Blue Goose & Big Bass

The girls & I had a fun time in Dallas with Phil's sister & her husband. They treated us to a delicious (Tex-Mex) dinner @ the Blue Goose one night. Disguised as a "work" trip, this really ended up being a wonderful vacation (for me) & a fun time with my girls. An added bonus was finding a Brazilian store & stocking up on some favorites. Plus, I had a blast watching Nacho Libre. I feel like I "bonded" with my bro-in-law, and I am very thankful that he does not enjoy wearing stretchy pants. Well, maybe he does, but at least he didn't wear them while I was there!! ;) Now the real work begins as we get into a schedule and enjoy the activities of summertime!

These hydrangeas grew on campus & smelled wonderful. Had to get a picture. My girls thought I was being ridiculous..."Mom!" It will not be the first time I do something they find embarrassing & unnecessary.

Yesterday, Phil & his buddy, took the kids fishing to a farm pond. The fish were biting & everyone caught a fish. Noah was sad his got away, but he had fun anyway. Phil's friend was worried Daniel's fish would pull him into the pond! Phil's birthday is tomorrow, but I think we'll be celebrating early with a fish fry tonight. Yum...

Such a proud father-son moment.

On the road...again!

We're one week into summer vacation & I've been gone more than I've been home. I'm loving every minute of being away!! ;) We had fun in AR with Phil's brother & family. The guys worked on projects, the kids had fun playing with cousins, and I sewed to my heart's content. I haven't sat down to sew in a long time and it was fun start & finish several projects. I also got to spend time with my sister-in-law.

My life is blessed with six sister-in-laws. We are all so very different...controlling - passive-aggressive, pleaser - confrontational, workaholic - relaxed, diplomatic - intense, scatterbrained - organized, emotional - practical, dramatic - hilarious, keeper - thrower. It's a wonder we get along! But we do...and I've come to appreciate our differences and how we provide perspective & balance.

We came home from AR on Monday night. Tuesday I unpacked & packed again, as the girls & I left on Wed. morning for Dallas. I came to help pack for their move next week, but it's been a vacation too. The girls love playing the Wii & swimming; I was thrilled to browse through Target. I think I'll just travel the country visiting my sister-in-laws.

Just kidding, honey. I'm coming home. I promise.

Just not yet.

Distracted and discombobulated

Confession: It's been 4 days since we came back from camping & I am still unpacking & putting away camping related items. The laundry monster has taken over my bedroom, hallway, bathrooms, couch, and kitchen table. If anyone has any helpful tips on how to kill the thing, please let me know. I've considered joining a nudist colony. But eventually reason sets in, and I wonder what if I might want to wear a sweater once in a while. And then what?

We're leaving for AR tomorrow, so it's time to unpack from camping & pack for our trip. I should probably do some cleaning while I'm at it. I haven't had much motivation to clean my house. I've resigning myself to spend my days dwelling in a pig sty.

And before you tell me that I'm a busy mom with 4 kids and a million things "on my plate"...let me introduce you to my new friend...

She has 4 kids; the oldest is Grace's age (9) & the youngest is still crawling. They live just around the block from us, and our girls have become fast friends. They are a military family, attend the local Baptist church, and home school two of their children. It's been a couple of months since our girls started playing together & I decided it was time to meet her. I expected to visit in the front yard, where all mothers (who wouldn't be caught dead revealing their messy home) visit. But, no. She invited me in. And she gave me a tour. And she showed me her closets! I know, right? Who shows off their closets?!?

Her home was immaculate with vacuumed floors, and clean counters, and picked up toys, without laundry piles, or ironing piles, or paper piles, or trash piles. It was beautiful.

I came home, took one look at the clutter, dirt, and piles. I sat down on the couch, called my friend, Emily, and thanked her for having a cluttered, dirty home like me.

Camping...in a nutshell...

5 years ago...

...we went on our first "small group" camping trip. A few things have changed since then. We've gotten older, gained a few pounds, & hopefully gained some wisdom. Our kids have gotten taller, older, & more independent. As much as I enjoy these changes...I miss these days. Days when I could wake up & snuggle with this lil' cutie.

Where has the time gone? ...if I wasn't so busy trying to keep up with him & his crazy siblings, I might consider having one more, just to kiss those chubby cheeks! But for now, I'll stick to getting my "baby fix" from other people's beautiful babies.

We are all officially out of diapers! Yeah! Yipee! Wah-hoo!!

We still like to play in the mud...we just don't have to wonder if it's mud...or something else!

Even my husband looks younger. And that sweet little boy isn't soft & squishy anymore. He's a lean, green, running machine!

Although camping takes a lot of preparation, work, and planning...it is always worth the relaxation, laughter, and fellowship. I'm thankful for a wonderful group of friends to share these experiences...and memories with. From the look of the forecast for the weekend, we might be sharing hilarious stories of thunderstorms & misery. The struggle for survival is what brings us together...

As good as chocolate...

Today I got to hang out with my friend, Amy, and love on her two precious babies. They will be one month old, tomorrow. It's been a while since I got to snuggle with a newborn, and I have to tell you...it was fun. Thanks, Amy, for letting me enjoy your treasures...and your silly girl too!

Happy Mother's Day!

"God has called you and gifted you

to be the wonderful mother you are.

In a special way today, may you sense His nearness,

rejoice in His love for you,

and know the joy you bring to others."

Mom, thank you for loving me. Thank you for raising me, for disciplining me, for the work that went unnoticed, for putting up with my messy room, for laughing at my clumsiness (spilled milk & flipped pizzas), for teaching me to laugh, for rejoicing in my accomplishments, for cheering me on, for forgiving my mistakes, for listening & offering advice, for influencing my life...

...for everything.

I am blessed because you're my mom.

I love you.

WHY?

Why? After telling the man from Citicard that I would like to close my account, did he try to convince me that it's a better idea to leave it open & continue to spend money?

Why? Did I have to repeat myself more than 7 times?

Why? Did I have to keep saying "NO...thank you."?

Why? Did the man get defensive when I told him that I respected his opinion, but wanted him to respect mine & please close my account?

Why? Wasn't it until I told the man I didn't appreciate him badgering me that he finally closed my account?!?!

WHY?!?! Did it take me getting irritated & forceful before he FINALLY DID WHAT I WANTED HIM TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE?

Why? Couldn't he have just done it the first time & saved me the hassle?

I think I'll go clean something...now that I'm all hot & bothered.