Thanksgiving 2008

Well, I did not get many pictures to truly capture the great thanksgiving that we had. The fact that we had a wonderful meal that would have feed 50, even though we only had 9 people to feed or the great 5 a.m. shots of me getting all the good bargains and standing in hour long lines to do so or all of us lying on the couch watching football, football, football - Go Cowboys, better luck next time Aggies!!

But I did capture a truly significant event that occurred again and again over the holiday - my boys going hunting! G went a total of 7 times and the boys joined him 4 out of the 7. Oh, you should hear them talk about hunting...they are obsessed! Here they are dressed and ready to go!


This one is so cute I thought maybe it should be our Christmas card pic - you know a true Redneck, East Texas Christmas!



The boys and their Bitsy. She sure enjoys having them altogether!

Sweet Cousins! Bray and Lu are just 16 days apart. Add Big Boy B into the mix and you have a recipe for fun!

But the question remains...did the hunting trip pay off? Did they get a deer? Stay tuned...

Celebration...

So how did we celebrate the big 9? Well, we had 2 parties! We did one with school friends over the weekend that included, what else, football! G was "all-time quarterback" and the boys picked teams and really had a great time. We tried this a few years ago when Lu turned 6 and it was a disaster! This year was so much better - one of the good things about being 9; they can handle the game a little bit better!
Party #1:




Party #2 was extra special - we celebrated with our 2 closest friends...these boys have been at each others parties every since they each turned one. This year I picked them up after school and we went to a park to celebrate. Since they all go to different schools, it was one of the first times they had all been together to simply play and enjoy the day this fall. They had a great time!

Nine

Nine. 9. What is significant about that number? Well, today my first born son turns 9. I was feeling a little blue, but couldn't quite put my finger on why. So, I get to work and 3 different people tell me that 9 is the last year before the double digits begin! Wow! I had not thought about it that way, but B-boy is just upon the double digit world. And with that will come many, many changes. Some good, some bad, but I pray that G and I have instilled (and will continue to instill)in him what it will take to make good decisions. I will continue to pray that he will become a Godly man who walks in a way that will lead others to light. He really is a terrific young man and I am proud of his intelligence, his kindness, his (mostly) amazing attitude towards others, including his younger brother. We love you B! Have a terrific birthday!

G - the main man!

Thanks to Sarah for the tag. It's my first time and I am feeling pretty special!

Everything you might want to know about my husband:

1. Where did you meet? At Texas A&M - WHOOP! We were really good friends for over a year and then found ourselves at summer school one summer when the rest of our "gang" had gone home. That is when we really started to hang out and over time begin to date.

2. How long did you date? Before we got engaged, almost 2 years. Before we got married, almost 3 years. G wanted to take his time and make sure he picked the correct one.

3. How long have you been married? 13.5 years. (Clearly, he picked the correct one.)

4. What does he say that surprises you? Good morning! Every morning he is really upbeat while I am not exactly a morning person, yet every morning he is super sweet to me no matter how grumpy I am in return. (Yes, I am working on adopting his positive attitude!)

5. What is your favorite feature of his? His hands and his smile

6. What is your favorite quality of his? He is an amazing father - always so patient with our boys.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Not really...

8. What is his favorite color? I don't think he has one -

9. What is his favorite food? I hate to cook so when I do, he eats it like it is the best thing he has ever tasted. I am sure this is a tactic to get me to cook more. It doesn't really work, but it makes me feel good. But I digress, his real favorite food would be steak and potatoes!

10. What is his favorite sport? To participate in - hunting of any kind and fishing; a close 2nd would be playing football with the boys in the front yard. To watch - anything Aggie, football, basketball, baseball...you get the picture. He likes all sports for the most part.

11. When and where did you first kiss? It was a Wednesday, summer of 1992 at Denim and Diamonds. Wow, that seems like a long time ago!

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Anything together - going out to dinner, watching a movie...

13. Do you have any children? Two wonderful boys!

14. Does he have a hidden talent? He is a good cook and he keeps our floors very clean by sweeping and vacuuming!

15. How old is he? 37 (I think:))

16. Who said "I love you" first? It was me - I knew after 3 months - like I said earlier, he was a little more cautious!

17. What is his favorite type of music? Country - all the way!

18. What do you most admire about him? His dedication to our family.

19. Do you think he will read this? No how, no way - unless I make him or read it to him. He is not about blogging or facebook or any of the new, cool web stuff. He is certainly a digital immigrant!

20. Where did you go on your first date? We actually meet at Denim and Diamonds on a Wednesday night to go dancing. Like I said we had been spending a lot of time together that summer - mutual flirting, but this was the first night we kissed and he gave me a ride home.

Now it is my turn to tag some friends so...I pick Betsy and Amy and Charla. Have fun girls!

The time change...

The time change is killing our family - or me at least! I do not like waking up early. I find no pleasure in being up and dressed before the sun. Apparently the 3 main men in my life completely disagree and since the time change our wake up time has proceeded to get even earlier. And even though it has been 15 days since the time change, we still have not made the adjustment. The little boys are waking up anywhere between 5 and 6 a.m. Seriously, I think 6:30 is the latest they have slept since Halloween. And that only happened once. Of course, they can barely keep their eyes open at 8 p.m. as they are completely exhausted from their early morning awakening! Luckily, most mornings they go straight to the playroom and watch t.v. which I can totally sleep through...but G has a hard time sleeping and is usually up with the slightest sound. This morning that would have occurred at 6:08.

Let's just leave it at this: I AM TIRED!!!

God is moving

I can really feel God moving in my life in so many ways. And it is a scary feeling because it calls for me to let go of so many things and truly give Him the power; to truly trust in Him fully. I envy those who do this with such ease as I am a little obsessed with to-do lists and controlling each aspect of those things that affect me and my family. It is like that song "So long self" by Mercy Me. It is time for me to let go and let God.

So long self
Well it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me farewell
Oh well, Goodbye, don't cry
So Long Self

I am not sure what this will look like on a daily basis, but I pray that those who know me will be able to see a true, positive change in my attitude and my perpective. I pray that I can become one of those people that will reflect the love of the Lord - I know this is a life long journer and I am truly looking forward to walking it with Him - the One who provides me with everything I need.

Oh - the picture is from a bible study I am doing with my dearest friends. We met last night at McDonald's (of all places!) after the kids were asleep and the husbands were happily watching Monday Night Football and we discussed chapter 1. This is an amazing book about worshiping Jesus when it seems like your to-do list will never end. Sound familiar? I pray that this group of women will truly be changed throughout this 12 week study.

Camping Fun

The boys are camping again through the YMCA Adventure Guide program. They are having a great time. Just imagine not showering or brushing your teeth from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon...add to that bike riding through trails, spotting wild life, fishing, swimming in a very cold pond and rummaging through the woods - apparently this is a boys dream weekend! Anyway, I am so thankful G loves to do this stuff as much if not more than the boys.

Where have we been...

And just like that, it is November. I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving, Christmas even. The time is flying, always flying; sometimes I wish things would just slow down and we could stop for a brief moment and capture it all. Where have we been you might ask yourselves...let me see if I can help you with that.

First (and worst) G has been on 3 business trips in 4 weeks - yes, he has been gone 16 out of the last 24 days. Wow! He missed Halloween along with countless football games and other precious (and not so precious) moments. I don't know how single moms do it. I am exhausted and grumpy - yes, more so than usual! He got home tonight and only has 2 more trips between now and Christmas. Can't wait to see what 2009 brings. Anyway I was going to share some of his pictures from Rio, yes he went to Rio de Janero (no idea how to spell that!) but I can't find any pictures so this map will have to do. I will post the pix when I find them because they are very cool.


So, what did we do while daddy was gone? Too much! How about Fall Fest at our elementary school which raised tons of money! Super fun day! This is B practicing his pitching with the Aggie baseball team. You will just have to trust me since the picture doesn't actually reflect what I am claiming!

That evening we attended an annual Halloween party at the home of a dear friend. We were exhausted, but had a great time!

Then I got to join B on a class field trip to the Renaissance Festival. It was the first time I have gotten to go with him on a field trip and we had a great time! He is becoming this amazing young man and I am so proud to call him son! It was a special day for both of us! Of course, archery was his favorite part of the day. A bow and arrow for Christmas...maybe!

Then G's mom came to visit and watch some football games and help out in general. It was nice to have an extra set of hands in the house! Football season ended and what a fantastic season it was! Both boys were on good teams and they learned so much about working as a team and believing in themselves as well as their teammates. This is a sport we will certainly play again!


The night before Halloween their was an event at the Country Club were we got to eat and play games and hang out with friends. Lots of fun!

And finally, Halloween...yes, it might seem like you have seen these pictures before! The boys were exactly the same thing last year. What can I say? They are obsessed with all things football and can't wait to be old enough to play tackle! G and I both believe one hit and their season will end real quick. I guess we will find out soon enough!