Noa Grace

Nothing I have to say about our lives lately is as important as this!  For more information see the blog on my list on the right side that says Diagnosed with CDH

http://prayingfornoa.bigcartel.com/about

Five Minute Friday, orrrrr a little less

Super busy in these parts. Packing and preparing to move on the 30th. Love my babes and my man. Hopefully catch up next week.

5 Minute Friday

I was debating whether or not to keep this up because I have a pretty good idea that no one is reading this, but I decided that if nothing else it is a record for us of snapshots of life five minutes at a time. I read a sweet blog posting on the Huffington Post this week that encouraged me to be in front of the camera a little more. If my girls hear and see me being so negative about myself how can I expect them to grow into confident women that are not hyper critical of their looks. In a time when we have constant access to "sharing" our thoughts, pictures, opinions, life, I want all of my children to grow up with a healthy understanding of who they are, not worried constantly about who will see what and keep them from doing something because they are afraid who will post something about it. I realize as I am actively participating in a forum that opens our lives to the public that I am potentially setting myself up for criticism, but the power I have is to delete hurtful comments, share only what I want, and be stoked I have a place to share and keep record of these days. Kenny and I debate social media all the time and we have come to the conclusion that we participate for ourselves and when it becomes too much about others we'll push the "x", backspace, esc, delete,remove, unsubscribe, hide, unfollow, block, whatever. So I guess all this to say, I will continue blogging for our own record keeping, and if you like what you see or read, let me know.  For my mama heart sisters here's a link to the post.... www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-tate/mom-pictures-with-kids_b_1926073.html

5 Minute Friday x2

Last Friday I was headed to Washington to attend one of my oldest and dearest friends wedding in a teeny tiny little town in Washington. Not only was the time with our other childhood friend and her family awesome, the cool weather and fog was heavenly. I missed my family very much and had a couple hiccups travelling west but it was definitely worth it. I may have gotten a little teary when the southern California coast line was in view :( This Friday I got up when the moon was still high to get my birthday boy Round Rock donuts, per his request. He is still peacefully sleeping in his new big kid bed and I can't wait for him to wake up. Of course I am the sentimental sappy mom today and I don't care about much else today besides seeing him smile. We had some sad news to tell him this week and once again he showed us his incredibly loving heart. I am so grateful to be his mama. I had no idea what to expect holding a baby boy in my arms five years ago and I still don't, but I do know that I have a treasure in that little boy that could never be replaced, that I don't deserve, that surprises me all the time, and that I would go to the ends of the earth for in a heartbeat. We love Rylan James as a big as Texas. Moochies and a shaka dude!

5 Minute Friday

Hallelujah for some rain and much cooler temperatures. It has been under 70 at times in the last day and a half. I am excited to  start volunteering in Rylan's class room every other Monday. Fortunately it is at a time when Kenny can just take a slightly longer lunch and hang out with the girls and work from home while they nap. I didn't get pictures loaded yet because we've had an extra busy week with doctors appointments and other things that came up. Poor Blake shots are so so so hard on her, by far the worst of the three. Well, that wraps up my five minutes.

5 Minute Friday

It is still smokin hot, ewww! But it is supposed to cool down tomorrow to the 90s, woohoo! We are in school mode and just about have it all figured out now. I can't believe Rylan will be five in three weeks-heartbreaking! It is nice to see a reminder of his baby face when we look at Blake! It seems like all of our friends that are having babies are having boys, ugh, that makes my baby fever spike! Elle is signed up again for a Saturday dance class and I am so thrilled to have a day and time that works with our schedule! Here are a few pictures...

Two for One

I can't get out of the habit and even though I missed last week I promised myself I'd get a post up today. Last weekend Kenny's parents and grandma were here and we all had a great time. It was a great mental distraction for me. Monday came quickly and I packed my first school lunch, took too many pictures, tried to balance the attention with Elle too, and cried and cried as my first baby walked into a real elementary school cafeteria and sat down for lunch. As hard as I tried I did shed a few at the school but mostly let it out in the car after. Kenny, Elle, and I were all anxious for the 2:45 pick up. Rylan had a great day and asked why he couldn't stay longer. The rest of the week has gone just as well, minus the minor hiccup of forgetting his lunch bag in the class, fortunately I was able to go a little early the next day and pick it up, school crisis one-check! I am so glad he has this opportunity. We are all adjusting to this new schedule, especially little sister. She has even put on her backpack in hopes she could go to Blue Jay's (school mascot) too! I think he will be ready for kindergarten and hopefully some of his friends his making will be in his class next year. Bonus, Kenny and I have met a couple cool parents and it's making this whole experience all the better. I didn't get the pictures loaded yet, so next Friday's post will include pictures.

5 Minute Friday

We have been enjoying our staycation for sure! With just a couple more days left before normal returns we are grateful for a little cooler weather. Yesterday there was even some shade when the clouds gave a little relief every once in awhile-I'll take it! Next week is our last week before Rylan starts every day PreK. I am excited for him, for real excited. I was having mixed feelings but he is blossoming more and more the last couple weeks and I'm grateful for the timing. He is going to do great. I am a little concerned Elle will be missing her buddy, but at the same time as Rylan is blossoming, Elle and Blake are starting to play together more. I am so truly blessed that the three enjoy, protect, encourage and help one another. I love being able to watch these relationships.

5 Minute Friday

. 

A little of the haps around here. The bottom picture is of Rylan buttoning his shirt for the first time. Lots of firsts and milestones here lately. So read for the relaxing days of our stayaction starting now!!! I got to catch up with two Cali friends today and it felt so good :) I'm so lucky that my precious metals include silver and gold,totally unrelated to the olympics. Something that is related to the olympics, is the big kids newest "passions". Rylan wants to swim all the time, ALL the time. Elle wants to play water polo-that is just funny! I'm sure her papa would be proud though-must skip a generation. He would also be proud of the little man wanting to swim everyday. All these boys in my life are water dogs and despite Kenny's attempts over these last nine summers, I'm just a beach bum.

5 Minute Friday

Today marks our first year in Texas! Can't believe we have survived one year already. I'd have to say Spring in Texas is pretty amazing and I could def do without the intense heat of the summer, but if it meant giving up the sunshine then I'll keep my complaints to myself.  We have Elle's two month eye appointment today and hoping for more progress with the patching. After the first two months of patching she had improved her vision from 20/80 to 20/60 so we are praying for more good news. We continue to enjoy Austin more and more and still have a long list of things we want to do. It's really cool to be living in a place that always has something to do, usually free or inexpensive too. We are hoping to have a fun staycation the week after next. I'm especially excited for a couple days of sleeping in and letting daddy duty me in full effect! Happy weekend y'all!