My Little Swimmers

These two love the pool and summer time snacks by the water. So thankful for all the fun times at the pool this summer.

Color UP

 

Yesterday Morning I participated in the Color UP 5k that was in Temple at Lions Park. A 5k at the end of June in Texas..... in one word, HOT!!!

I heard about this April and thought it would be fun to do with some friends. There were actually going to be 6 of us doing it together, but some how it dwindled. Thankfully, Lacy did not leave me. Anyone that does a 5k with you in June at 8:30 on a Saturday morning at Lions Park (so many hills) is a true friend in my book. Thanks, Lacy for sticking with me.

We showed up to the the race all nice and clean and we left with sweat and a nice array of colors all over us. But what would a color run be with out color bomb (colored powder) stations through out the course. I was very impressed with the turn out. This is the first time that the Color Up has come to Temple, and I think it was a huge success. I had a lot fun and I'm just thankful that I survived the heat and hills. Lions park is a challenging course. What a great weekend with good friends and lots of fun colors. A great way to gear up for the 4th of July.       

 

 

Ryan and the kids were there for the entire race, as well. I had a great group of cheerleaders.  Thankfully there was a playground close by and they ran in to some friends who's Mommy was doing the race, too.  

Of course I had to get a before and after shot. I'm still not sure how Lacy stayed so clean, well she did tell me after it was over that she used me as her human shield. ;) I think it worked. I mean you would have thought I rolled in the blue powder, which several participants did get down and roll in the colors. I promise you I was not one of those people. Just a lucky shot with blue.

 

 

Forever Friend

Friday evening my College Roommate and Best Friend, Rebekah came in to town with her family. It had been a year and half since I had seen her last so it felt so good to see her. New Orleans is just too far away. Our house was the perfect place to make a pit stop and even spend the night with us before continuing on their journey this morning.
There is something so special and fun about seeing a "old" friend. We may not talk as much as we used to but we can always pick up right where we left off and laugh a lot. We have so many priceless and precious memories together and it is even more special to be able to watch our children play and interact together.
I am so thankful for Rebekah and her friendship. She is a true blessing and I will be for ever thankful for her.  

Summer Fires

I feel so safe at home during the summer with these two with me. They have really enjoyed wearing fire hats and playing with the water house, pretending to put out fires.... of course.

Faithful Servant

Once again I stare at this picture and I am at a loss for words. One thing I know for sure is I'm thankful to be able to call this amazing women, Gramma. To Tyler and Georgia Kate she is Amma.
On Sunday, June 16 my sweet Gramma died peacefully here in Temple. I was able to spend some special time with her at the hospital and my day would not be complete with out visiting her so I went everyday.
Amma was such a giver and she had the biggest and most amazing heart. She loved her family more than anything in the world and would do anything for us. She especially loved and adored her 14 Great Grand children. I know for a fact that Ty and Georgia Kate always put a smile on her face.
In October my Mom moved Amma to Temple from San Diego and we were all so thankful for the past several months we had with her. Such a blessing and one I will cherish always. Amma loved when Tyler, GK, and Copper would come visit her. Yes, our dog. Amma loved dogs, so Cooper usually with us when we went to visit her. Such precious memories we were able to create with Amma during her time with us, and I love of the memories from my childhood that I have her.
Amma was a true gift to me and so many others. Now every time when I think of Heaven I think of Amma and smile. She was a faithful servant with a joy filled heart.
Once again we are reminded of how precious life is so enjoy every minute and strive to do your best at everything and in everything you do, do it with a happy heart and a smile. We love and miss you Gramma/Amma.

 Philippians 1: 3-6
 I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 


 

Sharing

I always try to teach Tyler and Georgia Kate the importance of sharing. Well, I guess they are listening which is good. However, they shared the one thing I really don't like them sharing... GERMS!

All last week Ty was not really himself, so Thursday evening Ryan took Ty to the Urgent Care Clinic and he ended up having a throat infection. We got him on the antibiotics and he started acting like himself in no time. So thankful for that. 

 The Doctor did caution Ryan that it is contagious and she was right. Yesterday evening we did a repeat of Thursday with Georgia Kate. And the Doctor told me the same thing about it being contagious, and I feel like I am coming down with something.... NO!! 

 GK is starting to perk back up, as well. So thankful for a Clinic where we get walk right in and get taken care of quickly at the end of the day. We also found that Wallgreens lets you add a flavor of your choice to your medicine, well for a small charge. We think it is worth it for sure. Makes taking medicine a little smoother. 

Hopefully, Ty and GK have learned their lesson about sharing.... germs that is! 

Crossfit Family

Tyler was able to attend all three days of Crossfit Kids last week. Since we had the cousins in town, and Ty was the only one in class last week Coach Sally let Jacob, Callie, and Caleb participate. They all loved it and I enjoyed having 30 minutes not having to entertain and keep busy. Ryan took the day off last Thursday which I was so thankful for. It was niece to have the extra hands during the day to help. Crossfit Kids was so much fun last week and Georgia Kate loves trying everything, as well. Such a fun break from the summer heat.  

Ty is going to miss all this week due to another Vacation Bible School he is attending during the morning this week. 

 

 

Georgia Kate adores Crossfit Kids. Don't worry Poppy,  Coach Sally barely pushed GK on the sled... it was very slow. ;) GK has really perfected the art of Burpee!

After Crossfit kids on Thursday we celebrated with going to Lions Junction Water Park. Another Favorite spot for all. We stayed very, very busy last week. But it worked and we all survived. Even if I was in bed by 9pm on Friday evening. Exhausting but fun.

Impact

Picture overload for the next couple of posts. All the cousins went home on Friday evening after the Impact Carnival at our church so I think we are finally back to normal. Which feels great. Tyler was gone the week before and last week we had 3 extra kids, so it has been nice to be back to our family of 4 at home.

What a week we had hosting Impact (Backyard Bible Club) for the second time. We had a smaller turn out at our house this year but the youth were really able to connect with our bunch and it was so much fun to see all the faces light up every evening. However, overall there were over 1,000 kids touched by Impact last week. God is really doing some amazing work in our community and it is awesome to see.

Last Wednesday was Wet N Wild Wednesday which is always a favorite. I snapped some pictures of them playing fun water games and of course sliding on the Slip N Slide. Georgia Kate really enjoyed Impact as well and tried to do everything the big kids were doing. She did not want to miss out on a thing.

Such a fun week with family and neighbors.    

Caleb, Jacob, Tyler, and Callie. What a wild bunch of Cousins. 

Team Yellow! What a fantastic group of TBC youth. Our team loved them. 

Lights, Camera, Action

Every Wednesday our Movie Theater has a $1 Movie day. They showed The Smurfs, today. I decided this would be a fun treat for all the kids. I was very nervous about how Georgia Kate would do at a movie since she is still a little too young, well she was great at the very beginning. I mean who wouldn't be great for some movie popcorn.
Needless to say the movie popcorn did not keep her interest for long, and neither did the movie. ;) GK was a huge fun of the movie lobby and running up and down the hall ways. Thank goodness because we were out there for a little over a hour. Well, I did bring her back in to the theater right before the credits started and she started dancing, clapping, and shouting yay! I think GK likes the beginning a movie with a little popcorn and the end of the movie with music. Well, not sure what the movie was like but I heard it was good. ;)

Trophy Sister

Last Thursday was the Trophy Presentation for Tball. Tyler was out of town and we felt that we needed someone to represent Tyler. Well, what better person that his sister. Georgia Kate was tickled pink and did such a wonderful job filling in for Tyler. She was very proud of this trophy and carried it everywhere with her for the rest of the evening. I finally had to take it away from her, because I was afraid she might destroy before Tyler got to see it.
Tyler was very excited about seeing his trophy when he got home on Sunday. It is favorite one along with his basketball trophy. Well, we are surviving our week with 3 extra kids. It is very busy and we are always on the go doing exciting activities. We have already done lots of bike rides, Crossfit Kids, swimming, parks, field trip to Ryan's school,and a splash pad. We still have a movie and water park left on the agenda, and I'm sure some more of what has already been done. Thankfully, we are hosting our Churches Back Yard Bible Club this week so our evenings are busy.
The kids minus GK are ending their evening with popcorn and movie. A perfect ending to a fun and sometimes dramatic/tear filled day. ;)

Mom and Me

On Wednesday afternoon I dropped Tyler off in Hillsbro with Ryan's Mom so Tyler could spend a few days in Keller with Ryan's family and go to VBS at their church. He has been having a blast but we ready for our biggest to be home.
Georgia Kate has had fun at home with just us, but I know she will be thrilled to see Tyler tomorrow. It was just me and Georgia Kate at swim on Thursday and Poppy made a surprise visit to watch GK in action. Thursday might have been her best day at swim, the last day.... of course. Poppy snapped some more pictures for us. We had a great two weeks of summer and will be hitting the pool a lot because it is already very hot.
We pick up Tyler (plus 3 more) tomorrow afternoon. We can't wait to see him. Our house is not the same with out him.
Our house will be a very full house tomorrow with 3 of Ty and GK's Cousins staying with us for a week. We will be very busy but I know fun will be had by all.

Action

Ryan took off work on Monday so he could be with Tyler on his first day at Crossfit Kids and then be able to watch Tyler and Georgia Kate during swim lessons. Of course Ryan came to swim lessons on a day that GK was not really in the mood to swim. She was in, she was out, and then she finally had a meltdown. I mean look at her she fit the part perfectly with her goggles on. ;) Tyler was great, he really enjoyed his lessons this year. But with everything, some days are better thank others. At least I was finally able to get a few action shots.

And of course the last three days of swim lessons this week, Georgia Kate was great and stayed in the water the whole time. You just never know at this age.   

 

 

Father's Day Post

I recently had the privilege of writing a blog post for the
 Hope Mommies blog.
I am so thankful for this organization and all that it does.
 I loved having the opportunity to share a little about our journey.
 Here is my post:

Posted on June 11, 2013

by Holly Steele

“It’s a boy!” were the words we heard for the second time on a beautiful March afternoon. I could see the huge smile on Ryan’s face without even looking at him. I am sure he was already day dreaming about all the sports they were going to be playing in the backyard and probably sizing up which of our boys would play pitcher or catcher. Those hope and dreams that my husband, Ryan had for our littlest never came true. However, words can’t explain how proud he was of Landry that he fought and held on as long as he did. He wanted to show him off to the world…. He just ran out of time.
When Ryan and I said I do on July 2, 2005 we never dreamed that we would have a baby that died. I had always heard that a death tears some couples apart and makes others stronger. I am so thankful for the lesson Landry taught us about love and life. Landry made us love stronger and taught us that life is precious so enjoy every moment you have together. I also know that I would not have been able to get through losing Landry without Ryan.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8

Grieving was another cycle that we had to work through together, and it took me learning that we both grieve differently to understand how much the loss of my son hurt my husband. I really feel like the important thing to remember is, there is no certain way to grieve. We all do it differently, and you don’t need to get upset if your husband cries less. It doesn't mean that he does not love or miss your child. It is important that that you deal with it. Don’t run away from God during this time. I understand the pain and the anger and hurt, but you cannot do this on our own. Pray. Pray together. Pray for God’s help, for his wisdom, for Him to give you faith and hope.
As Father’s Day approaches please remember to love and thank your husband and thank them for being a wonderful Father. They love and miss your child just as much as you do, and they had hopes and dreams for your child just as you did.
I truly believe that it takes a very special person to be the Father of a precious child in Heaven. You are blessed.