Kinley's First Tooth

We have had a really cranky girl on our hands the last couple of days and we finally found the culprit...a new tooth. Our poor girl who is a sleeper has not been napping very well and even waking up in the middle of the night. We knew something was up, but since Emma did not get her first tooth until 13 months I was not even thinking about her cutting a tooth. I tried to get a picture, but the tooth was barley poking through. Praying now that it is in that we will get our happy girl back.

A Closet Blogger

When I first started trying to blog in 2008 it was so family that lived out of town could keep up with what was going on in our family. It was a great thought in theory and I am sure there are so many bloggers that this worked for, but I would so often forget to do it or put it off for another day. Recently, two of my closest friends began blogging to chronicle the day to day happenings of their home and I began to think about attempting to blog again. Not getting bogged down with the pressure of making the perfect post, but instead trying to capture moments. I  don't want to miss moments of my kids life because it passes all too quickly. So, I am determined to blog not for friends or family, but to blog and capture my family. So that I can look back, remember, feel and soak in what it was like to live in that particular moment again. So for now I am a closet blogger whoever stumbles upon it I hope you enjoy getting to know our crazy.

So what has happened since 2009...

The biggest change is that we finally evened out the odds in the Collins' home. We added two beautiful girls to our family. Emma Kate who is now 2 and Kinley Rae who is 4 months. We are now a family of 6.

Emma Kate

Sweet Kinley Rae

 They both have been a huge blessing to our family. It seems crazy that we started out as a boy home and now we have both.  We went from the land of mud, guns and always moving to purses, babies and shoes.

Jackson is now 9 and Dalton is 4 both boys have been great big brothers.

Jackson

Dalton

Along with adding two beautiful girls to our family I took on graduate school. I don't know if I was crazy at the time I enrolled in a masters program, but two kids and two years later I have my Masters in Educational Administration. I said that I would NEVER go back to school, but I actually heard myself say the other day that once the kids are bigger I may attempt getting my PhD. I think I may have been inhaling too many cleaning products.

Dalton is 17 Months....and I am still not the best blogger

Well life around our house is busy as usual I thought when I started staying home I would have more time to blog, but it seems that the opposite is true. I was so blessed to be able to consult again at an elementary school. I go to work on Tuesday and Thursday from 9-2. My Aunt is able to keep Dalton while I am working. I am also in my fifth class of graduate school and will be done next December..so life is busy, but we are having a blast living it!

We went to take Dalton's picture yesterday with one of my best friends.....we were so amazed and she was pretty proud of herself. In 10 minutes and with the help of a few skittles we were able to take some really cute pictures of Dalton. Here are a few..
Jackson is in a dual language kindergarten program this year and doing really well in school. He loves going to school with Aaron everyday and being in Waller schools.

Dalton is offically on the move....

After much anticipation Dalton has finally decided to try this walking thing. He is still very wobbly, but has began walking right before he turned 14 months.

Here are the beginning attempts at his walking.....he falls and sounds like he is fake crying, but we have figured out that it is what he does when he sees a camera. So I guess he is smiling for the camera. Just click below and you can see him go ....

Dalton starting out...

And here is Dalton walking ....YEAH!! I am still figuring out how my camera works so sorry for turning it sideways....I know now which way to leave it.

Man on the move

Here is one of my new favorite pictures of Jackson .... I just can eat him up.

Legos,legos,legos......

Jackson loves Legos and they have become a major part of our daily life. Today we have been building some new inventions as he calls them.

While Jackson HATES to have his picture taken Dalton cannot seem to get enough of it....we take random photos throughout the day just because he makes the cutest noise and has a silly smile.


By the way....yes I did cut all of my hair off for Locks of Love. All 13 inches gone in a couple of minutes. Was so scary, but well worth it!

One last attempt....and six months in review

Well I am making another strong attempt ....... I am hoping that I can get this blogging thing down so that y'all can keep up with our crew. So here is some major highlights..

1. Dalton's Surgery was a success
2. Jackson continues to grow and starting to play sports.
3. Aaron and I were able to go to Chicago for our anniversary.
4. The boys turned one and six....wow how time flies.

Here are some pictures and I hope to post some more tomorrow....

Praise God Dalton came through his surgery in November...The doctors were amazing and we really saw God's provision through this entire season of our life.

He has a bunch of tubes and wires so he could not really move. We were so happy that he stayed happy even though he could not move.

No more chest tube....we are getting ready to go home. God is GOOD.....

Jackson played football and soccer ....

Here are a few from our trip to Chicago...our game got rained out at Wrigley....we were a little bummed, but at least I have been inside Wrigley Field.

Ok so I am not such a great blogger .....

Well a lot has happened since I last posted. Jackson has gone to Kindergarten and Dalton's surgery being moved up have been the biggest things. Well life has been pretty crazy we were without power for 13 days with Hurricane IKE.... thank goodness for great friends. Jackson loved staying with our friends because it felt like playtime all of the time.

Here are a couple of pictures of the boys

Jackson is playing soccer for the YMCA. He does not know if he really likes it yet. So far he looks forward to the snack at the end of the game.

Here we are at the pumpkin patch. Jackson loved picking out the pumpkins and Dalton just loved being outside. He is such an easy and sweet baby!