Trip to Florida

I'm back...from Florida. ;) We left 70* weather to come home to an ice storm...can I go back?? I've been trying to get pictures uploaded along with commentary for each one for the last couple of days but Blogger is giving me a hard time so I figured if I was ever going to get any pics up the fastest way to do it would be in a slide show....

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This was just before we got on the airplane in Dallas. Jacob looks super cool in those infamous red sunglasses and Lia checks out her super cool feet she's recently discovered. And David, well, he's "Super Cool Dad". ;)



Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Torres. Theirs was the first place we went after getting off that plane. This was the first time any of David's family got to meet little Miss Lia so it was special.



Lia sleeping soundly in Great Grandpa's lap.



Jacob and Caitlin D. - they're twins...can't you tell! ;)



One day Cindy & Daniel and David & I (along with "the sucklings") got to go out shopping at a really nice outdoor shopping center. The three older kids stayed with Mimi and Grandpa - it was a win-win situation for everyone. ;)
Daniel w/ Liam; David w/Lia



Three Little Monkeys
Jacob(2), Addison(1), Noah(3)



Grandpa sure knows how to make a girl giggle.



Noah and Jacob enjoy a snack of pickles...it's a good thing that wasn't Cindy and I or the rumors would be flying by now! ;)


Daniel and David with the three older kids...this was in St. Augustine right by the fort. It was an absolutely perfect day to be out!


My girl and me.


The entire Torres clan. We were all together for the first time in over 2 years so of course we had to take a family picture. The last time we were all together 3 of the 5 "babies" hadn't been born yet, and Zack wasn't an "official" member. We're glad to have them all 4 now.


Us 4


Daniel & Cindy; Noah, Addison, Liam

Saturday afternoon we had a get-together with some of our friends at a local park.

Karen D. with Lia.


Jim & Sarah K.


"Popeye" graced us with his presence. (aka Caleb K.)
Proud Mom looks on.


Marvin C. and Sam D.


The three "Birthday People". Caleb and David Sr. share a b-day and Great Grandma's was a few days before.
Caleb was 12
David Sr. - 60
Great Grandma - 80


Fred, Sharon and Freddy B.



Bonnie & Marvin C.
(Marvin is a fellow Native Texan - not sure what he's doing with that blue and orange jacket on!)


Rhoda and Francis N.


Lia gets lap time with Uncle Daniel and Liam. She thinks he's pretty cool.


Bath time for 3 Little Monkeys - Jacob's not sure what to think about all the action. It's a bit different different than taking a bath by yourself. ;) They had a great time "washing" each other's hair.


Lia and Liam.
They're 6 weeks apart.


Lia thinks Mimi is pretty cool.


Happy Lia.


Jacob had a great time in Grandpa's swing. He wanted to be out there any chance he got. Of course Grandpa was usually happy to oblige.


We left 70* weather in FL to return to an ice storm in Dallas. Lovely. We made lemonade out of our lemons though. My Mom was supposed to pick us up at the airport Tuesday night but she couldn't get up there so we stayed in a hotel at that airport that night. Then the next day we left our luggage at the hotel and had the shuttle take us to a nice mall that was just a few miles away. We stopped at the Rain Forest Cafe for lunch - Jacob loved it. If you've never been there you should go if you get a chance. They have life sized Rain forest animals throughout the restaurant and you feel like you're eating in the Rain forest. Our table was next to the elephants which did their "thing" every few minutes...of course just as the server was about to take our picture the elephants "came alive" and I got smacked in the head by its trunk. It was pretty funny actually.

Our family, sans elephant with his trunk in my hair.


Nana and Papa were finally able to make it up to Dallas to retrieve their "precious cargo". ;)

Schizophrenic Post

So…I’m back…and I’m feeling a bit “schizophrenic” as you can probably tell from the post title. I’m not REALLY schizo. But after reading this post you may wonder.

There’s the good, the bad, the ugly, and the random.

First with the bad…as of 10:00 this morning Brad, Lesha, Trace & Trevin (BLT’s) are no longer living here. Whaaa!!! But the funny thing is, I’ve been dreading it for so long and felt deep sadness about it so many times that now it seems almost anti-climatic. Now, don’t get me wrong, when they pulled out of our driveway this morning to go close on their house I cried like a baby. But I didn’t feel lost like I thought I would. I still had a 2 yr old crying to go inside as it was waaay too cold for his liking, a 4 month old in my arms looking up at me as if to say “Mom, when are you going to feed me?”, and a husband at work thinking about me. It's not like they're moving to another continent or anything. They'll be 3 hrs. from us. But that's slightly different from the 8 minutes they are now (were). No more - "hey why don't you come over for pancakes", or "how about dominoes at our house tonight, we'll supply the pizza, you bring the drinks". Meetings are going to be strange without them…there will be an empty couch where they always sat. It used to be “our” couch to sit on until T&T were born. We moved somewhere else so they could sit there. Maybe we’ll move back. Then there won’t be “empty seats” to be such a visual reminder of who used to be there - and who, in our selfishness, we wish was still there. (Are you following me, or is this just a bunch of incoherent blabbering??)

Taken this morning as they were leaving…see those 2 little boys…they have a piece of my heart they’re taking with them.

Now the good…I got a sweet new “toy” for my birthday. My birthday isn’t until May – May 6th as a matter of fact – but good ‘ole Mom and Dad decided to get me the camera I’ve been wanting for years now. (YES, years) {If anyone out there feels so inclined to get me an early, REALLY early b-day gift, I do accept cash - just thought I'd let you know.} There were such awesome deals at X-mas time that it was kind of silly not to get it then. And if you’re going to have such a nice piece of “equipment” you might as well use it right??? Especially when there are babies growing right before our very eyes. I have a LOT to learn about photography and this camera but I’ve got a couple of awesome “test subjects” to practice on. These are THE test subjects of choice for me…



Now for the ugly…(get ready for this) our toilets. I know, I know, some of you are shaking your heads wondering where on earth this came from. (I warned you I’m feeling a bit schizo today.) Ours are 1979 blue, and 1979 brown. I’ve loathed them from the day we moved in (over a year ago now). I’ve decided I’m going to get a part time job soon. VERY soon. Yep, I’m going to take the plunge and get back into the workforce. Now, it won’t be anything to exciting, just a part time something in the evenings 3 or 4 days a week. I have no clue where or what, but Momma needs to get OUT of the house and back into the adult world periodically. So what does this have to do with toilets you ask..weeeeell the first thing I’m going to buy are 2 new “thrones” for our house. Aren’t you glad you’ve read this far?? ;)

Other random things:
How is it that 2 people can be SOOO much alike? Take David and Jacob. I know Jacob supposedly got half of his genes from David, and half from me, but I'm beginning to wonder if that's all just another conspiracy theory. I think he got everything from David, and nothing from me. To begin with, Jacob looks just like him. He’s got his Dad’s personality. Guess it’s a good thing I like his Dad or else I’d be in a world of hurt. ;) He even inherited his “allergy to penicillin” gene. OK, OK, OK, fine….but it doesn’t stop there. When riding in the car there is a particular radio station I like to listen to that plays old country music. I can’t tell you how many times Jacob has said to me “Mommy, noisy, turn it down”. And I don’t even have it up loud. Every now and then they’ll play songs I don’t care for – some songs get a little twangy even for me. The other day though, a bluegrass song came on and Jacob said “turn it up Mommy, I like it”. WHAT??? My 2 year old son likes bluegrass?? I’m NOT a bluegrass fan but guess who is…yep, David. I’m thinking we should have named him David III.

What is in the water? I’ve found out in the last week about 5 couples who are expecting this summer. Congratulations! (Were the months of October and November exceptionally cold or something??) ;)

I’ve been doing a bit of mystery shopping. I should clarify I guess…I’ve been eating a lot of Sonic lately and getting paid a little bit to give my opinion on the service I received. Yep, there really are legitimate companies out there who will pay you to eat somewhere and give them feedback. Now, I’m not getting rich or supplementing David’s income or anything, but it’s a few dollars in my “new toilet” envelope. If you’re interested in doing this too let me know and I’ll give you my “Independent Contractor” number (sounds important don’t ya think) and the telephone # to call and get started. The company is based out of California but they do mystery shopping nationwide. Have you tried the Sonic Frito Chili Cheese wrap yet? If you haven’t you should. Yep, it’s good. And it’s on the dollar menu. (NO, I’m not getting paid to put this little paragraph in.)

Why, oh why, do I feel like I have to write a book anytime I do a post or send an e-mail? Take my friends Angie, Jenn and Kim in FL – they probably think I’ve fallen off the face of the earth – or at least forgotten about them. I haven’t. I think about them probably every day, wonder how they’re doing, and think “you know, I really should at least say hi”, but I don’t. Why can’t I just sit down, shoot off an e-mail that says “hi, thinking about you” and feel good that I actually did it? Instead I think about it, let something else distract me, feel bad I didn’t do it, then feel guilty the next time I want to say hi because I didn’t do it before and it’s a vicious cycle. Urghhhh

Now I’m looking forward to our trip to FL – it’ll be great to get to see everyone there. Then we’re looking forward to a visit from our friends in LA…THIS lovely little family. Pretty soon it’ll be Brad and Lesha who?? (I kid, I kid)

If there’s anyone left reading this post all the way to the bottom…thank you. If not, it was good therapy for me to sit and write just a fraction of what’s rattling around in my head right now.

2008 in Review

My year in review...in this particular order...

start keeping 2 sweet nephews while their Mom works
wondering why the smell of carrots makes my urk
wondering why the smell of bacon makes me urk...in front of Brother
Brother sweetly saying "you're knocked up"
"it can't be so" Brother
finding out it is so
a visit from some wonderful friends for the first time in 10 years
planting a garden
a visit from Grandparents that live in FL
sweet nephew has a lung removed - my heart is scared
sweet nephew came through like a champ - my heart sings
a visit to LA to see our wonderful friends
son's second birthday
quit keeping 2 sweet nephews
visit to MN to see Great Grandparents and other family
Great Grandmother passes away
county fair and rodeo
find out "baby" is a girl
cry because dreams of having 2 sons that will be best of friends are broken
cry from shock of dream/hope of having a daughter is reality
"girl" quits moving - work self into hysterics
find out "girl" is OK - cry again
shower for "girl"
enjoy days with son before "girl" is born
"girl" is born - more crying
son loves daughter - my heart is happy
2 sweet nephews turn one - how can that be??
conventions
acquisition of another dog
find out Brother is moving - my heart is sad/happy at same time
Thanksgiving at Aunt and Uncle's house
have a great time in quaint town Brother is moving to
Christmas Eve at Brother's house
New Year's Eve at my house surrounded by lots of friends

All in all 2008 was a good year for us...here's hoping you had a good year and may 2009 be prosperous for us all - in every way.

Friends

I put Lia in her swing this morning so I could get a few things done while she was happy...this is how I left her...


It wasn't long until I heard a little boy voice in the living room saying "here you go "E-ah Nay"...turn around like me" followed by various and sundry noises/ grunts. I decided to check out the situation and this is what I found...

(notice the doll in Lia's lap and her swing has been turned so she faces the same direction as Jacob)

I think they're going to be good friends...I can just visualize them plotting and scheming all kids of fun together.

"E-ah Nay" is Jacob speak for "Lia Renee".
A tid bit you didn't know you didn't know...when Brad and I were little he couldn't say my name (Kristen Renee) so he called me "Tisty Nay". Now of course I think it's cute my daughter is "E-ah Nay".

Christmas 2008

I'm to tired to be putting up any witty posts...click on images to see them larger...g'night.

It's Official!!! (I think)

...drum roll please...Jacob is potty trained! I know, I know, you were all at the edge of your seats wondering what the glorious announcement is. I'm so excited I'm doing the "My Son it Potty Trained" dance - which is a lot like the "Pee Pee" dance, but way, WAY cooler. ;) He just woke up one morning about a week ago and decided that was the day he wasn't going to need diapers any more and that was that. Not even at night or during nap times!! This is all so very exciting to me - you just have no idea. However, this new found "talent" doesn't come without a few issues.

A) How to get him to realize he doesn’t have to take EVERYTHING from his waist down off to use the potty. Yep, that includes the socks too. One day we'll have to face the dreaded public bathroom and I'm not about to let him strip in there. So we have to work on the staying dressed to go potty thing.

B) How to get his clothes back on him once he's done. You see, he thinks it's fun to run around the house all "loosy goosy". ;) It takes quite a bit of convincing that running around half "neekid" is not a good idea.

C) How to not have melt downs once he does decide he's willing to get his clothes on. He's a bit of a perfectionist and if his undies/ pants/ socks/ shoes don't go on EXACTLY right the first time he tries then his entire world falls apart. And he wouldn't dream of letting Mom help...nooooooo he is rather independent now.

Thank you, thank you, thank you very much for reading this...I know you were all super interested in this particular subject. I aim to please. ;)

Bringing Joy to a Little Boy...

One of our neighbors just brought his "work truck" home for the first time last Friday. He promptly sent his daughters over to our house to get Jacob so he could see a real life "Biiiiig Kuck". What delight this brought him! I don't guess I need to tell you Jacob did NOT want to come back home later...I think he would have stayed in the cab of that truck "driving" all night long. But it was super cold so Mom thought an "all nighter" in the truck wouldn't be such a great idea. Jacob protested mightily. ;) He LOVES all manner of vehicles...as long as it has tires he's in love. Now, balls and sports stuff he really has no great interest in, but if it "runs like a Deere man her (his) eyes light up"....name that tune and singer. ;) {So sorry...that kept going over and over in my head - and yes, I like that kind of music.}

Just Wondering...

I experienced an interesting "conversation" with Jacob yesterday. The thing is, though, it was definitely a one sided conversation. You see, I don't think I'm that much of a back seat driver (David may not agree) but my 2 1/2 year old son seems to have either picked up some back seat driving skills from somewhere, or he's "advanced". I came to a stop sign yesterday and he said "whoa Mamma, whoa" - then when he couldn't see any more cars coming I heard "go Mamma, go" from the back seat. Apparently I wasn't going fast enough to suit him. Then we came to a particular area where we always make a turn and I heard "turn here, turn here" coming from that same little voice. After we had completed our shopping and were heading home, a line of cars in front of me suddenly stopped, therefore, I was forced to come to a screeching halt all while praying the car behind me would stop before ramming my precious cargo and I. Much to my chagrin I heard a little parrot in the back seat repeating what I usually say, exactly HOW I say it...the words weren't bad, but the inflection wasn't very nice. So...is my son learning from example, or is he advanced and understands the "rules of the road" already? ;) I'll choose to believe it's the latter.

One more thing...would I look this cool in a pair of red sunglasses?

A Secret to Share

I received several inquires as to how I added my "signature" on the bottom of my posts...it's really a classified top secret but since y'all are my "best friends" I'll share it with you. Just don't tell anyone OK?? ;)

I'd love to tell you that I'm really really computer savvy and figured it out on my own, but the truth is...I followed THESE directions.

Fun Weekend

This past weekend was spent in a quaint little town south of Ft. Worth as they were having their annual "Candlelight Tour of Homes". There is much history in the little town and many of the homes there were built in the 1800’s. It was fascinating to see some of these homes and the workmanship that was put into them. The real reason we went, however, …(getting up the courage to say this out loud)…Brad and Lesha are moving there! Whaaa!!! (Can’t talk about that anymore for the time being as I don’t want to drown my keyboard.) This little town is the county seat so of course the beautiful courthouse is in the middle of the town square with many great little shops all around the square. Us ladies spent a LOT of time shopping…the men went to check out the old train station, old jail, old tractors, took the kids to the park, etc. Back to the houses…the reason Brad is moving there is to build homes that will be replicated after those built in the 1800’s. It will be fun to watch – he has always had an interest in old homes so this is a great opportunity for him. They will be moving in mid January. Until then I’m going to pretend I don’t know it’s happening so I can live in a “happy bubble”. ;)

Our weekend started off Friday night with a Birthday party for Brad at the hotel...Trace and Trevin thought the icing on the cake was great!


After the party there was snuggle time for Momma and her two babies...


Sat. at the retro hamburger joint...Brad got in some "girl time".


Santa happen to show up...Trace & Trevin weren't to impressed!


Movin' right on along to the ice cream parlor...Lia was a bit relaxed! You can tell it was a man holding her...we ladies would have had her all snuggled up. But she was happy so I was happy.


Three little monkeys - Caden & Colby S. and Jacob.


Papa and Jacob take a little break at one of the houses...there's only so much walking little legs can do.


You think the boys may have been "over it" by then? ;) T & T especially look like they have had their fill and are ready to move on.
Thank you very much.


Sunday lunch was at a place called Babes...was quite entertaining - and VERY good. All the men sat at one table and left us ladies with all the kids...humph.
Marcus S. (Brad's B-I-L); Brad; Ron M. (Brad's F-I-L)


Look at those two little cuties...not to worry...no Lia's were harmed in the making of this photo.


Lia met Santa on Sunday...don't guess this experience will be very memorable to her. ;)


If any of you have a motorcycle...here's an idea for you. ;)

How Can It Be...

...that my girl is 3 months old? I mean...September 7th was only a few days ago right??

How did she go from this:


to this:


in a matter of a few days...whaaa!!

Thanksgiving 08

David and I were "orphans" for Thanksgiving so we went to my Aunt and Uncle's place in rural Central Texas. Mom went to be with her Mother and sisters in Georgia, Daddy had to work, and Brad and his family went to West Texas. I can guarantee that while Mom's digs were a little more "posh" than ours and Brad was surrounded by probably a few hundred more people than we were, we had the best food! And that's what Thanksgiving is all about..right?? ;)

yeah, yeah, yeah, the traditional turkey...but is was from HERE so it was scruptious


My sentiments exactly!!


yeah baby...that's what I'm talking about..the BEST steaks anyone has ever put in their mouth!!


Kevin and Audra made a great roll buttering team


my two babies..."queeze"


Linda and Lena watching as the rest of us play a game of "farkle"


Jacob telling Great Grandma C. all about it...he's not into the game


all the kids piled up by the couch...they all thought Lia was pretty cool


the baby, however, was no match for the new trucks from Aunt Brenda
Wyatt & Jacob have important business to take care of now


movin' on to a post-dinner combine drive


that was fun...see my cheesy grin


Lia appreciates a good story from Audra...that smile of hers makes my heart melt