help please

Some of you may have noticed a while back I put a "followers" link on my blog. Some of you have put your mug up there and made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Thanks. However, today I noticed someone is following my blog that I have no idea who he is and when I click on his image, NOTHING is in English. So what's the point in following an English blog?? I don't have a real positive feeling about this. It's not in Spanish either - which, for some reason, I would feel better if it was (no I don't speak Spanish but David does and his family is Cuban/Spanish so I would chalk it up to being someone that knows his family if that was the case). My problem is I can't seem to block him. I've done a Google search on how to block certain people and have found how you're supposedly able to do this, however, I haven't been able to find the "block reader" button that is supposedly on here. Any one else having this issue? Paul, if you're a legitimate person please let me know. And to anyone else I don't know personally feel free to join my little group, just know I'll be checking in on you too. ;) I'm always happy to gain a new "friend", however, I'm not happy to gain impostors. Thanks for any of your advise!

A weekend with Trace & Trevin...and their parents

We had a great time with Brad & Lesha and my parents this past weekend...there was a "Blazing Beans Birthday Bash" (I kid you not) for General G. in the town where Brad and Lesha live. Saturday morning started with a production of local cloggers...Lia found that quite interesting...and so did the rest of us actually.




And what is a birthday party without an Elvis sighting? (He was actually very good.)


Then it was time to be "Bean Judges". Yes, we paid $2, received a bean eating kit, and sampled all manner of pinto beans. To say I was tired of eating beans by the time is was said and done is an understatement. But how many times in life do we get to be bean judges?? ;)


At noon there was the "Blazing Bean Birthday Parade" lead by the 70+ year old Bean Queen herself. I can not make this kind of thing up...it's all true! Jacob and Lia enjoyed playing with the American flags that were given out.




And no parade is complete without Texas Longhorns being ridden...right?


Moving right on along to the tea cups...Jacob was quite serious through the ride...I was hoping he hadn't inherited his dad's motion sickness!


Later in the afternoon there was the outhouse races. The day just got better and better folks! There were 3 people per team, one person had to be sitting on the "throne" as the two others pushed the outhouses around the courthouse square. Halfway around the courthouse they had to stop, change "pushers", and finish the other half. Twas quite entertaining. The biker dudes won. I'm not sure what prize was, maybe extra toilet paper?


Trace & Trevin enjoyed the race...

(note - don't I have the cutest nephews in the world!)

...as Lia can't believe what her parents are watching!


The finally of the day was the bean eating contest. Twelve contestants vied to eat the most bowls of beans. Of course it was some scrawny dude who won...he ate 9 bowls of beans in 4 minutes.

After we spent most of the day around the courthouse square taking in all the interesting sights, we headed out to look at the houses Brad is building. I'm quite proud of my brother if I do say so my self.


After cleaning up from our interesting day (and getting myself properly lobster fried) we went to Babes Chicken. Seeing as it was another local celebrity's birthday (Lesha) she had the privilege of dancing the chicken dance as the restaurant sang to her. She did a really impressive job! Doesn't she look to cool with that hat, "beak", and those "wings" on her hands. She was really impressed with us letting our server know it was her b-day. hee hee hee (But I do think turn about is fair play!)


Sunday we had the privilege of going to one of our Special Meetings. Of course things were so hectic that morning we didn't get any pictures of the kids all dressed up in their "Sunday go to meetin' clothes", but they did look smashing. ;)

All in all it was a great weekend...we may make this an annual thing. I mean, who can resist being Bean Judges and seeing the Bean Queen if they have an opportunity??

Give Away from "All Sugared Up"

I've been watching this blog for a while drooling over her products (have yet to buy some but my Anniversary and Birthday are coming up...hint hint David!!) and today she's posted a giveaway. Head on over there and enter yourself to win something delicious. ;) The Almond Sugar looks like it would be my favorite.

2 of 52

I took the kids to the zoo yesterday with a couple of friends of mine. We had a great time - the weather was perfect and we were there early enough to beat the crowds that came later.

Space Shuttle Launch

The space shuttle launch this evening brought back several memories. As most of you know, I lived in Florida for a while. During that time I had the privilege of watching several shuttle launches. I'll never forget January 16th, 2003. I was working at Mayo Clinic at the time and many of the employees went outside to the top deck of the parking lot to view the launch. Watching Space Shuttle Columbia blast off was an amazing experience even from so far away. I could just imagine the exhilaration the astronauts on that fateful flight were feeling at that time. On February 1st my Dad (in Texas) was working early in the morning and knew Columbia was supposed to be making it's re-entry so he was specifically watching the horizon knowing where the shuttle should be appearing. He had seen several re-entry's in the past so he knew exactly what to look for. This time of course things were different - and he new something wasn't right. When I learned of the tragedy that had occurred I felt an overwhelming sadness. All I could think about was that I had witnessed, in a manner, those souls last minutes here on Earth. Very sobering. Fast-forward a few years and I got to experience watching the first night launch since the tragedy. That was awesome also. We drove out the the beach and parked, then walked almost to the water. It was freezing that night and the wind was unbelievable. There was a fine, salty mist blowing in from the ocean that chilled us to the bone. But watching that huge fireball appear to rise out of the water was absolutely amazing. This time I was watching with my two favorite people, David and Jacob. As the shuttle rose higher and higher in the sky there was much celebrating on the ground. Sweet memories.


Jacob and I trying to stay warm as the cold, salty wind was blowing in our faces.



That bright light in the center of the photo is the space shuttle. This picture does no justice to the sight we got to behold.



We went back out to the beach the next day - it was still cool, but the day was beautiful.

1 of 52

I'm FINALLY starting the "Year of Mom" pictures. I've been meaning to start this since Jan 1 and here it is March 14th - guess better late than never! I decided to start with my "original baby". He doesn't get as much Jacob & Mommy time now that little sister is here so Thursday I took him to the mall. We had Chic-Fil-A, played on the playground area inside the mall, and finished it all off with a cookie from Great American Cookie Company. He "conked out" in the car on the way home. Ahhhh...what a great afternoon.

Of Ice Cream and Carrots

This past Sunday we went to our friend Charlie's house for lunch. The weather was perfect and lunch was served on the back porch. Now mind you, Charlie is 92 years old and built this porch himself. Well, with a little help from my Dad, my brother, and his girlfriend. Charlie's, that is, not Brad's - he's got a wife who probably wouldn't appreciate a girlfriend in the picture. Anyway, Charlie is kind of like an adopted Great-Grandfather to our kids...he loves them. And we love him.

Little Miss Lia was introduced to the wonderful world of ice cream by Charlie...
She can't get enough...she must help him by using both of her hands you see.


Nothing better than melting ice cream running down your mouth while you're outside on a perfect day listening to the birds chirp in the background.

Later that same day...screeeeech

WHAT is this stuff??
It's carrots, Dearheart - and that's how I feel about most vegetables myself. Though I can't let you or your brother know that at this time in your life. I REALLY want you to develop a taste for them. And if you don't by the time you're 30'ish then I won't make you eat them. And you'll thank me.

Readin' About Jesus - and NOT singing

The other day Jacob sat down in his "Special Blue Jacob Chair" and proceeded to tell me "Mom, Gay-Cub gonna read Bible 'bout Jesus; Mom, you not sing".

"ok, son, ok"

(What's that supposed to mean when your almost 3 yo asks you not to sing??) ;)

6 months

Six months ago today we became responsible for this little soul.

09/07/08

We fall in love with her a little more every day.

03/07/09

Conversation

So I was just changing Lia's diaper as Jacob watched earlier this morning.

J: "wook Mom...E-ah wost her TT"

Me: "no, Lia is a girl, she doesn't have a TT like you"

J: "yes, Mom, we need to find it"

J: "Mom - where is your TT?"

I have a feeling we've just started the "interesting" conversations we'll have to have with out kids. At least at this point the questions are easy to answer - I know one day things will be a little more complicated to explain. For now I'm going to appreciate the innocence.

Good Mornin' Sunshine

Will The Real Mark, Brad, and Tim Please Stand Up...

or something like that...

We went to the "World of Wildlife Museum" in town the other day and to my amazement, 2 of my cousins and my brother were represented there. Although, with the name "World of Wildlife", I shouldn't have been to amazed. It's true, it's true, right there before my very eyes were Mark, Brad, and Tim. My cousin Kelley got left out - but he's not the "wildlife" type anyway. He wouldn't have been running around with such hoodlums. Mark and Brad are pretty much the "family clowns" so it's appropriate they were on the same team. And Tim, well, this just goes to show blood is thicker than water...he turned on his partner! And judging by the heads all around the display, I'd hate to see what the "trophies" would be if this would have been a game of Rook! (In which case Kelley would definitely have been involved.)

"What's this" I wonder. Looks like a serious game going on.


"No, It can't be!"


It's Mark and Brad.


And Tim.


At this point I'm not believing what I'm seeing.
I think the boys do clean up nicely don't you? I mean, look at the before and after pictures...once they're all gussied up.

Mark



Brad (and to think I was brave enough to let him hold my first born!)


Tim


Kelley - he's handsome too, and tends to keep out of trouble.



The things you didn't know you didn't know about my family.
(hummm...wonder how us girls would be depicted??)

Handmade Gift

Lucky you! The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done this year. (might be a little while)

4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.

The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

So....who will be the first 5 people?????

I love these two Munchkins...

...and my new camera. ;)

He Makes Me Smile

You know what's funny...hearing a 2 year old talk with an East Texas accent. Just wanted to share that thought. Some of you have "commented" (read made fun of) on my accent over the years, but you ought to hear Jacob. It even makes me laugh sometimes. That boy can make my heart smile like no one else. (except maybe his sister)