The Best

It has been a while since I have bragged on Tyler so today I am going to do just that. The other day Tyler is looking at a framed picture of Georgia Kate when all the sudden he picks it up and starts walking away with it.....
A little while later he comes back in to the room empty handed, so I ask him where he put Georgia Kate's picture and he replied that he put it in his room. Why did you put her picture in your room? I wanted to put it next to Landry's picture because they are my Brother and Sister. :) I adore our Big Brother, he is best! Just yesterday while I was doing stuff on the computer I heard him in his room singing a song about Georgia Kate and Landry. Of course when I ask him to sing it for me he simply got shy and would not sing it. Sweet, sweet boy.
I think Georgia Kate's picture has found a new home, which I can't think of a better place for it to me than in Tyler's room next to Landry's picture.
I have so many pictures to download but I can't seem to get it to work and I keep waiting for my computer savvy husband to help me but I keep forgetting to remind him... maybe tonight. We started our first Soccer practice last night and we have some familiar faces and a few new faces. Ty had a great time and we can't wait for our first game on Saturday Morning. Georgia Kate loved watching, too. I think she will love being a Soccer Sister.

Our Days

I thought I would give you a little glimpse in to what our days are like. They are not too exciting and nothing glamorous so I hope I do not bore you too much. :)
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are school days for Ty so our days start fairly early. Ryan has started a new work out regimen that starts at 5 a.m. so he is out the door before 4:45 and back home by 6:00 to get ready for work. I am completely proud of his determination, because I am still in dream land when he is working out. I get up at 6:00 and get myself ready and everything ready for Tyler and Georgia Kate. Both kids are usually up by 7:00.... I feed GK at 7:00 and after that I get Ty all ready. We try to get out of the house by 7:40 and after I get Ty all dropped off I head to drop GK off with my parents so I can hit my Body Pump class at 8:15 am (so not ready to take GK to the gym just yet.... to many germs.)After I am done working out I head to get GK and we usually run any errands that need to get done before picking up Tyler at 11:45. On Wednesday is my Moms Bible Study day and I am determined to get back there tomorrow. With GK and her nap and feeding schedule I have not been able to go in a while, but hopefully she will be awake tomorrow when I get back from the gym so we can try and make it. After that it is home for lunch. We usually try to stay home for the rest of day so I can make sure GK gets a good afternoon nap. After nap time if the weather is nice (which it has been lately) we usually go on a walk or play outside with our next door neighbor. I try to have dinner ready by 5:45 or 6 pm. Ryan is usually home by 6 pm, and Ty is always so ready to see him. Bath at 6:30 and bottle for GK at 7:00. I always feed her in her room at night because it is always so peaceful and quiet. However, Ryan has started reading stories to Ty during that time so we are all in her room together and I have been loving that special family time. We put GK down first and then we both go and put Ty to bed, and say our nightly prayers... love this special time as well. Once both kids are in bed it is time to clean up, get ready for bed, and relax.
Tuesday and Thursday are always different and our flexible days since Tyler does not have school. Some days we stay home since these days are usually my cleaning and Laundry day. I always seem to get caught up with everything on these days as well, and Ty has come to love just being home so he can play and not have to go anywhere.... he really is not of fan of running errands or going to the grocery store with me, so I try really hard to them on days when I don't have him. However, some days we get to meet up with friends and some days we have lots of errands. Tuesday night is usually a Junior League night for me, but tonight Ty has his first Soccer Practice, and Ryan is the Coach... so Tuesday nights are about to get really hectic. Ryan does not have as many late evenings with work now that sports season is over.... yay!! :)
Well, that is what our days look like. Nothing special but I can honestly say that I am so thankful for Ryan and his job, because it allows me the opportunity to stay home and I love that job.

My Heart Still Aches

Right now, I am sitting in our office listening to Tyler play with his trains (I love hearing him make up stories for his trains) and waiting for the sweet sound Georgia Kate makes when she awakes from her nap. I'm so thankful for Georgia Kate and all of the joy and laughter that she has brought into our lives in the short time she has been here.
Today while catching up on emails I found myself glancing at the pictures I have of our kids in the office trying to see the similarities in all their features, and then I find myself wondering what Landry would be doing/saying if he were here. I miss him so much. I find myself staring at his pictures all the time because I never want to forget one single detail about him. 19 months later I still long for our littlest. I knew I would even with Georgia Kate apart of our family. I know that one child does not replace another. Having another child doesn't stop the hurting, or the longing for Landry. There is no doubt that I am a lot happier now that Tyler and Landry's little sister is here. It took Georgia Kate to make me realize just how incredibly heavy my heart was most of the time last year. I truly was just going through the motions...... Today I feel my heart expanding daily with such intense love and devotion for Georgia Kate and Tyler. The feeling is incredible, and I pray daily to God to give us the opportunity to watch these precious children grow into beautiful individuals. However, all these feelings never ever replace the feeling of intense sadness I feel that one of my son's never got the chance to grow into a big person.
My heart is still continuing to heal, but everyday I strive to walk in HOPE that I will see our beautiful Landry again.

Photo Shoot

A couple of weeks ago my dear friend asked if she could take some 3 months pictures of Georgia Kate and I jumped at the opportunity since she had not had any taken, yet. Our little model did ok but got really fussy every once and while... it is hard work being so cute. Poor girl was not a fan of the tutu we put on her.. well I am going to start putting her in a tutu everyday just she is ready for her first dance class. :)

Thank you KC for capturing some beautiful and priceless pictures of GK. I so love having talented friends. :)

4 Months

Our sweet Georgia Kate has been with our family for 4 months, and I can honestly say that they have been the most rewarding 4 months of my life. I am so in love with this little girl and she has brought so much joy and life back in to my heart.
I truly love everything about these stages where she is exploring everything. She loves to smile, squeal, and we are getting a little laugh out of her every once and a while. She truly is so sweet.
Today she is wearing her rainbow bow that one of my Hope Mommy Friends made for her. I think it fits our GK perfectly.
Rainbow Baby is the term given to the baby that is born after his or her brother or sister went to Heaven. At the end of every storm a beautiful rainbow appears to provide you with peace, hope, comfort, and joy. I am truly blessed to be the Mom of 3 beautiful children!

It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Today was absolutely beautiful so this afternoon after Georgia Kate's nap we hit the pavement for a bike ride and stroll. Ty insisted that he wear his back pack... :) I love beautiful days when I can stroll with 2 of my favorite walking buddies.

Sunday Best

No it is not Sunday anymore, but this week has thrown me for a loop... maybe it was because yesterday was a Holiday, which meant no School for Tyler yesterday or today. I just walked in from a meeting so I will work on catching up tomorrow, but I love these two coordinating cuties. :)

Puppy Love

The other morning I heard squeals coming from Georgia Kate's room after she awoke from her Morning nap, so I walk in to get her and I find her loving on her baby. :) The baby was propped up beside her sleep sheep sound machine, and she knocked both of them down just to get to her little baby. I think GK has found a new love! It is so sweet to watch with her baby... I love when she rolls on her side and takes her baby with her... it looks like she is trying to wrestle with her. It is so sweet how the obsession with dolls starts so early... I love it!

Memories

Last night I had the opportunity to attend Temple High School's production of Les Miserables. I have had the privilege of seeing this famous Broadway Musical several times (on of my favorites) and I did not think I would ever see a High School put on such a huge Musical, but if any High School could do it... Temple High is the one that could! I know I'm bias since I am a Temple High Graduate and former Theater student there, but they have a outstanding Theater Teacher... whom I still adore and admire.
The show was fabulous and the best part was being able to visit with Mrs. Tolleson. Plus I had not been to one of there shows in a very long time. Of course sitting in that audience brought back so many wonderful memories of when I was on that stage.
I am so thankful for all of the wonderful opportunities that Mrs. Tolleson allowed me to explore different characters and become someone else for a few months... :)

Playground

This afternoon we had a fun surprise visit to Westphalia. Ryan forgot his tennis shoes for Athletics and plus he wanted to show off the new playground that he along with several parents and community members installed last week. Tyler could not wait to give it a try, along with the rest of Ryan's students! It was a big it today and will be for a long time to come.
Since we got there during athletics Ty got to work out with the girls and the boys .... today was such a fun afternoon for Tyler and I had a blast watching him with the big kids. Miss GK had fun soaking it all in, and I know she will be crawling and running around that gym and playground soon enough. Plus Ryan's staff had not seen her since she was a week old, so they all loved being able to see how much our sweet girl has grown.
We had such a fun afternoon.... I always love last minute surprise plans. :)

Sitting on the side lines soaking it all in.Tyler working hard.
LOVE.... there is nothing more beautiful and special than and Daddy with his little girl.

Ball Rub

On Saturday Morning the kids and I joined Ghee and Poppy and made our Rockwall to visit family. Ryan stayed home so he could have a nice quiet weekend to work on his dissertation... he really got so much done while we were away, so I will be planning more weekend get aways in the near future. :)
This was Georgia Kate's first trip to Rockwall and first time meeting several family members. She was a big hit! One of the reasons we chose last weekend is my Aunt and Uncle were hosting a Major League Ball Rub... for the Texas Rangers of course! My Cousin is the bull pen Catcher, so this is his job every year..... I have never seen so many balls in my life. There was a house (garage) full ready to help muddy up some balls. Of course our family was all adorned in Texas Ranger gear... GK looked the cutest, she even cot a red bow for the occasion. It was such a fun experience, and I hope we can make this a tradition every year.
If you ask what his favorite part of the weekend was, he will tell you staying at a Hotel and swimming in the Hotel Pool... Ty was a fish and had so much fun. All ready for a fun weekend.

Georgia Kate meeting one of her Great Grandmother's (Ma) for the first time.

Ready to muddy up some baseballs. This was not even the full crowd...

My Cousin, Josh is the one demonstrating how it's done And the Guy that is sitting next to him (with out the hat one) just signed to play for the Houston Astros.

Ghee and my Aunt Rusty Ann. I wish I would have gotten pictures with the rest of her Great Aunts, but there was just too many people.

Of course I had to get Tyler doing what he does best... cannon balls!

And on our way home we were able to meet up with Nana and Papa for lunch. That was a very special treat. Too bad Ty pouted when it was time to take a picture... not always the best sport when it comes to pictures these days.

What a whirlwind trip..... it was so worth it, though! I love getting to show our precious Georgia Kate off to everybody. Thankfully our week has not been to busy, so we have been able to spend some much needed time at home.

Goodnight, Valentine

Loving on her new doll.

Valentine's Day is coming to a end. Tyler and Georgia Kate were showered all day with hugs, kisses, and special Valentine gifts. What a special day it was.

Love

Our three Loves.........

“Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:17-18

Good Morning, Valentine

This little girl has so many Valentine outfits, so be ready for more posts through out the day with many costume changes. :)

Best I could get of two of my Valentine's. Tyler is not always ready and willing to take pictures. :)

Wanting so badly to use the Ipad just like her older brother.

Cold Front

This girl can make bundling up look so cute.

I woud love to write more but I have a meeting tonight, so this is all there is time for today.

Snow?

I was heading back from Dallas this afternoon with my parents and the kids when we got a text from Ryan, stating it was snowing. At first first we could not believe it but the closer we got to home we started seeing flakes falling from the sky (not cold enough to stick, but nonetheless snow was falling from the sky).

I was so excited to get a photo of Georgia Kate outside for her first snow experience, so I rushed to put her in a cute little snow suit.... I did not think she would get to wear it ever, but she did for about 10 minutes. :) Of course the flakes were all about stopped when we got outside, but we got a picture anyway. Now we are inside enjoying a nice fire.

Pictures

I just realized that Georgia Kate is in almost all the pictures I post..... but lets be honest she is a much easier client than Tyler is some days. :)

Theme Of The Day

Yellow has been the theme of the day at our house. Tyler got his first yellow card at school today.

Tyler told me as soon as we were walking to the car after I picked him up how he got a yellow card, and I asked him why and he said "because I was not listening". I was shocked and very proud of his honesty because I never would have known if Tyler had not said anything to me. I called his Teacher to confirm, and indeed he got a yellow card. We had a long talk and some time out time when we got home. Later in the day we decided to work on a card to give to his Teacher apologizing for not listening... I helped write and Ty told me what to say.

Having a issue with Ty's behavior has never been a concern of ours. We are always told how sweet he is. I guess there is a first time for everything. However, I am hoping this trend does not continue. Yellow is not a theme I like when it comes to Tyler... I prefer Green. :)

Wordless Wednesday