Water Babie(s)

Today was a super hot day in Beaumont so I decided to put Paige the "pool" for the first time. I was dying for an excuse to bust out her new bathing suit. I got everything ready while the kids were napping; towels, sunblock, bathing suits, swim diapers, camera, video camera and boiled some water to warm it up (yes, I'm dead serious). I was super excited to find Reed's bathing suit from last year still fit him. I knew he wouldn't get in the water but the day I don't put it on him is the day he decides to try it! (Ask me how I learned that one!)

Here's what he looked like the first time he wore it a year ago!

Now I know what you're thinking. It sounds like I'm building up a lot of expectations right? Wrong! I learned a little something from myself about that so I was not going to make a big deal out of it if Paige hated the water. I just like to be prepared! I already learned with Reed last year who put one foot in the pool and hasn't been back in!

But then....

She liked it! She really liked it!

"Hey, there's water down there!"

"...and toys!"

She got brave really fast

She was kickin' it on her tummy within two minutes!

She got daddy's long beautiful eyelashes

Reed was there too but would rather

check out airplanes then step foot in the water!

"AIRPLANE, AIRPLANE!"

Watching her brother

Mmmmm fish

I tried to put Reed's hat on her to protect her...

...that's when he decided he'd like to wear it!

Big bully with his satisfied look!

Paige really surprised me how much she loved the water! She even got brave enough to put her face under the water. She got some water in her mouth but just spit it out and did it again! This was her face after....

Reed decided he didn't want to miss out on

the water fun after all...

...deciding what he's going to do....

...not the bucket again! He had to make sure

there was water before he dumped it.


Fill, look, dump, fill, look, dump....


Nothing is more fun to him right now!


See? FUN!

Going in for a kiss.....

...fell in, on top of Paige and broke the pool. DOH!

"What a dork!"

Then came the tears....

Pool party OVER!!!

What the flu taught me

For the last couple of weeks I've been experiencing exhaustion of mind, body and spirit. I kept saying I need to slow down and rest because I tend to overschedule myself and push it to the limit. I didn't listen to what my body was telling me and suddenly I was forced to listen!

This week my life was overtaken by the flu. I felt so helpless, barely being able to take care of the kids or myself. Today I woke up feeling good for the first time in days. I was overcome with the most greatful feeling and the realization of how much I take the most basic things in life for granted like my good health, taking a shower, eating a good meal, drinking coffee, and just walking around without feeling sick.

Then it struck me that I've been taking things for granted on a much larger scale. I complain about my car falling apart to someone who doesn't have one. I complain about how my house is in the wrong neighborhood when people are losing their homes. I complain that my husband works too much overtime when a lot of people are out of work. I complain about my kids keeping me up at night when some people can't even have children. Compain, complain, COMPLAIN!

I have been blessed with so much in this life and am ashamed that I sometimes forget that. I just needed a good, swift kick in the butt and boy did I get it! Thank you God for all of lifes little blessings and for reminding me to never take them for granted!

Today I decided to make a conscious effort to pay attention to all the things that I'm greatful for. Here are a few....

A brother who loves his sister




A daddy who adores and plays with his children

A beautiful day to work in my garden

A perfect little helper


Reed who gives me joy a thousand times a day

Paige whose playful spirit reminds me not

to take life so seriously!

The messy moments that drive me nuts

Food and Easter baskets prepared by my parents, delivered by my sis

Enjoying another Easter basket thanks to Grandma and Grandpa

That's Reeds hand trying to get more eggs! P doesn't put up with that!

A quick walk to the park with my cool kids

Even their little bickering is precious.
(Paige kept trying to get Reeds glasses and he kept pushing her off)

A park all to ourselves

And last but not least, some of my favorite moments come at the end of the day...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverence must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1: 2 - 4