Jackson's First Baseball Game

Friday afternoon we packed up the kids and headed to Houston. Jackson turns 4 on May 28th and we wanted to celebrate this year by taking him to his very first Astros game. Jason grew up with an obsession for the Astros and since I grew up in Houston (with a Dad with the same obsession) we felt that it was time for Jackson to become an avid fan.

We had the best time. And as you can tell, so did Jackson.

His Daddy had to buy him his own Astros shirt....and one for himself as well. :) (Excuse the quality on the above photo.)

During the 8th inning we walking down to the bottom and Jason got these pics.
This was our view. Beautiful stadium. And outrageously priced food!

I wanted to show this photo because it makes me smile for my husband. When Jason was growing up he played baseball. He played in high school and college. It was his life. Every time we drive by a baseball field he always comments on the time he and his dad spent on making the fields look good. They were obsessive I'm sure. We got to the field early and Jason took this picture. It just makes my heart smile because I know there is still a kid in him.

It was a great trip. There were great memories made. My favorite moment: Walking out of the stadium hearing thousands of people belt "Take Me Out To The Ball Game." Just reminds you that people still love the simple things.

A Quick Post

The kids spend their Friday mornings at my friend, Jenn's house. It is such a blessing because it allows me to go to staff prayer on Friday mornings and have one last weekend meeting before Sunday services. Plus, I know she LOVES them!!

This is just a little view into what they get to do over there. So fun. :)

Another quick note....

Jason had an amazing opportunity to go and meet Karl Rove last night with Sean (our pastor) and his friend Galen. There were only about 150 people there and they got to meet him. I know it was one of the neatest things he has ever gotten to be a part of. You can read all about it on his blog.

Family Update

Sometimes I forget that there is family who read this blog and don't get to see my kiddos all the time. :) So, here's an update in the life of Jackson & Reagan.

This picture pretty much says it all. The fact that she is in her Princess pajama gown and wearing a bow even says it more. Jason changes and puts her to bed every night. I thought it was funny he left the bow on her. She is such a girly girl who loves her daddy. She's talking more and more these days and continues with her love of food. This morning was her first time to be put in timeout. She threw a fit over not getting a cookie for breakfast and I had to stick her in the corner. She cried and then told me she was "saaahhhry". She still melts my heart even when she's misbehaving. I taught her a New Kids On The Block song that she sings along to, as well as, Taylor Swift's "Love Story". That's my girl.

Jackson.

My sweet boy. Key word....boy. I snapped this picture in the car recently. We were listening to Bon Jovi (courtesy of Jason) and he was rockin out on the "air" drums. He also got a new hair cut and looks even older to me. He'll be 4 on May 28th. I am already re-living the day we brought him home. So crazy. We are going to celebrate in Houston by taking him to an Astros game. His first game ever. Jason is so excited and I know this will be as much, if not more, of a celebration for him too. He still gets up every single night and wants to get in bed with us. He starts out in Reagan's room, but finds his way to ours around 2 am. I am usually so tired that I don't even realize he's in there with us. He still love school and LOOVEESS music.
Jason and I are doing wonderful. We just celebrated 6 years of marriage and couldn't be happier. We have been very blessed and are constantly seeing God provide for our family in every way. Our marriage has never been better. Jason has found a new love with yard work. (Or got sick of me saying things about it.) He is out there almost every day trimming trees, prepping to lay new grass, killing weeds, moving rose bushes, planting new flowers...etc. We've been eager to make a lot of changes in our home, but are taking it one step at a time. At this point, I don't care much about what we end up not getting done. I just love that we are excited about doing life together. Recently, Jason surprised me with a Pandora charm for my birthday. I love everything about it. He knows I love Pandora and he bought this one because it was the 6th Anniversary stone. I know that he was really thinking of us when he bought this. Really meant a lot to me....and now I'll stop gushing.

My sisters will be watching the kids this summer Tuesday - Thursday's. I plan on having a list of chores for them each day. Just kidding. I was 12 when they were born and I had my fair share of raising them. I'm just loving that they have to wipe bottoms 3 days out of the week.

We plan to spend lots of time at Landa Park in New Braunfels and the neighborhood pool this summer. I want a tan...and the kids want to swim...and I want a tan.

So, there it is. That's what's going on!

Urge to clean...

I have had the urge lately to totally simplify and clean our home. I would say that I am a clean person. Jason would say that I like to "clutter" things up.

Whatever.

So, lately we've been de-cluttering and getting rid of things we don't use anymore, need anymore...etc. Part of it is just something we have been needing to do, but another part of it is because of some deep convictions we've both been having.

"Contentment opens our eyes to the blessings around us." A great point from Pastor Sean's sermon this week.

However, Thursday night I came home after a long worship practice and saw this....

Usually my counters look more like this....

And that's just one little part....He stripped my whole kitchen. I noticed it immediately too. Yes, it looked clean, but it lacked all character and....ME! I told him I would give it a week.

And then I will put it back.

And rearrange his dresser drawers.

And his Ipod playlist.

And his shoes...and his toothbrush...

And the living room....again...

Jk.

Kinda.

This week..with an Anniversary. :)

It was a really crazy week. A good week, but a crazy one.

This week I....

made a trip to the ER. (glad that's over..)

figured some things out.

made headway.

sent my hubby to the river for a much needed break.

breathed.

meetings, meetings, meetings.....and more meetings.

prayed a lot.

heard from god.

went to Huisache Grill. Yum.

went to Gruene.

panicked.

let go.

loved.

organized.

hosted small group.

had fun.

prayed for hurting friends.

relaxed.

ate leftovers.

bought kids easter basket "treats".

celebrated my mother-in-law's new journey in life.

was grateful for friends who came through last minute.

learned.

led.

worshipped.

pushed myself.

slowed down.

watched "Have You Heard About The Morgan's?"

The best thing I did...

WE LOOK LIKE BABIES!!

Today Jason and I celebrated our 6 year Anniversary. I am so blessed. I really can not even convey how grateful I am to have a husband that loves me. No matter where we are in life we always, ALWAYS turn to each other. I am so blessed to have a husband that loves God first, loves our kids, tells me I'm beautiful, believes in me, encourages my passions and never gives up.

Our Weekend Getaway with John Mayer

2 christmas's ago, I got Jason the "Where The Light Is" John Mayer DVD. He had become pretty obsessed with the album, so I figured it would awesome to get him the live DVD.

Since then we have watched it about 22 times and not only do we know it by heart, but Jackson now thinks he will be John Mayer one day...except without all the "bad" stuff. :)

I heard he was coming to Austin in 2010 so when Jason's parents asked me what to get Jason for Christmas I naturally said, "tickets to the Mayer concert." And lo and behold there they were on Christmas day. Of course, they could not let him go alone, so they got 2 tickets.

Oh happy day for Natalie. :)

We've been sitting on the tickets since Christmas and finally March rolled around. This last Monday was the concert and it was fantastic.

Seriously. He is amazing.

No really...

He's really good.

And although he has said some pretty RIDICULOUS things lately, there is no denying his musical genius. So there.

Aaron & Bre watched our kids and we stayed over night in an awesome hotel and were so blessed to do it with 2 good friends who must really love us....

It was all in all...

relaxing

peaceful

fun

and most awesome.

We ate at the wonderful Annie's Cafe on Congress where I ate this French toast for breakfast ....

Mostly, I just love that we have FUN together. We were also celebrating our 6th Anniversary. 6 years...wow. Seems like yesterday we were dating and driving around listening to music just so we could be together. I'm just excited to see what God is doing in us. Makes my heart smile.

(Horrible picture of me, but it's still kinda cute)

My dearest love.

I sure do love this guy.

We went to a wedding this weekend. I had to sing and he married them. It was at the same church we got married in. Held a lot of memories for me.

I was actually quite emotional about it. My MIL was there and we were both crying.....of course it was a happy crying.

We've had a lot of stress in our life over the past year, but there is one thing that never has failed...our love for one another. I am more in love with him than ever before.

I suppose that is a good place to be when life gives you obstacles.

He's my dearest love. :)

Enchanted Rock

Jason and I have been wanting to go to Enchanted Rock for awhile. Both of us have never been. I am not from here, so I'm excused. Jason, however, has lived in San Antonio his whole life and has never even seen it. He had also never eaten squash when I met him. I mean, what kind of Texan doesn't go hike a massive rock and eat a yellow vegetable that is really only good when sauteed in butter and topped with melted cheese? Come on!

At the last minute, we decided to take the trek and drive a little

north of Fredericksburg. Aaron, Bre and the kids joined us. Of course, the boys rode in one car and the girls in another. Wouldn't have it other way. :)

When we got there the kids found a little creek to play in, we made hotdogs and then hiked up Enchanted Rock.

3 things I found:

I'm a wimp.

I'm out of shape.

And a man with only one leg shamed us all.

Repeat, lather, rinse.

The moment that made me get my butt off that rock and walk was when I saw the one legged man hiking up past me.

We made it up to the top though! Jason carried me....errrr,

Reagan on his back. My HERO!

Jackson, Abby & Carson LOVED every minute of it. It was a really fun day. I love getting out and it was so much fun to do it with family. I'm also glad that we haven't hit the Texas heat yet. Thank you God for cloudy, windy days!

This picture is so adorable. Obviously, (because it's good) Breanna took it.

Daddy & Rae. :) All 30 lbs of her!

Okay, so what I love is that you can't see Reagan, but you CAN see her bear.

2 funny points: A. She carried a bear up a mountain B. It's in our picture, but she's not.

I don't think Bre and I have had a picture taken together since she was 8 months pregnant in my wedding and wanted to kill me for putting her in a bridesmaids dress. :)

I love this picture!

This Week...

Thursday's have turned into my..."what have I done this week" posts. I know that Friday is still to come, but I never have anything really exciting happen on Friday's.

And now I'm just babbling....moving on.

This week I....

took a road trip.

drank coffee.

went to HEB Plus...awesomeness & great salad bar!

watched Public Enemy.

fell over in shock from a clean house.

actually kept the clean house CLEAN!

worried.

told my husband I loved him.

weighed myself to see that I have lost 5 lbs!

worshipped.

talked to Terra!!

cried.

watched "That Thing You Do." :)

laundry.

made Tilapia.

prayed for miracles.

found a missing earring.

surrendered.

overslept.

washed my hair.

had a wonderful lunch with my hubby.

felt loved.

planned a trip to the Caribbean......

okay not really. :(

saw God move. the best one of all.

This week...

This week I....

cried.

laughed.

hugged my babies.

cried.

went to work.

blogged.

attended meetings.

got up early.

went to bed late.

slept in.

took a shower.

cooked.

ate sour candy.

drank lots of water.

yelled.

sang.

worshipped.

got angry.

gave grace.

cried.

loved.

received grace.

kissed.

thanked god.

listened.

cleaned.

heb'd. (my new word for going to heb)

bought flowers.

apologized.

forgave.

cried. (again)

mopped.

did laundry.

prayed.

battled.

grew.

was challenged.

encouraged a friend.

was encouraged by a friend.

believed in myself.

read the word.

and cried some more. I cried a lot this week. Ha! Yeah, like that is really different for me!! The best thing about my week was that I came home to a husband, who walked with me every step of the way this week (and only he knows what that means) and still told me he "loved me more than anything." I needed to hear that. :) BTW, I keep coming back to this scripture. This week once again reminded me of what God wants to give His people....and I am so glad I am part of that.

Isaiah 61:3

...to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD

for the display of his splendor.

Happy Friday!

Christmas - Part 1

There is a lot to post about for Christmas 2009. It is definitely a memorable one. Some ups and some downs, but overall one that truly has left me thanking God for all the he has done.

Here is our Christmas (in pictures) with Jason's parents. I love them so much. Way more than I could have ever expected to love them. I am so lucky to have such fantastic, supportive and Godly in-laws.

(P.S. These are all pics that my MIL took. I didn't get any while we were over there.)

This picture just simply makes me laugh. Abby and her Winnie The Pooh.

Jason's parents surprised him with tickets to see John Mayer in Austin! I knew about this the wholetime and was SOOO excited to see him open this. Of course, I am also thrilled that I get to go with him. He he.

Miss Girly Girl Reagan in her new ballerina skirt.

This gift made me cry. A lot. Breanna recently took our family photos....in a bed and in the freezing cold weather. I had the bright idea to do a family portrait in our pj's, but I wanted to do them outside. Breanna and I decided that a bed out in "nature" would be awesome. I wasn't expecting this at all and had not even been able to purchase pictures yet. Wow.

My family means so much to me and this picture will forever be one of the best gifts ever!

Reagan and Abby. Sweet cousins.

Jackson and Carson both received musical instruments. Jackson the drums and Carson the guitar. They decided to trade (for only a short time, I'm sure) and put on a rock concert. I LOVE this picture!!!

Daddy and Rae. Stuffed from the great food and tired from the long (but great) day!