Sic 'em Bears

Baylor has a Treat Night each year for Halloween. The dorms open up, and have trick or treating for the kids and grandkids of Baylor employees. Of course since she got to dress up and go to Baylor, she just had to wear her cheerleader uniform! She had so much fun seeing all the "big" girls in the dorms. Not to mention she got a truck load of goods!

Prayer for MckMama

"Please Lord, be with this family today as they bring their precious baby into this world. We know that whatever your plan is, Stellan will be in your arms. Please give MckMama and family some peace during the trials of today. I pray that Stellan will be a healthy baby, but know that whatever his condition, its your plan and its up to you to handle it. Lord, I know this family is blessed with your love, and pray that even during the rough times today they feel that love. It is my prayer that you give them peace, comfort and wisdom Lord. I pray for a quick recovery for MckMama so that she will be able to rejoice in her newborn son. Lord, I pray these things in your name, Amen"


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If anyone wants to join me in a prayer, please leave a comment, we can be prayer warriors together!

Yipee! Except.....what is she looking at?

I'm all in all pretty happy with Caroline's school pictures. We got them on Friday, and I was really nervous to see them! Oh.....don't act like you don't want your kids to take the best pictures, look adorable, and just be their cute selves......you know you do :)! So I wanted them to be cute...sue me!

Here is my little angel {ha ha ha!}

Pearly Whites

God did not bless me with healthy teeth. I have struggled for most of my life with all sorts of troubles regarding my teeth. My parents spent thousands of dollars on oral surgery, dental appointments, braces, cleanings, sealants, fillings, and crowns....only none of it seemed to hold {except the braces part}. For the past 7 years I have been struggling to keep my teeth healthy, to not much avail!

And yes, I am venting here {what better place}.

I have seen numerous dentists from Dallas to Waco, and no one has been able to REALLY help me until recently. Most of the dentists I have seen have passed most of my problems off as genetic, enamel deficiencies, and some even said the didn't know why. Its not because I have poor dental hygiene {I always receive great praise for my brushing and flossing skills!}.

Every dentist I have seen has said that I will not have any of my own teeth by the time I am 30 {oh....I am 30}, and most quotes have been around 30k to fix my teeth!!!! Do these people think that I am made of money? HA!

My new wonderful dentist is a true God send! He is amazing. On my 1st visit with him, he spent over 2 hours looking and x-raying, and taking inter-oral pictures so that he could devise a plan. Well, I do not have all of my God given teeth, but I still have a lot of them! Five are completely gone, if you want to count wisdom teeth too, that makes 9!!! So sad. And of my remaining 24 teeth, 10 of them are crowns!!!!! Which if you know anything about crowns a) they cost about a grand a pop, and b) it usually means a root canal came first! I've had 12...2 had to be re-done because the dentist botched the job and I was still in pain!

My bottom teeth are okay, mostly just some fillings. Its the top ones that don't seem to like my mouth as a residence.

All this to say that I have been in pain yet again for the past week. So, on Tuesday my sweet daddy is taking me to to dentist for more dental work. And yes, someone has to take me and hold my hand...they drug me heavily before I go, and there is always lots of tears and panic on my part. I have severe anxiety when going to the dentist.....gee, I wonder why?

Hopefully this will be close to the end of my dental woes....I already have some more serious dental work scheduled for January....that SHOULD be the end!

So please everyone, think happy thoughts and say some prayers that I will have a little peace on Tuesday!

And just for fun...I will show you some before and after pics of my teeth. And yes, this is slightly embarrasing for myself, but its the only way for you to truly understand my dental anguish!

I know this picture stinks,
but you can see all the dark spots where
my teeth just chipped away

On top of them breaking
they have always been yellow

The day after I got my first set of front crowns

Pardon my silly face
Caroline was sitting in my lap taking pictures of me
I wonder where she gets that?

Purses Anyone?

Did I ever tell you that I also make purses? I do. It's fun! I am a bag collector, I love them! So I decided to make them. I don't have any pictures of when I 1st started this, but I just got done making 2 so I made sure to snap some pictures for the blog world!




And believe it or not, I make them out of place mats...{and I swear I didn't use them on my table 1st!} I guess I have been making them for about 3 1/2 years now. And I have so much fun because I can make them any way that I want. So of course they are cute, crazy and super girly!
If your interested, just let me know! Sorry I had to put a plug in! You can also check out a little more of what I do here!

My Fair Lady

Last Sunday, we loaded up the minivan and headed to Dallas to meet Caroline's dad and his girlfriend {Steven & Abbi} for the last day of the State Fair of Texas. We had so much fun! Tab hadn't been to the fair since he was around 12, and it has been a few years since I have gone.

We had to hit all of Caroline's favorite places {she goes every year}, and try out a bunch of the new food! YUMMY! I love the food, and my 1st stop was Jack's Fry's!!!! I get them every time I go!



We saw the bird show, Caroline LOVES animals....ALL animals and most insects, so we made sure to see that 1st. Then we have to go see the dog shows, she loves to watch them catch frisbees! And then its off to the petting zoo, where I think she spent most of her time.







Steven & Abbi wanted to check out some rides on the Midway so we headed over there, when what do we see? Face painting. Abbi let Caroline pick out what she wanted {a pink cat} and get all painted up! She looked really cute! We decided to see if she would ride some rides....she may have NO fear 95% of the time, but we never know when the remaining 5% of fear will show up!








She did a really simple little ride 1st, and loved it. Then I took her on the little kid version of a roller coaster...her 1st roller coaster! Lets just say she was scared, and she loved it?!?!? She can be so odd some times {I blame that on her dad....there is nothing wrong with me :)} Then she rode another one with her dad {twice}. Steven, Abbi & Tab were trying to decide which ride they wanted to ride....NOPE, not me, thank you very much! They finally chose this AWFUL thing that has one car on the bottom, and it starts to swing around {like a pendulum} until it gets enough speed that it goes all the way around. And all during this, the car freely spins whenever the weight shifts! I couldn't even watch!




The last little ride was for Caroline, and it was so cute. It was like a mini Cliffhanger {Dallas people know this ride from Six Flags}, basically you have a car that drops straight down at a high speed. And no, I would not think that it would be cute to put my 5 year old on this, so let me explain how it worked. The car rose to the top {maybe 10 feet} and then dropped a foot at a slow speed, then it would drop a little more. I didn't think there was any way she would get on that thing....boy was I wrong....She loved it!

Mommy needs a Day Off!

UGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! That's how I feel right now, yep I do!

You know, I am mad at all the moms who did NOT warn me that school wouldn't really make my life easier! I thought it would!!! Really I did! I thought, great, she's in school, she will have more structure, and be tired at night! WRONG.....so wrong.

Since school started, I have been up there for so many meetings, conferences {not bad ones :)}, parent nights, and picking her up and we haven't even made it through the 1st 2 months yet!

And really, I bring it on myself...sadly I do. Why? Because that's my nature. It's true...I am a Drama Queen. I don't mean to be, I just am. I know I get part of it from my mom. My parents were both stay at home parents, and they were ALWAYS there for every function, meeting, dance class, you name it, they were there. So I tend to want to be that way too. Even though I work full-time. I have tried the stay at home thing 3 different times through Caroline's life, and I love it, but I like working too! And when I started again this time, it was for purely selfish reasons. Well, selfish for my family. Baylor has the best benefits, and Caroline {and any other children hopefully :)} will be able to have no tuition costs here. So in the long run its worth it.

But I am finding that these days, I long to be at home being a mommy. I REALLY, REALLY want to keep my business going. My creative side feels so sad right now. I love creating things, and I miss it! I only get to do things in spare time {what is that anyway} that I TRY to set aside. And I want to be a part of all the school stuff I am missing out on. I can't be the room mom because I work, I can't participate in the book fair, I can't help during the day to set up things at the school. Just ignore me...I am feeling sorry for myself. And I have no reason to.

I just want a vacation from work to be a mommy. Just a couple of days, that's all.

I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm crazy

I was showing Caroline some pictures last night. She gave me really odd looks. She asked me why I took so many pictures of things like her sleeping, and before she leaves for school, and her mopping {and many more}. I explained that some day I wanted to be able to look back and remember those moments. She didn't think I was so crazy then.

On the 1st day of school, she took a picture of Tab, me and her with her to school. She wanted it in case she was lonely and missed us {how stinking sweet!}. So after I explained to her why I take so many pictures she looks at me and says, "you mean like I took my picture with me to school, you take silly pictures so you won't miss me?" I told her that yes, I don't want to miss her, or forget all the sweet and fun things that she does. She hugged me and told me she loved me! Oh how that made my whole day! Now you can see why she was looking at me like I was crazy! I do take a LOT of pictures and capture some crazy stuff!

Avery & Caroline {so sweet}

Caroline - with her book
and her baby's pack-n-play
{if you look closely, you can see her barbies all tucked in}

She wanted me to paint her toenails "halloween"
{they are so small all I could do was polka dots!}

One morning before school

I know....random stuff, but I don't want to forget a thing!

Mayhem in my Mind

Strange title....I know. I have about 1000 thoughts racing through there, so it made sense....to me anyway.

I need to clear my head, so I thought, "I'll just post my thoughts!". Now this can be a scary thing, but if I put these things on paper {blog...same thing :)}, then hopefully they will leave me alone!

I so LOVE this time of year {fall...ha! like TX has a real fall}, but I live for the cooler weather, the fun things to do, and of course all the different holidays. So I am quite lively as of late!

*I just got done making Caroline's Halloween costume, which, is precious! She wanted to be a witch {even though she was one last year}, so I said okay. But then she changed on me! She wants to be a pumpkin. Huh??? Not what I was expecting, but sure. So I start looking at costumes online. What a joke. Have you ever seen a really cute pumpkin costume for a 5 year old? Nope, me either. I started thinking.....HELLO ALICIA.....you are the crafty queen, just make it silly! So I did! And it is just adorable! I will post pictures of it soon. And yes, I know its tacky to boast, but I'm quite proud of the way it turned out!

*I am SOOO ready to start renovating our house! Like I said I love this time of year, but its almost a drag for me to decorate our house. My wonderful father-in-law built our house in 1983. Our house is great...nice big rooms, HUGE kitchen, great bathrooms. We have a stone house, and it is great! We have this awesome stone mantel thing with an old wood burning stove in our living room, and my bathroom has a stone wall that is where the garden tub sits with a stone ledge behind it. I love it. Really I do. But every other wall in my house is wood paneling, which if you will remember was very 80's chic. Not anymore. I feel like I live in a cave. What makes it worse is every cabinet, and floor is also some shade of brown, so everything just fades into each other. And wouldn't you know, our kitchen furniture is brown too! We have decided to remodel. Or I guess mostly just redo our walls. And knock one wall out and move the stove. I'm ready NOW...but I can't do that and try to have a baby.

*Baby. I want a baby. We have been trying, and so far no luck{obviously}. I am about 2 weeks away from my "trying" time frame. We haven't decided if we are going to try this month. We better make up our minds soon. This may sound very odd to some people. We have infertility issues. Basically, we don't get to try for a baby, the doctor does! We just show up on the magic day!

*I am making a new purse. I started it last night. I really want to be at home working on it.

*I need to cut my coupons and finish making my grocery list.

*I have got to plan Caroline's 6th birthday party, it is slowly creeping up. So much to do.

*I miss my mommy. I get a little sad this time of year too. Mom has been gone for almost 7 years now. I get very sentimental about it, and some times down right depressed.

*I need to get 2 birthday gifts for parties Caroline is invited to.

*Caroline wants me to make her a new purse too.

That's most of the things taking up the biggest amount of my brain. There are tone more floating around in there, just not quite as prominent! Like I'm wondering if my parents are having a good time...but I know they are so it is just a fleeting thought every few days!

What is she thinking?

I know we all wonder what our children must be thinking at times. And some of us happen to catch these moments on film. So these are some of my favorites of Caroline and the mysterious looks on her face!







{by the way.....this bottom pic was taken the morning of picture day at school...I hope the real school pictures son't look like this! :)}

MckMama

Most "bloggers" seem to know about MckMama and baby Stellan. If you don't, check her out. For those of you who know what I'm talking about, you will understand this post! After following her blog, and feeling so touched by her and her family, I decided I wanted to contribute to the Stellan Name Gallery.

Most of you also know that I am a creative genius {just kidding!!!}, and that I LOVE to paint and make things. So, I sat down and decided that Stellan should have a piece of wall art. So I painted him a canvas. Which, if I do say so myself, is super precious {that's for you ML}! I have been waiting to make this post, but I didn't want to until MckMama received her gift.

I got the email today! And she loves it! Yipee! So without further delay:





I don't know about the rest of you, but it makes me feel so good to know that I have brightened someone's day. It makes a heart feel good! I hope the best for this sweet family, and keep them in my prayers daily.

Now, why can't she clean HER room???

Sunday afternoon was a day of cleaning in the Murry house. Of course Husband ran off to play trucks next door at his brothers! So I am cleaning away, when out of the blue, Caroline wants to come see what I am doing. I happened to be in our game room at the time sweeping and moping the floor.

**** Caroline goes through spurts when she is overly helpful, and others when she is very defiant and does not want to help. She always wants to help when water is involved {washing the dishes, clothes, the dogs, cleaning the sinks...you get the picture}, but if its putting things away {dishes, folded laundry, groceries} good luck getting a smile out of her!****

Knowing this I should not have been the least bit surprised that she comes in to see me mopping and begging to mop too. I have already been at it for about 30 minutes { I will explain why shortly}, so I am kind of glad for her help. All in all it took us about 2 hours to mop the floor, and she did an excellent job!

****Now for the reason it took so long! Several months ago, on a Sunday afternoon, I was getting the floors swept and furniture moved so I could sweep and mop. Caroline came in to help me sweep and when we were done she wanted to help me mop. So I start filling the sink with water and mr. clean. Caroline wants to go get the mop out of the laundry room, so she goes through the game room to the door. She hates being in the dark, and always asks me to come turn on the light, and when she did, I told her I was watching her, and there was enough light for her to go get the mop. The mop is in between the washer and dryer, and when she gets the door open, she couldn't see so I told her to just walk over there and get it. She wouldn't so I then told her to reach up and turn on the light. I have never seen her eyes get so big!!! At about the same time, we both see the importance of tuning on the lights. Had she not turned them on, she would have walked smack dab across the top of a snake. Yes that's right, I said SNAKE!!!!! Caroline started shaking screamed SNAKE, and literally ran up my body till she was clinging to my head! Poor Caroline, she looked at me after I got her {and myself} calmed down, and with teary eyes told me," see mommy, that's why you should turn on the lights for me."****

Needless to say, I neglected mopping for a few months...I know, that's gross, but I'm a big chicken...sue me!

Here are some cute pics of Caroline helping!

Picture Day....Please don't get dirty!

Today is the day that Caroline will have her first school pictures taken. I am a nervous wreck, praying that she will:

a. Not get dirty
b. Leave her bow in her hair
c. Smile her real smile
d. Not make funny faces

You have to understand, I love pictures. My family loves pictures. And most of all, I am an extremely sentimental person. I save really stupid things that only make sense to me. So I'm sorry, I can't help it....I want her 1st school pictures to be good. You may think that makes me a crazy mommy, oh well. I have my moments {we all do, just not everyone fesses up to them!}.

So of course as I am getting her ready this morning, there is drama....like always!

Me: Boog, finish your cereal so I can do your hair.

Caroline: {Crying} Awwww......I don't want you to do my hair.

Me: I'm doing your hair, you have pictures today, and you can't have crazy hair.

Caroline: {big smile} Can I have straight piggies {pig tails}

Me: No, you are not having piggies for pictures.

Caroline: Awwwwwwwwwwww, but mom!

Me: Oh, and you have to wear a bow.

Caroline: {whining} oh, great.

She knows this means I mean business! So then of course as she gets on the bus, I remind her to leave her bow in her hair. She is ornery, so, she turns to me and smiles. That can't be a good sign. I should have named her sassy.

Saturday Silliness

My parents had the whole crew over to their house on Saturday afternoon/evening for dinner. The kids all love to go to their house because they live right next to the creek, and they LOVE to go down there to throw rocks. So I followed them down to get some pictures, and buy did I ever get some good shots! To be young and free, and have so much fun again.....












Then after my dad hosed them down, we had some snacks and celebrated Tracy's birthday with gifts. We had dinner out on the patio, then it was time for the entertainment of the evening {as if the kids weren't entertainment enough right?}. Family tradition says that there MUST be a pinata at all celebratory family gatherings. My brother Ronnie takes this very seriously. He even reinforces the pinatas so that they don't break at the top. We all have to participate starting with the Honoree, then going from youngest {Caroline} to oldest {my daddy}. It is always so much fun!

Friday Family Fun

We had family in this weekend from Canada and California. Auntie Barbara {California} and Uncle Richard {Canada} drove down to spend some time with my parents and all of the family. They didn't really do much {what's there to do down here}, but they did get some good quality time with everyone!

Friday night we went to my step-sisters {Tracy} house for dinner. We ate, sat on the porch and had a really great time. The little kids of course played and played, and we shot off a few fireworks {we live in the country, its ok, really}. For some reason, I didn't get too many pictures, but I did get one of Auntie Barbara and the kids.

Dillon, Caroline, Auntie, & Blake

So many things!

So I have a lot to post about, and will make several of them today so as not to make one Huge one! But, while it is fresh on my mind, I have to VENT!

I was out getting lunch just now, and running to the post office, and there was this car parked next to me. Why is this so important you may ask?

There were 2 babies in the car WITHOUT car seats!!!!! One was in the FRONT seat in a womans arms, and the other was laying down in the back seat!!!!! What is wrong with people? Many of you know how much this upsets me, so I did what I always do.....I called the police. I gave them the make of the car and the license plate info!!!!!

Maybe I should mind my own business, but on this I just can't! It breaks my heart to see that people do that to their children. And yes, I have heard the argument about not being able to afford a car seat....especially multiple car seats. BUT...police departments, fire departments, and MANY other places will provide them to people who can't afford to buy them.

Caroline will ride in a "seat" for as long as her little hiney will fit in one! I don't care if she is 8 years old! {she's about to be 6, and still has a "full booster".

It's only hair after all....

Every now and then I get tired of my long locks and I decide to cut them....this was the case yesterday. Now I know, many of you prefer me with my long hair {Michelle, if you read this before I call you, I'm sorry!} Trust me, my usually sweet hubby, wasn't so sweet last night! Our conversation went something like this:

Me: Surprise Honey!

Tab: Ugggghhhhhh

Me: I love you honey, it'll grow back!

Tab: Uh-huh

So, if you don't like it, so what! Just don't say anything!


The Old Hair

The New Hair {my hair is naturally curly}

HOT Fair & Rodeo

We have a Fair down here in Texas...no, I'm not talking about THE fair {State Fair of TX}, but we have one on a way smaller scale! I took Caroline & Avery {Tab was working} and met our good friends, Robert, Lisa & Cindy and we went to the Big Kick-Off Parade last night! The girls had lots of fun....until the people from the Haunted Houses came through! Caroline was done when she saw them! Here are a few pictures....