Who am I?

I was watching Oprah the other day and she was talking to women who had lost themselves somehow. These were mostly Mom's who had given up something important, like a career, to be a Mom. The basis of the show was the women no longer knew who they were. She posed the question to them, "who are you?". When they started saying things like "I'm a Mother" or "I'm a Christian" or "I'm a hairstylist" she would stop them and say, that isn't who you are, that is what you do, or what you believe.

So, my question is... if being a Mom isn't how I can define who I am, then I do I really know who I am ? What is it that defines who we are? I don't know if I really understand what she is saying, since I can't think of ways to describe who I am when you take away those things. What is she trying to get us to realize about ourselves? Does she want us to use words like "I am a caring person" or "I am outgoing", is it parts of our personality that defines us? Or is it something else, and I am missing the point completely?

So now I am asking you... who am I?

Biting rampage

Mason really loved his baby sister, for about a month. Now however, he has decided she needs to go home. She is really cramping his style! He decided the best way to convince Mom and Dad that she has outstayed her welcome is by biting her!!! I need some help as to how to stop this! I have tried time out, I have tried spanking, I have tried time out and THEN a spanking... I just don't know what to do. Any suggestions are welcome!

Our Date - The Dark Knight!

Saturday was our date for the month. We took the chance to go see the new Batman movie. Jes had been excited for months before this day and the movie didn't let him down. We also ate at "Steak and Shake" for the first time ever. It was surprising good. As Jes said, "That was the best date night since the last time I planned it".

SMILE!!!!!

Tori's first real smile was when she was 5 weeks old. By 7 weeks she was starting to smile a little more, and now at 8 weeks it is fairly easy to get her to crack one! it's so fun watching her learn new things! This is her Sunday dress, she wont be able to wear it anymore as I could barely get the buttons done up around her chubby waist last Sunday! She is growing up so fast. She has grown out of most newborn sized clothes and is getting chunkier by the day!!! A lot of her hair is falling out too, that makes me so sad. =-( I think it is going to come back in blond just like her big brothers.

Mason Dancing

Lately, Mason's been dancing for us. Tonight, he decided to get dressed up before his dance. No, we weren't going swimming. =) See the video...

Memory Lane

I am stealing this from Stacy, who stole it from Ali...It sounded fun!Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Weaver Trip to Texas Continued...

Snuuuggle time...

Having dinner at Hula Hut on Lake Austin. Mason was saying, "I didn't throw my fry into the lake for the fish".

Don and Shalynn boating.

Jessica and Shalynn in San Antonio.

Texas State History Museum (minus Jessica who was taking the picture!)

Weaver's Come to Texas!

Don, Jessica, and Shalynn came to visit us last week. It's been a fun-filled week with many adventures! We visited the Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin, saw the Congress Bridge bats, canoed down Town Lake, played games, and ate lots of food!


Town Lake from the Congress Bridge. We had a nice relaxing picnic in Zilker Park, then rented a canoe and took turns rowing up and down the river. It was fun! Mason was the only one that brought his swim suit, so he had a fun time swimming. Unfortunately, Jes fell in the river helping Mason out once, but since it was nearly 100 degrees, it was a welcomed cool off. Jes, Don, Shalynn, and Mason were taking the canoe back to the dock, and they decided to let Mason swim one last time in the middle of the river. When he was done, Don and Shalynn were leaning out of the canoe pulling Mason in and a oar fell out the other side. At the same time, they both went to grab it and WHOOSH! We all went flying into the river! Jes came out of the water and immediately looked for Mason who was still in the boat, floating away! He started crying when he realized he was all alone, but Jes and Don swam to him and swam the boat to the shore. Shalynn swam around and gathered all the oars! At the shore, in our attempt to get into the boat, we all fell in again! Then we sunk the canoe! We were able to get the canoe up and emptied and finally got it returned. Completely soaked, we returned the boat to the dock and handed them a wet 20 dollar bill for payment.

Ashlee, Shalynn, and Jes take a turn on the canoe! Ashlee's so excited!!!

Jes, Shalynn, and Mason return from a ride!

Mason taking a dip in the river.

Little bird

We have a nest of birds on our back porch. All summer we have been watching the little babies grow up! This is the second set we have had this year. 2 nights ago Jes found one of the babies on the driveway. It was unable to fly. We don't know if it was hurt or if it was just learning and couldn't quite figure it out. Either way, Jes picked it up and took it to the porch near the nest thinking the Mommy could find it easier and it would be protected under the porch. When we went out later, it was still wandering around on the porch. Jes decided to try and feed it a bug, and when he got close enough to give it to it, the little bird jumped right onto Jes' hand! It was so cute! We went and got Mason and let him hold it. He did a good job of being gentle. The bird was still on the porch the next morning, but was gone by the afternoon. I hope it figured out how to fly and is okay. Mason named it Victoria!

He insisted on having the bird sit on his shoulder!

Our cuties in there 4th of July outfits!

July 4th Party at Taylor's!!!

We had a 4th of July party. There was close to 100 people here! We rented a large slide, plus had small pools and toys for the little kids. For our first big event, we felt we did a pretty good job, and we even may try again next year. Thanks for all those who participated, we hope you and your kids had a great time!

Congrats to Amy Williams for winning the Independence Day Quiz with a score of 10 for 10 and winning the tiebreaker. Amy Simpson also had 10 for 10, but lost the tie breaker! Enjoy your ice cream!

The slide arrived about an hour before the party started and Mason insisted on "testing" it. So Ashlee and Jes had to test it as well!

Thanks to all those who held Tori while we were trying to get everything done!

Mason trying out the big slide!!!

Heavenly Sleep!!!

So, we kicked Victoria out of our room last night. She is just way to noisy when she sleeps and it keeps us awake all night. I have never heard a baby that was so loud!!! She grunts and snorts all night long!!! I decided after waking up yesterday morning exhausted that it would be the last sleepless night due to grunting. I woke Tori up just before I went to bed around 10:30 and fed her, and then put her to bed in her crib in her own room. I felt sad and guilty about kicking her out so soon. Mason stayed in our room for 3 months... She is only 5 weeks! I went to bed around 11:00, and when we woke up at 6:30 this morning I realized something wonderful! We had our first full night of sleep since she was born!!! She slept all night and so did Mason! It was a miracle!!! Oh how nice it was to get to sleep all night long!!!