FALLing into His Grace

We ended the summer on a "high in July" with a much-needed impromptu family vacation to the Bahamas.  Soaking in the sun and snorkeling with the sea turtles was good momentum to swing into the next season ....

Fall has officially begun with School, Aggie Football, Dove Hunting, Troops of St George, Sisters of Liseaux, Girl Scouts, KYSC Soccer, & Tennis.  This is a busy season at the Craft household but nothing we can't handle if we continually lean into God's grace and allow Him to fill in the gaps.  Our prayer before our soccer games reflects that ...  "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John bless the fields we are playing on ... and if we do our very best we know that God will do the rest."  

Wrigley: Off to Junior High at Stockdick. He has taken this challenge head on and is thriving in his new environment.  From learning to play the trumpet to starting a Pokemon club, nothing is stopping his growth.  On top of that, he is juggling Troops of St George, Soccer on The Purple Phantoms, and Tennis Lessons.  He finally sleeps in which makes this mama very happy 💕 He is a reliable helper and always shows up when I need him.  

Bryce:  Soccer king is at it again, in midfield!  Bryce bravely stepped out of his defensive role and into the midfield.  His stamina and heart for the game is the reason the Black Mambas are kicking tail this season.  Somehow, I got roped into coaching these handsome gentlemen.  It has been difficult but very rewarding in its own right.  When nobody else stepped up to the challenge I was not going to leave them hanging.  These boys have shown grit, endurance, and built some character along the way.  I don't care if we win or lose, I care about being fair and rewarding effort.  I don't let them quit and certainly don't tolerate disrespect.  At the end of the day, I want to teach these boys integrity and what it means to be a team player.  Bryce has also continued to excel with Troops of St. George and serves the church at mass being an Altar Server.  I have to add that he continues to be the playful brother and is always good for a snuggle or laugh.

Dublyn:  Queen of the castle holds her title, keeping her brothers in line!  Along with ruling the roost, this little athlete has gained a lot of soccer skills this season and continues to improve.  She loves her team, The Maroon Fireworks.  Alongside soccer (and turning 8 with a celebration at Lupe Tortilla's and Jeremiah's), she has had a few other exciting things going on .... Sisters of Lisieux, joined as a new troop member of the San Jacinto Council Girl Scouts, and most importantly just received her First Reconciliation with Father Wayne at The Immaculate Conception in Sealy, Texas.  Her creative spirit and loving heart continually gives to her family and friends.  We are all so grateful for being on the receiving end.  She kisses on my belly every chance she gets ... we can't wait to meet little Nicholas soon. 

Layne:  Soccer stud is an understatement.  He scores no less than 10 goals a game for his chartreuse "Reindeer" and dominates on the field.  He soaks in any bit of instruction given to him whether it be on or off the field.  He has a smile that goes on for eternity and can turns anyone's frown upside down.  He also has a mighty tennis swing, baseball swing, football throw, frisbee throw ... you name it.  In other words, if you are on the receiving end, WATCH OUT because it's coming in hot. 

Chad:  He needs to be given some award for showing up for these kids.  Be it their sporting, school, or church events, he makes them a priority.  He prays over them without ceasing as the head of our domestic church.  He hasn't bocked at the necessity to shuttle kids to and from their activities this season as I've been bogged down with work.  Champion in the making!

Aggie Football:  It always deserves its own corner as we acknowledge and appreciate all things MAROON. 😊

For July - October pictures click HERE






Reindeer

Maroon Fireworks

Purple Phantoms

First Reconciliation

Celebrating Sisters Birthday at Lupe Tortilla's

Dove Hunt in Lampasas

Finding JOY in Disappointment

Howdy!  Thankfully I had it on my radar to post before an eternity crept by 😉 and we haven't taken too many hard-hit alterations to our original summer schedule thus far ...

I haven't lost any sleep over resigning from my job with the City of Katy at the beginning of April.  My heart has always known that I need to be home with my children while they are young.  The saying is true ... it is the hardest yet most rewarding job!  I tend to be extremely hard on myself and not give any grace when the kids show character flaw but that's when the gift of faith comes through, and I am able to let the Lord seep into those moments of despair as I battle Satan in spiritual warfare.  I am enough and can help my children through hard times because God's already won the fight. My biggest job is to never give up hope and always pray.  What I desire most for my children is JOY and that's where I ask for Saint Philip Neri's intercessions!  

April - June: 

New part time job as Bridal Attendant at Sandlewood
Houston Zoo (we are obsessed with the penguins)
College Station Aggie Field of Honor (new columbaria niche)
Visit Nashville in Waco
VBS in Dallas (long story of disappointment here with that "hard-hit alteration" referred to above, but nothing a trip to the Bahamas at the end of July won't cure)
Dublyn's First GOLF Lesson
The Rolling's visited Katy














A few noteworthy things on the horizon ... drumroll ... the Aggie Football Schedule has been posted.  Exciting times are ahead.  During the season we will welcome our newest baby boy, Nicholas.  We ask for your continued prayers and support as we endure another blessing pregnancy.  We are grateful for God's gifts He bestows on our family.

Next post look forward to pictures from our cruise to the Bahamas and a start to the Fall soccer season! Until then ....

Some of the grass WAS greener (but not all of it)!

Lots of changes (stacked onto other changes) since the last post in September!  The initial and biggest change, at the beginning of October, was leaving my part job at the gym where I had been for 6.5 years.  Although I would've sworn to you that vanity never crept into the picture while working there, I'd be lying if that wasn't the number one reason I left.  I knew the grass had to be greener, and IT WAS! Being heart healthy, along with mental health, became the ultimate goal.  Here is what that looked like; taking a huge step back on high intensity workouts (kickstarted after suffering a grueling leg injury due to a bike wreck), I began to focus my energy on morning movement (Stretching & Pilates) for longevity.  Being disciplined and keeping routine, all while remaining joyful, is critical to success.  "Let Judah (PRAISE) go first."  Thankfully, I was knee deep in "The Bible In A Year" podcast (Father Mike Schmitz). Before the kids got up, I would consistently wake at 5am.  First, offering my words through prayer (podcast and rosary), and then offering through deed (a mile walk and workout to honor my body). 

Onto another (grass wasn't greener) change ... Coming off a spiritual high at the beginning of January and having been in a great routine, I shook things up and took a full time job with the City of Katy. Layne began daycare at "Mimi's." Fast forward 3 months, and you find me here ... at home where my heart belongs.  I don't know why I went "searching" for more when I had just settled into a new norm in November.  Following my faith, my family is my priority.  Unfortunately, they both took a back seat while I thought I could "rescue" my family from debt.  I quickly found out that I would rather live more frugally and be with my kids than to have money and be without them.  I left the City on a good, high note having formed some solid, great work relationships. Here we are mid Spring soccer season and we are right where our hearts need to be (until fingers crossed we can move to Dallas to be near family and have more family time).  

Note: It is important to embrace change and try new things.  Pray for the virtue of docility, that you are always willing to learn and grow through new opportunities. Learn to be loved if you fail and just keep blooming where you are planted. Walk confidently and joyfully in the Lord knowing He is the end of our story. 

A few favorite quotes:
- "Don't let your ice cream melt while counting someone else's sprinkles!"  
- When you realize you don't have to be perfect, you'll be good.
- The rule is you have to dance a little bit in the morning before you leave the house because it changes the way you walk out into the world.

A few other memorable things since September 2023:

- Wrigley shot his first Doe in Lampasas, Texas
- Wrigley (11) and Layne (4) celebrated their birthdays
- Our cutest little puppy, Nashville, found a new home in Waco, Texas in February 2024.  He now has a puppy brother, Waldo.  We are so happy that he is getting the love and attention he deserves.
- Aggie Baseball in College Station in March 2024 (First time to see the new St Mary's)
- Layne's first soccer season (katy Youth Soccer - White Dragons)
- Attended the Texas Children's Houston Open
- Bryce's first mass as an Altar Server on April 6th, 2024 (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Link to PHOTOS