the price of 45 chigger bites

Cal is turning 4 next month.  Lately I have been thinking about how my "trial" parenting time is over.  I have memories from his age so I can only assume he will have some too.  And I really don't want those memories to be the not-so-good-moments.  So, I hope he remembers the good times like these ones. 

Unfortunately, we let our sleeping bags sit out in the nice tall grass for several hours and then were eaten alive during the night by disgusting little larva. Doug (43 bites) and I walked away from the night looking like we had the chicken pox.  And then we itched, really, REALLY bad for 4 straight days.  

 We were lucky to have a few friends join us for dinner & smores since the site is so close to home. 

 The dad's had a great time making up kid friendly/not so friendly ghost stories.

My favorite part was after the kids were in bed and everyone went home, Doug and I were talking by the fire about the only thing we know how to talk about....what will he do when he grows up, and a tree started shaking and crunching.  He claims not too have been too scared, but he was. But being the protector of the family and all, he remained seated and opted for clicking on his handy dandy head light.   We watched a very large raccoon, think fox size, walk right into our camp, around our tent, decide he didn't want to eat our garbage or our children for that matter, and walk off. 

I love having my little family! They are the best!

The past week has been so BEAUTIFUL in Texas.  Highs were in the 70's.  We got a new trampoline mat and have been living outside from day to day.  Even our Dr. Seuss tree (my mom's nick name) bloomed its wonderful puffy, pink, happy flowers.  

I needed a new post up....

We're happy! 

 And the littlest one of us has a really big crush.

They like to share sippy cups, read wonderful novels about kitties and doggies, and jam music together. 

Kate says Rhett's name over and over. 

Talking is not Rhett's strong point unless the subject is 'Dada.' 

But he waves and hugs and gives her killer smiles.

happification

After a couple of blah weeks, I am ready to focus on all the things that have made me happy. 

Because I am surrounded by so many wonderful things.   

My friends are super heroes. Who work quietly and without much fame.  

I found out that they are the "anything anytime anyplace" kind of people. 

Phones are still the best invention.  I like to talk.

I got a great massage and facial!

I love pink roses.  Especially when they are a fresh from my neighbors bush.

2 bags of chocolate raisins + BBC movies = the perfect day. Or 3 days for that matter.

Reading is such a guilty pleasure!

Ordering pizza is the best!  Especially when a secret someone has it delivered to your house. 

My mom!  She dropped everything and came to town to worked her magic.  She is such an amazing mom who shows her love a thousand different ways.  A week of no cooking, no cleaning, no laundry, and no parenting (plus mandatory quiet time for me) really is medicine for the soul. 

Planting trees.  We planted another tree this week to cheer us up.  I smile every time I see its crooked little top out my window. I love our house, and love Houston, and am happy that we are putting down a few more roots for the time being.   

I love that we are close to the beach: the air, the wind, the sound of waves, the sunshine!!   My mom and I used our most logical thinking and concluded that there will definitely be beaches in heaven. Beaches with no seaweed and no jelly fish that is. (Because really, where will all the whales, fish, and dolphins live?) 

I have a wonderful husband. He is handsome and hard working and smart.  

And 2 of the worlds best, happiest, handsomest, little boys that bring me so much joy!   Pure JOY pictured below:  

  Life is so good.  In the end, it is good to have some lows to appreciate the many wonderful highs. 

our easter best.

Spring Break, Part 3

I am one of luckiest people I know to have 4 amazing sisters. 

We "reconnected"  over spring break.  It was some of the best fun I have had in a long time.

We are different, and I love that.  Aimee's is the perfect mother of 5 (like the kind of mother who has a snack schedule for every day of the week!) and the best Bishops wife I have met.

Ali  is tall and beautiful and is a yoga guru and likes tofu and all things zen.  Emily has the love of Mother Teresa and the musical talent of Mozart all wrapped into one (plus a little girl on the way!)  Lindy is caring and responsible, far more than her 10 years. 

My Mom and Dad turn/turned 60 in March and April.  We threw them a surprise party with all of their friends.  It was a 50's Diner and turned out to be so much fun!  I wore my mom's old cheerleading dress and her Letterman jacket and loved every minute of it!    

I was lucky enough to watch Lindy for a week while my parents went on a trip. Motherhood really is the life of a chauffeur!  If was a great week to catch up on hanging out with cousins and dear friends. 

We heart Arizona and all of our favorite people!  

Spring Break Part 2

We had so much fun hosting Doug's family for a few days during their spring break. We celebrated Mom's birthday and even let her eat her favorite Black Walnut ice cream from breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  :)   

We celebrated her big day like any other Texan would and....went to THE Houston Rodeo!  We had a great time!  Doug finally got to try the famous deep fried turkey legs.  After waiting at the egg hatchery for over 15 minutes, Cal's patience paid off and he saw a baby chick peck its way completely out of its shell. 

 Other highlights of the trip include a day trip out to Brazos Bend, Home of the Alligators.  Cal was a little nervous since we keep finding so many and Rhett was so happy being in Grandpa's arms pointing to all the birds. 

We had a lovely little barbecue for lunch and were in the middle of cleaning up when we got a little Texas surprise.  A flash flood RAIN!  In a matter of 10 seconds it went from cloudy day to raining cats and dogs and elephants too!  It was a great memory full of screaming!

Spring Break Part 1

We were lucky enough to have our favorite Reber cousins stop in for a quick Baseball filled weekend! Rhett and Dessie are really looking like cousins with their same blond curls!

Why can't Dallas be just a little closer!!