God Bless the Child

Sweet baby Hudson was baptized yesterday.  It was a glorious day.  Brooke and Travis planned a private Baptism with family at the chapel of the Catholic church they had their marriage blessed in.  It was a wonderful ceremony with so much love for the little guy in the room.  Travis was so proud of his son.  The priest said he was a perfect baby during the ceremony.  Afterwards, the Hausmann's had a cookout at their beautiful house.  I had the privilege of getting the cakes.  We got a cake for baby Hudson of course and a surprise cake for Brooke and Travis.  The cake was the same cake that was Travis' grooms cake, but in the state of Texas and with a Texas flag.  See, today is the big move for them.  They fly out to Denver at 5:30 tonight.  Kirk and I have such mixed feelings about the move.  We thought Lafayette was a long way- but Denver...I am one who does not expect my kids to stay around me my whole life- but I certainly want it!  So it is with mixed emotions we will send them off.  I have promised myself I will not cry today.  This is a great opportunity for their little family and will only make them stronger.  We are so proud of them and the way they live their lives.  A good friend told me once that every child must create their own journey and follow it.  I know that God will be with them all on this journey.  He will be here with us on ours as well.  God Bless little Hudson, Brooke, and Travis.   Welcome to the family of God, Hudson!

One tiny hand to guide and hold,
One tiny life to shape and mold;
each child, a gift from God above,
a symbol of His strength and love.

Connor and Tracy are now Godparents!

Hausmann's and Smith's

God Bless Texas

God Bless Hudson

Count Your Blessings,
Bella

Extreme Makeover- Work. Home. Me

Well, vacation is over and I am back at school.  I am really looking forward to this year.  Our administrative team and teachers have worked so hard to get our school where it is and it is in an awesome place.  We are going Recognized again this year- which is so exciting.  My principal is a great leader and is pushing us toward new technology and creating strong learning systems- so it is an awesome time to be a Deerpark Ranger.  Work is also fun.  That quote comes to mind- " work hard, play harder."  Well we have a lot of fun and play at work.  This year at work we have a great theme- Extreme Makeover- STAAR Edition ( you know the new STAAR test for those of you not in Education ).  I have also decided to adopt this theme for myself as well. Kirk and I plan on selling our house when Connor graduates in 2013, so we are going to begin updating the house over the next two years.  Perhaps we can do much of it ourselves.  Those of you that know us well might be laughing at this moment- but we are going to try.  I am also going to continue the Extreme Makeover on my self as well.  I have been on a low carb diet for almost a year and have had some success at weight loss.  I am going to continue this road to better health and continue swimming.  We are doing a 5K at our school in September- so I will also begin the daily run/walk to train.  I used to enjoy 5K's many years ago.  The last one I was in I walked with Luci and Finley ( in her stroller) and asked her to stop at Jack in the Box to get a diet coke 1/2 way through the race.  So I guess I need to get a little more serious.
For educators- August is always a good time to set new goals- new students, new beginnings, new year.  For my teacher friends- welcome back and have a great year!

Here is a picture of my design board for the color scheme of the house.  It is still a work in progress.  The picture in the middle is helping me keep the eye on the prize- a lake house with a fabulous view!

Count Your Blessings! Bella

It Was a Bat Birthday

Last week was my sweetie's birthday!  I kept asking Kirk what he wanted to do and of course he had no idea.  We had planned the traditional family birthday dinner on his actual birthday- but I always want to spice things up for my traditional, steady, and constant level husband.  So one of our goals this year was to see more of Austin and enjoy the many things Austin offers.  So, I  surprised Kirk and picked him up from work and took him downtown- you know for us that is past the Mopac/360 interchange.  Anyway, we went to the Hyatt and had drinks and an early dinner, then we went to the river and took a boat tour to see the bats.  So fun!  We were on the boat with many tourists and heard all about the skyline of Austin.  We also then saw the bats leave the Congress street bridge.  So very cool to have those millions of bats fly over your head!    We had a great time and Kirk even told me it was a nice surprise- the ultimate complement from him. The next night on his actual birthday, I cooked a pasta dinner as he requested and  we had no cake this year- but pies from Marie Calendars.  Abbey and Justin came over to celebrate with Connor and me.  Always a fun time.  He did not want anyone at work to know it was his birthday- so I sent Tiff's Cookies to him at work with a big birthday balloon.  Fun being married to me- I was hoping to totally embarrass him- but apparently everyone already knew because at Google if it is your birthday the IM message tells everyone you communicate with. Very cool!  It was a good couple of days and he always is a good sport because he loves me!  Pictures from our bat tour:

The Birthday Boy!  I just love him!

Yikes- Bats over our heads....

Austin Skyline

Ahh! Austin Sunset

The Grandkids!

Talk about the best week of the summer.  Ten days with my grand kids!  Brooke and Hudson were in for the first couple of days, then I had Carter and Finley  the rest of the time.  We had a great visit.  They are awesome babies!  They eat well, play well, and sleep well.  Perfect, I know.  Really, I had a lot of help.  Brooke, Travis, and Hudson were here for two of the days.  Abbey and Justin came and helped two days, and Kirk was home from work for 4 days and Connor was here to help as well.  We tried to get the kids out every day.  We went to the park, swimming, Chuck e Cheese, Costco, the grocery store, Orange Leaf, Toys R Us,  Central Market, and IHOP twice.  Finley and Carter now think anytime they go in a grocery store, they get free samples all throughout the store.  Also, Finley loves the happy face pancakes at IHOP! A favorite trip was to Waco to see Kirk's mom and brother.  They loved the kids.  Carter was a complete doll and Grandma Smith fell in love with him.  Finley loved playing with Uncle Stephen and all the "things" in Grandma's house!  I tried to meet the Smith's halfway in Belton, but that did not work.  Carter does not like his car seat for long trips.  I found the magic though- I small box of animal crackers- worked like a charm!  Here is a collage of our week.  I miss them so much, but so enjoyed our time together.  Thanks for going away Luci and Jeremy and trusting me with your babies- the pleasure was all mine!

Count Your Blessings, Bella

It's All About the Grandkids This Week

Well I am over 1/2 way through with my job this week- watching the grand babies ( well 2 out out of 3).  What a joy it has been.  Finley greets me each morning with " Hi Bella, I'm hungy."   Carter greets me with his sweet Bubba smile!  Kirk was home for Monday and Tuesday to help and Abbey came over yesterday.  Today was the first day on my own, and it went great. We even ventured to Costco for their $1.50 hot dog lunch and a little shopping.  Luci, my sweet daughter in law, has her kiddos on the best schedule.  Carter takes a morning nap and Finley takes a nap in the afternoon the same time Carter does.  We never miss naps!  Both kids go down at 8:00 and sleep until 7:00.  We play in between naps.  Here are some of the highlights of the week- we have gone to the park, had a picnic in the backyard, and swam in the baby pool at home.  We also go to Orange Leaf most days.  Tomorrow we are meeting friends at Orange Leaf and going to the pool when Kirk gets home.  Life just couldn't be greater this week!  Jeremy and Luci enjoy your time together, your babies are wonderful and happy!

Saw this on facebook tonight- seems kind of fitting for the week:
A grandmother thinks about her grandchildren day & night, even if they're not with her. She loves them in a way that they will never understand. She will be there for them when no one else will. She will take a bullet, stand in front of a train & ask God to take her instead of her grandchild. That's a real love .

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Carter Turns One!

Our first baby grandson, Carter,  turned one yesterday.  We had the honor of having him with us all day.  We played and enjoyed his company.  We had a little party for him in the afternoon with his favorite chocolate cake.   In the evening we had a party for Luci - my beautiful daughter in law- whose birthday is tomorrow on the 4th.  She got a trip to Hawaii for her birthday and Kirk and I are watching the grand kids for 12 days.  I am sure there will be plenty to blog about then.  We went for a family dinner, then had ice cream cake for Luci's birthday.  Brooke, Travis, and Hudson have been here all weekend as well as Abbey and Justin.  It has been a great family time! Blessings to our little Carter man or "Bubba" as Finley calls him. 

He got to go to Krispy Kreme!

Loved the Chocolate Cake!

Count Your Blessings,
Bella

Vacation Here we Come!

We just spent a wonderful week in Louisiana.  It was sooooooooooooooooooo hot, but so much fun.  We spent time with Brooke, Hudson, and Travis on our way to and from New Orleans.  It was so nice for Kirk and I to spend 4 days and 3 nights as a couple with no children.  I highly recommend it! We spent the first night on Bourbon Street as we did 29 years ago on our honeymoon.   This time we stayed in a little nicer hotel and had great food at all meals.  We went to Pat O'Briens twice and even requested songs which they played.  We ate at the Court of Two Sisters, Praline Station, Brennans, and Commander's Palace.  Most of the time we just relaxed. We even took a tour which we never do, but we wanted to see all the Hurricane recovery.  Talk about a city bouncing back. It was a great time! Can't wait to plan next years 30 year's anniversary trip!  Here are some fun sights! Thanks to Brooke and Travis for watching Maggie and my friend Wanda's family for watching the new baby, Buster.

My Greeting in Lafayette!

Hudson was not so sure of the baby pool, but the dogs loved it!

Oh When the Saints!

Who Dat!  They Love Their Saints Football!

2nd Honeymooners Pat O'Briens

Ready for a night on the town- beautiful lobby at the Maison Duprey!

Jazz Brunch at the Court of Two Sisters!

One of Brad Piitts "green homes"  in the 9th Ward- Very Impressive!

Count Your Blessings!  Bella