A Day At The Lake

KC and Cinco enjoying a wild ride on the tube.

Tyler's all time favorite was to climb on the boat and jump off..... he repeated this several times.

Tyler, Hudson, and Cinco all ready to jump in!

KC with her two boys! We adore this precious, family.

Me and KC at the end of our time on the lake. The kids ate lots of fruit snacks and fed Cheetos's to the fish by the Doc after we got off the boat to head home, so I would call today a huge success.

Well, our Sunday did not really slow down either but in my eyes that was fine by me because we had a fabulous day. Our good friends, The Brashear's invited us out on their boat this afternoon, so after church we headed home for a quick change and then we hit the Lake.

This was Ty's first adventure on a boat and at first he was a little unsure of everything, but it did not take him long to warm up once we docked the boat for some swimming in the Lake. Tyler, Cinco, Hudson, and Sydney had a blast. The only thing we could not get Tyler to do was get on the tube. Ryan and KC rode on it with Cinco and Hudson, but no so luck with Tyler this time around.

Overall our adventure on Belton lake was a blast and hopefully we can do it again. Thank you Price and KC for such a wonderful Sunday outing. After the lake we headed home to clean up for Bible Study.... now it is time to rest for our week ahead.

On The Go

I thought weekends were meant to be relaxing, but the end of July means that August is right around the corner which means Back to School, and lots of last minute Summer Fun activities.
Our last two days have have been jam packed with so many activities. Here is a little sample of our weekend so far.
Yesterday Morning I hosted my first Orient Expressed Home Show for two good friends. I loved filling our house with so many cute children's clothes. I adore this clothing line, and Ty has a lot of their stuff but you should see the girl clothes! So cute. Yes, Tyler and Georgia Kate already have their Christmas outfits and PJ's (matching of course). Ghee also came over for a little bit to browse at all the cuteness. Needless to say, Georgia Kate got a lot of precious outfits. It felt good to finally get her some outfits, it has really taken me a while to get to this point..... It is still baby steps, but everyday brings us one day closer to her.
After a full day of clothes we got the house ready for round number two of guests. Salado ISD has a new Superintendent this year. So, we had the new Superintendent and his family over for dinner. They are new to the area have 3 boys, so Tyler loved running around with them in our backyard. It was a wonderful evening of meeting new friends.
This Morning started early as I made my way to the Second Hand Rose for some extreme cleaning and reorganizing. Our store looked so good after we left, around noon. I never knew cleaning could be so fun but when you are surrounded by some great friends it makes getting dirty worth it.
Birthday Party and Bounce Houses was the theme for our afternoon. Ty's friends Keifer and Lily celebrated their Birthday's today so we had a full afternoon with good friends and cup cakes. We adore the Marshall family and we had a blast celebrating Keifer and Lily.
Now I am ready for bed! So thankful for new and old friends. Weekends spent with close friends are the best weekends in my book. Clean Up, Clean Up!

Soccer Mom

Well, it looks like I will be a Soccer Mom again this Fall. We got Tyler all signed up this week to be in Fall Soccer League. We got signed through Centex Storm, which is our Fall and Spring outdoor league. You have to be 4 to play, so we finally made the cut this year. Several of Tyler's friends have played on this league before, and we had some new friends sign up with us this year so it is going to be a fun and busy Fall for our household. This Season last a lot longer than the indoor league Tyler was apart of this Spring.... Tyler will hopefully grow and learn so much this Fall.
I love all of these firsts with Tyler! Tyler loves telling everyone he sees that his Mom signed him up for Soccer.

We Made It

Yesterday, July 26 marked Landry's One Year in Glory. One full year, but to me that means I am one year closer to Landry.
I am not sure where or who I thought I would be when this day arrived: Better, Stronger, Healed, Still Broken..... thankfully, I do not have to define myself because Jesus knows right where I am.
This month has held a variety of emotions for me; Joy in celebrating our biggest turning 4 and then all sudden I would have this crushing feeling deep down in side of me as Landry's Birthday and Heaven day approached and then passed. I am so thankful that Jesus knows and accepts my pain, and he washes away all of my tears. Jesus loves me and he can handle my pain and anger, in fact he wants me to give him all of my emotions... good and bad.
Some of you have walked this road with us for a entire year through countless "firsts" without Landry. Thank you for loving us, praying, and carrying us through this year. We are so thankful for each and everyone of you. I know our journey through grief is not over, or is our story over. In a way I see it as a beginning of a new chapter (Chapter 2). We love you, Landry James and we are not complete without you, but we know one day we will be complete when we see you in Heaven.

All my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began. Psalm 139:16

The BIG 4

Happy 4th Birthday Day, Tyler Justin Steele! I am still in schock that you are 4, and I am afraid to blink because I know this year will go by all too fast and you will be 5 before I know it.

Tyler, I love you so much and thank God for you daily. You have brought so much JOY and HOPE to me this year when I could not to find way to smile or go on. Tyler, you kept going this year and were always there with your sweet smiles and big hugs when my arms were aching and I had a heavy heart.

Tyler you are turning in to such a sweet boy and I love your big heart. You are the most amazing BIG Brother around, and it takes a special Brother to love a Little Brother in Heaven. I am so thankful that God is giving you a Little Sister to love, because I know GK will love, adore, and amire you.

Can't wait to see what this year holds for you, sweet boy and I will be there every little step of the way to love, encourage, smile and of course laugh with you. You are such a ray of Sunshine in our lives and we are so thankful for you and count you as one of our greatest gift.

12 Balloons

Our Sunday was filled with so many special balloon releases for our sweet Landry, but in my eyes Landry deserves all of the balloons in the world.
We decided against taking Ty to the Cemetery during Landry's Celebration, because we know how distracting it can be when he is there and we wanted to be able to focus on Landry. Therefore, we got 12 balloons just for Tyler to send to Landry later in the afternoon.
When we arrived at the Cemetery we told Tyler how today was Landry's Birthday, and then Ghee asked if he wanted to sing Happy Birthday to Landry, and he thought that was a great idea. We all got around Landry's site and sang Happy Birthday. It was truly one of the most amazing moments of the whole day. I loved hearing Tyler's sweet voice singing Happy Birthday to his Brother.
I am so thankful Tyler and his sweet heart. I have adored watching Tyler sending balloons to Heaven this year...... those are precious memories that I will always hold close to my heart.

Landry's Celebration

Yesterday we celebrated Landry's life with family and close friends. Our family has been so blessed and humbled through out this year and yesterday was another opportunity for us to see the great impact that Landry has made in so many lives.
I wanted to plan something special for Landry, but I just did not know what I wanted to do, well just like all year my friends took over and took care of every little detail. Thank you, Thank you.
We started Landry's celebration with a special tribute at his Grave Site complete with 43 balloons, and we continued the celebration at our house with Cake and amazing fellowship.
We are so thankful for all of our amazing family members who came in from out of town to celebrate Tyler and Landry, and of course to our friends who have been a true support system for us this year.
Yesterday was so hard, but all the love that we received from so many special individuals was just a reminder that we are never alone, and Gods love for us is so strong. Landry was only with us for 43 hours but he impacted so many lives and hearts in such a short time, and to me that is the greatest gift around. The day was memorable and so special all because of the hearts of some amazing friends that I am blessed to have in my life. Thank you; Jen, Heidi, and Pam. I love you all so much.Love.Thank you, Jen for your amazing heart over this past year. I love you so much, and I am so thankful for our special friendship that was formed all because of Landry.

Ghee, Uncle John, and Aunt Carol.Sending our 43 balloons to Heaven. Gods love and mercies are shining down on us.

Breathtaking.

Christina with Weston, Laura, and Heather

Ryan with Robb, and Rob.

We also went back later that evening with Tyler for our 12 month balloon release, and I will share our special family moment in another post.

It's A FOUR Alarm Fire!

This year we decided to celebrate Tyler's Birthday at the Fire Station! What better way to celebrate a Birthday, especially for our biggest who adores all Firetrucks. It was really a fun and easy way to throw a party, and it is FREE. We got a special hands on tour that the kids loved, and then we ended the party with cupcakes and a Pinata. I was wanting something easy this year, and boy was it ever. I loved all the kids walking around with their plastic fire hats, which I ordered for the party, and of course I could not not get Tyler to take it off all week at home, but then when it came down to the party he did not want to put it on.... oh, well.
Tyler loved everything about his special day, and he was surrounded by lots of family and good friends, so I know he felt very special.

Ty with his Cousin, Jacob.The kids loved the tour and looking at all the cool trucks.

Soaking it all in. Ty's favorite was the grass fire truck. The Fireman showed the kids how it squirts water from the truck.

Covering his ears when the siren went off. A real Fire Fighters hat. They also let the kids put on the coats, but Ty did not want to do that.Cupcake and Candle time. Ty really loved everything about this part. I loved seeing his face light up when everyone sang to him. Pure JOY.

Pinata time!Trying to get all the candy. We loved every minute of watching our biggest celebrate his 4th Birthday Party. We love you so much, Tyler Justin. We can't wait to celebrate with you again tomorrow on your real Birthday. I adore how you have been reminding me all day what tomorrow is.

Happy Birthday

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24


Today we celebrated the life of our littlest, and what a beautiful celebration it was. I am still in awe of this precious boy, that I am blessed to call my Son. Landry James is truly one of my greatest gifts.
Happy First Birthday in Heaven, Landry James. We love you and miss you so much, but we are so proud of you, and the legacy that you are carrying on.

The Rest Of The Story

LegoLand just opened up a new Star Wars section. Ryan is a huge fan, so I am sure this stop was his favorite, and we of course got our picture with a Dark Vader. Ryan said that this should be our Christmas Card picture.... Hmmmm...... We will see about that. Tyler is not a Stars Wars fan just yet, he always tells Ryan. "I don't like Star Wars". I am sure Ryan is counting down the days until they can watch their first movie together...
These pictures wrap it up for our LegoLand visit. I truly loved watching Ty light up and just want to go and and see, and of course ride lots of fun rides. Some of my favorite memories will be from our time at LegoLand, California. Flying high!

Poppy and his new friend.

Ty loved seeing Bob The Builder when we got out of our 4D IMAX Movie.

Ty did this twice, and he went up all by himself. We love sliding.Madison, Ty, Sophia, and Ryan all screams. I was in line with them, when we red that this ride was not suitable for Pregnant Women.... this happened with a few of the rides. Well, it was fun to watch and snap pictures.

We had such a wonderful LegoLand experience, and I can't wait to go back. Next time we will do the Water Park. They did had Splash Pad areas and mini water slides at the park that Ty tested out, but they also have a separate Water park..... that would take a whole other day.

Next up sometime you will follow us to the San Diego Zoo and the Beach!

Tomorrow is a BIG day for our Biggest, as we will be celebrating with Tyler at his 4th Birthday Party! I will keep his theme a secret....