Play Ball!

Our season is under way! Nicholas started t-ball and Alexis will soon start softball. It's so funny because Nicholas stood around like this all day the day of his first game. The ball would be hit close to 3rd base and he would run ALL the way from 1st base. He is left handed all they way except he bats right handed. It only took him one time and he has the game down. He talks about it all the time and is ready for soccer. If you only thought our house was full of chaos now. This is only the beginning!

New Toy

I don't know how Ben did it but I agreed for the boys to have this "mini quad". On one condition, they wear as much safety gear as possible. Unfortunately they couldn't wear bubble wrap...it wouldn't let them sit down on the quad without tipping over :) It doesn't go fast AT ALL! It's just the right speed for the boys to learn and grow into a bigger one. I'm still nervous but it's getting better. Nicholas is on cloud 9. Justin still has yet to ride it on his own. It won't be long, so please keep us in your prayers.

Girls Night!

Amid all the hustle of T-ball practice and games with Nicholas, on the spur of the moment we decided to have a small girls night. We indulged on a pedicure! Even Alissa had a little fun. Alexis invited Michelle over and we just hung out and painted toenails. It was nice for a little pampering because soon Alexis will start softball. Awwww...back to reality!

Bittersweet

We got a phone call from Lexi's teacher and unfortunately she still did not pass the dreaded TAKS reading test :( BUT the good news is that she only came 3 questions from actually passing. This is music to my ears because last year she only had 2-3 questions correct on each part of the test. We were a little sad that she did not pass but our hopes are a little lifted for the next test. We know with intense teaching from the most AWESOME teachers at Sundown Elementary and a little help at home we can surely pass the next one April 27th!

Spring Break 2009

My oh my...time flies by when you're having fun! For our spring break venture we went to my "hometown" of Rupert, Idaho. The drive wasn't as bad as we thought. The kids did an awesome job during the LONG 18 hour drive. We traveled at night so as not to mess up their sleep schedule to much. And guess what? It worked! We took off around 4 p.m. on Friday, March 13th and arrived on Saturday, March 14th at 10:12 a.m. Our first day we relaxed and lounged around while family and friends stopped by to welcome us. The next day we set off to the mountains. We hiked up a mountain called Balanced Rock. When you look at the picture you will see why. This "rock" balances on a base that is 3 ft x 17.5 in wide! The rock itself is 48 ft high x 40 ft wide. The view from the top is breathtaking. Our little Alissa even made the hike!

The main purpose for our trip was to see my grandmother, Sofia Torrez. Unfortunately, due to her Alzheimer's disease, she didn't recognize any one of us. Physically she is doing great. Mentally, well that's another story. The first day she was throwing us out of the room, but by the second day she handled us well. Our last day there was heart wrenching because for a slip second she remembered her house in town and offered it to us so we wouldn't have to drive back to Texas. Then it was over. I miss her but I remember her as the Wela I left behind 8 years ago before this disease took over her mind. Now I am on a quest to learn to sew by hand. I was given her last blanket that she was working on before she got sick. I am determined to finish what she started. I am so proud to say that I have been somewhere where Ben has never been! Of course he loved it. It was the great outdoors, what's not to love about it. All the guys headed out one day to fish ALL DAY. And they hit the jackpot! Nicholas and Justin even caught their first fish!!! They caught about 15 fresh trout.

We spent some time catching up with family that I had not seen in years. By the last day the kids were ready to come home. On Thursday, March 19th at 9:30 p.m. we hit the road once again and arrived on our doorstep Friday, March 20th, at 4:30 p.m. We had fun but there really is no place like home. :)

Open House

Here are a few pieces that were on display at open house Thursday night. The kids were so excited! (So were we) We were able to meet with the teachers and ask questions. We looked through everything that they had learned up until now. It was kind of neat to see what a normal day consists of and some of the methods that they are using to learn just colors! Alexis showed us some projects like her coat of arms, the solar system, and a collage just about her. She also showed us that she has 40 points for reading which is a GRAND accomplishment with all the trouble that she had reading at the beginning of the year. We are keeping our fingers crossed since she is taking the dreaded TAKS test. I know she will do great. We are so proud of both Alexis and Nicholas.

Amazing Grace

The tears streamed down her face. Her hands shaking and a timid voice saying, "I'm going mom." During the invitation, we prayed. We have been praying, for our Lord to enter this young girls life. This young girl who has been bruised inside, hurt outside, and longing to be loved by both mom and dad. Ben touched my shoulder, I looked up and Alexis was at the alter talking to Brother Gill. She wanted the Lord in her heart! Ben and I had talked to her about what it meant. This Sunday she asked to sit with us instead of going to children's church. She sat there and soaked up every word that Brother Gill said. Brother Gill hid behind the cross, the Lord spoke, and Alexis listened. She chose to listen and believe the voice of truth. Our Lord God is Almighty!!