Snow Day Jan. 2007. Me pushing the kids down the hills on our homemade sled.
Anniversary Day hike at Pedernales Falls - Feb. 23, 2003.
Grand Canyon - August 2004
Thursday, February 7, 2008
So Many Photos
Our camera has almost 250 photos on it right now. I don't know where the cord is to plug it in so I can't share them with you. Soon I'll blog about the move, #3's birthday, 5 people getting the flu and the Hannah Montana concert. Until then, I'll share some of my FAVORITE times with you...hope you enjoy!
Snow Day Jan. 2007. Me pushing the kids down the hills on our homemade sled.
Anniversary Day hike at Pedernales Falls - Feb. 23, 2003.
Grand Canyon - August 2004
Snow Day Jan. 2007. Me pushing the kids down the hills on our homemade sled.
Anniversary Day hike at Pedernales Falls - Feb. 23, 2003.
Grand Canyon - August 2004
7th Heaven
The other day I was thinking about the number 7. The only odd number I've ever really liked has been 23 (JC bday, our anniversary, #2 bday). Lately, seven has really grown on me. Here are a few of the reasons...
I am 37.
We've been married 17 years.
I am pregnant for the 7th time.
Wow - 7 pregnancies. Hard to believe it when I say it out loud and even harder to believe when I read it here in black and white!!! 37 and 17 are really no shock to me - I always knew those things would happen. Seven really fills my heart with joy and is also a little sad.
Our love that started when we were so so young has made this beautiful family. Our love is still rock solid and so so strong. The kids are thrilled. I'm a little tired (of throwing up that is). I think that JC is a little proud.
We are 15 weeks. Almost half way through. We all went last week and saw the bundle swimming around, sucking a thumb and we tried our hardest to figure out if it is a boy or girl. No luck with that yet. All the kids have their own picture of the bundle. We let them start telling people last Friday. Within hours, I'm pretty sure the whole school knew. Funny how many casual friends have come up to us on separate occasions telling that they heard from the school janitor, or the lunch lady or their kid told them and they just couldn't believe it was true.
Only a few folks have not been so positive. It's okay though because I've wanted this family my WHOLE life and there is so much love here - even for the negative folks.
#4 told Momo that if the baby is a girl, she can have it. He's sticking to his story too!
The kids and JC are taking good care of me. I am SO thankful.
P.S. And no, we are not gonna name our kid Seven. And not Soda either.
I am 37.
We've been married 17 years.
I am pregnant for the 7th time.
Wow - 7 pregnancies. Hard to believe it when I say it out loud and even harder to believe when I read it here in black and white!!! 37 and 17 are really no shock to me - I always knew those things would happen. Seven really fills my heart with joy and is also a little sad.
Our love that started when we were so so young has made this beautiful family. Our love is still rock solid and so so strong. The kids are thrilled. I'm a little tired (of throwing up that is). I think that JC is a little proud.
We are 15 weeks. Almost half way through. We all went last week and saw the bundle swimming around, sucking a thumb and we tried our hardest to figure out if it is a boy or girl. No luck with that yet. All the kids have their own picture of the bundle. We let them start telling people last Friday. Within hours, I'm pretty sure the whole school knew. Funny how many casual friends have come up to us on separate occasions telling that they heard from the school janitor, or the lunch lady or their kid told them and they just couldn't believe it was true.
Only a few folks have not been so positive. It's okay though because I've wanted this family my WHOLE life and there is so much love here - even for the negative folks.
#4 told Momo that if the baby is a girl, she can have it. He's sticking to his story too!
The kids and JC are taking good care of me. I am SO thankful.
P.S. And no, we are not gonna name our kid Seven. And not Soda either.
Greetings From Austin
I know a few friends will want to click on the new sidebar picture. So here it is in big clickable form! :)
January 2003
January 2003
On Perspective
Lately, I've been very aware of people all around me that are very stressed about life and the world around them. Some are people that I care about, others are complete strangers. I watch these people move through their day to day duties and wonder how they feel. I am not stressed about being 5 minutes late to a practice, a lesson or even school for that matter. I am stressed about bills, my children having warm loving memroies of their childhood, and being able to take a family vacation to Germany next summer.
I use to get VERY worked up (back in the day when there were just 2) about kids having clean uniforms, being early to games, practicing their instruments a set number of minutes, having the most delicious snacks, etc., etc. I just can't do that anymore.
The people that run around crazy like are not wrong. I am not wrong. I have this little plaque that is a daily reminder of my quest to 'simplify my life'. I don't mean in terms of the calendar = for goodness sakes, we have six games this Saturday. I mean in terms of how I handle all of these things. I know that my laid back attitude is a turn off to many people. Apparently it seems that some even think that I don't care or am not committed.
I've been praying and even meditating a lot lately for peace. Peace in the world would be great. Peace in the hearts of each one of my children is my ultimate reward. Peace for my own ability to function in this daily life with a cool head, clear perspective and for the world to know the love I have is a daily goal.
I hope that my kids don't grow up to be lazy adults that don't care for their home or the world around them, based on how they have seen me move casualy through each day. Somehow I believe that they will strive to keep their home in order and live life to the fullest - every single moment - because of what they see us doing.
P.S. Sorry for any mis-spelled words - the spell checker isn't working and the monitor is too far away for me to read what I am typing. The good news is, this all comes from my heart.
I use to get VERY worked up (back in the day when there were just 2) about kids having clean uniforms, being early to games, practicing their instruments a set number of minutes, having the most delicious snacks, etc., etc. I just can't do that anymore.
The people that run around crazy like are not wrong. I am not wrong. I have this little plaque that is a daily reminder of my quest to 'simplify my life'. I don't mean in terms of the calendar = for goodness sakes, we have six games this Saturday. I mean in terms of how I handle all of these things. I know that my laid back attitude is a turn off to many people. Apparently it seems that some even think that I don't care or am not committed.
I've been praying and even meditating a lot lately for peace. Peace in the world would be great. Peace in the hearts of each one of my children is my ultimate reward. Peace for my own ability to function in this daily life with a cool head, clear perspective and for the world to know the love I have is a daily goal.
I hope that my kids don't grow up to be lazy adults that don't care for their home or the world around them, based on how they have seen me move casualy through each day. Somehow I believe that they will strive to keep their home in order and live life to the fullest - every single moment - because of what they see us doing.
P.S. Sorry for any mis-spelled words - the spell checker isn't working and the monitor is too far away for me to read what I am typing. The good news is, this all comes from my heart.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
No Witty Words
Well, I've been sitting here for a good 10 minutes trying to think of some witty title, but cannot think of anything for the life of me!
I am happy to say that our computer is FINALLY hooked up! Now keep in mind, the monitor is sitting on top of the CPU and I am using a little plant table to hold the mouse and keyboard. We are really and truly living outta boxes right now - and it is so so so okay.
The move has been diffcult, to say the least. Our move date was pushed back just a bit, 5 out of 6 of us got the real live flu and missed about a week and a half of life and we had all of our day to day stuff still happening.
We LOVE the house and know that we made the best decision for our family. Last week I realized that on ONE day, I gained over three hours at home (compared to lving WAY down south). Our kids have been walking home from school each day. I am already a part of multiple carpools for basketball and soccer. #1 and his friends have been riding their bikes all over the neighborhood and have even met up at the school to play football a few times. #2 and #3 have been able to walk over to play with their girlfriends or meet at the basketball goal to shoot some hoops. #4 finally has a few friends that he can easily have over.
Hopefully we will start getting things inside the house more in order and we will be able to find the camera cord so that I can post some pics. on the blog of the house, the kids and all of our fun adventures.
Getting sleepy now, but will try to post more tomorow! :)
I am happy to say that our computer is FINALLY hooked up! Now keep in mind, the monitor is sitting on top of the CPU and I am using a little plant table to hold the mouse and keyboard. We are really and truly living outta boxes right now - and it is so so so okay.
The move has been diffcult, to say the least. Our move date was pushed back just a bit, 5 out of 6 of us got the real live flu and missed about a week and a half of life and we had all of our day to day stuff still happening.
We LOVE the house and know that we made the best decision for our family. Last week I realized that on ONE day, I gained over three hours at home (compared to lving WAY down south). Our kids have been walking home from school each day. I am already a part of multiple carpools for basketball and soccer. #1 and his friends have been riding their bikes all over the neighborhood and have even met up at the school to play football a few times. #2 and #3 have been able to walk over to play with their girlfriends or meet at the basketball goal to shoot some hoops. #4 finally has a few friends that he can easily have over.
Hopefully we will start getting things inside the house more in order and we will be able to find the camera cord so that I can post some pics. on the blog of the house, the kids and all of our fun adventures.
Getting sleepy now, but will try to post more tomorow! :)
Thursday, January 3, 2008
About Water
You might have noticed that three of our kids got fancy water bottles with their Christmas money. Well, first of all, they were on sale for $5 at REI (Christmas designs)- if you can even believe that. And secondly, we are trying SO SO SO hard to be responsible with our money and even for our environment. Buying bottled water on a daily basis is nutty. All of the kids take water bottles to school on a daily basis and a good portion of their friends bring a NEW water bottle to school everyday. Sometimes two per day!!! Not to mention that they take a drink to every sports practice - and we aren't buying Gatorade for all four kids multiple times per week!
Well, I am telling you, those Nalgene bottles are the tops! The do not get squished in the backpack, the lids don't pop open and leak water everywhere and they last forever. I think there is enough evidence showing that the polycarbonate that they are made from is safe and every Nalgene bottle is made in the USA. You gotta love that.
We've tested the responsibility level of making it home daily with your water bottle and they have all managed to make it happen, so wa-la - you finally get a fancy water bottle!
Yippee! We love Nalgene!!!
P.S. In case you are wondering, #1 got his first Nalgene bottle while at camp this summer in the Sequoia National Forest! :) I know it is a dumb thing to blog about, but I love these water bottles.
Well, I am telling you, those Nalgene bottles are the tops! The do not get squished in the backpack, the lids don't pop open and leak water everywhere and they last forever. I think there is enough evidence showing that the polycarbonate that they are made from is safe and every Nalgene bottle is made in the USA. You gotta love that.
We've tested the responsibility level of making it home daily with your water bottle and they have all managed to make it happen, so wa-la - you finally get a fancy water bottle!
Yippee! We love Nalgene!!!
P.S. In case you are wondering, #1 got his first Nalgene bottle while at camp this summer in the Sequoia National Forest! :) I know it is a dumb thing to blog about, but I love these water bottles.
Shop-o-Rama
Well, the blogging has been killing me. As in, I've been dying to do it and haven't been able to find the time or the energy. Since last Saturday, we've had three throw-uppers in our house, and one of them has been me. I was literally sick from Tuesday night until this morning and really unable to function at all. Just laying as still as possible. The kids did great, they got food for each other, helped the youngest in the bathroom and took lots of good care of me.
This morning, I was still throwing up, but the throw up had to wait, because Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Steve sent everyone a $50 American Express gift card for Christmas. So that, with their $10 from Aunt Sandy, made today an official shopping spree day.
I don't know of a time that our kids have ever gotten to go to the store and spend that much money. They were thrilled. Everyone was very patient with each other. We shopped for almost 8 (yes, that's 8) hours. Before we started, we made a game plan. Everyone knew what they wanted and stuck to the plan.
So this is how it went...
1. Wal-Mart (Hwy. 290)
2. Wal-Mart (Hwy. 71)
3. Teacher Heaven
4. Justice for Girls
5. BookPeople
6. Target
#1 has been dying for a Bocce ball set. We walked into the first Wal-Mart and no luck, but thank goodness, the second Wal-Mart had it! He then saved the rest of his $45 for Bookpeople, where he spent every single penny. He purchased all Bluebonnet books (paperback only) because he wants to read every book on the 2008 list. For the books that only come in hardback, he will check those out from the library. He also bought a special 'reading hat'. It looks like the hat that Snoopy wore when he was flying the dog house - and he really likes it!
Here are the books that he purchased...
The Blue Ghost by Marion Dane Bauer
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan
Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye
(BTW - #1 has pointed out that the titles are supposed to be underlined - but I cannot figure out how to do it on this blog!)
#2 was really really wanting Santa to bring her a grown-up athletic watch with a stop watch. Well, that didn't happen, so it was the VERY first thing purchased today. She purchased a Timex Ironman watch that is black and turquoise. I know that she'll be responsible for it because she's been wearing mine for the last few weeks. She also purchased 'fancy panties' (on sale), a new nalgene water bottle from REI (on sale), an O:>) angel smile pillow (on sale) and two books at Bookpeople. I have been watching her tonight and she can't stop looking at the watch. I love it that she is so proud of it.
Her book choices are -
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
#3 was also very sure of where she was spending every penny. First stop, Wal-mart to purchase High School Musical 2. Boy-o-boy, has she been waiting for it!!! Then she wanted to go to the teacher store so that she could buy her very own chalkboard. Well, the chalkboard was only $8, so she also bought a pointing stick, chalk eraser, chalk, calendar sheet that she had laminated, and bag to keep in chalk in and dry erase crayons. Boy, that kids was smiling from ear to ear. She is going to make a huge teaching section in her new room and is so excited she is about to bust. She even asked tonight if we could put a table in the room so that she could have a lunch room. :) As long as I can remember, she's wanted to be a teacher - and I was pleasantly surprised at how much she could 'afford' to purchase at the teacher store! She also bought a new Nalgene water bottle and a few books for the 'class' at Bookpeople. She had $13 left for the bookstore and it went a pretty long way. Her book purchases are:
Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard (teacher book)
Junie B. Jones and her Big Fat Mouth by Barbara Park
Junie B. Jones is not a Crook by Barbara Park
Blizzard of the Blue Moon by Mary Pope Osborne
And last but certainly not least, is #4. He also knew what he wanted when we started the spree. Three things...a bouncy ball from Wal-mart, a reindeer Webkin, and a Webkin necklace for his two charms. Well, we got the ball and the necklace, but had no luck with the reindeer. :( While we were shopping though, he did find a Scooby Doo plug-n-play video game (on-sale), and teacher pointer stick, a bug catching watch, and a new Nalgene water bottle (on sale). The one thing left on his list (for his remaining $35) is a moon light for his bedroom. Our 6 year old next door neighbor got one for his birthday and #4 has been wanting one every since. Checked at 3 stores and haven't been able to find it, but I will and he will be thrilled!!
So thank you Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Steve and to you too Aunt Sandy. This was a huge huge treat for the kids and a day that I know they will never forget. I am proud of how responsible they all were and how the three big kids are really starting to understand the importance of finding a good deal and of buying things that you really really want and will use. They understand (for the most part) the importance of not being wasteful and I am SO SO SO proud of that!
This morning, I was still throwing up, but the throw up had to wait, because Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Steve sent everyone a $50 American Express gift card for Christmas. So that, with their $10 from Aunt Sandy, made today an official shopping spree day.
I don't know of a time that our kids have ever gotten to go to the store and spend that much money. They were thrilled. Everyone was very patient with each other. We shopped for almost 8 (yes, that's 8) hours. Before we started, we made a game plan. Everyone knew what they wanted and stuck to the plan.
So this is how it went...
1. Wal-Mart (Hwy. 290)
2. Wal-Mart (Hwy. 71)
3. Teacher Heaven
4. Justice for Girls
5. BookPeople
6. Target
#1 has been dying for a Bocce ball set. We walked into the first Wal-Mart and no luck, but thank goodness, the second Wal-Mart had it! He then saved the rest of his $45 for Bookpeople, where he spent every single penny. He purchased all Bluebonnet books (paperback only) because he wants to read every book on the 2008 list. For the books that only come in hardback, he will check those out from the library. He also bought a special 'reading hat'. It looks like the hat that Snoopy wore when he was flying the dog house - and he really likes it!
Here are the books that he purchased...
The Blue Ghost by Marion Dane Bauer
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan
Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye
(BTW - #1 has pointed out that the titles are supposed to be underlined - but I cannot figure out how to do it on this blog!)
#2 was really really wanting Santa to bring her a grown-up athletic watch with a stop watch. Well, that didn't happen, so it was the VERY first thing purchased today. She purchased a Timex Ironman watch that is black and turquoise. I know that she'll be responsible for it because she's been wearing mine for the last few weeks. She also purchased 'fancy panties' (on sale), a new nalgene water bottle from REI (on sale), an O:>) angel smile pillow (on sale) and two books at Bookpeople. I have been watching her tonight and she can't stop looking at the watch. I love it that she is so proud of it.
Her book choices are -
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
#3 was also very sure of where she was spending every penny. First stop, Wal-mart to purchase High School Musical 2. Boy-o-boy, has she been waiting for it!!! Then she wanted to go to the teacher store so that she could buy her very own chalkboard. Well, the chalkboard was only $8, so she also bought a pointing stick, chalk eraser, chalk, calendar sheet that she had laminated, and bag to keep in chalk in and dry erase crayons. Boy, that kids was smiling from ear to ear. She is going to make a huge teaching section in her new room and is so excited she is about to bust. She even asked tonight if we could put a table in the room so that she could have a lunch room. :) As long as I can remember, she's wanted to be a teacher - and I was pleasantly surprised at how much she could 'afford' to purchase at the teacher store! She also bought a new Nalgene water bottle and a few books for the 'class' at Bookpeople. She had $13 left for the bookstore and it went a pretty long way. Her book purchases are:
Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard (teacher book)
Junie B. Jones and her Big Fat Mouth by Barbara Park
Junie B. Jones is not a Crook by Barbara Park
Blizzard of the Blue Moon by Mary Pope Osborne
And last but certainly not least, is #4. He also knew what he wanted when we started the spree. Three things...a bouncy ball from Wal-mart, a reindeer Webkin, and a Webkin necklace for his two charms. Well, we got the ball and the necklace, but had no luck with the reindeer. :( While we were shopping though, he did find a Scooby Doo plug-n-play video game (on-sale), and teacher pointer stick, a bug catching watch, and a new Nalgene water bottle (on sale). The one thing left on his list (for his remaining $35) is a moon light for his bedroom. Our 6 year old next door neighbor got one for his birthday and #4 has been wanting one every since. Checked at 3 stores and haven't been able to find it, but I will and he will be thrilled!!
So thank you Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Steve and to you too Aunt Sandy. This was a huge huge treat for the kids and a day that I know they will never forget. I am proud of how responsible they all were and how the three big kids are really starting to understand the importance of finding a good deal and of buying things that you really really want and will use. They understand (for the most part) the importance of not being wasteful and I am SO SO SO proud of that!
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