All because two people fell in love...

We met in February 1989, started dating in May, and got married in September. And Josh came *almost* 11 months later, just in case y'all were wondering. And then no more came. We waited, and waited, and then Lauren decided to make her debut in May 1995 (5 weeks early), and then Kayley 1997, Jacob 1998, Krissy 2001, Lindsey 2004 & Joey 2006. We lived in Texas until 2005, and then we moved to Arkansas, just about 25 miles north of Texarkana, Texas. Fortunately all my children are Texans (and my handsome husband) because Texans are just cool. Wish I was a Texan... but husband had to settle with a California gal, which I think is pretty cool too.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Our Trips...

The weekend of May 23rd, the kids and I went to College Station to visit our friends, the Decells. They have been our bestest friends forever, and we miss them so much! But like I said below, their oldest son was leaving on his mission. We went to his mission farewell in their ward in College Station, and Kyle gave a very good talk. It's so hard to believe that he is now Elder Decell. We have known Kyle since he was 5. After Sacrament Meeting we quickly headed over to Bryan 1st Ward to visit our old friends, no pun intended! LOL!! Kids loved seeing their friends, and actually attending a HUGE Primary. I was certainly amazed by all the pregnant women and small children in both wards. Not that I want to be pregnant or anything, but our small ward just doesn't have a lot of babies. After church we headed back to the Decells for a great lunch of lasagna, bread, salad, and 3 different types of desserts. It was a short trip, but we loved having the chance to see Kyle before he headed off for 2 years.
On Thursday Josh called me to say that our stake president had received his mission papers back because they were not completed. The eye exam was left off. Good thing our Stake President is a doctor because he was able to finish it, and was suppose to send them back off. Maybe we will know by June 25th where he is going to be serving... plus I am leaving that day for 10 days, and I would like to know before I head.
I told Lauren & Kayley that I would take them shopping on Friday in Shreveport. Trying to find dresses for these girls that are modest is a pain in the boo-tay! As I was preparing to leave around 9am, I checked my email and saw that Brett's daughter, Rachel, was being baptized on Saturday @ 10am in the Temple Ward. I checked my calendar, and besides the shopping with the girls, NOTHING! So I told the girls if we could go to Killeen, they could go shopping with their cousin Rebekah. They said okay. I gave the kids 2 hrs to be ready to leave. I didn't tell my parents that we were coming, and away we left. As we approached Dallas, we made a detour to the Dallas Temple. Kids took some pictures (maybe I will post later). We finally made it to Killeen about 6:30pm, and showed up at the mexican place they were eating at. They were happy to see us. Next morning was the baptism, and it was nice. Afterwards, most of us went to McDonalds to eat lunch (small kids!), and my mom took home Joey & Lindsey, and my sister took home Jacob & Krissy so that I could take the big girls (and Rebekah) shopping. We found 1 dress at Ross, and 3 dresses at Dillards, but 3 cover-ups since all the dresses were immodest without the cover-ups. We had a great time trying them on. We then went to Payless and got 2 pairs of shoes for Lauren. I think she is taller then me when she wears them. I will post pictures with those dresses on later too. They are cute. We had a great Sunday night dinner with the whole family that lives here, and my dad made 2 chocolate cakes. I didn't stick to my diet while here. I ate a HUGE piece!!
One big milestone with both these trips, is that Joey has not screamed his head off at all! He has had a great time here in Killeen playing with his cousin Jared, who is about 6 weeks younger then him. They have been getting along so well, it's been amazing! Of course I didn't bring my new digital camera (that I got for Mother's Day), but I know that others took pictures, so maybe I can post some of those later. I've also have had a great time holding my new little niece, Lexi. She is almost 3 months old. She reminds of some of girls when they were this age. She is so stinkin' cute... but I am not baby hungry. Which I am so glad about!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Going home... to Bryan!

This is {the soon-to-be} Elder Miller, and Elder Decell back in 1999.
This weekend is Kyle's farewell! He is going to Mexico City. We are headed down on Saturday to listen to him speak, and to say our final good-byes for 2 years. Kids are excited about going down. I told them we would go to Bryan 1st Ward for 2nd-3rd hours after Sacrament Meeing in College Station. Yay! Josh's mission papers were sent last week, so hopefully by the end of next week, we should know where he is going!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Am I cool or what?

See that? That is my new phone! I actually upgraded to a more modern, hip, cool phone. Josh is so proud. I.ABSOLUTELY.HATE.IT.THOUGH! I guess it's because I am so used to my little "plain-jane" phone, which I loved! But, I am learning. I haven't learned to take a picture yet, but I am sure I will soon. Shawn downgraded to my old phone. Won't go into details, but he no longer has his Blackberry. Josh also got an LG Shine, and when he leaves for his mission, then Shawn can take his, and Lauren can use my old one if she wants.
And I was joking below when I said that Facebook is #1 priority. My account is no longer active, even though I will be getting on there for a few days to announce Josh's mission call, hopefully within a week...

Sunday, May 17, 2009

I know!

I know I haven't been on for a long time. And I haven't posted pictures either. My old dig. camera that I got in 2003, finally died. I got a new one, but have yet to download anything because after only 5 pictures, it says I need more memory. Shawn says he has a chip or something to put in it, but alas... he has not yet. Let me try to update:
Week of April 20th: 4 kids came down with the stomach virus, and Shawn. I am glad that Lindsey, Joey or Josh (and me too) did not get it. Shawn missed a whole weekend of work.
April 26: Lauren & Kayley had a great band concert. They did awesome.
April 28: Had to go to Shreveport again to take Jacob for 2 doctor appts. For about a month, I was heading to Shreveport on a weekly basis, and I am glad that I have a 3 month break, unless of course, I have a church meeting or something like that.
April 29: Decided to get a haircut. Went to a new person, and we kept it long. Well, long like it was... longer then what I was used to. 2 days later, it was shorter... 1 week later, even more short.
May 3: Went to a Mary Kay party after church. My sister-in-law, Michelle, was hosting it, and wanted Lauren, Kayley & me to come. The girls did the make-up. They looked nice, and had fun.
May 7: All of Shawn's siblings and spouses took his parents to Cracker Barrel for their 46th Anniversary.
May 8: My parents arrived for the weekend. I was so happy!
May 10: Mother's Day. Got to church about 8:30a, and abt. 8:55a walked in my 2 brothers and 2 sisters with their families! It was a surpise! They had arrived in Texarkana the night before. One sister that didn't come, knew about it. Thanks Hilary! Guess they all decided they couldn't spend Mother's Day without Mom, which is fine, but I never get her either on Mother's Day. We had a great time visiting and eating, and was sad when all left.
May 14: Started the Wilton Cake Decorating class at Hobby Lobby. I've always wanted to take it, so I did. I am taking it with one of my sister-in-laws. It's a 4 week class.
May 16: Took Kayley, Kristen & Lindsey to Hannah Montana, and Lauren and a friend went to see "17 Again." I actually survived through the movie, and really did think it was a fun movie.
And today was church day. Had a good day. Josh and I are about to make tacos for dinner.
Lauren turns 14 on Wednesday! Wow! She is excited!! Maybe one of these days I will get the pictures all posted that I have. School is out May 29th, and we are heading to Killeen on June 24th. And since discovering Facebook, I am on that more. Sorry... priorities first!