Shout Out . .

Here's something my scrapbooking friends might be interested in - actually, I shouldn't say just scrapbooking friends -I should say my friends who are interested in capturing their family's journey in life in whatever form of media they prefer!

Donny (and Randy) will be conducting a telephone interview with Sheila McDoniel, who is a faith building consultant. She specializes in "helping you build your faith by remembering God's faithfulness". If you are interested in hearing the interview, you can register and get a number to call in. I know Sheila and am very excited to hear what she has to say in the interview! Click below to see more information:

*Once you register, you will be added to the Marketing Twins' email marketing list - but don't worry - you can always opt out of your subscription after you get the call in number! If you WANT to stay on the list, you will get some GREAT marketing tips for you or for someone who might need them.

First Day . .

School is back in swing . . .and I was wrong . .I DID get a little more sad than I thought I would. I miss my boys while they are away! Plus, there were all these moms leaving their kindergarteners who were just about weeping . . and seeing other people cry usually makes me compelled to join them. Colby's only gone for 3 hours, but it's 3 hours that are very important to him and I have no CLUE what is going on while he's gone! Tyler is gone all day, is making a whole new set of friends, learning new routines, new teachers, etc., and I have no clue what is going on with him, either. I think I had forgotten from a year ago what it feels like knowing your babies are going through so many life experiences without you there. Good news is that they are loving it so far. Colby told Donny today after school that it was good, but it sure was a long day - and he only goes for 1/2 day!

The first day was fun - seeing all the parents armed with cameras, video cameras, walking their kids to school and to their new classes. Both my boys carefully picked out their favorite shirts for the first day of school (Colby even has his whole wardrobe planned out for the week!), Tyler helped make his lunch, and they were both pumped to take their new backpacks to school for the first time.

I think Brady was the saddest . . with both brothers gone, all that was left for him to do was just take a nap. He pouted a bit when we were dropping off Colby, and was so excited to pick them both up at the end of the school day!

So here we are at the start of a new year . . .another thing I'm coming to realize that once this "school train" thing gets started, life clips by at an amazingly rapid pace . . .and there is absolutely nothing I can do to make it slow down or stop!!! My babies are growing up.

We are PUMPED about our new back packs!

Tyler says he really likes his new teacher, Mrs. McKee, already! We have been and will continue to pray blessings over both these sweet ladies as they teach our kids (no pic of Ms. Rhodes yet . . maybe soon).

We met up with both of Colby's church buddies, Sam and Baylee, on the way in . . I was glad for a group picture, even if it was a sunshine squinty one!
The kids come into the library and wait for the teacher to come take them all to class together. The librarian, Mrs. Pratt, reads them a story while they wait. On the first day of school, it looked like the paparazzi was swarming around the perimeter of these kids. . . I saw flashes and heard clicks through the whole book! he!
This was how Tyler felt about the first day at his new school

Smart mouth . . .

School starts tomorrow . . .one going to 2nd grade and the other one going to Kindergarten. Donny asked me today if I was feeling sad about Colby going to KG - I'm really not. I told him I get teary when I ponder each of my boys' little lives - the way they are so amazingly made, the way they challenge me to be a better mommy, the way they make me so happy, proud, and overwhelmed at the enormity of my job. But not sad, really. Anyway - I'm looking forward to seeing what Colby things about Kindergarten for sure. And I'm VERY thankful he has 2 church buddies in his grade - one of them in his same class. YEA! We have been praying all summer for Tyler to have a special friend at school - I'm expecting God's blessings on them both this year at school.

But I really wanted to document a random Brady moment from this weekend. Our church had promotion to new Bible classes this weekend. Brady went to a new class, and one of his sweet teachers said she was introducing herself to Brady. The conversation went something like this: "My name's Ms. Carrie. Can you say Ms. Carrie?" To which little Brady replied, "Ms. Carrie. Now, can YOU say MY name?" Cutie. He keeps us giggling (or holding our ears) all day long!

Party and pictures. . .

What a weekend . . .actually, what a month! I was telling my mother in law this morning that I realized that we have either been out of town or had company every weekend for the whole month of August . . .and what fun we have had!! This past weekend was a very special one for lots of reasons. My great uncle and aunt celebrated 60 years of marriage on the 13th, and my mom and her 2 sisters planned a BIG party for them. People came from all over the place to honor Dan and Lois "Butch" Whitaker - they have been ministers, teachers, counselors, friends to countless people. It was so very special to see them honored, blessed, surprised and encouraged. They are absolutely AMAZING. I got to be the "photographer", and Mom, Lucy and Rose threw an amazing party!
New topic: Last Friday Monica and I took our kids out to the Gaylord Texan to attempt some pictures and had a ball (actually, I had a ball, Monica had to pretend she was an Olympic gymnast to snap pictures of ever-moving Annie! But we both still had a ball and loved being together). Don't you think our kids are about the cutest little things in the world?!?!

We attempted to take cousin pictures, but with 4 kids and an almost one year old who doesn't know the meaning "be still", we captured some neat "season of life" shots! Man, I love seeing my kids love my sister's daughter - nothing better! We are blessed with neat cousin relationships on both sides of the family for sure.

I love this one because Tyler couldn't WAIT to get to hold Annie (who really wanted nothing to do with being "held") and Colby was sweetly trying to hold her hand. Just a second later, Brady was facing her saying, "Say cheese, Annie, say cheese!"


This was Colby's picture - he wanted a turn to be the photographer, and this was the picture he took. Not too bad minus the silly faces he photographed!

And this, my friends, is the "secret" to getting good pictures of my children. Nothing like bribery. The promise of Skittles and M&M's can do wonders for attitudes and smiles and cooperation. Bribery. Potty training and picture taking. That's my 2 times I use it best! he! I really like how Brady just "drank" his little M&M container right up. Saved his shirt, that's for sure!

Road Trip . . .

This past weekend our little family traveled out to Donny's parent's place for a nice visit. I love that my boys get to experience all the fun things of each grandparent's house. There's something very special about spending time AT your grandparents' house . . I remember all the years being at Muz and Pop's who lived in my hometown - there are way too many sweet memories there to even begin a list, but a short list would include mud pies in the backyard, watermelon on the back porch, eating corn bread and milk with Poppy, and watching Muz rip locust heads off - they weren't good for the garden and they made that horrible sound. I still remember thinking it was a little much to rip their heads off, though! he! Monica and I would separately spend a week out at Mamaw and Papaw's - reading Papaw's westerns all night long on the downstairs couch, eating the most incredible pancakes in the world every morning for breakfast, going to Wonderland Park, and playing barbies all up and down the staircase. Grandma and Grandpa's house was fun, too - my best memories with them are from trips in their RV up to Colorado usually with lots of family. Good times. I'm thankful for grandparents, and thankful that my parents made it a priority for me to be with them.

But I digress . . this post is meant to be about our time at the "elder" Vaughns (not to be read as the "elderly" Vaughns, mind you!).

We left pretty early Friday in time to meet the grandparents in town for a fun afternoon of a Children's Science Place where we all enjoyed playing and experimenting. Tyler said he loved "all the music things" the best, Colby liked it all, and Brady was fascinated by a roaring, big dinosaur. He didn't get too close, but he didn't want to wander far from it, either! Next we were off to a game of Lunar Golf (glow in the dark golf), where the boys broke every rule known to golf, and that was ok. We all enjoyed it anyway! Who cares about "par"?!?


One of my favorite parts of the weekend was getting to meet up with a college roommate, Jill, who I hadn't been with in several years. She's always been one of my favorites - it was sweet to get to introduce our husbands to each other (they met at her wedding, but who remembers people you meet on your wedding day?!), and watch our kids play together. I love making new memories with old friends.


Saturday, we all went out to Papa's family farm, where the boys fed carrots to some sweet horses who REALLY liked carrots alot! Tyler was freaked out by all the flies - I told him I'm not sure if a girl will want to marry him if he is afraid of a fly. I don't think he really cared! ha!

This was the sucker eating donkey - Papa has it trained to eat dum-dum suckers (stick and all) from his hand. The boys LOVED this!

We visited with Granny, Uncle James and Aunt Linda who live there on the farm. Granny has not been doing well health wise - it was good to love on her for a few minutes. Everyone had rests / naps that afternoon, then Papa was busy making his famous homemade ice cream while Nana and the boys made some cookies to go with it! We had an AWESOME dinner that I wish I could have weekly - delicious chicken - I can almost taste it now!! Yumm . .
Papa "collects" and raises turtles at his house - he said at his last count he was up to beyond 45 or so .. .he usually numbers them so he can keep track. Colby was super impressed and enjoyed helping feeding them, Brady was fascinated and terrified all at the same time, and Tyler chose to not even come outside (the flies, you know). I love how different they are!! he!


A good cook always samples his wares before serving . . .or so I've been told!

Sunday we went to church with the family and enjoyed a fun lunch together before coming home. I'm thankful for my in-laws - thankful for the way they love my children, thankful for the way they love my husband, and especially thankful for the way they love me. God is good. It was a good weekend away!