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!!

Last day of Spring Break...tear.

It's Sunday...the day before we go back to work after the most fabulous spring break ever. We didn't go anywhere exotic or spend a bunch of money but I would have to say it is hands-down, by far...the best! Do I say that every year...why, yes...yes, I do. As a mommy I always thought that I would dread each year that they got older, but I love every year even more. Now Joey may disagree when it comes to the fun ol' age of 2 but we are enjoying being able to actually go out and do things with the kids.

I have so many pictures and I am sorry to say I will probably post most of them...lol. I turn these into books so I don't want to miss anything!!!

The weekend that Spring Break started we headed out to the Galleria to do some shopping and enjoy their awesome play area (if you haven't been, go...especially on rainy days or when it gets super hot outside). I love it because they have great kid stores and mommy stores. : )

We checked out the American Girl store and Ella is a fan.....I just think she is not old enough yet due to how her Disney princess dolls look....lol!

Monday, the kiddos had their pictures done by AJ's Expressions (check her out on facebook, she is amazing)!!! We had my niece, Liv, and she even got some taken too!

my new fav pic!!!!

gorgeous

If that wasn't enough fun, we had some sweet friends over for a little Easter play date. So.much.fun! I can tell you know I was so eager to take a nap after all of it!

Making bags to hunt for eggs

it was muddy so we did the egg hunt in the front living room

aftermath

Amanda's adorable bunny shaped rice krispie treats

Grayson's bag...adorable, right????

Tuesday, we headed to the Cheese! A lot of parents despise it but if the kiddos love it...then so do I!!!
It's an expensive way to have lunch and play!!!

Nana even came!!

Wednesday, was my fav day....it was gorgeous out and I swear I wanted to stay outdoors all stinkin' day!! We met up with my sweet cousin Tina and Shelby and enjoyed a little picnic at the park. Shelby helped Grayson fly his kite and Ella chased him. Joey joined us and we just hung out on our picnic blanket and relaxed while the kids played in the sand.

Thursday, I ran errands. Sorry no pictures of that as I am sure you're dying to see me go to the post office and then shopping...lol!!!

Friday, we stayed at home and got stuff done. The kiddos had a second picnic in the backyard and we go to spend some time with my other sweet niece, Sawyer.

Saturday, we went with Nana, Lauren, and Sawyer to the Gentle Zoo (love that place)!!! Grayson and Ella did not want to go home. It was a bit windy that day but that didn't stop them from having a blast!

Love this pic with a bunny and chick

riding the tractor/train

in the maze

Sawyer is probably looking at me wondering why I kept trying to take pictures with her...but I love her cheeks in this picture

If you are still reading this....CONGRATS...because that was super long. Now you can see why our spring break was so great, though! I am excited to go back to work but I won't lie it will be pretty tough. I will miss the kids so much but I have my eyes set on the summer because it will be here before we know it! Have a great week, y'all and think of me as Grayson and I attend Kindergarten Round Up....how can it be true that he will be starting school next year?