2.5

Are you kidding me? I've now been a novice at mommyhood for 2.5 years. Can't believe that for even one second.

At 2.5, you would think this girl is 22.5. She is sassy as anything and strong willed like I have never seen.

She is imaginative, happy, creative, clever, and just plain fun.

She sings all kinds of songs. Builds the tallest "prettiest" towers out of her blocks and legos. She bosses her sister around so much already. She still doesn't really feed herself. Food is still her least favorite. She is scared of swimming. Wants to be outside all day. Loves to get dirty. Can't be more than an arms reach away from blanket. Or Brown Bear. Or Elmo. Is ever so sneaky (ask Tyler where the rest of his Dr. Pepper went the other night)

She counts to 12. Says her ABC's. Loves Yo Gabba Gabba (still not sure why) Knows every character on Sesame Street. Tells me everyday that she is mama's girl. She is in charge of making sure everyone gets a goodnight kiss. She "reads" books. She talks to us in complete and fully understandable sentences. Asks why? and What is this? all day long. Makes sure I know what color everything is. Can work my iphone as good as I can. Knows the motions to isty bitsy spider. Loves to tickle. Takes 2 hour naps (most days). Doesnt really care for baby dolls. Doesn't even remember what wearing a diaper was like. Gives the best hugs and kisses. Plays hard. Has a huge personality. Could win a fit throwing contest. Makes really big messes. Always needs a bow. Loves to shut doors. Sucks her thumb to go to sleep. Has a shy and quiet side. Takes her mama by surprise daily.

She prays for: All of her grandparents. The yellow balloon. Elmo. The motorcycles. The marching band. Baby sister crying (?). Max and Molly. Mama and Daddy. All her books. And everything else she can possibly remember from that day.


I look at her little sister, and think, if in 2 years she ends up just like Anslee is today, I will be one proud mom.



Love this little stinker! Can't believe that she is closer to 3 than 2 now. Wow.

Found this on Pinterest. Of course if you change all the "hims" to "hers" it speaks worlds of truth to me in regards to my sweet Anslee Elyse.

One million and one.

I have had one million and one snuggles from these two today



And I am glad the day is only half over, because one million and one just isn't enough!



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H-S-U B-Y-A

I live in Brownwood, Texas. Home of the Howard Payne JellowJackets. Fantastic Baptist University educating some very fine collegiate kids I happen to be fond of.

But. If you know me, then you where my heart lies. It lies in Abilene, Texas at Hardin-Simmons University. The school that grew me well in so many ways past my education. I could go on and on about how everyone should head down to the 40 acres for the best college experience that Texas has to offer.

My personal HSU journey is one I will never forget and always treasure. It was a special time in my life that I always be thankful for. Clearly, it was God's divine plan for me to spend 4 years there, making my closest and most precious friendships, meet my husband, and gain a spiritual and educational growth that I could find nowhere else.

I was involved in several different areas at HSU while I was a student, and I am so glad that I am continuing to stay connected to the University by serving on the Hardin-Simmons Board of Young Associates. This a board of up to 75 members at least 3 years removed (graduated) and under the age of 40 that meets twice a year to help the University in several different capacities. At just about every meeting, Dr. Hall, The HSU President, comes to tell us of all the great upcoming plans the University has. New Major Fields of study, Financial updates, etc. It is always so wonderful to realize that HSU continues to improve itself with each passing year.

All of this to say, when we get to gather for our bi annual meetings, we are always in for a good time. I look forward to it each winter and summer!

We headed down to Abilene and of course food was our first stop. Logans Roadhouse. Look who was head of our table



Here is the little girl who clearly left too much broccoli on her plate.



Now that all the girls have arrived, it was time to get to work.



PS: remind never to stand next to Julie again. She makes me look huge.

My friend Lisa Stegner and I co-chair the Networking/Communication committee. I like to say I just follow her lead because she really knows the drill. Here we are hard at work.



Ryan had this look on his face all weekend long...



Student Recruiting. Busy as bees.


Lis joined up with the membership committee this year. So glad they have her!


Sid Rich lawn is where its at during Homecoming weekend. You will find me and my 2 babies playing until we are blue in the face. Here they are planning away for the future Cowboys and Cowgirls place to play. The Pre-Recruiting group might be the most loved group of us all.



Ok. So I guess our scholarship/fundraising committee was super efficient and finished before I could whip my iphone on them and get a photo. They are great as well and clearly work very hard year round.

Here is the table of the exec's. I bet Matt Dowling would have turned around to flash a smile for the camera, but I was trying to be candid so...sorry Matt.



The bookstore got wind of all of us alumni coming to campus, so they opened their doors and let us shop. Found this little gem and could not pass it up. Don't worry, the whole Moses family left Abilene with a little HSU attire.



Of course we couldnt just come to work, so when the work was done and it was time to adjourn we headed out to relive our college days together. Now that babies are certainly apart of the mix, we wanted to make a stop by the Grace Childrens Museum. We ended up being late, and couldnt get in, but The Jones Family got to enjoy some fun play time. We went and met them, and Becky took Kensington off my hands for a moment so I could chase around/get on too/take potty breaks with Anslee. So nice to be able to leave my little one is such good hands!



We headed to chick fil A next. Tyler needed a cookies and cream milkshake. The kids played.



Anslee managed to boss both Logan and Hadley around the play area. Sure hope they invite her to play next time.



And yes. All of these babies managed to nap. I know, I was shocked that it happened too.

As if chick fil A was not enough, next on the agenda was dinner at Belles Chicken House. Such a fun atmosphere, and thankfully they can hold a party of like a million.

Of course we had to get a photo of the whole group by the big Chicken head. Wouldn't have been the same weekend experience without it!


What a fun time. So glad that 5 years post college I can still come back and bleed my purple and gold.

Go Cowboys!

At the Park!

In honor of time passing much to fast and my girls getting bigger by the very second, we loaded up to make some memories at the park this afternoon.

What a fun time I had with my girls!

We splurged on lunch. What I mean by that is that Anslee and I ate sonic and Kensington had some of Earth's Best jar food. We are living on the wild side here people.



French Fries count as a veggie, right?



My big 6 month old had a pear/mango combo. Its a #2 food. How is she eating #2 foods already? Did I not just bring her home from the hospital yesterday?




To no ones surprise she licked the jar clean and loved every last bit.



First time in the park swing. You would have thought I was slipping this girl some sort of sugar filled candy. She just giggled with pure delight. Love seeing my girls enjoying themselves.



Can't keep this girl still at the park. She was climbing her way to the top before I could even turn around. Such a monkey girl she is!



We are certain this girl is going to be inducted to the music hall of fame one of these days. She finds some way to make music wherever she goes. So glad the park has these fantastic barrel drums for her to bang on to her hearts content.



Pushing the little sister girl was hard work. We were wiping sweat from her brow from all the strenuous activity.



The time at the park wore the sisters right out. They are being quite as can be, sleeping the afternoon away.

Oh. These two must stop growing so fast. Days like today make me want them to stay my precious angel babies forever and ever.

HAPPY 6 MONTHS to my Kensington. In just 3 short days the big girl will be 2.5 years old. That means 30 months. Do you know that is the fastest 30 months my life has ever known?

God smiles down on me in his entrusting me to be their mama!

Another winner on Pinterest!

Last month I did a blog post that included a little poem that I found on pinterest. I then mentioned how it was my latest addiction/obession.

This still remains people.

I could seriously do a blog post a day on something life changing I find on pinterest, but that would just be me posting everyone elses great ideas and I figure you should just sign up on Pinterest yourself and see all the goodness that people come up with!

But here is another that just grabbed my attention and put into words how I feel better than I ever could :



I know all you mamas out there feel just the same! Beyond blessed by the little boogers!

Packin' it away!

Have you ever met Anslee? She is my girl who could go all day without eating a single bite and not blink an eye. You could say eating is just not her "thing".

Well, Kensington is just like mama. We are thinking about lunch as soon as we take our last bite of breakfast. What can I say? The girl loves her food, and I know I can't blame her for that!

Not even 6 months old and I am already having to cut her off at each meal!

Well, as Kensington would say, eat up!

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Playdate Fun!

We live in a small town. So us SAHM's take every single opportunity we have to get together and get out and about with our kiddos. We have to get creative, and thank goodness my sweet friend Shantel put together our Sweet Pea playgroup that gets together basically every Wednesday morning through the summer months!

We have had so much fun. We had an ice cream playdate, a camp out playdate (who knew how much fun setting up tents would be for 2 year olds?), and the last two weeks were spent at the Brownwood Fire Station and at our house for some water fun!

My little Fire Chief.


Lori with her two sweet peas!


Cindy with her little man and little lady!


Alesia and Riley. Since this photo has been taken, sweet Hayden Joy joined their family!!



Shantel came with her big boy, Aiden. Poor Owen was sick at home :(


Miranda. That girl is always put together in the best outfits. Style is her middle name. The same can be said for little miss Precious, Ava, who Miranda keeps in the best that baby fashion has to offer.


Jenna is like me. There is no bow too big. Stella is clearly her little diva, and is very put out with all the picture taking. Sorry Stella, you are too cute to not capture on camera! (Next time, we will get big brother Spencer to share your spotlight!)




Sarah and Madeline joined in the fun!


Checking out the station!



Wish I would have been able to get a photo of all the cuties that came out, but while I was not snapping photos I was chasing around a very curious Anslee. Luckily, Kensington was being managed by Lori.

Anslee and Kensington hosted the splash playdate this past week. We just had the best time. All of our kiddos turned into little fish and did nothing but soak up the sun!









The smallest babies had to stay inside. Those big kids are much to rough and tumble for our little fragile ones. Thats ok, they had a club of their own on the living room floor. Fun was shared by all!




Meet Holton. He is 6 months old and practically running. My jaw dropped when I recognized his impeccable mobility!



As long as she had her paci, she was happy as a clam. Sweet girl doesn't know that the carefree days with the pacifier are numbered!


These summer days are as fun as they are hot. My goodness! Its a wonder we have not all melted away by now.

Swim lessons take place next week. Tune in to see how those play out. I am almost certain that the big sister girl will addicted to the water. Cant wait to see!