First sleepover

Rylan is at his first sleepover at Ezra's house.  We celebrated Ezra's 1/2 bday today (they have a 1/2 bday party instead because he has a Dec 27 bday).  It was a blast.  Apparently Ry gets to sleep in the box tonight!  It's going to be a tough few days of goodbyes.

the boys

My little comedian.

"Mommy, look at me!"  Does this mean I can officially send her to the circus?

Cars!

Painting Ceramics

Today we hung with our besties and enjoyed some painting fun!  Rylan painted a car bank and CJ painted a cupcake/candle stand.  Mommy made a hand print plate.  Can't wait to see them in a week!

Beauty in Cross Creek Ranch.

Changes...

Well, if this doesn't hit you in the face with a reality check, I don't know what does.

Here we are, 6 months into a process of discussing making changes, and they are now concrete.  It's official, we are moving to...Cleveland, Ohio.  What?!?!?  I think that's what we are both asking ourselves as well.  This is not what we had in mind, but its happening.  My prayers have been answered, even if they weren't answered in a way that I thought they would be.  God works in mysterious ways.  One set of plans fell through and another set came up.  Leaving Texas after 8 years is going to be tough.  Let me rephrase that, leaving the dear friends we have made in Texas after 8 years is going to be tough.  I am already dealing with it:

(Text discussion between Mollie and I):

Me:  Whoa...major tears here tonight over missing Ezra. Breaks my heart.

Mollie:  Awwww....so sorry. I think we both have a good deal of that to look forward to. Ugh. Ezra has already said that he wants to go with you bc he's going to miss rylan too much. 

Me:  I totally can't hold back the tears either cause I feel the same.  We are going to be so sappy around here :(.   Moving stinks!

Picturing Ry and Ezra and CJ and Annslee together brings me to tears, not to mention how I feel about their mommas and the other friends I've come to love.   I know it's going to be harder on me and they will make new besties, but it still will be rough.  Besties like this don't come around everyday.  I think the hardest part is realizing that one day they may not even remember the place where our family began.

I'm so proud of Jason though.  He deserves this opportunity and I hope it's one that he can be happy in.  We strongly feel that it is the right thing to do.  We can't say that we are extremely excited about it, but its tough going from being over the moon about one opportunity to now being in this place.  There are plus sides to all of this:  no extreme heat, no Houston commute, smaller school districts, community atmosphere (hopefully we choose right).  The best part is that we are going to be close to family for the first time ever and my best friend.  It'll be an adjustment for everyone at first, but we will eventually get it all figured out.

Wow.  What a year.  I feel like we have wasted it planning and dreaming about something that never took shape.  Lots of lessons learned from this experience.

Well, here's to MSU football games, autumn, TREES, snow (for the kids cause I still HATE winter), tropical destinations in the winter (so I don't kill someone ;)), frequent visits with the Wood family, family, up north, apple orchards, but most of all, my precious family.  We are doing it for you Ry and CJ.  We love you and want nothing but the best for you.

Cheers my love

Craft time

VBS finale!

VBS

Ry guy

Jason was talking about a fantastic meal he had at a business dinner this week.  He said that he had a great lamb meal.  Rylan said, "daddy, you ate a sheep?"

Then...

I was up on our tall ledge in our house that you can only get to on an extension ladder.  I was talking about how gross and dusty it was and how there were little spiders crawling around.   I was getting a little nauseous because its pretty high up and so I said, "i feel nauseous."  And Rylan  says, "why? are you being attacked by spiders?"  

Too funny.

Big Girl!

Her own idea! Maybe I won't ever have to potty train! Surely she won't want to wear diapers forever ;)!

Kingdom Rock!

VBS!

This is one of my favorite times of year...VBS at St. Peter's!  We have so much fun!  This years theme is Kingdom Rock. Kelli and I are teaching preschool Story time.  I created a "kingdom castle" by visiting the neighborhoods recycle piles Saturday morning...

Today was Day 1.  We receive 5 rotations of about 34 kids per rotation.   Umm...if you said "wow," you arent kidding.  that is A LOT of preschoolers in one room.  The K5 kids were perfect. The 4s were decent.  Then there were the 3 year olds.  Oh my goodness.  I could NEVER teach them full time.  I about lost my mind after 5 minutes!

The sanctuary is decorated as a castle as well.  The kids go there first thing to learn songs and hear about the days theme.

St. Peter's rocks and so do the amazing people that put this together every year!

Nightly races.

Yuck!

I swear, the darn stomach bug hits around here about every 6 months.  For the last 3-4 years, this has been an unfortunate coincidence happening every fall and late spring.

Victim 1

I guess when your best buddy has it, you are bound to get it too.  He has been such a trooper though and has made it to the toilet all 6 times so far.  He is going to be sleeping in our room tonight so we don't need to worry about the bed height.  Bless his sweet heart.  He has told me he loves me after every episode and he just thanked me for taking care of him.  I want his heart to always be that big.

Prayers for no more victims...doubtful.

Yum!

Indoor summer fun!

Lets have a puppy party!