Double-Digits Baby!

Jaxen has entered into the tween years! His birthday was on April 26th, I am a little slow in getting a post up for him... The morning of his birthday, Steve made him a special "10" pancake :)

We let him open his gifts before school so that it would actually feel like his special day...

Steve and I checked him out for a lunch-date, when we went to get him, he wasn't feeling well...he had had a fever the day before and it had come back. The night before he had wanted to go to Olive Garden for dinner, since Steve was leaving on a trip the night of his birthday. Fever and all, we went...poor kid didn't feel that well, but he HAD to go for his special dinner...

He also insisted on going to lunch, crazy kid! He chose Taco Bell and then went home and slept for 2 hours! He had been talking about all that he wanted for his actual birthday dinner was for me to make him a HUGE bowl of mashed potatoes, so I did! He felt a little better after his long nap and was able to eat some of his potatoes. He wanted to play football with Caders so we went outside and after about half an hour, he felt better!

I think that he had an enjoyable birthday week, despite the fever. He is such a great kid and is adjusting to the new "tween" years, I think that there will be some exciting new stages and adventures that come along with these next few years. I always tell Jaxen that he made me a Mother and that I am forever grateful to him for this precious gift that he has allowed me. I love that kid so much! He is turning into such a wonderful young man and is such a great example to his younger siblings and to his friends. Not to mention that he is a VERY handsome boy too...takes after his Dad, we call them the twins...it's kind of creepy how much they look alike ;)

Havin' a Paintin' Party!

Steve had all week off so we decided it was time to paint the boy's rooms. We let them choose which neutral color they wanted and then we will accessorize with the colors they want...we figured it was better to go neutral and just add color here and there instead of doing crazy wall paint/designs throughout the house (Jaxen had a whole wall mural design that he wanted, but I am letting him put it on a canvas instead). I took the boys shopping and let them pick their new bedding...they fit their personalities perfectly!
Steve also put ceiling fans up in their rooms which are a MUST here in Texas, it has been so nice to have them. This way I don't have to run the A/C all day and night.
Here is the before pic...not sure why I didn't take a pic of Caden's room before, but you get the idea from Jaxen's room...BORING!!!

And here are the afters...I LOVE how much personality some paint on the walls can give a room! Jaxen's room...


Caden's room...



Now on to the girl's room!!!

I SO BIG!!!!

Guess who doesn't wear diapers any more?!?!?

Last Friday, the 13th, I started potty training Elsie and she has done FABULOUSLY!!! Steve had a nice chat with her the day before and convinced her that she is a big girl and didn't need to wear diapers any more...she listened. Which I have tried several times over the past 6 months to convince her, but she is defiant and stubborn and controlling and wasn't having it.
I'll admit that I was a little nervous about pushing her, but it has been 5 full days and she has only had 3 accidents and LOVES being a "big girl"! The first day all that she could say every time she would go potty was, "I SO BIG!" She has been so proud of herself the whole time and gets so excited when she gets to choose a jelly bean out of her special jar every time she goes on the potty.
Another little funny thing that she says is, "ready?" every time she is about to pee, she likes to have someone in the bathroom with to talk to and ask if you are "ready" for her to go. She just cracks me up, I love that little girl and her tiny bum in those little undies...so stinkin' cute!

Easter Morning

Elsie liked the "grass" in her basket...she took it out and said, "look, I have my own grass" :)




Love my kids. They all looked so nice in their new Easter clothes, hope y'all had a wonderful day celebrating the Resurrection of Our Savior.

Coloring Eggs

It wouldn't be Easter weekend at our house if we didn't color eggs. Jaxen refused to let me post any pics of him because he was in a crazy mood that day and had a goofy face in all of his pics, I may have to post one later...hehehe!

You Want Snow?!?!?

Caden and I took a 2 day trip to Utah last month to meet this little guy...



Ryker David...isn't he adorable?

My brother Blake and his wife Cassie make beautiful babies...here is their first, Averie...

She is such a good big sister! It was so much fun to get to hold my new nephew and to let Caden play with his cousins for a few days and get S.P.O.I.L.E.D by Grandma and Grandpa while we stayed at their house. We were there over my birthday and I felt so loved and spoiled by my wonderful family.
Before we left for Utah, Caden said that one of the things that he wanted to do was play in the snow...well, he got to play in the snow all right! It DUMPED the first day and night that we were there. Caden was in HEAVEN!! Grandma let him go out and play in the snow close to midnight one night while the snow fell and honestly to sit and watch how happy it made him, with a HUGE smile on his face the entire time, was one of those moments as a Mom that I want to remember forever.




We played a LOT of Just Dance 3 which Caden and I also LOVED! I loved it even more when I beat my little sister ;)
It's hard to only get to stay for a few days at a time because we would love to visit everyone every time we go, but it just isn't possible. We feel very blessed that we have the opportunity to take these short trips and we feel blessed that we had these great people to spend it with this time...

My brother, DJ with his girls, Taylor, Ginny and Reese


My sister BrieAnn with Caden...he always has to be a goof :P


My beautiful Mom with Caders


Brin, Caden and Miki


Me and my brother Blake

Gettin' Her Workout On!

Elsie wanted me to get her a jump rope down out of the closet the other day, so I did. She then rumaged through the clean laundy pile on the coach and found some of my workout clothes. She dressed herself and had a nice little workout. I love how this little girl keeps me smiling! :)

Meet Our Little Zoe

We got a new little Yorkie pup yesterday! Her name is Zoe and she is the sweetest, cuddliest, cutest little dog that I have ever seen! It's a long story about how this pup became a part of our family, but let's just say that she is meant to be ours :)
She slept through the night last and I am working on this potty-training thing, so if anyone has any suggestions for me...
The kids are in LOVE with! Just look at her little face...who wouldn't be though, right? Steve said that he is deeply smitten with her and loves to cuddle her.
I am in love with her ears...they stick straight up and are so soft and fuzzy. She curls up and just wants to be held and loved. She is calm but also likes to run and play with the kids. Let's hope that the excitement doesn't go away any time soon ;)
I think that she fits in perfectly around here! :)

I Am Gettin' Good At This BUG KILLIN' Stuff!

Tonight, right as I was ready to go to bed, I went to turn the light off on the fish tank and saw a HUGE cockroach just chillin' right where I put my hand. Yeah, it was nasty...anyway, it was a female that was carrying an egg on her back. Yes, this is how they grow their babies and usually have 10 - 12 babies hatch. Gross, I know!
That dang bug had me chasing her for 1/2 an hour! I had armed myself with Lysol and got in a few sprays here and there, but she kept hiding in the fish tank. So I waited...she finally came out and got far enough down the tank that I was able to douse her with Lysol (I know, a little inhumane, but hey, when they are in MY house...) I scooped her up in a container and noticed ANOTHER roach behind the tank! This guy was already dead, but there was A LOT of poop behind there, so I am NOT fully convinced that that is it for the roach findings...
We had a nice little break from the bugs for a few months, I guess that time is OVER!!! Welcome to TEXAS!!!