Much Better Day Today!!

Today, my sweet husband was able to take off from work for half a day...just to be with me!!!! We took advantage of the time to not only just be together but have fun and get some things done in the process.

Our first stop was traveling to Bellaire...this is the part of Houston where most of the famous people live, like Mary Lou Retton and George and Barbra Bush. It's also real close to the Houston Galleria. We first stopped to eat lunch at this famous hole in the wall joint...

It was real good but I am not kidding when I say, "HOLE IN THE WALL". I couldn't believe what it looked like or the size of it but people poured in and out just to get one of their broiled burgers. Their sign out front even looked like the original sign from like the 1800's!!! (just kidding).

Next stop was a familiar place for us...Reliant Stadium...

To go by tickets at the box office for this...

The circus is coming people and the Hathorn's are going on July 17th!!! I am so excited, maybe more excited than my kids will be but Shhhh!, it's a surprise for them! They have never been to a real, big circus show like this and I bet James and I haven't been since we were around 10 or 11.

After that, we headed back on the north side of town and I snapped this of the sky on the way back. We could see the clouds spinning around us in a circular motion. This folks, was one of the outer bands of Hurricane Alex. Not much rain hit us today but we definitely had hurricane clouds. It's weird to me that I actually know what hurricane clouds look like, but I do. =)

My honey chauffeuring me around today...

We had a blast, did a lot of shopping, got a lot done and except for one more small item, we got all of Shelby's birthday shopping done!!! Now, I just have to wrap it all before Friday!! =)

Coming up...Pictures of the kiddos adventures at Camp G&P's (Gramms sent me some pics!!)
Hugs,

Karen

Bad Day, Happy Ending...

Is today Monday? I thought it was Tuesday but it sure has felt like a Monday in several ways. I have had an interesting day to say the least:

1. Long story short, my trip to Jiffy Lube this morning just to get my truck inspection done took over an hour for several reasons. Then I leave only to discover that the guy put the sticker backwards on my window. So, instead of looking like 6/2011, it looked like the 11th month and ending in a 9 for the year. So, I had to go back and wait again to get it corrected. Not a good start to my morning. But, I maintained, kept calm, and even told the guy that I hoped his day got better (I had already witnessed him being chewed out by two other customers).

2. I finally leave Jiffy Lube and head to my local honey man because we are almost out. Yes, we are crazy people...we can NOT live without our local honey anymore. It keeps us well and it tastes oh so good in our coffee every morning. Well, guess what, I drive all the way there and he's ALWAYS there on a Tuesday, except for today of course. NO HONEY!!!

3. About this time, I also get a call from the kids orthodontist...wanting lots of money from us....turns out there was some kind of mix up with our insurance...imagine that!! And this is not the first time this has happened.

4. Then I go to pay money to get my truck washed only for more than one bird to make a target out of it not long after it was washed....one even thought it would be funny to do it on the side of the driver's window!! Why??? Again, I'm thinking...this is really a Monday disguised as a Tuesday!

5. Then...call me crazy but I braved it and went to Wally World and yes, it was a mad house!! To top it off...our Supercenter is currently being remodeled so it has been a mess for weeks now. They have moved everything! So except for the toy section, I don't know where anything else is anymore. It took me almost 2 hours just to get my stuff and leave from there. Uuuggghhh!! Oh, and I was also almost creamed in the parking lot twice: once by an old man with a handicap sticker and then one old lady.

But even as frustrating as my day had started out for me...all of it was wiped away in an instant when I got a call from my daddy telling me that my grandma was taken to the ER!! It was nerve-racking for several hours but I am thankful and happy to report that she is home tonight and doing much better. Basically, her blood pressure got way too high today. They checked her out, ran some test, and they sent her home with a new blood pressure medicine. She will go visit her regular primary doctor in the next few days to have a more thorough check.

I am so grateful and so glad that she is okay!! It always amazes me what the power of prayer can do. So, overall, it was a bad day with a happy ending. =)
Love you Grandma!!
your granddaughter,
Karen Kristine

Date Night

My furry, long legged child was so happy for me to be home on Saturday...

I was pretty happy about it too...

What gal wouldn't be happy to come home and look at this all the time... =)

I love you baby...thank you for letting me constantly take pictures of you!

Last night, we went on another date!!! First, we went to see this movie starring Ashton Kutcher. We didn't really know what to expect but this movie was so funny!!!

After the movie, we went to one of the best burger and milkshake joints in Houston...Johnny Rockets!

This Johnny Rockets is located by the Woodlands Mall in an area called Market Street where there are tons of shops and fabulous restaurants...we love hanging out there. Some of you may remember James and I going to a place called Tommy Bahamas for our Anniversary...this is in that same area.

James and I were really good for the most part...we didn't get popcorn at the movie because we were waiting for this...a Johnny Rocket milkshake. Anyone that knows James well, knows that one of his favorite things is a REAL chocolate milkshake, made the old fashion way. It was SO YUMMY...just heavenly. We also were good because we shared our meal...we each had half of a side salad, half of a coke, half of a small french fry order and half of a smokehouse burger which was out of this world. It had a fried egg on it!! If you've never tried a burger with an egg on it, do yourself some justice and just do it. =) This meal was so worth it and the best part was, we didn't feel stuffed, miserable or sick afterwards. In fact, to top things off, I lost another pound when I weighed this morning!!

My baby was a happy boy right here...

See, we are not miserable at all...we took this right after our meal!

James chillin' out on the bench while I took pics...then we went home!!

We miss our babies but we had a wonderful time last night!!! We still love going on dates...after 12 years!! Our next date is planned for Tuesday night. =)

From the Word today...

What spoke to me from the sermon today...

Psalms 73: 25-26

Whom have I in heaven but you?

and Earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but

God is the strength of my heart and my

portion forever.

My how I fail over and over in this life. Fail as in...let down my Savior...fail as in continual sinning. From birth to death, God has us continually in his grip. But far more, we have the hope of the resurrection. Though our courage and strength may fail, we know that one day we will be raised to life to serve Him forever! He is our security and we must cling to Him.

Daily, I find refuge in Him. When disappointment, hurt, or sometimes anger try to take over...at the end of the day, I cling. I cling.

Love,

Karen

Home in Spring...

I felt like the moon was welcoming me home tonight...just beautiful!!

I had to take a few shots of it tonight...

I think this one is my favorite...I love the closeups!! The moon is so cool.

I made it back safe and sound from my parents today and not sure who was more excited to see me...James or Trinity!?! HA!! Okay, it was close but I think James beat her. I was so happy to see them too. It's always good to be home. We are missing our babies already but I know they are having a great time at Gramms and PawPaw's. They called us this evening before me and James went on a date. Thomas always sounds so cute talking on the phone!! =) They had already helped PawPaw mow the grass, ate a good lunch, and then went swimming!! Thomas was telling us all about jumping off the diving board into some "really deep water"! James and I had a delicious Mexican meal at a new place called Julio's Cantina. Now we are about to snuggle up and watch a movie.

Good Night everyone...

Improving!

Look closely...can you see it??? Can you feel it??

The light and brightness is back in Shelby's eyes this morning!!

We are thrilled that Belle is eating, smiling, and improving!! Her fever broke early this morning and she is showing no other symptoms or issues at this time. YAY!! Thanks to everyone who prayed for her, especially yesterday. We have had some real scary moments with her since Sunday, it definitely reminds us just how fragile our lives are and to hold every precious moment tightly. We believe, thanks to the Lord above, that Shelby is quickly recovering now from not only the head injury but also the virus. If all goes well today, and the rest of us stay well, she will be cleared to travel and the kiddos and I will be hitting the road to Camp Gramms and PawPaw's in the morning! =)

Love,

Karen

My Man!

Last night, I cut James' hair...and sometimes, I really like to have fun with it!! Shelby and Thomas thought I was crazy when I acted like their Daddy's hair was done at this point...

Especially when I showed them the back...I really had them going! (This of course was before Shelby got sick again.)

James likes to play along too...he wouldn't let me actually spike the mohawk though...

The kids always love to rub their daddy's hair after I shave his summer cut...especially Shelby!

Now he's all ready for summer...he loves not having to "fix" his hair anymore.

I love this man...and I love this look he has...

I also like it when I cause him to do this...

James Stephen...such a blessing and God given gift to my life!

I love you...forever...

Father's Day With James!

James' goodies from us...

We also had a scare on Father's Day! Shelby got dehydrated, became dizzy and fainted in our living room before our Father's Day lunch. James was still at church or picking up lunch when it happened. Unfortunately, when she fainted, she was standing. When she fell, she hit her forehead very hard at the base of our wooden dvd cabinet. Not good!! It scared me to death. She was out cold and I didn't even realize it at first. I stayed calm and thankfully, I was able to wake her up from it pretty quick. I took this picture right after she woke up and got ice on her head. Thankfully, it did not split open or we would have been in the ER on Father's Day getting stitches. We are so glad she is okay. It was a day of firsts...first time to faint and first concussion. It's been a while since I had a mommy scare like that.

James' choice...we had Papa John's pizza for lunch! YUM!!

And also James' choice...his favorite...my homemade chocolate sheet cake and homemade icing.

Daddy's homemade award...he loved it!!

Some cards...even Trinity gave him one!! =)

The kids wrote about their Daddy in their journals on Friday so James read those yesterday too! So sweet and cute. He loved it and it made him smile so big. =)

Shelby's:

Thomas':

James loves T-shirts so we had a theme this year: new Christian T-shirts!!! This was Thomas' pick...

Belle, when she finally felt like sitting at the table to eat and watch Daddy open stuff...

Notice the big goose egg above her right eye...

Belle's T-shirt pick:

My T-shirt pick:

I also got him a new book to read. Since he and I just finished watching the entire Lost TV Series from January to May, I thought he would enjoy this. He is already reading it. =)

Daddy with the two babies...

James said despite all the medical drama, it was one of his favorite Father's Day to date! He said his cup runneth over. That's all I needed to hear. Happy Father's Day baby! I love you!

Happy Father's Day!

Wishing all the Father's out there a wonderful day, especially to my own Daddy and to James! You both deserve the best!! I love you both very much!!

I came across this awesome poem and just had to post it...I LOVE IT!!

These two little ones could pass for Belle and Thomas, except for Belle's hair! =)

We will have more to post later or for sure by tomorrow showing more Father's Day celebrating with James.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2010!!

Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Coming December 2010...we can't wait!!

Pool Time!

Summertime for us always involves lots of time swimming!! The kids have been swimming several times already but I haven't posted any pics lately. I just took these on Friday when we went for a few hours...my babies!

They always enter the pool with a big splash...LIFT OFF! Friday morning we happened to get there when it opened and we ended up having the pool to ourselves for two whole hours...just us and two lifeguards! =)

Thomas cannon ball...

Shelby cannon ball...she likes to hold her nose!

Shelby getting soaked by a bucket...

T.J.'s turn...

Pretty Belle...

Mr. T...

My two fishies...they LOVE the water!!

Cannon ball with a twist...

Thomas doing a cannon ball while Shelby does a twist...

Thomas doing the "pencil jump". It almost looks like he's standing on water...

My two happy little fishies...

Belle playing in the water spout...

One of their MANY jumps!! =)

We plan to go swimming tomorrow with James as part of his Father's Day fun!! Today, we already started celebrating...we took him to our favorite BBQ place called Valley Ranch for a delicious lunch and then we saw Toy Story 3 in 3-D!! It was awesome and we all had a blast. Got lots of shopping and errands done too. More fun to come tomorrow...