Last Day of School

1st Grade had a great picnic outside. One more school afternoon with Lauren's bff's forever!

A proud Mommy (and Daddy)! Lauren got some great awards...including most responsible and academic excellence. Her teacher was so encouraging and loving this year and really helped her "find her voice and come out of her shell".
Note: That really is a black eye on Lauren. She has a lovely shiner on her (that is looking worse every day!) from the corner of her bed!!

Okay, a Mommy has rights to brag a lil' more about her babies...right? (Yes, still my babies!) Hannah had an amazing year academically and by the time she was awarded for everything....I was trying to hold it together. These girls are growing up so fast. I really believe those that said "when grade school starts...it sure flies by...you just wait!" Well, it is TRUE!

After all the bittersweet excitement we pooled it and it was a sweet ending to a great school year.

Memorial Day weekend

Lauren had a parade at school honoring all whom had served in the military. She made this great box with all of the incredible , strong and very much loved men in our family that served in Army, Navy and Airforce.

Mom reflecting on the waters. The lake house yard had a for sale sign in it this Memorial Day weekend--and SOLD in less than a week. The memories are so good there, but it also hurts just the same. This house was Mom & Dad's dream come true. We know that there is still a big road ahead that is filled with more dreams to come true. We have faith that this life journey is all in God's hands for her.....

Our hope is that this very special home will be a blessing to the family that bought it---as it was for us.

Soooo happy the boat started after not starting or being used for way over 6 months. We count it a miracle...along with Josh's really strong patience and never- give- up attitude.

Sweet and juicy....

Just a cool pic I thought...

So in love...

Our garden named "Herb" (pronouncing the H!)

Josh had mentioned that he wants to "utilize" more of our yard. Ooookay, and I have been wanting (and needing his muscles) to start a garden. Perfect.

We (um, or HE) had some trouble with starting it (yea, hit a septic line, etc) but it is lovely and it makes me HAPPY! The girls are helping out and we can't wait to eat from it. I promised J that I would cook some scrumptious meals for his endurance and patience with me!

Herbs (even BBQ rosemary and garlic chives?!)
Tomatoes
Lettuce
Beans
Cucumbers
Zuchinni
Yellow peppers

Note: Yes, I promise- that even when it is 100+degrees outside I will tend to this 4x8 plot of dirt named Herb. I know I can be a slacker with anything that is green and grows.

It's about the journey- not the destination.

We're off on a springtime hike...Daddy packed a lunch...I took a zillion pictures of wildflowers- and it was a family day that we all enjoyed.

...watch out for that poison ivy! (really, it was everywhere!)

Our little flower lost her first tooth this week! The tooth fairy fluttered in and left $2 and even some glitter sprinkles (doesn't get much better than that in L-land)

Birthday weekend fun-

What? Two weekends of spoiling? Yep. Every year! Although the weekend I turn a year older is a bit more harsh. Closer to 40 than 30 you say? Well- like I've said- hand over the anti-aging cream, therapeutic shoes, reading glasses...

I woke up to pretty roses from the incredible man of my life- but Lauren woke up with a fever and headache. I told her to sleep in a little and I would bring her to school later. Yea, that didn't happen. We spent the day together and enjoyed some sweet small joys. She was feeling better (poor sweetie...an on-going pattern for her with this chronic sinusitus lately) and we headed to Olive Garden. We have always made this a birthday tradition. Even both the girls had their 1st birthday's here. It's always good food and we love to keep traditions...


Josh scooted me outta the house early...my Mom picked me up...because he had something for me that was too big and didn't want me to see. I had an idea that he had something up his sleeve all day. I just sensed it. We got done with dinner and headed home to open the door to "SURPRISE!" There were streamers, food, drinks, cards and sweet friends/families! I stood there shocked like a deer in the headlights really. It ended up to be such a great night- filled with love, laughter and chocolate! Did I mention that I was spoiled two weekends in a row? Back to reality now I suppose.

Thank you for all the lovely written cards (I think that words are the best gift you can give someone!) and sweet gifts everyone. I love you all!

Lauren had given me some "okay- I am gonna keep this forever and I am gonna not burst into tears" handwritten/drawn cards for Mother's Day and b'day. Josh told me that she was wanting to also give me a present of something extra special. So, she so carefully put 52cents (which is ALOT for a princess) in a special pink canister, wrapped it in her absolutely most favorite baby blankie (that she still sleeps w/every night) and with the most sincere, serious eyes...wanted to give it to me.
Josh said she was so tender and precious- that he had to hold it together.
Too sweet not to share.

Mommy's Day weekend

Our Annual "girlfriend get-away from it all" in Dallas on Friday night with some of my favorite girls! Relaxing time filled with belly laughs, sillyness, stories and chit-chatting, eating/'ritas...and a little shopping. What else does a lady need, right?

Pancakes and sweet gifts~ (yeah, I know...brave of me to put a picture of me on here first thing in the a.m.!)

Went to a garden place with my favorite blossoming girls~

Picking some green stuff for our garden that Daddy constructed for us~ (with blood, sweat and...*!@#!* mind you)

Great meal with my Momma~ (the best Mom ever, if I might say)


I can't begin to tell you how much of a blessing and a gift it is to be called "Mommy". I am so thankful for all of the Mom's in the generations before me and those Mom's right now in my life that have helped pave the way. I know that this journey of motherhood (with all it's twists&turns...ups&downs) would not be the same without you all. I love each of you that I call Mom, Grandma and friend.

I couldn't begin to imagine life without my two princesses named Hannah and Lauren. I am so in love with you both and am proud and honored to be your Mommy.

Let's play!

Soccer girl excited at the beginning of the game...

Soccer diva having fun...You go girl!

Soccer girl at the end of the game.

Hip-Hop Hannah

Just a crazy picture of the hip-hop class. Girls just wanna have fun...!

Mommy loving her super star-

Hippin' and hoppin' with two sweet friends this year-

So proud of you, Hannah! You did a fab job----peace. out.

Easter

Here are some of our creative Easter endeavors-
Little marshmallow bunnies for the table...

Egg dying/decoration tradition....

Our little bunnies...

We woke up Easter morning to pouring rain/thunder and our power out. Ice cold showers with no hair dryer....yeah, we opted to not show up in ball caps and nasty hair...so church unfortunately didn't happen. The girls love, love, love to look for eggs. Something we did all week actually. So, they were happy to get their little baskets (filled with a cross that we give them every year & of course some goodies) and did that again. We ate a big ham, Josh made German potatoe salad from an old Foster recipe, and most importantly gave thanks for Jesus being Risen, yes- indeed!

Springtime this and that

Ask Josh- I have always loved delicate, teeny-tiny wildflowers that sprout up. And no, they aren't weeds! God's goodness and miracles are revealed everywhere. How could it be any other?

We have watched this little bird nest over our front window- the babies are getting ready to fly- and momma bird keeps their bellies full. It reminds me that I/we are the same really- trying to "feed" our babies to get them ready to "fly"!

We have had many cows (and a little calf) in our backyard lately. It's great that we have land/prairie in our backyard with farm animals that we don't have to take care of. We don't own that land, we just enjoy the view (but not the stink at times)!

I cherish everything about spring. Always have. I love more sun (I'm solar-powered ya know), sweet smelling winds (no allergies here), breaking out the flowery short sleeves, growth so fresh and new everywhere, playing outside... the list can go on.
I wanted to thank you all for the love and prayers these past weeks for me. It has been a tough few weeks and I am ready to be feeling like Stacey again. I want to choose to look for the rainbows (just like you say, Mom) in everything. Yesterday was one of those days when you say "it just doesn't get much better than this". Family, girls giggling (not like that is rare!), playing (not really rare either), a sunburn (yes, rare-on this pathetically white body of mine), a pizza picnic, sitting and gazing at the stars (and my hubby too!), relaxing by a fire... you get the picture. We plan on taking alot of time out to enjoy. Before we know it we are gonna be in the dog-dayz of summertime!