The Big Move

President George W. Bush Gala

Bye Old House!!!!

Kids can help pack too!

Mackenzie thought walking up and down the boxes was the most fun!


Our New House
BEFORE:

Den

Kitchen

Rodeo Day was today, and I thought this was too cute not to post!

These past few weeks have really been disheveled. We moved just after Valentine's Day. Since the move, we've been very sloooowly unpacking partly because I'm super busy taking care of the little ones, and partly because we were getting ready for the painters. We also made a trip out of town to Granbury. Typically we wouldn't leave town for just any reason, especially when our house is chaotic, but it was a special occasion--going to Fort Worth Christian's Gala where we heard George W. Bush speak!!!! It was amazing to be in the same room as a former president. He was so down to earth and laid back. I really enjoyed hearing him speak, and getting to see actual secret service agents around the perimeter of the room.
On another note, the painters are here today commencing the painting/wallpaper removal/remodel. I am tooooo excited! Although it was harder than I thought to choose paint colors and make decisions. It's so hard to know what will look good. I took pictures of the before to share with you. Everything is supposed to be finished at the end of next week. I'm crossing my fingers hoping it will be what I have envisioned in my mind. You know a tiny paint color swatch sure can look a whole lot different on a large surface area. I just hope I won't be disappointed!

A Day Filled with Love

Wishing you all a warm and happy Valentine's Day!!!!!!

Big Changes in February!!!

Gosh, I've really gotten behind on all blogging/facebook lately. And, we've had some pretty major things happen this past month. It started rather quickly after Mackenzie's birthday, when our house seemed to be busting at the seams with new toys from two birthdays and Christmas. Chad kind of started thinking we were growing out of this house, which at first I was resistant to admit, but after looking around, I agreed. We have been in this house for 5 1/2 good years. We've enjoyed so many wonderful moments and memories in this house. All of our kid's first birthdays, first steps, bringing babies home from the hospital, etc... How can we possibly replace such a house? After thinking and praying, we decided to put our dear house on the market. Once this decision was made, we began the long journey of repainting, sprucing up, paring down furniture, giving away and putting away toys, taking down clutter and so on and so on. After nine days on the market, we had an offer!!! We were a bit shocked, but it was happening. I wasn't sure that I was ready for everything to be happening so soon. Of course we are still in the ups and downs of whether everything will work out with this buyer. But soon afterward, we made an offer on a lovely, bigger, two-story house in Sienna Plantation, that I absolutely love and think it just perfect for us. We made a contingency offer on it. And now I am on an emotional roller coaster hoping everthing with work out. I am trying not to get my hopes up too much, but I can't help it. I can't stop decorating the new house in my mind. But, I am ready for anything whatever the outcome. I know God has his plan for us, and I will just follow whatever that is. I just thought I would share with the rest of ya'll who don't know yet. Please be praying for us that this all works out. We close on February 12th on our old house and February 16th on our new house!!!!! More updates to come!

Mackenzie's 1st Birthday

Birthday breakfast, she gets the traditional pancake breakfast!

"I'm all dressed up for my party!"

I know, we had enough cake to feed an army!

It's almost too pretty to eat!

Her first taste.

She likes it!

Uh, oh....big MESS!

Okay, I know this is placed randomly among Mackenzie's birthday pics, but it is related. We ended the party a little early to go and see Gabby's art work that was picked to go to the Houston Livestock Rodeo for the school district. Her picture recieved a blue ribbon of excellence! We were so proud of her!

Present time!

"Um, I think I'll just stand on this one instead of opening it!"

"I love you, Gido!"


Mackenzie's party was a success! It was a small affair with just family. We had lunch, ate cake, and opened presents. We moved quickly, but for an impatient little one-year-old, the pace was perfect. Also, we needed to get up to Dulles High School to view Gabby's award winning artwork. I wouldn't miss that, but I was so torn. I guess that's what happens with multiple kids. You have to split your time. Mackenzie didn't know the difference and we had the best of both worlds. We are so blessed to have our little Mackenzie in our lives. I can't believe it's been a year!!!! It has gone by way too fast! She grew up over night! I am so glad she came into our lives! She makes me so happy! I love her little personality! I love how sometimes for just a quick moment, I feel like I traveled back in time with little Gabby as my baby. She reminds me sooo much of her! I love her little blonde hair, so different from what we expected from a quarter lebanese child! I love her strong death grip on anything that she want to hold on to and not let go of. I love her playful nature. I love how she adds so much to our family! I love now that she walks, she just wanders around our house getting into mischief. I love how she has become so attached to me that when I leave a room, she follows me worried that I might leave the house. I love how she tries to wash her brother's back and head in the bathtub. I love the way she savors food that she loves. I love how she is such a little lady because she prefers a fork for messy food. I love how she was my earliest walker. I love that as soon as she was mobile, she would make her way to the front door when daddy came home. I love the way she bear hugs any stuff animal or baby doll. I love seeing her smile at me through the slats of her crib after a good nap. There are so many things I love about her! I could go on and on! And, I can't wait to be there to watch her grow into a little girl. She is so precious and adorable and we love her tremendously!!!! Happy Birthday, Mackenzie!

Happy Birthday, Wild Thing

Alex in his "wolf suit"

King of the Wild Things!

Mackenzie was enjoying her lunch!

Boy stuff!!!

Girls just want to have fun!

The post is a week late, but, hey, it's been a busy week and Christmas was a looong post. And, I felt it was important to keep Alex's birthday separate from Christmas. It's hard having a smashing terrific Christmas, the kind where you're feeling you need a few days just to let all of the excitment simmer down. Well, for the rest of my life, this can't happen!!!! Why? Because I have two precious children whose birthdays fall 3 days after Christmas and 2 weeks after. As I am writing this, my decorations for Mackenzie's 1st birthday are on my kitchen countertop. We aren't done yet! Meanwhile, every nook and cranny are crammed with toys, etc... I'm rambling. Anyway, Alex' s birthday party was a success despite the fact that we had to postpone it a couple of days due to both Gabby and Alex having strep throat!!! But, atleast it gave us a little more time to set up for his wild things party! I loved the theme of his party because Alex reminds me so much of the character from the book, Max. He is truly my little wild thing, but I love him. Alex really enjoyed having his party with all of his cousins and his friends. I think this was his first party that he really understood it was his birthday. Of course by this point he is on toy overload, but he still tore through those gifts like a pro. At the end of the day, I'm glad for all the happy memories and that he had a good time. I can't be completly relieved being that Mackenzie's party is Saturday, but it will be a much simpler party with just a few family members, so atleast I won't be sewing and decorating til the wee hours like Alex's party. I go overboard and I don't know why! What can I say? I just love putting together my kid's parties! But I'm ready for a break... Here's more...