Favorite song

Forgot to give my favorite song........not sure I have one but the one that is going through my head today is "How Far the East is from the West"......or something like that.......Then, of course, "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands"....that's because we went to Kaylee's school program last night. What a cutie-patootie!

Stuff

OK....so I haven't updated in a long time......sorry! I don't think anyone really follows this anyway except my family and they already know what's going on in my life! So........here's the low-down. I am Blessed beyond measure with a beautiful loving family. Today I can say we are all healthy........with the exception of a little melanoma on Jillian and a double herniation in my back. But.....when you look at the big scheme of things, I am SO TOTALLY BLESSED! God will take care of the health issues....I just have to remember at all times that He loves us more than we could ever imagine and wants the best for us. If anyone is out there reading this....let me know and I can decide if it's worth keeping......

Long time no write 2....

Been quite some time since I blogged....let's see......had a wonderful Christmas with the family

and dad....

Went to the Holiday Bowl at the Reliant Center with the Counts to cheer on the Baylor Bears....

New Year's Eve was so much fun with our good buds the Irwins at their lake house "Hoot n Holler.

"My close friend, Susan's, 60th birthday celebration was fun at the Double Tree in Houston for MLK week-end.....and this week-end Kim and I purchased a new trailer. We've been wanting to do this for a couple of years but kept putting it off since we really haven't done much camping due to Kim's job. Well, he finally told the head coach that he's done coaching so we'll have some serious time to play now! We actually have an appointment in Austin on Wednesday to see what he needs to do to retire in a year or two. We're ready to have some fun!!!!

Thanksgiving fun

What a week! I had the firt two weeks off for the Thanksgiving week...my house was CLEAN! Yeah!!!! We packed up the car and left for the airport on Wednesday morning super early, about 4:00 for Quincy to see Kim's mom. Had an amazing flight with Jill, Jacob and "the boys".....Quincy was nice. Martha isn't doing very well but we were able to get her out of the house for a few fun days. Jacob was able to secure a conference room at the Fairfield so Kim and I hosted Thanksgiving dinner for 19 people on Friday. We had so much fun!!! Our niece, Angie and her husband brought their Wii from home. We set it up on the projection screen. We were all amazed to see Curtis beat everyone in the room at sword play and how well that boy can dance!!!! He's got some serious moves! Kim and Jacob did some serious work in Martha's house to make it more accessible for her........but the time passed all too quickly and we were out of there Saturday at 8:00pm for the hotel with Jill and Jacob. Kim and I slept with Curtis while Jill and Jacob shared the bed with Nicholas. At 1:00am, the alarm went off and we packed it up for St. Louis. We finally got home at about 1:00pm to collapse in bed. Unfortunately, Kim and I both got sick yesterday. I have some stomach virus thing with a fever. Kim just has the fever so we took off yesterday afternoon and all day today. My house is now a MESS!!!! Oh well, this too shall pass. If I knew traveling would make me sick if I left for Quincy to see Kim's mom again tomorrow, would I do it? In a heart beat!!!!!

What a week

So much happened in the past week....some were fun...others horribly tragic. It started with a wonderful shopping trip with the girlfriends. Canton was a blast!!! I bought more than my share to bring home!!! Unfortunately, the next day we received word that Kristy's father had passed away at only 63. He was such a fun loving man but had been ill for a long time. My faith tells me that he is no longer in pain but Kristy and her family are grieving so deeply. He was a very loved man and will be so missed......my prayers go out to them all...

Anyway, that put a change in the week......one of my closest friends, Susan, flew in on Thursday to go to the International Quilt Show with me....unfortunately, Kim and I drove Dale's wife, Paulette's car and dog to Harlingen on Friday for Dale's memorial service. It all worked out though since Susan was able to help with Dan's dogs in our absence. We flew home Friday afternoon, I had dinner with the girlfriends and collapsed!!! That was a full day! I was able to attend the show with Susan on Saturday and Sunday. It was AMAZING! PLUS! Susan is such a wonderful friend! We had a blast!

Sunday night I drove Susan to Arlington, TX to meet her husband and I'm now attending a business conference for 3 days. I'll be ready for Wednesday when life will hopefully become a little more "normal"..........

I'm missing Kim!!!!!

Labor Day

AHHH....a day off of work....wish I could say that was true! I'll be spending the day catching up on housework, ironing, and mending. But at least I have a day to do it! I had a wonderful day babysitting Kaylee Saturday. She was such a good girl! Sweet as can be. I'm hoping I get to see the boys today when Jill and Jacob pick up Gracie. Poor Kim has worked minimum 10 hours everyday all week-end. Not exactly what he had planned! The coaches are all totally exhausted..except for the head coach, of course, who went to see his son play in HS game and then went to the A&M game. Must be nice to get paid the most and get the most time off!!!! Wait....did that sound bitter????? Oops!

Life in Paradise

Just got back from an amazing trip to Hawaii. Kim and I had such a wonderful laid-back time. We saw 4 islands and decided our favorite is Kaoi. Absolutely beautiful...no wonder it's also known as the garden island. The cruise was very nice with LOTS of good food. Only problem we had is that I got sick for a few days......some kind of stomach bug. Of course, I had it the day of the Laua with all the unlimited food and drinks. Oh well.......I have a feeling I ate more than my share anyways!Now back to reality of laundry and work tomorrow. I didn't sleep at all last night. Our flight left Hawaii at 9:00PM Monday night and arrived in Houston at 9:30am Tuesday morning. I can't sleep sitting up so I'm going to have a hard time getting my clock set back to Houston time again!

Destin

This is so sad......the oil has gotten here......We went for a walk along the beach after dinner and saw a news truck....that's when we figured it must be bad news. The EPA is already here too. The water is full of sea grass and little tar balls...the sand near the water is a light rust color mixed with the sea grass so really ugly......really a sad sight after all these years of beautiful sand.

Family vacation 2010

Had a wonderful time in Corpus Christi Texas with the family. I am so blessed!!!!

Time....

After reading Jillian's blog, I really wanted to add something of my own....

Yes...it is true that when your children are babies and toddlers the days seem to drag by while you are changing diapers, washing clothes, kissing boo-boos, making meals and cleaning up after them. But somehow; the days turn into weeks, weeks into months, months into years and suddenly you are looking at them as adults. How did my oldest child, my son, turn into a man with children of his own and adult responsibilities? This is the 6 year old boy that told his teacher "No thank you...I don't want to eat lunch with you at school. I'd like to go home to my mommy." How did my baby girl, who was so stubborn that she wore mismatched dresses and socks everywhere, grow up to be such a wise mother (who by the dresses very fashionably!)? Let me tell you how...while I was so busy washing clothes, kissing boo-boos, making meals, taking them to t-ball, softball, baseball, roller-skating, swimming, football, ballet, jazz, basketball, CCE, church and school...they were slowly leaving me. I look back at my impatience with them and remember how I thought "This too shall pass" and praying that it would...quickly!!! Now, as I sit and look at my beautiful adult "children" I wonder, "Why was I in such a hurry?" Those long hard days of fussy babies and crying toddlers were interspersed with hugs and kisses that I'd give my eye teeth (and molars, incisors and canines) for!!! Now I beg my adult son to hug me, praying the day will come when he again tells me he loves me. My daughter is a mom herself and I listen empathetically to her daily struggles and smile knowing it will pass all too quickly. I'm a grandma now...such a wonderful, exciting, joyful roll. I thank God for each day that I get to see, or even just hear, about my youngest blessings. I find myself begging to have special one on one time with each of them...because I now know that time passes much, much too quickly and I realize that my time on this earth will not be forever. I savor every moment I have with my grandchildren AND my children. God has blessed me richly...I only wish that I knew back then what I know now......

Last day of spring break

Today was the best day of the break! Kim and I went to mass with Jillian, Jacob, Curtis & Nicholas. They came back to the house where I had already prepared some corned beef and cabbage and home made wheat bread (didn't get to celebrate St. Patricks Day until today!). We all went to the Aquarium Downtown where we met Dan, Kristy & Kaylee. It was so much fun!!! We crossed the street to the Hardrock Cafe for dinner and then back for a few more rides before coming home. It was such a good family time.........those are, by far, my happiest moments. I am so amazingly blessed!

Rodeo

Its's spring break so I got to go to the Livestock Show today with Jillian, Curtis and Nicholas. It was a blast! Perfect weather at 72 and sunny. Nicholas was a trooper and stayed happy 90% of the time - then he got hungry or dirty! Curtis is a "real" cowboy. He loved the cows and watching them "poop". Fascinating stuff for a three year old! We even went to the petting zoo and Nana let him ride a pony! I wish I had my pedometer on because they made me walk next to him as he went around, and around, and around...... I also rode the carousel with him. We did all sorts of rides and pig races. We had a great day!!!! Ended the day sharing a corn dog, stuffed potatoe and lemonade. Life doesn't get much better than this! :)

this and that

Seems like I've been coach...oops, I mean couch..... (HAH) bound for a long time now! Three weeks ago I feel at the Circle Retreat center AGAIN! This time I suffered a bad ankle sprain that had me in the ER for a morning and crutches for 2 days. Now, I have a sinus infection. I've missed two days of work this week and worst part....I missed the Mercy Me concert tonight! I've wanted to see them since Jillian saw them at Baylor! I went to the doctor today and got some penicillin so hoping I'm feeling better tomorrow.......it's Heart of Worship at St. Laurence and they have a fabulous speaker lined up. That bleep, bleep devil is trying to keep me away from anything Holy. Well, he's not going to stop me!!! I'm going to go tomorrow, even if it's just to hear a speaker or two!!!!

Had fun between the illnesses.......Curtis finally had his third birthday party. The day before though I took him out for a day of "Special Time". I took him to his first movie. He was absolutely wonderful! He loved it! Of course, Nana gave him LOTS of sugar so he was buzzing when I took him home......ahh...the life of a Nana! Hard to explain how much I love those little people. I can't explain how wonderful it is when he leans over to tell me how much he loves me or when my Kaylee-Bear runs towards me with her arms outstretched. It's such a rush!! Talk about unconditional love! I understand now my Grandma's statement...."Aren't they grand?!"

Since it's Valentine's week-end, I have to say how Blessed I am to be married to Kim. He has given me a wonderful life of love and happiness. God has truly, truly Blessed me! I've put more pics on Picassa....check em out!

Quincy

Made it to Quincy with no problems. Kenny picked us up at the airport with all three of Scotts kids but they were really good. It was just a little crowded with two carseats and me in the backseat of his pick-up....:) Guess it was just a little reminder from God to not blow the diet since we have to ride back toSt. Louis the same way! HAH! Haven't taken many pictures but knew the kids would want to see something. So guys....this is for you!

Baptism

Sweet little Nicholas Michael was baptized today. Fr. Drew was nice enough to do a private baptism in the chapel after a very long day. Nicholas still shouldn't be around a lot of people but he still had quite a cheering section with his Godparents, Barrett & Jessica and their two kids, Uncle Mike and Aunt Emily and their two kids from Minnesota, Uncle Travis & Aunt Erin, Uncle Dan, Aunt Kristy, Kaylee and both sets of grandparents. Lots of fans!!! It was beautiful.

Routine

Well, we're back to the old rut......I like the rut in some ways.....keeps everything on an even keel but I'd sure like a new one where I don't work! HAH! Sitting in the living room watching the NCAA football championship.....don't really care who wins even though I live in Texas but seems like everybody else in the state is watching so I feel like I need to so I have something to talk about at work tomorrow. Really missing my reunion group.....with the Christmas holidays and the weather we haven't met in about 3 weeks. They are always in my thoughts and prayers...such good women!

Parenting........

Rough week....Nicholas has RSV (common childhood virus) that has escalated into some serious bronchial problems. He's been at Texas Childrens for a few days but has not gotten any better. We're presently waiting on a chest x-ray to see what else is going on. He's taking breathing treatments now with some asthma medication which seems to be helping a little. Poor little guy! I'm going crazy not doing anything for Jillian. It's so weird to be here cleaning my house and waiting on the phone to ring! Like I told her, she's Nicholas' mom and she's doing what she can for him...well, I need to be your mom now! She's so tired and postpartum yet.........please pray for us all.........I'm keeping my Facebook updated as regularly as possible and will try to do this too. Thanks for the prayers!!!!!

Christmas Break!

I love being off! But how come we can't seem to just relax???? Kim had a CT scan this morning (just being safe with his family history), then Jill and I both went for a haircut this afternoon. We took Nicholas with us and Kim kept Curtis. Tomorrow Kim's going hunting so I'll have some time to get things together for Christmas Eve. I'm also going to lunch with Lana. That'll be a nice break. You'd think we lived hours apart as much as we see each other!

Trying to keep the reason for the season in my heart..........I love getting mail this time of the year!!! Just with everyone would send a note or picture!

Really fun day!

Kim and I took Curtis to the downtown Aquarium yesterday. We had SO much fun riding the Ferris Wheel, carousel and the train through the shark tank. Curtis was such a wonderful young man. He held the doors open for his Nana and even offered to share his "alligator" on the carousel. He was a little afraid of the dark tunnels and all the fish around us in the big tour but I thought he was a pretty brave little man when he wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel again! He kept checking that there was glass between him and the sharks though! Pretty smart dude!

Sugarland Tree Lighting

Went to downtown (or uptown) Sugarland tonight with Kim, Kristy & Kaylee.....it was really nice but cold! It's actually supposed to snow tomorrow here....we're getting snow before the east coast - now that's weird weather!