Creekside Park

This past Saturday, we visited our newest pool for the grand opening of The Rob Fleming Aquatic Center. This pool has a tube slide, a lazy river, slides for kids, and plenty of room for swimming and lounging. For the grand opening they had moon walks, clowns, jugglers, balloon animals, face paints, and free Chick-fil-a. It was so much fun! Carlee waited in line to get her face painted for an hour and never complained. She wanted to have a kitty cat face just like her balloon animal. Zachary got a blue puppy dog balloon and bit into it and popped it. We loved floating in the lazy river as a family. Carlee and I stayed in there awhile and enjoyed relaxing. Zachary loved the fountains and splashing around. We will definitely be going back to this pool during the Summer.

Girl Time

Carlee and I regularly paint our toe nails together on the bathroom floor. It's one of those times we talk and enjoy being girls. On our last particular time, Carlee asked if she could paint my nails. This was the first. I told her she could and she got so excited. She picked the color blue. I know you are probably thinking... blue, now why does Rebekah have blue as a toe nail polish? I know it is crazy, but I think it might be left over from high school. The good thing about the blue is that it is fast drying. Since Carlee's favorite color is blue it works out great. On this day, Carlee wanted all the colors on hers toes like a rainbow. So she has purple, blue, pink, red and aqua. Very cute! Yesterday, she told me that her watercolors on her toes were falling off and she needed a new rainbow. She is so funny. I love my girl and I love this time we have together!

Princess Evening

Tonight, our family went to Chick-fil-a for dinner and princess fun. Carlee wore her Cinderella dress and was ready for a magical evening. She was in heaven! First she met the Chick-fil-a princess cow and then she met Cinderella. Carlee wanted to meet all the princesses. So after meeting Cinderella she said, "ok, now let's go see sleeping beauty." We have visited Kim's blog a lot because of all the princesses so she was expecting to meet all of them like at Disney World. Carlee got her hair done by Sweet and Sassy salons and then we went for a limo ride around Market Street. The whole time we were in the limo, Carlee was saying that we were in a carriage going to the ball. She was enjoying every minute giggling and smiling and being totally in awe of her surroundings. After the limo ride we went back in Chick-fil-a and got a picture by Picture People. I think the pictures probably came out pretty good because the photographer wanted to keep her there all evening to photograph. She smiled and posed like she was a little model. It was so cute! I loved watching her have so much fun. It was a wonderful evening!

Father's Day

We celebrated Father's day with Greg's parents at Babin's and had a great time. We also enjoyed the day hanging out with my parents as well.

Greg is such a wonderful dad! He is always so willing to help me take care of the kids and give me a break when needed. I love how he interacts with them everyday and makes them laugh. He is so loving and patient with them. He sets a great example for them to understand God's love and grace. What a blessing you are to our family bebe! We love you!

Crazy Haircut

Greg and I decided it was time to trim Zachary's hair. I'm glad we did it on our own because he was moving everywhere. It would have been hard to keep him in a chair at a barbers. The results might have been better, but I think it came out ok. What do you think?

Just chillin'

I just love this picture of Zachary. This is about the only time of the day he is still.

Cranebrook Pool

On Friday, Greg took the day off work and we went to the pool for a few hours. This is Greg's first time to get a pool pass since he has lived in The Woodlands. We loved having him with us. The extra help is always a good thing. We enjoyed going down the family slide. Carlee loved this slide and wanted to do it over and over. Zachary was a little scared, but seemed to do well. We tried the other slides in the picture, but Carlee didn't like the water spraying everywhere. So she stayed in the 3 to 5 foot deep water with Greg and I and just swam in her floaty. She loved hanging out and swimming to daddy or just lying around. Zachary had fun walking around on the steps while holding on to the side. He made every attempt to get out of the pool when possible. I think three hours was a little too much for him. However, he did take a nap on the chair for an hour. Despite Carlee and Greg's sunburn we had a fun time!

Double Trouble

Zachary has taught Carlee so many things lately. How to unload drawers, open kitchen cabinets, make a mess in a hurry. I know it seems like it should be the other way around, but it's not. Remember Carlee is my well behaved one, who could sit on the couch and be content just watching TV or reading a book. One day last week, I was getting Carlee's pj's out of the drawer and Zachary started unloading it. It had already been one of those days, so I let the chaos continue. Plus he had so much fun doing it I would have felt bad for stopping him. Once Carlee saw what was happening she joined in the action and loved every bit of it. I love how Zachary is staring at the empty drawer looking for more clothes to throw. After he had the drawer unloaded he was ready to refill it again. Carlee on the other hand wanted to keep the wreckage in progress and play with the scattered clothes all night. These kids always keep me laughing.

Grandpa Time

I love these pictures of my dad with our kids. He has a way with each of them and they love him so much. He's a wonderful grandpa and a wonderful dad. Happy Father's Day dad! I love you!

Zachary's Party

We celebrated Zachary's First Birthday this past Saturday. It was such an enjoyable day hanging out with our families. Zachary really enjoyed his first taste of birthday cake. It was so fun to watch him get all messy. He wasn't sure about all the icing, but seemed to like every bit of it. Greg wanted him to put his face in it and get crazy, but that never fully happened. He was blessed with a lot of fun outside toys including his sandbox (we gave him) and some new clothes and books. I think he is all set for the Summer! Thanks to all of you.

Turning my Mole Hill into a Mountain

It has been one of those weeks when it rains, it pours. I am thankful it's Friday and God has given me a new perspective, but it took a long time to change. So I would like to take this time to share with you my week and remind myself of God's goodness.

It all started Monday night after Greg's basketball game, when I came down with a serious stomach bug. It left me feeling weak and tired. I spent all day Tuesday trying to re cope letting Carlee pretty much do whatever she wanted, which means watching TV and playing on the computer. I felt like a bad mom, but sometimes you have to have a break and allow time for rest. That evening my sister came to the rescue after calling me and finding that I am in over my head and need help taking care of the kids while Greg is at another basketball game (it was a tournament and thankfully they won). Tuesday evening, Greg gets the stomach bug and is up most the night. Now I am not only weak, but he is too. Not to mention he has started his new schedule this week working from 6am to 2:30 pm and is not getting enough sleep period. He still goes to work on Wednesday and comes home to a big pile of mulch in the driveway (big meaning....5 yards). He spends the rest of the day/evening putting the mulch in our backyard where he is designing an area for Carlee and Zachary to play. I can't even believe he did this after being tired and weak from the stomach bug. He is Superman, I tell you. Wednesday night, Zachary wakes up several times with a temp. and another ear infection (I think this might be the 4th one). Thursday, I take him to the doctor while Carlee stays at church to play at Splash Day, after all the girl needs to get out of the house and have some fun for a change. Thursday afternoon, I have a complete meltdown and call my mom for some encouragement. She on the other hand is in her own set of circumstances and tells me, "Sometimes that is just how life goes. It's hard." I did not want to hear this, but knew it was true. After getting off the line with her my friend Amy C. calls (I'm still not sure why she called), but I am in the middle of my mole hill about to let it take over (in a pool of tears) and she offers to pray for me and help out. What are friends for.... I love you girl. Thursday late afternoon, Greg comes home from the doctors. He had gone to the doctors because of some red eye irritation and puss he had had all week. He tells me he has pink eye. I could not believe that I had not even looked at my husband long enough to realize his eye was red. Lesson number 1, when you have problems look at the people around you and be encouraged that you are not the only one. Thursday night, Greg stays inside and lets me go for a run. He knows this is a great way for me to let off some steam and build good endorphins. I am a happier person after working out.

So now it is Friday and I have learned many lessons.

1. Do not let the weeks circumstances overtake me and keep me from focusing on God. He will have victory!

2. Attitude is everything. Why not choose joy and trust Him through the process!

3. He is gracious and compassionate and will choose the least sever method to get me to where He wants me. After all, He is after my heart and all these circumstances is an opportunity for me to trust Him and remind me that He is faithful.

4. God can use me despite what I am going through. He showed me this at IW (Intercessory Worship)on Wednesday night. I felt that even though life was caving in, I still had Him and that would get me through anything.

5. Be thankful for what you are going through even if it is hard. At the end you will be different, improved, more affective, pure, holy and able to praise Him more after it is all said and done. After all He is only getting us ready for His return.

I went to a women's breakfast last Saturday and I was given a verse just for me. Romans 15:19 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This verse came alive this week. Wow! This is the story of my life really. God wants me to change my perspective and see through His eyes. May I learn my lesson today and start spending time with Him asking Him to reveal His glory through His word.

So tomorrow is Saturday (Zachary's party), there is still lots to be done outside (mulching the flowerbeds, getting the backyard ready for play, and the list goes on), but it is all good and God is with us and everything will work out. Greg reminded me that the party was inside anyway. I am letting go and letting God. He will be our Helper and the yard will get done when He wants it to get done. I was thinking about having people bring they're work gloves to the party. Only kidding! If you are still reading this, thanks for listening. I hope you all have a blessed weekend!

Zachary's Birthday Dinner

We went to Skeeter's for Zachary's birthday dinner (this was the first restaurant he ever went to as a baby). Carlee was so excited. She said (as driving into the parking lot), "This is where we're going to celebrate Zachary's birthday? WHAAWHOO!" We had fun together as a family. Carlee and Zachary spilt a chicken nugget. I can't believe they are splitting food now and Zachary can handle it. He would not have it any other way. Afterwards, we went to daddy's basketball game at the YMCA. It was a fun and eventful evening. The real festivities are happening this Saturday.

Happy Birthday Zachary!

You are one today! It was just about this time last year that you were entering the world and we were seeing you for the very first time. You came so quickly and life has not slowed down since. I never knew that having you would mean sitting down less, digging things out of the potty, searching for lost paci's, going off dairy so you would not have colic, loosing sleep for 10 months, having strong arms from holding you constantly, rocking you to sleep, playing with lots of balls, cleaning up lots of toys and food off the floor, worrying about your cough, smiling, laughing, crying, loving, having my heart melt by your smile, being chased around the house, and wanted so very much. Zachary, you have changed my life completely. You have turned my world upside down and inside out, but I wouldn't change a thing. You have brought our family closer together and made life a lot of fun. I can not remember life before you. You have stolen my heart and won me over with your adorable smile and laugh. I love you so very much son.

I pray you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. I pray you would look to Him for satisfaction and guidance. I pray you worship Him and get to know Him as your Heavenly Father, who cares and adores you. I pray you would fall in love with His word and let it be a lamp unto your feet and light unto your path. I pray you would remain pure and be a humble leader (like your daddy). I pray you would be dependant on the Lord and stay close to Him all the days of your life. I pray you would know His truth and have confidence in it. I pray that you would experience His grace and see your need for a Savior. God Bless you son!