Today was a fun day! It was so beautiful outside we had to play outside...even Hazel enjoyed her time outside. Ian got to play with his new car that was given to him by a wonderful family at church! (Thanks so much!!) Ian was soooo excited about the car. He loved getting in and out of the car. That was his favorite thing to do...as it was mine! While we were outside I got to talk to our next door neighbor for a while! That was fun! I got to show off Miss Hazel (and of course Ian!) It is great to know we have good, Christian neighbors. This picture is of Ian having a blast driving his new car. I'm pretty sure he would play all day with it!

Happy Leap Day! I kinda wish this day was less hard, but we made it through! Today was the day of the Epic Toddler Fit! I made myself and Ian pancakes for breakfast. They were super yummy! We each ate two BIG, FLUFFY pancakes. After two I was full and Ian wanted more. He has been overeating so I told him that was enough...and IT began! at approximately 10:15 Ian started a fit that would NEVER END! It woke Hazel up....several times, and gave me a headache that I felt the effects of for the rest of the day! Finally at around 11 he calmed down. This picture is of Ian learning what time out is after throwing and hitting. He understood he had to stay on the couch but cried and SCREAMED for 45 min! Oh the JOYS of motherhood! I put him down for a nap WAY early because it was obvious he was tired. So Hazel and I got a little time for girl time, but some mommy down time was not in the schedule...dern! After Jeff got home I headed to youth. The service was completely amazing! It's amazing what God can do when the youth (and adults) recognize, and accept His presence and freely worship him, unrestrained. It was beautiful! Youth also involved mudpies and cake, but we won't talk about that. Afterwards we went to Cici's with a small group and had a good time trying weird pizza. I tried out a Hamburger pizza that tasted exactly like a hamburger and NOTHING like a pizza...it was so weird! Good, but weird! I headed home because I felt so bad leaving Jeff with the kids for so long. Especially knowing that Hazel does not take a bottle and is very upset that I am not home! Jeff did force enough milk down her to make her happy. He really is the best husband! He let me have some downtime and do what I want to do. That's great!

Today was a typical day at the house with the kids. Ian actually behaved quite well today. I really think it was because I was able to give him more attention. Hazel was not too high maintenance today so I was able to give Ian more attention and I think that helped! Ian has not been taking good naps and I think that is contributing to his misbehavior, but he had a good nap today! This picture I took while Ian was napping. This was Hazel's tummy time today! I absolutely LOVE this picture and everything about it: the look on her face, the position of her head and hands, the drool in a perfect icicle, and those stunning eyes! I had to edit and make the picture as beautiful as the baby in it! She had so much fun talking to me as I was taking her picture!

Today was pretty refreshing for a Monday, believe it or not! I spent most of the day with JR running church errands. He called me during breakfast and wanted to know if we would join him in going to the conference office. I was so excited to show Hazel off to MaDora! We stopped by, right at lunch time, and had to come back. We went out to eat at Chipotle and I was so proud of the kids. They were well behaved! We then went back to the conference office so JR could drop off his VERY late CTCYM group registration form. MaDora was very exited to actually see and meet Hazel! I felt bad that Hazel wasn't too happy because she was hungry, but was excited to show her off! When we finally got back home it was nap time! When Jeff got home we ate dinner and watched the Daytona 500. Ian loved all the cars (my Uncle Kenny would be proud) It had been postponed because of weather the day before. Then there was a horrible wreck that caused an explosion and huge delay and then I fell asleep! I was so disappointed because I love watching them wreck! This picture was taken this evening. Hazel was just talking and smiling at Jeff. They were so deep in conversation I don't know if they even noticed I took the picture!

Today is Sunday! My mom spent the night with us because of our date we had the night before. my mom and I got up early enough to go to the store and get breakfast food for everyone before the rest of the house woke up. We went to church...and actually got there on time! Frank has started a series on marriage that I am excited about! After church we visited, ate lunch at Burger King and finished cleaning the house. Well, Mom "occupied" the kids while we cleaned...poor mom! ;) Mom left in the late afternoon and I think Jeff and I were more sad to see her go than Ian! (and Ian LOVES his Gigi!) Later that night we had neighborhood group at our house. We ate, visited and talked about the roles of the husband and wife in marriage. It was a great conversation. This picture was taken after everyone left. Jeff pulled out his guitar and played it for me and the kids. As you can tell, Ian loved it and was very excited! Hazel seemed to enjoy the music. It was sweet watching him play for them! I think I am going to start a music night where we play guitars and sing as a family! I think that would be fun!

Oh my goodness! Today was such a fun day! Jeff cooked bacon and eggs for late breakfast/lunch and my mom came down for the weekend!! We didn't actually DO much, like get out of the house, but Ian kept us all busy with his playing and what-not. I felt bad that we didn't do much, but I could tell my mom was just enjoying the grand-kids! My mom was so sweet and wonderful and let us go on a date! Yes, that's right....Jeff and I got to go on a date! This was WAAAAAAY overdue and needed! We have been at each other's throats and its because we have had no "us" time! That was quite an adventure! I only really feel comfortable leaving Hazel with my mom because she is soo young still. I left her a bottle, but Hazel refuses it (It's mommy or nothing!) Anyways, we had our hearts set on On the Boarder. So we get there and it is insanely crowded and the wait is like 40 min for two people. We get frustrated and leave. We travel all around the area trying to find somewhere to eat and realize that EVERYWHERE is busier than On the Boarder. So we head back hoping our name is still on the list and that we can get a table. We get back and we are the next ones on the list! Score one for Jeff and Katie!!  We happily enjoy our meal (and I enthusiastically enjoyed my first margarita in over a year!) take our time with our dessert and head home feeling refreshed and less stressed. We weren't even gone 3 hours, but it was one of the best dates Jeff and I have ever been on. When we got home it was straight back to reality....Hazel needed Mommy, but its ok! We love our kids! This picture was of us about to leave on our date. We never get pictures of us together, so we had to take advantage of the fact that  my mom was there!

Today is Friday! YAY! Today Victoria had scholarship interviews at Texas Wesleyan! So excited for her! So Victoria and Mom were supposed to meet us for lunch before hand, but Dad came with them and was a little slower. So we had a normal (with Ian misbehaving) day at home and them met them at Wesleyan after Jeff got off work and Victoria got done with her stuff. She got an additional $4000 scholarship on top her Presidential scholarship! I am so proud! Afterwards we went out to Ol' South Pancake House and ate dinner and chatted it up for a while. This is were Ian learned to take pictures with Victoria's camera! Here he is sitting on a platform above the circular booth we were sitting in. He was taking pictures of the whole restaurant! I'm pretty sure some people in there thought there was a rave going on with all the flashing lights from the camera. He had a blast and we had a great time watching him!