Heard around our house this week...

Thomas:

"Dear God, thank you for the Earth, thank you for the countries, thank you for the states, and thank you for the cities. But thank you most of all for the planet so astronauts can have a place to land."


ME before church yesterday:

"Mommy, put on your shoes!"
"In just a minute, honey. Let me do my hair first."
"Mommy, I didn't know you had hair on your feet!"


Matthew sitting next to me at church holding up a dime:

"Mommy, I really want to give God my tive (tithe)." He is really learning a lot in Bible class!

Taking one for the team.

One of the most fun things about having a child who is super intense/highly competitive/a bottomless pit of energy, is that he is a lot of fun to watch play sports! Well, lots of fun and slightly terrifying for me! You see, Matthew is so focused on his task, that he cares very little what physical damage could result from his actions. Take today for example. Matthew plays goalie for half of each game. They were playing a team that was bigger then them. Every time the opposing team broke away and started barrelling down the field in Matthew's direction, his entire demeanor changed and he was ready for them. He dove for as many balls as he could no matter that his head was very near the ball that the opposing player was trying to beam into the goal! Here are a few examples. I was unable to take pictures of the time that Matthew dove for the ball as three very large players tried their hardest to kick the ball out from underneath Matthew, because I stood in stunned silence hoping and praying that he made it out of the encounter with all of his teeth accounted for. Fortunately for us, Matthew didn't let a single ball get past him and his teeth are all present and survived to serve him another day!

BTW-Matthew was diagnosed this week with asthma and severe allergies. His tree and grass allergies were off the charts. Rolling around in the grass as he did this morning probably wasn't the best thing for him!

Also, my sweet little T-man scored 2 goals as well. It was a great day on the soccer fields today!

Road trip...by myself!

I had a wonderful and unusual weekend. Friday afternoon, I dropped the kids off with Bryon and my in laws and headed to my professional conference in San Antonio. My inlaws were in town to celebrate Grandparent's Day at the boys' school. Since it is nearly impossible for the entire family to leave on the weekend (soccer games, teaching Sunday school), I went by myself.

I really enjoyed the time. Don't get me wrong, nothing makes me happier than being with my family, but I do crave quiet, alone time to recharge my system. I had a wonderful drive to the conference. I took the longer scenic route to avoid Austin in Friday night rush hour, and found a great radio station that played a lot of songs that reminded me of my early high school days in Abilene. Without the kids in the car and belting out The Cure, R.E.M, Depeche Mode, and U2 really made me nostaligic for those days!

I was able to read a lot in the hotel and meet wonderful therapists from all over the country. I befriended 4 ladies from California, Georgia, North Dakota, and Ohio. I think they enjoyed me being around, because as often as I have been in San Antonio these past few months, I could be a tour guide! The weather was beautiful and I was proud to show off our beautiful state to these ladies, who were in awe of the giant oak and cypress trees as well as the vibe of the city. I learned a lot at my conference and can't wait to use the knowlege with my patients.

Before I knew it, it was time to come home. I spent half the drive talking to Bryon and the kids about the boys soccer games, the Baylor game, and the Bama game. The boys both scored goals and it KILLED my to not be there. Thomas has really learned a lot in soccer this year and seems much more aggressive on the field. He has scored goals in both of his last 2 games! Matthew spends half of his time at goalie, and the other half either at forward or full back. I love watching him dive for the ball and seeing the intensity on his face. So proud of those boys!

I enjoyed coming home last night to be greeted by my three bouncing kids and Bryon. I think it is good every now and then for all of us to get the opportunity to miss each other. I loved my weekend, but there is no place like home!

I don't know if I will get the opportunity to blog again this week. We have practices, a doctor's appointment for Matthew's allergies, 2 parent orientations, work, and church activities. What a busy week!

This week

I have been having the worst blogger block this week and am forcing my way out of it! Here are a few pics from the week:

1. The first one is my Dad and Mary Elizabeth during the first Alabama game. I ordered it on ESPN game plan and the three of us enjoyed us some Bama football! (My three boys were still in Ft. Worth watching our beloved Baylor Bears being shut out by TCU.) Dad is always so sweet with Mary Beth. He was enjoying every second of the game, but never thought twice about helping Mary Beth choose the colors to color her princesses in her coloring book! She was very concerned that he like her every choice. She has him wrapped around her little finger!
2. The second picture is Mary Beth's first day of Mother's Day Out. She has moved to a new hall this year! Mary Beth is so excited about her teacher, Miss Amber, who is one of Lauren's good friends. Every time the boys were asked who their teachers were, Mary Beth would interject, "Miss Amber!" We are looking forward to a great year.
3. The third and fourth pictures are from last weekend. We headed to Keller on Friday night to enjoy some time with our good friends, the O'Quinns. The reason for coming was the fantasy football draft that was to take place at their house on Saturday morning. All my boys have been looking forward to this for a long time! Saturday morning, Matthew stayed with the guys to help put names on the draft board, and Kristen and I took the rest of the kids to the Ft. Worth museum of natural history. It is always so much fun to hang out with the O'Quinns! Kristen and I have been friends since we were teenagers and Bryon and Kevin have been best buds since elementary school. Friends like these are priceless!
4. Another fun thing I did this week was meet the authors of Same Kind of Different As Me. I enjoyed hearing both of them speak and then they signed my book. What an amazing story!
5. Matthew started piano this week. He is taking from a new lady who lives down the street from us. Matthew and I are both incredibly excited that Matthew can ride his bike to lessons! ;)


So there. I think I am pretty much caught up. For some strange reason, I really thought I would have more time once the boys were in school! Maybe next week?

An experience I have been fearing for 32 years.

I would love to say that we have spent the last two days relaxing at home, but we haven't stopped since the boys went to school!

After a day of running errands yesterday, Mary Beth and I went to pick up the boys. Thomas looked adorable sitting in the kindergarten line. Matthew was with him, and floods of memories of Matthew sitting in the same kindergarten line came back to me!

Matthew got in the car and said, "I just love 2nd grade! It is so different from 1st grade!"

I asked Thomas what he thought of kindergarten...

"Great!"

Anytime I would pry for more information, Thomas would either say, "I'll tell you tomorrow." or "I forgot."

I was complaining to my brother about this and he said he remembers getting annoyed with the question, "So, how was your day?" when Mom would ask him! I guess it's a guy thing.

This morning, I headed out to eat breakfast with friends and then had an appointment that I have been dreading for 32 years....

I had to have dental work done. Turns out, I have cavities for the first time.

Not one...
Not two....
Not three....
Not four.....

FIVE CAVITIES!

I nearly passed out when I heard this three weeks ago. I have never had a problem with my teeth, but started having tooth pain when I was pregnant with ME. The dentist has been watching spots for while, and it was finally time to bit the bullet and get them filled.

I was fairly brave during the ordeal, but I am feeling a little like the old gray mare ain't what she used to be. I am decaying.

Thank you to Lauren for watching Mary Beth. I don't feel like I was emotionally equipped to handle her during my first cavitiy experience!

Somehow, these past 7 hours have melted away again. Time to get the boys!

First day!

Well, we have a kindergartener and 2nd grader! I felt much better after a good cry last night. Thomas woke me up at 5:30 and said, "Only 2 more hours until school!" Yes, that boy was ready! The whole family went to drop off the boys. Thomas walked right into his class, put his backpack up, and sat down to work. We kissed him goodbye and then dropped Matthew off at his class. No tears this morning, just excitement that the day was finally here.

Mary Beth and I dropped Bryon back at the house before heading to Starbucks with moms from my neighborhood. After Bryon got out of the car, she said, "Now it's just Mommy and Emmy!" I thought she would be sad saying goodbye to the boys, but I think she has been excited about having me all to herself!

After Starbucks, we headed to the doctor for ME's 3 year appointment. She has shot up to the 50% for height and weight! She has always been a little peanut, but I guess she has hit a growth spurt.

After the doctor, we went shoe shopping, then stopped by a chinese restaurant for lunch. We have had a fun girly day. These 7 hours have gone by in a hurry! I can't wait to pick up the boys and see how their first days went!

The night before kindergarten

It's the night before kindergarten and I just tucked my little sweeties into bed. I was just looking through old pictures and found this one of Thomas just a few days before Mary Beth was born. He was 2 1/2.

You would think that sending the second one to school would be old hat, but I think in a few ways it is harder. I am very aware now of how little time we will have during the week just to hang out. Plus, I look at first and last day pictures of Matthew in kindergarten and marvel at how much he changed. I am not ready for my little Thomas to be a big kid! I will miss sending Matthew to school and holding my little T with his bed head and pajamas on.

Tears fill my eyes tonight as I think about what a complete and utter joy he has been to me. Life with Thomas has been sweet, innocent, joyful, kind, and full of tons of hugs and kisses. Being a good and kind person has always seemed so easy for Thomas. He is always finding ways to serve his friends, brother, sister, and family. I will miss him dearly, but send him off to kindergarten to be a blessing to his teacher and classmates. I am so excited to get to experience kindergarten again! It truly is a magical year.

Thank you God for my sweet Thomas.

Catching up!

Wow! What a busy few days!

Wednesday was nerve wracking for us. Teacher lists were posted at 5 p.m. and I was sweating it out all day. I am so relieved and joyful about the boys teachers this year. Both are young, sweet, and very excited about teaching. I feel so peaceful about their classes and am so thankful that my prayers were answered!

I found out tonight that I will be Thomas's room mother. I am so excited to be a kindergarten room mom again, although I feel sad that I won't be Matthew's room mother for the first time. I guess I will just be the other room mothers' "wingman"! Or would that be "wingwoman"?

Thursday night was Blast Off where the kids got to meet their new teachers and I got to sign 5 billion sheets of paper. Matthew is on the other side of school this year which feels strange! The teachers were so sweet to the boys and they are DYING to start on Tuesday!

Saturday, soccer season kicked off. I can't remember the last time I felt so uncomfortably hot! Poor sweet Thomas has a very low tolerance for heat and was all too happy to volunteer to hang out on the sideline when asked! On the other hand, Matthew never wanted to get out of the game and told me at the end when he was sweating and beet red, "You know, it really wasn't all that hot out there!" We are looking forward to two months of parking our lawn chairs at the soccer fields! Thomas is on a team with his good buddies, Rhett and Justin. Matthew was placed on a team where the youth minister at our church is his coach! I had no idea that he even coached and we were so thrilled that it worked out that way. This is the first time that the kids can actually stay on the same team year after year.

Last night, Dennis Lee and Nana Puddin' came to our church. This is always a fun event. Mr. Lee asked Thomas to help him up front and Matthew volunteered his Daddy to help out as well. Thomas told me afterward that he really felt like a superstar!

Today was Promotion Sunday at church. Bryon and I made the decision many years ago that we would teach our kids the entire year of Sunday school when they were in kindergarten. We started up again today! Of my three kids, I feel like Thomas has the strongest group of friends at church. Most of his good friends have parents who are my favorite people. What a blessing! We look forward to teaching these kids this year! Thomas, and the rest of the kids, received Bibles this morning to celebrate this time in their lives. Thomas hasn't put his down all day!

Tonight, I helped the "Fairy Garden Mother" at our school lay down sod for three hours. I always love helping out with our outdoor classroom and look forward to having a little more flexibility next year to do so.

One more day at home with the kids! Mary Beth starts ballet and tap tomorrow, and we have a few more errands to run before the big day on Tuesday. I am definitely going to savor sleeping in in the morning!

Our summer in pictures

For all practical purposes, summer is over! We packed a lot of fun activities into this unsually long summer break:
*Watching the Rangers win at home.
*Thomas lost his first tooth (and second tooth as of this afternoon)!
*Two trips to San Antonio with adventures to Sea World and the Alamo.
*Disney World
*Swim lessons
*Fourth of July parade
*ME turned 3, I turned 32.
*My first solo trip out of town by myself with all three kids.
*Lots of webkinz on the computer.
*Lots of reading.
*VBS's.
*Sports Camp.

I asked the kids what their favorite adventure was this summer. Mary Beth said, "The airplane ride." Thomas said, "The bus trip from the airport to our hotel at Disney World." Matthew said, "Disney World." I guess in our family, we really do mean that the journey is just as important as the destination!

What a great summer. That's a wrap!

T-minus one week

Well, one week from today, our summer is over. I have really felt like it should be over now, since we are starting 2 weeks later than usual! Soccer practice for the fall is already under way and we had our first P.T.A. meeting last night. We find out tomorrow night who the boys' teachers will be, so I am anxious for that to get here!

Thomas is really excited to be a kindergartener, but he hasn't talked about it too much. Yesterday, I sat him down to talk a little about the transition. I asked him how he felt about going to school. "Great!", he said without elaborating. I asked him, "Are you a little scared?" He looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Why in the world would you ask me that?", like it was the most absurd question he had ever been asked. "Well, what if you don't know any other kids?" "Uh, I will just have to meet them!" "OK, then what if you don't know where to go?" "Well, that is what standing in line if for." Nothing phases this kid! I have tried to get him a new backpack, but he got one for free at a convention this summer that he likes just fine. He isn't too concerned about school shopping either. He likes the clothes he already has. Something tells me that I am not going to get away that easily with little Mary Beth in two years!

Here is a picture of the boys last week at their T-Ball party. These boys have been friends since birth. They were all born from Sept-Dec of 2001. Two of them will go to one school, two will go to another. I love their little friendships! This Sunday, they will all graduate into the kindergarten class at church and get to walk up to the front of church and get a Bible.

Lots to do this week, so I don't know if I will be able to post much. Have a great rest of the week!

Same Kind Of Different As Me

Blog friends,
I read the most amazing book yesterday. It is a true story of an unusual friendship between two Christian men and how each changed the other's life. The story takes place in Ft. Worth, so all of you familiar with Dallas/Ft. Worth would appreciate it!

I couldn't recommend this book more highly! I read the entire thing yesterday. It was just that good. I think it should be required reading for Christians. Go out and get a copy today!

Mary Elizabeth turns 3!

Today is ME's 3rd birthday. No amount of words could describe the amount of joy that she has brought to her parents and brothers. She is such a gift to us.

We had a great lunch after church today. My aunt came down from Rhode Island for the occasion. She is a nun and her best friend, Eileen, who is also a nun (from Ireland!) are so dear to our family and we were thrilled to have them here for the party.

The theme was Disney Princesses. How could it not be? I decorated the table with pictures of her with her princesses as well as her cake that looked like the royal pillow holding Cinderella's glass slipper. She was given wonderful gifts including dress up clothes from her aunts and uncles, Bitty Baby and accessories that my parents got her at the American Girl store in Chicago last week, a Barbie computer from Mimi and Big Mack, a Little Sister necklace from the boys, and many other wonderful Princess gifts.

What a great day! I am totally exhausted and going to bed! I'll post more pics tomorrow.

San Antonio...part dos

 
 
 
 

We went back to San Antonio during the first part of this week because Bryon had a conference there. Everytime Bryon has a 5 day conference, we miss him terribly, so I was happy that we could tag along for this one! He left in the mornings and was able to meet us for lunch and be home from "work" at 5 p.m. which is unheard of at home! I got to enjoy some of my favorite Mexican food during the trip. During Bryon's conference, I took the kids to two IMAX movies, shopping on the Riverwalk, and a great children's museum. I also left the day before Bryon and took the kids to Fredericksburg by myself. Insanity or bravery? The jury is still out!

While in Fredericksburg, I was able to visit Rather Sweet Bakery. I bought the owner's cookbook last week and was able to talk to her for a while when I was there. At 4:00 in the afternoon, it was slow, so she was a little more relaxed! I love her cookbook The Pastry Queen.

When I got home, I started looking at my calendar. Less than three weeks until school starts! Most of our fall activities are in place and the boys are chomping at the bit to start school and soccer. Their first games are in 2 1/2 weeks. I remember being a tad apprehensive before school starts wondering if I could handle all the responsibility. I still feel that way! Although I look forward to a schedule, I am going to miss getting out of bed at 8:30!