Health Update and Terrell Jubilee

We had an amazing weekend out at the Terrell Jubilee. I look forward to it each year because the kids have fun but, most importantly, Joey and our church or his friends do an outreach to spread the gospel. Some people may think that is weird but I think for Joey and other Christians, you feel like you are truly doing God's work. And, again, the kids have a blast....

Taylor's Homemade Ice Cream...we came back Sunday and ate some again....so good!

Passing out tracts

Chocolate monster

Taking the kids around...alone..aaahhhh!

Ella's new fav!!

You can read about the outreach on Joey's blog: http://redemptionnotreligion.blogspot.com/

Ella really enjoyed seeing the characters and wanted to go hug every.single.one. of them. It makes me even more excited about Disneyworld because we have booked Chef Mickey's and a Princess breakfast at Akerhaus in Epcot (character meals) so I know she will love it, at least I hope she still does by then. I think Grayson will enjoy the rides more but then again I guess I will never know until we get there. Only 59 days...I can't wait!! I am not even gonna lie, I am a little stressed because we are going to Port Aransas with my family the weekend before and then will come back a couple of days and then leave again. We have NEVER went on a trip with the kids, either one of them. We have always taken little mini staycations at the Gaylord so 2 big trips so close together is a little stressful but I am also so excited.

Now for an update on my stomach issues. I have really paid close attention to what affects my stomach and I have tried to really think about my food choices even more. I am not completely gluten free but I limit it and that has made a big difference. I have also cut out diet soda and I don't have as much stomach cramping. I have been eating pretty clean, as well, so that has made a huge difference in how I feel plus lots of green tea and stevia and also black iced tea. So, I am really thankful that it has gotten so much better. I still eat things I shouldn't (even though it hurts later) because sometimes it's hard to miss out....but I am limiting that more now.

So here's what I have noticed:

Things that cause pain:
too much dairy (I can eat ice cream but if I eat a lot of dairy in one day it kills my stomach)
bread (I do eat 100 calorie bread thins and those don't bother me too much)
anything greasy
carbonated drinks


Good List:
Kind bars
non acidic fruits and veggies
less gluten
tea as opposed to any sodas
brown rice (isn't gluten free but doesn't bother me)

So it is crazy it has taken me years to narrow it down but I am glad I have. It might not make sense b/c it's not solely one thing (truly gluten free, vegetarian, etc) but it has worked for me.

I am off to read with the kiddos but I hope y'all have a blessed week.

Why, Hello....

Did you miss me? I am back and what a crazy couple of weeks it has been. We enjoyed birthday parties, Easter fun, a walk at Cowboys Stadium, and in between that a stomach bug (Grayson luckily dodged it).

I guess I will start off by saying that I hope you all had a fabulous Easter!!! We had a wonderful one and it was nice to really be able to explain the reason of Easter and what it is truly about. We don't do the Easter bunny but the kids do get Easter baskets from us, my parents, and Joey's parents. Here's a glimpse of our Easter.

my sweet little cousin and the kids

me and my sweet lil sis

coloring eggs

showing off her new little swing pack

Easter babies...love them!

getting into treats from Papa and Nana

bedtime stories

Love cousins

Acker Family

Church egg hunt with Nana

Our family also had the chance to visit Cowboys Stadium and be a part of Joey's Jedi's (explains the Star Wars theme below) which is a team for one of Joey's students who has the same name. It was so neat to see his school go all out to support such a sweet little boy. The Muscular Dystrophy walk was a great experience and brought a lot of awareness about what families go through.

Ella made friends with Miss Dallas. Yes she is making a bunny face in this picture...haha!

We also passed our CHL class...after 10 hours and being scared about the actual shooting part of the test, we passed...along with our sweet friend Barbi!

We also celebrated our best friend's 4th birthday and it was so much fun and cute!

In between all of that, Grayson went to Kindergarten round up...please tell me how that already got here????

Last week he, took the PPVT test and did great so hopefully we will hear if he gets into dual language by the end of May! After his very short test he told me he wanted to go to Starbucks so I was more than happy to make a stop there.

Yesterday, we celebrated my adorable niece's 1st birthday and it was so fun and I am still in shock that she is 1!!! I know her mommy and daddy probably are too! She is just to stinkin' cute!

Today, after maybe a little too much shopping (I love you, Joey), we headed to my parent's to celebrate my daddy's birthday. The kids always love running around out there.

Grayson and my adorable nephew Vann hunting for snakes

Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you!!!

To say we have been busy lately would be an understatement but I just feel so blessed. God has really allowed our family to experience so many neat things and has allowed us to really just enjoy being together. We will be doing the Terrell Jubilee this weekend with our church so please head out and come to our booth!! I am sure I will have plenty to post about that!

Have a wonderful week!!