Rodeo... State Park... Fishin' at the Duck Pond...

Not going to write too much, just going to post a bunch of pictures!!  So even though we were sick spring break week we did get to enjoy some things still.  First off was a trip to Brazos Bend State Park.  Then we followed up with a day of fishing at our local duck pond.  Then to top off the very end of spring break we went to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!  Here are some pics from those events...

BRAZOS BEND...

RODEO...

DUCK POND FISHIN'...

Spring Break... And Most of Us Are Sick!

Well it's that time of the year, where the weather plays that funny trick of hot verses cold!  So as all who live in Houston, Texas know it usually means bring on the sicknesses.  So my son, myself and my youngest daughter are all struggling with either a very bad cold or virus of some kind.  And wouldn't you know it, it's SPRING BREAK!!!  But, were not going to let it keep us down.  We are picking up and going to Brazos Bend State Park in the early morning.  Then tomorrow it's off to the Rodeo Carnival.  Tons of things to do, but daddy is only home with us for these first two days so we have to take advantage of our time with him and go out and do as much as we can as a family.  Love this time of year, hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed spring break!

Rodeo...

I can safely say that my kids have really enjoyed rodeo time this year maybe more than any other year.  They all had days of western at school and my two youngest rode ponies last week.  My neice Gillian stayed over with us and when the kids woke the next mornin' they were off to the parade!  They were very excited that Gillian was able to come as was she.  I heard all about it when they arrived home.  Their Nana and Papa took them...  Special time with their grandkids!  Great weekend for all.

Rodeo Day at School

Meryn just after she rode the pony

So yesterday was Rodeo Day at the Allan and Meryn's preschool!  They had a blast and they even got to ride on real live ponies.  They were so extremely excited about that.  Meryn was so excited about rodeo day at school that the night before she put her boots on and wore them to bed just so she could already have them on when she woke up.  Too cute!!  When I did get her up she said mommy why didn't you take off my boots last night, I told her "I tried, but you wouldn't let me!"  As soon as I tried to take them off she woke up slightly and got very upset with me, so on the boots stayed!  Allan was excited as well, he pretty much had gotten a new wardrobe for this day.  His boots never came off, nor did the belt or hat.  His teachers said that he was so proud of his cowboy gettup!  So I am going to try and upload some pics from Rodeo Day, but bare with me because I have yet to really learn how to put the pic on my actuall post...  Lol

Meryn and Allan right before we headed off to Rodeo Day at School

Allan pulled his sissy in for a kiss...  Aww what a sweet boy!

Had just tried on his new cowboy outfit...  He looks so proud of himself

Now this is my fav...  What a HANDSOME DEVIL HE IS!

Happy Valentines To One and All...

Wishing everyone a happy valentines day!  There's not too much to tell about my valentines.  My mother in law kept my children Saturday night so that my husband and I could have some much needed time together.  We have been really busy with work and the kids schedules to stop and just appreciate one another, so that's just what we did.  Bear made us some chicken fajitas for dinner and we sat and watched the movie The Blindside together!  It is a REALLY, REALLY GREAT movie!  I recommend everyone watch it.  Then we just snuggled on the couch and then we wanted some sweets so we went to our favorite ice cream place... Cold Stone!  Then today (Sunday) which is actually valentines day, we got up met our family at church and then had a big family get together at my in laws.  After we filled our bellies with some home-cooked fried chicken I had to cut my visit short and go to work.  Kohl's was depending on me to come save them in the jewelry department from the torture of last minute shoppers...  lol!  Hope everyone had a very HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Joyful Noise Preschools Bridge Class

If you or anyone you know is looking to BRIDGE their child whom is the age of 5 years and not quite ready for kindergarten you can come and join Joyful Noise Preschool at Jersey Village Baptist Church  this fall and come be apart of our bridge class.   Registration will start end of March and early April!  It is a great program for those parents who are leary and not quite sure if their child is ready for the big time at elementary school.  You can contact the school by phone or email at this address http://www.jvbc.org/ if you are interested in this class for your child.  We need I believe at least 6 children to keep this class open and available, so if your not sure call make an appointment to stop by and check out our facilities and see for yourself. 

Thank You and have a Blessed day!
Natalie

It's No Fun Being Sick

Wow...  Where to start!  My husband was out of town last weekend and I was sick with a 48hr stomach bug.  It was NO FUN taking care of my kiddos by myself on Friday all day when I was sick the worst!  I won't go into details or anything, just be glad if you haven't had it that you don't get it.  I was in such bad shape that my mother in law had to come over and get the kids and take my oldest to her hip hop practice.  And, being the best mother in law she is, she brought me some much needed soup from Panera Bread.  It was so sweet and the soup was fantastic!  The rest of the weekend was spent at my in laws house trying to recover while my mother and father in law helped take care of my kids.  On the other hand there was a good ending to that weekend which came in the form of me not having to work Sunday at Kohls because another co-worker of mine needed the hours and I was still reeling from being sick.  Which then led to me getting to see my husband and spend time with him that evening when he finally arrived home!

HONEY...  I'm sure glad your home!!!

One Of The Best Ever...

I had a wonderful birthday!!  It started at work on Wednesday when I was given a sash to wear around work all day.  Each person to pass me by wished me happy birthday.  It was fantastic!  Then Thursday the the 21st was my actual birthday, and I awoke to some flowers from my husband and then the day just got better.  I then went to lunch with some old family friends and it was wonderful, I got to hold a newborn baby...  always so much fun!  Then Allan, Meryn, Madison and I came home and enjoyed the beautiful weather by riding bikes and just playing outside.  Then my husband came home a little early and made me a wonderful dinner.  He made me Chicken Parmasean and homeade Alfredo...  absolutely wonderful!  The kids and Bear sang happy birthday to me and then we ate the most delicious upside down cupcakes that were covered in milk chocoate and drizzled with white icing.  Hmm, hmm, hmm!  Friday was dinner night with the family for my birthday at Los Cucos and it was fabulous.  The food there is excellent, haven't had a bad dish yet. 

Then Saturday we woke up did all our weekend chores, then off it was to shop and pick out what I wanted for my birthday!  I love this idea, think we will do that every year!  Then we came home and my mother in law came over and we made a trip to walmart.  We needed to pick up a few items so the trip there was quick.  Then once I came home it was off running to the shower.  I had about an hour and a half to get ready and meet some girlfriends for dinner and a movie for my birthday!  We went to Chilis and we ate and talked and hugged on one another.  Some of us hadn't seen one another in a while.  Even though service there was soooo bad, we still had a great time just gabbing the hours away.  Then we headed to the movies and saw Leap Year.  It was so good...  very romantic and cute.  Amy Adams is in it and she plays the part great! 

Sunday was a day full of family and eating an early lunch and dinner.  Then we all headed home early.  Very busy week for us, my husband has classes Mon.-Thurs. this week and then he leaves Friday for Dallas off to a business convention.  So needless to say we won't see much of him any this week and over this coming weekend til he arrives home on Sunday evening about 4:00/5:00.  We will miss him dearly, it will be an adjustment.  The kids and I haven't ever gone that long without seeing him that little or at all, we are trusting our trusty dog Blue to take excellent care of us while he is away and of course our Almighty above!!!

Hip Hop... Kohl's... Bridal Extravaganza.... Church... All In One Weekend... Whew!

Well Friday was the start of a busy weekend.  Hip Hop with my oldest daughter, left me measuring and calculating her size just right, so we could get her recital costume ordered for Recital.  Which by the way is in June!  Then it was back home for a short while before off to work at Kohl's for a six hour shift!  It was extremely busy when I got there.  Then the traffic of customers died down a little, but work didn't!!  I was busy prepping for clearance, which means scanning and rearranging the jewelry so that I know what goes on clearance and what stays at sale price value.  So I left with a soar back from bending over constantly.

Then today I attended the Bridal Extravaganza with my soon to be sister in law, her mother, my mother in law and my oldest daughter!  We had a blast!!  I don't think that I have ever tasted so much cake in my life!  We saw so many beautiful venues for rent, so many that I don't even know how Chrissy is going to choose from the list.  We saw flowers and dresses, which fortunately for us and Chrissy we don't have to worry about.  She has choosen and bought the ONE...  She is wanting to keep the look of the dress a mystery, so we will just have to wait to see it.  It was such great fun, it was just the girls and we loved it!!  I never got to experience the Bridal Extravaganza, so I lived it with Chrissy today. 

And you know what?  I really am glad that my wedding was planned in such short time and that I didn't have all the fuss, I really think that I would have went just nuts!  Poor Chrissy can't make up her mind, and I can't blame her.  There are so many good deals and beautiful places and great tasting cakes out there, that I wouldn't even know where to begin to make a choice.  My wedding was short, simple and gorgeous all to boot!  It was a FABULOUS DAY!  Thanks to Chrissy for letting me tag along.  Well I have got to get off this thing now because the bed is calling my name or I won't be able to get up for church in the morning. 

Then once were home from church, it's off to the kitchen to make some very hot and delicious stew that I have said for the past two days I was gonna make!  Hmmm....  I can already taste it.  Let yall know how it turns out, I have never made stew.  Have only ever made soup, so we shall see.  GOOD NIGHT!

Well It's Back To School And Work Tomorrow

The break has been wonderful, but it had to end at some point.  I was just hoping that point would wait til next week, nope!  No such luck.  The kids had a wonderful Christmas, the New Year has come in with a bang and been great thus far, and the Lord has been good to us.  All things that I wish for all my friends and family!  I am starting my day back tomorrow with not knowing who my co-teacher will be.  See...  the woman who co-taught with me decided not to return to teaching after this Christmas break, so I am left an uneasy feeling about school this last half of the year. 

So if you will, say a prayer that the Lord will guide my hand to teach my kiddos what they need to know and that he will come in and put my mind and nerves at ease with a brillant and loving co-teacher and soon.  I have allways been a firm believer in the saying, "when one door closes, another one opens!"   Have a wonderful first day back to all my fellow teachers and friends just going back to work. 

So It's 2010... No Way!

So today was filled with many, many things to do. All my kiddos spent the night with their grandma so I got to sleep in for the first time in a long time! I shouldn't have slept in though, there were too many things to get done before the little get together we were having tonight. Then I remembered the kids and I were going to go and visit their G.G. and Papaw, so the picking up and cleaning was now going to be in rush mode. Oh well, being with family is what is important and all other stuff can wait til the New Year, maybe!

When we arrive home all the kids wanted to do was pop fireworks! Of course they did! So we did til about 11:00 and then came in, the wind made it so cold we couldn't bare to be outside any longer. Five minutes after being inside Allan fell right to sleep, had to change him while he was asleep to his pj's and he didn't move a muscle. Was out like a light... The rest of us watched the ball drop with Dick Clark, and about 30 minutes later the girls were asleep. Life is good and now I am gonna call it a night.

Hope everyone is safe out on the roads tonight and that we are all blessed with a wonderful and prosperous New Year!

Natalie