Elijah's Last Day of MDO!

Elijah had his last day of Mother's Day Out today and they did a little "performance" for the parents. Elijah's group was the youngest and they pretty much just did their best to stand in one place during the songs and dances, but I still couldn't help video tape it.

Bubba couldn't stand not being a part of the show and midway through it he walked up to the performance area so he could be center stage. I have a feeling he likes being in front of a crowd, like me, and Elijah is not as interested, like Ian! Anyway, here is a short clip of his little performance.

Joaquin is 1 today!

It is so hard to believe that it was a year ago today when Ian and went in to the doctor for a pregnancy check up and heard the words, "you are going to meet your son today." When we went over to the women's center to check in I remember filling in the paper work and I had to ask the nurse what the date was so I could write it beside my signature. She said, "today is May, 26th, and you are gonna remember that for the rest of your life because it will be your child's birthday!" Ian heard her say that and turned to me and said, "Do you realize that it is EXACTLY 13 months to the day from Elijah's birthday on April 26th!" God has incredible timing, huh?

Well, this past year has been amazing seeing our little man grow up in so many ways. He has the most sunny disposition and we have always believed his middle name, Sol perfectly suits him! He is quite the athletic little guy, walking at 11 months, and kicking a ball at 11 1/2 months. He loves to rough house and wrestle around in the bed. He also loves books and puzzles and pretty much doing whatever his big brother does. Although, he is not one to be pushed around. He is incredibly strong and it pretty vocal about what he wants! :) We have also noticed that he has his Uncle Bubba's gift of eye-hand coordination. He can grab something so quickly you don't even see it. (In fact he stole something off the waitress's platter the other day when we were out to eat and she was just walking by! It reminds me of some frog tongue whipping out to get a fly!)

We are so grateful to God for loaning us Joaquin for this time on Earth. He has such a beautiful and precious spirit and we feel so blessed to be the receivers of so much joy! HappyBirthday, Joaquin!

Here are some pictures of his first year...

Daddy and Bubba outside Ian's art show

12 months old

10months at Mommy's birthday

11 months at Mother's Day

With Uncle Shane

My boys in their brother shirts.

Texans

Daddy and Joaquin

First Easter

getting into trouble

8 months

first black eye

always so happy!

3 month Baptismal shoot

2 weeks old

your birth announcement photo

What a year!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Baylor Alumni Stunt Get-together

About 6 of us old Baylor Cheerleading grads got together last weekend to play again! Two of the cheer squad alumni have a tumbling gym that they own there in Waco, so we all planned to meet up and see what we could still do. It makes me feel so young to be able to still stunt like this! I absolutely LOVE it! Here are a few pics from our fun stunting session!

Back flip layout basket-toss

Double twist down from a stunt

One-armed Arabesque

Cupie

One-armed liberty

Liberty

Double Cupie! Yes, ladies and gentlemen...he is holding up two of us grown women in one hand each above his head!!! Crazy! I feel very proud to say that I was the one who brought him in and taught him how to stunt back in the day! Actually, I coached two of the guys there this past weekend! Of course they have gotten better every year since I first worked with them, but I still felt incredibly proud! :)

How does this happen?

Seriously, I don't know how these things happen! I gave Joaquin a piece of an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie the size of my thumb nail to tide him over while I ran to the restroom. (And for those of you that don't remember how tiny my fingers and fingernails are, I had to buy toddler size gloves to go snow skiing.) So, I walk back into the kitchen after being gone for all of maybe 60 seconds and Joaquin looks like this:

I couldn't help but laugh and grab the camera.

Did he even eat any of it or just smear it all over his face?
I seriously cleaned oatmeal pieces out of his eyelashes and his ears!
Crazy kid! :)

Spring is in Full Swing

Spring brings lots of changes in the weather, nature, and the world around us. It always seems that when God moves this side of the Earth into a new season, our own lives take to new and beautiful changes.

There have been a few new and exciting things going on around our house as spring has begun to bud and I thought I would share some of those with you all.

1. The weather has been fluctuating pretty regularly between heavy downpours one day and stunning 90 degree days the next. We have gotten quite creative with our indoor days and the boys favorite thing to do is to build a fort. Since they can't go play in their clubhouse in the back yard, they always want mommy to make one on the inside of the house. I'm quite proud of my creations and they have gotten better and more sturdy with every new one I make. :)

2. Another change the springtime has brought with it is a completely new set of eyes for Ian. He had Lasik surgery and no longer needs glasses! The boys have been THRILLED and naturally assume that Daddy had the surgery just so they could play with his old glasses. :) I came into my room the other day to find Elijah with Daddy's glasses on, reading one of his art books! It was so precious. He literally looked like a miniature Ian!

...Daddy's art book that he was reading through.

3. Another change we are hoping that the spring will help out with is Elijah's potty training. I decided to get a cloth diaper for Elijah to wear when we are at home during the day so that he would be more aware of the feeling of being wet and/or poopy and therefore want to use the potty. He freaking LOVES his "hoooo, hoooo" diaper as he calls it (referring to the sound an owl makes) and always wants to have it on.

So far we have had one successful #2 in the potty and a few #1's. We are still in the beginning stages but I'm proud of my lil guy! :)

Mother's Day

I had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day this year. The holiday takes on a new level of meaning when you become a mother yourself. It IS actually nice to have a day dedicated to celebrating what you are trying to focus your life on at the moment (aka being a good mother).


Let me first say thank you to my mother. She did an amazing job at raising me and my brothers. She is such an example of the kind of mother I want to be, a true friend to me now that we have gotten older and I am a mother myself, and I am so grateful for her presence in my life and my boys lives.


Another thank you is needed for my mother-in-law who has taken me in as a new daughter. She is such an amazing woman and continues to pour out her love and wisdom upon me and our family. I am so lucky to have married into your family and to have gained you as a friend and mentor. Thank you for being who you are, making a son that I am indebted to your for, and for loving me so completely!


I had a photo shoot in Dallas Saturday and didn't get home till after midnight so I was pretty exhausted come Sunday morning. Daddy and the boys let mommy sleep in and it was the perfect way to start the day!


When we finally got up and sorta dressed (well enough to venture outside of the house), we drove to BuckStars and had a nice morning/mid-afternoon coffee. The boys played in the big fluffy chairs while eating their muffins and Ian and I relaxed over our drinks.


We then headed over to a nearby park to play for a bit. It was such a nice day to be outside, actually. It was completely overcast but didn't rain, so it wasn't hot and the boys enjoyed hiking around the nature trails.

A butterfly landed on Elijah's leg and stayed there for a good 5 min. It was a fun time to teach the boys and show them about butterflies.

I think by this time Elijah was ready for his nap and his friend the butterfly didn't want to go.

Joaquin LOVES the swings!

There was a rock wall that we climbed up and down several times. The boys loved it!

Trying to show Joaquin a good grip. He is quite the climber! Absolutely no fear!

This picture makes me dizzy just looking at it, but Daddy was trying to keep both the boys out of the creek while capturing mommy crossing back over the log.

The boys and I on the bridge on the way over to the creek trails in the park.

After the park we headed home for naps and then went to dinner at our favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant. It was just the way I wanted to spend the day, mellow and relaxing, surrounded by my little family.

It's Official

The boys can officially call themselves Texans now!

Putting on the boots!

Trying to do the swagger walk...

Our lil' Texans :)

Rachel turns 31

Well, I am officially 31 years old now. I celebrated one more year on this earth with my wonderful family this time around. I have to first say thank you to all of you close friends and family that texted, emailed, mailed, and sent me gifts of love and praise. It means so much to be surrounded by such positive and uplifting people. Each of you motivate, encourage, spur me on, and set examples of who I want to be and things I want to do in my life. You actually can count yourself as someone who is helping mold my life! I feel truly blessed by each person's unique and specific presence! Thanks for loving me and all that that entails! I am forever grateful!

My wonderful mother and father planned a beautiful dinner for the family at an amazing Steak/Fish House. It was a wonderful meal full of non-stop kid entertainment! :)

Here is Chandra (and you can barely see the top of Tristan sitting in his little baby carrier --only 10 days old--at the head of the table closest to the camera, Noah, Adam, Dad, J.B., Elijah, me, Joaquin, Ian, and Mom.

On Sunday Ian, the boys and I had dinner at the Hula Hut on Lake Austin. It is a family favorite of ours and it was the perfect day to eat outside over the water! This was the only picture we could manage to get someone to take of us where the boys were somewhat looking at the camera. :) You know how that goes.

This was before we headed out to dinner. My sister and brother in law, Katie, and Stu sent me this beautiful necklace for my birthday. I couldn't wait to wear it out that night!

I was trying to tickle Joaquin into a smile, which worked, but didn't have him looking at the camera.

My baby boy.

This was our attempt to get mommy and her boys picture on the front porch before we headed out. Elijah wasn't that great of a sport about it all.

If you look closely you can see daddy in the window reflection. He was so great trying to get the boys to smile for the photo. Elijah actually looks curious as to why daddy is making so many silly noises this time. :)

I had a wonderful birthday! And as you know, the family tradition is to share with everyone one piece of knowledge or wisdom that you feel you have gained over the year. When Ian asked me at dinner this year it took me a while to think of it, but I believe that I have gained a lot more understanding of the power and peace of the truth... regularly reflecting and stating it to yourself and to others.

This year in particular I feel like I am growing and/or stretching as a parent, mother, sister, wife, and child. Being able to be honest with myself about who I have been and who I want to be has been very freeing. I am sure this piece of wisdom will continue to be developed throughout my lifetime, but I do acknowledge that this year it has been illuminated in a new light. I can honestly say: I know that am not better than anyone else, but I know for certain I am better than I used to be.

May lots of love an laughter be yours-

Rachel