Summer time fun!

This summer was filled with wonderful moments that we will never forget! We had some many treasure moments this summer!

June: Steve's family from Virgina came to visit us. While here, we took them to Galveston to Stewart Beach. It was so nice being able to park on the beach and have an area that was not very crowded. The boys were able run and play in the water and i knew they were going to be safe. Then, we took them to San Antonio. Josh, their oldest son, is a history buff and wanted to see The Alamo. We also took them on the Riverwalk to experience the atmosphere. It was a fun-filled few days and we were sad to see them go!



July: We was filled with many days of swimming and playing in the summer heat. We also had VBS at our church. The boys always like VBS and this year was "Saddle Ridge Ranch". They both loved being cowboys for a week! We also took the boys to the zoo and decided to become members so that we can enjoy all the wonderful animals all year long!!! I also nursed Cortney, our church's intern, back to health. It started off with her getting into a wreck with an 18-wheeler. Thankfully, the only thing hurt was the car...BIG time! Then, a week later, she had knee surgery to clean up scar tissue, etc. So...we had a pretty relaxing mid-summer month!!!



August: The boys got to meet Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato!!!! They were so excited. They also got to ride a horse at their Uncle Pooh's house and they got to see miniature horses for the first time, up close and personal! I have never seen two happier little boys!

We are now getting ready for school to start! School supplies have been bought and are all labeled. Though I hate to admit it, I am ready for school to start. For one reason, we will have a routine in our house again!!! Seems that as soon as summer started, our routine went out the window! We slept late in the mornings and we to be late at night! I still can't believe my baby will be in kindergarten this year! Owen is super excited about 1st grade and I think Eli is equally excited about Kindergarten!

Where did the summer go?

We had a very busy summer this year! We had family come in from Virginia in June and had a blast. While they were here, we took them to Galveston and of course King's Candy on the strand! Then, we were off to San Antonio for a few days so they could see the Alamo and experience the Riverwalk atmosphere. It was fun having them here and we can't wait to see them again next summer when we meet up in Branson, Missouri!



We also had a fun-filled summer with Cortney, who interned at our church in the youth department. It was so much fun having her here with us for the summer! I had someone to talk to during the day, besides to little boys! It was a blessing in disguise because she also helped me out with the boys when she wasn't working up at the church! We were torn when she had to leave us this past Saturday to head back to Beaumont. But...thank goodness for webcams; we get to see her via video whenever we get the chance! Luckily, the distance between us isn't too far and we can visit her periodically as well!




Now begins the countdown to school starting and I truthfully am not looking forward to the summer ending. Though at times the boys tested their limits with me, I have really enjoyed the summer at home with them! This was the first summer to have them at home because they have gone to daycare every summer before to hold their spots! But...with a soon to be 1st grader and kindergartner on my hands, they both were at home this summer! Like they say, a teacher's favorite months are June, July and August!!!!

Summer is here!!!

Summer is here!!! Can't believe Owen will be a 1st grader and Elijah will be a kindergartner next school year! Where has the time gone?! Got LOTS of plans for the family this summer! Steve's cousin and family are driving down from Virgina in 14 days. Sherrill has lived in Texas but her family has NEVER been to Texas! This should be interesting. We went there last summer and the kids complained that 87-90 degree weather was hot. Wait til they get here. They haven't experienced HOT yet! Taking them to Galveston and San Antonio while here!!! Trying to come up with a "daily schedule" for the boys also! I am NOT going to let them sit in front of the tv all summer! Figured morning cartoons while eating breakfast is ok! Then...sight words, math, etc for a while and "rest" time after lunch!!! We shall see how it goes!!!!

Hope all have a great summer!!!

Happy 6th Birthday Owen

This time 6 years ago, I was admiring my first born child - Owen Glenn Lyford. He was born at 9:20am on October 30, 2003. It is a day I will never forget! I remember telling a co-worker earlier in the week that I was ready for Owen to be here. So, after school that day, we went out for a pedicure. The lady at the pedicure place commented on how "huge" I was. I was like, "gees lady! thanks!". Well, that night I started having contractions but they were sporadic and anywhere from 20-30 minutes apart. The next morning, I go up and dressed and headed to school. Around 9am that morning (Wed., Oct. 29th) I wasn't feeling too hot and called my OB/GYN. She said, let's be safe and come on in. So, we drove down to Conroe (we were in Huntsville at the time). We get in right away and sure enough, I was at 2 cm and having contractions abou 3-5 minutes apart. The dr told me to head to Target and walk for an hour, then report to the hospital. So...doctor's orders were followed! At 12noon, October 29th, I was admitted into the hospital. I hadn't had lunch or anything and was STARVING! But NO food was allowed, only those WONDERFUL ice chips! Well, they monitored me through the afternoon and started the petosin at some point that afternoon. My contractions got heavier but I didn't dialate. So...I went through the night and by 7am, my contractions were every 30-60 seconds but I still wasn't dialated past a 2. My doctor came in and the nurse had the nerve to tell her that she thought I could go another few hours to see if I would dialate. I started crying immediately. The contractions were horrible; I had not be allowed to have an epideral because I wasn't dialated enough. I was beyond tired and ready to be un-pregnanted! Well...the doctor basically kicked the nurse out and we had a heart to heart! By 8:30 am, I was being prepped for surgery. At 9am, I was wheeled into the operating room and Owen was delivered at 9:29 am, October 30th, weighing 7lbs 11oz and 20 1/2 inches long. See...told you it is a day I wouldn't forget! Starting contractions on a Tuesday night and not having him until that Thursday morning was not too good. But...the outcome was WONDERFUL!

In these six years, I have gotten to watch Owen discover many new and exciting things. I truly can't believe he is already 6 years old and in kindergarten. Where, oh where, did the time go? I am posting a picture of when he was born and one that was taken recently. Enjoy!

School Days

I can't believe tomorrow ends the 4th week of school. Where has the time gone?

Owen is loving kindergarten and really likes his teacher, Mrs. Cox. Everyday is a new day. This summer we had been getting onto him for just "scribbling" and not staying in the lines when he colors. If he takes his time, he does great. But...he usually gets bored and just starts to scribble. Well, this week I have noticed that his coloring is getting a lot better! Thank goodness! He is also learning to read. YES! READ!!! I am so excited. Each week he brings home a new reader that we must read every night for homework. On Mondays, either Steve or I read it to him. Tuesdays, we read it along together with us pointing at the words. By Wednesday, he is reading the book pretty much all by himself. I know he could just be memorizing it, but hey! can't a mom take pride in her little boy reading?!

Eli is doing GREAT in pre-k!!! He absolutely LOVES to color and I am not exaggerating. That boy can color! Hate to admit it, but he does better than big brother. Seriously! He is also getting much better at writing his first name and is learning to spell/write our last name. I am so proud of him!

At times, I feel that I am going through the motions of school. It feels like I just finished making mums for LAST year's homecoming and we are wrapping up THIS year's homecoming mum session in floral design. I love doing it, but 55 students trying to make mums is madness! I wouldn't trade it for the world though!!!! I love teaching the class!

Steve is teaching at WCJC again this year. He has said that it is going really well and the students are more verbal than the previous two semesters. He said he really enjoys the questions and discussions that take place. Last year, he said it was like pulling teeth to get any of the students to talk! Oh well...with time, it will get better!

Well...time to grade papers!

Summer is almost over; School is almost here...

I can't believe that in less than 20 days my oldest, Owen, will be starting kindergarten. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. All of his polo shirts have been bought, along with new shorts. We have his backpack ready, except for needing to label each and every single crayon, marker, etc. I am NOT looking forward to that! I guess they have to grow up sometime.

Then there is Eli. My precious little Eli, who will be moving up to the Pre-K room on Monday. He is very excited about the move because he will get Owen's teacher from this year. I am happy, too, because Eli will have the same teacher Owen did. It makes me feel better to know that he will be well taken care of.

Other than getting ready for school to start, we are all doing good. I have been doing a lot of scrapbooking, especially here lately. I finally finished our wedding scrapbook and am now working on Eli's first year scrapbook. It is sad to say that Owen's first year scrapbook was done just about a month after he turned one. How bad is that?! Your son's book gets done before your wedding. Gees...oh well! at least I can say it is finished and I just need to get Eli's done!

Until later...

Christmas is in the air!

Man! I haven't posted in over a month. How time flies when you are busy! Let's see...I am off for a two week vacation from school. HOORAY!!! We have been busy getting gifts bought for the family and I think we are all done...finally! We had Christmas with part of Steve's family this past Saturday. I didn't think the boys could receive so many remote control cars, but they did! They love racing them around the house and outside. Christmas Eve, Steve's dad will be visiting and staying with us through Christmas day. Then, Christmas Day evening, I will get to see my brother!!! We haven't seen him since September. I am super excited about that! We went to the Festival of Lights in Dickinson this past Saturday and the boys loved it. We actually got a really good picture of the family while we were there.

Since my last post, we have also had a few additions to the family...NINE basset hound puppies. They were born November 25th. Here are a few recent pics of them. We brought them in last night since it was going to be down in the low-30s. Owen and Eli loved playing with them. Aren't they precious!




Other than playing with puppies, live in the Lyford household is going good! We wish everyone a safe holiday! Merry Christmas!