Texas

I've never had a bad thing to say about Texas only that it is too far from everyone in my family. Aside from that small hiccup Texas is wonderful. We love the mild winters and the snow that has shocked us almost a dozen times over the last 5 years. The summers are hot and humid but we've always found some sort of water outlet to make it great. I LOVE the spring and the crazy thunderstorms and rain that they bring. I love the wild flowers that pop up all through spring. I love the church going and God fearing people. I love the patriotism. I love that it is super family friendly. I love my book club and regular play dates. I REALLY love that we've been so close to David's family. We have been spoiled and loved by them beyond measure. We've never had to wonder if we could get a babysitter or where we'd be for a holiday dinner. It has been a luxury and blessing I know we will miss. I love that our 3 oldest children will always be "Texans" in my mind. I really do love Texas. I love that we've been surrounded by people in the same boat as life as us. We've watched our husbands go through grad schools and our kids have grown together. I've made some of the best friends I could ever imagine here. Some of which have already moved away and some who will be here for awhile. I've had friends who treat my kids like their very own and would do anything for us. I try to remind myself that life can't stay the same forever and change is good but the memories and friends I've made in Texas will always be some of my very favorites. We'll miss you Texas.

Cruising

David and I had been hoping/planning for a graduation/5 year anniversary cruise for awhile. We had a blast and took a few of self portraits that looked like this but not many other pictures. In Cozumel we signed up for the ropes course and zip lining on the side of a beach. It was awesome.

They started me on the 60 foot climb. I made it halfway decided to be done and then promptly walked myself over to the 30 foot tower just so I could climb myself to the top. I'm all about building my own self esteem.

Here's David about to repel from the tallest tower. This is a big deal seeing as my guy is not to fond of heights.

And here was the foggy sunset picture we took from our balcony the first night after seeing a few dolphins. David and I spent 6 days side by side. We figured out the longest we were apart were the 30 minutes he decided to go run outside on the track and I stayed in the gym. It was amazing to feel like honeymooners and much needed before we spend the summer apart while he's at officer training. I will admit I missed the kids a lot but I knew they were in good hands with David's Mom. Not to mention all of his siblings who doted on all of them. THANK YOU!

I'd write more but our life is about to get crazy with moving and traveling next week. Not to mention I feel this desperate need to write a blog pot about how I'll miss the great state of Texas but mostly the amazing friends I've made here. But that's for another day. All I can say is that we had a blast and it was well worth the wait. I think we'll start planning our 10 year anniversary cruise just to have something on the calendar!!

D.D.S.

David is officially done with dental school. I have never been more proud of someone in my entire life. As they all filed in in their gowns (note: lilac is the official dental color) I got pretty emotional thinking about all that he's accomplished. I've seen first hand all of the studying, work, stress, anxiety filled weeks, and craziness that accompanies Baylor. There is nothing like watching years and years of work finally come to such a sweet end. He worked hard and put his family first the entire time. Way to go David!!!!

On the Prairie

Sometimes (when I forget about my love for technology) I think I was born in the wrong century. I really do. I want a dozen kids. I want acres and acres of field behind my house with chickens and ducks running around. Maybe a few horses. I want my own massive garden. I want my kids to be able to run outside and play for hours never getting bored and I want life to be simple. But I'm not sure I'm ready to give up electricity and running water for it. So let's not get into logistics about what I'd have to give up to get there. I know we could still live on a farm and lots of land but you can't escape completely into that era and that's what I want most. Wouldn't it be swell just to try?? I'm going somewhere with this I really am... a couple weeks ago one of my favorite people Elizabeth announced a give away for "On the Prairie" mini sessions. I just about died. At least my kids could pretend to live the life I yearn for. So after a lot of recruiting for people to enter in my name David's mom won it for me! Hurray! These shots are stunning and priceless. Maybe some day we will own that white house with a wrap around porch but until then these pictures will always represent my dreams.

This is my very favorite. Maybe I should go try and convince David of that farm after all... either way I think I'm going to keep dressing up the kids like this once in awhile.

Hannah Turns 2

Two pictures that explain Hannah's life as a 2 year old. It's no secret (maybe because I shout it from the rooftops) that she is an anomaly to me. I don't know why she screams at any stranger who looks her direction or heaven forbid try to talk to her. I don't know why she doesn't cry when she skins her knees but will burst out in tears if we say her name sternly. I don't know why she gave up her binky at 14 months without a fight but almost kicked the pediatrician in the face yesterday when he tried to look in her ears. I don't know why at exactly 2 years she is ready to potty train. I don't know why she doesn't care about the typical girly things (like princesses) but can make shooting noises when she plays with army men.

Here's what I do know about Hannah. She is fiercely loyal. Once you are in her good graces she will love, hug and kiss you like you're the best person in the world. She says "thank you" all the time without being told to say it. She loves her brother and sister and asks constantly where they are if I take her somewhere by herself. She is the best cuddler. She'll sit in my lap for an hour completely content if I scratch her back. She lets me know she needs me and is never too independent.

So on those days I'm embarrassed to take her out in public because she has an affinity for yelling at anyone who looks her direction I'll remember how truly sweet she is one on one. I can't wait till this little girl starts to communicate better so I can actually understand all of her emotions and anxiety towards new people.

Happy Birthday Hannah Banana.

Spring 2011 Pictures

It's no secret Bree has been our official family photographer for a couple of years now. Everytime my Mom sees pictures she has done for us she always asks if Bree is in business yet. I've harassed her for months now about taking the plunge. And she finally DID!

Check out her website B Marie Photography. Her prices are insanely cheap for the amount of pictures you'll walk away with. And most importantly, she is beyond patient with uncooperative crying kids (cough cough Hannah) and even if your child is crying the entire time she will pull off AMAZING shots. And feel free to bug her about what to wear and color coordination as she also is my resident stylist. Without further ado here are some of my favorites.

And just in case you thought it was all smiles and Bree's job really couldn't have been hard. Take a look at this... because I can assure you about 90% of the pictures looked like this.

I posted the whole album of facebook. Thank you Bree! I will miss our pedicures, shopping trips (where you try to convince me I can pull something off), I will miss sitting in your beautifully decorated house wishing it was mine and mostly I'll just miss you. But I promise you this wont be our last photo session!

Mothers Who Know

Julie B. Beck's talk Mothers Who Know is one of my all time favorites. I've listened to it at least 3 times in the last couple of months. David and I were raised by "mothers who know". If you don't know what that means click on the talk for a great read. My Mom raised 8 kids and now has almost 30 grandchildren (and we aren't done yet!). Needless to say that my siblings and I were taught that having children is a privilege and a blessing. She loves being a Mom and she is great at it. I loved coming home from school and seeing her scriptures and lesson manuals sprawled across the table as she prepared for her seminary and gospel doctrine lessons. There was never any question of her love for the Gospel or for her family. My sister once said about my Mom "She is the best conversationalist in the history of conversation". I loved bringing my friends home because my Mom would sit them down at the kitchen island while she cooked and chatted with us. She'd always make them feel important by asking about their lives and they always adored her back. I could go on and on about life lessons and special moments I have with her but I won't. I'll simply say that being called LW (little Wendy) by my Dad and my siblings is the greatest compliment I've ever received.

David's mom is the mother of 6. I feel so blessed that we've lived within 30 minutes of my in-laws for the last 5 years. David's Mom has taken me in as one of her own. I feel so comfortable with her and I know I could ask anything of her. She's come down to kill the yellow jackets that invaded our living room awhile back and she always calls me from Costco or children's clothing stores just to see if she can pick up anything for me. I used to make fun (okay maybe I still do) of her being 100% feeler and that one day I'm going send Hannah to live with her so they can understand each other. But the truth is I have learned so much and come to truly appreciate the compassion and emotion that comes along with this huge feeler. And I'm grateful to Lori everyday for raising David. Not many men are ready to embrace a large family, let alone spaced close together. But David gets it. He saw his own Mom enjoying her children. She taught him the importance of family and because of that there was never a moment's hesitation in being ready and willing to be a father to many.

We often have people ask us about our future family size... usually they make a comment about how that's great but we are maybe a little bit nuts. I've come to respond with a phrase I've been using more and more often. "Yes, but you have to remember David and I have both seen it done. And done REALLY well."

(Picture by the amazing Bree. More to come later.)

And then there are these 3. Oh what a joy it is to be a mother. I couldn't ask for anything more.