Mo Ranch

Just got back from a perfect 3 days in Hunt, Texas.
Wish we could stay at Mo Ranch forever.
As always, we came home wanting more.

we interrupt the regularly scheduled programming

It's finally summer.

Thank God.

I am loving every single minute of our kids being home.

And so is Wyatt.

All of his people here most all of the time makes this kid pretty darn happy.

I've found great peace laying on this floatie with my kids.

(i'm not even kidding)

The kids are having a ball and learning again how to enjoy each other all day long.

It is a great thing to watch.

Cooking together.

Playing together.

Laughing together.

I close my eyes to try and commit this to memory.

I never ever want this to go away.

 

These are the days that I'll remember.

I love summer.

Love Her Mother

I am posting this video because I just love it so so so much.
I am SO not Mormon.
But I saw this on one of the blogs I follow and have watched it a few times.
I LOVE IT.
These words are true no matter what you happen to believe.

Love my mother.

That's Gonna Leave Mark

"you know it's been a good day when you've pee'd at the shoe more than your own bathroom."
-s.n.

For a handful of years, the driveway girls have been going to the same table at the same bar and drinking the same beer from the same bartenders.

This is our place.
We laugh together.
We cry together.
We play the same songs on the jukebox.
We listen to the same dumb jokes.
We say hey to the other regulars.
We laugh some more.
But most of all, we listen to each other - without judgment.

If that table could talk, it could tell so so many stories.
Most nights when we walk in, it has been reserved for us by Dixie.

You could say that we are regulars.

A few months back, Dixie mentioned that she would put our picture over the table.
We kinda chewed on it for a few months and asked if we could do a little plaque instead.
Something to represent us and our genuine love for each other and our friendship.

So our hope is if you ever find yourself sitting at our table at the Horseshoe Lounge that our plaque will be a reminder to be a friend.
Without judgment.
That you will listen with all of your heart and you will open your mind.
That you will understand that our differences are what make us stronger.
And most of all, we hope you will laugh.

cheese is nature's fruit

You just can't imagine how excited we were when we found out that the Barton Hills 6th Grade Choir was invited to sing with Roger Waters on "Another Brick In The Wall" during the Austin leg of The Wall tour.  (whew - long sentence)

So here it is.
They were awesome.
Still makes this momma tear up.

Wow.
Jena is 4th from the left.

This is definitely one for the books.

firework

Today is Make Movement Day.
Our PE teacher, Mrs. Perry, created a flashmob style dance and taught the entire school.
She invited parents to come this morning and learn the dance.

I was move to tears when it was being performed.  (I didn't dance cause I wanted to film)
I cried when I was uploading it.

I am still moved to tears by it - even after watching it 10 or so times.

What a beautiful gift for these kids.
Singing the words to this song at the top of their lungs.
Getting to do this with their parents and teachers.

Wow.
Thank you Mrs. Perry.
We are truly blessed.

book of memories

When I was a young mother, my family and I were spending the night at my Granny and Pop's house for the weekend.  It happened that my Aunt Marcella was in town and visiting also.

On Sunday morning - just as we had done 100 times before, we all got up and were getting ready to go to the service at Alvin Missionary Baptist Church.  My granny was bustling around with her pokie curlers with pink toothpicks in her hair, putting on her lipstick and looking for the mate to her retro clip on earrings.  As she was getting ready, she was saying how the ladies at the church never speak to her.  After she had talked about the ladies and feeling excluded for a bit, something happened that I had never seen happen before.

My Aunt Marcella looked directly at my granny and said in a very clear, gentle voice "well mother, did you ever stop to think that you aren't talking to them either?"

I'll never forget that moment.
That one sentence has given me enough lessons to last a life time.

First of all, my aunt was speaking to my granny as an adult.  A friend.  Being completely honest.  And respectful.
Isn't that what we want from the people in our lives?  To be told honestly when we are lacking clarity.

Secondly (and the thing I say most to my kids) - be the person that starts the conversation.  Extend a smile or kind word.
It goes a million miles and touches people deep down inside when genuine kindess is shown.

I tell that story often.
I imagine I will be telling it for the rest of my life.

Because my Aunt Marcella set the example.
She layed the path for me to speak first and from the heart.