Proud to be an American

Happy 4th of July! I'm proud to live in the great State of Texas and happy to be a part of the United States of America! I pray for our government leaders and soldiers who work hard to protect us, and pray that God watches over our country, which was founded on him.

My heart is still heavy as I continue to read caringbridge about Kate. I can't imagine laying next to my lifeless daughter, as she stares off into the room, uttering only 3 words. I pray that this little girl and her family are healed. See post and link below.


On a happier note, I wanted to post the Dallas News article and what FamilyCircle Magazine thinks about where I live AND teach!! RHS moved to "Recognized" this year!

Family Circle magazine labels Rockwall a family-friendly city

10:35 PM CDT on Wednesday, July 1, 2009
By RICHARD ABSHIRE / The Dallas Morning News
rabshire@dallasnews.com

Rockwall is the best family town in Texas, one of the 10 best in America. Or so says the upcoming issue of Family Circle magazine.

In editions that will hit newsstands Tuesday, the magazine lists Rockwall and nine other U.S. cities as perfect places to call home, combining affordable housing, good neighbors, green spaces and exceptional public school systems.

The list isn't exactly scientific – it was compiled by magazine staffers and two outside firms using data in a handful of demographics categories. And the 10 cities aren't actually ranked, although Rockwall is listed first in the list.

None of that matters to Rockwall officials, who see the honor as a chance to spread word about the town to the magazine's 21 million readers.

"I'm thrilled," said Rockwall City Manager Julie Couch. "We actually knew we were in the running, so I'm thrilled that they kept us in there."

Couch said that the magazine focused heavily on schools and that she believed the Rockwall school district played a big role in winning the award.

Family Circle senior editor Paula Chin said the survey, in its third year, is one of the magazine's most popular features. She said the focus was on schools this year and only the highest-rated were considered.

"We're all about family-friendly towns," she said.

AT A GLANCE: RECOGNIZED CITIES The best places in America to live, according to Family Circle magazine (in no particular order):

•Rockwall, Tx.

•Evans, Ga.

•Sherwood, Ore.

•Indian Trail, N.C.

•Edina, Minn.

•Noblesville, Ind.

•Perrysburg, Ohio

•Hendersonville, Tenn.

•Kenmore, Wash.

•Sun Prairie, Wis.

Praying for Kate

Last I checked, she was going into surgery at 10:30.

Caringbridge link:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ese3zYZ-NA4

Summer 2009

I'm sad to see the month of June go by. June has meant a month to celebrate my daughter's first birthday and spend every waking hour with her until August!

During the past month, we've been sleeping in, watching The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse together, Handy Manny, sitting in the recliner and rocking together, breakfast, took naps, lunches, swimming at the pool, picnic, swam naked in the backyard (Macey), and shared lots of kisses! etc. This Summer has meant lots of family time with Camdyn and friends as well.

Macey is much like a puppy dog lately as well. If the door opens, she's right there outside. I can't get the girl to come in at night. Derrick and I will mess with the yard and she's just happy as can be pointing at things, yelling at kids, waving bye, etc. I've loved every second being home with her and I can't imagine how I ever lived before without her. Life has never been so good.

Below is a collage of pics of "Sweets" at the Shores Pool, in the back yard, and at the water park by our house. We enjoyed a picnic with the girls as well. If you'll notice, Kendall has on blue sunglasses in one pic. Write it down, she'll be in New York or Hollywood one day. The girl has a niche for fashion and knows how to work it. I LOVE IT!

Other photos are from Haley's b-day celebration with family, Macey's first pony tail, our Summer playdate at Taren's, etc.

Enjoy the end of the week! HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

P.S. As the fourth approaches us, I pray for the safety of our troops, and I pray for our government leaders to make the best decisions for our country. Things seem so backwards, and I hope that our leaders look to God for answers.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!

Messy Eater!!!



Pony Tail!!






















June 2009

Happy Father's Day Derrick!

Here are some pics of Macey that I took for Derrick, with his fire helmet. I created a scrapbook page for him to take to the station and I'm going to get a collage of pics together to frame as well.

He is a very loving father, and puts his girls above anything else. He's a spiritual leader, and loves us more than anything. His family is truly his number one priority. He works to make us financially able to spend more time together as a family, and views this as the highest reward he could give us. He loves Macey so much and calls her his, "Buster." He's such a sweet and gentle father and he would rather be home, than anywhere else.

Derrick, I truly love your quirky ways and your ability to put me in the mindset of providing for our family. As you work for me to see scripture and God's intention for us as christians, I thank you for changing me inside and out. I look forward to starting our journey with Dave Ramsey as well! :) HA!!!! I love you!

Happy Birthday Macey!

I've been really lazy when it comes to wanting to blog. I love that I'm able to have my summer home with my sweet baby and I'm now going to post her b-day pics! Pool and Fathers Day pics coming next!

For her birthday, we surprised her with a little car that she can push or sit on. She lifts that big leg over and tries to sit. She usually gets pushed around via us! That night, we had Haley and Kendall's dance recital and the following weekend, we celebrated her first birthday!!!

Since she was born, we've always called her, "Birdie," or "Bird." So, it was only fitting that we chose a bird and owl theme. Her invites had brown, blue, pink, and mint green polka dots with darling birds and owls on them.

For her party, we cooked hamburgers with delicious baked beans, chips, and drinks. I got a cute birthday table cloth to accent her birthday table. I can also use this every year for her. I baked coconut cupcakes with sprinkled coconut on top and cupcake toppers from ciabambino on etsy. I got pink marshmallows and dipped them in chocolate and added chopped peanuts as well. The pics on the table came from our birthday invite photoshoot (Derrick and I :)
To end the party, guests had the choice of pink or blue cotton candy to leave with, and stickers also from ciabambino.
Macey wore a hot pink ruffled cupcake corset and hot pink tutu. She couldn't have been any cuter! We were so thankful to share her first b-day with friends and family and Macey had a TON of precious gifts and items to enjoy. It couldn't have been any better!

I hope you had a wonderful first b-day my sweet baby girl. You are the love of my life.

Birthday invite pictures






May 30th