Any Preschool Suggestions?

Ok, so I was going to post about the sad passing of the very talented, and at many times weird Michael Jackson. I absolutely love his music and rejoice in the fact that his songs can be listened to over and over on my ipod. It is sad, and he will be missed, I will never get to go to one of his sold out concerts. I will never get to ask him about his chimp named Bubbles. 

However, I am trying to find a decent preschool for Summer and it is way more important than a tribute to MJ right now. So, if any of you who are living or have lived in Houston, have any recommendations for preschool please share. I have looked at a few and plan to tour some, they all seem very expensive. I just want something that is affordable, and safe for my child while at the same time will provide a great learning environment. 

I did not realize how fast some preschools fill up, and now I have to be on waiting lists to get her in. 

Any suggestions at all would be great. Please don't suggest home schooling as I would be a poor teacher. Most of you know I have bad grammar and therefore Summer is probably picking up my bad habits. 

Please help if you know of a preschool for me to look into. 

Scott's 1 Year Mark

Today marks one year. One year since our baby boy was born at 8:05am on a Tuesday morning. He weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and was 20" long. He was so perfect. We spent 9 amazing hours with him, and loved every moment of it.



Today also marks one year since his passing. I really can not believe a year has passed by so quickly. It seems like a month ago I was in the hospital recovering from a c-section. I would have to say the first six months were a little slower, and more difficult. Slowly it has fortunately become a little easier. We still think of Scott every day, and Summer still talks about him, asks about him, and prays for him. We love him so much and still have faith that we will be with him again.



We have plans to make his birthday a happy one. I do have a lump in my throat that I am sure will be hard to swallow, but a few tears are normal right. Since we are not in Idaho and can not go to the cemetery for his birthday we have made some other small plans to remember him on his birthday.



I made this cupcake and picture for his birthday. We sent it to my sisters who are kind enough to take it all out to the cemetery and place it on his headstone for us. It might get blown off in the wind, or soggy from all the rain they are getting in Idaho, but it will work for at least a day I hope.

We have been so blessed as a family from this experience with Scott in the last year. I know we will always be learning and growing from it throughout our lives. Heavenly Father really does have His own plan, and will only give us these kinds of experience for our own growth and learning. I know that His intentions have always been to bless our family. I thank him everyday for letting us meet and hold our son who we will get to spend eternity with. For this I am happy today.

I'm Four!

Summer turned four on June 9th. We celebrated with her that day as a family, and then on Saturday with her friends. Above is right after she woke up on her birthday. Philip made her breakfast before work. Unfortunately she threw up right after this picture and was not able to eat, go to swim lessons, or go near anyone on her birthday.

This is an awesome Barbie bedroom set that my mom sent to Summer. She absolutely loves it. Summer bawling because she did not want to blow the candles out. She obviously does not like attention drawn on her. I thought this was the best part of Summer's party. I am so impressed with Philip. He gave all the girls a thorough pedicure washing/scrubbing feet, clipping and painting fingernails and toenails, etc. He did awesome. Some random tissue paper flowers I made as a center piece for the table. It was easy and cute. The girls after their beauty salon make over. It was so much fun to primp these girls, and treat them to some fun. Thanks everyone for making it so fun and memorable.

Today is Summer's 4th birthday. I wanted to do a slide show, but couldn't figure out how to do it as a post. So, here is a long bunch of photos to celebrate the last 4 years we have had with her. We really are so blessed, and could not be happier to have Summer for our daughter. We Love her soooooo much.

Thank you Summer for 4 wonderful years. We look forward to many more with you. :)

Love, Mom and Dad

Last night we had our friends twins over for the night while she was in the hospital after having a baby. It was so much fun. Summer was entertained the whole time, and of course she tried to mother them. They are probably so happy to be in their own home without a mini mother. Philip was enjoying it so much because he is not use to boys, wrestling, tackling, etc.

After the boys left Summer wanted to make some clothes for her doll. We then went to Walmart for some things. On our way back she stuffed her doll in the seat with her so it could be safe too. When I got home I found her sleeping. This never happens anymore. Naps are history in our house, so this was a surprise to me. She really must have worn herself out with the boys.

Philip giving the kids a horse ride all at once.

After they all tipped over.

It was fun, and crazy.

Memorial Day

So normally in the past memorial day has been just an extra day to spend with my husband having a BBQ. I felt a little guilty the other day when I spoke with my mom and she reminded me it was memorial weekend. She told me how she had purchased some nice things to take out to the cemetery for Scott. I did not even think of it. I badly wish I would have been on top of it and sent something for her to take out there for me.

Anyways, I appreciate her doing that for all of our family. It is nice to know that family and friends have stopped out there on occasion to visit and take care of it for us since we are so far away.

In just 3 1/2 weeks we plan to celebrate the one year mark. I should say we plan to celebrate what would be Scott's 1st birthday. We hope to make it special, and to find a way to remember him on his birthday.

We will be thinking of Scott, and all our loved ones today. I will probably watch my videos of Scott, and look at pictures.

Thanks again mom for visiting his graveside for us.

Crazy day at Brazo's (the alligator park)

Philip's brother Paul came in to town on Thursday night. We have been looking forward to his visit for a while. It has been so fun to visit with him.

Friday we went to Brazo's Bend State Park and it was the most action we have ever had when going there. Here are some videos of all the action. Unfortunately I don't know how to merge the videos into one, so there are a lot of little ones.

I can't believe how close we were. I am so glad that Paul happened to look behind him. If he would not have glanced behind the alligator would have walked right through us. As you can see we did not have time to bring the stroller with us. We just left it. I think Summer is petrified of her stroller now.

OK, seriously we were strangely close to these alligators. What were we thinking? Oh well, it made for the best adventure so far at Brazo's.

It was a lot of fun, and we miss uncle Paul already. Thanks for coming Paul.