Leaky Little Boat

Photo of the Day

2011-02-14T23:42:00.000-06:00

Day 45:

Valentine's Day! Ivan gave me a present way better than flowers- a new doggie! A friend of a friend was looking for a home for her. She's 1.5 years old and super sweet! Meet Roxy!
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-11T20:32:00.000-06:00

Day 42:

Took Cam to the baseball skills evaluation. He did good! I'm so excited to watch him play!
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-11T13:18:00.000-06:00

Day 41:

What did Max do at school to get this dirty?? I'm positive I didn't drop him off at a coal factory.
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-09T21:26:00.000-06:00

Day 40:

Another snow day! Also breaking temperature records. High around 20 and tonight a low of 9; with high winds making it feel below zero. What better dinner than my special Potato Cheese Soup! Paired with a ham panini, we're at least warm on the inside!
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-08T23:07:00.001-06:00

Day 39:

After dinner I realized I hadn't taken a picture yet today. I told Max, hey smile for me and this is what he did. I love you too, Max!
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-08T23:06:00.000-06:00

Day 38:

Today was a teacher work day, so no school for the kids. We spent most of the day at the table, doing homework they've been putting off, making a birthday card for grandma, some other crafty stuff, and a poster for the 100th day of school. Good day, just spending time with the boys and their laughter.
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-08T23:04:00.001-06:00

Day 37:

SuperBowl Sunday! Packers vs Steelers. Go Packers! Gus napped on Dad's feet while he watched.
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-08T23:03:00.001-06:00

Day 36:

Today is Saturday. I've only left the house once since Tuesday and the kids haven't left at all. Cabin fever, even for homebody Max. I wanted to take them to dinner but since Ivan's been working all week and hasn't been iced in, he was enjoying being home. He suggested we go, and make it a mother/son dinner date. We went and had so much fun. Max did too, I promise, but was so tired by the time we got home he didn't want any stinkin pictures.
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-08T22:51:00.000-06:00

Day 35:

4th day in a row school was cancelled! The last storm's remnants were still causing trouble when another storm moved in. We woke up to about 4 inches of new snow. So dang pretty! It snowed all day until about 3.
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-08T22:50:00.000-06:00

Day 34:

Another day off school, and this why. Roads are still layered with ice. And with highs around 20 it wasn't going anywhere.
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-08T22:49:00.000-06:00

Day 33:

This is Day 2 that the kids are out of school. We're experiencing rolling blackouts, meaning no tv and video games to rot their brains. They're having to get creative to fight the boredom. Twister is always a good time!
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-08T22:47:00.003-06:00

Day 32:

Snow day! More like ice day, since the inch thick layer of it on the roads was more the reason for cancellations. Bitter cold today too, wind chills in the minus degrees!
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-08T22:47:00.001-06:00

Day 31:

Poor Tanner can't go a week without seeing a doctor. This is his rash after having a reaction to amoxicillin.
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Photo of the Day

2011-02-08T22:46:00.000-06:00

Day 30:

Ivan had a call-out today and I decided to ride along, I love a fun road trip! Here's the sun setting on the compressor he was working on.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-29T23:03:00.000-06:00

Day 29:

Tanner got a looong overdue haircut. So handsome and sharp!
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-29T00:19:00.000-06:00

Day 28:

Today is the first day I've truly felt good since being sick. It was warm and I put on my favorite flip flops and stood in the sun and felt alive! It was great!
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-27T19:56:00.000-06:00

Day 27:

First grade. It's still hard to watch him walk away.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-26T21:03:00.001-06:00

Day 26:

Cameron had his first cross country meet today, placed 14 out of 50. Yet another activity I'm so proud of him in. :)

Photo of the Day

2011-01-25T23:10:00.001-06:00

Day 25:
Helped Max clean his room today. Sorted the hot wheels from the rest of the toys. I think he has plenty, but I'm sure he'll get another next time we're at the store. ;)
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-24T23:42:00.001-06:00

Day 24:
Fiery sunset over the lake.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-24T00:21:00.001-06:00

Day 23:
My sweet boys Cameron and Max brought me breakfast in bed this morning. Buttered toast, a donut that they saved me (Ivan bought them donuts yesterday morning), apple juice and a fortune cookie. Loved it. :)
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-22T21:45:00.001-06:00

Today was spent sleeping, coughing, and watching Barrett-Jackson car auctions.

(I never said every day would be exciting. ;)
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-22T21:36:00.001-06:00

Flu, strep, ear infections. :(

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Photo of the Day

2011-01-21T10:01:00.001-06:00

Day 20:
Happy Birthday, Brytleigh Ann-Genice Gutierrez! My niece Kara had her baby girl today, on her grandmother's birthday. 4 lbs 13oz, 18 inches long.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-19T21:24:00.001-06:00

Day 19:
Sunrise fun while I waited for the windows to defrost this morning.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-18T20:27:00.000-06:00

Day 18:
Cameron, my musician. This is only his second year playing trombone and he's doing amazingly well. After his first year they put him in Honor band, Second Chair! He's one of only a few 7th graders, most in there are 8th. I'm so proud of him, he's a natural!
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-17T22:33:00.001-06:00

Day 17:
My poor Tanner. He used to be the kid that never got sick. But the last three years he's been the opposite, the sickliest of us all. He's already been sick three times this winter, but this being his first flu. Hopefully he only gets it one time this year...last year he got it twice! I took a picture of him at the Drs office, on the table with his head down looking so fragile and sweet. But, he swiped my phone and erased it so this is my make-up picture.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-17T00:13:00.000-06:00

Day 16:
After weeks of wiggling, Max finally lost his front tooth! Monumental day for him.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-15T19:42:00.000-06:00

Day 15:
This is my dream bike. Harley Davidson V-Rod. Yum yum. Every time we go to the Harley shop I have to go touch it. In my dreams I get on and ride away. Maybe someday....
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-15T15:58:00.000-06:00

Day 14:
Max is doing his very first report for school! He chose to write about the fox, his favorite animal since seeing them at the zoo. This is an extra credit assignment, but Max never considered not doing it. He got a book at the school library. (He and another little girl both wanted it. He told her, I need this book for my report, why do you need it? She said, because foxes are cute! He was totally appalled that she needed it for such an unimportant reason.) He came home that day and sat for two hours reading the book and taking notes. This weekend we'll be doing the report and making a poster with pictures. I'm proud of his efforts and I love to watch him learn.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-13T22:58:00.001-06:00

Day 13:
It's always a great day when I get to hold a baby! A friend came to visit bringing this cutie, her name is Courtney. (She's a very happy baby but only likes to take serious pictures apparently.)
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-12T15:53:00.000-06:00

Day 12:
Meet my Christmas present and newest kitchen helper! KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Mixer! 575 Watt, 6 Quart capacity, 14-Cup Flour Power! Go big or go home, right? What should I make??
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-11T22:13:00.001-06:00

Day 11: (1-11-11!)
Max must've had an exciting day at school.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-11T00:25:00.003-06:00

Day 10:
Bedtime stories with Max. Good times!
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-11T00:25:00.001-06:00

Day 9:
Snow in Texas! Huge flakes fell and created a scene from a Christmas card. This is my house at dusk. I didn't change the color, contrast or anything else about this picture, it's straight from the camera. It looks magical!
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-11T00:24:00.003-06:00

Day 8:
Not a stunning picture or an exciting topic, but this is what we did today. Clean floors make me happy!
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-11T00:24:00.002-06:00

Day 7:
I can't resist a good sunset picture.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-11T00:24:00.001-06:00

Day 6:
I love birds, and hawks are just awesome. We saw this one on the way to school this morning, we stopped in the street and watched it for a few minutes. I love that they have cute little faces but could tear your eyeballs out. ;)
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-10T23:19:00.001-06:00

Day 5:
This is the necklace Ivan gave me for Christmas. White and black diamond penguin. I love love love it! (this picture does nothing for it, it's so sparkly and pretty!)
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-10T23:11:00.001-06:00

At the end of a very trying day, this sunset was the only thing I was willing to photograph to represent the day. Thank you, sunset.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-10T23:09:00.002-06:00

Day 3.
Road trip back home to Texas!
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-10T23:09:00.001-06:00

Day 2.
My beautiful niece Kaiden helping us make ice cream.
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Photo of the Day

2011-01-10T22:47:00.000-06:00

Day 1.
Happy New Year!
We had a great NYDay dinner, Mexican food! Green chile casserole and red chili casserole, beans, homemade refried beans, homemade Spanish rice, tamales and fideo. Followed by cobblers- a peach and an apricot. And for the grand finale, homemade ice cream; a vanilla and a mixed berry. Frozen with snow brought with us from Luna!
I was too excited about eating to remember a picture before we dug in. ;)
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Krista

2009-12-02T01:11:00.000-06:00

While family was here for Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law asked if I would take some pictures of her daughter, Krista, to create a portfolio for her. Yes of course! You don't have to ask me twice to pick up my camera. I had so much fun with her! Tanner who came to tag along, ended up being a valuable 'assistant,' (and has been given that job for any future shoots.) I love some of these pictures I got for her. How relevant they are to her portfolio needs, I don't know. But we had fun, and got some pretty pictures!

In related news, I'm shooting my first paid wedding! Day after Christmas. I'm excited, but I'm so nervous! Eeek!

I love this first picture.

This is my favorite picture of all of them.

I absolutely love this picture!

My Life According to John Mayer

2009-08-12T13:08:00.000-05:00

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 20 people including me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Re-post as "My Life According to (BAND NAME)"

Pick Your Artist: John Mayer

Are you a male or female? Daughters

Describe yourself: My Stupid Mouth

How do you feel: Dreaming With A Broken Heart

Describe where you currently live: Home Life

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Come Back To Bed

Your favorite form of transportation: Stop This Train

Your best friend is: Comfortable

Your favorite color is: Another Kind of Green

What's the weather like: Covered In Rain

Favorite time of day: Heart of Life

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Split Screen Sadness

What is life to you: Only Heart

Your current relationship: New Deep

Looking for: Clarity

Wouldn't mind: Your Body Is a Wonderland

Your fear: Something's Missing

What is the best advice you have to give: Good Love Is On The Way

If you could change your name, you would change it to: Victoria

Thought for the Day: In Repair

How/when I would like to die: Why Did You Mess With Forever

My motto: Wait Until Tomorrow

Dark and Stormy Night

2009-06-11T22:44:00.000-05:00

Seems like here in Texas, we never get a gentle afternoon rain. We either get drought, or a severe weather event. I wasn't used to that coming from NM, where we hardly get any weather at all. Well talking to my neighbor last night, who's been here three months, I realized I'm now a seasoned veteran after 8 years here. I feel more prepared, but it's still scary. About 6 years ago, we lived ten blocks from where a tornado touched down. It tore trees out of the ground, roofs off homes, power poles down. Nothing to make national news, but plenty unnerving. We watched the clouds swirl around above us, forming a funnel then going back up, numerous times. Amazing to see, breathtaking. This time we weren't able to see the clouds, the sideways and swirling and pounding rain blocked anything beyond the porch. It was *loud.* I kept thinking, is this loud enough to be that freight train noise people always say they hear? I hated the not knowing; at least watching a funnel come toward you lets you feel more aware. We do have a planned safe spot (the pantry under the stairs) but no one mentioned going there, at least not outloud. Ivan was on his laptop, trying to get up-to-date info, but couldn't get enough signal. I had a pocket radio scanning for info, but only found music. My biggest source of worry was the fact that Cameron wasn't home; he was a block away at a friend's house. Although I trusted the mom, and was texting with Cam, not having a child within your reach at a time like that is a horrible feeling.

Our neighborhood had some broken trees, some fences down, lots of shingles blown off. We lost some small branches, the grapevines suffered some, but we were very lucky. Our roof held up, and only lost a few pears off the trees. Cameron was planning on spending the night with his friend, but as soon as it had blown over and was safe, the mom was dropping him off. lol.

Just before the sun set, the clouds parted, and we were rewarded with some patches of blue sky and beautiful colors, and reassured with a full rainbow. I took pictures that night, and the next morning.

We were without power until about noon the next day. Just long enough for the kids to get really bored, then realize going outside and using their imagination wasn't so bad. Ivan picked up a generator from work for the fridge and freezer, so my biggest concern was solved. It's kind of fun to change up the routine sometimes. ;)

I didn't change any of the colors of these pictures, I only cropped.

They hung in there!

The boys were fascinated by the lamp and the flame.

Brushing teeth by lantern light. Never so much fun!

In my room. I thought the shadows on the wall were interesting.

Safety in numbers. They all decided to sleep in Tanner's room, I think because it's downstairs and less scary then upstairs...even considering mom and dad are upstairs.

Sunrise the next morning. No air conditioning, so we slept with all the windows and the sliding door in our room open. Listening to the constant thunder all night was awesome. Waking up to the humidity and feeling like we slept in a sauna was not. Ick. Overnight another set of storms sprung up and all morning towns east of us had massive flooding, high water rescues, evacuations. We just had some light rain, and a view of a fantastic lightning show.

This was the next night's sunset.

Baby Miniatures

2009-06-01T10:01:00.000-05:00

More Pictures

2009-05-28T14:34:00.000-05:00

This is the view from my favorite window in the house, pictures can't do it justice. I love to just stop and observe; the roses, the grapevines, the crepe myrtles, the birds, the sounds. It's just unfortunate that this window is in my bathroom.

Pears beginning to form.

Fig tree starting to bud.

Baby fig.

I love the little arms on the grapevines.

Crabapple blooms.

Our first spring rose.

Blooms on bradford pear tree.

Mean, mean knife set.

White has always been a good color on Tanner.

Mother's Day flowers.

I love this soap dispenser I found at Target. Yellow is kitchen hand soap, purple is dishsoap.

Jalapenos I found at a little store here. They're HUGE! We stuffed them with cheese, wrapped them in bacon, and grilled them. MMMM!

I found Max sleeping on the stairs.

Fresh Air and Sunshine!

2009-05-28T00:33:00.000-05:00

I am such a blog-slacker! Nothing but cobwebs and dust in here. I'm so proud of Lanette for keeping up with her blog. I've tried and failed.

Besides raising a trio of boys, I've been doing two things. Incubating germs, and spending time in my yard. Hopefully I'm finally finished with the germs (the flu in May, leave it to me. That was the sickest I've been in years.) Looking forward to being well, that only leaves me with outside! I'm not known for being a person that likes to spend time outdoors. Don't get that confused with activities like camping, I love that stuff. Just in general, if there's a choice I'm usually inside. Well look at me now! I've exhaled the stale air, and ventured into the breeze! We have alot of shade trees, so I'm not exactly tan, but at least it's fresh air! My porch is my favorite place to be; it instantly reduces stress just walking out there. Ahhhh....

I'm starting my own trend, I'm calling it, Project: At Least I Post Pictures Every Now and Then. :) Here are just a bunch I've been meaning to share.

Tanner dressed for Field Day at school. He's usually strictly a jeans kid, this was out of his comfort zone. I told him all day that I liked that look on him, and he should dress sporty more often.

Don't they look thrilled with me??

Self-propelled....run faster Cam!

Front flower beds

My neighbor in the back has miniature horses. This spring they had two babies! They are so adorable! I only got one this time because my battery died, I'll go back.

A flower bed all ready for planting. It was taken over by that crappy viney grass, the roots were a nightmare.

This photo taken by Tanner, so cute!

The grapevines in the back are loaded with grapes! Stay back, birds!

Gus loves to play on the trampoline. He just bounces and flops around like a rag doll when the kids jump, and he loves it. He likes to chase them around and around.

A few weeks ago we had a rash of wildfires break out all around the area. The smoke made an eerie, but pretty glow.

One of Ivan's dreams has come true, he finally has a bass boat. We only live about half a mile from the dock, so he and the boys will get alot of use out of it. This was before he washed it for hours, he'd be mad if he knew I was showing it dirty.

Cowboy hat, sheriffs badge, nerf gun, and a light saber. This kid means business!!

Cam and his friend Dylan, jamming out.

Coming back from an errand the other day, Ivan drove me through downtown Dallas because he knows I love it there. Only got pictures from the car, but I'll take what I can get.

Pretty catepiller...makes me wonder if the butterly will have the same colors...

More Make-Up Days

2009-04-04T15:24:00.000-05:00

Day 37
We've had a string of bad luck concerning water and the kitchen. Nothing as bad as the big flood, but there have been a couple smaller happenings; so frustrating! Doing dishes, I hear water start to gush. A connection between pipes had come loose, and the whole sink full of water was draining all over underneath! Had to take every single thing out, dry it, throw it away, take it out of it's mushy box, undo whatever damage was done. But, in the end, it was nice and clean and organized, and looked great! So great I wanted to share. :)

Day 38
Dinner on the Balcony at Sunset

Day 39
How I spent the month(or where I wanted to be at least.) Photo courtesy of Ivan. Thanks dear.

Day 40
Tanner the engineer. This is an ongoing project, he goes out and spends hours working on it, building a whole system of dams, channels, drainage. Then he'll level it, and start over. He's always liked to play by himself, just sit and think something through. It's very interesting, and I love to watch him.

Day 41
Shopping Green. I've been meaning to switch to reusable bags for a long time, and finally did it. I love the bags, they aren't inconvenient at all.

Day 42
Reorganized recipes. They needed it!

Make-Up Days

2009-04-04T12:57:00.000-05:00

Day 31
Found these two just staring out the window, daydreaming.

Day 32
Wet rat Gus.

Day 33
Tanner's Science Project.

Day 34
I hate ants! Never had this kind before, though. The upstairs bathroom all of a sudden was attacked by carpenter ants. I came in one day to find them everywhere. They had made a hole in the ceiling, and were sawing away happily. This pic was after I sprayed them with windex. Since then we've had a great exterminator come in and now the only time I see an ant, it's dead or dying. Yay!

Day 35
Off to school, with a backpack that weighs the same as he does. That night I helped him go through it to see what all he had in there, I found tons of graded papers that he'd never shown me, and at least 6 books that he's reading or has read. I'm so proud that he loves to read. He should just haul around one at a time.

Day 36
My Tax Return Splurge
Natalie, you're going to hate me. I got a dyson! It's awesome. It really does clean so much better. And the navigation with that ball, it feels like a sports car, vrroom! I can use it on the hard floors, too, just push a button to turn off the brush. My only complaint, and it makes me sad to say, the quick-draw telescoping wand. It is quick-draw, that part is nice. But it's stiff, and part of it isn't hose, it's solid, so it's sometimes difficult to use. My last vacuum, a plain jane, I could easily vac the stairs with it. With the dyson, the stairs are a pain! Everything else is great, though, so if I just bribe Tanner into vac the stairs for me, all is good! :)

Day What?

2009-03-31T11:57:00.000-05:00

It's hard to keep up with a daily thing like Project 365 when you're a busy mom. Even harder when you're a procrastinator. Harder still when you're sick for the entire winter! I am so done with being sick! I wish I could wake up and say I feel great! Instead I get up trying to decide how miserable I'll be that day, and what meds I can take to try to help. First I had a plain old cold. That lingered longer then colds usually do for me. Then it morphed more into a head cold, then the sinus pain. I've never had sinus problems that bad. I went to the dr, sinus infection, gave me meds. At the time my ears hurt, but no more then just a symptom of the sinus thing. Halfway through the antibiotics, my ears got so much worse, not better. Had to go back to the dr, this time for some different meds, and a steroid shot in the butt (Man, that sucker hurt! Still does actually!)

Add to that some major girly problems, more meds...I've been a barrel of fun!

I'm finally on my way to becoming well, I think. I feel pretty good during the day, but at night my headache comes around, and my ears start to ache. Ugh, my poor family, they must just be wishing I'd get better or find somewhere else to live.

I have been taking pictures, of course, but I do have some blanks. My 365 might take me a while longer then an actual year, but I'm ok with that.

Wherever there's a day I missed, just picture these germy guys in it's place:

Day 30

2009-03-12T17:22:00.000-05:00

My new washer! And I only captured Tanner watching it, but at one point all of the kids and the dog were sitting here watching. lol. Gus still likes to watch it.

Day 29

2009-03-12T17:14:00.000-05:00

Heather sent me this picture of my great-niece Kaiden, playing in the snow. She's such a doll, I miss her!

Day 28

2009-03-12T17:08:00.000-05:00

Before going to bed I looked for Gus to put in his kennel. I found him snoozing illegally on Cameron's bed.

Day 27

2009-03-12T16:48:00.001-05:00

Here are the flowers I gave Ivan. I had so much fun taking pictures of them.

Day 26, Valentine's Day

2009-03-12T16:22:00.001-05:00

The flowers I got from Ivan. Also got a box of chocolates.

And here's the card I got from him, I love it!

My Poor Blog

2009-03-11T21:23:00.000-05:00

I haven't forgotten you. I've just been busy, mostly being sick. Various forms of sick. Taking care of people who are sick. When will it end???

I'm keeping a list for my 365 blogs, I just haven't gotten myself, my memory card, and a computer in the same room long enough. I'll catch up with that soon.

For now, I have a cute story.

Earlier I was watching A.Idol, and pretty comfy on the couch. I asked Tanner, will you bring me the bread and butter pickles, and a fork please? A few minutes go by, and he comes walking in the room...juggling the big tub of butter, a loaf of bread, and the Gallon jar of pickles! He didn't question what I was going to do with this stuff. I started laughing, and then Ivan did, and he's just standing there holding all this stuff, wondering why. I haven't laughed like that in a long time. It was just so cute. When I showed him the jar that said bread-and-butter pickles, he was embarressed. He said, You're going to put this on your blog aren't you. I said no no no. Unless you'll pick all that stuff back up and let me take a picture. He wouldn't. But it'll be in my mind forever. Funny kid.

Day 25

2009-02-13T18:33:00.000-06:00

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies, mmmm!

Day 24, Addition

2009-02-13T10:00:00.000-06:00

Max missed the kindergarten cut-off by 9 days. Don't think I was sad about this. He's my last little monkey, and I wasn't ready to let him go. Some days, though, I feel bad that he's trapped here at home spinning his wheels. He would've done fine in school, and he'd be flourishing. So I try to challenge him every day. He loves workbooks like they're candy, and he'll go through one in a day. One that was left over from Cameron has addition in it, and he asked me how to do it. So yesterday he learned how to add. There is nothing I like more then watching a child learn. When he ran out of pages with objects to count, and into the pages with only the math problem, he was ready to give up. I told him he could draw in his own objects, or use his fingers. MY FINGERS?! He was reeled right back in. And I got to watch more of his thought process, only now it's illustrated!

When Tanner and Cam got home, he told them he learned to add today. They were testing him with simple problems, then Tanner said 1+2+3. I said, he only learned to add today, he's not there yet. Then behind me I heard Max mumbling numbers, starting over and over again, looked over and his fingers were hard at work. I thought, that's so great that he didn't back down from that challenge just because it's hard. I kept stirring dinner. Soon I hear SIX! TANNER, IT'S SIX! Wow! Tanner said, See Mom, he can do it. lol.

Next year I have to let a stranger watch his sweet little fingers work, but for now they are all mine!

Day 12, Woody

2009-02-12T03:47:00.000-06:00

I found it! I'm so relieved. This is the only time I've seen this bird, and I managed to get a picture of it, I'm so glad I have you back, little birdie!

This is a Red-Bellied Woodpecker. I was on my way out the door, already running late, and saw him at the feeder. (I know it's a male because the red goes all the way up his head, females only have red on their neck.) I stopped everything, grabbed the camera. I hate that it was through a window, but I'm just glad to have it.

Day 13, Sidewalk Chalk

2009-02-12T03:35:00.000-06:00

Family Portrait, by Max

Hopscotch, by Mom (I didn't make it big enough, it's been awhile.)

Day 14, Sick Day

2009-02-12T03:19:00.001-06:00

Tanner was home sick, and tired of being in bed for the last 3 days. Max left his dirty clothes in the living room the night before, and Tanner used them to amuse himself. This one needs 2 pictures, too funny for just one.

Day 15, Mmmm

2009-02-12T03:12:00.000-06:00

Steak and Peppers. Taken with Natalie in mind. Very colorful. Very tasty!

Day 16

2009-02-12T02:42:00.000-06:00

I really do try to find different subjects, but sometimes the birds win. ;) This guy did for sure. A Downy Woodpecker.

Day 17, Laundry Helper

2009-02-12T02:22:00.000-06:00

As with all 5 year olds, Max loves to help. What could be better then sitting right smack in the middle of what mom's doing, getting all the attention plus getting to do a grown-up chore! Jackpot!

What could be better then watching a 5 year old learn; with their small hands trying so hard and seeing their excitement and pride when they accomplish it. Mom got a jackpot, too.

(click on picture to enlarge, you've got to see those eyelashes!)

Day 18, Peace

2009-02-12T01:47:00.000-06:00

Ben & Jerry's Imagine Whirled Peace. Caramel ice cream, with toffee cookie pieces, and chocolate peace signs. Inside the carton were John Lennon quotes and lyrics.

Day 19, Reorganization Day

2009-02-12T00:11:00.000-06:00

I love this house, it's so unique. The upstairs especially. Lots of great angles and spaces. Along the entire length of the house, on both sides, there are storage spaces we call cubbies. An amazing amount of room for my junk!

On one side of our room and computer room, the previous owner used the space to put built-in dressers. They're custom made to fit, but they're also finished on all sides, so if we ever wanted to pull them out and use them somewhere else we could. The other side of our room, the cubbies are huge; taller and wider then the other side. I put Ivan's entire hot wheels collection in, only took half of one side. One cubby is behind the closet, so the door to it is hidden. Tanner instructed that we go there when intruders break in. lol(he's such a worry wart!)

One side of Max and Cam's room has two cubbies, perfect for each boy a cool hide-out to play in and keep toys. The other side of the boys' room is one long cubby, with the door in the middle. We pulled all the camping stuff out of it, and switched sides with the Christmas stuff, to make more room. We took pictures from different angles to get one that would show just how long it is in there. Cam's in front of all the camping stuff, Max is in the doorway. It really doesn't portray just how big they are. For all my Christmas stuff to fit in less then half, that's saying alot.

Day 20, Relaxing Sunday

2009-02-11T23:50:00.000-06:00

I got to sleep in, and Ivan made pancakes for us!!

At the end of a long, hard day, Max fell asleep in the kitchen watching Spongebob.

Day 21

2009-02-11T23:30:00.000-06:00

Birds again. But today I caught them having an argument!

Day 22, Lunch with the Birds

2009-02-11T23:18:00.000-06:00

I was out running errands, and I spotted a flock of seagulls in the parking lot! I drove over to them and parked. They were so cute, just strutting around. So I got out the sandwich I just bought, and started throwing them bread. I gave them pretty much all of it, imagine eating a beef and cheddar with no bun. lol

Very peaceful half hour, before heading back on the road with the crazies.

(No one's going to believe I can take decent pictures if all I ever post are crappy cellphone pictures. I'm never leaving home without a real camera again!)

Soggy Day 23

2009-02-11T22:02:00.000-06:00

I'm really behind on Project 365. I sat down last weekend to update it; got one entry done and can't find the next picture I need. I am so upset, this was a pretty special picture. I've checked everywhere on my computer, on every memory card. I'm upset about that specific picture, but if I lost it, what other pictures have I lost with it!? I'm very careful with my pictures too, for this reason. I'm hoping it's just in the wrong file or something. Sigh.

What I've decided to do is go backwards. Post todays picture , and work back to the lost picture. I have a running list for each day for real, on paper. I may be behind but I'm not lost. :) Let's hope no more pictures are.

I wish today's picture was of a simple sunset, or a kid, but instead it's this:

It's not a great picture, you can't really tell there's much water at all. I promise there was, lots of it. All the stuff on the floor is lint that washed out from behind the washer...and it's floating. The green rug is usually a light green, it's saturated. Apparently there was an m&m or something under the fridge that it's washing out of there. lol

It's been a long, frustrating day. At least at the end of it I have the cleanest floor on the block! ;)

Hero of the day: the shopvac. Love it! I'd still be in there playing in the water without it. Awesome invention.

Day 11, Tanner Under the Weather

2009-02-06T16:57:00.000-06:00

Tanner is never sick. We can all get the worst colds/infections/viruses, and he stays healthy and strong, every time. Except this time. The very day I took Max to the dr, and he tested positive for the flu, Tanner came home feeling bad. When Tan and Cam first got home, I told them, at the first sign that you think you might be getting sick, tell me and we'll take you in to get a jump on it if it's the flu. They said ok. I asked Tanner how his day was, he said fine, I'm just tired. That didn't raise a flag, but it should've. Two hours later, I came downstairs and found him asleep on the couch, under a blanket. All things you never find Tanner doing. He's always hot, never cold; and barely sleeps at night, let alone nap. That's when I knew. I called the dr, so he could call in a prescription for tamiflu. I took him in the next morning to be seen, and he tested positive for Influenza type A. The weird part, Max had Influenza type B. That means they didn't share this with each other, and they got it from different sources. Also means I had two different flu bugs in my house, not just one! Eeek! Even still, Tanner and Max were the only ones to get sick. (so far.)

A rare sight. Taken with my phone, so the quality is poor.

Day 10, Lost In the Fog

2009-02-04T08:25:00.000-06:00

Of course this was the day the boys missed the bus, so I had to drive them. It was pretty though, I love the fog.

Ice Day!

2009-01-28T12:01:00.000-06:00

No school for two days in a row! That never happens! Like Natalie, I always thought Texas was a warm state. In the summer, we fry, it's so freaking hot. The winters are mostly mild, be we do get a wicked cold front now and then. Sadly, snow is rare, what we get instead are ice storms. We get sleet, and something called freezing rain. It actually rains frozen raindrops, it's the weirdest thing. I'd never seen it before moving to Tx. It coats everything in ice, making it look like a crystal wonderland. It's pretty, but it's dangerous. At noon they reported 600 accidents just in Ft.Worth. We get yo-yo weather in the winter. One day will be 80, two days later the high is 38. Then two days later it's warm again. It makes everyone sick, it has caused our trees to start blooming out already, and frankly it messes with my head! I'll do a load of laundry on a day it's raining ice, and it's a load of shorts. It's just not right.

Ivan was home with us today, it was great! He did work on his computer most of the day, but he's at least physically here.

The boys and I went out early before everything started to melt and had a good ole time. Sliding, discovering, breaking icicles. (Only Tan and Cam, not little Max, though, he's running a fever. :( Says his "throat tastes yucky." Here we go....)

It's hard to see the ice on the branches in all my pictures, I wish I could capture the awe-inspiring beauty I see in person.

Day 8

2009-01-28T11:53:00.000-06:00

Today school was cancelled, due to an ice storm. I should have gotten a picture of the kids home doing their thing, but I didn't think about it (gasp!) Instead I caught the dog napping sweetly in a chair (he's not allowed on any furniture.)

Day 7

2009-01-28T11:24:00.000-06:00

Here's just a good snapshot of a random moment in my house. Ivan and the kids horsing around, the laundry room open for business, the dog in the background trying to get in on the action. I just like it. Also you can see just how tall Tanner is getting.

And the paint samples taped to the wall. Still trying to decide. Any suggestions? lol.

Day 6, Sunday

2009-01-28T11:06:00.000-06:00

I love any variant in my day that allows for a unique or special picture subject. Sunday best, works great! Couldn't find Cam's white shirt anywhere. At one point he had one of Tanner's on, tucked in and all, with the sleeves hanging way past his hands. He thought that was going to work, and was annoyed when I made him take it off. Kids!

Day 5 of 365

2009-01-27T00:24:00.000-06:00

This is a little alcove I have in the computer room. Soon it will be my sunny little craft area. We're going to build a table top all the way across there. I'll finally be able to organize and utilize everything I have. To be able to start a scrapbook page, and not have to put everything away when it's time for the next meal, that would be great! Most of that is craft stuff. I can't wait until I can get it done, I'll be so happy!

Day 4

2009-01-23T18:35:00.000-06:00

Tanner will be a teenager in less then 2 months, and he's already acting like one. Being picky about his clothes, shoes, appearance. Suddenly one day he wanted converse shoes. Didn't fit his personality, but ok. Then one day he was with his dad and grandpa, they were in Justin, TX and went into the Justin boot factory/store. He came home saying he wanted boots, a cowboy hat, shirt, the works. This was also a surprise, but by now I'm realizing teenage boys are almost as fickle as teenage girls. So with his Christmas money, I took him to a wester wear store (going out of business, everything was 60% off, weeee!) He got boots and a shirt. Last weekend he went to visit his grandpa, and he gave him a hat and a second pair of boots.

Tonight Tanner went to a rodeo in Ft.Worth with his friend Taylor and I made him pose for me before he left. Yeehawww! (Have we been in Texas too long!?)

Day 3

2009-01-23T17:37:00.001-06:00

Oh Happy Day! Yesterday the UPS man came and left a brand new iPod on my doorstep!! My other one fell on the tile and broke. :( Luckily we bought the extended service plan (we always do, and we're never sorry.) I sent my broken ipod, which is like a third arm to me, in a box to florida. Almost two months without one. It was a sad, quiet time. Now the replacement has arrived! Although it feels like a stranger to me, it feels like a brand new, shiny, thinner then the last stranger that I will warm up to quite nicely. :)

(The spongebob in the picture... Max came up one day and said, Here mom, this is your prize! No idea what I did to get a prize, but he loves spongebob, so I guess it was something great!)

Park Fun

2009-01-22T16:01:00.000-06:00

Last month on a warm day the boys and I went to the park. We have two in our little town, we went to both because they couldn't agree on one. lol. One has swings and tetherball. The most the boys knew about tetherball was that Napoleon Dynamite liked it. lol. So I taught them how to play. The other park has a giant slide and the boat docks. Max sat at the top of that slide for 15 minutes crying and clinging for life, one brother on each side of him holding him and begging him to slide down. FINALLY we managed to get him to do it. He lived through it, and happily did it again and again.

I love the light at sunset, it's my favorite time of day. I took some pictures of the boys with the intent to put one in the Christmas cards. Yeah, I never got around to the Christmas cards. But I want you to know that everyone reading this blog would have gotten one, with love, had I sent them. :)

Just wanted to share some pictures.

Max was sad that no one would swing with him.

Before. (look at Cameron's devious expression! lol)

After.

The lake was so calm that day.

This dog came out of nowhere and made friends with Cameron.

Then he posed for me.

Outtakes. Tanner pinched Max for not listening, so he cried.

Cried loud apparently.

But soon was good as new.

1-21-09

2009-01-22T13:32:00.001-06:00

Bad day. UTI. Not fun.

January 20, 2009

2009-01-20T17:39:00.000-06:00

I'm going to borrow an idea from Misty, Project 365 sounds like fun. Heaven knows I take enough pictures to make a flip book of my life (more like of the kids' lives), but narrowing it down to one will be interesting.

Today I was in my room watching the inauguration coverage, and there were a ton of birds out on the balcony. So I opened the sliding glass door (I love this house) and got my camera out, and was just enjoying the birds and the news. (in between the dog trying to escape out there, and Max running in scaring them away.) Flipping through the pictures this one made me stop and laugh.

"Do you mind?? I'm trying to eat here!"

Drug Altered Max

2009-01-15T14:35:00.001-06:00

Max is usually pretty silly in his normal state, alot like his brother, Cameron the Entertainer. So imagine him on a big ole dose of tylenol with codeine. I felt bad laughing at him, but it was too funny. As soon as it hit him, he sprung to life. He was laying in my lap and reaches up, pats my cheek and says, III luuuuuuuuuuvvveeee yoooooouuuuu, mooooooom! lol. I told Ivan I couldn't find the thermometer. He started making up words that rhyme with thermometer. Flerbobeter, Merflopteter. Cracking himself up. Mumbling a million miles a minute. And he's apparently a physical person when he's under the influence. Like the girl on friends that would punch Joey. Does it in a nice way, but still, ouch! He told Ivan, I'm gonna beat you up, daddy. lol. "Calm down, Killer," he told him. And then there's the reaching for things in the air, that really aren't there. He only did that a couple of times. Anymore then that and I'd start to worry. lol.

He's been sore, more sore every day actually, but I assume it's part of the healing process. He walks kind of bent over, he looks like a little old man shuffling around. He's been living the life, though, King Max. He's played video games so much that he voluntarily turns them off because he gets tired of playing. !! He mostly stays in my room, but moves downstairs to that tv a couple times a day, for a change of scenery I guess. The first two days, he wanted to eat upstairs in my room. He doesn't use a sippy cup anymore, but I pulled them out for the occasion because I can get him to drink more that way. Plus he's on my bed!

On Tuesday I started a blog, detailing the whole day Monday. I got half way through, and it was far too emotional and sappy to subject others to. So I'm going the photojournalist route. I didn't take many pictures. I only had my camera phone that day. But here's what I got.

This was Monday morning, before I woke him up. So sweet, and so not deserving the torture he was about to endure.

Here he is when we got to the hospital. They had his room set up with a tiger hospital gown, a stuffed dinosaur and a book about sick dinosaurs. This was before the IV (which he didn't like, but he did VERY well.) They let him be in charge of the cartoon remote.

This is after the IV. I think he was realizing all the scary things he'd imagined were starting to happen to him. But he was being very brave, and everyone noticed and told him so. The anesthesiologist was especially impressed with him; he even stopped by afterward to commend him.

This was after the surgery. He was sleepy, confused, angry, sad, and in pain. When they wheeled him in he looked so tiny and helpless and it broke my heart.

This was that night, after he was feeling fiiiiinnnee. Showing off his spongebob bandaid.

Thanks again for everyone's good thoughts and prayers. :)

My Little Max

2009-01-10T10:07:00.000-06:00

I've been sooo extremely lucky, having three boys who are so healthy and strong and perfect. I don't usually say this outloud, as to not jinx it, but we've never even had a broken bone, in the 27 collective years these boys have lived. How is that possible? (I've broken 2 toes and a foot in that time. Better me then them, I say.) I'm thankful for my blessings.

That's why Max having a minor surgery on Monday is such a foreign situation for me. Poor Max. He has what's called a hydrocele. Quoted from a website that will say it better then I could: "During normal development, the testicles descend down a tube from the abdomen into the scrotum. Hydroceles result when this tube fails to close. Fluid drains from the abdomen through the open tube. The fluid builds up in the scrotum, where it becomes trapped. This causes the scrotum to become swollen." It usually closes up soon after birth, but the Dr said if it hasn't by now, it's not going to and it will always cause problems if we don't get it corrected. What I first noticed was the swelling. It didn't hurt him at all, but it wasn't normal so I took him in. Our family Dr said it's probably a hydrocele, but sent us to a urologist. (Wow, a urologists office is the anti-gyn; male receptionist, manly decor, very strange. I felt out of place for sure.) Of course tumor and Lance Armstrong were going through my head, but luckily it was only fluid in there. The urologist shined a little flashlight through his scrotum to determine that, most inexpensive ultrasound ever! And, Max thought it was pretty cool when the lights were all off and his 'stuff' became a laser show. lol. He's been a trooper through this, considering how many times he's had to show his unmentionables to strangers. I keep telling him how brave and grown up he is. We've known since November that he needed surgery, but we didn't really discuss it with him until Friday, when we went for the pre-op appt. We met with the dr again, who went over with us how it'll go, and told Max he had to stay in bed and be really still for a few days. All Max heard of that was NO TRAMPOLINE! BUT, PLAYSTATION ALL DAY LONG! lol. Then we had to go to the hospital for pre-op stuff, and had a fantastic nurse. She talked to him on his level, she gave him teddy grahams, she was a hit! She told him how cool it would be to pee in a cup...he didn't find it so cool, only odd. Also, the dr had ordered a blood draw, and she really didn't want to do that to him, so she hunted down the anesthesiologist to get permission to skip that, so she wouldn't have to stick him. She was great with him, and really made a difference in his feelings toward surgery.

(He was feeling good about it, until we came home and Cam's friend Jacob told him how they were going to take all his blood out, then put it back in. And told him his uncle had to swallow a camera that went all through his body. I told him that wasn't true, that wouldn't happen to him, and managed to calm him down again. Kids!!)

During surgery, the dr will make a little incision above all his 'stuff', kind of where his waistband would sit on his belly. They will drain the fluid, then close off the opening, then close it all up with dissolvable stitches. Will take about an hour, and we go home the same day.

I know it's very minor, and the risks are small. But that's my baby! The nurse told me I have the best team of drs, and a great hospital. Yes, but that's my baby! My biggest fear is the sedation. People don't wake up!! !! I know he'll be fine, but a mother worries, and I'm good at that. Luckily Ivan's taking the day off and going with us, more for me then for Max I think. Wish us luck. And wish me luck keeping Max down, and not zooming down the stairs head first on his belly, which is his usual mode.

We went to Mcds and to the park after the appointments.

Christmas Memories

2009-01-07T09:09:00.000-06:00

Around the time I was in middle school, and on into high school, I had a great, close-knit group of friends. Every year we'd have birthday parties for everyone, and every year we'd have a Christmas party and exchange gifts. Mostly homemade gifts. I still have many of them, and while taking the tree down I took some pictures, since I'm back in touch with alot of my friends. I know who made the first three of these, but I want someone else to guess who they're from. The last one I do not remember who made it, if someone knows please tell me. :) This is so much fun!

??

Leaves!!

2008-12-27T01:12:00.001-06:00

(This post was started on Dec 7, but saved to the draft file when something more pressing came up. Now I'm back, to add pictures and post a fall blog on the day after Christmas. Better late then never...?)

As a kid I thought the most fun you could ever have was jumping into a pile of leaves. This fall, as I watched the leaves fall around my yard, I tried to imagine what half an acre worth of leaves would look like in one pile. Wow! I went and bought two more rakes, and told the kids the plan.

(Click on the pictures to see them enlarged.)

Gus had a blast jumping into the leaves.

Before:

After:

The kids with their friend Dillon.

Me Facts

2008-12-20T22:30:00.001-06:00

Here's how it works. Change the items to bold that you have done in your life.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (Does 6th grade band count?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (my husband did, co-owned with his brother, does that count?)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House?
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved some one's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Potato Cheese Soup

2008-12-18T20:36:00.000-06:00

This is my family's absolute favorite. I don't make it that often, it's almost like a special occasion meal, for cold days. So good.

6-8 potatoes, peeled and diced
2-3 carrots, sliced
2-3 celery stalks
1 onion, chopped
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 can (10 oz) cream of chicken soup, undiluted
2 cups milk
bacon bits (or 4 bacon strips, fried and crumbled)
salt & pepper

Place potatoes, carrots, celery and onion in a large kettle; cover with water. Cook until tender.
Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, butter and soup. Stir well. Add milk, salt, pepper. Add mixture to vegetables. Heat thoroughly. For a thicker soup, drain vegetables before adding cream cheese mixture. Yield 10-12 servings.

Now for my touches. The original recipe said to put the bacon in the pot. You can if you want, but we always have bacon bits on the table, and put them and a slice of kraft cheese, and stir it in. Also i usually put more carrots and celery then it says. And i never drain the water.

I usually let the soup simmer for a long time, at least an hour. Its easy, and kids love it and it warms you up.

Benji

2008-12-18T00:30:00.000-06:00

Two weeks ago, Cameron was assigned a project on Benjamin Franklin. A poster board telling facts, and a costume. Two nights ago, Cameron mentions this project. He's very good at that, sometimes I get notice the morning of. So here I am, learning all about good ole Benji. I knew about the kite and the key, but digging deeper he turns out to be a pretty interesting guy. I found this excerpt from his autobiography, and it made me stop and think. I thought I'd share it.

Virtue

Franklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of thirteen virtues, which he developed at age 20 (in 1726) and continued to practice in some form for the rest of his life. His autobiography lists his thirteen virtues as:

"TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."
"SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."
"ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."
"RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
"FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing."
"INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."
"SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
"JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty."
"MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."
"CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation."
"TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
"CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation."
"HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."

Franklin didn't try to work on them all at once. Instead, he would work on one and only one each week "leaving all others to their ordinary chance". While Franklin didn't live completely by his virtues and by his own admission, he fell short of them many times, he believed the attempt made him a better man contributing greatly to his success and happiness, which is why in his autobiography, he devoted more pages to this plan than to any other single point; in his autobiography Franklin wrote, "I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit."

Feeling the Love

2008-12-14T20:42:00.000-06:00

Since I've been nagged to update my blog, I guess I will. ;)

I'm sitting here watching the cowboy game with Ivan, my dog snoring at my feet, the boys clean, with full bellies and getting ready for bed. All feels right with the world right now. I love when I can feel at peace like this, it's pretty rare that I'm not growing ulcers, worrying about everything. I might seem cool on the outside, but I've always got thoughts in the back of my mind, tapping me on the shoulder.

Ivan was on call this weekend, but he only had to go out once, for a few hours. Some weekends he doesn't have to go at all, others he's out starting on friday night sometimes, and we don't see him all weekend. You never know. He has to stay kind of close to home, too, when a unit goes down he has an hour to get home, get his work truck, and be there. And his jobsites are scattered all around. It's frustrating sometimes, but we knew this is how it would be when he went into this field of work. It's not too bad usually.

Saturday morning Ivan left, the kids and I just hung out, I did laundry. Joyous laundry! A few weeks ago, my washer died. We paid big bucks for this stupid washer, it had some great features and I loved it, but it had problems from the beginning. Ad it repaired over and over, always something different. When my 3 year maintenance plan ran out, they wouldn't even let me renew because they had so many problems with this one washer. There was even a lawsuit, but it didn't include my state. As much as I've wished this machine out of my life, I didn't really mean it. So I go to craigslist. I've used that site numerous times with success, never had a bad experience. I find a washer that they guy said was pretty new, less then a year old. We talk to him on the phone, he says it's like new and a good washer, blah blah. Ivan asks for directions (he lives in FtWorth, kind of far) and the guy even offers to load them up and meet us halfway. That's cool, what a nice guy. By that evening when Ivan got home to hook it up, I had a pile of dirty clothes waiting, and my mouth was practically watering. (I'd been washing some clothes at my sister-in-law's house, but only what was absolutely necessary, the rest was taking over my bathroom.) Turn it on, try to run a cycle, and something is wrong. Ivan calls the guy, he says he had just used the washer, it was working perfectly, and asked ivan if he could look at it and see what's wrong, and if it's not an easy fix, he'll "make it right." Ivan takes some stuff apart, and discovers the water pump is bad. This cannot be happening. Turns out that was the last time we'd talk to our buddy Rick, he never answered again. Ugh. We spend $50 more, and buy a water pump online, because no one had it in stock, and wait another agonizing week for it to get here. I've never been so happy to do a mundane chore. Something needs to be clean for tomorrow? I can do that! Weee! Never take your washer for granted! :)

And that's where I stopped typing and fell asleep watching the Survivor Finale. lol. I will finish this tomorrow. :)

A Beautiful Wedding

2008-11-22T17:06:00.000-06:00

I had a great time at my niece Kara's wedding. I'm so thankful I could be there. It was beautiful, it was emotional, a day filled with love. Here are some of my favorite pictures.

3 Beautiful Nieces

1st,2nd,5th and 6th are my nieces. Next to the groom is my nephew. Shorty is Max. ;)

Cousin Alicia, Kara and little sister Krista

Kara and big brother Kurtis

The shoes she wore...

Corey and Jake

Couple's 1st Dance, to "Amazed"

Father Daughter Dance, to "I Loved Her First"

My niece Heather, and great-niece Kaiden

Retrieving the Garter!

Max did a great job as ringbearer, he took his job very seriously. He looked so handsome in his tux.

He kept walking around scratching, saying itchyitchyitchyitchyitchy! lol.

During the first dance, when the wedding party paired back up to dance, Max came up to me and said, "Look, everybody has their girl." I said, "Well, where's your girl?" His jaw dropped, his eyes lit up, as he realized hey, I do have a girl! lol. He went running over to the flower girl that he walked with, Skyler. From across the lawn I could see him ask her to dance, her saying no, him not taking no for an answer, and her finally agreeing. lol. She danced the one dance with him, and when he saw people dancing to the next song, he made her dance again. Two was her limit though, so he spent the rest of the time asking girl after girl to dance with him. lol

My little photography apprentice.

I had so much fun shooting this wedding for her. I was afraid I'd be too timid to really get in there, but I found that I wasn't. The desire to do the job right gave me the courage I needed. I'm pretty satisfied with how I did. Go me! :)

Jet Setting

2008-11-13T22:38:00.000-06:00

I get to post plans for a super duper exciting weekend! I'm flying to Phoenix in the morning. Can you say mini-vacation! :) My niece is getting married on Saturday, and I get to go! Max is going with me, he's her ring bearer. This will be his 1st plane ride. He goes back and forth between excited, and trying to find excuses to get out of it: "Mom, they won't let kids onto the plane!" He's going to love it, if I can get him on there. I'm excited to share this experience with him. Oh, and he's going to look so handsome in his tux.

And now to the other news, I'm going to be taking her wedding photos! I'm thrilled, but I also feel a little overwhelmed, that's alot of pressure. But I'm honored to be asked, and I feel confident.

This is the happy couple, Kara and Jake, I took this last month at a family reunion.

And another bonus, I get to see my brand new niece again. She was born a day after my birthday, Sept. 5. I got to see her last month, and now I'll get to see her again. She's such a sweetie, looks exactly like her mom, and she looks alot like my kids when they were born. This is Kaiden Bailey.

Have a great weekend everyone! I'll wave as I fly over!

Cameron

2008-11-10T22:02:00.000-06:00

He's in bed right now, but he's going to love this tomorrow!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Maximus

2008-11-10T20:05:00.000-06:00

I love to photograph Max. He's such a ham. (I have two of them, Cam is the hammiest of all..slideshow coming soon!) Here are some I love.

Dreams

2008-11-09T22:30:00.000-06:00

I usually have pretty crazy dreams, all on my own. Imagine taking those dreams, and adding in an episode of spongebob. lol. Since Ivans gone hunting, the boys have moved into our bed, two of them anyway. When I went to sleep last night, Cam wanted to finish the show he was watching. He fell asleep, and the tv was on all night. I don't remember many details, but I know I was in a restaurant, and Spongebob and Mr.Crabs were there, they were arguing about money. lol. Incorporating the goings-on of Spongebob into my dream. Very bizarre!

Also I tend to add random celebrities to my dreams. Makes things interesting I guess. Also last night, I dreamed that Ivan and I went to the boys' school for something. Walking into the classroom, I saw someone crouched down behind a chair, and told Ivan, look Faith Hill's here! She was there doing some observations because she was going to become a teacher, but she didn't want anyone to see her there. lol. Then before we left, she came up to us and said hi, and gave me her bracelet. lol.

Sometimes I wonder why my brain works the way it does. I couldn't make stuff like this up while awake.

My Tanner

2008-11-08T22:00:00.000-06:00

I Love My Tanner. Hes Getting To Be Such A Big Boy Now. Handsome, Responsible, Smart, Funny. Hes Also My Buddy. His New Favorite Thing Is Hanging Out In His Room. (And He's Not Even An Actual Teenager Yet!) But Hes Not Trying To Avoid His Parents (brothers Maybe) He Just Likes His New Room. I Know This Because His Second Favorite Thing Is Hanging Out With Me, In His Room. He Says, Come In Here, And Takes Me By The Shoulders And Steers Me To His Room, Not Taking No For An Answer. He Knows I Don't Like How Cold He Keeps His Room, (The Kid Is Crazy!) So He'll Get His Blanket Ready And Puts It Over My Shoulders. He Just Likes To Spend Time With Me. How Awesome And Weird Is That To Say!? He Likes To Cruise Radio Stations, (He Likes Country And I Like It Too, But I Also Like To Dig On Country, It's Our Thing.) This Is When He Tells Me Stories About School,Friends, Cameron, Whatevers On His Mind. We Play What If, We Make Plans. Just Talk. Its Awesome And I Try To Savor Every Single Moment. Thats Where I Am Right Now, This Saturday Morning. (Im On My Phones Internet, I Hope I Can Get This Posted From Here.) Its 63 Degrees In This Room. (His Clock Tells The Temp.) Ive Got Two Blankets Tucked All The Way Around Me, And A Pillow On My Feet, He Takes Good Care Of Me. :-) I Hope This Lasts Forever. When He Stops Inviting Me Into His Room Im Going To Be Crushed.

Finding My Way Back

2008-11-08T21:30:00.000-06:00

When I started this blog, I had every intention to keep up with it. I did, for the first three entries. But if you will notice the last post, that's my very good reason for the blog abandonment. First of course is the moving and decorating and perpetual organization. Second, I went out of town 3 weeks after closing, and was gone for over a month. And third, it's hard to blog without an internet connection. All of the companies that service my rural area were unable to hook me up. :( Had I known this before buying the house..... just kidding. So since the other options are too costly for us right now, I'm left with using Ivan's work laptop. Only problem with that... he's not home much, and when he is he's doing paperwork on it, or it's late and I'm sleeping. His aircard usually operates at dial-up speed anyway. Sigh.

This weekend Ivan's away on a hunting trip. He's supposed to have his computer with him at all times, but he stayed up late Thursday night to work ahead so that he could leave it here for me. :) (also he's on the hunting trip with his boss, so you know..) I set a goal for myself to catch up here, which in my (crazy)head means going back to where I left off and posting about my summer travels, and posting pictures. I'm not asking too much, right? We'll see.

I want to say that this blog is exciting to me, because I'm looking forward to reconnecting with all the friends that I see are also blogging. I've been able to read most of your blogs, I've just not been able to comment like I'd like to.I'm going to try harder to participate. (says me who still has boxes in the garage, and three kids, and holidays looming in the near future. hehe.)

Our New House!!!

2008-06-30T23:00:00.001-05:00

Today we became homeowners. Holy Crap!

Here is the back yard, green and pretty.

And a balcony perfect for sunrise pictures.