Austin in TCH

Austin has been hospitalized for a couple of weeks and Steve and I each had the privilege of spending some time with him.  Steve spent the past weekend with him so that Heather could enjoy girls weekend.  So thankful for him!  And I spent about three days with him the past week.

This is Austin’s room…..taken while he and I were walking laps around the whole floor.

The nurses check this before they give him any treatments.

Austin’s IV and breathing treatment set up.  He is hooked up to this almost around the clock.

Playing cribbage.  Steve taught Austin and both Steve and I played with him.  I have to admit he is really good.

Austin doing some homework.  He probably should have been working on this more.

His phone is his constant companion.  He messages, calls and plays games on it.

Austin is one brave young man.  We are praying that this hospital stay helps him stay well for a long time.

Girls Weekend Austin 2012

Packed and ready to travel!

We were so busy having fun that we didn’t take many photos but we had a great time together.  Melissa, Heather and I made our way to Austin to meet Shauna and just have a time of fellowship together as mother, daughters and sisters.

We began the weekend with mani/pedi’s and the girls treated me in celebration of my retirement.  We checked into the Westin and then went to Maggiano’s in the Domain for dinner.  We ordered the “light” family dinner but that was more than enough food….so delicious.

The next day were shopped at the Round Rock Outlets and the Domain and also took in a movie.  We enjoyed a late dinner at Gloria’s.  None of us were late-nighters and with a 25 week pregnant Melissa we were asleep before midnight.  We ended the weekend meeting Mark and the kids for breakfast and more visiting.

The girls took some pics of me with them but I ended up with just pics of the girls….fine by me.

So thankful to God for the wonderful relationships we have and how we enjoy each other. 

Happy Birthday Shauna (aka Chooch)

A very special Happy Birthday wish to Shauna on her 34th birthday!

This picture is soo Shauna as a little girl.  She would sit for hours by herself with her doll tucked under her arm, playing school or library.

Today she is a 34 year old wife, mother of two and runs her own business.  Most of all we are thankful that she is a dedicated Christ-follower and shares her faith with all those around her.

Happy Birthday Chooch.  We love you!

Home Sweet Home

A short while back we spent the weekend helping Melissa and David move into their new home.  This was the second time they had moved in the last month but this time was more exciting in that this was not a temporary move to an apartment, but one that was long anticipated.  The weekend went surprisingly smooth with the new homeowners and two sets of parents/in-laws all there to help.  I was reminded of Proverbs 15:22 “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”  Melissa and David were not lacking counsel….maybe too much sometimes, but the end result was success.  Before the two sets of parents left, not only were nearly all the boxes unpacked, bookcases and shelves were styled and pictures were hung!

Steve took this photo of the front of their home while taking James for a walk.  All the homes in the neighborhood have gas lamps in their front yards….beautiful at night.

I hope to spend some time here in the back yard when the summer heat is here.  I am not much for public pools or lakes but love to float in a private pool.

So thankful that David and Melissa were led to a home that is just right for them and were able to get settled in before baby boy number two arrives in May.

Adventures with the Boys

Just sharing a few photos taken when the Hodge boys spent a few days with us.  Mom and Dad were off on a cruise!

Steve and I were both taken on separate “adventures” in the woods.

We had a great time with the guys.  Didn’t get many photos of Austin….he was off learning to drive!  Steve is giving him some driving time as he will be taking driver’s education this spring and needs the practice.

Special Birthday Celebration

The whole weekend was dedicated to whatever Steve wanted to do to celebrate his 60th.  His request was to have all his family here and spend the day with them.  His first request was a Cracker Barrel brunch.  Next he and some of the guys when shooting for a few hours.  Then back to watch the Aggies actually win a bowl game…Whoop!  Later we all went together to Café Eccel for a wonderful dinner and delicious strawberry tarts.  We had planned to go to a movie but instead we decided to play games until almost the New Year. 

A few pics from his 60th…

It was a great day and a birthday that Steve will remember fondly.

Our Christmas

We celebrated Christmas together as a family a little late this year.  It was the Hollon’s turn to spend Christmas in Lubbock….so we celebrated on December 30th and continued the celebration right on into the New Year!

Christmas at the Crouse House means……:

Brunch with homemade cinnamon rolls mmmmm!

Reading the Christmas story from the Bible and remembering Jesus’ birth.

Opening gifts.

Shooting limes from Steve’s “potato gun”.  The kids enjoy this.

Wearing our matching pajamas all day long. 

The evening meal is always homemade lasagna, garlic bread, salad and cookies and candies too numerous to mention.  We missed Andrew and Mark that day as Andrew recovered from an ear infection.  So thankful they were able to come the next day to celebrate Steve’s birthday.