The Wedding.....a little late

Where have I been?

I have been at this cafe in Paris waiting for the sun to come out, so I could blog...... Well, not really.........

Have you ever had one of those months (or two months in my case) where time completely flies by? Where have I really been you ask? Well, how long do you have!! Honestly, things have been busy! The kids and Aaron started back to school in August! Anyone who knows me knows that less time with my husband (still makes me giddy to say) and children does not set well with this mama! I am at a complete loss with out them. So we have been enjoying each other as much as possible on the weekends, Aaron and I have squeezed in several date nights (not enough) the past fews months, a few movies and a few dinners. The kids and I have filled our weekends with sweet, elusive, down time. Just doing the fun stuff!! We went with my dad to Kansas and spent the weekend with my sister and her family earlier this month. Jennifer is such an awesome hostess. Going to her house is like such a relaxing retreat!! Complete with gourmet food, smores and an intense game of kick the can (once we got the rules straight!! And I didn't wanna say anything, but I think the 3 year old was peekin'....hee hee). Not to mention, some torrential rain and finding shelter in a hen house. I will post pictures of our trip later on. A few weeks ago we went to Casa Manana, and saw Treasure Island with my mama. Mom and I were lost through most of the plot, but the kids new what was going on. Such smart kids!! We also had a great time a few weekends ago at the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch! Sid won a pumpkin, by shooting a pumpkin with a catapolt through this really tiny hole!! Zoe fed the donkey and goats, but Sid and I were not getting anywhere near those stinky guys!! Zoe would've brought them home with us if she could!! We joined cub scouts this year! Sid's pumpkin won "Coolest" in the pumpkin carving contest!

Sid and Aaron are camping this weekend (lucky guys!!), and Zoe and I have planned a girls night, complete with nail painting, popcorn, hot chocolate, and girly movies!! And of course, Zoe's favorite part: getting to sleep in mama's bed!! We miss the guys very much but, we never get to do this, so we are super excited!!

Hopefully not so long till my next blog!! Just blame the rain in Paris!

Where has the time gone?

I have been a horrid blogger lately. Everyone is really upset with me, for not updating the wedding photos like I promised, and no pictures of Bailey! I feel really horrible, I do. My life has been somewhat crazy lately!! (I am an newlywed, remember, Aaron requires lots of time and attention:)) Having the puppy is like having an infant......well, at least a toddler in diapers (no accidents for 4 days, till this morning- right in the kids hallway!! Luckily Aaron had not left for work yet! Thanks Aaron). And my property that I work at here in Keller is for sale! So the future is kind of up in the air for my career.......anyone hiring? Plus we had a big plumbing issue at the house- Aaron is so amazing for handling everything! And our clothes washer tub seal broke, so we had water everywhere. We really have been quite busy!

Tonight is Disney's "High School Musical 2"- those of you who don't have kids old enough to know what I am talking about (or if you live in a cave), High School Musical is like the Grease for this generation. Except I hated Grease 2 and High School Musical 2 has gotten really great reviews! I am just as excited as Zoe who is right now wearing her High School Musical pajamas and playing with her Gabriella doll. We are having a sleep over, pizza, ice cream and popcorn, and a big pile of pillows and blankets on the floor and the show on the big screen!! Can't wait!! We are very excited.

I will try to be a better blogger from now on!!

Bailey B Beagle

Last night, Sid, Zo and I went to the park to burn off some energy before we met Aaron for dinner. We got there and the kids began to play when this man came by and he was being closley followed by this little whiny beagle. He seemed almost annoyed by the puppy, who was not leashed, and immediatley a group of kids, mine included, surrounded the pup. The man kept walking, leaving the dog behind. Me and another mom there, hollored to the man, "Sir, your dog!!" "It's not mine, some lady just dropped it off"..................

Long story short, we waited around with this puppy for about 30 minutes, waitng for someone to come along, desperalty shearching for it, but nothing!! Nobody came. We did however meet several other dog owners who walk there dogs there at the park, and they told us horrible stories about how coyotes roam that wooded area at night and how if we don't rescue that little pup, she'll get eaten alive!! What was I to do? We had to take her home. She is adorable! The kids have named her "Bailey B Beagle". We think she is about 2 or 3 months old. Too Cute!

Weak in the knees.

Okay, so, Aaron's birthday isn't for another week, but we did a lil' celebrating this weekend!! Saturday night we went to Aaron's parents. They made this really yummy brisket. I brought the yummy cake!! Nicole's sweet little baby, Madison is growing so much! She is hilarious! She bounces up and down making all these adorable baby girgles!! Lots of 'Dadadadada'! When Nicole walks in the room she starts waving, like 'hey mom!' She's precious! Everyone says she looks just like Nicole did when she was a baby!!

Zoe and McKenzie swam and Sid and I jumped on the trampoline and played 'crack the egg'. While playing 'Crack the egg', this mama discovered she needs to start working out, cause I jumped on the trampoline for just a little bit, and collapsed almost crushing Sid, cause my legs suddenly became like jello!! I am assuming this is due to the lack of muscular endurance in my legs, because, as Aaron tells me, I have a "sedentary" job (definition: Characterized by or requiring much sitting.....how embarrassing) AND being just basically out of shape. Seriously, I collapsed, with rubber legs, unable to jump, and Sid the whole while just thought it was my turn to be the "egg", so he's bouncing me all over the place. All the 'real adults' are watching from the other side of the pool. Great times. But, now I am committed to start working out.

Sunday night, we had my family over to the house! Jennifer, Grandad and Aunt Sandy had not seen the house, so that was exciting for them. This mama grilled hot dogs on Aaron's brand new propane grill, only needing help 2 times. Pretty proud of that. We all visited, went for a walk and looked at wedding photos! It was so much fun having everybody over. One of the most satisfying parts was when everyone decided to have Thanksgiving and Christmas at our house!! (Have I proven myself as a hostess?) I have always wanted to host holidays at my house, and have never been able to with an apartment. (Actually I did Thanksgiving last year, when Jenn left- yikes!! Brave souls wanna go for round 2) No one is expecting a "Hoover Holiday" like we use to have when my sis, Martha Stewart, and her husband, Emril (LOL) lived in Texas, but I will do my best! (Maybe I should start schmoozing Kelly to bring the fam to Texas for at least one of those holidays! Then they can, you know, "hang out" while I cook and clean!.....miss them) Last year, I did a meager Thanksgiving and had the flu for like a week after!! I'm just saying!

Aaron and I got very little 'just me and you' time this weekend, but the few moments we got to slip off by ourselves were so perfect. He is so sweet, and wonderful! Aaron can look at me across a room full of people, with this look in his eyes that I know is just for me. I love him so much! And he LOVES me!! .....Rubber legs and all!!

Plant the seed, water the soil.......and wait

We planted a vegetable garden in the backyard today! This is something I have dreamed about doing with the kids since they were way itty bitty, and I am so excited!! It is just such a great way to get outside, get your hands dirty and accomplish so much!! Such a fast paced world these kids were born into, it is neat to have them involved in something that will take time and care to complete. Aaron took a small patch of our backyard, and worked really hard removing all the grass, putting down new soil and getting it trimmed off with this really interesting metal green edging (wink, just kidding honey, I love the edging). Then the kids and I each picked a vegetable, Sid chose Corn. He did a really good job of putting his seed in these little groups. I chose Garden Bean. I am not really sure if that is just a fancy name for a green bean, but they are suppose to do really well in the late summer. Zoe did Cucumbers. She carefully covered her seeds and was very concerned that we let her do it herself. "Hello, mom I'm 8 now!!" "Okay, Zoe, I know I know!!" Even Sid is like "Zoe! do it like this" Poor girl!! Aaron is probably the only one that leaves her alone, and lets her figure stuff out on her own. Which is what she wants....and I am sure she needs.

We can't wait to have some corn, beans and cucumbers!! We will pray that God will bless our little garden.

Psalm 104:14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth.

Star and Stripes!

The entire family was home and together for the 4th of July this year, which was very nice. We relaxed together, and played in our backyard. The rain was sort of hit or miss today, and we missed it!!!! We are on about day 19 I think for rainfall! CRAZY for Texas summer. Jarrod ended up coming over and taking the kids to Bedford Boys Ranch to see the fireworks. They had a great time with Christian and Chyna. Zoe said that when the fireworks would go off little Chyna would hide her face. When they came home we talked about there favorite fire works. Sid liked the ones that explode right on top of each other like they are getting closer to you with every KABOOM. This was our fist 4th of July that we haven't watched fireworks together in a long time, but they had fun with Jarrod, and Aaron and I went downtown to dinner and a movie. WE LOVE DATE NIGHT!

I love so much about Aaron. I love how we never run out of things to talk about, and we are always laughing together. I love how he looks after his beard has grown in for a couple of days. I love how small he makes me feel when he engulfs me in his big arms. I love how he calls me angel even when he is aggravated with me. I love how he loves the Lord, and usually solves every problem with a prayer. I love how smart he is, he can memorize more facts and information than any one I have ever met. I love how he encourages me and the kids to always do our best. I love his patience and his big heart. I love my husband so much!

honeymoon phase?.........maybe............and this is just the beginning.

The kids are back!

The kids arrived safely back from Kansas today! I think they have grown! Aaron thinks I am crazy! I'll let you be the judge:

Next to Kayla and Ash they look extremely grown up! They had an amazing time!! And I am not the least bit suprised! Jennifer makes people feel so at home and takes extra special care of the people that are in her home! She makes everyday exciting and is encouraging and loving! That is the kind of mom that we grew up with. Always the first to get up and start breakfast, or get you blanket and popcorn just as the movie was starting. Our mom was the kind of mom that when we were little outside playing with friends she would straighten our room, make our beds with our favorite toys positioned just so on top of the covers, and our slippers ready for us to climb into. Or when we came home from school she would have a surprise for us, all set up just waiting for us to notice. These women are gifted in the caring of others..........Wait, now I wanna go to Kansas!! tee hee. I am SUPER glad they are home!!

Bless this house

Okay, so, we got married, whisked ourselves away to the Bahamas, had some great alone time, came home, and now....we are alone again! The kids got to go (were taken) to Kansas to visit my wonderful sister for the enitre week. As usual, this mama has mixed feelings. I miss them to the point of tears (I keep looking in their brand new rooms full of boxes and their stuff). But Aaron and I getting to lie around all evening on the comfy leather chair (built for two) not having to get up and give someone a bath, and not having to referee an argument about who had the remote/nintendo/toothpaste first, and not having to get up one hour earlier before work to get them dressed and out the door has been kinda nice..........but I do miss them.



Aaron and I have been having a blast with the new house! We have been to Home Depot 17 times between us, just like real home owners. The grass got mowed and trimmed for the first time (just before the rain continued....lots of rain lately) We have replaced all the light bulb in the house with energy efficent halogen lights, we have bought a new welcome mat for the front door. We have been in new home owners/ newleywed mode non stop and I love it!!

Kisses to Aaron for making everyday special and making me feel so Beautiful!!

.....God's Sunflower

Lacey and I went out for her birthday last night! We had a great time together, as always. We went to Cabo Grande in Fort Worth (jeans and heels of course). Lacey ordered this super spicy Habenero Shrimp Salad, so I ordered it too, how hot could it be? Me and Lacey have the same taste in just about everything! Well, WOOOWEEEE!! Lets just say, I am still downing glasses of iced tea. That girl can handle the heat! But not this mama! After our 'fiery' dinner we went to see the movie 'Knocked Up' (hilarious). Totally a chic movie! But I can't think of a guy I know that wouldn't love it, too! Aaron said he'll wait till it comes out on video, but he's gonna love it. After the movie, and after a few blond moments in the parking garage we each headed our separate ways to our own families. As we drove off I started thinking about how far we've come. How are lives have changed over the years! Could I have pictured ten years ago our lives as they are now? What about 15 years ago! We were little girls watching Fried Green Tomato's and Thelma and Louise with no idea what was in store for us! We are so blessed with our children and our families. Lacey has been my friend since elementary school. I have known this girl forever! She is one of the funniest, coolest people I have ever met!! I love hanging out with her (I just don't get to very much). We have the best time laughing together, sharing stories, of work, or about our kids! We have shared a great deal and have been by each others side for some of our ups and downs and we've been apart for some of the ups and downs. But our friendship is very strong and true! Lacey is as unique as she is beautiful! Lacey lights up a room and is the center of attention always! (Lacey don't kill me, just had to brag on you a lil' bit!) Lacey is gorgeous, strong, smart, sweet, hilarious, witty, charming, classy and just a breath of fresh air!! I couldn't have asked for a better girl to meet in elementary school! Being around her is like standing in front of a field of these brilliant yellow flowers basking in the sun, for all the world to notice and enjoy! I love my friend Lacey, God's sunflower!

I feel like dancin!!

"Good things come to those who wait!"
We closed on our house yesterday! It seemed like that was never going to happen!! What was I freaking out about? Nothing! I was actually very calm about the whole thing! Just ask Aaron! I was NOT calling him all the time to find out if he had talked to anyone! I did NOT throw a fit when the date got pushed back more than once!!! Ha ha! Okay, who am I trying to fool! But, NOW we have the house. Just like Aaron said, "Everything will be alright!!" I wish I had his amazing patience! Nothing seems to phase him. God put him in my life to teach me patience and strength, cause Aaron has enough for the both of us! I don't know what I did to deserve such an amazing man like him!! And amazing kids are just the cherry on top!!

Things just keep on getting better!............ Now if the rain would just stop!

So long apartment! Hello house!....or not yet

So, some things are meant to happen on a set schedule like the start of the school year, television shows, and taxes and some things are meant to be delayed such as flight schedules, births of babies, and apparantley closing on homes. We were scheduled to close on the house yesterday, but that has now been pushed back to Tuesday! Better late than never, so no big deal! Steve, my new BIL, and our realtor has been working so hard to make sure everything goes smoothly and we thank him so much for that. It is forcasted to rain all weekend anyway, so we don't mind not having to rush around in moving trucks, carry furniture and stack boxes in the rain!

Zoe is starting to get emotional about the move. Last night before her shower she said she was going to miss everything about the apartment. Her room, the balcony, the doors. "We've lived here sooooo long, I can't bare to move away." She is a very serious little girl when she wants to be. A self proclaimed Tom Boy, who doesn't care for Barbie, the color pink, or anything considered 'girly girl'. She is rough and tumble and full of spunk! But still, only seven and very little in my eyes.

Sid seems excited about the move. He loves packing boxes and labeling them in big black letters 'SID'S ROOM'. It is harder for him to be patient about the delay. He wants to ride his bike up and down the street, walk to school, and play in the school yard, have a lemonade stand to earn extra money. He needs to be in the new house. "Mom, I need my own room, today!" he says while eating his cereal. "Only a few more days, son. It's almost time." I tried to re-assure. Then big dramatic flair "It's going to take FOREVER......." here we go......

Aaron has gone into action mode! He is the most efficent person I have ever seen, handling all the mortgage and paperwork, going to the inspection, getting the electric swithced over, the satelitte tv switched over, making sure the water will be turned on for us, buying a fridgerator (sorry honey, thats re-fridgerator) packing boxes, buying packing tape, getting the moving van scheduled, getting friends to help us on Tuesday! He has done all the planning and organizing of this move. He is UNREAL! I am sure he feels about the same about me and the wedding planning, he didn't have to do too much! But now, I am not busy with the wedding anymore, and he has totally taken charge with the house! I haven't had to lift a finger. Thank you, honey, for all that you do.

I, for one, cannot wait to be in the new house. I'm with Sid as far as we need the new house. We need the backyard! We need the space. The house is so adorable too. Two big trees in the front yard, adorable porch swing by the front door, master bedroom with study off to the side, ceiling fans all over! The kids each have their own room, we all have our own bathroom. The backyard has endless possiblitlies. Before church on Sunday mornings, the kids and I have been watching Landscapers Challenge for ideas. And I am married to the Home Depot Landscaper. How great is that. Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!! But for now, we will take these few days to say good bye to the walls, doors, balconies, and rooms that have held our family until now.
Goodbye Apartment!

The picture I have at the top of this post is from the realtor selling page, and is actually our house- but they have painted the outside since then. I will post my own pictures, after we move in.

Soaking up the sun

I had a few days off work before I had to come back and spent some quality time with the kids and Jennifer and her girls, and of course mom laying around the pool. Mom is doing a lot better. She is such a patient kind hearted woman. I know she has enjoyed having Jennifer here to hlep her, and Jennifer and my mom are both very natural care givers. They know how to make whom ever they are helping feel like the most important thing.

Jennifer and her girls are going back to Kansas on Friday and they will be really excited to see there dad (Kelly has been without Jennifer for way tooo long, I am sure he misses them). We will miss them so much, though. I love having Jennifer around. I love spending time at the pool with her and our kids. We are such best friends. I keep thinking to myself "it could be this way every weekend if she still lived here." But, we will see each other again before too long. The kids are supposed to go spend a week with her later in the summer.

Aaron and I are packing up the apartment everyday this week while the kids are at VBS at FOTP. We have been really productive, considering how tired we are from working all day. Aaron is really glad that he took some time off from school this summer. I just pray that there was a way for me to work, and he go to school really full time, so he could hurry and get through it all. We are suppose to close on the house Friday.

The kids have not even seen the inside of the house!! They are so excited! I told them the walls have been painted gray, but we could paint them a different color. "Turquoise!" Zoe shouts! "I gotta have turquoise!!" Hmmmmm.....where does she get that from?

Wedded Bliss

I am the happiest girl in the world! Today is my first day back at work since The Big Day, and I feel rested, tan, full of love and kisses, and so completely blessed. My husband is at work, the kids are with grandpa, Jennifer is still in town, and things are looking about as perfect as I imagined.



The wedding. I am sitting here amongst checks to post, and leases to type, and my mind keeps drifing to all the amazing details of the wedding. The little tiny lights above us as we danced for the first time as husband and wife. Everyones smiling faces. The flower girls dancing there hearts out with the boys. Zoe guitar solo during Def Lepord's 'Pour some sugar on me'. Aaron getting chocked up in the hallway after seeing his dad cry. The kids gleeful smiles and teary eyes after the cermony with their new dad. The silent hand squezzes Aaron and I shared as we recited vows and listened to Doug speak of God's plan for us. Sid pulling the rings out of his tuxedo pocket at just the right moment. The look on Aaron's face when he saw me coming around the corner. The smell of Aaron's aftershave as we danced, and laughed and spun around the dance floor, happy and dizzy, all at the same time. All the bridesmaids looking so beautiful and thoughtful about the future. The groomsmen looking at the bridesmaids. My mom looked georgeous. The most beautiful I have ever seen. Pam and Dellis covering us with kisses and wishing us farwell as we ran to the car. The fragrant smell of roses, in the girls bouquets and petals being tossed over our heads as we ran to the car.

Wedded bliss. Now this is what God intented. This is perfection.

Pictures coming soon, I promise.......

Thank God

Our first day back, and we are so thankful that we have these amazing kids. Monday while we were in the Bahamas, Mom and our kids were involved in a bad car accident. Someone ran a red light and t-boned moms car, breaking her hip, bruising Sid and Zoe, and totalling her car. Only bruising Sid and Zoe......

They are asleep right now in their beds and it is just after midnight our first day home, and I have to keep repeating it...only bruises, bruises heal, bruises go away......we feel so lucky.

We found out when we landed in Florida and my cell phone worked for the 1st time since Sunday, and I tried to call mom to tell her and the kids we were coming home and send them kisses over the airways! Aaron and I looked out over a runway watching insignificant planes got to and fro, and Jennifer answered mom's phone and I was like 'what is she doing home? She was supposed to go back to Kansas Sunday!' Her first words to me were...".... the kids are okay.......kids are okay"

There are different levels of okay mind you, so as she began to unravel the story of the accident and moms injuries, the completely demolished car and the ambulance taking Sid and Zoe with mom, and they waited at the hospital for 6 hours, and all my mind could do was wonder 'are they really okay?' Then I began to thank God for there safety. Thank God mom wasn't more seriously injured. Thank God Sid and Zoe are okay!! Needless to say once we got home Aaron and I held on to them and didn't let go, and we kissed their cheeks and noses and ears and they got way tired of the kisses before we did, and they seemed so fine and brave and basically over it. Jennifer had seen mom's car earlier to get all of her stuff out of it. She says she has no idea how everyone wasn't more seriously injured.

God is great, but life sometimes throws you unexpected tragedies, and I know this. I pray every night that God will protect them, and I pray it sometimes during the day. Tonight I thanked God for only bruises. Only bruises, on Sid and Zoe. Mom and the kids had God's angels with them that day, and for this I will be forever grateful.

Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11b

Sunsets and Drinks with Umbrellas

The Bahamas. This is such a romantic, relaxing get away! When we got here we were wisked away with champagne to our room, which was beautiful with a a four poster bed, lush garden veiw, full bar, and matching robes. We walked the property, saw the breathtaking beach, and crystal blue waters, and then took advantage of the 'all inclusive' features. We headed to the beach hut grill. When we are exhausted, but too excited to sleep, we eat. It's great for energy. Aaron and his magnetic charm, attracted birds from all over the beach. They were polite enough to wait until we were done to devour our food left on the table.

We hit the beach, went snorkeling, took a kayak for a spin around the sea. There is something incredible about sunshine, and sea air. Aaron and I have been passing most of our time laughing, kissing, and having deep conversations about many subjects ranging from the different culture practice of the local Bahamians to whether Paris Hilton will do her full jail sentence or not. Snorkeling in the rain is a really neat experience. We got a ton of salt water in our systems via the snorkel. Then on the ride back to the island on the speed boat when the storm really kicked in, we were smacked in the face with visious rain drops. Seriously it stung our faces. I buried my face against Aaron, but the rain still pounded the back of my neck with incredible needle like stings. Funny now, but not so much then.

Today we snorkeld again, but this time the sun was shining, and I was relly proud of myself for getting in the water even after a fellow diver bragged about seeing a shark the day before. One girl, to her new husbands embarasment, refused to leave the boat! But I left the boat. Aaron joked and called me an olympic trainee, cause I was swimming all around with my new found fin skill (and afraid a shark my catch site of me and think i was a seal if I sat still too long, like on those discovery channel documenteries). Yesterday in the rainy snorkel, I did not know how to use my fins so well, and ended up almost drowning Aaron. Again, funny now, not so funny then.

We have been taking naps everyday, eating dinner and then ending the evening at The Criketeer's Pub (pronounced like Musketeers, or Mouseketeers if you prefer). We let the bartender give us any kind of shots he prefers. We are so not picky!! One of the bartenders aksed Aaron, "What is the best thing in this bar....." trying to see if he would reference the fine liquor, and not his new wife (me)but Aaron shocked them all, by looking into my eyes, and saying "She is!!"

They love us! Our favorite part of this amazing honeymoon is that time seems to be a non issue.(so opposite of reality) The only time we have needed to know the time scince we have arrived is to catch a snorkel boat!! I am starting to miss home, and Aaron can since this, and wont let me look at the camera, for fear that I will stumble across the photos of the kids taken before the trip and burst into tears. But, home will come very soon, sooner than I think. For now we will just sit back and enjoy the sunsets and drinks with umbrellas.

Two in One

Aaron, I am managing to quietly write this as you lie alseep in the wee hours of the morning on our first full day as husband and wife. We are just a few moments from the telephone ringing to wake you up and they will tell you it is time to get up. When we get that call we will be rushing about, putting clothes in the suitcase, brushing teeth, confirming flight numbers and the locations of sunscreen and passports. But for this moment everything is still, you are asleep, so tired and peaceful. Just perfect. And I am awake, your quiet wife, writing all of this down, to make a memory of us. Writing all of this for you.

Aaron, we are fiinally here. To this 'place' that is really only a moment of time, this 'place' where we will create the journey of our souls becoming one. Two in one flesh, one home, one heart. I made vows and promises to you last night in front of all of our family and friends and God, that will never be broken. I promise that I will always put God and you first, in that order, and that if God is first we will never be more than a dark, quiet night away from moments like this.... when the sun has yet to rise, the unknown adventure of our life seems inticing, the possibilities of what great is to come are endless. The darkness of morning offers little more than a blank slate of whatever we want this day to hold. Whatever in the world we would like this day to hold. And I chose this day to hold you.

I love you more than you will ever know......love, Mrs. May