What's New?

It's been a heck of a long time since I've blogged about what the kids are up to. I've got a few minutes and I'm dying to share.

Wilder has always had a mind of his own, been his own man, highly independent, a real pain the butt... I jest (a little.) Lately he's been doing something that TOTALLY cracks me up, but is rather naughty. An example: He's outside playing and he's not ready to come inside. I ask him to join me. He begins to walk away and in a sweet sing-songy voice says, "Bye! Bye!" with a delighted smile and half a smirk. Grrrhhhh! But how can I not laugh?! It's disobeying in the cutest way.

He's also at the stage of running to me every time he gets any kind of boo-boo. For such an independent little guy seeking comfort from Mama, I rather adored getting to cuddle him. It's been, oh, nearly 2 years since I got to cuddle him, so I've been liking this. Brian hasn't. Highly annoyed that he's starting to call for Mama when Papa lays down the law or when he gets a bump, he's ready to help Wilder move past his attention-getting methods. I agree.... but I wanna cuddle :) I'll find other ways, I'm sure. Wilder is starting to sit on our laps for a few minutes while he watches a movie, so that is lovely for me.

Nothing makes Miss Waverley laugh like her brother. It's phenomenal seeing the bond they share already. He loves to "wrestle" her -more like roll around and sometimes on top of her- and though we keep reminding him to be soft to "Sissy" and stay off her, she still loves it (unless she accidentally gets bonked in the head.)

Waverley is scooting around like mad and Brian said she just crawled across the floor today! Six months old tomorrow and our little girl is such an amazing little person already. She continues to be a pure ray of sunshine, charming everyone who meets her. I call her "The Sweetness" 'cause that's what she is.

Wilder's current favorite movies are "Robots" and "White Christmas," the latter of which makes me a very happy lady. Waverley's name was largely inspired by the film (though a different spelling) and it's been a family favorite since I was in high school. The song "Sisters" is a favorite for Crystal and I and we've often performed it together.

Photos to come soon, I hope. Still catching up on work and I've a wedding to shoot on Friday, so we'll see how soon I can get an update on here.

In the meantime, we're doing well and continue loving our new lifestyle! Getting to be together is the best!

More Kings

My brother-in-law, George King. Such a gifted leader, father and man. I'm so proud to call him my brother.

My stunning (exuberant and hilarious) sister, Crystal, and George.

Zaccai making friends with his latest catch. He is the ultimate lizard hunter.

*Sigh* I miss their fun crew! So very glad we got to spend some time with them -and had a great adventure.

Beauty Bootcamp, Escondido!

My sister, Crystal, facilitated a mini Beauty Bootcamp for her church, Light & Life, in Escondido, CA while we were visiting. I had so much fun working with her as we put together a 4 hour Saturday class that helped women and girls (mothers and daughters) to ground themselves in their identity in Christ and equip them with tools to empower them and build confidence!

Mary was an excellent model while we discussed skincare and natural make up application.

Just look at that glow!

Thanks to Crystal, who grabbed the camera to snap some shots, I've got some pictures to show for our fun and nurturing time.

Thank you, Crystal, for facilitating this, and to each of the ladies for joining in! What a blessing to me -and I hope you left with a bundle of new tools and are standing tall in the confidence of your identity as Christ's beloved daughters!

Meet Jax

Meet Jax. She's a fun, fabulous teenager I had the joy of shooting with two weeks ago. I worked with her mother, Jana, on a Wells Fargo shoot last month and her daughter needed fresh headshots -so here they are!

Embracing A New Life

On the last leg of our roadtrip we arrived in Georgetown at 1am, so technically that makes it Thursday. Brian decided that since we'd be arriving in Junction rather late, why not press on to Georgetown if the kids and I would already be asleep as he drove. Unfortunately hardly anybody slept, but the kids were ready to rack out as soon as we arrived at Eastview RV Ranch, just 3 min. from our home (that will soon be on the market.)

Yesterday was spent getting settled, doing paperwork, much needed laundry and a grocery run. Wilder kept begging to go play with the kids toys by the swing set and, after we moved to a more permanent spot, the piles of rocks and dirt across from us where they are putting in several additional RV spots.

Right as our first hot dinner in the RV was ready to dish up, Wilder got bit by 2 fire ants and it wasn't pretty. After a quick bath and some soothing, he immediately requested to go back outside and play in the dirt. Really?! You just got bit and cried the loudest I've ever heard -and you want to go BACK?! Hm....

Just when Wilder was screaming bloody murder from the ant mishap, the owner came by to welcome us -and kindly but firmly requested we keep him out of the construction area. He said he's got his rock right where he wants them and didn't need Wilder's assistance. Good luck to me keeping him away from there! Not sure how THAT'S going to happen.

Kitchen stocked, clothes and linens washed, pantry finally in some kind of order -I'm ready to send Brian off on his National Guard duty this weekend and get back to work while the kids are sleeping. We loved our visit with the Kings and I cherish the time we've had together -Wilder has asked several times for Uncle George and very often to go see the kids. Soon, I hope. But being in one place for the next month as we prepare the house to go on the market, I'm thankful for the time to breathe and get situated. We've been though so many changes in a few short months, a little rest, or at least regularity, is just what we need.

The wee ones are finally napping so I better get to work.

*Sigh* Welcome to our new life!

El Paso

Since we're driving through, I thought it appropriate to share this, one of our family favorites!

Texas Bound

Ha! Once upon a time (like the day before we hit the road) we thought it'd take us 2 days to travel from Georgetown, TX to Escondido, CA. Well, not with a tow-trailer, two small kiddos and a meticulous husband. We took 3 days to get to Southern California and now our return trip is taking 4 days. And ain't that just the way life is? Never exactly what you expect.

(A note of the meticulous husband: I would be terrible at being in charge of the trailer, but Brian is a super star. Thanks to his methodical character and thoroughness, we've barely lost anything on our cross-country trip and I always feel safe and secure. Now, if I was in charge of the RV... disaster and major frustration. I can't even get out the door without forgetting something on a simple trip to the grocery store.)

In Escondido, CA we stayed at All Seasons RV Park and met some lovely folks. The landscaping was excellent -thanks to Sylvia, who's been caring for the beautiful gardens since 1984. They had a great pool, hot tub, modest but adequate playground and fabulous bath and shower rooms. The road noise was a bit bothersome, being sandwiched between the highway and a road with quite a few trucks, and it was pretty packed as most folks are full-timers but all things considered, we'd stay there again (and probably will!) Another great perk was the convenience and liquor store at the park which made getting a fresh gallon of milk a 3 minute round trip instead of 30 min.

A note for anyone contemplating visiting the San Marcos, CA Costco in an RV: don't do it. At least if you're towing a 32' trailer. I won't go into detail, but we had 30 minutes of hell trying to get out of the parking lot (and half a dozen strangers offering their expert advice as to how Brian should maneuver, as well as a few mad, vocal drivers.) Anywho, we exited Costco and hit the road back to Texas.

-Sand dunes near the border of CA and AZ. Cruddy picture, but what a site to see! I kept waiting for C3PO and R2D2 to come over the mounds.

Our first stay was at Yuma Lakes RV Park in Yuma, AZ. We intended to go the KOA site, but apparently they got bought out and never bothered to update the KOA national catalogue. We had the pool all to ourselves that night and Wilder watched the planes fly over head with great delight as we ate a late dinner outside our RV under a blanket of stars. It truly felt like vacation!

Yuma Lakes RV Park was near a massive watermelon patch. I had never seen one before and was fascinated!

Arizona looking very Southwestern. Loved the cacti!

Last night we made it to Las Cruces, NM and stayed at the Las Cruces KOA Campground. Friendly staff, well kept grounds and a ridiculously MARVELOUS view! Set on a hilltop, we had a stunning view of the crescent of mountains surrounding the city and the lights in the evening were simply beautiful. The brochure boasted romantic views and they didn't lie. Nestled at the foot of the mountains, this is a place we'd really like to spend some significant time at. Florida, Virginia, New Mexico -the list is starting to grow!

A hint of the view that we loved.

We finally got Wilder his own mini-DVD player so I have my laptop back. The only problem is he now gets tired of movies after 15 minutes and I'm constantly swapping out DVDs for him. Heck, it's better than the alternative, though, which we experienced on our roadtrip to the East Coast this spring and our drive to CA. Thank you, technology!

Wilder continues to be obsessed with rocks and dirt. Nothing makes him happier than finding a good pile of stones to through at trees, bushes or poles. He gets SUCH a kick out of it, laughing maniacally as he's covered from head to toe in dust, chucking fistfuls of gravel for hours.

Waverley is a rolling fiend. There's not a whole lot of floor space in the RV and even less carpeted area, so it doesn't take her long (oh, 30 seconds) to roll, roll, roll from one end to the other. She's like an omelette that constantly needs flipped. Full of smiles and giggles 75% of the time, she's developing a distinct personality with likes and dislikes. Likes being sung to, dislikes her car seat. Likes being held, dislikes quiet time. Likes Wilder. A lot. And he likes to try wrestling her, which I dislike. Wait a year or two, Dude, then have at it.

The kids picked up colds and I've been spending most of the night sharing Wilder's bunk and settling crying children back to sleep. I'm exhausted, but I'm still happy -and thankful. I love my family and I love being with them. I'm praying for an extra heaping helping of patience today, though, as I'll be doing more backseat entertainment, soothing and wonder working to keep tiny people as happy as possible.

We're planning on staying at the KOA in Junction, TX and will definitely take time to say hello to the ducks again! More news from the road, so stay tuned!