Renee's Visit

My sister-in-law came to visit all the way from Kentucky. She has loved on my kids like nothing else!
"Auntie Ne, auntie Ne!!!"
My 3 yr old thinks the sun rises and sets on her and my almost-one-yr-old just grins and comes running when she's in the room. She gave them new clothes, new shoes, new toys.....but most of all she gave them love and attention. She will be missed here in our house.

Kid's are my art work

Life with two kids is really hectic and a bit hair-raising...and now we are bringing a 3rd baby into this Vashey chaos! But, when I reflect in those odd peacful moments.....I really wouldn't have it any other way. Sure I don't have time to do my art like I used to but look at the beautiful, beautiful artwork of my son's lives. They are becoming men right before my eyes and I get to daily mold them and train them to be amazing ones! It is not an easy task but one that I think will have a lasting impact on generations to come. Of course they will have to make their own choices and decisions but I am giving them the skills to do that: self control, discipline, prayer, kindness, empathy, manners, healthy eating habits, creativity, self esteem......putting on your clothes correctly, flushing the toilet.......a little overwhelming but a task I am up for with God's help and my husband's love and loyalty.

We're Home

We are home from our 20 hour road trip! Thank you Vashey family for your love, food and hospitality!

Vashey GTT Part II

Luna and Zane

Caddo Lake

Horseback RidingCheck out the guy's mustache! Go Mya!I didn't get to horseback ride. I hung out here, with Zane and the smelly goat and chickens. :o)And everyone not pictured here is at home hanging out with the stomach flu.

Vashey's GTT

Caitlin

Nina

We played games every night!

Mya and Wyatt the superstar

Jon has 4 older sisters! Here are two..... Julie and Debbie

So our house was taken over by 7 Vashey women from Chicago. I had a few moments of panic about where to put everyone, but it worked out perfectly. There were 3 blowup mattresses, a cot, 1 double bed and 1 twin. Whew! There were blankets and pillows everywhere......and pots. Yes, they came all the way here and caught our East Texas stomach bug. It was terrible....there are only two toilets in the house which is bad when so many people are sick at once. Jon joked, that we should have a game of "steal the pots"( we ran out). It did bring us all closer however and we played card games, board games and made up games. You can imagine the amount of giggling that went on! :o) What a blessing they all were to have. Before the sickness, Debbie and Julie and I (plus baby Zane) went to my "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed" Women's Bible Study together and lunch afterwards. It was a blast........the study was very powerful and then we ate delicious food at Nanny's Goats in downtown Kilgore. What a spectacular place!! It will definitely be on the Food Network Channel before long. Down town Kilgore is turning into a pretty happening place. I really enjoyed the "sister time".
I was a little nervous about the amount of people staying in our house but it really was fun. It didn't matter what we did, there were book-oohs of laughter and joy in just being together. I love you beautiful ladies!
I am working on Vashey's Gone To Texas Part II, so if you didn't see your picture here, then it will be coming!

Texas

For all the flack we get from having state pride, I have to say.... I do love Texas. My family is here and what would I do without my pine trees, and bluebonnets? I guess it's just in my blood. Here are some happy images..............

Mineola Nature Preserve. You have to go!

This was such a sweet night of sitting on the porch listening to my brother and dad. Caleb is actually teaching himself violin by watching youtube videos.

The Engineer Arguing with the Architect

This picture makes me laugh! I love that my cousin LeeAnn is on the floor playing with my son!

Pink Weekend

What did we do this weekend? Well, Jon spent Friday-Sunday in the pink bathroom. What started off as a new grouting/caulking job on the tub turned into a let's-fix-the-toilet.........into the pipe cracked and then broke off inside the wall.....into let's cut a hole in our closet wall to be able fix the pipe (instead of ripping out tile in the bthrm wall).......into let's learn how to sweat pipes. But my hubby did it! He bought a blowtorch to sauter and a electric saw to cut a hole in our wall. What a renaissance man! Needless to say, he is sick of being in our pink bathroom!
.Meanwhile, I am making this cake, which took ALL day Saturday. It was the most complicated thing I have ever baked in my life! 3 layers and 7 minute frosting. Anyone made 7 minute frosting before? I took my life in my hands making it, let me tell you! It required a double boiler, which I don't have, so I improvised and boiled water in a giant pot with a little pot floating in it. Then, I used a hand-held mixer and beat the frosting for ,um, 15 minutes. What happened to 7??!! The whole time, Zane is screaming and water is jumping out of the pot trying to burn me! I was sorely disapointed, too when my cake turned out looking like a giant zinger or a character off the muppets!
I think it looked better after I tucked in my little signs........
Isn't she beautiful? All, for this tiny little Madeline Mae! .......so worth it!

Eye of the Tiger

I forgot to caption this pic before......we're all singing Eye of the Tiger....and really getting into it. :O) Sing it with us now...........and put some feeling into it!

Risin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

Chorus:
It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger

Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin' tough, stayin' hungry
They stack the odds 'til we take to the street
For we kill with the skill to survive

chorus

Risin' up, straight to the top
Have the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I'm not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive

chorus

The eye of the tiger (repeats out)...

Family Visit II

"Wyatt, can I have some of your ice cream?"

Family Visit

Baths in the winter can be cold! We try to keep Zane covered with warmth while he bathes.

Snow view from Wyatt's window

Samuel played Legos everyday with Uncle Jon

Yummy! Renee made a homemade cheesecake.

Uncle Brian did a mean "bucking bronco"!

Of course, we had to make homemade pizzas!

Wyatt was with his Aunti 'Ne wherever she went. They had so much fun together. I overheard Wyatt today saying "Bye, bye Auntie 'Ne, Uncle Brian, cousin Samuel and Auntie Tyne" I looked into the room and saw that he had his cars lined up and had named them after some of his favorite people.

Cousins! We really miss you Samuel!

Snow!!!

The first snow in YEARS! 5 to 6 inches