Christmas in Kyle, Texas

I don't consider myself a country girl, but how many people can say that Santa drove through their neighborhood strapped to the top of the local fire truck? Well, my kids can. The Kyle Fire Department took Santa all through the neighborhoods...Trace and Elizabeth enjoyed going out and seeing him.

Plus...only in Texas can my daughter wear a miniskirt less than a week from Christmas...go figure.

Enough said

I haven't had much to say lately, which is a nice way to say I have let life get the best of me and haven't posted anything in weeks. So here I am back and excited for the holidays. The kids are excited too and we still have all the presents to wrap, but I am ready for some holiday cheer.

Here's to hoping for some joy and peace for everyone...Trace & Elizabeth got to take a ride on the train at the mall. We went to see Santa but momma and daddy decided that Santa's line was a little too long. So, one train ride and the kids forget all about missing the Big Guy. We might not make it this year...hope he still makes it by our house (wink, wink).

 

A few firsts at my FIRST Half-Marathon

This morning I completed 13.1 miles at the San Antonio Rock 'N Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon. I did it in right at 2 hours and 45 minutes...not a record by any means but was a totally rewarding experience for me. Here are the firsts that came with it:

1-First time to get up at 4:30AM ON PURPOSE to go and run.
2-First time to line up with 30 THOUSAND other crazies to go and run.
3-First time to run 5 miles straight (personal best that I am proud of).
4-First time to continue on a run/walk to mile 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and finally to 13.1!
5-First time to think I might just cry if I took one more step (I am still in pain, never felt my knees hurt like this before).
And last, but not least...
6-First time to plan one year out to do the half marathon RELAY with the other girls that ran today which is only like 3 miles a person...a much smarter decision I think!

I'll post some pictures and a few of the funny shirts/signs I saw out there.

Now, it's 7:45PM, I've take two Tylenol PM so I am going to bed and pray that I can walk tomorrow...

What would your kid say about you?

Deer season is back so JP left on Friday for the weekend. I picked up the kids on Friday night and was heading home. Trace asked where we were going the next day (a very common question that both kids ask almost every day). Anyways, I said, "Nowhere really, you are just hanging out with me." A few seconds of silence, then Trace said,"So we're going shopping?" I laughed so hard. I guess that is what he thinks of when he thinks of me and how I spend my time.

Out of morbid curiousity I just had to ask, "Trace, what would you be doing if you were hanging out with Daddy all day?" And with not much pause he answered, "I guess working." I LOVE IT. I expected as much and couldn't wait to share with JP who also laughed really hard.

It's pretty funny to think about what our kids think about us since we don't stop and ask them alot. I can't wait to see what their kids will say about them one day.

Elizabeth and Trace with new batting helmets at Academy

(I guess maybe I do take them shopping alot...)

Memphis on my mind...

I was super lucky to get to head east and visit my friend Jennifer in Memphis a few weekends back. I actually flew into Little Rock, Arkansas and drove into Tennessee and didn't get lost (yeah!). A few things I realized while in Memphis:

1. I miss Jennifer and wish we lived closer to each other.

2. I don't drink much and drinking half a hurricane makes me feel a little tipsy {goofy grin}.

3. I miss Jennifer and wish we lived closer to each other.

4. I love Justin Timberlake in anything he does. We saw Social Network, and even though JT is a jerk in the movie, I still love him.

5. Carrie Underwood is probably the most talented singer I've ever heard. Jennifer surprised me with concert tickets and Carrie was AMAZING!

6. The best kind of friend is the one that you just pick up right where you left off even if you can't keep up all the time...that is Jennifer to me.

7. Chocolate ice cream really is one of God's greatest gifts.

8. I miss Jennifer and wish we lived closer to each other.


So, here's to Jennifer (and her baby boy on the way) and the wonderful time I had visiting her in Memphis.

Shake your tail feather...

As promised, here is my little one and her precious tail feather and one of the two Jansen deer!

Trace snuck in to the picture if you can see him jumping in behing us...

Happy Halloween

Halloween season has been fun here with the kiddos. We've done pumpkins, Booo-dafest in downtown Buda and then had our party at the Brunsons. The hunters and little deer theme for our family was fun and I think turned out pretty well. Still have the actual trick-or-treating to do tonight, but overall it's been a success. Now we get to start thinking about Thanksgiving...

The family

This is what happens when you tell your son he can't have any more candy.

Boy hunter and baby deer...I'll blog again so you can see her tail feather!

Good old dirty fun

Jackolantern success

Proud Momma

There is nothing better than seeing your child do something for the first time. Trace had another first today...he rode his bicycle with no training wheels!!! I was so excited for him and hope this video does it justice (try to ignore the loud momma...if you listen closely you can hear him shout out a big "woohooo").

Enough said

Work has been pretty stressful lately (hopefully there is an end in sight soon for that), so many have told me to just be sure and enjoy my kiddos, so we've done our best and here's the proof...

Trace, Cade and Cash (aka the Brunson Boys) after the Maroon Sharks first t-ball game
Sonic's latest toy are the funny glasses that made me and the kids laugh

T is for Tball

Trace officially started t-ball this week. JP and Blaine (our neighbor and husband to my running buddy, Sonja) are coaching the team that the kids named the Sharks. Trace has about 9 other young boys he'll be starting his baseball career with and he is really excited. They've only had one practice and we're up to have another one tomorrow morning. I think JP was a little nervous about coaching, but sounds like he's done well and will survive the madness of 10 young boys. The funniest thing from their first practice that I can remember is JP said one boy just kept telling him, "I don't like ants." Good to know I guess, but just funny on what they feel we adults should know.

We'll keep you posted on how the season goes. It's fall ball which is supposed to be really low key and just a good way to get kids introduced, so we'll see...

Happy Belated Birthday

To my own son...what a mess I am. Trace turned 5 on Saturday and we had a busy day. He donned his "Birthday Boy" pin and got to start his day with breakfast at Chick-Fil-A so he could play on the play scape. Then JP had his pig sale in the morning so we hung there until lunch time. He got to play with a real crawfish that somehow had gotten into the barn and was ticked, but kept Trace happy. Then after nap time we got the whole family to Gattitown! Games, pizza, and cheap dinosaur toys that he just "had to have" with his points, who wouldn't be happy?

AND, I didn't cry on the big day which was amazing for me, but I think it was because he was too funny about it. He woke up Saturday and tossed out some good manners with a few "yes ma'am's" and then told me, "Mom, see, I am older, I have manners!" Well, they didn't last long, but my baby is definitely growing up. Maybe now I'll cry...

Birthday boy with sister hanging on during motorcycle ride at Gattitown

Camo, Camo, Camo

We celebrated Trace's birthday last weekend and he picked a camo hunting theme. He really wanted everyone to wear camo, so you can tell how many people love this boy because it was a huge success. It was great fun and I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

The whole clan showing off their camo

(not an easy task to get this many people to stop and take a picture)

Michaela, Trace and Tenley

Trace and my attempt at a camo cake
(when I showed Trace he said, "It's a good try momma." Gotta love his honesty)

Trace in his real hunting blind from Nanny (my mom)

that was a hit with all the kiddos

Hard to believe that JP and I made such a looker, huh?

Can you tell which one of us Trace looks like?

I always say that Trace is proof that I have never been unfaithful!

4 miles

Yup...I ran 4 miles without stopping. I had to do it late tonight so here it is almost 10PM and I just finished about 50 minutes of running (I didn't say it was fast by any means) and now I am on to making camo cupcakes. The life of a momma.

I have to say thanks to JP though for this accomplishment. The kids and I took dinner out to the field tonight. I was telling him I still had 4 miles to run/walk and he was like, "Don't say that...just run it all." I got a little fussy at him, but when I got started tonight, I just kept thinking about it and it gave me some motivation.

So, now let's pray that these cupcakes come out looking like camo for Trace's big 5th birthday party tomorrow...maybe I'll have to try one just to be sure they are yummy, but I deserve it, right?

Jansen girls FIRSTS

Today was a day of firsts for me and Elizabeth...

First off-Today was my baby's first day at mother's morning out. She was super excited and was adorable with her backpack in tow. She didn't shed one single tear, and actually, I had to get her to just tell me bye. She was running between all the toys in her room. I guess she'll be my independent one.

Elizabeth and Trace all ready to go

(sorry picture is hazy - it was crazy humid today and my camera fogged up)

I mean really - isn't she adorable?!?

(She is also crashed as I type and was in bed at 7PM - play hard-sleep hard.)

Second - Mommy here ran the full TWO laps around our neighborhood this morning which is right over 3 miles. Yup, that was me, jogging (I don't think it would officially count as running, but I am patting myself on the back none the less). I was and still am pretty proud of myself, just still a little scared since I am only in week 2 of a 12 week training program. I'll keep you posted.

8 Questions

I was going to update my blog, but I always start by checking out Allena's. Today I found that I was tagged to answer 8 questions, so I guess I will do that instead:

Questions:1. If you could go on a trip right now, where would you go? Canada - JP and I have always wanted to go there. As long as there is a hot tub, I'd be in heaven.

2. What is your favorite baby name? (and you can't name your own children) No idea - I try to avoid the thought of new borns. I love mine now, but I am the kind that wishes they just came out about 6 months old.

3. What is your favorite website? Don't know, the only ones I regularly visit are my email and my bank, but neither seems to have much for me.

4. What is one thing you're embarrassed that you bought? Not really embarrassed of anything I have bought lately.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? With a 10 and 7 1/2 year old wondering how in the world time flew by so fast.

6. Are you a wine or beer drinker? Neither really, I do like my homemade Sangria though so I guess that is considered wine.

7. If you didn't have to work, what would you do? Go to the movies or read. (My answer should probably be stay at home with the kids, but I'll assume they are in school.)

8. What is your favorite blog? Allena's or mine.

Yes, that was me, walking

Today is day two of our half marathon training program and it's our first run. Sonja (neighbor/running partner) and I met at 6AM to do our first 3 mile run. I had my music, my new running shoes, and was ready to go. We made it through the first mile in really good time. But that was about as far as this little girl's running feet were going to go. Sonja has crazy long legs, has run a half marathon before and seemed to have decided to sprint her way through the neighborhood. I was keeping up but we were booking it as far as I was concerned and I had to give in and walk most of the second lap around our neighborhood. I finished the entire distance just not in a run.

Since I had some time by myself it actually turned into a little one on one with God, which was nice. The sermon this last week was about margin and making room in your life for what really matters and not always pushing ourselves to the limits of time, money, energy, etc.. It seemed to fit perfectly. I realized that I wasn't at all embarrassed by walking, I was pretty darn proud to have gotten up at 5:30AM to exercise. I realized that this training is a great way for me to try and remain fit and I'll just do my best. I won't beat myself up or kill myself in attempts to keep up with my friend because for me, it is all about finishing.

So, tomorrow is 2 miles. I will pray that my body cooperates and I get my head in it and just finish, in my own time, and for no one other than me.

Daddy's new toy

All is well here at Jansen Family Farms...everyone was all smiles when the new tractor made it to Momsie and Pop's house Saturday. The kids were excited, but not quite as much as JP and Jimmy (at least I don't think). The tractor is coming just days before they start harvesting their cotton.

Thanks very much to God and some very timely and beneficial rains, the guys have some of the best cotton they've ever had. JP is always quick to add that, "It isn't out of the field yet..." BUT as I type this, they have the whole team in their first field and things are going well. I'll update you as the harvest progresses.

Pops enjoying showing off his new ride with Trace and Elizabeth.
OH YEAH - there is a buddy seat, so Trace was in and buckled up before JP even turned it on.

Tears on move in day

Today is the beginning of move in day at Baylor University. I am here auditing them and drove into town and saw all the hustle and bustle of kids (sorry that that term might seem rude, but since I had my own, most people younger than me are considered "kids" to me) and their parents. Well, I happened to see this one dad running around their car going to grab boxes and I LOST IT. Tears welled up and I just couldn't help but be heartbroken for this man leaving his baby behind. I instantly thought of Trace and Elizabeth and the thought of leaving them made my heart break. Luckily they are 5 and 2 and I have a few years to prepare.

The moral of the story though is that I again had a moment where I realized what my parents must have gone through. I called my mom to tell her about the tears and tell her that I can only try and appreciate what they must have gone through on that 6 hour drive home after leaving me at Texas Tech. There is no way I could have known or appreciated the feelings they must have had until I had my own children. Of course, my mother, in her infinite motherly wisdom, just said that all you can do is raise them to make good decisions and then pray for the rest.

SO, here's to all the parents leaving their "babies" at college, to my parents who prepared me pretty darn well for life, and to me and JP who can only pray that we are raising our babies to grow into the adults we hope they will become.

13.1

That is the number of miles I am going to train to run! I must be crazy. I just registered for my first half marathon, the San Antonio Rock 'N Roll half-marathon. Sonja, my favorite neighbor, has already run in one and has now talked me into this one. Needless to say I have lots of work to do since I the longest I've ever run is 4 miles. JP doesn't understand paying to put yourself through hell, but I can remember growing up and always just saying, "I hate to run...I can't run..." and finally after my two years at VRT Bootcamp, I realized I could run and dang it, I guess I am going to try and run 13.1 miles.

This will by far be the biggest physical challenge I have ever committed myself to, so I ask that you pray for me to stay committed to training and find the confidence I think this race will take to finish. I say "race" with a smile, because this will all be about finishing, not winning, because I will have totally won if I can just cross the finish line.

To keep me accountable, I will post my weekly progress...and just in case you are wondering, I am totally nervous just writing about this, so pray for me to have some peace about this too...

Happy birthday to ME

Today I am 31. It has been a fabulous day, and I thank all my family and friends that called, texted or emailed to wish me a great day. It was pretty much a perfect day. I took off the day and talked JP into doing that too. My mom is keeping the kiddos overnight so JP and I went to Schlitterbahn for the day without the kids. We got in a full day in the sun and then enjoyed dinner at the San Marcos River Pub (one of our pre-kids favorites which is no longer our first choice since it doesn't have the fastest service on the block) and came home to find it all clean (thanks Mom). To top it off there was a birtday cake that apparantely my kids helped make. So, all in all, good day to turn 31.

I will post later this week with a run down of my birthday week events...it has been a good one so far.

Birthday week!

It is here...my birthday week. The real deal is on Wednesday, and I will be a very boring 31 years old. I am excited though to enjoy my newly adopted tradition of the "birthday week" where I get to celebrate for at least a week for myself. I started a couple nights ago celebrating Allena's bday (aka A Gurley Gurl) at the Hyatt downtown. We had a great time with some other couples and then went out again on Sunday night with Sonja and Blaine (greatest neighbors ever) to the winery in Driftwood, Trattoria Lisina . It was amazing...we ate just about everything they had. If you haven't been, I absoloutely recommend it.

The rest of the week still holds a mani/pedi, a day at Schlitterbahn with JP (with no kids), probably a chai from Starbucks every day and a girly movie with Mandy too...let the good times roll!

So, here's to me and my wonderful life...thanks for being a part of it!

Best of Times...Worst of Times

So, I love the local radio show the Bobby Bones Show. On Monday's they normally do a best of times and worst of times where they go around the room and add their times from the weekend. Well, I thought I'd start that little tradition here, but I am starting with a more global topic...motherhood. I can pin point my best and worst and will share them below.
Trace and Elizabeth are almost 5 and 2 1/2 and here are my best and worst times since I brought them into this world...

Best of times: Hands down it was when Trace scored his first goal in soccer this past spring. It was late in the season and he'd really worked his way from standing center field and waving while the game went on around him (week 1) to really getting in there and trying to play. So, when he scored his first goal - I lost it and was the screaming mom with arms up in the air. We also had our usual group of about 10 others (grandparents and aunts and uncles) who got to share in the moment. Trace just turned and had the most precious, proud smile. I think he was shocked, but then he started to wipe at his eyes and I lost it. I mean come on. He was very lucky to have Coach Tucker who celebrated with him too. It was my most proud moment as a mom...not because of the goal...but because he was just so proud of himself and I never knew how great it would feel to see him succeed at something.

Worst of times: Hands down, it was this last week. I had taken both kids to the pool to kill some time before daddy got home. It had been a great trip, but as it got to be time to go, Trace and I were going round and round over a toy that had been left at the pool. While I was focused on Trace and the toy in the pool (something that I beat myself up later for was an absolute waste of mothering), Elizabeth decided to join us, but didn't tell me. For whatever reason, I happened to turn and see her flailing about in the pool. It was horrifying. Luckily, she was close to me and I got to her quickly. She was ok, but screamed loud enough for the neighborhood to hear. Obviously she could breathe, but poor thing was scared much like her mother. Trace then though decided to throw his own fit since I told him that we were going home and leaving the toy. I can count how many he has thrown in his lifetime (three in total) which I thank God for every day, but man, he let me have it. I had two screaming children, I was shell shocked from seeing Elizabeth in the water (and the absolute horror of what "could have" happened) and made it home in time for my own tears to fall.

The kids were fine after a few minutes, but when JP got home I was a mess. He just kept telling me that everything was okay and luckily we just have to live and learn. So, I had my pity party for my mothering abilities, and now I have experienced first hand the dangers of the pool (AND I WAS RIGHT THERE). So, learn from me, pick your battles, watch your babies or keep the floaties on until you get home and have a wonderful husband who just says, "The kids need to go to bed and you just need a little drink".

I just pray that I don't have many "worsts" that involve the safety of my children. Even now as I type and look at Elizabeth's picture, I tear up with the thought of something ever happening to them. They are God's gift in my life and can't imagine my life without them.

He's BAACCKK!

Yup, two early nights to bed, a steady stream of children's Tylenol, and Trace is back! He was precious this morning coming in and being so proud of himself for being well. He came in all grins and was like "Momma my head doesn't hurt!" I am glad to have him not feeling bad anymore, it was pretty horrible.

The really horrible part though is that Trace getting better means the volume is back up in my house. He is now well enough to pester his sister and send her into her piercing high pitched screams that make my ears hurt. I just wish there was a way for Trace and Elizabeth to NOT be sick and to know (and maybe even USE) an inside voice. I guess the grass is always greener isn't it?

God love 'em, but they are loud kids :-)

Summer Flu

Here's to feeling helpless. It is 10:27PM on a Saturday night and Trace just went back to bed after getting sick again. He's been sick since last night. He ran a fever and pretty much cried all day saying his head hurt. I went ahead and called the doctor and there is a bad "summer flu" going around which seems to fit Trace to a tee. I called because it was the first time in his life that I haven't really been able to calm him down or console him and it has been scary/sad for me. I had to call JP earlier today because Trace wanted daddy home. Then when I went to get medicine, JP said Trace said he wanted both me and daddy home. This should pass soon (we pray)...but it just hit home to me and JP how horrible it is to see your child hurt and not be able to do much of anything. We can't even imagine what it must be like for parents of kids that are truly sick or injured, so I will say a prayer for them all tonight and continue to pray for a quick recovery and health for my little ones.

Yummy peaches

It is summer in central Texas so it is time for Fredericksburg peaches. JP and I took the kids to Fredericksburg for a quick overnight stay. JP did some insurance work with his farmers and the kids and I hung at the hotel. The pool had a slide and everything, so the kids thought they were in heaven. It was a really nice little trip. On our way home, we stopped at one of JP's farmers peach stands and got to show the kids the peaches being inspected, sorted and boxed up. Of course, they both got a little grabby and a few peaches were eaten in the process (by all of us)...YUMMMY.

Camping 101

The family made our way to the Frio River last week and had a great time. We enjoyed time with Momsie and Pops, Sharon and Russell, Debbie and Mike, Tommy and Shea and Samantha, Erin and Caitlin and of course the Lehman family. Here are a few things we learned while on this trip that I thought we'd share:

Lesson 1: Do not leave a two year old ALONE in a rented camper WITH THE KEYS unattended. We learned this the hard way when Elizabeth not 30 minutes after we arrived and were getting situated locked herself in the camper...alone...with the keys inside with her. Nobody panicked and we must have all looked crazy screaming through windows trying to get Elizabeth to unlock the door, try windows, etc. We were about to try having her flush the keys down the potty (thank God it didn't come to that), when Pops said to try prying open the front window. It worked and thank God (again) that I have a very good listener and Elizabeth was able to pass us the keys through the crack. All was well, but what a way to start a trip.


Lesson 2: Rope swings really are fun! There was a rope swing right by our camp site that we were by pretty much every day. Cassie, Tenley and Michaela were jumping off of it one day and Trace decided he wanted to give it a try. I was pretty impressed with him and how brave he was. He held on tight and made his way into the water (where he insisted someone be ready to catch him) and ended up doing it over and over. Of course, then Elizabeth had to give it a go as well. She pretty much just held and fell, but it was a start. JP and I both took our turns too and had lots of fun.

Lesson 3: Tubing is way more fun when the water is flowing. It rained off and on the first day and a half, so once the sun came out, we were ready to tube. A big group went and we took both kiddos along. It was great to have water in the river and the kids really enjoyed themselves. Elizabeth just wanted to get out and swim in the "wiver". Trace was cool until he got dinged on the bottom by some rocks in a couple of low spots.

The next day, we tried a different tubing route and this time, the water was not so hot (meaning...there wasn't enough water to actually float). There was quite a bit of walking and thank goodness for Cassie and Michaela who pulled the rest of us a lot too. In the end, this trip took almost 3 hours and wasn't the best one ever, but we had a great time anyway.

Lesson 4: Apples to Apples is a winner! The late night game of choice this year was Apples to Apples. It really is amazing how funny this game can get with the choices that are made and the arguments made to support ones cards. If you've never played, I recommend it, but just know that the winner really isn't any better than you. They just got lucky!

Lesson 5: This family likes to cook and eat. This last lesson isn't a hard one to learn since JP and I love to eat, but JP always proves himself the cook when we camp. Somehow he has turned into the resident griller onsite and everynight he makes sure there is a hot fire in the grill and that he gets everyones food cooked just right. He did great again this year and we were all thankful for him.

Elizabeth also proved that she can cook...well, she can cut bananas like no other 2 year old I know. I was craving some good 'ole banana pudding. So, I made the pudding and I left her to the bananas. She did great and it was fun to see her working to hard. The pudding turned out great so thanks to her for her help as well.

Final Lesson: Elizabeth still needs a little work on softer love. So, I have posted about Elizabeth before, but maybe not about how she seems to have trouble being "gentle". When she is around babies or other kiddos smaller than her (not necessarily younger) she wants to love on them so bad, but she ends up loving a little too hard and it looks more like a tackle or bear hug. This year, Tommy and Shea came along with Samantha (Sam or Sammie for short) and she's about 15 months. Well, I warned them both as soon as I saw them of Elizabeth's ways and tried to keep a watchful eye when the two girls were close. Sure enough though, one morning, Elizabeth went in for the hug and sure enough it was exactly like I'd tried to descibe. Elizabeth is taller, so her arms went around Sam's neck. But then Elizabeth picked her up and spun her around. I know it is horrible to laugh, but I can now because no one was hurt (thank God). Shea and I both quickly moved in and broke up the love fest and Sam just looked a little shocked. It was only after this that I found out that Tommy is a little protective of his first born. So, I again apologize for the few seconds of pure terror that Tommy must have felt and truly appreciate the fact that Shea could laugh along with me (even if she too was slightly concerned for her daughter). In the end, I truly believe that Frizzie (short for Frizzie Lizzie, Elizabeth's nickname) has wonderful intentions, she just REALLY needs to work on toning down her strength (wink, wink).

Momma OVERBOARD

Things will be out of order since I plan to add in camping pictures soon, but first to the most recent of our family adventures. Yesterday we went on what turned into an almost all day affair at the deer lease. Both kids were in their camo head to toe...Trace tries to wear camo clothes every day and when he heard we were off to the deer lease, he decided Elizabeth needed to dress right as well. So, she sported camo overalls along with brother in his camo t-shirt and pants.

Well, the "plan" (I love how that word just never seems to really happen) was for JP to replace one of his feeders and then fill three others with corn. Sounds easy, right? Well, luckily we are planners and we took lunch and plenty of drinks and snacks. Because after JP and I installed the feeder and two hours later still didn't have it working, we decided to move on, each lunch and at least get the corn in the feeders.

Here comes the fun part...one of the feeders is across the creek and so here we go. JP was driving holding Elizabeth, I was holding Trace and finishing my diet coke when JP cruises through the creek to get across. Well, in comes the big hole that JP then turns hard against and there go Trace and Momma flying out of the gator. I was super mom (of course) and never let go of Trace and took one for the team. We both did end up completely drenched in not quite fresh water and I have a few battle wounds to show for it.

Of course we laughed a little bit once everything was ok (the gator died too, but came back to life shortly). And if you can believe it, I didn't even cuss or get mad at JP. I think I was in shock and actually feel pretty cool to have been thrown from the gator and survived.

Just another day for this family.

I just might be TEAM JACOB

I am tired today because I joined my sister and about 20 of her friends that decided they could not miss the midnight debut of the Twighlight series Eclipse movie last night. We met up in our homemade warring Team Edward and Team Jacob t-shirts (hey, if you are going to geek-out why not go all out, right) and ate dinner for a few hours and then headed to the growing line at about 9PM. Luckily, we got great seats and enjoyed the gigantic popcorns and diet coke until 12:02AM when the fun began.

Let me tell you, it has been a while since I have read the books, but it was nice to have the movie remind me of the love torn Bella. Jacob was in absolute rare, beautiful form. The audience cheered pretty much everytime he showed up without a shirt. He stole the movie for me and even though I know Bella picks Edward, I just can't help but love having Jacob in the picture (for my own personal, selfish reasons, having nothing to do of course with the fact that he is freakishly handsome).

So - if you haven't made it yet, go and enjoy. The acting isn't great and the special effects don't mean much to me...but it is an A+ for me, a girl who loves to just live in a pretend world for a few hours. See for yourself if you don't have doubts about being Team Edward after this one...

as promised...

Brother had to try and sneak into the picture (something we have heard JP always did as a kid, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree).

I know I am biased, but come on...isn't she precious.

Escape update: She has not come out at nights but she did come out at 6AM the other morning. We'll hope that was just a fluke.

My big girl!

It was a big weekend for my precious baby, Elizabeth. Although at 2 and almost a half, she thinks she is at least 3, it is fun to watch her have these "firsts". So, first she moved into a "big girl bed" (which really just means her crib with one side rail taken off to make a sort of toddler bed...but does offer her the chance to escape). She was very excited and Trace even gave her his steps that he has outgrown. I will add pictures soon. (Escape update: she only came out once last night to just check in and went right back to bed, thank goodness!)

Next, she has also been potty training for a few weeks now and has done great except for one small thing. Well, last night we had what we hope is a breakthrough. I'll try to keep this G-rated and without too much detail...and, I'll just say it like Trace told Momsie, Pops, Grandpa and Nanny when we called them, "Elizabeth pooped in the potty. For real!" Hey, it is the small things in life that make a mom happy and this was one of them. And just for your benefit, I won't add any pictures on that one.

So - YEAH for my big girl. I love her dearly and can't stand how cute she is sometimes. I am looking forward to whatever our next "first" will be.

My LUCKY day...

Well, I used to be one of those people who NEVER won anything. Not the case tonight. Every year JP and I go to a Ducks Unlimited "banquet" (Texas style, of course, with camo table cloths, steak and shrimp for dinner, and duck decoys and rifles in the live auction). We have been going since we were at Tech and for some reason I am the luckiest girl at these things. They have raffles and normally have some pretty good stuff. You just pick what looks good to you and put in as many tickets as you want. Well, sure enough, as I have many years, I WON! TWICE! I walked away with a small portable grill perfect for tailgates or camping AND a Vera Bradley bag. I get to add those to my previous winnings from this banquet that included a DU chalkboard, kids directors chair and goodies for Trace, a windmill, another Vera Bradley bag, and the list goes on...I guess I should go get my lotto ticket...OR...just keep going every year and see when my luck will finally run out.

Dinner at the farm

I just have to think every once in a while how my nights are different than many other families. Years back there were many nights that after I got off work, I would head to the pig barns to help clean out the days mess left by all the piggies. Now thanks to the kids (as my excuse), I don't do that much, but we do take Daddy (that'd be JP) dinner in the field when we can. Tonight was one of those nights and it is actually a pretty fun thing that I wonder if the kids will remember. We normally have to run home, I whip up something that I can serve from the back of my car and we head to whatever field JP is in. We set up shop and eat in the Texas heat. The kids get to play with corn or cotton or whatever is growing and then they normally ride with daddy in the tractor. Tonight we ate by a corn field and the kids had fun picking corn and doing their best to shuck them. Trace even found TWO WORMS that he was super excited to tell Daddy about. Don't know if this post would mean much to most, but I just came home feeling lucky to have nights that are different than most...and hope that my kids enjoy it as much as I do.

Life's a beach

6 days and 5 nights at the beach makes for one happy and tired family. We got back from our annual beach trip with the Lehman family (Michael, Cassie, Michaela (aka "KK") and Tenley in Port Aransas. Here are some of the highlights from our trip:

* We had a little late night dance party in the room with the whole clan (except my kids who luckily were in bed). With a little bit of liquid courage, JP, Michael, Cassie and I all cut a rug. I even brought back the running man and roger rabbit...it was hysterical. I think we might have also made a few late night phone calls to Pops, Aunt Mandy and Uncle Richard, but I don't think we can remember exactly what we talked about.

* Trace was introduced to the Wii. He loved it and got daddy playing baseball, golf and bowling too. We are going to be in so much trouble when his birthday comes around.

* I got hit in the head by a beach cabana. No, really, I did. A storm blew in and we didn't seem to mind until the wind started gusting, took our tent and us with it and then another one came and got me right in the head...I have the wound to prove it.

* Elizabeth grew to love her floaty thing and swam in the "big pul" as she says. She also got her fingernails and toenails painted for the first time. Tenley and KK did a great job.

* We were stopped by several different folks and told how cute our kids were. JP and I had a couple of those moments where we were just sitting at the beach and just really enjoyed watching Trace and Elizabeth. They are truly the best things we've ever done. They are funny, excited about life (evidenced by their VERY LOUD voices), and genuinely sweet kids. We are blessed to be able to take them on trips like these to make memories that will last for years and to watch them grow up all too quickly.

* JP and Michael's washers were stolen. This wasn't really a highlight except that Cassie went on a man hunt for the thief and all but asked every person on the beach if they had seen any washers. She is sure it was one of the cabana boys who lied to her face, and even went all the way to the front desk to try and solve the case, but it didn't happen. "It was a principle thing..." was all she kept saying. The really funny part was the next day, a group of local Austin guys also there vacationing, kept coming by and asking if we'd seen washers, since she had made a point to ask them the night before, just in case they were the bad guys. All ended up OK since there is a local hardware store that had PVC and washers that Michael visited to get the guys back into gear.

We are already ready to head back next year to see what fun we can have. Thanks to the Lehman's for sharing their time with us - we love every minute of our time with you.

Fruits of our labor

Well, JP, my hard working farmer husband, decided to go all out this year and planted an awesome garden. We have had squash, zuchinni, onions, carrots (even some two-legged ones, as Trace calls them), red and white potatoes, and beautiful sunflowers and zinnias.

The veggies have been great, but this is a post about CLEANING them. It is not as much fun as eating them and takes time. See, at the grocery store everything is clean and ready to grab and go. What I get is an HEB bag full of muddy veggies. JP and I have taken turns cleaning them, but this weekend I was behind and decided that a hose in the front yard would go much faster. So, see below for the fruits of JP's labor (and the sweat of my brow after almost an hour cleaning those things)...they did make an amazing squash casserole though, so it was all worth it.

Day One - playground brawl...

Just playing a little bit with this blog thing and thought maybe this is a fun way to keep those that might be interested up to date on our adventures...

Today's journey I wasn't even a part of (thank goodness). Peggy ("Momsie", mother-in-law, JP's mom) watches four, yes, 4, grandkids on Fridays. Today at a trip to Chick-fil-a to enjoy the yummy food and indoor playground, my precious 2 1/2 year old, Elizabeth, decided to play a little too aggressively (PC for beat up) some other kids there. Peggy had to end up leaving after another mother (who will remain nameless, since we DO NOT KNOW HER) said loudly, "Where is your mother?" to my daughter, who supposedly picked up her son by the throat to move him away from the toy she wanted.

All I can say is, sorry to you nameless mother and child. I hope you weren't hurt, and I will continue to work on the concept of sharing and taking turns with Elizabeth. I am slightly mortified but then remembered that Elizabeth is still only 2and that behavior is pretty standard.

The joys of motherhood!