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!
