Aaron won us a trip to New York through his company. It was a blast. But, we were so ready to come home. Aaron got way to confident about walking across streets and almost got hit by a car a few different times. I loved Central Park. We ate in Little Italy,had a spa day, and spent a lot of time on Time Square. What a fun place to visit. The only bad thing is I had to go without Tyler for 4 days. I cried when I left him with my sister-in-law. He did great though. He loved being with his cousins.

Fall Fun

We signed Tyler up for gymnastics. It is the highlight of my week. He loves it and it is great exercise for me. He already knows how to hang form the bars, walk on the balance beam, and do a forward roll.

Our new little girl. We adopted a small golden mix that was about to be put down. She is fitting right in.

Boo at the zoo was a blast. Tyler loves animals and public places we had a blast.

I thought this was the cutest picture. It was an old carriage. That they had setup for pictures.

Happy Anniversary

Wow it has been 4 years! Last weekend Aaron and I went to Lake Ray Hubbard. We stayed at the Hilton there and ate at a fabulous place name Blue Caynon. We had a blast. It was very beautiful and romantic. I feel so blessed to have the most amazing husband. He is so thoughtful and caring. Aaron is such a hard worker and great father. He makes me a better person. I look forward to the next 50 years. The best part of the weekend is we found out we won a trip to New York in November. So it looks like the anniversary isn't over yet.

17 Months

Tyler is growing so fast. We have had fun with him lately. He talks a lot but sticks to his favorite words and sayings. He thinks everything is a ball. If it is round it is a ball. If it is an animal it is a dog and if he wants something, he points and says "more, more" repeatedly! It is cute but I promise sometimes I want to scream nooooo that bird is not a dog and that pumpkin is not a ball and nooooo you can not have more m&m's. Ha Ha

I know it is preparing me for the "what is that and why stage"

I am always looking for fun things to do with Tyler and here are a few pics from the last few events.

We went to a pumpkin patch. He was so excited because he thought it was a field of balls. He kept bringing me pumpkins.

(For all of you that live in the Mckinney area one of our YL kids owns the pumpkin patch on Preston in Frisco. "not the one at the church" Go support him! ;) He is a good kid.)

My dad loves to come hang out with his boy. We took him up to Stonebriar Mall and he loved the merry-go-round but my dad had just as much fun as he did.

I posted this picture because he is smiling in his highchair which is not normal since this kid hates to eat. He does not like anything unless it is sugar filled. He also has figured out how to get unbuckled and stand on top of his tray. I walked away for a few secs and almost had a heart attack when I saw him balancing on top of the high chair.

Young Life

My girls I have had since freshman year. This is only half of the amazing crew we have today.

Cara and Colby the Young Life "presidents"

I am going to have empty nest syndrome when these girls graduate!

Wow we are going on the 4th year of serving in Young Life. I can not tell you and stress how amazing the last 4 years has been. To see these kids grow and mature spiritually is so unreal. I have truly seen them fall so in love with the Lord. This year has been particularly amazing because God has used my past and some of my crazy life lessons/stories to touch and reach these kids. Who would of thought? I have a girls bible study every Wednesday night and I am not kidding you, I have fallen on my knees and praised God after everyone. We have had so much brokenness and so many girls that have come who are lost and even mad at God. I have seen walls breaking and hearts changing. Also my girls are serving this year. They are leading Monday night club, reaching the freshman, and volunteering in the Young Life special needs ministry. It is so cool to see them in a different role and how God is using him to do his work. Thank you Lord for putting this ministry in our lives.

Pictures from this summer

Here are a few picks from this summer. It was so crazy and fun at times. The fall just started and for us that is Young Life time. Our kids our seniors this year!

Tyler loves to watch the DVD player. I thought I would love having one but I get so sick of Elmo and I hate having him watch this much TV but he yells for it until we turn it on. It has become such a battle.

Tyler wore a suit for Grandaddy's funeral. What a sad day and a sad loss. I am so sad Tyler won't remember this amazing man.

We went to Sea World with my best friend Lindsey and her cute family. Aven (Lindsey's son) and Tyler are best friends. They looooooved watching Shamu. I was crying because it was so cool to see Tyler's excitement.

I can never get him to smile for the camera but he has become a big mama's boy these days.

He only lasted 2 hrs at Sea World. I have never seen this kid just pass out. Thank goodness we had free tickets :)

The good, the bad, and the sorrow

I can not believe I have not written since June.  Life has been so busy and crazy lately.  At the beginning of July I went to Young Life camp and had a cabin full of senior and just graduated girls.  I left Tyler with Aaron for 8 days.  It was hard but camp was sooooo amazing it was worth it.  My whole cabin either met the Lord or reconnected with him.  Young Life is such an amazing ministry.  I had girls that had been sexually abused, had parents that were addicts, girls that were indulging in drugs, alcohol, and sex. I have had such a great opportunity to show and tell these girls how much God loves them.  Aaron took Tyler to his parents and spent some great quality time.  He only came back with one scrape.  It could have been worse ;)

When we got back from camp my 19 year old nephew lived with us for 3 weeks.  We had our ups and downs.  He is a very hard kid with a lot of emotional problems.  He has been on the streets for the past 2 years.  He is addicted to drugs and steeling.  When he lived here he got to here about the Lords love every night because we had camp follow up over here for two weeks straight.  He was participating and sharing a lot.  I miss the late night talks over ice cream we had.  He is such a sweet kid but still has a lot of maturing to do.  I could really see God working on his heart.  It all came to ahead when he decided there were to many rules and his friends were to far away.  He choose to go back to the streets.  Please pray for him.  This was a very sad and stressful month for me and my family.  

We also found out in July that Aaron's territory changed and that we needed to move to Seattle if he wanted to be promoted.  We are excited about the move and love Seattle but don't have any details yet.  I am sure it is going to be very hard selling our house.  I will update everyone as soon as I know more.

We took a few trips (Seattle and Cali) and we took Tyler to Sea World.  It was a blast.  I cried when I watched him clap for Shamu.  He LOVED it.  We got to hang out with our best friends Lindsey, Jared, and their little boy Aven.  Aven and Tyler are best friends.  They held hands, played hide and seek, and ate popsicles together.  It was so adorable.  

To end the summer Aaron's Grandfather passed away last night.  He has been battling cancer for the past three years and now the pain and fight is over.  We are so sad.  Tyler is named Tyler Robert because of him.  He was such an amazing man.  Probably the Godliest man I know.  He is going to be so missed.  The funeral is this Saturday so we will be preparing and hosting all week.  

We had an eventful summer but I have to admit I am so glad it is almost over.  I am ready for some new chapters in my life.  I am so thankful for our Lord's grace and mercy.  I am so thankful for the family and friends he has blessed me with.  I have lived by the quote "when times get tough, kneel." 

In him

More updates and pictures to follow. 

We have been busy folks!!  Tyler is into everything and loves to do everything I don't want him to do.  We hung out with our good friends Lindsey and their son Aven.  The boys had so much fun together.  They even kissed each other.  It was so cute. Also one of my Young Life girls painted a jungle mural in our playroom.  It is amazing.  She is so talented.  Here are some cute pictures.

Here is a quick picture of the murals

They had to learn how to take turns

Tyler pushed Aven around!  It was so cute.

Summer is here!

What a crazy month.  We have been so busy.  We had a couple of birthday's for Tyler and they were so much fun!  He still runs around the house saying birthday!  We have had family in town a lot!  We love them though so it is fun.  We just had our last Young Life party of the year.  It is funny our kids are growing up so fast.  I think they finally have grown out of all these little parties we throw them.  They are so sweet though.  I truly think they come so they don't hurt our feelings.  We are not pulling any new kids in so I think we are going to stop doing the parties for awhile. We are now gearing up for a busy June and getting ready to be camp counselors at a YL camp in Colorado the first week of July.  I am leaving Tyler for 8 days.  Thinking about it makes me sick.  We have been working on our back yard some.  Tyler loves to play out there so it has become my get away place during the day to calm him down.  As it gets hotter more and more I wish we had a pool.  Tyler is growing like a weed.  He is really starting to talk and he has gotten the walking thing down!  He is so much fun.  It is getting harder for Aaron to leave on his weekly trips because he misses him so much.  

I am on a diet!  I have a hard time sticking to it but I think I am finally motivated!!  Getting old stinks sometimes.  I remember when I could lose 10 lbs in a week in high school. Here are some of the latest pics from the past few weeks.

Tyler at his ball themed birthday party!

The amazing cake my aunt made

My best friend michelle

Daddy loves to play and Tyler loves to be rough housed!

We dressed alike for memorial day.  I am such a cheesy mom.

Happy Birthday Tyler

It is Tyler's birthday today.  Wow I can't believe a year has gone by.  We had a little party for Tyler at my parents on Sunday.  It was so much fun!  He has more toys then we know what to do with.  His main birthday party is this weekend.  I can't wait!!  Here are 12 things I love about Tyler.

1. I love the way he grabs my face to give me kisses

2. I love the high pitch of his voice when he says ball.

3. I loved that at 3 months old he loved standing (supported by us)

4. I love the hugs he gives when he is in a good mood.

5. I love that when you laugh he laughs because he thinks he is doing something funny.

6. I love the way he feeds the dogs the food he does not want to eat.

7. I love his almost curly hair.

8. I love how he sits in my lap with his legs crossed when he watches Elmo.

9. I love that he likes the car now!

10. I love that he is finally one and I don't have all these things I can's give him or do until he is one.

11. I love that the dogs finally love him (I think it is because he feeds then allllllll the time!!!)

12. I love that he is my son!

Leaving Tyler for the first time!

This past weekend we went on a trip to San Diego.  Aaron's wonderful company does quarterly incentive trips for the top producers of the company.  Aaron won last quarter and it was amazing.  We had such a relaxing and great time.  The only thing is I had to leave Tyler.  My parents stayed with Tyler at our house.  I called at least 4 times a day.  He was great for them.  They did not want to leave this morning.  He learned so much in 4 days.  I came back and he is practically walking.  He even stands up on his own now.  He also says Na Na and Dog now.  He is mimicking like crazy.  I went to get him up this morning and he was so confused.  Then he smiled like crazy for hours and kept giving us hugs!!  I think I can leave him again and it will a lot easier.  Here are some picks from our trip.

Me throwing Aaron's crackberry I mean blackberry overboard

Aaron's Co-workers

Food

I need to know how I can get Tyler to like vegetables.  I am so picky and I don't want him to turn out like me.  He seems to only like sweet potatoes.  He love mac and cheese, spaghetti,lunch meat.... But he won't even eat corn!! I try to mix it in but he is very smart!!  Anyone have any suggestions?

New Room

We finally are making good use of our house.  We decided since Tyler gets into to everything and he keeps busting on the floor down stairs, we would sell the pool table and make the upstairs gameroom into a giant play room.  He loves it.  We put a baby gate up so it is so much easier to watch him.  It has also kept our down stairs so much cleaner.  I love it!!  Here are some cute pictures of our new rooms.

Yes Bluebonnets in Richardson

One of the moms from my play group found this great place in Richardson that has the most amazing bluebonnets!  Tyler loved them.  It was such a beautiful day.  I love Texas in the spring!!

Scarborough Fair

We went to Scarborough Fair a few weekends ago.  It was a lot of fun.  I just to go when I was a kid and loved it.  The first time I took Aaron he was freaked out by it.  He couldn't believe that people actually came dressed up.  This year he was very open minded and I think saw it through Tyler's eyes.  I think Tyler will have a blast when he is about 4 or 5.

He just learned to clap

This lady was dressed up as mother earth

Tyler on a lama

He road with his feet up the whole time!

What's Been Going On

Tylers classic look

Bree at playgroup handing out hugs!

My mom and Tyler.  She plays with him for hours.

Wow I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last post.  Tyler is almost 11 months old.  He talks a lot.  His favorite word is ball.  He says mama and dada and we think papa and nana.  He has the cutest chipmunk laugh and is such a sweet boy.  He is a very picky eater but is doing well with solids.  I am beginning to wean and can't wait until it is over.  My parents have been such a huge help this year.  They adore Tyler.  It is so fun seeing them interact.  Aaron and I are doing great.  Luckily Aaron's job is going great.  He is having a great year and is still loving the position.  Stay at home motherhood is challenging but so much fun.  Right now I am planning for Tyler's first birthday.  It is going to be so much fun.  We are having a ball theme.  Can't wait to post pictures.  Here are some of my favorite pics from the last few months.

New Pool

He played in it for an hour!!(That is long for him!!)

So I went shopping today which I shouldn't of done when I saw that our house taxes are raising $5K next year. (There is no way!) 

But this picture made it all ok.  It doesn't even have the water in it.

Life as a Stay at Home Mom

Wow before Tyler was born I thought being a stay at home mom was going to be the easiest most amazing thing.  Not that it is not but it is a lot different than I thought.  Thank God I have an amazing little boy that makes it all worth it.  I thought I would wake up every morning and go workout, clean the house during the day, and cook dinner at night.  My gosh so opposite!! I wake up and I am exhausted, on a good day I get a shower, and I cook maybe once every other week.  Let's not talk about cleaning!  My house is so gross I can't believe I let Tyler crawl around it everyday.  I have been sick more in the last 3 months than I have been in the last 30 years. But before all of you start going "cry me a river"  trust me I know how blessed I am to be able to stay home.

I would not give up for the world the naps I take with Tyler daily, the outings and playgroups we go to every week, the daily changes and milestones that happen right under my all watching eye.  It is not easy but I would not trade it for the world.

Young Life

Wow what a big part of our life Young Life is.  Aaron and I are Young Life leaders in McKinney. We focus on the Junior Class at Boyd High School.  We have been with these kids since they were Freshman.  These kids are amazing.  They are truly good kids.  Sometimes I wonder why the Lord choose Aaron and I for this ministry.  I am so not worthy!!  I meet with my girls on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Starbucks, Sunday night at Campaigners, and every other Monday night at club.  My girls love to stop by and talk, hang out, pray etc...  Aaron is great with his guys.  He is such a great spiritual leader.  He leads most of the bible studies on Sunday nights.  He has such a great grip on his theology.  

This summer I have 6 girls going to work at different Young Life camps all over.  Praise God!! That is amazing.  I pray on a regular basis I am leading these girls in the right direction.  I pray I am having those tough conversations when needed.  I pray I make this ministry about God and not about me.  It is amazing how this ministry has changed my life.  I finally am in a good place with my walk.  I am more confident spiritually than I have ever been.  

I do admit it has been hard at times.  Especially with a new born this year.  But these girls are so worth it.  They threw me a baby shower when I was pregnant.  They beg to babysit all the time, and they even come over just to help at night sometimes when Aaron is out of town.  I have even built relationships with their parents.  This ministry makes Mckinney such a small town.  I can't wait to see the kids grow up into amazing parents and spiritual leaders in their communities.  

Praise God for everything! Praise God for a the blessings he brings.