"Learn from yesterday, live for today, HOPE for tomorrow!"

 Well, my little "worker bees" are at it again! Today we were invited to participate in another fun art project to benefit the Austin JDRF Chapter.

 Kaci and Bailey got to make a priceless piece of art work that is to be given to this year's Hope Ball Honorees- the past JDRF Austin Board presidents. It is a small way for us to help out and say "Thank You" for the strong foundation they helped lay for this wonderful organization that we love so much!

 Here are my "worker bees" starting on their flower mosaics. Glad that dad came to help us cut the tiles. It isn't as easy as it looks!

 Bailey was the first to finish and soon he was ready to glue.

 Here is his finished piece. We left them on the table to dry and the workers at Cafe Monet are going to set the grout in for us.

 Here is Kaci with her finished piece!

 Beautiful! & Priceless!

I just love how well they both turned out. So proud of my kiddos! They are always willing to help and donate their time and talents!

Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun.-- Kahlil Gibran

 It was such a beautiful day again today~! We thought we would try out the water one more time with Payton Jane! As you can see from the picture- she enjoyed the towel more than the water. LOL!

 Chelsea Jane loves it!!

 Here she is helping Kaci out as her shield while she shoots Bailey with a water gun.

 Payton found a nice cool spot under the playscape to watch the action- just not be a part of the action!

 Kaci grabbed her up here for a quick picture! Say cheese!

 Look at Bailey go on the slip and slide!

 And there goes Kaci! I think their legs are going to be covered in bruises in the morning! YIKES!

 Here is Payton with her favorite toy! We call it "Dirty Squirell"

She finished off the afternoon with this delicious new bone!

TagWorks!

 Here is Kaci at the Petsmart TagWorks machine working on getting Payton Jane her new dog tag!

 We decided on the pink bone- which also reminded us of a "Pink Ribbon" which is what her first family called her! (they put ribbons around each puppies neck so that they could know who was who)

Can't wait to put it on her collar. We may wait until she gets just a little bit bigger!

Happy "2 Month" Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy "2nd month" Birthday, Dear Payton!

Happy Birthday to you!

And many more......

G-Force

Here is the Field Day flag I made for Bailey's 2nd grade class. Mrs. Garrett's G- Force! I love how it came out and Bailey loved it too....that was really the most important thing :)

Mr. Shore's Super Snoopys~

Coach Shore asked me to make the Field Day Flag for Kaci's class. The theme this year is cartoon characters. Kaci's class voted on Snoopy! I LOVE how this flag turned out. I have so much fun painting them. It isn't often that I get to paint. If you click on the links below...you will see the flags I made for Kaci and Bailey's class last year. The theme was Pirates!

http://andrea-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/04/powells-plunderers.html

http://andrea-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/04/peg-legged-parrots.html

The countdown begins....

Is it summer yet? The kids and I can hardly wait! I am not like most moms- the moms that dread summer...I LOVE it! I love sleeping in. I love staying up late. I love the dollar movies. I love going to the pool! I love eating lunch out! I love trips to the beach. I love being with my kids ALL THE TIME! Even when they drive me crazy.

Today after school we decided to hit the backyard for some slippery, wet, watery fun!

The old slip and slide was in pretty good shape. That should save me a couple of dollars this summer.

Payton took her first dip in the baby pool. Let's just say- she wasn't impressed......and liked napping on the beach towels much, much more!

Chelsea usually loves the water, but she just wasn't feeling it today. She watched from the outer rim of the pool while Kaci got wet in the pool.

Here is Bailey.....just chillin'!

Here is a pictures of my babies from last summer...2011!



First Trip!

 I took my first trip today! It was just a short trip to Brenham for a birthday party! I was so good in the car and slept most of the way there!

 BUT- that didn't keep me from napping while I was at the party. Here is a picture of Kaci holding me! I was sleeeping hard.

 I found some really great sticks to chew while I was there!

Glad to be back to my new home tonight! This is me in my new backyard checking out the flowers!

Hi! I am Payton Jane!

 Hi! My name is Payton Jane. I used to be called Pink Ribbon when I lived at home with my Mommy. I am 7 1/2 weeks old. I was born on February 27, 2012.  I just got to my new home and met my new family last night. I was sad to leave my mom and my brothers and sisters- but I think I am going to fall in love with my new family- The Borchgardts!

 My new home is right here in Round Rock, Texas. I have 4 great people in my family now. I also live with a big dog that looks a lot like me. Her name is Chelsea Jane. She has been really sweet to me and sort of reminds me of my mom. There is also a cat here, Missy Prissy. She isn't too sure about me and has only seen me from a distance. She likes to stay up higher than me - so I haven't been able to check her out much yet.

 I have a lot of  toys at my new house and a really nice big crate that is just for me! I like my new toys- but I really love my blanket and duck toy that I got to bring with me from my old house. Smells like my mom and my brothers and sisters. It makes me feel not so lonely!

Here is a picture of me and my new friend, Chelsea~ She was giving me a hug this morning.  I think I am going to LOVE my new family!

Ronald McDonald House

Just look at all those soda tabs Kaci and Bailey collected for the Ronald McDonald house! So proud of my babies! Thanks to Dad and Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Margaret they turned in over 4,000 tabs! Can you say, "AWESOME!" ?

I'm so excited.....

...and I just can't hide it! We are getting a new chocolate lab puppy this weekend! I have been looking on the computer for a while now. They are not easy to find! Amber came across this litter and website www.texaslabradors.net the other day and sent it to me. A few days later- we had secured this cute little baby- also known as Pink Ribbon! Can't wait to meet her- now if we could just all agree on a name. So far my top three are:

1. Maple

2. Payton

3. Paisley

Where flowers BLOOM, so does HOPE!

Today was the Painting With A Twist and the Austin JDRF painting party! It is the 2nd time we have been invited to participate and we wouldn't miss it for the world!
Every year for the JDRF Hope Ball they auction off a beautiful (& PRICELESS) piece of artwork made by our Type 1 HEROS!

This year's theme is HOPE BLOOMS

Here are Kaci's finished masterpieces!

I can't wait to see the finished product!

HOPE BLOOMS~

So excited! Kaci has been asked (once again!) to participate in the Children's JDRF Art Project this Saturday, April 14th from 1:00 - 3:00pm It is being held at Painting with a Twist. Such a cool place to hang out and paint with friends!

Every year for the JDRF Hope Ball, they auction off a priceless piece of art made by our Type 1 heroes. Here is a picture of Kaci and the beautiful canvases she painted last year. This year the theme is HOPE BLOOMS! I can't wait to see what she gets to paint this year! Oh what I wouldn't give to win this AWESOME auction piece!

Last year it was auctioned off for $4,000.00~

Then it was donated to Kaci's Doctor's office- Specially For Children! Look how beautiful it turned out when they put all of the canvases together!

Bird Nests!

Yummy~ Yummy~ Yummy~One of our favorite Easter treats to make are these cute and delicious bird's nest.

So easy and delicious!

All you need is one bag of chow mein noodles, one bag of chocolate chips, one bag of butterscotch chips and a bag of jelly beans. Melt the chocolate and butterscotch- pour in the noodles and stir until coated. Divide into small groups on wax paper giving each group a few jelly beans (also known as bird eggs!) Leave in the fridge to set for about 30 minutes and then ENJOY!~