This morning we drove out to the Armand Bayou Nature Center for a Vulture Class. It is geared for kids 4 years and younger, but we made the most of it with all the kiddos. This was my first trip out there and I was really impressed with the area and the kids loved it as well.
After spotting some vultures by the bison, we headed to the Pole House and had some craft time.
Then outside for some activities, story time, and time to be free!
We were watching turtles in the pond swim and I look up and see him laying at the end of the dock just enjoying nature. This is really his element; he thoroughly enjoys exploring in the outdoors.
While I was dragging a bit this morning and was anxious a little about getting everyone ready and out the door, I'm so glad we went and explored together. We will definitely come back and walk the trails another day.
Last week Allyson brought home a note from school saying she needed to bring one picture of herself and one of her family because she was going to be the Star of the Week! Can I tell you how excited she was?!? She told me she would be saying the pledge and would be the line leader. We practiced the pledge and she was good to go.
Then on Tuesday she came home with a Star of the Week book. It is super cute and I have to share!
We have recently cut back significantly on bread, and of course her favorite food is tortilla and butter! She has told me a couple of times lately that we need to go visit MawMaw and Pappy and then to see her Louisiana vaca spot just melted my heart! And she loves Mommy...she is really the sweetest thing!
Next, all of her classmates drew her a picture and wrote why she is special. These were some of the best ones! Thank you Methodist! I think we will keep this for a long, long time!
Just in case you have trouble reading, here is what they say.
I play with her and Ayden loves her. -Payton
She is sweet and plays with me. -Miranda
She sparkles. I like her. -Bailey
She is my friend and I like her and play with her. -Ayden
Ok, so I'm sure you've see the posts about a couples shower, bachelorette party and a wedding shower and wondered 'when in world is the wedding'? Well...it was this past Saturday and I'm here to tell you all about it this afternoon!
Friday night was the rehearsal dinner and can I just say that some water works were flowing that night? You could just feel how anticipated this day was, from Jeanie, Duane, her mom...everyone! We were all so thrilled to be a part of this special day with them. And the two ladies below...I have really had a great time being around them lately. Leigh-Ann and I played softball in high school together and Sara and I have been friends since elementary. All 3 of us, plus Jeanie, graduated high school together. It has definitely been nice catching up with them and hope to continue doing so in the future.
Shawn surprised me and showed up at the dinner. He had just arrived that evening from Madrid and came there straight from the airport. It was a nice treat after he had been gone all week! The food was delicious at Monument Inn and I was a little nervous about fitting into my dress the next day! Ha! It was neat because that was the same exact place where I had my rehearsal dinner at nearly 10 years ago! Memories!
We woke up that morning and of course life does not stop because you have plans! Ha! Jase had his last basketball game at 9:30 that morning. A good game and we so should have beat them, but our shots were not falling in and we could not get a rebound to save our life! Good season though and Jase is already talking about playing next year! I'm glad that it was a good experience for him!
Then at noon he had baseball practice, so he and Shawn were off and me and the younger two stayed at home. I ended up laying Finn down around 12:30, which worked out perfect. Alisha came over around 1:30 to help with my hair. Originally I had asked a friend {who does hair} to fix mine, but then I didn't follow up with her and she was booked. Oh well, no biggie...so the pressure was on the little sis to pull through! LOL! She started playing around with it and teasing the crud out of it, and before you know it, she was done!! I was really happy with how it turned out! And best of all, it stayed all night long {and the next day too!}, which I was afraid of, because I have quite a bit of hair!!
I picked up Leigh-Ann at 2:30 and we were up at the church by 3:00 to get ready and take some pictures before the ceremony began.
Jeanie looked gorgeous!! Her dress, make-up, hair and hair piece were all stunning!!
It was a pretty relaxed that afternoon before the wedding at the church. We sat around and talked, shed some tears; it was a nice time. It was definitely a glorious day, but emotions were running on high. There was a new bench on the way into the sanctuary that was in memory of Jeanie's grandfather who passed away a little over two years ago. He was such a gem and very involved in their lives. Then we got to talking about something old, something blue, something borrowed and something new. Well, the something old were the earrings Jeanie was wearing; they were her grandmother's. She passed away before Jeanie was born and Jeanie was named after her. It was really touching. And then to top it off Jeanie gives her mom an embroidered hankerchief that says something to the effect of "I'm who I am today because of you. Today I'm a bride, tomorrow a wife, but I'll always be your little girl." We all lost it! And even her dad, who is pretty quiet and hadn't really seemed stirred by any of this, had to leave the room. Nothing like touching up on some make-up! ;-)
The photographer was great and I can't wait to see the pictures she captured from the day. She actually already had pictures from the ceremony scrolling on a laptop at the reception hall...first class right there!
Before the ceremony began, my family stopped in to say hi! This picture below has to be one of my favorites from the night! I just love my little shadow! I love the card-making stage that she is in right now! Always asking me how to spell words, so sweet. And I think she finally has her 'S' down...doesn't look like a lightening bolt anymore! :-)
Here are some pictures from the ceremony.The church was beautiful inside.
And here I am walking down the isle. I was so nervous...you would have thought it was my wedding! Geez! I guess I am not one for all the attention. Didn't help that I was walking down first! LOL! But once I got up there I was fine. I honestly thought about an escape route to the bathroom if needed! Thankfully, that did not take place!
Jeanie's dad walking her down the isle...one last time as a Brownfiel!
Jase practicing his dance moves after the wedding...warming up for the reception! And Finn...attempting rolls on the concrete...nice!
Reception Time!
Allyson was feeling the camera Saturday night! She could not stop taking pictures! It was too cute and every time you turned around, there she was with our camera!
We were about to eat right here. Looking at us, side by side, you can definitely tell that we favor one another. Love my handsome boy!
Here is short clip of Jase dancing at the reception!
All of the decor was very nice; so clean and simple...loved it! And the cakes were fabulous as well. The rosettes on her cake favored her dress...I'm sure they planned that! And his was a german chocolate cake with his police giddy-up on it! :)
Love this stud to pieces! He is THE one for me! So blessed that God has placed us together to walk through this life side by side...I could not have planned it any better!
The French Family! Jase is nearly 7, Allyson is 4 1/2 and Finn is 1 1/2. They all make me so happy. Thankful for God's blessings of a family.
And the lovely couple were on their way! So happy for Duane and Jeanie. May the Lord be at the center of their marriage and may they turn to Him for guidance in all they do.
Tonight we had bunco and were encouraged to wear red, white and blue to support Team USA. Sara did such a great job on the Olympics theme, that I just had to share!
This is too cute not to share. This past Saturday Jase had a basketball game and some of our best friends came to cheer Jase on. After the game Bryce, their oldest boy, had a pen and a notepad and started asking boys who had just played for their autograph! It was the cutest thing ever! Shawn went up to him and said "you can have my autograph" and Bryce responded with "no, that's ok, you didn't really play in the game!" Hahahaha! Love it!
After the park, it was time to go home and get ready for the evening. We had plans to go to the Toyota Center for the Passion Conference. What a way to spend Valentine's night: praising God!
We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
We had a great time worshipping the Lord together.
Two pics with this sweet gal in less than a week...a record! I love my bestie!
My Valentine. Just love him! After 18 years together, he still knows how to make me smile and laugh. When he is around I feel at ease and loved. He is our provider and protector. He is a wonderful father and my best friend. I love you, Shawn.
Here are a couple of clips {same song} from the night. The Toyota Center was packed and on fire for the Lord.
This past Thursday night I was about to go to bed and it dawned on me that I didn't really do anything for the kids for Valentine's Day. And not that I forgot, but I did not want to buy a bunch of candy {we have been cutting way back}. So, I stayed up and made them homemade cards and found some things I had on-hand. When they woke up, they loved it and it made my heart smile!
Later that morning, the kids worked on Valentine's. Both of these kiddos LOVE crafting. Allyson will make "cards" until she is blue in the face. She has made just about everyone we know cards. We have even hand delivered some cards per her request. I love her passion!
Later that afternoon, we met some friends at the park for our Homeschool Valentine's Day party. It was a nice and relaxed afternoon with friends. The kids snacked, decorated bags, exchanged Valentine's and played. Perfect, if you ask me.
To round out the weekend, I hosted a baby shower for my sweet, dear friend Rachel yesterday afternoon. She and her husband, Victor are wonderful people and are some of our best friends. They have 4 boys and are expecting their 5th baby in less than a month. This time around things are a little different: there is now pink in the decor for Miss Molly Elizabeth! While her boys are just as important as her anticipated little girl, this is definitely uncharted waters for them. She is such a giving person, so I was so honored to have her family and friends over for the joyous occasion.
For this afternoon shower, I thought we would change it up a bit with the menu. On the invite I mentioned there "sweet treats will be served".
Instead of a game for her shower, I opted for a craft!! I found several blogs that had decorated onesies during the shower, so I thought that would be great for us to do too!
I loved that some people just dove right in and started working on their onesie, even before making a plate!! And Vic made one too!
I was really impressed with how they turned out!
I just loved watching her and Victor open up gifts for Miss Molly!
The sweet couple! Just love them!
I just love Mary Margaret! She is looking forward to her meeting her new granddaughter!
Since I had made the tags for Jeanie's shower, I just had to think of something to go along for this one! I ended up punching a small hole in the top of the cup and running twine through it and bam, there you have it: your very own name tag! I'm not sure if I can go back to writing your name on the cup with a sharpie! Haha!
And my sweet boy went to sleep before the shower started and did not wake up until the shower was over! I'm glad he was able to get a great nap in, even though we had a full house.
And I see this lady all the time, but rarely take pictures with her. After we took the picture, we stopped and thought about the last time we took a picture together...way too long! Just love her to bits!
And lastly, a bestie group picture! We are so excited for Rachel on the birth of her baby girl. Praying the Lord would be with her during her delivery and that sweet Miss Molly would arrive healthy as can be. A special thanks to all those who helped with the shower, I really appreciate it!
Shawn and I are high school sweethearts. Married for 12 years with 4 beautiful children and reside in the great state of Texas. We are sinners who have been saved by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus. In our home we enjoy: laughing, praising and learning about God, watching sports, and homeschooling.
