As promised, here is the scoop on my trip to Texas. 

My dear friend, Virginia, and her husband, Luke, and son, Josh (wow, that’s a lot of commas) live just outside the DFW area.  I actually met Luke first, when we were interns at Teen Mania together way back in ’96. 

Virginia and I met my first year at ORU in Tulsa in ’97.  She was my RA and we hit it off right away.  She’s one of those friends that’s so comfortable to be around and she just seems to “get” me.  We have stayed in touch through all these years and see each other at least once a year. 

It’s been fun to go through so many stages of life together…college, dating, marriage, and now motherhood. 

They came to visit us in KC when Arle was six months old and Josh was just three months old.  This is what they looked like way back then…

Here’s what they look like now…

Yes, I know.  Arle is dressed like a boy.  I only packed nice clothes, so Josh was kind enough to loan her some play-clothes, so they could go splash in the water puddles at his grandparents’ home.  Turns out that I didn’t even need to worry about getting her nice clothes dirty, because Miss Priss is way too girly to get dirty.  Poor thing pretty much melted down the moment a drop of water made its way into her shoe.

Josh was able to show her how it’s done and she finally got into it a bit. 

This is the dirtiest she managed to get.

She couldn’t take being so “icky,” so we gave them each a bucket to wash off in.  She loved this part.

The next day we took them to the zoo.

Arle loved seeing all the “ammals.”

Here’s a pic of Josh and Virginia.  Did I mention she’s pregnant again???  She’s a fabulous mother and I can’t wait to meet her next baby.  I’m hoping it’s a girl.  She’s convinced it’s a boy. 

After the zoo, we went to the park ’cause we’re crazy like that.

Isn’t he precious????!!!!  I’m in love with the little guy.  We’re buddies.

Arle is pretty fond of him, too.  She gave Joshua many kisses while we were there. 

A huge thanks to Virginia, Luke, and Josh for welcoming us into your home.  We had a fabulous time and love you all lots!

I’m sooooo sleepy.  Arle and I returned home yesterday from a fun-filled mini-vacation. 

Last Friday, Trav, Arle, and I packed into the car and headed for Oklahoma City for Trav’s sister’s graduation.  Lara graduated from nursing school and we were happy to be there to help celebrate her accomplishment. 

Me, Trav, Arle, Lara, Brett

While in OKC, we visited the Science Center and had a great time.  We initially went because we thought Arle would enjoy it, but I’m pretty sure Trav and his brother, Brett, had the best time of all.  They both have a bit of science dork in ‘em:) 

Arle found a face painting station and decided to try it out.  I attempted to draw a flower on her face, but she wouldn’t be still and eventually took over the whole process.  Unfortunately, the brown paint was the one she used the most. 

She was VEEEEERY serious through the whole process.

So serious.

Extreeeeemly serious.

She lightened up a bit when it came to helping her Daddy launch plastic water bottle rockets.

Arle loved the Echo Tube and decided she got the best results by actually putting her body INTO the tube, instead just speaking into it like all the other boring kids did. 

I’ve told you about her love of trains, so she was thrilled to find a room full of “chugga-chugga-choo-choos.”

Lara, Arle, & Grammy

She loved watching Trav and Brett try to learn how to use these funky little thingymajigs.

OKC was only Part I of our vacation.  On Sunday, Arle and I flew down to Texas to spend some time with my BFF, Virginia, and her sweet family.  We had the best time and I’ll tell you all about it…

tomorrow.

While I was out running an errand on Saturday, Trav was home with Arle when she noticed freshly baked chocolate chip cookies cooling on the kitchen counter.  She had been eating like a bird for a couple of days and had hardly touched her breakfast that morning, so her request for a cookie was promptly denied.  Arle attempted to deny the denial. 

Arle:  Cookie, please? 

Trav:  No, you didn’t eat your breakfast, so you don’t get a treat.

Arle:  Cookie, please!!!???

Trav:  How about a cheese stick?

Arle:  How about a cookie?

Trav:  How about a cheese stick, first?

Arle:  How about a cookie, first? 

Trav:  How about a cheese stick?

Arle:  How about grapes?

Trav:  Deal. 

The child is on track to grow up and be a litigator, just like her father. 

Oh, and she did end up eating a cheese stick, too.

I just knew that today’s post would be full of pics from a fun-filled Easter weekend…Arle all decked out in her cutie patootie Easter dress from Nana and Lebo, her Easter basket filled with all sorts of cheapo-depot goodies and refined sugar, and participating in her first egg hunt. 

But no. 

I had waited until the last minute to even think about putting an Easter basket together, so late Friday afternoon, I decided to make a mad dash to Target and gather up some loot.  While I was racing through the aisles trying to decide what to buy, I suddenly decided to forget the whole thing.  She had already received a load of goodies from each set of grandparents plus her birth-mom and grandmother, so I really didn’t feel bad about it.  Plus, it’s not like she even knew to expect an Easter basket on Sunday morning. 

We intended on taking her to the neighborhood Easter Egg hunt on Saturday, but ended up running out of time because we were trying to get some yard work done before the rainy, icky, cold weather rolled in. 

Before heading out the door to go to church, Arle only allowed me to take two photos of her before completely melting down and throwing a temper tantrum. 

Then, yesterday afternoon, I decided to have my own meltdown.  For some reason, even after being married for seven years, I still get down in the dumps on holidays that aren’t spent with family.  After church, we came home and I went into the kitchen to unload the dishwasher.  Suddenly I just burst into tears. 

Somehow, I was able to make a day that celebrates Jesus’ resurrection into a day about me, and dresses, and eggs, and cheap toys, and photographs. 

I felt ridiculous. 

I WAS ridiculous. 

After my pity party, I pulled myself together and was reminded of what the day truly is about.

This morning, Travis went in to greet Arle when she woke up.  He sat down to rock her and proceeded to ask her the same questions I asked her the other day, and this is what she said…

Trav:  Did you have sweet dreams?

Arle:  Yes.

Trav:  What did you dream about?

Arle:  Boots.

Trav:  What kind of boots?

Arle:  Pink boots.

Finally, I’m not the only one in this house dreaming about new shoes.  I love that girl!

I may just have to begin a series titled, “Sweet Dreams.”  And for those of you who missed her last dream, click here.

Arle has a new BFF. 

Her name is Rosie. 

Rosie seems to go everywhere with Arle these days.

Rosie goes to the bathroom with Arle.

Rosie goes to play-dates with Arle.

Rosie goes to the grocery store with Arle.

Rosie is the love of Arle’s life.