Parker's Summer Fun

Parker makes me laugh!! You just never know what's going to come out of his mouth. With the end of the school year a mere three days away he is starting to talk about how much he is going to miss school and his friends and how he will be so bored this summer. So with that in mind, he was doing his homework last night and whining about not wanting to be away from school for the summer. I must interject that I never in a million years thought I would hear my favorite son say he would miss school!! At any rate, I proceeded to tell him that he was going to have an awesome summer and would be so busy that he would forget about missing school. I reminded him of everything he was going to be doing this summer like going to golf camp, Vacation Bible School, Dinosaur Camp, Jedi Camp., much less our two week summer vacation in New England. My oldest angel then told me that he would ACT like he was enjoying all of those things but that he wouldn't REALLY be having a good time because he wasn't in school. I had no words! What does one say? At least he said he was going to fake it!! I know that he is going to have a blast but the fact that he had to point out that information to me made me chuckle!!!

As far as Madelyn's summer......we are going to work on tinkling in the potty (plus the other thing) and being nice to our friends. Shockingly enough, Mad-cat struggles with biting and scratching her friends. I know...I can't imagine where she gets that from!! :)

This mamma has her work cut our for her this summer but I wouldn't change it for the world!!!

The Dance

I have been sitting here enjoying the tribute to George Strait reminiscing and thinking about the good ole times. Thinking about the Frio River, Garner dances, Country Breeze, Parker Barn Dances (do you see a trend with dances?) and all the things I have loved since I knew who George Strait was......and then Martina McBride sang.

Even though this is a tribute to George Strait, Martina McBride sang The Dance by Garth Brooks and for whatever reason it reminded me of Jennifer. I get that it's about being being able to love and lose, and feeling the pain of loss, than to never have loved, but in so many ways that is how, in this moment, I feel about Jenni. I am very lucky that I was able to dance with her for 24 years 'and now I'm glad I didn't know the way it all would end, they way it all would go....I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance.' Fittingly, this song has now been added to the playlist.

I probably would have really been done in if someone would have started singing Steve Wariner!! Jenni and I used to dance to Some Fools Never Learn and The Weeken over and over again in our cabin at the Frio.....along with Mistye and Bubba. What a sight we were!! There's even pictures somewhere to prove that we all danced together. All I can say is that Bubba better be glad that we were all girls or he'd of never learned to dance. :) Aaaahhhhh, the good, simple times of life when all I had to worry about was who I was going to dance with next. Also added to the playlist is one of my favorite Stever Wariner songs, The Weekend.....as soon as I find the other I will be adding it as well.

George Strait Lovers!!

I don't think that I could be more proud than I am right now!! My children love George Strait!! Goofy, I know, but very important to this mama. Madelyn is so into George's music that she is doing summersaults in between dancing.

Off to finishing 2nd grade homework. I can't believe that Parker is still doing homework with 5 days of school left. Seriously?!?

Memorial Day weekend

Our family had an excellent Memorial Day weekend.....the only part missing was Papa. The angels spent Friday night and most of Saturday with mom while Chris and I got to spend a little time alone together. Chris and I have always been very fortunate that mom and dad love to have the kids over as it gives us a lot of date nights and luxuries that most parents don't have of being able to spend time together without the kiddos. There are no words to thank them for their gift of time!!! Back to the rundown of the weekend.....

We decided that we would celebrate Memorial Day on Sunday (not sure why, but we still had a good time). Started off by driving out to Anderson in Grimes County to check out some potential land.....it is so beautiful in that area!!!! Along with the beauty of the area is the location, it's not far from College Station, aka The Mother Land. Naturally we ended up in College Station and as soon as we hit the city limits Parker started asking to see Kyle Field. Chris couldn't have been more proud.....that is until we actually SAW Kyle Field. When Parker finally saw Kyle Field he started singing as if rays of sunshine were lighting up the field and the angels were singing of it's joy. I'm not sure, but I think that I saw a tear in Chris' eye. :) After College Station, we headed back to Mom's, in major rain, to grill fajitas and swim. Needless to say we had a great dinner and great company!

Today we spent the day doing different things....no certain plans, but through the day I couldn't help but reflect on our service men and women who have given up and are continuing to give up so much for my family's freedom. Parker is fascinated with the military and war so it was a great opportunuity for Chris and I to talk with him about this very special day.

Finally, I attached a picture of Parker and Madelyn asleep in our bed on Sunday. They were so cute because they fell asleep holding hands! Even though they fight, I know that they really do love one another.

Follow-up to the Haircut....

Ok, the pics I just posted are a before-during-after compilation of Parker's hair. The pic of him in his tie are from Christmas.....beautiful hair, untouched. The middle two pics are of his very own personalized haircut. Finally, the top pic is the professional, clean-up, cut. He took a pretty good divot out of the top of his hair so the stylist had to work around that part. Like I said earlier, since Parker really likes his hair spike, we usually get a summer cut and we had to get it a little bit early. All in the life of children!!

The Haircut

I know this is going to sound crazy, but I never really thought that I would hear the words "DID YOU CUT YOUR HAIR?!?!" But I did, and they came from Chris, who was talking to Parker. I think I am still in shock!!! Park has such beautiful straight, blonde hair......straight hair that I have worked so hard all of my life to achieve on my own hair, and now there is a huge chunk missing over his forehead. Yes, that's right, I said over his forehead. I guess it's a good thing we have already had school pictures!! :) I guess this also means that he gets his summer cut before summer. I'll try to post a picutre if I can get over being ticked off. Do you know what I just realized? His second grade program is Friday afternoon......I just don't have any more words!!!

Chris just went to assess the bathroom where the haircut took place and came back without words. He just took the vacuum cleaner in there.....Daddy's not happy, so I won't ask any questions.

We are so close to the end of school......I just keep telling myself that I will survive!!!

Our Playlist......

I have added a few things since my very first posting, specifically the kids birthdays and a playlist. The playlist is a compilation of songs that remind me of the kids, things that I wish for my kids, and songs that I hold close to my heart.

The song "Here's to the night" by Eve 6 was very popular when Parker was born. When I was put in the hospital Chris brought in a radio for us to listen to at night and Lord knows we were up all night with many scares. "Good Morning Beautiful" is a song that I started singing to Parker when he was born and sang to Madelyn as well. In Jewel's "Stronger Woman" and Mandy Moore's "Extraordinary", I hope that both of my children, specifically Madelyn as I think of her when I hear these songs, will grow up with grace and confidence. Finally, I included a song that has always reminded me of Jennifer, Jessica Andrew's "Who I Am."

I have been, and always will be, a person that finds meaning in songs so each time you visit our blog I hope you enjoy these songs as much as our family does.

My Very First Blog

I have made the executive decision that I need to start blogging. Nevermind that it's the end of the school year and I am up to my ears in work.....I guess this is as good a time as any!! As most of my loved ones know I am not very good with sending cards and making phone calls so hopefully this will be a way to keep everyone updated with our family.

A little about the name.....Florence Family Angels. I always refer to Parker and Madelyn as angels even though they generally have their halo hanging off a horn. :) They are my babies, the reason I live, love, and laugh......along with their dad, Chris.

I hope to keep this updated as much as possible. Hope this finds all of you well!!!

All my love,
Jill