New Blog

Faithful blogger friends,

As you know, I had to take a hiatus from blogging. I don't know why after having my fourth baby, but I'm sure I had some silly excuse. ;) Anyway, for anyone who happens upon this one and doesn't know, I have recently started a new blog at www.onthedoorframes.com. This is a work that God has gradually been doing in my heart, and we will see what His plans are for it. Maybe I'll see you there!

Random Summer Fun

This summer I was determined to do some fun things with the kids instead of giving in to the temptation to sit in the AC and get bigger. :) So we had a great summer full of lots of swimming, golf camp, swimming lessons, tennis lessons, visits from family and friends, birthday celebrations, and a little watermelon carving thrown in for good measure. :) Swimming pics will come in a future post.

Father's Day in Austin

Father's Day was our first holiday to spend in Austin instead of being back in Fort Worth to celebrate with family. While we really missed everyone, we did have a special time focusing on our wonderful daddy. We had a whole day planned starting with scones and a book of geek projects for dads to do with kids. After church we headed to Stubb's gospel brunch which is a big deal in downtown Austin. Our daddy got some great BBQ and all his brunch favorites. Sunday afternoon Dad and his big boy headed out for a father/son golf game and then came home to grilled brats and Daddy's favorite peach cobbler. We threw in a few more presents/surprises along the way and called it a great success.
I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude for this man who is the father of my children. I love being able to say things to my son like, "Have you ever seen Daddy talk to Mommy that way?" or "Is Daddy ever unkind to people like that?" because I know exactly the answer that is coming. Big eyes and a resounding no because my kids are able to constantly watch their father treat me and everyone in his life with respect, love, and patience. He is a man worthy of imitating because he is striving to imitate Christ! We love our daddy!

Surprises from the Best of Friends

Mitchell's Surprise Shower

During the time that we were in Fort Worth going to Summer Spectacular some of my girlfriends arranged to have a girls' night after the VBS. It was about 9:00 and most of these girls had come straight from teaching a class or having their family there at Summer Spectacular. I know they were tired, but as usual, willing to do whatever it took to bless me. When I arrived at Shelly's house, instead of just a girls' night, I was being surprised with a shower for Mitchell! These girls truly know how to celebrate and support a girl through each life stage. It was so much fun to get to have a night to think about and rejoice in my new little one with my dear friends!

Beautiful cupcakes and cookies

Amy, Brittany, Betsy, Randi, me, Shelly, Chesley, and Tara

Presents! Hooray!

Does it get any more fun than new baby clothes? There is just nothing cuter!

I miss this girl!

Shelma was so sweet to host us at her house so late at night after getting all her kiddos in bed! A few of these girls have now helped to host a shower for each of my four babies.

What a treasure to know and love incredible women like this one!

30th Birthday Surprise
Five of the most incredible girlfriends in the world drove down to Austin to have dinner and a slumber party to celebrate my 30th birthday. I had absolutely no idea as you can tell in the picture below and those girls were the most beautiful sight in the world to me. I will never forget this birthday!

It took me a second to register what I was seeing. I remember seeing Tara and then one by one it hit me that they were all there. The tears came quickly. This year has been a ride for me emotionally. It was so much more than a birthday party, it was a reminder that those I love are not as far away as it sometimes feels they are. That they are willing to go to great lengths to be there for me. That this new stage of life isn't all about separation but about being more aware than ever of the commitment that we all have to each other. I have worked so hard, praying daily for strength to be there for my family during this move. To support my husband, to make this transition as easy as possible for my kids who have missed their family and friends. It was so precious to see those girls all there for me! All that was in those tears!

Can you imagine what a shock it was to see this table here in Austin?

My handsome, amazing husband, always finding ways to make me happy and blessing me with his love!

Tara with Brittany's Karsen. It has been so hard not seeing this little one as much as I did her sisters at this age!

Randi with Chesley's Emerson. One of the most precious things about our friendships is the way that each one loves the others' children. There is no comparison, rivalry, or judgment, just a deep appreciation for what the other girls are experiencing and a love of the way God has created each child.

Tara stuck Twilight body stickers in my card which gave me the best laugh I've had in a while. Can't we all picture me with Edward all over my arm? Especially since I'm such a *huge* fan...cough, cough.

The whole crew of girlies. I am so blessed in friendship and always have been. There are simply no words to describe my love and deep gratitude for what each of these ladies means in my life.

HUGE props to my amazing husband because I have no idea how he did not let on a single thing to make me suspicious about this surprise. I had no idea, and he did a great job! I love him so much! I'm wearing the necklace he gave me on the first birthday he ever took me out, my 18th. Now we've come together all the way to another milestone of 30!

My beautiful Randi friend! I have missed this girl and our weekly small group and playdates! It's losing something to not see that smile every week!

Not only my friend but my sister. This move has physically separated us and our kids which is not something we ever planned on. Nothing, however, will ever change how much we love each other and how close we will always be! Britt and Ches both traveled down with babies which was an added challenge for them in making this quick trip. So sweet and so fun for us to love on the little sugars!

This girl has to win some kind of friend prize after leaving CO the day before, being in Amarillo that morning, and dropping off her family in Ft. Worth before driving to Austin to be with me that night. When Tara is your friend you can count on her pulling out all the stops every time!

My sweet friend brought me an adorable album this weekend all scrapbooked with these birthday pictures. I love it! Wish I could just post it on here! It is just not a party without my favorite cheerleader!

Shelma had been in Austin and on the phone with me two days before, texted me the day before, and never gave a thing away. You're a good secret keeper, my friend! Shelma has been such a support for me through this move. I treasure every phone call and the way she constantly stays in touch!

Mitchell and Mommy in front of the Oasis. That restaurant is huge!

John ordered and the girls brought me a cake from my favorite bakery in Colleyville. I mean, how spoiled am I? This made John V very happy because he had been distressed about there being no cake and candles for my birthday. He was very worried about there being no party and seemed quite relieved when all the girls came in that night. My sweet boy.

Early Father's Day

The day after Jordan and Kristen's wedding we celebrated an early Father's Day with my mom's family. We went to the Gaylord and saw the Alice in Wonderland decorations and had brunch at our favorite Riverwalk Cafe. Yummy and fun! Then we went back to Marmee's and took long, hard naps to recover from all the weekend's festivities! Whew! We certainly had some awesome fathers to celebrate and somehow I don't really have pictures of them. Way to go, me. ;) I am incredibly grateful for the amazing men in our family!

A little air hockey with Aunt Caitlin

Gonna have to work on reaching the middle of the table

But he sure is cute peeking over the edge!

Kailey helping Marmee with the ironing

My Levi

This boy loves his uncles

Brianna with the girls

A chocolate fountain with strawberries and marshmallows on sticks makes these girls very happy

My sweet oldest boy

Using their magnifying glasses to hunt for clues

Now that is a crazy flower!

Cam, Brittany (with Kyle's Karsen), me, and Christopher

I think his lasted a very short time

Nothing better than pink, silly balloon animals

Oh, how Kailey is missing this girl!

Jordan and Kristen's Wedding Weekend

John's younger brother, Jordan, got married in June to the most perfect girl in the world for him. He is a fantastic guy himself, and we couldn't have been happier to celebrate this union. It is amazing to see God at work in our family's lives putting together people like a puzzle and creating a masterpiece. We are so grateful for Kristen and love her dearly! It was a beautiful wedding weekend where everything came off to perfection. All five of my crew (or should I say six since Mitchell was making himself quite obvious as well) were in the wedding, and we were honored to be a part of their special day. I didn't get many pictures due to being quite busy but here are the few that I have (fortunately my mom got a few that day as well).

Soon to be sisters putting together the bouquets (John's sister, Jamie, on the left, Kristen on the right). I have the most awesome sis-in-laws in the world!

All ready for rehearsal

Poppie, Levi and John seemed to coordinate nicely. :)

Nonnie and Poppie with my crew

John and his two siblings. They have always been very close and they mean the world to John!

The kids having dress rehearsal before the wedding

Our three, Jamie's three, and Kristen's cousin all walked down together. Way to melt a mommy's heart.

My mom took care of all the kiddos while waiting for their turn and after they walked down the aisle. Thank you, Mom!

Nonnie, Poppie, and the now complete Critz siblings and spouses, but I have a feeling the grandchildren population will just keep growing! I mean Jamie and I have reinforcements now, right, Kristen? :) We love our Critz crew!