Shillig 4 Family

Solomon turned 7 and wanted all things WILD KRATTS. He loved his "creature power" suit and even added the boots for the perfect set-up. He put in the bird coin for his suit (in the show the coin allows them to become that animal) and approached the nest we have in the yard.  He said he was just pretending, but he was so cute with his costume. He loves to watch documentaries and later tells us facts he's learned. Aunt Jen told us she was going to have a baby jungle theme and started naming the animals for the nursery for her baby to come.  Solomon interrupted her and said, "don't you mean African Savanna theme?"  She had said baby lions and elephants etc.  It made me laugh and proud all at the same time. Happy 7th Birthday Solomon Roy!

After a morning of yard work I snuck away to have lunch with my friend, Brittney, who I worked with at the SBA.  She has since moved on to be a paralegal at an immigration law firm so it was fun to catch up.   When Jake got home from work he had a BIG package waiting for him.  It was from Kurt.  Kurt sent him a replica/mini of the original Super Nintendo and loaded on it is EVERY GAME EVER MADE.  Jake was overjoyed and the whole house felt the excitement. Jake said, "I'm never going to get anything done, all my favorite games from my childhood!" Kurt responded via text, "Better practice up on that street fighter cause we're gonna go best of a hundred next time I come visit just like when we were kids"       Needless to say, they were self entertained ALL NIGHT!

Mali Su found a bird nest with baby birds in the hedges by the garage.  We had fun watching them over the coming weeks til they all flew away.   Solomon made himself in a "bark monster" with the bark from the sticks.   They finally got to plant their Easter lilies and seemed to really enjoy it.  We still do not have blooms, but it was fun none the less.   In our truck that was flooded at the dealership my Mom had given me all these floaties.  So when we finally got the truck back I let the kids use them ALL.     Aimi Lark had fun using them ALL at ONCE. Work hard, then play hard.

To me they look like summer in Texas. Typical Malachi and Solomon includes: Malachi gets embarrassed by something Solomon is doing (not listening or being silly) and tries to control Solomon. Solomon doesn't care and frustrates Malachi. Solomon does something physical to Malachi and Malachi retaliates. It's a repetitive cycle, but I know they love each other and will always be, BEST BROTHERS.

Some days are just normal and OH SO GOOD I am not sure why I photographed this morning so perfectly, but I can only imagine that it's because I was feeling so joyful that we were all together.  The girls in their 5th grade shirts.  Walking to school.       Daddy always reads and prays with them before they go in.  I love that they are not embarrassed.

We are settled in our new ward in our new town of our new home. I love when the kids bring the church books and Aimi Lark and Malachi write in this little notepad together. I love when one of them lays on the floor to color in a book. I love when they lay their heads in my lap. I love to look down and see Jake counting the hairs on their heads, the teeth in their mouth, or the lines on their hands. I love when they share their testimonies from the pulpit. I love when they sing songs in primary. I love Sundays with them. I love being a member of our church.

The big thing I love about our new house is all the chances I have for my kids to work in the yard or clean the pool or the house.  It's big enough for them all to have plenty to do.  I love to work together as a family on our yard especially (and the pool too). We often try and "reward" them for a job well done and on this day we went to Daddy's favorite place.  Tia Cristy had never been so Jake made sure and showed her the ropes.  The kids are so good about trying new things and we can thank Jake for that.  He has never allowed them to be picky-eaters.  Even I have stepped up my game in that regard since we were first married.  Here's to more Saturdays of chores and rewards!

It's heartbreaking and full of happiness all at the same time for me when I look at these photos. Malachi shared his testimony of how much better life is after Harvey. I know that to be true. But, to lose so much you also go through so much to get to the other side. It has all worked out though and I am grateful. Bottom line, pray, be prepared, and have insurance.          

Hurricane Harvey took so much from us and with the help of flood insurance and my cousin Monica and her husband Benny we were able to get it all put back together.  We feel so blessed that our life is ok now despite how hard it felt at the time.  Soon I will get around to sharing a better timeline, a play by play of sorts, but for now here is the AFTER of our Vidor house. We changed out the hall bathroom from a single vanity to a double vanity since it is the only bathroom other than the master bath.  I am so happy we did this.   We changed the layout of the kitchen, but kept everything in the living and dining the same.   The kitchen is the biggest change.  I am so happy with the 12 foot island and taking out the pass through and L-shape to the cabinets.   In the master bath we changed from a tub with a step up to a walk in shower.  We hoped to add a glass shower door, but everyone is so backed up right now that we w...

I didn't get photos of the boys from this run, but thanks to the girls' teachers/friends I got some of them.  This is one of the draw backs of working full-time outside the home, I miss stuff at the school.  I don't have "mom guilt" but I do sometimes wish I could be there more for these little things.  My mom always worked and I never felt neglected or like she missed things.  I think I just need to realize that the kids are having fun at school and it's ok that I am not always able to be there for each event.   This is Miss Krista, Kendall's mom.   Their new school has LOTS of homework, but that is what comes with a 10 school.   I am not quite sure why they end up sitting on the stairs, but it's cute when they do.   Tia Cristy made us some much anticipated Chilean Ceviche and it was all we hoped it would be!    Mali Su made the sweetest cards to go along with our beautiful meal.  I am so grate...