FAMILY MATTERS

Monday

2010-02-08T09:32:00.011-06:00

Hello Monday morning... I have been up since 5:00 and I've already had three cups of coffee today!

This weekend was a BIG weekend for Lexie and B! She talked about, asked about, thought about, & practiced her "moves" all last week getting ready for her big date to the Daddy Daughter dance.

Kudos to my sister and Raegan who happen to be here to help her get dolled up! My sister has had LOTS & LOTS of practice with hair having two girls of her own. Not to mention... all of the water-perms, curling, and bang trimmin' and fixin' she did on me growing up! HA! (This is where I could put some HILARIOUS pics of my hair experiences from back in the day)

When it was all said and done... she looked and felt GORGEOUS!

Daddy proved to be a great date according to Lexie. She had lots of stories about the dance floor, red carpet, and even said that the picture lady told them that they looked alike (which that is no secret)! No doubt she had the hottest date there!! :)

Say Cheese

2010-02-02T09:29:00.007-06:00

My kids... My all-time FAVORITE subjects to take pictures of...

But why?? Why must they turn into monkeys EVERYtime I get my camera out??

It began with this... just a good 'ole hug (or squeeze should I say) from big brother...

Which lead to a "sisterly" kiss... (which any 10 year old boy would love right?)

Then came the immediate tickle war...

Cue the chase here....

I'm surprised that I got any good pics at all.... :)

Blog Worthy

2010-01-27T09:26:00.006-06:00

It's been awhile... in fact, a LONG while... since the last time I blogged! Lots has happened since the last time I blogged, but I thought I'd start with some "blog-worthy" material... like Michael Jackson!! HA!

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" cassette tape was my very first one!! I am seriously convinced that this is where my love for music began.

I loved his music and so did B. Anyone that knew B when he was little probably remembers him like the pic below... entertaining everyone & singing Michael Jackson. Rumor has it that he wanted the Michael Jackson red jacket SO BAD and his parents wouldn't buy it for him... so he put a note on his door that read: "DO NOT come in here unless you buy me the Michael Jackson jacket!" (I bet they really wanted to get it for him after that).

Which brings me to today... MJ's music (especially the "Number Ones" album) is one that you will hear often while we are driving in the car or walking by both kids' rooms as they are blaring it on their Ipods trying to do the moon walk just as we did as kids (I'm still trying to get it down). It's funny that they like his music too. It's only natural that we would have to BUY the MJ movie "This Is It" yesterday and watch it with the kids. B and I had already seen the movie, but the kids had not. They were ready... so, we had a small movie premiere last night which included grilled cheeses and tomato bisque soup with homemade croutons. Lexie got ready by making her daddy this book:

I think she got tired of drawing all those people :)

It was a GREAT night!!!

Empy Nest Syndrome

2009-05-13T11:15:00.009-05:00

Well... they are gone. Just like that our birds are gone!
Rylan was peeking at the last one just this morning before we left for school!! I'm not really sure if he was peeking or "helping" the last two leave the nest prematurely. All I know is that they were getting too big for the nest... and I went out to see the last two birds that Rylan was telling me about and there was nothing but an empty nest. That was quick.

I am reading a book, yes... me... reading. Not a common thing for me to want to go buy a book and sit and read. I would rather be playing a game of Blocked or Mine Sweeper or heck, I'd rather jog ten miles in a desert than sit and read. :) For now... I am reading the book The Birth Order: Why You Are the Way You Are. LOL It just makes me laugh to think about because some of the things covered in the book are right on. Brian and I both are the "babies" of our families... so, the book even covers the topic of "when both parents are the last born"... or "when both parents are the first born"... so it's great. It helps me understand some things about my children... and helps me understand my siblings and my parents also (who, by the way, are two first borns). My much older sister has always said that I was such a "bratty little sister." Now why would she say that?

What is she talking about? Me... bratty???

After all... according to the author, Dr. Kevin Leman, the last born in the family is usually:

...."charming, an attention seeker (this is where the pics above come in), tenacious, blames others (who me?), affectionate, loves surprises, people person, precocious"...

Here's to all you "last born babies" out there!!

Egg-static!

2009-04-25T16:36:00.008-05:00

I admit... I have always loved (and have been a bit obsessed) with nature since I was little. Just ask my sister - she'll tell you about my road trip "lists". My childhood BFF, Leigh Toney, could tell you about all of our attempts to dig up our dead hampsters to see the bones, and even the time that we duct-taped a dead mole (that her cat drug up) to her fort on her swingset... sick. All of these kind of events led me to believe that I was going to be a vet when I grew up... until about my senior year... and I realized that you had to put animals to sleep.

Anyway... today... two things happened.

First, I had Rylan to myself (which is always a treat) b/c Lex stayed with her cousin Emma for the night. Rylan and I decided to take a bike ride / nature walk this morning. It started with seeing a dead squirrel in front of our neighbor's house. It was fresh b/c Rylan had to go inspect and check it out. (I know, I know... I have imposed my obsessions on my children) We moved on to a nice morning time adventure that included picking/eating some honey-suckle by a creek, major hills to ride down, and rain on our heads at the end.

We got back to where the squirrel was and it was G-O-N-E! I told Ry "it must have been a hawk"... b/c we have hawks all around. He went on to inform me that hawks don't eat dead animals. After looking for a minute this is the sight that we saw in the neighbor's yard - I guess this hawk wanted breakfast...

The closer I got the more nervous he got... so off he went. Gross, I know, but nature at its finest. :)

Second... Speaking of nature... remember our little egg? Well... 1 + 5 = 6. That is the total of eggs that momma bird laid in her nest.

I have been taking down my hanging fern everyday to look so the momma would be used to me moving her nest. Today I took it down and sort of "freaked out" b/c these little furry things were in there and I realized that two of the eggs had hatched!! We have babies!!

On top of babies, we also have two dogs that are on the ground underneath them. Enough said. Let's just hope that the babies stay in the nest for now.

Spring Has Sprung!!

2009-04-09T17:02:00.007-05:00

Spring has DEFINITELY sprung around here! Here are a few of my favorite things so far...

*MY JAPANESE MAPLE... that is just so delightful to look at!

*I love getting FERNS! The only reason I get them is for possibility that a bird might decide to nest in one and we'll get to see the whole nest to baby process in front of our eyes (like in times past)! Plus, they add a touch of green... I put two on the back porch and one in the front. We brought them in Monday night b/c of the freeze that was due that morning after. When I went to put the ferns back outside I saw what looked like a little nest! It was! I thought "oh no... the bird won't come back... and which side of the porch was the fern on, etc..." Anyway, today... Rylan tells me that he saw a bird in the fern. So, since I got a new camera and have been feeling like blogging again... I went outside to take a pic and TA-DA... here is what we saw! What a pleasant surprise! Now if I can just convince my kids not to mess with it!

*Flowers are also my favorite things of Spring. Everything is so green and colorful and just comes to life! Here are my roses getting ready to bust!

My Petunias....

*My all-time favorite thing... just being outdoors with my kiddos!! :)

Laying in the hammock and playing with the dogs is a favorite past-time....

Happy Spring!! :)

Dancing Queen

2009-03-07T14:17:00.007-06:00

For those of you who haven't given up on me... it's been hard to "post" without pics... and it's been hard to have pics without a CAMERA!! My camera just went out on me a little over a month ago!

Anyway, we did get some hiLARious videos of Lexie the other day (while we had her to ourselves b/c Ry was at a party) that I could not resist sharing! This is our child that is so sweet, giving, funny and OHH so fun! This post is for you Jane... and I don't know where she gets her moves. :)

2009-01-26T10:29:00.007-06:00

It's here... a new year, a new President, and a new post! :)

Not to mention... a new little addition to our family. No, we're not having a baby... but we did give this little girl a home for Christmas this year. Her name is Lilly. I think it was just building up... the fact that EVERY year our kids would put "REAL dog" on their Christmas lists, we knew Maggie needed a "friend" with fur and let's face it... BT and I really just wanted to use our Dog Whisperer knowledge on a new dog! HA!

We rescued her from the pound (as we did Maggie) and she's a little scrappy (or "from the hood"... as we say) but just a little snuggler! Those who know us know that although we are dog lovers we have some commitment issues with the dogs we get! If they don't work for our family... they are OUT! HA! Not her... I think she's a keeper. Besides, I'm a believer that rescue dogs are "grateful". Then, when you're able to capture moments like these... it's all worth it!

Even Maggie has been happy about our new addition. She's taken on a "mother role" to Lilly. Lilly was "fixed" and had to wear the lamp shade thing... it was sad... and I guess she only got comfortable by laying on Maggie this way...

We love our furry friends!

Christmas Baby

2008-12-17T09:08:00.005-06:00

Happy Birthday to you.... Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday Dear Lexie... Happy Birthday to you!

I'm still not really sure how a child goes from this....

To this.... so quickly... right before our eyes!!

We love you!

Momma's Boy

2008-12-12T09:31:00.010-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I received this from Rylan. Although he did not present it as a "birthday gift" to me... I have considered it an early one... actually the best gift anyone has ever given me!!

Inside the box were 10 squares that he had cut and this is what they read.

What more could a mommy ask for!!! I love you Rylan!!

Where do I begin Wednesday...

2008-12-10T00:01:00.007-06:00

Wow. Where do I begin since it's been so LONG since the last time I blogged and so much has happened!!?? All I know is that I blinked and Christmas is here! Not to mention all of the loads of birthdays we have in our family around this time.

We recently took our annual family trip to the deer lease. Everybody looks forward to it and it always ends up being loads of laughs and memories made! Our kids are just so easy going and so much fun!! We love taking them places - they are the perfect ages (we say that every year)!

Lexie was HILARIOUS when she would shoot the BB gun or the 22... the face she would make was priceless!

Here's Rylan practicing his shot at these targets...

Lexie did shoot a hog in the booty (& she is so proud), otherwise the only shooting we did...

... was with the camera!!

Thangs

2008-11-11T11:18:00.004-06:00

Is it really the middle of November??? Wow. Thanksgiving is around the corner and I'm already thinking about my Christmas tree!! (decorating the tree... one of my favorite things about Christmas) Speaking of Christmas... you might want to click this link my friend told me about: Time is running out - I ordered mine yesterday!

I was getting some of the kid's papers out of the car from church yesterday and ran across this one that Rylan wrote:

It just made me LAUGH out loud! Yes, we do live in East Texas and there are lots of "thangs" I'm thankful for too!! :)

Twas the Night...

2008-10-31T09:25:00.003-05:00

'Twas the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!

I, in my bath robe
With a cat in my lap,
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political rap.

When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys

They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!

He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink

He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!

'On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi'
He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!

So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DON'T WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!

You might have already got it in an email like me, but I thought it was worth posting on the blog!!! I voted yesterday!! :)

Happy Hunting

2008-10-28T10:27:00.006-05:00

Well, I'll never forget the first time (after I got married) I saw a similar sign that read "we interrupt this marriage for hunting season" - enough said. You wives with hunters know how that feels! We do make it a family event every year and it's always so fun to be out there "studying" the deer and their behavior in the wild! :) It's such a reminder how wonderful God created nature to be - watching the sun rise, the cold weather, the momma deer that has babies behind her that will get only soo far away from her before they ruuun to catch up, the bucks that bow up to each other and fight! It's really fun to see.

This year the boys went to hunt on Youth Weekend (as usual) and I would say that it was a huge SUCCESS! (Sorry for the gore!)

On another note... Lex and I were able to spend a wonderful weekend with my sister and her girls! We are Harvest Festival'd OUT! Can we just skip out on Halloween?!? Lex's Halloween costume is a whole other post in itself! :)

Thankful Thursday... on Friday

2008-10-17T09:34:00.009-05:00

I'm just so thankful for this time of my life. I love it. I love my husband. I love my children. I meant to do this post yesterday and the day got away from me. I am thankful for all of these things:

* The weather... oh man... I love a cool crisp morning where I need to put on long sleeves! :) It just conjures up images of football games, hot chocolate, pumpkins, the deer lease, leaf piles, etc....

* Flowers from BT unexpectedly this week... for no reason other than the fact that he is attentive to my needs and a very caring wonderful husband and my best friend. :) They made my day... my week!

* Chantel's baby girl (who officially won't be here until January). I can't wait to meet her in person and see her (on Monday!)on her sonogram!! Which brings me to my next one...

* I'm SO thankful it's her and not me that is pregnant. hee hee

* My children. Oh... I love them so much. Being their mommy is not a job that I take lightly. I love it and try to soak it all in. They are so cute together and play really well together most of the time. It's great!

* The school my kids go to. It has been wonderful. This last week was Reading Week and our "celebrity reader" was a guy that was on Greatest American Dog. Were we the only ones that watched this show? We recorded the series. He happened to be a customer of BT's and told us to watch before it came on. So, we made it a family event. Anyway, he came to their school with his dog and was hilarious and great with the kids.

* Three words - Pumpkin Spice Latte!

* Fall leaves - that my kids are already bringing in the house when they find a really pretty one... that might have red on it.... or they'll pick them up as we are getting in the car and bring them with us.

* God's grace... for giving me these things that I just don't even deserve.

Monday Mania

2008-10-06T13:28:00.007-05:00

What a wonderful week already! Not a dull moment... ever. I always like posts with pictures... well, I have P-L-E-N-T-Y.

* Lexie went to her first blow-out costume party this last weekend. She was a witch! It was a good time with lots of kiddos and she had a BLAST!

Here are the birthday girls...

Here are their precious cakes...

* We went to a family reunion this weekend. (By the way, is that a thing of the south?) My grandmother, a breast cancer survivor, is one of TWELVE children! I think that three of them died at very young ages. Her mom...wooa... that is some woman that can birth twelve children! This is only a small portion of us that could be there representing my grandmother.

* Rylan, throughout the week, went on to continue our "individual portraits"... here's daddy...

Here's lil' Lexie...

I should get him to draw himself to complete our family portraits! :)

* We took an early trip to The Pumpkin Patch. Sunday evenings have become our "Family Fun Night" and we take turns picking out what we'll do. It was Lexie's turn and she decided that we should pick pumpkins with The Wilsons... as we always do... it's a tradition.

We are welcoming Fall with open arms at our house!!!

Tilapia Tuesday

2008-09-30T21:06:00.011-05:00

I cooked Tilapia for my first time tonight. I know, I know... you can't believe I've never cooked it, but anyone that knows me knows that I don't "do" fish (or anything that swims or moos) So, basically, BT and kids have to get their fish quota elsewhere besides home. Anway, lately I really have been wishing that I liked fish - I mean, c'mon I used to get the fish at Luby's when I was little and LOVED it. I know it's good for you and has Omega 3's... yada, yada So, I did it! The poor guy at the grocery store... I had 20 questions for the guy! I actually googled up a great recipe when I got back home. Feel free to shoot me any good recipes! BT gave it two thumbs up! Me, well... I ate some, but I can't help but think of it swimming around and just can't get past it! Lexie kept coming in there and talking with her fingers securely closing her nose (due to the fish smell) and asking "is it done yet?" It made me laugh outloud!

Ok... so, after I convinced the kiddos that they could not "help" me cook tonight b/c I was trying something new... Rylan came to me with this picture that he drew of me... He said "Mommy, I think these are the best teeth I've ever drawn"... he's so sweet... and that ponytail... well, according to Rylan "it's really coming out of the back of my head, but that's how it looks when I turn to the side"... Wow. Oh, how I wish I had the time to dig around for a picture of me in sixth grade that looks just like this picture when I went through the "side ponytails are so cool lookin" stage that every girl goes through!!! HA!

A few minutes after the first picture, I get a second portrait of myself! :) So precious! I love my kids!

We went to the fair this last week. After an alligator basket, a turkey leg, nachos (where the man picked up the chips with his bare hands and no gloves), the glass house, super slide, Lex losing a tooth while eating a brownie and winning a goldfish... we were ready to split. We had had enough of the fair that we could stand - there's a reason it comes around once a year. By the way, the goldfish kicked the bucket overnight by the next morning.

Happy October!!

Birthday Boy

2008-09-16T09:45:00.009-05:00

Nine years ago to the day he changed my life.

Here are NINE things about him that you may not know...

* He walked when he was nine months old... and looked way too little to be walking!

* He loves animals of all kind. (but has a special place in his heart for Maggie)

* He's the first one to get up in this household... almost everyday.

* He lives to be outdoors - especially if it involves hunting and fishing!

* His nose bleeds ALL the time... LOL

* He reigns temporarily as the "Foosball Champion" (of the new foosball table he got for his birthday)... going 3 times in a row undefeated in our family.

* He loves and sometimes prefers a good ole' salad.

* He has three guns of his own and has dang good aim! :) (Only in Texas)

* He is athletic, wonderful, analytical, caring and the most handsome, sweetest 9 year old boy I've ever met...

HapPy BIrthDaY

Rylan!

We love you.

Let's Talk Politics

2008-09-10T08:47:00.005-05:00

Ok... without getting too political on this blog, I did want to post a video that is apparently going around. I've always wondered how these emails and videos get around to EVERYBODY... and usually at the same TIME!

Anyway, starting back in the spring, Rylan has been saying (& still says) he's "voting for Obama." My aunt (who was also the first person to send me this video I'm posting) told him that she's sure glad that he's not old enough to vote! :)

I just want to close my eyes and open them back up and the election be over. I hate all the negativity and tearing down the candidates do to each other. The stupid commercials that are shown trying to convince us the other person's a snake. Are we just supposed to look past that negative part of the candidate and decide who was best at being negative about the other? They both promise some things that you KNOW they cannot do. Wake me up when it's over... that is, after I place my VOTE! :)

Best Brother Ever

2008-09-03T08:47:00.004-05:00

Lexie brought this home yesterday from school. There were four of them in her backpack pretty much all about the same thing.

It just made me smile (and Rylan too) and it was one of those moments where I thought to myself... "that's why you have more than one child!" Can you tell what she wrote?? :)

FDOS

2008-08-25T10:55:00.003-05:00

It's our First Day Of School!! Welcome back... rising and shining early, fighting drive-thru crowds during pick-up, packing lunches daily, and just R-O-U-T-I-N-E!! We're excited around here with a little pinch of sadness. It's hard to be sad about your baby starting Kindergarten when she's SO excited to finally be at her brother's school. I just can't believe it's here! Here's to another great year ahead of us!

2008-08-19T17:03:00.007-05:00

and I'm back! Let me just pick up where I left off briefing you on some eventful times that I've missed blogging about!

* First, it's bittersweet as I realize the summer's over and it has no doubt been one of our most fun summers yet for our little family of four! Rylan will be in third grade and my baby girl (that I swear I was just holding in my arms as an infant) will be in Kindergarten! She's excited, so I'm excited! She also has done two things lately to get ready for the BIG day...

1. She came back from her Aunt Karen's house a few weeks ago with a sparkle on her ears... she got them pierced! Or "ka-pierced"... as she used to say back when she was 2 or 3! BT and I still can't get over calling it that.

2. She got bangs. She just insisted on getting them! So, I just took her and did it. She LOVES her bangs and has told just about everyone that she's talked to and seen... "I got bangs!" Let me just say... they turned out cuter and less hassel than I thought and she adores them!

* I have three words: Ringling Bros. Circus! We went! We met Rae and Em there with their rents to see "The Big Top"... isn't that what you call The Circus?? It was GREAT! Everyone needs to go to the circus in their lifetime!

* Rylan went to his first tournament in McKinney with a select team this last weekend. It was the team's first time to play games, better yet a tournament together... so we didn't know what to expect!

One cool thing at the tournament is that Sony had a big black tent set up and anyone could go check out one of their nice cameras (an hour at a time) with a nice zoom lens on it and they gave a complimentary CD of the pics that you took for FREE! So, I didn't even take my camera out of it's case. I tried to take them of all the guys, so instead of boring you with all I put them on HERE if you care to take a peek.

Anyway, we lost our first game to a team that had been together for THREE YEARS - that means those boys were SIX years old when they formed the team! It was a blow-out... we didn't even get any goals on that game, but went on to win our other two. So, it came down to the Championship game on Sunday and guess who we ended up having to play? Yep, the team that stomped us. Long story short... we ended up tied 3-3 and went into penalty kicks!! Rylan was chosen to kick 5th (for those of you know anything about soccer) and was a nervous WRECK, but I knew he could do it! Here's a pic of Ry before he was to kick... the boys on the right had already kicked and made their goals for our team! Ry ended up not having to kick his PK and we won the game - it was crazy!

This is what the weekend was about!

* One more thing... Rylan has jumped on the emailing train! He got an email address and is loving it. I don't know how long it'll last or if he'll have time to do it once school starts, but for now... if you want his email (& want email from an 8, almost 9 year old boy)... shoot me an email and I'll give it to ya!! He loves to get it! :)

* The kids know their teachers and are gearing up for school to start on Monday! We're counting down!

Ok... enough. I've crammed all that I can into this post! Hopefully I'm back on the blogging bus!

Monday-ness

2008-07-28T15:23:00.010-05:00

Our trip was great! It did rain the day we traveled there, but didn't stop us from making a few important stops... This was their first trip to The Alamo... and maybe even the last. ;) There's only so much you can do there.

**Of course, here's another "first" for our kids... Krispy Kreme Donuts while the sign was red! LOL :)

Rylan got a kick out of this - so he took this picture while we were there...

**We stopped at The Ellis' new house for the first time since they moved to SA!

**Lex made her first "list" while on the way home. Keep in mind that she's sounding out the words as she writes them. See if you can figure out what her "list" was that she was keeping up with! LOL

**It was also our first time to see one of these little boogers at the resort! (By the bicycles... out of all places!) It blended in with the sidewalk so perfectly... but somehow Lexie spotted it!

** We also had a first with this smell on the trip. About the second day we were there we kept smelling this smell. It was absolutely disgusting! I mean... it followed us around. It started in the car after dinner one night and we also noticed in our closet in our room at the resort. So, we guessed that it was just the closet and this moldy garbage can smell that "permeated" onto us. We kept smelling each other and the kids and were SO confused! The next night we go to dinner and we had just sat down and BT says "I smell that smell"... and lifts up his Reef flip flop (which I had given him back in May for his bday) and found the culprit! SIIIIIICK! It's this one right here for all of you who might be wondering or might have a pair.

We came to the conclusion that they just sat in water by the pool all day (really two days) and just never got dry! I don't know if it's the clear thing in the heel or what? What's even funnier to me (and makes me just LAUGH OUTLOUD as I type) is
A.) those of you who know BT know that he is a showering clean freak and it turned out to be his feet - which he still can't believe
B.) it's always BT... like the rash story when I was in labor... that's another post!
C.) right after that dinner we went to Target and got some footspray and new flip-flops and left those old ones in the parking LOT!

Here's to another great family trip with these little monkeys!

**I'm playing this song in honor of the 4,000 times we probably heard it on Radio Disney while in the car! Still "holding it's place at number one" right now! :) Can't get it out of my head!

Wednesday Rambling

2008-07-23T15:19:00.007-05:00

Once again it's that time of year where we all pack up our mommy-mobiles and head down south on our Annual Thedford Family Vacation. (pic on left is from last year) It's always a great "kid-oriented with a little spa time squeezed in" vacation where you're in your bathing suit most of the time. It's fun and all about the kiddos!

But I just laugh thinking about it b/c with seven kids and eight adults you never know what's going to happen! :) Last year in the middle of the night the fire alarm went off. First of all... it was this loud and obnoxious "beeeooop" noise. Second of all, we all come out into the hall (kids and other strangers included) and my husband comes out in his BOXERS holding his shaving kit! (turns out he keeps his keys, watch, ring in there) We are still laughing about that moment. Then, we lay back down after all is settled and we figure out it was a "false alarm" and Lexie (still stunned from all the excitement) says "Mommy, I feel like I got punched in the stomach..." and about one minute after saying it she threw up!!!! LOL Oh yeah... that's another thing someone ALWAYS ends up throwing up on the trip too. Who will it be this year? As I've been packing today I can't help but wonder what kind of excitement and memories we'll make! :) Luckily the good outweighs the bad on these vacations! I can sure remember our family vacations as a kid, but that's another post!!! :)

It's kinda tradition that we stop off at my old college stomping grounds in San Marcos to eat at Herberts. :) This year though we're taking the kids to The Alamo for a little history lesson. Everyone needs to visit The Alamo in their lifetime right? Especially if you live in Texas!

The kids had SO much fun at Sky Ranch last week. I wish I had taken video of their closing ceremony. A friend took a pic of the girls with their counselors for me so I didn't have that pic yet to post. Rylan, unfortunately, put a gash in his head (note the bandaid in the pic that's covering up the "superglue" stuff they put on his boo boo) at the pool halfway through the week so he didn't get to participate in the water activities at camp and was pretty bummed out, but still managed to have a good time!

On another random note Lexie has lost all kinds of teeth including this last one... her top big tooth and it's soo hilarious to see her without it! She lost it while BT and I had gone away for a little get-away this last weekend. Can you say "snaggletooth?"

Happy Camper

2008-07-14T10:07:00.006-05:00

I'm sitting here in peace. I dropped the kiddos off at 8:00 this morning for camp and don't pick them up until 4:00!!! Here's a picture that was supposed to really be of them getting on the bus, but it was sprinkling when we got there so I took it in the car for the memory! LOL As you can tell by their barely-opened eyes that getting up this early is not an easy task during the summertime! :)They ride a bus for 30-45 minutes to get to camp. (Now, that makes me a little uneasy b/c I could let my mind wander off on all the "what ifs" on the busride to and from... but that's just the mommy coming out in me.) Rylan's gone the last few years, but this was Lexie's first! She has patiently waited and listened to all the great stories that Rylan would tell. They were SO excited! I guess I'm getting a little glimpse of what it's going to be like when they both start school in the Fall. I'm not sure who's the happier camper today... them or me?? :)

Be Encouraged

2008-07-03T10:07:00.003-05:00

A friend sent me this video thru email (I'm sure it's going around), but I thought I'd put it on here for all you fellow runners! It is a father/son "team" and I'd like to think that I could this for my kids too. :) Be encouraged!

Wednesday Wrap-up

2008-07-02T16:56:00.005-05:00

Well, after waking up and feeling like I started off the day playing "referee" with the kiddos it's turned out to be a great day!

* Lex and Rylan came in from outside this morning and Lex was crying b/c "Rylan called her a meanie"... and so I started talking to her about what it was she was doing and did Rylan call her that b/c she really was being mean etc... and in the middle of the crying drama she said "but... (sniff sniff)... but... meanie just rhymes with weenie!" and we paused and both BUSTTTED out laughing so hard! Kids are so funny!

* My sister-in-law asked me to take a couple of pics of my youngest lil' niece this week and I thought I'd share a few... she's two. You know... I can relate being the youngest of three kids like her and not having near as many pictures to look back on as my fellow siblings!! :) I know... most of you don't know I have a brother. LOL

* This is the time of year that we LIVE off BLT's! BT and I went to The Farmer's Market and got some vine-ripened, big, red, juicy tomatoes and are loving them! Not to mention purple-hull peas, sweet corn, onion, blackberries, you get the idea... just a good ole' southern meal at it's finest! :) Just add a little cantaloupe & cornbread to the mix!

Happy Almost 4th of July to everyone! Be safe!

Bahama Flashback

2008-06-20T10:02:00.005-05:00

One day when we were at the beach we decided to check out these rocks that were at the edge of the water. We found little shells all over & decided to collect them. (By the way, those little spiral lookin' shells were what you find the most of... it was cool.)

We started our "pile" and it wasn't too long before we realized they were CRABS!!

We found the regular little crabs also and even what we thought were Sea Urchins... I don't know... you decide. Here's a pic...

We had been there about 20 minutes before we realized that the lifeguards were blowing their whistles at us the entire time b/c we were not supposed to be on the rocks!! LOL

Drawing Board

2008-06-16T14:52:00.008-05:00

We're baaaack from one of the most wonderful trips EVER! Truly. The kids both said that is was "better than Disney World!" Wow. I knew it was better from an adult's point of view, but when the kids both said it I knew... that we'd be going back there one day. No words can express how enjoyable and relaxing and beautiful The Atlantis is and was. We highly recommend going if you have the chance. I'll spare you 211 pictures and put a few here.

Our view from our room.

Our time spent with the dolphins...

First night there...

The little beach bums having some FUN!!

The trip consisted of lots of family time, interacting with dolphins, ice cream every night, Lexie's first pedicure, golf for the boys, the kids' first limo ride (twice!), finding crabs, the lazy river (that was NOT lazy for the most part), snorkling around the ocean & feeding the fish that follow you around, wonderful weather with lots of SUNSHINE & sunscreen, & live music around the pools!

Back to the drawing board!

Summertime

2008-06-09T10:32:00.005-05:00

I had good intentions to blog yesterday, but oh well. There were a few things to celebrate last week...

* School is OUT! That is a MAJOR celebration for Rylan!

* Lexie lost her THIRD tooth and the tooth fairy came by our house this last week! It was a tooth I was getting worried about b/c she was getting another new tooth in by it and that new tooth was getting pushed back. Does that even make sense? People told me it will come forward now that this loose tooth is gone. We'll see what the dentist has to say about it! ;)

* Our family expanded this last week too! Baby Benjamin was born on Thursday. He came into this world weighing a whoppin' 7lbs. 11 oz.! How TINY!! Welcome to the world and welcome to parenthood Courtney and Max!! Let the fun begin...

* BT's parents and mine have the same anniversary date... June 7th. The kids all took BT's parents' to dinner this last week at Kiepersol to honor their 40th anniversary. I would post some pics, but I didn't have my camera. It was great! I'm thinking... woa... 40 years with BT... I can't imagine being married for that LONG! HA!

Just thought I'd post a pic of all of us in our new swimsuits before our trip!! LOL

Monday Mentality

2008-06-02T16:14:00.005-05:00

TWO MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL! YEAH! I'm going to have a third grader... and a Kindergartener. Wow. I just had a moment... maybe a split second... where I typed that & felt a little "older." LOL This last week flew by like I knew it would!

* Speaking of getting older (hee hee)... we celebrated BT's dad's birthday this week. Thought I'd share some of the photos from the celebration! :)

* The kids & I went to the local Organic Farmers Market and LOVED it. We were so glad we went. When we were on our way there we were discussing what we hoped to find. Lexie hoped to find carrots, I was hoping for blackberries, and Ry was hoping for the little new potatoes... we found them all and more! There was a violinist playing as we were walking up and there they were... the BIGGEST carrots I've EVER seen! Lex was so excited and to prove they were so big we made her pose holding one for this pic!

* The countdown has begun for our trip to The Bahamas! (It actually started waaay back when for me) Which... by the way... the Ashlee Simpson concert was a joke... I like all kinds of music, but unfortunately she's not on my Ipod or my "need to go see in concert" list! :) We're pretty much ready - got passports for everyone & swimsuits... what else do you need in the Bahamas?? :) I am praying that Hurricane Bertha (I think that's next name on the list) doesn't decide to make an appearance ANYWHERE around that area next week!! :) We leave a week from WEDNESDAY!!

* Field Day is coming up for Rylan. Remember Field Day?? He cleans his desk out tomorrow. OH... I remember that feeling... it was soo exciting b/c I knew that summer was here!! I'm so proud of him and love the little person that he is right now. He is just so truly special and just extraordinary. That is the word that comes to mind.

What a GREAT DAY today is!

Wimpy Wednesday

2008-05-28T11:12:00.003-05:00

Ok... who votes that we go see this person that's going to be at The Atlantis while we're there in TWO WEEKS... it would be on our last night??!!! LOL

We're so sad to say that our good friends lost their dog Magic yesterday (with a little help from the vet -if you catch my drift). She was Maggie's friend too. We got our dogs around the same time. She was the boys' helper when they'd go hunting and was a great dog. She was only two and cancer began to take over her body. We even celebrated Magic's birthday together. We will miss her.

Friday Phenomenon

2008-05-23T14:17:00.010-05:00

It's Friday already? Time is flying as school is ending and summer is fast approaching!

First, everyone in our entire family chopped their hair off this week! Were we needing some changes around here or what? Hair is an easy place to start I guess! If you thought Lexie's hair was short in my last post... you should see mine! Let's just say I got my "bahama mama do" that will hopefully be grown out a little before we go... if it's not I'm gonna need some extensions. LOL We're counting down the days until we go on that trip!!
Yesterday we went to BT's work (even though it was his day off) to see an employee get surprised as his son was coming in from Iraq! Check it out as the local news was there also! :) It was pretty neat. I just happen to have my camera to capture the moment! :)

Our lizard, our friend. We have this lizard that we see just about EVERYtime we go eat at one of our favorite lunch places. The kids and I discovered it. BT & I will try to catch a glimpse of it as we go in even without the kids. The funny thing is... there's just very few green bushes and some newspaper stands as you walk in the door and it lives right there - safe and secure. Well, today... since Lex was out of school... we met BT for lunch there. We were leaving and we had to look for our "friend" the lizard. We started looking and I said "sometimes he's over here"... about that time... I saw ants... lots of ants going to and from this thing.... next to the bushes... yep, it was our "friend"... the lizard. He's gone.
We are going tonight as a family to work and serve at the Good Samaritan Outreach center. Rylan's been before, but BT and Lex and I have not. We hope for a great experience for us as well as the kiddos!
My little sidewalk... I've never posted pics. It's not that "big" of a project, but it was "big" enough for us to put it off FOREVER! We knew we needed something on the side of our house where grass didn't grow well and was pretty shady... so, remember my "Pre-Mother's Day" gift? BT and I laughed b/c it sounded like this great fancy sidewalk, but believe me... simplicity is key in our family. :) Here it is before...

After some flagstone, a couple of Encore Azaleas, Monkey Grass, Hosta, and New Guinea Impatiens, & mulch it turned out better than it was... and here it is after...

Now, let me just say that the "beware of dog" sign is something I went to Lowe's myself and bought and hung - I'm sure it just gives me a false sense of security b/c my dog would just roll over on her back if someone were to come in the fence.

Have a GREAT Memorial Day Weekend!

Summer's Here

2008-05-21T14:39:00.003-05:00

Summer is here for Lexie! It's official. Kindergarten is in her future.

Today was her last day of school and it was also known as Splash Day (they do that every year)! It was bitter sweet b/c we will no longer go to Kids Kaleidoscope! We will miss her teacher Mrs. Becky!

I got there and of course she was having a good time by her buddies... Nick & William!

What a great way to end a great school year!!

Bday Wkend

2008-05-18T22:03:00.011-05:00

This weekend has been filled with some soccer out our ears! It began with BT's birthday on Sat., which was also the second day of a soccer tournament Rylan's team was in. It was quite warm, but was still a great day to be watching some soccer. We ended the day with a swim and a bday dinner for B (which I meant to post about) and we were exhausted.

Then, today was the "big game." FC Dallas VS LA Galaxy. We slept in, skipped church and hit the road. The road to David Beckham that is. Rylan put on his David Beckham jersey and fixed his hair in a mohawk... yes, you heard it... a MO-HAWK! Not without me asking him a few times... "are you sure you want it like that?" before we got out the door. It was cool though b/c Beckham had sported the "do" at one point in his career and Rylan was not the only kid there with that do. Mr. Cool himself informed us while we ate dinner that he did want to cut his hair all off this week - I suppose it has something to do with DB's "do" he had at the game today.

The funny thing is that we decided to stop by The Nike Outlet store on the way. I know you're thinking "why is that funny?" Well, we finally were getting close to Pizza Hut Park and Rylan began... "mommy... my head hurts... I'm just really hungry... my head really hurts." "You just need to eat... or maybe you're a little car sick from playing your DS in the car on the way here" I responded. We arrive at the place and you know how it gets all confusing when you're at a place like that... where there's lots of people... and different parking lots... and you don't know where you're really going?? Well, we were right in the middle of that and I look back to see Rylan's eyes glazed over and looking at me with tears and I knew... my mommy instinct kicked in and it said 'you better think fast'...he was about to THROW UP... IN MY CAR! So, I dumped out my Nike Outlet bag of goodies and BT rolled down the window and Lexie covered her ears and he PUKED in the bag in my car. He was literally puking while BT was paying the parking attendant! LOL After that he was fine.

Here are the boys... and the white sack in BT's hand... yep, you guessed it the Nike sack! We were just walking up to the park in this pic and the birthday boy still had a smile on his face!! LOL

OK... let me break in here to say... it has been known for other family members to do this (not mentioning any names) but... we have decided that Rylan throws up or has the tendency to almost throw up when he gets excited! He really does. I know this is gross to blog about. He has done this before... like the trip to the deer lease last year for those of you who might remember. It was an hour before the boys were all leaving for the deer lease and he puked only to ruin his chances of going and got left behind @ home crying with mommy. After that one puke... he was fine. As a parent it is hard to distinguish between a stomach virus and this throw up thing though. Anyway, back onto the subject... the game. He ate him some nachos and a pizza and some coke and we even went to Pappadeaux's after and he ate it up and has been fine! Very strange, but I need to google what it might be.

The game was awesome. It was unlike any other professional sporting event. We were five rows back from the field and right where the players came to and from the locker room onto the field. I didn't have my big camera lense b/c it wasn't allowed into the park, but I brought my little camera to get a few pics for the memories.

The girls...

David Beckham waving at the crowd - and Rylan says that David Beckham waved at HIM! Can you believe it? ;)

DB in action...

Speaking of action... the action grew when Serioux (on FC Dallas) took DB out from behind and got a red card and ejected from the game. Not before a fight between the two started to break out! Here's the highlight of the game!

Here's to my hubby who's a year older, a great weekend with the family and the new week as we countdown these last days of school! Let the summer begin!

Manic Monday

2008-05-12T09:05:00.009-05:00

Remember this song? :) It's how I feel after coming off of a GREAT Mother's Day yesterday. These two right here are the reasons that I was able to celebrate yesterday. My children... I am grateful. (By the way, they were playing in the rain we had last week in this pic)

I told BT, out of the 8 years of being a "mom", I think it was my favorite so far! It was nothing spectacular, just a simple great day. We had lunch with his family, dinner with mine, some chillin' in between and I topped it off with a long hard run at dark thirty. It just seemed that the kids played SO well together ALL day and I got to really relax.

It sure did help that Rylan started off my day with the red "you are special" plate in my face and a great card that he had made. For those of you that don't know... he gets up first at our house. He put two pieces of toast, an apple and a paper towel on the plate. He woke me up and said "Happy Mother's Day... look mommy... I made a smiley face."

Let me just say that BT was still sound asleep next to me. In other words, Daddy didn't put him up to it... it was Rylan's own idea. Even better. He's "so glad I'm his mommy"... wow... my 8 year old who asked me a couple of weeks ago if he could start calling me "mom" instead of "mommy", is GLAD that I'm his mom still. Great! My heart was melting to say the least.

Lexie proceeded to give me her card she made and some love after she woke up. Of course, I feel like she treats me as if everyday is Mother's Day. She's always picking a flower, drawing a note and so giving, loving and thoughtful. They were both so sweet.

After all, we are the family that cannot keep surprises from each other, they had already given me my "real" gift earlier in the week!! LOL

Five On Friday

2008-05-02T15:58:00.003-05:00

Were we the only ones hiding in the closet taking shelter this morning from the tornadoes here in East Texas? HA!

Lexie skipped school b/c I didn't want to drive her there during the tornado!! LOL I also thought of all the "what ifs"... if the tornado hit and how scared all the kids who were taking shelter must be... including Rylan... they had to take shelter in the girls' bathroom!! I can hear all the 8 year old boys giggling now. :) No tornado came to our neighborhood.
Rylan wants to "let his hair grow out"... we've done this before... we'll see how long it lasts this time!! HA Rylan also told me that he wants us to "have another son"... hmmm...
Lexie informed me that we need to call the "insurance guy" to come spray our backyard b/c ants were taking over Maggie's left-over dog food that she did not eat! I think she meant... exterminator... what do you think? hee hee
BT & I started a little "pre Mother's Day" gift to myself yesterday - a little flagstone walkway on the side of the house that we've, no, excuse me... I've been talking about doing for over a year now! (I'll have some before & after pics when I get the flower bed finished... hopefully soon!) The irony is that the day before my quiet time was about being a "living stone." 1 Peter 2:5 says that we are to be "living stones" exposing an empty tomb - showing proof that Jesus lives. Crazy huh? I couldn't help but think about it while doing some back breaking work. :)
Rylan rocked in his game last week!

TGIF!

Spring Has Sprung!

2008-04-28T08:51:00.006-05:00

What a beautiful morning this morning! I got my cup of joe and went & sat on our back patio in the sunshine to soak it in. Maggie jumped up there with me with her nose in the air & what looked like a smile on her face (I'm not crazy, but I swear she was saying that she enjoyed it too)! We sat & watched all the birds come to our feeders.

Even though it's cold today there's evidence that Spring has sprung all over. The kids & I planted a raspberry plant and they came to me excitedly to tell me we have a berry!!

We also have a rose bush that was given to us about 6 years ago. I have moved it about 3 or 4 times and now I must have it in the right spot b/c there are probably 12 blooms on it right now.

We also celebrated our youngest niece's birthday this weekend - Ellie. She turned TWO! We got her a bubble machine & it was a HIT (for those of you that need a gift for a two year old!) We were so glad to see her so happy about it!!

On another note, we were coming in from playing outside last night as it was getting dark. I had heard this noise that almost sounded like a kid, but it was very consistent & loud. Well, it turned out that it was a kid... a kid goat that my neighbors were keeping for someone for a couple of hours. It was a teeny baby goat named Patches. Patches was born last week and has a twin. The mom has refused to feed Patches, so it's now being fed by people. It lives at Camp Tyler (where the guy who feeds it works) and Patches is with his mom during the day (still fed by humans). We went back & played with him and held him and he was so cute I wish I had snapped a pic!

Texas Day

2008-04-25T15:44:00.005-05:00

Yesterday Lexie had a rootin-tootin' day at school b/c she had Texas Day. It's always so cute. BT & I have probably seen about 6 or 7 Texas Days in our lives, but this one would be our last. Lexie was so cute and did an excellent job singing all those Texas tunes.

She has a friend named Nick that she talks about ALL the time. It goes back and forth from either William or Nick. Nick's mom and I were talking b/c they've been wanting to go home from school together (you know how kids make all these plans). I just felt myself wanting to BUST out laughing as his mom & dad were trying to feel me out about Lexie and why their son Nick would want this cute little girl to go home with him. Before the dad walked up his mom said "So..... does Lexie have any older brothers??" and then the dad walked up and asked the same thing. A conversation they had obviously had and were wondering... which I understood. I said, "yes, she has an older brother & anything she plays with him is whatever her brother chooses". (and it's not dolls people) It's usually playing in the mud, catching bugs, riding bikes and scooters, shooting hoops, jumping on the trampoline or playing soccer. The fact is that she holds her own when she's out on the playground playing soccer & running around with the boys at her school. She's impressed them all b/c she's a little athlete... not to mention that she's as sweet as pie and adorably cute. That is Lexie - that's how God made her, that's what makes her unique & that's what we love about her. It just makes me smile.

Anyway, Lexie walked out for the program at Texas Day and guess who she was sitting by? Nick. The boy on her right with the brown hair who is soo cute and sweet is Nick.

Sixteen Candles

2008-04-24T07:49:00.012-05:00

It seems like yesterday that Raegan was born, but it was really sixteen years ago. I turned 16 that same year that she was born. I would carry her around everywhere like she was mine. The truth is... I love her like my own child. Here are 16 things about Raegan that make me smile...

She has a heart of GOLD

She knows every word to every popular pop song

She's easy to get along with - everyone likes her

She started "ice cream socials" at our house that we still have today

She's HiLaRiouS!!

She is a beautiful person - inside and out

When she was little and it was time to lay down in the bed she would start TALKING your ear off nonstop - Bt and I still laugh about that HA!

She's really good @ "jumping out of the swings" contests!

She stayed with me & helped me one of the very firsts nights I brought Rylan home from the hospital after he was born

She's very creative & smart

She knows how to drive a standard! LOL

She reminds me to have fun

She's tech savvy - she taught me how to blog

She KNOWS how to do the soulja boy!! (could post a video for that one too) :)

She did officially pass my record high on Bullseye Ball... but I intend on getting that one back! LOL

She's "wonderfully made" just the way God intended her to be!

Happy Birthday! We love you & have for 16 years!!

Disney World or Bust!

2008-04-20T23:13:00.003-05:00

We're baaaack! Back to the real world! The trip COULD NOT have gone any smoother than it did! The kids were at the perfect ages. Disney World was dreamy, exciting, thrilling, jaw-dropping, and exhausting!! I'll spare you the 254 pictures that I took with my camera and give you a little glimpse in this slideshow!

It's so great to be Home Sweet Home!

LPBD

2008-04-13T20:08:00.009-05:00

Last Post Before Disney. :) I have two words... OVER... PACKER. If there were any words to describe me today (& anytime I go ANYwhere) those would be the words!! (It paid off when we were stuck in Costa Rica on 9/11 though.) HA The vibe is hype around here - I have a feeling that we'll have some little munchkins in our room EARLY EARLY in the morning.

Just a few shots from the games on Sat... I didn't take very many of Ry b/c the game was so close... it was a tied game... and he played a few of his buddies on the other team. It was fun - we all love it.

Here they are having a conversation during the game...

Here's little miss pink... she loves soccer! :)

We'll see ya' when we get back!!

Five On Friday

2008-04-11T14:51:00.008-05:00

We're counting down... yes, still... although it's getting a little bit crazier (at least it is in my head) the less time I realize I have until we leave. Here's my five for Friday!! TGIF!

* Our flight - well, it's American Airlines. It's also an MD80. Need I say more?? Just say a little prayer that it will go smoothly at the airport on Monday.

* Need your car washed?? Last weekend when it was beautiful my kids were just LOOKING for an excuse to get into their bathing suits with the warm weather. So, I just decided that we should wash my car old school style, break out the sponges, pull out the water hose, & put in a little elbow grease. I mean, if you're like me, you find yourself driving through the car wash, right? Going through what my mom called and still calls "THE ROBO"... please, has ANYBODY out there heard it called that or did she make that name up??? My sister & I still laugh about that! It was time for my kids to experience what it really meant to wash a car. Of course, in the end... the "fun" of it was over and I was out there sweating and drying it off all by myself as the kids rode their scooters on the sidewalk. HA!

* Lex at dinner last night said "mommy, I don't want the plane to crash". I said "I don't either, but it won't"... she said "you know... God really steers the plane"... baffled that she knew that, I said "that's right, who told you that?" She said nobody. I told BT that I believe that God told her that to tell me b/c I always worry about flying. She's right... God is in control... as much as we want to believe that we are. :)

* Ahh, the game of Memory - it is a game played around here often (along with Guess Who, Chutes & Ladders, & Trouble). I have decided that the game of Memory was invented as a joke to the adults that play it with kids - to remind us, the adults, of what LITTLE memory we have left!! My five year old will seriously beat me EVERYTIME! LOL It leaves me feeling like Dori on Nemo everytime!

* Two words - David Beckham... We got tickets to see David Beckham play this May when LA Galaxy (which Galaxy is what Ry's team is called) plays FC Dallas. OK... first of all, Ry is into soccer - he plays FIFA on the PS3, picked out a soccer book at the book fair, loves playing with his new outdoor team, etc... he's a little obsessive - so this is just HUGE that we got these tickets. In fact, the other day we were sitting there and out of nowhere Ry said, "Daddy, you kinda look like David Beckham".... LOL

Fab Friday

2008-04-04T15:47:00.007-05:00

Well, I started out in capris today and have ended up in sweats right now! What is the deal?

Nine days until Disney World... but who's counting?!!?? We absolutely cannot wait! It'll be the kiddos' first time to fly! This next week will be the countdown that consists of last minute things (that'll lead me to Target) like getting some sunscreen, getting our luggage out, doing major laundry, finding out what work Ry's missing in school and packing! Ry and Lex have all these questions when we start talking about flying and Disney and where we're staying, etc. I just keep telling them to "get ready" b/c it's unlike any other thing we've done before!! :)

Lex brought home the cutest little flag art this week that I can't wait to frame!

BT & I are starting a book called Love and Respect with our growth group. I can't wait to get into it even though it's kinda thick and he and I are not readers. We've been laughing about that. I wish I was more of a "reader". We hope it'll prove to be a book that will help strengthen the foundation of our marriage and better yet just bring us closer. I love books like that and I'm praying that it will.

Emma Kate turned 8 yesterday! It rhymes! I hope she likes the socks and underwear I got her! I hope we got the right size in the underwear! :)

Moving Right Along Monday

2008-03-31T15:40:00.007-05:00

Well, after missing a whole week of blogging I'm trying to figure out where to start. Easter at the lakehouse was great - it seems like an eternity ago. I put the slideshow on the side of my blog b/c the time I got the pics onto the slideshow site I didn't have time to actually do a new post. LOL I love the Springtime! I wish I had pics of my Dogwoods and Japanese Maples that are budding out b/c they just gets prettier and prettier every year. We have a lizard friend that basks in the sun in our front window on sunny days. He's brown one day and green the next and the kids don't ever believe me that it's the same lizard, but I'm gonna get some pics of our new pet. It seems like we spend ALOT more time outdoors starting now.

* Lex had her first tennis lesson this last week. She was pumped... and so cute with her pink little racquet. She's taking them with her BFF once a week. I just BUST out laughing when I finally go back and look at my pictures (like this tennis one) b/c they are always as we're getting into the car... on-the-go... I guess that's just the way it goes, but I know I'm not the only one who ends up with their car in the background. I'll work on that! HA!

* Ry had Grandfriends Day at his school this last week and was blessed that both sets of grandparents were able to join him. After visiting his class, having lunch and a few books from the Book Fair (which I had to work) I know he felt pretty special.

*Soccer season is here alright.

Ry hurt his hand last week at the end of practice while him and another teammate were racing to get cones for the coaches. Well, we thought "hmm, we'll watch it and see..." I mean... it would happen on a Friday evening when you can no longer call and "talk to the nurse"... so he played in his game on Sat. and even went fishing. I was thinking... ok... he's still saying it hurts every once in awhile, but he can still use that hand... so I'll give him some Tylenol and we'll move on. Fast forward to today... I'm walking into the grocery store... and my cell phone rings and it was his school calling. "Mrs. Thedford, this is Nurse Miller and Ry has come to see me about his hand... bla, bla, bla, bla he's alright to be at school, but I think you might want to get it checked out..." So, I picked him up early from school and off we went to the doctor and after a few X-rays the verdict was in. In fact, while I've been posting his Doc called. No cast. No fracture. Just bruised really good. wheeeeww... I was thinking that all of our Disney pics would be of Ry with his cast on! 14 more days! Two weeks from today and we'll be smoozing with Mickey and Minnie... Having adventures through Epcot... doing lunch with Cinderella! I wonder if it's changed since I went when I was in THIRD GRADE! You think??? hee hee

*We also celebrated my niece's birthday at lunch yesterday... Madison turned 11!! Why is everyone growing up so fast???!!

* One more thing... you know the group Selah? Well, someone was telling me about a blog that Todd's (the guy that can sing in Selah) wife has. She is about to deliver her FOURTH baby (in about a week I think) and they already know the baby will not live after birth. Just thought you might want to read and pray b/c miracles do happen.

Sorry I tried to pack a week into one post before this next week began!!

Good Friday

2008-03-21T22:14:00.007-05:00

Well, it's been a good friday alright. My kids are tucked in all worn out from a day full of literally non-stop fun (Tyler State Park included). That is, only after spending the night away from home and staying up until midnight and waking up at 6:00! It's a big day tomorrow with the soccer kick-off and all, ya know?! :) I've been looking for a little pinch of time where I could sit down and write a few things I wanted to share from this week.

* Baby O was born on the 19th!! Welcome to the world William Henry - he was 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 21 inches long!

* There's nothing like the feeling when you have to let your 8 yr. old baby boy go into the bathroom at the park by himself (or any public place for that matter)... not knowing what kind of person is lurking & waiting in there. There's just nothing like it, but you gotta do it at some point... it feels as though you're letting him into the jungle on his own hoping he comes out unharmed! :)

* Oh... and there's also nothing like the feeling of that same precious 8 yr. old blurting out at the dinner table to us that his friends all laugh at him when I put little "love notes" in his lunch box (yeah, you know... the ones on the napkins) for him. Ok... that one was hard to swallow, but boy was I glad to know THAT! (sniff sniff)

* Lex had her Easter egg hunt at school. Every function she has I go through the "this is the last time we'll do this or that" feeling because it's our last year at Kids Kaleidoscope. I know, I know... it's just a Mother's DAy Out, but this is not just a MDO though... this is a wonderful place that both of my children went through happily. Ry started when he was two years old and we've been there ever since... but this is it... the last year and my baby goes to Kindergarten at "the big school". Here she is with her class...

* Ry had "Parents In PE" this week. It was something that Ry really looked forward to. So, we started off in the classroom and went to the gym and then the playground/field. Well, we went in the gym and they did some stuff and then it was time for the classes to get the parachutes out. Keep in mind... Lex was pretty occupied (as you see in these pics I just happened to snap) and had been the whole time since we had got in the gym.
Then, all of the sudden, after doing a little routine with the parachutes they say "c'mon parents and join your child on the parachutes!" Oh man... do you remember the parachutes? It will TAKE YOU BACK to the elementary days as soon as you put your hands on it. So, I go out there and we're going in circles and making ripples.... we're raising it up so it'll catch some air and bringing it down to the ground so it would create a dome... I know you know what I'm talking about. We stand back up and I see Mandi pointing back to the corner from across the gym. I look back and it is my child... Lex... standing there... BY HERSELF... nobody around her... right where I left her... trying to fight back the tears b/c she didn't realize I was right in front of her going back to my elementary days!!! It was SO SAD. I might win the "mother of the year" award for that one!?! By the way, here's Ry on the parachute in the brown...

At this point it's about 11:10 (way past my bedtime) and I'm sleep typing... and Good Friday's ending. Gonna hit the hay and get ready for Super Saturday! hee hee

My Day Made...

2008-03-18T15:56:00.004-05:00

Nothing like a few weeds, 1 clover & 1 Camelia (borrowed from our neighbor) to make my day! Lex picked these for me yesterday and you would've thought that they were straight from the florist! :)

I can't believe that Easter is this weekend. It's SO early! The kids have their parties and their first soccer games of the season on Sat.! The Easter Bunny needs to get BUSY!

Spring Break

2008-03-15T09:48:00.007-05:00

I guess Spring Break meant a "break" from blogging too. :) It's almost over, but has been a nice break from school and routine. Let the hustle and bustle of Spring begin! I love this time of year when the flowers start popping up and the grass gets green again. Everytime a season changes I just think "I LOVE this season", but the truth is I just love the change of seasons. God always does it at the most perfect time. I thought I'd list a just a few of my Favorite Things about this Spring Break.

Emma started off our break by coming & staying a couple of nights with us! We went to see College Road Trip and had pizza before. At the pizza place was a balloon guy that made a dog for Em out of balloons and it was HUGE! We laughed b/c the balloon dog sat in our booth with us like a person.

Seeing them play & get creative & have "shows" like kids should!! Woa, you should've seen the room after it was all said & done!

Ry went fishing with his Poppy & the guys on a day that was just beautiful! I gave him my little camera & told him to take a pic of "the big one" if he catches it and he came back with some pictures alright... HA

We went to Dallas with some friends and it was just perfect - the weather couldn't have been any better and neither could the kids!

I got my anniversary present a week early. :) Bt & I cannot keep surprises from each other! hee hee (Our anniversary is the first day of spring!)

Checking on my brother's house for them while they were gone. Let me just say... it consisted of letting the chickens out... and getting them back in at dark!!! and.... are you ready? gathering the eggs that the chickens had laid.... LOL It was great! The kids thought it was THE BEST! (Except for the part where the speckled rooster came after & pecked Lex one evening)
Going to dinner with friends and feeling like I laughed my head off the whole time! Then, coming home to find out that all the kids thought it would be fun to have a food fight while the babysitter was there! hee hee

The best part of this last week is that there were no plans, no absolutes & time on our hands! It was great!

One More Thing...

2008-03-07T08:21:00.004-06:00

One more thing to be so thankful for this morning.... THE SNOW! What a way to wake up on this Friday morning... especially when you're 8 & 5 yrs. old!

My Pansies were dancing...

The kids were eating snow...

Maggie was freaking out b/c she'd never seen it before!

Thankful Thursday

2008-03-06T21:35:00.005-06:00

Ok... well, here she is... my prediction of who will win Idol... and then I'm going to quit talking about it.

I'm starting back my Thankful Thursdays as long as I can remember to do it! So a few things that I am so thankful for are...

* Strawberries... big, bright red, flawless, juicy ones... and dip them in chocolate and it sends me over the edge... it just might be one of my top favorite foods! :) I have bought so many lately to put on waffles, dip in chocolate, put in cereal, pack in lunches, have for an after school snack, etc....

* Our piano - it seems to draw us all together as a family somehow... I have sweet video I need to post of that... Those of you who know BT know he has a few simple songs that he plays that make me laugh (hee hee) I get out my old books & try to play it any chance I get!

* Spring break that is coming up this next week!

* Sunshine - I'm ready for the spring weather to be here (& to be consistent) and to feel that sunshine hit my skin! My white legs are ready also!

* Baby Will that will be born anyday now! She is 37 weeks this week. Can't wait to meet him and for her to experience the joys of motherhood! I am so thankful for him!

* My bed that I'm about to hit!

Idol Talk

2008-03-05T08:37:00.003-06:00

OK... We don't ever have a "show" that we really try to watch, but when American Idol starts up it becomes a family affair. Is this show run down or what? I can't believe it still comes on. We start out watching and fade off and then watch at the end. Let me say, I think I like this guy b/c he's from Texas. It's not because of his hair I can tell you that. I also think this guy can really sing. He seems like a wierdo when he talks, but can sing.

I also really like this young guy and the Australian - those are my top three picks for the guys in the competition!

Ry begins soccer today with his outdoor team. He has been on the Bobcats ever since he & Brian made up the team. Brian started off coaching it when Ry was 4 and handed it over about 2 years ago. It was just time to move on, so we put him in the draft and another team picked him up - Tyler Galaxy. We meet everyone tonight and he's SO excited!! Lex has been wearing her pink little uniform every chance she gets. She wakes up and puts it on before getting dressed before school & comes home and puts it on after. In fact, she's wearing it right now. The season is here....

Dreamy Days

2008-03-01T21:33:00.013-06:00

With the weather feeling "spring-like" this last week we couldn't help but spend alot of our time outdoors. We all love spending some time in nature. We made a family trip to the cabin to go on nature walks, fish, ride four wheelers (& make a new four wheeler trail), & soak up some sunshine! Ry is just in his element when we go there. He brought his BB gun, my pellet gun, & his .22 just in case he needed to hunt something. I won't post any pics, but let's just say that there were some poor birds that didn't have a good day that day.

Mimi had the bright idea to check out a place that she had seen - daffodil land, better known as Lee Gardens! It was beautiful & could not have been a better day. Let me just say that daffodils are SO cool when you look at them up close - I tried to get a pic to capture that.

Too bad the kids were not really dressed for the occasion, but we managed to snap a few shots of them in the fields - only before we were told to "not bring the kids through the daffodils please" by a worker!! HA!

I'm off to bed to retire this body from lots of fun and even some work I did in my flower beds (as I was inspired by the daffodils) this evening because tomorrow night there will be SEVEN people sleeping in my house.... only two of those seven will be adults!!!

By the way, take notice of the BRIGHT pink glittery new headband that Lex insists goes with EVERYTHING!!! It's been in all my recent posts in case you haven't noticed!! LOL I guess to her pink is the new black!! :)

Birthday Bowling Bananza

2008-02-23T10:57:00.006-06:00

We kicked the weekend off with a big bowling birthday bananza for Jake! The kids had a blast! Shame on us... My KIDS HAD NEVER BOWLED BEFORE!

The almost birthday boy himself...

Who knew that Tony Romo could bowl...

I'm with you Lexie, lean to the right... and maybe the ball will go the opposite direction...

After a few strikes, birthday song, pizza & cake... they were "sugared up" and looking like this by the time we left!!! :)

New Neighbor

2008-02-20T13:20:00.004-06:00

Mrs. G (across the street) has been telling me about two squirrels that are living in her tree in her backyard. The tree has this perfect hole way up high that makes for a great home. Last year, about this time, a squirrel made that hole it's home and we enjoyed going over there and seeing it. Anyway, she called me the other day and said we need to come look - that the two squirrels were sticking their heads out. Sure enough, when we got there they ducked back in. I was able to use my zoom lens and get just a little snap of one peeking out. I'm determined to get a better shot one of these days!

Friends Forever

2008-02-16T09:53:00.005-06:00

I had this going as a small slideshow on the side, but decided to make it bigger. It always takes me back to when I was her age & all the times I used to play with my dog.... Snookums... yes, Snookums Lejay... that was her middle name. LOLOL I painted a sign to go on the door of her doghouse that read "Snookums". I think that I got the name Snookums off of The Muppets Movie... my memory tells me something like that. The middle name, well... that one was pure child-like creativity at it's finest! Go ahead and laugh. My brother still remembers her middle name to this day.... and me, well, I still have all of the memories of that dog! My kids are always busy making memories of their own with Maggie! I know I've put this on before, but couldn't resist putting it on again - it's an all-time favorite!!

Yes, we are dog lovers and yes, I'm having puppy fever.

Longest Time

2008-02-11T16:25:00.000-06:00

After a quick trip to Dallas w/ BT Sat. & Sun. I've been "recharged" & ready for a new week! It had been TOO LONG since BT & I had gone away by ourselves. Nobody on my hip, nobody to shush, nobody saying "mommy this, mommy that", nobody else's hair to do, nobody telling on their sibling... just a nice little needed break!! Thanks Aunt Mandi for keeping the kiddos - that meant she had FIVE kids, ranging from 22mos. to 8 yrs old, to feed & get ready for church on Sunday morning (not to mention herself)!!
I also meant to say (for those of ya'll wondering) that my mammogram turned out fine. There is definitely something there, but not to worry about. Wheew... I can breathe now. That was quite an experience (see pic). The bad news is... I haven't seen my driver's license since that appt.... and... I need it to get my kids a passport for The Atlantis trip.... like now... so it'll be here in time. :) About the square dancing.... it is a WORKOUT! I had no idea it was so non-stop.... I didn't have a chance to take any pics! I am still laughing about the Olan Mills pictures. Don't make me post some more b/c I have found others!!! LOL Have a great week and RECHARGE yourself! :)

Back in Time...

2008-02-08T08:37:00.000-06:00

I got this email the other day that was about "Olan Mills Awesomeness"... and it was hilarious to say the least. I guess it was just so funny b/c it took me back to all the times we went to Olan Mills as a family - my parents LOVED that place. I can remember my sister in there fixing my hair & doing my bangs... feathering them back with a part in the middle or no, helping my bangs look like a big wave (remember, all it takes is half a can of hair spray and a curling iron to get them to stay up) She would also help me pick out what I should or shouldn't wear. Looking back, we both needed some help! LOL I'm going to pick a few of the pics from the email & post what the email said in quotes under the pic.

"These glasses came free with a purchase of Brut cologne"

"Drake won Best Senior Mullet by a landslide"

"That dude wore a tie for nothing"

"Olan Mills backdrop #4 : Bucolic Meadow with a Split Rail Fence - is that an animal carcus behind her?"

"Olan Mills is all about versatility. The simple addition of a column turns this generic plantation into Tara, where, apparently, someone opened a Hair Cuttery. (This Dorothy Hamill cut was very popular in 70s after Dorothy won Olympic gold. Both my sisters had the cut at different times."

"I got a 20 that says he drives a Camaro"

This family went all out with the Old Timey effect! Hee hee

All I have to say is "plaid was the fad", can you tell? Wow, this family had the opportunity to go out in the middle of the woods with a little bridge behind them!! (is that Dorothy Hamill in the front?) LOL

Hope this brought some humor to your FRIDAY! Our SMSB is having a square dance tonight with real "callers" & everything! The last memory of square dancing I have was when I was in third grade & we performed for parents in the gym. Well, in the middle of the dance as we were skipping & changing partners... I had on these red flats (I swear I've seen some out in the store lately just like them) & I kicked off one of my red flats across the floor!! I was so humiliated that I had to run and put it back on in front of everyone! LOL Anyway, I'm hoping for some better luck this time! I'll let you know!

and I'm back...

2008-02-04T14:20:00.000-06:00

I know what you people are thinking... is she EVER going to update her blog? Finally, a little space of time where I felt like blogging. Is it me or is there something in the air... literally... something... some "bug" in the air? I have been hearing about these schools that are closing for the flu and I'm thinking "do you not get yourself and your kids the flu shot people"? I know, I know... you still can get a certain strain of the flu. My husband was one of those "I don't need a flu shot" people when we got married until he actually got the flu. OH my... after missing days of work and it turning into bronchitis... the man has gotten the shot every year he could after that. He & both kids had it when Lex was a baby b/c their shot had not had time to kick in... but guess who got their shot about a month before that... yep, me... and guess who didn't get the flu... yep, me... he saw it with his own eyes & he's a flu shot believer now. Anyway, with all that nonsense said, I was just thinking... oh man... I'm so glad we've dodged all the Fifth Disease, stomach bug and flu stuff that I've been hearing about left and right. In fact, Ry and I had just had a conversation last week about how nobody in our family has had any of the stomach bug stuff in over a year.

Well, I spoke too soon b/c Saturday night about 1:30 (which BT and I had just gone to sleep about midnight) I get a little tap and a sweet little voice says "mommy, I just threw up... in my bed"... I'm thinking "what am I dreaming"? Then, reality set in and my stomach sank and the mommy instinct kicked into gear.... and all of the thoughts started flowing. Where do I begin? Is it alot? Is it going to be on the floor? Are we all going to have it all this next week? Are there clothes sitting in the washing machine from earlier today that I haven't got out b/c now I need to load it with sheets? Am I going to be up all night with this poor little angel hour after hour? As I get up to walk with her to the bathroom she says... "it's all in my hair"... I'm thinking "oooohhh no"... and BOOM she was rubbing her eyes and blindly walked into the side of my bedroom armoire. It was getting ugly quick... Not until the BOOM and the cry did BT wake up. I'm laughing now, but it wasn't funny at the time. In fact, my husband decides he's going to get up & get her soiled throw up sheets and WAD them, yes wad them up (chunks & all) and get this... throw them out into the GARAGE! Yes he did! Yes, he is a man. Ok... he tells me he did that & I'm thinking... who does he think is going to have to deal with that at some point in time? I will say that that same man took his little girl and took her to the bath, cleaned her off & washed her hair as he comforted her. Then he took the time to blow dry it and her (b/c she was cold) at 2 am. I was just hearing him in there sweet talking under the sound of the blow dryer thinking "thank you Lord for that man... my husband... that sweet daddy taking care of his baby".... even though he threw those DARNED sheets in the garage b/c he didn't want to deal with it... LOL Most importantly he had rescued "blankey-bunny" (that is what she sleeps with - see pic - and I'm convinced she'll probably sleep with until she's 16) out of the rubble and put them in the laundry room so I could wash them right away. He's the man... knowing what takes priority!! Anyway, with all that said that was the only time she threw up and has been fine since. Whheww... I don't know if that was a "bug" or something she ate, but right now all is calm. Say a prayer. While you're at it, go ahead & say a prayer for me b/c I'm having a mammogram/ultrasound done on Wed. just to check out a spot my OB/GYN says is "probably nothing." I just keep thinking that lots of people's lives change in that one hour appt., but have to believe that God has his own agenda with me.

I have hilarious video of Jake & Rylan at their last Upwards game. Their teams played each other & you would've thought that they were in the driveway playing each other like they do at each other's houses. LOL It was great! They were even guarding each other & their competitve juices were flowing! I'll post "the big game" soon.

Rain Rain Go Away...

2008-01-25T15:43:00.000-06:00

Is it ever going to quit raining? I'm getting tired of the coldness & wetness. Don't get me wrong... I like it to be cold when it's supposed to be cold.

In spite of the gloomy weather, there are a few things that still brighten my day!

1. These two... for sure...

2. This song... and the singer... John Legend. Actually, just about any song he sings b/c I'm a fan!

3. Listening to him on my new Ipod I got a day or so (my other quit workin' forever ago & I've had to run with my lil' shuffle)!

4. Wearing my new brown Nine West down jacket that I got @ Macy's on sale for half of half of half of half of half.... or something like that... :) I needed that BAD... I didn't even KNOW how bad I needed that & I LOVE it! (I couldn't find it on the web, but it looks kinda like this one...)

5. Ry bringing home straight up straight A's on his report card yesterday! Way to go smarty pants! He sure is taking after his momma! ;)

6. Lex having good news today... she learned how to TIE A SHOE! One of those BIG milestones in life!! Hurray!

7. Last, but not least... these little pictures the kids just made in honor of the snow that they woke up (so wishfully) thinking was going to be on the ground this morning & wasn't. Yes, those are snowmen made out of socks. Man, it was rare, but I can remember waking up to snow when I was little. Even ice is exciting in Texas. I have to admit, BT & I were wishfully thinking we'd awake to see a little white on the ground & roofs... what were we thinking? I'm praying for snow for my kiddo's sake!

This art would brighten anyone's day, right??! Have a good weekend!!

Hump Day

2008-01-23T13:54:00.000-06:00

Today is soo chilly outside.... I cannot seem to get warm. I was just in there popping popcorn for Lexie for an after school snack and she says... "people that don't have houses are not fair"... and I said "why?"... she said... "they get to have picnics ALL the time"... I'm laughing outloud just writing this... she cracks me up. She must have been thinking about having a picnic... I don't know. I'm guessing that her thoughts may have stemmed from the other night when BT & I showed the kids a bridge that homeless people have to sleep under on cold nights.

Last week she had her "show week" at gymnastics. Well, the class started out big and slowly but surely dwindled down to about three or four girls by the time it ended... they didn't care. Especially Lex & Zoe b/c all they cared about was being together. Here's a little clip that BT took of her during "show week."

Ry, on the other hand, has started Upwards Basketball. He loves basketball. In fact, I don't know many little boys that don't. :) It's too cute. Here he is hoopin' it up at his game he had on Sat. At this age, they all tend to be a bit of a... well, there's no nice way of saying it... but a "ball hog" so it can be interesting! HA Ry is numero uno in the clip!

I just see my children doing these activities & think I'm so thankful that we all have healthy bodies & are able to do these things with ease. Let us, let ME... not take for granted that God gave us healthy bodies & our kids to remind us to run around, have picnics :), & enjoy life!!

Good Day

2008-01-15T12:00:00.000-06:00

Well, I really am tired of putting dead animals on my blog. I'm thinking this will be it for a long time, especially since the season's over... but what can I say? They love it! It's like God just gives them that "hunter" instinct... like the Indians back in the day. LOL Rylan had good intentions on shooting something like this Hogzilla last time he went to the deer lease! Man, he's soo proud of this picture. Just so you'll know these monsters in the woods can be pretty mean, so I say... "good riddance" - it just means you'll see less next season! By the way, this one had babies with it... i know... it's cruel. Just be glad that I didn't put the video of him shooting it on here... it's bad... you see the babies... it's bad. Oh, and the buck... he "harvested" another one. I'd really be in trouble if I didn't put this on here. What are we teaching our kids? The funny thing is... they are both some of the biggest animal lovers I know. Ironic, huh?

Today is just what I consider to be a perfect day outside. It starts off cold & ends up warming up just enough to still feel good & put on your flip flops!! It's also great because I got my stitches out of my face today! Yeah! I had truly been counting down the days... I mean seriously. I also found out from my hubby that we are going to The Atlantis at the first of summer. I am ecstatic!! Can you say "MO-TI-VA-TION!!" HA!

The Never Ending Fruit

2008-01-13T19:25:00.000-06:00

Do you know what this is???

pome·gran·ate (pmgrnt, pm-, pm-, pm-)
n. 1. A deciduous shrub or small tree (Punica granatum) native to Asia and widely cultivated for its edible fruit.
2. The fruit of this tree, having a tough reddish rind, and containing many seeds, each enclosed in a juicy, mildly acidic, red pulp

It's a pomegranate! Every once in awhile something catches my eye at the grocery store & I just have to get it to experiment. Now, I'm 31 yrs. old and never tried one of these before so I decided it would be great for my kids at young ages to try... and myself too. I did my research and went to the internet & of course, youtube to see if there was a certain way to peel one of these and came across this video....

After seeing this I was like "oh great.... what a pain!" Anyway, it was well worth the experience. In fact, when you open it up it looks like this....

Let me just say... it's as good as it looks! We were ALL eating it up! It was sooo yummy... it was like burst of vitamin c in your mouth... and it was just never ending. I peeled it with my hands like the girl on the video & everytime you thought you had gotten most of the little juicy things there would be more & more! The only thing is that it was so full of juice it got everywhere including my white shirt I had (& still have on)! Also, I get Pomegranate juice at the store & there is no comparison! Here's to the Pomegranate... go to the store & get you some!!

Pick Up The Pace

2008-01-12T18:18:00.001-06:00

Ok... I'm having a hard time keeping my posts up to date... I'm going to try to be better and pick up the pace!! It might be b/c I've been going all over the place this week with STITCHES in my FACE!!! They are driving me CRAZY! I had a little minor "pro-surgery" (You mean... you don't know what that is? It's when you combine the word "procedure and surgery" like a goof in conversation like I did as I was telling somebody about my face!!) Anyway, I spared the picture that Lexie took of me and my stitches on the blog fearing that someone would end up grossed out!! HA! Three more days and they come out... ouch. Ok, I'm not going to think about it until then.
Everytime I've thought of blogging a flood of thoughts & pictures & activities come to mind of the last week and I just get overloaded thinking about all that I could write about. So, I'm just going to break it down and put a few things at a time! That way I'll update more often this week too, right?
First, I have to say... Raegan got her first car!! Congrats Rae! She is about to be sixteen & that's been some exciting news going on right now! I still remember my first car... a black '89 Ford Probe!! I loved that car!
Also, I've been meaning to put this on here... it's the cutest little owl that was in our back yard! Now, we don't live in the country, so this was so wierd. Being that I swear I'm partly night blind I had to grab the video camera in order to zoom in on this thing and spot it. Also, I knew that BT wouldn't believe me when I told him there was an OWL in our backyard so I needed proof! This pic is a stillshot taken off the video I took, so it might not be the best.... but here he is... so cute.

Can you even see it?

Also, I have to say welcome The Glenney Family and The Bryan Family to the blogging world!!

Happy New Year

2008-01-04T10:13:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year!! Somebody stop me! If I drink one more Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha I'm going to turn into one! I've had way too many over this Christmas break! :) I guess I need to put some space between today's and my next one!!! LOL

The one & only thing I don't like about Christmas is the way my house looks so bare after taking all the decorations down! I start wanting to repaint, repair, redecorate, re-everything!! HA! Between taking down Christmas, staying in my pj's for as long as I want, Clayton staying with us & indoor soccer starting back up this week has been great!! Lex can't WAIT to start back to school.
Speaking of Lex... she lost her second tooth this week & cut her hair off today & is LOVING it! The boys are at the deer lease for one last hoorah this weekend before deer season ends. In fact, Ry shot ANOTHER buck today. Once again, we are having a girls' weekend. The other day when the boys drove away from the house while we were out in the driveway she turned to me and said... "woo, now we can have some peace & quiet!" I just busted out laughing b/c anyone who knows BT & Ry knows that they are not loud people!!

Ry is missing an indoor game & his first Upward basketball game this Sat., but don't worry I have a video for ya'll to see of last week's game. I've put a clip of Ry in that game - it was an 8:00a.m. game, it was cold, and he had not touched a soccer ball in about 3 weeks and I had not been out of my pajamas before 8:00a.m. in about 3 weeks so it was shocking to all! HA Here's the clip...

Happy 2008!!

Ducks Unlimited

2007-12-27T17:17:00.000-06:00

The boys woke up early this morning & went out duck hunting! They shot their limit & had a great time! They had Magic, who is the only dog I know with a PhD in duck hunting, helping them out! :) She's the best hunting dog I've ever seen!

Merry Christmas Eve

2007-12-24T09:45:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Let us not forget that "He is the reason for the season" during all of the hustle and bustle of gifts, cooking, traveling & chaos! I hope Santa comes to see you all....

Our Christmas began yesterday in Mt. P! Our flag football game was "up to par" this time b/c we got our regular players back and then some! I won't bore you with a bunch of pics, just a few! Let's just say after a few tumbles, interceptions, tackles (which weren't supposed to be happening), & sprints there are probably a few of us that are feeling it today!!! :)

Party On, Party People

2007-12-19T16:38:00.000-06:00

This time of year is crazy b/c of all of the birthdays! It's four of us in a row right before Christmas!! It feels like a week of celebrating! We had Lexie's b-day on Sunday @ Jumpin' Jacks Party Shack. It's the easiest place in the world to have a party... and at this point we need easy. :) You show up with a birthday girl & favors and you're good to go! Here's a few pics from her birthday!

Birthday Girl

2007-12-17T10:24:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Lexie!

Her personality adds so much to our family - she is a gift from God! We're so glad she was born five years ago! As I did with Rylan, I start looking back through the years with a smile!

Four months old...

Our blue eyed baby...

That's what you call a mom desperate for pigtails...

Her & her BFF... :)

Dancing Queen...

Soccer Star....

We LOVE you Princess!!

Reindeer Writing

2007-12-14T11:30:00.000-06:00

Here's an important note that Ry wrote for Donner. After seeing Donner with Mrs. Claus last weekend he can't quit thinking & talking about those reindeer! He is such a sweet precious child who puts alot of thought into things! Santa's definitely on his way....

THREE MORE DAYS UNTIL LEXIE'S B-DAY!

Gaylord Goodness

2007-12-10T22:20:00.000-06:00

We set out to The Gaylord this weekend hoping that it would get us in the Christmas spirit! It worked! After chit-chatting with Santa, petting REAL reindeer with Ms. Claus, & going down ice slides we are all in the Christmas spirit! The Ice exhibit was awesome! I mean, I truly turned into a kid again while going down the ice slides and I have a feeling that I wasn't the only one! It was truly another great weekend with The Wilsons!

Cold As Ice!!

2007-12-10T14:39:00.001-06:00

Well, we went to the GAYLORD TEXAN this past Sat. just for the night and had a BLAST! I'm dying to post the pics, but I had to make a few changes to my blog first! ;) I'll be posting pics ASAP!

Guess Who?

2007-12-05T18:42:00.000-06:00

Can you guess who this is??

One more thing...

2007-12-05T18:10:00.000-06:00

Oh yeah... something else that just makes me smile. Did I mention Ry's ant farm? It has been the best gift... in fact, I've been known to give them as gifts since he got his! Now, the thought of the lid being left open freaks me out a little, but it's sooo cool! These little ants work sooo hard to move "big" pieces of sand (even though those pieces are soo tiny to us) only to go right back down and keep digging their tunnels, or work on their food, or whatever! I just think that these ants are crazy... they dug a tunnel (which was hard work) only to fill it back up and & then dug another one, etc. I mean... we could watch them forever! In fact, yesterday I was watching them... and I thought... "You know... these ants remind me of myself... they don't stop... I am an ant." HAAA! I'm serious... I just don't let myself stop sometimes!!! I'M AN ANT! I know that God is looking down on me (the ant) & saying that "piece of sand" that she's moving is so little to me, but seems so big to her. In my next life I'm coming back as a snail!! LOL

Sunday Sums it Up

2007-12-02T21:06:00.000-06:00

Well, I haven't been a good blogger this last week! There were a couple of days that I had good intentions of sitting down to blog, but didn't. Anyway, I just wanted to put a couple of things on here that absolutely made me smile this last week!

* First & foremost... this little guy! I have a Christmas tree full of Santas for those of you who don't know. Every year I add a few Santas - sometimes one, sometimes 5... just depends. I always want my Santas to mean something or represent something that happened in the past year. For example, my new guy here... he reminds me of my trip to New York that us girls took last March! He was perfect, so I gave him a new home!!

* Next is my new Josh Groban - "Noel" CD. Is it a CD if you downloaded it on itunes or what do you call it? The song that is playing is "Thankful" & on the new Christmas CD I downloaded - I love it! Yes, it was on Oprah's favorite things! :)

* Christmas lights that BT & Ry put up! I love them! I wish I had a pic for you! We love driving around & seeing all the houses lit up!

* Also, there is a house that we go to every year & we've already been by it three times! I'm sure everyone's seen one before... but you turn your radio on a certain station & the lights move to the music... anyway, they have a website... Here's their site - check it out & click on videos! The kids just LOVE IT! In fact, here's a little taste of the actual house this year! Notice, the traffic driving by to see the house!!

The list could go on, but I'm calling it a night.... to be cont'd... :)

Walk A Mile in These Shoes

2007-11-28T15:53:00.000-06:00

Even though we haven't had them long... I'd say say they were worth every penny!! The best part... she's still wearing them ALL THE TIME! LOL

The Rochelle Rut

2007-11-26T21:16:00.000-06:00

"Welcome Hunters"... the sign says it all! We just returned from our annual family trip to the deer lease in the big town of Rochelle, TX. It was great! It was a trip filled with lots of laughter, hand-warmers, sleet, & of course, big bucks for the boys! Lex & I had to get matching boots to keep our feet warm! The kids look forward to driving the hunting truck - it's a highlight when you're 8 & 4!

The only thing we pulled the trigger on was my camera (and a hog)! The pic I took of this buck above was following a doe. He jumped the fence right by us while chasing her!! It made for some good pics! Man, I should be a nature photographer b/c nature seems to be my favorite subject next to the kiddos!

Here are a few of the pics that captured the moment for the most part. The second pic is of "camp" at the lease. Let me just say... my coveralls I'm wearing are BT's that he wore when he was ELEVEN YEARS OLD - no exaggeration there!! I've been wearing them for years!! HA! We laughed this year & said that they are my "retro-camo"! LOL

It's great to be back home!!!

Thanksgiving Day

2007-11-23T10:03:00.000-06:00

Once again, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving! There is so much to be thankful for all around us. I decided to take a bunch of family pictures b/c there is so much that can happen from year to year... so, I'm going to start doing it every year! There was lots of food, plenty of family, flag football & as always... fun! We lost a couple of players in our annual flag football game, but picked up a new guy... Zach! Don't worry, it was still competitive! I'm sure those players will jump back in at Christmas!! LOL

Two More Days!

2007-11-20T14:31:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving has somewhat started for us - yippee! Ry had his feast & then from there I took him out of school early to go to Lex's feast & watch her sing at her MDO. It's sad to say that this is our last year at Kids' Kaleidoscope (her MDO, also referred to as KK) and this was our last KK feast. It was where Ry went also & we've been doing these now for about six or seven years I guess. It's kinda sad. As usual, God opens up new doors & everything falls into it's place every time I start to worry about tomorrow. Today was fun though... Lex's Indian headpiece had her Indian name on it.... "Red Clover"... HA! Here she is playing her drum.

Poppy & Grammy even stopped by to see her sing!

Here's a little clip of her very "animated" singing! LOL

This clip is bringing back a memory that I have of a little boy that stood right there on that very same stage 3 years ago!! OH my goodness... has it been that long?? Am I getting that old?? LOL Here's a little clip of that too!! Ry's the one on the left... hee hee

Have a Happy Turkey Day Everyone! I'm thankful for all of you who are reading this right now!! Two more days until food, family, fun & flag football!

We've got Spirit

2007-11-17T21:49:00.000-06:00

I'm so tired right now & it's not even 10:00. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Emma came & spent the night last night & I woke up @ 1:20. Ry & her were still awake talking about "hey... we could get the couch cushions & jump from the furniture to the cushions"... I thought I was dreaming, but nope, they were up until then & then awake @ 7:00. On our first Saturday without any games or anything I didn't even get to sleep in a little! Anyway, it was such a wonderful day today. We love it when Emma's around... the kids PLAY IT UP NONSTOP! We got wooden ornaments for the kids' Christmas tree that they all painted today. Speaking of Christmas tree... I guess I'm going to put mine up sometime soon!

We also went & watched Madison play Spirit soccer - they had a tournament. I mean... what is Sat. without soccer, right?? :) She is an AWESOME player - she's soo fast! It runs in her family! Way to go Madison!!

I thought the timing of this pic was funny!

I was sitting on the sideline @ the game and ON THE FIELD that the girls were playing on... right in front of me... I see a little mound of dirt flicking up... & this little guy was taking a peek out of his hole! I couldn't believe it! I was the only one seeing it... Everyone else was watching the game... I'm laughing just thinking about it... so, I started telling people around me about it & I just happen to get this picture right before he disappeared! HA!

Forgetful Friday

2007-11-16T15:47:00.000-06:00

Well, I really didn't forget about my Thankful Thursday, I was just too tired last night when I thought about it & went to bed instead. So, let me just start by being thankful for:

my comfy cozy bed that I have to crawl into when I'm just about to melt from a long day!
SHOES! There's just so many to cute ones to choose from... flip flops & all... LOL
Thanksgiving & the feast that occurs at my aunt's house with lots of family! (I swear, I'm just going to stand with my video camera & video around the house so I can remember ten years from now what it's like & I"ll try to remember to post it up - do the same!)
Greenberg Turkey (most of you know I don't eat alot of meat, in fact... no red, but I love me some Gberg Turkey!) I can't remember a Thanksgiving or Christmas without it!
a fresh start every single morning... I may have said it before, but man, a good night's sleep can make a BIG difference! I'm always reminded of how precious that fresh start is
a warm cozy fire in the fireplace on a cold day (& you step out to get wood & you're reminded why you have that fire going... and you go up to it to get warm again)
My watch! You don't know what you've got til' it's gone! I think that I just LIVE by my watch... I have today... and I know I've forgotten to put my watch on before... or it's been broken... ohhh... it's such a pain! HA
My kids & their laughter... oh, it's contagious!
My chicken taco soup that is easy to fix & just hits the spot & fills you up on a cold day.... that I'm going to go make right now!!!!
going to the deer lease... as a little family!

Chalk It Up...

2007-11-14T19:27:00.000-06:00

My kids absolutely LIVE outside. They wake up in the morning & play outside before they even go to school. In fact, at about 7:20 the other morning I was coming up my street (I mean, a few houses down) from a jog & could hear these kids screaming & laughing... and I thought... "I know that laugh... it's my kids!" I just smiled thinking... do any other kids wake up & go STRAIGHT outside?! Anyway, this morning before I even got out of bed they had been outside decorating the back patio with these precious sidewalk chalk drawings...

Here's Rylan's...

and Lexie's...

Lexie got some new shoes that she could not WAIT to wear to school! Just thought I'd share.... doesn't every girl need a black glittery pair of Hello Kitty shoes?? :)

Monday, Monday

2007-11-12T08:38:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday! BT & I started out this morning with another Dr. Oz Green Drink! I put a bigger apple, less cucumber & a "key" ingredient - ice. It was great - I'm getting better! Ry even drank some! I even got up to run this morning in a desperate attempt to run off all of the fudge & Tx trash that I made & ate over the weekend! HA

Meet Ellie! This is my youngest niece. We started out this last girls' weekend by keeping Ellie for a bit on Friday! She's is truly sunshine! It was a weekend for Lex & I that included Shogun's, The Bee Movie, her last soccer game & trophy, food, fudge & fun!! LOL

Now, I have NO IDEA why Lex is so interested in taking pictures! I mean... I don't know where she gets it from, but she loves her camera. By the way... Santa brought this camera to her last year & it is awesome! So, if you have girls... or boys... (they have a blue one too) it's a great gift. A little pricey for a toy camera, but it has a screen on the back (the picture's not real clear) but they feel like they're really taking "real" pictures - they are!

Here are a few of her favorite subjects...

Maggie, of course, is her most-photographed subject!

Anything that flies overhead....

Our trees faces & trees & flowers...

She's my little photographer - loving her camera just like her mommy!

Thankful Thursday

2007-11-08T18:16:00.001-06:00

I'm looking forward to my weekend with Lex that has begun today! So, that's definitely the first thing on my list that I am thankful for on this Thursday!

* Little Lexie
* All of the females in my family in my life!
* Peace & Quiet (that is too RARE to ever take for granted)
* The trees that we get to watch change around town - esp. the ones that we drive by everyday on our way to school or on our familiar routes... they've been different everyday!
* The fact that my kids get excited about those trees as much as I do!
* A delicious, big ole' long overdue salad - that you can eat & it just makes you feel like you just cancelled out all of the bad you've been eating!! HA! LOL
* Ann Taylor Loft

* Dinner with a friend you haven't seen in awhile... @ Julian's ;)
* Baby O (whom I saw in womb on Sunday & can't wait to meet!)
* My brother who just turned 41 yesterday... I know what you're thinking... & yes, I have a brother!! LOL

Beautiful Day

2007-11-07T14:04:00.000-06:00

Another "girls weekend" coming up! The boys are leaving for the deer lease tomorrow - AGAIN! Today is so beautiful... I wish EVERY single day was like today. BT & I woke up & fixed up a "green drink" this morning. Those of you who watch Dr. Oz on Oprah know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. I don't miss seeing Dr. Oz (thanks to DVR) - he is the BEST! Anyway, the "drink" consists of spinach, celery, apple, lemon, cucumber, & ginger - sounds really green, but not bad with ice.

Another thing BT & I did earlier this week together - we took this personality test that someone sent me. It's great! I recommend you take it.... with your husband too if possible. LOL I am "Melancholy"... BT is "Phlegmatic".... it opens up doors of discussion! HA! It was great to be reminded that our "quirks" are just part of our personality - how God made us!

All She Wants For Christmas...

2007-11-06T13:28:00.001-06:00

Lexie lost her first tooth today! It's been hanging by a string for days b/c she was wanting it to fall out "by itself." Not today... I was laying on the couch & she came & laid her head on me and I said "Let me see that dangling tooth..." & I didn't even say anything... I just plucked it out. We were both shocked!! Then she ran in the other room to look in the mirror!! That only means one thing... the tooth fairy will have one more stop to make tonight!!

B-day Texas Style

2007-11-04T19:36:00.000-06:00

The weekend was so beautiful & fun! This lil' cowboy had a birthday party that we went to on Sat. after soccer & it was a blast! Em, Lex, & Ry loaded up in Em's car & drove to the party... yes, that's right... drove two houses down to the party. hee hee

The cowboy theme was appropriate considering that they just moved back to Texas. I think this is one of the CUTEST cowboys I've ever seen! He just takes me right back to when Ry was that age... I love it!

They even had pony rides at this party... courtesy of Zach's cousin, Trace...

The animal lovers...

The cowboy also learned to ride his bike without training wheels on this big day of the party! Ride 'em cowboy!!

G Man

2007-11-01T20:11:00.000-05:00

We went to see Garrett play tonight. He's just a great football player & fun to watch! They won their game!! Good job G-Man!

Halloween Night

2007-10-31T21:54:00.000-05:00

Trick or treating was great tonight! Let me just say... the Jumbo Plumber was a total HIT! I mean... people just thought it was funny to see him stand there in his outfit holding his bucket up, until he turned around and they saw the crack in the back. People were screaming outloud laughing! Including us parents... it was fun just to watch and see the reaction Ry was gonna get in his outfit. He even had a random person take his pic. Our little plumber & cheerleader went with a Mad Scientist & a kitty cat!

The plumber from the back...

Every year we go to what we call "The Freaky Guy's House". This guy goes ALL OUT! I mean... graveyard in the front yard, ghosts flying in the background when he opens the door, smoke in the background, the list goes on & on... and this guy sits in his window...

Halloween Eve

2007-10-30T13:15:00.000-05:00

If this isn't fun to have for dinner around Halloween, then I don't know what is. Papa Murphy's is offering this fun little "treat" that we couldn't resist.... for $6.99... I don't know about ya'll, but I can't buy groceries & feed my family of four for that price. :) WEll, I guess I could get a Chef Boy R D pizza & make this myself. LOL

Tommorow is Halloween! Lex has her school's annual KK parade that I'm sure I'll have plenty of pics from. She will be a cheerleader. We will not be posting or taking pics of mommy in her old cheerleader suit that looks just like Lex's - she wanted me to get it down & put it on... so, I did. Needless to say, the button on the skirt was not buttoned. HA! My son, well... we are not believing that we bought him this, but he will be a.... well, jumbo plumber. LOL I mean... we got home from the Halloween store when we bought it & we were like... "did we just buy our child a jumbo plumber outfit"? It's bad. Funny, but such bad judgment on our part. Ry's pumped though. Happy Halloween Eve....

Texas Trophy Hunters

2007-10-28T20:53:00.000-05:00

Ok... well, there's a few things that BT & Ry wanted me to share with ya'll. So, let me begin by saying that it was a fun memorable weekend for the boys. The stories have been great! Nothing is cuter than seeing Ry talk about his time at the deer lease. The first video is of Ry's deer while he still had a breath in him.:( I know... PETA is going to send me hate mail or hate comments.

This next video is of Ry, Poppy, & BT in the stand and the "interview" after he shot his very first buck!

Here's one of the bigger bucks they saw this weekend. They nicknamed him Ed "Too Tall" Jones b/c his horns are so tall. Those of you who are Cowboys fans... the nickname will ring a bell.

Let the hunting season begin!! :)

Superb Saturday

2007-10-27T12:51:00.000-05:00

Today is full of great news! The festival went as planned - smoothly with no problems. I believe it raised a little over $17,000 - don't know exact figures b/c Lex & I had to finally go home b/c she was so tired last night & that was the figure when I left. Go ahead & start your prayers for when I am chair next year... b/c I have. I had intended on posting a pic of me & my co-chair that was taken by a little old lady & she joked & said that she might cut part of us out... well, it was no joke... half of me was literally cut out of the picture & we didn't have the heart to tell her. I was gonna post it for laughs, but it's not on my camera this morning anymore. I guessed I erased it intending on getting someone to take another one, but forgot... hmmm, imagine that... me forgetting something. :)

Also, as I was still asleep this morning at 8:30... (that is actually "sleeping in" - only b/c I put Lex in bed with me last night) I got a text from the boys. They drove to the deer lease (that is 5 hrs away) for "Youth Weekend" last night after coming to the Harvest Fest for an hour. The message said... "8 pt. dead"... then I get this picture to my phone a little later... Rylan got his first buck! BT said there was fist pumping, woo-hoo'ing, & lots of excitement in the air... mainly b/c the buck just dropped when he shot (sorry, for you Bambi lovers). I emailed the phone pic to myself to post - I'm sure there will be more when they come home tomorrow.

I know their time is special... especially since we are not promised tomorrow. BT's dad or "Poppy" was with them hunting this morning... and Ry was using a gun that he & I call "ours" b/c my dad gave it to us. He gave it under one condition... that we get it fixed b/c it was very dangerous. He had not shot it in YEARS b/c it had a recall. The gun would fire spontaneously sometimes when you take it off of safety. So, I took it & checked into it & sent it to Remington to get it "fixed". The recall actually was about to "expire" when I checked into it last year. Anyway, the gun is awesome now & just right for Ry. It's a Remington 700 BDL .243... and is now in perfect condition... especially for Ry.

Thanks on Thursday

2007-10-25T21:54:00.001-05:00

Well, I didn't forget... I just almost ran out of time for my Thanks on Thursday! Tomorrow is our Harvest Fest. that I am co-chairing and we've been wrapping stuff up these last couple of days. I would say that I'll have all these great pics that I'm going to take, but I don't think I'll have a chance... we'll see..... not sure if I can lug my camera around while being "responsible" for a festival. :) Anyway, there are still so many things to be thankful for...

The big gorgeous full moon that was out tonight (that Lex swears "had a purple sky behind it" and it really kinda did - it was more like light violet)
BT's day off
My best friend/hubby BT whom we love to spend time together & like the same things (like today in tennis I beat him 3-2, but I'm starting to think that he let me win... in fact, I know he did b/c he's way better than me)
My adventurous, active, nature-loving little children who are truly gifts from God
The ability to ever have those little kids
Flowers - and how they just "perk up" any front yard when you get out there & plant them... I love them!
My parents & BT's parents and how they have shown us what "commitment" & "til death do us part" really means
Legs... I know that sounds stupid, but I'm sincerely thankful for healthy legs that allow me to get out & do this stuff for this Harv. Fest
The way a computer allows me to connect & see into others' lives & vice versa... otherwise, I might not see
God's "continuous grace" as Smokie Norful's puts it (another CD/singer I'm thankful for)

Duke

2007-10-24T16:15:00.001-05:00

I took this picture yesterday before school and I just keep playing the scenario in my mind... cracking up. First, you have to understand that Lex LOOOVES to play this imaginary role as a teacher. For example, if she thinks that you need help drawing something, then she'll come over and show you exactly how you need to draw it and when you do it she'll say things like "good job, I'm so proud of you, you did it"... and she loves for you to ask her for help... you get the picture. It's just part of her personality that just cracks BT & I up and it is so precious! If I can ever get that on video to show you I will. I don't know if that means she'll be a teacher or what. With all of that said, we got in the car yesterday talking about how cold it was. I'm backing out of the driveway & she has rolled down the window to look out & she says in her teacher voice, "Mommy, do you know what 'duke' is?" I said "Duke?"... thinking maybe she heard someone say "dookie"... or I didn't know. Anyway, I say "No, what is it?" just anticipating what she's gonna say. She goes on to say, "It's the stuff that is on the grass in the mornings sometimes... and you might think that it's rain, but it's not." LOL Four year olds are so funny!

I keep forgetting to put some pics & video from the soccer games last week. Lex played her friend Charlotte on the opposing team and it was sooo funny to see them out on the field giggling!

Ry, on the other hand, played a "rival" team and he scored all FIVE of our goals!! He was on fire! It was great b/c he had a couple of good buddies on that rival team and he was loving it! Here's a goal that he got with the "assist" from his friend Quinn. The boys are really learning and using the skills of passing to each other on this bigger field, so to see this is pretty rewarding. He's #14 and mid-field.

The kids & I are dedicating this song to Frankie... "The Hampster Dance"... they love it & are dancing as I sit & type!

Stop & Smell The Roses

2007-10-23T15:44:00.000-05:00

I got these beautiful flowers delivered to my house TODAY! The best part is... they were for no reason at all!!

I Love you BT.

It's a Bird... It's a Plane

2007-10-22T13:43:00.000-05:00

Jane & John flew in yesterday & we met them at the airport to see Clayton & his friend & the whole crew. They were on their way back to drop Jane off from "The Grove" in Mississippi. Ry, Jake, Lex & Zoe got to sit in the plane & check it out. The Wilsons went with us b/c after that the kids had to carve some pumpkins, of course!!

These kids know how to have a good time when they are together... as these pictures say it all.

Here are the proud pumpkin carvers! It's so awesome outside today... I actually have on a long sleeve shirt today!! We have lots of stuff going on this week. Tonight is Upwards Basketball evaluations for Ry. Thankfully, games don't start until January. The guys are counting down the days until the deer lease for Youth Weekend this weekend and the weather is just hyping them up even more! :) Frankie kicked the bucket today... they were just playing with that little booger yesterday with Zoe & Jake... oh well. I can tell you one thing... NO MORE HAMPSTERS! You live & you learn, huh?

Roll Over Beethoven

2007-10-19T13:31:00.000-05:00

Well, I have gone back in time. Today we received a piano thanks to Janet & Benny remodeling their house!! It is an antique & a jewel. Thank you so much! It has taken me back to the day when I used to play the piano when I was little. The days that my sister LOVED b/c the piano was on the wall to her bedroom & I'd wake up and start playing... ALL THE TIME! LOL Hopefully, Lex will follow in her mommy's footsteps and learn to play. She already loves it & plays her little toy baby grand in her room. She has taught herself "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on it already! So, here she is performing on the "big" piano....

Also, Mere called me yesterday and informed me that Baby O is a LITTLE BOY!!! I'm soo excited for her & Troy! Have a good weekend everybody!!

Is It Over Yet?

2007-10-17T22:06:00.000-05:00

The good news... my cold is fading. The bad news... BT has my cold. Today was just one of those days that I kept asking myself "is it over yet?" as I kept going through the motions from activity to activity. I recovered from my cold just in time for a jam packed day and just in time to wind down this Harvest Festival stuff.

It's always about this time of the year that I start thinking about Chicken' N Dumplings! (and fudge, and trash, and....) So, I made myself some C&D! Although, I didn't eat them yet b/c they're better when they sit overnight! :) I wanted so bad to take a picture of myself and my shirt and my hands and the flour that just gets HEAD TO TOE - so, I took a pic of my dumplings in progress!

I've decided that Thursdays are going to be my "Thanks on Thursday" day for me. (So, I'm going to list my things I'm thankful for today for Thursday b/c we're going to Dallas tomorrow.)

Sleep & how it just "revives" you - I used to take it for granted, but I don't anymore... I NEED IT (man, I sound old)
Our bodies & how they can heal themselves
Lex's sweet little heart - her teacher stopped me after school today in drive thru & said "she has such a big big heart... she tries to comfort her friends and takes care of them, etc"...
My husband that took care of me while I wasn't feeling good (although, the tables have turned... ladies, tell me you feel me on this one when your husbands are sick and they are just "so much worse" than you were) hee hee
Chicken N' Dumplings ( oh, did I say that outloud?)
GABC - our new church and the doors that have opened
My Jeff Johnson CD that Mandi made me - I love it (thanks!)
People that accept me for who I am with my flaws b/c they hope people do the same for them
Friends that you haven't talked to that you can call & pick up right where you left off!
Ry and those big blue eyes that look up at me and tell me "bye, love you too" right before he gets out of my car when I drop him off at school

The list could go on.... and on... and on... and on....

Maple

2007-10-11T22:05:00.001-05:00

What a beautiful day today!! I hardly ever get them, but I have a sorry cold that's making me sound like I'm holding my nose & feel like my head's gonna explode. It started yesterday.

I am a HUUUGE fan of Japanese Maples. Mine are like my little "babies". There are stories behind mine. My neighbors have this one that I just ADORE that turns crimson red in the fall... in fact, the leaves are just starting to change. It must be in the most perfect place. So, about two years ago I was at the Walmart gardening section looking at trees when I couldn't help but notice these two tiny trees that looked to be Japanese Maples that were shoved back in a corner by a water hose. They were. There were two of them and they were $24.99 each - that is SOO cheap! Well, I brought them home and planted them. I laugh b/c they seriously looked like a small limb had fallen off the big tree beside it & stuck into the ground straight up. They were sad. I put supports around it and even worried when the wind blew really hard. Long story short, two years later and my trees are soo pretty. They are kinda dry right now, but are so beautiful. If we ever move I'm taking this one with me! BT thinks I am kidding about that, but I'm serious. Here's one of my maples.

Lex got her very first bee sting yesterday and it was pretty sad. She was next door helping the neighbors clean up toilet paper after they got wrapped (which they got wrapped last night again)... so, she was trying to do a good deed & got by a bee's nest and got stung.

Here's the man in his game yesterday. He did great as usual! I hate that I didn't get pics of Lex in hers b/c I was coaching her game again yesterday, yes... with my cold, not fun.

Puppy Love

2007-10-11T20:01:00.000-05:00

Tell me that this face isn't hard to resist. He's a little bundle of cuteness! I know, I know.... some of you might be thinking... oh no... here they go again... and we don't need another dog. BT & I are SUCKERS when it comes to lil' faces like this, but we made a "pact" before we went to look at the puppies today that we would NOT come home with one... and we didn't... yet.

I tried to help Ry put a new tube in his tire on his bike but I wasn't doing very good. So, who else do we get to come to the rescue but Mr. Gibbs across the street?! Him & his wife are just little blessings in our lives. If there has ever been a man that reminds me of my PawPaw South it is him - from his big big heart down to the PawPaw outfit he wears, if you'll notice. :) Mr. G has come to the rescue of many things... he's come when we have had ants crawling up a whole portion of my wall, to drill a screw in the brick for me, my mom & aunt for a Christmas decoration, when our hot water heater started leaking, & many many many other things. He's our "PawPaw South" to my kids in a weird way. He had Ry's bike as good as new when he got through with it.

Here's one happy little boy!!

Sink-ing Fast

2007-10-10T15:36:00.001-05:00

It all began last night... our sink stopped up in the kitchen. Maybe I'll be a little more picky about what I put down it next time! This was not the first time, so we boiled some water and poured it down... and put this stuff that "Roto-rooter" had given us the last time they were here to see us.... oh yeah... and BT got the plunger out. So, we wake up and it's still backed up & BT made the comment that we should "plunge it again this afternoon." So, it was almost noon and BT & I were about to meet for lunch and I decided, instead of going down to Steinmart, that I would clean up the kitchen & "check out" the sink & give it that "plunge" BT was talking about and impress him with my plumbing abilities. :) Our abilities are about the same, by the way. So I start "plunging" and I hear a little trickle... only to look down and realize that there was water coming out of the dishwasher & even into the garage. So I freak out, grab some beach towels & call BT and he sends a guy over right away. The guy looks & there was a little pipe busted underneath that he replaces. He does that and realizes that the disposal is also leaking, so a different guy brings a new one over to replace the leaking one. I am just sick at this point. The guy goes to Lowe's to get a "snake" and does some other plumbing stuff, cleans out the line, and hooks up a new dishwasher line and puts the dishwasher back only to realize that the dishwasher is not filling up with water anymore. So, we had to get a new dishwasher.... you get the picture. THREE HOURS LATER.... he was done. Moral of the story: Go shopping instead of trying to "fix" things around the house. LOL