Hello, again!

SIX YEARS!!!!!!

It has been six years since I've thought of updating my sweet little blog!! And... man has life changed in these six years. 

Tony and I have had TWO more babies!!  We are now a family of SIX!  We have added Liam and Lauralei to our family!!  So our precious children are Ruthie who is 7 years old, Emma Kate who is 6 years old, Liam who is 3 years old and Lauralei who is 1!!!  We have been blessed over and over again with our sweet family.  I couldn't imagine doing life without them. 

We cared for and buried my precious momma.  My mom was diagnosed in 2011 with ALS.  She moved into our home in 2010 because of the beginning symptoms and she died Oct 31 2013.  In all of that time- she was right here with me.  She was in my home, and I have the privilege and honor of caring for her every need.  Easy, no.  Blessed, YES!!!

We moved!  I was born and raised in Florida!  I lived in my hometown of Ft. Lauderdale for 19 years when we moved to Tampa, FL for  a teaching job for my mom.  I was a sophomore in college- so I moved with her!  She was my rock.  After graduation, I set up house in Tampa and lived there for 20 years!  I met Tony there and we birthed all of our children there!  In 2014, he was asked to join the Dallas Cowboy's merchandise team in the art department.  We enthusiastically packed all of our belongings and set out on a grand adventure that was totally a God thing.  We LOVE Texas!!! And, we are having so much fun exploring this great state- making it ours! 

As we embark on this next season of life I am brought full circle to this blog and writing for a few of you.  This time- God has put much more in my heart to share with you.  I will still keep you updated on my sweet little family and all the antics they provide for me each day.  I will let you in on how we homeschool, which may look a little different than the way your kids do school.  I will also share with you the important things God has placed on my heart.  How He is working in me.  Changing me.  Beginning a new work in our family. Moving us to the next level- deeper in His word, and in serving Him.  

In much I am the same person who was writing this blog many years ago.  I am a mom.  I love my children more than words can communicate.  I am happily married to the love of my life and I am living my DREAM life!!!  And, in many ways I am different.  I have LOST big.  I have HURT big.  I have waged war with Christ against stupid Satan in some HUGE battlefields.  And, I am drawn to LOVE bigger.  Serve BETTER.  

I'm so thankful and honored that you might join me in this journey.  It is going to be amazing.  It already is... and I can't wait to share more of it with you!!

Emma Kate is 6 months old!!

After you pick yourself up off the ground because I am actually updating my blog... I know you will be shocked... I'm a little late w/ my monthly updates!!

Emma is 6th months old!! I LOVE THIS AGE!!! It is the absolute best... although I keep saying that. I love watching my sweet girl become more and more independent and uniquely her own self. Her personality is shining through all the baby babble!! She is a sweet, laid back, loving girl who likes to laugh and have fun!! :) It is just going to be pure joy to watch her grow up!! Between her and her sister... I am one lucky Momma!! :)

This is what sweet Emma Kate(cake) accomplished during her fifth month:

* she does an incredible "super baby" boy is she strong. She has fantastic gross motor skills!!

* She eats avacado and apples w/ her baby cereal. She's not the best solid food eater and she really DOES NOT like apples. I hope that changes!!!

* She is scooting and rolling all over the place!! I can hardly keep her still!

* She is a little over 14lbs and 26" long!!

* She is laughing and taking up a storm!! She loves to hear herself... and I think it is pretty sweet too!!

* Loves to play with her toys. It's fun to watch her grab at things...

* Sitting up in the Bumbo... only a bit away from sitting on her own.

* Graduated out of the car seat in the stroller. Now is sitting up on her own.

Here are some pics for you to enjoy!! :

Ruthie's happenings...

Ruthie has been talking up a storm... she's always talking (she gets that from her daddy!) But just recently she's really trying to communicate in sentences!! I love to watch her try out language, especially when she learns a new word's meaning.... She repeats it a bunch!!

She's been saying recently:

"oh, I didn't know that" (what gets me is that she uses it appropriately)
"spib" (spit- as we're working on spitting out fluoride toothpaste and not swallowing it!)
"Tony" "Teresa" "Babe" "Honey" (she's been using all our names... it's so funny. She tries them out and then looks at us to see if it's ok!! It's really hard not to laugh because she so stinking cute!)
"dad" "mom" (ditto above)


She's also graduated into a big girl bed. We have just a mattress and box springs on the floor for now. Didn't want her to fall out too far!! She's done great with it.. except for getting out of bed!! It is crazy. Some nights after we finish our night time routine (which has been the same since she was a little baby) she goes right to sleep... as if it were easy peasy. Then other nights, it takes both of us working in tandem two hours to get her to sleep. She just seems to FIGHT it. If we say do it this way, she does it that way. UGGG!! She's doing well sleeping in the bed, and doesn't fall out. But, some nights I'm tempted to install a safety system that includes duck tape... or at the very least velcro!! :)

Her first night in a big girl bed!

Emma Kate is 5 months old!!

Well our little Emma Cake (as Ruthie calls her) is 5 months old... and yet again, I'm totally late in posting it!! :) She has done great during her fourth month and hit a lot of milestones!! :)

* she started eating cereal (rice) I didn't think she was quite ready for it, but after sleeping about 12 hours through the night, she began to wake up to eat every 2 hours. The doc said that she was hungry. So we started w/ cereal and that seems to have done the trick. She's back to sleeping well again each night!

* She has rolled over both ways now (tummy to back, and back to tummy!) She will be a rolly-polly soon!

* She continues to suck her fingers and love on the lovie... she particularly likes this one, but has a second favorite that she loves too!

* she started taking her baths w/ Sissy...She really likes that and it makes bath time oh-so-much easier!

* She graduated out of her bassinet and went into her crib!! (Means that Ruthie moved from her crib to a big girl bed... )

* She is a little smiler and loves to laugh. She is ticklish and it is soooo much fun to hear her belly laugh. What a sweet little girl who is very easy and laid back. She just wants to be with you... enjoying life!



Going night-night in my big, roomy crib!!



"What? you want me to roll over? Well, I'm sucking on my fingers... I guess I can do both at the same time!" Part 1


Rolling over part 2


Rolling over part 3



Ruthie and Emma

Ruthie goes to DANCE!!

Ruthie had a wonderful morning at her first dance class. Her teacher, Ms. Jane, is fantastic. She's the right combo of encouraging and clear with her expectations!! Ruthie was SO excited to go. She loves to "dance" around the house! My sweet little girl did a great job... although she made me chuckle at her spunk, individuality, and her love of "RUNNING"!! I know she will love this even more as the year goes on.

She goes once a week, and is in a Combo class, Tap, Ballet, and Acro!!

At home before we head out:




Super Excited!!


Her w/ her teacher, Ms. Jane, and her other classmate!


Walking into class, on her own... what a big girl!


Ruthie doing a summersault w/ Ms. Jane's help!




All done!! She had sooo much fun and worked so hard!! I'm proud of my little dancer!

Emma Kate is 4 months old!!

oh, my sweet Emma... you are 4 months old and you've been for at least 2 weeks. How is it that time flies so fast? Emma turned 4 months old on the day we left for the beach... So we were with out our computer for a week and then, well, life just starts running!!

But, I want to update you on what she's accomplished during her 3rd month...

* She rolled over!! From tummy to back!! I can't get it on picture because she always does it when we're not looking... the little stinker!!

* She is talking up a storm!! She uses different vocal sounds, levels, and totally holds a baby cooing conversation.

* She is 12.2lbs and 23 3/4 inches long!!

* She is supper strong at holding up her head... crazy!

* Loves her fingers. No more binkie for Emma!!

* Loves her lovie. She has to have the blanket!!

* Loves to be with people. She doesn't have to be held but doesn't want to be left alone in a room!

* She is such a sweet natured, good baby who makes it a joy to be her mom! It's crazy how much I love this little girl!! :)

Here are some pics:

Build A Bear- Birthday Weekend!

Ruthie's birthday fun continued the next day! After church we went to Cheesecake Factory to eat lunch... I love that place! And then on to Build A Bear to use the gift cards Aunt Mardi and Uncle Jack and Aunt Judy gave her. She's been eying this horse there for weeks. Every time we go in she goes RIGHT for the Horsey! She just loves it. And, each time we walk out without the horsey and say, "bye bye horsey" and she does so well with out throwing the littlest of fits.

So- finally for her birthday- we walked in and she got to make her own horsey and take it home. Ya' all she is in love. When we got to the area to pick a name we gave her several choices. Buttercup was top of my list. But, my daughter has a much better sense of naming stuffed animals and so her animal will forever be named, "Horsey Pony". I thought it was very original!! :)


She picked out some clothes complete with panties... we're in the potty training mode... and some accessories for the beach. I mean- what is a horse supposed to do w/ out a towel and sunscreen at the beach? :)

As tired as she was (no nap) she had so much fun and completely soaked in the experience. She loved making her Horsey Pony. And now, we have a third child, named Horsey Pony. She takes her everywhere!! :)

In the mall on our way to Build A Bear


Finally able to pick out the horsey!!


Kissing the heart before she put it in!


Stuffing Horsey Pony


Bathing Horsey Pony


Dressed, named, and paid for... now it is hers... and she's not letting go!!


Completely worn out and ready for BED... Mommy even gave in and gave her the binkie....


Totally happy after a wonderful, full, fun birthday weekend. Ruthie and Mommy with ALL 3 Ming Mings and her Horsey Pony!!