Nearly a month

Dear Kids:

So, nearly a month has gone by since my last blog post to you kiddos ... sorry for the delay.  This 300 new foods challenge seems to take up all of my bloggin' efforts these days.   ON a side note; I have given up diet soda for good. YAY for mama.

Victoria, you are so excited because you got to go shopping with your own money that you worked hard for - and buy some clothes for the upcoming Church camp.  Yay.  You earned money babysitting, as well as face-painting.  Hopefully you'll get some more paying gigs.  You are also very wonderful in helping me with my health and fitness goals, eating better and cooking better.  I love this.

William, you are doing very well in playing Chess and Deflection with everyone.  You seem to have that keen strategic kind of mind that does well in these types of things.   You are also growing like a weed.  I always hated it when people said that when I was kid, such a crazy expression, but it's true.  You are growing up so fast.  Blows my mind sometimes.

Thomas, I love the way you play with James and are trying to help him a lot.  Victoria has recruited you to try and help us potty train him.  You are not overly excited about this prospect, but I think we're wearing you down.  I was looking at baby pictures of you last night on the computer, and was getting all sentimental.  It is amazing to me how much you look like James.

James - you need to learn to use the potty.  You seem to do everything with it - except for its intended purpose.  You want to stand on it and flip it over, or put it in the cabinet, or take it apart.  We were very blessed and given a great little toddler potty from a lady at Church ... now if we can just get you to use the thing properly, we'll be in business.   GO James - you can do it !

Now this tired mama is going to call it a night.  I imported this letters blog from my old gmail address into my new one - so that took a bit of maneuvering.   Glad I did it though - because it is far more easily accessible to me now, and I don't have to sign in and out of different accounts to try and locate this blog.   Maybe I'll be a little better at updating from now on.  One can hope :)

Good night.

Bad Blogger Mama, Bad

Dear Kids - I've been a bad blogger mama, I know.  I've been doing this 300 day challenge thing - - where I try one new food a day for 300 days - and writing about it.  The link is here: http://300newfoods.posterous.com/#

Granted, I am only in day 25 of this challenge, so that does not quite excuse my lazy blogging efforts on this front.  I've just really been busy concentrating on life, fitness and taking care of all of you.

SO many things have happened, it's been crazy around here.  Elva, our former foreign exchange student from Taiwan, came to visit.  That was awesome.  Kayla - your cousin - moved here to Houston from Oklahoma. She is living with Ashley in her apartment.  Daddy loves his job.  Mama is obsessed with clean eating and getting our family to eat healthier.  I'm also shrinking - which is a good thing.  You guys spoiled me rotten on Mother's day. Daddy spoiled me rotten for our 18th wedding anniversary.  We went to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and saw Alan Jackson.  That was cool.  Grammy and Grand-dad came down to visit from Wisconsin.  It was wonderful to see them.

Victoria, my dear - I am homeschooling you now. I am happy with this change.  Hope you are too.   ALSO, you had the lead role as 'Duchess' in 'The Aristocats' and you did an amazing job.  I love seeing you on stage, you are such a natural.

William - you got promoted in your boy scouts from Tiger to Wolf.  We had a great picnic where you got promoted and you looked so very handsome in your uniform.

Thomas - you are reading like a champ.  I just love the way you are reading, and you are so good at it - and YOU Love it - which is great.  I love hearing you read to me, and to your brothers.  You are about done with Kindergarten, so hard to believe.  You are excited to be a Tiger in Cub Scouts when school starts in August.

James - you're a toddler in full motion.  You are talking more and more - and you just finished up your pre-school.  You had fun.  Your very favorite activity there seems to be playing with the building blocks and riding the tricycle over and over and over.  You are quite talented at pushing those pedals.

Anyway - - it's late and I need to get to bed, but wanted to write a quick little something here, before another several months go by.

Love, MOM

Great Year So Far !

Dear Kids ...

Mama has been a lazy blogger this year, I am afraid.  I looked at this blog and realized I have not even written a post here since December 2010.  Oh My!

This year we have been enjoying Caitlin as our foreign exchange student from Australia.   She fits in nicely with our family and we are honored to have her here.

Daddy got converted from a contractor to a permanent employee at his job, which is wonderful for our family.  We now have health insurance for the 1st time in two years - woo hoo!  He will also get vacation time and things like that, so this makes us  happy.  It is also a nice blessing that daddy really loves and enjoys his job.  Praise the Lord.

Victoria - you are now being home-schooled.  I am appreciative for this honor to be in charge of your education.   YOU are so talented and so amazing, this journey is just beginning.

William - I love the way you love your cub scouts.  I love how you score so high in school and get excited about homework.  I love how you saw the absolute sweetest things to me, but only when nobody else is around :)

Thomas - you happen to be sick today - but most days you are one big bouncing ball of energy.  You even decided to be the King of the Recycling in our family.  I love how you are always looking for jobs and how to help out.    Your reading is coming along nicely.

James - you're a mess.  You are always into something.  You are learning more words every day, and although you talk constantly - we cannot always understand you.  I will look forward to getting you potty trained this summer.  Please cooperate, okay?   Seeing as how you bring me your diapers and tell me when you're wet, I think you're ready!  Eliminating diapers from the budget will be like getting a raise.

Meanwhile - mama is on a fitness mission.  I am enjoying exercising with some other mommy friends from our Church that live on the street behind us.  We are doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred on MWF.  This is such a blessing for me.  I'm also excited about a fitness group that meets at the country club twice a week.  Fabulous ladies there.   Also going to try Yoga this week - wish me luck!

Anyway - love you kids - hopefully mama will be better at blogging.

Love, ME

Mama's New Toy

Dear Kids!

Mama was tired of driving the mini-van.   Daddy likes the mini-van.  So daddy bought mama a brand new Toyota Camry - woo hoo.   No more black Toyota truck - it's gone.  Daddy now drives the mini-van to and from work.  Mama does the mama taxi service in her brand new charcoal grey sparkly car that has a moon roof!   Yes, small things excite me.   I like that I have Bluetooth magic that allows me to call Daddy on the iPhone without using the actual phone ... and I can play the music from my iPhone without any cords!  I got a 3 month subscription for free to Satellite Radio.   I never knew anything about this before, but I am in love with it already.  I even found a kids station and Radio Disney station.  More WOO HOO.

The seats are leather and of course it has that nice new car smell.   When you got in it for the first time, William, you said 'mama, your new car smells like Macy's!' ... how cute is that?!

James - when I was taking you to pre-school today - you heard daddy's voice over the radio and your cute little face looked so confused.  YOU could hear daddy - but you couldn't see him.   Then like a good little boy - you shouted 'Hello Daddy' !!  Precious!

I love the way it drives.  I love the way it looks.  I love the way it feels.   Basically, I love having a new car .. and thru some genius maneuvering of your father ... he fixed it so all three car seats fit in the back seat and all three of you boys can buckle!   Of course Vic gets the front seat - she is 14 yrs old after all.  

Victoria - well you, my sweet girl, seem to have this idea that you're going to inherit this car when you get a driver's license.  Hmmmm... we shall see about that - but for right now, it's mama's car - and mama is happy!

We'll still be using the mini-van when we all need to ride together - like to Church or parks or picnics or the beach or whatever ... but for the weekday mama taxi service - you'll likely be with me in my sweet Camry!

Follow Your Bliss

Dear Kids:

Life Lesson Number (insert random number here) ....

I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.

The way to find out about happiness is to keep your mind on those moments when you feel most happy, when you are really happy — not excited, not just thrilled, but deeply happy. This requires a little bit of self-analysis. What is it that makes you happy? Stay with it, no matter what people tell you.

This is what is called following your bliss.

When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors; and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else. Just follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls that were seen.

Sometimes, we must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. Your life is the fruit of your own doing. You have no one to blame but yourself.

Life doesn't come with meaning. YOU bring the meaning to it....and those whom you love. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning. The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match YOUR nature with God's Nature!

What are you passionate about? Figure it out and follow it relentlessly!

Love, MOM

Grandpa's Birthday

Dear Kids

Today is my daddy's birthday. Your grandpa! He was born in 1942. You do the math if you want :)

He is a great father. We lost my mom when I was just 17 yrs old, and we are very close. We both even got married the same year (1993). I married your father the year Grandpa married Nana Judy! You do the math if you want :)

Your grandpa is a 'tell it like it is' kinda guy. He won't butt into your business, but if you ask his opinion, you better be ready to hear it! He doesn't sugar coat much. He was a plumber for all of his working adult life, commercial plumbing. He is recently retired. He still has a Chevrolet truck he bought when I was 12. I am now 41. You do the math if you want :)

He likes to fish - he likes Suduko puzzles. He likes to work in the garden. He likes to read the paper every day - the real newspaper. He reads books too, novels. I think he still likes Louis Lamor. Not sure how to spell that. He's just recently discovered the internet and email and Facebook, although he rarely uses such. Or maybe he does and he's the stealth stalker type who reads but never comments!

Your grandpa is truly a great guy and has always been a great father to me. He always encouraged me to follow my heart and follow my dreams. When I took off to California at the age of 20 for a new job- - he didn't throw a fuss, he drove with me and flew back home to VA. Yep, me and my daddy drove cross country together from VA to CA!! It was a blast and we did NOT take the short route! When I told him I was getting married to your father - he quickly started talking about plans.

He taught me good work ethic. He hardly ever missed work -and if he did - something was horribly wrong. He was always there for me, and still is - even though we live in TX and he is still in my hometown back in VA. He is truly a family man. He hasn't got a lazy bone in his body. He's the kind of guy who is always eager with a helping hand.

As you know, my maiden name was Oliver and so my dad's name is William Oliver. William, you were named (as our first born son) after grandpa! You know Grandpa must be a cool guy if we named our first born son after him right? Grandpa was there in the hospital, all day long, the day I gave birth to you William.

Anyway, in honor of great dads and grandpas everywhere, here is a picture of my sweet daddy holding sweet William when he was just a baby. The two William Olivers!

My kids are amazing

Dear KIDS: You're amazing - - each and every one of you.

VICTORIA: You are so talented and gifted with art and music (oh, and cooking too). I love the way you play the piano and it may not seem like it sometimes- but I really do love the way you play. I cannot wait to get you some private lessons. I love your generous heart and caring spirit. I love your energy - even the hyper-mode energy - life is never boring with Victoria in the house! I am eager for you to make me some of your famous Salmon soon. I love the way you embrace the foreign exchange students. I love your empathetic soul. I love your compassion for others. I also love that you are willing to try almost anything once, including foods. You tend towards the healthy side of life, and that is awesome. I love that you are already thinking and talking about college. You have goals and dreams and you are going to SOAR!!

WILLIAM: You are my thoughtful thinker. Your Sunday School teacher told me that you are so fast and thorough in your work. Those two things don't normally go together...but with you - they do. I love how you can be so serious and focused when it's needed, but goofy and silly when you're having fun. You are so good at putting the couch back together. You are an awesome Chess player - among other board games. You read very well. You're very good at getting dressed, picking out your clothes and being responsible. You are so good to your mama - very loyal and protective, and so very loving and sweet (but only in private). I love how protecting you are about baby James. I love how you miss your sister when she's gone. I love how you love sharing a room with Thomas and like to sleep with your heads towards each other.

THOMAS: You smile with your whole face. You light up a room with your charisma and charm. You are so very social and outgoing. You like to take care of animals and you take good care of friends. You're very crafty, always making pictures or projects. You leave notes on the neighbor's door. You like to water our plants. You are so observant, you are always the first of all the children to notice any change or anything different. You are also very thoughtful and like to make other people happy. I love watching you do your goofy dance and make your funny faces. I love how you like to put away the silverware. I also love how you love your baby brother James and play silly games with him.

JAMES: You are my baby, but you don't seem to believe or know that you are a baby. You think you are a big boy, just like your older brothers. You are just now learning to talk and saying things. I love how active you are. I love the way you straighten out your body like a surfboard and slide down the stairs. I love how you kiss me - with purpose - and intention. I love how you smile and laugh. I love how you close your eyes tight when I tell you 'NO' - as if I can't see you anymore or something. I love how you tell Victoria to 'GET UP' in the morning. It's so cute. I love how you RUN to your nursery classroom at Church. You know exactly where to go. I love how you like taking showers -very unusual for a baby. I love how you play and splash at the pool. I think you were made for the water. Surely you are part fish! I love how you seem to love everyone in the house.

Always Read Your Proverbs

Dear Kids:

Take time to memorize Proverbs 28:13...

"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."

Love, MOM

17 Years Ago Today

Dear Kids:

Seventeen years ago today, a sexy and handsome sailor named Tom (your dad) asked me to marry him, in old town Alexandria, VA in the freezing cold. I said, 'yes, yes, now get up off your knees and let's get back in the car, it's FREEZING!' ... We were 23 years old at that time. We were married on April 9th of the same year. Short engagement, I know.

So, tonight the church is having a 'Parents Night Out' kind of thing where we can leave all of you kids from 5-9pm - - and we get to go on a date. How cool is that?

Hope you all get to have a fabulous time as well. Think I'll put a photo in here - a blast from the past :) We had a simple and modest wedding. (Perfect in every way)

Growing Family

So, today - at the suggestion of daddy - we drove out to Pearland, which is about an hour from here, and eagerly adopted two six week old male kittens.

James - I am amazed at how gentle you are with these little bitty kitties. You are just a baby yourself, but it's like you have a natural instinct on how to deal with them. You seemed genuinely excited to see these little kitties in our midst.

Thomas - you were not entirely sure you wanted to have new kittens. You have been very concerned about allergies and sneezing. So I told you to just keep an open mind. After we got our new little felines, and had them in the car ... you shouted out to me "my mind is open mama, my mind is open, and I'm not sneezing". You are too cute.

William - you were so shy at the lady's house where we got the kittens. You did not want to hold them or play with them. However; when we got into the car - your face lit up. You had a nice blanket in your lap - and snuggled a kitty right away. You only took a break from kitty-sitting to eat your kids meal from Wendy's.

Victoria - you are the ring leader of enthusiasm whenever animals are involved. You and I named them, kind of together. Their names are Treble and Clef - since our family is so music-inclined these days. You have taken on kitty responsibilities in full force. I will sweetly remind you of your enthusiasm for these duties when it comes time to change the litter box.

So these two new cute little grey and white kitties are adorable and definitely a pleasant addition to our busy little family.

James - are you a dog lover?

Dear James ... you are such a precious baby to me. I absolutely love watching you learn, grow and explore.

Today, in particular, I really enjoyed watching how you played and interacted with our dogs. Nicholas, is a small rat terrier - and Zak is our big old Lab. Both of these animals are so kind and gentle (and tolerant) of you and your attention.

You were petting Nicholas on the tummy and rubbing his tail, and Nicholas was licking your face and making you laugh.

Zak might as well have been your pillow today as you laid your sweet little head down on his belly right in the middle of my living room floor. Zak never even moved a muscle - he just let you lay there.

I think you must be following in your siblings' footsteps - in the fact that you surely must be a dog lover.

I need to remind myself of this fact when I get frustrated by the dog hair everywhere and the muddy paw prints on my newly mopped floor :)

This-n-That

Dear Kids:

It is a beautiful brisk and cool morning today. I love this cooler weather. Every now and again I kind of miss snow - but really, not so much. I do love a cool crisp Autumn day though. I actually had to search out some jackets this morning.

James - - you are a mess. You are at that ripe old age of approximately 16 months, climbing and running and into everything. If you can't reach it - you build a tower to give yourself a boost. It is about near impossible to baby-proof this house with hurricane James in our midst. But we love it - you are so cute; and oh so smart. You amaze me daily with the things you figure out. I bought you an incredibly noisy and annoying frog animal thingy yesterday. You love it. Maybe you'll get more noisy and annoying toys for Christmas.

Thomas - - you are eternally sweet; yet eternally blunt. You say exactly what you are thinking; the very moment you are thinking it. Maybe that is the beauty of being four. You told Victoria her breath stinks. I said that was kind of rude and then you replied "well, okay - your breath doesn't smell so good". Too funny. Yesterday you told me I was beautiful and gave me the sweetest kiss. Ten minutes later you told me my hair was too curly. A couple of days ago you asked me why my 'boobies' were squishy. That's just weird on so many levels. But we love you and your cuddly nature and animated antics.

William - - you are my deep thinker and the private soul. You don't like to share what you're thinking, but are more than willing to throw a fit when things don't go quite your way. I do love how you are starting to blossom though; and become a bit more social. You have made friends with the kids on our street and play so beautifully with them all. At night, when I put you to bed, you talk to me intimately and say the sweetest things (but you'll only do this in private). You are doing so great in Kindergarten. Your teacher says you are a joy to have in class. You take your time with your work - you are so thorough. You remind me a lot of your father, and I love every inch of you.

Victoria - - oh my sweet and precious girl at the rocky age of 13. Welcome to your teen years. We've already had more drama than we really need ... but I suppose it's all part of the package. I love your passion and talent for music. You amaze me on that piano. I enjoy the artistic and creative nature you have. I enjoy your talent for cooking. However; I don't enjoy your need to have the last word and your eternal debating of irrelevant points; but hey - it's part of who you are - - and I do love who you are. All of you.

So at this point in time - it is now just back to our own family in our household. We do not have anymore foreign exchange students and I am not working with AYUSA right now. Your father and I just want to focus on our family, enjoy each other and have an amazing adventure within our 60 toe team.

HOT !

Dear Kids ...

It is HOT here in Texas. I know that you know that already - but let me tell you - it is HOT. I normally like to walk around the neighborhood with you all, push the baby stroller - go to parks and play on playgrounds .... but not this week. This week, it's been inside at the YMCA or outside at the pool for our fun.

Today - we did have Aunt Danyelle and her crew come over and play. I must say you spent most of the time indoors. We do enjoy when you get to socialize with your cousins. It is so nice to have them living nearby.

Meanwhile, we had a bit of blood to deal with today. James, in your attempt to perfect your walking skills - fell down. You busted your lip. Lots of blood. And Thomas - you seem to get a lot of nose bleeds. Not sure why - but tonight's nose bleed was the worst one yet. Hopefully no other children will be bleeding tonight.

Today was a big day in the news - not that you all care much about news - but two famous people died today ... Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. I am sure you don't even know who those people are; but mommy and daddy do. It is kind of weird to have two VERY famous people die on the same day for totally unrelated reasons.

Anway - it's been a day - a HOT day at that. And then God sprinkled us with a little evening shower just now. Nothing major, no storm - just a couple of clouds a bit of mist from the sky. It was welcomed, believe me.

Thanks for being great kids.

Love You - MAMA

Mama feels restless

Okay - kids - mama is feeling restless today. I don't want to be the responsible adult that I am suppose to be. I don't want to do laundry and tackle the mountain forming in my bedroom closet. I don't want to clean out the crock pot that seriously needs to be cleaned out. I am not all that excited about changing diapers at this moment. I am not too thrilled about the sticky syrup that Sir Thomas spread all over my newly mopped floor.

I want to play. I want to swim. I want to do something. I just can't quite figure out what exactly it is that I want to do. It's like when you're craving something - - but nothing seems to satisfy. It's an odd feeling and yes grownups get to experience feelings of restlessness just like kids do.

It is about 10 o'clock in the morning. I have many things that I need to accomplish today. I have some phone calls to make -and some business stuff to tend to. Dishes need attention and baby James needs a bath like nobody's business.

Yet - somehow - regardless of my growing "to do" list, and my collection of responsibilities; I will make time to have fun. I will make time today to make a memory. We will laugh. We will squeal. We will run. We will dance. We will eat. We will makes messes; and we will clean them up. Just like we do most every day.

Frustrated sometimes

So far I guess I've been writing about all these fun and wonderful things that we do together and all of the wonderful details I love about you all. Yes, it's all warm and fuzzy and friendly and makes me smile to think about all of our adventures, all of your good qualities and all of the ways you make me happy.

But I would be a fraud if I gave the illusion that it is always fun and games and our life is always one big harmonious moment after another. Sometimes you all downright frustrate me. Sometimes I wonder if aliens have invaded your bodies and snatched up your brains. Sometimes I am so exhausted I can barely think straight and I let you eat junk food even though I know you shouldn't - because I have no energy to contest the pleas of begging children. Don't worry - it won't happen often!

It's also challenging to have a baby in the house. Yes, it's wonderful - and it's a miracle -and we adore all the cute little milestones and coos and babbles and smiles. But it's also a LOT of work having a baby in the house. James - you keep putting EVERYTHING in your mouth. It's a constant effort to make sure you're not eating something that can kill you. You also are quite a tall baby - and you can reach a lot of things - and your little hands are creating chaos all over the place. I know this is how you learn and you're suppose to explore your world - and I love that you do - but sometimes I just want you to sit still and stop grabbing my laptop :)

William and Thomas - you bring new meaning to the term "sibling rivalry" ... I love how you love your baby brother James - but sometimes I wish you'd show the same love and courtesy to each other; or your sister. It is awesome how sometimes you are so helpful and so sweet and so kind! Everyone boasts about my sweet little gentlemen and how wonderful you two are. Sometimes, though, I wish you would refrain from whopping each other on the head or refusing to pick up your toys - or sneaking something that you know you shouldn't touch.

Victoria - you are so talented and so beautiful and so creative and SO very fun - yet right now - you have a mouth on you that annoys me to no end. What is with the attitude lately? Everything you say just seems to be whiney or a gripe or a sigh of frustration. One of these days you will surely realize that your mouth gets you into more trouble than anything else. Yes, I know you're 12. Yes, I know you're a pre-teen and this too shall pass. I still love you and adore you - just wish you'd learn to control your tongue now and then.

So what can I say - it's been a day! Just one of many in our wonderful adventure of a life. Not every day is peaceful and easy going. Some days - - I feel like I'm just in survival mode. Perhaps my perspective is a bit off as well because I broke a tooth and I don't feel very well. Maybe I'm not being as patient as I should. Maybe I'm not being as tolerant as I should. And maybe, just maybe - you should give mom a break now and then! :)

Don't ever forget how much I love you all. I pray for each and every one of you by name, every day and night.

Pool Adventure

Dear Kids - I had so much fun with you at the pool today. God Bless the YMCA; especially the one in Katy - I just love their pool. William and Thomas - you guys are so big this year. You don't even need floaties. You are so brave and so excited. James, I believe you are part fish. You were intentionally putting your face into the water and splashing around - and squealing with joy. I just loved looking at the happy expression of excitement on your face. Victoria - you are looking more and more like a little lady these days. Boys look your way. I'm not sure if I am ready for that :) You are making friends with lifeguards and pretty much anyone in your path. I am not sure you ever meet a stranger. I really love being at the pool with the whole entire family. What a great way to spend an afternoon together. As long as we have sunscreen and some towels - - and swimmies for James - we are in business!

A walk around the block

Oh my precious children, what a precious day. The breeze is blowing, ever so slightly - the air is cool, not hot - the sun is bright - the sky is blue - - and this makes for perfect walking weather. So we packed up baby James in the stroller, put on our walking shoes - and headed out the door.

First along our adventure, we briefly said "HI" to Blain, one of our little boy neighbors that we all adore. We walked by Malyn's house, and commented about how we wish she hadn't moved in with her mom, so far away. Now, we hardly see her. Maybe she will be around more this summer.

So then conversation turned towards fire hydrants and why some have green tops and why some are red and some are yellow. Part of the sidewalk curved around to make room for a fire hydrant, and this was quite fascinating to Thomas.

William - I loved the way you walked so close to me, hanging onto the stroller. You are such a good big brother and you love James so much.

James - well, it is obvious that you just love being outside! You were sitting up straight, almost leaning forward - looking at anything and everything. William just stayed close to us, walking by our side. And James - you just kept clapping your hands. One of your new favorite tricks.

Thomas, on the other hand - you are wild. You run way far ahead - and then see something interesting, pick it up, steal a rock, break a stick or chase a cat - and end up lagging behind. You are never by my side. Of course; you also love to stop right in front of the stroller and nearly get hit sometimes.

Victoria, my sweet observant child - and good conversationalist ... (Did I spell that right?) ... you like to look at the yards and their landscaping, and talk about fences and trees and flowers. You talk about bricks on the houses and you love to ask a lot of of questions. Don't ever stop, please.

And then we saw one of our friends from Church driving by. Danel stopped by to say Hi, she had been at a phone store - trying to get a new phone. She doesn't live far from us - and we should make time to visit with her more often. She has four children, just like me.

Oh - and then we had some noisy trucks along our path. It seems someone was installing an in-ground pool and these trucks were running all sorts of hoses and digging equipment and making quite a mess. Thomas, you just kept holding your ears and saying "those trucks are too loud". William, you proceeded to tell me that you felt sure we needed a pool in our own backyard because then we'd never have to give the dogs water again. Yikes, I don't think so. Victoria proceeded to simply question how expensive something like that is. My observant daughter commented that such an undertaking cannot be cheap. (and yes, Victoria, you're right, it's not)

So, thank you kids - for walking with me and talking with me. I always love walking arouond the block with you all. You just never know what we'll find, who we'll see or what can be discovered.

Missed you kids

Missed you Kiddos!

Well, your father and I went away for the weekend without any children. Aunt Danyelle was kind and wonderful - - and agreed to watch you while we were gone.We spent the first night in Victoria, TX at a fabulous hotel. It was a nice hot tub spa that we got to soak in for a bit. The bed was probably the most comfy and luxurious bed I have ever slept in. It was right across the parking lot from a Red Lobster - and we used a gift card to have lunch there. It was oh so yummy. Quite enjoyable.

Saturday we drove to San Antonio - and it rained the whole way there. It then proceeded to rain all afternoon and into the evening some. We took in a movie and drove around the city. We had a nice dinner at a place called EZ's I think. It was a nice time, just spending time together and talking and connecting.

Sunday we had the very amazing pleasure of SLEEPING IN. Then we went to Government Canyon State Park - I think that's the name of it. We had a nice one hour hike. It was in the woods and on a rocky trail. The scenery was beautiful. Afterwards, we had lunch at a very cool place called Bill Miller's BBQ - and I had the best Fried Chicken I have had in years. Next stop was another state park, and I have no idea what the name of it was - but we took ourselves on another one hour hike in the woods (partially). Again, lovely scenery and very relaxing. The second park was almost empty - very few people - and incredibly quiet. I just loved that. Me, my husband, God and nature. We even managed to get a bit sunburned along the way.So, yes dear children - we missed you terribly - but it was a much needed rest and retreat for me and your father to focus on each other and our marriage.

A New Park, etc.

Oh kids - we had a wonderful time at a new park today. Your Aunt Danyelle told me about it and so we decided to check it out. It is "Sugar Lakes Park" off Hwy 90 near the old Sugar Mill. It is nice - the playground equipment looks kind of like a ship. There are also swings - even baby swings for James. There is a volleyball net with ample area to play - lots of green grass and even a sidewalk walking trail that surrounds the park. I was told by a gentleman there that if you walk the outside perimeter 4 times it equals a mile.

And speaking of Aunt Danyelle - she and your Uncle Matt have graciously offered to let you kids stay there at their home from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. Talk about a big fat slumber party - my four kids plus her three kids plus Pedro ! Wow. What prompted this event? Well, your father and I are going on a much needed weekend get-away to spend some private time alone together. One of the best things we can do as parents is to take care of our marriage, so thank you for understanding. :)

I know, I know - - been too long

Dear Kids ...

I know I have been neglecting my initiative of writing in this "Letters" blog. Please forgive me. What can I say -- - I am busy taking care of you all, and not taking much time to write about it. But oh it has been such fun around here lately. So much fun indeed.

Tonight, you all are planning a slumber party together in our living room. Victoria is blowing up the air mattress. William wants to sleep in some weird bed thing we bought at a yard sale. Thomas will be sleeping on the couch probably - but we all know the truth - that he will end up back upstairs because he hates the weird noises he hears downstairs in the night. James of course is not participating in this sleepover - and he remains in his crib.

The other day -we had an enormous amount of fun as we went to the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory, put on Easter clothes - - took pictures in a field of Blue Bonnets - drove around Texas A&M - visited a state park - etc. It was an exciting day.

Daddy has been busy, as he finishes up these last weeks in his semester of grad school. He tries hard to balance work, family and college - and I am so proud that he does a good job.

I started homeschooling Victoria - and that has been an adventure all by itself. We go back and forth about the type of curriculum to choose; and so far I've just been doing it on my own. Time will tell how it all ends up. But so far so good... all is well.

Pedro is in the home stretch of his stay here in America ... he departs back to Brazil on May 26th and I can hardly believe it has been about 10 months already. You guys are going to miss him big time when he leaves - - but he is talking about returning for college; so maybe we'll see him in the not so distant future.

Meanwhile; we have accepted a foreign exchange student from Germany who will arrive in August. Her name is Merle and we have been communicating through email. She seems ideally suited for our family. She plays the flute, loves to draw, likes kids, etc. She'll be arriving just as Marie is leaving from her summer visit here.

Grandma and Grandpa Larry from VA will be visiting us the third week in June. Before that, we are hoping to make a trip to Wisconsin to visit Grammy and Grand-Dad. So much fun and excitement in the air. I can hardly wait.

Right now, classical music is playing on the television via the X-BOX ... and I can't believe how much you all like it.

Goodnight my sweets. ta ta until next time. MAMA loves ya !