The new 40?

So, today is my birthday, and I am 1 year closer to the big 4-0. Nowadays people are saying that 50 is the new 40 and 40 is the new 30...is this good or bad? If 40 is the new 30, then I wonder what else will be "new" as I near another mile marker in my life...

Will the cell phone for my soon-to-be teenager be the new baby monitor that chirped at me for the first half of my 30's?..sounds scary, I think the baby monitor is more comfortable.

Will Jr High dances replace toddler play dates? ...I bet there is some similarity between these, though. All the boy babies would play on one side of the room, while the girl babies played on the other - - now, girls on one side of the dance floor, boys on the other....(or maybe I just hope how this is how it will work, at first).

Will picking up dirty socks (in various sizes) replace the changing of dirty diapers?...can't escape this one, no matter my age, or the age of the sock wearers!

Exercise routines replace afternoon naps?...can I somehow work both into my schedule?

Nickleback replace Nursery rhymes?...Nickleback, for now.

Global cooling replace global warming?...It was pretty cool already this winter, but lets see how high the mercury rises this summer before we decide one way or the other.

Monster truck rallies replace Barney birthday parties?...we are going to try the Monster truck rally this weekend -- but for either one, I think ear plugs are a must.

Stitches replace bandaids? been there, done that....for both...I am a firm believer in the power of paper stitches, and can easily remove genuine ones myself.

Coke zero replace diet coke ? - never!!

Hmmm - looks like there is a balance in there somewhere. If 40 is the new 30, I am glad that most of my 30s were spent finishing what I started in my 20s. (finished having babies, finished moving - at least for now). Now, in the dawn of my "new 30s", I think I will spend some time making sure that my 20-self and my 30-self are synchronized and recognizable, so that together we can welcome in my new 40 self on the appropriate date in the next few years. It seems that there must be some give and take for us to move happily through life. I am glad, though, that I still have a few years before I hit 40, to decide what I should give and what I should take!

In the meantime, though, feel free to follow along as I ramble and meander throughout our journey. And, thanks for keeping us company.

Happy Holidays

Well, what a whirlwind of a holiday season we have had so far.

W played the Nutcracker in the third grade Christmas program, and did a great job in his sword fight against the mouse king. He was so excited the day he found out he was given that part. He was a great nutcracker.

Last Friday after G's first district b-ball game (we won, btw!!) we loaded in the car, me, G, P, W,M and Grandmama, and headed to the state HS football state championship. We played in the Alamodome Saturday afternoon, and lost in a nailbiter(first half, at least) and record setting high scoring football championship game 48-69.It was a great game, and an even greater season. Our boys did a great job and always represented out community with dignity and pride. We were able to do a little sight-seeing before the game - we visited the Alamo and cruised the Riverwalk. San Antonio is a great city - if you have never been there, it should be on your list! It is one of our favorite places to visit.

This week has seen us busily last-minute shopping and prepapring for the big day. Yesterday morning, we opened our presents - -it was an electronic Christmas for the boys - and enjoyed a leisurely morning of playing with all the new stuff. Grandmama came over about 11, and we had round 2 of presents and fun. Grammie and Poppie arrived not long after that, and we had round 3. Thankfully, G's sister was doing all the cooking at her house, so we didn't have to worry about pushing the boys into thier rooms to play, and we all could lounge and play and just have fun spening the day together. In the afternoon,we headed to Aunt J's house, and ate Christmas dinner ( which was wonderful) and had our 4th and final round of gift-giving. By the time we got home and put in one of the new movies unwrapped earlier in the day, I think we were all exhausted. I know that G and P were the only ones to watch the entiree movie - M, W and I were asleep within 20 minutes!

Oh well, WallE is still in the DVD player...

Now - for many of you, the holidays begin winding down. But not for us. G is at the gym today, getting ready for tomorrow's practice. Then, its a week full of basketball for us Mon- Wed - and hopefully a win on my birthday!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful and blessed Christmas Day, and I hope your plans for the remainder of the holiday include family and fun. Happy New Year!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

Last Wednesday we all got an extra special, early Christmas present from Mother Nature - - 4 inches of snow. It fell quietly and peacefully through the night. Luckily, just as the boys were going to bed, we noticed that it was beginning to accumulate on the ground, so they all got up, put on clothes/jackets over their pajamas ( notice M's pjs in the pic), and went outside to have some snowy fun. This was their first time to play in it. They had a blast - - miniature snow men, snow angels, multiple snowball asaults. We had a great time just watching their amazement and wonder.

Eventually, though, the cold was too much for these sunshine boys, and we all headed back inside. As we all slept, the snow kept falling, and falling, and falling... we woke up the next morning surrounded by a foreign winter wonderland. The boys lept up out of bed to head outside and throw a few more snowballs before school. W & P even got to play outside most of the day at school and had a blast enjoying the snow with their friends. Even the big kids at the high school were giddy and excited about playing outside and having fun in the novety of the snow.

By the early afternoon, the temps were back in the 50s and most of the snow had melted. There were only a few patches of shadows that held on to their snowy coats. By the next morning, the only signs of the snow were the mud puddles and sandy streets.

I know that even though Christmas is still a week away, that snow gave my boys a holiday season they will remember all their lives.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

Well - here I am, back to my virtual reality. My computer decided to take an early retirement and crashed about 3 weeks ago. It's kind of pathetic how dependent we become on our computers, isn't it? I guess I was virtually deprived there for a while, but now I am back again - with loving thanks to my very special in-laws and their early Christmas surprise for me & G. We love you B & D.

Giving Thanks

What do I have to be thankful for today?

• three amazing little boys & one great husband
• family close enough to be real family
• plans in the works for a new carport & deck (and maybe a kitchen & a couple of baths)
• too much turkey and dressing (just the way we like it)
• M's lost tooth (top front) and a visit from the tooth fairy tonight
• boys who love to entertain their cousins
• struggling with the wish-bone
• shopping via the net, so I don't have to brave the crowds on Black Friday
• Home Alone reruns on TV
• only 5 more months of grad school
• unexpected reunions with old friends
• a happy heart & home

I hope each of you has as many blessings in your life as I do in mine. Happy Thanksgiving!

Techno "now"

OK - so I am a little late in the virtual, techno craze. But, I joined facebook today. Wow - - so many people I haven't seen or even thought about in years! The world really is a small place. It's fun to scroll through the albums of my friends and see their families. It's weird to suddenly have digital conversations with people I haven't spoken to in 10-15 years. I'm impressed. Now - can I keep it up and stay involved and up to date? We'll see.......

these are a few of our favorite things

Here's our

conversation in the car this afternoon on our way home from school.

W: my favorite thing about P is that he helps me build cool lego things, and my favorite thing about M is that we build clubhouses together ( you know, blankets and sofa cushions, etc.)

M: (interrupting W before he can finish the clubhouse thought) and we're best friends!

P: my favorite thing about W is that he is always eager to do something, and my favorite thing about M is that he isn't selfish, he thinks of others.

M: my favorite thing about P is that he helps me do anything, and my favorite thing about W is that he sleeps with me and snuggles.

My favorite things? I think this conversation ranks right up there among the top of the list!

ps -today's sincereity completely overides all the arguing and fighting that went on during yesterday's ride home!!

if only everyday could be like this afternoon :)

Friday Night Football

The Broncos (district champs, 13th consecutive year in the playoffs, by the way) honored their seniors last night and all the coaches kids got to take part. They ran out of the tunnel before the Broncos took the field. W & M were especially excited about this and talked about it all week long.

Some of you may think this is no big deal, its only high school football, but to these kids, it may as well be the NFL. All these kids got to hang out with their football superstars and enjoy their chance to share in the excitement of the Friday Night Lights.

Around here football is a tradition, and with all these kids, its a family tradition. Most of them have grown up together, and many are best friends. What a special way to have pride in their individual families, and in their common connection - the Broncos.

So - enjoy the pics of our kids, and our extended family.

at the park

We had a great weekend - two soccer games(P won and M tied), an afternoon at the park, smores in the backyard, and an extra hour of sleep Sunday morning - thanks to the time change. Here are some pics. Enjoy.

ps - W took the one of G & me... not bad for a rookie, huh?

Trick, Trick, Trick...or treat

Happy Halloween - in triplicate. May the halloween force be with you!

"Aaahhhh"

Ah,Wednesdays - Wednesdays are our days off. No socccer practice, no ball games, nowhere to go after school but home. It is so nice to have that little bit of rest in the middle of the week. Today was busy and hectic at school, but as soon as we got home, and finished the homework, we actually enjoyed a little old fashioned peace and harmony together.

Remember poster contests from elementary school? Well, P has a poster due this week advertising next week's book fair at school. He got busy working on his masterpiece. M & W couldn't stand it, and they grabbed paper and colored pencils, and here's what happened.....all three quietly drawing and coloring. Pure bliss......as for tomorrow? School, homework, simulataneous soccer practices, soccer pictures for one team across town (either before or during the practice??), bath and bed.....
so, can you see why Wednesdays create that "ahhh" feeling around here?

splintered

Today while I was out grocery shopping, the guys were in the driveway playing basketball. M, barefoot as usual, stepped on a sliver of metal ( no doubt a remnant of the carport). It lodged in his foot like a splinter. He cried. G took him inside to get it out and listen to what he asked his daddy- (remember I am at the grocery store) - -

M - "Do we have anything soft like mommy's hand?"
G - "Why?"
M- "So I can hold it while you get the splinter out."


How sweet is that?
It's true, little boys aren't just snakes and snails and puppy dog tails - - they can be sugar and spice, too. By the way - daddy's calloused hand worked just fine as a hand-hold while they got the metal sliver out.

happy driving

I got my car back from the body shop today - it was smashed when our carport literally fell on it during the hurricane. I've been driving a small (I mean little) rental, and now I have my big 'ol suburban back. Whew! - way to make a girl happy :)

here's what it looked like

with the carport on top of it...

Let's Rodeo

Today is our annual Wednesday vacation day because of the county fair. All the schools in the county take the day off - students enjoy the carnival, participate in the parade, show animals and some even compete in the rodeo. This year is the 100th anniversary for the fair . We went last lnight and watched the boys have fun on some of the rides, ate cotton candy & funnel cakes,and watched the rodeo from box seats above the chute where the bulls/cows/ and cowboys enter the arena. It was pretty funny watching my not-so-country boys cheering for the cows to get away from the cowboys who were trying to rope them, instead of cheering for the ropers like the rest of the audience. M kept cheering loudly "C'mom cow - let's go cow!!"



All the stereo-types apply - boots & hats everywhere; women with big hair and bigger rhinestone jewelry; little boys who look like miniature cowboys; photo ops with any number of tractors, bulls or trucks; sawdust & dirt cover the floors; local politicians handing out ballons and popcorn; and vendors selling any type of food you would care to eat or could imagine ( like twinkies on a stick??). It really is a neat, quaint event - - this small community goes all out for one week each fall, and it seems as if it is a step back in time. And if you have never been to a real Texan rodeo (especially the small town shin-digs) you haven't experienced the real thing. Even though we have only lived here 10 years, I think this place feels more like home each year, and the fair just reinforces that. I hope when P, W & M are grown up, they will have great memories of going to the fair each year and hanging out with the cowboys.

A Lunch Date

Yesterday, M had a day full of dental appointments, so he and I took off of school to take care of his teeth. We drove to a great dentist about an hour from here (crazy, i know, but completely worth it). Between our morning and afternoon appointment, M and I had about 3 hours to kill. Being the little brother, M has always been part of the "crowd' at our house. It's hard to find alone time when you compete with two older brothers. But, yesterday was different. During our 3 hour hiatus from the dentist, we enjoyed strolling the sidewalk looking at the shops, wondering thru a toy store, looking at only those toys that appealed to M, eating lunch together, riding the carosel, and finally exploring a children's museum. Whew - we almost forgot that the day was meant for dental work, and not one-on-one fun.
We had such a great time - thanks, tooth fairy, for giving us the opportunity to spend some special, quality time together!

A Light in the Darkness

Here I am, embarking on foreign territory. I am new to the blogging world, and may need a road map or compass to help guide me for a while, so bear with me.



It's friday afternoon, and I am sitting here listening to the muted sounds of the boys lost in their wii and playstation, and my husbands footsteps on the roof as he inspects damage from the hurricane. Relatively speaking, I am enjoying silence in a normally boisterous household. After the hurricane, those days while the electricity was out, it was amazing how quiet our world became. Noises disappeared. Common distractions faded into our new reality. This new world was one of closer neighbors, friendlier strangers, and slower paces. As soon as the lights came back on, though, everything changed and life became hectic and busy and noisy, again. Maybe this blog will be my way to find that quite time, again. To think, muse and recapture the simplier aspects of life ...and maybe escape from the chaos, too!