A Few Words

I'm bummed because I can't download any pictures from my camera! Either Allie's sucking on the cord or my not-s0-gentle handling of my camera has it not working correctly. Well, hopefully Brian can figure out what's wrong! Until then, no pictures. And I have some really cute ones to share!

I'll have to share something else though for now. This is a quote from my Bible study yesterday morning. I'm doing What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. It's about radical obedience, which has been wonderful during this season of life!

How easy it is to obey partially. Obeying just enough to give the right Christian appearance is not the obedience God desires. He looks past all the outside trappings and misguided intentions straight to the heart. He wants our full attention and absolute devotion.
Lysa TerKeurst

What a bold statement that I so desperately need to remember daily. There are some areas in which I have no trouble obeying. There are other areas that I struggle with and don't mind admitting that I struggle with them. Then there are areas that I would like people to think I obey God fully in, but in reality, I struggle with them too. Does that make any sense?

Recently God asked me to give up two things. They are both things that took my focus off of Him. The first thing is something that I love. But it is something tangible. Even though I want it badly, it's relatively easy to stay away from it because I said yes to God when He told me to give it up. The other thing is not something tangible. I guess you could say it has to do with my tongue. Even though I desire to give it up, I still struggle. I slip up and go back to old habits, but not always. A week or so ago, Brian told me about something that I perceived as a huge injustice. I wanted so badly to let everyone know about how unfair this situation was for Brian. But God reminded me that doing so would serve no purpose. I succeeded in being obedient in that one situation. Victory! And I know it was not on my own, because on my own I'd still be ranting about that situation and thinking about how wrong it was. It was all God. Isn't He awesome? Now if I could only be consistently obedient. That's a daily commitment.

And as we wait for the job God has for Brian, we grow more and more excited to see what His plans are! Brian had two wonderful interviews this week. One of these jobs could be it! Hopefully we'll know soon. And hopefully I can share some pictures soon. Until then, you get just words from me!

Time Out for an Update

Things are busy around here! I'm taking the boys to my parents today to stay for the weekend. Allie and I are coming back tomorrow to get ready for a garage sale. I would love to add some pictures to this post, but unfortunately my camera and computer are not getting along at the moment. Here are just a few things that have been going on around here this week!

Coleman got some Laffy Taffy at his school carnival and enjoyed the jokes on the wrapper. He informed me that he is going to be a Laffy Taffy man when he grows up and write jokes. This is the joke he came up with:

Coleman: Why did the little boy run away from home?
Mommy: Why?
Coleman: To join the army!
Mommy: That's funny because little kids can't join the army!
Coleman: Well, it's a kid army.

He went on to explain the joke a little more, and I told him I didn't think that would fit on the wrapper. Maybe he can work a little more on his jokes before he heads to Laffy Taffy headquarters for an interview.

Speaking of interviews, things are really happening with Brian's job search! There was an opportunity in Austin, but that door has been closed. We're still waiting to hear about the job in Clear Lake (which is about 40 minutes from our house). Brian got a call from a recruiter for a company in Houston and went and met with him last night. He's going in for an interview early next week! Then later in the week he'll be flying to the Atlanta area for an interview! Maybe he can stop by the other company there that is interested in him! Yes, two companies in Houston and two companies in Georgia are talking to Brian at the moment! I'm sure my use of exclamation marks is getting across my level of excitement! So I'll stop now.

After the first attempt at a Laffy Taffy joke, I decided to change the subject and tell Coleman and Spence that Daddy was talking to a man in Georgia about a job. With a worried tone, Coleman asked, "GEORGIA! Do they speak Texan language there?" What a hoot!

We know God is working out this job thing. The opportunities that are here this week may be gone next week, but we'll continue to trust that He has something better for Brian and our family. For now, He's providing the consulting work to get us through. Thanks so much for your prayers! Have a great weekend everyone!

10 Months!

Mom can't believe I'm already 10 months old

At a pool party today
I think we've got another fish in the family!

Spence and Allie playing in the fountain (Coleman was off at the deeper end)

Jail Break!

One side of our living room opens up to the entry, where the stairs are, and the other side opens up to the study. When Allie plays in the living room, I block off the two exits. One can be blocked with the pack and play, but the other one is quite wide, so I have to line up several things to make a wall to keep her in. I usually use the ottoman, a toy box, and the ball wagon.

Yesterday, Allie was in the living room playing, and I was in the study. I looked up and she was sitting on top of the toy box! The little stinker had climbed my well thought-out, neatly constructed wall and was on her way to freedom! She just smiled at me and was so proud of herself. I love seeing her grow and accomplishing new things, but boy does it make my job harder!

This morning, with a new, higher wall constructed, she did not find a way out. And she probably was looking for one because two little firemen were trying to rescue her from the flames! They were so cute playing together though. Just another example of another one of my babies growing up too fast.

"I figured it out, Mom! You're going to have to get smarter!"

Posing with Spence

It's Happening...

My babies are growing up! And it's happening too fast! I knew it would, but there are some events that take place and I think, "How did this happen? When did my little boy become a big boy? How can he be ready for... for... Kindergarten!" Tuesday night we went to the school to register. There weren't many people there and the principal gave us a personal tour of the school. Coleman got to see the Kindergarten classrooms, music room, art room, computer lab, and cafeteria. While he was taking it all in, Spence seemed to be making his case to come to school next year too! He was singing the ABC's at the top of his lungs (which is actually his normal voice I must admit) and running around the colorful rug naming off all the colors correctly. I told the principal that I may try to sneak him in next year!

Coleman outside his Elementary School

At one point, Coleman said, "I don't want to go to school here." We told him if that was the case, he needed to start praying that Daddy would get a job somewhere else! I think I can still be a little bit in denial about him starting Kindergarten in a few months because I realize that we may not be living here then. But I do realize that wherever we live, they'll have a Kindergarten for him and he'll be going!

I could share all my emotions about this, but I don't want to get all teary-eyed. I'll just say I'm excited and sad and a few other emotions that I can't quite figure out.

So I'll move on to something silly. Check out this picture of Allie!

Are you wondering why Allie is sitting in a box?

So she doesn't tear apart her brothers' train tracks!

Oh how easy to keep her out of trouble. Just stick her in a box! And she played there happily for at least 5 minutes. It's a good thing her brothers love her though, because once she was out of that box, that bridge didn't last much longer!

Um, You've Got a Little Something On Your Face

What's worse: constipation or having to eat prunes?


She wasn't upset for too long!


Can you see the teeth?


She cleans up pretty nice!

You're Back for Answers!

So yesterday I asked several questions and told you I'd give you the answers today. Was I trying to be mysterious, or was I just tired? I'll let you guess on that one.

I think Rhonda answered the first question about why Allie is so adorable: she just is! She knows no other way to be! As for the second question about what Coleman was doing on a horse? It was field trip day! We went to Bayou Wildlife Park in Alvin, Texas. That pretty much answers the question of Spence's whereabouts also. His class didn't go. I can't imagine why they wouldn't want to take a class full of three year olds. Can you??? (I'm being very sarcastic here, in case you didn't catch that.) Here are some more pictures from our fun day.

Coleman and his classmates

There was a tram ride that took you around the park. Each person was given a bucket of food to feed the animals. This is one of Coleman's teachers feeding a buffalo.

Upclose encounter with a camel

They didn't look like the ones in books or cartoons!

I think zebras are one of the neatest animals. How creative is God?

Big birds were everywhere!

I wish we could have gotten closer to this rhino!

Ya'll come back now, ya hear?

Come Back Tomorrow...

and I'll answer these questions:

Why does Allie look so adorable?

What is Coleman doing riding a horse?

And most importantly: Where is Spence???

Happy Easter

I pray that Easter was a joyous day for you and your families! May we remember every day the love that our Savior has for us and the sacrifice He gave for us.

Happy Easter from the little Piks

Nana and Allie

Ready for another egg hunt

Slide for the egg!

It's just plastic Allie!

Easter Egg Hunt and Good News!

A vision in mint green ruffles

Today was the First Colony Moms Playgroup Easter Egg Hunt. Going in to events like these, I never know how Coleman will react. It could be a jolly good time, or a disaster of gargantuan proportion. Last year's Easter Egg hunts at church and at the playgroup were riddled with tears and screaming. This year my friend Tanya and I took our boys on a practice egg hunt. I also had no grand expectations. I mean, if he doesn't like egg hunts, what's the big deal. I told him he could stay on the playground if he didn't want to do it. We almost had a major meltdown 5 minutes before we left the house when I tried to apply sunscreen to the boys' faces. The crisis was averted (when I calmly told him to get over it) and we went merrily on our way. I'm happy to report that the egg hunt was a success! And I have pictures to prove it!

Coleman, Matt, Spence, and their playgroup friends ready to find some eggs

Look at them run!

Spence with his dump truck full of eggs

Matt and Coleman showing off their loot

Even Allie got in on the action!

Is this the cutest picture or what?!?

Coleman says, "Egg hunts really can be fun! Who knew?"

And now for the good news! The company Brian worked for got some funding and asked him to come back and work contract for them. He doesn't know how long it will last, but his former boss told him they've got plenty for him to do until the money runs out. So this is a major praise! Please keep praying that God will provide the perfect job for Brian. We know it's out there, but apparently it's just not ready for us yet!

I played catch-up today on my blog, so keep scrolling down for more pictures!

That's My Spence

Have you ever been dropping your kids off at school or sitting in the doctor's office and seen a kid wearing a batter's helmet?


Then you obviously don't run into us in public! If it's not lime green rain boots, it's a helmet! I love seeing what he chooses to wear out of the house, and I love the reactions people give him. His personality shines through in everything he does!

And while I'm devoting an entire post to Spence, here's something funny he told me recently:

Spence: I'm allergic to the sun.
Mommy: You are?
Spence: Yeah. Whenever I look at it I blush oo. (You know, bless you, because it makes him sneeze.)

Flashback to Last Weekend!

My camera is full of pictures that I haven't shared! We had such a busy weekend last week. Friday we went to visit Paul David and Judson. Play dates with those two (and their mommy) are so much fun! We always get a group picture of the kiddos. They are getting harder and harder to capture now that the babies are mobile, but I thought this one was pretty cute!

Coleman, Allie, Paul David, Judson, and Spence

Saturday I took the kids to a birthday party for a little friend from church. It was an art party, which was a lot of fun!

Spence working on his masterpiece

Coleman and his work of art

A group picture from the party

And then Saturday night Brian took the boys to a race. There's a video in the post below. I'm so glad Brian enjoys doing things like this with the boys. I'm sure it will be a wonderful memory for all three of them! It makes me wonder what kinds of things he'll do with Allie some day. I hear the Daddy-daughter date night is lots of fun!

Let's go to the races!

Daddy and the boys

The boys' favorite race car wasn't a car at all! The driver let them get in and look around.

Spence with his ear protection

"Race Car Show"

Saturday night Brian took the boys to a race. It was a birthday present for Coleman. They all had a really good time! If you watch the video, you might want to turn your speakers down. It's pretty loud!

There are more pictures to come from the race and other things we've been doing. Hopefully I'll get to it soon!