17th Annual Sanders Vacation to Hunt, Texas

We left Houston last Thursday in a rain storm with a fingers crossed that it would not rain the whole time we were in Hunt, Texas. We stopped by San Marcos for a couple hours and we only made a dent in the stores. (They really have EVERYTHING!) It only was cloudy on Friday and beautiful on Saturday and Sunday. We stayed in two condos at River Inn. I have to say that it was a different experience going on vacation with a toddler. Keegan's molars started to come in and had he had a cold. He stayed in the same room with us and a couple nights we did not get much sleep. It was not long before he figured out that we were in the room with him. I even tried to trick him by putting up a sheet hanging from the ceiling so he would not see us. He is one smart cookie! One cool thing about this trip, besides hanging out with family, is that Keegan took his very first steps. We were all out by the river, and he was doing so well standing by himself. Uncle Brad invited him to come to him, and he took 3 mini steps. I held my breath and I was so proud of him! He has not done it since, but I know that he will pick it up again soon. I think the main component of him taking steps, was that he did not want to crawl in the grass. But hey..we will take it! We fished, played games, worked on MANY crossword puzzles, and watched Brianna and Keegan for entertainment. I really appreciated a few days to get away and be in nature. Sometimes I wonder why we just don't pick up and move to the Hill Country.





*More pictures are on our new and improved MAC generated website!

1997 High School Reunion

It has been 10 years!!! I always thought I was going to mirror the the Romy and Michelle movie not be married and make up a career like "inventing post-it notes" to impress people. (just kidding, really) You know, I was not really in the "in" crowd (maybe it was that I was band president) and there were always those popular kids that you wanted to show up ten years later. But 10 years later, I never thought that I would be in this season of my life and those years are really a blur now. I love where I am at in my life and success is defined differently.

My high school reunion is coming up on September 15th. I have been debating whether or not if I was going to go. I really was not friends with a lot of people in my grade but the one ahead of me. That is the reunion that I would have loved to gone to.

Last night, however, my mind changed. I found the website on my reunion and you can log-in put a picture of yourself, how many kids that you have, and where you are now. I found two of my best friends growing up on it, and they are going to the reunion. One I totally lost contact with in the 10 years, and the other it has been 7 years or so since we have had lunch. You can actually message them on this site, and we have been chatting back and forth.

The sad thing is, Jonathan might not be able to come because of a trip to Chicago. We are trying to work it out, but please pray he can come.

So, I might not have a Romy or a Jonathan, but it should be an adventure.

Mansfield Visits

A couple weeks ago, I came up to Mansfield while Jonathan painted Keegan's butterfly room and our upstairs bathroom. It was perfect timing to go to my friend Lauren Self's baby shower. Here are a few highlights...

My Aunt Carolyn and "Aunt" Johnnie with the cousins.

Keegan, Laney and Ella for a quick swim. My mother-in-law thinks Keegs favors Yoda here!

Melissa, Lauren, Corey I at Lauren's shower. I loved watching all the pink being opened! I may never get to do that, so for a few moments I was living vicariously through her.

G-Bob and Keegs with his funny outfit on. G-Bob really hated it and it really did not live up to what it was supposed to do...except one thing...look silly. Good try Gigi!

Keegan's attempt to pick my nose. He is fascinated with my nostrils lately.

The beginnings of walking.

Hallelujah!

The apple tech guy called today to tell me that my hardrive was saved! I have an hour long appointment tommorrow after I pick it up to learn about backing everything up. I might just buy the software that does it for you every week at the same time.
How about them apples?

My Sick Mac and Toddler-Tude

I am writing this post from a pc and I am am reminded why I like Mac's so much. At the moment, my mac is living at the apple store for a couple of days until they can figure out what is wrong with it. Last night it would not turn on and I almost cried. Today I really realized how attached I am to it and to the internet. (so sad..and maybe a little compulsive!) They are almost sure that my hardrive is not damaged and I am really praying for this. I have not backed up my pictures since April. A couple of weekends ago, my mother in law asked if I had all my pictures backed up. Famous last words. Next time, I will take that as a sign from God that something is about to go wrong.

So, both of my babies have been acting up. The mac will be fixed, but the other one...well...we are seing the beginnings of what I call "toddler-tude". Two hours up to Mansfield and two back, my little sweet angel screamed bloody murder. He is starting to resent being held in place by straps. Keegan has also learned to hit when mad, and to pout on the ground until you get him what he wants. Where do they learn this from??? Not to mention, throwing food on the ground and his sippie cup. Today we were in the apple store, and I had my first occurence with a screaming child. I was the mom that everyone was looking at to shut her kid up. He wanted to get out of his stroller and crawl around, which of course, I would not let him. Straps are not his friend right now. So, while the tech guy was explaining all this mumbo jumbo about my sick mac, I had a red faced toddler in my arms kicking and screaming.

So, tonight I am trying to recoup from my day. The last time I had one of these days was a couple months ago, and I will be so excited if it does not revisit anytime soon. I called Jonathan and said, "Tonight needs to be a leave at 5 p.m. day" and the loving husband that he is did just that. He even offered to take Keegan and drive him around while he looked at sites, but unfortunately Keegan hates the straps.

I am not sure how to enter into the days of seeing the sinful nature creep out of Keegan and it makes me so sad. My sweet one was born with a sinful nature and I can do nothing to stop it. It makes me feel so hopeless and so angry that such a young baby can be corrupted by the very thing that we are corrupted by. I can only pray that one day God will capture His heart and Keegan will seek after Him relentlessly. In the mean time, my responsibilty as a parent is to model for him Jesus in patience and love while teaching him about our loving Savior who can rescue Keegan from himself.

17 and Counting...

Have you been keeping up with the Dugger family in Arkansas? If not, I would like to introduce you to Jim Bob and Michelle who have 17 children as of August 2nd. She is quoted saying that children are as beautiful as flowers and you could never have too many. Yahoo news said that within 30 minutes of the birth that they were going to try for more. It also states these interesting facts: A baby has been born in every month except June; the Duggars have gone through an estimated 90,000 diapers, and Michelle, 40, has been pregnant for 126 months — or 10.5 years — of her life. I can not imagine the shape that women's uterus is in! Michelle is one disciplined, organized, and patient woman! Discovery Health covers their life in video documentaries, so you can catch some episodes on tv based on their family. The last one I watched, the family built their own house! It was strange to see 8 year olds with drills, but the house turned out beautiful!

If you would like to read more of the yahoo story, check out this link.

Or check out Discovery Health for more facts on this family.

What Color Are You?

My friend Cari took a personality test based on how you were as a child and it pretty much nailed us both. We happened to be the same personality which does not shock me too much because we have been friends since I was in 8th grade and we are described as "loyal" friends. (and that I love her tons!) Here is how is describes my personality:

BLUES are motivated by INTIMACY. They seek to genuinely connect with others, and need to be understood and appreciated. Everything they do is quality-based. They are loyal friends, employers, and employees. Whatever or whomever they commit to is their sole (and soul) focus. They love to serve and give themselves freely in order to nurture others' lives.

BLUES have distinct preferences and have the most controlling personality. Their personal code of ethics is remarkably strong and they expect others to live honest, committed lives as well. They enjoy meaningful moments in conversation as well as paying close attention to special life events (e.g. birthdays and anniversaries). BLUES are dependable, thoughtful, and analytical; but can also be self-righteous, worry-prone, and moody. They are "sainted pit-bulls" who never let go of something or someone, once they are committed. When you deal with a BLUE, be sincere and make a genuine effort to understand and appreciate them.

If you want to know your color, you can take the test here. As a hint, you might want to review with one of your parents or do it alongside with one of them. (I could not really remember some personality traits when I was little.)

Have fun! Let me know what color you are!