Big Kid Adventure (Vacation post 4)

One of the major reasons for a January trip to St. Louis was at the request of Fr. Tom. We have been the best of friends for 23 years. We met after being seated across from each other on a bus ride for the March for life. He called this November and insisted that it was time to take the four older kids on a March. They are very pro-life and have always wanted to go. In fact Pooker went when she was 9 years old. Fr. Tom felt that it would be a perfect time considering Bear and Sugar will be Confirmed in a few months and that Goobers was Confirmed last year. As said before this is a hard time for our family financially, January after Christmas is always tight. I instructed the kids to earn their spending money. Through the generosity of friends my kiddos set out to work. They earned their spending money and money for warm clothes and supplies. The top picture was mine the rest I took from the kiddos. I won't even try to explain the pictures as I was not there. All I can say is that I am very very very very proud of my kiddos and very thankful to Fr. Tom. The reports are that the kiddos had a wonderful time, except for the time when they got sick. My children also had the pleasure of meeting new friends (ironically two of them are the daughter and son of a friend I met years ago through pro-life connections) that I suspect they will be close to for the rest of their lives. Most importantly they stood up to be counted as Americans that want our laws to protect all people those born and those not yet born!

















“You have been, have become and remain the genuine leaders and pioneers of this March for Life and this vigil Liturgy. To the astonishment of nature, of the chattering classes and of disinterested and jaded media, you have continuously come forward here and throughout the places where you live to be unflagging witnesses to the inestimable worth of each human person.” encouraged Cardinal DiNardo the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston during the Homily in Washington D.C.

Pooker, Goobers, Bear and Sugar you are genuine leaders! We
are proud of you and love you very much!

J's Family Dinner (Vacation post 3)

J was thrilled to have his whole family together. We visited this summer but only brought the three little ones. He was determined to spend the evening with his family all together. In the end it was a wonderful time. J is so thankful to each of them for venturing out on a "snow day". We arrived first and had a little time with dad's mom and dad. Then it was so exciting as each sibling arrived. The food was all of J's favorites from ham to soup but not to exclude chicken wings. It was fun and yummy.It was good to see all the boys together again. J is the big brother. He just loved sitting back and just enjoying the company of his brothers.

Jumba wasn't sure how to act around someone smaller than him. It was so cute. He really did choke poor George. He was trying to help him. Jumba was cute to watch as he tried to love on the little ones. The little ones were very patient with him and loved him back. Everyone just enjoyed spending time together. I loved that my kiddos got to finally spend time with cousins.






It was so heart warming to watch the kiddos getting along, eating together and chatting away. After a great dinner it was time for picture taking. The entire clan had not been under the same roof in just over 3 years. The last family picture sits above the mantel and it was from Uncle Brent and Aunt Julie's wedding.
This is the next generation. All those wonderful grandkids.

They loved having Nanny and Gramps with them.
Then it was time for each family to get their shots. Here the Texas T's are with Nanny and Gramps.J was the oldest, so here is his clan. I think you might already know the Texas T's.Aunt Nikki, Uncle Jim, Aiden and Liam. Aunt Erica, Uncle Michael, Allie and George.
Uncle Brent, Aunt Julie and Brady.

Uncle Ross the youngest of the five. He is single and living large.

The entire T clan. Nanny and Gramps have a lot to be proud of. This picture is full of wonderful loving people that adore each other and the children. J really did love this night. Time with his sibling and their children, that is what family is all about. Not to mention that we are a cute group of people!

Snow Days (Vacation Post 2)

All my friends know how much I love snow. You can imagine my joy in finding out that a small snow storm was heading our way. Then it came and we got several inches of snow. It started to fall at night. It was so beautiful. We were all so excited. Then KeeKee and Uncle Mike told us that their kiddos would probably not have school the next day. It was like a wonderful gift from heaven.

My kiddos got to spend the entire next morning and afternoon playing in the cold air, building snow men, having snow ball fights and sneaking inside to warm up. They played with their cousins and spent time my Mimi and KeeKee, Uncle Mike, TimTim and Miss Em.

This was the first time that Jumba really got to experience the snow. He loved it in very short doses. It got better after his KeeKee found some old winter clothes from her kiddos.

As the snow first came down we made delicious drinks using snow and coke.

Those first few days was so much fun.

Everyone loved this time.

We even had to laugh at the matching outfits of Possible and her Uncle Mike.

The white stuff is so pretty. It makes everything clean and simple.

My family was so sick of it but I was so thankful to see it.

Possible had a plan, she knew that a snow man was a priority.

These pictures bring back a flood of memories of a time with me and my sisters and brother growing up.


So much love! Maybe that is why I enjoy the snow so much. Memories of fun and joy.






Then the time came to get to the airport and pick up Pooker. My crowd was thrilled to see her. It had only been a few days but we missed her so much. It was wonderful to have the entire family together. I am so not ready to have Pooker all grown up. Our family is just not complete until we are all together. I know that J and I instantly felt better when she got into the car and we were complete again.

Thank you God for a beautiful snow day.

Thank you for my wonderful family.

Thank you for the new memories.

Heading North (Vacation post 1)

The trip was planned for months. Traveling in January is hard for our family. So close to Christmas this adventure came with it's own expenses. The weather in St. Louis was calling for snow and ice and we were leaving weather in the 60's. After purchasing jeans, pants, long sleeve shirts, sweat shirts, coats and gloves we packed it all up and loaded the trailer. I love going to visit my family and I love my ties in St. Louis. I also love the colder weather. All that being said I dreaded this trip. J reminded me that everything would work out and he was right as always. There was going to be so much going on that I struggled to enjoy this trip.
It was fun to watch the kiddos work together to make it all work. They all helped with all aspects of planning, shopping and packing. My wonderful children also helped me to focus. They reminded me to have a good time. Even while in the car headed north we played in the colder weather, we laughed and we looked forward to the snow that we would see.

Now that would be a scary sight. Goobers, are you really ready to drive?

Two of the boys just waiting to see the snow.

Silly girls, we did miss Pooker though. She stayed behind to start her winter classes. I think that might just be one of the reasons I wasn't too keen on going. No big surprise, Pooker was fine. she had the house clean, worked, went to class and left to join us without issue.

I am still thankful to friends that let us borrow their trailer. Renting one was just going to be too costly but we really needed the room. All that luggage would not have been comfortable in the car with us.

If I was smarter I would remember to enjoy the adventure more and worry about the details less. Thanks to my kiddos and my hubby who remind me of that every day!