Mama Sue Home Schooling Mom

Random Thoughts

2012-01-26T10:28:00.000-06:00

I started this post a few weeks ago after meeting my new cousin Colton. A few days after I met him for the first time he got sick...really sick. Like a 3 week old with meningitis sick. He has been in the hospital for a week and a half and they expect him to be there for a total of 3 weeks. He is doing better but the recovery is long especially for one so young. He and his family are precious to me. His grandmother is my 1st cousin who is like a sister in many ways to me and it seems like yesterday when his mom was born.

Sydney and Colton

So far we are having a busy new year:

I am recovering from a nasty sinus infection probably due in part to the crazy Texas weather!

Last year we completed the remodel of our home and were content to sit back and enjoy the fruits of Jason's labor. We are beginning to think about the next step which is a few built-in pieces namely a desk for me and a cabinet/shelf/banquette combo for our breakfast room. We installed new flooring in every room last year which meant emptying said rooms. This was a great opportunity for purging stuff. I am ready to do more of that.

Tomorrow I am going to Ikea with mom and daughter to get desks for our mini playroom/schoolroom/sewing room makeover. Daughter isn't thrilled about having to share her playroom with me but my sewing hiatus is about to end . I have a really nice sewing cabinet with and electric lift etc. that I got about 25 years ago and I just really don't like it. I want my machine to just be available to me. Besides, I can count on 1 hand the things I have sewn since moving into this house 15 years ago. Before that I almost always had some sort of sewing craft, clothes etc. going on. So we will see where this goes! For instance I have fabric and a pattern for a cover for my Kitchen Aid mixer...my best friend! My husband bought this mixer for me in 1989 or so and they only had white at the time. Well, I would love to have a red one, but for now I will just cover it. Robin, this will happen, just wait and see! My husband offered to spray paint mine...no thanks! So I am going to make a really cute cover for mine...it will be exceptionally cute!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:13:00.001-06:00

I am writing this post on my new iPad! A super surprise from my sweet hubby!

All Aboard the Polar Express!!

2011-12-23T10:08:00.000-06:00

Every year we have a little Christmas celebration with our friends the Andersons! Sometimes we just get together, other times the kids make and decorate cookies. This year our plan all along was for the kids to decorate cookies, watch Polar Express and have hot chocolate. Because of family obligations on both sides we opted to have snacks, hot chocolate and watch Polar Express and for the children to have a gift exchange. Wednesday we all gathered at our house to the festivities!

Sydney playing Santa. She has had that Santa hat since she was 2 and in daycare at the YMCA. They had a precious performance and Sydney played and sang Jingle Bells. All of the 2 year old babies had little instruments and they were so cute and amazingly cooperative. Sydney has been in love with being on stage since then:)

A Narnia movie and stuffed zebra as well as a Bambi necklace and ring...Sydney loves all of her gifts

Preston, relaxing and watching the movie...he's always the only boy but he handles it well.

Except when he gets the giggles...it was so funny to watch him cracking up...don't remember why now.

Shelby watching the movie very quietly and got up to sit by mom during the parts she didn't like.

We did get our hot chocolate, homemade fudge, chocolate chip cookies and other goodies. Robin and I have had so much fun over the years watching our kids grow and their friendships blossom and change over the years.This has been a wonderful tradition.

My shopping is all finished and I have a ton of things to wrap...off to work.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-20T16:13:00.001-06:00

So much for my posting every day in November! It has been busy around here. We finished up with school Friday and Saturday was Sydney's Christmas dance recital. Anyway, the tree is up and decorated but the middle section of lights went out and I am not taking it apart. My tree is 26 years worth of decorations and it is quite the collection...very eclectic...see what I mean..

A Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that my daughter made.

I found out I was pregnant in December 1999 and a dear friend gave me this Old World ornament to commemorate a special time in my life and of course Y2K..

This is one of a set of 2 ornaments my paternal grandparents gave me many years ago. The mate was broken several years ago.

I bought these plastic crystal ornaments in 1985 on a shopping trip with my new step-daughter Courtnay who was 6 at the time. She picked these out and every year I remember the fun time we had. She and I took to each other immediately.

I just had to include Jack! I have a couple of these but this one is my favorite...makes me smile. I'm sure that my mother is proud!

These are the Justin ropers my husband bought when we first married...Sydney loves these boots.

Red berries hanging from the copper on my pot rack...

My Southern living tree on top of a little quilt my grandmother made when she was in her mid-eighties. It is also covering up the table that I have half way started to refinish.Both of my grandmothers were excellent seamstresses but my mother's mom, had arthritis in her hands and she had to give it up but she was very talented. I will share my baby dress someday but I'm not sure if the detail will show up.

That's about it. We have plans to get together with our friends "The Andersons" tomorrow for a little gift exchange and to watch polar express and drink hot chocolate...should be fun. Thursday is Chuck E. Cheese with Taryn, her sister Holyn and her sweet mama Jessica.

Linking with Wow Us Wednesdays

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Brother John and Thankful #6

2011-11-12T08:43:00.000-06:00

I am so thankful for this man! He is my brother John. Today is the day he came into this world. It was going to be different having a boy in the house after 6 years of only girls! He was the sweetest little boy and the sweetest man I know! Love you John!

I know I am still about 6 behind on my 30 Days of Thanks list but I will catch up soon!

Thankful #5

2011-11-09T09:34:00.000-06:00

Today is a re-post of a post from last year...but something I am thankful for each and every day.

Thanks Dr. Nguyen. If anyone can take the pain out of a ruptured colon this dr. can. He was the on call general surgeon who performed 3 surgeries on me beginning 3 years ago. He is the most family friendly, loving, caring doctor in the world! He was supportive before, during and after my colostomy surgeries. My sweet daughter was very tramatized by the whole incident. When I told him at my first follow up appointment he told his nurse/assistant that he wanted my daughter included in all of my treatment, surgery planning etc. Yes, he knew she was only 7 and it broke his heart that she was so traumatized. So, he took her under his wing and brought her in like I never imagined! Some of her duties included removal of my intubation tube (after 7 days) YUCK! She did say it was gross and removal of 80 something staples between 2 surgeries! He would get her started and then let her do her handy work! He will always hold a special place in my heart for all of the extra time he took with her and joking around he did with her. He will always have a special place in our hearts as will the dozens of health care workers and friends who helped us through this time. He told me what happened is just a matter of luck and I was unlucky to have my colon rupture, but I have to say I felt like the luckiest girl in the world to be in his care. God always goes ahead and prepares the way for us doesn't He?

Sydney and Dr. Nguyen

Her first time to removed staples after my 2nd surgery...he offered the job to my mom after the original surgery but she declined! As you can also tell after this, my belly will never be the same.

Day 4 My daughter's friendships...

2011-11-05T09:14:00.001-05:00

I found this picture and I had to share! Do you think her bow is big enough? That is Griffin Lain, the oldest of Jill's son's. I think he was maybe 18 months and Sydney was around 3. They may have been younger. I am thankful that Sydney has friends since babyhood and they still get along well and enjoy each other even though they are getting to the age where boys and girls don't really like each other. I hope their friendship is always solid.

Bow head! I am sure that is what he is looking at and thinking..."glad I'm a boy! I wonder if that thing hurts?"

Here she is a few years later with baby Carter...

She also loves Charlie who is now 2! I have a more recent pictures of him but I do love this one!

This is late because for some reason I couldn't download my photos last night. Number 5 will be coming later today!

30 Days of Thanks!

2011-11-03T12:48:00.000-05:00

Sydney dressed up as a zebra this year. We went to the Fall Festival at our church on Monday night and trick or treated at my mom's house and a few friends. There is way more candy than necessary in my house now!

I am going to post what I am thankful for each day this month! As usual, I am 3 days behind already so I will post the first three today. My hope is that this series will help me get back to blogging on a regular basis. The real problem is that I hate my desk. Someday I hope to have a new one built by Jason...someday!

1. God...I have had a relationship with my creator since I was very young, for this I thank my parents, especially my mom for making this a priority in my early childhood. This relationship has changed through the years and I am especially thankful for a God who has never forsaken me even when I tried to ignore him

2. .I am thankful for my family...husband who takes care of us and works hard to keep my dreams a reality,a daughter who adores me...really...we'll see if I can still say that when she is 13; parents who love me, a mother-in-law and sister-in-law who I can call my friend. My sister who is my dearest friend and two of the sweetest brothers a girl could ask for. Two step-daughters who have taught me more lessons of unconditional love that I can count.

3. I am able to stay at home with my daughter and be at home with her all day while homeschooling her. This has been such an unexpected blessing because I worked outside the home until she was nearly 6 and never dreamed that would change.

There! That's my first three days! It's hard to stop but I will continue tomorrow. I have been keeping a gratitude journal for a couple of months and I am amazed at how blessed I am. In good times and bad.

Happy October!

2011-10-01T09:25:00.001-05:00

October is finally here! I don't know why but to me this is when fall really begins. It is really nice and cool this morning...very appropriate. Texas sometimes this season change has a really hard time taking hold so when it gets here it is truly cause for rejoice. It is also the time for homeschool activities to really get going. For instance, our homeschool group has 3 field trips planned for us this month plus regular church activities and dance, we will be heading to Mainstay Farms to the pumpkin patch, Mrs. Baird's bakery for a tour and Casa Manana for a play Oliver! In addition to these, I would also like to plan a trip to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History as well as the Fort Worth Zoo. Then we all know what happens on the 31st! This year we will be heading to church for our annual fall party which is "Trunk or Treat". We also have shoe boxes to get ready to be sent with the Haiti missionaries. We also have 3 birthdays this month beginning today with Shelby Anderson! I should have plenty to blog about this month huh? Well, we will see.

Here is a quick look at my own daughter's 11th birthday back in July...yes, really July! Blogging just hasn't been a priority this year but I hope to do better because I am not a scrap booky type person and if I don't record it here it just may be forgotten!

This is how the princess looks first thing in the morning!

Robin and Preston Anderson and the back of hubby Kevin's head! Doesn't Robin have the most infectious smile? Oh, you can see part of my remodeled laundry room in the background as well...

Sydney celebrating with a few friends...She wanted a western theme this year to honor her love of Bonanza! That's an entire story in itself.

Here is the whole gang Emma, Taryn, Griffin (holding Charlie) Sydney, Shelby, Brooke, Carter and Preston...all such a sweet blessing!

Rick, my hubby, his sister Donna and my soon to be brother in law Tommie. Her husband died 3 years ago and Tommie was her high school sweetheart...how cool is that? Do you see Bonanza in the background?

This is my laid back cat Noel stretched out in the floor with all of these people and loud kids running every where. Here are my new hardwood floors, aren't they awesome! We decided to put them in every room except bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room. I am in love with them.

Jason my is my best friend Jill's husband and our awesome contractor with baby Charlie! Hmm, sadly I will probably have to quit calling him baby Charlie in the near future!

Here is my BFF Jill and her boybarians plus Sydney! The two big boys Carter and Griffin are having birthdays this month! Baby Charlie is a July baby like Sydney.

The following week, we went to Fun Valley, Colorado for a week and next year Jill, Jason and the boys will be joining us...can't wait!

Also, last month I lost my Aunt Kay. We all went to east Texas for her funeral and to celebrate her life! That meant that I was with all of my tons of cousins, aunts and uncles for the first time in many years. Do you think I brought my camera? Nope! I will always regret that.

5th Grade!

2011-09-20T08:41:00.000-05:00

We started school on September 6th and we have been busy getting back into the routine. Our late summer routine consisted of sleeping in and hanging out at home or with friends so the change of pace has been challenging but not too bad.

We are starting our 4th year homeschooling and it has gone by so fast. We start each year with pictures and of course a lot of posing!

5th grade attitude!

Time to start class. Each year our school room/playroom is looking less and less like the nursery it started out to be. I have managed to keep a few items like the pink plaid lamp and valance! It is also the original paint from her baby days. She can still fit her vintage desk painted by my friend Tracey and her mom Val when we first began home school.Tracey, Val and the desk are treasures!

Sydney is excited to begin 5th grade although she still reminds me that she should be in 6th because we held her back in pre-K due to her summer birthday. Will she ever get over it? Probably not!

Handwriting is her least favorite subject but she is improving and some of her printing is better than mine. We touched on cursive a little last year and will resume later this year. I want her to have nice penmanship. That is a subject that many schools do not even teach now.

I love this lifestyle for our family and when I do get discouraged, I remember that God is restoring all of the time I missed with my daughter when I was working and she was in daycare. That seems like a lifetime ago! I know we will have challenges this year...we always do but we always manage to work them out...sooner or later!

No more baby face!

2011-08-19T08:50:00.000-05:00

I love to look back and compare how much my daughter has changed from year to year...look at this! Wearing the same leotard although it fits a little differently. This past year has been one of the easiest years of her life from a parenting perspective. I think it's been a good year for her too. I am beginning to see glimpses of what she will look like as a teenager. She still loves dance more than just about anything on earth!

First day of dance last year...

First day of dance this year (yesterday)...

Somebody's growing up!

This year her dance choices have become more mature too...she is only taking jazz and lyrical. I am looking forward to seeing what she can do with lyrical. A couple of years ago she tried hip hop and hated it. I hope she loves lyrical because her teacher is a beast (in a good way)!

Recital 2011 or I really need to take a photography class!

2011-06-14T08:22:00.000-05:00

Sydney's big dance recital was May 30th! I took about 400 pictures and they mostly look like this:

This is ballet and it was last during dress rehearsal and apparently I bumped my camera and goofed up the settings. It was so dark I couldn't see the controls on my camera to fix it. I will bring a flashlight next year. It was very disappointing. Hopefully the video will be here in a few weeks and we can find something a little better!

Here is a little better picture of her ballet...at least you can see how beautiful her costume is!

Here a picture of her tap pose at the end of the dance. These were a little better than ballet but still I was too far away during dress rehearsal and no pictures are allowed during the actual performance. We still have to have her professional photos taken...somewhere...they didn't do them at the studio so we are kind of on our this year. The picture packages have gotten very expensive last year and a lot of parents protested and just didn't show up. This is sad because we like the group pictures too but only 3 of the 15 in her jazz class showed up for photos last year.

Jazz...there is so much movement in this dance to "Walking on Sunshine" Lots of running, jumping twirling etc. Right up my girls alley!

Off to the eye doctor today for both of us
By the way, Sydney injured her elbow Saturday we thought it was broken. It isn't but she will be out of swim team this week for sure. The Dr. said after that she can resume activities as tolerated. That means yesterday was her first swim meet of the season and we didn't get to go. She was sad but hurting so much it wasn't a huge factor. I hope she can get back soon.
Sydney won a solo part for Jam Camp and has her first practice tonight. Gulp! I would have never tried out for a solo...ever! I am really excited for her.
We are still finishing up school this year but taking off a few days. This totally blows my schedule that I had planned out so I have to make some changes to my lesson plans

Mayfest!

2011-05-14T09:51:00.000-05:00

Every year Sydney's dance studio performs at Mayfest. This performance and her recital are the highlight of her year. This year she performed a tap dance to "Naturally" performed by Selena Gomez and her Jazz dance to " Walking on Sunshine" and I have no idea who sing it.
She is also in ballet but they don't perform at Mayfest because pink tights and pink leather shoes don't work well with mud.

They get to dance in a shaded area because it can be 100 degrees here in May. Luckily it was only in the 80s but windy. Parent sit in the sun and bake.

She looks like she's walking on sunshine doesn't she?

She has been working hard to perfect this jump!

I think she loves the poses at the end of her dances as well as the dance. A love of hamming it up runs in the family. If you have read Coco's blog you know that! I was really happy she was smiling in the pic because she wasn't in the rest of the dance because a girl who wasn't in practice that week showed up for the performance. The dance had been tweaked the day before and this little girl didn't know and it was total confusion. Miss Sydney was not too happy.

Don't you think their costumes are pretty? I think they changed suppliers from years past because they seem to be much higher quality than before. Also for this dance they will have black fishnet stocking rather than tan.

Again this year I will be a backstage mom which is really fun. Then I found out the order of the dances calls for 2 hair changes. Pony tail, bun, side pony tail! I am mostly worried about getting 14 girls hair into buns with hairnets and get their costumes, tights, shoes and etc changed in time to go on stage! You would think 8-10 year old girls could handle the costume changes but they can't! They are sweaty and extremely wound up! It's fun and I wouldn't miss it. I know these days won't last long! The teen girls don't really have backstage help... I keep telling me that dance has given them discipline to be independent. Either that or the moms are burned out by then!

Nearing the finish line!

2011-04-23T12:57:00.000-05:00

A quick update after nearly a year of non stop remodeling we are very close to the finish line. Yesterday Jason finished installing the last of the wood floor, baseboards and trim. Now it's just a few little things to complete. I still have a big mess to clean up before I can show photos but we are very happy with the final product. There is still a matter of a built in desk to be done and a few odds and ends. Today I have to complete my daughter's Easter dress so she doesn't have to wear the dress from last week! A confession, I started this dress last year and things just didn't come together so I think it will work this year. I will post a picture of the finished project as well.

I hope everyone has a very Happy Easter!

My Sweet Baby! Also some random stuff.

2011-04-16T18:14:00.000-05:00

Just for a minute imagine that you are having a baby at 40! That was me 11 years ago and these are the things I asked God to bless me with...

healthy baby
brunette with blue eyes (after a slew of blonds Granny was ready for a brunette)
loving spirit
who loves Jesus
independent (because I was older and her sisters were teenagers)
smart
happy
pretty (yes, I really did slip that one in)
good sense of humor
born on time (3 weeks early and small but just fine)
please let her have a pretty nose (her sister was obsessed with her nose and had it fixed at a very young age)

I have to say that God blessed me way beyond my wildest dreams or selfish prayers. All this has been on my mind lately and I just want to remember to be thankful for those blessings.

Please say a prayer for baby Robby and all of the other little ones who start out this life with a struggle. Also don't forget to pray for all of the parents who pray and wait.

Kitchen Remodel

2011-03-31T08:52:00.009-05:00

Here are the before and after photos of our kitchen remodel. I hated my old kitchen. It is still small but much more functional and way prettier than the old days. New appliances, sink, granite, tumbled marble back splash, black granite sink, new tile floor, removed part of a wall, added recessed lighting, new custom made (by Jason) cabinets except for pantry and top cabinets on one side, under cabinet lights. Jason just built new doors so you can't tell...oh and he removed the dreaded scallop detail at the bottom of the cabinets.

We had the wall area where the oven is removed and made into a breakfast bar.

TA-DA!

Much better? Under the bar area on this side of the stove, Jason added deep drawers...where I keep my utensils, pots, pans, baking pans and cookie sheets...all have their own drawer. You can see our hardwood stacked in the dining room ready to go in next week!

New matching refrigerator...

Gorgeous granite sink and check out that back splash!

The stove was a big splurge...GE Profile but our neighborhood appliance store blew every one's pricing out of the water! The microwave and dishwasher are not new but they match and work well (after a little tweaking from Jason).

This is my coffee/hot chocolate bar...see, coffee, hot chocolate packets and marshmallows! I am about to change this out to tea bags and crystal light packages for warmer months...

Pantry cabinet detail...

As you can imagine we are thrilled with the transformation. Next up the laundry room! It is finished and the new hot water tank went in yesterday!

Linking up to Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday and Remodelaholic

A little Spring Break Fun!

2011-03-29T12:09:00.001-05:00

First of all...meet Lil' Joe our newest yard guest! He arrived a couple of weeks ago and won't go away! We have a very unresponsive animal control department (1 person) in our community. I guess he was on spring break as well. Our community has an animal rescue so eventually he will be adopted to a good family. He is super sweet but has an extremely annoying voice...I think he is of Siamese ancestry! I suspect he was dumped in our neighborhood because he is not at all afraid of humans and seems to know what "inside" is. I tried ignoring him but I can't swing that since I love cats. I am not up for more neutering, shots and declawing and quite frankly I can't fit one more animal in my bed! So we will enjoy him until he has a home.

During spring break we went to the park with some of our homeschool group friends. The top row is Brook and Sarah, the front row is Grace, Sydney and Shelby. There were also the boys Preston, Frank and Blake but they didn't stop to have their pictures made...imagine that! I have to say this is one of the prettiest group of girls I have ever seen.

After the park we went for ice cream with the whole crowd. Mamas at another table. From left to right is Blake, Preston, Frank, Sydney, Brook, Sarah, Grace and Shelby.

I have to ask this question...do cats ever stop licking? At least Romeo doesn't seem to...even with Pillow Pets and Build A Bear friends watching...oh well, I guess he's among friends! He loves Sydney's bed because it's so soft...mattress, memory foam topper, feather bed topped with a velvet comforter...nice!

Bathroom Reveal

2011-03-25T09:56:00.002-05:00

I have been too busy to blog lately but I am going to try to update more often. For example, we updated (gutted) our bathroom in August of 2010 and I am just now getting around to posting. Since my bathroom was icky, I never really took good before pictures. The demolition took place while we were in Colorado last summer so the days just prior to were filled with packing and planning not thinking about before pictures. This bathroom had white original 1965 tile with gold trim. It was nostalgic because the house I grew up in had the same tile. Ours sadly was also full of cracks and had glue on the floor tiles from when the bathroom had carpet. YUCK! To me carpet in a bathroom is just about the grossest thing on earth. That was the first thing to go when we moved in 15 years ago. I thought I could live with the icky stained tile underneath and I did for 15 years. I had to place rugs in strategic places to cover the cracks and other things. There was also brown and gold wallpaper with bird nests...just ugly. I have pictures of that somewhere but my scanner died...maybe someday.

Jason, our trusty contractor and friend sent this photo to us while we were in Colorado...this man does not fool around when it comes to demolition! So there is no turning back now! That same day we got word from the supplier that our tub was on back order for 4-6 weeks. Jason found us a tub and we were back in business. The tub is actually a post all by itself. We wanted fixtures in a color called linen which is lighter than almond but not as stark as white. Hence, the hullabaloo. It is really a beautiful color as you will see below.

New granite, light fixtures and custom cabinets (built by Jason our contractor). Just so you know, Jason is a Pandora's Box of talent and ideas...all better than our original plans.

Hand held shower...essential for my thick curly hair and assisting the little girl rinse her hair as well.

Also good for dog washing.

The insets (just like the other bathroom)...all Jason's suggestion.

The tub. Love this tub...not fancy but pretty

This is an old house with a hall bath so I have to share this with my little girl. So nice to have 2 sinks!

This mirror is the only thing original to the bathroom...It was really nice and thick so rather than 2 separate mirrors we saved a little by keeping this one. It was kind of grody around the edges but Jason to the rescue again...built this pretty frame for it. Also notice the cabinets...Jason built these too...I will post about the cabinets and other details at sometime in the future...lots of drawers to hold my stuff. The cabinets were his design as well.

I have kept things fairly neutral because after that stark white and gross blue this felt serene to me. I found the dragonfly towels and shower curtain on clearance at Dillards and bought 6 handtowels, 4 bathtowels and the shower curtain for less than 100.00...how awesome is that?

I forgot to take pics of the floor but you can see here that the tile is pretty as well...same as in the shower.

I have enjoyed this bathroom more than you can imagine! I still need some decor but we are changing every room in the house so decorating can come later.

So far we have completed our master bathroom (a term used loosely), the hall bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. We are putting hardwoods in the entire house except for wet areas. The floors have been installed in the hall and bedrooms and the rest of the floors will be completed next week as well as a new hot water tank. (Jason's turn to go to Colorado). The paneling in our den and breakfast room is a thing of the past...only a distant memory! Next I will post about the kitchen transformation...truly amazing!

Random Thought from a 10 year old!

2011-01-25T07:36:00.000-06:00

"If Jesus comes tomorrow will the cats' tails puff up?" I wonder what goes on in there sometimes! I answered her question by saying "I have no idea...maybe".

10 Year Old Quote of the Day...

2010-12-19T19:29:00.000-06:00

Sydney likes playing on line games like this one for My Little Pony. In this game you teach the ponies to dance. Sydney gets a little caught up in this game and the other day she said to me "mama, you do know that I taught this dance to the ponies? Do you have any idea how hard it is to teach them to stand on their back legs?" She said this with a totally straight face. Me well tried to keep a straight face. Kids are so funny.

Where Has This Year Gone?

2010-12-13T11:02:00.000-06:00

I can hardly believe how fast this year has gone. Here is a recap of what has been keeping us hopping for the past 11 months.

Homeschool - well so far we have survived 2 and a half years with no end in sight. This year has by far been the easiest with so many break throughs for Sydney both socially and academically. She is making enormous strides in reading, handwriting, math and dare I say spelling? Some experts say that many children just aren't ready for school when they are 6 or 7. I totally believe this to be the case with Sydney. When she hit 9 last year I really began to see changes especially in reading. This year she is blasting through math and doing much better with spelling.

Dance - Dance is one of those things that may or may not always be in our lives. As long as Sydney is reaching for the stars physically and mentally I will encourage her to stay. If she decides next year she wants to try gymnastics or karate that's okay too. I have to say she was quite a trooper with a broken foot. She went to class every week and worked on the moves and placements that she could.

Swim Team - this year was Sydney's 2nd year of swim team and she had a blast eventhough there was a little drama. I saw Sydney and her swim team buddies acheive trememdous growth in their ablilities and efforts. It was fun and it was very, very hot at some of those swim meets. All the pics I took at swim meets this year were with my phone and they are still in my phone

Friendships - Sydney has learned the hard way that some friendships are only for a season others seem to never end no matter how much time you spend apart. This is true for her and Taryn...they have a very strong bond. She has also learned that it's okay to have more than one best friend...just like her mama. We have both learned sometime it's just best to say goodbye. Not always easy and not fun but sometimes needed. Dance had a surprise new friend this year. She has a new "best" dance friend named Marina. Marina is the daughter of one of my sister's best friends and the neice of one of my mom's good friends. I am looking forward to see what the 3rd generation of this friendship brings for my little girl. Also, we discovered that you don't have to look hard to find true friends. Here are a few of her favorites

Sydney and Taryn they really are BFFs

Brooke - also a longtime BFF

Romeo, her newest friend

Griffin, her oldest friend (even before Taryn)

Catching a nap with daddy after a sleep over at Brooke's

Swimming in Lake Granbury

Ready for Halloween as a woodland princess

Singing at church

Feeding her chipmunk friends in Creede, CO.

I am officially the mother of a pre-teen now, a girl in double digits and it's so hard to believe. I am looking forward to being the mother of a teenage girl. How's that for optimism?

Master Bath Remodel

2010-11-18T08:52:00.001-06:00

We have been renovating our house a room at a time since early June. Renovation can be scary but you need to look at it as an adventure. In the past we have replaced our patio, added a door and replaced our patio door...nothing too scary...well, there were a few moments during our patio replacement that were more crazy than scary considering our contractor's helper put his foot through our ceiling twice! Not really a big deal since Jason, our contractor fixed the problem quickly. The other problem is that we had a full grown rooster running around the back yard that summer. That is a long and stupid story for another time but it involved baby chicks from Sydney's first grade class.

On to Rick's bath. When we made the decision to renovate, we started at the back of the house in the worst room ever built. There is only one word to describe our master bathroom...small, ugly and pink! Oh that 's three words isn't it. It has been a problem we tried to work around our "vintage" bathroom but there is only one cure for this kind of ugly! At the time our house was built in 1965 most homes didn't have what we now consider a "master bath". They were typically a shower, toilet and sink...think powder room with a shower. That's what we have and my husband is the primary user. I just tried to pretend it wasn't there. So this is where our adventure begins...

Pink shower with white trim from a previous repair

I warned you it was ugly what you can't see here is the pink tiled floor. When we moved in there was carpet on the bathroom floor. Don't get me started on how much bathroom carpet grosses me out!

The beginning of the demolition derby

Jason picked up a supervisor along the way...Romeo inspected every step of this project

Ahhh...pretty and not one spec of pink! We started out with lighter grout and went to darker. Since this picture was taken we have colored the grout on the floor and it now matches the shower. Not much need for decorations since Rick uses this bathroom. Brown towels are all he really wants. And I moved my Pottery Barn Pub mirror in there for him.

Perfection! We do have a fabulous glass shower door but for some reason I don't have a photo. Maybe later...I also just noticed this photo was before we painted the shower ceiling.

A shower floor any man could appreciate

Jason put thesed cool inserts in for soap, shampoo etc....

After it was all said and done, we are thrilled with our newly renovated, bathroom complete with an exhaust fan (extremely emportant in this house)!

There you have it...we have also completed the hall bath renovation which was equally gross but in different ways. We are 90% finished with the kitchen and it is a dream. The rest of the house involves new floors, removal of paneling and A LOT of painting. I will share the other bathroom with you soon.

Joe Turner is Cancer Free!

2010-11-04T07:32:00.004-05:00

I have had the pray for Joe Turner on my side bar for many months now and I want to thank all who have prayed for him. It has been a rough year for 7 year old Joe Turner but it looks like his troubles are behind him. Joe finished his chemo and had a CT scan and other tests and he is CANCER FREE. Nothing is harder than to watch a little one suffer. He has been so cool and so brave during this time. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow! If you are interested in more details please read this post

2010-10-24T13:34:00.000-05:00

for today:

outside my window... the sun is shining and the air is fresh.

i am thinking...that I enjoy being home with my daughter and how blessed I am that God chose me for her.

remembering...when when we bought this house 14 years ago and all of the plans that are finally materializing.

i am wearing...cotton capris and a soft cotton t-shirt.

i am creating...memories for my daughter and husband.

i am reading... Beth Moore Esther Bible study.

i am hoping...Sydney's friend Taryn is feeling better...she left here this morning with nearly 102 degree fever.

i am hearing... the fans around the house...and Sydney playing with her figurines!

one of my favorite things...when Rick comes home in the evening and we have a few minutes before the evening chaos begins

a few plans for the rest of the week: lunch with Jill, church, remodel of my kitchen beginning!

10 Year Old Quote of the Day!

2010-10-12T15:39:00.001-05:00

Today over lunch Sydney said to me "I don't think I will be able to be a brain surgeon because I would hate to make a mistake with someone's brain." "And I wouldn't be able to eat lasagna anymore." She does paint a vivid picture for you doesn't she?

Update on Joe Turner

2010-10-09T08:37:00.001-05:00

If you are in need of a little (or a lot) of inspiration you can read about a brave 7 year old right here. I promise you will be blessed! Thank you to all who prayed for Joe all of these months.

Look at these beauties!

2010-10-05T20:02:00.000-05:00

I purchased these today and I can't tell you how happy I am about this. First of all this means that we are on to the next phase of remodeling our house which was built in 1965 and had really not been updated since. We have completed 2 bathrooms which I haven't posted about...that will com soon. I am looking forward to using both of these beauties after they arrive on the 20th. Our very gifted contractor is building new cabinet doors and drawer fronts to replace the super ugly ones we have now as well as tearing out a section of our cabinets to open up a little into the den. I think when it is all said and done, every room in our house will be different in some way. Stay tuned...

Umm...about dance...

2010-09-21T18:41:00.000-05:00

It's kind of hard to dance in one of these!

It seems as though Sydney fractured a bone in her foot last Thursday at dance while trying to help a friend with one of those jumpy, twirly things with a French name. She came down on her left foot with her right foot and told me she heard a pop. We iced it all weekend and kept her off of it but there was still some swelling on Monday so off we went to the doctor for x-rays. There is a small fracture and that explains why after 5 days there is still some swelling and pain. Never any bruising though. She will be out for several weeks and she is very sad about it because dance is her favorite thing in the whole world. Please pray for a speedy recover so she can get back in her tutu soon.

Thought for the day...

2010-09-15T09:10:00.001-05:00

My husband just asked me if I knew there was a such thing as men having menopause! I said "yes" trying to ignore it.

Now I'm thinking that I can't have anything to myself!

Dance! Something Old is New Again!

2010-09-04T09:41:00.003-05:00

Last month Sydney started her fifth year of dance. In our house the beginning of dance is as exciting as the new school year and new school supplies. Five years...hard to believe but it's true. This year she is back to the more traditional...meaning tap, ballet and jazz. Last year she only wanted to do jazz and Hip Hop...begged me to take hip hop...and she hated it. Hip Hop is really hard because the moves are not fluid, nor are they natural! Half way through the year she was really missing tap and ballet. Let's go through what is involved in taking dance classes shall we?

tights

ballet shoes

tap shoes...the girl loves her some tap shoes
jazz shoes
hair snood (don't ask...it's one of those bun cover thingys...she wanted one with rhinestones and was thrilled on the first night when the teacher called her out and told everyone that this is how a dancer should wear their hair! She was thrilled beyond belief and the next week several girls were sporting snoods)
dance bag...I have never bought one until now
leggings...seems a little eighties to me but oh well
new teacher this year
2 and a half hours of dance straight from 6:00 to 8:30.
let's not forget the arm and leg each month for tuition

A new dance year also means 2 performances...one at Christmas (usually at the mall) and a recital (many hours long) at the end of the year! Being backstage mom...really fun and challenging helping little sweaty girls into spandex tights and costumes sometimes up to 18 girls in 15 minutes. Then there are the costumes...some years they are darling, other years they are very ugly! So far we have had...baby pink, red and black, purple and black, hot pink and neon orange for the "Just a Little Crush" dance last year...best dance ever! For the Christmas show they usually wear jazz pants and a Christmas sweatshirt, socks, and hairbows...nice considering it's cold and nobody wants their daughter in a typical dance costume running around the mall! This year Sydney has crystal rudolph earrings to wear...if I can ever get her back into earrings:)

How much does Sydney love dance? Well, she didn't quit when Taryn did, she was offered the chance to take gymnastics with Taryn and turned it down flat! The fact that she would turn down any chance to be with Taryn tells me how much she loves her dance.

The new teacher will be focusing on technique and vocabulary so she will be learning a lot and she is totally whipped when she gets out of class. Oh and there is homework nightly! Mrs. Mindy told them to be sure to eat dinner and bring water and a snack or they will not make it through her class! Sydney loves her classes and her new teacher...this is wonderful because there are dance teachers who are not nurturing at all. Luckily her new teacher is the mother of 5 and loves dance with a passion and loves the kids!

All dressed for the first night

What a ham!

My favorite dance picture of all time...2 years ago backstage at recital

Sydney's Big Catch!

2010-08-29T20:25:00.000-05:00

During the first day or so at Fun Valley, Sydney found and bought a Barbie fishing rod and reel and headed to one of the many ponds. She ultimately caught 7 trout total and 2 got away. These were cleaned and cooked for the fish-fry held every Tuesday and we headed for the nearest restaurant. With a little help from her daddy, Ralph the fishing guy at Fun Valley and some salmon eggs. She was very proud but didn't like to touch them.

This stump became her favorite fishing spot

There he is the first of many fish...thankfully she didn't name any of them

Colorado Vacation Part I

2010-08-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

We have returned from a week in Colorado. It was amazing! First of all, when we left home it was 107 degrees. When we arrived in Fun Valley the next morning it was in the upper 40s. Heaven! There was hiking, paddle boats, miniature golf, arcades, fishing, bike riding, tubing and excursions into Creede and Pagosa Springs, family time and new friends made. The weather was fabulous...a couple of showers but much drier and a little warmer than last year. Please don't even get me started on the food!

Here is a small section of the Rio Grand River behind our cabin...

Sydney fell into the freezing cold river within 30 minutes of arriving and she wasn't too happy, but by the end of the week she and her dad were tubing with the trout down the same river. I got some awesome pics of them and our neighbors from the bridge but they apparently got deleted from the camera...

Later, Sydney and I went on a hike on the mountain behind our cabin.

These little guys watched our every move in hopes of us dropping a crumb...they especially like graham cracker crumbs left over from our nightly campfires and smores.

Sydney spending some alone time on the river

Sydney and I took a day trip to Creede for shoping, food and chipmunks! We at lunch at the Old Miners Saloon where they have the best pizza on earth...it is called the Miner's Meat Pie...add a coke and a little Bad Company playing in the background and you have yourself an awesome lunch! We walked the entire lenght of Creede and went into everyshop. It was a fun mother daughter day! Sydney's favorite thing is feeding these little guys outside the mining museum.

Tomorrow I will show you Sydney's awesome fishing adventure!

Sneak Peak!

2010-08-17T09:39:00.000-05:00

We are having our bathroom remodeled! This is the beginning! Jason our very talented contractor who just happens to be married to my best friend started this yesterday and the best thing is we are in Colorado not dealing with it! We have picked out tile and granite and ordered all the fixtures so it's just a matter of time. I have not posted the before and afters of Rick's bathroom but I will do that soon. I think I have some befores of this bathroom. It had white tile in the bath and halfway up the wall and on the floors. About 13 years ago we removed the brown and gold bird nest wallpaper and textured the walls. The tile was the same tile that was in the house I grew up in and it was a novelty for a while but I am ready for something new! Before long you won't be able to distinguish this bath from one in a brand new house! Jason sent these from his iphone yesterday!

This is the location of the former toilet and bathtub!

From the tub to where the vanity once was

10 year old quote of the day...

2010-08-16T13:58:00.000-05:00

3:00 a.m. this morning:

Sydney: Good morning mama.

Me: Go back to sleep it's not time to wake up

Sydney: Daddy's up because I hear the coffee pot

Me: That's not the coffee pot Sydney, that is your daddy snoring

There's no turning back now!

2010-08-11T09:51:00.001-05:00

He's been trying for days to get the courage....

He made it down and he's very proud!

This is how I can endure the current heat wave!

2010-08-02T11:39:00.004-05:00

Today the forecast for Fort Worth, TX is 109 degrees! We will be heading to Fun Valley, CO later this month where the forecast high for today is 63 degrees! I am beyond ready, in fact, we all are!

Where a kid can be a kid!

You can eat food prepared by this man! The one with the apron...the one on the left is my hubby and he can make cereal...they are distant cousins and Rick loves Randy like a brother:)

This is the view from our cabin last year...breathtaking!

Kids can make friends like this...

and this...

and do things like this...

...and wear clothes like this and pose for goofy vacay pics with your parents!

As a fellow Fort Worth, TX native I totally appreciate the obsession John Denver had with Colorado! Especially this time of year. When I was a teenager, I think I was sweltering at church camp in San Antonio, TX when Rocky Mountain High came out...always a favorite because it makes me feel cool...well temperature wise anyway. I don't think being a fan of John Denver was ever especially cool...right?

Hot Flashes much? Bring 'em on! The nights are forecast in the low 50s, high 40s!

Ten

2010-07-27T07:58:00.000-05:00

Ten years old...where does all the time go? Tonight we are having a little get together with family and friends and a sleep over with Taryn! I have so much to do! I will post about the party and maybe some parties of the past later tonight. Taryn will be spending the night so I'm sure it will be a late one! Happy Birthday sweet Sydney. Seems like yesterday I was counting your age in days, weeks and months. You are such a joy and Daddy and I love you so much!!!

Wordless Wednesday...no more chocwate ice cream (age 6)!

2010-07-21T20:07:00.000-05:00

Nine Year Old Quote of the Day!

2010-07-18T15:05:00.000-05:00

"Mama, inside your purse is like Alice in Wonderland"!

Gratitude and Thanks!

2010-07-15T20:42:00.002-05:00

Sydney and Dr. Nguyen

Her first time to removed staples after my 2nd surgery...he offered the job to my mom after the original surgery but she declined! As you can also tell after this, my belly will never be the same.

End of Swim Team for us!

2010-07-13T17:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our last regular meet of the year. Now wins for Sydney but she really enjoyed herself. Saturday is the Championship Meet and she will not get to be there! We just got home from the dr. and she has an ear infection plus a nasty virus that takes about a week to recover from. Disappointing, yes but on the upside I love taking care of my sweet pea when she is sick!

Police Chase Excitement!

2010-07-02T12:54:00.000-05:00

My husband always manages to be were the action is! A few weeks ago it was a naked guy near downtown Fort Worth threatening to jump from a billboard took hours and tied up traffic forever, today there was a police chase in our neighborhood! We were standing in the driveway when a guy in a truck comes plowing through the cemetary at the end of our block nearly hitting a the groundskeeper who was weedeating at the time then bounces over the curb and takes out a couple of lightpoles. Of course he jumped in the car and took off (after 25 years he doesn't even have to tell me what he is doing). Long story short the guy being chased had stolen a truck over by the car wash and was breaking into houses in our neighborhood. We live in a very small town on the edge for Fort Worth and we have an awsome police force mostly comprised of rednecks.

The chase ended a couple of blocks away when the guy crashed the stolen Ford F350 into a house. Luckily, we live in a neighborhood where the houses were built in the late '50s and early 60s and they don't build them like that anymore. Here is the proof!

This bad boy crashed into this house and moved the wall from front to back of the house about 3 feet

and didn't knock it down!

The truck didn't fair so well!

Spent the morning texting blow by blows to Coco who is related to my hubs...

an upteenth cousin...anyway she loves excitement as well as the next person!

I really ~~want~~ need a police radio!

How not to get a ticket by Sydney/7 year old quote of the day!

2010-06-23T16:56:00.000-05:00

Today my mom reminded me of something Sydney said nearly 3 years ago. I blogged about having an emergency colostomy here. I have to say my sweet daughter was very supportive as well as grossed out all at the same time. I was driving home from getting my hair cut and I was stopped by our police for speeding. Turns out the speed limit by my house is 30mph not 40mph. Anyway, he didn't give me a ticket just let me know to slow down. Sydney was very upset about it and she said "Mama, you should have just showed him your bag"! I laughed until I nearly peed my pants but she was serious. Out of curiosity, I asked her why she said that and she said "it would gross him out and scare him". Clearly she is related to this little guy! Kids really do say the darnedest things! Hard to believe that I forgot about that until today. Thanks mom...I needed another laugh.

Summer Randomness

2010-06-16T13:57:00.000-05:00

The past week has been a whirlwind of activity! Swim team practice every day last week and a swim meet Monday.
Saturday - dinner with family in from San Diego.
Sunday - go to lake with cousins from San Diego.
Monday - swim meet we were there from 2:30 to 8:30 and it was 98 degrees!
Tuesday - swim team practice and begin swimming lessons
Wednesday - Bible study and oops I forgot to do my homework!

All of these pictures have been taken since Sunday...

Andy and his sweet baby Lillian

Rick playing around at the lake

Sydney swimming in the lake!

I have been sporting purple toes this week in honor of the Ridglea Rockets Swim Team...

Rick's shower is coming along nicely especially since Jason has a new supervisor...

Swimmers take your mark! She took 3rd place in Butterfly relay...

Taryn and her sweet mama Jessica...

Coming up in the next few days...hopefully a visit with Coco, grandson Michael's birthday, Father's day, Taryn's birthday, and another swim meet on Monday (one every Monday until mid-July). Plus pool playtime with my brother, his wife Paula and two daughters Charley and Sophie...no wonder we are tired! How is your summer going?

Ladies Summer Bible Study is Here!

2010-06-09T18:14:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite things about summer is attending our summer ladies Bible study. This summer our study is Gripped by the Greatness of God by James Macdonald. I have never done a study written by him but I have loved all of the studies on Isaiah. I love the book of Isaiah! Based on the introduction video this study will not disappoint.

Our church also offers childcare and activities for the kids...Sydney loves to go and brought Taryn with her. After church we headed over to visit Mrs. Ribinskaus who was their pre-K teacher many years ago at Westridge Pre-school. The little ones often called her Mr. Biscuits...at least Sydney did...it is a mouthful. Westridge is where Sydney and Taryn met and their friendship began. Mrs. Ribinskaus is now retired and is also a neighbor of ours. She remembers these two vividly and was thrilled with their impromptu visit.

After that, we headed to swim team practice...Go Rockets!

Pictures speak louder than words!

2010-06-03T08:34:00.001-05:00

Remember this?

This pink bathroom has been a thorn in our sides since we moved into this house in 1996.

Now it looks like this!

Nothing but studs and pipes baby!

I have pinpointed the source of my daughter's anxiety issues...her dad! He was a tad freaked out when he came home to see this! To clarify, he knew it was coming and we are having Jason, Super Contractor do all of the work, not me and Rick. The cats are fascinated but confused and Belle is relaxing at my mom's house (a.k.a. doggie spa).

To be continued...

Fun summer night!

2010-05-29T10:13:00.000-05:00

I know it's not officially summer but trust me in Texas it is! Cookouts, honeysuckle, fireflys and sleepovers with Taryn...last Saturday Taryn spent the night with us. It was just one of those nights when it felt like our weekend wouldn't be complete without her! As you know, Sydney and Taryn have been besties since they were three or four years old...I don't think they really remember not knowing each other...they will both be 10 this summer. They are very creative with their play time. This time they acted out The Lion King story complete with make-up...sort of. It was sweet and hilarious all at the same time. They put on makeup for their characters and both had some weeds coming our of their waistbands for tails but they didn't stay in very well. I sat there watching the girls with the firefly show in the background and the smell of honeysuckle...it doesn't get much better than this!

Starring Sydney as Scar...pretty scary

....and Taryn as Mufasa

Fight scene (disregard the pumpkin in the background...a doggy toy)

Scar pushes Mufasa off the mountain

The end of Mufasa

aren't they cute?

Encourage your kids to be creative and act things out...it's good for the soul! I know the sad day will come when they will think this type of activity is so lame..I dread that day. I'm happy Sydney has a friend she can be so transparent with. I am hoping that they will always be sweet, innocent, silly little girls when they are together.

Enjoy your Memorial Day and don't forget to stop and think about those who have given so much to our great country over the years.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

2010-05-25T10:31:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to a blog post from Clover Lane that just sums it all up...especially this time of year! Enjoy!

Anatomy of a Crack Down!

Rainbow Cake and the BEST Buttercream frosting ever!

2010-05-22T10:54:00.002-05:00

Last summer Coco and I made this gigantic rainbow cake for Sydney's 9th birthday which we spent at Coco's house. That was when we went to the very hot Sea World San Antonio...pure misery. We went again in October and it was amazing. Here is a picture of the too tall rainbow cake that we got from Whatever actually her post today reminded me of this day. The green layer didn't make it and as you can see, we needed more frosting and we didn't take the time to look up the exact cake directions which you can find here. I have promised friends that I would post this recipe for a while so here goes.

Here is the buttercream recipe...it's awesome!

1C Crisco (yes Crisco)
2 sticks butter
2 tsp. clear vanilla
4 T whole milk (Coco and I didn't have whole milk so we mixed half and half with her low fat milk and it worked out fine) You can't get too legalistic when you are with Coco anyway.
2lb bag powdered sugar

Mix Crisco, butter and vanilla add powdered sugar and milk...prepare to be amazed!

A change of venue....where does the time go?

2010-05-19T10:21:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time my daughter and I homeschooled in her playroom. It was nice, we had everything at our fingertips and a nice big white board. She has her cute desk handpainted by my friend Tracey's mom Val who has since moved back to England.

This picture was taken sometime early in 2009...I can tell because that's when Sydney gave herself a haircut. It took Debbie about a year to get them straightened out...it was to the scalp in some areas. See everything fairly organized.

After the new year, Sydney suggested that we have school in the breakfast room because it wasn't as distracting for her. This is what school looks like now! Everyday we drag out supplies and put them up. Next year hopefully there will be a new table and no paneling...will document that process too.

She was right, she has done better in school this semester and not been as distracted...maybe she was right. She is maturing so much this year. Third grade is nearly over and we will be on to 4th Grade...where in the world did the time go. I miss my baby but I can honestly say I have enjoyed every stage of her life. Last week I got out of the shower and found this......

Honestly, it was hard not to scold her for playing with the iron...she's nearly 10 and she wasn't playing...she was getting herself ready for the day and taking initiative. I loved to iron when I was a kid...I think I was older than her but I enjoyed it...not so much these days.

I want to enjoy every minute because I know how fast time flies...Annie and Courtnay are grown women now and it just seems like yesterday...

How Not to Hang Plantation Shutters!

2010-05-14T21:57:00.000-05:00

My husband is not Bob Vila. About 10 years ago he was tired of hanging all of the plantation shutters in our house and he hung the ones in the bedroom (above our bed) with velcro...yes velcro! They held until 1:30 a.m...Wednesday morning!

Anyone who knows my husband will get it...imagine...he gets mad at me for always shooting down his ideas! He is the love of my life and my best friend...sometimes my chief source of entertainment as well.

Happy Birthday Rick!

Mayfest 2010! "Orange Crush"?

2010-05-11T10:19:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year...May...when dance rules our lives! For the past several years May is the month of dance. Nobody cares that hubby has a birthday or we have our 25th anniversary...it's ALL about dance. Costumes, pictures, Mayfest performance, dress rehearsals and finally the recital which is the biggest beating of the year! I love it but I'm thankful it is only once a year.

We always get our costumes the week before Mayfest and hope that they fit and it doesn't hail! For those of you not from Fort Worth, in 1995 Mayfest was attacked by baseball to softball size hail. People were hurt and it was crazy scary! . I wasn't there but I was on my way there to find our then 16 year old Courtnay. We pulled under the cover of an old Firestone in Downtown Fort Worth seconds before nature unleased this fury. Within minutes there was literally over a foot of huge hail stacked up in the street. My cute red Eclipse was spared hail damage but others weren't so lucky. Enough history.

Here she is waiting her big number

This years dance was "Crush" way cute...hence the orange costumes!

It's just a little crush....may not ever get that song out of my head! The performance was flawless!

Top off the evening with a little bungy jump!

Thankfully she didn't have to perform her hip hop number because they were still tweaking the dance. It's also very cute to the Witch Doctor song from Alvin and the Chipmunks!

To top things off Sydney was sick with a wicked sinus infection so I let her dance with the understanding that she could have a funnel cake and 2 rides then we are out of there! It was fun! Glad it's over!

Indtroducing Romeo!

2010-05-03T12:13:00.000-05:00

Here is the sweet new addition to our family. Romeo! We got him yesterday from my niece and her fiance and it has been quite an adventure. Luckily our other two animals Belle, the 4 year old Shih-Tsu and Noel our 3 year old black cat have taken to him just fine...no real upsets. Oh, except that I had to send Belle to my mom's house for a few days because she wouldn't share the new kitten. I forgot to tell her he was for Sydney not her. She LOVES him so much. Belle gave him a bath and trapped him in a corner wagging her tail and whining at him. Now that he has had a chance to explore, he's having a ball. Of course he slept with Sydney until he woke up around 3:30 wanting to play. She brought him into my room and said "he wants you Mama"! Nice. See, he has made himself right at home! He loves Sydney...he was just crying for her while she was in the shower.

Remember this little guy?

2010-05-02T08:49:00.000-05:00

He's ready to leave his mom Stella and will be at our house in a few hours. Details to follow. Sydney has already given him a name. He is bigger and cuter now....

More details later!

9 Year Old Quote of the Day

2010-04-29T07:53:00.001-05:00

"Mama, I really think a couple of scrambled eggs would get me rolling today"

It's Bluebonnet Time Here in Texas!

2010-04-27T10:39:00.000-05:00

Actually, bluebonnet season is drawing to a close around here. Besides being the state flower of the great state of Texas, they are just so pretty. This time of year everyone is hoping to get a good picture of thier kids in the bluebonnets. Unfortunately some of the best places to do this are on the side of interstate 20 and that's not so safe for little ones. Luckily I got this picture at Mike and Tessie's (Coco's parents) house at our 2001 family reunion when Sydney was 9 months old...a pretty baby if I say so myself! I think this picture was probably taken 9 years ago this week...give or take! I have never been able to get another good picture in the bluebonnets since! Maybe we will try later this week.

This Homeschooling Is Working!!!

2010-04-15T09:19:00.000-05:00

Sydney and I are closing in on completing our 2nd year of homeschooling and while the struggles have been many the rewards have been awesome! I thought it was about time for me to post about homeschooling and how it is working for us.

First of all, I went into this with the knowledge that my daughter is very bright and just happens to learn differently than other kids her own age. Home schooling has allowed us to focus on what she needs when she needs it. When we began this journey we started with 2nd grade and she was still struggling with her 1st grade readers (we used Bob Jones) the same readers she used in private school...not because I wanted them, but because she loved those readers and the biggest key to helping your child learn to read is for them to develop their reading skills while reading what they enjoy. Including Sponge Bob Squarepants comics from time to time. If they want to read it they will work much harder to read something they want. Anyway, we repeated 1st grade reading at our own pace and with patience no one but God could have given me. We are now in our 2nd grade Bob Jones reading program and I think she will sail through these. I think she could do the third grade set but I don't want her to skip any steps. I want her to do the work because she needs the skills that go along with the knowledge of how to recognize a word and become more proficient. Today Sydney informed me she has finished the 2nd chapter of Call of the Wild written by Jack London!!!! Now keep in mind this is an abridged version, but it is a chapter book and only has a few sketches rather than pictures. She has waited all her life to be able to read a chapter book. I know it is too soon to know if she will love reading or not, but she is off and running anyway. I am praying that this is the beginning of a period of academic growth for her. We are still very behind in math and writing but I think this is a huge milestone for her. Sydney is learning not to be embarrassed or afraid to try. She has learned that mistakes are opportunities to learn. She has learned this because I tell her every single day. On top of being dyslexic and a tad A.D.D. she is a perfectionist when it comes to certain things. In other words she is very hard on herself when she makes a mistake. I have recently seen that veil of insecurity melt away and be replaced with confidence in her abilities. I'm so proud of her and look forward to more reports like this one.

Home school also allows you to see what your child’s learning style is and work through problems when your learning style, which usually translates into your own teaching style, clashes with that of your child. I am convinced that is why some kids have trouble in traditional settings because sometimes a teacher just doesn't know how to teach to your child's needs or does but can't deviate from state mandates. This can cause a downward spiral for some kids. Sydney may never be a writer or math whiz but then neither was I.

Please pray for Joe Turner

2010-04-13T13:30:00.000-05:00

I have a friend named Liz and her son Joe who is 7 is in the hospital recovering from surgery. They are still waiting on pathology reports. We are friends from church and when another one of her sons was in Sydney's 1st grade class when she went to private school a couple of years ago. They are a very sweet family and truly need our prayers. You can go here to read the story.

Fun at Jill's House

2010-04-06T10:13:00.000-05:00

The Saturday after Spring Break we headed over to my BFF Jill for some mommy time and some play time for our kiddos. Jill has three of the most handsome boys ever! We have been friends since I was pregnant with Sydney 10 years ago and we were both working for RadioShack PR...but really on a personal level since Griffin was born. Our Children have really been friends forever and they don't know any different. Sydney is sometimes confused as to whether or not they are related. Her family had just returned from snow skiing and we had a busy week ourselves so we hung out and had lunch. Good times!

Sydney and Griffin playing Guitar Hero

Tummy time for baby Charlie...by the way he is doing awesome!

Carter and I worked on this huge puzzle...he is four and a puzzle whiz!

I don't know what they are doing here just all having fun together.

Jasmine loves to get in on the action...Sydney loves her too.

Bye, Bye Buddy

2010-04-02T08:56:00.001-05:00

This morning we lost our sweet cat Buddy. He is 12 years old and we have had him for 11 of them. He came to us as a rescue via my brother and we loved him from the beginning. He will be very missed in our house. He loved to go to our neighbor's house and hide in her hedges. Someone hit him as he tried to cross the street.

Rest in Peace sweet boy! You will always have a special place in our hearts.

Sunglasses...always a saga!

2010-03-29T15:04:00.000-05:00

Everyone has a favorite pair of sunglasses right? Well these are mine. They are brighton "Spanish Lace". The cost about 65.00 and I have had 2 pair. They get lost at least 3 times a week but they faithfully return to the place were they belong on my nose. I have had said pair of sunglasses for 5 or maybe 6 years...could be longer!

I am embarrassed to say that they are not even close to the most expensive pair I have owned. Rick has bought me several pairs of Ray Bans that I loved just as much but I think he decided that I was not worthy of Ray Bans because I he now has the first pair that he bought me in 1989 which were men's aviators. He bought us matching sunglasses...cute no? They just weren't my style so he bought me a pair of tortoise Ray Ban "Wayfarer" glasses like the ones Tom Cruise made famous in Risky Business. Then about 10 years ago he bought me another pair this time the "Men in Black" edition of Ray Bans which I had a couple of weeks...do you see a pattern here? I loved those very much but one day when I was pulling into the garage at work I pulled them off to swipe my badge...of course in the same hand as my badge and I dropped them on the ground and they went under my car. I pulled around to get out and get them and before I could get there a big red truck rolled right over them and I heard the crunch! I guess that guy couldn' t figure out why that lady was jumping up and down and yelling stop...surely I didn't want him! So I had cheap sunglasses that of course lasted forEVER until my very generous boss gave me a Brighton gift certificate for my birthday (in addition to this cute coin purse).

So I got the pretty Brighton Spanish Lace sunglasses I had admire so much for so long. Well, about two years ago they came up missing...missing for a long, long time so I requested another pair for my birthday and got them. Then within a week I found the first pair in the yard where they had fallen off my head where I am famous for storing them. Now I have two pairs of Brighton Spanish Lace sunglasses and nothing can stop me now! One of the happiest days of my life. I apparently lost the 2nd pair in the same manner as the first because after Rick ran over them in the yard with the lawn mower, he brought the mangled sunglasses to me and said "are these yours?" I still to this day have the original pair and I can tell because the tortoise was slightly different. I have only had one pair of sunglasses longer and they lasted maybe 10 years and they were free with the purchase of Salem Ultra Light cigarettes (a dirty secret of my past to be discussed at a later date). The worst part is they were shaped like the big Ray Ban Wayfarers from the 80s but they were lime green and black...but I loved them!

Butterflies...

2010-03-23T10:02:00.021-05:00

Last week was spring break and we had several fun adventures beginning with the Butterflies in the Garden exhibit at Botanic Garden Fort Worth. The exhibit was in an atrium that was at least 90 degrees and at least 98 percent humidity. Think Houston in May! The exhibit was breathtaking and very hard to catch on camera. Sadly after all the changes they go throught to become a butterfly they only live two weeks so we had to take special precautions not to touch them because it can cause damage. If they land on your body you basically have to blow gently or wait until they decide to move on. I am definitely inspired to plant some butterfly host plants as well as nectar plants to attract these beautiful creatures...make me think differently of the word insect. Sydney had fun too! We went with my friend Tracey and her daughter Emma.

Blue Morpha

Setting the newly hatched butterlies free...

One landed on Ali

...and on Sydney

...and on Tracey

And on this random girl...

My favorite picture...see the wing damage?

Hortense Longwing

Great Mormon

Pretty but I can't tell what kind they are.

After the butterflies we took the kids to play in the gardens and they had a blast...more pictures of that later. It was a busy week with visits to Aunt Donna's to see the kittens, Angel and Cindy and the Anderson family. We wrapped the week up with a trip to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (along with the rest of Fort Worth) and lunch at Joe T. Garcias where we met new friends and dined on the patio. More on that later too.

Sara and Bryan's Texas BBQ

2010-03-16T10:09:00.002-05:00

Saturday night was our family barbeque at Randy and Melba's house (Rick's Cousin and Aunt and Uncle to Coco). We always have super fun gatherings especially if we are at Randy and Melba's house or Mike and Tessie's (parent's to Coco and Bryan). This party was in honor of Bryan and Sara and their engagement...wedding coming in less than a month!
For background, I married into this family nearly 25 years ago and I love them all. My husband, Mike and Randy spent a lot of time together growing up. Long story short we spent a lot of time with Mike and Tessie when we first married and Coco and Bryan were little...like 8 and 10 years old...right around the age Sydney is now. So I really got to watch them grow up and I will tell you up front that I always loved being around those two and would be a little disapointed if they were away at friends. Since this post is about Bryan I should say that my first memory of him is his introduction to me that went something like this..."I am a Ninja" "I'm really a Ninja and so is Andy" There has never been a sweeter boy on the face of the earth (other than my brother John). Courtney was arond 10 and just as sassy as my own girl is now. In fact she was pretty much like she is now...without the wine. Anyway those were good times and we still have good times.

Barn/Bunkhouse behind Randy's house...perfect!

Coco and Tessie Mayes getting to know Sara's brother Mark.

Mark, Sara, Coco and Bryan

Future football star?

Sydney reading Bambi to Bram and Tessie Mayes...

A sweet grandmother/granddaughter moment

Sydney and her walking stick

Mike, Sara and Bryan...cute!

Bram, the final crash...notice the cake and dr. pepper!

Disclaimer...Coco and I do not normally give our kids cake and soda but it was a special day. Sydney is now in love with Dr. Pepper and Tessie Mayes can now say "I want coke"

Spring is nearly here!

2010-03-10T09:30:00.000-06:00

How do I know that? Well, first of all it always comes soon after my birthday and here are a few more clues:

My Carolina Jasmines are bloomiing! This picture is from last spring but it looks the same today except for the blue sky!

It was nearly 80 degrees yesterday!

Spring Break is next week!

I have about 50 milliaon different types of birds in my yard! Well, not really about 10 though.

My yard has suddenly gone from dead to full of weeds. Time for the weed and feed!

Most importantly, my niece's cat Stella had her kittens Monday night. We went to see them yesterday. She is still a kitten herself but she is a good mama! Sydney REALLY wants the gray one! It looks like our long lost Stormy.

Belle in the naughty spot! She wan't being bad, Sydney just put her in to take her picture and I don't know why. Why do nine year olds do most of the things they do?

My Busy Birthday Week!

2010-03-08T08:23:00.001-06:00

Last week I celebrated my birthday...all week! Things got drawn out because last weekend my brother's family was sick and then Sydney developed a cold and ear infection. She started feeling bad on Monday and by Wednesday I was sure she had another ear infection. This is at least 3 and maybe 4 in the past 12 months so I am thinking that maybe we need to see the ENT. Her pediatrician was off on Wednesday so we saw the nurse practitioner. Sydney doesn't really complain when she is sick or not feeling well or at least not anything specific. Okay that's enough about sick people!

We didn't go to church or a field trip to the zoo because of her ears and I am still hearing about all of the disappointments. We did sneak out to an early dinner one night with my friend Cindy who treated Sydney and I to Don Pablos (more mexican food). It was really good and we got to have a chocolate volcano...yum!

By Thursday night she was able to go to dance and then on Friday we went to dinner with my mom, step dad, sister, brother, sister in law and niece! If you don't know of this place it is amazing and has grown and grown. Originally in a house you had to walk through the kitchen to get to the dining room when I was in high school. I remember walking past a huge vat of refried beans and thinking to myself "I don't think I can eat here". It is the best. Now they have room for 1000+ according to the website. It is a great piece of Fort Worth history. Also they totally believe in simple is better. They serve everything family style and there are 3 items on the menu enchiladas, chicken fajitas or beef fajitas. They all come with rice, beans, tacos, guacamole and nachos...that's it.

Mom, Cindy and John each gave me gift cards to my favorite store...

Yesterday we went to church and hung out at home the rest of the day...it's rainy and cold anyway. Tomorrow is school and we are entertaining Angel in the afternoon while her mom takes care of some family business. Sydney is really looking forward to some playtime with someone, anyone other than me. I can't say that I blame her I have had her cold too and we have really gotten on each other's nerves this week. I am looking forward to spring...it's just around the corner! There are buds on my Carolina Jasmines!

Happy Birthday to me! The big 5-0!

2010-03-01T13:39:00.000-06:00

Well, it had to happen sooner or later. First, Thanks Coco for telling everyone I am 36...that's so sweet and I love you! It's a busy week and due to scheduling conflicts and stomach flu we are going to celebrate next weekend with my family.

This week we have a trip to the zoo on Thursday and lunch with Jill on Friday in addition to dance (2 evenings a week)and church.

Ooops!

2010-02-26T19:07:00.001-06:00

Rick just broke an entire (new) bottle of Colavita EVOO on my kitchen tile. He did help me clean it up though. Just had to get that off my chest!

Have a great weekend.

Homeschool Milestone!

2010-02-25T12:53:00.000-06:00

One way to help your dyslexic child is to perform oral tests rather than written. Sydney has progressed with her reading where she can answer grade apppropriate questions such as bubble testing or writing a sentance to answer. In this case it is third grade vocabulary! I am so proud of her for working so hard even through the hard times. I am also proud of me for being patient. I'm so thankful that God has allowed us this opportunity!

Voila! We have a new door.

2010-02-24T09:35:00.000-06:00

We have lived in a house that was built in 1965 and pretty much never updated. The time has come my friends...this is my year! We are changing mostly everything about our little house. At first we were overwhelmed at just changing all of the gross paint colors, then I got pregnant at 40 and got busy being a working mom. We are NOT handy people. I don't mind painting but that's about the extent of it. The last two and a half years we have done nothing to our house because of all my surgeries. Long story short we are beginning a messy dusty journey that will last a year anyway. Our contractor has a day job, 3 boys and his wife is my best friend Jill. So he works on our house when he can. I don't mind waiting becaue he does excellent work and is very trustworthy blah, blah, blah. Here is the run down of our plans.

First, I will give you a run down of the latest project. A door to close off our formal living room. Rick is in sales so he needs to work from home quite often. This was never an issue when I was working or when Sydney was going to school outside of the home. However, now that we homeschool and we are here all of the time, Rick needs some privacy, not to mention peace and quiet when he is talking to clients. His office has always been in this living room so it seemed logical to put a door going from our entry into the living room/office.

Before

Jason, hard at work.

Door!

How easy was that! Of course this door won't be painted for a while although Rick painted it with Kilz since this picture was taken. The rest of the house will also be updated...here is a rundown:

Kitchen - everything but the cabinets

Both Baths - everything must go

Living, den and entry and hall- hardwoods

New carpet in bedrooms

Entry and den...remove paneling

As you can see from this list, my house will be a dusty mess for the forseable future but I'm okay with that.

Here is a peek at an upcoming project...you will see why everything must go.

Homeschool Group Valentine Party and Field Trip

2010-02-21T19:45:00.000-06:00

Monday our homeschool group hosted our belated Valentines Party. It was lots of fun. We had it in a place called "The Rock" in Weatherford. It is a gymnastics and dance facility and it's huge. They have all kinds of activities for the kids...think "Little Gym" but huge! It was great fun and good to run around and act like crazy after all of the cold weather. We all brought a dozen treats and enough valentines for our child's age group. The kids all brought decorated boxes to put valentines in. I think there were 65 kids total. The kids had a great time and now Sydney wants classes there!

Thursday we had a field trip to the Weatherford Democrat newspaper...it is a real small town paper but the kids had fun. I'm not sure why it is called Democrat because I know and have met tons of folks from Weatherford and NONE of them are Democrats! The tour guide at the paper was a bit surprised at how big our group was...her words were "I thought when you said homeschool group there would only be a few"! After the paper we finished our day off with a trip to the Dairy Queen across the street.

My Valentine

The Third Grade Girls

Girl Talk

Third Grade Girls

My friend Robin and daughter Shelby

Robin's son Preston...he always greets me with a hug and a big smile!

No pics of sister Brooke this time, they were too blurry!

Most creative valentine box!

9 year old quote of the day!

2010-02-18T13:38:00.000-06:00

"I am never...NEVER in a million years going to stop playing with my dolls...unless I'm 22"!

Belated Valentine's Party****Updated with recipe!

2010-02-16T11:33:00.001-06:00

Today our homeschool group is having our Valentine's Day party. It was scheduled for Friday but with 9-12 inches of snow on the ground we moved it. That may not be much to my friends from up north but you have to consider that there are no snow plows in Texas...as a rule we never need them. The last time there was anywhere near this much snow was in 1964!

Each family has to bring a dozen treats for the party. That sounds like a lot but most of the families have many more than 1 child. I baked these beauties yesterday with help from my daughter. I have had the recipe from a friend since the late eighties and they are in a word amazing. I didn't double the recipe because I forgot that you really need to. It only makes about 15 cookies but they are the best you will ever have. Even Sydney and my mom can only eat one. Sydney ate one yesterday and told me she was still full today from the cookie!

Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing!

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup butter

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp almond extract

2 1/2 flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

mix sugar, butter, egg vanilla, almond extract. Mix in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. cover and ref. bake at 375 8 to 10 min. I just watch them after 8 min.

Then you frost with cream cheese icing (the kind in the can).

Enjoy!

Snow Day and a Recipe

2010-02-11T11:32:00.001-06:00

Today we woke up to tons of snow! It is supposed to snow all day. Luckily we have no other plans to worry about. There will not be dance tonight and I made taco soup (recipe below) yesterday just in case we did get snow. We are all set. My friend Fran is a mail carrier so say a little prayer for her.

Carolina Jasmine

Front of my house

My street

My bundled up daughter

By the way, I am planning to paint my front door red (it's currently hunter green) so if you know of any really pretty reds let me know what they are. I don't want lipstick red...something darker but I don't want anything too maroon either. Maybe kind of barn red or brick red. Let me know what you think!

I have made this soup every week since the beginning of January. It's really good and low-fat...unless you put tons of cheese, avacado etc. Enjoy!

Taco Soup

1 lb ground meat

1/2 med onion, chopped

brown together, drain if necessary.

add:

1 pkg taco seasoning

1 pkg ranch dressing mix

1 can stewed tomatoes

1 can Rotel tomato (or stewed tomatoes if Rotel too spicy)
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can cream corn
1 can golden hominy (or extra can of corn, if you don't like hominy)

Do not drain cans, use liquid from veggies and beans. May add beef broth if too thick. (I have to drain the beans that liquid is yuck...I just add the broth)

Serve with grated cheese and avocado.

Makes a lot but freezes really well.

Daddy Daughter Dance 2010

2010-02-08T09:56:00.000-06:00

Saturday our homeschool group had their Daddy/Daughter banquet and they had the best time. Their was dinner, dancing, fancy clothes and of course special memories with daddy. There was a pledge from the fathers to protect their daughters and a pledge from the daughters to honor dad's authority so sweet. There was a photographer to take pictures but we won't have those for a few weeks. We will have to make due with the photos taken by dad with his work camera.

Sydney and Chrissa, her American Girl doll with matching dresses.

Sydney and Angel dancing..they are a funny couple. Angel is nearly a year younger than Sydney but off the charts tall and Sydney is off the charts short! Too cute. It has been an honor to watch these two grow and mature from where they were when we started homeschooling.

High 5!!!

2010-02-04T17:39:00.000-06:00

The scales have finally moved...down a total of 6 lbs in 3 weeks! Also I have not had anything from Taco Bueno in over a week...do you think there could be a connection? Sydney and I are meeting my friend Tracy and her daughter for dinner tomorrow at Olive Garden. The breadsticks are killer and I have discovered that the salad isn't so healthy either. I'm not really a dessert person so I have that going for me. Oh and I can't stand the mints they give you so I'm good!

I need to brag on my sweet Sydney today too. Yesterday she did 2 days worth of school so we could have the day off. She went to her Nana's and I stayed home and rested, cleaned up the aftermath of being sick for a week. So thanks Mom and Sydney for the break! Love you both.

No Weight Change!

2010-02-01T10:18:00.000-06:00

Maybe I boasted a little too much about the five pounds I lost last week but for some reason the scale has been flat. I know I haven't tracked my points like I should have and we had a really busy week which always messes me up. There was a death in our extended family, we had 3 doctor appointments and am taking medicine for strep throat and a sinus infection plus a suspected respiratory virus. Yeah, I'm in good shape. Today I am feeling better but I had cinnamon toast for breakfast but only a half piece. I know that being on medicine plus a hectic schedule kicks my appetite into high gear. Add to that a funeral feast and I'm amazed I didn't gain a pound or two. It was nice to get on the scales at the doctor's office and not cringe...well, I still cringe but with a smile because my weight was less than before. The last time that I had a check up my doctor and I talked about exercise and how after 3 surgeries in a 16 months I was being very careful what I lifted. His response was "I see you didn't have any trouble lifing your fork". That would have made some folks angry or cry but it did make me laugh because he was so right. After my first surgery I lost 20 lbs due to a liquid diet, then a soft diet and just being afraid of eating (which I overcame). That 20 lbs was a real eye opener because my blood pressure was back to normal without meds. I am also at risk for adult onset diabetes because I had gestational diabetes. This is a health issue and not a vanity issue for me. All that to say this is a new week and I am feeling better and I am working on better planning. I was planning to add the treadmill in last week but that will probably not happen until next week. I also need some really good stomach exercises because after 3 abdominal surgeries and a c-section my abs are super shot.

Diet...sad news!

2010-01-29T15:24:00.000-06:00

I'm smack dab in the middle of week 2 and things aren't going so well. I have a voracious love of Taco Bueno Mucho Nachos! Coco knows about this because she shares this love but she doesn't live near a Taco Bueno. Unfortunately I have 4 in a 6 mile radius of my home! Weight Watchers is based on points which are based on calories and fat and the Mucho Nacho are off the charts. My daughter Courtnay also is dieting and she also loves these lovlies. I went to the website to look up the nutritional information and what I found nearly gave me a heart attack but mostly it made me very, very sad. Court has a points calculator so we figured that the nachos in question have roughly 39 points...my daily allowance is 22! But for you folks who are not doing Weight Watchers here is the breakdown...whether you are counting calories, or carbs this will blow your socks off!

Calories 1567

Fat 97 gms

Carbs 127 gms

Sodium 4105 mgs!!!!!!

Have a nice day!

Happy Birthday Jill!!!

2010-01-28T09:36:00.001-06:00

Today is one of my best BFFs fortieth birthday! This year Jill and I will have been friends for 10 years! We met when I was 40 and pregnant. I was one of the PR department’s administrative assistants at Tandy Corporation (Now just RadioShack) and Jill was interviewing for a PR manager position. After 783 interviews they finally hired her! Really I think I saw her more when she was interviewing than after she was hired. I really liked her and thought they should hire her right away before someone else did. Only people in our circle at The Shack could even fathom the ridiculous decision making process that went on in our department. You could always hear the groans from HR when the Communications department put in a new hire requisition...in a word painful.

Sydney was born and 15 months later Jill gave birth to Griffin, the first of 3 beautiful boys! That's really when our relationship went from professional to personal. You know that bond you instantly have with any other mother when you have a baby. Sydney and Griffin are 15 months apart and consider each other family and Jill, well she's like a sister to me and I love her and her family dearly. I feel like I have benefited the most from this friendship because since Griffin we have added 2 more boys to love and her husband is a jewel...(you may remember when baby Charlie arrived on the scene last July and I am happy to say he is a normal and healthy and happy 6 month old now) .

Beautiful family!

This is probably more information than anyone really wants to know about my best friend but it's my blog.

Hallelujah! And Amen!

2010-01-25T09:15:00.000-06:00

Yes, the angels sang at Mama Sue's house yesterday because I FINALLY got rid of my sliding glass door. It was not just any sliding glass door it was the worst one in the entire history of glass doors! There was a glass door plus a glass storm door. The original door from 1965 when the house was built. I'm certain the storm door was added in the 70s during the energy crisis. Some of you remember that we could only drive 55mph on the Interstate and salesmen terrorized neighborhoods tricking people into ugly aluminum storm doors. Well they are ugly but I'm sure I have the lowest energy bill on the block! There is more about the old door...sometimes (most times) the door locked when you closed it...just ask my mom. Then there was the storm door that didn't slide...just ask my mother in law. I got so mad one day last summer that I removed the lock from the door and inserted a stick and dared anyone to close the non rolling storm door. The day finally came!

Here are a few pics of the project the one in the blue shirt is Jason our favorite friend and contractor and the other one is his grunt Rick (a.k.a. my hubby).

Ugly no?

Ta-da!

Folks, this is just the beginning! Actually, last year Jason totally tore down our broken down and leaky patio cover and built a new one from scratch... I will post about that one day...it involves a lead footed Columbian and a chicken...Really! There will be more amazing transformations happening here over the next year.

removing of paneling

remodel of kitchen

and much more!!

Also, I completed my first week of Weight Watchers and lost 5 lbs! 45 more to go!

circa 1985...

2010-01-21T09:07:00.000-06:00

Last week my friend Sandy posted this photo on facebook! Sandy and her husband were one of our first "couple" friends after we got married. The photo was taken at their apartment and I know it's Christmas because I'm wearing red and there is a package on the sofa! Rick pretty much looks the same other than less hair and more gray and that moustache is history now a goatee and I like it better. When he is clean shaven I don't really recognize him. That was 25 years ago and 50 lbs ago. I have been on Weight Watchers since Sunday and when I want to eat something bad for me, I look at this photo and others around here and remind myself that I used to be a size 2 and am now a size 16. There I said it...it really hurts to think I have done this to myself. I found out when one of our daughters was a teen that I am an emotional eater...in a really big way!

My biggest fear now is that when I do lose the weight...and I will, that I will be super wrinkled and Rick will start calling me Baggy...he called me Tubby for my entire pregnancy but it did stop the day Sydney was born. He does this and there is no stopping him. As soon as he found out that nobody was allowed to call me Suzy, that was my name for a long time. My mom never allowed me to be called Suzy. She gave me my name and she really liked it. I understand that because I'm not crazy about Sydney being called Syd. I don't hate it but I'm just not crazy about it.

By the way, I really don't have any desire to be a size 2 again...that's just crazy. but I do want to look and feel healthy again and would love to avoid more surgery. I have it in my mind that my weight was a contributing factor in my health woes. My next goal is to get moving again. I'm sure I will be posting again with my progress. Since I am not going to WW meetings I thought I needed some accountability.

I was considereing another diet but at this time I will stick with this one...for now anyway until I get things under control. Also the other "diet" is heavy on nuts and seeds which I love but not so good for my diverticulitis...I will probably change to that diet once I figure out how to work out those details! I would prefer to keep the rest of my colon thank you very much!

Another tooth gone!

2010-01-20T11:40:00.000-06:00

Today Sydney had the second of two teeth pulled to make room for her big girl teeth. They have been slow in coming out and the new ones so far have come in on top of one another. Nice. We have an amazing pediatric dentist in our area so it is as pleasant as possible and I do my best to make the day special!

First of all we had donuts at our favorite donut shop which happens to be right around the corner from the dentist. Sydney LOVES her some donuts! We don't eat donuts very often anymore because I don't like the donut shop near our house and Krispy Kreme is gone:(

For Sydney it's only chocolate covered donut holes, a chocolate donut and a chocolate twist! She always gets all three but doesn't eat it all at once!

After the dentist we came home and I made her a chocolate shake! Notice the vintage blender! Nice. I got it new! Vanilla ice cream, milk and chocolate syrup....

Voila! A chocolate shake for my little girl!

Aren't my little canisters cute? I got them at Wal-Mart for $6.00 each and I love them!

We are going to have a quiet day today but it's back to the books tomorrow! Also notice that I went solo today...no hubby, no mom and I DID NOT faint or even come close. Last week I got all clammy just thinking about it. I sat down and read a good article about Jillian Michaels in the Ladies Home Journal and she was done. We don't go back to the dentist until July!

The faces of Haiti

2010-01-16T05:51:00.000-06:00

When Sydney was in 1st grade, her class mission project was to fill shoeboxes and send them to Haiti. It is actually a project that the school and our church take on every year. We had so much fun going and getting personal items and a toy for the 3-year-old little girl that Sydney chose. The father of one of her classmates went on the mission trip to deliver the boxes and I know it changed him forever. Sydney was particularly interested in how the Haitians lived...no plumbing (bathrooms), no running water, unpaved roads etc. Mr. Hoffman sent these pictures to Sydney after she expressed interest in becoming a missionary because of this experience. She also wanted to work at Build a Bear that year. Nonetheless, this experience had and effect on her. This morning I woke up thinking about these children and explained the tragedy in Haiti to Sydney. We pulled out these pictures and prayed and cried for these sweet innocents. I urge you to do the same.

Here are some of the pictures Mr. Hoffman sent Sydney:

While we are all focused on this and other tragedies, please remember to pray for those who are suffering and in need in our own country, state, neighborhood. There are people all around us who need prayer and the truth is suffering is suffering whether it is because of a giant earth quake, hurricane or the loss of a loved one or even the loss of a job.

Yesterday and a couple of blogs for you!

2010-01-14T12:19:00.000-06:00

Yesterday my baby had to have a tooth pulled to make room for others. The weeks leading up to this event were dramatic and we were both nervous. It was orignially scheduled for last week but was cancelled due to snow and ice. Anyhoo, yesterday was the big day and she was a champ. While I was in the waiting room crumpled into a ball, she was back there with the gas and never knew when the tooth came out! Seriously, I felt a little faint when we first walked in but thankfully, my mom to the rescue again! Yea! Way to go Sydney for being so brave and strong. Tooth number 2 is scheduled for next Wednesday...I hope it goes as well.

Speaking of my mom here is what she looks like and what I will look like in 20 years. She is holding my sweet dog Belle!

Today I recommend that you read Buzzings of a Queen Bee she has the cutest ideas for quick winter decorations that are not red and green. Also please go to Coco's Cuckoo World and read today's post. Not only is she beautiful, she is a good will ambassador. I might be a little predjudiced because she is a cousin of mine and she has two of the cutest and most entertaining babies in the world...outside of my house!

After school today we will have a play date with Angel and Cindy...ahhh adult conversation? In the middle of the day?

Soon I will recommend a cookbook and diet that my sister in law lost a lot of weight on...REALLY! I stayed up late last night and read some of the cook book and the recipes look awsome but easy!

A new day and a tip!

2010-01-11T15:43:00.000-06:00

Most homeschooling days for me are far from perfect. Imagine a family filled with ADD and a child with ADD and dyslexia, which has a tendancy to curb her enthusiasm because it makes core subject harder than they are for most of her friends. Due to foot dragging on both of us, I realized that we had stopped following the plan that kept us in line and worked so well for both of us. As a family we sat down and went over our plan again which is as follows on school days:

Get up
Eat breakfast with no cartoons
Get dressed
Begin school
Eat lunch
Finish school if needed
Pick 3 or 4 rooms and spend 10 or 15 minutes together tidying up
FREE TIME!

It works! This works so well for us and we have a blast doing it. School was smooth sailing until spelling but we recovered quickly and finished. Then we ate our lunches (while watching cartoons) and as soon as lunch was over we headed for the living room which was a wreck because Sydney had a sleep over on Saturday night with life long friend Taryn. Actually only friends since age 3 but they don't remember not being friends EVER! They slept on an air matress so we folded that up as well as tons of king size blankets. Sydney was having fun and not complaining because we did everything together. Soon whining turned to giggles and frowns turned to smiles! After the living room/dining room we headed for the den and then the hall bath which we share. There is still a lot to do but I think if we do this as our routine each day maybe I won't be so stressed and neither will she.

After working, she headed for the table and the paints! Her friend Angel gave her a sun catcher kit for her birthday (in July) and she finally painted it...she loves painting.

Tip - I bought a $5.00 vinyl table cloth at Wal-Mart and throw down when we are doing crafts. Wipe off, fold up and put away for next time. Beats trying to scrub paints of your antique wood table!

Baby it's cold outside!!!

2010-01-08T11:58:00.000-06:00

It is nearly noon and the temperature is 22 degrees with a windchill of 9 degrees. It's Texas people! My faucets are dripping and my house is cold. We just put in 18 inches of insulation too but when the wind is blowing 30mph it is a little drafty and both bathrooms are on northern walls. This weather is crazy but it happens every 10 years or so but this is the land where never store our flip flops, shorts and tank tops. I don't despair (too much) because next week we shall have highs near 60s again or warmer! So I am going to enjoy and snuggle up with my hubby, little girl, dog or cat...TTFN

Sometime life's most amazing moments just happen...

2010-01-04T18:05:00.000-06:00

Today Sydney and I just planned an ordinary day of dr. visits and errands. We started the day with a dentist appointment (more on that later this week), then buying mom new athletic shoes (not that I am athletic). We stopped in a Chick Fil A and that's where it happened. Sydney ate a little of her lunch and she was in a huge hurry to get into the playroom and play. When I finished my lunch I looked up (we were sitting right next to the playroom) and saw the sweetest thing. Sydney was sitting on the bottom of the slide with about 7 kids (everyone) ages 2-6 gathered around her. I could tell from her expression that she was telling a story and they were hooked. This went on for the longest time and you could hear a pin drop in that playroom. Then they moved to another area where I couldn't see so I went in to check and the same crew was snuggled around her and she was reading them a story...just one of those that comes in the kids meal. She was having the best time and felt so big. She looked just like a kindergarten teacher in the making. I'm so glad she likes little kids. I'm more proud that she takes time for them.

My apologies for the quality of this pic...used my old camera. There were several more kids back where you can't see them.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T10:41:00.004-06:00

Happy 2010! I haven't posted for a while so here is the run down of the past week and a half...
After all of the parties and recitals and field trips we got down to serious family fun.

Our tree...there are 25 years of ornaments here baby! If you click on the photo below you can see my china on the wall in my dining room...handpainted by my paternal grandmother when she was in her 80s! I'm very proud of them. I was very lucky to be very close to all of my grandparents...I miss them all so much. Makes me want to be a better Mama Sue for Michael.

The first whilte Christmas in Fort Worth since 1926! Not a lot but it was fun and so pretty!

Michael our grandson...he looks just like Rick and Annie!

A special father/daughter Christmas Eve moment...They fell asleep in the chair...they are not posing. I'm so thankful that our 91/2 year old daughter still loves to sit in our laps and hold hands with us in public. Each time I wonder how long before this stops...so I treasure each time she grabs my hand at Wal-Mart or at the movies. So special.

Santa was good to Sydney this year! She finally got her Wii...lots of other good stuff too!

And her American Girl doll "Chrissa" from her Nana!

We always spend Christmas Eve at my dad's house but due to the snow and icy roads we postponed until the 26th. It wasn't the same but it was nice and relaxing.

I hope everyone has a happy 2010. I have made a few goals for this year. Some of them long term and some immediate:

Fold all of the laundry by the end of today.

Put away all of the Christmas decorations by the end of the week end.

Update my blog more regularly.

Spend more time with my hubby.

Eat more vegetables.

Lose 50 lbs this year...a pound a week...surely I can do that!

Exercise every day...I turn 50 in 2 months and I would like to do it gracefully.

Spend more time reading...my Bible.

Re-model our old house! Stay tuned for that craziness

These are just a few of the things I hope to accomplish this year! I hope you reach your goals too!

For the love of Rudolph!

2009-12-20T12:00:00.001-06:00

In fact, Sydney would love to be him...I bought her these cute antlers and the first thing she does is go paint her face...she did this all by herself.

This is sad Rudolph when the others were making fun of him.

My daughter is seldom bored thanks to her fabulous imagination. She and Robin's kids were playing Polar Express all through the house the other day. Sydney loves her computer games and movies but what she loves the most is to play and pretend and that makes Christmas magical for me.

I hope everyone is finished shopping and enjoying the week. I know for some, it isn't Christmas if they aren't scurrying around at the last minute...I'm not one of them.

Cookie Party, Chili Dinner

2009-12-19T16:53:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was such a fun day! Sydney and I started out with lunch at Taco Bueno...our favorite. Then on to my friend Robin's house for cookie decorating and a chili dinner. Her 3 kids and Sydney all play together so well when we get together so we get to have quality mommy time with each other. When you homeschool your mommy friends become especially important and so dear.

We started off with a present exchange with Brooke, Preston, Shelby and Sydney...we need teach them to slow down and enjoy the moment a little better but at this age, it's just too hard to slow down and savor the moment.

A flurry of ripping open gifts!

Oh! I wanted these so bad! Says Shelby about her Dora bubble bath...so sweet.

And Preston loved his Spiderman bubbles too! Check out the dimples.

Cookie decorating is serious business...

...and so is eathing them!

more dimples...

Sweet Shelby and yes, the whole family has dimples

The finished products! Yummy!

We finished off the evening with a chili dinner prepared by Robin's husband Kevin. By the way, they both have dimples just like their kiddos! We were joined by my hubby Rick and our friends Jacob, Rhonda and their sweet little Kaylene. We had way too much fun. Sydney and I arrived at their house around 1:00 and left about 9:00 and not one meltdown...not even the 3 year olds! We were in heaven! To top it off, Sydney spent the night with Brooke and they went to Mrs. Baird's bakery to see Santa today! Sydney had a blast but I think by nightime she will be worn completely out...I sure am.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2009-12-14T22:27:00.001-06:00

It sure is the busiest. We have been baking and partying and having a great time the past couple of weeks. We have had 2 Christmas field trips and a party with our homeschool group, a dance recital and party and 2 choir programs and parties and a visit to the hospital to visit a sick friend. I have done very little shopping and wrapping. Here are some pictures of the fun we have had lately...church, family, friends equals one happy little social butterfly! This little homeschooler is 100% socialized.

Playdate with Taryn our favorite goof-ball!

Baking with me...she's dying to turn the mixer on high! PLEASE!!!

The best M&M cookies in the world!

Love these colors

My choir angel

Cindy and Angel watching my choir angel

She's so brave...I could never do this!

I hope you are taking time this season to be with those who mean the most to you. I know I am!

Dancing and Big Sis

2009-12-08T17:37:00.000-06:00

Sydney and I had us some weekend fun! First there was her Christmas dance recital that was held at a local church. Then Saturday night we stayed with her big sister Courtnay who just had foot surgery. It was fun to stay at Courtnay's house because it reminded me of all the weekends she and her sister spent with Rick and I when they were little. We were broke back then so there was always Mr. Jim's Pizza and movies from Take it Home video store up the street. We always manged to have a good time and now we have some awesome memories.

Sydney strikes a pre-show pose

Jazzy

Playing Wii at Courtnay's

We made cinnamon rolls for breakfast (from a can)

Courtnay's dog Diablo

Look at these guys!

2009-12-05T10:34:00.001-06:00

I have two cats...Buddy and Noel and they are indoor/outdoor kitties. When the weather turns cold they become total house cats! Noel loves to snuggle with any of us but Buddy doesn't like people so much but occaisionally I catch him being oh so sweet. Buddy lived in a kennel for a year until we rescued him and I think that accounts for his anti-social antics.

Noel came to us as a kitten from Sydney's kindergarten teacher Angie Smith. The kittens were found in the wall of their house one cold night and her dad had to cut a hole in the wall to get them out. No one really knows how the momma cat got them there or how she got to them. He is called Noel because we got him the day after Christmas.

Sydney and Noel sneaking some snuggles!

Today is a recovery and re-loading day!

2009-12-03T09:18:00.000-06:00

It seems that the past few days have been a bit crazy and busy. Two full days of field trips, play dates and dr. appointments has left me really tired and my house really messy. Today we are going to focus on our real life which is school, laundry and tonight is dance for Sydney but not until 7:00. So we have a couple of days to get caught up on life before Saturday which is Sydney's Christmas dance performance and party.

Isn't this picture awsome? After the play yesterday our lunch at Central Market turned out to be only Sydney and I doesn't this look yummy? Seriously she did eat real food first but look at the soda and icing...probably too much red dye.

Here is a picture while we were lining up to go into the play. Sophia, Sydney and Angel...it's hard to get a good picture of all of them at the same time. Love Angel's hat!

We did have a great couple of days and now it's back to reality and laundry piles and math facts.

All Aboard the North Pole Express!

2009-12-02T07:38:00.003-06:00

Our home school group had our first holiday field trip of the season. We took a ride on the North Pole Express. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad has a one our trip through Cowtown and we took 86 home school kids yesterday. The weather was cold and rainy but we had a great time. Hubby joined us and took pictures. Here are a few...

The train ready to board.

Singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

A visit from the jolly old fat man himself!

All warm and snug in the their jammies...

This picture cracks me up...they look like they are plotting and planning don't they?

Right now it is snowing in Cowtown and I am debating whether I should wake up my daughter. It is snowing heavily but not sticking to anything but the grass...pretty though! I better wake her up because a discussion of why the snow falling but not sticking would surely count as science right?

Today we are off on another field trip to Casa Manana to see Santa Claus is Coming to Town, lunch at Central Market and church this evening...will be a full day!

New Design

2009-11-29T16:08:00.002-06:00

I just want everyone to know that my daughter Sydney designed my new header...not bad for a 9 year old. Good job Syd! I love you.

Thanksgiving was super-duper!

2009-11-27T12:55:00.006-06:00

I am so thankful that we don't have to travel and that my brothers and sister live in the same area. Mom cooks almost everything herself. I bring green bean cassarole and pumpkin pie. My step-brother was there and it's always nice to visit with him. There are two other step-brothers who live in North Carolina so we don't see them very often but I enjoy them all.

Needless to say I am very blessed to have such a wonderful family. My brother John is one of a kind. He is very handsome, super smart and the sweetest man I have ever known. Besides being gorgeous, my sister Cindy is smart, witty and I love her more than words can express and she is a true friend.

It was a great day and I'm glad we took time out to celebrate our thankfulness.

Charley showing Sydney some cheering moves.

Sydney just being cute!

Charley being adorable.

John's family except for Sophie.

Holy double chin Batman! How do I suck that in?

I am also very thankful for these two turkeys! I love you Courtnay and Annie.I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving!

Cabela's!

2009-11-17T17:53:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Sydney and I took a trip to Cabela's to meet my husband on his return from Oklahoma. It is such a facinating store even for those of us who don't hunt or fish. We are rather like mutants in Rick's family which is full of avid hunters and fishermen. Here are pictures of our little adventure. It was a fun time for all of us.

What I thought Homeschooling would be like.

2009-11-16T09:16:00.002-06:00

When we began this homeschool adventure we really had no idea what to expect. I thought it would be super organized and structured and we are to some degree but not like I thought. For instance here is the run down for today.

Get up
Eat breakfast
Make Sydney take a bath and wash her hair (she has tons of beautiful hair that tangles and mats like you wouldn't believe).
Devotional time for us together
Math
Vocabulary
Spelling
Reading and reading comprehension
Handwriting
History
Math (again)

Some of the experts suggest that you spend no more than 20 minutes per subject but seriously it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours for each task. Depending on the student on a particular day. Lately spelling can be especially intense. There are a few tasks she can complete on her own like handwriting but I need to be there with her for everything else.

Housecleaning if we get finished with school on time.

Drive 45 minutes to the Cabela's store in extreme N. Fort Worth where I am picking up my husband who is being dropped off there after a quick business trip to Oklahoma. We will have to spend at least 1 hour at Cabela's because it is truly an amazing store and hopefully I will remember my camera. We are not hunters or fishermen at our house but this store is amazing. They also have fudge to die for. Mom, I will save you some!

Drive 1.5 hours back home because of rush hour traffic

Eat

Take Sydney to dance by 7:15

Come home and go to bed.

The rest of the week we are focusing on staying home as much as possible and hopefully my week won't unravel too quickly.

This time of year it is hard not to get side tracked by a cooking or sewing project as well as the dance rehearsals and performances and choir practice and performances at church oh and play dates. l will post tomorrow about our field trip to Cabela's. Socialization is not a problem for this girl, in fact it isn't a problem for our entire family.

Now if you will excuse me, I need to go comb out wet, tangled matted hair. I'm glad all of my neighbors work because this task usually involved screaming and yelling and always the threat of short hair. I find solace in the fact that I have it much easier than my friend Cindy whose daughter has waist length corkscrew curls...please don't think I'm a bad person for thinking that...just putting things into perspective.

Fun with Carter and Charlie and Annie turns 25!

2009-11-14T12:03:00.005-06:00

This post took a while because I got a new camera and just now loaded the software to get the pictures off my camera onto my computer! I am not one to enjoy sitting down and reading directions so it took a little more than a week!
Last Friday was my first chance to baby sit baby Charlie! I kept both of Jill's little boys while she and Griffin were off at Grandparent's day at his school. I have kept Carter many times in his four years so he is quite comfortable at my house and was loving not having to share Sydney with his older brother! Here is a rundown of the day.
Charlie, in his usual state...happy as a clam

Sydney and Carter not wanting to have their picture taken...can you tell?

Carter painting one of four pictures.

Sydney with her paintbrush...happier now!

Charlie fed, burped, changed and happy!

When Jill and Griffin came back the real fun started. Sydney, Griffin and Carter made a carnival in her playroom. Carter was not so happy to have to share Sydney but they did okay. It was a full, fun day for all of us. Jill and Griffin stayed for dinner and we all had a nice visit. The minute Charlie was out of the house Noel the cat did this. Why do cats think baby beds are for them? So I had to pack up the pack and play before going to bed.

Saturday was another big day for us. Annie turned 25! Yikes! We celebrated by going to Olive Garden with the sisters and Michael, Annie's 4 year old son.
Courtnay (left) and Annie the birthday girl. We left Olive Garden and went back to Annie's grandmother's house for homemade cherry pie and it was yummy!

Sweet Memories

2009-11-02T09:09:00.002-06:00

My scanner is finally working! I have no idea what was wrong with it or how I fixed it, but it is working now! I had planned to post these prior to Halloween but the technology in my house didn't cooperate so here goes.

Three months old and dressed for her first trip to the Galleria in Dallas.

One year old and not liking the hot costume. She wore the same costume when she was 2.

Age three...Here froggy costume...you may have seen Preston wearing this a few weeks ago. She was sick with the stomach flu in 2004 and didn't get to wear this costume again! This picture was taken minutes before she stripped out of the costume to her underwear right in the church parking lot because it was nearly 80 degrees...it is not unusual to have pretty hot weather in N. Texas on Halloween.

Sweet princess at age 5

Again, age 5 with 4 month old nephew Michael...he has on her baby costume but we had to squeeze him into it for photos! Annie's friends wanted her to dress him up as Charlie Brown...see the likeness?

Age 6 princess again...this is Erica from Barbie's Princess and the Pauper with best friend ever Taryn.

These are the ones I can find...she was a cat at age 7 and a Zebra at age 8. If I ever find those pics I will post them. I may not have any because I was working booths both years for the women's ministry.