9/11/01.....We will never forget.

I know this blog is for my children, but I cannot let a day go by without talking about that horrific day 10 years ago. I was a freshman at A&M and was just leaving my U.S. government class (how fitting). As I walked out of the building, I noticed a funny look on students' faces. I also noticed some running around frantically. I became a bit concerned but didn't think much of it as I walked back to my dorm on the other side of campus.

When I got to my dorm room I threw my bag down and the phone rang. It was Daniel and he asked where I had been and if I knew what was going on. I said no and he immediately told me to turn my television on. Just after turning the tv on, the second plane hit the south tower. I just sat down and watched in shock and sadness. I can't even describe what that was like to watch something like that happen in real time. I have watched several shows lately that were commemorating the anniversary and they showed the footage again. It brought back so many thoughts from that day but nothing can describe the feeling I felt that day.

I remember just watching the television for the next week constantly wondering what's next? How do we respond to something like this? I remember thinking that nothing in this world will ever be the same. I also remembering immediately turning to God and asking Why? Why did you allow this to happen to so many innocent people? I know we shouldn't ask why but I couldn't help myself. I then remember just praying for all those families that lost loved ones. I can't imagine the waiting for the phone call wondering if your loved one made it out before the towers came crashing down.

I know this is a little melodramatic but I WILL NEVER FORGET. I also want my children to never forget. Never forget about those people who are watching out for us and fighting for us on a daily basis to make sure we as a country stay as safe and protected as possible. Always remember to thank those people who fight for us and to thank those family members whose loved ones are off fighting. They are all making sacrifices so that we as citizens of the United States can live in a safe and free country. I also want my children to remember that God is in control. He is in control of every single situation that happens in your life and you should always look to him for guidance and for strength. Never forget.....

10 years ago....

I graduated from high school. I know. It's hard for me to even believe it. We had our reunion this past weekend at Double C Steakhouse in Winnsboro. Sadly, I forgot my camera in College Station so I have no pictures to document this momentous occasion. I had such a great time catching up with old friends and seeing how everyone has changed over these last 10 years. I think Daniel even had a great time! He spent most of the evening catching up with Justin Ross and hearing all about this past year he spent in Afghanistan.

It's hard to believe that 10 years has all ready passed since that wonderful time I spent at Winnsboro High School. I can honestly say that high school was some of the greatest times in my life. I was involved in everything you could possibly be involved in and I didn't really have a care in the world. I think we often take for granted how "easy" life is when you are young and even though I still feel young I know that that stage is quickly fading away. I hope that my children always remember how much fun it is to be a kid and that they never take for granted the time and friendships they have going through school. They will find out as I have that time passes by like a whirlwind and you should always stop and enjoy it while it lasts.

Labor Day Weekend 2011

First of all, I just want to say Praise be to God! The weather today was absolutely beautiful and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect end to this Labor Day Weekend. We had such a great day today that I couldn't wait to get it all down in my blog!

Daniel has been so busy at work lately so we were so thrilled to have him home for an extra day after the long weekend. We decided today was going to be a family day so spur of the moment we asked the kids if they wanted to go swimming and they both just lost it with excitement. Funny enough we actually compared Cooper's excitement to Maggie Mae's whenever we ask her if she wants to go for a ride....lol. She basically spins around in a circle and jumps up and down with giddiness. I must say that Cooper pretty much resembled her to a "T" and it was hilarious. We hurriedly all put our swimsuits on and headed over to the neighborhood pool.

We were really expecting it to be crowded because of the beautiful weather and because today was a holiday but to our surprise there was only one lady there! We were able to enjoy the kiddy pool all to ourselves! It was so much fun watching our little water babies splash and have such a great time.....even if the water felt like ice! The kiddy pool area is shaded by a blue tarp and I think that even though the shade is probably ideal for those unbearably hot summer days today was not one of them and we really needed that sun to warm up the water! Nevertheless, the kids had a great time and we finally had to call it quits when I noticed the 4 teeth in Kyleigh's mouth start to chatter...lol. They were both a little disappointed that it was time to leave but we knew once we got them home they would both collapse into bed and that they did!

We had a low key dinner and then decided to enjoy more of that perfect weather this evening so we went out to the backyard and had a little fun in "Cooper's Clubhouse" (as he likes to call it) and the play area we have set up for the kids with the sandbox, small slide, and water table. All in all we could not have asked for a more perfect day to spend as a family and I can't wait for the opportunity to do it again very VERY soon!

A&M vs. SMU - 1st game of 2011

WHOOP! In case you can't tell, I couldn't be more excited that it is FINALLY football season here in Aggieland. It is really hard to describe the anticipation leading up to this blessed event every year if you aren't familiar with what it means to be an Aggie. I am so proud to call myself an Aggie and I'm so thankful that I met my amazing husband here in Aggieland! College Station will always be special to me because Daniel and I met here and the fact that we get to live here now and actually be in the middle of all the hoopla is kind of amazing!

We kind of knew in moving here that we would be running our very own, "Hotel Hindes" as we like to call it, especially during football season. We had but one guest this weekend, one of my best friends from college, Allen. It was so nice to catch up with him while he was here and as a thank you for letting him stay at our house, he invited me to go to the game because he had one extra ticket. I struggled with whether or not I should go because I hate going to the games without Daniel but he urged me to go because I might not get another opportunity and he said if the roles were reversed I would for sure be ushering him out the door so off I went.

Our seats at the game were probably some of the best I've had. I'm a bit afraid of heights so when Allen told me that our seats were in the top of the Zone, I became a bit terrified. I'm so glad that we had those seats though because otherwise I probably would've never been forced to go up there. After going to the Cotton Bowl this past winter at Cowboys Stadium, the Zone seemed like the height of a small kiddy slide. We were about 9 rows up in Section 522 and I would recommend the seats to anyone wishing to go to a game. You can see everything very well and I was able to get some great pictures even with just my small point-and-shoot Canon. We had such a great time and the game being as exciting as it was was sort of a bonus. I'm so glad that the Aggies are off to a fantastic season and I hope the momentum from this week carries into the weeks to come. I'm also looking forward to the many more guests (I'm sure) that we will be hosting very soon.......get your reservation in now before it's too late! LOL

Cooper & his Cowboy Hat

Cooper has been asking us for quite some time to get one of Daniel's cowboy hats down from the top of our closet because he can see them. Finally last night Daniel decided he would go through the hats and find one of his that was an old one that he doesn't wear anymore. He found one that actually fit Cooper's head strangely well and I couldn't believe how cute he looked in it! He's never had a cowboy hat on before and now that I've seen him in one I can't wait to get him one of his own that he can wear this fall and winter! He was being so silly after he put it on and I managed to snap a few cute pictures of him and his new accessory.

Kyleigh is 15 months!

I took Kyleigh today for her 15 month well check-up. It seems like just yesterday I was taking her for her 1 year check-up and here we are again! She is really growing well and her height is off the charts! Here are the stats:

Weight: 24.4 lbs 70%tile

Height: 33 in 98%tile

I can't believe she's almost as tall as her brother! She is beginning to walk and feel more secure with herself. She is still somewhat lazy and will usually just sit down immediately if anyone sees her walk and praises her for it....lol It's really kind of funny but I'm so ready for her to walk...she is getting to be a handful when she just lunges out from my arms telling me she wants to get down. She is still eating everything under the sun so I can't really pinpoint anything that would be her favorite. She wears mostly 18 month clothing now because of her height and in fact I bought a ton of clothes for her the other day and for all the one piece outfits I bought 24 months! That was a little difficult to swallow.

She is really just the funniest little girl and is always keeping us on our toes. She talks constantly even though you can't always understand what she says. She loves to mimic you and at least try to say what you are saying. She has the most adorable curls at the base of her neck and I don't know if I will ever be able to cut her hair! It's beginning to be a little shaggy on the side but I just can't do it. She will just have to look a little shaggy for awhile! She plays very well with her brother....for the most part. She does have a little bit of an attitude and is not afraid to stand up for herself. I think growing up with an older brother will really help her confidence and hopefully she will continue to pick up on all of his good habits rather than bad. I love that they are attached at the hip and if the other one isn't there they constantly look for them. I know that sometimes I think What the heck were we doing having our kids so close together but I always keep in mind that they are so much closer because of it. I hope that their friendship and love for one another continues into adulthood!

We just love you to pieces, Kyleigh Reese! You are really becoming a little girl and not a baby anymore which really makes Mommy sad. I love your spunky personality and can't wait to see how you grow and change over the next few months until we head back to the doctor for your 18 month check-up! That will be even harder for Mommy to deal with because you will be so close to turning 2 and that just doesn't seem possible!

We love you!

Mommy and Daddy & Big Brother Cooper