A little piece of Texas

Since we have moved from Texas, I wanted pics with bluebonnets to have as a memory of our years there. Texas has the most beautiful bluebonnets...they are, in fact, the state flower! Don't you think this place is beautiful?! My sister-in-law, Becky found this amazing location in Ennis, Tx-just south of Dallas. It is called, "Bluebonnet Trail". The day we moved (even though we were all sick) I threw the kids into the car and headed over just in time for sunset. As I drove up the bend to this field, my mouth fell wide open. As you can see, Becky has a knack for this-she brought the props that were perfect for 3 little boys. I wanted to build a house right in the middle of this field...it seriously takes your breath away!

Check out Becky's photography blog: http://pebblebrookportraits.blogspot.com/ or http://www.pebblebrookportraits.com/

She customizes her work with props perfect for you, and her prices are VERY reasonable! Check out Pebblebrook Portraits.

Well, we are home now. I feel bad there were about a dozen people I wanted to see while I was out there, but you wouldn't have wanted to be near us! As we got everything together, we were sick as dogs! We miss Texas but are also happy to be home again in Alabama.

I know...pictures are better!

Ok, so I am still trying to get the hang of this "3 kids" thing! I totally ache at the thought of taking all of them out to the store. Then when it is Saturday, do I want to spend all day shopping for usb cords for my camera or for bread?! NO! I wanna party and that is what we do on Saturday (oh, and we clean). So sorry there are NO pics here! (I really need school to start)
UPDATE:
I got home a day early from Arizona, after going to my Grandma's funeral, and poor Brock was in soooo much pain! He had his tonsils out the week prior to that and it was nearing the end (which is the hardest time) by the time I flew back. We are happy to say he is lots better now!
Friday last week was a blast! We took Brock to Chuck E Cheese for his birthday and some great new friends came along. (pics to come later:)
Saturday was Brock's 5th birthday!!! We went to the ward Easter Egg Hunt put on by the primary. There were 700 eggs so every child came home with TONS!
That night, we opened more gifts for Brock's birthday and he got to stay up playing Star Wars "Light Saber Duels" for the Wii. And here's a pic:(ignore the for ages 12+-it doesn't matter when it comes to Brock-if you know him, you know what I mean)

Can I just say I love our ward! We have already made great friends and really feel blessed to know them. Moving is never easy, but they have sure made this transition easier for us.

Grandma and Me

I dreamed a dream of Grandma and me,
We were on the other side,
She showed me why so fervently,
God's commandments we shall abide,

She took my hands, and we danced around,
Tears rolling down her face,
"Oh, can you believe it? I just had to show you!",
"There is no where else like this place!"

"Oh, dear Grandma, look how you've changed!"
I said so curiously,
She no longer shook, she spoke and she laughed,
Grandma Jet could finally be free,

I looked around to see the perfect
Touch of God's great hand,
Unbelieving, my eyes were confused,
Grandma said one day I'd understand,

The place we call heaven, our eyes are too blind,
'tis not what you can imagine!
The colors, the joy, eternal peace of mind,
His spirit, your constant companion,

When it was my sad time to go,
I hugged my Grandma real tight,
She whispered sweetly in my ear,
"Thank you for coming here tonight",

We said, "I love you" numberless times,
Enough to last me everyday,
And when I awoke, I realized,
I wish I could have stayed.

When I return with so much honor,
I hope to see Him too,
The one who gave His life so selflessly,
For me and for you.

My Grandma Geraldine Nations Watkins

This may be the last night of my Grandmother's life, or maybe the last week. Either way, her time is soon and I wanted to pay a special tribute to this wonderful lady. Because I am not there with her tonight I feel a need to at least share the feelings I have inside for this most cherished woman in my life...for I feel such a connection to her.

Grandma has always been the life of the party! When I think of her, I can not help but giggle a little. If you go to her house, she is in the spotlight, telling you a story, or a funny joke. Grandma loved drama, and could act quite well. She could write poetry and stories that painted the perfect picture. When I was a little girl, she would tell me the story of "Goldie Locks and the 3 Bears". She would change her voice for each character, and twist the words around a little bit. My favorite part was when the Mama bear said "MY pourage is too cold" and Papa bear would say, "By George, I think you're right!". She is so funny!

Grandma has always been my biggest fan...no matter WHAT I did. She was so in tune with me, and always cheered me on in my life. When I was engaged to marry the wrong man, who made me feel really bad about myself, she called me one night and said very plainly, "Amber, you know you can't marry him!" I told her that I knew but I didn't know what to do and she said, "You get in your car and you come and visit me". That is eventually what I did. I remember always getting up on stage to perform and knowing that if Grandma could be there, she would think I was amazing! She always asked me to get up and sing and when I was a little girl that is just what I did. I wish I could sing to her now...

I can't think of a more gentle heart.

Her heart belongs to her highschool sweetheart, Lorum. Grandpa and Grandma share a deep, undconditional love. When Grandma would go out of town, Grandpa would miss her so much that he would go to the nearest Target and wait in the food court, pretending she was shopping (since that is what he would do when she was in town:). I know Grandpa will miss her dearly.

As her life grew a little harder, and her breath became a little shorter, she couldn't tell the stories as boldly as she used to. But that didn't stop her from trying! Grandma kept smiling, even when the Parkinson's slowed her down and made her shake a little. I know she is going to a better place very, very soon; whether it be tonight or some time in the next few days. She is going to see her sister, her mother, her father, and many other friends and family that can't WAIT to hear her stories and smile with her again on the other side. "She will be in the other room", as my Mom likes to say. I bet the first thing she does is dance around and laugh, clasping her hands together like she used to do.

Grandma, I know I am not there with you now, but I am coming on Wednesday. If I miss you before you pass, please know that you are one of the biggest reasons I believe in myself. I can't WAIT to throw my arms around you again. Thank you for never ever giving up on me! I love you completely!

I will miss you, but God be with you until we meet again Grandma.

Create!

I saw this video on my friend, Cindy's blog (who happened to make me some yummy cupcakes for my birthday yesterday:) and it made me cry. I feel so strongly that this is true. We are children of a creative Heavenly Father who created US. We should use this desire to create in a positive way.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. You don't need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty."

Our recent happenings...pictureless and all!

We went to the beach this last weekend and sadly we left the usb cord to upload pics to our computer in Texas so I will post some as soon as we buy a new one!

We are only 2 1/2 - 3 hrs to Destin Beach...beautiful white sandy beach! The boys had a blast running from the waves since the water was cold, making sand castles and driving their trucks around on the beach. This was Kade's first time to see the ocean and he had so much fun, he fell asleep in the middle of it:)

Yesterday we went to the zoo with some good friends we have met in the ward and again when the pics can be uploaded, I will post them. Luckily, there are many little boys in our ward so our kids have fun with them!

We miss Texas, but are really having a great time here in Alabama.