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

Rocky Mountain High

We had a lovely spring break in Denver this year. Saturday morning -very early - like 4:00 AM, Kirk, Abbey, Connor, and myself headed to Denver.  Fifteen and1/2 hours later we were there and I was holding the Hudson.  We had an awesome time all week.  Travis was a great host and Brooke was so happy to have her family there.  The Hudson is completely perfect in every way!  Here are some highlights of our trip:

So excited to see him!



We went to the Coors Brewery- Hudson wanted his daddy's beer! Lots of free samples.

Travis and Kirk are listening to the recorded tour on how the beer is made.



Finally the free sample- three 6 ounces of beer samples! Connor had to settle for soda.  Really a great tour!



The Denver Aquarium is also awesome!



Loved this gorilla at the Denver Zoo. 

Hudson loved Connor and getting a view of the zoo outside of his stroller.

Ski Day- we went to Loveland just outside of Denver and Connor, Abbey, Travis and Brooke skied.  It was the first time for Connor and Abbey.  They both loved it.  Kirk and I watched the baby in the lodge.  Well actually I did- Kirk hung out by the lift and talked to the locals while he waited for the kids to come down.  Kirk tore his ACL a couple of years ago and has not gotten it fixed.   He really missed being able to ski.  We may both try it next year.  I have been twice, but it was not a great experience either time.  Maybe next year I can ski with miss Finley!



Sweet little family.  Travis and Brooke have done a great job making a home for their sweet baby.

“Our family is a circle of love and strength. With every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every obstacle faced together makes the circle stronger.”

Count Your Blessings, Bella



The Faces of Hudson

We are in beautiful Colorado with Travis, Brooke, and Hudson. Abbey,  Connor, Kirk, and I made the drive in record time.   We are here all week and are enjoying some wonderful weather and the sites of Denver.  We hit the slopes tomorrow.  Well not me- I am a much better grandmother than ski bunny, so I will have Hudson duty.  We are going to the resort with the gang and will hang out and shop I suppose.  He is such a delightful little guy and so fun to be around. Here are some of his many expressions.  You can see he is the delight of us all. I just love the little guy so much.

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Galveston oh Galveston!

Just got back from a fabulous conference in Galveston.  I went to the Texas State Middle School Association Conference. For the first time ever all three administrators from my school. went to a conference.  We had time to reflect on our year so far, make adjustments, and plan for next year. We had great admin. interns running the school and one of the high school APs came over to " sit in the big chair" as she says, so the students were well cared for.  I feel refreshed and ready to go back tomorrow and finish the year strong.  We have good ideas to take back and a plan for the 11 days until the first  STAAR test.  So, so important it is to get away and reflect.  I have an awesome boss who "walks the walk" when it comes to collaboration and team work.  Next year we will have cohesive collaboration.  We already have a theme!

 So two really funny stories came out of the days away.  I realize, I am truly a Buckee's girl.  Any of you that have never experienced Buckees on the road have truly been missing something.  First of all any public restroom the has private stalls, hand sanitizer on the wall when you walk into the restroom and in each stall, gets my vote.  My colleague James assured me that the men's restroom was just as clean and sanitized.  Also the mixed caramel, cheese, and butter popcorn is to die for.  So I really suggest the next time you are on  the road down south here in Texas- you stop at a Buckees. My principal had to chuckle at me over Buckees.  The other big laugh was James and his pizza.  He insisted on bringing a pizza home to his family.  I was worried that it would spoil overnight.  He tried to get the hotel to place it in their refrigerator- they said they couldn't as it was against health regulations.  Instead they brought a refrigerator to his room.  Pretty good service if you ask me.  Thanks again to my wonderful boss Sonya for planning this time to attend the conference.  Work just wouldn't be as worthwhile or fun without you!

Room with a view at the San Luis in Galveston

 Missing my grand babies!       Count Your Blessings, Bella

Hudson 11 Months

Finley 3, Carter 20 months