MDO Christmas Party

Kyle had his Christmas Party today at Mother's Day Out. The big kids had a Christmas show. Our class just had a special gym play time. Then we had a book exchange and Kyle got a new book about a puppy! We then went to the cafeteria for a pizza party and cake and cookies! No more school until January 5th!

Kyle and Nana opening up the book!

Daddy was able to come for some of my party!

Eating pizza...

...and cake!

RIP Roopy Dog

Last week was one of the hardest weeks in a long time. Our family dog, Blanca, was killed. She was 1 day shy of her 4th birthday. We were leaving for Fort Worth for a few days and I was outside cleaning out the car. Blanca was outside playing. She always plays so well outside and she comes right when I call her. We live on a cul-de-sac and all the neighborhood dogs play together outside. Blanca was visiting one of her friend dogs and was on her way home when a Terminex truck drove down our street and hit her, killing her instantly. While I am thankful it happened fast and she felt no pain (she never knew what happened), I am extremely angry at Terminex...who is claiming they never hit her. However, since I was outside when I happened I know that is not the truth. I wish they would just be honest and say, "I'm sorry, it was an accident." That's all I am looking for. But, they would rather lie about it.

When I saw here lying there I ran over to her, she was about 2 houses over. I picked her up and ran inside to Kevin, who was actually taking a shower. We tried to get her to wake up, but we both knew she was gone. We woke up Kyle from his nap and drove to our vet, not letting him see Blanca. The vet told us what we already knew..she was gone. But hearing it made it so much more real.

Nearly a week has gone by and I still feel like she should be there when I walk in the door. I feel like I need to be careful getting out of bed in the morning so I don't kick her off because she slept right at my feet. I miss having to always fix the pillows on the couch because she napped on top of them. She was a perfect dog. Kevin gave her to me as a gift a month before we got married, so she has been there with us since the beginning. I remember when Kyle was a newborn. She would lay on the bed next to the bassinet with her little face resting on the side of the bassinet watching Kyle sleep. She would come get me if he stirred and bark at anyone who came near him. She let Kyle pull her tail and ears when he got older and now that he is a toddler they were great friends.

Kevin and I love having pets in the home and we feel it is good for Kyle to be raised around pets too. We are going to wait a few months until we are no longer grieving and then we will go to a nearby shelter and find a new family dog. I know we will love the new dog just as much as Blanca, but we will never have another Blanca. She is greatly missed.

Thanksgiving Party at MDO

Kyle had his Thanksgiving party at Mother's Day Out today! They made place mats that had pictures of family members on it and they made a turkey out of his little hand print. It was adorable. Then they sat down for a Thanksgiving Feast...well, for a toddler it was a feast. He is doing well at MDO and meeting new friends. He has a little buddy and they are best friends at school. It is so sweet.

Fall Football

We went to Georgetown to watch David play in his football game against Leander. Sadly, Georgetown lost (bad), but we still had a great time! Kyle loves to watch and play football. He's our future little football star! Here are some pictures of the family at the game!

Bampa, Nanny, and Joycie watch Kyle as he talks to his cousin Ben.

Kyle is so sweet to Ben. They are so cute when they play together.

Kyle eating Aunt Joycie's popcorn and watching the game. Actually, at this moment he is watching the cheerleaders. Oh boy!

Halloween Pumpkin

We carved our pumpkin tonight and this was the first year Kyle got to help out! He doesn't like to have his hands dirty, so we were unsure how he would like the pumpkin guts. He loved taking the top off and putting it back on, but we were right about the pumpking guts...he wanted nothing to do with that. Here are some pictures of the process:

Kyle made the first cut

Making the top part so we can put the candle inside

Kyle loved to play with the lid

The finished product...

Pointing at the pumpkin...he was amazed at the light inside

Pappie's Visit

Pappie came to Austin to visit us from Dallas. He and Mamaw were only able to stay a day, but it was nice seeing them. I love the goofy look on Kevin's face. Pappie brought Kyle a shirt that said, "My grandpa is a biker." He's wearing it in the picture, but you can't really see it. This is a picture of the "Knight Men" and when I see this picture of think of the theme song to the show Two and half men...ya know men, men, manly men, men, men. Hehe. They think they are so tough. And below is Pappies new toy. Kyle was still a little uncertain about the bike, as he should be...no bikes for him!

First day of Mother's Day Out

Kyle went to his first day at Mother's Day Out today at our church. He was so excited to put on his backpack and go to "school." His teachers name is Mrs. Joyce and she is a sweet lady. I know he will have lots of fun. When we arrived in the classroom, he immediately went and played with his friend Hudson. Here are some pictures...

Kyle wearing his new backpack.

Showing off his matching Thomas the Train lunchkit.

He is so excited about starting school today!

Waiting by the door...ready to go!

Heading off for his first day.

Nana came with us to take Kyle to his first day of school.

Look at all the fun toys!!

Playing with his friends while Mrs. Joyce gets everyone organized.

Sitting in his seat at the table.

Playing with Hudson

Just another Wednesday

Currently, Kevin has Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. I really like it because we can do things while most people are working, so it is way less crowded. Yesterday, we went to the park, swimming in the pool, and then grilled burgers. Today, we went to church and met Mrs. Joyce, Kyle's MDO teacher. They will be learning how to color and glue and I think he will have a great time this year. We start on Tuesday!! Here are a few pictures from the pool:

Our New Church

God's timing is perfect! After being in Austin for only 2 months, we have found our church home. We are attending (and soon joining) Victory Baptist Church (www.victorybyfaith.org). This church is just what we need! It is small. We were welcomed by so many warm people and they made sure we felt welcomed and were plugged in from the start. Pastor Brann gives the most in depth, convicting, and challenging sermons I have ever heard. He is not a pastor that gives the "make me feel like a good happy Christian" sermon, but digs deep into scripture.

The nursery is go great. They are wonderful with Kyle. He starts Mothers Day Out there twice a week in September. They will learn how to hold crayons and color, make art projects, and learn about God's creation.

The people in our Sunday School are so nice. In fact, God's timing is perfect there too. They are actually in the middle of a book called "Love and Respect." First, this is the best book I have ever read and anyone who is married must read this book. It will honestly change your marriage and make it so much stronger!!! As some of you may know, Kevin and I have had a rough start to our marriage and almost ended it a few times. We have faced many challenges and battles and sometimes we aren't strong enough to fight them alone. I can honestly say that this book has saved our marriage. We are still reading it together and it has opened eyes, communication, and our hearts. I know God placed us at that church and in that Sunday School class at that time for that reason.

Anyway, I am very excited about our new church home and "Love and Respect." I wanted to share both of those blessings with you.

Big Boy Toothbrush

I finally got tired of getting bit everytime I brused Kyle's teeth with those finger brushes, so I broke down and bought him his first big boy toddler toothbrush. I had one of those mom moments - ya know, my baby is growing up and all. Kyle loves getting to brush his teeth by himself after I brush them. Here are a few pictures!

Beware of Olive Oil

As if Kevin and I haven't been through enough already, we just returned from a lovely tour of the Cedar Park ER.

Tonight, I was cooking dinner...Marsala Chicken (mmmm). I heated up my olive oil, garlic, and parsley. I went to add my chicken and placed the first chicken breast in the hot oil. As I dropped it in the pan, oil splattered up onto my hand and burnt it. At first I thought, eh. But, the pain kept getting worse. So, I called Kevin who told me to call my dad. So, I did. He told me to go to the after hours clinic. I figured I didn't want to waste any money on a slight burn, so I finished dinner, fed Kyle and myself. But, the blisters were getting worse as was the pain. So, I called the clinic and they recommended I go to the ER. I took Kyle to the neighbors and went to the ER.

When the doctor looked at it he told me I had second degree burns on my right hand. He also said that I was very lucky that it didn't burn my palm, because if it did he would send me straight to a burn unit. After a tetnus shot, some medication on my hand, a bandage and hand sleeve, and some vicotin the doctor released me to Kevin, who met me at the ER because he was still at work.

My hand looks really nasty when the bandages are off and the doctor said it will be painful for the next few days, but the vicotin should help out. When we got home, Kevin re-heated his dinner. I asked him if he liked the Chicken Marsala. I told him he better, that was probably a $2,000 dinner he just ate.

Moral of my little experience...use tongs when putting chicken in hot oil!

My Business

We have been in Austin for just over a month now and God has blessed us every step of the way. It is difficult starting a business from scratch, especially when you quit a job to do so. But, God has been so good! It is amazing to watch Him work and understand that I can't take credit for any of it. He has obviously taught Kevin and I alot about relying on Him through this.

Cakes have been coming in and I love it! We have got my DBA, business checking and savings, and new computer...which I love! We are now saving for my website and some more equipment that I will need.

The wedding cakes are fun because I like being able to create bigger cakes, but I love the kids cakes at Pump it Up. I really get to be creative with those. I will be making a magnifying glass cake this month and make it look like it is magnifying something. It will be fun to make.

The best part...staying home with Kyle. He is such a joy! Although the whole toddler phase is exhausting, I love watching him learn. We are slowly learning how to work with his stubborn personality (which he got thanks to his daddy...hehe). It is funny at times, but I try not to laugh. I have signed him up for Mothers Day Out at the church we will more than likely be attending here. I can't wait for him to start! He needs that socialization and it's only two days a week. So, I plan to bake one day and volunteer at a local crisis pregnancy center the other day. I do miss that ministry.

That is really all that is new here. We are adjusting, searching for a church home, new friends, and such. I'll update with my website once I get one!

The Big Move

Well, we actually did it! We packed up and said goodbye to good ole Fort Worth. It was hard saying bye to all our wonderful friends and church family and home we had built there. My mom, Nanny, and Bampa drove up the night before. They drove the SUV down with Kyle in it while Kevin and I drove the truck. That was interesting to drive a 24 foot truck! When my Bampa saw me pull up to the old house with it he said, "Goodness, is there anything you can't do?" Anyway, the trip went off great! No problems.

We are unpacked here in Cedar Park and love the new home. Our neighbors are great and there are lots of kids in the area. We have started looking at churches and I think I found a mothers day out program for Kyle in the fall. That way he can still have some social time with kids his own age. We have some work to do on the backyard and I am going to put in a garden, hopefully. But, we shall see how much time I have to do that.

The neighborhood we live in has several pools, one with a beach front entry and water park. We tried to go today, but we have to have a water bill to prove we live there. Since we haven't received our first water bill yet, we have to wait. But, soon...very soon we will check it out!

Here are a few pics of the new place:

Our new house (Even though you can't see it very well with the trees before they are trimmed - I'll get a pic up once we get those looking a little better)

Our living room

Our kitchen

Kyle playing in his water table in our backyard...he loves the thing!

A Mom's Job!

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappersstrewn all around the front yard.The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall.In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a Cartoon channel, and thefamily room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles ofclothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or thatsomething serious had happened.He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpastehad been smeared over the mirror and walls.As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went.He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come homefrom work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?""Yes," was his incredulous reply.She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

A New Blog

So, blogger made some changes and you have to have a google account now. I had some complications and it was just easier to start a new blog. So, here we go again!