Notice any thing different?

No not the boat silly...We have gained a new family member! Meet Fletcher, our new 3yr old weimaraner. We adopted him last Wednesday evening from a sweet family who just wanted him to have more love and attention then they could currently give him (Fletcher's First Family).

Surprisingly Fletcher seems to be adjusting extremely well to his new family. He has now become part of our daily routine to take and pick up William from school. All I do is open the back of the explore and he jumps in! He also sits and shakes on command...he does not lick and does not jump on people. He has got a great temperament and I don't even think 'non-dog lovers' could not like this dog!

All this to say, I some how feel we have 'cheated' the system and apart of me feels guilty about it! We are benefiting from someone else's blood, sweat, and tears...someone else's years of dedication. It's like getting a child who is already potty trained and who already says "Yes ma am and Yes sir". Do ya get what I am saying? It just doesn't seem right to me!

We took him to the river house this weekend and he seems to love riding on the boat. He was a little unsure about getting in the boat for the first time but he is an old pro now at loading and unloading. I think he likes the wind in his face : )

We feel extremely blessed and lucky to have such a great, new addition to the family.

Can't wait for you to meet him!

Independent Little Thing

(Note: This might be considered a 'proud parents' posting. I realize not everyone will find the ''ahhh factor' and be as amused as some. Please read at your own discretion and stop whenever you become bored)

In the last few days our little Superman has decided to grow up on us. He has decided that he is going to hit some 'mile stones'.

As good parents, we have been encouraging (or pushing) him to do certain activities for ages now (ok- just a few months). We have been 'encouraging' him so long to do these things that recently we just have stopped trying to convince him how much fun he would have if he would just listen to us.


Well, on Saturday while out on the boat, William decided he was going to hop on a board and ride behind the boat. We were shocked, to say the least. Vim and I have been trying for years to get him to even rid in a tube behind the boat. Not only did he get on the board and ride forever, but he wiped out twice and had to be convinced to take turns.

Then on Monday evening we went to the neighborhood pool. Understand that this is the child that screams if a drop of water gets anywhere near his eyes while in the bath tub. He got all done-up in his snorkeling gear (cause every 4yrs old needs snorkeling gear) and ventured down the stairs of the big pool. Slowly he shed the flippers (mainly because he kept kicking me with them) and the 'breather pipe' (as he calls it). We were left with only a huge mask, 2 sizes too big for him. Then it happened, he decided to go under water. I mean full head and all under the water. He was under the water for 4 whole seconds (I counted)...this was definitely a first for him. He only choked on half the pool a few times but no tears were shed...and that my friend is a good thing.

Finally the strangest and biggest accomplishment was last night. We were outside partly because our kitchen floors are torn apart right now and partly to participate in National Night Out (which we were the only family participating). William walked out, opened the garage, put on his helmet and pads. I asked him what he was doing...he simply stated, quite matter-a-factly that he was going to ride his bike. I said 'ok', since I didn't want to discourage my son from trying. But the facts were that his training wheels had been off since May and he had yet to ride with us holding him up. But he decided it was time, and boy was it time! He got on his bike and rode down the drive way. We were dumbfounded.

I guess when he decides, he decides.

'Our' new hobby...

My boys have found a new hobby and as a supportive wife I go along to document the fun!

But to be honest, I don't get what all the hype is about...

Like a Sponge

Last Wednesday night KSBJ was having one of their free concerts in the Town Square near our house. So we loaded up the cooler with sandwiches, chips and water and headed down to enjoy the 'Brown Bag Festival'. The concert lasted about an hour and a half...but of course, being 4yrs old, our little Superman was able to sit still and watch the concert for about 30 minutes (and that is pushing it).

Towards the end of the evening, the musician, Todd Agnew, had everyone repeating one line of his new song...at this point our little Superman is up and down and on my lap then Vim's and then to his chair and talking to the stranger next to us.
Well, last night we were running some errands and our little Superman requested that we listen to the 'guy from the concert'. Not too long after the CD has been playing, from the back seat we hear this little voice belting out with the CD 'Hallelujah, Glory be to our great God. Hallelujah, Glory be to our great God.'

I have to say nothing has sounded more sweet than to hear the voice of my little one singing so sweet and innocently this worship song. It brought tears to my eyes.
This was the same line we were repeating at the concert nearly a week ago when he was moving around like he had ants in his pants.

Kids are such sponges, they soak up everything around them...even when we don't think they are paying attention...What a huge responsibility God has given us to protect their innocence and to fill their minds with 'whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable...' (Philippians 4:8)

The Value of Time

As I look at these pictures, I don 't know if I should be happy or sad...Happy thinking about the journey and time we have had, happy that we are not changing diapers in disgusting public bath rooms, happy that my arms are not shaking with exhaustion from carrying him across the parking lot...

Or is it sad that the baby face is gone, sad that the feet have gotten so big, sad that my arms only allow me to carry him to the edge of the parking lot...

Its amazing what can happen in 2 years. And amazing that he still likes Converse shoes!

Frio River Here We Come

We made our annual trip to the Frio River this year for the 4th of July celebration. For those of you who know me, I don't do well when things don't go as planned...I don't like 'winging it' and I tend to stress with unexpected surprises (unless of course they are good surprises like an engagement ring or a sky diving trip).

With all that said, I tend to slightly over pack. I like to call it 'Being Prepared'. Hey, you never know what you are going to need when you're out on the road or away from home! Can I get an 'Amen'?

Needless to say, the car was getting full and Vim was getting creative on where our little Superman could sit. Hey, I can take a hint.

Hope you all had a happy 4th!

Our little Superman took part in a 4th of July parade at school. He was slightly apprehensive about participating in the event. But in less than a week he has made his first and second parade appearance! Now I am not sure we will ever be able to watch a parade again...he would rather be in the parade smiling and waving...but honestly I think its the pelting people with candy that he enjoys the most.