Let's play a quick game of catch up, shall we...

Since it has been a few years (because I am apparently just that busy) since I last updated about the family and what we have been up to; and because Cash and Presley and I were looking at old pictures and videos from when they were babies and they were loving it, I have decided to give this thing another go. So let's pick up where we left off, June 2015...

Cash started Pre-K and Presley is still dominating Mother's Day out...

We kicked off another football season with a home game and a road trip to Knoxville, TN. To say that was fun would be an understatement... 

And then, of course, was Halloween... 

And then Cash met Baker Mayfield and has talked about them being BFF's every since...

And then we took Cash on his first ever away game to Waco to watch OU take on the Bears...

Ant then Cash had picture day in Pre-K and looked like a stud...

We had more family picture made...

Presley had a Wizard of Oz birthday party and continues to be the funniest girl I have ever met... 

And the we had a quick Christmas in Leander and attended a family wedding...

We had a new addiction to our family and got to meet our first niece, Alba...

Then we found out that Presley Mae has nystagmus in her eyes and needed an MRI to check some things out... 

And then we had one of the most important day of the year...the Daddy/Daughter Dance. Presley had been waiting for this day for months...

And then we had a quick trip to a family farm and had an Easter celebration... 

And then we made a quick trip to Houston to watch the OU men's basketball team in the Final Four...

We then turned back around and had another Houston trip to visit the beach and see some family...

And just like that, it was Cash's last day of Pre-K...

Summer rolled around and we were ready for some fun in the sun, family time, and the Fourth of July... We also celebrated a little boys birthday with family and had our first urgent care trip that resulted in glue...

And then we had another first day of school... Kindergarten and Mother's Day Out!

And right after that was another OU football season...

Somewhere in between there we had injuries, school pictures, Halloween, flag football and some random happenings before Christmas... 

Fast forward to December and we had ourselves another birthday... 

And another Christmas...

And then we had basketball season (with a few injuries) and another Daddy/Daughter Dance...

And then we had a visit from our cousins...

                                      

Which brings us to Easter and more random moments in between...

Love, Erin

Today was one of those days...

You know the day where every ounce of attitude that your children have in their tiny little bodies comes out. And I mean, every little drop that they can muster up. That is the day we had around here today.

Lots of back talking. Lots of whining. Lots of crying. Lots of pouting. Lots of hitting and screaming. Lots of repeating myself. Just lots of lots.

It's days like this that make me question my sanity. I question if I have what it takes to parent these children instead of just taking the easy way out. To actually stick to my threats when I make them, even though I know it is going to come with a knock down drag out fight.

But I choose to fight. Not literally. But fight the urge to give in. I can remember before I ever had children I would say, "I will NOT let my children get away with that". Or, "I will NOT have that child that back talks and throws fits". What in the world did I ever know about being a parent that would make me say that???

But we do the best we can (in the middle of typing this sentence, we just had another melt down). Where was I? Oh yeah... we do the best we can any given day.

Tomorrow is a new day. With new attitudes. And knew perspective. And we will keep trucking along because we don't know any other way. And I will love on the babies of mine.

Despite the "lots of's" we had today...

Dear Cash

Over the last 6 months, you have been praying for things like a big boy. You are concerned with people's dreams, health, and feelings. You pray that people will have "the best, most amazing dreams and they won't be scared of sharks or bad guys". You pray that "everyone in this city will go to sleep with a smile on their face". You pray that "no bad guys will hurt anyone". Sweet boy, if you only truly knew how much your prayers can change lives. 

A while back we were praying before you were going to sleep. Daddy had gone to a funeral of a man he worked with and you were asking about a million questions. The conversation went something like this...

"Daddy, did that man have a son?"

"Yes, he did. And his son was crying because he won't see his daddy anymore"

So you decided that night you wanted to pray for that little boy...

"Jesus, please take that little boys tears away. And please give him a new father. And let that Father by you, Jesus".

Another example of how truly special you are and how you are shaping up to be a pretty great Christ follower is...

We were at the doctor getting your heart checked out. The doctor is listening to you heart beat, then turns to you and asks "Would you like to hear your heart?"

And your reply was ever so direct and to the point... "Why? Do you hear Jesus?"

Cash, I know every mother says this. "My kid is going to be something special". Every father believes his child is the most athletic and the best on the team. There is nothing wrong with this. 

But young man, your mother is hear to tell you something. 

You will change this world. I'm not sure how. I'm not sure when. I'm not even sure how I know this. But I know it. I feel it. You were created and brought into this world to change it. 

So go on, sweet boy. Change it. 

Love,

Mom

Dear babies...

Cash and Presley Mae,

I made this blog as a baby book to you both. I have loved being able to reflect and look back on milestones and moments. Moments that I swore to never forget. Moments that I swore would live in my soul and spirit for all of time. Until something else comes along. And then that moment gets pushed to the side. Just ever so slightly nudged to the side, but still in and around my heart. And then something else comes along and it gets pushed to the side. Nudged a bit more out of my memory. 

And that is what has happened over the last 6 months. Life has got in my way and pushed this little blog out of my sight. And I quit. I quit on documenting and immersing myself in our memories. And for that, guys, I'm sorry. 

I promise to do better. I promise to give you something to love and be proud of when you read it. 

I love you both!

Love,

Mom

Happy Easter from the Allen's 2015

I love Easter. I love that my family celebrates Easter. I love that Easter is a "new beginning" kind of holiday. After all, isn't that what Jesus promises us? A new life in Him. A new beginning in Him. 

And that is most certainly worth celebrating...