Sunday, October 30, 2011

I Did It!!

Finally!!  And here it is...


Yes...that is MY foot and that is a tattoo! 
Alis Volat Propriis is Latin for "She Flies With Her Own Wings"

I love it!!  No regrets.

The original plan was to get 3 butterflies on my hip to signify my 3 children but Missy went and left the picture of the butterfly she liked at the house and the shop didn't have anything else I was crazy about so I decided to start small and get this.  Work out the butterflies for another time.  :)

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Cook-Off Time!!

We made it through another cook-off.  I think this year's cook-off was by far my favorite.  We just all seemed to have a really good time this year.  My cousins joined us this year, friends from Florida, old friends who hadn't been able to make it out there in a while were there, and my new blessing was even able to hang out with us.  Good times were had by all..

And I remembered to take a picture of our banner for proof that I am actually a cook on the team...ha!


Looks good huh...I think so!

Nothing better than family....
L-R:  Christy, Patrick, Tony, Bryan and Me


Not all of us were there when this one was taken.  I'm pretty sure Deano got a group picture of us the next day.  Once he sends us those pictures I'll share more with you. 

This last one is of me and Makenna...don't we look great with our aprons?  We were working hard. 

 
We placed 16th in fajitas this year which was great considering Tony had never done them before for the cook-off.  Brother-in-law Alex usually does but he ended up having to work Friday so my brothers stepped in.  We were disappointed the brisket didn't place.  When we pulled it and cut into it, oh my goodness it looked so good.  Apparently our judges didn't think so.  I was also a little disappointed Friday Night Feast didn't place.  I just knew we would.  No such luck.  Back to the drawing board for that.  Oh well, can't win them all right? 

I had a great time with everyone this weekend and as always, was glad to see it come to an end.  Momma was tired.  :)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Happy

My life is blessed and I am grateful for all the blessings. 

An unexpected blessing has been sent my way and it has put a smile on my face.  A smile that hasn't gone away and one that I hope stays for a while because I am loving the way I feel.  This blessing is warm, funny, smart, strong, hard-working, dedicated and good-looking.  A different type of cowboy who spins me around the dance floor in his own unique way and someone I never expected would even glance my way.  A uniqueness that I am enjoying getting to know, one day at a time, slowly and cautiously.  This blessing and I are having fun.

I am happy...and I love the way that feels.  Been a long time. 

Thank you blessing!   

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Jace Brudder

It never gets any easier.  Every year I say I'm going to be brave and be strong for you.  And every year as your birthday gets closer I start missing you more, which is odd because I don't know how its possible to miss you more than I already do.  This is probably jibberish to some but for those who have lost a child, you know the exact jibberish I am talking about. 

You are 9 years old today-wow!!  It seems like just yesterday you were placed in my arms.  I had a house full of boys and I loved it.  Your brother was so excited to have you here.  He was ready to teach you how to play toys and airplane. You were his "Jace Brudder".  I remember it well.  He adored you.  He still does and makes sure your little sister knows all about you. 

Happy Birthday my sweet baby boy.  I miss you so very much and wish daily I could have one more day to hold you close. My time with you was precious and I am thankful for that time even if it was only for a short 4 months.  I hope that one day I will see all of God's wisdom and finally understand why you had to go so soon. 

Love you forever...Mommy.

Christmas Day 2002
  

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Maya Angelou Wisdom

I have seen this piece about Maya Angelou several times over the years in various emails.  I love what it says and wanted to share it with you. Have a beautiful day. 

Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.  Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said
there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."

"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.  People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Do you speak Bella?

I'm so afraid I am going to forget all the cute things Bella says and what she calls different things.  So I thought I would document them here. 

Pop-Tart = Tart Tart
Toy Story 3 = Stories
Backpack - Pat Pat
Dress = Purdy Dress
Pop & Lena = Pot Ena (almost sounds like Paulina)
Christopher Michael = Chrisfer Michael or Bubba
Vanilla Oreos = Yellow Cookies
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies = Baby Cookies
Goldfish = Goldpish
Phone = Pone
Hair Braid = Snake (and she crosses her fingers to show you)

When we drive by the football stadium she says, "Mommy, I go Wildcats".  Or if she sees kids playing football, volleyball or basketball, she wants to play basketball...no matter what sport it is.  And every single time you ask this child what she wants to eat, what she had to eat or where she wants to eat, she will undoubtedly answer, "uh...ranch n ketchup".  I swear I am going to open a restaurant and call it Ranch n Ketchup. 

And as far as the potty training goes with this girl. I hear every day from daycare how great she's doing.  Even has worn big girl panties for them.  Tells them when she needs to go.  I am amazed she does all of this for them because for me, she stinks.  I will ask her if she needs to go, she says yes, I put her on the potty, she sits forever and says I'm done.  More times than not, she doesn't go.  Put her pullup back on and bam, she goes. Ugh! 

She is so completely opposite of Christopher.  This child tests me every day.  Christopher was so quiet and shy and played so well by himself.  If I told him no, he quit.  I never had to worry about him getting into anything.  Bella...not so much.  She makes friends with everyone around her, not shy in the least.  If this child is quiet, you better run quick and find out what she is in to because she will be into something and it won't be good.  If you tell her no...she thinks it means to keep doing it.  If I count to 3, she just looks at you like "really, you think counting to 3 is going to stop me?"  I kid you not.  Sassy, head strong and a total priss every single day.  But you know what?  I wouldn't change anything about her.  She may test me every day but I am grateful to have her and she has saved me so many times.  I love that child more than my luggage.  :)

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

MOVED!!!

Yes, you read that right...the kids and I are FINALLY moved into our new home.  Ironic and a little funny we moved in on the day my first house note was made. I'm trying to see the good side of things and not the "it took me a whole month to get moved" side of things.  We were just finally able to get the help and the trailers available.  Got it done fairly quickly and with only one tee-niney incident.  Brother and company was taking a load to the house while me and the girls stayed behind to load smaller items into our cars.  We get to the house and I hear my brother calling me from the back room--voice sounds different....

Tony:  Sister...I messed up. 
Me:  what do you mean you messed up?
Tony:  I broke the wardrobe
Me:  Which one?
Tony:  The one from Bella's room...it fell off the trailer.  I'm sorry.
Me:  Are you okay?
Tony:  Yes but it broke...but it can be fixed.
Me:  Its okay...really.  You're okay, we're all okay, that's all that matters.  Its just a wardrobe. 

And really...it is okay.  Its just a piece of furniture that can be replaced.  Took me a long time and tragedy in my life to be able to say that and stay calm about something like that but the lesson has been learned...the hard way.  That was the only hiccup that day.   I said "that" day. 

So Sunday morning the kids, my niece, nephew and I are up.  It felt great outside so I take my coffee cup outside to sit on the patio to enjoy the peace and have my yummy Texas Pecan coffee.  I leave the door cracked open because the lock on the french doors is one I still don't understand and one that can lock you out of your house...which is exactly what happened when the kids found me outside and had to come join me.  Now normally, I'm asking if they have grown tails because they never close doors behind them.  Sunday they did.  And the door locked.  And did I mention that I had cinnamon rolls in the oven?  Panic set in.  I had taken my phone outside with me so I called Daddy first. 

Daddy:  What did you do that for?
Me:  Well I didn't, the kids did.
Daddy:  (Silence) I don't know what to do.
Me:  Can't I like pick the lock or something?  They do it on tv all the time.
Daddy:  Don't think so.  call a locksmith.  Or worse case, call 911 and tell them you have little ones, oven is on and you're worried about a fire. 

We hang up, I call my sister thinking her hubby is home.  He's not...forgot he was out of town.  She packs up to come my way (she lives close by now).  I see my neighbor out so I send Chris to see if he can help or if he has any suggestions.  Please note, I do have an extra key...but it was in my car which was locked.  I also have a garage door opener, which was in the my car that's locked.  EVERYTHING was locked!

In the meantime, Daddy calls back to check on things.  Nothing new.  Still not in.  Oven is still on.  I'm still panicked but holding my shit together because the kids are there.  Daddy decides to come our way.

Mr. Gregory (God bless my new neighbors) comes over with tools in hand to assess the situation, my sister shows up and somewhere in the there I was on the phone with my brother--yes I called everyone!  And everyone is perplexed by the situation.  Go in through a window--can't because all the windows are locked.  Break one of the panes of glass in the french door--can't because its a full window.  Daddy eventually shows up and he and Mr. Gregory go to work trying to figure out what to do.  Cindy finds a wire hanger in the truck. 

Daddy:  What are you going to do with that?
Cindy:  I don't know.
Me:  I'm gonna pick the lock or something
Daddy:  no..no...no you're not.  That's not going to do anything.
Cindy & Me:  Grumbled looks on our face...more like pouting. 

Daddy walks off and I tell Cindy to give me the hanger.  I'm picking the friggin' lock.  yeah...that didn't work.  They make it look so easy on tv.  Daddy decides to go ahead and turn the gas off  because the cinnamon rolls are probably burning by now and I'm thinking I should just call 911 to get some help.  By the way, Idid make a call to the locksmith who didn't answer and had no alternate number to call for emergencies.  My sister, in the meantime is fiddling with the door and the hanger and proceeds to shove the hanger in between the french doors and starts moving it around, up and down, turning it and wouldn't you know...the door pops open! 

We go up front to tell Daddy and Mr. Gregory we got the door open...with the hanger!  I think (I know) they were surprised that little hanger got us in.  The cinnamon rolls were indeed burned but thankfully not so much that the house wasn't full of smoke yet.  Daddy turned the gas back on and left.  My sister and I marveled at her talents and I'm considering this sign for the house...

"Enter if you can.  If not, wait on my sister!"

God bless her...