High School Graduate in the House

Taking selfies before selfies were cool (OMG look at my 1999 eyebrows)

I've been going through all my blogs these last few days. You know, since I haven't been here since 2012.  I had forgot about all the things I wrote about and the fun things we have done.  I still can't believe I have a high school graduate.  To be honest, I have been in a heap of a mess.  Still.  It's so weird to look back on all these post and see Reid look so young.  I mean, I knew that would happen but geez.  I feel like it was just yesterday that he was hitting a wiffle ball into the neighbors backyard or riding his bike around the block with the neighborhood posse.  I feel like the last few years are a blur and I want them back.  I think of all the things I would have done differently as a parent.  All the things that I feel like as a Mom I failed miserably at day after day.  Then I think, ok, there were SOME things you did right.  But, mostly, I'm hard on myself and think of all the things I would change.  Well, don't we all.  (Please tell me I'm not alone.  haha)

Reid....aka "Rooster"

One thing is for sure, I do know that I absolutely love, love, love my boy.  He is a great kid.  I know I'm partial but I really am so proud of him and the young man he is becoming.  I can see it more and more everyday and he makes me and his Dad so proud.  I've watched him grow into this strong Christian man and sometimes I can't believe he is mine.  I watched him stand up at my Dad's funeral and talk about his Papaw with such grace and love that my heart was bursting out of my chest.  I have watched him stand in the pulpit of our church to pray, serve communion or talk about how wonderful camp was to the congregation and I am so proud I can't even stand it.

Senior pics by his auntie momma Ash who gave him his first Slurpee at 6 weeks old...WHAT! ha!

His Senior year has been such a fun time for us.  He has kept us on our toes.  I have loved the busyness and often had to remind myself to slow down and enjoy this moment.  He has gone to Colorado for Trek, church camps, youth events, school Winter Formals, Prom, got a job, had a fun time in PALs, drove all over town in his big red truck and took the mandatory after school naps.  You know, like all teenagers. Man, what I would't give for a nap.  When he would nap, I would sometimes sneak in his room just to stare at him.  His legs almost touch the end of the bed, he takes up the whole queen size but when I look at his face I still see that sweet little snaggle tooth boy who couldn't go anywhere without me, loved to sleep with me and snuggle when his Dad was working night shift work.  He used to tell me he would save me from monsters. He would give me butterfly kisses and the best hugs ever.  He was my main squeeze.  My sweetie.  And at that time mommy could do no wrong.  I was always worried that when he was a teenager that he would hate me, yell at me or disappoint me by going down the wrong road but I was wrong. You know what, he still loves me, hugs me even though he's way taller than me, he's still my main squeeze and every once in a while he'll lay in bed with me to watch TV.  Oh, heart be still.  He is the sweetest, most loving kid and I am lucky to call him my son.  He is respectful to me and his Dad, he loves his sister (he's really protective of her, but shhhh) and that is all we ask for. I mean, don't get me wrong, we have had our moments of cra-cra, late night scoldings and missed curfews.  But, those were teaching moments and I'm thankful for them.  God has truly blessed us with Keaton Reid and I look forward to watching what God has in store for our boy.

Trekking through Colorado with the youth group 

Party Time

 The Sab's

 Reid, Aunt Ashley, Uncle B, Bubbie

 Fun at Graduation

 Reid, Jaxon, Braxton, Maddi and Avery...his fan club

 Reid and his other mothers.  Robyn, Holly and Kim

 Reid and Neena looking sweet as ever

Granny, Van, Linda, Marc, Me, Troy and Reid.  So glad they came!!

He has decided to stay here for a year and go to a local community college.  As happy as I am that he is not leaving the nest.....yet.....I still worry if we are making the right decision. I know he's missing out on some of the fun freshman year festivities at college but I feel in my heart we are doing what is best for him.  I know we have to TRUST as I know what kind of kid he is.  Though sweet and kind, he is also shy and a little unsure of things.  My prayer is that he matures just a bit and by next semester or next year he will have a little more understanding of what he wants to do and can feel God's guidance in all he does.  As a mom, I want him to be happy, independent and thrive wherever God plants him. I just pray its not Alaska or something like that.

I have prayed for this moment since he was born and the hardest thing now is sitting back and watching God's hands take the lead.  My prayer for my boy is that he is happy, healthy and that he puts God first in everything he does.  I also pray that he trusts the Heavenly Father with his life, is fervent in prayer and never lets go of the teachings of our Lord that his Dad and I have tried our hardest to instill in him.  We planted that seed when he was just a baby and pray that it continues to grow through the years.

"I have no greater JOY than to hear that my

 children are walking in the truth."  

3 John 1:4

God is ever so faithful,
Heather

In a stinkin' nutshell

Life has taken so many turns since the last time I posted in August of 2012. There is no way I can catch up and I kick myself for not being a better blogger.  I have loved reading through all the things we have done in the past or the things my kids have done or said and not having any documentation since 2012 makes me sad.  Really sad.  Time goes by so quickly.

So beware... if my family reads this...its all old news.  But I had to write it down before I forgot.  :)

_____________________________________________

Let's see....in a stickin' nutshell.

*I lost my sweet Nana in 2012.  She had a 'bout with Breast Cancer in 2011 and decided to do radiation treatment.  She was in remission for a while but it ended up taking her life at the age of 87. I was lucky enough, along with my siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, mom, dad and a lot of friends from church to be there with her for her last moments on this earth and it was such a life changing moment for me.  To see her best friend of 50 years cry was almost more than I could bear.  They had coffee together everyday.  EVERYDAY at 3:00. They were like Lucy and Ethel.  I wanted to be them when I grew up.

I can't even put into words how much I miss her.  Her presence always gave me a sense of peace and love. She could just walk into a room and be the brightest light there, her hugs were like no other and her words of wisdom were quiet and humble.  What I wouldn't give to hear her voice one more time. Sometimes I just wish for one more afternoon coffee time with her.  I have so many things to tell her. Mainly, that I love her.

*Right after Nana died, my sweet and strong Daddy got sick.  We had been wondering for a while if something wasn't right.  He just hadn't been himself but, in true Gordon fashion, he reassured us that we were crazy.  :)  He started showing some signs of forgetfulness.  Not of who we were but of random and everyday things.  My dad was a true country boy.  He was raised on a farm and knew all things about hauling hay, fixing and driving tractors, cars, trucks, mowers, cows, horses and whatever else roamed the land.  He had this common sense of the earth like no one I ever knew.  If there was a storm brewing or anything happening around town we were all fine as long as Dad was fine.  If Dad ever felt scared or nervous, we were all in trouble. There was one particular day when my sister had asked him to change the headlights on her Suburban and he had no idea what to do.  He just stared at the bulb and said, "I have never done this.  I don't know how."

Um, excuse me.  You've only done this 5,000 times.

There was more, but it was then that we knew something wasn't right.  He was originally diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's late 2013/early 2014. That went on for a bit with significant changes.  Later, he started having numbing issues with his hands and arms.  My mom took him in and they ran some tests thinking that it could possibly be Parkinson's, which is one of the secondary diseases that often accompanies Alzheimer's.  But, it was not.  It was something we, as a family were not prepared for. They had misdiagnosed his illness.  I will never forget that conference call from my mom.  She had me, my sister and brother on the line to break the news.  My Dad had Frontal Temporal Degeneration and Lou Gehrigs Disease/ALS.  They gave him 4-6 months to live.  This was March 2013.  We were devastated.

We knew that time was not on our side so we tried to make every effort to go home as much as possible.  Every weekend was filled with family time, laughs, cries and pictures. Lots of pictures. Dad couldn't figure out why in the world we were there so much.  Along with the visits from us were the visits from home health nurses, trips to the doctor and adult sitters so my mom could get errands ran around town or just get out for a breather.  He couldn't go and do as he used to and that made him mad.  But, he got used to it.  He hated having a "sitter".  One time he locked one of them out side in the heat and they had to sit in the car until mom got home.  ha!

The only upside to dads illness, if there could be such a thing, is that he only had ALS in the upper part of his body, its called bulbar ALS.  So, he could still walk around but didn't have the use of his arms and hands.  Later, the use of his throat would prove to the the WORST EVER!

Summer came and went and our last family vacation to Port Aransas would be one that I will remember forever.  We all had to take turns watching Dad. He would just walk out in the ocean like he was heading to the next island. He had no fear. The dementia was making him more child like day by day. He had fun with all the grand kids and the pictures we have are priceless. Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went. Turkey meant nothing. Presents meant nothing.  Time was moving too quickly.  I could cry at the drop of a hat.  Usually at night, you could find me in my closet in a big stinkin' weepy heap of a mess.  Songs were my refuge and me and my ear buds became best friends.  Dad loved worship songs and that was my happy place.  I could feel him.  The old him.  The songs reminded me of him and how much he loved Jesus.  Dad put his trust in his Heavenly Father and seeing his faith through this illness has forever changed me.

Eating had become horrible and his throat just wouldn't work like it used to. He had lost weight and would get so frustrated because he couldn't eat.  He loved fried catfish and got really mad one Sunday after church when he got choked.  It scared us and the kids so bad.

I've had a few of those calls that bring you to your knees, but the one telling me to hurry and get home because Dad isn't gonna make it too much longer and the ambulance is on the way is the worst. I don't really remember that 2ish hour drive.  Its only by the Grace of God that I made it in one piece.   I checked the mail a few weeks later and had a red light ticket in there....I was like...oops.

All I know is I was honored to be there for my Dad's last breath on January 30, 2014.  He entered those gates of Heaven running, I'm sure!  For the next few days we were loved on, prayed over, hugged and blessed by everyone. Even though the days were a blur we felt the love from our friends and family flow abundantly.  As much as I miss Dad everyday, I know he is free of pain, free of disease and free to eat whatever he wants.  I'm sure the Blue Bell is perfect in Heaven.

God is ever so faithful,
Heather

Well, I just thought I was back on the huffy.  Guess, I'm not.

I just got this odd urge to blog.  Don't know what has come over me.  So, I guess since I am here I should think of something great to say.

NOT! ha

I'm thinking its going to turn into more of a rambling session than anything.  I am so far behind on my blog....there is no way I could ever catch up.

Maybe I should start with Disney.

There is no way on God's green earth I could ever blog about EVERYTHING that happened at Disney.  All I can say is it was the best vacation ever.  If you follow my Facebook and Instagram you saw how silly we were.  I mean I wore Minnie ears all week.  ha!   I have to say that it was worth every single penny.  The look on the kids faces were priceless...all week.  I was worried that Reid and Macy being a little older wouldn't have as much fun.  But, they did!  We did split up a bit and Troy took Reid to ride the roller coasters and Macy and I went on an expedition to find all the characters that we could find.  We finally found Cinderella, I think I cried.  Seriously.  She is my all time favorite.  I wanted to ask her if I could try on her dress but I thought that might be over the line.  ha!   It was a great week of bonding and we loved being together.  I feel more in love with my family....if that's even possible.

We start school on Monday.  I can't believe that I will have a 10th and a 5th grader.  Why is it that everytime I look at them I see a snaggletooth grin and pigtails.  They are so grown up.  I know I say this every year but this year really flew by.  Macy had meet the teacher tonight and she is so excited to have one of her best buddies in her class.  Her teacher seems really nice, too.  I guess we shall see.  ;)  Reid doesn't have meet the teacher and if you even say the word school he gets fired up.  He wants no reminder of school and he could care less about his schedule.  He doesn't even want a new backpack.  He has used the same backpack since 6th grade.  Macy, on the other hand, would never do such a thing.  ha!

Speaking of grown up....Reid is driving.  EVERYWHERE!  He has his permit and has been my chauffer for the last month.  Don't tell him but I love it.  He really is a great driver.  Troy and I
have been doing the parent taught drivers training and at first we were a little nervous about it...but he has done great.  Troy even took him driving on the interstate the other day.  They drove all the way to Galveston and back.  I stayed home and prayed.  ;)  I can see his independence shining through and I couldn't be more proud.

August is a busy month for us.  It is chalked full of birthdays.  Troy turned 42, Reid 16 and JD celebrated her birthday but I don't have permission to say her age (ha).  August 7th marked the one year anniversary of Papa John's death.  We were at Disney during this time but had some good laughs over dinner talking about all his shannagans.  He was defienlty one of a kind.  

I guess that is all for now.....hope everyone has a great first day of school.  I will be thinking and praying for all my sweet friends and family who will be sending their babies off to Kindergarten.  Hang in there....it will be OK!  Time flies by so enjoy every stinkin' minute.

Back on the Huffy...I think.

It's been way too long. Way too many things to say. Way too many things going on that I don't even know where to begin. I feel like I have fallen off my bike, tore my jeans and skinned my knee.....now I have to get back on my hot pink pink huffy....with the banana seat and ride again. You know what I mean? I have written blogs in my head for weeks. What I want to say is all jumbled up in my brain and may never get out. I just can't find the words. Scary...I know. I guess I can just start out by saying that the school year is almost over. YEAH! I am ready for the summer and getting to try out our new neighborhood pool. The kids are really excited about that. I am too. I am ready to sleep in for a few days (or more) and get up to do NOTHING! I know that won't last long. Camps, VBS and vacations will soon begin and we will be busy once more. But, those are the fun things. I love summer so much but I know I will be hearing the dreaded, "I'M BORED" before you know it. We are loving our newhouse. I can't believe we have been in it for almost a year. The time has flown by!! We still have stuff in boxes....the garage still looks like a bomb went off but it will be there when I'm ready.....right? I could take a picture of it for grins....but it mught scare you to death. I am just glad to be in the house and I know that in time it will all be organized and just the way I want it. Right? Well, maybe when I find that money tree that people talk about. :) I am hoping that this little post will get me back in the mood of blogging. I really have A LOT to say. I have had some really life changing things happen in my life lately and putting it out there for me is good therapy. I also like it being documented for my kids. I have loved going to my Blurb book that I made last year and looking at all our fun memories. Even Macy loves getting it out and looking through it. I love that. I plan on making another one but I have to get my behind blogging again. Any good peer pressure would be welcomed. :) Until next time, y'all.....

A peek inside.....Heather's House

I can't believe that its January 12th.  Where has the time gone?  I feel like just yesterday I put my tree up and now there is NO sign of Christmas in my house.  What-SO-ever.

Praise!

Now, my house is bare and I feel the need to make a Hobby Lobby and/or Marshall's Home Goods stop.  You know for the necessities.  Yeah, the necessities. Shhh...don't tell Troy.

Here are some things I have been doing around my house...its still a WORK in progress.  I have a feeling it will be that way for a while. 

A long while.....baby steps

Unless I win the lottery.

The entry way

Outside...my perfect coffee spot!

My entertainment center needs major attention.  ha!

My dining room....needs to be decorated.  I'm still not sure what to do in there.

Macy's room...she loves it!

 .

The game/media room.  We had the built-ins built and we love them. (hi Reid!) By the way,
this is where Reid lives.  I thought I was going to have a craft room.  Boy, was I wrong.

Reid's room.  We still have a way to go in there.  He was doing good to pick a bedspread.

Hey, maybe I should make this my craft room.

Macy and I spray painted this old picture frame to make her a chalkboard. 

She has loved writing on it.....I get all kinds of messages.  Love that girl!

I made this for the wall by my stairs.....

Our room.  :)   

We are in our new home, settled and loving every minute of it.  God has showed us so many things over this whole moving process. Some things have been awesome and some things have brought us to our knees.  There have been lots of prayers, lots of laughs, a few tears, lots of hard decisions and more stresses over picking colors of walls, floors and cabinets than I ever knew possible. Seriously.

I just want to say more than anything that we are so thankful.  God has blessed us abundantly.  We will praise Him all the days of our lives.

*****************************************************************

.......and just for a good laugh!  I love these guys! 

 When they are together there is never a dull moment.

Troy and Will....brothers at heart. 

***************************************************************

Happy 2012!!  Love, peace and God's blessings to you......

Are you ready for some football.....

Two bits, four bits, six bits a dollar...

All for the Texans stand up and holler!

(I don't think that is really an NFL cheer but whatever!)

We had a great time at the Texans game a couple

of weeks ago.  We are so thankful for sweet

friends who share their tickets when they can't go.

Reid and Troy were so excited about getting to 

go to the game.  We even went to Academy

the night before and all got new Texans

shirts.  When we go to a game to cheer we 

mean business!  Not to mention we looked 

cute, too.  Yes, even the boys. 

Presh!

The boys always love a good Sunday football game.

 Especially when the Texans are involved.  Not

only was it a great game the weather was perfect!

Macy and I love watching the cheerleaders, talking,

watching the boys get all crazy, sharing a coke

and a huge baked potato with all the fixings,

and taking self portraits...of course. It's a great way to

pass the time.  No really, we love the game and Macy

and I cheer LOUD!  Reid brought a friend from school

so we couldn't act too crazy.  You know us Sab's. 

We can get a little crazy and wacky.

 I got the stink eye a few times just for talking.

 Geez, am I that embarrassing?

Don't answer that.

*********************************************************************************

 

I couldn't let today get by without saying something...



AND last but certainly not least...

Happy Veterans Day

 to all the men and women who serve our wonderful country.  (My sweet Poppi included)

I admire you.

I pray for you.

I am forever thankful.

I love you.

God Bless America!

Yaya the Builder

For the past month I have been trying to get the guest bedroom/office set up. You know, for all our company? ha! Well, you have to be prepared, right?


Anywoo...I had the mattresses and boxspring but needed the frame. So, I took my happy self to the mattress store and bought a queen size frame. The lady promised me it was easy to set up. She looked at me like I was going to set it up or something.  I think I looked at her like...Um, I have a husband that will do that!  But, I acted like I knew what I she was talking about.

Right!

Troy has been on this outage at work and I have hardly seen him. I knew that frame was going to sit awhile.  He kept promising me he would do it.  I knew he was too busy so we all just walked past it, stubbing our toe on the box and running into the stupid thing in the night.  So, the box sat....for a month. Or so.
Until last week....

Everyone hold on to your hat. I put the fool thing together! The frame was the easy part.  It ended up wrestling those heavy mattresses onto the frame was the worst part and it totally sent me into a sweaty tail spin.  If you would have had a hidden camera in there I am sure we would have won some major money. 

I was so excited for Troy to come home and see what I had done. I had felt like such a big girl....yes, he spoils me.  So, when he got home the kids and I gently coaxed him into the guest room/office where we told him he really needed to check his email.  The kids were just as excited as I was. SURPRISE! Mission accomplished...I think he was suprised.  He couldn't believe that I had put the whole bed together.  I got a little kiss. 

It had taken me all day to clean the room, organize all the bills, shred old checks from 1998, and put things back in the desk in a more organized fashion. I really love how it turned out. I still have some decorating to do but the bed is up and ready for company.

OK so who's coming?

Flu shot....or not?

So, what's your take on the Flu shot?  I got mine today because last year I waited and waited and then waited a little TOO long.  Yep, I got the flu.  Bad. 

Reid also got the flu.  (He was actually the first reported case at his pediatricians office.....that's not necessarily a contest you wanna win, huh?)

We were pitiful!  I felt horrible and so did he.  We were quarantined to one room and Troy just slipped food through the door with his shirt over his nose.  So sweet, right?  What happened to in sickness and in health.  Oh, well!  I think he was scared of us.  At one point Reid leaned over to me and said, "Mom, could you please get me some chicken noodle soup and some Advil?"  I said, "No, honey, you will have to get it yourself."  It was pretty sad.  It wasn't one of my proudest moments as a mom.  Man, we were so sick.  I can still feel those chills....and that fever!  That was the worst!  Reid missed so much school, too.  He loves to miss school but not because of the flu.  No, thanks! Thankfully, Troy and Macy never got it.  I think they have an immune system made of steel.  (knock on wood)

I DO NOT want to go through that again.  So, last week Troy told me they got a flu shot at work and that I needed to get mine.  He sweetly reminded me of last year.  I think secretly he doesn't want to be my nurse again...or he loves me and doesn't want to see me whine.  Which ever...I knew I needed to get one.

So, this morning, I went and had my flu shot.  I took Reid after school to get his shot....well, after our weekly Buckee's trip.  (IT is Thirsty Thursday, you know.)  He did great.  Macy gets hers in the morning...that might be another story.  That girl cries just at the thought of a needle.  Can you say....DRAMA!

So, all this to say....I know this is just in my head but I have always heard that you can get the flu from getting the shot.  What is your opinion?  Do you get the flu shot or do you just take a chance?  I'm just curious what y'all do.....

For some odd reason this afternoon I feel a little sluggish.  uh-oh!!

A little bit of this and that



Warning....ramblings that could cause boredom and/or sleepiness

*I did NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING yesterday.  I barely got out of my PJ's.  I hate those days.  But, in my defense I wasn't feeling all that great.  I think all this moving and other stresses in my life have caught up with me.  So, after I took Reid to school and put Macy on the bus, this Mama went BACK TO BED.

Yep, I'm a slacker.

There was no laundry done.  There were no beds made...what SO ever.  Usually I try to make our beds...it just feels good.  I don't know why it makes your house feel more clean, but it does.  It felt really good getting a little more sleep but then when I woke up I had Mom/Wife guilt. You know, thoughts of my hubby and kids working and studying while I am snoozing in LaLa Land.  Why do we feel guilty when we take time for ourselves? Thankfully, for my families sake, my naps are far and few/few and far between.  Sadly, yesterday I was doing good to get up and make my yummy pot of coffee.

Which is a must.

*I've been toying with the idea of getting my jewelry/crafty/scrapbooky stuff out again.  I think I toy with this idea on a daily/yearly basis.  But, after moving and finding all my stuff I have had this itch to make something.  I also think Pinterest has a little something to do with it.  I have found so many things on there that make my mouth water.  It probably helps that they make it look so easy.  In the past I have had a lot of ideas but no time....or space.  Now, I have a little more space, still no time but am determined to try to do something for me.  I really want a little nook just for me.  Even if I do nothing more than stare at the walls or pick my nose at least I would have my very own nook. (I really wouldn't pick my nose..ha)  My mom found a picture of a lady who made a little nook in her closet.  My friend Lacie did that when she moved and it was super cute.  I am -----this close-----to starting my own closet nook. 

I'm super duper excited about that!

*Today I started my morning out with my ever-so-lovely cup of coffee with Pumpkin Spice Creamer...DUH...and I am feeling much better than yesterday.  There are no naps for me this AM.  I am hoping to get a lot more done than yesterday.  Maybe beds made?  Maybe finish unpacking boxes?  Maybe finish spray painting a bookshelf that is still sitting outside?  Maybe laundry?  Maybe go for a run?  We will see...

* What is on your agenda for today?

11.1.11 and Miss Frankie Stein

There is something about weird and funny dates...you just have to post about it.  You know just to write the date, I guess.  This morning I had to write Reid a check for lunch money and I said, "Hey, it's 11.1.11.  How cool."  His response, "uhhuh".  Maybe it was the fact that it was 6:45 and I was talking to him.  How dare I speak before 7 am.  The nerve of me.  He took the check and headed to the car.  Let me tell you, teenagers have a vocabulary and an attitude all of their own.

Lord, help me.

Anywoo, all that to say.  Happy 11.1.11.  Isn't it cool?

Please don't say "uhuh"

Yesterday we had a great time Trick or Treating with our new neighbors.  They are so sweet.  We had a great time getting to know them better.  Halloween wasn't always my favorite holiday.  Its kinda weird.  I remember having fun when I was a child at Halloween, but I was more about the candy.  Obviously.  I never loved dressing up, Reid doesn't care too much for it either.  Now, Lulu...that's a different story.  The more face paint and the bigger the wig, the better.  She has always loved dressing up and because of her, Halloween is more fun at our house.  I am soaking it up as long as I can.  I know all too soon, she won't want to go with me.  Boohoo! 

 Here she is getting a sign all ready to hang on the front door.  She was so excited to get to see some trick or treaters.  She wanted them to feel welcome.

 We got just a little festive and made some candy.  We love putting our aprons on and getting all dirty in the kitchen.  We had melted candy all over the place.  They make it look so easy on the box.

 Didn't the teeth turn out cute??  These were our favorite.  Don't you remember wax lips as a child??

Here she is.....Miss Frankie Stein!  Isn't she SCARY!  She wanted to be something scary this year but still cute.  I think she looks adorable. 

She wanted some scars and lipstick...that's my girl!

 My sweet Trick or Treaters.  Reid stayed home and passed out candy while we hit the streets with our neighbors.  He has never liked Halloween.  I should have realized that the year I tried to dress him up as Barney.  He was NOT a happy camper.  He's like me, though.  He did it for the candy.  I was glad he let me get a picture before we left.  He is such a great kid.  :)



Here are the Trick or Treaters with something.  I have no idea what they are standing by...whatever it was it talked.....and was cute.  ha!  Macy with Austin..our new neighbor.  They had a fun time hitting all the houses.  They had so much candy we had to come home, dump out and start over.  

I hope y'all had a good Halloween with lots of sweets, treats and FUN.  I had such a great time looking at Facebook at all the pictures of the kids costumes.  There are some good things about FB.  It's really annoying me lately.  That's for another time.

Now, on to November.  I love November...the weather has been beautiful!  You can actually go outside and not melt.  Can I get a woohoo!

Oh, can you believe on the radio I heard we only have like 53 days until Christmas??!!  AND to top that off they are already playing Christmas commercials.

YIKES!



How was your Halloween? 



Home Sweet Home

Words can't express how glad I am that our whole moving process is over.  It has been a LONG hard year of laughs, tears, bending friends ears over certain things, stress, cleaning, going through memories, apartment living, packing boxes, LOTS of boxes, and prayers....TONS of prayers.  God has truly blessed my family and I am ever so thankful.  I knew that in His time everything would work out.  My peeps kept telling me that!  ;)  Now looking back at all the drama, I see His hand holding mine....every step of the way.  I was just so blinded....that is until now.  Now it is all so clear.  He knew exactly what my little family needed. 

Seriously.  Why did I doubt that?

Anywhoo.

We are in our home but still looking at all these boxes that I worked so hard to pack.  I know that in time it will all be done and we will feel more settled.  But, for now, we are enjoying our new home, boxes and all.  We just kind of kick 'em around and hope that someone will unpack them.  I think that someone is me!  Most days I wish I was Samantha from Bewitched....that looks way more easy.

Twitch, twitch

Nope.

So, maybe tomorrow I will get serious about unpacking.  

Yeah. Tomorrow. 

Every girl needs a break now and then....



You must rest your muscles!  For real.



My peeps.  I love them!

 Macy knows exactly what she wants.  She made this sign weeks before we moved.  It hangs proudly

on her door for all to see....

 My favorite coffee cup!  So glad I found it and it wasn't broken.  There were

a few things that didn't make the move.  oops.

There has been A LOT of spray painting going on...I'm not kidding.  Here is an old gold antique mirror

that Macy and I had big plans for!  Yep, you guessed it...PINK!  Well, really it was Rose something or another but its hot pink people.

And TTTAAADDDDAAAA

And double TTTTTAAADDDDAAA!  Heather's House!

Home sweet Heather's Home that is.



Now, y'all stop by for coffee....anytime!  I'd love to have you.  I have a cup just for YOU!

"As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15

Ramblings...

We are into the 3rd day of school and all is well in the Sab household.  I am so happy!  I was so worried about my kids starting a new school, making new friends, and trying to find their way around a brand new building.  We were at our other schools for so long that we knew the layout like the back of our hands.  But, I have to say, both of them have done wonderful!  I am so proud of them both!

I dropped Reid off on the first day of 9th grade and he had NO idea where he was going and didn't even have a schedule.  He missed Freshman orientation and had to go to the make-up orientation the Friday before school started.  So, when I dropped him off that morning I was praying he would get all the classes that he wanted.  I just knew when I picked him up that afternoon that he was going to be devastated because he likes to be organized, likes to know what he's doing and where he's going.  But, no!  He got in the car and said he had a great day.  The people were nice, the school was good but big, BUT he wasn't too happy about one of his elective classes.  He wanted Art 1 because he heard it was easy.  Well, so did all the other Freshman, so it was full.  He said, "Mom!  Do you know what they put me in??  Small Animal Management...what in the world is that?  I don't really like small animals."  hahahaha!  SO, guess who has an appointment to go visit the counselor.   

Yep, mama!

Macy got in car and declared her new school, "AWESOME!"  I think I was more worried about Reid than her because she is my little social butterfly.  She loves everyone she meets and makes friends fast.  She knew only one little girl in her grade and thankfully they got in the same class.  That made the first day SO much easier.  There were no tears, thank goodness! (only by me when I left...my babies are growing up)  She said her friend introduced her to a lot of girls!  She was so happy about that.  She said one little girl lives in our apartment complex and she was going to come by later.  Sure enough about 5:30 we hear a little knock.  There was a sweet little girl wanting to talk to Macy.  They went outside and I could hear lots of giggling!  That makes a mama happy.  Now, she wants to ride the bus.

Um, not ready for that yet.

As for me, I am trying to get used to the quiet.  I have heard them running around here all summer and now as much as I love the quiet I miss them terribly!  But, there's a lot to do around here and I'm busy until it's time to get in the car line (which can be a post all in itself....uggg....the car line!). 

Gotta go...gotta do some laundry..... I mean, it just doesn't wash itself, ya know!

Happy a happy, happy Wednesday, y'all!

Oh, those thoughts in my head!

15 years ago I became a mom.  It was one of those moments where I really had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.  As a girl you dream of that moment and I remember looking at my little bundle feeling so overwhelmed but yet so overjoyed all at the same time.  Will I be a good mom?  Will I know what to do?  I mean I was 23 years old, married for a almost 2 years, still in college and working part-time. 

23?  yikes!  college?  yikes!!  working!  yikes! 

I remember at the time I felt so old....now, I realize how young I really was.  Was I ready for this?  Why did God choose me to be this sweet little boy's mommy?  So many thoughts ran through my head.....

Someone help me!  He's my responsibility!

It was also about this time 15 years ago that I made one of the hardest decisions ever...well, not really THE hardest, but close.  As I looked down at my new baby boy, who by the way stole my heart from the minute we met, I knew that he was going to be my most important job EVER.  So, I decided not to go back to college, quit my job and stay home with him.  I knew that God had given me this answer because I had cried out to him on many occasions for help.  I didn't know what to do but I did realize that this was the path for our family and I was humbled by God's trust in me. 

I was going to Texas State at the time...well, WAY back then it was Southwest Texas State. Good 'ole SWT! I loved going to college, really, I did.  I was going for my Elementary Education degree.  I had so many dreams.  I had even collected apple things for my classroom.  Girls, do that you know.  Anyway, it was quite funny.  I found the box of apple collectables as we were moving and got a good chuckle out of it.  Man, were they outdated.

Sure, there are times when I wonder what kind of teacher I would be.  I had taken so many education classes and was looking forward to the possibilities of changing kids lives.  

So, in 2001, I decided to drive my little self to the University of Houston at Clear Lake.  I talked to an advisor, got the catalog and started the application process.  I got my transcripts ordered and sent over.  I was ready for orientation.  My counselor was very supportive of me and was a great help in getting me back on track.  I only lacked a few semesters.  I was looking forward to trying this college thing...yet again. 

Then.....

Yep, you guessed it.  I found out I was pregnant with my sweet little girl.

Isn't life funny?  God knew exactly what I needed.  He knew that I needed to stay home with my babies and he has given me all I need to do just that.  In between all my drama....my sweet hubby was able to get his degrees....even graduate with a Masters!  So, who needs a degree!  ha!

 All this to say, I have loved every minute of being a mom.  I have never regretted any decision on being a stay at home mommy.  I have loved watching everything they do and getting to see the new things they learn everyday.  Sure, there are crazy days but they are my days and I love them. 

As we celebrated Reid's birthday last week and I dropped both of them off at school yesterday, I realized what a lucky mom I am.  Degree or not.  I am still their mom....and they love me.  That's all I need.

Me and Reid....Isn't he handsome!  We are so proud of the young man he is becoming.

First day of school.  We went to celebrate with some yummy ice cream!

My sweet baby girl ready to conquer the world!

My love getting ready to take high school by storm!

Happy 15th birthday Reid!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9