Another first

I am so excited I can finally park my car in the garage!

It only took four months to get a new garage door and clear out all of the junk we just threw in there from the hurricane.

It is amazing what you take for granted when you can't do something.

10 new things

Thanks to Mama Belle for giving me something else to blog about.

Here are her rules, copied straight from her blog.

What I want to know is 10 NEW (not the same old thing) things you've discovered that you can't live without and why.

I'm talking practical, here.

Not Jesus or your family ... that's a given.

I'm talking PRODUCTS ... anything from groceries to toiletries to make-up to shoes. This will help us all discover new things we may want to try.


And since I have discovered some new things over the past year here is a list of a few of them.

1. This is the best mascara EVER!










2. This lip soother by Neutrogena is awesome. It even tastes good.










3. These Crystal Lite packets to go are the best. Raspberry Lemonade is yummy!









4. This video game ROCKS! Literally. I'm usually not a big fan of video games. But this is one the whole family has fun playing.

5. This cream smells so good, and makes my skin feel so soft in the morning.











6.The flip flops are a must. So comfortable and I just love the red!











7. This is the best purse. It leather and it holds everything!








8. This winter these have become a staple for my wardrobe.









9. OK I know it's a stretch but I love how my house smells after I spray this.










10. These candles also smell great! My favorite is Pomegranate.

OK so here's the deal now it's your turn.

Copy the rules and link back to my post and Mama Belle.

I can't wait to see all the great stuff you ladies use!

I'm feeling under the weather

It's no wonder I feel terrible.

The high yesterday was 72. People were out in shorts, capri pants and flip flops.

But look at the forecast for the rest of the week.














Maybe I need to go ahead and make my doctors appointment now.

Keeping his spirits up

I am sure most of us remember our childhood.

We have wonderful memories and then the not so wonderful.

R8 felt discouraged last night. And it hurt to see him like that.

We had our end of the basketball season tournament last night.

During half time R8 came up into the stands and told me he wanted to go home. He was tired of being put in the game and two players never passing the ball to him when is was consistently open.

I had been watching the game extra close since I didn't have R4 to look after.

R8's coach kept telling the other players to pass the ball to him. He was open and to look up and see their team mates.

But they never did. I know at 8 and 9 years old you want to be the one to make the shot, hear the crowd clap for you.

And as persistent as R8 and his coach were the two players never did pass the ball. Not only did they not pass the ball to R8 but they didn't pass it to anyone else either.

While I wanted to run on to the court and smack both of them, I redirected my energy and focused on R8 and keeping his spirits up. Keeping him focused on the bigger picture.

I told R8 he was doing a great job. He was playing aggressive and jumping for the rebounds.

But I still felt as if I was failing him. I was struggling to find the right words to tell him.

We have a standing rule in our house, if you sign up for something we don't quit in the middle. We give 100% all the time until the end.

It was hard to tell him not to quit on his team mates when he felt as if they had quit on him.

But then I thought of this.

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

I then told R8 to have the courage to finish what he started. That God hasn't quit the work he started in him.

To finish the game. Play the best he could with what he had and then when it was over to walk away.

God does the same thing with us. He gives us the very best of what he has. We just have to ask for it. To open our hearts to accept it. The great thing is He doesn't quit on us. He sees us through right to the end.

He gives us the courage to finish the game. To have the strength to walk away when it's over and move forward.

Now if I could just convince myself that I didn't fail my 8 year old son when he needed me.

A birthday party and a date sort of

I think the weekend has finally caught up with me. I don't feel so great.

Saturday was so busy, I thought my head was spinning around in circles.

My niece and nephew spent the night with us on Friday. R8 and R3 has so much fun with them.

Then Saturday morning, I went to Party City to have R4's balloons blown up for his party later that day. It was CrAzY in that store. I think every party in town was going to be held that day. I walked up to the balloon counter and there was no one in front of me but when I turned around to go pay there were about 8 people behind me.

When I got to the check out counter there was only one cashier working with a line of about 5 people and each one had a basket full. So it took a sweet forever to finally get out of that stinkin' store.

Rush home, decorate the dinning room, change clothes, grab a snack, herd 5 other people out the door and rush to R8's last basketball game.

Game ends, rush back home and wait for everyone to show up for R4 birthday party.

I didn't think I was going to make it. That would have been sad to be late for my own child's party and it was at my house!

Party was great! I think the kids a fun and I know R4 did,just look at the picture. What a face!














Then in total surprise the in-laws offered to keep the kids overnight. The were keeping my niece and nephew so they figured what was two more.

AWESOME!

Hubs and I head out to dinner around 7. We get to one of our favorite restaurants and find out the wait is and hour and a half. We decide to wait it out. We don't have any kids, hadn't made plans to go any where so we weren't in a rush.

And we had decided since we didn't have the boys after dinner we would go grocery shopping.

Such a great way to spend date night....dinner and the grocery store. But those with kids know how easy it is to go grocery shopping with no children.

Earlier in the day I had started feeling bad, scratchy throat, achy, blah!

So during dinner I tell him, I don't feel so great and after dinner I just want to go home.

We get home and I crashed! No lets snuggle and spend some time just the two of us.

Nope didn't happen. I put on my "sick" PJ's and crawled in bed. I even think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

So much for a nice evening with my husband.

The sweetest thing

I took the boys to the grocery store this past weekend.

By my self. Not something I usually do.

Hubs and I tag team. I get the grocery cart and he gets the boys. That way if one needs to go to the bathroom, he takes them and we still manage to get out of there at a reasonable hour.

But Hubs had a basketball tournament on Saturday and so I took the boys.

When you walk into HEB they have a greeter and they offer balloons to all of the kids.

R8 didn't want one but R3 asked politely for a green one.

He played with that thing the entire time I was shopping.

When we were checking out he asked me if he could send the balloon to Pam-Maw. He said she would like it.

I got a lump in my throat and managed to choke out the words sure baby we can send it.

So after the groceries were loaded in the car, I took the paper weight off of the string and gave the balloon back to R3.

He stood up proud and tall and let the balloon go.

He then said, "Here it comes Pam-Maw, get ready!"

It still brings tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat just thinking about it.

The class project

R8 had a class project. The usually dreaded class project.

The one where you actually have to make something out of something.

I'm the one who handles the class projects around our house. Because we all know when the kids get to school you can always tell who had their mom do their project and who had to do their project themselves.

Sad but it's true.

But this time I turned the tables. I told Hubs he was in charge of this baby. I had put in my time as project maker helper for the past three years and now it was his turn.

I was even proud that I didn't let my OCD tendencies get the best of me while they were in the throws of trying to figure out how to put together all the stuff they gathered.

I just kept on telling them both great job, Oh that looks cool, or very creative. While I just sat on the couch reading Breaking Dawn.

Truth of the matter was they were very creative and the project turned out great.

Oh and by the way the class project...build a robot! Yes ma'am, build a robot.

It didn't actually have to work. But it had to have a name and a purpose.

Here is what they came up with.














It's a dog and it doesn't have a name yet but it fetches the paper.

But what I really want to know is can we really make it work to fetch my coffee instead? Can it start my car when it's cold outside to get it all toasty warm? Can it clean my bathrooms?

Now that would be a project that would receive triple A's in my book.

Happy 4th Birthday R4

Yes today is the day R3 becomes R4.

I can't believe 4 years have flown by.

I can still see that sweet baby I brought home from the hospital in the pale blue outfit wrapped in a white blanket with pale blue edging.

And as usual in honor of his birthday I am going to list four things I love about this little boy.

1. His smile and laughter. It is infectious and melts my heart.
2. How Hubs and I tuck him in bed and he still will come running down the hallway to get one more kiss and hug before going to sleep.
3. How he gives me a kiss and says he loves me so much!
4. How at four years old he is incredibility witty. He keeps me in stitches.

Happy 4th Birthday R4.

I love you so much!

Riding around in their automobiles

The boys were riding in the yard the other day and I know a photo op when I see it. SoI had to run inside and get my camera.

It was a sight to see R3 trying not to get his John Deer tractor run over by R8 riding in a Jeep that was obviously to small for him.

They were having the best time chasing each other around. Their laughter brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart.

My new house

One of my sweet bloggy friends sent me an email last week asking me to post some pictures of my house post Hurricane Ike.

I know since the repair process started back in November I really haven't talked that much about it.

I posted a few pictures and some stories but that was it.

I started to feel like that was all I was talking about and it was bringing me down.

It was hard to live it everyday. To walk through your home and see it torn to pieces. But good pieces since it was the contractor tearing it apart, and not some stinkin' hurricane.

I must say it is very humbling to walk into your living room and see straight into your attic. Support beams, wall, and tar paper.

There is nothing like walking into your bedroom or your child's bedroom only to see missing walls and ceilings.

It is something I pray I never have to do again. If you go here, here and here you can see some of the damage and remodel process.

But now that is all behind me. I am back in my home. Making new memories with my family.

Thank you again to all of you who prayed for me and my family during this journey. Your prayers and thoughts brought me much comfort. They were never far from my mind.

And because she asked for it, here you go.

Here is the new livingroom. I love the silhouettes of the boys. And Hubs' new TV didn't have a scratch on it. The sconce hanging on the wall to the left of the french door was full of water. YUK!




























Here is the dining room. I even have the Happy Birthday banner up in honor of R3's birthday on Wednesday. In our house birthdays are a week long celebration. One day just doesn't cover it. And the new kitchen. There was some pretty bad wallpaper in there, grape design. The grapes were blue and red with green leaves and VERY busy. I love the new paint.

















Here is a shot of the hallway which now has carpet!














And one of my new bedroom. I love the pale yellow walls, the deep red curtains and the navy quilt. It has finally become the warm comforting room I have always wanted.

Bloggy Award

The most talented Yvette at The Charm House gave me this award.












I am humbled and honored that she thought of me. Thanks Yvette.

She is absolutely wonderful. If you have never checked out her site you should.

Anyway, Lisa at Antiques and More gave Yvette this award. It is written in her native Portuguese language and it focuses not on the glory and fanfare of blogging, but in the PROXIMITY to one another through this on-line world.

Here's the definition of the award: "Blogs who receive this award are 'exceedingly charming' say its authors. This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Being a rebel, I can not pick just eight people. I am blessed to have some of the most amazing bloggy friends.

So I am giving this award to all of you. If you have time please take the award and post it on your site along with the story and your choices it's recipients.

Have a great weekend.

His smile melts my heart

I had the privledge of taking R8 to basketball practice last night.

During the drive over we talked a bit about the his day at school. He was a chatter box. I received deep details of the day.

I liked the fact that he turned off his DS and the radio just to talk to me. I liked having that one on one time with him.

Then while at practice, I watched him run up and down the court with his friends.

Smiling and laughing and having a great time.

And as I sat there my heart had a tug.

He won't always be this young. To be care free. To be as silly has he wants or as serious as he wants.

That this is only a season in my life and his.

I hope that my parenting decisions guide him in the right directions.

One day he will be making his own choices, more than what he wants for breakfast or what game he is going to play on his DS.

While I know life won't always be this easy, I pray it is.

And just for the moment I will bask in my sons smiling carefree face. And the thumbs up he gave me after making a free throw.

He's such a jokester

We were sitting around the dinner table last night and R8 asked us if we wanted to hear a joke.

Of course Hubs and I said yes.

The rest of the conversation went something like this...

R8: What kind of shoes does a goat wear?

Us: We don't know what kind?

R8: Re baa-aaa-aaa-ox

We laugh and tell him that's a good one.

R8 then says he has another one.

R8: What kind of shoes does a chicken wear:

Us: What kind?

R8: Re-bock-bock-box.

We crack up laughing again while he just sat there with a very big smile on his face.

I love moments like that.

Princess M

Princess M is my niece.

For as long as I can remember we have called her Princess M or M-Bella.

R8 and M are only five days apart. They have this bond that is unbelievable. They have always gotten along so well. They love to hang out with one another.

On Saturday,M, competed in a local Mardi Gras pageant. And R8 wanted to go and cheer her on. So just the two of us went.

Every year the organization holds a pageant with different age groups and the winners get to be in the Mardi Gras parade and ride on a float.

Well, M was in the princess division and she won. You can go here to see the new princess.

Guess she has really been Princess M all along.

cupcakes vs. every other healthy food

This was one of those weekends where I didn't really have anything planned.

It was nice.

Usually I try and take care of our running around on Saturday so on Sunday I can "rest" as the Lord says, but that wasn't the case this weekend.

I had so much to take care of, going to HEB was the last thing I wanted to do Saturday night at 8pm.

So Sunday before I headed out to the grocery store, I asked the boys if there was anything special they wanted me to get for them.

R8 says he would like some Granny Smith apples. No problem I tell him.

R3 says he would like some cupcake mix. I tell him OK, sure.

This didn't surprise me at all. I have one child that would eat every vegetable on the planet. Raw mind you. He would be just as happy to sit down and watch TV with a bowl of cherry tomatoes, broccoli, or red bell peppers as I would with a mini bag of smart balance popcorn and a bag of gummy coke bottles.

My other child would eat Willie Wonka out of house and home. This child loves sweets. He will eat his veggies too. But ask him if he wants a salad or cupcakes and he can't answer cupcakes fast enough.

Upon my return I had in my possession all the requested items along with enough food I think to last longer than five days. But don't ask the boys.

Only R3 wouldn't leave my side until I actually pulled the cupcake mix and icing out of the bags upon which he started to salivate.

Here is what happened next.













Don't worry we aren't giving these cupcakes to anyone. And yes I did let him double dip the spoon. How could I say no to just one time. And if you notice the cupcakes were already iced. But if you want one I will ask R3 if he would be willing to share.















The finished product.















And the mess we left behind. The good thing was Hubs was unloading the dishwasher and I figured since he was in cleaning mode, I would leave it all to him.

Thanks Hubs!

Clean up

Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up. Do your share today.

Whoops, I thinking I was in R3's class room at Pre-School.

Actually, I am in clean up mode. I have been cleaning and culling out to the extreme.

I cleaned out the junk drawer, the hall closet, my bedroom closet, and next is the garage!

I really want to start on that this weekend but it will be raining and cold. I can handle cold but not wet and cold. It makes me miserable.

So is anyone else in de-clutter mode or is it just me?

It's only the beginning of the year

It's sad when it's only the beginning of January and you've got nothing great to post about.

You would think with all of the holidays and family togetherness I would have something to blog about.

Right now the only thing going on is R8 is playing a marathon session of Rock Band and R3 is wining about wanting to look as his penny book.

Actually the book is a book containing all of the state quarters which was given to him by Big Guy and Duh-Duh. (the grandparents)

So I think I am going to join R8 and rock till we drop!

The party's over

Well the Christmas decorations have all gone back into hiding at my house.

And while we only had them up for about 3 weeks, I was kinda of glad to see them go.

I love it when they first come out of the box on Thanksgiving weekend. It's like a prelude to a Christmas party for me. Opening all of the ornament boxes and seeing old friends.

But by New Year's Eve, the party is over and it's time for them to go home.

And since I got to redecorate the living room after we moved back home, here is just a small picture of what I had done.














I absolutely love the silhouettes! I'm glad I got to capture the moment.

Joy

That's her real name. Joy Elaine Wilson.

But to me she will for ever be Pam-Maw.

Pam-Maw went home to be with the Lord on Sunday.

While I knew this was inevitable it still doesn't ease my hurt.

I can't even begin to describe how amazing she was. Her name says it all. Joy.

From the day Hubs and I started dating she loved me. Loved me as if I had always been in her life as her grand-daughter.

She held a very special place in my heart and still does.

When this journey started a week ago, I prayed for Jesus to hold her close to his side and right now she is sitting as his feet.

I prayed for comfort. She is in the comfort of our Lord.

I prayed for peace. The Lord has granted me peace.

I know she is healed and whole once again. She is rejoicing in heaven.

And while my heart is heavy and tears flow freely, I am rejoicing for her.

I love you Pam-maw and will miss you terribly till we see one another again.

2 boys and the mall

Yesterday Hub's and I took the boys the mall.

We were only there for an hour and a half and that was entirely to long.

We got there at 10:30AM and our first stop was to Pretzel Time. Our mall staple is a medium lemonade and a medium size pretzel bites.

Once we had satisfied our pretzel addiction, we off in search of dress clothing.

The boys needed suits.

Have you ever been shopping with two boys ages 8 and 3? It's not pretty.

So after searching the boys department in Dillard's for 45 minutes, the quest was filled. Two suit jackets, pants, shirts, ties, socks, and shoes. Jackpot!

Our next mission was the dressing room. S-I-G-H-!-!-!

We ended up in the handicap dressing room because it's size. HUGE!

I took the task of helping R8 and Hubs helped R3. And after a few threats within an inch of their lives the boys were dressed.

Staring at the boys in their nice clothes up brought a smile to my face. They looked handsome and I told both of them so.

R3 said he didn't look nice, he looked gooooood!

R8 just asked if he could get the heck out of the monkey suit.

When you are a male, I guess it doesn't matter what age you are when it comes to wearing a suit. You want to take it off just as soon as you put it on.

All I can say is trying being female. High heels, pantyhose, and make up. Wearing a tie has nothing on that.

Happy New Year 2009

Happy New Year!!!

I hope everyone's year is filled with smiles, love and laughter.

I can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for us.

Life is an adventure, you only need to hang on for the ride.