Valentine's Weekend

B and Paul M worked out a trade off for babysitting for Valentine's weekend.  We would have our date on Friday night (the 13th) and they would watch our kids.  Then Saturday we would keep the cousins and they would have a date.  It worked out great.  I was concerned that we might have to cancel because early Friday morning, on my way home from the Y, Cherry's power steering went out.  I was able to pull into a parking lot and called B.  He came to us and drove Cherry, while I drove the Camry with the 3 kids (R was in school) to Firestone.  Firestone had just worked on Cherry's power steering pump, so it was naturally the first place we thought to go. They basically said they couldn't fix it and we needed to go somewhere else.  That was more than frustrating so B brought us home and went back to Firestone and met a tow truck there and towed Cherry to a mechanic all the way down town Houston.  I had the kids at home and R came home from school.  Since it was Friday, she didn't have any homework, so I let them watch TV while I got ready for our date...if we were still going to have one.  I think B got home around 5 pm and jumped in the shower very quickly.  We managed to drop our kids off at Anna's around 6 pm and then grabbed dinner at Panda Express and ate in the car. 

We originally were going to dinner and a movie, but a couple from church asked if we wanted to see a play with them.  It was As You Like It (Shakespeare) so of course B was excited.  We like this couple and still want to make Christian friends so we ditched our boring plans and decided to join them.  The play was at 8:00 down town at UH.  It took us about 50 minutes to drive there from Katy, TX and that's why we grabbed fast food on the way.  The play was good and I was happy to hang out with Matt & Shara.  They have 3 kids and are expecting their fourth in April.  She stays home and Matt is some VP at some business some where.  I think we got home around 11:30 and crashed, but had to wake up early to go get our kids for their soccer games.  I don't remember the times they played or if they won/lost, but we always have fun watching them play on Saturday mornings.

 After soccer we headed to Erica and Arts house (MOPs friend) for a Valentine's lunch/party.  Art was making home made pizzas and Erica had cute crafts and games for the kids.  It was really a fun time and all the kids exchanged little valentines at the end.  Our kids took a quick nap when we got home, but then Marcus & Mandy arrived and shortly after, the Marshes with all the cousins.  A & P had their reservations for 6:00 so they came by around 5ish.  We were excited to have all the kids at our house.  I had planned to cook, but Marcus wanted Mexican so we drove to Jimmy Changas for dinner.  Typically we find seats at Jimmy Changas rather quickly, but not this night.  It was Saturday, Valentines Day, and about 6 pm so we waited, waited and waited.  Our beeper finally flashed and it was 6:50.  Avery and I had about 15 minutes before we needed to leave for her bat mitzvah.  We ordered and they brought it out quickly and then we left.  B, M & M ate with all the kids and from what they tell me, it was good and relatively peaceful.  When I got back to Jimmy Changas, they were outside and the kids were playing in the play area again.  **I need to stop and say that we were driving Ruby since Cherry was in the shop, A & P let us borrow Ruby for the evening**
Around 8:30, M&M headed back to College Station and we took the Marsh cousins back with us.  It didn't take them long to fall asleep and B went to pick up Avery at 11:30 and because I fell asleep. 

The next morning, we headed to church at 9:30 and then back home for lunch.  The kids were great and we had a great time.  A & P came and picked up their kids (and Ruby) around 5 and then our family went to Awana at College Park Baptist Church.  A fun weekend full of love and family!

 

Soccer Fun and Creole Festival

I must admit that I'm totally embracing this soccer mom thing.  I love watching my kids play soccer on Saturday morning and cheering on all the other players with proud parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  It's been fun spending our Saturday mornings playing indoor soccer.  Spring sport sign-ups are now, so B and I will have to decide if/what we will sign the kids up for.  We have enjoyed this winter soccer season and the kids have liked it too.

Last Saturday, February 7th, was a creole festival in Houston.  We wanted to check it out since it's the Mardi Gras season, and Lorenzo came with us.  I must say that we were disappointed with the 'Creole' part of it.  By the time we got there, we had missed the parade, but there also wasn't any food left.  I think there were only 3 food booths to start with and one was Chinese food.  We ended up eating at the cafe which wasn't creole, but it was still good.  We walked around for a bit, but left, feeling unsatisfied.  We look forward to eating our King Cake from granddad more than ever!

NASA

One good thing about living in a big city is all the cool stuff there is to do.  Marcus has been wanting to go to NASA for a while, and so we made plans to go while my parents would be in town.  Their 11th wedding anniversary, actually, and they wanted to spend it with us.  When they arrived, we went to dinner at the Empanada House

 to celebrate and then back home for king cake.  Saturday we were up early for our NASA trip.  The plan was to meet the cousins (and parents) there at 10:00 when it opened. I think we arrived at 10:15

and made our way to the tram tour.  I read the brochure and since the weather was questionable for late afternoon, we decided to do the tram tour while it was still dry.  The Marsh's and Hantla's were not far behind us, and caught up to us when we were finished with our tram tour.  The tram tour was very cool.  The building where it ended was my favorite because it had a display for each of the Apollo trips and a little blurb about each one.  I found it interesting to read about the astronauts and the different experiences that happened with each trip.  I would read their stories and stand in amazement at how God created humans to be so smart and invent machines that could fly into space and land on the moon etc...in AWE.  The boys were most impressed with how big the rockets were especially the one that was inside.  After the tram tour, we went through an exhibit that showed various parts of space adventures including moon rocks and a walk through of a shuttle where the men and women would eat, sleep, and shower. The kids' favorite part was the angry birds play area that had it's own space theme activities.

  We used the play area as a buffer when we needed a filler while we waited for shows to start.  We at lunch in their cafe with the family and then watched a few more informational videos.  I learned about Curiosity, the robot that is investigating Mars (I think).

 I was very impressed with how the tires used Morse code to leave an imprint of the creators.  We also watched a sad, but good, video about the space shuttles and the different ways those trips ended.  That's when W fell asleep and we knew it was about our time to leave NASA.  Rarely does W go without taking a nap and E always takes an afternoon nap, so when 3:00 came, our kids were on the verge of major meltdowns.  I think it actually happened if I remember correctly that W was on the floor, A was in the corner crying, and E was in her stroller screaming....yeah, it was time to bounce.  We drove about an hour home, and all was good.  We made grilled cheese for dinner and watched Carolina defeat the cardinals in the wild card game of the NFL playoffs.  Sunday we went to church like normal and watched football during the afternoon hours.  The kids went to their Awana club while B and I took my parents (and E) to Pappa's BBQ for dinner.  It's near College Park BC and we wanted some adult conversation without interruptions.  After picking the kids up from Awana, we headed home and put everyone to bed.  My mom and Chuck left early Monday morning (like 6) and B went to work like a normal day.  It was a fast visit, but a very fun one and a great way to end our Christmas Vacation!

Roller Skate Outing

I've finally made a friend.  Her name is Erica and she's a mom from my MOPs group.  We met the first meeting and since she was a familiar face, I sat next to her our second meeting and we just hit it off.  She's got 2 kids: Hannah is 4 (Abe's school age) and Aaron is 2 (between W and E).  Her kids are very well behaved and I believe we have common parenting goals.  I first noticed how she made her kids stay seated while eating a picnic lunch one day after MOPs in the courtyard.  There were 4 of us together and 2 moms let their kids get down and run around while eating, but Erica and I both made our kids eat first before getting down.  It wasn't a big deal and I'm not sure anyone else noticed, but I definitely did (since it's a pet peeve of ours).  After that, I told B that I think there was potential for us to be friends.  I asked him if I could host a play-date and he said 'go for it'.  This was in November and I invited Erica and her 2 kids, over to play and eat lunch with us after a storytime.  She accepted and it was a really nice time together.  Since then, we've eating at Chickfila together after MOPs, met at parks and playgrounds, and her entire family came over for the super bowl.  I'm so happy to finally have a friend!  But this post is supposed to be about roller skating, which has to do with Erica. 

So on Fridays, the Dairy Ashford Rollar Rink has toddler skate time, where kids can skate and/or push strollers and riding toys/scooters.  Since R was off from school, I decided to take my four on Friday, January 2nd.  B needed to do some school work, so he stayed home.  I met Erica there are our kids had a great time.  R stayed on her skates most of the time, but A and W took them off 5 minutes into it.  I wasn't surprised though.  W rode his tricycle around, and A mostly rode his scooter.  E had a blast just running around and pushing a little stroller.  Another mom from MOPs, Jenny, came, but she wasn't there for very long. 

Abe with Hannah

New Years 2014-2015

New Year's Eve was so much fun this year.  We usually have fun on NYE, but being with just the siblings was pretty awesome.  B's parents flew home NYE during the day so only the 4 sibs plus spouses were going to be together at the Marsh House.  We all gathered during the afternoon sometime and cooked dinner together, while the kids swam.  We had a taco bar for dinner that included both hard shells and tortillas with beef and chicken and all the sides you could imagine.  Mandy made delicious puppy chow and these other pretzel/rolo/M&M snacks that were addictive.  I know I was WAY over my calorie count!  The expectations were very laid back and just to have the kids in bed by about 9 pm so the adults could have the night together.  After dinner, the entire family played Just Dance on the Wii.

  The dad's went first and sang That's What Makes you Beautiful by One Direction and Livin' La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin as well as Eye of the Tiger and maybe some others.  The kids loved watching the daddies perform.  The mommies danced as well but only to 2 songs and then the boy and girl cousins took turns.  I laughed so hard and it was so much fun!  We put the littles to bed (E and Asher) and then let the older kids stay up and watch a Madagascar Countdown to the New Year. They all got a cup of Sparkling Grape Juice to toast and then we put them all to bed.

 

Once the children were in bed and pass out, we adults enjoyed cheese and chocolate fondue.  Jaime and Anna got it all set up with bread, apples, cauliflower, marshmallows, strawberries and I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting. I wasn't even hungry, but I kept eating and eating.  I definitely thought about the times I've been with B to the melting pot and I think I'd like to go again for our next anniversary.  I'm sure there are a dozen here in Houston and we've got a whole year to plan.  After fondue, 6 of got into the hot tub for a nice cozy ringing in of the year new.  We watched fireworks from a few streets over and talked/laughed together about anything and everything.  It was so nice to have uninterrupted (sort of) adult time. I think we finally went inside around 12:45 am and I know I was in bed asleep by 1:15.  So long 2014....you were exciting.

New Years Day started around 7:30 for my kids.  B had to leave to run home for Cooper since no one was dog sitting.  I fed my 4 breakfast and they were watching TV and playing Wii waiting for others to wake up.  After a little while, most of the family was awake and the children wanted to swim.  We let our 3 bigs get in the pool, but not E because it was just too cold.  E had some good adult interaction while inside with all of us.  The kids always have a blast swimming and I'm so grateful that they can swim without floaties.  I have a peace about them swimming without me watching every single minute, plus, I know the other cousins are fantastic swimmers as well.  We ate lunch and then headed back to our house after lunch time.  We had had a great time, but needed to get home to Cooper and back to our neck of the woods.  We had to do some cleaning because my parents were coming in the next day to celebrate their anniversary with us. 

As I reflect on 2014, I'd have to say the move to TX was by far the most challenging and memorable event.  I had such a tough time leaving my life in NC.  I was tempted so many times to resent B for this decision and uprooting me and the family for his job.  I try to give any of those feelings up to the Lord because I know they are deceiving emotions.  I also know B was sad to leave OUR life but he was excited about starting OUR new life in TX.  Six month after the move, I'm doing good.  The kids are great and enjoy it here.  I still get sad sometimes and I have my weak moments when I cry because I miss my friends, my church, and my school.  However, we are blessed.  I can't complain about anything because now I can stay home with my children and raise them.  I get to eat lunch with R at school and with B at work.  I can clean my house, do the dishes and laundry, and watch soap operas (if I wanted to).  There's so much flexibility with being a stay-at-home mommy!  I see the perks and benefits and understand why so many moms want and desire the opportunity.  This won't be the last time we move and now I know that God will provide and is in control.

Indoor Soccer Stars

Of course my dream is that one of my kids would love soccer and want to play soccer at a competitive level like I did growing up....but I'm realistic enough to know that it might not be the case.  Either way, we signed the 3 bigs up for indoor soccer through the YMCA.  The season runs from January to March and A/W are on the same team and B is their coach.  R is on a 1st-2nd grade team and her coach is Coach Reuben.  So far the kids are loving it and they've each won a game and lost a game.

R's team practices on Tuesdays at 6 at Hicks Elementary.  We've gotten the schedule down to where I feed the kids dinner at 5 and then we leave the house at 5:35 to get her to practice 10 minutes early.  B meets us at practice and we bring his dinner to him there.  R is a bit timid when there are a bunch of people trying to kick at the ball, but when she happens to have a chance to kick it, she doesn't shy away from it.  Goalie isn't her strength just because when it's coming at her fast, it startles her.  Her coach wants to practice her at forward and middle to see if he can get her to be a good passer.  We will see.

The boy's team practice on Wednesdays at 6 at Hearne Elementary.  We pretty much have the same schedule with dinner at 5:00, and ready to walk out the door at 5:35 except B comes home, changes, and eats his dinner in the car.  Since he's the coach, he wants to be at practice a few minutes early to talk to parents and greet the kids.  Lorenzo is his assistant coach and it's a huge help since B has usually 12 three to five year old players who require constant redirection.  The 5 year old kids aren't as needy since they are in kindergarten or pre-K, but we have a few 3 year olds that are all over the place.  Sometimes their parents have to hold their hand to keep them focused and even that doesn't help.  Coaching this team is really a 2-3 man job.  B has supportive parents and they have been very happy with him thus far. 

 All the games are on Saturdays at Youngblood Intermediate.  The boys play at either 8 or 9 and then R's team is a later game.  We've enjoyed having soccer fill up our Saturday mornings so far and we are hoping (I'm keeping my fingers crossed) that at least one of the 3 will want to continue and play spring outdoor soccer when the time comes.  For right now, they are all having a blast (which is most important) and learning some skills.  Being this is the first time for any organized team thing, I'm very proud of them.

Merry Christmas 2014

Over a month late but finally getting around to documenting our first Christmas in Texas with the Hantla family.  Gran and Papaw flew into town Christmas Eve and we had lunch at the Empanada House.  Everyone enjoyed lunch and then we picked up Lorenzo before going to the Christmas Eve service at Sugar Creek.  Although we haven't joined, we consider Sugar Creek our home church now and have plans to join soon.  Before the service started, there was a live nativity

and music in the foyer.  The candlelit service was great and there was an interactive story for the children too. The programs were even kid friendly with a secret code for them to find while watching the videos throughout the service.  Christmas Even dinner was a spaghetti dinner at our house.  I volunteered to host this dinner since I knew Christmas dinner would be at at the Marsh house and this was a chance to have everyone at our new house. I made crock-pot sauce and we had salad and cookies for dessert.  I think everyone had a good time, at least I know I did.  We enjoyed the family over very much.  After the "Hantla's" left, Uncle Ren gave us Christmas gifts which we totally didn't expect.  His gifts were so thoughtful and the kids were very excited.  We didn't have anything for him and we felt bad about that :( Uncle Ren gave Rin a purse that she could color and decorate, Abe got walkie-talkies, Wes got hot-wheels, and Ell got a sponge-bob stuffed toy.  Even B and I received a gift and it was so thoughtful of him.  We put the kids to bed and watched Christmas Vacation before heading to bed. 

Christmas morning was very laid back B made Christmas pancakes for us on his new griddle and read the Christmas story from Luke to us.  We opened gifts as a family one at a time, thinking about the person it was from and trying to make sure we emphasized the thoughts behind gift giving and not the gift itself.  Sometimes it's hard to do with kids, but it's important to us that we encourage (make) our kids say thank you and they understand who the gift is from.  It's bothersome to me that kids will open tons of gifts Christmas morning and think they are all from Santa or all from their parents....or even worse, not care who they are from.  I was tempted to make our kids write Thank-You notes for their gifts but decided against that for this year.  After gifts, I cooked a little food to take to Katy, and B played with the kids.  We left our house around noon for Katy, TX.  E got a little nap in the car, but that was the only rest time for our bunch.  We ate Christmas dinner around 3 (I think) and we had a yummy ham, mash potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and mushroom casserole with dinner rolls and sparkling grape juice.  I ate so much food! After dinner and clean up, we walked to the little playground down the street to get out of the house and started a 2-hand touch football game.  I would love for this to be a yearly tradition because it was a lot of fun.  After it started getting dark, and cold, we went back to the Marsh house for more food and  NFL football on TV.  I think we put the kids in bed around 9:00 which is pretty good for all the excitement of Christmas Day.

Friday morning after breakfast, I went to HEB with Paul M to pick up a few items and the plan was to head to the Houston Zoo.  Instead of cousins exchanging gifts this year, we suggested to gift experiences and time.  So we talked about going to NASA, seeing a Movie, going to Jumpstreet, or going to the Zoo.  The zoo ultimately won and we needed food to make lunches.  Well the weather didn't cooperate so instead of going to the zoo, we decided to watch a movie together.  Most of the family went to see Annie and a few of the boys saw the Penguins of Madagascar.  I think everyone had a good time and I really liked the movie.  R liked it too and asked to see the original Annie.  After the movie, we headed home for dinner and more play time before our family packed up and headed back to Alief.  Saturday morning was normal for us with a YMCA visit and grocery shopping.  We headed to Katy dressed and ready for our family picture.  Since the entire "Hantla" family was together for the first time in over 5 years, it was time to document this with a picture.  The siblings pitched in and paid for a professional photographer and he came to Anna's house for the picture.  We all dressed in blues, greys, and tans with a little splash of purple (and pink too).  I think they turned out really nice.  Of course Gran and Papaw were thrilled with their Christmas gift and are showing their family off to all their customers at the shop.

 After the photo session, we cooked dinner and the kids went for a dip in the pool before we headed home again.  Sunday we went to our church at 9:30 and then met the kids for lunch at Jimmy Changas.  It's become one of our favorite restaurants around here. After the family lunch,  we played at Jumpstreet for 2 hours.  Jumpstreet is a bunch of inflatables and trampoline type things.  Our 4 kids stayed all in the little kid section for 7 years and under.  It made it very easy to keep up with them.  B and the dad's got a little dodgeball action going and played with the big cousins.  While kids and dad's played, I went shopping with my Christmas money from Gran and bought a new pair of jeans.  I found some that fit from American Eagle and it's been years since I've shopped at a store like that....like for young people.  I had to ask Mandy and Anna if the jeans looked silly on me because I felt like they were 'too young' looking.  They assured me that I looked fine.  I was very excited about my purchase.  After leaving Jumpstreet, I don't remember what we ate for dinner, except it was at the Marsh house.  I don't really remember much else about the holidays and I guess I shouldn't have waited so long to write about it. 

Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."