Believe

Believe is my word for 2011.

These are just a few things I will work on this year...

Believe things will only get better.
Believe my house will sell.
Believe I really am doing a good job with my children.
Believe I can survive being a single parent.
Believe things don't always have to be perfect.
Believe I can keep moving forward.
Believe in myself.

This list will continue to grow but the the last item is my main reason for choosing believe.  I have to continue to find ways to believe in myself again because it has faded to much of nothing.  Divorce does strange things to you.  You feel a wide range of emotions through it all.  At one time I thought acceptance would be the hardest step for me but it ended up coming easily. The doubts I have in myself have been the hardest to deal with.  I can never remember a time when I have felt this pitiful about myself.  I can't seem to shake it and I don't like it.  I'm hoping with my goals of leaving all of the bad in 2010 and busting down the door in 2011 with a new attitude and a new me, just maybe I can begin to believe in myself again.

Leaving It Behind

I have been having a really tough time lately. So much negativity from people, so many things said that shouldn't even be spoken by others but it is...and it makes my spirit sad. And my spirit was really good, but its been shaken again and it makes more piss and vinegar rear its ugly head.  I have only tomorrow left in this blasted year.  A year that was filled with so much disappointment, sadness, truth, loneliness, loss and survival...and those are only a few of the highlights. I'm ready to leave all the piss and vinegar in 2010 and start fresh in 2011.  No looking back, only forward.

I talk all the time how my children get me through my rough patches but I have to tell you,  I have some of the best family and friends in my life as well.  And to all of you, I thank you for all your love, support and encouragement. Without you I would not have been able to get through some of my darkest days.

Thankful

Have I told you lately how much I love and adore these babies?

My heart fills with so much love when I see them or think of them.  I can't imagine my life without them.  I am grateful for these babies every single day.  They keep me going and make me smile when life throws me a curve ball...and they keep me from striking out! 

Holly Jolly Christmas

From our house to yours...

Green Beans

How many of you like green beans?  How many of you don't like them?  Last Thanksgiving I found out that my Daddy doesn't really care for them and in fact, really dislikes green bean casserole.  I was shocked.  I had no idea.  I mean I never really paid that close attention to his plate whenever we would have green beans or the casserole, just assumed he had a helping on his plate...and he probably did.  Fast forward to this Thanksgiving.  As I mentioned when I posted my menu for turkey, green beans were up in the air.  Try as I may, Isabella just doesn't like green beans.  Fresh or canned, they come flying back out of her mouth if we manage to get one in there.  She must have picked this up from my Daddy because the rest of us love them.  And my brother Bryan hates green bean casserole as do his kids. I'm not even sure they like regular green beans. Hence our decision to possibly not have green beans with our Thanksgiving dinner.  As you may or my not know, I am a BIG fan of The Pioneer Woman's blog and back in October I FINALLY got her cookbook.  She too has helped me get back into cooking again (another post all together) and has wonderful stories about her life on the ranch.  She posted a recipe at the beginning of November for a green bean casserole that was a good twist to the favorite most everyone enjoys this time of year.  I totally wanted to try this recipe so I printed it and told my family we just might have green beans afterall.  I made it the night before Thanksgiving along with everything else. I was very leary about it when I finished it.  I got a taste of the sauce and something didn't taste right so I thought I had screwed it up.  I decided we would try it anyway and if I did screw it up, we would just feed it to the birds.  Much to my surprise and excitement, it turned out really good.  Daddy even liked it...A LOT!   I couldn't get Christopher or Isabella to try it but everyone else loved it.  It just might make another appearance in the future.  I've attached the link to the recipe at PW's blog so you can check it out.  If you like green bean and the casserole, you definitely must try this! 

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/11/green-bean-casserole/

Hook 'em Horns

The weekend before Thanksgiving I had the opportunity (for the first time ever) to go see the Longhorns play at home...in Austin...where I had not been in 18 years.  To say I was a little excited was truly an understatement.  One of the ladies here at work is a Texas Ex and gets season tickets to the football games every year.  She knows I'm a huge fan so when she got her tickets this year and knew they would not be able to attend this particular game, she let me know right away.  I asked my cousin Dina to join me because well...
1) she is a huge fan
2) she has been to games before
3) she knows her way around, and most importantly
4) we enjoy spending time together
Her sister Anne joined us and we stayed at a very swanky hotel downtown.  It wasn't really swanky but I thought that sounded a lot better.  All I am really going to say is I had an awesome time at the game.  Our Horns had been on an awful losing streak so I like to think Dina and I brought them some much needed luck because we won that day!  Here is one of the first pictures Dina took of me at the game.  You can't tell it, but I was crying underneath my sunglasses from all the excitement. 

We took this one right before our guys made their entrance....

And this one at the end of the game....

After the game, we met up with Anne and another cousin (Stacy), had dinner and then hit 6th Street.  The evening was filled with great company and a ton of laughs but the highlight of my day was being at the game with my cousin.  I had an awesome time and hope to go again some day and take my son, who I know would enjoy it just as much as I did. 

 

The Breath You Take

Leave it to King George to come out with a song that brings me to tears almost every time I hear it.  There are times it does make me smile but today, its tears.  My wish is for my friends and family to really listen to this song and its message and to remember life's not the breaths you take, its the moments that take your breath away.  As I have said many times before, live it up each day because life can change in an instant and there's no going back. 

The Breath You Take

He looks up from second base dad’s up in the stands
He saw the hit, the run, the slide there ain’t no bigger fan
In the parking lot after the game he said
“Dad I thought you had a plane to catch”
He smiled and said “Yeah son I did”

Life’s not the breaths you take
The breathing in and out
That gets you through the day
Ain’t what it’s all about
Ya just might miss the point
Try’n to win the race
Life’s not the breaths you take
But the moments that take your breath away

Fast forward fifteen years
And a thousand miles away
Boy’s built a life he’s got a wife
And a baby due today
He hears a voice saying “I made it son
He said “I told you dad you didn’t have to come”
He smiles and says ”Yeah I know you did”

Just like it took my breath when she was born
Just like it took my breath away when dad took his last that morn

Life’s not the breaths you take
The breathing in and out
That gets you through the day
Ain’t what it’s all about
Ya just might miss the point
If ya don’t slow down the pace
Life’s not the breaths you take
But the moments that take your breath away

Here is a link to King George's performance of this song on the CMA's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MvxsPSwWQU

Thanksgiving Menu

I'm taking a cue from my cousin and sharing my menu for Thanksgiving this year.  My sister and her family will be traveling to Louisiana to spend the holiday with her husband's family so we will have a smaller group.  You would think we'd cut back on our dishes but its Thanksgiving and we must have all of our favorites, small group or not. 

Smoked Turkey
Ham
Dressing
Mashed Tators
Corn
Broccoli/Rice Casserole
Green Beans (this is not definite)
Cranberry Sauce
Gravy
Crescent Rolls
Apple Cobbler
Double-Layer Pumpkin Pie

I think this is everything...and my mouth is now watering!  One of my girlfriends asked me the other day what our menu looked like.  I sent it to her and then added two additional items I forgot.  I still feel like I have forgotten something above.  As I said before, its a lot of food but we simply cannot leave any of our favorites off.  Green beans are in question because we decided to have corn instead--for those who prefer it to green beans.  I however, have found a recipe that I would like to try that puts a twist on the traditional green bean casserole.  Still thinking about it.  And I bet you're wondering where the sweet potatoes are right?  Again, majority is not a fan of them so we have opted not to have them.  Last year I had a recipe I wanted to try with them so they graciously allowed me to make the dish and bring it.  I also would love to add a pecan pie to the desserts.  I've never made a pecan pie but would like to try.  Who knows, maybe if I'm feeling frisky Wednesday when I'm cooking up a storm, I just might give it a whirl! 

Good Mornin'

Well good mornin' sunshine!!  And how are you this fine rainy morning?  I'm doing pretty good here.  Its a holiday for me..Veteran's Day...so I'm chilling here at the house before I go get my hair done.  I'm really excited about that because its been quite a while.  The kids are off, the washer is going, the floors are swept, dishwasher is full and I'm about out of coffee.  Of course I'm still in my jammies....well not really because I did have to get out of the car when I took Bella to daycare.  Didn't want to scare everyone, so these are what I call throwndown clothes.  I'm sorry I haven't been around much.  I've had a lot of thoughts but just haven't gotten around to writing them down, but things are good.  Did get a disappointing phone call yesterday.  There was a family looking at my house, saw it three times, asked a lot of questions, blah, blah, blah.  In the end, they decided to go with another home....a newer home.  Bummer.  I can't blame them really.  This one does still need some work but when you look at its size and the potential...WOW!!  Trying to stay positive and hope that another family will come along and this home will be the one for them. 

The kids had a great Halloween. I enjoyed being off that day because Christopher and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen baking cupcakes, roasting pumpkin seeds and cooking.  He is a wonderful little chef and loves to learn new things. We went to Daddy's house later for pizza and trick or treating with my sister's family and our good friends the Hillier's.  Its a tradition that started years ago when the Hillier's oldest daughter was little (she'll be 21 this month) and I was newly married and home by myself on Halloween (Jeff was working).  They stopped by our house while trick or treating and invited me to join them, and that's where the fun began.  We started out trick or treating at a neighborhood near their house but have migrated to Daddy's neighborhood--less chaos and people.  When my sister had kids, she joined us.  I love this little tradition that we have.  We always eat pizza, trick or treat and come back to the house--the kids all go to the back room, sort through the candy and a trading fest begins.  Let me tell you...its a very serious thing with those kids but they have a great time doing it.  And they LOVE passing out candy to the goblins that come to the house..almost more than going out themselves! We love Halloween...always have a great time.  My pictures this year were awful...just awful so I don't have anything to show you.  And I still cannot figure out why my vertical pictures are turning horizontal when I rotate them and save them on my computer??  I need help with that. 

Other than getting through Halloween, we're trucking along just fine.  Gearing up for Thanksgiving, which I'm super excited about and Christmas, which I'm hyperventilating about.  As much as I love this time of year I wish I could make it slow down so I can catch up.  I'm WAY behind on my shopping and I am really fretting it.  I never fret shopping...NEVER!  But I am this year.  But it will be fine and all things will work out.  Right?      

Y'all have a great day....and don't forget to thank a Veteran today. 

Cookbooks

I have a lot of cookbooks...41 to be exact.  I counted them yesterday because I was curious and after talking to my cousin Caryn, I realized I have only a handful.  I forget how many she told me she had but I'm pretty sure I'm not even close.  I took out a few to show you.  Don't let the camera strap bother you...obviously my photographer doesn't know what she's doing. Haha!
The Pioneer Woman Cooks is my newest addition.  I had the opportunity to sit and read it cover to cover the first weekend I had it and I LOVED it.  Its a beautiful book. 

I have recipes printed in these two books.  I'm famous!!  The Popp Family Cookbook Project is my Grandma Berger's family (Daddy's Mom).  The Annual Pecan Festival Recipe Book is from my church, Holy Trinity. 

This Popp cookbook is probably my favorite cookbook because it holds my family's recipes and I cherish them very much.  Although if I ever put together our own family cookbook like I have talked about for years now, it will probably move to the number one spot. 

Here is proof I have recipes in this book...here is one of mine. 

This is another one of my favorites because I am a huge Paula Deen fan.  Jeff got this one for me for Christmas a few years back.  When I put it on my list, I told him to order it from her website because I knew she signs all the cookbooks.  That was first thing I checked when I got it and sure enough...

there is was...AND....

I flipped the page over to see if it bled through. Its real. 

This is where I keep my cookbooks.  I got this nifty cookbook stand from my Mom.  She had it in a closet at her house not being used so I put it to good use. As you can see, I'm out of room on my stand.

The drawer is crammed full of recipes that I have printed out, written down or have been passed along to me.  I also have another recipe card holder that holds alot of recipes my Mom gave me when I got married.  I will always keep them even if I have the recipes memorized because they are in her handwriting.

And this box holds a recipe binder that my cousin Dina gave to me years ago when I started talking about doing a family cookbook.  This was so I could get organized and have a place to start compiling everything.  Life took me down a road that year that was unexpected and its been full of twists and turns since so the cookbook kept getting pushed back but I'm bound and determined to get it done.  There are too many great dishes our family brings to our gatherings that I don't want to see lost.   

So yes, 41 cookbooks and I hope to add more to the collection.  I do reference most of these books and have made at least one dish from each...some more.  I have been known on occasion to pull them all out, plop down on the couch or in my chair and peruse them for new recipes.  I love comparing recipes to see how different they are, who uses what and why.  I especially love the books that have stories behind their recipes.  I have three more books on my wishlist now, the follow-up to my Paula Deen cookbook and both of Trisha Yearwood's cookbooks.  I'm hoping maybe Santa will bring me one or more...wink,wink. 

Brazoria County Fair

Along with the cook-off coming to a close Saturday evening, so did the fair.  Christopher spent a lot of time out at the carnival with friends and cousins this past weekend.  When they weren't helping at the cook-off, they were spinning themselves silly on the rides and chasing the girls so we rarely saw them.  Saturday evening after the awards ceremony my brother and I took Isabella down to ride the ponies and then next door to the petting zoo.  I tried so hard to get a good picture of her riding the pony that I didn't take the time to set my camera correctly so the pictures were crappy and blurry.  This was probably the best picture of her...

It was so much fun watching my girl at the petting zoo.  I thought it was only puppies that she loved but I really think its all animals.  This child is not afraid of anything...well okay, she was a little unsure of the bigger goats but who could blame her.  There were a lot of people in there and Bella was constantly moving but I did manage to get a few shots of her feeding and loving the animals....

She was fussing here because the goat was eating out of her cup and wouldn't stop.  Mommy to the rescue!!

I swear to you she was probably pulling the little hairs on this one...

Giving the calf a hug...this was the third time I had asked her to give him a hug.  When we first approached the calf, no one was around and she was so sweet with him.  I was getting ready to take some pictures and these punk kids walked in and just ruined it.  They did apologize for messing things up...I think the look I gave them must have given my aggravation away.  Oh I wish I could have gotten the one of her little arms wrapped around his neck, it was really sweet.

And last but not least, saying hello to Mr. Donkey...

After she ran out of food for the animals and had said hello to everyone, we headed back to our camp.  We walked by the ponies later that night and she grunted and pointed to ride them but I convinced her they were tired and going night-night.  So from there on, it was "night-night".   She did also manage during the week to recognize the cows, so not every animal is a puppy now, but a puppy or a cow.  Hey...one animal at a time. 

BBQ Cook-Off

We survived another cook-off!!  I'm always excited when it arrives but equally happy to see it go come Sunday morning.  Participating in the cook-off is a lot of hard work. Cheers to my brothers for hanging in there through it all.  Of course I can't forget Mike, Alex and Sue for all their hard work but the boys start on Thursday (Wednesday really) setting it all up and tear it all down on Sunday morning. This year was extra special to me because it truly was a family affair.  It took us 12 years but my sister and I FINALLY became official members of Berger's Bums.  It dawned on me Sunday afternoon that I didn't get a picture of our banner (for proof) with our names on it or the front of our camp.  Guess I'll have to do that next year.  Sue and I are already working on changing the name of the team to Berger's Bums and Divas.  The guys weren't crazy about it...but they didn't dismiss the idea either so there is hope!  We have a whole year to wear them down.  Ha!

When I say its a family affair, I mean this in every respect...we make our kids work too!  No really...the kids WANT to help out.  I think all of them inherited the "love to cook" gene. 

Here we have Makenna, Brandon (Sue's kids) and Christopher (mine) prepping chickens and I think ribs. 

   
While the adults sit back, relax, watch...and critique...

The Chief's in Charge...well, they like to think they are in charge.  :)  My brothers...Tony & Bryan.  You can feel sorry for me now.  No really...FEEL SORRY FOR ME.  They torture me all the time.  Even at 38 I still get poked, prodded, tripped, teased....but they claim its all out of love...and their brotherly duty to torture me.   

Wow...now that's a crew!!  Here we are waiting on the awards ceremony to start.  From the left we have...
Mike, Cindy, Brady, Alex, Bryan, Makenna, Me, Brandon, Tony and Isabella.  Brady and Isabella were all tuckered out...the rest of us weren't far behind them!  Kinda wishing someone would hold us while we took a nap at that point!  Ha!

We have fun every year and every year we have tons of food and cold beverages.  This year we added fajitas to the table.  We only placed in the top ten in one event and that was Friday Night Feast (8th place). Tony was happy about that but is still determined to reworked his creation for next year and push it to the top six.  We also participated in beans, chicken, ribs and brisket.  Last year we placed 3rd in chicken and a few years back we were 10th in brisket.  A few wins here and there but enough to come back for more.  We really do have a lot of fun doing this...the kids enjoy it and it gets the family and friends together for a few days.  I do know one thing for sure...none of us care to much to see or eat bbq for a very long time when its all said and done. 

Smile

Uncle Kracker's song "Smile" is dedicated to my babies...because every single time I see them they make me smile.  No matter what kind of day I've had, they can change it or make it even better simply by being there.  I love these kids with every piece of me and would do anything for them.  They are the best of me and by far my greatest accomplishment.

http://www.cmt.com/videos/uncle-kracker/426988/smile.jhtml

Smile

You're better then the best
I'm lucky just to linger in your light
Cooler than the flip side
Of my pillow, that's right

Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where
You send me, lets me know that it's okay
Yeah, it's okay
And the moments where my good times start to fade

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Even when you're gone,
Somehow you come along just like
A flower pokin' through the sidewalk crack
And just like that
You steal away the rain, and just like that

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Don't know how I lived without you
'Cause every time that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

October 15, 2002

Jace Andrew Bevers was born!  Today would have been his 8th birthday and I just wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday.  I miss him and think of him every single day.  Every year I try to be as happy as I can be and I think I am going to do okay until the week of his birthday arrives.  Its been hard this week and I have also been missing my Mom and feeling very lost this week.  I know he is having quite the celebration in Heaven (with Momma probably heading up the festivities) but I sure wish he were here with me.  8 years...wow!  Sometimes I wish I had one of those computer programs where I could put a picture of him in it so it could give me an idea of what he would look like now.  But I don't really need it because I know he would be a very cute and very handsome young man.  That makes me smile. :)  Oh Jace...Mommy thinks of you every single day.  I love you so much sweet boy.  There are still days the thought of you takes my breath away.  Peace to you angel....and I wouldn't mind seeing you in my dreams again.  Forever in my heart, Mommy

  

Yogi Bear

This past weekend the kids and I went camping with some friends at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Waller.  If you have young kids and like to camp, this place is a must see.  Here is a link to their website to check it out http://www.lonestarcamping.com/. Our friends had a camper so we stayed with them but the park also has cabins for rent and an area for tents.  They have a water park, swimming pool, miniature golf, activity center, fishing, a place for horseshoes and much more.  The boys took their bikes and rode around on the trails there.  Christopher figured out his way around really quick so he wanted to ride his bike whenever he got the chance. During the month of October the park celebrates Halloween every weekend.  All the campsites decorate for Halloween, costume contest and trick or treating.  They also give the kids an opportunity to plant magic pumpkin seeds and in just a short 3 hours, the pumpkins appear--pretty magical don't you think?  It was loads of fun and after you pick your pumpkin you have the opportunity to paint it at the activity center.  Isabella decided to paint hers but Christopher passed.  He wants to carve his closer to Halloween.  We ended up missing the costume contest Saturday evening.  My sweet girl was having so much fun during the day, I couldn't get her to lay down for a nap so about the time we were ready to dress for the contest she was tuckered out and fell fast asleep.  Chris decided not to participate but tagged along with our friends and their children Mason and Kynlee for the contest while Miss Bella and I stayed back at the camp. She woke up about the time everyone came back and started trick or treating so she helped Mommy pass out candy to all the kids who stopped by.  We had lots of fun playing, relaxing, riding on the golfcart, sitting by a fire every night and roasting marshmallows.  Most definitely plan a trip back!! 

Here are some pictures from our trip...

Planting those magic pumpkin seeds....

  
The kids with their pumpkins...aren't you amazed how fast those pumpkins grew! 

Bella painting her pumpking with my sweet boy Chris helping her out when she needed it.

The finished product...ta-da!!

And I'm afraid that will be it for the pictures because the rest of them were taken vertically but they are coming up sideways on here and I'd hate for you to view them that way. Its never done that before!!??!!  If I get it figured out I'll post more.  This just stinks!!

Happy Birthday Paul Franklin

Today is my nephew Paul Franklin's 15th birthday.  Its so hard to believe this child, the first born grandchild, my first nephew is 15!!  I can still remember exactly where I was when the phone call came in letting me know he had made his debut.  How excited we were for him to be here but so sad that he was so far away in Jacksonville, Florida.  My brother was still in the Navy then and stationed there.  That like to have killed us not being able to be right there when he arrived.  My family made a trip at Christmas to see him, I had to stay behind for reasons I can't even remember now but it had to have been dang good ones!  Paul Franklin is such a wonderful kid, um young man.  He's so good with his cousins and my son Christopher adores him.  Paul still lives in Florida with his mom but visits a few times a year and on occasion, we've made the trip there to see him.  Paul and Chris can pick up as if no time has passed when he comes for a visit. They are like two peas in a pod and go together like peas and carrots.  I miss him and wish he could be here in Texas with us year round but sure do enjoy his visits when he's here.  I know the kids do too!  He is coming down next week for the BBQ Cook-Off and the Fair and I can't wait to see him!  Happy Birthday to you Paul Franklin, Pooh Bear, Peanut Butter, Nephew, Paul Punkin....you're the best!!

Good Times

For the first time in a long time, I had a weekend to do anything I wanted.  A weekend that wasn't full of working on the house or running errands or going here and there.  I got to do something fun and something fun is exactly what I did!  My friend Marilee invited me to go shopping in Old Town Spring Saturday with her and her son's girlfriend Lindsey.  She surprised me by booking a hotel room in The Woodlands for an overnight stay as well...an evening out to toast my new life and new beginnings as a single lady.  What a beautiful weekend it turned out to be.  I had so much fun spending time with these two awesome ladies, talking about everything under the sun and toasting the good life.  I went to places I had never been before, tried food I never had before and tried new wines I had never had before and discovered I really do like white wine!  Don't ask me which kind because I have no idea but I do know what to ask for!  Ha!  Every meal was enjoyed outside because it was such a beautiful weekend.  I enjoyed the Woodlands very much and spent time at places I thought I would only hear about.  Here are some pictures from our weekend of fun.   

This was at the little wine tasting place in Old Town Spring...

Outside of Crush Wine Lounge...

And at Tommy Bahamas enjoying our wine...

Happy Fall Y'all

I'm a day late but I had to wish everyone a Happy Fall on the second official day of Autumn!!  A cool front is making its way here this weekend and I am sooooo ready for it!!!  I love all things Autumn...its my favorite time of year!

20 Years

This past weekend was my 20 year high school reunion...and I opted out of not going.  I did pick myself up and go to the after party and saw some of my classmates.  High school was not the best of times for me.  I had some great moments yes, but I spent a lot of nights crying myself to sleep not feeling like I fit in anywhere.  I was going to talk about being an athlete and why I opted out of playing basketball my senior year and all the other crummy things that happened that helped contribute to my self-esteem issues but I have decided not to do that.  Instead, I am going to share with you some pictures taken Saturday night at the Reunion After Party...

Tracey, Me and Lorri

Sherwin, Me and Ryan

Phillana and Me

Javie and Me (He was playing with the band that night, EightyPlus)

Theresa and Me (Good ole Catholic girls)

Dawn and Me (My t-ball buddy, Go Jets!)

Massey and Me

Me, Pam and Jay (Jay and I grew up together in the same neighborhood)

I am very proud of myself for going. This was a big step for me and the fact I went by myself was HUGE. My friends were very welcoming. 

I'd like to also share with you one of the great moments we had our senior year.  This picture was taken prior to our Senior Powderpuff Game that year. We won both our senior and junior years...that had never been done before.  And here we are, the Class of 1990!

After A While

One of my best girlfriends sent this to me and I wanted to share it with you.  

After A While

After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open.
With the grace of a woman, Not the grief of a child
And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure…
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth,
and you learn and learn…
With every good bye you learn.

I'm Ready

I'm ready for a change.  A GOOD change.  Not sure what exactly I'm looking for but I'm ready.  I normally don't like change and I've certainly had enough of it in my life...but I'm ready for something.  Something good.  Positive thinking Missy. 

Monkey Munch

I thought I would share my recipe for Monkey Munch with you.  This was one of the things I made for Christopher as a surprise upon his return from his sleepover.  I got this recipe from Jon & Kate Plus 8 back in the day when the show was good and not full of so much drama.  Some people might call this recipe Puppy Chow.  I don't.  Something about eating a treat named after dog food just doesn't appeal to me.  I have called Christopher "Monkey" for forever so MM fits perfectly.  He loved it the first time I made it for him, not just because it was good but because it was called Monkey Munch.  He likes to think it was named after him...and there is NOTHING wrong with that!  In a way, in my house...it is. 

Anyway...if you try it I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Monkey Munch

9 cups Chex cereal (any variety)
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Put Chex cereal in bowl and set aside. 

Melt chips, peanut butter and butter in microwave on high for 1 minute.  Stir and microwave for another 30 seconds or until smooth.  Add vanilla and stir. 

Pour mixture over cereal and stir until coated. 

Pour cereal into 2-gallon ziploc bag and add powdered sugar.  Shake bag to coat. 

Spread cereal onto wax paper and cool. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container.

Weekend Roundup

Well...we made it back to work.  As always, it made it here entirely too fast but I am thankful I had an extra long weekend because I sure needed the break.

Friday after I took the kids to school and daycare I came back home and began cleaning, dusting, organizing, straightening and staging the house.  I am proud to say...I have a FOR SALE sign in my front yard!!  Woo Hoo!!  I have to tell ya there were days I didn't think that sign would ever get there.  I dang sure didn't think it would just now be going in the yard but I am grateful this day has arrived. The house looks great and I am hopeful for a quick sale.  Jeff had the kids Friday night so I went with my brother Tony to catch some Wildcat Football.  We played our rival, the Brazoswood Buccaneers and oh my gosh it was a good game! Those boys had me on the edge of my seat the entire game, especially there at the end. Angleton won 27-24.  Can you say whew!!

Saturday before the kids came home I baked some mini muffins that didn't quite turn out right so I trashed them.  A second attempt Sunday came out better but I still don't think they're as good as they were in Canton.  Christopher ended up staying with his friend another night so Isabella and I ran errands before the Longhorns game came on.  When we got back, my girl was wiped out so while she napped I watched the game, quietly.  I think I might have checked out the inside of my eyelids for a short time but I'm not certain.  :) 

Sunday was a lazy day of watching movies, playing video games, laundry, napping...I think you get the picture. 

And Monday we ventured to the mall to get out of the house for a bit.  Only stayed a while because Christopher was anxious to get back so he could go over to another friend's house.  After I dropped him off, Isabella went down for a nap so I tinkered with my blog a bit.  The end results are what you are seeing now.  I'm still messing with it but I think I like it. 

That about rounds it up for me...pretty boring weekend but it was relaxing after I got Friday's cleaning done. Now...we just have to keep it this way in case anyone wants to see the house! 

Ahhhh....September Is Here!

Yes indeed....today is September 1st and all I have to say is BRING ON THE COOL FRONTS BABY!!  Don't be shy now...send 'em on down.  Momma is anxiously awaiting relief from this dreaded heat.  I do realize it will be awhile yet before we actually feel a significant difference but I do try to be optimistic about these things and hope it hits sooner rather than later.  So for now, a smidgin' will do just fine. 

Ah yes, September is here and its the first day of my most favorite time of year.  I just love it.  Everything.  All of it.  Love it.  And I am going to do my bestest to enjoy every stinkin' minute of it!!    

Friday Night Lights

Friday the kids and I traveled to Needville to see the season opener for the Needville Blue Jays.  My cousin Dina lives in Needville with her two boys, J.T. and Brad.  J.T. made Varsity this year...he's a sophomore.  We're just a little excited about that.  Friday night was also Parent's Night so I wanted to see my dear cousin walk the field with her boy!  Here are a few pictures I snapped from way up in the stands...

That's my cuz and her boy in front about to walk...

And here they are making their way down the field...

smile purty for the camera...

As I'm snapping this picture....

this is going on....

Dina is Isabella's Godmomma, so she was just tickled to pieces when Bella went right to her

I just love this next shot of the teams out for the coin toss.  J.T. is right there in the middle, #80.

So stinkin' proud of that boy!!

Later I snapped these other two pictures...

I was told by my other cousin Anne (Dina's sister) that the next time we come to a football game, she expects Miss Bella to be in a Blue Jays dress.  Guess I'd better get to working on that! 

The game was great, what I did get to see. J.T. made his debut on the kick-off return.  He got in quite a bit of playing time.  Had some good hits and even knocked down a pass attempt by the Edna Cowboys.  Edna prevailed in this game winning 21-7.  Still needs some work but it was the first game and I know he and the Blue Jays will only improve from here.  Can't wait to see more games!!