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It's been a while . . .

2009-01-06T06:47:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I know, I have been a complete slacker in the blogging department, but I plan

on getting better at it this new year.

Well, a lot has gone on since Avery first started school, which was the last time that

I blogged : )

Right around when hurricane Ike came through, I found out that I was PREGNANT!!

Hopefully everyone reading this already knows and doesn't come as a surprise. If so, I am truly

sorry : )

Everett started soccer and loved every minute of it. We all loved going and seeing him play. I think that he will probably play again this spring.

For Halloween, Everett was spiderman and Avery was Snow White. They were so cute and had so much fun. We went to Teryn and Ryan's and all the kids ( Konner, Kaeson, Everett, Avery, Preston, and Tessa) all went Trick or Treating together and went to a church festival. They all had a great time and we all ate way too much candy, as usual.

We had Thanksgiving in Dallas with Ryan's family. It was nice to see everyone there and visit. Hope everyone is doing well up there in Dallas.

We had a great Christmas. We went to Waco for my mom's side of Christmas. It was so good to see everyone since we don't get to see each other very often. The monday before Christmas we went to Ryan's parents and exchanged our gifts. Christmas day we stayed home and had our own Christmas with the kids. Santa brought them lots of new toys. They had a blast and it was so fun to see their reactions. After our own Christmas we went to my parents house and spent a few days their with my brother and his wife. It was a very eventful holiday and we enjoyed every minute of it. Although, it was tiring and at times stressful. It was good to be with family.

We spent New Years with Ryan's family in San Antonio where his brother lives. We were there for 3 days and enjoyed being with family and the kids had a great time with their cousins.

Now for the big news and to finish this post off!

December 23rd we had our ultrasound to find out what this little one inside is going to be and turns out it's a ..........................

.....................

.............

.......

....

.. BOY!

We are so excited and very blessed. I feel like it is just what God had intended for us.

We only need one little princess in our household : )

So there ya have it, a small recap of the last few months that I went into hiding in the blog world. I hope to really stay on top of things from now on. If I don't, I expect yall to kick me in the rear and tell me to stop slacking.

Hope everyone had a blessed holiday and a Happy New Year!

Talk soon ! : )

My little Avery started School Today!

2008-09-02T19:19:00.000-07:00

Avery started her 2 day Mother's Day out program today!

She was so excited and she had a great day.

My babies are growing up too fast!

My little soccer player : )

2008-08-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

Everett is starting is first season of soccer with the Cy-Fair Soccer Association.

He is so excited and he has been practicing in the back yard. Ryan made a mini soccer field

in the back with spray chalk and he has two goals on either side. It is so cute to see him out there so determined.

Yesterday was his first team practice. There are 6 boys on the team and they are all really good. Ryan is the Assistant Coach because he will not be able to make all the games.

His games are on Saturdays and I believe that there are only 6 games. So, if you want to come and cheer him on just let us know and we will let you know when he is playing.

Here are some pictures from his practice:

First day of Kindergarten!

2008-08-25T15:32:00.000-07:00

Well, today Everett started Kindergarten and I must say that I had a

harder day than he did. I fell apart after putting him on the bus this

morning. He was so brave and such a big boy. When he got on, he sat down

and looked at us out the window and waved to us smiling. It was really cute.

It felt like a movie moment. I think I am better now that he did return home

safely. He had a great day and he is looking forward to the days to come.

Avery was sad today too : ( She really hasn't been apart from him like that.

She asked about her big brother every 10 minutes ( it seemed).

Here are some pictures from his big day:

Our little Dancer . . .

2008-08-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

Avery loves to dance and sing and one night while we were

watching So You Think You Can Dance ( my favorite show

ever) she joined in on the dancing. It was so cute!

Sea World Trip

2008-07-09T20:23:00.001-07:00

Before our Trip to the Dominican Republic, we went on a family vacation

to San Antonio. We stayed at the Radisson Hill Country resort. We went on a

Wednesday and stayed until Friday. Wednesday after getting to the resort, we

swam at the pool for a few hours and then headed to the Riverwalk and ate at

a Mexican restaurant. When we got back, the resort had a movie going outside projected up on the building. They have a bunch of fire pits with chairs surrounding them. We took advantage of the smores kits that you could buy. So, we sat around the fire pit eating smores and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was really nice and relaxing. Thursday, we went to Seaworld all day. It was a long day, but we had a great time. The kids loved Shamu and all the different shows that they offered. We also tried out the waterpark there at Seaworld. It was all so much fun. We came back to the resort and had dinner at the resort and watched Finding Nemo outside on the side of the building. Friday we packed up and headed for a shopping center.

All in all, we had a great time. We recommend Sea World to anybody.

Day 3 in the D.R.

2008-07-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

Today was our last day for visiting the Compassion International projects. We went to a more rural area today and visited with the children there. At first we went to one of the kid's homes. His name is David and he lives with his parents and his two siblings. We were just so stunned at the living conditions here. The pollution was just hard to even describe. They cannot drink the tap water in fear of getting diseases and illnesses. Today's visit really was heavy on my heart and my heart went out to all of these kids. It was really hard to take in all that I saw and the amount of pollution was just unbearable.

David and his tutor at Compassion with his two sisters at his home.

After our visit with David, we went back to the church/Compassion center and played with the kids outside. Some played soccer, while others played jump rope. A group of girls came to me fascinated with my cameras and wanted me to take pictures of them. They loved for me to take the picture and then show them. What is so humbling for me is that in these pictures, these kids look just as normal as you would see in the U.S., but when you visit their homes, you see how they live and it is nothing short of tragic. You can see God shining through their smiles and joy illuminates them because of this incredible opportunity that Compassion has offered them. They have hope for once in their lives and can possible dream a big dream for themselves. I am so blessed to have witnessed these past few days and I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. I am a changed person because of this and after seeing what I have seen, I feel I have a responsibility to be a voice for these kids. I hope that your life will be changed just by seeing these beautiful faces.

This is it for now, but I plan on trying to put together a video of all the photos and video footage that we took. I am eager to show you all just how much this experience has impacted me.

Goodnight and God Bless : )

Leslie

Day 2 in the Dominican Republic

2008-07-02T04:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our 2nd day to go out and visit a Compassion project. We learned a lot about the behind the scenes of Compassion and what actually makes it all work and fall into place. I was absolutely impressed with how organized and efficient they are with everything.

We also got to meet the band's sponsor child. Her name is Raquel. She is seven years old and lives with her parents and her 9 other siblings. They all live in a tiny shack looking home. All the kids sleep in one full size bed. She is absolutely beautiful and sweet. We were able to go to her home and meet her family which we originally had not planned. We met her mom and a few of her siblings. They were very excited to meet us and thank us for sponsoring Raquel. The picture at the bottom is a picture of her mom and some siblings. This program that she is in not only helps her in a huge way, but it allows the entire family to benefit from her experience. She is able to reciprocate what she learns to her siblings and her parents.

Robbie, Liz, Ryan and I put together a bag full of toys, a dress, art supplies, a doll and many other things. She absolutely loved it as you can see. You could tell that she was proud of it and that she could call it her own. I was absolutely moved by her and her family. Their love and faith in God is evident in their smiles. Despite all that is happening around them and in their home, they still seem be so happy and content. I ask all of you to keep her and her family in your prayers.

Dominican Republic with Compassion International- Day 1

2008-06-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

I have been given the opportunity this week to be apart of something really

amazing. The band (Robbie Seay Band) is apart of an organization called

Compassion International. It is a one on one sponsorship that partners a person that has

resources with a child in need. So we are in the Dominican Republic this week learning all about Compassion and what they stand for. Today we saw first hand how very real the poverty is in this land. It was really hard to process it all. Though mine and their lives are totally different; we share a common bond and that is that we all share and love the same God. You could see God shining through each and every one of those kids. I am truly blessed and grateful to have this opportunity. I hope to come away from this experience a changed person and hopefully impact a life in a positive way.

The band sponsors two kids; one is in Haiti and one is here in the Dominican Republic. We will meet this little girl tomorrow (Tuesday). Ryan and I also sponsor a child in Uganda. If any of you are interested in possibly sponsoring a child and would like more information, you can go to the website : Compassion International.

So I will try and post again tomorrow, until then goodnight!

Leslie

Daddy Skates!!

2008-06-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

Today, we got out of the house and went to check out the Discovery Green park in Downtown Houston. It was really nice. There was some sort of Health festival going on so there were lots of tents everywhere, but it was really neat. Afterwards, we went over to the new skate park so Ryan could show us his moves. The kids enjoyed seeing their daddy skate the half pipe. They were so cute. Everytime Ryan would lose his skateboard, Everett would shout as loud as he could " Daddy you lost your skateboard!!!!" Avery then proceeded to copy her brother and yelled out the same thing. When we were leaving Avery kept saying "thank you daddy for playing"- meaning that she was glad that he brought them there to see him skate. It was really neat to see them watch their daddy in awe of what he could do on that board with wheels. I was pretty amazed myself. Here are some pictures:

Mmmmmmm!!! Blue Bell !!

2008-06-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, Tx with my mom, aunt,

and Everett's and Avery's cousin, Konner. They had such a great time. We went

through the guided tour and got to see how they make the ice cream. It was really

interesting. Afterwards, we all got a scoop of our favorite ice cream. It was so yummy!

Those of you who know me, know that I love me some blue bell. I definitely recommend

everyone to go and take the tour!

Then, we drove out to the Brenham Municipal Airport where they have a 50's style

diner called, The Southern Flyer Inc. The waitresses are dressed in poodle skirts and the jukebox plays songs from the 50's and 60's.

There is also a Blue Bell Aquatic Center that has a public pool area with a slide and splash

area. We didn't make it over there, but it looked like a lot of fun.

"Cinderella"

2008-05-21T20:55:00.000-07:00

Some of you might have already heard about Steven Curtis Chapman's

youngest adopted daughter. She was killed today in a terrible accident.

I can't imagine the pain and grief that they are going through. My

thoughts and prayers are with them

as they try to find some sort of peace through all of this.

Here is a video of his song " Cinderella " and the story that is behind it.

I find my self thinking the same way that he felt that night getting

his kids ready for bed. I really need to not take these times for granted

especially when you don't know what tomorrow brings. It has really

opened my eyes.

Summer Fun Website

2008-05-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the updated website for the Summer

Fun listings. This is an awesome resource for

those living around the houston and cypress

areas. Just click on the logo and it will take you

there.

My Baby's Growing Up

2008-05-19T16:53:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday, Everett graduated from preschool!

I know it is only preschool, but to a mom, it is very bittersweet

to see you little one transition into elementary. I just want him

to stay little forever. He is such a sweet and smart boy and I am so

very proud of him. He is very excited about entering kindergarten.

He will be going to Warner Elementary in the fall. Yeah for Everett!!

Here are a few pictures from his little ceremony.

Can you find Everett? : )

Avery's class singing songs. Can you find Avery?

(sitting in the teacher's lap)

Avery waiting patiently for her cookie.

Everett with his friend Hudson from school.

My Brother's Wedding

2008-05-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

We just recently got back from my brother's wedding (David and Dani) in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. It was absolutely beautiful! The scene, the people, the weather, everything was perfect! I took a few pictures, only because I wanted to really enjoy the wedding and not mess with my camera so much. Here are the few that I took and a link to the photographer's website and their pictures:

David & Dani's Picture slideshow

We're Back

2008-05-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I know it has been a while since I last blogged. I am ready to

get back into it, so if I start slacking, be sure to let me know.

I am so excited about sharing our family news, pictures and my random

thoughts with all of you. If you haven't noticed already, this is a different

Blog user that I am trying out. The actual URL is leslie-owens.blogspot.com.

So you might need to change the URL on your website.

Goodbye for now, but I will be back soon!

Leslie