Memorial Day Weekend

This past Sunday, we took a little day trip to Austin, TX, so that the kids (and Mama) could see the Capitol.  A lot of fun was had by all, especially on the front steps and lawn.

Asher trying to keep up... story of his life.

This hill though!

"It's so'mazing!"

A lot of beauty; a lot of sass.

This picture makes my eyes turn into little hearts.

Best Dad Ever Award!

All five of us hilariously crowded into one selfie.

Also... Hallie thinks the name of the Capitol is "selfie"!

On Monday afternoon, we saw on the news that downtown Austin had been flooded... and then that same storm system came and flooded Houston on Monday night.  Seriously, the streets only a couple blocks from us are completely underwater.  We just got our power back after being without for about 12 hours.  What!

So, all in all, we had a pretty eventful weekend.  How was yours, friends? :)

Sunday Beach Trip

This past Sunday, we took the kids to the beach.  In our three years of living in Houston, we've only made the hour-long drive a handful of times.  I don't really know why, other than the fact that Drew and I aren't that into beaches.  (Seriously, we went snow-skiing on our honeymoon.)

The kids, on the other hand, absolutely love the beach.  And I found myself enjoying it a whole lot more through their eyes and experiences!  I can't wait to go again! 

Building sandcastles with Daddy was a highlight!

This kid is a fish.

She's not afraid to get a little dirty. ;)

Last time we were at the beach, he wasn't walking.  This time, he was running.

Mr. Independence.

Everything is more fun with a giant shovel.

Beach princess.

Daddy's devoted little helper.

My heart!

Favorite shot of the day.  I love the adventurous spirit that Drew is cultivating in our son.

A Dream Come True

Y'all.

I'm going to Israel.  On Tuesday.

I am not even sure if my mind adequately comprehends what I am about to do.

I've always loved the land of Israel, always had a desire to go.  Ever since I was 9 or 10 years old, I have been dreaming about the day I would see the land for myself.

I want to go where history began.  I want to see the land God chose for the people He chose.  I want to walk where the heroes of my faith walked.  I want to be the place where my Lord stepped out of eternity into time, where He grew, and lived.  Where He died, where He rose, and where He is soon returning.

The fact that I'm actually going hasn't quite set in yet.  I've already spent some tears in anticipation, but the bulk of my emotions will probably hit me halfway over the Atlantic.

Speaking of which, if you think of it, please say a prayer for me.  I struggle with minor travel anxiety and I would love to not be affected during this trip!  I get knots in my stomach and have trouble eating whenever I am in new places.  And since Israeli food is so yummy, I would really love to eat a falafel every day that I'm there. ;) Thanks, y'all.

(And if you think of it, please also pray for my children, that they won't miss their mama too much while I'm gone!)

I purchased a new journal for my trip, and am prayerfully anticipating the Lord speaking to me a lot while I'm in Israel!  Hopefully I'll be able to turn His voice + my thoughts + notes from our trip into blogs when I get back.

If you'd like to keep up with my journey, you can do so via my Instagram feed.  I will have wi-fi at the hotels and plan to post pictures and thoughts each evening.

Summer Time

It's been a busy, busy summer, y'all.  Picture-heavy post coming through!

Around the middle of June, we packed up our minivan of awesomeness and made the 22-hour drive to Williamsburg, Virginia, for VACATION!  First up was my little sister's bridal shower and my little brother's graduation. Woo!

Matron of honor with the bride-to-be!

Four of the five!

Handsome grad!

Both events were kind of unreal.  I can't believe that my first sister is now married and my first brother is a high school graduate.  Where has the time gone?!

Anyway, after the shower, Drew and I drove our kids down to Myrtle Beach for a week for our first ever family vacation!  We took one of my sisters with us; she was a HUGE help watching the kids so Mom and Dad could actually get some vacay time of our own.

Here are some of the highlights of our beach trip...

Krispy Kreme -- a luxury we do not get in Houston.  Shipley's sucks. :p

All by himself on the big slide!

Keepin' cool in the shade.

Beach Babe.

"Look, Mama, it's a 'G' for Gabriel!"
I was amazed.

The week was amazing, full of water slides, swimming, date nights, sleeping in, sand, and rain.  When it was over, Whitney and I dropped Drew off at the airport and trekked back up to Williamsburg for wedding preparations and family time!

Uncle & Nephew.  Best buds.

Hanging out at Bounce House.

Hallie's first haircut!

And a long-overdue haircut for Mom!

The five sisters.

Independence Day in Colonial Williamsburg!

Papaw dedicating Hallie and Asher to the Lord.

And then Gabriel lost my phone.  (And it's still missing.  In my parents' house.  In Virginia.  And yes, it's an iPhone 5.)  It died before I realized it was missing, so I couldn't call it or even utilize Find My iPhone.

So, needless to say, I got zero pictures of the wedding festivities.  I somehow forgot that I have a digital camera in my diaper bag.  I'm so used to using my phone that I don't even think about the camera anymore. Sigh.

But anyway.  There's my summer update in (mostly) pictures.

And if you think of it, please pray that my family will find my phone.  I feel like I've lost a limb.  Haha.

Christmas Recap

Happy new year, friends!

The Mayans were wrong, the world is still spinning, and we have crossed into the year of our Lord 2013!  (I was never concerned about the Mayan calendar, by the way.)

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas (or whatever holiday you happen to celebrate around this time of year).  I sure did.  There's nothing like being home for Christmas.  And when home includes 9 younger siblings; mom & dad; a set of grandparents; and an aunt, uncle, and three cousins? Jackpot.

We were opening gifts all day.  Literally.

By lunch, all the kids' eyes were glazed over.  All my siblings like to buy for each other (well, the ones who have jobs), so we had gifts from grandparents, aunts and uncles, my parents, people in the church, and seven siblings.  It was crazy.

And to top it all off...

My little sister got engaged!

The five sisters.  Destiny (middle) is the one who is now wearing a ring!

On Christmas Eve, we attended the service at my dad's church after which we retired to my parents' house to open one gift each.  At the end, Destiny's now-fiancé showed up and surprised her.  It was beautiful.  Everyone was crying and hugging and oggling the stunning, vintage ring.  I wish I'd gotten a picture of it... but I failed to take any pictures after the service.

Shocking, I know.

Anyway.  My kids loved spending time with their Nanna and Papaw.  Hallie's vocabulary practically exploded while we were there.  She says at least 10 new words, including Papaw.  My heart melted when I witnessed her following my daddy around saying his name.

Too tired to smile, but still taking my breath away.

I so wish I'd gotten a picture of them together. :(

Gabriel got confused about Mommy and Daddy's names.  He called me both Tay-tay (the name my little brothers call me) and Taylor over the course of the week.  I corrected him both times.  "Excuse me?!  What is my name?!  Mama!"

And today, after I told him that Papaw was my daddy, he responded, "Yeah!  And my daddy is Drew!"

What?!  This kid is too smart.

My baby brother is two years older than my son. How adorable are they in their matching outfits?!

It was an amazing week.  I didn't want it to end.  I hate saying goodbye to people I love.  I cherish the busyness of my family.  With so many people around, there's always something going on.

But at the same time, there's something wonderful about coming home.  I missed my bed, alone time with my babies, cooking for four, and finding quiet snatches of time to read.  (One thing about my parents' house:  It's rarely quiet, especially with 25 people in it!)  It's hard to decide what I miss more -- my family when I'm home or home when I'm away!

Honestly, I don't have time to think about it this week... Christmas is hardly over for our family!  The in-laws are coming on Friday to stay the weekend and I have to unpack, get the house ready, buy groceries, bake, and wrap more gifts!  Whew!

I'm going to be one busy lady the next few days... but stay tuned for a post on my goals for 2013!

NYC-Bound

(Written this morning.)

Here I sit in the DFW airport... childless except for baby #3, peacefully sleeping in my tummy.

First up on my reading list:  Undaunted by Christine Caine!

Drew has a conference in New York City two days this week, so we decided to make a vacation out of it. You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to this getaway!

- I have never been to New York in my life, unless you count driving through or a layover, when I had to wave at the skyline from a distance. I don't.

- I love Christmas. This fact is no secret to anyone who knows me. The fact that I'll be in NYC the week before Christmas... ohmygoodness. I'm kind of hyperventilating. Hello lights and Rockefeller tree!!

- I've always wanted to see a Broadway show on actual Broadway. This week, we'll be seeing two. Reason #7893168371 why I have the best hubby in the world. Merry Christmas to me! (No really, this trip is our present to each other).

- I need some me time. I don't require much... just a hotel room (or a Starbucks with a peppermint hot chocolate), a good book (I packed five), and quiet.

- Drew and I need this time to focus on each other and our friendship. Things get so crazy when you have two kids. I sometimes feel like all we talk about is them! It'll be so good to just talk about each other and our marriage.

- I need a break from my kids for a few days. Not because they've been driving me crazy (which they have), or because I'm exhausted (which I am), but because I need a fresh perspective on how much I love staying home with them.

- Lastly... Italian food, New York pizza, street vendor hot dogs, and insane bakeries. Enough said.

I'm so excited.

I'm also SO grateful to my in-laws for graciously keeping my two kids this week so Drew and I can have a little vacation. I don't know if they know what they've gotten themselves into... ;)