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!