I'm Back...With News!

Well...I vanished. I'm sure any reader I ever had has long since forgotten about my blog, but I thought I needed to explain myself. About eight weeks ago, to our GREAT surprise and utter delight, we found out we were expecting another baby! I've never really told about our history in this area, but let me give you a quick rundown. We had trouble getting pregnant w/ our first baby and one month before we were to begin in-vitro, we found out we were pregnant. Then, after we greeted B into the world, we had three miscarriages. A wonderful specialist finally figured out that my body thought it was immune to a baby. So, to be able to maintain a pregnancy, I would have to have gamma globulin infusions that basically would calm my immune system down so that I could keep the baby. The day I found out I was pregnant w/ J, I started my infusions--once a month for 5 months--and we welcomed J into the world nine months later. As you can probably imagine, this process was a financial commitment-although worth every penny. We had not come to the point of deciding if we would have another. It just wasn't an issue that was even on the table at that point. However, I had prayed since we had J, that if it was the Lord's will, He would give us another baby. The Lord had made me perfectly content with two, though, and I felt fine if His answer to that was a "no". I knew that if He wanted us to have another, that somehow, that would work out in good time; He had given me that peace. So, finding out we were pregnant, really was the very best surprise I've ever had. God is good--I love how he never ceases to surprise us. Anyway, I started my infusions the next day, and so far, everything is going very well. I'm 12 weeks pregnant, and am being transferred from our specialist back to my regular ob-gyn this week. So, I hope that explains my where-abouts--I've actually been laying on the couch a lot! I'm feeling much better now, thankfully! So, hi again, to any friends that might actually check this!!

Birthday Banners

I love to have a special breakfast and decorate the kitchen for holidays and my boys' (including my husband's) birthdays. I have this old paper "Happy Birthday" sign that has seen better days. Today, I was in Paper Affair and saw the cutest birthday banners. I came home and looked online for them. I found them at Hullabaloo Gifts. They're made by "Groovy Holidays". They have ones for girls and boys.




Definitely a Christmas Wish List qualifier!

Weigh In On PBS.org

This takes about 10 seconds:

PBS has a short video on Sarah Palin on their website. Also included is a poll that asks: "Is Sarah Palin qualified to be VP?"

I logged on a few minutes ago and 39% percent had voted YES, 60% NO.

Let's turn this around! You don't have to give your name or email address in order to vote. It's very simple.

Here's the link:


http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

My Sister-In-Law's Birthday

I have two adorable sister-in-laws. Both of them are the sweetest, cutest girls and so wonderful for my brothers. One of them had her 50th birthday last week. She also happens to lead my Creative Homemakers group. Last week we had so much fun celebrating her birthday.



We all wore blonde wigs, aprons, and pearls and marched up to her door for our meeting with pink and green balloons, pink gerber daisies, and a pink and green birthday cake. We surprised her and she loved it. For her gift we compiled a list of fifty things we love about her and framed it. It was such a fun night!!



We bought this cake at Society Bakery. If you live in Dallas you have to go check it out; it's at Greenville and McCommas. Their cupcakes are the best and less expensive that Sprinkles!!!

B's First Day of Kindergarten

Here is what the B's teacher's arrangement came out like...My friend S gave me the idea of the apples. She did green apples w/ pink gerber daisies--how cute is that!! I ended up going the red and yellow route. Here is a so-so picture of it.


Here is a picture of B on his first day of kindergarten....


I actually didn't cry at all that day. I think the all of the rah-rah excitement overshadowed any sadness. However, when I dropped him off on Thursday, I boo-hooed. We miss him when he is at school!

Cupcake Carrier Crush

A friend of mine had one of these the other day and I instantly thought--Must--Have--One. She bought hers at Swoozies, and she said they even come in pink! If I was the mother of any girls, I would go in that direction. But, instead I think I'll pick yellow. Here's one I found at Cooking.com. It will definitely go on my Christmas Wish List.

More of the Same

I'm still on the same topic as yesterday. Sorry! So, I need to think of some more ideas for encouraging B's teacher in September. Can you tell this is my first child? Am I way too into this? I keep thinking that it would be fun for her to have something seasonal on her desk. Maybe I could even take it up there the day before school starts. When I was a teacher, I used to love it when some sweet second grader would bring me a little vase of fresh flowers or a little pumpkin in October.

Apples come to my mind for September, but that won't last like a pumpkin does. I went to the Martha Stewart site for some ideas, but I came back empty-handed. I guess I could make some kind of very small flower arrangement and then hollow an apple and stick it down in there...again, that won't last very long. How long will fresh apples last non-refrigerated? A week? Or less? Here are some pictures I found that could be a guide for me. But, I love ribbon...would ribbon kill the simpicity of it? Any input here is welcome.

Cuties...

I'm so excited about my little teacher gift I just purchased! We sign up to be in charge of encouraging our teacher one month out of the year by sending them a note or bringing them lunch, etc. So, I signed up for September. Kappa Prep showed these water bottle koozies from Lily Lane Embroidery on her blog not too long ago. So, I ordered a hot pink one with bright yellow initials and a bright yellow polka dot bow on it.



Then, I ordered one of these insulated lunch bags in lemon yellow w/ a hot pink monogram from Two Funny Girls. I thought I'd take her lunch to her one day w/ these cuties!



Speaking of cuties...here's B and his buddy JP after playing in the hose and mud today. They LOVE to play in the mud! They will be in the same class this year. Is that a good thing or a bad thing??? I don't know, but I do know they'll have fun!

I Love the Mountains, I Love the Rolling Hills...

The boys and I have just returned from a fun vacation to Taos, New Mexico. My husband's parents have a place there, so we were able to spend some time with "Bird". She is such a fun grandmother...we are blessed!



One day B and I rode the chairlift up to the top of the mountain where we had a picnic. I thought we'd hike back down, but he really wanted to ride that chairlift some more. So, we just rode it up and down the mountain. We've been reading Cubby in Wonderland and I was so glad that I'd brought it with us. It was the perfect read for that setting. Then the two of us stopped at the Taos Cow for ice cream for heading back home. We had such a sweet time together.

J loved Taos as well. There is the most amazing toy store there called Twirl. It has a backyard area that has a huge climbing playscape, a waterfall feature, and a great sand area. We went there five times during our visit. The boys absolutely loved it. Oh, how I wish Dallas had something like this! The toys they sell are unique and well-made. They have great costumes, too.






One night we roasted marshmallows over a fire (I mean a match b/c we couldn't seem to start a fire). While we were looking forward to cool weather, it was pretty warm the whole time we were there. It did get a little cooler last night, though.

The Taos County Fair was this last weekend. We arrived just in time for the watermelon eating contest, and guess who participated? It was a great effort, but he didn't win this time. We'll have to practice!




We had a great trip, but I was so glad to get home and see my husband. I missed him!

A Little Teary Today

I'm a little sad today. B is now five and going to school this year. These years with him at home have been so precious; I'm really going to miss him. Even though he'll only be gone two days a week, that sweet little chunk of life is coming to a close. I have loved having him at home for five years. I have loved not having to rush him out the door every morning. I have loved having days where we stayed in our jammies all morning and read books. I've loved having every day to explore, discover, and play with him. I'm sad to have to hand over those days. He is so much fun. His world is getting ready to expand. He is getting ready to have a teacher that he will love and adore and hang on her every word. That is good--that is hard. He is going to kindergarten, and his world will be bigger than home, mommy, daddy, and little brother...that is good..that is hard. I'm a little teary today, but I know that the next stage will be even more fun than this...it's just been such a sweet five years and it's hard to say good-bye to the special perks of those.

Inspire the Imagination

I saw one of these in an amazing toy store in New York called Enchanted. I loved it! Think of the hours of imaginative play it would inspire.

Catching Up...

1. We're going to see The Jersey Boys tonight w/ our good friends! I cannot wait to see it again. My husband and I saw it in April in New York w/ my dad and I've been listening to the CD ever since.
2. Two weeks ago, I had to call poison control TWICE!!!! The first time it was because our usually very conscientious exterminator was here but was not so conscientious that day. He left his stuff out on the floor and J got into it...thankfully, none ingested, no damage done. The second time I called that week was because J bit into a glow stick. Let me tell you how humbling it was to call poison control again. But, they said they get that particular call all the time and all was okay. I'm thankful the Lord watches out for these children! That thought seriously comforted me after such a scary week.
3. My husband and I saw the movie Mamma Mia a few weeks ago and loved it.





4. The Shrimp and Grits homeshow is this week, so we're gearing up. I received all of the cute ribbon headbands (for children and adults) and school spirit ponytail ribbons in the mail to sell along w/ the personalized bows, keychains, and ponytail buttons. They are very cute...we usually do well with these. I wish my hair was in a headband stage so that I could wear one of those wide jacquard headbands. My husband isn't looking forward to all of this starting--he calls this twice yearly event "The Week of Neglect". Poor baby.
5. We played a really funny joke on our neighbors last night and are still giggling about it. They, coincidentally, were going to see the matinee of Jersey Boys today. The husband, who is not a fan of musicals, has not been excited about seeing it. I've told him our friendship is all riding on this--if he doesn't like The Jersey Boys, then we cannot be friends w/ him. So, late last night my husband and I snuck over there and shoe-polished all of the windows of his Suburban w/ things like "Jersey Boys Express" and "Frankie Valli Rules". We got an early phonecall this morning when they discovered it.
6. My other extracurricular responsibility (besides the clothing show) involving my five year olds' school has been in high gear and I've been busy with that.
7. I watched "Rumor Has It" the other night on T.V. It was cute--hadn't seen it. I always love Jennifer Anniston. I get so mad at the bad rap she's gotten compared to Brad and Angelina.
8. That is all that I can think of for now...I'm off to get ready for our fun night!

My Favorite Sippy Cups

Boon Fluid No Spill Toddler Cup

I love this cup because it is safe--none of the bad plastic stuff. It only has two parts; I'm not one that has the patience to put four pieces of a cup together--it won't happen. It has a hole in the middle making it easy for a little one to grasp. We get comments all of the time on these, and I'm so glad that I just found them on Target's website!

Best-Ever Pot Roast

Here is a new pot roast recipe. I tried it, and my husband loved it so much he wanted to kiss me!

5-6 pound boneless pot roast (I couldn't find one that big, so I think mine was 4lbs.)
Rub salt, pepper, and flour all over it.
Sear all sides briefly in oil on the stovetop.
Pour out oil and add 2 cans beef broth.
Pour 8 oz. bottle horseradish over the top.
Cover and cook on low(275 degrees) for 6 hours.
Add new potatoes, onions, and carrots and cook another 1 1/2 hours. I salt and peppered those when I put them in.
Oooh..yum!

Summer Field Trips

Today we had one of our summer field trips. At my Creative Homemakers group meeting in May, we all brought our calendars and planned field trips for the summer. The fire station, a tortilla factory, Art Day facilitated by our group's art teacher/enthusiast, blueberry picking (rained out), a football stadium (this Saturday), and the public library all made the docket. Today was the Dallas Public Library--downtown branch. While I'm a huge fan of the Dallas Public Library, I NEVER go to the downtown location; before today, I couldn't have even told you how to get there. We have one precious member who spent her years before having children as a librarian at a local elementary school. She is a great reader--entertaining for all! So, she read to the children for about 45 minutes, then we had the opportunity to check out books. I was amazed by the selection of children's books at the main branch!!! They had all sorts of titles that I had never seen at the branch close to my house. I checked out Don Freeman (author of Corduroy) books that I had never seen before, and many books that I know are out-of-print! I was like a kid in a candy store. It was so much fun. My bag was so heavy when I came out of the library, I had to carry it with both arms and push the stroller with my hips! It was quite a sight. I learned a lesson-- library's main branch--more books--more selection--good stuff.

A Reminder to Me...

Nancy Wilson's Blog, Femina, has a wonderful post called "Building Projects". I encourage you to read it..it is a great reminder of the influence that women have in their home. I find it encouraging, convicting and inspiring. Here is how it starts...

A woman will either be a blessing or a curse to her household: she is either building or demolishing according to Proverbs 14:1. The woman who has wisdom is constructing; the foolish woman who has no wisdom is destroying. There doesn’t appear to be a middle road; a woman is doing one thing or the other. The one results in peace and blessing; the other brings confusion and discord. The home will either be growing in beauty or on its way to becoming a heap of rubble.

Keep reading on to find out what makes the difference...

Friday Favorites...Flipped

Today I want to turn the tables. Many Fridays this summer, I've been having fun making a list of my favorite things. Today, it's your turn. I want to know some of your favorite things. Just make a list on your blog and send me the link or just just use my comments section. Please let me hear from you!!

I've Been Tagged

Katie over at Bower Power , one of my new favorite blogs, has tagged me.

The Game is this:
Here are the tagging rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you (i.e. me)
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Write 6 random things about yourself
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them
5. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog
6. Let the tagger (me) know when your entry is posted

Six Random Facts About Me:
1. Keeping my car cleaned out is a real challenge for me. It's usually a mess. My husband loves to remind me of the time--before we were married, so at least 12 years ago--when I poured hot chocolate over the door handle on the outside of my car because it was frozen closed and then I didn't wash it off for several days.
2. All summer, I've been doing the oil cleansing method on my face --much talked about over at Big Mama--and have really liked it.
3. I am the baby of my family and have brothers ten and twelve years older than me. One of my brothers just turned 50!
4. I have a small case of phone-phobia--an expression coined by my good friend K. I get a little bit nervous making phone calls.
5. Reading to children is one of my very favorite things to do. I absolutely love children's literature--especially older books. I'm quietly opinionated on this topic! I have numerous books checked out from the library at any one time. Right now it's over a hundred--mostly children's books!
6. I often draw little-bitty stars all over the paper in front of me when I'm listening to a lecture. I've done this since high school.

So, Biscuits are Never Boring, Kelly's Korner, Tickled Pink and Green, 60 piggies, Doing the Next Thing, Good Soil...tag, you're it!

I Love This...

Emma Bridgewater Salad Bowl!

It's Time to Buckle Down

Needlepointing my children's stockings...this is something I love to do. It all started because my sister-in-law needlepointed her whole family's stockings, and they are marvelous! When I was a newlywed, I was looking through catalogs and trying to find the perfect stockings to buy for us. Because he had seen my sister-in-law's and loved them, my husband encouraged me to stitch them myself. I objected at first because I knew the countless hours that it would take. I also knew that I couldn't stitch just one. Once I did the first one, I was in it for the long haul. However, I could tell that he thought that it would be really special, and I knew I would enjoy it.

So, we went to pick out his stocking first. He really wanted something with a Texas flair. I looked and just could not find the right thing...until I went into Key Stitches...the most wonderful needlepoint store!!! They said they had the perfect thing, and, sure enough, they were right. A cowboy Santa!

My husband loves the State Fair of Texas. He is actually judges different food items there..another story for another day. I always love to go by the Creative Arts Building and see all of the amazing needlework and other handiwork. That year, to his surprise, his stocking was hanging in the case with a red ribbon on it. He thought that was the neatest thing in the world..that his stocking won a ribbon at the fair!

Next, it was my turn. It took me a long time. I finally finished it when I was newly pregnant with B. Again, I entered it in the creative arts contest at the fair and was thrilled to receive another red ribbon.

When I found out that I was having a boy, I chose B's stocking. However, it was not purchased until he arrived. His won a third place ribbon if I recall.

Now, it is finally time to begin Baby J's stocking. Here is what I've chosen.

It's called "Where's Rudolph?" I've bought my threads for the first few things I'll be working on..so, I'm off and running.

The Sale

Twice a year, I host a children's clothing homeshow. I've done this with a friend of mine for the last 3 1/2 years. She has decided to take a little break, so this time I'm excited to be hosting the show with another precious friend. We are having so much fun gearing up for it. While it doesn't start until mid-August, we send out postcards next week. Needless to say, we've been diligently working on our list. Historically, Two Friends has been the line we've sold. However, due to some mishaps at the factory, they are not having fall shows. We found another precious line that is new to Dallas called Shrimp and Grits Kids. It is full of the most adorable children's clothing. Here are a few of my favorites from the fall line.








Oh, boy...if I had a girl...this pink coat would be a must!!!

Friday Favorites

1. Having popsicles and lemonade on hand at all times during the summer. These go great with slip and sliding!
2. How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days--love that movie!
3. Hoop earrings
4. Pimiento Cheese--from Kuby's for you Dallacites
5. Birthday Parties for my adult friends
6. Wired ribbon--I even found some that was really cute at Sam's!
7. Double names for girls
8. Amy Grant
9. Old Fashioned Pharmacies (not chains) Preston Road Pharmacy for Dallacites
10. Mascara

A Celebrity Sighting

Well..not really a celebrity, but you would have thought so seeing the way I acted. Today, while B was a sports camp, I was at Northpark w/ J, strolling him along doing a few things I've been needing to do. Suddenly, I saw a familiar face, and felt pretty sure it was Kappa Prep from Monograms and Manicures. I was close enough to her to call out, but I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to yell out "Hey, Kappa Prep!" So, I whipped my stroller around and tried to catch up with her...she was walking really fast, and I had to maneuver the stroller to the ramps instead of the stairs. I finally caught up with her and, all out of breath, said, "Hi..Excuse me..do you have a blog?" Anyway, it was her!! It was so fun to get to meet my cute blogging friend! She was there on a work errand decked out in a darling Lilly dress and was just as friendly in person as she seems on her blog. Anyway, it made my day. Fun!!

Questionnaire

A. Attached or Single? Attached--Married 12 years to an adorable man. I prayed for my husband for a long time, and I am so very thankful for the one God chose for me. We met in high school and dated off and on for seven years before we married.
B. Best Friend? I have many very dear friends.
C. Cake or pie? Pie
D. Day of choice? Friday
E. Essential item? computer, Diet Coke/Diet DP, bathtub (I love to take baths), the library
F. Favorite color? blue, red (not orangey-red, blue-red), hot pink
G. Gummy bears or worms? Bears
H. Home town? Dallas, Texas
I. Favorite indulgence? Chocolate
J. January or July? July
K. Kids? Two sons--ages 18 months and 5 years
L. Life isn’t complete without? Christ
M. Marriage date? June 22, 1996
N. Number of brothers and sisters? 2 brothers--ten and twelve years older than me
O. Oranges or Apples? Apples
P. Phobias? Bugs, Heights
Q. Quotes?--"Hurting people hurt others.", "If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be neat and wipe the seat." (That one comes in handy raising boys!)
R. Reasons to smile? a precious family, wonderful friends, my cute dog (Hattie)
S. Season of choice? Fall--I love the colors--However, Texas pales in comparison to New England that time of year
T. T.V. Favorite: Grey's Anatomy
U. Unknown fact about me? Don't ever invite me to go white water rafting. It sounds terrifying, and I would hate it. Also, I don't like pedicures--they are anything BUT relaxing for me.
V. Vegetable? spinach, asparagus
W. Worst habit? diet drinks
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? ultrasounds
Y. Your favorite food? avocados, cheese, chocolate, peanut butter, mashed potatoes, good salads
Z. Zoo favorites: elephants, giraffes

What's Happening

We had a good weekend. My husband went out of town, so it was just me and the boys. B and I watched High School Musical on Friday night. Neither of us had seen it, and we both loved it.

Saturday morning we went to the Galleria first thing to meet my friend ML and her three. We got there about nine o'clock to play in the play area before it got crowded, but there were already people there. I guess we weren't the only ones to think of that. Anyway, that was fun. We followed it up w/ a swim at ML's house.

That night after I put the boys down, I watched my new favorite movie...P.S. I Love You...so sweet. I really loved it.

We were all so happy to see Daddy come home on Sunday. We got to spend the evening with some good friends of ours. I had been craving guacamole, so we picked up dinner at Taco Diner. Yummy! I have not had enough Mexican food lately, and it tasted so good!

Today B colored his face w/ a brown marker...he wanted it to look like pirate whiskers. I'm on a bit of a bad run w/ kids and markers lately! Also, today I had another chicken salad sandwich from Chick-Fil-A....I'm telling you..you must try one! Also, I spent part of the day trying to organize B's closet....Playmobil is taking over our house; bits are EVERYWHERE!!! Oh, well...it's a season, right?!

This week, my goal is to start J's Christmas stocking....poor little guy...maybe I'll finish it by the time he's five...more on this subject another time.

Friday's Favorite Things

1. Cute pajamas
2. Little Girls with a silver or gold bangle bracelet on their wrist
3. Mixed CDs
4. Teamonade from City Cafe to Go in Dallas
5. Beautiful flower arrangements
6. Having dinner with my daddy
7. Chocolate chip cookies
8. Diet Coke--unfortunately
9. A phonecall from one of my brothers
10. You've Got Mail w/ Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks

Awards!

Sweet Kappa Prep at Monograms and Manicures gave these two very kind awards. No matter what, it's always fun to get a recognition!!





So, now it's my turn to pass these on. So, without further ado...

A Long Way from the Theta House

Seersucker Stories

Congratulations! I love your blogs!

Table Tops

I love to look at pictures of tables all decorated for a fun occasion. To me, one of the most special times is sitting down to a festive table in someone's home. In the latest issue of Domino, several tables were featured that had been at Diffa's Dining By Design. This was one that I was so taken with that was done by David Stark for Benjamin Moore. He used all of this fun color to make the most fun looking birthday table you have ever seen. Look at all of the paint chips! How incredibly creative! Wouldn't it be fun to spend an evening around that table?

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig

Our vacation was fabulous!! We had such a sweet time with our boys and were able to really relax, too.

My husband loves to cook and is good at it. He cooked almost every meal while we were away--breakfast, lunch and dinner. What a great break for me! We stayed at my brother and sister-in-law's lakehouse, and they have a Green Egg--one of those fancy grills (I'm sure my husband would say that description does not do this amazing grilling/smoking/cooking apparatus justice). Anyway, my husband cooked on that thing almost every night. Steaks, smoked ribs, chickens, sausage...we had it all.

I love to watch my husband be a daddy...our boys have so much fun with him.. B is at a place where he can do so much and my husband loves that--they jet skiied, played putt-putt, went on nature hikes, rode everywhere on the golf cart, ate about a thousand of those icey pops, went swimming, and just had a blast together. It's such a treat for all of us to have Daddy with us for a whole week.

Because J and B are in such different stages, J and I were at a little bit slower pace. We joined in for swimming, boat rides, and golf cart rides, but we also spent a lot of time on some of his favorite activities--reading books, taking baths, napping, and watching the deer there.

In other news:

Today I cashed in a coupon and tried the Chick-Fil-A chicken salad sandwich. I'm a fan. It was really good. It had fresh, pretty lettuce on it. It was on toasted wheat bread. From my research...350 calories. Now...if I just had the self-control to not order fries w/ that! You must try one and tell me what you think.

Three out of the four of us have had the stomach bug within the last two weeks. Daddy first, Mommy second, Baby J next, and we're waiting for poor B. Hopefully, his little immune system will be able to stave it off. A few other people who, prayerfully, will not get it....N and B--their sweet godparents who were keeping the boys when Baby J came down with it Sunday night. Oh, how I hope they don't get it.

Time for bed!

Time to Get Away

We're off for a family vacation!! We're headed to East Texas to enjoy time relaxing and playing on the lake. I'll try to e-mail in a post here and there. Take care!

4th of July

We had the most fun 4th of July this year! Here are some of our favorite parts.




The Parade






Family Time




Our boys!

P.J. Ride

Well, we tried a PJ Ride tonight! It was really fun. We put the boys to bed early--about 6:45. Then, about five minutes later, my husband and I ran through their hall hollering and shaking their toy musical tamborine and maracas. We said we were taking a "PJ Ride". We piled into the car and headed to Baskin-Robbins where we had ice cream cones. It was so fun, and B loved it especially. A sweet memory--I look forward to many more!

Costume Pageant Part II

Here are more of B's costumes....if you missed the first edition, lookie here.

The Football Player--a Dallas Cowboy mixed with an SMU Mustang


The Pilot



The "Army Guy"


And...The "Old-Timey Boy"
He and his daddy watched an episode of Andy Griffith which inspired the hat and our sweet neighbor painted the walking stick for him. I guess the "old-timey" part is because Andy Griffith is in black and white and those boys had on those hats..I'm trying to synch w/ his line of thinking!

That's all for today!