Summer!!!!!!!!

We have been super busy over this summer, hence the reason for me being slow to catch up on the blogging. We have been swimming almost everyday for the last month with the exception of the week we spent in San Antonio going to Sea World. I take that back, we did take a dive in the hotel pool each night we were there. I have tried to keep the kids busy, and out of my hair. We even had a visitor stay with us. Bless her!!!!! Keith's cousin's daughter came to stay a week with us. She is 10, same age as Richard, and was the best live-in babysitter I have ever had (the only live-in babysitter too). It was amazing. While she was here, we took in a game of putt-putt, some bowling, of course the water park and several other things. It was the BEST! I have attached yet another slide show, because there are way too many pictures to add onto just one post!



I hope you enjoy our summer fun as we wind down the summer. Yes, you read that right. Our summer is already coming to a close. I have already started doing some things around the school and attending a couple of meetings. Before you know it, we will be back in school mode full force with two do to homework now. I can't wait!

Dance Costume Pictures

Today I took my girls for a 'photo shoot'. You would have thought the died and went to heaven. They were in their element, for sure. It is amazing how they have grown up. It goes by so fast.
Enjoy these pictures...I know they enjoyed making them.

Check out my Slide Show!

Lots has happened since I last posted.
**Richard graduated 4th grade and elementary school. He is on to Intermediate school.
**Clara graduated preschool and is onto Kindergarten/Elementary school.
In the fall everyone will be in a new situation because Clara and Richard are both going to a new 'big' school and that leaves Ashley in day care all by herself for the first time (tear, tear).
**Ashley and Clara had their dance recital. Clara rocked the house as most two year veterans do. Ashley enjoyed the spotlight since it was her first dance recital. She even got a little carried away with tap dancing, slipped, and fell. All I can say is "MEMORIES"!

Other than this, we have just been enjoying many things as a family. Hanging out with friends at the house, going to the water park (Mimi bought us NRH2O season passes for Christmas), going to do things together as a family, and hanging out at the family. Take a look at the pics!

Make the Most of Your 'Dash'

Today I had to attend a funeral for a long time mentor and friend, Ms. Pat Terrill. Ms. Terrill, as I always referred to her, was a teacher at Townley Elementary when I was a student there 22 - 24 years ago. When I started teaching 8 years ago, she was a big mentor to me. YES, she was still teaching there. She lived her life to the fullest and gave everything she had to those around her. At her funeral today, the pastor proposed the message. He said that Ms. Terrill had made the most of her 'dash'. The dash is the time between your birth date and your death date. This hit home to me and really made me wonder, if I was making the most of my dash. Have I given as much as I can to those around me? Have I made a change in the students that I work with daily? Have I raised my kids so they reflect God's love and mercy? I was not able to answer an absolute yes to any of these (and other) questions so I vow to walk the walk and talk the talk and to live the way God has called us to live.

So to honor my dear mentor and friend Ms. Pat Terrill, I ask you, are you making the most of your dash?


May Ms. Terrill rest in peace with her Lord and Savior. She will dearly be missed!

"I am my beloved, and my beloved is mine"

This was the theme for my youngest sister's wedding that we had last weekend. I am not sure what is worse...knowing that I am old enough to have both my sister's married OR that my kids were just so cute and old enough to be a part of the wedding. We had a blast being a part and the kids were fabulous. I remembered what a blessing it is to have someone to spend your life with. Have you told those you love how much you love them? Being surrounded by family that weekend in that little country chapel, reminded me how special my famiy (and friends) are to me. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the wedding.

We're Back

Well, it has been a long time, but the O'Briant's have come back around to report.

We have been busy the last 8 weeks since Christmas. So many things, normal daily life things, going on to report. Most importantly two great things have happened. Keith and I found time (by the grace of my mom - THANKS A LOT MOM) to go on a cruise together. We had a BLAST !!!! We flew to New Orleans and sailed out with a group from Keith's corporate office to Cozymel, Mexico. We spent our days doing WHATEVER we wanted - laying out by the pool, eating what we wanted, and most importantly - sleeping as late as we wanted. The weather was beautiful. I even got a sunburn - imagine that - but in February. - WOW!!!!

Then today, like many other families in NorthWest DFW, we enjoyed a winter storm. After fighting a normal 15 - 20 minute drive home, which today took 45 minutes, we played out in the snow and loved every minute of it. Our front yard easily received 4 -5 inches of snow. Real snow..not just the slushy, wet stuff.

Jesus is Our Gift!

Friday night, the girls had their program at their school. Because their day care is a church, it was the children's version of the Christmas story. Clara's class were the shepards and Ashley's class were the animals of the inn. It was so very precious! I have posted some pictures for you to see. They are not the best. We have only had this camera for two years and because technology advances so rapidly, we have not been able to keep up with the times. It just doesn't have the zoom that those newer ones do. But you can get the point through the pictures we do have. Maybe, my awesome husband will splurge and get us a new one for Christmas.

Hope everyone is staying well and looking forward to the holidays!

4 1/2 more days of school!

YIPPEE!!!!!