tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12872566067082820472024-03-14T02:38:50.215-07:00TEXAN THOMPSONSA blog by Kim about her family.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-70428456949347490622012-05-31T10:20:00.000-07:002014-01-29T10:54:56.316-08:00And God Provided<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So the theme for the past year for us was "And God Provided"...</div>
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Carey needed a job change. And God Provided</div>
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We needed a place to live. And God Provided</div>
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We were having a baby and did not have maternity coverage on our health insurance. And God Provided</div>
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We don't have enough money to pay our bills. And God Provided</div>
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We don't have enough money to buy groceries and pay for gas. And God Provided</div>
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But not only did God provide, he overflowed our cup with what and how he provided. We never went without. We were prayed for by family and friends and it was felt daily. We didn't pay a dime for the birth of our baby. We were living in our dream house. It got to the point at times that we were so humbled by it all that we felt unworthy by his provisions. That is was too much. Can you believe that? Too much. Don't get me wrong. It wasn't easy. We had to keep reminding ourselves that our God was bigger than our financial difficulties. That our God was bigger than the physical difficulties of being 35, pregnant with our fourth and working. That if we let God be bigger and continue to trust him, that one day this would all be a memory, a testimony of how he refined us by fire. A friend shared this with me recently ... "God will not protect us from something that will perfect us." I can honestly say that our faith was perfected during this time. And I consider it all joy and a privilege to have walked through this time of perfecting with my God and my man.</div>
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During this time of provision, we were able to enjoy life as usual. We were very busy that Spring of 2012. Carey was still officing out of the house and Kim was working about 25 hours a week at a local CPA firm. The kids participated in scouts, soccer, basketball, AWANA, piano, dance and children's choir. Then we topped off the end of spring with their first trip to Six Flags.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9QcsAP3FCl8/UulHRp2RMVI/AAAAAAAABNA/w8sBHyWnkTg/s1600/P1110303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9QcsAP3FCl8/UulHRp2RMVI/AAAAAAAABNA/w8sBHyWnkTg/s1600/P1110303.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria playing Upward soccer. Oh how she loves it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her awards ceremony for soccer. Loves her trophy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awards ceremony for AWANA. She is now a Sparky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley at his crossing over ceremony for scouts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is now a Webelo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria's dance recital. Mommy has been <br />waiting for this day for five years!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQO_0w1GDIw/UulHg5Td4lI/AAAAAAAABN8/WL_kcUgY_6w/s1600/IMG_1808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQO_0w1GDIw/UulHg5Td4lI/AAAAAAAABN8/WL_kcUgY_6w/s1600/IMG_1808.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley's piano recital. He's got talent!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25VvHLDyDzs/UulHaWRMuiI/AAAAAAAABNo/fDW_UMWtAKQ/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25VvHLDyDzs/UulHaWRMuiI/AAAAAAAABNo/fDW_UMWtAKQ/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Children's musican Jonah's Druthers.<br />Riley was the Sheriff. He's got talent!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7i0QITCEgg/UulHaZFF3MI/AAAAAAAABNg/fQh-719NZG0/s1600/IMG_1791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7i0QITCEgg/UulHaZFF3MI/AAAAAAAABNg/fQh-719NZG0/s1600/IMG_1791.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The antique car ride at Six Flags. Mommy couldn't <br />ride this one either.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb8ZPZemAMc/UulHgrOLIXI/AAAAAAAABN4/ggCfr3ObIrs/s1600/IMG_1795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb8ZPZemAMc/UulHgrOLIXI/AAAAAAAABN4/ggCfr3ObIrs/s1600/IMG_1795.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a hot one the day we went to Six Flags.<br />Juliet all sacked out and sweaty by midday.</td></tr>
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And now it is just waiting time until number four arrives.<br />
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-1908111841187748972012-03-31T10:07:00.000-07:002014-01-29T10:09:19.679-08:00Victoria Turns FiveSo, in our family, kid parties are not the norm. It is only on special birthdays that we invite our friends over and have an all out birthday bash. It was Victoria's turn. After all, the little darling's turning FIVE! We had a great party with her closest friends. Pizza, cake, milkshakes and a pinata! Oh and some presents too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to whack the pinata!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who's next?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our partiers ... Juliet, Caroline, Riley, Victoria, Sage,<br />Noah, Mckenzee, Jack and Isaac</td></tr>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-79988048442536457802012-01-31T09:37:00.000-08:002014-01-29T10:18:21.628-08:00A Secret, a Trip, a Wedding and a BirthdayShortly after the new year in 2011, we loaded up once again and set out for Traverse City, Michigan. Carey's brother Craig was to wed their step-sister Mandy. We were super excited!! We also were going to be able to celebrate Riley's 9th birthday there and announce our news about a new addition to our family come July.<br />
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So we decided to tell the kids on our way up to Michigan. We were at Braum's on that first day and told Riley that we were going to have another baby. He didn't believe us. "You're kidding, right?" were his exact words. Need less to say, he was very excited about another brother or sister, but was leaning more towards a brother.<br />
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The kids had a blast at Craig and Mandy's wedding! They danced and danced and danced. It was so fun to watch. It was also so wonderful to get to see Carey's family and have them enjoy the evening with the kids.<br />
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The kids got some time in to ski a bit while we were there. Victoria did ski school and had a good time while Carey, Riley and Corbin took to the slopes. Juliet and I just laid low at the house.<br />
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We also got to celebrate Riley's 9th birthday while we were there. This is a rare occasion to be with Carey's family on one of the kids' birthdays.</div>
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After we got back from our trip, we took Riley to Fuddruckers, his most favorite out to eat spot, with his best bud, Sage to celebrate his birthday with Pops and Gigi and family.<br />
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Obviously very excited about his cash.</div>
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Photo bomb courtesy of Uncle Kevin</div>
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Best Buds since 2010</div>
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-81468477268456768082011-12-31T14:24:00.000-08:002014-01-29T10:12:13.970-08:00LOCT, Old House, New House, A TestHe had been talking about it for months. It scared me to death. Were we ready for this. This is big. This is huge. This would take total dependence on the Lord to be our provider. We couldn't put our faith in the steady paycheck that came every other Tuesday like clock work. Then it happened ...<br />
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<b><u>On October 12, 2011.</u></b> Carey resigned from the law firm he had been working at for the past four years. The Law Office of Carey Thompson, PC was formed.<br />
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Very exciting. Very scary.<br />
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We had a grand total of $2,000 in the bank. We had $7,000 in his 401k. We had a house payment, two car payments, a student loan payment and five mouths to feed. <i>Gulp</i><br />
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So, we prayed and prayed. And then we sat back and were able to have front row seats to the most amazing, incredible, miraculous experience of our lives thus far. God moved. God provided. God blessed.<br />
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<b><u>October 13, 2011.</u></b> We received an offer on the sale of our home. We put our house on the market in October of 2010. Yes, 2010. A year ago. Our contract with the real estate agent had expired a few weeks ago and I just hadn't had a chance to contact the agent to tell him to take it off and that we were going to stay put. Well, we got an offer. It wasn't great offer or even a good offer. It was an offer to break even. So, we took it.<br />
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Now we are broke and homeless. A little dramatic, I know. But that it how it seemed.<br />
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So began the search for a home. We decided to rent because we were pretty certain that no lender would lend money to a couple who was not gainfully employed. We found a home to rent in Saginaw that seemed nice enough. The monthly rent would be the exact same amount that we were paying as a house payment, even though the house was smaller. But the neighborhood was safe and that was our main concern.<br />
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Then my parents had an epiphany. Why don't they buy the house and we pay the mortgage. Ok. Let's do that! So then the search began for a house to buy. FUN!! We went ahead and looked for our dream house. The one that we would move to and finally be settled.<br />
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Requirements:<br />
Price: $200,000<br />
Lot size: 1 acre<br />
Bedrooms: 4<br />
School District: Eagle Mountain Saginaw<br />
And some other details, but those were the major requirements.<br />
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<b><u>October 30, 2011.</u></b> Well, there were exactly zero houses that fit that in EMS ISD. So, let's look in Northwest ISD. Found it.<br />
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Love.<br />
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So, I called the loan guy and told him our plan. He said "Easy, just have your parents say that this is going to be their permanent residence and then we are good to go." And there it is. That little voice inside you that whispers ... um, no, this isn't right. I couldn't do that. I couldn't get this house on a lie. I know that the Lord hadn't brought us down this path to a point that we could only move on with a lie. And that is exactly what I told the loan guy. I told him all the God stuff I just mentioned. And he was silent. Then he told us that we would need $40,000 to buy this home then. Well, it might as well be $4 million. We barely had $100 to buy groceries that week. We said our good-byes and I told him we would give him a call in the future when we were ready to buy.<br />
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Bye-bye house. Maybe in a year or two. Let's just rent. And I immediately fell out of love with the dream house.<br />
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So I called my mom and told her the bad/good news that the Lord had made for us. And she had another epiphany. Why don't they co-sign for the loan. Hmmmm ...<br />
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Called back the loan guy. And he was silent. Then he said "Now that is a good idea."<br />
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HELLO dream house! I am back in love with you!!<br />
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<b><u>November 19, 2011.</u> </b>Moving day. Moved stuff into storage. Moved people into Pops and Gigis' house. And something else happened too (see December 5, 2011 below). Am I blushing?<br />
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<b><u>November 21, 2011.</u></b> Closing day on the old house. Very emotional day. Lots of people not doing their job correctly. Lots of mistakes made. But had my first In and Out burger ... it was good!<br />
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<b><u>December 2, 2011.</u></b> Closed on our new house. Moved in that evening. There was alot more to it but I choose to focus on the fact that we did reach our end goal. The journey was SOOOOO excruciating. Everything that could go wrong did and everyone took advantage of our good nature. But we were home.<br />
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Ahhhhh ... The end to a long and emotional journey. We had sold the house and bought our dream house and had exactly $200 in the bank. I started unpacking and didn't stop for three days.<br />
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<b><u>December 5, 2011.</u></b> Once I finally sat down and relaxed, I realized something.<br />
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I took a test. And it was positive. Of course, I didn't realize it was positive. I had lost the instructions. So I looked them up on the internet. If there are two horizontal lines then it is positive. Well mine had to vertical lines.<br />
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Carey then tilted the test upward. And there they were ... the two horizontal lines.<br />
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Couldn't believe it. Jumped in the car, drove to Walmart and bought another one. Read the instructions. Took the test. Positive.<br />
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We were having a baby.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-38141784075940380882011-09-30T13:25:00.000-07:002014-01-29T10:11:48.120-08:00Just the Two of Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We were long overdue. When was the last time we had been on a trip together just the two of us?? And um ... camping trips don't count. July 1997. Hawaii. The honeymoon. That was a long time ago. So yeah, we were long overdue. We set off for Seattle Washington in September 2011. We left Riley (8), Victoria (4) and Juliet (13 months) in the more than capable hands of Pops and Gigi. Even though we left at different times and days and I arrived almost 12 hours after I left and Carey almost missed his plane (they were paging him in the airport as he was running through the corridors) we both made it there. And it was AH-MAZE-ING!!<br />
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So what did we do for our four days away from the kids ever? Whatever we wanted!! We slept late. We ate. We saw all the sites. We ate. We rode the ferry. We ate. We climbed a mountain. We ate. And we just enjoyed each other's company. Oh and Carey had to work some. Yeah, it was a working trip and I was a tag-along. The weather was beautiful. It didn't rain a drop while we were there. Our hotel was very nice. They were filming some Canadian B movie while we were there. Random, I know. We drove and drove all over to see as much as we could. It is so peaceful with the mountains and the water and the trees. Love it there.<br />
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We would like to make this a more frequent thing. Getting away just the two of us. And we can't wait to go back to Seattle. There were some things we just didn't have the time to do. Here is what we did do ...<br />
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Waiting for the ferry ride.</div>
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Mt. Rainer. Beautiful. My favorite part of the trip. </div>
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Pike's Place Market.</div>
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So when I look back on this trip, I see the Lord's hand. I see that He was giving us some time away for us to renew our relationship. He knew the trials that were to come and that the next year would bring drastic changes to our lives in the form of totally dependence on Him and abundant blessings, too many to count. I thank Him for this sweet time we had together to prepare us for what was to come.</div>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-34626734093936334292011-07-31T09:14:00.000-07:002014-01-29T10:09:47.172-08:00Camping in Colorado Summer 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We loaded up Carey's truck with the tent, air mattresses, picnic canopy, pack n play, cook box, towels, clothes, car seats, stroller, and various other camping paraphernalia, and 3 kids and 2 adults and set our sights for Colorado.</div>
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First stop, Palo Duro Canyon State Park on the Fourth of July. Great hiking. Great campsite. Even had a visit from a deer that let us feed it from our hands. </div>
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Next stop, Mueller State Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This campsite was just to the west of Pike's Peak. Great sight ... except for the walk up hill to the bathroom, which was a bit difficult with the altitude sickness. Oh and the no fire ban because of the drought. Oh and also the bear that visited our campsite while we were off to see Pike's Peak. To which we were told to keep your food in your vehicle overnight and bang on a pot with a wooden spoon if you were to encounter one in person. !!!! Yeah, didn't sleep much that night.</div>
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Then off further west. We drove through the most beautiful part of the country I have ever seen. Mountains on both sides with waterfalls and streams ... gorgeous.<br />
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Our most favorite spot on this camping trip (and probably any trip we've ever taken) was at The Matterhorn National Forest Campground near Ouray, Colorado. We were surrounded by mountains on all sides and there was a stream not far from our campsite. The weather was perfect. The hiking was just right for the kids and we were able to see gorgeous scenery. Plus, no more altitude sickness, no bears and we got to have a campfire!!<br />
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We took a trip into Telluride one evening to eat. We were able to ride on the gondola. The kids loved it!<br />
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Another day we took a trip to Ouray and went swimming in the hot springs pool. That was really fun!</div>
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Juliet was filthy the entire time. She was not yet walking and crawled everywhere and played in the dirt, gravel, put rocks in her mouth. We would give her a bath in the totes we used to pack out camping stuff because she would get to slippery to hold in the shower. I'm sure the critters just loved her since most of her food ended up on the ground after meal time. She did love the hiking. She had a bird's eye view in the the hiking backpack.<br />
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It was a wonderful family camping trip that we will never forget. We were a bit anxious to get home and drove straight home without stopping from Ouray. We did get a little turned around when we stopped off at a rest stop just before the Texas border and ended up going back west for about 5 miles. It was when I noticed that there was "another" White Woman Creek that it dawned on us that we were going the wrong way. Pretty funny stuff.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-20395022931775463242011-05-31T11:27:00.000-07:002014-01-29T10:10:14.770-08:00Spring Brings a Stink Bug, Soccer, Scouts and Singing[Been a while, I know, gonna try to catch up]<br />
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STINK BUG: When the note came home from asking the kids to indicate which part they wanted in the school play, Riley immediately said "Either the Stink Bug or the Maggot." Well, after seeing the play from beginning to end, I know exactly why those were his choices ... comic relief. Riley LOVES to make people laugh. When you laugh at anything he does, his heart just swells. That is his love language. I am pretty sure the love language of laughing is not in that book (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Languages-Secret-That-Lasts/dp/0802473156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317836265&sr=8-1">The Five Love Languages</a>), but I know my boy and that is his. <br />
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So, he got the part of the Stink Bug. Here he is in his costume. Cheapest costume I have ever made.<br />
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Green Shirt - Goodwill $1.50<br />
Green Hair Spray - Walmart $1.25<br />
Green Face Paint - Dollar Tree $1.00<br />
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He was very pleased with how he looked.</div>
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In case you were wondering, the Stink Bug would stand in the bug crowd during the songs and then run across the stage between songs, while everyone held their nose and made smelly, stinky faces. This was funny. Riley really hammed it up. Then towards the end of the play, he had a bit of dialog in which he commented on the fact that leaving him out of the picnic just because he stinks isn't quite fair, blah, blah, blah. The point is, he was funny and people laughed ... and he loved it!<br />
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What he didn't love was the week or so after when the kids at school would hold their nose and talk about how he stinks at school. I didn't care for that either. <br />
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SOCCER: So, we signed Victoria up for a social club, oh I mean soccer. Yes there was a ball and some goals and some running and even uniforms, but to Victoria, this was a time to meet up with friends, pick them flowers, talk about shoes and clothes, and have a snack. She had a blast! And she learned the game and even scored once ... we think.<br />
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SCOUTS: Riley has moved on to become a bear scout. He is enjoying cub scouts. And Carey is enjoying being his den leader. We took a train ride to downtown Dallas and went to the Aquarium with the den. The boys really enjoyed that. This is such a great organization. Teaching boys how to be men. <br />
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SINGING: Music is a big thing in this house. We love it. Whether singing with our voices or playing an instrument. Performing is a love of ours too. Put the two together and you have a musical ... love musicals!!! This year the Children's Choir performed Survivor Babylon. The story of the fiery furnace told with a bit of The Survivor television program twist. Lots of fun. I worked with the 3 and 4 year old's this past year. That was definitely a challenge, but it was fun ... for the most part. At least, I hope they had fun and learned about singing to God. Riley had a speaking part in this program as well. And which part did he get you ask ... well one of the boys telling a joke of course! <br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-25379503056784119122011-05-19T11:24:00.001-07:002011-05-19T11:34:54.293-07:00SistersWith Riley at school, these two little girls get to spend alot of time together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRMw4p3Bngw/TdViIl4kJrI/AAAAAAAAA98/XTp91Jwvyvk/s1600/P1100354.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRMw4p3Bngw/TdViIl4kJrI/AAAAAAAAA98/XTp91Jwvyvk/s400/P1100354.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608496810707658418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwIgN85rOvw/TdViIRCYp2I/AAAAAAAAA90/RcKTDJZfX3Q/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwIgN85rOvw/TdViIRCYp2I/AAAAAAAAA90/RcKTDJZfX3Q/s400/IMG_0845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608496805111703394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0gBMHtZWh0/TdViICLK8GI/AAAAAAAAA9s/0pBCirCME80/s1600/IMG_0823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0gBMHtZWh0/TdViICLK8GI/AAAAAAAAA9s/0pBCirCME80/s400/IMG_0823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608496801122021474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz2M66ppmsI/TdVhsH-QZTI/AAAAAAAAA9k/3Maui6YFJMM/s1600/P1100458.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz2M66ppmsI/TdVhsH-QZTI/AAAAAAAAA9k/3Maui6YFJMM/s400/P1100458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608496321642128690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSC56yrFeV4/TdVhr47-QiI/AAAAAAAAA9c/UTSDMsJLaCE/s1600/P1100453.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSC56yrFeV4/TdVhr47-QiI/AAAAAAAAA9c/UTSDMsJLaCE/s400/P1100453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608496317606019618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SflU-GBmbaI/TdVhrs0Iy0I/AAAAAAAAA9U/tOV9HGONe-E/s1600/P1100441.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SflU-GBmbaI/TdVhrs0Iy0I/AAAAAAAAA9U/tOV9HGONe-E/s400/P1100441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608496314351930178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfURgYKIYog/TdVhrRCR_QI/AAAAAAAAA9M/ZyTtMLyMV8k/s1600/P1100402.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfURgYKIYog/TdVhrRCR_QI/AAAAAAAAA9M/ZyTtMLyMV8k/s400/P1100402.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608496306895060226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDARXZK4lWM/TdVhrIN9VCI/AAAAAAAAA9E/3D2G7fJiW9o/s1600/P1100393.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDARXZK4lWM/TdVhrIN9VCI/AAAAAAAAA9E/3D2G7fJiW9o/s400/P1100393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608496304528118818" border="0" /></a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-61620497885854789162011-05-19T10:39:00.000-07:002011-05-19T11:13:51.783-07:00Victoria is Four<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzHhaxnWozI/TdVXbJwm4iI/AAAAAAAAA7s/adcdEO11Gag/s1600/P1100477.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzHhaxnWozI/TdVXbJwm4iI/AAAAAAAAA7s/adcdEO11Gag/s400/P1100477.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608485034947699234" border="0" /></a><br />I love four. I just loved it when Riley was four. So many wonderful memories. Maybe it was because I was no longer working and was finally able to be a stay-at-home mom and just enjoy my time with him. I don't know. But I love four.<br /><br />Victoria is four and I love it as well. She is full of questions, believes that she can do anything, and goes and goes until she crashes.<br /><br />Victoria likes: Being in charge, wearing her hair all natural with no bows or clips or rubber bands, shoes, taking baths, being outside, waffles, cheese, going anywhere (not a home body at all), trains, music, dancing, blue coconut slush with a real cherry from Sonic, anything that comes on PBS for kids, playing on my iphone, church, pre-school, having Pops and Gigi over, going to Pops and Gigis' house, talking, peanut butter (found an open jar in her room recently), soccer, ice cream, running, riding bikes with Daddy, playing with Juliet and Riley, helping Mommy, playing with friends, carrots, bananas, and races.<br /><br />Victoria dislikes: Getting her hair brushed, going to bed, pasta, naps, leaving a friends house, Walmart, casseroles (doesn't like her food all mixed up), not getting to do what Riley does, trying new foods, not knowing what we are doing for the day (a bit of a planner ... wonder where she gets that from), wearing socks, and syrup on pancakes (but ok on waffles?).<br /><br />When she does something wrong, she always says "That's ok Mommy." She is constantly sneaking food. She thinks she is starving. Loves to listen to music at night when she is in bed. Always wants to have people come over to our house. Very much the hostess. Would ride her bike everyday. She is totally into anything that Riley is ... star wars, cheetahs, reading ... she wants to be like her big brother so bad. She is very inquisitive about God and where he is and what he is doing. She is like her big brother in that she doesn't share much about her day. So when she does tell me something that happened to her when she was away, I hang on her every word. She loves to hide when Daddy comes home or when Pops and Gigi come by. She is really into surprising people. She thinks it is hilarious! She is SO ticklish. She is great at being a big sister. Plays with Juliet all the time. Is so proud of her when she does something for the first time. Gives her tons of attention and love. Always kisses and hugs every chance she gets. She likes to pick out what Juliet is going to wear. Very much a little mommy. She is not nearly as easy to discipline as Riley was at this age. We are having to be a bit more creative with her. She is definitely more defiant and needs to be told and retold and reminded alot. But so much like Riley in that she finds such joy in the everyday. I love that we have joyful kids. It is contagious. Lots of smiles and fun at the Thompson house.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6SuMzeoqvs/TdVXalr2niI/AAAAAAAAA7c/HhklE0aJnSk/s1600/P1100469.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6SuMzeoqvs/TdVXalr2niI/AAAAAAAAA7c/HhklE0aJnSk/s400/P1100469.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608485025264082466" border="0" /></a>Birthday breakfast of none other than DONUTS!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iaMO3l-G6XE/TdVXa0FeJ5I/AAAAAAAAA7k/Y08_ATeJXvY/s1600/P1100475.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iaMO3l-G6XE/TdVXa0FeJ5I/AAAAAAAAA7k/Y08_ATeJXvY/s400/P1100475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608485029129627538" border="0" /></a>Ready for school. I love what she is wearing. It just screams her little personality.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AD6L4axfrbY/TdVXblWoS0I/AAAAAAAAA70/-GuMQbZQO3U/s1600/P1100480.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AD6L4axfrbY/TdVXblWoS0I/AAAAAAAAA70/-GuMQbZQO3U/s400/P1100480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608485042354932546" border="0" /></a>Birthday cupcakes at school.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vE8VYvup4g/TdVXb7fl3EI/AAAAAAAAA78/kNdXAR55deA/s1600/P1100483.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vE8VYvup4g/TdVXb7fl3EI/AAAAAAAAA78/kNdXAR55deA/s400/P1100483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608485048298101826" border="0" /></a>Came home to a table full of presents.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ojrRi6xJmWs/TdVYv2A9XWI/AAAAAAAAA8M/U-BqGnwB2h0/s1600/P1100513.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ojrRi6xJmWs/TdVYv2A9XWI/AAAAAAAAA8M/U-BqGnwB2h0/s400/P1100513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608486489936452962" border="0" /></a>She likes the idea of cake, but not the taste. So this year, we got her an ice cream cake. Perfect.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SinL2D7IGY0/TdVYvUCYKpI/AAAAAAAAA8E/x46KL1oNY9g/s1600/P1100494.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SinL2D7IGY0/TdVYvUCYKpI/AAAAAAAAA8E/x46KL1oNY9g/s400/P1100494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608486480815598226" border="0" /></a>Got the dress-up dress from Tangled. Very exciting.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FBtJuZtupXM/TdVYwLeMopI/AAAAAAAAA8U/DxdB7V1ae9Y/s1600/P1100511.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FBtJuZtupXM/TdVYwLeMopI/AAAAAAAAA8U/DxdB7V1ae9Y/s400/P1100511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608486495696233106" border="0" /></a>Don't you just love the cards that play music? She does too.<br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-43488668587517296112011-05-19T10:34:00.000-07:002011-05-19T10:38:15.519-07:00Faces of Juliet<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsxaUIRISkI/TdVVMdiqhoI/AAAAAAAAA7U/TaPX_Qaaa7w/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsxaUIRISkI/TdVVMdiqhoI/AAAAAAAAA7U/TaPX_Qaaa7w/s400/IMG_0832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608482583536633474" border="0" /></a>HAPPY<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxTfLybdxqM/TdVVMKmaE5I/AAAAAAAAA7M/1Y34NpuiVk4/s1600/IMG_0831.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxTfLybdxqM/TdVVMKmaE5I/AAAAAAAAA7M/1Y34NpuiVk4/s400/IMG_0831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608482578452059026" border="0" /></a>BEING SILLY<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nsDEAHrELYI/TdVVL5QzNqI/AAAAAAAAA7E/xnbwEXJqTYU/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nsDEAHrELYI/TdVVL5QzNqI/AAAAAAAAA7E/xnbwEXJqTYU/s400/IMG_0830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608482573798028962" border="0" /></a>LAUGHING<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkuFsovzcME/TdVVLmFHl-I/AAAAAAAAA68/LAl5X560TFE/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkuFsovzcME/TdVVLmFHl-I/AAAAAAAAA68/LAl5X560TFE/s400/IMG_0829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608482568648759266" border="0" /></a>WATCHING TV<br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-61209379824977462472011-05-19T10:16:00.000-07:002011-05-19T10:34:24.895-07:00Great Wolf Lodge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfieXDagnZM/TdVTZ8EyMxI/AAAAAAAAA60/csnPmZ2HE8w/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfieXDagnZM/TdVTZ8EyMxI/AAAAAAAAA60/csnPmZ2HE8w/s400/IMG_0812.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608480616047850258" border="0" /></a><br />For Riley's eighth birthday and Victoria's fourth birthday, we took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge. We do this in lieu of having a "kid" party. I don't do those. I do alot of things as a mom, except those. Just not interested in the hassle and expense. The kids don't seem to mind. But that is probably because we do things like the Great Wolf Lodge instead!<br /><br />We had planned on going with another family, but their little one got the flu (major bummer). But we still had a blast! Carey and I decided that having the other family there was more for our benefit than the kids. We pretty much didn't see Riley most of the time. He was tall enough and brave enough to ride everything, so that is what he did for like 8 hours. Victoria liked just playing in the water or being in the lazy river. And Juliet spent most of the time rolling around on a towel on the ground or chllin' in the stroller. I did play with her in the water for a bit. She just splashed around and watched everyone else play.<br /><br />We went in mid-February and it was freezing outside. Literally. We had a very cold winter. So this was a nice getaway. Always a blast at the Great Wolf. Pretty sure this will be an annual thing for us. Be super fun for Juliet next year!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZHaSuieoLk/TdVTKmSsDoI/AAAAAAAAA6U/1OiZpxCimEc/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZHaSuieoLk/TdVTKmSsDoI/AAAAAAAAA6U/1OiZpxCimEc/s400/IMG_0777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608480352502550146" border="0" /></a>In our hotel room. It was like a bear cave with bunk beds and a TV. Very cool.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_XO8PgQpIA/TdVTKhe-22I/AAAAAAAAA6c/k1ePbiV5KMM/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_XO8PgQpIA/TdVTKhe-22I/AAAAAAAAA6c/k1ePbiV5KMM/s400/IMG_0802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608480351211936610" border="0" /></a>Swimming with Daddy.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BETJDr5c2w/TdVTKfXVd4I/AAAAAAAAA6M/1yq7P7boR3E/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BETJDr5c2w/TdVTKfXVd4I/AAAAAAAAA6M/1yq7P7boR3E/s400/IMG_0763.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608480350642993026" border="0" /></a>Ready for bed after swimming the first night.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrflXQxTtBI/TdVTKymSsyI/AAAAAAAAA6k/WQIrFux31Mk/s1600/IMG_0798.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrflXQxTtBI/TdVTKymSsyI/AAAAAAAAA6k/WQIrFux31Mk/s400/IMG_0798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608480355805999906" border="0" /></a>Ready for more swimming fun!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hZ3Zckjnws/TdVTLCJlLyI/AAAAAAAAA6s/z3VjzPj5XTw/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hZ3Zckjnws/TdVTLCJlLyI/AAAAAAAAA6s/z3VjzPj5XTw/s400/IMG_0784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608480359980543778" border="0" /></a>This is where she spent most of the day.<br /><br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-37983886284375132412011-05-19T09:09:00.001-07:002011-05-19T10:14:11.616-07:00At age eight Riley is ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3k6VMc26LQ/TdVNEP0lNqI/AAAAAAAAA6E/sXkNy6sqsYc/s1600/P1100424.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3k6VMc26LQ/TdVNEP0lNqI/AAAAAAAAA6E/sXkNy6sqsYc/s400/P1100424.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608473646321710754" border="0" /></a><br />Our first born is eight. Wow. Eight. That is like halfway to 16. Wow. I love it though. I don't wish him younger. I love watching him grow into a young man but be so silly like the little boy he still is.<br /><br />At age eight Riley is like me (his mom) in that he is very coordinated, tends to get somewhat distracted with other things, is a people-pleaser, a good student, loves to talk, has freckles, and is a performer.<br /><br />At age eight Riley is like his dad in that he is absent-minded (has lost THREE hoodies at school this year), tender-hearted, seeks fairness, very smart (a little too smart in that he knows how many problems he can miss on his homework and still get a B), tall, a friend to many, and loves to make people laugh.<br /><br />At age eight Riley plays basketball. This is his first time to play any organized sport and he loves it. He has such a good time with the boys. He is learning to be more aggressive and has learned quite a bit about the game. One of the other parents nicknamed him "Happy Feet." He is always moving those feet ... trying his best to hustle. We were so excited during that 6th game when he FINALLY made a basket. Carey and I just about came bolted out of our seats with excitement. I will never forget that. It was kinda funny towards the end of the season. When the other team would get the ball, Riley would run down court and just plant himself under the basket. Forget about guarding his man, he was ready for that rebound. Love it!<br /><br />At age eight Riley is in scouts. He loves scouts. This is something that he and Carey can do together. He enjoys Thursday nights with his scout buddies. They are a great group of boys.<br /><br />At age eight Riley is in AWANA at church. He doesn't love AWANA, but we are starting to see the fruit of this program. AWANA focuses on memorizing Bible scripture. He has memorized probably a hundred verses since he started at age 3 and the books of the Old Testament, but retaining is another thing. So we have started asking the kids to share a verse of scripture each evening before we eat dinner. Whoever says the blessing must also say a verse of scripture. Kinda cool.<br /><br />At age eight Riley is in Children's Choir at church. Again, he doesn't just love choir, but he gets to see his friends and sing. He loves to sing, even though he probably wouldn't admit that. He does love to stay after choir and play in the game room up at church while Carey and I go to worship choir. I guess the game room is the bees knees.<br /><br />At age eight Riley gets in trouble at school for talking out of turn, playing when he isn't supposed too, singing in class, making little noises, shouting out the answers and so forth. He knows that this is not acceptable behavior, but we tend to not get all bent out of shape about it too much. He is eight. He is a boy. He loves to make people laugh. He has a good time no matter what he is doing. And sometimes there are consequences for that. But sometimes, it might be worth it to him. I love that.<br /><br />Case and point: This year he had his head on his desk (obviously bored) and once the teacher was finished giving her instruction for what the kids were supposed to do, he replied "blah, blah, blah." I was so very angry when he told me this. To be disrespectful like that to his teacher. Then I just cracked up when I shared it with Carey, and my parents and anyone else. We all think it. We all want to say it. And he did. Yes, there were consequences for that (I think I had him write a letter of apology to his teacher and some other things).<br /><br />At age eight Riley is growing in his relationship with God. When he prays, he asks God to help him have better days at school. I love that he already recognizes that he needs God's help with those things he has a hard time with.<br /><br />At age eight Riley is a GREAT big brother. He loves his sisters, even though Victoria tends to get on his nerves. He is so good with Juliet. She just recently started belly laughing and it is always at Riley. It is just the cutest thing. It is such a compliment to Riley when people laugh at him when he is trying to be funny. He just glows in delight.<br /><br />At age eight Riley loves Legos, video games, riding his bike, going out to eat, spending time with Pops and Gigi, a Dr Pepper with cherry and vanilla, waffles, staying up late to read, watching movies, camping, steak, wrestling with his Dad (and it is Dad now, not Daddy), telling stories, being silly, chocolate ice cream, pizza (but not the crust), and any clothing that has anything to do with video games or star wars. He also loves his family, his church, his school (even though it is boring) and just about anything he does. I love that.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jcvAL5_a7L8/TdVB6cYQrdI/AAAAAAAAA5k/AAZJohAxV4Y/s1600/P1100407.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jcvAL5_a7L8/TdVB6cYQrdI/AAAAAAAAA5k/AAZJohAxV4Y/s400/P1100407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608461383265988050" border="0" /></a>Birthday breakfast of donuts.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGAeM4LZ1sA/TdVB6tt9rUI/AAAAAAAAA5s/rWpYmRbaNvA/s1600/P1100408.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGAeM4LZ1sA/TdVB6tt9rUI/AAAAAAAAA5s/rWpYmRbaNvA/s400/P1100408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608461387920420162" border="0" /></a>Came home from school to presents. Very excited.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhzvFSXEVKw/TdVB66a9xkI/AAAAAAAAA50/AK2eOvXBWWE/s1600/P1100423.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhzvFSXEVKw/TdVB66a9xkI/AAAAAAAAA50/AK2eOvXBWWE/s400/P1100423.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608461391330395714" border="0" /></a>Mmmmm ... chocolate cake. He couldn't decide on the icing, so we did both.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38op5xYrSzQ/TdVB7Gs6N_I/AAAAAAAAA58/K9UC2KRoleo/s1600/P1100420.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38op5xYrSzQ/TdVB7Gs6N_I/AAAAAAAAA58/K9UC2KRoleo/s400/P1100420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608461394626885618" border="0" /></a>Carey lighting the candles with his new blow torch.<br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-36056248245701537832011-01-06T11:14:00.000-08:002011-01-06T12:13:52.733-08:00Christmas with Three ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYaKjOgG5I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/RMXgKt3W4MA/s1600/P1100259.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYaKjOgG5I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/RMXgKt3W4MA/s400/P1100259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559159558592535442" border="0" /></a><br />... is so much fun!! We had a blast this Christmas, Juliet's first Christmas and our first Christmas with our completed family ... the five of us! So great! I do believe that Carey and I were more excited about Christmas this year than the kids ... it is just so much fun being a parent at Christmastime!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYaLT3hzLI/AAAAAAAAA4o/hKB4kXOd3p0/s1600/IMG_2262.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYaLT3hzLI/AAAAAAAAA4o/hKB4kXOd3p0/s400/IMG_2262.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559159571649514674" border="0" /></a>Making cookies at Pops and Gigis ... always a good time at their house!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYaLOuyfJI/AAAAAAAAA4g/ynJZqerZ0XY/s1600/P1100269.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYaLOuyfJI/AAAAAAAAA4g/ynJZqerZ0XY/s400/P1100269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559159570270682258" border="0" /></a>Tuba Christmas at the Water Gardens in Fort Worth. It was cold.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYaK9AEwxI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/xsklvb0TOuo/s1600/P1100202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYaK9AEwxI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/xsklvb0TOuo/s400/P1100202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559159565511344914" border="0" /></a>Making ginger-bread houses (which is alot harder than it looks).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYY1NnW1aI/AAAAAAAAA3o/rYQe0ochaMU/s1600/P1100272.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYY1NnW1aI/AAAAAAAAA3o/rYQe0ochaMU/s400/P1100272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559158092502324642" border="0" /></a>Christmas Eve - Riley reading the Christmas Story (for the first time).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYY1X6HJRI/AAAAAAAAA3w/i7voqkoN1qI/s1600/P1100274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYY1X6HJRI/AAAAAAAAA3w/i7voqkoN1qI/s400/P1100274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559158095265342738" border="0" /></a>The girls listening to Riley read and eating Chinese Food ... yummm!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYY1oJ1ZiI/AAAAAAAAA34/A6E-6l3lXKg/s1600/P1100278.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYY1oJ1ZiI/AAAAAAAAA34/A6E-6l3lXKg/s400/P1100278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559158099626255906" border="0" /></a>Ready to open the first gift on Christmas Eve - new PJs!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYY1xcvmgI/AAAAAAAAA4A/t2x_bmbTMt8/s1600/P1100280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYY1xcvmgI/AAAAAAAAA4A/t2x_bmbTMt8/s400/P1100280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559158102121486850" border="0" /></a>In our new PJs and ready to open one more present on Christmas Eve.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYY2MvVuRI/AAAAAAAAA4I/uUm6tuKno4I/s1600/P1100287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYY2MvVuRI/AAAAAAAAA4I/uUm6tuKno4I/s400/P1100287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559158109447239954" border="0" /></a>I love this picture!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then it was off to bed and time to work. Carey and I spent the next 4 hours assembling, setting up, and trying out. We had to make sure that the Rock Band worked on Wii. Not sure we had to play that many songs, but it was just so much fun!!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYaLxzonXI/AAAAAAAAA4w/IR8gKOzpiC8/s1600/P1100298.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYaLxzonXI/AAAAAAAAA4w/IR8gKOzpiC8/s400/P1100298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559159579686247794" border="0" /></a>Christmas morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYegFlxOOI/AAAAAAAAA5I/ACurgW00Y4U/s1600/P1100300.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYegFlxOOI/AAAAAAAAA5I/ACurgW00Y4U/s400/P1100300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559164326640695522" border="0" /></a>Riley opening his Nintendo DS. Very excited!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYegTbjlbI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/E-F27dBVE88/s1600/P1100301.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYegTbjlbI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/E-F27dBVE88/s400/P1100301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559164330355955122" border="0" /></a>Victoria opening her Buzz Lightyear. Very excited!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYeg23eToI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/zdxsY9JRp8A/s1600/P1100311.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYeg23eToI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/zdxsY9JRp8A/s400/P1100311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559164339868290690" border="0" /></a>So we find ourselves getting smarter over the years ... what you buy for one, you buy for the other!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYefQ05TCI/AAAAAAAAA44/XPFFfnnX9M4/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TSYefQ05TCI/AAAAAAAAA44/XPFFfnnX9M4/s400/IMG_0634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559164312477060130" border="0" /></a>And then we finally let the kids have a turn at Rock Band.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And it was such a special treat this year to have the computer setup so that Grandma and Grandpa could watch it all on Christmas morning. It was a blast!<br /><br />We had such a great time the week after Christmas spending time with family, old friends and new friends. And then there was the sleeping in till 9:00 or 10:00, playing rock band for hours on end, putting together the many Lego sets, and eating and eating and eating ....<br /></div></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-25860439821859883382010-11-03T08:23:00.001-07:002010-11-03T08:36:47.411-07:00Halloween 2010<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Riley was Captain Rex, Clone Trooper. Victoria was Buzz Lightyear. We tried to talk her into being something "girly," but she insisted on being Buzz. When we suggested a princess or Jessie from Toy Story or Minnie Mouse, she replied "I know what I want to be! A hot dog!" So we settled for Buzz Lightyear. She was pretty cute! And Juliet was ... a baby in a onesie that read "My First Halloween" (thank you Grandma!!). Mommy didn't want to buy her a Halloween costume. And fortunately, Juliet was totally ok with that. :)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF_RZT-YPI/AAAAAAAAA2U/siPKuNWZNyc/s1600/P1100148.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF_RZT-YPI/AAAAAAAAA2U/siPKuNWZNyc/s400/P1100148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535345353844220146" border="0" /></a>Ready to go to the Fall Festival at church!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF_S4j8N4I/AAAAAAAAA2k/c6hGNTPAKP8/s1600/P1100153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF_S4j8N4I/AAAAAAAAA2k/c6hGNTPAKP8/s400/P1100153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535345379412555650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF_TrK6kNI/AAAAAAAAA20/sb7W2DpK5Yo/s1600/P1100146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF_TrK6kNI/AAAAAAAAA20/sb7W2DpK5Yo/s400/P1100146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535345392997798098" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF_TVuwK7I/AAAAAAAAA2s/tfSrYZPmjgg/s1600/P1100165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF_TVuwK7I/AAAAAAAAA2s/tfSrYZPmjgg/s400/P1100165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535345387242531762" border="0" /></a>The Haul! It was absolutely ridiculous how much candy the kids got! Carey sorted it last night and now we (me and Carey) have our own stash with all the chocolate. They will never miss it!<br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-72420766830576675522010-11-03T07:36:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:15:54.714-07:00Juliet UpdateWow ... three is SO much more than two! More laundry, more time, more energy, and so much more fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF3Lb2I-JI/AAAAAAAAA10/1dEKLn7yxs4/s1600/P1090977.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF3Lb2I-JI/AAAAAAAAA10/1dEKLn7yxs4/s400/P1090977.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535336455352154258" border="0" /></a><br />Juliet is now 2 and a half months old. She is just a delight! She smiles at just about anyone. Loves to be held. Absolutely LOVES her big brother and sister. She coos and gurgles and makes all sort of funny little noises. She spends most of her day sleeping in her crib (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">YAY</span>!!) and in my arms. She is just as happy as a clam being wagged around the house, so I comply. I have managed to fold laundry, clean the kitchen, make the beds and perform other household tasks all one-handed. She is starting to play on the floor some, but gets really upset if everyone scatters. She likes to have everyone around her.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF8FtpcacI/AAAAAAAAA18/m1vX1-7LIcs/s1600/photo%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF8FtpcacI/AAAAAAAAA18/m1vX1-7LIcs/s400/photo%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535341854609664450" border="0" /></a>First Sunday at church!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF8GVgoSvI/AAAAAAAAA2M/PpMrKpYIFig/s1600/photo%284%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF8GVgoSvI/AAAAAAAAA2M/PpMrKpYIFig/s400/photo%284%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535341865310112498" border="0" /></a>Sisters!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF3LPIZFRI/AAAAAAAAA1s/Qc9EUL2DdQA/s1600/P1100141.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF3LPIZFRI/AAAAAAAAA1s/Qc9EUL2DdQA/s400/P1100141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535336451939046674" border="0" /></a>Tummy time.<br /><br /></div>She is a great eater! And she is a great sleeper! I moved her to her crib a couple of weeks ago. It was a rough few days, but she finally caved. We wrap her up like a little baby burrito and she goes right to sleep. No schedule as of yet. She wakes up at 7:30 just because that is when we leave the house to take Riley to school. The mornings we don't, she sleeps until 9:00!! She is still waking up one or two times a night to eat, but she is usually awake for only about 20 minutes. Very doable! I am lucky if she takes a long nap during the day. She usually just naps for 30 to 45 minutes about 5 or 6 times during the day. She is still young, so I am sure she will start to nap longer soon. But it is hard, since we are go, go, go. Taking Riley and Victoria to and from school, trips to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Walmart</span>, cleaners, bank, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Braums</span> and of course Sonic! She will sleep in the car, but only if it is moving. So Victoria and I spend a fair amount of time listening to her cry in the pick-up line at school as we wait for Riley to come out. But she is as quiet as a mouse once he is in the car. Weird.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF8F95Y9YI/AAAAAAAAA2E/9JZX8gVh0LU/s1600/photo%283%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF8F95Y9YI/AAAAAAAAA2E/9JZX8gVh0LU/s400/photo%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535341858971514242" border="0" /></a>Asleep in Mommy's arms. Juliet spends alot of time here!<br /></div><br />She is growing growing. She fills out her 3 months clothes and is starting to get all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">rolly</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">polly</span>. She was average at her last check-up. Both Riley and Victoria started growing above average at about 4 months, so we will see then.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF3K6_VZHI/AAAAAAAAA1k/i66sJRdfpyA/s1600/P1100137.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TNF3K6_VZHI/AAAAAAAAA1k/i66sJRdfpyA/s400/P1100137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535336446532346994" border="0" /></a><br />People tell us that she favors all four of us. I can't tell. If we lined up all three of them at this age, I could probably only tell them apart because Riley was as balled as a cue ball, Victoria had eyes the size of saucers and then Juliet. They do all look alike in baby pictures. So cute!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-33189363518124258382010-09-10T06:34:00.000-07:002010-09-10T06:51:11.390-07:00First Days of SchoolRiley's first day of second grade wasn't quite as monumental as past first days. First off, I slept through the morning, so I didn't get to see him before he left. Pretty sure it was much needed sleep considering that Juliet was only 11 days old, but nonetheless, hate that I missed that. And since I still wasn't ok to drive with all the pain medication I was on, Carey took him that morning. Carey dropped him off at school and he walked in all by himself. The line to check in at the office was just too long, and well Carey is big into independence (which is great because I am not) and not so big into waiting in lines. He thought he would be just fine going in alone. Riley confirmed this when Carey asked him one time too many "are you sure?" and his response was "I said yes Daddy!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TIo3ihLRROI/AAAAAAAAA1E/VAKM_c1uNrs/s1600/P1090900.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TIo3ihLRROI/AAAAAAAAA1E/VAKM_c1uNrs/s400/P1090900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515281759829312738" border="0" /></a><br />So, we posed for the first day picture when we went to pick up Riley that afternoon. He didn't have the best of first days in his class. Let's just say that he is now very familiar with the rule that you do not talk during lesson time. But, three weeks into it and he likes his class and his teacher and I haven't heard him complain once about school (except for when it is homework time, but nobody likes that ... including me).<br /><br />Victoria's first day of preschool went fantastic! She goes to the Wee School up at our church two days a week. She is alot like her brother in that I can't get a word out of her as far as what she does at school or how her day went. <span style="font-style: italic;">**sigh**</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TIo0g7e7TfI/AAAAAAAAA08/nGRhdky2dD8/s1600/P1090909.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TIo0g7e7TfI/AAAAAAAAA08/nGRhdky2dD8/s400/P1090909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515278433996459506" border="0" /></a><br />Juliet and I celebrated our first day together just the two of us with some laundry and a nap ... it was great!!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-79897013029011641752010-08-21T15:37:00.000-07:002010-08-21T17:05:11.545-07:00Juliet Jaelynn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBkRtAHVRI/AAAAAAAAAzc/gUXftQMnB-M/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBkRtAHVRI/AAAAAAAAAzc/gUXftQMnB-M/s400/IMG_0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508012599574746386" border="0" /></a><br />We welcomed Juliet Jaelynn to our family on Thursday, August 12th at 12:43pm. She weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long (my biggest baby).<br /><br />So after a night of about 3 hours of sleep, I woke-up at 7:30 with a phone call to the hospital to make sure that we were still on for a noon delivery. They told me to call back at 9am. Ugh. So we went ahead and got ready and very impatiently waited for 9:00. They said we were a go and to come on in. YAY! I was really surprised that it was going to be when scheduled. I just had it in my mind that it would be later that day or evening like with Victoria.<br /><br />So, Carey and I headed to the hospital and Riley and Victoria followed behind with Pops and Gigi. We arrived around 10:00 and went to our room shortly thereafter. After 2 1/2 hours of prep and waiting, I finally made that last pregnant walk to the OR. I was super excited to find out whether we were having a boy or girl. When it came time and the baby was here, the doctor had Carey tell the room. Carey said in a laughing voice "It's a girl!" and then laughed some more. I WAS SHOCKED. I thought through most of the pregnancy that we were having girl, but then the last month or so, I had convinced myself we were having a boy. So exciting!! She was just so little. I had forgotten how little they are.<br /><br />We named her Juliet, which was one of the character's name on the TV show LOST. We have had it picked out for about two years now and just couldn't find anything we liked better. We wanted a good strong name that went well with her sister's name, Victoria and that was "girly." The middle name is a combination of her Pops (John) and her Grandpa (Allen) - Jaelynn. Carey insisted on the "e" and I insisted on the "ynn" so that it looked again "girly." We love the name and feels it suits her.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBkR5EJN_I/AAAAAAAAAzk/TxroVc7c-MY/s1600/IMG_0061.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBkR5EJN_I/AAAAAAAAAzk/TxroVc7c-MY/s400/IMG_0061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508012602812872690" border="0" /></a>BEFORE</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBkTNWmJ_I/AAAAAAAAAz8/5pLPZh1EL8Q/s1600/P1090818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBkTNWmJ_I/AAAAAAAAAz8/5pLPZh1EL8Q/s400/P1090818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508012625438844914" border="0" /></a>AFTER</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBkSLkv4MI/AAAAAAAAAzs/XNJ88LE5Ppw/s1600/IMG_0069.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBkSLkv4MI/AAAAAAAAAzs/XNJ88LE5Ppw/s400/IMG_0069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508012607781462210" border="0" /></a>Ready to meet the baby.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBmQxwnHSI/AAAAAAAAA0M/UJqENZNBV8k/s1600/IMG_0077.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBmQxwnHSI/AAAAAAAAA0M/UJqENZNBV8k/s400/IMG_0077.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508014782695284002" border="0" /></a>Meeting their baby sister.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBmR5SnlpI/AAAAAAAAA0c/qgIIPFwL3Ks/s1600/P1090835.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBmR5SnlpI/AAAAAAAAA0c/qgIIPFwL3Ks/s400/P1090835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508014801896838802" border="0" /></a>The Great Big Growing Family<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBmSPyRMjI/AAAAAAAAA0k/JykY_MCwioI/s1600/P1090836.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBmSPyRMjI/AAAAAAAAA0k/JykY_MCwioI/s400/P1090836.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508014807935169074" border="0" /></a>Proud big brother Riley. He was a bit bummed at first that he didn't get a baby brother, but got over it pretty quick.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBmRRh7SNI/AAAAAAAAA0U/EHJrkfFWr1s/s1600/P1090844.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBmRRh7SNI/AAAAAAAAA0U/EHJrkfFWr1s/s400/P1090844.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508014791223625938" border="0" /></a>Lovin' on sweet Juliet. They were just fascinated by her.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBmQqpnJHI/AAAAAAAAA0E/2uyeab6JWHE/s1600/P1090840.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/THBmQqpnJHI/AAAAAAAAA0E/2uyeab6JWHE/s400/P1090840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508014780786877554" border="0" /></a>Daddy and his girls.<br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-4371103363192929652010-07-15T19:28:00.000-07:002010-07-15T20:36:27.673-07:00Some Summer Fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_HXufy9jI/AAAAAAAAAyc/XyFBTxE3uYs/s1600/P1090659.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_HXufy9jI/AAAAAAAAAyc/XyFBTxE3uYs/s400/P1090659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494329280847607346" border="0" /></a><br />Well ... we have been enjoying our summer, for the most part. We had a bit of a hiatus for a couple weeks. Strep and a fever virus were to blame for that. No fun. But we are back at it now. Summer fun!<br /><br />We recently (like today) took a trip to the <a href="http://www.fwmuseum.org/">Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History</a> with our friends Jack and Caroline. WOW ... that place has changed alot. It was amazing! The kids had a blast!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_FZJb85DI/AAAAAAAAAxk/3dcMmXdw0jo/s1600/P1090712.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_FZJb85DI/AAAAAAAAAxk/3dcMmXdw0jo/s400/P1090712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494327106235851826" border="0" /></a>Hanging out in a dinosaur footprint.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_FZ9xs2_I/AAAAAAAAAxs/T1vn_0fIFQY/s1600/P1090693.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_FZ9xs2_I/AAAAAAAAAxs/T1vn_0fIFQY/s400/P1090693.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494327120285719538" border="0" /></a>Little Momma going grocery shopping.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_FaUM143I/AAAAAAAAAx0/bUvR5WydSr8/s1600/P1090708.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_FaUM143I/AAAAAAAAAx0/bUvR5WydSr8/s400/P1090708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494327126305137522" border="0" /></a>Playing in the water things ... I don't know what they are<br />called, but they are fun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So once we hit most of the exhibits and were thoroughly exhausted (well, at least I was), we made our way to the car. Then there was a request to go to the bathroom. Then, I had to go. So we said goodbye to our friends, ran back inside, used the facilities, saw a friend from church and chatted a bit, came back outside to make our way to the car and ... then we saw the fountain and just couldn't help ourselves. It started out as just a "let's get our feet wet" kinda thing and then escalated into totally drenched and the kids had to ride home in the car in just there skivvies.<br /></div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_Fa2WYXUI/AAAAAAAAAx8/tKjubBeN7C8/s1600/P1090721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_Fa2WYXUI/AAAAAAAAAx8/tKjubBeN7C8/s400/P1090721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494327135471951170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_FbdLdEAI/AAAAAAAAAyE/qh5_zWZQros/s1600/P1090726.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_FbdLdEAI/AAAAAAAAAyE/qh5_zWZQros/s400/P1090726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494327145895104514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_HWgQ4lOI/AAAAAAAAAyM/JcJsYwSqf2g/s1600/P1090729.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_HWgQ4lOI/AAAAAAAAAyM/JcJsYwSqf2g/s400/P1090729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494329259847095522" border="0" /></a>What can I say ... it was hot today and I just gave in. Let me tell you, it took all I had to not join in. I really gave it ALOT of thought.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_HXPtU7cI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Vk7VndKpaTI/s1600/P1090508.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_HXPtU7cI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Vk7VndKpaTI/s400/P1090508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494329272582860226" border="0" /></a>Riley and his bud at nature camp.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_HYnab2XI/AAAAAAAAAys/qDa7Jr29Wps/s1600/P1090512.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_HYnab2XI/AAAAAAAAAys/qDa7Jr29Wps/s400/P1090512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494329296125942130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_HYGCjzyI/AAAAAAAAAyk/nO1oAJ48jno/s1600/P1090510.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_HYGCjzyI/AAAAAAAAAyk/nO1oAJ48jno/s400/P1090510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494329287167430434" border="0" /></a>Riding bikes. No, this is not our driveway or our neighborhood ...<br />we wish, maybe one day. We are at Uncle Corey and Aunt Katie's place on July 4th.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_LRdgKMeI/AAAAAAAAAzE/dFlgROqHrz8/s1600/P1090517.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_LRdgKMeI/AAAAAAAAAzE/dFlgROqHrz8/s400/P1090517.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494333571253023202" border="0" /></a>The "kids" (Carey and Uncle Kev and Corey) planning the fireworks<br />show. Seriously, I felt like I went back in time about 20 years and<br />they were all like age 12 again.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_LQmveYMI/AAAAAAAAAy8/xkkfoI0JSRM/s1600/P1090515.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_LQmveYMI/AAAAAAAAAy8/xkkfoI0JSRM/s400/P1090515.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494333556553310402" border="0" /></a>Riley trying his best to blow-up a Dr Pepper can with a black cat.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_LQPkQIKI/AAAAAAAAAy0/uu0VoBkNTqU/s1600/P1090514.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_LQPkQIKI/AAAAAAAAAy0/uu0VoBkNTqU/s400/P1090514.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494333550332223650" border="0" /></a>SO EXCITING ... but a little loud.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_LR7NEJeI/AAAAAAAAAzM/qETSmANQNaI/s1600/P1090540.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD_LR7NEJeI/AAAAAAAAAzM/qETSmANQNaI/s400/P1090540.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494333579225998818" border="0" /></a>Watching the boys fireworks show and some larger ones along the skyline.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had an incredible view of about 3 or 4 largefirework shows. Plus, my brother's neighbors were putting on quite a show as well. It is amazing what a couple of hundred dollars can buy you at your local mega-fireworks stand. A little scary too.<br /></div></div></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-48827537669250868362010-07-14T12:39:00.000-07:002010-07-14T19:49:57.434-07:00A Baby Shower (and Pregnancy Ramblings)First off, let's rewind to a little over 2 years ago. We loved the town we lived in. We loved our church family. We loved Riley's school. We also loved that Carey had a job as an attorney after a 3 year journey down that change of career decision road. A job that he loved. A job where he was appreciated. A job that allowed me to stay at home. A job that was about an hour and a half from our home.<br /><br />That's too far. Time to move.<br /><br />Here we were. We just moved out to Saginaw. Built a new house. Joined a new church. Riley was starting a new school. And what did I pray for time and time again after our move? Godly Friends. I had left friends at our old church and at my work. I missed them. I missed those relationships.<br /><br />Well, the Lord blessed me and then some. This past weekend some dear sweet friends, that I have only known for just a year or two, gave me an incredible baby shower! I was just floored a couple of months ago when they approached me about the shower. I mean, this is our third baby. We have just about all the gadgets, what-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nots</span> and equipment there is to have ... and we have the boy version and the girl version. So, they opted for the diaper shower. And I tell you what ... if you have decided to go the disposable diaper route, this is best kind of shower to have. We received over 1,000 diapers. Not sure how long those will last, but my estimation is about 5 months. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">YIPEE</span>!!<br /><br />But the best part was just celebrating with friends that the Lord has given me at our new church. Friends that are my age and some that are in their 60's! It just truly blessed my heart.<br /><br />So, Victoria was not able to go attend the shower. She was sick ... again. But Riley accompanied me and was the photographer for the morning. Here are just a select few from is portfolio:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4Z4crERDI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/9ekeAUXLOX8/s1600/P1090541.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4Z4crERDI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/9ekeAUXLOX8/s400/P1090541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493857052998779954" border="0" /></a>A candid (I am the one without the waist).<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4Z4tW8upI/AAAAAAAAAwY/pZ5RC3itjV4/s1600/P1090583.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4Z4tW8upI/AAAAAAAAAwY/pZ5RC3itjV4/s400/P1090583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493857057477802642" border="0" /></a>I am thinking that he was hiding under the table for this one. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hmmm</span>.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4Z5xErm5I/AAAAAAAAAwo/SD18hF64vCM/s1600/P1090619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4Z5xErm5I/AAAAAAAAAwo/SD18hF64vCM/s400/P1090619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493857075654794130" border="0" /></a>The punch (it was REALLY good punch, I can see<br />why he thought it was photograph worthy).<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4Z6fUGqTI/AAAAAAAAAww/78gqlC_VNlk/s1600/P1090594.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4Z6fUGqTI/AAAAAAAAAww/78gqlC_VNlk/s400/P1090594.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493857088067512626" border="0" /></a>Christina and me (not too bad Riley).<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4Z5QP87oI/AAAAAAAAAwg/sjj16zpqfpI/s1600/P1090627.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4Z5QP87oI/AAAAAAAAAwg/sjj16zpqfpI/s400/P1090627.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493857066843696770" border="0" /></a>A belly shot (I actually like this picture <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">alot</span>).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There were some other pictures as well, including 2 pictures of himself, 3 of his shoes (they are new shoes) and about 2 dozen of some little girls that were in attendance. It was quite hysterical when I got home and looked through them all.<br /><br />Fortunately, one of the hostesses grabbed my camera and took some pictures as well:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4cDI4ab3I/AAAAAAAAAw4/BhQWzoYrKas/s1600/P1090571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4cDI4ab3I/AAAAAAAAAw4/BhQWzoYrKas/s400/P1090571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493859435687866226" border="0" /></a>Is that not the neatest center-piece?!<br />Those are little diapers rolled up and made into a tower.<br />Victoria thought it was a birthday cake when I brought it home.<br />I have it displayed in the baby's room. It looks so good in there!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4cEArxMXI/AAAAAAAAAxI/mZxqlYf1g_Q/s1600/P1090574.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4cEArxMXI/AAAAAAAAAxI/mZxqlYf1g_Q/s400/P1090574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493859450667217266" border="0" /></a>I FINALLY got a baby book. It is hard to find a gender neutral<br />baby book. Not sure if this is or not, but I really like it none-the-less.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4cEpSfZGI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/R2AXnnlI6RY/s1600/P1090575.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4cEpSfZGI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/R2AXnnlI6RY/s400/P1090575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493859461567046754" border="0" /></a>Another candid (again, that's me without the waist).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4cE1FxgJI/AAAAAAAAAxY/kyLXd8phIsM/s1600/P1090624.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TD4cE1FxgJI/AAAAAAAAAxY/kyLXd8phIsM/s400/P1090624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493859464734933138" border="0" /></a>My first born and me!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It was a good time and the haul was amazing! The diapers are all stacked up in the baby's closet with the wipes too. We also got a basket FULL of goodies and clothes and blankets. And Riley's Sunday School teacher made the baby a quilt. A hand-made quilt. I LOVE IT! Love, love hand-made things. I will cherish that gift forever. I also got some burp clothes made from cloth diapers and just a piece of material sewn in the middle. They are SO cute! And such a simple thing to do to turn a diaper into a cute little burp cloth. I am SO stealing that idea. Along with the diaper tower too!<br /></div></div></div></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-341486853250192412010-07-03T00:35:00.001-07:002010-07-04T14:54:23.293-07:00Vaca at the Bahn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7pa8E7vOI/AAAAAAAAAuw/oTewYFE03-A/s1600/Schlitterbahn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7pa8E7vOI/AAAAAAAAAuw/oTewYFE03-A/s400/Schlitterbahn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489581644823903458" border="0" /></a><br />We took a mini-vacation this summer. We wanted to get of of dodge, but didn't want to go far because of the whole prego thing and all. So we decided a couple of days at Schlitterbahn and maybe another couple of days seeing this and that in San Antonio and San Marcos.<br /><br />Well ... it rained ... alot. Which caused some major flooding. Which led to park closures at Schlitterahn.<br /><br />Bummer.<br /><br />There were some parts of the park that were open. Schlitterbahn is divided into three sections and the one located on higher ground was open. It turned out that this was just enough for the kids to totally enjoy themselves. Carey and I were bummed that they didn't get to do more there, but they were none the wiser. Actually, they could have just spent the whole day at the wave pool and been totally content. Which is alot like just swimming at Pops and Gigis, except that is free ... and it doesn't have waves.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7pculcFOI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/bd9xr8eIlJs/s1600/P1090476.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7pculcFOI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/bd9xr8eIlJs/s400/P1090476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489581675561882850" border="0" /></a>Schlitterbahn Baby!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7qWkPcK6I/AAAAAAAAAvg/2OzIz4kdPQU/s1600/P1090498.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7qWkPcK6I/AAAAAAAAAvg/2OzIz4kdPQU/s400/P1090498.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489582669217672098" border="0" /></a>Victoria playing in the kiddie pool area. This is were I spent all<br />my time.Sitting in a lawn chair. Enjoying the shade.<br />Sipping on my sweet tea.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7qXVzmlGI/AAAAAAAAAvw/-75ECUsCPZg/s1600/P1090479.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7qXVzmlGI/AAAAAAAAAvw/-75ECUsCPZg/s400/P1090479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489582682522686562" border="0" /></a>Probably their 17th trip around (totally not exaggerating on that).<br />It was pretty cute. Each time they went around a different person<br />was in the tube, or there was one less tube or one more tube,<br />or they were all swimming or no one was swimming.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7qXFIpJnI/AAAAAAAAAvo/HCKAv__gboA/s1600/P1090495.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7qXFIpJnI/AAAAAAAAAvo/HCKAv__gboA/s400/P1090495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489582678047532658" border="0" /></a>Riley taking a break from all the water fun to play with<br />the dinosaurs he purchased at the gift shop. Because<br />nothing says Schlitterbahnlike little toy dinosaurs.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7pcPF7nrI/AAAAAAAAAvI/og2MchE7TDU/s1600/P1090471.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7pcPF7nrI/AAAAAAAAAvI/og2MchE7TDU/s400/P1090471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489581667108232882" border="0" /></a>Making their way down the Wolf Pack. Riley said this one<br />was pretty boring. Victoria loved it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I would have to say that the part I will never forget about our trip to Schlitterbahn is me laughing hysterically as I tried unsuccessfully 3 or 4 times to get into an innertube and finally had to have Carey and a stranger help me hoist myself in. It is amazing what you cannot physically do when the presence of stomach muscles are no more.<br /><br />We also spent some time in San Antonio seeing the Alamo and doing some shopping.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7pbSO9ykI/AAAAAAAAAu4/V2Sz2047QjU/s1600/P1090459.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7pbSO9ykI/AAAAAAAAAu4/V2Sz2047QjU/s400/P1090459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489581650771561026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7qWP1MO3I/AAAAAAAAAvY/WzhyVOgXWsQ/s1600/P1090466.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TC7qWP1MO3I/AAAAAAAAAvY/WzhyVOgXWsQ/s400/P1090466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489582663738866546" border="0" /></a>So the kids loved, I mean LOVED riding in the trolley (city bus)<br />around downtown. Not sure if it was all the bouncing around<br />or the no seat belt freedom, but it was truly a high light for them.<br /></div><br />It was a nice getaway. We were only gone for a little over two days when it was all said and done. That was probably enough for me. I can testify that I am not the best traveling companion at 7 months pregnant. Not only is there the frequent pit stops, but the walking at a snail's pace and the many "I need to just sit for a second" interruptions. But it was still a blast even with prego lady and all the flooding aftermath to deal with. I am sure that we will make this an annual thing we do to start every summer.<br /><br />Next Summer - Camping in Colorado<br /><br />Summer 2012 - Disneyworld!!<br /><br />Can't wait!<br /></div></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-26027176934552815342010-06-17T12:49:00.001-07:002010-06-17T13:21:03.568-07:00SUMMER!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBqBENqGBJI/AAAAAAAAAuo/3IwDcZqPVHI/s1600/P1090444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBqBENqGBJI/AAAAAAAAAuo/3IwDcZqPVHI/s400/P1090444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483837405662676114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />First off, I know I have said this before, but it is worth mentioning again ... I LOVE SUMMER! I love the lack of "have-to" activity and the abundance of "want-to" activity. I also love that we can take our time getting to where we need to go. It just seems that the days are more laid-back and less rushed. Dinner at 7:30 ... that's ok! Bedtime at 9:30 ... that's ok! Ice cream for lunch ... that's ok! You were in the pool all day so we are skipping bathtime ... that's ok! Love it.<br /><br />We have loads and loads of activities planned for this summer. My reasoning for this is two-fold: (1) I want these next two months to zoom by. Been waiting for this baby long enough. I'm ready. AND (2) Activity seems to cut back on the sibling rivalry ... which can get a bit old.<br /><br />So, we started off the summer with just a three day trip to getaway (will blog that later). Then we dove right in to our activities.<br /><br />Mondays remain open for my doctor appointments. Right now I am every two weeks, so we are planning various activities on the off weeks. This week we went to the zoo and it was so very, very hot. But the kids had a blast and ... I survived.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBqBDKD5vZI/AAAAAAAAAuY/yA3_OvnKzUw/s1600/P1090504.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBqBDKD5vZI/AAAAAAAAAuY/yA3_OvnKzUw/s400/P1090504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483837387517312402" border="0" /></a><br />Every Tuesday this summer the local movie theater has a free kid movie playing in the morning. We are so there. Went this past week. Sitting. Air-conditioning. Diet Coke. Popcorn. <span style="font-style: italic;">**smile**</span><br /><br />Every Wednesday Riley goes to a nature day camp at the <a href="http://www.fwnaturecenter.org/">Ft. Worth Nature Center</a>. He went this past Wednesday and had so much fun! One of his little buds goes too, which just makes it that much more fun. So, Victoria and I just chill at home. Kinda nice to have some time with just her. We did have a friend come over for a play date for a couple of hours. She just loved that!<br /><br />Thursdays remain open to mainly relax and get some housework done. BUT we are always open to changing that! Housework can always wait.<br /><br />And then Fridays are spent over at Pops and Gigi's house swimming. The kids love this!! I think this is their favorite part of the week.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBp9E9JnnPI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/ZxIXljRX-x8/s1600/P1090439.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBp9E9JnnPI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/ZxIXljRX-x8/s400/P1090439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483833020364856562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBp9ETh39bI/AAAAAAAAAuI/rXTEi0RLjYs/s1600/P1090436.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBp9ETh39bI/AAAAAAAAAuI/rXTEi0RLjYs/s400/P1090436.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483833009192302002" border="0" /></a><br />VBS is next week, so all of our activities will be on hold for the week. The kids are super-excited about it. I will be teaching kinder/first grade music, which may sound like no big thing. But have you tried to sing and dance (the songs have motions) when eight months pregnant for three hours while trying to keep 6 and 7 year olds from taking over??? Should be quite interesting.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-48313726878320090772010-06-16T07:34:00.000-07:002010-06-16T08:42:31.803-07:00Our Crazy May DaysSo the month of May has probably become the busiest month out of the year for us. December would be a close second. We had church activities, school activities, family activities ...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjkJdRoFTI/AAAAAAAAAs4/_lyPfZn1CoU/s1600/Mothers+Day.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjkJdRoFTI/AAAAAAAAAs4/_lyPfZn1CoU/s400/Mothers+Day.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483383397452092722" border="0" /></a>Mother's Day<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjjMfujbZI/AAAAAAAAAsA/Yjg91arl5os/s1600/P1090388.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjjMfujbZI/AAAAAAAAAsA/Yjg91arl5os/s400/P1090388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483382350138273170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjjNNS97-I/AAAAAAAAAsI/oIYTAhWo9hE/s1600/P1090396.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjjNNS97-I/AAAAAAAAAsI/oIYTAhWo9hE/s400/P1090396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483382362370600930" border="0" /></a>Field Day Fun<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjkIiRMrcI/AAAAAAAAAsw/NS93TRDj-bo/s1600/P1090410.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjkIiRMrcI/AAAAAAAAAsw/NS93TRDj-bo/s400/P1090410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483383381612604866" border="0" /></a>Singing with the Children's Choir at church.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjjOa0TwAI/AAAAAAAAAsg/wK1jibnOTsk/s1600/P1090429.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjjOa0TwAI/AAAAAAAAAsg/wK1jibnOTsk/s400/P1090429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483382383179972610" border="0" /></a>Last day of school.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjkIak-4bI/AAAAAAAAAso/PhA-dbha2_U/s1600/P1090434.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjkIak-4bI/AAAAAAAAAso/PhA-dbha2_U/s400/P1090434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483383379548103090" border="0" /></a>Riley and Ms. Weisinger, his 1st grade teacher.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjjNo1MQYI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/dsxDr5bMUP0/s1600/P1090385.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/TBjjNo1MQYI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/dsxDr5bMUP0/s400/P1090385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483382369761902978" border="0" /></a>AWANA Awards Ceremony at church.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzufb6ylDxHuRCPQ2oPHwxSk5m1tuyPNhhqQ3pwMVg7UXR9L9YHbRK9q5lOkKuLLBz11og7podGkIZSvgEl' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Riley's Baptism (sorry the cinematography is so bad ...<br />I had to stand up and that just threw it all off)<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxI3WSie2kycjZBgA6QBUJTvquOc0brvCmoLIbMFf0qRSb1-y0148MiWAoANf11LUgUjbhaYQBgra6qHrVKsA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Singing at school.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzVo3OuxGG_7Wr0AZzienavnv-jhL8kdpDZzh9ScCiRcNju74gSJX56FSf24kmvJEvEcZ7wU49ShwL8HEU9Dg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Receiving his school awards.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We are so proud of him and all that he has done this year! He has turned into an amazing reader and has started taking an interest in chapter books. He would never admit it, but singing is one of his favorite things to do. He has made so many new friends at school this year and has had an absolute blast going. I think he is still under the impression that school is just a time to get together and play with his buds and all that learning stuff is just something they do on the the side.<br /><br />And we are just so thrilled and excited that he has asked Jesus into his heart and that he is excited to tell others about it!! This is just priceless and such a blessing. It is what this life is all about!<br /></div></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-56644505295743717042010-05-20T16:34:00.000-07:002010-05-20T16:57:28.289-07:00Third Trimester BABEE!!I did it ... I made it to the third trimester! This pregnancy seems to be going by at a snails pace. Not sure if it is because I am not working or just because I cannot wait to see this little one, but it seems to have taken FOREVER to get to this point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S_XHvGLDYNI/AAAAAAAAArw/Yj_hBJr7Mo4/s1600/P1090377.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S_XHvGLDYNI/AAAAAAAAArw/Yj_hBJr7Mo4/s400/P1090377.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473500534063456466" border="0" /></a>I had Riley take this picture the other day. I guess this would be my 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> month picture.<br /><br />Feeling pretty good right now. I had a few rough days of not getting sleep, but this past week has been great! I am really starting to get an appetite now. So far I have gained 20 pounds ... not too bad. I am just crazy for my Frosted Flakes every night before I go to bed. I also am just loving cream cheese! I put it on EVERYTHING ... graham crackers, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">melba</span> toast, mini bagels, crackers ... I can't get enough of the stuff. Besides that, I am just wanting cold things ... fruit, raw veggies, salads, sandwiches.<br /><br />The baby is moving like crazy ... which is so great, except at 11PM, 2AM, 5AM. I just don't remember Riley and Victoria moving so much at night. I really don't remember them moving quite as much as this one does. They did the little bumps and thumps. This one does rolls and jiggles. Kinda neat. Both of the kids felt the baby move the other day. I think it really took Victoria by surprise. She had her hand on my belly, felt the little jolt, gasped and then buried her head in the bed ... freaked her out a bit.<br /><br />We still haven't totally decided on names yet. We have a boy and girl named picked out, but I am not totally in love with them. So, the name game continues. Am hoping to have the names for sure picked out by the time school is out ... I do better with deadlines.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-54834601411092550742010-04-06T06:51:00.000-07:002010-04-06T07:15:37.810-07:00Here He (or She) Is at 20 Weeks!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7s853Lj36I/AAAAAAAAAro/1Jw3Iq0PTrs/s1600/20919_Thompson_20100405_154650_0055.BMP"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7s853Lj36I/AAAAAAAAAro/1Jw3Iq0PTrs/s400/20919_Thompson_20100405_154650_0055.BMP" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457022338252136354" border="0" /></a><br />We had our mid-point sonogram yesterday. My doc said it was a "textbook" sonogram ... just perfect. Gotta love that! We chose once again to not find out if we are having a boy or a girl. Carey tried really hard to look and he seems to think that he saw evidences of a girl. I am thinking girl too. We'll see.<br /><br />We still haven't picked out names yet. It is so hard, but I kinda make it hard with all my rules.<br />(1) We want gender specific names ... ya know a boy name that could never be a girl name and vice versa. Carey has been introduced as a girl one time too many and we kinda messed up with Riley. We don't want to do that again. (But we did find Riley on the boy name list and I had NEVER heard of a girl named Riley, just for the record)<br />(2) We also want the name to be easy to spell, so that they don't have to spell their name for the rest of their life.<br />(3) We also don't want it to be a name that can be shortened. Ya know, like Kimberly can be shortened to Kim. Just too confusing at times.<br />(4) We also don't want it to be a common or popular name. That can be a bit confusing too when there are like 7 Emmas or Daniels in your kindergarten class and you are known as Emma T. or Daniel T. for all of grade school.<br /><br />So as you can see, we have a bit of a challenging task ahead of us. We could use the boy name that we didn't use with Victoria, but I just don't love it now as much as I did then. I have to LOVE the name. I mean, I am going to be saying it for the rest of my life about like a million times.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7s85F7tbnI/AAAAAAAAArg/Ney6MJQ6McA/s1600/20919_Thompson_20100405_154650_0035.BMP"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7s85F7tbnI/AAAAAAAAArg/Ney6MJQ6McA/s400/20919_Thompson_20100405_154650_0035.BMP" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457022325032316530" border="0" /></a>Gotta love this picture with the skeleton face. When Riley saw this, he yelped a bit and ran away.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7s840UErZI/AAAAAAAAArY/ltNgX-_osAI/s1600/20919_Thompson_20100405_154650_0033.BMP"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7s840UErZI/AAAAAAAAArY/ltNgX-_osAI/s400/20919_Thompson_20100405_154650_0033.BMP" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457022320302665106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7s84YLR5wI/AAAAAAAAArQ/t0_8mU8maKs/s1600/20919_Thompson_20100405_154650_0017.BMP"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7s84YLR5wI/AAAAAAAAArQ/t0_8mU8maKs/s400/20919_Thompson_20100405_154650_0017.BMP" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457022312749590274" border="0" /></a><br />And the best part ... I only gained 2 pounds last month! Go me! For some reason I haven't had quite the appetite with this pregnancy as I have with my others. Most of the time I have to force myself to eat and then I get full so fast. I am so extremely thirsty like ALL THE TIME.<br /><br />I am really starting to get excited about this little one. I just can't wait to hold him or her.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287256606708282047.post-41924787275698741442010-04-05T06:20:00.001-07:002010-04-05T06:45:48.042-07:00Easter Decision<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7nkb9dLw1I/AAAAAAAAAqo/49iePlwn9fY/s1600/P1090288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7nkb9dLw1I/AAAAAAAAAqo/49iePlwn9fY/s400/P1090288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456643592540635986" border="0" /></a><br />Easter was so special for our family this year. Riley asked Jesus into his heart ... in the Kohls parking lot. It was so special. I was so very proud of him. He told the pastor Sunday morning before church started. He went up to him and said that he had two things he wanted to tell him. First, that he was going on an Easter Egg hunt at Pops and Gigis after church and second, that he asked Jesus into his heart. The pastor was super excited for him. So, he decided that he wanted to go down during the benediction to let his church family know. I think that this was the best thing for him to do, because then he got REALLY excited and wanted to tell everyone.<br /><br />After our morning of celebrating our Risen Lord and Riley's decision, we headed over to Pops and Gigis for the hunt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7nkco4bMTI/AAAAAAAAAqw/yy3ZTxlJiUc/s1600/P1090301.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7nkco4bMTI/AAAAAAAAAqw/yy3ZTxlJiUc/s400/P1090301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456643604197617970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7nkdEUyc1I/AAAAAAAAAq4/RLxCM-qHiL8/s1600/P1090304.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yNvMhN0sNd8/S7nkdEUyc1I/AAAAAAAAAq4/RLxCM-qHiL8/s400/P1090304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456643611564340050" border="0" /></a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837570684452905434noreply@blogger.com0