Back to School

We went back to school this week. Baylor to kindergarten, Chase to preschool, and me to college. We gonna to be lots gooder and smarter than all's y'alls now.

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Getting ready for the first day

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Baylor and Chase with their new teachers

High School Reunion

It's funny how much we have changed since high school, yet when I got with my old high school friends all the adultness left the room. All the sudden we were acting like hyper, annoying, teenage girls again. I recently had my 10 year high school reunion at Minute Maid Stadium, in Houston, and it was really fun. I got to see a lot of people I had not seen in...well 10 years. There are few things more rewarding than seeing and hugging an old friend, so I was glad I went and got to do that. Thanks for the memories Kingwood High School. Go Mustangs! Rub the hoof!

Shelly's Wedding

My sister Shelly finally got married. It was such a beautiful wedding and special occasion. I could not be more excited for them.

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Here is an adorable video of Shelly and Matt's love story.

http://vimeo.com/27089499

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And here are some picture from the wonderful day....

I got to spend the morning with Shelly helping her get ready. She is so cute and everything went great.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The wedding ceremony was beautiful. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fun was had by all at the wedding reception-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And just in case that didn't capture the moment. Here are a few pictures from my camera....

The bridal shower-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our family with our new addition

Little Update

Here's a little update about me and my boys. I'll go first...

School has been going well. I've recently finished Government, Biology, and started History last week. I'm going to McNeese State University in the fall and plan to graduate with a degree in Biology Education (someday in the not near future). I also started my marathon training group last week and hope to train for another marathon, and maybe qualify for Boston this time...HUGE maybe. All in all things are good. I had a few hectic months and didn't know what I was doing, but I feel good about the direction I'm going and the plans I've made.

As for the boys, they are doing awesome! They are such sweet boys. Lately I have caught myself thinking that I am so happy to have two boys...wait that came out wrong. I've always been happy to have two boys, but I guess it has become more evident how great it is that they have each other and are brothers. Baylor starts kindergarten in the fall and is super excited about that. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do with Chase while I'm at school. I'm hoping to figure that out soon.

And just because, here are a few pictures of what we've been up to lately. Have a great day!
Fourth of July with Brody and some totally, awesome fireworks
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My nieces visiting us in Lake Charles
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My boys just being cute

While we were staying in Houston Baylor attended preschool and graduated. It was cute and fun, and I am proud of my little graduate. Plus, I think he looks totally adorable and all grown up in his cap and gown.

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We recently took the kids to The Magic Island of Sodar to visit Thomas the Train. Okay, you figured me out, it was Heber City, Utah.

It went great and the kids had a blast. We then visited Brody’s family in Idaho for a few days. We really enjoyed our time with them. Brody has such a great family. Brody and I decided even though we are separated and in the process of divorcing we wanted to be sure the kids could still do fun things, and since neither of us could handle traveling alone with our kids I went with them. We feel like it is really important to give them the chance to go on trips even in our situation. Sometimes you have to look past the issues that drove you apart as husband and wife and focus on what is best for the kids, which is respecting each other and working together to give them the best life we can as unmarried parents.

Moved

Well there has been a heck of a lot that has happened since my last post. The main thing is that I moved back to Louisiana. It went well. The kids are doing great and love being with their dad more. So far they have been with Brody everyday except when we were out of town. I actually feel really good about coming back here. I was a little hesitant at first, because I left home and my great, supportive family in Houston. Now that I'm here I'm doing really well and liking it. I got all settled in, decorated my new place, started my summer classes, and finally got my internet hooked up. I wanted to post pictures of my new place. It's kind of nice having a place to call my own.
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Living Room

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Kitchen


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Baylor and Chase's Room


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My Room

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Bathrooms

The Future Mr. and Mrs. Favorite

I know exactly what you are thinking...this must be what looking at a visual definition of the word awesomeness would look like. Yes, I really was that awesome when I was 9 years old. But the point of these pictures is not to let you see what awesomeness looks like. It is for you to see how old I was when Matt (the guy fake punching me in the face) was introduced to our family. My sister Shelly started dating Matt when I was 9, so for nearly 20 years we have known him, and now nearly 20 years later they are engaged!

My sister Shelly is an amazing, likable, sweet, caring, wonderful woman and sister. She is so great that she is considered "the favorite" of many things. Many years ago she got the nickname "the favorite", and I am so excited for her to finally be engaged to her "Mr. Favorite".

Happy Easter

Easter Message From the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Among the most cherished thoughts and writings in this world is the divine statement of truth: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

This precious Son, our Lord and Savior, atoned for the sins of all mankind. That memorable night in Gethsemane His suffering was so great, His anguish so consuming that He pleaded, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Later, on the cruel cross, He died that we might live, and live everlastingly. Resurrection morning was preceded by pain, by suffering in accordance with the divine plan of God. Before Easter, there had to be a cross. The world has witnessed no greater gift, nor has it known more lasting love.

The message of Easter is that the Savior lives! And because He lives all shall indeed live again. This knowledge provides the peace for loved ones of those who have passed on, "Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: 'I know that my Redeemer lives!'"

Plan Q

Well plan A and B didn't workout a long time ago, so I've been trying to adapt ever since. I think I'm on about plan Q now. The next plan is to move back to Louisiana when this school year ends. I originally came to Houston in November when the last straw fell on the camel's back. I didn't really know what we were going to do. I think moving back to Louisiana will help, because Brody and I can work together to decide what to do. Brody and I had talked about divorcing and thought the best way to be divorced would be if we both lived in the same town, so the kids wouldn't go through such a big transition when switching homes and things like that. Plus, we both want to be very involved in their lives and still be the best parents we can be by working together. We (mostly me) feel like Texas is a great place to raise a family, especially because I have such a strong, great family here, economy is good, cost of living is great, strong communities, good education, and so on. We tried looking for a job here for Brody, but we couldn't find the right job. Brody has a great job in Louisiana right now, so I think we will just let him continue working there and fulfill his contract while I continue pursuing my education degree. We would then move to Houston when the time is right, and we could both move. I'm going to have my own place in Louisiana, although I'm sure I'll be in Houston all the time. So that is the plan for now, or at least plan Q.
Baylor and Chase are doing well. We stay active, happy, and busy with friends, family, and school during the day, but sometimes at night and especially after not seeing his dad for a few days Baylor gets sad and asks a lot of questions about us being separated. I've been reading a lot of books and getting advise on how best to handle this change with children. I actually think, given the situation we are doing pretty well, but everyday brings new challenges. I'm just doing everything the best way I know how and relying on the Lord for the rest.

Takin' the enemy out of frienemy

This is Baylor and his favorite cousin Brecken. They have not always been like this. They have tried to be friends for a long time, but every time they got together to play they just ended up fighting and acted more like enemies. They recently decided to take the enemy out of frienemy and are now really great friends. They don't fight anymore. They just play and have a great time together. Brecken told his mom that he liked playing with Baylor now, because Baylor is nice and acts like Jesus now.

Mutton Bustin'

If you aren't familiar with what Mutton Bustin' is, it is basically kids riding a sheep rodeo style. This is what it looked like.


We went to the Houston Rodeo this week with some friends and had a great time. Baylor got to go Mutton Bustin' while we were there. Baylor's ride didn't look as bad as the ones in the video, so no need to turn me in for child abuse. He just rolled off the side of the sheep after 1-2 seconds. It was hilarious. He loved it. He happily jumped to his feet after falling off and waved to the crowd.