Several strange events today

It started off by going to my hair stylist and going "back to brown". I have been a highlighted blonde for 3 years and Bryon has begged me for a while to go back to my roots (literally) so after 3 hours of labor, I am officially a brunette again! My hair stylist was amazed at how much darker my hair got with every baby, so I am even darker than I remember. I didn't tell Bryon I was doing it, so he was pleasantly surprised when he got home.

After my beauty salon visit, I went to the grocery store to get some rice for tonight. What I witnessed was something out of an apocolypse movie. Out of mass hysteria, people were flocking to the store stocking up for Hurricane Rita. It doesn't matter that the eye has shifted and we will be lucky if we get a quarter of an inch of rain. No batteries, no water, no bread, no milk, no space in the parking lot. People shouting, "We just went to Wal-Mart and there is no more water!" "I hear Big Lots is getting a shipment later tonight!" Folks, you would think we lived on a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. I used to work at our local H-E-B when I was in high school, and it was never as crowded or the shelves as bare, even the night before Thanksgiving as it was today.

Around dinner, I called my friend, Carol, to ask her a question and she said there was someone there that wanted to say hi. Well, it was none other than your blogger friend and mine, Deana! She lives in the projected path of the hurricane and had evacuated to Waco. It was fun talking to her and finding out that she is a real person not just a computer entity. I am probably going over to Carol's tomorrow and meet her face to face. I had been worried about her as she is right in the path of Rita, so we all need to think about her and her poor cats that are braving the storm.

Hurrican Rita

This morning, I was watching the news and saw that remnants of Rita would be hitting Waco on Saturday. This would mean lots of rain. I was excited about this until I was listening to Sean Hannity this afternoon. Rita is now a Cat 5 storm. The 5th most intense storm ever recorded. Sean Hannity even said, "Residents of Austin, Waco, and Dallas be prepared for 90 mile/hour winds." Not so excited about the rain now!

My in-laws live just north of Houston and I called them to offer our house for the weekend. They are not sure if they are going to leave or not.

Matthew was listening to the news and got scared. "You promised me that we would never have a hurricane where we live, Mommy." I had to explain to him that it wouldn't be a hurricane when it came to Waco. Still, I have never had to think about preparing for a big storm. I am concerned about our trees although this seems petty when I think about the people who will be directly hit by the storm.

We need to continue to pray for those in the path of this storm and that it isn't close to as catastrophic as Katrina was several weeks ago.

Tuesday

Today was lots of fun. After I dropped off the younger two, I went to Matthew's class to take pictures of the kids. I did this at Montessori and everyone seemed to enjoy it. I also got to read two books to the class. The kids were so cute. I love 5 year olds!

After this, I went back over to Mother's Day Out to witness the annual Teddy Bear Parade. The kids get to stroll down an aisle of excited parents in the auditorium carrying their bears. Some parents made floats, other children brought bikes, and some pushed strollers. I didn't remember about the parade until yesterday, so I threw something together around 11 o'clock last night!

I then went to the scrapbook store. Some of the proceeds from today's sales went to the P.T.A. of Matthew's school so I was only too happy to "help" Matthew's school! Being in the store got me excited about updating my books.

This afternoon I attended a funeral of a man who had been at my church for as long as I had gone there. He was a wonderful 77 year old man who asked his wife last week to make his funeral upbeat and full of laughter. What a neat end to a wonderful life here on earth. To have lived a good life, loved his family with every ounce of his being, been an incredible example to his family and friends, and left a wonderful legacy for his kids and grandkids. Who could ask for more?

After all the kids were picked up, I drove to the grocery store for a few ingredients for tonights dinner. I really feel like we have turned a corner and I am now able to go to the grocery store with all of my children and not have any meltdowns! When Matthew was 3 and Thomas was 1, you couldn't have paid me to take both of them to the store. Now I can take all three with relative ease. Yeah!

Just another Manic Monday

OK I am laughing that Matthew recieved 3 times as many comments on his blog that I did! Ahhh, such is life.

We had another crazy Monday. The morning and early afternoon were taken up taking Mary Beth's one year pictures. Yes, she is 13 months old, but give me a break she's my third! My photographer friend does an incredible job and took over 200 pics of my little girl. She does wonderful work so I don't know how I am going to pare it down! Half of the pictures were taken outside (yes it was almost 100 degrees today!), and I almost had a heat stroke jumping up and down trying to get ME to smile!

After I picked up Matthew, it was time for piano and soccer. At soccer, Bryon relieved me and I went out to eat with friends. One of my favorite traditions my friends have is to celebrate right before one of us has a baby. We all go out to eat for one last "Girl's Night" before the 6 week exile! My friend, Ashley, is due any day, so we had a great excuse to get together! I ate so much food that I literally can't sit up straight!

Lots to do tomorrow so I better get some sleep. Keep checking Matthew's blog and I will find a way to get my picture off of it!

this weekend

Well, another busy weekend has come and gone. Bryon and I stayed home with the kids on Friday night and cleaned house. I always love starting the weekend with a clean house!

Saturday morning, my sister picked up Matthew and they drove to Dallas. Lauren and her husband were visiting friends and Michael had asked that Matthew come for Jilinda's company picnic.

Bryon coached Matthew's soccer team on Saturday morning without Matthew there. I took ME over to my mother's and had a nice chat and cup of coffee with her. Then, I went to Riverside for a lady's bruch. I had a good time and got to know more of my future neighbors. In the meantime, Bryon picked up ME from my parents and took the kids out to eat. Then it was off to a birthday party. Bryon took the kids and I met them there to relieve Bryon. He took ME home and Thomas and I stayed at the party. Basically, half of our day was doing switch off kid duty!

Bryon and I enjoyed an afternoon of good football. Baylor and Bama are now both 3-0. I am guessing that it is about the end of the road for Baylor, but I have a good feeling about Bama this year!

Saturday night, I made Shrimp Fra Diavolo and Lemon Spaghetti. It was a new recipe that I had been wanting to try and it turn out great. I love new recipes!

Sunday morning, Bryon and I taught Matthew's bible class sans Matthew. I signed up out of duty to teach the class, but I have really loved it. The kids are so cute and I enjoy the curriculum. I think we will teach all of our children in kindergarten.

Matthew came home after lunch. He had a great time with his uncle and future aunt. Michael said that either Matthew had a crush on Jilinda or he was nervous about Michael being "taken away" from him because he was shy around Jilinda. For those of you who know Matthew, this is extremely unusual! He did say that Jilinda called him, "Hey, Gorgeous!" He told me that several times so I am going with the "Crush" theory!

Speaking of Matthew, he has started his own blog. He has been begging me to do it for a while and since he enjoys journaling so much, I thought, why not?

Overall a great weekend and looking forward to another great week!

For all the mothers of boys

I have received this forward a few times and it always makes me laugh! I believe that there is a special place in heaven for mothers of boys!

Raising Boys

The following came from an anonymous Mother in
Austin, Texas...

1.) A king size waterbed holds enough water to
fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.

2.) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies
and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3) A 3-year old boy's voice is louder than 200
adults in a crowded restaurant.

4.) If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling
fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy
wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is
strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to
spread paint on four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

5.) You should not throw baseballs up when the
ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat,
you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a
hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6.) The glass in windows (even double-pane)
doesn't stop a
baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7.) When you hear the toilet flush and the
words "uh oh",
it's
already too late.

8.) Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke
-- lots of it.

9.) A six-year old boy can start a fire with a
flint rock even though a 36-year old man says they can only do it in
the movies.

10.) Certain Lego's will pass through the
digestive tract of a 4-year old boy.

11.) Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

12.) Super glue is forever.

13.) No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.

14.) Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15.) VCR's do not eject "PB & J" sandwiches
even though TV commercials show they do.

16.) Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17) Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise
when driving.

18.) You probably DO NOT want to know what
that odor is.

19.) Always look in the oven before you turn
it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

20.) The fire department in Austin, TX has a
5-minute response time.

21.) The spin cycle on the washing machine
does not make earthworms dizzy.

22) The spin cycle on the washing machine
will, however, make cats dizzy.

23.) Cats throw up twice their body weight
when dizzy.

24.) 80% of men who read this will try mixing
the Clorox and brake fluid.

25.) 80% of women will pass this on to almost
all of their friends, with or without kids.

a) For those with no children - this is
totally hysterical.
b) For those who already have children past
this age, this is
hilarious.
c) For those who have children this age, this
is not funny.
d) For those who have children nearing this
age, this is a
warning.
e) For those who have not yet had children,
this is birth
control

blur of a week

Well, the week is almost over and most of it seems like a blur. My aunt and uncle came in from New Mexico and we have spent quite a bit of time with them this week. Tuesday, I cooked a meal for the family and Lauren hosted it. I can cook or clean for a party during the week, but not both! Wednesday, I took them to our lot and showed them around the area that we will be building. Yesterday, I went shopping with my aunt.

Yesterday was one of the busiest days in recent memory. I dropped the kids at MDO, met my mother at the tire repair shop, dropped off my car, dropped her back at work so I could use her car that morning, went to a party at a new supper club store in town, checked on my car, found out that we needed new tires, picked up my mother who drove me to a local restaurant where I had a room mother meeting, met my aunt and uncle at the restaurant who drove me back to the tire place, paid for my new tires, drove my aunt around local favorite shops, picked up Thomas and ME, went to Starbucks for refreshment, picked up Matthew, drove my aunt back to my grandmother's house, went home and collapsed!

I was supposed to meet everyone for dinner last night but was too tired to go. My superman husband came home and offered to take the kids to dinner to give me time to watch Martha on Tivo and take a bath.

Bryon and I have been watching the first season of Lost on DVD. I don't enjoy watching shows that drag out over the year. We wait until they are release on DVD and watch a months worth of shows in a night. It is a very unusual story and I can't wait to see how it ends.

I am glad that is almost the weekend! Matthew is going to Dallas with my sister and she is dropping him off at my brother's for the day. Matthew adores my brother and his friends (who Matthew calls his "Dallas cousins"). They are going to a picnic at my future sister-in-law's work. Lauren will bring him home on Sunday.

Tomorrow I have a brunch to go to and a birthday party for one of Thomas's friends.

TGIF!

Milk, it does my body bad

I have just about decided to start giving my children calcium supplements rather than milk from now on. Here are just a few examples from the past two day as to why I feel this way.

Yesterday, I went to my car to get ME's bag ready for Mother's Day Out. I noticed that oh so familiar smell of rotting milk. Her cup had leaked out into her bag and all over my brand new Talbots scarf. Ugh.

Tonight, I was getting ready for church and Thomas walked into my bathroom holding a new half gallon container of milk. He wanted to know if he could have some cereal. Just at that moment the bottle dropped and exploded in my bathroom spilling its entire contents on the bathroom floor, ME's walker, and the clothes that had been stacked in her walker. Double Ugh.

At least it wasn't on the carpet!

Monday

Well, I did today yet another thing that I said I would never do as a parent. I loaded Matthew up with a bunch of after-school activities! I always have thought that I would let each child pick two after-school activities and it just so happens that for the next few weeks the two activites are back to back on Mondays.

Matthew had his first piano lesson today. The pedagogy program consists of 12 children who are divided into two groups for a half an hour and then individual lessons for a half an hour. The lessons are taught by Baylor students majoring in music. My dad has offered to pick Matthew up (since he is at Baylor, too) every week in his sports car and drive him home. Dad has a cd that Matthew loves and made sure to tell him that it will be playing the entire way home! Needless to say, Matthew is thrilled to have one on one time with his Deedah.

Matthew's first soccer practice was tonight as well. He and his teammates have improved a lot since last year. No more standing on the sidelines doing cheers! Overall, it was a fun day. I have had to console Thomas on more than one occasion that he will get to start fun activites next year. He also laughed when I told him that only he was able to stay home during the day and play in his underwear!

this weekend

We had a fun football filled Saturday. I finished my book about Bear Bryant and I will blog about that when I have more time. Bryon took the boys to the Baylor game last night and they had a blast. Matthew kept yelling, "Score a goal for you number one fan!" Matthew's favorite friend, Samantha sat next to him and he kept telling her that she was just as pretty as the cheerleaders! That made her day and she ran up to me at church to tell me the story this morning.

I hung out with my mom, sister, and ME for a while and then went home. After putting the baby to bed, I enjoyed a great night of college football by myself flipping back and forth between the Alabama and UT games.

A bit of excitement yesterday, I went to visit one of my friends who just finished building a house. The house is far out into the country, and after the tour, I walked to the car only to realize that my tire was completely flat! This has happened to me a few times and I really do need to learn how to change a tire. Fortunately, her mother was at the house as well, and she let me borrow her car until this afternoon.

Bryon took Thomas to a birthday party this afternoon and I am enjoying some free time. We are gearing up for a busy week this week. Matthew starts piano lessons and soccer practice tomorrow. Poor thing will be worn out! Also, my aunt and uncle are coming in from New Mexico for the week so we will have a few family get togethers. Now off to the important job of reporting to the guys at the birthday party what the score of the Cowboys game is...

Busy end to the week

Well, the pace of my peaceful week picked up quite a bit the last few days. Grandparents Day was today at Matthew's school. Since I am the room mother for his class, I made a big platter of cookies for all of the guests. Also, my P.T.A. position kicks of on Grandparents Day. Birthday Book Club was a huge success today and we made more than $600 thanks to doting grandparents.

Yesterday was filled with cooking and baking all day and getting the house ready for my mother-in-law who spent the night with us last night. Fortunately, my mother in law agreed to come and watch the younger two while I was busy with P.T.A. business today. She was also excited to see Matthew's classroom.
Matthew enjoyed taking Nana and Mimi to his class. He was able to introduce them
and tell what he loves to do with them. Matthew also had Thomas in class with him. He carried him to his classroom and he held him in his lap during the introductions!

Tonight, we went out to eat with my parents, sister, and brother-in-law. We then went to Barnes and Noble (a Friday night tradition) and I couldn't help but buy a few books that I was admiring in my book club display.

On a whim, we decided to drive out to our lot and look around. We managed to run into several families out there who were hanging out in the street and spent over an hour talking and watching the kids play. It seems like every time we go out there this happens. It makes us so excited to finally be settled out there so we can have a block party all the time!

Now everyone is in bed. I am just about to take a bath and read the last few chapters of my book. I love Friday nights!

The good life

The past few days have been great. I really feel like I am enjoying being a mother now more than I ever have before.

I enjoy helping at Matthew's school and seeing how he is thriving in that environment. He loves his teacher, his school, and everything related to school.

I love how big Thomas is acting now and spending lots of time with him. I love that he loves his preschool teacher and he is learning so much right now.

I love that Mary Beth is gaining more independence and that she is a good sleeper. I love how affectionate she is and how she kisses everyone without solicitation.

I love quiet moments in the morning and busy afternoons after I pick up Matthew.

I love taking the children on outings with relative ease.

I love being entranced by a great book. I can't put The Last Coach down!

I love that the weather is getting (a little bit) cooler and that football season is upon us.

I love that my house stays organized and that it is time to start cooking heartier meals.

I love that Matthew and Thomas love to go into their rooms and play together which gives me a break.

I love that we are getting closer to building our house.

I love that my sister is going to have a baby.

I love that my brother is getting married.

I feel truly at peace right now. I know that life is a roller coaster and that there are ups and downs. I am just enjoying the ride right now!

Big Weekend

Don't you just love 3 day weekends? Ours was jam packed full of events and exciting news.

Saturday, I went to our preacher's daughter's wedding. I have known Christine since she was in 5th grade and it is hard to believe that that shy little girl was walking down the aisle as a stunningly beautiful bride. Meanwhile, Bryon took the boys to the Baylor/SMU game in Dallas. They had a wonderful male bonding trip and were excited to report that Baylor won!

Sunday, we woke up early and drove down to Conroe to visit Bryon's parents. Since our last visit less than 2 months ago, Bryon's parents decided to sell their house and have since moved into a new one. We were excited to see the new house and spend some time with them. Bryon and the boys played golf today and Bryon's mother, ME, and I went to the Woodlands to go shopping. We all got to do exactly what we wanted to!


And now for the most exciting news. This afternoon, my brother called me and told me that he got engaged last night! He and Jilinda have been dating all summer and they really are happy together. They knew from the first date that they were meant to be together. We love Jilinda and can't wait for her to join our family! The date is set for this Spring, right around the time that my sister is having her first baby. Lots of fun events coming up!

Well, better get ready for the week. Hope everyones holiday was a blast.

Cleaning your computer

Every now and then you have to clean your computer screen.

But what about the inside of screen, how are you supposed to clean that?

Fortunately, there is now a website that does this remotely at no cost
to you.
First, clean the outside of your screen and then go to the address below
to clean the inside.

Welcome friends and neighbors

I have been watching hurricane coverage quite a bit these last few days. It has been horrible, but I have been particularly emotional about it today.

It all started with watching the Today show this morning. I saw the scene in Houston last night where bus loads of weary, hungry, devastated, homeless, jobless, disoriented refugees were welcomed into my great state with signs from strangers that read

"Welcome friends and neighbors".

What a welcome sight that must have been for these poor displaced people! Strangers were saying, "You have lost everything. I don't know you but I want to help you."

I get very emotional watching people display random acts of kindness. An SUV full of a poor family of 6 with one on the way. Their tire blew out last night. They had no money for gas. They spent the night in the parking lot of CVS pharmacy. This morning, a stranger came up to their car and filled it up with gas. A CVS employee fixed their tire and told them to come back if they needed anything.

These people might be wondering how could God allow something like this to happen. I think it is up to us as the Christian community to channel God's love, kindness, hospitality, and compassion for His hurting people. I pray that he gives everyone of us the opportunity to brighten a life of a survivor of this tragedy.

7 things about me

I was tagged by Jacinda, so here I go:

7 things to do before I die:
Visit the last 5 states that I haven't visited.
Feel like I have lived a good, long life and that I have been a useful person.
Know that my children are all baptized believers married to Christians doing a great job raising my grandchildren!
Spend a lot of time with Bryon travelling.
Spend my summers on Cape Cod.
Go deep sea fishing.
Work for a local charity aiding the poor in my community.

7 things I can do:
sing
play piano
cook
garden
scrapbook
plan events
get on the floor and play with my kids

7 things I can't do:
eat cheese
waterski
pass up a freshly baked cookie
do any sort of gymnastics
tolerate rudeness
sing soprano
drive well in traffic

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex:
Number one physical trait is being tall
Big smile
Blue eyes
motivated/driven
loves God
optimistic
generous
intellegent

7 things I say most often:
"1...2..."
"You have got to be kidding me."
"Good grief"
"I love you more!"
"I am so exhausted!"
"Uh oh...spankin' time"
"Buckle up, buttercups!"

7 celebrity crushes:
Collin Firth
Ryan Gosling
George W. Bush
Mel Gibson in Braveheart
Hugh Grant

Katrina's wrath

My sister's friend and roommate from college lived in New Orleans. She just moved there this spring as her husband started his dental residency. Last night, she and her husband drove to Lauren's house. When I asked her how she was doing, Lauren wrote:

She said that the broken levy was two miles north of her house and her friend who lives just south of her said everything is destroyed. She saw the Target that was even farther away from the levy that was totally destroyed, too.

She was in Gulf Shores before it happened and couldn’t even go back, but got Joe to get her wedding album and moved things off the ground, which now she realized did nothing. I asked her what she had and she said besides her wedding album, just a few beach clothes and her purse. All her pictures were in there, all her dishes, china, furniture, computer, ipod…everything they owned they say will be ruined from water, sewage, dead animals floating around, etc.

She said that she started crying when she went to bed last night because the bed was so comfortable and she thought, I don’t even have a mattress. They will have to start over from scratch and had no insurance because they were renting. It doesn’t cover floods anyway. I just feel so helpless and wish I could do something. They don’t know if they’ll be back in a couple of weeks or months, but they’ll stay with Joe and his wife in Baton Rouge until then. That’s all I know!

It really hits home when you think about every individual living in the gulf coast region having simular experiences. We need to keep them all in our prayers.

Men are from Mars

I will never understand men or boys but since I live with three, I will continue to strive to learn how they tick.

Why do boys:

Throw underwear into a ceiling fan and laugh as it flies out?

Prefer to run instead of walk?

Obsess about football?

Make noise for no other reason than to make noise?

Love cars?

Love building buildings?

Love knocking them down even more?

Make me laugh everyday?

Take things apart in order to find out how they work?

Want to be superheros?

Get excited about showing me their muscles?

Love their mamas more than anything?

Stamp in mudpuddles instead of dry ground?

Throw rocks at any given opportunity?

Melt my heart?

Raising Joe Cool

Matthew has been cracking me up lately. He is obsessed with being "cool". He does his best little Fonzie impression whenever he can.

This morning, he was fixing his hair. He likes wetting it down and slicking it back. Then I gave him his glasses to put on. He squared off in front of the mirror, put his shoulders back, and said, "Are you ready?" Then he put his glasses on, snapped his fingers, and said, "Oh yeah, that's my look!"

His new favorite song is Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams. He plays his air guitar all over the house wailing,

I got my first real 6 string
Bought it at the 5 and dime
Played it til my fingers bled
Was the Summer of '69!

We listen to the real thing every time he gets in the car.

He is so funny. I wonder where he comes up with this stuff?

What I am thankful for today

Bryon taking Matthew to school. He has done this since Matthew started school which is so helpful!

Getting all the laundry done.

Improving on several of my piano pieces.

Laughing after Thomas told me, "You are playing great, Mommy, but could you please keep it down?"

Staying in my pjs until 2 p.m.

Starbuck's Iced grande nonfat latte with 3 splenda and a little half and half.

Putting puzzles together with Thomas.

Mary Beth making funny faces at me and calling her brothers "Baba".

Thomas "letting me" watch the news all morning. I am a natural disaster junkie.

Getting to read my Texas Monthly while in the pick up line at school.

Matthew getting his 9th green smiley in a row.

Eating dinner with my sister, kids, and Bryon.

Bryon getting home at 5:30!

Bryon taking all three kids to the grocery store to give me a break.

What a great day!

this weekend

What a busy weekend! Aren't they all? Our big event was driving to Dallas Saturday. Bryon is a part of a fantasy football league that had its draft on Saturday morning. That meant that we had to leave the house at 6 in the morning to be there on time. I do think there should be a law against getting up that early on a Saturday! Thankfully, Mom and Dad had Matthew spend the night with them Friday night and had a date with him on Saturday. Travelling with one less child always makes it easier.

I dropped Bryon off at his friends house and then picked up my brother to go house hunting with him. At noon, we picked up Bryon, Kevin, Kristen, and their kids and headed to lunch. It is always great catching up with them. Then we went to our favorite shops and headed home.

Today was church. Bryon and I are teaching Matthew's class this year and spending time with 10 kindergarteners is always enlightening!

I spent some time with my parents this afternoon going through the model home that we are fashioning our home after. They always have great advise on what looks good, what is practical, etc.

Bryon is at worship committee now planning the service for next Sunday.

As always, I can't believe how fast the weekends fly! I've got to spend tonight getting ready for the week!

A dose of mercy and le petite bebe'

This morning I was given a huge dose of mercy. I went to the farmer's market this morning to pick up some fresh produce. Several things looked good to me so I wound up spending 11 dollars. When I went to write my check, I realized that I had written my last check in the book yesterday. I scrounged around for cash but was only able to find 6 dollars. I told the farmer that I would have to decide what to put back and he said, "You know what, just keep it all." Of course I told him that I would come back and give him his 5 dollars but he told me that I would have to remind him because he would forget. I do enjoy an occasional random act of kindness. I will have to seek out a way today to pay it forward.

In other news, Mary Beth had her one year appointment today. She weighed in at 19 1/2 pounds. This was quite shocking to me as both of the boys weighed more than that at 6 months!! She also looks plump to me. It turns out that she is in the 25% for height and weight. Again, we have never been under the 50% mark so this is something new. I was even a hefty 24 pounds at a year, so I don't know where she got her tiny frame from. The doctor thinks that it may be b/c of her being sick earlier in the week, or just weaned babies tend to lose a little weight, or she may just be a dainty little girl. Who knows? I am going to take her back in 6 weeks to see if she has gained any weight.

My changing life

Well, Matthew started school one week ago today and life has changed quite a lot.

*My house is clean and organized. Yeah!!

*Thomas has truly blossomed by having time away from Buddy. He usually is Buddy's shadow around the house and Matthew being gone has forced him to come into his own. He is very talkative and loves playing with toys and games with me. Matthew was never a toy player. He would much rather read, play outside, help me cook, watch TV, or do work books. It has been so much fun watching Thomas play for hours with blocks, puzzles, his build-your-own castle and city, and games.

*Matthew, my independent child, has become very clingy to me. I never saw this one coming! He has always loved going to school and never been extremely physically affectionate. Since school started, he keeps track of the hours he can't spend with me. This never counts school hours. Just when I have to stay home with the sick baby or go out without him.

I also find him nestled into our throw pillows on the floor by bed or actually in our bed every night. Yesterday, I went up to help out during the lunch rush and he cried and cried when I told him he couldn't leave with me. It took all of my strength to pry him off of me. The strange thing is, is that he loves school! He loves his teacher and couldn't be more excited every morning to go with Daddy to eat breakfast at school. He has just been exhausted when he comes home despite getting 11 hours of sleep at night and I think this brings on the clingyness. I am sure that things will get better once he is used to his new schedule.

*Mary Beth has been sick and clingy. My baby's usually bright, sunny personality has been altered as she has felt yucky. She has been crying and doesn't want me to put her down. As all of you mothers know, this makes doing anything productive very difficult! During her naps, I race around and do as much as I can. My shoulders are aching from holding her so much. Thankfully, she is only a little peanut and not as big as the boys were at this age!

Well, that is about it. We have been staying home everyday as the baby feels bad and Thomas is enjoying himself. I, being the homebody that I am, am enjoying myself and our new schedule very much. I just hope Matthew and ME can start clinging to each other and give me a little break!

Getting our money's worth out of the medical field today

We woke up this morning after a long night with Mary Beth and everything seemed much better. Her fever broke around 3 a.m. although I was up from 2-4 worried that she might spike a really high fever and have seizures. (Always prepare for the worst case scenerio!)

I had a fun day with the kids. Thomas has been such a joy to me. His personality really comes out when we have one on one time and I am looking forward to lots of that this year.

I didn't call the dr. all day because I assumed that all was better. Then, I got out of the shower at 2 to get ready to pick up Matthew. When I checked ME, her fever was back up to almost 102! I called the doctor and I was able to get her in at 3. This meant I had to pick up Matthew a few minutes early. I was hoping to avoid taking all three to the clinic, but I guess a fever comes when it wants to.

When I went inside school to pick Matthew up, he was sitting in the nurses office talking to the nurse. The nurse smiled at me and said that Matthew had had a rough day. Apparently during P.E., he fell and another student fell on top of him. His mouth bled quite a bit. Then, later on at recess, he collided with another student and got a huge bump on his forehead. A rough day indeed! She laughed and said, "Matthew sure is a fun kid!" No telling what he talked to her about.

I gathered everyone up and headed to Dr. M.'s office. Turns out that she has either a stomach virus or bladder infection. Her ears and throat were perfectly pink. I am taking her for her 1 year appointment on Thursday so she will check her again then.

Wow! What a day in the life! Never a dull moment around here. We go tonight to a parent/teacher meeting so Mrs. B. can discuss what she plans to do with her kids this year. I am looking forward to that.

this weekend

The primary focus of this weekend has been taking care of my poor sick baby. Friday night, we went out to eat and noticed that ME was warm. Ever since then, her fever has been between 101 and 104. She hasn't had so much as a sniffle since around January so it has been hard watching her feel so bad. I guess we will be calling the doctor in the morning. Monday morning doctor visit...should be interesting.

I spent a lot of the weekend cooking. I helped Lauren make a meal for a friend who just had a baby. My part was chocolate mousse which is Bryon's favorite dessert. I ended up making 1 1/2 batches for him this weekend!

Matthew and I had some good one on one time yesterday. When I ask him point blank, "How is school?" his standard answer is, "Great!" He answers questions very directly. He only gives the exact answer to the question and no more. I have found that he loves doing "act outs". He pretends to be Mrs. B and I am Matthew. He then gives tons of information to me! What she says, what she does, what the other kids say, etc. We did this a lot when he was in Montessori. I guess we will be doing act outs everyday!

Lauren and I went to see Red Eye last night. I really liked it. Our husbands hate "scary" movies so they were only too happy to not have to see that one!

Since Mary Beth was sick, I stayed home today and cleaned and organized the house. I have all of my groceries bought, most of the food cooked for the week, all of Matthew's clothes and backpack ready to go in the morning, all of my chores done, and a to do list for the week! I can't tell you what a difference it makes in my life starting the week off organized! It makes the week go so smoothly. I am looking forward to a great one!

Signs that Mary Beth is transitioning into toddlerhood

I nursed her for the last time this morning. *sigh* I don't know why I decided that today was the day, but I did. Probably the last time I will ever nurse a baby. *sigh*

She is talking up a storm. This morning I was holding her and she swung her arm around me, gave me a big hug, and squealed, "Mama!" I love it!

She is getting into everything! We are going this weekend to buy more baby-proofing items. She particularly loves getting into my entertaining serving pieces. A Martha Stewart in the making? Probably so.

She is busy, busy, busy, busy, busy, busy.

Giving up the morning nap. UGH!

I can put a BIG bow in her hair now! Or two little bows to make pig tails!

She is trying to walk. Barnhill babies are slow walkers (so far, 13 months and 15 months) She loves to walk holding our hands.

She gets upset when the boys get something she doesn't. She is a very laid back baby, but if the boys get a sucker and she doesn't, meltdown time.

It is hard letting go of the baby stage. I am such a baby fanatic. More than likely ME will be our last baby so I have tried to savor every moment of her infancy. I think it makes it that much harder though when it slips though my fingers.

I am excited about this year. Walking, talking, and developing more of a personality. So sweet!

Reintroduced to an old friend

Music was a huge part of my childhood. I sang in the choir all throughout junior high and high school. My parents, children of the '60s, always had oldies playing both in the car and on the stereo at home. I also took piano lessons for 10 years. I played difficult pieces and had been in a few competitions in high school.

When we moved to Waco my junior year, I began taking lessons with a new instructor. I didn't like her nearly as much as my instuctor in Abilene so I stopped playing. Oh, if I could go back and talk some sense into my 17 year old self!

From college age on, my piano playing consisted of 5 minutes here or there when I was at home. My skills eventually faded and I had some difficulty even reading the notes at times.

Fast forward to the present. Matthew is going to begin taking lessons at Baylor starting next month. Bryon's parents graciously gave us their piano as we don't have an extra 20 grand sitting around to buy the piano we want! I went over to my parents house and brought home all of my old music. I found 10 of my favorite and most difficult pieces. The past week, I have decidated 30 minutes to an hour a day to work on relearning these pieces. I have been surprised at how much I have relearned these past few days. It is almost like my brain still remembers where my fingers should go!

My goal is to have these 10 pieces rememorized this year and even add some to my repertoire.

I am looking forward to Matthew starting lessons in a few weeks. I hope he gets as much enjoyment out of playing the piano as I have.

First day happenings

There is not too much to report. I sat in the car pool line for half an hour dying to talk to Matthew! I am told that the car congestion does get better so we will see.

In Matthew's words, school in awesome! They read stories today like Mrs. Bindergarten goes to Kindergarten. They took a tour of the school and met the P.E., music and art teachers. They played on the playground. All in a day's work.

His favorite thing was Sticky News. This is where Mrs. B asks the kids what they did this summer, writes in on tape and puts the tape on their clothes. Matthew came to the car with "I learned how to swim in the 8 feet deep water!" taped to his chest.

I am happy things went so well today!

First Day of Kindergarten

Well, Matthew is in school even as I write! He had a restless night of sleep last night. Around three he woke me and wondered if it was time to start getting ready for school! Then, Thomas came into bed with us and hit me over the head with his lunch box. He was convinced that he was going to school with Buddy so he held onto his lunch box (for 2 days straight) so as not to leave it behind!

When we got to school, I ran into a friend and started talking to her. Matthew walked up to the door and exclaimed in his "Moses voice", "Mom, hurry up! I have work to do!" OK, no fears about Matthew being scared! We walked into class, said our goodbyes, and left.

Thomas was quiet and sulking the entire way home. When I tried to get him out of the car, he said that he didn't want to get out. "I am thinking about how you wouldn't let me go to school." Rip my heart out.

I eventually coaxed him in and have been paying extra attention to him. He seems to be fine now. I keep thinking about Matthew and wondering what he is doing at this exact moment. I can't wait to pick him up!

'Twas the day before kindergarten

Today was mainly spent doing anything Matthew wanted. I told him that he was the boss for the day as long as he didn't abuse his powers! We played a lot of toys, watched TV and explored outside.

At one point, the boys were playing together and Matthew told Thomas that today was the last day he would be home during the day. Thomas got upset and said he wanted to go with Matthew. Of course, Matthew told him that he couldn't and Thomas began to cry.

"But Buddy, if you leave me, I will cry and cry!"

Very sweet. I think that he will eventually appreciate being top dog around the house.

Tonight, we packed Matthew's lunch, got his clothes laid out and read "The Night Before Kindergarten".

We are all going to bed early as our new schedule begins tomorrow!

Meeting the teacher

We just got back from "Blast Off" at Matthew's school! We were excited to meet his teacher, Mrs. B. I tend to get a little obsessive about things I can't control.

I felt this unease about not being able to pick Matthew's teacher so I have been praying that whoever would be the best teacher for Matthew be picked to teach him. When we went up to school on Friday to see whose class he would be in, we found out that he was getting a new to the district teacher. Still, I felt peaceful knowing that God was in control.

We were the first parents and child in the classroom tonight. I first noticed how bright and cheery the classroom was. Then, Mrs. B turned around with a huge smile on her face. She looked familiar to me so after doing some digging, we realized that we were in the same sorority at Baylor! She was a freshman when I was a senior. Her husband graduated from Baylor Law School and is a huge Baylor sports fan, just like Bryon! The more I thought about it (reversing 9 1/2 years) I remembered her sweet smile as a plege while I was a chairperson for our sorority's All University Sing act.

While knowing a person doesn't necessarily translate into a fabulous teacher, I know that Matthew will have a young, sweet, Christian woman to spend the majority of his day with. This is very comforting to me!

I feel so peaceful about the teacher that God chose for Matthew. It is going to be a great year!

Advertisements masked as comments

Is anybody else getting annoyed at the advertisements posing as comments? First advertisers started calling our homes, then put stuff in our mail, then cell phones, then email, now blogs. Nothing is sacred.

Mary Beth's party

Well, the birthday party is over and everyone has left. I have spent the last two days preparing my menu and making the cake.

I absolutely love having a lot of people over for a big meal. I get a rush out of making my to do list and checking off things as I go. I got the inspiration for ME's cake from a place called Sweet Lisa's. I love her cakes!

Today I had my family and Bryon's family over for a birthday cookout. ME loved eating her cake and she got some really nice presents.

My parents got her a doll and chair, she got clothes from Lauren and Mimi and Big Mack, and she got toys from Michael and Shari. The big hit was the doll and baby stroller. They were a hit with Matthew and Thomas that is! Matthew kept calling himself the Daddy, and kept saying, "Daddys need to feed babies, too!" I guess they were interested in all of the toys that we have never had in our house before!

We are all pretty worn out tonight. ME is sleeping, Bryon is watching golf on TV, and Nana and Deedah are taking the boys to see March of the Penguins tonight. I am looking forward to a quiet night!

A day to remember

Today is my daughter, Mary Elizabeth's first birthday!






The first time I saw your face



When I look at Mary Beth, I see hundreds of prayers answered. I see God's love for me and his desire to open the floodgates of blessings on me.

Growing up, I always wanted a daughter. My mother and I are very close, and I desperately wanted that same relationship with a daughter of my own. Through God's infinite wisdom, he blessed me with two sons first. Although I felt a pang of sadness when I found out they were boys, the moment they were born, I wouldn't have traded either one of them for all the pink dressed, bow headed, doll holding, tea party throwing girls in the world. I loved them dearly, but there was always a part of me that wanted a daughter.

On December 10, 2003, Thomas's 2nd birthday, I was sitting in a Beth Moore bible study and the question was asked, "What is the deepest desire in your heart?" I confessed that I wanted a daughter in addition to my two sons. That somehow I didn't feel completely whole without her. The very next day, I found out I was pregnant with Mary Elizabeth!



My pregnancy was happily uneventful. I survived the last trimester of pregnancy by spending a lot of time at the pool and even went to Schlitterbahn twice. At the beginning of August, I told my doctor that I was tired of being pregnant and he agreed to induce me on either Thursday, Aug 12 or Friday Aug 13. I told him that I did not want my daughter to be born on Friday the 13th! He laughed and agreed to induce me on Thursday August 12. I also thought that this would be a nice birthday, because it was my great aunt's (my grandmother's sister) 90th birthday.

Bryon went out of town the week of my induction because he had a meeting he couldn't miss. He took the boys down to Conroe and I had 4 days to relax and get ready for the birth. Bryon came home on Wednesday night and Thursday morning around 1 a.m. I started having contractions.



By the time I went to the hospital at 5:30, I had been having regular contractions for a few hours. My doctor checked me at 7 and said I was still a 1 and I would more than likely be there all day long. By 9 a.m. I was in serious misery and the anesthesiologist came in to give me an epidural. This is when the fainting incident occurred that I blogged about previously! The epidural didn't take, and I was sweating and wanting to pull my hair out with the doctor asking, "Did you feel that?" I wanted to kill him.


She's here!
Finally around 9:50 the doctor agreed to do another epidural because the first didn't take. The nurse checked me and said I was a 5. Bryon called my mom to tell her she better hurry up and get to the hospital. I was still in misery, the worst pain I have ever experienced, and the doctor saying, "Did you feel that?"

The nurse checked me at 10 a.m. and I was fully dilated. She calls my doctor and he came in around 10:05. My mother came in around the same time. I pushed twice and my precious daughter was born at 10:13 a.m! This is right about the time that my second epidural kicked in!




The moment she was born, I felt a wave of peace like I had never felt before. I had my children, God had blessed me with a daughter, my family was complete.





I can't believe how quickly this year has gone. Not only did God bless me with the daughter of my dreams, she also looks like me, and she is the sweetest, happiest baby that I could imagine. She loves to dance, "talk", and be apart of the action. She always seems happiest when she is on the floor with the boys watching their antics. The boys adore her, Bryon has a new appreciation for the term "Daddy's Girl", and I have my prayers answered.

Life is good, God is good. Happy Birthday, Baby Doll!

A bad day followed by a good day

Yesterday was an awful horrible no good very bad day. We were cooped up in the house watching the rain falling. I was exhausted after 4 nights of poor sleep. Bryon has been out of town, so I have been doing all of the parenting. The kids were in desperate need of an outlet to burn off excess energy. Instead of riding their bikes, they took out every toy they could find and made a huge mess. We are having a lot of people over on Saturday to celebrate ME's first birthday, so I am trying extra hard this week to keep everything straight.

Around 5:30, I decided that we would go to church even though Bryon was going to be working really late. He had been in a conference the beginning of the week and would be in trial all of the rest of this week and into next week so he needed a long day at the office.

I raced around and got everyone fed, cleaned, and clothed. I got myself dressed, hair done, and make up on. I loaded everyone in the car, ran inside to get Thomas's shoes, and we were ready to go. Then I went inside to get my keys which were no where to be found. I had just been out on a drive and I had them less than an hour before so they had to be around here somewhere! I told Matthew to get out of the car and help me look. We looked in every room, in my purse, in the car. No keys. It is now 7 o'clock and there is no way to get to church. So I shakingly defeated get everyone out of the car, take off Mary Beth's dress, console the boys who were so excited to be going to church and getting out of the house. I put everyone to bed early and promised the boys that we would have a fun day tomorrow.

This morning I went back into my car to look one more time for my keys. I found them hidden in Thomas's shoes. On my way out last night, I had them in my hands and they must have slipped into his shoes!

I told myself that we would have a good day today, and so far so good. Matthew surprised me this morning by making my bed and brewing coffee for me. He made it perfectly with just the right amount of splenda and cream. We got dressed and headed out to Riverside to play at the park and swim. No one was around so it was very quiet. A cool breeze was blowing and everything looked green and fresh after the rain. I sat back and watched the boys laughing together in the pool and tried to savor every second. Next week at this time, Matthew will be at school and the lazy mornings will be gone. Although I am looking forward to getting back on a routine, I know I will miss moments like this.

A bone to pick with Mother Nature

It's one thing when my kids wake me up at night, but when Mother Nature rears her ugly head between 3-6 a.m. I get a little irritated! We had what I would guess to be one of the loudest and brightest thunderstorms I have ever experienced last night. The windows rattled every few seconds and the lightening literally never stopped for hours. We kept hearing the electricity turn on then off.

Thomas woke up at one point and came into our room. He was upset that the light in his closet was off. Remarkably, Matthew and Mary Beth slept through it. This is a good thing and a bad thing. Since I was awake most of the early morning, I am a little draggy today and the two kids are bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning!

I am concerned about Bryon today as he is going to be heading into the worst flooding in the area. I called him earlier and he said that I-35 looked like a battlefield. If you get the chance today, please say a little prayer for him. The rain still hasn't stopped and it is supposed to be this way most of the day. Oh, it's going to be a long day...

Official P.T.A. Mom

Tonight, I attended the first of what is most likely to be thousands of P.T.A. meetings! I was asked by a friend of mine who is on the executive board to be a member and of course I, Mrs. Overcommit, was only too happy to join! About 50 mothers met at On The Border for Mexican food, fellowship, and information about the coming year.

I am in charge of the birthday book club. This is a neat program that allows parents and grandparents to buy a book for the library in their child's honor. A name plate is put into the book and the child gets the honor of checking it out first. My duties are to work with the librarian, get the word out to parents, and most importantly, set up a booth on Grandparents Day. I have been told that more books are bought on that day than any other! Nana and Deedah, get your checkbook out! I am passionate about reading so I think that I will really enjoy this job!

I met several new people tonight as well as reconnected with friends from high school, college, and working days. I am excited about expanding my circle of friends by my volunteering at school.

I am so excited both for Matthew and for me about this year! We will both experience new things and make new friends. Only 9 days to go!!

Saturday night at the rodeo

I have lived in Texas for 24 years now and last night I experienced something that will lead me even closer to being Truly Texan: I went to my first rodeo! (See the side panel for pictures of the event.)

Bryon works in several small towns around the city where we live. One of these towns has a rodeo each year. Bryon helped sponsor the rodeo this year so we got tickets for whole family. The boys even entered an event, but I will get to that in a minute...

The rodeo we went to was relatively small so we were able to get choice seats. The first event was bronc riding. I had no idea what to expect, so my jaw dropped as I watched a man riding bare backed on a very angry horse, body flailing, for 8 seconds. Then, two other men riding very quickly on horses flanked the angry animal and the rider tried to jump onto another galloping horse to get off of the angry bronc. Wow...

About an hour and a half into the rodeo, the boys got to ride bare backed on sheep through the arena. This is known affectionately in the cowboy community as "mutton bustin'". This has been about all we have talked about for weeks. The boys couldn't wait to get their chance!

Finally it was time. Matthew was third in line. I watched as the first two children got onto the sheep and rode for a few seconds and fell into the mud. This was an outdoor arena and it had rained the past few days so it was very very muddy! Then, the announcer came on and announced "Matthew Barnhill!!!" The shoot opened and out came Matthew like greased lightening! He held on for dear life about 3/4 of the way around the arena. Over 6 seconds! People were screaming for him! (You know he LOVED that!)

Matthew ended up placing third among the 27 other children. Sadly, Thomas was so tired by the time it was his turn (almost 10 o'clock) that he decided that he should wait until next year! On the way back from the shoot, a bull rider came up to Matthew and told him that he was a real cowboy. So sweet.

Matthew was very disappointed that he only placed third. I told him that children in this little town don't have libraries, museums, and zoos to go to for entertainment. When they want something to do, they go outside and ride sheep. This gives them a distinct advantage over "city boys". For whatever reason, this explanation made him feel much better! I told him that there was always next year. He looked at me and said rather confidently, "Next year, I am not riding a sheep, I am riding a horse!" We'll see about that, little cowboy!!

Quotes from today

5 year old Matthew:
Matthew: "So I was talking to Matt the other day."
Me: "Who is Matt?"
Matthew (eyes rolling): "Mom, I was talking about myself metaphorically!"

Thomas: "Matthew hit me!"
Me: "Matthew, did you hit Thomas?"
Matthew: "Mom, he hit me first, it is true!"
Thomas: "But Mom, he hit me second!!"

Caution, next tale isn't for the faint of stomach:

Thomas came in smelling like poop. I realized it was coming from his hands. Apparently, it came from a whiping incident gone bad.
Me: "Thomas, what do your hands smell like?"
Thomas (rather sheepishly): "Poop"
I washed his hands really well with good smelling soap
Me: "Now what do your hands smell like?"
Thomas (taking a big whif of his hands and smiling): "Love"

Mary Beth is turning to the dark side

Around a year in age, both of the boys became unabashed Daddy's boys. They would cry everytime he left and would do about anything to be with him. I jokingly always called this turning to the dark side. Bryon called it turning to the dark side when they began seeing the light and became Mama's boys! (OK, Thomas is in the in between stage still!)

This morning, I was holding Mary Beth and talking to Bryon when she lunged over to him. I held my hands out to take her and she shrugged her shoulders and laid her head on Bryon's shoulder. You could almost see Bryon's heart melting. I took her back and a few minutes later, I kissed Bryon goodbye. She again lunged for Bryon and he couldn't resist one last hug. Mary Beth then looked at me with her sassy face (yes, my daughter already has a sassy face!) and waved goodbye to me! I couldn't believe it.

Use the Force, Mary Beth! Resist the Dark Side!!!

Happy Anniversary Bryon!!

Nine years ago I married the man of my dreams! Since Bryon is going to be very busy today, we decided to get up at 6:30, drink some coffee, and have a nice talk. Since the kids NEVER get up before 8 or 8:30, this would work out well. We were awoken before 6:30 by Mary Beth who I don't think has ever gotten up before 7:30 or 8 in her entire life. This woke up Matthew who insisted on staying up to play with sister. Thomas woke up because Matthew wasn't in bed with him. Bryon and I got a big laugh out of this and tried to have a conversation with our three rugrats crawling all over us! The events of nine years ago started the whole circus!

One of the most memorable moments of my wedding day was waking up early that morning to have breakfast with my Dad. We have always had an extremely close relationship and we wanted to spend some quality time together before the mayhem began. On the way to breakfast, Dad started crying. Up to this point, I had only seen my Dad cry once, so this was a little traumatic for me. I too began to cry. We went to Cracker Barrel and tried to eat between tears. When it was time to leave, the waitress came over and said that the person sitting right by us saw us together and paid for our breakfast! I don't know if she knew the reason for our tears but I am sure we looked pretty pathetic!

Our wedding was beautiful. Bryon looked so handsome in his tux. I just couldn't believe that I was going to get to spend the rest of my life with him. Our reception was also a lot of fun. We had a jazz band and lots of great food. After what seemed like only minutes, our reception was over and it was time to head to Dallas. We got into our limo and as we pulled away, I saw everyone cheering and I saw my Dad looking like he was holding back tears, and I began to cry. I don't think Bryon was expecting that reaction! I think it was just a let down response. My whole life I had dreamed of this day and had spent the previous nine months eating, sleeping, and breathing the events of the day and now it was over!!

We had a wonderful night in Dallas and headed for Bermuda the next morning. The alarm went off before 5 a.m! I was so happy looking at Bryon's hand with his wedding ring on. He would be wearing that ring forever.

That was nine years ago. All of the sudden, it is starting to feel like a long time ago. Our pictures show out of date hair and clothes. Cousins who were young in the pictures are now college graduates and married.

I feel so blessed to say that if I had to do it all over again, I still would marry Bryon. He is such a wonderful father and a thoughtful husband. I know that he would do anything for me. We love being together and feel like the other one is our treasure. Of course, we have had our ups and downs but we have always felt like God is in the center of our relationship. This is such a reassuring feeling.

Thank you God for nine years of marriage. May you continue to bless our relationship so that we may bless others by our relationship.

Last tuesday of the summer

I had a lot of fun on my last day of Mother's Day Out for the summer. I dropped the younger two off at church and took Matthew on a special date to get his school supplies. He was soooo excited! He wanted to hold the basket all by himself.

Then I took him to the dentist for his checkup. His teeth look great and he did his usual charming of the nurses. He informed them that he was working as a spy! The dentist was shocked when I told him that Matthew hadn't started kindergarten yet and had already lost 6 teeth! He told him to stop trying to grow up too fast. After buying school supplies, I felt the same way.

After I dropped Matthew off I ran a few errands and met a few girlfriends for lunch. We went to a really great little place here in town with incredible/overpriced/small portion food. Each time mother's day out lets out for spring or summer, we like to go to a nice place because it will be a few weeks before we can go out again!

Nothing else to report. I am watching a huge thunderstorm roll into our area which is always thrilling for me!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Cameron Park Zoo

The Playful Otters

A Lazy Leopard

Our zoo has made some huge improvements this year! It has always been nice and shaded, but they have added a new exhibit called the Brazos River Country. It takes the seven geographical regions that the Brazos River runs through and shows the wildlife found in that region. From pelicans and beavers at the gulf to cougars, bears, and otters in the Piney Woods, this exhibit is a must see! My favorite new part is the otters. They seems to want to play with the kids and there is a slide that runs through the water they are in so the kids can get even closer to the otters. When we went today, the bears were swimming and got within an inch (separated by plexiglass) of the kids! I am so proud of our little zoo!

Poison ivy and babysitting

I am suffering with the worst case of poison ivy that I have ever experienced. I guess I brushed up against some in my garden last week, but I now have it on both of my arms, fingers, stomach, back, neck, legs, and toe. I am about to go insane!

Today, one of my best friends is leaving her daughter with us all day. Her sister is having a baby and she, of course, wanted to be there. Her daughter and Matthew are great friends so it should be fun. I think I will take them to the zoo this morning to get out of the house. It should be interesting to have 4 kids 6 and under all day. Wish me luck!

Red Eye and Rounding off the Celebration

Today started off strangely. Thomas came in to our room this morning and one of his eyes was almost completely swollen shut. I told Bryon that it might be pink eye and he said, "Noooooo! Red Eye!!!!!" Knowing his obsession with red, we played it up and he was excited about having red eye rather than complain that his eye hurt.

Thomas and I spent the morning at the doctor which was not fun because I had to assure him every 7 seconds that he wasn't getting a shot. "This isn't a shot room, Thomas." Then he would give me an unbelieving look and point his finger to the needle disposal box.

This afternoon, my whole family went to the Parade of Homes again. I wanted to get Mom and Dad's opinion on certain details of the house to help with our house plans.

Tonight was birthday dinner at my parents. We had a delicious meal and I got to open presents. Lauren got me a piece of Waterford, Michael got me books, and my inlaws got me 4 plates and a platter that match my new summer dishes. Then Mom and Dad presented me with a list of 100 memories they had of me. Dad read them and kept getting choked up when he was reading. Of course this got me choked up as well. They also got me a beautiful clock. Mom gave Dad a clock on his 30th birthday, so they wanted to continue the tradition.

From the video last night, to Lauren's blog, to my brother's famously sweet card, to parents list, I feel so loved and so blessed by my family. I have enough warm fuzzies to last all year!!

Tonight

Wow! What a fun night! I feel so loved.

Most of the day was business as usual. Bryon did take Matthew to work with him and I got a glimpse of what life will be like in a few weeks. Very calm and quiet!!

I got to meet Michael's girlfriend, Jilinda, for the first time. Although she was sick, she came down from Dallas to help celebrate the day. She is very nice, down to earth, and a speech pathologist to boot. Sounds like a winner!

Bryon came home before the party and presented me with my present. A ruby and diamond ring. I have been wanting a ruby (July's birthstone) ring for a while but hadn't found the right one. Bryon and Lauren picked one out together and I just love it!

We got to the party around 6:30. Lauren and Bryon had worked so hard setting up our church community center for the party. There were pictures of me in various stages of life on the table as well as a bouquet of 30 roses. Bryon had On the Border cater fajitas and it was good like always. My closest friends were able to come which meant so much to me.

After dinner and cake, there was an announcement that everyone had to go in the other room to view a video. I had no idea this was coming! I knew that Lauren and Bryon had been burning the midnight oil getting ready for something, so this was the big surprise. It was a video of pictures of me from infancy to today. Each of my family members spoke on the video and it meant so much to me! I welled up with tears as well as the rest of the family. There were some comical moments as well. When Bryon asked Thomas why he loved me, he said, "I don't mememer!" I get no respect!

I feel so blessed to have a family who loves me so much. I couldn't love them any more! Tomorrow is my family party, so the festivities are only half over. Have a great weekend everyone!!

I posted a few pics of the party on my picture link.

My Birthday!!

Well, I woke up this morning not feeling any different than I did yesterday! The kids were very excited and sang Happy Birthday to me.

One of the things I love about birthdays is remembering what I have done almost every year on this very date. I was trying to remember yesterday some of my more memorable birthdays.

3-One of my earliest memories. We were living in Illinois. I had my church friends over and I had a cookie monster cake.
4- We went to New York and celebrated my birthday at my aunts house
6-I woke up this morning to watch Princess Diana and Prince Charles get married. Wasn't it sweet for them to get married on my birthday?
8-Mom and Dad took me to see Annie at the movie theatre and then bought me an Annie doll.
9-Again back at my aunt's house
10-One of my favorite birthdays. I got a new blue bike that I adored. Mom and Dad took me to a Hibatchi grill.
13-My aunt came down from Rhode Island to celebrate with me.
14-I had a swimming party at our house in Abilene
15-I was in Connecticut celebrating with my uncle's family and my cousin took me to the Milli Vanilli concert!
16-We had moved to Waco 2 months before and my parents took me to Dallas to meet my two best friends from Abilene at the Hard Rock Cafe.
17-I was at choir camp. This was also the first day of my training to work at HEB our local grocery store.
18- Went to Dallas and ate at Pappadeaux
19-Was on Cape Cod at my uncle's house. I was on crutches as I had broken my foot a few weeks before.
20-I was in the Lake District in England and Bryon graduated from law school that day.
21-5 days before my wedding!!
23-Lauren and Bryon took me to Ninfas. I had just attended a seminar which was mandatory at my work of what to do if someone attacked me. Examples were given such as shoving a pencil in an attackers eye. These images stuck with me all day and I was in a very back mood!
24-Pregnant with Matthew.
25-My friends through a surprise party for me. I was going to England/Scotland the next day.
26-Back at the Cape. Pregnant with Thomas.
29-Awaiting the birth of Mary Beth. I got my beloved camera.
30.....Who knows?

My sister and husband are throwing a party for me tonight. I don't know any of the details but I am so excited!!
Have a great day everyone, I am sure that I will!!

My last day in my 20s

I woke up this morning to face the last day of my 20s. Very strange. Where has the time gone? Although part of me still feels like I should be teenager I do realize how much my life has changed in the past ten years.

Ten years ago today, I was celebrating the last day of my teens. I was in the Lake District in England. I was in college and had just started dating Bryon who, at 24, was very excited that his girlfriend was no longer a teenager!

In the past ten years, I have married, graduated from college, graduated from a masters program, watched my sister and brother graduate from high school and college, held a job, moved 4 times, had three children, supported Bryon starting his own law practice, travelled quite a bit, seen many changes in our world including a war, made friends, said good bye to friends, watched my sister get married, watched my Dad get gray hair, celebrate a new millenium, and now say goodbye to my years with only preschoolers.

What will I be doing ten years from now as I celebrate my last day in my 30s? Matthew will be a sophomore in high school taking drivers ed. I will have two junior high kids. Bryon and I will be taking about what we should do on our 20 year anniversary the following summer.

It all goes so fast. I want to drink in every day.

Thank you God for all of the blessings you have bestowed on me these past 30 years. I have been blessed beyond all comprehension. Please continue to bless my life, my marriage, and my children's lives. I love you, Father.

"They are growing like weeds" and other sayings that have rung true this week

They are growing like weeds:
Have you ever seen anything grow so fast? I just spent 2 hours pulling weeds in my back flower bed. I have to admit, it had been a few weeks since I had done a decent job because of the heat, but honestly, why can't my roses grow 3 feet in 2 weeks?

The only difference between men and boys is the size of their toys:
One of the hardest days in our marriage was the day when Bryon had to give up his truck when Matthew was born. It just wasn't cost effective, so he traded it in for a Honda. Yesterday, he was able to buy his second truck. He wanted a truck to use on the weekends and when we had to put the other cars in the shop or when we needed a vehicle to haul stuff. So we now have three cars for 2 people. Makes no sense to me, but sweetie pie is happy.

In a small town, everyone know your business:
I did something on Sunday that I hadn't done in years and years...I skipped church. Our electricity went off Saturday night and we never reset the alarm clock. The kids didn't wake up until 8:45 (church is at 10) and it took every bit of an hour to get the kids and Bryon ready for church. I simply didn't have enough time to get myself ready, so Bryon took the kids to church and I cleaned rooms.

At 11:30, Bryon called and said that he was coming to pick me up to go to eat. I was still in my pjs and said No emphatically. Proving his skills as an attorney, he conviced me to go. All I had to do was put a hat on. No make up. T-shirt and shorts. He assured me that we would be eating at a different restaurant than usual and wouldn't run into anyone. The second we pulled up at the restaurant, I saw two couples from church entering. When I walked inside, almost our entire Sunday school class was sitting down eating!!

I confidently walked up to them and said, "Hello gang, I skipped church today!" We all had quite a laugh over that one. Sitting at the table with three adults and three children dressed in their Sunday best, I hoped no one in the restarant thought that this was a usual thing.

"Mama don't go to church. We keep praying for her to see the light."

Bryon felt bad for the incident so he went home and cleaned the kitchen. I guess it worked out for me anyway!

Autumn is just around the corner.....sort of....

Summer is my least favorite time of year. Unbelievably hot, no schedule...Fall is my very favorite time of year. So, every year around this time, I start dreaming of what is to come in the not so distant future. I got a catalog today for back to school and it had falling autumn leaves on it. That did it!

Picture if you will:

*A nip in the air
*overcast days
*The sun not so blazing hot
*Pumpkins and other assorted gourds
*scarecrows
*Leaves in different shades of red, orange, and brown
*Children wearing back packs
*sweaters and jeans
*Halloween
*Thanksgiving
*Being outside in the middle of the day not drenched in sweat
*soup
*Alabama football
*cooking with pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, cranberries
*eating a cozy dinner when it is dark outside
*kids going to bed early

I can't wait!!! I know that every season has it's wonderful perks, I am just soooooo tired of the heat.

Tag, your it

Got this one from Kristen:

1.) What I was doing ten years ago: Experiencing the best summer of my life! Bryon and I started dating, I moved into an apartment with my best friend, and I spent 5 weeks in England, Scotland, and Italy in a foreign studies program at Baylor. This was one of the best experiences of my life. I was very much aware that more than likely, I would never get to spend that much time travelling by myself again and saw as much as I could see. (I even shook Prince Charles's hand!)

While I was gone, Bryon took Practice Court (the infamously difficult class in law school), studied for his final exams, studied for the bar exam, graduated, took his finals and the bar, interviewed for a job, got hired, and moved into an apartment 30 minutes away. I think I picked a great time to be gone!!!

2.) Five years ago: Bryon and I left baby Matthew at home with my parents and went on my second European vacation. Bryon had never been, and my sister was there with her college's foreign studies program. We met Lauren in London and had 10 days of sight seeing in England and Scotland. On our anniversary, we got into a horrible car accident that totalled the car we were driving. The police officer who came up on the accident said that if we hadn't been in the car we were driving, Bryon would have been dead. A very interesting story, I will have to blog about it sometime...


3.) One year ago: We were anxiously awaiting the birth of Mary Elizabeth. I did go to Schlitterbahn twice during the last 5 and 7 weeks before my due date. I am sure I was an interesting sight!

4.) Yesterday: Toured the Parade of Homes in town and test drove trucks with Bryon. Last night, we had Lauren and Josh over for dinner. I was making BLT's with homemade bread and mayonnaise. Halfway through the bread baking, a huge thunderstorm rolled through and all of the electricity went off for about 1 1/2 hours. Thankfully, the bread was salvageable and I ended up frying the bacon on my grill outside in the pouring rain!!

5.) 5 snacks I enjoy: chocolate chip cookies, raw vegetables, watermelon and peaches in the summer, French chocolate, espresso.

6.) 5 Things I would do if I suddenly had $100 million: give to my church, build a house out in the country with a beautiful view, pay off all of my family's houses and cars, set up a charity and trust funds for my kids, constantly be doing random acts of kindness (Oprah is my hero!).

7.) 5 locations I would like to run away to:
Colorado, Bermuda, London, Cape Cod, Italy

8.) 5 bad habits I have: Worrying about things I can't control, not spending enough time reading my bible, drinking too much Diet Coke and coffee, overcommitting, making a huge mess when I cook. Bryon begs me sometimes to go out to eat so he doesn't have to help me clean the kitchen!!

9.) 5 things I like doing: reading, cooking, scrapbooking, gardening, entertaining, making pretty cakes, going to fancy restaurants with Bryon, hanging out with my family (both little and extended), going to lunch with my friends. I couldn't narrow this down, just pick your favorite 5!

10.) 5 TV shows I like: CSI, Paula's Home Cooking/Barefoot Contessa/Everyday Italian on Food Network, Scrubs, American Idol, Oprah (I Tevo it and watch it at night).

11.) 5 things I hate doing: dishes, taking out the trash, doing continuing education for Speech Pathology, running mundane errands, putting away the kids clothes after I have folded them, falling behind on scrapbooking

12.) 5 Biggest joys of the moment: a clean house, spending one on one time with each of my children, watching the boys have fun together, staying up late with Bryon, getting excited about my birthday and what Lauren and Bryon have planned!

Now you're it!!

A few changes

I have added a few things to my blog. First, I have added two frequented blogs. My sister, Lauren, is now a blogger. She is a teacher and a stay-at-home aunt in the summer. She is a wonderful gal, my best friend, and I couldn't imagine life without her!

Second, is my friend, Kristen. She lives in Dallas and is married with two precious little boys. Our husbands have been best friends since the first grade and our mothers are best friends as well.

I have also added a link for a few family pictures just in case anyone is interested.

Have a great weekend!

Oh my Gosh!!!!

It seems like Thomas has picked up a new pet phrase. Oh my gosh, I can't imagine where he would have picked it up from? Somehow it sounds so cool coming from my mouth, but so filthy coming out of my precious 3 year olds mouth! Nothing like little recorders to put you in your place!!

Matthew's favorite phrase at 3 was Dadgummit. He also got this one from his Mama. I reserve the right to use this only in the most sacred of occasions...when I am late, when there is an awful driver ahead of me, when I burn myself cooking, etc. Sometimes, no other word can suffice. I don't know if I could ever stop using it! I do think I can stop the Oh my Gosh. I am going to have to summon up my will power to stop saying it, I think.

I am going to have to find a new pet phrase. Heavens to Mergetroid....

Nothing much to report

Things have calmed down quite a bit at our house. No major events in the past two days which is always a blessing! We have stayed home most of the days just playing toys and cooking. I have had to make part of a meal for others three times this week, so I have spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen! Nothing much else to report. Matthew did help me some in the kitchen this morning:

Matthew: "Do you know why I am cutting up peaches? Because I love my family and want to take care of my family."
Me: "Thank you Matthew"
Matthew: "Do you know why I want to take care of my family?"
Me: "Why"
Matthew: "So they don't get leprosy."
Me: "That is really thoughtful Matthew"

A challenging Thomas day

As a general rule, if there is mischeif to be had in our family, Matthew is the the one making it. Every now and then, however, Thomas gives him a run for his money.

It all started yesterday morning when I gave him a pop tart for breakfast. He and Matthew love to eat them and watch a morning cartoon. I went into the other room to get ready. A few minutes later, Thomas runs into my room and says, "The pop tart is burning up!!" I ran into the kitchen only to find billows of black smoke escaping my microwave. Thomas had wanted to heat up his pop tart so he put it into the microwave for 3 minutes. The house was completely clouded with smoke as I extracted the black crisp pop tart from the microwave. When Thomas explained what he was doing, Matthew said, "Next time you go to court, tell it to the judge." Our house still smells like a camp fire.

Then, last night, I took food to a good friend who just had a baby. Lauren was going over to my mother's house and I asked her to take one of the boys so as not to overwhelm my friend and her new baby with my three kids. When we got home, Thomas noticed that Buddy wasn't home and he threw a fit. I told him that he was with Aunt Lauren and he would be home soon. Then I started feeding the baby and Thomas went into the garage to play with his bike.

I went and checked on him five minutes later because I didn't hear him. He was no where to be found. I ran out front, and a man in a car told me he had seen a little boy on a hot wheel on the next street up. I panicked and started running (in my heels). The next street over, there was Thomas being guided back by one of my neighbors. Thomas was crying and trying to head to my sister's house to get Buddy. The neighbor said he was sitting in his yard and saw a 3 year old with no Mommy following so he went to get him and retrace his steps. He smiled and said that he had had 4 children all 18 months apart so he understood what happens when you "turn your back for a second!"

I put Thomas in his room but didn't have the heart to spank him because he was so upset about not being with Buddy. He called him and Matthew was happy to come home to comfort him. Thomas ran outside to wait for him. When he pulled up, Thomas gave him a big kiss and the two boys slowly, arms around each other's necks, walked into the house or should I say camp site.

The ABC's of me

I think this one is going around
A is for age: 29 years, 11 1/2 months
B is for booze: Diet Coke and coffee
C is for career: mother
D is for dad's name: Mike
E is for essential item to bring to a party: my salsa
F is for favorite songs at the moment: All-time favorite is Peter Gabriel's "In your eyes" "Daughters" by John Mayer, "She Will Be Loved"
G is for goof off thing to do: read, cook, putter in the garden, watch Food Network
H is for hometown: Waco, TX
I is for instrument you play: piano
J is for jam or jelly you like: cinnamon, pumpkin butter
K is for kids: Matthew, Thomas, and Mary Elizabeth
L is for living arrangements: house
M is for mom's name: Roberta
N is for name of good friend: my mom and sis, church friends
O is for overnight stays in hospital: 3 for births, 1 for pneumonia
P is for phobias: mice, being in a room crowded with people (i.e. christmas eve shopping!!)
Q is for quotes you like: Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be (I had it engraved in B's wedding ring) Be a steak not a hamburger, Be generous always, Moderation is the key
R is for longest relationship: Mom and Dad
S is for siblings: one brother , one sister
T is for Texas: My home state!
U is for unique traits: I remember all of my friends' birthdays from elementary school and junior high.
V is for vegetables that you love: squash, zucchini, artichokes, asparagus, brussel sprouts, corn on the cob, red peppers
W is for worst trait: laughing in inappropriate situations
X is for X-rays you've had: A few chest from childhood pneumonia, broken foot
Y is for yummy food: watermelon, peaches, steak, pork tenderloin, above mentioned veggies, salsa, apple crisp, kahlua brownie trifle, the list goes on and on...

We're back!

We spent the weekend at my in-laws house on Lake Conroe this weekend. It has been months since I have gone and it will be quite a while before we can go back, so we make the most out of the weekend. My in laws house backs up to the lake and their boat is docked right outside their back yard. The boys absolutely love driving the boat! They pretend they are pirates.

My father in law bought an innertube for the weekend so we all got to enjoy plenty of water activities. As a result, I am having a very hard time sitting down to write this! Apparently I have many muscles in my body that I didn't know I had. Saturday night, Bryon's parents watched all 5 of their grandchildren (Matthew and younger) so Bryon's sister and husband could go on a date with us. We had a very nice weekend and it is always fun to watch "Mimi and Big Mack" enjoying our children.


We got home tonight and did something we have never done before...watch home movies of the children. We have always been good about taking the footage, but we have never hooked it up to the TV to watch it. This was so much fun for me! It is a very surreal experience watching your children grow up in the span of two hours! I don't remember Matthew speaking in a baby voice! Thomas looked like such a baby even last year at this time. Even looking back at video taken three months ago was a huge difference with Mary Beth! After watching the videos, Bryon and I talked about how blessed we were and what a great life we have.

Thank you God for the life you have given us. For our children and family. For all of the memories we have. You have poured your blessings on us!

Thomas Michael Barnhill Cheesehead

For reasons that we don't know, or at least can't remember, for at least a year, Thomas has introduced himself as Thomas Michael Barnhill Cheesehead. We have tried to stop this silly little habit, but he has a hard time remembering to "Just say Thomas!"

Last night, my Dad presented Thomas with this great Cheesehead hat. He got online and ordered it from Wisconsin! Thomas adores the hat, and I adore my Dad for being such a great and attentive Deedah!

Chef Matthew

Matthew making french toast on Saturday.
Matthew was born with my love of cooking. He is always begging me to help in the kitchen. This morning, I came into the kitchen to the sight of Matthew (and Thomas observing) cutting up fruits and veggies. When I asked him what he was doing he said, "Nickelodean says 'Get up! Get out! Go play!' and I can't do that without having a nutritious breakfast!" Can argue with that can I?

I really enjoy cooking with Matthew. My mother was a great cook but like to cook by herself. She claims that was her peace time. Very understandable! I told Matthew I would happily teach him everything and make the girl he marries very happy!

Today

Bryon is at my sister's house right now conspiring about my birthday. I love when Bryon surprises me and I usually try every tactic to get information out of him, but this time I am not even going to ask for a hint! Bryon always loves having surprises for me. It is one of the things I love about him!

Today was a great day. Lauren and I took the kids swimming this morning. This afternoon, we had a mini thunderstorm (very much needed) and it felt great being 4 o'clock in the afternoon with cloudy skies. Bryon and I took the kids for a walk this evening after dinner and I enjoyed the cool breeze blowing.

We also had reading time today. I am trying to finish my latest Diane Mott Davidson book and Matthew was reading a book that was mine when I was a little girl. I had written all over it, and Matthew couldn't believe that I had done such a thing! I had to remind him that just because I wrote in books does not give him permission to do so.

Matthew got a flat top this weekend. He has been begging me for months to do it, and I didn't want him to. He has a bald spot in the back of his head where he had staples put in after a fall and when his hair is short, it stands out. Bryon took him out by himself and Matthew asked the barber for a long flat top. "If you do it short, Mom would kill you and me both!" I have to admit it looks cute and he looks even more grown up.

Off to bed. Busy day tomorrow!

Shopping, TV watching, and swimming

This weekend was the weekend of great sales. I woke up early on Saturday morning to attend the annual I'm Yours Sale. This is a cute t-shirts and leggings factory located in Waco that puts everything at 5 dollars once a year. I got there at 10:00 and it was mostly picked over. Hard core shoppers were there at 7:30 with a line wrapped around the building! I guess I will have to set my alarm earlier next year!

Then it was on to online sales. I love Orient Expressed dresses. Very cute smocked dresses! Also, House of Hatten had many of their dresses for summer and fall at 50-70 percent off. Never one to resist a sale, I think we will be eating beans and weenies the rest of the month to offset the cost!!

I have been glued to the TV today watching the effects of Dennis. I have always been fascinated by natural disasters. Mom says it is my flair for the dramatic. I lived through several tornadoes growing up in west Texas so I have always been awed by Big Nature. I hope everyone in BlogLand living in the South is faring well.

Tonight we went swimming and ran into a bunch of friends from church. I haven't seen many of them with all of our summer travels, so it was nice to catch up and enjoy the cool (OK make that not blazing hot) evening air!

Sister knows her brother's heart

Thomas is our extemely physically affectionate child. While Matthew long ago preferred handshakes to hugs, Thomas loves nothing more than to sit on our laps and kiss us over and over "on the wips!". When we do this with him, he just laughs and laughs and seems so happy.

The past few days, Mary Elizabeth has seemed to catch on to Thomas's vibe. If I am holding her in my lap and Thomas is sitting next to me, she opens her mouth, makes a breathy noise, and lunges for Thomas's mouth! We will try to have her do that to us (my mom, sister, husband) but she will move her face to where she "cheek hugs" us. She doesn't kiss anyone but Thomas! He just squeals with delight at his new object de affection. I guess Mary Elizabeth knows how to win her brother's heart!

What I am thankful for today

This has been a rather hard week. Instead of thinking about the heat and pent-up little boy activity, I will write a list of things I am thankful for right now.

*Watching the boys fight the Darth Vader sprinkler with their light sabers. Too cute!!
*Mary Beth is now loving playing with her doll house.
*Being able to work in the yard last night with a cool breeze.
*Watermelon being in season.
*A 1/2 gallon of Moo-llinneum Crunch Blue Bell ice cream in my freezer.
*MaryBeth trying to walk and looking at family members when we call out their names.
*The boys walking outside this morning in just their underwear. Is there anything cuter than little boy's bodies?
*Finishing a great book and starting another.
*Midnight chats with Bryon.
*Spending time with my sister.
*Finding a great recipe for hamburgers and warm potato salad.
*The boys playing a game together in the other room as we speak.

Have a great Friday!

Blogger Block cured

Well, my temporary lack of anything to say has been cured. For those of you who know me, you know it couldn't last very long!!

Last night, my sister took the boys to church. ME was tired and fell asleep at 6:45 so I stayed home. Lauren is Matthew's teacher. Last night, Thomas decided that he wanted to be in class with Aunt Lauren and Buddy. Of course, Lauren came home with several cute stories.

When asked who would like to lead the prayer, Matthew's hand shot up. He then proceeded to lead a lengthy prayer asking God to get rid of the people who made guns and cigarettes. Lauren said the word "cigarette" came up 3-4 times in the prayer!

After the bible story, the children were asked questions about the story. Matthew answered several and then Thomas's hand shot up b/c he wanted to answer. When he sat there without talking, Matthew began whispering the answers in his ear.

Matthew: "Josiah.."
Thomas: "Johiah..."
Matthew: "was..."
Thomas: "was..."

I always am so pleased when Matthew looks out for his little brother. We have been reading Aesop's Fables lately and one of the kids' favorite is the Lion and the Mouse. The moral of this story is to be nice to the little guy b/c you never know when they can help you out in return. I guess Matthew is taking this lesson to heart!

The boys seem to have really found their friendship this summer. It used to be much more Love/Hate. They were fine until I left the room and then Thomas would sound his death scream. Matthew has learned that sharing with Thomas and receiving "hero worship" in return is much better than hoarding toys or sitting in the seat that Thomas wants. I can't wait to see what God has in store for their friendship!

Blogger Block

I am experiencing my first case of Blogger Block. I just have nothing to write about right now. Things are well, the kids are happy, and we are just living life.

Happy Fourth!

I have had a busy couple of days since our trip. We got in late Thursday night and Mary Elizabeth slept for 15 hours straight! Guess she was pretty worn out. I have had a little adjustment to taking care of three children again. That's a lot of work!

We had a great holiday today. I have always love the Fourth of July. When I was a little girl, I thought that it was so neat that America and I shared the same birthday month. Both of my grandfathers and three of my great uncles served in World War 2. One of my grandfathers was on the Bikini Islands where they tested the atom bomb. The other grandfather was a Navy captain who ran supply ships to Russia. Both of my parents were also in the Navy, and my cousin just graduated from West Point. We have strong family ties to the armed forces and I feel very patriotic.

This morning, we went to a parade in the neighborhood where we have a lot. There was a fire truck there and a snow cone truck. It was fun but there is something fundamentally wrong with sweating buckets at 9:30 in the morning! We had a cookout at my house this evening with my family. Always fun.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and enjoy the short work week!

pictures

Mary Elizabeth wants her lobster still alive!