She's not a baby anymore....

It seems like just yesterday that my sweet, bald, dark browned eyed baby girl was born.  6 lbs, 19 inches and perfect!! After a long 8 months all we wanted was to hold her and know that she was healthy and safe.  She was a perfect fit with us from the beginning and her big brother couldn't get enough of "his baby"! She has filled my heart in a way I never knew possible...and daddy-well, he is wrapped around her finger!!! Seeing her grow over the past seven years has been such a joy! I can't wait to see what her life will become and what she has in store for us as she gets older!!! Happy 7th Birthday Neely!!!!!!

First black eye!

Seven Years old this morning!!!!

Homecoming...Texas style!

This past week was HOMECOMING at Jim Ned.

Is that not the cutest thing ever?!!!!

My goodness-he is growing up way too fast!!

Now I know- my kids are only in elementary school, but that's what is so great about small towns in Texas---they even include the little ones!  On Friday we dropped the kids off at school in their football jersey and cheer uniform with their garter and mum!  Yes, kinder-5th grade wear mums and garters...it is adorable!  We were busy all week making signs, getting decorations, gathering candy and making bags for each kid to have during the parade. We had the parade Friday afternoon and the kids rode on floats for youth cheer and football and threw tons of candy.  This is my absolute favorite time of year (and the busiest)!!!  Friday morning we got to the trailers early and started decorating!  Afterwards we went to lunch and it was so nice to have a bunch of us together (-kids) to eat lunch and hang out.  Then mass chaos ensued when we picked the kids up from school and tried to keep over 100 k-5th grade boys and girls on a float without crying, falling, or killing each other while we took pictures! HAHA  Every time we have an event like this it reminds me how blessed I am for great friends, a great town, and a great school for my kiddos!!  GO INDIANS!!!!  SO I  leave you with a couple pics from the parade.....

Love!

 Great friends!!!

Such a cute handsome bunch of boys!  Please excuse the ice chest full of water...it was a HOT day!

Future high-school football stars?!!

Thankful Thursday

I'm feeling a little selfish today.  When I started to think about the people facing hurricanes, loved ones at war, etc. it mad me realize I need a THANKFUL THURSDAY!!!

• Football officially begins on Saturday!  I can't wait to watch my little boy (big boy...he keeps reminding me he's not a baby anymore) tackle some kids and take a few hits.  It always makes me tear up when I see him run out onto that field.
• My husband- again- is so strong and always finds a way to make things work.  If I could have an ounce of his faith and positive thinking I would be a completely different person.  He says he doesn't have to worry about anything because I worry enough for the both of us! Ha
• My friends....when I moved to Texas I never imagined the close group of great friends I would have.  They are HONEST, real, and always there to help out or just to talk.  I couldn't make it through life without them! I love watching our kids play and think about when our kids are grown and we are all still hanging out and going on trips together.  
• Cuddle time with my Neely-Belle.  There is nothing more peaceful, nothing that can turn a bad day into a fabulous one like cuddling with her and watching a movie together.  It feels like time stands still and everything stops while I get to spend that precious time with her.  I made her promise she will always be my little girl!!
• And don't laugh.....but I'm so thankful for THE HUNGER GAMES.  Best book series EVER!!!  I finished the third one earlier this week and now I can't wait until the movie in March.  I know- it sounds ridiculous...world devastation, hovercrafts, fighting to the death.....but once I started I couldn't stop.  The series grabs you and pulls you into their lives and emotions.  Trust me- its a fast, great read.  Loved it!!!!

Hope you have a happy, fun, and THANKFUL Thursday!!!

Neely's early birthday party, and the first day of school- again!!

This past Friday we had Neely's 7th birthday! Yes, it was a month early but she wanted to have a pool party, so why not?! She is completely obsessed with peace signs....

A little candy buffet... : )

COUSINS!!!

I think they all had a blast until the mosquitos came out around 8:30 pm!!

Then this morning was the beginning of another school year.  Where did the summer go?! Neely started 1st grade and Rob started 3rd. Praying they have a great day and an awesome year!!!

Wow-they grow up so fast!!!!

Football...Already?!

Celebrating their victory last year after the "Superbowl"

Superbowl Champions 2010!!!

I can't believe that it has already been nearly a year since that championship games!!! Tonight we are handing out equipment and beginning a new season!!! We are all so excited...hoping for another great year!!! The pictures from last years championship game still bring tears to my eyes.  I know-its only youth football right? But the way those boys became best friends, worked together, and focused all season on their goal was incredible! They were our "boys of fall" and I can't wait for this season to be in full swing!!!

Port Aransas 4th of July

We made a mad dash to the coast this past weekend for a little fun and sun!...Port Aransas has been one of our favorite spots for a long time but the kids had never gone with us. Usually we fish all day and stay up late drinking margaritas....This plan had to altered a little...ok- a LOT.  They don't have the patients to wait on the fish-they want them now or not at all!  So -we fished for an hour or so, then swam the rest of the time. And the margaritas were few and far between but oh so good!! At the beach Rob did great on the boogie board while Neely searched for sea shells. (her first words were-"this doesn't look anything like Mexico") Sorry Neely-The Texas coast isn't near as pretty as Playa del Carmen!  The pool was great and even though the condos were booked we had plenty of room at the pool and to fish off of the pier.  The kids even caught 2 baby sharks...a hammerhead and a black tip!!! Here's a few pics from the weekend....

Rob holding the hammerhead just before we let it go...

Neely with her black tip that she reeled in....she's just a little nervous!!

Daddy's girl!

The kids on the pier....They look like they even love each other-pics like this are few and far between!

A family pic at the harbour before the fireworks...

Who Am I?

SO although most of you have probably done this once or twice- I have never....

Who AM I???

I am....a mommy, a wife, a sister, nearing 30!! (although I refuse to admit it out loud)

I want....ha! too much-but currently I just want a chaos free day

I have...2 happy, healthy kids, a great husband, and a thriving business

I wish....for peace---I'm an over thinker, over planner, extreme worrier and would love to be able to "let go"

I hate....TRAFFIC! I have terrible road rage issues!

I fear....the unknown and unplanned (drives Rob crazy)

I hear...."The House that Built Me" by Miranda Lambert on the radio

I search....the Internet for great ways to decorate my house-it's a compulsion...I can't stop

I wonder...what my children will grow up to be. Will they be good people, hard workers? I sure hope so!

I regret...that candy bar I ate yesterday!! Why do I do that???

I love...my little family- I couldn't have imagined it better

I ache...for a closer relationship with my parents...it's not gonna happen-so I will get over it

I always...wear makeup! Trust me-it's better for everyone that way!!

I usually...forget things if I don't write them down.  I have a horrible memory!

I am not...a cook-well lets face it...I am a horrible cook!!

I dance...all of the time! Neely and I love to turn the music up and dance around the house!

I sing...terribly!!! But love to anyways

I sometimes...forget how blessed I am and need to stop complaining

I cry...way too much.  I can't help it-I'm an emotional person

I am not always...confident, in fact-very seldom do I have an abundance of it..wish I was--oh-maybe I should add that on the "i wish..."

I lose...patience-I think every mom does

I am confused...every time I pick up a tape measure--it's actually harder than I thought it would be

I need...a VACATION!!!!

I should...relax--it's in God's hands, right?!

Who are you???