2016 Janna's birthday

No birthday is complete without Rachel.  They only time they were apart was the year we lived in NV and it was super hard for both girls.  Janna and Rachel decided to go back to iFly and do the indoor skydiving again.  We had dinner at Chili's and went to the Cheesecake Factory for desert.

My pretty Janna

Janna's view of the world

2015 iFly birthday (Katy, TX)

Each year I give the girls the option, they can either do a party, or do something unique that costs a bit more.  This started when Janna was little as she doesn't like big crowds.  Over the years Janna has done some inventive things, always joined by best friend Rachel.  This year they wanted to try indoor sky diving. Jenny and Rachel joined us and we had a blast doing it.  Kennedy wasn't as impressed, she tried it but let her big sister take her extra turn.  Once was enough.  Courtney was a little pro, although the tiny thing doesn't weigh much so she had to work harder to not get blown away by the wind.  

The package I bought included 2 - two minute flights, videos and t-shirts.  We upgraded when we got there and I added a High Flyer.  This is where the instructor takes you up to the very top of the dome you are flying in and does some really cool dives with you.  While everyone (except Kennedy) enjoyed this - Courtney got to do special tricks.  The instructor said he couldn't help it as she is just so tiny and didn't weigh anything.  She LOVED it.

When you book a party and get to the back they offer you additional tickets that never expire.  So we bought them for another time.  Although I'm sure Rachel will be joining us.

2016 First day of school

Janna is starting 8th grade at Schindlewolf Jr High, Courtney and Kennedy are starting 3rd grade at Lemm Elementary.

Flower girl Janna

Courtney and Kennedy

Courtney - If it's good enough for big sister.....

Bridal Show 2018

How cool is this cake?!?!?!

Jenny, Christina, Sammie and I went to a bridal show on Saturday.  I didn't know what to expect but I went ready to support my ladies and have fun.  There were a ton of vendors selling everything imaginable.  We had a good time playing in the photo booths and looking around

Christina, Sammie, Jenny and Christina

She said yes to the dress :)

Does this come with the venue?

I do

What in the world is this doing at a wedding venue?

I loved the Harry Potter table

Astros love!

Always

Missing you

This summer Janna chose to stay home while her sisters went to their fathers.  Any chance I get to see the twins I take it and Janna has gone with me.  Today I was able to take the girls to dinner.  Janna called Kennedy beforehand to let her know she was going to dress up (her version) and to ask what wig she would like her to wear.

Once we got to the restaurant Janna wouldn't let Courtney walk.  She said, come here midget and carried her the whole time.  They sat together while Kennedy sat with me.  Courtney updated us on her concert she attended; she was wearing her new Niall Horan sweatshirt.  We went to China Bear, which we haven't been too since the girls were little.  The food was awful!  But I had my girls with me so I was in heaven.

Janna trying a new "look" for her sisters

Janna told her, "hey midget let me carry you!"  Needless to say Courtney was thrilled

Sweet Kennedy

Don't be fooled - she's not just kissing me, she's got ice cream on her nose that she is getting on me.

In her new Naill Horan concert sweatshirt

My sweet girls

My girls

I'm going to meet my dad!!!

Isn't that a crazy sentence?  I repeat; I'm going to meet my dad!!!

What emotion does it evoke?  No seriously, I'm asking because I feel like I have every emotion possible running through my mind.  When the tickets were booked last night I couldn't stop crying.  I was completely overwhelmed.  I'm so happy and excited, yet a little scared.  In fact yesterday I couldn't stop crying.

This morning I woke and as soon as I started thinking about it I started crying again and couldn't stop.  My boss made the mistake of being a little rude to me and I about bit his head off.  He was surprised as normally I'm more easy going.  He walked into my office to ask if I was OK? I told him not today, don't mess with me today because I'm not in the mood for anyone being petty.

It dawned on me there was only one person who could make me feel better about this - my dad.  So I messaged him and asked him to call me.  Once I heard his voice I stopped crying and could calm down.  Listening to him made everything all right.  He sounds just as excited as I am, and he wants me there.

I don't know why I let fear get in the way.  Perhaps it's that part of me that worries how he feels about all this.  I can't imagine how this must be for him, or even his sweet wife.  I get scared I'm interrupting their life.  Which is crazy because he has been nothing but supportive and kind with me.

But that worry is gone.  Banished by my dad.  So I'll say it again:

I'm going to meet my dad!!

2015 Christmas

Our first Christmas back in Texas.  Brian was home visiting from Japan so he and I got all of our girls together and went to the Festival of Lights.  This was the first time all of the girls had met and it was instantly a good thing.  In fact Alicia liked to do the peace sign when she posed.  Kennedy thought this was super cool and for the next six months she posed for pictures while flashing the peace sign.

At one point Alicia, Janna and Courtney were on the Zipper, Kennedy and I were on a ride and Taryn was walking around with Brian.  They came back with stuffed Panda bears for all of us.  Taryn had heard they were Courtney's favorite so she asked Brian to get them for us.  Of course they got me the largest one which I thought was precious.  That bear is still on top of my dresser.  

Christina and Janna taking a selfie

Kennedy, Christina and Courtney on top of the ferris wheel

Courtney showing off her new purse on Christmas morning

Kennedy and her new doll - showing the sign Alicia taught her

2015 - First day of school

Janna was going into 7th grade at York Jr. High while Courtney and Kennedy were about to start 2nd grade at Ford Elementary.  Janna played the Euphonium in the band this year.  Her band director was strict but amazing and she loved being in band.  The twins found many new friends at York and found a new love for art.  Ironically their art teacher moved at the end of this school year to a new district.  Imagine our surprise when we moved to Lemm Elementary and found Mrs. Campbell teaching at their new school.

Courtney and Kennedy

Courtney

Kennedy

Janna - took her glasses off for this photo

Janna, Courtney and Kennedy

2015 photos

Found a few old photos from when we first moved back.  I'm working my way through them and will get them on here.

Courtney's headband

2014 Christmas time
Courtney, Sarah Carter, Janna, Rachel Sowa, Kennedy and Megan Sowa

Courtney Ginger and Kennedy - she is not letting go of her ball

My pretty Courtney

Janna wearing lipstick - looking too grown

My pretty Kennedy

Kennedy with two of her best friends

Courtney and Megan

The dynamic duo - Tayler and Courtney

Megan, Janna and Rachel

Flooding and a new best friend

August 17, 2017 saw Houston hit hard by flooding due to Hurricane Harvey.  Brian and I were joined by my cousin’s family as we spent the next week flooded in our neighborhood.  We knew a hurricane was coming, we have a generator connected to our gas line so we stocked up on food and wound up having an enjoyable time.  We never lost power, although we did lose internet for a day.  We spent most of the time playing games.  Every day and night we could be found at the dining room table or the living room surrounded by games.

Houston was hit HARD, not by the hurricane but flooding.  The devastation was beyond belief.  There are people who still haven’t recovered. 

We ventured out each day to look at the neighborhood.  We couldn’t get out of the neighborhood in a vehicle but we could walk to the areas that were flooded.  While our house didn’t flood or even get water in the yard, some of our neighbors in the back weren’t so lucky.  There were boat rescues, curfew, police, military and other volunteers in the neighborhood, it was pretty intense.  Lemm Elementary flooded.  Incidentally this school is the same one Brian and I attended when we were children.  Once the water receded Janna went back to school, at Klein Collins HS while the twins had to wait a few days while the district found an alternate solution.

Enter Klein Cane HS, a brand new high school about 20 miles from our house.  This school opened its doors and became our surrogate school for the rest of the year.  The school arranged it where one wing of the school became Lemm Elementary. It was an incredible unique experience.  It’s a rival school of the high school they will attend but we will always have a love for this school.  The school mascot – The Klein Cane Hurricanes.   Instead of walking five minutes to school the girls had to take a 30 minute bus ride every day where the attended school at a high school. 

It took a few days to get the bus route down.  At the daily bus stop we met some of our neighbors who have now become great friends.  Kari and her 5 year old daughter Evie were joined by Dani (Danielle), Kari’s niece who lived two streets over.  Dani’s mom Brenna is a single mom and would drop off Dani to the bus stop each day.  Since this time we have become good friends.  Turns out Dani and Kennedy were in Orchestra together.  Kennedy wanted to stay in choir so this meant every Tuesday and Thursday morning we would leave our house at 6:30 am to be at school by 7:00 am for choir practice.  On Tuesday Kennedy stayed after school to attend orchestra practice.   Brenna and I would alternate each week picking the girls up from practice.  I would have to leave work early since they were done at 4:30. 

This wound up being a great blessing.  Courtney and Kennedy walk or ride bikes to Dani’s house, or she comes to our home at least once a week.  Kennedy and Dani are now best friends.  At Valentine’s Day the girls walked over to little Evie’s house and brought her a special treat.  They were always good to her and helped her a lot when they first went to the new school. It must have been scary for a Kindergartner to all of a sudden be in a huge two story high school when she had only just started school.  The twins took being “big” seriously and were always on the look to assist.

One day the girls were at the house playing wizards.  The photos below can't do justice to how cute they were/are. 

Courtney, Dani and Kennedy

Kennedy really got into character by adding her new wig

Alicia & Taryn

I have been blessed with two bonus daughters, Alicia and Taryn.  While the girls live with their mother and step dad in Katy, we get to be a part of their lives as well.  Alicia came up with the term Bonus Mom for me and I love it.  It suits our family so much better than being referred to as a step parent.  Brian and I are not married, even so the term "Step" can have negative connotations.  So bonus family fits us so much better.

Both girls have birthday's coming up in August.  They are a year apart.  I told Brian I had Fraternal twins and he had Irish twins.

Taryn is the oldest at almost 19.  She is attending Lone Star College to become an American Sign Language interpreter.  Alicia is 18 and will be joining her in College this next semester.  They are both gorgeous young ladies and beyond sweet.  All of our girls get along and we love spending time together as often as possible.

Alicia, Brian and Taryn
Fathers Day 2018

Courtney

Courtney is ten yet is still my ultimate teenager.  She is going into fifth grade next month.  She has been in the AP program these last few years and enjoys it for the most part.  She doesn't like the huge project she has to do, but mainly because she has to stand up and present.  Courtney is talented but doesn't enjoy being the center of attention.  She has an awesome singing voice but hates the idea of singing in front of others  She played soccer for a few years but her interest has slowed these last few months.  She loves to read, play games, cuddle with the dogs, ride bikes, swim and play Animal Jam.  Seriously, the child could be their spokesperson.

Courtney has a unique way of looking at the world.  I never tire of listening to the things she comes up with.  She is as loving and kind as ever and a joy to my life.

A favorite treat - Crepe's

Kennedy

Kennedy is ten and about to go into fifth grade next month.  She is still my wild thing!  My girl has boundless energy and excitement.

Two years ago Kennedy joined the choir in school, a star was born.  Mrs Rhodes has been a great teacher and mentor for Kennedy and she has loved every minute of being in choir.  This past school year she joined orchestra as well.  She is trying to round out her musical education.  She loves being a part of a group, yet enjoys the solos she has earned.  I'm excited to see where this takes her.

Pretty Kennedy