playing catch-up...

Going to Dallas always sends me on a whirlwind path of "running fast but going nowhere". I have pretty much been playing catch-up and we've been back for 2 weeks now!!!!
We had such a great time at the fair; the boys went to the hockey game, the girls had movie night, and I got much needed rest. As I look at my pile of mail from the last 3 weeks (completely stacked, it would be about 24 inches tall) Victoria plays with my hair lovingly and it brings to mind why I'm always behind. Some would call it procrastination, some would call it genetically inherited packratitis, some would call it lazy, I prefer to call it... enjoying the kids!! (It'll prob take me 30 minutes to comb out the tangles tho) Actually I'm always behind because my schedule is over-filled. I look forward to slowly and carefully editing out the things that are squeezing me dry!!

Halloween is just around the corner, and I must say I haven't given it much thought. We've done fun pumpkin and fall crafts and tried on costumes, etc... Victoria did have a really cute circus parade at her preschool! They sang fun songs for the parents and all the kids wore their costumes!!! Hysterical!!! but the joy of Halloween is really that Thanksgiving is right around the corner (and usually another trip home to be with family follows!!) I thank God everyday for our family. HE has been teaching me to be humble and that His Word is always right, even though I may not agree or like it.

I voted yesterday. I'm not a big McCain fan, but I needed to vote for who believes in protecting all life and liberty... and it's not Obama. I'm so tired of all the politics and campaigning, it boils my blood... but here we go... on the Soapbox.... close your eyes if you aren't interested... If we as Christians cannot stand up for our beliefs and the knowledge of what is right and wrong, then how do we show God to the world? And what is the point of being a Christian if we know what's right and we choose to look the other way? (and I'm guilty of it too) Is that denying Christ? Stepping down now or it would be one loooooong entry. Thoughts to ponder though...

Anyway, looking forward to making some mean pumpkin cookies this week thanks to a very large and wonderful cookie cutter someone special bought me!! If I can just hold off on buying candy (and then hope it's all given away) then I won't completely ruin the effects of the early & evil boot camp I'm still attending!!!! Now what to do with the kids' stash once Halloween passes??????

FINALLY!!!!

LUKE TIED HIS SHOES BY HIMSELF!!! You might be reading this thinking, "what, he couldn't do that already?" but despite the fact that he can put together and take apart tiny legos, those fingers could not manage the laces! (or should we say did not want to?!) We celebrated with a couple of new books. :0)

After a successful boot camp this morning, I ruined it with lunch out and then leftover pizza for dinner. ARRRRGH. Then I'm going to keep it up with couch time with the kids tonight... it's movie marathon Friday.

Battle wounds...

those &%$@## boot camps are evil!! I'm still sore from Monday!!! I had to miss out on today's but got up anyway since Eric left at 5 for his flight. I did an 80's Denise Austin workout instead... so hysterical. Eric surprised us and flew home tonight too. Seeing his truck in the driveway was unexpected but awesome!! He should have his own nerf gun collection because he keeps stealing Luke's. The kids were on lock-down in their bathroom (screaming and laughing) because Daddy was stalking them in the hallway with the new "shot-gun" nerf gun. The kids blockaded (is that a word?) the door too, until Daddy pushed through and gave Luke a bloody nose. I guess that's what happens in battle. These are the memories I never want to forget!!!

I'm counting down til I get 5 whole days to play in big D. I can't find my cell phone right now though. My idiot self has it on vibrate, so like I'm going to hear it!! I know it's in the house somewhere!!! Going to bed now, getting up at 5 is ridiculous! love to all...

survival...

Well, I survived boot camp, craft day (which was so fun thanks to Holly!!) laundry day (not finished), made eggplant parmesan (surprisingly labor intensive), and Landon was a happy camper today! I'm sore already and am eternally grateful to Eric for not only taking & picking up Luke from school, but showering and putting kids to bed. I'm on my way upstairs now to prepare my BSF lesson. Perhaps the scrooge will feel sorry for me and massage my sore muscles!! ;0)

Tonight Victoria worked really hard on her "L's". She is trying so hard to say "Luke" instead of "Wuke". She said, "llama" over and over (but it sounded like 'lllaaaaa-mmmmaaa'... and "lollipop".. and "lion"... and "love". She is so full of self-determination. Of course, we did all this practice in the middle of dinner. Yet another reason for her to play at the table. ;0)

One week + one day til Big D!!!! The kids are so excited! (and me too!!!) I'll post craft pics later!

Poor Cowboys..

Sad day for the 'boys. I know Eric was bummed... he kept making Romo comments all afternoon... Oh well, nobody's perfect.

We had a nice dinner tonight at a mexican food place called Los Dos Potrillos.. (I think) The food was good, sort of like El Fenix. Finally, someplace close that can fill my cravings!! (but it's still no Mi Cocina) Victoria was cranky and not wanting to listen, it was sort of annoying, but I think she was super tired. Luke had shrimp and beans, funny combo!!

Here comes another Monday. I'm up at 5:30 tomorrow for a fitness boot camp class. We'll see if I make it w/o puking!! :0).

Bountiful Harvest!!!!

Today we made it out to the Miller farm. What a blast we all had!!! It was really hot and super dusty with no clouds in the sky, (of course by 5pm it was cool). The children got to sit in tractors, pet the animals, jump in the bounce house, play on the playground, and not to mention.. harvest their own vegetables on a hay ride!!! We came home with quite the loot: tomatoes, jalapenos, pie pumpkins, potatoes, corn, corn and MORE corn, basil, dill, beets, eggplants, squash.... I think there are 8 potatoe sacks full on my countertop right now. For 2009, everyone needs to plan a fall trip to Denver so we can do it together.. it was so fun!! I think Luke picked about 50 jalapenos just for Eric. :0) I also think had an allergic reaction to the eggplant plants. They scratched up my legs (they were kind of prickly) and my arms and legs began to itch uncontrollably and swell up like hives (of course they were covered in sweat, which made it worse)!! It cleared up eventually though after we got back and I washed off. On the way to the car, we stopped and bought a huge bag of homemade peanut brittle... chocolate and coconut!

The best part (besides the veggies) were the antique cars lining the front of the farm. They were all painted like the cars from the movie, "Cars", so the kids got to see Lightning McQueen and Towmater. Very very cute. We ended the day at Fuddrucker's and all had big juicy cheeseburgers!!! Now I'm officially ending my day, (8:30!!) with a shower and bed... we have hockey practice tomorrow, but the newscasters said that this is the weekend that all the aspens are at their gold peak, so I'm trying to figure out how to work in a trip to the mountains before Monday... hmmm... maybe we'll convince Daddy to take us for a brief fishing excursion. I miss everyone in Texas so much... hope your weekend is great!!

YEA FOR GREY'S!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally!!! A new season!!! My tv watching was all but eliminated... except for Food Network and Backyardigans.. and the occasional movie/espn over Eric's shoulders. What a great mindless end to a Thursday night! I was to the point where I was almost feeling guilty about watching ANY sort of tv, especially since I have much to do in the evenings, but somehow I managed to make it through the entire show, even shed a tear or two. I'm definitely curious about the army doc!!? ;0)

When I picked up Victoria today from preschool, the first thing she said was, "Mom, I was so so so good today. So now can I have candy?" I should start saying that all the time to myself... I was so so good today, so now can I have sleep??

Made it thru another Wednesday!!

WHAT A DAY!!! It all started at 5:30 when the alarm went off.. of course I didn't get up immediately. I made it to the chiropractor at 7:30 for my first adjustment.. it took about 30 seconds.. Every muscle sort of relaxed a bit and I could breathe really deep!! Craziness!! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm a believer now!! :0) Then off to Luke's school by 8, BSF at 8:15 to set up and lead the kiddos, then to Michael's for some pumpkin crafts, then to pick up Landon at 1:30, then home to nap, make dinner, supervise homework, etc... I ended up being 25 minutes late to pick up Luke from school at 3:00... (it's no wonder after that morning, right??) I fell asleep with Victoria and Landon. Talk about relaxed!!! Anyway, then we had church tonight, we have all girls in our class and they are all really funny. SOOOOOO.... now the kids are in bed sleeping and I have "Baby Mama" to watch. I'm not sure how far I'll get into it before I fall asleep again!

I made a super quick recipe tonight from an old Cooking Light. I'm sure it's on their website, "Southwestern Pork Soup" and the kids loved it (and I did too!) I made it with some leftover veggies and staples. Yummy...

We are off to the Miller Farm on Friday. I've been looking forward to this all year!! We get to harvest our own veggies and bring home a pumpkin, not to mention a petting zoo and other farm-y stuff. tee hee hee If anyone wants to book a last minute flight to Denver tomorrow, we'd love some company!!

I'll leave you with this thought... Victoria at Holly & Tyson's dinner table praying & saying, "Oh Lord... (sighing)..... Oh Lord... Oh Lord... (sighing)" and then finishing her prayer with some random thought. true story.

State-Fair Bound...

I am very much looking forward to a trip to the State Fair.. I remember eating corn dogs, sitting in cars, being dragged through craft buildings and other such events, seeing fountains, longhorns, horses, Big Tex, and the big Ferris wheel that I was never allowed to ride... (I'm sure it was too expensive)... I'm also wondering if the "wonder" of it will amaze me as an adult as it did when I was a child and teen. Probably I will be grossed out by the smell of trash and funnelcakes that I'll feel too guilty to eat, and probably annoyed by the large droves of people walking too slow or crowding, but I will do my best to look at it from a child's perspective... and not drag my own children through too many craft and 4H buildings.... but must go to at least ONE!~ love you mom!!

First Attempt at a "Blog"

Welcome to my blog. Boy I never thought I'd be doing this, but I think it's a great way to keep everyone in Texas updated. I love email, but I love the 'journal' type setting of a blog. Now you can read my thoughts and pictures and not have to respond. ;0). I am sitting here typing when I should be making lunches and preparing for the day tomorrow, yet this seems super fun. Mostly this is fun because I think staring at the white computer screen in a dark room at the end of a child-filled day is rather therapeutic. Speaking of therapeutic, I visited a chiropractor for the first time today and had xrays taken (courtesy of my friend Carrie!). After a consult (I get my first "adjustment" tomorrow), he tells me that my neck is way out of alignment and has been for an estimated 10+ years.. which would put that timeline around my 'carrying super-heavy trays' for Pappadeaux years. Also, he thinks that after several visits of re-alignment, my recent allergies and mild headaches could disappear. I like that it is a Christian office and their goal is total wellness, not just a back-crack. Anyway, the kids are sleeping and I'm off to finish preparing my lesson for BSF tomorrow. I'm mostly prepared, but it's nice to review. (and not be late in the morning)

We played at the park today, my favorite place in the world with the kids, especially when they are playing and I am sitting in the grass with the breeze blowing. Luke has been so amazing lately, it's funny how the pendulum swings... when he's awful, V's good, when V's awful, L's good! Today though he got a 'sad card' for making noise. The things he gets in trouble for are always so funny, but perhaps Miss Walker did not find him so amusing during class time, when he was 'making noise'... ha ha. I certainly would not have, but it's cute to read what he did wrong in his own handwriting. Okay, now it's time for me to go, enjoy my blog. I hope it's not too boring.