April Updates - Birthday Fun

So I've clearly failed on posting about Christmas and Easter.  I've debated just writing about them anyway for my sake, because let's face it...I probably will forget the details & the whole reason I "blog" is a way to look back on our lives.  So I think I just talked myself into blogging about those holidays, ha!

But for now I'm going to do just a general update about April...

First of April, we celebrated my sweet friend Lacy's birthday!  It was a fun night out with adult conversation & a few games at darts.  Which apparently I am no good at.

The weekend of April 13th, I headed to San Antonio to celebrate my momma's birthday on the Riverwalk.  My sister, aunt, cousin, and myself surprised my mom with a girls trip to SA.  We had a wonderful time!!! 

San Antonio traffic...not so fun!

We arrived Saturday, had lunch, then walked the river.  My good friend from college was able to get away for the weekend & join us.  I was so glad to be able to see her.  We don't get to see each near enough now that we have kids and live about 5 hours away from each other.

college friends...love her!

That evening we went to dinner and then headed to Pete's Piano Bar for some sing-a-long fun!

Mother & Daughters

We paid to have them write Happy Birthday to mom.  I wasn't happy that they wrote it below that nonsense...we all know the Aggies now play in a real conference & we really don't care about the Big (Little) 12.  Hmm, have they talked to Johnny Football?! ;)

Love my momma!!!

Mom wanted to check out a church that was on some mission grounds on the southside of SA.  So Sunday we checked out of our hotel and headed to mass.  We attended the mariachi mass.  Which was definitely interesting and they told you lots of history about the church.  It was like a mini field trip :)

We ended up having lunch a local mexican restaurant that was really yummy!  Afterwards, we said our goodbyes and hit the road back home.  I really enjoyed my night away and off my mom duties.  Even though I really did my sweet boy & his daddy...it was nice to be able to take some "me time" and enjoy fun music in the car! :)

And because I am clearly a nerd and have no life while I'm by myself...I took all kinds of "selfies" haha.  No I was really trying to get a picture of my new earrings that I had gotten while at market back in March.  They are now a staple in my wardrobe & I just thought I needed to share w/ the whole world how awesome they were!  Clearly I have nooo life or maybe it's just the little things that make me happen...

And I was happy about wearing my new "Mama Loved" shirt!  We ordered these at market & it's my favorite!  Not to mention the shirt is super comfy!!

A boy & his kitty...

 Brady had his very own Lucy.  Except we call her "kitty kitty" because that's what B can say...

I had a cat for pretty much my whole life.  We got Lucy when I was around 18 months old and she died when I was 21.  We adopted this sweet kitty back in February or March (I think!) and she looks almost identical to Lucy.  Even her temperament is the same.  Miss Kitty is sooo good with Brady & tolerates a LOT!

She's been a great addition to our family and B really enjoys having her around.  Which makes having another animal worth the hassle.

**please don't judge our horrible flower beds & dead grass...that's what a severe drought will do for ya!

Mother's Day 2013

Oh my word!  It's been over a month since I last posted.  Hello, life with an almost 17th month old and a part-time workin' (sewing) momma...

I miss blogging so very much!  I'm not sure how to fit it into my hectic schedule...but I am working on figuring that out & so I'm taking a few minutes while B. naps to record the wonderful Mother's day I had.

We started it off by going to church and thanking the gracious Lord above for the rain.  We've been in a severe drought and yesterday it poured down rain.  The grass & the birds were so happy!  Before church, Brady gave me a card & 2 gifts I'll treasure forever!  A mother & son Willow Tree figurine and this masterpiece that him & his daddy made me.

I plan to hang this in our bedroom on my side of the bed to let it be a reminder of how loved I am.  To B...there is no one like "mom-ma!"

After church, we decided we'd grill hamburgers for dinner so we made a quick trip to H-E-B then ran across the street for some fine dining at KFC.  There aren't many eating options around us anyway and the last thing I wanted to do was fight the crowds or wait on a meal.  So we had KFC buffet and it was perfect.  Nothing fancy, just greasy :)

Mmm, hush puppies in the mouth are yummy!

We then did a little bit of cleaning and enjoyed more of the rain.  I also made a new pie recipe and put it in the freezer to chill.  If you've never made Millionaire Pie...I suggest you make it for your next gathering.  It was easy & sooo good!

This little guy would agree as he got to lick the beaters...for the first time ever!

Calories don't count on Mother's day, right?!?!

That evening we had Allen's parents and his grandmother over for hamburgers, chips & dips, and PIE!!!  AB did a great job grilling the burgers & I enjoyed having people over. It's been a good while since we've had anyone over for dinner.  Hence the no time, a messy house, & a toddler!

I ended the night by dying my hair a reddish color.  Ha!  With the help of AB.  We haven't laughed so hard in such a good while.  That was my pampering for the day.  As you can tell from these photos...I was due for a hair color.  And I really need a haircut...such as life as a mom.

He gives the best hugs ever!  These are the moments I want to hold on to forever.

I can't help but look at these photos and realize how truly blessed I am to have the title "mom" or as B says "mom-ma" - it is most definitely one of the hardest jobs I've ever had but it is also the most rewarding.  And my gosh how quickly do they grow?!  

Everyday I am in awe of his little mind and the things he says or does.  I can't help but look at him and see God's handiwork.  What a masterpiece He has created in us and in His/our children.

the red marks on his cheeks are from my lipstick :)

I also can't help but thank my own mother for being the amazing woman she is.  Raising four children deserves a medal!  All traveling in a travel trailer the first few years of our lives...so my dad could provide for us.  And to do it with such grace and never complaining.  She revolved her world around us kids and I can't thank her enough for that.  For raising us to be who we are today.  She should be so proud of herself and of the children, now adults she has raised.

Mom - Mimi...we love you!  I look up to you in some many ways and I hope my kids will look back and see the kind of mom I see when I look at you.  One that gave everything to her kids, that went without so her kids could have, and one who was brave enough to stand up for us when no one else would.  And one that loved us well.  Loved us more than anything on this earth.

I love you mom!  I am so thankful God picked you to my mom, He knew you were born to be just that...a mother and now a mimi.  No greater love than that!

I'm also thankful to have a mother-in-law who loves me and does so much for me.  She also raised an incredible son that I get to call my husband.  I can't thank her enough for him and all that she does for us, which is a lot!  We love you Nanna B or Neena as B says :)

God has truly blessed me beyond what I can imagine as far as mothers go!

Children Book Favorites

I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner today for Show Us Your Life: Children's Books.

Which is funny because just yesterday, I was thinking how I needed to blog about our current favorite books since Brady has recently really started to love books.

As a former elementary teacher, I'm a bit obsessed with children's books.  Brady has quite the little library built up but there is always room for more books.  Even though he gravitates to the same ones each and every day.

Here are currently are favorites:

This is by far his favorite.  We read it every night before bed, several times.

Loves all the flaps!

We have several Duck & Goose books but this one is his favorite.

Great for early counting.  He likes copy me by pointing each thing as I count them.

My personal favorite.  Great book about helping others but in boy terms :)

He loves anything with tractors.  He will look at this book several times a day!

We LOVE Peek-a-WHO?   Brady just giggles when I read it.

He's recently taken an interest in the classic "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.

We also love any & all Sandra Boyton books and Goodnight Aggieland.

Other personal favorites from my teaching days are

The Texas version of Cinderella.

Any and every book by Patricia Polacco are wonderful!  Most are based on her true life experiences with great life lessons.  Can't go wrong with any of her books!

Thanks for stopping by!