LET IT SNOW!

What a magical day!!! It snowed in San Antonio! The boys and I were on our way home from story hour when I realized that it truly was snowing. As we pulled over to enjoy the moment (you never know how long it will last here) Jaron called to join in the excitement! You would have thought that candy was falling from the sky! The kids were in heaven trying to catch the heavy flakes. We almost got Miaja out of school to join in the fun but I resisted! It was so great to watch the boys as we got home run to the backyard and shout with excitement, "Look at all that snow!" For those of you here in San Antonio, (Stacey), you know why that is so funny! Chase even brought in a small handful of nearly melted snow to save in the freezer for MIaja. It was a good call because when Miaja came home she was sad that she hadn't been able to touch the snow but her face lit-up when she saw that her little brother had thought of her! When Chase went to bed tonight he said to me, (I love what they say when their about o fall asleep at night), "mommy, I think snow really is magical. Maybe God will let it come one more time!" It truly was a magical day!
(of course my camera battery wasn't charged)

What a day...

My Favorites...

Today was an interesting day. As I was telling my mom all about it today she said, I remember having days like those. I wish I had written them down because now I could laugh. Thanks mom for inspiring me write this. I am a bit "old-school" and I keep a written journal but I felt like today needed to be "blogged"... So this morning started off with Jer leaving for work at 5'30am. I always wake-up (or am already awake exercising) and make him lunch so I know he has somethign healthy to eat. We said a prayer together and off he went, another long day at the hospital. Well, ayden woke-up when daddy left so I went in to lay by him. He and I were cuddling when the phone rang. My heart skipped a beat because it was only about 6'15am and those early calls typically aren't good calls. Well it was Jaron, his car had broken down and he needed to get to work ASAP so I got all four of my sleepy-eyed cuties (Ayden had actually fallen asleep, of course), and we stared to get ready. I had to get them dressed and ready because I knew I would have to take Miaja right to school. I think the cutest was little Thomas. When I woke him up he looked-up at me with his laughing eyes and then as I put him in his car seat I could almost hear him say, "this thing...already"! but no tears from anyone! On the road we were just in time for rush hour traffic and we had to go to the other side of San Antonio so we had a good hour in the car (fun)! We finally found Jaron, freezing in his car and drove him to BAMC, the army hospital here. After we dropped him off everyone was now very silly, hungry and...did I say silly! I tried to find a place for breakfast OTHER THAN MCDONALD's and that was quite the effort. I got the kids some breakfast then I decided that since Miaja was already late I would take her with the boys and I to the YMCA where I sometimes exercise. Everyone in our family LOVES the YMCA... that is everyone but Thomas. He sees that building and his lip starts to quiver. We stayed for about 20 mins. and Thomas was so unhappy that I decided that it wasn't worth-it so we left to take Miaja to school. Got to her school and realized I'd forgotten, in our hurry out the door this morning, that today was picture day!!!! (BAD MOM)! We raced Miaja home, did her hair and got her dressed then raced her back, only to realize that I had forgotten the check for the pictures (did I forget to recharge my brain last night...Chase was not happy with all this car stuff.) We raced home, got the check, took it back (at this point I'm pretty sure my good reputation I had built at Miaja's school was now completely dissolved and they think I 'm a crazy mom!!!) So we drop-off the check go home and I here Chase say to Ayden. "Don't worry Ayden, I'll do preschool for you." I held back the tears. Tears of love that Chase would be so sweet and a little sad that I had been so scattered this morning. We'll Chase held true to his word, while I made dinner (the missionaries were coming over tonight and I was teaching guitar right before) Chase did preschool with Ayden. I listened as my 5 yr. old boy led his little brother in the pledge of allegiance, an opening prayer and scripture (it was the 1st article of faith that Chase has memorized). I was bawling listening. Then Chase did a real science prject (things that float vs. things that don't and a graph) and a craft (paper animals), then Chase READ Thomas-the-Train to Ayden (Ayden's favorite book). I was overwhelmed. I always thought they really weren't paying attention as we did all of those things but they really were!! Well, the afternoon came and I was SO tired (I've some late nights,,,don't we all) and I fell asleep putting Thomas down for a nap. This sweet sister from our ward came and whe nshe rang the door bell I shot-up off the couch and flew to the door and I pretty sure that she too thinks I'm a little looney. I know this is a lot but I also know that it's mostly for me to remember. After nap I kept waiting for Jer to call to tell me when he'd be home just to be sure he'd be here to watch the kids during my guitar lesson. No call, no answer. At this time I also realized that I couldn't find our home phone. The kids and I did a full on search and found it in the backyard in the place house...it has been there since yesterday...how did that happen!!! Well, I get a call and Jaron told that the tow company went to tow our car but couldn't find it! So now I needed to get all of the kids back in the car and drive back across San Antonio (in rush-hour traffic) to see if our car had been stolen and pick Jaron up at the hospital. All this meant that 1) I would have to cancel my guitar lesson and I felt terrible about that and 2) I couldn't the bread that had just risen and made for the dinner with the missionaries. Well, I called about the guitar lesson and left a message then called my neighbor and asked if she could bake the bread for me then off to get Jer. The car had not been stolen and were pretty sure the tow company just chose to take "siesta" while they were suppose to get our car. We made home just as the missonaries pulled-up to our house and we had a wonderful dinner with them. I felt to grateful at the end of the day for all of the little things that make hectic days like today bearable and even enjoyable and really quite hilarious. The missionaries being in our home is always a blessing and they shared a thought about Jesus with the kids and it was really sweet and we all felt the spirit. Miaja lost her tooth during dinner and as she fell asleep she told me that this day was so special because she lost her tooth with the missionaries. To top it all off I came downstairs from putting the kids to bed and Jaron had made me hot cocoa (I love hot cocoa) and set-up a game for the two of us to play (I love games). I felt so special and I knew that Heavenly Father had blessed with so much. As Miaja said to me one rainy day, "Mom even on a yucky rainy day...atleast you get to hope to see a rainbow". I definitely so my rainbows today.

What a great week...Houston, fun in San Antonio and family

So Jaron's parents came to visit this past week and we had such a great time! Jaron got a bunch of work off and we actually drove to Houston to pick his parents up. They didn't fly-in until late so we spent the day exploring and having fun! We went to the Houston Aquarium and to a great Spaghetti Factory!
We drove home that night and spent the next couple of days in San Antonio with Bonny and Bruce while Jaron worked a few shifts! Jaron and I even got to go on a date! We also found a new spot downtown that became an instant favorite! It was FULL of Texas flavor and fun! We had such a blast!
On Friday we headed back to Houston (with a stop at the Houston outlets) and then stayed in the most beautiful hotel! The kids had a blast swimming with grandma and grandpa and just being together! At breakfast the next morning Miaja told me that the free breakfast made her feel like a princess! It was adorable!
The next day was all about the Houston Space Center! It was actually freezing cold here so we weren't able to be outside too much but that didn't stop us! We had such a great time!
Thanks Bonny and Bruce for coming to visit! We'll look forward to next time. Enjoy your cruise!

(sorry about ALL the pictures! It's been a great week! Oh, and there all out of order. Oh well, I got them on that's what counts, right!)

Grandmommy and Papa came to town!!!

Inside a recreation of a space shuttle...pretty impressive!

The kids trying to figure-out how they could make one of these at home...in the backyard! I love listening to their conversations!

What a great way to spend some time with Bonny and Bruce! We loved having them here.

I love taking pictures of Jaron. He's so handsome.

Tommy, Miaja and I having an "out-of-this-world" time at the Nasa Space Center!

Miaja testing what her strength would be like in space!

The kiddos

Ayden was scared of these suits so this picture took a lot of bravery!

Thomas LOVES his big sister and she was a great helper at with Thomas at the Space Center

Jaron and his parents in front of one of the hospitals that he works at. Bruce really wanted a picture of Jaron in his full military attire! I really am proud of him.

So I realized that I don't have a picture with him in his full attire so here ya go. I'm a huge fan of the hospital but I love how hard Jaron works to help the people that go there so that will have to do!

Bruce...probably trying to convince Ayden to wear his shoes on the right feet! it was HILARIOUS to watch Bruce try, time and time again to switch Ayden shoes. Ayden always switches them back. He'll grow out of it...I think!

Miaja and Bonny took this picture of Jaron and I. I am doing scrapbooks with all of my kids and also WITH Jaron. Once a month I make one-on-one time with each of the kids and Jaron and we do just one page! I love it! The only problem was Jaron and I had no pictures of us. Thanks Bonny!

This was a Miaja surprise photo...she did pretty good. It's one of my favs.

The whole clan! This was such a great night and a magical place! It took your breath away when you walked in...there was a Mexican band playing the lights were so beautiful and they had this sparkly stuff all over the ceilings...we will definitely make this place a "regular"!

Photogenic Chase. Reminds me of my good friend Shay. He never takes a bad picture...now me on the other hand, I gave-up on that a LONG time ago!!!

Here's our Mr. Silly Pants...Ayden

Miaja...she loved the sparkles and "magical" lights at the restaurant. I must admit, so did I!

I love this little guy...FULL of smiles

My little Ayden is famous in our family for his silliness! He will not take a picture without a silly face. I joined him in the fun this time around!

Bonny, enjoying good food, family and lots of fun!

The kids with grandma and grandpa Coombs! We drove to Houston and picked them up for a little visit! The kids LOVED all of the grandparent love and attention, so did Jaron and I!

A friend recommended taking Jaron's parents to this really great place in downtown San Antonio called El Mercado. It had every type of Mexican craft or goodyt imaginable! It was awesome! I got some great ideas for our yard! I was a little crazy with four VERY curious kids but we had a great time!

My little monkey...Miaja was having fun before we even started!!!

Our visit to the Houston aquarium!!! The kids had a blast! Here we were touching STRING RAYS and SHARKS (little bitty sharks...but still)!

A rare photo of Jer and I...love getting away from work!

Jaron and the kids "discovering" some treasure

Aren't they cute

The family after a long but VERY FUN day!