May 2 2014

More pics, TobyMac, Indian, & Sundaes galore

Posted on May 2, 2014 by traylee

Yesterday was our other lil lady’s dance recital pictures and then our two girls got to take cute recital pictures together. Yes, I did buy three packets of pictures, ha ha. I’ve so enjoyed watching them explore dancing. Even if it turns out to not be their thing, they will be able to say they tried ballet, tap, & jazz, and that makes me a proud mama. Especially the jazz bit! I love watching them try new things as they become their own little people. I love their willingness to experience new things. I’ve watched the two of them grow so much over the last eight months on that dance floor. A new found confidence has grown in both of them. I can’t wait to watch their recital in a few weeks with their family and friends in that audience, all anxiously waiting to see how far they have come! I wasn’t sure how Buggie would feel about the make-up part, oddly enough she was excited for her turn. Because it turns out that blue eye shadow & red lipstick are spiderman colors!

After pictures we were off to Austin. I wasn’t “supposed” to get my love anything else for his birthday since we’re going to Chicago at the end of this month. But I don’t think it’s coincidence that one of our fave Christian singers was kicking off his tour two days before his birthday close by. We have wanted to see TobyMac for years now and for one reason or another we haven’t been able to. Out of town, low funds, or me being on bed rest it was always something. There was no way we were missing it for another year! Turns out it was worth the wait! He’s an amazing performer. Christian music has always been a good outlet for our faith and our little family. I’m so thankful we were able to bring our little ladies with. I loved the excitement they had when they were able to sing along to Godly songs they know! Bitty was cute as a bug dancing around in her new TobyMac tee & big pink headphones!

So today Matt requested Indian food for his birthday lunch. Sigh. Did I just mention a couple paragraphs ago how much I love our lil monsters’ openness to try new things? Looks like it was my turn to practice what I preach! So we went to his favorite Indian buffet. I went with an open mind. I took a bite of EIGHT different prepared Indian dishes. Unfortunately for my husband it’s just not my thing. The only thing that was “okay” was the naan. So I just drank my water and enjoyed my family’s company and seeing the happiness he had at finally getting me to at least try it. Looks like the Indian buffet will continue to be the father/son occasional date that my two fave fellas enjoy from time to time. Because Bitty & Mad didn’t care for it either. My husband has got me to explore many new things over the years and vice versa. I think this is the first that I didn’t take to. One of the many things we love about each other, we’re allowed to have our differences, and yet so many other things in common.

After lunch Daddy & I headed over to Aub’s school to dish up ice cream sundaes for TEN third grade classes! FUN!!! It was a huge bash for getting through their multiplications. She was beyond excited to have both of us be able to be there for their super fun party. I had no idea there were so many third grade classes! And let me tell you that was an awful lot of kiddos excited over their bowls full of ice cream goodness. Those teachers are saints for the sugar rush they got to endure from twenty plus kiddos each until that bell rang.

My headaches have become an off and on occurrence over the last few days. So I’m looking forward to a mellow evening home with Matt and our lil ladies tonight. Especially since our usual Friday plans were scratched due to my poor friend falling ill. He was kind enough to not share the funk and risk our lil monsters getting sick.

May 1 2014

Protected: Unintentional tradition

Posted on May 1, 2014 by traylee

Apr 17 2014

Fiesta floats & Easter eggs

Posted on April 17, 2014 by traylee

Almost through with our two little ladies being in two different elementary schools. Today was a slight challenge of them both having fun events at their separate school. Thankfully one of the many things I love about being a stay at home mama allowed me to make it to both. Daddy also took the day off of work to join Bitty and I for our school hopping!

I’m still not quite used to this whole Fiesta thing after almost fifteen years of being a resident of Tejas, but off to the Fiesta float parade we went this morning! I simply love the pride these kiddos have as they walk through their school gym, marching in their own little parade for all of their parents, grandparents, and siblings showing off their own little custom floats, Tejano music and all! I still can’t believe she has almost made it through third grade, but we are awfully proud of this lil gal of ours.

Afterwards we headed over to Mad’s school for her pre-k Easter egg hunt! A whole lot of cuteness for us to absorb. We were the only parents that were able to make it to her class and she was so surprised to see us walk into her class. Bitty even helped us hide all of the eggs for them to run around with their little baskets searching for. After their hunt she was able to pass out the goodie bags she helped make for her classmates.

I just love being these four lil monsters’ mama. I love being a stay at home mama and never having to miss these fun moments they get to have. I love watching the four of them grow daily. And I especially love learning just as much from them as I try to teach them, if not more.

Jan 31 2014

Buggie & “Miss J”

Posted on January 31, 2014 by traylee

Buggie is well in to her Pre-K year and one thing is for sure she adores her bus driver (we’ll just call her “Miss J”)! There is no doubting the special bond they have created. Just this week alone there are three cute things that has happened between them.

One day Buggie brought her a party hat from her baby sister’s party. Without missing a beat “Miss J” put that hat on and happily waved and they were off to school.

On another day when “Miss J” dropped her off she pointed out that she had wore her husband’s super hero shirt just for Buggie! Needless to say Buggie thought that was the bees knees and beamed from ear to ear when she came off of that bus that day.

Then today Buggie informed us that while “Miss J” gives all of the kiddos stickers daily as they get off of the bus, “Miss J” has a binder full of stickers, but one page is super heroes just for Buggie!

I can still remember my bus driver growing up. I had the same one from elementary school until I moved “up da road” in high school. Mr. Miller, this sweet little old man with a long red beard that always wore a bandana on his head. He was a sweet ole fella with a great big smile and all of the kids loved him. Even after I became a mom, if we would bump into him and his wife at a local fair I was always happy to see him. That is the relationship she has with “Miss J”. Last week we ran into her at the bank. And let me tell you, that child happily held a conversation with her in the drive through for a few minutes. But she had to tell her she should have drove her bus to the bank and yelled “I love you! See you tomorrow!” As we drove away.

This sweet lady even has a picture taped up in her bus of the two of them from Christmas when she brought her kiddos to visit Santa with us a few door down from our home. They happily sat in Santa’s lap together and Buggie talked about it for weeks.

I can’t even begin to describe how much we love this lady. She goes out of her way to make these kiddos feel loved on the way to and from school. It’s nice to know our little girl feels safe and happy when she climbs on that big yellow bus each day to meet her sweet friend “Miss J”.

Jan 1 2014

2013 summed up, Happy New Years!

Posted on January 1, 2014 by traylee

I’ve been reading everyone’s New Years resolutions and reflections of the last year on different social medias and blogs. I can’t say I have ever really made resolutions. I’ve honestly never really been one to follow through with them. But I did enjoy going through one of my apps and looking at pictures of our last year and I can’t believe all that we squeezed in to it! It’s been a year full of blessings, family visitors, traveling, bonding, gatherings, parties, ending of toxic relationships, gaining of new friends, and so much more. I have to say it’s been one of our better years and I look forward to what the future holds for our family. Here are just some of our moments in 2013…
1. Bitty’s first trip on a plane. Thankfully nursing kept her content nearly the entire time.
2. Bitty’s first time in snow. A massive amount of snow at that. I’ve never really seen a tremendous amount of snow until Ohio myself and I’m sure this southern gal stuck out like a sore thumb!
3. I spent my birthday traveling all day with Bitty and couldn’t wait to get home to my little family.
4. Much to my surprise, my dad was waiting for me at the airport! He had flown out to be here for my birthday & Bitty’s.
5. After a very long day of traveling I came home to a little birthday celebration with my family. It couldn’t have turned out to be a more perfect day.
6.Bitty’s 1st birthday! She had an owl themed party. And loved her smash cake!
7. Naps, a rare thing for this daddy & mama, but certainly a welcomed treat especially if it’s with one of our monsters.
8. There are so many things for our family to give thank for. No matter how busy life gets, I adore the fact that our monsters know to stop and pray daily.
9. Buggie decided she was a boy and wanted to chop off her long beautiful curls, and so it is.
10. Bitty may have far too many toys, yet nothing is more entertaining than our kitchen cabinets.
11. Mardi Gras Day is just another day in Texas. But I got my monsters a king cake and made them a traditional Cajun meal too.
12. My sweet sweet Valentine.
13. Our first annual Valentine’s for maw-maw’s and paw-paw’s. With the help of family and friends our monsters delivered 209 handmade Valentine’s to a local nursing home. I’m not sure who enjoyed the visit more.
14. Matt’s cousin Rachel came to town and spent the night with us. We won’t talk about how she threw out her back that night:/ But I will mention how much I adore this kind hearted fun lady!
15. Lots of music is played in this home.
16. Oh the confusion of teaching Buggie this is NOT the finger to point with. Nothing sweeter than the innocence of a child.
17. We avidly support EBF (extended breast feeding).
18. We did our first annual 4 lil monsters Easter for Children’s Hospital. Along with the help of my monsters, some of my friends & family, Bunny’s class, & half price books we were able to make and donate over 100 pillows, hats, blankets, handmade cards, and three large boxes of books to every single child at our local Methodist hospital. Even more rewarding was being able to deliver said gifts to those precious children with my son and my husband. I will never forget some of those sweet faces and the happiness something so little brought them during such a scary time in their lives.
19. Buggie decided to pretend to take a nap, while she was really trying to give their barbies a bath in their garbage can. Sometimes it’s not easy to keep a straight face while correcting our monsters.
20. We got rid of all the toxic chemicals and cleaning supplies in our home and went all natural and started making our own.
21. My B-Boo and Nannie Boo to some of our monsters came out for a surprise visit. I simply adore my time with her.
22. We enjoyed a year of baby wearing our little bambino.
23. And our toddler too.
24. I discovered I needed glasses. The very next day Budah was prescribed some too. He wears his every day. I haven’t exactly been a good example in that department.
25. Lots of selfies happened.
26. We took our lil ladies to see Yo Gabba Gabba and Daddy & I may have been just as stoked about “Biz’s beat of the day”.
27. We spent spring break on the coast . This was also Bitty’s first time in the sand. She wasn’t sure about it.
28. Bitty & I neared a end as she started weening herself after 18 months of EBF (extended breast feeding). I will forever cherish those special moments.
29. Not all were a fan of the Easter Bunny.
30. A whole lot of skateboarding took place and then some.
31. We spent Easter morning in a hotel in New Orleans.
32. We made some memories in our fave city. You can take the gal outta NOLA, but you can take NOLA outta the gal.
33. We went to the annual Easter Freeman family reunion.
34. Najah had many baths.
35. Disney on Ice with our three lil ladies.
36. I spent lots of one on one time with my little Bitty while her siblings were at school or work.
37. My hard working son bought amazing tickets for us and after dinner in ATX he took Bitty and I to see The Lumineers and The Tumbleweeds (who happen to be from NOLA and quickly became another fave folky band of ours).
38. Our monsters became a huge help in the kitchen.
39. Lots of silly moments were had between our monsters.
40. I enjoyed Mother’s Day with these four little monsters I made.
41. There was a very special guest at Buggie’s 4th (pirate themed) birthday party.
42. First steps were taken.
43. Bunny celebrated her 8th birthday with a fun luau themed party surrounded by a bunch of her little friends.
44. A whole slew of sleep overs were had with either squealing little girls or a group of teenage fellas.
45. Many toxic folks were removed from our monster’s lives. Best decision we could have possibly made. Life is suddenly peaceful and only spent with folks that genuinely care about us.
46. Many weekends were spent with my Godchildren. Such sweet blessings.
47. My Aunt Glo spent a few weeks with us!
48. These two precious little cousins enjoyed a full spa day on Bunny’s birthday. Hair, make up, manis, pedis, & princess dresses!
49. Budah celebrated his 17th birthday Fiesta style surrounded by a ton of friends & fam before a day of skate parks with this huge group of fellas.
50. After much thought and prayer I have finally discovered forgiveness. And gained the knowledge from a very dear friend that forgiveness was necessary for my faith and self healing and didn’t mean I needed to be around said people that I forgave. Such an amazing feeling to be able to let go of years worth of hurt as well as the people that caused unnecessary pain.
51. The Guncles never let us down…literally. Our monsters are so lucky to have these four amazing fellas in their lives. Both as family and a good example that love has no boundaries. Teaching our monsters that no one has to be the same to be accepted is one of the greatest lessons we could possibly teach them.
52. These four little beauties had a blast at their week long VBS (vacation Bible school).
53. My mom & her sister celebrated their 55th & 60th birthdays together with lots of red & purple deco and were surprised by the flock of huge flamingos in the front yard.
54. We celebrated my dad’s 60th birthday early with a full nautical themed party before a trip to Big Lou’s.
55. 4th of July with these cuties!
56. Lots of swimming & fun took place.
57. We love our weekends with Aryie.
58. Knot-Geek flourished!
59. We celebrated Matt’s God daughter’s birthday too!
60. Enjoyed many visits with rad friends.
61. We spent a week in a condo on Mustang Island on the beach and exploring near by places.
62. Braces were removed!
63. Have I mentioned how much these monsters love their Guncles?
64. JuJuBee with Matt & Alex!
65. Much to my surprise I happily joined the mini van club.
66. Bunny donated ten inches of her hair to locks of love.
67. Just when I think it’s not possible I love these lil monsters a little bit more.
68. First day of school! Pre-K, 3rd, & our home schooled 11th grader.
69. Labor Day! Maw-Maw, Jamie, Dustin, Brylee, Britton, Phil, Angie, Billy, Syd, & Tanner. Painting, a little covered up Slayer,BBQ, & swimming fun.
70. Budah discovered he could cross his eyes…all the time.
71. Buggie decided she could shave like her brother and in the process shaved off her eyebrows & scraped her chin and lip. Budah also decided to face plant the very same night skateboarding and broke his glasses. Thanks for those near heart attacks monsters. Please no injuries in 2014.
72. We celebrated my MIL’s 60th birthday with her at her new beautiful ranch house.
73. I got my Van Gogh on with Em.
74. These lil doll faces started ballet & tap dance classes.
75. Pumpkin patch fun!
76. Duckies were fed for the first time by this little gal, and she easily ate as much bread as she shared.
77. I had two very unexpected surgeries in a matter of three weeks time. Thankfully I have amazing family that nursed me back to health.
78. We spent our first year in our new home. Still can’t believe it’s ours.
79. We did our first annual Halloween book drive for the local Methodist Children’s Hospital and collected 350 books!
80. Odessa! We loaded these 6 monsters in the car and drove to west Texas to spend the weekend with my love’s old Army friends.
81. Bunny’s school book parade.
82. Bunny was a homecoming princess.
83. Many days were spent at cheerleading practice & football games.
84. Superhero’s for Halloween! Budah- The Hulk, Bunny- Cat Woman, Buggie- Spider-Man, & Bitty- Wonder Woman.
85. Bunny did fantastic at her first cheer competition.
86. Many mornings waiting for the bus!
87. We didn’t let nosey folks change our routines.
88. We have constantly been surrounded by rad folks, that while they may not share the same bloodline, have been the most amazing family we could ask for.
89. Turns out Buggie likes to write on our house just like Budah did when he was little.
90. We didn’t have to leave our neighborhood to take this year’s Christmas pictures of our monsters.
91. Daddy, Budah, & I nearly froze waiting to watch Bunny & Buggie’s dance class in our local Christmas parade.
92. Our monsters have loved having Maw-Maw live with us.
93. I loved experiencing Buggie’s first class Christmas party with her!
94. Bunny was very proud to have Bitty join her for her 3rd grade Christmas party.
95. Bunny & Diamond danced beautifully at their first Christmas Dance Recital.
96. Bunny finally welcomed her first American Girl Doll, Audrey, into her little world!
97. While Buggie loves her dance classes, she wasn’t feeling her first dance recital.
98. Our little ladies sang away at their school Christmas programs.
99. Santa visited our little ladies at our house!
100. We celebrated our 2nd Christmas in our home with our four lil monsters, maw-maw, paw-paw, & maw-maw Susie.
101. Budah shot his first doe on a hunting trip with his dad.
What an amazing year we’ve shared together. While yes there were some disappointing moments this year, clearly there was far more happy moments to out weigh the bumps in the road. We truly are blessed beyond measure. I celebrated my 6th wedding anniversary with my husband this year. What a pillar of strength he is. He never ceases to amaze me. I know with him by my side we can take on anything that comes our way.

While we had such a fantastic year I watched many of my favorite people experience their worst year ever. I only pray that we have been some form of a comfort to them during their heartache.

So while I won’t be making “New Years resolutions” per say. I will continue to set goals for myself and our little family. I will continue to strive to be the best person I can be regardless of what some may think of me. I will hold on to my faith. I will be the faithful & supportive wife this loving man I married deserves. I will forever strive to be the best mama, daughter, DIL, sister, SIL, niece, cousin, aunt, Godmother, & friend I can possibly be. I will continue to work on forgiveness. I will continue to protect our monsters from hateful people. I will continue to be the best role model I can be to my monsters. After all they do learn by example.

Now off to cook our traditional New Years Day meal: pork (for health), cabbage (for wealth), & black eyed peas (for good luck). And spend this day surrounded by loved ones. Can’t wait until our Budah Booskie is home!

Dec 20 2013

It came without packages…

Posted on December 20, 2013 by traylee

Bitty and I went to Bunny’s school for her 3rd grade Christmas class party today. Bunny beamed as all of the little girls and even one little boy gushed over her baby sister. Weeks ago we received a note from her teacher about their gift exchange they would be doing today. It clearly stated if your child doesn’t bring a gift they will not be included in the gift exchange. It absolutely broke my heart to see one little girl in their class of 23 students was not able to join in the festivities because her parents had forgot the present. She broke down crying as they all started opening their gifts and the teacher walked her outside to comfort her. While the rest of her class was distracted and excited about their new gifts, Bunny was visibly distraught over the situation. Then she realized that her new gift included three puzzles. Without an ounce of hesitation our 8 year old daughter put one of her puzzles in the gift bag and gave it to the little girl. We are so blessed to have such caring & giving children. It was all I could do to keep from crying right there in that classroom. At this time of year it is so easy to get caught up the the craziness this holiday can so easily bring. People forget the true meaning of Christmas. We always try to instill good values in our children, not just at Christmas time. Today I was thankfully able to witness just how much our eight year old girl understands.

Dec 19 2013

Buggie’s Pre-K Christmas Party

Posted on December 19, 2013 by traylee

This morning when I put Buggie on her bus I told her to have fun at her Christmas party. So the look on her face when I walked into her class this morning was nothing short of priceless! I got to help them make Rudolph the red nose reindeer hats and even painted the munchkins’ little noses red like Rudolph. Watched her decorate cookies. Built a little tower out of blocks with some of them along with my lil gal. And then helped them play a game sort of like hot potato, only they passed Christmas presents. At the end of her party I asked her if she wanted to ride home with me, fully expecting, just like her brother & sissy always have, she would want to. But to the beat of her own drum she always marches and how could she possibly ride home with me and not see her fabulous bus driver? Of course her bus driver got quite the kick our of this news, so sweet!

Sep 12 2013

Good morning sunshine

Posted on September 12, 2013 by traylee

Hubster & Budah already off to work. Buggie happily hopped on the school bus after a grumpy morning! A certain little lady obviously woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Watched Bunny practice the cup song until it was time to bring her to school. Came home and found this inspirational message waiting for me from Miss J:
I love this lady. Forgiveness is a work in progress for me. I do feel better since I wrote my forgiveness blog. I had been guilty of continuing to read the stabs being taken at me. But oddly enough I have looked at them in a new light. It really doesn’t matter what others think of me or what they say in attempt to hurt me. It changes absolutely nothing. I will continue to work on my forgiveness and put my family first as I always have. I refuse to allow another person’s passive stabs control my emotions. Which is the very reason we cut ties.

Sep 11 2013

Early mornings

Posted on September 11, 2013 by traylee

Anyone that really knows me has no doubt that I am far from a morning person. I’m really not sure I am awake until I have had my coffee. So getting my monsters ready for school is always interesting. A sleepy head mama trying to get her sleepy head monsters moving. But there is something I really love about our incredibly way too early mornings. Our one on one time. As daddy is leaving for work I get my Buggie ready. We wait outside for her school bus and chat about anything that is on her little mind. Most mornings she is letting me know that she wants to put her pjs back on as soon as she gets home. She’s such a big girl now. Until I watch her climb on that school bus and see how tiny she is. She has no fear now. She knows I will be waiting right there when she gets home. Then it’s time to get my Bunny ready. Sometimes she doesn’t lolly gag so long that we get to visit with each other for a bit before I get her to school. She is certainly not a morning person either. Lord help me when this girl is a teenager! Thankfully I get to take a tiny nap before we get our day started, because my little Bitty apparently isn’t much of a morning person either. Never thought I would say it. It seems as though I like my early mornings with my monsters more than I imagined I could. Now about that coffee…

Aug 27 2013

Schmoozing or appreciation?

Posted on August 27, 2013 by traylee

Call it what you will. Possibly a combination of both? Yes, we skipped sending the plain ole apple for our monster’s teachers on their first day of school this year. Risking the chance that they would end up with so many apples they would have to make apple pies with them this weekend was not my goal. We opted to go with something useful! How about a reusable travel coffee cup with a gift card inside to fill that baby with some tasty goodness from starbucks? Yes, we’ll go that route. Schmoozing? Maybe, have you met my monsters? Particularly my sweet little Buggie? These ladies deserve those cups of coffee! Okay, all joking aside now. It was honestly more a symbol of our appreciation. These ladies will be taking over the daily caring I have provided for my monsters their entire lives and helping to provide them with an education. Heck yeah I appreciate these ladies! Weather they realize it or not they are providing a huge part of our monster’s lives. I still have very vivid memories of some of my favorite teachers through the years, some teachers I thankfully get to still communicate with via facebook. Starting with my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Eckerle. I genuinely loved that lady! I hope that our children will have those same experiences in their childhood. Budah does. We both have fond memories of some of his rad teachers through the years before we started homeschooling. We don’t just send our monsters off to school thinking oh well now they are their problem. Okay, so secretly I am a little nervous as to how Buggie is doing in school. She is quite the little pistol. We’re really hoping she isn’t our first child that makes frequent trips to the principals office, eek! We do however like to maintain a hands on approach with our monster’s education as we do with every other aspect of their lives. After all, we can’t expect these teachers to do all of the work can we? I want to know what is going on. I want their teachers to know we care. Call us. Email us. Ask me to volunteer for class parties or to teach art classes. I thrive on having that ability to still be an active role in their lives even if they do spend a majority of their time at school now. If anything I may be guilty of over volunteering for all of their school events. I just can’t seem to help myself.

4 lil monsters

Just another day in chaos

Category Archives: school days