Our Special Marine

Our favorite Marine came to visit us for the weekend.  Josh flew in Saturday March 5th at noon into Hobby Airport.  We all went to pick him up after a YMCA workout.  After picking him up, we were all very hungry so we took him to Spring Creek for lunch.  Lunch was yummy and I think it's been over a year since we've eaten at Spring Creek.  Josh said it was good, but wasn't enthusiastic about the thick tomato based bbq that is here in Texas.  He said he would rather have the NC vinegar based bbq like at Holden's BBQ.  After getting home, the kids rested and B had a conference call.  Josh came with me to the grocery store.  After shopping and getting home, the kids played with the train set and we tried to find the UNC/Duke game on TV but we could not.  It wasn't on a network channel and our ESPN app wasn't playing it either.  Since we couldn't get the game, we decided to go outside and play for a while.  We threw the football and the kids played jackpot with Josh.  We've made our kids call him Mr. Josh, and he's gotten used to it.  He's only 23, so I doubt he hears Mr. Josh very often.  I think the kids were the only ones who ate dinner because us adults were still full from lunch, but Josh was tired so he went to bed earlier than the rest of us.  We watched a little of Pirates of the Caribbean before putting the kids to bed.  

lunch after church

Sunday we left the house at 7:50 for church and we were at church ALL morning.  We usually go to the 8:15 service and then 9:30 ABF which gets us out of church around 11:20.  Well we had an Emmaus ABF Leadership meeting after class that lasted until 12:20.  I think we picked up our last kid at 12:32 and E was the last one in her class.  I felt so bad about them being at church that long but it usually doesn't happen this way.  Pastor Mark preached on character and how to train ourselves to display integrity and good character.  Houston Rodeo.

playing uno attack after lunch

It was a great sermon for all of us to hear and I'm glad Josh was with us.  B grilled out for lunch and we scarfed down hamburgers and hotdogs.  I had some fruit and chips as well.  Shortly after lunch, B and Josh left to pick up Julian and head to the

The Concert at the rodeo

I know they had a great time, but I don't even know what they did or what they saw.  I took the kids to Awana and walked with Jo at HBU.  The guys got home around 9 and looked tired. 
B and Josh went to McDonald's for breakfast at 6:00 am Monday morning to spend some time together before B had to head into work.  I know that it's important for them to have some guy time and usually Josh helps B fix things or work on household things.  Since we haven't seen him in a LONG time, we just wanted to have good quality time with Josh.  B had his time with Josh and next was my turn.  Josh came with me to bring the kids to school and then I brought him with me to the YMCA for my HIIT class.  Before class we ran a couple of miles together and then went to Jennifer's HIIT class at 8:30.  It was a killer as usual and Josh did great because he's in great shape.  It was fun working out together.  I never thought in a million years that I would be working out with a former student....a former student that used to be so bad in class but has turned out to be a respectable young man.....a former student that took time to fly down and visit us when he only had 2 weeks of post deployment leave.....a former student that we love and consider part of our family.  Sadly, after the YMCA, I had to say goodbye.  We met Josh's brother Daniel at the Buc-ee's in Waller because Daniel lives in Fort Hood.  Josh was going to spend a few days with Daniel before flying back to NC.  Even W almost cried when I told him that Josh was leaving us.  We had a good time but it was too short.  We are so proud of the man Josh is today and give God the glory.

I'll miss him!

2015 Part 2

https://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AYuWTZq2cMmTFnA&cid=SM-PBAPP

MOPs Playdate

I'm not sure I've documented my MOPs group that I've joined at SCBC.  If I have, then I'll just repeat myself.  Last year I joined the MOPs group at Grace Presbyterian and I met Erica from that group.  Since we moved to Richmond, I wanted to find a closer group so I signed up for the MOPs group at Sugar Creek.  Last summer, Miriam called me to ask if I would be a table host this year even though I haven't done MOPs before at SCBC.  I told her I would do it because I know how to facilitate a discussion.  This MOPs group was so much bigger than the one I did last year so I was a bit overwhelmed at the beginning.  I attended a Steering Meeting before things started where I was quickly trained in how to be a table hostess.  I met a few of the women and tried my best to be social.  Our meeting started in September and I usually have 2 a month.  My table has had some changes throughout the school year, but I have definitely enjoyed it.  I've met more moms and maybe even some friends.  The mentor mom at my table is wonderful and I'm so glad our paths have crossed.  In addition to our meetings, we have Mom's Night Out and Mommy & Me playdates.  I've attended most of the playdates but not all of the MNO.  I went to Bunco in the fall but the cookie exchange was on our anniversary.  I can't make it to the Easter Egg Hunt because we will be in LA.  Our most recent Mommy & Me playdate was last week at the Fire station.

 Our kids haven't had any interest in firemen but I felt like this would be a fun day for E and W.  It was a lot of fun and W learned a lot from listening to the fire-fighters talk about what to do in an emergency.  I felt terrible when he asked what number to call in an emergency and W didn't know the answer.  Now he knows what to do if I get hurt and can't talk.  The firemen were patient and kind with the kids and let them crawl through the truck and hold the hose in the back.  All in all it was a great playdate and I would visit the fire station again.

From the Halloween playdate at the nursing home

 My MOPs group is great and we will have a MNO in April with just the ladies from my table.  We all get a long great and I never have to worry about discussions because the conversation flows very smoothly.  I was asked to continue to be on the leadership team next school year and I said I would, that is, unless I go back to work full-time.  I will just pray for guidance and direction and follow where the Lord leads me.  I'm doing my part to open doors and we are praying that God keeps them open or shuts them quickly. 

Our first meeting September 2015

A craft day in October 2015

Cristina's last meeting-she moved to Russia Nov 2015

yummy MOPs breakfast-this is a cake

Our March 2016 meeting I learned how to make yoyo's for Dress a Girl

Mardi Gras 2016

Granddad is so thoughtful.  He's one of the best grandfathers and I'm not surprised that my kids get very excited to see or talk to him.  Usually when we face-time them, if he's not at the table yet, their first question is "where's Granddad?" instead of "hi Gram!".  Our King Cake arrived right on time, as usual, and the kids were excited to decorate it.  It just so happened that we had Faith and Joe with us so they learned a little about Mardi Gras.  This year the cake had a mixed berry filling inside and yummy icing and sugar outside. 

icing on the fingers

My Perfect Saturday Evening

I love being with my family.  If at all possible, we will do things together-all 6 of us.  Even if that means it takes longer or it's more crowded, we try to stay together.  Last Saturday was one of the best evenings we'd had in a while.  We were supposed to have a family over for dinner, but because of a lice scare, they didn't come.  B still grilled out and we played outside because the weather was perfect.  Not too hot and not too cold.  B grilled burgers and dogs, and I made box mac & cheese and we had chips.  We ate outside too, in our bag chairs and the kids' table.  Clean up was easy since we ate on paper plates and then we watched Avengers Assemble together.  It was a great night.

Valentine's Weekend

We've done a kid swap with the Marsh family for valentines before, so we did it again this year.  We took the Marsh kids for Saturday and they took our kids Sunday.  Sunday seems strange, but Friday didn't work because B was still out of town for work.

Friday was an early release day, but the kids had their Valentine Parties at school.  I was able to attend, and they were both super cute and fun.  R & A both love Williams and I'm so thankful God led us to this neighborhood.  R's class played games and had a Valentine breakfast, while A's class had an ice cream party.  R left school early with me, but A wanted to finish the day out so he rode the bus home.

A's best friend Brayton

Staying busy in Ms. Lucky's room

Minute to Win It games

A and Mrs. Barnett

B arrived home at 8:30 am Saturday morning (February 13).  We picked him up from the airport and skipped our workout and went to IKEA instead.  We bought a new toy chest for the girls' room and headed home.  The cousins came over in the afternoon and we played outside until dinner time.  We ordered pizza for dinner and we all watched Avengers Assemble together.   I don't even know when the kids finally fell asleep but I know it was late.

Sunday we all piled into Storm and went to church at SCBC.  I made lunch at the house and the kids watched Tomorrowland while E took a nap.  We brought all the kids back to the Marsh pad around 5 pm and that's when our date night started.  Our kids didn't have school the next day due to Presidents Day, so it actually worked out rather nicely.  I told B I wanted him to take me to see The Choice for Valentine's Day since I had read the book.  We drove to Katy Mills Mall since we had AMC vouchers and that was the closest AMC theater.  We bought our tickets and also got a coke and popcorn to share.  The movie started at 6:40 and lasted about 2 hours.  When we got out, we noticed there was a showing for Deadpool at 9:00 so we bought 2 more tickets and saw Deadpool.  It's hard for me to say it was good because it was Rated R and for good reason.  It was pretty rough with language, dirty jokes, nudity, and violence.  We were shocked to see kids in this theater.  How could parents take their kids (even teens) to see this movie is beyond me.  I will admit, I did laugh a lot.  We finally got home around midnight and boy, did we every feel 33 years old.  We don't go to the movies a lot but to see 2 in one night was pretty amazing.  If we'd seen The Choice second, I would have fallen asleep, I can guarantee it.

B had to go to work the next day, but I met him for lunch since we didn't actually eat a meal on Valentine's Day together.  Then after lunch, I got the kids back and we finished out our day like normal.  I love my hubby and spending time with him to celebrate our love.

cousin fun Valentine's night

taking Micah to school on Monday