love my boys, and my girls.

 We had a fun Valentine's day dinner at a friend's house. These two women have really beautiful souls and I'm grateful I know them. One of the best parts was playing telephone around the dinner table. Yep, the youngest one present was Jeff but somehow it still turned out to be great fun! The hardest ones were definitely the impressive terms Bro. Eager tried to come up with.

 I love my sweetheart. He's seriously the best.

 Saturday night movies, cuddles with Daddy and doggy licks. This is what childhood dreams are made of. #thecourtjester #movienight #lilmissaria #myjeffyboy #n8man #hazelmae #getitgotitgood #purplepimpernell #confetticupcakes 💕

 We saw so many beautiful cloud rays and halos like this during the month of February. Evie light shining bright. Reminding me every time I see her, how beautiful she is and how beautiful God has made us. I even had a friend send me a text with a picture like this, telling me she was thinking of me and my sweet Evie. "to love another person is to see the face of God."

 I got to go to the kids' Valentine's Day parties this year. Another benefit of having no children at home.. :) Aria had a great room Mom this year and here they are getting ready to stack conversation hearts.

 Jeff played basketball this year! Let's just say I think he shot it a couple of times, most of which weren't even within feet of the basket and when he dribbled he only got it stolen from him. But he definitely improved seeing as how he started out the season running on his toes. He's young and still has a lot of time to learn. The best part about it is that he absolutely LOVES it. I can't imagine anything better for him as a Mom.

 

 He does have super long arms and legs, so at least he's got that going for him...

 

 He did get better at the defense aspect. Stealing the ball and such.

 

It may seem counterintuitive to post a video of my son getting the ball stolen from him but this was the first game he dribbled in. I was so so so happy to see him have the confidence to try. #wewereplayingtheundefeatedteam #weobviouslylost #thisiswhatcounts #proudmama #screen #myjeffyboy

And one of the few shots.... don't worry, it didn't go anywhere near the basket. :)

My baby boy turned 7 today. I still can't believe how the years are just floating by. I still feel like I'm sort of coasting through life in most things. I put a limit on who could be invited to birthday parties and kept things simple. We took Jeff and a few of his friends to the movies and got them the party packs.

We went and saw the new batman lego movie. I thought I was going to die of boredom.

But these guys all felt it was necessary to reenact what was happening. Jeff and his friends made up a game where you give each other a fist bump and when your hands touch it makes both of your bodies just explode. Tuck and roll and everything in between. #movietheatercarpet #whoa #gross #favoritepart #boyswillbeboys #eyerollsfromotherpatrons #"boys" #myjeffyboy #legobatman #fountains18

Jeff is 7. He is smart and has his own ideas about everything. He loves to play sports. Mostly basketball everyday but he is really excited about baseball season. He loves to make other people laugh, and gets embarrassed and shy when I'm around.

He is well mannered. He always asks for permission which I love and I worry about the day when it will stop. He's learning about the importance of honesty. Daddy is his best friend. This year he has returned to kissing me goodbye and giving me long cuddles, even in front of his friends, I think he knew I needed them from him. He's happy to try a new food every time I make dinner. He rates it with two thumbs and there are partial thumbs involved. His teacher says he's amazing with number talk. He's a good singer, he's already playing songs by ear on the piano. He has a better sense of rhythm than any child I've ever taught. He is super organized. Everything is in it's place in his room. He always puts his clothes in the hamper.

He likes to play outside in bare feet. And socks always end up in the washing machine as soon as he gets home from school. He loves to get the mail, has left my keys in the box several times. He loves to be helpful. He is kind and happy, a good friend and listener, he's stubborn and creative. Overall I just feel so blessed to be his momma. He is everything I could ever want in a son and more. I know he's destined for great things. #happybirthdayjeff #myjeffyboy #7years

Daddy's phone finally bit the dust. It had all sorts of issues. The new joke around here is that "this is a $x dollar practice". Someone who owns an $x dollar practice has to have certain standards. Apparently, according to Nate (and probably dr. A), a screen bending off the frame of the phone doesn't meet those standards. So we got new phones. And we are OBSESSED with the camera on them. Especially the front camera. It's so much improved.

We really had way too much fun.

We got a fun new game for Christmas. We've played it lots of times, but it's always fun to see who can get rid of all their rods.

Oh and Kroger started selling these amazing Brussel Sprouts. I had no idea this is how they grew. Aren't they so cute? And enormous...

Every time I see a beautiful sky, I think of my Evie. "And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works." - Alma 7:24 - The Book of Mormon // I love this promise of the gift of service. I have truly found my heart filled to the brim with happiness when I have been found doing good works. #texassky #bigskycountry #lighttheworld #evielaree #faith #hope #charity #goodworks

I knew I'd be heading to a photography workshop at the end of February. Thanks Nate for my Christmas present!!!!!! But it had been awhile since I had my camera out and used it. So one Saturday morning on our morning walk, I broke it out and just made sure I still remembered how to shoot in manual. Jeff is loving playing catch right now.

And throwing.

And kicking... etc. - He's all boy.

And I had to put one of Miss Hazel in there. She really is a pretty dog. She's losing most of her black. I wouldn't be surprised if her ears turn completely brown eventually. Her eyes and beard will always be black though. She still hates other dogs and obsesses over people. Attacks with kisses.

The art museum with my loves was such a positive experience. We talked about feelings and depiction of body parts and read about mythical creatures from Greece. All of which JK Rowling "stole" for the magical worlds of Harry Potter. #fluffy #basilisk #centaur #gryffin #myjeffyboy #lilmissaria #mfah #houstonisfamilyfriendlytothecore #kidsgetinfreeeveryday #usuallytheyhategoing #todayimadeitaboutthem #adammagyar #stainless #lookitup #socool #lookforthelittlegirlsrunning

In February they had a dance at the church again for all Daddys and their daughters. I was out of town this weekend so it was fun to get updates of the two of them from their Daddy. Daddy even made her corsage. So precious. I'm obsessed.

They're totally twinners in my opinion! She moves her body like me, but her personality and face are definitely her Dad's.

While I was gone, Aria had her first and last choir concert with Cantate. I think they sounded ok, but she did not like it. at all.

Hazel is the most patient and attentive personality I know. she'll fall asleep watching you, waiting for something to happen. She doesn't want to miss out on anything.