Oh, Summertime!

It's time to start thinking about summer here in South Texas. It gets hot here alot faster than it does in most places. Normally, it's no big deal to drag out the summer wardrobe and endure the blazing tempratures. However, this year I have to buy an entirely new summer wardrobe. I have been working very hard to loose some unwanted poundage. The current total is right around 25 or so pounds. Although I am very proud of the loss, it creates a new problem - swim suit shopping. Ugh! It doesn't matter what I weigh, I always hate shopping for swim suits. It is difficult for people like me that tend to be a tad petite in the "northern hemisphere" and a little more rounded in the "southern hemisphere". Thank God for the person that came up with the "mix and match" tankini. They should be heralded as some of the greatest inventors of our modern era. Shopping is always fun for the most part, unless you have to take the children. So hopefully in the next couple of evenings I can sneak away for the entertaining task of swim suit shopping.

Gabs Blog

Oh by the way...for those of you that have tried to see Gabby's blog and only found some kind of "wise sayings" we have fixed it now. You can go to www.gabsvstheworld.blogspot.com and I think you should be good to go. When she calls herself "Maddi" she doesn't have multiple personalities or anything, it's just what her friends at school call her. For some reason she goes by her first name at school now. It get very confusing to try to call her by the right name in the right location and know who "Madison's mom" actually is. Anyway, she will be blogging tomorrow night so, check her out!

I've Missed You!

Hello my friends and family! It's been a while since I have had a chance to sit down and blog. The Ayala family has been very busy the past few weeks. It's funny how time seems to move a little quicker now days than it used to. Let's see, what can I catch you up on?

Jaden - The next generation Sooner, has now played 2 football games and scored in both of them. The last game he broke a 99 yard run. 99 yards!!! I was an absolute idiot. You would have thought he was playing in the Superbowl. He is loving this football thing and is pretty good at it. On spring break we went to Oklahoma City to work with our precious friends Deborah, Nathan and Jon Burke at Inner City. Much to my and Deb's dismay, Jon and Jaden almost quit being friends over a girl. It was tense for a few minutes but they worked through it, what a relief. First grade has almost come and gone and I can't seem to find where it went. He is reading very well and wants to be a preaching football player. The future should be interesting.

Gabby - She is holding her own on the volleyball court and JBQ (junior bible quiz) rotations. Her bible quiz team placed 4th in the district and volleyball is coming very naturally to her. The rules state that once you have served 4 points on the other team you have to rotate. She has done that several times and isn't afraid to move to the ball. She is turning into this beautiful young woman and at times I find myself gaining a friend. (being the mom will always come first though!) It's crazy to already be battling the "borrowing affect". "Mom can I borrow a shirt...Mom can I borrow some shoes....Mom can I borrow..?" It is too early for this! But I am so excited to see who she is becoming. She will crown Honor Star (because she wants to - unlike some of us who were FORCED TOO! yes, still a little bitter about that) this summer. Her grades are great and yes, "drama is her life" too!

Ed and Steph - We are trying to keep up with their social schedules and sports stuff and still find time to run a youth ministry and love each other. I will start working for a few weeks at a law firm here in Humble while the receptionist is out on maternity leave tomorrow. (eric and shelley if you read this please know the sarcastic "AND" with the dramatic pause means nothing to these people down here, but someone is always looking for their "Millions") Edgar is sooo ready for vacation at the end of the month. And to be honest I am too! We are bummed the Sooners choked today and take more crap about that stuff than anyone can imagine here in Texas.

Much past that, we are just lovin' each other, lovin' Jesus and missin' you!

A New Blogger

I just wanted to let everyone know there is a new blogger on line! Gabby has started her own blog. It is called The Way I See It. You can find it at www.thewayiseeit.blogspot.com I know you will enjoy reading her thoughts. This blog will be strongly monitored by her nosey mother, so don't assume that you will find any unknown family dirt.(most of it you already know anyway!) Have a great spring break.

It's Crazy Here

What an insane couple of weeks we have had. Planning summer trips, vacation next month (which by the way I am more excited about every day), spring break, a trip to the rodeo, homework, cleaning house, company, Bible study, volleyball, football, you name it and we have attempted to conquer it. So here is the latest family update...

Jaden has some serious football skills! In his first football game ever, he intercepted one pass, almost intercepted another, ran the ball about 40 yds., and had 3 tackles. He is loving football! I am watching this sooner born and sooner bred boy play the one sport he has always wanted to play and he is doing great at it. He is looking forward to seeing Jon and Nathan and Nana and Papaw next week during spring break. (and I think it's in that order too. sorry nana and papaw) If he didn't have to go to school life would be close to perfect for him.

Gabby is so wonderful. I'm watching her turn into a beautiful young woman. We have hit the beginning stages of noticing boys. (sigh) So it only gets more interesting from here. Her first volleyball game was last weekend and she was one of only 2 girls that caused an actual volley to happen. She has potential. (that comes from her daddy because I still do the duck and cover when a ball heads my way!) The highlight of her weekend was her date with her daddy to see the Jonas Brother's concert. They had a blast! The pictures are priceless.

Ed and I are keepin' hope alive! Until later...It's crazy around here!

Nice To Hear

Have you ever noticed that there is always a line to tell you when your kid has done someting stupid or mean? Yet, there is only tumbleweed and wind when they do wonderful stuff? Being on staff at a church has always afforded my kids an extra 100 sets of parents. Someone is always quick to let us know when our little angels have allowed thier halo's to tilt and tarnish.

Today has been the polar opposite of the norm. Each one of my kids has had a random adult compliment them. The mother of one of Gabby's friends let me know how much she enjoy's her daughter being around Gabbby. She made a point to tell me how much more respectful and kind she is after Gabby has been over. And Jaden's teacher made a point to tell Edgar and I how hard he is working in class and how glad she is to have him. You have no idea how nice it is to hear those types of things. Today, I determmined to make a point to say nice things about other kids to their parents. What an encouragement to my kids and to me today.

Happy Birthday Jaden

My baby is 7!!! That sounds so odd to say, especially since I am not old enough for my youngest child to be seven years old. We celebrated with our family this weekend and so I thought it would be fun to post a few pictures. There are a couple from "go texan" day at school on Friday. (for those of you reading from other states, that is the day everyone dresses up and pretends to be cowboys for a day. at least that's my take on it. i wore capri's and flip flops) Have a great week!