Times Are Changing...

Big changes are coming down the pipeline for the Bruce family over the next month.  BOTH of Billy's brothers are moving away from the DFW metroplex.  I still think I'm in denial about it all but I am still threatening to lay down behind moving trucks in protest! :-)  We all knew that it was a huge blessing to have everyone in the same area for so long and I know God is in control of everything.  But I'm sad to see our family move away.  Even though my family is spread out, it was so nice to have family close and in town.  I've cherished it very much.


Brad, Kelli, Anna, Haven & Caleb Bruce

Brad and Kelli have lived in DFW for 6+ years.  Thankfully, they are only moving 2.5 hours south (I timed it last time I went to Austin)!  What a joy it has been to be near each other while having all our babies and being able to celebrate small and big things together.  I think because I'm so familiar with Austin, that I don't feel like I will miss out on too much with this Bruce family.  But I will miss out on the more spontaneous "let's get together" outings.  Brad has also worked about 2 miles from our house, so if I ever needed to get anything to Kelli, it was easy to drop things off at his office.  I'm glad that they have some very close sweet friendships already awaiting them in ATX and Anna is lined up to start school in Round Rock ISD!!  It is also very evident that God was preparing a way for them, especially during the 'sell our home, find another home' adventure. 

Robert, Sandy, Kaila, Micah, Nalani, Shanna & Liza Bruce

Robert and Sandy have lived in DFW almost 8 years (Robert has been here longer).  They will be moving to a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah mid-June.  BOO!  No I'm just kidding... we are excited for them and know that they will enjoy where God is leading them.  It has been a privilege to see Micah and Kaila grow up and know them as pre-teens!  And to see Nalani, Shanna and Liza grow into sweet little ladies.  It has also been great to go to church together with this Bruce family.  I know that Sandy will probably have to screen her phone calls from me, as she's been my person to call before I call the doctor, my cooking guru, my partner in church nursery and a very good friend as I learned (still am learning) to become a mother and house manager!  I'll have to remember the time change.  Robert has many relationships through work out in Utah, and I hope the family will develop new friendships quickly too.  I'm also glad they have each other and know, personally, what a great source of comfort siblings can be during transitions. 

 

Bruce Family, November 2013

It has been a huge blessing to have these families so close as our own children were born and grown older.  The cousins have made some great memories together that I hope they can hold onto and smile about in the future.  I know there are still plenty of years left to make lots more memories but again they won't be as 'spontaneous' as they have been in years past.  Seven Bruce cousins were born in less than 5 years so needless to say, its a party whenever they are together.  :-)  We love you guys and pray for easy moves and easy transitions for all!  We will be coming to see you soon! 

 

 

 

ATX Trip

So the girls and I ran down to Austin for some family time a few weeks ago.  I'm getting more confident to travel solo with two kiddos and I'm always up for some extended family time that a two day weekend just can't fulfill.  So we headed down on a Monday morning and were there by lunchtime.  Love what an easy drive it is to get there!  We had a great time with Granddad, Grandma and Aunt Jamie!  And thankfully, I survived a few speed bumps that I've always dreaded would happen when traveling with the girls.  Poor Emma came down with a fever Monday around dinnertime.  She opted for not eating at all and just went straight to bed.  By Tuesday she was back to her normal self!!  Monday night Austin had a wonderful downpour (resulting in 3" of rain!!) but the lightening show and thunder kept Maggie pretty scared at night.  I just kind of jumped back and forth between rooms during Monday night and got about 3 hours of sleep.  BUT I survived! :-) 

Tuesday, Aunt Jamie planned a Painting Party for the girls at her apartment.  It was fun to see her and her new place.  And so sweet of her to spoil the girls with some new ponies!  We took the rest of Tuesday pretty slow waiting to see if Emma would relapse or not.  Again it was kind of a rainy day too so we did lots indoors. 

Aunt Jamie made this sign!  She's so sweet!

The girls did multiple canvases, this one we just let them use purple so we could put it in their 'Sister Room'!

We love our Aunt Jamie and our new Ponies!

On Wednesday, Granddad took off work and we went to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center!  So neat.  They had just opened a new 'Family Area' with lots of kid attractions.  We walked all over and then had a nice lunch before heading home.  On our way to the car, my phone decided it was too hot and took a dip in a pond (as I leaned over to help with something).  But even after its third water experience, my phone is still kicking!! 

Cute photo!

We headed home after a leisurely breakfast on Thursday.  By the time we got to Waco, Maggie was crying and saying her ears hurt (she was currently taking meds for an ear infection).  So I called the doctors and made an apt for the next day.  She ended up having tonsillitis! But besides having a low fever it never seemed to affect her that much, PTL! 

Enjoying popsicles that Grandma made!

All in all, it was a great trip and I love getting a chance to be with family.  Yes, it took me a few days to recover, but I'll have time to sleep later in life! :-)  Next month we're going to get to see some cousins from Arizona and go down to SA and see Mitty!!

Water Fun

Well we aren't quite back in the pool but the warmer temps are definitely bringing out water fun more these days.  Got the girls some cheesy sprinkler toy from Walmart recently and these are some pics I got on a beautiful evening last week.  They were chilled to the bone afterwards but nothing a warm bath couldn't fix!

Yes, you can spray Mommy, just don't spray the camera!