Spending time with cousins =)

Tammy and Rudy had invited us to the park Saturday. We all went and had a great time! After the park, we went home and the kids took a nap. Then they headed to Jungle Gym at Rowland for 2 hours. While they were there playing, me and Tam went to the house to scrapbook. We are so out of touch with scrap-booking, we only got a page done in 2 hours, lol! But it was nice and relaxing. After that we picked up the kids and headed to CiCi's Pizza - as we pulled in we saw a few school buses unloading. So we went next door and ate at Rico's. It was a busy and fun day for us all!

From Our girl Phoebe

From Our girl Phoebe

From Our girl Phoebe

From Our girl Phoebe

Need Vacation Ideas Please!

We have really got to take this kid on a vacation! We always use our vacation time from work over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. I'm looking for something within driving distance and something great for a 4 year old! We could probably go during the week and I'm thinking of a 2 or 3 day getaway. Nothing fancy, just something that will be fun for her.
Please email suggestions to algioia@gmail.com

Thanks!

Phoebe's First Ballet Recital

Phoebe's first ballet recital will be on Thursday, June 3, 2010 @ 5:30 in Atascocita (right outside of Kingwood, TX). We are super excited and can't wait to see her in the little ballet costume and on stage! If you're interested in attending, send me an email and I'll respond with all of the info.

Saints are headed to the Superbowl! Woohoo!

I am not a football fan, I can't stand the sound of sports on the television, but tonight I found myself online refreshing the score of the game between the Saints and the Minnesota Vikings. It was tied at 28 points and went into overtime. The Saints got their 3 points and we're headed to the SuperBowl!! Congratulations Saints and Congrats to all you Saints fans!!

Mission for Phoebe to Sleep in her Bedroom

Phoebe has always slept in the bed with us. I was 6 months pregnant when Hurricane Katrina hit. We lived in a hotel room for 2 months and by the time I delivered her, we were sharing a trailer with my brother and his family in St. Bernard. Eventually we moved to Kingwood, TX and had plenty of room, but Mikey didn't move in with us until he found a job here, which was a year and a half later. So being here in the house alone with Phoebe, I was always worried that I wouldn't hear her if she woke up crying. We got her a beautiful bedroom set, but when the time came, I worried myself sick thinking I wouldn't hear her. So I moved her in the bedroom with me. Once Mikey was able to move in with us, he had lost out on spending time with her for a year and a half! Of course he drove up every single weekend (we're talking 700 miles round trip!), but it still wasn't enough. So he wanted to keep her in the room with us, which was fine by me.

Well it became habit, but then we began to realize it was probably not the best thing for her. She needed to learn that big girls sleep in their own bed. So we are working on that (started about 2 weeks ago). We got a velcro chart with stars and each time she sleeps in her bed, she gets a star. She loves rewards so this is working out pretty well. The first goal was 3 stars and she gets to choose an award. We gave her options and she chose a family outing for ice cream. So once she got to 3 stars, we went out for ice cream after her gymnastics class. Then we took down those stars and changed the goal to 5 stars and she chose a prittiful (Phoebe's word = it's pretty and beautiful together) new dress, then she changed it to new shoes and now that she reached the 5 stars, she has changed it to a new movie. So it looks like we'll be hitting Blockbuster today! But it's definitely working out! She does come to our bed in the middle of the night, but it's fine... baby steps! I'm thankful that God has blessed us with such a wonderful, good hearted child! We really couldn't ask for anything more. =)

Why the World is in Bad Shape! -Ben Stein

So true...

This is really something to think about. 

Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late ! !



The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday  Morning  Commentary.

My confession: 

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish.  And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees...  I don't feel threatened..  I don't feel discriminated against.. T hat's what they are, Christmas trees. 

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me.  I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto.  In fact, I kind of like it.  It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu .  If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. 

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians.  I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.  I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country.  I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. 

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?  I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.  But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to. 

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different:  This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. 

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina)..  Anne Graham gave an extremely profound a nd insightful response..  She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.  And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.  How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?' 

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc..  I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.  Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school.  The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.  And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and w e might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).  We said an expert should know what he's talking about..  And we said okay..

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.  I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.' 

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.  Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.  Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.  Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. 

Are you laughing yet? 

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. 

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. 

Pass it on if you think it has merit. 
  
If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did.  But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.  

My Best Regards,  Honestly and respectfully, 

Ben Stein 

Second Baptist Kids Crazy Christmas Show 12/21/09

We were invited by Summer to attend her church's Christmas show. I wasn't feeling too great and they offered to take Phoebe for me, but I didn't want to miss sharing the experience with her. So I went and I enjoyed it so much! This was one of the best performances I've ever witnessed. They changed older songs that were really popular in our day to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. We took kids ranging from 4-10 and all of them, including us adults, had a wonderful time! The parking lot wasn't crazy, we were able to pull right in and park and leave right away when it ended. We arrived almost at start time and were able to sit in the 2nd row. All of the kids could sit on the floor in front of the stage if they wanted. The program is an hour and we loved every single minute! They also gave out cookies and lemonade on your way out. Everything is free and you don't have to be a member of the church.

Here is the schedule, I'll be posting videos soon!
The picture by the Christmas trees was taken on our way out, look at those happy faces!

Phoebe's 4th Birthday Party - 12/19/2009

We celebrated Phoebe's 4th birthday at Kids in Action in Kingwood. The theme was Curious George. April made the cupcakes, the icing was shaped like bananas on each cupcake and then had a little Curious George sticking out the top. And then of course the birthday girl had a bigger George on hers. She had a blast! Maw Maw & Paw Paw came in for her party... we all had a good time!

Phoebe's Christmas Program 12/7/2009

Phoebe performing in her Christmas Program at Mother's Day Out. She did a wonderful job again! We're so proud of our girl. We love you Phoebe Jean!!

Halloween - Costume Parades & Festivals!

Phoebe's gymnastics class had a costume parade this week. All of the kids wore their costumes and walked around the gym while parents took pictures. After that, they changed into their leotards and had class.

Phoebe's Mother's Day Out class had a parade on Thursday. Nanny came to show support!

Then MawMaw & PawPaw came in Friday. Everyone wore a costume on Halloween! MawMaw was Cleopatra, PawPaw was The Man with the Yellow Hat (from Curious George), Phoebe was Curious George, Michael was Shaggy and I was Scooby Dooby Doo! We went to the Fall Festival at the church and then came home for some good ol' trick or treating! Phoebe had a blast running around with Sophie, Beau, Victoria, Lila and some other children! Me & MawMaw joined in on the trick or treating while the boys hung out by Christian.

RIP Aunt Jean

Jean Young Exnicios


(March 22, 1953 - September 29, 2009)

JEAN YOUNG EXNICIOS, AGE 56

And a resident of Mt. Hermon, LA died at 5:15 pm Tuesday September 29, 2009 at Regency hospital in Covington. She was a native and longtime resident of New Orleans and had been a resident of Mt. Hermon since 2006. Mrs. Exnicios was a former office employee of Chevron. She enjoyed spending time on the computer and gardening and was an active member of Dave’s Garden, an online gardening information community.

Survived by:

Husband: S. Richard Exnicios, III of Mt. Hermon

Sister: Tessie Gioia of Picayune, MS

Uncle: Billy Young of Florida

Also several nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents Mathias and Jean Buris Young and a brother Matt Young, Jr.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contact Crain Funeral Home in Franklinton for any further developing details.

Jackson's First Grooming 9.5.09

Jack had his first grooming appointment today at Dog Gone Stylin'. We dropped him off at 10:30 this morning and Phoebe started crying. She didn't understand why we were leaving him. We explained it to her and she was okay after a bit. They just called at 3 to say he was ready and we all piled in the car to go pick him up. Phoebe was so excited to pick him up. They said that he was great, he stood there the whole time. And the groomer did a fantastic job on him! But he's a little itchy because of the hair. Like Mikey said, they should cut him then give him a bath! So him and Phoebe just went upstairs and rinsed him off. He looks great though!

Halloween Costumes

We let Phoebe choose her costume this year and she picked out Curious George.


We saw the Spongebob one for dogs and had to get it for Jack...


Let's hope she'll actually enjoy this Halloween! Last year before we went trick or treating, a kid came to our door and he was wearing a scary mask, needless to say, it freaked her out and she didn't want to go anywhere! So we hung out at home. The year before last, we drove over to Nanny's to go trick or treating with them but we missed it (I can't remember why, I just know that the boys had already gone or something). So let's hope it works out this year!

9/11/09 - We finally got the SpongeBob costume on Jack, he kept biting at it though so I don't think he'll wear it for Halloween, but at least we got a picture out of it, lol!


Phoebe tried on her Curious George costume:


She also tried on her costume from 2007 and it still fit. Here is a picture we took in 2007 and one we took last week. Gosh she's grown!



And here's what she wore last year (Little Mermaid)


And in 2006:

Phoebe & Jackson Playing 8/7/09

She's singing (or trying to sing) Rock a bye baby to Jack. Can you see that we made the right decision here? Lol! This is too cute, be prepared to laugh =)

Welcome home, Jackson 8/2/09

After the "sissy doesn't love me" episode... we agreed it was time to get her a dog. Especially since we aren't having anymore children, she could use the companion.

We found a breeder in Spring, TX, we looked at their site and instantly agreed that we'd love to have Jack. They called us back and we were able to pick him up that day, Sunday, 8/2/09. They named him Jack and we thought we'd keep that name, then I called him Jackson while playing and it really fit. So we're calling him Jack for short, and Jackson when he's in trouble. :)

Phoebe broke my heart tonight

Phoebe was laying next to me and she looked like she was in a daze, thinking about something. I said "baby, what are you thinking about?" She said "Sissy doesn't love me"... I said "what do you mean, of course she loves you"... She then said "sissy won't come home to see me" and she began to cry. Oh man, that broke my heart into a million pieces. I then told her that sissy is in heaven with Jesus and she began to cry more. I thought she was too young to understand. Guess I was wrong. So so sad... She's asleep now. I'm not sure what triggered those thoughts but now it has me wondering how long she's been thinking about her Sissy.

Phoebe's 1st Haircut 6/27/09

We scheduled the appt for Phoebe to get her hair cut. We've always avoided it because of her beautiful curls. But Jenn, my hairdresser, said that her hair will be dead if we don't cut it. So her appt is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 11:45am with Jenn. I was a bit nervous but I'd rather her have healthy hair. Then I started thinking, if we're going to cut it, why not do the right thing and cut it for Locks of Love.. and donate it to a child that lost her hair to cancer?? I need to run that one by the hubby but it is something we may consider. Or we may chicken out and just trim it. We'll have to see how dead it is and how much she'll need to take off first.

Phoebe was all excited to get her hair cut! Until we got there, lol. She saw the chair and didn't want to sit. She cried a little here and there but she ended up doing well overall. So we let her pick out a flower barrette and headband when she was done. And she looked so beautiful! Turns out her hair was still healthy even though we didn't touch it for 3 1/2 years! So she just needed to take about an inch off. And her hair was damp when it was done and her hair started curling up so it looks like we've still got curls! YAY!

*****CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW THEM LARGER*****

From Phoebe's 1st Haircut 62709

From Phoebe's 1st Haircut 62709

Visit from MawMaw & PawPaw =) June 09

MawMaw & PawPaw came in for a visit. We had lots of fun Friday night! Phoebe sang on her karaoke machine, danced and jumped around in her leotard, played SpongeBob bingo and got to sleep upstairs with them! Where they watched Scooby Doo & fell asleep. Phoebe helped me make everyone breakfast Saturday morning. We had french toast and bacon, yummy! Then we played bingo and practiced writing our letters. We all got dressed, headed to Lowe's for parts to install gutters, stopped & ate at Zachary's Cajun Cafe on the way back and then Phoebe and MawMaw took a nice long nap. I cooked Pepper Steak for everyone and Tammy and Rudy stopped over with the boys later to visit. MawMaw & PawPaw headed home on Sunday. Phoebe was sad to see them go... but we made her day when we explained that we'd see them in 2 weeks! (when we go in for Brittanie's baby shower)

Phoebe Singing =) 5/23/2009

Our little diva is definitely not shy!!



She's singing:
Jesus Loves Me
Itsy Bitsy Spider
ABC's
Fuzzy Caterpillar

Old McDonald's Farm 5/23/2009

Momma, Dadda and Phoebe took a trip to the petting zoo today. The weather was nice, it was overcast so it wasn't too hot. And we didn't wear ourselves out by staying a long time. We got there, went straight to feeding the animals, walked around, rode the choo choo... and that was it! Phoebe loved the animals (of course)... she wasn't scared (never is) and she was in a great mood (as usual)! So it was the perfect day for us! After leaving, we stopped to grab lunch and now we're back home.


I have to add that she was a little upset that she couldn't take George with her. We told her to leave him in the car because the sheep would probably want to eat him. (we were just being honest!) Hehe! And we parked in the shade so it wouldn't get too hot for George :) She was happy to be reunited with him when we were done.