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30 June 2009

Thought Filled Tuesdays

**********UPDATE**********

Just wanted to add, that I did run when I saw the snake! But then as I was thinking, "What am I supposed to do?", I grabbed my phone to call hubby, then decided I should take a picture of it 1st. Why? Last summer when I found one in the laundry room, hubby was working then too, and he didn't believe me {well sort of, he thought I was exaggerating}, so I wanted proof this time...ha ha ha!

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I know...I've been slacking! So here goes!

-I am in lots of pain. I have a staph infection again. It's evil. We can't seem to make it go away. The only thing that makes me even remotely calm about how often we seem to get it is that I know I am doing everything right. I bleach everything in the house {all handles, knobs, drawer pulls, doors, toilets, showers, tubs, counters}, and I wash all the sheets, towels and blankets in hot water, with bleach, or color-safe bleach. We use a strict regimen once a month of medicine the doctors want us to use, and still, Tab and I continue to get it. Agggghhhhhh!
And the best part is that we have now had 6, yes, 6 doctors tell us that once you have it, you will get it more and that it has really begun to spread like wildfire and as a medical community, they can't seem to stop it. Great....thanks for the good news!

-I'm so thankful for the rain! 2 days now! Woo Hoo!

-I know this is a horrible picture, but this is what I found yesterday morning when going to get clothes out of the dryer:

Yes, for those of you who can't tell what that is, that would be a snake coming out of the attic! Yea, I have given up doing laundry. I mean, I know there are some trade off's for living in the quiet, peaceful, country...but I didn't sign up for these guys...especially in my house! And just for clarification, it's a rat snake, non-poisonous, but I don't care, I still hate them!

-I like warm weather, not blazing hot, melt your make-up weather like we had last week! 105...

-If you have kids, we found a super fun easy game for us to all play! Pictureka, it's like I Spy or Where's Waldo. It's lots of fun!

Also try: Monopoly Deal


-There is a new Nora Roberts series: The Bride Quartet

The 1st book in the series is Vision in White...I loved it!

and there is a new Jane Green book!!!!!

Dune Road - I haven't started this one yet, but will this weekend!

And I saved the best for last! Does anyone read Janet Evanovich? The Stephanie Plum Series is the best thing out there! I adore this set of books! And the next one was finally released:


That's all I have for you today...


If you feel like joining in and sharing your random thoughts go ahead! This is a simple thing, really it is. There is no point, or direction to these posts, just simple musings you have that you are willing to share! Have Fun!!!!!

Good Times, Good Friends

This weekend, we met up with a group of friends to celebrate...wondering what we celebrated? Our super great friends Robert & Lisa had an anniversary, and Lisa's birthday is also the same day {of their anniversary}! So we went to a local restaurant/bar called the Ice House. The nice thing about going there, is that it is family friendly {which I just found out}, so you can take the kids, eat dinner, listen to live music, and dance! We had a great time with our friends, and called it a night at about 9:30...which made Caroline none to happy!



Lisa & her son Justin


Cindy & Caroline dancing the night away!


I love this one because you can see how happy Boog is!


Amanda {Lisa's daughter in law}, Caroline & Me
{I thought something was funny!}


Lisa & Caroline I LOVE this picture!


Tab Dancing with Caroline

Sweet Girl


Being a country place, they have saddles scattered around to sit on. Caroline loves them and had to take pictures!




26 June 2009

Calling All Momma's

I need a little help from the Momma's! I have a sweet bloggy friend Tessa who writes the fabulous blogs Pardon Our Poo and Fat Chants. She cracks me up with how candid she is about raising her little boy and Fat Chants is hilarious even if your not trying to get down to that size 4 you've always dreamed of, you should really stop by.

Anywho...she is also a talented writer and business mom {ya know, business woman, but a mom..well I thought I was pretty cute with that one!} and she needs some feedback from her fellow mom entrepreneurs. She asked on her blog if she could pick our brains, and I of course said yes...who doesn't need a good brain picking every now and then right? So here is a little message I got from Tessa:


Thanks so much for allowing me to "pick your brain." :) You totally rock! Would love for you to click this link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229B38GZY6K and take a quick survey regarding marketing and mom-run businesses ... it's for a side biz a colleague and I just launched (results will help us tailor our offerings to best serve our clients).

If you know of any other mom/business owners, I would be forever grateful if you'd send this on to them, as well.

Thanks again, Mama! :)

I took the survey this morning, and its super quick! So, if you are a mom & business owner, please take a few minutes to help another mom out! And please feel free to send the link to any momma's you know that have their own businesses as well!

25 June 2009

Father's Day

I am so behind! Father's Day was pretty tame for us. We invited my parents and Tab's over for lunch. Nothing too big, just some special time together. Caroline invited her dad, but he had to work so he couldn't make it down...he did end up getting to come a little later that day to spend time with her though! I cooked steaks on the grill, garlic cheese mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, and green beans...so yummy if I do say so myself!

We stuffed ourselves. But we still had to eat the 2 layer chocolate cake that Caroline and I made for the dads! Caroline had such a good time on Sunday. She is really getting interested in helping me in the kitchen, and wants to cook! I love that, since I did the same thing with my mom. She helped me season the steaks, and she mashed the potatoes, she sprinkled the cheese on top of the mac-n-cheese before we baked it {but I think she just liked eating the cheese}, and then helped me mix the cake and ice it! Whew, she was such a big helper!

We didn't do gifts this year, just a special lunch and homemade cards. We really wanted to just spend some time with our dads, especially after the week we had.

When Steven got there, Caroline was very excited to help him make his plate! I didn't cook his steak, I didn't want it to go to waste if he didn't make it down, so Caroline got all the stuff down to season it and showed him how it was done! We left them alone for a while so they could spend time together, and when we got back, it was bath time. After Caroline got all sparkly clean, we sat down to all play pictionary together...surprisingly our little 6 year old is quite good!

I'm not going to get all mushy on here about dad's...mine knows how much he means to me, Tab knows how much I love the way he loves Caroline, and Steven...well, thanks for being there for boog.


Caroline and her "2 Dads" as she calls them

Family BBQ

A few weeks ago, we got together at the parents house for a little get together. Dad cooked on the grill and Mary Lou cooked her yummy beans! When we get together we goof around, play games, EAT, and just have a good time. This was once again another great day with the family!

The kids love Uncle Ronnie! He is the biggest kid of them all, and always gets in the floor and plays with them! The kids climb all over him and they have so much fun!



Thanks for being such a great uncle!


Me & Analisa {Ronnie's wife}

Caroline, Blake, Phoebe {the dog} and Dillon

My Daddy & Me!

24 June 2009

My Views, My Life, My Family

I am finally emerging again, and probably only because I am home sick again today. I have apparently caught a bug, and can't venture too far, so it has given me plenty of time for reflection and thought.

Hopefully after this post, I will be back to my normal self and can resume posting quirky things about Caroline and silly pictures, but for today, I am going to say a few things on a more serious level.

Thank you to all of you who have been thinking of us and praying for us. What a comfort!

I'm sure that with as cryptic as my last post was, many of you are a little curious, and that's okay, we're human, and we like to know what's going on...otherwise, why would we read blogs? As of late yesterday afternoon, things for us changed for the better! Finally!

I have never been one of those overprotective moms...I don't run to Boog when she falls down, I don't baby her, and I talk pretty straight to her; I didn't do baby talk. But, I have been very picky about the things she sees, plays with, who's care she's in. There are certain people I don't let her ride in a car with, definitly no Bratz toys, and I don't let her just go to play with anyone that asks. There are certain people that I trust implicitly when it comes to Caroline. Now even that has changed.

I always thought I was a great judge of character, maybe I'm not. I've learned my lesson, and I guess now I will be overbearing about certain things pertaining to my sweet little girl.

Caroline has always been a pretty good kid. Her biggest problem is talking...non-stop. I know, I know, she gets it from me. But, she has never been a mean little girl, she shares really well {especially for being an only child}, she is very thoughtful, so I am a little easy on her when it comes to discipline. She does get time out, a pop on the bootie, and toys taken away...I just let her push and I don't stick to the guidelines I give her. It's hard to be tough on your kids sometimes. Bottom line, she is very honest, blunt, knows right from wrong, and knows when and why she is in trouble.

Some of the things that have gone on over the past week have implicated her in a totally different light, as well as another child who is extremely well behaved, and comes from a super family with lots of love, and a strong Christian foundation. Not that this means this child is perfect, because clearly, we know no one is. But given the raising of this child, I feel strongly about the behavior that was called into question.

A case was opened concerning Caroline and another child, and what is so amusing to me about it was that the family that opened the case only knows Caroline, not the other child/family. And what makes the whole thing even more bizarre is that so many of the things we were told by the family who did this make no sense, and point more to an issue with their child. The stories are conflicting from what Caroline tells me, so what am I supposed to do? Believe another family who is telling me stuff 2nd and 3rd hand, or my own child? What makes it more frustrating is that is the same point the family tried to make to us. What do you do? Call their child a liar? That is what has been the hardest to deal with in this whole thing. Caroline and this child were caught doing things they should not have been doing, and the biggest question for both of the families was who taught them? Not us, not them, so they blamed the other child. Crazy.

What gives me comfort is that after several long, long conversations with professionals, they case was closed! Which proves there was no wrong doing on our endor the other parents, or on the parts of the two children. Hallejuah! I just felt such a relief wash over me yesterday afternoon when I got the news!

Now I am torn. I have a lot of anger for this other family, but also some concern. Is it that child who really needs help? Is that child the one who taught Caroline bad things? Are those parents too jaded to even accept the possibility that this child needs help? They completely left out their childs actions when they filed the report. They completely blamed Caroline and another child, totally refusing to believe that their child could be the root cause of this. We were told by professionals that this child was crying out. What does this mean for them? They tried to make us feel inferior by saying that they were going to get their child help because of what mine did, and I was stupid because I thought this was no big deal.

Totally wrong. What they refused to listen to was that we had already made appointments for Caroline to see someone. We talked with professionals about the situation, and they confirmed what we thought, it was nothing to get all worked up about, but could be cause for concern. When we told the other family that, they had the nerve to tell us that whoever we talked to should basically be fired because they were stupid. Are people so stubborn that they refuse to admit they might be wrong? That only they can be right?

Caroline is going to see someone. We hope to minimize any effects this may have on her, as well as hopefully get to the bottom of the whole thing. Poor girl was questioned by a police officer who was acting in a capacity they knew nothing about, without my consent, or my presence, and informing me well after the fact. What is wrong with people? They should tend to their own families and accept responsibility for them instead of worrying about others and making claims against them. I could make the same claims, I could file charges for the questioning of Caroline. But we are NOT going to bust into other peoples lives. All I can do is pray that this family can see that there was wrong in what they did, and that they too get help for their child.

I can say this: If after Caroline has seen her therapist, and they let us know that Caroline was in fact part of the problem, then I will go to the other family and let them know we are sorry for what happened. Until then, I have to believe my child. And I understand that they have to believe theirs. I respect that. What I can't respect is that they have no intention of even entertaining the thought that their child may be the problem. There have been signs that point to this child needing some help working through things. There is nothing wrong or bad about that, but this family must think there is if they won't even admit the possibility. At least I can. Caroline has never been anything other than a happy thriving little girl. She has never had any behavioral problems other than talk, talk, talking, and occasionally being whiny. Her teachers have never had anything other than that to say about her, which leaves me to believe she is a normal, happy, healthy, thriving 6 yr. old little girl. Regardless of the outcome, we have made the decision that we can no longer trust these people with Caroline's well being. She won't be allowed to play with that child anymore, which is really sad since they are good friends, but we have to do what is best for Boog, and for us, this is our choice.

On another note...Caroline had her blood counts done last Monday...280!!!!! Woo Hoo!

18 June 2009

Heavy on My Heart

I have been MIA for the last several days...sorry about that. One of the things I love most about blogging is that I can vent, share great things, have friendships, and meet people like me. There have been things happening this week that I don't know how to verbalize, but I want to. I'm sure most of this won't make much sense to anyone but me, and I apologize for that, but I just have to let some pain, anger, hurt and sorrow out.

Things can happen so quickly that you don't even have time to breath, which is exactly how I've felt this week. Monday started great, and then our world came tumbling down. Accusations were made, hearts broke, relationships and families destroyed. Things were said that made us put into question family, friends, children...those who we love the most.

This is not right...none of it. My view of the seriousness of this situation was called into question, by someone who thinks they know me, though they don't. My husband's view was called into question. The reality of it all makes me dizzy. The thought that there are people out there that are so convinced they are the only ones who know the truth, when the real truth may be just under their noses.

This whole thing seems so shocking, and part of it is. What scares me most is that people can't and won't see the truth through their own misguided fog, relying only on their opinion and nothing else, refusing to admit their faults in this. This is something that has shaken my whole family, as well as many other families. I think our biggest concern in the situation greatly differs, and may cause someone who needs help to get the wrong kind of help, or none at all. There are innocent people, families, who are being dragged into a situation that may or may not only involve one. We may never know the truth and that shakes me to the core, breaks my heart and changes how I view things. It changes who we will allow to be close to those we love. There are people who we can never trust again.

I pray that God will reveal the truth, that I have not been blind to this. I just don't feel that I have been. I know one of the people involved better than anyone else in the world, except for God himself. I need wisdom and guidance in this, understanding, truth. I need my world to be whole again and not torn apart. I need a way to shelter our family from this ugliness. I feel like I'm being told that I'm stupid simply because my view varies from others. And make no mistake, those who I have spoken with share the same view as my husband & I do. Professionals share our views.

Of course since this situation is unknown to you, you don't know our views, but I will share this:

Things clearly happened that were not good. Things that could have a serious meaning behind them. But given the amount of time since it happened, and no other instances until now, that is not likely. It seems to be that something new has happened that is not directly related to the other, but carries the same tone. And since they travel in the same realm, it is being directly related to the new situation, it's said that it's the cause. Maybe it is. I don't know. I think it is mostly a misguided, misunderstood, thing that was dealt with way back when, and know is being brought to the forefront of a totally unrelated situation. But that some of those involved are unwilling to accept another explanation for the current problem at hand.

The bottom line is that I have no clue what really happened. I wasn't there. Tab wasn't there. We have to go from what we were told 2nd and 3rd hand, which includes multiple story changes from some of the other people involved. I'm not sure if I'll ever know what really has happened. And I hate that just because someone tells me something, they feel that I have to react, feel, proceed, and see things the way they do, otherwise, I'm stupid.

I've been through a lot in my 31 years, some things I never thought I would. This one is at the top of the list. I just feel so raw, like I've been stripped to the bone. I just have to keep my faith in Him at the forefront of my mind, and know that He will lead us where we need to go. Only He can show us what the real truth is, and only He can bring us comfort.

Please be with us in thought. Though I know how hard it may seem to pray when there is no "real" request, please pray with us, for us, for those involved.

12 June 2009

Finally Friday

My week has been full of so much stuff: prayers, driving the back-up car with no a/c, finishing projects, injured family members, summer planning, work, and all my normal mommy/wife duties!

Whew
...I'm glad it's Friday!

And remember the supercute Coffee Table I was re-doing?



Here is the finished coffee table {except for the edges and drawers...so I guess it's not finished at all} I have been slaving away on in my very few spare hours!







Here is a close up of the knobs I made for it


And I did tell you that this was also going to be a chess/checkers board right?
Well, these are a few of the pieces for it! The top piece is what the checkers all look like, the other set of game pieces are brown with pale green embellishments.
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On to the next thing. Just because I love her so much {which is no surprise to any of you}, here a a few pictures of Caroline and her quickly changing moods!


Pouty one minute...

Silly the next!
Have a great weekend friends!

09 June 2009

Seriously Thought Filled Tuesday

I had a lot on my mind today! Check out these posts!


Thought Filled Tuesdays


As Requested by Caroline

Head on Over

Head on Over

To my business blog to see what I'm doing with this table...



Oh...you don't know how to get there? Let me show you!

just click here!

As Requested by Caroline

Caroline thinks its really neat that I have a blog for friends to keep up with us. She thinks that Michelle lets her kids see it all the time {don't worry girl, she has no clue you never even look at this thing!} and that her best buds know what she is up to! So occasionally she'll ask me if I put {blank} on my blog? Ummm....maybe?

So the other day she saw me putting up pictures of her graduation, and wanted to know why I didn't post pictures of the gift we made for her teacher? I had no answer. I couldn't exactly tell her that not everyone wants to know about every little thing we do.

In fear that she will have her oh-so-sensitive-as-of-late feelings hurt, I am going to post pictures of the book we made for Caroline's sweet teacher. Yes, I have pictures because it was either take pictures of the book, or I had to make 2 so that she would have one too!


We thought it was a cute idea, and a great way to commemorate her 1st year of school! I just asked her a bunch of questions, and she answered them...in her own words!

Thought Filled Tuesdays



So how was your weekend? Mine was good thanks! HeHeHe!

-We had a pretty low key weekend. Cleaned did more laundry...ughhh! Reorganized a bit.

-And I am really trying to de-clutter {is that even a word} the house and make more use of the space. We have soooo much furniture that I can't seem to find the right place for things. And why is there never enough storage? I'm at my wits end with this. And of course since we are trying to save money for more infertility treatments, it's not like I can justify going out and spending what I want to get things the way I want them! I'd much rather have a baby!

-I made a pot roast on Sunday morning, and let it slow cook all day...YUMMY! I love a good pot roast...potatoes, onion, carrots...and of course the roast, but really, I could live without the roast, I want the tender veggies!

-The only grocery stores we have down here are H-E-B's, and they're okay, I would still rather have a Central Market, but since H-E-B owns them, I can deal with it! H-E-B has their own brand of ice cream...now I am usually a Blue Bell only girl, but let me tell you, this stuff is awesome! I had some back on my birthday, and thought I would try to find it....Score! I found it....White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle...my tummy was so happy!

-I really need some parenting tips. Caroline has always been a pretty good kiddo, tons of energy, but pretty well-mannered. Lately she has really been pitching fits, whining, and arguing while whining. What do I do? It seems like nothing works. And its not just about getting her way, it's over anything and everything...is this normal?


One day, she'll be so mad at me for posting this!


If you feel like joining in and sharing your random thoughts go ahead! This is a simple thing, really it is. There is no point, or direction to these posts, just simple musings you have that you are willing to share! Have Fun!!!!!

05 June 2009

Dallas Anyone?

Now that school's out, I am thinking about a trip to the Big D...whaddaya think? Huh? I'm not sure when I would get to head that way, but at 1st thought maybe mid July. I have to check with Michelle before I make any plans of course because I would be the worst BF{this means best friend daddy} in the whole wide world if I didn't get to spend time with her!

So since I'm planning this little trip to my old neck of the woods, I was wondering if a few of my old girlfriends would love to meet up while I'm there? Hollie, Jen? And maybe since Hollie & Camily are buddies, I could meet you too? And of course the precious kiddos too! Just a thought, let me know what you girls think, and I'll see what I can figure out!

And for some reason, I'm in a really goofy mood today...so on that note Happy Friday...make a silly face!







And, yes...we are aware that we are HUGE dorks!

04 June 2009

Check it Out!

I posted 2 new posts today, so check them out!

Graduation

Slippin' and Slidin'


and...I finally created a button for my business blog!

Ta Da!

Graduation

Yes, it seems silly to me that we have Kindergarten Graduation...but I still think its adorable! Let me just tell you how cute & proud they all looked up on stage in the caps & gowns...stinking precious! They seemed so small last August when we all dropped them off. And then they walked in for graduation and I was so sad because they didn't look so little anymore...our babes were growing up.

Getting her Diploma from the Principal

With Her Class

Caroline's teacher, Mrs. Barrick & Caroline{duh}

We were so blessed to have Mrs. Barrick as Caroline's kindergarten teacher! She is truly wonderful! Caroline is so sad that Mrs. Barrick will not be there next year {she is having a baby in late August, so she's gonna stay home and play mommy}! She was so kind and sweet with the kids, and honestly taught them sooo much! I am very thankful that Caroline had such a great teacher! Thanks Jessica for everything over the last year! Best of luck with the new baby!


After it was over, we took Caroline to get some ice cream at Coldstone Creamery...yummy! The had cotton candy with gummy bears. I went for sweet cream with almonds and chocolate!


Just the 3 of Us


Then the little diva's went with Steven to see Up while I went home to cook us all dinner. They had a great time, and loved their special day together!