Wordless Wednesday

Sea World

One of my most favorite things to do with my little family is make memories together.  Last year we went to Sea World for the first time and loved it so we went again this year. 

Our flight left early in the morning so please don't mind our sleepy head hair. 

 

Sweet Ava had her first 'real' big roller coaster experience while at Sea World this year.  She was very excited about passing the height requirement and loading into the coaster with her dad.  By the looks of her walking towards me after the ride I could tell it may have been more than she could handle.  Sweet girl made it through and decided she should stick with smaller kid rides for awhile longer. 

 

Eating at Casa Rio was also on our vacation agenda this year.  Located on the River walk and absolutely the most delicious Mexican food.  This year we sat right on the river.  The girls enjoyed watching the boats float through and did not enjoy all the birds flying over them.  Joe was on constant "shoo them away" duty.  We also visited some precious family members who live in San Antonio.  We had a great time with them and look forward to seeing them every time we plan a trip to Texas. 

I am thankful for these 3 and for the memories we are creating together. 







Enjoy your family~

Recipe: Homemade Ice-Cream

Last year on July 4th I started the tradition of making homemade ice cream to enjoy throughout the day.  Here is my simple recipe that does not include eggs.  Most homemade ice-creams require raw eggs and this one in my opinion is safer for kids to eat.  If you are dieting or eating healthy then this is not the ice-cream for you but everything in moderation, right?  Splurge a little and enjoy this delicious treat. 

It's a vanilla base and the last 10 minutes you can add whatever candy or fruit you desire.  This year, I added Butterfinger candy bars and it was delicious.  Freezing it over night only makes it better so make this a day in advance. 

Homemade Vanilla Ice-cream
Recipe good for a 6 qt ice-cream machine.

6 Cups heavy whipping cream
3 Cups whole milk
2 Cups Sugar
1 Tablespoon PURE vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add in options:
**Candy of your choice 3-4 normal sized Snickers, Butterfinger.
**1 bag of miniature Reese's peanut butter cups or 1 bag of M&M's
Fresh strawberries, peaches, blackberries

Mix the cream, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt in a large bowl.  Chill mixture.  After its chilled pour into your ice-cream freezer and start freezing according to your manufactures directions. 

For my ice-cream machine it takes 40-50 minutes to thicken up, I freeze it overnight and its ready to eat and enjoy the next day. 




Enjoy your family~

I need to get out of their way

"I’m often asked by parents what advice can I give them to help get kids interested in science? And I have only one bit of advice. Get out of their way. Kids are born curious. Period. I don’t care about your economic background. I don’t care what town you’re born in, what city, what country. If you’re a child, you are curious about your environment. You’re overturning rocks. You’re plucking leaves off of trees and petals off of flowers, looking inside, and you’re doing things that create disorder in the lives of the adults around you.

And so then so what do adults do? They say, “Don’t pluck the petals off the flowers. I just spent money on that. Don’t play with the egg. It might break. Don’t….” Everything is a don’t. We spend the first year teaching them to walk and talk and the rest of their lives telling them to shut up and sit down.

So you get out of their way. And you know what you do? You put things in their midst that help them explore. Help ‘em explore. Why don’t you get a pair of binoculars, just leave it there one day? Watch ‘em pick it up. And watch ‘em look around. They’ll do all kinds of things with it."


Neil deGrasse Tyson (via senoranelson)

 

 

 Enjoy your family~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 5th Birthday Emma Jo

9:27am on June 23, 2008 I became a mom for the second time.  I birthed the most beautiful 7lb 7oz baby girl.  She was red, wrinkled, squishy, uber soft and smelled so sweet. She was everything a newborn baby should look like.  She was our Emma.  I loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her and I actually loved her long before that.  I started loving her November 1, 2007 when I found out she was in my womb.  Happy Birthday to my Emma Jo. 

Five things to know about the birthday girl. 

1.  She loves her daddy.
2.  She loves eating popcorn.  And basically any other food on the planet.
3.  She loves to color and draw.
4.  She is moody.  Some days are 'good' days and some days make me dread teenage years.
5.  She is my blond haired beauty queen who has the best smile and gives the best kisses. 

This year Emma decided she wanted an Ariel party.  We had a great time at Cherry Berry with family and friends. 

Miss Emma with her school friend, Ava

 

 

 

My favorite part of the day was when Joe read one of Emma's birthday books to the girls at bedtime. 

 

I love you my sweet Emma.  Hope you have a GREAT birthday!!!!! 

Enjoy your family~

Wordless Wednesday

Hear Mama Bear Roar

Sometimes life hands you lemons, right?  What are you to do?  Make lemonade? Sometimes I would rather just squeeze the lemon in my open wound, cringe in pain, but take the pain.  That's what I am doing: Taking the pain.  Taking what life has handed me and run with it.  I am rolling with the punches.  Playing the card I was dealt. 

Lately, one hand my life has been perfect.  I have my husband back safe and sound from his deployment.  We are spending awesome family time together, talking, playing games, playing outside, traveling, eating good meals, laughing and just enjoying being a family of four again.  Is it crazy that I am already looking forward to Joe's retirement years when he will be home with me?

Then on another hand, my heart has been dealing with being broken lately. During my latter school years I was always talked about, gossiped about, back-stabbed or made fun of and  (Not giving too many details).  I find myself somewhat in the same boat at this stage in my life.  The difference about then and now, well, everyday I had to see the idiots who felt the need to belittle me.  We were in the same class, the same hallways or lunch room. Now, I can choose who to be around.  Who to share my life with.  Who Joe and I choose to let into our daughters life.  I want to protect them and protect our family and the unity of our marriage. Protect the peacefulness of our marriage, the fun of our marriage. My husband is my husband and I will be there for him and with him every step of the way now and forever.  We are stronger than we have ever been before and for that I am thankful.  Being disappointed, hurt, angry is not how I want to live my life. I know who my Creator is and I know the way He created me was no accident.  He made me the way I am and for that I will not apologize.  I will stand firm.  We will stand firm.  We deserve to be surrounded by people who love, respect and accept us and show us that through their actions and their words.  If you are unable to do that, then we get to choose who we share our life with. 

I love my husband.  I love my daughters. They are the three most important people in my world.  They are my world.  I need to protect them. Whatever bridges we need to burn in the process we will do if that's what it takes to protect our family. Mama bear will guard her family with her life.  That's a guarantee. 



Enjoy your family~