Flicka

For Christmas, Corbin asked for the movie "Flicka". I went to find it at Walmart but the guy said they didn't carry it. Ok, what do I know. I did however find "Flicka 2" so I bought it. Corbin was thrilled to have this movie. Taya has watched it literally 50 times since Christmas morning. At least once a day.

Friday night while the boys were with mema and pepa, Matt, Taya and I ventured out to do grocery shopping at Walmart. Matt had told Taya that we would try to find her another horsey movie since she wasn't feeling well. This time, Taya found Flicka. The first one. The one I asked the man about only 2 blooming months ago. So we bought it.

I sat down, snuggled in Taya's bed today and watched it with her. I had never seen it. I have to say, it is a precious movie.

I wondered where the name Flicka came from. I found out in the movie. Flicka means beautiful, young girl. As we watched, I was drawn more and more to the name. Flicka. Has a nice ring to it. Plus, I love the meaning. I explained to Taya what Flicka meant.

After the movie ended, Tim Mcgraw's song "My little girl" was playing. Tears filled my eyes as I sat there lost in the soul of my little girl. My beautiful, young girl. My Flicka. I came honestly say that when I was younger and thought of having a daughter, I knew it would be great. I had no idea just how great. She is my best friend. I look at her and melt. She comes up to me and for no reason tells me all the time "I love you, mommy". Melts my heart!

After, a few minutes, I told Taya(thinking she would know why I was saying it), she is my Flicka. She replied with such excitement..."Oh, you gonna ride me!"

Sweet Dreams

Friday night the boys went to the Tom Bean basketball games with my folks and spent the night at their house. Whenever they stay over, Ethan always bunks with Pepa in Uncle Brian's room(Brian then gets the couch) and Taya and Corbin sleep with mema in her bed. Friday night was the usual, minus Taya as she wasn't feeling great. This blog was inspired from what my mom said occured at bedtime.

As Corbin and mema were settling in the bed for the night, mema told Corbin "Sweet Dreams". This one statement led to a conversation I think she won't soon forget. She asked Corbin what a sweet dream was to him. He thought and sad nothing. She asked him would it be him, Ethan, Taya and cousin Nikki playing on the beach, running through the waves, splashing in the water, building sand castles? He replies "Nope." She then says "Ok, what if we were all at a park, having a picnic, with a big bowl of chocolate ice cream with sprinkles. Would that be a sweet dream?" Again, "Nope." Mema then said "Ok, what is a sweet dream to Corbin?" He replied this time....with one word. Yes folks, it only took one word to sum up a sweet dream for Corbin.

He replies....."FOOTBALL."

God's Grace

Everyone with kids knows they are true miracles from God. They also know sometimes are more stressful than others.

Everyday I wake up, I see God's grace in the eyes of my children. The innocence, the strength, the hope for a bright future. I have many friends, some my age, some older than me and others younger. A lot of these don't have kids of their own. They talk about how they go out and do whatever, whenever...not ever having to accomodate the kids. They seem to love it. Now, I would never, in a million years, trade what I have but I can't help think from time to time "What If" we didn't have kids. What if we weren't a family? What would life be like? Last night as I sat watching TV before dinner, I was awstruck at what I saw. I turned and looked in the kitchen and saw all 3 of our precious kids coloring at the kitchen table. Sharing, talking in kiddo conversation. So peaceful, so happy. And in that brief moment, I smiled from ear to ear, watching the little lives I created be siblings and just be kids. 5 minutes later, caos errupted once again but those shimmering moments are what I love for.

Christmas Eve Tradition

Ever since I was born, my very first Christmas Eve at 7 months of age, I have had the tradition with my family to go to my grandma's(moms mom) best friends house. Joyce and Ed Wolf. Over the years it's always been the same foundation of people with the exception that some have added in the mix while others have since passed away, my grandmother being one of the ones we have lost along with her husband, my grandfather. For 30 YEARS this has been my home on Christmas Eve. Matt and I married and now we go every year with our 3 kids. We have NEVER missed a year(even last year in the blizzard). Joyce and Ed have a daughter and a son. Their son Edward is always a part and their daughter Susan now has a husband and 3 kids. Odd fact....Their oldest child, Chris, is 18 now, born April 7th. Our oldest, Ethan, was born April 11th. Their middle child, Jason, age 16, was born January 3rd. Our middle child, Corbin, was born January 6th. Finally, their youngest, a daughter, Nicole, age 13, was born July 14th and our daughter, Taya, was born July 11th. Coincidence? Or a power stronger than we'll ever know?

The meal over the years has always been the same. Crown pork roast with a side of mashed potatoes. The others sides had changed but the main course has never wavered in over 30 years. Dinner is always followed by a dessert of a chocolate yule log and strawberry ice cream pie with graham cracker crust. YUUMMM!

This year we did our traditional photo op...only difference...Matt and I were included. Here are a few of my favorites.







It was a great night. Always is. It's a tradition that now even our kids look forward to. Family traditions...what awesome ways to spend time together. Good food, good times and good family and friends. Nothing is better than that:-)

Tom Bean Elementary Presents

Tom Bean Elementary Presents...Greatness! The whole school from Pre-K thru 5th grade preformed Christmas songs. First up was Pre-K, Kindergarten and First grade. Mixed emotions when watching this as Taya will be up there singing with Pre-K NEXT year. Not being up there this year didn't phase her one tiny bit. She knew all the songs as we sing them to her EVERY night. She made herself right at home and sang away.


Next was Second and Third grade. Mr. Corbin. He was so shy, but did real well. Sang Jingle Bells, Texas style. Literally, with twang and all.



After that, 4th grade took the stage. It was Ethan's turn. He new EVERY word and looked so grown up. I can't tell you how much I LOVE this picture. He is a young man...UGH!



Here is good friend Blake.


Big Taya KNOWS she is beautiful. You should see her flinging her hair trying to find the perfect pose. She is a doll.


Big Taya and Little Taya.


Brothers...what's better? So handsome. I still am amazed everyday that we have been so blessed to not only have them in our lives, but to have them as our sons. True gifts from God.

Dinner Table Convo

The other night while enjoying our dinner we made small talk and conversation as we normally do. This night was different. One of those that you remember days later, yet still make you laugh at the thought(hints, my writing this now). Matt asked Taya what Abuela meant in spanish. The table was quiet, then you hear that little precious jewel reply with “MEMA!”. Yes folks, our 3 year old knows Spanish. Thanks to Dora, Diego and her daddy’s new found love for the Spanish language.

Then as we ate, Corbin asked if Matt knew what Frioles meant in Spanish. I, with my humurous self, decided to beat Matt to the punch. I was so excited! My answer: Fritos! To my letdown, Corbin chuckled and said “Nope”. I then say “Chips!” Again, “Nope”. Just then, my Spanish student husband calmly says “Beans”. What the heck? Beans? You kidding me? It SHOULD be FRITOS!

The priceless moment of the evening…Corbin. He was so excited and Told Matt and I that he knows how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish, which we all know as Feliz Navidad. We ask how. He replies, serious as can be, so excited and proud of himself “Buenes Nabada!”

Taya Talk

Sunday morning Matt and I spent 2 1/2 hours putting the Christmas lights up outside our humble abode, pretty much leaving our 3 kids to fend for themselves(you can't pay to have this kind of parenting skills). Of course, during this time they were little cherubs, seeing who could slide down the hall into the living room in their socks the farthest, who could throw the miniature football hardest and hit ornaments on the christmas tree, who has what it takes to master their computer gaming skills, arguing about which team they should be on PS3 and finally watching the entire first 4 seasons of the Home Improvement series(I still love that show even now, at 29 yrs old-that Tim Taylor, he's a hoot). Anyhow, at some point Matt decided to take a 5 minute break so I , like any good mother, sat down and watched a few moments of the show with my angels. As I sat there I heard sniffeling, I just asked whoever it was to please go blow their nose. Without any hesitation Corbin jumped up and went to de-snot himself. Approximately 30 seconds later, I once again heard more sniffeling. I looked at Ethan and told him to please go blow his nose. He got up and I tell you before he even had gotten out of the living room Taya hopped up off the couch. I asked where she was going and without even missing a beat she hollars to Ethan "WAIT! I SNISSELWING too!".