Look what was in our backyard...

Dade?

Luke?

Mud Monsters!

Friends!

My two college friends from ACU and I met up for our {almost} annual girls' get-together in Dallas last weekend. Tommy came home early on Friday so I was able to get on the road by noon. I picked up Tonya from the airport and made the short trip to our hotel. Stacey was pulling in at almost the exact minute! Tonya reserved us a room at the Westin in the Galleria -- we could not have had a better location! We were able to go down the elevator of the hotel and be in the Galleria. Friday night we ate at the Grand Lux Cafe and did a little shopping. Saturday morning I slept until nine -- I am sure I could have slept longer but knew the other girls were awake and I did not want to miss out on any time with them! We had a nice breakfast at Corner Bakery and reminisced as we joined the other mall walkers for some exercise! (Now that would have been a great picture!) There is no telling how many miles the three of us have logged in the 13 years we have known each other! Lunch was at Gloria's, followed by more shopping, a pedicure and a little rest in the room. We grabbed a light dinner at La Madeleine and caught a movie to end the day. Sunday morning we departed and FINALLY got a picture together... I think we were so busy talking we all forgot to pull our cameras out until then! Me, Stacey and Tonya

I made a few stops and met my childhood friend, Alicia at the La Madeleine near her house for a {never-long-enough} visit. And I failed yet again to take a picture!

My family spent the weekend with my in-laws and had a wonderful time. I missed them all incredibly but was so glad to have a few days to spend with some fabulous women!

Pulled.

Big Daddy made Dade an offer that was too hard to refuse - $20 for one pull on his VERY loose front tooth and he would get the money even if the tooth remained in place. DEAL! Dade was pretty nervous in front of the "crowd" (the six of us plus my mom and dad). So Dade and Big Daddy went into the other room and came out with tooth in hand!

Cut.

Audrey trimmed her own bangs a week or so ago. We were finally able to make it to get a real trim today. She was unsure of it all but did pretty well for her first cut by someone else.

Further proof...

That this boy LOVES his dad. We got home today and Wyatt seemed bothered that Tommy was not home. He was saying dada over and over so I took him over to this picture and let him look at it. A little while later, I was vacuuming and looked over to see Wyatt like this - looking up at the picture and saying dada. Precious!

Eleven months.

Wyatt did say mama first but dada is his word of choice. He has four teeth now and is getting four more. His one paci was lost since Sunday so I siezed the opportunity and he went without it for two days - Audrey found it today. I brought it along for our trip to Tyler today but he went to sleep tonight without it. I have my (almost) annual girls' weekend in a few days so I'll be stashing the paci away in case Tommy needs it!

Wyatt took his first step Saturday while the boys were gone but treated us all when he repeated his feat on Sunday. His balance is amazing so I have a feeling that when he decides to walk, it will be at full speed.

This boy EATS! This morning he ate a whole banana, an egg, and a few bites of oatmeal after nursing! I have been working with him on his sign language and now it sounds like he says all done when he is getting out of his high chair. He is weighing in at 20 pounds.

His entire face lights up when he sees Tommy or his brohers or sister. He loves to play with a ball (of any kind) and will try to pick up a baseball bat if there is one on the floor. He still takes two naps and sleeps all night.

He has been getting lots of comments that he looks like Terri Bradshaw and Hulk Hogan because of his hair... of course this mama doesn't see the slightest resemblance!

I CANNOT imagine our family without this little one and CANNOT believe he will be turning ONE next month!

Reading.

Audrey asked me if I wanted her to 'read' to me tonight. She loves to find A's and always says "a for Audrey."

Babies!

Audrey lined all her babies up on the tv table before bed tonight. The other day when she was with my mom she put her baby in time out in the closet and told my mom she needed a spanking!

Mamaw and the kids.

We drove to visit M&P today. We enjoyed a nice lunch at McAlister's and sweet treats from McDonalds before arriving.

Papaw and the kids.

Wyatt and Papaw

Future dental hygenist?

Audrey CANNOT stand for any little speck of food to be stuck in her teeth. She will request anyone around to get the lodged particle out. She ate a tangerine this afternoon which required a flosser - it got used again tonight during our pork chop dinner. Notice where it was conveniently located.

Mimi.

After a trip to the library on Friday, we made a stop at Mimi's house for a fun visit.

Verse 2.

"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14 NASB

My thoughts are continually brought back to the idea that I am not promised tomorrow. So TODAY, HERE and NOW I MUST choose the best -- for myself, my family, my friends and my enemies. The best words to give them, the best use of my time, the best discipline for the offense, the best encouragement, the best love, the best respect, the best forgiveness, the best of my attitude, the best teaching, the best foundation, the best direction, the best education, the best thoughts for them (and me) to meditate on so I can leave the best legacy that is possible for me to leave. I do not choose this path often enough. I need to be constantly reminded that THIS moment might be the last opportunity I have to share my best -- not in a depressing, gloom-and-doom state of mind, but out of JOY that I DO have THIS time to be who I was created to be. And to give the best, I must be abiding in God's Word, HIS truth, His love, His grace, His forgiveness EVERYDAY. May I never forget that I am but a vapor.

Famous.

Amy Stroup sat behind us at dinner tonight. You may recognize her voice from some of your favorite tv shows - her songs have been featured on Brothers & Sisters, Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy as well as eHarmony and Walmart commercials.

A new discovery!

Oh man...

Goodbye.

Frosty left us today. After he began melting, the boys shot him with their BB guns then kicked the rest of him down. Maybe he will be back to see us next winter!

Snowman.

Out front.

SNOW!

Our backyard today.

Remember what your mother told you...

NEVER eat yellow snow!

More building.

D&L came up with the idea to build a "gingerbread skyscraper" with this box and some tape.

Days like these...

Are one of the many reasons I am glad we homeschool. The boys got their school work done, we met Tommy for lunch then D&L rode with Dad to pick up the forklift. Here they are getting ready to unload it at our house.

Observing.

Dade watching Big Daddy.

Construction Zone.

Dade and Luke were really looking forward to helping pour the slab for our storage building!

24 in Twenty 11.

This year I was inspired by my friend, Erica to join the Scripture Memory Challenge... 24 verses in a year. To hold myself more accountable, I have decided to post them on our blog.

I decided to start with a verse I received in a Parenting By Design devotional a while back --

"In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise." Proverbs 10:19 NKJV

I often find myself saying too much when I discipline the kids knowing that fewer words would be sufficient. I want to be remembered as being a wise mother, and I know putting this verse into practice will lead me closer to that goal.

Memorable moments?

At dinner on New Year's Eve, I asked everyone what their most memorable event from 2010 was. Dade said breaking his arm. Tommy said Wyatt being born, moving and Dade breaking his arm. Dade got a strange look on his face and asked Tommy why Wyatt being born was the most "MISERABLE" thing that had happened to him!

Cousins cooking.

New Year's Day.