Josh and Houston~ Houston, TX that is.

Josh has been out in Houston, TX this week. He went for some pretty intense training and certification. He will be going out to Deep Seas next month on a Chevron oil rig. BUT before you go, you have to be trained and ready. He was in class and then the last day, he was in the pool. He had to learn how to survive if your helicopter crashed over the ocean and how to survive in the ocean if your boat capsized, etc. He was actually blind folded, strapped in a helicopter simulator and dropped into the pool upside down and had to learn how to orient himself and escape. Over and over again! Intense!! He then learned survival techniques while in the ocean. One e.g., was he had to tread water for 5 mins., then take off his thin coveralls(which you will have on while in the helicopter)while still treading water and make a life preserver out of them! Sounds like a good "Survivor-Man" episode, huh? He was really tired, to say the least when he got back home Friday.

He was also able to catch an "Astros vs Dodgers" game while there and saw Manny hit one out of the park! He brought the boys back an Astros shirt and hat, and they have been on cloud 9 since. After he got back home they spent some "Father/Son" time together and played a round of golf. The boys LOVE their Daddy and miss him so much when he has to travel....and so do I!

While he was away, we did however, enjoy some time with PePaw and MeMaw. We were either at their house or they were at ours. We barely had time to really miss Josh being gone, but we are so glad he's back!!

Red Sox vs Diamondbacks

Bless their hearts, they just can't pull one out. Finally ahead 7-6, the last inning, 2 outs, BUT bases loaded for the D'backs. You guessed it, the last batter gets up and hits a grand slam. They actually did better than they have all year, so I sense a win may be just right around the corner. Levi went 2 for 2 and played great defense. Josh was out of town this week, so he missed the game, but has made it back safe and sound. I'm hoping and praying the boys don't get too discouraged......or the coaches, or the parents.

Growing Up

I recently took the boys to UA and took a few pics. I cannot believe how fast they are growing up!! I look so forward to this time every year and can compare the pics to see how much they have grown over the past year. It is amazing to me. I should be able to tell from the pants that now look like capris, or shirts that now show their tummies or the shoes that we just can't cram their toes into anymore, but when I see it in the pics, I'm so amazed. I wouldn't take anything in this world for healthy growing boys. Yes, with the getting older comes different "battles" to face, like smart mouths, forgetting their manners so easy(tell me WHY that happens!!), just being exposed to things at school that we would have never heard about at least until Jr. High! But anyway, the Lord is so awesome in how he developed these little precious babies that are now turning into precious little boys and before I can blink, will be precious young men. I'm sure by that stage, precious will not be a word they will appreciate, but you get the picture. I hope no matter what "battles" we will face that we will handle them in the way we should and always lead them in the right way, even if it's not the most "popular" way. I have posted some of these through the last few posts, but wanted to post them together. I'm sure you may get tired of seeing the same pics, but I never get tired of these sweet little fake smiles(can somebody tell me WHY that also happens?!!)

Happy Birthday, PePaw!!

My Dad celebrates his "54th" B-day today! I have the best parents in the world! If you had asked me that about 20 years ago, I would've totally disagreed and argued they were the strictest in the world. Thank God for Godly parents! My Dad has always taken great care of our family and been dedicated to spreading the Gospel for over 30 years now. I believe he would lay down his life for our family. I couldn't be more thankful for his example to my boys and our church. I Love you, Daddy!

Red Sox vs. Padres

We played our first home game of the year and at least we didn't lose....or win either! That's right we tied 0-0!! It was an awful game for both sides. Nobody could hardly hit the ball. Levi usually gets a hit whether he gets on base or not, but tonight 0-2, 2 Strikeouts. Bless his heart, I think he was nervous with all the family there to watch him. PePaw, MeMaw, KK, Aunt Debbie, Uncle Randy, Skyler, MawMaw BJ, Pop and Nana all came tonight! Thanks! Maybe next time you come, it will be a little more exciting. Levi did a great job on Defense, though. He had a couple of outs. I have to remind myself, these boys are still young and learning. But I sure like to win!

Red Sox vs White Sox

Game #2- 12-5. The boys did pretty good but just couldn't pull it out. Levi, however, went 2 for 2, with a single and a triple. He also had his 1st real double play. He also had a few other outs and continues to be pretty positive considering the losses. Houston loved getting to play with his friends and visiting the concession stand, he is so my child, bless his heart!

Power Outage

We have been out of power since Sunday night and we regained power this afternoon around 3:00PM. I have several posts. Please be patient with me b/c there may be new ones in between ones already made so I can keep them in order for my feeble mind. Hope everyone is doing great and had a wonderful Easter with your loved ones!

Easter Sunday

We enjoyed a beautiful and busy day with our family and friends. We started our day with the boys baskets, then church, lunch at Aunt Debbie's, play practice at 4:00PM, play at 6:oo PM and ended with a real bang, literally! I mean it got rough here, the thunder, wind etc., we ended up in the basement for the night and no power around 1:00AM. Not complaining, just a very eventful day!

What about Easter?! The Resurrection!! Should be the Christian's happiest day of the year! "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here! for his is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:5-6

The Easter program was awesome! They really put a lot of work into it this year. We played a little part in it. Josh was an Apostle and Levi was a guard. Houston sang in the children's choir and I sang a solo.
He got his slinky in his Easter basket and he didn't put it down all day!

Now is he intimidating or what?!

HAPPY "7th" BIRTHDAY, LEVI!!

We never knew life could be so great and full of love! Thanks for giving us a reason to try and better ourselves every day. The world through your eyes is wonderful!

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord hath given me the petition I asked of him."

1 Samuel 1:27

Happy Easter From Our Bunnies To Yours!

Party, Party, Party!

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped Levi celebrate his 7th birthday! We had so much FUN at the FUN Factory! I can't believe my baby is 7!! But I'm so thankful for each and every day of his precious 7 years! I hope I'm around and watching you celebrate "107"! You are so precious to us, God's love is so apparent in your life! We love you to the moon and back!!

One Happy Family OR 3 happy ones and 1 ready to get back to the ice cream!

My Little Man!

Too cute!

If this isn't precious, I don't know what is....sweat and all!!

I would just love to know what he wished!

EVERY time Houston wanted to climb, he always had someone to help him out.

He LOVES to use Nana's label maker....now he has his own!

VERY Excited over the XBOX360 game from Eli & James!

I had many more pics, but most were taken with my 35mm. So glad all of you came!

Let the games begin!

Levi played his 1st Machine pitch game last night. He did so good. I'm so proud of my little man. He tries his best and is such a hustler! He went 1 for 2. He got robbed of a pop up in centerfield and then hit a line drive over second base. He had some good defensive plays and continues to be a "leader". He is so encouraging to his team mates and yes, even gives them the pat on the bootie. It's amazing to me how that is just "baseball instinct", the spit, the pat, the scratch. Amazing he already does that at "6"("almost 7" per Levi). We have 15 little Red Sox players this year and I've got 1 word for you, WOW! They are a hand full but Coach Josh and Coach Wes love every minute of it. So, the games have begun!

Levi amazed me yesterday with some of his "words of wisdom". We were talking about a young lady, 33, who was killed in an accident on Wed. night. Of course, I was talking about how sad it was and how I was worried about the children, etc. Well, when I hung up with Christy, he said "Momma, you know, this world is passing away so fast everyday, not none of us have too long on this earth." "That's right buddy." "Yea, Momma everyday is passing by so fast." I then said, "That's why we always have to be ready." (I meant spiritually ready), he then said "No, I'm not ready, I'm not ready to die!" I said,"No buddy, I mean our heart needs to be ready to go when Jesus, calls us." "Oh, I'm ready like that, but not ready to go right now." Now, if my 6 yr old thinks life is passing by fast and knows we don't have long on this world, shouldn't all of us grown-ups realize this and slow down a little bit?! A little eye-opener from my little man. I LOVE you son! You are the answer to our prayers. (you too, Houston!!)

Levi's Latest

Levi is such a clean boy, to be a boy that is. Every AM, shower, deodorant, cologne, hairspray,etc. He loves to be clean and look good. He has an issue with the slightest bit of water left on his body. Before any clothes on, the child practically wipes his skin so dry I'm afraid he's going to wipe the skin itself off. If after all his clothes are on and he feels the tiniest drop of water anywhere, all the clothes come back off and he dries again. Well, he is "Blessed" in the bootie dept., I mean with mine and Josh's the child really didn't have a chance. SO, the crack HAS to be dry completely or no underwear. We have been through this many a mornings, with the "crack moisture". If I only had some of these conversations on tape they would be hilarious. Anyway, this AM, he was struggling to get that little bootie all dry and so serious he said, "I think I'm gonna invent a butt-wiping machine, what do you think Mom?!" Good thing, I was sitting on the toilet waiting for him to emerge from behind the shower curtain, b/c I got so tickled I about tinkled all over myself. He is so funny! I've always thought he was going to do something extra special in this world, but never dreamed it would be a "butt-wiping machine".

Houston and Dr.Wes

Houston had to have some dental work done this week, to the extent that they put him to sleep. Yes, I was a little worried, but I reminded myself, "fret not and worry over nothing." He was singing the cutest song on the way down there and sometimes he gets his words a little mixed up. In HIS song, Daniel was being delivered from the giant and David was being delivered from the lions den and then God even delivered "The 3 He-Blue Children." And then just so "non-worrisome" he agreed that if God could deliver "The He-Blue Children" then God could help him and Dr.Wes. Yes, just that simple he accepted it and went on. Needless to say, I worried a lot less after that.
He did great through everything and never shed a tear or frowned a frown. Thank God for his help in our time of need. I had nothing done and didn't have him in MY control anyway. And the one who had him in his hand, why would I even let the slightest bit of worry enter my mind. To God Be The Glory for everything!!

APRIL is here!

It's so hard to believe another April has rolled around. This time 7 years ago, I was anticipating a "precious package". And oh, how precious he was and is! Levi will be celebrating his birthday on Easter Sunday this year, and that I think is also so precious. The Resurrection is shouting day for all Christians! Well, thus the Happy B-day background for the month. I hope all of you have a chance to reflect upon this awesome holiday we have approaching. HOPE, that's what The Resurrection offers us all! And HOPE is what I also see, when I look into my little birthday boy's eyes.