Mary's Moments

After a morning of sleeping in, doing household chores, listening to football, and Daniel working on his car, we decided to make a family trip over to a river about 10 minutes from our house. We went to a part of the San Gabriel river, I think called the Blue Hole, where a lot of people swim, jump from a rope, hang out with their pets, and just float in the river. It was mixed with shallow and deep parts, so it was a great fit for everyone and had a small waterfall that was really pretty to watch. In one spot, there was a hidden "bridge" where the kids would climb all the back way under the bridge and the current was strong enough (and the rocks were slippery enough) that it was like a slip and slide! Katherine and Matt loved that! Howdy and Daniel seemed to have a nice time playing fetch, although another dog seemed to keep dominating and barking at Howdy. Christopher hung out in his car seat and we had fun watching everyone and relaxing in the cool river. It was a great wa...

A weekly update on the kiddos!- ~Katherine Katherine rode the bus to school for the first time yesterday! Although we walked down to the bus stop when it was still pitch black outside (6:30 a.m.!) and it was drizzling, Katherine was still very excited about riding the bus she's waited to ride for a LONG time. She's been doing great at school and has gotten 2 purple markings for behavior this week. Purple is the best marking the students can get and once she gets 3 in a week, she gets to pick a prize out of the treasure box. (The order of the colors goes Purple , Green , Yellow , Red from best to worst). However, she's been coming home telling me stories about "so and so" and how they moved to the Yellow or Red color for pulling someone's hair or not following directions....Ahh, the days of Kindergarten. Anyways, she's doing great and really loving it so far! ~Matthew Matthew has been having fun staying at home and I've been enjoying having the time to...

Over the past few years, I've been able to watch Daniel interact with his brother, Eric, on a daily basis. If they aren't playing computer games with each other or calling each other on their way to/from work, then they're IMing or emailing each other. Or so it seems from my perspective :)But I guess there is something to be said about this closeness they share. Growing up I only had one brother and one sister, so I never really knew about how close brothers can get. This isn't to say that my sister and I weren't and aren't close, but I think there is a special bond between brothers that us girls will never understand :) When Matthew was born, we didn't know that someday he too would have a brother to share life with. I hope that one day they will be the best of buds, just like Eric and Daniel (who still are best buds and they live many miles apart). I look forward to watching my two boys grow up together, wrestle together, catch frogs together, play footbal...

Here are a few pictures we had fun taking today! We've been enjoying the day off today and having everyone at home. Christopher is almost 4 months old now (I can't believe it!) and has definitely been our easiest and most laid back baby. Thank goodness! Have a great Labor Day holiday! PS - I added music to my site, so if you're wondering where it's coming from, now you know!

These pictures were taken a couple months ago when my brother was in town and we met at the Cracker Barrel for brunch. I just love the facial expressions in these pictures and the love you can see between the kids. (The only thing I don't like are the Longhorn images on the rocking chairs, but hey, what can ya do!? I don't think the Cracker Barrel would have appreciated if I had taken my paint pen with me and painted the longhorns with the horns sawed off!) Well, I hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day holiday! And Aggies...good luck...BTHO Montana State tonight!

So today is my Mom's birthday...Happy Birthday Mom! Hope you have a special day! I found this poem and thought of you . So here's a birthday poem for ya, Mom! Another year older, a year of living in the light of the Lord, A time of changing, a time of growing, A time of learning to use His Sword Maturing more as the days go on, Telling others what Christ has taught you, Touching hearts as you travel along, Living love - we can see Him in you. A miracle is working there in your heart, A new beginning, He changed you right from the start, And now you know that there is no turning back, The grace of God you will never lack. You're a picture of what our great Redeemer can do, When you walk in His love, you make an excellent view, You are changing on the inside, it's really plain to see, Like a stranger to this world - living for eternity, Committed to our Saviour, you are resting in His hands, He planned your future long ago, before your life began. Oh, delight yourself for...

Matt in the hat:) Matt trying to do the Gig 'Em thumb. So lately Matthew has been glued to Daniel's Aggie hat...I'm guessing because he sees that Daniel wears it quite often, especially recently when he's been working on his car. At least Matt's got the right idea with picking the right colored hat to wear! :) (Oh and it's football season too...Gig 'Em Ags!) I just think it's so cute how he mimics his dad and even wears the hat just like Daniel. A lot of times Daniel will wear it backwards and of course, when Matt can snag the hat, he wears it backwards too. Just like little boys look to their dads and try to mimic their every behavior, if only we could act the same with God, our Heavenly Father, in our lives. Constantly looking to the Father, watching, waiting, copying His perfection, and trying to be just like Him. Picture a life of surrender, full of grace, love, patience, truth...without sin. Someday my friends! Unfortunately, even when our behavior...