Dreaming and Graduating

Around this time of year, I find myself totally inspired by the students and faculty I work with and by my own kids.  Let's start with Abbey Christine- She graduated yesterday from The University of Texas.  This is our third graduation event at that magnificent college in three years.  Brooke got her BS in Education, Abbey her BS in Social Work and now after an intense year long graduate program her MSSW in one year! Her daddy and I could not be prouder.  We had a great lunch with Justin's family Sasha and Juan, then off to the graduation.

I always feel so inspired after listening to the Deans talk about their colleges.  The new Dean at the college of Social work had an excellent quote:

"In dreams begins responsibility" William Butler Yeats

Wow- this one just hit me like a ton of bricks- I had never thought of dreaming that way.  If we do not act on our dreams responsibly, how does the world ever change for the better.  Isn't that why I got into education ...Hmmm.


 I do have three girls working to change the world for the better: Luci with her counseling degree, Brooke with Education, and Abbey with Social Work.  All three will be on hiatus from work outside the home as they care for their children, but I know they make a difference in the lives of their own children and friends. I am very proud of them and hope they are living out their dreams.

Brooke's Graduation

Luci's Graduation

Abbey's Graduation

So where in dreams does the responsibility begin.  I would say acting on your dreams and carrying out your dreams.  I have some dreams that I need to pay attention to.   Do you????

Count Your Blessings, Bella

PROM

Connor had prom on Saturday.  His beautiful date is Ana- his girlfriend.  This is her senior prom so he wanted to make it special.  He wore a purple suit, ordered special purple flowers, took her to her favorite restaurant, and had a great time.  Connor's biggest dilemma though was how to handle pre- prom photographs with his family as his sisters were all in town and a  wedding shower was going on at his house, while he was getting dressed.  He made his momma proud and came down to show off his tux.  I have to say he is a good looking kid.  All the girls ooh and awed over him.  He then had invited Ana's family over here to take pictures as he thought that would be easiest.  So we had to take the end of the shower to Starbucks, then start the pictures.  It all went beautifully.  Here are the photos:

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Abbey's Getting Married!

Brooke and Luci gave a shower for Abbey on Saturday.afternoon. It was a delightful day.  For those of you that don't know yet- Abbey is getting married!  We are having a very small wedding and she and her beloved Justin will exchange vows Sunday night, June 10, 2012 in  Austin.  Please keep this happy couple in your prayers as they prepare for their upcoming wedding.  Abbey will have just graduated with her Masters in Social Work and Justin is a manager at Helping Hands- an treatment center for kids with emotional disturbances.  Here are some pictures from  the shower.

It was Prom weekend also!

Dallas and Rain

Kirk, Connor and I went to Dallas the last weekend in April to see Jeremy, Luci, Finley, and Carter.  We met for lunch, then went to Northpark Mall to shop and play.  I so miss Dallas and my family there.  Jeremy has surprised me and bought season tickets to the Dallas Summer Musicals.  Our first one was RAIN and was it interesting.  RAIN is a musical about the Beatles.  It is actually a cover band playing Beatles music.  I loved it- Jeremy did not, but put up with it for me. I sang along with most of the songs, he did not.  I did change places with him at intermission as the lady next to him was totally reliving her Beatle's days- minus the drugs- bless my sweet boy for putting up with it all just to make his momma happy!  That night we took the babies to my parents and spent the night out there so Luci and Jeremy could have night with out the kids. It was an awesome weekend and I am always so thankful for Luci and Jeremy bringing the kids to Dallas.  Here are the pictures:

Finley singing " I'm a Little Turtle " to the turtles in the pond- so adorable

Carter loving the turtles

and ice cream

Momma to be ( # 3 in October )and daddy are tired

At church with my parents

“Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.”

The Beatles

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Five Girls and a Little Guy- Sea World

Well five of us set out on Friday morning to take the Hudson to Sea World.  Chris (GeeGee), Brooke, Aunt Tracy, Aunt Abbey and Bella all had a blast of a day watching every reaction Hudson had to anything.  We saw and fed Dolphins, saw Shamu, Sharks, and Seal Lions.  It was hot but not very crowded. Hudson's favorite part of the day was the little kids water play area.  Here are some snapshots of the day:

Hudson's favorite area!

It took all of us to get the right picture.

Little guy is tired.

Favorite way to see Sea World!

Feeding the Dolphins.

Beautiful Animals

Bella even got into it- so fun

Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.

Albert Einstein

Count Your Blessings!  Bella

Austin - My Oasis

I just love my hometown!  There are some days that I remember how fortunate I am to live in such a beautiful place.  Last night we went to the Oasis.  Now the Oasis is 30 years old this year and believe me it has been through a lot.  It has even burned to the ground and been rebuilt. Kirk and I went there at the end of our college days and remember it being so far out and so expensive. It was such a treat to go there.  Who would have thought 30 years later, I would live 15 minutes from there.  We still consider it a special place.  Brooke's wedding reception was there, so it has those memories as well.  It has become a tourist place to visit, so it is always crowded.  We like the upstairs bar, where you can walk right up.  We get there around 5 or 6 and sit in the sun, drink our drinks and eat our nachos.  The band plays around 7:30 and the sun sets at 8:00 in the summer.  It is a great night and one I would highly recommend.  We took Abbey and Justin last night and had a great time.  I hope they enjoyed it as well.  I miss my older kids and it is so nice having Abbey and Justin here in Austin to just hang with.

On another note- Connor went to " Happening " at Camp Allen all weekend.  We went to the closing mass to surprise him.  He was definitely surprised and loved the whole experience.  Thanks to all those who sent letters and kept him in your prayers all weekend.  He is a shining part of God's masterpiece and we are very proud of him.

Count Your Blessings, Bella

He Is Risen

Easter 2012

Said the angel, “He is risen!”
Tell it out with joyful voice:
He has burst His three days’ prison;
Let the whole wide earth rejoice:
Death is conquered, we are free,
Christ has won the victory.


We has a glorious Easter in Oklahoma.  Kirk, Connor, and I headed up to Oklahoma after work on Thursday.  We arrived late after stopping at our favorite chicken place- Babes.  We didn't see everyone until Friday morning and oh what a day.  We decorated, sugar cookies, opened Easter Baskets, swam and had a wonderful dinner of steaks, salad, and baked potatoes with Luci's mom and  friend.  The kids really seemed to enjoy having everyone together.  On Saturday, we went to the famous Liddell Easter Egg hunt with over 2.000 eggs and the Easter Bunny.  Finley only wanted pink eggs and Carter wanted the candy in the eggs.  We spent the rest of the day swimming and cooking out.  


Jeremy and Luci have done a huge remodel which includes a pool and theater room.  At least that is where I spent the majority of my time.  My favorite moment of the weekend was Finley and I watching Beauty and the Beast in the theater room and both falling fast asleep.  On Sunday we went to Life Church and heard a great sermon and beautiful music.  Finley loved her Sunday school class.  Carter wanted his momma- he is going through the age where momma is his whole world.  I do so remember that with my boys as well.  We gathered up our things and had to say goodbye to head back home.  We were supposed to stop and see Kirk's mom and his side of the family, but Uncle Stephen was ill so we were not able to stop in Waco.  We were so sad to not get to see them.  We will get together another weekend soon I hope! We came home to Abbey and Justin and had a wonderful Easter dinner of Pizza and Cinnamon Sticks.  What an awesome family I have and I am blessed to be their Bella!

Missing "the Hudson"

Count your Blessings. Bella