Celebrating Grammy Quinn's Birthday!

Grammy Quinn had a big birthday recently.  She had quite the long week of celebrations.  She started her birthday week in Naples, Florida with my Dad for some time away.  Then she came home to a BIG surprise birthday dinner at my house.  Then on her actual birthday we went to this great Italian restaurant called Sorrento's.  We love you Mom!  We are so blessed by you.  Happy happy birthday!

In this picture she is actually excited to see George because she's been away for a week.  She hasn't even noticed that her son is holding him

Now she actually sees Jay.  We are all laughing at her.

A few tears...one happy Mom!

Success!  We pulled off the surprise! 

Watching the chef at work.  We were spoiled with another great dinner!

I love my big brother!

We missed Pop-pop while he was gone in Florida with Grammy!

The chef plating.

Grilled pork chop with sweet potato puree, cream corn, and pickled brussel sprouts.  Yum!

Happy Birthday to You!!!!

Cake anyone?

 A dance party started on the counter with Clara and Jay

 Nice moves!

George joined in on the fun!

 Reading Grammy's bday cards.

Happy Birthday Coach bag for Grammy.  We love you!

Easter Party

My MoMs group hosted another wonderful Easter party this year.  George and Clara loved the Easter Egg hunt, the playground, the pizza, and the cupcakes.  Clara was petrified of the Easter Bunny but George was all about it.  Maybe next year Clara-bear.  Happy Hoppy Easter!

 Ready to slide!

Spin me Mommy!

Pizza time!

Waiting for our turn to hunt eggs!

Mr. Giggles!

Found one!!

This one is mine!

 Bubbles!

What did you get?!!

 Telling me, "No way!"  While I am trying to clean him up after he devoured a cupcake.  Goofball!

Yummy cupcake!

Easter bunny!

Too close for comfort

A few months ago I found a lump in my right breast.  I went to the doctor who gave me orders for a mammogram and ultrasound.  I couldn't get in for a few weeks for those tests.  I walked through those days waiting for my appointment drenched in anxiety.  I was bracing myself for the worst news.  I was bracing myself for the worst outcome.  I was mentally preparing to deal with hearing the c word.  I was figuring out logistics for my treatment.

John thought I was crazy.  Pessimistic is what he called me.  But our family doesn't have the best track record for these things, now do we?  I mean wouldn't it be fitting for me to get diagnosed with cancer in January of my 32nd year?  That was when my brother was diagnosed...January of his 32nd year.

I walked into my scheduled appointment a bundle of nerves and just about lost it when I saw all of the pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness, all of the information regarding support groups, and the words of encouragement plastered on the walls.  The mammogram was no big deal.  I sat in my robe in the waiting room with three other ladies for my ultrasound and to speak to the doctor regarding the results.  Each time someone else was called back I held my breath.  We were all there for the same reason.  We would all hear either good or bad news today.  I wanted to stand up and pace but knew I would look like a total freak if I did.  I texted John non-stop.  I literally almost threw up.  They finally called me back for the ultrasound.  Another procedure that was no big deal physically, but mentally I was doing everything I could to not come unglued.  All I could think about was my two sweet babies and no matter what the outcome of these tests...I HAD to be there for them.  The doctor walked in and told me the lump was a cyst in the tissue of my skin.  Everything looked fine.  To say I exhaled is to put it mildly.  Holy cow that was too close for comfort.

I don't usually chronicle these types of things in my life because...well...they are personal, but I am today for this woman Jen whose results were the exact opposite of mine.  She is also 32 years old.  She also has red hair. She also has two kids.  And now she has cancer.  I found her blog through one of my favorite reads, Momastery, so I am putting this out there to you for her.  Whatever you believe in...whoever you call God, positive energy, karma...please speak her name out into this universe and ask for her healing so she can be there for her two sweet babies.  I know I don't have tons of followers of this blog but every voice counts.  It did for my brother so I pray and hope and wish it will for her.  I will pray for Jen for healing, for strength, for comfort, and for her to find her fighting spirit and fight through it...for herself, for her family, and especially for her sweet babies.

Bluebonnets 2012

I still stare in wonder and awe at these two beautiful little people.  How is it that they came from us?  Simply blessed.

KAMOM Couple's Progressive Supper

We hosted the dessert portion of the yearly progressive supper for my Mom's group.  It was western themed since the rodeo was in town.  We enjoyed a night with our hubbies without our little monkeys in tow.  We had our fire pits going, a guitarist, yummy food, and drinks.  At our house we all indulged in a few s'mores!  The husbands seemed to enjoy getting to know each other and some even made plans for outings without wives and kiddos!  I had way too much fun! 

 Meet Catherine, my neighbor three houses down, who has three year old b/g twins.  We have become partners in crime over the past year.  She hosted the first portion of the night.  Love this lady!

Our guitarist and friend Brandon.  

Enjoying dinner around the fire pit.

My friend Fara who is a twin and has two year old b/b twins.

My handsome hubby!

S'mores set up...yummy!

The ladies that were left towards the end of the night.  So thankful for this awesome group of women!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Rodeo Time! Yee-Haw!

John took the day off and we took the twins to the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo carnival.  Christina and sweet Elyse met us there for some rodeo fun.  We all had a great time and need to make this a yearly tradition with the cousins. 

Ready to rodeo!

Sweet cousins.

The first of the fried foods of the day.  That is fried cookie dough.  Yep you read that right.  Fried cookie dough.  I am only allowed to eat like this once a year so we lived it up!

We stopped to watch an animal show.  There was a tortoise, porcupine, sloth, and armadillo.  George loved it!

 Elyse watching us ride the elephants!

 Here we go Clara!  She loved it.

George's first rodeo carnival ride. Woohoo!

The twins played carnival games and won cute stuffed animals.

Watch out Dad!  Ready, aim, fire!

All three kiddos rode the carousel and would yell, "Yee-haw!" every time they saw Mommy.

George got "branded" by a real life cowboy!

We ate more carnival food...chicken tenders, fries, sausage, onion rings.

Then we went to meet some animals.  The kids loved this part.

 He had the biggest smile on his face the whole time. This kid loves animals!

 Baby goat on the back of a llama.  Clara was fascinated!

Elyse even enjoyed the animals!

We went to the livestock show to check out the big animals.  Clara was not too sure about these huge cows sleeping behind her.  

Checking out the show.

 All worn out!

Headed home!  See you at the rodeo next year!  Yee-haw!