Happy Mother's Day..

I had a great mother's day...nice and relaxing. I got a gift card for new Estee Lauder make-up with a make-up makeover. Very creative...props to Rusty. Rusty left Sunday afternoon for Boston so I spent Mother's Day with my mom and GG. We had PatPat's specialty...steaks. The next weekend the Austin Piggs headed up and we honored GG again at Poppy's. We have a great Matriarch...GG. On Saturday we got to honor Grandma Cox. We enjoyed steaks, playing in the backyard, and playing dress-up in all the costumes. Paxton and Mackey put on a modeling show for Big Daddy and Grandma. We are so blessed to have mother's/Grandmother's that are great. And I am so blessed to be a mother.

What were We thinking...

Here comes the Ostrich
How many children can we fit into the Front console???
The Ostrich
The Alamo and its pretty grass
The Moose

Mackey at the Old country Store
Paxton the Pilot
Paxton and the bulldozer

Paxton milking the cow...
The face
The Best Group Pic we Got

Last week...Rusty and Scott were out of town so we decided to take a girls road trip to San Antonio to go to Sea World. It always helps when planning a vacation to do some research. I booked my first ever hotel on priceline so..we were set except that a few days before the trip we realized Sea World was closed. We did some creative thinking and decided to shop at the best outlets ever in San Marcos, visit the Children's Museum, the Alamo (especially since Angela had never been to the Riverwalk/Alamo, swim, and visit Natural Bridge Safari.

Highlights of the trip starting on day one and ending on day three:

1) We bought a canvas Coleman bag to put all our luggage and strollers so we would have room in the car. Late Sunday night I put the luggage/stroller on top of the Tahoe...so proud of myself:) I back out Monday morning at 6am. Too tall canvas cannot fit under the garage door...not so proud of myself:( Get to Angela's and we reload. I really think when we pulled into the 4 star Omni hotel they wanted the hill billies (girls on top of car with LOTS of little children) to pull around back.

2) Children at Pottery Barn (first store). Melt down city but Angela and I refuse to be beat...shopping was the goal. As I am waiting to Angela to check out, me and all the kids are sitting at the entrance of the store on this PB rug. Apparently Mackey's diaper had become loose. I looked down to see urine running down her leg and on to I am sure an expensive rug:) I did not know what to do...the store was ready for us to leave before we even got there. Then as this is occurring: Paxton pees in his pants, Brant poops, and then Morgan poops. I was laughing hysterically. And I thought...what were we thinking.

3)We name the Garmin(direction guide) Fonda. With her deep mysterious voice she leads us to downtown SA to go the Children's Museum. She also leads us WAY OUT OF THE WAY to Hemispheres park...did I mention we are on foot. What were we thinking.

4) At Children's Museum..we lose Paxton for about 4 minutes. Of course there was no private place to scold/beat him. My expectations were WAY too high for SA museum..comparing to Boston's is not fair.

We had a good time. Children are melting down. We walk over to Riverwalk...did I mention that to find an elevator to get down to Riverwalk is not easy and once there, there are no gates to block almost three year olds from falling into the River. Fun times...what were we thinking.

5) The Alamo...beauty. Also cops with whistles wanting almost tree year olds to STAY OFF the grass. Didn't stay long.

6)Back at the Hotel...Exhausted. We went swimming. Apparently Paxton is scared to death to swim and Mackey is a drowning hazard. Jumping in everywhere with so much confidence.

7)We made it to La Fagada...we are so tired. See Brant with boulder sized rock about to chunk it into beautiful fountain, It's time to Go...What were we thinking.

8)Natural Bridge Safari...really expensive but children thought it was great...until the ostrich. SCARED TO DEATH. Its neck extended all the way to the center console and the children were in the back the fastest I have ever seen. Angela also very fast is throwing food out the window to get it out of the car. Did I mention at every turn was a hungry ostrich???

We had so many fun moments. Even though Angela and I were exhausted and it was a lot of work. We created

great memories and I look forward to our decision to do annual adventures...maybe with husbands next time. There are not many people/friends that could handle a vacation like this and allow you to discipline each others children and "Go with the flow." I am so thankful for friends that I can share adventures with.

Catching Up...

Thank you Angela/Brant for teaching my child to TT outside. At least he goes way down the hill and where watering is needed.
Rusty, GG, and Deacon in training(Tab)
Us honoring GG for all her wisdom and years of serving God and the church

Dinner at Goodhue's...much needed Rusty/Whitney time
Did I mention that all this laundry is still there...it's been a week. I will tackle it TODAY:)
Father/Son Bulldozing time

These last few weeks have been crazy:


* We had two dump trucks of dirt in our driveway so that Rusty after watching "The Masters" could build Amen corner in our yard...I will keep you updated. He has some vision, lots of dirt, and a rented bulldozer


* I met with a seamstress who can sew...HadleyMac got it's first $700 order from a boutique in Plano and we all know I cannot do all that sewing.

*We celebrated Ryan Guyton's birthday at Goodhue's in downtown McKinney. We had good company and food. I will not say much about Personality Plus the waiter:)

*Last Night was the Annual "Widow's Banquet" that the Deacons hosts. We brought GG and had a wonderful time. The speaker was from South Africa and the musician was from Ireland. I wish Americans/Texans had cool accents.

Sea World

Checking it out
Mackey is not afraid to get dirty or wet

Beauty
Mackey watching and cheering for Shamu
Maybe the kids could read that we were sitting in the Splash zone and didn't want Rusty to get too wet

Gearing up for Sea World...the hotel not located in Washington DC
Paxton, Mackey, and I feeding and touching the dolphins...too bad dead sardines to feed the dolphins cost $5/4 fish or we would have spent more time there.
Mackey in the aquarium


God has such a funny humor and just when you think that you are frustrated you later see the grand plan. 2 weeks ago we were supposed to go to Washington D.C.. The trip had been carefully planned. New strollers, diaper bag, rain protectors...it had all been purchased. We had a trip itinerary which included meeting up with the Kennedy family. After 6 hours at the airport and 3 cancelled flights some of which we boarded and then unboarded our trip crumbled. I am not going to lie...I was disappointed. Unpacking bags for you and 2 kids really stinks especially when the clothes are still clean. So Rusty said why don't we head to San Antonio and eat some good Mexican Food, Enjoy Sea World, and visit the River walk. So even though we were running on no sleep since we left the house at 5 am for our "flight". I drove to SA in 4ish hours. No I was no going the speed limit and we got there in time for dinner. The next day we headed out to Sea World. Paxton thought the dolphin petting was awesome and surprisingly Mackey was more into Shamu than Paxton. She watched his every move. Although you all know the trip ended in the ER with disappointing news. We had a great short time at Sea World. I think we were most disappointed that we never made it to La Fagoda (the Best Mexican food in Texas). We headed home Saturday morning. We missed hanging out with Carl and Christine, Courtney and the boys, and seeing Matt, Kate, and Anabelle. I was so upset about our Washington trip being cancelled but after everything that weekend God revealed why 3 planes had mechanical errors and we never left the ground. We are so grateful to Kate who took our kids that night so that we weren't in the nasty ER with Paxton and Mackey. We bought two day tickets to Sea World...so keep posted we will return this summer to use our other ticket.

All things work together for our good, And God works his purposes. Today I am in the beginning process of experiencing a miscarriage. I began having problems last night and was told that there was no fetal heartbeat. The fetus was about 7 weeks old and my body has just now at 12 weeks begun the natural process. Thank you in advance for all your prayers. Rusty and I are doing well and ready to see what God has in store for us next. We know that this is an experience that we will grow through. I will be going to the OB on Monday to see what the next step is. Thanks for the support system that you guys provide.

Big Boy... about 2 months again Paxton potty trained and I forgot to brag on him. It only took threatening one time to take all his trains away. When I say potty train I mean TT trained not the other side. We are struggling there and having to do a lot of suppositories...YUK!!! I am open to any suggestions:) We are so proud of him. I thought I would also document that we are wearing Race Car, dinosaur, and Mickey Mouse undies. Who knows what will be popular a couple of years from now. I also posted some pics of Mackey in her petti coat SueSue bought for her in Canton. She loved wearing it...I could see that she thought she was pretty in it. Lately Mackey is still a mess and climbing on EVERYTHING (as I type this she is in the bathroom with her doll and has permanent marker tattoos she drew on her face earlier this morning and one of my high heel shoes on). She is into make-up. I am on the hunt for some make-up that is not real just colored things in the make-up area. It takes me forever to get ready in the morning because she stands there waiting for everything to be applied to her too! She loves necklaces and girly things but also spends a lot of time in time out for pushing. A girl after my own heart. Likes girl things but can handle her own.

Texas Motor Speedway

PatPat got the hook-up and got some tickets to the Nascar race at Texas Motor Speedway. Anyone who knows Paxton knows that this experience is Heaven on Earth for him. He had been talking about it for weeks and would name off how he, daddy, and PatPat were going to see Lightening McQueen and that SueSue, mommy, and Mackey were not allowed to go. Rusty is hoping that Paxton doesn't get too into Nascar. He said it's a different world out there. Basically like Mardi Gra on a Race track. They were in the outer layer not in the stands. They were only going to go for a couple hours but ended up staying most of the day. Paxton was so tired when he got home but talked all about the different cars. Paxton was able to convince a security guard to take him back to the pit area. Don't worry Rusty could see him. Rusty said Paxton was pleasing all ladies and worked his way to the pit through his charm....getting to touch the cars and all. Paxton is still talking about it. Thanks PatPat for the hook-up.

Mackey in her Aggie dress that PatPat picked up for her

The girls...setting up shop, it's all about presentation
The boys...wheeling and dealing
Heading to Oklahoma...Mac's first rode trip without Mama

GG and Uncle Lee...a picture worth framing SueSue and Mackey riding
Mackey and her temporary pet


Last Weekend...we cleaned the closets and had a Garage Sale. We were so impressed at the guys involvement. They wheeled and dealed. Mostly because they did not want to haul the Slaughter's dresser, 2 couches, and TV cabinet to Goodwill. They were successful in everything but the couches and the PatPat and SueSue's enormous 1980's TV. While we ran the garage sale at PatPat and SueSue's they headed out with Mackey and GG to Oklahoma. They went to celebrate Uncle Lee's 86th Birthday. On Saturday morning PatPat called to inform me we needed more land because Mackey needed a horse. She loved the horse...and wasn't afraid at all. She won't be getting a horse, but I am glad that she had such a good time. She did well away from us except stayed up all night. On Sunday morning Paxton said," I need my Mackey back, I love her and miss her." AAWWW...I wonder at what age that thought will change. We had a good weekend and made money for our Canton trip this Friday. The highlight was that the couches and TV were rejected by 2 Goodwill's and finally the boys just paid $40 to dump them.

Three's A Crowd

Three's A Crowd

Rusty and I recently found out that we will be expecting BABY #3. We are 9 weeks along already!!!! No matter how many times you are pregnant you never forget the overwhelming tiredness and hunger. We are so excited that in late October (which means end of Sept/first of October) we will welcome with LOTS of help from Paxton and Mackey either a baby brother or sister. I am going to fight back temptation and wait till then to see whether it is a boy or girl. Paxton totally gets that there is a baby in my stomach and that when it gets "bigger and bigger" it will come out. He always tells Mackey that she came out of mommy's tummy too. He told Shelley at daycare that we were having a girl. Again she congratulated Rusty on another girl and he was again surprised that at daycare Paxton is such a wealth of untrue knowledge. Paxton has always when asked said that it is a girl. We are so blessed and can't wait to see if it is a Campbell Ann (girl) or Shepherd Henry (boy) that is growing "bigger and bigger".

Arboretum

A couple of weekends ago we spent an entire day at the Dallas Blooms Arboretum. We had a professional photographer that followed us around for about 2 hours and then I put my Canon to the test. These are my pictures, I will let you know when the professional ones are in. We had a great time as a family and I can't imagine a more beautiful place. Paxton was involved in a stick horse rodeo, doing very well around the barrels might I add. We added a Root Beer float to our sunburns and called it a day.