Me and My Boys

Love

2012-02-14T19:35:00.000-06:00

Tyson: I'm in love with (fill in the blank with a girl's name from school).
Me: That's really nice that you like (so and so) so much but you aren't "in love" with her.
Tucker: I love YOU!
Me: Thank you booger. I love you too. Tyson, mommy's in love with daddy and mommy and daddy love you and Tucker. You love us and Mimi and Peepaw and Kate and Joshua but that's a different kind of love. You aren't quite old enough to be loving your friends.
Tucker: But MOMMY, God says to love our friends. That's what GOD says.
Tyson: Yeah, God says to love even our bad friends.
Stuart: Yeah MOMMY.
Me: Well...alright then.

Valentine's Day is not about the Easter Bunny

2012-02-07T13:27:00.000-06:00

and here's another just for fun

My baby and his baby

2012-02-06T19:48:00.000-06:00

Tucker REALLY wants to have a baby. Well, he really wants me to have a baby so that he can play with it and hold it and be and older brother. So much so that he asks for a baby when it comes to receiving gifts. Yeah...
Anywho, I got to watch my friend's baby today and Tucker was just beside himself.
He would make a good big brother, no?

Think my friend will let me keep him? ;)

Public Service Announement

2012-02-03T15:59:00.001-06:00

T: Mommy, why do you like Coke so much?
C: Well, I guess I like the taste.
T: [long pause] You sure do drink it a lot.
C: I know. Mommy needs to try and not drink it so much.
T: Why do you drink so much soda?
C: I'm not really sure buddy. It's a bad habit.
T: Daddy drinks soda too.
C: Yup.
T: You know you really shouldn't drink soda.
C: Yes, yes, I know.
T: You know why?
C: [goodness, let me count the ways...]
T: It's bad for your teeth. Really bad.
C: Correct!
T: You should drink milk or water like me. Those are good for your teeth.

Thank you Dental Awareness Month for this public service lashing from my SIX year old.

Birthday Rundown

2012-02-02T10:34:00.000-06:00

6:19 am: Tucker wakes up ready to go to school
6:20 am: Tucker spies his present on the bar and quickly takes to opening it.
6:21 am: Tyson can't contain himself and declares that HE HELPING Tucker.
6:55 am: I literally force food into the boy's mouths because they are too engrossed in Tuck's present.
7:24 am: I have to pull the boys out the door for school.
7:25 am: Tucker asked for the millionth time if he is going to to school now that it's his birthday.
7:25 am: I explain, again, that he has to wait just a few more months before he goes to school. But he will still be five when he starts school.
7:45 am: Sit in crazy fog and traffic trying to get to the store.
8:10 am: Finally disembark from the vehicle.
8:12 am: Tucker begins telling everyone in Walmart that it's his birthday. It was cute.
8:55 am: We settle on getting Tucker a monkey valentine balloon since Walmart only has Valentine's Day balloons. What's up with that?
9:48 am: My little five year old helper helps me unload the groceries.
9:50 am: Scout thinks it necessary to sniff every square inch of grass before doing her business.
9:59 am: I settle in to help Tuck finish his Lego Harry Potter house.
10:30 am: Load back up to get lunch.
10:53 am: Armed with McDonald's, we sign into Thornton ES.
11:00 am: Tyson arrives in the cafeteria.
11:01 am: The boys are absolutely giddy about eating at Tyson's school.
11:28 am: Say bye to Tyson (again).
11:32 am: Take a call from Aunt George.
11:33 am: Tucker squeals with delight about his birthday.
11:40 am: Take up previous Lego building position.
1:08 pm: Aunt Marci, baby Kate and Joshua sing Tuck happy birthday. He tries to show baby Kate his balloon thru the phone.
2:40 pm: Pick up Tyson from school.
2:51 pm: Commence Lego jealousy.
5:30 pm: Mimi and Peepaw arrive for dinner.
6:00 pm: Venison kabobs and fruit kabobs. Yum.
6:30 pm: Spider-man cupcakes. More yum.
6:32 pm: Tucker opens his present from Mimi and Peepaw.
6:33 pm: Sqealing and screaming and running around ensue.
7:25 pm: Meltdowns begin.
7:30 pm: Showers and teeth brushing and pajamas and books.
8:03 pm: Glorious sleep.
Happy Birthday big boy!

Happy Birthday Tuck-Tuck!

2012-02-01T14:09:00.000-06:00

"I don't want to raise a good child"

2012-01-31T17:52:00.000-06:00

I stumbled upon this article, and BOY did this speak to me. I hope this can be a balm to another mother who is at her wits end too.

I don’t want to raise a good child

My daughter, Hope, is a senior this year. And she decided her senior year should be adventurous and a little out of the “normal” box. A lot out of the box actually.

She withdrew from traditional school. Applied with the state to homeschool. Enrolled in on-line college courses that would allow her to get both high school and college credit simultaneously. And planned to spend the month of January serving in Nicaragua doing missions.

This didn’t surprise me really. Because Hope has always liked charting her own course.

When she was really little I was scared to death I was the world’s worst mom, because Hope was never one to be contained. And I honestly thought all her extra tenacity was a sign of my poor mothering.

One day I took her to the mall to meet several of my friends with toddlers to grab lunch. All of their kids sat quietly eating cheerios in their strollers. They shined their halos and quoted Bible verses and used tissues to wipe their snot.

Not Hope.

She was infuriated by my insistence she stay in her stroller. So, when I turned away for a split second to place our lunch order, she wiggled free. She stripped off all her clothes. She ran across the food court. And jumped in the fountain in the center of the mall.

Really nothing makes the mother of a toddler feel more incapable than seeing her naked child splashing in the mall fountain. Except maybe that toddler refusing to get out and said mother having to also get into the fountain.

I cried all the way home.

Not because of what she’d done that day. But rather because of how she was everyday. So determined. So independent. So insistent.

I would beg God to show me how to raise a good child. One that stayed in her stroller. One that other people would comment about how wonderfully behaved she was. One that made me look good.

But God seemed so slow to answer those prayers. So, over the years, I changed my prayer. ”God help me to raise Hope to be who you want her to be.” Emphasis on, “God HELP ME!”

I think I changed my prayers for her because God started to change my heart. I started sensing He had a different plan in mind for my mothering of Hope.

Maybe God’s goal wasn’t for me to raise a good rule following child. God’s goal was for me to raise a God-following adult. An adult just determined and independent and insistent enough to fulfill a purpose He had in mind all along.

I don’t know what mama needs to hear this today. But let me encourage you from the bottom of my heart with 3 simple mothering perspectives you must hang on to:

1. Don’t take too much credit for their good.

2. Don’t take too much credit for their bad.

3. Don’t try to raise a good child. Raise a God-following adult.

And all the mamas of fountain dancing children said, “Amen!”

Tucker Q & A

2012-01-30T13:30:00.000-06:00

** I stole this questionnaire from my friend. It was just too fun.

C: What is something Mommy always says to you?
T: Stop. Sometimes you say stop!

C: What makes me happy?
T: When I do a great report. Then that makes you laugh about. What makes you laugh about? Clown. A clown is really funny.

C: But I’m scared of clowns.

T: Scared of clowns? But clowns make jokes and do funny things.

C: What makes me sad?
T: When I get taken away.

C: That would make mommy sad.

T: Yeah. But then you can call the police and they can get arrested.

C: I would.

C: How does Mommy make you laugh?
T: Tickle me? Like when you tickle me that makes me laugh. [tickling himself and laughing]

C: What was Mommy like as a child?
T: You loved-ed flowers. And pink. Girls loooove pink.

C: How old am I?
T: I don’t know how old you are.

C: Mommy’s 31.

T: Oh, ok.

C: How tall am I?
T: Big like a giant.

C: Like a giant?

T: Yeah. Actually, big like a size grown-up fish.

C: Interesting.

C: What is my favorite thing to do?
T: Is to make stuff. Make stuff for school. Then make clothes. Make something. (I do not make clothes)

C: What does Mom do when you’re not around?
T: Make stuff. And buy groceries.

C: If I become famous, what will it be for?
T: Because you look nice.

C: That’s sweet.

C: What am I really good at?
T: Running.

C: Running?!?!

T: Ok, I’ll show you how to run.

C: What am I not very good at?
T: Riding a skateboard.

C: Yup.

T: Then also jumping.

C: What does Mommy do for my job?
T: Make stuff with paper. (apparently I make a lot of things)

C: What is my favorite food?
T: Hamburger helper. Hmm. Toast. Sometimes you have toast for dinner.

C: What makes you proud of me?
T: When I count my name.

C: You mean when you count and then spell your name?

T: Uh huh. T-U-C-K-E-R!

C: Very good!

C: If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
T: Somebody else.

C: Who?

T: I don’t know.

C: What do you and I do together?
T: Uhh, pick up Tyson.

C: How are you and I the same?
T: Because we are small then big.

C: And we have the same color hair.

T: And we have the same daddy!

C: No, your daddy is my husband. My daddy is your Peepaw.

C: How are you and I different?
T: Because God made us different. :)

J: How do you know I love you?
T: Because you’re my mom.

C: Where is my favorite place to go?
T: Walmart.

C: I do have to go to Walmart a lot.

C: Thanks for answering my questions. Is there anything else you want to say?

T: NOOOOOOO! Can you turn my movie back on now?

C: Sure.

Food for Thought

2012-01-26T07:12:00.005-06:00

What does this picture tell you? My doctor has had this "processed food" on her counter ever since 2010 and 2011 respectively. I asked her why she had it out, she stated "to show people what they are putting into their bodies". This is man-made "processed food", not real food. Over time real food will decay, grow mold and produce a decomposing odor. This "processed food" has not done any of that, matter of fact it has kept it's original size, shape and texture. Your body has to work harder to breakdown and digest this stuff over real food.

[source]

Makes you think, eh?

*this is not MY doctor's office. I saw this picture and was so horrified that I felt the need to share the disgust I felt after viewing this picture.*

Today: Thankful

2012-01-25T12:08:00.000-06:00

Today I'm thankful for Benadryl.
Today I'm thankful for Clorox wipes.
Today I'm thankful for Ahava lotion.
Today I'm thankful for Skittles that come in cute heart boxes.
Today I'm thankful for the Dollar Spot at Target.
Today I'm thankful for cute red step stools.
Today I'm thankful for thunderstorms (although I slept thru it).
Today I'm thankful for pizza that's delivered.
Today I'm thankful for Phineas and Ferb. Yup.
Today I'm thankful for grapes that are already pulled off the "tree."
Today I'm thankful for pink York Peppermint Patties.
Today I'm thankful for scissors.
Today I'm thankful for trash men. Thank goodness for them!
Today I'm thankful for colored pens.

Can they stay this way forever?

2012-01-22T13:40:00.002-06:00

Stereotypes

2012-01-21T20:40:00.000-06:00

Y'all, I just couldn't help myself.

Seriously.

This is just too funny and too accurate not to post.

BUT let me say:

1. I really do like Martha Stewart.

2. I fell off the couch and almost dropped my computer when I saw this.

See?! :)

T3

2012-01-17T21:11:00.000-06:00

I got a new camera today

a Cannon T3 Rebel to be exact

and y'all, it was love at first click

of course my first subject was Tucker

he's never at a loss for interesting

faces

it helps that he's so stinkin' cute too

he really wanted to take a picture by himself

but I told him no

under no circumstances is he allowed to touch my new camera

the news was not so well received

oh well, he'll get over it

oh these boys...

be still my heart

Love

2012-01-16T17:05:00.001-06:00

[source]

This and That

2012-01-15T15:49:00.000-06:00

christmas is officially, officially down

my marvelous husband braved the ladder and scaled the house to pull down the lights outside

he's a whole lot braver than me

he then made a bumper of sorts so that when i pull my minivan in the garage, it will stop at the appropriate place

i love him

a lot

the boys are happily coloring right now

their conversation in hilarious

when they color or play, they talk to each other in play voices and characters

it's a hoot

tucker has the hiccups which makes the whole exchange even more funny

we joined the rest of the modern world and finally purchased leather couches

oh my gracious

they are divine

i so, so wish we could have purchased leather when we first got married or when the boys were younger

but i'm happy that we have them now

we also purchase a new rug

woohoo!

we've (really i've) been rearranging furniture to add the new couches to our arsenal

it's super fun

i have all these visions of what i want our house to look like

thanks pinterest!

hopefully some of the visions will actually materialize

i have 5 loads of laundry to fold and put away

i also have a load in the dryer, a load in the washer and a load that needs to be started

if i could hire someone to do anything for me,

it would be someone to do my laundry

i also need to dust and clean the bathrooms

but that can wait another day

right now i'm enjoying the relative quiet in my house

and my husband being home

that is all.

Photographer: Tucker

2012-01-12T16:00:00.001-06:00

Monday, Monday, Monday

2012-01-09T20:25:00.000-06:00

Rachael posted a new letter about Luke! You can read it here.

Please pray for my friend Jessica. She and her husband just returned from meeting their soon-to-be adoptive son. He is precious! I can only imagine how hard it was to leave him at the orphanage. But soon we will all be able to rejoice with them!

Watch this:

And while you're at it, check out Moment Junkie. This hilarious and touching website is dedicated to capturing those special moments.

Finally, stop whatever you are doing and go out and buy all three books in the Hunger Games. Seriously. I implore that you read these books. Now.

Song Challenge

2012-01-05T18:02:00.000-06:00

I have seen several of my friends posting this (quite funny) challenge on facebook. I thought I'd post mine on her. :) Aren't you happy?

Challenge:
1) Find out the song that was #1 the week you were born.
2) Find that song on YouTube.
3) Post that video on your wall without shame.

[source]

Y'all. This is too funny.

A New Year, A New List

2012-01-03T11:39:00.000-06:00

Yes my faithful friends, the time has come to update my To Do List. {yay!}

Now last year when I made this list, it was my every intention that do the things listed in a relatively short amount of time. But as you may or may not know, I loathe painting. And since I dislike the rolling of color on walls so much, much of the things left on my list from last year involve painting. {ugh}

As you might have guessed, much of my new list involves painting as well. {deep breaths, deep breaths}

Without further ado, here is my 2012 To Do List:

Not to be forgotten, here's one last look at 2011's list.

Ah. I love lists.

2011: A Year in Photo Review

2011-12-31T11:48:00.000-06:00

So Long, Farewell

2011-12-29T13:50:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, I took down Christmas.

I know.

I would have taken it down on the 26th, but Tyson begged me not too.

It's amazing how much bigger my house gets after Christmas.

But I do love the twinkling lights.

And the tree.

And the carols.

And the hot chocolate.

And the REASON why we celebrate.

Regardless, all the stuff needed to be packed away for another year.

Goodbye tree. I have some different plans for you next year.

Goodbye bedroom trees.

Goodbye hanging ornaments.

Goodbye Christmas dish and moose.

Goodbye Santa.

Goodbye snowmen candles.

Goodbye door stockings.

Goodbye nutcrackers. We'll be adding to you!

Goodbye pretty mantle.

Goodbye poinsettia.

Goodbye white Santa. Sorry Stuart hates you.

Goodbye twinkling staircase.

See y'all next Christmas!

Well right after Thanksgiving. :)

9

2011-12-28T09:54:00.000-06:00

9 years ago, my dream came true.

I married my knight in shining armor.

My best friend.

The one chosen for me.

I thank God everyday for allowing me to stand beside him.

He is my better half.

Thank you for these 9 years.

Thank you for our family.

Thank you for you.

I love you more every day, week, month and year.

I can't wait to see what the next 99 years hold.

Happy anniversary honey.

Because their father said so

2011-12-27T14:52:00.001-06:00

That would be the answer to why we took the boys to the shooting range this past week: because their father said so.

Originally it was set up to be a time for Stuart and some of his family members to get together and do what guys do but then he had the brilliant idea to take the boys with him so that I could have some time to myself. A) kuddos to Stuart for wanting to give my alone time 2 days in a week. B) there was NO WAY that I was missing the boys' first shooting experience.

So, we loaded up and headed really far away.

The whole drive Stuart talked to the boys about gun safety and what to do if they ever found a gun alone (tell mommy or daddy immediately), how to hold a gun (never, ever point it at another human) and that guns are fun but dangerous (duh).

Let me just interject that the thought of my little, itty-bitty boys with a weapon is sincerely the scariest thing on the planet. Well, second to cockroaches and snakes. Oh, and clowns.

I can't tell you what kind of guns exactly that they shot but I know there's a glock in Stuart's arsenal, so there.

First up, Tyson. A little explaining pre-shooting.

Oh gracious.

Next up, Tucker. {gulp}

Seriously. Scary.

1st day shooting. Y'all, hold on to your hats!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T19:57:00.000-06:00

May your day be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!

Merry Christmas from the Dosses!

Want, Need, Won't

2011-12-20T09:57:00.000-06:00

Today I want:
to crawl back under the covers and pretend I don't have to get up.
for the weather to drop a few more degrees so that it can really feel like winter (for once).
to have a fire in the fireplace.
to make lots of desserts.
to start watching our Christmas movies.

Today I need:

to clean certain parts of my house.

to finish wrapping presents (just to boys because theirs come from Santa so I also have to keep them hidden).

to pay bills (it's a shame they can't take a Christmas break too).

take my youngest to the doctor.

to paint my nails.

Today I won't:
be eating stinkbugs (sorry, we watched Fear Factor last night!).
be going to the grocery store.
be letting my dogs go potty in backyard (one day we'll have grass and one day {soon} the dirt won't be mud).
have to think about being 31 for very long (my birthday is tomorrow).
be finishing the bathroom that is just waiting to be textured, painted and updated.

Five Things Friday

2011-12-16T08:33:00.000-06:00

I am currently obsessing about these. I may or may not have purchased (and almost single-handedly eaten) a bag every time I go to the store.
There are FIVE days till my birthday. Yup.
I am FINISHED Christmas shopping! Hallelujah! Now, just to wrap all the gifts...
Today is Tyson's Christmas party at school. He is so stinkin' excited. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit excited too.
In Tucker's letter to Santa, he asked for a baby. Uh huh. This poor child wants another sibling that badly.

Christmas Prints

2011-12-14T10:05:00.001-06:00

So it's no surprise that pinterest has taken over the world. Seriously. What did we do before pinterest?

These are a few of my favorite prints for Christmas. You can find them on my pinterest.

Merry Christmas indeed.

Handmade Christmas Ornaments

2011-12-13T18:23:00.000-06:00

Recently, I discovered this:

So, while Stuart was out shooting harmless antler laden animals, the boys and I did this:

It was super easy, but your hands do get messy. The clay works almost exactly like playdough; though next time I'll have the boys roll out the clay on parchment paper. It was a bit difficult to pull the creations off the cutting boards once they were cut out. We used a straw to create the hole at the top of the ornaments and then laid them out for 48 hours (some were a little too thick otherwise 24 hours of drying would have sufficed).

Next came painting!

And a little bit 'o glitter

Another 24 hours of drying...and viola!

Handmade Christmas Ornaments!

They're pretty cute if I do say so myself. :)

S-I-X

2011-12-12T12:21:00.000-06:00

Me: Tucker, you have to eat 10 more bites to be finished.
Tucker: But I already ate (counting on his fingers)...FOUR!
Me: Is four ten?
Tucker: No. How many more bites do I have?
Me: Let's count to see how many more.
Tyson: Mom, it's six more bites.
Me: Very good Tyson, but I was trying to help Tucker learn.
Tucker: How many bites is six?
Me: Well, six. One, two, three, four, five, SIX.
Tucker: But how many bites?
Me: Six.
Tucker: How many is six?
Me: Six. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.
Tyson: Are you kidding me?!
Me: {giving Tyson an evil eye}
Tucker: But how many is six?
Me: It's gonna be a long night.

This Man Melts My Heart

2011-12-09T10:51:00.000-06:00

and shoots animals

now to figure out where that giant mount is going to go...

Boys Can Play with Dolls Too

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

Sweet Kate is the only girl (cousin) but she need not worry! Tucker loves to play Barbies with her (much to the dismay of his father).

So...Thanksgiving

2011-12-06T14:22:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone and it is now full blown December. Although someone forgot to get the memo to south Texas that it's winter because as of last week we were still experiencing temperatures in the 70's. In fact, I still have the boy's shorts easily within reach because that is how stinkin' hot it is here.

Anywho, so Thanksgiving. I have to think about it in days since that's how I process things. My whole family came down and so my mom and I divided both sleeping quarters and meal plans. Since there are now 12 people in our family (TWELVE), my mom and I decided that going out to eat should only really happen for one meal. So we got to spend lots of time around the proverbial dinner table.

Monday was a rush of cleaning and grocery shopping. Can I just say that buying groceries for to feed 12 is an interesting experience.

Tuesday, my middle sister and her family got into town. The boys were beyond excited to see their cousins, although Tucker was a little disappointed that Joshua is no longer a baby and no longer wants to be held. (He has already mentioned that he wants a baby for Christmas. And not the plastic kind.) I also relearned how much small children love to climb stairs.

Wednesday, my baby sister and her husband stumbled into town. This is also know as the dessert making day.

Tyson found a Peepaw hat

and a moose one

Kate joined in the hat fun

Joshua sat down just long enough to snap a picture

Thursday, well, what can I say? Gobble. Gobble.

our table

Tucker helping Aunt George bake a pie

Aunt George and Kate

Why yes, this is a pic of my fridge. My happy place is organization.

Aunt George and Tyson

Tyson and Mimi

apparently Peepaw is having fun too

sweet Joshua

my big boy

my sisters and I

Friday we all gathered at my parent's house to take family pictures. There are two things that make this feat almost unbearable: children and heat. Read the aforementioned section on temperature in December in south Texas. Friday night concluded with the most entertaining game of Catch Phrase ever. Even though the girls lost, we put up a mighty good fight. And the kids pretended not to notice that they were being allowed to stay up 2.5 hours past their bed time.

Tucker literally smiled like this in 95% of the pictures

my middle sister and her hubby

my baby sister and her hubby

looking at bugs

all our husbands doing what they do best

Saturday my youngest brother-in-law showed off his monkey skills and shimmied up the house to the roof to "help" Stuart put our Christmas lights up. The boys thought this was the greatest thing since Cars 2 and I was just happy to see twinkling lights.

Sunday I woke up and couldn't swallow. Literally, I could.not.swallow. And my tongue was swelling. So much so that I couldn't really tell Stuart what was wrong other than, I needed to get to the doctor. Since all signs pointed to an allergic reaction, I was seen fairly quickly but soon found out that my ailments were strep. Fun.

At least this problem presented itself AFTER I stuffed myself with pie.

Not Me

2011-12-05T13:35:00.003-06:00

Last week, I did not let the boys eat chocolate cereal bars for breakfast every morning because I was too lazy to physically make them something for breakfast. I always make my children nutritious meals even at 6 am.

Every day since putting up our Christmas tree, I most certainly have not threatened to give away both our dogs due to their constant crawling under the tree and knocking off ornaments. I would never, ever threaten an animal. (unless it were a snake or a cockroach or a spider, then all bets are off)

I also did not in any way leave the tree standing crooked. I'm too much of a perfectionist for that.

Yesterday, while my dad was guest preaching, I absolutely did not laugh out loud when Tucker stood up in the middle of the service, realizing that his Peepaw was speaking and say rather loudly, "PEEPAW?" I always keep my composure in all circumstances.

This morning while getting laundry together, I definitely did not grab all the clothes off the boys' floors whether clean or not and toss them all in the washing machine. I always take the time to put things up and never waste water by washing something that's already clean.

And it really wasn't me that ate almost all the York Peppermint Patties. I certainly know how to control myself when faced with chocolate and peppermint. Man that sounds good right now.

Days

2011-12-03T22:34:00.000-06:00

.5 day till my mom and I head to Austin for The Story Tour

5 days till Stuart heads out for a BIG hunting trip

17 days till my BIL's birthday

18 days till my 31st birthday

19 days till my other BIL's birthday

22 days till CHRISTmas

25 days till our 9th anniversary!!

28 days till the end of 2011

Decembers

2011-12-01T10:09:00.000-06:00

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Thanksgiving Pre View

2011-11-30T11:32:00.000-06:00

Ten Commandments of Hanging

2011-11-28T17:32:00.000-06:00

I know this is horrible picture quality, but I found it on twitter and couldn't resist.

It's the most wonderful time...

2011-11-18T15:50:00.001-06:00

I love Christmas music. I mean, LOVE. So I thought I would unearth my playlist and put it up.

Much better.

Today

2011-11-15T13:24:00.000-06:00

Today it rained. Thank you Lord! And hailed. And blew all sorts of things around, but it rained!

Today I prayed that the power wouldn't go out till I went to bible class because I needed to use my oven. And dry my hair.

Today I used my new hair dryer for the first time. It's the little things people.

Today we got to bless a sweet soul and her new baby-to-be in bible class. There were lots of teary eyes and lots of yummy food.

Today I got to view my sister-in-law's fantastic family pictures and came home to email her photographer. They really were great photos.

Today Tucker dressed himself to look like daddy. He picked out practically the same shirt Stuart was wearing as he walked out the door.

Today I realized that I really miss cold weather.

Today I got to hug one of my sweet friends. I sure do love her.

Today I need to do laundry. Downer.

Today I'm making pancakes for dinner. :)

On Being a Veteran

2011-11-11T12:40:00.000-06:00

I never really thought about the fact that Stuart is/was a veteran until he got out of the military. While he was in, I was so focused on the day to day drama that it never really dawned on me what an honor and privalege it is to call him a veteran.

While he was enlisted, he was never deployed.
He only served at two bases.
We moved 7 times.
We had two beautiful children.
We met amazing people.
We struggled.
We had to ask for help.
We saw promotions.
We worked really hard.

Being a part of such an organization is both amazing and incredibly difficult.
But I look back at those first years and am so thankful for them. Those years helped shape us. Without those difficult times, we would not be the people, the couple, the family that we are now. I truly am thankful for the military. I know without a shadow of a doubt that's where we were supposed to be. I am even more than thankful for my veteran. For those in our family that have also been graced with that title.

Thank you just doesn't seem like enough.

{pardon the fact that this video is from a Super Bowl game but I thought it was pretty cool to have all the branches of the military showcased}

I wish I could sew

2011-11-09T12:36:00.000-06:00

because I would so make this johnny for the boys and Joshua

and make this adorable dress for Kate

'ya know, so all the cousins could look ridiculously cute

He did NOT learn this from me

2011-11-08T13:26:00.000-06:00

Tucker loves

to drunk his fruit

into ranch and Chic-fil-A sauce

while they are lined up in a pattern

(ok, maybe he learned that from me)

Delish!

I'm Finicky, I know

2011-11-07T12:47:00.000-06:00

Last night, after Stuart come home from fishing and the boys had gone to bed (boo to Daylight Savings), we were talking about this and that. Mainly about how to cook fish next time he catches some and pondering how to cook venison (he's going hunting next week). My food fears immediately went into overdrive and thus I thought to share with you some of my ahem, tastes.

Enjoy!

I do not like condiments. Really. I don't. Plain and dry.
I do, however, really like chicken salad. But PLEASE don't remind me there's mayonnaise in it. Ewww.
I'm really particular about bread and dough being cooked. I would rather have an almost burnt cookie than one that's slightly underdone. This drives my husband crazy.
I prefer for food not to touch on my plate.
I can't handle spicy food. Although I did remarkably well eating seafood boudin.
I would eat steak everyday if I could.
I don't like licorice.
I don't drink milk. Stuart thinks this is just down right nutty.
I don't like corn dogs.
When we got o Starbucks, I don't order coffee. Yet another thing that makes Stuart shake his head.

With that said, I'm going to makes these cookies this afternoon. I'm having a hankerin' for pomegranate, so this should fit the bill. I found the recipe here.

Double Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Cookies
Makes 2-3 dozen
bake at 350 for 9-10 minutes

1/2 Cup (1 stick) Butter--don't use margarine
1/2 Cup Vegetable Shortening--you can substitute more butter or Coconut Shortening here but shortening gives cookies a flaky crisp

3/4 cups White Sugar
3/4 cups Brown Sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp Vanilla

2 cups Flour
3/4 cup Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 tsp Salt

2 to 2 1/2 cups choc chips--appx 1 bag of chips. (I prefer mixing 1/2 bag of semi-sweet and 1/2 bag of milk chips)
1 cup pomegranate arils (those red seeds. 1 Pomegranate is more than enough)

In a Kitchenaid mixer (or in a bowl with a handmixer) cream together the butter, shortening, 2 sugars, vanilla, and eggs. Beat the mixture on medium-high for a full 3 minutes--this is important. During that time you'll watch the chemistry of the ingredients change into a very creamy mixture.

In a separate bowl mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Combine it with the butter mixture and mix till everything is incorporated.

Then comes my favorite part...
Add the pomegranate arils and chocolate chips. In my opinion, more chips is better than less. So I add about 2 1/2 cups of chips (or 1 bag of chips). And I prefer using a mixture of semi-sweet and milk chips. Dump in the chips and arils and mix briefly to incorporate everything. A few seeds may burst while mixing but that's fine.

Scoop the dough into 15 small balls on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 9-10 minutes

Frantic Friday

2011-11-04T10:49:00.000-05:00

I've been crushing on this song lately. It's currently #1 on my playlist.

I just got this cd (thanks mom!) and I am so stinkin' excited about it. Talk about some HUGE names!

Here's my current scar from surgery:

Not too shabby.

Stuart's gone fishing all weekend. Yup.

I had to keep Tyson home from school yesterday because he is/was sick, sick. Poor thing literally begged me to go to school today because they have free centers on Friday and ice cream at lunch. Seriously, what child begs to go to school? He didn't have a fever this morning, so I took him. Crazy kid.

I know that we live in South Texas and the weather is more than erratic (and warm) but this morning is was actually quite cold (I am SO excited about it. Bring on MORE cold please!). My phone said it was 35* and my van said it was 38* so by all accounts this weather warranted some bundling. I put the boys in long sleeve shirts, hoodies and a jacket. Yes, I know. I am THAT MOM. But by golly, my kids were not going to be cold. That and Tyson still isn't 100% and I don't want him getting sicker because I didn't adequately dress him. And that would be the reason for his getting sicker: inadequate clothing. As we got to school though I was flabbergasted at some of the other kids. THEY WERE WEARING SHORTS. Literally. Shorts AND NO JACKET. Now I know that it's probably going to be 80 degrees this afternoon (actually weather.com says the high today is 67*) but that attire is just NOT appropriate this morning. Come on parents, get your act together and dress your kids. Pssh.

My middle sister and her husband just moved their church to a new building and have their first service this Sunday. My BIL is the preacher at The Door Church and my sister has taken on much of the responsibilities on a Children's Minister. I know they would love your prayers for a blessed time this Sunday. Plus, if you live in and around Dallas, you should check them out. :)

Several of my friends and even my sister have started their Thankful in November posts and I'm thinking I may do that as well. Maybe.

And I really want to have either one of these right now, but without the peanut butter/peanuts. Cause I really don't want to go to the ER from an allergic reaction.

{via my pinterest}

Oh and tomorrow night don't forget to turn your clocks BACK one hour! Woo hoo...not. I mean who gets to enjoy that extra hour anymore when you have kids?

Pumpkin Bread

2011-11-02T15:10:00.001-05:00

I'm sure that everyone has a pumpkin bread recipe and I am no exception. I'm not claiming that mine is the best of the best, but it sure it tasty. And it makes enough to give one loaf to a friend or a neighbor or have one for every member of your family (whatever works for you).

Pumpkin Bread

3 C Sugar 1 ½ tsp Salt

1 C Oil 1 tsp Cinnamon

4 Eggs 1 tsp Nutmeg

3 1/3 C Flour 2/3 C Water

2 tsp Baking Soda 1 15 oz can Pumpkin

Grease bottom and sides of two 9x5x3, OR three 8x4x2, OR four 7.5x3.5x2 inch loaf pans.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together sugar and oil. Add eggs and beat well.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Alternately add flour mixture and water to the sugar mixture. Beat at low speed until all is combined.

Beat in pumpkin and spoon into greased pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Add several pats of butter to top just because everything tastes better with butter!

Novembers

2011-11-02T10:29:00.000-05:00

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T21:36:00.000-05:00

We had a great year for Halloween!

I finally feel like the boys are old enough that they really enjoy the fun of Halloween

but they aren't old enough to understand the scary stuff.

(Although we did run into some scary older kids trick-or-treating and Tyson was more than a little bothered by it. So was I. But I have an issue with kids over the age of 12/13 trick-or-treating anyway.)

Our night began with a quick run over to grandma's house to say hi and show her the boys' costumes.

HJ (the boy's 2nd cousin) was not too happy with Tucker's mask.

Poor thing started crying when Tucker came to him. As soon as he took it off, HJ was ok.

But as you can see, when it came time for pictures, HJ still was weary.

He was much happier when mommy picked him up!

Mimi came over to trick-or-treat with us!

Spider Man and Darth Vader

(I love that Tucker has his arm around Tyson!)

Tucker literally ran everywhere. He was SO EXCITED.

Let's see what they got!

Hard workin' night. :)

Just for fun, here's a look at Halloweens of past:

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

It's tough

2011-10-26T13:21:00.000-05:00

it's tough to be a kid sometimes

especially when you're hardest task

is pulling the blanket over your head

Yukon

2011-10-24T13:25:00.000-05:00

This weekend we loaded up and made the quaint drive to Yukon, Oklahoma. And yes I understand that there are a lot worse things than being trapped in a vehicle with your children and husband for 10.5 hours (one way and the reason for the extra hours? traffic. painful, bumper-to-bumper, stand-still traffic), but golly that was a long drive.

We headed up north for a family reunion of sorts. Stuart's mom's cousin (and fabulous family) live in Yukon and invited several family members to come and celebrate his brother's birthday. And really, does anyone need a reason to get together and eat? I think not.

It was so good to see everyone and meet some new people.

I managed to only take one picture the entire weekend. I chalk it up to having fun and socializing (and eating).

the boys and their oldest cousin, G

But here some quotes from the weekend that are quite interesting:

"Are we in Uncle-Homa yet?"
"Uncle Boma lives in Uncle-Homa"
"Are we still in Texas?"
"I'm really hungry."
"That's the biggest Chesapeake Energy sign I have ever seen in my whole life!"
"Look! There's another Chesapeake Energy truck!"
"So Uncle Steven in really daddy's brother? Just like Tyson is my brother?"
"Can I have more candy corn?"
"We get to sleep in a hotel!!!!!"
"Aunt Harriett was so nice to give us a bag of candy corn to take home."
"There's a GIANT deer on the WALL!"
"I don't want to drive ALL THE WAY home."
"My bottom needs a rest from sitting."
"Mommy, I just love my bed."

Tucker did manage to steal my phone on the drive home and took a few action shots:

No more training wheels

2011-10-20T10:11:00.000-05:00

Last week (wow, has it only been a week?), Tyson has his bike rodeo at school. When the flyer was first sent home, I asked Tyson if he wanted to participate. He thought about it for a minute then told me no. He had been working on riding with no training wheels but he wasn't super confident and then he thought he would be embarrassed if he took Tucker's bike with training wheels still attached.

Stuart was super smart and took his bike up to school on the day of the rodeo anyway. Tyson ended up having a blast and on Friday, came home with this around his neck:

He won 1st place!! I can not tell you how much this child was beaming. It was adorable.

Immediately Stuart set out to really teach Tyson how to ride two-wheel style. The kid is amazing and has now been transformed.

Untitled from Clarissa Doss on Vimeo.

**can I just tell you that it took forever to type out this post. Working with only one and a half hands is quite tedious**

Franken Hand

2011-10-16T09:12:00.000-05:00

What a difference a year makes

2011-10-10T14:10:00.000-05:00

Last year at this time our house looked like this:

We were frantically trying to pack up our house, finish the renovations that we began more than a year prior, move AND put our house on the market. No biggie. Thankfully we had the best realtor ever (thank you Tanya Ruff!) and my parents were more than gracious in letting us live with them while all the "dust settled" in our world.

It's amazing what a difference a year makes.

Interestingly enough, Stuart mentioned to me last night that he was starting to get the moving itch again. That'll happen when you move 7 times in 8 years (thank you Air Force). And, no you're not Stuart. No you're not.

Candles

2011-10-09T13:33:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

I hope to spend 99 more birthdays with you!

Love you!

Old Pictures

2011-10-07T11:12:00.000-05:00

Yesterday while I was scanning in Tyson's school picture (oh my word, it was so stinkin' cute), I decided to scan in some old pictures that my grandmother (Meemaw) had at her house and we then boxed up and given to my family when she passed away. I've been meaning to scan them in for a while but it hasn't been on the top of my to do list.

So without further ado, here are some really old pictures of my family:

I'm sure the only people that will really enjoy these are my sisters and my mother, but I laughed when I saw them, so they made it here :)

Chisholm Family 1985

Chisholm Family 1988

Chisholm Family 1990

Clarence H Chisholm, my grandfather

Marci and Me 1985

Me and Marci 1987

Marion M Chisholm, my grandmother

My parent's wedding :)

L-R: My uncle, my aunt, my mom, my dad, my grandmother, my grandfather

My father

Be still my heart

2011-10-06T13:38:00.000-05:00

I picked Tyson up from school yesterday

and he had this

y'all

my baby is NOT a baby anymore!

Oh my gracious,

and he is the spitting image of his father.

Be still my heart.

Nothing in particular

2011-10-03T12:52:00.000-05:00

I really wish Chick-fil-A would add the chicken sandwich to their kid's menu. My boys love the sandwich (more than the nuggets) and some stores will charge us more to "make" it into a kid's meal but some don't.

My current musical line-up in the van is as follows: 1) Rascal Flats, 2) Jack Johnson, 3) FFH, 4) Veggie Tales, 5) Veggie Tales, 6) Veggie Tales.

Thanks to Chick-fil-A for numbers 4-6.

Stuart come home today from his fishing trip weekend! Woo hoo! I am so ready to see him and bonus: I don't have to do everything by myself tonight!

The boys are on a Veggie Tales kick. The only movies they are watching are Veggie Tales. The only music we listen to in the van is Veggie Tales. I may or may not have dreamed of King Duke last night.

Grocery shopping with one child is exponentially easier than two. Just sayin'.

We awake to temperatures in the 50's this morning! HALLELUJAH!

Being that it was chilly, I dressed the boys in jeans. Unfortunately this meant that I immediately noticed that Tucker only has ONE pair of jeans that fit. (April, you're gonna have some clothes coming your way!)

I turned the fan down one click in the bedroom last night. That was monumental.

Oh the Giggles

2011-10-03T07:43:00.001-05:00

Octobers

2011-10-02T10:38:00.000-05:00

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Silver Lining

2011-09-29T14:13:00.000-05:00

So we hard a rough morning.
Or night.
Depends on how you look at it.
And I mean really rough.

Have I ever mentioned my pen chance for getting sinus infections? Yeah, thank you San Antonio (a.k.a Allergy Capitol of the World). My dear husband is to ear infections as I am to sinus infections. Lovely, I know. Recently his allergies have taken a nose dive and thus his ears have followed suit.

Last night while Stuart was on the phone finalizing plans for his weekend-long fishing trip (um, yeah....), he started complaining of his right ear hurting. Not a huge deal. He's currently on antibiotics for an ear infection. We go to bed; discussing his grocery list before our heads hit the pillows.

2:00 am-Stuart gets up and heads downstairs

I wait a minute then head downstairs too to see why Stuart is up. "I'm getting an ice pack for my ear. It's throbbing." Uh huh.

3:00 am-Tucker wakes up because he has peed thru this sheets.

I get him changed. Remake his bed. Notice that Stu is downstairs again. "It just hurts too much to lie down." Oh man.

3:30 am-Stuart gets dressed to go out and find a 24 hour urgent care clinic. This must be really bad.

4:15 am-Stuart calls asking for me to look up some clinics.

5:00 am-Stuart returns. There are NO 24 hour urgent care clinics in SA. Really?

5:15 am-"I'm going to eat and go back to bed. Will you make me an appointment at the doctor's office when you drop Tyson off at school?"

5:57 am-Tyson wakes up. WAY TOO EARLY.

6:15 am-get Tyson breakfast, make his lunch, pack his backpack, get him dressed, get myself dressed, loathe the morning we are having.

7:20 am-drive Tyson to school

7:31 am-call doctor's office; they don't open till 8. Great.

7:59 am-call doctor's office again. Still on auto answer.

8:00 am-call doctor's office again. Still on auto answer.

8:01 am-call doctor's office again. Still on auto answer.

8:03 am-make Stu doctor's appointment.

8:04 am-deal with Tucker.

Bad news: my husband is sick, again. And he's going to be gone all weekend.
Good news: my husband got some stronger antibiotics to hopefully kill the infection in his ear. And a referral to an ENT.
Bad news: Stuart will probably have to have tubes put in his ears (from what our PCM says).
Good news: Stuart will probably have to have tubes put in his ears.
Bad news: I am really, really, really tired.
Good news: I FOUND THE LOST PILLOWCASE! In my loopy state while changing Tucker's bed, I noticed that another pillowcase was getting stuck in the top of the dresser. A slight pull here and a yank there...the lost pillowcase is found! Oh happy day! And now my laundry-lost item ratio is back down to ZERO. {smile}

{virgin} Lava Flow

2011-09-26T12:04:00.000-05:00

So the summer before Stuart and I got married (which can also be said as the summer after Stuart and I started dating OR the summer before Stuart and I got engaged...really, everything happened in a 10 month span. We started dating in March, got engaged in August and then were married in December-OF THE SAME YEAR. Yea, that's how we roll.) I spent working in Hawaii. I know, I know, such a hard life. Pish. I was a nanny for a family that vacations in Hawaii every year, so off I went to spend the summer in the blissfullness that is the big island. Oh, and work. While I was there, I was introduced to the Lava Flow. Y'all, this drink changed my life. Seriously. I have never been able to forget it. Recently on pinterest, I found a recipe for my long, lost love and ran to the store to get the ingredients.

Here's some things to note: this recipe makes A LOT. If you are just making it for a night in, cut the recipe in half or even by 3/4s. Also, this is a virgin Lava Flow (which is the only thing I drank in Hawaii). If you want to make it more grown up, by all means, please do.

{virgin} Lava Flow

46 oz Pineapple juice

40 oz (or 3 cans) Cream of Coconut

1 pint Half and Half

Container of frozen strawberries in sugar (or syrup)

Ice

Water

1. Combine pineapple juice, cream of coconut and half and half in a container. Make sure it's a big container. I had to switch out before adding the half and half.

2. In a separate bowl, blend strawberries with a little water to make a thick(ish) pulp.

I used my handy emulsion blender. If you couldn't find strawberries in sugar (or syrup), add some sugar to taste.

3. Fill blender with ice.

4. Pour pineapple juice mixture into blender up to the level of the ice.

Or a little below.

5. Blend

6. Pour about 2-3 Tbsp of strawberry mixture into serving glass. Fill glass with blended pineapple mixture.

Enjoy!

Her First Period

2011-09-25T22:00:00.000-05:00

The Frantics-Her First Period - watch more funny videos

6 & 7

2011-09-23T17:35:00.001-05:00

Of course Tyson would one up himself, of course he would!

While at school, eating ice cream

he lost tooth #6.

He was beyond excited and one of his classmates got

to walk him to the nurse.

He got a tooth necklace in which to place his tooth.

(the exact same tooth necklace that they had when I was in elementary school)

Very proud of loosing this tooth.

Not ten minutes later,

Tyson ran into the living room.

Scout was laying on the couch and was more than scared by Tyson's abrupt entrance.

Her reaction?

Jump up and hit Tyson square in the face.

And now we have lost tooth #7.

Not so proud/happy about this one.

The good news?

The tooth fairy gets to bring TWO presents tonight.

Yeehaw!

On being 6

2011-09-21T12:43:00.000-05:00

Tyson: Mom, I am so old now.
Me: Yes. You are a whole year older.
Tyson: I'm six now. I'm so much older than five.
Me: Yup.
Tucker: I'll be eight when Tyson is older!
Me: ???
Tyson: Tucker! I am older than you! And now I can ride the Steel Eel, right mommy?
Me: Well, you are older now, but you aren't quite big enough to ride the Steel Eel yet.
Tyson: But WHY? I'm OLD now. I'm SIX.
Me: Thank you for the reminder. Being able to ride the ride depends on how tall you are now how old you are.
Tyson: But I'm older now.
Me: I know baby, it just doesn't work that way.
Tyson: So then will I be old enough to ride when I am seven?

Tyson's Camping Birthday Weekend

2011-09-19T16:58:00.000-05:00

And we're off!

Clearly the dogs are beyond excited.

Finally able to play in the sand.

Scout is an idiot.

Alternately titled: "Stuart's relaxation."

My bum toe. Thanks refrigerator for jumping out at me.

One can never have too much fun burying another in the sand.

For the record, Tucker thought this was hilarious until it was time to get out and he realized that he was in fact buried.

Tyson's attempt at burying himself.

Cake time!

Birthday Legos and a happy SIX YEAR OLD.

Oh Tucker.

We did not catch this fish; however, we watched as a sixty(ish) year old woman did. Amazing.

This catch made Tucker's day.

My list is growing

2011-09-15T15:23:00.000-05:00

we're going camping

tomorrow

thru sunday

for tyson's birthday

we're headed to south padre

a place we've never been before

and the dogs are going with us

they're going to freak out

in a good way

and tyson's going to freak out too

he's turning six on saturday

oh.my.word.

I told them it would happen

2011-09-14T17:06:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was not the greatest of days. Oh, it started out perfectly acceptable, but it went downhill quite rapidly.

6:20 am-awoken by Tucker as he runs down the stairs in order to scare me as I walk down the stairs.
6:21 am-fain complete fright as I walk into the kitchen.
6:30 am-start making Tyson's lunch and pack his backpack. Give Tucker his cereal with no milk. NO MILK.
7:00 am-wake up a very, very sleepy Tyson.
7:01 am-get Tyson dressed
7:15 am-Tyson gobbles down breakfast
7:22 am-drive to school and drop Tyson off.
8:00 am-start getting ready for Bible class
9:00 am-load up my ONE child and head to church
9:19 am-go to check Tucker in and his name doesn't show up in the kiosk. Fantastic.
9:32 am-finally make it up to class. Woo hoo!
11:45 am-pick-up Tucker from class and head home for lunch
12:16 pm-Lunch! :)
1:23 pm-my mom arrives to watch Tucker (and eventually Tyson) so I can go to the doctor.
1:46 pm-check-in to doctor's office and am handed 5 pages of information to fill out. FIVE PAGES.
2:01 pm-my appointment time is now one minute behinde me. No biggie.
2:37 pm-wow, there sure are a lot of people in this waiting room.
2:59 pm-really? I'm sure glad I brought my book.
3:18 pm-it's been an hour and eighteen minutes since my appointment. I might have to hit someone.
3:41 pm-all this for a ganglion cyst of the tendon sheath?

it looks kinda like this, but it was my middle finger on my left hand. and my hands aren't that gnarly.

4:00 pm-MY NAME IS CALLED!
4:03 pm-x-rays taken of my hand.
4:20 pm-waiting, waiting, waiting.
4:39 pm-hello doctor.
4:45 pm-lidocaine injected. I pass out.

yup, just like that

4:46 pm-Mrs. Doss? Mrs. Doss?
4:49 pm-Asperation continues.I pass out again. And almost seize.

I joked with the nurse post fainting that at least I didn't have to feel the procedure. Because, 'ya know, I was passed out.

4:59 pm-"I believe the cyst has been completely asperated, but there is a 50% chance of recurrence."
5:20 pm-My handsome husband drives to pick me up since clearly, I am in no shape to drive.
5:45 pm-stop to get some dinner.
6:20 pm-arrive at school for Open House.
6:58 pm-return home.
7:23 pm-kids finally in bed.
7:24 pm-MY FINGER IS KILLING ME.

Day two.

Obviously I look like a wimp, but it really, really, really hurt.

Now it just hurts a bit. Ok, maybe more than a bit.

Oh, and did I mention that there is a 50% chance this cyst came come back?! FIFTY PERCENT. And, my baby sister had one asperated on her wrist (another common place) and it came back within a week. Now she's having surgery on Friday to remove it. Lovely. (We love you George and are praying for a speedy recovery!)

Days

2011-09-12T13:42:00.000-05:00

1 day till Bible class starts up for the fall {yay!}

5 days till Tyson's 6th birthday

18 days till Stuart goes fishing with his brother, dad and BIL and does

whatever it is that guys do when they get together with no women about

26 days till Stuart's 33rd birthday (he's fantastically old)

35 days till Stu's one year anniversary at Chesapeake [huge sigh of relief]

99 days till my birthday

106 days till our 9th (as in NINEth) anniversary!!

Salt

2011-09-12T13:24:00.000-05:00

Y'all I am made for salt water

Seriously

{smile}

Rain

2011-09-07T11:45:00.000-05:00

We need rain desperately.
It's been a long summer of virtually no rain and 80+ days off 100+ degree temps.
We need rain.

Here's a photo of a huge fire that has been burning in Bastrop, TX as seen from Austin.

[source]

And an image of the fire from space

[source]

Here's a video of how quickly the fire spreads from Bastrop State Park

And here's a map of the current fires in Texas

[source]

Please pray for rain. We need it so badly. And also say a pray for all the firefighters that are braving these fires and all those families that have been displaced and lost their homes.

Pillowcase

2011-09-06T19:38:00.000-05:00

I lost a pillowcase.
For real.
I.Lost.A.Pillowcase.

But not just any pillowcase! No. I lost a Pottery Barn Spider Man twin, white pillowcase. That isn't made anymore. And that I paid retail for. RETAIL.

I never loose things.
Seriously.
I have never lost a sock in the dryer. No, really, I haven't.
I have never lost a pair of underwear or any other item of clothing.
And I'm really not trying to sound like I'm better than everyone else. That's far, very far from the truth. It's just when it comes to keeping up with things...I'm your gal. I can remember where everything is in the house. Well, let me rephrase: I can remember where everything is that I have seen. If it's something that Stuart brings in and never shows me, I couldn't tell you where it is. So I guess I don't know where every single cotton pickin' thing is, but you get the point. I take pride in the fact that I don't loose things. I love remembering where things used to be in our previous homes. My memory is uncanny like that (too bad that memory function doesn't pass thru to all things, like say, school.)
But somehow I have lost a pillowcase.

You don't understand how ridiculously big of a deal this is.
I don't loose things. And somehow a pillowcase has walked out of my life and it is driving me crazy.
I have torn apart the linen closet. No pillowcase.
I have torn apart the boys' rooms. No pillowcase.
I have torn apart my room. No pillowcase.
I have climbed over the washer and dryer. No pillowcase.
I have even looked thru luggage. No pillowcase.

No stinkin' pillowcase.

The worst part of this ordeal?
I now have to say that I lost something. Bummer.

Labor Day

2011-09-05T20:09:00.000-05:00

beautiful day

which was neither labor filled or hot

{HUGE smile}

In No Particular Order

2011-09-02T11:08:00.000-05:00

Today marks the end of week two of kinder. WEEK TWO Y'ALL. I have made it two whole entire weeks and I'm still alive and functioning (besides that whole brush with death/illness that is still ravaging my immune system). Anywho, I have complied a list of some observations of mine from the first two weeks. Did you expect anything less?

Learn how to drive.
Learn how to park.
If you're going to get out of your vehicle and walk your beloved to class, wear a bra. Heck, wear some pants too.
I love pajamas just as much as the next gal, but as my husband would inform you, they cannot be worn out of the house. I know. But it's true.
Get off your cell phone. No, really. Get.Off.Your.Phone.
You, yes YOU with the potty mouth-this is a school, not a bar. Speak accordingly.
I can see that you're running late, but must you stomp up my backside trying to get around me? If I remember correctly, you are parked right in front of me and oh yes, we got to our cars at the same time.
No left turn between 7-8 am. NO LEFT TURN.
The 4th and 5th grade safety patrol are adorable. And they take their jobs very seriously. I was one too. :)
You don't get a prize for being the first one in line to get your child. They all get out at 2:40 pm.

Septembers

2011-09-01T13:01:00.000-05:00

2005

newborn Tyson

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

2011-08-31T09:50:00.000-05:00

Oh boy, Monday...

So we started the week with 3 out of 4 being sick. Fantastic!

Tyson came home from school and brought some lovely hand-me-down-back-to-school germs with him. I blame the yucky kids, not him. And Texas. I really blame Texas and all the stinkin' allergies that surround us and encroach on our lives causing Benadryl and Claritin and Nasonex and Flonase and Pseudoephedrine and Halls to be our best friends; but I digress.

Tyson come home from school on Thursday and woke up Friday morning with a fever, coughing, congestion; all signs that he could not go to class that day. I called his teacher and she confirmed that he needed to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. A little stay-cation was in order. Or sick-cation.

Saturday we packed our bags and headed out geocaching. Have I never mentioned geocaching? It's fabulous. Kind of like treasure hunting, but in a grown-up way and super fun for the whole family. Go check it out here. Anywho, last weekend we stumbled on a geocaching challenge put on by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept and totally jumped head first into it. Saturday concluded out Hill Country Passport and we all came home tired but happy and checked off swimming in a lake for the boys.

Sunday, Stuart awoke to some tingling in his throat. We all know what that means=grumpy husband whom requires round the clock servitude. Yeah, I said it. Tucker also spiked a fever of 102 Sunday afternoon confirming our fears that we all would get sick. Poor little guy did not feel good and even rested on me some that afternoon.

Monday. Why does Monday always have to start out on the wrong foot? Stuart still felt "dumpy", Tucker was coughing and constantly wiping the snot off his face (and I had to wake him up to get dressed and take Tyson to school-not fun!), Tyson no longer had a fever but was also coughing AND I woke up feeling awful.

Great.
Great.
Great.

Have I mentioned how wonderful it is to be sick?
My mom, bless her heart, brought us dinner Monday night because she's a mother and wife and gets it.

(Can I just take a moment to say thank you to all the mothers and wives that still have to perform all necessary acts to keep a household running and/or still working while also sick. Give yourselves a pat on the back. You deserve so much more but I know you'll settle for a pedicure or a margarita or just a full 8 hours of sleep.)

Yeah, so Monday started off rough. Tuesday began with me loosing my voice (something that happens EVERY time I get a sinus infection) and progressed to a fever, throat pain, difficulty swallowing, chest constriction, coughing and overall miserablness (I'm making that a word). And lucky for me, every person in San Antonio is also sick and also making appointments at my doctor's office so I couldn't be seen.

But there is hope! I successfully clenched a spot to see the good 'ole medicine woman today. Yay!

And that is all I have to say about Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. And Friday, Saturday and Sunday apparently.

Oh, except, today is last day of August?! For reals?!

A Mark

2011-08-26T07:12:00.002-05:00

A mark for every breath you took, every blink, every sleepy yawn. One for every time you sucked your thumb, waved hello, closed your eyes and slept in the most perfect darkness. One for every time you had the hiccups. One for every dream you dreamed within me. It isn't very pretty anymore. Some may even think it ugly. That's OK. It was your home. It's where I first grew to love you, where I lay my hand as I dreamed about who you were and who you would be. It held you until my arms could, and for that, I will always find something beautiful in it.

Cassie aka LeFoxy

[source]

Happy Birthday George!

2011-08-25T06:23:00.000-05:00

Today my youngest sister turns 22.

{that's her on the right}

She has one fantastic husband,

two silly pugs,

3 perfect nephews (wink, wink)

and one princess niece.

Happy Birthday Aunt George!

We love you!

I Love Them

2011-08-24T16:09:00.001-05:00

Garner State Park

2011

**thank you all for your kind and encouraging words about Tyson starting kinder. today was a much better day for us both and I'm hoping we'll have much fewer tears from here on out!**

Growing up is hard to do

2011-08-23T12:46:00.000-05:00

No one told me it was going to be this hard.
This growing up thing.
I mean, I knew this was going to happen.
But I didn't know how much it would affect me.

Yesterday was a tough day. I held it together all morning (partly because we were rushing to get ready-NOT recommended for the first day of school). Stuart stayed home a little longer so that we could all take Tyson to school together. We have been talking about school non-stop for the past month and Tyson was ready. We drove (along with everyone else) to school and stood in line with every other parent/child to sign in.

Again, I was ok.

As we got inside the school, a mother was coming down the hall bawling. Hiccuping, bawling. And that is when I lost it. I took Tucker's hand and walked in front of Stu and Tyson because I didn't want him to see me cry. We got to his door and he turned around and hugged, kissed and said "love-you-bye!"

And then I had to walk away.

Y'all, that was the hardest thing I have ever done. I had to walk away from my child. I know it sounds silly, but yesterday was the beginning of him leaving me. From here on out, Tyson is going to be growing and going to school and leaving me. One day he's going to go off to college and meet a girl (who WILL be wonderful) and marry her. So yesterday was the beginning of that leaving. I just couldn't suppress those feelings. They came out all day long.

As we walked back to the van.
As Tucker and I came home and played Legos by ourselves.
As I went to Walmart and realized I only had to buy one Lunchable instead of two.
As I started laundry and noted that soon school clothes would be in the mix.
Gah!

Oh, but it gets harder!

When I picked Tyson up from school, he didn't really say much. I chalked it up to his being upset that Tucker got to pick out a new Lego set (since Tyson has had so much attention due to school). As I was tucking him into bed, I started talking about what he was going to do the next day (something that we have to talk about every night at bedtime. I'm afraid I've passed some of my anxiety onto him). Tyson immediately starts crying and telling me that he doesn't want to go back to school. "Why?" "Because it's really long and hard and I really, really miss you mommy."

And then I lost it again.

My baby boy!

I loved on him and told him everything was going to be okay and mommy would be there to pick him up and he was going to have so much fun. That didn't really change his mind, but at least he let go of me and went to sleep.

This morning started nice and early but I thought it was good to allow Tyson to have to time to wake up and play before leaving for school. He did great but as we got to school and started walking down the hall, he grabbed my hand. Uh-oh.

When we got to his classroom, I helped him put his backpack on his hook and put his lunchbox away. Then he turned to me and wanted me to pick him up. Oh Tyson. And then he started crying-hard. The teacher was ready to bring the class in, so I tried to calm him down. Nope. He wasn't having it. His teacher had to literally take him off of me.

Oh, the pain!

I can not explain how much that hurt. I wish I could tell him that he's going to love school and make so many friends and learn so many things. But right now my heart is breaking. I don't want him to be scared. I don't want him to be sad. I don't want him to cry (because that makes me cry harder).

No one tells you how difficult this is!
No one tells you it feels like you're leaving a piece of yourself.
No one tells you that you feel as though your heart is being ripped out.

But I know it will get better.
And one day I'll look back on these days and wish for them again.
But man, growing up is hard to do.

K

2011-08-22T12:56:00.000-05:00

Today this boy grew up

Overnight he changed from my (not so) baby boy

to a Kindergartner.

He got up and ate his breakfast

Brushed his teeth

and put on his new school clothes.

His backpack was next.

And don't forget (not so) baby brother!

You're a big school boy now.

And this mamma couldn't be happier for you!

(although I did cry a lot leaving you)

1,2,3,4

2011-08-17T20:40:00.002-05:00

7

2011-08-15T12:22:00.000-05:00

7 days
One week
168 hours
10,080 minutes

Until my baby starts Kindergarten.
Gulp.

Y'all, I know I may be freaking out a bit. Ok, a lot, but this is a huge thing for me. And Tyson. And Tucker. And what the heck, it's a huge thing for Stuart too. For him, this is the beginning of his son becoming the next _____ (fill in the blank with something really smart that takes a lot of schooling).

So, with the beginning of school looming over us, I desperately need to tackle that teacher's gift. What? I am not above kissing up! Since we still don't know who Tyson's teacher is going to be (she is supposed to call any minute to tell us who she is and set up a time for us to come up to school and meet her, bring Tyson's supplies and see what his classroom is like), I don't want to do anything personal. If I did know her name, I would love, love to do this:

[source]

But, since I can't do that right now, I've narrowed down the field to a couple of easy, non-specific ideas:

[source]

My fav right at this minute is the jar of mints. I also really like the "first aid" kit. But really, they're all cute.

It's just one of those days

2011-08-11T14:53:00.000-05:00

for wearing pajamas

even if it's almost 3 pm

and even if they're wool and it's 100* outside

the real question is

should we take them off to put on fresh jammies tonight?

Don't let my husband see this

2011-08-10T10:56:00.000-05:00

Although we love, love having a large home and space, Stuart is constantly talking about downsizing or getting rid of "stuff" or doing away with frivolous things. So, when I saw this video my first thought was, "Don't let Stuart see this because he WILL want to do it."

It's a bit lengthy (10+ mins) but oh so interesting.

Finally Gone

2011-08-04T10:08:00.000-05:00

After almost a year, Tyson finally lost another tooth.

This makes tooth #3.

And I do mean finally.

There are three more very loose teeth inside this little boy's mouth.

One that we thought was going to fall out weeks ago.

But it's still hanging on (by a thread).

For now, we're all glad that Lego set number 1 was able to be opened and played with!

Albeit, slightly jealous of all the attention that big brother is getting.

Finally, it's gone!

May or May Not

2011-08-03T10:26:00.000-05:00

I may or may not have prayed for a little extra time before Tyson starts school.
I may or may not have had a panic attack last night when I realized we are now under the 20-days-till-school mark and I have yet to buy Tyson's school supplies.
I may or may not have been collecting "Box Tops" since the beginning of summer so that Tyson starts the year off "right."
I may or may not have made the best darn Milky Way cake this weekend and am possibly going to make another one this week just so that I can have the extra icing.
I may or may not have had a temper tantrum when I looked in my dishwasher after a family member graciously did them for me, but did them very incorrectly.
I may or may not have been given a really funny look by my BIL during said tantrum.
I may or may not have gone crazy preparing for my first BIG family dinner.
I may or may not have cried when I opened the door to let the dogs out and was greeted by a man eating cockroach on the back step that flew away whilst I was having a nervous breakdown.
I may or may not have given the evil eye to the mother of the boys that were strangling themselves (and punching and kicking and putting each other into chock holds) in the Chick-fil-A playground.
I may or may not have uttered some bad things about those aforementioned kids.
I may or may not have dreamed of making my own playground and only nice kids can come.

Augusts

2011-08-02T17:13:00.000-05:00

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Books in the Mail

2011-07-28T09:26:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I got a very familiar package at my doorstep. It's no secret that Amazon is my number 2 BFF. And don't even get me started on Free Super Saver Shipping-FABULOUS! Anywho, as I retrieved my awesome brown cardboard, I realized that this package was not for me. This package included some very special things for Tyson.

I quickly called the boys over and told them that I had something special: new books about Kindergarten! The boys were immediately enthralled and we sat right down (in the kitchen in fact) and read all four books.

While we were reading, I would stop and explain certain things about school and how what was happening in the book(s) would also happen to Tyson when he starts school in 24 days (Holy Montana! Twenty Four Days!). Everything was going peachy-keen when Tyson turns to me and says:

"Ya know, I'm gonna have a really good time in Kindergarten but I'm really gonna miss Tucker. I'm probably gonna cry a little because I'll be sad that Tucker isn't at school with me."

That was it.
Done.
I LOST IT.
Tears upon tears upon tears.
What am I going to do in 24 days???

FYI the books we go are:

The Night Before Kindergaren by Natasha Wing

Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

I come by it naturally

2011-07-27T09:45:00.000-05:00

I've been a nerd all my life.

My Day Just Got a Lot Better

2011-07-26T09:39:00.000-05:00

Like Father, Like Son

2011-07-23T09:51:00.001-05:00

Stuart had to work today (just for a bit) and he thought he would make things more interesting by taking Tyson to work with him. We didn't tell Tyson about this till after he woke up this morning and to say that the boy was excited is the biggest understatement of the year. Tyson was literally oozing joy. Conversely, Tucker was absolutely crushed. He cried and cried (so he and mommy are going to go do something fun later).

I'm 100% sure Tyson is going to talk his father's ear off all morning.

oh! my big boy

brothers

Tucker REALLY didn't want to let go

Bye mom!

Friday

2011-07-22T10:40:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Tyson decided to wake up before 5 am. He came running into our room complaining of having a bad dream. I was so confused and asleep that I just let him crawl into our bed. BIG MISTAKE. While I loved having him snuggle up next to me, the child NEVER went back to sleep. He would lay very still then BAM! start talking to me. It didn't help that Scout then woke up at 5:30 and vomited in the hallway and Stuart got out of bed at 5:45 to get ready for work. The worst part? He then also got up at 5:30 this morning and was raring to go! Yeehaw!

30 more days till Tyson starts kindergarten. THIRTY DAYS. I'm not sure I even understand the magnanimity of this. My baby, my oldest offspring is about to leave me. This is just the beginning. In a mere 30 days our lives are going to be turned upside down. Tucker's going to have one-on-one time with me. Tyson's going to start learning about the world. And I'm gonna cry-a lot.

I'm not complaining about the glorious rain that we have gotten this week, really I'm not. What I'm complaining about is the lack of anything in our backyard; so that when that magical wet stuff hits our yard, we get mud. Lots of it. And do you know what happens when you mix mud and 4 dogs? (yes, 4 dogs. We have been watching my parent's dogs while they are out of town this week) 16 paws. 16 paws that walk thru the mud and bring said offensiveness in the house. And on the couches. And on the rug. And everywhere I turn. See? I'm not complaining about the rain at all. It's the dirt & water mixture that I'm ready to strangle.

Have you ever heard of the wive's tale that if you take the height of your child (or anyone) at the age of 2 and then multiply that by 2, you will get the predicted adult height of said person? No? Me neither. So when my friend told me about it, I had to look up the boys stats and get a glimmer of what our/their future holds! Tyson was 34.5 inches tall at 2: 34.5 X 2 = 69 / 12 = 5'8". Tucker was 37 inches tall at 2: 37 X 2 = 74 / 12 = 6'2". Innnnttteeerrreesstttinnnng. Now, I can totally see Tucker being tall. There's not much height in the Doss family (Stu is only 5'10") but my father is 6'1" and my grandmother was about 5'9". But Tyson being only 3 inches taller than me? I don't see that.

Tucker desperately wants a bay brother or sister. I mean, desperately! Ever time he gets remotely close to a baby he wants to hold them and kiss them and talk to them and then goes on and on to me about how much he wants a baby too. This morning he told me that he wants a baby just like baby Kate (his oh-so-adorable cousin). He would "love her and hold her and feed her carrots." Wow. He I think he's totally ready for babysitting!

While watching the last space shuttle launch

2011-07-20T10:23:00.002-05:00

Tucker Sock Hands 2 from Clarissa Doss on Vimeo.

Medal of Honor Recipient

2011-07-17T09:10:00.001-05:00

Amazing interview with Medal of Honor Recipient Leroy Petry

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Exclusive - Leroy Petry Extended Interview Pt. 1

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

The Daily Show on Facebook

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Exclusive - Leroy Petry Extended Interview Pt. 2

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

The Daily Show on Facebook

Ram

2011-07-16T20:23:00.000-05:00

Preface: As you may remember, Stuart and I recently purchased my childhood home. So, we live 1 mile away from the high school which I attended. Stuart's grandparent's live behinde that same high school (and have for 30+ years). The mascot of my high school is the ram.

While driving to Stuart's grandparent's house:

Tucker: Daddy, do you have some Shiner?
Stuart: What?
Tucker: Some Shiner?
Stuart: Um, yeah buddy I do.
Tucker: You really like Shiner.
Stuart: Yup.
Tucker: Look! The Shiner animal is on that school!!
Me: Yes, yes it is.

For Clarification Purposes

2011-07-15T15:43:00.000-05:00

Alright, yesterday I tweeted this and apparently it offended some. Let me just say that I in no way ever intend on offending anyone with what I write and I also do no write for malicious purposes; however, if someone takes what I write as a personal vendeta that I have against them, then that's their buisness.

Since 140 characters is not an adequate amount of space to truly get a point across and since I have this here snazzy blog, I thought I would clarify things a bit.

First off, I do NOT hate Harry Potter. I do NOT hate those that like Harry Potter. I do NOT not go to the movies (in fact, I took the boys to Cars 2 this morning and we had a fabulous time). I do NOT hate people that speak their opinions (I am in fact one of those people, and really aren't we all?).

With that being said my tweet was really aimed at those individuals that waited in line for hours upon hours to watch a movie at midnight. AGAIN, this is MY OPINION. It was meant as sarcasm. Please don't tell me what an awful person I am because I don't agree with your reasoning to do the above mentioned act. See, as a wife and mother of two young kids, I can find so, so many other things to do with my time than wait in line (probably outside where it's a million degrees) for 3, 5, 7, 10+ hours for a movie that will still be the same movie when it comes out on DVD. But that's me. I admit that I have waited in line for a movie before (when I was a teenager) but I'm pretty sure it was only an hour. Now that I'm older and have different responsibilities, my ideals have changed. Standing in line for hours is just not high up on my list, actually it's not on my list at all. If this is something that is a priority for you, great! But just as you are excited about only having 3 more hours till movie time, I am excited about my couch and my pjs and not being surrounded by lots of people. And I have a right to say that.

As I mentioned, I am not against going to the movies. I think movies are wonderful, albeit very expensive. I personally prefer waiting for a movie to come out on DVD and renting it for $0.99 from the Red Box. That's me. That's my opinion. It does not mean that I am right and you are wrong. And it also doesn't mean that you are right and I am wrong. This is just what my husband and I have decided that we want and like to do. There are also other reasons that I prefer movies at home: I really, really like my house. I like to be in my house, with my husband and my kids and my dogs and NO ONE ELSE. I really prefer to avoid crowds. I like to pause a movie and go to the bathroom or make brownies and play an awesome word on Words With Friends. Again, ME. This is what I like. If you want to go to the theater every week and spend $10 a ticket, do it!

Now as for Harry Potter, I really have no stand on the subject at all. I have not read any of the books, although I intend to at some point. I have not seen any of the movies. I'm not sure that I will watch them though because I really, really love books and in most cases I am let down by movies that are based on books. However, I have seen plenty of movies that are based on books that were fantastic; so just because I have read the book does not mean that I won't watch the movie version.

As for opinions, well...what can I say? I typically try to not join in on hot topics. There are certainly far too many people that live from one argument to the next. And there are legitimate issues that need to be brought to the surface so that people can sound off on them. The thing that I have a hard time with are those that feel the need to "blast" their opinion(s) and tell me I'm wrong or bad for thinking differently. We all have the right to think and act as we want. Just because I feel a certain way about XYZ does not give me the authority to bash another person for their feelings on said subject. A lot more can be accomplished if we close our mouths and open our eyes and ears.

And as for my offending anyone-I truly am sorry that you feel that way. I hope that some or any of what I have written has made sense.

Recently (in camera pics)

2011-07-14T10:04:00.000-05:00

Tyson at the very tip-top of the very tall slide, Tucker (and that was his father's beverage)

Tucker taking a turn with the camera, Sweet Tyson

Last day of VBS, Tucker thinks he's so cool

Love

2011-07-13T16:15:00.000-05:00

Confusion

2011-07-12T10:32:00.001-05:00

**I still have no idea why my pictures "disappeared." Seems like there was some sort of error and blogger was no longer recognizing the web address from which the pictures came from. ?? I have no idea why it would do this NOW, but I am slowly going thru and deleting and re-uploading the pictures. Grrr. And TIME CONSUMING.**

OK, I admit that I am not the smarted person when it comes to HTML or navigating the strange waters of code, but I do know a few things and that is why this gosh-darn issue is so frustrating. I can not figure out why my pictures (some but not all) are no longer showing up on my blog (including my header). Thoughts??

5:47 AM

2011-07-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, that is the time that I was awaken by my sweet baby boy. Although when I first looked at my clock, I thought it very much not so sweet that the first number I saw came before 6. Unfortunately, the reason for the much, much too early wake up call was an upset tummy. The good news was that Tucker went potty in the potty; the bad news is that he has thrown up 3 times thus far and all times have been on a separate cushion of the couch. To his credit, times #2 and #3 he attempted and did get some vomit into his "throw up bowl."

So, I feel that need to make some brighter points:

Today I am thankful for slip-cover couches. Washing!
Today I am thankful for a washing machine.
Today I am thankful for Disney. Yup.
Today I am thankful for baby wipes. The clean-up capabilities are endless.
Today I am thankful for cherry fruit crisp. :)

A Post! And Links! And not much else!

2011-07-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

You might have noticed my lack of posting over the past few weeks...what can I say? Life happens.
Thursday, I folded and put away 7 loads of laundry.
Friday, I washed and dried 6 more loads.{Sigh.}
Today, I need to fold and put away those 6 loads. {Groan.}
We finally joined the land of civilization and bought Sea World passes. :)
Stu and I have watched almost every episode of Bath Crashers in the past week and I have visions of tubs and tile in my sleep.
Rachael posted a new note about Luke. Read it here.
Please continue to pray and support (if you feel so inclined) my good friend and her husband as they continue their adoption journey. You can read more here and "Like" it here.
Tucker slept in big boy underwear for two nights in a row and woke up dry. Last night, I went into check on him and he had peed thru everything. Bummer.
Today, I need to wash and dry 3 more loads of laundry. {Hooray!}