They Made It!

For several years since Evie was born I have missed my parents more than I could have ever imagined! Something about having your own child makes you wake up realize how much your parents sacrificed for you. It makes you realize, wow, parenting is really fun but also very challenging, especially without grandparents nearby. In time my parents started to really miss us (Evie) and dream about moving to Texas. None of us knew how this dream would happen. We just prayed about it, A LOT, and waited patiently. My dad had an idea, that if his company ever laid him off, that would be the perfect opportunity to make the move. Well, in January, that happened. In February the house went up for sale, and in May they handed over their keys to a young couple just starting off. It was bittersweet thinking about them leaving their home of 28 years, where they started off with a 1 year old and 3 year old. Yet, it is so exciting to see them start a new chapter in Texas with a 3 year old grand daughter.

As my dad walked out of closing, he received a call to schedule an interview for a job in Dallas. Um, this is a God thing. How could all of this just "fall into place?" Also, my parents have just arrived here after Judd and I experienced a very stressful couple of weeks. Not a coincidence.

With all that being said, my parents are settled into our guest bedroom temporarily. The garage has been rearranged and now holds TWO cars. We have boxes here and there in the house. It's great! I know my parents don't exactly know what is ahead of them, but they have really modeled the saying of, "Let your faith be bigger than your fear." They have really taken a giant leap of faith! I'm thankful for their courage!

Muffins with Mom

What a great way to start my morning! How I love being a mom! Evie has taught me so much about love, compassion, and selflessness!

Love her to pieces!!!!!!!

Easter Sunday

Grammy and Papa drove all the way from Florida to come visit us for a week. We really enjoyed our time together going from one egg hunt to another. Sunday, we went to church and ate Easter dinner later that evening.

The Easter Bunny left a trail of eggs going up the stairs that led to the game room, where Evie's Easter basket waited for her!

chapstick from her Easter basket

a Bible just for girls

Grammy and Evie

Cinderella, Evie, and a peanut butter egg

When I went Easter dress shopping with Evie, she picked out this dress.

I couldn't get enough pictures!

Evie and Cinderella

this dress is fun!



Egg Hunts

Grammy, Papa, and I took Evie to the egg hunt at her school. It was so cute watching the kids line up and then make a mad dash for the ggs. Each time she picked up an egg she yelled, "There's candy in it!" Once she figured that out, she was Speedy Gonzales!

ready to go outside

waiting patiently for their teacher to say "Go!"

I got one!

checking out their loot

On Saturday we took Evie to the church's egg hunt.

Asher's Storybook Ranch Birthday Party

We spent the afternoon celebrating Asher's 3rd birthday at Storybook Ranch in Frisco. It was really fun! Pony rides was Evie's favorite part. She cried when it was time to go home. She kept saying she wanted to go on a pony ride! She also had a fun time playing with Stella in the petting farm, jumping in the bounce house, and playing on the swing sets. This was a huge party full of kids, friends, and parents having a really good time!

the birthday boy

cake time!

two friends

they look like they could be sisters

in the middle of a crowd of kids, they choose to play with each other

Garden Update: Week 3

Four of the eight potato plants are growing strong! I was really not expecting that to happen. Hopefully, there will be little potatoes underground by May.  The radishes continue to grow mature leaves. The herbs look good. The carrots, lettuce, and onions are slowly getting bigger, but I did plant them late in the season. It might get too hot pretty soon. Several of my friends said they haven't had luck with growing peppers, but I put in a green/ orange sweet pepper. We'll see! I don't know how the eggplant will do either.

radishes and herbs

green sweet pepper, eggplant, lettuce, and potato

another view of herbs and radishes

radishes

new - potato sprouts

first potato to break ground

We keep a net over it to keep out the armadillo, bunnies, and raccoons. I ordered a summer weight row cover to replace the netting. I hope the cover will help prolong the growing season, before it gets unbearably hot. It should also help block out insects. Right now, we have a spider mite problem. I am thinking about spraying horticultural oil, which is effective and safe. The last thing I want is the plants to get destroyed by pesky insects, yet I want to keep this garden organic.

Bluebonnets in the Spring