have for dessert tonight. They were a big hit! Ryan had been eyeing them all day!

Last but not least....trick or treating. I have to be honest here. I miss Halloween in our old neighborhood. We had so much fun trick or treating with our friends and always had a great Halloween party and costume parade...and of course, "real" Fall weather! It was nice this year though as the kids ran into some of their friends they knew from school. It was fun to see them interact w/ one another. Auntie Jen (my gracious and loving sister) got the kids really cool treat bags and filled them with books, light up necklaces/rings, and ghosts that grow in water. Thank you for not filling it with candy......seriously!!!!!!!!!!!! My mother also gave them really neat goody bags! The best part of trick or treating was going to the nursing home and seeing Nana (my 90 year old Grandmother) and her roommate Ms. Lillie who is 102!!!!! The joy and excitement they had when they saw the kids was priceless!!! They too had goodies for their bags! It only proves to me that you are NEVER too old to have fun!!!!

All in all it was a GREAT day! Many, many memories were made........and my favorite was Ryan saying "trick or treat" in his sweet voice! I love being a Mommy!