Splish, Splash I was playing in the pool!

It's been a while since I've had time to update this thing. So, this will be short and sweet! This summer has been SO stinkin hot that all we want to do is swim! Temps have stayed in the upper 90's during the day. Seeing as though 3 days out of the week are spent at the pool, I thought it was only appropriate that I blog about our pool experiences! :)

We go to the 4 Seasons pool about 3 times a week. Before we talk about the kids...let's just take a second to talk about this amazing place!!! The first time Jamie took me, I couldn't believe my eyes. There are 4 different types of pools. We go to the family pool. It's a huge area with about 5 pools, none of them are deeper than 3 ft. There is also a beach area where the kids can go and play in the sand. Right when we arrive at the pool we are greeted by someone that is taking our order, poolside. :) We start off with milkshakes for the kids and smoothies for us! After we finish our beverages, we order our lunches (keep in mind, we never have to leave the pool) and about 30 min later we have a table with our lunches all set up. After lunch, we get back in the pool for about 45 min or so, depending on what time it is. Then, we sadly pack up and head home for naps. :(

Alright, so back to the kids...Campbell just this week started going under water on his own, which is so wonderful b/c they both are starting swim lessons next week. Caden usually gets knocked down a few times and comes up with a smile on her face. They both just love the water.

Here is a really cute pic of the kids together. It's very rare for me to get them together for a picture, so pretty much I gotta take what I can get!


I hope that everyone is having a fantastic summer! Oh wait...how could I forget!!! On my days off on the weekends are spent @ the lake. One of my really good friends boyfriend has a boat. So, we go out on Lake Ray Hubbard to knee board, wake board and just enjoy ourselves! Well, I decided to knee board and to my astonishment, I was able to get up! That is now my new hobby!

You mean I get PAID to play with kids?!

I had the BEST week @ work last week. We went to the park, play-groups, singing classes, took lots of walks and just most of all had a lot of laughs! I should have never doubted God, but for a while I just kept wondering "when will it be my turn to be happy?" Well, from the time I finally let go ( I think I have control issues lol) and trusted HIM for my happiness, I landed this job. I haven't been this happy (that wasn't dependent on anything or anyone) in so long, I forgot what it felt like. :) I joined a Community Group for single women @ my church. Jamie will actually lead this group and it will be held at our house 2 Sunday nights a month. We both are very excited to grow our relationship in Him thru this study. I say all this to show you that God is so amazing and will take care of us even when we think there is no hope. I have come so very far since the day that Adam and I broke up and I am so very thankful for that. I can now appreciate the highs and lows of that point in my life and look back and thank God for allowing me to go thru all that, just so I can learn who I am and what I want out of my life. I am enjoying my life here in Dallas and so very thankful that He picked this family for me!

I know that most of you know that I was a nanny for a wonderful family in Lewisville, TX for about a year right before I moved back to Longview. I have kept in touch with them thru emails ect. But, now since I'm back here in Dallas I got the opportunity to go and visit them. We had a great time catching up. Lu Lu was just 2 when I started and she's now 4 1/2, John Davis was just six weeks old when I started and he is 2 1/2. They have both grown up so much and it was a great time. Here is the pic I got from that evening!

What an amazing time in my life! :)

I made it to the big city of Dallas! I am here and loving every single second. I got here on Tuesday night and met up with some old/new friends for dinner. Then I officially moved into the house on Wednesday morning. I haven't started work yet, but have been hanging out with the kids and having a grand ole time. I will report to duty on Monday ;) It's been great seeing friends and visiting some families I babysat for. I've been going and going since I got to town, but it's been so wonderful seeing everyone.

I don't know how much time I will have to update this once I start working, but I've heard from several people that yall have really enjoyed this. So, I will do my best to keep it updated! I'm planning on buying a camera on Monday and will take some pictures of the kids and the house etc.

Have a great weekend everyone!

GOT THE JOB!!! :)

I couldn't be happier right now. I will be moving to Dallas next week sometime. My official start date is Monday May 18th. But, I may move a lot sooner. I am not subbing anymore, so I have the next week and a half to play! :) God has truly blessed me with the sweetest family! The kids and I had a blast the last few days. I got to bond and play and just run around all day with them. I kept thinking...I'm getting PAID TO PLAY! :) Jamie (the mom) and I have bonded in a much faster way than I ever expected. I know God placed her in my life for a very specific purpose and I can't wait to see how He is going to nurture and grow our relationship. We tell everyone that we feel like we are sisters. We are truly that close. We stayed up talking and laughing and just hangin out after the kids went to bed. I can't describe the happiness in my life right now. I have truly let everything and yes I mean everything stay in my past. I am moving on and not looking back! God has a super plan for me in Dallas for at least the next 2 years. I signed a 2 year agreement with her and hopefully stay with them for many years to come. Thank you all so very much for your prayers. This is evidence that God answers prayers in the most amazing way possible. I just had wait for His timing and it was all so very worth it! "Prayer changes everything because it releases God's wisdom into your circumstances." -- Joyce Meyer

I got to have a little "play" time with my girlfriends on Saturday. We went to the Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum concert. It was pouring down raining the entire time, but we had the most fun. We sang and danced all in the rain. Here are some pictures to prove just how much fun a concert can be in the rain! :)

Is this a dream?! :)

So, I am not going to even interview with the family in Frisco now. This other family is just too good for words! :) I'm going to spend the night with them on Friday night and she has a massage therapist that comes to HER HOUSE and she will get one and then she made an appt for me to get one right after her!? I'm in heaven! She has a membership @ the 4 Seasons and she goes there for the pool on the weekends! :) Id get 3 weeks paid vacation. I'll travel with her and the kids this summer to CA, WY and CO! We found out that she attends the same church I attended when I lived in Dallas (Watermark) and we will go to church together on this Sunday and then I'll work (paid of course) till Wednesday! :) She will also offer a free gym membership to any gym I want! YAY!!! She told me today that she does quarterly raises. Are you kidding ME?! Anyway, I am just so thrilled. There was a reason I haven't been able to find a family and this is why...HE was waiting for me to meet her and her adorable kids!! :)

My life is GREAT! God is even BETTER!!! :)

Well, I will be heading to Dallas this weekend to now interview with 2 families. The first one I will interview with just found me on enannysource last night. We've been emailing all day. They are offering me $100 more a week that the family in Frisco. My day would end @ 4. The kids are 2 and 1. I would have my hands full, but right now, I think I need to be very busy! :) I'm going to attach some pictures of this beautiful family. Oh and the biggest difference is she is a single mom. I won't go into details but, she is a strong Christian lady and I would be HONORED to work for her!

Now the other family has 4 1/2 year old triplets and a 12 yr old. So, that right there can sum up the whole family! :) My hours with this family would be 6:30am-9am and then pick them up from pre-school and school @ 3 and wouldn't get off until 8:30 or 9. I don't have any pictures of this family, but they are very adorable as well.

As you can see, I will once again ask for your prayers. I know God has an awesome plan for my life and I just want to do what HIS will is for me!

Won't be leaving on a jet plane anytime soon!

Alright, well I got this email yesterday :

Hi Colleen - As much as I hate to say it ... I think this just may not be the right partnership. So sad. I really wish you all the best and hope you find a good family. Thanks and good luck!! Kris

So, that makes things REAL easy for me! :) I've contacted the family in Frisco and she is waiting for her husband to get back in town and will call me after she talks to him. I have a good feeling I will get this job.

Anyway, just wanted to keep ya posted on the progress!!! Have a GREAT weekend. I am SO excited, I'm going to have lunch tomorrow in Houston with an old jr. high best friend, Kyann Goode. I haven't seen her since I was like a sophomore. So, we are goin to be like lil girls, laughing and catching up! I can't wait!!!!