The McIntyre's - One day at a time!

Sleeping Beauty

2009-04-13T20:14:00.001-05:00

My nine year old specifically asked me to take a certain picture of him and then blog about it. A future writer? Maybe - of course if he takes after his daddy or me, he won't really have much of a chance. Oh, and I should say that the picture is totally staged. A future story teller (i.e.liar)? Maybe - but I certainly hope not!

I should say that the hammock is so much fun! My dad gave it to us months - maybe even a year or 2 - ago and it has been in the garage all that time. Easter weekend the boys begged their daddy to put it up in the back yard and he did. It is really fun, I must say! A big thanks to Papa and Mimi!!

Not so silly

2009-04-03T12:47:00.003-05:00

Ah, the joy of silly putty. Every kid loves their silly putty, right? It comes in that cute small red egg and can be rolled and shaped into 1,000 things.

Silly putty, however, has been outlawed in my home. Forever. At least for my 9 year old. And here is why:

This picture is not the best since it was taken with my phone, but you get the "picture"! This is blue silly putty grounded into the carpet about one year ago - never to come out.

As I said, this was about a year ago and I had almost forgotten the incident. Almost.

So Lu and I were at the store the other day and he wanted to get some silly putty. I said sure! Then he asked if we could get some for Brother (this is what he calls B which I prefer to Bubba which is what he called B when he was younger) and I said sure. Obviously I had forgotten last years incident. But only for a moment.

2 blissful days passed and all was well in our silly putty world. Until today. When I went to change the sheets on their beds and found this:

Yes, friends, that is silly putty. Grounded into his comforter. That comforter was brand new in November. Not so new now.

A Final, Final post for March

2009-03-29T20:09:00.003-05:00

Clearly, I mislabeled the last one. Who knew I would find more to write about. And I also realized it is only March 29th so there could even be one more. Watch out!

We were blessed with a gorgeous day and tickets to the Aggie Baseball game this afternoon - who could ask for more?? Well, after the game the kids were allowed to run the bases, get autographs and eat ice cream with the players. I LOVE Aggie baseball - I swear these guys go above and beyond! They are so good with the kids and so patient after I know they were exhausted from a 3 game sweep of Kansas - Whoop!

The boys running full speed around the bases at Olsen Field. The pictures are so blurry because they are running so fast!!

The boys with Kevin Gonzalez - a great Aggie catcher and an all around nice guy!

This is my favorite picture because they are having these big athletes serve the children ice cream and all they could use was a flimsy plastic spoon! I guess someone forgot the ice cream scoops! It was like watching a TV blooper - LIVE! Too funny, but they were so good natured about it. Again, can't say enough good things about the Aggie baseball team. They are true champions on and off the field!

A Final Post for March

2009-03-28T19:58:00.002-05:00

Lately I have been much more into reading blogs than posting on my own. Their are just so many interesting people and stories out there and I love to read about others as they walk hand--in-hand with the Lord through some unthinkable tragedies. If you need a good cry, just go here or here. These amazing families are dealing with some heavy stuff. It makes it hard for me to write about my incredibly MUNDANE life! But it also helps me to focus on how incredibly blessed I am. Seriously. Our family knows very little about REAL tragedy and sorrow and sadness and for that I am grateful. However, when and if the day arrives, I pray that I will be able to handle it with the Grace and Love and Trust and Hope that is shown by these people I have been reading about but most likely will never meet. I THANK GOD for the example that they are setting for me and you!

But back to my incredibly MUNDANE life - this is my favorite picture of the boys from Spring Break and what is a post without a picture of my not-so-little-anymore-boys?? Enjoy!!

(I just realized that my real favorite Spring Break picture is actually on my phone so, in a pinch, this one will have to do!Of course, now that I look at this one, it might be my favorite after all!)

Ah, Facebook

2009-03-15T15:46:00.002-05:00

I admit it - I have had the experience. A little more than a year ago a friend of mine was getting ready for her 20 year reunion and many of her friends were joining facebook to reconnect. I didn't get it. I love to email and blog. Why do I need one more thing to do? Well, I fought technology as long as I could and then about 4 months ago I gave in and joined facebook. I still didn't get it. At first, about 90% of my friends lived within a 5 mile radius of me. I knew what they were doing without checking their status daily. Or did I? As my time on facebook has multiplied (much to my sweet husbands chagrin - he REFUSES to join, oh well...he doesn't know what he is missing!) I realize all the rage! I have reconnected with many friends from high school and even junior high when we lived in another town. And I know even more about my local friends than I did before (and not in a creepy way!). Just this morning at church several people inquired about Lu and his health thanks to my status updates on facebook. Someone asked if I had gone to the rodeo yesterday since my status was about being in Houston. And I had a great conversation with a friend about her job - again, something I had learned from her status update on facebook. I don't think this advancing technology is making us grow apart, but instead grow closer as we know more about what each one is doing.

And the weird thing is my thoughts have come to mimic status updates. You know as I am getting ready to do something I will be thinking, "Lisa is so happy to be going to church today!" Or, "Lisa is ready for the rain to end and the sun to shine."

Ah, technology...it is scary to see what will be next!

Leonardo Da Vinci!

2009-03-13T13:33:00.003-05:00

The boys have been studying famous people at their school. B has been studying specific time periods each 6 weeks and doing projects/presentations to sum up his learning. At the end of this past 6 weeks he had to pick someone from the Renaissance period to study, dress like, and "be" in his classes living museum. His pick? Leonardo Da Vinci! We were good on everything except the costume. I am not one of those moms who can just whip up a costume out of a cream cheese container and some left over material. In fact, there is not left over material in my house. At all. None. Luckily my mom is one of those moms and even though she lives 7 hours away she was able to whip up a great painters cap and artists palette. It was amazing! Add an old polo and I think B made a great Leonardo.

And since Lu idolizes his big brother, when it was his turn to pick a famous person - any famous person from any time period - who do you think he picked? You guessed it. Leonardo Da Vinci! Obviously I was thrilled. The costume was taken care of! And I would say that Lu also made a very charming, very handsome Leonardo!

March Madness

2009-03-12T11:45:00.002-05:00

And we are not talking about basketball here people. We are talking sickness - knock you down, ruin your vacation, stop your world sickness.

Let's start at the beginning.

B missed a week back in February with some strep throat/flu combo. You can read about that here if you don't recall the story. So I was happy and amazed that Lu didn't pick it up. He has always been the sicker of my 2 kids and usually catches everything that gets thrown our direction. This year has been exceptional and except for one day for my aunt's funeral, he has had perfect attendance. This is pretty much unheard of for us!

Can you see where this is headed??

Enter March. My current least favorite month ever. Sweet Lu goes to spend Saturday night with a friend in a neighboring town - about 20 miles away. G, B and me wake up Sunday morning (March 1st) and get ready for early church. I have to admit it is kind of nice to only have one kid to get ready. I am so excited to be at church - we are just beginning a new Lenten Sermon Series and our Sunday School class is starting a new study as well. This is going to be a good day! Well, about 8:30 my phone rings - yes, in church - but luckily I have it on vibrate. It's Lu's friend's mother. Everything is great she reports except Lu is not really eating and not playing just laying around watching t.v. This certainly doesn't sound like him....she takes his temp and sure enough it is 101. I go back and tell the news to G and take off to pick up Lu. I get to him and he looks bad. I call the pediatrician's office and get an appointment for the afternoon. He has the flu. We qualify for the inhaled medicine which was wonderful. I must work on Monday as it is TAKS week so G stays home. Lu is great and able to return to school on Tuesday. Whew! We sure dodged a bullet on that one. Or did we?? Fast forward to Friday, March 6th. I am running errands all over town. My parents are driving in to keep the boys because G and I are going to San Antonio for a 4 day get-away! So excited. I have my nails done, get a cool new shirt to wear out Saturday night, buy food for home and snacks for the hotel room.......then at 2:30 the school nurse calls to say that Lu threw up at school and is running a temp of 103.1. Are you kidding me?? Pick up Lu, take him straight to the doctor. Not sure what it is - could be the stomach virus, could be appendicitis, could be pneumonia......we decide to go home and let him get some rest and treat it like the stomach virus since that is most likely what it is. My parents arrive and we feel certain our San Antonio trip is just delayed for a few hours. These stomach things never last very long, right? WRONG! He just keeps getting worse and worse. I cannot get his temp to come down, he won't eat anything, he is throwing up about twice a day.....so G leave for San Antonio on Sunday with out me (he had to get to a conference he was attending) and I take Lu back to the doctor. Doctor #2 says this can last up to 10 days - he is fine, blah,blah,blah. I know he is not fine, but bring him back home and start praying. I have never seen Lu so sick for so long. I was truly scared and felt like we were headed for the hospital. I finally take him to see our pediatrician on Tuesday morning. He immediately does a CBC and send us to the hospital for x- rays. It IS pneumonia as Doctor #1 said it could be. Yeah! We have a diagnosis. He had to get 4 shots over 2 days and he has to take antibiotics for 10 days We have to go back for another x-ray in 2 weeks to make sure it has cleared up. He is weak and has been laying in the bed for 7 days now, but his temperature is NORMAL and he is getting his appetite back. Praise the Lord - he is doing so much better now!!

The bad words....

2009-02-23T23:09:00.000-06:00

So, where do I even begin..........

There are certain words in my home that I don't allow. I have always called them bad words and not allowed my children to say them. Words such as - butt, stupid, shut up, and my least favorite word of all time - fart. I am not so naive as to believe that these words never come out of my children's mouths, but I can report that they do not come out around me...except for those occasions when B wants to know how old he has to be to say these off-limit words....especially butt and my least favorite word - fart.

So we are out to eat dinner last night - G is on a business trip - AGAIN- he has been gone 15 out of the last 26 days......but I digress - that is an entirely different post.

So, dinner, last night - I am asking the boys about their day and Lu says he is reading a book at school that has some bad words in it. "OK," I say, "what bad words?" And he says, "you know mom the bad s words like stupid and shut up" and I say, "Oh, OK!" Then B pops off and says,"You know there is another bad s word..." and I (stupidly) say, "Which one?" and he says, plain as day, "You know Shit!" Oh my! My children really believe that stupid - shut up - shit are all on the same level..........is this good or bad?? Anyway, I had to explain to them that their are bad words and then their are cuss words. We talked about how some mommies don't care if their kid says butt or stupid and that is OK because all mommies are different and they just happened to get a mommy that doesn't think these words do anything to enhance the English language. HOWEVER - cuss words, such as the one B so sweetly shared with us at dinner are completely off limits. We don't say these - no matter what! These are the words that hurt God's ears and his heart.

Sheesh.....I hope this at least carries me for the next few years.......parenting, you've gotta love it!

My special present...

2009-02-15T19:35:00.004-06:00

You know the gift is going to be good when it begins with a James Avery box! G got me a charm bracelet about 7 years ago and I love it. Every once in a while he surprises me with some new charms. I never know what they will be, but they never disappoint!
The angel is new - because I am "G's little angel"! (His words, I swear!)
The cross is also new because we are "grounded in Him". (Again, G's words.)
But perhaps the best present of the night is this little boy is still fever free! We have seriously taken his temp about 20 times today - about to be 21 when I finish this post. The highest it has been is 99.1 and any good mom knows that is NOT fever. You may see us at work/school tomorrow!!

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T19:22:00.005-06:00

For most of the world Valentine's Day was yesterday, but not for us! G and the boys are members of the YMCA Adventure Guides. They go with a large group of friends several times a year to camp. It just so happened that the February camp-out was Valentine's weekend. If you read the previous post, you know B missed the fun. But G and Lu forged ahead without their sweet boy B! In the meantime, I had not purchased V-Day gifts for anyone - since I had no idea we would be down and out for a week. So, when B and I woke up on the 14th, he felt good enough to go and purchase the present with me! That is why he doesn't look too blown away or surprised in any of the following pictures!

The big gift - each got an mp3 player. Lu has been begging for one for about a month, so we finally gave in and got them each one. I have to admit they are super cool and you should see Lu dance when he is "jamming". I have got to get that on video for the world to see. We laughed until we cried watching him dance in the yard today!

Money from Papa and Mimi is always a big hit! What will we buy this year....

The gum ball machines were a fun bonus as well - B and I went to Target today and actually got these 1/2 price! See, there are bonuses to celebrating the day after a holiday!

Is it the 2 weeker??

2009-02-15T10:21:00.003-06:00

If you are alive, breathing and living in the USA........then you know it is flu and cold season. Silly me, I thought it had just passed us by. Boy was I wrong.

Last Saturday my throat was feeling scratchy and sore. But I am the mom, you know, I can't be sick. Monday night B starts running fever - now, I can join him and be sick! We go to the doctor on Tuesday and both test positive for strep. I did a happy dance - strep is the thing to get, right? 24 hours with antibiotics and you are good to go, right? WRONG! B and I get our meds, take a nap and 6 days later we are still sick. I think our strep has morphed into something else. And talk to anyone around town - they have either had this or had a friend who has experienced the same thing.

So far today, no fever. But we are taking B's temp every hour just to be sure. Maybe tomorrow will be a day when he can return to school and I can go to work and our life will slowly return to normal. Maybe not.............

(Oh and the reason for the title - 2 weeks is the longest I have heard of anyone having this...wish us luck and say some prayers!)

Pine Wood Derby

2009-02-05T20:05:00.004-06:00

My sweet B-boy competed in his 2nd Boy Scout Pine Wood Derby. His car came in 2nd place and I was so proud of him - he was really disappointed. It made me think about 2nd place...would 5th or 6th place really be better since 2nd is so close to 1st? Anyway, B survived and already has plans on how to make his car the winning one next year. We will see...in the mean time I am proud of his resilience and perseverance.

Once again........

2009-02-02T17:53:00.004-06:00

It seems that I am unable to balance my life. I can not keep up with work, home, laundry, extra-curricular, blogging, facebook, out-of-town family.......you get the picture. So, I only had 1 post for the entire month of January. I was busy and blue - dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult and comes at you in so many different ways. I didn't talk to my aunt every day, but my mom did and then she passed on all the info to me. I kept up with my 4 cousins, their jobs, spouses, children, etc..without doing much at all. I miss that! I miss knowing what they are up to. I realize there are many ways in which I can contact them and keep up with them, but it was always fun to hear about their lives through my aunts VERY PROUD perspective. I know, too, there is a big void in my mom's life and that breaks my heart. I learned something interesting about myself through this process - it may not be a huge surprise to those who know me, but it was shocking for me. I am a HUGE planner (ok, that I knew). Well I had my "new year" all planned. Well, God showed me! Dropping everything at a moment's notice to drive 7 hours to be with family unsure of the outcome can really shake a person up. Not knowing what to pack or how long I would be gone just about did me in! Then coming home to my list that had not been accomplished - well, I am still recovering. Seriously. It was a good lesson for me to realize that life happens no matter how well I plan things and I could stand to be a little more flexible with my to - do list.

Here's to more than 1 post in the month of February - seriously, it is February already??

HELP! I've fallen...

2009-01-08T19:59:00.007-06:00

off the earth - at least the blogging world. Not really, of course - that is just how it feels. I had such good intentions to get caught up over the holiday break and catch everyone up on our wonderful December. I was going to show pictures of the snow, (it was way better than this, but it is the only picture I have on my laptop of the snow)

taking pictures to get the perfect Christmas card, (we did not use this one)

my birthday trip to Lost Pines

and, of course, what Santa brought to each of us.

I was going to have a lot of cute pictures and cute stories....but life happens and in the midst of illness and sadness, I am still reminded of how good God is!

First, Lu got sick over the Christmas holidays. Really sick. His immune system has been steadily improving the older he gets - he hasn't even missed 1 day of school this year which is a miracle for us! However, on December 23rd we ended up at the doctor with a bad case of bronchitis. He had a high fever and we did breathing treatments every 2-3 hours through Christmas day. Needless to say we were exhausted and while Lu was happy with his presents he didn't play with anything until the next day when his fever finally went away.

On Sunday, December 28th my aunt went into the hospital. The last 5 years she have been rough on her and the last 6 months really bad. We celebrated my mom's birthday on the 29th and she and Daddy left to go home on the 30th. They stopped to see my aunt on the way and it would be the last time my mom would see her sister. Their last words to each other were,"I love you with all my heart." On December 31st my mom woke up feeling very ill and slept most of the day. On January 1st she was admitted to the hospital with what appeared to be pneumonia. I left on January 2nd to go and be with her and see my aunt. Unfortunately my aunt passed away before I could get there, about 3 hours later my mom was diagnosed with lung disease, also known as COPD - it was the exact same diagnosis my aunt received 5 years ago. Luckily, my mom's isn't that bad. She can never smoke again and she will have to learn some new breathing techniques, but the doctor promised we had many years left with her!

We are now on our way to the memorial service for my aunt and to spend the weekend with family celebrating her life and our precious time with her. Your prayers are most appreciated at this time. We are thrilled my aunt is no longer suffering, but devastated that we won't be seeing her again - at least not for a while! She leave behind so many people who love her...
but we know she is now breathing easy in heaven. That is all we can ask for!

Out of the mouth's of babes...

2008-12-08T20:59:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I get sad that my boys are getting so big...you know, you hear the stories about your friends' who have little ones and they are saying the most precious things and you have the big kids who are saying all the words just right. Well, tonight as I was getting Lu out of the shower and I was singing this song called Here I Am to Worship...not really paying much attention to it .....Lu started singing along with me.

I always try and listen to KSBJ when the boys are in the car - well it is paying off - somewhat. The lyrics (in part) to Here I Am to Worship are:

Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days
oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor

So, Lu sings it all real good until he gets to the part about "oh, so highly exalted" and he says highly exotic!

Enough Said!

Just Because...

2008-12-06T19:48:00.001-06:00

Well...did we get a deer???

2008-12-01T19:43:00.002-06:00

Clearly, the answer is yes! On Sunday morning - the very last chance of the trip, G killed a nice 8 point buck. The boys were thrilled as they got to track it about 100 yards into the woods and help get it on the mule to take it back to Uncle Bo's house. Oh the joy of being a boy. They have not stopped talking about the experience. Seriously, you should call them and ask. They will give you more details than you have bargained for - right, Mimi??

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-29T07:40:00.000-06:00

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...

2008-11-21T07:36:00.004-06:00

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

2008-11-18T06:58:00.000-06:00

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!

2008-11-17T12:56:00.006-06:00

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...

2008-11-17T06:15:00.000-06:00

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

2008-11-11T06:04:00.003-06:00

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

2008-11-09T19:07:00.004-06:00

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...

2008-11-06T20:40:00.004-06:00

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!

More Family Reunion Pictures

2008-10-06T22:35:00.001-05:00

It is our tradition (or my tradition as the resident picture freak) to take family pictures on the last day before everyone leaves. I meant to bring the tripod and get a shot of everyone, but i will have to save that for next year!

Here is my sweet family - my parents always did an amazing job of staying in touch with their brothers and sisters and visiting them as often as possible. I was really appreciative of this - being an only child. I think that is another reason I feel so close to all of my aunts, uncles and cousins!

Uncle Eddie and part of his clan. Cousin Jess belongs here as well, but they had to leave early to get Gray back to college where he plays football - a starter on his team as a freshman! Uncle Eddie and Aunt Jeneane (whose name I still don't know how to spell) owned an automotive store in Brownwood for years. I remember going to visit them at the store and getting a soda and a treat on every stop! Shannie is another cousin I am super close to! (Are you seeing a theme here yet?) She used to take me on her dates when I was about 5! She says she loved to show me off when we would go and visit!

Some more super fun pictures...

Until next year sweet family - I love you!

Family Reunion Fun!

2008-10-05T23:11:00.000-05:00

We are so blessed to have an incredibly close family - not geographically close, but close in heart. Therefore we designate one weekend per year to fellowship together. This year was one of the best ever! Our group continues to grow and grow and although we missed Aunt Shirley and her group terribly, we still had an awesome time with gorgeous weather, fabulous food and fun new game for the Saturday Night Showdown!

The girls playing POUNCE a really fast moving card game that is so much fun! I certainly think this will become a new Watson Family Tradition!

Lu and Baby P - I cannot say enough about how good this baby is! I want to clone him!

B and Baby P - he was so happy and would let anyone hold him, play with him, carry him...such a good baby!

My sweet cousin Jess and her crew - I love the way that Jess and I have become closer with age! She has the most amazing kids and I really look to her for advice as I raise 2 boys of my own!

Uncle Clark and his gang! Cousins Mike and David are truly two of the nicest, do-anything-for-you guys I have ever known. I always loved visiting them in Big D as they would take me out on their motorcycles or we would go cruising in their latest corvette.

Erica (w/G) - who is really my 2nd cousin - is more like a sister to me. We have always been SUPER close - I would spend a week with her family every since she was born and could quote every word from "Sleeping Beauty"! Then as she got older she would come and spend a week each summer with me. This continued until she went to college and then we finally lived in the same town for a time! We love her husband and she is the lucky mom of Baby P! I can't even put in to words what she means to me! And even though we don't see each other as often as we would like, we seem to pick up right were we left off each time. We really have a special bond - love you Air!

Me and G

Me and Air

Super Star

2008-10-02T14:30:00.005-05:00

It is still a little so soon to tell, but we just may have a super star on our hands! Well, we have always believed that both of our boys are stars, but Lu may be a football stand out - at least in the world of little boy flag football. He scored the first touchdown of the season in his game on Monday night. The team went on to win 2-1 (or 14 - 7 as the boys like to say). He also had an amazing game last night where his team won 5 - 0 (or 35 - 0) and he scored 3 touchdowns! The other team tried to recruit him - even offering him a signing bonus of 2 juice boxes per game and his coach started calling him Adrian Peterson. Needless to say - his head barely fit through the door when we got home and he had a hard time falling asleep as images of footballs danced in his head. We are so excited for his success as it seems to be pouring over into the academic world as well! His teacher has already sent a note home saying he seems more confident and is taking more risks with his peers (both of these were goals we set for him at the beginning of the year). Go #5, go Lu! We are so very proud of you!

The real reason....

2008-09-30T20:54:00.003-05:00

The real reason the boys LOVE an Aggie football game is to see - what they can get! Usually this is limited to food, but this week they got smart. Here is the story:) I told them they could each spend $10 and THAT WAS IT! Well, when a pizza and a soda = $10, there is some room for negotiation! And they are masters at negotiation - at least with me! So, when they just wanted "one more treat" I dug out 2 - 5 dollar bills, handed one to each of them and said - this is REALLY it!! Lu quickly realized that 5+5= 10 and together they could get that football they had been eyeing at the souvenir trailer. So, dippin' dots and snow cones became a thing of the past as they made their way to shop!

Now forming.....

2008-09-30T20:43:00.003-05:00

Who doesn't love these famous words:

Now forming at the North End of Kyle Field the nationally famous fightin' Texas Aggie Band -- WHOOP!!!!! Even the boys chant along and love to look for the trademark 'T' made at the end of each performance. They are unbelievable and while I doubt the boys will make the football team in Aggieland (although the way they are playing...) I do have dreams about them marching in the band. You know, G was a drummer so why not B and/or Lu??

Then as part of the ongoing military appreciation day we saluted an American Flag as big as the football field. What a moment as we thought of all of those serving in our military as we are living the good life just watching a football game....please, please, please remember them and their families in your prayers. There sacrifices are truly monumental.

A win at home - finally

2008-09-30T20:24:00.002-05:00

There was a time - not so long ago - that a win at Kyle Field was a given. Top-ranked teams came to "our house" in fear and we usually beat them. I am pretty sure that at one time we held the record for most wins at home in a row...well, sadly, those days are over. HOWEVER, we did get a win this Saturday. And while it may be our last win of the season and our only win at home - IT WAS A WIN! And once again we were lucky enough to witness it! And just as I said in my previous post: There is something magical about being at Kyle Field. Words do not do it justice, but maybe a some pictures will help!

Fun boys and mom!

The pregame was unbelievable as the fly-over was done by 4 black hawk helicopters in honor of military appreciation day. And then the best part was 4 cadets from West Point arrived on the 50 yard line of Kyle field via parachute! And I mean they arrived EXACTLY on the 50. Very impressive!

A different kind of Hurricane...

2008-09-21T09:54:00.003-05:00

We went to watch the fightin' Texas Aggies take on the Miami Hurricanes and the first 14 seconds of the game were very exciting. My throat is still sore from screaming for Mike Goodson and his 62 yard touchdown run. That was about all the cheering we did for the day...

B - who sometimes thinks he is a longhorn and sometimes carries around an OU football, but I believe he is an aggie at heart!

Dippin' Dots - a new tradition at the football games.

G praying that our team can score again. I seriously worry about his blood pressure at these games sometimes. They can be a bit stressful...

I absolutely LOVE Aggie football. The crowd is amazing and the opening video featured is awesome. And then you hear the drummers marching out onto the field playing that song they play and the players run out behind them and you just get the most indescribable feeling...chills and tears and all sorts of emotions run through you because this is Aggie football.

Posting a link

2008-09-19T20:04:00.001-05:00

Thanks to my friend Amy I think I know how to post a link. Let's see if it worked!

My Blog Make Over

2008-09-18T12:56:00.003-05:00

Doesn't it look fantastic?? I can not think my sweet friend Charla enough for the beautiful new look she created for me. I have no idea how she did it, but one morning this week I turned on the computer and there it was.

I excitedly told G that my blog had been fixed and he dryly commented that he had no idea it had been broken. Funny. He is NOT about the blog. You will never find him on here "guest blogging" - or I should say if you do find him blogging on here immediate prayers are sure to be needed because something has gone wrong in our home!

Anyway, thanks again to Charla who's talent is amazing and I hope to be update more since it is just so darn pretty!

Happy Thursday!
L

My Little Hunters

2008-09-16T20:00:00.003-05:00

G is an avid hunter. When we got married, I don't think I knew just how much he liked to hunt - he was a poor college student who couldn't afford to hunt and so he didn't go so often. Like I said, I had no idea....

Once Labor Day passes, he is off anytime he is invited. We begin with dove and move onto the deer - he even hunts with a bow, that way deer season begins early!!

Well, having 2 sons, what did you think was going to happen?? Hunting times 3! This is the first year G has taken B and Lu out with him and they are loving it! Luckily, G has some "local" spots he can take them to dove hunt...even on school nights. They should be home by 8:30 and in bed by 9, so I guess it is ok.....

They are sure having fun bonding with their daddy and it is nice to have some "me" time:)

Hurricane Ike - YIKES!!!

2008-09-11T12:56:00.002-05:00

Well, it looks like we are in a direct line to get hit by the Hurricane. Our town has gone crazy - the stores are out of water, the lines at the gas tank are long, Weather updates interrupting television shows, schools have been cancelled, along with sporting events, meetings and orientations. As a "weather freak" anyway (I don't even like to go out in the rain) I am feeling a little anxious as well. And to top it off, my sweet cousin Mike is getting married on Saturday and it seems like I will have to miss the wedding. My parents are traveling to Dallas as we speak and they say the roads are packed! Needless to say, your prayers are most appreciated!

A Special Sunday

2008-09-01T19:53:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, our church presented bibles to the 3rd graders. It was a special day for B and many of his friends. It is our prayer that he will grow up with a love for the Lord and have a servant's heart.

And something that really stuck with me after yesterday's sermon: If you were arrested for being a Christian, would you be convicted?

I have asked myself that question over and over and I realize that I have a long way to go in my walk with Christ.

My favorite back to school tradition...

2008-08-31T19:44:00.000-05:00

....Well, one of them at least!

That was then....
(Lu, kinder; B, first)

This is now!
(Lu, 2nd; B, 3rd)

Meet the Teacher/Back to School

2008-08-31T18:07:00.002-05:00

The week before school started my parents came to keep the kids so I could go back to work. They are a real life saver and we are so thankful that Mimi and Papa come and spend great time with the boys while helping us celebrate another New School Year!

Here are Lu and B running up the "deck" to Lu's portable. When you go to a SUPER OVERCROWDED school, you get to put up portables after only 3 years! He says the portable is nice and quiet except when there are kids out at recess - then he can hear everything! I hope his sweet teacher can keep his attention!

Here we are at Meet the Teacher in B's new classroom. He got an awesome teacher and he has some good friends in his class. All is well!

The morning of the first day of school is always the same. We walk the boys in to their classooms. I know that soon they will not want us anywhere near them, so I am thankful that they still allow us the honor of being by their side at least the very first day! This is B with Mimi and Papa in his new room! And one of the 4 of us getting ready to drop them off!

Lu with his sweet new teacher and with his Mimi and Papa. He is guaranteed to have a successful year with so much love and support!

A sweet shot of the boys and their grandparents after church - the day before school starts!

It's Official!

2008-08-30T23:40:00.000-05:00

....Summer is over and school is back in session! For the most part, the McIntyre's are a happy bunch with this turn of events. I like the schedule that school brings - a real reason for the kids to go to bed early and not as much fighting among the brothers. However, I miss sleeping and laying around lazily all day long.

As for the boys, they are super excited to be back at school with all friends they have missed terribly. They both got awesome teachers with good friends in each class - so good that B had to change seats on his FIRST day of school! Oh my! The 3rd grade "boy attitude" (as I call it) is starting to rear it's ugly head. He is beginning to test the limits of our home. Fun Times!

I am thrilled to return to a job I love with the best people around. I love what I do so that makes the early morning worth it!

And of course Aggie football is in full swing - and even though it appears we are in a "rebuilding" year, we wouldn't trade the excitement of game day for anything.

I will post pictures soon so you can see my - *gulp* - 2nd and 3rd graders. Where has the time gone??

Happy Labor Day tomorrow if you are lucky enough to have the day off - we will all be in school!

Family Beach Vacation

2008-07-24T13:09:00.000-05:00

We are so lucky that we get to go to South Padre 2 times each and every summer. Early in the summer we go with our very dear friends

and then later the boys and I travel back to an extended family vacation. 2 of my out of state cousins and their children come in and we all spend time together in the sand and the surf catching up with one another and letting our kids get to know each other. What a great time we had this year!

The first day we spent together at the beach

The 2nd day we took an eco tour/dolphin watch tour. Wow! They drag the bottom of the ocean with a net to see what fabulous creatures they can catch and share with the children and adults alike. On our trip they found butterfly rays, several starfish, a squid, some crabs and several varieties of fish. The kids were amazed! Of course, spotting the dolphins was the highlight of the day. It was such a great trip!
B and one of the bigger starfish.

Syd and the butterfly ray.

Krista and Alex and a smaller starfish!

Lu and a special starfish whose name I cannot remember!

We love spending time with Mimi!

Ahhh.....the dolphins. Very cool!

Football practice!

2008-07-23T21:24:00.000-05:00

Some local dads organized a football practice for kids ages 6 - 10. We were lucky enough to get invited and the boys had a blast. There were about 25 boys who went through a series of 4 stations or drills and after about an hour and a half they played a football game. B was so proud to be on the team of "skins"! It was a great way to spend a summer evening. The dads thought it went so well that they are going to do it every Monday and Wednesday for a while. The boys are thrilled and can't wait for football practice on Monday evening!

G helped the dads run some stations and played with Lu who was "out for the season" with an injury - his cleats gave him a blister. He was not exactly the toughest boy on the field....

B going out for a pass which he caught and scored a touchdown! He was so pumped!

Getting ready for the big game!

A Mother's Mid-Summer Prayer

2008-07-22T22:13:00.001-05:00

A Mother’s Mid-Summer Prayer

By Debbie Farmer

Dear God,

Grant me the strength to last until Back-to-School Night.

Give me the energy to drive the swim team carpool, take knots out of wet shoelaces with my teeth and untangle the dog from the sprinkler hose.

Grant me the wisdom to remember the name of the redheaded kid from down the street who hasn’t left our house since June.

Walk with me through the backyard over piles of wet bathing suits and empty ice cream cups, to rescue my good lipstick from the bottom of the wading pool.

Give me the courage to accept that everything in the refrigerator either has a bite out of it, had a finger stuck in it or is reproducing in the vegetable crisper underneath the expensive cheese.

Guide me down the hallway to the laundry room, where I can experience five minutes of peace and quiet by turning the lights out and climbing on the dryer so the kids can’t see my feet underneath the door.

Help me accept that fact that even if I take the kids to the circus, install a pool in the backyard, go on a safari, and carve a redwood tree into a canoe and sail down the Congo, my children will end each day with “I’m bored.”

Grant me the serenity to smile when my husband insists on tossing the Hamburger Helper on the gas grill because “everything tastes better barbecued.”

In your infinite wisdom, show me how to disconnect the video game console that hasn’t been turned off since June 10.

Comfort me when I realize the color of my earth-tone carpet has changed into a mixture of melted blue Popsicle and the remains of somebody’s purple slushie.

And if I ask too much, God, just give me the foresight to know that one day—not too many years from now—the barbecue, television and sprinkler hose will be off; the refrigerator, front door and garage will be closed, and I will wonder where my children—and the little redheaded boy with the glasses—went.

Girls Out Weekend Revisited!

2008-07-22T17:23:00.008-05:00

A few posts ago I mentioned a fabulous tradition that I have been involved in for some time now. My dearest friends and I try very hard to carve away time for each other at least one weekend out of each year. We are so consumed in our roles as wives, mothers, teachers, taxi cab drivers, coaches, doctors...that sometimes our friendships get placed on the back burner. So we have vowed to have at least 3 entire days devoted to nothing but each other at least once a year. For the 2nd year in a row we rented a house in Wimberly, Texas that was close to the river and had a private pool. We had such an amazing time!

As an only child, I am not sure what it feels like to have a sister, but I am pretty sure that these women (and others who aren't pictured) have always treated me like a sister or even better. I love each of them for the added joy they bring to my life - for the laughter and the tears and everything in between. Thanks ladies! I can always count on you to put sunshine in my day!

Yee-Haw, Y'all!

2008-07-20T12:28:00.008-05:00

The PRCA Rodeo was in town this weekend and the boys absolutely love to go. We went last night and had a wonderful time. The announcer and clown - Rudy - were wonderfully entertaining and the cowboys and cowgirls were such fun to watch. While I was downloading my pictures from last night I found pictures from the 2005 Rodeo.

It is really almost painful for me to look at these pictures from just 3 years ago - where have my babies gone? Wow, they have changed!

However, I am enjoying their new found independence and ability to let me sleep in this summer, so growing up isn't all that bad!

One of the many reasons...

2008-07-20T08:41:00.002-05:00

I love my children......

this morning as we are getting ready to go somewhere, B jumps on the scale to weigh. To most adults - especially women - this is a painful process only to be done in private usually a week after exercise and starvation. Well to an 8 year old this weighing can occur anytime, anywhere and there is amazing joy at any weight gain! Wow, what a wonder to be an 8 year old boy with the whole world ahead of you......

Thanks B, for all the things you are teaching me!

Happy Birthday Shawna!

2008-07-19T08:37:00.002-05:00

Today, my baby cousin celebrates her birthday! It has been such a joy to watch her grow up into an amazing woman! Shawna - I wish you a lifetime of success, joy and happiness. I love you:)

It is good to be home....

2008-07-18T21:52:00.000-05:00

In the past 16 days I have slept in a bed - other than my own - 10 times! Needless to say, I am exhausted, but very happy!

One of the many things I love about summer is all the adventures we are able to take. Some of those adventures include the 4 of us

(watching the fireworks from the tennis courts at the condo)

and some are just for me....

but all of them are very fun! As summer winds down we have a couple more trips planned - if I can find the energy to go:) We cherish this time because as the boys get older

our time gets more and more precious.

Here's to more adventures!

SNAKE!!!!

2008-07-13T20:35:00.002-05:00

Just a quick update as I zoom in from one trip and get ready to leave for another!!!

This was supposed to be a relaxing weekend - one that I look forward to every year with my dearest friends. Instead.............

we are innocently swimming and Sara's hand brushes what she thinks is a leaf, but what turns out to be a WATER MOCCASIN........needless to say we took care of the situation!

At least the mornings looked like this....

Have a really blessed week!

July 4th weekend!

2008-07-09T20:57:00.004-05:00

To celebrate the July 4th weekend - we attended the Taylor Family Reunion. It was a reunion of my mother's family and we met some amazing new aunts, uncles and cousins while seeing those I have known my whole life and love dearly.

This is Lu and me at breakfast one morning - he tried french toast for the first time and LOVED IT! Powdered sugar and syrup - what's not to love?

This is my mother with her Aunt Irene - that is my great aunt and the boys' great, great aunt. It was an honor to meet this 94 year old who still lives alone! She shared amazing stories with all 67 of us - Aunt Irene has seen many changes in her lifetime!

My parents with my mom's 2 brothers and 1 dear sister-in-law. They spent Sunday at Canton and had a really good time.

This was almost all 67 of us that came in for the event. Their was actually a cousin of mine that was A&M class of '93 - just like G! Whoop! It was truly awesome getting to know so many people that we are related to!

Some of the Brownwood crew came to town. The boys always love seeing Grady! He is going to play football in college next year. We can't wait to see him play!

A sweet one of our immediate family!

Aunt Shirley (like a 2nd mother to me) and 2 of my favorite cousins who were more like sisters.

All in all, it was a great weekend - I can't wait to see what the rest of July brings, but I do wish time would slow down. Soon the title of my blog will be first day of school and while I love the routine and predictability that school and work bring, I will miss these long, lazy days and the traveling to see the people we love. Until the next post....(and I hope it won't be another month!)

2008-07-08T20:39:00.000-05:00

We laid low the rest of June and enjoyed sleeping in and long, lazy days at the pool...(at least the boys and I did - poor G still has to work everyday. Sorry honey!)

Then July hit with a bang. We started out by celebrating G's birthday! He turned 29 (for the 8th year in a row)

Then we went with G's family to the great wolf lodge in Grapevine, Texas. That place is so fun!

The boys with their cousin Brady. He and Lu are only 16 days apart. Needless to say, these 3 have a great time when they are together!

We rode every ride in the place - many of them more than once!

Bitsy with her 4 grandchildren.

2008-07-07T20:26:00.000-05:00

Wow! It has been over a month since my last post. I am trying to take the term "summer break" do a brand new level. However, my blog stalker (love you linds) was insistent on an update so here it goes....

We are having an amazing summer - I can't believe that it is 1/2 way over.
We have visited Papa

and Mexico

and Mimi (all on the same vacation!)

We went on our annual week long visit to Padre with some of my very favorite people and had the best time yet....

and that was just in the first 2 weeks of summer vacation...what until you hear (read) what else we have been up to...

Pancakes

2008-06-06T10:11:00.002-05:00

I don't like to cook. Just last night I told G as I was cleaning up the mess from dinner that I would be happy if we ate out every meal - I just don't like any part of cooking.

Despite my feelings, this morning I decided to cook the kids breakfast. They were skeptical - you see I never (or very rarely) cook breakfast. We have been out of school for 5 days and I thought they deserved something more than cold cereal so I offered to make pancakes. This is how that went:

B - Do you even know how to cook pancakes?
Me - Of course I do!
B - I mean the way daddy does. You know with Bisquick.
Me (a little frustrated) - Yes, I know how to cook pancakes with Bisquick. Here I will show you.
B (with a serious look of doubt on this face) - well, OK, I guess..

Long story short: The pancakes turned out great and both boys were impressed! The highest compliment I received was "they're almost as good as daddy's"! Not bad for my first attempt in a long time to make pancakes. I may even try some other breakfast treats this summer (but I doubt it:).

Happy Friday!

Baseball season

2008-06-05T14:47:00.003-05:00

Well, we may not have been the most successful team on the baseball diamond, but we sure had a good time. The boys were sad to see the season end and they were unable to try out for all stars since we have many plans for summer vacations and you can't do both. (I really think that is a ridiculous statement to say at age 7 and/or 8 you have to pick between summer fun and baseball...but I will leave that for another post!

In the meant time I wanted to share these end of the year pictures.

We really did have the nicest coaches around! They were amazing and had a great deal of fun with all the boys on the team. Until fall ball rolls around...

School's out for....SUMMER

2008-06-05T14:42:00.002-05:00

I don't know that I have ever been more ready for summer. As the boys get older and older I realize that our relaxing days at home and at the pool are coming to an end. I will blink my eyes and they will be hanging out with friends, completely uninterested in me. With that in mind, I am trying to really have a good time with them this year and actually get in the pool to play! (Of course, I still take a book and/or magazine with me!) It has only been 4 days, but this has been a great week! We have played, laughed, read books and just enjoyed one another. Apparently I can really be "cool summer mom". We will see how long this lasts!

Crazy, busy times!

2008-05-07T15:20:00.004-05:00

It has been the most crazy 2 weeks. With TAKS testing in the state of Texas, everything else seems to stop - at least if you work in public schools. The boys' schedule did not slow down, so I was trying to juggle all that they do with all that I needed to do. My hat is truly off to those of you who do this all the time. Wow! Here is a conversation with sweet Lu and B that will give you an idea of how it was going:

Lu (in a very angry voice): Mom, it is ridiculous that my Taylor jersey is not clean. It has been in my basket at least 3 days - why hasn't it gotten washed??

B (in a much gentler voice): Um, mom, um...I only have 2 clean pair of shots left so if you don't mind, could you please do some laundry and wash some shorts. I checked the driver this morning and there weren't any in there either...

Lesson learned: my kids are spoiled rotten and like having me around - which actually made me feel really good!

We did have an amazing Saturday as we went to an Aggie Baseball game. The #5 (ranked in the country) Aggies finished out a 3 game series by beating Dallas Baptist 3-2. After the game the players did a clinic for some kids and we got to go. It was so fun. They divided the boys by age group and then rotated them through a series of drills. The players and coaches were so nice! I was amazed at how engaging they were with the boys. They really took their time and offered them pointers in a way that showed true care. They are an overall awesome team and I am proud they are representing the Aggies! Here are some pictures from our fun!

The boys with #44 - first baseman and really tall guy - Luke Anders. They were waiting to get his autograph!

Lu playing pitcher and having a great conversation with one of the Aggie players.

Lu waiting to bat - and when he hit it, it was a good one!

B doing one of the drills where you catch the ball and then throw it into a bucket that was against the fence.

He made a great play and was very happy!

Finally, the party...

2008-04-20T20:25:00.000-05:00

Lu is blessed to have some really amazing friends! 8 of the very best ones showed up for his party! There were some wild and woolly moments as we waited in a small room with 10 boys for the pizza to show up. The ways in which they entertained themselves was interesting to say the least...however, we survived and had a lot of fun in the process!

Lu and ZacAttack! They have known each other since birth and are in the same class this year - FUN!!!

Glow-in-the-dark mini golf was a blast - and the pictures turned out really cool as well!

Presents! Of course, one of the best parts!

At the end of the day - trying to get a good picture with Grandma Bitsy!

Notice the fabulous new landscaping as they pose with Mimi and Papa!!

Great weekend - Great party - Great family!!
Happy Birthday Lu - we love you so much!

More birthday fun!

2008-04-17T20:15:00.001-05:00

So all the grandparents arrived to watch the boys play ball. The game was good, but we did not come away with a win!

Fortunately we played against one of our best friend's team and had a great time! Add in the popcorn and snow cones and everyone is a winner!

The grandparents had a great time watching the boys play!

Happy Birthday Lu!

2008-04-17T20:06:00.000-05:00

My precious baby turned 7 on April 15th - what an amazing 7 years it has been. I am so proud of the young man he is turning into! He is certainly the life of our family and feels all emotions very strongly!!

The day of his birthday was crazy busy! He got a cool new basketball goal from me and G

and a surprise visit from Papa!

He also had a baseball game to play in and then we went and watched the Aggies play - whoop! It was a great day, but the real celebration will be this weekend when all grandparents arrive and we have the party with friends. More to come...

The best surprise of all...

2008-04-16T15:50:00.003-05:00

was the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas. What an amazing experience we had! This hotel has it all and there is no reason to ever leave. As one of the boys said, "This is the best vacation we have ever had!" (I was slightly offended by this as I feel like they have been on some really fun vacations, but...)

We checked in early and headed straight to the indoor water park were we spent about 5 hours exploring, playing, and having a great time! We ate dinner and explored the hotel that evening in a quest to become a Magi! Then the next day we did it all over again. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful weekend filled with family and fun!

This giant bucket dumps about 1,000 gallons of water every few minutes!

Needless to say, that was on of B's favorite things in the entire park!

The wave pool was another favorite as the boys thought they were back at the beach!

Dallas, Part II

2008-04-16T15:30:00.002-05:00

So, Lu's birthday is coming up and he wanted to have his party at Texas Stadium with the Dallas Cowboys. We told him that would not be possible. He insisted it was possible and I should have listened to him! Uncle Clark was just going to do a drive by of Texas stadium as he was being the best tour guide ever - but it turned out there was an event going on so we did get to go in and look around and even wonder onto the field. Wow! I wish I would have had some cupcakes for Lu - we could have sang happy birthday and called it a day! We had to drag him out...even though our most fun adventure was still to come!

Dallas

2008-04-14T21:05:00.006-05:00

The boys showing off the rocks that Uncle Clark gave them. He has an amazing collection of stones that he uses to make rings and belt buckles. The boys were each allowed to pick an individual stone and a belt buckle!

Going to a cattle drive in down-town Dallas! In the old Dallas cemetery - right in the heart of downtown - there are bronze sculptures - bigger than life - depicting a cattle drive. The boys (and us) were amazed!

So we spent the weekend in Dallas with family and had a great time! My Uncle Clark was the perfect tour guide as we went to eat in down town at this fabulous Mexican food place and then went exploring! It was the great beginning to a fabulous adventure...I will post the rest ASAP!! In the meantime I have to get ready for my company that is a-coming!

Spring Baseball is Here!

2008-04-10T21:01:00.003-05:00

Well, this year we are on the Indians and I am not sure what our talent level is as a team, but when it comes to sweet and fun boys - we will win our division for sure!

Next year the boys won't get to be on the same team, so we are really going to make this year is extra, special fun!

One of our friends since birth (he and B are just 2 months apart in age) is on our team this year and we couldn't be happier!

The awesome team in the dug out calm and cool waiting for the game to begin!

Win or lose we always see great friends at the ball field and get a snow cone. Not bad for a days work!

Big House!

2008-04-06T17:55:00.006-05:00

So, our church - which you know I think is fabulous! - has started a children's worship service called Big House. Today was our first Sunday and it was AMAZING!!! The big house team has transformed the (old) sanctuary into this kid-friendly paradise. The perimeter of the room is set up with areas of activities for the kids. In one corner, kids can lounge on couches and love seats and chairs and read magazines and books. Then, there is Christ's cafe where food and drinks can be purchased. In another area there are tables set up for crafts. One area has board games and another space has computers where you can email prayer requests straight to God. These activities are available to kids during GAP time - that time when Sunday school ends, but church hasn't started yet. Then the BIG House service started. There is an incredible band made up of junior and senior high youth who lead all the songs and there are ushers (more to come on this topic), greeters, acolytes - everything you would expect to see at "real" church. The kids even served each other communion this morning. Needless to say, we are thrilled with this option for our boys to learn more about God and to be a part of such an amazing service!

The boys were asked to usher at this first service. At first they were hesitant, but then became thrilled to be involved in the program somehow! Here is Lu waiting on the offering plate!

Here are B and Lu sitting during the worship service with some of their dearest friends and fellow ushers!

B waiting on the offering plate!

When the boys and girl were called to the front, they bowed their heads in prayer!

Pine Wood Derby

2008-04-01T20:19:00.007-05:00

Spring time in boy scouts means just one thing: pine wood derby! The boys spent some serious time carving, sanding and painting their cars. Unfortunately, Dad was in London the 8 days leading up to the race, so there was not enough time to perfect things! So while we didn't walk away with an award winner, we walked away with happy faces and a lot of good memories!

The race was held in the youth room of our church and for some reason the air conditioner was NOT working. Oh my - it was so hot in that room with all these excited little/big boys. Lu was sweating almost instantly!

The boys waited patiently for their cars to race. Each car had to race in each lane so that no one could claim their car would have won if it had been in a different lane. Needless to say, it was a very fair race!

B watches - amazed - as the cars race to the finish line. This was the first year our pack has had their own track. It was really neat and thank goodness it could tell which cars came in 1st, 2nd, etc...some of the races were so close that I wasn't even sure!

This is the last Easter post, I promise!

2008-03-24T15:39:00.000-05:00

And the tradition continues as every Easter afternoon KT has us over for a late lunch and some great fellowship time! The kids have a big Easter egg hunt and then there is the confetti egg madness........such fun!

Me and KT who is an amazing cook and an even better friend!

All the kids and some of the moms - checking out the prizes in the Easter eggs!

My other "sister" Shan who comes along with her family to celebrate!

Me and G - a rare picture without any children:)

Confetti Egg madness - need I say more.

May you rejoice in the triumph of our Lord at Easter and always!

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28: 19-20

Until next Easter...

Easter, part II

2008-03-23T21:44:00.000-05:00

After fun presents and a great breakfast we headed off to Sunday school and Church! Of course it was too cold for the boys to wear the original outfit I had planned and purchased, but they still looked cute:)

The picture we always take with Darin and the bunny rabbits.

Easter morning!

2008-03-23T21:19:00.000-05:00

B was the first to rise...so excited to see what the Easter bunny left him! He is starting to have some doubts about how realistic Santa and the Easter Bunny are, but he knows that in order to receive, he must believe!

Lu - still a true believer is very impressed with his basket full of goodies!

This year we started an Easter egg scavenger hunt. The boys had a blast reading the clues, finding the eggs and locating the big prize!

And as always....our Easter shaped pancakes compliments of the best father and husband around!

Easter Weekend

2008-03-23T20:46:00.002-05:00

Easter is one of my very favorite holiday's as we have many traditions that we do as a family. Our church has some amazing services that we are able to attend including the Living Last Supper which illustrates Jesus' last meal on earth. This year I think the boys really learned something and were able to summarize what they had seen and heard that evening. Friday we all have the day off and we spend that time dying confetti eggs and getting ready for the Easter bunny to arrive. Saturday we have breakfast with our church family and participate in many games and activities - our favorite one being the Easter egg hunt! This year the weather was beautiful and we were blessed to have some of our dearest friends attend with us!

George Washington

2008-03-20T16:13:00.004-05:00

Lu's first grade class did a living museum today of famous Americans. They were all so great! Of course, I was partial to George Washington a.k.a. Lu! He did an amazing job of memorizing his lines and delivering them each time someone came by and pushed his green button! The other first graders and well as staff and parents toured the museum for about one hour this morning. It was something!

A New Beginning

2008-03-16T21:13:00.002-05:00

I can't believe that Spring Break is officially over. I had such big plans for the week - cleaning closets, catching up on scrap booking, reading a great book, dusting, vacuuming....and now it is Sunday evening and while I got bits and pieces done, there is plenty of things I did not get around to doing. What I did do, was spend some great time with the boys - and that is way better than anything on my "to do" list! Poor B ran fever Monday - Thursday. The doctor believed it to be just a virus, and he really didn't feel that bad, but every night around 5 o'clock the fever came back. I drug him to the Aggie baseball game on Wednesday, convinced that some sunshine would do him some good (also convinced that he would not spread his illness to others at said event). We made it about 45 minutes before he was ready to go home! Meanwhile, Lu was an amazing trooper - my true right hand for the week, helping out while brother laid on the couch and watched a lot of TV!!

We finally made it out to do everything we had planned - unfortunately it was crammed into one day. Here was the schedule:
Breakfast out then to Wal-Mart for a new toy each! Home to play with the toy and then off to bowl and play miniature golf and spend time in an arcade - all at a nice new recreation place in town! Finally a late lunch before heading home. Needless to say we were all happy - and exhausted - that night!

Then today was an amazing time for our church as we were able to worship in our new sanctuary. It is an outstanding building that was prayed about for many years before finally coming to be this morning. It was a Palm Sunday our family will never forget as we worshipped and ate lunch with some of our dearest friends. If you don't have a church home or need a place to worship for Easter Sunday, I would invite you to visit Christ United Methodist Church.

This picture of the boys was taken on the grounds of the new building. I think it sums up the day and even the week perfectly. God bless each of you and may this Holy week find you in awe of our saviour, Jesus Christ!

Happy Anniversary!

2008-03-11T08:17:00.001-05:00

Well, G and I are celebrating 13 years of marriage today. Wow! Some days that seems like a long time and other days that seems impossible! I certainly think we are happier now than we have ever been - there is a certain level of maturity and understanding that comes with 13 years! We got a baby-sitter for tonight and plan to go out for a fabulous dinner. We are looking forward to amazing food and great conversation. (I also have a fabulous new pair of Jessica Simpson shoes that I am anxious to show off!!)

A Dark Day....

2008-03-01T07:45:00.003-06:00

Something I never thought would happen to us has happened to us. After attending countless Aggie events and wearing maroon since birth one of my sons has crossed over to the dark side. We are mourning this event as any good Aggie would.....

G is simply devastated and wants to find a new job where he doesn't have to travel so much and can be around more to be a stronger influence on B! I say it is simply a phase he is going through. There are a couple of boys at his school who are really into the Longhorns and B is friends with these boys and I think this is his attempt to fit in! I am trying to encourage him that he can like whatever he wants and still have friends who might like other things. He insists this is simply not the case. I will have to leave it to life to teach him the truth - but I will make sure to guide him as best I can!

The other reason I am probably not all that concerned: the first day he wore his new t.u. t-shirt to school it was cold outside so he had to put his A&M hoody on top! I sure love that kid!!

Gig 'Em Ags! Whoop!!

A Boys Weekend!

2008-02-21T18:53:00.002-06:00

The boys went on this amazing camp-out with their Adventure Guide group. They got to canoe, hike, ride horses, shoot guns, shoot an arrow from a bow and many, many other very "boyish" things. Needless to say,they had a blast!

More ski trip pictures

2008-02-20T15:42:00.000-06:00

Amazing ski trip!

2008-02-20T15:19:00.004-06:00

We took an amazing family ski trip at the beginning of February. The boys really wanted to see snow so...we gave in and took them to Utah! We flew into Salt Lake City and sadly, our first stop was an urgent care clinic! Lu was sick! He threw up 3 times the night before we left and ran fever on the entire plan ride! He was diagnosed with strep throat and given meds, but I really think he had the flu - or maybe a combination of both! Needless to say, he and I spent a lot of time in the condo. That was ok by me, because our condo was beautiful! We were amazed at the true beauty of Utah (the boys and I had never been!) and it had been such a long time since I had seen mountains and snow, I swear I forgot how gorgeous it could be! Lu got better (then I caught the flu part), but our vacation was not to be ruined! G and B went on a snow mobile tour and skiid 2 days while Lu and I played around our condo and skiid for one day! The entire family also went tubing which I had never done before, but sure did enjoy. All in all it was an awesome trip and we are looking forward to going again really soon when we are all 100%! Oh, and to brag on the boys, B was skiing blues by the first afternoon and he did not even go to ski school! Daddy taught him and did a remarkable job! Lu was skiing greens on his first day and had he been feeling better I am sure he would have been following his brother down those blues!

Lu with the bear rug in our condo. The really bonded!!

The boys at the Olympic Ski Park in Park City!

Lu taking a walk around our condo. This was the most snow they have had in about 13 years! We sure enjoyed it!

B on skis! He was so good!

B on his snow mobile ride. He and G sure had a great time!

Horseshoe Junction...

2008-01-20T21:51:00.000-06:00

We had the opportunity to attend the birthday of some of our closest friends this weekend at Horseshoe Junction. It was such fun! The indoor area provided every arcade game you could imagine plus lazer tag (where they put the kids in a room and close the door and don't monitor them while they run through a maze and try to "shoot" one another. I was not real impressed with this situation, but rest assured that B enjoyed it aplenty!) while the outdoor area included bumper boats, mini-golf, bungee jumping and go-karts. I never got a picture of the go-karts, because I was too busy riding on them! We had such a great time, but more importantly we were able to celebrate Blaine and Suzanna's 8th birthday. I can not tell you what these 2 miracles mean to our family. Happy birthday and thanks for choosing such a cool place to celebrate!

Happy Birthday Papa!

2008-01-14T21:44:00.000-06:00

My Amazing father and the boys' fantastically fun grandfather celebrates a birthday today! We love him so much and are constantly amazed by his wit and his wisdom. He is so mechanical and can fix ANYTHING! Plus in his retirement he has begun to do laundry and mop the floor. He really is the TOTAL PACKAGE!!! We love you daddy and wish you an unforgettable birthday!

Pearls of Wisdom...

2008-01-13T07:31:00.000-06:00

...from my 6 year old.

At 6 a.m. this morning (yes, 6 on a Sunday morning. Will we ever learn to sleep in?) Lu taps me on the shoulder to wake me up and say, "Mom, do you know what I don't like about life?" (Of course I wanted to say that at 6 a.m. on a Sunday, I really don't care what you don't like about life...) "What?", I respond. And he replies, "Dog catchers."

Well, at least now we know!

Happy Birthday Bitsy!

2008-01-05T07:56:00.000-06:00

Today G's mom and the boys Bitsy is celebrating a birthday! She is such a great part of our family and we love it when she comes to visit! Bitsy is kind and caring and loves to play with the boys. They are so blessed to have 2 fabulous Grandmothers!

Happy Birthday Bitsy - we love you!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2007-12-29T19:43:00.000-06:00

Today my mother and the boys Mimi celebrates her birthday! She is the most talented woman I have ever known. I caught a glimpse of this when I was in high school and I wanted this very expensive dress and she said to me, "I can make that." I was like - right! But of course - without a pattern - she whips me out a dress that is identical to the one in the store. From then on she made me some clothes and was so good that I had friends asking her to make them clothes!

She is also an incredibly hard worker. Every time she comes to visit, she cooks just about every meal - yummy. G. really likes this part as I rarely cook!! She also makes curtains, wreaths, keeps the boys, does minor home repairs...she really doesn't get much of a vacation when she is at our house!

The boys love to play games, build puzzles and watch movies with her. She sets such an amazing example of the kind of person I would like to be. And did I mention what a great cook she is?? We love you Mom/Mimi!! Happy Birthday!

Another Christmas!

2007-12-26T13:36:00.000-06:00

I did not mean to skip over our other Christmas with our other family. We celebrated with G's mom and sister and the gang the weekend before Christmas. The kids always have such a great time together playing and growing close as cousins. I was raised in a big family (even though I am an only child), I have 10 (first)cousins on one side of the family and 7 (first)cousins on the other side. We were very close and spent many holidays and summers together. Even though my boys only have 2 (first)cousins total, they cherish their time together and we make great efforts to see them as often as possible!

We were also able to attend and Aggie basketball game with fabulous seats - thank you to our sweet friends who call and offer tickets - on the court no less! My brother-in-law was in Heaven!

It was a great visit and we can't wait to get together again! Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2007

2007-12-25T21:40:00.000-06:00

So, this is how it went at our house...the boys went to bed at a reasonable time on Christmas Eve, but they were so excited...I even commented to G that I had never seen them so ready. Well, B was in our room wide awake before 2 a.m. So, we put him in between us and he tossed and turned and tossed and turned....then at 3:30 here comes Lu! Keep in mind they both walked by the gifts that Santa left on their way to our room - thank goodness it was dimly lit and they were tired as they made their way. So, with 4 now in the bed and 3 of us not sleeping (luckily, Lu is usually able to sleep anytime, anywhere - he gets this from me:)), I decided to take B back to his room and see if that helped. Finally around 4 I tell him to start counting sheep and that seemed to work. However he was up again before 6:30 - wow! So he and I go back into where G and Lu are and wake them up to finally make our way out to see what Santa has left us! At first B was not that impressed. Just 3 days before Christmas he had completely changed his request to Santa - and Santa was unable (or possibly unwilling) to fill his new order for 5 different NFL jerseys! So the Wii and the Aggie jersey weren't quite what he had in mind. However, by 9 a.m. he was singing a different tune claiming Santa was the smartest man on Earth! We were all having such a great time playing games we kind of forgot about getting lunch ready - needless to say, we ate about 2 hours later than we had intended, but we had such a great day that no one cared!

Christmas Eve Anticipation...

2007-12-24T22:31:00.000-06:00

Ready for church! We have never worn jeans to church before, but because we picked the casual and kid-friendly 5 o'clock service, I decided it would be ok - this time!!

Papa came to church with us as well....you might be asking yourself, Where is Mimi? Well, due to a pumpkin pie situation, she was unable to accompany us to the service. We missed her, but the pumpkin pie turned out beautifully so all is well! She also cleaned the kitchen and got dinner started for us - thanks Mimi!!

The traditional Christmas p.j.'s that the boys got to open on Christmas eve. G said they looked like jailbirds, so that made the boys love them even more!

Getting Santa's plate ready - we wanted to make sure that he had plenty to eat when he stopped at our house!

Lucy is exhausted as are we all...little did we know what this night would have in store for us!!!

Growing up Aggie, part 2

2007-12-16T17:38:00.000-06:00

I know that I have said it before, but I love that the boys are growing up with a love of sports - in particular Aggie sports! We were able to attend both the women's and the men's basketball games this weekend. It is so fun to put on the Aggie maroon and cheer for the student athletes. Walking away with 2 wins felt pretty great as well!

The Christmas Card!

2007-12-16T17:21:00.001-06:00

This is the card we ended up sending! We had a photographer meet us at the George Bush Library to take our pictures. The grounds of the library are beautiful! I think the pictures turned out well given it was 100% humidity and so hot!

Mom and her boys: they are getting so big!

Dad and his boys: 3 very handsome men!

All I want for Christmas....

2007-12-15T17:34:00.000-06:00

Last year around this time, B had lost both of his front teeth. Well, this year the same thing has happened to Lu! It is so funny to see how so much of their development and different milestones are happening at or around the same time, just a year or so apart!

A Walk Thru Bethlehem

2007-12-02T20:50:00.000-06:00

Our church does the most wonderful recreation of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth. It is so wonderful and work-intensive that it only occurs every other year. We have been looking forward to this event for a few months and today we finally got to walk the streets of Bethlehem. I am always amazed at the amount of talent our church has. The costumes were authentic and the market was truly out of the pages of the bible. There were Roman soldiers chasing beggars out of the city, there was a royal wedding with a feast and there was John the Baptist walking the streets telling anyone who would listen about the coming of a saviour for all the world.

Baby Jesus was worn out, but incredibly beautiful!

A camel waits outside the market for its owner to arrive.

Dinner on a stick!

The many spices that were used in the days of Jesus.

A really talented friend

2007-11-27T15:23:00.001-06:00

An incredibly talented friend I have made these lap desks for my boys. Aren't they so cool? We used them on our 5 hour drive home last Saturday and the boys have used them everyday since! Amanda - who made them - said she saw some in Canton and thought to herself, " I can do that myself". Please understand I never have these thoughts. I am absent/void when it comes to artistic talent, but I sure appreciate those of you who can do these things!

Surprise!

2007-11-26T19:27:00.001-06:00

So, I got an extra special surprise for Thanksgiving. Sweet G took me away for an overnight trip to a precious bed & breakfast in Jefferson. We had a wonderful time walking the streets of this historic town and just enjoying each others company without business or children interfering. The next morning we ate a delicious breakfast with 3 other couples and had a great time visiting. Then we headed back to NB to join the rest of the family for a lovely Thanksgiving Day lunch. All - in - all we had a wonderful break.

The room was named Monterrey Bay and was done in a California motif with a soft blue color on the wall. It had just been redone and was really beautiful!

G and me by our fireplace.........we let it burn all night!
Dinner!
The outside of the house we stayed in. It was away from the main house so we had plenty of privacy.

Happy Birthday B!

2007-11-18T11:15:00.001-06:00

2 months
4 months
9 months
1 year old
8!

Well, my sweet, sweet B turns 8 today! He is such a great kid and I am so proud of him for so many things. He was a great baby. He slept all night around 7 months - it only took us 2 nights to get him to fall asleep in his bed wide awake (we "ferberized" him as it is called). At 15 months he would wake up from his nap and speak in full sentences, "Mommy, I would like some yogurt please!". I swear the only word he ever said incorrectly was pancakes - he called them "papakes" and I would never correct him because it was so cute. My friends all said he was like a 40 year old man because of the conversations he was able to maintain. I am most proud of his kind, gentle heart. His teacher this year nailed it when she said that B is a friend to everyone in the room! He is so good to his little brother (who sometimes doesn't deserve it!), including him in just about everything he does. My greatest hope for B is that he grows into a man of God, a man who will put God first and do God's will no matter how hard this is . I pray that he will continue to be a friend to all remaining fair and compassionate. I know that God has many great things in store for us as we watch him mature into a young man and I am forever thankful for the privilege to be his mother. I love you B...happy birthday!

Fall Sing Along Videos

2007-11-17T09:54:00.000-06:00

Here is a video of the boys doing the chicken at the fall sing along! Enjoy!

Fall Sing Along

2007-11-17T07:31:00.000-06:00

It worked out perfectly this year as B and Lu's classes sat on the same side right behind one another. I didn't have to run from side to side. Wow!
B was a leader for the 2nd grade song and got to stand on the stage. He loved it!
B - before the big performance in his chaps!
Lu - before the big performance in his chaps!
Lu and his sweet new friend Des!
B and his good friends WD, MC

As always the boys' school did a great job with their western themed fall sing along. It is so fun to watch the kids sing the words and dance the moves. They all seem to have a great time and do a really good job. Again, it is such a blessing to attend a school that truly prides itself on a sense of community, family and belonging. I am very impressed with what each member of the faculty does with 777 students to make them feel important.

Family Reunion

2007-11-14T20:10:00.001-06:00

I don't know of any family that has a better reunion than the Watson's! We have been doing this since Grandma Watson passed away - I think this year was #16! As our family continues to grow so does the fun! Some people dread going to their family reunions, but I can honestly say it is an event we look forward to each year. We gather at a lake in beautiful condos and enjoy the fall weather while we catch up on each other's lives. We eat together, play games together and sincerely enjoy each others company. God has truly blessed us with the most amazing group of people that we have the honor of calling family.

Halloween - finally

2007-11-14T19:11:00.000-06:00

Mimi and Papa are ready for the fun!
They have been practicing their football looks - pretty serious if you ask me!
Our tradition to always trick-or-treat with our dear friends!
In the car, out of uniform ready to drive home!

Please forgive me for being late with the fun Halloween pictures! It is kind of sad because as they get older I take fewer and fewer pictures. I did think the ones from this year were cute - I hope you enjoy! Our subdivision was covered with kids this year. It was so great because we saw so many friends from school and their families out and about. It was a great evening!

Still at home with a sick friend

2007-11-13T19:31:00.001-06:00

So this tummy bug has not been the 24 hour type. As a matter of fact, the doctor said it could last 7 days and there is no medicine. Just what a mother wants to hear. Of course, G is in London for the week...why is it the kids always go down when the dad goes out of town?? Truthfully, this is much easier than it was a few years ago. I have been off work for a day and a half and Lu and I have watched some good movies and read some great books. Here is praying that tomorrow will be "normal" with everyone where they need to be and with B celebrating his birthday this weekend our other prayer is that this tummy bug stays far away from him!

Soooo long since the last one!

2007-11-11T10:11:00.000-06:00

Just a quick update as I lay in bed with sweet, sick Lu! It has been forever since I have posted. Life has been going at full speed times a thousand! Halloween was great! Mimi and Papa came to trick-or-treat with us and it was probably our favorite Halloween ever! Then we went to our family reunion that next weekend. It is one of our favorite events of the entire year as we gather in cabins at Lake Buchanan and eat great food together, play skip-bo and pool among other games, and visit with many relatives about everything that is going on in our lives. This past week I was in Houston at a middle school conference. The speakers were amazing and spending time with friends from work - outside of work - was a true blessing. I work with some amazing women from whom I have learned and continue to learn many things. Yesterday was Fall Fest at the boys' elementary school. Great fun and lots of work - then last night Lu went down like a limp spaghetti noodle. He has the tummy bug so I hope it is the 24 hour variety! I will be adding pictures later today - I hope!

Annual Halloween Party!

2007-10-28T19:57:00.000-05:00

The football players - it was amazing to see the change in our sweet boys once we put the real football pads on them! The testosterone was oozing out of their bodies!
Look out, here come the McIntyre men! I wouldn't want to face them on the field!
Super fun moms - some dressed up, some not - but all dear sweet ladies whom I am proud to call friend!
And then there are the kids! So cute and ready for Halloween fun!
Great friends!

I don't love Halloween the way that some people do. I have friends who declare it there favorite holiday, but I would honestly be happy if it came and went with no celebration what so ever from our family. I do however LOVE the annual Halloween party! Every year one of my most favorite friends has this fabulous party where we all gather for a few hours to eat, laugh and enjoy each others company. The kids have fun running and playing in their various costumes and the parents have fun just sitting in catching up with one another in a relaxing atmosphere. I am so thankful for all of those friends who touch my life in countless ways and even though I don't see most of them as often as I would like, I hope that each of them know what a special place they have in my life and the life of my family. May each of you have an incredibly blessed week filled with laughter, family, friendship and just a little bit of candy!

My favorite camping photo

2007-10-22T18:51:00.000-05:00

What precious boys!

Thank you Lord for these gifts that I have the privilege of knowing and watching grow. I cannot wait to see what incredible men they become. May they always see the world as a place filled with beauty and wonder and may they continually strive to make it a better place by shining your light, by helping those who are less fortunate and by sharing your word with those who do not know your grace and love. Thank you Lord for the joy they bring me on a daily basis. Thank you, for I cannot imagine my life without them.

Lucy, live and in person (sort of!)

2007-10-22T17:21:00.000-05:00

It is so hard to get Lucy to be still, but I thought these videos were pretty cute! She is adjusting well, maybe too well - she has chewed up some toys and left a "present" in Lu's room! Oh well..she is just a puppy after all! The boys are loving her and hope that is warms up tomorrow so they can take her on a walk. I think we have some real fun days ahead!

I think the reason she likes Lu's face so much was there was about 1/2 a chocolate chip c0okie left on there!