Days 3 and 4

Here we are on our fourth day. The last two days have been absolutely perfect. The sun shining, the breeze blowing. There were so many times I just stopped and thanked God for allowing us to enjoy his beauty and our family.

Yesterday we stayed at the pool all day. The kids were absolutely perfect and thanks to the toys that were lent to us, the kids kept VERY busy and were completely content at the kiddie pool. Our little hut that we have been reserving is right by the kiddie pool which makes it very nice! Hayden has been the restaurant's little scare crow running off the birds again...they really should hire her! She is just in heaven here. And Colt is in heaven just watching her...shortly he will be right by her side and I will be in trouble! Once again the kids took amazing naps and my father was so generous as to stay in the room while they were sleeping while I was able to relax fully and read some more. Nic got A LOT of sun...and I mean A LOT! It kinda makes me mad that he gets SOOO much sun when I am out in it longer than he is!!! Oh well...he sure is HOT!!! He is always hot...but with this tan...OH MY!

For dinner, we headed to a little spot where there are a lot of shopping places and ate at Hard Rock Cafe. It was pretty neat because we ate under this huge tent with live music. Hayden and Colt just played around the table since it was open and not really busy. We then just walked up and down the shopping areas and enjoyed looking at everything. I was so proud of the kids...they really are enjoying themselves and are just so happy...I guess that's why they call this "One Happy Island"...hehehe!!

Today was very much like yesterday...except Nic stayed in the shade all day to rest his skin. We did, however, take the kids down to the beach for a little bit and they LOVED it. Hayden chased the tide, Colton tried to do the same but decided to eat the sand instead. They both love the sand and just loved running/crawling all over the beach. Nic stayed in with the kids during nap time...he even enjoyed a nap of his own.

For dinner, we went to one of my favorite spots from last time...La Trattoria. It is the gorgeous outside restaurant that is up on a hill that overlooks the island. There is a lighthouse right next to the restaurant and it is breathtaking. The little italian restaurant is surrounded by greenery and just absolutely the most beautiful place...I keep telling both my sisters that I could see their future weddings at this place (hint hint sissies). Hayden was fascinated by the millions of steps that lead down from the restaurant. We were able to watch the sunset and to see the huge orange circle fade into the ocean (that's what it looks like) and the blue, orange, red, green colors of the sky just was another reminder of God's beauty.

Now we are back at the condo watching American Idol!! Soooo...that means I have to focus and get off of here!!!

Oh, and I am SOOO bummed I can't download pics because I want so badly to share those memories!!!!

Aruba-Days 1 & 2

We are now on our second morning here in wonderful Aruba. It is a little overcast this morning but it has been and amazing morning so far. I have been able to spend some quality time with my Heavenly Father out on the balcony. It gave me time just to reflect on everything I have been blessed with and everything I am so thankful for. From our balcony you can see the ocean...what a beautiful scene. God is truly amazing. This week I am working on memorizing Philippians 4:6-9. I have read these verses MANY times but have never truly reflected on the meaning of it. The first time that I have ever REALLY focused on these verses was with my mentor about a year ago. If you know me at all, you know that I struggle with worry...one of my HUGE weaknesses that I am ALWAYS trying to work on. These verses I have found to be comforting.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

God is good...and He knows my heart.

Yesterday was our first full day and let me tell you, it couldn't have been more perfect. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and the perfect breeze. Hayden and Colton were in heaven withe the water and their little floats. It is so much fun to watch them where they are at an age to just laugh and laugh and have fun! Colton just mostly laughed at Hayden as she chased after the birds and the iguanas. Nic took the kids up to take a nap in the middle of the day while he watched some basketball and relaxed....which gave me a couple hours to enjoy by the pool with my book! I couldn't believe it...I was actually able to read...by the pool...not worrying about little kids by the pool. It was heavenly....the only problem is...my skin suffered during that time big time. I really did put sunscreen on...but the problem is I haven't even been touched by the sun since like a million years ago...let alone the Aruba sun (which is VERY different!). Let's just say it looks like my daughter put my lotion on by all the splotches and weird tan lines! HA! Actually, it isn't very funny because the pain was awful while trying to sleep and now my muscles are tensed from the stinging...BUT it was still worth it!! Maybe God knew we needed this overcast morning with a little shower to give my poor skin a break!

After cleaning up from the gorgeous afternoon, we headed out to walk around and ended up eating at Senor Frogs...which was SUPER good. I have been so proud of Hayden and Colton so far. They have been in amazing moods and just loving life...partly because they are being spoiled to death by Papi and Mamaw...and Rara.

Well, it is time to head out to the pool...but don't worry...the shade is calling my name loud and clear!

Ok....I'm back after another wonderful day. It is around 8:30 now and Bubby is asleep and we are watching Dancing with the Stars. We spent the afternoon by the pool again...except today I stayed under our little hut! Hayden took a walk with Nic down to the beach and Bubby took 2 great naps! There is a long stair type thing to the pool where the kids like to sit and play. The guy that takes care of the pool was so kind to let us borrow a basket-ful of toys for them to play with.

For dinner, we headed downtown where the big cruise ships come in. We ate a place called Iguana Joe's. We then walked down to the docks where there are yachts and we watched the sun go down. Another site of God's beauty.

Today I also realized something...my son is 11 months old...in ONE month, he will be a year old...sigh...so here is his monthly letter.

Dear Colton,

Today you are 11 months old. It is so hard to believe that in exactly one month, you will be 1 year old. You have grown into such a hilarious personality. You know what you want, and you don't stop until you get it! You are VERY active and love to crawl EVERYWHERE. You crawl faster than your mommy can walk. You are so close to standing on your own. You pull up on everything and everyone. You love to chase after your sister and just laugh and laugh at her.

You grab any food that is in sight. If you can't get to it you grunt and close your hands to make fists. It is quite the sight! You like ALL foods...except your baby vegetable foods. You prefer the food we eat and even with only 6 teeth, you can basically eat anything. You have tried hotdogs, fries, hamburger, chicken, ice cream, apples, bananas, and many more foods.

You are sleeping wonderfully. You sleep from about 7:30 pm-8:00 am. You are also taking about 2 hour long naps. You have turned into such a great sleeper and I am so thankful for that.

About three weeks ago, you came down with your first really bad sickness. You couldn't keep anything down and just wanted to sleep on my chest. You were never really cranky and just slept a lot. Your sister was also sick, so you two just sat in the recliner and snuggled with me.

You make us laugh with those eye brows and your handsome little looks. You light up when you see people you know. You love to wave and you say, "uh-oh" ALL the time!!

You love your basketball and will chase it around EVERYWHERE!! You love your bath time and keep yourself very entertained.

You are a content little old man and just love to laugh.

You are such a wonderful little boy and I just can't get enough of your big brown eyes and those wonderful hugs where you pull my neck in and just smile.

I love you so much and want to hold on to every second that I have with you.

You are my sweet, sweet son.

Love,

Your mommy

Aruba, here we come!

Yesterday we began our week long vacation. Nic and I started off by taking the kids to Chicago after he got off work to see Brooke. We started off the vacation with an emergency oil change somewhere on our way to Chicago…but…the kids did an amazing job and I was one happy mama.

We were able to see Brooke’s school, her apartment and ate at Rainforest Café. The kids LOVED it!!! Especially when it “stormed” and the gorillas were going crazy! Most kids are frightened by that…not Hayden!

We then met up with my parents at the hotel where we would only get 4 hours of sleep thanks to our wonderful 3:05 am Shuttle. Let me tell you…my kids had NO idea what was going on…it wasn’t my idea of a great way to start off the LONG traveling day! But…we made it through with only a couple melt downs and lots of bribing snacks. Hayden slept through the whole first flight to Texas….the 2^nd flight…not so much. She wasn’t naughty or anything…just very energetic…she knew she would be in paradise in a few short hours! Bubby was a little different story. He wasn’t a fan of being on a lap for hours on end. Needless to say I thought we were going to get kicked off the plane while flying through the air. But, he was OUT after all the crying! I can’t really complain though…my dad didn’t realize that when he booked the flight we were actually in first class…which meant AWESOME seats, food, and get this…I got to watch I Love Lucy on my own little TV thing that was attached to the seat! It was heaven…besides the crying! We even got our meals handed to us on trays with these tiny little salt and pepper shakers!! Hehe!

We finally arrived in Aruba. I honestly just stood for a split second to soak it all in. The smell of the ocean, the sun shining, the palm trees, the local stores and people. As soon as we got to our condo, we immediately changed into our swim suits and headed for the pool. I think I got more joy out of watching my children LOVING the water more than anything. We ate at the little restaurant at the pool and just let Hayden swim. Colt was a great fan of the water as well…even had to save him a couple of times when he likes to be fearless.

Now Nic and I are just sitting on the porch, with one child crawling all around and the other on a walk with Papi, relaxing…something we haven’t been able to do in a LONG time! I am looking forward to the exciting things that the week has to hold…but most of all I am looking forward to just being with my family…no work, no worries…just family!

I do have pictures already…but I have to figure out how to load them since I didn’t bring my cord…oops!!