Winter Coats and Rain Puddles

We have been patiently waiting for the weather to be cooler here in Texas. Looking at the nightly news and seeing the weekly temps continue to be in the 90's is getting old fast though. However, last night it was a little cooler (in the low 80's) and I even slipped on a thin sweatshirt for a walk with the family. It felt wonderful! Well, since we will officially be making the big move soon (have a contract, house has started being built...), we have had to think about what we need out of storage to last us through January at Matt's parents house. With our usual trip to Illinois around Christmas we knew we would need our winter coats. So, Matt went to the storage shed today and got out our winter coats. The kids took this as a sign to wear them outside, even though it was still in the mid 80's at least... Oh, and it was raining too off and on and the puddles mixed with the jackets made for some fun play time outside. Aidan also threw in the mix playing school with Ash which he has been doing a lot lately. It is such a neat way to learn what he does every day because he is modeling his teacher. He's a great little teacher and Ash loves to be the teacher too. It was a fun afternoon in the Buss household!

Playing in the rain is a pretty big deal to Aidan... He doesn't get to do it all that often!

Winter coats and underwear - their outfit of choice today.

Fall will be here soon Aidan - I hope!!

Kinder, Here we Come!

Aidan started Kinder a few weeks ago. I wasn't quite sure how either one of us would do that day, but it ended up going wonderfully. Although he was a little nervous the days before starting school, he woke up that morning all smiles and in a great mood. He looked super cute too! Matt, Asher, and I all went with him to drop him off for his first day. He found his seat, put up his things, and then sat in his seat with a book to read. No tears! I was so proud of my brave little man! I guess he was ready to start school. :) I was fully expecting to be a mess with tears flowing, but since Aidan was not scared and seemed completely at ease, I was able to give him kisses and hugs and be on my way. I can't believe we are now parents of a school aged child!

I definitely miss him every day. It's just so different without him here. Ash missed him too, but I do think she enjoys having the attention and being able to talk to me when ever she wants. She has been a chatterbox! It's sweet having that time with her.

The first week Aidan was exhausted! I wanted to ask him all about his day and he wasn't having that. But as the night went on he opened up about school and told us about his day. He seemed to be much less tired from week 2 on. So far he loves his teacher and school and is being such a good boy at school!

Looking great ready to head to school.

Walking to his class.

Asher was happy to go with!

One last hug for mommy.

In his seat ready to read.

He's thinking - I'm ready Mom! Now you can go! :)

Aidan accepted Christ!

After many conversations with Aidan about Jesus, a wonderful church, sweet caring Sunday school teachers, and kids clubs this past week, Aidan accepted Christ as his personal savior!!! As Aidan said, "The angels are dancing in heaven now!" Our super sweet and super smart little boy definitely has know how amazing Jesus is and how he is the only way to heaven. I am so glad he has chosen to now accept him in his heart. During dinner he was asking some questions and talking about Jesus. Matt asked him a little bit more and then asked him if he would like to pray about the things he was talking about. He promptly told us he wanted to wait until bedtime. So, at bedtime, him and Daddy prayed with their heads bowed together while Aidan was in his top bunk. Then Matt told me to come upstairs because Aidan has something important to tell me. He was acting kind of shy and super cute and I was so excited to hear about his big decision!! I love you Aidan and I love the way you love Jesus!!

Happy Father's Day 2010

Before there were THOUSANDS of pictures, there was one.....

Although you may not be excited that I posted this picture of you in this "outfit", this is one of my favorite pictures in the entire world. It is the very first picture of you as a Daddy. The picture where you were able to tell the grandparents to be that after a scary time our son entered the world absolutely perfect.
And I also love the very first picture of you holding our daughter. The joy in your face already showed how much you loved this girl that would steal your heart.

Happy Father's Day Matthew! Raising our children alongside you has been one of the greatest joys in my life. You have been an amazing Daddy from the time you held your first son and became your daughter's hero. I am so blessed to be married to a man that is 100 percent committed to loving and providing for us! You are amazing!

Daddy with his biggest fans.

At Dell Diamond

At the pool

And Happy Father's Day to the other important dads in my life. I love you Pops, Tom, and Bob.

My dad fishing with Aidan

Tom and Kaleb

And the best father in law-in-the world, Bob.

I am blessed to have so many awesome dads in my life! Hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day. I love you guys!

Mother's Day

I had such a wonderful Mother's day and am so blessed to be the Mommy of 2 amazing and beautiful children. Aidan and Asher, I thank God that I was chosen to be your Mommy. I love you so very much!!

Playing "gopher holes" as Grandpa Buss calls it...

Momma, I am so thankful to have you as my mom. You inspire me to be a better mom each and every day. You have shown me what it means to love your kids unconditionally and have also shown me how fun it is being a mom. You are beautiful, smart, amazing, and thoughtful, and I am so grateful for your love and guidance.

Linda, not only did I get the most amazing husband in the world, but along with him came the best mother-in-law I could ask for. Thank you for everything you do and for being such a wonderful second mom to me.


And Matthew, having a husband like you sure makes my job as a mom a whole lot easier. Thanks for always being an amazing husband and father. I love you!

A Visit from Illinois

We were so happy that Meme, Uncle Jake, and Uncle Kaleb were able to come and visit for 5 days to celebrate Aidan's birthday. We really had a great time together. Matt was able to take off work Friday and Monday which was nice too.

The kids went with me in their jammies to pick everyone up at the airport. Aidan has gone before and is always so good, but this time we decided to let Asher go too. The kids were amazing even though it was a really LATE night. Their flight got in at 11:20! The kids did sleep a couple of hours before I got them up to leave, and thankfully were happy as can be the next day.

We had the best time. We took pictures in the bluebonnets, had sushi (a must when mom is here!), made family dinners and ordered in Chinese, played lots of cards, went to Be My Cupcake, went swimming at the YMCA, played LOTS of freeze tag, played with Legos, watched some new movies, and had 2 birthday parties! Sounds busy, but really we just had so much fun hanging out together.

I tried to limit my pictures, but I have been on a picture frenzy lately.

Kaleb, Jake, and Mom happy to be in Texas!
Big Tex (Aren't they all called that?) the longhorn we saw on our way to take pictures in the bluebonnets.
Aidan (2 days away from the big 5) and Asher 2 1/2

Meme and her grandbabies

Kaleb giving Mom flowers

Aidan picking flowers. He is such a sweet boy and ALWAYS picks me flowers. I love it.

Ash and Meme with matching hairdoos.

Ashy looking stylin hanging out with Daddy. She wears her glasses rain or shine indoors and out.

Happy 5th Birthday Aidan!
2 sleepy kids smiling at each other.

Meme and Aidan

Uncle Jake and Aidan with our long standing family tradition of playing with Legos. Started when Jake was a kid and all of us enjoy playing with them still.

More Legos

Our family ready to head to church.

Aidan and Uncle Kaleb.

Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!

Our family birthday party with the cake Aidan requested: A blueberry toy story cake. I added blue food coloring to a white cake mix then topped it with berries and his toy story figurines.

Matt ready to attack my brothers with the dart gun from Uncle Zach.

Take a look at Aidan in this picture.

Now take a look at him here.

Aidan and Asher looking like they are on a serious sugar high.

Mom and Uncle Zach talking about facebook.

Mom's crew

Dad's crew

A get together in our family is not complete without playing cards. I learned how to play as soon as I could hold the cards. This was Texas Rummy and I think Jake won. Then Zach schooled us the next night.

The Monument Cafe in Georgetown. Best.Breakfast.Ever.

Cupcakes from Be My Cupcake in Round Rock. They are amazing!

Ash, Meme, and Aidan

My brothers Jake, Zach, and Kaleb. This is my second attempt at this picture and apparently Jake is over it.

Ashy and Meme stylin with their glasses.

I don't even know what to say about this picture. Yes, they are licking their toes. No, nobody told them to and Aidan started on his own and Sissy joined in. No, I don't know why. No, I didn't tell them to stop. Yes, we laughed like crazy!

The sad sad walk to the airport.

Aidan and Meme xoxox
Ashy and Jakey - she does love her Jakey.

My little brother who's not so little anymore.
Thanks for coming to visit us. We miss you guys and can't wait to see you soon!!