Pssshhhshhsh.

That's the sound Knox makes when he sees or hears a plane.  You can imagine how excited he was to hear that Mimi and Papa (and their friends Mike and Cindy) would be landing in Dallas for a few minutes...and we could get on the plane with them for a bit.

We drove out to DFW and went to the Corporate Landing section.  We were able to go out on the tarmac and see the "big" planes take off and land.  Knox was enamored, and constantly said "ooohhhh, ahhhh, pssshhh, UP, FLY, WHAT'S THAT?"  You get the idea.  Hew as in heaven. 

We ducked inside for a bit (it was a little chilly), and were just in time to see Paige and Piper.  The reason they were landing in Dallas was to pick up these two cuties...and we loved getting to see them!

They were waiting patiently by the windows when the plane pulled up.  We walked out to surprise Mimi and Papa...

Once on the plane, both kiddos went straight to the snacks.  Sweet Mike let them take all of the bags in and out of the basket probably a hundred times, and out of all of the choices, they settled on Cool Ranch Doritos.  Strange.

Knox had a ball, running around and looking out the windows.

And since the pilots were taking a break and refueling the plane, Papa took Knox up to get a sneak peak of the cockpit.  He liked it, but REALLY wanted to push all of the buttons!

 

We were thankful to be able to meet these sweet friends while they were here, even if it was for half an hour!  I think we might have to try the Frontiers of Flight Museum soon.  He could have stayed all day!

Happy Mardi Gras!

Knox loves Mardi Gras!  Who wouldn't when you get to wear awesome glasses...

And get beads while eating "King Cake Ice Cream?"

He and his friend Claire are definite fans!

Little Helper

Knox loves to be a helper.  He always wants to assist us in daily chores, his favorites are taking the clothes out of the washer and throwing them in the dryer, as well as taking the sippy cups and silverware out of the dishwasher.  He also likes to help me cook.  Many a night I'll hear "Up, Momma up!" so that he can get a better view.

He was in heaven when his Mimi asked him to help her bake some Snickerdoodles this past weekend.  She let him get on the counter, coat the ramekin in sugar and press the cookies onto the cookie sheet.  He was having so much fun.

But the best part?

Munching on his final product, and washing it down with some milk.  It's a rough life.

Sweet Firefly

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE my neighborhood.  Stephen and I have been so blessed by the people we've met since moving here.  We bought the house for proximity to work and the house itself.  Never in a million years did I realize how lucky we really were.  

Namely, the Moms group has made the biggest impact. We've met so many great friends, and there are so many kids Knox's age.  Each week there's a playgroup scheduled.  Each month there's a mom's night out.  Each quarter there's a family event.  So amazing.

Another reason I love my neighborhood is the ability to walk to places.  We are in walking distance to a donut shop, dry cleaners, veterinarian, grocery store, Mexican and American restaurants, a bakery, a dance studio, a venue for receptions or large parties, a gym, a notary and mailing center, two boutiques and an ice cream shop.  Seriously.  

On Wednesday evening we got to combine the two.  My friend Mollie hosted a playgroup at Sweet Firefly, our ice cream spot.  It's such a cute place, and the kids love it because it's very kid friendly.  Kid-sized desks and stools for them to sit, a chalkboard to color, tic-tac-toe to play with, and a lot of candy to oogle at.  The ice cream (and shaved ice) is delicious, too!

If you're in the area, stop by.  And call me, we'll meet you there!!

Will you be my Valentine?

In honor of Valentine's Day, we decided to get the kids dressed up and take a few pics for my lunchtime playgroup.  We fed the kids and did our best to get their pictures taken before they were too over it.  I don't usually have high-expectations for photo sessions anymore.  I think the last time he actually sat and smiled for me was his 11-month shot.  I was up for the challenge though.  

Before we left, I realized we hadn't made Valentine's for his friends.  After a really quick google search, I decided upon the super hero.  Knox decorated the paper and I did the rest..don't tell :)

Alice hosted in her gorgeous home, and her living room full of windows made the pictures look so good.  She has a red swing in front, so we tried some pictures there, too, but Knox was over it.  Really, he was never "into it," but it's what I expected.

The only way I could get him in the chair was if he was holding the truck, and even then he was slowly sliding off the chair with every click.  He looks like he's modeling, but I assure you he's just planning a sneaky escape.  Smiling or not, I think he's the cutest little Valentine.  So much has changed since last year!!

Just another day at the park.

We're finally experiencing "winter." It's in the 40-50's and overcast.  This would typically be amazing winter weather, except that we've had lots of 65-75 degree days...so I'm kind of ready for Spring.  

Knox loves the park.  We are at some park, whether in the neighborhood or around the city, at least 3 times a week.  This past week we went to the Park Lane park, behind the shops.  It's brand new, and typically vacant, so we love it.  Of course, Knox runs to the most dangerous section first, so it's not very relaxing for me.  But that's ok.  That's how it should be.

My mom gave him some books for his Valentine's day treat.  He has brought them everywhere with us.  Here he is reading about Nemo and Lightning McQueen, all in one book.  Can life get better??

Check out that hair.  I'm jealous.  Stephen won't let me cut it, and I'm glad.  I secretly like his hair really long.

And his favorite...the slide.  

How's the weather in your neck o' the woods?  Here's to hoping we can move on to Spring!

God is good, all the time.

A few months back I was reading a friends blog when she mentioned her sorority sister was in the ICU with pneumonia and mono.  She was 28, a mother of two very young children, and a wife to her High School sweetheart.  She  never made it out of the hospital.

It hit me hard, and I don't even know them.  She was 28, her youngest not even a year old.  Her husband was left without his soulmate, and now a single-father.  He started a blog shortly after her passing, both for cathartic reasons and to share the life they lived together, in love.  I have read every post, and a few weeks ago started praying he would be able to move on and find love again.

Tuesday, my mom and I were absent-mindedly watching Live! with Kelly, and this story came on: http://bcove.me/r53xssoo.  They had won the wedding contest, and their story touched me so much.  How incredible, that two grieving parents could find love again, with someone that could relate to them on a level no one else could.

I thought of Gabe after seeing the story.  What if he could find someone like that?  I know it's crazy, I don't even know him.  But everyone deserves a second chance at love.  

This morning, his recent blog post appeared at the top of my blog roll ("Part of the Miracle").  I clicked and began reading, as goosebumps spread down my arms.  I am in awe of the One who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.  What a blessing.  God is so good, all of the time.

Read Gabe's post here!  And read his others, while you are at it.  He has such a gift for writing, you'll be blessed!

Cha-Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

As Knox gets older, it was becoming more and more apparent we needed a change up in our living room.  The living space was too tight, and we didn't have any areas to make "toy areas." I was getting a bit frustrated, and didn't really know where to begin.  One weekend over Christmas break, Stephen mentioned that we could get rid of the entertainment center, move some furniture around (and a TV above the mantle) and maybe, just maybe solve all of the problems.  It didn't take long to get me on board, and I started shuffling through pinterest to get some ideas.  I decided I really wanted to take the doors off of the built-in bookshelves.  There are doors on the top (with glass) and solid doors on the bottom.  Taking these doors off (circa 1968) would mean that I would have to sand down the spots where they were, fill them, and then paint.  

I have had a love affair with blue/gray for some time, so it was a natural choice.  Aside from some small errors (you know, painting latex over oil) I need to redo some of it.  But it's already been such a fresh addition to our house, and I love the storage for all of Knox's toys!

Here's a before to kind of get your bearings:

Ignore Stephen in this shot...not sure why he's there.  This was the first week we moved in...so the cabinets in the kitchen are now white, and the kitchen paint is now light gray.

And this is a shot to remind you what the wall looked like...a huge entertainment center.

And NOW:

A "keeping it real" shot.  The toys take up most of the fireplace until after 7:45pm :)