Aunt and Raceway Pictures

Yea for me!

Birthday, Mother's Day, and a baby shower! I am so spoiled. I have great people around me.

My sweet husband took me out to eat, gave me movies and an ice shaver machine, and gave me these beautiful flowers. Arranging them himself of course. Gorgeous!



My sweet friends got together and had a baby shower for me. I don't get to see them often so it was really special to be with them. You girls are great - thank you so much!

Garden updates

This is our garden in April. It grew fast when the weather got hot and humid. We fought a fire ant infestation in the garden, but now just keeping it wet and weed free is most of the work.

This is our garden in May. Growing fast! We ate our first squash and cucumbers yesterday. I think our neighbors will get sick of them as fast as we will. But I did it! We have a fairly successful garden.

Thanks to a friend from church we have these beautiful flowering plants.

I've been tagged

Seven random facts about me:

1. I dream of eating ice all of the time when I am pregnant. I obviously start with this because it is what just happens to be on my mind right now and, well, always. Supposedly that means I am anemic or something. I wish I could have shaved ice as my first choice, sonic ice as my second and third is the ice made at home (which is usually what I get).

2. I don’t like shopping. I get so frustrated searching for things I want at a price I want. If I do find something I want it is usually too expensive in my opinion. I, for some reason, think that I should be able to purchase an item at 20% the cost. Call it thrifty or crazy, but it has driven me to dislike shopping experiences.

3. I used to be a stage performer. This was my life, my work, my everything. I love partner dancing to big band music. I did summer theater and college “broadway style” shows. It is weird not performing any more.

4. I have a new thing for vines. I care about vines. I don’t know why. I find a lot of joy in helping them climb up a trellis or a post. I think we have bought too many for our yard, but I love them. My latest one is a Passion Vine. Ooo, pretty.

5. I love to play with my kids. They are so funny and creative. They are my best friends. They are forgiving, loving, crazy, silly, wild, sweet, and Christ like.

6. I got a nose bleed while getting married. I guess I was holding my breath trying to listen to every word and take it all in. I should have just breathed. I’ll never forget my sweet husband’s face when it happened nor the kind patience of everyone waiting for me while I was in the bathroom for a good 15 minutes. That is a long time for people when at a wedding ceremony.

7. I feel happy when I have a house of order. I am always working towards that goal whether you can tell or not.

Simple Joys

So we have had a messy office for a long time, well as long as we've been married. It isn't organized nicely yet, but we did get some cheap bookshelves. It is weird how happy bookshelves can make me feel. I never knew I cared for them so. Also, we got a large filing cabinet which also brings me joy every time I walk into the room! Our small one is overflowing and broken. I kind of laugh at myself when I see myself get so happy about a silly thing. I wonder if anyone else has the same silly confession as I? And no, the picture is not of our office. Wishful thinking for Marty at least.

My first rose

Last Fall we purchased a rose bush and let it sit all winter. I read up on how to take care of roses and went ahead and pruned it to death. Not really, but it seemed that way. Now it is starting to bloom. I find a lot of joy in going out every day and looking at it, caring for it and feeding it. The kids don't bother it much, thanks to the thorns. They are so beautiful and because of all the extreme pruning the bush yeilds large roses. Not as big as store bought, but bigger than I expected. I love them.

We got a Culvers!

When we lived in Illinois we discovered their glorified burger joint with yummy custard called Culvers. They have great customer service and that is a big plus in Marty's book! We just got one that is on the way to the grocery store - bad location for me. Too accessible. No, we have only been once, but it is very tempting. It costs a lot more than Wendy's so it is hard to justify it. Anyway, welcome Culvers! Jack had fun with the straw - he was funny.

3 Easter Egg Hunts

Sunday dinner and egg hunt with some friends. There must have been a hundred eggs.




Our home made eggs. Oh, and just so you know, that pink and white striped shirt is her favorite. She wants to wear it every day!



Preschool party. They had so much fun.

Jack was happy with just his raisins.




Neighborhood egg hunt. Massive chaos! Yet, Celie dominated - obvious from her winnings. Oh, look, her pink and white shirt again.

Sweet Bunny

We had an Easter party with preschool today. Celie had a blast! As we were driving to the party she reviewed the rules of an Easter hunt over and over. "First you wait, then you run, run, run (she showed us how fast by swinging her arms vigorously), and you pick up a lot of eggs!" She's got it down! She got to hold a baby bunny too. She loves animals. I can't wait until the frogs come back to our house so she can have friends any time!

What happened to the naps?

I just need to vent! I am struggling with my sweet Jack! He doesn't take naps very well any more and I need him to sleep for his sake and mine. He acts so tired all day, but can't get to sleep. There are 2 1/2 year olds that take 2 to 3 hours naps!! But my kids sleep for 10 minutes to a half an hour - why? He is transitioning from the two naps a day to one, but doesn't that mean it would be a longer nap. I think he is teething and that is making things worse for him, but rrrrr, I am frustrated! I'm sure this phase will be over soon, but I start to worry about my little #3 coming and having a 2o month old not napping! Scary thought. I remember when Jack was on his way and Celie stopped taking naps 3 months before he was born. It is like they are torturing me! Maybe this is one of those things that I will look back on and laugh.

On a happier note. Today was beautiful weather, I found out that my Mom is coming to visit, I tilled my garden getting it ready to plant, and I took care of my rose bush. It is good to remind myself of things I am grateful for.

Sold Another Car

Marty and I felt it was time to sell our car. It is sad selling a car. It is a part of you in a way - I don't know. Maybe I'm just pregnant and overly emotional - ya, that's probably it. So, good-bye to the infinity! We will be getting another car soon to replace it. I'm sure I'll announce that when it happens.

Year 2008!

Happy New Year!

I am trying to think of goals to commit to this year. Actually, I correct myself. I am trying to whittle down my list of desired goals to a more achievable and realistic list of goals. M is so great about motivating himself to improve life and working hard at it every waking moment. He says he doesn't want to look back and think he could have done more. He was like that on his mission too. I really have a great hubby. Maybe I could just make one goal this year. Be more like M! Isn't that a wonderful part of marriage?

Anyway, I hope all y'all (a very popular phrase in Texas) have a wonderful start to this wonderful new year!

Christmas Joy

Here are the presents Celie made for all you Grandparents. She loved making them and hopes you like them. Merry Christmas.

Celie's preschool nativity play. She was the inn keeper. Her line: "I'm sorry, there's no room in the inn, but you can stay in the stable." She was grumpy the whole time. Look at her forced smile in the middle picture. I think everyone was fighting over baby Jesus. They are all so cute.



Christmas Sunday in his nice suite . . . asleep.

Pictures

Some pictures. . .

Celie Dancing

Sharing banana

Smiley Jack

Christmas Decorations.

Celie in our big tub.

Preeschool at My House

Here is Celie's preschool group (missing on girl), Honeybee's. They have so much fun. I really enjoy teaching them. They enjoy the little things - I learn a lot from them.

These are pictures of them playing in our playroom (supposed to be formal dining room).

Isn't her smile to die for!!

I hope his mother doesn't mind. Oh, wait. I think he is cooking the dog on the burners.