It's Over...

This post is going to be somewhat selfish...I PASSED my CFRE exam today! I am so relieved, and thank you all for your prayers & support. This has been a long process, but worth it! Below is the group that went through "CFRE boot camp" last week, and so far...we are 6 for 6!

Pretty impressive group, aren't we?

If we weren't out for your money before...just imagine what we will be like as "Certified Professionals!"

Honestly, I pray that my work, my influence, my life, will make a difference and help change the world for the Kingdom! As it says in Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”

June has been busy with Birthday parties and VBS. Josh has been playing "Mr. Mom" these past weeks, and I am so grateful for his love & support.

He is a wonderful Daddy. Love you, Josh!

Pictures to come soon...

Summer is Here!

Well, it has been 4 years since Josh & I got married! It's been quite a wild ride since 2004, and never a dull moment! Each year we try and go somewhere to celebrate, even if for just a few days. The trips have been great!

We have gone to NYC, Walt Disney World, the World Series in 2005 (We were pregnant, and didn't know it!) and even to Washington DC...when I was 6 months pregnant! We celebrated this year, a little less extravagantly, by going to Fredericksburg for a long weekend over Memorial Day. It was very nice to get away.

We stayed in a rustic cabin not far from town,

shopped a little, ate too much, and visited a wild seed farm on Sunday.

There were beautiful butterflies everywhere!

So...you are asking...where was Caroline? She left Wednesday night with her Mimi to stay the week in Longview. I know she had a grand time with them...and maybe a little spoiled, too?

Eating Popsicles with Grandy

Caroline got to visit with Buddy, Juanita (her black Mimi),

and even got to feed a calf!

You never know what awaits you at Mrs. Linda's! (Petty)

Swimming in the yard, playing on the new playground,

Feeding or harassing the pets (Zoe & Scout)!

Overall, I think she had fun!

We could not stand it, so we drove out of our way on Monday to get her. Grandy said they still have three days to "cash in" from their week. We'll see about that!

When we got to Corsicana, Caroline was so excited to see her daddy! She completely bypassed me, and went for Josh...What a Daddy's girl she is becoming!

Caroline having a snack with her daddy!

Things have been hectic here, and we plan to have a fun-filled summer with birthdays and a trip to Angel Fire, as well as a possible family reunion in Louisiana with Josh's family.

In addition, I am studying (or need to be) for the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) International exam. I plan to take the test in June. I will let you know the outcome, so if I go silent on you for awhile...I will be back! I will also keep you posted on our "goings on."

Hope all of you have a great summer, and be safe!

April Showers...Bring May Flowers

Sorry that it has been over a month since I updated. I am amazed how quickly time goes by. My mother always told me that time goes faster the older we get. And, whew...has it flown!

Caroline never ceases to amaze us at things she learns, and now is able to say. She is now talking in sentences. She has been doing this for about 2 weeks now. They are very simple, but she definitely can communicate with us...especially when she wants something.

Wouldn't you know that one of her first phrases would be "TV show on." She said it one morning when she woke earlier than Mommy & Josh wanted to get up (yes, she still calls Josh by his first name). She is now great at saying "No, Mommy!" too, with all the personality that goes along with it. She also knows her ABCs, and is starting to identify colors. Her animal sounds are hilarious, as well. Our favorite is the elephant. She raises her arm as if it were a trunk when she makes the sound! Too cute.

She is starting to be VERY independent, wanting to do things on her own. She can now climb into her highchair, buckle herself into the carseat, request what she does and doesn't want to eat, and even pick up after herself (with a little prompting). Life has gotten easier on that end. On the otherhand, she is beginning to express herself by throwing little fits. It should be an interesting several months as we approach "2." I cannot believe that she will be TWO in nearly two months!


This past month, we celebrated Josh' Birthday (a little late) by going to Edelweiss. It's Josh's fav!

I could not resist putting Caroline in her little German dress. She looked precious! You know...Caroline is German for "petite woman."This dress was sent to ME (in the 70s) by our family friends in Germany. It fits her perfect now. While we were there, Caroline tore up the dance floor (she gets that from her mother), and even made a new friend. And...don't forget the cake!

Caroline has also discovered Minnie Mouse. Her Aunt LeLe bought her a Minnie dress on a trip to Disney World, when she was first born. It finally fits her, and she loves to play in it along with her glittery, red shoes from Nan (Aunt Diane).

Chheese!

We attempted to have our family portraits and Caroline's "2" pictures done TWICE this month...to no avail! The weather has not cooperated with us. We want to take them at the Botanical Gardens sometime soon...we are going to try for May. Hopefully, the showers we have had will make for beautiful pictures!

Happy Easter!

Caroline definitely had a great Easter this year! She somewhat understood the whole "hunting eggs thing." She even approached the Easter Bunny with no fear. I had no idea how she would do because we were so afraid of Santa.

On Friday, we had her school hunt with her class. The hunt lasted only a few minutes, and then they were all more interested in playing instead of hunting!

"Paying on the Side"

On Saturday morning, we went with Cousin Alex to Colonial for their annual Easter egg hunt. It was pretty crazy, but I think Caroline had a grand time! More pics to come...

Sunday was low-key with my parents here for the day. Caroline (of course) looked like a "living doll" in her Easter dress.

"KI-CAT"

Caroline is really talking now. Her vocabulary has more than doubled since Christmas. She is also a ham more and more everyday. She still loves to play dress up, and take care of her babies

. In particular, Mimi gave her a hat recently that she plays in all the time...it is too cute!

Hope all of you had a wonderful Easter!

It's Snowing...in Texas!

Needless to say, February was just as busy as January, and looks as if March will be the same. Will it ever slow down? I think I already know the answer to that.

This past month proved to be a memorable one. Caroline had several birthday parties, which always makes for interesting Saturday afternoons. Her favorite was Sara Jane's cowgirl party. Here is my little cowgirl.

We also discovered that Caroline loves to "dip" her food. She really just sucks the sauce off her food, and dips again. She now wants to have sauce for everything she eats.

She does continue to be a good eater--mess and all.

Notice the green bean beard!

Two weeks ago, we escaped for a few days to enjoy beautiful Angel Fire. We spent the time with The Bells--Kim, Bryan, Avery & Drew. We had a great time getting away to the serenity only found in the mountains. The kids had a great time playing in the snow, as well as each other.

Josh & Caroline dug a hole in the snow to play in. She loved to shovel!

On Sunday, Avery took her first ski lessons, and did great! She was beat when she got home. Later that day, we hung out at the house because the weather turned, and starting snowing non-stop to the next morning.

Drew playing & my baby girl "snuggy"

On the morning we left, there was so much snow. It was so beautiful! We always hate to leave this winter wonderland, but you know--after today, you never know! "Wait a minute, and the weather in Texas can change." So much for going to NM. It's snowing...in Texas!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter, and stay warm!