I'm still here ... and sore! But more on that in a minute.
Sam had his surgery! He was an awesome little trooper, and is continuing to recover, but doing very well, all things considered. We're still having ups and downs, but there have been a lot more ups the last few days. Please continue to pray for him!
We have been so busy around here! Sam's surgery was Tuesday, and we got home Wednesday afternoon. Mom drove up Thursday and went home Saturday afternoon, and Sherry and Phyllis came to visit on Saturday, also. The weather has been so great that we've been working outside a LOT to get everything ready for planting! I'm hoping to get my spinach, garlic, onions, and herbs in this week. I planted my blueberry plants this afternoon, and have been transplanting peppermint for the last few days. We have extended the regular garden by about 60%, and I'm expanding the herb garden by about 3 times. That's why I'm so sore!!! I spent over 2 hours today tilling ... without a tiller. Oy!! So I plan on sleeping well tonight ... ahhhh!!
John and I watched The Departed last night, and it was absolutely amazing!! Over the last few years, I've becone much more conservative about what I watch, and I like, too. However, this movie was so well done. I think I may be developing a little crush on Leo ... but I digress. It deserved the Best Picture award, and I'm glad Scorsese won the Best Director.
Well, off to give Sam meds, then to bed!! More posts coming soon!!!
Monday, February 26
Monday, February 19
So busy!
Well, here we go! Sam's surgery is tomorrow, and I've been spending the last few days (and all of today) getting everything ready. We have to leave at 5:30 tomorrow, to get Evie dropped off at Rebecca's house and get to the hospital by 7:30. Ah, the joys of living in the middle of no where ...
We got to visit Candi on Friday, and we had such a lovely time!!! I love her and her cute, polite, wonderful children. :)
We had a hawk get into the house the other night, so that was fun. We have video of it and everything. I'm glad that we have it, because John was at work and didn't believe me when I told him about it ... he had to see the video. Silly man. :) The kids got a huge kick out of it, and were really helpful in the capture and release of that beautiful bird!!
I have a huge headache, and I need a nap. Hopefully, all the kids will go down without a problem for naptime, because I'm planning on passing out!! I haven't been getting enough sleep the last few nights (uh, cause I'm stoopid and just stay up too late!), and I have to be awake at 4:30 tomorrow morning. John is working the last day of his 9-day stretch, and is so happy! Most of his shifts have been opening (day) shifts, which is even harder, because it means more hours than a closeing (night) shift. And they are still having a huge problem with turnover, especially in the kitchen. It gets him so down sometimes!! My poor man. Please pray for him!!
And please pray for Sam. He knows what is going to happen, and is excited in some ways. This morning, he figured out that he can sign to us instead of talking, so he won't have to hurt his throat even more. The look on his face was priceless when he figured it out, all on his own. I didn't even suggest it to him! So we've been practicing signing all morning, especially the signs for more, no, yes, hurt (along with specific locations), mom, dad, evie, and nanno. I think he'll do very well, but please just pray for a speedy recovery!
I have a ton of stuff left to do. I've been working outside a lot the last few days, taking advantage of this amazing weather. We're almost done with the garden expansion, and I hope to get the potatoes, onions, and garlic in the ground next week. I made a designated bed for my mints, and have been getting all the other herb gardens ready. I plan on growing 10 or so herbs this year, and picking and drying them all throughout the summer. I love freshly dried herbs! They are so much better than the tasteless ones from the store.
So now I'm off to feed the baby, clean out and vacuume the car, pack all of our overnight bags, charge up the dvd player, clean my bathroom, iron some of John's work clothes ... and about a bazillion other things. And then this afternoon, I nap!! :)
We got to visit Candi on Friday, and we had such a lovely time!!! I love her and her cute, polite, wonderful children. :)
We had a hawk get into the house the other night, so that was fun. We have video of it and everything. I'm glad that we have it, because John was at work and didn't believe me when I told him about it ... he had to see the video. Silly man. :) The kids got a huge kick out of it, and were really helpful in the capture and release of that beautiful bird!!
I have a huge headache, and I need a nap. Hopefully, all the kids will go down without a problem for naptime, because I'm planning on passing out!! I haven't been getting enough sleep the last few nights (uh, cause I'm stoopid and just stay up too late!), and I have to be awake at 4:30 tomorrow morning. John is working the last day of his 9-day stretch, and is so happy! Most of his shifts have been opening (day) shifts, which is even harder, because it means more hours than a closeing (night) shift. And they are still having a huge problem with turnover, especially in the kitchen. It gets him so down sometimes!! My poor man. Please pray for him!!
And please pray for Sam. He knows what is going to happen, and is excited in some ways. This morning, he figured out that he can sign to us instead of talking, so he won't have to hurt his throat even more. The look on his face was priceless when he figured it out, all on his own. I didn't even suggest it to him! So we've been practicing signing all morning, especially the signs for more, no, yes, hurt (along with specific locations), mom, dad, evie, and nanno. I think he'll do very well, but please just pray for a speedy recovery!
I have a ton of stuff left to do. I've been working outside a lot the last few days, taking advantage of this amazing weather. We're almost done with the garden expansion, and I hope to get the potatoes, onions, and garlic in the ground next week. I made a designated bed for my mints, and have been getting all the other herb gardens ready. I plan on growing 10 or so herbs this year, and picking and drying them all throughout the summer. I love freshly dried herbs! They are so much better than the tasteless ones from the store.
So now I'm off to feed the baby, clean out and vacuume the car, pack all of our overnight bags, charge up the dvd player, clean my bathroom, iron some of John's work clothes ... and about a bazillion other things. And then this afternoon, I nap!! :)
Tuesday, February 13
You ate a WHAT??
As I was posting my recipe for cornbread muffins, Sam burst through the front door and came clomping up the stairs. I'm thinking he's just going to tattle on Evie, or whine about a stubbed toe (that's right, even in 40 degree weather, my kids rarely wear shoes outside!), so I didn't pay much attention when he started talking to me. A few seconds later, I realized he was still standing there. I turned around to look at him, and saw that he had a huge, triumphant grin on his face.
"Sam, what did you just tell me? I'm sorry, I wasn't listening ot you."
"Mom, I told you that I just ate a termite!!"
"Um .. Uh ... Huh? You what?"
"Mooooom! I ate a TERMITE!!"
"Huh. Really? How'd it taste?"
"It was good. And crunchy. I'm not sure if I ate the head or not."
"Well, sweetie, that's good. We wouldn't want you to eat a termite head."
"Well, no, Mom! Of course not."
Silly me. And just for the record, we do not have termites. We do, however, have plenty of other bugs, along with their larva, that live here. I'm sure he just ate a big carpenter ant or something like that.
I hope.
"Sam, what did you just tell me? I'm sorry, I wasn't listening ot you."
"Mom, I told you that I just ate a termite!!"
"Um .. Uh ... Huh? You what?"
"Mooooom! I ate a TERMITE!!"
"Huh. Really? How'd it taste?"
"It was good. And crunchy. I'm not sure if I ate the head or not."
"Well, sweetie, that's good. We wouldn't want you to eat a termite head."
"Well, no, Mom! Of course not."
Silly me. And just for the record, we do not have termites. We do, however, have plenty of other bugs, along with their larva, that live here. I'm sure he just ate a big carpenter ant or something like that.
I hope.
Simple Cornbread Muffins
Mmm ... a fav around here. We have this at least twice a week, especially with soup, beans, and bar-b-que. And since whole wheat flour is used, you can enjoy that second one guilt-free!!
Cornbread Muffins
by Brea!
1 c cornmeal
1 c whole wheat flour
4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 large egg
1 c milk
3 T oil
4 T honey
Preheat oven to 440. Generously grease muffin tin.
Mix first four ingredients together in a mixing bowl; set aside. In a small bowl, beat egg, milk, and honey together. Mix into dry mixture, until just combined, then add oil and mix in. Spoon into muffin tin, and bake for 15-20 minutes, until edges of muffins are brown. Remove from oven, let cool for 3-4 minutes, and turn out of tin. Top with butter or dip into soup, and enjoy!!
If you like corn muffins that are slightly sweeter, like I do, then you can add an extra tablespoon or two of honey. :)
Cornbread Muffins
by Brea!
1 c cornmeal
1 c whole wheat flour
4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 large egg
1 c milk
3 T oil
4 T honey
Preheat oven to 440. Generously grease muffin tin.
Mix first four ingredients together in a mixing bowl; set aside. In a small bowl, beat egg, milk, and honey together. Mix into dry mixture, until just combined, then add oil and mix in. Spoon into muffin tin, and bake for 15-20 minutes, until edges of muffins are brown. Remove from oven, let cool for 3-4 minutes, and turn out of tin. Top with butter or dip into soup, and enjoy!!
If you like corn muffins that are slightly sweeter, like I do, then you can add an extra tablespoon or two of honey. :)
Let's chat
Kids, we're going to talk about something very important today. It is something that most of us don't get enough of, but it's so simple!! Adding some to your day can make you feel so much better. It can help your skin, your blood pressure, your hair, your energy level, how often you get sick, mood swings, how 'regular' you are, it can even help with your weight. What, exactly, am I talking about?
WATER, of course!! Ladies, this is something that is so important to our bodies, and it couldn't be simpler to add to our days. Here's how I make sure I get a ton of water every day. (Keep in mind that I'm still nursing, so I need even more water.)
We're finally drinking coffee again, but only about a cup each morning for each of us. Since coffee actually dehydrates you, you need to compensate for this and drink extra. When I wake up, before I even rinse off my face or change clothes, I pour myself a glass of water. I make sure to down the whole thing before my coffee is ready, so I just carry my glass with me wherever I go. With breakfast, I usually have a cup of milk and a cup of juice, so those add to my liquid total. I have at least one more large glass before lunch, usually while we're doing school and I feed David. Then I have a glass with lunch. And a glass before, during, and after the kids' nap time. And a glass with supper. And a glass before bedtime.
Ok, that sounds like a lot. And it kind of is. But it doesn't feel like it to me, because I'm so used to it. One way you can make sure you're adding to your daily water is to always have a full glass of water beside you, and take a sip every time you think about it. Also, cut out the caffine!! Drink less coffee. Switch to decaf or half-caf. And remember that iced tea and soft drinks have a ton of caffine. If you get the decaf, it still has a ton of sugar and things that really aren't that good for you, so you should probably cut those out anyway. Or at least cut down.
Start drinking fruit and veggie juices. Not the kind that have anything added, not 'juice cocktails.' But the real stuff. It's one way to add to your servings of fruit and veggies, and to your liquid count. It can be as nice as a snack in the afternoon, or something sweet mid-morning.
In review? Drink more water!! It is a natural way to detox, helping your skin and every other part of your body. Enjoy!!
WATER, of course!! Ladies, this is something that is so important to our bodies, and it couldn't be simpler to add to our days. Here's how I make sure I get a ton of water every day. (Keep in mind that I'm still nursing, so I need even more water.)
We're finally drinking coffee again, but only about a cup each morning for each of us. Since coffee actually dehydrates you, you need to compensate for this and drink extra. When I wake up, before I even rinse off my face or change clothes, I pour myself a glass of water. I make sure to down the whole thing before my coffee is ready, so I just carry my glass with me wherever I go. With breakfast, I usually have a cup of milk and a cup of juice, so those add to my liquid total. I have at least one more large glass before lunch, usually while we're doing school and I feed David. Then I have a glass with lunch. And a glass before, during, and after the kids' nap time. And a glass with supper. And a glass before bedtime.
Ok, that sounds like a lot. And it kind of is. But it doesn't feel like it to me, because I'm so used to it. One way you can make sure you're adding to your daily water is to always have a full glass of water beside you, and take a sip every time you think about it. Also, cut out the caffine!! Drink less coffee. Switch to decaf or half-caf. And remember that iced tea and soft drinks have a ton of caffine. If you get the decaf, it still has a ton of sugar and things that really aren't that good for you, so you should probably cut those out anyway. Or at least cut down.
Start drinking fruit and veggie juices. Not the kind that have anything added, not 'juice cocktails.' But the real stuff. It's one way to add to your servings of fruit and veggies, and to your liquid count. It can be as nice as a snack in the afternoon, or something sweet mid-morning.
In review? Drink more water!! It is a natural way to detox, helping your skin and every other part of your body. Enjoy!!
Sunday, February 11
Yay!!
Had a great time at the retreat. Camp Tejas still smells the same, lol!! The time there was wonderful, and I got to know a few people a little better, which is always nice. Yvonne Welch was our speaker, and she was so eloquent and touching and smart!! I may elaborate more later when my thoughts are better organized.
Now, we're using the Lord's Day to learn about Him and His nature and His glory. And getting ready for a wonderful week ahead. Hope everyone had a blessed day!
Now, we're using the Lord's Day to learn about Him and His nature and His glory. And getting ready for a wonderful week ahead. Hope everyone had a blessed day!
Friday, February 9
Off I go!
I'm leaving in a few hours for my Women's Retreat at Camp Tejas. Yvonne Welch is our speaker, and while I've personally not hear her speak, she has a reputation on our church for being wonderful. So I am just a tad excited!! David is coming with me, and Sam and Evie are staying here with my most wonderful husband. He is so sweet to me!!
We spent the whole day in Georgetown on Wednesday. Oh joy, oh joy. Oh, well. Then we left and came home and made a fire. That part was fun. :)
I was up before 6 this morning, so I could make Crepe Breakfast Quiche!! They turned out really well; it's a great 'company is here' breakfast. I just wish I had made the crepes ahead of time like I normally do. It takes about an hour and a half just for the crepes, because the batter has to rest in the fridge for an hour. But it never ceases to amaze me how easy crepes are!! I love it!! We finally ate a little after 8. And while slicing a star fruit (which we call Sea Star Fruit) I managed to gash my thumb!! It's a small cut, but really deep. And there wasn't even anyone awake that I could complain to, or show my blood to. If I'm going to be hurt, darn it, I want to whine about it!! :)
So now I'm off to shower and finish packing. Woohoo!!! I hope everyone has a wondefully blessed weekend!! :)
We spent the whole day in Georgetown on Wednesday. Oh joy, oh joy. Oh, well. Then we left and came home and made a fire. That part was fun. :)
I was up before 6 this morning, so I could make Crepe Breakfast Quiche!! They turned out really well; it's a great 'company is here' breakfast. I just wish I had made the crepes ahead of time like I normally do. It takes about an hour and a half just for the crepes, because the batter has to rest in the fridge for an hour. But it never ceases to amaze me how easy crepes are!! I love it!! We finally ate a little after 8. And while slicing a star fruit (which we call Sea Star Fruit) I managed to gash my thumb!! It's a small cut, but really deep. And there wasn't even anyone awake that I could complain to, or show my blood to. If I'm going to be hurt, darn it, I want to whine about it!! :)
So now I'm off to shower and finish packing. Woohoo!!! I hope everyone has a wondefully blessed weekend!! :)
Tuesday, February 6
BBQ Shrimp
I got this recipe from my wonderful friend (and realtor!) Melanie. I don't eat shellfish as a rule, but this sounds so good!
BBQ Shrimp
by Melanie Fenelon
1 lb shrimp (in shells)
olive oil
salt
cracked black pepper
lemon juice (2 lemons to 1 lb shrimp)
Tabasco
Worcestershire (1/4 bottle)
2 sticks butter
Heat oven on broil setting. Melt butter in 9x13 pan. add shrimp (in shells) to pan and drizzle olive oil on top. Sprinkle cracked black pepper over shrimp until thoroughly covered. Add lots of salt, then lemon juice, Tabasco, and Worcestershire. Broil uncovered for 15-20 minutes. Serve with French bread (for dipping in the sauce!) and iced tea or beer. So delicious!
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
BBQ Shrimp
by Melanie Fenelon
1 lb shrimp (in shells)
olive oil
salt
cracked black pepper
lemon juice (2 lemons to 1 lb shrimp)
Tabasco
Worcestershire (1/4 bottle)
2 sticks butter
Heat oven on broil setting. Melt butter in 9x13 pan. add shrimp (in shells) to pan and drizzle olive oil on top. Sprinkle cracked black pepper over shrimp until thoroughly covered. Add lots of salt, then lemon juice, Tabasco, and Worcestershire. Broil uncovered for 15-20 minutes. Serve with French bread (for dipping in the sauce!) and iced tea or beer. So delicious!
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
On the bright side
The sun is out!! This is the second absolutely amazing day in a row that we've had!! And can I just say that I am having an awesome hair day?!?!?
Evie and I went to the scrapbook store this morning, and then up to HEB for groceries. Yay! to having food in the house again. I've been having a hard few days with her, and this was just what we needed. All three boys stayed at home, and John said they had a nice time. But Evie and I had a blast during our Girl Time.
Does anyone else have laundry issues? There's only 4 1/4 people in this house, and yet somehow, there always seems to be a ton of laundry! I literally have 4 loads of (clean, unfolded) laundry on my couch right now, and my hamper is still full. Maybe if I just get bigger hampers ... :)
I talked to my wonderful Sarah last night!! She is doing much better after having her tonsils out over a week ago. She also gave me some wonderful ideas about making cards and such. I'm excited to get started soon! Thanks, Sarah!! I love living where I do, our place is so wonderful, but I miss being close to some of the people I love a lot.
So all in all, this has been a very encouraging day, which I really needed. I think God lets us have hard days to teach us and help us grow, but He is also a God of great mercy, and blesses us with some truly great days, and truly wonderful people, too.
Evie and I went to the scrapbook store this morning, and then up to HEB for groceries. Yay! to having food in the house again. I've been having a hard few days with her, and this was just what we needed. All three boys stayed at home, and John said they had a nice time. But Evie and I had a blast during our Girl Time.
Does anyone else have laundry issues? There's only 4 1/4 people in this house, and yet somehow, there always seems to be a ton of laundry! I literally have 4 loads of (clean, unfolded) laundry on my couch right now, and my hamper is still full. Maybe if I just get bigger hampers ... :)
I talked to my wonderful Sarah last night!! She is doing much better after having her tonsils out over a week ago. She also gave me some wonderful ideas about making cards and such. I'm excited to get started soon! Thanks, Sarah!! I love living where I do, our place is so wonderful, but I miss being close to some of the people I love a lot.
So all in all, this has been a very encouraging day, which I really needed. I think God lets us have hard days to teach us and help us grow, but He is also a God of great mercy, and blesses us with some truly great days, and truly wonderful people, too.
Monday, February 5
English Toffee
This is another one from my great-grandmother. I make this several times in the winter, because it's great for parties, and it travels really well. And everyone eats it like it's ... well, candy!! One of the few recipes I have where no modifications have been made by me. Why mess with perfection??
English Toffee
by Evelyn Turk
1 c salted butter
1 c sugar
1/4 c water
1 1/4 c chocolate chips
1 1/2 c chopped pecans or walnuts
Spread pecans on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Combine butter, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Cook, stirring, until mix reaches 300F on a candy thermometer. Pour immediately over pecans. Wait 2-3 miutes, then evenly spread chocolate chips over the hot mix. As chips melt, spread with the back of a spoon or small spatula. Allow to cool competely, and break or cut into small pieces. Store in an airtight container.
It is best to make this toffee (as with all candies) on days that aren't horribly humid. Sorry, Houston people!! :)
English Toffee
by Evelyn Turk
1 c salted butter
1 c sugar
1/4 c water
1 1/4 c chocolate chips
1 1/2 c chopped pecans or walnuts
Spread pecans on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Combine butter, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Cook, stirring, until mix reaches 300F on a candy thermometer. Pour immediately over pecans. Wait 2-3 miutes, then evenly spread chocolate chips over the hot mix. As chips melt, spread with the back of a spoon or small spatula. Allow to cool competely, and break or cut into small pieces. Store in an airtight container.
It is best to make this toffee (as with all candies) on days that aren't horribly humid. Sorry, Houston people!! :)
Back to work ...
Ah, things are returning back to normal. All company has gone home. We had a wonderful time with everyone. Sherry's friend Phyllis is super cool!! Then Dad andWes came out, and we just LOVE our new smoker. We've missed church for the last 3 Sundays, and I am so ready to get back!! I don't have Bible study this week, because Wednesday is Valentine's Day. Yay!! Of course, John is working, but that's ok. We'll have our Valentine's the next day. :)
We spent a large amount of time today working outside and planning for the spring. We are expanding the garden so it will be about twice as large, and we'll be building a chicken coop in a few weeks. We are still clearing a lot of the front half of our land, and of course there's always the everyday upkeep, too. So we've been, and will continue to be, very busy! Hopefully, I'll be able to get some pics up soon of David, Evie, and Sam, and of the things we're working on.
Please pray for me. I need wisdom, patience, and discipline with the kids and with my house. I have good days, and then sometimes, everything just seems to fall apart. I may post more about this later. But for now, please just pray for me!! :)
Off to do yet amother load of laundry .. I love that the sun is out, and I can use my clothesline again!!! Yay!!!
We spent a large amount of time today working outside and planning for the spring. We are expanding the garden so it will be about twice as large, and we'll be building a chicken coop in a few weeks. We are still clearing a lot of the front half of our land, and of course there's always the everyday upkeep, too. So we've been, and will continue to be, very busy! Hopefully, I'll be able to get some pics up soon of David, Evie, and Sam, and of the things we're working on.
Please pray for me. I need wisdom, patience, and discipline with the kids and with my house. I have good days, and then sometimes, everything just seems to fall apart. I may post more about this later. But for now, please just pray for me!! :)
Off to do yet amother load of laundry .. I love that the sun is out, and I can use my clothesline again!!! Yay!!!
Saturday, February 3
Busy Day
We've got a lot to do today! This morning, we've got to give everyone (me included, lol!) baths, and get the place looking nice, because John's mom and a friend of hers are coming over. :) Yay!! I have been so blessed to have a MIL like I have. Then my dad and wonderful Wes are coming over this afternoon or evening and staying the night. Luckily, I did a lot around the house yesterday, so I don't have to completely bust my butt to get the place clean.
The kids have discovered the show Man vs Wild, largely thanks to Ryan Cecil, who introduced it to me when I was staying at their place. I must confess, I completely love this show. The host's name is Bear. How can you not love someone named Bear? And if you rearrange the letters in 'bear,' it spells 'Brea.' Hmmm .... fascinating!! :)
So now, I need to convince my kids to stop talking about Bear for 10 minutes, so I can bathe them. What trouble-makers I have, and how much I really do love them!!!!
The kids have discovered the show Man vs Wild, largely thanks to Ryan Cecil, who introduced it to me when I was staying at their place. I must confess, I completely love this show. The host's name is Bear. How can you not love someone named Bear? And if you rearrange the letters in 'bear,' it spells 'Brea.' Hmmm .... fascinating!! :)
So now, I need to convince my kids to stop talking about Bear for 10 minutes, so I can bathe them. What trouble-makers I have, and how much I really do love them!!!!
Thursday, February 1
Flee, quickly!
Ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed??? I'm totally there today. I don't know why, but I feel like I'm in the worst mood. Grrr. I had a great evening yesterday, a relaxing night, I actually went to bed instead of falling asleep on the couch waiting for John to get home, and I got good sleep. David woke me up at 7:45, so I got to sleep in, and I've already had my breakfast and the coffee is steeping. What is my malfunction?!?!?!?!?
I think I'm becoming sun-deprived. I miss the sunshine. I think I know a way to snap myself out of this, but I'll let you know later how it goes.
On the upside, I just got a new mop, which I'm going to try out in a little while, and I'm excited about that. So, housekeeping, here I come!
After school, and that all-important cup of coffee, of course ...
I think I'm becoming sun-deprived. I miss the sunshine. I think I know a way to snap myself out of this, but I'll let you know later how it goes.
On the upside, I just got a new mop, which I'm going to try out in a little while, and I'm excited about that. So, housekeeping, here I come!
After school, and that all-important cup of coffee, of course ...
Wednesday, January 31
I am a Wuss
It's true! I totally chickened out of doing the kids' bathroom yesterday. I made up a zillion other things I needed to do, so I wouldn't have time to get around to the bathroom. On the upside, I got a TON of ironing done, lol!!
My MIL Sherry is going to come visit on Saturday, with a few of her friends. The kids and I are really excited about this. Then Dad, who was in Mexico last weekend and bought me some real vanilla (YAY!!!) and a new b-b-que smoker (huh? but ok!!) is also going to visit this weekend. Mom just bought Wes a new bed set, so she's giving us the set of twin beds she'd be getting rid of anyway. Which means that people actually have a place to sleep when they come visit us overnight!!
However, after this weekend, I am boycotting the world. I will not be going anywhere, and no one can come over here, maybe with the exception of someone who has kids that are the same age as mine. But that's it!! :)
Ok, I must brag on the wonderfulness of my older kids!! I had to run out the the car yesterday afternoon, and when I came back, David was leaning against/sitting with Sam on the couch, chewing on the paw of Smoochie (Sam's beloved stuffed frog). David had been on the couch and started fussing, and Sam went and moved David to that they were sitting together, then Sam had Evie run upstairs and grab Smoochie, so David would have something to play with. Aww!!!
And now, as I am writing and paying bills online, David has been laying on a blanket behind me. He started to get fussy, because nap time is coming up. Without anyone saying anything to her, Evie came up to play with David and keep him happy, even though she had other (more fun) things she could have been doing. This is what it's all about!!
John is still asleep; he had a late night last night. The kids and I are about to sit down to do some school, and then I see a nap in my future ... I just cannot seem to regain any of my energy, regardless of how much I sleep at night! Oy!! I've got a roast in the crock pot, and it smells so good! I can't wait until lunch!!
My MIL Sherry is going to come visit on Saturday, with a few of her friends. The kids and I are really excited about this. Then Dad, who was in Mexico last weekend and bought me some real vanilla (YAY!!!) and a new b-b-que smoker (huh? but ok!!) is also going to visit this weekend. Mom just bought Wes a new bed set, so she's giving us the set of twin beds she'd be getting rid of anyway. Which means that people actually have a place to sleep when they come visit us overnight!!
However, after this weekend, I am boycotting the world. I will not be going anywhere, and no one can come over here, maybe with the exception of someone who has kids that are the same age as mine. But that's it!! :)
Ok, I must brag on the wonderfulness of my older kids!! I had to run out the the car yesterday afternoon, and when I came back, David was leaning against/sitting with Sam on the couch, chewing on the paw of Smoochie (Sam's beloved stuffed frog). David had been on the couch and started fussing, and Sam went and moved David to that they were sitting together, then Sam had Evie run upstairs and grab Smoochie, so David would have something to play with. Aww!!!
And now, as I am writing and paying bills online, David has been laying on a blanket behind me. He started to get fussy, because nap time is coming up. Without anyone saying anything to her, Evie came up to play with David and keep him happy, even though she had other (more fun) things she could have been doing. This is what it's all about!!
John is still asleep; he had a late night last night. The kids and I are about to sit down to do some school, and then I see a nap in my future ... I just cannot seem to regain any of my energy, regardless of how much I sleep at night! Oy!! I've got a roast in the crock pot, and it smells so good! I can't wait until lunch!!
Tuesday, January 30
Uggh!
This weather is horrible! Just cold, and rainy, and all around generally icky. Blechhh! The older kids are going completely stir crazy. I think we'll make some banana bread later, so they can help me. They've been helping all morning with chores and things, so they need some fun time! When David gets up from his nap, they'll be able to run round upstairs like the banshees they are, yelling and stomping to their heart's content. :)
As for Candi's laundry challenge, I did pretty well. I got all the clothes in the house washed, but didn't make it to the ironing. So that will be this afternoon's chore. Today, I am going to tackle the bathrooms! Mainly, the one upstairs. For Christmas, we go the kids an easel that has a chalkboard on one side, and dry-erase board on the other. It also has a roll of paper attached to it, so you can paint! Happy, happy, joy, joy. Oh, oh joy. (Are you decting the sarcasm yet??) While I was gone one day last week, John and the kids spent quite a while painting, which is fine with me; I'm not going to do it, I don't do paint. But they had a great time, and made some very cute pictures.
Have I mentioned that this while thing is set up upstairs?? :< Grr. I didn't know that all the paint was still out and hadn't been cleaned up yet when John went to work. I sent the kids upstairs so I could feed David, then I got a phone call, and had to make supper. I kept thinking, 'Wow, Sam and Evie are being so well-behaved! I am so proud of them!'
You guessed it, they were painting the whole time. And to their credit, they didn't paint on anything except the paper. But there were many, many pictures painted, which required new paper each time, which means the old paper had to be somewhere, and there were many water changes ... And then the bathroom looked like several things had exploded in it. So I'm just now getting around to cleaing the whole thing. I tried to convince John that he was the one who left all this stuff out, so he should be the one to clean it all up. All I got was the hairy eyeball.
Eh, it could be worse. And it has been, at times. So I'll take this anyday, expecially knowing how great my kids behaved, and how creative they are. You should have seen some of their pictures!!
As for Candi's laundry challenge, I did pretty well. I got all the clothes in the house washed, but didn't make it to the ironing. So that will be this afternoon's chore. Today, I am going to tackle the bathrooms! Mainly, the one upstairs. For Christmas, we go the kids an easel that has a chalkboard on one side, and dry-erase board on the other. It also has a roll of paper attached to it, so you can paint! Happy, happy, joy, joy. Oh, oh joy. (Are you decting the sarcasm yet??) While I was gone one day last week, John and the kids spent quite a while painting, which is fine with me; I'm not going to do it, I don't do paint. But they had a great time, and made some very cute pictures.
Have I mentioned that this while thing is set up upstairs?? :< Grr. I didn't know that all the paint was still out and hadn't been cleaned up yet when John went to work. I sent the kids upstairs so I could feed David, then I got a phone call, and had to make supper. I kept thinking, 'Wow, Sam and Evie are being so well-behaved! I am so proud of them!'
You guessed it, they were painting the whole time. And to their credit, they didn't paint on anything except the paper. But there were many, many pictures painted, which required new paper each time, which means the old paper had to be somewhere, and there were many water changes ... And then the bathroom looked like several things had exploded in it. So I'm just now getting around to cleaing the whole thing. I tried to convince John that he was the one who left all this stuff out, so he should be the one to clean it all up. All I got was the hairy eyeball.
Eh, it could be worse. And it has been, at times. So I'll take this anyday, expecially knowing how great my kids behaved, and how creative they are. You should have seen some of their pictures!!
Whole Wheat Bread
I have tried so many bread recipes, trying to find a whole wheat bread that was good for me, but that actually tasted good! I don't care how healthy something is, if it doesn't taste great, I'm not going to eat it. I finally found what I was looking for in this very easy recipe from my friend Kristie from church.
Whole Wheat Bread
From Kristie Ellison
10 cups whole wheat flour
2 T dry yeast
2 T vital wheat gluten
300 mg vitamin C crystals
4 c warm water
1/2 c oil
1/2 c honey
1 T salt
1 c chopped walnuts
3/4 c coarsley ground flax seeds
1 c raw sunflower seeds
Mix 6 cups of flour, yeast, gluten, and warm water for 1 minute. Let dough sit (sponge) for 10 minutes. After sponging, add oil, honey, and nuts, mixing thoroughly. Add salt and vitamin C crystals, and remaining flour one cup at a time, allowing it to mix in completely before adding the next cup. You may need a little more or a little less than the remaining 4 cups. The dough should be soft but not sticky, pulling away from the sides of the bowl.
Knead for 7-10 minutes in mixer, or 12-15 minutes by hand. The dough should be smooth and elastic. Form into three loaves, place in greased load pans, and let dough rise in the oven set to warm (150 degrees) for 25 minutes. Turn oven up to 350 degrees and bake for 25-30 minutes. After cooled, slice with an electric knife for even, thin slices. Eat within 3-4 days or freeze (will keep for several months).
Whatever you do, do NOT eat this bread while it is warm, with butter or honey, and a glass of milk. You will end up eating an entire loaf in one sitting! :)
Whole Wheat Bread
From Kristie Ellison
10 cups whole wheat flour
2 T dry yeast
2 T vital wheat gluten
300 mg vitamin C crystals
4 c warm water
1/2 c oil
1/2 c honey
1 T salt
1 c chopped walnuts
3/4 c coarsley ground flax seeds
1 c raw sunflower seeds
Mix 6 cups of flour, yeast, gluten, and warm water for 1 minute. Let dough sit (sponge) for 10 minutes. After sponging, add oil, honey, and nuts, mixing thoroughly. Add salt and vitamin C crystals, and remaining flour one cup at a time, allowing it to mix in completely before adding the next cup. You may need a little more or a little less than the remaining 4 cups. The dough should be soft but not sticky, pulling away from the sides of the bowl.
Knead for 7-10 minutes in mixer, or 12-15 minutes by hand. The dough should be smooth and elastic. Form into three loaves, place in greased load pans, and let dough rise in the oven set to warm (150 degrees) for 25 minutes. Turn oven up to 350 degrees and bake for 25-30 minutes. After cooled, slice with an electric knife for even, thin slices. Eat within 3-4 days or freeze (will keep for several months).
Whatever you do, do NOT eat this bread while it is warm, with butter or honey, and a glass of milk. You will end up eating an entire loaf in one sitting! :)
Pumpkin Bread
This is one of my favorite snacks, hands down! Because it is so time consuming, I never make this without at least doubling the recipe, and I usually tripple it. Very good eaten warm, with some honey butter on it!
Pumpkin Bread
by Brea!
2 c whole wheat pastry flour
1 T cinnamon
1 t baking soda
1/4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 c sugar
3/4 c oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 t vanilla
3 c shredded pumpkin
1 c coarsely chopped nuts
1/3 c coarsely ground flax seeds
1 c raisins
Preheat oven to 325.
Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
In mixing bowl, combine sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix until combined. Slowly add dry ingredients. When just combined, fold in pumpkin, nuts, flax seeds, and raisins.
Spoon into muffin tin or mini loaf tins. Bake until golden brown on top, and a knife inserted into center comes out clean. Cool five minutes in the tin, then remove and cool completely.
Cuts best when chilled, using a serrated knife. The tops of loaves or muffins will be very sticky. Best stored individually or in one layer. Freezes very well for up to 4 months. A small pie pumpkin will give the best flavor. Whole wheat pastry flour is also sold as ‘white whole wheat’ flour.
Pumpkin Bread
by Brea!
2 c whole wheat pastry flour
1 T cinnamon
1 t baking soda
1/4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 c sugar
3/4 c oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 t vanilla
3 c shredded pumpkin
1 c coarsely chopped nuts
1/3 c coarsely ground flax seeds
1 c raisins
Preheat oven to 325.
Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
In mixing bowl, combine sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix until combined. Slowly add dry ingredients. When just combined, fold in pumpkin, nuts, flax seeds, and raisins.
Spoon into muffin tin or mini loaf tins. Bake until golden brown on top, and a knife inserted into center comes out clean. Cool five minutes in the tin, then remove and cool completely.
Cuts best when chilled, using a serrated knife. The tops of loaves or muffins will be very sticky. Best stored individually or in one layer. Freezes very well for up to 4 months. A small pie pumpkin will give the best flavor. Whole wheat pastry flour is also sold as ‘white whole wheat’ flour.
Tomato Sauce
This is another recipe that I always have on hand, because it freezes and cans so well! It's all by taste, so play around with it to make it your own.
Tomato Sauce
by Brea!
½ c olive oil
½ c extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium white onion, diced
¼ t salt
5-8 cloves garlic, minced
2 T dried basil
3 T brown sugar
1 #10 can crushed tomatoes (available at SAM’S or Wal-Mart)
Heat olive oil in large sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sprinkle with salt, and cook until onion is translucent and brown around the edges. Add tomatoes, sugar, extra-virgin olive oil, and basil, reducing heat to low. Let everything warm through, and serve immediately.
Keeps in the fridge for 3 days, freezes for 6 months in an airtight zip bag. (Do not fill bag all the way full if you are going to freeze!)
If your family doesn’t like to eat chunks of onion, like me, then use a smoothie blender (or regular blender) after everything is combined to make this a very smooth sauce. The canned tomatoes have salt added, so taste before adding extra salt. In the summer, I dice up all my really ripe garden tomatoes that are about to go bad and cook them with the sauce, which adds a very fresh taste.
Tomato Sauce
by Brea!
½ c olive oil
½ c extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium white onion, diced
¼ t salt
5-8 cloves garlic, minced
2 T dried basil
3 T brown sugar
1 #10 can crushed tomatoes (available at SAM’S or Wal-Mart)
Heat olive oil in large sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sprinkle with salt, and cook until onion is translucent and brown around the edges. Add tomatoes, sugar, extra-virgin olive oil, and basil, reducing heat to low. Let everything warm through, and serve immediately.
Keeps in the fridge for 3 days, freezes for 6 months in an airtight zip bag. (Do not fill bag all the way full if you are going to freeze!)
If your family doesn’t like to eat chunks of onion, like me, then use a smoothie blender (or regular blender) after everything is combined to make this a very smooth sauce. The canned tomatoes have salt added, so taste before adding extra salt. In the summer, I dice up all my really ripe garden tomatoes that are about to go bad and cook them with the sauce, which adds a very fresh taste.
Monday, January 29
New Additions
And no, I'm not pregnant. :)
I have a lot of friends who ask for recipes when I start raving about something new I've made, but I'm pretty much the worst person in the world to try and get a recipe from. I will forget to send it to you for up to two years, regardless of how many times you ask me for it. If you don't believe me, ask Melanie, who had to ask me for over two years for my taco soup recipe, one of the easiest things I make. So here are the recipes I love. I'll try to add one or two new ones each week.
Ok, the antibiotics I'm on make me feel upset to my tummy. I started taking acidophilous, and the improvement has been huge! I take one capsul every time I take my meds (twice a day), and I just feel so much better. John would probably say that it's all in my head, but I really don't care. Physical or mental, it's working! :)
So in response to Candi's challenge, I'm doing my laundry today after school. The rest of my house is somewhat presentable, so I'm not going to worry about cleaning anything else, other than sweeping my floors again. My game plan is to get all the dirty laundry in the house done by this afternoon, then spend the two hours during nap time ironing. If I can do that, thenI won't have to worry about ironing for about a week. Yay!!
Please continue to pray for John's grandfather. He will probably die within the next few weeks, and we are asking for prayers that he is confortable, and that when his time comes, it would be completely painless. Thank you!!
So now I'm off to start school and read to the kids while I nurse David. We've been reading the Miller family book about missionaries ... it's amazing!! And the kids just love it, too. :)
I have a lot of friends who ask for recipes when I start raving about something new I've made, but I'm pretty much the worst person in the world to try and get a recipe from. I will forget to send it to you for up to two years, regardless of how many times you ask me for it. If you don't believe me, ask Melanie, who had to ask me for over two years for my taco soup recipe, one of the easiest things I make. So here are the recipes I love. I'll try to add one or two new ones each week.
Ok, the antibiotics I'm on make me feel upset to my tummy. I started taking acidophilous, and the improvement has been huge! I take one capsul every time I take my meds (twice a day), and I just feel so much better. John would probably say that it's all in my head, but I really don't care. Physical or mental, it's working! :)
So in response to Candi's challenge, I'm doing my laundry today after school. The rest of my house is somewhat presentable, so I'm not going to worry about cleaning anything else, other than sweeping my floors again. My game plan is to get all the dirty laundry in the house done by this afternoon, then spend the two hours during nap time ironing. If I can do that, thenI won't have to worry about ironing for about a week. Yay!!
Please continue to pray for John's grandfather. He will probably die within the next few weeks, and we are asking for prayers that he is confortable, and that when his time comes, it would be completely painless. Thank you!!
So now I'm off to start school and read to the kids while I nurse David. We've been reading the Miller family book about missionaries ... it's amazing!! And the kids just love it, too. :)
Chicken Vegatable Soup
This is a relatively new recipe for us. I came up with it during the ice storm, when it was really cold outside, I couldn't get to the store, and we all wanted something warm and very hearty!!
Chicken Vegatable Soup
by Brea!
3 skinless chicken breasts, simmered on medium heat until very tender, shredded
6 medium red potatoes, cut into half-inch cubes
2 1/2 c carrots, cut into half-inch cubes
8 large cloves garlic, finely minced
1 yellow onion, diced
3 stalks celery, cut up
1 1/2 c canned corn, drained
1 1/2 c black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c half & half
1 T freshly dried basil
1 T chili powder
chicken stock (fat-free, reduced sodium)
olive oil
salt and pepper
Place al veggies (except corn and black beans) in a large stock pot. Just coat with olive oil, and generously sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook on medium to medium-high heat, until onion is tender. Add 2 cups chicken stock, enough to just cover all veggies, and basil and chili powder. Cover, and simmer, stirring often, until potatoes are tender (al dente, if they were pasta, lol!). Add 2 more cups chicken stock, chicken, corn, black beans, and cook until corn is heated through. Add half & half and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately. Great with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top, eaten with fresh cornbread.
Chicken Vegatable Soup
by Brea!
3 skinless chicken breasts, simmered on medium heat until very tender, shredded
6 medium red potatoes, cut into half-inch cubes
2 1/2 c carrots, cut into half-inch cubes
8 large cloves garlic, finely minced
1 yellow onion, diced
3 stalks celery, cut up
1 1/2 c canned corn, drained
1 1/2 c black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c half & half
1 T freshly dried basil
1 T chili powder
chicken stock (fat-free, reduced sodium)
olive oil
salt and pepper
Place al veggies (except corn and black beans) in a large stock pot. Just coat with olive oil, and generously sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook on medium to medium-high heat, until onion is tender. Add 2 cups chicken stock, enough to just cover all veggies, and basil and chili powder. Cover, and simmer, stirring often, until potatoes are tender (al dente, if they were pasta, lol!). Add 2 more cups chicken stock, chicken, corn, black beans, and cook until corn is heated through. Add half & half and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately. Great with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top, eaten with fresh cornbread.
Peanut Butter Cookies
An old recipe, from my great-grandmother, Evelyn Turk, Evie's namesake.
Peanut Butter Cookies
by Brea, modified from Evelyn Turk
1/2 c butter
3/4 c crunchy peanut butter (or 1/2 c smooth peanut butter)
1/2 c white sugar
1/2 brown sugar
1/2 t vanilla
1 egg
1 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 c mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375. Cream butter, sugars, egg, vanilla, and peanut butter. Sift dry ingredients together in a small bowl, then slowly add to wet mix. Add chocolate chips.
Cover with plasic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, no longer than 36 hours.
After dough is chilled, scoop into small balls and press down with a fork. Sprinkly with sugar, and bake on an ungreased cookie sheet until edges are light brown.
Enjoy warm, with a cold glass of milk!
Doubles very well, and dough freezes well if rolled out and pressed with fork before freezing.
Peanut Butter Cookies
by Brea, modified from Evelyn Turk
1/2 c butter
3/4 c crunchy peanut butter (or 1/2 c smooth peanut butter)
1/2 c white sugar
1/2 brown sugar
1/2 t vanilla
1 egg
1 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 c mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375. Cream butter, sugars, egg, vanilla, and peanut butter. Sift dry ingredients together in a small bowl, then slowly add to wet mix. Add chocolate chips.
Cover with plasic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, no longer than 36 hours.
After dough is chilled, scoop into small balls and press down with a fork. Sprinkly with sugar, and bake on an ungreased cookie sheet until edges are light brown.
Enjoy warm, with a cold glass of milk!
Doubles very well, and dough freezes well if rolled out and pressed with fork before freezing.
Taco Soup
A cold weather mainstay at the Stewart casa.
Taco Soup
by Brea, modified from Rebecca Smith
1 lb ground venison or turkey thighs
1 jar salsa (I love Mrs Renfro's Roasted Garlic salsa, if your store carries it!)
1 jar water
1 can fat-free refried beans
1 can black beans
1 can no-salt corn
2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
shredded cheddar cheese, corn chips, sour cream to garnish
Brown venison or turkey meat in a large sauce pot. Add all remaining ingredients (except garnishes), and cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through. Ladle into deep bowls, garnish, and serve immediately. Enjoy!!
Taco Soup
by Brea, modified from Rebecca Smith
1 lb ground venison or turkey thighs
1 jar salsa (I love Mrs Renfro's Roasted Garlic salsa, if your store carries it!)
1 jar water
1 can fat-free refried beans
1 can black beans
1 can no-salt corn
2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
shredded cheddar cheese, corn chips, sour cream to garnish
Brown venison or turkey meat in a large sauce pot. Add all remaining ingredients (except garnishes), and cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through. Ladle into deep bowls, garnish, and serve immediately. Enjoy!!
Shiner Beef Stew
One of John's favorite meals, and especailly good on a cold night when paired with homemade cornbread.
Shiner Beef Stew
by Brea!
1 bottle regualr Shiner Bock
4 c water
seasoning salt
1 package (3/4 pound-ish) stew meat
flour and oil to brown meat
2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 small white or yellow onion, cut into very large pieces
2+ c cut up carrots
4-6 small red potatoes, cut into chunks
2 T freshly dried basil
2 c corn (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
Put Shiner, 2 c water, onion, garlic, basil, tomato, and 1 t seasoning salt in crock pot on high. Brown lightly seasoned and floured beef in a very hot skillet, adding to crock pot as soon as browned on top and bottom. Cover chrock pot and cook on high for 2 hours.
Add potatoes, carrots, salt & pepper to taste, and hot water as needed. Cook for 2 more hours, until beef starts to become tender. Adjust seasonings, and add corn. Cook one more hour, then serve immediately.
Shiner Beef Stew
by Brea!
1 bottle regualr Shiner Bock
4 c water
seasoning salt
1 package (3/4 pound-ish) stew meat
flour and oil to brown meat
2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 small white or yellow onion, cut into very large pieces
2+ c cut up carrots
4-6 small red potatoes, cut into chunks
2 T freshly dried basil
2 c corn (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
Put Shiner, 2 c water, onion, garlic, basil, tomato, and 1 t seasoning salt in crock pot on high. Brown lightly seasoned and floured beef in a very hot skillet, adding to crock pot as soon as browned on top and bottom. Cover chrock pot and cook on high for 2 hours.
Add potatoes, carrots, salt & pepper to taste, and hot water as needed. Cook for 2 more hours, until beef starts to become tender. Adjust seasonings, and add corn. Cook one more hour, then serve immediately.
Homemade Honey Butter
A staple around our house! Great on toast, rolls, or whatever.
Homemade Honey Butter
by Brea!
2 c (1 pound) salted butter, softened
1 c canola or light olive oil
2 t vanilla
2/3 c honey
Mix all ingredients on high until completely combined. Divide and freeze or chill. Serve straight from fridge, and do not let sit at room temp for too long. Because of the oil in this recipe, this will spread on bread when it it still cold, but turns very mushy, almost runny, if left at room temp for too long.
For a fun twist, add 2 T cinnamon for a nice wintery treat!
Homemade Honey Butter
by Brea!
2 c (1 pound) salted butter, softened
1 c canola or light olive oil
2 t vanilla
2/3 c honey
Mix all ingredients on high until completely combined. Divide and freeze or chill. Serve straight from fridge, and do not let sit at room temp for too long. Because of the oil in this recipe, this will spread on bread when it it still cold, but turns very mushy, almost runny, if left at room temp for too long.
For a fun twist, add 2 T cinnamon for a nice wintery treat!
Sunday, January 28
Honey, I'm Home!
We had our first Girls' Weekend on Friday and Saturday. This involves Margaret, Sarah, and Moi.
Except that Sarah had her tonsils removed Thursday. My poor, wonderful, in-an-insane-amount-of-pain best friend!!
So I drove to Katy Friday morning to visit my mom, and my grandfather came out to lunch. It was very nice, and I had a wonderful time chatting with Papa. And David hammed it up like I've never seen before. If I could bottle his cuteness and sell it on eBay, I'd be a gazallionaire. Seriously. Then I went over to visit Sarah, and take her husband some food I made for him. That's right, I made Scott food and delivered it from 150 miles away. That's service with a smile!!
Then I made my way to Marg's. Let me just add this side note here: I hate all people who drive in Houston. All of them. I really like living in the country, where the worst traffic issue I deal with is getting stuck behind someone who drives too slow on the little roads near our house. That being said, I had a great time with the Cecils, and Marg and I went to Black Walnut Cafe for breakfast Saturday. If you are ever in The Woodlands and have a chance, you simply MUST visit this place. A google search has just revelaed that they also have a Houston location. Whatever. Go eat there, and you will think you have died and gone to foodie heaven.
Then I drove back to Katy, because I left my glasses at my mom's again and needed to pick them up. That, and mom bought me Sonic for supper. :)
I was a wondeful weekend. Sam and Evie had a wonderful time with John by all accounts, and I had a blast with Marg. We were giggling like little girls on minute, then we were discussing docterine from Romans the next, then I learned exactly what an EKG is, and why and how you would get one. It's great to have good friends. I can't wait until the next time, when our dear Sarah can join us!!
John is at work very late this evening, and then he still has to go to the store (I would go, but the base to David's carseat is still in the car!), then he'll finally be home. And on that note, I really should feed my older kids some supper.
Except that Sarah had her tonsils removed Thursday. My poor, wonderful, in-an-insane-amount-of-pain best friend!!
So I drove to Katy Friday morning to visit my mom, and my grandfather came out to lunch. It was very nice, and I had a wonderful time chatting with Papa. And David hammed it up like I've never seen before. If I could bottle his cuteness and sell it on eBay, I'd be a gazallionaire. Seriously. Then I went over to visit Sarah, and take her husband some food I made for him. That's right, I made Scott food and delivered it from 150 miles away. That's service with a smile!!
Then I made my way to Marg's. Let me just add this side note here: I hate all people who drive in Houston. All of them. I really like living in the country, where the worst traffic issue I deal with is getting stuck behind someone who drives too slow on the little roads near our house. That being said, I had a great time with the Cecils, and Marg and I went to Black Walnut Cafe for breakfast Saturday. If you are ever in The Woodlands and have a chance, you simply MUST visit this place. A google search has just revelaed that they also have a Houston location. Whatever. Go eat there, and you will think you have died and gone to foodie heaven.
Then I drove back to Katy, because I left my glasses at my mom's again and needed to pick them up. That, and mom bought me Sonic for supper. :)
I was a wondeful weekend. Sam and Evie had a wonderful time with John by all accounts, and I had a blast with Marg. We were giggling like little girls on minute, then we were discussing docterine from Romans the next, then I learned exactly what an EKG is, and why and how you would get one. It's great to have good friends. I can't wait until the next time, when our dear Sarah can join us!!
John is at work very late this evening, and then he still has to go to the store (I would go, but the base to David's carseat is still in the car!), then he'll finally be home. And on that note, I really should feed my older kids some supper.
Tuesday, January 23
This just In:
I have very sweet friends!!! (Hi Candi and Sarah!!)
And mastitis. Along with the 102 fever, body aches, chills, and headache that makes me want to crawl into a small black hole and die.
Ok, ok, so maybe its not that bad. It's actually a lot better after only two doses of antibiotics. Yes that's how bad I felt, I actually went to the dcotor!! Shocking, I know. John has been the most wonderful husband ever the last few days, and has been taking care of me in the sweetest way. It makes him very nervous when I get sick, so he has just been great.
I have a lot of guilt when I get sick, because I never get just a little sick. I am either well, or very sick. (On the upside, I get sick about every second never.) But I feel very guilty that I am just laying around doing 'nothing' instead of doing housework, playing with the kids or doing school, cooking, or doing laundry. Well, let's be honest, I'm ok with getting out of doing laundry any way I can. :) So mostly I just try my darndest not to get sick, and to get well very quickly.
Today and tomorrow, I am making food to freeze and take to wonderful Sarah, who is having her tonsils removed Thursday. Well, it's acutally for Scott, since Sarah won't be eating solids for quite a while. But I'm going to see her Friday, so I'm takin' vittals with me. It's what I do.
Please pray for physical healing for my family!! I know it's just that season of the year (and life, considering the kids ages), but I'm ready for everyone to be well at the same time, even if it is just for a week.
And mastitis. Along with the 102 fever, body aches, chills, and headache that makes me want to crawl into a small black hole and die.
Ok, ok, so maybe its not that bad. It's actually a lot better after only two doses of antibiotics. Yes that's how bad I felt, I actually went to the dcotor!! Shocking, I know. John has been the most wonderful husband ever the last few days, and has been taking care of me in the sweetest way. It makes him very nervous when I get sick, so he has just been great.
I have a lot of guilt when I get sick, because I never get just a little sick. I am either well, or very sick. (On the upside, I get sick about every second never.) But I feel very guilty that I am just laying around doing 'nothing' instead of doing housework, playing with the kids or doing school, cooking, or doing laundry. Well, let's be honest, I'm ok with getting out of doing laundry any way I can. :) So mostly I just try my darndest not to get sick, and to get well very quickly.
Today and tomorrow, I am making food to freeze and take to wonderful Sarah, who is having her tonsils removed Thursday. Well, it's acutally for Scott, since Sarah won't be eating solids for quite a while. But I'm going to see her Friday, so I'm takin' vittals with me. It's what I do.
Please pray for physical healing for my family!! I know it's just that season of the year (and life, considering the kids ages), but I'm ready for everyone to be well at the same time, even if it is just for a week.
Sunday, January 21
I'm back!!
Our cable was knocked out for a while with the ice storm (which was awesome!!), and all me bambinos have been under the weather at one point or another, so I've been scarce on the computer. Which has been kind of nice. :)
Life can be so frustrating sometimes!! As some of you know, housekeeping is NOT one of my naturally strong spots. Actually, I am VERY bad at it. I have my strengths, but this sure ain't one of 'em. But lately, it's been a lot better. It started when I was pregnant with David, and I guess it wasn't just nesting, because it's stuck! However, it always amazes me how fast things can go downhill. Within the space of about 30 minutes, my house can go from being very clean to a totaly disaster zone that would probably qualify for assistance from FEMA! I would love to use the excuse of 'I have a new baby and my others are sick,' but that's all it would be: an excuse.
I've had to learn a lot since we moved here last year. Here's a problem I have: I don't see clutter. It doesn't bother me, because I just don't notice it. When I do finally notice it (or when it is pointed out to me), I don't know where to start. I see a messy living room, not a cluttered couch, covered coffee table, and dirty floor. If I saw things the second way, life would be much easier.
It's something I contunially have to work on, because even though I could care less, John really likes it when things are somewhat orderly. And I love the look on his face when he comes home after a hard day at work and the house is clean and smells nice. Is there anything in the world more satisfying? So I work on mot making the messes as big, and cleaning them as I go, and not getting overwhelmed, and taking things one project at a time. And prayer. Lots and lots of prayer.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Since 'all things' includes blessing my husband and my family by my actions, this verse gives me huge amounts of comfort! Added bonus: it teaches Evie how to clean her house and take care of her family one day. A many-fold blessing!!
On a totally unrelated note: seeing how I do not have the self-control to keep my nails out of my mouth, I have an infected cuticle that is KILLING ME!!!! I am really not whining; it hurts really bad!!!!!!!!! :( Poor me ....
FAbulous blog for those of you who need some inspiration or encouragement: http://smarshmallow.blogspot.com/
This is my dear friend Candi, who is very wise and much better housekeeper than I. You can all learn much from her, young padiwans.
Pics of David coming tomorrow or Tuesday, if I can get John to help me.
Life can be so frustrating sometimes!! As some of you know, housekeeping is NOT one of my naturally strong spots. Actually, I am VERY bad at it. I have my strengths, but this sure ain't one of 'em. But lately, it's been a lot better. It started when I was pregnant with David, and I guess it wasn't just nesting, because it's stuck! However, it always amazes me how fast things can go downhill. Within the space of about 30 minutes, my house can go from being very clean to a totaly disaster zone that would probably qualify for assistance from FEMA! I would love to use the excuse of 'I have a new baby and my others are sick,' but that's all it would be: an excuse.
I've had to learn a lot since we moved here last year. Here's a problem I have: I don't see clutter. It doesn't bother me, because I just don't notice it. When I do finally notice it (or when it is pointed out to me), I don't know where to start. I see a messy living room, not a cluttered couch, covered coffee table, and dirty floor. If I saw things the second way, life would be much easier.
It's something I contunially have to work on, because even though I could care less, John really likes it when things are somewhat orderly. And I love the look on his face when he comes home after a hard day at work and the house is clean and smells nice. Is there anything in the world more satisfying? So I work on mot making the messes as big, and cleaning them as I go, and not getting overwhelmed, and taking things one project at a time. And prayer. Lots and lots of prayer.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Since 'all things' includes blessing my husband and my family by my actions, this verse gives me huge amounts of comfort! Added bonus: it teaches Evie how to clean her house and take care of her family one day. A many-fold blessing!!
On a totally unrelated note: seeing how I do not have the self-control to keep my nails out of my mouth, I have an infected cuticle that is KILLING ME!!!! I am really not whining; it hurts really bad!!!!!!!!! :( Poor me ....
FAbulous blog for those of you who need some inspiration or encouragement: http://smarshmallow.blogspot.com/
This is my dear friend Candi, who is very wise and much better housekeeper than I. You can all learn much from her, young padiwans.
Pics of David coming tomorrow or Tuesday, if I can get John to help me.
Tuesday, January 16
Things to Ponder
"Mom, did Davy Crockett go to heaven?"
"Hmm? Oh, um, I don't know. I think so, but we can't be sure. I don't know enough about him."
"But he maybe went to heaven?"
"Sure, hon, he maybe went to heaven."
"OOHHHH!!! I can meet him one day!!! I am so happy! I probably will be his friend in heaven."
"Well, hon, if Davy Crockett is in heaven, I can't think of anyone that he'd want for a friend more than you."
"Yeah, I hope he'd like me. ... Mom, can I have cocoa?"
Ah, to have the attention span (and excitement!) of a child. Peaise the Lord for my wonderful blessings who keep me on my toes!!
And ... HI CANDI!!!! :)
"Hmm? Oh, um, I don't know. I think so, but we can't be sure. I don't know enough about him."
"But he maybe went to heaven?"
"Sure, hon, he maybe went to heaven."
"OOHHHH!!! I can meet him one day!!! I am so happy! I probably will be his friend in heaven."
"Well, hon, if Davy Crockett is in heaven, I can't think of anyone that he'd want for a friend more than you."
"Yeah, I hope he'd like me. ... Mom, can I have cocoa?"
Ah, to have the attention span (and excitement!) of a child. Peaise the Lord for my wonderful blessings who keep me on my toes!!
And ... HI CANDI!!!! :)
Wednesday, January 10
This Just In:
We all now hate the letter 'B' because it is from the devil. Seriously. We spent waaay too much time on that silly letter this morning, and have decided to skip it for a few weeks, so that we don't all end up hating each other.
We went to the Guys' house yesterday, and there were probably 9 or 10 kids ther, not including the itsy-bitsies like David. The kids had a blast! All of them took really, really long naps. Gotta love that!!!
I now have a tiny giggling baby on my lap. He just spit up on my fav sweatshirt, but that's ok, cause he's so cute that it's impossible to stay mad at him!!
Tomorrow, we go horseback rinding at the Seales' place. These girls are amazing!! Hannah, who came over last week, is the oldest sister. Their website, www.sealesisters.org, is pretty cool. Check it out and buy one of their CD's. The music is just good, uplifting Christian stuff. We really enjoy it around here.
Off to put Itsy-Bitsy down for his nap now, then heating up some chicken and black bean chili for lunch. Ciao!
We went to the Guys' house yesterday, and there were probably 9 or 10 kids ther, not including the itsy-bitsies like David. The kids had a blast! All of them took really, really long naps. Gotta love that!!!
I now have a tiny giggling baby on my lap. He just spit up on my fav sweatshirt, but that's ok, cause he's so cute that it's impossible to stay mad at him!!
Tomorrow, we go horseback rinding at the Seales' place. These girls are amazing!! Hannah, who came over last week, is the oldest sister. Their website, www.sealesisters.org, is pretty cool. Check it out and buy one of their CD's. The music is just good, uplifting Christian stuff. We really enjoy it around here.
Off to put Itsy-Bitsy down for his nap now, then heating up some chicken and black bean chili for lunch. Ciao!
Monday, January 8
school days, school days
Today was our first day of school! Or at least, today was our first day of the new school schedule. This morning, we had math (learning numbers on the measuring cup, then adding 2 cups and 1 cup to make pancakes), writing (playing in the tracing workbooks, then we're working on the letter A this week), language arts (chapter 21 out of Farmer Boy, to be exact), history (we've started the story of Abraham and Sarah), critical thinking (having them paraphrase what we've read in Farmer Boy and Abraham and Sarah), and home ec (they helped me take clothes to the laundry room, take clean clothes to the couch, fold said clean clothes, put away the clean dishes from the dishwasher, feed the cats, brush teeth and hair, straighten their rooms ... also known as chores!), plus some extras like helping me finally put away Christmas stuff and making lunch.
Ahhhh ... the hard life of a homeschool mom!! Classical approach, schlassical approach ... we're unschooling, baby!!
On a differnt note, taking the lights off the tree has made my hands break out in a rash, and I'm soooo durned ichy!!!
Prayer request: John's grandfather had a heart attack on Saturday, and is in the ICU in Georgetown. Please pray that the Lord's will be done, and that Jim would not suffer either way. He's such a cool guy ...
Ahhhh ... the hard life of a homeschool mom!! Classical approach, schlassical approach ... we're unschooling, baby!!
On a differnt note, taking the lights off the tree has made my hands break out in a rash, and I'm soooo durned ichy!!!
Prayer request: John's grandfather had a heart attack on Saturday, and is in the ICU in Georgetown. Please pray that the Lord's will be done, and that Jim would not suffer either way. He's such a cool guy ...
Saturday, January 6
Ahhhhhhh!
Any female (and most males) on the face of the planet knows this feeling: Your FAV pair of jeans starts to develop a very inconveniently-placed hole. You worry, but decide to go try on new jeans. You end up MAD because the copmany that made your old jeans doens't make the same cut anymore. Seeing how it's been three years since you last bought jeans, this is somewhat understandable, yet still maddening.
Weeks pass by. You start washing your jeans on the gentle cycle, in the hopes that the hole will magically heal itself (this never happens, by the way). Finally, you have to admit to yourself that you can no longer wear the jeans in public. It is a very sad day for you.
Then one day, after a two weeks with no jeans, you break down and decide to try on jeans again, just to see if you've calmed down since your last outing. You have. You're trying on jeans, one pair after another, and then ... it happens.
You find The Pair. At first you feel a little guilty, like you're betraying your last loyal and faithful pair of jeans. Then you reason that your last pair would want you to move on, to be happy after they were gone. And the feeling of a well-fitting and flattering pair of jeans is ... well ... bliss. Pure bliss.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am wearing Bliss at the moment, in the form of GAP Boot Cut Curvy Fit Ankle (but still slightly too long on this tiny mama) faded wash jeans.
And I'm just so happy!!
Weeks pass by. You start washing your jeans on the gentle cycle, in the hopes that the hole will magically heal itself (this never happens, by the way). Finally, you have to admit to yourself that you can no longer wear the jeans in public. It is a very sad day for you.
Then one day, after a two weeks with no jeans, you break down and decide to try on jeans again, just to see if you've calmed down since your last outing. You have. You're trying on jeans, one pair after another, and then ... it happens.
You find The Pair. At first you feel a little guilty, like you're betraying your last loyal and faithful pair of jeans. Then you reason that your last pair would want you to move on, to be happy after they were gone. And the feeling of a well-fitting and flattering pair of jeans is ... well ... bliss. Pure bliss.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am wearing Bliss at the moment, in the form of GAP Boot Cut Curvy Fit Ankle (but still slightly too long on this tiny mama) faded wash jeans.
And I'm just so happy!!
Wednesday, January 3
I Forgot
I have AdSense now, so please please PLEASE click on the ad at the top of my page each time you visit!!
Also, HI SARAH!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! :)
Also, HI SARAH!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! :)
My Firends have Issues ...
and I love it!! Hannah came over yesterday. Now, this amazing gal is about a year younger than me, and is the oldest of 4 sisters with an older brother. These gals don't 'date,' but believe in courtship. They sing, have their own CD, and are all around peachy. So Hannah is over for a while yesterday, and I got to know her a little better, and it's nice to know that she has struggles, too, just like the rest of us.
Pace was over today with her youngest 4 kids (they have 6). I have heard about Pace for quite a while, because she is friends with my aunt, and my aunt really looks up to her. Pace is another amazing person. I was talking with her about how much I struggle with my house and being organized, and how I feel like total crap when I can't get stuff done. She was so incredibly sweet and encouraging, and made me smile, and gave me several Scriptures that really helped me. Then she shared with me some things that she struggles with ... like whining children, being spiritual, doing school, serving and honoring your husband with a good attitude ... again, it's nice to know that everyone has at least a few chinks in their armor!!
Book club is this evening, and I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully this headache will be gone by then ...
Sam and Evie are sick!! we looked at Sam after Pace & Co left after lunch, and he looked a little too flushed and bright-eyed. SO we took his temp, and it's over 101 now. Poor angel. Looks like Evelyn has the same thing, so we're in for a fun couple of days. On the bright side, it's already serious Movie Weather.
Now, off to shower and feed a precious, cute, sweet-as-all-get-out baby!!
Pace was over today with her youngest 4 kids (they have 6). I have heard about Pace for quite a while, because she is friends with my aunt, and my aunt really looks up to her. Pace is another amazing person. I was talking with her about how much I struggle with my house and being organized, and how I feel like total crap when I can't get stuff done. She was so incredibly sweet and encouraging, and made me smile, and gave me several Scriptures that really helped me. Then she shared with me some things that she struggles with ... like whining children, being spiritual, doing school, serving and honoring your husband with a good attitude ... again, it's nice to know that everyone has at least a few chinks in their armor!!
Book club is this evening, and I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully this headache will be gone by then ...
Sam and Evie are sick!! we looked at Sam after Pace & Co left after lunch, and he looked a little too flushed and bright-eyed. SO we took his temp, and it's over 101 now. Poor angel. Looks like Evelyn has the same thing, so we're in for a fun couple of days. On the bright side, it's already serious Movie Weather.
Now, off to shower and feed a precious, cute, sweet-as-all-get-out baby!!
Monday, January 1
the New Year!
Happy New Year's, everyone! I'm back, after a long break. Things that happened while I was gone? Well ... I had a baby! David Gray Stewart was born October 5, around 5 am. He weighed 7 lb 10 oz, and is absolutely the most perfect thing ever! He has a wonderful disposition, and has been sleeping through the night since he was about 4 weeks old. The big kids are crazy about him, and just can't get enough of him. They love to play with him and make him smile.
Also, we're potty training David. Sounds completely insane, I know, but it's actually working! That's right, my son, who isn't even three months old yet, goes to the bathroom on the toilet. Thank you, Pearls!
Other news ... We had Thanksgiving in Georgetown with John's dad's family, and there were over 30 people there. It was a blast! And John's dad wore a VERY VERY pink shirt, and kept going on and on about how he wears pink because he always gets hit on every time he wears it. EEEWWWWWWW!!! I never want to think about that again!!!! Jim was in Austin for a month, and stayed with us twice. Yay. Bobby, John's cousin, got married just before Thanksgiving in a beautiful ceremony. Congrats, Bobby and Kendrick!
Christmas was here, with Dan, Rebecca, and their kids; Dad; Sherry; and Nanny. It was fun, and the kids got waaaay too many presents from all their grandparents. By Dec 26, I had hidden more than half of their new stuff, so I can bring it out throughout the year. Christmas was great.
Which brings us up to the new year. John worked New Year's Eve, and the kids and I stayed home and watch some of the small fireworks our neighbors were setting off ... man, I jujst love living in the country!!!! John rushed home and made it here at 11:55 (which means they were able to close the store down in an hour. For those of you who don't know this is a very big deal!), so we were able to kiss (awwww!) and midnight. Then I promptly went to bed. :)
Hannah is coming over tomorrow. The prospect of having a friend close to my age, that lives (somewhat) near me, is exciting. So I'm glad that she's coming over. I'm going to the store this afternoon. And Pace and 5 of her crew are coming over Wednesday to play for a little while, and we're going to Austin on Friday. Seriously, this is more than I normally do in a month!! :)
So I will not conclude the world's most boring post with promises of more posts to come, and some pics of my new angel soon. xoxo, and good luck to all in the upcoming year! Remember to praise God each morning for the blessings Hs has given you, and the one you have yet to receive!
Also, we're potty training David. Sounds completely insane, I know, but it's actually working! That's right, my son, who isn't even three months old yet, goes to the bathroom on the toilet. Thank you, Pearls!
Other news ... We had Thanksgiving in Georgetown with John's dad's family, and there were over 30 people there. It was a blast! And John's dad wore a VERY VERY pink shirt, and kept going on and on about how he wears pink because he always gets hit on every time he wears it. EEEWWWWWWW!!! I never want to think about that again!!!! Jim was in Austin for a month, and stayed with us twice. Yay. Bobby, John's cousin, got married just before Thanksgiving in a beautiful ceremony. Congrats, Bobby and Kendrick!
Christmas was here, with Dan, Rebecca, and their kids; Dad; Sherry; and Nanny. It was fun, and the kids got waaaay too many presents from all their grandparents. By Dec 26, I had hidden more than half of their new stuff, so I can bring it out throughout the year. Christmas was great.
Which brings us up to the new year. John worked New Year's Eve, and the kids and I stayed home and watch some of the small fireworks our neighbors were setting off ... man, I jujst love living in the country!!!! John rushed home and made it here at 11:55 (which means they were able to close the store down in an hour. For those of you who don't know this is a very big deal!), so we were able to kiss (awwww!) and midnight. Then I promptly went to bed. :)
Hannah is coming over tomorrow. The prospect of having a friend close to my age, that lives (somewhat) near me, is exciting. So I'm glad that she's coming over. I'm going to the store this afternoon. And Pace and 5 of her crew are coming over Wednesday to play for a little while, and we're going to Austin on Friday. Seriously, this is more than I normally do in a month!! :)
So I will not conclude the world's most boring post with promises of more posts to come, and some pics of my new angel soon. xoxo, and good luck to all in the upcoming year! Remember to praise God each morning for the blessings Hs has given you, and the one you have yet to receive!
Tuesday, August 29
"The Time Has Come" ...
... The Walrus said,
"To talk of other things!
Of ships, and shoes, and sealing wax,
And cabbages and kings!
And why the sea is boiling hot ..."
Oh, wait. Not that time. The time has come where every time I call my mother, I hear, 'Ohmygosh, did you have the baby?!' No, no I did not. I probably get this response because I told her I'm not going to call her when I go into labor, because last time I called her in labor and asked her not to tell anyone yet, and like 45 minutes later the whole world knew. Grandmothers are not so good with the secret-keeping when it comes to new grandkids! :)
I am 34 weeks pregnant. I have the greenlight to give birth anytime after September 14 (when I'm 36 weeks), although I had a talk with Baby yesterday and told him (or her) that (s)he was not allowed to be born until at least 37 weeks, and preferably not until we'd reached the full 40 weeks. However, these Braxton-Hicks contractions and coming stronger and more frequently, so we'll see how well Baby listened.
And now for something completely different. Atilla the Bun!!
Sorry, we've been watching Python a lot lately.
Today is Evie's birthday!!! Evie is three! She requested pink cupcakes with purple icing and chocolate sprinkles, and after thinking this over for a whopping 3 seconds, I said SURE!! And she has also requested a ladybug cake on Saturday, which I am more than happy to provide. :) I am about to go make said purple icing ...
So Sam caught the cold that John and I had like 4 weekends ago, but had it for about 2 weeks, then it turned into tonsilitis, and now he has lymphadenitis, which is really swollen lymph glands due to an infection. Oy!! My poor little boy.
And now, off to make icing ...
"To talk of other things!
Of ships, and shoes, and sealing wax,
And cabbages and kings!
And why the sea is boiling hot ..."
Oh, wait. Not that time. The time has come where every time I call my mother, I hear, 'Ohmygosh, did you have the baby?!' No, no I did not. I probably get this response because I told her I'm not going to call her when I go into labor, because last time I called her in labor and asked her not to tell anyone yet, and like 45 minutes later the whole world knew. Grandmothers are not so good with the secret-keeping when it comes to new grandkids! :)
I am 34 weeks pregnant. I have the greenlight to give birth anytime after September 14 (when I'm 36 weeks), although I had a talk with Baby yesterday and told him (or her) that (s)he was not allowed to be born until at least 37 weeks, and preferably not until we'd reached the full 40 weeks. However, these Braxton-Hicks contractions and coming stronger and more frequently, so we'll see how well Baby listened.
And now for something completely different. Atilla the Bun!!
Sorry, we've been watching Python a lot lately.
Today is Evie's birthday!!! Evie is three! She requested pink cupcakes with purple icing and chocolate sprinkles, and after thinking this over for a whopping 3 seconds, I said SURE!! And she has also requested a ladybug cake on Saturday, which I am more than happy to provide. :) I am about to go make said purple icing ...
So Sam caught the cold that John and I had like 4 weekends ago, but had it for about 2 weeks, then it turned into tonsilitis, and now he has lymphadenitis, which is really swollen lymph glands due to an infection. Oy!! My poor little boy.
And now, off to make icing ...
Friday, August 18
Life is Cruel
Have you ever eaten a 'fun sized' candy bar? Well, here's the thing: IT'S NOT FUN!!!! It's mean and almost cruel to call something so small 'fun.' What in the world is fun about it? It's too tiny to eat in more than two bites, which is a problem for anyone who feels the urge to eat everything in bites of multiples of three. I would guess, not that I would know or anything. You have to eat about 7 to satisfy a craving, and then you just get all depressed because you know that when it comes down to the math, you have just eaten 7 candy bars, regardless of their size. 'Fun.' HA!!
On the upside, we have two vehicles that drive from point A to point B. Yay!! And as it turns out, it is not legal to not have a front lisence plate. How do I know this? Because apparently, I have no front plate, which got me pulled over on the way home today. But, I am cute and sweet and very pregnant and very anal about alwyas driving 3 miles under the speed limit, so I didn't get a ticket, just a warning.
We just got back from the midwife's, and all is well with Baby. For those who don't know, we'll be naming a boy David Gray Stewart, and a girl Daisy Gray Stewart. Gray is my grandmother's maiden name, David is John's middle name, and Daisy ... well, we just really like Daisy. I am 32.5 weeks, so if you're paying attention, I have less than 8 weeks left, and under two months. However, I am not paying attention to that, beacuse Baby will come when Baby wants to come.
Sam and Evie are going to Mom's for the weekend. WOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!! I mean, oh, how I will miss them so. Yeah, no I won't. And they won't miss me either, which is fine with me. They'll ahve a great time with Mom, and wear her out, and I will swoop in to rescue her on Sunday, and all will be right in the universe. John and I are going out tomorrow night, which should be fun, and we'll go to church alone Sunday. Wow, what a concept ...
So that's that. Anyone want a Jeep in ok condition with no air conditioning? Cause we've got one to sell!
On the upside, we have two vehicles that drive from point A to point B. Yay!! And as it turns out, it is not legal to not have a front lisence plate. How do I know this? Because apparently, I have no front plate, which got me pulled over on the way home today. But, I am cute and sweet and very pregnant and very anal about alwyas driving 3 miles under the speed limit, so I didn't get a ticket, just a warning.
We just got back from the midwife's, and all is well with Baby. For those who don't know, we'll be naming a boy David Gray Stewart, and a girl Daisy Gray Stewart. Gray is my grandmother's maiden name, David is John's middle name, and Daisy ... well, we just really like Daisy. I am 32.5 weeks, so if you're paying attention, I have less than 8 weeks left, and under two months. However, I am not paying attention to that, beacuse Baby will come when Baby wants to come.
Sam and Evie are going to Mom's for the weekend. WOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!! I mean, oh, how I will miss them so. Yeah, no I won't. And they won't miss me either, which is fine with me. They'll ahve a great time with Mom, and wear her out, and I will swoop in to rescue her on Sunday, and all will be right in the universe. John and I are going out tomorrow night, which should be fun, and we'll go to church alone Sunday. Wow, what a concept ...
So that's that. Anyone want a Jeep in ok condition with no air conditioning? Cause we've got one to sell!
Monday, August 7
Still Here, I Promise!
Sorry!! We're still here. Been very busy, though. MIL Sherry was in last weekend, and I am so glad she came to visit us. We went to the Butterfly Fest at Bastrop Gardens, then she watched the kids that evening while John and I went on a date to the new Hyatt. (giggles ... I heart John!!)
Had a baby check up on Monday. All is looking well, except that I need to eat more protein. We were very excited to hear that we could get the Jeep back on Wednseday. The reason we weren't going to get it fixed at all was because it would have cost waaay too much money. However, they took another look at it, and were able to get it back to us for a fraction of what they'd originally thought. Woohoo! But then, we drove to Austin on Thursday, John's day off, because we had a million errands planned. So of course ...
My car broke. Yeah. We were a two car family again for less than a day, and now we only have the Jeep. Thank God for that!! Here's the problem with my car: it won't come out of park. At all. The first tow truck had to call a different tow truck to even get my car, to take it to the dealership. There's something wrong with the shifter, so the service guys have to order some parts for under the shifter. That's going to cost right under $500, and it might fix the problem. If it doesn't, they'll have to replace the whole shifter and the cable under it, which will cost over $1000. Awesome. Well, it could be worse. We could still not have the Jeep, and it could be a worse problem with my car. And wonderful, wonderful Nanny was able to take us home all the way out here on very short notice, so that was awesome! Yay, Nanny!!!
Friday was calm. I got most of my shopping done at WalMart, and convinced my mom to come visit me, seeing how she's only been here twice since we moved in. I finished up the touch-ups to Evie's paint in her room that evening, and got to bed a little early. Which was good, seeing how the next day ...
I got sick!! Yay!! I was first able to tell that I wasn't feeling all that well when it took me almost half an hour to get one load of clothes on the line when I woke up. I went back to bed, and didn't really get up until 5 that evening. I ran a very low fever for most of the day. On the upside, it was only a 24-hour bug, and I was able to get all the rest I needed because John took awesome care of me before he left for work, and then my mom was there to hang out with the kids in the evening. (I literally can't remember the last time I was sick enough to stay in bed for more than 20 minutes. I think it was when I got sick when Evie was about 3 weeks old.) Woke up yesterday (Sunday) feeling awesome, if not slightly tired. So, of course ...
John got sick. And being a man, his sickness had to trump my sickness. His fever was up to 103 at one point. But he was able to stay in bed all day, literally, and I was more than happy to take care of him. He didn't have to go to work, which was good, because he probably would have just passed out in the office. He's mostly feeling better today, and is at work.
So. There is the Story of My Life in the last week and a half. I am So Excited about this baby, and am finally starting to get things ready. And the nesting!! Oh, my!!!
Ok, I know that whole post sounded really pessimestic, but it wasn't. I'm not overly bummed about any of that stuff, although I do wish that John was feeling better. I hate it when he gets sick. But I know that God is going to take care of us, and besides, it could be a lot worse ...
Had a baby check up on Monday. All is looking well, except that I need to eat more protein. We were very excited to hear that we could get the Jeep back on Wednseday. The reason we weren't going to get it fixed at all was because it would have cost waaay too much money. However, they took another look at it, and were able to get it back to us for a fraction of what they'd originally thought. Woohoo! But then, we drove to Austin on Thursday, John's day off, because we had a million errands planned. So of course ...
My car broke. Yeah. We were a two car family again for less than a day, and now we only have the Jeep. Thank God for that!! Here's the problem with my car: it won't come out of park. At all. The first tow truck had to call a different tow truck to even get my car, to take it to the dealership. There's something wrong with the shifter, so the service guys have to order some parts for under the shifter. That's going to cost right under $500, and it might fix the problem. If it doesn't, they'll have to replace the whole shifter and the cable under it, which will cost over $1000. Awesome. Well, it could be worse. We could still not have the Jeep, and it could be a worse problem with my car. And wonderful, wonderful Nanny was able to take us home all the way out here on very short notice, so that was awesome! Yay, Nanny!!!
Friday was calm. I got most of my shopping done at WalMart, and convinced my mom to come visit me, seeing how she's only been here twice since we moved in. I finished up the touch-ups to Evie's paint in her room that evening, and got to bed a little early. Which was good, seeing how the next day ...
I got sick!! Yay!! I was first able to tell that I wasn't feeling all that well when it took me almost half an hour to get one load of clothes on the line when I woke up. I went back to bed, and didn't really get up until 5 that evening. I ran a very low fever for most of the day. On the upside, it was only a 24-hour bug, and I was able to get all the rest I needed because John took awesome care of me before he left for work, and then my mom was there to hang out with the kids in the evening. (I literally can't remember the last time I was sick enough to stay in bed for more than 20 minutes. I think it was when I got sick when Evie was about 3 weeks old.) Woke up yesterday (Sunday) feeling awesome, if not slightly tired. So, of course ...
John got sick. And being a man, his sickness had to trump my sickness. His fever was up to 103 at one point. But he was able to stay in bed all day, literally, and I was more than happy to take care of him. He didn't have to go to work, which was good, because he probably would have just passed out in the office. He's mostly feeling better today, and is at work.
So. There is the Story of My Life in the last week and a half. I am So Excited about this baby, and am finally starting to get things ready. And the nesting!! Oh, my!!!
Ok, I know that whole post sounded really pessimestic, but it wasn't. I'm not overly bummed about any of that stuff, although I do wish that John was feeling better. I hate it when he gets sick. But I know that God is going to take care of us, and besides, it could be a lot worse ...
Sunday, July 23
Updated Score(s)
Scorpions on my fireplace hearth: 0 for 3
My brown Tommy clogs: 3 for 0
(Mwwaaahahahahahahahaha ...)
Loads of laundry I have put out on the clothes line: 7
Loads of laundry that have been left on the clothes line, as John predicted: 0
(HA!)
Times I have watered my yard and had my feet chowed on my fireants: one billion
Times I have watered my yard and managed to avoid any fireants: 0
(Why can I not avoid the stoopid ants? Because they are everywhere, but I have been explicitly forbidden from using ant poison. To the point where it has been put away out of my reach. Gah.)
Times today that Sam and Evie have been really mad at each other: 8
Times today that Sam and Evie have played together like best friends: many more than 8
Oh, what a complicated life I lead ... Kevin came by yesterday afternoon, which made my kids so very happy. Ok, I was very happy, too! It's always fun to see him, especially without his friends. Not that I don't love his friends, because I think we all know that I do, but it's very unusual to see Kevin without anyone else. Also, he managed to meet a girl at a party in Austin that lives 2 streets away from me! What??? Only Kevin can pull that off ...
We went to church this morning after dropping John off at work. I had a very nice time, although it would have been better with John. (He did manage to al least be off most Sunday mornings next month, so I am very pleased about that!) Pastor Oliver has been teaching on Romans 6, and it's been great. I've always loved Romans, and I enjoy the way he speaks, with a sense of humor yet very, very honest and direct. I finally got to meet his wife, Pace, last week; she is good friends with my auntie Rebecca, but I kept missing her at church. The Olivers are about to have baby #6, and I am so happy for them, and only slightly jealous. :)
Sherry is coming to visit next weekend (yea!), and Saturday is the Bastrop Gardens Butterfly Festival! I've known about this since they started planning it, and when I saw Linda (the Bird Lady who lives next door and works at Bastrop Gardens) a few days ago, she made sure that we were going to be there. Of course!! I can't wait!
And on that note, I have to go straighten the kitchen and feed my children, because we have to go pick John up from work soon. Woohoo!!
My brown Tommy clogs: 3 for 0
(Mwwaaahahahahahahahaha ...)
Loads of laundry I have put out on the clothes line: 7
Loads of laundry that have been left on the clothes line, as John predicted: 0
(HA!)
Times I have watered my yard and had my feet chowed on my fireants: one billion
Times I have watered my yard and managed to avoid any fireants: 0
(Why can I not avoid the stoopid ants? Because they are everywhere, but I have been explicitly forbidden from using ant poison. To the point where it has been put away out of my reach. Gah.)
Times today that Sam and Evie have been really mad at each other: 8
Times today that Sam and Evie have played together like best friends: many more than 8
Oh, what a complicated life I lead ... Kevin came by yesterday afternoon, which made my kids so very happy. Ok, I was very happy, too! It's always fun to see him, especially without his friends. Not that I don't love his friends, because I think we all know that I do, but it's very unusual to see Kevin without anyone else. Also, he managed to meet a girl at a party in Austin that lives 2 streets away from me! What??? Only Kevin can pull that off ...
We went to church this morning after dropping John off at work. I had a very nice time, although it would have been better with John. (He did manage to al least be off most Sunday mornings next month, so I am very pleased about that!) Pastor Oliver has been teaching on Romans 6, and it's been great. I've always loved Romans, and I enjoy the way he speaks, with a sense of humor yet very, very honest and direct. I finally got to meet his wife, Pace, last week; she is good friends with my auntie Rebecca, but I kept missing her at church. The Olivers are about to have baby #6, and I am so happy for them, and only slightly jealous. :)
Sherry is coming to visit next weekend (yea!), and Saturday is the Bastrop Gardens Butterfly Festival! I've known about this since they started planning it, and when I saw Linda (the Bird Lady who lives next door and works at Bastrop Gardens) a few days ago, she made sure that we were going to be there. Of course!! I can't wait!
And on that note, I have to go straighten the kitchen and feed my children, because we have to go pick John up from work soon. Woohoo!!
Friday, July 21
SARAH!!!
To a certian friend of mine who has been out of the country for the last few weeks (and missed Brea Day with another friend in The Woodlands), WELCOME HOME!!! I'm so glad that you're back, and I missed you so much. I am so sorry that you aren't feeling well, and I hope you feel back up to 100% soon. I hope your time was wonderful, and I can't wait to hear about everything soon. Drink lots of water, and try to actually get some rest.
YEA!!! YOU'RE HOME!!!! :)
YEA!!! YOU'RE HOME!!!! :)
Monday, July 17
Pregnancy foods
I try to behave while I'm pregnant when it comes to food, and I do pretty durned well, too. I eat whole grain breads and bagels, I eat lots of fruit and veggies, and when I binge on something sweet, it's usually a can of pineapples or a huge glass of juice. I try to snack on things like graham crackers (the low fat cinnamon kind) and apples, and if I'm wild and crazy, I may eat 6 tomatoes in one day. I did that yesterday, and it was soooo good. I eat salads, I stay active by working in my yard and chasing my children and doing light yoga, I drink very healthy herbal teas, and I've even inspired John to consider working out.
However.
I am craving fajitas from Chuy's with a ton of sour cream and cheese, along with a bowl of queso the size of my head, accompanied by a Dot margarita or a couple of Coors Lights (I know, I'm a cheap bear kind of gal), then a huge piece of espresso cheesecake and a cup of good, strong coffee to finish off my dream meal.
Or a Snickers. That would be nice, too.
xxsighxx
I guess I'll go get supper ready. Healthy leftovers. There's not even any ice cream in my kitchen for me to sneak while I'm getting my salad ready.
Poor me.
However.
I am craving fajitas from Chuy's with a ton of sour cream and cheese, along with a bowl of queso the size of my head, accompanied by a Dot margarita or a couple of Coors Lights (I know, I'm a cheap bear kind of gal), then a huge piece of espresso cheesecake and a cup of good, strong coffee to finish off my dream meal.
Or a Snickers. That would be nice, too.
xxsighxx
I guess I'll go get supper ready. Healthy leftovers. There's not even any ice cream in my kitchen for me to sneak while I'm getting my salad ready.
Poor me.
Why I Keep Him
'Man, I feel so bad that I was so upset with the kids yesterday afternoon. They really know how to get on my last nerve and set me off!'
'Babe, eveyone gets upset with their kids. You didn't yell or anything, you just sent them outside until you were a little calmer. I think you did really well.'
'Well, I still feel bad about it.'
'Look at it this way. You aren't that drunk mom that Dr Phil had to yell at on national TV. You are so much better than she is'
'Oh my gosh, you're right! I'm NOT the drunk Dr Phil mom!! Baby, you know just what to say to make me feel better.'
'Well, I try to always do my part in maintaining your mental health, honey.'
'Babe, eveyone gets upset with their kids. You didn't yell or anything, you just sent them outside until you were a little calmer. I think you did really well.'
'Well, I still feel bad about it.'
'Look at it this way. You aren't that drunk mom that Dr Phil had to yell at on national TV. You are so much better than she is'
'Oh my gosh, you're right! I'm NOT the drunk Dr Phil mom!! Baby, you know just what to say to make me feel better.'
'Well, I try to always do my part in maintaining your mental health, honey.'
Saturday, July 15
Goodbye, My Friend
And now, the time has come to say goodbye to one who has been in the family longer than even the kids.
Jeep, dear, you will be missed by all.
How many times did I beg and plead with John to drive my car to work, so I could drive the Jeep on my day off? How often was I the designated driver, driving home with the top down on a warm summer night? Do you remember the time Lyndsey came to visit, and stayed for a week, and we drove around all the beautiful parts of Austin at midnight, with no top, windows, or doors on Dear Jeep, because it's just good for your soul? How many times have we listened to Yes and the Toadies and the Beatles and yes, the Dixie Chicks while driving to Barton Creek?
Remember when I was very pregnant, and couldn't drive Dear Jeep, because in order to reach the clutch, I had to move the seat up so far that my large belly actually pressed against the steering wheel? Remember the first time Sam rode in the Jeep, with no windows, and laughed the whole way? Remember all the sudden spring rain storms we got caught in, when the top was down, and arrived at our destination drenched but laughing?
Remember how much we hated the stoopid jeep we rented in Hawaii, because it had small tires and a bikini top, and it just wasn't Our Jeep? Remember that I was the first and one of the only females to drive Dear Jeep? Remember how many times I totally got whistled at (in a very innapropriate yet very flattering way) while driving the Jeep by myself?
Good times, good times.
Goodbye, my dear friend, and may we one day be able to rehab you so our kids can have as much fun in you as we have had.
Well, maybe not quite as much fun ...
Jeep, dear, you will be missed by all.
How many times did I beg and plead with John to drive my car to work, so I could drive the Jeep on my day off? How often was I the designated driver, driving home with the top down on a warm summer night? Do you remember the time Lyndsey came to visit, and stayed for a week, and we drove around all the beautiful parts of Austin at midnight, with no top, windows, or doors on Dear Jeep, because it's just good for your soul? How many times have we listened to Yes and the Toadies and the Beatles and yes, the Dixie Chicks while driving to Barton Creek?
Remember when I was very pregnant, and couldn't drive Dear Jeep, because in order to reach the clutch, I had to move the seat up so far that my large belly actually pressed against the steering wheel? Remember the first time Sam rode in the Jeep, with no windows, and laughed the whole way? Remember all the sudden spring rain storms we got caught in, when the top was down, and arrived at our destination drenched but laughing?
Remember how much we hated the stoopid jeep we rented in Hawaii, because it had small tires and a bikini top, and it just wasn't Our Jeep? Remember that I was the first and one of the only females to drive Dear Jeep? Remember how many times I totally got whistled at (in a very innapropriate yet very flattering way) while driving the Jeep by myself?
Good times, good times.
Goodbye, my dear friend, and may we one day be able to rehab you so our kids can have as much fun in you as we have had.
Well, maybe not quite as much fun ...
Tuesday, July 11
you know you have todlers when ...
~you forget how to say the word 'caterpillar,' because you have spent the last 2 years saying calapettar. I had to call John yesterday to ask him what the real word is, and he actually had to think about it for a minute, so I didn't feel quite so bad.
~you get really, really excited when you get to take a shower that lasts more than 3 minutes, and takes place between the hours of 7am and 9pm.
~silence between the above mentioned hours is cause for panic.
~you have three or more different food groups in your purse.
~at a birthday party, someone else's kid throws up, and you continue to eat your hotdog, unfazed.
~you have to remind your children before company comes over that they have to flush, and that they must be fully dressed before leaving the bathroom.
~you know the number to Poison Control by heart, not because it is posted on the back of every phone and is on the fridge, but because you have called them 4 or more times.
~you point out a cow when you are driving, then realize that you are alone.
~you can name every Von Trapp child, but honestly don't remember the last time you saw a movie in the theater.
~you know how to remove and reinstall doorknobs.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Other news: we are having the pastor of a church we've been visiting, Bastop Bible Church, over this evening. Seeing how I was raised Baptist and all, there will be pie, ice cream, and decaf coffee. I'm actually looking forward to the visit. He seems to be a really nice guy, and his wife and my aunt are very close friends, so I've nothing but wonderful things about them!
If I haven't mentioned before, I LOVE living out here. The thought of moving any closer to a city than we already are makes me very nervous. I never want to move to a place closer in, or with a smaller lot than we've got here. There is so much to do out here, and so much that we're able to teach the kids from what we see every day, and it is so amazingly beautiful and peaceful. All you city folk are just plumb off yer rockers! :)
Oh!! I have 2 canteloupes!!!! I am so excited! They're so tiny and fuzzy and cute!! I thought they would never start producing fruit. Now, if only the watermelons, pumpkins, and squash would follow the canteloupes' lead ... Hmmmm ...
Off to The Woodlands tomorrow to have a girls day with Marg, and then to Katy to have supper with Mom. Then back home! I think it will be a long day, but I'm going to be kid-free, probably for the the second time since we've moved out here, so I can live with my long yet quiet day. :)
~you get really, really excited when you get to take a shower that lasts more than 3 minutes, and takes place between the hours of 7am and 9pm.
~silence between the above mentioned hours is cause for panic.
~you have three or more different food groups in your purse.
~at a birthday party, someone else's kid throws up, and you continue to eat your hotdog, unfazed.
~you have to remind your children before company comes over that they have to flush, and that they must be fully dressed before leaving the bathroom.
~you know the number to Poison Control by heart, not because it is posted on the back of every phone and is on the fridge, but because you have called them 4 or more times.
~you point out a cow when you are driving, then realize that you are alone.
~you can name every Von Trapp child, but honestly don't remember the last time you saw a movie in the theater.
~you know how to remove and reinstall doorknobs.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Other news: we are having the pastor of a church we've been visiting, Bastop Bible Church, over this evening. Seeing how I was raised Baptist and all, there will be pie, ice cream, and decaf coffee. I'm actually looking forward to the visit. He seems to be a really nice guy, and his wife and my aunt are very close friends, so I've nothing but wonderful things about them!
If I haven't mentioned before, I LOVE living out here. The thought of moving any closer to a city than we already are makes me very nervous. I never want to move to a place closer in, or with a smaller lot than we've got here. There is so much to do out here, and so much that we're able to teach the kids from what we see every day, and it is so amazingly beautiful and peaceful. All you city folk are just plumb off yer rockers! :)
Oh!! I have 2 canteloupes!!!! I am so excited! They're so tiny and fuzzy and cute!! I thought they would never start producing fruit. Now, if only the watermelons, pumpkins, and squash would follow the canteloupes' lead ... Hmmmm ...
Off to The Woodlands tomorrow to have a girls day with Marg, and then to Katy to have supper with Mom. Then back home! I think it will be a long day, but I'm going to be kid-free, probably for the the second time since we've moved out here, so I can live with my long yet quiet day. :)
Friday, July 7
More Questions ...
'Mom, could a squid bite God?'
Uhhhhhh ... I don't think you and Evie are allowed to talk to each other any more. Ever.
Uhhhhhh ... I don't think you and Evie are allowed to talk to each other any more. Ever.
Thursday, July 6
Musings and Ramblings
July 4 was two days ago. This is a holiday that can piss me off sometimes, because people are stupid. I know that this country isn't perfect. I really do get that. But I love it here. I love that I can go to church. Or not. Whatever church I want to! How many people don't get what a big deal that is?!?
I love that I can hate the president, or love him. I love that I can vote for anyone of my choosing, be it Kinky Friedman or Mickey Mouse or some guy whose name I've never even heard.
I love that I can read, write or publish any book I want. Or not. I love that I can listen to any song on any radio station. If I don't like something, I can just NOT LISTEN TO IT or NOT READ IT!! I love that!!!
I love that I can not have any kids, or that I can have 15 kids. I love that I can have 15 boys, or 15 girls. I love that I can raise my kids.
Are things in this country flawed? Hell yeah! So many things are wrong! I hate that I am in the largest marketing bloc, but the smallest voting bloc. If the people near me in age would start voting, then ... holy shark repellant, Batman!! Do you have any idea what could be acomplished?? I hate that more people don't vote! But I sure do love that they have that choice. (I just wish that people who don't vote wouldn't bitch. At all.)
I love that I can donate money to my church, to the Republicans, to the Democrats, to a cult, to Hollywood, to starving children, to the KKK, to the ACLU, to the library, or to a college fund. Or all of them at the same time. Or to none.
I love that I can protest, burn a flag, write a nasty letter to a politician I don't agree with, or simply hug someone who fought/is fighting to make sure I can love all the things I've mentioned.
And to all those people I just mentioned, from the kids at Lexington and Concord, to the kids at Normandy Beach, to the kids in Korea and Vietnam, to the kids in Iraq, just one thing.
Thank you.
I love that I can hate the president, or love him. I love that I can vote for anyone of my choosing, be it Kinky Friedman or Mickey Mouse or some guy whose name I've never even heard.
I love that I can read, write or publish any book I want. Or not. I love that I can listen to any song on any radio station. If I don't like something, I can just NOT LISTEN TO IT or NOT READ IT!! I love that!!!
I love that I can not have any kids, or that I can have 15 kids. I love that I can have 15 boys, or 15 girls. I love that I can raise my kids.
Are things in this country flawed? Hell yeah! So many things are wrong! I hate that I am in the largest marketing bloc, but the smallest voting bloc. If the people near me in age would start voting, then ... holy shark repellant, Batman!! Do you have any idea what could be acomplished?? I hate that more people don't vote! But I sure do love that they have that choice. (I just wish that people who don't vote wouldn't bitch. At all.)
I love that I can donate money to my church, to the Republicans, to the Democrats, to a cult, to Hollywood, to starving children, to the KKK, to the ACLU, to the library, or to a college fund. Or all of them at the same time. Or to none.
I love that I can protest, burn a flag, write a nasty letter to a politician I don't agree with, or simply hug someone who fought/is fighting to make sure I can love all the things I've mentioned.
And to all those people I just mentioned, from the kids at Lexington and Concord, to the kids at Normandy Beach, to the kids in Korea and Vietnam, to the kids in Iraq, just one thing.
Thank you.
Saturday, July 1
the Beach
We're in Galveston, having a great time! I totally stole my mom's laptop for a few minutes (um, with her permission, because I fear her. She is tall and strong and could take me down with one blow). We've had a strange rash of toe injuries so far, but all is well other than that.
John and I went for a walk on the beach last night around 10:45, and saw about a milliondy cute little crabs. We also saw some blue crabs, one of which kept charging John, apparently with the intention of taking off his foot and then eating him. It was an aggressive little thing. So tonight, we're going to go down there with nets and buckets and catch as many as we can ... and then cook and eat them.
This beach house is awesome!! There are 12 or 13 of us here tonight, up from 9 the night before last. Kevin invited the majority of the people here, and I just love all of his friends! I made tacos (chicken and ground meat) last night, and John and I made hamburgers and hotdogs today, with the very valuable help of John's mom Sherry.
Sam and Evie have absolutely no fear of the water, which kind of freaks me out. But John and I watch them like hawks when we're down there, and they know they're not allowed in the water without one of us at all times.
On that note, supper is ready and I'm starving! I'm hungry pretty much all the time, and have lost the ability to eat more than 3/4 of a bagel in one sitting. :( Eh, whatcha gonna do about it? :)
John and I went for a walk on the beach last night around 10:45, and saw about a milliondy cute little crabs. We also saw some blue crabs, one of which kept charging John, apparently with the intention of taking off his foot and then eating him. It was an aggressive little thing. So tonight, we're going to go down there with nets and buckets and catch as many as we can ... and then cook and eat them.
This beach house is awesome!! There are 12 or 13 of us here tonight, up from 9 the night before last. Kevin invited the majority of the people here, and I just love all of his friends! I made tacos (chicken and ground meat) last night, and John and I made hamburgers and hotdogs today, with the very valuable help of John's mom Sherry.
Sam and Evie have absolutely no fear of the water, which kind of freaks me out. But John and I watch them like hawks when we're down there, and they know they're not allowed in the water without one of us at all times.
On that note, supper is ready and I'm starving! I'm hungry pretty much all the time, and have lost the ability to eat more than 3/4 of a bagel in one sitting. :( Eh, whatcha gonna do about it? :)
Wednesday, June 28
Lies and Damned Lies
to spouse sleeping on couch: 'Hey, wake up.'
sleepy spouse: 'Huh?'
'Check out the hearth of the fireplace.'
'Huh?'
'Seriously. Just do it.'
'Is that a scorpion hauling ass across the hearth?'
'Yeah. He sure does blend in.'
'Yeah he does.'
'Will you kill it?'
'Me? Why can't you kill it? You're closer, and more awake.'
'Yeah, but I'm pregnant. My midwife told me not to kill things while I'm pregnant.'
'Seriously?'
'Yeah, I promise.'
sleepy spouse: 'Huh?'
'Check out the hearth of the fireplace.'
'Huh?'
'Seriously. Just do it.'
'Is that a scorpion hauling ass across the hearth?'
'Yeah. He sure does blend in.'
'Yeah he does.'
'Will you kill it?'
'Me? Why can't you kill it? You're closer, and more awake.'
'Yeah, but I'm pregnant. My midwife told me not to kill things while I'm pregnant.'
'Seriously?'
'Yeah, I promise.'
Monday, June 26
Question for Anyone ...
Can anyone tell me about websites? Ok, ok, I realize that that is a rather vague question. I want to build a website (or have one built) that looks decent, and has a few easy functions, but I can't pay too much money for it. Any help (or even pointing me in the right general direction) would be much appreciated! Email me at brea_stewart at hotmail dot com.
(Hi Mrs Molly!! Glad to see ya missed me so much!! Prayers still going out for your fam, and I hope you have a great visit with your sister. Kiss her boys lots while they're here!!!)
My pumpkin and watermelon plants are trying to take over my year, but none of them have produced any fruit yet. Am I doing something wrong? Also, in other news where I am proud of myself, I MADE A SCARF. A whole scarf. It's pink, and for Evie. And I am making one for Sam right now that has STRIPES. That's right, I have learned how to knit stripes!! I am just so very excited.
I've been going back and reading more of To Train Up A Child, and I still love it! And I realized that I have so much to learn. About myself, about John, and the kids, about parenting, and my marriage ...
xxsighxx ... When do I actually start to feel like a grownup?
(Hi Mrs Molly!! Glad to see ya missed me so much!! Prayers still going out for your fam, and I hope you have a great visit with your sister. Kiss her boys lots while they're here!!!)
My pumpkin and watermelon plants are trying to take over my year, but none of them have produced any fruit yet. Am I doing something wrong? Also, in other news where I am proud of myself, I MADE A SCARF. A whole scarf. It's pink, and for Evie. And I am making one for Sam right now that has STRIPES. That's right, I have learned how to knit stripes!! I am just so very excited.
I've been going back and reading more of To Train Up A Child, and I still love it! And I realized that I have so much to learn. About myself, about John, and the kids, about parenting, and my marriage ...
xxsighxx ... When do I actually start to feel like a grownup?
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Sam turns 4 tomorrow!!!! Ahhh!!!! Someone help me! I want to cry. I can't believe he's already 4. It's all going by too fast. But he is so cute! At church yesterday, he wore the cutest polo-style shirt, but instead of the dude playing polo on the front, it had a little lizzard. And he had on khakis and brown shoes ... he looked to much like his (wonderful!) dad.
We've been in the house for over 6 months now. That's also hard to believe. We are having so much fun here. We all went down to the ravine on the back half of our land, where we've got an old table and some chairs set up on a little platform that John dug out a while back. It's supposed to get HOT again today, but it felt so nice down there earlier. We also did our Bible verse for the week, and read a little bit. Then John and I spelled words in the sand on the table, and the kids practiced writing their letters and reading the words.
Mom and Wes and his friends leave for Galveston this afternoon, and we'll go up to join them on Thursday evening. The kids and John are really looking forward to it. Me? I'm not so crazy about the beach, but I am crazy about all of my family, so I'll have a great time, too. Sherry is coming up Saturday, and bringing a fish cake for Sam, so we'll have his little family party then. I think Papa might come visit, too, but he may have other plans. Who knows?
We watched the Astros game last night, where we were leading 9-1 in the 8th inning, and ended up winning 10-9 in the 13th. Good grief, do we know how to blow a game. And almost blow a game. But I still loooooove the Astros. At one point during the game, I had 5 hands of my belly. Both hands of each kid, and one of John's. The kids love to feel the baby kick, and s/he was really moving around last night.
Have I mentioned that John is the best dad EVER? Cause he is. I have never seen a father have more fun just hanging out with his kids! It never ceases to amaze me how much people miss out with their kids, just because they're 'too busy.' Whatever. If you get too busy for your family, you've got problems, because outside of your relationship with the Lord, there is not a damned thing that is more improtant than family.
So there.
Verse for the week:
Proverbs 13:20 "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
We've been studying wisdom lately, and it's been interesting to see the kids learn this stuff. I love it! And on that note, I have laundry to do and a bagel to eat.
We've been in the house for over 6 months now. That's also hard to believe. We are having so much fun here. We all went down to the ravine on the back half of our land, where we've got an old table and some chairs set up on a little platform that John dug out a while back. It's supposed to get HOT again today, but it felt so nice down there earlier. We also did our Bible verse for the week, and read a little bit. Then John and I spelled words in the sand on the table, and the kids practiced writing their letters and reading the words.
Mom and Wes and his friends leave for Galveston this afternoon, and we'll go up to join them on Thursday evening. The kids and John are really looking forward to it. Me? I'm not so crazy about the beach, but I am crazy about all of my family, so I'll have a great time, too. Sherry is coming up Saturday, and bringing a fish cake for Sam, so we'll have his little family party then. I think Papa might come visit, too, but he may have other plans. Who knows?
We watched the Astros game last night, where we were leading 9-1 in the 8th inning, and ended up winning 10-9 in the 13th. Good grief, do we know how to blow a game. And almost blow a game. But I still loooooove the Astros. At one point during the game, I had 5 hands of my belly. Both hands of each kid, and one of John's. The kids love to feel the baby kick, and s/he was really moving around last night.
Have I mentioned that John is the best dad EVER? Cause he is. I have never seen a father have more fun just hanging out with his kids! It never ceases to amaze me how much people miss out with their kids, just because they're 'too busy.' Whatever. If you get too busy for your family, you've got problems, because outside of your relationship with the Lord, there is not a damned thing that is more improtant than family.
So there.
Verse for the week:
Proverbs 13:20 "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
We've been studying wisdom lately, and it's been interesting to see the kids learn this stuff. I love it! And on that note, I have laundry to do and a bagel to eat.
Thursday, June 22
Remember Me?
I'm still around, I promise. Our computer crashed a while ago (the motherboard fried!!), and I'm still trying to figure out this new one. I have no idea how to do any of the picture stuff yet, which thankfully, we were able to have most of recovered. I have also been incredibly busy lately, because a) I have become decent at this stoopid knitting thing, and have now completeld two scarves that look semi-not awful, and b) my children have become much more crafty, and silent.
Yesterday, I was upstairs cleaning the bathroom, and them it hit me: Hmm, I haven't heard my children in almost 47 seconds. I went sprinting down the stairs, out the door, to discover that both children were ass-deep in the pond. The icky, ooey-gooey, muck-filled, frog-and-snake (garter, don't worry!)-infested, gross pond. All this in 47 seconds!
I've been totally rocking out with the domestic work lately, also. Which has made the wonderful man extremely happy. I seem to be forming some great new habbits, and John and I are both hoping this isn't pregnancy-related, but that I may actually be maturing and growing up some. Who knows? John has been working 10-12 hour days almost every shift that he works, because of staffing issues and other things, so we're all ready for the store he's at to get over this little hump. It has not been too much fun, but I am valuing our time with him more than ever.
The Astros are starting that new guy tonight ... that one dude they're just now bringing up from the minors ... what's-his-name ... I swear, it's on the tip of my tounge ... Oh, right!! ROGER eff-INF CLEMENS!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!! My boys have have been sucking much less lately than they were, so maybe there's still hope yet. I (heart) the Astros sooo much. Especially Brad Ausmus. And Craig Biggio. And Joe College, the wonderful Morgan Ensberg. And I wish they would bring Brandon Backe off the DL, because I totally (heart) him, too!!
On that note, I must go make a supper that will allow us to eat at the coffee table. John is still at work, even though it is almost 7, and he left this morning at 7:15. Thank God he's got a 3-day this weekend, and vacation coming after that!!
Scorpions in the House: 0 for 4
Scorpions out of the house: 0 for 5
Shoes of John and Brea: 9 for 0
We're the bestest scorpion whompers, ever. :)
Yesterday, I was upstairs cleaning the bathroom, and them it hit me: Hmm, I haven't heard my children in almost 47 seconds. I went sprinting down the stairs, out the door, to discover that both children were ass-deep in the pond. The icky, ooey-gooey, muck-filled, frog-and-snake (garter, don't worry!)-infested, gross pond. All this in 47 seconds!
I've been totally rocking out with the domestic work lately, also. Which has made the wonderful man extremely happy. I seem to be forming some great new habbits, and John and I are both hoping this isn't pregnancy-related, but that I may actually be maturing and growing up some. Who knows? John has been working 10-12 hour days almost every shift that he works, because of staffing issues and other things, so we're all ready for the store he's at to get over this little hump. It has not been too much fun, but I am valuing our time with him more than ever.
The Astros are starting that new guy tonight ... that one dude they're just now bringing up from the minors ... what's-his-name ... I swear, it's on the tip of my tounge ... Oh, right!! ROGER eff-INF CLEMENS!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!! My boys have have been sucking much less lately than they were, so maybe there's still hope yet. I (heart) the Astros sooo much. Especially Brad Ausmus. And Craig Biggio. And Joe College, the wonderful Morgan Ensberg. And I wish they would bring Brandon Backe off the DL, because I totally (heart) him, too!!
On that note, I must go make a supper that will allow us to eat at the coffee table. John is still at work, even though it is almost 7, and he left this morning at 7:15. Thank God he's got a 3-day this weekend, and vacation coming after that!!
Scorpions in the House: 0 for 4
Scorpions out of the house: 0 for 5
Shoes of John and Brea: 9 for 0
We're the bestest scorpion whompers, ever. :)
Sunday, May 28
The Best Question Ever.
'Mom, is a scorpion worse than a Nazi?'
I found another scorpion in the sink this morning, and the kids were awake this time, so I showed it to them. (By the way, as opposed to the last scorpion, who was nicely sitting in plain view on the inside edge of the totally empty sink, this one was hiding in a rag, on the side of a full sink of dirty dishes, and I didn't see him until I had already finished cleaning all the dishes what were 0-4 inches from said scorpion. Hmph.) We also killed a very large one on the side of the house yesterday evening. If you ask the kids how to kill a scorpion, they will say, 'Go find mom, and mom will whop him with a shoe.' This answer is not only 100% true, it is really funny to hear from my kids.
Sam asked me the above question after viewing this morning's visitor, after we had washed him down the disposal. My brilliant, pre-coffee answer? 'No, Sam, there is almost nothing worse than a Nazi.'
On a totally different note, tomorrow is Memorial Day.
Thank you to all the men and women who have served our amazing country, and continue to do so. We pray for our active members every day.
I found another scorpion in the sink this morning, and the kids were awake this time, so I showed it to them. (By the way, as opposed to the last scorpion, who was nicely sitting in plain view on the inside edge of the totally empty sink, this one was hiding in a rag, on the side of a full sink of dirty dishes, and I didn't see him until I had already finished cleaning all the dishes what were 0-4 inches from said scorpion. Hmph.) We also killed a very large one on the side of the house yesterday evening. If you ask the kids how to kill a scorpion, they will say, 'Go find mom, and mom will whop him with a shoe.' This answer is not only 100% true, it is really funny to hear from my kids.
Sam asked me the above question after viewing this morning's visitor, after we had washed him down the disposal. My brilliant, pre-coffee answer? 'No, Sam, there is almost nothing worse than a Nazi.'
On a totally different note, tomorrow is Memorial Day.
Thank you to all the men and women who have served our amazing country, and continue to do so. We pray for our active members every day.
Tuesday, May 23
In Katy, again
So, since I'm totally like the Best Daughter Ever, I am back in Katy. Dad's job, with him working 10pm-6am, ends this weekend, and BP asked Mom to fly out to the rig they just launched for a few days. John is working the whole time Mom asked me to visit, and we didn't have any other pressing plans, so here we are!
I don't know if my hormones are kicking in overtime right now, but I have been in a haze of the Warm & Fuzzies for the last few days! My kids are still the trouble making, headache-inducing, room-destroying, toy- and tool-breaking, screaming, fighting, high energy children that they have always been, but I just want to dip them in fish batter, fry them up, and just start at the toes and nibble my way up!!! They are so cute and sweet and destructive and affectionate, and I love them so much!! Almost as much as I love John, but really, not much can compare to that. Even a craving for fried baby toes. Oh, and about the long sentence above, where they do everything in their power to make me tired with the Never-Ending source of energy that comes from who knows where, I wouldn't have them any other way!!!
Who wants boring kids, when you can have kids that seek out knowledge like it's water? They are really into fish right now. All things fish and ocean. Evie's fav fish is either a cookie cutter shark or her little blennys that she loves. Sam my Man is all about the angler fish, especially the potato-faced angler fish. And since meeting and getting to know the Bird Lady next door, we have been learning about and developing a big interest in birds, and learning what kinds live near us. It's been a ton of fun.
And I'm rambling, and have nothing specific to talk about, so I'm going to go to WalMart and then make some fantastic supper, cause that's also what I do, besides chasing my children around and playing in the sprinkler outside. :) I'll be home Thursday, and I really will try to put some new pics up, I promise!
I don't know if my hormones are kicking in overtime right now, but I have been in a haze of the Warm & Fuzzies for the last few days! My kids are still the trouble making, headache-inducing, room-destroying, toy- and tool-breaking, screaming, fighting, high energy children that they have always been, but I just want to dip them in fish batter, fry them up, and just start at the toes and nibble my way up!!! They are so cute and sweet and destructive and affectionate, and I love them so much!! Almost as much as I love John, but really, not much can compare to that. Even a craving for fried baby toes. Oh, and about the long sentence above, where they do everything in their power to make me tired with the Never-Ending source of energy that comes from who knows where, I wouldn't have them any other way!!!
Who wants boring kids, when you can have kids that seek out knowledge like it's water? They are really into fish right now. All things fish and ocean. Evie's fav fish is either a cookie cutter shark or her little blennys that she loves. Sam my Man is all about the angler fish, especially the potato-faced angler fish. And since meeting and getting to know the Bird Lady next door, we have been learning about and developing a big interest in birds, and learning what kinds live near us. It's been a ton of fun.
And I'm rambling, and have nothing specific to talk about, so I'm going to go to WalMart and then make some fantastic supper, cause that's also what I do, besides chasing my children around and playing in the sprinkler outside. :) I'll be home Thursday, and I really will try to put some new pics up, I promise!
Tuesday, May 16
Confused In Katy
Now, I'm not naming any names, especially my mom's, but who has 5 different kinds of bbq sauce in their pantry, but no peanut butter??? I mean, honestly now. ... Um, I mean, not that there's anything wrong with that, I guess ...
I took the kids to Dad's yesterday, and we had a great time! It was so good to see him, and the kids got to pick dewberries and have cookies and milk and shoot a bow and arrow, so it was a good day in their book.
Sarah rocks, and I was so glad that I got to see her for more than 5.92 seconds yesterday. :)
Mom, she of the non-peanut butter household, is on her way home, and we're staying a few hours later than expected to let the kids see her. Woohoo!
New pictures coming soon.
I took the kids to Dad's yesterday, and we had a great time! It was so good to see him, and the kids got to pick dewberries and have cookies and milk and shoot a bow and arrow, so it was a good day in their book.
Sarah rocks, and I was so glad that I got to see her for more than 5.92 seconds yesterday. :)
Mom, she of the non-peanut butter household, is on her way home, and we're staying a few hours later than expected to let the kids see her. Woohoo!
New pictures coming soon.
Saturday, May 13
Yea Pat!!!
John's aunt, Pat Berryman, just won the election for the open seat in the Georgetown City Council. Woohoo! Kids and I went up for the post-election party, and I just got home (after 11pm), and I'm exhausted, and about to pass out. But Pat, congrats!!
Leaving for Katy tomorrow afternoon, but I'll try to post about the fun visitor I had in my sink this morning. And by 'fun,' I mean 'eww.'
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there who have ever let their children have cupcakes and iced tea against their better judgement, and then totally regreted it around midnight when the three-year-old is not asleep and wants to 'hang out' with you and 'chat about Star Wars' for a while. Seriously. He's not asleep. When I say no to chatting about Star Wars, he asks me if we can talk about the scorpion fish or the reef cuttlefish that we saw in the fish movie.
I want a beer.
Leaving for Katy tomorrow afternoon, but I'll try to post about the fun visitor I had in my sink this morning. And by 'fun,' I mean 'eww.'
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there who have ever let their children have cupcakes and iced tea against their better judgement, and then totally regreted it around midnight when the three-year-old is not asleep and wants to 'hang out' with you and 'chat about Star Wars' for a while. Seriously. He's not asleep. When I say no to chatting about Star Wars, he asks me if we can talk about the scorpion fish or the reef cuttlefish that we saw in the fish movie.
I want a beer.
Thursday, May 11
someone hide me, quick!!
Oh. My. Gaw. John is going to flip out when he gets home. Sam has cut Evie's hair. At the moment, she looks like she has a mullet. Help me, I am going to die. It's not like I left them alone for that long. I was knitting this morning, and left the scissors out, and then I came upstairs while the kids were watching Maisy to put away some clothes, and while I was up here I heard, 'I think scissors are fun,' and the other one said, 'Me, too,' and I don't even know which one said what, but I did see my life flash before my eyes, because John is so in love with Evie's hair, and has been so happy that we can finally do things with it, because her hair grows at a record-slow pace ...
Please help me. Hide me somehwere. I'm going to have to give her a precious little pixie cut, but her beautiful curls will be gone, and John is going to flip.
Pics of the progress, and possibly my execution, tomorrow.
(Edited to add:)
Evie with her homemade mullet:
Evie after her haircut:
Sam 'protecting' Evie, both with fake smiles:
And John wasn't even all that mad at me, either. Yea!!!
Please help me. Hide me somehwere. I'm going to have to give her a precious little pixie cut, but her beautiful curls will be gone, and John is going to flip.
Pics of the progress, and possibly my execution, tomorrow.
(Edited to add:)
Evie with her homemade mullet:
Evie after her haircut:
Sam 'protecting' Evie, both with fake smiles:
And John wasn't even all that mad at me, either. Yea!!!
I've decided that knitting is not quite as stoopid as I first thought it was. I also decided to be patient and actually figure out what I'm doing before quitting. So there. I've been having fn with it.
Sam is fine. We went to the doc yet again on Tuesday, and what did they tell us? 'Sometimes kids just have big tonsils.' Well, ok then. I also had my first acutal checkup with my midwife, Laurie. I just love her!!! I got to hear Baby's heartbeat, which is so cool, and Laurie said everything looked good. Woohoo!
I dropped the guineas off at Bastrop Gardens on Monday, a nursery and farmer's market towards Austin that we love. These people have had guineas before, and already had housing for them, so if the Stooges had to go, I am so glad that they went there. And, as it turns out, my next door neighbor works there! Not the ones that I hate with a fiery passion that burns brighter than a thousand suns, but the one on the other side. We've been calling her the Crazy Bird Lady, or just the Bird Lady. I learned that her name is Linda, but that a lot of people call her Bird Lady. Anyway, she's super nice. She is crazy, but in a good, passionate-about-what-she-believes, isn't-afraid-to-speak-her-mind kind of way. The kids and I just went over there to say hello to her and her goose (gander, actually) Snow. He's a really nice goose, and didn't try to bite my children once! She's got about 10 acres, so I told her to let us know first if she is ever inclined to get rid of any of it, cause we'd LOVE to see if we could buy it. I'm very glad that I met her, and that we could go see her and meet Snow. Oh, and she said that the guineas are doing very well, and like their new home.
I'm going to Katy early, on Sunday afternoon, so I can hang out with the mom for a while, and cook her supper. Kevin, Wes, Al?, "John"?, Mom, the kids and I will be there. I'm looking forward to it. And I get to see my most wonderful MOLLY!!!! YEA!!!!
My tomato plants are attempting to take over my entire yard. Ok, not really, but they are getting HUGE!! We planted them a little too close together, and they're over 4 and a half feet tall; you would not believe the number of (all still green) tomatoes we have!! And my pumpkin plants have gone crazy, too. We've got a ton of squash blossoms, and the green bean plants are starting to put off green beans. It's all very fun. The kids helped me weed in there today. We got a couple of new things for the flower garden last week. Some daisys, dianthus, a new kind of verbeena, yellow lantana, and some petunas. It looks pretty now, but it's going to look wonderful once everything fills in.
Hehehe, Baby is kicking me. :)
I need a nap. Or lunch. Or maybe lunch and then a nap. Yes, yes, it is a hard life that I lead.
Sam is fine. We went to the doc yet again on Tuesday, and what did they tell us? 'Sometimes kids just have big tonsils.' Well, ok then. I also had my first acutal checkup with my midwife, Laurie. I just love her!!! I got to hear Baby's heartbeat, which is so cool, and Laurie said everything looked good. Woohoo!
I dropped the guineas off at Bastrop Gardens on Monday, a nursery and farmer's market towards Austin that we love. These people have had guineas before, and already had housing for them, so if the Stooges had to go, I am so glad that they went there. And, as it turns out, my next door neighbor works there! Not the ones that I hate with a fiery passion that burns brighter than a thousand suns, but the one on the other side. We've been calling her the Crazy Bird Lady, or just the Bird Lady. I learned that her name is Linda, but that a lot of people call her Bird Lady. Anyway, she's super nice. She is crazy, but in a good, passionate-about-what-she-believes, isn't-afraid-to-speak-her-mind kind of way. The kids and I just went over there to say hello to her and her goose (gander, actually) Snow. He's a really nice goose, and didn't try to bite my children once! She's got about 10 acres, so I told her to let us know first if she is ever inclined to get rid of any of it, cause we'd LOVE to see if we could buy it. I'm very glad that I met her, and that we could go see her and meet Snow. Oh, and she said that the guineas are doing very well, and like their new home.
I'm going to Katy early, on Sunday afternoon, so I can hang out with the mom for a while, and cook her supper. Kevin, Wes, Al?, "John"?, Mom, the kids and I will be there. I'm looking forward to it. And I get to see my most wonderful MOLLY!!!! YEA!!!!
My tomato plants are attempting to take over my entire yard. Ok, not really, but they are getting HUGE!! We planted them a little too close together, and they're over 4 and a half feet tall; you would not believe the number of (all still green) tomatoes we have!! And my pumpkin plants have gone crazy, too. We've got a ton of squash blossoms, and the green bean plants are starting to put off green beans. It's all very fun. The kids helped me weed in there today. We got a couple of new things for the flower garden last week. Some daisys, dianthus, a new kind of verbeena, yellow lantana, and some petunas. It looks pretty now, but it's going to look wonderful once everything fills in.
Hehehe, Baby is kicking me. :)
I need a nap. Or lunch. Or maybe lunch and then a nap. Yes, yes, it is a hard life that I lead.
Sunday, May 7
To Sarah
You are one of my closest friends, and I love you so very much. Even if we do talk to each other's voicemail more often than we actually talk to each other.
So, CONGRATUALTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, CONGRATUALTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the one where the world is conspiring ...
to give me gray hair before I even turn 25.
Ok, I've been busy. Here is why I haven't posted lately.
Took Sam to the doc 2 Mondays ago. They did a test for strep and flu, but both were negative. He did have a sinus infection and sinusitis, though. So he went on 10 days of amoxocillin, the $58 antibiotic. That sound was me, falling over from the price.
The following Monday, Evie started running a fever, and I looked at Sam's throat, and it wasn't really getting any better. Then Tuesday, I noticed that Sam's throat had white spots on it. WHITE SPOTS developing while on antibiotics??? Oy. Even I know that's not good. So we went back to the doc on Thursday, and it turned out that both kids had strep throat! Doc just looked at me and said, 'Brea, how did he get strep while he was on antibiotics?' Yeah, like I have an answer for that.
So we went on new antibiotics for both of them (another $160, thank you very much! Do I look like I'm made of money??? Cause I'm not!!). All is going well, until Saturday morning, when I look at my dear daughter, and she has white all over her mouth. She decided that the fun thing to do was to drink her medicine. Yes, I am a bad mother, and didn't close the medicine all the way. I'M SORRY!!!!!
I go to call Poison Control. I have the national 800 number memorized, because it's on stickers all over the house, and because this is the fourth time I have had to call them. Of all things, my cell phone is not working. I have no idea why. It's all better now. I grab my home phone, which (miracle of all miracles!!) was working, and call the 800 number. Well, Vonage has decided for reasons beyone my comprehension that Poison Control is not a number they choose to recognize. I boot up the computer, which takes like 3 hours, and find the number for the Control center in San Antonio. A very nice young man answers the phone, and we go through the whole experience, and he tells me that there may be a few side effects (there were none), but that she should be fine (which she is). Then he asks me where I'm calling from. I say, 'Just outside of Austin.' He says, 'Texas?' I say, 'Yeah, where are you? You don't sound like you're from this area.' He says, 'No, I'm in New Jersey.' Hmm. Interesting. I call a (210) area code, which is San Antonio, and end up chatting with a guy from New Jersey. But still, he was very nice.
Things were oddly quiet around here until this last Tuesday. John and the kids had gone out for a while, and I suddenly hear shots next door. This is not all together unusual, beacuse everyone around here has guns, but this was just a tad too close. As I'm walking outside to see what's going on, La Stooges come running over. Jim the Asshole (JTA for short, from now on) is standing on his porch, sees me come out, and yells, 'Brea, if you don't get rid of those damn birds, I'm going to f-ing kill them.' He didn't actually say 'f-ing.' I think you know what he really said. Turns out that the guineas had been walking through his garden and stepped on some of his plants. I hope wild hogs come and uproot the whole damn thing.
A small side note here. We checked with the Smiths several times before getting the guineas. We have checked with them several times since we got the guineas to make sure the guineas were not bothering them. Our houses are like 50 feet apart from each other. We see and talk to each other pretty much every day. Must we find out that they don't like the birds by hearing gunshots?!?!?!?!?!?!? Also, there is something not right about JTA. What kind of person lives with their parents their whole life? He is in his mid-40's, and has never lived alone. This is not something I'm speculating about; I know he has never lived alone cause Mommy-dearest told me so. Even when he was married, they all lived with his parents. And his mom, Gretta, is the one who raised his daughter. Seriously, what the hell??
I had to find a new home for the guineas, and I did find a very good one, and we all have been completely bummed all week. And mad. Vey, very mad. We'll be putting up a fence this winter, just along the property line between our houses, and getting new guineas next spring. I drop them off at their new home tomorrow.
So, for those of you who think I have dropped off the radar, I have not. I have been too busy to find the radar. And on top of it all, I'm trying to grow a person inside my belly, take care of me family, house, gardens, and yard (seriously, you don't even what to see the amound of dirty laundry that is about to grow legs and take over and eat us all. I might let it, too!).
Sam's tonsils are still really swollen, and seeing how today was the last day of the second round of medicine, I think we may have to go back to the doc. This is killing me. I am so beyond ready for everyone in my house to be well. I need chocolate milk. Oh, pictures.
My brother Wesley (far right) at the 8th grade dance.
Sam (just before we cut his hair) and Evie with a blue belly lizard.
My funny formal daughter, who loves old hats and all things girly.
Sam passed out on the couch when he was sick.
Evie passed out in bed when she was sick.
Oh, and I mention that we bought a piano? Cause I didn't think we had enough going on at the time, and wanted to add a little excitement to my boring life.
I'll be in Katy next Monday-Wednesday (the days after Mother's Day), so call me if anyone wants to do lunch or (decaf) coffee!!
Ok, I've been busy. Here is why I haven't posted lately.
Took Sam to the doc 2 Mondays ago. They did a test for strep and flu, but both were negative. He did have a sinus infection and sinusitis, though. So he went on 10 days of amoxocillin, the $58 antibiotic. That sound was me, falling over from the price.
The following Monday, Evie started running a fever, and I looked at Sam's throat, and it wasn't really getting any better. Then Tuesday, I noticed that Sam's throat had white spots on it. WHITE SPOTS developing while on antibiotics??? Oy. Even I know that's not good. So we went back to the doc on Thursday, and it turned out that both kids had strep throat! Doc just looked at me and said, 'Brea, how did he get strep while he was on antibiotics?' Yeah, like I have an answer for that.
So we went on new antibiotics for both of them (another $160, thank you very much! Do I look like I'm made of money??? Cause I'm not!!). All is going well, until Saturday morning, when I look at my dear daughter, and she has white all over her mouth. She decided that the fun thing to do was to drink her medicine. Yes, I am a bad mother, and didn't close the medicine all the way. I'M SORRY!!!!!
I go to call Poison Control. I have the national 800 number memorized, because it's on stickers all over the house, and because this is the fourth time I have had to call them. Of all things, my cell phone is not working. I have no idea why. It's all better now. I grab my home phone, which (miracle of all miracles!!) was working, and call the 800 number. Well, Vonage has decided for reasons beyone my comprehension that Poison Control is not a number they choose to recognize. I boot up the computer, which takes like 3 hours, and find the number for the Control center in San Antonio. A very nice young man answers the phone, and we go through the whole experience, and he tells me that there may be a few side effects (there were none), but that she should be fine (which she is). Then he asks me where I'm calling from. I say, 'Just outside of Austin.' He says, 'Texas?' I say, 'Yeah, where are you? You don't sound like you're from this area.' He says, 'No, I'm in New Jersey.' Hmm. Interesting. I call a (210) area code, which is San Antonio, and end up chatting with a guy from New Jersey. But still, he was very nice.
Things were oddly quiet around here until this last Tuesday. John and the kids had gone out for a while, and I suddenly hear shots next door. This is not all together unusual, beacuse everyone around here has guns, but this was just a tad too close. As I'm walking outside to see what's going on, La Stooges come running over. Jim the Asshole (JTA for short, from now on) is standing on his porch, sees me come out, and yells, 'Brea, if you don't get rid of those damn birds, I'm going to f-ing kill them.' He didn't actually say 'f-ing.' I think you know what he really said. Turns out that the guineas had been walking through his garden and stepped on some of his plants. I hope wild hogs come and uproot the whole damn thing.
A small side note here. We checked with the Smiths several times before getting the guineas. We have checked with them several times since we got the guineas to make sure the guineas were not bothering them. Our houses are like 50 feet apart from each other. We see and talk to each other pretty much every day. Must we find out that they don't like the birds by hearing gunshots?!?!?!?!?!?!? Also, there is something not right about JTA. What kind of person lives with their parents their whole life? He is in his mid-40's, and has never lived alone. This is not something I'm speculating about; I know he has never lived alone cause Mommy-dearest told me so. Even when he was married, they all lived with his parents. And his mom, Gretta, is the one who raised his daughter. Seriously, what the hell??
I had to find a new home for the guineas, and I did find a very good one, and we all have been completely bummed all week. And mad. Vey, very mad. We'll be putting up a fence this winter, just along the property line between our houses, and getting new guineas next spring. I drop them off at their new home tomorrow.
So, for those of you who think I have dropped off the radar, I have not. I have been too busy to find the radar. And on top of it all, I'm trying to grow a person inside my belly, take care of me family, house, gardens, and yard (seriously, you don't even what to see the amound of dirty laundry that is about to grow legs and take over and eat us all. I might let it, too!).
Sam's tonsils are still really swollen, and seeing how today was the last day of the second round of medicine, I think we may have to go back to the doc. This is killing me. I am so beyond ready for everyone in my house to be well. I need chocolate milk. Oh, pictures.
My brother Wesley (far right) at the 8th grade dance.
Sam (just before we cut his hair) and Evie with a blue belly lizard.
My funny formal daughter, who loves old hats and all things girly.
Sam passed out on the couch when he was sick.
Evie passed out in bed when she was sick.
Oh, and I mention that we bought a piano? Cause I didn't think we had enough going on at the time, and wanted to add a little excitement to my boring life.
I'll be in Katy next Monday-Wednesday (the days after Mother's Day), so call me if anyone wants to do lunch or (decaf) coffee!!
Friday, April 21
here comes 6 months of ...
... uncomfortable sleep!!!!! Oh no!!! I am starting to have a hard time sleeping on my belly without feeling guilty. Ok, I'm not feeling guilty, it's just becoming impossible to sleep like that. I'm not really showing yet; I'm able to wear all my 'regular' clothes. But I HATE sleeping on my back or my side. Blah. Other than that, I'm feeling awesome! Out of the first trimester, not sick anymore, and I have a desire for food once again. Lots and lots of food. Mmmmm ... cake ...
My kids have discovered Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, two of my favorite movies when I was growing up. I found the old copies at my mom's house the last time I was in town. Here's the great part: they were both recorded off Tv, commercials and all. From 1987!!!!! It's awesome!!! Remember those little dancing chicken nuggets from McDonalds?? I love it!! There's previews for Moonlighting, Growing Pains, and other really funny stuff. (And, as it turns out, my childhood crush on Capt. Von Trapp is alive and well. How embarassing. We will never speak of this again.)
Knitting is stoopid. Only people who are losers knit. Ok, ok, that's not true. As you may have guessed, I am trying to learn how to knit in my ongoing quest to become The Perfect Homemaker. I just started yesterday. When I first sat down, I soooo almost pulled an Evelyn, which would be sitting, holding the object that is frustrating me, and screaming and shaking. So I have now somewhat figured out how to start a knitted item. I don't think I'm getting any better at it. On the upside, though, I don't think I'm getting any worse, either, so I guess that's something. I have no patience. Stoopid yarn.
Maybe you've heard, Austin has been getting some horriffic storms the last few days. Parts of South Austin had 2-3-inch hail two or three days in a row; and other aread of the Hill Country have been the same. How are we, you ask? Oh, great! It rained for about 5 minutes yesterday. I mean, don't get me wrong. I am incredibly thankful that we didn't get any of the severe weather. I really am. But couldn't we have had a little bit more rain than that?!?!? Eh. At least we didn't have any vehicle damage. Man, thought, do we need rain ...
Oh, took Sam to the doc the other day, and the verdict? Sinusitis. The doc had me look in his throat, and I almost started crying!! I don't know how in the world he has been breathing, let alone swallowing anything! My poor baby. So he's on antibiotics, and doing 110% better.
Did someone just say baked potatoes? No? Eh, that's ok. I think I'll go make one anyway ...
Lots more pics coming soon ...
My kids have discovered Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, two of my favorite movies when I was growing up. I found the old copies at my mom's house the last time I was in town. Here's the great part: they were both recorded off Tv, commercials and all. From 1987!!!!! It's awesome!!! Remember those little dancing chicken nuggets from McDonalds?? I love it!! There's previews for Moonlighting, Growing Pains, and other really funny stuff. (And, as it turns out, my childhood crush on Capt. Von Trapp is alive and well. How embarassing. We will never speak of this again.)
Knitting is stoopid. Only people who are losers knit. Ok, ok, that's not true. As you may have guessed, I am trying to learn how to knit in my ongoing quest to become The Perfect Homemaker. I just started yesterday. When I first sat down, I soooo almost pulled an Evelyn, which would be sitting, holding the object that is frustrating me, and screaming and shaking. So I have now somewhat figured out how to start a knitted item. I don't think I'm getting any better at it. On the upside, though, I don't think I'm getting any worse, either, so I guess that's something. I have no patience. Stoopid yarn.
Maybe you've heard, Austin has been getting some horriffic storms the last few days. Parts of South Austin had 2-3-inch hail two or three days in a row; and other aread of the Hill Country have been the same. How are we, you ask? Oh, great! It rained for about 5 minutes yesterday.
Oh, took Sam to the doc the other day, and the verdict? Sinusitis. The doc had me look in his throat, and I almost started crying!! I don't know how in the world he has been breathing, let alone swallowing anything! My poor baby. So he's on antibiotics, and doing 110% better.
Did someone just say baked potatoes? No? Eh, that's ok. I think I'll go make one anyway ...
Lots more pics coming soon ...
Monday, April 17
Clarifications and Confessions
I am not depressed. I am somewhat anti-social, incredibly busy, and pregnant. Since Thanksgiving, I ...
-packed up an apartment filled with a whole lot of crap,
-arranged for everything to be done in our new house because it was a really busy time for John at work,
-closed on a house,
-painted most of the interior of our house,
-MOVED,
-frantically unpacked in order to have guests over for Chirstmas,
-had a pretty big Christmas bash as said freshly-painted house,
-driven to Katy 4 times,
-had lots and lots of people over, to visit and to stay the night (which I love, please don't think I don't!!)
-had another big family thing the week after New Year's,
-got pregnant,
-been morning sick,
-have driven into Austin, which is an hour away, at least once a week, usually twice,
-have tried to take lots of naps
-have been taking care of my family, because at least one person has been sick almost every day of the last two months
-planted a butterfly garden
-planted a real garden, with tomatoes, garlic, strawberries, okra, squash, wax beans, sugar pumpkins, watermellons, cantelopes, and peppers. And I had to dig out a new space for those last four things, outside the existing garden,
-bought and raised guineas, and helped to build them a large cage, then a coop
-tried to figure out my way around a new town,
-am trying to find a new doctor or midwife for said pregnancy,
-have attempted to keep my house clean, keep the family fed (on a budget), and keep clean clothes avaliable.
So, I have not had time for multiple nagging questions asked over and over about the same subject, which does nothing but piss me off under regular circumstances.
I am intensely private, and unless I'm freaking out (see post from March 6) I am not likely to share all that much with people. I am not obsessive abuot keeping secrets, I just don't always offer much.
I am one of the most shy people you will ever meet; I just fake it around strangers, but I'm usually freaking out on the inside. We had a couple over for supper last week, someone John works with. I had talked to the wife several times on the phone, but ended up so nervous that I bit all my (awesome) nails down to the skin the day they came over. Some of the sweetest people I have ever met, but I was a wreck before they came over.
I am also one of the most self concious people I've ever know. I flip out about my apperance, not that I have to be perfect, but I worry that it's not good enough. I hate going out with the Girls, because I always feel like I look like crap, no matter how I'm dressed or what I look like. I am, however, secure about my parenting, and hate questions that start with, 'Don't you think ...?' No, I don't. If I did think whatever said question was about, I wouldn't be doing whatever I am doing. I have the support (and sometimes direction) of my husbad 100% of the time, and he is the only person whose opinion I want or care about.
I am the meanest Mama Bear you will ever meet. The quickest way to make me frighteningly upset is to mess with my family, or to comment about my marriage. Leave it alone and don't ask mean and/or hateful questions if you want a relationship with me.
I am a tad cranky today, but that has more to do with the fact that Sam has been running a fever for four days, and has been sleeping on the floor by my bed the last three nights and waking up at least three times every night, so I haven't been sleeping that well. I also have been avoiding the phone more and more, and we answer the phone, regardless of who it is, almost never. So no, I am not depressed, I am just very, very busy and somewhat disinterested. John and I joke that we have become even more anti-social since we moved out here, but neither of us (or the kids) have ever been more happy, or more content.
-packed up an apartment filled with a whole lot of crap,
-arranged for everything to be done in our new house because it was a really busy time for John at work,
-closed on a house,
-painted most of the interior of our house,
-MOVED,
-frantically unpacked in order to have guests over for Chirstmas,
-had a pretty big Christmas bash as said freshly-painted house,
-driven to Katy 4 times,
-had lots and lots of people over, to visit and to stay the night (which I love, please don't think I don't!!)
-had another big family thing the week after New Year's,
-got pregnant,
-been morning sick,
-have driven into Austin, which is an hour away, at least once a week, usually twice,
-have tried to take lots of naps
-have been taking care of my family, because at least one person has been sick almost every day of the last two months
-planted a butterfly garden
-planted a real garden, with tomatoes, garlic, strawberries, okra, squash, wax beans, sugar pumpkins, watermellons, cantelopes, and peppers. And I had to dig out a new space for those last four things, outside the existing garden,
-bought and raised guineas, and helped to build them a large cage, then a coop
-tried to figure out my way around a new town,
-am trying to find a new doctor or midwife for said pregnancy,
-have attempted to keep my house clean, keep the family fed (on a budget), and keep clean clothes avaliable.
So, I have not had time for multiple nagging questions asked over and over about the same subject, which does nothing but piss me off under regular circumstances.
I am intensely private, and unless I'm freaking out (see post from March 6) I am not likely to share all that much with people. I am not obsessive abuot keeping secrets, I just don't always offer much.
I am one of the most shy people you will ever meet; I just fake it around strangers, but I'm usually freaking out on the inside. We had a couple over for supper last week, someone John works with. I had talked to the wife several times on the phone, but ended up so nervous that I bit all my (awesome) nails down to the skin the day they came over. Some of the sweetest people I have ever met, but I was a wreck before they came over.
I am also one of the most self concious people I've ever know. I flip out about my apperance, not that I have to be perfect, but I worry that it's not good enough. I hate going out with the Girls, because I always feel like I look like crap, no matter how I'm dressed or what I look like. I am, however, secure about my parenting, and hate questions that start with, 'Don't you think ...?' No, I don't. If I did think whatever said question was about, I wouldn't be doing whatever I am doing. I have the support (and sometimes direction) of my husbad 100% of the time, and he is the only person whose opinion I want or care about.
I am the meanest Mama Bear you will ever meet. The quickest way to make me frighteningly upset is to mess with my family, or to comment about my marriage. Leave it alone and don't ask mean and/or hateful questions if you want a relationship with me.
I am a tad cranky today, but that has more to do with the fact that Sam has been running a fever for four days, and has been sleeping on the floor by my bed the last three nights and waking up at least three times every night, so I haven't been sleeping that well. I also have been avoiding the phone more and more, and we answer the phone, regardless of who it is, almost never. So no, I am not depressed, I am just very, very busy and somewhat disinterested. John and I joke that we have become even more anti-social since we moved out here, but neither of us (or the kids) have ever been more happy, or more content.
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