More ICE.

Here's a few more pictures from our adventure at the Gaylord....

If you have never been, you should really go check it out... it's so neat!

Ice with Nona!

The weekend before Christmas Ben and I went to my parents house to celebrate with the Kilgore side of the family. Unfortunately Jason had to work, so he wasn't able to go with us. Just like last year, we went to the Gaylord to see ICE. This year Ben really took everything in and was trying to understand why it was so, "Cooooooooooooooold"!

(Again, I'm still having problems uploading here, I'll keep working on it!)

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

Our Snow

As you all know, it snowed pretty hard here in South Texas... hard to believe, I know. Ben was really curious about the snow, but decided it was not for him. I guess he's going to be a warm weather guy like his daddy!

Blogging Gaps...

I've had so much trouble trying to upload pictures to my blog.  By the time I fight with the pictures, it seems useless to just put text on the blog.  I finally uploaded a blog editing software to my computer, so hopefully this will help me to accomplish more blogging!  Here's to hoping... more to come soon... upload willing!

A Lot of Laughs...

Despite all the sadness and craziness lately we have had SO many laughs with Benjamin. He cracks us up on a daily basis. Let me share a couple stories with you...

One Sunday night when Jason was gone playing softball I was giving Ben his bath. Well trying to anyway. He had a poopy diaper, so I went to flush the "evidence" and before I could get back to Ben he had gotten loose, dirty booty and all! He ran and grabbed his fire truck and was riding around the house. By the time I got my camera, this is what I found....

You'll be happy to know the fire truck has been FULLY sanitized since this incident, but holy mackerel it was funny. The worst part was that there was no one else home to share the laugh with!!

Now, this story is two parted. First of all, Ben and I were in HEB grocery shopping and he saw this "bear" and kept barking (he barks at anything that resembles a dog) and reaching for this "bear". I usually let him hold on to things just to get a little smile and a short time later he's ready to leave the item behind. The reason I keep saying "bear" is because this "bear" was a kid leash. Those things I used to think were so terrible when I saw people using them. Ben didn't care. He sweetly kept hugging the bear and wouldn't let it go. When we got to the check out, there was no taking this animal from him. He wasn't throwing a fit, but he just looked so concerned and sad that the bear was leaving him. I asked him to let the lady scan the bear and told him he would get it right back. So he gently handed it to the cashier and then put his arms out wanting it back. He held it in his lap the whole drive home and carried it around the house in the box until I could free it from captivity (the box).

That afternoon, I let Ben try the bear on and he LOVED having the bear on his back. So we let him run around outside in it (on Jason's watch). It has been raining so much lately and the wind blew his kiddie pool over and allowed it to be filled with rain. I was working on something on the computer when Jason called across the house, "Come look at YOUR son!" I grabbed the camera and ran! This is what I found....

Life is so funny... so full of laughter... I love it!

Lessons in Loss

The last few months have been, well, crazy. It's been up and down and down again, but somehow it's been a blessing all the same.

As many of you know I have been working hard to help plan a benefit for Paul Horn (my sister-in-law's father). He has been battling prostate cancer and in turn endured major surgeries and rehabilitation to "re-learn" how to walk. I'm not an emotions person, I guess it's in my DNA. However, that doesn't mean I don't care or have emotions, it just means I don't show them frequently. I feel so blessed to be able to help in such a small way by organizing the benefit; it's how I know how to give. When I worked, I planned events so I felt called to put my dusty talents to use. One small detail I forgot to pay attention to was that when I worked, that was what I did. My life didn't revolve around a small person who kept a very tight schedule. So let's just say it's been challenging to get the work done during my one to two hour break from Ben that we loving call "nap time"! :o) I'm praying the event is successful and am thankful for the help friends have shown to the Horn family.


In the midst of that, our friend Angie lost her beautiful sister to breast cancer shortly after giving birth to her miracle baby, Chloe. I have been so touched by their story and display of faith, peace and perseverance. If you have the time, read their story (from the beginning) at www.bandssullivan.blogspot.com. Sara's life has been used by Him to reach so many. I am grateful for their ability to share such a trying and challenging story with such strength.


Last Thursday (my dad's birthday) my dear, dear friends Amy and Brian Crisp lost Brian's dad to cancer. Jim was so young. There really aren't words. It's just terrible. I hurt for my dear friends and their family. I just pray they find peace in their time of loss and pain. Amy and Brian's sweet baby boy, Evan, was born in June. It's obvious God's timing was perfect in his delivery. Jim was able to meet and fall in love with baby Evan and again, for that, I'm grateful.


I'm sorry for the terribly depressing post. This is just where life is right now. I'm so grateful for the ability to be able to find the happiness amongst the sorrow and hope for brighter days.