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.