Asher and Mommy's First Date...

One of the things I looked forward to most when thinking about parenthood was the idea of taking my kids on "dates." One of my closest friends gave us her tickets to see Beauty and the Beast at the Hobby Center. I was so excited to take Asher to see this. He loves that movie and I knew he would love seeing the Off Broadway production. We both got all dressed up and Sonny gave Asher money to take me to dinner. We headed to the Galleria area to Canyon Cafe for dinner. They have great chips and salsa and that's one of Asher's favorite things to eat. Ash loved getting to eat outside and watch the birds and cars. Our ticket only came out to $8 because we just got chips and queso!! Then we headed to the Cheesecake Factory to get a yummy dessert to enjoy at intermission at the play. Asher picked out the Reeses Peanut Butter Cheesecake which cost more than our dinner and we took it to go. We were about 2 exits from the Hobby Center and got in a car accident. We were hit from behind. I was so upset mainly because I thought we wouldn't be able to make the play and I had been telling Asher about it all day. Our car was drivable so Sonny said we could go to the play and he would come drive us home. We were pretty shaken up but no one was hurt. The girl that hit us was also in a Rav 4 and she and I have the same birthday!! Crazy!! We made it just in time for the play to start and though Asher was very tired from not taking a nap that day, he did awesome and loved seeing the beast, the wolves and Geston! He loved the music and he loved when the lights would go our for different scenes. Besides the car accident, it was a wonderful first date! I look forward to many more dates with my little man!

Daddy took a picture of us before we left...

Here is Asher at Canyon Cafe... he was such a big man... paid the waitress and everything!!

Enjoying car & bird watching!

The damage right before the play...

Finally made it... got in our seats 2 minutes before showtime!!

Sweet little man and Mommy! He did so well for a 3 year old!!

Dear Zoee...

Dear Zoee,

Oh my how you have grown up. I see these people with little new borns and I can't believe that you are so far from that stage. You are quite the little 2 year old! I love this season with you. You are starting to talk a lot more. Right now we are watching Tangled and you and Asher warned me that the "ruffians" are coming! You just have so much personality. You love to laugh and to make others laugh. Here are some things going on with you now at almost 2 years old...

1. You still love to be held. Recently you have been saying "hold me" all throughout the day. I think you still like being the baby =).

2. You love to watch movies with your brother. During our adult bible study on Thursday nights, I let you and Asher cuddle up in his bed and watch Land Before Time. You love it. I heard you two giggling so much last night while you watched it. It makes my heart so full of joy to hear you two enjoying each other. I pray that that continues.

3. You love to play with your animals. You like to play with the lions and tigers and giraffes the best. I had no idea you would love animals so much.

4. These are some foods you love: yogurt, fruit snacks, sweet potatoes, brocoli, cheese, hummus, milk, goldfish, pizza, vegetables, pasta... you are a pretty great eater and will try almost anything.

5. You like to read your "I love you book" and you now enjoy listening to Daddy and me read Asher's bible. 

6. You love to try whatever Asher is doing. He seems to be your favorite person right now =).

7. You hate when I try to do your hair. Hoping you grow out of this soon.

8. You love to brush your teeth and wear perfume and lip stick like Mommy =)

Zo-bear, you are such a little cuddle-bug. You love to snuggle. You love others really well. You are full of joy and so much "spice" as I have said before. I love seeing your personality grow and I pray that the Lord will give us wisdom to help your personality be used for His glory. We love you, baby girl!

Love,

Mommy

Here you are snuggling with Daddy and watching a movie. This was totally spontaneous and I had to rush quickly to capture the moment. You actually laid here like this for quite a while and I was pretty surprised by that. I love it!!

Sweet Siblings!

I cannot believe how big our little babies are getting. It seems like yesterday when I was going through sleepless nights with spit-up babies. Now they both have grown to be little people with such different personalities. Today Asher asked to hold my hand when we were walking to the mall. He has such a tender heart and it melts mine everyday. When we were walking at the mall (holding hands), I was telling him how much I love his Daddy. He replied, "I love Daddy so much too." Zoee has been super sweet lately too. Though she has a lot more "spice" to her that can often be challenging, she can be such a cuddly little girl. She has been saying "hold-me" almost all day everyday this last week. When we hold her, she will wrap her little arms so tight around your neck- it's simply precious. She always wants to be with us. She gets upset when she can't find one of us. She is a family girl! A few days ago she wanted to lay in bed with Asher and watch "Land Before Time" while we had our small group. I let them watch a little of it together and is seriously made me think about letting them share a room. Though the have their little "tiffs," they usually get along so well and Sonny and I are continually thankful for their special relationship. I pray that they will always be close and that they would be such great friends. Here are some pictures of them recently...

Kiddos at Galveston...

I had Zo's hair in pig-tails the other day and needed to take a picture- she looks like such a little lady. It was one of the first times that both of them wanted to take a picture together at the same time (usually I can make one smile but its very hard to get them BOTH to do it). Love their sweet smiles!!

Cali... part 5!

Our last day in California was bittersweet. We were both looking forward to bring home with our kids but were also sad to end our vacation. We took a detoured route to LA and stopped at "Starbucks with a View." It was so nice to drink my pumpkin spice latte and look out at the beautiful ocean. Then we met up for lunch with some friends, Lindsay and Alex (who were in our student ministry a few years ago) who now live in different parts of California. It was great to catch up with them and hear about the different things the Lord is doing in their lives. Overall, California was amazing! We look forward to going back next summer and taking our little ones!

California part 4....

Day 4 of California was such a great experience. We headed to Balboa Island, a cute little town with so much character, and walked their main street and went kayaking. Though Sonny doesn't really like kayaking, he did it for me and I really enjoyed coasting through Balboa bay. We ate at the famous Ruby's by the sea (Sonny had a wonderful milkshake) and saw some interesting sights (huge bird resting on the pier). Later that day we tried surfing on our own and it was awful for me! I was literally beat up by the waves and gave up just before crying. I decided to go for a run on the beach while Sonny finished surfing the 8 foot waves! Running was a much better option for me. We got to see dolphins swimming along the coast and the weather was amazing! That evening, just like a few others, we went back to our condo and grilled some meat from the famous Trader Joe's. I really wish one would come to Cypress!!

Balboa Island...

Ruby's famous milkshake!

Getting ready to "surf"/ get beaten up!!

amazing waves!!

California... part 3...

Here we are on day 3. We decided to take a drive to San Diego and check out the scenery there. I don't think we knew the best places to visit (the ones we went to were a little "hippy-ish") and we didn't really like it as much as the other places. We did find some great gifts for friends and family and had a nice lunch so the trip was not in vain! Sonny got a root-beer float and I had a yummy salad.

Later that evening we went to the beach across from our condo and took some pictures. It was so relaxing. 

 

On every vacation, we always take a kissing picture so here it is =)... 8 1/2 years of marriage and by God's sweet grace, we grow in love for one another each year.