Play Ball!!

Last week the Rangers came to town to play the Astros. Nathan suggested we go see the game Wednesday night. Since our home town team was playing our other home town team I asked Nathan who we were going to root for he said the Rangers, of course! I said okay, I mean I went to college right down the street from where they play. The day of the game Nathan said he was going to wear his Ranger hat and I could wear his Ranger shirt. In the back of my mind I thought there is no way I am going to wear that just to get booed, but to support my husband and his team I proudly put the shirt on and off we went to the game.

We got to the game and found our seats. The kids were having a great time and we were enjoying a good game. Then this guy from that work for the Astros comes up to us and sayd our section has been chosen and we are going to be on the big screen!! Okay, I know I'm weird but before I die I want to be on a big screen at a game. The closest I've gotten is part of my arm on screen at an Aggie game. I was holding Baylie and they got a tight shot of her. So, I was totally pumped to check this one thing off my list!! When the time is nearing another guy with a head set comes up and looks at me and then turns. Next thing I hear is him saying shoot from here over. When I saw where he was pointing from the guy next to me over the other way I was like no way! They completelyt cut us out since we were not Astros fans!! I knew I shoud not of worn that shirt!! Oh well, I lost my "dream" because I love my husband! :) We had a great time at the game. The Rangers won, but the kids entertained us more than the players did.

Baylie took this picture of Nathan and I

My sweet angels!

We love our babies!

We got a bucket of popcorn that the kids devoured in a few minutes. Once it was all gone they thought of another way to use the bucket, entertainment!
I'm thirsty!

Entertainer!

Okay, I have come to the conclusion that my son is going to be the class clown when he gets in school. He is already entertaining his Mother's Day Out class with his tummy! He yells Mommy, Daddy, and when we look he does something to make us laugh! I have gotten some pictures of him entertaining. I wish you could hear the noise he makes with his funny pose! I have a feeling many of my future days will be spent in teacher conferences! Oh well!

First Time

There have been so many firsts for Baylie lately. It is hard for Nathan and I to realize that our baby is now four and this is just the beginning of all the wonderful things she is going to experience throughout her life. Until now everything has revolved around mine and Nathan's schedule, but now that Baylie is able to do a lot of activities I am seeing the big shift to working things around Baylie's schedule! We are really enjoying all the things Baylie is able to do now and it brings so much joy to us to watch her experience so many firsts.

This weekend she experienced her first bridal lucheon. She loved every minute of it! Baylie is going to be in her first wedding July 5th as the precious flower girl. One of Nathan's best friends, Scott, is getting married to Stephanie, who happens to be one of my sorority sisters. It is funny how our two groups of friends are meshing together! Scott and Stephanie were so kind to ask Baylie to be their flower girl and Nathan to be a groomsman. I am going to enjoy watching this bride and groom say I do and Baylie enjoying "her" wedding. Another great celebration is Nathan's youngest sister, Jennifer got engaged to Brandon this week!!! We are so excited to add another person to the family especially one as great as Brandon! This is Baylie's first time to see one of her aunts or uncles get engaged. Although, this is the last Barron wedding we are enjoying this first with Aunt Jenn! Here are some other firsts Baylie has had over the last week. I can't believe she is so grown up!

First Goodbye. :(

Although, there has been many exciting things that Baylie is experiencing there are some hard things too. It is amazing seeing some of her first heartaches and knowing that many more will happen, but the Lord always has her heart in His hands. Baylie's best friend Kenzi headed up north to Ohio. The girls had a great last day together. I think it was harder on Kari and I that day. Since Kenzi has left it has hit Baylie that she is not going to get to see Kenzi everyday. She talks about how much she misses her and how much she loves her. We have had some sweet conversations with Kenzi and Kari. We miss you guys, but can't wait until Christmas to see you again!!

First Recital!

Baylie had her first recital and she did GREAT! What personality, she enjoyed every bit of it and has ask when she can got back on stage! We were so blessed that Nana, Granddaddy, Nonnie, Papa, Uncle Matthew, Aunt Jennifer, and Mason came to support our little darling with us. She enjoyed getting all her flowers after the show! I want to give a special thank you to my dad who moved "heaven and earth" to be there for Baylie. Thanks dad for being there for your family!

First Day of Swim Lessons!

Another first Baylie is getting to experience is swim lessons!!! I am really enjoying watching her learn how to "swim." She is very cautious in the water mostly because she does not like to get her face wet; but she is being a real trooper and jumping right in! I am extremely proud of her! Way to go Baylie!!

First Day of VBS!

VBS started today at our church and this is Baylie's first time to go to it without having to be in the nursery. I remember the first time I volunteered Baylie had just turned one and experiencing this day seemed so far off. Now that it is here I am excited, but sad that it has gone by so fast. I am truly blessed that she is in a class where two of my Biblically beautiful friends are teaching and I am honored that Baylie gets to spend some time with these magnificent women! Thanks Mrs. Stacy and Mrs. Michelle!

Mrs. Stacy, Baylie, and Mrs. Michelle

One Busy Week!

What a week! It seemed like we went non stop! From Sunday to Sunday here is how the week went.

Sunday: Nathan and I got in from Boerne celebrating our 5 year anniversary and Natalie and Jason's wedding. It was AMAZING! The weekend was perfect and we loved every bit. Thanks Natalie and Jason for letting us celebrate with you! At the beginning of the weekend the camera battery went dead and I was unable to take pictures. Michelle and Brandon Harmon were our photographers. Once they get back form their wonderful European vacation I will share some pictures!

Monday: I met my mom halfway between Dallas and Houston to pick up the kids. They had a wonderful time with their grandparents. They really grew while we were gone. Nathan and I were so glad to get them back we missed them A LOT! The kids and I met up with Nathan, Carol, and Micah at Double Dave where we enjoyed the best pepperoni rolls! Kari, Kenzi, and Jenna met us up there as well and then we all went to look at a couple of homes, just for fun.

Tuesday: Was the first day of the summer MDO program. We all had a great day. I am loving all the neat things I am doing with my class this summer and Baylie and Jake are really enjoying their class. Jake is out of a crib now and sleeping on a nap mat!

Wednesday: My friend Gretchen's kids, Kylie and Luke came over to play and then we all went to 59 Diner. Yummy! Kids meals are only 99 cents on Wednesdays an even bigger plus!! After lunch the kids and I went over to the Miller's house to spend some time with them. They are moving to Ohio on Thursday and I want Baylie and Kenzi spend so sweet time together before she leaves.

Thursday: MDO day. Nathan's friend Juan came in from Guatemala and stayed with us on his way to Reno for his sister's wedding. We launched our new women's book club at church, so while I went to that the men took the kids out for dinner and ice cream. When I got home they were all playing the Wii.

Friday: We took it easy at the house. I did not get out of my pajamas until 2. Then we had to rush and get Baylie ready for her recital pictures. Right after we did the recital pictures my brother-in-law brought my nephew Mason over so I could love on him while he went to go look at a car. I bathed Baylie to get all the hairspray out and got her dressed. Then the whole family headed to church for our family photo for the directory. All went well I must say.

Saturday: We did some shopping for Father's day. Nathan got some new trendy clothes that I am looking forward to seeing him sport soon. Then we headed to our first birthday party of the weekend. Baylie's friend Caleb turned 4 and they rented a bounce house for the kids to jump on. It was a good time.

Sunday: We went to church, after Sunday School Nathan andI had nursery duty . Once we were done with nursery duty we headed to my friend and college roommate, Missy's house for her son's 3rd birthday. Luke had a spiderman party complete with a spiderman bounce house! Jake loved it. They had animal sprinklers going as well. Baylie really enjoyed playing in the water. It was so good to see them. Luke and Ella are absolutely precious! After we got home from the party we all collapsed! Since we got some rest time in Nathan and I stayed up until midnight picking up the house. It felt so good to crawl into bed and close the wonderful yet busy week!

Here are some pictures from our week:

Coordinating for Mother's Day Out!

Nathan with his friend, Juan, heading to their fun night with the kids!

Baylie in her dance costume after recital pictures

Our first birthday party

Our second birthday party

Missy and Jay's daughter Ella. Can you say ADORABLE?!?!

The kids enjoying the bounce house

Baylie and Luke

Jake as Spiderman!

Peace

As I sit here thinking about my life, I realize how much I am truly blessed. It seems as though I have been throwing myself a pity party questioning myself at every turn. Everything is going pretty well with us, but it seems as though I am letting Satan get to me and dwell on things that are not so wonderful. I am a perfectionist. That does not mean that I am highly organized, it just means I demand a lot from myself.

So, lately all I have been doing is harping on the things I feel are not up to par, which is perfection. It seems as though sometimes I look around and the cat and dog hair is rolling across a floor that I just cleaned, every toy in the playroom is dumped out right after I finished organizing it all, my darling children are fighting each other again, and it seems as though I just about had enough!! I work so hard for things to go smoothly!! Just when I was about to loose it God threw a rock at me and told me to wake up!! You are not perfect, Stacie, why do you feel you have to strive for something that is not possible to attain? Oh yea, I forgot Lord, there is only one perfect person who has ever walked the earth, your son. Well, I have been hit with the rock and I am awake now, Lord. I can't do it all, I need Him all the time. Not just when there is tragedy in my life, but for the everyday little things that He cares about too, because I care about them. When things are going well in my life it is when it seems that Satan finds my insecurities and plays on them. He knows where it will hurt the most and he goes straight for that spot. I desire to be an amazing wife and mother, that is my passion, and that is where the attack hits. I am not saying that the dog hair tumble weeds across the floor are going to disappear, but maybe if I rely on Him to not let it bother me then I could spend the time continuing to play with the kids instead of sweeping 7 to 8 times a day! Then look back at the end of the day and be proud of myself for what I have accomplished sweet precious memories with my children. Now, I am not looking for an excuse to completely stop taking care of the house I will just save it all for the end of the day:)!

The past week or so I have heard of so many others going through truly difficult things, loss of a child, others battling for their lives, etc. My friend, Shawna's good friend, Tara, had a stroke while pregnant. She has endured 2 brain surgeries and her daughter was taken and weighed a little over 1 pound. Shawna says the baby is breathing on her own and fighting everyday to get stronger. Then here I am crying because a house I just cleaned, to show my husband that I can do it all, is a disaster! Trust me, I know I have a right to be frustrated, but doubting my worth that is just ridiculous! Satan is a powerful being and I guess I forget, because my God is stronger! Satan wants us to underestimate him. It is easier for him to bring us down that way. Instead of sulking I should be thanking God at every turn that I am blessed with a wonderful husband who loves me so much, healthy children who bring so much life into our home, and a God who loves me the same day after day no matter how silly I act. He loves me no more and no less! WOW! That is truly amazing, because there are many days that I am very hard to love. I just want to encourage you all to think of the blessings in your life and not the things you wish were better. I believe that when you focus on all the gifts you receive every day then the other things wouldn't seem so bad.

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28-29

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

God has truly given me many gifts. He has sent me a new friend that I cherish very much. God's hand is upon her and He has brought her into my life to help me focus on what God wants for me. She sent me an email with the words to a song that she encouraged me to just read. It is exactly what God wanted me to hear to wake me up! I wanted to share them with you and personally say thank you to Michelle for being my spiritual sister!

"East To West"

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other

I am praying for all of you that you receive peace tonight. I know how wonderful it feels to find it. "Lord, thank you for bringing me peace tonight. I love you."