Ironic

Most Sunday's when I do the talk for youth group, I spend a good amount of time during the week preparing a talk. Well, two Sunday's ago, I found out last minute that I needed to have something ready. I managed to slip by. Unfortunately, we had a lot of kids that week (well, actually, I'm glad they were there just sad it was on a less prepared week), and the lesson didn't go exactly like I had planned. This week I have been thinking about a lesson, but knew that someone else was in charge again. There were only two kids and he had prepared a lot for this lesson and wanted to wait to do it for more kids. Again I stepped in with my non prepared, just thought about lesson. It went over great. Go figure. The week I do no prep work, the lesson just works. Isn't God funny like that? Always reminding me that it isn't me talking, but him though me. If only I could get it through my head.

So much to do... so little time

We have been very busy this month. Brenna and I spent most of this week in Austin with Amy and Krissy. We had a great time, but it didn't leave much time to write about all the fun we were having. I always love visiting with Amy, and we both loved watching our two girls play together. They played very different with each other than they did the last time. They are about a year apart so they are still on a different development level, but one day it won't be so different. The gap was definitely smaller this time. I do have some pictures, but I haven't downloaded them onto the computer yet. That is what happens when the week just flies by. Amy actually took the best picture with her iphone. I wish I could post it here too. Both girls were smiling and looking at the camera as they were sitting together in their car shopping cart. So cute.

Nathan has been busy with school. Summer can't get here soon enough for either one of us. He has been gone almost every Saturday this month. That makes long weeks for all of us. Brenna and I really miss him when he isn't home on the weekends. Hopefully the end of the year will slow down a little, or maybe that is just wishful thinking.

I have decided that baking should have been my calling. I know that sounds weird since food isn't my favorite thing in the world, but I do love to bake. I found a recipe to duplicate on The Pioneer Woman website. It was Bakerella's cupcake lollipops. They were so cute I could barely stand it. They also tasted very good. I can't wait to make them again. I just have to find another occasion. I don't want all of those treats at our house. We would all gain way too much weight eating them. I did get a picture of them, but the picture on Pioneer Woman's website is better. You get the gist though. Aren't they just precious?



Until I have some new pictures I life, I will go ahead and sign off. Next week is Avery's party. I am looking forward to that and will hopefully have some pictures then.

For Aaron

Is that better?

Spring Break?

Well, Nathan had two days off for "Spring Break". There wasn't really time for us to do anything fun, but we did promise Brenna a fun day on Friday. At the beginning of the week, Brenna had excitedly asked Daddy to go to gymnastics with her on Friday. She wanted to show him all the things she did, especially jumping. All week she asked if we were going that day. I kept telling her it wasn't open and we were going on Friday after she ate breakfast. Friday morning rolled around and we got going a little late, but she would still have an hour at the gym. Well, when we got there, it was closed for spring break. Her little face just fell. It was so sad. I had to come up with something else quickly.

We managed to find a place in San Antonio with inflatable jumps. She was happy and she got to have fun with Tanner. The day was saved. I guess I learned my lesson too. I should have called the gym first, but they have always said they were open every Friday. I guess they meant most every Friday. I couldn't really get any good pictures, but here is one showcasing that wonderful smile.


She was eating lunch one day and just posed for us. I couldn't resist the picture.


Brenna and Daddy were being silly today. They were playing with Daddy's hat. I guess she really does have bulldog blood running through her veins.

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Hello Cat!

Let me tell you a secret...

You are dirty. Don't you ever clean yourself?

She's Crackin' Me Up

Brenna and I have had a good day today. I decided we needed to go ride Pretty Boy this morning. That is always a good start for both of us. I am amazed at how much Brenna is learning about horses. She does better every time we go. Today she didn't run up to Pretty Boy, and she only walked behind him once. (No, Pretty Boy didn't reminder her about his backside. I did.) I rode with her in one of the pastures today. It is a little comical watching me try to maneuver a horse with a small rider through a hot wire tape fence by myself, but I did manage. I have to say that it was much easier before I had Brenna to worry about to.

So we finished our ride in the pasture and I had to work with the fence again. I had already decided not to get back on but to walk the short distance back to the house. I hooked the tape and turned around to see a UPS truck coming up the road. At this point I have a small child on top of a horse I trust, but we are all standing in a small area beside the road. The only thing I knew to do was turn Pretty Boy to see the truck and hope that he did what I was expecting. He didn't even notice the truck passing, but when it was already passed, Pretty boy spooked at something and did a little gig around. Now this wasn't a spook that would have bothered me at all. In fact, I might not have even noticed it if I was the rider, but for a almost three year old, I'm sure it felt big. I grabbed Brenna leg, calmed the already calm again Pretty Boy, and looked up to see Brenna's reaction. Her eyes were huge and I could tell her lip was deciding whether or not to come out. The only thing I could think to do was exclaim, "YEA BRENNA!" It worked. I saw the moment pass as her face broke into a huge smile. I'm sure she was wondering what she did that was so great. Isn't it amazing how well praise works. I really should use it more often.

When all was said and done, we had a great time. Hopefully she will take a good nap now and I can get lots done.



That picture was for you G-Daddy. She was too cute carrying her little box. She is such a big girl with her own grooming box.

The last picture is what she did after her nap. I was laughing so hard that I'm surprised I could hold the camera still.