Trip to Houston/Mothers Day!

So, since I was going to be by myself with the two boys on Mothers Day, my folks "made me" travel to Houston to go see T & Sarah. I say made me cuz I was wavering back and forth whether or not I should go, cuz the boys had been having a rough time sleeping and a rough time staying in their schedule, and John was starting to act out (partly due to Chris being gone, and partly due to all the change). My mom, basically said she wanted all of us to be together on Mother's Day. That coupled with the fact that I slept maybe 4 hours the night before the trip, and not wanting to handle a weekend with two under two with minimal sleep, I decided to go. For the first two days I was so frustrated with my decision. Ben didn't sleep a wink (well maybe 20 minutes-after Grandma Race constantly stroked his cheek and singing to him) on the drive down there, and John was really ornery, and neither of them slept well (one of them was up every hour of the first night).



After a long ride, Grandma playing on the floor with Baby Ben

Stealing kisses
(even though he doesn't sleep much he sure is happy!)


Great Grandma playing with the two boys

... and looking at the camera

My bro sporting his police academy outfit! Wow, he's all grown up!

John sporting uncle T's hat

Ben enjoyed a bath in the sink Friday evening, cuz he had to go to bed, and John was still eating!


So, I was really frustrated on Saturday. Thankfully, the day turned out really great. We met up with my Aunt & cousins at Olive Garden, and I got to catch up with Lisa and how life was with her. Then after the boys naps we got to go swimming in T & Sarah's amazing pool!!
A four generations picture
Great Grandma and Ben at Olive Garden for a pre Mother's day meal. Grandma was going back with my Aunt Linda to San Angelo on Mother's Day, so we celebrated early.

my cousin Lisa and Ben enjoying some cuddle time

Ben telling her all his secrets
Saying bye :(

Ben all alone as his playmate (my grandma) left

This is the coolest pool ever. It's in their apartment complex. It has a ledge with fountains, which John loved:


a gradual descent into deeper water, perfect for babies and mommies who want to get wet but not go under!!




and an actual "deeper" (I think the deepest part was 5 feet)part where you could actually swim and do water aerobics (as my Grandma Senecal decided to do!! My bro stole Ben for a while so I could play with John too.



not to fond of the chlorine in the water!



John became fearless at this pool. He has always jumped off the ledge into Chris's arms, but here, he decided to start running and jumping into the water away from my arms. I had to be on my toes to catch him before he went under (thankfully he didn't go too far out of my reach!)

Ben practicing his back stroke. I do believe he will be the next Michael Phelps!!! ;)
Ben thought sitting on the fountains was hilarious!!

MOTHERS DAY!!!!
Me and John when we first woke up

Ben & I when we first woke up (with Grandma S in the background!!)

Grandma and John. I believe John is showing my mom the "ish" on the bottom of his feet from his sandals!

So, since Ben had to take a nap, due to waking up at a ridiculously early time (6:15), right as first service started, so my mom, grandma, John & I stayed back at the apt while T, Sarah & dad went to their church. We left with what we thought was plenty of time to get there, but apparently the church is on a main street and we hit just about every red light on the half hour drive there. We were about 15 min late and we parked in the visitors section. We were the only car there. When we walked in the door (right in front of the visitors parking) there was a welcome booth with information and people behind it. No one said anything to us. The greeter at the door to the sanctuary handed us a program, but didn't offer to help us find a nursery, as we very definitely appeared overwhelmed, mostly b/c we couldn't find T & Sarah & dad. We finally asked him where one was, and he had to go find someone else, to tell us. It was really wierd. I don't know if I've ever felt so unwelcome. The nursery was a little odd too. They looked at us, like why are you here, and weren't really sure what to do when we showed up. The sermon was definitely Bible based, and the singing was pretty good, but it made me realize more and more how much more there is to church than Sunday morning. How important it is to make outsiders feel welcome into our church, our homes, our lives so that they will want to keep returning to see & meet the One who has changed our lives. It made me thankful for our church in Killeen who has always been fairly welcoming. It made me thankful for my husband who is always quick to spot new people and go meet them. It made me thankful for God taking me out of my comfort zone and putting me in a place where I had to meet new people (ALL THE TIME!) so that it wasn't wierd and I actually enjoy doing it now (unless I'm tired!!) It was a really interesting perspective on life outside the military and what I'm sure I (and my church) looked like.
Anyway, after lunch we went out to eat, b/c of course you HAVE to go out to eat on Mothers Day, right?!?! Apparently everyone and their mom thought the same thing, and b/c not only do Chris & I close down churches (by that I mean are the last ones to leave) but apparently every one in my family is that way (I've seen Dave & Sarah do it countless times, and T & Sarah did it this time). So, needless to say we had to wait about 40 minutes to be seated. By this time it was nearing 1:30. John did well for a while, and then started nodding off.


He finally just ended up being placed in my dad's lap as he couldn't stay awake any longer. Unfortunately, he stayed asleep in the transfer to the car, for the 30 minute drive back to T & Sarah's house, and while we loaded the car, and about 20 minutes into the 4 hour trip, he was done with his nap.

This little bugger again pulled the I'm not going to sleep no matter what card, and slept maybe 20 minutes on the drive back to the apartment. He did learn some new tricks though.
Holding the bottle with his hands
... and with his feet!! He is so talented isn't he?!?!
And not to be outdone, John learned a new trick: straw in between the toes. He thought he was hot stuff as he twisted and twirled the straw with just a flick of his toes!
And what better way to end a long day then for Papa to read you a story before bed!