head family

random catch up:)

2010-08-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

not sure where the time has gone but it has been forever since i looked at this blog. we have been so busy w/ summer "stuff"...lots of birthdays, traveling, swimming and PLAYING! It has been such an amazing summer! We have been so blessed. Janson and I continue to be amazed as God opens doors, answers prayers and shows us His vision for us. Sometimes we feel like we are living in a bubble:) we have three healthy girls, each other, great family, a great church in a great town and amazing friends!!!! i just never want to take a day for granted...guess that is my daily prayer:))) here are a few random pics of the girls...
this is kailyns bday present! i got it at a thrift store for under $2 and embroidered K on it! she absolutly LOVES it! so much that she wears it EVERYWHERE!
precious kyleigh grace...

The Oasis in Austin!

the girls double birthday party. started out at the water park but when the lightening and rain moved in we all came to our house...was crazyness! but they would have never known...they had a GREAT time!

kelsey blowing out her my little pony cupcake

kailyn blowing out her rainbow cupcake...

at the water park before the storm...my dad and kyleigh

kailyn paige

we had family pics done at my parents! miss kyleigh 5 months.

janson and girls

me and girls.

the family:)

What a GREAT summer it has been! I cannot believe miss kyleigh is over 6 months old, kelsey is going to first grade and kailyn will be in Pre-K! Crazyness!!!!..oh and i started my own business. check it out! http://www.petalsclothesbowsandmore.blogspot.com

a long time...

2010-06-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

miss kyleigh
my happy girl

miss kyleigh5 months old...where has the time gone????

kelsey modeling a shirt i made:)kelsey wearing another shirt i made..

kailyn before the play...

kelsey has lost 3 teeth and currently has three more loose...is that normal for a 6 year old? she loves it b/c has had the tooth fairy visit ALOT

took the girls to see the play Wizard of Oz!!! they LOVED it!! amazed me that they sat thru it, glued to it, for 3 hours w/out a peep:))) musicals are definitly in our future:)))

the girls have spent a lot of time at the gym this summer w/ dad...seems like the only way or time i get kyleigh to sleep if everyones gone! ha! kailyn showing off her muscles...she LOVES going to work w/ dad!!!

sisters! been making bows, dresses and shirts...trying to get a website up and going to start SELLING:))) we will see how that goes?? i really enjoy it!

thoughts from walmart:)

2010-04-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

not sure why but my brain takes off on thoughts/words/discussions and analyzes:)
so today at walmart this very sweet japanese women checked me out. as we talked she told me that she had 4 daughters...one at ucla, one at medical school, one engineer and one 14 years old. She works two jobs and her husband is back in Japan working to support thier kids and to give them a "better" life. I asked when does she see her husband and she said once a year..She said she and her husband work so hard to pay for their kids collage...at first i thought "wow, what sacrifice for their children" and wondered will their children ever realize what they did for them...
then as i drove home, I could not get her out of my head and God began to show me so much...first of all my admiration turned into sadness...we are ALL the same regardless of our culture or time period here on earth. We want the best for our kids/family but at what extent? We are raised thinking and taught to do your best, you can do anything, be a doctor or lawyer, make LOTS of money...we sacrifce everything for our children but in reality we are hurting them...putting them up on a pedestal and not teaching Truth/LOVE...from our very being we are taught that success is measured by earthly treasures and that is devestating to our souls...these are lies. i am not saying you dont want to do your best and make a "living" for your family but instead of the focus being on "us" why not God? What He wants and working for Him not for the new car or nicer home...Then to think she only sees her husband once a year...what is that teaching her kids? so them having a degree and making lots of money is better than seeing a loving/healthy marriage? that they, her kids, are more important than their own lives? was just so interesting how at first i automatically thought wow, and than as i thought my views broadened/changed and revealed my own heart/tendencies...
I was watching Guilianna and Bill on E and it completely solidified my thinking...They go on this resort/challenge and she starts crying b/c she realizes how much her parents worked leaving her home alone as a child...In the next segment they are talking about wanting kids but loving their jobs and that they can have both...WHAT? Does the cycle of insanity not ring any bells? Instead of breaking that cycle she will continue and it just makes me so sad that we are so blind to Truth/Importance and shortness of Life...
I guess in all reality the "truth" is that women did not know Christ and how can you know any better or break any cycles w/out HiM:) I told her she was so blessed to have such successful children and she said "no, it is b/c we work so hard"...i think if we follow things/words to the root, instead of only looking on the outside we will learn so much more:))

random:)

2010-04-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

janson getting his kids ready to run! regionals is in a week and a half! they did great @ district!
kyleigh at her first track meet! she did great!

janson and his girls...he is always showing them stuff on his ipod! they love it...too bad i am technology illiterate! guess he is starting kyleigh early...ha!

miss kailyn posing!

kyleigh grace

the girls w/ sterling. he turned 16 this week so we had to have a party for him!

kelseys new best friend...she is a shorkie...a mix b/w a yorkie and shitzu...we got her for only 100 dollars so thought that was pretty good deal and kelsey has been dying for a "small" puppy forever..she has been great w/ all of the responsibility:) reminds me so much of when i had my precious taffy when i was a little girl! she carries her around EVERYWHERE!

perspective...

2010-04-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

My perspective has been flawed lately and this morning God showed me this:) Matt talked about suffering/pain/sorrow this morning and joy/happiness...How The Bible is full of hardship, pain, suffering but how me and "my world" seem to think we are suppose to go through life happy, healthy and full of the things of this world...It is so easy to get caught up in that and in the mine, me syndrome...So often i look at my world and my life and think how i could do more or have more time, etc...not saying it is not good to strive for better but sometimes i so often try to fix/change it, that i am missing how God is using it to grow me closer to Him... thank you God for having patience w/ me:) and loving me!

2010-04-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

a busy weekend...Kelsey had a soccer game, we did kristins baby shower, had some of the track boys over for dinner, and district starts today...hopefully we will win district....
this is kyleigh and kash...Coach A's little boy...kyleigh and kash are only 10 days apart!

jan cooking away...notice kyleighs shirt says my dad rocks:) cute:)

janson w/ some of his crew...notice the girls running in the picture...

kelsey at her soccer game..they get to run out of a tunnel...think it is her favorite part! ha

tarrah holding miss kyleigh at the shower...beth got a pic of me holding kyleigh while she was laughing!!!

catching up...

2010-04-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Miss Kyleigh Grace is growing up so fast. She smiles, coo's and LOVES her big sisters...and BATH time:))) She has turned into such a happy baby and seems to be over all of the colic...She is sleeping pretty good considering my other two as babies:) I will admit that she is our cuddly baby...janson was always much more on top of putting the other two back in their crib but not miss kyleigh...not sure if that is just survival mode or we are just enjoying having a baby in the bed...Kailyn is still loving MDO and has finally started enjoying speech! yaaa! Kelsey has started soccer and LOVES it....I told janson i am officially a soccer mom:) Janson has been very busy w/ track...they are having a GREAT season and have district Mon/Tues...I have to say that my husband is an amazing coach, teacher, leader, friend, father and husband...So thankful!
Lately I have been thinking about how much God loves us...I look at our girls and think if He loves them more than I do, WOW....that is how much He loves me too...Over-whelming to think about...So many things are put in perspective when you have kids and I guess that is why He calls it one of His greatest Gifts:))) God has been pressing on Janson and my heart about the vision that He has for our lives...With such a big job of raising these precious gifts, its makes us look at our priorities daily and think what His calling is for us. Anyway, things are going GREAT and we just try to remember what a Blessed life we have everyday:)))
miss kyleigh @ 11 weeks.
my attempt of Easter pics...Kelsey posing and kailyn?? well whatever you call that!

kyleigh grace...10 weeks

miss kailyn before her Easter party at MDO

Kelsey and Kyeigh...She is SUCH an AMAZING big sister..she loves to hold her and is WONDERFUL w/ her!

Kelsey's first soccer game!

there she is walking out on the field...yes i was nervous and i thought i would never be a competitive parent..but i have to coach next year:) it is killing me!

before practice

again my girls in a nutshell..kelsey posing and kailyn miss priss w/ her hand on her hip:)

found these from last year and thought they were soooo cute

growing too fast

2010-03-10T09:50:00.000-08:00

Kelsey at soccer camp:)
Kailyn found someones ball??? wups!

Kelsey doing her first soccer drill...

notice kailyn in the picture...yes, i looked up and she was out there too...wups...

Miss kyleigh is growing up too fast...She is already 8 weeks and weighs 10 lbs! At first we were seeing more of kailyn in her but now i see kelsey? who knows...all of our babies seem to look alike at first and then go their own way so will be interesting to see if she favors kelsey/kailyn or neither:))) My mom found a pic of me when i was a baby and at first thought it was one of the girls but then realized it was me??? who knows! kelsey def. favors janson:))) that one is easy! ha! So life at our house as been pretty hectic...Janson has been SUPER busy w/ track...they are doing really good so that is exciting...I have been super busy playing taxi, nurse, chef, mom, playmate, and every other role:)))) I am not going to lie...three has been a challenge...not to mention kyleigh has developed colic...she cries a lot so my attention is w/ her which makes it really hard on the girls at times...I keep trying to think God is building resiliency in them and they will be fine but hard not to have moments of guilt...they are my babies too but my time seems very stretched...I am really wishing that we lived closer to family but maybe this is making us stronger?!?! ha! Kelsey is starting soccer!!! I took her to a camp last week (just a one day deal) but anyway she did so good and made me proud! I will say that she is not into getting dirty...at one time during the scrimmage she ran off of the field to tell me that she had a stain on her pants and needed to clean it:) too cute...Kailyn is loving mothers day out and her speech improves daily, literally! she talks ALL OF THE TIME now!! ha! They both LOVE being big sisters...I thought they would get tired of it and bored w/ kyleigh but NO, not at all....

thought this was too cute...trying to raise her head!

she was not wanting her picture...really mom????

my precious baby...notice i went back to blonde...something w/ being pregnant makes me go dark and then i go back blonde after...what is that!?!

no pics.

2010-02-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

so i have no pics b/c our computer is terrible and the new one is on the way:))) so sooner than later! anyway life w/ three is settling down and things are starting to see more normal! we have been sooo blessed w/ friends...we seriuosly have had meals straight for 5 weeks...this is the first week to cooking and has been good...the girls are big helpers...the only complaint is kyleigh seems to be colic...she screams most evenings so thankfully jansons hours are not terrible so we are able to pass her back and forth and get some relief:) once she falls asleep we are normally in the clear but getting her to sleep is quite the issue! other than that we are getting into the swing of things...i have started Hunger for Healing which is based to the 12 Step Program (celebrate recovery)...anyway i always knew i wanted to go through it again so am reading the book instead of actually commiting to meetings, ect w/ a new baby:) God has shown me so much freedom through step ONE...admiting i am powerless:) for some reason my sin constantly goes to wanting to control everything and me thinking I am God...He has def. shown me that I am not, HA, and until i let go He can not work fully or show me Joy, Peace..."His Fruits"!!! so that has been a huge blessing in chapter one...i daily have to lay it at the cross, my control, but so thankful he has given me that vision and some relief/PEACE in working on it:))))

Life w/ 3...

2010-02-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

Finally finished Miss Kyleigh's room....Thanks MOM for doing all of her bedding and thanks DAD for all of your painting and hard work!!!!

So if anyone was wondering how life w/ three has been at the Head Household...it has been a blur:) fun, rewarding, challenging, entertaining, smiles, laughter, trying, confusion, but most of all blessed:) God has been constantly reminding me of Martha and Mary in the Bible...I am clearly Martha and really need to learn to SIT at Gods feet...All I keep seeing and thinking is "all" that needs to get done, who needs to be filled up/loved on, what needs to be washed, etc...God keeps reminding me that the day will go on and how prideful of me to think otherwise:) Mary was so wise in seeing this and i so long to be like her!!! He has especially shown this to me through my c-section. He has limited/taken away my ability to do things the way i "normally" do things and gave me eyes to see MY STRUGGLES! MY CONTROL...anyway Martha and Mary have been on my conscience daily...a good thing but a struggle to let things GO and live for today...these years/days go by so fast to get frusturated by the small stuff!

The girls are loving having kyleigh home...so much that they fight over who gets to hold her, put in her pacifier, etc...hope this continues!!ha

Hope/Joy each day....

2010-01-14T06:06:00.000-08:00

My new favorite song by Nicole Nordeman

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
His father turns his face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Thought I would share...

2010-01-13T06:33:00.000-08:00

Ok so I just thought I would share what has been working so well for us:) I think, as a mom, we need LOTS of encouragement, new ideas, and the understanding of how HARD this job can be at times...I feel like I am beginning to see the FRUITS of me being at home and the "constant" fun battles we have had...there have been times I have thought nothing was working, all i do is get onto my kids and feel SO discouraged...A mom told me when kailyn was one and kelsey was 3 to just remember to be "consistent" and you WILL see fruits...know that (when you ask/seek) God gives you the tools/knowledge to guide and lead your kids...you may not see it but you WILL...anyway, lately God has shown me some some of that fruit and it is so exciting...at 5 1/2 and 3 1/2 I am seeing HELPERS w/ loving hearts (not all the time but just a blessing to see when it does happen) yes, still a lot of reminding/guiding/FRUSTURATION but just soooo THANKFUL for Gods faithfulness...
So there have been 3 "main" things that have been so helpful for us lately! One, Bedtime HONORS...so easy, made it myself, and it WORKS WONDERS for our girls...we have always had LOTS of problems w/ wanderers in the middle of the night...like getting in our bed! Anyway I am always a sucker and janson tries not to be:) But this chart has been a huge blessing...they get a sticker every night that they stay in their bed and do "bedtime bonanza"....bedtime bonanza is where they do everything they need to get ready for bed by theirselves, mainly...brush teeth, books, kleenex, dolls...then we all read and bedtime....w/ cheerful hearts:) if the next morning it was a success they get a sticker and after they get 7 in a row...they get sonic drink of their choice, donuts w/ dad, or a trip to the ticket box...something special for just them:) (yes, kailyn struggles more than kelsey:))

Next...This is our ticket box!! if you go to Michaels you can find an isle of dollar stuff...right now it is all .33 cents to 50 cents...i stock up!!! anyway they can earn tickets by doing chores (w/ happy hearts...this seems to be key..ha!), doing things we DO NOT ask them to do or by helping someone else...if they earn 5 they get to go to the ticket box....! they LOVE IT!!! they can also lose them by misbehaving...anyway yes it is bribary in a way but they are learning about earning something, saving it and how they want to use it...i find everything at micheals or targets dollar isle...watch and it will all go half off at times...that is when i buy and just save in a box...i constantly change things out, add to...to make it more exciting of what is in there??? just really simple like coloring books, markers, stickers, whatever i find...

my final staple...THE LIBRARY!!! FREE!!! we go once a week to the library to pick out books, check out movies/cds and they LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that time....anyway these are just some things we do that seem to make our life so much smoother...we still obviously have time-outs and a rare spanking but these things seem to cut out TONS of discipline issues:) and makes them think about their choices...I am always looking for new ideas so if you have any others feel free to share:)))) think encouraging each other is SOOOO important!!!

thank you

2010-01-03T09:31:00.001-08:00

Bring Restoration...
Bring Restoration...
Bring Restoration To My Soul....
God showed me this morning that through my pride, selfishness, and control issues, HE loves me...He brought me to my knees...to know that, ME...SOOO Broken...is chosen and Loved by Him...
Thank YOU God for loving me...Thank you God for forgiving me:)))) Bring Restoration to my SOUL:)))))

Catching up:)

2009-12-31T14:59:00.000-08:00

Soooo...we are about 7 hours away from January 1st where we will get maternity coverage for the new year!!! thank you, thank you miss Kyleigh Grace (her name we think, constantly changes:)) for staying inside...i have surpassed 36 weeks when i had kailyn so things are going GREAT:))) We stayed home for Christmas which was WONDERFUL!!! After a long football season it was SO nice to stay home and just enjoy being a family and hanging out...my parents, and jason/kristin/sydney and austin came up for Christmas so that was GREAT! Also it SNOWED on Christmas eve and remained on Christmas Day so the girls loved that...the only down side was before Christmas we passed around sickness after sickness...kailyn had pink eye, than i got a sinus infection and then kelsey came home from school the week before Christmas w/ bronchitis which got passed to kailyn and then to me!! so we def. did ALOT of bonding throughout the nights and Janson got to play around the clock nurse/doctor/errand runner..and ALL:)))) thankfully he never caught anything! anyway we are all doing good and ready for miss kyleigh..the girls are SO excited...they constantly ask her when she is coming???? and kelsey has "everything" planned for when she gets here!
this is a pic. of miss kailyn wearing her new wedding dress having a tea party...

kailyn and miss sydney

kailyn carefully showing sydney our ordaments:)

so proud to be holding her new cousin...Austin!

Again...So PROUD:)

kelsey sporting her new hello kitty shirt, shoes and jeans! yes, we love Hello Kitty! and her new doll, Lauren Grace...she names everything:)

look at all of the snow!

last picture w/ jansons truck...Yes, he sold it and gets to drive my jeep:) funny story...he bought us a tahoe off of ebay and sold his truck w/in 48 hours....actually it has been an absolute blessing...he got a REALLY good deal on a used tahoe which our new family of 5 can ALL fit in...the girls love that they can run to the back...much more room! anyways he was a little sad to see his truck go but maybe when he is....60 he can get another??? ha! 3 girls, 3 weddings...probally not much sooner! ha!!!

convicted...

2009-12-08T06:50:00.001-08:00

totally convicted this morning...i got up and felt led to read Hebrews and WOW did God open my eyes...after a very spiritually/emotionally dificult football season he showed me my little/lack of Faith...so many times I felt defeated, unequipped, w/out, and just so tired but He showed me this morning He Knows and is in Charge of EVERYTHING...He showed me how when times are hard and tough do i go to HIM or do i dwell in my own pity??? yeah, my own pity...hopefully i will take this, grow and learn...
Hebrews 11 talks about Faith and love this from Hebrews 12: 1
We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back....
So often i wonder why He loves me? He is continually there for me...through ALL of my faults:)

what a weekend...

2009-12-07T13:49:00.000-08:00

We had a busy weekend...The Ryan Raiders are officially done w/ a long football season...Bad and good...bad they lost but wonderful to have normal "family" life back:) Plus, they had a GREAT season and were only a game away from state! so we are sooo proud them!!!! Janson said he slept amazing on Sat. night knowing he didnt have to go in on Sunday and he laughed at me all day b/c he was amazed by how happy, layed back, and, as he says, my old self came shining through! amazing the stress that is relieved knowing i have HELP at home:))) On Sun. morning Kailyn had her Christmas Musical at MSBC...we almost didnt go b/c she would not even go on stage at rehearsal but i felt it was imp. for her to try and us be apart of it regardless if she sang or not!?! but....she DID and she was SO proud of herself!!!! this is the girls before we left
sisterly love...

kailyn up on stage...I did shed some tears...it is always so emotional to see my babies growing up...and i was so proud of her:)

Ok so this has a story...my mom ALWAYS, literally ALWAYS, talks about wanting to park in the expecting mothers parking and thanks to me she FINALLY got to...I had to take her picture by the sign...She was very excited!!!

After church we went to El Chicos to eat and then decided to see if Santa was around?? Sure enough he was and Kelsey and Kailyn were on their way to see him...

Right before they went up to see him...I was NOT allowed to take anymore pics after this...they had signs up so i decided to abide by them:))) Kelsey asked him all kinds of questions like where is your sleigh? how did you get here? where are your reindeer??? Kailyn had NO FEAR...they were very excited!

still playing:)

2009-12-02T15:40:00.000-08:00

so the big "game" is Sat @ 2pm...we play guyer h.s for a 2nd time...crosstown rivalry! should be exciting...the good news is my dr. goes to the games so if the excitement puts me into labor he will be there:)))) tonight they are actually taking the kids to McKinney to practice and he hopes to be home by 10...all this to say I MISS my HUSBAND!!!!!
2 Corinthians 4 8-10
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies...

God took me to this verse:) amazing how he works:))))

aunt autumn and uncle trav.!!!!

2009-11-28T16:50:00.000-08:00

As kelsey says it has been too long since we have seen aunt autumn and uncle trav....today they were going to the tech vs baylor game so we met them for lunch before the game:))) The girls before we left in their new "K" t-shirts...thanks to miss kristin:))) we love them!!!
Aunt Autumn brought the girls SUCKERS!!! they reminded me of the ones at disney world...the girls were very excited....

kailyn wanted a picture by "myself"!!!

cute trav. and aunt autumn....they are in houston...autumn teaches/cheerleader coach and trav. engineer somewhere:)

kailyn and dad playing lolipop, lolipop, ohlala lolipop!!! thanks for teaching her that song:)

doing what uncles do best..."holding" her sucker for her!

kailyn explaining how HIGH she wants to go up in the air!!!

here she goes...

things have been a little bit of a blur at the head house:) w/ waiting to have miss kyndal grace (we think?), finishing out the playoffs, holidays coming/going and finishing out kelseys first semester of school:) crazy! she has done so good and we are extremely PROUD of her! I just started a new book!!! Codependent No More by Melody Beattie!!! I literally cannot put it down...very eye opening w/ lots of truth...always fun to face your own ememies:))) ha! thanks tarrah for that one:))))

thank you, thank you, thank you.....

2009-11-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

thank you to my wonderful friends and family for a wonderful day of celebrating our precious new little girl!!! me and the girls before the shower...kelsey and kailyn were so excited sporting their "new" hello kitty dresses and sparkle shoes from their wonderful janjan and nana!!!

kristen, christa, beth, me and tarrah....my precious hostess's and wonderful FRIENDS:) (and little miss reese, kelsey and kailyn:))

us again...kinda blurry...think my mom was on photography? ha!

kelsey and kailyn got their "own" gift too...my sweet friends always thinking:)

and they were very helpful in opening...

i couldnt have asked for a better day w/ friends and family...we are so blessed!! thank you, thank you, thank you:))))

kinda glad its over:)

2009-11-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

So i have to say I am glad the month of October is OVER...After a full week of "fall festivals", kelseys class party on Friday, and never ending outfit changes i am exhausted:))) So yesterday we went to our homegroups neighborhood "fall ministry" and it was such a success... everyone lined up their cars and decorated them and then the neighborhood kids trick r treated from car to car....thanks staci for supplying us w/ the hawaian themed car! there was a bounce house, pizza and then trick r treating..

this is pattie...she is amazing and one of the reasons everything went so great!

lining all of the kids up...

kelsey, kailyn and avery...hanging out in dads truck...

so afterwards we went home and got the girls ready to go around the neighborhood for their trick r treating!!! kelsey was "wearing" me out...she wanted to be a scardy cat, LAST MINUTE...what?? we have gone from butterfly, to ballerina, to fairy , to NOW a "scardy" cat whatever that is...so this is the best i could do! made some ears, pin her on a tail and used mascara for her face...kailyn was a butterfly...glad i did not spend any money on halloween costumes b/c we are way to wishy washy for that:))) so here we go!

our neighborhood friends aubrey and addy!

this is one of our neighbors, Dick...he went all out, kinda overboard and freaky if you ask me:) this guy to the left was in an electric chair...kailyn literally went up, got her candy and JETTED!

Kailyn checking out her bag after she got her first piece of candy...after every house she asked us if she could eat her candy:))) not really in to waiting...

janson trying to explain the "game" of trick r treating...ha!!! notice kelsey is not to be found...she has it figured out...she was "running" from house to house!!!

so all in all we had a great night...lots of sugar that needs to find a home...am slowing tossing candy:))))

dress-up all week:)

2009-10-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

All week at Kelseys school they got to dress up as something different..this day was western day...funny b/c those boots she is wearing are size 9...she is a 10 1/2...she was going to wear those boots regardless, and did...ALL DAY
today was Hawaian Day...ally and kelsey

and yeah today was kailyns halloween party at MDO...she was SO excited to finally have her day! She changed her mind on what she was going to be a thousand times...she ended up as a butterfly...this was the best we could do:) those are her antennas on her head:)

tomorrow is kelseys fall festival! for some reason i volunteered to make a billion cookies for them to decorate...not sure about how all that is going to go:)))

forgot one:)

2009-10-27T09:14:00.001-07:00

the girls...

2009-10-26T13:40:00.000-07:00

thank you to my wonderful and talented friend...Kristin Adams!!!! She took pictures a few weeks ago of the girls and i have to say i think she is AMAZING:))) thank you, thank you, and thank you!!! you are such a wonderful friend!!!

so at the head house things have been a bit crazy...i have felt like things have been falling apart...I have also learned ALOT about how unbelievable easy it is to begin putting my thoughts, hopes and faith in "the world" and forgetting about "My Father", his Grace and that he is always there...in the past 2 weeks we have had our air conditioning break, my windshield wipers break (not good w/ all of the rain), me get a rather huge ticket for answering my phone in a school zone (big no, no if you didnt already know:), jansons deductable on his truck (but did get the truck back, so no more carpooling:), have a cyst growing off of my eyebrow that we found out has to be surgically removed and the decision of what to do about health insurance (long story)....anyway i have felt the weight of the world on my shoulders....then yesterday at church Matt preached about having a quite soul and much more that "really" hit home to me and then today i "happened" to read in Matthew 6 25-34 (which janson is always reading to me:) but verse 34 stuck differently..."Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"

I guess it is in us to "worry" (our sinful nature) but I feel lately I have to be constantly reminded to LAY it at the CROSS...know this is Gods Grace and Love but I just have SO much to learn!!!

random...

2009-10-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

random pictures of the past week...kailyn getting ready for bella dancerella!!!
starting our "stretching" routine;)))

the girls on friday night...kelsey reminded me of rocky w/ wearing her hat and then she was constantly running up and down the stairs...

birthday party...amazing the money people spend on their kids bday party...this one had a professional face painter, balloon guy, magician, popcorn machine and MORE....will say we had FUN:))))

kelsey and friendsme and kailyn...you cant tell here b/c my "belly" is hiding but have gained 25lbs...YES i am out of control...oh well, worry about it in february:))))

leaving party...that is ally on far right!

Loving Thursdays:))

2009-10-08T08:49:00.001-07:00

My mom and I got this in Canton...we got it for the baby to wear w/ the new little crocheted hats and hair bands but kailyn could not resist!!! she wanted it in HER hair....pretty cute, i have to say!
miss kailyn paige

nothing like a little PBS kids before MDO

ok so since life w/ a kindergartener began, I feel like a full time taxi cab service... i drive kelsey to school, then twice a week kailyn has speech for an hour, the other 2 days she has mdo, then back to get kelsey...my days fly! Well...THURSDAYS Janson does not have to be in as early so he takes kelsey to school, donuts w/ dad as kelsey says! I get extra time w/ kailyn and we take our time!!! it is wonderful!!!

So i finally finished Shattered Dreams...I am actually really sad about it b/c it was SO GOOD!! God showed me so much through this book about life, truth and love/grace in hard times!!! So my next book....Parenting From Surviving to Thriving by Charles Swindoll!!!! It has been on my heart to read something w/ parenting...A few months ago I read The Strong-Willed Child which was really good to read for any parent of any child:) Janson and I are def. feeling the coviction and weight of soon to be 3 precious little blessings and the job ahead in raising them...janson has been cracking me up b/c he is not a reader and he is even getting on the bandwagon w/ a book about Fathers and Daughters:))) Not that there is a right way to raise children but we are sure praying for the tools to guide, lead and walk w/ our girls through lifes challenges and difficulties...anyways life at the Head Household has been very busy...janson has been w/ us in spirit but NOT physically...we calculated that he is only eating one meal w/ us a week right now...sat. night...crazyness...I know that God desires me to lean on him and makes me 100% aware of this during season...I am thankful for His Grace and Goodness however it is suchhhhh a struggle! My heart desires family, family time, a husband/father and right now I feel very isolated and alone...but I am not! and that IS the "good news"!!!!!

Go Raiders!!!

2009-09-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

another big win!!! 52-7...some random pictures...us at bueno before game:)))
what kailyn does best! swing from anything she can find! miss competitive w/ the boys!

not sure what kind of smile kailyn is doing:)?:)?

2 deer in headlights...they are constantly off and exploring...this cracks me up b/c they so "know" they are apart of Ryan H.S!!! they know the song and ALL!

kailyn and janson! she has been attached to him lately!!!

of course picture at the end!!

kelsey had her school pictures this week...she is sooo much like her NANA!!! she woke me up at 6:30am to "roll" her hair and wanted her skirt ironed...

miss kailyn paige...

shattered dreams...

2009-09-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

uhhh....this book is so good! some parts seem heavy (truth) but loving it...so in chapter 14 a grandfather is talking about holding his grandson for the first time and the prayer he will pray over him...talk about truth/honesty and love...
pg 131....I havent held him yet; I havent looked into his eyes. But when I do, I think I know how I'll pray....
"O Lord, cure this child of the fetal moral disease w/ which he was born. Heal him through the forgving and cleansing power of Your blood. And then, as a beloved child through whom the life of the Trinity will be flowing, guide him through valleys where he will learn to abandon every dream but the dream of knowing YOU. Grant him dark nights when he feels desperately empty and alone, when he longs to experience a fullness and a joy he cannot provide for himself. In those moments, reveal to hom his desire for You and Yours for him. May he abandon his tortured soul to Your seeminly unresponsive care. But, please Lord, no more shattered dreams than are absolutely necessary. I do so want his life to be happy and full. Nevertheless, not my will for second things, but Your will for first things be done."
I CRIED as a I read this because as a parent you love your children so much and do not want harm but know that you have to trust God in their path...lonliness and heartache are sometimes what God calls for to find Joy in Him...whatever for their SALVATION...I could just see the LOVE this grandfather truly had for his grandbaby...true, selfless LOVE..the same God has for US...

Designs by DEBBIE:)))

2009-09-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

YEAH!!! My mom has been working on the girls bedroom...it started w/ doing the baby bedding and ended up w/ the girls getting a more "big" girl room too! we moved them out of the other room which will be the baby room and into this one! my mom has been working like CRAZY...like i have no idea where she gets all of the energy...she came up a few weeks ago and painted this room light purple and did the base boards...custom made the curtains/bedskirts and took all of the throw pillows home to start sewing...she got the cute ballerina pictures to put above their beds...the one above kelseys has brown hair and then kailyns has blonde...too cute! i love quilts and we found this one at marshalls and she cut it in half to make two twins!!! the throw pillows will be purple and some pokedot from curtains!
the start of the baby room...my moms gift to the "new" babies has always been to get their crib bedding...well, i "really" wanted it to be made!!! she tried hard to avoid it w/ finding all kinds of other sets for me to look at it but in the end i won!! this is the curtains, the rest to come!!!! It is a satin pink w/ green and pink twalle and then soft green from sydneys (my neices) bedding. my sister in law, kristin, gave me her old baby bedding and we have used all of the fabric to go w/ the babys bedding.....the baby furniture is going to be black...we have been soooo blessed...some good friends, staci and jeremy, are going to let us borrow their crib and changing table and paint it black...my dad is painting a dresser and glider that we already had black so YEAH:)))) in the beginning we were literally going to just put the baby in a pack n play in our bedroom b/c could not imagine spending any money (on baby stuff/accessories)w/ all of our pregnancy bills but we have been so blessed...THANK YOU!!!! it is so exciting to see it all coming together and the JOY of welcoming another precious baby girl home and into our family!!!

My baby LOST A TOOTH...

2009-09-18T07:14:00.000-07:00

Kelsey lost her first tooth yesterday!!! She is soooo EXCITED....kept looking in the mirror at her new smile and is VERY EXCITED about showing it off at school today!

Jansons truck after the wreck:) you would not think a pole would do this much damage...they are saying around 8, 000 in damage so probally not totalled..DARN:) thank goodness for insurance:))) We were planning on selling the truck before the baby to get the "family" car for me but looks like God has other plans:))))

should have got a front picture b/c the drivers side door won't open either and the front bottom is to the ground...Oh well, PRAISE GOD Janson is completely unharmed:))))

so thankful...

2009-09-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

James 1:2-4
"My brothers and sisters when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need."
It goes on to talk about wisdom and asking for wisdom...Anyway I have been reading James this week and I keep going back to this verse. I have been applying it to my life and praying over it daily (patience and wisdom)...well, amazing how God works....Last night at 11:30pm Janson went to get gas b/c he knew he had to pick up some kids for school the next morning and wouldnt have time...it was raining...he went to turn on to a main street and when he did he hit a wet spot, hit his breaks, and fish-tailed across the street, across oncoming traffic, through a ditch and hit a light pole....he said it was so odd b/c w/in seconds a girl knocked on the window to see if he was ok...he kinda shook his head looked to the other window and there was an older couple standing there. He got out and the girl was gone (this is all 11:30 at night) but the older couple kinda helped him process everything...a cop came by, they towed it (we are not sure if it considered totalled yet)...he is ok, he has a gash on his head and knees are bruised up but other than that we are SOOOO GRATEFUL!!! I literally couldnt sleep last night b/c I had this amazing gratefulness/happyness and just felt clear...like God gave us a glimpse of himself last night. I have to wonder if that girl was an angel or what and then thankful for the couple there. He didnt hit anyone or oncoming traffic which is purely Gods grace and protection. So this morning as I open the work i reread this scripture and am sooo grateful for Gods comfort, love, peace and joy...

guidance and patience PLEASE:))))

2009-09-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

I have SO MUCH to learn...God please teach me to be more selfless, patient, and gracious...I know that I need to draw nearer to you during football season but uhhhh....i do NOT like being a single parent during season:(((( I have got to get over my "pity party":)))))

let the dinners begin:)))

2009-09-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

We had our first dinner of the season w/ the running backs last night...Such a great group of kids!!! they keep us laughing and on our toes!!!!

had to bust out football videos/highlights afterwards...Go Raiders!!! We play Mckinney this week:

Another big WIN:)))

2009-09-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

Friday night FOOTBALL!!!

"Shattered Dreams"

2009-09-04T06:53:00.000-07:00

Shattered Dreams (Gods unexpected pathway to Joy) by Larry Crabb!!! I highly recommend this book!!! It is so good...it talks about how we all have our ideas for our lives, plans, dreams but eventually they will shatter, take a different turn or just not be what or how you imagined...Only through your constant faith in Christ will you ever get past earthly desires (temporary happiness) to find truth...JOY:)
"But only a fulfilled desire for God provides the power to consistently resist the lure of lesser pleasures and to stay anchored in Christ when life's storms rage." (pg.96)
The book uses Namoi's story to show how she went through tragedy w/ her husband and 2 sons dying but when she came back to Bethlehem, "the barley harvest was beginning" (Ruth 1.22)After ten years of being miserable she begins to find joy...through her struggles...Anyway this book is REALLY good so thought I would share:)))

that makes 3!!!

2009-09-01T10:17:00.001-07:00

Kailyns First Day of MOTHERS DAY OUT!!!

This is how they play...CONSTANTLY...see, he doesnt need a boy to play rough with:))))

It is a Girl:))) We found out yesterday that we are having a girl and everything looks GREAT... My placenta is low, so that automatically takes away my option of having a V-Bac...Thank you God for taking that out of my hands and now I do not have to think about it or wonder...

life as a Coach's Kid:)

2009-08-29T06:28:00.000-07:00

First of all...WELCOME GEORGE AUSTIN MCNEIL!!!! He came last night at about 11:25pm weighing 7 lbs 4 ounces and 20 In....!!! YEAH!!!
These are the girls before the game....the only blue shirts i had so they were matching:)))
Janson in action...he is in the white shirt...

Janson again!!! white shirt...

his "football" daughter!!! She actually watches the game...or watches for janson and the cheerleaders!!!

me and the girls...

janson comes by to see the girls at half time:))))

Kenny and the girls...

Kelsey doing kartwheels on the field!!! she has been practicing and practicing:)))

Janson and Kelsey...

Kailyn and "my daddy"...she couldnt wait to get DOWN there!

janson and girls!

the family!

best part of a being a coach's kid...running on the field after the game!!! all of the kids have SO much fun...

and here is kailyn catching the grasshoppers...she LOVED them...

Got ONE!!!

Day 2; Day 3!!!

2009-08-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

Day two went GREAT....I picked her up from school and she talked and talked...She made two new friends and one of them "even has the same shoes as ME" that is the first thing she said:))) which is soooo COOL, apparently!!! She loves her teacher and DID GREAT!!! (i did better too:))
Day THREE: Well...funny story..she had a good day but our first, of many i am sure, dramatic situations...when i took her into school she told me that she wanted me to pick her up in the carpool lane b/c the day before one her friends got picked up that way...I said, "ARE YOU SURE"...YES, mom...!!!! Ok so today I got there plenty early so I would be in front and when she came out she was IN TEARS...BAWLING...I got out and she ran to me and wouldnt let go....She said that she NEVER wants to do that again until she is 5 1/2 (had to laugh) Anyway she said when she got into the cafeteria and didnt see me waiting she got sad and that is when she started crying...I even got an email from her teacher saying she was so sorry but didnt know what to do...so for now on, I WILL be going IN to get her:))))

A Hard Morning, for me....

2009-08-24T07:28:00.001-07:00

Kelseys first day of kindergarten was today...She woke up ready to go and very excited!!! Janson was able to talk w/ Coach Flo and miss practice this morning...I can not tell you how big of a deal that was for Janson...Thank you God for him being there w/ me b/c I needed him!!! and kelsey was SOOOO excited to see him when she woke up this morning...I do not know what is wrong w/ me...i am going to blame my pregnancy hormones:))) The morning started out great...but then literally when I walked in the front door of the school the tears ROLLED...I didnt want kelsey to see me so I went back outside...there was an administrator out there and came up to me and said "you have a kindergartener??" and gave me a hug..very sweet..so dried up my tears and went back into the gym to find kelsey, kailyn and janson...We walked her to her room w/ me trying not to look at her....and then again as soon as she walked in the flood came again!!! I gave her a QUICK hug and ran out of the room...If it wasnt for Janson she never would have made it in the building, much less to her room...I am truely excited for her and know she is sooo excited so I have no idea what is wrong w/ me...I guess it is a loss of control (trying to pull from recovery:)) ha! She has done mothers day out but this just seems so different....I am so proud of her and know she will do great!!! hopefully time will help me too:)))

This is Kelsey first thing this Morning!!

Brushing her teath (yes, i went picture crazy and documented her entire morning)
Her outside w/ her bookbag!

Me and Kelsey!!! (w/ baby!!! 18 weeks:))

Kelsey and Janson!!! Do they not look just alike!!!

On the way to school!!!

Janson and Girls...

Notice how READY and EXCITED she is....She is READY to go....

Kelsey in "big" chair in the library...

The fish tank in the library...

And Kelsey in the classroom..right before I DARTED out:(

Kelseys Mothers Day Out teacher sent this to me today...she has known kelsey since 18 months old...Thanks Ms. Amy:)))

A Mom's Prayer On the First Day of School

Here we are again, Lord. Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed and their lunch accounts are full.
And I know you'll walk with them, Lord. You always do. But a mom…a dad….still has to ask.
Will You walk with them? Will You whisper to them what they need to hear, when I'm not there to whisper it?
Will You please, oh please, cover their school with the protection only You can give, and will You keep harm far away?
Will You make their minds strong and ready to learn? Will You help them understand that hard work honors the One who created them?
Will You guide their teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and more patience? Will You bless them for their efforts?
Will You love all those children there, the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full, the ones who feel alone? Will You teach my children to be kind and unselfish and to love those who are different from them?
Will You point them back toward home just as soon as you can?
Lord, I give them to You today and everyday, trusting them to Your care.
Amen.

meet the teacher!

2009-08-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

Meet the teacher NIGHT...I have been totally calm/just excited about kelsey starting kindergarten until the MOMENT I WALKED IN THE DOOR...I have no idea what came over me but a blanket of emotion, memories, tears, MY BABY IS LEAVING ME....anyway I had to literally look away from kelsey, her new teacher...and GET MYSELF TOGETHER....I was literally talking to myself...like, Stacy, you have GOT to get yourself together/this is NOT about you...this wasnt even the first day...just meet the teacher?? I need prayer for Monday:))) anyway Kelsey had a GREAT time..no fear...her only question was does she get to come back and stay next time?? we loved her teacher, her room and she LOVES the computers center:)))) she didnt want to leave! Her best friend Ally is in her class...they are too cute!!!

this is that afternoon at the park w/ their NEW lunch boxes!!!

so sweet...power of love

2009-08-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

My good friend Calista sent this to me...so good that i had to post it:)
This is very uplifting
A Boy Singing to his little sister..... You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine'
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown , Tennessee In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville , Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister.. I want to sing to her, he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not... If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive.. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, 'Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed.' The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. 'He is not leaving until he sings to his sister' she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: 'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray.' Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. 'Keep on singing, Michael,' encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. 'You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away..' As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr 'Keep on singing, sweetheart.' 'The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms' Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. 'Keep on singing, Michael.' Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. 'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away.' The next day...the very next day the little girl was well enough to go home Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song. The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.. NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE. LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL. Life is good. In God We STILL Trust! 'The evidence of God's presence far outweighs the proof of His absence.

birthday parties:)))

2009-08-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

we had a great weekend filled w/ Birthday PARTIES...i didnt bring my camera to kaydons but it was so fun...it was a pirate party w/ a huge pirate ship bounce/water house...then last night was avery's! she had an ice cream party!!! here are the kids getting the candy from the pinata
this was funny b/c out of all of the candy kailyn had two in her hand at first...she wanted to eat as she went...

ok so this brought back memories of YOUNG LIFE...huntlee and pattie use to help w/ young life in carrolton so they had this idea from it....they had two huge gutters and filled it w/ ice cream, sprinkles, syrup and ALL...then the kids got to go to TOWN

not to mention the stomach aches that followed when it was bed time:)

kailyn is in heaven!

after the ice cream they ran through sprinklers to WASH OFF!!!! notice the chocolate all over her mouth:)

too fun...

joy:)

2009-08-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

It IS okay to NOT be okay!!! so simple...we are never going to be OK until we are HOME:) earth is full of sin and everything else...we are going to have constant struggles...and struggles are good...when you lean on Christ you come out of them stronger...even though they are continual, new and some easier than others:)))
isnt it funny how you can listen to a sermon and pick up on something that so seems to speak to you:))) like straight from God!!! Matt had a GREAT sermon but this line seemed to stick w/ me...
so funny how the world seems to tell you something different...like you NEED this and ok to WANT that...like that is going to make you happy??? he talked about how happpiness comes and goes but JOY is from God...noone can take away JOY...it is a gift:))) I guess this is my biggest struggle right now; thinking i should always be happy...like i am failing if i am not happy and have a smile on face always...like i am not suppose to have struggles...but that is not truth...thankfully i saw a difference b/w joy vs happiness....anyway this may not make any sense but it touched me today!

soooo good:)

2009-08-03T16:11:00.001-07:00

same kind of different as me...by ron hall and denver moore...if you have NOT read it, GET IT...you will NOT be disappointed:)))))

Being a kid:)))

2009-08-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

whats more fun than playing in the rain??? janson and i sat in the garage while the girls had a BLAST running through the puddles and playing in the rain...ahh the days of childhood:))))

must have been hat night???

Kailyns 3

2009-07-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

kailyn had so much fun at her birthday...thanks family and friends for coming!!!! it was definitly a success:)))
she so wanted a new baby...and she got TWO!!!!

Obama:)

2009-07-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

thank you so much Obama for attempting to make a change in Health Care for our COUNTRY:)) We completly relate to what he was talking about in his speech last night...jansons premiums are SO high that we can not afford them...around 700 dollars a month...so me and the girls got our "own" insurance for 380 dollars w/ premiums that continue to rise...so we are paying for health care yet it doesnt cover the majority of things we need...i feel like people that are sick are the most vulnerable and it is not right how we treat people in this country b/c of CLASS...whether y0u are republican or democrat please open your eyes and hearts and SEE that there are many who have no choices...no options b/c they do not have any coverage...so i guess the message we have been sending our children and people of this country for the last many years is some people get "better" health care if you have more money..but if you dont...so sorry...NO, that is not how you treat people, kids or anyone who is suffering from an illness or disease...anyway thank YOU Obama and your administration:)

7 years!!!

2009-07-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

7 years ago i married my BEST FRIEND!!! janson and i always talk about the path that God has given us and how amazing/blessed we are...on our wedding I can still remember the feeling i felt when standing at the alter w/ janson...it was as if no-one else was there...just me, him and God...the wierdest feeling but i truely felt a different kind of love on the day i married him. a love that i knew would last forever...a love that was true...a love that was real, deep and a love full of truth...through the ups and downs and all the in-betweens..through new jobs, buying our first house, cars and having our precious children...there have been times when we have lived on faith and faith alone and Gods grace has always been sufficient...God has taught us so much about love, sacrifice, commitment, faith, obediance, patience, and constant Grace...thank you janson for loving me always and unconditionally...thank you for being my best friend, husband, provider, and the most amazing father I could have ever asked for....

where did the time go???

2009-07-18T06:04:00.000-07:00

MY BABY IS THREE TODAY??? remember it like it was YESTERDAY...went to the dr. for a regular check up and he said "YOU are having contractions..."sent us to the hospital to stop them w/ LOTS of fluids but she was coming!!!! at 10pm they did a C-Section and we saw our precious kailyn for the first time!!! these 3 years have flown by...kailyn your smile, laughter, energy, love and your presence always brings a smile to our face and melts our hearts....THANK YOU GOD for Miss Kailyn Paige...her strawberry shortcake party is today!!! so pics to come...hope all goes well!!!:)))

cracks me up....

2009-07-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

so kelsey had gotten this ball and it busted so janson was trying to make kelsey laugh...she was balling and then he came out in the ball on his head and she started dying laughing...we all did:)

five...

2009-07-10T07:02:00.000-07:00

How has time gone by so fast??? Kelsey is officially Five years old...I remember like it was yesterday waking up at 1 am in the morning to my water breaking...janson convincing me to go to the hospital and 11 hours later having miss kelsey taylor...you are such a joy to our lives in everyway...your loving, caring, giving, compassionate heart continues to amaze us daily...Thank you God for placing Kelsey in our lives...

Fourth and Mom/Kelseys BDAY

2009-07-06T06:50:00.000-07:00

we all went to longview and then on the 4th went to my aunt elayne and uncle joes lake house on lake palestine to celebrate...so fun...the fireworks were beautiful over the lake...
Parents w/ all of the grandkids...about to grow by 2 more!!!

janson and my brothers teaching the girls BLACK JACK...awesome???

my mom and kelsey have the same bday....so we celebrated while in Longview!

everyone...

mom and kailyn enjoying some pizza:)

oh and did i mention kailyns bday is also in july so we let her open gifts from jason/kristen and trav. and autumn! so did you get that...kelseys bday, kailyns bday...also jansons on the 15th and our anniversary on 20th....way too much cake for a month!

aunt autumn w/ kelsey...Kelsey LOVES her aunt autumn!

thought this was too cute...my dad and kailyn walking out to the lake! hand in hand!

all of my moms family came out to the lake house on the 4th to celebrate...so good seeing everyone!

me, kristen and baby austin coming in september!

love this...this would be my mom about to ride the inter-tube...she's still got it...although she was sore the next day:))) way to go, MOM!

Autumn and Travis helping kelsey w/ sparklers!uh oh...kailyns got one?!?!

Uncle trav w/ kailyn...watching fireworks!!!

cannot get this song out of my head...everyone needs compassion...savior... he can move a mountain, my God is might to save..forever author of salvation he rose and conquered the grave, Jesus CONQUERED the GRAVE!!!...love IT!!!!

First lemonade stand and Baby STORY

2009-07-02T14:40:00.001-07:00

Our first customers...thanks Corrie for bring Addy and Aubrey by!!!!

Kesley and kailyn so proud of their first lemonade stand!!!

sorry to those i havent personally called or told...it has just been so crazy, shocking and i have been super sick so those around me are fully aware but havent really called anyone yet:))) (sorry to those who have gotten to witness my sickness and complaining:) yall deserve a special shout out:))) ha!

so the story goes...

a few months ago i was out at my friend Jamies house and she is currently pregnant w/ her third...she was telling me how i needed to have a baby soon so we could be pregnant together... Ha..i told her!!! I mean we would love to have a baby but w/ out maternity insurance or a plan probally not so smart...plus, i told her i thought i was going through menopause...dont laugh...my mom went through it at a really young age and i was constantly waking up soaking wet...i am talking so bad that i would have to change pajamas AND wash the sheets...disgusting! she told me that she had 2 extra pregnancy test and i should just rule it out...i told her their was no way i was but to make her happy i took one...NOPE! I was not pregnant or thought i wasnt...a few weeks later i was still waking up w/ heat sweats and it had been going on way too long...i was soooo irritiated...so one morning i woke up at 4am, had not missed a cycle or anything but thought this was just crazyness...i was either pregnant, going through menopause or had some rare disease! yes, i was probally being dramatic! so at 4 am i took the (the 2nd) test and w/in SECONDS their was A VERY CLEAR second line....WHAT??? i paniced start telling janson to come here, get out of bed NOW...he is not a morn. person whatsoever so at 4 am he thought i was CRAZY...i told him and he thought i had lost my mind, told me it was wrong, and not to worry???? WHAT... a wrong prego test is unheard of...at least one saying you are pregnant...anyway needless to say it took several days to take in w/out mentioning it to anyone...we didnt want to tell ANYONE until we got some kind of plan together...no maternity insurance w/ someone who has had a previous c-section and 2 nicu babies is not a good thought....we didnt want to worry/burden anyone so we did a lot of praying, calling every hospital and doctor known to man, and finally we accepted it and were excited...God has taught us a lot and continues to teach us about "His" plan and how gracious, loving and how he is so much bigger than any us...God continues to provide and stretches in so many different ways...not sure a baby, God's biggest blessing, is ever decided on a money factor....so he has opened our eyes, calmed our hearts and fears and continues to PROVIDE!!!

So through all of our options of ways to have this precious baby we have decided to use a doctor and found one that will do a v-bac...i had a horrible c-section experiance and it is a lot cheaper this route:) a mid-wife would not even touch me..thanks:( anyway we really like who we are using and feel like God will lead, guide and teach us in every decision that comes our way...Are due date is January 25th so that makes me about 11 weeks? not too far...the girls know and are both so excited...at first kelsey would constantly tell the baby to stop making me sick and bring me water w/ a straw in it while i was throwing up...hope i have not caused her too much trauma...kailyn keeps saying mommy sick??? and touching my boobs...uh, so embarrassing but she is completly amazed i guess by them...when i get pregnant it seems that they get HUGE...probally way too much info but the girls have been super excited, caring and sweet! kelsey is starting kindergarden in the fall and kailyn will be going to speech therapy/maybe mdo which will all be great timing to start before the baby...plus this wiil be our FIRST baby to have NOT DURING FOOTBALL SEASON!!! yes, GOD does love me and is thinking out for my sanity level...ha! anyway that is how we found out and where we are now...please pray for the health of this baby and that i carry this baby FULL TERM!!!! My goal is 39 weeks and over 7 lbs!!! the one good thing about our insurance is it will pick up the baby when it is born...crazy how our health care is in this country...anyone who knows me well knows this is a passion of mine but God continues to ease my bitterness towards it...we do have insurance BCBS and pay almost 400 for just me and the girls but it covers nothing... guess it is to have for a major emergancy but just frusturating how little it covers...so one day look for me on the news protesting in Austin for better health care for people in this country...we are blessed, truely blessed and grateful for all but my heart goes out to those women, single women who are working their hardest and cant make it...not b/c they are not working but b/c regardless our HEALTH CARE IS SO MESSED UP! sorry had to throw that in:)))))

were home:)))

2009-06-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

Florida here we come!!!!!
Kailyn, ryan and kelsey!!!

Old Bay Steamer...Uncle Dans FAVORITE place to eat at....

Jeff and Angela

Dan LOVING his seafood! i was a team player on this outing...everyone knows that seafood is not my thing...and being pregnant does not help w/ all of the lovely smells:(

all of us!!!

kailyn posing on the balcony

janson and girls

kelsey

yes this is my already growing belly...i know that w/ the girls i was NOT already showing...oh well...guess i will embrace it!!!

janson and his very daring miss kailyn...no fear!

at the irish pub...money is all over the walls and everywhere!

the big bear at the pub...girls loved him!

all the grankids w/ pop and janjan!!!

kelsey and Luca catching fish...they were pros!

the fam...

me and jan!

all of the boys!

this pic makes me laugh b/c it is by the elevator...kelsey and kailyn constantly competed over who got to push the buttons:)

Dan, Cami and Ryan!

miss kailyn

miss kelsey

our girls

up above is where they filmed Steel Magnolias!!! and then below is me and kelsey on the Crane river loving all of the flowers!

feeding the ducks...

head famat the aligator park...this peacock was rather vocal!

it jumping up at jan and girls...just happened to catch a pic!

the aligators getting fed...at this point i had to leave...raw meat or any meat does not settle well w/ me..amazing to see, though...

We made it back safely and had such a good time!!! We did so many FUN things and made many memories...our trip!!! (lots of pics!) first stop, Vicksburg MS!!! we decided very early on that we were going to cut this trip up! dan and cami also stopped here so we hung out, ate, went to sleep and back on the road!

going through mobile, alabama was so much fun b/c growing up my parents would take us there when we lived in pensacola...my aunt lived there, plus the huge battleshipsit was so fun watching the girls faces as we drove over the bridges and as we got into Florida...they were so excited!!!
We stayed at Navarre Beach in Navarre...about 20 miles from Destin...it was wonderful b/c we were right on the beach, there were not billions of people there so the girls had more freedom, there was a pool, and the best part for the girls...riding the elevator and pushing the buttons:))) Jansons other brother is stationed in Navarre so it was like one huge family vacation!!! I got to see 3 movies while we were there...all GREAT and all very different..The Proposal (i cried and cried...has to be the hormones:) something 123 w/ denzel and john travolta (very good) and then the one about the bachelor trip in Vegas.. this was the FUNNIEST movie...like we all died laughing!!! no i am not good at remembering names of movies:)...one day janson and i took the girls to destin and went and ate an irish pub and of course the outlets...however the outlets did not last too long...kailyn thinks she has to touch EVERYTHING so we decided the ice cream store would be more fun:) we played lots of tennis, hung out, ATE, and just spent time being together....on the way home we stopped in Natotoches, LO...very BEAUTIFUL...think i was the most excited b/c this is where they filmed Steel Magnolias!!! the road was all the original brick and is the oldest town in LO...all on the crane river!!! we also took the girls to the alligator park....yikes!

What a GREAT Weekend!!!!

2009-05-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

The "Big" weekend ARRIVED!!! Kelseys RECITAL...she has been waiting and waiting for this weekend...everyone came to watch her big debut!! She did so great and we were so proud of her:) I was definitly "not"the in-tune mom...i was suppose to do make-up, hair and ALL...lets just say that was interesting...funny b/c when i dropped her off w/ the "class" moms they said "dont worry we'll touch up her make-up"...i was like...ok:(
anyway her is my attempt....

still trying...

her hair...first time in rollers!

the family....this is dress rehersal...

sitting "pretty" as she says...

love this picture.....all the girls lined up:)

there she is...2nd girl!

next day...RECITAL day...

dropping her off...crazyness...not sure i am up for another year of ballet...lets try soccer:)

grandma's getting ready! kailyn not so excited...

sage and london came to support kelsey:)

the whole crew...

me and tarrah...thanks for coming!!!

janson and his girls!

Pre-K Graduation and Spring Program

2009-05-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

Last night Kelsey and Kailyn had their Spring Program and my first baby "graduated" from Pre-K...I dont have the pics of her getting her diploma b/c my camera would not get a flash...they are on my moms camera...anyway it was precious...janson and i were pretty proud parents!!!!

Caleb, Ally, Kelsey and Kailyn...before program...

Ally and Kelsey...Best Buds...

Miss Lauren...Kelseys teachers have been WONDERFUL and such a BLESSING...

Miss Racheal...we have had miss racheal the past 2 years....LOVE HER...miss kailyn on stage...she actually stayed up there the entire time:)

Nana, jan jan, and meme...janson behind...he was on film CREW!!!

Lindsey, Kailyn and Kaydon...her buddies!

what an honor:)

2009-05-14T06:07:00.000-07:00

what a surprise...janson came home a few weeks ago telling me that i had been chosen by a top 10 graduate as her teacher of influence...what??? i was shocked! anyways I taught sarah in the 7th grade and so i got to go w/ her to a banquet where she wrote a letter about how i had influenced/inspired her...it was quite tear jerking to hear...guess you never know when you make an impression on someone??? anyway they read a letter she wrote me and then i got a plaque w/ the letter engraved in it...too neat..
i have to say it felt really good to get "dressed" up and be around what i use to be around when i teached...i felt my pride begin to seap in and thoughts of this is "me"...working outside of the home and being a "teacher"...getting a pat on the back and appreciated!!! i was quickly reminded (grace) of the fruits of my children and the importance of my job at home. while it was so nice to be nomitated and be back in the world of administrators and teachers it is even greater for my conscience, heart and soul to know that i am teaching just in a different setting...i love being at home, i love my girls but there are definite times of weakness where a paycheck and pat on the back is nice:))))) thank you God for the eyes to see....

Best Mothers DAY weekend EVER

2009-05-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

Janson surprised me w/ a trip to the Galleria for Mothers Day!!! Janson did that hotwire thing where you dont know where you will actually stay but just the area...his intentions were to stay in the area of the Galleria so we could take kelsey ice skating but ended up that for 64 dollars we got a room at the WESTIN!!!! So fun!!! So we left after kelsey and i got home from Sages game...We got there and checked out our rooms and then immediatly took the girls to see the ice ring! so cool b/c we could literally walk right out of our hotel room...once kelsey saw it from 3 stories up, she was like "maybe not..." Janson was afraid of that but we just figured we would try again later and started off on doing other things....First we took the girls over to the American Girl store!!! So neat! SO EXPENSIVE...lets just say we did a lot of looking and looking but left empty handed...they enjoyed just seeing everything...then they wanted to go swimming even though it was freezing so we did that next...after swimming hot Chocolate by the ice ring and watched the ice skaters...then...Kelsey was ready:) So I took her ice skating...it was SO much fun and we were sooo proud of her! Anyone who knows kelsey knows she is very timid but she got her skates on and got out there...no backing out!!! by the end she wasnt even holding my hand!!! then off for Mexican food...La Cocina...after La Cocina Janson took the girls up to the room to watch the last 4 min. of the maverick game while i went to a few neat stores but sooner than later i got a call from janson in panic!!! kelsey and kailyn were "playing" and somehow kailyn got kicked in the nose....so bad that there was blood EVERYWHERE and a VERY swollen NOSE!!! so what does any parent do w/ a screaming child....take a trip to Candy Land...yep, 3rd floor is the biggest candy store EVER!!! so we figured if that made her happy the emergancy room could wait...still hoping the swelling will go down and is not broken:))) after candy store off to the play area...finally back up to room! we were all wiped out so we turned out the lights, put on our pjs and sat at the window w/ pillows!!! so cool...we were on 14th floor and we could see all of dallas out our window...the girls loved watching all of the cars drive by and seeing all of the lights...As janson and i held them there looking out we talked w/ them about how blessed we are and how grateful we are for our family! it was a really sweat time...think janson and i will remember that forever!
next morning off to ihop and then home!!! Thank YOU Janson and Girls for a WONDERFUL mothers DAY weekend!
(first pic)Janson and girls in parking lot...we realized really fast that it is a different world just 30 minutes from our home....w/in the first 5min. of walking up to the hotel we saw a lamborghini (sp??) ..and Roy Williams! think everyone besides us was getting valet parking...for 24 dollars i would taken a minute to park some cars too!!! guess that would have put a damper on our getaway:)

Looking out of our view right when we got there...
Kailyn had to touch and try out EVERYTHING in the room...here she is testing out the chair:)

American Girl store...could not even get them to look at me for a picture...too much to see and do...just for a doll it is 99-120 dollars...then the clothes and accessories are more expensive than what i spend on their clothes...crazyness..but neat!

Kailyn checking it out...and touching EVERYTHING...Janson was about to have a heart attack..

kailyn about to swim...

janson swimming w/ girls in freezing cold water...amazing what you will do for your kids!

HOT chocolate and watching ice skaters..Kelsey thinking if she is going to actually ice skate...

there we are!!!

so proud of her!

we only fell like 4 times!!! have to say my arms are soar this morn.!!!

kelsey wanted to go and go forever...we ended up skating over an hour...she kept saying lets go mom....lets go!!!

LOOK...YES that is kelsey on her own!!!

next morning....kelsey and her dora suitcase...ready for breakfast!

close up of kailyns nose...very swollen and bruised...poor thing! will say candy is the best medicine!

This was the morning of our trip! Kelsey and I went to watch Sage play soccer! She is so GOOD! She scored like 4 goals:) We were very excited...I have to say I REALLY enjoyed watching Adam and Tarrah too b/c they are the coaches!!! Adam plays the role very well, i must say!!! He was pretty intense on making sure everything was going according to plan!!! hopefully kelsey we will play next season:)) at least i can "hope"!!!

Can we say "coach"...from the sidelines! she was on the injury list thanks to Kailyn kicking her in the leg the day before...wups:( sorry miss tarrah:)))

the girls!!!

Adam and Tarrah "the game plan" together:)

photography by stacy:)))

2009-04-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

so i have been saying for the last 6 months i wanted pics of the girls and have not gotten around to taking them or paying for it...so i decided to take them myself when we were in granbury last weekend!!! "i think" they turned out really good and were free...well, 10 cents a copy w/ my coupon:))) this is kelsey hugging kailyn later that afternoon b/c kailyn was not going to get to stay and ride back w/ pop...kelsey is such a sweet big sister:))) i prayed from the day i found out kailyn was a girl that they would be best friends...they have their fights but boy do they depend on one another and LOVE each other SOOOO much!!!

off to regionals..

2009-04-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

Off they go to REGIONALS this week!!! Our annual track "regional" dinner...it seems to grow each year which is good but requires more and more cooking:))) i was about to gag after cooking 5 POUNDS of beef...we had a great time and so did kelsey and kailyn!!! they love this group of kids!

the whole gang in the living room after they finished eating OUTSIDE...Praise God for no rain tonight!!!

Kelseys buddy Mo....i cannot tell you how much she "loves" him...we told her he was graduating and she asked if we could keep him one more year...

after dinner they watched their meets on t.v...Janson had to bust out the olympics too!!!

kelsey and kailyn up WAY past their bed time...

intense...watching!

new tradition...these are the seniors...every year we are going to start doing a senior pic w/ all of the trophies/medals that they won while at ryan high school....

the crew....missing a few...

seniors w/ janson

2009-04-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

Kelsey and Kailyn before our Tea Party...I got some really pretty china at a garage sale last weekend so why not USE it!!! we got dressed up and had a tea party on mon. morning for breakfast....
kailyn....

notice kailyns baby joined us and matches kailyn! thanks to nana for those dresses w/ matching baby dresses!

yummy....

random...kelsey and kensey

the dogs!!! awesome one of kensey "smelling" maddies, BEHIND...
the girls before Muffins w/ MOM!

this is a good friend of mine:) Carrie!!! we taught together and her daughter Ally is only 3 weeks older than kelsey...i knew her in the womb!! kelsey and ally have been friends since birth...her son is Caleb..He is a few months older than kailyn...nice to have friends where your kids grow up together...she is a great friend:)))

no i could not get them all to look at the same time....ally always doing BAllET!!!

about to go in!

still posting/blogging??? still not sure about the internet and what all people do on it but i love that blogs keeps people up to date and in tune w/ peoples lives...so feel there is a lot of good to blogs, too?? no one ever said parenting would be so hard! anyway so here are some pics of tea party and Mothers Day Out Muffins w/ MOM...speaking of...my own daughter that i gave BIRTH to did not even sit w/ me at muffins w/ mom...kelsey was just too cool and had to sit w/ Ally at another table...wow, am i in trouble...kailyn however was glued to me:)

just me???

2009-04-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

ok so i have some paranoia setting in...maybe it is just me but this 'might' be my LAST blog...i dvr'd oprah last week and was watching it last night...they were talking about all of the predators on the internet and how they can take a pic. of a child and turn it into something horrible. the investigator said that there is NO WAY he would have ANY pictures anywhere on-line...and the fact that someone could literally figure way too much out and literally find you or your child through what i post....i know that fear is not from The Lord but am thinking this is a good "fear"....like one of those senses He gives for a reason...asked janson if he even knew how to delete everything i have posted but he is not sure yet...looking into it?? any advice, moms????

YEAH Ryan Raiders and Happy EASTER!!!

2009-04-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

Kelsey and Kailyn before church and waiting paitently for Baby Ryan:)))

Hats for ALL!!!!

Dan, Cami and Ryan....jansons brother..he coaches at Mansfield!!! must be in the family:)US:) and maddie sneaking in...

the girls wanting to help Aunt Cami w/ Baby Ryan...they are obsessed!!!

District is OVER!!! I was LITERALLY shaking during the track meet...i didnt even have one of my own kids running but was so nervous...I love this group of kids and SO wanted them to do GREAT and they did!!!! We won District in J.V and Varsity got second to Guyer in District... so that is AWESOME...Guyer will probally win state so 2nd is amazing! we are sending all 3 relays, 2 kids in 110 hurdles, 1 in 100 yard dash, 1 in 400 meters, and 1 in pole vault...anyway it was a success and so glad district is over...

Grace and Faith

2009-04-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

These are two things that The Lord has been teaching me...last night I was actually able to see what he has been doing or at least He gave me a glimse...so thought I would share...
First of all I believe that God gave us our children to TEACH us...so often I think that I am here for them but think it is the other way around...In being a parent I now can understand how much God loves me. I also have been able to see how much control, fear, and my lack of faith in the last few years...which goes back to Gods absolute and amazing Grace...
just a few examples:)) For those of you who dont know Kailyns speech has been delayed. So much that at 2 she was saying just a few words. Instead of trusting in God and my own heart, I began to listen to "the world" and what the world says...so easy to believe others without going to The Father, FIRST...I would pray but only my mind was in it...not my heart...I began to think that I wasn't doing something right or that someone else would be more qualified to teach, guide and prepare Kailyn in where she should be...as the "worlds" standards....this week God kept showing me simplicity...that is all he asks for...why we make things so complex I have NO idea but has been opening windows to my heart that were closed due to fear and control...Kailyn has started talking more and more...is she delayed to the worlds standards...yes but that is ok b/c God designed her...not the world or anyone else...She is so beautiful in every way ...we have so much to be thankful for....see i was trusting him in the things that i wanted to but not in everything...i am sure that i bring a lot of humor to him:)
The other thing God showed me was....last night Janson came home late but was so excited and had SO much to talk about. If anyone knows my husband, talkative, is not an adjective that you would use to describe him...Anyway his track team broke the mile relay record and so on and so on but all I kept hearing was God whisper in my ear... Gods gift/Grace/Blessing that Janson loves his job and loves the job that God put him in. He does it so well! So often i feel sorry for myself when everyone elses husbands are home for dinner and on weekends but WOW God chooses to show me his love in so many amazing/unpredictable ways... And how amazing that I have the opportunity to lean on him in lonely times. When Janson and I got married he was always my rock and I never liked being alone...Funny b/c God has always known this about me and knew that he was going to have to change that:) So yes he has always been in control but for some reason i so often think i am...I love how he continues to grow me as a mother, wife and daughter in Christ....this is his ultimate Grace:)

Austin...

2009-04-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

so this is a long post...we did a lot in Austin and had a GREAT time...this is the first night at Catfish Parlor...Dave wanted all of the kids to get a true taste of Austin...:)) Kailyn LOVED the hushpuppies...this is Janson and his crew...Keistan is front right...he is Jansons right hand man...he is a GREAT coach...Janson is blessed to have him on staff...
kids ordering:)

Jan is happy to have her grandkids in Austin!!!

Maurice and Kelsey...

Janson "talking"

Ishmail and Murphy...GREAT group of kids!!!

Janson and kelsey...sure he hopes to have her running at Texas Relays one day:)

Maurice, Janson and Yash...

The whole gang...first night still

take two!

Daniel, Barry, Yash, and Cooper before Mile Relay...after mile relay..they did great...

my cute hubby!!!

after mile relay...just the mile relay kids, again!

celebrating night two w/ fudruckers!!! yash, peyton, and cooper...

murphy and ishmail...they are a hoot...

Yash getting ready to run....

that is maurice getting ready in the middle for sprint relay...day three...Saturday morning.

Whole crew on Day 3!!!

Sprint relay...Angle, Yash, Maurice and Peyton...Murphy is suppose to be on it but pulled a hamstring so hopefully he will be ready for district next week...Angel did great in his place:)murphy giving me thumbs up for day!!!

in front of stadium...

girls at central market!!! love, love their salad and gelato...ummmm....eating and then off to play on the playground...birds just come by and ate w/ us!!! too fun!

jan and i took girls to the capitol...made us feel like a good janjan and mom:))ha...anyway here is me and the girls on the tree we were suppose to not climb on..wups:(

janjan and kelsey looking up and up and up....

the girls taking a break in the middle!!!had to stop off at the senators chamber...this is where it all goes down:) think i will be back to testify/fight for better health insurance for ALL!!!!!! ha!

this is where Jan testifies for Indigent Health Care....she spends too much time in here....maybe she should just run for office:))))

me and the girls on the steps....

us in front of capitol....

jan and girls in front of some statue...jan was our tour guide!!!!

janjan and kailyn!

kailyn at Catfish Parlor...she was loving the atmosphere!

Kelsey playing on JanJans piano...Tarrah you would have been proud:))))Pop, JanJan and the girls....

Me and Kailyn...Kelsey took this picture:)))) kailyn and kelsey swinging...they loved this swing...

the sweetest talk...

2009-03-25T06:59:00.000-07:00

i had the sweetest talk w/ kelsey this morning while we were making pancakes...she asked me if she was going to MDO today and i said "no, that is on tues/thurs...tomorrow"...she said, "good, b/c my favorite days are staying at home w/ you"...such a sweet girl:))) and she can make some killer pancakes:)))) extra butter means extra good!!!

what else is going on...track, track and more track!!! janson is taking a group of kids to Texas Relays this weekend in Austin! They are all so excited...we are going to follow them down there and stay w/ JanJan...we are already making a plan of all of the 'wonderful' places to eat in Austin...love, love Central Market...salad and that amazing ice cream they have:)))

2009-03-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

soooo....i am almost done w/ reading The Shack!!! I have maybe 30 pages left....so i have learned a lot about people, culture and just when to just 'listen' over the past week or so...sometimes when i get excited about something i just cant help myself but "talk, talk and talk"...am working on this:))) Yesterday i was talking w/ a teacher and asked her if she had read The Shack...she looked at me like i was crazy and must not believe in God if i would read such a thing...she said that "her religion" is fully against that book...... anyway i know that there is a lot of controversery over The Shack but here is my opinion...so i guess take it for my opinion ONLY....ha...anyway i guess i think that number one; the book is fiction...no where does it say it is truth...yes it can change your perspective if YOU DONT have spirtiual discernment but that is about you and your walk w/ God...as i see it??? also the Trinity, Free Will vs Predestination...yes, it DOES hit on a lot of topics that will stir your heart if you do not know what The Bible says and what is Truth but i guess i dont think that is a "bad" thing...isnt it good to stir your heart and call you to dig deeper, think, pray, think, PRAY!!!! there are a lot of times in the book that it contradicts itself if you are "thinking'' theologically but again spirtitual discernment:))) i do think it says a lot of really good things too! like relationships...
TRUE relationships and how to LOVE people w/OUT judging...I love how he shows Mack how "we, humans" think so much when really it is so simple....loving, true loving of one another...yet how we try to play God so often..so i guess i just think if people take that from the book and understand that it is NOT The Bible we will be okay??? anything that is used to plant seeds or get you to pray, ask questions and build i feel who are we to judge on how God may use that...Just like 90 Minutes In Heaven...i loved that book too...it actually says it is true but who really knows besides the author...but what i did take from that book was hope in healing...that doesnt change my walk w/ God any....just encouragement! which is always good in our world today!!! :))) just my personal opinion....
also was thinking isnt it like anything else too....like watching The Bachelor or Nip/Tuck (sorry we love that one:( ) anway never are we saying that we "agree" in everything that it portrays but we still watch and take good/bad...also music...we sing songs all of the time but do we take the lyrics literal???? just a thought!!! i know, it seems anytime you hit on "religion or politics" you hit major nerves w/ people...i find this so interesting:))))
an in depth review over the book if you want it......http://www.challies.com/media/The_Shack.pdf

Sage's Bday Party and Fossil PARK

2009-03-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Before Sage's 6 Birthday party at the jump house!!! the girls were 'super' excited.....

Angi patiently and diligently passing out plates!!!!

these are our pictures from Fossill Park and WOW was it COOL...I suggest EVERYONE go but just not during "spring break" weekend...Jan and I were "not" thinking...the girls didnt mind so much...what it is, is where you drive through the park...all of the animals "literally" come up to your car and eat out of your hand...we were "big" talk but when the emu and ostrich stuck their head IN our window we were a little scarrreeeddd.....too funny!!! anyway it is a 9 mile drive through the "park"...takes about 3-4 hours so be ready to be patient and no road rage, stacy:))) at the half way point there is a petting zoo and other stuff to get out and see.....

Jan Jan and kailyn ready for the trip...oh and the kids dont have to stay in their carseats so the LOVED that....we had to restrict kailyn from literally trying to climb out of the window!!! kelsey a little more observant:)

deer......jason YOU would love this:)))) no shooting, though:((((

Jan Jan a little crowded....they "both" wanted IN her lap:)

sooo prettyyyy

more deer...

jan was infatuated w/ their LONG eyelashes and YES they have very odd eyeballs...you get a close look when they try to come IN the car....

good bye, mister ostrich....i was big talk until he wanted in...

Kelsey patiently watching and waiting

feeding....

deer....

zebras....so cool how they can roam freely...

had to pinch myself...i am NOT in AFRICA....glenrose, tx????

petting zoo...kailyn had NO fear...

kelsey gently taking care of the animals....she was so cute and serious w/ them...little mother!

you could brush them too..

kailyn chasing them up the hill....we kept thinking they were about to kick but i guess they are very used to little ones running after them...

We had a great time...Thanks JANJAN:)))))

The Shack..

2009-03-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

WOW...this is book is blowing me away...The SHACK by WM. Paul Young and so different than what i 'thought'...i was told b/c i had little girls to be very careful at the timing when i read this book but i just could not wait..had heard too many good things about it....i just finished ch. 9 but could literally quote the entire chapter...this is where Mack goes to the garden w/ Sarayu (the Holy Spirit)...Mack is questioning "then why has so much of the 'Good" gone 'bad'?" She says back..."You humans, so little in your own eyes. You are truly blind to your own place in the Creation. Having chosen the ravaged path of independence, you don't even comprehend that you are dragging the entire Creation along with you...So very sad, but it won't be this way forever..." then they go on to talk about what is good vs bad and how we see things the way we do...how we dont have discernment...
at the end when Mack is leaving the garden (the messy garden) Sarayu says, "... this garden is your soul. This mess is you! Together you and I, we have been working with a purpose in your heart. And it is wild and beautiful and perfectly in process. To you it seems like a mess, but to me, I see a perfect pattern emerging and growing and alive--a living fractal."
anyway just had to say that if you havent read this book, you should:) so far so good:)

Sydney....

2009-03-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we went to MISS SYDNEY'S 2nd Birthday party!!! We had a blast...The GIRLS really had a blast!!! They got to go to the party, get their very own candle, got chalk and tattoos, went swimming, played, played and PLAYED....

my mom, me and girls before going to party...kailyn is ready to go...not interested in a pic:)

Cute 2 boys and Momma....Jason and his counter part, Nacho...

Janson, Me, Travis and Jason....Miss Kristen was still getting ready for the big event....

There is the momma of the bday girl...looking ever so Beautiful w/ baby number 2:)))))

Miss Sydney and kelsey!!! Sydney def. has her "cheese" down!!!

the cousins...on Miss Sydneys "new" big girl bed....she is very proud...

my future "nephew in law"....too cute...she showed him ALL around...

Cannot believe she is 2....Miss Birthday girl:))))

too cute....Happy Birthday Sydney!

So precious.....Travis reading to Kelsey

All of the Boys...Papa, Jason, Janson, and Travis...Nacho and Kailyn snuck in....

Eating out...the girls were loving watching the video...thank you Sydney for sharing...

This cracks me up b/c kailyn is holding on to her party favor for dear life on the ride home...precious CHALK:))))

in trouble...

2009-03-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

if only i could stop time...they are growing up too fast.. Kelsey skating...dont look at our backyard...kensey has eaten it:)

kelsey skating down hill on grass...???

kailyn got a booboo

this is not fun, mom???

my conversation w/ kelsey yesterday morning..
me-kelsey/kailyn do yall want to help pack your lunch for MDO this morning...

Kelsey-yes!

me-ok well this is what we have....peanut butter crackers/raisins/fruit snacks/yogurt/caprisun

Kelsey-mom, that is not a lunch...those are all snacks!
me-well, i just forgot to go to the store yesterday

Kelsey-mom, you should have thought of that yesterday b/c this is not going to be a healthy lunch and Mrs. Racheal is going to be upset...

me-ok, i'm sorry...

i totally got in trouble by my 4 year old...

when i picked her up from MDO apparently she told "all" of the teachers that i should have gone to the grocery store yesterday....

when did she grow up so fast and what kid wouldnt rather eat snacks anyway for lunch:))) janson and i are in trouble and have got to get on top of our game!!!

2009-03-10T14:28:00.000-07:00

God Of This City by Chris Tomlin....
You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are
For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here
You're the Lord of Creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all Kings
You Are
You're the strength in our weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You Are
Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for you and love for you
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here
We have been singing this song a lot at our church lately and I LOVE it..soooo...Sometimes i can be kinda slow to get things...yes, i can admit to this...but i was driving the girls to school and a light bulb went off while i was listening/singing this song...i love how he says you are the strength in our weakness, love to the broken and joy in the sadness...God DOES work in us when we are broken..that is how He keeps us close but for some reason I have not been able to wrap my mind around that lately...like i am not suppose to be broke...i am suppose to "have it all together" ...last week i had a "low" week...ya know one of those weeks when you pray but feel empty/alone/isolated...i kept searching all week for "other" things to find joy in but i was never fulfilled...i knew what to do...i knew He was there, but did not think i had the time/energy or even my worth to reach...on Tuesday i took the girls to school, came home (missed work/tutoring) and literally laid my head IN the bible...i guess in some wierd way i was praying that some wisdom would just soak in my head...a good/wise friend of mine told me to write everything down that i was feeling and just say it...i did, and wow was it amazing...some of it did not make sense, but I KNEW that it DID make since to God...i felt the most amazing peace and weight lifted off of me...so God does use those times when we are weak/broken/vulnerable to grow/strengthen us...being broken is what we are until we reunite w/ HIM...yet what the "world" tells us is to constantly "chase" something...do better...
in Ecclesiastes 2: 11 it says
"Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun."
so this has been my motto since this weekend...is to question/think/be conscience of what is for HIM verses what is just chasing after the wind.....

ballerinas....

2009-03-02T07:48:00.001-08:00

my "bun" attempt...i have got to work on this!!! kailyn wanted one too but not working...

a taste of the middle school years...

2009-03-02T06:11:00.000-08:00

this weekend was disciple now so we hosted 6th GRADERS!!! It was so much fun watching, listening and talking w/ all of the girls...made me look forward to those years, not that i want it anytime soon but eventually:) janson NOT looking forward so much..haha! anyway kelsey and kailyn were in heaven! they literally followed them around everywhere they went and kelsey had a million questions for me after the left...like...
"mom, they were make-up...when can i"
"mom, they were headbands...and put their hair in pony tails...when will i learn to do that by myself"
"mom, do they drive"
"mom, how do they know what size clothes to wear"
"mom, how will i learn how to do all of that"
wow, are we in for it...question after question...miss kelsey catches on to everything these days...anyway it was a great weekend!

bitter sweet...

2009-02-16T19:41:00.000-08:00

Senior Banquet...was a bitter sweet night for janson and i...this is the group that we have literally seen grow up...this was the group that i taught my last year, 7th graders...and now they are graduating....
janson and some of the other coaches

Janson w/ Yash....look for him next year at TEXAS TECH...GO YASHUA

This is Shelton...he was one of Jansons running backs

Jay (aka banana)...he was also one of jansons running backs...he will be at coffeyville jc next year

this is will...he is a junior so has another year...also runs track:)

MO!!!! this is maurice...hoping to be running at UTA next year

me w/ Mo...kelseys best friend on the football/track team:)

these are kids that janson had at Crownover his first year and now they will be graduating...

it was a great night...lots of memories and we are so proud of this group and excited to see where they go and what great things they accomplish:)))

25 things...

2009-02-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

My sweet sister in laws blog motivated me to do this...
25 things about me...
1. I think All of the TIME...like when I say "think" I mean analyze, pick apart, contemplate, unravel, distinguish...all of the above...this is purposely why i highly recommend battlefield of the mind by joyce meyer and calm your anxious heart by linda dillow!!! fun, higher learning..yes, but my daily battle:)

2. We would have more kids if our insurance covered Maternity Care:)))

3. (again my thinking) I daily think about kelsey and kailyns salvation and praying that God gives Janson and I the tools to teach them...

4. I could careless if Janson was the trashcan man, if that meant we would see him more:) money is sooo over-rated:)))

5. I have a problem w/ saying yes to dogs that need a home...and then realizing I have too much to handle...and then finding them a new home...can you say, insanity cycle! (for all of those who know 'recovery' terms:))

6. I LOVE, or should i say obsess, over Thrift shopping and garage sales!

7. I rearrange our furniture at least once every two months...I get bored of things being in the same place...the girls are use to changing rooms and decorating:) teaching them flexibility at an early age..haha!

8. Even though I am home all day w/ kelsey and kailyn, at the end of the day I still feel like I haven't seen them enough...

9. I have a great invention for a stroller/bike/grocery cart but am waiting for my sister in law to jump on board so my brother can engineer/invent it!!!haha! (again...always thinking:))

10. I love to garden...this has been my new passion since we bought our home! I love the smells and digging in the dirt...

11. I like to dig deep and have depth...I hate SURFACE conversations...where does that really get you in life?

12. I think EVERYONE DESERVES healthcare...this is a topic that makes me crazy:(

13. I love school...I could be a professional college student if it was free...

14. I love candy...still!!! How do I not have any cavaties???

15. Janson and I often dream about a day when we can go to Africa as a family and spend time w/ a tribe, kids, orphans and just learning about their culture/heritage...we feel this would be such an amazing experiance for us and to teach our girls:)

16. Also...we talk about adopting ALL the time...we often look online and research the different agencies...

17. Often I think about writing a book...I know sounds crazy but I even have the chapters outlined out...think it would be fun:)

18. I think about answered prayers all of time...I can remember just moving to Denton and crying out to the Lord for friends...true, deep, good friends...Now I look at my life in Denton and it literally gives me tears to think of all of the friends God has purposely placed in my life...I consider them so much more than friends but FAMILY:)

19. Janson and I talk all of the time about the day we can get an RV and just travel the summers...we have it planned out where we just drive all around America...guessing it may not actually happen until the kids are out of the house...but so fun to dream:) there is actually a family that sold all of their posessions and took their 4 kids on the road in a truck/rv and are homeschooling and the dad works on the road from his computer!!! I made Janson watch the show but he is not going for it...at least not yet:))

20. As for living...Tarrah and I always talk about selling our houses and moving into a trailor park...the hubbys are NOT on board...but we even had the idea to get land, start a garden, get a cow and have our own trailor park...they still are not on board??? what is that about!

21. I have gotten to Love cooking...never thought that would happen...Janson always tells the story about how in college I cooked hamburger helper for him and my brother but forgot to brown the meet first...so we had it w/ raw meat and cooked hamburger helper on top...no we did not eat it but WOW i have come along way since that:))

22. My favorite High School memories...SOCCER practices and Bus trips...practice was filled w/ lots of laughter...thank you LAURA and CRICKET:))) and all the little people in between that made it possible:)))

23. We LOVE our church...in Jansons profession there is a lot of moving and oppurtunitys to move but the thing that holds us back is OUR CHURCH...we know from Springtown that having a church home is HUGE...so needless to say, funny how our dreams and ideas of success has changed since we first started our careers..."success" key word!

24. My favorite childhood memory...Christmas Eve's...everything was perfect, happy, and pure on Christmas Eve nights...we would look at lights as a family and I always seem to cherish those times! We do the same thing w/ our girls!

25. My favorite season is the fall...I love the colors of the leaves and watching them fall to the ground..something sooo peaceful about that time of the year:)

26. and one to grow on or ponder on.....
why do so many of us live our lives based on fear and lies of the world instead of TRUTH...I think about this all of the time...

so proud...

2009-01-30T14:33:00.000-08:00

here is a glimpse of what makes jansons long hours ALL WORTH it....these kind of letters, phone calls and hugs from kids make me so proud of him and what he does...
this is a letter/paper that janson got yesterday from one of his kids...

In reminiscence of my past four years, I have run numerous sprints extending my steps as far and as fast as my body will allow me. Build ups, lifting weights, and the dreaded long distance runs became in essence the preparation of my fierce track competitions. Drenched in sweat, I've engaged myself in long repetitive routines, not because I enjoy the pain, but because of the inspiration I've received by an exceptional man, Coach Head. This vibrant educator has genuine dedication intended for his students and players as the track coach of Billy Ryan High School. Coach Head works around the clock and hovers over our grades like a hawk in order to ensure our academic achievements. Selective with his words, Coach Head inspires us to reach beyond our former mental limits.
When my feet weigh a ton and I find myself gasping for air, Coach Head is there to ensure that quitting is never an option. He stops dead on its tracks any lingering ideas of failure.
I hold my greatest esteem for Coach Head in the way he structures our priorities. This man never lets us forget that we are students who run track, not track runners that happen to go to school. Therefore, the discipline he instills in us bleeds from our studies and onto the track.
I want people to never give up, to know that hard work pays off, and to pursue their potential. I want to see poeple competing, pursuing excellence, and staying out of trouble. These were things that Coach Head taught me. Because of his inspiration, I want to follow in his foot steps and become a track coach.

our week!

2009-01-29T13:42:00.000-08:00

Miss Bella Dancerella!! Kelsey is LOVING ballet...look at her on those tippy toes:)))
So we had bad weather this week and after the 2nd day in the house we decided to GET OUT and take the girls to Chuckee Cheeses regardless of the ice...we had been in the house for toooo long as kelsey would say!!! Anyway this picture is priceless b/c it tells the exact differance in my two girls....notice how kailyn is riding the horse vs kelsey...and also notice my husband..he is not messing around either:))) this is serious business!!!

Hands up!!!!!

Kailyn is telling us that there is Chucke cheese

and there she goes....

PIZZERIA.....

2009-01-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

The FIRST HEAD HOUSEHOLD PIZZERIA...Introuding Vinny, Mia, Angelina and Estella!!!!

Working Hard on The SAUCE....

Wait, Mom, I have to taste it....

Yes, look closely, those are onions.....

Vinny checking on the pizzas

Miss Angelina...

Miss Estella

I am MIA:)

Kelsey has a book that she loves to read about making pizzas so we decided that we would do it and then it was so much fun that we are now making it a Head TRADITION...

Kelsey and Kailyn for Pajama Day at MDO:)

2009-01-19T08:11:00.000-08:00

Lets go to the movies....Lets go see the stars...(yes, from my FAVORITE movie, Annie!!) We were singing this theme song all night b/c we had our FIRST Family MOVIE night...Madagascar 2 was playing at the dollar movie so we took the family!!

this would be them walking through the dark "ghetto" hall...remember it is the dollar movie so cant have too high of expections...:))) if you look closely Kailyn has on her shoes backwards and yes those are sunglasses that kelsey is wearing.....no we can not explain that one:) but she "had" to wear them...

In front of the movie we are about to see!

ahhhh...the most important part...which candy to choose from!!!

still looking...

Miss Kailyn!!! her attention span isnt exactly there yet...but she did enjoy eating and going from lap to lap.....

kelsey after the movie...she forgot her sunglasses in the theatre...so yes i went back in and searched for them in the dark w/ sticky nasty floors...but YES i did find them...so she eventually cheered up...wow is janson going to have a lot of hormones/emotions to deal with:))))

before MDO...yes, those are poptarts in their hands...dont know how the working mom does it...get out the door dressed, w/ a healthy breakfast, lunches packed...so this morn. i reverted to a good ole poptart!!!!

2009-01-02T07:30:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...most people do just want to see pictures but i like to post what is "truely" going on in our lives...if anyone cares to read that is:))) ok so this is just so funny to me w/ how God truely works...everything that Janson and i have been talking about has been completly coming to life in this study we are doing...last night we read on "Gods purpose for oneness" and wow!!! we have been contemplating what God wants as to "our family" and not having a mediocre marriage but one full of truth and depth...soooo....pg 112 -113 from Staying Close...skipping around, being a English major yes i know this is not correct but...."One of the best ways to mirror God's image is through a line of godly descendants-our children-who will carry a reflection of His character to the next generation...Gods original plan called for the home to be a sort of greenhouse-a nurturing center where children grow up to learn character, values, and integrity. Psalm 78 insturcts parents to teach their children to carry the message of who God is to the next generation, and through these lines of godly descendants, Satan's kingdom would be defeated...Today, however, I observe one big problem with many Christian couples regarding childbearing and child rearing: They conform more to the world's standards than to God's"...ok so not saying lets go and produce, produce and that we are trying but funny how God gave us this to read at this particular time...and just how we do worry about money, etc rather than Gods plan for us...or maybe that is just Janson and i and not the rest of the world:)...

also we thought this was good...we have been contemplating starting kelsey in soccer or ballet or something...why?? b/c aren't we suppose to??isn't that being a good parent??? starting your kids in "stuff"....

"As you plan your families, be very carful to get your orders from God and not from the world- the secular system in which we live. Another problem I ovserve today in many couples is that they are not raising their children w/ a sense of mission and direction. They aren't imparting to them the importance of leaving a legacy of changed lives. Most parents do have some type of plan for their children; the problem is it doesnt' go far enough. Usually parents plan education, activities, type of person they want them to marry but on the spiritual side, it doesn't go much further than making sure they live a good life and recieve Christ. If our children do not gain a sense of "mission" as they grow up, they may slide into the pews as adults to live their entire lives w/ out experiencing the privilege of God using them in a significant way."
no, i am not saying that i am not going to put my kids in activities ect...but funny how i do so easily get carried away w/ what i am "suppose" to do or what the "world" says....we just want so badly to raise our kids according to Gods will and no one ever said how hard this was going to be...guess this is how Christ keeps us close to him!!! this is GRACE!

one more thing...love this on pg 117...."you cannot kill time w/out injuring eterntiy. In the same way, you can't have a mediocre marriage w/ out poorly reflection n God's Character....so yes it is work but isn't it all worth it:)

and yes for a few pictures....from the holidays!!! kelsey got her first soccer ball!!! we will see about that...back to starting her in soccer....not sure if she would actually where the uniform, anyway:))) haha!

The best Gift of ALL...

2008-12-31T09:48:00.000-08:00

We got the best Christmas gift of all this year...a lesson in faith and a on the road to health, Kailyn Paige:) We had a scare this holiday season but in all we learned that we forgot to trust fully in Christ but more in doctors and ourselves. It started off w/ Kailyn getting fever, diarreah, cough 2 weeks ago...well we just assumed we have all had it so kailyn now has it...we forget though that b/c Kailyn had RSV it is harder for her to get over a cough...anyway so this started on a sat, we took her in on monday...they gave her a zpac which they said would "surely" work but if not they would bring in the guns, whatever that meant...oh and this was not my regular dr. he was on Christmas break already...anyway 80 dollars and 3 days later it was not working, she still had fever, cough, diarreah and now a horrible diaper/urine infection/rash...so on Christmas Eve we find the only pharmacy we can for them to call in a new antibiotic in and cream....well....the following sat she still had all of the above and was a cranky, i do mean cranky, little girl....so monday we again take her in and yes are normal dr. is back...she has lost 4 pounds in 8 days, still has fever, and all above....losing 4 pounds on a little person is a lot!!! my dr. immediatly sends us over to the hospital....i am now getting super concerned...what am i missing??? did i do something wrong?? should i have caught this sooner??? all of these thoughts are going through my head, as a mother...after an hour of admittance they finally get us back for blood work...after having 3 of us hold her down and pricking her twice they can not get any veins in her arms or hands b/c she is too dehydrated....seriously i am now shaking b/c i have not heard her scream like that, ever! they call down more "blood" people to get second opinions to find a vein...after 2 more times they finally get in to one...all in all she was a brave little girl, considering! now we wait to get the results back....my precious friend, tarrah, had kelsey so while we go get her, they call....to find out she had a high platellete count and high white blood cells so our dr. sends us to Cooks Childrens to see a infectious diesease specialist...he said to go immediatly...my in-laws had come up mean while to keep kelsey at our house so when we came back to drop off kelsey and get packed to take kailyn in to ft. worth i melted...break down....where was my faith, hope and belief???? there is a disease called Kawaskies disease (sp?)...Dr. Squirres said she had signs of it and if she did have it, it was urgent that we get her admitted into cooks and start meds b/c can cause a heart condition and anorisms...janson and i take kailyn and while we were in an hour of traffic God def. used this time to talk/consult w/ me....he gave me an overwhelming sense of peace and just a sense of letting go...knowing he is in control...not me, not janson, not the doctors, But HIM:) and thank goodness for that. We got down to Cooks and after a full check up and the specialist did not think she has Kawaskies disease....what a relief...he thought she had something called parvob12...he said we could do more blood work, etc...but janson and i made the decision to take Kailyn home...she had, had enough poking and proding for the day...we would take her home and rest, fill her w/ as much fluid and food as possible and trust in God...Yesterday was our first full day and it was wonderful...she still has the diarreah but her fever is gone...he is keeping an eye on her and we will do more blood work if necessary but right now we are waiting it out and trusting in God to heal her. thank you to all of those who have been praying their hearts out for her...we FELT all of your prayers, not just for her but us too!!!!! We are glad to be home and to have our trust and hope in Jesus Christ!!!

forgot to post KENSEY....

2008-12-14T17:59:00.000-08:00

yes another "k" but her name when we got her was Makenzie and that was too formal of a name so we shortened it to kensey...anyways this is her...

update...and Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-12T14:43:00.000-08:00

janson is officially done w/ football season!! sad b/c they lost but we are all very happy to have him home and to have my husband back and "HELP"!!! we just started a new book together, we always do after a long season, and it is called "Staying Close" by Dennis and Barbara Rainey!!! Def. recommend it!!! thanks again for that one tarrah...yes tarrah officially has a library at her house and is sweet enough to lend out/pass over books!!! guess i should thank adam too:))) anyway we have also gotten a new dog...she is precious and i just couldnt resist...i was on the way to pick the girls up from school and as i was passing the pound i saw this guy taking his boxer in to the pound....so i stopped and asked was he giving her up?? he said he was a police officer, worked nights and didnt have the time for her...anyway she is 9 months, fixed, all of her shots, knows basic commands and potty trained!!! i said ok put her in my car!! anyway she has been GREAT...the girls love her and maddie has also adjusted to her... i do feel like i have to vacuum on a daily basis but worth it...oh and she dug up all of my banana plants and two pushes in full tact...that was a little frusturating but oh well...am thinking she is helping me to have more of a desire to go walking!!

these are pics that i took of the girls for Christmas in front of the tree...they have their mothers day out recital on Sun. so JanJan bought them these cute dresses to wear so just had to take some pictures!!!

anyway that is all for now!!! Merry Christmas!!!!

Great BOOK...

2008-11-21T13:06:00.000-08:00

thanks tarrah for lending me From FEAR to freedom by Rose Marie Miller...it is WONDERFUL...already halfway through it...
love this from what i ready today
"Religious moralism is rooted in the power of the will and self. Eventually it fails and we act like orphans: frightened, insecure people who need to be in control. We might be able to analyze our problems, but we cannot invent a cure.
Christianity is rooted in the power of Jesus Christ. Eventually we come to rely on what he has already done about sin. We can still analyze our problems, but ultimatlely our hope for a cure rests on the grace that comes through our relationship with Jesus...."
Love how HONEST she is...also she says...
"We become victims of sinful family patterns when we refuse to see them operating in ourselves. It is painful to come to this kind of self-knowledge. It means admitting that, in some areas, we have been sinful and/or deceived our whole lives...
"Avoidance of painful truth manifests itself in our always having to be right and being intensely defensive in the face of criticism..."
anyway is a GREAT book and I definitly RECOMMEND it!!!

How about those RED RAIDERS!!!

2008-11-10T07:03:00.000-08:00

Go TECH!!! We can hardly believe how AWESOME TECH is doing!!! SOOO EXCITING!!! We actually went to the Tech vs Texas game...We had not been to a home game in 7 years, since we had graduated...w/ janson coaching it is impossible but we WENT TO THIS GAME and WOOOWWWWWW!!! My mother in law kept the girls and we left on Sat. afternoon as soon as janson got done w/ work and drove then went to the game, stayed w/ some friends and drove back Sun morning so janson could get back to work!!! it was a long and short trip but SOOO worth it!!! my parents had some extra tickets and boy were we glad we took them:) Anyway GO TECH!! National Championship here we come!!!!
As far as Raider Football...we start playoffs on Friday night!!! we play Birdville!!! so hopefully we will come home w/ a win!!! wish us luck:))))

Halloween

2008-11-05T08:09:00.000-08:00

We had such a good night last Friday! Janson had a football game so I took the girls trick or treating w/ the neighborhood friends and their kids and then we went to the game in the Colony!!! So it was a long night but came home w/ lots of candy and a win for the Ryan Raiders:) Here are some pics. of all of the kiddos!!!

SO much FUN!!!

2008-10-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

my parents had tickets to six flags and we went last saturday:) oh my gosh...our girls GREW up on us in a matter of minutes...we are just way too nieve thinking no way they wont ride any rides and they are tooooo young, etc....not the case...they wanted to ride EVERYTHING w/ their hands in the air:) i kept panicing thinking they were going to get scared and have to stop the ride but NOPE!!! and kelsey was NOT going to show kailyn up...so yes my 2 year old rode everything TOO...even the mini mine train!!! this must come from janson...i am a wus when it comes to ride...speaking of he was so excited and PROUD of his girls being brave...really cute to watch:) a few pics....thanks mom and dad for the tickets!

2008-10-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

a revolving heart:)

2008-10-18T06:53:00.000-07:00

So yesterday...wow a true adventure:) so we have decided if there are any times during the month that we have someone here to watch the girls i am going to take advantage of it and sub...well my father in law was in for the football game so he agreed to take on the girls for the day:) so it was my FIRST subbing experiance and i took a job for "life skills" not knowing anything of what i was going into or what God was going to teach me:) i get to Guyer H.S and they tell me i will have 2 aids to help w/ my class and where to go. so here i go through this huge H.S which has been foreign to me for 4 years now...i soon find out that "life skills" are the kids w/ special needs... i now knew this would def. be a day of "new" adventures and challenges:) I had about 9 kids and they were amazing. i have never worked hands on w/ kids of these disabilities and i truely LOVED it...yes it did scare me but what a blessing. the highlights of my day would be when they went to dance and they LOVED it... it was so precious to see the pure joy and love they had for life even w/ all of the challenges they faced daily. i had one bad incident when one of the kids w/ downs disapeared...he literally darted out of the room and ran for the bus...apparently he was really ready to get outside...he helps out w/ the football team so his excitement was overflowing...the kids were so loving, caring and truely a gift.
so the stressful part of my day came when i got home...the girls both had so much energy and were so READY to play w/ me and all i wanted to do was lay down:) i knew janson was scouting all night sooooo i got up the energy to pick up dinner and take them to the park! after the park was where everything began to fall apart. i got them in the bath and then the fire alarm starting going out so it would literally beap every minute...ANNOYING! i seriously was about to take a bat to it b/c i could not figure out how to get the battery back in...so now i have a ladder in the house, w/ naked girls running around wet and crazy and an alarm going off..then my crazy self thinks i am going to get the house clean before i go to bed so it is done for the weekend...fyi this is usually my outlet for my anxiety but not a good time. so now my girls are craving my attention but all I want to do is clean and have quiet...and i am exhausted and have no need to deal w/ kids...they are now fighting, screaming and missing their dad...after they talk w/ janson on the phone i finally start the bed time process of the fight over who gets to pick the first book and getting water, etc.....finally think i get a moment to myself when kelsey has an emotional breakdown about why i was gone so long today and where was i and why and why did i not take her w/ me...so after explaining that and loving on her i finally get her to sleep:)))) uhhhh...so finish cleaning my house, take a shower, and finally Greys Anatomy...so i thought...i could literally feel God tugging on my heart saying everything has been for YOU today??? let GOOOO!!! so ok! i thought i could not enjoy my show unless i did a quick quiet time, right? so i thought...God had a lesson for me that would again rock my world. as i was turning to Luke he took me to a pg. about Heaven...(a study in Max Lucado Bible) this is what it said...
The only ultimate disaster that can befall us, I have come to realize is to feel ourselves to be home on earth. As long as we are aliens, we cannont forget our true homeland. Unhappiness on earth cultivates a hunger for heaven. By gracing us with a deep dissatisfaction, God holds our attention. The only tragedy, then, is to be satified prematurely. To settle for earth. To be content in a strange land...
We are not happy here because we are not at home here, We are not happy here because we are are not supposed to be happy here. We are "like foreigners and stangers in this world" (1 Peter 2:11)
So everything from the beginning of my day to the end begin to fall in place...the world constantly tells us to have it together and take control of your path...the kids i took care of today show obvious signs of not being satisfied here on earth w/ continually needing help, ect..so often i feel i have to be reminded b/c the world so tells us "we" are to be able to do everything, conquer new things, have this or that, etc. but that is so not the case. being satisfied or "having it together" keeps us so much further from the cross...it should not be foreign to long for the day when we will be satisfied in heaven and to know that Heaven is the only place we will be able to rest w/ our hearts/souls.....so in the end it is a good thing to NOT be satisfied!!! life is a struggle... that is where the end of my day showed me how i have to lean on and long for Christ to give me patience/wisdom in raising Kelsey and Kailyn and being the wife/mother/friend/daughter he desires me to be.....that is how Christ keeps me close:) so opposite from what the world tells us:)

Happy Fall:)

2008-10-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

So we had a great weekend in Abilene w/ our reunion and Crickets baby shower! Of course I did not take any pictures except for one which my mom actually took...My life is def. completly centered around two little girls b/c i can remember to take pics of them but not other things...haha...anyway I have one of Calista and me...Calista and I have known each other since 5th grade, the grade I moved to Abilene....so I have probally known her longer than any friend from my childhood!!! Anyway I had a great time and so glad I went...also have pics from the girls...their "fall" pics...they are going to be fairys for halloween...i found wings, skirts, and wands all at the dollar store so was talked them into how NEAT it would be to be a princess fairy!!! they were hooked!!! so yes 6 dollars later they are both fairies...

Parks and Ducks:)

2008-10-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

We had the BEST day the other day! We went up to Eureka park around 8am and kelsey rode her bike and i pushed kailyn in the stroller and at times kailyn pushed too! anyway 2 miles of riding/walking and 2 different stops at parks along the way.
My thought process...
So i have been so blessed to be able to see a Christian Counselor and she has given me scripture and led me in such a way to have direction w/ the girls and just my everyday walk. she had me think of Janson as Christ, Me as the chuch and God put us together so when we come together we make Disciples...Such a great analogy. That is exactly what Jesus did...He comes together w/ the Church to make disciples while on earth...so for me to see that God has the same plan for me was amazing...wierd b/c something i knew in my head but not in my heart. Titus 2 talks about the role of a wife/mother and how God desires us to be a helpmate...yes that sounds feminist in our modern world but God wants us daily to make a plan. That is what Jesus did every moment. He did not wake up and just go on a whim...He planned out what he was going to do w/ his disciples...So this is the advice my counselor gave me...Every morning wake up and after my quiet time journal what is my role as a wife today? what is my role as a mom today? she also told me that Jesus only had so many years to disciple and that is the same w/ Janson and I. I am only home w/ them for a VERY short time before they go off to school and then my time is more limited. She showed me just how IMPORTANT my job is as a mother and role at home. It is so EASY for me to forget that. The world is so good at telling me that more money is better and success is found in our job...well in all actuallity success is found right here at home. She also showed me how important it is for me while i am at home to teach the girls and show the girls how i encourage/support Janson...how they daily see how we are TOGETHER on everything...So my point in all this is how greatful I am that God has revealed just how important my role is and Satan SO wants to tell me otherwise...So this morning was GREAT b/c everything i did was planned out and God so blessed that time. we walked/talked looked at every bug/insect and God gave me this time to point it all back to him.
at first i did feel a little odd about seeing a Christian counselor b/c sounds like something was wrong...but in all actuallity something is always wrong...we are living on earth! we are sinful and need daily help until Christ comes...So God humbled me and showed me my pride very fast in any insecurity that i had:)
anyways just wanted to share what has been on my heart and just how encouraged i have been in daiy asking Today what is my role as a wife/mother...and then seeking it out:)

busy...

2008-09-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

it has been a very busy but GREAT week:) for starters we can not keep two little girls out of our bed...seems like during season we always have two little ones make their way into our room throughout the night...if janson has the energy he puts them back in their bed but not this morning...needless to say we have figured out how to sleep w/ two little people in a queen size bed:)
it was the big game on friday night so we had jansons running backs over for dinner on wed. night. the girls always get so excited when we have the "footballs", as kelsey calls them, over! they were even more excited b/c they got to eat on the floor (aka picnic) b/c we did not have enough seats at the table.
well the dinner ended up turning out better than the game:( we lost 32-35...all of the coaches have come to the conclusion that this could be a good thing...better to lose now and get the nerves out than in the playoffs...plus we still only lost by 3 w/ 7 turnovers...yes, 7 turnovers...there were def. a lot of nerves flying:)
so we are back home and kailyn and I are officially sick. we have got colds...we could not get kailyn down last night b/c she was sooo congested and our humidifier broke...so janson made a late night run to CVS!!! it was worth it b/c she slept till 7 this morn....I, however, am staying close to coffee, frosted mini-wheats, and KLEENEX's....hopefully we are on the UP...

my parents...

2008-09-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

so... my parents are moving! a job has literally fallen in my dads lap and they are going! it is in longview, tx and my grandmother and moms sister will literally be 45 mins. away in tyler so is PERFECT! weird that my parents will officially be out of Abilene but am so EXCITED for them. if anyone knows of someone looking for a house to buy in Abilene let my know!
we had a great weekend in Abilene doing a garage sale trying to make a dent in all of my parents stuff:) aunt kristen and baby sydney were there and i am so mad i did not take any pictures...my mom took the girls to see Elmo live and they are still talking about it...it was obviously a HIT:)
it is our first week of district and are first game is against Ryder on Friday...we are 3-0 so far, so hopefully we will keep the streak going!

can we say....

2008-09-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

FOOTBALL + NACHOS= TARRAH:)

whats been going on...

2008-09-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

so football games, friends (my girls LOVE babies...baby layton in pic.), family, playing, and STARTING Mothers Day Out! The last pic. is of Kelsey this morning before school. She is so excited about starting Pre-K...yes Pre-K....she woke up this morning and i said what do you want to wear and she said, "i want to wear my pink skirt, ya know mom, the one from the garage sale..." not sure how long she will love and appreciate garage sale clothes:) but anyway thought it was so cute. this morning I gave her a "special" princess pencil bag to put in her bookbag to let her know how proud of her we are and we knew she would be so sweet to all of her friends and i started CRYING! just the thought of my baby starting to grow up is tearing me up! I feel like i need at least five more years at home with her:) it just goes by SOOO fast...anyway when i dropped her off at her "new" pre-k room she said "okay mom, kiss and hug....BYE!" in my head i thought, what??? no fits or crying or mom i am going to miss you??? such a catch 22....glad she loves school but i miss her already:)

Goes out to Sage, Kelseys best friend, and all others starting school:)

2008-08-26T06:10:00.001-07:00

A Mom's Prayer On the First Day of School

Here we are again, Lord. Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed and their lunch accounts are full.
And I know you'll walk with them, Lord. You always do. But a mom…a dad….still has to ask.
Will You walk with them? Will You whisper to them what they need to hear, when I'm not there to whisper it?
Will You please, oh please, cover their school with the protection only You can give, and will You keep harm far away?
Will You make their minds strong and ready to learn? Will You help them understand that hard work honors the One who created them?
Will You guide their teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and more patience? Will You bless them for their efforts?
Will You love all those children there, the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full, the ones who feel alone? Will You teach my children to be kind and unselfish and to love those who are different from them?
Will You point them back toward home just as soon as you can?
Lord, I give them to You today and everyday, trusting them to Your care.
Amen

(got this from one of kailyns/kelseys mothers day out teachers and thought it was PRECIOUS)

my biggest struggle...

2008-08-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

resting in God is for sure my biggest struggle...worrying, contemplating every senario or situation, ect....but just had to share...again from Battlefield of the Mind (yes it is taking me an eternity to get through this book:))...Being at peace, enjoying the rest of God in the midst of the storm, gives much glory to the Lord because it proves that His ways work (p127)....
Our pastor, Matt, did a sermon on Sunday about living for Christ fully...how that is all he wants...w/ all of our my mind, strenth, soul to live for Him....i have been so desperatly struggling w/ exactly how that looks and just being at rest in Jesus and not having to know or see a "perfect" picture of that. also another great quote from her book "Jesus did not come to remove all oppostion from our lives, but rather to give us a different approach to the storms of life" (p 127) I have definitly been going through some storms but wow what a great quote...we are going to go through storms daily but having Jesus is the only way to get through them...we DO live in a sinful FALLEN world and thank goodness He gave us HOPE!:)
oh...one more...The proud man is full of himself, while the humble man is full of God. The proud man worries; the humble man waits. (p 126) see how it is taking me forever... i have to think so much after every page and then all of the beautiful interuptions of two little girls:::)))))) anyway it truely is a really good book...

summer is over:(

2008-08-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

so summer has been officially over for a few weeks now but things are starting to get back to routine...Kelsey and Kailyn are all over the olymipics or should i say shawn johnson, the gymnast! They LOVE watching her and try to do everything she does off of our furniture...the one positive is janson is praying that they each pick indoor sports/activities...since he is in the heat all day he would much prefer be indoors:) he has "races" w/ them every night throughout the house...we can already tell that kelsey DOES not like to loose...they are also very excited about starting their ryan raider cheerleading season again...or they think:)haha! they were sooo excited b/c they got to have their pic w/ the ryan raider cheerleading squad...like seriously you would have thought they went to disney world:)) so yes if you have a little girl save your money and just take them to see cheerleaders at a football game...anyway here are a few pics of my gymnast/cheerleaders...and yes that one is of them jumping on the bed doing their somersaults so dont judge...we are rule breakers over here!

great book...

2008-08-01T16:28:00.000-07:00

Joyce Meyer...Battlefield of the Mind
tarrah and i are reading this book and it is really opening my eyes to so many things...quote for the week!
"It is important to understand that the mind needs to be kept in the 'normal' condition. Compare it with the usual condition of our minds and you will see why we frequently have very little revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, and why far too often we feel ourselves lacking in wesdom and revelation. "
"Remember, the Holy Spirit attempts to enlighten the mind of the believer. The HOly Spirit gives information from God to the person's spirit, and if his spirit and mind are aiding one another then he can walk in devine wisdom and revelation. But if his mind is too busy, it will miss what the Lord is attempting to reveal to him through his spirit."
this just really hit me...there is so many times that i am wanting the Lord to speak to me and 'like, where are you???' but my mind is so crowded and busy w/ everything else that even if he was speaking to me i would not be able to hear him....love it!
also falling that is pg 81 talks about 1Kings 19:12....."a still small voice" being God....
okay so one more thing.... love this!!!!
on pg. 84 it says...
"Satan, of course, knows this fact, so he attacks your mind, waging war against you on the battlefield of your mind. He wants to overload and overwork your mind by filling it with every kind of wrong thought so it cannot be free and available to the Holy Spirit working through your own human spirit." just makes me so mad b/c sooo true:))))