Garden Helper

Jacob is quite the helper in our garden, i.e. "Papa's Garden". My Dad is the one that's actually done all the work getting it going, but we get to reap the fruits of his labor! When you look at the pictures you'll see the "bumper crop" of strawberries we got...all 4 of them. ;) But the onions have done VERY well!! We're still waiting on the rest of the vegetables. When you come to our house you may get served onion sandwiches, onion soup, onion bread, mushrooms and onions...you get the idea. Jacob loved digging in the dirt with Papa while everything was being planted. Now he's enjoying digging in the dirt while Momma pulls the onions and checks all the other vegetables. A boy LOVES dirt!!

Party at the Lake

We had our family birthday party for Jacob this past Saturday at the lake where my parents live. I didn't have a "friend b-day party" and a "family b-day party" on purpose; it's just how it happened to have worked out this year. The theme for this party was John Deere as Jacob LOVES tractors and, as everyone knows, "nothing runs like a Deere". ;) The party was a success...all the kids had a great time and that was the most important thing. Allie started calling Jacob "Jake" for some reason (her sisters call him "Gay-jub" so I'm not sure how she came up with it, but she is the ONLY person that can get away with this) and decided she was going to tell him what and how to eat. Pretty cute to watch. During the course of the day Jacob decided that Brittany was his best friend and partner so the two of them were together most of the time. If she decided she wanted to go play with the girls he set off to find her and bring her back to whatever he wanted to do. She was his #1 "slide helper". ;) That was sweet too as the two of them haven't seen each other since he was only a few months old. Jacob has some great cousins that I feel really good about him growing up with...I know more good times are ahead.

2nd Birthday Party with friends

We had a small party for Jacob at our house last night with a couple of other families in the area. Jacob had a blast with all his friends...he hardly knew what to do with all the commotion. After eating and playing outside he FINALLY got to get into his "fish cake" (cupcakes with tropical fish on them). Then he got to see what kind of new loot he received...about 25,000 cars, trucks, etc. ;) He thought it was great - nothing he likes more than anything with wheels! We all had a great time.

Happy 2nd Birthday Jacob!

My BABY!?! Where did he go?? He left and this cute little toddler took his place. I can hardly believe it's been 2 years since he was born. The memory of that day is as clear to me now as if it was yesterday. I had no clue then how much love my heart could hold for such a tiny little boy. He's had our hearts wrapped around his little finger...and always will.

(CLICK PHOTO BELOW TO SEE SLIDESHOW)

Jacob's 1st 2 years


(photo courtesy of Firefly Photography)



(photo courtesy of ME) ;)

My Favorite TX nephews

Just thought I should put up a few pictures of my favorite TX nephews. Jacob and I have lots 'o fun playing with them. For some reason when I was taking these pictures Trace was in rare form...he was being quite the comedian while Trevin was more serious than he usually is. When I get some more pictures from Lesha I'll post those also. Until then, enjoy these. ;)

Our 5th Anniversary

Where have the years gone?
It seems like it was only yesterday David and I were starting our life together. Now we've blinked our eyes twice and 5 years have passed, we've had a son, and we have a daughter on the way. How can this be?


It was no accident me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew
Now I just can't believe you're in my life
Heaven's smilin' down on me

As I look at you tonight
I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doin'
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars

Soft moonlight on your face oh how you shine
It takes my breath away
Just to look into your eyes
I know I don't deserve a treasure like you
There really are no words
To show my gratitude

As I look at you tonight
I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doin'
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars


It was no accident me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew

Weekend In Louisiana

We had a great time this past weekend with our friends Shauna & Jay and their 2 little boys. The "Big Boys" had a good time out on the lake while us girls had a good time yacking and watching the little boys play. Sunday was potluck after mtg. and more playing outside with Lane and Bryce's cousins Gavin and Gannon. There was one little girl in the bunch (Elizabeth) and she did a mighty fine job keeping up with all the boys!

Of course all the pictures in the slide show are of the boys (this post is really for the grandmothers) but the rest of you can enjoy looking at what cute little dudes we have. They make our hearts smile. ;)

It's A Girl!

Yes, yes, it's true...a little girl is on her way! No one could possibly be more shocked than I was! She's quite an active little thing too...we've had our "Little David" and now I have a feeling a "Little Kristen" will be ariving. Before anyone starts asking about names...Gertrude Agnes S. is what our answer will be! (G.A.S. makes for great initials don't you think?) That's our story and we're sticking to it...until September anyway.

Happy With Yourself?

I saw this on someone else's blog...cracked me up! We humans are funny creatures! Hummm...wonder what animal they would have portrayed me as?

Awareness Test

I think this is a pretty cool add...with family and friends who are cyclist, it's a great reminder.

Easter weekend

We had a great time with Alison, Nathan, and their girls last weekend. Saturday Alison, the kids, and I went to a new out-door shopping center and were entertained by "Professor Brainium" and his assistants. He was there to entertain and inspire a love for science in young children. Caroline and Kayleen enjoyed getting "up close and personal" with his assistant "Science Girl". Alison, Allie, and Jacob enjoyed the time outdoors, and I of course got myself a nice sunburn. That evening we had a wonderful dinner outside. The Easter Bunny showed up and hid some eggs for the kids to find afterwards. Caroline and Kayleen had a great time with that too but we had to help "educate" Jacob and Allie on what they were supposed to do. Guess which two got the most loot. ;) Sunday was we were so busy we didn't get to get a picture of the kids dressed up in their "Sunday duds". Believe me, though, they all looked beautiful/ handsome. ;) Oh to be a kid again!!

Visit from Grandpa & Mimi S.

David's parents came to visit us a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time with them. After picking them up at the airport in Dallas we headed to Ft. Worth for the night. We stayed in the Ft. Worth Stockyards which was quite an experience...sleeping with the longhorns and all. ;) OK, OK, OK, not really...they do have hotels there now. Sat. was spent walking around the historic stockyards seeing the sights. We got to watch a monument to Quanah Parker be dedicated and cleansed by an Indian medicine man. Then there was a cattle drive of longhorns through the streets which Jacob loved. Of course there was also "Big Jake", a tame longhorn that is saddled and you can "ride" and have your picture taken on if you wish. Our time there ended with a meal of good ol' TX bbq! The rest of the week was spent enjoying each other's company and doing things around town. We had a great time with them and are looking forward to their next trip out here...scheduled ???

Happy Aniversary to Mom and Dad!

Today my parents have been married 35 years. Yep, they were barely 10 when they got hitched. ;)

These are a few things I've learned from them:

Always say "I Love You".
The importance of family.
What unconditional love is.
To never be afraid to tell them things that are important to me.
Always have at least 5 flash lights in each vehicle, and at least 10 more in the house. (thanks Dad!)
I should always wear sunscreen when I'm outside. I WILL get burned. (thanks again Dad!)
Blue Bell ice cream is the only ice cream worth eating.
The importance of good friends.
Compassion.
Pancakes are good for supper.
Egg sandwiches are the official Sunday night supper.
My brother and I are the most important people in the world to them. (Although I'm beginning to wonder if the Grandsons are taking our place!)
They weren't perfect parents when they were raising us, but they were perfect for us.
Kindness.
Not to "settle".
Respect others.
They're proud of me.
I will always be their "baby girl".

Thanks Mom and Dad. I love you.

Things you didn't know you didn't know about me.

1. MAYBE I SHOULD...start taking piano lessons again.

2. I LOVE...my life. I have a wonderful family I wouldn't trade the world for.

3. PEOPLE WOULD SAY THAT I'M...a happy person, relaxed(maybe too much?), and easy going.

4. I DON'T UNDERSTAND...people who like to argue all the time just for the sake of arguing. What's the point?

5. WHEN I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING...I stretch and enjoy the last few minutes of quiet before I hear Jacob start calling for "Momma, Momma, Momma".

6. I LOST...the belief that you eventually "get over" the sadness that sometimes envelopes you when you think of those you love who have passed on.

7. LIFE IS FULL OF...experiences. Some make you weaker, most make you stronger. Most importantly, though, you can learn something from all of them if you're willing to.

8. MY PAST IS...where it should be, in the past. I can look back with fondness on most of my experiences but I prefer to look to the future and what experiences lay before me.

9. I GET ANNOYED WHEN...people don't know how to drive. It's in these times I may not be considered "easy going". ;)

10. PARTIES ARE...great when I know most of the people there.

11. I WISH...for lots of things.

12. DOGS...I love them, but they are animals and they belong outside.

13. CATS...I'm not sure why they were "invented". I mean, what's the point? (I realize I may have just opened up a "can of worms" with some people.)

14. TOMORROW...I'll be hanging out with my "heart throb"...Jacob.

15. I HAVE A LOW TOLERANCE FOR...make that NO tolerance for people who do stupid things that destroy or end other people's lives.

16. I'M TOTALLY TERRIFIED...of SIDS.

17. I WONDER...what twists and turns my life will take.

18. NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I...wanted someone else's life.

19. HIGH SCHOOL WAS...not the best time in my life. College was GREAT!

20. WHEN I'M NERVOUS...I get this stupid nervous grin on my face that drives me crazy!!

21. ONE TIME AT A FAMILY GATHERING...what happens in the family stays in the family. (A ditto to my Aunt Susan.)

22. TAKE MY ADVICE ABOUT...leasing a car…DO. NOT. DO. IT.

23. MAKING MY BED...is done about once a week...when I change the sheets or when company is coming. Much to my husband's chagrin.

24. I'M ALMOST ALWAYS...thinking about my family.

25. I'M ADDICTED TO...Dr. Pepper and chocolate.

26. I WANT SOMEONE TO...put away my clean laundry for me. I can get it washed and dried, but I have the hardest time getting it put away! (And while you're at it, could you empty the clean dishes out of the dishwasher too?)

Pictures of Trevin in the Hospital

These are just a few pictures of Trevin in the hospital. These were taken the day after surgery.