Back to School

And I also forgot to mention how
fun and exciting it was for me to
join the PTA.. Supermommy here
I come... NOT!!

John was laughing when I quickly
made a beeline for that table..
In my defense, I was also checking
out the gymnastics and karate table
for a discipline for Marshall to
learn.. Oh my.. that does sound
super mommyish.. ok..
I completely draw the line at the
moms clubs.. no way no how..
only my on-line support group that
is totally wonderful, supportive and
helpful to say the least. I can give
up my coffee, I can give up chocolate and
cheese (ok, but you won't be able to live w/me)
but I willnot give up these friends..
John's beginning to worry, but they are way cheaper
than counselling and way much more FUN!!

All Grown Up

We made it.. Marshall had a great first day of Kindergarten. He really likes his almost brand new school (and who wouldn't? It's awesome). His teacher is very nice and I have a really good feeling that she is the match for his personality. My prayer was that he wouldn't get a first year teacher. That person wouldn't stand a chance up to this little alpha dog. And Lord knows a college education isn't cheap and Texas is struggling to fill teacher's positions due to a high turn over rate as it is.. What a guilt trip that would be?? When Rachel & I picked him up this afternoon he was all smiles and very excited.. not to mention also very tired. It takes ALOT of work for this little fella to be so GOOD all day long. He made 2 friends and remembered his teacher's name. So we are off to a great start.

I surprised myself this morning. We stuck to our schedule, made it in time (highly difficult for the three of us), and walked him to class. We greeted the three sleeping hedgehogs in their habitat in his classroom (they didn't reply so I suspect they don't do mornings either.. I think I like hedgehogs).. Anyway, we did great w/a goodbye kiss and hug and off we went. This chica who can cry at a wedding of someone I've never met (former photographer's asst... so lots of experience and tears) didn't even weep or get teary eyed. Something tells me it might have more to do w/lack of sleep. My noturnal inclinations kept me up till past 2:30 am working on the slideshow posted earlier. It ONLY took me 5 slideshows (all different of course) to finally remember How to post it here. Senior moment again.. anyway.. I did cry last night while putting this together. It hit really hard just how far we have come.

We found out last Fall just how much of a miracle both our children are after having my surgery last year. Thanks be to God. It still baffles me just how quickly he has grown up. I remember through the jaundice, colic, extremely early teething and then the holiest of trying temperament all the struggles we have been through. I don't really recall ever saying.. "if he would just sleep thru the night".. cause he would., or "if he would just get weaned". I realized how I wanted the time to slow to a crawl so I would remember every moment. There is something that I do remember. John would say "I can't wait till he can talk"..

Believe you me.. I tried to warn the inexperienced and proud daddy. But he just couldn't even imagine how much a child can talk, argue and chatter. Now he wonders if he will ever get a word in edgewise before Marshall graduates or John becomes hard of hearing.

What I couldn't wait for was him to reveal his uniqueness and his personality. What a joy that has been to watch. Today, I realize he has taken the first major step of his journey to prepare to leave the nest. He's in for so much fun, friends and memories. It is bittersweet to know the journey he's on.. for every step he takes towards independence is a marker of our job being done to get him there. My mom friends say it feels the same way every year the first day.. just the newness wears off more as the time fades away. He's five in an hr. and he's more than ready for this journey.. I hope I catch up with him soon. Happy Birthday Marshes.. I so love you and am a much better person because you're in my life.

Murky waters

"As a mother, I must faithfully,

patiently, lovingly, and happily

do my part--then quietly wait

for God to do His"

Ruth Bell Graham

Wow.. I Really need these words tonight.. The daily battles w/our strong-willed,

control seeking self serving ungrateful little delightful blessing has taken me down a

rocky and treacherous road tonight. When I wrote that I was in tears and ready to

pass out into some mind numbing slumber. Then, we met and had a long talk and really

had a deep and meaningful conversation.. How can one little boy comprehend so much at such

a young age? Some days I know he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders

trying to figure things out.. He will be an awesome package when he's a man.. A full load of

energy and I promised he could argue all he wanted and fight every battle known to man, but not until then.. I sure hope I live loong enough to faithfully apologize to the woman who will stand beside him and have to deal w/ those promises.. He will be the real deal.. a litigation attorney? A scientist? A philosopher? Prolific writer?

An awesome house painter??.. Who knows.. And then senility will probably set in before I see if his kids are just as strong willed.. Wait, who am I kidding? Those senior moments have already started to creep up..

But I did remember how hard it is being little and have so little control. He trying to tackle the big questions of Why life throws painful curves in our path.. How do you explain that when I'm still trying to master that one myself?

I think you don't, but God intervened tonight and helped with this one.. Thanks big man.. the life raft was most appreciated.. as usual.. :D Nothing like divine intervention..

I think I will tape this quote up to remind myself to let go of the reigns more often..

dog days of summer

This is one of the hottest summers on record. And Thank God I am NOT pregnant. The other two nearly killed me.. 100+ heat and big baby do not mix. We've been trying to stay cool.. WE were going to the river quite a bit. It was so low that the kids could walk across it and I didn't worry for their safety. The water quit flowing over the waterfall during the Spring.

In July though, the river dried up and so did our play plan. We were really enjoying our times there. Would packa picnic and grab the dog and head on out.. So by now, we are getting pretty sick of staying inside and of each other..

We read over 100 books in 1 month during the summer reading program. I am so excited and happy that both of our kids share the love of reading and books. Bet I have bought close to 40 books this summer on top of what they read from the library. And they have discovered all the great VHS movies "Beethoven", "Homeward Bound" and the Disney Classics.. So we've been chillin' trying to stay cool..

And we found an awesome deal on a trampoline.. what fun jumpers they have become.. little roo roos..

Summertime..part 2

Only almost 500 sq. ft. added to our home.. Year 1.. poured a 16x30 concrete foundation...

Year 2: framed exterior

Year 3: electricity added

To Go: New HVAC for home, sheetrocking, demo. existing kitchen wall, new cabinets, new flooring, add new appliances

Now why on earth would I try to reinvent the wheel? Cause I believe there is some deviant

gene that is constantly trying to hinder any progress I try to make. My college room mate once told me that if I had to go to Florida I would go by way of Detroit. Ok.. besides the fact she's

probably right.. why would Ithink I could redo what obviously CAN'T be done one this little home of ours? What? A little personality added to a standard cookie cutter home? A test to show that I didn't sleep through every college design class I took during my Animal House days?

Ok.. I give up.. I can't reinvent the wheel.. They obviously gotten it correct the first time.. I just have to see if they maybe missed something fabulous.. :D

They completed the electrical in two days.. Once we get the Jennaire cooktop then we will be rolling.. Maybe Marshall and Rachel can come home from college break to see the completion.. Woo hoo!!

If the shoe fits

Actually, I miss my high heels.. I used to could work 8 hrs on my feet all day long in them. They were so pretty.. And you can Never have too many. Even 33 pairs are not even close. After I gave birth to Marshall I had to give mine away. They didn't fit anymore. Little did I know they would never fit the same again since my career was not family friendly. So I suppose it was a great thing to have to give up. Truth be told though?? I have been known to cry for my chocolate brown equestrian riding boots though.. Now that pair hurt more than all the others..

I still believe that the love of shoes are genetic. And I'm sticking to it!! Rachel would thank God every night for over a year for her shoes.. Even though she prefers not wearing them.. she does appreciate them.. And she has never thrown a hissy fit in a store over anything more than shoes.. That's my girl.. :D

It will interesting to see what shoes I will find myself wearing after the kids get settled into their lives and school. It's hard for me to think what shoes will fit best in the next stage of my life. It really won't matter I suppose, as long as they are comfortable not only to me but to my family.

Shoes.. shoes.. shoes.. a girl's gotta have her shoes!