Corbin up to Bat!

Corbin got a T-Ball set and he is already doing pretty good! The weather has been perfect for playing outside so we went out almost everynight this week. We also got Corbin a new swing.

These are shots of his first time at bat~

A few weeks ago Corbin and Tom went to the Farm and Rach show. Corbin loved the tracktors and sheep herding. I think Caura just liked the stroller ride and all the bright lights!

Caura Belle is so funny!!!

Caura has started talking a lot and she is really showing an attitude! She says "I don't know" and "no way" and "wait" all the time!She is also into everything! She pulls out all the toys, movies, silverware, towels, blankeys, laundry taht is on the couch folded and waiting to be put away, a box of goldfish from the counter, ect...... If she can reach it, and her reach is very far, then it will be on the floor. She is also climbing like crazy! She loves to stand on the coffee table, foot stool, booster seat, step ladder, office chair, and riding toys! The funniest thing she has done was today! Here is the pic off my phone-

She got stuck in the bumbo seat and was screaming "help mama, dada, help help!" I was laughing so hard I could not help her. Then she started rocking herself halfway out and faling back into the seat! It was so funny! She did get out and did not get hurt. But my side still hurts from laughing!

Caura is so indapendant that she only eats if she can feed herself. Who knew a peanutbutter sandwich could be so messy~

I love having an energetic and lovely little girl!We count our blessings daily!

My Husband is my.......

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and father to my children!

That's my boy!

Sunday we went to Sam's Club and the whole time Corbin was asking to go look at toys. We told him taht they did not have any. He was satisfied with the book and movie section. As we were leaving the pasrking lot he said "Ok dad now let's go to Target, they have toys!' Chris looked at me as said "that's your boy!" We went to Target tonight and spent 30 min in the toy section. It was a BLAST!!!!

Corbin + Caura + Water = Monsoon in the Bath Room

Webster's Dictionary defines Bath as 'a washing or soaking (as in water or steam) of all or part of the body'. Before I had children I defined Bath as a time for relation and quiet. I even had a radio and candles in the bathroom to aid in my relaxation. Today I don't take baths only showers for two reasons #1 I don’t have time to sit in a bathtub and if I found the time I would soon hear a knock at the door this leads to reason #2 when I try to take a bath one or more of the kids wants to join me. I do love spending time with my kids but in a cramped wet bathtub? No thanks! So bath time is reserved for the kids. This means that most everyday (OK I admit that I skip a day when the kids are not dirty and I am not up to it) my bathroom is transformed in to a Wet N Wild park.

Corbin has always loved bath time and since he could stand we had to hold on to him. When he learned to jump he also found that he could jump in the bath tub and found it to be quite fun. This is why I have two mats in the tub. The bottom of the tub is covered completely and about two inches up the front and the back. Also the mats are the padded foam kind. Prior to bath time I put two towels on the floor in front of the tub and one on the side. I sit on the floor and the kids climb in. When it was just Corbin I held his arm most of the time and constant y told him to sit down or don’t splash so much.

Now that Caura joins him the rules are a little stricter. Now that Caura can stand and jump she too pushes the limits. Corbin does not like to get his face wet and this keeps him pretty safe but Caura will lay back and turn her head, lie on her tummy and dip her face in, and pour water over her head with no hesitation. I have to keep a hand on her at all times now. Also Since Caura pours water on her head she wants to pour it on Corbin’s head then Corbin wants to pour it on her head; see where this is going?

They really do have the best time no matter if there are toys, bubbles, or nothing but them and a soap bottle. We have not had any injuries or close calls in the bathtub despite their crazy play. The only thing harmed is the bathroom rugs, a few towels, and a bath toy or two!

I am still amazed at how a room that used to provide me with such relaxation and stillness is not the home of wild and crazy play time. Now after bath time comes bed time!

This is the relaxing and still part of the day for me! Aren’t they sweet?

Spring Break with Aunt Lulu!

We have had the best week! My sister Laura flew to Texas to spend the week with us. My dad and both grandmas picked her up and brought her to my house. On Sunday we went to the Wichita Mountains and enjoyed the wildlife then Sunday night we stayed in a hotel with an indoor swimming pool. We swam Sunday night and Monday morning, it was a blast. It was so nice to relax and have fun with family and my kids. On Tuesday I had to work but the kids were still visiting with the fam. Everyone but Laura left Wednesday morning and so Wednesday and Thursday we all just hung out, played, and relaxed. I took today off work and Laura and I had a full day of fun with the kids. We started by meeting Chris at McDonalds for breakfast and an hour of playing, and then went to Chucky Cheese’s for another two hours. We came home and while the kids napped we did some much needed cleaning. Then when they woke up we all went outside to set up the new swing and enjoy the good weather. Laura had to catch an early flight in the morning so she tucked Caura in to bed and said good bye. She played with Corbin until she had to go. I drove her to my grandmothers and she will take her to the airport in the morning. It has been a full week but well worth it. I love my family and I feel honored that they are willing and able to travel this far to see us. Also this week Caura is getting in two more top teeth! She is alo saying "I don't know" and a ton of other words and phrases! Here are some pics from today~

Caura wanted to ride the rides over and over. We let her untill another kid wanted to ride. She also liked puting the tokens in the slots. She is very indapendent

Corbin and Caura both liked this game and even fought over it!

In all fairness Corbin did have it first.

Caura retreated to the toddler slide.

For the first time Corbin was able to crawl up the tower to get up in the tunnels. He is getting so big. I was emotional when  I saw him pulling himself up each level of the tower. How amazing that three years ago he was a little life inside of me and now he is running, talking, climbing, and being a little man. God is Great! Corbin was so proud of himself, and so was I!

So BIG!!!!

Caura waved at Chucky Cheese but ran when he tried to hug her. She did not cry but she did not want to get too close.

Caura & Laura So Cute!

Right before Laura left. The kids were so tired but, still cute!

One last shot of the Divas!

ABC's of Crystal

A - Age: 29
B - Birthplace: Brownwood, TX
C - Cookie(Favorite): White Choc Mac
D - Drug of choice: Ritalin
E - Essential start your day item(s):Chris, Corbin, and Caura Oh! And Samson!
F - Favorite color: Pink
G - Gold or Silver: White Gold
H - Height: 5'5"
I - Instruments you play(ed): I owned a guitar for a while, this is as close as I got
J - Job title: Vocational Rehab Counselor
K - Kid (s)? Corbin 30 months old & Caura 15 months old
L - Living arrangements: A small house with my husband, children, Honey, and Samson.
M - Mom's name: Deborah
N - Nicknames: Mom
O - Oreo cookies(how do you eat them): Intact with milk
P - Pet Peeve: When I lose track of what I am trying to accomplish and by the end of the day accomplish nothing.
Q - Quote: “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” Booker T. Washington
R - Right or left handed: right
S - Siblings: Brother- Corey, Sister- Laura, Sister In-Law- Stephanie, Brother In-law - Tommy, Sister In-law- Amber, Brother In-law - Richard, and Sister In-law- Connie
T - Time you wake up: usually around 6:30-7:00am
U- Unshakable Belief: That I can make the world a better place for those around me
V – V-Day Memory: Chris surprising me with a ring the first year we were married.
W - Ways you run late: Can't find the right shoes or loose keys, cell phone, diaper bag, ect.........
X - X-rays you've had: Feet
Y - Yummy food you make: Peach Cobbler
Z - Zoo favorite: Lion