Since I just updated everyone a couple of weeks ago, I’ll save most recent happenings for a later blog. But check out the new pictures on Ainsley and Braxton’s pages, as well as pictures featuring our trip to Texas--PART 2. More Texas pictures to come from Papa and Kaymi’s house!

Let me blog about things you might or might not know about me. I see these on other people’s blogs and thought I would attempt it. I’ll start with what I am most ashamed about first...

1. I am not a native Texan by definition. I was actually born in Oklahoma, then moved to California, before moving to Texas at age 3. My grandaddy wanted my mom to move me across the border to have me...seriously.

2. I went to the principal’s office in the 1st grade. I cheated on the standardized test. I got caught and was in big trouble.

3. Speaking of math...that was my best subject through school. I love solving problems. It’s also one of my favorite subjects to teach.

4. My worst subject? History or geography. I am embarrassed at how little I know about those subjects.

5. I started dancing when I was 3, and it became one of the things I love to do most. Now the only dancing I do is with my kids, and I try to dance with them EVERY day.

6. I love to draw. I used to freeze the cartoons on tv and draw what was on the screen. I drew things all the time, and now I don’t ever find the time.

7. I love to create. Anything from playdoh with my kids to scrapbooking to crafts to painting...

8. I started out at Baylor University, then ended up at University of North Texas with a degree in elementary education.

9. Brian and I had our first date when I was 14 years old. He was 16. We went to rival high schools, but still made it!

10. I have always been an advocate for unborn babies. When I was in 5th grade, I heard about abortion and was so affected by it that I wrote a letter to activists and continued to speak about it any chance I had through speeches at school, poems, etc.

11. I am scared to death of deep water and alligators. I hate spiders and needles too.

12. I have the biggest sweet tooth, and I lose all self-control when sweets are around.

13. I love children. I’ve always seen the good and the potential in a child.

14. I’ve hit 5 parked cars in my driving history. Three of the parked cars were Brian’s friends. Not proud of this.

15. I love Michael Jackson’s music, the Dallas Cowboys, roller coasters, thunder storms, good friends, family, and eating.

16. I like to take naps. I don’t take one every day, but I try not to go 3 days in a row without one. A nap goes a long way for me. I think naps are healthy and rejuvenating.

17. I love to travel and have been blessed to go to many great places. The highlights were probably Peru (Machu Pichu) and Hawaii. But my greatest memories were going to Disney World as a child.

18. I don’t really have one favorite movie, but my list of favorites are Grease, Bird on a Wire, Robin Hood (animated), Romancing the Stone, Indiana Jones, Time to Kill, and Sleeping Beauty.

19. I have had dinner and watched “Tin Cup” with Matthew McConaughey.

20. I love my family so much.

21. My relationship with Christ is everything. He rescued me and is my beautiful Savior. I owe my life to Him. There is nothing greater than knowing Jesus as Lord.

Well, one of the main reasons we have this web site is because so many people we love live far away from us, and we want them to watch our kiddos as they grow up. Then, when we do see them, they don’t need to be caught up...they already know how things have been going because of our updates. Enjoy these new pictures. I have SO many pictures to share, especially from our trip to Texas, but I can’t post them all at once. I am going to post them in parts, so keep checking back, ok?

I’ll try to explain some of the pictures. Ainsley was a flower girl in a beautiful wedding. She was so proud of her “princess dress” and had a blast hiding from the groom with the bride! She thought is was the most fun game. I put her hair in curlers all day. I tried to make the wedding day very special for her. While I put her curlers in, we watched the video of my wedding. She loved watching it and was still so I could put all those sponge rollers in!

We had a 4th of July party over at our house. I love having people over to share memories together, especially kids. We enjoyed some fun games, a craft, and yummy festive food.

We also had a rock painting playdate. A lot of kiddos came over to paint rocks, play with shaving cream, slide on the slip n slide, and more. It delights my heart to see my children having fun with their friends.

Ainsley was in VBS for a week. She went every morning from Monday to Friday. They did a great job teaching the kids. Ainsley was in a great mood every morning when she left there, singing and telling me all about the bible stories. I was so happy that she had fun learning about Jesus. Braxton and I enjoyed some time just the 2 of us while she was gone every morning. I tried to fill his week with boy things. We went to watch tractors do construction, and that was his favorite. The worker even honked at him. Ainsley being in VBS made me realize even more how much we want her around, though. We are glad we have a whole other year before she goes to school.

Braxton is really growing up. I am so proud of the sweet boy that he is. He is SO active and VERY intense, but he does it all with a very big heart and sweet spirit. Braxton listens so well. He loves routines and systems. For example, every morning is the same--He shares some of Daddy’s breakfast while sitting in his lap. He then takes off Daddy’s houseshoes and puts them in the closet. Then helps him pick out his shoes and hands him each one, sits down with him to “help” him put them on. Then, he grabs Daddy’s belt and hands it to him. Braxton gives him a hug and walks him to the door and opens it. Then waves and shuts it behind him. Last, he runs to the window and watches Daddy drive away. EVERY MORNING. This is one of many routines he is very particular about. Of course, he still loves being outside--even in the summer heat! He is in his element when he is outside.

Ainsley is starting gymnastics at a very wonderful gym with teachers who have very big hearts for the kids. She absolutely loves it. Ainsley astounds me with her heart and her rare wisdom. I enjoy every moment with my little girl.

Some of the Texas pictures are on the Texas trip page, but there are many more to come. One of Ainsley’s favorite things was going to the American Girl Store with Grammy. Grammy is going to finally get her the Christmas present she has been wanting to give her since she was a baby--American Girl Bitty Baby doll and accessories. Ainsley certainly knew exactly the one she liked the most. They really are precious, and the 2 story place was sight to see. Braxton enjoyed the play place at Galleria Mall in Dallas and ski ball at Chuck E Cheese in Houston. And that was all before we even got to my Dad’s and Papa and Kaymi’s! More Texas fun to post about in the future!

My sister is coming to visit this week and we are going to have a blast--Aquatica, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, friends’ houses, and more. I’m so excited to have her here! I just wish my brother was coming too!

I continue to ask God to guide me as a wife and mommy. I do not take this responsibility lightly and am incredibly burdened by the state of families today. I see how so many people get sucked into the ways of this world. It all happens so subtly. I just see so clearly how Satan slowly chips away at the family unit, making it weaker and weaker. I pray every day that God would show me not what is accepted in this world, but how He wants us to be set apart. And that requires us to be different--all for His glory. My earnest prayer is to ask God to penetrate our home and my kids’ hearts.

Here are some great quotes I have come across in my reading:
“To keep one’s voice sweet, one’s face bright, one’s will steady, one’s patience unperturbed, in the arena of the home, in the light of one’s own family, is no light task.”
“It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” I believe this with all my heart.