Goin' on a Hike

These pictures were actually back from the beginning of January when we
tooka quick weekend trip to visit our friends, the Moores,
who moved up to Oklahoma this past fall.
They have some great land with some hiking
paths and pond just over the back fence of their property.
Hayden was so anxious to go on a little hiking adventure with Daddy.
(Mommy tagged along)


Steve was trying to show Hayden the ropes of picking the perfect
rock skipping rock and how to throw it across the water.

Hayden is searching for his perfect rock...

Hayden decides he is content to just throw rocks in the water -
forget that skipping stuff for now!

The rest of the pics are just my boy truly
enjoying himself in the outdoors.
My men had a great time out there together.

Valentine's Fun - (yes, that far behind!)

It has been a very busy past couple of months (more to come on that)... I just thought I would try to get caught up on the "back blogging" -- is that a term? :-) These are a few pics from Valentine's...

Hayden sporting his "I Love Dad" tee.

Evan in his "Wild for Mommy" Valentine tee. (I am such a

sucker for Janie and Jack holiday shirts.)

Below are highlights from the boys' parties at preschool.

Nothing like a little sugar cookie and ice cream to enjoy with friends!
Hayden truly enjoys going to preschool. He is so looking
forward to Kindergarten and asks about it frequently.
I can't believe we are going to enroll him in Kindergarten this week.
Where did the time go? I know it sounds so cliche but I really
can't believe my sweet son is going to start elementary school in 5 months.

cute little Valentine plates and napkins I found at Target....


Adorable Valentine place mat craft Hayden did in preschool - love it!
Hayden has really enjoyed having this one at home for mealtime.

We are so thankful that Daddy works close
to the school so he can come and
participate often in these fun activities.

Oh how Evan loved the heart shaped cupcakes Mommy made for the preschool party! He is serious about his sweet tooth (just like Mommy and Daddy)

Little E standing on a chair in his classroom. (of course!)
You can tell he is standing on the chair if you look just above
his head you can see the reflection of his little blue jean legs.
I so admire your cheerful spirit and constant happy energy my precious and beautiful son.

Hayden and Evan in "Eye of the Tiger"

So I caught this priceless video in the car on the way to church. I got lucky to
have my Flip video in my purse handy.
This is how you know that their Daddy may play a bit of Guitar Hero....
Anyhow, listen for Hayden's take on the lyrics.

This is the actual lyrics..

It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival

Hayden's lyrics

"It's the eye of the tiger, it's the prayer of the night.
Rising up to the challenge of our Bible"

Beautiful Blue Eyed Boys..

I took these pics this afternoon while the boys were loving a
nice Texas "winter" afternoon in the backyard.

Oh, those beautiful blue eyes of both my sweet boys !!!

Christmas Pics

So I figured now that it is end the of January it is about time

to finally post the Christmas pictures :-)

Hayden was of course overjoyed about the build your own Lightsabre.

Evan was finally more excited about the gifts than the wrapping paper
this year. "Presents!", he would exclaim.

He was so excited about opening the gifts that his little mouth
would open really wide with excitement. This pic
really doesn't do justice to the adorable expression but it was
priceless.

He decided it more efficient to just dump it all out to get to the goods..

So the Coke is typically reserved for a very rare occasion
when his Grandmommy sneaks treats
it to him but we figured the Coke in the little ornament bottle
would be a fun stocking stuffer for him this year.
He was thrilled as you can see.

Hayden was so excited to try out his first
real bike complete with Lightning
McQueen helmet and knee pads.

So this is a totally random pic but was taken at Hayden's preschool
Christmas program. He was really into the singing and all
the motions - so cute!

Confession and Revelation...

I found myself over the past couple of years feeling something not "quite right" in this seeming rat race of a life I seem to be living as so it feels at times. My life is full of blessings but somehow I find frustration with myself in that I let heartaches and disappointments sometimes overshadow what is good in my mind. This is a confession I must make. I toyed for many months making this post but my hope is that it may speak to someone else that might stumble across this blog that was searching for the same answer.
I have prayed for resolution and peace with this. It has been a while. I wondered why I have felt this way for so long when there is so much to be thankful for. I participated in a small group study this past year on the book Walking with God by John Eldredge. I admit that most of the book seemed a bit "out there" for me but for some reason I felt like I needed to finish it. It was page 184 of the 218 pages that I finally figured out why I was supposed to read it........

" And so, whatever else might be the reasons for our disappointments, there is no question that God uses them to draw us to himself. To wean our hearts from every other perceived source of life, so that we might come to find our life in him.
This may be why every one of us bears at least one major and lingering disappointment in our life. God knows what a danger it would be for us to think we've arrived. I'm remembering a scene in The Legend of Bagger Vance, where Bagger says to Junuh, "Ain't a soul on this entire earth ain't got a burden to carry that he don't understand." It might be health. Or a relationship. It might be a child, or the fact they have no child. Everyone has a cross to bear. Everyone. It serves to remind us every day that we cannot make life work the way we want. We can't arrive. Not completely. Not yet. It we'll let it, the disappointment can be God's way of continually drawing us back to himself.
I know that I faced a choice. I can feel it down inside, and I watch it take place in my heart. I can let my disappointments define my life. Or I can let them take me back to God, to find my life in him in ways I have not yet learned. The rest remains a mystery. But this is enough to know.
And so I break the agreement that I've made, that I need this. I give this place in my heart back to you, God. Fill me with your love and your life, in this very place. "

AMEN!

The NorthPark Trains.

yes, so behind in posting!!....

On Christmas Eve we took the boys to see the North Park Trains. They loved it of course. I myself was pretty impressed with all the detail and care put into the adorable scenes.

Evan sporting his paper train hat
pointed out to Daddy
his favorite trains.

Daddy lifts Hayden up for a better view.

a sampling below of our viewings...

Backblogged......

Seriously??! - Is this really something some of us have added to a list of our required "tasks" these days...Somehow, I still feel a sense of obligation to this electronic form of communication. Yes, it is January and yes my Christmas bloggie background is still up and yes I will still be posting more Christmas pics and events through probably the middle of this month... deal with it!! .. he he...

Down the Stairs Christmas Morning..

The Gingerbread House.

Hayden loved putting together the Gingerbread House so much last year that we decided we would make it a tradition. This tradition for now is reserved to time when Little E is sleeping because we all know that the construction of edible objects, messy icing, etc. would not lead to a structurally sound house if there was a little "E Monster" involved. We love you so much little man but maybe next year for you....

The basic frame is up! We are waiting for the icing to dry
a bit so we can get down to the real decorating.
Hayden is proud of the construction job so far...

Hayden decorates the tree and snowman while we wait for the icing on the house to set.

Aunt La La did the icing work on the roof and Hayden
carefully followed with the decor - great job, buddy!

Sosbee Snow Village

This year we had the privilege of having the treasured Sosbee family Snow Village
featured in our home this year.
These are a few of the pieces...

The boys of course LOVED the Snow Village McDonald's.


Steve re routed the wiring in our china cabinet and
made the perfect "home" for it this year. He did
a fantastic job piecing it all together.
Thank you so much for doing this, Steve. I loved it!!
You have such a wonderful enthusiasm for Christmas
and what happy memories you have already made for the boys with everything.