Last Day of School!

Today was Roo's last day of 1st Grade! She was so excited because it was an early release day, and game day! She brought Charades yesterday and Twister today. It was bittersweet for me. My little girl is getting SO big and smart, but at the same time, she's still my little baby!

Here she is before she got out of the car!

Today was payroll day at the shop, so after we dropped Roo off, Cutter and I headed to work. Tyler actually turned the sand blaster on for Cutter, which is something I always say no to. He was in Heaven! He loves going to the shop so he can do what Walker taught him, fix pumps!

We picked Rylee up, and here's what she proudly pulled out of her backpack! It's one thing to look at it, but I now know what kind of work goes on behind the scenes. I feel like I owe both my mom and dad a huge thank you for all the help and sternness with our homework. That was something we used to have to sit down and do right as we got home from school. This year, Rylee and I have really butted heads on some of the homework assignments. Not all of them, but enough to remember! When I look at her report card, I remember all of the hard work, sweat, tears and laughter that went along side it. She did an awesome job this year! I'm proud of you Rylee Roo!

Aunt Brittney took Rylee to eat ice cream on the first day of school, and today was no exception! All year, Roo has looked forward to this day, and enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks Brit!

Cutter couldn't be left out. He got some ice cream and sprinkles too!

I Did It!

I DID IT!!! I actually did two things. One, I am posting something on the actual day it occurred, and two I cement boarded and sheet rocked the bathroom today! I'm so excited!

I started around 10:30 this morning and finished about 6:30. So yes, it was an all day project for such a tiny room, but I had Cutter all day, and picked Rylee up at 3. It's tough getting quality work time while watching the kids, especially Cutter.

As I was cleaning up the house after my kids destroyed it, I found one of the straws that was silicone wrapped to the foam can. I couldn't find the can anywhere. I asked Cutter where it was, and he took me right to it...behind the guitar. I think Mom must have been watching after him because Lord only knows what kind of damage that could have done to a guitar. I guess I need to buy a lock to put on the music room from now on!

Here's the pictures from my camera phone. Just remember it's only a 5' x 8' bathroom.

The bathtub and cement board.

Where the new pedestal sink will go.

Behind the door. Ryan, this is the only trouble I had. I cut the last piece of sheet rock perfect so that I replace it behind the cabinet. I got it in there, and had completely forgotten I was going to have to slide it in there. I tried every way possible and finally gave up. I ended up cutting the top left corner section off so that I could slide it separately. After that, it all fell in place!

Turn your head a little to the left, and you can see this picture correctly. It's the only way I could get a picture of all the bathtub fixtures. I had no problems cutting any of the holes out! Now I just jinxed myself, oh well!

Next step, TILE!

Monday Mania

Monday, the kids and I went back over the Chad and Brittney's to swim in the sun! We had a blast! I am EXHAUSTED, but it's all worth it. The kids have grown so much in the pool in just the last week.

Here's Cutter jumping off the diving board!

Proud daddy Tyler and Karsen

Tyler, Karsen and Ashley

Chad's turn at the board...

...and now Tyler. Justin was the only one missing!

Rylee and Becca

Ashley and the kids

Chad and Brittney

Thanks again for letting us come over and swim!

Rylee decided to jump...without me waiting to catch her!

Cutter's helping feed Karsen

I managed to catch Cutter on the camera phone jumping off the diving board. He has no fear, and will attempt anything you tell him 'not' to do! He wanted to do a back flip so bad, but instead watched uncle Tyler!



Rylee finally realized that jumping off the diving board wasn't so scary after all. We went swimming over at Chad and Brittney's on Thursday, and I forced her to jump. Even though her head didn't touch the water, while I went under as she jumped on top of me, she was still a little frightened. After the 3 hour swim session today she was jumping by herself. Here's the video Brittney shot for me while she was just warming up.

Rylee, I am very proud of you! You have come such a long way since your terrible experience at swim lessons! Look at what a big girl you are becoming!

Memorial Day Cookout

On Sunday, we went to Chad and Brittney's for a Memorial Day family get together. We had a blast, even if the weather didn't cooperated 1oo%. We had fajitas, margaritas, yummy guacamole dip, swimming, ladder ball, and lots of laughter! Thank you guys for hosting this FUN event!

Cutter's first jump of the day!

My little baby!

Ashley, Kori, Zoey, Karsen, and cheesing Cutter

Karsen and Brittney

Karsen and Zoey

Here's Kori and her tree cutting skills!

Actually, she was just trying the get the ladder balls out!

Chad is trying to teach Rylee how to swim and feel safe without her life jacket on.

Silly cousins! Rylee, Cutter and Karsen

Chad, Pops, Andy and Terry Clark playing ladder ball!

Cutter, Mommy and Roo

Santa Clause...oh wait, that's Cutter and Uncle Tyler

Brittney's brother, Tyler and his daughter Zoey

I beat Kori's butt in our water fight! Britt, those were an awesome investment!

Aunt Brittney, Rylee and Uncle Chad

Brittney, Cutter, me and Roo

Rylee's such a sweet big cousin!

Thanks again for having us all over!

Straight A's

Wylie Elementary held their end of the year awards ceremony last week. Rylee was so excited that every child would get an award, and no one would get left out. Little did she know, she received two awards!

Here is Roo on stage with Mr. Light. He is the Superintendent of Wylie ISD, and also goes to our church. He is a super nice guy!

Rylee with her Academic Excellence award...

...and her STRAIGHT A's t-shirt! Once again, I'm so proud of her! There were some days where it would have been easier to say forget the homework, and save an argument, but we did it. All of our hard work paid off!

Mrs. Hilburn and Rylee. She has been an awesome teacher, and has helped our transition into the Wylie school district so much easier. We were blessed to have her as a teacher!

May 17, 2002

It's official, Justin and I have been married for SIX years!

Here's the flowers he had hand delivered to me! Thanks babe!


Here's the hat I sent him! He already had one like this, but lost it. Since he always asks me if I've found it I thought it would be an easy present to ship.

I love you, Justin!

Mom's Bathroom!

So...for those of you that have been to dad's know that mom's bathroom is still a hole in the ground! When mom first got diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease we knew that her disabilities would soon progress. As showers became more and more difficult, dad decided to gut the hall bathroom, and make it handicapped accessible. I say dad gutted, but I remember tearing it apart, and so does Ryan, so I think it was a joint effort! It was a great idea in theory, but we never had time to finish it.

I told dad that it would be my summer project, something special for mom! Especially since it's been at least six years. I don't know for sure, but I think this is also becoming a healing project. Dad, I know this house holds so many memories for you, as it does Ryan and I. Ryan, I want to thank you for all the help so far. Dad, I want to thank you for guiding us through this, and I know that we will only grow closer through this.

Ryan made the comment last Saturday that he felt as if we were in middle school again...hahaha! I laughed, and for those of you that knew us way back when, can you remember where you would find us on the weekends? You guessed it, we were working on the house. In the attic, under the house, on top of the roof...you take your pick. We did it all, but looking back, I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I'm going to cement board and sheet rock tomorrow, and I'm bringing my real camera. Sorry for the blurriness.

Dad and Ryan doing what they do best, contemplating!

See what I mean?

Cutter's helping out...

...while they are still contemplating!

Holy Cow...he's working! Just kidding Ryan, I love you!


Whoops...I spoke to soon! Here they are testing Ryan's ruler circumference trick so the toilet plumbing will fit just right. However, still contemplating on whether or not to cut it with those measurements. For the record, it did work!

This is Cutter's forklift he built. He had a blast stacking and restacking those boards. I bet he moved them 20 times, no lie!

This is the hideous wallpaper I found behind the paint. Dad hadn't even seen it before, so it goes to show how old it is.

Ryan was nice enough to meet us at Home Depot so we could pick up the sheet rock and cement board. I can get a whole sheet of plywood in my car, but didn't want to chance breaking the sheet rock. That would be a disaster. Notice the kids riding on the cart? Ryan and I used to do that at Payless Lumber Yard!