"SAY CHEESE!"

Last Monday, Aunt Bev came over for a super fun photo session! I had the day off, and Trace is about to be 6 mos old, so I thought it was about time. We are so incredibly blessed with Bev in our lives in so many ways! We love it when "Bi-Bi" comes over to play! Trinity did better than I thought she would and of course fell in the water right away with the first outfit I had picked out for her, so most of the pics are in her "grubby clothes" That's my girl...funny thing is, I kind of like them! :-) Enjoy the pics of my lil angles. THANKS Aunt B!

He is REALLY this happy all of the time!

Trinity and her buddy Ace!

She LOVES to be outside!

Trinity's version of posing with hands on her hips...LOVE IT!

Does Fall get any better that this?

My lil' farmer man!

I love these with the Red Hat!

This one...it should be in a magazine. Yes I am biased, but I am saying it anyway! :-)

Little miss sweet and innocent....for the moment. We know better. haha.

Sweet Man.

So, so happy!

Time to Breathe.

The last few months (the last 5 months to be exact) have been a whirlwind at our house, to say the least. However, right now the kids are bathed and in bed, dishes are done, I don't have papers to grade, and I simply have time to breathe...and I wanted to reflect on it all.

From the moment Trace was born, our lives were and never will be the same. In the best and craziest way possible. We have had a huge learning curve on how to parent two small children and have time to "do it all." I never could have been fully prepared for how different it is to have two children instead of just one. I think back to when I thought things were "tough" with Trinity and now I realize it was all "no big deal." Clint and I have learned how to truly be a team and rely on each other in every aspect of our lives. Being home this past summer with my kids was incredible, but inevitably it came time for me to go back to work. The paycheck was calling my name! As much as it broke my heart to leave my babies that first day back,(okay the first few weeks really!) the only way I can have peace about leaving my babies is to know that I absolutely love what I do and to believe, without a doubt, it is my mission in life, it is what God has called me to do. It's funny when you tell people that you teach high school, at first they look at you like your nuts and sometimes even apologize, however then when you add on the fact that you also teach mathematics, they just flat out think I am insane! I can't describe it but when I arrive at school each morning, although some mornings are tougher than others to leave my babies, I have a peace within me, I feel at home, knowing that I am where I am meant to be and that God will take care of the rest. I have the opportunity each day to influence the lives of so many young people and to help a few strugglers find faith in themselves again. If I can influence even just one of my 170+ students each year in a positive direction, then I know I have done my job. Does it get any better than that?

In honesty, going back to work this year has been much tougher than in years in the past, I have never felt pulled 100% in two directions before. I want to 100% be the best mom ever to my Trinity and Trace but I also 100% know that being in that classroom (as challenging as it is) is where God wants me to be. It's hard and sometimes a constant struggle, but I have to trust in the Lord and be reminded daily that He is sovereign (thank goodness!) and has it all under control. It has been a huge challenge finding time to balance it all and I am definatly still learning and figuring it all out. Clint is incredible and I couldn't do it without him. He is my true "other half." There have been tears, many sleepless nights, late night grading, early morning feedings, and plenty of just pure exhaustion, but when I simply sit back and reflect...all I can think about is how blessed I truly am. From breakfast to bedtime, I don't stop. I can't. But at the end of the day, it is ALL worth it. Clint, Trinity, Trace, , my students, and so much more....it's worth it.

So as I sit and simply breathe for a few moments...I am reminding myself that God is good, no God is great. My husband rocks and is truly my best friend! My Trinity and my Trace are the highlights and loves of my life and everything I do is for them; and my job is my calling. It sure doesn't suck to be me.

Nighty night.

2nd Time's a Charm...we hope.

Well today was a big day. It marked 7 weeks since Trace first got his DOC band and the change in his head shape is amazing!! It's crazy what that simple little hat can do! Let's not forget the fact that Trace should become the face of "DOC bands" across the globe! I mean that little smilely ball of love makes that chuck of plasitc look good! :-)

Unfortunately today also marked the day of the fitting for DOC band #2. Yes that is right #2. Trace went in for an evaluation 2 weeks ago and they did all of his measurements and pictures like they did on our very first consult and all in all came to the recommendation that he should get another DOC band. It's funny, when we first began this little adventure, I was very apprehensive, but really the last couple months have not been bad. I have actually grown to like the cute little camo helmet...we get lots of complements on it and it's amazing how many people come up to you when you are in public that have a "child or grandchild or friend's child or neighbor's child that had a DOC band"...they are everywhere!! Of course it's extra work to have your child in a DOC band, you have to be sure it's cleaned very good on a daily basis (especially when you have 100+ degree weather for days on end!), you have to be sure to clean your child's head thourghly each day, and you have to take a weekly trip out to Dallas for your fitting. It's alot. Especially for two working parents, but it really hasn't been too bad. However, we thought this little adventure was coming to an end and now we are starting all over. Our insurance never did come through to cover ANY of the expense, so that has been another thing to swallow. However, when it's all for your little man, it doesn't matter. We love him. We want him to be happy when he's older, we want him to be able to find a football helmet that fits someday :-), and as a parent you'll do anything for your child. So here we go...2nd time's a charm. (no not the 3rd time....the 2nd time!!)

This is Trace sitting on the DSI machine. It takes about 6-8 pictures from all angles and then creates a computer made 3-D image of his head. This is what they use to create his custom DOC band...it's all pretty cool really. He's a trooper....already getting ready for modeling ( I mean he'll have to model...his head better be darn near perfect right?! haha)

No my child is not about to rob a bank...but if he did he'd be the cutest bank robber ever! Before they do the DSI imaging they put this netting on thier heads (like a pantyhose) to smoothe everything out for the pictures. The little guy looks so cute and didn't cry a bit. He's awesome.

Here is Trace before we are getting the DSI...cool as can be. Sweet little thing.

Looking steller in my Camo Band....hmmmm...what will be put on DOC Band #2? If the Frogs keep looking good...we might have to become a TCU football player...we'll see!