My Little Helper

When knocking out a tile backsplash, there is no greater help than the dude. It wouldn't be fun without him by my side, sporting his safety glasses and wielding his hammer, Pat. Brian loved coming home to find his hammer, with mine, lying in the rubble.

Love our dude. Love, love, love our dude!

So Sweet

Caleb reading to Leah. He did a very good job! So very, very sweet.

Bluebonnets

If it wasn't official before, it should be now. I must be a full-fledged Texan. I have the diplomas, the marriage license, mortgage papers and birth certificate of my child that tie me to this state, but I have never taken a picture in the bluebonnets. To be honest, I used to think it was really hokey and just plain bad manners to trample those precious buds. But something changed this year. I began to think it might be nice. So when my friend Heather called and asked if I wanted to do a photoshoot of our chittlins in a field of Texas blue, I said "ABSOLUTELY!" So tell me. Does this make me an official Texan? I feel like embracing this tradition has placed me firmly in the grips of this amazing state that I call home. And looking at these pictures makes me feel calm and peaceful. These children are more than just Caleb's friends. They really are our family. You will find these photos prominently displayed throughout our home in a very short amount of time. I dare you to come and find out for yourself!

Stacie (my sister from another mister) and Emily

Leah and Emily (our god-daughters)

Caleb. The Dude. Looking very dudish.

Tatum and Heather (I love this picture!)

Leah and Tatum

Leah, Tatum and Trevor

Baby Trey (my squishee)

Trevor, Caleb, Leah and Tatum

The gang, again.

Trevor and Caleb. In the words of Trevor, "still best friends" and very much brothers from different mothers!

Love.

Trevor, Heather and Trey. The perfect picture.

Not digging it.

The dudes. Trevor, Trey and Caleb.

Trevor and Caleb

Trevor, Trey and Tatum

Out of two dozen shots, this was the best I got!

Trevor, Trey, Tatum, Leah, Emily and Caleb

Tatum

Trevor and Caleb

The boys are flying.

Leah and Caleb. Relieved that we are done and on the way to the park for a picnic.

If you couldn't tell, Trey was the only happy and cooperative child in the bunch. Somehow the rest all woke up with 'tudes and the grumps. Ah. Preschoolers.

GOAL!

Mark it down. Remember it. Caleb made his first goal on Saturday, April 7, 2012! Wish y'all could have been there. It was amazing! Two of his team-mates went down and the other team had the ball. He just ran up, took the ball and headed for the goal. He took the shot from the side and it went right in. And yes, the crowd went wild. He is so proud. We are so proud. Caleb is amazing!

This is not a photo from that goal. We were a bit occupied what with the cheering and jumping and whatnot. But this is from that game. That wonderful, momentous, never-to-be-forgotten game.

We're Still Here

Yup. We are still here. We didn't go anywhere. Things have been different though. And hard. But we are on the other side of that now and life is returning to normal. I think I can be a little more candid about what my dudes and I have been dealing with now too. I started to suffer from panic attacks in December and through the process of getting that under control, had to confront the underlying issues and apparent depression. I am still shocked at the physical toll an emotional and mental battle can have on the body, I was unable to do anything. I feel as though my whole brain shut down. I suffered from insomnia for over a month and experienced the debilitating effect of no sleep. But at no point have I doubted that God has brought me to my knees to put me through His refining fire and build me back up again. I feel stronger and healthier today than I can ever remember. And to get all of us through this painful period, God provided us with the amazing love and support of our friends. They have cleaned our home, watched our dude, fed us with amazing meals, listened and encouraged. No words can begin to express what that has meant to us and for us. Brian has put on a lot of hats the last few months and our friends and family have stepped up to give his weary bones some much deserved rest. Brian's strength and compassion is beyond anything that I could have hoped for too. Our little family of three has grown incredably close and strong and our appreciation for each other is unparalleled. God's plan is His own and we as we walk with Him all we can do is trust that plan. Have faith in that plan. God is good. Really, really good.