CLG Wednesdays

Because we have now joined a new CLG (Community Life Group) at our church, we are having a bible study/discussion as well as a meal on Wednesday nights while the kids are at the church having their own activities and meal. We all get home just in time for bedtimes (8p.m.) Which we thought we would never accomplish on a school night, with church activities, and eating. Its all really surreal, but it works, and it really gives us that great fellowship that our family needs and loves during the week.

I have been able to explore recipes thanks to my cook books and my very dependable recipes that my mother and grandmothers have passed down to me. Not to mention several ladies from the church I grew up in. Thank you all for inspiring me and giving me an idea or two. I have combined recipes, and made a few customized to my own tastes.

I'm so excited to have my passion of cooking back. Something that I haven't seen in over a year. I missed making food that people would enjoy, savor and delight in. I create, people eat, everyone is happy!


Tonight, I made some sweets for my littlest sweeties for Valentines day.

Caleb had been drooling over the Chocolate Covered Strawberries that were in the grocery the other day.

I decided to Cut the price and make these for way cheaper than they wanted me to pay for only a 1/2 dozen of these puppies. I think I did them justice, and my little babies will be so eager to gobble them up!

Christmas on Short Street

Merry Christmas from Caleb and Sarah!

Christmas 2011

 

Our Christmas Mini-Vacation

We were blessed to be able to take a little mini-vacation this year. We had plenty of relatives lined-up to visit, that's for sure ;)

Our MAIN trip was to my mom and dad's house (Grandma and Paw Paw Howsers) house. But to make it a semi-stressless trip, we asked mimi and papa if we could stay over at their place in Austin and just head out the next morning to Houston. That worked out great because we also got to have the kids Christmas with their Grandparents and AuntB, Uncle G, and their cousins. They even got to spend a little time with their Aunt Tess too! We had a great time and the visit was lots of fun.

 

We got to my moms on Sunday evening, Saw MY Grandparents on Monday, got to catch up with my sister ALL week. I think that was my favorite part :P
Lots of play time with their cousins Drake and Colt for both kids it meant plenty of imagination and plenty of laughs.

There was always good food with My mom and sister around. I dont know why but when I visit, I never end up doing any of the cooking...I would love to help, but its a nice break I suppose. :)

It had been a while since we had all gotten together. Almost 2 years actually. So we enjoyed every minute spent together.

 

On the way home we stopped thru San Antonio to visit Robs other Aunt Jeana, and family.

We got in town around 3 or so, and were greeted by Robs Grandparents, Uncle, and Jeana and Max! :) 

Always so very fun, we relaxed and had dinner later with Laura and William, Robs Cousin and his fiance' 

The next day we were to head home, but not before we got to do a little Santa shopping first. :)

While the kids hung out, played games, and watched movies. We found Sarah asleep when we got back :P.

We left around 4 and returned home late Thursday Evening. Just in time to start our own family traditions.

New EVERYTHING

So, this might be a long post due to the fact that, I haven't blogged in almost 2 months. I definitely feel like its time to start over, and start fresh. We have had so many changed happen in the last 2 months, and its been a whirlwind of a ride so far. 

First off, Calebs Kinder year ended great. He got to graduate, cap, gown and all. He got to leave from school that day with his sister, and his Grandparents to go to Sea world :) This time with their cousin Wesley 

This summer was a great one. Sarah went to her 6 weeks of Mother's Day Out, while Caleb has a few VBS's he went to this summer.

We Swam, Went to the Gym, Went to the "Pup-Cake" Store (Cupcake Boutique) on Fridays' as our tradition.

Lots of trips to the park, eating with dad when we could and always the occasional trip to our "favorite store" Target. :)

Before summer, I had applied for several jobs at Calebs School in hopes to get at least an interview. I had already had a job for the fall lined up just in case. I wasn't thinking that anything would become of the jobs that I had applied for.

Well, around June was when I got a phone call. One that the principal had made to me asking if I would like to interview for a secretaries position. Well, I had graciously declined. I had another job obligation to fulfill, so I had told her.

I was so bummed that night, because what I really wanted to say..YES, YES YES!

I guess it was two days later I was working out at the gym and a friend of mine called and asked if the principal had called me about a job. Weird? This friend had gotten a teacher's position at the same school.

Well, she then proceeded to tell me how she felt I needed to be at TLCA too. Basically saying "what are you crazy?! Call her back NOW" :)

So, I call her back and I set up an interview with her for not one but TWO different position with the principal.

Thinking I wouldn't get a call back for an interview time till the next week, I put it in the back of my mind.

I get called in for an interview the NEXT DAY!! Ahhh... 

Well, everything went well, and I ended up interviewing for both jobs in the same meeting.

I got another call the next week, asking me to accept the job. Yes, I'm not a SAHM anymore.

Its sad but that chapter in my life is over I think. I'm working full time now at Caleb's School as a 

Teacher's Aide for all of 1st grade and some of 2nd grade. :)

Very exciting.

The sweetest gift

When I picked up Caleb today from school, I got handed these

They are made of styrofoam egg cartons, paint and toilet paper rolls. 

Prettiest Flowers I have ever received :)

His teacher then informed me that I have another surprise in his folder. I couldn't wait to see what else he had made me. Since, I know they make the cutest things in his class.

This had me rolling. I hope you can read it. Its a small book, thats a question/answer about Calebs Mom, for Mother's Day!

I have to comment on the work question...I work @ his school, and at Sarah's MDO (college) :)

He did a super job!!

We also found out that he passed all of his testing for kindergarten. Sight Words, Math, and TPRI Testing.

Way to go Caleb.

My sweet boy will be Graduating Kindergarten soon and starting 1st grade with the rest of his class.

For those of you that know whats been going on with him this year, knows thats a great accomplishment!

Praise God, He is so Good.

Easter

The kids were out of school for Good Friday and we just hung out and had a pj day. They went to their Grandparents that afternoon while the hubby and I actually had a kidless dinner.

Easter Weekend Was pretty busy. We had so much going on....Easter Fest hosted by Caleb's School was Saturday, Egg Hunt on Sunday followed by a relaxing afternoon. The kids watched movies ALL afternoon :) Couldn't think of anything more relaxing.

Here are a few pictures...

These really weren't for Easter, but from Robert Just because :)

 

Ready to get some eggs!

Just a portion of the eggs that were at the Sports Complex on Saturday. Total there were close to 150,000 eggs.

A couple pictures from Lunch....goofing off :)

Sunday Easter Egg Hunt @ Church....They stocked up on tons of eggs and the worst most exciting part was "de-shelling" them all.....well for mommy anyways! :D

I usually trade out the Valentines Candy for the Easter Candy every year....

The good thing..no more candy till October! Whew :)

Littlebear

YES thats right. This little darling just recently turned 2 and a half years old on the 5th of April. Crazy right?!

I thought so too. It feels like just the other day she was born, or just the other day she was stuffing her face with her first birthday cake. Time flies.

Amazing that in just a little time my youngest will be three....I'm trying to enjoy every moment that we spend together. Shes such a joy to our lives and our family.

Always happy and more or less easy going. Shes becoming more inquisitive and is starting to QUESTION EVERYTHING!!! :) 

Shes like me and wants to be organized, with everything in its place. I catch her wanting to help 

put away the laundry or help me pick up around the house. Hey! it may not be in the right spot but she has the very BEST intentions.

Such a doll baby...and everyday can be a trying day or just a joy, but I wouldn't change that for the world!

Love you, Little Bear 

Spring Break.....will not break our spirit.

Well I'll start by saying we had so many plans to go on a family vacation this year, but with things that we cannot control, we will be staying home this Spring break, and possibly Memorial Day. THAT, and the crazy, CRAZY Gas Prices!!
I feel guilty for telling people we were coming when in all actuality it didn't work out to our advantage.


So, in saying that, I will add some cute pics of our first couple of days of our "Spring Break @ Home"

We are just having a good time, Me and the kids {while Robert, bless his heart, works :( }

Today is just day #2, and I'll have to say today went ALOT better than Monday did. I know by Friday, they won't want to go back to their normal routine on Monday.

 

More updates of this weeks adventures, later!

The "still small Voice" of God

  

Earlier this evening I had a couple of kiddos fighting over who loved mama more. Then just as I was rocking Sarah before bed, Caleb comes in & sits at my feet to listen to the song that I was singing her. :) Its times like these, I know why God put me here. I'm so very blessed to have such amazing children. Who I know will do even more Amazing things, because they Love the Lord, just as much as their mommy and daddy do.

 

A couple of pictures from our Halloween Trunk or Treat

Sarah, Goofy Girl

Just playing around at home.
Boy, that mane needs to be tamed. :)

Dinner and a Cake

Here's some pictures for those that love pics that I took at Sarah's Birthday Dinner w/ a few of her family. Thanks for all who came!!! She truly loves and cherishes everyone of you that could and couldn't be there tonight. Here's to another year with this precious girl.

On the way to eat!!

Grammies and Sarah

Sarah's Mimi

Yummy Cake

Too Cute!

The little helper of the night.

"Sarah's" - it was what she was saying when she
saw papa bring the presents from the car.

Birthday Girl.

Such a pretty smile

Helping Clean up the paper w/ Mimi. What a big helper! 

Not happy that we weren't opening the gifts to "play"

Inspecting

Waiting on someone to give in and open one for her.
She really wanted the Crib she got open.

Cake Time

Happy 2nd Birthday

YUMMY

Mom and Caleb