She's like the wind

I haven't posted many pictures of our beauty lately, but today we went to the pond and fed the ducks and took some photos in this wonderful weather. We are doing better with discipline (our part) and listening/obeying (Raylen's part) which allows us to actually enjoy each other's company. Raylen makes me laugh and inspires me at the same time-she is a true free spirit, going wherever the wind may take her. My roommate in college used to say "Be the wind!" and I have gotten in the habit of saying that to Raylen when I want her to hurry. But, truly, she has taken it to heart, not in speed, but in taking in life and all it's joys. Raylen was ecstatic over seeing two turtles swimming and finding a duck egg on the shore. I didn't get pictures of those, but they are forever in my memory.

She was looking at a ladybug in this shot

Raylen and her friend Ella

They are a little more than a year apart and are growing closer each day.

This is my favorite photo of them by far.

And of course, the ducks. They will actually come to you when called like puppies.

The Truth Hurts Sometimes

Last night, I met with a dear friend from our amazing church (can you tell I love it?). We actually knew each other as children and have reconnected as adults. We were able to sit and have a Starbuck's beverage and gab about all the happenings in our life. I welcomed the girl time with open arms.

We got on a topic that our family is currently struggling quite a bit with-one that is taxing emotionally and leaving both Jason and I feeling very discouraged. It's so emotional to me that I won't label it by name here, but it is one that I am sure most couples experience. My friend was very good about sharing her advice with me, but also very forthright in telling me the wrong choices I had made in this situation. Although she has talked frank to me before, I have to admit that her words stung me at first.

Since our discussion, I have thought a great deal about the level of commitment it takes to be a friend who tells you like it is. For those of you who know me well, you know that I will do almost anything to avoid uncomfortable circumstances with people. I don't like ANYONE to be mad at me and although I can and have put on brave faces in the midst of conflict, I always go home and cry about things and internalize every word. I have become accustomed as well to existing in circles where people intentionally don't tell you the truth, but do say the truth about you behind your back. I can't tell you how surprised I was to learn only a few years ago that alot of people in the world talk honestly to each other without sugar coating things or worrying about how to spare the other person's feelings.

So, to be told the flat out truth about something so emotional for me, stung me because it is not my nature to hear the truth. But, as I am growing and maturing, I am choosing to look past my insecurities that tell me to run for the hills when I hear a negative word spoken in my direction and rather take the truth that is shared with love and use it to spur me on to better results. Thanks, A, for continuing to challenge me to be better than I am today.

Now, don't everyone send in their comments of "truth" all at once! I am still learning this discipline and would still appreciate some finesse!

Looking back, planted here, moving forward

I was online for a bit today and stumbled upon a site where I could watch full episodes of a teenage drama I was addicted to when I was in high school. Although it was "teenage", looking back I am sure it was too mature for me at the time and it encouraged all of the "looking for love in all the wrong faces" adventures I acted out in my head. I was completely innocent, but my daydreams of finding true love at 15 left me feeling hopeless and melancholy at a time I should have been carefree. But, I digress.

So, I spent a little time watching a favorite episode of the series and immediately I was sent back in time almost 15 years. Smells, feelings, even temperatures felt as real to me as actually being in that moment. I couldn't help but remember how I felt about life at that time. Putting all the melodrama that I inflicted on myself aside, I felt safe, secure, loved and invincible. I know it's selfish, but today, for just a brief moment, I would have given anything to be back there. Surely, you must know how that feels too. Not that life is so terrible now. I have great things to be so grateful for, and I am! But, life protected by parents you trust, with plenty to eat, no bills to pay and the hardest decision you have to make is what to wear, sounds pretty tempting to me sometimes.

Then later, I started preparing my usual Thursday night, boring Hamburger Helper, because I'm not a cook at all, and I started to make a list of things I still need to do tonight. One of those things is to hang up and put away Raylen's folded laundry. She was asleep when I did it, so it sits in a basket awaiting my return. It occured to me when I found myself looking forward to putting it away, that life isn't so bad in the here and now. And more than that, I get to be the one to protect and be trusted, give plenty to eat and worry about bills so she doesn't have to. It's my job and my privelage to take care of the "stuff" in life so that she can worry about what princess dress she is going to wear next. And my greatest hope and joy in life would be to see her grow to a place where she can visit the past with fond memories and remember a blissful existance and then snap out of it in time to take care of the stuff of life for her own little pretend princess.

Our Easter Fun

Coloring Easter Eggs with Daddy and MeMaw

In our Easter Dresses before church

In our house, Cinderella and the Easter Bunny are close friends, so Cinderella filled Raylen's Easter basket this year. She brought "real" glass slippers, a bubble wand, a personal letter from her on her Castle stationary and one of her own ball dresses. (The dress was actually mine when I was in my uncle's wedding)

The Hunt!

Elastigirl

Last night, I was very sick. I still am sick today, but last night was worse than this morning. Jason didn't make it home until 8:30 pm, so I had Raylen to myself and was desperately trying to get her to understand that Mommy just needed rest. I finally begged her to sit on my bed with me and watch The Incredibles while I slept. I made her promise that she wouldn't get off the bed until I told her. She seemed to understand. I think I slept for about 45 minutes or so when I was awakened by Ray tapping my face saying "Mommy, I'm going to be Elastigirl!" Still groggy, I said, "okay" and went back to sleep. Some time later, I heard some noise and woke up to find Raylen jumping around the room like a super hero. I reminded her that she was supposed to be on the bed to which she responded "Mommy, I'm Elastigirl!", in a tone annoyed that I should have remembered her earlier declaration. It was then that I caught a good glimpse of her face and I was shocked to find that she had indeed become Elastigirl, with a little help from my makeup bag. The picture doesn't do her makeup job justice....

The moral of the story is, when you have a three year old, never, and I mean never, fall asleep.

Happy Anniversary

Today is Jason's parents' 32nd wedding anniversary. Congratulations!

Jason and I are both very blessed to come from families where marriage is a treasured blessing and lasting for the long haul is the top priority. My own parents were married 27 years when my dad passed away. We have seen by example that things aren't always easy and more than once one or both of you will want to quit, but also that it is well worth sticking it out.

Just Your Average Everyday Texas Snowstorm in March

Here we are in March and we currently have five inches of snow on the ground. We took full advantage. Here are some shots from our snowy adventure.