Baby Kisses

This past week we spent at Camp Blue Haven with a bunch of our kids. Jacey (and Mitch and I) loved seeing new people, and especially her grandparents. Camp is usually like vacation for us, since we're able to stay with Mitch's parents. It was definitely a much needed break from the normal routine. While we were there, Jacey blossomed a little more. She loved talking to anyone who would listen, and since she is totally adorable, she had many admiring listeners. As a result she learned 2 more words - Papa and bye bye - and both are amazingly clear. She also loved Grandma's cooking and ate more table food than she has yet. (As a side note, Grandma made cinnamon rolls for the whole camp...yumm!)

Grandma was the lucky recipient of Jacey's first kiss. It was small and quick, but a kiss nevertheless. Neither Mitch nor I had seen her interested in doing it again until tonight. We were just relaxing on our bed while she crawled and tumbled around when she looked at me with her tongue out and leaned towards my mouth. I politely kissed her and she smiled. She then did it again, but this time she made the smacking sound. Unfortunately she only knows how to make this sound with her tongue out. And as a result she kisses with her tongue. (Unless you don't know, Jacey has inheirited her father's amazingly long tongue.) It's totally precious, and she is so proud of herself. It'll be a moment I won't forget.

And the rest of my update...

So to all those who were out there wondering, the reason we may not have a computer room is that eventually Jacey will move in there when she's old enough for a big girl bed. Not any time soon. At least that's the plan. :)


We had a great 4th of July this year. Canyon always has a parade and a crafts fair on the square, which is always hot and crowded, just like the 4th should be. We usually go to Hil's restaurant to get breakfast burritos with the Hacketts, but since they were at camp, we went by ourselves. We then headed home to let Jacey get a quick morning nap in, and then ventured out to the square to see all of the people and the parade. After an hour or so Mom and Jacey were hot and tired, so we all went home to nap and cool off. That evening we ate with many of our friends from church at the Bradshaw's. There was lots of brisket and sausage - a good West Texas barbeque. Unfortunately Jacey is too little to stay up to 10 pm to enjoy and appreciate the fireworks. Mitch and I decided to go up on our roof to watch them from our house. They usually shoot them off at the park 1/2 mile from our house, so we were hoping to get a good view. As it turned out, it was one of the best shows we've seen since watching them in Nashville. We were able to hear some of the music that they were playing, and we had a perfect, unobstructed view of the fireworks. We also enjoyed talking to each other without distractions, since there is nothing to do up on a roof except talk and sight-see.

Last weekend we went to Ft. Worth to help move the Hacketts in. I really needed to get out of town and see something new for a few days. The summer craziness can wear on me a lot if I let it, and I was definitely getting a little burned out. We were able to help move in a bunch of stuff. We also were able to go to a Rangers game, where we had box seats. Totally awesome! I didn't watch much of the game, but it still was an amazing experience. Jacey loved all of the cheering and clapping. Her eyes would light up every time the crowd started cheering and clap and smile along with them. It was priceless. Sunday we came home and enjoyed sleeping in a bed again. The weekend was a lot of work but also very fun. I definitely came back recharged and ready to finish the summer.

Next week we head to Blue Haven for camp. I love camp. My duties this year are to bring the grandchild and help around the kitchen as needed. What a great way to spend a week! Mitch and I are looking forward to some parental TLC. Hopefully Jacey enjoys the experience as well.

Mitch and I have decided that Jacey needs more words. The child has inherited her father's desire for conversation. She has about 4 or 5 words besides "Mama" and "Dada" that she's trying to master, such as "duck," "dog," "ball," "bird," and "bye-bye." She mainly just gets the first part of the word out (kind of like Bambi does when he first says bird). The rest of the time she just jabbers away about things that Mitch and I don't understand. It's very sweet.

Jacey also has gotten her first tooth this week. She's been a real trouper. She hasn't fussed or cried too much. Her appetite and sleeping are just a little bit out of wack. I was beginning to wonder if she was ever going to get teeth since she's 11 months old. But as always, never fear...things take care of themselves in time.

New Computer

My wonderful dad worked out a deal with Mitch to get us a new computer. It finally arrived this afternoon and its amazing. We decided we needed a laptop for the future when we don't have a computer/study room. This thing is entirely too smart for its own good. Mitch discovered the speech recognition program and we have had a blast opening programs and ordering it around. It's quite fun. I'll try to compose a blog completely by voice soon. (Not that you'll know any difference.)

We are doing great here. Sorry for the long absence, but it's summer. And it's crazy. We just got back from moving our friends Bryan and Susan to Ft. Worth for their new job. I'm already missing them terribly. But I know they are where they're supposed to be, and I think the congregation there will take good care of them.

More to come later...movie night awaits!

Visits and other random things

So yes, I did survive last week without Mitch here. Jacey and I had a good time together. I realized that having a kid to take care of and keep me busy helps to pass the time. Thursday night my parents arrived to visit for a long weekend. It was great to see them, and Jacey especially loved all the attention. Dad hadn't seen her since January, when she wasn't doing anything other than the newborn duties - eating, sleeping, and pooping. He was able to get in the floor and play with her. They also brought some of my old toys which were really fun to see again. Jacey was glad to have some new things to play with. (We're too cheap to buy new toys.) Mitch arrived Saturday night, tired but happy to be home. And very tan. We went to the pool Monday and Mom and Dad loved watching Jacey splash and generally wear herself out. They headed home Tuesday after we had a great time together. (Pictures to come later.)

Mitch and I have recently been on an enivronmentally-friendly kick. We've started recycling more, using canvas grocery bags, and buying all-natural cleaners. I have to say that so far I've been surprised at how easy it's been. We bought 3 canvas bags from Walmart to cut down on the plastic bags we were using. They're amazing! Our groceries using can fit in all three, with maybe one or two extra bags needed. It make my life easier because I don't have to go through 15 bags to empty my groceries. I also bought the Green Works cleaner, and it is great. It cleans better than most products, and it smells like limes. Yum. Anyway, so there's my plug for the enivronment. Whoo hoo!

On a completely different subject, Jacey loves macaroni and cheese. For lunch today she ate a banana and some of a tuna fish sandwich. But when she saw that we had made mac and cheese, she refused to eat anything else. I think she ate about 1/3 of my macaroni. It was amazing. She can really put down the food when she wants to.

Summer is here

Sorry it's been awhile since my last update. We have definitely started summer, both in terms of the weather and work load. Last week we all headed to 6 Flags with 40 Jr. High kids and sponsors for 3 days of fun. It was a great, uneventful trip. Jacey loved the pool, the 3 rides she could go on a 6 Flags, and the awesome waterpark. She played hard until she just about fell asleep sitting in the water. It was cute.

This week Mitch is in Houston, sweating, with our high school kids. They work with little kids from the inner city at a camp about an hour out of Houston. It's very rewarding, and also very exhausting. While he's away Jacey and I have just hung out together. Monday I got a fever/virus and was pretty miserable with no one to take care of me. But I survived, of course, and now we're getting things ready for Grammy and Gramps (my parents) to come a visit for a long weekend. It's been a very long time since we've seen both of them, so we're looking forward to a good time. Jacey is getting a little tired of seeing just me, so they will definitely brighten her day.

My Little Fish

Today we took Jacey to the WTAMU pool with our friends the Hacketts. I really had no idea what to expect. I knew Jacey liked the water, but pools can be completely different, with all the people and craziness. However, she loved every minute! She was practically swimming already. She also loved to splash everywhere. It was so fun to share something new with her. Her friend Colton enjoyed it too, especially when he got to stand on the steps. They both were adorable. Needless to say, Jacey wore herself out and crashed hard for the evening.

Here are a few pictures of our day.

Stomach Bug

Need I say more? Mitch woke up yesterday with it, and he actually stayed home all day. This meant he did not go to church. I know. It's amazing. I got it last night and didn't get much sleep at all. We've decided that Jacey had it first and that's why she's been fussy. She never showed signs of stomach sickness, so that's why we thought it was teething. Luckily it's only a 24 hour-ish thing.

I'm now feeling better at least.