abby rocks

abby had her first t-ball game tonight...and she loved it!!! that's all i want - for my kids to totally enjoy whatever activity they choose to do. well, and also to WIN!!! (just kidding. kind of.) so here are some pictures that capture the night:

only abby can smile while running to home plate :)

getting a hug from daddy
and while abby did her thing on the field the boys did boy stuff...played in the dirt, rode a scooter, begged for candy, climbed on the fence. fun times for all.

a way to help an incredible family

I knew a guy named Brad Wims in college. I didn't know him well at all, he was friends with my closest friends at A&M Church of Christ. I do remember him as always laughing, having a good time and enjoying the fellowship with other AFCers. I became aware of his struggle with cancer over a year ago when a mutual friend led me to his wife's blog. She is the most amazing woman I know. It is worth your time to check out her blog: www.thewims.blogspot.com
Brad lost his battle with cancer a few weeks ago and I thought I would share this letter I copied from a friend for those of you who might have it in your heart to help out.

Dear Friends,
Brad Wims courageously fought the battle against the cancer that caused such pain and damage in his body for over two years. Each day was a victory and a blessing of grace for we are never promised tomorrow. Even as the doctors’ prognosis was grim, Brad persevered with God as his strength. He was an incredible example of faithfulness and trust in God even in the most trying of circumstances. Many people have expressed a desire to help ease the situation for Jenny, Zeke and Kaelyn. We find ourselves asking, “What more can I do in addition to prayer?”

Although many would think that Brad’s primary burden was his physical health, those that know him well say that more than anything else, his main concern centered on his wife and children. Brad felt responsible for the provision of their financial, spiritual and emotional needs. Since Brad faced an uncertain future, the financial strain weighed heavy on his mind. Because of this, we have decided to set up a fund to collect donations from anyone who would like to make sure his family is taken care of regardless of their situation.

Our goal is to raise $120,000 to be used toward this effort. This would allow Jenny to pay off the mortgage of their house and provide much needed income during this difficult time. The elders of the A&M Church of Christ in College Station and the Southeast Church of Christ in Friendswood (Brad and Jenny’s home church) are graciously providing direction, encouragement and the necessary arrangements to make the collection for these funds convenient. Because of the blessings God showers down upon all of us, we believe this is an attainable goal. We invite you to reflect on the abundant blessings you have received from God and join others in the grace of giving to this much needed cause.

There are two ways to donate:
Send a check to either of the churches listed below. Please write “Wims Family” on the memo line to designate your funds and help with bookkeeping.
A&M Church of Christ
2475 Earl Rudder Frwy. S.
College Station, TX 77845
Southeast Church of Christ
2400 W. Bay Area Blvd.
Friendswood, TX 77546
You can pay online through the Southeast Church of Christ website (www.go2southeast.com). Select the Online Giving tab. Complete the information to create a login. Select Contribution–Special Fund in the Give To field, indicate the amount of your gift, type in “Wims Family” in the Optional Memo field, and press the Add button. You will be prompted to press the Give button. You will advance to the payment information screen where you will need to complete the information to give through Visa, MasterCard, or ACH (electronic check).

Please share this letter with anyone else you know who would want to be a part of this special project. Ten dollars, one hundred dollars, one thousand dollars, or a penny a week...whatever you can give, know that it will bring relief in a time when it matters so much!

Much love and excitement for how God will change us all through this project,
Friends of Faith

For further information, contact the A&M Church of Christ office: (979) 693-0400
or email amcofc@gmail.com.

i'm just not sure

i have dreaded this for many months. today hudson moved into a big boy bed. we went and picked out thomas sheets and a thomas shaped pillow - he was very excited..."i wuv thomas mama!!!". he is moving into a big kid bed a year later then my other two did. of course that was by neccesity-they were kicked out by the newest malhiot. and i'm not even dreading it for the reasons you might think (is he going to stay in the bed, will he fall asleep on his own when he knows how to get out...etc).

i don't have a baby anymore. that's what this means. yes, we still have potty training to go but that shouldn't take long - he potties at school just fine. and he still lets me rock him to sleep, or at least until he's drifting off. but for the first time in 7 years i don't have a baby. and i won't again. and i'm really having a hard time with that.

but yea for hudson!!! cross your fingers that this transition goes well.

Mess

I know I'm repeating myself, but Hudson is by far my messiest child. He loves food, paint, dirt, mud, chalk, markers...you name it and he smears it all over himself. So dinner is tons of fun. And we definitely keep Bounty in business. Tonight he decided to pick up his bowl of dinosaur spaghettios and drink the liquid. Then he began the transfer of dinos to his bowl of peaches. Yes, he did eat along the way. But like I need any extra cleaning to do. Oh well. Besides...

...how can you not love this face?

What a week!

So Wednesday Andy's mom calls and asks if the kids can sleep over. After much deliberation and arm-twisting (I think Poppy even made some vague threats) we agreed. We all went over to the Malhiot's for dinner and Mark family was there too. Barrett is so cute!He is walking and talking and just awesome. After dinner Andy looked at me on the way home and asked me if I'd like to stop for a drink with him. Again, with the arm-twisting that is so effective with me, I said yes. We sat outside in the beautiful weather at Gloria's and enjoyed some date time. We ran into another couple who was also childfree for the night so they joined us. At that point I knew that the whole "stop for a drink" plan was out the window and I was in for night of mayhem. We ended up at Houlihans for a while, had a great time talking with Robin and Jeff and hit Whataburger on the way home. Perfect.
The next morning I left to go to Austin to see Shannon for the afternoon/evening. I always have a blast with her. She is one of the funniest people I know and that's a huge quality for me. I got to see her gorgeous house, her fun new studio, and lots of dudes in shinny jeans. I need to put out a memo on that. No. That's all. Just no. We had some Argentinian wine at a fun little place I'd like to go back to because their food looks fun too. Then we went to Povlos mexican restaurant and i have the best chicken quesadilla I have ever put in my mouth. Heaven. And the best part about all of it was just chillin with Shannon. Laughing at old stories, laughing at crazy things we saw, watching The Office and The Daily Show...just doing what we wanted when we wanted and laughing a lot. I love me some Deible.
Woke up and go back on the rode around 9 so I could see my kids for a little while before they went to my parents for the night. I got to my neighborhood as my mom and dad were pulling out with jake to take him to his ortho appt. Did not expect this on his return:
Notice what's missing? He got his cast off!!!! So exciting! He still has to be very careful for the next few months (good luck with that) but he is so happy! Ans so are we :)
Finally, on Friday night I got to see a friend I haven't seen in 8ish years. Brandie was one of my closest friends in ninth grade through graduation. We drifted a bit during college and then she moved to Minnesota so I totally blame her for the breakdown ;) We got a group of friends together for dinner and then on to see The Spazmatics. I am a total groupie and I knew B would love it! I miss her so much. How awesome is it to have those friendships in your life that are constant. God blesses me with so many friends and I love them all.
Can't wait to see you again girl! Come back when you need to let loose with the crazy tell-it-like-it-is-Texans! Love you so much!

Now this is circa 1990
And the mature professional women we have become.

so far...

so it's spring break (woohoo) and my to-do list is a mile long. but instead of checking something off of my list we went to the park. totally worth it.

mr. helpful

i was in the car today with abby and hudson. hudson had a cup of ice and abby wanted some. so the arguing began. i finally coerced hud into giving abby the cup so she could get a piece with the promise that she would give it right back. of course, she didn't, so the arguing resumed. since i start my patience tank at about 30% by the time i see them after teaching all day i just wanted quiet so i reached the counting to 3 stage pretty quickly. i said "abby, give the cup to hudson." and she refused so i said,"i'm counting to 3..." and hudson pipes in "1...2...4!"

so proud.

just another saturday night

Andy went to play poker with some friends last night so it was my job to amuse all 3 punks. Hudson has recently discovered The Incredibles so he was happy upstairs watching that. Abby has been hounding me to let her paint these little puppies she got for her birthday. Say the word "paint" and Jake comes running, even if it is girly diva puppies. Abby is always more than happy to include her big brother so they had some sweet (and cooperative) sibling time. I took pictures for proof. :)

Amazing

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. - Washington Irving

To her the name of father was another name for love. -Fanny Fern

I came across these quotes today and wanted to remember them because they so perfectly describe how I feel about my mom and dad. I have gotten pretty consumed with my own stresses and life situations here at home, but through it all my parents have been just awesome. They are incredible. And I pray now that the sadness and frustration that they are dealing with will be replaced by peace and joy. They are wonderful parents, they have raised us in the way of the Lord, and I want them to be proud of that.

I love you both so very much...thank you for everything.

something new

so i am finally attempting to learn how to upload videos to you tube, my blog, etc. here is my first attempt.