The Crowell Family Site

Seven years ago this morning, things were quite different in my life. I was working full-time in downtown Houston and attending school at night. I was about 60 pounds lighter, and had no children, one three -year old car, and no home to call my own. (I still lived with mom and dad)

 Just single gal and her weiner dog, who had only known Christ three years. (me, not my doxie!)

Seven years ago this afternoon, things changed. I became the wife of the kindest, godliest, most considerate, loyal, dependable, not to mention best-looking guy a girl could have. Seven years ago this afternoon, I was still working downtown and attending school, but now I had someone to come home to. Someone who was there just to listen and be there for me. And speaking of home, I now had an apartment that belonged to just me and my husband. A place I could make our own. And while we didn’t have children this day (thank goodness!), I did adopt a 23 year old truck with no heat or air. (that I couldn’t drive, cause I never learned how to drive a stick.)

And while I was only a young Christian, I now had a spiritual leader. A guide, mentor, and brother in Christ who loved me more than anyone else in the world and wanted nothing more than to help me grow in my faith and commitment. Even when I didn’t want it!

So here we are seven years later. I’m definitely not 60 pounds lighter! I don’t attend school, but anyone who says I don’t work full time hasn’t stayed home with children. And speaking of children, I have two of the most beautiful, wonderful precious little ones a mother could hope for. I also have a gorgous home to keep my family warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and another bigger, newer car to tote around my significantly bigger family. I even have another weiner dog! All things to be thankful for.

But the greatest is the man whom God has allowed to provide all these things and so much more for me. Who has taken care of me and my children all these years. Who has cared about our spiritual welfare foremost, and then our emotional and physical needs as well. My best friend, confidante, lover and partner. Lance, I love you so much and am so blessed to have spent these last seven years as your wife. You are so much more than I deserve, and yet I can’t deny that I thank God every day that He had mercy enough on me to allow me to have you.

Happy Anniversary my beloved.

Filed under: The Blogs on January 5th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

I’ve had a puppy before..in fact it was another mini-doxie I was given for Christmas when I was in my early 20’s..granted she was older at about 11 weeks, but for some reason I don’t remember it being this complicated. Or maybe it was because I was single with no kiddos and had mom and dad at home to help me train her while I was at school or work.

Either way, this cute little thing is quite the handful. Due to her being so small (we weren’t quite expecting that, so we oversized her collar, bed, even food bowls), we are afraid to leave her alone in a room with the kids or where she could get lost behind something and we can’t get to her. Plus, since she’s potty-training, as soon as she wakes up, finishes eating, or starts the whole circling-sniffing thing, we gotta rush her out the back door. You should see us..if we’re in the kitchen and she begins to scamper towards the living room (and carpet, a dangerous thing!) the four of us are chasing her exclaiming in our  gentle, no pressure- but firm puppy training voice,”Cocoa, come back here! Cocoa, where are you? (a little more insistently) Cocoa!! Right now!!” It’s quite a sight to see, and probably funny if it didn’t mean we have to juggle to get anything done so someone is always with the pup.

And then there’s the “kennel wars.” Apparently the dvd we watched on kennel training doesn’t address when your dog decides to show her displeasure in being kept there at night (and when you’re away) by barking for hours on end and pooping all over herself and the bedding. Every. Time. I’ve had to bathe her and do a load of clothes just about every day for a week, in addition to the load of clothes I do for the fam.

Don’t get me wrong. There ARE cute times. She is adorable when she sleeps.

Okay, okay, and she’s pretty precious playing with her toys, which are as big as she is. And she loves to cuddle and have her soft, round belly rubbed. So it is pretty much like having a third child in a way. Just a little more hairy.

Filed under: The Blogs on January 1st, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Howdy folks. I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas, with plenty of time to spend praising our Savior and getting to visit with family and loved ones. We had a good week ourselves. It was pretty hectic (as all families traveling w/small children and seeing multiple fams can attest!), but overall a very good time, and somehow managing to get home sane and with everything (and everyone!) in one piece. Which was a post-Christmas miracle, considering Lance had to actually strap luggage to the TOP of the car to make it all fit.

We also brought home a new addition to the family. Lance and I had both been discussing the possibility of getting a puppy down the road and were basically waiting on the children to be old enough, not scared of dogs (which they both were for a period of time), and for the right season. (between babies and big events.) This Christmas seemed like a good time, and we happened to find a puppy that was the right breed, size, sex, and cost. (mini-dachshund, because we’ve both owned one before, on the small size and short-haired for room and hygiene sake, female because of temperament, and she was the right cost because the breeder was not selling her for breeding purposes.)

Note to self. Any future pets will NOT be bought on the way home from a long family trip where unpacking, organizing, feeding and bathing children and said pet, plus having to babysit the poor puppy who has been torn from everything she knows and is thus terrified, shall occur.

Other than that snafu of judgement on our part, things are proceeding nicely. Cocoa (named by the kiddos, based on color and not the designer!) is still getting used to the two smaller loud blonde-haired humans who can’t seem to let her nap, but she loooves the nice man with the beard (he’s such a pushover), and the big soft lady is great to sleep on!

By the way, she’s 7 weeks old, and 2.5 pounds..considering her mother and father were both under 6 pounds, she’s already half her weight!

Here’s some pics.

Filed under: The Blogs on December 28th, 2008 | 4 Comments »

So we FINALLY loaded the pics of the Crowell Christmas decor, and as a bonus some of my gourmet baking I worked on for two looong nights last week to put in Christmas baskets to give co-workers and neighbors.

My hubby got a little trigger happy with the camera, so we have way too many to post on the blog..instead just go to the Crowell family gallery on the right and..you know the drill.

Disclaimer: Lance would like to let you all know that he is aware the outside light pictures show a ghetto section that went out on the top of the house. They have since been fixed, but frankly we were doing well to get these first round pics up, so just use your imagination to conjure a strand that’s lit up all the way!

Anyway, we leave for Houston on Friday and won’t be back til after the big day, so a BIG Merry Christmas to all of you. May your hearts be filled with warmth, joy, and peace in the presence of loved ones as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Christ.

Filed under: The Blogs on December 17th, 2008 | 3 Comments »

For those who are interested, here is a link to a slideshow of Caleb’s 5th Birthday Party at “Let’s Jump.”

http://www.youtube.com/user/LanRandCrow

Filed under: The Blogs on December 6th, 2008 | 3 Comments »

I just want to say that I can’t believe it, but my little angel boy is 5 years old today. I still remember holding him when he was a teensy-tiny 10 pound newborn (ha!) with these big blue eyes. Now, the big blue eyes are the same, but everything else is so different..but beautiful. I love so many things about him, from the way he loves to have his routines and order, to the carefree dancing he exhibits when his favorite songs come on. He can be so kind and considerate (he’s always getting complimented on his manners), and I love the way he protects and cares for his little sister. Sure, Caleb’s not perfect, but I wouldn’t trade these 5 years with him for anything.

 I love you so very much son, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you in the coming years, first and foremost I pray leading you to become a child of His.

And to leave you with Caleb’s thoughts about his advanced age:

Caleb: Mommy, I’m now a big boy.

Mommy (sighing): Yes, Caleb..you’re no longer my little boy anymore.

Caleb: Nope, and now I can do big boy things like showing babies how to climb stairs, carrying the bags (he’s talking about helping me with the grocery bags), and the BIGGEST boy thing of all..

Mommy: What’s that Caleb?

Caleb: I get to wipe my own poo-poo and wipe my own nose!

And Mommy said Amen.

Filed under: The Blogs on December 3rd, 2008 | 2 Comments »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h5UBeQcgjs&feature=related

This was awesome!

Filed under: The Blogs on December 2nd, 2008 | 2 Comments »

What a time to take your stats for weight loss! If the Thanksgiving gorging didn’t do me in, then the endless sweets from Caleb’s b-day party and hosting friends and family in town would…at least I thought so.. turns out, I would probably be in alot worse shape, except I started feeling bad towards the end of the week, which hindered my appetite.

And so, I actually stayed steady at 226 and my inches haven’t moved. So, nothing lost, but nothing gained either. This week (after I start feeling better), I plan to get my butt back in gear, at least on the treadmill and with the weights. So maybe all the Christmas snacks won’t hurt me too much.

Anyway, this past weekend was a blur, and the family is definitely still catching our breath and getting back into our routines (made a little more difficult as Lance is leaving to go outta town for the rest of the week on business tomorrow), but it was a wonderful time of seeing loved ones and celebrating God’s provision, both at Thanksgiving time and with allowing us to enjoy another year of Caleb’s life.

When Lance gets back into town, I’ll make sure he puts up some good pics…

PS- Amy, the answer to your question is yes and no. Beth and did NOT get up early to go shopping Friday morning, but we did make it out later that afternoon. I guess with the economy there were still some good deals to be had, even that late in the day, but nothing spectacular.

Have a great week you guys!

Filed under: The Blogs on December 1st, 2008 | No Comments »

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you know I won’t be blogging for about a week..I’m taking some time off to get ready for hosting Thanksgiving for my sis, her kids, and some friends. Then family in town all weekend, and Caleb’s b-day party this Saturday. Don’t think I’m finding time (or motivation or energy!) to blog til after all this. But no fears..I’ll be back with pics, stories, and ready to usher in the most wonderful time of the year. (yeah, I love Christmas!)

So may we all give thanks to our Saviour Christ who has given us life through Him for all eternity. May we thank Him for roofs over our heads, turkey to eat, and family and loved ones to share it with. And may we remember and pray for those who a)don’t have these earthly blessings, and b) most urgently, don’t have the eternal ones either. We are truly blessed.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving ya’ll!!

Filed under: The Blogs on November 26th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Yes, I know I’ve been a very bad girl about this blogging thing, and the only excuse I can muster is “I’m sorry.” Call it what you will, lack of something to inspire me, lack of motivation, lack of time, etc. I just haven’t gotten into the blogging spirit these past couple of weeks..so here are some random “catch-up notations” to let you know how we’ve been.

1)Lance made it back safe and sound from his week in Houston at the SBTC annual meeting. While he was gone, I ate badly, let the house go to pot until the day right before he came back, and divided my time between the single mother duties and catching up on watching shows and movies my hubby has no interest in. Real productive I know.

2)I also went out on a dinner “playdate” with a girlfriend of mine to the Central Market cafe (which was excellent!) with gelato for dessert, while the kids played on the outdoor playground.  I then had my first and probably only taste of what it feels like to be able to buy groceries from that place. I was enchanted by the clean, warmly decorated aisles in the front section of the store, dotted with gourmet foods, organic produce that looked like a picture from a magazine, the old-timey section of dried goods and candy you scoop yourself, and just the “glitz” of an upscale “market.”

Two things brought me down to earth..one was spending 15.00 dollars on a loaf of bread and two gingerbread for the kids, and the other was while I was in the bread section (they don’t have their bread on one aisle..there’s a whole ”section” with a fancy bakery you can observe). Anyway, to get to the bread section, you have to cross the cheese section. It’s this huge area with not only brand name cheeses, but on tables, there are heaps of gourmet cheese pies and wedges, etc. While standing before the bread loaves, wondering which bread I could afford, I heard my son tell the kid of another family standing next to him that he smelled bad. While I was in the act of turning around, the other mother told Caleb that it wasn’t nice to say things like that and it was actually the cheese that smelled. I was mortified. Caleb kept trying to claim it was the other little boy and I then corrected him to tell the other family sorry for being rude (they were gracious about my son’s apparent lack of manners), and proceeded to inform my little drama queen that indeed it was the cheese that smelled so foul. (I’ve never been a fresh/by itself cheese lover before, and after smelling that section, my decision was enforced!). Caleb started to cry and claim the smell was hurting his nose and could we please leave now??!! And this cemented my wake-up call that the Crowell family was meant for the crowded masses of a Super Wal-mart for their groceries.

3)Last Friday was great in that one of my ETBU girls who now lives in Virginia came to TX for business, stayed for pleasure, and thus I was able to meet her and another ETBU girl for dinner and coffee. It was a wonderful time of fellowship, as it always is with my ETBU girls.

4)And last night, the Crowell family made it through a yearly rite of passage..the ‘ole Family Picture Night. Once a year around Christmas time we dress ourselves up (more specifically I lay out everyone’s outfit, dress and fix myself and the kiddos hair, and pass final inspection on the hubby), head on down to the JC Penny and manage to corral the kids for the 30 minute wait time, yelling at them to get off the floor in their nice outfits, stop messing with their hair, and No, you CANNOT ride your sister like a pony cause she’ll get a run in her pantyhose, and oh yeah, she’s only two..all while I’m trying not to kill the mother in front of us who can’t decide between the 30 formats she wants little Timmy’s 200 poses captured in, and FINALLY cram us all into the studio where we proceed to spend another 20 minutes trying to get two adults, a 4 year- old and a 2 year- old to pose, smile, and look the same direction all at once..where I then fight off the salespitch for a 500 dollar portrait so big our neighbors can see from their yards, and actually walk out with some great family and kiddo pictures we can savor until we do this again next year..sigh..

And that is a quick runthrough of my two weeks. Have a great week and try to enjoy this holiday season with as little stress as possible!

Filed under: The Blogs on November 19th, 2008 | 6 Comments »