Valentines Pics

The other night I was brainstorming about what I might do for Ruthie's valentines and then I couldn't sleep because I was getting so excited. :) I seriously could not love this child more or have more fun as her mother.

My Basketball Star

Sam started basketball 2 weeks ago and has really taken to it.  We are having a blast watching him play and learn the game.

Our New Extra Curricular Activity

Proverbs 22:6 says "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."  I have heard this verse taught that you should train and raise your child toward their natural inclination or bent.  Well, there is no mistake about it, Ruthie's natural inclination is towards horses.  She did not learn this from me but came upon it all on her own.  Her favorite part of family camp every year is the horses and her favorite Christmas gift was the 4 horseback riding lessons that I purchased for her on Groupon.  When she opened it and I explained it to her, she ran across the room and gave a me a huge hug that brought both me and Trent to tears.  

This week was her second lesson.  She may look serious in these but don't mistake it for sadness.  She is just concentrating on the instructions of her coach.  It looks like I better get a pair of boots and get used to the smell of a barn.

Birthday Trips Are The Best

I am on a quest to convince my children that a family trip is way better than a birthday party.  I sold Jack a few years ago and he talks about his birthday getaway all year.  Ruthie took a little more convincing.  Without a frame of reference, it was hard for her to imagine that this place called Six Flags could be more fun than her beloved Chuck E Cheese.  With the challenge to prove my point, I decided to go all out and book us a room on the River Walk.

I am pretty sure that the River Walk combined with a few rides and some ice skating was a hit! Sorry Chuck E Cheese but you lose!

Sam had an adventure all his own too.  He has now crossed 48 inches which dramatically increased his potential for fun.  Trent had to conquer the upside down roller coaster with him.

A great time was had by all.  I guess the real test of my success won't come for another year, but I am thinking I gained another convert to travel.

I Can't Believe She is 6

I am discovering something about adoption.  Time starts in a mom's heart when she first sees her baby.  For Ruthie, that was when she was 2 so when my baby girl turned 6 this week, it felt very much to me like she was turning 4.  

It is very cold here (40 degrees!) so we stayed inside for her birthday pics.  Okay I know the rest of you are experiencing much colder temperatures, but for us in Houston, this is a really cold winter.  We haven't hit 80 degrees in at least 2 weeks. :)

Some sweet friends brought Ruthie ice cream for her special day.  As a family, we took a trip to San Antonio to celebrate.  Pictures from that to come soon.

Cousin Time!

Trent's brother lives in Virginia and decided to take a road trip to Texas to surprise the family this Christmas.  My kids were super excited to see their cousins.  Trent and I were extra excited to see the newest addition to the family, baby Benjamin.

The kids had a blast playing in the leaves with their cousins and Sam cried when we had to leave.  

Thanks for making the trip Troy and Mo.  We can't wait to see you again this summer.