Kiss My Bass

The Hub went fishing this early morning with some friends. There are several lakes (aka drainage ponds) in our neighborhood. So they set out to catch some bass. He came home pretty excited to have caught anything let alone the biggest of the morning. He hasn't done much fishing. He said it was fun and relaxing. A new hobby? I love this pic. He looks really happy.

Pizza, Pumpkins and Power Outages

I don't know how it happened, but last year we forgot to carve pumpkins. Being new to the great state of Texas I had been warned about carving too early and mold and bugs. So I kept putting it off until there was simply no time and then CB was sick and, well you get the picture. So this year I promised my girls: We will carve pumpkins. We will have pizza. It will be fabulous. Well it started out fun. The pizza was a little burnt, but that was ok. There was much excitement about picking the perfect pattern and which one would be fun, but not too hard. We got the squash hallowed out and then the power went out. I should have probably added that it was raining, but rain in Texas is just part of the fall, and summer, and sometimes spring. Anyway, it was raining and thundering and lightening-ing (is that a word?) cuz it was doing it and when we decided to go out on the back porch and carve pumpkins it was pouring. But we were determined to carve and then darkness. The power stayed out just long enough that we put everyone to bed without finishing the pumpkins. There were lots of sad faces.

But today, Halloween Eve, when the girls got home from school those pumpkins were carved. They look great and they are finished just in time to take to the trunk-or-treat. And I didn't have to carve one or even help them. I guess they are really growing up.

Don't Have a Heart Attack

Well, I can't remember the last time I posted. . .I won't catch you up on my life because honestly it has been a tough couple of months. Maybe later. Right now I am looking for some good old procrastination. I have so many projects going on. None are finished. I convinced self I could quilt. I know don't laugh. So I decided to start 3 different quilting projects. Then I thought--hey the sewing machine is out why not make some pillows, pj pants, and Christmas presents for my girls. It is only October I have plenty of time. I know, it's crazy. Plus, as I really should clean my house, make some dinner, write a lesson plan for a class that I have to teach in a week and a half, (Did I mention it is on being organized?) finish my notes for this PTO project I am involved in, skim the leaves out of the pool--honestly it is a long list. Instead I am blogging.

So for my one follower out there (thanks Laura) here are some pics:

CB playing the piano and J and M just goofing around. They make me smile. I feel grateful for that.

I Know I am a Grown Up

I had a moment today that made me realize that I might be a grown up. We got trees planted in the backyard. For those of you who do not live in the south, these are little gem magnolia trees. They have dark green leaves with purple undersides and bloom these amazing white flowers. When I think of the south I picture red brick houses, big porches, ice cold mint juleps (who knows what that is) and magnolias. Anyway, I am so excited to plant trees and put down roots. I never thought two little trees could mean so much to me, but when they were being planted today I couldn't stop grinning. We are putting down roots. We are officially southerners. I hope to be here long enough to see these little guys grow up. Who knows maybe I will even sit in their shade and drink a mint julep or at least a lemonade.

Sunday Night

What is it about Sunday nights? They seem to be the odd mix of happy and sad. Sad that the weekend or in this case vacation is over and happy almost excited to start back at it again. This is our hallway. Each school night backpacks are readied and shoes (with socks) are laid out. In this picture I see little things about my girls. I notice things like J's unlaced shoes. She has yet to master tying and C's perfectly parallel shoes and cleaned out bag. Cam's are laid out too, first in line, bright pink, and ready. Not to be left behind by her older sisters. So I sit here this Sunday night looking at those bags and shoes. Happy that tomorrow is Monday and that the lovelies are off to school and I can finally be alone and sad because I know the day will soon come that there will be no bags and shoes in my house. I am sad because yet another year with them has gone by. They are growing up so fast. Everyone said it would happen, but I must admit in the throws of it I didn't really believe them. I am happy too though because they are amazing and honestly even though motherhood is one insanity after another, ultimately I am better for it.

(this post was inspired by Dr.SBJ who took the pic and is a great example of one who stops to find the joy and beauty in the everyday)

Snowing Y'all

(I am having issues with blogger so forgive the pictureless post.) It snowed today in Cypress. It was very cold and very windy all day--in the 30s. I don't care who you are, that is cold. I came home to meet the girls and was shocked to see snow falling. It was beautiful and peaceful and melting almost before it hit the ground. There are rumors of school closures and work delays because of road conditions. Having lived in Utah and Idaho I find it all a little silly as do my girls. I asked them if they wanted to get on their coats and run around in it like all of the neighborhood seemed to be doing and they said almost in unison, "We have seen snow before, mom." But I will say it brought the Christmas spirit today and made me think that it is possible to get all of the things done on my list. See, for all of you who think you know Texas and it's big hair, bugs and bad weather, you have not been to Cypress in December.

Giving Thanks

I know, I know, I know, I am not very consistent at blogging. I hope to post once a week, but I really like posts with photos and I am struggling with my photos. Maybe after a visit from Santa and several hours with my soon to be friend Adobe I will be a better blogger, until then be patient.

This Thanksgiving holiday was a lot of fun and hard work. We kicked off our vacation with some turkeys. We had a great time making plates of cupcakes and delivering them to a few friends and thanking them for being so special to us. We feel extremely blessed have made such great friends in such a short amount of time. I guess what you here about Texans and their southern hospitality is true.

Then we decided to lay three pallets of sod in our backyard. It took us 5 hours, but we got all of it laid and it sure looks great. I am thankful for a strong healthy husband who is not afraid of hard work. We had a fun time as a family and it was very satisfying to see a completed lawn. Ox, hub's bulldog, loved the new grass. He spent most of the day rolling all over it. It was an early Christmas present for him.

We also spent a lot of time having fun. We were invited to our friends family diner and it was a great time. We went to the drive-in, played the Wii, watched a bunch of movies, made lots of goodies, and felt thankful for each other and the many blessings we have.