Summer Begins

To begin the month Grandma and Grandpa Womack came for a visit!!!! Mya and Keegan were so excited to finally see them in person instead of just on the computer or over the phone. It was one fun filled week that went by really fast. On thursday Mya was so torn on if she wanted to go to the last day of school because grandma and grandpa were here. We promised that we wouldn't do anything fun without her if she wanted to go and tell everyone good-bye. On friday we went to the Port of Houston Boat Tour. It was awesome! Lots of things go on in the Port of Houston that I didn't know about. My favorite was seeing the big navy ships that were docked.

Saturday we celebrated Keegan's birthday. He is convinced that the only place he can celebrate his birthday is at chuck-e-cheeses. He turned four this year. I can't believe how old he is. Next year I am going to be crying (celebrating) that he gets to go to kindergarten.

On Sunday we blessed Jacob. I can't believe how big he is getting. At his two month doctor appointment he was 14 lbs and 24 inches long. He is a BIG boy! The doctor kept saying that he was a healthy and happy little boy. I was impressed when they gave him his shots and he didn't cry. He put out a fat lip, but it never developed into tears. I went in this morning to get him out of his crib and he had rolled over all by himself for the first time. I bent down and started to talk to him about the new trick that he had learned, and he started to laugh at me for the first time. I can't believe how big he seems to me already.

Before Grandma and Grandpa left we took a trip to Galveston. It was really cloudy and rainy, but on the up side it was cooler weather. We didn't spend much time on the beach because of the rain, but that is when memories are created... when things don't go just as you plan.

All About Mya

School gets out on the 3rd of June, but yesterday was Kindergarten graduation. It took everything I had to hold back the tears because I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Mya had the best kindergarten teacher. Her name is Mrs Taylor. She did so much for Mya to make her feel special. I was impressed that she collected photos throughout the year and made a photo album for each of her students. She did little things like that all year long that really showed that she cared about each of her students.

Here is the video of the kids singing graduation day. We were sitting in the back, but hopefully you can still hear them singing even though the picture isn't that great.

I am sure that you noticed that Mya lost her front tooth. She lost it on the bus on her way to school. When she got to the school she went to the nurses office and got a tooth necklace to keep it in. Throughout the day she lost the tooth and couldn't find it. She came home upset, but with a solution already planned. She told me that she wrote the toothfairy a letter. Here is what it said...."Dear fare I lost my tooth to Day on the Bus Nurse Caren put in a nucles. it fell out will you ples find it...ples lev a Tret For Me Thac You Your Best Fred Mya Love." She put the note under her pillow. The tooth Fairy wrote her back and gave her some money to buy a treat with.

Testimony

Brothers and sisters, God always provides safety for the soul, and with the Book of Mormon, He has again done that in our time. Remember the declaration by Jesus Himself. "Whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be decieved." - and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you. (Jeffrey R Holland, "Safety for the Soul," Ensign, Nov 2009)

I had a former semenary student come to me and tell me that he was struggling with his testimony. It has been really hard for me because I have watched him grow and develop over the last two years. His doubts have caused me to reflect on my own testimony and the knowledge that I have of the gospel and what I believe to be true. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testiment of Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God that restored the true church back on the earth. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and that we will be guided and blessed when we follow his counsel. I have a testimony of prayer and that Heavenly Father knows us and our needs and that we will be blessed when we communicate with him and foster that relationship. This church is true!

Jacob Vance Love

He is finally here! I was supposed to be induced on April 1st, but the hospital was busy and since my induction was elective we got bumped. It meant that I got to enjoy a wonderful stake conference and easter weekend. We called on Monday and the doctor was out of the offices and nobody was able to help us. I called again on Tuesday and they said that if we came in right now they would be able to get us in. I called Gerald at school and he got other teachers to cover his classes and we went right in. The on call doctor then proceded to say that she might not be able to get us in and started asking me questions about why I wanted to be induced, and how long my last labor was. (Just to let you know, I was not going to leave that hospital without being induced that day!) She decided that she would be able to take us after all, but told me that I would not have to worry about having another ten pound baby, because this one just wasn't ten pounds. She then broke my water and I was given pitocin. Four hours later Jacob was born. He was 10 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches long. He was very calm and content and very brused. He just wanted to sleep the first six hours and nobody could even wake him up to eat. Gerald stayed the night with us the first night in the hospital. It was fantastic to have his help because I had such a strong epidural that I couldn't even get out of bed until 5 hours after delivery.

Mya and Keegan are still getting adjusted to having another sibling. A couple of days after he was born, Mya was asking if we could change his name. I guess there are some Jacob's at school that she is not to fond of. If anyone asks if they can take Jacob she will gladly give up Keegan as a trade, but they can't take Jacob for now. Keegan just wants to hold him all the time. He is always asking when it is his turn.

We are glad to have him here. It is so great to have friends around that have helped us tremendously this last week. There have been so many people that have went above and beyond their call. We have had lots of support with people bringing in meals and lots of people that have volunteered to take the kids, having them spend the night at their house and getting Mya ready for school the next day. I have truly felt blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people.

He Lives

Excellent testimony from the Apostles about Christ. Serves as a great Easter message on this Easter Day!

Easter!!!!!

On saturday we went to an Easter egg hunt. It was fabulous!!!! There was free Coney Island hot dogs with chili and cheese, chips, and juice boxes to eat. There was a live DJ. He was really corny...but the perfect personality for little kids to enjoy. To make it better for the kids he did a lot of interactive games with them to get them more involved. He had dance contests and scavenger hunts. There was also some face painting. It was a fun activity to take the kids to. So, for your viewing pleasure here is a video of the events.

Kareena Barnes Mullens March 29 at 7:07am


Today was the easter festivities at the local library. They have story time, and singing time and then they let the kids have an easter egg hunt. They are empty easter eggs that they turn in when they go back into the library in exchange for a goodie bag. This is something that we have done ever since we moved here to Crosby. It has become a great tradition.

Look at how fast he is.....

Baby Shower

I have some amazing friends that went above and beyond with a baby shower for the baby. The cake was amazing, the fountain was awesome, and the edible decorations on the jello were fabulous. I can't believe all the work that they went into and I truly felt blessed that they would do it for me. I know that I am running out of time, but I just have a couple more things to do in order to get the baby's room together and then he can come. Thanks to everyone that made me feel special. You guys are awesome!

The Fountain and Some of the Food

The Jello Cups

The Cake

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

Howdy Partner! Last friday was Go Texan day at Crosby Kindergarten. They had square dancing during motor lab and learned all about the history of Texas. The kids were able to dress up as cowboys and cowgirls. Mya was soooooo excited about the pink boots and the BEAUTIFUL skirt that she was able to ware.

We also celebrated Gerald's birthday on Friday. It was actually on Saturday, but we weren't able to do anything on that day so we moved it up. Quote from Gerald's facebook, "Had a great day....we actually celebrated my birthday yesterday. Went out to eat @ Iguana Joe's and afterwards saw our school put on a play: Annie (7 out of 10) if I had to rate it... Shout out to my lovely wife and friends and family for making a brother feel quite special this day."
We got him a couple of things for his birthday... here are a few pictures of him opening up his ties and cologne.

I have been busy trying to prepare for the new baby. I am starting to feel rushed and out of time. There is only 4 weeks left!!! This last weekend we decided to switch things around with the kids rooms. Keegan was in the front of the house next to the garage and right over our bathroom, so when Gerald was getting reading and after he pulled out of the garage Keegan would think that it was time to get up. We moved him to the back, dark corner of the house and it has really helped. We also moved Mya to a bigger room and she is now a princess and the pea on a queen size bed. Both were extremely excited to change rooms. It was a lot of work though. After changing some furniture around I made some curtains and hung them up. Here is a fuzzy before picture of Mya's room and and after picture. Unfortunatly, I didn't think to take a before picture of Keegan's room, but there is an after one.

Happy Valentine's Day

We started off the Valentine's festivities at Kareena's house last wed. Keegan had so much fun decorating hats, playing bingo, exchanging valentines, and frosting cupcakes. It was FUN, FUN, FUN!!!! The mom's had a delicious meal with my personal favorite chicken salad. Everytime that Kareena wants to make something to eat, I always request the best chicken salad in the world and since I am pregnant she is happy to serve! I have to take advantage of it while I can :) To go with the chicken salad there was a really good broccoli and cheese soup YUM YUM YUM. Super great start to Valentine's!

Mya's teacher decided not to have an official valentine's day party, but they still exchanged valentine's. I don't think that the kids even thought that there was a difference. The had a cake walk during motor lab (gym) and Mya said that everyone got cookies even if they didn't win. This bag was filled with all kinds of goodies. From suckers to pixie sticks to candybars. Yea for sugar.

And now to the best husband in the world. On saturday Gerald came home from working at the the bank with the beautiful chocolate arrangement. He sure does know what his pregnant wife wants! The bottom of the vase was filled with miniture chocolate bars. Any girls dream! A great friend watched Mya and Keegan while we went out to dinner with another couple. We attempted to go to dinner at the cheesecake factory, but the wait was rediculous. I got a caramel pecan turtle cheesecake and Gerald got a strawberry shortcake to go. We ended up in China Town at a fantastic place with authentic Chinese food. It was FABULOUS! Such a great night to spend with my wonderful husband. I love you.

And here is Mya and Keegan all dressed up for church on Valentine's day. Mya said today that she had to call grandma and grandpa because today was the last valentine's day. Even though there is technically only one day that is valentine's since ours lasted four days she was kind of disappointed that today was the last one. So....... Happy Valentine's Everyone! Hope yours was as great as ours was.

Extra, Extra...Read All About It

Mya is student of the week at school. When she came home on Friday she was so excited to be selected as student of the week. She was telling us that she gets to be the line leader. Something that she has aspired for since school has begun. I asked her what all else it entails and she let me know that we had to make a poster so that she could tell the class about herself and then it gets to be displayed in the library for a week. I am sure that you can't read it....

Favorite Food
Pizza
Pumpkin Pie
Peanuts

Favorite Things To Do
Ride My bike
Play with toys
Play with the Wii

She is one excited little girl. She talks about how she gets to pick from the teasure box and that the only job left that she hasn't been able to do is lights (where you get to turn the lights on and off when the class comes and goes in the classroom). Oh the joys of being 5 and the duties that are required of you at that age.