Happy Easter Happy Spring

Here in the south, Easter Celebrations begin on Good Friday.

Since I was raised in the Godless North I don't recall anything special that day or even being off of school, but here in the south we celebrate Christian Holidays.

As is the now custom, We had an EGGSTRAVAGANZA at

Ari's House. Her mom "aunt Connie" and Myriam are

quintesential hostesses. Being from Monterey Mexico means the party is

OVER THE TOP!!!

Well technically Connie was born and raised in Houston-

but was we say in Brazil. "com vivencia"

A delicious lunch, awesome punch and desserts

and then the HUNT!

I lost count of all the kiddos and older brothers and sisters but there were a lot.

Alice was doing a make up day for art with Alex, but we brought her home some eggs.

Saturday was glamour shots day (pictures to follow) but check out

Manti Photography (on my links to the left) for some of their magic!

Here is David hiding eggs at Grandma Dorothy's house on Easter Sunday.

He doesn't look like the sullen tweener that he's become, after all he heard

there was cold hard cash in some of the eggs.

And here is Joely finding all the loot.

Great Aunt Lisa looted the dollar store and Target and

"hid" all the goodies in the yard.

There were fairy wings, slippers, play dough, chocolate bubbles, bad teeth

kites, jewelry etc.

Anything that could be hung in trees, shoved in a bush or placed in a fence slat was purchased.

Alice in her over the top glam shades.

Joely and the bubbles, she declared,
"I got everything I ever wanted"

And so did Robert and I.

It was a wonderful day.

Again the family only asked us to bring drinks and we came home with

a brisket and a ham, plus desserts.

Being the only one with kids, I guess makes us look pathetic-

I know I won't be cooking today, tomorrow or probably until next Sunday!

Stripling Young Warriors

Farewell my Stripling Warrior Del Parsons

One of my favorite histories in the Book of Mormon is about the mothers of 2000 Stripling Warriors. This year for Mother's Day our little primary is singing a song about

the testimonies of their mothers,

It's called I am a Stripling Warrior

and it's made me very weepy and close to the spirit.

The story of the 2000 warriors is amazing. Their parents had been viscous and delighted in bloodshed, however when they learned the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ they accepted and changed their lives. They literally buried their weapons and made a promise to God that they would join with His Church and NEVER use their weapons of war again.

They promised to never fight or kill.

Because of the truth they changed the way they had lived their whole life.

However peace didn't stay in their land.

Once again their lives were being threatened and they considered joining the fight but that would mean they would break their promise to God.

Instead they did something even more unthinkable.

They allowed their young boys, roughly 2000 of them, ages 8-15 go off to battle.

Their sons had not made the same promise as their parents.

They could battle for their God, land, their families and their church.

But they were so young, how could they go forth and fight the enemy?

Because their mothers taught them to have faith.

And that's the great message of the stripling warriors

Their mother's taught them to have faith.

They were led by a man named Helaman, and he loved them, he described them as his sons.

In the Book of Alma in the Book of Mormon, the fifty sixth chapter verses 46-48 teaches us

46. For as I have ever called them my sons (for all of them were very young) even said unto me, "Father behold our God is with us, and he will notsufer that we should fall; then let us go forth...

47. Now they had never fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers, than they did upon their lives, they had

TAUGHT BY THEIR MOTHERS

if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt, our mothers knew it."

And those boys did go into battle and they were succesful and not ONE fo the 2000 boys were killed.

This story is speaking to me on so many levels.

First and foremost. The mothers had lived their lives in such a manner that their children beleived everything they said. They were examples of faith and righteousness. They had taught their children to be selfless because they were only thinking of their families and their peace when they volunteered to join the army.

Second their children grew up with faith. They didn't doubt what was taught them. Their mothers undoubtedly pointed out the many tender mercies of the Lord that occured daily in their lives. Their mothers taught them the gospel.

They did not fear.

Each day I send my children out to fight a "war." It's not as literal as the stripling young warriors. It's more figurative and that war is between good and evil. Each day they have to choose

between good and evil.

I hope that because of what I've taught them and how I conduct my life they always choose God and Jesus Christ and that they can say, "my mother knew it."

I hope and pray they have the courage to overcome peer pressure and only choose worthy friends. I hope they will be bold and serve missions for the Lord, each one of them.

I hope they can be like the warriors and think first about the benefit of the group rather than their own needs and wants.

I'm so greatful that my mother taught me the truth and where to turn to in times of need. I'm glad her mother taught her, and that my grandmother was taught by her mother and so on.

I'm part of a legacy of great mothers and I hope that the legacy continues with my daughters and that my boys find wives that will continue our legacy.

On another level, this story is speaking to me in my calling as a seminary teacher.

I feel like Helaman did when he called them his sons.

Clearly he loved them so much and was probably amazed by all they could accomplish.

I love each of the boys in my class and have a motherly concern for their welfare.

I'm so greatful that they are raised by wonderful mothers who have taught them the truth.

I'm greatful that they love their mothers enough that they come to class almost every day.

I'm amazed by the great things they do.

Whether it's Dyllan handing out pamphlets at Crosby High School on For the Strengthy of Youth

https://beta.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth?locale=eng and always strives to do better,

Or Jace and his peaceful and thoughtful spirit who is always excited about church and the youth program

Or Lucas who simply does everything that is asked of him,

They each make me so proud to be a part of their lives.

I'm so greatful for the fact that my boys look up to them and that my daughters love them too.

So for this week and this month and I'm hoping this year

I'm greatful to be a mother, I'm greatful to the examples of great mothers and I'm greatful for my husband who allows me to be the kind of mother I need to be and who picks up my slack.

Mostly I'm greatful for the young warriors in my charge.

Alice's Baptism February 19th 2011

This is Alice in her special dress for her special day.

She was very nervous and excited.

Grandma and Grandpa Barnes came to share in the exciting day.

In our church we believe that when a child is eight they reach the age of accountability and can make their own choices. We wait until this age to baptize the children.

Still it's their choice.

She was interviewed by our Bishop, Gerald Love, and was found ready to take this step.

We beleive literally in the teaching of the Savior that " a man (or in this case a cute girl) must be born of the water and the spirit to enter into the kingdom of God"

She was baptized by immersion and then received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

We also believe that the ordinances must be performed by someone with the authority to do so.

The Priesthood of Aaron was restored to the earth and has the authority to baptize.

This is Alice with Lucas Mason, a young man from my seminary class that holds the office of the priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, he baptized Alice. We were very pleased that Lucas was willing to do this for Alice. He's a wonderful young man and it's an honor to be asoociated with him.

After her baptism Grandpa Barnes (who holds the office of a high priest in the Melchizedek priesthood) confirmed her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and by the laying on of hands she received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She loves her Grandpa very much and was glad he was able to come to confirm her.

As long as she keeps the commandments, prays and repents she will have the Holy Ghost with her as a companion to help keep her safe and make good choices.

This special cake was made by Holly Carraway, it says
"And Alice was baptized and there was much rejoicing in the land"

She's also wearing a special hair piece that Galadriel Hutchings made her to wear on her wrist when she was blessed as an infant.

She'll put the hair piece in her wedding boquet.

We love Alice very much and are thrilled with her decision.

Bald is Beautiful

This weekend David and Quentin participated in this event, I'm so proud of them. As I think about this little boy and his family I am reminded of the myriad blessings our family receives daily. I will always remember my sweet boys and their friends who were happy to help out another Crosby buddy.
Click the share button to see the newspaper article.


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Deck the Halls

As the kids get older their participation wanes in certain events. It took a great deal of cajoling to get David to participate in this years tree trimming tradidition. After all he's nearly a teen. We are always so greatful when he does participate because he's funny and enjoyable. Joely was the most excited. It's true, Christmas is for the children.

However all the kids got into it and sang along with all the fun. Two days later everyone went with the cub scouts to carol at a nursing home. That helped us to remember the real reason for the season, which is good will towards men and do as the Savior taught us, which is to "Love one Another"

Take a picture of me!!!

Joely was so happy to do the tree!

Here is Alice doing the snoopy dance. The radio was playing "Linus and Lucy"

Can't you just picture Snoopy dancing with his little nose in the air?

Here is David, Not participating.

If you can't beat em, join em. David decides to have fun.

Joely was chosen unanimously to put the star on the top of the tree.

Joely is Four

Check out Miss Thang!!

I love this little Jackie O inspired outfit, the only thing missing is a little pillbox hat.
Check out the shoes, little tiny heals that she had to clomp around in and make noise. They fit her perfect and they look adorable.

She's wearing a cute little number that was originally worn by Harper Moulton, then passed on to Alice Mullens. I'll hold onto it for their girls and I hope hope hope that Harper marries David eventually, so the dress can stay in the family.

But I digress.

So the baby is four!!! Where did the time go? I dont' know but it's been a fun time watching her grow up. She's a blast, ever cheerful and loves to sing.
She loves to go to church and she loves her Grandparents.

She's always willing to snuggle and you can pretty much make her laugh out of any tantrum.

On the rare occasions that you can't, she'll send herself to her room and take a nap.

Here are a few pix of the princess on her special day.

Pictured with BFF's Keegan and Cori

Wearing some "fancy" clothes she got from Cori's Mom, Holly.

She wanted a pink cake, so she got one! Thanks Walmart.

Inspired

I have failed to keep up my blog. I blame it on the evil time-sucking facebook and my lack of follow through. But it's (almost) a new year so I think I'll revisit my little creative outlet. My friend and partner in Crime Adrienne has updated a ton on her blog in the last couple of days, so I'm taking my inspiration from her. Please read all the posts and validate me. It means sooo much to me to have the validation!

This is Adrienne with her sisters, she's in the front in the gray shirt.

As you may know I love HEB. Which is an amazing chain of grocery stores in Texas and Mexico. Even the little HEB PANTRY located in Baytown is up to the expectation of excellence one expects from HEB. It is safe to say that HEB has the best produce in town in addition you can get fresh homemade tortillas which you can snack on while shopping. My brother works for HEB in Round Rock and really does well there. So they are a great employer too. Recently they opened up a flagship store in the swanky NE HARRIS COUNTY of Summerwood. So Joely and I took a litte trip out there to see all the hoopla. It was a lovely experience. I only wish I would have gotten there about an hour earlier when they were still giving out enough samples to satisfy you for a full meal.

Here are a few cool finds that Joely and came across.

Fresh Homemade tortillas to be eaten while shopping. This is the only store that Joely likes to sit in the cart. She snacks along the way. She also loves to help with the produce. She counts each one. SUPER CUTE. Last night she sang at the top of her little lungs a great rendition of Lady Gaga's Poker Face. Everyone smiled and she brought such happiness to everyone!

Not since I left Brazil have I seen so many pigs feet, and at such a great price too!

For some reason, the generic "COCOROOS" were all sold out so we had to buy the high dollar Cocoa Puffs, as Joely is definatly Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. The real money shot is behind her 4 CASES of Dr. Pepper (truly an elixer from Heaven) for only 10.00- SIGN ME UP!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Thankful

This year for Thanksgiving we were asked to bring the above drinks

and the below dessert-

Please note this dessert looked a lot prettier, I should have taken picture BEFORE we started to serve it.

We also brought our family of 6.

I must say that when you bring 6 people you really should be required to bring more than drinks and a dessert.
And really the drinks were only for us, since everyone else drank tea.

But I digress, my point is, the inlaws know me and love me and just really appreciate that I bring their son and grandchildren along that they don't require much out of me and I'm thankful for that...but even more thankful for the leftovers.

We scored it all, see below.

The rest of the turkey, ham, a near whole apple pie, potato salad, green beans and new potatoes,

All of the cornbread and chicken stuffing, rolls, baked potatoe casserole. It was a smorgas board. I didn't cook for a week.

It was a nice time, We played UNO Attack with Aunt Lisa. Dorothy was sick and didn't make it out of her bed, which was really really sad. Uncle Bo and Aunt Tessie were in Mexico and Uncle Rex and Aunt June were with friends, Kacie and Kelly were with their parents, Baby Brother Matt was with his wife and kids in Victoria-

So it was very quiet with Lisa and PJ, Robert's parents and Grandpa Walter, but still a nice relaxing afternoon. I am thankful that we live close to them and can spend the time together.

I'm also thankful that dad is feeling better and is back to his old self. He gave us quite a scare earlier in November when he passed out on mom one night and didn't wake up for about 16 hours and found himself in the Round Rock Hospital. All of his tests came back normal so they think he might have taken a medication error. So far so good. ON a positive note, I got to go visit them just with Joely. She LOVED the undivided attention and the quality time with the little Smokie, mom and dad's new pup. Robert and the other kids managed in our absence. I'm thankful that his job is flexible enough to allow him a late and early couple of days to take care of our little people. I am also thankful for the discount theater in Round Rock (why don't we have one in Houston????) we went with mom and dad and saw Despicable Me. It was a fun time.

ON thanksgiving Day, David ran in the Houston Turkey Trot and did well. I didn't see him cross the finish line, it was so packed with thousands of runners. In fact I got scared and a little panicked when the people who only walked the race were coming in and no David. Naturally I assumed the worst and that he was abducted and not by aliens. Eventually he said a prayer to find me and he did right away, but it was a scary 30 minutes. I'm thankful he knew where to turn when he was lost. Next time Megan has to run with him, this mom's heart can't handle it.

We are looking forward to next Monday when our princess turns 4! It will be a wonderful evening indeed. She is definatly a blessing we are thankful for.

The Boys at the Levy

Becoming a young man

In our church when you hit the magical age of 12 you get to join the youth group and for boys you also receive the aaronic priesthood and are ordained a deacon.
David has LOVED his experiences so far. On monday Brother Callahan had the boys out to his property in the countryside of Crosby to have the boys become men. David shot his first rifle. Prior to his he had only shot at imaginary things on the XBOX 360. They also handled water mocassins, caught fish with their hands and started a fire without matches. They had so much fun that all the boys had to change clothes, they are all wearing Sister Callahans volleyball clothes- LOL-
David claims he is now ready for the zombie apocolypse-
If that happens, seek him out, he knows how to survive and to kill zombies. Rule number one, you have to kill them twice.
Thanks to Broher Carraway, Brother Love and Brother Callahan for a fun time.
I will be posting the other videos- THEY are awesome. Sadly Bro Love did not video them handling snakes, and as you may know that's the sign of a true follower, "if they can handle venomous snakes and not be harmed" Ha HA-

GIVEAWAY: Silhouette SD Machine!!!!

GIVEAWAY: Silhouette SD Machine!!!!

This is legit! I've known Alison since she was little, in fact it's hard for me to imagine her all grown up, married with children. To me she is still in Primary at about age 10, but Her blog proves otherwise. She has a ton of crafty ideas to do for less. I am sure one of her mantras is "don't pay department store prices" and she doesnt LOL-- This is a fun way to either try and win Silhouette machine or buy one with a great coupon exclusivly for her readers. Even if a silhouette isn't something you desire, I'm sure one of her crafty ideas will inspire you!
Much love
Kareena

Aww Baby Quentin is 11

Below are few pictures of Quentin. The digital camera did not come for years after he was born and therefore it's hard to show you digitally his progression from birth to 11 years.

Take it from me once he stopped the colic and slept through the night on January 26, 1997

he was and still is adorable.

We were so thrilled to get our little Quentin. Robert wanted his middle name to be Michael after his youth pastor, Michael Clements who passed away the year before we had Quentin.

MIchael was a great man who touched many lives for the good Quentin lives up to his namesake.

His first name came to me while watching a documentary on the Air Force Academy, the cadet was very articulate and also attractive and his name stuck with me.

Upon further investigation I found out it's gaelic for

"From the Queen's estate"

So basically I was sold.

Here is what Quentn likes in 2010

1. Xbox360 --LIVE (gamer tag sweetmamak--add him and Dave as friends)

2. FOOTBALL--He is first and foremost a cougar, but will happily cheer for any team. He loves the Texans too.

3.Swimmig

4. Camping.

5. Sleeping until after noon-

6. Fried Shrimp, Boiled shrimp...all kinds of shrimp.

7. Doing well in school- his handwriting is awesome.

8. And like the waterboy, he "loves his mama very much"

We love you mr. Quentonius Maximus!

Put em up--

This is Quentin as the reluctant Cowardly Lion-

Cute but he felt ridiculous.

He was much happier when trick or treating, since it was anonymous, here everyone knew who he was.

Here Quentin is seven and he and David were playing in the Capital in Austin one evening. They were preparing for Quentin's inevitable political career.

He is a masterful suck up and is already efficient in telling people what they want to hear.
His talents will serve him well.

Same time frame, on the way to Austin we stopped for Blue Bonnet Pictures.

This was our first of many trips with Austin and Allie from ST. George. UT

Here is the "rug rat" he was on an awesome undefeated soccer team in Henerson TX

This is his grandpa and "baby Alice" He was 6 in this picture --Alice not quite 3.

Here he is at age 7 with Baby Joely

Age 5 with David (shirtless) and BFF Caroline Rains

I have an embarrasing photo of he and Caroline dressed as Princesses. It's in his scrapbook, you'll have to come by and see it as I'm certain he would kill me if it was in cybersace.

This is Mrs. Butler- If you know Quentin you've heard of her

She's the reason my daughter in law will be a petite blonde with curls and a darlin'southern accent.


His favorite place to be- Grandma's Pool- That's David helpinghim up. At least I hope he is helping him up and not trying to push him back down.

This was a birthday party he planned for Sally. He was 4 and alice wasn't two yet
Sally was a mean hamster.

Pumpkins 2010

Trick or Treating in Crosby

Ward Halloween Party

I am finally able to talk about it

David, my firstborn, is turning 12 this week

TWELVE!!!!

Seriously where has the time gone?

So last week, he had one of his many firsts-

He went on a scout trip WITHOUT ME OR ROBERT.

Granted he was with people I love, trust and adore.

And he's stayed overnight with friends and relatives numerous times-

BUT THIS TIME HE WAS SCOUTING WITHOUT ME!!!

I was his first den "mother" --now they are called Leaders, but I still referred to myself as his Den Mother.

His little den was adorable and his den grew and grew and now he is a boy scout with 5 other friends and they all went to a weekend trip to celebrate the scouting centenial.

They camped with about 20 thousand scouts at Texas World Speedway, just south of College Station.

I was excited for him to go, but when it came down to it, I was sad.

So I did the responsible thing.

I took him out of school at ten thirty that Friday, so he wouldn't be counted absent-

and we ran a couple of errands and had a lovely lunch at El Toro in Baytown.

He is very funny and had me in stitches the whole time, except when I was tearing up and then he would laugh at me.

I bought him Chick Fil A to take for his dinner and sent him on his way.

He had a great time.

I was blue most of the weekend.

I think I made myself sick.

I think about how now he will be doing more things without me, than with me and it makes me want to go back to when he was my only little baby and just hold him more and squeeze him more.

But I can't.

So I hope that he has enough hugs in reserve and that I've taught him well and he'll make good choices and -most importantly that he'll always need hugs from his mama.

Not necessarily a Good Witch....

So this Halloween the Family will head down the Yellow Brick Road.

You may be wondering how Robert agreed to be a part of this- and I do to, but here is my speculation-- I think he only agreed because he will do anything to make Alice happy- and he still remembers when we were dating and listening to Dark Side of the Moon while watching The Wizard of OZ, and well it was wicked awesome, and no - there were not any hallucinogens involved. And then there is the "Let Love Rule" mantra that he has adopted as a true follower of Lenny Kravitz.

The boys have aquiesced because they have learned it is much better to go along with Alice (within reason) than feel the wrath of Alice. Also they are (almost 11 and 12) and well a bit too old to trick or treat, but if you are going with your baby sisters then you can squeeze several more years out--so BONUS

Alice wants to be the "star"so she chose Dorothy and quickly handed out the lesser parts to the rest of us.

I will be the wicked witch of the west, I was BORN to play the part. Plus I have more or less been her every year for Halloween, except for last year when I was Lizzie Borden, but basically it was the same costume, just not a green face and instead of a broom it was a bloody axe, but I digress.

Robert will be the scarecrow, coming full circle from when we were just about engaged and the last time he dressed up.(15 Halloweens ago)

David will be the Tin Man and like he says, "at least I can carry a weapon"

Quentin will be the Cowardly Lion, he's been practicing his signature line, "Put 'em up, Put 'em up"

Joely as pictured SHOULD be Glinda the Good witch -which would complete the theme- but she refuses, she wants to be a princess. So I steered her toward a pink princess costume and blonde wig and she looks like the Good Witch but she is the lesser known Princess Annaliese.

When we are all dressed up, I'll post more.

For now I'm happy to report that I have a free thinking little -not-quite-four-year-old that will do her own thing regardless of the peer pressure.

And for Joely if it irritates her Big Sister, that just may be the Bonus-

Quentin "Brian Cushing" Mullens

Quentin is happy that Brian Cushing will be back playing with the Texans tomorrow.

In fact he's so happy that his favorite Defensive player is coming back that today he got a mohawk too. He had been sporting "faux" hawk this school year, but today he became a committed d-tack.

You mess with this Cougar, you will get the claws.

Quentin has done so well a the nose tackle, that his coaches have started having him play on the offensive line too, Quentin says, "I take care of my quarterback." But- he till LOVES to throw "playuhs" down on the ground for the defense and go for the sack. He's brutal,until the whistle blows, and he's learning to "Leave it on the field!"

"Holding"


I LOVE watching him play, his team is now 7-0, with two more regular seasos games to go--and the superbowl.
And who knows, he may make all stars this year....


The Red Machine is coming through!