14 Months Old

 

 

 

These are just various phots taken by Aunt Breda when she came to visit. She always does such a good job of capturing good moments.

Asia’s 3rd Birthday

 

 

 

Asia turned 3 January 31, hard to believe. Where did the time go. Her Aunt April was able to come to visit this weekend to celebrate this special day. We did not do to much to celebrate but Asia had a few presents to open and some yummy cupcakes to eat. Boy did she love those cupcakes!

My First Cupcake

It was the day before Elijah’s birthday and I did not know we would be celebrating it at a friend’s house so I bought him a cupcake. Here he is eating it all up.

Elijah is doing great. Everyday he gets better with his walking. I tell Quentin that by the time he gets home again he will be running. He already moves pretty fast when he sets his mind to it. Elijah also has a big appetite and likes to eat his finger food.

Thanksgiving Artwork

I thought this was really cute. Asia made this in her Mother’s Day Out class. Her foot makes the body of the turkey. My girl is such the artist! Her teachers say that she likes to paint.

Birthday Boy

Elijah turned One today. I can’t believe it! He is growing up so fast. Quentin and I joined a new church that is close to the house and a lot smaller than our previous church. I have been attending a women’s bible study and have taken part in a mentoring program where you are paired with another woman of the church. Tori is who I was paired with and what a blessing she has been. I had mentioned to her that it was Elijah’s birthday this week and a few days later she invited us over to eat and celebrate his birthday. She went beyond anything I expected. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of venison, which I have not had in so long. Asia filled her tummy as well with the great food and much to my surprise still had room for dessert. I had not planned to celebrate Elijah’s birthday since he is so young but I am so glad we did. It was a fun evening and the company was fantastic.

They had party hats and balloons with clowns attached to the string. Asia really enjoyed playing with the balloons. Elijah was waiting for the party to begin.

Above is the decorated table and the delicious banana cupcakes.

Elijah is ready to dig in and patiently waits as we sing Happy Birthday. I had to help blow out the candle. As you can see in the second photo Asia was testing the icing. She had just put her finger in the icing and was tasting it.

Meet the host, Scott and Tori. It was getting late and Elijah was getting tired and cranky so that is why he was crying. After a few minutes he calmed down and was content.

My Wonderful Husband

When Quentin was home last he surprised me and set up an appointment for me to get a massage. How wonderful it was. We also were able to find babysitters and had a few nice evenings to ourselves eating at new restaurants and going to a movie. Our time together is so important now since I do not see him so often. We were also able to celebrate our four year anniversary. It has been a wonderful four years and I could not have dreamed up a better life. I love him with all my heart and soul. We have had our trying moments but have come out of every circumstance stronger. This move of his to Africa has shown us how much we take each other for granted and just how much we need each other. Even after four years of marriage we are discovering new things about one another which is an exciting thing. Along with the kids Quentin is truly my ray of sunshine.

Fun at the Zoo

A couple weeks ago on Halloween we went to the Houston Zoo. It was our first time there and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Asia seemed to enjoy watching the bigger animals as long as they were moving around. She liked the monkeys and sea lions. We went over to the petting zoo where Asia attempted to brush the goats.

Santa

I know, it has been a long time since I have gotten on here. No more excuses. I am all moved in and settled so I will try to get back on track with the blog. Last Saturday I dragged the kids to a Christmas Market. Hard to believe that Christmas time is almost here again. Where did the time go? Santa was there so I thought that now is as good a time as any to introduce the kids to him. Asia would not let me sit her on his lap and Elijah did not know what to think. The picture turned out pretty well I thought. At least the kids are not crying.

Kiddie Park

Kiddie park http://www.kiddiepark.net/ has been around since 1925. When I turned 15 my first job was here. At the time it was run by the local police. I think it still is. Tickets for rides are just 25 cents. It is a wonderful park and cheap. Asia was having so much fun at Kiddie Park. This was her first time to go and I was afraid that she would be scared to ride anything but she sat back, felt the wind in her hair, and enjoyed the rides.

It has been a little over one week since Quentin left for Nigeria and it is lonely without him. When you spend so much time with someone it is so easy to take them for granted. Quentin is a wonderful husband, father, and friend. I worry about him over there and I worry about being on my own with the kids for weeks at a time; but I do believe where we are in our lives is where we are supposed to be. Thank goodness for phones and internet. He calls often and once he gets his webcam hooked up we will be able to talk online. He is doing well so far though the pace in Nigeria is a lot slower and he is adjusting to that. Quentin is also finding that the food is quiet different as well. He was at a work picnic the other day and they were serving bush meat along with other meats that were unrecognizable. When he comes back home he will have to stock up on instant noodles to take back with him or he may dwindle to the size of a twig. The kids are really getting spoiled here at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Already I am seeing improvement in Asia. We have been taking her to the park and are getting her around kids more. When she wakes up in the morning she is always wanting to put her shoes on and heads for the door. It makes me so happy to see her progress. I look forward to our time in Houston and to all it has to offer her. Our furniture made it from France and through customs so I will be ready to move into our new place at the beginning of September. I have enjoyed being back in my hometown spending time with my family. It is going to be nice having them close again.