Wordless Wednesday

(Be sure to see the 2 posts below)

5 words

The rules:
Rachel got 5 words from another blogger and she did a post about the words she was given. She then offered to give 5 words to someone else. I thought it would be fun, so now I'm going to post on the five words she gave me. If you want to join in, tell me in the comments and I'll send you your own five words!

MONEY

I hate money. I hate dealing with money, I hate paying bills, I just hate it all. Curtis deals with it. If he died tomorrow, I honestly wouldn't even know how to log onto our on-line account.

I'm not advocating this. And I'm not saying it's a good thing. Just the way things work in our home at this point. It is something that I want to change. However, Curtis knows that I have a lot on my plate already without having to worry about the finances, and he graciously takes care of it for me. So my head doesn't pop. :-)

Speaking of moneys, a subject that's recently come up in my mind and in conversation with Curtis is allowance for the kids. When should we start? Should we start? How much should we give them? Is it earned just by being a normal, working part of the family, or should extra chores/tasks be required? Clearly, I don't know! But it is something that I want to figure out and get going.

Also on the topic of money, I wish there was enough room in my budget to get the house cleaned by a professional once a month, and to pay someone to watch my kids every other week so I could just take a break. I know some day, I will have three (4!!!) kids to help with the house. And I'm sure that before I know it, Elizabeth will be watching the younger kids for me while I do the grocery shopping. So I'm working on being content.

KITES

Kite flying is a lot of work when you have young kids! But it does make for some fun pictures. My theory on kites is that they are like a first kiss. A wonderful idea, but the application isn't always as wonderful as the idea. But still fun!

CHURCH

Growing up away from grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, my parents encouraged us to find close relationships with people at church. I now find myself encouraging the same thing for my children.

Our church is amazing! They are often our family, when we're missing our real family. The church body loves us, encourages us, challenges us, helps us, and has helped Curtis and I grow so much in the past several years. We love our church family!

It's no secret that I despise the weather here. It's also no secret that I miss my family so much, and would love to move closer. But we have relationships at church that would make it so terribly hard to ever leave. And the funny thing is, I think that's their plan!

SHOES

I heart shoes. Shoes and I go waaaay back

The first pair of shoes that I remember owning (and tying my laces for the first time) were blue, Smurf tennis shoes.

I had a very narrow foot as a child. My parents would drive to the mall with the Keds store (which felt like hours and hours away) so that they could by me good narrow shoes.

I am death to shoes. I don't know why. I don't fall down nearly as much as I used to, so that shouldn't be the problem. It doesn't matter if it's a $60 pair of shoes or a $8 pair of shoes, I will find a way to kill them.

Shoes make me happy. No matter what size I am, my shoes fit! If I buy a cute pair of shoes while pregnant, I can wear them again after I'm pregnant. It's awesome!

And the very best thing about shoes is that you need cute purses to match your cute shoes. And cute jewelry to match your cute purse and shoes. Sigh. I love shoes!

HAPPINESS

I guess you wanted me to think a little, right Rachel?

I am amazed that even when I'm not happy, I still have joy.

And I'm amazed that just because I'm happy, doesn't mean I have joy.

I can fake happy. I can fake happiness. I like happy, I like happiness, and I want everyone to think that I'm happy, and I want everyone else around me to be happy too.

So happiness isn't a struggle for me. But there have been many a time when joy is the struggle.

Micah-ism

The first week of co-op, Micah filled out a little survey about himself. Here's what he had (his answers are in bold):

My favorite color is green.

My favorite place to go is the park

I like to eat chicken, frenchfries and oranges.

I do not like to eat blueberries!

I live in Texas.

When I look at my from door, I see my Papaw and Memaw's house outside.

I really love it when my mom cooks dinner.

I really love it when my dad works at home.

I know Jesus loves me because the Bible tells me so.

I laughed! So adorable to get a glimps into their sweet little brains.

And don't you love how Curtis and I fit perfectly into thos gender roles.

Lights of Love

On December 4th, our family, along with another College Station family will be walking in the McDonald's Lights of Love 5K to raise money to support Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

Please consider supporting us as week seek to raise money for this great organization. RMHC was such a blessing to us during our time in Austin for Benjamin's surgery! You can support us by joining our team, Team Cranio Kids, and walking with us. Or you can follow the Lights of Love button and support our team as we walk.

Here's who we're walking for.

What a wake up call!

I love my boys, I love my boys, I love my boys..... even at 3:30am, when Benjamin wakes me up by pouring cold water on me..... I love my boys, I love my boys, I love my boys..... even when they keep me up for two hours in the middle of the night,..... I love my boys, I love my boys.... even when they leave the milk out in the middle of the night..... I love my boys, I love my boys.

Interested in the rest of the story? Read on!

This morning, at 3:30am, I woke up to Benjamin spilling a very large, very wet, very cold, glass of water on me and the bed. I jumped out of bed exclaiming, "Water!! Water!! Child!!" Curtis promptly jumped out of bed, trying to figure out what was going on. I turn to see Benjamin standing there with a cup saying, "I dirsty!"

I peeled off my soaking wet clothes while Curtis assess the damage. Then I turn my attention to the cause of such excitement. I start questioning Benjamin, while Curtis goes to get another sheet for the bed. When Curtis gets back, he announces that Micah and Benjamin were both up, watching TV. While I deal with the boys, Curtis makes the bed.

Needless to say, it took a bit of time for us all to calm down enough to sleep. And just as we were all going to sleep, Elizabeth woke up. Thankfully she didn't spill water on us or cause any changes of clothes and sheets.

This morning, I woke up, not ready to wake up. When Curtis came in to tell me that the boys had gotten the milk out during the night, I knew the day had potential to be rough. But we made it to soccer at 9, ran a few errands, then had some free lunch at Panda Express. Now, it's time for naps all around!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Just before Thanksgiving last year, I was in Hobby Lobby when the started marking all their fall decor to 90% off. I got some great deals, and was really excited to put up my fall decorations. Our book basket.
The entertainment center. That garland originally cost $60!!!

I think this pumpkin sign is my favorite thing!

Charlie the scarecrow. We've had him for 8 years now! The mantle. Aren't the pumpkins cute? And why yes, I did make that wreath!

And the great thing is that I still have some Thanksgiving decorations that I will pull out in November.

Happy first day of fall y'all!!!

Soccer Boys

On Friday Benjamin had his first day of soccer.Today, Micah had his first day of soccer.

Based on their faces, I would say they're pretty happy to be playing soccer!!!

Take me out to the ball game....

Yesterday was a whirlwind day filled with driving in the car, baseball, hot dogs, a little rain, more driving in the car and lots of family fun!

Curtis loves the Rangers. He is one of those dedicated fans, that loves the Rangers, even when they suck. And this year, they don't suck!! The last time we went to a Rangers game was four years ago when I was pregnant with Micah. Every summer during baseball season, we would talk about how fun it would be to go see a game with the kids. Curtis has many wonderful memories of going with his family, and he wanted our kids to have some of those same memories.

The night before the game, I checked the weather. 60% chance of rain, temperature in the low 70's. Not quite idea baseball weather. Yesterday morning, I went and bough pants for all the kids, to match their Rangers shirts that I had made.

As we started driving north, we hit rain. Lots of rain. We tried not to let the rain dampen our spirits. But the traffic was too much, and Curtis and I were both starting to feel pessimistic about how the evening would go.

By the way, this is my new favorite family picture!

Once we saw the Ballpark, the excitement started to build.
We headed to our soggy seats, and after taking a few pictures.......

... we decided it was hot dog time!!! Lucky for us, we had planned on going on $1 hot dog night.

YUM!!!!

After our delish dinner, we headed to our seats.

Curtis brought his glove, ready to catch any foul balls that headed our way. Benjamin helped.

About 10 minutes into the game, the drizzle got a bit heavier and we decided to break out the ponchos!

Despite the chilly, drizzly weather, despite the long car ride, despite the traffic, despite the fact that Curtis' favorite player (Josh Hamilton) wasn't able to play,

and despite the fact that the Rangers lost, we had a GREAT evening!

Ballerina Girl

Three years ago, this sweet face had her first day of ballet.
And today this beautiful little girl had her first day of ballet, jazz and tap. Anyone thing she's changed a bit?

Just Ducky!!

Micah-ism

Frequently, when driving with the kids, everyone seems to want my attention at the exact same moment. I try to make a point of talking to each child individually, hoping to show them that I care about what each of them are saying, and teaching them patience at the same time.

Yesterday, both Micah and Elizabeth had something urgent to tell me. I listened to Elizabeth first, then turned my attention to Micah. He told me, "Never mind Mommy. You're not home right now. I'll just leave a message."

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!!

This evening we were able to enjoy a special treat. Playhouse Disney Live came to town! Originally, we weren't planning on going. But then, some friends gave us some tickets! It was such a fun treat for us to get to go!

Here we all are, waiting patiently for the fun to begin. (really, Micah was happy!)
(and the picture Micah smiles in, Elizabeth blocks his face!)

Can you see the excitement???

June, Quincey, Leo and Annie in the Little Einsteins Club House.

And rocket!!!!! I think Rocket was the highlight of the night for Micah.

My friends, Tigger and Pooh!

The Super Sleuths are on the case!

Manny and the tools!

Manny and his friends.

The Hot Dog Dance!

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald.

The grand finale!