Eight is great!

This past Thursday Kaitlin turned eight, and being that she's my youngest child, I first had to take a deep breath, swallow down the shock that in ten years she'll be a grown up, and begin celebrating!  Is it just me, or can you never really do all your birthday celebrating in one day when you're a kid?  The real celebration took place this weekend when we went out to dinner at Red Robin with her bff who also spent the night.  I believe the highlight of the evening was either watching Barbie Fashion Fairytale, or playing with every Build-a-Bear in the house.  Either way, she enjoyed her birthday, and I enjoyed seeing her have fun.

You know, it's really amazing being a mom.  It's such a delighful journey - a complete blessing to be a caretaker of God's children.  Sometimes I worry I might screw up, but most of the time I am in awe of how God uses them to bless me, teach me, and comfort me.  I would never in a million years trade in the blessings I've been given, especially my three girls! 

Spring Breakin' It

Although it feels like summer today in Murphy, TX with highs in the 80s, it has been Spring Break for us this week.  After school Friday, we hurried home to finish packing and get the house in order for our departure.  We left fairly early Saturday and made it to Denver just in time for lunch.  We are always so fortunate to be able to visit my parents, but this time we had an extra special opportunity to visit with my Aunt Chelsea.  Sunday morning we woke up to winter, which was not what I had expected at all!  I did not pack winter clothes, so thankfully it didn't stick around.  The girls did get the opportunity to sled down the hill, but to my relief the snow was gone by the afternoon.

I won't bore you with all the details of our trip, but here are the highlights:

Sunday - ARGO Gold Mine.  We toured the mine, wandered through the mill (I'd never done that before, and it was really interesting), then panned for gold. 

Monday - Air and Space Museum at Buckley AF Base.  This is a gem of a museum!  The girls got to fly a Wright Flyer Simulator, sat in different training pods for United Airlines, and got up close to many airplanes.  They also had the weapons (including nuclear) with the planes, which is not something I've seen before.  The girls got the flying bug for sure!

Yes, that is R2D2 in the background!

Tuesday - Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  This zoo was incredible!  We were so close to the giraffes that we could pet and feed them right out of our hands.  An orangutan kissed us through the glass, we were close enough to pet the mountain lions, the turtles, and many other animals.  The added plus - it was in the mountains, and they took advantage of it in all their landscaping.  Pretty cool.

Wednesday - The movies.  What is spring break without heading to the movies?  We saw "Gnomeo and Juliet."  It was really cute, and the girls enjoyed it.  They'd been begging to see it, so I'm glad we did!

Sadly, our trip ended Thursday.  I'd love for it to last forever, but then it wouldn't be vacation!

Springtime in Texas

Well, spring has arrived in Texas, and you know what that means.  Seventy degrees one day, followed by forty the next.  Having lived here for twenty years, you'd think I'd be used to it.  But I'm not!  Today is one of the chillier days, but being a Texan, I know that summer comes all too quick and now is the time to get out doors and enjoy it!  So, that's what we've been doing the last few weekends.  Last weekend we took a trip to Bonham state park.  I took about 100 pictures, but I thought I'd share just a few.

Three beautiful girls on the trails.

Enjoying the day together.

A sleepy girl being carried by her daddy.

This week has been really busy at school as well.  I admit, I could have worked until 6pm every day and still not get finished.  But, that would not be fair to the girls!  On Thursday Elissa went to the symphony for a program.  Here are a few pics of her in a dress - I know, rare!

Isn't she a beautiful girl?

I'm so excited to go to the symphony!

I mean, really excited!

Kaitlin had a program Thursday night in conjunction with Multi-cultural night at her school.  She marched in the parade of nations and represented Scotland.  So cute!  I made the skirt from our family's tartan.

Grace, my super busy teenager, has found time to create a blog for her small group.  Check it out! http://www.christfollowingteens.blogspot.com/

Do you feel caught up yet? 

Just looking at the pictures (as well as all the ones I did not post), I am reminded of my blessings.  What an amazing family I have!

Blessings to you all,

Wendy