A Life Worth Remembering

Dawson's grandfather, his "Pawpaw", went home to be with Jesus last night. We are mourning our loss, but celebrating his victory. Bill Leftwich was truly an incredible and extraordinary man. He was an artist, an author, a carpenter, a true cowboy, a veteran of WWII (he was actually a tank commander on the German frontlines and full of unbelievable stories), a public speaker, a mesmerizing storyteller, a devoted Aggie, an even more devoted Christian, a man who dearly loved his family and so, so many other things. He is one of those people that you feel privileged to have known. And I did not just know him, I got to be related to him. He touched my life in many ways, and shaped our family. The world is now a dimmer place without his bright, shining light.

Enjoying Life

Dawson is back to work today, and our week of vacation with him is officially over. I'm sad that it had to end, but the week was full of fun family times. The highlights were our picnic at Somerville, play times with friends at the park, a trip to the zoo in Ft. Worth, an AMAZING dinner at the Lightcatcher Winery for Leah's (sis-in-law) birthday and then just spending time with Dawson's family in Ft. Worth. Here are some pictures from our fun times....

Some cute kids at the zoo--all saying "cheese" :)


My beautiful girl


Daddy holding Adelyn--I'm sure she loved her first visit to the zoo


Our sweet family--celebrating Leah with yummy food and good family time!

Fun in the Spring

There's nothing momentous to report. We are just chugging along, trying to stay sane. Caleb has started playing tee-ball, and we all have fun at his little games. Ellie is continuing to take her role as big sister very seriously, and insists on loving on her 'baby sisser' all day long. And Adelyn is doing well and getting fatter. She slept for 7 hours in a row on Easter night. It was our own Easter miracle, and a gift from God to me. Still hoping for a repeat performance! Dawson has been busy with church stuff, but he is taking a week of vacation next week!! I can't wait for all FIVE of us to spend some time together!
Here are some recent pictures of our fun times....

Their bountiful baskets from the egg hunt at Memaw and Pawpaw's house


Adelyn's first Easter--her only contact with the eggs this year!


My Dad with his gran-girls :)


Devil Ray #12--Ready to Rock!

The difference between #1 and #3

Birth order is a somewhat interesting topic to me. I haven't read any books on it or anything (for the most part, I don't read books on parenting or kids, I just wait for my best friend, Missy, to read them, and then give me the highlights :), but I have had several conversations with other moms about it. I don't know if I buy into the concept that your birth order defines your personality, but I can definitely see the differences in my parenting and/or caretaking of my three children.
Examples--sad, but true:
1-When Caleb was a baby, we gave him a bath almost everyday. Adelyn is lucky to get a bath once a week!
2-Also, when Caleb was a baby, I took a picture of him with every new outfit he wore. With Adelyn, I have to try to remember to take pictures of her.
3-With Caleb, I boiled everything that went into his mouth. With Adelyn, I lick everything that goes in hers, and call it good.
4-With Caleb, I was deathly afraid of blankets. I always thought blankets would somehow jump on his face and suffocate him. Adelyn safely sleeps with blankets...the kind that can't jump.
5- With Caleb, I listened to everyone's advice and tried almost every suggestion. With Adelyn, I figure out what works for us and stick to that.
6-When I nursed Caleb, I was keenly aware of my boob sticking out, and did not feel comfortable doing it most places. With Adelyn, I could care less about my boob sticking out, and I just try to not offend anybody with it.
7-Also, when I nursed Caleb, I got out of bed for every nighttime feeding, and sat on the couch while I nursed him. With Adelyn, I put her into bed with me, for at least half of her nighttime feedings, and fall asleep while doing it.
8-When Caleb was a baby, I was sleep deprived, even though I got to nap with him sometimes during the day. Now, with Adelyn, I am beyond sleep deprived, and NAPS? What are those?? :)
9-When Caleb was a baby, I would hold him for hours, and I would sometimes set him in his swing or his bouncy chair just for his own stimulation, or because I needed to cook a quick meal. With Adelyn, that poor baby practically lives in her swing and bouncy chair. I have to deliberately make time to just sit down and hold her.
10-When Caleb was a newborn, I kept wishing for him to get a little older, so he would sleep more, communicate more, etc. With Adelyn, I recognize how incredibly fast their little lives go by, and I keep wishing that she would stay a 'newborn' for as long as possible.

So many differences. Sometimes I feel like each one of my kids has a different mother. Oh well! As long as they all three have the same Almighty God that can protect and provide for them, despite their mother's deficiencies, then I think they'll turn out alright. :)

Some recent photos...

My girls with their Nonny--they love her!!


Babes in Bluebonnets


Daddy and Addie just chillin'


My adorable little tee-baller