Sunday, October 19, 2025

Fall Fun!

This weekend had all things fall for the Houstons! We started with our school’s fall festival Friday night (where Kristen and I were in charge of games again). Zander ran one of the games, Maddox ran around using all of his pre-purchased tickets, Zack supervised all the fun and I ran around ensuring games were running smoothly and appropriately stocked with prizes! I was worn out by Saturday morning but we had two soccer games (Mollie came to Maddox’s game), grocery shopping and haircuts to make for a full day “off”. On Sunday, we had our church’s fall festival where Zander and his middle school friends hosted a pit crew themed trunk for the “trunk or treat” while Maddox got to fill his pumpkin bucket with tons of candy while dressed as Spider-Man. We met up with a chef and firefighter to ensure a picture of the cousin crew. 


Dressing up as traffic cones during the car rider line in the mornings and afternoons to advertise for the fall festival at school….
In other news, Zack will be starting a new job in a couple weeks! He is still working for the same company that he has been with for 20 years but will be the High Performance Flooring Sales Representative for the Central Region of our state. With this new role, he will no longer be managing a store location and will spend more time on the road visiting various customers and stores while also working from home some (which I think Beau will enjoy the most). Due to the travel aspects of his new job, he was provided a company car for these visits. He went to pick it up this past week and the boys enjoyed looking at daddy’s new work “ride”. We are so blessed by how hard Zack works for our family and continue to pray for God’s provision through this new opportunity.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Author Visit

Two weeks ago, this soccer player had a hat trick (and only played the second half of the game as striker! ). He didn’t allow any goals scored on him while he played goalie for the first half! This kid sure is athletic!
It was National Frappe Day… it called for an overpriced sweet treat!;)
Zander had a soccer game 2 hours away last weekend… which meant we got home after 11:00 p.m. on a Friday night! We were all tired after the busy week and long drive back home!
A laid back breakfast was just what we needed that Saturday morning after the late night travels.

Dinner with friends this week!
Zander got to meet his favorite author this past weekend. He has read most of Alan Gratz’ books and owns many of them as well.  He came home with five signed books and his two favorites were personalized with a greeting addressed to him. It was such a fun afternoon for me and my oldest. We got to check out the first part of Maddox’s soccer game prior to the author visit. It was a wet afternoon on the soccer field but our Madman had a blast scoring two goals on offense and not allowing any goals when playing goalkeeper. 

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Zander’s Honor Society Induction

Our boy was recognized at his middle school for their Honor Society; celebrating students’ academic achievements, leadership, service, character and citizenship. It is such a huge achievement and I’m so proud of how hard he works, his leadership qualities and his desire to serve others. We are thankful for the example he is setting for his brother as well. :)

I’m spending a lot of time with the Cousin Crew as well, before school each morning in my office, when covering duty free lunch for the teachers and while the Kennedy adults were out of town celebrating Boomer’s 40th birthday!:) I love getting to hang out with these three on a daily basis!
Maddox had his first field trip of the year. I didn’t get to attend (and am looking forward to joining him for his spring field trip) but I loved getting pictures from other parents who were there that day! This picture makes me smile…. Pure joy finding a rock that Maddox feels is rare and of great value. ;)
The boys wanted to go to the driving range last weekend…. They love all sports!
I got to see Ashley for lunch on a work day! She lives 2.5 hours away from me but had a training a mile from where my all day meeting was! I love how God provided the time and opportunity to see her for a brief visit.
The boys finished another puzzle (with mommy’s help).

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Soccer Saturdays

We got to celebrate Grandpa’s 76th birthday last week! We are so blessed to celebrate each year with him and are so thankful for all he does for our family!


Got a hair cut!
While I was at the dentist, Eli knocked his teeth on a 1/2 wall at our school. I rushed back to school to give him cuddles until Grammy could pick him up and take him to the dentist to confirm his permanent teeth were in tact! (Linds and Boom were out of town). I am still cavity free since ‘83!
Zander’s 7th grade school picture 
He loves PawPaw’s bomber jacket! He wanted to send a picture to his social studies teacher.
Last Saturday we headed to Charlotte for a full day of soccer! We got to see the Cantrell kids for lunch and then EC and Ethyn joined us for Zander’s second game of the day!


On Sunday, we got to cheer on Maddox on the pitch! He played goalie for the first half and an offensive position for the 2nd half! They won their first game 5-1 and Maddox would want me to let you know that no goals were scored on him!:)

He got to see a friend after the game!
Sunday cuddles!
Matching my favorite girl for “School Spirit Night” at AWANA
Middle school friends meeting up at their elementary school during a teacher workday!
Eli reading his “All About Me” book before school 
Advertising for our Dine Out Night 
More Soccer Saturdays! Both boys played local on the same day…. Which meant we had a big fan club…Grammy, Grannie and the Kennedys!


Saturday, September 6, 2025

Three Day Weekend

We enjoyed an extra day off from work/school responsibilities due to Labor Day. While we were productive on Saturday and Sunday with chores around the house, we headed out Monday morning for a hike with all the boys (I’m always outnumbered)! Beau was a trooper for the 1.6 mile hike. We had great weather and great views! It was a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday!

Zack and I fit in a date night last weekend, allowing the boys to stay home alone while we were gone for about 1.5 hours! The dinner was delicious and the company was even better!
I love the extra time I get with my niece and nephew each day before school. It is such an incredible blessing to spend my mornings with three of my favorite kids (including Maddox). 
Today, we headed to Huntersville for a soccer game. While Z’s team didn’t bring home a win, we had a yummy lunch/dinner complete with bottled root beer!

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Softball, Soccer and School

We have been super busy throughout the weeks with school. Maddox, Mollie and Mae advertised for our dine out night at McDonalds! 


We have a pretty consistent routine of hanging out in Mommy/Aunt Megan’s office for about 20-30 minutes before the school day begins!

Beau enjoys the nights when we are at home! Our little loaf!
Zander’s team went to their first tournament of the year and won the championship! We had a great fan club cheering him on throughout the four games he played last weekend! He is playing on the elite team this year and having a blast, mainly playing left wing and striker!

Zander got to help his best friend, Jackson, celebrate his 13th birthday! I cannot believe we are quickly approaching the teenage years!
A couple more of Zack’s awards got delivered from his stellar performance last year at work! So proud of him and how hard he works for our family!
When I’m not on the field cheering on my own ball players, I love getting to watch the Kennedy kids do their thing! Two weeks ago, I got to see Emmy play in her first softball tournament of the season!