Alexis and I were in the car.
She saw a bird in the sky.
She said, "Mama ... is that an eagle?"
I looked out the window.
I said, "No, Hon ... it's not an eagle."
She looked disappointed. She said, "What is it?"
"A hawk, I think."
She folded her arms, rested her chin on her hands and gazed up sweetly at the Texas sky.
She whispered softly ......."I wish I could see an eagle."
"Me too, Honey Bun - me too!"
Happy 4th Of July!
God Bless Our Armed Forces!
God Bless America!
Word came quickly over the wire ...
Come ...
Come...
Cheryl (my sister) has the baby!
"OUR BABY" ... is at my sister's house if I want to come over and see him...
I told Alexis to quick get out of the pool - dried her off - changed her clothes and we raced over.
It would be the first time we would actually see Brazelton in person - THE VERY FIRST TIME!
He fell in love with me - right away!
I've been in love with him for months!
Alexis' first time meeting her new cousin.
He was the size of a little doll and fit right into Alexis' arms.
She was completely infatuated!
He's simply precious and such a good baby. He's pretty much just eating and sleeping right now and seems to be doing great. He's very tiny, but healthy and happy! He just couldn't be any sweeter!
It hit 99 degrees today.
YEP!
It sure gets hot here in TEXAS!
Good thing for us ...
There is water ...
Everywhere!
Alexis taking a break -- you can just swim for so long, you know.
Alexis and her cousin - jumping as high as the sky!
A little sun ...
Good company ...
A good Popsicle ...
THIS IS THE LIFE!
Little Billy trying a new trick .
He missed this time - but he eventually made it.
Yeah Billy!
He's a WILD MAN - having so much fun!
Cousin having a good time too!
The Princess - basking in the sun!
The Queen - basking in the sun!
My mom - she has a pretty hard life - wouldn't you say?
They even stop to eat ... sometimes!
And then ... back to playing once again!
Wouldn't be a complete "On The Upside" day ... if there wasn't a tear or two!
Poor baby!HOPE YOU ALL ARE HAVING A GOOD WEEKEND!!
(Note: Dad, Courtney and Chloe did not come to the lake, as the girls had softball. They will come up next weekend and I'll get pictures of them then).
I cleaned the upstairs carpet ...
I straightened the garage and cleaned the refrigerator ...
And then ...
I stopped long enough with my chores ...
To play with those kids!
And ...
The plans for tomorrow ...
Look ...
Just like ...
Today!
Note: These pictures were taken Thursday night and Friday - notice the number of times Alexis changed her swimsuit. She's just like her mama.
I definitely would like to wish my Dad a Happy Father's Day - I love you, Dad!
I also would like to wish my nephew, Cody, a special Happy Father's Day.
He's the father of the precious baby I often give updates about, "Our Baby". Cody's first born child is still in the hospital (he was born prematurely at 24 weeks), but he is doing amazingly well. He is now over 5 lbs., had surgery on Friday for 2 hernias and was circumcised (went very well) and is hopefully going to be able to go home really soon - maybe as early as next week! God has been very good to this baby and it has been a long haul, but he seems to be doing exceptionally well and pretty healthy. The nurses call him and another baby in the Neonatal ICU "Miracle Babies" because they are so healthy and have done so well. Our family is so thankful and so appreciative of all the prayers that have been sent to heaven on behalf of "Our Baby".
Happy Father's Day, Cody - your sweet boy is simply beautiful and we love him very much!
And, I, of course, also want to wish my wonderful husband a Happy Father's Day. Your kids love you and I love you. You are a wonderful father to our 4 children and I am very thankful for that.
And ... like Courtney and Chloe are always saying, "You're awful pretty" too!
Happy Father's Day to everyone's husbands and fathers - I hope it is a wonderful day!
"Mom - When are we going home?"
"After while. Why?"
"Cuz - I don't want to go."
"I know, Billy - Me either."
It seems like just yesterday that they had orange floaties attached to their arms.
Now ...
They wear ski jackets in adult-size large.
They grab their friends ...
And off they go ...
They don't even look back.
They return occasionally to check in.
I ask, "What's up - where've you been?"
One yells, "We almost ran out of gas."
"What did you do?" I yell back.
"We went and got some."
"How did you pay for it?" I was very curious.
They all smiled and then laughed and said in unison, "We told them to put it on Dad's account."
It used to be they'd come running to daddy for a quarter for ice cream from the ice cream truck.
Now ... it's nearly $5.00 a gallon of gas for a day of fun in the sun.
I think they are probably worth it.
I hope they remember these days fondly ...
Remember the happiness ...
The sunshine ...
The Joy ...
Realize ...
Just how lucky...
they were.
It's almost here ...
It won't be long now...
It's just around the corner ...
Yes ... it is almost summertime ... in Texas!
Time for swimsuits.
Time for swimming.
Time for riding bikes in the great outdoors.
Time for school to BE OUT!!
I am sooooooo ready for SCHOOL to be OVER!!
I'm ready for leisurely mornings where I wander from my bedroom and find happy children lounging with cereal bowls in the laps, Pop-Tart crumbs on their faces, wearing their pajamas on the couch and watching cartoons.
I'm ready to stop stocking my pantry with small bags of chips, Little Debbie snack cakes and juice boxes for all those bagged lunches.
I'm ready for no more homework or worrying about grades and behavior and agendas and reports and projects and assignments and bus schedules!
The time has come again ...
The time when my family spends ...
Evenings up late watching rental movies and cuddling pillows and bowls of popcorn on the couch.
Afternoons in the car ... running up to the ice cream shop for cones and sprinkles.
Weekends at the lake - boating and swimming and fishing and ... watching the stars in the summer sky.
It's time for romps in the sprinklers and trips to the beach!
Time to visit with family and friends and enjoy Bar-B-Q's in the evenings with George Strait singing on the radio and his sweet Texas voice floating on the summer breeze.
It's time for iced tea and smoothies and cold pasta salads.
I can feel it coming.
I can smell it in the air.
It won't be long now.
I can't hardly wait!
Summertime, Summertime ... Sum, Sum, Summertime ...
On the upside ... Okay! So ... it's been in the 90's for weeks, the kids have been swimming so much that they are already bored with it and we've had a Bar-B-Q or two ---- I'm still waiting to pack away the backpacks and file away my PTA binder. I think I am as excited as the kids. I can't wait for SCHOOL. TO. BE OUT!!!! I can't wait for SUMMER!!
Thank you to everyone that left such nice comments about my interview. I really appreciate your kind remarks and support. It was a fun experience and I enjoyed sharing it with you!
I'd like to wish my mother a Happy Mother's Day!
I'd like to wish all of my family - those that are mothers - a Happy Mother's Day!
I'd like to wish all of my friends that are mothers - a Happy Mother's Day!
I'd like to wish all of my Mommy Blogger friends - a Happy Mother's Day!
And to my children ... I just want to say ... I am very proud to be your mother!
Happy Mother's Day!
She got to go swimming this weekend - FINALLY!
The water is still so cold - but she was determined to get in and swim.
Luckily she had a warm towel and the hot sun to warm her up - "That water is cooooollllddd," she complained, through chattering teeth.
Then ... she threw off the towel to soak up some sun.
Like Mom!
It was a beatiful day and it was HOT!!!
It doesn't take long for summer to find it's way back to Texas.
Texas is happiest when it is HOT and SUNNY!!
Alexis and I are too!
They entered the dimly lit CICU hospital room and lingered in the shadows by the doorway.
I could see them clearly, standing together. I knew they were there and yet it was as if I was seeing their shadows in a bright light at the end of a long corridor. As if they were not close at all - and not real, but a dream.
My heart raced and then slowed. Tears welled in my eyes at the sight of my sweet family.
My son stood beside his father and his sisters and tried to put on a brave face. His little sister walked bravely to the side of my bed, looked me in the eyes and cried, "When are you coming home, Mama?" Tears rolled down the cheeks of my tiny girl as she buried her face in my lap. My son stayed back.
He has never been a mama's boy. It has not been until the past year or so that the boy has been drawn to his mother. They have grown close. It has been such a pleasure to see him grow and become a young man, and at the same time ... fall in love with his mother, like a small child.
I would look over and there he'd be - staring at me. Not saying much, but watching my every move and listening to the chatter of his sisters and soft whispers of his sick mother. He eventually moved close to the side of my bed - close enough for me to place my hand on his back and urge him closer. He leaned, cautiously, on the edge of my bed, looking over his shoulder into my eyes and offering sporadic heart warming smiles. It was obvious that he was afraid.
I could not sit up. I could barely breath or string together a coherent sentence. But ... I was able to see the look in my son's eyes. The look in my daughter's eyes. The look in my husband's eyes. I saw the fear. I saw the connection - to me. I saw ... the longing and the love.
When the visit was over and the family began to pull away from the mother and move into the hallway, one by one ... the son lingered behind. He snuck back to his mother's side. He smiled sweetly. He said, "Bye, Mom," and then he walked away.
The mother was sure the son had gone and then ... he returned to her side once again, like a flash of light from heaven. He took her arm gently and hugged it to his chest. He did not look up when he whispered, "I love you Mom. I miss you Mom," and then he turned again and he was gone.
It scared the mother to be left alone. To feel so sick. To feel the sadness and see the fear in the eyes of her children. But ... it was also a brilliant moment in the mother's life. The time when her loved ones gathered around her ...
to protect her ...
to support her ...
to raise her up.
She felt loved.
She was loved.
It was dark, but ...
It was going to be okay.
I stayed at the lake for Spring Break, while Dad and the twins went home. They will be back on Wednesday for more Spring Break fun.
I decided that staying at the lake would be a very good way to have some special time with my 2 smallest children - some time to relax and have fun.
Alexis and Little Billy often fight, like siblings do. This time at the lake is proving to mend a relationship that has been torn a bit, over the past several months. They have needed this time - the two little ones. I have needed them to care about each other more - play with each other nicely - be friends again.
So far ... it was a great decision to stay at the lake to spend time alone with my youngest children. They have been happy and that makes mom happy.
(Their Granna is also at the lake with us)
Do you see that smile - some baby teeth, some big girl teeth - that's a happy girl, hanging out with her Mom at the lake.
We went out and took a drive. We stopped here to see the fish in the stream and take a picture for mom.
Alexis wanted to give her brother a kiss.
He let her - but he was not happy. He said, "I'm just not that kinda guy."
I asked, "What kinda guy are you, then?"
He smiled and said, "I'm a tough guy - you know - not a kissing kinda guy."
Well ... okay then.
Alexis and I won - she got a kiss and a hug. I think he was really okay with both and just had to put the pained look on his face to make sure his "tough guy" image wasn't too tarnished. He's such a cutie!
Alexis has the best modeling poses - I think she has a runway in her future - she is quite a little ham!
There he is - the tough guy - showing his stuff.
I had to beg the both of them to stay dry - they wanted to jump in and wallow around in the cold water. It was just too chilly.
Went back by the house to get Alexis a smoothie - gotta have a smoothie for a long road trip.
There's that smile - I'm so happy you are happy, my sweet boy!!
More posed pictures for mom - so many beautiful spots to take pictures.
Seems strange to have only the two little ones in pictures, but nice to see them together and having fun. Nice to see them getting along.
Another pool of water I had to beg them to stay out of. Kids are so drawn to water - aren't they. This fountain is not for swimming in, but if I had let them, they'd have both been tromping around in it - clothes on and all.
There's the Mom again! She's never happy having her picture taken. But, look at that little doll leaning over Mom's shoulder - she is a little cutie pie! She had just had a giggling fit - couldn't stop giggling. Had Mom laughing pretty hard as well.
More time near the water - looking for turtles and treasures. Rocks are always gathered and collected - sometimes even a fossil or two.
Dinner at Chili's, on the river, with Granna. We ate too much queso and chips - as usual.
Had to hurry and eat - didn't want to be late for the movie.
Ready for the movie - Horton Hears a Who!
It was a great movie! Mom and Granna enjoyed it as much as Alexis and Little Billy. Alexis couldn't stop talking about it after we came out; naming all her favorite characters and favorite parts. Little Billy said he'd like to have it on video when it comes out. It was one of the best animated movies I've seen in a long time - really good!
It was a fun day - Monday, at the lake. I really enjoyed spending time with my youngest children (and my mother too, of course). It's nice to be able to play all day - laugh - take walks and rides - go to the movies - eat nachos and chips ....
It was not a bad day at all!
Sunday was not as warm as Saturday at the lake. It was windy and only about 75 degrees. Not much swimming for Alexis on Sunday, as it was too chilly. We mostly just relaxed and enjoyed a day of not doing much of anything too stressful.
Well ... Billy did take time to uncover the boat to clean it and wipe it down after a long winter of being covered.
He worked very hard and it was nice and clean when he was done.
I kept him company - on a nearby chair.
I supervised.
Little Billy helped Daddy.
Both stopped long enough for Mom to take a picture.
And then ... Daddy took a break and Alexis and Daddy had some cartoon time together. Daddy loves cartoons almost as much as Alexis.
Finally, we see those older girls. They came out of their room long enough to make a cake.
Daddy got up from watching cartoons to play with another one of his toys.
Mom tore herself away from the cake long enough to play with her toy.
Little Billy was mom's chauffeur for a while - he's a good little driver.
Then ... he got tired of driving and so he jumped off to ride his Rip-Stick and show Mom some of his tricks.
So as to not exhaust himself, he grabs a hold of the back of the golf cart and lets Mom pull him along. He's lucky to have such a cool mom.
Even though the weather cooled off and the sun was scarce on Sunday, we managed to have a really good day.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!
The first day of Spring Break was a bit of a work day. The Mom and Dad doing quite a bit of clean up around the ol' lake house - the kids not doing much work at all. Mom sprayed off and cleaned all decks and washed towels, while the Dad trimmed shrubs, blew off patios and washed a few windows. Not much time on this first day for boating - maybe tomorrow.
Billy and Alexis on our lower dock making BIG bubbles and feeding ducks.
Alexis - the only one brave enough to get in the water! That water had to be 40 degrees. Even with it being 90 degrees outside - THAT IS TOO COLD!!
She was in heaven and had the whole pool to herself!
Alexis stopped swimming long enough to pick some flowers and bring them to her mama.
She's a sweet girl.
It's not the best picture - but, I caught the sunset from our upper deck.
We often run to the upper deck in the evenings to catch the sun as it is going down - it's always a beautiful view.
Once it gets dark - the light comes on in the water just off our deck. This light draws the fish and the ducks. It's fascinating to watch the different fish that come - it's like sitting in front of a giant aquarium. Mostly we see Perch, Catfish, Bass and Turtles. Sometimes we see Alligator Gar.
Little Billy likes to throw food out to bring the fish, but the ducks steal most of the food.
Alexis spends lots of time on the back deck - she loves it there and the ducks have come to love her - she feeds them lots of dog food.
Didn't see much of the big girls today - they were napping and hanging out with their friends. Tomorrow I will encourage them to get out in the sun. They might even wakeboard. Maybe I'll get some better pictures tomorrow.
Have a good Sunday everyone!!!
Kids are out of school for the next week!!!
No homework!
No packed lunches!
No school buses!
We are headed for the lake!
On Friday it was 96 degrees here. 96! We are definitely going to need some sunscreen and shorts and tank-tops and sunglasses! WOO HOO!!
I might even have to break out our smoothie maker and make the kids some smoothies (and Billy and I a Pina Colada or two).
If I don't get too lazy and relaxed, I'll try to post some pictures! I'm expecting to see a bunch of happy kids with smiles on their faces.
The mother might crack a smile or two herself!
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
If you live in Texas, you might want to go to the Rodeo.
If you are a Texas girl ... you might want to blow dry your hair - curl it - poof it up real big - and spray it with tons of hairspray.
Also ... as a Texas girl ... if you want to fit in at the Rodeo - you might want to wear the biggest, gaudiest earrings and make very sure you wear those gaudy earrings with a shirt that has rhinestones, gems or sequins all over the front. You could wear a cowboy hat, but this would mess up your big hair, so opt for very large sunglasses with rhinestones instead.
When you get to the grounds of the Rodeo, make sure you search out and buy ... cotton candy, a funnel cake, some fudge, some beef jerky, a turkey leg and don't forget a piece of delicious ... roasted corn.
While at the Rodeo - walking the grounds or touring the horse or pig barn, make sure you look around. And don't be looking at the ground for piles of doo-doo -- No ... keep your eyes on the horizon because ... this is where all the good looking men gather - cowboys in every direction - as far as the eye can see!!
If you plan it right, you might buy yourself a ticket for a seat inside the arena ... way down in the front ... right near the COWBOYS ......
That way ... if you tire of watching the bull riding or calf roping (which you will) ... you have something pleasant to look at. This is also as close as you will ever really come ... to a ... REAL. LIVE. COWBOY.
That is ... unless you are me.
And you get to bring one home with you ...
One that often talks sweetly to you, in a slight Texas drawl.
One that looks nice in Wranglers, a crisp western shirt and a Stetson hat.
One that holds you tight on a country dancehall floor as you sway and dance beautifully to a two-step or a waltz.
One that might whisper softly into your ear, "When I was young ... I only ever danced with the girls ... so I could get laid afterwards."
Yes ... you might get lucky ... like me.
It's winter.
I live in Texas.
I want there to be snow - but there is never snow where I live.
Usually, we try to get away around Christmas or Spring Break to go skiing - then I get to see the snow and it makes me very happy.
This year we didn't go on our regular ski trip at Christmas time and I think we are going to the beach during Spring Break (blah!).
This weekend - this is where I am:
Yes - during even the winter months - we go to the lake.
Now, it is chilly here this weekend (54 or so), but it is still beautiful.
We have a house on this lake - a townhouse. We spend a lot of time in the summer up here and some weekends during the winter. It's nice to come here to just relax and get away from home.
We don't do much when we come here in the winter.
We eat out a lot.
We go to movies.
We go to Walmart.
We rent movies.
We watch TV.
We sometimes play games.
We take walks.
We ride around in our golf cart.
We visit with friends.
We fish.
We feed the ducks.
We take naps.
We do all these same things in the summer - only add in:
Lots of swimming.
Lots of boating.
Water skiing.
Wake boarding.
Jet Skiing.
Picnics.
Eating outdoors.
Long evenings out on the decks.
On Friday I asked my kids, "Do you want to go to the lake?" and they all screamed, "Yes, Yes, Yes!"
So, we came.
This is what the kids are mostly doing:
Playing Guitar Hero. They think they are on vacation and they aren't much help, when help is needed. That's okay, this weekend - they too, deserve a break.
Here is a little tour of our place:
This is our bedroom. Notice my laptop on the bed - never go anywhere without my laptop.
This is the "bunk room" where the older girls sleep and hang out with their friends. They made a complete mess of it before I had a chance to take a good picture.
This blurry picture is of my mom's room. We call it her room because she is often here with us all summer long - she's here almost as much as we are. This also serves as our guest bedroom.
This is Little Billy's bedroom. We made this little room for him in the attic space above the garage. It's a very comfortable and cute little room. He has his toys and TV - it couldn't be more perfect for a little boy.
This is Alexis' room. We made her a little room in a closet - yes, a closet. Since the master bedroom has this really large closet with built in cabinets and all, we decided when she was just a baby to stick her crib in there - give her her own little space. As she has grown, we changed out the crib for a toddler bed and decorated it with her toys and pictures. She is due for a bigger bed and we plan to give her a new one this summer - if it will fit in the closet. Don't tell her it is a closet - she doesn't know - she just calls it "her little room". It is precious and just right for her.
Our house has officially 3 bedrooms and 4 baths. But ... people tease me all the time that if any space is large enough, I'll find a way to make a bedroom out of it and stick a bed in there for some kid to sleep on - and it is true. There is not on foot of unused space in the house - not one inch. Since it is a lake house and we didn't need the closet space (we only ever wear swimsuits and shorts) - the closet was perfect for her and - she has her own bathroom to boot.
This is not her bathroom, this is my mothers.
This is my bathroom.
This is our little kitchen (note all the slushie cups along the wall - we make lots of slushies and smoothies at the lake).
This is our dining room.
This is the living room - before the kids took it over for Guitar Hero.
This is the upper deck. We spend lots of time up here in the summer - sunbathing and looking at stars.
This is the lower deck. We spend lots of evenings out here - fishing and visiting with friends. This is also where the kids swim and the boat (to the right - can't see it) is right here for us to go out whenever we wish. The Jet Ski is kept here also.
This is a view of the lower deck from the other direction.
God has been so good to me and my family. We are lucky to have this beautiful retreat and I just wanted to share it with you.
Wouldn't it be fun to have a ladies weekend here - sit around, the bunch of us - talk about our kids (because they wouldn't be with us - BTW) - share our stories - drink a few Margaritas or iced tea - listen to some music. I wish we could do that!
We love this place.
Thanks for letting me share it with you.
Now .... I'm going to go back to what I've been doing most of the weekend.
I don't know about you, but I've been needing this relaxing weekend. I hope you are having a relaxing weekend too!
If you are a seven year old girl and you be real sweet ...
If you smile really pretty ...
If you talk nicely ...
You definitely might be able to convince your Texas Daddy to help you build a ...
Snowman!
He is liable to work real hard.
He is liable to take the job very seriously ...
You probably won't even have to help.
You probably can just go about playing and rolling around in the snow!
You will probably have time to make yourself a snow angel ...
And have a snowball fight with friends.
And ...
Your daddy will continue to work ...
Even when the seven year old girl that talked him into the project doesn't help at all ...
He will build that snowman ...
And, he will let the girl play.
He will not complain ...
Even when the small girl stands by a tries to supervise - a trick she learned from her Texas mother ...
And, in the end ... the Texas Daddy will likely let the small girl stand there next to his beautiful snowman and let her have her picture taken by it as if it was HERS.
As if ... she had a thing to do with the building of the perfectly sculptured masterpiece.
If you are a sweet seven year old girl ... you will ask your Texas Daddy to pose for a photo too ...
After all ...
He did do all the work!
-
In first grade, Alexis is required to put her name on all of her papers. She is often required to put the date. She comes home often, announcing, "I know what today is - it is December 15th," or whatever date it might be.
I have, on occasion, asked - totally seriously, "Alexis - what is the date?" And completely relied on whatever answer she has given me.
This is a little screwy - me depending on my six year old daughter to tell me the date. It's frightening even - if I think too much about it - that I totally believe this child .... the same child that proudly announced to me a few days ago, "Guess how long I've been wearin' these same underwear?" You don't want to know the answer to that, but it was quite the shock! And ... even more disturbing that she was, for some reason, going for a record of some sort.
She is not the one - anyone - should be relying on for the correct time, the day of the week, the month of the year or ... the date!
But ... I have been known to do this - from time to time, because somewhere along the way, I lost enough space in my brain to store the daily date. I often forget it and even lose complete days altogether - really throwing off my ability to calculate the date accurately. Alexis isn't storing all that much important stuff in her brain yet - I have come to depend on her to help me out. It's working out just swell.
It will take me weeks - possibly even into February, until I become accustomed to writing 2008 - and have it finally burnt into my brain. This is probably true of a lot of people. It's just hard to get used to writing the new year and just as difficult to comprehend that it is actually here.
Well ... it is! It is the year 2008!
I want to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year that is filled with much happiness, much prosperity, many friends and tons of love. And ... days and days and days filled with hugs and kisses from your precious children or grandchildren. And ... days and days and days filled with laughter and giggles and smiles. And ... days and days and days where you look back fondly to remember the Joy shared with those that you love and look forward with bright eyes and an open heart filled with excitement and anticipation of the Joy to come.
I wish this for you ... and for me and those that I love, as well.
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