Before the school year began the counseling team went on a planning retreat to Possum Kingdom. Dean and I made the drive down on Wednesday morning and returned on Thursday morning. It was a beautiful drive into the “hill country” of North Texas. Seriously, I have never seen such beautiful landscape, hills, lakes, and rivers. I can’t wait to plan a weekend trip for Matt and I.
We worked hard and accomplished loads. We also managed to enjoy each others company, go for a swim, and make homemade pizza. It was a great start to the school year. Hopefully we’ll achieve all of the goals we set as we work towards an amazing year!
Matt and I are still hoping to find our new church home. On Sunday we visited yet another church in the area. We felt that Dean would find the service much more enjoyable from the nursery where he could play, sing, and enjoy the company of the other church babies.
We were very happy with Dean’s first nursery experience and felt comfortable with the staff. I was most impressed when we picked Dean up and found “today’s lesson” in his backpack! They taught him something about Jesus! Gotta love that! We are going to visit this same church again…hopefully the second time will be equally as great!
It was so nice to have the opportunity to stay home with Dean during summer break. We were able to host a play group for his ECDC friends right before we went back to school. I hoped that the reunion would help Dean (and me) get excited about the start of the school year. Two CHHS staff members had babies right before and soon after me. Gavin and Brady will both be in class with Dean this coming school year. Gavin, 5 months, and Brady, 9 months provided an afternoon of entertainment for Dean and I. I’m thankful to work with women who have children so close to Deans age. I appreciate the sounding board.
We also had the opportunity to go and play with my childhood friend, Susan, and her daughter, Presley. Presley is a few weeks older than Dean and is on the move and talking nonstop! Dean wasn’t quite sure what to think of this little girl telling him so much! After D warmed up to P they had a great time playing.
This summer I attended the AP (Advanced Placement) Conference by Collegeboard for CHHS in San Antonio. There were about 10 representatives from Colleyville who attended in order to learn how to challenge, inspire, and bring higher quality education to the students we work with. The first night of the conference the entire team ate dinner at Mi Tierra Restaurant in the marketplace of downtown. While we were eating the waitress shared with us that Kathy Lee and Hoda would be coming to the restaurant. I was star struck! I am a huge fan of the Today Show and loved watching Hoda before she teamed up with Kathy Lee during the 10 o’clock hour. It turned out they were filming a segment for the show that aired a few weeks after our trip. Both women looked great in person despite the fact they were wearing the tackiest “Western” clothes ever!
Martha Sharp invited Dean and I over to swim on a nice warm Sunday afternoon. This was Dean’s first time in a real pool. He LOVED it! The cool water didn’t seem to bother him and he loved splashing Martha and playing with her dog Belle. Hopefully next summer will be filled with long, lazy days of swimming.
We were fortunate enough to have Adam and Genie visit twice this summer. Dean really enjoyed seeing his Uncle Adam and Aunt Genie. We played, shopped, took A&G to the famous Babes, and watched UFC 100 Saturday night. Matt and Adam also found time to take Dean and the dogs to the park for a hot Sunday morning workout. Dean was able to hitch a ride back to Houston with his aunt and uncle to begin his week at “Camp Grandmas”. We are very thankful they’ve been able to spend so much time with us up here this Summer. We are already looking forward to their next visit!
Today you turned 8 months old! This past month has been one my favorites because I’ve been able to stay home with you all day thanks to summer break. My heart overflows with joy every morning when I wake up to you singing and jabbering in bed. You never wake up crying which makes your wake up call a welcomed event. Finding your voice has been a fun experience for you as well as your daddy and I. You have learned how to develop a high pitched squeal, your Aunt Lesley calls you the raptor when she hears it. You love to make this sounds when we are in the car. I think the small space makes it sound even louder which encourages you to squeal more. I’m considering ear plugs for car rides but I’m also thankful for joyful noises!
I no longer worry about putting a blanket down in the living room for you to play on, it proves to be fruitless since you are now a rolling over champ. You can quickly navigate your way to the closest toy, taste it, throw it aside and move on to the next one. In a matter of minutes the living room floor is covered with toys which you have thrown about. You enjoy scooting yourself to the farthest toy and start the tasting and tossing game again. You also do a great job playing independently, your favorite activity is unloading the red baskets that line your toy shelves. You like to empty the basket and play with it rather than your toys. They are so entertaining and an excellent investment in my opinion!
You continue to be an extremely happy boy and love to flirt with anyone who talks to you. Earlier this week we were at the grocery store and you managed to “woo” 5 ladies while we were at the store. Three of them sought you out at the check out counter just to get one more glimpse of your smile! Of course mommy and daddy swell with pride when others think you are as cute as we do!
Grahm crackers, Nilla Wafers, Wasa are just a few of your favorite treats. Daddy and I are working on introducing you to more table food. We’ve tried strawberries, bananas, kiwi, watermelon, avocado, ice cream, and a few other treats. You tend to spit anything we put in your mouth back out. I don’t think you like chunks of food considering you are used to a menu of pureed foods. Jiff has benefited from your expanded palate. He happily gobbles up anything found on the floor after you drop it from the high chair. I think you guys have an agreement, the food smuggler and gobbler. Don’t worry little man, I’m on to you!
Speaking of Jiff, you have become fast friends with him. You love to pull his tail and pet him (or more like pull his hair). You are constantly looking for him, he’s the first thing you want to see when I take you out of your crib. You look for him when you are eating, playing and you love when he walks next to the stroller during our morning walks. He is truly baby’s best friend.
Dean Thomas you are the light of our lives. The past month has been a blessing we are so thankful for. Your daddy and I are continually praying for wisdom as we help you grow. We don’t know everything yet but we are sure working hard to learn. Our hearts soar when we see your smile, hear your voice, and watch you rock and bounce. We still can’t believe you’re ours.
After returning from OKC Dean and I headed to Houston for a week with the fam. We spent our first night in Huntsville with Granny and Pop. Layne, Amanda, Morgan and Logan decided to drive up for dinner that same night. It was fun to be with them and Morgan even decided to have a sleepover at G & Ps with Dean and I. We had a great time keeping her up late working on puzzles.
On Tuesday we met up with my Mom and Emma Claire at the Woodlands mall. The kids enjoyed riding the merry-go-round, I on the other hand did not – man that thing makes you dizzy! I guess my equilibrium isn’t what it used to be. I was also fortunate enough to spend some quality time over dinner with my friend Jana. It was nice to get together and catch up on a few months of conversation.
We spent the rest of our week in Livingston at the lake spending time with family and enjoying the crazy chaos of it all. The weather was great, lots of sun and wonderful water. We also participated in the fantastic 4th activities in Texas Landing. It began with a poker run boat ride to the 190 marina. Amy and Jason decided to brave the waters with us in hopes of winning big money! Unfortunately our hands weren’t good enough to win the pot but we did enjoy the boat ride and conversation. The boat parade, car parade and fireworks were also tons of fun. I always look forward to the fun of the 4th at the lake. Hopefully this won’t be our last trip to the lake this summer but if so it was a great week! Until then!
