A walk in the park

Can I just say, I hate how blogger makes it so hard to move pictures around in your blog post. It drives me crazy! So, these will be all out of time sequence. These are just some random shots of our weekend. Most of them are outside our house, in our neighborhood, or down by "the" round rock of Round Rock, TX. Hannah took most of the hiking pictures. She loves to take pictures, and can't wait to quit band next year so she can start working on the yearbook taking pictures and writing. I'm letting go a little bit and said...she could! I'm letting her quit band. It was kind of big for me, but she is not loving band, and she really loves doing the other stuff. So, I'm letting her follow her heart, this time.

Brad and Lynn being sweet and taking Hope roller blading, because they are nice like that. Those are the same roller blades that are 5 sizes too big. I need to get her some!!! Get on it Heather!

Hayden and Jackson leaving for the Bahamas at 3:40 am. I have talked to Hayden on the phone and they are having a great time!

There is Scott! at least his butt anyway.

They were not hanging, it just looks like they are. I wouldn't let them hang on the nice statue.

There is the bouquet Hope picked for me.

Lynn and Heather.

100 year + wagon tracks in the rock. This is part of the Chisholm Trail.

The boys played a lot of basketball this weekend. Except for when they were inside trying to throw or swing stuff. Yes, accidents do happen. Somebody was swinging my "stick" and the handle went flying and the beads went flying...right into the TV. We heard a terrible shattering sound, and we are now the proud new owners of a new LG TV. The inside crystal or screen had shattered in a few different places. Good times! So, unfortunately I was not able to watch the Oscars, I felt a little ripped off about that. I do like watching those, I had even seen a few of the movies this year.

Not much of anything

First of all, for the record, Hannah was not pleased that I wrote she was green with jealousy. She was very happy for her brother to be able to go on his trip, she just wishes she could have gone, too. I told her I'd take it off my post and she told me it was too late, people had already read it. So, I am attempting to clarify. There was no green involved, just wishful thinking. She feels much better about the whole situation because she is now going to Lake Powell. I think I said that already, but still much better.

Moving on...I spent my fair share of time looking through all the old scrapbooks this last weekend. Hannah's was not packed up with the others, it was packed up with some on my old scrapbooks. But imagine the panic I felt when her's could not be located at first glance. So fun to look and see all my babies. They were really cute, if I do say so myself. I do long for those babies again, at times. Then again, I look at my life and love the stage I'm in now too. Well...maybe not loooove all of the time...but I feel very happy and content anyway. Each stage in life comes with it's positives. How does the time fly by so fast? One of the keys to a happy life, I think, is to just love where you are at currently. Love it love it love.

Last night we had yoga night at YW. Everybody brought a yoga mat or a towel, and wore comfy clothes. We spent about an hour doing some classic yoga moves. The girls were so funny. I tried to tell them about yoga breathing. In and out of the nose, MOUTHS closed. There was still talking. Last night was not a quiet, meditative yoga night. But it was fun, we even had a little boy drama. Because, would a YW night be complete without a little boy drama? I told my friend last night that I had been blogging more again lately. Her daughter was standing there, and asked what did I blog about? Who me? Not much of anything really, was my answer. haha!

My friend took Hope to preschool today, it's raining, and I'm supposed to be running, and I think I might go crawl back in bed with my book for a while. I will run...later. But my book and my bed are calling to me!

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Ahh, sweet little Hannah. This is getting posted the day after her birthday. I have a lot of excuses...I couldn't find her baby scrapbook, I had to go dig in a couple of unpacked boxes to unearth it. And by "I" I mean Scott, Scott looked while I made breakfast. Her baby scrapbook was packed away from all the other baby scrapbooks in a box of my old scrapbooks. I lost some sleep worrying about it last night. But it's been found! Also, our friends the Day's from Washington came yesterday afternoon, and my spare time was spent getting this house ready for their visit. My kids clean, but...this house needs my touch every once in a while. Wow! I cleaned the house from top to bottom, and realized that really the kids don't do such a fabulous job cleaning their bathrooms. I need to crack the whip a little harder.

All that aside, Hannah is 13! She got invited to meet up with her BFF Hannah T. from WA in Utah this summer. Her family is renting a house boat or something and wanted Hannah to come along. Fun times for her. She was happy about that, because Hayden is going to the Bahamas with the Day's and she was green with jealously. We went out to dinner last night, she opened presents and we had birthday cake. Next week we will have a party for her. We are still working out the details. Hannah is a dreamer. She is a planner. And she was planning big. I had to reign that in just a little bit. I heard Hannah talking and we were going to NYC for the weekend...uhhhhh, no. She is a sweet girl who is a lot of fun. Love her. Happy Birthday Hannah!!

Hannah loves to: play basketball, although soccer is her favorite, hanging out with her friends, shopping and spending her babysitting money!

My car told me it was 87* today.

I just bonded with the checker and the bagger at the HEB.
Checker: "Excuse me ma'am while I put my hair up, it's just so hot!"
Me: "Yes, it is hot. This would be nice weather...in July..."
Bagger: "It doesn't even feel like we had a winter here this year."
It went on from there, with the checker telling me she was from upstate New York and she "gets" to go to Philadelphia this weekend to see family. She also mentioned that it's so cold there right now, she does not have appropriate clothing and she was excited about that. The little bagger dude chimed in with a news flash I did not like hearing...this summer is supposed to be even hotter than last summer. I need to fact check that, I personally don't see how that can be. Hotter? Really? Please no.

Don't get me wrong, I have been trying really hard to appreciate the winter this year. It has been very mild. Most days are in the 60's. I like that, I really do. 50's, 60's occasionally we get a "cold front" down in the high 40's! Right up my alley. I went to Chicago this winter, and I had my fill of really cold and snow snow snow. It was pretty and I enjoyed it, but I was happy visit there and to leave that behind and come home to the 50's. But these last 2 days in the high 80's, I just can't support. Too hot thank you, because I KNOW it's just gets worse from here. Thankfully, we are getting a "cold" front tomorrow, 64* brrrrrrrr.

There enough, I vented. Now on to more interesting things like... why are there so many skunks around lately? I smell skunk just about everyday lately. The other morning, I went to the elementary school grounds (think open field with a dirt track around it) to let Rocky run wild, just like I do about every morning. When we got there Rocky acted weird. He started sniffing the air really big, and he kind of ran back and forth for a few seconds. I knew he smelled something, but I didn't see anything so we proceeded. Sure enough, as we were walking I spotted the skunk. Rocky was behind me snacking on some clover, so I was able to scream, jump, and make a complete fool of myself in front of the skunk and thankfully nobody else, turn around, and grab Rocky before we got sprayed. I tell you the wildlife here is something to behold. I am happy to report, that I haven't seen any wild boar in over a month. That's somethin'. **update According to my neighbor, it's mating season for skunks. All those skunks are just lookin' for love. But, judging by the amount of dead skunks on the road I see, they are lookin' in all the wrong places.

New Beginnings

I woke up this morning first thing and went for a run with Rocky. It really was nice to get up and get that done. I knew the rest of my day was going to be slammed, so if I didn't do it then it would not get done. Usually, I wake up and go for a nice walk with Rocky, but not today. Up, out of bed, running all in like 5 minutes. That's how to wake it up in the morning.

Last night was New Beginnings at church. As you can tell from the pictures we did the rainbow theme. The cake was a huge hit. All three cakes GONE! Those cakes were fun, I'm glad I made them, I have been wanting to making them for years, BUT they were very time consuming. I probably spent 8 hours total on those cakes. We had 8 different speakers talk on each of the values. I also spoke, and our personal progress specialist and then the bishop. The current beehives each spotlighted the new upcoming beehives, we have 9 coming up, and gave them a cute bracelet they had made. I was happy with how it turned out and even happier it was done!! One of the classes made those paper streamer things and we weren't sure how to use them, but they came in handy covering up the seminary chalk board. We also had a rainbow fruit kabob and different dishes of candy on the food table, and these cute banners hung on the wall for each girl with the goals they want to accomplish this year written on them. But I am stinky and did not take pictures of all that. I got busy.

I just got back from the dentist. I am weird and I like getting my teeth cleaned. It is so relaxing to me. Crazy, right? All except for those times when she hits my recede areas...that doesn't feel so good. I need these gums grafts that I have been putting off for about a year. This summer! It's going to happen this summer. Who wants to have their mouth all torn apart? Anyone? No, me neither. I have dreams that my teeth are loose or they are falling out of my head. I think usually that means something all Freudian like, but for me?? I think I might be worried my teeth will fall out.

Everyone was super friendly this morning at the dentist. I think our family file has been flagged. There was a scheduling conflict with the 2 boys at Christmas time. I may have made a little bit of a stink about it too. (insert nervous laugh) I won't go into all the details, but I was right. ;) THEN Scott goes in for a cleaning and fills out the little "how did we do" form. And he asked...where are the dentists? It was true, we had all been in the last year and none of us saw hide nor hair of the dentist. So, Scott happened to...mention that. He got a very nice hand written note back from the dentist explaining their policy. You better believe I saw the dentist today, and boy was he nice. haha. Oh well, my teeth are all clean and sparkly.

I'm meeting my friend Carrie, from Houston, for lunch today. I really need to hurry and clean up the house just a little. What? With New Beginnings and all it looks like a bomb may have exploded in here. But...I probably won't, she's a good friend she will understand.

Dumb stuff I do

Picture of me making breakfast for dinner Sunday evening. Hannah said she was going to start taking more pictures of me, after all it's only fair (she says).

Funny story for you...Tuesday after school I picked Hunter up and we went to get his permit. Finally! It's been a long time coming. First he needed to finish the online course. At first my attitude was if he doesn't really care why should I? And I didn't push. Then it got to be December, and I got sick of waiting, so I pushed. Then we had a hard time figuring out a time to take the darn test at the DPS. You see their hours are super convenient...NOT! There is one day they stay open until 6, Tuesday! Blah blah blah we made it there. We got all checked in, I even remembered to bring all the appropriate documents and forms, miracle of all miracles. I even brought something I didn't need, proof of insurance. Anyway, I'm sitting there filling out this one form the lady gave us, with a pen that we borrowed, and I start sniffing. Sniff sniff...sniff sniff. Something is stinky. Sniff sniff...sniff sniff. Yeah something smells really kind of bad. I was thinking body odor. I lean in and give Hunter the sniff check. He HAD just finished track practice, but no that wasn't his brand of stink. I ask him if he smells it. Sniff sniff...sniff sniff. Yeah he does too. The offending aroma is close. I start my scan of the room, I see a few possible suspects. I sit and wait. And wait, you do a lot of waiting at the DPS. I sniff on the pen. OH GROSS! It's the pen, some gross, smelly hand has defiled the pen, that I was using!! I practically throw the pen at Hunter and he goes and gets another. Well, folks as Hunter was walking back I smell my hand. And it hits me. The smelly person was me. I had been chopping a whole big onion, and several cloves of garlic for these wickedly delicious tacos, and in all my rushing about to get dinner made before I left to go get Hunter, I didn't wash my hands properly. The offending stink was my own. I got a good laugh about it, and felt sorry for the next sorry person that touched that pen after me.

a few things

A few random things for you:

#1 We had a Pioneer Woman themed Super Bowl party this year. It was fun, and it was oh so yummy. I made her wings recipe. They were fantastic, and I don't really care that much about wings. I made 2 batches. The first one, I fried them!! I don't fry anything, but I fried those. I wanted to channel Ree, and Ree told me to fry so I did. I hated myself a little bit for doing it too. The house smelled, even Hope walked down and said what is that yucky smell. So, the next batch I put the wings on a piece of parchment on a cookie sheet and I BAKED them. Seriously, people couldn't tell the difference. I could tell, and I liked the baked flavor better, but I had Scott taste test, and he said they tasted the same. I think the secret is the yummy sauce, and when that's slathered all over the wings, who can tell?? So, if you do make her recipe, save your house the mess and the smell and bake them.

#2My gym has bought 12 TRX suspension trainers. Go here if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about. My gym in WA had one suspension trainers, and I worked out on it a few times right before we moved. I did a little mini intro class today, and I start my for real class in a week and a half. I'm very excited! It was hard, and I loved it.

#3 For Valentine's Day, Scott agreed to build a fence for my garden. I planted about $100 worth of greens and other stuff a few months ago, and it gotten eaten up entirely. In the other house we had the garden on this side of our fence. Here, we have a fence and then we have green space behind, so we thought we'd put it on that side of the fence. It wasn't necessarily a good idea. I was crushed one morning to find all my kale, lettuce, spinach, and herbs gone, right down to the nub. The only thing that was left were radishes. Apparently, the deer don't like the radishes, it makes them gassy. So, I bought so more plants, because I'm stubborn like that. I only spent $30 this time, I'll see if my fence works or if I will just have to more the whole darn garden inside the fence.

#4 I'm about to make 3 rainbow cakes! They are for YW New Beginnings next Tuesday. I'm going to try and get all the cake parts made today. We'll see...

Valentine's Day 2012

It's 8:30 and I'm pooped. It started early, Hayden was barfing upstairs. I love big kids that barf in the toilet, thank heavens for good aim"ers" in the toilet! He is a good aim at barfing that is... When Hayden is sick, he likes the tender loving care. Not over board in your face TLC, but he likes you there. I had to take Hope to preschool, but I hurried home. I really wanted to work-out, but I knew that was going to be a NO go. So, I did a quick little 3 mile loop. Done in a flash before he hardly knew I was gone. I did manage to time his barfs so I didn't miss any, and even made it to Hope's Valentine's Day party. She would have been very sad if I missed. I finally was able to take Hunter to get his permit today! He is probably driving home from the church as we speak. Church? I didn't go tonight because I needed to stay home and care for the sick child. At least once today, I was able to use that in my favor! Hannah was sweet and stayed home while Hunter and I were at the DPS. I don't think she minded much, she was perfecting the art of French braiding her own hair. Something I never perfected, my head or her's.

So freaky

Tonight at dinner, I got a text. Nothing special other than it prompted Hunter to tell me he gets every text between my sister Holly and I. What the what?!?!? Sure enough I go and check because just maybe he was making it up or not telling me the truth. Just maybe, but he was telling the truth. There was everything I have said to my sister via text. He said he never reads them, and that I do believe....sort of. No really I do. But it did make me think of this lesson one of the counselors in YW gave about personal worthiness. She said how would you feel right now if Christ picked up your phone and read your texts? Or listened to the music on your iPod? Or was watching that show with you? I'm just saying it got me thinking. OOOOORRRR if the texts you thought were going to one person were going someplace else too? Good thing some of the more colorful text exchanges happened between Hayley, Holly and I...Hunter not included. It kind of has me scared right about now. Maybe I'll just give up texting forever, or I'll march my buns down to the AT&T store tomorrow and see what the heck kind of crazy thing is going on. And, what's with my detective skills? I do check his phone at night, why didn't I notice this?

I do know I can have some crazy kind of magnetic field thing going with all things electronic. Just tonight my iPad was acting fine when Hayden was on it, but the second I pick it up the touch screen doesn't want to work and then I can't move my cursor. Maybe it's time to turn off all electronics tonight before something really exciting happens.

I used to...

A little while ago, I found myself telling somebody I "used" to run. What?? I used to? That didn't sit well with me, I didn't like that I used to do something that I used to enjoy so much. At that time, I had not run consistently for about a year. So, I started running again. Not everyday by any means, just once or twice a week, but enough that I'm still doing it, mixing up my gym workouts, and enjoying it. But not too much that my bunions hurt and my toenails fall off. Gross, I know, but both things are true stories.

I made a quilt right after I got married. There was this cute little quilting store in Barrington, IL right by where Scott and I lived. I had never quilted, but I liked to go in and look at all the things people created. I liked to look at the fabric. So, I took this class on how to make a quilt in one day. WELL, it didn't take me one day. It took me awhile, it fact years. Don't get me wrong, I had the top pieced together in a couple days, then it sat. I didn't quite know how to sew the borders on, or quilt it or just plain finish the darn thing up, so it sat and sat and sat. Until my Mother said, "Oh give me that thing!!" And she finished it. I went to NYC a year and a half ago with my girls (friends from Houston) on our annual girls trip. We went into this fabric store. I hadn't thought about quilting in a long time. That was something I "used" to do...or did once anyway. But oooooh, I loved looking at the fabric, and I got sort of excited about making something. I fell in love with the fabric, and remember wanting to just frame some and hang it on my walls. I should probably listen to my inner self and just do it. Anyway, I made a quilt for my new nephew. I'm thinking I want to make another one. A quilt that is and probably for me, not Mikey. Love you Mikey!

I used to blog, too, goodness...like all of the time. Multiple posts in one day, even! Now, that seems like crazy talk, but I don't want that to be fall into the category of something I used to do and enjoy. Years go by and we get busy, and we stop doing things we like. I remember this one time in church, I can't even remember what the lesson was on, but we were going around telling the room things we liked to do. I remember this one woman, couldn't think of one thing she liked or wanted to do. Tragic I thought. I want to keep doing things I like, keep trying new things, keep going back to the things that used to excite me and make me feel more me. So, I'm going to give it my best shot and blog more regularly.

TX license

Hope at the DMV and Rocky in the car...that I need a TX drivers license to drive.

Scott told me about a week ago, I needed to get my Texas drivers license. For 2 reasons, something boring about homestead exception something or other and for insurance this year he has to prove he has dependents. Well. I said, I want to be insured so I best be getting that license. Heavens, it was about time. I've lived here for awhile now. Scott was like..."I can't believe you haven't done that yet." And I said, "I just haven't had the time." Then I laughed at myself. Because I'm a big preacher about you make time for what's important. So, I backtracked and said, I haven't made the time to do that. There, it's done. I got it! Check that off the list.

I kind of liked having my WA license. It made me feel special, and like maybe I'll be going back there someday. But I'm not, and I'm good with that. I've bloomed here, or at least I'm blooming.

But in all my craziness to prove that Scott and I are indeed married and I am, cough cough, a dependent...I can't find our marriage certificate. Or my birth certificate. Or my SS card. Or my patriarchal blessing. Officially, I don't exist. I'm feeling rather panicked. In all my stupid moves over the last few years, have I lost MY special folder? I have "special folders" for everyone. Including Rocky. I guess I haven't needed anything in there for a while...? I guess I haven't done anything...well rather "special" that's required those documents. Theirs are all accounted for. Mine?? No where. Sigh. We hand carried theirs on the plane, so we could register for school right away. I'm sure it's here, right? I'm going to go look some more. Just because it's not where it's supposed to be, doesn't mean I can't find it. I still think Scott hand carried my stuff too, maybe it's still in some darn backpack.