I mean really? :)

Heavy-hearted

Although things are going smoothly with our move as we continue the transition (thanks for praying!), we've been made aware of some really weighty issues going on the in the lives of our friends. One after another, it seems that people are expressing problems in their marriage to us or we are just finding out as we (Chris) reconnect with old friends. Not sure what is going on here, but one things seems clear: the devil is at work. He is the biggest liar that ever existed and I'm sure he is very pleased with himself when he convinces people to believe that God has forgotten them, that they are left to themselves to solve all their own problems, that no one else is struggling and everyone else has it all together, that they are not good enough, not spiritual enough, etc. I'm sure he is just loving that he has succeeded in isolating spouses from their partners, kids from their parents, friends from people who hold them accountable and care deeply for them, the church member from the church family, and hardened their heart until they can't determine truth through the thick, thick web of lies.

I'm so angry...angry at the stupid devil. And I fluctuate between that and being so deeply sad. One thing has been made clear to Chris and I though--we are all vulnerable, we are all capable of the unthinkable.  Not just bad, but good too. So we are on our guard. Watch out Satan!

We are having date night tonight. So there!

Updated Family Picture!

Now this is from back at Eastertime, but it remains as the only picture of the 4 of us! Everytime I look at this blog, I am reminded that we have got to get some updated family pictures. I am somewhat anti-professional pictures for some reason so that doesn't help. Soon. I keep thinking that I don't want Jane to wonder where all the pictures of her are!?

Well, we made it to Colorado! We are fairly settled and by that I mean about 85% unpacked. We are thrilled to be back living in a 3 bedroom house and with a yard. I have to say that I am a BIG fan of the watering system here and somewhat fasinated by it. Make fun of me, but after battling a yard of half weeds and half grass for over a year under the evil eye of our landlord, I am grateful for "free" water and green grass.

Anywho, Chris starts his new job with Edward Jones in the morning. We know that we are in for a great deal of change in just about all areas of our life between this and the move and a new baby. We are sure thankful for the dear friends we made in Temple and Belton for only being there a short time. And it didn't dawn on me that Charlotte might miss her friends just as much as I do. She keeps asking when we are going back to our "yellow house" and "is ___ going to be there?". Prayers are much appreciated. I hope to be writing and reflecting more often on our comings and goings...then again, I've said that before.

Love, Caroline

Video Updates

Things are getting interesting around here! Jane is way more vocal and active...and so is Charlotte! These girls are growing up so fast already. Chris is done with his job in Temple on June 1 and begins his new position with Edward Jones on June 11. He has about 4 months of training and then he'll be all certified and legal and stuff :) More photos coming soon!

Packing has unearthed some our favorite out of season hats apparently...

Hope you have a great weekend coming up!

This should start it off on the right foot.

Jane smiling and laughing!

The things we do to make our kids laugh!

Charlotte is 3!

We did it! We pulled off a party for Charlotte's 3rd birthday! We had an art party with painting and cupcake decorating and of course a parachute :) Thank goodness for internet ideas to copy and a husband who specializes in games! We had friends (big and little) as well as family join us. It was a lot of fun and I think she enjoyed it too.  Since Sunday, she has asked to go her birthday party every day :)

Thanks for celebrating with us!

baby Jane

Jingle Bells

In case you need something to listen to while trimming the tree...

Fall

What can I say, it's been a very different season for us. These pictures are from "Toddler Day 2011" that occurred sometime in August, starring Will, Cash, and Charlotte. How do I know it was August? You know because you're kids are bored at all the free indoor/air conditioned, somewhat kid-friendly places in town. The pools are bathtub warm and getting there quickly becomes a sweatfest with no relief once you are there. My friend Kelli and I decided to actually do some of the things we'd seen on Pintrest to keep kiddos busy (neither one of us wanted to tackle these alone). First we made shaving cream paint then we baked rainbow cakes in mason jars (unfortunately I didn't get a picture of our finished products). Lots of fun and lots of firsts!

Sept. 4, Labor Day weekend, my brother got married to his sweetheart of one year, Brenda Fields! It was beautiful and fun and beautiful :) Welcome Brenda. We love you and are so glad you've joined the crazy that is our family.

See that lady in the purple dress in the above picture? That's my 63 year old mom who passed away on Sept. 30 after battling ovarian cancer for 16 years. She's my hero in so many ways. Where do I begin? So many of us are still working this out and processing her last weeks that it's hard to know what to say here...other than God is good and gracious in the middle of awful and sad things.

Just look below---see? We are moving right along with number 2. This was from the beginning of October and believe me, I'm much bigger now. Charlotte is checking my tummy for "baby sister". She is due Jan. 15, but it's hard to believe that we really have 2 more months--there is just no more room in there!

Here's a video of our little place in case you've been wondering where we were living all this time! I made it for my grandmother, since she wasn't able to see it in person.

And last but not least a video of what we spent the last evenings of summer doing--it was just so dang hot!  3 months of triple digits will really stretch you to your limit! I promise our yard is hardly this brown anymore.

And thank goodness.

Update

Let's catch up!  So much has happened since we last spoke. Here's some of the big stuff...

1) Chris decided to go to grad school this fall. He'll get a masters in educational administration.

2) We moved to Belton into a little 2/1 rental house...and love it!
3) We joined Mid-TexYoung Life committee.

4) My brother Sam got engaged.

5) Charlotte started a mother's morning out program one day a week.

6) Chris took a summer job at a local YMCA-type place.

7) Charlotte was potty trained for a whole 3 weeks...then she got a stomach bug...

8) I continue to craft (despite my Etsy showing) at some local shows and even had some orders from YL's Sharptop Cove!

9) We took a much needed trip to Colorado and New Mexico (see some pictures below). 

AND the number 10 thing we did this summer...) We found out we are having another little girl in January!!

This is taken from the ski lift in Telluride.

Ouray, CO at the highest point on our Jeep ride.

Reunited, and it feels so good :)

Cousins!

True NM sunset and colors.

Hope you are well! We are looking forward to the fall in all its craziness.

Piggies

Time for Dinner!

So we finally got a little kitchen set (gifted to us by another mom who was getting ready to move & didn't want to move this).  Charlotte LOVES it!  It's got the blender that makes noise & spins around & water faucets sounds too--very fancy!  Now she's always trying to get us to sample her cakes, teas, hot dogs & mystery drinks :)  Funny thing is, it's probably a very accurate scaled down version of our apartment kitchen!!  I'd say it's our kitchen, shrunk by a fourth :)  Just so happens that our NC friends sent us something that went perfectly with our newest pink & purple appliances--fruits & veggies! 

Thank you Jay & Kate, Blair & Cara!!

One of my Favorite Mother-Daughter Moments

This was awhile back, but I still loved this day!  I was making brownies with mint frosting for Chris' school and we shared leftovers on the beaters.  We just sat on the kitchen floor and enjoyed the moment...probably for different reasons (me--a first with my daughter, Charlotte--the taste of frosting and being a big girl).  Anyway, I'm hoping to catch y'all up to speed on life here in Texas in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned...

and by the way,

HAPPY BELATED MOTHER'S DAY!!

Trikes and Friends

This was back the beginning of March, but hey, I've got some catching up to do.  This is Charlotte and her friend Isaac.  Isaac's mom & I trade off watching the kids twice a week.  It's so nice to have that couple of hours each week at home without a "tod" (this is what we sometimes call the toddler in our life!) underfoot.  Anyway, in the old apartment it can be a little confining...then we opened the sliding glass door!!  Much of the cabin fever was relieved and I'm not even sure they noticed there was no grass.  Let's do the math, a 4x6 space, 2 tods, 2 trikes, 2 chairs, 3 hours, not that they were out there the whole time...I think we did well!

After awhile...

...when you've been married a few years...things start to mean more (or less) than maybe they should!

We have a 2 year old in the house!

It's official, she's 2.  Can't believe it.  I had a lot of fun party planning my first real kid-party.  The "theme" was a few of her favorite things: sidewalk chalk,  a playground, various hats for everyone, monkey cupcakes and cake, and of course friends and grandparents!  Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate too well.  Instead of being mid-70's it was more like low-60's.  Those of you in colder temps are rolling your eyes right now!  We invited 3 of Charlotte's friends and their families to join us.  Here are a few snapshots of the party.

Sweet Girl

So, it's now 3:38 AM and I've been awake since 1:45.  I've watched some shows, read everyone else's blog, saw that there was no one else on fb chat, and I'm listening to the morning trains roll in now.  It's time to update my own blog with some little pictures of our weekly commute to Austin.  We get down there at least once a week which we LOVE.  It's only an hour and it goes by quick especially when Charlotte knows we're going to see Papa and Gamaw :)  AND she's developing the cutest little singing voice (and I mean that in the way that only a mother can love).  For instance, her latest favorite is Jingle Bells, except that her version sounds like "E-O beolls" .

Here's to safe travel and a lot of time on I-35.