I am wearing my hazmat suit

The stomach virus of 09 has hit my house.

Last Friday night R2 came down with it and had it for two days.

Hubs caught it on Tuesday and then it was R1's turn, he got sick on Wednesday.

Around 3:30 AM, Hubs and I were woken up by R2 crying and yelling. Screaming to be exact that R1 had thrown up in HIS bed and on him.

And yes for those of you wondering, 3:30 AM is a terrible hour to be awake!

So I get up and sure enough, R1 had gotten sick and it was all over. I will spare you the details but we stripped the bed and sprayed the room with Lysol. Washed R2 off and got R1 a fresh shirt.

I have to admit I didn't know who to feel more sorry for. R1 because his stomach hurt or R2 because his brother had thrown up on him.

By the time I got back in bed it was 45 minutes later and all I kept thinking about was I had to be up by 5:15.

I tried to relax, closed my eyes, took deep breaths and nothing helped. My thoughts were keeping me awake. I was running through my head all of the things that I needed to do. Like make sure R2 mattress pad was put in the dryer, pick up some crackers, ginger ale, and more gummy coke bottles. I finally feel back a sleep around 5AM.

As of last night R1 still couldn't keep anything down, not even water. So I am taking him to the doctor just to be on the safe side. The good thing is he doesn't have a fever or chills so it will probably just have to run it's course but with the pig flu and people panicking I figured I would join in and rush off to the doctors office.

But in the mean time I am wearing my hazmat suit and packing a can of Lysol.

Wish me luck!

I made it in 30 minutes flat

I think I set a new record last night for the fasted visit to the grocery store.

I had to run to HEB because we were out of a few things that just couldn't wait.

You know the usual milk, bread, eggs, Ritz crackers, Gushers and Gummy Coke Bottles.

So while Hubs bathed the boys, I took off on a little adventure by myself. You know to HEB.

I was so excited to be in the car by myself that I broke out my Journey's Greatest Hits CD and turned up the volume.

I pulled in the parking lot and was shocked to see it so crowded. I wondered if they were having a sale on Blue Bell Ice Cream and I didn't know.

So while cruising the parking lot for a spot I saw one coming available on the next isle over and took off to see if I could get it. And the parking spot fairies were shinning down on me for a brief moment as I pulled up and waited for them to back out of said spot.

Like I said the fairies shone down for a moment, when they pulled out and I pulled in the spot was labeled for "Customers with Children".

I thought for just a second and decided to stay in the spot, I have children, they just weren't with me. I even have a booster sit in the back for R2 to prove it.

I quickly looked around to see if anyone was looking and then made a mad dash out of my car and ran into the store, all the while praying a flashing light some where wasn't going off with a camera showing them my car and me getting out without a child.

It was then I decided to see if I could be the Dale Earnhardt Jr. of HEB and fly down each isle at top speed while maneuvering my grocery cart and trying not to hit anyone or anything.

As I made my way down each isle and I do mean each isle, I moved with such speed and precision, I was scaring my self. I swerved to the left and veered to the right with my cart full of stuff.

I slid up to the register like I was pulling into pit row, I looked down at my watch. It was then that I made the best discovery.

I managed to complete my shopping in 30 minutes. 30 MINUTES!! I could have done a happy dance but I was in the middle of HEB and didn't want people to call the police thinking I was Elaine from Seinfeld.

So I settled on a little sheepish grin and listening to the crowd cheering in my head because I had just won the HEB 500! Yeah I know I need to get out more but the crowd, they were cheering MY name.

Ok never mind I'm off to eat some Gummy Coke Bottles.

Open house with a snack on the side

Last night R1 had open house at school.

It is always a rush to get there and see his teachers, look at his work, talk to people I haven't seen in a while. Then rush home to cook dinner, do homework, bathe the boys and get them in bed.

But this year was different.

Hubs cooked tonight's dinner last night because Pasta Bake always tastes better the next day. And I didn't rush from work to get there at 5 when it started.

I took my time. And it was nice to just walk into school and not be completely out of breath for fear of being late.

I saw his projects and then talked with his teachers. R1 and I have known all of his teachers for several years and talking with them was like talking to old friends. So when they said hi to me and then referred to R1 as snack-shack, it didn't surprise me or offended me. Because they know he is a bottomless pit right now.

It was then that I learned his agenda sheet had been signed by one of them for conduct misbehavior.

Apparently R1 and his friend W got into a little trouble. W decided she was hungry and went and got her sandwich from her lunch kit. R1 then thinks this a great idea and goes to get his chips.

They were eating in class. Yes ma'am they were. And they both got in trouble.

I just looked at my child like his brain had been temporarily removed from his head and replaced back in backwards.

Wanna know what he did???

Just smiled his best smile and gave me a grin and said what, I was hungry!

One year ago

One year ago, I was in Gulf Shores, Alabama with all of my family, on a hurrication. We were on vacation due to an evacuation for Hurricane Ike.

One year ago, my house had three trees in it. I had curled up into the fetal position on the floor and cried while my husband and mother-in-law held me.

One year ago, I sucked it up and realized there was nothing I could do 10 hours away and decided to make the most of our hurrication and have fun.

One year ago, I played in the waters on the beach and built sand castles with my boys and collected sea shells to bring home to put in a memory jar.

One year ago, I walked into my house and again sucked it up and cleaned out everything that was damaged, threw it into a pile and just stared at my stuff.

One year ago, our family helped Hubs and I clean up the yard and cut trees down off of the house and haul them to the end of our property. And then I looked at the huge hole in the front yard where a tree had once been.

One year ago, I looked at the blue tarps which covered most of the roof to my house.

One year ago I felt as if my world has been turned completely upside down and it would never again be right.

While the feelings have dulled and bandages I put over that time in my life are still intact, it stills seems as if it just happened yesterday.

All around me still, there are reminders. Like the blue tarp roof on the house down the street. Tattered and torn, but it's still there. The hole in the ground where my neighbors tree was uprooted and hit my house.

Still around me are the friends that had so much damage to their home due to the storm surge, they just got back in three weeks ago. Still around me everyday are the visible signs that Hurricane Ike was here and left his mark.

But one year ago, I felt blessed my family was safe and unharmed.

One year ago, I felt blessed that my house could be repaired and the damage was not as bad as it could have been.

One year ago, my bloggy friends prayed for me and family everyday and I felt those prayers and was so thankful for them.

One year ago today.

In a funk

I don't know what is wrong with me but I feel as if I have gotten into some sort of bloggy funk.

I have all these things to blog about but can't get a cohesive thought down.

What to do...what to do...what to do.

I'll be back on Monday, and hopefully have some good stuff to tell y'all about.

Until then, have a great weekend!

PMS vs M&M's

9-9-9...I just had to type out the date. I know, moving on.

And now I just have to put this out there.

I don't know what is worse.

PMS or eating your weight in Peanut M&M's.

But please don't ask Hubs the first part and I won't tell you how many M&M's I really ate this past weekend.

Redneck water slide

So I mentioned earlier that we were at the lake this weekend.

When we got there, our friends who have a house right next door to my in laws built a water slide.

Yup you heard me, a 130ft to be exact! They designed it and had a company make the slide.

And I don't know who had more fun the adults or the kids.

Just check out the pictures.

Labor Day weekend

Woo Hoo!!! It's a three day weekend.

I am so excited.

We have a football game tonight and then on Saturday morning we are leaving for the lake.

I can't wait to get on the water and ride in the boat.

We also have some friends coming up on Monday, and we love hanging out with them.

I hope everyone has some terrific plans for the weekend that include spending time with family and friends.

And also some awesome food, what is a holiday weekend with out food!

So peace out peeps! See ya Tuesday!!

My office

So most of you know that I have a new job. Which by the way I am loving!

The perks are endless and just keep getting better!! I mean REALLY better.

But my office is painted what I call institutional grey, which multi grey carpet with maroon flecks.

My desk is wood and other than that there really isn't to much else going on other than my HUGE window.

So what I need is some ideas to decorate my office that will go with said color scheme.

I was thinking of like pear green and black or red or blue.

So please help! My office is in desperate need of a make over.

Thanks peeps!

My inquiring mind

So I have to know?

How many of you redo your closet every year for the change of the seasons?

I mean do you switch out your summer stuff and put the winter items back in?

And do you "really" quit wearing white shoes and pants after Labor Day?

Please tell me what you do and then I will share my answers with you.

Best seats ever!

So since I'm on the subject of baseball, back in March when I turned 40, yes I said 40, my friends gave Hubs and I, well really me, but Hubs got to reap the benefits to. A one night stay at Inn At The Ballpark.

This is the 5 star hotel directly across from Minute Maid park where my beloved Houston Astros play.

And as a bonus they were going to keep the boys and the dog overnight!

Woo Hoo.

Hubs and I couldn't book our reservations fast enough and we couldn't hit submit on the purchase of our tickets fast enough either.

So we waited and waited and waited. Finally August 8 2008 arrived.

We packed up the ourselves, the boys, and the dog and headed to D and C's house.

I know y'all are thinking AWESOME friends. And let me tell you they are! But the truth is I have known them almost 30 years.

I used to baby sit for them. And when I started their oldest was two, the middle one was 2 months and the baby wasn't even born yet. I love this family! Their girls are all married now with kids of their own, but we are still close.

So we got to their house, ate lunch, hung out and the blew that Popsicle stand so fast it made your head spin.

Yes, a baseball game with terrific seats, no kids to run to the concession stand for the one millionth time and no bathroom runs right as there are two outs bottom of the inning, winning run on, and the best hitter up to bat.

YES!!!

Hubs and I get to the hotel, check in and hang out for a while. Then walk right across the street to the park.

We watch the Astros and the Brewers and take batting practice. We watched them prep the field and all the major sports networks do their pre-game interviews.

Our seats by the way....12 rows back from home plate! SWEET!!!!

I could see and hear everything. I was in heaven!

Oh yeah, the weekend we went, was Hubs' birthday weekend. And as a surprise to him, I had his birthday displayed on the big neon board.

Bottom of the sixth, we wants to walk around and I say I want to see the birthday's to see if we know anyone. So we stay, of course and he was shocked and loved it!

It said...Happy Birthday Hubs! Love me, R1 and R2. Well not really but you get the gist.

And because you know I have such great camera skillz... my batteries were low and the flash wouldn't go fast enough and I missed the whole darn flipping thing!! I was mad!

But out seats kinda made up for that and because it batting practice was the first thing we did, the batteries were completely charged and working great.

Here are pictures of our awesome seats and some of my favorite Astros!!!

Batting practice

Hunter Pence

The enemy, The Brewers

Baseball action shots

Back during baseball season I had a company come and take some action shots of the boys during their last games.

This same company had been out three years ago and I loved the picture I ordered and have always wanted them to come back out.

So since this was R2's first year to play and R1's second year as catcher, I decided to call them to see if they would come out.

I told a few people about them coming and then they told a few people and so on and so on.

I feel like I'm in a Faberge Organic shampoo commercial from the 80s.

Any way, the photographers came took their pictures and then came back again a few weeks later so we could choose our shots, mattes, and frames.

They delivered them this past weekend and they are AWESOME!!!

All of them were good. There wasn't a bad shot or picture. And the best part, everyone loved what they got.

I wanted to just post the pictures but you know the anonymity thing for the kids kept me from doing so.

But I was so excited, I just had to show you. So excuse the fuzzed out, colored out, and chopped of parts.

R1


R2


This one is for my dad. He's gonna love it!


Oh by the way the ones of R1 and R2 have the same frame and matte. I only wish I could have shown the graphics that I fuzzed out. It has their names, the ball park name, and the year.

This little light of mine

I really don't think there is any thing sweeter than listening to your 4yr old sing This Little Light of Mine.

He started singing it in the bath tub and then while he was getting on his pj's.

And he kept right on singing for 30 minutes after that.

But what I want to know is when is it OK for the light to turn off so the rest of the family can go to sleep?

Y'all have a great weekend.

Peace out!

School Spirit

So last night Hubs' school district had meet the players and coaches night.

It's called Meet the "Small Town School"

It's like one big community wide pep rally. And everyone that has anything to do with high school attends. And this year we are in a new high school and the gym is really nice!

But the athletic director couldn't be heard. Not because he wasn't loud enough or the sound system wasn't good but because he kept his mouth right on the mic and screamed into it. It was like being in the class room with Charlie Brown's teacher.

The entire varsity football team is introduced, along with the cheerleaders, drill team, volley ball team, and coaching staff.

Hubs is part of the coaching staff. And the boys and I go every year to support him.

But what I am about to admit must strictly stay between us.

I secretly love going. I love the sound of the drums and the crowd cheering. Watching the drill team perform and the cheerleaders doing some death defying pyramid. Truth is I used to love pep rallies on Friday mornings in high school during football season.

Oh now don't get me wrong, I don't want to go back and redo high school. But being in the gym with all the goings on brings back some sweet memories for me.

But please please don't tell Hubs, I will never live it down!

What happened to Tuesday?

So it's Wednesday.

What happened to Tuesday? I totally missed it!

I don't have an excuse, I just was busy and missed a day.

So here is the picture I was going to post yesterday.



If I'm lucky maybe my pop up calendar on my computer will work to remind me on Thursday that the next day is Friday!

Father Time, please slow down

Today is the first day of school.

And yes I am going to get all sentimental here.

R1 is in 4th grade and R2 is in his last year of Pre-K.

I have to admit that R2 being in Pre-K doesn't bother me at all, but R1, that's totally different.

Where have the past 5 years gone. What has Father Time done? Did he speed up the clock when I wasn't looking?

It seems as if it were just yesterday I was rocking my sweet baby to sleep. Letting that baby breath rest on my neck while I just drank in the moment.

Snuggling with him in the chair watching Blue's Clues. And then when he as a little older we would switch to Scooby Doo.

Walking him down the kindergarten hallway for his first day in Mrs. D's class. Or how excited he was that he lost his first tooth.

Now he is a big 4th grader. What happened to first grade and second grade?

I feel as if I blinked and the years have passed.

Blink, he's one, Blink, blink he's 9.

Oh Father Time please slow down!

I still have a 4 year old to see off to school. I want to cherish every moment with him.

I still have a 9 to see through 8 more years of school.

And I don't want to miss a thing!!

Goodbye summer parting is such sweet sorrow

Well almost goodbye summer.

Goodbye in the sense that I no longer have to listen to MOM I'M BORED! or MOM WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TODAY?

School starts on Monday and I couldn't be more excited.

I love getting the boys new supplies together and getting their back packs ready. I love the smell of new crayons and the feel of a new binder. I like to look at all the school supplies lined up on my kitchen table and just bask in their glory.

Never go shopping with me if I have to go to Office Depot. It is almost as addictive as Target for me and I could spend hours on the folder isle and another two or three on the pens and pencils isle. Oh don't forget the desk accessories isle.

And then there is the paper isle, and the storage isle.

Sorry I got side tracked for a minute.

But in honor of celebrating the last dog days of summer, I am going to take some time off.

I'm going to make sure to find something new for us to do everyday and find new activities to keep them entertained.

Although swimming has pretty much been our constant thing to do, since you know it 216 degrees out side.

So I'll be back on Monday to fill y'all in on the adventures we took and the place we went.

Happy end of summer.

Oh yeah,

If y'all get a minute, please say a quick prayer for R1. He is trying out for a new select baseball team today and I don't know who is more nervous, me or him.

Thanks!

Tornado shmado

You know yesterday I posted about it being hurricane season here.

But I didn't know was that it was also tornado season here too.

We had a tornado touch down at Kohl's, and the hoped over to Walmart and right on over to the mall after that.

I had two friends that were out shopping, one at Kohl's and one at Walmart.

Thankfully no one was hurt and they were both fine just really shaken up.

Guess the next thing you know the city will be installing tornado warning sirens.

Oh my stars!

It's hurricane season AGAIN!

Yes it's that blissful time of the year when the water in Gulf of Mexico is so warm it feels like a bath instead of a cool refreshing dip in the ocean.

And with that said, you know warm ocean water and masses of disturbed air do not mix. Well actually they do they form Hurricanes.

I wrote a post last year about hurricane season and since that funny feeling in the pit of my stomach is coming back I thought it fitting to publish it again.

July 22, 2008

I have to say I hate hurricane season! I know hate is a strong word but I hate it! I did have another post for today but I am starting to get this anxious hurricane-ish feeling.

It's that time of the year. Hurricane season. It usually runs from June 1st to November 30th.

I live in an area of the Texas coast where hurricane season for me generally stinks.

For those of you who have had the lovely experience of torrential rain and damaging wind along with tornadoes, power outages, and so on, I feel for you. For those of you who have never been in one, count your blessings.

So right now tropical storm Dolly is out in the gulf. The weather forecasters keep moving it further north right up the Texas coast line.

Hence the antsy feeling.

When I was growing up in Houston my family went through Hurricane Alicia. Now as an adult with a family of my own we went through Hurricane Rita in 2005.

I remember watching about Hurricane Katrina on the news and thanking God it wasn't us. Then three short weeks later it was.

I remember all of it like yesterday. There are still homes around with blue tarps on their roofs. Homes still showing other signs of damage. A constant reminder when I would like to forget.

I do have to say we were very lucky. Our house only had the electrical box ripped of the brick. My neighbor across the street...a 100 plus year old oak tree right down the middle of her house.

We were out of our house for three weeks. Some where in my picture folder I have all the pictures Hubs took of the damage on his way into our neighborhood. I might have to try and find them. Hmmm maybe not that folder is huge and I need to organize it.

So with this storm approaching my mind is always wandering to where and when will it come a shore. Where I live they are saying by tomorrow evening we should begin to see the weather start to deteriorate and feel some effects from the storm. Rain through most of Wednesday but by the end of the afternoon, the storm should be out of our range.

Wow, I sounded like I know what I am talking about. I could so be a weather forecaster for The Weather Channel. Maybe I should send them my resume'. Maybe not

R and R name change

I was thinking the other day about R4 and R9 and how I reference to them according to their age.

When I started this blog over a year ago it seemed like a good idea to call them by their ages since their names both start with the same letter.

As time marches on and the years roll by, really fly by, I change their names to match their new age.

Like I said I was thinking the other day how this might pose a problem later on down the road.

Right now it's OK calling them R4 and R9 because their ages haven't started to over lap.

In a few years R4 will be R9 and when I look back at posts how will I know if I was talking about the older one or the younger one or vise versa.

So today I am officially changing them to R1 and R2. R1 being the older and R2 being the younger

And no all you Star Wars fans their will not be a D2 to go with R2.

And just to clarify any references to R7,8,and 9 in past posts will be R1, and R2,3,and 4 will be R2.

Hope I just haven't confused you more, like I just did my self.

Maybe I should just leave well enough alone.

Dawn

I have one question for y'all on this Friday morning.

Why is it that during the week when I want to sleep late, I can't?

And on the weekends when I can sleep late, I am up at the butt crack of dawn!?

I really am a morning person but just once in a while I would like to be able to sleep past 7AM.

I'm not asking for much, I would even take 8:30 AM.

Y'all have a great weekend!

Back to school craziness

So school starts here in a week.

I am soooo ready for the boys to go back to school.

I think if I heard, mom I'm bored, mom I'm hungry, or mom what are we doing today I would simply go crazy.

But instead the craziness of back to school has started.

Texas has tax free weekend, where anything you buy, school related, clothes, shoes, backpacks, is tax free up to $100.00.

When it first started I thought it was wonderful, that was until I got to the mall.

It was worse than Christmas. I swore never again would I fight to buy a shirt just to save $7.00!!

So this past weekend Hubs and I went school clothes shopping for Reece.

And wouldn't you know it, the mall was having a sale.

I totally racked up at Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. Shirts for $5.00 and 13.00.

And shorts from Children's Place for $6.00

The Gap had their backpacks and lunch kits on sale for 30% off so score on that too.

So the only craziness going on for me while everyone else is at the mall saving sooo much money this weekend will be the college graduation I will be attending and then chilling out with my family!

Happy shopping

Lovely Blog Award

Brooke, who I absolutely love by the way, gave me this blog award.



She is so funny, smart and very athletic, which I admire, because I'm not!

Any way

I'm supposed to recognized the sender and then pass it on to 15 other bloggers.

But y'all know me, I never can pick just a few. I think everyone that I read has something wonderful to offer and trying to choose would be like me trying to pick which cheese cake is my favorite.

I love them all.

So here's to you ladies...everyone of you take this award and post it on your blogs.

And now y'all are stuck with trying to pick 15 bloggers to send it to. It's harder than you think!

R4 had a girlfriend

R4 had a girlfriend as school.

And let me tell you he can pick them. She is such a cutie! I could eat her up.

And at the same time thank goodness I still have a few years before I really have worry about serious girlfriends. Because seriously I don't think my mama heart could take it right now!

Well the other day I was tucking R4 in bed and he blurts out that he has dumped Miss Cutie.

Dumped her!

I said do you know what dumped her even means.

He replied yup...I broke up with her.

I laughed out loud and smirked.

Then I asked well do you want her back.

R4 said no but she still wants me!

I just left it at that!

Technical difficulties

I have been having some technical difficulties here at RRMAMA.

Hubs my computer guru has worked his behind off trying to fix the problem.

The best solution we have at this point was to change from .com to .net

So I hope everyone will follow me over here to my new spot.

And please go back and read Fridays post, IT WAS HUBS BIRTHDAY!!!!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!!!

Happy Birthday Hubs

Happy Birthday Hubs!!!

And you know how I love to make a list of my favorite things about you for your birthday.

I think trying to come up with 30 or so somethings might take to long so I will just narrow it down to ten.

So here is my list of favorite things...

1. You have the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen!

2. You love your family and would do anything for us.

3. You love to watch the boys play sports and get into it just as much as they do.

4. You are an AWESOME cook!!

5. You love God.

6. You give the boys their baths 90% of the time.

7. I love how when we are both on the computer you will send me and instant message telling me you love me!

8. You let me hog most of the bed and if I don't you let the dog hog the bed.

9. I love how you rough house with the boys and you and fake grunt and groan to make them think they are kicking your butt.

10. After 12 years you still love me! Through the good, bad, and ugly, you still love me!

Hope you have a wonderful birthday Hubs!!!

I love you!!!

Sorry

I need to apologize to my bloggy buddies.

Since I have started my new job I have been a little scarce in the visiting and comment department.

I still visit everyone but I don't comment like I should and I am sorry.

I'm gonna try and do better. Not just stop by, read and the move on.

So if all of a sudden you see two or three comments from me in the same day, don't worry I haven't lost my mind.

I just want y'all to know how much I have missed ya and I'm just shown' some bloggy comment love!

Have a great day!!!

One of my favorite players

I know I mentioned that baseball season is over.

While I am enjoying our non scheduled time, I have to admit I miss baseball.

And then I realize that I never put up any pictures of my favorite catcher from All-Stars.

I'm so proud of R9 and the work he did during the season. He gave 100% all the time, even in the 104* heat. He played great!

So here ya go...

Coach's wife part 2

I ran this post July 2009.

My time has come again as the wife of a coach to say good-bye to my husband till sometime around mid March.

So in honor of this time I thought I would re-run this post.

My life as a coach's widow has started again. It happens this time every year like it has for the last 11 years.

Hubs is a Jr. high / high school football coach, basketball coach and track coach. My friends always wonder how I do it each year. I tell them it is just what you are used to. Some have husbands who work shift work or nights. Some have husbands who work 9-5 while others might own their own business which requires longer hours. Me, mine is a teacher and a coach.

So when high school football season rolls around he is gone, a lot! He has his Jr. high team to practice with and then games once a week, usually on Thursdays. Fridays, he is with the varsity team, in charge of all the filming and digital stuff. Saturday mornings, he is back up at the school, taking care of the film for next weeks game and breaking down digital plays. Very hi-tech, I know.

So in a sense I become a part time single parent. I really don't mind at first. The boys and I usually take in a few of the Jr. high games. Gotta show Hubs some support from the fam.

We try to take in two games for varsity. On the nights we don't go, we have standing ritual. We go eat Mexican food and the off to the treasure store. The treasure store is really the dollar store.

Y'all where else can you get toys, bathroom cleaner, and Christmas decorations all in one store? Seriously, my kids love the treasure store. If they are good at dinner each boy gets their choice of 3 three toys. $6.00 for some junky toy that will make they deliriously happy for a few days and then break. But I won't care because they were cheap!

Back to the point, if there is one.

Hubs started back to work this week and next week he has a "coaches retreat". If you want to call it that. He says they map out all of their strategical moves and plays. Me, I say they are sitting around playing poker, or video games. Pigging out on chips and drinking beer. I wish I could be a fly on the wall sometimes just to see what they are up to.

Anyway, Hubs doesn't get finished with coaching till March. So from the end of July to the middle of March it's coaching season. Kinda like deer season but with out having a deep freezer full of meat to show for it. But I must admit once football season is over he is around a lot more. Something else I must admit, by the end of basketball season I am ready to have my Hubs back on a regular basis. Thank goodness track season is a short one.

Anyone else who is married to a coach, I feel for you.

So for now, it's me, the boys, and multiple trips to the treasure store.

It hurts

Why is that your kids can say something some times that just hurts you to the core?

They don't realize it, well maybe they do, but I would like to think they don't.

Both of my boys said something to me yesterday that just plain ol' hurt.

And while R9 apologized, and R4 tried, It left me feeling sad.

When it was bed time, I tucked them in and said prayers.

And while the calling after me and Hubs commenced for the next 114 minutes, I never got up to go see what they needed or oblige them in one more kiss or hug.

I just didn't have it in me to get up and be fake.

Right now being a parent really stinks!

Camp

So R9 made it home from church camp last night.

And my question to y'all is this...

Why do their clothes always smell so horrible and why is everything full of sand!

I thought I sent him to camp not the beach.

Y'all have a great day!

The wedding dance

This has to be the best video I have seen in a while.

It is just one of those videos that makes you feel good.

I wish Hubs and I had done this when we got married.

I tried to up load the video but Youtube wouldn't let me so just click here to see it.

It's a little long but you won't be sorry.

Promise!

'Smores

Last night R4, Hubs, and I played Candy Land.

Hubs always rigs the cards so R4 wins.

I love to watch his face when he gets a "free pass" to Grandma Nutt or Queen Frostine. And I love his face when he has to go all the way back down to the bottom.

Precious.

Anyway,

I thought we would do something fun after Candy Land and we had all the stuff to make Smores, so Smores it was.

Because nothing tastes better than a butane melted marshmallow with some butane melted chocolate in between some graham crackers.

Fried pickles

So yesterday Hubs fried some shrimp and home made french fries.

But my favorite thing he makes when he fries is fried pickles.

Oh my I love them.

I would eat them every day all thought that would probably require me taking some sort of clogged artery medicine or buying a bigger Shop Vac to suck out all the fat when I got done.

Any way,

Hubs saved frying the pickles for last and it's a good thing. I think I ate my weight in them. And well we won't go there with my weight thing.

And you know what, I didn't even care that it was 127 degrees out side and I was eating hot food.

It was good!!!

Thanks Hubs, I love you!!!

Just some randomness

Hi there peeps!

Going to pick up R9 today!

He's been at the lake since last Friday.

I'm ready to see him. I talked to him everyday but I'm ready to hug him!

So I'm taking Friday off from blogging so I can spend a little time with him before he leaves for church camp.

And tonight Hubs and I are cooking dinner for some friends. M had surgery a week ago and her son G had sinus surgery on Monday. If you think about it could you send a few prayers their way. I know they would appreciate.

Have a great weekend.

Peace!

Some favorite things

When the boys were first learning how to talk they both said somethings that were so cute and funny.

I would run to their baby books and write them down quickly as not to forget them.

Every now and then I will go pull the books out and read some of the things they used to say.

R9 used to say...

You are the bestest.
Let's go in the pimming spool.
Look at my hands. As he stood next to you shaking his hands in your face.

R4 used to say...
Let's eat skabetty
The house got messed up from Hurricane Mike...should be Hurricane Ike.
My name is R...chicken...champ

I love looking back at these sayings.

They warm my heart and make me laugh out loud!

Repeat

Do you ever feel as if all you do is repeat your self over and over?

Do you ever fell you should record your voice and then just push a button for what ever phrase you need to say at the moment.

Right now I feel I say these phrases all the time.

1. Leave the dog alone!

2. Stop antagonizing your brother!

3. Get off me, I'm not your personal jungle gym.

4. Please pick up the mess you made.

5. Close the back door, we are not cooling Southeast Texas.

6. Stay out of the fridge.

7. No more popsicles!!

8. Brush your teeth.

9. Time to settle down for bed.

10. No matter what I love you!

Gone

A few weeks ago R4 went to spend a week with the in-laws.

Now it's R9's turn.

He left Friday and will not be back until Thursday.

Then he will be home for two days and then leaves again for church camp.

This is his first year to go to church camp and he is so excited.

Me, I have mixed feelings. I want him to go but he will have just gotten home and the he will be gone again.

I want him to have a great time a camp, and I know he will, but my mama heart thinks of all the what ifs.

What if something happens and he needs me, what if looses his spending money, what if, what if, what if.

What if I turn all my worries over to God. What if I given them fully to him.

He has shown me some huge things in my life lately. And I know he can take my worries and calm them.

I know he will have R9 in the palm of his hand and watch over him.

But can this mama just hang on to His pinky finger and peer over the edge and watch too?

Musical beds

So last night at some point both boys ended up in my bed.

Hubs and I have a queen size bed. And while it's just right for the two of us, it becomes quite crowded with four.

And when it was time for the boys to go get in there own beds, R4 said that my bed is the best bed and proceeded to cry over and over that he wouldn't be comfy in his own bed.

What is it about being parents that makes our bed the most comfortable in the house?

And I also notice when one of the boys has a cough, I put them in bed with us and the coughing stops. What's up with that.

I would love a king size bed for nights like last night but I'm afraid if I get one the boys will think it's a slumber party and migrate over every night.

Any one else have this problem?

He's 4 y'all!

This video of R4 is just to cute, if I do say so myself.

I can't believe that he is doing this at 4 1/2!

I'm so proud of him.

Choices

So today is the day I start my new job!

I'm excited and sad at the same time.

I have enjoyed staying home with the boys and spending this summer with them but I am ready to be back in the workforce. Ready to met new people and start something new.

But yesterday left me with many choices to make.

I got home from taking the boys to the movies and there were two messages on my answering machine.

The first one from my new employer, only a different department. Asking me to come in and interview to another position I had applied for. I had actually applied for two positions that were available.

I graciously turned it down, when I called back. Explaining that I had already taken another job in another department. She said she was sorry I wasn't interviewing with her but excited I would be on the campus.

The second message was for another interview for a position that I really want more than the one I accepted.

So I called that one back and scheduled the interview.

I have prayed so hard for this and ask God so many times to open this door.

And if don't get it, then I have a job, one that I think I will like. One with a future.

But if I do get it, WOO HOO!!! Because this one also has a great future!

But the bottom line is no matter where I land, God answered my prayers.

All I have ever prayed through out this experience. Is for God to take care of me and my family. To show me all the open doors, to lead me in the right direction, to place me where He knows I will prosper.

Thank you God for loving me and guiding me. For showing me you had me in the palm of your hand the entire time. You showed me all the time that you were answering my prayers.

Once again Lord, thank you!

Facebook

How many of you Facebook?

I got a Facebook page a while back when my sister kept threatening me by saying she wouldn't send me pictures of my nephew and niece anymore because she put everything on her Facebook page.

So I took the plunge and got a page and oh my word has it exploded! The snow ball effect is unreal.

I have connected with people I haven't seen in years. I'm loving it!

But I have to admit not only is it addicting but so are the games applications.

Pathwords, Farmtown, Mafia Wars...where does it end?

I can't seem to get off of Facebook. After the kids have gone to bed I log on and proceed to spend the next few hours creating words, harvesting crops, and collecting items.

Guess I can replace the time I would normally be spending at baseball or work with Facebook.

But what do I do when...a) Baseball season starts and b) I go back to work?

Siiiiggghhh...

I'm lost

Baseball is officially over. All-Stars has come to an end.

We have been baseballin' since March...4 1/2 months is a long time.

And for the past 9 days we have driven thirty minutes to the tournament ball park. Played a game, gotten dirty, sweated so much (yuk) I won't even go there, eaten enough popsicles I thought we might turn into one, ate an entire bag of pickle flavored sunflower seeds in two days, cheered so loud my throat hurt the next day, gone out to dinner every night, and watch some great kids play a game they love!

Every night we would get home and I would do two loads of laundry. One for the white uniform. I know who would pick white, but they looked gooooood!

Another for our parent shirts and shorts and all the other stuff.

And on Thursday it all ended. We lost for the second time and were out of the tournament. We came in third, not to shabby. The boys played hard it just wasn't in the cards.

But Friday I was lost.

I didn't know how to act. I didn't have a uniform to wash and for the first time in a while I didn't have to be at the ball park for a game or practice.

I didn't have to rush out the door remembering to grab the cooler filled with water or Gatorade.

And while it was nice to cook at home and just hang a round, I just kept feeling something was off.

So for the next few days if I am walking around in circles, looking lost, please remind me baseball season is over...for now.

Happy Birthday

I know I said I was on a break but today is R8's birthday.

He is now 9 years old. Hence the name change to R9.

I can't believe that 9 years has past so quickly!

This is the last year for single digit birthdays. He is half way to eighteen. Eight more years at home.

OK crying now and moving on.

And because today is his 9th birthday I am going to list 9 things I love about him!

1. He is very funny.

2. He takes the long way around to tell a story, can't leave out any details.

3. He loves his brother.

4. He loves to play Uno.

5. He is an AWESOME catcher.

6. He loves to watch movies with me, while snuggling.

7. He loves to read! He finished the Diary of the Wimpy Kid books in 5 days....4 books!

8. He loves to snack on Hubs' home made hot sauce and chips.

9. He is just a really great kid!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY R9!!!

I love you!!!

Time

Time never seems to be as long as I want it.

And while I worried about the time I have been with out work, God has blessed me in other areas of my life.

I have had time with my boys. Time with my husband.

I have had time that I normally would not have had if I hadn't been laid off.

I am so thankful God opened doors for me and provided me with a new job.

But my time is once again limited.

I have about two more weeks off before I go back to work.

And because we all know how precious our time is, I have decided to spend it with my family.

I am going to be "plugged" into them and "unplugged" from blogging.

So I'll be back in a few weeks, hopefully with some great adventures to share. And of course you know I will still be reading y'all's stuff, I can't go with out my daily laughs and smiles.

So have a great vacation and I will see y'all soon!

On the payroll again

Yes my friends as of July 15th I will be employed once again!

Weeks of praying and prayers from y'all have paid off.

Weeks of being patient. Weeks of wondering. Weeks of crying to weeks of joy.

I am still in to much shock to even do the happy dance!

So bloggy friends, thanks for everything!

Y'all are truly the best!!!

He Arose

My mother in law sent this clip to me.

And it is to precious not to pass on to y'all.

It's so hot I think my brain is fried

I can not believe it's the end of June, what happened to April and May?

I also can not believe how hot it is! The temps have been running in 100's and that's with out the heat index.

Even the pool water is warm, and that is just gross. It's like taking a bath!

So in honor of the heat I am posting this picture.



And yes it is hot enough to fry an egg on the cement.

How hot is it by you?

Elvis now has a mullet

I couldn't resist taking this picture the other day.

R4 went into my closet and pulled out my dress boots and also found Hubs' Elvis wig from my 40th birthday party.

This is the lovely creation he came up with.

Sweet sleeping faces

The burn pile

We have trees here. Big, huge mammoth trees.

Hubs and I decided to cut one down because we wanted to start a fire in the fire place.

You know it's only 100 degrees outside and we thought it would be a great idea to snuggle and roast marshmallows.

Who am I kidding, it's freakin' hot already and who needs a fire in the fireplace when you can go outside and cook on the sidewalk.

We didn't like where the tree was so we cut it down.

This lead to on massive burn pile. And before our county puts out the annual burn ban we thought it was best to hold our very own bon fire.

Thanks for coming and the marshmallows are already made into smores. Please join us inside where the temperature is a cool 65 degrees!

Happy late Father's Day

I hope everyone had a great Father's Day with their family.

Hubs, you are a wonderful husband and father, I couldn't ask for better! Thank you for all you do for us! We love you.

I am still recovering from the days activities.

We got a late start for church, so I made pancakes for breakfast.

Then we played out side and play so much we came in and took a nap.

Then we went to some friends to swim and grill.

The boys had a blast.

And R4 is swimming great! By the end of the summer he will be just like his brother, a fish!

I hope everyone has a great start to their week.

As for me, I think I might have found a job! I will know more by the afternoon.

Keep your fingers crossed and please send up a few prayers!

Tighten up, hit it!

R4 wanted me to buy a small pool for him to play in so he could just jump in and out.

So I indulged him and he has had more fun this week.

He wanted to play and not wear a life jacket or floaties.

When we go to the lake and ski, we always say "tighten up", this lets Big Guy know to tighten the ski rope and "hit it" means to take off, we are ready.

R4 decided that flopping on the side of the pool was a bit like water skiing.

What do y'all think?

VBS kitchen stadium and the 30 day shred

Yeah, I'm still choppin', slicin' and dicin' in VBS kitchen stadium.

Oh did I also tell you we are still in the middle of All- Star baseball?

That's how we roll.

And only bad thing I have found is that working in the kitchen during VBS you get to sample all the desserts that are brought in for the night.

And now my hips, thighs, and butt have all grown another size.

Maybe next week would be a good time to start The 30 Shred.

I bought the video a few weeks ago and then hurt my back and then you know I got distracted with my lack of employment. And well now it's STILL sitting on my counter in the plastic wrap.

Yeah that's how I roll. Or maybe that's why I still have rolls.

At some point I lost my mind

For the first time since Hubs and I have been married and going to church our VBS (vacation bible school) is at night.

I am so excited about this. Usually we aren't able to attend our home church VBS because it is during the day and I am normally working. Emphasis on the word normally.

Any way,

So VBS kicks off tonight with a parade and BBQ.

And I have volunteered to work in the kitchen preparing meals for the evening. I will be helping with meals for around 200 people. Hence loosing my mind.

In the past we have attended another churches VBS at night and I have worked in the craft room. I loved it.

Now I'll be in the kitchen chopping, slicing, and dicing just like on Iron Chef, OK well not so much.

But I will be chopping, and slicing, and what ever else is needed.

And I am almost certain that for the next week my mind will be on auto pilot and the posts might be scarce.

So please come back and check on me to make sure I haven't been banished into kitchen stadium which I'm sure Bobby Flay, Michael Simon, or Kat Cora have all been anxiously awaiting my arrival.

Summer and I'm a winner

First I owe a huge THANK YOU to Boo Mama!

I was one of the winners of the Travis Cottrell Live CD give away she had.

One word...AMAZING!!!

I love it! I have been listening every chance I get. And if you haven't heard it, go out and buy the CD, it will not disappoint.

It's summer time and for the first time since high school, and that's a long time ago, I find my self not employed.

And I have to say I am really enjoying the time with my boys.

We have had some lazy days and some very busy days.

I have also been actively pursing employment and have been pretty busy doing so but I am also taking time out to have some fun.

So while the job search is ongoing, I'm going to do my best to set time aside each week and focus on just them.

Because who knows when I might get the opportunity again. And it has become a precious time with my family.

Mr. President, here is your reminder!!!

Minus one

I am minus one child.

Right now R4 is at the lake with the grandparents.

I love my in-laws, have I told you that?

I really do. They are wonderful people.

The grandparents take each grandchild by themselves for a week to spend some one on one time with each of them.

So this is R4's week and some time in July will be R8's turn.

I love that they get to hang out with them at the lake.

For one week they get to do pretty much whatever they want. And as a bonus for Hubs and I we get to spend some one on one time with R8.

I also like knowing as some point during the summer I get to just lavish all my attention on one child. And I know they love it too. Not having to share mom or dad with anyone, what more could a child ask for.

So since R4 is gone, I'm off to go play a marathon round of Uno with R8.

Why is it so hard?

Believe me when I say I am no parenting expert.

But why in the world is this job so stinkin' hard?

It lifts you up to the highest floor only to bring you right back to ground level.

It fills your heart with so much love you think it will break only to have it pinched so it hurts.

It makes you laugh a big belly laugh only to bring a waterfall of tears from your eyes.

It makes you feel as if nothing else matters only to make you feel as if everything matters.

So why is parenting so stinkin' hard?

It's only the second week of summer and I have feel as if I have been put in blender and turned into a grape slush.

I know I signed up for this parenting gig, full force, 150%, 24/7, forever, but someone please help!

My buttons have been mashed in not pushed and the finger paint therapy is no longer working.

So what do y'all do when you feel this way, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Just a great day!

Have you ever had one of those great days? Where everything is just easy, fun, and relaxed?

I had one of those days yesterday.

We got up, went to church, came home, ate lunch, played in the pool, went to a meeting at church, ate dinner, and just hung out.

It was so nice.

I loved spending time with all three of my boys. We even sat on the couch for some family time.

Our new favorite summer time show is Wipeout! If you haven't seen it, check it out. It comes on ABC.

I've even made it easy for you, here's the link.

Anyway.

The weather was even nice for June, the temps were great and we even had a breeze.

We haven't reached out 127* mark yet but I know it's coming!

We have another black eye

Life has been so crazy here lately I can't remember if I told you R8 made All-Stars for baseball.

I'm so proud of him! And this means that I get to eat pickle flavored sunflower seeds for at least another month!

Anyway.

Hubs and R8 were in the yard the other day, practicing some catcher drills.

And the next thing I swear happened in slow motion.

Hubs threw the ball and R8 didn't move, I don't think he was fully paying attention.

(His own fault if you are going to play catcher)

((I'm such a sympathetic mom, huh?))

And the ball hit him square in eye. Well really the outside of the eye right around the temple and the cheek bone.

R8 even had the baseball stitching print just below his eye brow.

He cried for about 2 minutes and got right back in position and he and Hubs threw for a few more minutes.

And right now R8 has the beautiful colors of black, blue, purple, green, and yellow all around his eye.

It looks as if he has applied some bad eyeshadow from back in the 80's.

And the ironic thing is at some point during baseball season every year since he has been playing he receives a black eye.

Usually it's from a team mate, this time it just happens to be his dad. Hubs really did for sorry for him.

Get a load of this.

Driving around in my automobile

I literally drove all over town yesterday filling out job applications and putting out my resume.

I'm tired!

Who knew getting in and out of your car all day could wear you out this much.

I kinda felt like Big Mama when she talks about her days as a medical drug rep. minus the food. (and please correct me Big Mama, if I'm wrong) How she was always in and out of her car toting food to a doctors office.

Most places do everything on line now but there are still some out there where putting a face with a name says something.

So while I still don't have a job, it was a productive day with many possibilities.

I feel up lifted and encouraged.

And that's a good thing.

He is leading me

I don't know about you but when bad or rough times are upon me and I am in "the valley" I truly believe that God is right there with me.

And when the tough time are over and I am at the top of the mountain I can look back and see exactly where He was walking with me or holding me or just nudged me in the right direction.

For the past week for some reason, even before I lost my job, God had woken me up in the wee hours of the morning, 1:38 or 3:27, to be exact to talk to me.

And while sleeping is something I love, I get up, go sit in the recliner, and listen to Him.

I ask questions too. Like show me all the closed doors so I can focus my time and energy on the open ones.

Well, He listened to me and showed me a closed door yesterday for I job that I thought I really wanted.

And I thanked Him for that and began to ask Him again to show me the open ones. To nudge or shove, a huge shove, in the right direction.

I used to be in banking and I really don't want to go back into that field, but I think the nudge I'm receiving is back that way.

Every time I am on the phone with someone, banking comes up. Every time.

Not talking about my old job, but new ones that are available.

So today I am going to be "pounding the streets" going the mentioned banks and seeing what's what.

I'm listening to God. I being reverent. I going where God is leading me.

I'm at a fork in the road and He is the only one to tell me to go either left or right.

I only pray I take the right road.

It happened

You know I'm all about honesty here so I'm just gonna put this out there.

You know I told you all about my job and the the situation.

Well it happened. The end has come.

And know what?

I'm OK.

I think I'm OK.

I loved my job, the old part not the new.

But I also know God shut that door and has opened a new one. I just need to seek it out.

I need to have personal time with God so I can hear him speak and seek His will

I have had several interviews and still have one more this week. And I know Gods hand is all over it.

He brought me much comfort today. He gave me peace and wrapped me in His arms and held me tight.

He told me things are going to be OK, in time, His time.

So here I am again, on my knees, praying, seeking His will.

And again, I am asking for prayers for me.

And thanks, it means the world to know some one, some where is praying you through.

Bittersweet

My dear friend S has a daughter who is graduating from high school this year.

Well actually she already did, graduation was Friday night.

WAY TO GO H!!!

I have watched her daughter grow from a little girl of six years old to a beautiful young lady.

And the time for S right now is filled with bittersweet memories. Sweet because she remembers all of her time with H. Bitter because H is growing into a woman and taking her own path in life.

S talks about the memories of her first baby cuddled in her arms. Her first smile. Her first steps, and her first words.

Memories of H walking down the kindergarten hall at school and being promoted to Jr. high and then high school.

Memories of her being a cheerleader, to her getting her drivers license and her beloved Ford Mustang.

And while the road hasn't always been easy it has been paved with love. Only love that a mother can give.

S just told me last week, she blinked and the years are gone. She blinked and H went from turning one to turning eighteen.

Again she holds on to those bittersweet memories.

Her baby will be going off to college and leaving home. S knows the days H being at home every day are few and precious.

She wonders if she had taught her daughter everything she will need to grow in life. To become a woman one day. To follow her heart and God's will in her life.

S wonders if she had taught her daughter to be strong and gracious. To be bold yet humble. To search God when times are troubled. To listen to Him when He speaks to her heart.

I know she has taught her daughter these things.

Know how I know? I take one look at S and see all of the above listed things and so much more.

H has had the best role model in life. She has nothing to worry about.

H, I'm so proud of you! I know great things are in store for you. God has a wonderful plan for you.

S, I love you! And yes the time is bittersweet. But know this my friend....You are a Godly woman, a gracious woman, a loving woman, a smart woman, and a kind hearted woman. You are a wonderful mother and role model for your children. You are the epitome of what a mother should be.

I only hope that when I grow up I am half the mother and woman you are!!

I love you both!!