Take the days one at a time. Soon fifty years will pass- but it won't seem like it.

Al and Evylyn Little

Married: March 3, 1946

Al and Evylyn Little are committed Chirstians. Al works as a chaplain for the Los Angeles County Jails. Evylyn loves spending time with little children.

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A lifelong marriage is built day by day. It is made of days that seem momentous and days that seem mundane. Yet every one is important, every one indispensable. As you and your spouse live out each day to its fullest potential, sharing its joys and challenges, your days steadily join together like the masonry in a sturdy brick home, forming a relationship that is solid and secure. Such a relationship, built on the sure foundation of faith in God and commitment to each other no matter what the days may bring, will stand forever.

Take the days one at a time, but don't take them- or each other- for granted. Make most of each twenty-four hours. Don't allow the past to become an anchor; rather, forgive each other for yesterday's offenses. And don't let worry about the future rob even one day of its joy; instead, put tomorrow in God's hands. When times get tough, continue to love, support, and encourage one another day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, and trust the Lord to see you through. Before you know it, you and your beloved will be celebrating your golden anniversary- and wondering where the time went!

Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,

That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!

Psalm 90:14 NKJV

Parenting

Ok, so as a new parent, I can't judge or know the perfect way to parent at all!! BUT, I have to just vent today about a few things that have happened and there was no parental involvement and totally pissed me off.

Today I took Brendan to the play area at Stonebriar. For the second time now, another kid has come over and pushed Brendan out of the way to play with these wall toys when Brendan is playing with them. I understand kids will be kids, but come on. The first time this happened this little girl came up and pushed Brendan away and he just looked at her and then started to push back. I automatically tell him no pushing why don't we try and share. Well this girl won't share so Brendan starts to push again, so I just pick him up and tell him no pushing and we walk away. As we are walking away the girl's mother was all "he was there first" I just kept walking when I wanted to say, "Yes, I know he was so where were you when your kid was pushing mine out of the way and trying to teach her manners and how to share!!!" Well, today this happened again with a little boy. Brendan was playing with another wall toy and the kid just comes over and pushes him out of the way. I once again try and get them to share but this was a much bigger kid and he pushed again, so I apologized to Brendan that he wasn't playing nice and took him away once again. Seriously, where are the parents in this situation. I know that kids are kids and have to learn to share, but it's the parents that have to reinforce this! It just made me so mad. Come to find the mother is on the total opposite side of the play area talking and can't even see her child!

Also, the other day Brendan is playing with something and this kid came and took the toy away. The mom then said oh child, Brendan was playing with that but let the kid still run off with it and just said sorry to Brendan. Grates my nerves!! I know my son is not perfect in no way at all, but when he takes something from someone, it goes straight back to whoever had it first. Not oh sorry my kid just ran off with your toy. MAKES ME SO ANGRY!!!

Ok, done venting. I feel better.

Never let a day go by without telling each other, "I love you."

Jack and Bernice Wein

Married: February 23, 1946

Jack and Bernice's sense of humor is legendary. "Bernice said if I bought one more car, I'd have to sleep in it," Jack says, grinning. "I told her a man should have more than one bedroom!" "Instead of arguing, let the man think he's the boss," Bernice says with a wink. "Eventually he'll come around to your way of thinking."

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Every spouse has a deep need to feel cherished, valued, treasured. Daily reminders of love and affection will fill your hearts and lift your spirits, nurturing your relationship and causing it to thrive like a lush, well-tended, sunlit garden. And just as a beautiful flower garden harbors many colorful varieties of annuals and perennials, there are countless ways to express love.

A special favor, a helping hand with the chores. A card, a bouquet, a tasty treat. A touch, a hug, an impromptu slow dance. A listening ear, a real conversation. A shared memory, hearty laughter, a walk in the moonlight. A wink, a smile, a compliment. And don't forget to speak those three little words, "I love you!"

Words are powerful. They can build you up individually and strengthen you as a couple. They can encourage you and remind you of your lifelong commitment to each other, of the reasons why you chose to journey through this life together.

"I love you." Poets and songwriters of every age have searched for compelling words to communicate the depth of such emotion, but none has found better way than this simple, heartfelt phrase. It never wears out and it never goes out of style. Take a moment to hold hands, gaze into each other's eyes, and whisper it today.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold

in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 25:11 KJV

Turning One Is Fun!!

So my sweet Angel turned ONE on Thursday!! I can't believe how quickly the year went by and how much he has grown. He weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and was 19.75 inches. Today he is 25 lbs 4 oz and 32 1/2 inches tall!! Unbelievable!! Especially for someone who still refuses table food and sticks with jar food! As of today he will eat Puffs, Mum Mums, Cheerios, Tortillas with queso, Tortilla chips, Bean Soup and refried beans (just the mushy part, not the bean) and occasionally I can get him to try a Teddy Graham, string cheese and shredded chicken. I'm getting worried. One of my mommy friends suggested a food therapist. Our Dr. said to give it another 4-6 weeks and if we are still concerned then she'd refer us to a food therapist. I told my mom about this and she said we go to a yuppie doctor. I hate telling her anything!! Time are changing and things are way different from when she raised me. I'm sorry if I'm concerned that my one year old will not eat anything!!!! Anyways, back to his b-day.

When he woke up we sang Happy Birthday to him and then after he was all changed let him open some presents. Played downstairs and ate breakfast. Mommy made him some Banana Molasses Oatmeal. After he had eaten we took him upstairs for his birthday surprise, a new KITCHEN!! He loves it. Loves all the cabinets and things to open and close. After he played for a while we got him ready and took him to Pump It Up, Jr. for the first time. He was a little hesitant at first, but once mom and dad got in with him he loved it. He especially loved going down the big slide with mom and dad. After PIU, it was back home for a nap. After his nap mommy began to start lunch. He likes Mi Cocina refried beans so I decided I'd make some. Well, that didn't go over so well. Guess they weren't up to par with Mi Cocina and he gagged and threw them up on the first bite! So annoying!! After lunch we took him to Yumilicious for some birthday frozen yogurt!! We ran some errands and then ended the night a Mi Cocina for dinner. Hugo and the manager Francisco (Yes, we go there A LOT) arranged for some candle lit flan and sang Happy Birthday to him in Spanish!! It was amazing!! Most perfect day!

Saturday we had his birthday party at Gymboree. It was awesome! He had tons of friends come and celebrate with him. We didn't get to really talk to anyone because we were too busy trying to make sure B was having a good time and Miss Linda had him in the spot light a lot, which I didn't quite know how he'd handle, but he was perfect!! Great first birthday. Glad we went all out for his 1st, next year will most likely have at house since by then all his friends will be walking and can have games and bounce houses. Can't believe I'm already thinking about his next one!! After the party, family came over to open presents.

Sunday we did his smash cake. He didn't quite know what to do so we helped him. He only tried a crumb of cake though! That boy! Next year will be tons of cake eating!!

So that was it. A whole year has gone by! CRAZY!!!

Where has the time Gone?

At 3:25 A.M., my sweet baby boy will be a "baby" no more!! I can't believe that just a year ago my sweet prince surprised us by coming a week early. He was 7 lbs 13 oz and 19.75 inches. It's been a whirlwind of emotions and learning experiences. I've cherished each and every coo, ooh and the occasional shriek, although not so much of the latter. Looking back at pictures seeing how much he's grown and lost a ton of baby fat and transformed into this beautiful creature is just amazing. He definitely has my stubbornness and Quinton's allergies, but he's still perfect to us. I love that through him I've met some super amazing women and babies that without him I would have never met. They are the rock to sanity and, of course, the ambassadors of fun! Feel so blessed!

Quinton is taking the day off so we can spend it as a family. Going to Pump It Up, Jr., maybe some frozen yogurt is in his future as well, and we'll finish it off with a family dinner.

Saturday we are celebrating with amazing friends and family. Can't wait!!

I'm the luckiest, most blessed person in the world!!

Let life's experiences draw you closer together

Herman & Mary Sue Davis

Married: October 5, 1943

Herman and Mary Sue sat next to each other in high school band. "I played the sax, she played the flute- and we shared a music stand!" says Herman. Today they share many things, such as working together to compile the family genealogy.

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When shaping a vessel, potters exert equal pressure with their hands on both the outside and the inside of the clay to prevent it from collaapsing. After the clay dries, it is glazed and then placed in a fiery kiln. The intense heat perfects the clay by removing blemishes, strenthening it, and enhancing the paint olors. The once wet piece of clay is finally transformed into a beautiful anduseful peice of pottery.

Marriage can be viewed as a similar work in progress. Like the clay, you and your spouse will constantly face various pressures from life- job changes, financial stress, parenting responsibilities, and the list goes on. To prevent your marriage from collapsing, you must respond to any external pressure with the internal pressure of a powerful relationship with the living God.

Just as clay is fired in a kiln, so will your marriage go through periods of intense heat. But remember that your heavenly Father is using these times to remove imperfections in your relationship and make it stronger and more beautiful. Face the difficult times together, and let the Lord mold and perfect your marriage, lifting you to higher levels of intimacy with each other and with Him.

O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay,

you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

Grrr and Weekend Wrap Up

So I will start this off with negative to hopefully end on positive. I just don't know what to do about Quinton's sister. Well, there is nothing for me to do, it's for her father to decide. She's just a complete mess. I will not go into all detail, as many know what she's gone through. Well, last semester she was going to Austin Community College and from what I heard (but it was from her, so who knows if it's true or not) she did well. Come this semester her dad realized that there was no tuition or books charged on her credit card and for some reason she was making purchases in Plano and Richardson a lot. Randall's birthday was on September 22 and we went over to his house to cook out and hang. He called her to invite her, but she said she couldn't because she had school on Saturday. BIG FAT LIAR!! Turns out she is living in Richardson with some guy and didn't bother to tell anyone. So here's Randall still paying for an apartment down in Austin and all this crap all over again. He supposedly laid into her, but I swear nothing gets through to her. She has begged for years and years to please let her move to San Diego or Austin to start over and her was her chance and she just completely blew it! I had sent her a text message the other week before we found out about her living here now, asking for her address so I could send her an invitation to Brendan's birthday party and she sent me some random one in Austin which of course came back Saturday in the mail. So know Quinton doesn't want her there, which I know he would never have the nerve to tell her, but like she would show up anyways. We are all supposed to be going down to Horseshoe Bay for Quinton's cousin's wedding vow renewal this weekend, we'll see if she shows up. There are so many things I would just like to say to her, but I know it's not my place so I won't. It's just time to completely cut her off!! It's sad that I think the only reason why she isn't now is because Randall fears she won't ever come around again, because he was telling me the other day at lunch she only calls when she wants something. SO SAD!!!!

Okay, so this weekend. Friday we went to our usual Mi Cocina. There was a cute little girl who was a week older than Brendan at the table behind us that he just couldn't stop looking. Such a flirt. Afterwards we had brought a blanket and went and listened to the live band playing and let Brendan play around. Saturday we went Halloween costume shopping for Brendan and it came down to Baby Yoda and Vampire Baby. I'll give you a hint on which we chose, "May the force be with you." LOL. Later we dropped Brendan off at my parents so we could go to our friends Loni and Josh's couples shower. It was so much fun. Lots of laughs and fun games, and of course cute little baby items!!! This morning we slept in until 8:30!!!! Never knew how great 8:30 was!! We did some things around the house and Q packed for his trip and then we went to pick up B from my parents. He was napping when we got there so we ate some breakfast and chatted with my parents and then I went to check on him and LOVE when I get to watch him wake up. He had just rolled over and was starting to wake up, one little eye peaked opened and I smiled and then two big little eyes opened and a BIG SMILE!! Melts my heart! After we got home we just hung out, watched the Rangers and then B went down for his last nap and Q left right after he fell asleep. Already miss him!!! Thursday night can't come soon enough!