You will forever be my always.

I am missing Hoss sooooo much. He was such a wonderful dog. I think it's so much worse now that Harper had the puppies. I think she is sad too.
Anyway, it's been a really busy week but it's been a difficult one. Sunday afternoon I broke my toe. It's been hurting so bad. Then Sunday night my disc in my back that always hurts decided to start again. So I've got a broken toe and a herniated disc in my back... awesome! Monday was VBS and it was wonderful but very hard because between the toe and the back I can barely walk. Tuesday I wasn't able to get out of bed until the evening. I hated we couldn't make it to VBS. I LOVE being apart of that amazing event.
I hope to be able to function soon. I have to have a yard sale Saturday. I was suppose to have it last Saturday but it rained so all of the stuff is all over the house.
The puppies are doing well. We are taking them later today to get their tails and claws done. We've moved Harper and them into the small bathroom. I just couldn't handle them being in the dirt since she wouldn't put them in the dog house of under the gazebo.
It's always something but we are happy and pretty healthy for the most part. I'll take that! Also, Ricky made a good grade on his past test. He said everyone else was getting failing grades. This professor is horrible! He only has a couple more weeks.. thank goodness!

KP

We are grandparents :)

We are grandparents to 5 Boxer puppies and 1 angel puppy. Harper had 1 girl and 5 boys. One of the boys didn't make it. He looked just like Hoss. It was sad to see her not want to leave him. The unusual thing is she had 3 pure white puppies. We'll need to see if they are deaf once they get a little older. 

Anyway, mommy and babies are doing well! 

KP 

We LOVE fresh fruits and veggies!

from our new co-op

a baby peach from our tree

We found a new co-op and this Saturday will pick up another package of fresh fruits and veggies. This last pack we ordered 25 pounds of peaches, 8 pounds of strawberries, and a ton of other veggies and fruits. We LOVE it! It's such a budget saver too. Above was $82 worth that last us two weeks. We still buy eggs, milk, and chicken but weekly it's less than $60 total. That's amazing in my opinion for our family of 5. 

If you are on a budget or just looking to eat a little cleaner, I highly recommend joining a co-op!

Krista 

Summer time fun...

Here are some pictures from this summer. 

PLEASE DO NOT PRINT OR SHARE ANY PICTURES WITHOUT PERMISSION

playing in the sprinkler :) 

library time :) 

Slip in Slide 

She is a mess! 

FROYO aka Frozen Yogurt :) 

everything in 3s including new shoes :) 

The hubs and I getting ready for a date night! 

3

4th of July 

Fire  Cracker, Fire Cracker 

Boom, Boom, Boom :) 

3 year checkups at the Pedi

3 year checkup at the Pedi

3 year check up at the Pedi

They are best friends. 

Circus! 

Circus 

Circus 

Oh, it's a big deal...

NINETY DAYS
90
No Soda!!! And I'm still alive :) I've also been off of sweat tea for a week! That means ZERO caffeine and that is a big deal! 

Here are some funnies:

Don't judge me. You can't handle half of what I've dealt with. There's a reason I do the things I do, there's a reason I am who I am.

We took the kids to the circus on Friday. They had sooo much fun and did so well sitting from 10am- 1pm. Ricky and I were so proud of our kids because so many kids their age and older were horrible around us! Parents were having to buy their kids a bunch of junk food to keep them occupied and buy a bunch of overpriced cheap toys. We didn't buy a single thing while there. We got them breakfast on the way and went to lunch after. They can be angels when they want :)
Saturday I mowed the back yard and it rained on me. It stopped after I was finished mowing. Later that day Madi and I ran so errands and it rained again. I'm not complaining about the rain though, it keeps the temperature down.
Sunday Ricky had to work and we didn't do much of anything.
Today Ricky and I went to the college to get a couple of things figured out. I made a meatloaf while the kids watched a movie. Ricky did homework until it was time for him to leave for work. This class is really kicking his butt! I mowed the front yard while the kids played and watched me.
Tomorrow Brody has a GI appointment. I thought we were finished with appointments after last Wednesday's but I got a reminder call on Friday... I HATE when that happens! I'm usually really good about adding appointments to the calendar but this one slipped through the cracks.
I'm taking the kids to their first movie on Wednesday. They have a promotion this summer that the 10am movie is only $.50. Can't beat that plus I want to see if they can sit through a movie because we are planning to take them to see Planes on August 9th.
I have to decorate our room at church for VBS sometime this week. We are really looking forward to VBS.
And the last thing on the list is getting ready for our yard sale on Saturday morning. We have a ton of stuff to get rid of!

Update soon!

KP

Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn. -C.S. Lewis

The greatest thing just happened today. As you all know, Ricky is back to school. He made an A in his first class back. His second class started last week and it's hell. The professor has assigned so much work and there are quizzes every single day and test every week. He also has a huge paper due. I hate professors like this. It's unnecessary and ridiculous. Anyway, he talked to his boss today and wait for it..... he will be able to only work 8 hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays!!!! This is a HUGE blessing. Ricky's been nervous about talking to him about working fewer hours since he recently got a promotion but clearly prayers have been answered. Now he will be able to get more than 4 hours of sleep 3 days a week. That is huge! I will be able to sleep at night not worrying about him driving home.  This also gives him more time to study and complete his work. It's the little things we appreciate the most.
Brody had his appointment today. It rained really hard the entire way down to the medical center. The appointment took a long time because of his case history and the struggles he currently faces. He and Gracie will both go back in 6 months to check in and see if we should change anything or add anything. She said we have done and are doing everything we can do for him. It's frustrating instead of being a relief because all the thousands of hours in therapies and specialist appointments we are still at the base of the biggest mountain ever. I hope one day we can at least start climbing up that mountain.

KP

People wait all week for Friday, all year for summer, and all life for happiness. Don't wait!

Friday we buried Hoss in our backyard. We could have taken him to the vet but this was his home so I wanted him to be here. He died under the kids swing set. How sad is that? Now Madi goes to the window every single day and yells for Harper to make sure she is okay. They didn't see Hoss but Ricky and I were hollering for him and he didn't come and the kids were right there. When I started crying Gracie immediately started crying. She is such a sweet soul. Anyway, it seems so unreal. I just can't believe he is gone. Of course I've went through every possible thing that could have gone wrong but we will never know. He was healthy and happy and then he was dead. What another eye opener.
Saturday I went and picked up our food from a new Co-Op. When I arrived the truck was just getting there so I helped. I will never understand why people just stand there when there are opportunities to take action. Anyway, I didn't know this but if you volunteer, you get to pick extra food for free. I got an extra honeydew melon. I'm very impressed with this co-op. I ordered 25 pounds of peaches, 8 pounds of strawberries, granola, 2 juice packages that have apples, kale, spinach, beets, celery, parsley, and other greens, and we also got honeydew melon, plums, and cantaloupe. All that for $82 and it's organic! This food will last us at least 2 weeks. I put a lot of the peaches up. I just sliced and froze them. We will use them in smoothies. I made healthy homemade strawberry jam. The only ingredients are strawberries, pure maple syrup, honey, and tapioca flour. It is to die for! It took me two full days to get everything cleaned, chopped, and put away.
Sunday we didn't do anything. Ricky had to work and he had homework due today so it was a low key day. Last night was interesting though. We got a thunderstorm which the rain was much needed. The kids went to sleep right as it was starting around 7pm. Around 9pm we had transformers blow behind Mrs. Lupe and Mr. Howard's house. The power would come on and then go out as the transformers blew several times. Mrs. Lupe saved the day and came over with and headband flashlight and a bottle of wine. Good times are to be had rain or shine!
Today Ricky went to school and I had some errands to run when he got home. Nothing fancy just a Monday.
Brody has his appointment Wednesday with the developmental specialist. I kind of already have the answers we need from the testing the Neuropsychologist gave us last month but after waiting since 2011 for this appointment, we aren't going to pass it up.
We are taking the kids to the circus on Friday. I don't know what to expect but I hope it's enjoyable.

KP

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. -Josh Billings

Hoss our beloved Boxer died suddenly today. He was such an amazing pet. Mine and Ricky's first child. He would literally play soccer with you or by himself. There wasn't an aggressive bone in his body.
It makes it more sad that Harper is pregnant and won't leave his side. We don't know what happened to our awesome boy but I know all dogs go to Heaven.
Gosh, we will miss him so much.

KP

There was once a little girl who was a queen well, she wasn't really, but she believed it, and so she was

Today Madi had her appointment with the Developmental Specialist at Texas Children's Hospital. It was amazing to be in the room as they were testing and to see all the things she mastered and her thought process to problem solve. I LOVE our doctor. She has the personality for the job and can make my girls feel so comfortable and special within moments of meeting her. I'm sure Brody won't have a single problem with her next week at his appointment.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when other people brag about my kids. It's literally the best feeling in the world to hear doctors say how amazing your kid is or how they are smart, etc. Today the doctor and a resident were in and both doctors couldn't believe how well Madi is doing. They said she is every bit of  a social butterfly and that I don't need to worry at all about her. Another huge elephant lifted off my shoulders. Once the testing was done, they went away for a while to score the testing material and make a sound judgement of where Madi is. When they came back in the room they shared the results and for the first time in 3 years we've made it! All the long appointments, thousands of hours in therapy, all the sleepless nights, everything has been soooo worth it because today Madi is caught up to her peers in every single area but one: gross motor (she doesn't jump with both feet off the ground). She might be way smaller in size compared to her peers but she is just as smart as they are and knows just as much as they do! I am sooooo thankful and proud of this little girl. I know it's because of God and a big dose of her strong willed personality that has her where she is today.
Her and I went to lunch and then Toys R Us. They are having an amazing deal on Crayola stuff right now so we got a couple boxes of crayons and markers. She LOVES to go shopping and is such a joy to spend one on one time with. She hasn't had an accident in days and I'm so impressed how quickly she potty trained at night. She loves wearing her big girl panties and smiles so big when she goes potty. Anyone at the house has to give big high fives to her. I love that she hasn't worn a diaper in over a week!

Gracie's cast comes off tomorrow. Very excited about that and to start potty training her too. I won't know how to act when I get Gracie out of diapers too!!

Brody isn't ready. I wish he was but he just isn't. There is a lot of brain damage stuff that affects him but we love him through it. One day though. I know one day everything will be just perfect for him.

KP

Christmas (planning) in July and a LOOONGG update

It's July so that means it's time for me to start Christmas list making and shopping. We are a cash kind of family with very little debt (Ricky's truck and our mortgage) so I start shopping months in advance to cash flow everything. I think we are getting the kids new bed frames.  Ricky thinks Brody needs this bed. He always wanted a car bed when he was a boy but his parents wouldn't let him have one so he is on a mission for our boy to have this bed. My logical is that Brody will not like it after about 8 years old but Ricky insist he will love it forever. I think Ricky might want to sleep on this bed he likes it so much. He even mentioned it comes in pink for the girls. My responses was along the lines of when hell freezes over. I really love this bed for the girls with a trundle bed underneath to save space in their room. We spotted this in Pottery Barn and it's made really well. I considered bunk beds but I loath them and think they are not safe.
I'd rather have something more classic that they will have forever and that will go with whatever theme they decided as they grow. Can you imagine Brody being 17 years old sleeping in that bed? I can't. But I don't want to think of him being 17 yet either.
I'm not sure what else we are going to get them. They have Power Wheels, bikes, scooter, tricycles, a wagon, swing set, outside playhouse, sand box, trampoline, swimming pool, etc. so maybe it'll be a few small things. We only do 3 gifts each plus 1 from Santa anyway. We are also looking at what we will do when the Christmas season rolls around. Last year we took them on the train ride to the North Pole which they still talk about but this year we are thinking about taking them to College Station to http://www.santas-wonderland.com/ but it's more expensive then the train rides were and they were a lot!
Bath and Body Works is having a HUGE sale so I got their teacher gifts already. Can't beat putting together a gift that cost $5 a teacher and is nice stuff. I did this last year too and saved big because I also got their therapist little gifts. Between therapist and teachers we have 8 people to think about. It adds up.
Anyway, more stuff on the to do list but it keeps me busy.

This is going to be a really long post only because I'm just remembering I didn't update about Gracie's big appointment last week....

A few pics from their party

They LOVED their decorations :) 

Cupcakes for their birthday song. We sing 3 songs in birth order!! 

Minnie Mouse purse! 

Brody has CVI- basically he feels things instead of looking. They think there are times when he can't see anything. This picture shows that. Regardless, he was so excited for his toys! 

Princess Gracie

They Love their bikes! 

Sweet Summertime!

Confession: My name is Krista and I'm obsessed with pretty water and white sandy beaches! I really thing I was meant to live somewhere tropical. No, really!
Summer is in full swing. It's so hot! We've still have a lot of fun to be had before the kids start school at the end of August. This month we are taking the kids to the Circus for the first time. They have free passes so it should be cheaper and I can't wait to see how they react to everything. At the end of the month we have a week of VBS. We LOVE VBS and I'm excited to be involved again this year. We do have several appointments mixed into the month as well. I'm trying to get everything checked off so we don't have visits once school is back. In August we are taking them to their first movie at a theater to see Disney's Planes. It seems like it will be like the movie Cars. I think they will do well with sitting. They do good at home watching a movie :) Ricky and I are going to see Wicked on Broadway. I'm super excited!! Anyone been? We have registration and meet the teacher for everyone, and our trip to Pensacola, Florida!! I'm most excited about the beach.
Once school starts back up, we'll be very busy. Madi will go to school Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:15-12:15 and Brody and Gracie will go to school Monday- Friday 8-11. I still need to figure out what activities they will do like dance, etc. and of course therapy will need to start back up :( I'm not looking forward to therapy at all. It's been so nice having the time off and the kids are learning and progressing so well. They can each drink out of an open cup. That has been a goal with the therapist for a long time.
Gracie's cast comes off next week. So excited for her and the fact we can start swim lessons back! They were doing so well until we had to take a break. I look forward to many trips to the pool!
Of course we are still going to the library several times a week. The kids have read over 50 books since June 3rd. I've read 5. Life has been amazing without TV and we very recently got an antenna in the attic so we can get the local news stations. I've really not missed it at all and the kids can still watch a movie every once in a while so they aren't missing it either.
Ricky's summer class is ending next week and a couple days later the next one will start. I'm looking forward to these classes being over so he can have a more manageable schedule. I hate that he is getting around 4 hours of sleep a night. It's not enough and it has to change for his safety! Please say a prayer for him every night. He arrives home at 4am and I usually try to stay up until I hear his truck so I know he has made it home.
This year is passing us by. I hope everyone is living everyday and not allowing the days to just pass by.

KP

A perfect Monday

The kids had the BEST birthday party and birthday. Since Gracie had to go in a full leg cast that was not waterproof, we had to cancel their swim party and instead had immediate family and friends over.  Our little house that could was busting at the seems. It was so perfect. We took them to dinner that night and they had a birthday celebration there too. They thought it was so funny that everyone was singing to them and Brody was dancing away.
Today I made them breakfast waffles which is pancake mix with sprinkles. Ricky went to school and when he got home, we had lunch, went to see Mrs. Lupe since she has been gone to Mexico, and got ready to go out to The Woodlands. The kids went on their first boat ride and loved it, we did the carousel, they shopped in Pottery Barn Kids (they have expensive taste!), we bought them each a "special" book from Barnes and Noble with a gift card I had, and ended the day with dinner.
Madi is doing a good job potty training. It's amazing how changing one less kid's diaper makes the day a little easier. We are really proud of her. Gracie is wanting to potty train too but we are waiting until her cast is off next week.
It seems they woke up older this morning. Their conversations with us, the way they look, everything! I'm so excited to see what this next year will bring their way! Gosh, I hope they know how much we love them!!

KP