Spring Break...

always turns out to be a lame excuse for cleaning, tackling those long awaited projects, and some quality yard work, at least in our family. There were some fun moments though to reward us (and by us, we all know who I am talking about) for our (my) hard work! Alright, I will give The Douger a little credit for building me a wonderful garden box!!

Meet the new garden: (we are still holding our breath that something will grow...I am praying for lots of homegrown tomatoes! Anyone thinking John Denver?...)

before:

after, after: This picture records the beauty that can come only after the 2nd time around. (The Douger disproved of the 1st new mulch 'Midnight Black.')

before:

after: (yeah, I know!...not much better, but once we get some texture, paint, bead board, install the new toilet, & new tile, we'll be in open for business!)
and for the fun:
(not as good when they are behind 3 fences, but it will have to do since we have no African Safari's on the current horizon.)

Texas Rodeos (& and awesome pig birth story)

We had a fun (although way too short) weekend with Uncle Ben, Aunt Lauren and cousins Ella and Kayla. We fought the traffic and the pouring rain and made it to the famous Houston Rodeo. Callin LOVES spotting cows all day as we drive around. However, up close and personal was quite a different story.

He could handle the baby cow okay.

But hated the Texas Long Horns. (He is screaming and holding onto Doug for dear life...and what does his Daddy do, hold him closer!)

Of course all the many tractors were Cal's personal highlight.

My highlight was getting to see a LIVE pig birth. For those of you who really know me, you would know how much I am in love with birth in general. I have never, I repeat, never, watched a live or taped birth without starting to cry (except for those lame TV moments like when Jennifer Aniston gave birth on 'Friends'; Fake births make me laugh). I was interested to find out that I apparently also cry when a pig gives birth. You would have too: by the time I arrived on the scene and elbowed my way to the front (cus I just HAD to see this) there were already about 10 little happy piglets nursing. After about 5 minutes another piglet was born. It came out very dead looking (limp & blue.) The crew got to work suctioning is mouth for over a minute- still nothing. Then one lady pulled a 101 Dalmatian move (you know the one when Roger rubs the little puppy with a towel and wa-la, it's alive.) Well that move also works on pigs! Everyone started cheering (and one shedding a silent tear or two), and it was a really great moment! Told you it was an awesome story! I will definetly be visting the "Birthing Center" at next years Houston Rodeo!

Happy Golden Day!

My BFF is turning 26 on the 26th of March! It calls for a celebration! However, due to the fact that we are 5ish states separated I will have to settle with posting a flash from the past (18 years ago on her 8th birthday.)

Tara : 1. is funny 2. thrifty 3. friendly 4. a good mom 5. has a great laugh 6. can talk to anyone 7. loves her family 8. great cook 9. dedicated learner 10. has some awesome cello & piano skills 11. is sensitive to heat and running 12. knows how to put me in my place 13. was a great doll babysitter 14. supportive wife 15. is my twin from another mother 16. really good listener 17. loves Africa 18. has natural childbirths 19. looks good in glasses 20. is practically bilingual 21. likes to share her jogging stroller 22. had all the same elementary teachers as me 23. switched junior highs with me in the middle of the semester 24. loves Arizona as much as I do 25. is really humble 26. had been my best friend for twenty-six years and counting!

Cal's New Tricks

Besides figuring out how to climb out of his crib, Callin has now figured out how to unlock the front door. Twice this week he has shown up missing (as in not in the house, not outside anywhere.) We are getting to know our neighbors better! I should send them all a letter warning them of his super friendly, free spirited personality. Both times he was found pushing his stroller as happily as can be down the street (I should mention that he did get far enough away that it wasn't OUR street.)

He loves popping a wheelie!

Girls Night Out!

I LOVED, LOVED my awesome weekend at Time Out for Women! I put the twins (Doug & Uncle Ben/Daddy #2) in charge of Callin and left town for a wonderful weekend of fun with some friends. It turned out to be the perfect amount of pep-talk/rejuvenation that I needed.

This is Mary Ellen Edmunds. If you haven't heard her speak or read one of her books you should. Her happiness and love for life is so contagious. She is a friend of my mom's, so on a break we fought our way through the adoring fans (most of whom belonged to the Sheri Dew fan club) to say hello.

Besides the late night talk in our hotel room (completed with Cheese Cake Factory goodies) and time spent with friends, I also really enjoyed being reminded how wonderful it is to be a wife and mother. Both roles that bring me so much happiness and true joy!

70 New Voice Mail

Doug and I pledged to do some campaign calls for his dad. (I did 95 calls and Doug a mere 5, so let's not give him too much credit!) I can hardly wait! Around 70 PEOPLE are going to come home from work tonight and have to listen to a really energetic voice mail from ME! In case you are not one of the luck 70 or one of the lucky 15 that actually answered and wanted to know why I was calling from Texas, here is how the voice message went.

"HI! My name is Annie. I am a volunteer for John Lewis who is running for Mayor of Gilbert. I am calling to remind you that tomorrow is election day in Gilbert if you haven't voted yet. If you have any questions about John you can go to his website: www.johnlewisformayor.com. As John's daughter in law, I can proudly say that he is a high caliber man of high values and has great integrity. His strong background in business and finance will be a WONDERFUL asset to Gilbert at this time of financial struggles. We are proud to say that he is the only candidate who has both the endorsement from the Gilbert Small Business Alliance and the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. We really hope that we can count on your support for John Lewis. Have a great day!"

If you live in Gilbert- go vote! Tomorrow is the day!

POST UPDATE (3/22/09): Mayor John did wonderful in the election. He received the highest votes of all the candidates (41% of the total votes.) He will continue into 1 more election with the other top runner (who only received 20% of the votes.)

Organization

I really like to be organized and have the BEST of intentions, but unfortunately I am NOT very good at it. I normally pile up my clothes in my closet for a week and then take 30 minutes to sort/hang/etc. when I can't take it anymore or can't find what I am looking for. And paperwork...don't get me started on it. (Or Doug for that matter, because he is always frustrated with me.)

Following my sister Aimee's example I have started this year off by dividing up my days: Mon- clean the down stairs & paperwork, Tue- laundry & closet, Wed-clean the upstairs & projects, Thur- plan for preschool, Fri- laundry & grocery shop, Sat- good clean bathrooms & kitchen. I am happy to say that this 'plan' has semi- been working for me now for 2 months! I am a new person! I can now read a book (or whatever other guilty pleasure I want to indulge in) and not feel bad about "not having everything perfect." If I did my jobs for the day- I deserve to be rewarded!

After receiving a little motivation for Jan.'s cooking group, I have recently planned a 8 week menu. It has really simplified my "what's for dinner" dilemma. I would highly suggest it!

But...now here's the but: Here are some daily problems I have discovered: 1. My lack of motivation (Do I really want to spend my energy on organizing the junk drawer?) and 2. No matter how hard I try to be organized, my little Cal is trying HARDER to un-organize me! We struggle with the basics: lawnmowers & edgers stay outside. Vacuums stay inside.