Ladies Man

Is it football season yet?

My Little Tree Hugger

Feeding Anna some goldfish! Some of you might remember that Anna was Lincoln's Valentine this year. Looks like he's keeping things fresh. He's got her eating out of the palm of his hand:)

In other news, Lincoln has channeled his inner Yell Leader, and loves leading us in a hearty Farmers Fight! Hand motions and all. It is really fun to watch. He better practice considering he is going to be a Yell Leader for Halloween this year. Lincoln also got his haircut this week. If you like it short, take a good long look because we will be growing it out again. We like his hair long!

Engagement Pictures

Holly and Brian had some engagement pictures taken this weekend. Four months and counting until the wedding.

Memorial Day Weekend!

We had a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend. Probably one the of most fun weekends we've had in a while. Ryan got home early, so we kicked off the weekend with some Mexican Food at Manny's in Frisco with Mark, Shannon and Brenden. We love this place b/c it's halfway between each of our houses. Plus, we sit on the patio so the boys can be loud and they can run around.

Lincoln and Brenden

Look at my tummy!

No, you look at my tummy!

We blame our dads for our freaky white tummies!

Ryan's parents stopped by for a few hours on Saturday. We had church as usual on Sunday. After church we visited with Ryan's parents again. After nap, we shopped at the outlet mall. I returned my Mother's Day dress/shirt. Turns out this was actually a bathing suit cover up, not a dress. I repeat not a dress!

We went to a new park that's within walking distance from the house. They are finishing up the splash pad adjacent to it...we are so excited for this! Lincoln tumbled out of the slide face first into a pile of wood chips. His little face was shredded. Within a few minutes, he was back on the equipment. Thank goodness kids have short-term memory!

Monday we woke up and headed to the Children's Museum at the Science and Nature Museum in Fair Park with the Wedemeyers. Lincoln had a ball and loved that nothing was off limits. His favorite part was the water room, the fire truck was a close second. We enjoyed lunch at Freebirds. Yum. This was Lincoln's first visit to Freebirds. I think he's hooked.

Lincoln and Audrey

Digging for fossils

Climbing in the ant hill

Audrey, Lincoln and Ella

At the farm

Fightin' Fires

Watching Daddy milk the cow.

Monday night we picked up my parents and went to the amphitheatre at the Rec Center. We ate a picnic dinner and listed to a patriotic orchestra concert. Lincoln was captivated and didn't move until intermission. After he ate a snow cone, he got his second wind. It was a wonderful night and a wonderful end to a wonderful family-filled weekend.

Lincoln and my Dad listening to the concert

Guest Post

Check out my guest post over at Today's Housewife! Alicia "Miss Tuesday" is one of my oldest and best friends. Thanks for the invite, Alicia.

Hello Summer, I'm Lincoln

Even though the official start to summer is a few weeks away, we are seeing signs everywhere. I'm particularly excited about this summer with Lincoln. This time last year he wasn't walking or talking. Now, he's running and screaming, sliding and swinging, talking and laughing. We can't go on a walk without his commentary on every bird, bunny, airplane or stranger. He is all boy and loves being outside. Here is Lincoln enjoying what is sure to become a nigh time staple around our house this summer...Popsicles!

What says summer more than this shot?

Figuring out how to push it up

Anything for a Popsicle Mom

Murfles

Lincoln has a couple new murfles (freckles) popping up. We thought it would be funny to call our freckles murfles. Who knew there were legitimate synonyms for the word freckles?

Birthday photos

Here are a few shots of my birthday week and weekend. The celebration is over, now it's back to the real world!

Dinner at Buca di Beppo

My delicious birthday cake...thanks Angi!

Commentary

As Lincoln is getting better and better at communicating, he is picking up a few fun words that express emotion.

Burr
Wheeeeeeee
Yea
Wow
Ooohhh
Crash

Anytime he gets hurt, or even if he barely bumps something, he comes running for Ryan or me to kiss it. He loves getting babied when he's hurt.

30

Tuesday was my 30th birthday. It's funny how having a child makes your birthday feel like another day. Lincoln didn't care that I was crossing over into adulthood. That I was leaving my youth and becoming a woman. HA! I still had diapers to change, hands to wipe and milk to pour. But what a wonderful way to spend the day, loving on Lincoln. Ryan came home with flowers, a card and a 30th balloon. My parents took us out to Buca di Beppo for dinner and Holly joined us. I got some makeup and a cute top from Holly, a gorgeous round mirror to put on the wall over our bed, and a super cute Baby G watch from Ryan. At home, Ryan had key lime pie and we watched American Idol. All in all, it was a wonderful day.

I remember my Mom saying that no matter what age she technically is, she still feels like the same person. She didn't feel 30, or 40, or 50. I totally agree. Sometime I have to catch myself from saying or thinking I am 22. I just can't believe I've been alive 30 years. How wonderful to think about all the fun things I've done the last 30 years, and how joyful I feel in daydreaming about the next thirty years.

Things that come to mind from the last 30...

Playing in Gran's sand pile and MJ's playhouse
Hanging out with Holly and all my cousins and creating "shows"
Mom washing my hair in the sink
Going to 1/2 price night at Wet n Wild with my fam and the Millers
Going to the lake and our boat not starting
Hanging out with the Garms family
Watching Murder She Wrote as a family after church on Sunday nights
Being "Mickey", the lead in the church musical
Being baptized at 10
My dad packing my school lunches
6th grade with Mrs. McGhee
Yearly family vacations--these really stand out
Middle school choir with Mrs. Kornegay
FBC Allen
Church mission trips
Primping for Prom
Being roommates with Shannon at A&M
Meeting Ryan, falling in love
Being an Aggie and going A&M football games as a student
Going to A&M games and tailgating as Alumni
Walking the stage to get my Masters Degree
My Engagement Night
My Wedding Day
Driving to Corpus for the first time as a married couple
Our Vegas Vacation
The day I found out I was going to be a Mom
Lincoln's birth
And every single day since...

Here's to the next 30 years!

Who knew RSVP'ing was Biblical?

A man finds joy in giving an apt reply, how good is a timely word!

Proverbs 15:23

Okay, I might be stretching it a little...but this is really just a secret shout-out to Angi, Shannon and Kim R.

Joy

As a counselor, I'm constantly aware of what people say, how they say, what they mean by it and the underlying message. Sometimes it's a blessing, other times, not so much. Our internal dialogue plays a MAJOR role in how we feel, and as a result, in our actions. Regularly complaining, whining, venting, griping, groaning, and generally focusing on what isn't working, the negative side, or adopting a "glass half empty" attitude is detrimental to our physical, spiritual and emotional health. Don't misunderstand me, everyone hits bumps in the road, has bad days, and genuine reasons to feel down, even me. But, by focusing on what is working, the blessings you have, the positive aspects of your day, and keeping a hopeful attitude, you will be surprised to see what a profound impact these small step will have in your life. Enough of the negativity!

Here are some JOYFUL verses I love. Be encouraged today.

I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.

2 Corinthians 7:4

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy!

Psalm 30:11

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!

Psalm 126:3

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy!

James 1:2

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

And if these aren't obvious enough....

Be joyful always.

1Thessalonians 5:16

Finally, don't take my word that changing your thoughts is for your own good. Romans 12:2 tells us the same thing. This is my favorite verse and I love the promise.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful 2nd Mother's Day. Lincoln brought me a card in bed and Ryan bought me a dress from Gap. Funny enough, once I tried it on we realized it is actually a top...much too short to be a dress. It's the thought that counts. Ryan started a tradition last Mother's Day and decided to get me a new spring dress each year. So thoughtful. We went to church and Lincoln made me a Mother's Day picture with a poem and his hand print. Of course, it is precious! After nap, we met my family at the park to eat a picnic and feed the ducks. It was a great end to a wonderful day. I always knew I wanted to have children, but I could have never imagined just how awesome it would be. I love this little boy!

Posing together before church

Lincoln and Mommy


Love the look on his face.

My parents, Lincoln, my sister, her fiance Brian

Hooray!

We made our final Tahoe payment this week. Aside from our home, we are debt free. Woohoo!

Butterflies

On Saturday we took Lincoln to Collin Creek Mall to see a butterfly exhibit. They gave us a Q-tip dipped in Gatorade to attract the butterflies. Apparently it works on little boys too. Here are a few pictures of our visit.

Mmmmmm

Where did ya go?

I got one!

A West Texas Weekend

This weekend, Lincoln and I went with my Mom to Odessa to celebrate my Gran's 80th birthday. This is a lady who lives alone, yet manages to mow her own huge yard, work in her garden and get in a golf game or two per week. She made a hole in one, not too long ago. I hope I'm as hip and energetic as she is when I'm 80. We hosted a luau for Gran and her next door neighbor and best friend of about 50 years, Joann and her daughter Laurie. We had some delicious food, a tropical punch drink and a carrot cake. Here are a few pictures of the party and our trip.

My Mom, Gran, Lincoln and me

Gran and Mom

We found him in the kitchen during the party. Yum cake!

Blowing out the candles

The table decorations

Walking with Daddy Leon and Oreo

We also managed to squeeze in one night with my Dad's parents and my aunts, uncles and cousins on his side of the family. They surprised me with a BBQ and ice cream cake celebrating my quickly approaching 30th birthday. It was a great trip and Lincoln, as always, was the center of attention.