We're okay

The kids and I made it to our hotel safe. They are asleep and I am relaxing a bit. As I am, I am realizing what a reality check what happened today was. The Tire didn't go flat it explosively shredded, so much that it ripped half the bottom driver side panel off, which the AAA guy fixed with some plastic ties so it wouldn't flap around the rest of the way to Texas. Just last week I took the van in to get it serviced and replaced 2 tires. I know our heavenly father is watching over us and answering our prayers for safety. I am grateful for that. When I replaced the two tires last week a gentleman in line suggested it was best to put the new tires in the front (its standard to put the new tires in back), I agreed to his suggestion. Now thinking about it with the van being front wheel drive thing could have turned out differently if the tire that blew out was in the front. (the rear driverside blew out).I was going 75 miles per hour.  I sometimes forget how fragile this journey in life is. It prompts me to cherish ever minute. Especially with my sweet husband and children. I was so focused tonight on getting the situation taken care of that I took for granted the moments I was spending with my kids. They are so precious, more than I can say. I am grateful to know we are a family forever. I hope we all have safe and joyful journeys.

Blow out

We are on our way home from Florida and bummer one of the tires blew out which really stinks cause I just had all the tires inspection and 2 replaced. I'm waiting for AAA right now about 65 mins from our destination Pensacola. So far the kids are being patient with staying in there seats with belts latched.

Running

Our 5K is this Saturday! We should get back Friday from our spring break adventure so if all goes right everything should work out perfect. I have been running almost everyday. I did 3 miles in the exercise room this morning. I took the kids which is usually no problem but they didn't have any kid networks on the tv so they were just wild the whole time but hey we got it done. Took 31mins. I think that's about as good as its going to get.

Disney World

We went to Disney World last Saturday! It was mine and the kids first time. I was shocked at how similar to Disneyland it is. The kids had a magical day and can't stop talking about it. Bella got to meet Rapunzel and Ariel (which of course she was to scared to talk to). Luke's favorite was space mountain and splash mountain. It's was an exhausting blast we spent 13 hours there and were leaving just as the fire works shot off. Better pictures will be uploaded when we get home.

Luke funny

We are in Orlando, FL and the water here is kinda yucky. Yesterday I gave Luke a cup of it. He took a drink and said "this water isn't very good I think its rotten". Lol

Royces first real tantrum

We r at Chick fil A and Royce just threw a really good tantrum! For at least 3 minutes! He wanted to go out of the play room and I wouldn't let him. To be honest I'm a little shocked. It's so weird to see my happy go lucky baby enter this phase and I don't remember it starting so early. Maybe he really is picking up on the other kids behavior. Here are the best pictures I could get of him, he was really mad.

Awesome kid

Tonight for dinner we had broiled tilapia, red bell peppers, and zucchini. Which I was sure was NOT going to be a hit with the kids but hey you can't have mac n cheese or chicken nuggets every night. Luke more than impressed me by not only cleaning his plate but asking for seconds! Royce took one bite of fish and spit it out, and was done. Bella took one bite of fish, gagged, said "yum that was good" and refused to eat more.

Running

5k on the treawdmill 31:30 mins

Running

I found an odometer app for my phone and  I really like it. It's called Endomondo. I used it today at the park and it keeps track of distance, speed, and time. I kept Luke home from school since we had a stomach bug this weekend,  I just brought the double jogger and a bike that Luke and Bella take turns on. We r taking a break at the park but have gone 2.3 miles with 1/2 mile till we get back to the car. Time is slow cause the kids want to stop every couple mins for a break. I guess they r out of shape from lack of exercise all winter. Lol. I think we at 35 mins but hey we will get it done.

Our first Apple tree

Let's hope it survives the summer

Royce Outside

Royce's new favorite place to be is outside, he just loves it! If he is awake and the weather is nice 9 times out 10 you will find him on the porch or in the backyard, and for the most part he stays out of trouble. He actually goes to the door and pounds on it, sometimes calling DaDa sometimes he just sqwauks to get my attention. If I don't let him out he gets so sad and walks around the house mopey. If I let him out he gives me his million dollar Royce smile. His favorite is going and sitting by the dog kennel, playing with the kitty, collecting every rock he sees and sword fighting with sticks (which Luke taught him how to do, lol). Just a side note the poor kid has just cut one tooth on the bottom and has four coming in on top. He has been running a fever on and off and when he has the fever he has been throwing up. Poor guy! let's hope these teeth push through soon.

Running

Just did the 5 k on my treadmill. 32 mins

Running

Took the kids out and ran 1.5 miles on the dirt road. It felt good to b outside. Didn't time it.

Running

I recently signed me and James up for a 5k this month and a 10k in April. This is my attempt at staying active
And somewhat fit during this pregnancy. So I have decided I want to keep a sort of journal of my daily workouts here on my blog feel free to skip over or ignore them they will be titled running. Lately I have been running 3 miles about 4x a week at about 35 min sometimes slower sometimes faster and that includes warm ups. To be honest I kind of feel like a slug while I run my body just doesn't move like it normally does, but that's ok I am just going to keep going until I can't anymore or it gets to uncomfortable. Now that the weather is warming up I will be heading out doors more which is what I really love. So here we go!

Bye bye chickens

With me being pregnant again and James gone, oh about 70% of the time, I have been trying to simplify our life a little so I don't feel overwhelmed and can focus on the most important things like out children, so we sold the chickens this morning. Sad but a good thing, next we are going to try and sell Oscar our male golden retriever. I feel like right now instead of having two adult in our house at 100% I am here at about 50% (because of nausea and fatigue) and James is at 30% (because he is gone). It leaves a lot missing. I do need to count my blessing I have been less sick this time around and I have been able to exercise which has help me not feel as depressed as I have during other pregnancy. I told James the other day that yeah its a bummer we have to sacrifice some the things in our life that we want to do or like but that we are sacrificing to bring a child into the world and that the most important thing.

Smoking

Just my thoughts. Why is it still legal to smoke in restaurants in Texas? Why would I want to risk my health breathing in someone's second hand smoke just so I can eat out, sorry not going to happen.

Kindergarten

It was time for a change. Today is Lukes first day of kindergarten. I cried for about 10 mins last night. I am pretty sure it was just baby hormones.

Bella funny

Last night while the kids were sleeping James shaved the beard he had been growing for about the last month. When Bella notice it was gone this morning her response was. "Dad you need your beard so you can be handsome, how are people going to know your James??? Just put it back on." Lol

Royce's 12 mos checkup

Weight 24.3 (90%).
Height 31.5 (95%).    
Head 18.5 (77%).  
He is developmentally right on track and is a very healthy, happy young man.

If 3 is a crowd 4 will be a party!

Big brother to bee!

He's a smasher

Royce enjoyed his birthday cupcakes!
Especially mushing it between his fingers.

Happy 1st birthday Royce

It's been a wonderful year with Royce in our family! He is such a joy always ready with a smile and a kiss. He is such a sweet tender loving boy. He has decided he likes walking and is now walking more than crawling. His vocabulary is exploding and he says a new word everyday (that probably only I can understand), his favorites are: hi, itty (for kitty), uh oh, apple and Oscar. He had a fun birthday. It started out at the library for some play and storytime, then we went to the park for a picnic lunch and fun with friends. Now we are  home we gave him his present which he loved. The cupcakes are ready we are just waiting for daddy to get home from his work trip so we can sing happy birthday to our buddy.

Connors baby blessing

We went to San Antonio over the weekend for James brothers Joe's new babies blessing. We got to see James parent and his sister Sonya it was a lot of fun. Here are the only pics I got from the trip of the kids swimming at the hotel pool. It was a salt water heated pool, so nice!

A keeper

I love swinging and dogs licking my toes in one gleefully expression!

New Years in San Antonio

We spent New Years in San Antonio this year with James brother Joe his wife Lisa and there four kids. It was lot of fun, we went hiking, shopping, had fireworks and as always, with Lisa, delicous food, but most important the kids had so much fun playing with there cousin. Bella and Sadie are really close and Luke love his two older cousins Taylor and Hunter.

I HEART LEAF U.

We have hundreds of these in our yard. Bella likes to decorate our house with them and give them to me and everytime she does she says "this is so u remember I love u".

Christmas 2012

The thing Luke and Bella wanted most this year was a trampoline. Luke was so disappointed Christmas morning when he woke up and he couldn't find one under the tree. We thought maybe Santa ran out of room on his sleigh. We let the kids open one present Christmas morning and one in the car on the way to church then when we got home  they walked in the backyard and almost made it to the back door before they noticed the giant trampoline. It has been great! It's such a motivator for the kids to go out and exercise. Ovrall it was a wonderful low key Christmas where got to celebrate our saviors birth and spend together as a family.

Family tradition continued

A couple years ago we went to Maggianos for Christmas eve lunch. We did it again today. Yum! And who can beat this many leftovers!
No cooking for me tomorrow :)

Bella comment of the day

I told the kids if they cleaned the den I would let them watch a show. Bella's response was "I can't really pick up the den really well with my little hands".

Build a Bear with cousin

We went to build a bear down in San Antonio. To say the least the kids loved it and all three came home with a bear they adore! Bella named hers Rapunzel, Luke named his Fluffy, and Luke also named Roy's bear Thomas.

Eggs!

Found these in the chicken coop this morning. I guess that's what happens when u run out of chicken pellets and feed them dog food instead. Lol

Cute face disease

This kid has got it bad!

Royce's First Steps!

It has happened this morning in the Residence Inn he was holding onto the couch, I said "come here Royce" and he took two steps to me! Good job baby boy! Here is a picture of him getting really excited about a stuffed Maximus (from Tangled) horse I gave him at the Disney store. He love anything soft and cuddly but especially stuffed animals!

Bella turned 4, Happy Bithday!

When Luke turned 4 I thought he was so big but Bella still seems young. Maybe it because I have Luke to compare her too. We had a fun day full of swimming, Chuckee-cheeses, pizza, ice cream and as many shows as they could stay up to watch (they finally fell asleep at nine thirty which is late compared to their usual bedtime of 7pm). Bella has changed so much this year! Turning from a toddler to a little girl. She is becoming more aware of others around her and really wanting to help and please. She still comes and gets in bed with us almost every night. Whenever she doesn't want to do something her classic response is "I can't my legs hurt" lol. She is very creative and loves anything pink or has to do with mermaids. Her best friend is still her big brother Luke. They spend hours playing together everyday. She is a bit of a tomboy and doesn't mind getting a dirty or wrestling a little. She is always surprising with her natural ability to create, draw and understand peoples needs. She is definately a nice mix of both James and I. Her nick is Sassy pant which she will refer to herself as (a little of me). She can also get absorbed in a deep imagination (a little James), she is quite the actress. Most of all she is a darling blessing to our lives and I am thankful for everyday we get the chance to spend together.