East Texas State Fair Adventures

This was our 1st trip to the East Texas Fair. The pictures look fun, but it was rather rough! Jackson did not like the loud sounds/big crowds, and it was tough keeping everyone together.  But overall the boys had fun.  I definitely wouldn't go at night, though!!

Sliding with the boys at the East Texas State Fair

The most fun we had at the East Texas fair was the slide...of course the first ride we did! Both the boys and I hopped on our burlap sacks and went down the slide...several times! I have pictures of me going down a similar slide as a young girl...of course my arm was in a sling, as I was always getting hurt.  Fun memories.

Happy 6th Birthday Nicholas

Nicholas had a hotwheels party for his 6th birthday! All the cousins had a great time playing together to celebrate Nicholas' special day! Susie did a great job on the party! Happy birthday Nicholas!

A full bed

 This is what I opened my eyes to this morning....heart.

Learning to ride bike

Look at Jackson! Learning to ride a bike with training wheels already! He's not even 3! My, where does the time GO?!?


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Mommy & Daddy with their boys

My world summed up in these 3 men.

I love the black & white look of beach pictures. Priceless.

Look at the joy on these boys' faces! They love their Daddy!

How fun is this one? Jumping for joy!

Noah, Mommy, & Jackson walking on the beach

So easy to have fun with this big kid!

Here are some fun pictures of Michael & I with the boys on our beach vacation.  Despite best intentions to "plan" a photo shoot with kids...you just never know what will happen.  I was shocked that we got any pictures at all with a 7 am photo shoot! But, my boys are adorable. They look amazing doing just about anything anywhere. Not that I'm biased;)

Saying Yes

It has been too long since I've written a saying yes post. Stuff happens. Life happens. Things get in the way as we ride the roller coaster of life.  Then one thing leads to another and details fall through the cracks...details like, oh, I don't know...WHO AM I? WHERE DID I GO?!?
That's the honest truth of it, folks. So no long story, no woe is me...but it is time to refocus...despite the 90 to nothing pace of my life right now.  So, here it goes. 
The short list:
This week I'm saying yes to:
~First and foremost my God.  I know this sounds bad...but the past few weeks, I've been so tired that I caught myself going into a deep coma at night before I even took time to pray and thank God for my blessings.  Between our trip to Florida, juggling 2 jobs and 2 kids, and Michael's traveling to Austin several times in the last month on the weekends, I've been beat. So, God, please forgive me.
~I'm saying yes to prayer.
~I'm saying yes to my husband and my precious sons. NOTHING is more important.
~I'm saying yes to early morning runs and getting my fat ass in shape again, as I've fallen off the wagon.  Hell, let's be honest. The wagon ran me over. I'm UNDER the wagon.
~On that note...as much as I dread writing it...and as much as I dread doing it...I'm saying yes to registering for the Tyler Half Marathon. It's only 3 weeks away from today. I've trained NONE...unless binging on carbs counts as training.  Is that insane? Maybe. Will I be slow? Most definitely. Will I finish...even if I have to walk the 13.1 miles? Yes.  I will.  I can & I will.
~I'm saying yes to grace, a free gift God gives us.
~I'm saying yes to BEING the change I wish to see in others.
~I'm saying yes to trying to be patient, and waiting on God's timing.
~I'm saying yes to faith, hope, and love.
~YES to crisp fall air and the excitement of boot season!
~YES to Jackson's 3rd birthday party planning.
~I'm saying yes to trying to grow, and accept that I don't always have it all together...YES to working on my insecurities, because yes, I have them, too!
~YES to not letting my insecurities steal my joy.
~YES to hugs from the sweetest boys in the world.
~YES to Halloween decorations and pumpkins galore.
~Yes to appreciation. Yes to gratitude. Yes to complaining less and trying to focus on the positive.
~YES to feel the fear and do it anyway.
~I'm saying yes to PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION.  I am but a work in progress.

What are YOU saying yes to this day?

Florida Family Pictures

So many of our family photos have been upside down!
It's so "us" & always guarantees a smile!

Here are a few pictures of our family on the beach.  I know it is always a hassle to try to do a photo session...especially while on vacation...but I can honestly say that I've never been sorry that we've done it! It's almost the only way I can have proof that I was with my boys on their vacation.  Them having photos with their mom is really important to me. My mom was always the one behind the camera...and I really do make a concerted effort to try to leave behind photos of them WITH their mom! One day, they'll realize that it is a treasure.

Jax loves to slide



I took the boys to the park today while Daddy was out of town watching Bevo (lose again!)
Jax just LOVES to slide! Look at that smile...& those long legs!
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Fall footprint art

When the boys were sick last week, we painted this cute little piece featuring the boys' footprints turned into little ghosts. Noah liked it so much that he took it to show-n-tell at school today.  Bring on fall!

Construction worker

Jax loves construction trucks...& picked construction trucks for his next birthday party theme. While home sick, the boys passed a little time playing construction workers. Jax said, "Look, Mommy. I'm a worker."










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