WOOOO HOOO!!!

I know I blogged 3 entries yesterday but I could NOT, not post this one and brag on how amazing my God is! First off, about a month ago a woman from Baylor Hospital called and asked me how I would like to pay off the $3,000.00 medical bill I owed them ( after insurance!) from my tirp to the ER b/c of my cysts. I told her I was about to graduate college and just didn't have the funds at the moment. She informed me that Baylor had a financial program for people in my situation and she would mail me the forms to fill out. I filled them out and last week found out that the bill was completely taken care of, a ZERO dollar balance. Well yesterday my mom checked the mail and there were SIX bills from Baylor. I almost had a heart attack. I opened them and every one of them had a balance of ZERO dollars!! When I was pregnant with Tristan I was in the hospital for 3 weeks, anyone who has ever had an extended hospital stay knows HOW expensive they are (especially when there is a baby involved), and that it takes a while to pay off. I never thought they would go back and clear bills from 2007 (before I was even pregnant with Tristan) but they did. Over all they dismissed around $10,000.00 in medical bills. GOD IS GOOD!

Today I got a phone call from Safe Haven of Tarrant County informing me that I GOT THE JOB!! After 2 weeks of interviewing, praying, and waiting, I finally have the answer. It is so obvious that I am in a sweet season of life. God has truly blessed me and shown me that after a rough season comes a glorious one. I just can't wipe the smile off my face. I give ALL the glory to God. A little background info on Safe Haven; they have two locations, one in Fort Worth, one in Arlington. Both are in secret locations to protect the women and children who live there. It is a battered women's shelter that houses up to 75 women and children. My position is a client advocate. I will be one of the first people the clients see. I do client intake, conduct an interview about their situation, if they do not meet the criteria for our facility then I refer them to where they can go. The location like I said is unknown to the public. You have to go through 2 different sets of security to get on the site then an additional one to get in the building. It is of course surrounded by over 50 security cameras and very safe for the women, children and workers.

So my schedule...it's interesting and will take some getting use to! I am the night shift client advocate. It could change in the future but for right now I am embracing it and rejoicing for this opportunity to work! I will go in every night from 11pm until 7am, YIKES! I get full benefits, 2 weeks vacation, 12 sick days, and more. ALSO one of my student loans that is about $7,500 will be paid in full by the government since I am working with at risk children! I will take Tristan to school at about 8:30am, after I get home and get him ready, I'll be at the Arlington location. He'll go to school until about 3pm so I can sleep. We will spend the afternoon and evenings together, then I'll put him down for bed about 8:30, probably take a nap then head off to work! I'm so glad his schedule will not be affected by all this change.

I am so grateful, so excited, so blessed, and somehow still so in awe HOW amazing my God is. My God is THE God who provides.

It's almost fall, can you feel it? This picture sure does make me ready for all things fall! :)

A Little Side Note!

There are SO many sweet people in Tristan's life who love and adore him. I have been asked by several people what Tristan "needs" for his birthday. First off, I would like to say that Mr. T doesn't NEED anything. There are of course a few things I know would delight his little heart but I just have a hard time saying that he needs a toy.

My heart has really been conflicted with this whole birthday extravaganza. I LOVE to celebrate, shop and throw a good party ( I can hear my mom saying "mmm hmmm") but my spirit has really been wrestling with this. God has done some amazing things this past year, blessed us in ways I can't even begin to explain.

I am very intent on instilling in Tristan that it is okay to celebrate, have fun and get special things for special occasions, I just hate the thought of indulging him when there are SO many precious children in this world who do not even have a bite to eat. I say all this to say that for those coming to his birthday party, you are more than welcome to get Tristan a present, I do not want anyone to feel guilty or like they cannot do that. I have made him a "wish list" on Toys R Us' site, as well as Target's site of just a few things that I know he would be thrilled to have.When you go to the store you can print the list out where you print out baby and wedding registry lists.

 However, I would like to ask you all to pray about this, and if you feel the Lord leading you to bring a donation, instead of a present, I will give it in Tristan's name to a selected charity. I spend hours each day, sorting toys...packing up toys...and looking at toys that aren't touched. It really makes me stop and ask myself, have I blessed others or am I just blessing myself and my son.

I know that every child deserves and desires to be treated, especially on their birthday. I do not want to rob Tristan of that. I just want to sow seeds into my son very early on in life that we are our brother's keeper and it IS our responsibility to do our share in helping those in need. This is very spare of the moment, if you've already bought a gift or plan on doing so, I promise it is okay. I am definitely going to be praying for his third birthday and what the Lord would have us do.

Storytime Live!

`We had the BEST time ever at Nick Jr's Storytime Live! I am so, so happy I took Tristan. He loved every minute of the show and sat on my lap like such a big boy. He never fussed or tried to get down. He was mesmerized by the show! It was so cute to hear all the little kid's voices when the characters would ask them questions, or to see all their little faces light up with excitement. It was just perfect!

Tristan and I met Faith and her mom, Lesley at their house so we could all drive together. Since I had Grace that day, my parents took Tristan home from church to feed him lunch and put him down for a nap so he would be in a good mood later. I picked him up, got him ready and we were off!

I let Tristan open one of his birthday Polo's to wear to show since it was one of his birthday presents too. He was fascinated with the box, but could cared less about the shirt. Ha! He sure did look cute in it though, and he matched Faith! He is holding a bookmark that they gave all the kids as they walked in. He held that thing the entire show!

I love these two babies so very much!!

We tried, and tried for a group picture, and this is what we got. Poor Faith is cut out!

The stage. Music from all the different shows was playing as we walked in. Tristan would say "wonder pets" or "Dora" depending on which theme song he heard.

Waiting for the show to start!

Our seats were amazing! Cameras were "strictly prohibited" during the performance...yes, I broke the rules BUT my flash was not on! :)

My sweet girl dancing along!

There were SO many people but Tristan insisted on walking. I told him he could, but to hold Faith's hand, not thinking he would...

But they did the entire way out to the car! I think this will be a perfect pic for their wedding day, one day!

Well, we had a super fun, busy weekend. I am so glad I got to take Tristan to the show and see how well he did and how much fun he had! My parents are going to take him to see Curious George live and he will LOVE that too. I better go get something productive done. Happy Monday! :)

Weekend Wrap Up!

What a fun weekend we had! I kept Grace Saturday morning at 7 am until Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm. Jill spent the entire time with us so we had a nice girls weekend! Her niece, Emma also came and joined us...that's right THREE babies under 2 years old. Thankfully they were all perfect and never gave us a problem!

Grace's family has an amazing pool and hot tub so we took full advantage of that. Check out Gracie in her knitted bikini. TOO adorable!!

Look at Tristan's sweet face! Jill is seriously one of his favorite people. If you ask him what someones name is and he doesn't know the answer, he says "Jill." He was very protective over her this weekend and didn't want the other 2 babies getting too close with out him near. Ha! I love that they have such a special relationship.

T-man was quite the little daddy this weekend. He loved pushing the doll stroller around, with his elephant in it. That elephant hung on his crib for over a year and played music, he never cared about it...until recently. He's been picking him over his blankies, thats a  BIG deal!

I love how serious he is about the stroller pushing! I think we're going to have to find a more masculine stroller or get a shopping cart for him to push at home. :)

Somehow, Jill and I got 3 babies to church, in one piece and looking SO cute!

My sweet Ella Grace. I just love watching her, she is one of the best babies, ever. I know her parents are having a blast in Italy!

This & That!

Thursday night mom, Tristan and I drove out to the Highlands at Arlington to eat dinner with aunt Ashley at Mimi's cafe. Tristan was SO excited to see his aunt Ashley. He called her today and with out me coaching him, at all, he sang to her "Ashy, Ashy, I YUVVVV (love, very loudly) you." it made her night, I could tell!

We take his cars/trains everywhere with us, I think I have 4 in the diaper bag now... I believe he is saying "vrooom vroom" here. He is SUCH  boy!!

While mom and Ash waited on the check, Tristan and I stepped outside. It was so sweet how he just sat down and observed everything around us. The restaurant is right off I-20 so of course Mr. wanted to sit and watch all the cars and trucks drive by as he pointed (see below! :)

Oh, I just love him!!

After dinner we shopped around at Bath & Body works, Franchesca's (my FAVE store!!) and saw that they are opening a Charming Charlies, we were excited!

Goodbyes are never easy for aunt Ashley (can you tell?) She seriously loves that baby more than anything, and he loves her too. It cracks me up that regardless how old or how big he gets, he lets her hold him...cradle him like this!

Well we have a VERY busy weekend ahead of us. I am keeping Grace, Tristan's friend Saturday through Sunday while her parents are in Italy (lucky!!) Her family will have her the rest of the time. Jill and her neice are going to come swim, play and stay the night with us tomorrow so we'll have a fun girls + Tristan night! :) Then Sunday evening is Storytime Live, I can't wait to surprise Tristan!!! I leave you with a pic of Tristan's new "big boy bag" it's still a diaper bag but not so babyish and a little more compact. I had it embroidered and love how it turned out!

Enjoy your weekend!

p.s. The HR office of Safe Haven is closed until Tuesday so I'll find out then about the job...the suspense is killing me!

My Little Monkey/ Dinosaur!

Playing on Mimi's bed!

Getting tickled by Mimi...she's so much fun!

Excuse my non-make up self, I thought this was a sweet pic of Tristan though! :)

Ready for school!

Tristan is obsessed, and I mean obsessed wit his aunt Mel and being in her room. They have their own special little bond!

He loves dressing up, a friend gave us this costume and there is NO way it will fit him in October so I let him wear it ahead of time!

Loving on aunt Nat!

Well I am off to get postage for birthday invitations, pick up Tristan's 18 month pictures ( I know SO late), and grab a bite to eat with my mom and grandma! I had my 2nd interview yesterday for the position I mention in a blog a few days back. It went great, I'll know by Friday their decision. Please say a prayer for me! Happy Wednesday. :)

Just a few things...

1.) Storytime Live, presented by Nick Jr. is coming to Nokia Theater this upcoming weekend. I am taking Tristan with Faith and her mom, Lesley. There are still tickets available for anyone who has kids that love Dora, Backyardigans, Wonder Pets and Ni Hao Kai Lan. I know Tristan is going to LOVE it. He loves all of those shows. This is the 2nd part of his birthday present from me. Even though I got him Polos, I know that NO kid wants clothes for their birthday!! Ha. I can't wait to surprise him with the 3rd and last present! :)

2.) It is official as of tonight, Tristan is going to be Thomas the train for Halloween. We got the costume and it is hysterical. I'm not sure if I'll let him see if yet, he may never take it off.

3.) We ditched the crib a while back, the pacy will be "peacing out" in the next month, and I am kind of sad to say that the animal print room will be leaving us as well. Mom and I decided tonight to give Tristan a special, vintage train room. Even after we move out, his room will remain his at my parents house. To maintain our sanity this change will not be happening until after the birthday celebrations. I hope she's ready to paint because I vowed after painting that lime green wall in the nursery that I would NEVER paint again, I am still holding to that pledge! Ha ha

I haven't felt so good today, thanks to my sisters for tag teaming Tristan so I could nap and relax. Love you!

Lots of catching up to do!!

It's already Friday??!! Where did the week go? Tuesday was my sister, Ashley's birthday. My mom had been sick so she didn't think we were going to be able to get together to celebrate. Her friend, Jenny asked to take her out that night which Ashley agreed to. We got with Jenny to formulate a plan and get Ash to the restaurant totally oblivious and ready to be surprised. Myself, sisters, Mom, some of Ashley's roommates and co-workers met at Gloria's in Arlington and she was completely caught off guard. If you know my big sis you know she is way more comfortable doing things for others then having things done for her, she is truly a humble, sweet spirit. It was so much fun to eat, socialize, give gifts and let her know how incredibly special she is to us!

Tristan and I matched for the big party! :)

If you haven't been to gloria's, go!! It's SO yummy.

Walking in, it's hard to tell but the dress she was wearing is THE cutest thing ever. She is one HOT tamale!

Ash and mom!

My mom ordered her favorite, strawberry cake from Texas star bakery...another amazing place!

Ashley bribed Tristan with cake to get him on her lap, he is VERY independent these days.

Look at this little piggy, eating with a spoon AND a fork! Ha.

It's hard to see in this pic but my mom got Ashley perhaps the cutest purse I've ever seen, it's to die for!!

All of us minus Poppy, he had to work late.

Tristan Kye has been in monkey mode for quite some time, however it has escalated. He climbs on any and EVERYTHING. I've tried everything from a spanking, time out, to begging...yes begging! He is intent on doing it. Wednesday mom and I were talking in the living room, we looked up and he was on the tv stand, lying in front of the plasma! Before we got onto him I had to take a pic, and I wonder why he isn't listening?! :) The day before that he climbed on the coffee table, with his trains and started playing. He climbs onto his train table so he can then climb onto the side of the couch, or vise versa. He also thinks it's hilarious to jump on his bed when it's bedtime, what am I going to do with that guy?! :)

Notice the hand prints on Poppy's precious plasma?

I often ask myself why we bought a train table when he'd much rather drive trains on people's limbs, coffee tables, the tv stand etc...!

Thursday I packed Tristan's lunch for school in his Thomas lunchbox, he thought it was the BEST thing ever and carried it around, all over the house. He was devastated when the teachers had to take it from him at school to put in the fridge. Poor baby, he sure does LOVE Thomas!

Ready to go! (His shirt says New Draft Pick, for the cowboys. One of my girl friends got it for him, too cute!)

I asked him where thomas was. He is pointing and saying "right there!"

I kept T home from school today, again because that cough just isn't getting better. We met my good friend from high school, Brittney, and her son, Jackson at First Baptist Grapevine to play in their Paradise Pond indoor playground. It was AMAZING. It is very popular and I can see why. You have to get their before 9am or you won't be able to get in, they can only allow 100 people in due to fire codes. We were the LAST people they let in, they had actually met their 100 mark but she said just this once we could slip in! :) I am so glad because Tristan and Jackson had a BLAST. How cool is this place?! Afterwards we went to lunch at Chipotle then I took Mr. to Cook's for a dr. app and got him some meds to kick this cough!

Poor Tristan got cut out!

Tristan spent A LOT of time at the car station. Shocker!

After today, I've added this cool roller coaster toy to his birthday wish list. He LOVED it.

Tristan and Jackson!

My future bball star!

It took FOR-EVER for the dr to see us.

So we played peek-a-boo, row, row, row your boat, sang the ABC's and more!

My silly guy!

Well I am ready for a relaxing weekend. The job I interviewed called Monday and said they were still conducting interviews and calling references but they would get back with me this upcoming week so please be in prayer that whatever God's will is, be made known to me. I am definitely ready to work! I have lots to do with birthday stuff; mailing invitations, party supplies shopping with mom and finding Tristan a Thomas shirt he can wear to the party. The only Thomas attire he owns is a pair of pjs that he would wear every night if I let him!

p.s. PLEASE excuse this mess of a blog that is mine. It is about to undergo a major makeover! Until then, enjoy the grass and uncentered title pics! Ha.

HAPPY Friday!!!!!!!!!!!